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Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Final Trade in Books
Dec 15, 2017
A good second part
The best I can say about this is that it's a strong second part of the trilogy, and it barely lets up on the action and excitement through the entire story.
I think it has potentially lost some of the intrigue of the first part, but does make up for this in other ways. There are some good new characters, although some that I wish had been featured more prominently. The main character Zoey is starting to grate on me a little with her complete lack of respect & unwillingness to listen. It's okay once or twice, but not throughout the entire book.
Still it's a good book and the final chapter ends in a bit of a cliffhanger, which of course now means I have to read the final part.
I think it has potentially lost some of the intrigue of the first part, but does make up for this in other ways. There are some good new characters, although some that I wish had been featured more prominently. The main character Zoey is starting to grate on me a little with her complete lack of respect & unwillingness to listen. It's okay once or twice, but not throughout the entire book.
Still it's a good book and the final chapter ends in a bit of a cliffhanger, which of course now means I have to read the final part.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Troy (2004) in Movies
Mar 26, 2019
Hollywood retelling of the tale of Troy is just a bit better than you might expect in pretty much every department. Trojan prince Paris steals Greek queen Helen, leading to... does no-one read the Iliad any more? There's a lot of bother, let's put it that way.
Whole thing is handled in broad strokes and there are quite a few divergences from the traditional legend (the Trojan war lasts about a fortnight, not ten years, and you can forget any notion of Brad Pitt's Achilles being into, er, Greek-style romance, if you know what I mean), but overall this is fun, rousing stuff. Looking back on it now the various bits of political subtext not-so-subtly inserted into the film seem amusingly quaint more than anything else. A well-staged, classy blockbuster.
Whole thing is handled in broad strokes and there are quite a few divergences from the traditional legend (the Trojan war lasts about a fortnight, not ten years, and you can forget any notion of Brad Pitt's Achilles being into, er, Greek-style romance, if you know what I mean), but overall this is fun, rousing stuff. Looking back on it now the various bits of political subtext not-so-subtly inserted into the film seem amusingly quaint more than anything else. A well-staged, classy blockbuster.
Surf Science: An Introduction to Waves for Surfing
Book
Have you ever wondered where surfing waves come from, what makes every wave different, why some peel...
The Chelsea FC Miscellany
Book
Chelsea FC, as someone once observed, has always done what other clubs have done, but not necessary...
Erika (17789 KP) rated The Witch's Heart in Books
May 1, 2021 (Updated May 1, 2021)
Oooof, apparently I should have read the synopsis more closely. The writing was good, and I would be willing to try another book by this author.
This book just wasn't my jam, my brain turns off as soon as the story line becomes solely about having kids and sacrificing oneself for family. I can't relate, and I find it completely snooze-worthy.
This rating is so low, because this just wasn't my cup of tea. It only gets a 2 because I liked the writing style. I know it's based on a myth, which is en vogue right now, but why can't strong, childless (by choice) women exist in books? This novel to me was just a growing problem that I'm having with novels in general at this point.
This book just wasn't my jam, my brain turns off as soon as the story line becomes solely about having kids and sacrificing oneself for family. I can't relate, and I find it completely snooze-worthy.
This rating is so low, because this just wasn't my cup of tea. It only gets a 2 because I liked the writing style. I know it's based on a myth, which is en vogue right now, but why can't strong, childless (by choice) women exist in books? This novel to me was just a growing problem that I'm having with novels in general at this point.
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated A Court of Thorns and Roses in Books
Mar 2, 2019
Fall down the rabbit hole with this series
This was everything it promised to be by those who recommended it and its the first book I've read by Sarah J. Maas. I have to say, that it is exquisitely written.
The premise for the book is a beauty and the beast tale. Feyre is a young woman, from a family that once had wealth and position but brought to poverty and near starvation by bad debts. The setting is fantastical, with humans and fairies living in the same lands with a wall separating their kinds. Feyre has become the hunter in her family, keeping them just about fed. It is a stark life with no pleasure. One day she kills a wolf who was one of the fairie. She knew this, but still went ahead. Now Tamlin has arrived from the land of the High Fairie to pursue revenge with her life lived in his lands. This is a twisty, completely absorbing tale. The creatures are light and dark, scary and warm and the relationships are so compelling. The culmination of this tale is utterly unpredictable and it is left wide open for the next book. I cannot wait to read more.
Audio update: this was brought to life most wonderfully by Jennifer Ikeda. I got even more from the story and characters through audio. I even developed a sympathy for Rhysand.
The premise for the book is a beauty and the beast tale. Feyre is a young woman, from a family that once had wealth and position but brought to poverty and near starvation by bad debts. The setting is fantastical, with humans and fairies living in the same lands with a wall separating their kinds. Feyre has become the hunter in her family, keeping them just about fed. It is a stark life with no pleasure. One day she kills a wolf who was one of the fairie. She knew this, but still went ahead. Now Tamlin has arrived from the land of the High Fairie to pursue revenge with her life lived in his lands. This is a twisty, completely absorbing tale. The creatures are light and dark, scary and warm and the relationships are so compelling. The culmination of this tale is utterly unpredictable and it is left wide open for the next book. I cannot wait to read more.
Audio update: this was brought to life most wonderfully by Jennifer Ikeda. I got even more from the story and characters through audio. I even developed a sympathy for Rhysand.
Sam (74 KP) rated Why Mummy Drinks in Books
Mar 27, 2019
Set out to appear as a diary, Why Mummy Drinks follows the day-to-day life of middle-class mummy Ellen. From trying to be the popular Pinterest-worthy parent to aspiring to seem like she has everything together, the life of Ellen is documented in hilarious honesty.
I really enjoyed reading this one. It was so funny and honest, and I can definitely see how it sold so well. I loved the perfect parents in the playground who Ellen aspired to be, and how they fed their kids on quinoa. It was just so funny.
My favourite characters were Bardo and Louisa. Everyone has those embarrassing relatives that you’d rather people didn’t know about, but these took it to another extreme. They lived outside and brought their children up outside, almost like animals. They were so surreal and I would have happily read a book just on their lives.
I wasn’t sure whether to buy this one, mainly because of it being aimed more towards parents than me. But now I can safely say that you don’t have to be a parent to appreciate the humour.
There were a few parts that took the humour a bit too far for me and were past funny, but they didn’t ruin the book. I found the book a bit slow in some places as well, but I read the second half on a sunny day within a few hours and quickly forgot about that.
I really enjoyed reading this one. It was so funny and honest, and I can definitely see how it sold so well. I loved the perfect parents in the playground who Ellen aspired to be, and how they fed their kids on quinoa. It was just so funny.
My favourite characters were Bardo and Louisa. Everyone has those embarrassing relatives that you’d rather people didn’t know about, but these took it to another extreme. They lived outside and brought their children up outside, almost like animals. They were so surreal and I would have happily read a book just on their lives.
I wasn’t sure whether to buy this one, mainly because of it being aimed more towards parents than me. But now I can safely say that you don’t have to be a parent to appreciate the humour.
There were a few parts that took the humour a bit too far for me and were past funny, but they didn’t ruin the book. I found the book a bit slow in some places as well, but I read the second half on a sunny day within a few hours and quickly forgot about that.
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Black Widow Vol. 1: S.H.I.E.L.D.'S Most Wanted: Volume 1 in Books
Nov 30, 2020
Man, I so wanted to be bowled over this one! But, in the end? Not so much!
Let's see.. Natasha Romanoff is still BW? Check! Mark Waid is writing? Check! Chris Samnee is handling the art? And, check! Seriously, sounds like a recipe for "Win!", but I didn't think so. And, I am know I am in the minority (along w/hating "emo" Robert Pattison-as-Batman), but that is what makes GoodReads so great: freedom to express your opinion on books read!
I quite liked Samnee's art! I thought his (in my opinion) very Steve McQueen/1970s "spy flick"-influenced style worked PERFECT for this! I know he worked on DD (w/Waid), but I did not check it out as I <i>like</i> DAREDEVIL, but I don't <i>love</i> it! Going forward, I can't wait too more work coming Chris' way!
Now, Waid's writing? It never gelled for me! I normally gravitate towards his scripting, but for I dunno. The writing overall felt "off" and at times, the flashbacks didn't always fit as seemlessly as they should have! Even his dialogue for Natasha just didn't "Wow!" me in any way!
At the end of the day, I don't there is much else I can say that hasn't already been said! It seems like mostly everyone liked/loved, while I didn't! That said, read it, and make up your own opinion! Just like I did...!
Let's see.. Natasha Romanoff is still BW? Check! Mark Waid is writing? Check! Chris Samnee is handling the art? And, check! Seriously, sounds like a recipe for "Win!", but I didn't think so. And, I am know I am in the minority (along w/hating "emo" Robert Pattison-as-Batman), but that is what makes GoodReads so great: freedom to express your opinion on books read!
I quite liked Samnee's art! I thought his (in my opinion) very Steve McQueen/1970s "spy flick"-influenced style worked PERFECT for this! I know he worked on DD (w/Waid), but I did not check it out as I <i>like</i> DAREDEVIL, but I don't <i>love</i> it! Going forward, I can't wait too more work coming Chris' way!
Now, Waid's writing? It never gelled for me! I normally gravitate towards his scripting, but for I dunno. The writing overall felt "off" and at times, the flashbacks didn't always fit as seemlessly as they should have! Even his dialogue for Natasha just didn't "Wow!" me in any way!
At the end of the day, I don't there is much else I can say that hasn't already been said! It seems like mostly everyone liked/loved, while I didn't! That said, read it, and make up your own opinion! Just like I did...!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Minds of Men (The Psyche of War #1) in Books
Jan 14, 2021
8 of 250
Kindle
Minds of Men ( The Psyche of Wars book 1)
By Kacey Ezell
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Evelyn Adamsen grew up knowing she had to hide her psychic abilities, lest she be labeled a witch. However, when the US Army Air Corps came calling in 1943, looking for psychic women to help their beleaguered bomber force, Evelyn answered, hoping to use her powers to integrate the bomber crews and save American lives.
She was extremely successful at it...until her aircraft got shot down.
Now, Evelyn is on the run in occupied Europe, with a special unit of German Fallschirmjager and an enemy psychic on her heels. Worse, Evelyn learns that using her psychic powers functions as a strobe that highlights her to the enemy.
As the enemy psychic closes in, Evelyn is faced with a dilemma in her struggle to escape - how can she make it back to England when the only talent she has will expose her if she uses it?
A different spin on a part of world war 2 that was a very male dominated area. I found Kaceys version enthralling. At one point my heart reached out to Lina for you know they were all following orders! Don’t worry it didn’t last and I was back routing for Evie and her men! I also got so lost trying to pronounce those German words. Overall it was a decent read!
Kindle
Minds of Men ( The Psyche of Wars book 1)
By Kacey Ezell
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Evelyn Adamsen grew up knowing she had to hide her psychic abilities, lest she be labeled a witch. However, when the US Army Air Corps came calling in 1943, looking for psychic women to help their beleaguered bomber force, Evelyn answered, hoping to use her powers to integrate the bomber crews and save American lives.
She was extremely successful at it...until her aircraft got shot down.
Now, Evelyn is on the run in occupied Europe, with a special unit of German Fallschirmjager and an enemy psychic on her heels. Worse, Evelyn learns that using her psychic powers functions as a strobe that highlights her to the enemy.
As the enemy psychic closes in, Evelyn is faced with a dilemma in her struggle to escape - how can she make it back to England when the only talent she has will expose her if she uses it?
A different spin on a part of world war 2 that was a very male dominated area. I found Kaceys version enthralling. At one point my heart reached out to Lina for you know they were all following orders! Don’t worry it didn’t last and I was back routing for Evie and her men! I also got so lost trying to pronounce those German words. Overall it was a decent read!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Amber (Red Hot Love #1) in Books
Sep 3, 2019
I've read a handful of Elle Casey's books and have found that more often than not, I really enjoy them.
This one started off a little crazy with a lawyer visiting Amber and her families farm to tell them that their dads want to meet them in New York. Amber appears to have never left the farm before to visit big cities and is wowed by some things and horrified by others in the Big Apple.
Amber and Ty certainly rubbed each other the wrong way to start but you could see a tentative connection between them from pretty early on. I actually really liked Ty, and Amber's intuitiveness; the way she picked up on little things and tried to solve problems was great. It was a very good plotline and I loved that part of the story.
And the romance, of course. It was very sweet. I was "aaahh"ing and smiling like a loon with the gentleness of it all. Super cute. Not what I was expecting but I really liked it.
Now I've finished the story, I still find the beginning and that part of the story with the hippie compound a little strange/out there but the rest of the story? I liked it, though I would have liked more band stuff included.
I can't help wondering if Red Hot's story will continue through Emerald and Rose's romances which I will buy and read at some point in the future.
This one started off a little crazy with a lawyer visiting Amber and her families farm to tell them that their dads want to meet them in New York. Amber appears to have never left the farm before to visit big cities and is wowed by some things and horrified by others in the Big Apple.
Amber and Ty certainly rubbed each other the wrong way to start but you could see a tentative connection between them from pretty early on. I actually really liked Ty, and Amber's intuitiveness; the way she picked up on little things and tried to solve problems was great. It was a very good plotline and I loved that part of the story.
And the romance, of course. It was very sweet. I was "aaahh"ing and smiling like a loon with the gentleness of it all. Super cute. Not what I was expecting but I really liked it.
Now I've finished the story, I still find the beginning and that part of the story with the hippie compound a little strange/out there but the rest of the story? I liked it, though I would have liked more band stuff included.
I can't help wondering if Red Hot's story will continue through Emerald and Rose's romances which I will buy and read at some point in the future.