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Lenard (726 KP) rated Pet Sematary (2019) in Movies
Apr 9, 2019
A Boston doctor moves his family to what is believed to be a quiet town in Maine. He soon discovers that the town has a secret past and supernatural powers. A good horror movie requires an atmosphere and a good movie based on the book makes you want to read the book to see what was left out. Neither requirement is met in this version of "Pet Sematary." The setting of the atmosphere I may have missed due to longer credits attached to "Shazam" that my gig required me to view. When I entered the theater, the family was already in their Maine house. In the short time I was not there, two things were established, the gas trucks that constantly careen through the town, a ominous sign of accidents to come and the family move to Maine to get away from the hustle of the city. The shadow of death could not have come until I was already in the theater. This aspect of the family dynamic was firmly established later when Ellie sees an animal dead on the road. The titular pet cemetary was also introduced while I was in attendance. The directors did not set up any foreboding specters for the cemetary or the family past, a sign of people in need of paying attention to their own creation. Throughout the film, there should be moments that terrify you from Church to the zombie child to Judd's mysteriously dead wife. None of these approach master level suspense.
Lesley (60 KP) rated Lying in Wait in Books
Aug 11, 2018
Twisty, fun read!
Oh boy. Strap yourself in for this one.
I kept seeing this book everywhere, and couldn't WAIT to read it. So when it landed on a Kindle sale for $3.99, I snapped it right up. The first night I started reading it, it kept me up until around 2 AM. I couldn't stop.
I don't like to write book reviews that include any sort of synopsis. Not only because I personally prefer to go in blind, or semi-blind, but it's easy enough to glance at the description on the Goodreads, Amazon, or whatever page and I feel it to be quite redundant. So I will just say that, like most books I read, this is a murder story that doesn't really go the way you think it will. It's not a MYSTERY, because the opening detail reveals what happened and who did it. The interesting part of this story is how things spiral out of control from there, and how many peoples lives this very huge mistake shapes and changes.
I finished the book this morning and I feel...weird. Disturbed. Dirty. What a great book. There is some serious creepy Oedipal vibes happening between Lydia and her son, Laurence. I got kind of a V.C. Andrews sense from the writing style. I am haunted - the subject matter could have been spun very badly. It could have been trite, or oversexed, or cliche. Instead, Liz Nugent has struck a perfect macabre balance and woven a tale that will make you feel unsettled, fascinated, and shaken.
I kept seeing this book everywhere, and couldn't WAIT to read it. So when it landed on a Kindle sale for $3.99, I snapped it right up. The first night I started reading it, it kept me up until around 2 AM. I couldn't stop.
I don't like to write book reviews that include any sort of synopsis. Not only because I personally prefer to go in blind, or semi-blind, but it's easy enough to glance at the description on the Goodreads, Amazon, or whatever page and I feel it to be quite redundant. So I will just say that, like most books I read, this is a murder story that doesn't really go the way you think it will. It's not a MYSTERY, because the opening detail reveals what happened and who did it. The interesting part of this story is how things spiral out of control from there, and how many peoples lives this very huge mistake shapes and changes.
I finished the book this morning and I feel...weird. Disturbed. Dirty. What a great book. There is some serious creepy Oedipal vibes happening between Lydia and her son, Laurence. I got kind of a V.C. Andrews sense from the writing style. I am haunted - the subject matter could have been spun very badly. It could have been trite, or oversexed, or cliche. Instead, Liz Nugent has struck a perfect macabre balance and woven a tale that will make you feel unsettled, fascinated, and shaken.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2177 KP) rated The Beckoning Ice in Books
Apr 25, 2020
Murder Approaches the South Pole
In February of 1839, the US Exploring Expedition is approaching Cape Horn. While many of the sailors are looking forward to their first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean, Wiki Coffin has other concerns. A crewman on the ship he is currently on has slit his own throat. It was well known that Midshipman Dove was unhappy with the life of a sailor, but Wiki doesn’t believe he committed suicide, and he soon begins to find evidence to back up his theory. But who committed the crime?
It’s been several years since I read the previous book in the series, but it didn’t take me long to slip back in Wiki’s world. The author does a fantastic job of bringing life on the sea in the 1830’s and the expedition to life, and she’s made me curious to learn more about what really happened during the voyage in real life. Unfortunately, her love of all things nautical did slow down the mystery at times, but after reading the previous books, I was still interested to know what was happening to the ships that I didn’t mind too much. And it was never long before Wiki was back to working on the mystery. There are a lot of characters, but they are developed enough to help us remember who they are, and we get little reminders as well when they step on page. If the subject at all interests you, I definitely recommend you check out this series.
It’s been several years since I read the previous book in the series, but it didn’t take me long to slip back in Wiki’s world. The author does a fantastic job of bringing life on the sea in the 1830’s and the expedition to life, and she’s made me curious to learn more about what really happened during the voyage in real life. Unfortunately, her love of all things nautical did slow down the mystery at times, but after reading the previous books, I was still interested to know what was happening to the ships that I didn’t mind too much. And it was never long before Wiki was back to working on the mystery. There are a lot of characters, but they are developed enough to help us remember who they are, and we get little reminders as well when they step on page. If the subject at all interests you, I definitely recommend you check out this series.
Splash 16 - The Best of Watercolor: Exploring Texture: 16
Book
100 top artists share the tricks behind their textures! Have you ever stood fascinated before a...
Dave Does the Right Thing: I'm David Cameron. I'm Prime Minister. I Will Do the Right Thing. I Must Do the Right Thing. We All Must Do the Right Thing.
Owen Dudley-Edwards and Bob Dewar
Book
Meet Dave. Dave is Prime Minister. Dave really wants to do the right thing. He keeps telling us he...
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Soul Raging (The Book of the Wars #3) in Books
Feb 24, 2021
Soul Raging by Ronie Kendig was one of my most anticipated reads of 2020, and it did not disappoint. It is the third book in Ronie Kendig’s The Book of the Wars series. This book (really the series) CANNOT be read as standalone as it is highly intertwined with the previous book; I ended up rereading the last part of the previous book just to remember right where it left off.
It was a fast-paced, action-packed, hold on to your seat type of ending that was addicting. I thoroughly enjoyed the conclusion and the growth of the characters by the end of the series. Leif and Iskra are a couple I would love to have on my side if the world fell down around me. They complement each other well and Ronie Kendig really made them feel like a realistic couple through the many challenges that they faced. I have nothing bad to say about the book, only that you really do need to read them in order or you will have no idea what is going on.
Soul Raging definitely lived up to what I have come to expect when I pick up a Ronie Kendig book; that it will be one I won't soon forget. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for the phenomenal curves in this book, the charismatic characters, and for being a series that actually ends on a high note!
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
It was a fast-paced, action-packed, hold on to your seat type of ending that was addicting. I thoroughly enjoyed the conclusion and the growth of the characters by the end of the series. Leif and Iskra are a couple I would love to have on my side if the world fell down around me. They complement each other well and Ronie Kendig really made them feel like a realistic couple through the many challenges that they faced. I have nothing bad to say about the book, only that you really do need to read them in order or you will have no idea what is going on.
Soul Raging definitely lived up to what I have come to expect when I pick up a Ronie Kendig book; that it will be one I won't soon forget. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for the phenomenal curves in this book, the charismatic characters, and for being a series that actually ends on a high note!
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2177 KP) rated Right to Remain Silent in Books
May 2, 2021 (Updated May 2, 2021)
I Won’t Remain Silent About This Book
Sparkle Bodie was declared dead, but then came back to life at the funeral home. She’s rushed to the hospital where she dies for real – smothered by a pillow. The sheriff thinks that Sparkle’s son, Caleb, is responsible for her murder – the son that is deaf and has had very little interaction with anyone else. Connor is asked by Sparkle’s other son to try to communicate with his brother and find out what really happened. That is proving to be a challenge even before someone lets Caleb out of jail. Can she prove he is innocent?
This is a strong third book in the series. Connor being deaf herself makes her a unique main character, but I love how she navigates life. The other characters, series regulars or suspects, are strong and help make the book compelling. The mystery contains enough red herrings to keep me guessing. I did feel the climax was a bit convoluted at first, but the more Connor explained things, the more it made sense. The paperback originally came out in the late 1990’s, so there are some dated elements in the book, and since that’s what I read, I don’t know if the ebook was updated. As long as you know that going in, you should be okay. There’s a smattering of foul language, but this is worth noting in passing. I’m glad I’m finally reading about Connor and am hoping I can continue the series soon.
This is a strong third book in the series. Connor being deaf herself makes her a unique main character, but I love how she navigates life. The other characters, series regulars or suspects, are strong and help make the book compelling. The mystery contains enough red herrings to keep me guessing. I did feel the climax was a bit convoluted at first, but the more Connor explained things, the more it made sense. The paperback originally came out in the late 1990’s, so there are some dated elements in the book, and since that’s what I read, I don’t know if the ebook was updated. As long as you know that going in, you should be okay. There’s a smattering of foul language, but this is worth noting in passing. I’m glad I’m finally reading about Connor and am hoping I can continue the series soon.
Merissa (11981 KP) rated Cursed by Fate (Between Ruin and Salvation #1) in Books
Apr 12, 2023
CURSED BY FATE is the first of four books in the Between Ruin and Salvation series and it starts off slow enough that you can figure out just who is who and what is going on, without being thrown in the deep end. It is a start that builds up momentum until you are left gasping at the cliffhanger. And what a cliffhanger it is.
I was thoroughly engrossed with the story, watching how the characters changed and grew as the situation changed. And how much did I curse at my Kindle when Ava and Makaii didn't meet when I wanted them to, or in the circumstances I wanted? One thing I loved was Ava's relationship with Derek. Seeing how it changed between them into something neither of them expected was fantastic. I'm now holding onto hope that Ava and Makaii will get their HEA without too many more horrible decisions and stubbornness getting in their way.
A strong, capable female MC with a ton of bad situations. Two adorable male MCs and a triangle that I've never had before. (And I don't even like triangles but this one had me intrigued!) And kick-ass witches that I want more from. This was an amazing start to a brilliant series and I can't wait to read more. HIGHLY recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
March 7, 2023
I was thoroughly engrossed with the story, watching how the characters changed and grew as the situation changed. And how much did I curse at my Kindle when Ava and Makaii didn't meet when I wanted them to, or in the circumstances I wanted? One thing I loved was Ava's relationship with Derek. Seeing how it changed between them into something neither of them expected was fantastic. I'm now holding onto hope that Ava and Makaii will get their HEA without too many more horrible decisions and stubbornness getting in their way.
A strong, capable female MC with a ton of bad situations. Two adorable male MCs and a triangle that I've never had before. (And I don't even like triangles but this one had me intrigued!) And kick-ass witches that I want more from. This was an amazing start to a brilliant series and I can't wait to read more. HIGHLY recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
March 7, 2023