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Emma (519 KP) rated The Last Fighting Tommy in Books
Sep 1, 2019
The subject this month that was picked for my book club was world war one, I was struggling to find a book to read, and so was lent two books. This one by my mother and war horse by my friend. I chose to read this one, and was honestly a bit dubious about reading it. I have always been more interested in ancient history than modern history and didn't think it would agree with me. However I couldn't put this book down, the way it is written makes you feel like you are sat with Harry, listening to him tell his stories, and for me it us unusual to read about someone that didn't want to go to war. Also reading about his life, and the things he did before the war and after it....well what and interesting man and definitely full of character. I hope his story lives on for a long time to come.
Dork_knight74 (881 KP) rated Deep Blue Sea 2 (2018) in Movies
Sep 2, 2020
Smh
ok, I wasn't going to watch this one because sequels like these, I find, tend to be worse than the originals. Someone wanted me to check it out so, against my better judgements, I did. What I found was a watered down(pun intended) version of the first film(which I really liked and enjoyed). The cinematography wasn't too bad with some decent effects but the acting was weak and the storyline was too. It was very predictable and had your typical Hollywood leave-it-open-for-a-sequel ending(something the original didn't do). This could've been a stand alone film except for the glaring similarities in characters and plot(only on a much lower budget). I don't think I'll be watching the third one. Honestly, you wouldn't be missing anything if you didn't see this one yourselves. Just go watch the first one again. Much more entertaining. NOT worth a watch.
The Cousins
7.0
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THE BRILLIANT NEW THRILLER FROM INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF ONE OF US IS LYING KAREN M...
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated A Most Malicious Murder in Books
Nov 22, 2021
Edgar Allen Poe is on a tour of the universities of England, His first stop Oxford. He's worried about his wife who's had a rough time on the way over. Hes had a bit too much to drink to celebrate his success he then wakes up in what he thinks is his room with a very sore head and a dead chambermaid at the bottom of his bed on the floor!
He must do everything he can to clear his name so he can continue with his tour.
It is an absolutely encapsulating story it did remind me a bit of Sherlock and Watson. It's very well written and captures your imagination from the start!
The murder scenes are rather gruesome but then murders aren't meant to be pretty are they! The air of mystery through out the novel keeps you wanting to read through to the end to find out whodunit and why?
a fantastic mystery to keep you captivated.
He must do everything he can to clear his name so he can continue with his tour.
It is an absolutely encapsulating story it did remind me a bit of Sherlock and Watson. It's very well written and captures your imagination from the start!
The murder scenes are rather gruesome but then murders aren't meant to be pretty are they! The air of mystery through out the novel keeps you wanting to read through to the end to find out whodunit and why?
a fantastic mystery to keep you captivated.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Party at No. 12 [Audiobook] in Books
Mar 13, 2022
![The Party at No. 12 [Audiobook]](/uploads/profile_image/8b7/a74a6e8b-b9f7-4586-9265-c063397278b7.jpg?m=1647201513)
When a group of women get together for a going-away party, there is likely to be some drama or other but no one could predict what was going to happen at No 12.
"Everyone’s invited. Someone will never leave."
This was entertaining. I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrators did a great job of portraying each of the different characters; they drew me in and kept me there until the end.
The characters are an interesting bunch of people; not particularly likeable but interesting nonetheless. The plot is engaging with the requisite twists and turns which keeps you guessing and the pace is good.
Overall, an enjoyable listen and whilst I haven't read or listened to anything by this author before, I will certainly keep an eye out in the future.
Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for my audio copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
"Everyone’s invited. Someone will never leave."
This was entertaining. I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrators did a great job of portraying each of the different characters; they drew me in and kept me there until the end.
The characters are an interesting bunch of people; not particularly likeable but interesting nonetheless. The plot is engaging with the requisite twists and turns which keeps you guessing and the pace is good.
Overall, an enjoyable listen and whilst I haven't read or listened to anything by this author before, I will certainly keep an eye out in the future.
Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for my audio copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Debbiereadsbook (1614 KP) rated Disjointed Lives in Books
Apr 3, 2018
tearjerker!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I purchased my copy of this book.
Imagine meeting your best friend for coffee and telling her something that happened ten years before, something that could possibly cost you her friendship.
Because, at it's most basic, that's what this is : two old friends, best friends, meeting for coffee and Ava has to tell Paige something that happened ten years ago, when they were estranged, something that she NEEDS to say, but knows that Paige might not, hell, she WON'T like it, but she needs to know.
At it's most complex?? It's the story of a woman who falls in love with an abusive partner and her fight to get out and away from that partner. The abuse is not physical, it's emotional, it's mental, it is total in it's destruction of Ava of old. It is total in cutting Ava off from everything and everyone she knows. It reduces her to a woman who, while maybe at the back of her mind knows that what is happening to her is not right, this marriage is not how it should be, she cannot be anything else but his wife. She knows no one will want her, because James tells her so.
But Ava finds a friend at work who is not letting her wallow, is not letting go, and Jacob helps Ava. And Ava has been dreaming about Jacob, which is what prompted this coffee shop meeting, and it all coming tumbling out of Ava.
It is beautifully written, painful reading though. While not told in great detail, there is some reference to Ava's abuse, to what James did, what he made her do. I had to keep putting it down, it made me cry in many places. It's not very long, but because I had to keep putting it down, it took me all day to read the 67 pages here. But so beautifully written!
Cutting extremely close to home on two fronts.
Because someone close to me went through what Ava did, but her abuse was physical, as well as mental. I watched her cutting us off, one by one, those closest to her first, and then spreading out, just as his tentacles spread out. And there was nothing we could do to stop it. We tried, oh Lord we tried, but she was in love. We had to wait til she came to the same conclusion, and wait for her to act on her own. She did. It just took a bit of time.
And because I know Ava, because I AM Paige. Finding out a wonderful day spent in amazing company last October was the inspiration for this book made me cry. Made me feel incredibly proud to be part of this book, made me feel incredibly proud of Ms Sheppard.
I cannot express, not really, how much this book affected me. But you should know that...
IT
IS
AMAZING!
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Imagine meeting your best friend for coffee and telling her something that happened ten years before, something that could possibly cost you her friendship.
Because, at it's most basic, that's what this is : two old friends, best friends, meeting for coffee and Ava has to tell Paige something that happened ten years ago, when they were estranged, something that she NEEDS to say, but knows that Paige might not, hell, she WON'T like it, but she needs to know.
At it's most complex?? It's the story of a woman who falls in love with an abusive partner and her fight to get out and away from that partner. The abuse is not physical, it's emotional, it's mental, it is total in it's destruction of Ava of old. It is total in cutting Ava off from everything and everyone she knows. It reduces her to a woman who, while maybe at the back of her mind knows that what is happening to her is not right, this marriage is not how it should be, she cannot be anything else but his wife. She knows no one will want her, because James tells her so.
But Ava finds a friend at work who is not letting her wallow, is not letting go, and Jacob helps Ava. And Ava has been dreaming about Jacob, which is what prompted this coffee shop meeting, and it all coming tumbling out of Ava.
It is beautifully written, painful reading though. While not told in great detail, there is some reference to Ava's abuse, to what James did, what he made her do. I had to keep putting it down, it made me cry in many places. It's not very long, but because I had to keep putting it down, it took me all day to read the 67 pages here. But so beautifully written!
Cutting extremely close to home on two fronts.
Because someone close to me went through what Ava did, but her abuse was physical, as well as mental. I watched her cutting us off, one by one, those closest to her first, and then spreading out, just as his tentacles spread out. And there was nothing we could do to stop it. We tried, oh Lord we tried, but she was in love. We had to wait til she came to the same conclusion, and wait for her to act on her own. She did. It just took a bit of time.
And because I know Ava, because I AM Paige. Finding out a wonderful day spent in amazing company last October was the inspiration for this book made me cry. Made me feel incredibly proud to be part of this book, made me feel incredibly proud of Ms Sheppard.
I cannot express, not really, how much this book affected me. But you should know that...
IT
IS
AMAZING!
5 full and shiny stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Coral & Bone in Books
Jan 23, 2020
Coral & Bone was a waste of my time. An absolute waste, because I could have spent 2 days reading other books that are so much more amazing (and obviously, worth my attention).
When reading the synopsis and first starting out the book, I thought Coral & Bone would be promising Sirens! Mermaids are the bad guys! How cool is that!
Problem? Early on in the book, I could already tell like I can with most books this would not go very well. The writing feels a bit choppy.
<blockquote>She was going through bookstore withdrawals and losing her sanity at the same time. She would have to try and persuade her mom to take her to Portland soon. If she could just nestle between the aisles of books, get lost for few hours, she might be able to harness some of these crazy new feelings she had been experiencing.</blockquote>
Think of a river, or any type of water source. If the water is choppy, it doesn't really bear a good sign. But if the water flows, it's pretty calm. It's precisely how I felt with Duane's writing. It just didn't seem to go really well and I felt as though I were reading a sample from a grammar book. "Sophia did this. Sophia did that. Sophia flipped. Sophia pouted. Sophia expressed her dislike."
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2UQC1S43r4/VCDMO-p0xiI/AAAAAAAAD3I/_ZPjiz-LnPs/s1600/Throw%2BOut%2Ba%2BWindow.gif"; border="0">
BORING. Thing is, I'm not exactly one to give up on a book when it's just 4%. In fact, I personally thought I was a bit drained out... especially from Puritan readings (it's quite the brain exercise if you ask me). Except... it gets worse.
It's CONFUSING. If there's one thing I really dislike, it's people not giving me clarification. Please. If a math teacher doesn't teach you clearly how to do a problem, how do you pass a math class with a passable grade? But goody gumdrops, does Duane confuse me.
<blockquote>She discovered, through meditation, that she was able to speak to her mom. Are you still there? Mom?</blockquote>
If her mom's throat got slit and she's dead, how is Tage able to speak to her mom, even if it's through meditation? Is her mom a ghost? Is Tage just thinking about what her mother would say if she were still alive?
<blockquote>"They took the bait."</blockquote>
What bait? You would think that as Tage and Daspar are working together toward a common goal, Daspar would reveal what the bait would be. He doesn't. What the heck?
<blockquote>"After he consumed Puras soul he was different."</blockquote>
Eh? Whoa whoa whoa. When did we enter sucking your soul out zone? How does one do that exactly, and why did Daspar do it? Protection? Did Pura sacrifice herself?
<blockquote>Remember I told you the Elosians didnt like sirens?</blockquote>
Wait a minute. Wait a minute. If Etlis is for shifters and humans stay on Earth, yet Elosians don't like Sirens, where do Sirens live? Are they immigrants? Migrants? The world building has a good start, but it's too confusing to be a fully developed world.
<blockquote>"When Natalie died
Went missing, Pepper chimed in.
Died, Catch said.
Halen looked to Dax. Is she dead or alive?
We dont know for sure. We havent found her body, but that doesnt mean the hunters didnt destroy it.</blockquote>
Goodness, even the characters are confused. "Where's Natalie? Where's Natalie? Where's Natalie?" "Oh, let's just throw Halen in and see how she does and go from there because we're not sure if Natalie's alive or not!" What happens if Natalie really is alive? Ping, pong, let's have a sister fight!
<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFkaK8GKFOE/VCDMTJnhFsI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/1Xq3NVQhCXM/s1600/i%2Bcan't.gif"; border="0" height="179" width="320">
And speaking of Halen, our main character, I have quite the complaint about her as a character.
For fun, I pretty much thought her name was Haden. Funny, because I actually read The Shadow Prince and what do you know? Haden's the main character (well, one of them).
It's probably even a coincidence they have similar personalities and are all mopey. "I can't do this! I give up! Blah blah blah!" It's all acceptable for the first book... usually. It becomes quite the problem if the character cries wolf quite loudly. Ahem... their bark is apparently bigger than their bite.
But here's one positive aspect: Halen isn't a quitter. Despite the fact she's completely frustrated all the time, she continues.
Unfortunately, it was pretty much the only thing about Coral & Bone I liked. When that happens, especially at around 60%, it pretty much means all hope is lost and I should move on.
With all that said, you don't really want to waste your time with Coral & Bone unless you're looking for a book that confuses you. Perhaps with major tweaks, Duane's latest work would certainly be one you wouldn't want to simply pass by. But no, that's not the case.
-----------------
Review copy provided by the author originally for the blog tour
Original Rating: 1.5 out of 5
Original review posted at <a href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/2014/10/dnf-review-coral-and-bone-by-tiffany-duane.html">Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
When reading the synopsis and first starting out the book, I thought Coral & Bone would be promising Sirens! Mermaids are the bad guys! How cool is that!
Problem? Early on in the book, I could already tell like I can with most books this would not go very well. The writing feels a bit choppy.
<blockquote>She was going through bookstore withdrawals and losing her sanity at the same time. She would have to try and persuade her mom to take her to Portland soon. If she could just nestle between the aisles of books, get lost for few hours, she might be able to harness some of these crazy new feelings she had been experiencing.</blockquote>
Think of a river, or any type of water source. If the water is choppy, it doesn't really bear a good sign. But if the water flows, it's pretty calm. It's precisely how I felt with Duane's writing. It just didn't seem to go really well and I felt as though I were reading a sample from a grammar book. "Sophia did this. Sophia did that. Sophia flipped. Sophia pouted. Sophia expressed her dislike."
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2UQC1S43r4/VCDMO-p0xiI/AAAAAAAAD3I/_ZPjiz-LnPs/s1600/Throw%2BOut%2Ba%2BWindow.gif"; border="0">
BORING. Thing is, I'm not exactly one to give up on a book when it's just 4%. In fact, I personally thought I was a bit drained out... especially from Puritan readings (it's quite the brain exercise if you ask me). Except... it gets worse.
It's CONFUSING. If there's one thing I really dislike, it's people not giving me clarification. Please. If a math teacher doesn't teach you clearly how to do a problem, how do you pass a math class with a passable grade? But goody gumdrops, does Duane confuse me.
<blockquote>She discovered, through meditation, that she was able to speak to her mom. Are you still there? Mom?</blockquote>
If her mom's throat got slit and she's dead, how is Tage able to speak to her mom, even if it's through meditation? Is her mom a ghost? Is Tage just thinking about what her mother would say if she were still alive?
<blockquote>"They took the bait."</blockquote>
What bait? You would think that as Tage and Daspar are working together toward a common goal, Daspar would reveal what the bait would be. He doesn't. What the heck?
<blockquote>"After he consumed Puras soul he was different."</blockquote>
Eh? Whoa whoa whoa. When did we enter sucking your soul out zone? How does one do that exactly, and why did Daspar do it? Protection? Did Pura sacrifice herself?
<blockquote>Remember I told you the Elosians didnt like sirens?</blockquote>
Wait a minute. Wait a minute. If Etlis is for shifters and humans stay on Earth, yet Elosians don't like Sirens, where do Sirens live? Are they immigrants? Migrants? The world building has a good start, but it's too confusing to be a fully developed world.
<blockquote>"When Natalie died
Went missing, Pepper chimed in.
Died, Catch said.
Halen looked to Dax. Is she dead or alive?
We dont know for sure. We havent found her body, but that doesnt mean the hunters didnt destroy it.</blockquote>
Goodness, even the characters are confused. "Where's Natalie? Where's Natalie? Where's Natalie?" "Oh, let's just throw Halen in and see how she does and go from there because we're not sure if Natalie's alive or not!" What happens if Natalie really is alive? Ping, pong, let's have a sister fight!
<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFkaK8GKFOE/VCDMTJnhFsI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/1Xq3NVQhCXM/s1600/i%2Bcan't.gif"; border="0" height="179" width="320">
And speaking of Halen, our main character, I have quite the complaint about her as a character.
For fun, I pretty much thought her name was Haden. Funny, because I actually read The Shadow Prince and what do you know? Haden's the main character (well, one of them).
It's probably even a coincidence they have similar personalities and are all mopey. "I can't do this! I give up! Blah blah blah!" It's all acceptable for the first book... usually. It becomes quite the problem if the character cries wolf quite loudly. Ahem... their bark is apparently bigger than their bite.
But here's one positive aspect: Halen isn't a quitter. Despite the fact she's completely frustrated all the time, she continues.
Unfortunately, it was pretty much the only thing about Coral & Bone I liked. When that happens, especially at around 60%, it pretty much means all hope is lost and I should move on.
With all that said, you don't really want to waste your time with Coral & Bone unless you're looking for a book that confuses you. Perhaps with major tweaks, Duane's latest work would certainly be one you wouldn't want to simply pass by. But no, that's not the case.
-----------------
Review copy provided by the author originally for the blog tour
Original Rating: 1.5 out of 5
Original review posted at <a href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com/2014/10/dnf-review-coral-and-bone-by-tiffany-duane.html">Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
The Imperfect Shot: Shooting Excuses, Gaffes and Blunders
Jeremy Hobson and Oliver Preston
Book
Have I remembered everything?; What shall I wear"; Who am I likely to be shooting alongside?; Will...
Merissa (13585 KP) rated The Blacksmith and the Ex-Con (Farthingdale Ranch #2) in Books
May 25, 2021 (Updated Jul 26, 2023)
THE BLACKSMITH AND THE EX-CON is the second book in the Farthingdale Ranch series, although you can read it as a standalone as I have.
Ellis is the ex-con who has had a hard time of it. Now, I'm not excusing what he's done, but he did do it for the right reasons. And given the relationship he did have, I can understand the mutism. My heart ached for him, it really did. Jasper is a big, gruff, sweetie who would do anything for those he lets in. And he certainly lets Ellis in. The romance develops slowly, but compassion and kindness are there from the get-go.
There are easter eggs in here for Honey from the Lion (that I have read) which is part of the Love Across Time series. I'm ashamed to admit that the fate of the ranch that Laurie disappeared from never even entered my mind, so it was great to see this from a different view.
I loved all the characters in this book - even Phil! He was horrible, but exactly as he was supposed to be. Obviously, the biggest growth was Ellis, but Jasper comes along nicely too. The supporting cast provides understanding, love, and humour to our main two.
This book was extremely well-written and paced, and certainly kept my attention from the first word to the very last. I will be reading book one in this series simply down to the characters and Ms North's writing. If that isn't a recommendation, then I don't know what is!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 25, 2021
Ellis is the ex-con who has had a hard time of it. Now, I'm not excusing what he's done, but he did do it for the right reasons. And given the relationship he did have, I can understand the mutism. My heart ached for him, it really did. Jasper is a big, gruff, sweetie who would do anything for those he lets in. And he certainly lets Ellis in. The romance develops slowly, but compassion and kindness are there from the get-go.
There are easter eggs in here for Honey from the Lion (that I have read) which is part of the Love Across Time series. I'm ashamed to admit that the fate of the ranch that Laurie disappeared from never even entered my mind, so it was great to see this from a different view.
I loved all the characters in this book - even Phil! He was horrible, but exactly as he was supposed to be. Obviously, the biggest growth was Ellis, but Jasper comes along nicely too. The supporting cast provides understanding, love, and humour to our main two.
This book was extremely well-written and paced, and certainly kept my attention from the first word to the very last. I will be reading book one in this series simply down to the characters and Ms North's writing. If that isn't a recommendation, then I don't know what is!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 25, 2021
Cthulhu (5 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Layers of Fear in Video Games
Sep 2, 2018
Disturbing Story (2 more)
Easy movement mechanics
Appealing creepy visuals
Not that scary (2 more)
Too easy
Cliché at times
Good Plot and Visuals, but not that Scary
Contains spoilers, click to show
When I started this game, I was expecting really good quality scares. Unfortunately, this game did not really "scare" me. It was mostly just pop scares with some loud creepy noises here and there. I don't mind a few pop scares, but I was hoping for more creative ways to get scared from a game. The game adds a lot of creepy whispers, running baby dolls, and lights that mysteriously go out-- which was all a bit too cliché for me. *Spoiler- you only see the main "ghost" a few times and I wish there were most instances where it was included.*
Now onto the good part. While the game didn't scare me, I found the plot and ending to be very surprising. It was definitely creative and something new I haven't seen in a game before. You have to pay attention to all readable items and you have to piece it together, but once you figure out what's going on, it's pretty messed up- which is exactly what I was looking for!
The game's mechanics, movements, and how you get around feels a lot like the game PT. I really loved PT and I enjoyed how this game made a similar feel. Every room is different and you don't know what's going to be in it. Most rooms you have to solve puzzles to get to the next one. Some of the puzzles felt a bit too easy for me, but I didn't really mind too much since there were a lot of rooms to get through. I wish some were a bit harder though. Movement wise, there's no fighting and it's all walk and interact with an object here and there. I enjoyed it since it let me focus on the story.
Visually, I liked how creepy the atmosphere was. It was interesting because while a lot of what you saw was "gross looking", there were bits of color and beauty in it from the dad being an artist. I thought the game was beautiful just from that aspect. I loved finding the art in all of the creepy surroundings. Sometimes it got a bit repetitive-- a pretty normal looking room then the next room is all destroyed and in shambles, but for the most part it was interesting to look at.
Overall I really did enjoy this game. It was fun to play for the plot and the visuals, but I wouldn't necessarily play it for the scares or the puzzles. This game is probably for you though if you do like pop scares.
Now onto the good part. While the game didn't scare me, I found the plot and ending to be very surprising. It was definitely creative and something new I haven't seen in a game before. You have to pay attention to all readable items and you have to piece it together, but once you figure out what's going on, it's pretty messed up- which is exactly what I was looking for!
The game's mechanics, movements, and how you get around feels a lot like the game PT. I really loved PT and I enjoyed how this game made a similar feel. Every room is different and you don't know what's going to be in it. Most rooms you have to solve puzzles to get to the next one. Some of the puzzles felt a bit too easy for me, but I didn't really mind too much since there were a lot of rooms to get through. I wish some were a bit harder though. Movement wise, there's no fighting and it's all walk and interact with an object here and there. I enjoyed it since it let me focus on the story.
Visually, I liked how creepy the atmosphere was. It was interesting because while a lot of what you saw was "gross looking", there were bits of color and beauty in it from the dad being an artist. I thought the game was beautiful just from that aspect. I loved finding the art in all of the creepy surroundings. Sometimes it got a bit repetitive-- a pretty normal looking room then the next room is all destroyed and in shambles, but for the most part it was interesting to look at.
Overall I really did enjoy this game. It was fun to play for the plot and the visuals, but I wouldn't necessarily play it for the scares or the puzzles. This game is probably for you though if you do like pop scares.