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<b>First Time Rating:</b> 5 out of 5 (Give me a break, I was a kid.)

<b>Second Time Rating:</b> Ya girl is debating between a 2 or a 3, but I'm feeling nice, so 3 it is.

Adapted from the novel by Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief: The Graphic Novel by Robert Venditti follows Percy Jackson as he journeys with Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood across the US to retrieve Zeus’ lightning bolt before the summer solstice.

As an avid fan of the novels in middle school when the movie was in production, I was curious about the graphic novel version. When I first read The Lightning Thief: The Graphic Novel shortly after it came out, I just enjoyed myself. Reading it now with a more critical eye, I still enjoyed the adaptation, considering how poor the movies were. The graphic novel remains faithful to Riordan’s book and while most of the main storyline is still included, it does cut out some scenes and the story would have been better if it were longer.

In addition to the briefness of the graphic novel, I also noticed during my second read that the characters appear to be much older than they really are. There were moments in the story where if I didn’t read the original novels or knew the plot really well, I would have forgotten that Percy and many of the other characters are around 12 years old.

Overall, The Lightning Thief: The Graphic Novel is perfect for those who are avid fans of Riordan’s original series and want a recap, but not the greatest intro for those who want to read the graphic version before the novels.

<a href="https://60secondsmag.com/the-lightning-thief-review/">This review is originally posted on 60 Seconds Online Magazine</a>
  
Chained Omega (Black Creek Pack #3)
Chained Omega (Black Creek Pack #3)
Jay L. North | 2023 | Erotica, LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
CHAINED OMEGA is the third book in the Black Creek Pack. I'm afraid I haven't read books one and two, but I really want to now. I was still able to enjoy the story and didn't find it impacted me too greatly on what I had missed previously.

It begins with references to the overall story arc - Corey is on the run and hungry. When he smells sausages, he enters the cabin and feeds for the first time in days. When Alexei finds him, he thinks Corey has been sent to spy on him. He captures and cages Corey while he tries to figure out what's going on.

Moving on to Corey and Alexei's story, boy, it's a hot one. I really felt for the pair of them. Having a psycho dad and brother can't be fun! Especially when they have designs on your man. I honestly don't know which one I felt the most sorry for.

This was a fast-paced and thrilling story. I enjoyed every word and really want to read more in the series, both before and after this one. I wouldn't say it is essential to have read the first two books, but I would recommend it as it does follow on (sort of) from that storyline.

In a world full of wrongs, it's nice to see something right - and that's what the relationship between Corey and Alexei is. Definitely recommended by me.

** 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!
Sep 15, 2023
  
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Merissa (13749 KP) rated The Widow Wore Plaid (The Widows' Club #6) in Books

Jan 27, 2022 (Updated Jul 5, 2023)  
The Widow Wore Plaid (The Widows&#039; Club #6)
The Widow Wore Plaid (The Widows' Club #6)
Jenna Jaxon | 2021 | Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE WIDOW WORE PLAID is the sixth book in The Widow's Club series and, although I haven't read any of the previous books, I would recommend it, even if it's just so you get all the names lined up in your head.

Jane and Gareth have been together for a while and, although Gareth has asked her to marry him numerous times, Jane has always said no for fear of losing her independence. Gareth does everything in his power to soothe those fears and she eventually says yes. Not everyone is happy with that announcement though and their lives are in danger.

Not having read any of the other books, I wonder how much of their getting to know each other was mentioned then because, obviously, there's nothing here. They are already a done deal although Jane is going to stop taking precautions against pregnancy now it's official. Part of me missed that, the build-up, but in other ways, it made this all the more exciting as the story could concentrate on their peril, rather than dancing around each other.

After a slow start, this story builds up to a fitting ending. I would have preferred to have read it as part of a series, simply so I could keep everyone straight and fully understand the relationships that are already formed. Saying that, I thoroughly enjoyed it and have no hesitation in recommending it.

** 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!
Jan 27, 2022
  
Seen (Breaking Free #2)
Seen (Breaking Free #2)
A.M. Arthur | 2017 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
a far more emotionally devastaing read, but equally blown away!
I was shared my copy of this book, via Amazon friends and family thingie.

This is book two in the Breaking Free series and I would STRONGLY recommend you read book one, Saved, before this one. More than strongly, I think it's very necessary for you to get a proper picture of this world and the men in it.

And, I was totally blown away by that book. This one? Equally blown away, but this is a far more emotionally devastating and difficult read.

Kell is Braun's older brother, and after three years of horrific abuse, snaps. Already reeling from the loss of his newborn, Kell now faces a murder charge. Ronin knew Kell ten years before, but moved away before their mating bonds could fully develop. Coming to Kell's rescue, via a court room, brings him back into contact with his mate, damaged though he is.

I wasn't able to read this book in one sitting, but I wanted to. It's just far too heavy a book for a one sitting read, but it was so f*cking good!

the full extent of the abuse that Kell suffered at the hands of his husband, and indeed, his father in law, is bad, even for this world, and through a series of witnesses, the story becomes clear. Braun knew about the beatings, but he didn't know how bad it really was. Kell thinks everyone will look bad on him for what was done to him. But Ronin?? He SEES Kell, makes Kell SEE, that there are better ways to live than in fear.

I don't know if the author has experienced of spousal abuse, or if they did a huge amount of research for these book, but either way, the way this is played out, it could be happening in any given court room across the globe right now. Ronin is an outstanding lawyer, and he systematically destroys the prosecution witnesses, one by miserable one.

And he pulls a blinder! Won't say what he does, but oh! I cried! For Kell, and for Ronin at that point.

Actually, there were a lot of tears in this book. Some heart breaking sobs, but also, some tears of joy too.

Attitudes they are a-changing, but these things take time. Fortunately, I have 6 more books to read to see how that all plays out!

Again, trigger warning are rife here, and you should probably not read these books if you have abuse triggers. It's a HUGE part of this story.

I can't really say what I want to say about this book, without spoilers, and I don't do spoilers, so I'll leave you with this:

READ THE DAMN BOOKS!

5 stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
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Edgar Wright recommended Brazil (1985) in Movies (curated)

 
Brazil (1985)
Brazil (1985)
1985 | Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi

"When I first saw Brazil in the late ’80s, it hit me like a truck. It was such a powerful, bold vision, so joyous in its escapism and so crushing in its ultimate nihilism, that it left my teenage mind in tatters. I wasn’t quite sure what I’d watched but knew it was unlike anything I’d seen before. The impressive (and somewhat sad) fact is that, decades later, I still haven’t seen anything quite like Brazil. It escaped from Terry Gilliam’s brain with such velocity that its power even today is undeniable. I showed it at the New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles in January of this year, and it still confounded me. I asked Terry Gilliam if he would write a quick intro for me to read out before the screening. This was it: Brazil was made by a bunch of young people who didn’t know any better. They are older and wiser now, but it seems America isn’t. It’s a pity that George W. and Dick Cheney aren’t still running the show. I was tempted to sue them for the illegal and unauthorized remake of Brazil. Just think . . . more people are living my movie than ever went to see it."

Source
  
To All the Boys I&#039;ve Loved Before
To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Jenny Han | 2014 | Children
9
8.8 (12 Ratings)
Book Rating
I picked this up mostly because the trailer for the Netflix adaptation looked AMAZING. It's the first book in a trilogy, and I really want to read the other two now! Lara Jean is the middle daughter in a house of three daughters, being raised by their widower father. The relationships between the four of them play a large part in the book, as they are all adjusting to the eldest daughter being away at college. Everyone's roles are changing, and in the middle of that, Lara Jean's private love letters get mailed to the boys she wrote them to, throwing her love life into chaos as well.

I loved almost every character in this book - even Lara's troublemaking best friend has a good heart. I definitely need to watch the Netflix show now, because I really want to see how Chris - aforementioned best friend - is represented!

The family scenes around Christmas really tugged at my heart - Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, and the author absolutely NAILED the nostalgic, slightly dreamy, loving holiday atmosphere.

To All The Boys I've Loved Before was a cute, sweet read, and really my only negative thing to say about it is the ending left me hanging! Which is part of why I really need to read the other two books, so I suppose it was a good strategy. But man I hate cliffhangers!

You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
  
Marked (Populations Crumble: Resurgence #1)
Marked (Populations Crumble: Resurgence #1)
K. A. Gandy | 2023 | Dystopia, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
MARKED is the first book in a spin-off series called Populations Crumble: Resurgence. I haven't read the first series but now I really want to. Not because something is missing from this book - oh, no. I want to read that because this one was SO good!

Demy is a likeable character from the start, running from danger, looking for safety. She joins the program not really knowing what she's doing, just hoping she will be safe. What she gets is so much more than she expected.

I loved this world. Okay, there are parts of it that aren't so good, but on the whole, I was taken with Demy and saw what she saw. There is lots of action and it's also very emotional. The choice Demy has to make is incredibly tough. I know which way I'd go, as it stands right now, but I'm hedging my bets because I have no idea which way this story is going to go. And I love that!

The cliffhanger is a killer and I honestly can't wait to see what happens next. An incredible story with amazing characters that I have no hesitation in HIGHLY RECOMMENDING.

** 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!
  
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Poems to Live Your Life By
Poems to Live Your Life By
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Poems to Live Your Life By is a book of poetry collated and illustrated by Chris Riddell. People who read my blog regularly know that I obsess over Chris Riddell, which explains my reasons for buying this.

The collection is just beautiful. Each poem has individual illustrations surrounding it, bringing the poem to life.

Even though I dislike poetry as a whole, there are a few poems that I love, and some of them were in this collection, including Digging by Seamus Heaney and Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll. Even though I have read these poems multiple times, the illustrations made them feel new to me, because it almost gave a new interpretation to them.

I also discovered some poems that I hadn’t heard of before and now love, including Thirteen by Kate Tempest, and Safe Sounds by Carol Ann Duffy.

This is definitely a book to buy for the poetry lover in your life!
  
Blood Fury: Black Dagger Legacy
Blood Fury: Black Dagger Legacy
J.R. Ward | 2018 | Paranormal, Romance
9
8.9 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ruhn and Saxton - loved them as a couple (0 more)
It's been so long since I read the last book, I forgot why Assail is at the BDB house....will have to refresh my memory before The Thief is released! (0 more)
Contains spoilers, click to show
I really enjoyed Blood Fury and I didn't expect to. Mainly, because I didn't care much for Saxton in the past and I didn't really have much of an opinion on Peyton and Novo. Having now read it, I can honestly say that I loved the romance between Saxton and Ruhn. I did not see that coming! And their involvement with the human developers was a great story.
My heart broke for Novo. With her past and her awful family, it's not surprising she's as tough as she is, and I'm glad that someone was able to make her love again and help her move on and I'm glad that that someone was Peyton- if only because it meant that he'd stop obsessing over the rather dull Paradise.