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Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Raven Boys in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Wow!! Some of the reviews I read on this book prior to starting to read it said that it took them forever to get into this book or they started it several times & gave up. They must be nuts! This was a really great read from the start. I was engrossed in it from the start & had a very hard time putting it down. To be honest, I was skeptical... I've read a few other books by Maggie Stiefvater & I was not impressed, to be blunt.
This book focuses on Blue, a girl living in Henrietta, VA. A town that is home to a very exclusive, pre-Ivy League boys' high school whose mascot happens to be the raven. Blue has always blown the boys off as being entitled jerks & a run in with 3 of them at the restaurant she works at does nothing to change that perception. But then St. Mark's Eve happens...
This book focuses on Blue, a girl living in Henrietta, VA. A town that is home to a very exclusive, pre-Ivy League boys' high school whose mascot happens to be the raven. Blue has always blown the boys off as being entitled jerks & a run in with 3 of them at the restaurant she works at does nothing to change that perception. But then St. Mark's Eve happens...

Merissa (12934 KP) rated Phantom Pleasures (Phantom #1) in Books
Aug 23, 2017
Phantom Pleasures (Phantom #1) by Julie Leto
This book has some quirks with the main characters, but on the whole, I really enjoyed the story and the background given and am looking forward to reading Book 2 in the series.
It was nice to read a paranormal story that had nary a vampire or shifter in sight but instead followed the story of a phantom and how he came to be stuck inside a painting by gypsy magic.
The supporting characters of Cat and Ben steal the show in places, but the winner for me all round is Paschal. He is just wonderful! The part when Alexa and Damon meet for the first time has been covered in other reviews so I won't say too much, but I will agree that things happen very quickly, with no moment of disbelief or questions.
Recommended if you want paranormal with a twist.
* Verified Purchase ~ March 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
It was nice to read a paranormal story that had nary a vampire or shifter in sight but instead followed the story of a phantom and how he came to be stuck inside a painting by gypsy magic.
The supporting characters of Cat and Ben steal the show in places, but the winner for me all round is Paschal. He is just wonderful! The part when Alexa and Damon meet for the first time has been covered in other reviews so I won't say too much, but I will agree that things happen very quickly, with no moment of disbelief or questions.
Recommended if you want paranormal with a twist.
* Verified Purchase ~ March 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Chelsea (449 KP) rated Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children in Books
Sep 7, 2017
This book was not what I expected it to be, but I don't think that makes it deserve the many negative reviews.
This book is not a "horror" book, with the exception of the "evil" characters who created the reasons for the plot to go where it went. It IS a weird book. I love weird, or should I say "peculiar".
The best thing about the book (and why so many thought it was different than what it was) is that the story was written completely around these found vintage, sometimes creepy, photographs. None of the images were altered with "modern" photoshop, but no one actually knows the real stories behind them or how much they were actually a trick of the camera.
This is Young Adult and so a fairly quick read, but it's also a different kind of fantasy story that is worth the read. Beware, however, the ending does NOT allow you to leave this book without needing to read the sequel.
This book is not a "horror" book, with the exception of the "evil" characters who created the reasons for the plot to go where it went. It IS a weird book. I love weird, or should I say "peculiar".
The best thing about the book (and why so many thought it was different than what it was) is that the story was written completely around these found vintage, sometimes creepy, photographs. None of the images were altered with "modern" photoshop, but no one actually knows the real stories behind them or how much they were actually a trick of the camera.
This is Young Adult and so a fairly quick read, but it's also a different kind of fantasy story that is worth the read. Beware, however, the ending does NOT allow you to leave this book without needing to read the sequel.

Dean (6927 KP) rated Cross My Heart in Books
Aug 12, 2017
A very easy read, you can't put it down (2 more)
Lots of twists and turns
The tension builds and builds
Another thrilling Cross story
I'm not a huge book reader, as my many film reviews give away. I do like the Alex Cross stories with @Along Came a Spider (2001) one of my favourite Thrillers. This is actually the 21st Alex Cross novel of 25 so far. Hopefully more will be made into films.
This was so easy to get into and before you know it you are a few chapters in. The characters and the various plotlines are all neatly interwoven. This story switches between Cross and his antagonist's perspectives. There as always are a few great twists along the way. It does feel like a story in its own right but it does continue with Hope to die. So best to know that from the start, make sure you have both.
This was so easy to get into and before you know it you are a few chapters in. The characters and the various plotlines are all neatly interwoven. This story switches between Cross and his antagonist's perspectives. There as always are a few great twists along the way. It does feel like a story in its own right but it does continue with Hope to die. So best to know that from the start, make sure you have both.

Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Fault in Our Stars in Books
Sep 11, 2017
Bittersweet, but quite similar to others in the genre
There seems to be rave reviews for this book and its counterpart film, and while I understand that it is tragic I just feel I've read similar novels in the past.
The tone resembles My Sister's Keeper in many ways, written in the perspective of teenagers suffering from cancer and attempting to lead as normal a life as possible. And while it's sweet and sad, I just don't feel it was written that spectacularly. The story content is important, but the writing falls a little short - but I'm assuming that as this is more for young adults, it is geared in this way as well.
And I may sound completely heartless but the build-up to the reveal was overdone, and the ending was drawn out for far too long that it was an anti-climax. That could be the author's intention to make death seem as if a passing ship. A little disappointed overall.
The tone resembles My Sister's Keeper in many ways, written in the perspective of teenagers suffering from cancer and attempting to lead as normal a life as possible. And while it's sweet and sad, I just don't feel it was written that spectacularly. The story content is important, but the writing falls a little short - but I'm assuming that as this is more for young adults, it is geared in this way as well.
And I may sound completely heartless but the build-up to the reveal was overdone, and the ending was drawn out for far too long that it was an anti-climax. That could be the author's intention to make death seem as if a passing ship. A little disappointed overall.

MissCagey (2652 KP) rated Wonder Woman (2017) in Movies
May 2, 2018
I really don't understand all the great reviews this film is getting. I am not a comic book hero fan in general but this was one I was so excited to watch as I LOVED the Wonder Woman tv show when I was younger. I wanted to be Wonder Woman, I dressed as her for a fancy dress....I thought she was AMAZING! When she spun around into her costume, the primary colours, the excitement....just brilliant. And then we have this shambles of a film to honour her, oh dear.
Her costume is drab, the cinematography is drab (other than Themyscira), the story is boring, Gal Gadot can't pick an accent she wants to use the whole way through, the villain is crap, her morals flip flop- she hates war and cries about it and then brings down a church (which contained one sniper) not caring if there are any civilians around, blah blah blah. So disappointing.
Her costume is drab, the cinematography is drab (other than Themyscira), the story is boring, Gal Gadot can't pick an accent she wants to use the whole way through, the villain is crap, her morals flip flop- she hates war and cries about it and then brings down a church (which contained one sniper) not caring if there are any civilians around, blah blah blah. So disappointing.

Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Fifty Shades of Grey in Books
May 10, 2018
So I had to read this for myself after hearing all of the mixed reviews of it. I was thinking it was going to be a lot different. I could relate a lot to this book, which is why I think I liked it so much, but it had nothing to do with the BDSM or the sex. Just their relationship as a whole. I tend to be a generally shy person when it comes to the opposite sex, and so I could understand how it was difficult for Anastasia(ANA) to discuss her feelings with Christian and send them through email instead. I am the same way. I was intrigued by their relationship because I wanted to see if he was going to bend his rules for her. They both made compromises in who they were for the other, and isn't that what a relationship is about. So, now, I can't wait to see what happen next. Anyone got book 2 on Kindle I can borrow??

Rache (174 KP) rated True Crime Garage in Podcasts
Feb 17, 2019
Good research (3 more)
In depth discussions
Beer reviews
Chemistry of the hosts
Grab a Chair, Grab a Beer...
Nic provides some fantastically in-depth research into a lot of the cases you know, and many that you've never heard of. And where it's a case you know? Nic will find something you didn't.
The stories are told in a relatively somber way, but not depressing or too clinical - it almost feels like sitting and listening in on a couple of friends who are discussing cases they know over a beer.
There is occasional foul language, but it's usually for good reason, and Nic and The Captain have a good chemistry as hosts.
The only flaw in this fantastic podcast is very occasional comments that may appear to be derogatory or misogynistic. While this is unlikely to be the intent, as both Nic and The Captain seem to have respect for most, it can occasionally be a little jaring.
The stories are told in a relatively somber way, but not depressing or too clinical - it almost feels like sitting and listening in on a couple of friends who are discussing cases they know over a beer.
There is occasional foul language, but it's usually for good reason, and Nic and The Captain have a good chemistry as hosts.
The only flaw in this fantastic podcast is very occasional comments that may appear to be derogatory or misogynistic. While this is unlikely to be the intent, as both Nic and The Captain seem to have respect for most, it can occasionally be a little jaring.

Sarah (126 KP) rated Seaforth Prison (The Haunted #3) in Books
Feb 18, 2019
A disappointing continuation of the series
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, which I've been reading as part of my Kindle Unlimited subscription, even if certain elements felt a little predictable.
The second book didn't have quite the same level of excitement and tension as the first, but was still enough to hook a reader and kept with "The Haunted" theme of the series.
With this third book, any "haunting" element has really been pushed into the background and I don't feel that the story is quite as compelling in this latest installment. I also read some reviews of the second book after I finished it, and one in particular mentioned the lack of variety in the swearing - and now that I'm aware of it, it REALLY started to bother me.
I know I'm going to go ahead and read the next book in the series, at least. Hopefully this will be return to the more exiting themes of the earlier books
The second book didn't have quite the same level of excitement and tension as the first, but was still enough to hook a reader and kept with "The Haunted" theme of the series.
With this third book, any "haunting" element has really been pushed into the background and I don't feel that the story is quite as compelling in this latest installment. I also read some reviews of the second book after I finished it, and one in particular mentioned the lack of variety in the swearing - and now that I'm aware of it, it REALLY started to bother me.
I know I'm going to go ahead and read the next book in the series, at least. Hopefully this will be return to the more exiting themes of the earlier books

Sarah (126 KP) rated Scarsdale Crematorium (The Haunted #4) in Books
Feb 18, 2019
By this point, the series is really starting to feel like it's being drawn out unnecessarily. More characters are being brought in, with pages of information about them/their surroundings/backgrounds, which feels a lot like filler to meet a word count in some cases.
For me, the series isn't living up to the promise of the first book, which is a real shame. I really hoped for a more "haunted" vibe, given the name of the series, with unresolved matters being settled in the manner of the very first book, but the direction the story has taken isn't as appealing to me - purely a matter of personal taste, and I'm clearly very much in the minority given reviews I've read on other sites.
In all honesty, this isn't a series I would have persevered with if I was buying the books, but borrowing them as part of my Kindle Unlimited subscription (akin to borrowing from a local library, but more convenient!), I will finish the series.
For me, the series isn't living up to the promise of the first book, which is a real shame. I really hoped for a more "haunted" vibe, given the name of the series, with unresolved matters being settled in the manner of the very first book, but the direction the story has taken isn't as appealing to me - purely a matter of personal taste, and I'm clearly very much in the minority given reviews I've read on other sites.
In all honesty, this isn't a series I would have persevered with if I was buying the books, but borrowing them as part of my Kindle Unlimited subscription (akin to borrowing from a local library, but more convenient!), I will finish the series.