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Elemental (Elemental, #1)
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The first book in the <i>Elemental</i> trilogy is set in a futuristic United States colony where people called Guardians have powers over the elements: water, wind, earth, and fire. For years, sixteen-year-old Thomas believed that he doesn't have powers like everyone else in the colony, until pirates kidnap the Guardians and the remaining colonists fight for a survival on an abandoned town.

<b><i>Elemental</i> has its good elements that worked out well in favor, but it had some elements that just didn't work out too well</b> – it just had more elements that didn't work out really well.

The book is <b>primarily a survival book, but there's a mysterious aura surrounding the book that kept it somewhat interesting. However, the mysterious aspect? Antony John overdid it.</b> You're immediately thrown into action when the book starts and it doesn't actually stop. A huge chunk of the beginning is dedicated to surviving from the pirates who kidnapped the guardians and Thomas and his friends trying to survive on this mysterious Skeleton Town.

<b>There's not much about this Plague the Guardians keep talking about or how their elements work – what, precisely, is an echo?</b> It's obviously a side effect, and it seems to leave a negative remnant on the person, but what is it <i>exactly?</i>. <b>I'm confused on how this Plague works or how it started, even with that newspaper-esque clip</b> – it sounds like an experiment gone absolutely awry and blew up not only in the experimenters' faces, but the entire world. No one appreciates an experiment gone awry inside and outside the lab, but the dead can't complain.

<b>There's this "solution" the pirates are looking for, but Antony jumps between Griffin and Thomas intermittently</b> – I'm still not too sure who the "solution" is. <b>I'm not sure about this whole Guardians thing</b> – sounds like an experiment similar to the one done to Captain America in a different style – even with Thomas and his companions coming across things in Skeleton Town that make them question the origins of the Guardians.

<i>Elemental</i> is also <b>heading into highly awkward love triangle – it's in absolute danger zone</b> and I'm not sure I want to stick around for two girls pining for Thomas' attention. It's not noticeable yet – <b>it's very subtle and certainly doesn't disturb anything going on in the story or the overall plot.</b>

By the end, <b>Antony John leaves you with curiosity and perhaps a need to continue the series, but he leaves more questions and confusion with loose ends than a solid answer or two.</b>

<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-elemental-by-antony-john/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
  
The Venetian: This Haunted World: Book 1
The Venetian: This Haunted World: Book 1
Shani Struthers | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Slow Burn
actually purchased this book by mistake, it's cover is similar to another novel, but I'm glad that I did!

This novel is certainly a slow burn, for the first 20% of it I was highly unimpressed. It felt flimsy and rushed, making it hard to sympathise with the main characters struggles. To be frank - I almost gave up on it. Suddenly, though, the story really kicks in and I read the remainder in one go.

This story is about anger,madness, betrayal and disappointment. It is also about survival, determination and love.
The main stage for the story is an island that is painted so vividly I can almost believe I have been there! The growing suspense and fear is skillfully built to a crescendo, the story woven between different times in just the right way. The ending is very satisfying - not a fairy tale where suddenly everything is perfect but instead a believable end note.

The medical practices described are even more distasteful and repugnant because they actually occurred. In fact a lot were very common sadly.

This would have been a 10/10 review had it not taken so long for the real, meaty story to start. Hopefully others who have purchased this book also continued with it and discovered this gem of a story.
  
Through the Storm (The Solar Storms #1)
Through the Storm (The Solar Storms #1)
Kyle Pratt | 2028 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

There have been countless books written about what would happen if a catastrophic event shut down all electronics on Earth. Usually they are set well after the event occurred. "Through the Storm (The Solar Storms #1)", however, starts just before the event and shows how fast civilization as we know it would collapse. The story follows a family of a father and his two sons and their ensuing struggle. Neal Evans, the father still grieving over the death of his wife, is at a conference and Connor, the oldest son, is away from home hunting when the event occurs. Drake, a high school freshman, is home alone on the farm and does not realize anything is wrong until hours after the event. I had not really considered how fast people would panic and therefore how fast the situation would turn dangerous. Kyle Pratt's style moves the story quickly but includes enough detail to keep readers caring about the Evans family's survival. This book is the first in the "Solar Storms" series. Its publication date was September 2017 and no date has been announced for other books in the series. Pratt's other series is called "Strengthen What Remains" and has concluded.
  
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Freefall in Books

Dec 15, 2019  
Freefall
Freefall
Jessica Barry | 2019 | Mystery, Thriller
6
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Doesn't tax the brain too much
This book is a pretty successful debut and follows the struggles for both Allison, who miraculously survived a plane crash, and her mum Maggie, who, along with everyone else, thinks she didn't. Told from both the perspectives of Allison and Maggie, covering the past and the present, the story is not only of survival but one of the sometimes difficult relationship between a mother and her daughter.

Written at good pace, I raced through this book helped by short chapters. I admit it wasn't the most unpredictable of endings however, the drip-drip of suspense and gradual revealing of secrets makes this a compelling read.

The two main characters of Allison and Maggie are very well developed with Maggie being a particular favourite of mine. The story captures both of their strengths and weaknesses extremely well together with their determination and resilience.

There are a few flaws with the plot that have been mentioned in other reviews but although these were a little annoying, they didn't detract too much from my overall enjoyment of this book.

Overall, I would recommend this to people who enjoy an easy and quick mystery that doesn't tax the brain too much.

Thank you to Random House UK, Vintage Publishing via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
  
Anna and the Apocalypse (2018)
Anna and the Apocalypse (2018)
2018 | Comedy, Horror, Musical
Just Strange Overall
Anna and the Apolcalypse- is basically Shaun of the Dead meets Santa Clarita Diet meets a musical. You throw horror, comedy, action, drama and music all togther you get Anna and the Apolcalypse. I think their is too many genres in this movie. First its wants to be a drama, than a musical than a zombie film than a zombie action film than musical mix comedy in. So many genres i cant tell what this movie wants to be. And thats its major downfall.

The plot: A zombie apocalypse threatens the sleepy town of Little Haven - at Christmas - forcing Anna and her friends to fight, slash and sing their way to survival, facing the undead in a desperate race to reach their loved ones. But they soon discover that no one is safe in this new world, and with civilization falling apart around them, the only people they can truly rely on are each other.

Ohh i almost forgot its also trying to be a christmas film, revolving around christmas and set during christmas. Yes its one of those horror films. A horror film based/set around a holiday.

The reason im giving it a "7", because it reminds me so much of "Shaun of Dead" and i loved that film. And this film had good zombie kills in it and good action.