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Dungeon Master's Screen: Reincarnated (Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition)
8.2
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Tabletop Game
Master the game with this indispensable tool for the world’s greatest roleplaying game. Lost is...
The Hearth and the Eagle
6.0
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Book
A saga set in the coastal town of Marblehead, Massachussetts, by the New York Times–bestselling...
The Best Girls
7.0
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Book
Inspired by a true event, this powerful short story from the author of National Book Award finalist...
Korean Asian Fiction Korean Fiction short story short read
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Don't Speak in Books
Nov 21, 2021
Well, I can safely say I enjoyed that!
This is a gripping read which has a great plot that had me guessing for the majority of the time, a fast pace and excellent characters which is what you want from a thriller. There is unpredictability and suspense with an ending that was very satisfying.
I admit, there were moments that pushed the boundaries of reality, Amelie 'disappearing' during an ongoing serial killer case for example, but I am able to push those to one side because, overall, the story had me engaged from the very beginning.
I am hoping there is more to come from DS Amelie Davis; she is an interestingly flawed character and there is definitely more mileage there for further stories especially if her colleagues are brought into it a little more than they were in this one.
Thank you to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
This is a gripping read which has a great plot that had me guessing for the majority of the time, a fast pace and excellent characters which is what you want from a thriller. There is unpredictability and suspense with an ending that was very satisfying.
I admit, there were moments that pushed the boundaries of reality, Amelie 'disappearing' during an ongoing serial killer case for example, but I am able to push those to one side because, overall, the story had me engaged from the very beginning.
I am hoping there is more to come from DS Amelie Davis; she is an interestingly flawed character and there is definitely more mileage there for further stories especially if her colleagues are brought into it a little more than they were in this one.
Thank you to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Debbiereadsbook (1454 KP) rated A Cold Christmas and the Darkest of Winters in Books
Dec 17, 2021
not bedtime reading but very good!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
A collection of 23 different authors come together to bring you short stories set around the winter season or Christmas.
Not a single one of these authors have I read before, and there is a varied bunch of tales here. Some are just sad but some are downright scary!
Loosely, they are "holiday" stories, but more are winter ones, rather than Christmas.
An eclectic bunch of tales that can be read at any time, but I'd recommend NOT at bedtime! You might stop on one of the scary ones, and get some weird dreams as a consequence, like I did!
I didn't read them all, I will be honest, but the ones I read were very good, or excellent. Just on the short side. but 23 stories across 360 odd pages is never going to produce novel length books.
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
A collection of 23 different authors come together to bring you short stories set around the winter season or Christmas.
Not a single one of these authors have I read before, and there is a varied bunch of tales here. Some are just sad but some are downright scary!
Loosely, they are "holiday" stories, but more are winter ones, rather than Christmas.
An eclectic bunch of tales that can be read at any time, but I'd recommend NOT at bedtime! You might stop on one of the scary ones, and get some weird dreams as a consequence, like I did!
I didn't read them all, I will be honest, but the ones I read were very good, or excellent. Just on the short side. but 23 stories across 360 odd pages is never going to produce novel length books.
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Her Perfect Twin in Books
Jan 23, 2022
Well, I think I can safely say that I absolutely loved this book. Yes it might be a little implausible but I thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless and it's a great, deliciously dark and twisty debut.
This is one of those books that has you wondering what the heck is going to happen next and then you keep reading it into the night to find out only for another twist to come along or bombshell dropped - I found it hard to put down.
I'm not even going to try and sum up the plot but will say it includes Covid, domestic violence, controlling and coercive behaviour, gaslighting, sex and violence so if this isn't your thing, you might not want to pick this one up.
With great characters, excellent pacing with plenty of tension and twists, this is a book I have no problem recommending and my thanks must go to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
This is one of those books that has you wondering what the heck is going to happen next and then you keep reading it into the night to find out only for another twist to come along or bombshell dropped - I found it hard to put down.
I'm not even going to try and sum up the plot but will say it includes Covid, domestic violence, controlling and coercive behaviour, gaslighting, sex and violence so if this isn't your thing, you might not want to pick this one up.
With great characters, excellent pacing with plenty of tension and twists, this is a book I have no problem recommending and my thanks must go to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Devil's Way (Kate Marshall #4) in Books
Jan 8, 2023
This is 4th in the Kate Marshall series and, in my opinion, this is a great series. This might not be the best one out of the 4 but it is equally as good. You don't have to have read any of the previous books as this works well as a standalone, but if you want my advice, I would read them anyway because they are really very good!
The characters are really strong and I am now quite attached to Kate and Tristan; they make an excellent partnership and I am particularly enjoying their character development as each book comes along. The pace was perfect for me and the story was full of intrigue and although I guessed the twist ... eventually, I really enjoyed how it all played out.
Mr Bryndza is now one of my go-to authors and I highly recommend his books and I must thank Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Devil's Way.
The characters are really strong and I am now quite attached to Kate and Tristan; they make an excellent partnership and I am particularly enjoying their character development as each book comes along. The pace was perfect for me and the story was full of intrigue and although I guessed the twist ... eventually, I really enjoyed how it all played out.
Mr Bryndza is now one of my go-to authors and I highly recommend his books and I must thank Raven Street Publishing and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Devil's Way.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Stand (The Spread #3) in Books
Nov 14, 2021
What another great sequel to the previous 2 in the series ... you really have to have read them in order to understand the characters and the story otherwise you will be totally lost.
Once again, we are treated to an alternative take to the usual zombie story and the impact of an "invasion" on humanity. I was gripped and itching to find out how my favourite characters will fair - remember, with Iain's books, no one is safe and just when you think things are going to work out, once again, Iain throws a giant spanner in the works and everything goes to pot.
With excellent characters, both old and new, tension, thrills and definitely spills, The Stand is a great addition to the story of The Spread and my thanks must go to Iain for accepting me into his "street team" and for providing me with a copy in return for comments and an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Once again, we are treated to an alternative take to the usual zombie story and the impact of an "invasion" on humanity. I was gripped and itching to find out how my favourite characters will fair - remember, with Iain's books, no one is safe and just when you think things are going to work out, once again, Iain throws a giant spanner in the works and everything goes to pot.
With excellent characters, both old and new, tension, thrills and definitely spills, The Stand is a great addition to the story of The Spread and my thanks must go to Iain for accepting me into his "street team" and for providing me with a copy in return for comments and an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Couple in the Cabin [Audiobook] in Books
Nov 6, 2022
![The Couple in the Cabin [Audiobook]](/uploads/profile_image/bb9/f6273fa3-295b-4bf9-a848-e79eae481bb9.jpg?m=1667758139)
What would you do? You return home unexpectedly from a work do to find your husband having sex with someone who isn't you in the cabin at the bottom of the garden. You lock the door and leave them in there don't you? Well that's what Grace's has done but what now?
This is a fast paced thriller told from the perspectives of Grace and her husband Dominic. As the story moves on, we learn a bit more about Grace with glimpses from her past and there is definitely more to her than meets the eye.
With great characters, although not particularly likeable, an engrossing story with some unexpected twists and all told by the excellent narrators who really bring the characters and story to life, this was an enjoyable and easy listen and my thanks must go to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of The Couple in the Cabin.
This is a fast paced thriller told from the perspectives of Grace and her husband Dominic. As the story moves on, we learn a bit more about Grace with glimpses from her past and there is definitely more to her than meets the eye.
With great characters, although not particularly likeable, an engrossing story with some unexpected twists and all told by the excellent narrators who really bring the characters and story to life, this was an enjoyable and easy listen and my thanks must go to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my thoughts of The Couple in the Cabin.
Otway93 (580 KP) rated The Phantom Tollbooth (1970) in Movies
Apr 13, 2022
Animation (2 more)
Voice Acting
Story
A Psychedelic Delight for All!
This gem of a movie, brought to life by legendary director and animator Chuck Jones (Road Runner, Tom and Jerry etc.), is something magical and downright strange.
It has been 52 years since it's release, and before tonight probably 20 years since I saw it last. I see now that this classic piece of children's cinema is a timeless classic, that I think for the most part sadly remains forgotten.
The story itself feels very similar to "Alice in Wonderland" , with hints of "The Wizard of Oz" added to make something honestly quite unique.
Another thing that is essential to mention in this review, is that I believe it is enjoyable to those literally any age.
Overall, whether you want warring kingdoms, princesses, lovable characters, strange monsters or just a great story with an excellent moral, this is the film for you!
Enjoy, folks!
It has been 52 years since it's release, and before tonight probably 20 years since I saw it last. I see now that this classic piece of children's cinema is a timeless classic, that I think for the most part sadly remains forgotten.
The story itself feels very similar to "Alice in Wonderland" , with hints of "The Wizard of Oz" added to make something honestly quite unique.
Another thing that is essential to mention in this review, is that I believe it is enjoyable to those literally any age.
Overall, whether you want warring kingdoms, princesses, lovable characters, strange monsters or just a great story with an excellent moral, this is the film for you!
Enjoy, folks!