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Bodyguard: Hostage
10.0
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In a dangerous world, everyone needs protection. Bodyguard: Hostage is the new thriller from Chris...
Day of the Caesars: Eagles of the Empire 16
Book
If you don't know Simon Scarrow, you don't know Rome AD 54. Claudius is dead. Rome is in turmoil....
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Legacy (Children's House, #1) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
The book began with a scene of 3 young children, parent-less, sitting on a bench, while a group of adults decided what would happen to them. Would the children be split up, or kept together? What were the pros and cons of each? The children were split up and sent to opposite sides of the country, and since they were young enough, they would never remember.
The story then completely changes pace and goes forward about 30 years to a crime being committed, and that's where the main characters, Freyja and Huldar show up. Freyja is a child trauma psychologist, and Huldar is a recently-promoted detective in charge of his first case.
The first few chapters I really struggled to follow the characters, as it switched 4 times between different perspectives, but then once I figured out who was who I started to follow better. I loved how quickly the characters were developed and built, but it didn't feel like building, it felt like a gradual discovery. I figured out "who's the bad guy" about 15 seconds before it was revealed, which is my favorite way to discover a crime thriller. Looking back, of course there were subtle hints, but there's no way I would have figured it out on my own.
I'm very happy with the ending. It was conclusive enough to feel satisfactory, but definitely open to more adventures in the future. I anxiously await the next two books in the series, and will keep my eyes out for the author. (And no, I have no clue how to pronounce her name.)
Content/Recommendation: 17+, violence, language. It goes without saying that a crime thriller is for adults only, but I'll stress that even having read many crime thrillers over the past 10 years, this one managed to shock me.
The story then completely changes pace and goes forward about 30 years to a crime being committed, and that's where the main characters, Freyja and Huldar show up. Freyja is a child trauma psychologist, and Huldar is a recently-promoted detective in charge of his first case.
The first few chapters I really struggled to follow the characters, as it switched 4 times between different perspectives, but then once I figured out who was who I started to follow better. I loved how quickly the characters were developed and built, but it didn't feel like building, it felt like a gradual discovery. I figured out "who's the bad guy" about 15 seconds before it was revealed, which is my favorite way to discover a crime thriller. Looking back, of course there were subtle hints, but there's no way I would have figured it out on my own.
I'm very happy with the ending. It was conclusive enough to feel satisfactory, but definitely open to more adventures in the future. I anxiously await the next two books in the series, and will keep my eyes out for the author. (And no, I have no clue how to pronounce her name.)
Content/Recommendation: 17+, violence, language. It goes without saying that a crime thriller is for adults only, but I'll stress that even having read many crime thrillers over the past 10 years, this one managed to shock me.
Outdoor Learning Through the Seasons: An Essential Guide for the Early Years
7.0
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Outdoor play experiences have a crucial role in young children's learning and development and should...
Would You Rather? Book for Kids 8-12: 350 Challenging Questions, Silly Scenarios, and Hilarious Situations
8.0
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Why settle for a boring day when you can sprinkle it with the magic of laughter? This fantastic...
Moonrise by Sarah Crossan
Having discovered Sarah Crossan and the style of writing in verse earlier this year, I was keen to read her latest book. Moonrise is told from the point of view of Joe. His brother Ed is on death row in Texas for murdering a policeman and the story starts as the date of execution is set.
I love the medium of verse as a writing tool – Crossan is able to convey emotions and tell a story in far less words than a conventional novel. The topic of the death penalty is interesting and thought provoking and its perfectly pitched for the young adult audience it is aimed at (but is also of interest to adults too).
If you fancy something a bit different, I would recommend this or any of Crossan’s books wholeheartedly.
I love the medium of verse as a writing tool – Crossan is able to convey emotions and tell a story in far less words than a conventional novel. The topic of the death penalty is interesting and thought provoking and its perfectly pitched for the young adult audience it is aimed at (but is also of interest to adults too).
If you fancy something a bit different, I would recommend this or any of Crossan’s books wholeheartedly.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Fault in Our Stars in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Okay, I can see what all the hype surrounding this book was about! Holy crap! I haven't cried so hard reading a book in a LONG time. It was so sweet, but so painful all at once. All I can really say is cancer sucks, not that we didn't all know that already. This just puts it in such a different perspective. Yes, it is young adults being effected by it which makes it even harder to accept.
The story is so simple yet so well written. It seems like it could be about any 16 or 17 year old kid anywhere. Yet Hazel & Augustus are also not your typical teens & this is not your typical Y.A. romance. It chronicles their relationship, yes, but it takes you inside their battles...with cancer, with friends, with family, & with themselves.
The story is so simple yet so well written. It seems like it could be about any 16 or 17 year old kid anywhere. Yet Hazel & Augustus are also not your typical teens & this is not your typical Y.A. romance. It chronicles their relationship, yes, but it takes you inside their battles...with cancer, with friends, with family, & with themselves.
Commander Toad and his crew aboard the Star Warts have found a new planet to explore. But when Lieutenant Lily starts sneezing and the Commander Toad gets swallow in a giant red bump, they may be facing more than they bargained for.
I recently remembered this series from when I was younger, and it seems like it’s not as popular as it once was. That’s a shame. While the story and characters are a bit simple, they are fun. Once we get the introductions out of the way, the story is interesting, and will definitely connect with young readers. Adults will love the spoofs on Star Wars and Star Trek and everyone will groan at the grape puns.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-commander-toad-and-planet.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I recently remembered this series from when I was younger, and it seems like it’s not as popular as it once was. That’s a shame. While the story and characters are a bit simple, they are fun. Once we get the introductions out of the way, the story is interesting, and will definitely connect with young readers. Adults will love the spoofs on Star Wars and Star Trek and everyone will groan at the grape puns.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-commander-toad-and-planet.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Dork_knight74 (881 KP) rated The Domestics (2018) in Movies
Dec 13, 2018
So bad
This movie was bad. Post apocalyptic world where a young couple decide they have to go to the hometown of the wife because she hasn't heard from her parents in a while. The apocalyptic event wasn't a war or anything, the 'government' just decided to poison everyone with some kind of massive crop dusting technique. Survivors were anyone immune to the poison. Most people then belong to some violent gang or another and money still means something (what?). Anyway, the acting was shoddy at best and the cinematography was pretty low calibur. The characters were very boring and the story line was just all over the place. There's enough violence to say kids shouldn't watch it but this movie is so bad I'd say the adults should pass on it, too. This one is NOT worth a watch.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Graveyard Book in Books
Oct 7, 2019
An interesting tale
My biggest criticism about this book is that it has been written for kids, or young adults, and I feel like this is a big shame as it could have been pretty terrifying. But aside from the fairly creepy first chapter, it falls just a little short of being actually scary (at least for a fully grown adult).
But that doesn't mean it's not a good book, because it is and it's such a wonderful idea for a story. I found it well paced and intriguing, with a lot of interesting characters although j do wish we'd have seen more of some of them. There is a certain lack of threat even considering the death theme, aside for the ghoul gate episode, but this is still such an enjoyable read that this doesn't really matter.
But that doesn't mean it's not a good book, because it is and it's such a wonderful idea for a story. I found it well paced and intriguing, with a lot of interesting characters although j do wish we'd have seen more of some of them. There is a certain lack of threat even considering the death theme, aside for the ghoul gate episode, but this is still such an enjoyable read that this doesn't really matter.