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David McK (3233 KP) rated Orcs (Orcs: First Blood, #1-3) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Takes an interesting perspective on the good old fantasy troupe of the Orcs, telling the tale from their perspective rather than having them as the antagonists. All three novels (and the short story), however, are pretty linear in the telling: battle here, move on a bit, battle here, move on a bit, skirmish here, despite the somewhat tacked on religious sub-plot.
In short, a simple, undemanding read, but not as effective (or as funny) as Mary Gentle's "Grunts", which also tells the story from the point of view of the Orcs.
In short, a simple, undemanding read, but not as effective (or as funny) as Mary Gentle's "Grunts", which also tells the story from the point of view of the Orcs.
Jon Dieringer recommended The Ascent (1977) in Movies (curated)
Erika (17788 KP) rated Wild Wild Country - Season 1 in TV
Oct 12, 2019
This is a pretty interesting documentary about a religious (?) sect that followed Indian Guru, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, 'invading' a small town in the middle of nowhere in Oregon. It showed both parties, interviewing the original residents, and the members of the sect. This made the documentary watchable, at least for me.
The most entertaining and slightly deranged person interview was Sheela, who served as Bhagwan's personal secretary. This lady was convicted of poisoning a town, and arming the sect like a military.
Worth a watch, and it's relatively short.
The most entertaining and slightly deranged person interview was Sheela, who served as Bhagwan's personal secretary. This lady was convicted of poisoning a town, and arming the sect like a military.
Worth a watch, and it's relatively short.
Katey Bassett (610 KP) rated In the Tall Grass (2019) in Movies
Oct 14, 2019
Hard to follow at first, but great afterwards.
I thought this was a little hard to follow at first until about mid-way through the film. The visual symbolism is really great and if you’re into religious undertones this is going to be a really great movie for you to watch and follow. The cast worked well together and everything was very fluid. Once you understand the timeline and how it works the movie is very easy to follow and pick up on what they’re actually trying to tell you.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated In the Role of Brie Hutchens... in Books
Jul 2, 2020
Brie Hutchens is an eighth-grader at a Catholic school. She loves soap operas and dreams of being the star of the school play. She wants to go to drama school next year. Brie also has feelings that she's pretty sure are different than the other kids at her school. For instance, she gets a fluttery feeling looking at photos online of her favorite soap opera actress. But when Brie's (very religious) mom walks in on her doing so, Brie freaks out and tells her Mom she's been chosen to crown the Mary statue at her school's ceremony. She hasn't of course, and even worse, she probably stands no chance at earning the gig, since it usually goes to a top student. One like Kennedy, whom Brie usually avoids. But as Brie starts to spend a little more time with Kennedy, she realizes Kennedy gives her the same feeling as that soap actress. And that none of this is going to make her mother happy (or help her crown Mary).
This is a very sweet, heartwarming, and touching story about a young girl finding her way and finding herself. I'm a sucker for coming of age stories, but when they are lesbian coming of age stories? I'm sold. Brie is an interesting character, who even comes across a little ungrateful at times--though perhaps she's just a typical teenager. She's embarrassed her dad works at her school and often seems a bit self-centered and in her own world. Okay, yeah, she's a teenager. But her battle with her sexual identity is certainly one I could identify with and it's presented in a lovely and truthful way. It's exactly the kind of book kids this age need, especially teens being raised in a religious environment.
The book is more religious than I expected, but it's not off-putting. As someone whose first love love came from a religious Catholic family, I saw so much of my past life in this book. I loved the fact that Brie is a soap fan--as kid who grew up loving Dallas, Days of Our Lives, Passions, and Sunset Beach, this part of the book was totally fun. Yet, Melleby worked in the angle in a serious way, too, as Brie uses soaps as a way to realize that maybe she isn't so different after all (thank you, soaps, for having some progressive characters ahead of your time).
"But when Brie and her mom sat in the living room, watching their soaps, Brie forgot they had so little in common."
Brie is fun and sweet and she's decidedly her own person, yet scared of how her religious mom and her Catholic school friends might see her if she reveals she likes girls. Her agonizing over this, her fear of coming out, is raw and realistic. The difficultly of coming out really resonates here, and Melleby does a wonderful job capturing how hard it is, even now.
Overall, this is a lovely and tender book--funny and sweet--and a great children's/YA read. If you love coming of age stories, YA novels, or any LQBTIA youth fiction, I think this novel will tug at your heartstrings.
This is a very sweet, heartwarming, and touching story about a young girl finding her way and finding herself. I'm a sucker for coming of age stories, but when they are lesbian coming of age stories? I'm sold. Brie is an interesting character, who even comes across a little ungrateful at times--though perhaps she's just a typical teenager. She's embarrassed her dad works at her school and often seems a bit self-centered and in her own world. Okay, yeah, she's a teenager. But her battle with her sexual identity is certainly one I could identify with and it's presented in a lovely and truthful way. It's exactly the kind of book kids this age need, especially teens being raised in a religious environment.
The book is more religious than I expected, but it's not off-putting. As someone whose first love love came from a religious Catholic family, I saw so much of my past life in this book. I loved the fact that Brie is a soap fan--as kid who grew up loving Dallas, Days of Our Lives, Passions, and Sunset Beach, this part of the book was totally fun. Yet, Melleby worked in the angle in a serious way, too, as Brie uses soaps as a way to realize that maybe she isn't so different after all (thank you, soaps, for having some progressive characters ahead of your time).
"But when Brie and her mom sat in the living room, watching their soaps, Brie forgot they had so little in common."
Brie is fun and sweet and she's decidedly her own person, yet scared of how her religious mom and her Catholic school friends might see her if she reveals she likes girls. Her agonizing over this, her fear of coming out, is raw and realistic. The difficultly of coming out really resonates here, and Melleby does a wonderful job capturing how hard it is, even now.
Overall, this is a lovely and tender book--funny and sweet--and a great children's/YA read. If you love coming of age stories, YA novels, or any LQBTIA youth fiction, I think this novel will tug at your heartstrings.
Jessica - Where the Book Ends (15 KP) rated What's Left of Us (Us, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
This book is wonderful! The characters are easy to relate to and the story keeps you guessing. I was lucky enough to read this before it went to the editor and I absolutely loved it!
The characters of Asher and Beck are great. They are best friends and they both go through some pretty epic changes (which I won't share because I don't want to give away any of the story).
Enter Calla or Cal for short. She is the new girl in the neighborhood and she quickly befriends Ash and Beck. The three of them are inseparable. Of course being friend with two boys is going to lead to some drama, but that's just the tip of the ice berg.
Honestly, I wasn't prepared for this book. The story took me by surprise and the emotion involved just blew me away.
What's Left of Us is a Christian novel; however, be advised that religion and religious beliefs are NOT shoved down your throat. This is a great book about a group of friends that endure a tragedy and through the help of their religious beliefs manage to come out whole on the other side.
Give this debut novel by this talented new author a shot. You won't be disappointed.
The characters of Asher and Beck are great. They are best friends and they both go through some pretty epic changes (which I won't share because I don't want to give away any of the story).
Enter Calla or Cal for short. She is the new girl in the neighborhood and she quickly befriends Ash and Beck. The three of them are inseparable. Of course being friend with two boys is going to lead to some drama, but that's just the tip of the ice berg.
Honestly, I wasn't prepared for this book. The story took me by surprise and the emotion involved just blew me away.
What's Left of Us is a Christian novel; however, be advised that religion and religious beliefs are NOT shoved down your throat. This is a great book about a group of friends that endure a tragedy and through the help of their religious beliefs manage to come out whole on the other side.
Give this debut novel by this talented new author a shot. You won't be disappointed.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Amber Spyglass in Books
Nov 26, 2017
A fitting final part
There's no getting around it, this book and it's religious plot is completely bonkers, but fortunately in a good way. This final part works very well, it flits between the views of major characters with ease, all interesting their own way. It's good to see Lyra mature, and to see more of some characters that were sadly minor/missing in The Subtle Knife.
My only criticism would be that the ending seemed maybe slightly disappointing after the build up over 3 books. I'm interested to see how this is rectified in the new Book of Dust trilogy.
My only criticism would be that the ending seemed maybe slightly disappointing after the build up over 3 books. I'm interested to see how this is rectified in the new Book of Dust trilogy.
Character development (1 more)
World Building
WOW! Simply wow
Wow. That's the first thing that comes to mind when I think of this book. From the earliest pages the reader becomes drawn into the smallest pieces of the characters lives. When the world falls into absolute chaos upon the release of a deadly virus that wipes out the majority of the world, it becomes vital to bring together the survivors. With some of the typical "King" flair and some help from the super natural folks are drawn to good or evil. This is easily one of the best books ever written.
This is one Medieval story that I wasn't a big fan of. The wording was confusing along with the story line itself. It was one of the more religious texts that I have had to read for my Medieval Literature class, and since I'm not the biggest fan of that kind of story, it obviously wasn't my favorite. This is possibly the same poet as the "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" poet, but I enjoyed that one more.
I recommend this to people who like Medieval Literature that has heavy ties to Christianity and convoluted plots.
I recommend this to people who like Medieval Literature that has heavy ties to Christianity and convoluted plots.
