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Merissa (12911 KP) rated Apollo's Raven (Curse of Clansmen and Kings #1) in Books
Jun 3, 2022 (Updated Jun 13, 2023)
APOLLO'S RAVEN is the first book in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series and prepare yourself! You are about to enter a book full of twisted tales and layers of intrigue. I mean, come on! Curses, Romans, and Celts - what more could I ask for?
This is a long book, giving you ample time to lose yourself in Ancient Britannia, where Catrin sees Romans come to land through her raven's eyes. This event sets off a chain that will see her fall in love and come into her powers and many other things. Marcellus is there at his father's command, basically seeing if the timing for an invasion is good or not.
There is an instant connection between the two that could just be the infatuation between two young teens. However, as the story goes, it is true love and they are bound together forever. This, I found a little hard to believe as they know nothing about each other past their attraction, and constantly doubt each other, believing them to be betraying them, etc. I hope their relationship develops and matures as the books progress as both of them acted childishly at times.
I enjoyed the story but found some parts a bit difficult to digest. For instance, there was a whole lot more to druids than just being sorcerers or priests but none of that is mentioned. I was confused by the term 'druid powers' as that could encompass a whole manner of things.
Bear in mind it is the first book, so there are lots of things left unanswered. I am hopeful for more information in the following books. This was an enjoyable story and I look forward to reading more in this series.
** 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!
Jun 2, 2022
This is a long book, giving you ample time to lose yourself in Ancient Britannia, where Catrin sees Romans come to land through her raven's eyes. This event sets off a chain that will see her fall in love and come into her powers and many other things. Marcellus is there at his father's command, basically seeing if the timing for an invasion is good or not.
There is an instant connection between the two that could just be the infatuation between two young teens. However, as the story goes, it is true love and they are bound together forever. This, I found a little hard to believe as they know nothing about each other past their attraction, and constantly doubt each other, believing them to be betraying them, etc. I hope their relationship develops and matures as the books progress as both of them acted childishly at times.
I enjoyed the story but found some parts a bit difficult to digest. For instance, there was a whole lot more to druids than just being sorcerers or priests but none of that is mentioned. I was confused by the term 'druid powers' as that could encompass a whole manner of things.
Bear in mind it is the first book, so there are lots of things left unanswered. I am hopeful for more information in the following books. This was an enjoyable story and I look forward to reading more in this series.
** 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!
Jun 2, 2022
Erika (17789 KP) rated At the Table of Wolves (Dark Talents #1) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
I've had this book on my nook e-reader since it was released, but I just never had the itch to read it.
I'm glad I finally did. This is the first of a trilogy that's an alt-history in the 1930s. After the Great War, there's an event called 'the bloom' and individuals begin to have 'talents' or powers manifest. It's definitely a riff off of the X-Men, but it really worked for me in this novel. The lead character, Kim, is a 30-something who has the talent of 'spill', which is essentially compelling people to spill various secrets, though she can't exactly control it. I liked Kim because she was completely relatable and made mistakes.
I wish that the book had been longer, but now I'm anxiously awaiting for the 2nd book from the library. Luckily, the final book in the trilogy is coming out in March, so I won't have long to wait for book 3.
I'm glad I finally did. This is the first of a trilogy that's an alt-history in the 1930s. After the Great War, there's an event called 'the bloom' and individuals begin to have 'talents' or powers manifest. It's definitely a riff off of the X-Men, but it really worked for me in this novel. The lead character, Kim, is a 30-something who has the talent of 'spill', which is essentially compelling people to spill various secrets, though she can't exactly control it. I liked Kim because she was completely relatable and made mistakes.
I wish that the book had been longer, but now I'm anxiously awaiting for the 2nd book from the library. Luckily, the final book in the trilogy is coming out in March, so I won't have long to wait for book 3.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Angel Omnibus in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Maybe if I hadn't read any of the <b>After the Fall</b> books I would have liked this better. But I have read them and they are much superior. The stories in this omnibus aren't very interesting, they're passable but nothing special, the dialogue so-so, and the artwork is pretty disappointing. Half the time, I had to use my mighty powers of deduction to figure out who's who. Out of the artists featured, I think David Messina's are the best. However, I did like most of the stories in <u>Spotlight</u>, which featured select characters in small tales of their own, specifically everyone's but Gunn's, which were about Illyria, Wesley, Doyle and Connor. <u>Auld Lang Syne</u> was the best of the "bigger" books in this and had a fairly interesting plot. Truth be told though, I'll probably forget most everything in the book, and while it's worth the read, I'm glad I didn't pay for it.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Shout (1979) in Movies
Apr 15, 2019
Watchable sort-of horror movie, distinguished by a good cast. These days we'd probably call it a post-horror movie, but they didn't have those back in the 1970s (maybe it's a pre-post-horror movie). An innocent couple are terrorised by a stranger who claims to have magical powers, including a deadly shout.
No-one in The Shout behaves remotely like a real person would, and the title is a bit misleading as the actual Shout itself (while a big moment and fairly well-staged when it comes) doesn't have much to do with the plot. But it does have a very good cast and the various strangenesses of the story can be explained by the fact this is a tall tale being told by the inmate of an insane asylum. Not the great lost British horror film some would have you believe it is, but a curious and distinctive tale.
No-one in The Shout behaves remotely like a real person would, and the title is a bit misleading as the actual Shout itself (while a big moment and fairly well-staged when it comes) doesn't have much to do with the plot. But it does have a very good cast and the various strangenesses of the story can be explained by the fact this is a tall tale being told by the inmate of an insane asylum. Not the great lost British horror film some would have you believe it is, but a curious and distinctive tale.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Godzilla Vs Hedorah (1971) in Movies
May 17, 2019
The movie that goes to show that when it comes to allegorical fables about the environment featuring man-in-a-suit monsters, subtlety isn't always necessary. Pollution-spawned jelly-beastie develops various peculiar powers and threatens Japan; Godzilla turns up to deal with it. Is the subtext that we should choose nuclear power over fossil fuels? Unlikely but possible.
Godzilla Vs Hedorah makes itself distinctive amongst the Godzilla films of the early 70s by virtue of its sheer, insidious weirdness, most of it due to Banno's direction: there are sudden switches to black-and-white, split screen sequences, educational segments, and allegorical cartoons. Doesn't stop it being mostly awful, but in a strangely hypnotic way, and it least it's obviously about a serious issue for a change. Possibly most infamous for the sequence where Godzilla uses his atomic breath as rocket thrust to fly with, but much other weirdness is also present. Bad, but very watchably bad.
Godzilla Vs Hedorah makes itself distinctive amongst the Godzilla films of the early 70s by virtue of its sheer, insidious weirdness, most of it due to Banno's direction: there are sudden switches to black-and-white, split screen sequences, educational segments, and allegorical cartoons. Doesn't stop it being mostly awful, but in a strangely hypnotic way, and it least it's obviously about a serious issue for a change. Possibly most infamous for the sequence where Godzilla uses his atomic breath as rocket thrust to fly with, but much other weirdness is also present. Bad, but very watchably bad.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated DV8: Gods and Monsters in Books
Jan 18, 2018
What a fantastic series. It is a shame that more people don't know about it. As a sequel to the first DV8, the first thing I noticed about this comic is that the artwork is so much better than the first. In fact, I find it beautiful.
The story line is one of the best I have read in a long time. These eight people with powers are dropped onto a primitive planet where they are seen as gods. The story is told through Copy Cat, or Gem, who has the power to control people but also has split personalities. The story begins with her sitting in an interrogation cell. As she explains what happened to them after they were dropped on the planet, the art flashback to show what happened in the past.
Such an intriguing story that had me entranced from page one. I couldn't put it down. A must read for the comic fan looking for a different type of story.
The story line is one of the best I have read in a long time. These eight people with powers are dropped onto a primitive planet where they are seen as gods. The story is told through Copy Cat, or Gem, who has the power to control people but also has split personalities. The story begins with her sitting in an interrogation cell. As she explains what happened to them after they were dropped on the planet, the art flashback to show what happened in the past.
Such an intriguing story that had me entranced from page one. I couldn't put it down. A must read for the comic fan looking for a different type of story.
Gareth Michael Lewis (6 KP) rated Storm Front: The Dresden Files, Book 1 in Books
Jan 20, 2018
An exellent introduction into Harry Dresden's world
My lowest score for a Dresden novel ad it's only because I read this book after watching the short-lived TV series The Dresden Files. My perception of Harry was skewed by the excellent Paul Blackthorn portrayal and this book suffered because of it, in my eyes.
I went back to reread this book after the second novel came out and realised my error. The book was so much better than I remembered. Harry as a flawed individual but he is very human in that regard and we can identify with him, despite his magical powers.
Give it a read and dive into the world that keeps getting better with every new book, short story and graphic novel.
I went back to reread this book after the second novel came out and realised my error. The book was so much better than I remembered. Harry as a flawed individual but he is very human in that regard and we can identify with him, despite his magical powers.
Give it a read and dive into the world that keeps getting better with every new book, short story and graphic novel.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Catwoman (2004) in Movies
Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Feb 15, 2018)
Kitty Litter
Wretched misfire of a superhero film proving that DC were quite capable of making bad movies before Zack Snyder was even on the premises. Attempt at a story of feminist empowerment ends up coupled to repeated spectacle of Halle Berry bending over in a leather bra while wearing jeans with holes in the bum cheeks. Dowdy wallflower discovers corruption, is flushed into harbour, given mouth-to-mouth by passing magic cat, wakes up with feline powers (including ability to stick to walls, unlike any cat I've ever seen).
It's not just that the story is poorly told, it's poorly conceived: around the same time Catwoman came out, Spider-Man was saving New York from a nuclear disaster while the X-Men were stopping psionic genocide. What case is Catwoman dealing with? Someone is trying to sell some dodgy make-up. Not just a really shoddy film, but an offensively patronising one, too.
It's not just that the story is poorly told, it's poorly conceived: around the same time Catwoman came out, Spider-Man was saving New York from a nuclear disaster while the X-Men were stopping psionic genocide. What case is Catwoman dealing with? Someone is trying to sell some dodgy make-up. Not just a really shoddy film, but an offensively patronising one, too.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Accountant (2016) in Movies
Mar 11, 2018 (Updated Mar 17, 2018)
Really-not-that-bad-at-all action thriller with Ben Affleck doing a surprisingly good job of playing a brilliant accountant-stroke-hitman. The film kind of dodges around the implication that Affleck's character is autistic, but the inference is clear and while this is still Movie Autism (never mind the crippling downsides, you get super powers!!!), it is still sympathetic and has at least a few vestiges of reality to it.
The plot eventually ends up being completely gonzo, involving corruption in the robotics industry and duelling assassins, but the movie fends off the moment when you shout 'this is all utterly ridiculous!' for a surprisingly long time. Eclectic cast includes Affleck, John Lithgow, Jon Bernthal, and Anna Kendrick (who appears to be about three feet tall in a few of her scenes). A fun and engaging movie; not a particularly great thriller but all the peripheral weirdness keeps it watchable.
The plot eventually ends up being completely gonzo, involving corruption in the robotics industry and duelling assassins, but the movie fends off the moment when you shout 'this is all utterly ridiculous!' for a surprisingly long time. Eclectic cast includes Affleck, John Lithgow, Jon Bernthal, and Anna Kendrick (who appears to be about three feet tall in a few of her scenes). A fun and engaging movie; not a particularly great thriller but all the peripheral weirdness keeps it watchable.
Zach Smith (62 KP) rated Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) in Movies
May 29, 2018
The very best
The reboot of the reboot of our web slinger, this time around making Peter Parker with an actor who appears high school aged and not thirty something. It starts off without the origin which was a weird surprise but I think they believed the audience is well aware of how spidey got his powers so why not save some space and skip ahead to where he is experimenting being a superhero. Michael Keaton is cast as the Falcon but he is able to channel his badass side and make this character more than just a glider suite. The relationship between Tony Stark and Peter is cute and again the best part of this is Tom Hollands performance and youthfulness.