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The Peace and The Panic by Neck Deep
The Peace and The Panic by Neck Deep
2017 | Alternative, Pop, Punk
8
7.0 (3 Ratings)
Album Rating
Peace Panic Pop Punk
Neck Deep, most well known for their song, "December", came to turn the amps up to 11. Mostly known for a more acoustic sound that lends itself to pop punk, the Welsh five-piece has brought a full electric, high-energy album to bear on an audience that didn't know we needed more pop punk anthems.

The album mostly deals with mature themes of growing older, as well as the state of the world and losing people close to you. The lead singer, Ben Barlow's, father died during their writing of this album and it shows in the emotional lyrics and texture of the songs.


The album starts out with the more jump-up-and-down and blast-your-car-stereo tunes until getting in the last half of the album with a couple more ballad-y titles like "Wish You Were Here" and "Nineteen Seventy-Something".


Some favorite tracks of mine are the more Alt-rock sounding "Happy Judgement Day" and "Don't Wait, as well as the emotional "Nineteen Seventy-Something" and the deceptively Happy-sounding "Where Do We Go When We Go".


Considering I had been under the impression that this genre had died, this album is a breath of fresh air from a vista of young adult, relatable angst that I had forgotten how to express.
  
Robbie Riverton: Mail Order Bride
Robbie Riverton: Mail Order Bride
Eli Easton | 2018 | LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dumb title, awful art, but good book
Please don't judge this book by its atrocious cover. As a kid, I read all of my older sister's romance novels--Jude Devereaux, Judith McNaught, et cetera--but as a sentimental gay dude, there was a lot that didn't hit home for me. This is my first gay historical romance, and I really liked it. It has about the same amount of depth you would expect from a heterosexual romance novels (which is to say, not much), but it was no less an enjoyable read. I'm glad that Easton didn't rely on angst to further the story, but actually gave us a story that stands in its own two legs.

I admit that I was nervous going into the more erotic scenes. It's kind of a thorny issue, with Easton being a woman and describing an entirely male act. But they were surprisingly realistic (for a romance novel). That said, they didn't exactly light my fire, but they weren't "boobs feel like bags of sand" either. Nice, middle of the road. It's clear the focus is on the relationship, not sex, though she acknowledges the strong sexual intensity that (sometimes) manifests between men.

Just, please, Easton, if you read these at all, do something about the cover art. The title is a little hokey too. It made me underestimate your talent.
  
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Holly (1 KP) rated Pestilence in Books

Jul 17, 2018  
Pestilence
Pestilence
Laura Thalassa | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Grey morality (2 more)
Narrative voice
Provoked tears
The cover makes it seem like a dime a dozen romance (1 more)
Never addressed possible Stockholm syndrome
Unexpected
I downloaded this book to my kindle thinking it would be a quick mindless read for my daily commute.

It was not.

This is as a book that moved me to tears on said bus, hoping no one would see me and think I was crazy.

The author has created a world in which you find yourself torn between hating and caring for a mass murderer. She uses the idea of the Four Horseman to highlight both the redeemable and the irredeemable facets of humanity. The writing was very enjoyable, and overall this was a great read possibly because I was expecting a trashy romance and instead got death and disease.

There is still romance in the plot, but I’m on the fence about how about it. If you have an issue with overly possessive men who have no boundaries or idea of how much the human body can take, then I wouldn’t recommend it. I also feel as thoug Stockholm night play a lot in the heroines eventual love of Pestilence m, but it was never addressed or even hinted at.

If your looking for a slow burn romance, without the fluff, full of angst and darkness this is definitely worth a go.
  
Crowned with Guilt
Crowned with Guilt
S.K. Rose | 2018 | Romance, Young Adult (YA)
10
5.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
All the angst you could want and more (0 more)
Remember the Reaper (book 1)
I could never say enough about this book. Not only was it an amazing read, but it’s the authors debut novel. She takes you on a journey you don’t want to ever end. The characters have such depth, you’re sucked into a world you never knew you needed to be a part of. There’s something I find so sweet and innocent about a child’s unconditional love. Especially when it’s shared with another kid who needs it so much. The bond that forms is her lifeline in so many ways. Tessa’s story is not one of unicorns and rainbows but she finds her escape in books, a prince she doesn’t feel she deserves, and a castle built of dreams. It’s dark, gritty, and doesn’t feel anything but real. She goes through so much in her young life, it changes her. The weight of what she feels as her fault sits heavy on her shoulders. There’s not much that can hurt a person as much as their own guilt slowly eating away at them. When all you see in the mirror is the villain and you lash out at anyone who tries to get close what hope is left.

This is the first book of a series.
  
S(
Sparks (Shock Me, #2)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this book from Barclay Publicity in return for a fair and honest review.

This book continues where Shock Me finished and you are left not knowing who to trust or where to turn. Donna, Spencer and Rebecca feel that they can only trust each other and Donna also feels the extra responsibility of trying to keep them safe too. There are a few more new players which help keep this book fresh and moving forwards. Donna, Spencer and Rebecca find answers to questions they had but also uncover more secrets. Just how long has this been going on and how widespread is it? Throw into the story the usual self confidence angst and boy troubles that high school brings and you are swept away into Donna's story.

The intriguing part for me about this series isn't so much the story, as fantastic as it is, but the characters themselves. Each character is individual with their own thoughts, feelings and flaws. You are never sure when reading what you will get - a bad boy who decides to be good, a good guy who does something against his conscience, an unknown who acts in a way different to that you expected - it's all here and much more.

A brilliant continuation to the series which leaves you gasping for breath on a cliff hanger ending. Highly recommended.
  
DN
Double Negative
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this book from Xpresso Book Tours as part of their blog tour, in return for a fair and honest review.

Wow, this book packs a punch in more ways than one. It is tough and gritty and doesn't spare your feelings as you read through. You will be neck deep in teenage angst, abuse, drugs, body issues, bullying but also friendships, teamwork and mentorship. This book covers it all and in such a way that you won't be able to stop turning the pages. You will need to read "just a little bit more."

One thing I will say is that I actually found it quite hard to read at the beginning before I got used to Hutch's 'voice'. I actually found it quite painful which is funny when you're not actually reading it. I was very pleased with him as he started to correct his grammar!

As he changes his attitude and takes up 'swimming', I found the book progressed in a wonderful and heartwarming way. His relationship with Maggie in particular brought a tear to my eye on more than one occasion.

I thought the whole book dealt with subjects usually swept under the carpet and in a rough, in your face, dignified and respectful manner. Does that sentence not make sense to you? Read Double Negative and it will make perfect sense!
  
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Merissa (12066 KP) rated Guardian in Books

Dec 17, 2018  
G
Guardian
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this book from Goddess Fish Promotions in return for a fair and honest review.

Holy Smoke, this book will give you something new to read. The story starts with 17-year-old Maggie suffering from being bullied by a jock, Serge. As you read, you find out that Maggie has strange abilities although she is quite content and able to deal with them. What makes this all the better is that her dad knows and helps too. There is no absentee parenting with this pair!

There is no slacking off in this book, you are literally carried from one thing to another. It has multiple layers and is woven together so well, that you will go where the book takes you instead of trying to figure it out beforehand.

Along with trying to solve a murder and not being killed in the process, you also have teenage angst in there of the uncertainty of knowing if someone likes you or not. There are also humorous moments, scary moments, tragic moments and sad. This book basically has it all.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book and I really hope there is more to come. Favourite line of the book has to be right at the end - "Who knew I'd have to die to start living?" Excellent stuff and highly recommended.
  
    Mine sirkler

    Mine sirkler

    Education and Social Networking

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    Mine sirkler Mine sirkler er et sosialt "atferdskart” utarbeidet for personer i autismespekteret....