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Poison Study (Study, #1)
Poison Study (Study, #1)
Maria V. Snyder | 2005 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.0 (13 Ratings)
Book Rating
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was wel-written, fast-paced, and complex. I thought Snyder did an excellent job creating well-rounded characters. I absolutely adored Yelena and Valek and their relationship throughout the book! The plot was extremely well-done. There was just the right amount of complexity to leave you satisfied with the political intrigue and not be overwhelmed with detail.

My only complaint was the ending/resolution. I thought the Commander was unnecessarily uncompromising and ungrateful. Surely since Yelena had just saved his life and his country? Empire? he would bend a little. Especially since they had just formed that bond. What use is Yelena to him in the south? I think his excuse about the rules is bullshit too. Who of the generals would even know that he had saved her life and such?

Also I was a little I satisfied with how relaxed Yelena and Valek are about parting. Maybe it's their confidence that they will see each other again and find a way to make it work, but I just didn't really feel the depth of their emotions like I had in the rest of the book. It was a little fast.
  
Scream 3 (2000)
Scream 3 (2000)
2000 | Horror
A very inferior sequel
It's such a shame that Scream 3 loses the magic that Scream 2 had in abundance.

There's no wit, no humour and the film within a film concept is tired and very poor. All of the new characters are under developed meaning you care so little when they get bumped off one by one. Patrick Dempsey's character is so creepy and slimy in parts that it's laughable and builds no tension or intrigue whatsoever. And even the returning characters have lost their edge, repeating the same old squabbles and experiences as in the first two films. Ghostface too loses his edge here, there's no shocking deaths and the voice changer that can mimic other voices is ridiculous and farfetched. The ending too isn't particularly clever or interesting. The only things I really liked about this film was the brief return of Randy and the cameos from Silent Jay & Bob and Carrie Fisher.

I remember really looking forward to seeing this when it first came out, but it is such a disappointment. It isn't helped by the fact that I spend the entire film wondering what the hell is going on with Courtney Fox's fringe...
  
Red Queen
Red Queen
Victoria Aveyard | 2015 | Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (64 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not gonna lie...I was a bit sceptical when I picked up this book. But I was quickly pulled into the world of Reds and Silvers and the Red Guard. I found myself listening to this book every spare minute I had. Intrigue, secrets, unknown powers, fears, lies, family, betrayal, and HOPE bleed onto the pages of this book in a neverending flow.

I still don't know who to trust, although I DO know who is evil...I think...You know, come to think of it...I have no idea...afterall...

“Anyone can betray anyone.”

― Victoria Aveyard, Red Queen

It is ridiculously hard to review a book like this...Only because I don't want to give away spoilers. So I will leave you with this...If you love YA books...and have a fascination with dystopian/sci-fi type books...You should definitely give Red Queen a try. I think you will really enjoy it! Now excuse me while I finish the series....

I borrowed Red Queen on audio from my local library. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
In times of war people have been known to go to drastic measures. Where will loyalties lie when the truth comes out?

Mr. McKinnon, or rather Rees Phillips, has been sent as a butler, a spy, into the house of Lady Céline Wexham. Céline is a French émigré who is most likely a spy herself. Although as he gets to know her his loyalty to his homeland falters. It is 1813 and word has it that Bonaparte will soon be conquered. The royalists long to reestablish the monarchy in France, however Lady Wexham is in favor of the republic. She has made enemies of the French and the British. Will Rees follow his country, his heart, or God’s call?

Moonlight Masquerade is an exquisite tale of love in regency England. Intrigue, espionage, masquerades and highwaymen fill the pages of this book from beginning to end. It is a very moving story filled with sorrow and joy. Ruth Axtell did a wonderful job detailing where our true loyalties must lie. First and foremost to God. Our path will become clear, if not easy, as long as we rely on Him to guide us.
  
SS
Shattered Secrets (Book of Red #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Everything about you has been kept a secret for 17 years. Then one after another the secrets come crashing down around your ears and demand to recognised. What would you do and how would you react? This is what Abby has to ask herself as she deals with being kidnapped after a date gone wrong.

There is enough confusion, twists, turns, trust issues as well as what might be a slightly dodgy advice giving book to make this book absolutely absorbing. Who should Abby trust and who should she keep at a distance. I can't tell you that because I was second guessing all the way through and something would happen to change my mind again and again.

This book is brilliantly written, with a well thought out plot line and a pace to match. The characters will interest and intrigue and keep you turning the pages. Definitely recommended for all Paranormal / Fantasy readers out there and it is YA so there is nothing there that shouldn't be.

http://archaeolibrarianologist.blogspot.de/2014/03/shattered-secrets-book-of-red-1-by.html
  
The Secrets of Hawthorne House
The Secrets of Hawthorne House
Donald Firesmith | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The words being written how it was spoken. (0 more)
This was a different genre to what I would normally read but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It did take me a while to get into but when I got started I did want to continue reading. The part that did put me off was the way the Hawthorne's spoke as it made it difficult to read and as the spells were in Latin, they were also hard to read. I did like the part at the end of the book which shows how to pronounce the words that were being spoken. I would of loved to have this at the beginning of the book.
I did feel sorry for the 2 main characters when everything was going wrong and they were not believed but I wanted to tell Gerralt to stop at certain points, so I felt for the characters.
The story was better than the blurb but the blurb was enough to grip/intrigue me.
I would definitely read the next book(s).
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.