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ClareR (5950 KP) rated Creation Lake in Books
Jan 20, 2025
Creation Lake was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and I can see why. I really enjoyed this story of a spy called Sadie, who infiltrates an eco-terrorist cult in France. They are led from afar by a man called Bruno, who lives in a cave, and believes that the only way to save humanity is to give up technology and return to out non-mechanised, non- fossil-fuelled past. They are extremists, but even the eco-cult reach a point where they can see that Bruno’s vision goes a bit too far.
I really enjoyed reading Bruno’s emails with Sadie (she has hacked into the email account of the eco-terrorists), got really involved with his theories, googled some and discovered that what he was saying may not have been 100% true or sane.
Sadie is an observer. She’s not your typical all action spy, but she certainly drinks quite a lot of alcohol and has to fend off a lot of unwanted male advances. But she does also use her sexuality to get what she wants.
There are some observations on the state of modern life: greedy landowners who will do anything to make money, the effects of modern life on the young (there’s a young boys story that I found particularly disturbing, and the fact that I wasn’t surprised by it, made it all the more disturbing!).
There were several laugh out loud moments in this too, and the laughs tended to come most needed.
I liked this thought-provoking, tongue-in-cheek novel, and I thought that the way that Bruno’s emails were dotted throughout the novel really worked well alongside Sadie’s investigations.
I really enjoyed reading Bruno’s emails with Sadie (she has hacked into the email account of the eco-terrorists), got really involved with his theories, googled some and discovered that what he was saying may not have been 100% true or sane.
Sadie is an observer. She’s not your typical all action spy, but she certainly drinks quite a lot of alcohol and has to fend off a lot of unwanted male advances. But she does also use her sexuality to get what she wants.
There are some observations on the state of modern life: greedy landowners who will do anything to make money, the effects of modern life on the young (there’s a young boys story that I found particularly disturbing, and the fact that I wasn’t surprised by it, made it all the more disturbing!).
There were several laugh out loud moments in this too, and the laughs tended to come most needed.
I liked this thought-provoking, tongue-in-cheek novel, and I thought that the way that Bruno’s emails were dotted throughout the novel really worked well alongside Sadie’s investigations.
Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Embracing the Stalk (The Rhubarb Effect #4) in Books
Nov 30, 2024
full of rhubarb, custard and goat jokes!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Book 4 of seven in The Rhubarb Effect series, and they are still keeping me entertained!
This is the story of Red (a rhubarb) and Gordon (a goat) Someone keeps trying to kidnap Red and he is scared, but Gordon makes him feels safe, secure and happy. If the pair can live cocooned in Red's house, he would be a happy stalk, but it doesn't quite work out and the pair end up in the pack house.
These books are a lot, and I mean a LOT of fun! Full of rhubarb, custard and goat jokes, they are laugh out loud books and I'm thoroughly enjoying them.
They are keeping on tenterhooks too. Because we know WHO is trying to kidnap Red, but not yet WHY and it's annoying that I haven't figured it out yet!
There is steam a plenty in these books, and this is no exception. I loved that it was the ALPHA partner, Gordon, who was inexperienced, rather than the omega, Red. I loved how Red accepted the thing that goats do, when mating in his stride and Gordon was so fretting over it.
So we are 4 down, and 3 to go. I still don't know which of the pride is the sheriff's mate, unless my book brain missed it. And I really NEED to know why the old pride alpha is so intent on destroying the wonderful village that is Valentine.
4 thoroughly entertaining stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Book 4 of seven in The Rhubarb Effect series, and they are still keeping me entertained!
This is the story of Red (a rhubarb) and Gordon (a goat) Someone keeps trying to kidnap Red and he is scared, but Gordon makes him feels safe, secure and happy. If the pair can live cocooned in Red's house, he would be a happy stalk, but it doesn't quite work out and the pair end up in the pack house.
These books are a lot, and I mean a LOT of fun! Full of rhubarb, custard and goat jokes, they are laugh out loud books and I'm thoroughly enjoying them.
They are keeping on tenterhooks too. Because we know WHO is trying to kidnap Red, but not yet WHY and it's annoying that I haven't figured it out yet!
There is steam a plenty in these books, and this is no exception. I loved that it was the ALPHA partner, Gordon, who was inexperienced, rather than the omega, Red. I loved how Red accepted the thing that goats do, when mating in his stride and Gordon was so fretting over it.
So we are 4 down, and 3 to go. I still don't know which of the pride is the sheriff's mate, unless my book brain missed it. And I really NEED to know why the old pride alpha is so intent on destroying the wonderful village that is Valentine.
4 thoroughly entertaining stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
ClareR (5950 KP) rated The Safekeep in Books
Jan 26, 2025
The house in The Safekeep is at the centre of this story. Isabel lives alone in the large family home in the countryside, whilst her brothers, Louis and Hendrik, live in the city. Isabel and Hendrik are invited to meet yet another of Louis’ girlfriends, and they don’t seem to take either one of them seriously. Shortly afterwards, Louis has to leave for France on business, and his girlfriend doesn’t want to stay in their city flat alone. So she asks to stay with Isabel.
Isabel lives a very rigid life. Not religious as such, but close to the Calvinist religion that their mother brought them up in. She’s paranoid about things going missing from inside the house, she constantly counts everything and tries to keep the house as her mother would have done. It becomes clear towards the end why she does this.
Isabel clearly doesn’t want Eva to stay. She wants to be alone in the house. Isabel also doesn’t want the attention of a rather over-enthusiastic male “friend”. She goes on dates with him, barely tolerating his company.
As Isabel and Eva’s relationship develops, we see another side of Isabel, and in the latter half of the book there are diary entries that explain a lot about her (I love a book with diary entries). This is a love story, but also a story about what happened to the property of returning Jews after WW2. It’s a psychological novel with a lot of secrets at its heart. It must have been a tough call for this book NOT to win the Booker in 2024.
Isabel lives a very rigid life. Not religious as such, but close to the Calvinist religion that their mother brought them up in. She’s paranoid about things going missing from inside the house, she constantly counts everything and tries to keep the house as her mother would have done. It becomes clear towards the end why she does this.
Isabel clearly doesn’t want Eva to stay. She wants to be alone in the house. Isabel also doesn’t want the attention of a rather over-enthusiastic male “friend”. She goes on dates with him, barely tolerating his company.
As Isabel and Eva’s relationship develops, we see another side of Isabel, and in the latter half of the book there are diary entries that explain a lot about her (I love a book with diary entries). This is a love story, but also a story about what happened to the property of returning Jews after WW2. It’s a psychological novel with a lot of secrets at its heart. It must have been a tough call for this book NOT to win the Booker in 2024.
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) in Movies
Sep 27, 2017
Great mindless fun but sadly just didn't live up to the original.
I keep bouncing between a 7 and 8 rating but after some of the shit that was pulled and I'm still upset about it's getting a 7.
Okay don't get me wrong Golden Circle was a fun movie with the same over the top violence as the first one but to me it felt like parts of the movie were missing for some reason and after seeing it I found out the apparently the original cut was like 3 1/2 hours long and to me it really did feel like they left out a fair bit of the story and a hell of a lot of the character development.
But hey Elton John was fabulous and the fight scenes were fucking Ace!
Okay don't get me wrong Golden Circle was a fun movie with the same over the top violence as the first one but to me it felt like parts of the movie were missing for some reason and after seeing it I found out the apparently the original cut was like 3 1/2 hours long and to me it really did feel like they left out a fair bit of the story and a hell of a lot of the character development.
But hey Elton John was fabulous and the fight scenes were fucking Ace!
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Google Maps - GPS Navigation in Apps
Nov 4, 2017
Essential app, but still needs a little work
This is the most important app on my phone - especially for walking routes and using public transport. My only gripe is the fact it still lacks in terms of disability access - a general issue across the UK. So as a 'local guide' I've begun manually uploading the information.
While walking, I tend to have Google Maps reciting the directions to me through my ear phones. A lot of the time it stops and I keep wondering if the app has switched off. No doubt, it beats all competition in terms of navigation, but it needs to update quicker. And Google needs to stop telling me to 'add an image' to places. I'm not taking a picture of a shop like a weirdo.
While walking, I tend to have Google Maps reciting the directions to me through my ear phones. A lot of the time it stops and I keep wondering if the app has switched off. No doubt, it beats all competition in terms of navigation, but it needs to update quicker. And Google needs to stop telling me to 'add an image' to places. I'm not taking a picture of a shop like a weirdo.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Krampus (2015) in Movies
Nov 26, 2017
A refreshingly different Christmas film
A Christmas horror film really shouldn't work, but for the most part it actually does. It's strange, as you usually associate Christmas films with sickly sweet happiness, but this is the complete opposite and it's a nice change.
It's funny, dark and doesn't take itself too seriously. The physical effects and make-up are very good, although some of the CGI is questionable in parts. It has a great cast and I loved the idea behind Krampus and also the strange ending. My only criticism would be that it could have been a lot scarier. It was creepy at times but I think it concentrated more on the laughs than the horror, which is a shame as a scary Christmas horror film would be truly terrifying.
It's funny, dark and doesn't take itself too seriously. The physical effects and make-up are very good, although some of the CGI is questionable in parts. It has a great cast and I loved the idea behind Krampus and also the strange ending. My only criticism would be that it could have been a lot scarier. It was creepy at times but I think it concentrated more on the laughs than the horror, which is a shame as a scary Christmas horror film would be truly terrifying.
Phil (7 KP) rated Huckleberry Finn in Books
May 23, 2017
Would be hard to meet expectations
Huckleberry Finn is a story about deciding your values. Mark Twain has a lot to say about everything, from slavery, to how we view adults vs children, to general decency. It's a great read if you want to be challenged on morality and the process of judgement and trust. It is, however, really hard to get through some conversations where half the words have to be taken on context. Being a classic of literature, I had built this up unfairly in my mind, so I had to drop the score assuming you'd do the same.
Would be perfect for anyone learning Southerner though, looking for a cheap immersion course.
Would be perfect for anyone learning Southerner though, looking for a cheap immersion course.
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated The Secret Life of Pets (2016) in Movies
Jul 19, 2017
Well written (2 more)
Voice acting
Great Animation
A fun movie for everybody
The only kind of movie that I have ever fell asleep watching in the cinema, is a kid’s movie, but there is no chance of you falling asleep during this one. Funny, witty and a lot of fun. The animation is fantastic, the voice acting is on point and if you are a pet owner the whole thing becomes more relatable and even funnier. This is how to make a great kids film, it doesn’t just totally appeal to the kids and ignore the adults watching, but it is also totally family friendly and the characters are all well written, well voiced and they all bounce off of each other very well to make probably the best kids movie I’ve seen this year.
Verner Latskin (74 KP) rated Drive (2011) in Movies
Jul 21, 2017
The performances are universally strong (4 more)
Stylish, patient direction
Understated when most films would go big
Unlike "Baby Driver", which has many similarities with this film, the central relationship is never suggested to be anything more than some casual relationship that gives the main character a chance at redemption
Carey Mulligan is as luminous as ever
It's about as deep as a puddle in a parking lot (1 more)
It is generally very overrated
A good, yet unacknowledged, remake of "The Driver"
Well, it's a remake of Walter Hill's "The Driver". Not officially, sure, but it just is. It annoys me that this was never really acknowledged, but it's a good one, so there's that.
Otherwise, it's a flimsy, but good little crime thriller that's generally overrated. Shouldn't stop anyone from seeing it though.
Otherwise, it's a flimsy, but good little crime thriller that's generally overrated. Shouldn't stop anyone from seeing it though.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Nerve (2016) in Movies
Aug 24, 2017 (Updated Aug 19, 2018)
Emma Roberts (1 more)
Good cinematography
Are you a Watcher or Player?
A cool, fun, sexy and visually slick thriller. I hadn't heard much about this before seeing it but found it very enjoyable. It's a new spin on the truth or dare game, this time with the Internet community choosing to be a Watcher or Player. People film themselves doing a few dares as watchers pay them to complete the dare. Soon though the dares escalate and become very dangerous.
I like the visual style of the film, bathed in neon light a lot of the time, which makes it feel more like a game. Also makes a slight point about how people behave online compared to real life. Overall not that original but still an entertaining film nevertheless.
I like the visual style of the film, bathed in neon light a lot of the time, which makes it feel more like a game. Also makes a slight point about how people behave online compared to real life. Overall not that original but still an entertaining film nevertheless.