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ClareR (5906 KP) rated Templar Silks in Books
Aug 10, 2018
Historical fiction at it's best!
William Marshall is on his death bed and is looking back on his life. The Templar Silks of the story are the burial silks that he was given 30 years previously, when he became a secular Knight of the Templar Knights in Jerusalem. He promised that he would become a full member of the Order before he died, so he sends a trusted servant to collect the silk shroud from where he had entrusted it. While he waits for the silks, William slips into drug-induced remembrances of his time leading up to and during his time in Outremer. We learn of the riches of Jerusalem and those that ruled it; that King Baldwin had crippling leprosy, yet still ruled; and that those who ruled supposedly under the eye of God, did so only to gain more money and power (so, the same as everywhere else then, really!).
I'm sad to see that this is the end of William Marshall (I'm giving nothing away here!). I've enjoyed reading all of the books about him: even though they're largely speculation, Elizabeth Chadwick has still done her research in to the time very well.
I'm sad to see that this is the end of William Marshall (I'm giving nothing away here!). I've enjoyed reading all of the books about him: even though they're largely speculation, Elizabeth Chadwick has still done her research in to the time very well.
Becs (244 KP) rated When We Were Young in Books
Sep 5, 2018
Grammatical errors throughout. (3 more)
Hardly any background or character development.
Beginning was a bore.
Parts didn't make sense.
Not the greatest read.
The beginning was very boring and did not grab my attention at all. There were grammatical errors littered throughout the entirety of the novel and parts that didn't make any sense.
Will I reread? No. Not really my cup of tea. Do I recommend? I mean if you like stories that are a bit juvenile and feel like they were rushed, with hardly any character or background development - then sure.
○ interested in its physical book
○ a continuous read / page-turner
○ diverse in any way
● something’s lacking
● took me a long time to finish
○ an LMAO read
○ I laughed more than a few times
● it’s j u s t awkward
○ gave me goosebumps
○ one of the best books I’ve read
● painful & sad
○ tear-jerker
○ a roller-coaster of emotions
○ thrilling
● confusing
○ sooo relatable
● it is kind of annoying
○ it has a lot of flashbacks
○ it moved me
○ would recommend!
○ great even for a reread
○ definitely a YAY
● I’m sorry it’s a NAY
○ it’s between YAY and NAY
Will I reread? No. Not really my cup of tea. Do I recommend? I mean if you like stories that are a bit juvenile and feel like they were rushed, with hardly any character or background development - then sure.
○ interested in its physical book
○ a continuous read / page-turner
○ diverse in any way
● something’s lacking
● took me a long time to finish
○ an LMAO read
○ I laughed more than a few times
● it’s j u s t awkward
○ gave me goosebumps
○ one of the best books I’ve read
● painful & sad
○ tear-jerker
○ a roller-coaster of emotions
○ thrilling
● confusing
○ sooo relatable
● it is kind of annoying
○ it has a lot of flashbacks
○ it moved me
○ would recommend!
○ great even for a reread
○ definitely a YAY
● I’m sorry it’s a NAY
○ it’s between YAY and NAY
Poor Cujo...
I’m sure I’m not the only one who read this book and felt tremendously sad and sorry for Cujo. A loving, yet huge, dog who just gets himself into the wrong place at the wrong time and then winds up on a murderous rabies fuelled killing spree.
What I really liked about this book is that King also tells some of it from Cujo’s point of view in addition to the human characters, it makes for a refreshing change and a story that isn’t all about the horror (even if there is a lot of horror in here). As with all King novels, it’s wonderfully written with some well thought out characters. The main issue is that there’s only so much you can throw into a book about a rabid dog, and it isn’t something that can be drawn out indefinitely and you can tell that at just over 300 pages, the story is really being stretched. But then the ending arrives far too quickly and is over in the space of a few pages. It’s a typically good King novel and definitely worth a read, just not one of his usual epic stories.
What I really liked about this book is that King also tells some of it from Cujo’s point of view in addition to the human characters, it makes for a refreshing change and a story that isn’t all about the horror (even if there is a lot of horror in here). As with all King novels, it’s wonderfully written with some well thought out characters. The main issue is that there’s only so much you can throw into a book about a rabid dog, and it isn’t something that can be drawn out indefinitely and you can tell that at just over 300 pages, the story is really being stretched. But then the ending arrives far too quickly and is over in the space of a few pages. It’s a typically good King novel and definitely worth a read, just not one of his usual epic stories.
The story. (3 more)
The background.
The charcters.
The cover.
A incredibly captivating story of one girl's adventure of finding who she truly is meant to be.
I was given a read and review copy of Essence by Hayley Gabrielle herself for my full honest opinion.
I absolutely blew through this novel in a matter of 24hrs. I was hooked from the very beginning and I must say, this was one heck of a debut novel! I loved it with a burning passion. The story was there, the background was there, for as much as I could see, there were not any noticeable grammatical errors, the plot is striking profound, and I will definitely be rereading this novel in the very near future!
Can I talk about how much I love Thorne? I really love him and honestly, I really wanted him and Abbey to be together. He deserves love too, even though he's arrogant as all get out. I cried actual tears at the final scene with the portal. An incredibly sad ending and I can not wait to see where Abbey's story continues!
You can find more about this review on my blog at bookingwayreads.wordpress.com
I absolutely blew through this novel in a matter of 24hrs. I was hooked from the very beginning and I must say, this was one heck of a debut novel! I loved it with a burning passion. The story was there, the background was there, for as much as I could see, there were not any noticeable grammatical errors, the plot is striking profound, and I will definitely be rereading this novel in the very near future!
Can I talk about how much I love Thorne? I really love him and honestly, I really wanted him and Abbey to be together. He deserves love too, even though he's arrogant as all get out. I cried actual tears at the final scene with the portal. An incredibly sad ending and I can not wait to see where Abbey's story continues!
You can find more about this review on my blog at bookingwayreads.wordpress.com
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Mannequin - Single by Neena Rose in Music
Jun 17, 2019
Neena Rose is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter based in Hamilton, Canada. Not too long ago, she released a music video for her “Mannequin” single.
“I want people, especially girls, to gain empowerment from my music. I want it to communicate to them: ‘you’re powerful, you’ve got this.’ I want them to know ‘you can be different. You can do anything’.” – Neena Rose
‘Mannequin’ will be featured on Neena Rose’s upcoming EP, entitled, “333”.
The likable tune tells an interesting tale of a young woman who refuses to be a mannequin or porcelain doll to her significant other.
The song contains a relatable storyline, pleasing vocals, and lush instrumentation scented with an urban-pop fragrance.
“I love it all, but writing lyrics is definitely my favorite part of the process. It’s always been a thing I love to do. Any time I feel any type of way, I’m writing a song. If I’m happy, I’m writing. If I’m sad, I’m writing. At school, someone will say something or I’ll think of something, and I’ll write it down. I feel like I have a million songs on the go in my notes.” – Neena Rose
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/neena-rose-mannequin/
“I want people, especially girls, to gain empowerment from my music. I want it to communicate to them: ‘you’re powerful, you’ve got this.’ I want them to know ‘you can be different. You can do anything’.” – Neena Rose
‘Mannequin’ will be featured on Neena Rose’s upcoming EP, entitled, “333”.
The likable tune tells an interesting tale of a young woman who refuses to be a mannequin or porcelain doll to her significant other.
The song contains a relatable storyline, pleasing vocals, and lush instrumentation scented with an urban-pop fragrance.
“I love it all, but writing lyrics is definitely my favorite part of the process. It’s always been a thing I love to do. Any time I feel any type of way, I’m writing a song. If I’m happy, I’m writing. If I’m sad, I’m writing. At school, someone will say something or I’ll think of something, and I’ll write it down. I feel like I have a million songs on the go in my notes.” – Neena Rose
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/neena-rose-mannequin/
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Stirring the Sheets in Books
Jan 31, 2019
Stirring the Sheets isn’t exactly what I’d call horror, and in that regard, I’m a bit disappointed. The story, on the other hand, is heartbreaking and tear inducing. Lutzke definitely has a way with words and I’ll read more of his work in the future.
Emmett is an elderly man working at a funeral home. His wife of more than fifty years passed away in a tragic accident, leaving him heartbroken and lonely. As he spirals downward in grief, a young woman that bears an uncanny resemblance to his wife in her 30s commits suicide. Emmett does the unthinkable, out of sheer desperation.
Reading this story made me really sad. The characters are well-written and easy to connect with and the plot moves along at a reasonable pace. Throughout the story, I felt sorry for Emmett and I hoped for the best for him. His neighbor Rosemary is a total doll, too. I gobbled this one up, even though it failed to meet my usual expectations for something that’s labeled horror and it was worth the read.
I received a copy of this book for free. This is my unbiased opinion.
Emmett is an elderly man working at a funeral home. His wife of more than fifty years passed away in a tragic accident, leaving him heartbroken and lonely. As he spirals downward in grief, a young woman that bears an uncanny resemblance to his wife in her 30s commits suicide. Emmett does the unthinkable, out of sheer desperation.
Reading this story made me really sad. The characters are well-written and easy to connect with and the plot moves along at a reasonable pace. Throughout the story, I felt sorry for Emmett and I hoped for the best for him. His neighbor Rosemary is a total doll, too. I gobbled this one up, even though it failed to meet my usual expectations for something that’s labeled horror and it was worth the read.
I received a copy of this book for free. This is my unbiased opinion.
Marylegs (44 KP) rated The Night Circus in Books
Aug 14, 2019
The Night Circus is a book I have been intending to read for quite some time. I will start by saying the book is not quite what I expected. Actually I know don’t really know what I expected from this book. I will start by saying I found the first 30-40% of the book quite confusing, dull and at times I contemplated giving up on it completely. The time changes for each chapter whilst confusing at first did become easier to decipher as I learnt the time sequences I was switching between.
This book is worth persevering with as once the dull start is past what you’re left with is actually a beautifully enchanting story. Love and magic in its most subtle forms developing gradually. I fell in love with the elements of the circus and the way they were described, it is almost sad that the place does not exist, that there is no possibility of attending.
This is a book, I think you will come to love if you get past the rocky beginning. Would recommend to people who like me don’t give up on books and read them until they are finished.
This book is worth persevering with as once the dull start is past what you’re left with is actually a beautifully enchanting story. Love and magic in its most subtle forms developing gradually. I fell in love with the elements of the circus and the way they were described, it is almost sad that the place does not exist, that there is no possibility of attending.
This is a book, I think you will come to love if you get past the rocky beginning. Would recommend to people who like me don’t give up on books and read them until they are finished.
Leah Lopez (7 KP) rated Strictly Ola: Ola Jordan in Books
Nov 6, 2019
*****Some SPOILERS*****
I have been a SCD fan from the very first show. There have been some amazing professional dancers who have come and gone but there are some dancers you love from the beginning and continue to love despite their exit. Ola and James Jordan are a firm favourite of mine and when I spotted Ola's book in my local library I was like a child in a chocolate factory-I just had to have it. Learning about Ola's childhood and how poor her family and country were was really sad but Ola never let it interfere in her passion for dance. I too wanted to be a professional dancer but due to ill-health this has never really been an option. I was deeply shocked to learn of SCD team behind the curtain and how O+J Jordan were treated. I was appalled how Craig RH was after a few drinks and the way he talked about the celebrities and professional dancers. This book was a real eye-opener.
SCD is back on our screens with a new head-judge. I certainly miss O+J Jordan...
I have been a SCD fan from the very first show. There have been some amazing professional dancers who have come and gone but there are some dancers you love from the beginning and continue to love despite their exit. Ola and James Jordan are a firm favourite of mine and when I spotted Ola's book in my local library I was like a child in a chocolate factory-I just had to have it. Learning about Ola's childhood and how poor her family and country were was really sad but Ola never let it interfere in her passion for dance. I too wanted to be a professional dancer but due to ill-health this has never really been an option. I was deeply shocked to learn of SCD team behind the curtain and how O+J Jordan were treated. I was appalled how Craig RH was after a few drinks and the way he talked about the celebrities and professional dancers. This book was a real eye-opener.
SCD is back on our screens with a new head-judge. I certainly miss O+J Jordan...
Awix (3310 KP) rated Village of the Damned (1995) in Movies
Nov 16, 2019
Thumpingly unsubtle SF remake turns up the horror dial but doesn't seem aware that sometimes less is more. After a strange town-wide blackout, the citizens of Midwich (do they really have 'villages' in Northern California, anyway?) discover ten women have simultaneously become pregnant. They give birth to eerily similar children who seem to have psychic powers.
Released in 1995, this is very much The Midwich Cuckoos for the X Files generation, but ends up just another signpost marking the decline of John Carpenter as a film-maker worth paying attention to. The sad thing is that he really does seem familiar with both the original British film and the source novel (elements of the book missing from the 1960 film reappear here) and is obviously trying to do his best to honour them, but where John Wyndham is chillingly subtle and understated, John Carpenter is just walloping the audience with a succession of predictable set-piece 'shocks'. Reasonable CGI but overall it looks cheap and unconvincing; some reasonable performances from an interesting cast, but there's a limit to what they can do with such a duff script.
Released in 1995, this is very much The Midwich Cuckoos for the X Files generation, but ends up just another signpost marking the decline of John Carpenter as a film-maker worth paying attention to. The sad thing is that he really does seem familiar with both the original British film and the source novel (elements of the book missing from the 1960 film reappear here) and is obviously trying to do his best to honour them, but where John Wyndham is chillingly subtle and understated, John Carpenter is just walloping the audience with a succession of predictable set-piece 'shocks'. Reasonable CGI but overall it looks cheap and unconvincing; some reasonable performances from an interesting cast, but there's a limit to what they can do with such a duff script.
Vegas (725 KP) rated Stan & Ollie (2018) in Movies
Mar 21, 2020
Great portrayal of two greats
Coogan and Reilly star as the legendary double act, both actors must has spent hours perfecting Laurel and Hardys mannerisms, speech and comic timing as their portrayal of their respective characters are spot on...
This is the story of the latter part of their career, on a tour of the UK with the possibility of a new film as a dangling carrot to perform...
The comic routines during the stage parts of the film are almost as well performed as the real thing, yet coupled with the humour, is an underlying sadness of two stars trying to regain what they once had, and it's this that stops it being a feel good film as it is quite moving and sad if you are a fan of the duo...
It is interesting to see how their relationship is strained at times yet in spite of that how much they obviously cared for each other...
I don't know if the stars won any awards for their playing of Stan & Ollie, but if they didn't, they should have...
This is the story of the latter part of their career, on a tour of the UK with the possibility of a new film as a dangling carrot to perform...
The comic routines during the stage parts of the film are almost as well performed as the real thing, yet coupled with the humour, is an underlying sadness of two stars trying to regain what they once had, and it's this that stops it being a feel good film as it is quite moving and sad if you are a fan of the duo...
It is interesting to see how their relationship is strained at times yet in spite of that how much they obviously cared for each other...
I don't know if the stars won any awards for their playing of Stan & Ollie, but if they didn't, they should have...