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The Red Desert of Wyoming is a bleak, beautiful, punishing place for anybody, but never more...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Conclave (Devils Bight 3.5) in Books
Jun 27, 2024
125 of 220
Kindle
Conclave ( Devils Night 3.5)
By Penelope Douglas
⭐️⭐️⭐️
DAMON
Will is gone. He hasn't been seen in months, and the texts coming from his phone are almost certainly forged. Something's wrong. We need to act now.
Michael is ready to tear down The Cove, Rika's hiding something, Evans Crist is a threat, and Winter's father is still out there. Everyone is off in a million directions, and we're vulnerable.
It's time to do this. It's time to claim our place.
RIKA
A few years ago, I never thought I'd be here. On board Pithom. Miles out at sea. At a table with Michael Crist, Kai Mori, and Damon Torrance—men I now consider family.
We've locked ourselves on this yacht for however long it takes to address our agenda, and we won't leave until everything is on the table. Even things I don't want to talk about. Things Michael doesn't know.
We will find Will. We will solidify our plans, and we will remove any threats.
If we survive Conclave.
This was a quick catch-up with the characters also a lead into the next book. It was a quick read and I like it I’m looking forward to the next one.
Kindle
Conclave ( Devils Night 3.5)
By Penelope Douglas
⭐️⭐️⭐️
DAMON
Will is gone. He hasn't been seen in months, and the texts coming from his phone are almost certainly forged. Something's wrong. We need to act now.
Michael is ready to tear down The Cove, Rika's hiding something, Evans Crist is a threat, and Winter's father is still out there. Everyone is off in a million directions, and we're vulnerable.
It's time to do this. It's time to claim our place.
RIKA
A few years ago, I never thought I'd be here. On board Pithom. Miles out at sea. At a table with Michael Crist, Kai Mori, and Damon Torrance—men I now consider family.
We've locked ourselves on this yacht for however long it takes to address our agenda, and we won't leave until everything is on the table. Even things I don't want to talk about. Things Michael doesn't know.
We will find Will. We will solidify our plans, and we will remove any threats.
If we survive Conclave.
This was a quick catch-up with the characters also a lead into the next book. It was a quick read and I like it I’m looking forward to the next one.
EmersonRose (320 KP) rated The Haunting of Hill House in Books
Nov 20, 2019
The Haunting of Hill House was written by Shirley Jackson in 1959. Since then it has been heralded as a milestone in the horror genre. The book takes its reader on an unnerving adventure with four characters who chose to spend a summer in a haunted house.
Dr. Montague wishes to track the supernatural and write a factual paper on hauntings. He enlists the help of two women who he believes to have connections with the unnatural. The first is Theodora lighthearted and the center of attention, and Eleanor, quiet and fragile but ready for something in her life to change. Their party is completed by Luke, the charming heir to Hill House. The unnerving atmosphere of the house puts them all on edge from the moment they see it, but things only get stranger as the power of the house grows.
I was drawn to this book for several reasons. First, it was the week of Halloween, why not get into the spirit. But Hill House had begun to orbit in my life before this. I myself read The Lottery in my eighth-grade creative writing class. I also recently read a book called House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski, which is also a haunted house story and Shirley Jackson’s book began getting recommended to me. As I started to read the book, I began to have this feeling best expressed through a quote from the book itself: “Am I walking toward something I should be running away from?”
When I started reading the story, I could not help but let my thoughts fly trying to solve 13388the mystery myself. The language of the book captured my attention completely. The descriptions built up the house so vividly in my imagination. The haunting Victorian atmosphere is both beautiful and disturbing. The unnerving and uncomfortable were created, kept up, and made the book hard to put down. I loved wondering about Mrs. Dudley, questioning the other characters, and imagining what could be knocking on the door.
Eleanor, as the point of view character, is the easiest to identify with. Her paranoia, fear, and anxiety are central parts to her identity, but she also seems to the most real in her reactions to both the house and the other characters. He relationships with each of the other four are almost dreamlike in the way level of closeness she has with them ebbs and flows. I could not help but feel for Eleanor, especially when it seems she is being targeted by the house.
I found this book to be enthralling. The horror genre is not my go-to read, but Shirley Jackson has a way with words and intimate feelings that makes me want to read through every book she has ever written. The psychological descent of the characters is natural and terrifying to behold. Now that I have read it, I cannot help but see Jackson’s influence on horror and psychological thriller. I am very pleased with having finally read this book and would highly recommend it as a must read. Only beware, the house as power and no one’s mind is safe.
Dr. Montague wishes to track the supernatural and write a factual paper on hauntings. He enlists the help of two women who he believes to have connections with the unnatural. The first is Theodora lighthearted and the center of attention, and Eleanor, quiet and fragile but ready for something in her life to change. Their party is completed by Luke, the charming heir to Hill House. The unnerving atmosphere of the house puts them all on edge from the moment they see it, but things only get stranger as the power of the house grows.
I was drawn to this book for several reasons. First, it was the week of Halloween, why not get into the spirit. But Hill House had begun to orbit in my life before this. I myself read The Lottery in my eighth-grade creative writing class. I also recently read a book called House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski, which is also a haunted house story and Shirley Jackson’s book began getting recommended to me. As I started to read the book, I began to have this feeling best expressed through a quote from the book itself: “Am I walking toward something I should be running away from?”
When I started reading the story, I could not help but let my thoughts fly trying to solve 13388the mystery myself. The language of the book captured my attention completely. The descriptions built up the house so vividly in my imagination. The haunting Victorian atmosphere is both beautiful and disturbing. The unnerving and uncomfortable were created, kept up, and made the book hard to put down. I loved wondering about Mrs. Dudley, questioning the other characters, and imagining what could be knocking on the door.
Eleanor, as the point of view character, is the easiest to identify with. Her paranoia, fear, and anxiety are central parts to her identity, but she also seems to the most real in her reactions to both the house and the other characters. He relationships with each of the other four are almost dreamlike in the way level of closeness she has with them ebbs and flows. I could not help but feel for Eleanor, especially when it seems she is being targeted by the house.
I found this book to be enthralling. The horror genre is not my go-to read, but Shirley Jackson has a way with words and intimate feelings that makes me want to read through every book she has ever written. The psychological descent of the characters is natural and terrifying to behold. Now that I have read it, I cannot help but see Jackson’s influence on horror and psychological thriller. I am very pleased with having finally read this book and would highly recommend it as a must read. Only beware, the house as power and no one’s mind is safe.
Clare Parrott (294 KP) rated Hard to Hold (Black Ops Heros #1) in Books
Nov 9, 2017 (Updated Nov 9, 2017)
The action starts from the very first page when Anna nearly comes to a sticky end with a lorry, laying in the hospital her next of kin (according to her passport, that she hadn't changed) Nick, her ex husband comes strolling back into her life, it's a love hate relationship and Anna hasn't seen him in 5 years.
This book made me want to bang their heads together, they're always bitching and snipping at each other. Always trying to get one over on the other and whatever Anna seems to do trouble always follows
"I'm not exactly predisposed to granting you any favours right now, Anna. I can't believe some of the situations you get yourself into. Jesus, what are you? A gravitational force for trouble!"
It's infuriating, and I just wished they'd shut up and get on with it. Saying that, I did enjoy it, I thought it was well written and I would read other titles by this author.
This book made me want to bang their heads together, they're always bitching and snipping at each other. Always trying to get one over on the other and whatever Anna seems to do trouble always follows
"I'm not exactly predisposed to granting you any favours right now, Anna. I can't believe some of the situations you get yourself into. Jesus, what are you? A gravitational force for trouble!"
It's infuriating, and I just wished they'd shut up and get on with it. Saying that, I did enjoy it, I thought it was well written and I would read other titles by this author.
I LOVED this. I actually don’t know how many times I’ve read it now.
My favourite character is Minny. I love that despite the fact that she has to be careful with what she says and does, she still has no filter between her brain and mouth and says exactly what she thinks. She acts out before thinking about the consequences but always serves up karma to the people who have wronged her in life.
Skeeter is brilliant. She doesn’t see the race division and just wants to help others around her. She wants to share the stories of maids after she had a close relationship with the maid who brought her up – Constantine. I find her character heartwarming and reassuring that not everyone back in that period was a racist.
This is my absolute favourite novel on race. It shows the struggles people have gone through in the past whilst not sugar-coating it and also not telling a story of a worst-case-scenario.
My favourite character is Minny. I love that despite the fact that she has to be careful with what she says and does, she still has no filter between her brain and mouth and says exactly what she thinks. She acts out before thinking about the consequences but always serves up karma to the people who have wronged her in life.
Skeeter is brilliant. She doesn’t see the race division and just wants to help others around her. She wants to share the stories of maids after she had a close relationship with the maid who brought her up – Constantine. I find her character heartwarming and reassuring that not everyone back in that period was a racist.
This is my absolute favourite novel on race. It shows the struggles people have gone through in the past whilst not sugar-coating it and also not telling a story of a worst-case-scenario.
Winnie’s new Emergency Dessert Squad business has been opened for six weeks, and it is quickly gaining customers. But then the unthinkable happens – someone dies after eating one of Winnie’s desserts. Now the phone has stopped ringing and it looks like Winnie may go out of business. In order to keep her new business running, she needs to find the killer, can she do it?
This series has such a fun premise, and the punny names that Winnie uses for her desserts are a delight. Just as much fun are the characters. They’re a bit unusual for a cozy series, but I appreciate them for that. The plot is strong as well. I saw a few plot points coming, but others caught me by surprise.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-silence-of-flans-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This series has such a fun premise, and the punny names that Winnie uses for her desserts are a delight. Just as much fun are the characters. They’re a bit unusual for a cozy series, but I appreciate them for that. The plot is strong as well. I saw a few plot points coming, but others caught me by surprise.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-silence-of-flans-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Clare Parrott (294 KP) rated Hard to Hold (Black Ops Heros #1) in Books
Feb 13, 2018
The action starts from the very first page when Anna nearly comes to a sticky end with a lorry, laying in the hospital her next of kin (according to her passport, that she hadn't changed) Nick, her ex husband comes strolling back into her life, it's a love hate relationship and Anna hasn't seen him in 5 years.
This book made me want to bang their heads together, they're always bitching and snipping at each other. Always trying to get one over on the other and whatever Anna seems to do trouble always follows.
"I'm not exactly predisposed to granting you any favours right now, Anna. I can't believe some of the situations you get yourself into. Jesus, what are you? A gravitational force for trouble!"
It's infuriating, and I just wished they'd shut up and get on with it. Saying that, I did enjoy it, I thought it was well written and I would read other titles by this author.
This book made me want to bang their heads together, they're always bitching and snipping at each other. Always trying to get one over on the other and whatever Anna seems to do trouble always follows.
"I'm not exactly predisposed to granting you any favours right now, Anna. I can't believe some of the situations you get yourself into. Jesus, what are you? A gravitational force for trouble!"
It's infuriating, and I just wished they'd shut up and get on with it. Saying that, I did enjoy it, I thought it was well written and I would read other titles by this author.
David McK (3623 KP) rated Ice Station Zebra in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Cold-War set thriller, by an author that (for some reason) I associate more with World War 2 settings, this concerns the journey of the Atomic submarine Dolphin to the Arctic, in order to rescue the survivors of the adrift Ice Staion of the title.
I also feel that this could be split into 3 very distinct sections - the journey to the Arctic, the search and rescue of the survivors, and the journey back, with it transpiring in the middle section that the Ice Station had been sabatoged, rather than just plain unlucky, and with it furhter being revealed in the final section that the saboteour is still alive and on the sub ...
While it may be slightly dated now (in that the USSR is no longer in existence) and in some of the state-of-the-(then)-art technology, this is still an enjoyable read once you put yourself into the right mindset!
I also feel that this could be split into 3 very distinct sections - the journey to the Arctic, the search and rescue of the survivors, and the journey back, with it transpiring in the middle section that the Ice Station had been sabatoged, rather than just plain unlucky, and with it furhter being revealed in the final section that the saboteour is still alive and on the sub ...
While it may be slightly dated now (in that the USSR is no longer in existence) and in some of the state-of-the-(then)-art technology, this is still an enjoyable read once you put yourself into the right mindset!
David McK (3623 KP) rated The Death of Superman (The Death and Return of Superman, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Superman dies
It doesn't hold.
Back in the early 90s, I remember one comic book,in particular, that made the headlines, when DC decided to take what was then a massive risk and kill off one of their lead characters.
This was in the days, of course, before that trick became 'old hat; before the comic industry kept killing off and bringing back to life their leads.
Reading it now, even if the plot isn't that strong (who is Doomsday? Where has he come from? What does he want? Why was it the the Justice League of Americas B-team that went out to face him and got taken apart?), it's interesting to see how the medium has moved on: in particular (mostly) away for the lurid brightly coloured panels of this comic.
I have to say, as well, if you thought the devastation of Metropolis at the end of the recent(ish) 'Man of Steel' movie was bad, read this ...
It doesn't hold.
Back in the early 90s, I remember one comic book,in particular, that made the headlines, when DC decided to take what was then a massive risk and kill off one of their lead characters.
This was in the days, of course, before that trick became 'old hat; before the comic industry kept killing off and bringing back to life their leads.
Reading it now, even if the plot isn't that strong (who is Doomsday? Where has he come from? What does he want? Why was it the the Justice League of Americas B-team that went out to face him and got taken apart?), it's interesting to see how the medium has moved on: in particular (mostly) away for the lurid brightly coloured panels of this comic.
I have to say, as well, if you thought the devastation of Metropolis at the end of the recent(ish) 'Man of Steel' movie was bad, read this ...
Creepily entertaining
I admit, I am a fan of this author and he is one of a very select few that I will buy their book without much hesitation. I love a good horror/creep-fest book every now and again and Iain is more and more my go-to author.
I absolutely devoured this book in less than a day whilst sunning myself, chilling in a hammock whilst on holiday in Portugal - no one spoke to me and I had to keep reminding myself to move I was that hooked; I couldn't put it down.
What's not to love ... great characters, spooky abandoned fun fair, tension, fast pace, easy to read, laugh out loud one-liners and sad moments ... this book has it all BUT I didn't find it particularly scary however, I was very much entertained and isn't that the point?
Recommended for anyone who enjoys a book that gives you the creeps but doesn't like a full blown horror ... I enjoy both 😊
I absolutely devoured this book in less than a day whilst sunning myself, chilling in a hammock whilst on holiday in Portugal - no one spoke to me and I had to keep reminding myself to move I was that hooked; I couldn't put it down.
What's not to love ... great characters, spooky abandoned fun fair, tension, fast pace, easy to read, laugh out loud one-liners and sad moments ... this book has it all BUT I didn't find it particularly scary however, I was very much entertained and isn't that the point?
Recommended for anyone who enjoys a book that gives you the creeps but doesn't like a full blown horror ... I enjoy both 😊