Search
David McK (3547 KP) rated Tatooine Ghost (Star Wars) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
How do you link a Star Wars book set after the classic trilogy (and almost immediately after "The Courtship of Princess Leia") to the events of the prequel trilogy, without knowing how Episode III is going to play out?
Troy Denning's answer to that question is simple: by having his main characters (Leia, Hand, Chewbacca and C-3PO) return to the Skywlaker home planet of Tattoine, on the trail of a stolen Alderaanian painting; a painting that holds secrets that the New Republic don't want discovered by the Empire. As the novel is set on Tatooine, that then allows Denning to continue the story of some of the minor (and major) characters from "The Phantom Menace": what happened to them after Anakin left the planet in the company of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn? How had his leaving affected their lives?
As in all official Star Wars novels, the events of this one also ties into voth previous and sebsequent novels: although he himself never really plays a main role within, we also have an early (chronologically speaking) appearance of Grand Admiral Thrawn, and some clues to future events in the Star Wars mythos.
Definitely worth reading.
Troy Denning's answer to that question is simple: by having his main characters (Leia, Hand, Chewbacca and C-3PO) return to the Skywlaker home planet of Tattoine, on the trail of a stolen Alderaanian painting; a painting that holds secrets that the New Republic don't want discovered by the Empire. As the novel is set on Tatooine, that then allows Denning to continue the story of some of the minor (and major) characters from "The Phantom Menace": what happened to them after Anakin left the planet in the company of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn? How had his leaving affected their lives?
As in all official Star Wars novels, the events of this one also ties into voth previous and sebsequent novels: although he himself never really plays a main role within, we also have an early (chronologically speaking) appearance of Grand Admiral Thrawn, and some clues to future events in the Star Wars mythos.
Definitely worth reading.
The Queen's Man: John Shakespeare - the Beginning
Book
Includes BONUS short story For fans of C J Sansom and S J Parris, THE QUEEN'S MAN introduces the...
The Rules of Magic
8.6
Rate It
Book
Practical Magic, to date Alice Hoffman's biggest ever selling novel, became a major Hollywood film...
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Jigsaw Man in Books
Feb 21, 2021
This is a gruesome and dark thriller and it's great!!
I must say though that if you're a bit squeamish and don't like graphic descriptions of murder, then don't read this. If you do or don't mind a bit of gore, then crack on.
The characters are great, the plot is absorbing and complex and the ability of the author to capture the feelings of the various protagonists is excellent.
I absolutely love a good "baddie" and Nadine Matheson has created one such character in Peter Olivier; he is deliciously evil, extremely charming, highly intelligent, an excellent manipulator and everything you would want in a (fictitious) serial killer ... think Ted Bundy crossed with Jeffrey Dahmer and you have a pretty good picture.
This is a gripping read which although starts a little slow, it builds in tension and action as you turn the pages culminating in an exciting finale which definitely leaves the door open for a sequel and the intriguing backstory lends itself to a prequel ... well I would certainly read either or both!
Thank you to HQ (an imprint of HarperCollins UK) and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I must say though that if you're a bit squeamish and don't like graphic descriptions of murder, then don't read this. If you do or don't mind a bit of gore, then crack on.
The characters are great, the plot is absorbing and complex and the ability of the author to capture the feelings of the various protagonists is excellent.
I absolutely love a good "baddie" and Nadine Matheson has created one such character in Peter Olivier; he is deliciously evil, extremely charming, highly intelligent, an excellent manipulator and everything you would want in a (fictitious) serial killer ... think Ted Bundy crossed with Jeffrey Dahmer and you have a pretty good picture.
This is a gripping read which although starts a little slow, it builds in tension and action as you turn the pages culminating in an exciting finale which definitely leaves the door open for a sequel and the intriguing backstory lends itself to a prequel ... well I would certainly read either or both!
Thank you to HQ (an imprint of HarperCollins UK) and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles, #1) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
My paperback copy of this book contained the prequel, <i>The Strange Case of Finley Jayne</i>, as well as <i>The Girl in the Steel Corset</i>.
2 stars for The Strange Case... and 3 stars for The Girl in...
I wasn't sure what to expect with this. It isn't my usual sort of read, though I have read quite a few steampunk books (Lindsay Buroker mainly).
Some aspects of this book I really liked, like the different abilities of Griffin's friends, the storyline was also quite intriguing although I figured out who the bad guy was by about half way through.
Things I wasn't so keen on: the steel corset only came into play after the half way point; I was expecting it to be part of Finley from the start. And the romance. I know that in Victorian times it wasn't acceptable to be left alone with someone of the opposite sex without a chaperone and to just be all in your face with love and romance but I read for the romance and although you know they have feelings for each other, nothing actually happens.
I don't think I'll be continuing the series.
2 stars for The Strange Case... and 3 stars for The Girl in...
I wasn't sure what to expect with this. It isn't my usual sort of read, though I have read quite a few steampunk books (Lindsay Buroker mainly).
Some aspects of this book I really liked, like the different abilities of Griffin's friends, the storyline was also quite intriguing although I figured out who the bad guy was by about half way through.
Things I wasn't so keen on: the steel corset only came into play after the half way point; I was expecting it to be part of Finley from the start. And the romance. I know that in Victorian times it wasn't acceptable to be left alone with someone of the opposite sex without a chaperone and to just be all in your face with love and romance but I read for the romance and although you know they have feelings for each other, nothing actually happens.
I don't think I'll be continuing the series.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Death Race (2008) in Movies
Mar 31, 2021
In Death Race, a loose remake (sort of prequel?) to 1975's Death Race 2000, our lord and saviour Paul W.S. Anderson takes all of the things that made his Resident Evil films so mind numbingly shit, and applies them to a car racing movie. You know the drill - seizure inducing quick edits, with a liberal smattering of slow-mo for good measure, plenty of quippy douchebags, and the odd explosion of invasive "cool" guitar riffs.
However - it actually kind of works with the plot template and Death Race is easily one of Anderson's better films.
Jason Statham being in the driver's seat is always going to be a plus. He's being so very Statham as per, but if it ain't broke and all that. I can always appreciate the likes of Joan Allen and Ian McShane, and the action and story is well paced to ensure that it's entertaining as hell from start to finish.
Death Race is the epitome of fast food cinema. It's hot trash, but it's a pretty good time all things considered. A solid 6 angry Stathams out of 10.
However - it actually kind of works with the plot template and Death Race is easily one of Anderson's better films.
Jason Statham being in the driver's seat is always going to be a plus. He's being so very Statham as per, but if it ain't broke and all that. I can always appreciate the likes of Joan Allen and Ian McShane, and the action and story is well paced to ensure that it's entertaining as hell from start to finish.
Death Race is the epitome of fast food cinema. It's hot trash, but it's a pretty good time all things considered. A solid 6 angry Stathams out of 10.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
May 29, 2021
The House of the Dead: Overkill
7.1
Rate It
Video Game Watch
The House of the Dead: Overkill charges you with mowing down waves of infected, blood-thirsty...
Merissa (12698 KP) rated Dragonstone (Kingdom of Chalvaren #1) in Books
May 5, 2023
This is a short but sweet prequel in the Kingdom of Chalvaren series, giving some details into how Kort arrives on Earth, why he is there, and how he needs to get home. Mia thinks that Chalvaren is a myth, stories that her father made up, even though she knows that she is 'different' to the rest of the village. Their connection is instantaneous and certainly raises the temperature. With a mob of villagers, a young girl who helps to save the day, and a few-day-old dragon who helps to get rid of a nasty vicar (am I the only one with a wicked smile about this part? I doubt it!) everything is here for a fantastical adventure, and it seems like the fun is only starting.
Quick, hot and to the point, this is a wonderful start to the Chalvaren series that I am looking forward to. Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 25, 2015
Quick, hot and to the point, this is a wonderful start to the Chalvaren series that I am looking forward to. Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 25, 2015