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Sarah (7798 KP) rated Bird Box (2018) in Movies
Dec 28, 2018
Good but falls short
I’d heard mixed things about this, and Netflix made films are hit and miss at best, but this is actually quite good.
It’s an intriguing premise and for the most part it’s executed fairly well. I liked that it focused not only on the present but also how the events first came about, telling the story as it unfolded, even if it doesn’t quite get as far as a real explanation. There are some obvious comparisons with this and A Quiet Place, and rightly so as despite focusing on different senses, you can see the similarities. It’s nice to see Sandra Bullock back in a starring role, and I especially loved the scenes with her and John Malkovich, they added a nice bit of humour to an otherwise serious story.
This is quite a slow film, and I feel that it could maybe have been cut a little shorter to give it a faster pace. I disliked the ending completely as it is far too Hollywood and yet still didn’t show us what exactly was going on. And why did Sandra Bullock have a full face of makeup on during the entire 5 year span of the film?! I think that annoyed me most of all.
It’s not a bad film and with a few tweaks it could have been much better. However if I had to choose between this and A Quiet Place, I’m afraid A Quiet Place would win hands down.
It’s an intriguing premise and for the most part it’s executed fairly well. I liked that it focused not only on the present but also how the events first came about, telling the story as it unfolded, even if it doesn’t quite get as far as a real explanation. There are some obvious comparisons with this and A Quiet Place, and rightly so as despite focusing on different senses, you can see the similarities. It’s nice to see Sandra Bullock back in a starring role, and I especially loved the scenes with her and John Malkovich, they added a nice bit of humour to an otherwise serious story.
This is quite a slow film, and I feel that it could maybe have been cut a little shorter to give it a faster pace. I disliked the ending completely as it is far too Hollywood and yet still didn’t show us what exactly was going on. And why did Sandra Bullock have a full face of makeup on during the entire 5 year span of the film?! I think that annoyed me most of all.
It’s not a bad film and with a few tweaks it could have been much better. However if I had to choose between this and A Quiet Place, I’m afraid A Quiet Place would win hands down.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Broken Destiny (Hidden Academy #1) in Books
Nov 2, 2020
182 of 200
Kindle
Broken Destiny ( Hidden Academy book 1)
By Serena Lindahl
Having spent the last seven years in an orphanage, Zosia is shocked when someone tells her she's a sphinx and the last guardian of the sentient library of Supernaturals. The elite academy which houses the powerful library rejects her because she isn't perfect, but she knows instantly that the library is where she belongs. She ignores the academy's decree and gathers others around her - four guardians who are just as perfectly imperfect as she is.
But her powers, her ability to shift, and her strength are tied up in the memories she can't bear to access - memories of torture as a young girl - horrible acts which made her the way she is. When the library is all that stands between two ignorant factions trying to cause a war, it's up to her and her guardians to prevent it. But first, she has to face her worst fears - including believing in herself.
***This book is a reverse harem, why choose, slow-burn adventure. Some topics may be triggering and/or of a sensitive nature. (Past physical abuse) ***
This was a beautiful book to read! It flowed so well the story was an interesting twist from your normal perfect female role and perfect harem of men! It was a refreshing read not all about getting their kit off! I’m looking forward to reading more in this series!
Kindle
Broken Destiny ( Hidden Academy book 1)
By Serena Lindahl
Having spent the last seven years in an orphanage, Zosia is shocked when someone tells her she's a sphinx and the last guardian of the sentient library of Supernaturals. The elite academy which houses the powerful library rejects her because she isn't perfect, but she knows instantly that the library is where she belongs. She ignores the academy's decree and gathers others around her - four guardians who are just as perfectly imperfect as she is.
But her powers, her ability to shift, and her strength are tied up in the memories she can't bear to access - memories of torture as a young girl - horrible acts which made her the way she is. When the library is all that stands between two ignorant factions trying to cause a war, it's up to her and her guardians to prevent it. But first, she has to face her worst fears - including believing in herself.
***This book is a reverse harem, why choose, slow-burn adventure. Some topics may be triggering and/or of a sensitive nature. (Past physical abuse) ***
This was a beautiful book to read! It flowed so well the story was an interesting twist from your normal perfect female role and perfect harem of men! It was a refreshing read not all about getting their kit off! I’m looking forward to reading more in this series!
ClareR (5577 KP) rated Mother Mother in Books
May 4, 2021
I have to admit to reading this book because I was curious. I’ve heard of Annie Mac on the radio, and I was intrigued. Oh, and I really liked the cover. This is often a reason why I choose a book: sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. It definitely worked this time.
I was sucked in to this books world, and became really emotionally invested in this story. Mary and her brother have such a hard upbringing, that what comes later seems inevitable. Regardless of this, Mary becomes a good mother. She does that thing that so many mother do, and gives up her sense of self, and her life revolves around her son, TJ. She has a job she enjoys, but she is a solitary figure. When she stops seeing her friend Louise after she finds out that she’s pregnant with TJ, there isn’t any mention of anyone else. I couldn’t help but feel that she must have been so lonely.
Mary clings on to her family, even though her father and brother probably don’t deserve her attention and love, and TJ takes advantage of her unquestioning love - like a typical teenager.
There are some pretty heavy, emotional parts in this, and I read the last few chapters through tears. I can’t believe that this is a debut - it’s so well written. It’s an easy book to recommend, and a tough book to read.
I was sucked in to this books world, and became really emotionally invested in this story. Mary and her brother have such a hard upbringing, that what comes later seems inevitable. Regardless of this, Mary becomes a good mother. She does that thing that so many mother do, and gives up her sense of self, and her life revolves around her son, TJ. She has a job she enjoys, but she is a solitary figure. When she stops seeing her friend Louise after she finds out that she’s pregnant with TJ, there isn’t any mention of anyone else. I couldn’t help but feel that she must have been so lonely.
Mary clings on to her family, even though her father and brother probably don’t deserve her attention and love, and TJ takes advantage of her unquestioning love - like a typical teenager.
There are some pretty heavy, emotional parts in this, and I read the last few chapters through tears. I can’t believe that this is a debut - it’s so well written. It’s an easy book to recommend, and a tough book to read.
Purple Phoenix Games (2266 KP) rated Libertalia in Tabletop Games
Sep 5, 2019 (Updated Dec 2, 2019)
(Sung to the tune of “Rainbow Connection”) Why are there so many games about pirates? Why do I love them so much? (end music) Well I will tell you. Libertalia is one of the first pirate games I ever collected and played. I was finally able to introduce it to Laura recently and you can see by the ratings graphic that she really enjoyed it too. But why? It’s just another pirate game, right?
Libertalia pits the players against each other to become the wealthiest pirate captain by manipulating crew members and using their strengths to secure the almighty booty. The game takes place over three weeks, and each round of play is equal to one week. There are six playable days where captains will be selecting crew members to contribute their special abilities for gain and treachery to other captains.
DISCLAIMER: I do not intend to cover every single rule included in the rule book, but will describe the overall game flow and major rule set so that our readers may get a sense of how the game plays. For more in depth rules, you may purchase a copy from the publisher directly or from your FLGS. -T
To setup the game lay out all boards in the center of the table, choose which color pirate you would like to represent and take all corresponding color components, fill the booty spaces on the bottom of the ship board with enough booty tokens for one per player per box, and give each player ten doubloons worth of starting money. The youngest player now shuffles their deck thoroughly and deals themselves nine random cards. They player then reads out the numbers of cards they have drawn so that all players will have a matching hand of cards of the same numbers. Example: the youngest player draws 9 – 12 – 16 – 19 – 20 – 21 – 22 – 25 – 29. Each player will remove those exact cards from their decks to form the matching starting hand. You are now ready to play!
All captains will simultaneously choose one card from their hand to play for the “day.” The youngest player collects all played cards and arranges them numerically from lowest to highest (with numbers in the gray box area breaking ties). The Day now begins with any Day time specific abilities triggering on cards that show the matching Day symbol beginning with the lowest numbered card and ending with the highest (we will call it “initiative” for the purposes of this review). It could be taking doubloons, or otherwise affecting other cards. Once complete, the booty tokens for that Day are claimed in reverse initiative order (highest to lowest) and Dusk abilities are triggered. When all captains are satisfied with their booty (or oftentimes NOT satisfied) any Night special abilities are triggered and performed as well as the Cutlass and Spanish General token abilities. Those that have been discarded (slain) are placed under the play mat on the left side (where one can find the graveyard), and all surviving pirates retire to the “Den” where they may still be of service at the end of the week or even end of the game. At the end of the sixth Day/Night any pirates alive in the Den with a Day of Rest anchor icon will trigger their special abilities. The youngest player then draws and relays the next six cards to setup the next round and you are off for week #2. Play continues in this way for six Days over three Weeks.
Components. The game has a fair amount of different components, but they are all quite good. The punchboard components (boards, booty tokens, doubloons) are all a good thickness and quality. They look so good that my 3-year-old son wanted to play with them and add them to his gold doubloon collection. Yes, he has a gold doubloon collection in a treasure box. The cards and play mats are of good quality too. The art on this game is absolutely stellar. It is so realistic and wonderful that you actually get caught up in the piratey theme and wanting to score that sweet booty. (I’m done with the booty jokes I think)
So this was my first pirate board game I ever purchased, and I obviously still have it in my collection, so it’s good right? Absolutely! This is one of the best pirate-themed games I have ever played and I am certainly not alone. As of today Libertalia is ranked #2 in pirate themed games on BGG by rank (I believe Friday is disqualified because that’s not really a pirate game to me). The interplay between the pirates you can choose in your limited hand each round, but captains may choose different combinations of pirates to use each hand and each round that you sometimes forget that they had not yet used their Surgeon, and this is such a great time for them to use it. Bloody sneaky powder monkey!
Libertalia is that rare game that you instantly fall in love with, and when you try to share your love of it with others, you can see their eyes light up over the brilliance of design and deep appreciation of the art and components. If I ever get into seriously blinging out my games, you better believe Libertalia will be one of the first I treat. Purple Phoenix Games gives Libertalia a buccaneer’s loot of 21 / 24.
Libertalia pits the players against each other to become the wealthiest pirate captain by manipulating crew members and using their strengths to secure the almighty booty. The game takes place over three weeks, and each round of play is equal to one week. There are six playable days where captains will be selecting crew members to contribute their special abilities for gain and treachery to other captains.
DISCLAIMER: I do not intend to cover every single rule included in the rule book, but will describe the overall game flow and major rule set so that our readers may get a sense of how the game plays. For more in depth rules, you may purchase a copy from the publisher directly or from your FLGS. -T
To setup the game lay out all boards in the center of the table, choose which color pirate you would like to represent and take all corresponding color components, fill the booty spaces on the bottom of the ship board with enough booty tokens for one per player per box, and give each player ten doubloons worth of starting money. The youngest player now shuffles their deck thoroughly and deals themselves nine random cards. They player then reads out the numbers of cards they have drawn so that all players will have a matching hand of cards of the same numbers. Example: the youngest player draws 9 – 12 – 16 – 19 – 20 – 21 – 22 – 25 – 29. Each player will remove those exact cards from their decks to form the matching starting hand. You are now ready to play!
All captains will simultaneously choose one card from their hand to play for the “day.” The youngest player collects all played cards and arranges them numerically from lowest to highest (with numbers in the gray box area breaking ties). The Day now begins with any Day time specific abilities triggering on cards that show the matching Day symbol beginning with the lowest numbered card and ending with the highest (we will call it “initiative” for the purposes of this review). It could be taking doubloons, or otherwise affecting other cards. Once complete, the booty tokens for that Day are claimed in reverse initiative order (highest to lowest) and Dusk abilities are triggered. When all captains are satisfied with their booty (or oftentimes NOT satisfied) any Night special abilities are triggered and performed as well as the Cutlass and Spanish General token abilities. Those that have been discarded (slain) are placed under the play mat on the left side (where one can find the graveyard), and all surviving pirates retire to the “Den” where they may still be of service at the end of the week or even end of the game. At the end of the sixth Day/Night any pirates alive in the Den with a Day of Rest anchor icon will trigger their special abilities. The youngest player then draws and relays the next six cards to setup the next round and you are off for week #2. Play continues in this way for six Days over three Weeks.
Components. The game has a fair amount of different components, but they are all quite good. The punchboard components (boards, booty tokens, doubloons) are all a good thickness and quality. They look so good that my 3-year-old son wanted to play with them and add them to his gold doubloon collection. Yes, he has a gold doubloon collection in a treasure box. The cards and play mats are of good quality too. The art on this game is absolutely stellar. It is so realistic and wonderful that you actually get caught up in the piratey theme and wanting to score that sweet booty. (I’m done with the booty jokes I think)
So this was my first pirate board game I ever purchased, and I obviously still have it in my collection, so it’s good right? Absolutely! This is one of the best pirate-themed games I have ever played and I am certainly not alone. As of today Libertalia is ranked #2 in pirate themed games on BGG by rank (I believe Friday is disqualified because that’s not really a pirate game to me). The interplay between the pirates you can choose in your limited hand each round, but captains may choose different combinations of pirates to use each hand and each round that you sometimes forget that they had not yet used their Surgeon, and this is such a great time for them to use it. Bloody sneaky powder monkey!
Libertalia is that rare game that you instantly fall in love with, and when you try to share your love of it with others, you can see their eyes light up over the brilliance of design and deep appreciation of the art and components. If I ever get into seriously blinging out my games, you better believe Libertalia will be one of the first I treat. Purple Phoenix Games gives Libertalia a buccaneer’s loot of 21 / 24.
Purple Phoenix Games (2266 KP) rated It's a Wonderful World in Tabletop Games
Oct 30, 2021
When choosing board games to either play or purchase, how much importance should one put on box cover art? It is important to ME, but I lump that all in with the components and art/art style of the whole package. Why do I bring this up in the intro today? Well, I have to admit that I had really not had any interest in checking out It’s a Wonderful World until now because I judged the game by its cover, and the cover art told my brain that this would be some type of wargame. I am not entirely sure how I connected the two, but I did, and it turned me off right away. But! I was able to get this played at a local board game lounge, and boy was I wrong.
It’s a Wonderful World is a card drafting, economic, civilization building game with variable player powers (with a dash of campaign mode sprinkled on top). In it, players are attempting to build their civilization faster and better than their competitors. However, for this review, I will be playing the vanilla non-scenario solo mode.
DISCLAIMER: I was able to play this and several other games at The Table in Cookeville, TN. If you are ever in the neighborhood, check them out, and tell Nathaniel that I say hello.
To setup, put together the main board and place the round marker on Round 1. Lay out all the resources on their specific places upon the board and shuffle the deck of cards. Deal out eight stacks of five cards each and place them as mini-decks somewhere on the table. Choose a starting civilization (or just randomly choose one). The solo game is ready to play!
Typically, It’s a Wonderful World is a card drafting game, a la 7 Wonders, where players choose one card from the deck passed to them and pass it along to the next player until all cards have been drafted. In the solo mode, however, the player chooses one of the face-down mini-decks as their starting hand. Upon viewing the cards, the player may choose to place any or all of them in their Construction Area, or discard the cards for their Recycle Bonus (typically a type of resource), and/or discard two card from the mini-deck to draw five cards from the top of the main deck. From these drawn cards, the player may choose one to keep and discard all others. The kept card may be placed into the Construction Area or discarded for its Recycle Bonus resource.
Cards placed in the Construction Area require resources to be earned and placed on them in order to complete its build process. Each round the player will receive resources based on which cards have been built and placed above their starting civ card. Some cards, once completely built, will also offer more VP at game end, or supply a VP modifier.
After the first mini-deck has been played completely, the player will choose a second mini-deck and run through the same process. After this second mini-deck has been completed the round ends and play moves to the next round. Play continues in this fashion until all four rounds have been played (so all eight mini-decks). At game end the player counts up all their VP and compares it to the table in the rulebook to arrive at their final tier. My first game resulted in the rulebook calling me a Rooky. So be prepared to be humiliated by a rulebook.
Components. Aside from being bamboozled by the aggressive artwork on the cover, this is not a wargame. In fact, I very much like the artwork and the styling of this game. The cards are all laid out very well, and the iconography makes sense. The resource cubes are translucent colored (except the grayish white is opaque) and are fine quality. Overall the components are great and the art style has grown on me quite a bit.
I can see why so many people compare this to 7 Wonders. Essentially, the multiplayer game is quite similar. Card drafts (of 7 cards, no less) lead to needing resources in order to build, lead to being able to produce more resources to fuel other cards, and bonus points are awarded for having a nice card profile. Now, this being a solo review, I have to say that I much prefer It’s a Wonderful World to its forefather 7 Wonders because it comes packaged with a solo mode already in the box. This isn’t the only reason I prefer it, though. I find it easier to pick up and easier to teach to beginning gamers. Also, there is no card chaining, which seems to be a difficult concept for newer gamers to grasp initially. It’s a Wonderful World has nothing like this, and cards just work. 7 Wonders has been such a hit with my family, and I know they will greatly appreciate a more streamlined game experience with this one.
So here’s my recommendation with this one. If you are a fan of 7 Wonders but find it to be difficult to get others into it, check out It’s a Wonderful World. I feel that it is superior in many ways, and the solo mode is just icing. The solo mode gives me a great play experience, even though I typically am not a fan of games challenging you to beat your own high score. I will live with it here because the game is just so enjoyable. While 7 Wonders was my favorite game of all time for quite a while, it has since dropped out of my Top 10, and I think will be replaced entirely by It’s a Wonderful World. If your tastes are similar to mine, then do yourself a big favor and grab a copy of this one right away. It has several expansions out there, and I believe you will fall in love with drafting again. Now, where did I put my Wind Turbines…
It’s a Wonderful World is a card drafting, economic, civilization building game with variable player powers (with a dash of campaign mode sprinkled on top). In it, players are attempting to build their civilization faster and better than their competitors. However, for this review, I will be playing the vanilla non-scenario solo mode.
DISCLAIMER: I was able to play this and several other games at The Table in Cookeville, TN. If you are ever in the neighborhood, check them out, and tell Nathaniel that I say hello.
To setup, put together the main board and place the round marker on Round 1. Lay out all the resources on their specific places upon the board and shuffle the deck of cards. Deal out eight stacks of five cards each and place them as mini-decks somewhere on the table. Choose a starting civilization (or just randomly choose one). The solo game is ready to play!
Typically, It’s a Wonderful World is a card drafting game, a la 7 Wonders, where players choose one card from the deck passed to them and pass it along to the next player until all cards have been drafted. In the solo mode, however, the player chooses one of the face-down mini-decks as their starting hand. Upon viewing the cards, the player may choose to place any or all of them in their Construction Area, or discard the cards for their Recycle Bonus (typically a type of resource), and/or discard two card from the mini-deck to draw five cards from the top of the main deck. From these drawn cards, the player may choose one to keep and discard all others. The kept card may be placed into the Construction Area or discarded for its Recycle Bonus resource.
Cards placed in the Construction Area require resources to be earned and placed on them in order to complete its build process. Each round the player will receive resources based on which cards have been built and placed above their starting civ card. Some cards, once completely built, will also offer more VP at game end, or supply a VP modifier.
After the first mini-deck has been played completely, the player will choose a second mini-deck and run through the same process. After this second mini-deck has been completed the round ends and play moves to the next round. Play continues in this fashion until all four rounds have been played (so all eight mini-decks). At game end the player counts up all their VP and compares it to the table in the rulebook to arrive at their final tier. My first game resulted in the rulebook calling me a Rooky. So be prepared to be humiliated by a rulebook.
Components. Aside from being bamboozled by the aggressive artwork on the cover, this is not a wargame. In fact, I very much like the artwork and the styling of this game. The cards are all laid out very well, and the iconography makes sense. The resource cubes are translucent colored (except the grayish white is opaque) and are fine quality. Overall the components are great and the art style has grown on me quite a bit.
I can see why so many people compare this to 7 Wonders. Essentially, the multiplayer game is quite similar. Card drafts (of 7 cards, no less) lead to needing resources in order to build, lead to being able to produce more resources to fuel other cards, and bonus points are awarded for having a nice card profile. Now, this being a solo review, I have to say that I much prefer It’s a Wonderful World to its forefather 7 Wonders because it comes packaged with a solo mode already in the box. This isn’t the only reason I prefer it, though. I find it easier to pick up and easier to teach to beginning gamers. Also, there is no card chaining, which seems to be a difficult concept for newer gamers to grasp initially. It’s a Wonderful World has nothing like this, and cards just work. 7 Wonders has been such a hit with my family, and I know they will greatly appreciate a more streamlined game experience with this one.
So here’s my recommendation with this one. If you are a fan of 7 Wonders but find it to be difficult to get others into it, check out It’s a Wonderful World. I feel that it is superior in many ways, and the solo mode is just icing. The solo mode gives me a great play experience, even though I typically am not a fan of games challenging you to beat your own high score. I will live with it here because the game is just so enjoyable. While 7 Wonders was my favorite game of all time for quite a while, it has since dropped out of my Top 10, and I think will be replaced entirely by It’s a Wonderful World. If your tastes are similar to mine, then do yourself a big favor and grab a copy of this one right away. It has several expansions out there, and I believe you will fall in love with drafting again. Now, where did I put my Wind Turbines…
Dakotah Salazar (12 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Crash Team Racing: Nitro Fueled in Video Games
Jul 1, 2019
Lively graphics (2 more)
Smooth controls
Fun game modes
Too easy (2 more)
Microtransactions galore
No new courses
Strong remaster. Easy for experts.
The original CTR holds a special place in my heart. As a child, I spent countless hours on my Playstation with many characters, tracks, and secrets to unlock. It truly is an incredible gaming experience.
Which is why I had to pick this up right away. And overall, it's a decent racer, but now were in the age of photo realistic racing games such as Forza, or living in the shadow of Mario Kart still in its multiplayer experience. Crash Team Racing has potential for expansion, but I was disappointed in that it's the same experience as before.
During the races, they are fast and lively. It brings the nostalgia in the controls and smooth gameplay. The power ups and attacks are the same, but are easy to operate. It also introduces the hyper slide, which may be difficult to master at first. The tracks don't give too much leverage in utilizing this. It could also be a disadvantage because it could ruin the flow of the race. It all depends really.
As for the modes, they have plenty to choose from. Adventure Mode, Online, Time Trial, etc. I would recommend this as a party game...because I think I could give the player a strong challenge. Adventure Mode, if you are an expert at this game, is WAY TOO EASY. I placed first in almost every race not trying to brag, but it doesn't challenge the player in anyway, even in the boss battles. Unless you are in a Single Race mode, then it offers an option of difficulty.
Characters to choose from is plentiful. Even adding options to modify the character and karts are wonderful designs. It's satisfying to earn them but if you are not an online player, then HALF of those modifications are not available to you. They depend on the usage of coins, which I'm assuming you can earn or purchase if your looking to earn the mods right away.
The game is a lot of fun. But I had to critically think about what the creators had for further potential. The remasters of the three original games were wonderful, but this is a copy and paste version of the original. It amplifies the nostalgia as a high, but once you come down, it really is a hollow experience.
Which is why I had to pick this up right away. And overall, it's a decent racer, but now were in the age of photo realistic racing games such as Forza, or living in the shadow of Mario Kart still in its multiplayer experience. Crash Team Racing has potential for expansion, but I was disappointed in that it's the same experience as before.
During the races, they are fast and lively. It brings the nostalgia in the controls and smooth gameplay. The power ups and attacks are the same, but are easy to operate. It also introduces the hyper slide, which may be difficult to master at first. The tracks don't give too much leverage in utilizing this. It could also be a disadvantage because it could ruin the flow of the race. It all depends really.
As for the modes, they have plenty to choose from. Adventure Mode, Online, Time Trial, etc. I would recommend this as a party game...because I think I could give the player a strong challenge. Adventure Mode, if you are an expert at this game, is WAY TOO EASY. I placed first in almost every race not trying to brag, but it doesn't challenge the player in anyway, even in the boss battles. Unless you are in a Single Race mode, then it offers an option of difficulty.
Characters to choose from is plentiful. Even adding options to modify the character and karts are wonderful designs. It's satisfying to earn them but if you are not an online player, then HALF of those modifications are not available to you. They depend on the usage of coins, which I'm assuming you can earn or purchase if your looking to earn the mods right away.
The game is a lot of fun. But I had to critically think about what the creators had for further potential. The remasters of the three original games were wonderful, but this is a copy and paste version of the original. It amplifies the nostalgia as a high, but once you come down, it really is a hollow experience.
RavenclawPrincess913 (253 KP) rated The Grace Year in Books
Jul 24, 2019
Title: The Grace Year ARC
Author: Kim Liggett
Read Dates: June 25th- July 3rd 2019
Why did I choose to read this book?
I chose to read this book because it was sent to me as an arc
Did I like it? I love it it's a very emotional story
Five things I liked about this book (Spoiler Warning skip to one character I disliked if you don't want spoiler's):
1. I love how the main character isn't like all the other girls.
2. I love how Michael saved her. I knew he was the one that veiled her from the beginning.
3. I love the love story between her and Ryker. I love how she ends up having his baby and she ends up being the one she dreams about.
4. I love how she helps the other Grace Year girls and the Grace Year girls in the years to come.
5. I love how she didn't judge Gertie like the others and ended up being friends with her in the end.
One character I disliked: Michael's father
Do I recommend this book? Yes, it's a very wonderful book. It's very emotional and has an unexpected turn of events and ending.
What is one similar book I think you'd like if you also love this book? Hunger Games or Divergent or Maze Runner
Questions for you:
1. Have you read this book? How'd you like it?
2. Who was your favorite character?
3. What's your favorite book and author?
Author: Kim Liggett
Read Dates: June 25th- July 3rd 2019
Why did I choose to read this book?
I chose to read this book because it was sent to me as an arc
Did I like it? I love it it's a very emotional story
Five things I liked about this book (Spoiler Warning skip to one character I disliked if you don't want spoiler's):
1. I love how the main character isn't like all the other girls.
2. I love how Michael saved her. I knew he was the one that veiled her from the beginning.
3. I love the love story between her and Ryker. I love how she ends up having his baby and she ends up being the one she dreams about.
4. I love how she helps the other Grace Year girls and the Grace Year girls in the years to come.
5. I love how she didn't judge Gertie like the others and ended up being friends with her in the end.
One character I disliked: Michael's father
Do I recommend this book? Yes, it's a very wonderful book. It's very emotional and has an unexpected turn of events and ending.
What is one similar book I think you'd like if you also love this book? Hunger Games or Divergent or Maze Runner
Questions for you:
1. Have you read this book? How'd you like it?
2. Who was your favorite character?
3. What's your favorite book and author?
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Blade Runner (1982) in Movies
Jul 24, 2019
Sci Fi Film Noir Masterpiece
When film scholars debate whether Alien or Blade Runner is director Ridley Scott's best film it is hard to make an argument against each as both are masterpieces It's funny that although they are both science fiction films, they are completely different in tone, style and action.
The art direction and cinematography are almost unmatched even under today's standards and then consider this movie is from 1982 and it is just astonishing. I won't argue with someone who says the film is slow developing or style or substance; however, I do not consider that a negative whatsoever. Consider it just another way to tell a story. Why do movies always have to follow the same formula to be considered a acceptable?
It is hard to believe the film only managed US box office of $27 million upon its original theatrical release. It's cult status was almost immediate along with the rise of home video and eventually DVD. The various cuts of the film and the vast and minor differences between them can make the meaning of the film quite different depending on how you interpret it.
The argument whether or not Deckard is a replicant could really depend on which version of the film you have seen or what you choose to believe.
Nevertheless, the film still stands the test of time as a sci fi classic and one of the most visually stunning films ever made!
The art direction and cinematography are almost unmatched even under today's standards and then consider this movie is from 1982 and it is just astonishing. I won't argue with someone who says the film is slow developing or style or substance; however, I do not consider that a negative whatsoever. Consider it just another way to tell a story. Why do movies always have to follow the same formula to be considered a acceptable?
It is hard to believe the film only managed US box office of $27 million upon its original theatrical release. It's cult status was almost immediate along with the rise of home video and eventually DVD. The various cuts of the film and the vast and minor differences between them can make the meaning of the film quite different depending on how you interpret it.
The argument whether or not Deckard is a replicant could really depend on which version of the film you have seen or what you choose to believe.
Nevertheless, the film still stands the test of time as a sci fi classic and one of the most visually stunning films ever made!
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Red Joan (2018) in Movies
Apr 1, 2020
Forgettable
This is not the type of film that I'd willingly choose to watch. It didnt sound or look particularly appealing, however due to the requirement of social distancing my boyfriend and I are taking it in turns to pick films each evening to watch "together" (in our separate houses). This was his choice, and sadly it wasnt a very good one.
The main issue with this film is that is fairly predictable romance nonsense, and there really isnt enough Judi Dench. Nothing against Sophie Cookson, but to have Judi Dench in this film and barely use her is almost a travesty. It also seems to concentrate mostly on the romantic aspect of Joan's life, which gets rather frustrating as you watch a rather intelligent young woman turn into a naive lovelorn idiot the moment she gets involved with a vaguely handsome man. The concentration on the romance side for me made it feel like the rest of the film, and indeed the more important war related concerns, were pushed to one side and I felt like there was a lot of plot lines in this that weren't satisfactorily explained. I did also wonder why, if this film was inspired by a true story, that the central character wasnt named after the real person? Aside from the "Red Joan" makes for a catchier title.
Overall this isnt bad enough to switch off without making it to the end, but ultimately it winds up rather unsatisfying and entirely forgettable.
The main issue with this film is that is fairly predictable romance nonsense, and there really isnt enough Judi Dench. Nothing against Sophie Cookson, but to have Judi Dench in this film and barely use her is almost a travesty. It also seems to concentrate mostly on the romantic aspect of Joan's life, which gets rather frustrating as you watch a rather intelligent young woman turn into a naive lovelorn idiot the moment she gets involved with a vaguely handsome man. The concentration on the romance side for me made it feel like the rest of the film, and indeed the more important war related concerns, were pushed to one side and I felt like there was a lot of plot lines in this that weren't satisfactorily explained. I did also wonder why, if this film was inspired by a true story, that the central character wasnt named after the real person? Aside from the "Red Joan" makes for a catchier title.
Overall this isnt bad enough to switch off without making it to the end, but ultimately it winds up rather unsatisfying and entirely forgettable.
ClareR (5577 KP) rated Afraid of the Christmas Lights in Books
Dec 1, 2020
I don’t like Christmas books. Usually. I like A Christmas Carol, but I tend not to read many modern Christmas books - unless they’re children’s ones at work, or when I used to read them for my own children when they were little. Which is probably why I liked this so much. Usually in anthologies, there will be a few standout stories that make reading the collection as a whole worthwhile, but I’ve really struggled to single out one or two - I enjoyed them all far too much for that.
Most of the stories are set around Christmas with only a couple of exceptions. That didn’t cause me to like them any less though. The real standouts for me (if I absolutely HAVE to choose!) were: Phoebe Morgan’s Unexpected Present - the gift wrapped so nicely in expensive M&S paper being the main protagonists husband; The Switch by James Delargy had a Stephen King vibe to it (and I should add that it wasn’t because of The Green Mile!); Fresh Meat by Elle Croft gives new meaning to a raw meat diet for your cat; and The Vigilante by Clare Empson was a sad story of a Charles Dickens look-a-like who tries to save victims of crime in the dead of night.
If you need an excuse to buy this, then the proceeds go to ESDAS and Rights of Women, both domestic abuse charities.
Many thanks to The PIgeonhole for serialising this book, and to the authors who joined in. As always, it was a great experience!!
Most of the stories are set around Christmas with only a couple of exceptions. That didn’t cause me to like them any less though. The real standouts for me (if I absolutely HAVE to choose!) were: Phoebe Morgan’s Unexpected Present - the gift wrapped so nicely in expensive M&S paper being the main protagonists husband; The Switch by James Delargy had a Stephen King vibe to it (and I should add that it wasn’t because of The Green Mile!); Fresh Meat by Elle Croft gives new meaning to a raw meat diet for your cat; and The Vigilante by Clare Empson was a sad story of a Charles Dickens look-a-like who tries to save victims of crime in the dead of night.
If you need an excuse to buy this, then the proceeds go to ESDAS and Rights of Women, both domestic abuse charities.
Many thanks to The PIgeonhole for serialising this book, and to the authors who joined in. As always, it was a great experience!!