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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2570 KP) rated Cake Popped Off in Books

Oct 8, 2020  
Cake Popped Off
Cake Popped Off
Kim Davis | 2020 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I’m Glad This Book Popped into My Hands
Emory Martinez is helping her employer, Tillie Skyler, host a Halloween party. Emory is providing the cupcakes, and Emory’s sister is doing the main catering. Everything is going well until Emory finds the dead body of Mandy, the cocktail waitress, in her bathtub. Emory’s brother-in-law was one of several people seen fighting with Mandy at the party, so to clear his name, Emory begins investigating. She quickly finds a web of blackmail, but how did that contribute to Mandy’s death?

The first book in the series spent some time setting up changes in Emory’s life, and they are paid off wonderfully here. We don’t get to see much of Tillie in the first book, but I loved her in this one. She and Emory make a great team, and Tillie is such a fun character. I had struggled with some of Emory’s relationships in the first book, but they were much more enjoyable here. The plot is strong with so much drama and action I never wanted to put the book down. I had a couple of niggles with the climax, but they were minor and all our questions were answered. Some future plot lines are introduced here, and I’m anxious to see how they play out. In addition to cupcake recipes, we get some delicious sounding recipes for Halloween party dishes and cocktails. Emory’s second case is a delight, and I’m anxious to join her again for her another mystery.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
  
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LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Planet Terror (2007) in Movies

Jan 22, 2021  
Planet Terror (2007)
Planet Terror (2007)
2007 | Action, Comedy, Horror
8
7.2 (22 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
If you seek a movie so absurdly over the top in almost every regard, then look no further.

Planet Terror is a glorious throwback to practical driven and blood soaked video nasties of the 70s and 80s, is super stylized to the point of self aware stupidity, and boasts a fantastic cast - a roll call of who's who in the cinema of Rodriguez/Tarantino.
Of course, Planet Terror is one half of the duos Grindhouse project, and for me, slightly takes the edge over Death Proof. Both films are great and gleefully brimming with tributes to the exploitative sub genre of its namesake, but Planet Terror is just balls to the wall fun, a blast from start to finish.
Its has badass female leads - Cherry Darling, a former go-go dancer with a gun-leg, and Dakota Block, a nurse who shoots trigger functioning syringes full of sedatives at anyone who pisses her off - Rose McGowan and Marley Shelton and both brilliant.
It has Bruce Willis mutating into God knows what. It has Tom Savini and Michael Biehn as zombie fighting sherrifs. It has Sayid from Lost collecting people's testicles in a pickle jar.
And Jesus Christ it has so. much. gore. It must have been a hell of a sticky set to work on to say the least.
To top it all off, it even opens with the now infamous Machete "trailer", with Danny Trejo and motherfucking Cheech Marin.

Planet Terror is a ride as soon as the opening credits start. An absolute must for any horror or grindhouse fan.
  
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Ari Augustine (10 KP) rated Realm of Knights (Knights of the Realm, #1) in Books

May 4, 2020  
Realm of Knights (Knights of the Realm, #1)
Realm of Knights (Knights of the Realm, #1)
Jennifer Anne Davis | 2019 | History & Politics, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
In case you haven’t heard about this hidden gem, Realm of the Knights is the first book in a new series by Jennifer Anne Davis. Long story short: Since the day of her birth (and subsequent death of her mother) Reid Ellington has been forced to live as her father’s sole male heir. She’s had to walk like a boy, talk like a boy, and do all kinds of boyish things. It’s the only way she can inherit her father’s estate.

But when the beans are spilled — and by a prince with a taste for blackmail — she’s forced to accept his offer of silence in exchange for an act of treason. She’s sucked into a whole world of secrets, far more dangerous and deadly than the one she’s fighting to keep. And it may cost her more than she realizes.

To be honest, Realm of the Knights isn’t my usual cuppa. The last time I read anything close to a high or epic fantasy was during my Forgotten Realms phase, especially ones with courts or royal families.

But Realm of the Knights caught my eye — first (admittedly) by its bold, beautiful cover and second, the major Arthurian-Mulan vibes I was getting. This was all I needed to abandon my High-Fantasy famine and dive right in.

And I don’t regret it one bit.

You can hear more about my reflections at <a href="https://www.bookishvalhalla.com">Bookish Valhalla</a>