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David McK (3623 KP) rated Shazam! (2019) in Movies
Apr 17, 2019 (Updated Jul 14, 2024)
One of the better entries (at the time of reviewing) in DCs attempt at a shared universe, although (if I'm honest) I barely realised that it was part of that universe at all: yes, there's a couple of mentions of Superman and Batman et al, but they could easily be viewed similarly to how we talk about them.
I was also quite surprised by how dark/scary parts of this were for a child-friendly film, with it really only lightening up once the 14 year old Billy Batson gets his powers and transforms into Zachary Levis's adult superhero (but still with his child's mind).
With a subplot concerning family - one strand of which could probably have been handled better - and Levi knocking it out of the park (I'll admit, the TV series Chuck in which he starred is one of my favourites) as Shazam, this is one of the better entries in DC growing catalogue of movies.
I was also quite surprised by how dark/scary parts of this were for a child-friendly film, with it really only lightening up once the 14 year old Billy Batson gets his powers and transforms into Zachary Levis's adult superhero (but still with his child's mind).
With a subplot concerning family - one strand of which could probably have been handled better - and Levi knocking it out of the park (I'll admit, the TV series Chuck in which he starred is one of my favourites) as Shazam, this is one of the better entries in DC growing catalogue of movies.
Eclipse Arts
Book
Supernatural seventh-graders forge their own path to stardom… but stardom has its costs! Liska,...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Essentials of Death in Books
Sep 23, 2025
Death of a Nemesis
Carissa Carmichael is frustrated to learn that the booth next to hers at a community event is being staffed by Lacie, her nemesis since the two were growing up in the town of Oak Creek Valley. True to form, Lacie makes the day miserable for everyone. But that night, Carissa stumbles on Lacie’s dead body. With the evidence pointing to herself, Carissa can’t help but jump in again. Can she find the killer?
It’s been a while since I read book one, but I didn’t have any trouble slipping back into Carissa’s world. I enjoyed the bonds the characters have, and the subplots that helped us get to know them better were great. The mystery itself started out a bit unevenly, with events driving things more than Carissa did. But as she began to take more of an active role, I got hooked, not wanting to put the book down. The ending was satisfying. And we get an essential oil recipe and an intriguing sounding cookie recipe. Here’s hoping we get to visit again soon.
It’s been a while since I read book one, but I didn’t have any trouble slipping back into Carissa’s world. I enjoyed the bonds the characters have, and the subplots that helped us get to know them better were great. The mystery itself started out a bit unevenly, with events driving things more than Carissa did. But as she began to take more of an active role, I got hooked, not wanting to put the book down. The ending was satisfying. And we get an essential oil recipe and an intriguing sounding cookie recipe. Here’s hoping we get to visit again soon.
Emeli Sande recommended track Angel of Mine by Eternal in Greatest Hits by Eternal in Music (curated)
A Quiet Kind of Thunder
Book
Steffi doesn't talk. Rhys can't hear. They understand each other perfectly. Love isn't always a...
Swimming in the Dark
Book
Set in early 1980s Poland against the violent decline of communism, a tender and passionate story of...
Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Communist Poland
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Blackberry Summer (Hope's Crossing, #1) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
The community of Hope's Crossing is quaint in its friendliness and familiarity of the different individuals with one another. Though the town operates as the hub of a large resort, it does not lose its charm as a small town. So when the type of crime that is more prone to big cities happens here, it causes its citizens to be less welcoming to its newest inhabitant and chief of police, Riley McKnight. Riley faces an uphill battle both socially and romantically, as he is drawn all over again to the stubbornly independent Claire that was attracted to growing up. The big difference this time is that Claire likes him back! They play the typical game of I can't believe he/she likes me, and do I really like him/ her that is so common in romance novels. In the mean time, Claire dreams up a way to put the town in better spirits, while defending Riley's place there.
Claire is easy to like, with her bead store that attracts such colorful characters, and the patience she exhibits in all of her relationships, from the one with her mother to the ones with her ex-husband and his new, pregnant wife. I even like how her injuries drive Riley to constantly offer to help her in any way possible.
Riley's honesty is at times comedic, shocking, and even alluring. He has charm to spare, but keeps most of it bottled up because of a difficult past.
The book was more entertaining than I have come to expect from the typical Harlequin, but in many ways not very unique from the standard plot line. While I did enjoy reading it, I doubt that I will remember much about the book.
Claire is easy to like, with her bead store that attracts such colorful characters, and the patience she exhibits in all of her relationships, from the one with her mother to the ones with her ex-husband and his new, pregnant wife. I even like how her injuries drive Riley to constantly offer to help her in any way possible.
Riley's honesty is at times comedic, shocking, and even alluring. He has charm to spare, but keeps most of it bottled up because of a difficult past.
The book was more entertaining than I have come to expect from the typical Harlequin, but in many ways not very unique from the standard plot line. While I did enjoy reading it, I doubt that I will remember much about the book.
Kyera (8 KP) rated Noteworthy in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Note Worthy reminds me of Twelfth Night, She's the Man, or even Mulan - where a girl masquerades as a guy for whatever purpose and ends up in over her head. Jordan wants to be in theatre, but as an Alto 2 she is hard-pressed to even find a find tailored to her range. All she wants is to pursue her dreams. Feeling down, she notices an audition for a tenor in an all-male A Capella group and takes a chance. Dressed as Julian and sporting a short wig, she impresses the Sharpshooters enough to claim the open spot and suddenly everything changes. She actually had this small, musically-inclined family to belong to. A place at Kensington - as long as nobody realizes that she is a girl.
Pretty quickly, it looks like one of the guys might be a future love interest for Jordan, not Julian as in all likelihood the group will eventually discover her secret. I expected that they would be hurt at first, but eventually forgive her after all they've been through together. Most of my expectations came to pass, although there were slight deviations. Overall, there weren't really any big surprises or reveals in the book.
The characters are so wonderfully well written and realistic. You watch them grow, learn about themselves and find yourself grinning like an idiot when Trav does (because that boy seriously needed it). You cheer for their wins and want to personally beat up those who wrong them. You've become an honorary Sharp and these guys are your family just like they are for Jordan.
Highly recommended contemporary novel about growing up, learning about yourself, making friends and the secrets you keep. And most importantly? Music. Great read for teen/young adult readers with a small amount of profanity.
Pretty quickly, it looks like one of the guys might be a future love interest for Jordan, not Julian as in all likelihood the group will eventually discover her secret. I expected that they would be hurt at first, but eventually forgive her after all they've been through together. Most of my expectations came to pass, although there were slight deviations. Overall, there weren't really any big surprises or reveals in the book.
The characters are so wonderfully well written and realistic. You watch them grow, learn about themselves and find yourself grinning like an idiot when Trav does (because that boy seriously needed it). You cheer for their wins and want to personally beat up those who wrong them. You've become an honorary Sharp and these guys are your family just like they are for Jordan.
Highly recommended contemporary novel about growing up, learning about yourself, making friends and the secrets you keep. And most importantly? Music. Great read for teen/young adult readers with a small amount of profanity.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Surfacing the Rim (Piercing the Fold, #2) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in the series, and it picks up right where the first left off. The upcoming battle between the Dobrians and the Sondians is getting closer and closer, along with the intersection of our galaxy with Andromeda. Jesca, Ezra, and Nate are gearing themselves up for everything, and things are starting to heat up, both in the outside world and between the linked partners. As Jesca and Nate work together, side by side, their feelings intensify, but are they the result of their manufactured link, or are they the real deal? And what about Xander, where does he fall with all this, in Jesca's life as well as the fight to save the world? You'll have to read it to find out!
I really enjoyed this story, and I thought it was a great continuation of the first book. We see more of Jesca and Nate and their growing relationship, from both points of view, but learn their doubts about their attraction and feelings for one another. We get more information about the fight between the two sides, what's going on with Sam and Corinna, and follow along with Xander in his quest to find out just who he is. The different points of view were a great idea, especially between Jesca, Nate, and Xander. It was interesting to see what each was thinking about the other and their upcoming mission to stop the Sondians. We also get more information from Balthazar's POV, which I thought really helped to further the plot and bring the whole issue together.
All-in-all, if you've read Piercing the Fold, you definitely need to read this one, and if you haven't, why not?? I'm already anxious for Book 3, especially after that ending! =)
5 stars
This is the second book in the series, and it picks up right where the first left off. The upcoming battle between the Dobrians and the Sondians is getting closer and closer, along with the intersection of our galaxy with Andromeda. Jesca, Ezra, and Nate are gearing themselves up for everything, and things are starting to heat up, both in the outside world and between the linked partners. As Jesca and Nate work together, side by side, their feelings intensify, but are they the result of their manufactured link, or are they the real deal? And what about Xander, where does he fall with all this, in Jesca's life as well as the fight to save the world? You'll have to read it to find out!
I really enjoyed this story, and I thought it was a great continuation of the first book. We see more of Jesca and Nate and their growing relationship, from both points of view, but learn their doubts about their attraction and feelings for one another. We get more information about the fight between the two sides, what's going on with Sam and Corinna, and follow along with Xander in his quest to find out just who he is. The different points of view were a great idea, especially between Jesca, Nate, and Xander. It was interesting to see what each was thinking about the other and their upcoming mission to stop the Sondians. We also get more information from Balthazar's POV, which I thought really helped to further the plot and bring the whole issue together.
All-in-all, if you've read Piercing the Fold, you definitely need to read this one, and if you haven't, why not?? I'm already anxious for Book 3, especially after that ending! =)
5 stars





