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Angel’s Fury
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I've started to have dreams while I'm awake. I remember music I've never heard. . . . I've got all...

An Idiot Abroad
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Brit Karl Pilkington has led a sheltered life. Not having done any traveling, he enjoys living...

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>

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graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Prime Evil (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 3, #10) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
That's what I get for choosing a book based on Amazon reviews. I should really know by now that I march to the beat of a different drummer...actually it's not a drum at all, it's a bagpipe, and I skip, not march. ;P While I didn't hate the book, it wasn't nearly as good as I was led to believe. The whole feel to the book wasn't quite right, it didn't have that Buffyverse atmosphere. Part of that had to do with the overabundance of Crystal/Shugra's point-of-view, which took away from the other characters. While I didn't mind a bit here and there, the flashbacks were unnecessary, often boring and uninteresting; they really added nothing to the book and were more filler than anything. The characterizations were decent but lacked energy and didn't quite hit the mark. I didn't sense much depth and sometimes, I hate to say it, they were rather bland. There wasn't much humor but it managed to get a few smiles out of me. The ending was the best part and definitely had more of the usual Buffyness than the rest of the book.
What I found amusing is the remark about nothing suspicious happening in Cleveland. Since there happens to be a Hellmouth stationed there, I would think there would be plenty of abnormalities. Demonic activity was actually mentioned in the episode <i>The Wish</i> that came out before this book was written, but maybe I can let that pass since the episode was mainly set in an alternate time-line. Although I still don't get why there wouldn't be a Cleveland Hellmouth in both realities. Gosh, I'm such a BuffyGeek. :D
Still, I enjoyed the book and appreciated the author adding in little things sprinkled throughout for the fans.
What I found amusing is the remark about nothing suspicious happening in Cleveland. Since there happens to be a Hellmouth stationed there, I would think there would be plenty of abnormalities. Demonic activity was actually mentioned in the episode <i>The Wish</i> that came out before this book was written, but maybe I can let that pass since the episode was mainly set in an alternate time-line. Although I still don't get why there wouldn't be a Cleveland Hellmouth in both realities. Gosh, I'm such a BuffyGeek. :D
Still, I enjoyed the book and appreciated the author adding in little things sprinkled throughout for the fans.

BTPBookclub (18 KP) rated Gone Girl in Books
May 14, 2019
Outstanding.
Now I guess you have heard about this book as there was and still is a big debate about Gone Girl, you either love it or hate it and I loved it! Gone Girl definitely gained a lot of media coverage especially as it has been adapted to a film since. I have seen both the film and read the book and both were brilliant! It is no wonder Gone Girl is a global bestseller book with many twists and turns that are bound to keep you reading until the end. For my personal review Gone Girl deserves the five stars I have awarded as it kept me glued to the story and is full of suspense and mystery, alongside it being an excellent thriller that will keep you up reading all night. This is the first book I have read by Gillian Flynn and I have already put a selection of her others onto my wishlist already. Let me know what your views are on this book below, everyone is entitled to their own opinions.
Gone Girl reveals the secrets at the heart of Nick’s and Amy’s modern marriage. When Amy’s and Nick’s fifth wedding anniversary arrives Nick reports that his wife Amy is missing! Under pressure from friends, family, the police and media will Nick be able to contain all his hidden lies, secrets and deceits? Did Nick kill his wife or is there more hidden beneath the depths of the story? Will Amy ever be found? With an intelligent and cleverly written plot I would highly recommend that you read this book and choose a side of the discussion to join, will you love it or hate it?
Gone Girl reveals the secrets at the heart of Nick’s and Amy’s modern marriage. When Amy’s and Nick’s fifth wedding anniversary arrives Nick reports that his wife Amy is missing! Under pressure from friends, family, the police and media will Nick be able to contain all his hidden lies, secrets and deceits? Did Nick kill his wife or is there more hidden beneath the depths of the story? Will Amy ever be found? With an intelligent and cleverly written plot I would highly recommend that you read this book and choose a side of the discussion to join, will you love it or hate it?

Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated Based on a True Story in Books
Mar 15, 2018
This is a slow burner, don’t expect to go into this one and be met with action and mystery straight away… Or at any point, really. This whole book is a character study, and if you’ve been following my reviews for a while, you know I’m not hugely into these kinds of books, unless I’m absolutely captivated. Unfortunately, I wasn’t complete captivated by this one.
I really loved the writing in this novel, it was superb and if de Vigan wrote more books in my favourite genres, I’d likely read them just for her style of telling a story. This book is written as though you are reading a book… if that makes sense, so you are instantly pulled in to the narrator’s life, but unfortunately, it wasn’t all that exciting.
I was waiting for some big reveal in the story, as others had claimed this was to come… but nothing happened that I wasn’t expecting to happen. This lack of twist was a real let down for me, it’s one of those books that’s left me thinking “really, that was it?”.
I don’t hate this book. It was well thought out, well written and has very well developed characters. The tension of the novel is built perfectly, but it leads to nothing. Yes, this leaves you questioning the truth, it makes you think, but it didn’t leave me excited, shocked or thrilled, and that’s ultimately what I look for in a mystery / thriller novel.
<i>(Don't read this book if you haven't watched The Usual Suspects but you want to, it spoils the entire plot... I hate when books do that! Good thing I've already seen the movie (it's one of my faves))
Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.</i>
I really loved the writing in this novel, it was superb and if de Vigan wrote more books in my favourite genres, I’d likely read them just for her style of telling a story. This book is written as though you are reading a book… if that makes sense, so you are instantly pulled in to the narrator’s life, but unfortunately, it wasn’t all that exciting.
I was waiting for some big reveal in the story, as others had claimed this was to come… but nothing happened that I wasn’t expecting to happen. This lack of twist was a real let down for me, it’s one of those books that’s left me thinking “really, that was it?”.
I don’t hate this book. It was well thought out, well written and has very well developed characters. The tension of the novel is built perfectly, but it leads to nothing. Yes, this leaves you questioning the truth, it makes you think, but it didn’t leave me excited, shocked or thrilled, and that’s ultimately what I look for in a mystery / thriller novel.
<i>(Don't read this book if you haven't watched The Usual Suspects but you want to, it spoils the entire plot... I hate when books do that! Good thing I've already seen the movie (it's one of my faves))
Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Heart of Thorns (Heart of Thorns #1) in Books
Oct 19, 2018
I almost bailed on this book. It's not bad, exactly, it's just - mediocre. Mia discovers that she is the thing she's been taught to hate, discovers that maybe they're not all bad, that what she's been taught is probably wrong, but, y'know, maybe not entirely wrong - it's just one trope after another. It was rather predictable.
And there's this problem with the world. If every woman is suspected of being a witch, (sorry, Gwyrach) and they work their magic through touch - how is anyone having kids? Sure, women are required to wear gloves in public, but - the touch-magic doesn't keep men from abusing women. Not like in The Power, where men start getting actually scared to touch women for fear of what could happen.
The only character in this book that I actually LIKED was Prince Quin. And maybe Dom, the flirtatious gay boy. Mia was rather thoroughly unlikable. First she blindly accepts that she should hate and kill Gwyrach, then is appalled to find out she (and her mother) are/were Gwyrach, and refuses to accept that because of course she can't possibly be one of those reviled women. She refuses to take Quin into her confidence, despite him showing blind trust in her for most of the book. What does he have to do to prove himself to you, woman?
I've read much better feminist dystopias. This is oppressed-women-finding-their-hidden-powers-and-fighting-back clothed in a fantasy instead of a dystopia, and it's not nearly as good as it could be. Despite ending on a cliffhanger, I don't care enough about these characters to read the next book.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
And there's this problem with the world. If every woman is suspected of being a witch, (sorry, Gwyrach) and they work their magic through touch - how is anyone having kids? Sure, women are required to wear gloves in public, but - the touch-magic doesn't keep men from abusing women. Not like in The Power, where men start getting actually scared to touch women for fear of what could happen.
The only character in this book that I actually LIKED was Prince Quin. And maybe Dom, the flirtatious gay boy. Mia was rather thoroughly unlikable. First she blindly accepts that she should hate and kill Gwyrach, then is appalled to find out she (and her mother) are/were Gwyrach, and refuses to accept that because of course she can't possibly be one of those reviled women. She refuses to take Quin into her confidence, despite him showing blind trust in her for most of the book. What does he have to do to prove himself to you, woman?
I've read much better feminist dystopias. This is oppressed-women-finding-their-hidden-powers-and-fighting-back clothed in a fantasy instead of a dystopia, and it's not nearly as good as it could be. Despite ending on a cliffhanger, I don't care enough about these characters to read the next book.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com

Merissa (13169 KP) rated Twilight (Twilight, #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Yes, I admit it - I'm in the Love It camp and so firmly in Team Edward it's ridiculous! The jury definitely seems out, not only this book but on the series in general. People seem to either love it or hate it with no middle ground, a bit like Marmite! What follows is my opinion, and only my opinion!
I didn't immediately read this book upon it's release due to the hype that had preceded it so I was happy to wait. When I did eventually buy it, it was because it was on offer as a paperback in my local supermarket and I was looking for something new to read. So I bought it. I read it in a couple of evenings, starting as soon my children had gone to bed and reading through until it was my turn to retire for the night.
The book has its flaws and faults just like every other book out on the market. But you either like Bella and Edward (Jacob isn't in this book much) or you don't. You know that he's a vampire from the beginning so it comes as no surprise when he admits it. I like the fact that Bella doesn't see herself as others do and is clumsy and uncoordinated.
I have since bought this in hardback and still enjoy reading it and I still fall in love with Edward every time that I read it as he is such a "gentleman" to me.
One thing I would say - whether you like it, love it, think it's ok or hate it, you are entitled to your own opinion the same as I am. Just don't knock mine because it's different to yours!
I didn't immediately read this book upon it's release due to the hype that had preceded it so I was happy to wait. When I did eventually buy it, it was because it was on offer as a paperback in my local supermarket and I was looking for something new to read. So I bought it. I read it in a couple of evenings, starting as soon my children had gone to bed and reading through until it was my turn to retire for the night.
The book has its flaws and faults just like every other book out on the market. But you either like Bella and Edward (Jacob isn't in this book much) or you don't. You know that he's a vampire from the beginning so it comes as no surprise when he admits it. I like the fact that Bella doesn't see herself as others do and is clumsy and uncoordinated.
I have since bought this in hardback and still enjoy reading it and I still fall in love with Edward every time that I read it as he is such a "gentleman" to me.
One thing I would say - whether you like it, love it, think it's ok or hate it, you are entitled to your own opinion the same as I am. Just don't knock mine because it's different to yours!

Parsnips: Buttered: Bamboozle and Boycott Modern Life, One Email at a Time
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Dear Reader, Life is hard. We are a bombarded generation: Facebook, billboards, Twitter, Instagram,...