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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Gray Areas (Grey Areas #1) in Books
Nov 14, 2019
Henry Fields arrives in the small town of Gable, Iowa and takes a job in the small grocery store. A friendly but quiet man, he fits into small town life and starts to make friends among the local townsfolk.
But he is clearly hiding a secret in his past. Even a small town in middle America might not be a safe place to stay hidden.
From this simple premise, Carl weaves an interesting tale focusing on Fields and all the characters in interacts with. As the first in the series this doesn't have much direction until the last third, detailing small town life. But the characters are so well described I was happy to follow along just to see what happened. The warmth of living in a small community where everyone knows everyone else is almost palpable.
Once the cosy set up is established, Carl then turns up the pace with events outside of Fields' control forcing him to reveal more about himself than he intended. There are certainly twists and there is action too as things come to a head.
The only downside of Grey Areas is that once it has been finished the reader will immediately want to pick up the next in the series to see what happens next. But that's certainly a downside that's worth having.
But he is clearly hiding a secret in his past. Even a small town in middle America might not be a safe place to stay hidden.
From this simple premise, Carl weaves an interesting tale focusing on Fields and all the characters in interacts with. As the first in the series this doesn't have much direction until the last third, detailing small town life. But the characters are so well described I was happy to follow along just to see what happened. The warmth of living in a small community where everyone knows everyone else is almost palpable.
Once the cosy set up is established, Carl then turns up the pace with events outside of Fields' control forcing him to reveal more about himself than he intended. There are certainly twists and there is action too as things come to a head.
The only downside of Grey Areas is that once it has been finished the reader will immediately want to pick up the next in the series to see what happens next. But that's certainly a downside that's worth having.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Anne of Green Gables in Books
Oct 4, 2022
It’s Hard to Imagine a More Romantic Story
Orphan Anne Shirley is thrilled when she is sent to live with the Cuthbert siblings, Matthew and Marilla. The problem is, they were looking for an orphan boy, someone who could help Matthew around the farm. Still, they begin to fall for Anne and agree to let her stay. This book follows her adventures of the next five years as she grows to become a sixteen-year-old. What will happen over that time?
I’ve never read this well-loved classic, and I decided it was time to fix that. It came out in 1908, so some of the language is dated, although there is nothing offensive here. I think I needed to be a pre-teen girl to fully enjoy this book. There were certainly parts I did enjoy, but overall, I found the book more episodic than a real novel. That tends to happen to me when a novel covers such a span of time. Also, the events in the second half of the book got to be too much for me. Having said that, I can see the appeal. The characters definitely grew on me, and I laughed at various events along the way. I’m curious enough about what happens next that I might go on with the series.
I’ve never read this well-loved classic, and I decided it was time to fix that. It came out in 1908, so some of the language is dated, although there is nothing offensive here. I think I needed to be a pre-teen girl to fully enjoy this book. There were certainly parts I did enjoy, but overall, I found the book more episodic than a real novel. That tends to happen to me when a novel covers such a span of time. Also, the events in the second half of the book got to be too much for me. Having said that, I can see the appeal. The characters definitely grew on me, and I laughed at various events along the way. I’m curious enough about what happens next that I might go on with the series.
House Of Leaves
8.4
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Johnny Truant wild and troubled sometime employee in a LA tattoo parlour, finds a notebook kept by...
horror ergodic literature
The Girl Who Could Fly
10.0
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Book
When homeschooled farm girl Piper McCloud reveals her ability to fly, she is quickly taken to a...
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Unbalanced (Demon Lovers, #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Addie is having a last drink with her colleagues before making her way home to nurse her upcoming hangover. She has been made redundant and has nothing to get up for. On her way home, she hears a cry for help and goes to see what she can do. What happens next is beyond her wildest imaginings and sends her spiraling into the world of demons and fulcrums. What Leah did out of duty, Addie quickly comes to do out of love and affections for 'her' demons. Will she be able to balance out Jet and Locan before they kill each other and will them be able to kill the demon that is taking out the teams?
This is a very short story that is full of heat. It has an interesting part with the fulcrum and what it means to lose one but there is a part when Addie wonders if she has done her 'job' too well and isn't actually needed anymore. There are gaps in the world building and character back stories but it is only a short novella so you can't expect everything. There is some ménage action and a snippet of M/M that Addie watches whilst half asleep.
If you would like something to warm you up but not bog you down with details, then give this one a shot.
This is a very short story that is full of heat. It has an interesting part with the fulcrum and what it means to lose one but there is a part when Addie wonders if she has done her 'job' too well and isn't actually needed anymore. There are gaps in the world building and character back stories but it is only a short novella so you can't expect everything. There is some ménage action and a snippet of M/M that Addie watches whilst half asleep.
If you would like something to warm you up but not bog you down with details, then give this one a shot.
What Dreams We Had
Book
Five young people are at the end of their schooldays and in the dead period between finishing their...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Mission Manhattan in Books
Feb 20, 2024 (Updated Feb 20, 2024)
Another Fast Pasted Adventure
As this book opens, the team is in Venice. MI6 has intercepted a threat against a climate change rally that is featuring Beatriz Santos, a teen who has gained quite a following with her outspokenness on the topic. Since she is from Brazil, Rio has been tasked with getting close to her. It’s a good thing they are there, since things don’t go according to plan.
But Venice was just the beginning. As the team looks into what happened there, they realize that the danger isn’t over yet. Can they figure out what is happening in time to stop it?
I was anxious to dive into this book after the cliffhanger from the last book, and it did not disappoint. It did take a while to get back to cliffhanger, and the answers only lead to more questions. While I could have done without the climate change theme, I was happy to see those mini-lectures never lasted too long. Instead, we get plenty of surprises and fun as the City Spies try to figure out exactly what is going on so they can stop it. Meanwhile, I still love these characters and their relationship. Fans of all ages will love their latest adventure and be left wanting to find out what happens next.
But Venice was just the beginning. As the team looks into what happened there, they realize that the danger isn’t over yet. Can they figure out what is happening in time to stop it?
I was anxious to dive into this book after the cliffhanger from the last book, and it did not disappoint. It did take a while to get back to cliffhanger, and the answers only lead to more questions. While I could have done without the climate change theme, I was happy to see those mini-lectures never lasted too long. Instead, we get plenty of surprises and fun as the City Spies try to figure out exactly what is going on so they can stop it. Meanwhile, I still love these characters and their relationship. Fans of all ages will love their latest adventure and be left wanting to find out what happens next.
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Midnight Alley (The Morganville Vampires #3) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
This is my favorite book in the series so far because the plot FINALLY focuses on Claire's schooling. When her schedule got replaced with harder classes, I went just a bit green with envy - I'm a nerd at heart, even though I haven't been to school in years. I also love that we get more background information about the town of Morganville, such as its purpose and an explanation of the more mystical aspects of the town. Myrnin was quite a fascinating character, and I would not have minded if the text spent more time on Claire's studies with him, as well as her advanced class studies. (And yes, my favorite parts of the Harry Potter series was the classroom stuff.)
I didn't like that this book did not have Eve's journal entries at the end like previous books have done. Those previously gave me clues into her mind and her relationship with Michael, as well as a taste of what happens in the next book, so I was rather disappointed when I realized it was missing.
I'm hoping that future books go into more detail about what the journals cover as well as what exactly the red crystals are and how they affected Claire. I'm hoping that the drama with Eve's brother Jason gets resolved quickly as I find him just plain annoying and obnoxious. The ending had me exclaiming out loud, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series, Feast of Fools (Morganville Vampires, Book 4).
I didn't like that this book did not have Eve's journal entries at the end like previous books have done. Those previously gave me clues into her mind and her relationship with Michael, as well as a taste of what happens in the next book, so I was rather disappointed when I realized it was missing.
I'm hoping that future books go into more detail about what the journals cover as well as what exactly the red crystals are and how they affected Claire. I'm hoping that the drama with Eve's brother Jason gets resolved quickly as I find him just plain annoying and obnoxious. The ending had me exclaiming out loud, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series, Feast of Fools (Morganville Vampires, Book 4).
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated The Lost and the Chosen (The Lost Sentinel, #1) in Books
Jan 29, 2020
This has been borrowed from the Kindle Unlimited Library.
I don't think this book ever really slowed down it's pace. It starts with Vinna getting ready for her next mma? fight. After winning the fight she heads outside and sees a strange ripple in the air that she can't help but investigate and comes across a battle between two groups of men. She gets drawn into the fight and the winning side tell her she's like them - a caster - and that she should go with them back to their accommodation so they can fill her in on what she is. It takes a little convincing but she eventually goes and begins to learn about what she is. In the process she meets five fellow casters and feels a connection to each of them.
A lot more happens than my abbreviated version above and it's really good. We have some really good interaction between Vinna and each of the five guys. You get really drawn into their story. Then there's the older paladin group and their bond and how they are with Vinna. It's a little complicated at times between them and I got a little upset myself near the end.
I thought this was really well written and thought out. It was a different take on magicians/magic users and I really enjoyed it.
It does have a bit of a cliffhanger ending and I am interested to see what will happen next, both with Vinna and her harem and the vampires who are after her.
I don't think this book ever really slowed down it's pace. It starts with Vinna getting ready for her next mma? fight. After winning the fight she heads outside and sees a strange ripple in the air that she can't help but investigate and comes across a battle between two groups of men. She gets drawn into the fight and the winning side tell her she's like them - a caster - and that she should go with them back to their accommodation so they can fill her in on what she is. It takes a little convincing but she eventually goes and begins to learn about what she is. In the process she meets five fellow casters and feels a connection to each of them.
A lot more happens than my abbreviated version above and it's really good. We have some really good interaction between Vinna and each of the five guys. You get really drawn into their story. Then there's the older paladin group and their bond and how they are with Vinna. It's a little complicated at times between them and I got a little upset myself near the end.
I thought this was really well written and thought out. It was a different take on magicians/magic users and I really enjoyed it.
It does have a bit of a cliffhanger ending and I am interested to see what will happen next, both with Vinna and her harem and the vampires who are after her.
Rose (201 KP) rated Assassin's Creed: Origins in Video Games
Nov 28, 2017
Beautiful visuals (1 more)
Engaging story
This may actually beat AC: Syndicate for my second favorite Assassin's Creed game, the first being AC: Brotherhood.
The visuals are beautiful, in both day and night.
As per usual, I'm far more interested in exploring the world and doing side quests than running through the main story, but when I do, I get sucked right in: I need to know what happens next... until I get the itch to go exploring again or another side quest catches my eye.
I like the inclusion of taming certain animals and having them be additional dps when fighting. It's really cool knowing that a huge lion has your back when you're taking out a group of bandits. Though I am disappointed that they don't seem to follow you into caves or are still waiting outside when you emerge from clearing out a bandit infestation.
I'm very impressed at the schedule of extra quests and events such as fighting various gods like Anubis and Sobek, as well as the upcoming history to lay out the groundwork for the brotherhood in an expansion next year.
All of these are going to keep me very entertained for quite a while.
The visuals are beautiful, in both day and night.
As per usual, I'm far more interested in exploring the world and doing side quests than running through the main story, but when I do, I get sucked right in: I need to know what happens next... until I get the itch to go exploring again or another side quest catches my eye.
I like the inclusion of taming certain animals and having them be additional dps when fighting. It's really cool knowing that a huge lion has your back when you're taking out a group of bandits. Though I am disappointed that they don't seem to follow you into caves or are still waiting outside when you emerge from clearing out a bandit infestation.
I'm very impressed at the schedule of extra quests and events such as fighting various gods like Anubis and Sobek, as well as the upcoming history to lay out the groundwork for the brotherhood in an expansion next year.
All of these are going to keep me very entertained for quite a while.