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Hilary dreams of become a pirate. But she' s a girl and the daughter of an admirable. Still, at the first chance, she runs away and joins up. Tasked with finding a treasure using a map with no markings, she might be in over her head. Can she do it?
This was a complete delight. The characters are warm and charming, the plot moves forward quickly, and the book is filled with great humor. I can't wait for the next one to come out (fall of 2014, but I'm not counting at all). Definitely recommended for anyone in the target middle grade audience or older.
NOTE: I got this book via the Amazon Vine program.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/10/book-review-magic-marks-spot-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This was a complete delight. The characters are warm and charming, the plot moves forward quickly, and the book is filled with great humor. I can't wait for the next one to come out (fall of 2014, but I'm not counting at all). Definitely recommended for anyone in the target middle grade audience or older.
NOTE: I got this book via the Amazon Vine program.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/10/book-review-magic-marks-spot-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Countess Dracula (1971) in Movies
Feb 14, 2018 (Updated Feb 14, 2018)
Historically-inspired Hammer horror; not actually part of its main Dracula series, but the title helped the box office, I guess. Ageing Hungarian noblewoman discovers she can restore her youth by bathing in virgin blood, takes a shine to a young soldier, decides to impersonate her own daughter in order to woo him (as you would). Meanwhile life for the domestic staff around the castle becomes unexpectedly more hazardous.
Restrained and thoughtful horror movie; a bit less garish and gory than you might think. Interesting subtext about the relationship between the young and the old, and fear of ageing. Driven along by a terrific performance from Ingrid Pitt (Pitt thought there should have been more blood in the movie). Runs out of things to do slightly before the end, but still a classy movie.
Restrained and thoughtful horror movie; a bit less garish and gory than you might think. Interesting subtext about the relationship between the young and the old, and fear of ageing. Driven along by a terrific performance from Ingrid Pitt (Pitt thought there should have been more blood in the movie). Runs out of things to do slightly before the end, but still a classy movie.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995) in Movies
Feb 14, 2018 (Updated Feb 14, 2018)
Turtle Recall
Hugely confident reinvention not just of Gamera the flying turtle but also, maybe, the whole kaiju movie genre. Japan is plagued by man-eating Gyaos birds, finds unexpected assistance when floating island turns out to be giant flying turtle with plasma fireball breath. Stage is set for climactic showdown between Gamera and the last, colossal Gyaos in downtown Tokyo (of course).
Altogether much lighter on its feet than Toho's Godzilla movies from the same period; makers have clearly studied the tropes of the genre and reinvent and deploy them to great effect. Hugely enjoyable monster action sequences, solid work from the human cast as well (Steven Seagal's daughter Ayako Fujitani is clearly the one in the family with acting talent). The two sequels are possibly even better.
Altogether much lighter on its feet than Toho's Godzilla movies from the same period; makers have clearly studied the tropes of the genre and reinvent and deploy them to great effect. Hugely enjoyable monster action sequences, solid work from the human cast as well (Steven Seagal's daughter Ayako Fujitani is clearly the one in the family with acting talent). The two sequels are possibly even better.
Andy K (10826 KP) rated Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in Video Games
Dec 8, 2018
Nintendo has struck again!
Picked up this game last night and can't stop playing.
I love these games so much since Nintendo does a great job of playing homage to itself with these. Not too far along yet, but it is so much fun for sure. I even got my teenage daughter to play with me so that is saying something. I like the unlocks so far as it keeps you engaged.
The variety of stages and characters is amazing. I'm glad you have to work for unlocking stuff as that makes you want to keep playing.
Haven't done adventure mode yet, but looks like so much fun!
I'm actually going to buy an additional controller today.
For anyone who loves Nintendo, this one is a must!
I love these games so much since Nintendo does a great job of playing homage to itself with these. Not too far along yet, but it is so much fun for sure. I even got my teenage daughter to play with me so that is saying something. I like the unlocks so far as it keeps you engaged.
The variety of stages and characters is amazing. I'm glad you have to work for unlocking stuff as that makes you want to keep playing.
Haven't done adventure mode yet, but looks like so much fun!
I'm actually going to buy an additional controller today.
For anyone who loves Nintendo, this one is a must!
Sue (5 KP) rated Cut, Crop & Die (Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-n-Craft Mystery, #2) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
book description:
All it took was one scone. When the hot-tempered (and widely hated) hobbyist Yvonne Gaynor eats a tainted pastry at Kiki's scrapbooking crop party, it triggers an allergy that leads to Yvonne's death. Even worse, the police suspect foul play when they realize that someone tampered with the treats and swiped the victim's allergy medication.
An expert at stealing design ideas, Yvonne had enough enemies to fill a memory album. Soon, the scrapbooking community pins her murder on Kiki's friends and our ace scrapper finds herself dealing with anti-Semitic threats at the shop, a quarrelsome pre-teen daughter at home, a meddlesome mother-in-law, and constant financial pressure. Despite help from the handsome yet annoyingly coy Detective Detweiler, Kiki has her work cut out for her in solving the crime.
All it took was one scone. When the hot-tempered (and widely hated) hobbyist Yvonne Gaynor eats a tainted pastry at Kiki's scrapbooking crop party, it triggers an allergy that leads to Yvonne's death. Even worse, the police suspect foul play when they realize that someone tampered with the treats and swiped the victim's allergy medication.
An expert at stealing design ideas, Yvonne had enough enemies to fill a memory album. Soon, the scrapbooking community pins her murder on Kiki's friends and our ace scrapper finds herself dealing with anti-Semitic threats at the shop, a quarrelsome pre-teen daughter at home, a meddlesome mother-in-law, and constant financial pressure. Despite help from the handsome yet annoyingly coy Detective Detweiler, Kiki has her work cut out for her in solving the crime.
Sue (5 KP) rated Paper, Scissors, Death (Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-n-Craft Mystery, #1) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
book description:
Mousy housewife Kiki Lowenstein has two great loves: scrapbooking and her young daughter, Anya. But her happy family album is ruined when her husband, George, is found naked and dead in a hotel room. As Kiki tracks down George's murderer, she discovers his sordid secret life.
Cruel taunts by George's former flame compel Kiki to spout an unwise threat. When the woman is murdered, Kiki's scissor-sharp words make her the prime suspect. She could be creating scrapbook keepsakes for the rest of her life-behind bars. Supported by her loyal friends, along with a little help (and a lot of stomach flutters) from the dashing Detective Detweiler, can Kiki cut the true killer out of the picture and design a new life for herself and Anya?
Mousy housewife Kiki Lowenstein has two great loves: scrapbooking and her young daughter, Anya. But her happy family album is ruined when her husband, George, is found naked and dead in a hotel room. As Kiki tracks down George's murderer, she discovers his sordid secret life.
Cruel taunts by George's former flame compel Kiki to spout an unwise threat. When the woman is murdered, Kiki's scissor-sharp words make her the prime suspect. She could be creating scrapbook keepsakes for the rest of her life-behind bars. Supported by her loyal friends, along with a little help (and a lot of stomach flutters) from the dashing Detective Detweiler, can Kiki cut the true killer out of the picture and design a new life for herself and Anya?
Sara Cox (1845 KP) rated In Every Moment We Are Still Alive in Books
Aug 13, 2018
This is not a book I would normally pick up to read. But when I started to read it I was engulfed by the raw feelings of the main character (which I later discovered was in fact the author as this is autobiographical).
There are parts throughout the book where it jumps in time, sometimes it is a relevant memory, but other times I found it hard to reason as to why this "tidbit" had been inserted.
I think I would have liked to have known more about the process the main character had to go through for his daughter, as a lot of the book it about how the system doesn't always work, but I was intrigued as to the details of how it all worked out in the end.
There are parts throughout the book where it jumps in time, sometimes it is a relevant memory, but other times I found it hard to reason as to why this "tidbit" had been inserted.
I think I would have liked to have known more about the process the main character had to go through for his daughter, as a lot of the book it about how the system doesn't always work, but I was intrigued as to the details of how it all worked out in the end.
MrsR (11 KP) rated Broken Child in Books
Aug 16, 2018
Based on a true stort
Contains spoilers, click to show
This powerful tale takes readers on a harrowing, unforgettable journey into the nightmare of parental abuse and the darkness of mental illness. Written by a woman who endured horrendous abuse from her mother and became a split personality by the age of five, here is the story of her agonizing childhood, the conflicting personalties, and struggle back to sanity.
Marcia was a toddler when she first recalls the abuse. Her mother a devoted Hitler youth , who moved to America. Didnt love her daughter because she was half Jewish and looked so. This book is not for the weak of heart. You will be moved and emotional at how a mother can do this and the struggle Marcia faced to get to "normal" life.
Marcia was a toddler when she first recalls the abuse. Her mother a devoted Hitler youth , who moved to America. Didnt love her daughter because she was half Jewish and looked so. This book is not for the weak of heart. You will be moved and emotional at how a mother can do this and the struggle Marcia faced to get to "normal" life.
Megan (14 KP) rated A Quiet Place (2018) in Movies
Sep 10, 2018
Sitting on the edge of my seat
Contains spoilers, click to show
This film was filled with tension and it was extraordinary how it didn’t have to rely on the sounds that usual Horror and Thrillers depend on because it still had me on the edge of my seat.
Also, it was a terrifying scenario to be seen portrayed and thinking if this could actually happen, and having to be silent constantly in order to stay alive.
It was so upsetting when their daughter had been killed towards the start of the film and when their newborn baby was crying, and that horrifying creature was in the same room - it made me agitated, anxious and apprehensive for what was about to happen.
One of the best horror movies I’ve ever seen, definitely recommend.
Also, it was a terrifying scenario to be seen portrayed and thinking if this could actually happen, and having to be silent constantly in order to stay alive.
It was so upsetting when their daughter had been killed towards the start of the film and when their newborn baby was crying, and that horrifying creature was in the same room - it made me agitated, anxious and apprehensive for what was about to happen.
One of the best horror movies I’ve ever seen, definitely recommend.
David McK (3843 KP) rated Conan the Barbarian in Books
Jan 30, 2019
A collection of classic Conan tales, repackaged with a new jacket to tie-in to the new movie coming out. This edition includes:
The Tower of the Elephant (pg 1)
Rogues in the House (pg 27)
The Frost-Giant's Daughter (pg 54)
Queen of the Black Coast (pg 63)
A Witch Shall Be Born (pg 95)
The People of the Black Circle (pg 141)
Red Nails (pg 226)
Beyond the Black River (pg 212)
The Hyborian Age (pg 372)
Cimmeria (verse) (pg 397)
and, to be honest, I'd be more inclined to give the book 1.5 stars (except GR doesn't do 1/2 stars) than 2: I preferred some of my other 2-star rated books, but this wasn't as bad as some of my 1-star rated books either.
The Tower of the Elephant (pg 1)
Rogues in the House (pg 27)
The Frost-Giant's Daughter (pg 54)
Queen of the Black Coast (pg 63)
A Witch Shall Be Born (pg 95)
The People of the Black Circle (pg 141)
Red Nails (pg 226)
Beyond the Black River (pg 212)
The Hyborian Age (pg 372)
Cimmeria (verse) (pg 397)
and, to be honest, I'd be more inclined to give the book 1.5 stars (except GR doesn't do 1/2 stars) than 2: I preferred some of my other 2-star rated books, but this wasn't as bad as some of my 1-star rated books either.