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Kyera (8 KP) rated Bitterblue in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Bitterblue is the third book in the Graceling Realm trilogy, and probably my favourite of the three. Graceling took place in a land of seven Kingdoms, then the second book, Fire, shifted the narrative's time and space. It took place many years before the events in Graceling and in a land quite unlike the one created in the first book. Bitterblue returns us to the world we began in, ten years later and in the final chapters weaves the story from Fire in more clearly.
It was nice seeing the characters from Graceling, like Katsa and Po making an appearance once more in this series. It's been a decade, so you're curious what has happened to everyone. I enjoyed the main characters in this book and enjoyed the scenes with both familiar and new faces.
The pace of this book wasn't frenetic or the plot action-packed, but it was engaging nonetheless. There's not much more that I can discuss without spoilers, other than the fact that I listened to this via audiobook. I quite enjoyed the narrator's performance and she also performed Fire, although she was not one of the narrators for Graceling.
Overall, I did enjoy this series but it is certainly not in my top ten fantasy series of all time.
It was nice seeing the characters from Graceling, like Katsa and Po making an appearance once more in this series. It's been a decade, so you're curious what has happened to everyone. I enjoyed the main characters in this book and enjoyed the scenes with both familiar and new faces.
The pace of this book wasn't frenetic or the plot action-packed, but it was engaging nonetheless. There's not much more that I can discuss without spoilers, other than the fact that I listened to this via audiobook. I quite enjoyed the narrator's performance and she also performed Fire, although she was not one of the narrators for Graceling.
Overall, I did enjoy this series but it is certainly not in my top ten fantasy series of all time.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Guards! Guards! Discworld Novel 8 in Books
Mar 19, 2018
A great introduction to the City Watch
You've got to hand it to Terry Pratchett, he knows how to write a good fantasy novel.
Guards! Guards! is yet another great Discworld novel, and the first to introduce Captain Vimes and the City Watch. Vimes himself is a loveable anti-hero who develops greatly over the course of the novel and the same too can be said for the other members of the Watch. Carrot the 'dwarf' provides a real introduction to the Watch and also a lot of the humour from his exploits, and I loved seeing a lot more of the Librarian.
The plot itself on the face of it is a fantasy fairy tale filled story of dragons, maidens and heroes. But with every Pratchett novel, beneath it lies dark wit and humour, and a slightly sad social commentary on human greed and corruption. There are a lot of references in this to other media, like The Hobbit, which really poke fun at the myths and lore used in the fantasy genre.
A great read with some very engaging characters. A little rambling at times, but fortunately the rest of the book makes up for it! Discworld books are the only books that can really make me laugh out loud.
Guards! Guards! is yet another great Discworld novel, and the first to introduce Captain Vimes and the City Watch. Vimes himself is a loveable anti-hero who develops greatly over the course of the novel and the same too can be said for the other members of the Watch. Carrot the 'dwarf' provides a real introduction to the Watch and also a lot of the humour from his exploits, and I loved seeing a lot more of the Librarian.
The plot itself on the face of it is a fantasy fairy tale filled story of dragons, maidens and heroes. But with every Pratchett novel, beneath it lies dark wit and humour, and a slightly sad social commentary on human greed and corruption. There are a lot of references in this to other media, like The Hobbit, which really poke fun at the myths and lore used in the fantasy genre.
A great read with some very engaging characters. A little rambling at times, but fortunately the rest of the book makes up for it! Discworld books are the only books that can really make me laugh out loud.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China in Books
Mar 15, 2018
It's interesting to learn about what is happening in different countries from the perspective of the people who are actually living there. So much of what we see in our media only discusses things from an American perspective, which is obviously biased. That's not to say that one will feel more positively about the Chinese government after reading a book like this, but it does give one a better understanding of how things got the way they are and also why people went along with it, and in some cases continue to do so. In telling the stories of a variety of Chinese citizens, both ordinary and highly influential, the author does a fantastic job of capturing the mood of the people and just what everyday life is like for them. China is a country awash with contradictions, while the ruling party tries to modernize without loosing their grip on power. This is a very well written book, that is often every bit as engaging as any fictional story, that provides a fascinating look at one of the biggest players on the global stage today. Anyone with any interest in current events should read it, and be happy they live in a country where they'll be allowed to.
Mayhawke (97 KP) rated Wyatt Earp (1994) in Movies
Feb 26, 2018
In a shootout with Tombstone this would be heading for Boot Hill
The film is very worthy. It tells the story of Earp preceeding, and beyond the events at the OK Corral. There seems to be a reasonable amount of legitimacy to the story, but as always Earp's character - and his relationship with Jospehine - is pretty whitewashed, and hyped for drama.
But that's not actually what's wrong with the film, after all we expect that from Hollywood. The single largest failing of this film is that it plods. It's a plodding film that could have been a t least half an hour shorter than it is. Even that failing probably wouldn't have been so pronounced if this film hadn't bee released at almost exactly the same time as Tombstone, a film with as much historical accuracy in the Earp tale, but which was an hour shorter.
Then there was the cast. Wyatt Earp had a fabulous cast, as did Tombstone but the latter had breath-taking, career-high performances , a script that zinged and considerably more clarity of story and character.
Without Tombstone this film could have been a stand-out historical drama. But it isn't.
Worthy, but not brilliantly engaging
But that's not actually what's wrong with the film, after all we expect that from Hollywood. The single largest failing of this film is that it plods. It's a plodding film that could have been a t least half an hour shorter than it is. Even that failing probably wouldn't have been so pronounced if this film hadn't bee released at almost exactly the same time as Tombstone, a film with as much historical accuracy in the Earp tale, but which was an hour shorter.
Then there was the cast. Wyatt Earp had a fabulous cast, as did Tombstone but the latter had breath-taking, career-high performances , a script that zinged and considerably more clarity of story and character.
Without Tombstone this film could have been a stand-out historical drama. But it isn't.
Worthy, but not brilliantly engaging
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging in Books
Mar 11, 2018
An important and necessary conversation
There is a wealth of insight crammed into this book about race and identity in Britain, describing how important it is to have a cohesive self by accepting that you may have other identities alongside being a UK citizen.
What hinders this process is the apparent racism that plagues British society, from being 'colour-blind' and thus ignoring the issue, to the awkward and troubled relationship with Britain's history and its origins. The author, Afua Hirsch, also discovers her own Ghanaian roots throughout her journey of self-awareness, making this book both a memoir and social commentary. Hirsch checks her privilege immediately, which makes a refreshing change.
While I can completely relate to her opinions on the racist structures in place and the microagressions that have become normalised, the historical and anthropological elements were the most fascinating parts for me. Learning about the racist views upheld by leading western thinkers such as Immanuel Kant and David Huhne, as well as how the 1919 race riots ensued over the perception of 'white cleansing' was deeply concerning.
Hirsch's call for change on Britain's selective amnesia is not new but it has a contemporary angle following the country's move to leave the EU. Incredibly engaging.
What hinders this process is the apparent racism that plagues British society, from being 'colour-blind' and thus ignoring the issue, to the awkward and troubled relationship with Britain's history and its origins. The author, Afua Hirsch, also discovers her own Ghanaian roots throughout her journey of self-awareness, making this book both a memoir and social commentary. Hirsch checks her privilege immediately, which makes a refreshing change.
While I can completely relate to her opinions on the racist structures in place and the microagressions that have become normalised, the historical and anthropological elements were the most fascinating parts for me. Learning about the racist views upheld by leading western thinkers such as Immanuel Kant and David Huhne, as well as how the 1919 race riots ensued over the perception of 'white cleansing' was deeply concerning.
Hirsch's call for change on Britain's selective amnesia is not new but it has a contemporary angle following the country's move to leave the EU. Incredibly engaging.
Danii19936 (3 KP) rated This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor in Books
Aug 20, 2018
MUST READ
After I graduated this summer I was reading just about anything I could due to all my free time and I saw sooooo many people recommending this book so although it’s not what I would normally read I gave it a go. I am SO glad I did, I read it within a couple of hours and I would argue it is my favourite book of the summer! It is incredibly eye opening. As a law graduate I like to think I am relatively clued up about society and although I knew that the medical profession gets no where near the credit they deserve I couldn’t believe how much they are put through! Adam Kay writes such a powerful piece while still being witty and engaging, you almost forget it is a true story! I fully support his message and as soon as I put the book down I was telling everyone I could about it! I would urge everyone to read this book! As a side note (and probably completely irrelevant) I couldn’t believe it when I saw an acknowledgement to one of my closest friends at the end of the book, it’s such a small world!
Danii19936 (3 KP) rated This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate in Books
Aug 21, 2018
Easy to read (2 more)
Accessible
Powerful message
Undeniable.
I was given this book as a suggested read for my climate change and the law module and it was like no textbook I’ve read before. It is engaging and accessible, she really highlights the true problem that as a society we face and makes it seem so obvious and absolute there is no way anyone could read this and deny the truth. Better still Klein not only highlights the problem and the cause but continuously suggests and outlines how it can be fixed. I have never been a climate denier but neither have a been particularly climate conscious, this book definitely changed how I viewed the world and I think it’s such an important topic which needs much much much more recognition. The only reason this book doesn’t get a 10/10 is the slight repetitive nature, I accept how important the message is and that it is potential that it needs to be repeated until it is given recognition but as a book it makes some sections slightly tiresome! Other than that this was an extremely easy book to read and for those with no understanding of either the law or climate science klein very helpfully explains practically everything!
tonidavis (353 KP) rated RAVERS (2018) in Movies
Aug 27, 2018
Kamal Angelo Bolden as Vince (1 more)
Becky and Hannah relationship
Next cult horror
Honestly I went in with low expectations of this film however I was pleastly surprised by it.
This film has all the making of possible cult status whilst it not the edgest film and like most horror there are part that just aren't believable. This film had a fun factor that kept you engage and wanting to watch till the end.
Personally my favourite charcter from the film was Vince placed by Kamal Angelo Bolden. I got to watch this film at fright fest and so the cast was present to introduce the film. From Kamal introduction to seeing him on screen you could see he had one of the most charamatic personalities I've ever seen both on screen and introducing the film. Kamal charcter Vince is a drug dealer and when mist the ravers transform Vince personality stay true throughout the film this makes him engaging to watch.
Georgia Hirst plays Becky and the lead of the film it an interesting charcter as someone who at the start exhibits all the signs of somone who has OCD suddenly cope in a situation that goes from normal rave to horror flick.
This film has all the making of possible cult status whilst it not the edgest film and like most horror there are part that just aren't believable. This film had a fun factor that kept you engage and wanting to watch till the end.
Personally my favourite charcter from the film was Vince placed by Kamal Angelo Bolden. I got to watch this film at fright fest and so the cast was present to introduce the film. From Kamal introduction to seeing him on screen you could see he had one of the most charamatic personalities I've ever seen both on screen and introducing the film. Kamal charcter Vince is a drug dealer and when mist the ravers transform Vince personality stay true throughout the film this makes him engaging to watch.
Georgia Hirst plays Becky and the lead of the film it an interesting charcter as someone who at the start exhibits all the signs of somone who has OCD suddenly cope in a situation that goes from normal rave to horror flick.
The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated BlacKkKlansman (2018) in Movies
Aug 29, 2018
The Acting (2 more)
The Dialog
Cinematic Craftsmanship
The wrong people will see this.... but it's still very good.
First let me say that racism hurts my very soul, it depresses me, and affects me deeply. I know it is alive and well in this country. I really wish it wasn't. I say the wrong people will see this because the people that should see this, don't watch movies like this. Racist people don't watch spike lee joints. Every scene in this movie is beautifully shot, and each ethnic slur packs a punch. I felt slapped around at the end of the film. I felt sick to my stomach and the very tail end was a roundhouse. Normally I don't talk politics, but in this case it's bigger than "politics" and falls under human decency, and we currently are lacking in that. I hope that we can get back on track soon and movies like this will be more comedy than reality.
The acting was superb, and really engaging. there are some big names in this cast. The dialog was so well written despite the horrific things said. The cinematography was excellent, and beautiful. Spike Lee was at the top of his game with this one.
The acting was superb, and really engaging. there are some big names in this cast. The dialog was so well written despite the horrific things said. The cinematography was excellent, and beautiful. Spike Lee was at the top of his game with this one.
Awix (3310 KP) rated King of Thieves (2018) in Movies
Oct 10, 2018
Michael Caine leads a crack team of crock crooks in robbing a safe deposit vault in London in this loosely-based-on-reality black comedy thriller. Quite apart from Caine, the film has an excellent cast (Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay, Ray Winstone, Paul Whitehouse, and Michael Gambon, plus Charlie Cox for the streaming generation), which will probably be what draws most people to it.
Initially this looks like it's going to be a slightly cosy comedy thriller about blokes who are too old be robbers any more, but - very pleasantly - it quite soon acquires some real heft and gravity to it, with the various members of the gang falling out and attempting to double-cross each other - most of these actors are well-known as comedians, but there is some proper meaty drama here and scenes with a definite tension to them.
Not quite as much Caine as you might hope for, but he is still the guv'nor as far as British film acting is concerned, and this is his best role for a while. Everyone else is good too. The film never quite gets the shifts between comedy and gangster thriller right, and the low budget keeps it from being very cinematic, but it's an engaging movie driven by great performances.
Initially this looks like it's going to be a slightly cosy comedy thriller about blokes who are too old be robbers any more, but - very pleasantly - it quite soon acquires some real heft and gravity to it, with the various members of the gang falling out and attempting to double-cross each other - most of these actors are well-known as comedians, but there is some proper meaty drama here and scenes with a definite tension to them.
Not quite as much Caine as you might hope for, but he is still the guv'nor as far as British film acting is concerned, and this is his best role for a while. Everyone else is good too. The film never quite gets the shifts between comedy and gangster thriller right, and the low budget keeps it from being very cinematic, but it's an engaging movie driven by great performances.