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Star Marque Rising
10.0
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The future is governed through a genetic hierarchy—superhumans at the top, humans and defects at...
Hard Science Fiction
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated The Fog Ladies in Books
Aug 25, 2021
The Plot Got Fogged In
When Sarah James moves to San Francisco to do her medical residency, she moves into a building in Pacific Heights and begins making friend with her older neighbors. One she struggles to like is Mrs. Bridge, her neighbor who lives directly across the hall, since Mrs. Bridge is always complaining about something. When Mrs. Bridge dies unexpectedly, Sarah thinks it is a sad accident. However, some of the other residents begin to see a pattern with other deaths in the building. Was Mrs. Bridge’s death an accident? Or will Sarah find something more sinister going on?
I was excited about this book and looking forward to reading it. Unfortunately, it failed to deliver. I was a bit overwhelmed by the characters at first, but as we got to know them, I was able to keep them straight. Sadly, that was because some of them never rose above their initial stereotypical caricatures, and they were annoying caricatures at that. The plot was slow to start with then all but vanishes in the middle third before coming back for a descent resolution. Too many sub-plots really detracted. A couple parts of the book seemed off to me, including a sub-plot involving a character discovering Starbucks thanks to countless coupons in the paper. It’s a shame because I did really enjoy a few of the characters, but the rest was bad enough that I will give the rest of the series a pass.
I was excited about this book and looking forward to reading it. Unfortunately, it failed to deliver. I was a bit overwhelmed by the characters at first, but as we got to know them, I was able to keep them straight. Sadly, that was because some of them never rose above their initial stereotypical caricatures, and they were annoying caricatures at that. The plot was slow to start with then all but vanishes in the middle third before coming back for a descent resolution. Too many sub-plots really detracted. A couple parts of the book seemed off to me, including a sub-plot involving a character discovering Starbucks thanks to countless coupons in the paper. It’s a shame because I did really enjoy a few of the characters, but the rest was bad enough that I will give the rest of the series a pass.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The House of Ashes in Books
Feb 13, 2022
I am ashamed to say that I haven't read anything by Stuart Neville for years ... I have no excuse other than I must have had my head stuck in the sand or developed short-term amnesia because I forgot how much I enjoyed reading his words.
This is a sad and tragic story told from the perspective of two women, Sara and Mary, and from two timelines, the present and sixty years ago, with all 'action' taking place on an isolated farm in Northern Ireland.
This is not a story full of joy or happiness but rather there is an overwhelming sense of darkness and sadness with a foreboding undertone from start to finish that is intense and certainly keeps you on edge. Having said that, it is also a story of strength, survival and hope amidst a backdrop of abuse, control and gaslighting.
I admit this isn't a story for everyone and I can't say I enjoyed it given the nature of its content, however, it was an excellent read that had me hooked and took me through so many emotions that many books don't do nowadays that I can only recommend it to others who enjoy dark, psychological thrillers with a little of the supernatural thrown in to enhance the overall feel of the book.
Thank you to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
This is a sad and tragic story told from the perspective of two women, Sara and Mary, and from two timelines, the present and sixty years ago, with all 'action' taking place on an isolated farm in Northern Ireland.
This is not a story full of joy or happiness but rather there is an overwhelming sense of darkness and sadness with a foreboding undertone from start to finish that is intense and certainly keeps you on edge. Having said that, it is also a story of strength, survival and hope amidst a backdrop of abuse, control and gaslighting.
I admit this isn't a story for everyone and I can't say I enjoyed it given the nature of its content, however, it was an excellent read that had me hooked and took me through so many emotions that many books don't do nowadays that I can only recommend it to others who enjoy dark, psychological thrillers with a little of the supernatural thrown in to enhance the overall feel of the book.
Thank you to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
What He Finds (Desires: New Beginnings #2)
8.0
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Toby Harris has a good job, a good life, a real big crush on the handsome and slightly older man who...
Contemporary MM Romance Kink BDSM
Merissa (13378 KP) rated The Moonshine Heart in Books
Apr 13, 2023
THE MOONSHINE HEART is a standalone novella set in a world that is dying but no one knows why. Each side - humans vs. witches - blames the other but doesn't do anything to solve the problem.
Rohene (human) and Marwa (witch) have the same half-moon birthmark on their hands. Marwa's Mistress is convinced they are to save the world. She gives Marwa a list of instructions to follow which will help the prophecy (which Marwa ignores.) With misunderstandings galore, they start off their adventure to save the world.
I enjoyed this story but wanted so much more. Both of the main characters told us about how sad and lonely their childhood was, but I didn't see it. There was very little world-building and, to be honest, I would have preferred a little more character-building too. By the time it came to the end, I didn't really care whether the world was saved for the humans or not. It was the animals I felt sorry for.
The overall premise of this story was a brilliant one. I'm just sorry I felt a little disappointed once I'd finished it. I would still recommend this author though as she has an amazing imagination.
** 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!
Apr 13, 2023
Rohene (human) and Marwa (witch) have the same half-moon birthmark on their hands. Marwa's Mistress is convinced they are to save the world. She gives Marwa a list of instructions to follow which will help the prophecy (which Marwa ignores.) With misunderstandings galore, they start off their adventure to save the world.
I enjoyed this story but wanted so much more. Both of the main characters told us about how sad and lonely their childhood was, but I didn't see it. There was very little world-building and, to be honest, I would have preferred a little more character-building too. By the time it came to the end, I didn't really care whether the world was saved for the humans or not. It was the animals I felt sorry for.
The overall premise of this story was a brilliant one. I'm just sorry I felt a little disappointed once I'd finished it. I would still recommend this author though as she has an amazing imagination.
** 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!
Apr 13, 2023
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated A Dish to Die for in Books
Aug 10, 2022
Murder on a Neighboring Key
Even when you live in paradise, you need a break. That’s why Hayley Snow is taking a few hours with her friend Eric and their dogs and heading to a beach on one of the nearby islands. However, the day takes a sad turn when Hayley’s dog finds a dead body half buried in the sand. The man was G.G. Garcia, a Key West developer who had a bad reputation. The local police think there is something suspicious about his death, and Hayley gets pulled into the investigation. Will she figure out what really happened?
I’ve fallen in love with Key West thanks to this series, and I was happy to be back. Sadly, the mystery was very weak. Even the characters got frustrated by their lack of progress throughout the book. Plus, the victim was a little too evil, with a few things that felt thrown in just to make other characters feel virtuous. The book gets a little dark and edgy for a cozy as well. Finally, there’s a subplot that comes across as half-baked, the characters involved definitely deserved better. On the other hand, I really did enjoy the location and the series regulars. Nathan, Hayley’s husband, gets some good development thanks to a visit from his estranged father. If you are new to the series, this isn’t the book for you, but fans will enjoy catching up with the characters.
I’ve fallen in love with Key West thanks to this series, and I was happy to be back. Sadly, the mystery was very weak. Even the characters got frustrated by their lack of progress throughout the book. Plus, the victim was a little too evil, with a few things that felt thrown in just to make other characters feel virtuous. The book gets a little dark and edgy for a cozy as well. Finally, there’s a subplot that comes across as half-baked, the characters involved definitely deserved better. On the other hand, I really did enjoy the location and the series regulars. Nathan, Hayley’s husband, gets some good development thanks to a visit from his estranged father. If you are new to the series, this isn’t the book for you, but fans will enjoy catching up with the characters.
Merissa (13378 KP) rated Bite Club in Books
Mar 17, 2023
A fast read I wasn't ready to end!
BITE CLUB is set in the same post-apocalyptic world divided in two by a wall as WHEN THE GLOW LIGHTS THE WOODS. Lenni comes from the other side of the wall, where they exist on 20 tablets a day and apps for everything. He goes to Bite Club because he needs... something but has no idea what. When he meets Mino, his world turns upside down as he gets what he needs before it gets taken away once more.
To be honest, I found this to be quite a sad story. To be so touch-starved and full of drugs that you hallucinate? Not a life I would like. I would have liked to have learnt more about Lion and just why he approached Lenni in the first place. He seemed as though he wanted to help but only so far.
Mino and Lenni are good together but you just don't get enough of them! This was a fast read that I would have loved more from. The story itself is all there, I just wanted more.
Different from the first book but still a great read and 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
To be honest, I found this to be quite a sad story. To be so touch-starved and full of drugs that you hallucinate? Not a life I would like. I would have liked to have learnt more about Lion and just why he approached Lenni in the first place. He seemed as though he wanted to help but only so far.
Mino and Lenni are good together but you just don't get enough of them! This was a fast read that I would have loved more from. The story itself is all there, I just wanted more.
Different from the first book but still a great read and 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (13378 KP) rated Revenants (Tales of the Five Realms #2) in Books
Apr 7, 2022
REVENANTS is the second book in the Tales of the Five Realms series, and I absolutely recommend you read book one first!
This is an intricate world and magic system that takes some concentration when you read, just to ensure you don't miss anything. Hagar and Jude are in their second year of university, together with their friends who appeared in book one. It was great to see relationships change due to circumstances and also being that little bit older and wiser.
The danger that hits the university is insidious and sneaks in before anyone really notices it. I loved the fact that our heroes were all affected. It wasn't something that they could avoid so it made perfect sense. The descriptions were chilling, which was brilliant. There were sad parts in here that affected me more than I thought they would. To find out what, you'll have to read the book!
The pacing is steady, leading up to a traumatic climax, followed by a time to breathe whilst leaving you wanting more. This was a great addition to the series and I look forward to reading more about the Five Realms and Hagar.
** 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!
This is an intricate world and magic system that takes some concentration when you read, just to ensure you don't miss anything. Hagar and Jude are in their second year of university, together with their friends who appeared in book one. It was great to see relationships change due to circumstances and also being that little bit older and wiser.
The danger that hits the university is insidious and sneaks in before anyone really notices it. I loved the fact that our heroes were all affected. It wasn't something that they could avoid so it made perfect sense. The descriptions were chilling, which was brilliant. There were sad parts in here that affected me more than I thought they would. To find out what, you'll have to read the book!
The pacing is steady, leading up to a traumatic climax, followed by a time to breathe whilst leaving you wanting more. This was a great addition to the series and I look forward to reading more about the Five Realms and Hagar.
** 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!
Shouting Match (Amore Matchmaking #1)
10.0
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After the death of his father, Capone Lombardi was tasked not only with keeping his father’s...
Merissa (13378 KP) rated A Little Christmas: Terrence in Books
Dec 19, 2022
A LITTLE CHRISTMAS: TERRENCE is part of the A Little Christmas series and this one is by J.P. Sayle - a firm favourite author of mine. It seems that no matter the genre or trope, she manages to bring a story to life, making the reader care or dislike the characters as per her wishes. Terrence is no different.
From the very beginning, I was hooked by this book. From the gift fairy bringing a squishy, to the trauma of being discovered. My nerves were on tenterhooks, heart pounding, for poor Terrence. Although I was sorry for what happened to the rest of the staff, the maid who found Terrence didn't get a second thought. That was private and shouldn't have been shared by her with anyone, let alone slimy Jerry.
Warner was everything I wanted him to be. More importantly, he was everything Terrence needed him to be! Caring and nurturing, he supported Terrence and guided him, although Warner himself sometimes needed some guidance from Austin.
This was a gorgeous read, set over Christmastime but that didn't overpower the story between them. I really hope Austin has his own story. This sad Daddy needs a boy of his own. HIGHLY 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
From the very beginning, I was hooked by this book. From the gift fairy bringing a squishy, to the trauma of being discovered. My nerves were on tenterhooks, heart pounding, for poor Terrence. Although I was sorry for what happened to the rest of the staff, the maid who found Terrence didn't get a second thought. That was private and shouldn't have been shared by her with anyone, let alone slimy Jerry.
Warner was everything I wanted him to be. More importantly, he was everything Terrence needed him to be! Caring and nurturing, he supported Terrence and guided him, although Warner himself sometimes needed some guidance from Austin.
This was a gorgeous read, set over Christmastime but that didn't overpower the story between them. I really hope Austin has his own story. This sad Daddy needs a boy of his own. HIGHLY 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, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!