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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2336 KP) rated Paint the Town Dead in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Rory Anderson is thrilled about the decorative painting convention coming to Vista Beach, California, her hometown. She’s looking forward to the classes and helping her mom, one of the vendors for the event. However, she is shocked when her friend collapses and dies just as the week is getting under way. The police think it was a tragic accident, but Rory is sure it was murder. Can she prove it?
I love the beach, so the beach town setting is perfect for me. The characters are good, although I did feel they could have been just a little stronger. However, the plot was plenty strong with things progressing at a steady pace all the way to the climax. I was sure I had it completely figured out multiple times only to change my mind a couple of chapters later.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/11/book-review-paint-town-dead-by-sybil.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I love the beach, so the beach town setting is perfect for me. The characters are good, although I did feel they could have been just a little stronger. However, the plot was plenty strong with things progressing at a steady pace all the way to the climax. I was sure I had it completely figured out multiple times only to change my mind a couple of chapters later.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/11/book-review-paint-town-dead-by-sybil.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Awix (3310 KP) rated Fistful of Dollars (1964) in Movies
Jun 12, 2018 (Updated Oct 22, 2018)
Genre-defining spaghetti western is an Italian-made interpretation of a quintessentially American genre, filmed in Spain and based on a Japanese movie (so stop going on about how much you hate globalisation). Taciturn stranger moseys into a divided town south of the border, decides to make some quick money by playing the two ruling gangs off against one another. Cue many trumpet solos and Clint Eastwood gunning folk down like it's going out of fashion.
Not quite up to the same standards as the film that inspired it, Yojimbo, but still a really impressive film in the way it combines Leone's visual style, Eastwood's inscrutable charisma and Morricone's operatic score. The focus is so visual that the film ends up coming across as slightly superficial and overly interested in violence and sadism, but it is still a classic of its kind and really a landmark in both US and European cinema.
Not quite up to the same standards as the film that inspired it, Yojimbo, but still a really impressive film in the way it combines Leone's visual style, Eastwood's inscrutable charisma and Morricone's operatic score. The focus is so visual that the film ends up coming across as slightly superficial and overly interested in violence and sadism, but it is still a classic of its kind and really a landmark in both US and European cinema.

Aasiyah Sidat (34 KP) rated Another Shot with Summer in Books
Oct 2, 2018
Another Shot with Summer by Michele de Winton
"Girls could do anything, and she was about to prove they could have everything to"
This book review is for the first and second book in the Hot Tide series.
The hot tide series follows the lives of competitive surfers who are taking on the various waves and beaches around the world. The first book follows Summer, an up and coming surfer who is eager to break out into the surf circuit and Ashton, a former surfer turned photographer. They were high school sweethearts along time ago but were left feeling bitter after a messy breakup. The second book follows Maya, a PR consultant for all things surf-ey and Dominic, the business mogul who is looking to take on the surfing community. Maya and Dominic start working together to rebrand his image but also to help Maya get the man of her dreams.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2018/09/hot-tide-series-by-michele-dewinton.html
This book review is for the first and second book in the Hot Tide series.
The hot tide series follows the lives of competitive surfers who are taking on the various waves and beaches around the world. The first book follows Summer, an up and coming surfer who is eager to break out into the surf circuit and Ashton, a former surfer turned photographer. They were high school sweethearts along time ago but were left feeling bitter after a messy breakup. The second book follows Maya, a PR consultant for all things surf-ey and Dominic, the business mogul who is looking to take on the surfing community. Maya and Dominic start working together to rebrand his image but also to help Maya get the man of her dreams.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2018/09/hot-tide-series-by-michele-dewinton.html

Aasiyah Sidat (34 KP) rated Making Over Maya in Books
Oct 2, 2018
Making Over Maya by Michele de Winton
"Girls could do anything, and she was about to prove they could have everything to"
This book review is for the first and second book in the Hot Tide series.
The hot tide series follows the lives of competitive surfers who are taking on the various waves and beaches around the world. The first book follows Summer, an up and coming surfer who is eager to break out into the surf circuit and Ashton, a former surfer turned photographer. They were high school sweethearts along time ago but were left feeling bitter after a messy breakup. The second book follows Maya, a PR consultant for all things surf-ey and Dominic, the business mogul who is looking to take on the surfing community. Maya and Dominic start working together to rebrand his image but also to help Maya get the man of her dreams.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2018/09/hot-tide-series-by-michele-dewinton.html
This book review is for the first and second book in the Hot Tide series.
The hot tide series follows the lives of competitive surfers who are taking on the various waves and beaches around the world. The first book follows Summer, an up and coming surfer who is eager to break out into the surf circuit and Ashton, a former surfer turned photographer. They were high school sweethearts along time ago but were left feeling bitter after a messy breakup. The second book follows Maya, a PR consultant for all things surf-ey and Dominic, the business mogul who is looking to take on the surfing community. Maya and Dominic start working together to rebrand his image but also to help Maya get the man of her dreams.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2018/09/hot-tide-series-by-michele-dewinton.html

Britt (2 KP) rated John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) in Movies
Nov 15, 2018
Contains spoilers, click to show
This is a great sequel to the first John Wick. After following him take revenge and being left without him getting his car this movie did not disappoint. There is a further insight into the world of assassins. Getting to see the expansion to another country gives us a good idea of how far this world of assassins actually expands. There is also a better understanding of the codes and ethics between each person in this world.
One thing that jumps out at me is that no one can truly leave. There will always be a connection that keeps them coming back even though no one can be trusted. Friends and caring relationships do not exist in this world but beneficial relationships can work temporarily.
This action packed gore fest pulls you through several gun fights that are not boring. You get pulled through several fast paced scenes that explain more to you than ever before.
One thing that jumps out at me is that no one can truly leave. There will always be a connection that keeps them coming back even though no one can be trusted. Friends and caring relationships do not exist in this world but beneficial relationships can work temporarily.
This action packed gore fest pulls you through several gun fights that are not boring. You get pulled through several fast paced scenes that explain more to you than ever before.

Cumberland (1142 KP) rated A Season for Fireflies in Books
Jan 13, 2019
A Great YA Read
A lot has changed in the past year for Penny. She has quit theater, and made a new set of friends. When she is struck by lightning she loses all memory of the last year, and is confused by the changes in her life. Now she most win back her old friends, and try to piece together the time she lost.
This story was done fantastically. It would have been easy to make either Penny's old or new friends unlikable. Instead all of the characters are complex, and have reasons behind there actions. Penny herself struggles with coming to terms with decisions she doesn't remember making. She has to figure out how to get her old friends back when they no longer speak to her, and she isn't sure why. This book also has some romance, however it is Penny's character development that truly makes the story shine.
This story was done fantastically. It would have been easy to make either Penny's old or new friends unlikable. Instead all of the characters are complex, and have reasons behind there actions. Penny herself struggles with coming to terms with decisions she doesn't remember making. She has to figure out how to get her old friends back when they no longer speak to her, and she isn't sure why. This book also has some romance, however it is Penny's character development that truly makes the story shine.

David McK (3557 KP) rated Last Argument of Kings in Books
Jan 28, 2019
The final part in [a:Joe Abercrombie|276660|Joe Abercrombie|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1421267339p2/276660.jpg]'s 'The First Law' series, I have to say that I found this one pretty heavy going at times, at times almost a chore to read through.
The title, apparently, comes from an inscription made on his cannons by Louis XIV and is pretty apt for this novel, dealing (as it does) pretty much with all-out war (even if it does take about halfway throught the book before that actually happens). Once again following it's protaganists more-or-less chapter about, I can understand where this is coming from in showing that life isn't fair, but since I found none of those protaganists not really all that engaging, and with the only one who even seems to show any redeeming qualities being the one that doesn't make it all the way to the end ...
Not that impressed (sorry).
The title, apparently, comes from an inscription made on his cannons by Louis XIV and is pretty apt for this novel, dealing (as it does) pretty much with all-out war (even if it does take about halfway throught the book before that actually happens). Once again following it's protaganists more-or-less chapter about, I can understand where this is coming from in showing that life isn't fair, but since I found none of those protaganists not really all that engaging, and with the only one who even seems to show any redeeming qualities being the one that doesn't make it all the way to the end ...
Not that impressed (sorry).

Bubba Gee (147 KP) rated Coimbra in Tabletop Games
Jun 21, 2019
Lots going on
This is a great game for beginners, to start with there seems to be too much going on, it is fairly easy to grasp this game within 2 or 3 playthroughs though.
The dice drafting and card drafting together give players a nice introduction to both of these game mechanics as well as trying to grow multiple paths at the same time, like many other good gateway games this has a lot to keep you interested without being super heavy or overly complex.
You will find yourself planning ahead a lot in this and it is definitely good for replayability.
I think there are more directions in which they could go with this so I hope to see more expansion packs coming out for it.
There is only one currently which I haven't managed to snag yet but I will.
I will update when I get a copy.
Happy gaming folks
The dice drafting and card drafting together give players a nice introduction to both of these game mechanics as well as trying to grow multiple paths at the same time, like many other good gateway games this has a lot to keep you interested without being super heavy or overly complex.
You will find yourself planning ahead a lot in this and it is definitely good for replayability.
I think there are more directions in which they could go with this so I hope to see more expansion packs coming out for it.
There is only one currently which I haven't managed to snag yet but I will.
I will update when I get a copy.
Happy gaming folks

Laura Turner (36 KP) rated The Walking Dead in TV
Jul 16, 2019
Zombie genius
First few series were great, storylines were good. Lots of suspense and characters with interesting back stories. This series offers great gore and horror along the way, they are also not frightened at killing off main characters even ones which the fans have come to love.
Negan was a breath of fresh air and even though he's a baddie he's funny and a character you come to like. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is a great actor and brings good fun to the show.
The last couple of series however have become a bit boring and dragged out. There are a couple of standout episodes in them but otherwise I found them getting a bit boring and wonder if the show is coming to a close now on where to go. Would recommend to others still as the graphics and creative work on them is fantastic.
Negan was a breath of fresh air and even though he's a baddie he's funny and a character you come to like. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is a great actor and brings good fun to the show.
The last couple of series however have become a bit boring and dragged out. There are a couple of standout episodes in them but otherwise I found them getting a bit boring and wonder if the show is coming to a close now on where to go. Would recommend to others still as the graphics and creative work on them is fantastic.

saheffernan (157 KP) rated How We Became Wicked in Books
Nov 9, 2019
If you want a spooky book recommendation this is it. I got thriller, Halloween vibes from this book from the start. A disease has consumed most of the world leaving behind 3 types of people. The wicked, the true and the vexed. The wicked are something a little like zombies in the book their described like children with no impulse control and a want to kill. Astrid, a vexed young girl curious about the world & the only other young person in her community Henry is who we mostly follow throughout the story as they try to figure out what's beyond their world of Goldsport. I can say that I definitely didn't see the twist coming. It was a good book with a decent storyline maybe a bit lacking here and there mostly of how the disease came about. Quick read with a Walking Dead world full of wicked people and survival feel.