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Kristin (149 KP) rated Final Crossing in Books

Dec 7, 2018

Disclaimer: I won a copy of this book through a FirstReads giveaway.

I really enjoyed the story found in this novel, and it definitely kept my interest throughout. Religion coupled with politics is certainly something that is at the forefront of our society right now, and the ways in which they were used and interacted together in the plot was very intriguing. I also liked how it bounced back and forth between the points of view of Jonas and Rudiger so the reader could gain perspective on the story from both sides.

However, there were quite a lot of proofreading errors in my copy, which was not labeled as a proof or anything other than an off-the-shelf edition. While I am not one to avidly search for such things, read with a red pen in hand, or anything of that nature, there were just too many to ignore. There were even a few in back-to-back sentences. That is the reason I dropped a star from my rating.

All-in-all, "Final Crossing" is a great suspense thriller where religion is used to bolster the thoughts of a serial killer into believing he's doing the work of God, eventually crossing paths with a Senator's Chief of Staff. However, if you're the type to rip your eyes out when you see a typographical or grammatical error, you might want to step away from this one, or at least take a couple deep breaths first.

4 stars

Kudos

Lee (2222 KP) rated Mary Queen of Scots (2018) in Movies

Jan 20, 2019

Mary Queen of Scots (2018)

2018 | Biography, Drama, History

6.3

(15 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

Mary (Saoirse Ronan), having lived in France where she was recently widowed, returns home to Scotland to claim her rightful place as queen. But she is not exactly welcomed with open arms in the world of men and when she also decides to set her sights on becoming successor to the crown of England, a power struggle ensues. Both at home, and with her cousin Queen Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie).

There's not very much that I enjoyed about this movie to be honest. An important and intriguing period in history, involving two extremely interesting and strong women, this should have been so much better. It tries to cover so much ground in its two hour runtime, barely focusing on any particular element for very long. Vast numbers of characters are introduced, none of which are given enough time for you to feel any kind of interest or emotional investment in and at times it drastically shifts between varying tones with confusing editing.

What the movie does manage to portray is that all the men are complete bastards. Scheming, plotting and murdering, all for their own gains. It's sad that, aside from the murdering (I hope), not much has changed in modern politics.

Both female leads, especially Saoirse, are actually very good in this, despite everything, and probably the best scene in the movie is when they meet alone towards the end (something which didn't actually happen in real life!). Sadly though, I was fidgeting in my seat up until that point just waiting for it to end.

Kudos

Show all 6 comments.

Lee (2222 KP) Jan 20, 2019

@Dianne Robbins this one was definitely relying on the costumes and the beautiful Scottish countryside but I'm hoping it was just down to a bit of bad directing as the characters and their story are just so interesting, such potential. I'm not usually a fan of period dramas but I really love The Crown, that is what period drama should be like in my opinion

Kudos

Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) Jan 20, 2019

@Lee I haven't watched The Crown yet but it's on my list. I've heard wonderful things about it.

Kudos

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated A Strange Hymn (The Bargainer #2) in Books

Apr 30, 2020

A Strange Hymn (The Bargainer #2)

Laura Thalassa | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Paranormal, Romance

9.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

Siren and soulmate to the King of Night, Callypso Lillis survived the clutches of Karnon, the mad king, and his twisted prison. But the nightmare isn't over. Callie wears the physical reminders of her time as a captive, and mounting evidence suggests the Thief of Souls is still out there.

When a fae celebration thrusts Callie and her mate, Desmond Flynn, into the Kingdom of Flora, they take their investigation with them. But under the bright lights and striking blooms of the realm, they find there are more immediate issues to deal with. No place is more uniquely savage than the great fae halls, and no amount of bargains can save Callie from royal intrigues.

Fairies play dangerous games. Some want love, some want vengeance, some want flesh, and some want things too unspeakable to utter. One thing is for sure: no one is who they appear to be. Not even Des, who only grows more enigmatic with every passing secret.

But the Kingdom of Flora has its own secrets, from bleeding trees to branded slaves and missing guards. Something is stirring in the land of all that grows, and if Callie isn't careful, it will claim everything and everyone she loves - and her along with it.

I bloody loved it!! Second One was better than the first! I’ve been waiting for a decent fairy series since Merry Gentry by LkH and this fits it! I adore Des! Love Temperance and Callypso is just brilliant! The fey politics is brilliant and it makes an exciting read!! I’m really enjoying Laura’s writing style.