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Merissa (13878 KP) rated The Lost Soul of Lord Badewyn (The Order of the MUSE #3) in Books
May 2, 2023
In the third instalment of the M.U.S.E. series, we have a number of stories come together. The main one is about Meg, the low-born former pickpocket who can Find. Overseeing her uncle and cousin breaking into a neighbour's, and realising how close they are to her, the Order (ie. Lord Camden) decide to send her to Wales, in the care of Lord Badewyn, for her own safety. Samuel is intrigued by Meg but is determined to keep his distance, considering the secret his father is hiding, and what will happen to Meg should he succumb.
I loved this story - Meg's charms continue to grow, along with her confidence, throughout the series. Finding has its own dangers but if Meg is prepared to take that risk, then she will defy anyone who says she can't, even Samuel.
The story between the two of them is both innocent and sensual. Well-written, smoothly paced and full of secrets and intrigue, this was a delight to read. I was pleased to see that Lord Camden found the answers he has been looking for, even if the hearing was hard. Thoroughly enjoyable and I'm definitely hoping for more in the series.
* 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!
Nov 23, 2015
I loved this story - Meg's charms continue to grow, along with her confidence, throughout the series. Finding has its own dangers but if Meg is prepared to take that risk, then she will defy anyone who says she can't, even Samuel.
The story between the two of them is both innocent and sensual. Well-written, smoothly paced and full of secrets and intrigue, this was a delight to read. I was pleased to see that Lord Camden found the answers he has been looking for, even if the hearing was hard. Thoroughly enjoyable and I'm definitely hoping for more in the series.
* 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!
Nov 23, 2015
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Danje in Books
Dec 5, 2023
185 of 235
Kindle
Book sirens arc
Danje
By Gitte Tamar
⭐️⭐️
In a small Louisiana Bayou town during mid-September 1965, Albert Gilly frantically prepares his family's fishing store for an impending hurricane. Amid the chaos, he notices Adonis, a drifter, lying motionless on the street. With the wind raging and debris swirling violently around them, Albert's mind is consumed with thoughts of his family and their dependence on him as the sole breadwinner. Knowing that they would be destitute without him, he makes the painful decision to prioritize his own safety over rescuing the stranger. As Albert stands in his shop's doorway, the weight of his guilt is almost suffocating, causing him to hesitate before locking himself inside. He shouts one last time, urging the young man to seek shelter in his late father's houseboat at the end of the pier. Adonis is startled awake by his words, his mind still hazy, as he struggles through the strong winds until arriving at the floating sanctuary. However, his relief is short-lived upon discovering the sinister secrets concealed within the old wooden walls.
It was a strange read I’m not 100% sure on how I actually feel about it. The story was had good basis and the writing was pretty decent the ending just seemed a little rushed and it needed more I think! It just didn’t feel finished.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Kindle
Book sirens arc
Danje
By Gitte Tamar
⭐️⭐️
In a small Louisiana Bayou town during mid-September 1965, Albert Gilly frantically prepares his family's fishing store for an impending hurricane. Amid the chaos, he notices Adonis, a drifter, lying motionless on the street. With the wind raging and debris swirling violently around them, Albert's mind is consumed with thoughts of his family and their dependence on him as the sole breadwinner. Knowing that they would be destitute without him, he makes the painful decision to prioritize his own safety over rescuing the stranger. As Albert stands in his shop's doorway, the weight of his guilt is almost suffocating, causing him to hesitate before locking himself inside. He shouts one last time, urging the young man to seek shelter in his late father's houseboat at the end of the pier. Adonis is startled awake by his words, his mind still hazy, as he struggles through the strong winds until arriving at the floating sanctuary. However, his relief is short-lived upon discovering the sinister secrets concealed within the old wooden walls.
It was a strange read I’m not 100% sure on how I actually feel about it. The story was had good basis and the writing was pretty decent the ending just seemed a little rushed and it needed more I think! It just didn’t feel finished.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Hammer (The Iron Between #1)
Book
Genonn’s tired and dreams of a remote roundhouse in the Cuala Mountains. However, sudden...
Epic Historical Fantasy
Mrs March has to be amongst the most unnerving, chilling characters I’ve read about. I’m terrible for not reading the synopsis of books. I tend to go by the cover and/ or the last paragraph of bloggers and reviewers reviews (I tend to read the first and last couple of sentences. I’m sorry, I hang my head in shame 😔). Nine times out of ten this approach works for me - and boy did it work well with Mrs March!
I was captivated by the writing in this novel. It’s like the horror movie where you hold your hands over your face whilst continuing to watch between your fingers, because you just can’t stop watching.
This is a descent into paranoia and madness, and I feared for the safety of her husband and son, as well as Mrs March’s. On the outside, she seems to be completely calm and in control.
Mrs March’s husband is a successful novelist, and his latest novel is causing something of a stir. When a shopkeeper suggests that the main character is based on Mrs March, it sends her in to a tailspin. This character, after all, is a prostitute! Is this what people think of her?!
The tension builds and builds until it’s almost unbearable. I couldn’t put it down though, and was left breathless at the end. This isn’t a book for the faint of heart - and boy did I enjoy it!
I was captivated by the writing in this novel. It’s like the horror movie where you hold your hands over your face whilst continuing to watch between your fingers, because you just can’t stop watching.
This is a descent into paranoia and madness, and I feared for the safety of her husband and son, as well as Mrs March’s. On the outside, she seems to be completely calm and in control.
Mrs March’s husband is a successful novelist, and his latest novel is causing something of a stir. When a shopkeeper suggests that the main character is based on Mrs March, it sends her in to a tailspin. This character, after all, is a prostitute! Is this what people think of her?!
The tension builds and builds until it’s almost unbearable. I couldn’t put it down though, and was left breathless at the end. This isn’t a book for the faint of heart - and boy did I enjoy it!
The Memory of Animals
10.0
Rate It
Book
Neffy is a young woman running away from grief and guilt and the one big mistake that has derailed...
Speculative fiction Literary fiction apocalyptic
Spark & Heir (Royal & Piper #3)
10.0
Rate It
Book
Over a year after his disappearance, the Piper of HameLonn has returned. As winter delays...
Young Adult Fantasy Romance
A Virtuoso in America: Adrian (A Holocaust Story #2) by Fred Raymond Goldman
Book
How do you reconcile a decision you made in the past when the world erupts in war, threatening the...
Historical Fiction
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Recluse in Books
May 11, 2024
92 of 220
Book sirens arc
Recluse
By Gabriel Zavala
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
HE'S WEAVING HIS WEB OF MURDER.
Lukas Retter is a recluse in the correctional city of East Haddam, Connecticut, washing cars and dreaming about taking back control of his life. He has been ever since The Safety First Act redefined criminal justice in America.
Meanwhile, the children of criminals are placed in psychiatric hospitals to be evaluated.
But when Lukas murders Rebecca Waylow, his girlfriend, he leaves her dismembered and strung-up on a web of bloody ropes and wires. And she won't be the last.
As Lukas recalls his sinister past and becomes the new nightmare of his correctional city, he transforms into the serial killer he was destined to become. He'll do whatever it takes to feel control, even if it means stringing a few people up in the process.
This was pretty brutal from start to finish. Not one of these characters have any redeeming qualities. This main character was taken from his home at a young age, accused of killing his father even though he watched his sister do it to then be put into a violent situation by the government.
It’s a tough read but actually really well written especially from such a young author who definitely has a long promising career ahead of him.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Book sirens arc
Recluse
By Gabriel Zavala
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
HE'S WEAVING HIS WEB OF MURDER.
Lukas Retter is a recluse in the correctional city of East Haddam, Connecticut, washing cars and dreaming about taking back control of his life. He has been ever since The Safety First Act redefined criminal justice in America.
Meanwhile, the children of criminals are placed in psychiatric hospitals to be evaluated.
But when Lukas murders Rebecca Waylow, his girlfriend, he leaves her dismembered and strung-up on a web of bloody ropes and wires. And she won't be the last.
As Lukas recalls his sinister past and becomes the new nightmare of his correctional city, he transforms into the serial killer he was destined to become. He'll do whatever it takes to feel control, even if it means stringing a few people up in the process.
This was pretty brutal from start to finish. Not one of these characters have any redeeming qualities. This main character was taken from his home at a young age, accused of killing his father even though he watched his sister do it to then be put into a violent situation by the government.
It’s a tough read but actually really well written especially from such a young author who definitely has a long promising career ahead of him.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Her Guardian Hero (Hot as Sin #2)
8.0
Rate It
Book
He'll save her breath by day... and steal it by night. CARLOS The moment she walks into my...
Contemporary MF Romance Short Story Instalove
Lee (2222 KP) rated How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) in Movies
Feb 4, 2019
Wonderful ending to the trilogy
The Hidden World picks up a year on from the events of the last movie. After gaining a parent, then losing another, Hiccup now finds himself Chief to the residents of the Isle of Berk. But it's starting to become a little bit overcrowded - as Hiccup and friends continue to carry out raids on dragon hunters, rescuing dragons and bringing them back to the safety of the island, there's not so much room for the human residents anymore. This safe haven for dragons, along with the antics of Hiccup and his dragon rescuers, draws the attentions of an infamous, and very dangerous hunter by the name of Grimmel. He comes armed with a deadly crossbow and a set of dragons the likes of which Hiccup hasn't seen before - spewing acid like liquid which burns and destroys everything it comes into contact with, and he's out to rid the world of night fury dragons. Attempts by Hiccup to outwit and capture Grimmel backfire and it quickly becomes clear that Berk, and all of it's inhabitants, are in imminent and deadly danger.
Hiccup remembers his father telling him stories when he was a young boy, recalling tales that sailors returning home from sea had told. Stories of a hidden world, beyond the horizon at the edge of the world. Legend has it that this world is the birth place of all dragons, a wonderous place where they all live in harmony, hidden away from the world of humans. Hiccup decides that before Grimmel returns to the island with an army, they must all pack up and leave in search of the hidden world, where they can rebuild their homes and all live together in safety. But Grimmel has a very special dragon in his possession, one that he plans to use in order to capture Toothless - a female night fury, white in colour and dubbed a 'Light Fury'. This Light Fury succeeds in drawing the attentions of Toothless, who up until now was thought to be the last of his kind. And while plans are also afoot for Hiccup to marry Astrid, are our heroes finally about to grow up and go their separate ways in the name of love?
One of the biggest strong points of this series of movies is just how beautiful they are to look at, and The Hidden World is no exception. As the mating ritual between the two dragons unfolds, we spend long periods of time with little or no dialogue. From an amusing but clumsy courting dance on the beach to a beautiful flight as they become more comfortable with each other, the whole thing is just wonderfully captivating. The movie benefits from some very good action scenes too and Hiccups friends continue to bring humour to it all. It's a good mix, and never manages to feel boring at all. But this is definitely a movie about old friends, growing up and growing apart. And as the closing part of the movie trilogy, it manages to tie everything together and end it all perfectly.
Hiccup remembers his father telling him stories when he was a young boy, recalling tales that sailors returning home from sea had told. Stories of a hidden world, beyond the horizon at the edge of the world. Legend has it that this world is the birth place of all dragons, a wonderous place where they all live in harmony, hidden away from the world of humans. Hiccup decides that before Grimmel returns to the island with an army, they must all pack up and leave in search of the hidden world, where they can rebuild their homes and all live together in safety. But Grimmel has a very special dragon in his possession, one that he plans to use in order to capture Toothless - a female night fury, white in colour and dubbed a 'Light Fury'. This Light Fury succeeds in drawing the attentions of Toothless, who up until now was thought to be the last of his kind. And while plans are also afoot for Hiccup to marry Astrid, are our heroes finally about to grow up and go their separate ways in the name of love?
One of the biggest strong points of this series of movies is just how beautiful they are to look at, and The Hidden World is no exception. As the mating ritual between the two dragons unfolds, we spend long periods of time with little or no dialogue. From an amusing but clumsy courting dance on the beach to a beautiful flight as they become more comfortable with each other, the whole thing is just wonderfully captivating. The movie benefits from some very good action scenes too and Hiccups friends continue to bring humour to it all. It's a good mix, and never manages to feel boring at all. But this is definitely a movie about old friends, growing up and growing apart. And as the closing part of the movie trilogy, it manages to tie everything together and end it all perfectly.