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Let it bleed
Let it bleed
Ian Rankin | 2008 | Crime, Thriller
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
good story, clever solution (0 more)
too much use of Scottish politics and departments of Scottish Authority, confusing (0 more)
Not his best
I did not think this was as good as the previous novels i have read in the series. Although the story was clever and had lots of different characters it relied to much on your knowledge of the Scottish peerage system and a lot of it went right over my head. There were too many acronyms and codes for various departments and to be honest i got bored with trying to figure out what they were supposed to represent. I would say this is the worst out of the series so far :( It wont put me off though and i will be reading book 8 soon :)
  
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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) created a post

Nov 1, 2022  
October Reads

So this month I’ve read 23 and DNFd 5! I had a lot of books DNF this month I just don’t see the point in carrying on with a book that doesn’t hold my attention.
The 23 I read were almost all really good reads.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 8
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 9
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 6
⭐️⭐️ 0
DNF 5

My absolute favourite book this month was The Vessel by Adam Nevill a book I’ve waited all year for and didn’t disappoint!
I also love The Wife which was from a box!

I didn’t have a book I disliked that I didn’t DNF

I’m moving house in November so don’t think I’ll get through as many!
     
Alanna: The First Adventure
Alanna: The First Adventure
Tamora Pierce | 1983 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
8.8 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
This middle grade series is one great. It's a fast engaging read. I first read it in the late 90s early 2000s not realizing that it was written in the 80s. If you're new to fantasy it's a good intro into the genre. None of the themes run too deeply but at an age where life is starting to get complicated I appreciated that, and it made me think about a lot of different and deep things.
It holds up. I still enjoyed this book as an adult having just finished before writing this review. There are better grow with you books that I've read (even by this author, her skills keep getting better) , but sometimes you want an easy read. Highly recommend.
  
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Dean (6925 KP) rated The Last of us in TV

Mar 19, 2023  
The Last of us
The Last of us
2023 | Drama, Horror
9
9.3 (4 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
Big budget production (1 more)
Great lead actors
Great Show
I haven't played but have heard of the games and how popular they are. So I can't comment on how accurate it is. As a stand alone Thriller TV series it's really well done. HBO don't spare expense on their shows and it is the same here. Huge sets really immerse you into the Post apocalyptic world of the future. Felt a lot like the Walking Dead sets in scale.
The cast is good especially the two lead characters. The story is interesting and will grip you. Although some episodes take place at different times occasionally with different characters but they really bring the story to life. Check it out whether you have played the games or not.
  
TL
The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (2022)
2022 | Drama
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
There was 13 novels in the full Bernard Cornwell series of the same name.

5 TV series.

Each adopting roughly 2 novels.

So that meant there was 3 left unadapted when said series was cancelled ('The Flame Bearer', 'Sword of Kings' and 'War Lord'), with Netflix instead developing a movie instead of series to finish off the story.

Which, I have to say, does feel a bit rushed, with some noticeable absences (not even mentioned in passing) and, whilst watching, and with what seems a rushed finale.

I also have to say that Uhtred, here, still looks a lot younger than he was portrayed in the novels (especially by this point) and I don't remember *that* ending happening, either!
  
To Have and To Lose (Deathly Beloved)
To Have and To Lose (Deathly Beloved)
Miranda Grant | 2022 | Humor & Comedy, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Aurelia is a fairy princess with the world on her shoulders. For as long as she can remember there has been war it's down to her to end it all.


I love Miranda's writing it's always one that captures me and makes me want to read more, I'm always disappointed when I get to the end of one of her stories.

This is the prequel to death do us part and is pretty gut-wrenching in parts. It's a fast-paced book with some rather hot sex scenes and a lot of blood.


I can't say too much without giving away what happens and nobody likes spoilers!


I hope you read it and enjoy it as much as I have.
  
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
2022 | Action, Adventure
Letitia Wright (1 more)
Tribute to Chadwick Boseman
Too long (0 more)
Return of the Black Panther
So the 2nd Black Panther film 4 years after the first film. A fitting tribute paid to Chadwick Boseman at the start of the film. The film is enjoyable with some great action scenes although there are a lot of long dialogue scenes. It felt fine for the majority of the film before almost going a bit Avengers with a whole bunch of powered up heroes helping to fight. Also a fair bit predictable in terms of the main plot. For a long film 2 hours 35 minutes it didn't really drag but it could have been a fair bit shorter.
Overall another decent Marvel entry if not hitting the heights of the first.
  
Micah's Calling (All The King's Men #3)
Micah's Calling (All The King's Men #3)
Donya Lynne | 2012 | Erotica, LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Religion
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A perfect short to accompany Micah, Sam and Trace's story. These three are so interwoven, I can't imagine reading about one of them without the other two. This gives more insight into Micah and Sam's relationship, and how Trace becomes more than just a friend, something a whole lot more that is difficult to label. I can't wait to read more about the AKM and these three in particular.

Once again, extremely well-written and a wonderful addition to the series. Definitely recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 13, 2016
  
The Making of a Duchess (The Sons of the Revolution, #1)
The Making of a Duchess (The Sons of the Revolution, #1)
Shana Galen | 2010 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics, Romance
6
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Sarah Smith is just a governess… but then her employer sends her off to spy on the French Duc de Valère, Julien. Sarah takes on an identity of someone who died years ago. Insecure and out of her comfort zone, she does her best to figure out if Julien is a traitor… but gets nearly swept away by him. Being discovered as a spy doesn't help her situation any, either. But Julien isn't going to turn her out on the streets. He's going to use her to keep himself safe from the men trying to catch him… and he might just marry her.

Julien knows it's his duty to ask Serafina Artoris to marry him, and after seeing her once and being astounded by her beauty, he's fully prepared to marry her—but she rejects him. He tries his best to keep his head on straight as he continues his search for his brothers, who he is convinced are alive. But he never counted on Serafina being so attractive, so unique, so different… and discovers that he is willing to give her a second chance.

Both Julien and Sarah struggle with their feelings about each other, but unite in a common cause: to prove that Julien is not a traitor to his country, by finding his brother who may or may not be alive, using information from a man who may or may not be luring them into a trap. But there are many mysteries and complications along the way, such as compromised reputations, jail breaks, at least three marriage proposals, and pirates… and a Duc madly in love with a governess.

The Making of a Duchess was romantic, exciting, and sweet. It kept me reading and sat in the forefront of my mind.

The plot was exciting near the end when the action took place, but there wasn't much happening through the rest besides a lot of sneaking and a lot of kissing. I figured out a key element of the story the second the hint was dropped, in one of the first chapters, and I was a little disappointed that the mystery didn't get unveiled later. And, again with the last-page love confession… is it a requirement for men in romance novels to put off saying "I love you" for as long as they can? It was the only thing that bugged me about Julien. He was such a bright man, but he didn't even tell her that he loved her. Not until it was quite obvious. At least he said it, though.

I liked the characters a lot: I felt really bad for poor Sarah—although her repetition of doubts did get annoying after a while—and I cared a lot for her happy ending. She had so many doubts about who she was, her family, what was right and what was wrong, and even whom she was loyal to. Julien was just one of those heroes that everyone wants but nobody can seem to get their hands on, so there was no way to not love him. He was brave, courageous, had his priorities set straight, a hard worker, and a romantic (and extremely good looking). Their relationship was a little fast paced, and it was hard to see what it was based off of at first. Sarah had a hard time figuring out what was desire, and what was love… but I think she got it right in the end.

Content/Recommendation: little language, some sex. Ages 18+
  
Their Bounty (Four Mercenaries #1)
Their Bounty (Four Mercenaries #1)
K.A. Merikan | 2019 | Erotica, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
4.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
took me a while, but i did enjoy it.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Clover is rescued from the hands of traffickers and lands in the lap of a group of mercenaries. Tank, Boar, Pyro and Drake are a well-established group who right some of the world's wrongs, mostly on the wrong side of the line. But Clover is now a witness to a job, and there is a bounty on his head. They need to keep him safe. In the meantime, what harm is a little fun with the young man, huh?

I border-line did not finish this. I kept putting it down and picking it up again. I did though, eventually.

I think what bothered me the most, was the speed at which Clover gave himself to all four of the group. Very quickly, VERY quickly, he is calling Tank Daddy and Pyro and Boar are partaking of Clover’s body. Drake takes a lot longer to come around, but he does, eventually. Maybe it’s just me, maybe I expected Clover to be a bit more. . resistant to what Tank suggests. But he isn’t, he just jumps straight in!

What I did like, though, was that ALL the guys are very different. Tank is the boss, but he is also the biggest baddest mofo in the group. Boar is a bear of a man, but the youngest (not counting Clover) of the group. He has the sweetest soul, for a bad-ish guy! Pyro is a bit bouncy, maybe even a little messed in the head, but it’s Drake who held my attention the most. Drake is clearly against Clover right from the start. He does come around, but it takes him a long time. He makes it clear what his kink is, and what would happen to Clover if Drake got his hands on him, but Clover is non-plussed by that.

All the guys get a voice, but I wasn’t sure if Drake would, since it’s a long time before he does. I’m glad he does though. I think, from what was said here, Drake will come out of himself a lot more now he’s accepted Clover is theirs. He doesn’t say much, but what he did say to Clover carried a lot of weight and says a lot about Drake and his past.

Clover and Tank have the majority voices though.

It is hot off the charts, with Clover the centre of every scene. There are 2/3/4-way scenes, and everyone gets a piece of Clover, not that Clover really minds, he just wants to be safe!

It carries some difficult topics, trafficking, murder, drugs but all dealt with well. I didn’t see any spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading.

I went through Merikan’s entire back catalogue to see if I had read anything else by this author, and it appears not. I would like to read more, even though I struggled with the SPEED at which things moved, I did enjoy it. I wrote 3 stars at the top of the page when I wrote this up, but now I’m typing my review up, I’m upgrading to 4 stars. I think it was just these guys and the way they work, rather than that speed making for a negative reaction to this book. I really want to see what’s gonna happen with these guys, and they will have two more books for me get used to them!

4 stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**