Search

Search only in certain items:

The Vampire's Curse (Beyond The Mist #1)
The Vampire's Curse (Beyond The Mist #1)
Valerie Twombly | 2021 | Paranormal, Romance
6
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
good enough for me to want to continue with the series.
Independent reviewer for Book Sirens, I was gofted my copy of this book.

This is the first book in the Beyond The Mist series, and as such lays down the ground work, the background into these vampires and how they came to be.

I enjoyed it, I did. It didn't blow me away, but it's left me intrigued enough to want to continue on with the series.

Not least because there are a whole host of characters we meet here who now need their stories. Korinna, especially and Roman, I think, needs a happy ever after. Andrei's brothers too.

Some smexy times, some violence, some darker themes. Vampires who shift! I liked that, it's different.

All in all, a good read, for me, but not a great one.

so, 3 stars, but I will continue with the series.

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
J.K. Rowling | 2016 | Children
8
9.1 (229 Ratings)
Book Rating
<a href="https://amzn.to/2Wi7amb">Wishlist</a>; | <a
<a href="https://diaryofdifference.com/">Blog</a>; | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diaryofdifference/">Facebook</a>; | <a href="https://twitter.com/DiaryDifference">Twitter</a>; | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/diaryofdifference/">Instagram</a>; | <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/diaryofdifference/pins/">Pinterest</a>;

#1 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3217515684">Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone</a> - ★★★★★
#2 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2371215543">Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets</a> - ★★★★★
#3 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3275165909">Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban</a> - ★★★★

<img src="https://diaryofdifference.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Book-Review-Banner-44.png"/>;

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter is now in his third year at Hogwarts. The atmosphere is tense. There is an escaped mass murderer on the loose, and the prison guards have been called to guard the school. 

In the third book, we can immediately notice a much darker and dangerous atmosphere, compared to the previous book. During the series, the books do get gradually darker and darker, more and more mature, and I think this is the book where we start to notice this transition for the first time. 

Harry Potter and his friends have grown up a little, and it clearly shows in their conversations and choices. I was happy to see all the things we learn in this book. The dementors and their deadly kiss, patronuses as well as magical creatures. We learn that Hippogriffs are proud and easily offended.

<b><i>And we also learn that Malfoy is still a little brat.</i></b>

The fact that little entitles Malfoy is so jealous of Harry that daddy puts him to play in the Quidditch team annoyed me so much. I just wanted to slap him!

<b><i>"Pity you can't attach an extra arm to yours, Malfoy," said Harry. "Then it could catch the Snitch for you."</i></b>

I got quite emotional when Harry is troubled by his parent's death and is grieving openly, probably for the first time. I believe him meeting more people that were friends with his parents helped him heal. It is such a good feeling to know Harry does have a family and things are starting to look a bit better for him. 

<b><i>"You think the dead we have loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble?"
</i></b>
I didn't quite enjoy the time-travelling part through, I have to be honest. Even though the idea sounds nice, it always troubles me that it is never properly explained and very little attention is being given to it. I wish I read more about it, because then I would have loved it!

I enjoyed this book a lot! It is Harry Potter after all. But it isn't a favorite of mine. I loved how Harry finds out more about his past and gets a couple of more answers, but I also loved that new paths are opening and are waiting to be discovered in the next books. 
  
Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)
Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)
2018 | Action, Adventure, Thriller
Next level
#missionimpossiblefallout is an insane #summer #blockbuster thats an extremely well made & a breathtakingly #fun adrenaline shot to the #heart. #Fallout proudly takes its place as the best #Mi film with its #darker tone, higher stakes, well fleshed out characters & bigger set pieces. #mi6 is shot so beautiful & #smooth with everything feeling so polished & well crafted. We are frequently treated to #gorgeous establishing shots, slick tracking shots & extremely tight #action camerawork throughout. Sets, locations & real stunt work also constantly impress scale wise & visually too. #Fight choreography is very impressive & every fight scene feels fast, weighty, exhausting & brutal & its refreshing to be able to follow the action smoothly in a blockbuster for a change without the need for constant jump cuts. #Comedy is still here but its greatly toned down in favour for a much more bleaker tone here. Story wise there's a lot more at stake this time & the films darker tone & constant twists established not only great tension but ensure your frequently left breathless & on edge. There's an underlining theme of #religion being used as a tool of power here & how one mans vision of to start again is reminiscent of a god first destroying everything to recreate better. Sacrifice is also a recurring theme too & we learn so much more about Ethan's character & #Mi6 because of this, are the choices he/they make all for good? or are they actually making things worse & creating more deaths/problems for the world. #Villains are all intimidating, have an unnerving presence & great motives. Solomon & Ethans #relationship is very interesting with great depth as it seems #Ethan fears #Solomon be it him being scared of becoming like him or knowing that he's the only person capable of taking away everything he cares about without giving him a choice. Acting is flawless #henrycavill, #seanharris, #vingrhames all shine but its #tomcruise & the sheer commitment/dedication to his work on show here thats truly breath taking. Please see this film, we need more blockbusters this well made/with this much depth. Simply #fantastic. #odeon #filmbuff #filmcritic #missionimpossible #wednesdaywisdom