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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Terminal (Major Crimes Unit #4) in Books
Aug 29, 2021
Having just read book 3 in the series "End Play", I was jumping to read this the 4th in the series and was extremely pleased and grateful to Iain Rob Wright for sending me a copy prior to it's publication date in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Once again, Iain provides a fast-paced and thrilling read starring Sarah Strong and her colleagues at the Major Crimes Unit. From the first page to the last, this book had me absolutely hooked and I fair whizzed through it.
Full of excellent characters, a storyline that is not beyond the realms of reality (scarily so!) and written at a pace that fair trots along, this is a story well written and exciting and one that I would definitely recommend. Although you don't have to have read the others in the series, you won't be disappointed if you do but it does work as a standalone quite well.
I would definitely recommend to others who enjoy getting engrossed in the world of major crimes.
Once again, Iain provides a fast-paced and thrilling read starring Sarah Strong and her colleagues at the Major Crimes Unit. From the first page to the last, this book had me absolutely hooked and I fair whizzed through it.
Full of excellent characters, a storyline that is not beyond the realms of reality (scarily so!) and written at a pace that fair trots along, this is a story well written and exciting and one that I would definitely recommend. Although you don't have to have read the others in the series, you won't be disappointed if you do but it does work as a standalone quite well.
I would definitely recommend to others who enjoy getting engrossed in the world of major crimes.

Merissa (12894 KP) rated Of Land and Sky (Wraidd Elfennol #3) in Books
Dec 21, 2017
Of Land and Sky (Wraidd Elfennol #3) by Morgan Sheppard
Of Land and Sky is the third book in the Wraidd Elfennol series, and it starts approximately sixty years after Water Weaver.
The world of Wraidd Elfennol has been in balance since the original Chosen went on their quest, but now new Chosen of Earth and Air have been announced. Bran and Rhosyn don't get on very well to begin with, but they have to learn to work together. With their Partners ever ready with words of wisdom, we stay with them as they bring the trees back to life.
This is a very different book to Water Weaver - more introverted. I wasn't sure how this would turn out, but I'm really pleased with the results. There are many lessons in this book if you choose to see them, from family to love.
Fair warning though - this book had me sobbing towards the end. I knew it would happen, but that didn't lessen the impact in any way!
A brilliant addition to the series, and definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements fora review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The world of Wraidd Elfennol has been in balance since the original Chosen went on their quest, but now new Chosen of Earth and Air have been announced. Bran and Rhosyn don't get on very well to begin with, but they have to learn to work together. With their Partners ever ready with words of wisdom, we stay with them as they bring the trees back to life.
This is a very different book to Water Weaver - more introverted. I wasn't sure how this would turn out, but I'm really pleased with the results. There are many lessons in this book if you choose to see them, from family to love.
Fair warning though - this book had me sobbing towards the end. I knew it would happen, but that didn't lessen the impact in any way!
A brilliant addition to the series, and definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements fora review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Fae: The Wild Hunt (The Ryvern Wyrd Saga #1) in Books
Mar 18, 2021
36 of 250
Kindle
Fae: The Wild Hunt ( The Riven Wyrde saga book 1)
By Graham Austin-King
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Sometimes the faerie tales are a warning. Sometimes they are true.
The Fae were banished so long ago they have become a myth, but the ancient barriers are failing. They are returning, and vengeance is within their grasp.
Klöss wants nothing more than to pass the trials and join the ranks of the Bjornmen raiders, following in the footsteps of his forefathers. But times are changing in the Barren Isles. Coastal plunder is making way for outright conquest, and the threat of war is looming.
Found abandoned in the forest, Devin leads a simple life. But fate, it seems, has other plans.
As his sleepy village transforms in the face of foreign invaders, whispered rumours tell of creatures in the moonlight, shadowy figures with eyes of amber flame. The Fae were banished so long ago they have become a myth, but the ancient barriers are failing. They are returning, and vengeance is within their grasp.
As the first battles rage, only one man seems to know the truth about the Fae, but can Devin or Klöss convince anyone before it is too late?
It was ok a lot of character and world building with action towards the end. Some interesting characters I did get a little bit bored in some parts but I can see what is trying to be achieved so worth sticking with at the moment.
Kindle
Fae: The Wild Hunt ( The Riven Wyrde saga book 1)
By Graham Austin-King
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Sometimes the faerie tales are a warning. Sometimes they are true.
The Fae were banished so long ago they have become a myth, but the ancient barriers are failing. They are returning, and vengeance is within their grasp.
Klöss wants nothing more than to pass the trials and join the ranks of the Bjornmen raiders, following in the footsteps of his forefathers. But times are changing in the Barren Isles. Coastal plunder is making way for outright conquest, and the threat of war is looming.
Found abandoned in the forest, Devin leads a simple life. But fate, it seems, has other plans.
As his sleepy village transforms in the face of foreign invaders, whispered rumours tell of creatures in the moonlight, shadowy figures with eyes of amber flame. The Fae were banished so long ago they have become a myth, but the ancient barriers are failing. They are returning, and vengeance is within their grasp.
As the first battles rage, only one man seems to know the truth about the Fae, but can Devin or Klöss convince anyone before it is too late?
It was ok a lot of character and world building with action towards the end. Some interesting characters I did get a little bit bored in some parts but I can see what is trying to be achieved so worth sticking with at the moment.

Ali A (82 KP) rated Hello (from Here) in Books
Sep 14, 2021
Trigger Warnings: Covid-19, death of a parent, AIDS, generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks,
Max and Jonah bump into each over at the grocery store right when the Covid-19 lockdown was beginning in California. Max's part-time job as a personal shopper begins to transform into a bit of a nightmare and Jonah's pre-existing anxiety disorder is becoming a daily struggle. Can the two come together even though they must stay apart? Hello (from Here) jumps into the first two months of the quarantine and the love lives and two teenagers trying to figure out this new world.
This wasn't my favorite book on the planet, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. I will also keep it on my shelves and possibly come back to it another time (when the Corona Virus isn't still running wild). Like most who have reviewed this book, I feel like it may have been too soon.
The main characters were okay, but not amazing, I did find them a little whiny towards the end... Olivia, Jonah's sister, was probably my favorite out of everybody and I'd kind of like to hear some more of her story! Also Arlo and his story! Kate and Jonah's "step-parent replacing late parent" trope was shown well in the novel. I thought the development of their relationship was well handled and realistic. I was happy with the end result for them.
I also thought the anxiety disorder representation was handled well in this novel too. As someone with anxiety who has had panic attacks (though not quite like Jonah's), I felt like one could still understand what he was going through, especially in his current situation.
I feel like this novel fell short - mostly by tackling too much all at once. I felt a little anticlimactic by the time I closed it. So many things were brought up: important issues and themes, but then were finished limply in the end. (view spoiler).
The cheating storyline was just - bleh. It wasn't needed and was more of a distraction. I also felt like it didn't make much sense for how the character had been acting throughout the whole storyline.
Overall, I feel like this was just too soon. I'm sure it will be good in a few years time though, when we weren't all still going through the same pandemic.
Max and Jonah bump into each over at the grocery store right when the Covid-19 lockdown was beginning in California. Max's part-time job as a personal shopper begins to transform into a bit of a nightmare and Jonah's pre-existing anxiety disorder is becoming a daily struggle. Can the two come together even though they must stay apart? Hello (from Here) jumps into the first two months of the quarantine and the love lives and two teenagers trying to figure out this new world.
This wasn't my favorite book on the planet, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. I will also keep it on my shelves and possibly come back to it another time (when the Corona Virus isn't still running wild). Like most who have reviewed this book, I feel like it may have been too soon.
The main characters were okay, but not amazing, I did find them a little whiny towards the end... Olivia, Jonah's sister, was probably my favorite out of everybody and I'd kind of like to hear some more of her story! Also Arlo and his story! Kate and Jonah's "step-parent replacing late parent" trope was shown well in the novel. I thought the development of their relationship was well handled and realistic. I was happy with the end result for them.
I also thought the anxiety disorder representation was handled well in this novel too. As someone with anxiety who has had panic attacks (though not quite like Jonah's), I felt like one could still understand what he was going through, especially in his current situation.
I feel like this novel fell short - mostly by tackling too much all at once. I felt a little anticlimactic by the time I closed it. So many things were brought up: important issues and themes, but then were finished limply in the end. (view spoiler).
The cheating storyline was just - bleh. It wasn't needed and was more of a distraction. I also felt like it didn't make much sense for how the character had been acting throughout the whole storyline.
Overall, I feel like this was just too soon. I'm sure it will be good in a few years time though, when we weren't all still going through the same pandemic.
Story-telling (1 more)
Characters
An unexpected emotional ride.
As a fan of the Serial and This American Life podcasts I jumped on this podcast from the same makers. I love true crime and the initial hype around this sounded like it was going to be an investigative reporting adventure into a town where a rich boys murder had been covered up. However over the course of the podcast it changed into something quite unique.
Focusing on the person who initially contacted this American Life, John McLemore, it’s based in the small town of Woodstock and gives a stark look into the world of small town Alabama.. We get to know John well, he’s a horologist (clock maker / repairer - it was the new word of the week for me) who seems to be pretty well known in the industry for his restoration skills. John is an amazing character and as the podcast takes a dramatic change of direction we end up getting sucked into his story which is moving and full of lessons on living in a place you don’t feel you fit in.
It was an emotional ride and if you like This American Life, this is like an episode on steroids and then some.
Focusing on the person who initially contacted this American Life, John McLemore, it’s based in the small town of Woodstock and gives a stark look into the world of small town Alabama.. We get to know John well, he’s a horologist (clock maker / repairer - it was the new word of the week for me) who seems to be pretty well known in the industry for his restoration skills. John is an amazing character and as the podcast takes a dramatic change of direction we end up getting sucked into his story which is moving and full of lessons on living in a place you don’t feel you fit in.
It was an emotional ride and if you like This American Life, this is like an episode on steroids and then some.

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