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A Tip for the Hangman
10.0
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Christopher Marlowe, a brilliant aspiring playwright, is pulled into the duplicitous world of...
A Game of Thrones the Board Game (2nd Edition)
8.0
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Tabletop Game
King Robert Baratheon is dead, and the lands of Westeros brace for battle. In A Game of Thrones:...
The Forbidden City
Tabletop Game
China, 1570. China is under the reign of the Longqing Emperor, of the Ming Dynasty. He inherited a...
Boardgames 2018Games
The Kompromat Kill (Sean Richardson #2)
8.0
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'They were preparing for decades - now it's time to take them down......' A DIPLOMAT VANISHES A...
The Messenger of Luci
Book
Have you ever felt as though you were being watched? Have you ever had the feeling that there was...
Self-help Family Personal development
Debbiereadsbook (1862 KP) rated A Job Well Done in Books
Dec 22, 2025
a relatively easy read.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Alex is a hit man, sent to eliminate a witness for a crime lord. But meeting Bryce makes Alex question everything. Then the pair of them have a target on their backs, and neither man will walk away unscathed.
I liked this, I liked this A LOT.
It's a little bit steamy, a little bit emotional, full of drama, and intrigue, danger and some funny moments too.
I liked that Bryce didn't really question his attraction to Alex, only the timing. Bryce had not come out as bi, and had not done anything with another man either, and his attraction and growing feelings for Alex were solid and he wasn't questioning them too closely. The situation isn't ideal, though!
I liked the way the story flowed, and I loved that both men had a voice.
I liked how this author tells her tales. I can only see one other, a much older book, than this, so I'm not sure how many books this author has written. It's clear she has skill and I would like to read something else. I would LOVE to read books about Alex' brothers, Michael, Luke and Abe and Bryce's brother, Clay. They all play a part here, even minor, but Abe and Clay piqued my interest!
However.
I did find that there were quite a few points that names were not used in the correct manner. For example, at one point, Bryce is speaking, and he says "Look, Bryce, about that . . " and another point, Alex looks into the water, but can see no sign of Alex. Minor points, but enough to make them stand out and for me to notice them, and make the comment about them.
I did enjoy it, though, apart from this point. It was a relatively easy read, that hit quite a few positive buttons.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Alex is a hit man, sent to eliminate a witness for a crime lord. But meeting Bryce makes Alex question everything. Then the pair of them have a target on their backs, and neither man will walk away unscathed.
I liked this, I liked this A LOT.
It's a little bit steamy, a little bit emotional, full of drama, and intrigue, danger and some funny moments too.
I liked that Bryce didn't really question his attraction to Alex, only the timing. Bryce had not come out as bi, and had not done anything with another man either, and his attraction and growing feelings for Alex were solid and he wasn't questioning them too closely. The situation isn't ideal, though!
I liked the way the story flowed, and I loved that both men had a voice.
I liked how this author tells her tales. I can only see one other, a much older book, than this, so I'm not sure how many books this author has written. It's clear she has skill and I would like to read something else. I would LOVE to read books about Alex' brothers, Michael, Luke and Abe and Bryce's brother, Clay. They all play a part here, even minor, but Abe and Clay piqued my interest!
However.
I did find that there were quite a few points that names were not used in the correct manner. For example, at one point, Bryce is speaking, and he says "Look, Bryce, about that . . " and another point, Alex looks into the water, but can see no sign of Alex. Minor points, but enough to make them stand out and for me to notice them, and make the comment about them.
I did enjoy it, though, apart from this point. It was a relatively easy read, that hit quite a few positive buttons.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Death on the Nile (2022) in Movies
Feb 15, 2022
To start with, there's only so much you can hate on an Agatha Christie adaption. The film could be torrid tripe, but there's still a particular brand of intrigue which always comes with one of her whodunits. This latest re-telling of Death on the Nile just about scrapes by, mainly thanks to its second half, and that aforementioned Christie narrative, but sadly, not much else.
There's glimpses of something good there. Kenneth Branagh can be hit or miss as far as I'm concerned. For every Belfast (soaringly wonderful) there's an Artemis Fowl (what I imagine a lobotomy feels like). This is somewhere in the middle. There are moments of promise sprinkled here and there, but they struggle to break through all the bloated hot air that is draped over everything.
All of the characters are ridiculous. I get that's part of it, but it just falls flat here. It's hard to enjoy comic relief when everyone is comic relief. Gal Gadot seems like she is half-arsing every line. Russell Brand feels jarringly out of place. I traditionally enjoy French & Saunders but they also feel alien in every scene they're in. I know this shouldn't really impact my view, but Armie Hammer look like he just wants to eat everyone he talks to. Even the usually reliable Annette Benning comes across completely disinterested. There's no chemistry anywhere, and it all just feels a bit odd. Branagh is pretty great as Poirot to his credit. He just about holds proceedings together along with Sophie Okonedo, and they both manage to inject some charisma when things become arduous, which is farily regularly.
A bit of a misfire then, but not a complete disaster. I can firmly file Death on the Nile under "films I don't really like, but would probably watch again if it was on TV, or maybe on Christmas day at my Mums house".
There's glimpses of something good there. Kenneth Branagh can be hit or miss as far as I'm concerned. For every Belfast (soaringly wonderful) there's an Artemis Fowl (what I imagine a lobotomy feels like). This is somewhere in the middle. There are moments of promise sprinkled here and there, but they struggle to break through all the bloated hot air that is draped over everything.
All of the characters are ridiculous. I get that's part of it, but it just falls flat here. It's hard to enjoy comic relief when everyone is comic relief. Gal Gadot seems like she is half-arsing every line. Russell Brand feels jarringly out of place. I traditionally enjoy French & Saunders but they also feel alien in every scene they're in. I know this shouldn't really impact my view, but Armie Hammer look like he just wants to eat everyone he talks to. Even the usually reliable Annette Benning comes across completely disinterested. There's no chemistry anywhere, and it all just feels a bit odd. Branagh is pretty great as Poirot to his credit. He just about holds proceedings together along with Sophie Okonedo, and they both manage to inject some charisma when things become arduous, which is farily regularly.
A bit of a misfire then, but not a complete disaster. I can firmly file Death on the Nile under "films I don't really like, but would probably watch again if it was on TV, or maybe on Christmas day at my Mums house".
Merissa (14222 KP) rated Dark Flame (Flame Born #1) in Books
Feb 8, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)
WHAT. A. BOOK!!! Dark Flame is the first book in the Flame Born series and I read it in one sitting, staying up waaaay past my bedtime because I simply could not put it down!
It's dark, it's twisted, you have no idea for sure just who is 'good' and who is 'bad', there is more intrigue than you can shake a stick at, AND I LOVED EVERY WORD!
Michael is a brilliant character. He thinks he's straight, but his girlfriend has just left him. Things are weird around him, and about to get stranger. Flanagan has a whole Viking vibe going on (which I definitely won't complain about), but some of the guys he works with are... less than pure, let's just put it that way. In fairness, that just made it even better. As for Alexei, wow, he's hot. I also don't trust him as far as I could throw him!
This was an amazing start to a series. You get all the world- and character-building you could wish for, whilst being carried away on a story that shows you there is more to this world than most know about.
I eventually went to bed, re-read the ending as soon as I woke up, and after that, I went straight to Kat Silver's website so I could read the bonus about Michael and Flanagan, but I couldn't find it! Trust me, I'm going to keep on looking until I do.
I loved this book, I can't wait for book 2, and you really need to read it! I can't believe this is her debut novel! Absolutely and utterly 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!
Feb 8, 2021
It's dark, it's twisted, you have no idea for sure just who is 'good' and who is 'bad', there is more intrigue than you can shake a stick at, AND I LOVED EVERY WORD!
Michael is a brilliant character. He thinks he's straight, but his girlfriend has just left him. Things are weird around him, and about to get stranger. Flanagan has a whole Viking vibe going on (which I definitely won't complain about), but some of the guys he works with are... less than pure, let's just put it that way. In fairness, that just made it even better. As for Alexei, wow, he's hot. I also don't trust him as far as I could throw him!
This was an amazing start to a series. You get all the world- and character-building you could wish for, whilst being carried away on a story that shows you there is more to this world than most know about.
I eventually went to bed, re-read the ending as soon as I woke up, and after that, I went straight to Kat Silver's website so I could read the bonus about Michael and Flanagan, but I couldn't find it! Trust me, I'm going to keep on looking until I do.
I loved this book, I can't wait for book 2, and you really need to read it! I can't believe this is her debut novel! Absolutely and utterly 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!
Feb 8, 2021
Merissa (14222 KP) rated Apollo's Raven (Curse of Clansmen and Kings #1) in Books
Jun 3, 2022 (Updated Jun 13, 2023)
APOLLO'S RAVEN is the first book in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series and prepare yourself! You are about to enter a book full of twisted tales and layers of intrigue. I mean, come on! Curses, Romans, and Celts - what more could I ask for?
This is a long book, giving you ample time to lose yourself in Ancient Britannia, where Catrin sees Romans come to land through her raven's eyes. This event sets off a chain that will see her fall in love and come into her powers and many other things. Marcellus is there at his father's command, basically seeing if the timing for an invasion is good or not.
There is an instant connection between the two that could just be the infatuation between two young teens. However, as the story goes, it is true love and they are bound together forever. This, I found a little hard to believe as they know nothing about each other past their attraction, and constantly doubt each other, believing them to be betraying them, etc. I hope their relationship develops and matures as the books progress as both of them acted childishly at times.
I enjoyed the story but found some parts a bit difficult to digest. For instance, there was a whole lot more to druids than just being sorcerers or priests but none of that is mentioned. I was confused by the term 'druid powers' as that could encompass a whole manner of things.
Bear in mind it is the first book, so there are lots of things left unanswered. I am hopeful for more information in the following books. This was an enjoyable story and I look forward to reading more in this series.
** 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!
Jun 2, 2022
This is a long book, giving you ample time to lose yourself in Ancient Britannia, where Catrin sees Romans come to land through her raven's eyes. This event sets off a chain that will see her fall in love and come into her powers and many other things. Marcellus is there at his father's command, basically seeing if the timing for an invasion is good or not.
There is an instant connection between the two that could just be the infatuation between two young teens. However, as the story goes, it is true love and they are bound together forever. This, I found a little hard to believe as they know nothing about each other past their attraction, and constantly doubt each other, believing them to be betraying them, etc. I hope their relationship develops and matures as the books progress as both of them acted childishly at times.
I enjoyed the story but found some parts a bit difficult to digest. For instance, there was a whole lot more to druids than just being sorcerers or priests but none of that is mentioned. I was confused by the term 'druid powers' as that could encompass a whole manner of things.
Bear in mind it is the first book, so there are lots of things left unanswered. I am hopeful for more information in the following books. This was an enjoyable story and I look forward to reading more in this series.
** 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!
Jun 2, 2022