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A Day of Fallen Night
A Day of Fallen Night
Samantha Shannon | 2023 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Phenomenal. Breath-taking. Complex, and well worth both the wait and the work - well, it’s not really work to read this. It was all pleasure.

To say this book is wide-sweeping would be an understatement. Set 500 years before The Priory of the Orange Tree, A Day of Fallen Night encompasses a whole world, with different religions, traditions and cultures. The complexity of this book! And then there’s the fact that I didn’t for one moment feel confused. The style of writing in each Kingdom was so distinct, that I knew immediately where I was (no reading ahead and then back again to figure out where I was!).

Matriarchal societies, societies where homosexuality is accepted (and in fact is nothing extraordinary), dragons, magic, did I say dragons? Yes, OK, I did, but I cannot stress enough how much I loved the dragons.

There’s over 800 pages of action, fighting, adventure, romance, politics, love, betrayal, religion, dragons (have I mentioned the dragons?), magic, strong women, noble men. Ah, I could go on - I won’t.

If fantasy is your thing, you’ll love this. If you’ve read and enjoyed Priory, you’ll love this. I don’t think it matters which order you read the two books in, they’ve been written as standalones in the same world. And, if rumours are true, there will be more - AND I CAN’T WAIT!!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for my ebook copy. And you’d better bet your life that I’ve bought a hardback copy. I mean, look at that cover! It’s glorious - beautiful!!
  
Magic Dark, Magic Divine (Warrior of the Divine Sword #1)
Magic Dark, Magic Divine (Warrior of the Divine Sword #1)
A.J. Locke | 2021 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
MAGIC DARK, MAGIC DIVINE is the first book in the Warrior of the Divine Sword series and, in it, we meet Pennrae who was first alive 300 years ago before she was put into a magical sleep because she broke a contract with a Diviner. She wakes up in a contemporary world, where things have definitely moved on. We meet her eight years down the line when she has managed to get a life put together for herself.

This is a fast-paced story that will keep you on tenterhooks as Pennrae goes from one explosion to another. She finds love and adventure, as well as allies she never expected. It is intricate and twisted which kept my attention from the very start.

Fair warning though - there is one part that had my f'ugly crying! I won't say more, but prepare yourself!

As it is the first book, you get the usual world-building but it is done in a way that is explanatory rather than just an info dump. I found this to be an excellent start of a new series, with a new-to-me author. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait to see where it goes next. Absolutely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* 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!
Nov 5, 2021
  
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
J.K. Rowling | 2014 | Children, Fiction & Poetry
10
9.1 (271 Ratings)
Book Rating
A great book for the start out bookworm and it's a classic for pretty much about anyone who's interested in witches, wizards, sorcerers and (most importantly) magic. A book with twists and turns that you can't put down. A fantastic novel. (0 more)
A whirlwind of mystery...
This book was one of my first ever books to join in my collection. An absolute delight to read and a fantastic fire starter to anyone who wishes to indulge in books more. J.K. Rowling makes sure to immerse you in a world which is parallel to our own and describes it so perfectly that it's been fuelling people's imaginations for years. A definite read for just about anyone, whether you're a bookworm or not you'll enjoy this!
  
The Name of the Wind
The Name of the Wind
Patrick Rothfuss | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.2 (74 Ratings)
Book Rating
The story! (0 more)
The 3rd book to this trilogy still isn't out (0 more)
This book drew me into the world of fantasy!!
This book tells the tale of a mans life, of his childhood and his manhood. He comes from a land where magic exists and there is an entire university dedicated to teaching it. The hero is mischievous and in and out of trouble throughout the book but in the ways most young men are. If you love books and have never read a fantasy novel before try this one, if you love fantasy it was my husbands classic "nerd" friends who forced this book on me (I'm using "nerd" as a loving descriptive term, like you'd call the guys of Big Bang theory "nerds").
  
The Shining (1980)
The Shining (1980)
1980 | Horror
Stanley Kubrick was an absolute mastermind when it came to directing and watching his films are like a masterclass in movie-making magic. Sure, he was apparently very difficult to work with at times and on the set of The Shining in particular drove one cast member to near madness.

Based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, The Shining is a 1980 horror classic. It’s not particularly scary anymore, but at the time, it was a deeply unnerving film set in a bleak mountain location. Look out for an incredible performance from the legendary Jack Nicholson if you haven’t seen it before. The cast member driven to madness? That would be Shelley Duvall.

https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/02/28/best-snow-movies-top-5/
  
Despicable Me 3 (2017)
Despicable Me 3 (2017)
2017 | Animation, Comedy
An unnecessary sequel
It's getting to be a shame that they keep making these films. The first one was great, the second alright and the standalone Minions film was terrible. Sadly this third film is nothing to write home about.

It's not terrible, it's just missing the magic from the original film. Bratt is admittedly a fun bad guy and the 80s theme is actually quite entertaining. It's just a shame that the rest of the film is a little lacklustre and almost boring. There's not a lot of humour, and the minions aren't featured as much as they used to which is a bad move. It's just an entirely unnecessary sequel, and I really wish they had just left it after the first film.
  
Children of Blood and Bone: Book 1
Children of Blood and Bone: Book 1
Tomi Adeyemi | 2018 | Paranormal, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.1 (28 Ratings)
Book Rating
I'd say 3.5 to 4 .. it's full of action and what action is in there is good - it plays out like a movie or books I've read before - but in any book like this I think it would read the same - I called a few things I think though it did not end how I would have expected there were some characters in there that entertained me quite a lot and I am curious if they will be in the next book because I'll be continuing. My only complaint is that I can't understand a word of the names/the magic/the places - I mean I get you have to be unique but at least give me names and places I can pronounced ok thanks.