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Annie Chanse (15 KP) rated Death is but a Dream in Books
Dec 19, 2017
Contains spoilers, click to show
*contains spoilers*
A police detective -- Callista, Callie for short -- saves a little girl from getting hit by a bus. She, herself, is then hit instead. She wakes up to find herself in the Underworld where she is taken before Hades and offered a deal. Protect his son, Plutus, and find out who wants him dead, and Hades will restore her to life. However, if Callie fails in her objective or dies while in the Underworld, she will die an eternal death, and her soul will never be allowed to have an afterlife.
It doesn't seem like a super great choice, but when a god offers you a deal, the "offering" part is really just a polite term to cover up the fact that you are going to do what that god wants you to do or your screwed. And so Callie has little choice but to accept Hades' offer. She meets several interesting characters along the way, including one of the Furies, Tisiphone, who becomes Callie's friend and ally in the Underworld.
Callie's job is complicated, however, by the fact that Hades forbids her to interview, interrogate, or even outwardly suspect any of his royal family of trying to kill his son, and even FURTHER complicated by the fact that Hades lies to her and manipulates her at every turn.
"Death is but a Dream" is a beautiful and original story of the Olympian gods, and it is quite unique in its view of Greek mythology. Perhaps the closest comparison I can make to a book/series already out there in the market is with Amber Benson's series that starts with "Death's Daughter." (I'm sorry. I can't actually remember what the series is called as a whole.) It has the same tone. Both feature strong, independent female protagonists who are thrown into a fantastical world that they want no part of, so yes, fans of Amber Benson's work will really enjoy this book, I think.
The only complaint I have is that the book could have benefited from some series editing. I had an e-book copy of the novel, and there were quite a few more errors than I would expect a published, completed book to have. Most of the errors were inconsequential -- missing commas, wrong words, etc. -- and could be easily overlooked or fixed by the reader simply inserting the correct word while reading, but still, a polished book should be as free of errors as is possible, and this book had a good number.
I still really, really enjoyed the book, though. I highly recommend it.
A police detective -- Callista, Callie for short -- saves a little girl from getting hit by a bus. She, herself, is then hit instead. She wakes up to find herself in the Underworld where she is taken before Hades and offered a deal. Protect his son, Plutus, and find out who wants him dead, and Hades will restore her to life. However, if Callie fails in her objective or dies while in the Underworld, she will die an eternal death, and her soul will never be allowed to have an afterlife.
It doesn't seem like a super great choice, but when a god offers you a deal, the "offering" part is really just a polite term to cover up the fact that you are going to do what that god wants you to do or your screwed. And so Callie has little choice but to accept Hades' offer. She meets several interesting characters along the way, including one of the Furies, Tisiphone, who becomes Callie's friend and ally in the Underworld.
Callie's job is complicated, however, by the fact that Hades forbids her to interview, interrogate, or even outwardly suspect any of his royal family of trying to kill his son, and even FURTHER complicated by the fact that Hades lies to her and manipulates her at every turn.
"Death is but a Dream" is a beautiful and original story of the Olympian gods, and it is quite unique in its view of Greek mythology. Perhaps the closest comparison I can make to a book/series already out there in the market is with Amber Benson's series that starts with "Death's Daughter." (I'm sorry. I can't actually remember what the series is called as a whole.) It has the same tone. Both feature strong, independent female protagonists who are thrown into a fantastical world that they want no part of, so yes, fans of Amber Benson's work will really enjoy this book, I think.
The only complaint I have is that the book could have benefited from some series editing. I had an e-book copy of the novel, and there were quite a few more errors than I would expect a published, completed book to have. Most of the errors were inconsequential -- missing commas, wrong words, etc. -- and could be easily overlooked or fixed by the reader simply inserting the correct word while reading, but still, a polished book should be as free of errors as is possible, and this book had a good number.
I still really, really enjoyed the book, though. I highly recommend it.
Debbiereadsbook (1386 KP) rated The Druid's Gift (The Nameless Gods #1) in Books
Jan 7, 2018
very well written high fantasy
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
She was supposed to on a pilgrimage, being kidnapped for sacrifice was not in the plan!
I gotta be honest here, and you'll know when I gotta talk about my feelings about books, I'm nothing if not honest! When asked did I want to read this book, it came with a link, and of course I looked at it, and my first reaction was nope. That cover did nothing for me, but the blurb grabbed, so I said yes. NOW, I've read this book, and feel I should say this. That cover is right and proper for this book!! It fits Nune and Ty's story so perfectly! And it is a rather good book!
Nune is a day elf, a Druid, and Ty a night elf. They usually never cross paths. Nune is on a pilgrimage and Ty is on an initiation to move up the warrior ranks, I forget what the name he used is, sorry! Nune was supposed to be his sacrifice for this initiation, but after befriending each other, they question why Ty suddenly has to do this, when it's never been required of warriors before.
It is, quite simply, brilliantly written high fantasy. I really find myself engrossed in Nune and Ty, and their path towards finding out just what is going on in Ty's village, and why things are changing so rapidly, to the detriment of the day elves. It's told from both Nune and Ty's point of view. It does carry some difficult subjects, kidnap, elf sacrifice but these are dealt with very well.
Its not overly explicit, indeed, I thought it might actually come out clean, but Nune and Ty do get naughty on. Again, well written. Not overly graphic either, what's here is right for this book.
And there is a MUCH bigger picture that I'm still not seeing. Ty's brother is missing. There's the reason why the Nameless Gods are being summoned. And Ty still has to face his superiors about his failed quest when he gets home.
A step out of my comfort zone, but a very nice step. I hope I get to foloow Nune and Ty on their quest.
And an apology to the author for not spelling Nune with accent on the e, I don't know how to put that on!
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
She was supposed to on a pilgrimage, being kidnapped for sacrifice was not in the plan!
I gotta be honest here, and you'll know when I gotta talk about my feelings about books, I'm nothing if not honest! When asked did I want to read this book, it came with a link, and of course I looked at it, and my first reaction was nope. That cover did nothing for me, but the blurb grabbed, so I said yes. NOW, I've read this book, and feel I should say this. That cover is right and proper for this book!! It fits Nune and Ty's story so perfectly! And it is a rather good book!
Nune is a day elf, a Druid, and Ty a night elf. They usually never cross paths. Nune is on a pilgrimage and Ty is on an initiation to move up the warrior ranks, I forget what the name he used is, sorry! Nune was supposed to be his sacrifice for this initiation, but after befriending each other, they question why Ty suddenly has to do this, when it's never been required of warriors before.
It is, quite simply, brilliantly written high fantasy. I really find myself engrossed in Nune and Ty, and their path towards finding out just what is going on in Ty's village, and why things are changing so rapidly, to the detriment of the day elves. It's told from both Nune and Ty's point of view. It does carry some difficult subjects, kidnap, elf sacrifice but these are dealt with very well.
Its not overly explicit, indeed, I thought it might actually come out clean, but Nune and Ty do get naughty on. Again, well written. Not overly graphic either, what's here is right for this book.
And there is a MUCH bigger picture that I'm still not seeing. Ty's brother is missing. There's the reason why the Nameless Gods are being summoned. And Ty still has to face his superiors about his failed quest when he gets home.
A step out of my comfort zone, but a very nice step. I hope I get to foloow Nune and Ty on their quest.
And an apology to the author for not spelling Nune with accent on the e, I don't know how to put that on!
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Rachel King (13 KP) rated The Lightning Thief in Books
Feb 11, 2019
I decided to read this partly because I had just seen the movie and partly because I heard that it was a good series for fans of the Harry Potter series. Well, in regards to the movie, it's appalling how much the producers changed the book's plot to make the movie. If they make a second movie, I likely will not be interested, as I much more prefer the book's plot. In regards to the book's similarities to Harry Potter, they are vast, but really, who wouldn't aim to write something as popular and complex as the Harry Potter series? J.K. Rowling owns a castle! So, on to the actual book.
Years ago I thought that writing a fantasy series that uses Greek mythology would be a great idea, so I was excited when I heard of the Percy Jackson series. I love the modernized spin on the various good and bad characters, bringing them to life in both creative and believeable ways, such as Ares on a Harley and "Mr." Charon wearing Italian suits. The "Gods" of mythology at times seemed more like immature teenagers or work-aholic parents, with as much flaws as any normal human, and I really appreciated that they were differentiated from The GOD early on, and their place in the known universe was explained in the context of Percy's world. I especially like the scene of Hephaestus' trap that Percy and Annabeth get caught in. How the "normal" humans explained away the activities of the mythological characters was probably the most creative of the whole text, and at times rather humorous. It actually makes me wonder how much of what I see everyday is only a cover for what is really happening in the spiritual realm.
The only element that really bugged me about the text was how Percy changed from this moody, victimized pre-teen to a rather mature young man with almost no transition - emotional or otherwise. It almost felt like Percy possessed two different personalities that shared the same body. While Percy often says that he did not want to be the son of Poseidon, I found evidence of inner termoil strangely absent throughout the text. I also felt that there were smaller issues that could have been more detailed and developed, such as the characters of Grover and Annabeth. I will be continuing the series with The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 2) in the near future.
Years ago I thought that writing a fantasy series that uses Greek mythology would be a great idea, so I was excited when I heard of the Percy Jackson series. I love the modernized spin on the various good and bad characters, bringing them to life in both creative and believeable ways, such as Ares on a Harley and "Mr." Charon wearing Italian suits. The "Gods" of mythology at times seemed more like immature teenagers or work-aholic parents, with as much flaws as any normal human, and I really appreciated that they were differentiated from The GOD early on, and their place in the known universe was explained in the context of Percy's world. I especially like the scene of Hephaestus' trap that Percy and Annabeth get caught in. How the "normal" humans explained away the activities of the mythological characters was probably the most creative of the whole text, and at times rather humorous. It actually makes me wonder how much of what I see everyday is only a cover for what is really happening in the spiritual realm.
The only element that really bugged me about the text was how Percy changed from this moody, victimized pre-teen to a rather mature young man with almost no transition - emotional or otherwise. It almost felt like Percy possessed two different personalities that shared the same body. While Percy often says that he did not want to be the son of Poseidon, I found evidence of inner termoil strangely absent throughout the text. I also felt that there were smaller issues that could have been more detailed and developed, such as the characters of Grover and Annabeth. I will be continuing the series with The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 2) in the near future.
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated The Chaos of Stars in Books
Jan 23, 2020
<i>The Chaos of Stars</i> may have landed as the weirdest mythology book I've ever read.
It's different from other mythology books, as Isadora, being the daughter of Egyptian gods, is actually a human and not a goddess or demigoddess. But the whole Egyptian family history Isadora had was just really, really weird. There's incest here, incest there, incest, well, everywhere – all smushed in together with Isis' "fabulousness" throughout history. Huzzah.
It's also a smidge different from White's <i>Paranormalcy</i> series (not that I read the entire series), which I really couldn't help but compare <i>The Chaos of Stars</i> to.
Early on in the book, it's obvious Isadora has an extreme passion for art like Evie did, particularly in interior designing. There were just moments in the book that she jabbers on and on about how she would improve a room in her brother Sirus's house or the museum that I had a tendency to just skip the parts where she talked about interior designing. Like I mentioned earlier, it's obvious from reading those parts that Isadora is extremely passionate about art and interior designing, but my eyes just glazed over it. Reading about how Isadora would change a room or two just felt completely unnecessary in the overall plot, but completely necessary in getting to know Isadora as a character.
Among the incest business (I feel really weird for saying that) smushed with tales of le fabulous Isis, there's probably one thing that makes Isadora different from Evie: Isadora is absolutely stubborn in the love department. "OMG, I'm scared to fall in love, so I'm just going to vow off all men. If any cutie decides to hit on me, I'll probably kick them in the shenanigans that'll render them useless in reproduction," is quite literally laced throughout the entire book.
Disclaimer: It's not Isadora's <i>exact</i> words, but it might as well be implied.
Ironically enough, Isadora does fall in love. She doesn't kick said guy in the shenanigans as she happily implied, which apparently contradicts the entire mantra she chanted so strongly for most of the book. Basically, it's "I hate men. I hate men. I hate men." – BAM. Falls in love. "Oops."
<i>The Chaos of Stars</i> might as well be a parallel world to <a title="Paranormalcy" href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-paranormalcy-by-kiersten-white/"; target="_blank" rel="noopener"><i>Paranormalcy</i></a> – both books just ooze in cuteness.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-the-chaos-of-stars-by-kiersten-white/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
It's different from other mythology books, as Isadora, being the daughter of Egyptian gods, is actually a human and not a goddess or demigoddess. But the whole Egyptian family history Isadora had was just really, really weird. There's incest here, incest there, incest, well, everywhere – all smushed in together with Isis' "fabulousness" throughout history. Huzzah.
It's also a smidge different from White's <i>Paranormalcy</i> series (not that I read the entire series), which I really couldn't help but compare <i>The Chaos of Stars</i> to.
Early on in the book, it's obvious Isadora has an extreme passion for art like Evie did, particularly in interior designing. There were just moments in the book that she jabbers on and on about how she would improve a room in her brother Sirus's house or the museum that I had a tendency to just skip the parts where she talked about interior designing. Like I mentioned earlier, it's obvious from reading those parts that Isadora is extremely passionate about art and interior designing, but my eyes just glazed over it. Reading about how Isadora would change a room or two just felt completely unnecessary in the overall plot, but completely necessary in getting to know Isadora as a character.
Among the incest business (I feel really weird for saying that) smushed with tales of le fabulous Isis, there's probably one thing that makes Isadora different from Evie: Isadora is absolutely stubborn in the love department. "OMG, I'm scared to fall in love, so I'm just going to vow off all men. If any cutie decides to hit on me, I'll probably kick them in the shenanigans that'll render them useless in reproduction," is quite literally laced throughout the entire book.
Disclaimer: It's not Isadora's <i>exact</i> words, but it might as well be implied.
Ironically enough, Isadora does fall in love. She doesn't kick said guy in the shenanigans as she happily implied, which apparently contradicts the entire mantra she chanted so strongly for most of the book. Basically, it's "I hate men. I hate men. I hate men." – BAM. Falls in love. "Oops."
<i>The Chaos of Stars</i> might as well be a parallel world to <a title="Paranormalcy" href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-paranormalcy-by-kiersten-white/"; target="_blank" rel="noopener"><i>Paranormalcy</i></a> – both books just ooze in cuteness.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-the-chaos-of-stars-by-kiersten-white/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated The Prophecy of Shadows (Elementals, #1) in Books
Jan 23, 2020
<b><i>I received this book for free from Netgalley/Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
Well, then. This is going to be one of the harder reviews to write, isn't it. (And it'll probably come out a little choppy, but um... bear with me.)
Okay, so how about I start with this: <i>The Prophecy of Shadows</i> is great, but the only thing working against the book is the instalove between Nicole and Blake. But even the instalove isn't much of a bother Nicole is attracted to Blake from the get go, but she's not as <em>obsessed</em> as Danielle, who would threaten anyone in Blake's proximity. Yet?
Anyways, the first book in the <i>Elementals</i> series brings yet a new idea to the <a title="Mythology" href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/search/label/Mythology"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">mythology</a> genre, sort of following in <a title="Raye Wagner" href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/search/label/Raye%20Wagner"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">Raye Wagner's</a> footsteps. When Nicole first moves to a new school, she is quickly thrown into the world of witches, people who are descended from Greek gods but not exactly demigods. Witches in Madow's newest series are those not directly descended from a Greek god (basically, a generation or two later...?) and their powers are mostly based off of color theory (definitely not getting into the specifics of that one). Nicole is weirded out and dismisses the entire idea at first, but quickly has a change of heart.
The book is also a little slow on the pacing side, especially for those who like constant action. Madow spends approximately half the book setting up the plot and introducing the world of witches, and I personally think that in itself is good enough without being overwhelming. Even though the witches in the <i>Elementals</i> series are similar to witches in general, I enjoyed learning how each color corresponds to a particular emotion or talent. Any particular legendary creature fighting comes later on in the book.
It'll be interesting to see how Madow takes the series with the sequels, and I'll be looking forward to the sequels (which, by the way, have extremely interesting and adventurous titles).
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/arc-review-the-prophecy-of-shadows-by-michelle-madow/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Well, then. This is going to be one of the harder reviews to write, isn't it. (And it'll probably come out a little choppy, but um... bear with me.)
Okay, so how about I start with this: <i>The Prophecy of Shadows</i> is great, but the only thing working against the book is the instalove between Nicole and Blake. But even the instalove isn't much of a bother Nicole is attracted to Blake from the get go, but she's not as <em>obsessed</em> as Danielle, who would threaten anyone in Blake's proximity. Yet?
Anyways, the first book in the <i>Elementals</i> series brings yet a new idea to the <a title="Mythology" href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/search/label/Mythology"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">mythology</a> genre, sort of following in <a title="Raye Wagner" href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/search/label/Raye%20Wagner"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">Raye Wagner's</a> footsteps. When Nicole first moves to a new school, she is quickly thrown into the world of witches, people who are descended from Greek gods but not exactly demigods. Witches in Madow's newest series are those not directly descended from a Greek god (basically, a generation or two later...?) and their powers are mostly based off of color theory (definitely not getting into the specifics of that one). Nicole is weirded out and dismisses the entire idea at first, but quickly has a change of heart.
The book is also a little slow on the pacing side, especially for those who like constant action. Madow spends approximately half the book setting up the plot and introducing the world of witches, and I personally think that in itself is good enough without being overwhelming. Even though the witches in the <i>Elementals</i> series are similar to witches in general, I enjoyed learning how each color corresponds to a particular emotion or talent. Any particular legendary creature fighting comes later on in the book.
It'll be interesting to see how Madow takes the series with the sequels, and I'll be looking forward to the sequels (which, by the way, have extremely interesting and adventurous titles).
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/arc-review-the-prophecy-of-shadows-by-michelle-madow/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Shadow Saint in Books
Mar 23, 2020
A struggle but overall good
*Book received from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review*
I wanted to love this book. I would have been happy liking it. In reality, I tolerated it.
The sequel to The Gutter Prayer takes us on a different journey, with initially very little familiar ground and people. Over time the story reflects more of the world that was covered in the first book, but it is quite a strange and unnerving start to a sequel.
The narrative follows two new characters, one a spy for a foreign country with numerous personalities at his fingertips, the other a minor noble from another country. Both find themselves in Guerdon, the scene of the first book, the city that has been mostly sheltered from the atrocities of the Godwar. Here we also are reunited with Eladora, the young historian with a hint of magic abilities.
This sees a number of new countries, Gods, races and magic introduced that were not in the first book. While one always expects something new, some of these were fairly major and important aspects of the world and should have been in the first book. For me it just came across as a late decision to write a second book and reluctantly start changing and expanding the world.
The plot is a little flimsy if I'm honest, it is just some people doing some things and then deciding to do other things, with seemingly little logic to it, or overall plot. It was quite a struggle to remember who was doing what and why when switching between PoVs in new chapters. This isn't helped by the number of new characters introduced being largely interchangeable, especially during the minor noble's story (there was one fairly important plot point late in the book where someone he had met turns out to be someone important - I couldn't remember him at all!).
The writing style is a little elaborate for my tastes and made it hard to focus on what was actually happening - there were times an event had been referred to but I hadn't even noticed it because I wasn't able to concentrate. The book is very heavy on narrative with very little dialogue, making it harder to follow the action among the flowery phrasing.
A book of this length should have taken me a little over a week to read, but this took me almost 4 weeks. Admittedly part of this was due to events in the world and at work, but also my motivation to read it was eroded and I struggled through about 5% a day.
I wanted to love this book. I would have been happy liking it. In reality, I tolerated it.
The sequel to The Gutter Prayer takes us on a different journey, with initially very little familiar ground and people. Over time the story reflects more of the world that was covered in the first book, but it is quite a strange and unnerving start to a sequel.
The narrative follows two new characters, one a spy for a foreign country with numerous personalities at his fingertips, the other a minor noble from another country. Both find themselves in Guerdon, the scene of the first book, the city that has been mostly sheltered from the atrocities of the Godwar. Here we also are reunited with Eladora, the young historian with a hint of magic abilities.
This sees a number of new countries, Gods, races and magic introduced that were not in the first book. While one always expects something new, some of these were fairly major and important aspects of the world and should have been in the first book. For me it just came across as a late decision to write a second book and reluctantly start changing and expanding the world.
The plot is a little flimsy if I'm honest, it is just some people doing some things and then deciding to do other things, with seemingly little logic to it, or overall plot. It was quite a struggle to remember who was doing what and why when switching between PoVs in new chapters. This isn't helped by the number of new characters introduced being largely interchangeable, especially during the minor noble's story (there was one fairly important plot point late in the book where someone he had met turns out to be someone important - I couldn't remember him at all!).
The writing style is a little elaborate for my tastes and made it hard to focus on what was actually happening - there were times an event had been referred to but I hadn't even noticed it because I wasn't able to concentrate. The book is very heavy on narrative with very little dialogue, making it harder to follow the action among the flowery phrasing.
A book of this length should have taken me a little over a week to read, but this took me almost 4 weeks. Admittedly part of this was due to events in the world and at work, but also my motivation to read it was eroded and I struggled through about 5% a day.
The Queen of the Damned (The Vampire Chronicles, #3)
9.0
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In 1976, a uniquely seductive world of vampires was unveiled in the now-classic Interview with the...
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
And so to the latest incarnation in Spider-man Homecoming. After seeing Tom Holland in Civil War, well, let's just say that I was not convinced. Then the adverts where he's making the home movie of everything... yeah that began to grate a bit.
There's no origin story with this one, or with his appearance in Civil War. I'm not sure how I feel about no Uncle Ben, or that they're regressing Aunt May every time she appears. But I do love Marisa Tomei, and she does get a fantastic last line.
Somewhere before this film went into production I reckon someone thought "We need something that's not quite a bad a Spider-man, but not quite as serious as The Amazing Spider-man." Someone else was walking by and overheard. "You should zhush it up with the Avengers treatment."... and so Homecoming was born.
The effects are of course way better than 2002, and everything is pretty bright and shiny since it was properly Marvelised. As much as I initially didn't like Tom Holland, I have to admit that he makes a good film. My only major issue is that it seems more concerned about bringing him into the Marvel Universe than leaving him out there developing his own film.
For a nerd, Peter has got game. We're on the third incarnation of films this side of 2000, and we're on the third (and potential fourth) love interest. I like that they're jumping that around a little, it does help make each lot feel slightly different, but it does get confusing... and obviously you can keep an eye out for other love interests who make appearances.
It seems unfair to compare all three films (which is a bit tricky as that was partly the idea of this whole post) because each of them have their own bit of the movie spectrum. The daft, the heart-wrenching and the blockbuster, all have their place in the collection. Gun against my head I'd probably still pick Andrew Garfield as my favourite, but Holland is right there too.
That being said, I still don't like Spider-man as a superhero...
*ducks under the table to avoid the barrage of abuse*
He's too chaotic, he's just too young (in this one) to really understand the full implications of what he's doing. I personally don't understand why he would be worthy of movie fame over other characters. It has been pointed out to me that as he's just a "regular Joe", that people can identify with him more over the other options of Gods or mutants... but hell... I'm mutant and proud!
There's no origin story with this one, or with his appearance in Civil War. I'm not sure how I feel about no Uncle Ben, or that they're regressing Aunt May every time she appears. But I do love Marisa Tomei, and she does get a fantastic last line.
Somewhere before this film went into production I reckon someone thought "We need something that's not quite a bad a Spider-man, but not quite as serious as The Amazing Spider-man." Someone else was walking by and overheard. "You should zhush it up with the Avengers treatment."... and so Homecoming was born.
The effects are of course way better than 2002, and everything is pretty bright and shiny since it was properly Marvelised. As much as I initially didn't like Tom Holland, I have to admit that he makes a good film. My only major issue is that it seems more concerned about bringing him into the Marvel Universe than leaving him out there developing his own film.
For a nerd, Peter has got game. We're on the third incarnation of films this side of 2000, and we're on the third (and potential fourth) love interest. I like that they're jumping that around a little, it does help make each lot feel slightly different, but it does get confusing... and obviously you can keep an eye out for other love interests who make appearances.
It seems unfair to compare all three films (which is a bit tricky as that was partly the idea of this whole post) because each of them have their own bit of the movie spectrum. The daft, the heart-wrenching and the blockbuster, all have their place in the collection. Gun against my head I'd probably still pick Andrew Garfield as my favourite, but Holland is right there too.
That being said, I still don't like Spider-man as a superhero...
*ducks under the table to avoid the barrage of abuse*
He's too chaotic, he's just too young (in this one) to really understand the full implications of what he's doing. I personally don't understand why he would be worthy of movie fame over other characters. It has been pointed out to me that as he's just a "regular Joe", that people can identify with him more over the other options of Gods or mutants... but hell... I'm mutant and proud!
Debbiereadsbook (1386 KP) rated Sealed with a Curse in Books
Sep 24, 2022
beautifully written retell
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
If you follow my reviews, you'll know I love the books that are steamier and smexier and sometimes more violent. This book is neither, and I loved that fact that it wasn't!
I can't write a blurby bit, so not gonna bother, but I might rave a bit!
Selene is an old soul, I think, that she can, even when faced with the escalation of the bullying from the princes, NOT want them punished in the way they are. She wanted them to LEARN from it, yes, but not to the extent it was.
I loved that the Gods these people prayed to heard them, and stepped in. Loved that they had a voice too, even it was briefly! The bickering between the Sisters was wonderful to read.
Like it said, it's not steamy, there is the bullying in the beginning though, of Selene by the eldest brothers. It does get physical. Be mindful of that if you have triggers.
There is, though, MUCH love here. Selene loves her swans (as did I!) and the people around the castle. And in time, she does come to love Conway. Who, I thought, was a bit hedgey about why he came to the castle, and i thought there was more to him that there was, but it turns out I was reading between none-existent lines there!
It's full of description, in depth descriptions of people, places, flowers, even ribbons! I loved reading those. I could picture them, you know?
I loved all the supporting characters around the castle. I want to know what's got up a certain someone's behind, though, that was never made clear!
What I loved most though, was the interpretation of this tale. I never heard of this tale before, and at the end of this book, there is a bit about various versions and how they differ. I read that, and I loved that little bit of extra info.
There is also a bit that says we might hear from the brothers again, and I really want that! It would be nice to get into their heads, especially the eldest two, NOW rather than before. To see where they are at, and what they thought of their former selves.
All in all, a wonderful read, that kept me up way past my bedtime. I loved it, I really did. Bar Disjointed Lives, this is my favourite read by this author.
5 full and shiny, moon-touched stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
If you follow my reviews, you'll know I love the books that are steamier and smexier and sometimes more violent. This book is neither, and I loved that fact that it wasn't!
I can't write a blurby bit, so not gonna bother, but I might rave a bit!
Selene is an old soul, I think, that she can, even when faced with the escalation of the bullying from the princes, NOT want them punished in the way they are. She wanted them to LEARN from it, yes, but not to the extent it was.
I loved that the Gods these people prayed to heard them, and stepped in. Loved that they had a voice too, even it was briefly! The bickering between the Sisters was wonderful to read.
Like it said, it's not steamy, there is the bullying in the beginning though, of Selene by the eldest brothers. It does get physical. Be mindful of that if you have triggers.
There is, though, MUCH love here. Selene loves her swans (as did I!) and the people around the castle. And in time, she does come to love Conway. Who, I thought, was a bit hedgey about why he came to the castle, and i thought there was more to him that there was, but it turns out I was reading between none-existent lines there!
It's full of description, in depth descriptions of people, places, flowers, even ribbons! I loved reading those. I could picture them, you know?
I loved all the supporting characters around the castle. I want to know what's got up a certain someone's behind, though, that was never made clear!
What I loved most though, was the interpretation of this tale. I never heard of this tale before, and at the end of this book, there is a bit about various versions and how they differ. I read that, and I loved that little bit of extra info.
There is also a bit that says we might hear from the brothers again, and I really want that! It would be nice to get into their heads, especially the eldest two, NOW rather than before. To see where they are at, and what they thought of their former selves.
All in all, a wonderful read, that kept me up way past my bedtime. I loved it, I really did. Bar Disjointed Lives, this is my favourite read by this author.
5 full and shiny, moon-touched stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Kill Switch in Books
Feb 17, 2023
🔞🔞🔞
17 of 235
Kindle
Kill switch ( Devils Night book 3)
By Penelope Douglas
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"I've done far worse than what I went to prison for. She has no idea how bad this can get."
WINTER
Sending him to prison was the worst thing I could’ve done. It didn’t matter that he did the crime or that I wished he was dead. Perhaps I thought I’d have time to disappear before he got out or he’d cool off in jail and be anything but the horror he was.
But I was wrong. Three years came and went too fast, and now he’s anything but calm. Prison only gave him time to plan.
And while I anticipated his vengeance, I didn’t expect this.
He doesn’t want to make me hurt. He wants to make everything hurt.
DAMON
First thing’s first. Get rid of her daddy. He told them I forced her. He told them his little girl was a victim, but I was a kid, too, and she wanted it just as much as I did.
Step two… Give her, her sister, and her mother nowhere to run and no fuel to escape. The Ashby women are alone now and desperate for a knight in shining armor.
But that’s not what’s coming.
No, it’s time I listened to my father and took control of my future. It’s time I showed them all—my family, her family, my friends—that I will never change and that I have no other ambition than to be the nightmare of their lives.
Starting with her.
She’ll be so scared, she won’t even be safe in her own head by the time I’m done with her. And the best part is I won’t have to break into her home to do it.
As the new man of the house I have all the keys.
For gods sake this woman knows how to kick you in the guts with trauma! This has so many trigger warnings. This book makes you feel everything it’s quite graphic and she doesn’t hold back! Whether you like this series or not the woman writes abuse better than anyone I’ve read she gets you feeling all the emotions. I still can’t stand these men but there is a catalyst for each one of them that being the worlds worst parents they certainly didn’t do their kids any good. One thing I love is these women are strong and ruling the world is on the agenda!
17 of 235
Kindle
Kill switch ( Devils Night book 3)
By Penelope Douglas
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"I've done far worse than what I went to prison for. She has no idea how bad this can get."
WINTER
Sending him to prison was the worst thing I could’ve done. It didn’t matter that he did the crime or that I wished he was dead. Perhaps I thought I’d have time to disappear before he got out or he’d cool off in jail and be anything but the horror he was.
But I was wrong. Three years came and went too fast, and now he’s anything but calm. Prison only gave him time to plan.
And while I anticipated his vengeance, I didn’t expect this.
He doesn’t want to make me hurt. He wants to make everything hurt.
DAMON
First thing’s first. Get rid of her daddy. He told them I forced her. He told them his little girl was a victim, but I was a kid, too, and she wanted it just as much as I did.
Step two… Give her, her sister, and her mother nowhere to run and no fuel to escape. The Ashby women are alone now and desperate for a knight in shining armor.
But that’s not what’s coming.
No, it’s time I listened to my father and took control of my future. It’s time I showed them all—my family, her family, my friends—that I will never change and that I have no other ambition than to be the nightmare of their lives.
Starting with her.
She’ll be so scared, she won’t even be safe in her own head by the time I’m done with her. And the best part is I won’t have to break into her home to do it.
As the new man of the house I have all the keys.
For gods sake this woman knows how to kick you in the guts with trauma! This has so many trigger warnings. This book makes you feel everything it’s quite graphic and she doesn’t hold back! Whether you like this series or not the woman writes abuse better than anyone I’ve read she gets you feeling all the emotions. I still can’t stand these men but there is a catalyst for each one of them that being the worlds worst parents they certainly didn’t do their kids any good. One thing I love is these women are strong and ruling the world is on the agenda!