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Fire Witch (Witches of Westwood Academy #3)
Fire Witch (Witches of Westwood Academy #3)
Gina Kincade, C.D. Gorri | 2023 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
FIRE WITCH is the third book in the Witches of Westwood Academy and this time, it is Tana's turn. She has always been the snarky one and now we find out why. We also find out just why this group of witches was placed together, instead of in the separate Elemental-based dorms.

This is a quick read so don't expect a multi-layered story. What you get is quick and hot (it is Fire, after all!) Personally, I would have preferred it a little longer to see more build-up to the connection between Brandon and Tana. However, saying that, the story does move along, giving answers to questions you may not have even realised you had.

A great addition to the series and it will definitely leave you wanting more. I would recommend you read these as a series, but each book can be read as a standalone if you wanted.

** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 29, 2023
  
Smart Ass (The SPARK Files, #2)
Smart Ass (The SPARK Files, #2)
Reese Morrison | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
SMART ASS is the second book in The SPARK Files and it is just as good as the first. It also covers the same (ish) time period, so I definitely recommend you read Book 1 before this one.

Now then, Smart Ass. We met Ben in Evan and Quincy's story, but now we really get to know him. Him and Max. What a couple they are! Max is what is known as a Knowledge - a Spark without a body. Max is nothing if not inventive though and manages to make things work as is, much to Ben's delight. I loved reading about how their relationship worked, and the questions they both had, whilst neither of them gave up on the other. That last message? Gah, killed me!

This is not as light and fluffy as Garbage was, but it's absolutely amazing in its own right! I love that it was different and I really REALLY can't wait to see what comes next. Garbage was the first book by this author I had read. Now, they are a One-Click Author!

I really can't recommend this highly enough! Sheer perfection.

** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 16, 2023
  
The Twyford Code
The Twyford Code
Janice Hallett | 2022 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wow, this book was a rollercoaster! I would like to read it again in physical form as I think some of it didn’t translate too well to ebook form, but nevertheless, I still enjoyed it and didn’t want to put it down some nights!
I haven’t read Janice Hallett’s other book The Appeal, but it has been on my wishlist for a little while now. I imagine that it is just as good as this one and it has firmly moved into my “need a copy asap” pile!
This book is written in transcript from audio files, and some of the fun of the book is trying to work out what it has mistaken some words for in the transcription. Also trying to follow the story is interesting, and although it jumps between timelines it is very much like speaking to someone when they go off on a tangent and then come back again. I think this is what makes it so believable.
There are quite a few twists that you come upon that completely shocked me, as I didn’t see them coming at all but it also explains quite a lot at the same time. I have to admit, the guesses that I made throughout this book were not at all what happened, and although I knew that parts of it were important or part of a code, I still couldn’t work out what was happening.
This book is a very clever book, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a mystery and wants to guess their way through the book. I think I might have to go and get myself a copy so I can read it again in all it’s glory! Thank you to Pigeonhole and Janice Hallett for allowing me to read this wonderful book.
  
The Wise Man's Fear
The Wise Man's Fear
Patrick Rothfuss | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
8
9.4 (17 Ratings)
Book Rating
does anyone else find it annoying when people rate books they haven't actually read yet?

update: now that I'VE read this i can review it properly. (see how that works, people? read a book THEN rate it. i know, complicated.)

i loved this book. i would have given it 5 stars but i honestly thought it was too short. there were places that Kvothe skipped over his story that, as an outsider looking in as opposed to a character in the novel (like Chronicler) we haven't heard the rumors or stories or gossip about the events. i would have LOVED to have heard the story about the shipwreck, especially the mysterious man. it was quite frustrating to have something with so much potential tossed aside. also, i would have appreciated a bit more of the trial in Imre. at least a third or fourth hand account of it, the version of the story Chronicler heard.

alternatively, the time spent with Felurian was beaten to death, in my opinion, and Kvothe's time in Ademre was a bit drawn out. probably something to do with the publisher's wanting more sex, i expect. sigh.

still, i puffy heart love this series and will probably buy it once it's all in paperback.
  
Book Club (2018)
Book Club (2018)
2018 | Comedy
4 friends decide to start a book club after getting the idea from a magazine. 40 years later, despite going their separate ways they still get together for book club every month.
After months of boring books, one lady decides that they will now read 50 shades of grey. After disagreements they agree to take it on and an emergency book club meeting is called once its been read. This is where they agree to try and reignite their sex lives.
I thought the movie had a couple of funny moments and when the friends were together, it reminded me of sex and the city, but with older women. Sadly when the group were separate it failed to hold my attention for very long, which is a shame as it had a few familiar faces such as Jane fonda, who I loved In grace and frankie. I don't know if it would have worked better with younger people but it wasn't for me.
  
40x40

Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Shining in Books

Mar 7, 2018 (Updated Mar 7, 2018)  
The Shining
The Shining
Stephen King | 1977 | Fiction & Poetry, Horror
9
8.5 (66 Ratings)
Book Rating
Another King masterpiece
I'm ashamed to say that I've only just read The Shining for the first time, and I'm regretting taking so long to get around to it.

It's a brilliant and creepy supernatural tale, with great characters and development. It works well by switching between the viewpoints of each of the 4 main characters, and the transformation and depth of Jack especially is very well written. The plot itself is very interesting without verging on the side of bizarre (which a lot of supernatural/horror stories tend to do).

I've read King really hates the Kubrick film adaptation and now having read the book, i can see why. The film is almost a bare bones version of the book with barely a passing resemblance to the original story. Character development and depth is so prevalent in this book yet majorly lacking in the film.

If you like the film, read the book to see how it's really meant to be done.
  
Sabrina and Daphne Grimm have just been sent to live with the grandmother they didn't know they had. The bigger surprise is that they are now responsible for keeping the fairy tale characters from causing trouble. Like the giant running around town…. Yes, this is a kid's series, but I found it charming and entertaining once it got past the slow start.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-review-fairy-tale-detectives-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
In this well remembered picture book from my childhood, detective Donald is hired to help Mickey find out who is stealing the peanuts from the zoo shed every night. He goes through some rather fun tangents on his way to the real culprits. I loved this as a kid, my niece loves it now, and I enjoyed rereading it to her.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/12/book-review-mystery-of-missing-peanuts.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Ready Player One
Ready Player One
Ernest Cline | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.9 (161 Ratings)
Book Rating
Great and Gripping Story (2 more)
Fantastic Characters
The References
Loved Everything About This Book!
This book lived up to the hype that had surrounded it and I was not disappointed. It is 80s pop culture, meets video games, meets a dystopian world in the most perfect of ways. The best part is, it doesn't matter if you don't know too much about each of the topic because it all gets explained or you're too into the story to mind. This was one of the first books that I listened to as an audio book and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so, that I now want to go and buy the actual book so I can go and read it for myself. Couldn't recommend it enough.
  
All He Needs (My Truth #1)
All He Needs (My Truth #1)
Ann Grech | 2019 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
All He Needs (My Truth #1) by Ann Grech
All He Needs is the first book in the My Truth series, but features a couple of characters from the Unexpected series.

This has got to be one of the most emotional books I have read in a long time. I was crying by 21%, and it carried on throughout the story. Now, don't get me wrong. It's not all sad, in fact, it is also happy, contented, and extremely sexy. The part about Gracie having reflux caused me to wince in remembered empathy. I had that with all three of my babies, and I know how exhausting it is. Caden has my full support!!

I found this book to be extremely well-written, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The world-building was excellent for those of us who have never been to either America or New Zealand, and likewise for the characters. I haven't felt like I missed out on anything from not having read the Unexpected series, although I have now added that to my wishlist!

This was the first book by Ann Grech I have read, but I can guarantee it won't be the last. Highly recommended by me.

* 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!