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77 Shadow Street
77 Shadow Street
Dean Koontz | 2012 | Essays
8
8.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wow! This book was unlike anything I've ever read before! I'd read some of Dean Koontz's books in the past, but none of them were like this...at least that I remember. I have to say I was wowed.
  This books tells the story of The Pendleton which like the cover tells you is located at 77 Shadow Street. The old mansion has a checkered past that was linked to several unsolved murders & kidnappinngs. The mansion was converted to luxury condos in the '70s. The book is set it 2011 just as the next 38 year cycle is about to start. The house is a strange place already & becomes even stranger for the current residents when the leap happens.
  I hesitate to say much more because there are so many twists & turns that I don't want to inadvertantly ruin this ride for you if you intend to read it. Which I suggest you do. Just don't read it before bed!
  
V(
Victims (Alex Delaware, #27)
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I won this book from First Reads. I have heard of Jonathan Kellerman prior to reading this book, but this is the first of his that I've read. It was an enjoyable read. I could probably have given it 5 stars, but I found that parts of it were a bit on the predictable side. That is not to say I didn't enjoy it however! There were some twists & turns that I did not at all expect! Always good to have those in a book of this genre!
This is another in the series of Kellerman's books that features Dr. Alex Delaware. This book finds him consulting on what turns into a serial murder investigation where the victims at first seem to have no connection to each other. Upon digging a bit deeper however a strange connection is brought to light that eventually leads to Delaware & Milo hunting down the killer or killers. Guess you'll have to read it to find out more!
  
Sorcerer to the Crown (Sorcerer Royal #1)
Sorcerer to the Crown (Sorcerer Royal #1)
Zen Cho | 2015 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fabulous Magical Regency Romp
Sorcerer to the Crown is a Regency era fantasy novel packed with romance, mystery, and adventure. Fans of historial fiction and gaslamp fantasy like Jonathan Strange & Mister Norell, the Chrestomanci series, or A Great and Terrible Beauty will enjoy this romantic romp through an alternative London where magic is a gentleman's sport and issues of race, class, and gender are as worrying as the general decline of magic in England.

Zacharias Wythe charms as the stoic Sorcerer Royal and Prunella Gentleman, the snarky orphan with a troubling amount of magical talent, is easily his match. The relationship between the two has a Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet quality that still manages to feel fresh and unique.

Cho has crafted a wonderful fantasy world replete with interesting characters and intriguing mysteries, it's easy to see why this book gained a nomination for 2016's Locus Award for Best First Novel.
  
Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1)
Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1)
Kami Garcia | 2009 | Fiction & Poetry, Paranormal, Romance
4
7.4 (34 Ratings)
Book Rating
I had heard so much about Beautiful Creatures since it came out, but I really wish I'd skipped this one. It's just another gothic teen romance, authors jumping on the bandwagon that Stephenie Meyer made of the dark scary character and big entrancing eyes and inhuman beauty and absurd chemistry. Nothing happened in the first few chapters, the descriptions were repetitive and strange, the characters were stereotypical, and the dialogue was boring.

The only good thing I had to say was that the small town they described in the book really did sound like a small town (and I can say that because I live in one).

Oh, and the reader of the audiobook was good.

Other than that, honestly, it was just Twilight except Edward Cullen was a girl.

Content/Recommendation: I didn't read enough to be able to say, though honestly if you're going to read a 500-page novel, read Crime and Punishment or The Count of Monte Cristo.
  
This was truly a weird book, but I don't think it was the strangeness (exactly) that kept me from liking it. Arielle was rather a bore and slightly Mary Sue-ish, while Seth was strange and not quite likable; but most of all, the book was boring. I don't know how with all the convoluted ideas this story had, but it was. With the exception of Shelley and Ethan, I didn't like anyone, and their romance was by far the better one. Too bad it was secondary to Arielle's and Seth's. And even though I like things out of the ordinary, the plot didn't do it for me and was a bit <i>too</i> odd. I'm beginning to think that Colleen Shannon's books are not for me, even though I really enjoy Shelley's character - too bad she's always investigating the supposed main love interests, because she is so much more interesting than they ever are.
  
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
1975 | Comedy, Musical
Much-mythologised musical spoof of 50s American pop-culture probably isn't quite as transgressive or shocking as everyone thinks it is, or it would really like to be. Newly-engaged couple Brad and Janet end up at the mansion of the peculiar Dr Frank N. Furter where equally strange experiments are in progress, not to mention dance routines.

Very distinctive if nothing else, even if Richard O'Brien's claims that it's a mash-up of Hammer horror and the Carry On films seems a bit spurious on reflection. The plot is, frankly, incoherent, and becomes increasingly peripheral as the film continues - this is basically just a collection of pastiche rock 'n' roll songs belted out with great gusto by a cast who are really going for it. Luckily, most of the songs are really good. I'm not entirely sure why this has become the type specimen of the modern cult movie, but it's entertaining enough to watch.
  
One Minute There
One Minute There
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is about a young woman. She does some strange things that makes her to do things that are not right. Her stepfather or father goes to look for his missing daughter. Detective Bennett will not give up on his daughter Melissa.

Melissa wants to protect her daughter Abby. Though for some reason Melissa has gone missing and after hearing her name called and knocking at the door. Her family is weary of what has happened to her sister in law and brother. Though she calls a friend and tell him nothing and ask for help.

Melissa thinks she is safe after running. Something is wrong and no one can find her. She claim someone is after her and has to flee once again. What happens next is just another page turner. I would advise who reads this. This is best for those that need to be mature enough to read for it got some violence and some nastier words like the word (B**ch).
  
The Divide (2012)
The Divide (2012)
2012 | Action, Drama, Mystery
6
5.3 (4 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Dark
Wasn't sure what to expect from this movie. It was a very strange, dark story. The acting was just ok. The cinematography was decent. The turns this story takes with the characters throughout were sad and twisted.. These people feel apart in perry unimaginable ways. Some just took longer than others. You never really know who the "main" character is until late in the story but that didn't matter much as they all went through a type of "hell" trapped in this basement after a nuclear attack. The ending was a little predictable but it didn't really matter either. Throughout the whole movie there's a sense of hopelessness I haven't seen in many movies. I don't think this one is for the kids. I mean, I don't think it's for some adults either. Anyway, if you're bored and don't mind a dark, hopeless type of "horror" film, this on will do. Overall though, this one isn't really worth a watch.
  
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
2019 | Biography, Crime, Thriller
I've been looking forward to this one since it was announced. While I know the story is being told from Liz's perspective, I have to admit I found it strange that we didn't get to see any of the murders being committed by one of the most famous serial killers of all time. It's an interesting take on a story most people already know.

Zac Efron was excellent, as was the rest of the cast (Jim Parsons can do no wrong), but the movie does drag just a bit, and I feel like some of Efron's talent is wasted here. They definitely could have done more with him. That said, he was the perfect mix of creepy and charming, and when they show the actual Bundy footage during the end credits, you realize how close Efron's performance comes to the actual man.

Overall I thought it was good, but could maybe have been better.

Oh, and also? I'll never be mad at Zac Efron's....backside. ?
  
The Woman in the Window
The Woman in the Window
A.J. Finn | 2018 | Thriller
7
8.0 (42 Ratings)
Book Rating
Messes with your head
This is a story that will mess with your head over and over… One revelation after another. I loved it. The Woman in the Window is set out in days and short chapters making it an easy to read story which can be devoured easily.

At first I thought hmm this woman (Anna) is a bit strange maybe she is just one of those nosy neighbours we all hate, boy was I wrong. Readers are in for a treat with this story. I must admit I thought with the story being based in just one specific location that it was going to be dull and dragged out, yet again I was wrong.

I awarded four stars for this story as I found it took a while to get to the good bits but it still turned out to be a brilliant brain twister of a story to dive into. Highly recommend!