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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated The Chalice of the Gods in Books

Jan 15, 2024 (Updated Jan 15, 2024)  
The Chalice of the Gods
The Chalice of the Gods
Rick Riordan | 2023 | Children
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Percy Has an Extra College Entrance Requirement
Percy Jackson is now a senior in high school, but in order to get into college, he has a special requirement – letters of recommendation from three gods. And to get them, he has to go on quests, of course. The first comes from Ganymede who is missing the special goblet he uses to serve the gods. Can Percy find it before the next big feast?

It’s been years since I read any of the Percy Jackson books, so I wasn’t sure how easily I’d slip back into his world. I needn’t have worried. The book focuses on a smaller cast of characters, which made it easy, and I enjoyed spending time with them again. The story is episodic at times, but I was always engaged, dying to know what would happen next even if the stakes were a little smaller than in other books. I’d forgotten just how funny the books could be, and I was smiling and laughing throughout. Yet we also got some wonderful character moments that were very emotionally satisfying. I’m so glad I picked up this book, and other fans of Percy will be glad they picked it up, too.
  
Spiders from Mars
Spiders from Mars
Diane Vallere | 2020 | Mystery, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Free Neptune!
It’s been four months since we last checked in with Sylvia Stryker, and in that time, she’s had one thing on her mind – freeing Neptune, her mentor and friend, from prison for a crime he sort of committed. She’s come up with the perfect plan, too. She’s going to have him declared dead so she can slip him out of prison. However, when she goes to file the paperwork, she learns that there has been a murder in the prison and Neptune is the only suspect. Her original plan out the window, she has to act fast to free him and clear his name before he disappears for good. Can she do it?

Yes, this sounds like many of the cozy mysteries I read a love, but there is a twist to it – Sylvia’s adventures all take place in space. The setting is fun and detailed, but it never takes away from the action. I got lost in Sylvia’s world very quickly, and I suspect you will as well whether you love science fiction or not. The plot is fast paced with plenty of twists and turns. Unfortunately, a few of them were a bit abrupt. The story makes sense in the end, but I wish things had been explained a bit more. The characters, some human and some alien, are all fully developed, and I was thrilled to get to spend more time with them. If you are interested in something new and different, be sure to check out this series, and if you are already a fan, you’ll be happy with Sylvia’s latest case.
  
The Love Letter
The Love Letter
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Why oh why have I not gotten my hands on one of Rachel Hauck's books before? I am so glad I chose The Love Letter as my first one.

Woven with words that intoxicate the soul, Hauck brings us a story of pure beauty. Heartache and passion drive Chloe. She longs to change the way that people see her. But it may be a harder task than she first imagined. The connections through history were so cleverly created. Time-slip novels have become my favorite. With each page you are longing to discover the connection between the two timelines. And when the realization finally hits, it's a glorious moment to behold. Jesse is such a wonderful hero. Handsome, flawed, talented, and bit of a history nut. Traveling back to the American Revolutionary War, we meet Hamilton and Esther. Oh my goodness. Their story is one you really must discover for yourself.

With the heart of the story coming back to Christ and Love, readers will fall in love with the settings (in both eras), the characters, and the passion. The depth and characterization found on the pages of this book will move you and speak to the heart.

I received a complimentary copy of The Love Letter from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
The Nun (2018)
The Nun (2018)
2018 | Horror
So often now the theater experience gets ruined with people talking or on their phone, but tonight was a great experience, and nights like tonight, are the reason why I keep going. Whether it was slip of tongue or said on purpose I don't know, but the guy who checked my ticket at the theater said, "Good luck" as he directed me to my screen. And before even touching on the movie, which was amazing, I got super excited seeing the new Halloween trailer on the big screen for the first time; perfect mood setter leading into the movie. Couldn't have asked for a better group of people to watch a movie with tonight. No talking, no bright lights of cell phones, just the sound of chuckles during the few funny lines and the occasional jump and slight screech of a few.

Now, to the movie. There have been some great horror movies in recent years and this one is right up there with the best of them. The Nun was so well done! Set in Romania during the early 50's, it just had that classic horror movie feel to it. I'll finish by decribing and praising it like this, it felt like if The Exorcist was made by Universal back in the 30's/40's era then the result would've been The Nun.