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Chelsea (449 KP) rated Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children in Books
Sep 7, 2017
This book was not what I expected it to be, but I don't think that makes it deserve the many negative reviews.
This book is not a "horror" book, with the exception of the "evil" characters who created the reasons for the plot to go where it went. It IS a weird book. I love weird, or should I say "peculiar".
The best thing about the book (and why so many thought it was different than what it was) is that the story was written completely around these found vintage, sometimes creepy, photographs. None of the images were altered with "modern" photoshop, but no one actually knows the real stories behind them or how much they were actually a trick of the camera.
This is Young Adult and so a fairly quick read, but it's also a different kind of fantasy story that is worth the read. Beware, however, the ending does NOT allow you to leave this book without needing to read the sequel.
This book is not a "horror" book, with the exception of the "evil" characters who created the reasons for the plot to go where it went. It IS a weird book. I love weird, or should I say "peculiar".
The best thing about the book (and why so many thought it was different than what it was) is that the story was written completely around these found vintage, sometimes creepy, photographs. None of the images were altered with "modern" photoshop, but no one actually knows the real stories behind them or how much they were actually a trick of the camera.
This is Young Adult and so a fairly quick read, but it's also a different kind of fantasy story that is worth the read. Beware, however, the ending does NOT allow you to leave this book without needing to read the sequel.
Merissa (13696 KP) rated Clara (Stories of Lorst #1) in Books
May 15, 2018
Clara (Stories of Lorst #1) by Suzanna J. Linton
Clara is a young girl of ten when we first meet her, enjoying her last day of freedom although she doesn't realise that. Her life is about to change for the worst, but there is also a spark of hope in the form of Emmerich, a gypsy boy she meets. Clara loses many things, including her voice, during her trials and tribulations but it looks like her life is changing for the better when she meets Emmerich again. Is everything as it seems, or has Emmerich changed in ways too many to be ignored?
This is a well-written historical fantasy with a hint of romance. With good guys doing bad things, bad guys turning over new leaves (possibly), plus evil dudes without any form of redemption, this story captured my imagination as I read through.
Well-written and smoothly paced, this was a good, solid book. Definitely recommended.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is a well-written historical fantasy with a hint of romance. With good guys doing bad things, bad guys turning over new leaves (possibly), plus evil dudes without any form of redemption, this story captured my imagination as I read through.
Well-written and smoothly paced, this was a good, solid book. Definitely recommended.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
b.Young (97 KP) rated Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) in Books
May 6, 2018
Imaginative plot (2 more)
Plot twists galore
The whole darn book!
A book about books! Need I say more?
Secret tunnels, alchemy, automatons, danger around every corner, and a Great Library that controls the knowledge of the people!
But also friendships, rivalries, teleporting, and villains!
In a world where it is illegal to own an actual book and The Great Library of Alexandria has installed itself and evil automatons in every major city in order to control the knowledge of the citizens of the entire world, Jess Brightwell, the son of a book smuggler has been accepted to train for a position in The Great Library.
Tensions run high, as his father has alterior motives for Jess should he secure the position. Jess is forced to choose between his loyalty to his family and at times his newly found friends or his fear of the wrath The Great Library.
This is a tempestuous tale that left me emotional and wanting more!
But also friendships, rivalries, teleporting, and villains!
In a world where it is illegal to own an actual book and The Great Library of Alexandria has installed itself and evil automatons in every major city in order to control the knowledge of the citizens of the entire world, Jess Brightwell, the son of a book smuggler has been accepted to train for a position in The Great Library.
Tensions run high, as his father has alterior motives for Jess should he secure the position. Jess is forced to choose between his loyalty to his family and at times his newly found friends or his fear of the wrath The Great Library.
This is a tempestuous tale that left me emotional and wanting more!
Lee Ann (116 KP) rated Kill Switch in Books
Feb 13, 2019
Character development (1 more)
Plot
Not everything is black and white
I have no words.
I've been waiting for this book since discovering the Devil's Night series a few months ago, and I latched onto Damon from the moment he hit the pages. Michael was fascinating, Kai was sweet, Will has demons, but Damon... What can I say? I clearly have issues. I always want the baddest bad of them all.
This book is a roller coaster of emotion. Frustration, bafflement, devastation, annoyance - yes all those emotions come with the actions of Damon. There are moments when you just want to throttle him, and yet...
And yet ....
I'm not going to post spoilers. If you've read Corrupt and Hideaway, you'll go into this book thinking how can someone so evil be redeemed.
This book is EVERYTHING it needs to be.
I'm nursing a book hangover and I'm not entirely sure there's a cure for this one.
I've been waiting for this book since discovering the Devil's Night series a few months ago, and I latched onto Damon from the moment he hit the pages. Michael was fascinating, Kai was sweet, Will has demons, but Damon... What can I say? I clearly have issues. I always want the baddest bad of them all.
This book is a roller coaster of emotion. Frustration, bafflement, devastation, annoyance - yes all those emotions come with the actions of Damon. There are moments when you just want to throttle him, and yet...
And yet ....
I'm not going to post spoilers. If you've read Corrupt and Hideaway, you'll go into this book thinking how can someone so evil be redeemed.
This book is EVERYTHING it needs to be.
I'm nursing a book hangover and I'm not entirely sure there's a cure for this one.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Nintendo Wii in Tech
Feb 27, 2019
Motion based games (3 more)
Simple gameplay
Cheaper than other consoles
Can play GameCube games!
A console for everyone
When the Wii was first released it seemed a bit of a gimmick using motion based controllers to play games. However it was very popular with games like Wii Sports that was included with the console and Mario Kart making it successful. Some of the games were easily playable no matter your age and one all the family can play. It also has some good light-gun games, @The House of the Dead: Overkill is probably the best. Despite not having the technical power of the other main consoles at the time it could still produce amazing graphics. I was so glad that I could play the GameCube remake of Resident Evil through the Wii.
Overall a very good console for casual gamers and for the family to play together. It also has some good titles for more serious gamers as well.
Overall a very good console for casual gamers and for the family to play together. It also has some good titles for more serious gamers as well.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) in Movies
Apr 9, 2019
Umpty-tumpth Bond film rests on the laurels of GoldenEye perhaps just a bit too much. Evil media magnate Carver tries to orchestrate a war between the UK and China so he can sell more papers and grab a satellite TV franchise; British intelligence decides to disrupt his scheme by sending James Bond to have sex with his wife.
Well-mounted set pieces, and plenty of them, plus Michelle Yeoh gets an eye-catching role as the 'Oh, James!' character, but the problem is that the rest of it feels like karaoke Bond, without the self-awareness or attempts to move the franchise on that lifted GoldenEye somewhat - plus, it's just not as well written. The result is a mid-range entry in the series, assuming one overlooks the schoolboy error of Bond not being able to read Chinese (as any fule kno, he got a First in Oriental Languages at Cambridge). This still equates to an entertaining movie, just not an exceptional one.
Well-mounted set pieces, and plenty of them, plus Michelle Yeoh gets an eye-catching role as the 'Oh, James!' character, but the problem is that the rest of it feels like karaoke Bond, without the self-awareness or attempts to move the franchise on that lifted GoldenEye somewhat - plus, it's just not as well written. The result is a mid-range entry in the series, assuming one overlooks the schoolboy error of Bond not being able to read Chinese (as any fule kno, he got a First in Oriental Languages at Cambridge). This still equates to an entertaining movie, just not an exceptional one.
Film and stuff (30 KP) rated Before I Wake (2016) in Movies
May 15, 2019
....meh
Director: Mike Flanagan
Writers: Mike Flanagan, Jeff Howard
Stars: Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane and Jacob Tremblay
What's it about?
New foster carers look after a sweet young boy whos dreams and nightmares come to life.
Is it scary?
Well, the first 20 to 30 minutes are really good. It builds slow and has a real confidence about it that is refreshing. sadly after that it devolves into standard horror clichés and is deeply not scary. It switches from tension building to attempted jump scares that simply don't land.
Does it have any redeeming features?
The reveal/twist is rushed and half arsed. Cody (the young boy) is so sweet and struggles with what is happening. Trying everything he can to stay awake because of his ability is so refreshing from the normal "evil child" trope.
How does it compare to other horrors?
It's mainstream. It offers a really nice premise but sadly doesn't do much with it.
Writers: Mike Flanagan, Jeff Howard
Stars: Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane and Jacob Tremblay
What's it about?
New foster carers look after a sweet young boy whos dreams and nightmares come to life.
Is it scary?
Well, the first 20 to 30 minutes are really good. It builds slow and has a real confidence about it that is refreshing. sadly after that it devolves into standard horror clichés and is deeply not scary. It switches from tension building to attempted jump scares that simply don't land.
Does it have any redeeming features?
The reveal/twist is rushed and half arsed. Cody (the young boy) is so sweet and struggles with what is happening. Trying everything he can to stay awake because of his ability is so refreshing from the normal "evil child" trope.
How does it compare to other horrors?
It's mainstream. It offers a really nice premise but sadly doesn't do much with it.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Deep and Dark and Dangerous (A Ghost Story) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
By far one of best I have read in a long time. This is exactly the type of ghost stories I love to read! Hahn delivered yet again.
The story chronicles Ali traveling with her aunt up to Michigan to babysit her younger cousin. I think what make this novel so remarkable is that it is one of her less predictable ones. Hahn does not lay everything out for you in the beginning. Instead, she gives you bits and pieces at a time and you place them together.
I also loved that the ghost was not evil, per se. Of course, she had her flaws as do all Hahns characters. However, she did evoke some sympathy.
If you appreciate a good ghost story, I highly recommend it. Again, Hahn writes for a younger generation, but this is a good ole fashion ghost story that needs zero tricks to keep the reader interested.
The story chronicles Ali traveling with her aunt up to Michigan to babysit her younger cousin. I think what make this novel so remarkable is that it is one of her less predictable ones. Hahn does not lay everything out for you in the beginning. Instead, she gives you bits and pieces at a time and you place them together.
I also loved that the ghost was not evil, per se. Of course, she had her flaws as do all Hahns characters. However, she did evoke some sympathy.
If you appreciate a good ghost story, I highly recommend it. Again, Hahn writes for a younger generation, but this is a good ole fashion ghost story that needs zero tricks to keep the reader interested.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Ready Player One (2018) in Movies
Mar 29, 2018 (Updated Mar 29, 2018)
Spielberg's lavish version of Ernest Cline's geek rave novel is one of those films which comes at you all street and rebellious and subversive, but ultimately turns out to be slightly timid in its conventionality. A bunch of computer gamers embark on a quest to find the magic plot coupons that will save the internet from evil corporate monetisation, with added 'Oh! Look! It's Mechagodzilla!'
Smartly-scripted and well-mounted blockbuster is a hard film not to enjoy, with Spielberg in magisterial form and an appealing cast. Film has a tough tightrope to walk when it comes to staying accessible to a mainstream/older audience without stating the very very obvious to hip young kids at too great a length, probably does a decent job of it. Quite how much of the entertainment value of the film comes from spotting all the references to old movies and computer games is another question; either way, whoever negotiated all the rights clearances definitely deserves a bonus.
Smartly-scripted and well-mounted blockbuster is a hard film not to enjoy, with Spielberg in magisterial form and an appealing cast. Film has a tough tightrope to walk when it comes to staying accessible to a mainstream/older audience without stating the very very obvious to hip young kids at too great a length, probably does a decent job of it. Quite how much of the entertainment value of the film comes from spotting all the references to old movies and computer games is another question; either way, whoever negotiated all the rights clearances definitely deserves a bonus.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2470 KP) rated Spy Ski School (Spy School #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Ben Ripley is thrilled to be officially called for his first field assignment. He’s going to Colorado to learn to ski. While there, he needs to befriend a girl so he can get close to her father and figure out his evil plans. However, Ben soon realizes getting close to his target isn’t going to be as easy as he thought. With the clock ticking, can he save the day again?
While the target audience might be middle graders, this is a delightful read for anyone. The story is strong, the pace never lags, and we get some fantastic complications and nail biting action scenes along the way. The characters are fun as always, and we get some good growth in a couple of them. There’s plenty of humor as well.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-spy-ski-school-by-stuart.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While the target audience might be middle graders, this is a delightful read for anyone. The story is strong, the pace never lags, and we get some fantastic complications and nail biting action scenes along the way. The characters are fun as always, and we get some good growth in a couple of them. There’s plenty of humor as well.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-spy-ski-school-by-stuart.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.