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A bit too drawn out children's fantasy.
I don’t read a lot of YA but if there's one thing that’s sure to get me to pick one up it’s…… bookclub pressure! I haven’t read a lot of fantasy recently so I did go into this looking forward to a change of pace and I certainly got that.
The premise for the book is interesting with the crossover of fictional characters into our world being enabled by those able to read them out. However the fact that this was something that was stated in the blurb but didn’t really get covered until well into the book I think speaks to the drawn out nature of this book. I really think it would of been better if it had been condensed. When a character gets captured for a second time I was all “oh no not this again” rather than feeling tension and excitement.
Perhaps a function of this being a translated work, I never really felt I got into the flow of this book. I didn’t like Meggie the 12 year old protagonist, although that may just be a dislike of stubborn annoying 12-year olds in general. I did however love the Elinor character (and not just for the solid name choice!) She’s a no nonsense full on book nerd. I did however find the books general and constant attitude of people that love books are far superior to everyone else to be a bit patronising.
I’m sure I would have enjoyed this a lot more when I was 12.
The premise for the book is interesting with the crossover of fictional characters into our world being enabled by those able to read them out. However the fact that this was something that was stated in the blurb but didn’t really get covered until well into the book I think speaks to the drawn out nature of this book. I really think it would of been better if it had been condensed. When a character gets captured for a second time I was all “oh no not this again” rather than feeling tension and excitement.
Perhaps a function of this being a translated work, I never really felt I got into the flow of this book. I didn’t like Meggie the 12 year old protagonist, although that may just be a dislike of stubborn annoying 12-year olds in general. I did however love the Elinor character (and not just for the solid name choice!) She’s a no nonsense full on book nerd. I did however find the books general and constant attitude of people that love books are far superior to everyone else to be a bit patronising.
I’m sure I would have enjoyed this a lot more when I was 12.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) in Movies
Aug 24, 2019
A fantastic gem of a thriller.
Let it be known, regardless of it's connection to Cloverfield, 10 Cloverfield Lane is a pretty solid thriller in its own right.
After walking away from a relationship, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) ends up in a car crash and is knocked unconscious.
She wakes up shortly afterwards, apparently rescued, but chained to the wall in a closed off room.
She has been rescued by Howard (John Goodman) and is being kept in his nuclear bunker.
Whilst she has been unconscious, there has been some kind of attack and Howard claims that the air up on the surface is unbreathable.
As Michelle adjusts to her new life underground, she becomes suspicious to Howard's claims and starts to believe he's hiding something.
10 Cloverfield Lane is absolutely dripping with tension for the majority of the runtime.
John Goodman is absolute fantastic and unpredictable. His character is both caring, and dangerous simultaneously.
Mary EW is also great in her role, and the two of them alongside John Gallagher Jr, make up a pretty solid trio of well fleshed out characters.
As the movie reaches it's climax, you'll be on the edge of your seat.
The connections to Cloverfield become more apparent near the movies finale, and do feel a little tacked on (this movie did start out as a non-Cloverfield related thriller called The Cellar) but it actually works in a neat sci-fi way.
It would be nice though, to see it all tied together a little tighter in future installments.
After walking away from a relationship, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) ends up in a car crash and is knocked unconscious.
She wakes up shortly afterwards, apparently rescued, but chained to the wall in a closed off room.
She has been rescued by Howard (John Goodman) and is being kept in his nuclear bunker.
Whilst she has been unconscious, there has been some kind of attack and Howard claims that the air up on the surface is unbreathable.
As Michelle adjusts to her new life underground, she becomes suspicious to Howard's claims and starts to believe he's hiding something.
10 Cloverfield Lane is absolutely dripping with tension for the majority of the runtime.
John Goodman is absolute fantastic and unpredictable. His character is both caring, and dangerous simultaneously.
Mary EW is also great in her role, and the two of them alongside John Gallagher Jr, make up a pretty solid trio of well fleshed out characters.
As the movie reaches it's climax, you'll be on the edge of your seat.
The connections to Cloverfield become more apparent near the movies finale, and do feel a little tacked on (this movie did start out as a non-Cloverfield related thriller called The Cellar) but it actually works in a neat sci-fi way.
It would be nice though, to see it all tied together a little tighter in future installments.
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated Pontypool (2009) in Movies
Jun 7, 2020
Shock Jock Grant Mazzy starts a new job as the morning DJ for the small-town radio station of Pontypool in Ontario, Canada. Struggling with the change of pace Grant and the rest of the stations staff are unprepared for the reports of rioting that start to flood into the show.
Pontypool takes ‘Outbreak’ and ‘Zombie’ movies and adds a nice little twist. The majority of the movie is set in the confines of a small radio station and the three leads are fed information via phone calls and police broadcasts which means that they and therefore the viewer doesn’t see what is happening in the town. The film handles this restricted setting well, slowly building up the atmosphere and tension felt by the three main cast members and playing on Grant’s lack of ‘Small town experience’.
Unlike a lot of zombie movies, Pontypool doesn’t have a lot of visible blood and gore, having most of the violence described instead of shown. This makes the one or two violent scenes even more meaningful as they aren’t just there for the sake of the gore but do actually add something to the atmosphere and story, this is also helped by the fact that we don’t knowingly see a zombie until past the half way point.
Pontypool is an interesting, atmospheric film that relies on story over the need for effect, not only due to any budget restrictions but also because that is what the type of story it is trying to tell.
Pontypool takes ‘Outbreak’ and ‘Zombie’ movies and adds a nice little twist. The majority of the movie is set in the confines of a small radio station and the three leads are fed information via phone calls and police broadcasts which means that they and therefore the viewer doesn’t see what is happening in the town. The film handles this restricted setting well, slowly building up the atmosphere and tension felt by the three main cast members and playing on Grant’s lack of ‘Small town experience’.
Unlike a lot of zombie movies, Pontypool doesn’t have a lot of visible blood and gore, having most of the violence described instead of shown. This makes the one or two violent scenes even more meaningful as they aren’t just there for the sake of the gore but do actually add something to the atmosphere and story, this is also helped by the fact that we don’t knowingly see a zombie until past the half way point.
Pontypool is an interesting, atmospheric film that relies on story over the need for effect, not only due to any budget restrictions but also because that is what the type of story it is trying to tell.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2518 KP) rated Up Next, Murder in Books
Jun 3, 2020
Next Up? More Fun
Step-sisters Liv and Camry are ready to tackle the second season of their hit podcast, Missing or Murdered? This time, they are looking at the case of some remains that were recently found in their home base of Santa Maria, California. Brinkley Douglas disappeared one night while walking home from her boyfriend’s house, and Joel Zander has always been the number one suspect in everyone’s minds. Now that her body has been found, the case is heating up again. Liv is keeping an open mind, especially since she isn’t sure Joel is guilty. But why won’t he talk to her? Can Liv figure out what happened?
I enjoyed the first book in this series, and I’m thrilled to say the follow up was just as much fun. The case is compelling. I was drawn in right away, and I needed to know what was going to happen next. Fortunately, the climax wraps everything up well. The characters are great, from Liv and Camry to their friends and family. Brinkley’s family members and the suspects are real enough to draw us into the story. My issues from the first book – the romantic sub-plot and one character’s stutter – are still present, although they are minor annoyances. And I can’t leave out the fun; this book made me smile and laugh even as the tension increased. I do recommend reading the first book first, but you’ll be anxious for this one before you know it.
I enjoyed the first book in this series, and I’m thrilled to say the follow up was just as much fun. The case is compelling. I was drawn in right away, and I needed to know what was going to happen next. Fortunately, the climax wraps everything up well. The characters are great, from Liv and Camry to their friends and family. Brinkley’s family members and the suspects are real enough to draw us into the story. My issues from the first book – the romantic sub-plot and one character’s stutter – are still present, although they are minor annoyances. And I can’t leave out the fun; this book made me smile and laugh even as the tension increased. I do recommend reading the first book first, but you’ll be anxious for this one before you know it.
Ari Augustine (10 KP) rated Bride of the Water God, Volume 1 in Books
May 4, 2020
It's not often that I read a manga--or, in this case, a manhwa. But after watching the <i>terrible</i> Kdrama and having this recommended to me so many times, I decided to give it a go.
And I loved it.
I think I'm on volume 10 now and I only just started reading yesterday.
That's how much I loved it.
But I suppose I should explain why I enjoyed it so much. Okay. So....probably one of my favorites elements of Bride of the Water God was the world-building here. It doesn't such an incredibly job introducing Korean mythology and the realm of the gods. While it was hard to keep track of all the characters, I really liked learning about Habaek and Soah, and the complicated fate of their relationtship. It IS a little tropey in many ways, but I am so trash for brooding gods with hidden soft hearts and seemingly weak female characters with tempered strength. I didn't think of Soah as strong at first, to be honest, but I do like how her character is built upon in each volume.
And the kindness of her heart. Yes, she's a bit childish and helpless, but I think this also gives her resilience, strength, and emotional perception.
My only annoyance was Nakbin...who is pretty much the Katherina Petrova of this story. And there were times I wish Habaek would JUST GET THE HECK OVER HER and totally admit feels for Soah. But overall, this tension was what kept me turning the pages.
And I loved it.
I think I'm on volume 10 now and I only just started reading yesterday.
That's how much I loved it.
But I suppose I should explain why I enjoyed it so much. Okay. So....probably one of my favorites elements of Bride of the Water God was the world-building here. It doesn't such an incredibly job introducing Korean mythology and the realm of the gods. While it was hard to keep track of all the characters, I really liked learning about Habaek and Soah, and the complicated fate of their relationtship. It IS a little tropey in many ways, but I am so trash for brooding gods with hidden soft hearts and seemingly weak female characters with tempered strength. I didn't think of Soah as strong at first, to be honest, but I do like how her character is built upon in each volume.
And the kindness of her heart. Yes, she's a bit childish and helpless, but I think this also gives her resilience, strength, and emotional perception.
My only annoyance was Nakbin...who is pretty much the Katherina Petrova of this story. And there were times I wish Habaek would JUST GET THE HECK OVER HER and totally admit feels for Soah. But overall, this tension was what kept me turning the pages.
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Darkness Falls (Kate Marshall #3) in Books
Nov 28, 2021
I really didn't think that Mr Bryndza could better the first and second instalments in this excellent series but he has and yet again, I was totally engrossed from the first to the last word. You don't have to have read either of the first two books but I would highly recommend you do.
The characters are strong and I am really getting attached to Kate and Tristan; they are a brilliant duo and work really well together. The pace was spot on, the plot gripping and the tension spine-tinglingly good. The chapters which are written from the point of view of the killer are goosebump-inducing; he is so cold it really gave me the creeps - it was perfect! There is a great twist and the ending was so good I read way too late into the night and then was really disappointed that I had finished ... I didn't want it to end!
This series just keeps getting better and better and I can't wait for the next one. In the "Author's Letter" at the end, Mr Bryndza says that "Kate and Tristan will return shortly for another gripping murder investigation!" and I for one am waiting with bated breath!
Highly recommended for readers who love dark, exciting, suspense-filled stories that despite making you feel ill at ease at times, you read on into the night.
Many, many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
The characters are strong and I am really getting attached to Kate and Tristan; they are a brilliant duo and work really well together. The pace was spot on, the plot gripping and the tension spine-tinglingly good. The chapters which are written from the point of view of the killer are goosebump-inducing; he is so cold it really gave me the creeps - it was perfect! There is a great twist and the ending was so good I read way too late into the night and then was really disappointed that I had finished ... I didn't want it to end!
This series just keeps getting better and better and I can't wait for the next one. In the "Author's Letter" at the end, Mr Bryndza says that "Kate and Tristan will return shortly for another gripping murder investigation!" and I for one am waiting with bated breath!
Highly recommended for readers who love dark, exciting, suspense-filled stories that despite making you feel ill at ease at times, you read on into the night.
Many, many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Life She Wants in Books
Nov 21, 2021
I am a fan of Mel Sherratt's work and always look forward to reading her books but, I have to say, never have I been so confused as I was with this one.
Now, whilst at first this might seem to be a negative, let me reassure you that if you stick with it, everything falls into place very nicely and the confusion was well worth it in the end.
Told from different perspectives over different timelines, this is a complex storyline which deals with various unsavoury but important and contemporary themes; coercive control, domestic abuse and loss. These are hard-hitting subjects but Mel deals with them with respect.
There are a number of characters and all have a part to play but I found I didn't really focus on them that much as I was more interested in the story and how it was going to play out. That's not to say they weren't great characters, far from it, it's just that the story was so engrossing that they felt secondary to me somehow.
Full of secrets, lies and manipulation, this is a book that makes you angry and sympathetic all at the same time. It's definitely one that kept me totally engrossed and I couldn't read fast enough.
With atmosphere, suspense and tension aplenty, this is a book that I would definitely recommend to lovers of psychological thrillers and I have to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Now, whilst at first this might seem to be a negative, let me reassure you that if you stick with it, everything falls into place very nicely and the confusion was well worth it in the end.
Told from different perspectives over different timelines, this is a complex storyline which deals with various unsavoury but important and contemporary themes; coercive control, domestic abuse and loss. These are hard-hitting subjects but Mel deals with them with respect.
There are a number of characters and all have a part to play but I found I didn't really focus on them that much as I was more interested in the story and how it was going to play out. That's not to say they weren't great characters, far from it, it's just that the story was so engrossing that they felt secondary to me somehow.
Full of secrets, lies and manipulation, this is a book that makes you angry and sympathetic all at the same time. It's definitely one that kept me totally engrossed and I couldn't read fast enough.
With atmosphere, suspense and tension aplenty, this is a book that I would definitely recommend to lovers of psychological thrillers and I have to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Kaz (232 KP) Jul 10, 2019
Emma (519 KP) Jul 11, 2019