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Merissa (14175 KP) rated A Gift of Poison (The Kingmakers' War #1) in Books
May 8, 2023
Kate Avery Ellison is fast proving to be an author that doesn't disappoint me in any way. The Gift of Poison is about a young girl living in her dead father's home, looked after by an abusive and bitter uncle. The servants and guards follow his lead in their treatment of her so her life is difficult, to say the least. The only person who likes her, and is liked in return, is her cousin, Bran. So it came as no surprise when Briand does something impulsive to save Bran's life. What happens next will intrigue you as you follow along with Briand. The others still don't like or trust her, but you stay with her as they slowly overcome their dislike by spending time with her and realising that she is not at all how they thought she was.
This is a smoothly-paced book, with incredible detail and a hint of romance and steampunk. There is plenty of character growth and development, although Briand's has the most, for obvious reasons. This was a thoroughly enjoyable book that has laid the groundwork - and then some - for this story to continue. I personally can't wait to read more and have no hesitation in recommending this.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 4, 2015
This is a smoothly-paced book, with incredible detail and a hint of romance and steampunk. There is plenty of character growth and development, although Briand's has the most, for obvious reasons. This was a thoroughly enjoyable book that has laid the groundwork - and then some - for this story to continue. I personally can't wait to read more and have no hesitation in recommending this.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 4, 2015
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Pocket Wife in Books
Nov 4, 2021
182 of 250
Book
The Pocket Wife
By Susan Crawford
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
A stylish psychological thriller with the compelling intrigue of The Silent Wife and Turn of Mind and the white-knuckle pacing of Before I Go to Sleep—in which a woman suffering from bipolar disorder cannot remember if she murdered her friend.
Dana Catrell is shocked when her neighbor Celia is brutally murdered. To Dana’s horror, she was the last person to see Celia alive. Suffering from mania, the result of her bipolar disorder, she has troubling holes in her memory, including what happened on the afternoon of Celia’s death.
Her husband’s odd behavior and the probing of Detective Jack Moss create further complications as she searches for answers. The closer she comes to piecing together the shards of her broken memory, the more Dana falls apart. Is there a murderer lurking inside her . . . or is there one out there in the shadows of reality, waiting to strike again?
A story of marriage, murder, and madness, The Pocket Wife explores the world through the foggy lens of a woman on the edge.
I just didn’t click with it. It started out ok but I just got so bored it became a chore to read. I didn’t get a good representation of Bipolar disorder either as some one who has Bipolar it just didn’t feel authentic.
Book
The Pocket Wife
By Susan Crawford
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
A stylish psychological thriller with the compelling intrigue of The Silent Wife and Turn of Mind and the white-knuckle pacing of Before I Go to Sleep—in which a woman suffering from bipolar disorder cannot remember if she murdered her friend.
Dana Catrell is shocked when her neighbor Celia is brutally murdered. To Dana’s horror, she was the last person to see Celia alive. Suffering from mania, the result of her bipolar disorder, she has troubling holes in her memory, including what happened on the afternoon of Celia’s death.
Her husband’s odd behavior and the probing of Detective Jack Moss create further complications as she searches for answers. The closer she comes to piecing together the shards of her broken memory, the more Dana falls apart. Is there a murderer lurking inside her . . . or is there one out there in the shadows of reality, waiting to strike again?
A story of marriage, murder, and madness, The Pocket Wife explores the world through the foggy lens of a woman on the edge.
I just didn’t click with it. It started out ok but I just got so bored it became a chore to read. I didn’t get a good representation of Bipolar disorder either as some one who has Bipolar it just didn’t feel authentic.
The Honour of Rome (Cato and Macro #20)
Book
A stunning novel of courage, camaraderie and deadly enemies from the Sunday Times bestselling author...
Merissa (14175 KP) rated DragonSeer (DragonKin #2) in Books
Nov 6, 2023
DRAGONSEER is the second book in the Dragonkin series and is told from Harlen's perspective. The first book was told from Kirby's and the last from Cai's. This makes for a fantastic all-round read, giving extra oomph and depth to an already amazing story. You do need to have read Dragonrider to understand this one, as it follows straight after the events of the first book.
This book is full of action (not all of it between the sheets), intrigue, and revelations. I loved every word! Cai and Harlen have their world rocked to its very foundations - and not by Kirby this time! Plus, fate has decided to put all its players into motion, which gives you an action-packed, fast-paced, incredible story of three men, their dragons, and the love they have for each other.
I loved hearing this story Harlen and think it was just as good as Kirby's. Now, I'm (im)patiently waiting for DragonKing, which will be told from Cai's perspective and possibly bring the arc to a close. I honestly can't wait.
One of the best Dragon series I've read for a while! HIGHLY 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 6, 2023
This book is full of action (not all of it between the sheets), intrigue, and revelations. I loved every word! Cai and Harlen have their world rocked to its very foundations - and not by Kirby this time! Plus, fate has decided to put all its players into motion, which gives you an action-packed, fast-paced, incredible story of three men, their dragons, and the love they have for each other.
I loved hearing this story Harlen and think it was just as good as Kirby's. Now, I'm (im)patiently waiting for DragonKing, which will be told from Cai's perspective and possibly bring the arc to a close. I honestly can't wait.
One of the best Dragon series I've read for a while! HIGHLY 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 6, 2023
Seeds of Sorrow (Immortal Realms #1)
Elle Beaumont and Christis Christie
Book
Life for Eden is simple—until she's given to the nightmare king. Wishing for more adventure in...
Dark Fantasy Mythology
Black Hearted (Black Knights Inc: Reloaded #2)
Book
He’s everything she ever wanted. She’s everything he never knew he needed. Can she convince him...
Contemporary Romance Romantic Suspense
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Mar 1, 2023
Death on the Back Nine
Book
Golf, intrigue, and dark secrets collide in "Death on the Back Nine", the gripping sixth installment...
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Snowman (2017) in Movies
Oct 18, 2017
How could this go so wrong?
I've finally come to the realisation that, apart from a few rare exceptions, filmmakers really have no clue what they're doing with book adaptations. I appreciate you cant include absolutely everything from a book, but it should still be fairly easy to adapt an already well received novel into a film. Well apparently with The Snowman it isn't.
They appear to have picked out some of the very basic plot points and loose character identities from the book, and decided to completely rewrite the rest of the story. This'd be fine if it works,but it really doesn't - the book is barely recognisable within this mess.
The characters are underdeveloped and completely changed. Harry, despite being an alcoholic and a bit of an ass, is meant to still be loveable. In this, you couldn't care less about him. Oleg is portrayed as a petulant teenager, Rakel is sidelined and the rest appear to be similar to their book counterparts in name only.
They've missed so many key plot lines out that I could barely understand what was going on, and due to this, there was no intrigue, no tension or suspense. Even a very good cast are given nothing to work with here.
It's unusual for me to be able to find nothing good to say about a film. And it's even rarer for me to want to walk out of a film less than an hour in. The trailer made this film look very good, but it failed miserably.
They appear to have picked out some of the very basic plot points and loose character identities from the book, and decided to completely rewrite the rest of the story. This'd be fine if it works,but it really doesn't - the book is barely recognisable within this mess.
The characters are underdeveloped and completely changed. Harry, despite being an alcoholic and a bit of an ass, is meant to still be loveable. In this, you couldn't care less about him. Oleg is portrayed as a petulant teenager, Rakel is sidelined and the rest appear to be similar to their book counterparts in name only.
They've missed so many key plot lines out that I could barely understand what was going on, and due to this, there was no intrigue, no tension or suspense. Even a very good cast are given nothing to work with here.
It's unusual for me to be able to find nothing good to say about a film. And it's even rarer for me to want to walk out of a film less than an hour in. The trailer made this film look very good, but it failed miserably.
Sensitivemuse (246 KP) rated Throne of Glass in Books
Feb 2, 2019
Great Start to the series
It can be somewhat on parallel with Hunger Games except on a fantasy setting and sans the dystopia. Celaena is quite the character to like. She’s witty, smart, she’s got the talk and has the walk to prove it, she’s everything you like in a strong female character and more. I love her sass and overall personality.
The plot itself was good and engaging to read. There’s a mix of everything. Mystery, intrigue, action, and romance. I’d have to say it’s a little bit too much of a mix. I was really more into reading about the competition and Celaena’s skills. The mystery aspect did not really capture my attention and didn’t think it was very exciting. Sure, it did keep you guessing but it wasn’t filled with any twists and turns one might expect in a mystery. The romance was all right although I also didn’t think a love triangle was necessary in this one. (It was pretty hard to choose which one of the two were better. They both had their qualities that made them likable so I’m going to sit on the fence and be neutral on this)
I also enjoyed reading into Celaena’s and Nehemia’s friendship. I rather liked the bond they shared and Nehemia can hold her own as well so I liked how the two of them shared some common ground.
The ending was excellent and I’m going to be reading the rest of this. I hear it gets better! So I’m looking forward to getting the second.
The plot itself was good and engaging to read. There’s a mix of everything. Mystery, intrigue, action, and romance. I’d have to say it’s a little bit too much of a mix. I was really more into reading about the competition and Celaena’s skills. The mystery aspect did not really capture my attention and didn’t think it was very exciting. Sure, it did keep you guessing but it wasn’t filled with any twists and turns one might expect in a mystery. The romance was all right although I also didn’t think a love triangle was necessary in this one. (It was pretty hard to choose which one of the two were better. They both had their qualities that made them likable so I’m going to sit on the fence and be neutral on this)
I also enjoyed reading into Celaena’s and Nehemia’s friendship. I rather liked the bond they shared and Nehemia can hold her own as well so I liked how the two of them shared some common ground.
The ending was excellent and I’m going to be reading the rest of this. I hear it gets better! So I’m looking forward to getting the second.




