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Black Skull Island
Tabletop Game
Seas of peril you’ve crossed, fighting monsters and men, to set foot on the fabled Black Skull...
PirateGames CardGames PartyGames
Thin Air
7.0
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Book
An atmospheric tale of corruption and abduction set on Mars, from the author of the award-winning...
Science Fiction Mars
In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin
Book
The time is 1933, the place, Berlin, when William E. Dodd becomes America's first ambassador to...
Elder Sign
8.1
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Tabletop Game
Game description from the publisher: It is 1926, and the museum's extensive collection of exotic...
Death In Provence
10.0
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Book
The first entry in a clever, lighthearted mystery series set in modern Provence—a delightful blend...
Fiction Contemporary Cultural France Cozy Mystery
Bob Mann (459 KP) rated Three Identical Strangers (2018) in Movies
Sep 28, 2021
A bizarre tale with a dark twist.
I finally got to see Tim Wardle‘s documentary “Three Identical Strangers” last week…. just a few days before it gets shown on Channel 4 in the UK (9pm, Thursday 28th Feb 2019)! This is a short post giving you a heads-up of an instruction: WATCH IT! IT’S AMAZING!
An extraordinary story.
We start with Robert Shafran as a freshman who spends his first day at a small and anonymous college on the outskirts of New York. It’s a strange experience: the friendliest college ever! The blokes hug him like an old friend; girls come up to him and kiss him on the lips! This triggers a series of encounters that will change his life and that of two other “Identical Strangers” forever.
You will be able to find more details in other reviews online. But this is a dish best served cold so I will leave it there.
So it’s a 20 minute film?
It’s all wrapped up after 20 minutes. Or so you think. For the documentary starts to peel back layers of intrigue that go to far darker places than you would ever think possible. Again, to say more would provide spoilers.
As a criticism though, there is a point where I felt the film overstretched itself; reaching for a conclusion that didn’t seem to be born out by the facts (however hard the filmmaker tried to concoct them). That’s a shame, since there is more than enough to fill 90 minutes.
But no Oscar nomination?
Given how powerful (and well-regarded) the documentary is it’s surprising the film didn’t make the Oscar nomination (it made the 15 film shortlist but no more).
But it’s well worth catching: a tale that almost defies belief.
An extraordinary story.
We start with Robert Shafran as a freshman who spends his first day at a small and anonymous college on the outskirts of New York. It’s a strange experience: the friendliest college ever! The blokes hug him like an old friend; girls come up to him and kiss him on the lips! This triggers a series of encounters that will change his life and that of two other “Identical Strangers” forever.
You will be able to find more details in other reviews online. But this is a dish best served cold so I will leave it there.
So it’s a 20 minute film?
It’s all wrapped up after 20 minutes. Or so you think. For the documentary starts to peel back layers of intrigue that go to far darker places than you would ever think possible. Again, to say more would provide spoilers.
As a criticism though, there is a point where I felt the film overstretched itself; reaching for a conclusion that didn’t seem to be born out by the facts (however hard the filmmaker tried to concoct them). That’s a shame, since there is more than enough to fill 90 minutes.
But no Oscar nomination?
Given how powerful (and well-regarded) the documentary is it’s surprising the film didn’t make the Oscar nomination (it made the 15 film shortlist but no more).
But it’s well worth catching: a tale that almost defies belief.
Merissa (11950 KP) rated Tempted by a Rogue Prince (Eternal Mates #3) in Books
Apr 7, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
I loved the first two books in this series and was happily looking forward to this one. I've had smoking hot, sexy scenes, and I've had laugh-out-loud moments as the main females stand up to their mates, but in this book, I've had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes as well.
Vail is a perfectly flawed character and you can see exactly what he's fighting against. Rosalind has her own demons to fight (pardon the pun!) the not least of which is that she is being held against her will and thinks that she has just met the man foretold to appear before her death. So she is a Witch which immediately makes Vail's blood boil and his appearance foretells her death, which she is keen to avoid. How on earth, or in Hell, are these two supposed to get together?
By telling a story with intrigue, depth, and layer upon layer of emotion - that's how. I started this book and thought that I'd just read a bit before bed, just to get it started. After a few hours, I put the book down, fully finished and bleary-eyed. I devoured this book and to be honest, I still need more. Vail has managed to get under my skin and I need to know that he's okay, that he's got and is keeping his H-E-A with Rosalind.
LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Highly, highly, highly recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
December 19, 2018
Vail is a perfectly flawed character and you can see exactly what he's fighting against. Rosalind has her own demons to fight (pardon the pun!) the not least of which is that she is being held against her will and thinks that she has just met the man foretold to appear before her death. So she is a Witch which immediately makes Vail's blood boil and his appearance foretells her death, which she is keen to avoid. How on earth, or in Hell, are these two supposed to get together?
By telling a story with intrigue, depth, and layer upon layer of emotion - that's how. I started this book and thought that I'd just read a bit before bed, just to get it started. After a few hours, I put the book down, fully finished and bleary-eyed. I devoured this book and to be honest, I still need more. Vail has managed to get under my skin and I need to know that he's okay, that he's got and is keeping his H-E-A with Rosalind.
LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Highly, highly, highly recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
December 19, 2018
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Mother/Android (2021) in Movies
Jan 14, 2022
Whilst there are a handful of positives about Mother/Android, they are woefully overshadowed by just how unoriginal the overall movie is.
Starting with said positives - Chloë Grace Moretz is always trying her best and here is no different. It's also nice to see Raúl Castillo popping up more and more at the moment and here is no different. There's a scene fairly late on, set in a house full of androids that is genuinely quite tense and is an obvious highlight.
Other than that, it's pretty dire. The dialogue is shoddy, and the writing is all over the place. None of the characters are particularly likable and there's not really anyone to root for (started rooting for the androids by the end). The opening scene is one of intrigue, promising something vaguely resembling Detroit: Become Human, but the story is rushed along so quickly that we're thrown straight into 9 months later, following a pregnant lady through some woods in America, whilst trying to stay silent. Very A Quiet Place. The android designs do nothing to differentiate from the designs seen in Terminator.
However, the most insulting moment of plagiarism comes during the climax, the events of which are quite bleak, and aim for the heartstrings. This moment is intercut with flashes of a happier time, whilst chaos unfolds in the distance, set to some somber music. All of which would have landed way better if it wasn't ripped straight from the undead hands of Train to Busan!
I'm sure that there will be plenty of people out there who find something to like when it comes to Mother/Android but for me, it just came across as plain lazy, lifting ideas from far superior movies left, right, and centre.
Starting with said positives - Chloë Grace Moretz is always trying her best and here is no different. It's also nice to see Raúl Castillo popping up more and more at the moment and here is no different. There's a scene fairly late on, set in a house full of androids that is genuinely quite tense and is an obvious highlight.
Other than that, it's pretty dire. The dialogue is shoddy, and the writing is all over the place. None of the characters are particularly likable and there's not really anyone to root for (started rooting for the androids by the end). The opening scene is one of intrigue, promising something vaguely resembling Detroit: Become Human, but the story is rushed along so quickly that we're thrown straight into 9 months later, following a pregnant lady through some woods in America, whilst trying to stay silent. Very A Quiet Place. The android designs do nothing to differentiate from the designs seen in Terminator.
However, the most insulting moment of plagiarism comes during the climax, the events of which are quite bleak, and aim for the heartstrings. This moment is intercut with flashes of a happier time, whilst chaos unfolds in the distance, set to some somber music. All of which would have landed way better if it wasn't ripped straight from the undead hands of Train to Busan!
I'm sure that there will be plenty of people out there who find something to like when it comes to Mother/Android but for me, it just came across as plain lazy, lifting ideas from far superior movies left, right, and centre.
Debbiereadsbook (1166 KP) rated Love, Untruths, and the Smuggler's Ruse (A Tenet Gentlemen's Club #2) in Books
Oct 20, 2022
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Tenet Gentleman's Club series, but I have not read book 1. I did not feel as I missed anything for not doing so, since the couple in that book are not mentioned, I don't think, in this one.
You get pulled straight into this book, and what Elizabeth is trying to solve, right from page one, and It does not really let you go!
I liked that both Elizabeth and Langdon have a say, although it took me a little bit to grasp Langdon's first name and put the two together.
I liked that there is intrigue and drama. I did have an inkling, right from the start, about a certain character, so it was fun watching that all come to pass.
It is an historical romance, so its full of the rules and regulations of the time, along with words for various things. Made me chuckle a time or two how the feelings these two had for each other were described towards the beginning. It's not overly explicit but it does carry some steam, once Elizabeth gave into the need to have Langdon in the way she wanted.
It's a well written story, that delivered to me just what I needed at the right time.
One teeny niggle though. The book is set in London, and as such, I expected ENGLISH words to describe certain things. A couple of things were given AMERICAN wordings.
First I've read of this author. Will I read more? Quite possibly if the blurb grabs. If it's an historical, I will know to look for the English/American wordings and it won't bother me so much!
4 good, solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Tenet Gentleman's Club series, but I have not read book 1. I did not feel as I missed anything for not doing so, since the couple in that book are not mentioned, I don't think, in this one.
You get pulled straight into this book, and what Elizabeth is trying to solve, right from page one, and It does not really let you go!
I liked that both Elizabeth and Langdon have a say, although it took me a little bit to grasp Langdon's first name and put the two together.
I liked that there is intrigue and drama. I did have an inkling, right from the start, about a certain character, so it was fun watching that all come to pass.
It is an historical romance, so its full of the rules and regulations of the time, along with words for various things. Made me chuckle a time or two how the feelings these two had for each other were described towards the beginning. It's not overly explicit but it does carry some steam, once Elizabeth gave into the need to have Langdon in the way she wanted.
It's a well written story, that delivered to me just what I needed at the right time.
One teeny niggle though. The book is set in London, and as such, I expected ENGLISH words to describe certain things. A couple of things were given AMERICAN wordings.
First I've read of this author. Will I read more? Quite possibly if the blurb grabs. If it's an historical, I will know to look for the English/American wordings and it won't bother me so much!
4 good, solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Merissa (11950 KP) rated Idolatry (Reagalos #2) in Books
Oct 8, 2021 (Updated Jul 12, 2023)
IDOLATRY is the second book in the Reagalos series and we return to the fantasy world where Lornyc is now the ruler of two kingdoms and, as he finds out, a living god. Of course, he isn't really. It's just his pesky (deceased) relative causing trouble once more.
If you are looking for a nice and simple, easy read then I'm afraid this book won't do it for you. If you're looking for one with multiple twists, intrigue, multiple dimensions, death threats, and jealous lovers, then hold onto your hats, because you're in for one hell of a ride!
There is so much that goes on here, honestly! I didn't see Methian bloom as I'd hoped, but I am seeing the beginnings of it. After speaking with his dad, he is going to take more of a hand in his own kingdom.
Lornyc is definitely the character that takes centre stage in this story. The other characters are there but we don't see as much of them. Vella is still having fun, as Kat's black eye will attest to.
I hope to see more of Methian in future books as I feel he could be a really strong character in his own right, rather than 'just' a consort. He is also heir to his own realm so... yep, I'd like to see more of him. Vella is another great character - loyal to her family, dangerous to those who cross her or those she loves.
Idolatry was a great addition to the series, and I look forward to reading more. Definitely recommended by me.
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 8, 2021
If you are looking for a nice and simple, easy read then I'm afraid this book won't do it for you. If you're looking for one with multiple twists, intrigue, multiple dimensions, death threats, and jealous lovers, then hold onto your hats, because you're in for one hell of a ride!
There is so much that goes on here, honestly! I didn't see Methian bloom as I'd hoped, but I am seeing the beginnings of it. After speaking with his dad, he is going to take more of a hand in his own kingdom.
Lornyc is definitely the character that takes centre stage in this story. The other characters are there but we don't see as much of them. Vella is still having fun, as Kat's black eye will attest to.
I hope to see more of Methian in future books as I feel he could be a really strong character in his own right, rather than 'just' a consort. He is also heir to his own realm so... yep, I'd like to see more of him. Vella is another great character - loyal to her family, dangerous to those who cross her or those she loves.
Idolatry was a great addition to the series, and I look forward to reading more. Definitely recommended by me.
** 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 8, 2021