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The Grimm Legacy
The Grimm Legacy
Polly Shulman | 2014 | Children
2
4.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Well, I’m pretty disappointed with this one. The start was slow, but intriguing. Then about half way through the novel the author starts dropping pretty obvious clues about how the whole problem will be explained in the end, making the climax…well…anticlimactic.

Once you get to the end, the resolution just feels a bit condescending, especially from the perspective of an adult who is an experienced reader. While kids may not have as much life experience or experience with how a plot develops, I really object to treating them like they are stupid and can’t figure things out.

Along with the simplistic plot, the only character that feels fully developed is the narrator and another character’s little sister. The other three major players in the story feel very flat until the author decided to completely change him/her without any warning.

Overall, the book was frustrating to read, especially toward the end. I was left wondering how Shulman went so wrong with such a great topic and premise.
  
The Favorite Sister
The Favorite Sister
Jessica Knoll | 2018 | Mystery, Thriller
6
5.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I thought the story in general of The Favorite Sister had lots of promise! But it was just too much all over the place. Telling us Brett was dead in the beginning did nothing for me. It would have been a better shocker at the end to know that Stephanie had died, and Brett a surprise death. It just wasn't necessary to do all the back and for now and then. It made the book confusing, it was hard to keep track of where we were in the story and also who's story we were following. I didn't know who was talking, since they were all just really vain horrible people, their voices all seemed similar. This made it difficult to relate or identify with any character, let alone like them or keep track of them! I found that even in Luckiest Girl Alive, I had trouble even liking ONE character. I liked Brett at first, but then slowly hated her towards the end. Maybe just throw in ONE likeable character in your books! Just throw us a bone!
  
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Kristy H (1252 KP) Mar 10, 2019

Totally agree! These characters were the worst!

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Bookapotamus (289 KP) Mar 10, 2019

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who thought so!

Thirteen Reasons Why
Thirteen Reasons Why
Jay Asher | 2009 | Children
8
8.4 (49 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was a difficult read done in an incredible way. It's a hard topic and this is a book I wouldn't have picked up if I didn't see my little sister reading it. I like to try to read what she's reading so we have something to talk about when it comes to books. This was well written and done in a way I felt I had to keep going. I finished it over about a 4 hour reading span split between two nights. It's a very fast flowing book with a tempo that makes you want to keep going until you get to the end.

I recommend this one to anyone with high school aged kids, if nothing else it opens up the eyes a little about some of what goes on. I was the quiet kid in high school. No parties, no going out and being crazy, it was school, home, work. This book shows a bit of a different life than the one I knew.
  
BA
Broken Aro (The Broken Ones, #1)
Jen Wylie | 2012
10
5.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Arowyn (Aro) is the only sister of 7 brothers, all soldiers, who's only thought is to get her out of their town and to safety when a neighboring army attacks. However, things go awry, and Aro finds herself separated from her brothers, on a slave ship, trying to convince those around her she's a boy as her brothers instructed. Along the way, she meets a Fey, a Dragos, and other interesting creatures she'd only heard stories about.

I really enjoyed this book, as it has a great pace and interesting characters. There were quite a few times where I caught myself skimming ahead just to see what was coming up. The mythological parts are great, and I like how everything works together to create a wonderful story. I'll say, the last quarter of the book had me gasping, as I'd never even suspected anything of the sort, and I definitely can't wait to read more of this series. Great start!

5 stars
  
A Star Is Born (2018)
A Star Is Born (2018)
2018 | Drama, Romance
Give Bradley Cooper ALL the awards.
Let me start off by saying I've never seen the 1937 or 1954 versions of A Star Is Born, and I only very vaguely remember the 1976 Streisand version. That said, this movie was everything I wanted it to be, and I was enthralled from the very beginning.

While Lady Gaga's performance was amazing, Bradley Cooper's performance was a level above, and the fact that he directed as well just adds to that for me. The supporting cast was wonderful - notably Andrew Dice Clay as Ally's father, and Dave Chappelle as Jack's childhood friend.

The music was great, and I've already downloaded the soundtrack for the express purpose of listening to "Black Eyes" on repeat.

I went through all the emotions while watching this movie, and I'd definitely watch it again. It didn't feel too long, which is the case with so many movies these days, and the pace was steady but not slow.

Plus, as I overheard from one moviegoer: "I've never seen Bradley Cooper so hot." Amen, sister.
  
LA
Light a Candle for the Beast
Echo Shea | 2014
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.

This is a short re-telling of Beauty and the Beast. It is only 24 pages long so doesn't take long to read at all. However, during those 24 pages you will be immersed in the story and given a depth of detail usually only found in longer books. This is the story as told by 'Belle's' sister - not someone heard of much at all in the Disney version. In the original version, she did have two older sisters so this is more true to that than the other.

Fairytales used to be dark, usually with at least one warning of what could happen if you weren't careful. Light a Candle for the Beast shows just what can happen if one of your family is mistreated by someone who doesn't care.

Very well written, clear and concise with characters that are detailed even within a short space of time. Definitely recommended for fans of darker fairytales and fantasy.
  
The Once and Future King (The Once and Future King #1-4)
The Once and Future King (The Once and Future King #1-4)
T.H. White | 1987 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.7 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
One of the classics of English literature, and so can be (at times) a heavy read. That's not to say that it isn't enjoyable: it is.

The novel follows the life of King Arthur and is split into four distinct 'books', from his early upbringing through to his ascension to the throne in "The Sword in the Stone" (the Disney version of which is surprisingly accurate), to the early days of his reign and his unknowingly incestuous relationship with half-sister in "The Queen of Air and Darkness", through the Arthur/Lancelot/Guinivere love triangle and the Quest for the Holy Grail in "The Ill Made Knight" and finally ending with the latter days of his reign and the war against Mordred in "The Candle in the Wind".

I have to say as well that as the stroy progresses, the novel also gets steadily more and more serious, actually starting out quite amusing before becoming darker and darker: as such, it's no surprise Disney only adopted the first part of the book for the silver screen!
  
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Morgan Sheppard (971 KP) created a post

Mar 5, 2020  
Do you know the difference between Compliment and Complement? 🤣

Hannah and her best friend Jane complement each other perfectly. Hannah loves to tell jokes and Jane loves to laugh, so their personalities are very complementary. Meanwhile, Hannah likes to try different types of food and Jane likes to cook, so in this respect their characters also complement each other.

When Hannah tells a funny joke, Jane always compliments her. Likewise, when Jane prepares a delicious meal, Hannah compliments her too. Both girls' compliments are always very complimentary!

Once, Jane told Hannah that having her as a friend was almost like having a sister. Hannah said this was this nicest compliment she has ever received. Hannah returned the compliment, and told Jane that she complemented her perfectly.

The two girls are having a dinner tomorrow to celebrate their friendship. They are going to serve homemade pizza, which will be complemented by strawberry ice cream. They hope that their friends compliment the meal!

🤣😁

(https://www.really-learn-english.com/compliment-vs-complement.html)
     
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