Search

Search only in certain items:

The Death of Mrs Westaway
The Death of Mrs Westaway
Ruth Ware | 2018 | Mystery, Thriller
8
7.0 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
I really enjoyed this book! It is a creepy, atmospheric tale of a dysfunctional family full of secrets. Its a bit of a slow burn, but I think that adds to the tension. The characters are all very well written, but especially Hal. Despite knowing that what she is doing is wrong, you can't help but root for her to just get that little break she is hoping for to help get her out of the mess she has found herself in after her Mothers untimely death. Trepassen is the perfect setting for this story, complete with creepy housekeeper and was a character within itself due to the descriptive writing. 
Overall, a really good read with twists and turns to keep you guessing and a few surprises along the way.
  
40x40

Awix (3310 KP) rated Detectorists in TV

Jan 31, 2020  
Detectorists
Detectorists
2015 | Comedy
Beautifully understated comedy (nearly a comedy-drama, really) about the lives and loves of a pair of middle-aged metal detecting enthusiasts. Brilliantly written, directed and performed. Part of the considerable charm of the series is that it is so charming and relaxing to watch: the countryside nearly always looks lovely, and the show is a definite slow burn. It takes its time to establish the characters, but the pay-offs, when they come, are superbly funny.

On the other hand, there is genuine tension in the more dramatic storylines, as the characters mess up important life decisions and struggle with their relationships. Very satisfying to watch; anyone who understands the appeal of pursuing an uncool hobby in the company of your best friends will find a lot that resonates here.
  
40x40

Sjon recommended The Taiga Syndrome in Books (curated)

 
The Taiga Syndrome
The Taiga Syndrome
Cristina Rivera-Garza | 2019 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
(0 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"This slim novel is one of the most intriguing works of literature I have come upon in a long while. Part mystery, part metaphysical journey, part fairy tale, part adult love story, it brought me to a state of the most welcome strangeness, similar to the one I sought out as a young reader of books that challenged how we perceive reality and reconstruct it in text. In the narrative’s mysterious, slow burn of a chase, a woman who has left her husband is tracked down in The Taiga, a territory where the laws of nature are as much out of joint as the rules of its isolated human society. In its uneasy atmosphere there are echoes from Tarkovsky's film Stalker as well as from golden age private eye novels."

Source
  
Wait for It
Wait for It
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Once again only four stars

This is only the 2nd out of five or six of the authors books that I've given four instead of five.

I loved young Louis and protective Josh, and Dallas, and seeing Trip and Luther and a few others from the authors previous books but once again something was missing for me.

Yet once again I can't quite pinpoint what it was. Maybe it was the slow burn that didn't really start to show into about the 40% mark, or maybe the fact that it didn't become truly a thing until long after that--about 70%. It wasn't obvious for a long time which guy Diana was going to end up with, which didn't help.

Nevertheless, I look forward to reading more of Mariana's books.
  
Uncut Gems (2019)
Uncut Gems (2019)
2019 | Comedy, Crime, Drama
The performance of Sandler's career. (2 more)
Nail biting, stressful viewing.
The resolution is worth the slow burn that climbs and climbs.
Sandler's gem.
Often throughout Uncut Gems, I found myself biting my nails to the nearest inch of my skin. At one point, closing in an hour, I realised I started to bleed from my index finger. The blood hadn't even occurred to me until the credits rolled, took a deep breath, and looked. The stressful nature of a character like Howard Ratner was difficult to understand, whether you sympathized with him or not. I neither routed for his destructive behaviour, nor wanted harm to come his way. Sitting on the fence didn't feel comfortable either. And this is why Uncut Gems is so special.

(No spoilers ahead.)

Howard's spiral towards more trouble is so nerve inducing it's hard to watch, even more hard to look away. His bad decision making creates a cause and effect chain, and often when you think his luck will turn around, he weasels and worms his way into even more trouble, all created by his constant addiction to make it big. Undeniably, this is all down to a masterclass from Adam Sandler.

The Safdie Brothers opened a can of worms, and Adam Sandler brought everything out. His slow burn decent towards losing it all is all the effective because he brings so many layers to the role. Ratner is a creep, a loser, a cheat, and a liar. He's also ambitious, outspoken, and sometimes even sympathetic. I never liked him as a person, but I did feel sorry for him.
I've seen some fine performances this year in cinema, and Sandler is most definitely up their with Joaquin Phoenix.

Uncut Gems is pulsatingly good, exhausting and draining, and one of the best thrillers you'll see in years. Adam Sandler, you're redeemed for Jack and Jill.
  
The Amphitheater of Souls
The Amphitheater of Souls
Patrick Bryce Wright | 2024 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A step out my comfort zone but a very good one!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Cian is sent on a journey to find out who or what is causing all the deaths in his village.

I really enjoyed this! It's a step out my comfort zone, and a very good one at that.

I'd class it as high fantasy. Very Tolkien-esque, with an epic journey, lives at stake, elves, dwarves, centsaurs, sea serpents on the rampage and a madman, messing with dark blood magic.

Throw in a slow burn sweet romance, between Cian and his guide, Thanyon, and you've got a near perfect book!

Only Cian gets a say, though, and at points, he had a lot to say.

But a fabulous read.

4 good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere