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This book is an interesting look at the Osage murders. This is a version that's adapted for young readers and is more readable and easy to understand and follow. I read both the original book and this version and I prefer this version. This version was more interesting to me and I felt more connected to the story.
The story and look at the Osage people, the murders, and all the history is very intriguing to learn about and know. This tells the story of the true-life murders of the Osage people. This talks about how because of the wealth of the Osage a lot of people wished to control them all due to greed. It's an important part of history that's not discussed or shared about much so it was good to learn about this and it's a great addition to history books.
Reading about this was devastating and it appalled me to learn of the greed and evil people and the horrible treatment of the Osage. This is an enlightening and essential read.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Random House Children's, Crown Books for Young Readers for letting me read and review this informative and good book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
  
When I first saw this book I wasn't sure, a book written from the dog's point of view and a Dachshund's point of view at that, hmmm, how wrong could I have been. The author, Kathleen Chamberlin, captures the spirit and character of doxies totally. Showing how it is their home and life and we should be honoured to be allowed to share it with them. Marcy's disdain for the visitor is clearly felt and when the story takes a twist the reader eagerly follows Marcy, cheering on the family and generally revelling in the feeling of euphoria by the end.
A real, feel-good book for dog or pet owners, but a true treasure for anyone who has ever spent time with a doxie. I love it.
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Nobody (2021) in Movies

Jul 24, 2021  
Nobody (2021)
Nobody (2021)
2021 | Action, Comedy, Crime
8
7.8 (20 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Deadpan action-comedy from the John Wick people. The premise is more or less the same - supposedly retired hard man finds himself drawn into increasingly violent clashes with gangsters - but it's less stylised and more intentionally comedic. The main joke is the unlikelihood of someone so slight and nondescript as Bob Odenkirk taking out bad guys in droves; the actor plays it with a light touch.

Thoroughly satisfying action, some very good gags, and - most importantly - this is a film which understands the importance of taking a breath for a few character moments. You get a sense of real conflict in the protagonist, the sort of thing many films go on about without ever really bringing to life. Very nicely played, written and acted, a witty and satisfying thriller.
  
Alice Anonymous (Project Scion)
Alice Anonymous (Project Scion)
Sophie Davis | 2018 | Mystery, Young Adult (YA)
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was lucky to receive an ARC of this book. I was really glad I did as it was a super good read and would recommend it.

The story follows Alice as she goes about her life in a small town. All of this gets disrupted by Trey and his frequent visits to the store where she works.

Alice has secrets but what’s exciting is that the big secrets are hidden even to her. I enjoyed this as it bugs me in a mystery when characters allude to these secrets but just don’t tell you and drag it out for suspense.

It was good to see Alice and Trey develop during the story and not stick to classic stereotypes ie arrogant rich guy.

It is really hard to figure out who to trust as everyone seems a bit suspicious at times, some more so than others.

The story links with another series by the author but you don’t need to have read that series for this one. I’m not sure if the next book will follow the exact same characters or pick up some of the other characters but I am definitely looking forward to the next book.
  
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Kindle
Cold Crypt Cellars ( Krystianna Aramis book 1)
By J R O’Bryant
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

Centuries old vampire Krystianna Aramis and her contingent of security and staff have come to the heart of the Midwest for a wine convention. Well, the convention and a bit of "Adult" fun. The entire supernatural world comes out to play for the convention including Krystianna's main competetion from across the big pond. When all hell breaks loose and it looks like the vampire council will have to intercede things get a bit crazy for Krystianna and her love life.

I wanted to go with a 3.5 on this. The characters are interesting and well thought out the world building is pretty good. The story is interesting too. For a first published book it’s a solid start I’m definitely intrigued as to where it will go in future books. There was a bit of spice but it felt a little muted and restrained not sure if that was on purpose, there were a few places it just felt a little flat for me. Overall it’s was a good book and I’m looking forward to reading more.
  
Lost in the Sun (2015)
Lost in the Sun (2015)
2015 |
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Characters – John is a crook, he seems to be freshly out of prison needing to payback debts for protection in prison, he offers to take Louis to his grandparents and starts using him to help pay of the debts, showing him the life of crime, it is clear early on that he does have a connection to Louis, we are left to see what that connection is. Louis is the teenager that has been left orphaned when his mother dies, he reluctantly joins John in the cross-country trip where he gets to learn certain things he wouldn’t have before, including how to drive and how to shoot a gun. We do only meet characters along the way, some help and most are the people they are robbing.

Performances – Josh Duhamel is good in the leading role, it is one of his better performances as she shows how conflicted his character is and just how desperate he is to clear his debts, while trying to guide the teenager. Josh Wiggins is great in his role of the film, he gets to show moments of grief and moments of moving on with life as he is the one that needs to learn the biggest life lessons. The rest of the cast are solid without needing to do that much.

Story – The story here comes down to one man trying to make up for his own mistakes in life by helping a young teenage boy across country to live with his grandparents only along the way we see him teach him life lessons which could one day prepare him for the real-world. This gives us a chance to see a redemption story while also giving us a coming-of-age chapter in Louis’s life, this isn’t going to break any ground in the genre and does everything it needs to do for the characters. We do get moments of questioning moments of what Louis is forced to do and for the most we don’t get enough time to look at the crimes that have left John where he is in life.

Action – The action in the film is simple, we get a couple of weak chases and robberies, they are easy to watch and barely break into a sweat.

Settings – The film takes us across America, we don’t hit any landmarks which just shows us small town after small town or open roads.


Scene of the Movie – The final moment.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – Boys don’t just want to drive cars and shoot guns.

Final Thoughts – This is a simple coming of age film, it checks the boxes well without doing anything we haven’t seen before.

 

Overall: Coming-of-age 101
  
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Elli H Burton (1288 KP) rated My Daughter, My Mother in Books

Jun 16, 2019 (Updated Jun 16, 2019)  
My Daughter, My Mother
My Daughter, My Mother
Annie Murray | 2019 | History & Politics, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
6
6.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
The way the two stories are told is great, flitting back and forth with ease - not forced. (0 more)
Unrealistic writing. (0 more)
Hard to get into but easy to finish
I usually go for books set a lot earlier that 1984 so when I picked this up I was full of anticipating I would immediately hate it and stop reading. Luckily that wasn't the case!
It jumps back and forth from past to present and includes real life issues going on in the world at that time. I personally love to see a story include real life problems as it feels like it actually happened and makes it so much more interesting to read. Don't worry, I know these people don't actually exist!!

It took me a few chapters to get into it but once I did I began to love it. Although the actual plot on both sides if good, it feels rushed to get the story out and some bits are quite difficult to grasp.
There is a family in the book that are sikh which despite my religious education at school I don't know much about so to an extent this book taught me something about sikhs. This is also hard because there are certain aspects to the writing i found hard to understand.
I like to see the good in every story so I'd say have a read of it yourself and see what you think.