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David McK (3377 KP) rated Waylander in Books

Jan 19, 2019 (Updated Dec 31, 2019)

Waylander

David Gemmell | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry

9.0

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

“There is evil in all of us, and it is the mark of a man how he defies the evil within.”

The third of David Gemmell's Drenai books, this is also chronologically the first, set (as it is) centuries before the events of Legend.

I think I first read this in the mid-to-late 90s, not that long after discovering Gemmell as an author.

As an early work by Gemmell, this also has several of what-would-become-known-as his trademark: the main character of Waylander himself, for instance (who he would return to twice more in Waylander II and Hero in the Shadows) is not a clean-cut hero (perhaps more of an anti-hero), only rescuing the priest Dardalian (who would go on to have a VERY important impact on the history of the Drenai) at the very start of the novel as the renegades who are torturing that priest have also stolen Waylander's horse.

Full of powerful imagery (Waylander standing alone against the robbers in the dusk with the sun setting behind him for one, not that long after this rescue) and Gemmell's contemplation on the Source, Waylander would become - I feel - second only to Druss amongst his most popular creations.

That's not to say this is perfect: like Legend, the romance between Waylander and Danyal does seemingly come out of nowhere, although Gemmell is (was) getting better at organically growing those relationships compared to his first work.

Kudos

Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Body Movers (Body Movers, #1) in Books

Nov 7, 2019

Carlotta and Wesley are brother and sister. Carlotta has been Wesley's guardian ever since their parents disappeared. Wesley has always been mischievous, but this time he's outdone himself. When he is arrested and put on probation for hacking into the city's computer system, Carlotta thinks Wesley may finally change his ways. Part of his probation requires him to find a job. While it's not the most glamorous, body moving pays well. But when his job brings him to the home of Carlotta's ex-boyfriend, things really start to go wrong. Carlotta is even under suspicion for the murder. Will Carlotta be able to clear her name?

I have had this book on my TBR for a very long time. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed this story. I don't think that I could ever be a part of a body moving service. I get queasy when I have to clean up my own kids vomit.

Carlotta and Wesley have lived in town all of their lives. They still live in the home they last lived in when their parents disappeared. Carlotta works for Nordstrom and tries her best to take care of Wesley, but he is reaching the age, where he should be able to take care of himself.

Ex-boyfriends, jealous wives, cigar smoking players, death, and a love interest. This book has it all and I can't wait to see what happens next with Carlotta and Wesley.

Kudos

JT (287 KP) rated Street Kings (2008) in Movies

Mar 10, 2020

Street Kings (2008)

2008 | Action, Drama, Mystery

7.3

(4 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Street Kings follows the likes of Training Day and Harsh Crimes in dramatising the murky underworld of police corruption. In the hands of director David Ayer he’s scattered the narrative with gritty confetti. Pre John Wick, Keanu Reeves was still kicking ass and taking names – he is a shoot first ask questions later kind of guy – nothing new there then.

Reeves plays vodka-swilling undercover cop Tom Ludlow, who is still reeling from the death of his wife and has been implicated in the murder of an officer. Now he has to fight to clear his name with the help of Forest Whitaker.

Ayer is well suited to this genre having written the scripts for Training Day, End of Watch and Harsh Times, so he understands the complexities of the genre in order to deliver a fast paced story. Intercutting the action at the right times.

Of course corruption is not uncommon in fiction and there is always a group of officers hell bent on covering up as much as they can and disposing of as many people as they need to.

The introduction of Hugh Laurie as Captain James Biggs, a man who seems clean cut but is not to be trusted, is a solid addition, although I still seem him as the idiotic Prince Regent in the Blackadder series.

Reeves and Whitaker each turn in a decent performance and there is enough meat on the bone make this a intelligently paced thriller.