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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Night She Disappeared in Books
Sep 23, 2021
An intricate, twisty, page-turner of a thriller
Tallulah and her boyfriend, Zach, go out on a date, leaving their young son Noah behind with her mom, Kim. Kim waits up for Tallulah, but she never comes back. As Kim tries to find out what happened to her daughter, whom she knows would never leave Noah behind, she learns she was last seen at a party at house in the woods, called the Dark Place.
Two years later, Sophie moves to a boarding school where her boyfriend, Shaun, has just started to work as head teacher. As she explores the woods, she sees a note reading "Dig Here." A writer, Sophie starts investigating. Her sleuthing will take her into the world of the Dark Place and Tallulah's disappearance.
"With a racing heart and a sickening swirl in the pit of her stomach, she calls the police and she files a missing persons case."
This is an excellent thriller, hands-down. I read the second half in one sitting, because I was completely and totally sucked in. This is a mystery, but it has a ton of character to it--because the characters, ha, are real and vibrant people, with their own quirks, issues, and struggles that add an an extra element to the story. Tallulah, especially, is a nuanced character, a young mother struggling to find her place in the world, with her boyfriend, her friendships, and as a parent and student.
NIGHT is quite twisty--this read will keep you guessing. It's well-written, extremely dark (be prepared), and just well-done overall. It balances thrilling and characterization perfectly. I often hate when a "regular" character decides to be a sleuth, but Sophie, as a crime writer, was fine in the role. I loved Tallulah (extremely great, because she's missing, so Jewell gets us attached to a character who is gone and whose POV is told through the past). The book is complex, giving us insight into motherhood, relationships, friendship and more.
Overall, this was a winner for me. 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Atria Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
Two years later, Sophie moves to a boarding school where her boyfriend, Shaun, has just started to work as head teacher. As she explores the woods, she sees a note reading "Dig Here." A writer, Sophie starts investigating. Her sleuthing will take her into the world of the Dark Place and Tallulah's disappearance.
"With a racing heart and a sickening swirl in the pit of her stomach, she calls the police and she files a missing persons case."
This is an excellent thriller, hands-down. I read the second half in one sitting, because I was completely and totally sucked in. This is a mystery, but it has a ton of character to it--because the characters, ha, are real and vibrant people, with their own quirks, issues, and struggles that add an an extra element to the story. Tallulah, especially, is a nuanced character, a young mother struggling to find her place in the world, with her boyfriend, her friendships, and as a parent and student.
NIGHT is quite twisty--this read will keep you guessing. It's well-written, extremely dark (be prepared), and just well-done overall. It balances thrilling and characterization perfectly. I often hate when a "regular" character decides to be a sleuth, but Sophie, as a crime writer, was fine in the role. I loved Tallulah (extremely great, because she's missing, so Jewell gets us attached to a character who is gone and whose POV is told through the past). The book is complex, giving us insight into motherhood, relationships, friendship and more.
Overall, this was a winner for me. 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Atria Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

Paul Palin (3 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) in Movies
Dec 16, 2017
It was Ok I guess
Contains spoilers, click to show
The movie on the whole was pretty decent yet I felt there was something missing. I feel like there was questions left than answers given. I also feel they tried to mimic Empire just s bit too much especially with the opening scenes where the rebels were evacuating the base. I had hoped for a bit more information as to who Lord Snoke really was and as a character he was wasted. I felt Disney tried to Marvel the movie by adding unnecessary humour is Finn banging his head on his healing capsule and walking around half naked with tubes dripping or with Snoke hitting Rey in the head with a floating light sabre just to mention a few. That being said I did enjoy the movie and strongly recommend it to any Star Wars fans out there. The light sabre battle at the end between Kylo and Rey vs The imperial guards was worth the wait and Luke's triumphant return to the force was a spectacle to behold.

BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Pokémon GO in Apps
Dec 30, 2017
Just as addicting as the original show but got pretty repetitive really fast
Okay I was into this when it first came out just like everybody else was the amount of hours and him out of walking I did trying to catch Pokemon is frankly ridiculous but it was just so much fun and something you can honestly say you've been waiting since being a kid in the 90s to be able to do. It was such a original and fun idea but quickly I grew bored with it you can only catch so many zubats before the game started feeling repetitive and just plain boring I didn't really play too much after the first few updates the game stopped working for me I was never finding Pokemon and all that pretty boring so I can honestly say I gave up pretty fast.
I really do think in the future that I can by myself playing this again if there's a really big surge interest but I don't really feel like I'm missing out on much while not playing anymore.
I really do think in the future that I can by myself playing this again if there's a really big surge interest but I don't really feel like I'm missing out on much while not playing anymore.

Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated American Pastoral (2016) in Movies
Aug 24, 2017
Ewan McGregor is brilliant (2 more)
Incredibly sad
Not bad adaptation of Philip Roth's book
Harrowing, tragic and moving
Philip Roth's tragic drama about the perfect high school couple and the disintegration of a family has finally made it on to the big screen. Set in the 1960's during massive political upheaval in America, it follows the story of a daughter who disappears after allegedly bombing a store, killing a clerk as part of a 'revolutionary' movement. Her father, played by Ewan McGregor, believes that she has been manipulated and that she is truly innocent throughout, even in the face of all opposing evidence. It's horrific seeing the mother and father's complete breakdown and it seems apparent the daughter Merry is suffering from a mental illness. There's hints of sexual abuse thought to have triggered her stutter, but it is extremely subtle.
It's really quite a sombre watch, especially given that the film begins with the father's funeral. Beautiful acting, but the daughter's character was extremely irritating.
It's really quite a sombre watch, especially given that the film begins with the father's funeral. Beautiful acting, but the daughter's character was extremely irritating.

SummerLGrant (185 KP) rated Sense8 - Season 2 in TV
Aug 11, 2017
A deeper exploration of the world (2 more)
Character development for those neglected in the first series
Hugely addictive
A decent follow up but doesn't match the first series
This is a decent follow up to the first season but it just doesn't quite match up. The story is still great and so are the characters but there was something missing from this season. It's great to get resolution to some stories carried over from season 1 and there's more questions thrown up by the introduction of other Sense8s, which creates a much deeper world that's begging to be explored.
While it might not be up to the standards of the first season there was no reason for Netflix not to renew the contract, I'm pretty sure a third season would've been able to wrap up everything nicely and satisfyingly. Thankfully, the fans came out in force and Netflix and the Wachowski's have managed to negotiate a feature length episode to finish the story. Hopefully it'll be the story Sense8 deserves
While it might not be up to the standards of the first season there was no reason for Netflix not to renew the contract, I'm pretty sure a third season would've been able to wrap up everything nicely and satisfyingly. Thankfully, the fans came out in force and Netflix and the Wachowski's have managed to negotiate a feature length episode to finish the story. Hopefully it'll be the story Sense8 deserves

Jessica Cashen (1 KP) rated True North (True Born Trilogy, #2) in Books
May 16, 2018
Another Fantastic book by L.E. Sterling. Well written with a great plot and characters. I was engrossed from start to finish. On the eve of Lucy and Margot's reveal, Lasters attack her home and Lucy is forced to run. Margot's has gone missing, Lucy is living with True Born Nolan Storm, unorthodox magic has been set loose upon the land, and Lucy is all mixed up when it comes to her fierce protector, Jared True Born Price.
Even though Lucy is upset about her circumstances, she still helps Storm navigate the Upper Circle. Wanting nothing more than to find her sister, Lucy finally makes some choices of her own. She tries to get help with where he sister might have been taken by a child in a kid gang. The child sets her up and it doesn't look good, but she is saved by Alistair. They wind up friends and he helps her try and find Margot. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.
Even though Lucy is upset about her circumstances, she still helps Storm navigate the Upper Circle. Wanting nothing more than to find her sister, Lucy finally makes some choices of her own. She tries to get help with where he sister might have been taken by a child in a kid gang. The child sets her up and it doesn't look good, but she is saved by Alistair. They wind up friends and he helps her try and find Margot. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.

Awix (3310 KP) rated The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) in Movies
Mar 1, 2019 (Updated Mar 1, 2019)
Whether or not you consider this to be one of the greatest westerns ever made or just an empty, cynical joke is probably a matter of personal taste; coherent arguments can be made both ways. Against the backdrop of the American Civil War, three gunmen search for a coffin full of dollars: Eastwood isn't especially good, but Van Cleef is certainly bad, and as for Wallach... The first of the film's many careful ironies is that there really isn't very much to choose between them in moral terms - those who view the western as a venue for articulating moral principles may not be impressed.
However, maybe they are missing the point, for while this may be a cynical movie, it is by no means wholly amoral, and there is compassion on display as well. What you would have to be utterly contrary to argue against are the brilliant set-pieces orchestrated by Leone, invariably accompanied by Ennio Morricone's stunning score. Eccentric and impressionistic in places, but still an extraordinary piece of cinema what ever you think of its place within the western genre.
However, maybe they are missing the point, for while this may be a cynical movie, it is by no means wholly amoral, and there is compassion on display as well. What you would have to be utterly contrary to argue against are the brilliant set-pieces orchestrated by Leone, invariably accompanied by Ennio Morricone's stunning score. Eccentric and impressionistic in places, but still an extraordinary piece of cinema what ever you think of its place within the western genre.

Sarah (7800 KP) rated Sliding Doors (1998) in Movies
Mar 30, 2019
An enjoyable romcom
I’m ashamed to admit that despite this film coming out in 1997, I’ve never seen it until now. Probably with good reason, as it had me bawling my eyes out by the end. This is your typical British romcom, with a lot of heart, humour and some seriously sad moments. It has a great cast, I adore John Hannah and it’s always good to see him in a lead role in a romcom, especially as he isn’t your typical leading man. But who can resist a charming, funny Scot? I also realised that I've not really seen many Gwyneth Paltrow films and she’s actually a lovely and very engaging lead, even though her English accent is a little dodgy at times.
The plot itself isn’t that of your usual typical romcom and I love the unique way of telling two versions of the same story, set apart simply by the small act of missing a train. It’s a great heartwarming and smart film, even if it is sadly showing it’s age now!
The plot itself isn’t that of your usual typical romcom and I love the unique way of telling two versions of the same story, set apart simply by the small act of missing a train. It’s a great heartwarming and smart film, even if it is sadly showing it’s age now!

Lindsay (1774 KP) rated The Monster That Ate My Socks in Books
Apr 9, 2019
This is good book. It great for children. The pictures are very colorful and funny. It story itself is funny and enjoyable. You do learn something or moral. If you are looking for a laugh. This book will have you a laughing though out the book.
The book is sweet and humor. Does your little one like monsters well this book got a few. Telling your mom and dad is bad. How to to know you would need to read. This is a fast and easy read. The picture are colorful and fun to see. The picture will make you laugh and will keep your eyes on them for a few minutes.
Monsters and more Monsters everywhere. Can anyone feed a family of Monsters? We will not know but maybe you can. They seem to like socks and homework. To find out you will need to read the book. Why do monster like socks and make them disappear. The setting is a cute. Can Ryan and his friend find out this little mystery about missing socks?
The book is sweet and humor. Does your little one like monsters well this book got a few. Telling your mom and dad is bad. How to to know you would need to read. This is a fast and easy read. The picture are colorful and fun to see. The picture will make you laugh and will keep your eyes on them for a few minutes.
Monsters and more Monsters everywhere. Can anyone feed a family of Monsters? We will not know but maybe you can. They seem to like socks and homework. To find out you will need to read the book. Why do monster like socks and make them disappear. The setting is a cute. Can Ryan and his friend find out this little mystery about missing socks?

Auburn (57 KP) rated Umbertouched (Rosemarked, #2) in Books
Apr 10, 2019
As the cover suggests this book is more about umbertouched and the ways to become so. Zivah and Dineas have escaped the capital but not the continent. This follows their progress back to their homeland and what happens afterwards. Can they still fit in and where is their place now.
I enjoyed the relationship between Zivah and Dineas and how that continued to develop. The stress of being back home and back to their old lives was well thought out. The fighting and battle was interesting as well. I liked how each part from the first book to the very last page of this intertwined. Dineas's split personality is well documented and the problems that came from losing his memories in the first are seen.
My only problem was the ending. Is this a duology or will there be a third. I feel like if it is only two there is missing a key wrap up at the end. It feels incomplete. I do not know if that is what the author is going for but I feel a bit underwhelmed.
I enjoyed the relationship between Zivah and Dineas and how that continued to develop. The stress of being back home and back to their old lives was well thought out. The fighting and battle was interesting as well. I liked how each part from the first book to the very last page of this intertwined. Dineas's split personality is well documented and the problems that came from losing his memories in the first are seen.
My only problem was the ending. Is this a duology or will there be a third. I feel like if it is only two there is missing a key wrap up at the end. It feels incomplete. I do not know if that is what the author is going for but I feel a bit underwhelmed.