Search
Search results
LilyLovesIndie (123 KP) rated Rue Toulouse in Books
Nov 5, 2018
Caterine Douchette, envied by her family, loved by her friends and in fear of her life finds herself in the safe and loving arms of Remi Michaud, a pirate who lost his heart to an ice princess. Family turmoil, a whodunnit, a new and exotic lover, all with a backdrop of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Rue Toulouse is a refreshing romance which blends together action, adventure, love, sex and so many other features as well.
I read the summary to this book and I was, if I'm honest, ambivalent. I thought it would be an ok read that I would find pretty run of the mill as far as romances go. I couldn't have been more wrong.Rue Toulouse boasts an excellent premise for the story, which is well set up, well paced, well developed and well written. It hooked me in and left me turning pages with frantic abandon as I tried to figure out the whodunnit whilst also waiting rather impatiently to find out if Remi and Caterine would have a permanent, lasting relationship.
The characters are fabulous, especially Remi and Caterine. Caterine is the epitome of good society, a lady through and through. Remi is an enticing and spicy piece of something unknown, but something you would very much like to get to know. He exudes sex appeal and hooks you with his easy cher's and occasional French dialogue. Although Remi and Caterine lead a cast of excellent characters, they are all well written throughout, with the characters all developing nicely in ways you hadn't quite expected. The blossoming romance is not overdone, but realistic and enjoyable. The only quibble I have is that Paulette, Charlotte and Hyacinth did annoy me somewhat, but that was understandable given their treatment of Caterine who you get behind from the get go.
The whodunnit element of the story is excellent and had me guessing right up until the very end, and even then I was shocked. Grahl throws in so many red herrings along the way that you are constantly questioning and thinking of new solutions to the mystery, which was a refreshing angle to add to the romance. I love a book that keeps me thinking, and I have to say that Grahl had my grey matter working overtime trying to second guess what would happen next.
The ending itself was super, tying everything up nicely and leaving the reader with a feeling of quiet satisfaction. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish, it's pacy, sexy and incredibly engaging. I will definitely be watching out for more from this author and will be recommending this book to all those who like a romance with a bit more of a kick to it.
*This book was first reviewed on Lily Loves Indie as part of a blog tour, for which an ARC was received in return for an honest review*
I read the summary to this book and I was, if I'm honest, ambivalent. I thought it would be an ok read that I would find pretty run of the mill as far as romances go. I couldn't have been more wrong.Rue Toulouse boasts an excellent premise for the story, which is well set up, well paced, well developed and well written. It hooked me in and left me turning pages with frantic abandon as I tried to figure out the whodunnit whilst also waiting rather impatiently to find out if Remi and Caterine would have a permanent, lasting relationship.
The characters are fabulous, especially Remi and Caterine. Caterine is the epitome of good society, a lady through and through. Remi is an enticing and spicy piece of something unknown, but something you would very much like to get to know. He exudes sex appeal and hooks you with his easy cher's and occasional French dialogue. Although Remi and Caterine lead a cast of excellent characters, they are all well written throughout, with the characters all developing nicely in ways you hadn't quite expected. The blossoming romance is not overdone, but realistic and enjoyable. The only quibble I have is that Paulette, Charlotte and Hyacinth did annoy me somewhat, but that was understandable given their treatment of Caterine who you get behind from the get go.
The whodunnit element of the story is excellent and had me guessing right up until the very end, and even then I was shocked. Grahl throws in so many red herrings along the way that you are constantly questioning and thinking of new solutions to the mystery, which was a refreshing angle to add to the romance. I love a book that keeps me thinking, and I have to say that Grahl had my grey matter working overtime trying to second guess what would happen next.
The ending itself was super, tying everything up nicely and leaving the reader with a feeling of quiet satisfaction. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish, it's pacy, sexy and incredibly engaging. I will definitely be watching out for more from this author and will be recommending this book to all those who like a romance with a bit more of a kick to it.
*This book was first reviewed on Lily Loves Indie as part of a blog tour, for which an ARC was received in return for an honest review*
Merissa (11938 KP) rated Ashes and Blood (Book One of the Dayla Series) in Books
Jun 19, 2020
Ashes and Blood is the first book in the Dalya series and it starts off with a very weird tree! Even though this book is listed as New Adult I still, somehow, managed to convince myself it was Young Adult. So it was a bit of a shock when I read about them drinking and swearing. Still, it was my error and one I quickly got over as I immersed myself in their adventure.
The details in this story are simply amazing. The descriptions given help the reader to see every tree, person, and situation so clearly. The action is non-stop and with enough twists and turns to keep anyone happy. There is romance but not with the main character (or at least, not yet. I'm hopeful for the future!) which made a nice change.
And speaking of characters, the ones in here will jump out at you. They are so well described and three-dimensional, you will have no issue with remembering who is whom. I loved the girls' different attitudes and capabilities PLUS how Tristan was the one to watch, even though he came across as the most easy-going!
This was a fantastic start to the series and I really can't wait to read more and return to Dalya. Absolutely recommended by me.
* 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!
The details in this story are simply amazing. The descriptions given help the reader to see every tree, person, and situation so clearly. The action is non-stop and with enough twists and turns to keep anyone happy. There is romance but not with the main character (or at least, not yet. I'm hopeful for the future!) which made a nice change.
And speaking of characters, the ones in here will jump out at you. They are so well described and three-dimensional, you will have no issue with remembering who is whom. I loved the girls' different attitudes and capabilities PLUS how Tristan was the one to watch, even though he came across as the most easy-going!
This was a fantastic start to the series and I really can't wait to read more and return to Dalya. Absolutely recommended by me.
* 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!
Eleanor Luhar (47 KP) rated Terminal (Virals 5) in Books
Jun 24, 2019
Terminal is the fifth book in the Virals series by Kathy Reichs. I know I've reviewed a ton of books in this series now, so I'll try to keep this one relatively short!
The Virals gang are always getting into trouble. But this time, they have multiple severe problems to worry about: a rival pack and, worse, some mysterious black-suited men asking questions about them. Which was worse? Losing against the Trinity, or becoming a bunch of lab rats for some secret government agency?
First, Tory and her friends need to find out the identities of their opponents. While the first two seem to be somewhat easy to find, the third member of the Trinity - the mystery girl - brings quite a shock to every member of the Viral pack.
As usual, the Reichs' bring tons of action, problem-solving and surprises in this Virals sequel. Nothing is certain: who are the Trinity? Who are these mystery detectives? Will this be their last adventure?
I said I'd keep this short, so I'll try to wrap this up now. I love this series. I've been looking forward to this book for ages, and I definitely was not disappointed. As well as the two main problems the pack is facing, Tory has another issue; multiple boys are after her, and she doesn't know who she wants. I love how this book has teenage humour to it, a little bit of romance - the perfect amount, in my opinion - and tons of unexpected plot twists. 4 stars for Terminal!
The Virals gang are always getting into trouble. But this time, they have multiple severe problems to worry about: a rival pack and, worse, some mysterious black-suited men asking questions about them. Which was worse? Losing against the Trinity, or becoming a bunch of lab rats for some secret government agency?
First, Tory and her friends need to find out the identities of their opponents. While the first two seem to be somewhat easy to find, the third member of the Trinity - the mystery girl - brings quite a shock to every member of the Viral pack.
As usual, the Reichs' bring tons of action, problem-solving and surprises in this Virals sequel. Nothing is certain: who are the Trinity? Who are these mystery detectives? Will this be their last adventure?
I said I'd keep this short, so I'll try to wrap this up now. I love this series. I've been looking forward to this book for ages, and I definitely was not disappointed. As well as the two main problems the pack is facing, Tory has another issue; multiple boys are after her, and she doesn't know who she wants. I love how this book has teenage humour to it, a little bit of romance - the perfect amount, in my opinion - and tons of unexpected plot twists. 4 stars for Terminal!
ClareR (5667 KP) rated A Day of Fallen Night in Books
Feb 28, 2023
Phenomenal. Breath-taking. Complex, and well worth both the wait and the work - well, it’s not really work to read this. It was all pleasure.
To say this book is wide-sweeping would be an understatement. Set 500 years before The Priory of the Orange Tree, A Day of Fallen Night encompasses a whole world, with different religions, traditions and cultures. The complexity of this book! And then there’s the fact that I didn’t for one moment feel confused. The style of writing in each Kingdom was so distinct, that I knew immediately where I was (no reading ahead and then back again to figure out where I was!).
Matriarchal societies, societies where homosexuality is accepted (and in fact is nothing extraordinary), dragons, magic, did I say dragons? Yes, OK, I did, but I cannot stress enough how much I loved the dragons.
There’s over 800 pages of action, fighting, adventure, romance, politics, love, betrayal, religion, dragons (have I mentioned the dragons?), magic, strong women, noble men. Ah, I could go on - I won’t.
If fantasy is your thing, you’ll love this. If you’ve read and enjoyed Priory, you’ll love this. I don’t think it matters which order you read the two books in, they’ve been written as standalones in the same world. And, if rumours are true, there will be more - AND I CAN’T WAIT!!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for my ebook copy. And you’d better bet your life that I’ve bought a hardback copy. I mean, look at that cover! It’s glorious - beautiful!!
To say this book is wide-sweeping would be an understatement. Set 500 years before The Priory of the Orange Tree, A Day of Fallen Night encompasses a whole world, with different religions, traditions and cultures. The complexity of this book! And then there’s the fact that I didn’t for one moment feel confused. The style of writing in each Kingdom was so distinct, that I knew immediately where I was (no reading ahead and then back again to figure out where I was!).
Matriarchal societies, societies where homosexuality is accepted (and in fact is nothing extraordinary), dragons, magic, did I say dragons? Yes, OK, I did, but I cannot stress enough how much I loved the dragons.
There’s over 800 pages of action, fighting, adventure, romance, politics, love, betrayal, religion, dragons (have I mentioned the dragons?), magic, strong women, noble men. Ah, I could go on - I won’t.
If fantasy is your thing, you’ll love this. If you’ve read and enjoyed Priory, you’ll love this. I don’t think it matters which order you read the two books in, they’ve been written as standalones in the same world. And, if rumours are true, there will be more - AND I CAN’T WAIT!!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for my ebook copy. And you’d better bet your life that I’ve bought a hardback copy. I mean, look at that cover! It’s glorious - beautiful!!
Merissa (11938 KP) rated The Crystal Flame in Books
Sep 11, 2017
The Crystal Flame by Shirley Ponthieu McCoy
The Crystal Flame starts off as a tale about two opposites - fire and ice, or Finn and Lyssa as they are known in this book. For reasons unknown (at the time), Finn has travelled to find Lyssa. It turns out that he thinks that she could be his wife and partner. The one person who can help him control his flame, the same as he helps her control her ice. Working together, they both gain control over their powers, as well as fall in love. However, and it's quite a big however, Finn has left his own kingdom behind, in the care of his best friend and advisor, and his sick mother. And just what are they supposed to do when a coup takes place? Fight back of course, in any way they can!
This book held my interest from the very beginning, but it quickly became apparent that it wasn't 'just' a romance, but had action, adventure, subterfuge, betrayal, and all other wonderful things going on. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The story itself flowed, with a smooth pace from one setting and situation to the next. All of the characters, whether you liked or loathed them, were well-rounded and fully believable.
This story was a delight to read, and I absolutely recommend it for all #Fantasy fans out there.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This book held my interest from the very beginning, but it quickly became apparent that it wasn't 'just' a romance, but had action, adventure, subterfuge, betrayal, and all other wonderful things going on. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The story itself flowed, with a smooth pace from one setting and situation to the next. All of the characters, whether you liked or loathed them, were well-rounded and fully believable.
This story was a delight to read, and I absolutely recommend it for all #Fantasy fans out there.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (11938 KP) rated The Borderlands: The Complete Trilogy in Books
Jun 30, 2021 (Updated Jul 18, 2023)
THE BORDERLANDS: THE COMPLETE TRILOGY is exactly what it says. An epic fantasy that starts off in modern-day Scotland, travels to another medieval world, and finds a cyber-punk Earth in 2136, before returning to a 'simpler' time.
Dale longs to run away, from her family, from her school bullies, from everything. She has befriended a homeless man, Gareth, and together, they do up a little sailboat and make plans. Things take a turn for the worse when Gareth is murdered and Dale escapes by herself, with no idea of what to do or where to go. Of course, that's only the beginning of the story...
Dale is a brilliant character, feisty and strong-willed, makes more than a couple of mistakes, does the wrong thing and admits, but ultimately wants to help. This trilogy really is a journey for her as she not only discovers what's going on but just she has to do with it too.
There is a great supporting cast that both helps and hinders her as the story progresses. The pacing is smooth, with action and adventure. There is a touch of romance, a hint of a triangle, but that's it. The focus really is on Dale and what she learns.
A fantasy that crosses genres, this was a trilogy I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** 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!
Jun 30, 2021
Dale longs to run away, from her family, from her school bullies, from everything. She has befriended a homeless man, Gareth, and together, they do up a little sailboat and make plans. Things take a turn for the worse when Gareth is murdered and Dale escapes by herself, with no idea of what to do or where to go. Of course, that's only the beginning of the story...
Dale is a brilliant character, feisty and strong-willed, makes more than a couple of mistakes, does the wrong thing and admits, but ultimately wants to help. This trilogy really is a journey for her as she not only discovers what's going on but just she has to do with it too.
There is a great supporting cast that both helps and hinders her as the story progresses. The pacing is smooth, with action and adventure. There is a touch of romance, a hint of a triangle, but that's it. The focus really is on Dale and what she learns.
A fantasy that crosses genres, this was a trilogy I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** 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!
Jun 30, 2021
Lottie disney bookworm (1056 KP) rated The Tempest Sea in Books
Oct 25, 2021
I so very nearly fell out with Robin D Mahle over this book... I still might... They're so close to breaking my heart!
The Tempest Sea is the incredible second novel in The World Apart series, whisking us away from Ceithren and across the Tempest Sea to the other side of the world.
The adventure is again told from Clark and Addie’s POV but this time we are also treated to snippets from Xavier and Nell's past.
These tidbits allow the side characters to tell their story right up to the present situation, (almost) dissolving their untrustworthy nature in the readers eyes but not ruining the tension within the plot line.
I also loved how the chapters were labelled rather than named (ie Xavier is The Protector) as this really reflected how these "off screen" moments have shaped the characters and made them grow into something much more than their assumed role.
As well as our favourite characters from The Fractured Empire *side eyes Gunther* we also get to spend a lot more time with Locke, Nell and we are finally properly introduced to the infamous general. Alongside a plethora of side characters ranging from a pirate ship full of badass women to a fair few men we love to hate, Robin D Mahle really spoils us.
This fast paced sequel is jam packed full of action, flying ships, pirates and danger: its a wonder there is any time for romance! Addie and Clark may have been through the ringer but the tension and their magnetism throughout this book will have you screaming at them to open their eyes and just accept the attraction. That would be way too easy though... You know they're just going to wind each other up and fall out a few more times 😊
With the foundations set in The Fractured Empire, Robin D Mahle could really have fun with The Tempest Sea and I think this shows. The action and suspense rolls off the page, dragging us along for the ride. There are some darker moments (big trigger warning for sexual abuse) but these serve to make the characters stronger. They'll certainly need it for the next stage of their journey!
The Tempest Sea is the incredible second novel in The World Apart series, whisking us away from Ceithren and across the Tempest Sea to the other side of the world.
The adventure is again told from Clark and Addie’s POV but this time we are also treated to snippets from Xavier and Nell's past.
These tidbits allow the side characters to tell their story right up to the present situation, (almost) dissolving their untrustworthy nature in the readers eyes but not ruining the tension within the plot line.
I also loved how the chapters were labelled rather than named (ie Xavier is The Protector) as this really reflected how these "off screen" moments have shaped the characters and made them grow into something much more than their assumed role.
As well as our favourite characters from The Fractured Empire *side eyes Gunther* we also get to spend a lot more time with Locke, Nell and we are finally properly introduced to the infamous general. Alongside a plethora of side characters ranging from a pirate ship full of badass women to a fair few men we love to hate, Robin D Mahle really spoils us.
This fast paced sequel is jam packed full of action, flying ships, pirates and danger: its a wonder there is any time for romance! Addie and Clark may have been through the ringer but the tension and their magnetism throughout this book will have you screaming at them to open their eyes and just accept the attraction. That would be way too easy though... You know they're just going to wind each other up and fall out a few more times 😊
With the foundations set in The Fractured Empire, Robin D Mahle could really have fun with The Tempest Sea and I think this shows. The action and suspense rolls off the page, dragging us along for the ride. There are some darker moments (big trigger warning for sexual abuse) but these serve to make the characters stronger. They'll certainly need it for the next stage of their journey!
Merissa (11938 KP) rated To Discover a Divine (Rise of the Stria #1) in Books
Jun 7, 2018
To Discover a Divine (Rise of the Stria #1) by Tessa McFionn
To Discover a Divine is the first book in the Rise of the Stria series, and we start this series with a bang. Evainne has ended up on a prison barge in the middle of outer space when all she did was walk out of her front door. She is rescued by an 'alien' who helps her as much as he can. Evainne is different to the females Khalym knows, as she is blunt to the point of being tactless. However, the sparks are there between the two of them. Now if they can only figure out just what Evainne was wanted for, and how they keep being found, it should all be good.
This is a fast-paced science fiction romance, with plenty of action and adventure too. Evainne handles all the information remarkably well, but it is written in a way that explains that, rather than just trying to sweep it under the carpet. Khalym is a hero who thinks he is broken as he has been rejected for most of his life. Together, I can see these two having an amazing time, and it has definitely given me a taste for more in this series.
With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this story kept me engrossed from beginning to end. It does have a HFN ending, with a sort of cliffhanger, but all that has done is leave me wanting MORE right NOW! Absolutely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is a fast-paced science fiction romance, with plenty of action and adventure too. Evainne handles all the information remarkably well, but it is written in a way that explains that, rather than just trying to sweep it under the carpet. Khalym is a hero who thinks he is broken as he has been rejected for most of his life. Together, I can see these two having an amazing time, and it has definitely given me a taste for more in this series.
With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this story kept me engrossed from beginning to end. It does have a HFN ending, with a sort of cliffhanger, but all that has done is leave me wanting MORE right NOW! Absolutely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Isabel Smith (34 KP) rated Wicked River: a novel in Books
Jun 24, 2018
A true fight for survival...
My, oh my! What a breathtaking, multifaceted joyride of a novel! Containing elements of the horror, action, mystery, psychological suspense, adventure, coming-of-age, and even romance genres, Jenny Milchman’s latest novel Wicked River is a true genre-blending powerhouse.
The story is told from the point of view of three different individuals: the newlywed Natalie, her ambitious niece Mia, and a primitive outdoorsman named Kurt. Natalie and her husband, Doug, experience a honeymoon from hell when their exciting backcountry trek through the beautiful, vast Adirondack Park in New York morphs into a sinister fight for survival. When her aunt Natalie and new uncle Doug are gone longer than expected, Mia notices right away and suspects something is amiss. She’s young, but she’s got good instincts because her aunt and uncle are indeed in grave danger – they face the triple threat of being lost in the treacherous wilderness, running out of food and water, and being hunted by the madman named Kurt who lives amongst the woods. Blood is shed, allegiances are tested, and the body count is on the rise as multiple missing persons investigations and an epic search and rescue operation are launched.
There is a little something for everyone in Wicked River. I loved everything about it. Jenny Milchman has a knack for using the right metaphor at the right time to create such vivid imagery it feels as if the reader is alongside the characters in the picturesque yet hazardous Adirondack region. This is the first novel I’ve read by her, but she is now on my radar and I will have to catch up on her other works as well as keep a lookout for upcoming projects.
The story is told from the point of view of three different individuals: the newlywed Natalie, her ambitious niece Mia, and a primitive outdoorsman named Kurt. Natalie and her husband, Doug, experience a honeymoon from hell when their exciting backcountry trek through the beautiful, vast Adirondack Park in New York morphs into a sinister fight for survival. When her aunt Natalie and new uncle Doug are gone longer than expected, Mia notices right away and suspects something is amiss. She’s young, but she’s got good instincts because her aunt and uncle are indeed in grave danger – they face the triple threat of being lost in the treacherous wilderness, running out of food and water, and being hunted by the madman named Kurt who lives amongst the woods. Blood is shed, allegiances are tested, and the body count is on the rise as multiple missing persons investigations and an epic search and rescue operation are launched.
There is a little something for everyone in Wicked River. I loved everything about it. Jenny Milchman has a knack for using the right metaphor at the right time to create such vivid imagery it feels as if the reader is alongside the characters in the picturesque yet hazardous Adirondack region. This is the first novel I’ve read by her, but she is now on my radar and I will have to catch up on her other works as well as keep a lookout for upcoming projects.
Gareth von Kallenbach (974 KP) rated Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) in Movies
Aug 8, 2019
Scott Pilgrim, played by Michael Cera, is a young man whose life is going nowhere fast. At 23, he describes himself as in between jobs and spends his free time playing bass in a struggling band. But Scott does have a girlfriend named Knives Chau (Ellen Wong), never mind that she is still in high school and things are about as chaste as they can get. Undaunted, Scott keeps plugging away despite the supportive taunts of his gay roomie Wallace (Kieran Culkin), and the members of his band.
Things change for Scott when he meets a girl named Ramona (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), at a party. Ramona shows no interest in Scott but he’s inexplicably drawn to her and eventually gets the roller blading delivery girl to go out with him, despite the strong protests of his sister Stacey (Anna Kendrick), and his drummer/ex-girlfriend Kim (Allison Pine). The upswing Scott’s life takes at meeting the girl of his dreams and his band’s shot at a recording deal is tempered by the complications of choosing between Knives, who is becoming more clingy, and Ramona, who brings with her a lot of angry baggage.
This baggage actually comes in the form of seven evil exes whom Scott must battle and defeat if he wishes to continue dating her. Scott accepts the challenge and finds himself in a life and death battle with some true psychos, all of whom have strange powers and appear out of nowhere to pummel Scott. I will not spoil the surprises but suffice it to say that the exes are played by some great names, and each one brings plenty of humor to go with the action.
Action and music blend well with comedy and romance and the video game-inspired fight sequences complete with numerous inside jokes for gamers are truly a delight. The frantic sequences mix music, and over the top action with cartoonish gags and humor in a winning formula. Seeing Scott take flying leaps across a room to battle for Ramona and rebounding from one pummeling after another is great fun. Scott give as good as he gets, learning at times that brains will win out over brawn.
The film has a frantic pacing that Director Edgar Wright never lets get out of control. Like his great work in Shaun of the Dead, Wright keeps the characters and their relationships at the center of the film, making them not only relatable but easy to root for despite the bizarre scenario the characters find themselves in.
The film is based on a graphic novel by Bryan Lee O’Malley and delivers a fun adventure that should delight fans of the novel as well as video gamers everywhere. The film knows who its audience is and plays the zany plot with a wink and smile and does not get caught up with intricate plotlines and overly complex characters. Instead the movie keeps the attention on the action and the great cast of characters. Cera does his best work yet in the title role and Culkin nearly steals every scene he is in as does Wong. Jason Schwartzman shines as the uber villain Gideon and rounds out the effective cast in this pleasant surprise of the summer.
Things change for Scott when he meets a girl named Ramona (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), at a party. Ramona shows no interest in Scott but he’s inexplicably drawn to her and eventually gets the roller blading delivery girl to go out with him, despite the strong protests of his sister Stacey (Anna Kendrick), and his drummer/ex-girlfriend Kim (Allison Pine). The upswing Scott’s life takes at meeting the girl of his dreams and his band’s shot at a recording deal is tempered by the complications of choosing between Knives, who is becoming more clingy, and Ramona, who brings with her a lot of angry baggage.
This baggage actually comes in the form of seven evil exes whom Scott must battle and defeat if he wishes to continue dating her. Scott accepts the challenge and finds himself in a life and death battle with some true psychos, all of whom have strange powers and appear out of nowhere to pummel Scott. I will not spoil the surprises but suffice it to say that the exes are played by some great names, and each one brings plenty of humor to go with the action.
Action and music blend well with comedy and romance and the video game-inspired fight sequences complete with numerous inside jokes for gamers are truly a delight. The frantic sequences mix music, and over the top action with cartoonish gags and humor in a winning formula. Seeing Scott take flying leaps across a room to battle for Ramona and rebounding from one pummeling after another is great fun. Scott give as good as he gets, learning at times that brains will win out over brawn.
The film has a frantic pacing that Director Edgar Wright never lets get out of control. Like his great work in Shaun of the Dead, Wright keeps the characters and their relationships at the center of the film, making them not only relatable but easy to root for despite the bizarre scenario the characters find themselves in.
The film is based on a graphic novel by Bryan Lee O’Malley and delivers a fun adventure that should delight fans of the novel as well as video gamers everywhere. The film knows who its audience is and plays the zany plot with a wink and smile and does not get caught up with intricate plotlines and overly complex characters. Instead the movie keeps the attention on the action and the great cast of characters. Cera does his best work yet in the title role and Culkin nearly steals every scene he is in as does Wong. Jason Schwartzman shines as the uber villain Gideon and rounds out the effective cast in this pleasant surprise of the summer.