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Arbor Day Can Be Deadly
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He came to stay out of trouble. But when a new friendship pulls him deep into danger, can he make it...
Merissa (13100 KP) rated Raising Hell: How To Survive The Terrible Twos in Books
Sep 6, 2023
RAISING HELL: HOW TO SURVIVE THE TERRIBLE TWOS really should be read after What To Expect When You're Expecting Something Different as the story continues on from that one.
Eve now has two children - Seraphina and Malak. She is trying her best to rein in Seraphina's erm... let us say evil tendencies! Not so easy when you have a strong-willed child but especially so if they're the antichrist! Thank goodness for Malak. He is a child who just eats and sleeps, giving Eve a little respite. Her world is still crazy, although Lucas does his best when he can.
It is a while since I read the first book so it took me a while to fully get into this one, as events that helped to shape Eve, I couldn't fully remember. The story soon dragged me in, and I was lost within the world created. Some of the events were expected but some weren't!
The imagery you are given in Katie Zaber's stories is just outstanding! The descriptions of Eve's mindscape are so clear. And the emotions come through loud and clear. You can feel her frustrations rolling out through the pages.
It does end on a cliffhanger so fair warning. Plus, I really need to know more about Desmond. A thoroughly enjoyable book that is different to the rest and absolutely recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 1, 2023
Eve now has two children - Seraphina and Malak. She is trying her best to rein in Seraphina's erm... let us say evil tendencies! Not so easy when you have a strong-willed child but especially so if they're the antichrist! Thank goodness for Malak. He is a child who just eats and sleeps, giving Eve a little respite. Her world is still crazy, although Lucas does his best when he can.
It is a while since I read the first book so it took me a while to fully get into this one, as events that helped to shape Eve, I couldn't fully remember. The story soon dragged me in, and I was lost within the world created. Some of the events were expected but some weren't!
The imagery you are given in Katie Zaber's stories is just outstanding! The descriptions of Eve's mindscape are so clear. And the emotions come through loud and clear. You can feel her frustrations rolling out through the pages.
It does end on a cliffhanger so fair warning. Plus, I really need to know more about Desmond. A thoroughly enjoyable book that is different to the rest and absolutely recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 1, 2023
David McK (3576 KP) rated Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) in Movies
May 15, 2022
Marvel's first horror (themed) movie?
So, Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange?
He's now appeared in six MCU movies, including this one (which is only his second solo outing). In order, they are:
Doctor Strange (2016)
Thor: Ragnorak (2017)
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
As well as that, he's also appeared in perhaps the best episode of Marvels animated 'What If ...' series, titled 'What if ... Doctor Strange lost his heart instead of his hands?@
The reason I mention the latter?
Because, roughly halfway through this, Dr Strange falls through the Multiverse (first shown on the big screen in No Way Home): one of which looks very much like the animation style used in said series.
The films also relies heavily on the aftermath from TVs WandaVision (although a brief reprise of that is given by Wanda herself, with Vision barely getting a mention), in that Wanda is now desperate to find her missing children and has the Darkhold in her possession.
She also goes on to show why she is one of - if not the - most powerful beings in the MCU, which is where a lot of the horror elements in this story come into play. It is a Sam Raimi film, so if you've seen The Evil Dead (or even the original Spider-man trilogy, in particular Spider-Man 2), you know the type of thing: crazy camera angles, unsettling imagery, zombies, the damned ....
Oh, and it also definitely - finally! - opens up the MCU for the inclusion of the X-Men or The Fantastic Four.
He's now appeared in six MCU movies, including this one (which is only his second solo outing). In order, they are:
Doctor Strange (2016)
Thor: Ragnorak (2017)
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
As well as that, he's also appeared in perhaps the best episode of Marvels animated 'What If ...' series, titled 'What if ... Doctor Strange lost his heart instead of his hands?@
The reason I mention the latter?
Because, roughly halfway through this, Dr Strange falls through the Multiverse (first shown on the big screen in No Way Home): one of which looks very much like the animation style used in said series.
The films also relies heavily on the aftermath from TVs WandaVision (although a brief reprise of that is given by Wanda herself, with Vision barely getting a mention), in that Wanda is now desperate to find her missing children and has the Darkhold in her possession.
She also goes on to show why she is one of - if not the - most powerful beings in the MCU, which is where a lot of the horror elements in this story come into play. It is a Sam Raimi film, so if you've seen The Evil Dead (or even the original Spider-man trilogy, in particular Spider-Man 2), you know the type of thing: crazy camera angles, unsettling imagery, zombies, the damned ....
Oh, and it also definitely - finally! - opens up the MCU for the inclusion of the X-Men or The Fantastic Four.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Forever Marked ( The Marked book 4) in Books
Nov 8, 2022
204 of 230
Kindle
Forever marked ( The Marked book 4)
By Rinna Ford
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
harmony and peace can be found when three destinies are one.
Emelia thought claiming her caster mate, Ronan, would bring her one step closer to the peaceful life she craves. She couldn't have been more wrong. Her mates are at each other's throats, and she hasn't been able to communicate with her father for weeks, not to mention that they are once again in hiding after the latest Council attack. No, her life is far from peaceful.
The prophecy states that Emelia will be the one to free them all; to bring harmony to the chaotic and divided supernatural community, but she knows she can't do it alone. She will need to trust her allies, old and new, as well as herself and her mates. But when the dust settles, will it be enough? Can she defeat the ruling Council and save the ones she loves?
The end of the prophecy is here, but is Emelia strong enough to be the savior she's meant to be?
This was a decent ending to what’s been a brilliant series. Xan for most of this book and others has drove me crazy so to see him finally get his act together was a sigh of relief. The only thing that kind of bugged me was the ending, it’s been so built up and long coming and it just seemed a little rushed. I think it deserved a bit more time than what it had. The Epilogue was just so cute though.
Kindle
Forever marked ( The Marked book 4)
By Rinna Ford
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
harmony and peace can be found when three destinies are one.
Emelia thought claiming her caster mate, Ronan, would bring her one step closer to the peaceful life she craves. She couldn't have been more wrong. Her mates are at each other's throats, and she hasn't been able to communicate with her father for weeks, not to mention that they are once again in hiding after the latest Council attack. No, her life is far from peaceful.
The prophecy states that Emelia will be the one to free them all; to bring harmony to the chaotic and divided supernatural community, but she knows she can't do it alone. She will need to trust her allies, old and new, as well as herself and her mates. But when the dust settles, will it be enough? Can she defeat the ruling Council and save the ones she loves?
The end of the prophecy is here, but is Emelia strong enough to be the savior she's meant to be?
This was a decent ending to what’s been a brilliant series. Xan for most of this book and others has drove me crazy so to see him finally get his act together was a sigh of relief. The only thing that kind of bugged me was the ending, it’s been so built up and long coming and it just seemed a little rushed. I think it deserved a bit more time than what it had. The Epilogue was just so cute though.
Merissa (13100 KP) rated The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer (Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees #1) in Books
Mar 17, 2022 (Updated Jul 3, 2023)
THE TROUBLE WITH TRYING TO DATE A MURDERER is the first book in a new series by Jennifer Cody, Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees.
Told from Romily's point of view, we find out he had his vocal cords removed as a child, and lived through two mass murder attempts. For someone who is mute, he has a lot to say! And he manages just fine - so long as he has his trust mobile phone to hand, plus his attitude - he is able to get his meaning across.
I wasn't too sure about reading this book as Rom-Com isn't really my thing, due to the very personal nature of humour. However, I would say that Ms Cody has pulled this off brilliantly. The story keeps moving along, helped by Romily's sass, and you will be swept away by it.
I do wish it had had more in the way of world-building and relationship-building. The world wasn't so hard because I just simply saw it as contemporary and that was it. But I do like some build-up to the relationship side. I read more about who and what a Harbinger is and does than I did about how Romily and Fox went from being attracted to so much more.
Still, this was a thoroughly enjoyable, wacky, crazy book that I 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!
Mar 10, 2022
Told from Romily's point of view, we find out he had his vocal cords removed as a child, and lived through two mass murder attempts. For someone who is mute, he has a lot to say! And he manages just fine - so long as he has his trust mobile phone to hand, plus his attitude - he is able to get his meaning across.
I wasn't too sure about reading this book as Rom-Com isn't really my thing, due to the very personal nature of humour. However, I would say that Ms Cody has pulled this off brilliantly. The story keeps moving along, helped by Romily's sass, and you will be swept away by it.
I do wish it had had more in the way of world-building and relationship-building. The world wasn't so hard because I just simply saw it as contemporary and that was it. But I do like some build-up to the relationship side. I read more about who and what a Harbinger is and does than I did about how Romily and Fox went from being attracted to so much more.
Still, this was a thoroughly enjoyable, wacky, crazy book that I 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!
Mar 10, 2022
Whatever It Takes (The Kit Hanover series #2)
Book
In Las Vegas, informants learn the hard truth that snitches get stitches. Or in Myra Taylor’s...
Crime Thriller
Murder on the Steel Pier (A Tess Mancini Time Travel Mystery #1)
Book
Greetings from the Nifty Fifties… The morning after a blowout birthday celebration in Atlantic...
Historical Mystery Time Travel
Absolution
9.0
Rate It
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Ten years after the publication of Annihilation, the surprise fourth volume in Jeff VanderMeer’s...
Weird Fiction Speculative fiction
Clear Voice (1 more)
Easy to follow
A fantastic report of a crazy event
This was my pick for the "song lyrics in the title" prompt for the PopSugar 2018 Reading Challenge. I feel a little like "Unbelievable" is a bit of a cop-out for the prompt, but it was already on my to be read list, and it works. And the book is fantastic.
This is the story of Katy Tur's time on the campaign trail as one of the journalists covering Donald Trump's campaign. It is, as she says, unbelievable. When it begins, she thinks it will be very short - as most of the American public thought. No one thought Trump would wind up being the Republican nominee. But as she attends rallies, and watches the vitriol of his supporters - which occasionally gets turned on her, as a member of the "lying, fake media," she begins to realize he could, in fact, win this thing.
We experience Tur's shock as he calls her out by name multiple times, leading to death threats by Trump supporters, and security being assigned to her specifically. Through all of this, Tur continues to do her job as a journalist, reporting on the travel, the rallies, the information from sources within the campaign as they criss-cross the country and promise ridiculous things.
I was worried at first that the book would be a dry rehash of the events, but it is far from it. Tur speaks with a refreshing, absorbing voice. Even knowing the outcome - that Trump is elected president - it's a page-turner that didn't let me go until the last page. Unbelievable is a fast-paced, fascinating book by a first-class journalist.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
This is the story of Katy Tur's time on the campaign trail as one of the journalists covering Donald Trump's campaign. It is, as she says, unbelievable. When it begins, she thinks it will be very short - as most of the American public thought. No one thought Trump would wind up being the Republican nominee. But as she attends rallies, and watches the vitriol of his supporters - which occasionally gets turned on her, as a member of the "lying, fake media," she begins to realize he could, in fact, win this thing.
We experience Tur's shock as he calls her out by name multiple times, leading to death threats by Trump supporters, and security being assigned to her specifically. Through all of this, Tur continues to do her job as a journalist, reporting on the travel, the rallies, the information from sources within the campaign as they criss-cross the country and promise ridiculous things.
I was worried at first that the book would be a dry rehash of the events, but it is far from it. Tur speaks with a refreshing, absorbing voice. Even knowing the outcome - that Trump is elected president - it's a page-turner that didn't let me go until the last page. Unbelievable is a fast-paced, fascinating book by a first-class journalist.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? in Books
Jul 12, 2017
The setting / World building- I love dystopian sci-fi setting and the world the author built in the book. (1 more)
The characters - There were some really great charaters through out the book espically the protagonist Rick Deckard he really wasn't that great of a person but for some odd reason I still can't fully grasp I really liked him..
About halfway it felt like the author gave up. (3 more)
Insta-love out of freaking nowhere.
Way to much useless details.
Female Characters where done so half ass it was crazy.
Started out so good then just fell flat.
Contains spoilers, click to show
Okay first off I have wanted to read this book for a while and I finally got around to it, I always enjoyed Blade Runner and figured I should probably read the book since it could only be better, right?
Well, Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? started out really well like I was instantly hooked and blew through the first half pretty fast Philip K. Dick managed to do what I find that not that many authors can do is he managed to world build pretty fast to where I didn't lose interest but at a certain point it's like the dude just fucking gave up and slap together an ending.
He gave us multiple pages of Deckard buying a freaking goat but one sentence for two characters who had only briefly met once to somehow fall in love.... COME ON!
Oddly enough the thing I like most was the main character, Rick Deckard. He really isn't that likable and he's pretty self-absorb but oddly enough it makes him seem so human that I found myself liking him in a really odd way while still really disliking him.
Not sure if I'll read more of the series or not, I kind of liked the way it ended.
Well, Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? started out really well like I was instantly hooked and blew through the first half pretty fast Philip K. Dick managed to do what I find that not that many authors can do is he managed to world build pretty fast to where I didn't lose interest but at a certain point it's like the dude just fucking gave up and slap together an ending.
He gave us multiple pages of Deckard buying a freaking goat but one sentence for two characters who had only briefly met once to somehow fall in love.... COME ON!
Oddly enough the thing I like most was the main character, Rick Deckard. He really isn't that likable and he's pretty self-absorb but oddly enough it makes him seem so human that I found myself liking him in a really odd way while still really disliking him.
Not sure if I'll read more of the series or not, I kind of liked the way it ended.