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Danielle Chaplin (81 KP) rated Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Books
Jun 17, 2019
Ok
I must be one of only people in the world that didn't really enjoy the book. When I first read it I really struggled to get past the first couple of chapters as I just couldn't get on with the style of writing and felt that there were so many other better books that I could be reading (I was very much into epic fantasy authors at the time and was reading Trudi Canavan). I tried it again when I was older and did end up finishing it this time around but I still only thought it was ok and could have done with being edited another time or two before publishing it.
I thought that the premise was really interesting and the world was well constructed but it didn't seem to flow as well as I thought it could have, some of the characters were very 2 dimensional and some of the events didn't really seem to be necessary for the progression of the story.
Overall, it wasn't a bad book but I just didn't enjoy it.
I thought that the premise was really interesting and the world was well constructed but it didn't seem to flow as well as I thought it could have, some of the characters were very 2 dimensional and some of the events didn't really seem to be necessary for the progression of the story.
Overall, it wasn't a bad book but I just didn't enjoy it.
Rachel King (13 KP) rated The Elvenbane (Halfblood Chronicles, #1) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
The world that the writing team of Norton and Lackey crafts is quite fascinating in its detail and description. The timeline and history of this world seems to place it sort of after the end of our present world, as a kind of post-apocalypse in which first the dragons found and then the elves, with the latter taking over and enslaving the remaining humans. I found the passage of time to be bothersome at times, since the authors seem to almost skip over the climaxes in favor of just relaying the information through the memories of the characters after the fact. More than once, I wished the writers could have written out this passage of time so that I can actually experience it as it happens.
The characters were all well-developed and unique, as the size of the book allowed the writers to spend lots of time focusing on a single character, even if his or her purpose seemed to end rather abruptly with death, such as Shana's mother, Serina Daeth. Normally, I have no trouble picking characters that I favored over the others, but with this book, no character seemed to jump out at me as so much better than the others, even the main character Shana, who seemed to lack in maturity as much as a pre-teen, with how she behaves around some of the other characters.
There were several over-arching themes in the book, such as the need for change, the call for justice, and how every rule has exceptions. Shana especially seemed to find the latter annoying as she continually found that what she was taught about elves, humans, or dragons was not always true. Even though the legend of the Elvenbane is merely a tall tale crafted by the dragons to stir up trouble with the elves and humans, Shana falls into the role by accident simply because of a dragon's kindness. Ironically, her up-bringing gives her the perfect personality for playing that role, as the main goal of this book was to put her in the perfect position to fill this role for the next book in the series, Elvenblood (Halfblood Chronicles).
The characters were all well-developed and unique, as the size of the book allowed the writers to spend lots of time focusing on a single character, even if his or her purpose seemed to end rather abruptly with death, such as Shana's mother, Serina Daeth. Normally, I have no trouble picking characters that I favored over the others, but with this book, no character seemed to jump out at me as so much better than the others, even the main character Shana, who seemed to lack in maturity as much as a pre-teen, with how she behaves around some of the other characters.
There were several over-arching themes in the book, such as the need for change, the call for justice, and how every rule has exceptions. Shana especially seemed to find the latter annoying as she continually found that what she was taught about elves, humans, or dragons was not always true. Even though the legend of the Elvenbane is merely a tall tale crafted by the dragons to stir up trouble with the elves and humans, Shana falls into the role by accident simply because of a dragon's kindness. Ironically, her up-bringing gives her the perfect personality for playing that role, as the main goal of this book was to put her in the perfect position to fill this role for the next book in the series, Elvenblood (Halfblood Chronicles).
Charley (64 KP) rated The Mermaid in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Unusual and left you wanting more
This author is truly amazing. She is able to take well know tales/ folk lores and turn them into gripping novels. This book is no different. I found this enchanting tale after reading her Chronicles of Alice series of books.
She has taken the story of Bo Burnham and the little mermaid and amalgamated them into what is an amazing read.
In short the story is about a mermaid who wants to see the world. She is taken in by Burnham with a promise of money to show the world her mermaid tricks. Safe to say that like all of Christina Henry's other books it takes a dark and twisted turn however seems to work out well in the end.
There are definitely some moments in the book where i was worried to read on as i thought something really bad was going to happen.
It kept me on the edge of my seat through out and was a wonderful tale of the darkness of men and magic.
She has taken the story of Bo Burnham and the little mermaid and amalgamated them into what is an amazing read.
In short the story is about a mermaid who wants to see the world. She is taken in by Burnham with a promise of money to show the world her mermaid tricks. Safe to say that like all of Christina Henry's other books it takes a dark and twisted turn however seems to work out well in the end.
There are definitely some moments in the book where i was worried to read on as i thought something really bad was going to happen.
It kept me on the edge of my seat through out and was a wonderful tale of the darkness of men and magic.
EmersonRose (320 KP) rated Briar's Book (Circle of Magic, #4) in Books
Nov 20, 2019
This is the final book in the Circle of Magic series and was a wonderful end. This was certainly the most emotional of the books in the series and continued the strength this series has in creating strong friendships. I am not going to lie, this book made me cry a little, but I enjoyed the emotional rollercoaster. I am so glad I picked up this series, even though it took me so long after starting the Tortall books eight years ago, but I loved these books and characters. I am definitely going to keep exploring this world.
David McK (3369 KP) rated Around the world in 80 days in TV
Jan 30, 2022
Around the world in 80 days.
One of Jules Vernes most famous novels, and the inspiration for many a movie (and even a 80s cartoon).
I've never seen or heard of a TV series until this one, which - in retrospect - actually surprised me quite a bit, as you think the story would (and does) lend itself perfectly to the episodic nature of the journey.
This adaptation stars David Tennant in the lead role, alongside strong support from Ibrahim Koma as the French valet Passepartout and Leonie Benesch as the gender flipped/reimagined journalist Abigail Fix (instead of Inspector Fix), while still keeping its late Victorian setting.
Yes, you know how it is going to end.
Still very enjoyable!
One of Jules Vernes most famous novels, and the inspiration for many a movie (and even a 80s cartoon).
I've never seen or heard of a TV series until this one, which - in retrospect - actually surprised me quite a bit, as you think the story would (and does) lend itself perfectly to the episodic nature of the journey.
This adaptation stars David Tennant in the lead role, alongside strong support from Ibrahim Koma as the French valet Passepartout and Leonie Benesch as the gender flipped/reimagined journalist Abigail Fix (instead of Inspector Fix), while still keeping its late Victorian setting.
Yes, you know how it is going to end.
Still very enjoyable!
Tyrone (0 KP) rated Bright (2017) in Movies
Dec 26, 2017
BRIGHT
Contains spoilers, click to show
BRIGHT has a really good concept, and I really hope someone else continues this "world" into a possible series. Bright takes place in a world where Orcs, Elves and Humans live. That is enough and awesome, if they had just told a day in the life cop story about that this movie probably would have been much better, but no. They had to get into this whole backstory of a mythical being that would return one day (to destroy the world or destroy the Elves, depending on who you believe). The movie takes place in the poorer areas of Los Angeles and the characters and gangs (Hispanic and Orc) are pretty well done. However then we have Officer Ward's (Will Smith) wife who starts out the movie as an over worked emergency room nurse, then she is in a fancy dress sitting in a very fancy restaurant/bar with several other ladies also dressed expensive, kind of confusing. I really feel this film could have been so much more. If they had done "End Of Watch" with Orcs, Human & Elves this would have been Awesome.
Butterfly child (6 KP) rated Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Books
Jul 6, 2017
Exciting and interesting characters. (1 more)
A really good introduction to this whole world of wonder and magic.
Good introduction to a whole new world
Contains spoilers, click to show
When when I read the series as a child growing up alongside Harry Potter was a unique and amazing experience, so this book will always have a fond place in my heart where my love for all things HP grew, but on its own, its not the best of the series. For me, when everything leads up to one major excitement right at the end, (which I know Jk had to introduce the world and characters) which is why I still love this book, I much prefer the later books where we can get stuck right in with the story.
My absolute favourite part is Hagrid bursting into the little hut on the rock. Hagrid is one of my favourite characters, and his endearing and loveable personality and how he treats Harry is one of the most beautiful developed and truly inspiring relationships in the series.
I think the bad character (I won't spoil it just in case we have new readers) is probably the least developed and thus makes him in effect of my least favourite characters in the series.
Again I think could be because it's the first in the series but I just feel he lacks the evilness, possibly even charm of the other bad guys.
Overall, I will always love this book as it started me on a wonderful, journey, I already loved to read and had a bit of a geeky trait but this series fully cemented me in the love to read and the geek categories!
My absolute favourite part is Hagrid bursting into the little hut on the rock. Hagrid is one of my favourite characters, and his endearing and loveable personality and how he treats Harry is one of the most beautiful developed and truly inspiring relationships in the series.
I think the bad character (I won't spoil it just in case we have new readers) is probably the least developed and thus makes him in effect of my least favourite characters in the series.
Again I think could be because it's the first in the series but I just feel he lacks the evilness, possibly even charm of the other bad guys.
Overall, I will always love this book as it started me on a wonderful, journey, I already loved to read and had a bit of a geeky trait but this series fully cemented me in the love to read and the geek categories!
David McK (3369 KP) rated Moonfall (2022) in Movies
Aug 16, 2022
Peter Capaldi, Dr Who, 'Kill the moon'
Arthur C Clarke, 'Rendezvous with Rama'
2001: A Space Odyssey.
Any number of Roland Emmerich's own disaster movies.
It might seem odd talking about all those, bit throw them in a blender and the result might be something like this!
I was expecting a traditional end of the world disaster movie - like 2012, say, or Deep Impact, or something along that vein - which the movie does start as, with the moon mysteriously knocked out of it orbit and hence causing all kinds of chaos on good old planet Earth. Roughly about 2/3rds of the way in, though, it completely changes tack, becoming more of a sci-fi spectacle than anything, and closer - perhaps - to one of Emmerich's own most successful films of the mid 90s ...
Arthur C Clarke, 'Rendezvous with Rama'
2001: A Space Odyssey.
Any number of Roland Emmerich's own disaster movies.
It might seem odd talking about all those, bit throw them in a blender and the result might be something like this!
I was expecting a traditional end of the world disaster movie - like 2012, say, or Deep Impact, or something along that vein - which the movie does start as, with the moon mysteriously knocked out of it orbit and hence causing all kinds of chaos on good old planet Earth. Roughly about 2/3rds of the way in, though, it completely changes tack, becoming more of a sci-fi spectacle than anything, and closer - perhaps - to one of Emmerich's own most successful films of the mid 90s ...
RachelReads (74 KP) rated A Court of Thorns and Roses in Books
May 24, 2017
Amazing protagonist (2 more)
Action packed
It's a page turner - you will not want to put the book down!
Great Start to the Series
A Court of Thorns and Roses was just a sea of feels. It took me a while to pick this up, because I'm in love with Sarah J Maas' other series, Throne of Glass, and was scared I was going to be disappointed. I was wrong. This book is a story retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but SJM just takes it to a whole other level. This book will keep you on the end of your seat, as you fall in love with the characters and the world. This is such a fantastic first book to this series, and it honestly just gets better from here on out! Definitely pick up this book if you haven't already!
Woody Woodmansey recommended track Five Years by David Bowie in Stage by David Bowie in Music (curated)
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