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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2440 KP) rated The Drowning Sea in Books
Jun 23, 2022
Maggie’s Still Finding Mysteries
After quitting her job, Maggie D’Arcy is spending her summer in Ireland with her daughter, her boyfriend, Conor, and his son, as they get serious about Maggie and her daughter moving to Ireland. They’ve rented a cottage on a West Cork peninsula, but their vacation hits a snag when the body of a young man who disappeared months ago washes ashore. Even though Maggie isn’t a cop, she can’t help but ask questions. Where has he been for the last few months? Who would want him dead? Can Maggie find the answers even without her badge?
Since I’ve enjoyed the first two books in this series, I was curious to see where the series was going to go in this book. Once again, the writing was atmospheric and made me feel like I was there with Maggie. The characters are well drawn, although I did have a little trouble keeping all the relationships of the villagers straight. Still, I loved getting to spend time with the core cast again. Unfortunately, the pacing of the book was off, lagging at times in the middle and leaving us with a weak climax, although the climax did answer all our questions. The book is written in present tense, and it took my brain a bit to adjust to that. Most of the story is told from Maggie’s first-person point of view, but we do get some chapters from other characters’ points of view to help flesh things out. Fans of the series will be glad they picked up this book.
Since I’ve enjoyed the first two books in this series, I was curious to see where the series was going to go in this book. Once again, the writing was atmospheric and made me feel like I was there with Maggie. The characters are well drawn, although I did have a little trouble keeping all the relationships of the villagers straight. Still, I loved getting to spend time with the core cast again. Unfortunately, the pacing of the book was off, lagging at times in the middle and leaving us with a weak climax, although the climax did answer all our questions. The book is written in present tense, and it took my brain a bit to adjust to that. Most of the story is told from Maggie’s first-person point of view, but we do get some chapters from other characters’ points of view to help flesh things out. Fans of the series will be glad they picked up this book.
The Remembering Tree
8.0
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Book
Only she who holds the key will unearth the secrets of the Remembering Tree. Still trying to...
Supernatural Gothic Suspense
A Rose In The Blitz (Sisters of War, #1)
Book
Escape into the dramatic world of London during the Blitz in this sweeping family saga of love, war...
Historical Fiction Historical Romance World War II
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated House of Names in Books
Oct 10, 2017
Lyrically beautiful, humanist version of Greek mythology
For fans of Greek mythology, this is an absolute dream. Focusing on the stories of the wife of Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, and children, Electra and Orestes, Colm Toibin brings to life very human characters in which all are victim and perpetrator.
Hearing perspectives of all three following the sacrifice of daughter Iphigenia, then the murder of Agamemnon as well as the banishment of Orestes, we hear how each feel betrayed and in turn seek vengeance or what they deem is justice.
While most of it is faithful to the original story, a few characters have been added to flesh out the main roles including best friend and lover of Orestes, Leander. A great read for mythology fans.
Hearing perspectives of all three following the sacrifice of daughter Iphigenia, then the murder of Agamemnon as well as the banishment of Orestes, we hear how each feel betrayed and in turn seek vengeance or what they deem is justice.
While most of it is faithful to the original story, a few characters have been added to flesh out the main roles including best friend and lover of Orestes, Leander. A great read for mythology fans.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Bear and the Nightingale in Books
Oct 29, 2017
A dark epic fairytale
This captivating fantasy is set in the frozen north of Russia in the 13th century, and used Russian myths and fairy tales as inspiration.
At the centre of the novel is the family of a local Lord, in particular the headstrong youngest daughter Vasya who is gifted with 'second sight'. The existence of the community is threatened when a dark power in the forests begins to wake up, just as the villagers start to turn away from the household spirits who've protected them, in favour of a charismatic new priest.
The Russian setting adds interest and mystique and the protagonist Vasya is fantastically outspoken and scrappy. The plot is easy to follow despite the odd Russian word. It truly is a compelling read.
At the centre of the novel is the family of a local Lord, in particular the headstrong youngest daughter Vasya who is gifted with 'second sight'. The existence of the community is threatened when a dark power in the forests begins to wake up, just as the villagers start to turn away from the household spirits who've protected them, in favour of a charismatic new priest.
The Russian setting adds interest and mystique and the protagonist Vasya is fantastically outspoken and scrappy. The plot is easy to follow despite the odd Russian word. It truly is a compelling read.
Perry Larkin (8 KP) rated Lady Bird (2017) in Movies
Dec 11, 2017
Contains spoilers, click to show
I am a huge fan of dry humor and coming of age stories. This movie was a nice surprise, and without too many spoiler trailers out there, I was really not expecting anything. The movie had a great flow, and the interaction between mother and daughter was so real and emotional. The only complaint I have is that the movie was so abruptly ended. I enjoy leaving it open-ended for the imagination, but I feel like the last 15 minutes completely changed the flow of the movie and lead us to believe there was going to be one more reveal that never happens. I didn't need a complete summary, but I did want to know just a little bit more.
Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated Dumb and Dumber (1994) in Movies
Jan 6, 2018
Want hear the most annoying sound in the world.
Ok. This the Jim Carey we kind of grew up with. Crazy,zany,funny, no limits in this character for him. Jeff Daniels reaches in and pulls out his inner Carey in this wacky film about two idiots who take a cross country trip to return a briefcase to woman they both don't know. I don't believe I have laughed so hard in a theater in my life and I still crack up every time I watch it. I can't wait til one day my daughter is old enough to see it and understand the comedy. Danger lurks around each corner but, being the idiots they are they slip right around it.
Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated A Bad Moms Christmas (2017) in Movies
Jan 13, 2018
Not a bad sequel
Same movie revolving aorund the same three moms (Kunis,Khan and Bell) but this time it's Christmas time and there has to be a twist and what better than there moms coming of the big holiday. Needless to say the moms show up early and they need a let loose scene which this time takes place in the mall at the height of Christmas shopping. Each daughter has certain types of problems with their mother in their own way and that is the basis of this movie. The first one was fun and original while this copies that same frame but, adds in enough fun and excitement that makes it at least a one time watch.
jmercado (1 KP) rated Bound by Honor (Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles, #1) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
<strong>3.5 stars</strong>
Bound by honor introduces us to Aria, daughter of a member in the Mafia. When the head of 2 rival mafia gangs come together to join forces, they agree that the only way would be marriage. Aria is to marry the next in line for Capo.
This book takes you on an roller coaster of emotions and I kept wanting to turn the page to find out more.
The only flaw, (and this is just my personal opinion because I don't like frail and petty lead women ) was in the beginning Aria frustrated me to no end with how weak she was. But the book progressed well and actually made sense to why they had her like that as her character developed more .
Bound by honor introduces us to Aria, daughter of a member in the Mafia. When the head of 2 rival mafia gangs come together to join forces, they agree that the only way would be marriage. Aria is to marry the next in line for Capo.
This book takes you on an roller coaster of emotions and I kept wanting to turn the page to find out more.
The only flaw, (and this is just my personal opinion because I don't like frail and petty lead women ) was in the beginning Aria frustrated me to no end with how weak she was. But the book progressed well and actually made sense to why they had her like that as her character developed more .
Erika (17789 KP) rated The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann in TV
Mar 16, 2019
Repetitive (1 more)
Nothing New
I've seen specials on this kidnapping case before, and most of them were slanting towards the parents doing something to their daughter. I watched the first two episodes and noticed it was going at a snails pace. Netflix seriously took 8 episodes to tell us absolutely nothing new. They could have cut it to 4 eps and it would have been much better. I did like that it showed more aspects and theories, but again, they amounted to nothing. It was also interesting to see that there were repercussions for the media reporting all of those crazy headlines. Some of the episodes used the same sections of interviews 2x, and I thought that I was having deja vu.