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Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated The White Road: The Nightrunner Series, Book 5 in Books

Mar 1, 2018

Thank goodness. A particular story arc is finally closed, spread over the length of this and the previous novel. It was interesting at first, then it got really tiresome. I will say that it was fairly unique, which is fairly rare, so kudos to Flewelling for that, and it really tested the relationship between Alec and Seregil while it lasted.

I'm not sure how much longer these books can stay fresh, although the world does offer more potential. Perhaps it's time for Flewelling to allow this couple to turn things over to a new generation? Their heritage does mean they'll be young enough for nightrunning for years to come, but that doesn't mean readers will stay interested in reading about them that long unless they go off to countries as yet unexplored. I, to be honest, would prefer to read stories including more female POV characters for a change. (I have nothing against gay male characters - I just like female characters, too.)

Kudos

Awix (3310 KP) rated Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) in Movies

Oct 24, 2018 (Updated Oct 24, 2018)

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

2018 | Biography, Drama, Music

8.5

(155 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Unimaginatively-titled, probably-inevitable Queen movie doesn't really take many risks in telling the remarkable story of Farrokh Bulsara, a gay Asian baggage-handler at Heathrow Airport who reinvents himself as the supremely charismatic frontman of one of the most enduringly popular rock bands in history. Very much the family-friendly Hollywood version of the band's story, hitting all the beats you'd expect and soft-pedalling some of the excesses of Freddie Mercury's lifestyle.

That said, assuming you're okay with the fact that this is a rather fictionalised retelling of the tale (history is quietly rewritten throughout), there is a huge amount here to enjoy: the band are well-cast, it's not afraid of the odd Spinal Tap moment, and obviously the music is tremendous (assuming you're a Queen fan, and if you're not why would you be watching a Queen movie?). It's also unexpectedly moving in places, particularly in the closing stages. Not perfect by any means, but still a really good piece of entertainment.