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Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow!
Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow!
Donna Andrews | 2023 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Reality Show and Murder at Christmas
It’s the week before Christmas, but Meg has gotten roped into the reality show Blades of Glory! that is being filmed in the area. She just wanted to be working behind the scenes, but when someone attacks her mentor, who was supposed to be a competitor, she has to step in at the last minute as a contestant even though bladesmithing isn’t her specialty. But when another contestant is murdered, Meg begins to wonder if she is safe or if someone is out to do away with all their competition.

Yes, this is a Christmas entry in the series. While it may not quite seem like it from the teaser, we still get plenty of Christmas spirit on these pages, and I enjoyed some of the twists the set up brought us. It helps that we see many of the regular characters, and they are charming as always. I did find one of the other contestants to be very one dimensional. I get we weren’t supposed to like the guy, but did he have to be that much of a cliché? There is plenty going on to keep us reading, including set up, before the body drops, and I was never bored. However, the climax was weaker than it could have been, even though all our questions are answered. No matter when you read this entry, you’ll enjoy another Christmas with Meg.
  
Therapy: A Novel
Therapy: A Novel
Sebastian Fitzek | 2006 | Thriller
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Twist after twist in this gripping thriller
There have been a few spoilers out there comparing this book to a certain film which unfortunately ruins the ending for some who make the connection. As a result I was aware of the major plot twist from the beginning. That being said, Sebastian Fitzek's thriller is gripping, as we're unable to separate psychosis from reality. A well known psychiatrist has taken some time off to grieve his missing daughter. Out of no where a mysterious woman named Anna Glass turns up on this remote island getaway. But is she trustworthy?

The ending has a twist on top of the climax which leaves you spiralling. An eerie but good mystery.
  
The End We Start From
The End We Start From
Megan Hunter | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.3 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
A new mother's journey in the aftermath of a natural journey, the novel has some very stark and touching moments. Written in fragments, possibly to reflect the turmoil but also possibly as a result of her 'former' self being a note-taker, it's an unusual presentation of such an overwhelming concept. It does, however, also make it a generally matter-of-fact narrative, with very little expansion on details or emotional reaction from the protagonist. At time this works well, as it seems a fair consequence to the reality being presented, but at time's I'd like to hear what our heroine is thinking or feeling, rather than coming across as an observational bystander. An interesting read, nonetheless.
  
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
2010 | Action, Comedy, Romance
Mary Elizabeth Winstead wih with Blue hair! Really what more could you ask for in a female supporting actress (8 more)
Michael Cera in a role that suited him perfectly
Gideon Graves was a fantastic villain
The soundtrack was exceptional. A real highlight of the film.
The Gaming references were spot on
On-screen graphics made the film feel like an Augmented reality experience
Special effects were very good
Edgar Wright as director is always a positive
Overall, the casting was fantastic, with some big names showing up
The film unfortunately left out a number of 'Vital' scenes from the source material (1 more)
Some of the humour just didn't work as intended
Michael Cera CAN ACT!
  
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Susan (45 KP) rated Ready Player One in Books

Jun 29, 2017  
Ready Player One
Ready Player One
Ernest Cline | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.9 (161 Ratings)
Book Rating
80s nostalgia! Brought back a lot of memories of my old Atari (2 more)
Well written with so much depth to all characters
Found myself "there" in the book, a rare and wonderful occurrence
There's not one bad thing to say about this book! (0 more)
One of the best books I've ever read!
Contains spoilers, click to show
I really stepped outside my usual genres with this one. Recommended to me by a friend, I decided to give it a chance. I was instantly hooked and could not stop reading it. Like the people in the book who lived in a virtual reality, I too found myself totally immersed in this book. I could see, feel, smell, touch and taste the world created by Ernest Cline.
  
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tonidavis (353 KP) rated Caraval in Books

Jun 29, 2017  
Caraval
Caraval
Stephanie Garber | 2017 | Young Adult (YA)
10
8.1 (97 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ledgend (2 more)
Magic
Caraval
Be spell bound and enchanted
I really enjoyed it magic always has a price as they say in once upon a time but this book show it in an enlightening way and charming characters. All wishes and hope come with challenages attached a great story from beginning to end.

Follow Scarlett as she wants to enter the world of Caraval the place she heard stories of since she and her sister were young. Follow Her adventure of escaping from her home only to learn that fantasies are just as dark and hard if not harder than reality. Watch as she learns to believes everything and nothing and get caught up in the dream yourself.
  
Based on a True Story
Based on a True Story
Delphine de Vigan | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A clever psychological thriller
How many books do you trust to be actually based on reality and are non fiction books completely factual? These are some of the questions that arise in this descriptive, slick psychological thriller. It follows the journey of a novelist with writer's block who seems to have been befriended by a woman who takes a lot of interest in her. The woman is enigmatic and secretive and who knows how much of her is real. It is written in the perspective of the writer and so it shows in detail how her mind unravels and is manipulated.

It leaves you pondering whether the protagonist actually imagined the entire thing?
  
Reefer Madness (2005)
Reefer Madness (2005)
2005 | Comedy, Drama, Musical
9
7.7 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
This is one of my all time favorite movies. As a musical adapted to the big screen, it retains the rhythmic and incredibly precise movements you might expect from a well rehearsed play. Alan Cummings is brilliant, as are Kristen Bell, Christian Campbell, and Ana Gasteyer. The songs are catchy, campy fun, brilliantly skewering the original Reefer Madness for a new generation. As the film descends into reefer madness and the character's dangerous weed addiction provoke more and more unlikely responses, the film's reality begins to unravel into murder, chaos, and marijuana zombies.

Watch this if you like comedic musicals, cannabis induced cannibalism, or you just want to see Kristen Bell in latex S&M gear.
  
Hayley Snow has gotten roped into being a judge on a search for the top chef of Key West. However, when one of the judges is murdered after the first round, she begins to wonder if she’s in danger. Is someone determined enough to win to make sure the judges will vote for them?

The reality competition actually slows the plot down a little at times, but I still enjoyed this book. The very colorful assortment of characters kept me entertained, and I loved getting to see more of Hayley’s housemate, Miss Gloria.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/09/book-review-topped-chef-by-lucy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.