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Rachel King (13 KP) rated Tempted (House of Night, #6) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
In terms of plot, I would say this is the worst book of the series. Loose ends are left dangling all over the place, more questions are formed than answered, and (spoiler!) the main character, Zoey escapes into the afterlife "Otherworld." The last page is like a huge "To Be Continued..." and I just hate so-called endings like that. Most of the book is spent making plans regarding Kalona and Neferet, the red fledglings, and the House of Night school, but very little is actually accomplished. I appreciate that the series seems to move in real-time, but at the same time, things need to move a bit faster for anything to actually happen. The most exciting thing was Stevie Rae's near-death experience, which isn't saying much. I was greatly antipating the group's trip to Venice, but their meeting with the High Council was strangely short and anti-climactic. I think that at least one vampyre on the council should have disagreed with Neferet's lies, since Kalona's hypnotic powers are supposed to rely on choice.
The things I did like about the book are what I've like about the entire series. I love how the characters all strive for normalcy, even when everything around them is completely paranormal. I love the dialogue and how it is very typically teenager-ish. I also love how Zoey makes tons of mistakes, even though she has the favor of the Goddess. The one "loose end" that did seem to get taken care of in a way was the Imprint between Aphrodite and Stevie Rae being broken, though it just formed another loose end with Stevie Rae hiding the Raven Mocker Rephaim from everyone else.
I will likely stay loyal to the series in the hopes that the plot improves with the next book, Burned.
The things I did like about the book are what I've like about the entire series. I love how the characters all strive for normalcy, even when everything around them is completely paranormal. I love the dialogue and how it is very typically teenager-ish. I also love how Zoey makes tons of mistakes, even though she has the favor of the Goddess. The one "loose end" that did seem to get taken care of in a way was the Imprint between Aphrodite and Stevie Rae being broken, though it just formed another loose end with Stevie Rae hiding the Raven Mocker Rephaim from everyone else.
I will likely stay loyal to the series in the hopes that the plot improves with the next book, Burned.
RəX Regent (349 KP) rated The Good Dinosaur (2015) in Movies
Feb 20, 2019
The first thing so say about this is that the trailers were very misleading. Instead of having a quiet, meek dinosaur meets human tale, we are given the opposite. In a world where the asteroid did not wipe out the dinosaurs, they have evolved into a farming species and after his father death, our eponymous Good Dinosaur is lost and must make his way home, when he befriends human boy, called Spot.
Spot is effectively a dog to our more cultured dinosaur who inhabit a world not at all dissimilar to the American Frontier. And there in lies the problem.
This is without a doubt the most beautifully animated film that I have ever seen, with a photo realistic animation so real, that it was distracting, as I actually wondered if they had cheated and blended real photography with CGI. The other issue was the setting and the love affair with old west which only really works if you are an American.
Yeah, we love a good western but this was just a bit of a weird interpretation, with T-Rex's driving cattle and Brontosaurus' growing corn. But having said all that, the plot as pure Pixar but without the humour. This is simply not funny and a change in tone for the studio but it is keeping with their groundbreaking approach to animation in many ways, this is as significant a breakthrough as Toy Story was back in 1995.
Yes, the animation was effectively driven by the same technology as most mainstream blockbusters but this film savored those moments, leaving us simply awestruck by the look and feel of this film.
Though it does feel at times to be a teaser reel for the animation capabilities of Pixar...
Spot is effectively a dog to our more cultured dinosaur who inhabit a world not at all dissimilar to the American Frontier. And there in lies the problem.
This is without a doubt the most beautifully animated film that I have ever seen, with a photo realistic animation so real, that it was distracting, as I actually wondered if they had cheated and blended real photography with CGI. The other issue was the setting and the love affair with old west which only really works if you are an American.
Yeah, we love a good western but this was just a bit of a weird interpretation, with T-Rex's driving cattle and Brontosaurus' growing corn. But having said all that, the plot as pure Pixar but without the humour. This is simply not funny and a change in tone for the studio but it is keeping with their groundbreaking approach to animation in many ways, this is as significant a breakthrough as Toy Story was back in 1995.
Yes, the animation was effectively driven by the same technology as most mainstream blockbusters but this film savored those moments, leaving us simply awestruck by the look and feel of this film.
Though it does feel at times to be a teaser reel for the animation capabilities of Pixar...
BTPBookclub (18 KP) rated Big Little Lies in Books
May 14, 2019
Throughally enjoyed it
Big Little Lies is a story about three different women who are each at a crossroad in their lives! Madeline (#1) remembers everything and forgives noone, when her ex husband and his new wife move into her community Madeline realizes her daughter will be in the same class as her ex husbands other daughter, and to top it all off Madeline’s daughter seems more interested in her dads and his new wife’s life than her mums. Celeste (#2) is a beautiful women and her twin boys will also be starting school, but Celeste has her eyes set on becoming the queen of the school parent body, but that comes at a price and not easily! Jane (#3) is a young single mother new to the town but is harboring secret doubts about her son. Madeline and Celeste take Jane under their wing, but none of them expected that Jane’s arrival will affect them all individually. If you want to find out what happens I would highly recommend you read this to find out for yourself, if you have not already!
I awarded five stars to this book as Liane Moriarty has done it again! She has written another outstanding story for all us readers to indulge in. This is the perfect book for those who enjoy contemporary, chick-lit, mystery and would make an excellent read to discuss if you are part of a book club. I really did enjoy this story, it is an easy to read, fast paced page turner perfect for everyone. I must admit this story did not stick with me afterwards but I devoured it and loved it nevertheless. Get stuck into this chick-lit, drama filled book and forget your own life for a while. Enjoy.
I awarded five stars to this book as Liane Moriarty has done it again! She has written another outstanding story for all us readers to indulge in. This is the perfect book for those who enjoy contemporary, chick-lit, mystery and would make an excellent read to discuss if you are part of a book club. I really did enjoy this story, it is an easy to read, fast paced page turner perfect for everyone. I must admit this story did not stick with me afterwards but I devoured it and loved it nevertheless. Get stuck into this chick-lit, drama filled book and forget your own life for a while. Enjoy.
BTPBookclub (18 KP) rated Gone Girl in Books
May 14, 2019
Outstanding.
Now I guess you have heard about this book as there was and still is a big debate about Gone Girl, you either love it or hate it and I loved it! Gone Girl definitely gained a lot of media coverage especially as it has been adapted to a film since. I have seen both the film and read the book and both were brilliant! It is no wonder Gone Girl is a global bestseller book with many twists and turns that are bound to keep you reading until the end. For my personal review Gone Girl deserves the five stars I have awarded as it kept me glued to the story and is full of suspense and mystery, alongside it being an excellent thriller that will keep you up reading all night. This is the first book I have read by Gillian Flynn and I have already put a selection of her others onto my wishlist already. Let me know what your views are on this book below, everyone is entitled to their own opinions.
Gone Girl reveals the secrets at the heart of Nick’s and Amy’s modern marriage. When Amy’s and Nick’s fifth wedding anniversary arrives Nick reports that his wife Amy is missing! Under pressure from friends, family, the police and media will Nick be able to contain all his hidden lies, secrets and deceits? Did Nick kill his wife or is there more hidden beneath the depths of the story? Will Amy ever be found? With an intelligent and cleverly written plot I would highly recommend that you read this book and choose a side of the discussion to join, will you love it or hate it?
Gone Girl reveals the secrets at the heart of Nick’s and Amy’s modern marriage. When Amy’s and Nick’s fifth wedding anniversary arrives Nick reports that his wife Amy is missing! Under pressure from friends, family, the police and media will Nick be able to contain all his hidden lies, secrets and deceits? Did Nick kill his wife or is there more hidden beneath the depths of the story? Will Amy ever be found? With an intelligent and cleverly written plot I would highly recommend that you read this book and choose a side of the discussion to join, will you love it or hate it?
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Deception Wears Many Faces in Books
Jun 5, 2019
A nerve-jangling read!
Deception Wears Many Faces by Maggie James is a fast-paced thriller that kept me reading through the night eager to reach the final conclusion.
When Lyddie Hunter’s sister Ellie, attempts suicide again, she flies back home to be with her only to find that some guy on a dating site conned Ellie out of all her money. With only a few clues to go on, Lyddie takes it upon herself to hunt down Ellie’s ex-boyfriend and con man through the dating site of which he uses to target unsuspecting women.
Pretending to be a customer looking for love herself, Lyddie dates a few men trying to work out which guy is the one which conned her sister. But the con man regularly changes his identity as to not get caught. Will Lyddie find out which man he and expose him for who and what he really is, or has she just put herself and her sister in jeopardy and made them both a target? Who can be trusted when dating sites are rife with people reinventing themselves? What better way to target vulnerable women by hiding in plain site.
What a stonker of a book! The cat and mouse chase to find out who the ex-boyfriend is without exposing herself or her sister, had me breathlessly reading this twisty suspense, but who exactly does Lyddie really need to watch out for?
Maggie James has created a terrific tale, full of lies, secrets and hidden agendas, but just who is actually deceiving who? I loved the final reveal at the end and how it all fell into place. A nerve-jangling read!
Thanks to #NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for my arc of #DeceptionWearsManyFaces. My opinions are honest, unbiased and all my own.
Deception Wears Many Faces by Maggie James is a fast-paced thriller that kept me reading through the night eager to reach the final conclusion.
When Lyddie Hunter’s sister Ellie, attempts suicide again, she flies back home to be with her only to find that some guy on a dating site conned Ellie out of all her money. With only a few clues to go on, Lyddie takes it upon herself to hunt down Ellie’s ex-boyfriend and con man through the dating site of which he uses to target unsuspecting women.
Pretending to be a customer looking for love herself, Lyddie dates a few men trying to work out which guy is the one which conned her sister. But the con man regularly changes his identity as to not get caught. Will Lyddie find out which man he and expose him for who and what he really is, or has she just put herself and her sister in jeopardy and made them both a target? Who can be trusted when dating sites are rife with people reinventing themselves? What better way to target vulnerable women by hiding in plain site.
What a stonker of a book! The cat and mouse chase to find out who the ex-boyfriend is without exposing herself or her sister, had me breathlessly reading this twisty suspense, but who exactly does Lyddie really need to watch out for?
Maggie James has created a terrific tale, full of lies, secrets and hidden agendas, but just who is actually deceiving who? I loved the final reveal at the end and how it all fell into place. A nerve-jangling read!
Thanks to #NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for my arc of #DeceptionWearsManyFaces. My opinions are honest, unbiased and all my own.
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated The Watcher in Books
Mar 15, 2018
My author Q&A is now live on my blog! Go check it out: http://bookbum.weebly.com/author-qas/qa-with-ross-armstrong-author-of-the-watcher
<i><b>...some lies, even errors and guesses, do turn out to be true.</i></b>
Stay clear of <b>most</b> the reviews on this book so far because I accidentally skimmed over them and got some stuff ruined! Ugh! I <i>promise</i> I won’t spoil anything in my review!
I really like Armstrong’s style of writing, this is <i>a fantastic debut.</i> It’s fast paced, witty and thrilling!
The plot was so intriguing and entertaining, which is why I don’t get why people found this so average on Goodreads! Yeah, maybe the plot has been done before, but that made this no less interesting or fun to read. There were certain aspects of the story that were easily predictable, but reading them unfold made up for the fact you could guess them beforehand.
Lily was a great character! She was really sweet but also incredibly funny! I found myself chuckling at the situations she got herself into and the little anecdotes she’d often share. It was really nice to have this down-to-earth character, who was pretty barmy, troubled and weird, but also happy and friendly to the reader and fictitious neighbours.
This was a really fun book to get carried away with, totally unputdownable! I’m certainly going to keep my eyes peeled for more of Armstrong’s writing in the future.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin UK for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
<i>p.s. I have an interview with Armstrong coming out on the 29th (the same day this is published), so please check that out on my blog! I'll link it when it's up :-)
<i><b>...some lies, even errors and guesses, do turn out to be true.</i></b>
Stay clear of <b>most</b> the reviews on this book so far because I accidentally skimmed over them and got some stuff ruined! Ugh! I <i>promise</i> I won’t spoil anything in my review!
I really like Armstrong’s style of writing, this is <i>a fantastic debut.</i> It’s fast paced, witty and thrilling!
The plot was so intriguing and entertaining, which is why I don’t get why people found this so average on Goodreads! Yeah, maybe the plot has been done before, but that made this no less interesting or fun to read. There were certain aspects of the story that were easily predictable, but reading them unfold made up for the fact you could guess them beforehand.
Lily was a great character! She was really sweet but also incredibly funny! I found myself chuckling at the situations she got herself into and the little anecdotes she’d often share. It was really nice to have this down-to-earth character, who was pretty barmy, troubled and weird, but also happy and friendly to the reader and fictitious neighbours.
This was a really fun book to get carried away with, totally unputdownable! I’m certainly going to keep my eyes peeled for more of Armstrong’s writing in the future.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin UK for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
<i>p.s. I have an interview with Armstrong coming out on the 29th (the same day this is published), so please check that out on my blog! I'll link it when it's up :-)
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Sometimes I Lie in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Takes unreliable narrator to a whole new level.
Amber wakes up in the hospital in a coma after an accident, which she cannot remember. She is paralyzed, unable to move or speak. She feels convinced that her husband, Paul, may have had something to do with it. Her visitors include Paul and her sister, Claire.
Well, this is an interesting one. The novel takes the unreliable narrator trope to the highest level. After all, Amber is in a coma, with memory issues. She also tells us, at the beginning of the novel, that she lies. Armed with this information, we are thrown headfirst into the story, trying to figure out exactly what has happened. The reader struggles along with Amber to learn what happened as she overhears snippets in her hotel room. It's quite the ride.
The novel is told in three parts: Amber's thoughts as she struggles to remember from within the coma, Amber telling events as they lead up to the accident, and snippets of childhood journal entries. The result is a confusing, suspenseful read that makes you instantly suspicious about everything and everyone. The novel is full of warning signs and creepy moments. It also features its share of impressive twists and turns. I was definitely shocked a couple of times.
I was, honestly, a little confused sometimes too. I have some weird feelings on this one. It's a great thriller. It keeps you guessing, and it surprises you. A lot, if you're me. I'm not sure I always enjoyed it, but I'm certainly impressed by it, if that makes any sense. No more details, as I highly recommend going in spoiler-free.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. More at https://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/.
Well, this is an interesting one. The novel takes the unreliable narrator trope to the highest level. After all, Amber is in a coma, with memory issues. She also tells us, at the beginning of the novel, that she lies. Armed with this information, we are thrown headfirst into the story, trying to figure out exactly what has happened. The reader struggles along with Amber to learn what happened as she overhears snippets in her hotel room. It's quite the ride.
The novel is told in three parts: Amber's thoughts as she struggles to remember from within the coma, Amber telling events as they lead up to the accident, and snippets of childhood journal entries. The result is a confusing, suspenseful read that makes you instantly suspicious about everything and everyone. The novel is full of warning signs and creepy moments. It also features its share of impressive twists and turns. I was definitely shocked a couple of times.
I was, honestly, a little confused sometimes too. I have some weird feelings on this one. It's a great thriller. It keeps you guessing, and it surprises you. A lot, if you're me. I'm not sure I always enjoyed it, but I'm certainly impressed by it, if that makes any sense. No more details, as I highly recommend going in spoiler-free.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. More at https://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/.
Teeny (11 KP) rated Hereditary (2018) in Movies
Jul 3, 2018
The trailer lies
Pay attention for this one folks. The prize is in the details.
I will try to avoid spoilers but I recommend going in having seen nothing except maybe the trailer.
This film is a mystery horror. It's not in your face, it's suggestive. Every shot is thought out and significant, I'm sure I missed a hundred things. The whole time I was nervously trying to understand all the little clues that seemed out of place. But still my theories were so wrong. It may be that no theory us fans come up with is wrong or right. Not knowing is better.
The mystery and horror is only half of Hereditary in my opinion. I felt empathy for Toni Collette's character more than I felt fear. If you don't think you could handle depictions of grief then you should skip this one. My stomach still feels tense. Toni deserves every award for her performance.
I imagine a few people might call out a couple of moments as goofy or amateurish, but I feel like I need those moments. At one point very near the end the whole cinema laughed and the tension in the whole room released, and we'd been scared for a long time by that point.
By far the most beautifully crafted element of this film was the sound editing. The perfectly timed score builds and releases, playing with your adrenal response.
I will watch this movie a hundred times and enjoy it each time. It will stay with me, and I'm going to spook my mother with it to pay her back for that time we watched the Blair witch when I was a teenager and she shrieked every time I went near a corner.
I will try to avoid spoilers but I recommend going in having seen nothing except maybe the trailer.
This film is a mystery horror. It's not in your face, it's suggestive. Every shot is thought out and significant, I'm sure I missed a hundred things. The whole time I was nervously trying to understand all the little clues that seemed out of place. But still my theories were so wrong. It may be that no theory us fans come up with is wrong or right. Not knowing is better.
The mystery and horror is only half of Hereditary in my opinion. I felt empathy for Toni Collette's character more than I felt fear. If you don't think you could handle depictions of grief then you should skip this one. My stomach still feels tense. Toni deserves every award for her performance.
I imagine a few people might call out a couple of moments as goofy or amateurish, but I feel like I need those moments. At one point very near the end the whole cinema laughed and the tension in the whole room released, and we'd been scared for a long time by that point.
By far the most beautifully crafted element of this film was the sound editing. The perfectly timed score builds and releases, playing with your adrenal response.
I will watch this movie a hundred times and enjoy it each time. It will stay with me, and I'm going to spook my mother with it to pay her back for that time we watched the Blair witch when I was a teenager and she shrieked every time I went near a corner.
Connie (244 KP) rated Werewolf Online in Apps
Jul 26, 2018 (Updated Jul 26, 2018)
Ranked mode (2 more)
New roles being added all the time
Online means you can play anytime
The best reboot of classic Mafia/ Werewolf card games!
I liked the card game Mafia as a kid. It was fun and made parties interesting. When I found Werewolf, I was more interested--the sci-fi/ fantasy theme really sucked me in farther. Now that it's an app, I literally can't put it down!
One team faces three other teams to try and be top dog (errr... wolf, actually) at the end of the game. Assigned a random role with a special ability, you have to try and hunt down all the members of all the other teams and lynch/shoot/holy water them without your own team being knocked out first. Will you be assigned to the Villager team as a Seer or the Mayor? Will you "wake up" as a Werewolf, or as the Shaman? Will you be the Serial Killer or the Arsonist, trying to kill every other player? Or will you be the Fool or Headhunter, trying to be lynched or get one other specific person lynched?
Every game is different. Every game is online against hundreds of others all around the world. And every game, only one team (sometimes only one player) can win.
It's tactical. It's skill and intrigue, lies and manipulations and downright back-stabbing as the most clever rise to the top.
On top of that, new roles are being added constantly through the Discord servers. If you've got an idea, they want to hear it. Several writers have already had their ideas incorporated, and it's awfully interesting to help those roles get perfected!
All in all this is a solid party favorite made playable anywhere. 10/10 WILL play again!
One team faces three other teams to try and be top dog (errr... wolf, actually) at the end of the game. Assigned a random role with a special ability, you have to try and hunt down all the members of all the other teams and lynch/shoot/holy water them without your own team being knocked out first. Will you be assigned to the Villager team as a Seer or the Mayor? Will you "wake up" as a Werewolf, or as the Shaman? Will you be the Serial Killer or the Arsonist, trying to kill every other player? Or will you be the Fool or Headhunter, trying to be lynched or get one other specific person lynched?
Every game is different. Every game is online against hundreds of others all around the world. And every game, only one team (sometimes only one player) can win.
It's tactical. It's skill and intrigue, lies and manipulations and downright back-stabbing as the most clever rise to the top.
On top of that, new roles are being added constantly through the Discord servers. If you've got an idea, they want to hear it. Several writers have already had their ideas incorporated, and it's awfully interesting to help those roles get perfected!
All in all this is a solid party favorite made playable anywhere. 10/10 WILL play again!
ClareR (5890 KP) rated The Liar's Room in Books
Aug 10, 2018
A one-sitting read!
Set in one room (pretty much!), this tells the story of a counsellor, Susannah, and a patient, Adam. What begins as an innocent counselling session, ends up revealing a series of lies that have been hidden for many years.
This was such an exciting - when I read the synopsis that explained that almost all of the book took place in one room, I had flashbacks to my A level French lessons and 'Huis Clos' (a play by Jean-Paul Sartre). Whether that's a good thing or not, I'm not altogether sure. Reading that play was a slog! Luckily, it wasn't the same (huge sigh of relief here!), and if I had been reading the actual book instead of the daily 'stave' from The Pigeonhole, I think I would have charged through this book in an afternoon.
We were taken out of the room via some peripheral characters (Ruth, the dentist who works in the same offices as Susannah and Emily, Susannah's daughter) and some necessary flashback scenes. These flashbacks are a really important device, and they added some real tension to the story.
Adam, the character who has (supposedly) come for counselling, is a really menacing character, although there were times that I felt sorry for him - he seemed very much like a lost little boy.
Ultimately, I felt that this was a story that told of how it wasn't such a good idea to keep secrets: they can build up and become increasingly damaging. Susannah didn't have much of a choice in what she did though, as she wanted to protect her daughter.
A really good thriller, and many thanks to The Pigeonhole, the author and the publisher.
This was such an exciting - when I read the synopsis that explained that almost all of the book took place in one room, I had flashbacks to my A level French lessons and 'Huis Clos' (a play by Jean-Paul Sartre). Whether that's a good thing or not, I'm not altogether sure. Reading that play was a slog! Luckily, it wasn't the same (huge sigh of relief here!), and if I had been reading the actual book instead of the daily 'stave' from The Pigeonhole, I think I would have charged through this book in an afternoon.
We were taken out of the room via some peripheral characters (Ruth, the dentist who works in the same offices as Susannah and Emily, Susannah's daughter) and some necessary flashback scenes. These flashbacks are a really important device, and they added some real tension to the story.
Adam, the character who has (supposedly) come for counselling, is a really menacing character, although there were times that I felt sorry for him - he seemed very much like a lost little boy.
Ultimately, I felt that this was a story that told of how it wasn't such a good idea to keep secrets: they can build up and become increasingly damaging. Susannah didn't have much of a choice in what she did though, as she wanted to protect her daughter.
A really good thriller, and many thanks to The Pigeonhole, the author and the publisher.