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Lou Grande (148 KP) rated The Perfect Whore in Books
Jun 12, 2018
Fanfiction is usually free. You can find better stuff there
Once upon a time, I read Star Wars slash fanfiction. That was a lot better than this. I don't quite know what the author was going for here, as the story leans too far into plot and exposition to be a "romance" novel (not a bad thing, if the plot wasn't just a vehicle for the romance), and the erotica was less than erotic. I've read female authors who could write believable gay characters, but this isn't one of them. These characters interact more like men in Japanese yaoi, which is to say, you could sub one of the men with a woman and have the same story. I would be more generous (considering one character is a shapeshifting alien with no true gender) but her author's bio specifically states she writes gay erotica. So let's be clear: this is gay erotica for women. So if you're a lady who fetishizes gay men, this is in your wheelhouse. If you're a gay man, probably avoid this one, unless you really have a thing for sci-fi and lizardmen.
Circling back around, of course the title is attention grabbing. And the story is short enough to be fun. Both characters are obnoxious, but not so much that you can't sit two or three hours with them. The story employs standard tropes, including using rape as a dramatic crutch. If that's your thing, you'll probably enjoy this and also what's wrong with you?
Circling back around, of course the title is attention grabbing. And the story is short enough to be fun. Both characters are obnoxious, but not so much that you can't sit two or three hours with them. The story employs standard tropes, including using rape as a dramatic crutch. If that's your thing, you'll probably enjoy this and also what's wrong with you?
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) in Movies
Aug 8, 2019
When so much often goes wrong with movie adaptations of video games, it is always pleasant when the occasional one takes you by surprise and becomes a well written, well acted, adventure of a movie. Prince of Persia, directed by Mike Newell, previously of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, captures much of the fun of the video game while telling a compelling story obviously written for the screen, and not pulled straight from the game itself.
Prince Dastan, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, does a fitting job of balancing the devious and dignified sides of his character. Gemma Arterton plays the role of Tamina with good chemistry with Gyllenhaal, and their dialogue always seems to have a spark of something extra. Ben Kingsley and the rest of the supporting cast do a fantastic job of rounding out the story and providing a degree of comic relief, tension, and reasons to use the special effects budget. The special effects are as expected, coming from producer Jerry Bruckheimer, excellent. Still, they don’t distract or otherwise draw too much attention away from the story itself.
The movie, obviously enough, revolves around Prince Dastan and a mystical dagger that can turn back time for short periods. Despite the plot twists and turns (and there are several), this movie kept me guessing and absorbed in the story, but never confused. If you’re looking for a fun time at the movies to start the summer season, look no further than this lively and fun film.
Prince Dastan, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, does a fitting job of balancing the devious and dignified sides of his character. Gemma Arterton plays the role of Tamina with good chemistry with Gyllenhaal, and their dialogue always seems to have a spark of something extra. Ben Kingsley and the rest of the supporting cast do a fantastic job of rounding out the story and providing a degree of comic relief, tension, and reasons to use the special effects budget. The special effects are as expected, coming from producer Jerry Bruckheimer, excellent. Still, they don’t distract or otherwise draw too much attention away from the story itself.
The movie, obviously enough, revolves around Prince Dastan and a mystical dagger that can turn back time for short periods. Despite the plot twists and turns (and there are several), this movie kept me guessing and absorbed in the story, but never confused. If you’re looking for a fun time at the movies to start the summer season, look no further than this lively and fun film.
InkyBooks (43 KP) rated The Midnight Dance in Books
Oct 23, 2017
This book is not a normal choice of mine, but I just absolutely adored the cover and it kept grabbing my attention. The story left me not quite knowing how to feel by the end of it. The writing was good and the main character was a delight of loved her strong will and the need to keep going to save not only herself but her fellow class mates from this prison of a "dance school". I did feel that the description and getting to know characters better did fall alittle short though. The main story plot had very much potential and I did feel it was somewhat rushed. I liked how it went back and tried to fill in the blanks on how the school and master came to be, but I wish they would've furthered the telling on masters younger life and what made him make the horrific decisions he made. Overall I did enjoy the book even if I did have some negative thoughts as well.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated A Cupboard Full of Coats in Books
May 10, 2018
2.5 starts
A single mother living alone raising her teen-aged daughter. Then she meets this man who she falls in love with almost immediately. Four months later, the mother is dead and the boyfriend is in jail.
This story starts 14 years later, the boyfriend has just gotten out of jail and his best friend is standing on the doorstep ready to explain to the daughter how her death was all his fault.
Jinx(the daughter) and Lemon(the best friend) spend the weekend going over the past. What happened in those four short months and what has happened to them since. It's a roller coaster ride of emotions and growth.
I enjoyed this book as the story was very compelling, but the writing style was such that you didn't know whether you were in the past, or the present, the transitions were not always so smooth. Plus without reading the book description you didn't even know the name of the main character until chapter 2 or later.
A single mother living alone raising her teen-aged daughter. Then she meets this man who she falls in love with almost immediately. Four months later, the mother is dead and the boyfriend is in jail.
This story starts 14 years later, the boyfriend has just gotten out of jail and his best friend is standing on the doorstep ready to explain to the daughter how her death was all his fault.
Jinx(the daughter) and Lemon(the best friend) spend the weekend going over the past. What happened in those four short months and what has happened to them since. It's a roller coaster ride of emotions and growth.
I enjoyed this book as the story was very compelling, but the writing style was such that you didn't know whether you were in the past, or the present, the transitions were not always so smooth. Plus without reading the book description you didn't even know the name of the main character until chapter 2 or later.
Villainous Vee (53 KP) rated Sex Education in TV
Feb 10, 2019
Gillian Anderson (2 more)
All the main cast
Scripting
Sex Education Season 1
Otis (Asa Butterfield) may seem like your typical socially awkward high school student except that he lives with his mum Jean (Gillian Anderson) who is sex therapist. When social outcast and bad girl Maeve (Emma Mackey) find out about this she decides they are going to set up an underground sex therapy service for the students of their school, Otis agrees hoping the boost his popularity.
This show has a large story line that runs through all the episodes, but each episode is its own story focusing in on different students and their problems.
The script is funny and down to earth and the casting is phenomenal. The whole show has a slight 80's vibe to it but could quite easily be in modern day life as well.
I am so glad they have decided that this show is worthy of a second season and I can't wait to see what they do with it.
This show has a large story line that runs through all the episodes, but each episode is its own story focusing in on different students and their problems.
The script is funny and down to earth and the casting is phenomenal. The whole show has a slight 80's vibe to it but could quite easily be in modern day life as well.
I am so glad they have decided that this show is worthy of a second season and I can't wait to see what they do with it.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Winter's Child: A Retelling of The Snow Queen in Books
Feb 15, 2019
While WINTER'S CHILD is an easy, entertaining read, it does suffer from some short-comings. I realize that this book is not only about the Winter Child, but about how many different stories come together to make up one complete story, but there were one or two that were unnecessary to the plot as a whole. At around the three-fourths point, I was taken aback by the story going into a completely different direction than where I had hoped. This is where my main problem lays. Had some of the extra storylines been taken out and replaced with more of the development of the main plot and characters, I believe I would have been happier and completely fine with how everything turned out. Sadly, I ended up feeling somewhat cheated with the end and left unsatisfied. However, the first one-hundred pages are magical and beautifully written, and show everything I love about Cameron Dokey's work. Too bad it had to start high and then end on a low note.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Florida in Books
Jan 17, 2018
Wonderful short stories, despite disjointed flow
For those who are unfamiliar of the landscape and society of Florida, Lauren Groff's collection of stories is enticing and varied. Ranging from the usual depictions of alligators, to the atypical descriptions of those who just want to get away, Groff attempts to show the various characters found in the sweltering heat and stormy climes of southern USA.
I particularly enjoyed the story of the mother who takes her two young sons to France to escape the tropical summers and her restless life. It is detailed and you get a sense of her edginess throughout, worried that something may happen to her children or to have an unpleasant encounter with their overbearing landlord.
My only gripe would be that because each story is not clearly signposted, the flow of the stories become confusing and it takes a minute to realise you've begun a whole new chapter. It is a bit jarring, so shorter stories became completely unmemorable as a result. However, it is a pleasant read overall, I enjoyed her writing style.
I particularly enjoyed the story of the mother who takes her two young sons to France to escape the tropical summers and her restless life. It is detailed and you get a sense of her edginess throughout, worried that something may happen to her children or to have an unpleasant encounter with their overbearing landlord.
My only gripe would be that because each story is not clearly signposted, the flow of the stories become confusing and it takes a minute to realise you've begun a whole new chapter. It is a bit jarring, so shorter stories became completely unmemorable as a result. However, it is a pleasant read overall, I enjoyed her writing style.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2336 KP) rated Raspberry Danish Murder in Books
Mar 21, 2018
Baking Overwhelms Murder - Again
Hannah is trying to deal with her new husband, Ross, having vanished while still getting her cookie shop ready for Thanksgiving. Then P.K., Ross’s assistant at the station, dies in a car accident. The police quickly determine that P.K. crashed because of poisoned candies he ate that were sent to the station. Was he the intended target? Or was Ross? Who sent the poisoned candies? Is this why Ross disappeared?
As you can see, there is plenty here for a good mystery. Instead, we get an average mystery. Much of the book is taken up with talking about food and baking, used to introduce the almost 30 recipes spread out over the story. There are some good twists in the mystery and the story of Hannah’s life, but the mystery especially is short changed and the ending feels rushed. The characters are fun as always. Longtime fans will still want to visit Hannah, but this is not going to draw new readers to the series.
As you can see, there is plenty here for a good mystery. Instead, we get an average mystery. Much of the book is taken up with talking about food and baking, used to introduce the almost 30 recipes spread out over the story. There are some good twists in the mystery and the story of Hannah’s life, but the mystery especially is short changed and the ending feels rushed. The characters are fun as always. Longtime fans will still want to visit Hannah, but this is not going to draw new readers to the series.
Dana (24 KP) rated The Romances of Chretien de Troyes in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I really enjoyed reading these Medieval stories. My favorite one was Erec and Enide. I had to read these for one of my college classes on Medieval Literature and it was very interesting to be able to read.
I loved, in Erec and Enide, how it was set up into three acts and how all of them were so different from each other.
When I was rereading some other fiction that I really enjoy, I noticed some allusions to the Erec and Enide story, specifically the hunt of the White Stag which I thought was very cool. I'm not sure whether or not the author meant to do it, but it was definitely there.
I had to do a paper on Erec and Enide, so I was able to analyze their relationship and how i changes over the course of the story.
I'm keeping this review pretty short and I may come back to add more later.
I recommend this to anyone who really likes Medieval literature and stories about King Arthur and his court.
I loved, in Erec and Enide, how it was set up into three acts and how all of them were so different from each other.
When I was rereading some other fiction that I really enjoy, I noticed some allusions to the Erec and Enide story, specifically the hunt of the White Stag which I thought was very cool. I'm not sure whether or not the author meant to do it, but it was definitely there.
I had to do a paper on Erec and Enide, so I was able to analyze their relationship and how i changes over the course of the story.
I'm keeping this review pretty short and I may come back to add more later.
I recommend this to anyone who really likes Medieval literature and stories about King Arthur and his court.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Handmaid's Tale in Books
Jun 7, 2018
An interesting take on a dystopian future
I've avoided this book (and show) as I actually thought it was some sort of religious period drama which didn't really appeal. However I'm glad I finally caved in as it's nothing like I thought and actually a very interesting take on a dystopian future.
The main issue with this book is the writing and narrative style. It's different, it takes a bit of getting used to and it's a little frustrating at times. But once you get past this, the story itself is a great one. Its a disturbing tale of a future where religious ideologies rule and women are kept as slaves, and is sadly something that could well end up being true. The story reveals just enough about Offred's past and the world before the state came into being, without being confusing or saying too much. My only issue is the ending. It was very abrupt and potentially cut a little too short. There was much more that could've been said!
The main issue with this book is the writing and narrative style. It's different, it takes a bit of getting used to and it's a little frustrating at times. But once you get past this, the story itself is a great one. Its a disturbing tale of a future where religious ideologies rule and women are kept as slaves, and is sadly something that could well end up being true. The story reveals just enough about Offred's past and the world before the state came into being, without being confusing or saying too much. My only issue is the ending. It was very abrupt and potentially cut a little too short. There was much more that could've been said!