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David McK (3838 KP) rated Project Hail Mary in Books

Apr 13, 2025  
Project Hail Mary
Project Hail Mary
Andy Weir | 2021 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
7.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I remember reading "The Martian" in 2014, 2015, thereabouts.

Watched the movie no long afterwards.

Enjoyed both, but not enough to make me hunt out any others by the same author, so never (yet) read "Artemis" by the same author.

Then saw this on sale on Kindle, for something like 99pence, so thought I might as well give it a chance, after checking it was not part of a series i.e. could be read as a standalone (which it can).

Like The Martian, I found this enjoyable enough, maybe a bit slow during the middle section, but I'm also left with a burning question at the very end - just what happened back home on Earth? The novel completely bypasses that, perhaps as it's pretty much all told in first-person perspective from the astronaut/science teacher Ryland Grace, the last survivor on board the spaceship Hail Mary on a last-ditch effort to save Earth.
  
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RavenclawPrincess913 (253 KP) rated Hotel Magnifique in Books

Jun 10, 2022  
HM
Hotel Magnifique
Emily J Taylor | 2022
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I just finished reading Hotel Magnifique by Emily J Taylor. This book is about a magical hotel that only comes around once and a while. In it Jani discovers the disturbing secrets of "Hotel Magnifique." I chose to read this book by discovering it on Bookishfirst. I loved the cover it caught my attention it's so pretty so I decided to read the description and look it up on Booktok. I'm glad I did I loved it it's a wonderful interesting story. It's one I wish I could read again. Let's be honest Jani was irritating at first though but I understood their reasoning for it. If you can get past that it's a definite amazing read. If you love fantasy and magical stories definitely read this.

So the cover what I love about it is the feathers surrounding the clock and key the person who designed the cover did a really good job 5/5 for the cover 4/5 for the story.
  
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ArecRain (8 KP) rated Highlander Redeemed (Guardians of the Targe, #3) in Books

Jan 18, 2018  
HR
Highlander Redeemed (Guardians of the Targe, #3)
Laurin Wittig | 2015
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the third in the series, and it definitely shows. I did not know that it was part of a series until I started reading it, but I wish I had. While it is not necessary to read the first two to understand or enjoy Highlander Redeemed, I found myself wondering more often than not about what I had missed out on.

I wish I could find at least one negative comment to make about this novel to balance out all the good I can say, but I honestly cannot. It is your typical Scottish historical romance where the couple are facing the threat of the English. It had so much character, however, that it did not just fade into the background once I finished it with all the previous ones I have read. I also appreciate that the author actually has some background in Scottish heritage instead of just researching it. It made it much more authentic.

Mainly, however, I loved watching the couple grow both as a couple and as individuals. At first, Scotia irritated me with her behavior and thoughts, but I believe that was the point. To watch her grow and mature was both satisfying and relieving. She was believable as person instead of a made up character.

Overall, Highlander Redeemed is one of the best Scottish historical romances I have read as well as a coming of age story. I fell in love with the characters and became invested in their growth and story. Not only that, but the ending left me with warm satisfied feeling. Now, I am definitely planning on picking up copies of the first two.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2603 KP) rated Pruning the Dead in Books

Jan 30, 2019  
Pruning the Dead
Pruning the Dead
Julia Henry | 2019 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Lilly Must Prune the Suspects Until She Finds a Killer
Lilly Jayne is opening up her garden for a garden party for the first time in years, a first step toward getting back into life in Goosebush, Massachusetts, after the death of her husband. Unfortunately, getting back into life in Goosebush includes dealing with her first husband's current wife. Merilee Frank goes looking for trouble and does a very good job of stirring it up. She makes several scenes at the party, but the real shock comes a few days later when Merilee turns up dead. With the police looking at several people Lilly is certain are innocent, she begins to investigate with the help of her best friends. But can they figure out what really happened?

This is the start of a new series, but I can already tell you I love these characters. Lilly and her "squad" are well drawn, and how much they obviously care for each other made me care for them. I do feel the book could have been a little tighter, especially at the beginning, but it never wandered for too long, and a strong gardening sub-plot helped keep me engaged. I did feel the third person narration head hopped a bit, a personal pet peeve, but that was a minor complaint. I love the setting, a coastal small town. This is exactly the kind of place I'd love to visit if I could. The mystery itself was enjoyable with several strong suspects. I began to suspect where things were going as we got close to the end, but I didn't have everything figured out until Lilly pieced things together for us.