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ClareR (5879 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.
Merissa (12861 KP) rated In Your Eyes (Mates #3) in Books
Dec 7, 2017
In Your Eyes (Mates #3) by Cardeno C.
Samuel and Korban are two very different shifters - one is very logical and methodical, knows exactly what he must do to become an Alpha and works hard to do so, the other seems more fun and carefree and completely ruffles up Samuel the wrong way.
I absolutely loved this story although it did bring tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. There are some great lines in here as Samuel tries to figure out Korban, to no avail. I also thoroughly enjoyed seeing and hearing about other characters that I already have met. The two main characters, though, worked absolutely perfectly with each other. It was definitely a case of them completing each other!
A heart-melting love story about receiving the greatest blessing a shifter can get - that of a true mate.
I received this book from WLK Book Promotions in return for a fair and honest review.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I absolutely loved this story although it did bring tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. There are some great lines in here as Samuel tries to figure out Korban, to no avail. I also thoroughly enjoyed seeing and hearing about other characters that I already have met. The two main characters, though, worked absolutely perfectly with each other. It was definitely a case of them completing each other!
A heart-melting love story about receiving the greatest blessing a shifter can get - that of a true mate.
I received this book from WLK Book Promotions in return for a fair and honest review.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Beneath the Fall in Books
Dec 12, 2017 (Updated Dec 12, 2017)
If you love fantasy and stories that take place in other worlds then this is for you. A beautifully written story line with fantastic characters and the amazing world building was out of this world. From the moment I saw the cover I knew I was in for a treat and as I flipped through the pages I knew that this book would pull me into the story and keep me wrapped up in all of its beauty. The artwork is truly breathtaking and it all seems to pop out of the pages quickly drawing you in. Reading this book was like eating a delicious treat and I savored every single moment of it. This book is worthy of more than the five stars I can give it and I highly recommend this to one and all.
{I received a copy when I signed up for the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
{I received a copy when I signed up for the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
Nick Friesen (96 KP) rated Wonder Woman (2017) in Movies
Jul 11, 2017
Strong female characters (3 more)
Love Interest without a "damsel in distress"
Not too dark, and not too happy either
The most cohesive DCEU film to date
A Triumph for Women Everywhere (and the DCEU)
Gal Gadot is perfect. She kicks ass and looks great doing it, dominating every frame she inhabits. Thanks to Patty Jenkin's guiding hand, Gadot's iteration of Wonder Woman does so without becoming yet another one-dimensional sex symbol. The movie itself is the most cohesive and fun segment the DCEU has offered yet. Free of the glowering and overbearing lens Zack Snyder has placed over Superman and Batman, Wonder Woman touches on themes of hope and discovered humanity that were yet to be seen in DC's fledgling movie universe. Even if the story is a little basic, and a little reminiscent of Captain America: The First Avenger, it stands on its own two feet and puts up a good fight for two hours and twenty minutes.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Visionist in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This was without a doubt a much different book than what I am used to reading. That is not a bad thing at all. This book tells the story of how 3 lives that seemed so separate suddenly crash together in very unexpected ways. The first is Polly a young girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She is a worker & protector within her small, dysfunctional family. The next is Sister Charity. A young Shaker girl who holds a high esteem within her community until circumstances change & that changes in an instant. The last is Simon Pryor. A man who was forced into a position because he had tried to help out.
One quote stands out to me as a good summary of the story as a whole. Urquhart wrote, "But this, this love lifted from the ashes, abused, abandoned, afraid, misread, discarded, half-dead - like those who enter into it, it is broken. Yet beautiful, so very beautiful."
One quote stands out to me as a good summary of the story as a whole. Urquhart wrote, "But this, this love lifted from the ashes, abused, abandoned, afraid, misread, discarded, half-dead - like those who enter into it, it is broken. Yet beautiful, so very beautiful."
Chelsea (449 KP) rated Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children in Books
Sep 7, 2017
This book was not what I expected it to be, but I don't think that makes it deserve the many negative reviews.
This book is not a "horror" book, with the exception of the "evil" characters who created the reasons for the plot to go where it went. It IS a weird book. I love weird, or should I say "peculiar".
The best thing about the book (and why so many thought it was different than what it was) is that the story was written completely around these found vintage, sometimes creepy, photographs. None of the images were altered with "modern" photoshop, but no one actually knows the real stories behind them or how much they were actually a trick of the camera.
This is Young Adult and so a fairly quick read, but it's also a different kind of fantasy story that is worth the read. Beware, however, the ending does NOT allow you to leave this book without needing to read the sequel.
This book is not a "horror" book, with the exception of the "evil" characters who created the reasons for the plot to go where it went. It IS a weird book. I love weird, or should I say "peculiar".
The best thing about the book (and why so many thought it was different than what it was) is that the story was written completely around these found vintage, sometimes creepy, photographs. None of the images were altered with "modern" photoshop, but no one actually knows the real stories behind them or how much they were actually a trick of the camera.
This is Young Adult and so a fairly quick read, but it's also a different kind of fantasy story that is worth the read. Beware, however, the ending does NOT allow you to leave this book without needing to read the sequel.
Mothergamer (1568 KP) rated Kingdom Hearts III in Video Games
Feb 14, 2019
Great Adventure
I love the Kingdom Hearts series because it offered great characters and fantastic worlds from so many favorite Disney movies. I was quite excited for Kingdom Hearts III when it finally arrived. The combat is definitely better here and moves more fluidly. The attraction attacks are a lot of fun, but a couple aren't so great. I did have some favorites though and it was always a blast to use them. The addition of mini games definitely adds to the fun of the game. The story itself is interesting with familiar characters and great nods to previous Kingdom Hearts games. I have never liked the gummi ship because the controls for it were always awful. The gummi ship controls are a little better here, but they're still not great. The game is a bit short, but it's still a great game with amazing graphics and fun gameplay making it worth the wait.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Alita: Battle Angel (2019) in Movies
Feb 18, 2019 (Updated Feb 18, 2019)
This movie was on the borderline between good and just ok, I rounded up. I was irritated because the theater where I have the subscription with was only showing the film in 3D. I'm not a huge 3D fan, and don't think anything is really added by it.
I know James Cameron was supposed to be the main draw, but I think he's pompous, and Avatar is not a good movie (IMO/it's lame and a snore). I was there mainly for Robert Rodriguez, he's a BFD here.
Essentially, it's Ghost in the Shell with a different story around it. I loved the fight/actions scenes, I was riveted by those. But, everything around it was kind of lame with bad dialogue and an unnecessary love story.
I also hated that it left on a cliffhanger. The movie drastically under-performed, leading to the worst Presidents' Day box office in the US since 2004. Likelihood of a sequel? Slim to none.
I know James Cameron was supposed to be the main draw, but I think he's pompous, and Avatar is not a good movie (IMO/it's lame and a snore). I was there mainly for Robert Rodriguez, he's a BFD here.
Essentially, it's Ghost in the Shell with a different story around it. I loved the fight/actions scenes, I was riveted by those. But, everything around it was kind of lame with bad dialogue and an unnecessary love story.
I also hated that it left on a cliffhanger. The movie drastically under-performed, leading to the worst Presidents' Day box office in the US since 2004. Likelihood of a sequel? Slim to none.
So I think this was actually the first book I had read by Cecelia Ahern, which led me to read all of her books in the short time afterwards!
I was never into dystopia (but that seems to have changed now) but I fancied trying it out anyway. I love the view on the justice system in this – that when someone does something wrong they are marked for life for their mistakes. It’s strangely close to society at the moment (minus the branding) which I think is what really pulled me in.
Celestine could be a little bit annoying, but who wouldn’t complain when they are being punished for helping someone and acting out of the kindness in their heart?
I loved that the action never stopped or even slowed down. It really kept the story going and helped me keep my attention on the plot.
The story of social justice was really gripping and the closeness to reality was scary and it kept me reading.
I was never into dystopia (but that seems to have changed now) but I fancied trying it out anyway. I love the view on the justice system in this – that when someone does something wrong they are marked for life for their mistakes. It’s strangely close to society at the moment (minus the branding) which I think is what really pulled me in.
Celestine could be a little bit annoying, but who wouldn’t complain when they are being punished for helping someone and acting out of the kindness in their heart?
I loved that the action never stopped or even slowed down. It really kept the story going and helped me keep my attention on the plot.
The story of social justice was really gripping and the closeness to reality was scary and it kept me reading.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated A Letter from Lancaster County in Books
Apr 9, 2019
A Letter for Lancaster County is a good sweet story. It seems about a redemption and learning to deal with death and grief. What a lovely plot. Katie Lloyd does a good job with it. We get the perspective of the main characters named Rose and Angelina.
They get a letter from their aunt Sylvia. Both girls is dealing with their own problems and grief of their mother. Will they learn that letting go and have faith? There a budding romance going on as well. What could that be and can Glenn and Rose being a match? You will need to find out by reading.
Can Angelina figure out what going on at home and her husband and family? To find that out, you will need to read to determine that. They find out that their Aunt Sylvia is sick, Will Rose decide to stay or will she go back to her home in Washington? This is a lovely and sweet story of love, friendship, and redemptions.
They get a letter from their aunt Sylvia. Both girls is dealing with their own problems and grief of their mother. Will they learn that letting go and have faith? There a budding romance going on as well. What could that be and can Glenn and Rose being a match? You will need to find out by reading.
Can Angelina figure out what going on at home and her husband and family? To find that out, you will need to read to determine that. They find out that their Aunt Sylvia is sick, Will Rose decide to stay or will she go back to her home in Washington? This is a lovely and sweet story of love, friendship, and redemptions.