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Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Keeper of the Bees (Black Birds of the Gallows, #2) 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>
<h2><strong>I enjoyed <em>Black Bird of the Gallows</em>, but if I had to choose between the first and the second, I loved the second so much better than the first.</strong></h2>
<em>Keeper of the Bees</em> is Meg Kassel's second novel, the companion novel to <em>Black Bird of the Gallows</em>. We're brought back to the world of harbringers and beekeepers in a smol town in Missouri (hey, look, my home state!) and their roles in death.
<h3><strong><em>Keeper of the Bees</em> is a bit of a villain story.</strong></h3>
Harbringers flock to where death happens and "absorb" the energy emitted. Beekeepers usually cause the death by using their bees to sting someone, resulting in them reaching their destruction (aka death). <em>Keeper of the Bees</em> tells the story of Dresden, a boy cursed for eternity, and Essie, a girl who eats peppercorn to discern real from unreal.
<h3><strong>Dresden is a precious onion with layers despite being Evil.</strong></h3>
Most villains are evil and pure evil, but Dresden is a precious little onion who is <em>cursed</em> to be evil. He doesn't <em>want</em> to be evil and <em>shows</em> that he doesn't want to be evil. Throughout the novel, he's struggling to not sting Essie despite the bees inside wanting him to do so.
<h3><strong>Aunt Bel is amazing, and I just want to hug her.</strong></h3>
Essie is part of the Wickerton family, a family with members who are cursed to lose their sanity and eventually end up at Stanton House. Essie's curse is not being able to tell what is real and unreal, at least without the help of peppercorns. Both her and Aunt Bel are in a constant battle with her father and psychiatrist when it comes to her mental health and sending her to Stanton House with other members. Aunt Bel is such a strong advocate for Essie and her Grandma Edie, and she refuses to give in to what Essie's father and psychiatrist want for Essie.
<h3><strong>Reece! Angie! References to the first novel!</strong></h3>
Do you <em>have</em> to read the first novel? Nawh, you don't have to since Kassel gives the 411 on her world for those who haven't read the first, so you're safe to dive into <em>Keeper of the Bees</em> without worrying about being totally lost, <em>but</em> you should definitely read <em>Black Bird of the Gallows</em> first.
<h2><strong>Overall, <em>Keeper of the Bees</em> was a delight to read! I loved seeing from the other side of things where the supposed "villain" is in a constant battle to be a better person.</strong></h2>
<a href="http://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/keeper-of-the-bees-by-meg-kassel/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
<h2><strong>I enjoyed <em>Black Bird of the Gallows</em>, but if I had to choose between the first and the second, I loved the second so much better than the first.</strong></h2>
<em>Keeper of the Bees</em> is Meg Kassel's second novel, the companion novel to <em>Black Bird of the Gallows</em>. We're brought back to the world of harbringers and beekeepers in a smol town in Missouri (hey, look, my home state!) and their roles in death.
<h3><strong><em>Keeper of the Bees</em> is a bit of a villain story.</strong></h3>
Harbringers flock to where death happens and "absorb" the energy emitted. Beekeepers usually cause the death by using their bees to sting someone, resulting in them reaching their destruction (aka death). <em>Keeper of the Bees</em> tells the story of Dresden, a boy cursed for eternity, and Essie, a girl who eats peppercorn to discern real from unreal.
<h3><strong>Dresden is a precious onion with layers despite being Evil.</strong></h3>
Most villains are evil and pure evil, but Dresden is a precious little onion who is <em>cursed</em> to be evil. He doesn't <em>want</em> to be evil and <em>shows</em> that he doesn't want to be evil. Throughout the novel, he's struggling to not sting Essie despite the bees inside wanting him to do so.
<h3><strong>Aunt Bel is amazing, and I just want to hug her.</strong></h3>
Essie is part of the Wickerton family, a family with members who are cursed to lose their sanity and eventually end up at Stanton House. Essie's curse is not being able to tell what is real and unreal, at least without the help of peppercorns. Both her and Aunt Bel are in a constant battle with her father and psychiatrist when it comes to her mental health and sending her to Stanton House with other members. Aunt Bel is such a strong advocate for Essie and her Grandma Edie, and she refuses to give in to what Essie's father and psychiatrist want for Essie.
<h3><strong>Reece! Angie! References to the first novel!</strong></h3>
Do you <em>have</em> to read the first novel? Nawh, you don't have to since Kassel gives the 411 on her world for those who haven't read the first, so you're safe to dive into <em>Keeper of the Bees</em> without worrying about being totally lost, <em>but</em> you should definitely read <em>Black Bird of the Gallows</em> first.
<h2><strong>Overall, <em>Keeper of the Bees</em> was a delight to read! I loved seeing from the other side of things where the supposed "villain" is in a constant battle to be a better person.</strong></h2>
<a href="http://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/keeper-of-the-bees-by-meg-kassel/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Andy K (10826 KP) rated Waxwork (1988) in Movies
Oct 13, 2019
Several teenagers encounter an ominous looking building housing a curious wax museum in their neighborhood one fine day. The proprietor is an evil Willy Wonka of sorts who invites them in for a look see. Once inside they discover the curious life-like looking exhibits which peak their individual curiosities. They soon discover the chilling truth. Once the velvet rope guarding each individual chamber pulls itself aside, an unsuspecting young person is transported to the specific realm depicted from the outside. These could include the mummy, the Phantom of the Opera and even the Marquis de Sade.Not only must they try and escape and not get caught by the evil creatures within, but they have to discover the overall diabolical plan for their destruction.
I had forgotten about this 80s cheesy horror flick until a recent stroll though Amazon Prime. The main reason for watching is the practical effects, They were cool by 80s standards; albeit a bit cheesy now. Having said so, I would still much rather have practical effects rather than bad CGI which completely takes you out of the scene. At least with practical effects, they are being executed on set so the actors can interact with them rather than staring at a blank wall.
There was some decent gore and semi funny moments as well. Parts of it reminded me of a Evil Dead type camp where they were not trying t take themselves too seriously, but I do not know if that as their intention.
I had forgotten about this 80s cheesy horror flick until a recent stroll though Amazon Prime. The main reason for watching is the practical effects, They were cool by 80s standards; albeit a bit cheesy now. Having said so, I would still much rather have practical effects rather than bad CGI which completely takes you out of the scene. At least with practical effects, they are being executed on set so the actors can interact with them rather than staring at a blank wall.
There was some decent gore and semi funny moments as well. Parts of it reminded me of a Evil Dead type camp where they were not trying t take themselves too seriously, but I do not know if that as their intention.
Soul Drinker
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When Devin and his best friend packed up all of their belongings, bid farewell to Wisconsin, and...
ClareR (6256 KP) rated An Unexpected Ally in Books
Jul 8, 2026
I’m rather enjoying the Greek mythology retellings we’re getting recently. The women, I think, are more fairly represented. Less evil, just trying to get on with their lives - and An Unexpected Ally does just this with Circe. She’s not the evil, manipulative witch of the traditional myths. She doesn’t wail and gnash her teeth when Odysseus leaves - in fact, she helps him.
Instead, she turns her attention elsewhere. To Glaucus. The story deviates from the original with regards to the treatment of Skylla (Scylla), but why not? It’s not a history book!
The relationship between Skylla and Circe was interesting, and I liked the intervention of Perse in the story. I felt the settings were richly described, making them easy to see as I read. I liked the narrative voice, and how it harked back to the original style yet with a touch of modernity. It’s an accessible read, not bogged down in old-fashioned turns of phrase that often give a clunky feel. It DOES have a “fairytale” feel to the narrative, however (this is not bad in my opinion).
Let’s face it, Circe deserves a break after years of being the manipulative, evil witch. Here, she’s seeking connection, friendship, love and redemption from what happens to Skylla.
This is well-told, and I’m currently reading the next in the series that’s due out soon (Perse gets to tell her story) - so I’m loving this series so far!
Thanks to BookSirens for my copy of this book, and these are - as usual - all my own opinions!
Instead, she turns her attention elsewhere. To Glaucus. The story deviates from the original with regards to the treatment of Skylla (Scylla), but why not? It’s not a history book!
The relationship between Skylla and Circe was interesting, and I liked the intervention of Perse in the story. I felt the settings were richly described, making them easy to see as I read. I liked the narrative voice, and how it harked back to the original style yet with a touch of modernity. It’s an accessible read, not bogged down in old-fashioned turns of phrase that often give a clunky feel. It DOES have a “fairytale” feel to the narrative, however (this is not bad in my opinion).
Let’s face it, Circe deserves a break after years of being the manipulative, evil witch. Here, she’s seeking connection, friendship, love and redemption from what happens to Skylla.
This is well-told, and I’m currently reading the next in the series that’s due out soon (Perse gets to tell her story) - so I’m loving this series so far!
Thanks to BookSirens for my copy of this book, and these are - as usual - all my own opinions!
Bob Mann (459 KP) rated Aladdin (2019) in Movies
Jun 12, 2019
Naomi Scott! (2 more)
Normal Guy Ritchie visual flourishes
Some good Disney "in-jokes"
Marwen Kenzari not nearly evil enough as Jafar (2 more)
Others are cast because they look like the animated characters: some would be good in the Disney parade... less convincing on the big screen
Comparison with Robin Williams (RIP)
Pointless remake but adequately done.
My full review is on One Mann's Movies here: https://bob-the-movie-man.com/2019/06/11/one-manns-movies-film-review-aladdin-2019/
Snowman (1 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) in Movies
Jan 20, 2018
Some original parts (3 more)
Funniest Star Wars movie yet
Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley are superb
Visually stunning
Didn't answer a lot of important questions (4 more)
Some stupid and pointless parts (one in particular)
Can't take Kylo Ren seriously as a villain (not evil enough)
Didn't leave you feeling that the next episode would blow you away
Made me think Disney have just cashed in and are ignoring what made Star Wars great under George Lucas!
The Last Jedi Overview
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2627 KP) rated The Last Battle (Chronicles of Narnia, #7) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
A great evil comes to Narnia. Can good defeat it one last time? This is a different book for the series, and it certainly wasn't the ending I expected when I first read it in 3rd grade. However, as an adult, I've come to love it. This is my second favorite in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-last-battle-by-c-s-lewis.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-last-battle-by-c-s-lewis.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated Demon Seed (Good Will Ghost Hunting, #1) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Not the first time I've encountered this take ("demons" are just powerful beings in charge of a particular reality who have been labeled "evil" by beings from a competing reality whose PR has fared better in modern times) but I can't remember the last time it was pushed quite this heavily. I would probably advise most Christians, particularly Baptists, to give this one a pass.
Don't worry, you aren't exactly missing any deathless prose or original plotting, anyway.
Don't worry, you aren't exactly missing any deathless prose or original plotting, anyway.
J Elizabeth Klug (21 KP) rated Harry Potter: A Journey Through Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts in Books
Dec 14, 2019
A short non-fiction ebook that draws comparisons from the magic written by J.K. Rowling in the Harry Potter series to the historical myths and folklore from which it's based. Invisiability, transforming into a creature, and warding off evil are just a few of the topics you'll find in this book.
I found this to be a fascinating read and would recommend it to any fans of Harry Potter who are interested in Mythology and Folklore.
I found this to be a fascinating read and would recommend it to any fans of Harry Potter who are interested in Mythology and Folklore.
DD
Defiant Diplomat George Platt Waller: American Consul in Nazi-Occupied Luxembourg, 1939-1941
Willard Allen Fletcher and Jean Tucker Fletcher
Book
American diplomat George Platt Waller's memoir of his experiences in Luxembourg from 1939-1941...