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Merissa (12051 KP) rated Phoenix Rising (Phoenix #1) in Books
May 8, 2023
Set in an alternate world with Rengallas and Dalshies, this book is absolutely jam-packed with action and humour!
Daughtry is our main female and, to be blunt, her life has been a pile of..., but most especially this past year. She found the inner strength to break free of an engagement with a vindictive and abusive man and then found herself cut off from her family when they threw her out. She has major issues stemming from a lack of love and trust, but rather than being annoying, this just made her character all the more relatable.
I'll be honest when it started, I thought it was going to be a love triangle (which is one of my pet peeves) but instead, it took a fresh twist that had me gripping my Kindle, unable to put it down until I had read "just one more page."
This story is refreshing, full of humour and quick wit, traumatic with events, and full of a whole gamut of emotions. Absolutely fantastic and I loved every page. Highly recommended.
* 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!
Dec 17, 2015
Daughtry is our main female and, to be blunt, her life has been a pile of..., but most especially this past year. She found the inner strength to break free of an engagement with a vindictive and abusive man and then found herself cut off from her family when they threw her out. She has major issues stemming from a lack of love and trust, but rather than being annoying, this just made her character all the more relatable.
I'll be honest when it started, I thought it was going to be a love triangle (which is one of my pet peeves) but instead, it took a fresh twist that had me gripping my Kindle, unable to put it down until I had read "just one more page."
This story is refreshing, full of humour and quick wit, traumatic with events, and full of a whole gamut of emotions. Absolutely fantastic and I loved every page. Highly recommended.
* 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!
Dec 17, 2015
Dana (24 KP) rated The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
This book was very good. I enjoyed listening to it when I had a free chance. I gave it a four out of five because there were a few moments, especially in the beginning, where I found it hard to connect to the characters. Elisa seemed like she was just self-deprecating for a lot of the book and that got tiresome after a while. When she started to grow as a character, I started to like it more. I wish there wasn't that love triangle in the story, but I understand why it had to be there. I just feel like these love triangles are in most books and I want there to be more without it (That's just a personal note) There were even some relationships between characters that I thought were going to pan out to be romantic, but didn't. But who knows, there are other books in the series after all! Some of the puzzles that the characters had to solve I felt were kind of predictable but others were genuinely surprising. I fell in love with so many side characters and I wish we had been able to see more of them throughout the story. While Elisa is a compelling narrator, I felt like the other characters had more to them. This was a great break from the myriad of historical or classic novels that I have had to read recently. If you like fantasy and adventure stories, pick this up. I really recommend it.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Stabbed in the Baklava in Books
Aug 29, 2018
Best Man Stabbed at the Reception
Lucy has taken over managing her family’s Mediterranean restaurant in Ocean Crest, New Jersey, and she is thrilled when they are hired to cater the wedding of socialite Scarlet Westwood. However, in the middle of the reception, Lucy’s chef and ex-boyfriend, Azad, gets into a fight with the best man, Henry. As the night is winding down, Azad finds Henry’s body in the back of their locked catering van. Naturally, the police think he is a great suspect, but Lucy disagrees. Can she figure out what happened?
It was great to be back in Ocean Crest, and I felt like we got to see a bit more of this resort town. I loved it, and I’d love to be able to visit in real life, just maybe between the murders. The mystery here is very strong, with several viable and well-developed suspects. I followed along with Lucy’s thoughts as she investigated figuring that her current theory would turn out to be wrong, but when she finally figured out the truth, it made perfect sense. Most of the characters are strong, although a few of the supporting characters still seem to be a bit weak, and the way that Lucy’s mother focuses on her love life annoyed me. The love triangle is still going strong here, although I have a feeling I know where it will go. There are three delicious sounding recipes at the end of the book. Overall, this is a fun second in the series.
It was great to be back in Ocean Crest, and I felt like we got to see a bit more of this resort town. I loved it, and I’d love to be able to visit in real life, just maybe between the murders. The mystery here is very strong, with several viable and well-developed suspects. I followed along with Lucy’s thoughts as she investigated figuring that her current theory would turn out to be wrong, but when she finally figured out the truth, it made perfect sense. Most of the characters are strong, although a few of the supporting characters still seem to be a bit weak, and the way that Lucy’s mother focuses on her love life annoyed me. The love triangle is still going strong here, although I have a feeling I know where it will go. There are three delicious sounding recipes at the end of the book. Overall, this is a fun second in the series.
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Burned (Dark Reflections #5) in Books
Apr 12, 2023
So, this is the fifth book in the series so I'm not going to rehash the synopsis and the previous four books for you. Instead, I will just launch straight into this one, although, be warned! It may contain mild spoilers from the first four books, but I'll try to keep it as generic as possible.
Adri is still grieving and reeling from what happened in Minnesota and as such, can't bring herself to be civil to Alec. He is trying to make things easier for her as he does understand but he is also dealing with a lot of pressure from every which way.
The story that is told inside this book is speeding up and gaining momentum. It is an action-packed book but there is still a thin trickle of romance for the die-hard romantics like me. Things are never straightforward for Adri and Alec, although I sometimes wish they could catch a break, and never more so than here. Instead of a love triangle, Dean has gone one further and made it a love quadrangle! I am really hoping that Alec and Adri get their HEA even though this is an alternate universe.
We have new threats, old threats, conspiracies, betrayal, and love - it's all here. This is a series that is getting better with each book. Highly recommended by me.
* 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!
July 19, 2016
Adri is still grieving and reeling from what happened in Minnesota and as such, can't bring herself to be civil to Alec. He is trying to make things easier for her as he does understand but he is also dealing with a lot of pressure from every which way.
The story that is told inside this book is speeding up and gaining momentum. It is an action-packed book but there is still a thin trickle of romance for the die-hard romantics like me. Things are never straightforward for Adri and Alec, although I sometimes wish they could catch a break, and never more so than here. Instead of a love triangle, Dean has gone one further and made it a love quadrangle! I am really hoping that Alec and Adri get their HEA even though this is an alternate universe.
We have new threats, old threats, conspiracies, betrayal, and love - it's all here. This is a series that is getting better with each book. Highly recommended by me.
* 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!
July 19, 2016
Necole (36 KP) rated The Wife Between Us in Books
Aug 25, 2018
Assume Nothing
Assume Nothing …. Perfect description of The Wife Between Us!!! An unreliable narrator (the alcoholic, unhinged, scorned, jealous ex-wife) a young, beautiful new bride to be who questions the ex wife's behavior maybe event to the point of stalking status, and a wealthy man in the middle all make up this twisted love triangle!! But are they all who they appear to be??? Who is the good character, who is the bad, who do you believe, and who do you trust?? All these questions make this psychothriller a roller coaster of a ride in this page turner... At times it's slow but as you flip and read through the pages it picks up again and again. And can we say um huh after the first part of the book. It makes you sit there and say did I miss something and did they really just reveal one of the juiciest parts of the book in the middle after the first part!!! With the end of each chapter, you are sitting there wondering what clues are going to be revealed … how much more can there be. Whose side am I on?
I loved the writing style because it made the reader assume things that may or not be what you thought. The reader really can connect to each character because they were so well developed and so untrustworthy and trustworthy and various points in the book. I love that this book was broken into 3 parts that all made sense why The Wife Between Us was written in this format!!! It wasn't hard to follow at all .. everything seemed to have a purpose for the most part and flow into the development of the story.
A perfect summary from the book is this :
In my marriage, there were three truths, three alternate and sometimes competing realities. There was Richard’s truth. There was my truth. And there was the actual truth, which is always the most elusive to recognize. This could be the case in every relationship, that we think we’ve entered into a union with another person when, in fact, we’ve formed a triangle with one point anchored by a silent but all-seeing judge, the arbiter of reality.
I loved the writing style because it made the reader assume things that may or not be what you thought. The reader really can connect to each character because they were so well developed and so untrustworthy and trustworthy and various points in the book. I love that this book was broken into 3 parts that all made sense why The Wife Between Us was written in this format!!! It wasn't hard to follow at all .. everything seemed to have a purpose for the most part and flow into the development of the story.
A perfect summary from the book is this :
In my marriage, there were three truths, three alternate and sometimes competing realities. There was Richard’s truth. There was my truth. And there was the actual truth, which is always the most elusive to recognize. This could be the case in every relationship, that we think we’ve entered into a union with another person when, in fact, we’ve formed a triangle with one point anchored by a silent but all-seeing judge, the arbiter of reality.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) in Movies
Aug 8, 2019
If you hear the sound of a million screaming girls coming from your local theater, then you already know that the newest film in the Twilight Saga, “New Moon” is here. Picking up where “Twilight” left off is the love triangle between emo babe, Bella (Kristen Stewert), her star-crossed boyfriend/vampire, Edward (Robert Pattinson), and the heartfelt affectionate werewolf, Jacob (Taylor Lautner). But this film isn’t just about this century’s most discussed love triangle. “New Moon” takes Twilighters deeper into the history and mythos of these loveable monsters. Further expanding the Twilightverse is the introduction of the Volturi, the vampire royalty, who keep their kind a global secret, with serious consequences for those who break their code.
If you were bored during the slow buildup of “Twilight” then “New Moon” should be an exciting change, filled with fast cars and strong CGI. And the visuals don’t stop there, with backdrops ranging from the rainy forests of Washington to the sunny streets of Tuscany, this film goes far beyond the scope of the last.
Most impressively the acting has improved, especially on the part of Jacob Black who is charming in “New Moon”, a significant improvement from his irritating portrayal in the first film. Did I mention that he has gained a six pack? No, not just the abs, but also in the form of his wolf tribe (yes, I know there are only five wolves, but who can resist a good six pack turn of phrase?).
I only wish there had been more interaction with the Volturi. Surely there was a way to skip an unnecessary emotional Bella scene for a better understanding of the cruel nature of these creatures. Still the chemistry between Bella and the two men of her dreams is undeniably heart wrenching in this cinematic chapter.
Lovers of Twilight will also rejoice over the clever dialogue, which immediately took me back to key moments in the books. Moreover, the action-filled storytelling might just be the final straw for the remaining people out there on the fence about tackling the hefty novels.
If you were bored during the slow buildup of “Twilight” then “New Moon” should be an exciting change, filled with fast cars and strong CGI. And the visuals don’t stop there, with backdrops ranging from the rainy forests of Washington to the sunny streets of Tuscany, this film goes far beyond the scope of the last.
Most impressively the acting has improved, especially on the part of Jacob Black who is charming in “New Moon”, a significant improvement from his irritating portrayal in the first film. Did I mention that he has gained a six pack? No, not just the abs, but also in the form of his wolf tribe (yes, I know there are only five wolves, but who can resist a good six pack turn of phrase?).
I only wish there had been more interaction with the Volturi. Surely there was a way to skip an unnecessary emotional Bella scene for a better understanding of the cruel nature of these creatures. Still the chemistry between Bella and the two men of her dreams is undeniably heart wrenching in this cinematic chapter.
Lovers of Twilight will also rejoice over the clever dialogue, which immediately took me back to key moments in the books. Moreover, the action-filled storytelling might just be the final straw for the remaining people out there on the fence about tackling the hefty novels.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Matched (Matched #1) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I loved, LOVED this book! I've had it sitting in my "to read" pile for quite awhile now & decided it was time to read it. Now I'm pissed off at myself that I waited so long!!!
The book was engaging. I didn't want to put it down. It was an easy, quick read. Kind of a mixture between the Twilight books & the Hunger Games series...but don't take that as being it is the same. Some of elements of those great series show up in this one, but it is by NO means a copy.
Cassia, Ky, & Xander are all very well developed, easy to like characters. They add a great depth to the story which is, in some ways a typical teenage love triangle story, but different from the usual too.
I am very much looking forward to jumping into the 2nd book in the series to find out what happens to all 3 of them. It left me feeling the need to say, "Do not go gentle into that good night." ;)
The book was engaging. I didn't want to put it down. It was an easy, quick read. Kind of a mixture between the Twilight books & the Hunger Games series...but don't take that as being it is the same. Some of elements of those great series show up in this one, but it is by NO means a copy.
Cassia, Ky, & Xander are all very well developed, easy to like characters. They add a great depth to the story which is, in some ways a typical teenage love triangle story, but different from the usual too.
I am very much looking forward to jumping into the 2nd book in the series to find out what happens to all 3 of them. It left me feeling the need to say, "Do not go gentle into that good night." ;)
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Everealm (Everealm, #1) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was a little confused going into this novel because I wasnt sure what to expect. From what I have researched, this is supposedly young adult. While the writing style makes it seem YA, there themes not appropriate for that age range. I guess new adult would be more appropriate?
Regardless, the cover is absolutely gorgeous and reflect the feel of the novel. As a fan of fantasy and fairytale retellings, Everealm was a novel I didnt even know I was looking for. The world and creatures she paints with her words are nostalgic of old childhood fairytales. While it still has many [cliché] themes that seem to be found in all YA novels (love triangle, etc.), the author added her own touch. It is a guilty pleasure feel good novel, free of heavy complexities that makes a novel more work than pleasure.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel and the feel that accompanied reading it. It is nothing groundbreaking, but the author has a lovely style that could be great.
I was a little confused going into this novel because I wasnt sure what to expect. From what I have researched, this is supposedly young adult. While the writing style makes it seem YA, there themes not appropriate for that age range. I guess new adult would be more appropriate?
Regardless, the cover is absolutely gorgeous and reflect the feel of the novel. As a fan of fantasy and fairytale retellings, Everealm was a novel I didnt even know I was looking for. The world and creatures she paints with her words are nostalgic of old childhood fairytales. While it still has many [cliché] themes that seem to be found in all YA novels (love triangle, etc.), the author added her own touch. It is a guilty pleasure feel good novel, free of heavy complexities that makes a novel more work than pleasure.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel and the feel that accompanied reading it. It is nothing groundbreaking, but the author has a lovely style that could be great.
Mekkin B. (122 KP) rated Wynonna Earp - Season 1 in TV
Feb 21, 2018
If Buffy grew up and moved to the wild west
I stumbled across this show on Netflix and almost immediately fell in love.
Wynonna Earp is a hard drinking, hard living 27 year old. She's the black sheep and the town fuck-up. She's spent years avoiding her family and her responsibilities, but when she finally returns to her home town of Purgatory, she finds that she can't outrun the family curse.
Now, if she ever hopes to break the curse and save her family, she must battle the seventy seven revenants of the Ghost River Triangle and send them back to hell. But at least she doesn't have to do it alone.
If you've been dying to find an at least decently written fantasy/supernatural TV show with witty dialogue and compelling relationships, this one is definitely for you.
Also if you're like me and will watch anything that has adorable and fully fleshed out lesbian relationships, this one is also for you. Wynonna's younger sister Wavery and the dashing town deputy are SO GAY in the BEST possible way.
Wynonna Earp is a hard drinking, hard living 27 year old. She's the black sheep and the town fuck-up. She's spent years avoiding her family and her responsibilities, but when she finally returns to her home town of Purgatory, she finds that she can't outrun the family curse.
Now, if she ever hopes to break the curse and save her family, she must battle the seventy seven revenants of the Ghost River Triangle and send them back to hell. But at least she doesn't have to do it alone.
If you've been dying to find an at least decently written fantasy/supernatural TV show with witty dialogue and compelling relationships, this one is definitely for you.
Also if you're like me and will watch anything that has adorable and fully fleshed out lesbian relationships, this one is also for you. Wynonna's younger sister Wavery and the dashing town deputy are SO GAY in the BEST possible way.
Cori June (3033 KP) rated Tiger's Voyage in Books
Nov 10, 2018
This book starts about a month
after the second book ends. It really plays up the love triangle thing but still has the adventure parts too. Unfortunatly, Kelsey is distracted by who to choose and why that she gets distracted easily. Kudos to her though because she doesn't "check out" when Ren doesn't remember her and her heart is broken (unlike the girl who has to choose between the sparkly vampire and the not werewolf because- he is Native American and the European rules of werewolf don't apply and he really could have shapechanged into a bear or cougar....)
I think the dragon's are fun characters and the gold dragon reminds me of Frank Burns but that might be because I was watching a MASH marathon while reading this.
I also enjoy the diving instructor. I know people whose accent will disappear or get thicker to tease, confuse, or disarm someone.
after the second book ends. It really plays up the love triangle thing but still has the adventure parts too. Unfortunatly, Kelsey is distracted by who to choose and why that she gets distracted easily. Kudos to her though because she doesn't "check out" when Ren doesn't remember her and her heart is broken (unlike the girl who has to choose between the sparkly vampire and the not werewolf because- he is Native American and the European rules of werewolf don't apply and he really could have shapechanged into a bear or cougar....)
I think the dragon's are fun characters and the gold dragon reminds me of Frank Burns but that might be because I was watching a MASH marathon while reading this.
I also enjoy the diving instructor. I know people whose accent will disappear or get thicker to tease, confuse, or disarm someone.