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BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Cinder in Books
Jan 2, 2019
I admit that I didn't know quite what to expect when I picked up Cinder. All I knew was that is was a retelling of Cinderella...with a cyborg. But let me tell you, this book is AMAZING!
Set in the very distant future, 126 years after the end of World War IV. The moon is inhabited, there are only 6 countries on earth, and a vicious plague is laying waste to the planet. Set in the Eastern Commonwealth (Asia/China), we get to experience the story through Cinder as well as Prince Kai. Cinder is as loveable and caring as she is in any other telling of Cinderella. The prince's responsibilities to find a cure for the plague and to maintain peace with the Lunars weigh heavily on him. Nut he posses a strength that I admire.
Both Kai and Cinder are faced with challenges that are beyond anything that I could even imagine. Will they make the best choice for the people? What will come of it all? Well, I can't even tell you, because this is only the first book in a series that I can not wait to continue. I already placed the next book on hold at the library.
Filled with descriptive details of the architect, the technology, the customs of the era, I was completely submerged into this brilliant world that Marissa Meyer has created. Although not a Christian book, it is clean and appropriate. I can recommend this book to young adults without any hesitation.
If you think you would enjoy a dystopian sci-fi with a fairy tale mixed into it all, you should definitely give Cinder a try. I think you will truly enjoy it.
I found Cinder at my local library. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Set in the very distant future, 126 years after the end of World War IV. The moon is inhabited, there are only 6 countries on earth, and a vicious plague is laying waste to the planet. Set in the Eastern Commonwealth (Asia/China), we get to experience the story through Cinder as well as Prince Kai. Cinder is as loveable and caring as she is in any other telling of Cinderella. The prince's responsibilities to find a cure for the plague and to maintain peace with the Lunars weigh heavily on him. Nut he posses a strength that I admire.
Both Kai and Cinder are faced with challenges that are beyond anything that I could even imagine. Will they make the best choice for the people? What will come of it all? Well, I can't even tell you, because this is only the first book in a series that I can not wait to continue. I already placed the next book on hold at the library.
Filled with descriptive details of the architect, the technology, the customs of the era, I was completely submerged into this brilliant world that Marissa Meyer has created. Although not a Christian book, it is clean and appropriate. I can recommend this book to young adults without any hesitation.
If you think you would enjoy a dystopian sci-fi with a fairy tale mixed into it all, you should definitely give Cinder a try. I think you will truly enjoy it.
I found Cinder at my local library. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Love Hurts in Books
Dec 17, 2018
This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Love Hurts is a young adult book containing several stories compiled together by the well-known Malorie Blackman. There are a few new short stories however most are extracts from pre-existing novels. The short stories are written by a variety of different authors such as Susie Day, Lauren Dockrill, Lauren Kate, Catherine Johnson and James Dawson. Many readers will be familiar with these authors as well as some of the books that the extracts are from, for example: More Than This, If I Stay, I Am The Messenger and Northern Lights.
The aim of this anthology is to explore what love means. Love is not a simple, straightforward concept. There is love lost and love found, bitter love and sweet love. Each story focuses on a different perspective. Some are about teenagers, some are about adults. Some are about homosexuality and others are not.
Love Hurts is an interesting concept and it is interesting to see different authors' understanding on the term "love". The biggest problem with this book however is due to most of the entries being snippets of other stories as it is often difficult to understand what was going on and who the characters were.
Another issue for me was I found some of the stories uninteresting and difficult to get into; and as they were short there was not a lot of time to appreciate the different concepts and styles of writing.
Although it would have been a challenge, it would have been better for all the stories to be brand new and unique. On he other hand, Malorie Blackman has done an excellent job at sourcing all the content.
Love Hurts is a young adult book containing several stories compiled together by the well-known Malorie Blackman. There are a few new short stories however most are extracts from pre-existing novels. The short stories are written by a variety of different authors such as Susie Day, Lauren Dockrill, Lauren Kate, Catherine Johnson and James Dawson. Many readers will be familiar with these authors as well as some of the books that the extracts are from, for example: More Than This, If I Stay, I Am The Messenger and Northern Lights.
The aim of this anthology is to explore what love means. Love is not a simple, straightforward concept. There is love lost and love found, bitter love and sweet love. Each story focuses on a different perspective. Some are about teenagers, some are about adults. Some are about homosexuality and others are not.
Love Hurts is an interesting concept and it is interesting to see different authors' understanding on the term "love". The biggest problem with this book however is due to most of the entries being snippets of other stories as it is often difficult to understand what was going on and who the characters were.
Another issue for me was I found some of the stories uninteresting and difficult to get into; and as they were short there was not a lot of time to appreciate the different concepts and styles of writing.
Although it would have been a challenge, it would have been better for all the stories to be brand new and unique. On he other hand, Malorie Blackman has done an excellent job at sourcing all the content.
Jessica - Where the Book Ends (15 KP) rated A Warm Place to Call Home (a demon's story) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The minute I picked up this book, I couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved Frederick, his candor, his character, and just the way he looks at his story. Frederick is an absolutely amazing character, he knows he has faults but doesn't try to hide them from you. Instead, he comes running right into your face waving them at you. He is blatantly obvious when it comes to his feelings in regards to certain things, people, and places. He knows he's wrong, but he doesn't feel the need to constantly apologize for the way he feels. Frederick is an absolutely refreshing character, and nothing that I expected when I started reading this book.
I was thinking it would be another typical run of the mill demon story with paranormal twists and turns. However, Siemsen and his amazing ability to weave pure writing gold out of thin air is absolutely remarkable. My attention was grabbed from word one. I laughed with Frederick, I cried with Frederick, and in the end I cried for Frederick. I think no matter who reads this book at one point in time or another you can't help but to really connect with Frederick on some level. There were many points during the story that I could completely understand how he felt the way he did, and what brought him to that point. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know! I just can't seem to gush enough about it. I can't wait to read more work by Siemsen, he's now been added to my favorite author list.
Disclosure: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and words above are my honest opinion. ***This book is not intended for young adults! ***
I was thinking it would be another typical run of the mill demon story with paranormal twists and turns. However, Siemsen and his amazing ability to weave pure writing gold out of thin air is absolutely remarkable. My attention was grabbed from word one. I laughed with Frederick, I cried with Frederick, and in the end I cried for Frederick. I think no matter who reads this book at one point in time or another you can't help but to really connect with Frederick on some level. There were many points during the story that I could completely understand how he felt the way he did, and what brought him to that point. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know! I just can't seem to gush enough about it. I can't wait to read more work by Siemsen, he's now been added to my favorite author list.
Disclosure: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and words above are my honest opinion. ***This book is not intended for young adults! ***
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated I am Number Four (Lorien Legacies #1) in Books
Nov 15, 2019
When the planet Lorien is destroyed by invading aliens 9 refugee children who are bound by fate and will develop mystical powers come to Earth with their mentors. Each is given a number and they can only be killed in sequence. After Number Three is killed Number Four knows he is the next on the list, but he has a lot on his plate with not only his powers developing but his teenage school life becoming complicated. With the predatory aliens closing in he must rely on both friends and enemies to survive.
The basic outline is that of a good book but the detail and the execution somewhat let it down; too much of the back story is paper thin and invented for dramatic convenience. The killing in order thing is just hokey and absurd and that's just the start. The 9 aren't supposed to meet each other but that makes no sense as they would be stronger together. 'Henri', the mentor of Number Four is obseessed with secrecy yet sends him to school just when his powers are going to manifest in an obvious way. The plot itself doesn't quite hold together and the final showdown at the end of the book is over the top to the point of ridiculousness.
There are good bits, but they are generally unrelated to the whole Lorien part of it. The story of the new boy at school who gets on the wrong side of the school bully and befriends the previously friendless is good and works well with some good characters. This may have been better as a standard story of teenage life without all the science fiction trimmings.
I was disappointed with this book. I expected a lot more than it delivered. There are far far better science fiction books for young adults out there.
The basic outline is that of a good book but the detail and the execution somewhat let it down; too much of the back story is paper thin and invented for dramatic convenience. The killing in order thing is just hokey and absurd and that's just the start. The 9 aren't supposed to meet each other but that makes no sense as they would be stronger together. 'Henri', the mentor of Number Four is obseessed with secrecy yet sends him to school just when his powers are going to manifest in an obvious way. The plot itself doesn't quite hold together and the final showdown at the end of the book is over the top to the point of ridiculousness.
There are good bits, but they are generally unrelated to the whole Lorien part of it. The story of the new boy at school who gets on the wrong side of the school bully and befriends the previously friendless is good and works well with some good characters. This may have been better as a standard story of teenage life without all the science fiction trimmings.
I was disappointed with this book. I expected a lot more than it delivered. There are far far better science fiction books for young adults out there.
Night Reader Reviews (683 KP) rated Insanitus in Books
Jan 9, 2020
Insanitus: Into the Darkness by William P. Thomson has a writing style that almost reminds me of H. P. Lovecraft. What might surprise unsuspecting readers is that this is a collection of three short stories.
What if vampires were real but not in the way society typically thinks of them? What if someone detached from themselves decides to commit suicide by means of the judicial system? What if a secret group of military scientists created something that appeared human but had no emotion and could be programmed? These are the horrors readers will find within these pages. This book makes readers question just what it is that makes someone or something human, and what happens when you take that factor away.
What I liked best is that this book is disturbing and creepy without being outright scary. The short stories build tension extremely well without dragging anything out. They were also creative and believable, making them all the more disturbing. What I didnt like was that the writing was very dry, almost so much so that it felt like reading a report or biography. This style almost made me judge the book too harshly at first and I wanted to set the book aside early.
Although the content is disturbing I see no reason why young adults couldnt handle reading this book. It may be more ideal for older audiences that won't be upset by the odd and bazaar. I rate this book 2 out of 4 as an interesting and creepy book. It introduces readers to believable concepts that are also extremely strange. The dry style is defiantly a major negative point but if readers can power through it they will be rewarded with a truly interesting read.
https://www.austinmacauley.com/book/insanitus
https://www.facebook.com/nightreaderreviews
https://nightreaderreviews.blogspot.com/
What if vampires were real but not in the way society typically thinks of them? What if someone detached from themselves decides to commit suicide by means of the judicial system? What if a secret group of military scientists created something that appeared human but had no emotion and could be programmed? These are the horrors readers will find within these pages. This book makes readers question just what it is that makes someone or something human, and what happens when you take that factor away.
What I liked best is that this book is disturbing and creepy without being outright scary. The short stories build tension extremely well without dragging anything out. They were also creative and believable, making them all the more disturbing. What I didnt like was that the writing was very dry, almost so much so that it felt like reading a report or biography. This style almost made me judge the book too harshly at first and I wanted to set the book aside early.
Although the content is disturbing I see no reason why young adults couldnt handle reading this book. It may be more ideal for older audiences that won't be upset by the odd and bazaar. I rate this book 2 out of 4 as an interesting and creepy book. It introduces readers to believable concepts that are also extremely strange. The dry style is defiantly a major negative point but if readers can power through it they will be rewarded with a truly interesting read.
https://www.austinmacauley.com/book/insanitus
https://www.facebook.com/nightreaderreviews
https://nightreaderreviews.blogspot.com/
My Little Pony: Fluttershy’s Famous Stare
Book and Education
App
The Cutie Mark Crusaders are going to Fluttershy’s cottage for a sleepover tonight and you’re...
Unwritten Diary of Israel Unger
Carolyn Gammon and Israel Unger
Book
At the beginning of the Nazi period, 25,000 Jewish people lived in Tarnow, Poland. By the end of the...
I Explore Digging for Dinosaurs
Kate Daubney and Mike Goldsmith
Book
A collectible board book series with a non-fiction twist: toddlers have mini adventures and explore...
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated Llamageddon (2015) in Movies
May 15, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
What can I say about Llarmageddon, well you know what you're going to get from the first five minuet's. There's an alien Llama wondering around killing people. Yes this is as bad as it sounds, the effects are bad, the acting is bad and the story is.... yes bad but it's kind of fun, mostly because the film knows what it is.
The cast know that this film is not good but it looks like they had fun making it and it pays homage to a lot of other films, there are conversation on other films ala Scream, buckets of blood were-Llama transformation and alien eggs because these Lamas hatch from eggs that are laid by males.
If you haven't got a feel for Llamageddon yet then all you need to know is that it's mainly set around a party of teen's/young adults who drink, bonk, smoke and then get killed by the Llama, it's predictable, stupid and only 69 minutes long which is good because if it was any longer I think my brain would have melted and yes IMDB says that the run time is deliberate and that is the type of humour you can expect .
I really can't decide if Llamageddon is a waste of an hour or if it was actually a fun time, I think it rates some where between Zombeavers and the 2019 Wolf. Like Wolf it's very low budget and seems to be made more for the fun of the cast but, unlike wolf, it know this and doesn't take itself to serous. And that makes all the difference, not taking itself too serious makes the film a lot easier to watch.
So if you're looking of a quick watch and don't want to think about it too much you could give Llamageddon a watch, just don't expect to much.
The cast know that this film is not good but it looks like they had fun making it and it pays homage to a lot of other films, there are conversation on other films ala Scream, buckets of blood were-Llama transformation and alien eggs because these Lamas hatch from eggs that are laid by males.
If you haven't got a feel for Llamageddon yet then all you need to know is that it's mainly set around a party of teen's/young adults who drink, bonk, smoke and then get killed by the Llama, it's predictable, stupid and only 69 minutes long which is good because if it was any longer I think my brain would have melted and yes IMDB says that the run time is deliberate and that is the type of humour you can expect .
I really can't decide if Llamageddon is a waste of an hour or if it was actually a fun time, I think it rates some where between Zombeavers and the 2019 Wolf. Like Wolf it's very low budget and seems to be made more for the fun of the cast but, unlike wolf, it know this and doesn't take itself to serous. And that makes all the difference, not taking itself too serious makes the film a lot easier to watch.
So if you're looking of a quick watch and don't want to think about it too much you could give Llamageddon a watch, just don't expect to much.
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Dumbo (1941) in Movies
Nov 18, 2020
Great Story Despite is Flaws
A young circus elephant discovers that his worst attribute is actually his greatest gift. I’ve gotten slack on the Disney animated journey I’ve been traveling, but remembering Dumbo makes me want to dedicate my time once again to the daunting task of watching each and every single movie.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 10
Characters: 10
You can’t help but love little innocent Dumbo, hated for something he can’t help. He’s the perfect hero you want to get behind. His story is one that stays in our hearts, aided by a solid group of supporting characters.
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 10
Entertainment Value: 10
A story that’s teeming with originality, it’s hard not to get wrapped up in the story of Dumbo. From the moment the circus rolls into town, you expect something interesting to go down. Less than twenty minutes in, things go awry keeping you engaged in the story.
Memorability: 10
Is it the message? The colorful visuals? the creativity? There is something about Dumbo that holds you and makes you want to watch it repeatedly. It still holds up as one of the best animated films ever made.
Pace: 10
Plot: 9
I could’ve done without the elephants on parade in the drunk sequence and the crows were a bit of a sore spot, but the story is magnificent overall. Sometimes you have to overlook a couple things to recognize how good something truly is. Dumbo is a unique story you won’t find anywhere else.
Resolution: 10
Cute ending that ties the message up in a nice little bow. An inspiration for adults and kids alike. Great finale.
Overall: 99
Dumbo shows us that the thing that makes us different makes us special. It’s one of a thousand reasons we loving having Disney+ in our homes. Dumbo still holds up as an animated classic.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 10
Characters: 10
You can’t help but love little innocent Dumbo, hated for something he can’t help. He’s the perfect hero you want to get behind. His story is one that stays in our hearts, aided by a solid group of supporting characters.
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 10
Entertainment Value: 10
A story that’s teeming with originality, it’s hard not to get wrapped up in the story of Dumbo. From the moment the circus rolls into town, you expect something interesting to go down. Less than twenty minutes in, things go awry keeping you engaged in the story.
Memorability: 10
Is it the message? The colorful visuals? the creativity? There is something about Dumbo that holds you and makes you want to watch it repeatedly. It still holds up as one of the best animated films ever made.
Pace: 10
Plot: 9
I could’ve done without the elephants on parade in the drunk sequence and the crows were a bit of a sore spot, but the story is magnificent overall. Sometimes you have to overlook a couple things to recognize how good something truly is. Dumbo is a unique story you won’t find anywhere else.
Resolution: 10
Cute ending that ties the message up in a nice little bow. An inspiration for adults and kids alike. Great finale.
Overall: 99
Dumbo shows us that the thing that makes us different makes us special. It’s one of a thousand reasons we loving having Disney+ in our homes. Dumbo still holds up as an animated classic.