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Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Heart of Thorns (Heart of Thorns #1) in Books
Oct 19, 2018
I almost bailed on this book. It's not bad, exactly, it's just - mediocre. Mia discovers that she is the thing she's been taught to hate, discovers that maybe they're not all bad, that what she's been taught is probably wrong, but, y'know, maybe not entirely wrong - it's just one trope after another. It was rather predictable.
And there's this problem with the world. If every woman is suspected of being a witch, (sorry, Gwyrach) and they work their magic through touch - how is anyone having kids? Sure, women are required to wear gloves in public, but - the touch-magic doesn't keep men from abusing women. Not like in The Power, where men start getting actually scared to touch women for fear of what could happen.
The only character in this book that I actually LIKED was Prince Quin. And maybe Dom, the flirtatious gay boy. Mia was rather thoroughly unlikable. First she blindly accepts that she should hate and kill Gwyrach, then is appalled to find out she (and her mother) are/were Gwyrach, and refuses to accept that because of course she can't possibly be one of those reviled women. She refuses to take Quin into her confidence, despite him showing blind trust in her for most of the book. What does he have to do to prove himself to you, woman?
I've read much better feminist dystopias. This is oppressed-women-finding-their-hidden-powers-and-fighting-back clothed in a fantasy instead of a dystopia, and it's not nearly as good as it could be. Despite ending on a cliffhanger, I don't care enough about these characters to read the next book.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
And there's this problem with the world. If every woman is suspected of being a witch, (sorry, Gwyrach) and they work their magic through touch - how is anyone having kids? Sure, women are required to wear gloves in public, but - the touch-magic doesn't keep men from abusing women. Not like in The Power, where men start getting actually scared to touch women for fear of what could happen.
The only character in this book that I actually LIKED was Prince Quin. And maybe Dom, the flirtatious gay boy. Mia was rather thoroughly unlikable. First she blindly accepts that she should hate and kill Gwyrach, then is appalled to find out she (and her mother) are/were Gwyrach, and refuses to accept that because of course she can't possibly be one of those reviled women. She refuses to take Quin into her confidence, despite him showing blind trust in her for most of the book. What does he have to do to prove himself to you, woman?
I've read much better feminist dystopias. This is oppressed-women-finding-their-hidden-powers-and-fighting-back clothed in a fantasy instead of a dystopia, and it's not nearly as good as it could be. Despite ending on a cliffhanger, I don't care enough about these characters to read the next book.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Anti-Romance (Anti-Romance #1) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
Huh... 2.5 stars
This was a freebie I downloaded about four years ago and I've put it off for a while because of it's rather bad rating on Goodreads of 3.64. I feel I should point out that most books I read have a rating of between 3.9 and 4.5 stars, so I was wary that I wouldn't like it.
We follow Laney, who writes a blog about her exploits with different men and it's very anti-romance/romance is dead - hence the name of the book. She's currently seeing someone in politics but he gives her an STI and it turns out he is married so she's ready to write her post about him. Then she meets her neighbour Kade, a hot musician who really likes her. And then there's her best friend of years, George, who's been in love with her for years.
I had nothing against Laney spreading the love, really, but I generally prefer to focus on one guy and she was changing between Kade and George rather quickly and easily.
And then the book ended at 49%, mid chapter, mid crisis. It felt too abrupt. Just cut off without some sort of proper ending. I'm understanding it's low rating.
I feel I should also point out that this book is no longer available on Amazon unless you want it as an audiobook and the second part Pro-Love isn't anywhere I can see so I will never know how this story ends. I have to say I was pro Kade since I like the kind of bad boy he seemed to be.
P.S. The best bit for me was probably the four pictures that had hidden penises in them.
This was a freebie I downloaded about four years ago and I've put it off for a while because of it's rather bad rating on Goodreads of 3.64. I feel I should point out that most books I read have a rating of between 3.9 and 4.5 stars, so I was wary that I wouldn't like it.
We follow Laney, who writes a blog about her exploits with different men and it's very anti-romance/romance is dead - hence the name of the book. She's currently seeing someone in politics but he gives her an STI and it turns out he is married so she's ready to write her post about him. Then she meets her neighbour Kade, a hot musician who really likes her. And then there's her best friend of years, George, who's been in love with her for years.
I had nothing against Laney spreading the love, really, but I generally prefer to focus on one guy and she was changing between Kade and George rather quickly and easily.
And then the book ended at 49%, mid chapter, mid crisis. It felt too abrupt. Just cut off without some sort of proper ending. I'm understanding it's low rating.
I feel I should also point out that this book is no longer available on Amazon unless you want it as an audiobook and the second part Pro-Love isn't anywhere I can see so I will never know how this story ends. I have to say I was pro Kade since I like the kind of bad boy he seemed to be.
P.S. The best bit for me was probably the four pictures that had hidden penises in them.
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Holding Out for a Hero (Jelvia: Not Human #1) in Books
Apr 8, 2019
Holding Out for a Hero (Jelvia: Not Human #1) by L. Wise, T.E. Kessler
Holding Out For A Hero is the first book in the Jelvia: Not Human series, and this book balances a line between a romance story, and an erotica filled with sex.
The birth rate of humans is down, and the birth rate of Jelvia's is up. Not only that, but the Jelvia's are faster and stronger than 'normal' humans, and also have super-pellets of venom that can kill humans within mere seconds. They have a bad reputation, mostly deserved, but Macy is convinced they are not as bad as the media portrays them. When her roommate is attacked, Macy sees first-hand that you can't tar a whole race with the same brush.
This is a book of intrigue, with twists and turns aplenty, and also of opposites. Macy wants to find out more about the Jelvia, and thinks they are getting a bad press. Courtney is Macy's long-term friend, and wants absolutely nothing to do with them. In fact, her sympathies lie more with a criminal who attacked her and nearly raped her, than with the Jelvia who's appearance saved her.
Macy and Narcifer go full throttle very early on (it is for over 18's after all!), and quickly spout off their 'I love you's'. It was good to see that connection, although Narcifer slid in my estimation when he explained a phone call as being 'boy talk'. Macy holds great store in knowing if she can trust someone, but it appeared to me that she trusts very easily, and then it bites her in the ass.
There is a slight hint of BDSM in this book (spankings), but it seems like book two will delve deeper into this world. I just hope it doesn't become the same thing in every book. The next book also stars Courtney, so we will be able to see if her opinions have changed much.
A great read, with no editing or grammatical errors that I noticed. There is enough world-building for the Jelvia's to fit in. I thoroughly enjoyed book one in this series, and look forward to reading more.
* 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 birth rate of humans is down, and the birth rate of Jelvia's is up. Not only that, but the Jelvia's are faster and stronger than 'normal' humans, and also have super-pellets of venom that can kill humans within mere seconds. They have a bad reputation, mostly deserved, but Macy is convinced they are not as bad as the media portrays them. When her roommate is attacked, Macy sees first-hand that you can't tar a whole race with the same brush.
This is a book of intrigue, with twists and turns aplenty, and also of opposites. Macy wants to find out more about the Jelvia, and thinks they are getting a bad press. Courtney is Macy's long-term friend, and wants absolutely nothing to do with them. In fact, her sympathies lie more with a criminal who attacked her and nearly raped her, than with the Jelvia who's appearance saved her.
Macy and Narcifer go full throttle very early on (it is for over 18's after all!), and quickly spout off their 'I love you's'. It was good to see that connection, although Narcifer slid in my estimation when he explained a phone call as being 'boy talk'. Macy holds great store in knowing if she can trust someone, but it appeared to me that she trusts very easily, and then it bites her in the ass.
There is a slight hint of BDSM in this book (spankings), but it seems like book two will delve deeper into this world. I just hope it doesn't become the same thing in every book. The next book also stars Courtney, so we will be able to see if her opinions have changed much.
A great read, with no editing or grammatical errors that I noticed. There is enough world-building for the Jelvia's to fit in. I thoroughly enjoyed book one in this series, and look forward to reading more.
* 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!
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated The Equalizer 2 (2018) in Movies
Jul 29, 2018
Smart action flick with a tremendous Denzel performance
I really enjoyed the first EQUALIZER film. Based on the TV show of the same name, it followed the exploits of Denzel Washington as he "righted wrongs". I nicknamed this film "how to kill bad guys with things you find at your local Home Depot", for that is what happens. Denzel's character improvises traps and weapons to dispatch the evil-doers.
So...I was "all in" when they announced a sequel to this flick. I figured that Washington and his frequent collaborator, Director Antoine Fuqua (both Equalizer's as well as helming Denzel's Oscar winning performance in TRAINING DAY) would make things "bigger and badder" as often happens in sequels - bigger stakes, more bad guys, bigger - and trickier - improvisations - this time, perhaps at a Walmart!
But I was wrong - they didn't go bigger, they went smaller and smarter - and the movie is better for it.
In EQUALIZER 2, we get more personal with Denzel's character, Robert McCall. There still are plenty of bad guys getting the punishment they deserve, but it is the toll on McCall and the reasoning behind why he is doing what he is doing that is at center stage in this film, putting the weight of this film, rightfully so, on Denzel's more than capable shoulders. He comes through - as he always does - tremendously well. There is one scene where Denzel is trying to get a teenage boy to walk away from a gang. I was amazed that I was watching an "Academy Award" level scene in the middle of an action flick, but that is absolutely what it is.
Now...make no mistake...there is plenty of action, chases and violence in this film, but Fuqua shows great restraint, giving the violence a purpose instead of being gratuitous. Even when they have a final battle in the middle of a hurricane-level storm, Fuqua rightfully focuses on the people element of things - and not the spectacle of the elements and circumstances.
Both Fuqua and Washington make some smart choices in this film, which makes it a smart movie, well made with just enough action to please all.
Letter Grade: A-
8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)
So...I was "all in" when they announced a sequel to this flick. I figured that Washington and his frequent collaborator, Director Antoine Fuqua (both Equalizer's as well as helming Denzel's Oscar winning performance in TRAINING DAY) would make things "bigger and badder" as often happens in sequels - bigger stakes, more bad guys, bigger - and trickier - improvisations - this time, perhaps at a Walmart!
But I was wrong - they didn't go bigger, they went smaller and smarter - and the movie is better for it.
In EQUALIZER 2, we get more personal with Denzel's character, Robert McCall. There still are plenty of bad guys getting the punishment they deserve, but it is the toll on McCall and the reasoning behind why he is doing what he is doing that is at center stage in this film, putting the weight of this film, rightfully so, on Denzel's more than capable shoulders. He comes through - as he always does - tremendously well. There is one scene where Denzel is trying to get a teenage boy to walk away from a gang. I was amazed that I was watching an "Academy Award" level scene in the middle of an action flick, but that is absolutely what it is.
Now...make no mistake...there is plenty of action, chases and violence in this film, but Fuqua shows great restraint, giving the violence a purpose instead of being gratuitous. Even when they have a final battle in the middle of a hurricane-level storm, Fuqua rightfully focuses on the people element of things - and not the spectacle of the elements and circumstances.
Both Fuqua and Washington make some smart choices in this film, which makes it a smart movie, well made with just enough action to please all.
Letter Grade: A-
8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)
Neon's Nerd Nexus (360 KP) rated Jojo Rabbit (2019) in Movies
Jan 6, 2020 (Updated Jan 6, 2020)
F*ck Off Hittler!
Jo Jo Rabbit while by no means a bad movie its just one that I think would of worked better as a short instead. Think Son Of Rambow meets Wes Anderson and Jo Jo sits somewhere in between, its not bad but its also not greatness either. Containing way more serious drama and a much darker tone than the trailer has you believe what I found most interesting of all were the bleakest parts of the story which hit home way more than the comedy side. I just felt the humour took away from the films more serious messages of manipulation and the mind poluting of the naive. A good job is done of showing how fragile, young and inocent minds are easily lead astray/influenced by propaganda, stories, lies, the spread of hatred and how the excitement of holding a weapon, fighting in a war or wearing a uniform almost takes away from the overall bigger picture for them as children. Most of these kids see probably grew up without a dad as a role model so seeing hittler praised by all, hearing cool fables about him and seeing him on tv/posters to them at that age is almost like how kids are today with superheros, then to think thats actually what probably happened sends chills up your spine in horror. Sadly these scenes are always dampened with comedy killing the impact of them for me and while I do get what type of film its going for I think id rather of just seen a movie on the darker stuff. Acting is great especially by the boy playing Jo Jo however accents do slip constantly all round again breaking the illusion. Couple this with a middle act that I really struggled with losing intrest frequently and looking at my watch. While it does have the heart and certainly the depth in places I cant help but feel really let down by this movie and sadly I left wanting more. Far too serious for teens and not serious enough for adults Jo Jo Rabbit is an alright watch with definitely a few good messages at its muddled heart 'love will always defeat hate' and 'even if you are ugly on skin you still can be lovely from within' so I guess its not all bad.
chandler ellis (3 KP) rated Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) in Movies
Jul 14, 2017
Michael Keaton's portrayal of his character: The Vulture. (1 more)
The idea that his Peter Parker, tried to prove himself worthy for the Avengers, and that he wouldn't let someone die just because their bad.
Spiderman swings into a 9/10 place, giving a comical take on the teenage superhero
Contains spoilers, click to show
Spiderman Homecoming swung into theatres last week, and provided a comical take on the young superhero. It gives us an opening on Peter, enjoying his time and experience through the events of Civil War. But this comes to an end, when it shows him as a normal teen. Michael Keaton, gives a hatred to play-boy millionaire Tony Stark. So he retrieves pieces of weaponry and tech, from previous Marvel films. And he sells them to make money, and give his family a good life. Through this Peter learns of the idea of trust, bravery, and of course doing the right thing no matter what. All in all, Spiderman Homecoming makes a great film for the new generation and for some in the old generation.
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Haunted By Her Dragon (Dragon Guards, #3) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
This is definitely my favourite book so far but I will reserve judgment until Royce's book comes out The story follows on from the previous book and I would recommend reading these in order, although you could read them as stand-alones at a push as there is a brief review at the beginning.
This story is all about Sam and Lance. Lance is the golden play boy who never wanted to be tied down to one. He's the comedian who lets only a few people past his guard. Sam is the doctor who is working to hard to establish her career and to get her own space. The last thing she wants is to share that space with someone else... right?!
We catch up with the characters we already know and love but are introduced to a special little girl that I can't wait to find out more about. And the story with Andrew and The Auctioneer becomes deeper and more intriguing too.
The story is woven with skill and the repetitions about the Universe have mainly stopped in this book. They are still there but not as bad. This series is definitely getting better with each book and I am really enjoying them! Definitely recommended for all PR fans.
This story is all about Sam and Lance. Lance is the golden play boy who never wanted to be tied down to one. He's the comedian who lets only a few people past his guard. Sam is the doctor who is working to hard to establish her career and to get her own space. The last thing she wants is to share that space with someone else... right?!
We catch up with the characters we already know and love but are introduced to a special little girl that I can't wait to find out more about. And the story with Andrew and The Auctioneer becomes deeper and more intriguing too.
The story is woven with skill and the repetitions about the Universe have mainly stopped in this book. They are still there but not as bad. This series is definitely getting better with each book and I am really enjoying them! Definitely recommended for all PR fans.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Children of the Corn (1984) in Movies
Feb 28, 2020
Is Corn Really Scary?
Children of the Corn- is based off of stephen king short story. This movie is awful. Its soo bad thats its good in a way. Like how Maximum Overdrive is. Their in the same boat. Stephen King ask the question- is corn really scary and our answer- no. Are children scary- no. Is the ending weird and crappy and left a on cliffhanger kinda of- yes. Is this movie weird overall- yes. Is the villian of the movie creepy and scary- yes. Will i get to the plot of the movie- yes.
The plot: As physician Burt Stanton (Peter Horton) and his girlfriend, Vicky (Linda Hamilton), drive across the Midwest to his new job, their trip comes to a sudden halt when they encounter the body of a murdered boy in the road. In trying to contact the authorities, Burt and Vicky wander into a small town populated only by children, followers of sinister young preacher Isaac Chroner (John Franklin). Soon the couple is fleeing the youthful fanatics, who want to sacrifice them to their demonic deity.
Also by the way this movie has like six-seven sequels, a tv series and a reboot. That are all unesscary.
Skip this movie, its not good.
The plot: As physician Burt Stanton (Peter Horton) and his girlfriend, Vicky (Linda Hamilton), drive across the Midwest to his new job, their trip comes to a sudden halt when they encounter the body of a murdered boy in the road. In trying to contact the authorities, Burt and Vicky wander into a small town populated only by children, followers of sinister young preacher Isaac Chroner (John Franklin). Soon the couple is fleeing the youthful fanatics, who want to sacrifice them to their demonic deity.
Also by the way this movie has like six-seven sequels, a tv series and a reboot. That are all unesscary.
Skip this movie, its not good.
We See Everything
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A gripping and powerfully relevant thriller set in a reimagined London where drone surveillance is...
young adult adventure
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Marvel: Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Egmont UK Ltd and Jason Reynolds
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Miles Morales must deal with the powers of a spider and the responsibility of a super hero. An...