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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Just One Look in Books
Dec 17, 2020
This is the tenth book in my #atozchallenge! I'm challenging myself to read a book from my shelves that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Let's clear those shelves and delve into that backlist!
When Grace Lawson picks up a set of photos from the store, she finds a strange photo in the envelope. It shows a group of four people she doesn't know. But one, she does: her husband, long before she knew him. When she shows him that evening, he leaves their home mysteriously. Soon a crazy series of events kicks off, and while Grace doesn't realize it, there are people who would do anything--even kill--to keep that photo from seeing the light of day.
This was my first Harlan Coben read--I have a bunch of Coben books I've collected sitting on my shelves, so it seemed like a great choice for my challenge. This was the supreme page turner. I had no idea where this book was going most of the time! It's filled with twists and turns, and it kept me guessing! There are a few real "coincidences," but they didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story at all. This was one of those plain 'ol good mysteries. I hadn't realized it was set in the mid-1990s (the development of film should have been a dead giveaway, ha), but it stood the test of time. There are creepy bad guys who fight the good guys. Sometimes you just need a tale of good versus evil with lots of twists to take your mind off of things.
Overall, an enjoyable and puzzling read. 3.5 stars. I'll definitely need to read more of the Coben books on my shelves.
When Grace Lawson picks up a set of photos from the store, she finds a strange photo in the envelope. It shows a group of four people she doesn't know. But one, she does: her husband, long before she knew him. When she shows him that evening, he leaves their home mysteriously. Soon a crazy series of events kicks off, and while Grace doesn't realize it, there are people who would do anything--even kill--to keep that photo from seeing the light of day.
This was my first Harlan Coben read--I have a bunch of Coben books I've collected sitting on my shelves, so it seemed like a great choice for my challenge. This was the supreme page turner. I had no idea where this book was going most of the time! It's filled with twists and turns, and it kept me guessing! There are a few real "coincidences," but they didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story at all. This was one of those plain 'ol good mysteries. I hadn't realized it was set in the mid-1990s (the development of film should have been a dead giveaway, ha), but it stood the test of time. There are creepy bad guys who fight the good guys. Sometimes you just need a tale of good versus evil with lots of twists to take your mind off of things.
Overall, an enjoyable and puzzling read. 3.5 stars. I'll definitely need to read more of the Coben books on my shelves.
Stick Fight 2
Games
App
Hordes of stick guys, wave by wave trying to wear you down, waiting for your first mistake. You as...
Debbiereadsbook (1171 KP) rated Cabbages & Kings in Books
Feb 3, 2022
wonderful retelling of a local legend
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
As a Nottingham girl, I grew with tales of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. So, finding this tale having tipped those tales on their heads was a delight!
The story tells of Alana Dale, and her new husband, Will Scathlock and how they came to suffer at the hands of Robin and Guy, and just how, after all that, THEY came to be the bad guys!
This is a delightful tale, set in places in and around Nottinghamshire, so I know these places, and I love reading books about places I really know.
It's wonderfully written, with detailed descriptions of the things needed to get by, with Alana having ideas wise beyond her years, especially when it comes to health matters.
Alana is a strong-minded young lady (only 16 here!) and she will stand up for herself in a time when it wasn't the done thing. I loved Alana, and her teasing of Will, but to be fair, he gave as good as he got. Alana's deepest fears come to life here, and how she manages to hold it together to keep Will safe BEFORE she loses it, I have no idea.
There is some violence, Alana and Will's village is destroyed in the beginning of the book and the attack's aftermath is described in some detail. Because of this, I would class it as upper young adult, maybe 14+.
Tipping the Robin Hood legend on its head, Ms Sheppard made new heroes, and new bad guys. She tells of everyday life in Medieval England, and just how the common folk survived.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
As a Nottingham girl, I grew with tales of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. So, finding this tale having tipped those tales on their heads was a delight!
The story tells of Alana Dale, and her new husband, Will Scathlock and how they came to suffer at the hands of Robin and Guy, and just how, after all that, THEY came to be the bad guys!
This is a delightful tale, set in places in and around Nottinghamshire, so I know these places, and I love reading books about places I really know.
It's wonderfully written, with detailed descriptions of the things needed to get by, with Alana having ideas wise beyond her years, especially when it comes to health matters.
Alana is a strong-minded young lady (only 16 here!) and she will stand up for herself in a time when it wasn't the done thing. I loved Alana, and her teasing of Will, but to be fair, he gave as good as he got. Alana's deepest fears come to life here, and how she manages to hold it together to keep Will safe BEFORE she loses it, I have no idea.
There is some violence, Alana and Will's village is destroyed in the beginning of the book and the attack's aftermath is described in some detail. Because of this, I would class it as upper young adult, maybe 14+.
Tipping the Robin Hood legend on its head, Ms Sheppard made new heroes, and new bad guys. She tells of everyday life in Medieval England, and just how the common folk survived.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (11958 KP) rated The Mayfair Moon (The Darkwoods Trilogy #1) in Books
Mar 31, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
About a week ago I was lamenting the fact that I am so behind on reading the books that I have downloaded onto my Kindle, and that I have so many now (over a thousand) that I can't remember what they are about. I have now come to realise that this is not always a bad thing. For hidden in the middle of August 2012, I have just read a book that is absolutely fantastic.
I will start by saying that it is the Paranormal genre, which as most of you know, is a favourite of mine. It has been compared to the Twilight Saga and admittedly, if you have read the books - not just seen the films - there are similarities and not just for the fact that there are werewolves. But there are also striking differences which make this book stand alone and not just in the shadow of Twilight.
This is a gritty, fast-paced book with well-rounded characters that you can get your teeth into (pardon the pun). There are twists and turns, revelations and mysteries, good guys who are not saccharine sweet and evil guys that you really do dislike. The relationships between the characters are believable and I know I had a best friend like Harry and still do.
There is violence and blood in this book but it does not take over the story and becomes unnecessary. This actually makes a nice change from the loveable, cuddly werewolves that you normally get who are so soft they can't fight out of a wet paper bag.
Recommended for anyone who was Team Jacob, who like Paranormal with a hint of romance and for all who like reading about werewolves.
* Verified Purchase ~ August 2012 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
July 27, 2016
I will start by saying that it is the Paranormal genre, which as most of you know, is a favourite of mine. It has been compared to the Twilight Saga and admittedly, if you have read the books - not just seen the films - there are similarities and not just for the fact that there are werewolves. But there are also striking differences which make this book stand alone and not just in the shadow of Twilight.
This is a gritty, fast-paced book with well-rounded characters that you can get your teeth into (pardon the pun). There are twists and turns, revelations and mysteries, good guys who are not saccharine sweet and evil guys that you really do dislike. The relationships between the characters are believable and I know I had a best friend like Harry and still do.
There is violence and blood in this book but it does not take over the story and becomes unnecessary. This actually makes a nice change from the loveable, cuddly werewolves that you normally get who are so soft they can't fight out of a wet paper bag.
Recommended for anyone who was Team Jacob, who like Paranormal with a hint of romance and for all who like reading about werewolves.
* Verified Purchase ~ August 2012 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
July 27, 2016
Merissa (11958 KP) rated Conrad (Assassin's To Order #4) in Books
Sep 30, 2023
CONRAD is the fourth and final book in the Assassin's To Order series and... NO! Just, NO!!! This can't be the final book. It just can't. There's still a brother that needs to find love, plus I need the details of Wyatt and James, so NO!!!
These authors really love to stomp all over my heart. I know they'll do it, but I just can't seem to help myself when it comes to reading their stories. Conrad is the most jovial of the brothers and yet is also the one to never give up control. When he finds his mate in Kylo, he is all in. He trusts Fate, simple as that. I did wonder about Kylo as he is quite highly strung in previous books, but I needn't have worried. Conrad knew how to calm him down!
I loved how the overall story arc came to a satisfying end, plus there is a specific scene when Kylo takes care of Conrad that I found both heartrending and absolutely beautiful!
I'm just not prepared to say goodbye to these guys. I loved the Thalassas and am so glad I read their stories, but I'm afraid the Assassins have knocked them off their perch. Don't get me wrong, I still love all the Krakens, but these guys... And Ekon hasn't got anyone yet! Don't leave him alone. He broke my heart. 😭 He needs to find his mate, PLEASE!
Absolutely brilliant and HIGHLY recommended by me. Just... please... don't leave me hanging. Bring the boys back and let Ekon find happiness!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
These authors really love to stomp all over my heart. I know they'll do it, but I just can't seem to help myself when it comes to reading their stories. Conrad is the most jovial of the brothers and yet is also the one to never give up control. When he finds his mate in Kylo, he is all in. He trusts Fate, simple as that. I did wonder about Kylo as he is quite highly strung in previous books, but I needn't have worried. Conrad knew how to calm him down!
I loved how the overall story arc came to a satisfying end, plus there is a specific scene when Kylo takes care of Conrad that I found both heartrending and absolutely beautiful!
I'm just not prepared to say goodbye to these guys. I loved the Thalassas and am so glad I read their stories, but I'm afraid the Assassins have knocked them off their perch. Don't get me wrong, I still love all the Krakens, but these guys... And Ekon hasn't got anyone yet! Don't leave him alone. He broke my heart. 😭 He needs to find his mate, PLEASE!
Absolutely brilliant and HIGHLY recommended by me. Just... please... don't leave me hanging. Bring the boys back and let Ekon find happiness!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Venom (2018) in Movies
Feb 16, 2019
Underwhelming
Tom Hardy is one of the only good things about this film.
The supporting cast (Michelle Williams who seemed out of place) and the generic villains were not exciting at all and made me think about the cooler comic book bad guys we've seen recently.
A couple of good action scenes were not much help to the shoddy screenplay which kept me bored most of the way.
I will admit to not knowing much about Venom going in (other than my Maximum Carnage Super Nintendo game from my youth) and this film didn't do much to explain things to me. I thought he had something to do with Spider-Man, although he was never mentioned.
If the mid credits scene is an indication of the direction of Venom 2, I am hopeful it will be an improvement.
The supporting cast (Michelle Williams who seemed out of place) and the generic villains were not exciting at all and made me think about the cooler comic book bad guys we've seen recently.
A couple of good action scenes were not much help to the shoddy screenplay which kept me bored most of the way.
I will admit to not knowing much about Venom going in (other than my Maximum Carnage Super Nintendo game from my youth) and this film didn't do much to explain things to me. I thought he had something to do with Spider-Man, although he was never mentioned.
If the mid credits scene is an indication of the direction of Venom 2, I am hopeful it will be an improvement.
Neon's Nerd Nexus (360 KP) rated No Country for Old Men (2007) in Movies
May 13, 2019
Lost in a coin toss
Number 7 of my #top10 #favourite #films is 'No Country For Old Men'. ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Bleak & #depressing #NoCountryForOldMen takes all the #hope you have for the good guys winning and rips it out of your hands again and again. Not only is it #unfair, tense and #gorgeous to look at its constantly making you think deeply while toying with your emotions too. Acting is next level, the dialog is masterfully slick and #javierbardem might just be the #coldest & #scariest #villain ever put on screen making No Country For Old Men a film that really should be in everyone's top 10 list. Deciphering its intricate plot, many metaphors and head spinning #intelligence is something i sadly #feel i will never achieve fully but my god do i enjoy trying.
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#filmbuff #filmcritic #coenbrothers #saturday #weekend #beautiful #violence #joshbrolin #tommyleejones
Bleak & #depressing #NoCountryForOldMen takes all the #hope you have for the good guys winning and rips it out of your hands again and again. Not only is it #unfair, tense and #gorgeous to look at its constantly making you think deeply while toying with your emotions too. Acting is next level, the dialog is masterfully slick and #javierbardem might just be the #coldest & #scariest #villain ever put on screen making No Country For Old Men a film that really should be in everyone's top 10 list. Deciphering its intricate plot, many metaphors and head spinning #intelligence is something i sadly #feel i will never achieve fully but my god do i enjoy trying.
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#filmbuff #filmcritic #coenbrothers #saturday #weekend #beautiful #violence #joshbrolin #tommyleejones
Tracy Carr-Harding (4 KP) rated Assassin's Creed in Video Games
Jan 16, 2018
The Good Guys Win Again
I know I am not your conventional gamer, I'm over 50 and a woman, but my son thought I should try this, as I have enjoyed playing other similar format games. I agreed, albeit unwillingly, but was hooked within a short time. I found that time ran away with me, when I was being Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, and I wanted to complete one more mission, find one more treasure, and rescue one more innocent. The story was easy to follow, the maps fairly easy to read, and the graphics made it a very pretty place to venture around. All in all, I am very happy that my son talked me into playing, and am now on game 7 in the series, and still loving them!!!!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Fury (2014) in Movies
Feb 13, 2018
Tanks for Nothing
Good-looking but very, very violent war movie with a convincingly horrible depiction of life as a tanker during the dying days of the Second World War. In time-honoured style a green young recruit joins Brad Pitt's crew, loses his innocence, earns respect of his fellows.
Movie can't quite seem to decide what it wants to be - the characters are portrayed as brutalised victims, executing prisoners, and there's an extraordinarily long and uncomfortable sequence in which they avail themselves of the hospitality of some recently-liberated German women, but on the other hand it concludes with them heroically mowing down Nazis by the dozen. In the end it's not really clear whether Fury thinks that War is Hell or not, but David Ayer always tells this kind of guys-in-extremis story well.
Movie can't quite seem to decide what it wants to be - the characters are portrayed as brutalised victims, executing prisoners, and there's an extraordinarily long and uncomfortable sequence in which they avail themselves of the hospitality of some recently-liberated German women, but on the other hand it concludes with them heroically mowing down Nazis by the dozen. In the end it's not really clear whether Fury thinks that War is Hell or not, but David Ayer always tells this kind of guys-in-extremis story well.
Marqees (17 KP) rated xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017) in Movies
Feb 14, 2018
Look if your looking for an Oscar-quality plot with great acting and cinematography this movie is not for you. This is a movie that plays to its strengths blowing stuff up, beautiful women and people doing dope things. It is a generic take over the world plot and I can't tell if Vin Diesel is phoning his return to XXX in but all things considered it wasn't that bad. High points were with Donnie Yen, Tony Jaa, and Micheal Bisping I want another flick with these 3 guys as a team of mercenaries it sells itself. If you like over the top action this film is for you.