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The Choosing (Seer, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I am finding it difficult to write a review without giving too much of the story away! This book is filled with so many aspects that left my mind reeling, my heart aching, and my stomach churning. But through it all, the message is clear. The Father has chosen us, chosen me. I am beautiful, I have worth. There is freedom in the truth.

With multiple viewpoints and storylines to follow, this book is intense and pretty heavy at times. But LIFE and TRUTH bleed through in even the most dreadful moments. Rachelle has created a brilliant dystopian world with intriguing characters. Reading this book kept me up late and had me biting my nails. I even had a dream or two about the story. It gets inside your head for sure! Watching Carrington develop and grow and become a seer of truth was beautiful.

The Choosing is the first book of a series and definitely leaves you wanting more. However, it does end with a fairly satisfying conclusion...for now. I enjoyed Rachelle Dekker's debut novel and look forward to continuing this series.

I received The Choosing as a gift. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
The Blade Itself
The Blade Itself
Joe Abercrombie | 2007 | Fiction & Poetry
8
9.0 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
So, 'The Blade Itself'.

Like some other of these sprawling epic fantasies, this was a novel that, while I'd heard of it and had heard good things, I'd never actually got round to reading: put off, perhaps, by the sheer size of it?

That is, I'd never read it until now.

Following a group of disparate characters who eventually, by the end of the novel, more-or-less come together (in the same geographical location) or, at least, very obviously heading towards doing so, I have to say that I did quite enjoy it.

While I was initially concerned that the book may drag a bit (again, due to the sheer size ...), thankfully this did not prove to be the case. OK, there may have been certain sections that (IMO) it would have been better where they pruned somewhat, overall the story did move along well enough, and did hold my attention.

Like a heavy dinner, however, I think I may need a break before moving onto the next ([b: Before They Are Hanged|902715|Before They Are Hanged (The First Law, #2)|Joe Abercrombie|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1179318094s/902715.jpg|2116927]): two back-to-back is one too many!
  
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
2014 | Action, Sci-Fi
Now this is what I want in a Marvel film; plenty of action, great characters, and a nice dose of humour. By far one of my favourite MCU films; it’s just plain in your face FUN!

Helped by a very strong soundtrack this film has you straight into fun film mode. The banter between characters is enjoyable and largely all the humour hits the right notes. This is the first outing for Chris Pratt’s “Starlord” and somehow Marvel manage to pull off a Raccoon and a Tree as great supporting characters. Refusing to be dragged down to all too often trodden romance heavy track, kick ass Gamora, played by Zoe Salana, holds her own despite the obvious interest of Starlord Peter.

The film doesn't get too bogged down with being part of the huge all encompassing Marvel “big picture” instead taking the delightful time needed for us to fall in love with these new characters. While the larger Universes story line is still added to this film works fine on it’s own. For me this gave me the boost I needed to get more excited for Marvel films again having felt they had not got back to the heights Iron Man hit for me.
  
Why Mummy Drinks
Why Mummy Drinks
Gill Sims | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
5
8.1 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
Swear heavy rantings
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Gabrielle Glaister. My expectation picking up this book was that it was going to be a humorous commentary on the daily trials of motherhood but for me, it didn’t hit the funny spot I was hoping for.

Written from the point of view of a 39-year-old mother of two young children we have a view of her life as she hopes it is going to go and then how things actually happen.

The beginning of this book came across as some sort of constant swearing rant by a rather stuck up woman who I was struggling to feel any sympathy for. I nearly gave up on it but it did improve.
I just couldn't muster any love for this mum. I don't think the narration helped for me but overall the tone just wasn't enjoyable. There were moments, in particular, the Christmas period that brought a smile to my face but I had wanted more of a laugh.

I generally don’t mind a lot of swearing but it was done in such a repetitive way it didn’t help the story, oh and having FML read out as letters frequently grated.
  
The Wolverine (2013)
The Wolverine (2013)
2013 | Action
An ok film that could have been so much more.
Here we have the 6th entry into the X-Men franchise, and the second solo outing for Wolverine.

I, like many comic fans, was thrilled when it was announced that this film would be diving into Logan's time in Japan. It's arguably one of the strongest solo Wolverine storylines from the comic!
The finished film however misses the mark. Not completely - remnants of the comic are left intact, buts it's clear that the studio meddled once again. When The Wolverine is concentrating on the dialogue heavy scenes, it's good. When it throws Logan against ninjas, it's (mostly) good.

However, FOX obviously didn't have enough faith in this as a whole, and opted to push James Mangold in the direction of dodgy CGI orgies.
The climatic battle against a massive CGI robot ninja (referred to as Silver Samurai - the bloody cheek), is so out of place, that it nearly ruins the whole film.

I feel that James Mangold is not to blame. He clearly has respect for the source material, and isn't about big CGI blowouts - he would go on to direct the stellar Logan a few years later.

A wasted opportunity then, and a storyline I really hope Marvel Studios revisits again in the future