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Merissa (12674 KP) rated The Ostin Rebel (Isle of Ostin #4) in Books
Aug 8, 2023
THE OSTIN REBEL is the fourth and final book in the Isle of Ostin series and we finish with Everest and Ledger. Everest longs to be free physically, whilst Ledger just wants to be free from his memories. Neither is easy.
This was a great book to finish on, and I was glad Ledger got his HEA. After being tortured for five years, he definitely deserved it. It is full of dark moments but lighthearted times are there - usually courtesy of Arbor, but also, sometimes, Everest. They are both similar although Everest isn't quite as bad!
I loved Roland getting his but I think I may have a bit of Arbor in me as I felt it was all over too quickly. Still, I'm glad the way it went down with the final blow being struck as it was. I'm also glad it wasn't Ledger! For someone with his crippling anxiety and PTSD, that really would have made it fiction!
A great series that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** 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!
Aug 8th, 2023
This was a great book to finish on, and I was glad Ledger got his HEA. After being tortured for five years, he definitely deserved it. It is full of dark moments but lighthearted times are there - usually courtesy of Arbor, but also, sometimes, Everest. They are both similar although Everest isn't quite as bad!
I loved Roland getting his but I think I may have a bit of Arbor in me as I felt it was all over too quickly. Still, I'm glad the way it went down with the final blow being struck as it was. I'm also glad it wasn't Ledger! For someone with his crippling anxiety and PTSD, that really would have made it fiction!
A great series that I thoroughly enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending.
** 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!
Aug 8th, 2023
The Raven Thief
10.0
Rate It
Book
One murder. Four impossibilities. A fake séance hides a very real crime. Secret Staircase...
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Girlhood in Books
Jun 5, 2019
In a bittersweet twist, Harper’s parent’s won the lottery the day after Harper’s twin sister died. With this windfall she is able to go to a very expensive boarding school of which she really doesn’t fit into. Or maybe she does? Just not in the way you expect.
When Kirsty the new girl appears, she and Harper get on very well. They have so much in common it’s unbelievable! And that’s just the point. It soon becomes clear some things she’s told Harper do not quite add up, but why would she lie to such a good friend? What could she be hiding?
I have to say this story surprised me, because I felt the pink cover portrayed a completely different theme to what I was expecting, which was a lighthearted YA/ children’s book, but the characters had much more depth and were so realistic, it was an absolute pleasure to read! I’m pretty keen to check out Cat Clarke’s back list and I know she has a lot more books out now.
In addition, Girlhood is a diverse read with characters from different ethnicities included. Yes, it is largely LGBTQ+ themed too, but it’s not the main basis of the plot, which is quite suspenseful and at times deliciously creepy. Like I said, not what I expected – in a good way!
When Kirsty the new girl appears, she and Harper get on very well. They have so much in common it’s unbelievable! And that’s just the point. It soon becomes clear some things she’s told Harper do not quite add up, but why would she lie to such a good friend? What could she be hiding?
I have to say this story surprised me, because I felt the pink cover portrayed a completely different theme to what I was expecting, which was a lighthearted YA/ children’s book, but the characters had much more depth and were so realistic, it was an absolute pleasure to read! I’m pretty keen to check out Cat Clarke’s back list and I know she has a lot more books out now.
In addition, Girlhood is a diverse read with characters from different ethnicities included. Yes, it is largely LGBTQ+ themed too, but it’s not the main basis of the plot, which is quite suspenseful and at times deliciously creepy. Like I said, not what I expected – in a good way!
Sarah (7799 KP) rated We Need to Talk About Kevin in Books
Feb 15, 2018
Haunting
This is truly a harrowing read. This isn’t surprising considering the subject matter, but what I was surprised at is how much this book sucked me in and made me carry on reading.
The plot itself is unusual but sadly in a situation that is far too common nowadays. The story mechanism itself is interesting, and Eva writing letters to her ex-husband discussing Kevin, his life and her views on him really helps drip feed us everything we need to know just to keep us hooked. It makes you keep reading to get the full picture of Kevin’s life. Slowly building up to the event itself that are mentioned, but never discussed in detail, until right at the end. A story told by just one character is potentially dangerous, but this works really well. Yes at times the letters become a bit rambling and pretentious, but to me this is how Eva’s mind and personality are meant to come across. And the ending itself, after getting through however many pages, it is not a disappointment. It’s even safe to say I was shocked at the ending, it was in part unexpected and this has really made this book for me. It stands out.
Yes it’s a haunting read and definitely not a lighthearted one, but this is one that will really stick with you.
The plot itself is unusual but sadly in a situation that is far too common nowadays. The story mechanism itself is interesting, and Eva writing letters to her ex-husband discussing Kevin, his life and her views on him really helps drip feed us everything we need to know just to keep us hooked. It makes you keep reading to get the full picture of Kevin’s life. Slowly building up to the event itself that are mentioned, but never discussed in detail, until right at the end. A story told by just one character is potentially dangerous, but this works really well. Yes at times the letters become a bit rambling and pretentious, but to me this is how Eva’s mind and personality are meant to come across. And the ending itself, after getting through however many pages, it is not a disappointment. It’s even safe to say I was shocked at the ending, it was in part unexpected and this has really made this book for me. It stands out.
Yes it’s a haunting read and definitely not a lighthearted one, but this is one that will really stick with you.
Natari (73 KP) rated Touch the Dark (Cassandra Palmer, #1) in Books
Jul 19, 2019
This is the first novel by my all time favourite author. I remember the first time I read Touch the Dark, and each reread has been as thrilling as the last. The pages couldn't be easier to turn if they turned themselves, the Cassandra Palmer and same-world differnet heroine Dorina Basarab series keep me hooked cover to cover, book to book. I recommend Karen Chance to anyone and everyone, including all the fun, lighthearted but sexy novellas and short stories too.
What I love most about Touch the Dark is that Cassie is genuine. She has no clue about anything, understands she is just a human in a vampire and mage world, but is still plucky and doesn't let herself stay down no matter how hard she gets pushed.
This was the first ever adult paranormal romance I had read, and it opened me up to the genre. But I have never found another series that is as sexy and not-awkward with both romance (genuine relationship building) and the steamy scenes.
Balance between romance and action and world building is perfect. It is a first in a series, so be aware of that. Committing to Cassie's story is the best decision you will ever make.
Enjoy the book, fall in love with the series.
What I love most about Touch the Dark is that Cassie is genuine. She has no clue about anything, understands she is just a human in a vampire and mage world, but is still plucky and doesn't let herself stay down no matter how hard she gets pushed.
This was the first ever adult paranormal romance I had read, and it opened me up to the genre. But I have never found another series that is as sexy and not-awkward with both romance (genuine relationship building) and the steamy scenes.
Balance between romance and action and world building is perfect. It is a first in a series, so be aware of that. Committing to Cassie's story is the best decision you will ever make.
Enjoy the book, fall in love with the series.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Little Monsters (2019) in Movies
Nov 27, 2019
The most wholesome zombie film you will ever see
The biggest takeaway from Little Monsters is just how damn heart warming it is. Seriously.
The plot revolves around a group of young school children and their teacher becoming trapped at a petting farm whilst on a school trip, due to a zombie outbreak at an absurdly close military facility.
The conflicting styles of lighthearted family comedy, and typical zombie violence work pretty well, and offer up a solidly entertaining and genuinely funny movie, in a market that runs the risk of becoming increasingly saturated.
Lupita Nyong'o and Alexander England are two fantastic leads with great chemistry. The character growth attributed to both of their characters isbl great and is a huge part of why I enjoyed Little Monsters so much.
Josh Gad also stars and offers up a lot of humour with his character.
The cast is rounded out by a group of stupidly adorable kids, and combined with a witty and tight script, ensured I was smiling for the whole run time.
There's some decent zombie gore littered throughout, with some respectable practical effect, but please know, that Little Monsters is absolutely intended as a comedy, so don't watch it expecting to be scared!
Overall, if you like zombie comedy, then you could do a lot worse. Little Monsters is genuinely funny and extremely wholesome. Give it a go!
The plot revolves around a group of young school children and their teacher becoming trapped at a petting farm whilst on a school trip, due to a zombie outbreak at an absurdly close military facility.
The conflicting styles of lighthearted family comedy, and typical zombie violence work pretty well, and offer up a solidly entertaining and genuinely funny movie, in a market that runs the risk of becoming increasingly saturated.
Lupita Nyong'o and Alexander England are two fantastic leads with great chemistry. The character growth attributed to both of their characters isbl great and is a huge part of why I enjoyed Little Monsters so much.
Josh Gad also stars and offers up a lot of humour with his character.
The cast is rounded out by a group of stupidly adorable kids, and combined with a witty and tight script, ensured I was smiling for the whole run time.
There's some decent zombie gore littered throughout, with some respectable practical effect, but please know, that Little Monsters is absolutely intended as a comedy, so don't watch it expecting to be scared!
Overall, if you like zombie comedy, then you could do a lot worse. Little Monsters is genuinely funny and extremely wholesome. Give it a go!
TG
The Great War as I Saw it
Frederick George Scott and Mark G. McGowan
Book
A fifty-three-year-old Anglican priest and poet when the First World War broke out, Frederick George...
TP
The Practical Art of Divine Magic: Contemporary and Ancient Techniques of Theurgy
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The ancient world of Egypt, Greece, and Rome was home to a set of magical and spiritual...
BD
Big Dreams, Small Garden: A Guide to Creating Something Extraordinary in Your Ordinary Space
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Creating a spectacular garden is challenging when you thought you'd be living somewhere else by now....
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Out of the Embers (Mesquite Springs, #1) in Books
Feb 24, 2021
I loved this sweet story!
Out of the Embers was like traveling back in time to a place where it feels like home. Amanda Cabot did a great job describing the historical period, from the way the characters dressed, their mode of transportation, to the way the characters spoke and acted. It was like being right there with the characters. I think that the story flowed very well due in part to the historical accuracy of it.
I particularly liked the main character, Evelyn. She reminded me so much of someone who has an “old soul” and an encouraging word for everyone. I truly liked her character. Wyatt, Evelyn’s male counterpart, was also a uniquely caring and intuitive guy. All the other characters in this story helped make it come to life and left me with anticipation to read their stories as well.
I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars for the great characters, the stunning backdrop, and the lighthearted feel through most of the story. I recommend reading this book, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out.
This book is the first in a new series by Amanda Cabot called Mesquite Springs.
*I volunteered to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Out of the Embers was like traveling back in time to a place where it feels like home. Amanda Cabot did a great job describing the historical period, from the way the characters dressed, their mode of transportation, to the way the characters spoke and acted. It was like being right there with the characters. I think that the story flowed very well due in part to the historical accuracy of it.
I particularly liked the main character, Evelyn. She reminded me so much of someone who has an “old soul” and an encouraging word for everyone. I truly liked her character. Wyatt, Evelyn’s male counterpart, was also a uniquely caring and intuitive guy. All the other characters in this story helped make it come to life and left me with anticipation to read their stories as well.
I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars for the great characters, the stunning backdrop, and the lighthearted feel through most of the story. I recommend reading this book, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out.
This book is the first in a new series by Amanda Cabot called Mesquite Springs.
*I volunteered to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.