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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Slayed on the Slopes (Pacific Northwest Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Meg is hoping that a feature on the winter training of the new Ridge Rangers will impress her editor at Northwest Extreme. However, when she arrives high up on Mount Hood, she finds tension in the group. As she is wondering if she will even have a story, and a murder occurs. Suddenly, she wonders if she will even survive the weekend.
The problem with the book is it takes too long for the weekend to even start. The beginning was slow, and the ending dragged on too long as well. Some of the series regulars felt shoehorned into the book, but I was happy to see them since I like them, and I appreciated the advancement on the series storylines. Honestly, I do love the characters, and once the mystery got going it was pretty good. I just hope that the pacing issues are ironed out as the series progresses.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-slayed-on-slopes-by-kate.html">Carstairs Considers</a>
The problem with the book is it takes too long for the weekend to even start. The beginning was slow, and the ending dragged on too long as well. Some of the series regulars felt shoehorned into the book, but I was happy to see them since I like them, and I appreciated the advancement on the series storylines. Honestly, I do love the characters, and once the mystery got going it was pretty good. I just hope that the pacing issues are ironed out as the series progresses.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-slayed-on-slopes-by-kate.html">Carstairs Considers</a>
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated When Love Returns (The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy #3) in Books
Feb 15, 2018
Kim Sawyer is one talented author. If you have not read one of her books you should. Her series "The Zimmerman Restoration" has a wonderful ending. You can check out my reviews to "When Mercy Rains" and "When Grace Sings".
Well, "When Love Returns" starts out a little tension with Suzanne and Alexa. They are celebrating Christmas with all the family. Alexa wants to find her birth mother. When Alexa tells her mom Suzanne. Suzanne is a little unsure and startled by her daughter. Suzanne learns that she will be with Anna Grace for two months. It starts with the unsealing all reasons and the secret that only started it all.
Throughout the book, Suzanne Turns to Paul to talk about Anna Grace and Alexa. What will happen with Suzanne and Paul? I believe it will come full circle. Paul starts wanting to talk to Suzanne and talk about his son Danny. Will the members of the fellowship allow Suzanne back in? To find out all these answers and Alexa answers to her questions, you will need to read "When Love Returns'?
Well, "When Love Returns" starts out a little tension with Suzanne and Alexa. They are celebrating Christmas with all the family. Alexa wants to find her birth mother. When Alexa tells her mom Suzanne. Suzanne is a little unsure and startled by her daughter. Suzanne learns that she will be with Anna Grace for two months. It starts with the unsealing all reasons and the secret that only started it all.
Throughout the book, Suzanne Turns to Paul to talk about Anna Grace and Alexa. What will happen with Suzanne and Paul? I believe it will come full circle. Paul starts wanting to talk to Suzanne and talk about his son Danny. Will the members of the fellowship allow Suzanne back in? To find out all these answers and Alexa answers to her questions, you will need to read "When Love Returns'?
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated The Thing on the Doorstep in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Wow. I wasn't sure what to I was going to think of this, as several state it's not his best of stories, but as I'm a new reader of Lovecraft, I have nothing to compare this to, so I enjoyed it hugely!
The opening line of this story, <b><i>It is true that I have sent six bullets through the head of my best friend, and yet I hope to show by this statement that I am not his murderer,"</b></i> is enough to completely suck you in to the story. You'll find yourself getting lost in this piece of fiction, coming out the other side of it dazed, horrified and delighted.
This story has some of the best tension building, leaving you to decide what is happening to the ever changing Edward and his mysterious wife Asenath.
The hints to black magic and the occult make this story really ominous, dark and brooding. This is really a terrific horror story. If this isn't one of his best, I'm excited to see what his other stories bring!
The opening line of this story, <b><i>It is true that I have sent six bullets through the head of my best friend, and yet I hope to show by this statement that I am not his murderer,"</b></i> is enough to completely suck you in to the story. You'll find yourself getting lost in this piece of fiction, coming out the other side of it dazed, horrified and delighted.
This story has some of the best tension building, leaving you to decide what is happening to the ever changing Edward and his mysterious wife Asenath.
The hints to black magic and the occult make this story really ominous, dark and brooding. This is really a terrific horror story. If this isn't one of his best, I'm excited to see what his other stories bring!
Ross (3284 KP) rated Infinity: Volume 1 in Books
Sep 17, 2018
Warning - not a Thanos-heavy book as described
The builders, a race of beings who created the universe, have decided they want a change and have begun to destroy it and start again. And there are numerous species that decide to try and stop them for obvious reasons. And there are other things with pointy things on their heads and no clothes on and there is Thanos being Thanos and there is sexual tension between Namor and Black Panther and .... just so much going on.
The scope of this story is epic, as you might expect given the recent Infinity Wars part 1. However, it really is not very accessible - there is a lot of gobbledigook and pseudoscience trotted out. And most of the action takes place in space, or inter-planetary politics.
Some parts of this neverending book were excellent, but they were few and far between.
To cut a long story short, I never truly felt like I had much of an idea of what was happening, and only enjoyed the final few issues to any great extent. Some decent artwork.
The scope of this story is epic, as you might expect given the recent Infinity Wars part 1. However, it really is not very accessible - there is a lot of gobbledigook and pseudoscience trotted out. And most of the action takes place in space, or inter-planetary politics.
Some parts of this neverending book were excellent, but they were few and far between.
To cut a long story short, I never truly felt like I had much of an idea of what was happening, and only enjoyed the final few issues to any great extent. Some decent artwork.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Hunter Killer (2018) in Movies
Oct 23, 2018 (Updated Oct 23, 2018)
Oh-lord-must-we submarine thriller with GERARD! BUTLER! toning it down for once as maverick navy commander Joe Glass, sent to investigate the loss of a US vessel off the Russian coast. Quite how detached from reality this film is is perhaps suggested by the fact that the female President of the USA ends up ordering Butler to save the Russian President (nothing like you-know-who, by the way) from an attempted coup. The film attempts to offset how absurdly silly the plot is by taking itself very seriously indeed; this just results in making it dull.
Special effects are competent, some rather good actors (Oldman, Stephens) phone in reasonable performances - there is very little that is flat-out bad about Hunter Killer, yet it never generates any real tension or excitement. Anything that would actually make it interesting or original seems to have been machine-tooled away. Butler's attempts to avoid going over-the-top are not necessarily for the best. Really just a very tedious, derivative, and formulaic movie.
Special effects are competent, some rather good actors (Oldman, Stephens) phone in reasonable performances - there is very little that is flat-out bad about Hunter Killer, yet it never generates any real tension or excitement. Anything that would actually make it interesting or original seems to have been machine-tooled away. Butler's attempts to avoid going over-the-top are not necessarily for the best. Really just a very tedious, derivative, and formulaic movie.
Erika (17789 KP) rated The Shining (1980) in Movies
Nov 25, 2018 (Updated Nov 25, 2018)
I just watched this film for the first time yesterday. I don't typically watch horror films/scary movies because I have an overactive imagination and don't need any other nightmare fuel.
I was finally convinced after a conversation with a co-worker when we were talking about how sometimes people just snap, and he emphasized how Jack Torrance's actions were completely fitting with a psychological break. I had also seen various references to the film, such as the extended scene in Ready Player One, and a South Park Halloween episode when Randy Marsh buys a Blockbuster and the same situation happens.
I wouldn't actually deem this as a straight-up horror film, it was definitely more of a psychological thriller. It was so well done (haven't read the book, nor will I ever, not a fan of Stephen King). The music fitting with the cinematography and creating the mood and overall tension in the film. It's definitely one of the best films I've watched as of late, and I'm glad I finally got around to it.
I was finally convinced after a conversation with a co-worker when we were talking about how sometimes people just snap, and he emphasized how Jack Torrance's actions were completely fitting with a psychological break. I had also seen various references to the film, such as the extended scene in Ready Player One, and a South Park Halloween episode when Randy Marsh buys a Blockbuster and the same situation happens.
I wouldn't actually deem this as a straight-up horror film, it was definitely more of a psychological thriller. It was so well done (haven't read the book, nor will I ever, not a fan of Stephen King). The music fitting with the cinematography and creating the mood and overall tension in the film. It's definitely one of the best films I've watched as of late, and I'm glad I finally got around to it.
Amberley Yvonne Mackenzie (9 KP) rated American Horror Story - Season 2 in TV
Nov 27, 2018
Gripping tension (2 more)
Flashback to insanity in the 60s
Psychological twists and turns
Lanabananafofana
Welcome to Briarcliff Sanitarium, ran by the Catholic church this Asylum is the last stop for the damaged souls society has decided it doesn't want to save. Lana, our sapphic heroine, wants the scoop of the century, the man behind the mask. Bloodyface. Sentenced to be held in Briarcliff to await trial for the serial killings of Bostonian women. To get to him however, Lana must get through the fearless sister Jude and the devil herself wants to play.
By far one of the top seasons of American Horror Story, Sarah Paulson portrays each character she plays with grace and dignity and Lana is no exception. The cast are incredible, Jessica Lange as Sister Jude cracking the whip, Lily Rabe proving what a talented actress she is playing the split Sister Mary Eunice, Evan Peters as Kit Walker, the misguided fool who really isn't all he seems.
Thrilling from end to end and really worth a watch.
By far one of the top seasons of American Horror Story, Sarah Paulson portrays each character she plays with grace and dignity and Lana is no exception. The cast are incredible, Jessica Lange as Sister Jude cracking the whip, Lily Rabe proving what a talented actress she is playing the split Sister Mary Eunice, Evan Peters as Kit Walker, the misguided fool who really isn't all he seems.
Thrilling from end to end and really worth a watch.
A little gem
What a little gem this is - totally gripping, full of atmosphere, tension and general creepiness all set in the stunning but isolated Scottish island of Rum which creates a sense of trepidation all on its own.
This book can be likened to a classic who-dunnit story - a group of people trapped together in an isolated location with a possible murderer amongst them - it's your job to try and work out who it is from the drips of clues amongst the red herrings provided by the author and I have to give Ms Taylor a round of applause because I didn't figure it out until it was right in my face! and, to be honest, that doesn't happen too often.
Excellent characters - some nice, some not so nice - absolutely perfect setting, great story line and ideal pace makes this a great read and one I have little hesitation in recommending to all psychological thriller lovers out there.
A very big thank you to Avon Books UK via NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
This book can be likened to a classic who-dunnit story - a group of people trapped together in an isolated location with a possible murderer amongst them - it's your job to try and work out who it is from the drips of clues amongst the red herrings provided by the author and I have to give Ms Taylor a round of applause because I didn't figure it out until it was right in my face! and, to be honest, that doesn't happen too often.
Excellent characters - some nice, some not so nice - absolutely perfect setting, great story line and ideal pace makes this a great read and one I have little hesitation in recommending to all psychological thriller lovers out there.
A very big thank you to Avon Books UK via NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
I admit that I actually quite enjoyed this book in a strange kind of way. It was well written, had a unique story-line, surprising ending and great characters although some of them are not particularly likeable. There is ample dark humour which offsets the tension perfectly and although it does seem to be a bit OTT in parts, it does work well in this book however, I have to say that, in my opinion, the wrong person died at the end!!
Please be aware that this is not a politically correct book and there is a lot of violence and blood however, the title and description should have given this away so this shouldn't come as too much of a shock.
I haven't read anything by this author before but I am likely to pick up another of his works in the future.
Thanks to Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review and for, once again, introducing me to another new author to look out for.
Please be aware that this is not a politically correct book and there is a lot of violence and blood however, the title and description should have given this away so this shouldn't come as too much of a shock.
I haven't read anything by this author before but I am likely to pick up another of his works in the future.
Thanks to Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review and for, once again, introducing me to another new author to look out for.
Sonofdel (6291 KP) rated The Exorcist in Books
Nov 7, 2019
Descriptive and Chilling horror
I saw this film many years ago and have meant to get around to reading the book. William Blatty does a nice foreword and explains why the book was written and about the extra character that is in it. Its a gripping read from the very start but be warned it goes into very graphic, obscene and depraved descriptions so if you are easily offended stay away (well it is a book about possession after all). A very good read that keeps you wanting to just read a bit more, good back stories to some of the characters help to explain situations that were not dealt with in the film. The character of father Merrin could have been written for Max Von Sydow (who played him in the film). I would give this four stars as i thought it ended a little too quickly and it would have been better if the ending had been stretched out and explained (like the film).