Search
Search results
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2627 KP) rated Midnight Snacks are Murder in Books
Aug 3, 2018
Was the Murder the Result of a Snack Attack?
When someone starts breaking into houses in the neighborhood taking nick knacks and sweets, Poppy McAlister is shocked to discover that it is her aunt Ginny sleepwalking under the power of some new medication. However, when a murder takes place a couple of blocks away, the police zero in on Aunt Ginny as the culprit. The victim, unknown to both Poppy and Aunt Ginny, seems like he could have been a nice guy or a complete jerk. Which was true?
This book spent quite a bit of time setting up the premise, but once the murder took place, things really picked up. I enjoyed needing to learn what kind of guy the victim was since it added a nice twist to the mystery. The suspects were strong, and I could have seen any of them as the killer before we reached the climax. The love triangle is just heating up; I know which guy I am rooting for, but I could see myself happy with either of them at this point. I did find a couple of the characters annoying, especially Poppy’s mother-in-law. Aunt Ginny provides lots of laughs, and the gluten-free, paleo friendly recipes at the end sound delicious.
This book spent quite a bit of time setting up the premise, but once the murder took place, things really picked up. I enjoyed needing to learn what kind of guy the victim was since it added a nice twist to the mystery. The suspects were strong, and I could have seen any of them as the killer before we reached the climax. The love triangle is just heating up; I know which guy I am rooting for, but I could see myself happy with either of them at this point. I did find a couple of the characters annoying, especially Poppy’s mother-in-law. Aunt Ginny provides lots of laughs, and the gluten-free, paleo friendly recipes at the end sound delicious.
Bubba Gee (147 KP) rated Breaking Bad in TV
Jun 23, 2019
The best ever
Contains spoilers, click to show
This is an epic journey of a nice guy gone bad as he simply has had enough of being shat on.
We start with a nice mild mannered high school chemistry teacher Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston) who pays his taxes has an average life and finds out he has cancer.
Through his brother in law, a DEA agent and all around asshole, Walter White discovers how with his knowledge of chemistry he can make the purest crystal meth on the street.
Enter Jesse Pinkman (played by Aaron Paul)
an ex student of Mr White and low level weed dealer.
Walter uses Jesse to connect himself to the local alberquerque criminal underworld and begins production.
Over the next few series Walter White evolves into his alter ego Heisenberg, a badass, producer, seller, murderer, and generally all around kingpin of New Mexico.
From dealings with other criminals to Mexican drug cartels and beyond,this is an epic tale of a good man gone bad with murder, revenge, international trafficking, twists and turns all along the way.
It really is an absolute credit to the writers and cast.
It also enforces that you shouldn't underestimate anyone no matter how insignificant they may seem.
We start with a nice mild mannered high school chemistry teacher Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston) who pays his taxes has an average life and finds out he has cancer.
Through his brother in law, a DEA agent and all around asshole, Walter White discovers how with his knowledge of chemistry he can make the purest crystal meth on the street.
Enter Jesse Pinkman (played by Aaron Paul)
an ex student of Mr White and low level weed dealer.
Walter uses Jesse to connect himself to the local alberquerque criminal underworld and begins production.
Over the next few series Walter White evolves into his alter ego Heisenberg, a badass, producer, seller, murderer, and generally all around kingpin of New Mexico.
From dealings with other criminals to Mexican drug cartels and beyond,this is an epic tale of a good man gone bad with murder, revenge, international trafficking, twists and turns all along the way.
It really is an absolute credit to the writers and cast.
It also enforces that you shouldn't underestimate anyone no matter how insignificant they may seem.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Toy Story 4 (2019) in Movies
Jul 16, 2019
Good, but not necessary
I love the Toy Story films and really think that the third film was a fitting end to the trilogy. Or what we thought was the end of the trilogy. Instead they decided to bring out another film 9 years later and having seen it, I’m not entirely convinced this was the best idea.
Don’t get me wrong, this is still a Pixar film so as an animation goes it’s still pretty good and is a million times better than the other half boiled animations they release nowadays. I mean the animation itself is truly superb, but I suppose you’d expect nothing less from Pixar. The problem is with the story itself. Toy Story 3 left off on such a nice, sad emotional ending, and I feel like this film has spoilt it a little. The plot feels a little weaker, the new characters introduced are much weaker than previous films and even the humour isn’t quite as on point. There are a few funny moments, but nowhere near as much as I was expecting.
Overall this is nice sweet and well made animation, but I just feel like it’s lacking the usual Toy Story and Pixar magic. I really hope this is the last Toy Story film we’ll ever see.
Don’t get me wrong, this is still a Pixar film so as an animation goes it’s still pretty good and is a million times better than the other half boiled animations they release nowadays. I mean the animation itself is truly superb, but I suppose you’d expect nothing less from Pixar. The problem is with the story itself. Toy Story 3 left off on such a nice, sad emotional ending, and I feel like this film has spoilt it a little. The plot feels a little weaker, the new characters introduced are much weaker than previous films and even the humour isn’t quite as on point. There are a few funny moments, but nowhere near as much as I was expecting.
Overall this is nice sweet and well made animation, but I just feel like it’s lacking the usual Toy Story and Pixar magic. I really hope this is the last Toy Story film we’ll ever see.
Merissa (14142 KP) rated Sebastian's Wolves (Among Wolves #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
*Disclaimer* I received this book from Reading Alley in return for a fair and honest review.
The title of this book tells you the start of the tale. Sebastian is a wolf who leaves his pack to be with his mate, Tim. 8 years down the line and tragedy happens, Tim dies. Sebastian has to deal with this and, for me, this is where the story picked up.
I have to say that the relationship between Tim and Sebastian didn't really do much for me. It seemed too inbalanced with Sebastian doing most of the loving. This didn't really sit well with me as I already viewed Sebastian as an alpha male. Once he meets up with his new pack then he really starts to come into his own. And then Eshan is the cherry on the icing on the cake.
This book has nice parts and not so nice parts - so don't read this if you're expecting or wanting something that is light and fluffy. We're talking murder, abuse and rape (although not in graphic detail).
Sebastian's Wolves is a well-written, steady-paced novel full of action that I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to anyone who enjoys some M/M action with a paranormal twist.
The title of this book tells you the start of the tale. Sebastian is a wolf who leaves his pack to be with his mate, Tim. 8 years down the line and tragedy happens, Tim dies. Sebastian has to deal with this and, for me, this is where the story picked up.
I have to say that the relationship between Tim and Sebastian didn't really do much for me. It seemed too inbalanced with Sebastian doing most of the loving. This didn't really sit well with me as I already viewed Sebastian as an alpha male. Once he meets up with his new pack then he really starts to come into his own. And then Eshan is the cherry on the icing on the cake.
This book has nice parts and not so nice parts - so don't read this if you're expecting or wanting something that is light and fluffy. We're talking murder, abuse and rape (although not in graphic detail).
Sebastian's Wolves is a well-written, steady-paced novel full of action that I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to anyone who enjoys some M/M action with a paranormal twist.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020) in Movies
Jul 8, 2020
Decent comedy, though some real liberties taken with Edinburgh's geography
This is a decent comedy following the events leading up to mediocre Icelandic pop duo Fire Saga heading to represent their country at the Eurovision semi-finals. The portrayal of Icelandic people as being quite stupid and backwards and still believing in fairies was maybe a little offensive but added some of the best comedy, and with a silly film like this anyone taking that seriously would have real problems.
The setting of the contest in Edinburgh was a nice touch, as with Infinity War it is always good to see the end product from the annoying road closures. However it didn't make sense, given the hosts were not British and Britain didn't win the contest, but again lets not take this too seriously. The car chase was a mess though, with the car one minute heading one way along a street and shortly appearing at a roundabout at the end behind them. Also, the Glasgow SSE Hydro arena being at the end of George IV Bridge was just all sorts of wrong.
The geographical inconsistencies aside, this is a nice silly little comedy that drags on a little too long with a fairly cliche'd plot.
The setting of the contest in Edinburgh was a nice touch, as with Infinity War it is always good to see the end product from the annoying road closures. However it didn't make sense, given the hosts were not British and Britain didn't win the contest, but again lets not take this too seriously. The car chase was a mess though, with the car one minute heading one way along a street and shortly appearing at a roundabout at the end behind them. Also, the Glasgow SSE Hydro arena being at the end of George IV Bridge was just all sorts of wrong.
The geographical inconsistencies aside, this is a nice silly little comedy that drags on a little too long with a fairly cliche'd plot.
Natacha (374 KP) rated The Crown Tower (The Riyria Chronicles, #1) in Books
Jul 13, 2019 (Updated Aug 10, 2019)
Love a good friendship
I picked this book after hearing some of my favourite Youtuber recommendations. The especially raved about the friendship in the books and I do love a good friendship. And I wasn’t disappointed. I loved both Hadrian and Royce characters. Hadrian is the nice ex-soldier that is tiered for killing and don’t quite know what to do with himself and Royce is the mysterious and dark assassin that won’t think twice before cutting your throat. They couldn’t be any different and this is why when they come together they are amazing.
Things I liked:
-I think I made it clear that I love Hadrian and Royce. They are both amazing and very well written.
-This is the first book of the prequel series and this was a very nice story to introduce us to were it all started. The plot was simple and easy to follow but did its job.
Things I didn’t like:
-Throughout the story, we also follow Gwen’s POV, which was interesting but the two stories don't connect until the very last pages. Which for me felt like I was reading two different books in one. Will reading Gwen's POV I found myself counting the pages to see when I'll be back with my two favourite characters.
Things I liked:
-I think I made it clear that I love Hadrian and Royce. They are both amazing and very well written.
-This is the first book of the prequel series and this was a very nice story to introduce us to were it all started. The plot was simple and easy to follow but did its job.
Things I didn’t like:
-Throughout the story, we also follow Gwen’s POV, which was interesting but the two stories don't connect until the very last pages. Which for me felt like I was reading two different books in one. Will reading Gwen's POV I found myself counting the pages to see when I'll be back with my two favourite characters.
Touching. Witty. Heartbreaking. Emma Donoghue’s latest is all of those and more. This was such a wonderful read that I found myself savoring it, reading only a chapter or so a night, making it last.
Noah is a retired chemistry professor living in New York. His wife, Joan, passed away nearly a decade ago. Noah is originally from France, and he’s finally planned a trip to his birthplace, Nice. But shortly before his trip, he receives a call from social services: he is the only available relative able to take care of Michael, an eleven-year-old great-nephew he’s never even met. Noah reluctantly agrees to take Michael on his trip. This unlikely pair take on Nice together: looking at France through two very different lenses. But Michael’s tech savvy helps Noah as he attempts to unravel some details about his family’s past, and Noah can’t help but see some of his late troubled nephew in this funny, acerbic boy.
I fell hard for Noah and Michael. Donoghue captures them perfectly. Their wit, their banter, and their various insecurities. This book is alternately hilarious and heart wrenching. It’s beautifully written, touching, and just a lovely read. 4+ stars. Highly recommend!
Noah is a retired chemistry professor living in New York. His wife, Joan, passed away nearly a decade ago. Noah is originally from France, and he’s finally planned a trip to his birthplace, Nice. But shortly before his trip, he receives a call from social services: he is the only available relative able to take care of Michael, an eleven-year-old great-nephew he’s never even met. Noah reluctantly agrees to take Michael on his trip. This unlikely pair take on Nice together: looking at France through two very different lenses. But Michael’s tech savvy helps Noah as he attempts to unravel some details about his family’s past, and Noah can’t help but see some of his late troubled nephew in this funny, acerbic boy.
I fell hard for Noah and Michael. Donoghue captures them perfectly. Their wit, their banter, and their various insecurities. This book is alternately hilarious and heart wrenching. It’s beautifully written, touching, and just a lovely read. 4+ stars. Highly recommend!
Boyfriend Material
Book
WANTED: One (fake) boyfriend Practically perfect in every way Luc O'Donnell is...







