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The Virgin Blue
8.0
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Book
Meet Ella Turner and Isabelle du Moulin—two women born centuries apart, yet bound by a fateful...
Merissa (12066 KP) rated Return to Kadenburg (The Kadenburg Shifters #2) in Books
Apr 6, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
Welcome back to the world of the shifters of Kadenburg. This story continues to delight as you revisit old characters and welcome in new ones. The bears of Kadenburg come to realise that their 'little' problem with Breslin is actually larger than at first thought. The twists and turns that will take you through the story keep it fresh and exciting. There is a bit of everything in this book - humour, new romance, old romance, mystery, intrigue, and action. It really does have it all.
If you are a fan of shifter books then I can highly recommend this series. Just one thing though, beware the cliffhanger ending!
* 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. *
August 13, 2016
If you are a fan of shifter books then I can highly recommend this series. Just one thing though, beware the cliffhanger ending!
* 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. *
August 13, 2016
The Adventures of Ruby Pi and the Math Girls (Ruby Pi Adventures #2)
Book
A collection of five historical fiction adventure stories, the second installment in the "Rubi Pi...
Young Adult Science Girls Mystery Adventure
Bound to Survive (The Magic Within #1)
8.0
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In a realm where wizards govern, treachery is about to descend... Born of prophecy, a boy is torn...
Young Adult Fantasy Action and Adventure
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated What Richard Did (2013) in Movies
Mar 26, 2018
Could Have Been Better
Teenage Richard Carlsen (Jack Reynor) is faced with terrible consequences after events at a party go awry. What Richard Did makes the mistake of assuming that its plot alone would be enough to hold the interest of the audience. Lack of intrigue is its ultimate downfall.
Acting: 10
One thing that wasn't lacking was strong acting performances. The cast was excellent from the top down. Reynor shines in his role as Richard having to express and master an array of emotions. He effortlessly controls scenes, evoking the proper emotion from the audience.
Beginning: 7
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 8
A multitude of beautiful one-shots were captured throughout the film. It helps when the ocean and sunsets are your backdrop, but those images still have to be captured just right at an appealing angle. Shot of the cast having an innocent good time at their parties helps you to warm up to the crew instantly and remember similar times.
Conflict: 4
While there is some initial friction when we uncover what the heart of the story is about, things taper out from there. There wasn't enough conflict to keep me interested. The movie moves straightforward towards its resolution like an arrow, not really creating much more intrigue along the way.
Genre: 6
I give it credit for its fork in the road, but I have definitely seen better dramas. Dramatic film is supposed to leave an impact and this one...just left me. There was potential there for more.
Memorability: 2
I would have scored this even lower, however, I like the depths of humanity that were touched on through Richard's character. The film explores the reality of what a crisis would probably look like: Us looking out for ourselves first before we think of others. Besides that, there was nothing else that stood out for me.
Pace: 7
As I stated earlier, the film goes through a long lull that it never fully rebounds from. The lack of conflict slows things way down and makes it hard to remain engaged. Had there been more points of intrigue or crisis depth, the pace would probably have righted itself.
Plot: 10
Resolution: 4
If it's one thing I hate, it's ambiguous endings that leave you scratching your head. Expect that here. I won't ruin it, but I will say that I was hoping to have some questions answered by the time the credits started rolling. Unfortunately, the ending left me completely and utterly in the dark.
Overall: 68
I was hoping to like this a lot more and was sadly disappointed. It's not a top notch drama, but easily could have been with just a few more cogs in the wheel. Definitely one you can skip.
Acting: 10
One thing that wasn't lacking was strong acting performances. The cast was excellent from the top down. Reynor shines in his role as Richard having to express and master an array of emotions. He effortlessly controls scenes, evoking the proper emotion from the audience.
Beginning: 7
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 8
A multitude of beautiful one-shots were captured throughout the film. It helps when the ocean and sunsets are your backdrop, but those images still have to be captured just right at an appealing angle. Shot of the cast having an innocent good time at their parties helps you to warm up to the crew instantly and remember similar times.
Conflict: 4
While there is some initial friction when we uncover what the heart of the story is about, things taper out from there. There wasn't enough conflict to keep me interested. The movie moves straightforward towards its resolution like an arrow, not really creating much more intrigue along the way.
Genre: 6
I give it credit for its fork in the road, but I have definitely seen better dramas. Dramatic film is supposed to leave an impact and this one...just left me. There was potential there for more.
Memorability: 2
I would have scored this even lower, however, I like the depths of humanity that were touched on through Richard's character. The film explores the reality of what a crisis would probably look like: Us looking out for ourselves first before we think of others. Besides that, there was nothing else that stood out for me.
Pace: 7
As I stated earlier, the film goes through a long lull that it never fully rebounds from. The lack of conflict slows things way down and makes it hard to remain engaged. Had there been more points of intrigue or crisis depth, the pace would probably have righted itself.
Plot: 10
Resolution: 4
If it's one thing I hate, it's ambiguous endings that leave you scratching your head. Expect that here. I won't ruin it, but I will say that I was hoping to have some questions answered by the time the credits started rolling. Unfortunately, the ending left me completely and utterly in the dark.
Overall: 68
I was hoping to like this a lot more and was sadly disappointed. It's not a top notch drama, but easily could have been with just a few more cogs in the wheel. Definitely one you can skip.
ClareR (5726 KP) rated The Mystery Knight: A Graphic Novel in Books
Nov 15, 2017
More Westeros back story
One of the tales of Dunk and Egg (Ser Duncan, a Hedge Knight and Prince Aegon, his squire. Aegon went on to be the Maester of the Black Watch at the wall - I'm not sure if that's a spoiler or not?!). As with most of the Song of Ice and Fire stories, there's a fair bit of intrigue and double crossing going on in this story. Lots of fighting, bloodshed. The artwork is lovely - the opening scene shows a picture of a head on a spike, decaying and having been eaten by birds/ animals. So lovely, yes!
I found this at the library, and I'd be keen to read more as they get them. I'm aware that this isn't the first in the series, but I don't think it really matters. I don't feel as though I missed out on any former knowledge.
I found this at the library, and I'd be keen to read more as they get them. I'm aware that this isn't the first in the series, but I don't think it really matters. I don't feel as though I missed out on any former knowledge.
Enyeh (71 KP) rated Foundation in Books
Sep 5, 2017
Asimov's Foundation series is a classic for a reason. His ability to construct a coherent political narrative across centuries, without sounding like a dry textbook from a parallel universe, is astounding. However, Asimov's talents lie in plot and narrative - not in writing style, dialogue, or characterization. He utilizes character interactions to describe most occurring events, but these interactions are simply not believable. You find yourself rolling your eyes, cringing away, even having to close the book for a moment to rid your mind of the image of Asimov as a greasy 15-year-old in his mom's basement, trying to write about human beings without ever interacting with them.
Sorry, Isaac. I'm sure that's not true of you.
All in all, the success of this book doesn't surprise me, but it was not easy to get through.
Sorry, Isaac. I'm sure that's not true of you.
All in all, the success of this book doesn't surprise me, but it was not easy to get through.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated A Map of the Dark in Books
Mar 11, 2018
A series that will grow
Hmm, this is a toughie for me. I enjoy reading Karen Ellis' books and love her characters but I admit that I struggled to get into this one. I can only think this is because there is a lot of background information on the main character Elsa and although very important as it explains the motivations pushing her and the daily struggle she has with her inner demons, it did interrupt the flow of the story for me. Having said that, when another in the series comes out, I would give it a go as I think now we have the history out of the way, the story will come to the fore with the intrigue, twists and excitement Karen Ellis is adept at creating.
Thanks to the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
Thanks to the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Hard Prejudice (Dan Reno Novel #5) in Books
Jun 10, 2018
Gritty Read
I haven't read any of the other books in this series so started reading worrying whether coming in at book number 5 was a mistake I am happy to say ... it wasn't ... it can easily be read as a standalone.
Well written at great pace with action and intrigue aplenty, this book is great. It does deal with the uncomfortable subject of rape and, I have to warn you, there is a particularly grim and disturbing section but this can't be avoided and helps to put you in the mindset of the main characters of Dan and Cody who go to great lengths to get justice.
This is a gritty read that pulls no punches and I would most definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys a a book that has non-stop action.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
Well written at great pace with action and intrigue aplenty, this book is great. It does deal with the uncomfortable subject of rape and, I have to warn you, there is a particularly grim and disturbing section but this can't be avoided and helps to put you in the mindset of the main characters of Dan and Cody who go to great lengths to get justice.
This is a gritty read that pulls no punches and I would most definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys a a book that has non-stop action.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
Mel (490 KP) rated The Name of the Rose in Books
Oct 16, 2019
This book has been on my list of books I want to read for years but I had felt a little daunted by it. When I finally picked it up I was in the right frame of mind for the challenge and it seemed a fitting read for my weekend away to a book town.
It would be fair to say that parts of the book which covered the more in depth discussions on the differences between the various types of heretics weren't the easiest of reads but given I'm no kind of expert on religion they did make sense and were important to the story.
What I really did love was the sections where William was using Sherlock Holmesesque deductions and the descriptions of the labyrinth style library. If you're a lover of books it's worth reading for those features alone.
It would be fair to say that parts of the book which covered the more in depth discussions on the differences between the various types of heretics weren't the easiest of reads but given I'm no kind of expert on religion they did make sense and were important to the story.
What I really did love was the sections where William was using Sherlock Holmesesque deductions and the descriptions of the labyrinth style library. If you're a lover of books it's worth reading for those features alone.