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Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Ghost Ship (Theo Waitley, #3; Liaden Universe, #15) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Theo Waitley has met her father's Clan and been Seen by the Delm of Korval now, at the end of both [b:I Dare|1103876|I Dare (Liaden Universe, #11)|Sharon Lee|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1181013406s/1103876.jpg|1644933] and [b:Saltation (Theo Waitley, #2)|6669085|Saltation (Theo Waitley, #2) (Liaden Universe, #13)|Sharon Lee|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1276362333s/6669085.jpg|6131174]. She does not, however, consider herself of Korval — she is a Waitley, as is reasonable for a young woman raised in a matrilineal culture. She did, however, take two issues to the Delm for solving, and one has been resolved: she has been reunited with her missing father.
However, she also carries the Captain's key to the sentient ship Bechimo, and that ship is looking for her. The Delm chose to put that issue aside, trusting that it would solve itself, given enough time. How much time, though, and in what manner?
In the meantime, she acts as courier for Uncle, one obviously known to the Clan and not as an ally — although not necessarily as an enemy, either. As his courier, she flies his ship, Arin's Toss, which is hunted by his enemies, including the Department of the Interior.
Theo acquits herself as well as any child of Korval could in meeting her challenges. She continues to experience more than the usual number of them, though, because of her Terran rearing and Liaden appearance. It seems to me that a father as dutiful as Jen Sar Kiladi (or Daav yos'Phellium) would have given her more preparation to encounter Liaden society.
[b:Ghost Ship|9762449|Ghost Ship (Liaden Universe, #14, Theo Waitley, #3)|Sharon Lee|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327880001s/9762449.jpg|14651808] certainly isn't limited to Theo's story. We rejoin Val Con and pregnant Miri as they move to Surebleak, and check in with Daav as he settles in to being Daav again after his long sojourn as Kiladi. There are also appearances by Pat Rin, Natesa, Quin, Padi, Shan, and other family members. Definitely an ensemble cast this time out, and just as absorbing as fans have come to expect.
However, she also carries the Captain's key to the sentient ship Bechimo, and that ship is looking for her. The Delm chose to put that issue aside, trusting that it would solve itself, given enough time. How much time, though, and in what manner?
In the meantime, she acts as courier for Uncle, one obviously known to the Clan and not as an ally — although not necessarily as an enemy, either. As his courier, she flies his ship, Arin's Toss, which is hunted by his enemies, including the Department of the Interior.
Theo acquits herself as well as any child of Korval could in meeting her challenges. She continues to experience more than the usual number of them, though, because of her Terran rearing and Liaden appearance. It seems to me that a father as dutiful as Jen Sar Kiladi (or Daav yos'Phellium) would have given her more preparation to encounter Liaden society.
[b:Ghost Ship|9762449|Ghost Ship (Liaden Universe, #14, Theo Waitley, #3)|Sharon Lee|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327880001s/9762449.jpg|14651808] certainly isn't limited to Theo's story. We rejoin Val Con and pregnant Miri as they move to Surebleak, and check in with Daav as he settles in to being Daav again after his long sojourn as Kiladi. There are also appearances by Pat Rin, Natesa, Quin, Padi, Shan, and other family members. Definitely an ensemble cast this time out, and just as absorbing as fans have come to expect.
TRUE_REVIEW (8 KP) rated Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition in Video Games
Feb 19, 2018
Amazing Graphics (2 more)
Captivating Storyline
Repeat Playability
A Visually Epic Tale of a Future Dominated By Machines
Horizon Zero Dawn tells the tale of Aloy, an outsider in a future ruled by machines who needs to find her place in the world. A story which reaches from her younger years to adulthood and leads us through interweaving story arch from tribe acceptance to standing side by side with royalty.
Take down an array of machines with just a bow and arrow or create multiple strategies using an armoury of inventive weapons. The combat is sleek, often offering multiple ways of achieving your goal. The storytelling is deep and rich with a cast of hundreds of characters, each with their own interesting backstory to be discovered. Controls are superb, rarely limiting your ability to interact with the environment. Graphically stunning (I played this on a standard PS4 but there are significant improvements to be had if you own a PS4 Pro).
For the collector in you there is plenty to find here albeit easy enough to complete with the maps available for purchase.
This version of the game comes complete with The Frozen Wilds DLC which opens up an additional region to the north of the map with new, deadlier enemies to tackle as well as an entirely new story arch to discover. You can also unlock New Game + which (once the base game is complete) allows you to restart the game with all the weapons, armour and collectibles you have found already. New Game + increases the difficulty significantly bringing new challenges to an already discovered map (which in itself is vast to say the least).
All in all, Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition is an incredible story of survival in a hostile world. One of the top games of 2017 for me (if not the best). Certainly deserves all the awards it received and thankfully paves the way for a sequel through multiple unanswered questions. I award Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition 9/10 and a must have for any PS4 owner (exclusive to PS4).
Review Setup Used:
PS4: Standard 500 gig base model
TV: LG 50PZ570T
Audio (interchanged): LG 5.1 Surround BH7440 OR Turtle Beach Wireless PX4 Headphones
Take down an array of machines with just a bow and arrow or create multiple strategies using an armoury of inventive weapons. The combat is sleek, often offering multiple ways of achieving your goal. The storytelling is deep and rich with a cast of hundreds of characters, each with their own interesting backstory to be discovered. Controls are superb, rarely limiting your ability to interact with the environment. Graphically stunning (I played this on a standard PS4 but there are significant improvements to be had if you own a PS4 Pro).
For the collector in you there is plenty to find here albeit easy enough to complete with the maps available for purchase.
This version of the game comes complete with The Frozen Wilds DLC which opens up an additional region to the north of the map with new, deadlier enemies to tackle as well as an entirely new story arch to discover. You can also unlock New Game + which (once the base game is complete) allows you to restart the game with all the weapons, armour and collectibles you have found already. New Game + increases the difficulty significantly bringing new challenges to an already discovered map (which in itself is vast to say the least).
All in all, Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition is an incredible story of survival in a hostile world. One of the top games of 2017 for me (if not the best). Certainly deserves all the awards it received and thankfully paves the way for a sequel through multiple unanswered questions. I award Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition 9/10 and a must have for any PS4 owner (exclusive to PS4).
Review Setup Used:
PS4: Standard 500 gig base model
TV: LG 50PZ570T
Audio (interchanged): LG 5.1 Surround BH7440 OR Turtle Beach Wireless PX4 Headphones
The second book in [a:Veronica Roth|4039811|Veronica Roth|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1363910238p2/4039811.jpg]'s 'Divergent' series, this picks up almost exactly - like, exactly exactly - after the climax of [b:Divergent|13335037|Divergent (Divergent, #1)|Veronica Roth|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328559506s/13335037.jpg|13155899], with Beatrice ('Tris') on a train about to leave the desolate future city of Chicago following the 'Simulation' attack by the Erudite faction.
I can't stress this enough: when I say exactly, I really do mean exactly: almost as if the first sentence of this book is the second half of the last sentence of the previous.
Anyway, it's not too much longer until Tris is heading back to Chicago, in company with some old friends and enemies-who-later-prove-not-to-be, in order to find a way to deal with the consequences of that attack, and to prevent further mistakes being made by members of both her own and other factions.
For a large portion of this, she is still struggling with guilt over some of her actions in the previous novel - in particular, over one that she (was forced to) carry out during the Erudite attack. This one also ends with a(n attempted) cliffhanger ending, in which we may yet find out how and why the faction system came about if we read the next in the series ([b:Allegiant|18710190|Allegiant (Divergent, #3)|Veronica Roth|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1395582745s/18710190.jpg|15524549])
While I did feel that this had its own identity maybe a bit more than [b:Divergent|13335037|Divergent (Divergent, #1)|Veronica Roth|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328559506s/13335037.jpg|13155899] (which, at times, felt to me almost like it was trying too hard to be another 'Hunger Games'), there is still a strong resemblance between the two series', in particular in their choice of leading characters, and in the theme of sacrifices.
I've come this far, so I probably will read the next (and, like The Hunger Games, maybe the whole will prove to be more than the sum of its parts).
I can't stress this enough: when I say exactly, I really do mean exactly: almost as if the first sentence of this book is the second half of the last sentence of the previous.
Anyway, it's not too much longer until Tris is heading back to Chicago, in company with some old friends and enemies-who-later-prove-not-to-be, in order to find a way to deal with the consequences of that attack, and to prevent further mistakes being made by members of both her own and other factions.
For a large portion of this, she is still struggling with guilt over some of her actions in the previous novel - in particular, over one that she (was forced to) carry out during the Erudite attack. This one also ends with a(n attempted) cliffhanger ending, in which we may yet find out how and why the faction system came about if we read the next in the series ([b:Allegiant|18710190|Allegiant (Divergent, #3)|Veronica Roth|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1395582745s/18710190.jpg|15524549])
While I did feel that this had its own identity maybe a bit more than [b:Divergent|13335037|Divergent (Divergent, #1)|Veronica Roth|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328559506s/13335037.jpg|13155899] (which, at times, felt to me almost like it was trying too hard to be another 'Hunger Games'), there is still a strong resemblance between the two series', in particular in their choice of leading characters, and in the theme of sacrifices.
I've come this far, so I probably will read the next (and, like The Hunger Games, maybe the whole will prove to be more than the sum of its parts).
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated the Xbox One version of The Evil Within in Video Games
Oct 30, 2019
Psychological Within
Contains spoilers, click to show
The Evil Within- is a fantasic horrorfying, thrilling, psychological terrorfying, scary game. That was published by Bethesa. Yes that Bethesa who did Skyrim and Fallout. So lets talk about it...
The game centers on protagonist Sebastian Castellanos as he is pulled through a distorted world full of nightmarish locations and horrid creatures. Played in a third-person perspective, players battle disfigured nightmare-like enemies, including bosses, using guns and melee weapons, and progress through the levels, avoiding traps, using stealth, and finding collectables.
Sebastian Castellanos, the protagonist, needs to make use of the environment and things he may find in order to survive. The game world can transform during scripted events and as a result of player actions, altering locations and creating new paths or teleporting the player to new areas.
Players have a safe house called 'Safe Haven' that can be accessed during scripted events and by finding mirrors. The safe house is a mental hospital and has several accessible areas such as a save point, an upgrade room (where the player may upgrade Sebastian's skills), and the safe room where keys are used to open storage safes which contain useful items such as green gel and ammunition. These keys are collected by finding and breaking 'Madonna' statues hidden throughout the game's levels. There is a nurse called Tatiana who greets Sebastian when he teleports to the safe house.
Lets talk about the plot/story:
While investigating the scene of a gruesome mass murder at Beacon Mental Hospital, Krimson City police detective Sebastian Castellanos (Anson Mount), his partner Joseph Oda (Yuri Lowenthal), and Junior Detective Juli Kidman (Jennifer Carpenter) find themselves suddenly thrown into an unreal world, after hearing a high-pitched noise.
Their are two DLC and their are called The Assigment and The Consequence. Which I havent played yet.
The player unlocks several bonuses for completing the game. Extra weapons, character models and bios, 'AKUMU' difficulty (the game's hardest difficulty level), and New Game+ are some of the unlocks.
It is a must play game, it will twist and turn your mind until the end credits.
Lastly shout out to @LeftSideCut for getting the hints/clue to this review correct.
The game centers on protagonist Sebastian Castellanos as he is pulled through a distorted world full of nightmarish locations and horrid creatures. Played in a third-person perspective, players battle disfigured nightmare-like enemies, including bosses, using guns and melee weapons, and progress through the levels, avoiding traps, using stealth, and finding collectables.
Sebastian Castellanos, the protagonist, needs to make use of the environment and things he may find in order to survive. The game world can transform during scripted events and as a result of player actions, altering locations and creating new paths or teleporting the player to new areas.
Players have a safe house called 'Safe Haven' that can be accessed during scripted events and by finding mirrors. The safe house is a mental hospital and has several accessible areas such as a save point, an upgrade room (where the player may upgrade Sebastian's skills), and the safe room where keys are used to open storage safes which contain useful items such as green gel and ammunition. These keys are collected by finding and breaking 'Madonna' statues hidden throughout the game's levels. There is a nurse called Tatiana who greets Sebastian when he teleports to the safe house.
Lets talk about the plot/story:
While investigating the scene of a gruesome mass murder at Beacon Mental Hospital, Krimson City police detective Sebastian Castellanos (Anson Mount), his partner Joseph Oda (Yuri Lowenthal), and Junior Detective Juli Kidman (Jennifer Carpenter) find themselves suddenly thrown into an unreal world, after hearing a high-pitched noise.
Their are two DLC and their are called The Assigment and The Consequence. Which I havent played yet.
The player unlocks several bonuses for completing the game. Extra weapons, character models and bios, 'AKUMU' difficulty (the game's hardest difficulty level), and New Game+ are some of the unlocks.
It is a must play game, it will twist and turn your mind until the end credits.
Lastly shout out to @LeftSideCut for getting the hints/clue to this review correct.
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated We Hunt The Flame (Sands of Arawiya #1) in Books
Jul 23, 2019
This is the first book in a planned duology, and I NEED THE SECOND ONE RIGHT NOW. Zafira is a firecracker, and Nasir is a precious gumdrop, and Altair is a mystery, while I can't help but read Kifah as Valkyrie from Avengers. (Seriously, if this ever gets made into a movie and Tessa Thompson DOESN'T get cast as Kifah, I'll be upset.)
These characters, and this setting, and this worldbuilding, and this plot...Faizal has blown me away with this book. There are twists I saw coming, and some I did not, so I'm not going to go into much detail about the plot, but Zafira and a few other people are searching for a magical artifact to restore magic to their kingdom, after it was locked away many years ago. I don't remember exactly how long it's been; Zafira can't remember having magic, but she does mention at one point that her mother was a healer. So sometime during her mother's lifetime? The kingdom has been cursed in the absence of magic, different curses for the different districts, and the Arz is a magical forest encroaching on the borders. Almost no one who goes into the Arz ever comes out again, so it's incredibly dangerous for anyone who isn't Zafira. Zafira has the unique ability to always know which direction she needs to go to reach her goal, and it's this ability that brings her to the attention of the Silver Witch, who sets her on the path to find the artifact. The artifact is, of course, on the enchanted island that serves as a prison for all the magical objects and creatures, so Zafira and her companions face all kinds of unknown dangers.
I really enjoyed basically everything about this book. There was character development, a touch of romance, a team learning to work as a team, secrets, magic, ancient evils, trauma and emotional work...just a lot. (Also enemies-to-lovers, if you're into that.) It is a brilliant epic fantasy, and I cannot WAIT for the second book. I need to know what happens! (It doesn't end on a cliffhanger, exactly, but things are definitely NOT. RESOLVED.)
You can find all my reviews and more at http://goddessinthestacks.com
These characters, and this setting, and this worldbuilding, and this plot...Faizal has blown me away with this book. There are twists I saw coming, and some I did not, so I'm not going to go into much detail about the plot, but Zafira and a few other people are searching for a magical artifact to restore magic to their kingdom, after it was locked away many years ago. I don't remember exactly how long it's been; Zafira can't remember having magic, but she does mention at one point that her mother was a healer. So sometime during her mother's lifetime? The kingdom has been cursed in the absence of magic, different curses for the different districts, and the Arz is a magical forest encroaching on the borders. Almost no one who goes into the Arz ever comes out again, so it's incredibly dangerous for anyone who isn't Zafira. Zafira has the unique ability to always know which direction she needs to go to reach her goal, and it's this ability that brings her to the attention of the Silver Witch, who sets her on the path to find the artifact. The artifact is, of course, on the enchanted island that serves as a prison for all the magical objects and creatures, so Zafira and her companions face all kinds of unknown dangers.
I really enjoyed basically everything about this book. There was character development, a touch of romance, a team learning to work as a team, secrets, magic, ancient evils, trauma and emotional work...just a lot. (Also enemies-to-lovers, if you're into that.) It is a brilliant epic fantasy, and I cannot WAIT for the second book. I need to know what happens! (It doesn't end on a cliffhanger, exactly, but things are definitely NOT. RESOLVED.)
You can find all my reviews and more at http://goddessinthestacks.com
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated Meet the Misfits (Being Zoey #1) in Books
Nov 4, 2019
Zoeys pretty sure her life is over when her wannaba-rockstar mother uproots her from from their home in Seattle and deposits her in Nowheresville, Oregon to live with her whackadoodle grandparents. Things start to look up, though, when she reconnects with Louisa, the girl from across the street. Maybe, just maybe, Louisa wont mind that Zoeys always been a bit of a misfit. Louisas ex-BFF, however, doesnt seem too happy to welcome Zoey to the neighborhood. And when they all end up at church camp together, its not just a matter of whether or not Zoey can fit in
it becomes a firsthand lesson in what it really means to love your enemy.
When the school year begins, Zoeys terrified to go without Louisawhos out with a nasty flu. The same enemies she made over the summer are there to haunt her, but she and another new girl stick together and even seem to find a place among the in-crowd. But is this who Zoey wants to be? Are they really her friends? Whos going to stick beside her when cyber bullying leaves her as the odd girl out?
My Thoughts: This is a wonderful series of books for young "tweenage" girls. Zoey is an interesting young lady who is not your typical girl. Left with grandparents she barely knows Zoey is embarking on a new life and starting a new school. Zoey feels what most young people feel when they move into a new place, that is how to fit in and make friends. But there's Kayla, the girl who just can't seem to like Zoey at all.
Zoey learns to deal with a bully and learns that just like Christ loved everyone, we should also.
This is a wonderful series that I believe all young girls can relate to and will enjoy. The character of Zoey is easy to relate to as she has to make new friends, start a new school. It's all the things young people dread. It will help them understand that they aren't alone in their feelings and how to relate to friendship pressures that occur in day to day life.
When the school year begins, Zoeys terrified to go without Louisawhos out with a nasty flu. The same enemies she made over the summer are there to haunt her, but she and another new girl stick together and even seem to find a place among the in-crowd. But is this who Zoey wants to be? Are they really her friends? Whos going to stick beside her when cyber bullying leaves her as the odd girl out?
My Thoughts: This is a wonderful series of books for young "tweenage" girls. Zoey is an interesting young lady who is not your typical girl. Left with grandparents she barely knows Zoey is embarking on a new life and starting a new school. Zoey feels what most young people feel when they move into a new place, that is how to fit in and make friends. But there's Kayla, the girl who just can't seem to like Zoey at all.
Zoey learns to deal with a bully and learns that just like Christ loved everyone, we should also.
This is a wonderful series that I believe all young girls can relate to and will enjoy. The character of Zoey is easy to relate to as she has to make new friends, start a new school. It's all the things young people dread. It will help them understand that they aren't alone in their feelings and how to relate to friendship pressures that occur in day to day life.
Leigh J (71 KP) rated Death Becomes Her (1992) in Movies
Nov 20, 2019
An ageless Black Comedy
Helen is a struggling Writer who has gone with her Fiance, successful Plastic Surgeon Ernest Menville, to see an old friend/enemies Theatrical Show. The friend in question is an aging starlet by the name of Madeleine. Backstage, Madeleine and Ernest have an instant chemistry and despite reassuring Helen otherwise, Ernest and Madeleine eventually get Married; which sents Helen into a spiral of severe depression and overeating.
7 years later... Madeleine is middle aged and in an unhappy Marriage with the now Undertaker Ernest. Things are at an all time low when they recieve an Invitation to Helen's Book Party... the title of her book being "Forever Young". Desperate and in need of some rejuvenation, Madeleine goes to her usual clinic for some anti-aging therapy, and explodes in anger when they have no further options for her. This is when the Boss of the Spa approaches Madeleine and gives her the business card of Lisle Von Rhuman and explains that only a select group of people can consult with this woman. Madeleine brushes the whole incident off... until she sees Helen at the party. Helen is vibrant, more skinny and more beautiful and, shockingly, looks much younger than Madeleine. Madeleine is furious and, upon discovering her young bit on the side is sleeping with a younger woman, pays Lisle Von Rhuman a visit. Who is this mysterious woman and what exactly can she offer to Madeleine as a miracle cure to aging? And could this also be Helen's secret to her youth? Also, what are Helen and Ernest plotting behind Madeleine's back? And what will the disasterous condequences be when they finally confront each other?
I saw Death Becomes Her as a kid and was really taken with it; I loved the mysterious, '40s Starlet ways of Lisle Von Rhuman, I loved how elegant the Movie looks whilst also delivering on the Horror and the (very Black, very tongue in cheek) Comedy. It's so stand apart, I've never ever seen another like Death Becomes Her and it's a Movie I hope is enjoyed for generations to come. It's wonderful.
7 years later... Madeleine is middle aged and in an unhappy Marriage with the now Undertaker Ernest. Things are at an all time low when they recieve an Invitation to Helen's Book Party... the title of her book being "Forever Young". Desperate and in need of some rejuvenation, Madeleine goes to her usual clinic for some anti-aging therapy, and explodes in anger when they have no further options for her. This is when the Boss of the Spa approaches Madeleine and gives her the business card of Lisle Von Rhuman and explains that only a select group of people can consult with this woman. Madeleine brushes the whole incident off... until she sees Helen at the party. Helen is vibrant, more skinny and more beautiful and, shockingly, looks much younger than Madeleine. Madeleine is furious and, upon discovering her young bit on the side is sleeping with a younger woman, pays Lisle Von Rhuman a visit. Who is this mysterious woman and what exactly can she offer to Madeleine as a miracle cure to aging? And could this also be Helen's secret to her youth? Also, what are Helen and Ernest plotting behind Madeleine's back? And what will the disasterous condequences be when they finally confront each other?
I saw Death Becomes Her as a kid and was really taken with it; I loved the mysterious, '40s Starlet ways of Lisle Von Rhuman, I loved how elegant the Movie looks whilst also delivering on the Horror and the (very Black, very tongue in cheek) Comedy. It's so stand apart, I've never ever seen another like Death Becomes Her and it's a Movie I hope is enjoyed for generations to come. It's wonderful.
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Why I Loathe Sterling Lane in Books
Jan 23, 2020
<b><i>I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
I'm still in a reviewing funk of sorts, so I'm playing with style to keep my funk at bay. The funk is a horrible, horrible thing. It's crawled into my life like Medusa and turned my reviewing styles into stone.
Weird analogy. Anyways.
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><b>Three Reasons to Read <i>Why I Loathe Sterling Lane</i></b></h3>
<b>Kendall's dynamic with Harper</b> - they're two completely different people who hate each other at a distance by the mere idea of the person. Seeing Kendall and Harper getting thrown together and their friendship develop is personally my favorite part of reading the book.
<b>Enemies to Lovers</b> - I'm usually not a fan of this trope, but I'm not really complaining since Sterling makes Harper less of a stick in the mud as she may appear to be early on in the book.
Admittedly, I'm also watching <i>Boys Over Flowers</i>, which is way too cute and hilarious.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://bookwyrmingthoughts.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/317/2017/06/swan-boys-over-flowers.gif"; width="320" height="209" border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="500" /></div>
<b>The format</b> - Each chapter is based off a rule Harpers that she came up with from early in her life. I think it gave a better understanding of who Harper was and what kinds of rules she had in her life (that would definitely be something I would want to know if they weren't mentioned).
<b>Overall:</b> <i>Why I Loathe Sterling Lane</i> is a slow book to love, but the story picks up after a few rough patches and is perfect for those who enjoy a love-hate relationship between love interests.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/blog-tour-why-i-loathe-sterling-lane-by-ingrid-paulson/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
I'm still in a reviewing funk of sorts, so I'm playing with style to keep my funk at bay. The funk is a horrible, horrible thing. It's crawled into my life like Medusa and turned my reviewing styles into stone.
Weird analogy. Anyways.
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><b>Three Reasons to Read <i>Why I Loathe Sterling Lane</i></b></h3>
<b>Kendall's dynamic with Harper</b> - they're two completely different people who hate each other at a distance by the mere idea of the person. Seeing Kendall and Harper getting thrown together and their friendship develop is personally my favorite part of reading the book.
<b>Enemies to Lovers</b> - I'm usually not a fan of this trope, but I'm not really complaining since Sterling makes Harper less of a stick in the mud as she may appear to be early on in the book.
Admittedly, I'm also watching <i>Boys Over Flowers</i>, which is way too cute and hilarious.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://bookwyrmingthoughts.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/317/2017/06/swan-boys-over-flowers.gif"; width="320" height="209" border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="500" /></div>
<b>The format</b> - Each chapter is based off a rule Harpers that she came up with from early in her life. I think it gave a better understanding of who Harper was and what kinds of rules she had in her life (that would definitely be something I would want to know if they weren't mentioned).
<b>Overall:</b> <i>Why I Loathe Sterling Lane</i> is a slow book to love, but the story picks up after a few rough patches and is perfect for those who enjoy a love-hate relationship between love interests.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/blog-tour-why-i-loathe-sterling-lane-by-ingrid-paulson/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
JT (287 KP) rated John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum picks up where chapter 2 left off, with young Johnathan running for his life as the clock ticks down until the $14 million bounty on his head is activated. With man’s best friend in tow, he searches for a place to patch himself up before he is finally made excommunicado – flipping a gold coin as a rite of passage.
It seems funny that we have got to this point in the story which involved a murdered puppy and a stolen car, but we needn’t dwell on that for too long before the carnage starts to unravel at a frenetic pace. Not since the Raid 2 has there been fight sequences choreographed with such vicious aplomb, it leaves you breathless.
The stunt coordinators give us a range of unique locations for John Wick to dispatch his enemies; including a room packed full of antique ceremonial knives and a glass room displaying a variety of crystal skulls – it isn’t just bones getting shattered here. Not forgetting a horse chase that is simply spectacular.
On paper the action genre might be one of the simplest to execute, add some elaborate set pieces, crazy stunts and a pumping score and you have a recipe for success – you can even drop the odd plot hole without notice.
Director Chad Stahelski has helmed all three films and is able to give Wick the tools needed to off anyone he comes into close contact with. Is there no end to his talents – as he uses a library book to kill off a 7ft assassin and handle weaponry around a Moroccan bazaar with seamless precision.
He is aided in his quest to reach the High Table (a place to atone for his sin of killing on Continental grounds) by Sofia (Halle Berry) who begrudgingly agrees to help him. Despite her minimal screen time she does more than enough to leave a lasting impression – if not her, then most definitely the pair of vicious K-9s complete with snug fitting Kevlar vests that accompany her.
As an action film this is what I crave, something that is relentless from start to finish – I can only lick my lips in anticipation of the inevitable Chapter 4!
It seems funny that we have got to this point in the story which involved a murdered puppy and a stolen car, but we needn’t dwell on that for too long before the carnage starts to unravel at a frenetic pace. Not since the Raid 2 has there been fight sequences choreographed with such vicious aplomb, it leaves you breathless.
The stunt coordinators give us a range of unique locations for John Wick to dispatch his enemies; including a room packed full of antique ceremonial knives and a glass room displaying a variety of crystal skulls – it isn’t just bones getting shattered here. Not forgetting a horse chase that is simply spectacular.
On paper the action genre might be one of the simplest to execute, add some elaborate set pieces, crazy stunts and a pumping score and you have a recipe for success – you can even drop the odd plot hole without notice.
Director Chad Stahelski has helmed all three films and is able to give Wick the tools needed to off anyone he comes into close contact with. Is there no end to his talents – as he uses a library book to kill off a 7ft assassin and handle weaponry around a Moroccan bazaar with seamless precision.
He is aided in his quest to reach the High Table (a place to atone for his sin of killing on Continental grounds) by Sofia (Halle Berry) who begrudgingly agrees to help him. Despite her minimal screen time she does more than enough to leave a lasting impression – if not her, then most definitely the pair of vicious K-9s complete with snug fitting Kevlar vests that accompany her.
As an action film this is what I crave, something that is relentless from start to finish – I can only lick my lips in anticipation of the inevitable Chapter 4!
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated the Xbox One version of DOOM in Video Games
Mar 20, 2020
Kick Some Ass 2016 Style
Doom 2016- yes i called it this because when you talk about it to people, sometimes their like "which one". So i call this one "Doom 2016". So lets talk about it.
The Gameplay:
According to the game's executive producer Marty Stratton, the key principles of Doom's single-player mode are "badass demons, big effing guns, and moving really fast".
"Glory Kills" is a newly-introduced melee execution system; when enough damage has been dealt to an enemy, the game will highlight it and allow the player to perform a quick and violent melee takedown, rewarding the player with small health recovery.
The game features a large arsenal of weapons which can be collected and freely switched by players throughout the game and require no reloading.
Many enemies also return from the original game, such as the Revenant, Pinky, Mancubus, and Cyberdemon, with many also redesigned. Doom's campaign was made to be at least 13 hours long, and the "Ultra-Nightmare" difficulty level features permadeath, which causes the savegame to be lost once the player dies. The campaign also features 13 levels.
Many of the levels have multiple pathways and open areas, which allow players to explore and find collectibles and secrets throughout the levels. Other pickups include small Doomguy figurines that allow the player to view 3D models of different characters, and data files that expand on the characters and story. Additionally, each of the game's levels contains a hidden lever which opens an area extracted from a classic level in the original Doom or Doom II. Finding each of these areas unlocks them, making them accessible from the game's main menu in a section called Classic Maps.
The Plot:
Players take the role of an unnamed space marine as he battles demonic forces from Hell that have been unleashed by the Union Aerospace Corporation on a future-set colonized planet Mars.
The Thankz:
Thank you id software and Bethesda software for rebooting this game.
Doom 2016- is a epic game and return to the Doom format that once was and adds more new.
The Gameplay:
According to the game's executive producer Marty Stratton, the key principles of Doom's single-player mode are "badass demons, big effing guns, and moving really fast".
"Glory Kills" is a newly-introduced melee execution system; when enough damage has been dealt to an enemy, the game will highlight it and allow the player to perform a quick and violent melee takedown, rewarding the player with small health recovery.
The game features a large arsenal of weapons which can be collected and freely switched by players throughout the game and require no reloading.
Many enemies also return from the original game, such as the Revenant, Pinky, Mancubus, and Cyberdemon, with many also redesigned. Doom's campaign was made to be at least 13 hours long, and the "Ultra-Nightmare" difficulty level features permadeath, which causes the savegame to be lost once the player dies. The campaign also features 13 levels.
Many of the levels have multiple pathways and open areas, which allow players to explore and find collectibles and secrets throughout the levels. Other pickups include small Doomguy figurines that allow the player to view 3D models of different characters, and data files that expand on the characters and story. Additionally, each of the game's levels contains a hidden lever which opens an area extracted from a classic level in the original Doom or Doom II. Finding each of these areas unlocks them, making them accessible from the game's main menu in a section called Classic Maps.
The Plot:
Players take the role of an unnamed space marine as he battles demonic forces from Hell that have been unleashed by the Union Aerospace Corporation on a future-set colonized planet Mars.
The Thankz:
Thank you id software and Bethesda software for rebooting this game.
Doom 2016- is a epic game and return to the Doom format that once was and adds more new.