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LilyLovesIndie (123 KP) rated By the Shores of Silver Lake (Little House, #5) in Books
Nov 5, 2018
I'll keep this short and sweet again as it's hard to review these books without repeating yourself!
This book looks at Pa making more money to finally get the Ingalls family settled on their very own homestead. A sad start to the book which made it quite difficult to get going really, and which changed the dynamic of the family somewhat.
The story and lives of the family progress nicely, with a few scary moments which keep the book moving and flowing and of course some old friends show up again, even if it is just a quick mention! It's lovely how Ingalls Wilder captures the feeling of those bright pioneers who were determined to keep going west and open up America.
Well written, and enjoyable once it finally got going, to the point where it was actually quite difficult to put the book down! The sneak preview of the fact that Royal and Almanzo Wilder have homesteads to the north of the new town is lovely as the mind begins to run away with you, knowing that they are her future family.
This book looks at Pa making more money to finally get the Ingalls family settled on their very own homestead. A sad start to the book which made it quite difficult to get going really, and which changed the dynamic of the family somewhat.
The story and lives of the family progress nicely, with a few scary moments which keep the book moving and flowing and of course some old friends show up again, even if it is just a quick mention! It's lovely how Ingalls Wilder captures the feeling of those bright pioneers who were determined to keep going west and open up America.
Well written, and enjoyable once it finally got going, to the point where it was actually quite difficult to put the book down! The sneak preview of the fact that Royal and Almanzo Wilder have homesteads to the north of the new town is lovely as the mind begins to run away with you, knowing that they are her future family.
Irene M (130 KP) rated Galaxy of Empires (Merchant Wars, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
"There will be no such thing as lesser evils because they will all be vanquished by the greatest evil... ME," - Evella Noctu
This is a story about a snake-woman merchant in the Reptilian Conglomerate Empire. She has strong telepathic abilities which she uses to dispatch of her enemies, a handy skill when assassination is a commonplace method to move up the corporate ladder.
This is only one book set in a far wider ‘universe’. It is short enough for a quick escapist read, and if you can ignore some minor grammar errors it is very enjoyable. I did think a couple of sections felt a bit rushed, as if the author put the basic idea down and missed expanding them on a rewrite.
Most of the characters are very bloodthirsty and cruel ... but I would guess in a cut-throat reptilian world that could be normal. I would be interested in reading other ‘races’ in the authors universe to see if this is his character style, or the nature he has decided for this race alone.
This is a story about a snake-woman merchant in the Reptilian Conglomerate Empire. She has strong telepathic abilities which she uses to dispatch of her enemies, a handy skill when assassination is a commonplace method to move up the corporate ladder.
This is only one book set in a far wider ‘universe’. It is short enough for a quick escapist read, and if you can ignore some minor grammar errors it is very enjoyable. I did think a couple of sections felt a bit rushed, as if the author put the basic idea down and missed expanding them on a rewrite.
Most of the characters are very bloodthirsty and cruel ... but I would guess in a cut-throat reptilian world that could be normal. I would be interested in reading other ‘races’ in the authors universe to see if this is his character style, or the nature he has decided for this race alone.
David McK (3623 KP) rated Four Days in June: Waterloo: A Battle for Honour and Glory in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The title, of course, is a reference to the Waterloo campaign of 1815, where the Emperor Napoleon was finally defeated for good by a combined Anglo-Prussian army led by Wellington (for the Anglo-Dutch army) and Blucher (Prussian).
This novel tells the story through the eyes of five different characters involved in that battle: De Lancey, MacDonnell, Ziethen, Ney and Napoleon. While it also involves the battles of Quatre-Bras and Ligny, a ;arge part of the novel - not surprisingly - concentrates on the Battle of Waterloo itself. What may be surprising, however, is on how much it concentrates on the battle for La Haye Sainte (within Waterloo)!
I must admit, I also found. Some of the. Writing. To be a bit dis. jointed (I'm exaggerating here for effect), with very short, 'choppy' sentences.
As it's a period of history I'm interested in, I can now say that I've read the book. However, it's not one that I'd be rushing back to: not as good as, say, 'Sharpe's Waterloo' which has a similar approach.
This novel tells the story through the eyes of five different characters involved in that battle: De Lancey, MacDonnell, Ziethen, Ney and Napoleon. While it also involves the battles of Quatre-Bras and Ligny, a ;arge part of the novel - not surprisingly - concentrates on the Battle of Waterloo itself. What may be surprising, however, is on how much it concentrates on the battle for La Haye Sainte (within Waterloo)!
I must admit, I also found. Some of the. Writing. To be a bit dis. jointed (I'm exaggerating here for effect), with very short, 'choppy' sentences.
As it's a period of history I'm interested in, I can now say that I've read the book. However, it's not one that I'd be rushing back to: not as good as, say, 'Sharpe's Waterloo' which has a similar approach.
David McK (3623 KP) rated Aliens: Nightmare Asylum in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The second entry in the ALiens series of books/comics released in the aftermath of Aliens (the movie) but before Alien3, that continues the story of Newt and Hicks (sorry: Billie and Wilks) from [b:Aliens: Earth Hive|343281|Aliens Earth Hive|Steve Perry|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1366133734s/343281.jpg|333628]: a novel in which (spoiler!) scientists thought it would be a good idea to bring an Alien Queen to planet Earth while a military expedition is en-route to their home-planet, with the Alien on Earth then escaping and over-running the planet.
On reading this, this seems to have a more claustrophibic setting than the expanse, starting with Billie, Wilks and Bueller trapped on a cargo-spaceship heading towards an unknown destination: a ship that also contains three of the Aliens. When they get to their destination, things don't get any better, as they encounter a crazy general with an insane plan to control 'his' Aliens to take back planet Earth - a plan which, of ocurse, does not go by the book.
In short: pure sci-fi junk food.
On reading this, this seems to have a more claustrophibic setting than the expanse, starting with Billie, Wilks and Bueller trapped on a cargo-spaceship heading towards an unknown destination: a ship that also contains three of the Aliens. When they get to their destination, things don't get any better, as they encounter a crazy general with an insane plan to control 'his' Aliens to take back planet Earth - a plan which, of ocurse, does not go by the book.
In short: pure sci-fi junk food.
Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated Turning Forty in Books
Jun 21, 2019
Typical Mike Gayle
I loved this book. Written in a first person point of view, the reader counts down the days with Matt, until his 40th birthday. The beginning of the novel see's Matt in his expensive house, admiring his new shed paid for by his high flying job. This false sense of security is short lived and the reader watches as the protagonist's life falls apart.
For me, this novel is all about the character's; Ginny, the back up plan, Gerry, the ex music idol and now charity shop manager, Rosa, the too young and too controlling girlfriend, and many many, more. These characters are believable and cringe worthy at the same time.
I think the most refreshing thing about the novel, however, is the ending. All the way through the story I held out hope for Matt, and the ending, although not exactly a fairytale ending, was realistic.
I love Mike Gayle's work, easy to read, believable, funny and sad, a real look at the idiosyncrasies of people.
For me, this novel is all about the character's; Ginny, the back up plan, Gerry, the ex music idol and now charity shop manager, Rosa, the too young and too controlling girlfriend, and many many, more. These characters are believable and cringe worthy at the same time.
I think the most refreshing thing about the novel, however, is the ending. All the way through the story I held out hope for Matt, and the ending, although not exactly a fairytale ending, was realistic.
I love Mike Gayle's work, easy to read, believable, funny and sad, a real look at the idiosyncrasies of people.
Mediocre
After reading the blurb, I was excited when I first saw this film pop up on my recommendation list. Despite this, the film fell short of my expectations.
The actors were well cast, and believable in their emotions and actions. Striving to make their way in a world deemed uninhabitable by pollution. However the plot line was slow moving and lacked depth. My interpretation of a good sci-fi, is a story that makes the unbelievable, believable and in The case of IO, I did not get this feeling- if they knew higher ground was habitable, why was more of the population not saved? Why was the colonisation of Mars not considered, rather than take the struggling remains of humanity to far reaching unknowns? In actuality the film raised more questions than it answered.
The film was slow going with periods of melancholic inactivity. I believe the film would be better as a book, although comparisons could be made with Z for Zachariah.
Overall, this did not make it to my must watch again list.
The actors were well cast, and believable in their emotions and actions. Striving to make their way in a world deemed uninhabitable by pollution. However the plot line was slow moving and lacked depth. My interpretation of a good sci-fi, is a story that makes the unbelievable, believable and in The case of IO, I did not get this feeling- if they knew higher ground was habitable, why was more of the population not saved? Why was the colonisation of Mars not considered, rather than take the struggling remains of humanity to far reaching unknowns? In actuality the film raised more questions than it answered.
The film was slow going with periods of melancholic inactivity. I believe the film would be better as a book, although comparisons could be made with Z for Zachariah.
Overall, this did not make it to my must watch again list.
ClareR (5991 KP) rated My Sister, the Serial Killer in Books
Dec 21, 2018
The problems of a serial killer's older sister....
Short, snappy chapters, satire oozing out of every page (and murder!). This story is about Korede covering up her sister, Ayoola's, penchant for 'offing' her boyfriends: "Femi makes three, you know. Three and they label you a serial killer".
Korede feels a responsibility for her younger sister - something which seems odd to do given the circumstances, but is explained later in the book.
Korede is quite a sad character, really. Ayoola is the beautiful sister, she is not. Yet she still protects her and keeps her safe, stops her from posting on Instagram after her boyfriend goes 'missing'. Ayoola certainly has issues - she has no problem with the murders she commits, no guilt. She gets on with her life, on to the next man, and Korede is left to clean up and worry. The eternal problem of the older sister (usually minus the murders, mind you!).
I really enjoyed this, and it seemed to end very quickly. It's well worth reading.
Korede feels a responsibility for her younger sister - something which seems odd to do given the circumstances, but is explained later in the book.
Korede is quite a sad character, really. Ayoola is the beautiful sister, she is not. Yet she still protects her and keeps her safe, stops her from posting on Instagram after her boyfriend goes 'missing'. Ayoola certainly has issues - she has no problem with the murders she commits, no guilt. She gets on with her life, on to the next man, and Korede is left to clean up and worry. The eternal problem of the older sister (usually minus the murders, mind you!).
I really enjoyed this, and it seemed to end very quickly. It's well worth reading.
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Good Time (2017) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
Twilight is long gone!
400. Good Time. This is a good one! We meet Connie, a low life criminal with a smooth talent manipulating people. Today he's an incredible jerk and brings his mentally challenged brother, Nick, with him to a bank heist. The job actually goes over pretty smoothly, until police randomly ask them a few questions when spotted walking on the street. Nick can't handle the pressure and bolts, and promptly gets caught and sent to jail, Connie escapes. Now Connie desperately needs to get his brother bailed out, coming up 10 grand short for bail, he goes through a series of events to raise the money fast, including an ill fated jail break! Robert Pattinson was awesome as Connie, have really liked his stuff since leaving Twilight behind! Fast paced, exciting story, that makes you feel for Connie, also makes you want to punch him in the face!! Has a cool 80's synthesizer soundtrack to it. Panic makes a good movie tone. Filmbufftim on FB
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Elephant Man (1980) in Movies
Apr 27, 2020
Rather fictionalised bio-pic from David Lynch and Mel Brooks. A surgeon in late-Victorian London discovers a man with extreme deformities being shown as a sideshow freak. The surgeon realises this man's case could make his name, but is he really any less of an exploiter than the owner of the side-show?
Very good-looking and well-acted by a fine cast. However, the film seems a little ambivalent about what kind of effect it's going for - the build-up to the big reveal of Merrick's deformities is almost done like a horror movie, only for an abrupt change of tone to take place once it is revealed that he is a gentle, almost saintly individual (the film simplifies the facts of Merrick's life: in reality, it was his idea to join the sideshow). There's also the fact that the story is short on incident once Merrick moves into the hospital and a kidnap-and-escape subplot has to be contrived. A well-made film and very watchable, but it is in the end just a bit simplistic and sentimental.
Very good-looking and well-acted by a fine cast. However, the film seems a little ambivalent about what kind of effect it's going for - the build-up to the big reveal of Merrick's deformities is almost done like a horror movie, only for an abrupt change of tone to take place once it is revealed that he is a gentle, almost saintly individual (the film simplifies the facts of Merrick's life: in reality, it was his idea to join the sideshow). There's also the fact that the story is short on incident once Merrick moves into the hospital and a kidnap-and-escape subplot has to be contrived. A well-made film and very watchable, but it is in the end just a bit simplistic and sentimental.
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