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Amy Norman (1042 KP) rated Queen of Nothing in Books
Apr 1, 2020
This is the final book for the trilogy of The Folk of the Air series.
I adored this book, and struggled to put it down; the culmination of a very fast paced series that delivers.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who preferred Arya's story arc in Game of Thrones but with more magic, intrigue, and scheming oh so many schemes.
Holly has built a beautiful world, that is absolutely intoxicating, and I will honestly ache for more to come from this series.
I also appreciate this book so much for the strong female characters, there were some really subtle and nuanced details that I don't believe a male writer could portray, or even think of.
It is vulnerable in a way that I think most will relate to, and might get under your skin 😉but it is not overwhelming or over the top, in fact it is extremely well balanced overall.
Please go and enjoy for yourself ☺
I adored this book, and struggled to put it down; the culmination of a very fast paced series that delivers.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who preferred Arya's story arc in Game of Thrones but with more magic, intrigue, and scheming oh so many schemes.
Holly has built a beautiful world, that is absolutely intoxicating, and I will honestly ache for more to come from this series.
I also appreciate this book so much for the strong female characters, there were some really subtle and nuanced details that I don't believe a male writer could portray, or even think of.
It is vulnerable in a way that I think most will relate to, and might get under your skin 😉but it is not overwhelming or over the top, in fact it is extremely well balanced overall.
Please go and enjoy for yourself ☺
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Cube Zero (2004) in Movies
Apr 5, 2020
An interesting prequel
After the very lacklustre and ridiculous sequel Cube 2: Hypercube, Cube Zero is a breath of fresh air. I’m usually very much against prequels as they tend to over explain and try too hard, erasing any mystery. Fortunately I found that for the most part Cube Zero doesn’t go down the route that most prequels do. Yes it explains a few things and elaborates more on the reasons and origins behind the cube, but not to the point that it erases all intrigue. The ending too and how it relates back to the original i found rather satisfying.
I’m grateful that they’ve gone back to basics with this too. Gone is the over the top CGI and instead the wonderfully gory traps and physical effects are back, and some of the gore in this is rather impressive. Whilst I don’t think it’s as good as the original, it’s definitely very close.
I’m grateful that they’ve gone back to basics with this too. Gone is the over the top CGI and instead the wonderfully gory traps and physical effects are back, and some of the gore in this is rather impressive. Whilst I don’t think it’s as good as the original, it’s definitely very close.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Cockroaches (Harry Hole #2) in Books
Jul 16, 2020
Not bad
I'd be intrigued to know Jo Nesbo's rationale behind this book, as it's a bit of an unusual choice. The first Harry Hole book featured Harry going to Australia, and this second book has him in Thailand... it's a little unrealistic thats for sure and just seems a little too similar to the earlier book.
This definitely isn't one of the best Harry Hole books, but neither is it the absolute worst. It was enjoyable enough to read although I felt like Harry as a character doesn't have as much depth and intrigue as he does in later books. Whilst all characters have to develop across a series, he seems a bit like an empty shell here. The plot too is rather weak. None of the secondary characters seem that well developed either and the story seems to jump quickly from plot points with a rather confusing and ridiculous finale, even for a Hole story.
Overall it was readable, but definitely not particularly memorable.
This definitely isn't one of the best Harry Hole books, but neither is it the absolute worst. It was enjoyable enough to read although I felt like Harry as a character doesn't have as much depth and intrigue as he does in later books. Whilst all characters have to develop across a series, he seems a bit like an empty shell here. The plot too is rather weak. None of the secondary characters seem that well developed either and the story seems to jump quickly from plot points with a rather confusing and ridiculous finale, even for a Hole story.
Overall it was readable, but definitely not particularly memorable.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Elevator (2012) in Movies
Jul 18, 2020
Cliched and dull
For some reason this film appealed to me while I was scrolling through Amazon Prime, but to be frank I wish i hadn't bothered.
The premise sounded interested. Kind of like a full film version of the opening scene from Speed (which was surprisingly tense). However this is nothing of the sort. There's no suspense or intrigue or real tension, despite the confined space. It's full of entirely cliched and unlikeable characters, all with rather predictable stories. I picked the bomber on this literally within the first few minutes, and it didn't get much better from them. The plot is just stupid and it makes no sense that these people are stuck in a lift for such a long time without any help. And the ending is just laughable.
There's nothing particularly likeable about this film at all, it's your typical second rate straight to dvd type movie. I've only marked it as high as I have due to have laughably bad it was.
The premise sounded interested. Kind of like a full film version of the opening scene from Speed (which was surprisingly tense). However this is nothing of the sort. There's no suspense or intrigue or real tension, despite the confined space. It's full of entirely cliched and unlikeable characters, all with rather predictable stories. I picked the bomber on this literally within the first few minutes, and it didn't get much better from them. The plot is just stupid and it makes no sense that these people are stuck in a lift for such a long time without any help. And the ending is just laughable.
There's nothing particularly likeable about this film at all, it's your typical second rate straight to dvd type movie. I've only marked it as high as I have due to have laughably bad it was.
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Forsaken Island (The Dancing Realms #2) in Books
Feb 24, 2021
How do you even write a review for a book that you find so amazing you can barely put it into words... That is the real question.
After hearing so many good things about Hidden Current I knew I had to read Forsaken Island, and I am so glad I did. Sharon Hinck’s style is like that of C. S. Lewis, and J.R. Tolkien. She has such a unique and compelling storyline with an allegorical style that I. ABSOLUTELY. LOVED. It was beautiful to read and filled with some great truths about life, God, and finding our purpose in life. With mystery, intrigue, and a light sweet romance woven into every page.
Carya and Brantley are some of the sweetest characters I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Carya is strong, passionate, and eager to learn what the Maker has for her to do. Brentley is also strong, caring, and an adventurous planner
After hearing so many good things about Hidden Current I knew I had to read Forsaken Island, and I am so glad I did. Sharon Hinck’s style is like that of C. S. Lewis, and J.R. Tolkien. She has such a unique and compelling storyline with an allegorical style that I. ABSOLUTELY. LOVED. It was beautiful to read and filled with some great truths about life, God, and finding our purpose in life. With mystery, intrigue, and a light sweet romance woven into every page.
Carya and Brantley are some of the sweetest characters I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Carya is strong, passionate, and eager to learn what the Maker has for her to do. Brentley is also strong, caring, and an adventurous planner
Jim Jarmusch recommended Atomic Blonde (2017) in Movies (curated)
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Naked in Death (In Death, #1) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
4.5 stars.
This is my first ever J.D. Robb book and it definitely wont be my last. I've read Nora Roberts books before and liked them too, mainly her romantic suspense ones.
I was so caught up in this story, once I really started reading it, and never wanted to put it down for sleep or work or anything. The mix of romance and mystery and police investigation had me hooked from pretty early on.
I think it was the romance mainly. From that first meeting of gazes at the funeral I knew something was going to happen. Roarke was just enough mystery and hotness to compliment Eve and her cool aloofness.
The murders were also a source of great intrigue. There was a list of people who would want to kill these women but I could never figure out who it was, though looking back they were always a little shifty.
I'm looking forward to reading more books in this series and by the author.
This is my first ever J.D. Robb book and it definitely wont be my last. I've read Nora Roberts books before and liked them too, mainly her romantic suspense ones.
I was so caught up in this story, once I really started reading it, and never wanted to put it down for sleep or work or anything. The mix of romance and mystery and police investigation had me hooked from pretty early on.
I think it was the romance mainly. From that first meeting of gazes at the funeral I knew something was going to happen. Roarke was just enough mystery and hotness to compliment Eve and her cool aloofness.
The murders were also a source of great intrigue. There was a list of people who would want to kill these women but I could never figure out who it was, though looking back they were always a little shifty.
I'm looking forward to reading more books in this series and by the author.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Shadow Embraced (Haven, #1) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
***I received a copy off NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed this but we seemed to just jump into the story without any real explanation. I found myself baffled at the beginning; we just start with a fight out of nowhere and I if I'm honest it started a little strange...
I continued to be baffled until we got to the school, that was when it started to pick up for me and I got quite into the story. I enjoyed the mystery of trying to figure out who was behind the disappearances and wondered if Scar had had anything to do with it during her "visions" but no...though I wont ruin it by giving it away.
I did enjoy it, though. It was different and I like different every so often. If you're into young adult stories with a bit of mystery and intrigue then you will probably love this.
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed this but we seemed to just jump into the story without any real explanation. I found myself baffled at the beginning; we just start with a fight out of nowhere and I if I'm honest it started a little strange...
I continued to be baffled until we got to the school, that was when it started to pick up for me and I got quite into the story. I enjoyed the mystery of trying to figure out who was behind the disappearances and wondered if Scar had had anything to do with it during her "visions" but no...though I wont ruin it by giving it away.
I did enjoy it, though. It was different and I like different every so often. If you're into young adult stories with a bit of mystery and intrigue then you will probably love this.
Tom Turner (388 KP) rated The Magicians' Guild (Black Magician Trilogy, #1) in Books
Apr 30, 2021
This book has been on my radar probably ever since it was first published, and on my shelf for about half that time too. The story is fairly simple, and there's definitely room for fleshing out the characters, but the way I've looked at it is I've just finished the first third of a compete story. So, these failings are forgivable. What got me hooked though, and the reason I will keep reading are two things. Firstly, the relationships between the main set of characters were special, something you could really believe in, even if you didn't know those characters as well as you could. The second is that, there were enough seeds scattered for future plot developments, that despite one arc having finished, there's enough intrigue to urge me to continue. I believe the second two books are improvements in the first, and personally I'm looking forward to finding out if that is the case!
Amy Norman (1042 KP) rated Page Eight (2011) in Movies
Apr 22, 2021 (Updated Apr 22, 2021)
If you enjoy an extremely slow brewed drama then great, this is for you.
Government conspiracies, and 'old school' espionage never looked so dull to me though! This film didn't require action and bullets flying but a little more suspense and mystery wouldn't have hurt.
I can't say a lot happens in this film, but I am sure there is an audience that will get behind the intrigue, and the discussions that this films brings up. It is a thoughtful and intelligent piece, with a painfully A-List British cast (apologies to those that aren't, and sorry for generalising) giving some outstanding performances.
An excellent film for those that enjoy this style but unfortunately not for me.
There are two sequels that follow some of the same characters, if you did enjoy this then look out for:
Turks and Caicos
Salting the Battlefield
From what I have heard they are marginally better.
Government conspiracies, and 'old school' espionage never looked so dull to me though! This film didn't require action and bullets flying but a little more suspense and mystery wouldn't have hurt.
I can't say a lot happens in this film, but I am sure there is an audience that will get behind the intrigue, and the discussions that this films brings up. It is a thoughtful and intelligent piece, with a painfully A-List British cast (apologies to those that aren't, and sorry for generalising) giving some outstanding performances.
An excellent film for those that enjoy this style but unfortunately not for me.
There are two sequels that follow some of the same characters, if you did enjoy this then look out for:
Turks and Caicos
Salting the Battlefield
From what I have heard they are marginally better.