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Sarah (7798 KP) rated Brave New World in Books
Sep 10, 2019
Interesting idea, but poorly executed
I tried to read this many years ago, and I remember getting a couple of chapters in and giving up, but I couldn't recall why so decided to give it another go.
I can now see why I gave up on this book. The plot itself is a great idea, and similar in a way to the wonderful 1984. However unlike 1984, I found this book to be very poorly executed and i just couldn't get into the writing style at all. I love the idea of a dystopian future, but a lot of the features of this future society feel like they've been named by a child and a lot aren't explained enough to truly comprehend what's going on. The writing style too comes across as very confused and I really struggled with it. The characters are a good idea and flawed, but rather underdeveloped. In fact the whole book feels quite underdeveloped and its only a chapter or so at the end that I truly enjoyed.
I really wish this had been better written, as it's a fantastic idea for a novel.
I can now see why I gave up on this book. The plot itself is a great idea, and similar in a way to the wonderful 1984. However unlike 1984, I found this book to be very poorly executed and i just couldn't get into the writing style at all. I love the idea of a dystopian future, but a lot of the features of this future society feel like they've been named by a child and a lot aren't explained enough to truly comprehend what's going on. The writing style too comes across as very confused and I really struggled with it. The characters are a good idea and flawed, but rather underdeveloped. In fact the whole book feels quite underdeveloped and its only a chapter or so at the end that I truly enjoyed.
I really wish this had been better written, as it's a fantastic idea for a novel.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Predator (2018) in Movies
Sep 14, 2019
Wasn't entirely terrible
I'd heard a lot of truly terrible things about this film so hadn't been expecting much, and whilst it isn't great, there are worse ways to spend 90 minutes.
The first part of the film is actually quite good. I like the Predator's arrival on earth and subsequent escape, and some of the nods to the original film. The problem is the second half with the ridiculous super Predator and turns it into even more of a farce. The cast could have been good, and there's a decent amount of names in this, but they've been let down by a very poor script and characterisation. I mean Olivia Munn's biologist who can fight and handle weapons too without any explanation? And Sterling K Brown's ridiculously hammy villain was beyond cheesy. A lot of the deaths in the second half of the film were also farcical but sadly not in an enjoyable way, and unsurprisingly the ending has been set up yet another sequel. Do we really need another Predator film after this?
This wasn't as bad as Alien vs Predator at least...
The first part of the film is actually quite good. I like the Predator's arrival on earth and subsequent escape, and some of the nods to the original film. The problem is the second half with the ridiculous super Predator and turns it into even more of a farce. The cast could have been good, and there's a decent amount of names in this, but they've been let down by a very poor script and characterisation. I mean Olivia Munn's biologist who can fight and handle weapons too without any explanation? And Sterling K Brown's ridiculously hammy villain was beyond cheesy. A lot of the deaths in the second half of the film were also farcical but sadly not in an enjoyable way, and unsurprisingly the ending has been set up yet another sequel. Do we really need another Predator film after this?
This wasn't as bad as Alien vs Predator at least...
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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Hurry Home in Books
Aug 6, 2020
I absolutely loved Nay's previous book, OUR LITTLE SECRET, which was utterly engrossing, different, and a total page-turner. She proves again with HURRY HOME that she's a wonderful writer. I flew through this book as well.
It's told from the perspective of Alex and Ruth, alternating between the two sisters. We're never quite sure who to trust or to believe, and we are slowly doled out facts about their childhood. Unfortunately, I did find this novel to be more predictable than Nay's first. There are certainly a lot of great twists and turns, but I did guess a lot of them. I do think some of that is due to my large appetite for thrillers, though. A more casual reader will find this book quite shocking and twisty.
The action stays mainly focused on the sisters, so it can get a little repetitive as they hash through their dramas. But it's a compelling read, with some shocking reveals. Nay is certainly good at capturing the diabolical. While I did find some parts easy to guess, I enjoyed this thriller overall. I'll certainly be on the lookout for Nay's next book. 3.5 stars.
It's told from the perspective of Alex and Ruth, alternating between the two sisters. We're never quite sure who to trust or to believe, and we are slowly doled out facts about their childhood. Unfortunately, I did find this novel to be more predictable than Nay's first. There are certainly a lot of great twists and turns, but I did guess a lot of them. I do think some of that is due to my large appetite for thrillers, though. A more casual reader will find this book quite shocking and twisty.
The action stays mainly focused on the sisters, so it can get a little repetitive as they hash through their dramas. But it's a compelling read, with some shocking reveals. Nay is certainly good at capturing the diabolical. While I did find some parts easy to guess, I enjoyed this thriller overall. I'll certainly be on the lookout for Nay's next book. 3.5 stars.
Logan Eccles (135 KP) rated Creed II (2018) in Movies
Oct 1, 2020 (Updated Oct 2, 2020)
STRONG ADDITION TO THE ROCKY/CREED FRANCHISE
The story arc of every returning character was great and well developed I mean I was kinda expecting Rocky to die but I'm also ok with where he ended up story-wise. "D" Creed developed in the right ways too. He grew in directions he needed to and he struggled and failed in the way he needed to, to win. Also, I've seen a lot of people, complaining about the Dragos and their story in this film. I loved it and personally would love either a stand-alone Drago movie or for them to become more involved in a possible follow up in the growing Creed franchise. Most of the emotion in this film came from the Dragos and they hardly spoke but you could read the story they were writing with their expressions which is beautiful and says a lot of the skill of acting by those two. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, literally everything, the story, the music, the fights, and the acting. I highly recommend this film and am disappointed in my self of how long it took me to watch it but am glad I did.
Good but a little too drawn out
Despite Stephen King being my favourite author and owning virtually all of his books, I've yet to actually read them all. Christine is one that never really appealed (From a Buick 8 sounded like a much better car based story), but it's actually quite good.
Aa with every King book, this is very well written and has some wonderfully developed and interesting characters. The story too is full of some decent gore and horror, but I think the major problem is with the length of the story. There is no reason why this needed to be dragged out over 600 pages, and it could've been a lot shorter. Whilst i enjoyed reading this, it did feel like a slog at times. Also considering the length of the book, the ending felt rushed and far too much time had been spent building up to an ending that felt a little lacklustre - although the final part of the epilogue did make up for this slightly.
Overall a decent entertaining book with a lot of good writing and characters, but too drawn out and definitely isn't one of King's best.
Aa with every King book, this is very well written and has some wonderfully developed and interesting characters. The story too is full of some decent gore and horror, but I think the major problem is with the length of the story. There is no reason why this needed to be dragged out over 600 pages, and it could've been a lot shorter. Whilst i enjoyed reading this, it did feel like a slog at times. Also considering the length of the book, the ending felt rushed and far too much time had been spent building up to an ending that felt a little lacklustre - although the final part of the epilogue did make up for this slightly.
Overall a decent entertaining book with a lot of good writing and characters, but too drawn out and definitely isn't one of King's best.
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Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated The Gift: The Story of an Ordinary Women's Extraordinary Power in Books
Sep 20, 2021
I picked this book up and instantly felt drawn to read the blurb. After that I had to read the prologue and from there I couldn’t put it down.
Mia’s paranormal and spiritual experience is amazing to read about, she doesn’t try to prove to anyone what she can do and to start with thought she was going crazy. You can tell it took her a lot of time to accept her gifts and went through a lot of hardships throughout her life which have knocked her confidence in both her life and her spirituality.
She writes with such clarity that I could feel the emotions of each of her life events as if I was there experiencing it along with her.
The one thing that I think will stay with me is when she spoke about souls and why people have a harder life than others, the answer? An older spirit who has been on earth a number of times has the ability to deal with the harder lessons of life.
This was a beautifully written memoir and something I would recommend to anyone who has an interest in spirituality and psychics.
Mia’s paranormal and spiritual experience is amazing to read about, she doesn’t try to prove to anyone what she can do and to start with thought she was going crazy. You can tell it took her a lot of time to accept her gifts and went through a lot of hardships throughout her life which have knocked her confidence in both her life and her spirituality.
She writes with such clarity that I could feel the emotions of each of her life events as if I was there experiencing it along with her.
The one thing that I think will stay with me is when she spoke about souls and why people have a harder life than others, the answer? An older spirit who has been on earth a number of times has the ability to deal with the harder lessons of life.
This was a beautifully written memoir and something I would recommend to anyone who has an interest in spirituality and psychics.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Twenty (Major Crimes, Book 2) in Books
May 7, 2023
A definite 5 star read for me and one of my books of 2023 so far ... an absolute cracker!!
I read a lot of crime and psychological thrillers and the odd horror book and it takes a lot to get me going but Sam Holland most definitely got me going with The Twenty. Oh my word!! Why? I hear you ask.
Excellent and interesting characters ... check.
Excellent serial killer ... check.
Gripping story line ... check.
Fast pace ... check.
Twists and turns ... check.
Gruesome scenes that give you the chills ... check.
Tension and suspense in spades ... check.
What more is there to be said? Oh yes, this might be book 2 but don't let that put you off, it can easily be read as a standalone but I would strongly suggest you read book 1, The Echo Man, it's also a cracker!!
Highly recommended to those of you who enjoy a dark, gritty and grisly crime thriller ... you won't go far wrong with Sam Holland and I must thank HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of the brilliant The Twenty.
I can't wait to see what comes next.
I read a lot of crime and psychological thrillers and the odd horror book and it takes a lot to get me going but Sam Holland most definitely got me going with The Twenty. Oh my word!! Why? I hear you ask.
Excellent and interesting characters ... check.
Excellent serial killer ... check.
Gripping story line ... check.
Fast pace ... check.
Twists and turns ... check.
Gruesome scenes that give you the chills ... check.
Tension and suspense in spades ... check.
What more is there to be said? Oh yes, this might be book 2 but don't let that put you off, it can easily be read as a standalone but I would strongly suggest you read book 1, The Echo Man, it's also a cracker!!
Highly recommended to those of you who enjoy a dark, gritty and grisly crime thriller ... you won't go far wrong with Sam Holland and I must thank HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of the brilliant The Twenty.
I can't wait to see what comes next.
ClareR (5674 KP) rated The Shadow Cabinet in Books
Oct 17, 2023
Firstly, I need to say how much I loved this.
Secondly, HMRC is a mess! The High Priestess is dead and her successor isn’t who anyone thinks she is, Theo’s powers seem to be dwindling, Leonie’s brother has disappeared and she needs to rescue him from Public enemy #1, and Elle’s marital problems take a rather drastic turn. Oh, and there are rather a lot of Witch-finders - and they are most definitely NOT good news. These men are Incels on steroids.
Everyone gets a say, with even a non-witch Prime Minister and his cronies getting a look in, and we learn about Luke’s backstory.
There’s a lot packed in to this story, but I didn’t feel as though any of it was rushed. Leonie’s trip to a long lost coven was fascinating and a bit traumatic (again, there’s a fair bit of trauma in this!)
But the main character in this (and I’m not going to say who it is!) is the real tour de force.
And the ending!!!!
I WILL be reading the third book, absolutely no question! I will be needing to find out how they will all deal with the small Lucifer problem…
Secondly, HMRC is a mess! The High Priestess is dead and her successor isn’t who anyone thinks she is, Theo’s powers seem to be dwindling, Leonie’s brother has disappeared and she needs to rescue him from Public enemy #1, and Elle’s marital problems take a rather drastic turn. Oh, and there are rather a lot of Witch-finders - and they are most definitely NOT good news. These men are Incels on steroids.
Everyone gets a say, with even a non-witch Prime Minister and his cronies getting a look in, and we learn about Luke’s backstory.
There’s a lot packed in to this story, but I didn’t feel as though any of it was rushed. Leonie’s trip to a long lost coven was fascinating and a bit traumatic (again, there’s a fair bit of trauma in this!)
But the main character in this (and I’m not going to say who it is!) is the real tour de force.
And the ending!!!!
I WILL be reading the third book, absolutely no question! I will be needing to find out how they will all deal with the small Lucifer problem…