Search
Search results
Amethyst Flame (Butterfly Witch #2)
8.0
Rate It
Book
Imogen Taylor: New art classes. New sister?! Maybe a new boyfriend... Still screwing up. Keeping...
Urban Fantasy Romance New Adult
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2510 KP) rated Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! in Books
Nov 29, 2023
The Pigeon Gets a Christmas Book
Santa needs to go wrap a few presents, but he leaves us with one request. You guessed it, don’t let the Pigeon drive the sleigh. And as soon as Santa leaves, Pigeon shows up trying to wheedle his way into driving the sleigh. Will he get his wish? Or will reality be different than his dreams?
Those familiar with Pigeon will love this Christmas entry in the series. It felt a little too familiar at times, but it was still fun overall. If you aren’t familiar with these books, the dialogue to us and stylized pictures will take a bit to get used to, but once you do, you’ll find the fun. I once again love that Pigeon sees his wish isn’t all he thought it might be, but this lesson is filled with humor. I can see this becoming a Christmas hit that is possibly requested year-round.
Those familiar with Pigeon will love this Christmas entry in the series. It felt a little too familiar at times, but it was still fun overall. If you aren’t familiar with these books, the dialogue to us and stylized pictures will take a bit to get used to, but once you do, you’ll find the fun. I once again love that Pigeon sees his wish isn’t all he thought it might be, but this lesson is filled with humor. I can see this becoming a Christmas hit that is possibly requested year-round.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2510 KP) rated The Last Orphan in Books
Jul 7, 2023 (Updated Jul 7, 2023)
Evan Faces a Conflicting Mission
Once again, the US government is tracking down assassin Evan Smoak. Only he doesn’t know it until it is too late. When he is given an ultimatum, he does his own research into the assignment. Will he find a reason to pursue it?
There’s enough background, you could jump in here, but I’ll always recommend you read a series in order. I’m a little vague in my plot teaser since the book takes a little time to set things up, and it’s best to watch things unfold. That’s not to say we don’t get action early and often, which is always page turning. I feel like we didn’t quite get as much growth for Evan, although there was still some. And I enjoy the added bits of humor that come in as the series progresses. The story ends with not quite a cliffhanger, but definitely setting up the next book. Overall, fans will enjoy Evan’s latest adventure
There’s enough background, you could jump in here, but I’ll always recommend you read a series in order. I’m a little vague in my plot teaser since the book takes a little time to set things up, and it’s best to watch things unfold. That’s not to say we don’t get action early and often, which is always page turning. I feel like we didn’t quite get as much growth for Evan, although there was still some. And I enjoy the added bits of humor that come in as the series progresses. The story ends with not quite a cliffhanger, but definitely setting up the next book. Overall, fans will enjoy Evan’s latest adventure
Spectator (9 KP) rated Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) in Movies
Jan 1, 2022
This movie really amazed and surprised me at how much I love this movie. It does a great job at balancing the humor and the seriousness throughout the film. Definitely fan service, but it’s used in a way where it’s in service of the plot and helps drive it forward.
It also made me like Tom Holland’s Peter/SM a whole lot more compared to the other two solo films he did. Peter has to actually face the consequences of his actions. This is easily Tom’s best performance as Peter Parker by far. And the villains were great (specifically Green Goblin, Doc Ock, and Electro). I thought they did a good job at balancing the screen time for them and it didn’t feel like a cluster of a mess with too many characters. As a big Spider-Man fan, this really feels like a love letter to the character and it’s everything that I would want from a Spider-Man movie.
It also made me like Tom Holland’s Peter/SM a whole lot more compared to the other two solo films he did. Peter has to actually face the consequences of his actions. This is easily Tom’s best performance as Peter Parker by far. And the villains were great (specifically Green Goblin, Doc Ock, and Electro). I thought they did a good job at balancing the screen time for them and it didn’t feel like a cluster of a mess with too many characters. As a big Spider-Man fan, this really feels like a love letter to the character and it’s everything that I would want from a Spider-Man movie.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2510 KP) rated Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? in Books
Mar 3, 2022
Sounds Like a Fun Book for All Ages
This is a simple book. There’s really no plot, but as we read, we find out about all the noises that Mr. Brown can imitate. Yes, he can imitate a cow, but there’s also a cork, rain, a train, and a butterfly. Yes, you read that right.
This has all the creativity, humor, and charm of a classic Dr. Seuss book. I loved it as a kid, and I found it just as fun reading it to kids when I was older. Since the sounds are part of the rhythm and rhymes of the book, they call out to be made as you read, so it is most fun if you really get into it. This is classified as an easy reader. Some of the sounds written out might not be familiar words, but it is a chance to challenge young readers in a context they will get. Add in Dr. Seuss’s illustrations, and you have a winner.
This has all the creativity, humor, and charm of a classic Dr. Seuss book. I loved it as a kid, and I found it just as fun reading it to kids when I was older. Since the sounds are part of the rhythm and rhymes of the book, they call out to be made as you read, so it is most fun if you really get into it. This is classified as an easy reader. Some of the sounds written out might not be familiar words, but it is a chance to challenge young readers in a context they will get. Add in Dr. Seuss’s illustrations, and you have a winner.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2510 KP) rated The Big Boat to Bye-Bye in Books
Feb 20, 2026 (Updated Feb 20, 2026)
Blackmail and Murder in the World of Puppets
Pete Ingalls has a new client - the producers of a puppet TV show for kids. Someone has gotten a hold of the very adult gag reel and is blackmailing them. As Pete investigates, he finds a dead body. Can he solve both crimes?
This is a different series since Pete is not who he thinks he is. All that is set up in the first book, and we don’t get the background here. It does play into the philosophizing we get in the book, but that should have been cut back. The main plot is good with some great twists. The ending is a bit convoluted, but it does work. The book has a lot of humor, which made me laugh at times and made me cringe at others. Overall, I’m glad I finally pulled this off my shelves and read it.
This is a different series since Pete is not who he thinks he is. All that is set up in the first book, and we don’t get the background here. It does play into the philosophizing we get in the book, but that should have been cut back. The main plot is good with some great twists. The ending is a bit convoluted, but it does work. The book has a lot of humor, which made me laugh at times and made me cringe at others. Overall, I’m glad I finally pulled this off my shelves and read it.
Murder Out of Character
5.0
Rate It
Book
Marvey, a small-town librarian, finds a mysterious list of names... and what happens next can’t...
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Bad Magic and the Big Top (Blackwood Bay Witches Paranormal Cozy Mystery) in Books
Mar 16, 2019
What a great story!
Welcome to Blackwood Bay, where magic and murder have come out to play...Life for fledgling new witch Dru Rathmore Davis has been a whirlwind since moving to the charming seaside town of Blackwood Bay over a month ago . Seeing spirits, talking to animals, living with three cranky roommates, and totally not crushing on her new Guardian …But when Dru wakes one morning to find the body of a circus clown slouched dead against her doorstep and her bookshop broken into overnight, one of her worst fears may come to pass.She may be haunted by a clown... Together, Dru and her Guardian—incredibly handsome police sergeant Wolf Harper who’s absolutely just a friend —take their investigation to the most marvelous show on earth: the traveling Braun Bros Circus. It’s evident that there’s a far more sinister performance going on behind the scenes, and this traveling circus may have more skeletons buried in their closet than the Rathmore family. But when your suspects are a tight-knight troupe of acrobats, fortune tellers, magicians , and clowns, everyone has something to hide—and secrets they’d do anything to protect…
This is the second book in the Blackwood Bay Witches series. For those of you who like story lines with witches, ghosts, talking animals, wizards and covens, then this book is for you!
In this story Dru is starting to get used to being a witch, seeing ghosts and talking to animals and running the bookshop.
Just when Dru thinks her life is really starting to settle in Blackwood Bay, she opens her door and finds a dead clown on her doorstep.
The circus is in town and murder is afoot.
Come get to know this lovely set of characters. They are wisecracking and lovely bunch; well developed and will make you smile.
This has a good plot, twists abound to make you guess. Loaded with the humor and wise cracks. There are no cliff hangers just really good writing.
I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down! I can't wait for more!!!!
Highly recommend reading!
I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.
This is the second book in the Blackwood Bay Witches series. For those of you who like story lines with witches, ghosts, talking animals, wizards and covens, then this book is for you!
In this story Dru is starting to get used to being a witch, seeing ghosts and talking to animals and running the bookshop.
Just when Dru thinks her life is really starting to settle in Blackwood Bay, she opens her door and finds a dead clown on her doorstep.
The circus is in town and murder is afoot.
Come get to know this lovely set of characters. They are wisecracking and lovely bunch; well developed and will make you smile.
This has a good plot, twists abound to make you guess. Loaded with the humor and wise cracks. There are no cliff hangers just really good writing.
I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down! I can't wait for more!!!!
Highly recommend reading!
I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.
Saffy Alexandra (89 KP) rated Throne of Glass in Books
May 23, 2019
Characters (5 more)
Fantastical Creatures
Suspense
Sarcasm and Humor
Character Development
Female Lead
Breaking through the glass roof more like!
Contains spoilers, click to show
I went into reading this book with the expectation that it would be like any typical 'heroine' book where the man actually ends up saving the woman. HELLS was I wrong!
A book with a sarcastic, badass Heroine who doesn't need any man to help her ... Yes I am into it!
This book follows the journey of Celaena Sardothien, a teenage assassin (and when I say teenage I mean 18 Years Old) who has been imprisoned and to then becoming the tyrannical King's 'Champion'. From meeting the Crown-Prince to the Captain of the Royal Guard all the way to the horrific King we meet a variety of different characters. Each of these characters bring different traits, difficulties and challenges to Celaena who must over come them all to survive!
Watching Celaena grow from wanting to only trust herself to ending up trusting in the Princess, Prince and Captain of the Guard is heart-wrenching as you go through the motions of this. The way Sarah J. Maas puts across her character's is truly fascinating.
If you are looking for a book that has humor, sarcasm and sass and so much adventure and fighting - this is the book for you!!
Now I would have done 10 however, SPOILERS - I felt the romantic relationship (if you can call it that) between Celaena and the Prince was not needed in this book and was only placed in to appease some of the readers who wanted romance. I felt that this book honestly didn't need that detail, Celaena is baddass enough without having a man yanking on her arm all the time. Without that little detail I would have given this a ten out of ten.
But even with the romance it does not take away from the general plot of the first book and I cannot wait to start reading the rest of the series to see where Celaena's journey goes being the King's Champion and what mysteries are left to be uncovered from her past and now the future!
A book with a sarcastic, badass Heroine who doesn't need any man to help her ... Yes I am into it!
This book follows the journey of Celaena Sardothien, a teenage assassin (and when I say teenage I mean 18 Years Old) who has been imprisoned and to then becoming the tyrannical King's 'Champion'. From meeting the Crown-Prince to the Captain of the Royal Guard all the way to the horrific King we meet a variety of different characters. Each of these characters bring different traits, difficulties and challenges to Celaena who must over come them all to survive!
Watching Celaena grow from wanting to only trust herself to ending up trusting in the Princess, Prince and Captain of the Guard is heart-wrenching as you go through the motions of this. The way Sarah J. Maas puts across her character's is truly fascinating.
If you are looking for a book that has humor, sarcasm and sass and so much adventure and fighting - this is the book for you!!
Now I would have done 10 however, SPOILERS - I felt the romantic relationship (if you can call it that) between Celaena and the Prince was not needed in this book and was only placed in to appease some of the readers who wanted romance. I felt that this book honestly didn't need that detail, Celaena is baddass enough without having a man yanking on her arm all the time. Without that little detail I would have given this a ten out of ten.
But even with the romance it does not take away from the general plot of the first book and I cannot wait to start reading the rest of the series to see where Celaena's journey goes being the King's Champion and what mysteries are left to be uncovered from her past and now the future!
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Beating Ruby (Spotless Series Book 2) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I have been putting off this review for a long time because once I write it, I must accept that I have finished the novel and the wait for book 3 begins. If I loved Spotless, I dont think there are words for how I feel about Beating Ruby. I dont think I could love this series more if I tried. It is utter perfection in every way and has everything you could ever want in a novel whether that be action, romance, or humor. Monk (and her leading lady Island) has a unique voice that gives her life all her own. I didnt think it was possible for an author to fit so much personality into a fictional character, but I feel as if Island and I are old friends, that she is flesh and blood instead of words on paper. Not to mention she is far more relatable than the plethora of heroines I read about.
I will be honest and say that Beating Ruby was a bit hard to get into. Mainly because, like Island, I was still too hung up on March to give Alex, or the plotline itself, a chance. I am so glad I hung in there though. Monk likes to torture her readers with what ifs and maybes, but at least in the instance, she wasnt a complete sadist.
While I enjoyed Spotless, I definitely feel that Beating Ruby surpassed the bar its prequel raised. It still had the same sassy humor and brains that Spotless had. However, I feel Beating Ruby brought more emotions that Spotless just didnt touch. Of course, there was plenty of leftover turmoil from secrets revealed in Spotless to fuel the emotional fire as well as questions that still needed answers.
Again, Monk ends her sequel with what I would consider a cliffhanger. I should be furious that I have to suffer yet again until she graces us with the third in the series. However, I think I can forgive her since Beating Ruby surpassed its predecessor. Even if the third is only half as good as the first two, I will content.
I will be honest and say that Beating Ruby was a bit hard to get into. Mainly because, like Island, I was still too hung up on March to give Alex, or the plotline itself, a chance. I am so glad I hung in there though. Monk likes to torture her readers with what ifs and maybes, but at least in the instance, she wasnt a complete sadist.
While I enjoyed Spotless, I definitely feel that Beating Ruby surpassed the bar its prequel raised. It still had the same sassy humor and brains that Spotless had. However, I feel Beating Ruby brought more emotions that Spotless just didnt touch. Of course, there was plenty of leftover turmoil from secrets revealed in Spotless to fuel the emotional fire as well as questions that still needed answers.
Again, Monk ends her sequel with what I would consider a cliffhanger. I should be furious that I have to suffer yet again until she graces us with the third in the series. However, I think I can forgive her since Beating Ruby surpassed its predecessor. Even if the third is only half as good as the first two, I will content.