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Flood of Fire
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The thrilling climax to the Ibis trilogy that began with the phenomenal Booker-shortlisted Sea of...
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Fletch (1985) in Movies
Mar 9, 2021 (Updated Mar 9, 2021)
๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ณ: ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ฐ๐ท๐ช๐ฆ. This does what it does fine enough but has been essentially rendered obsolete by even the weakest entry of the ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐๐ถ๐ฏ trilogy (2 1/2, btw). Surprisingly I think this works better as a crime film than a full-on comedy; it's just so damn atmospheric what with the fun-as-hell (very) 80s synth soundtrack, intriguing mystery, kicky cinematography and all - qualities that all the best crime thrillers of the era have. But the comedy is shockingly inconsistent, you'd think having Chase as essentially a mile-a-minute quip machine for his signature dry smugness would be shoe-in but the jokes work at about a 40/60 hit-to-miss ratio. Maybe a generous 50/50? And there's a fine line between deadpan and downright dull - speaking as a usual Chase defender I find this performance leans to the latter a little too much, there's just not a lot to value in it over the countless other renditions of this character out there. Also it's an automatic crime that a movie in which Chevy Chase dons a metric ton of comical disguises and fake identities actively chooses not to lean into his legendary physical comedy. He only does like one funny dance and one paltry pratfall... what the fuck is up with that? Somehow still a blast in what should be its mediocrity. Utter fluff, but it'll do.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Sparrow in Books
Jan 5, 2021
I've had this one on my Kindle for a few years now, putting it off for one reason or another so it's about time I read it.
This starts with Troy Brennan going to church confessional to kill the priest who gave private information to someone who then went and killed Troy's dad. Fast forward three years and we meet Sparrow who is suddenly finding herself marrying Troy but doesn't know why and isn't happy about it.
When I decided to read this, it hadn't registered with me that it was going to be a little dark. It isn't that bad, really. We see Troy kill the priest at the beginning but other than that he doesn't really do anything that bad. It's just it's Christmas and reading something like this at this time of the year feels a little wrong - and I think after the "All for the Game" trilogy I read that I'm done for Dark books for the rest of the year.
I didn't entirely understand the romance in this one, either. Half the time Troy wasn't even interested in her and she was pretty much just a way for him to have sex so I wasn't really feeling it. Not even towards the end when everything came out and they mellowed towards the other. Maybe as I mentioned above, I just wasn't in the mood.
This is something like my sixth or seventh book by the author but it isn't my favourite.
This starts with Troy Brennan going to church confessional to kill the priest who gave private information to someone who then went and killed Troy's dad. Fast forward three years and we meet Sparrow who is suddenly finding herself marrying Troy but doesn't know why and isn't happy about it.
When I decided to read this, it hadn't registered with me that it was going to be a little dark. It isn't that bad, really. We see Troy kill the priest at the beginning but other than that he doesn't really do anything that bad. It's just it's Christmas and reading something like this at this time of the year feels a little wrong - and I think after the "All for the Game" trilogy I read that I'm done for Dark books for the rest of the year.
I didn't entirely understand the romance in this one, either. Half the time Troy wasn't even interested in her and she was pretty much just a way for him to have sex so I wasn't really feeling it. Not even towards the end when everything came out and they mellowed towards the other. Maybe as I mentioned above, I just wasn't in the mood.
This is something like my sixth or seventh book by the author but it isn't my favourite.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Sapphire Flames (Hidden Legacy, #4) in Books
Jan 7, 2021
I read the original trilogy with Nevada and Connor "Mad Dog" Rogan a few years ago now but I loved it, so the chance to continue the series with the two younger sisters was a big YES!
It's been three years since Nevada and Connor got married in Diamond Fire and now Catalina is the head of House Baylor. She gets a visit from Augustine - who runs a large PI type firm - and is asked to help talk a fifteen year old down from a hospital ledge after the death of his mum and sister and she immediately agrees. What follows draws Catalina into helping her friend find out who killed their family and she finds her teenage crush, Alessandro, is somehow involved in it.
I really enjoyed this, as I have the previous books in this series. The action barely stops throughout, there's always something happening keeping you hooked.
It was a complicated web for the team to unravel with trying to find out the murderer of Runa and Ragnar's mum and sister and I was drawn into that mystery.
And then the romance. God, I don't know who to slap first. Catalina for not telling Alessandro how she felt, or Alessandro for leaving in the end, though we very clearly see in that epilogue that he doesn't particularly want to leave.
I cannot wait for Emerald Blaze to released in August so I can see these two meet again and hopefully work it out!
It's been three years since Nevada and Connor got married in Diamond Fire and now Catalina is the head of House Baylor. She gets a visit from Augustine - who runs a large PI type firm - and is asked to help talk a fifteen year old down from a hospital ledge after the death of his mum and sister and she immediately agrees. What follows draws Catalina into helping her friend find out who killed their family and she finds her teenage crush, Alessandro, is somehow involved in it.
I really enjoyed this, as I have the previous books in this series. The action barely stops throughout, there's always something happening keeping you hooked.
It was a complicated web for the team to unravel with trying to find out the murderer of Runa and Ragnar's mum and sister and I was drawn into that mystery.
And then the romance. God, I don't know who to slap first. Catalina for not telling Alessandro how she felt, or Alessandro for leaving in the end, though we very clearly see in that epilogue that he doesn't particularly want to leave.
I cannot wait for Emerald Blaze to released in August so I can see these two meet again and hopefully work it out!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Sparrow in Books
Jan 8, 2021
I've had this one on my Kindle for a few years now, putting it off for one reason or another so it's about time I read it.
This starts with Troy Brennan going to church confessional to kill the priest who gave private information to someone who then went and killed Troy's dad. Fast forward three years and we meet Sparrow who is suddenly finding herself marrying Troy but doesn't know why and isn't happy about it.
When I decided to read this, it hadn't registered with me that it was going to be a little dark. It isn't that bad, really. We see Troy kill the priest at the beginning but other than that he doesn't really do anything that bad. It's just it's Christmas and reading something like this at this time of the year feels a little wrong - and I think after the "All for the Game" trilogy I read that I'm done for Dark books for the rest of the year.
I didn't entirely understand the romance in this one, either. Half the time Troy wasn't even interested in her and she was pretty much just a way for him to have sex so I wasn't really feeling it. Not even towards the end when everything came out and they mellowed towards the other. Maybe as I mentioned above, I just wasn't in the mood.
This is something like my sixth or seventh book by the author but it isn't my favourite.
This starts with Troy Brennan going to church confessional to kill the priest who gave private information to someone who then went and killed Troy's dad. Fast forward three years and we meet Sparrow who is suddenly finding herself marrying Troy but doesn't know why and isn't happy about it.
When I decided to read this, it hadn't registered with me that it was going to be a little dark. It isn't that bad, really. We see Troy kill the priest at the beginning but other than that he doesn't really do anything that bad. It's just it's Christmas and reading something like this at this time of the year feels a little wrong - and I think after the "All for the Game" trilogy I read that I'm done for Dark books for the rest of the year.
I didn't entirely understand the romance in this one, either. Half the time Troy wasn't even interested in her and she was pretty much just a way for him to have sex so I wasn't really feeling it. Not even towards the end when everything came out and they mellowed towards the other. Maybe as I mentioned above, I just wasn't in the mood.
This is something like my sixth or seventh book by the author but it isn't my favourite.
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated The Zodiac Paradox (Fringe, #1) in Books
Nov 30, 2020
My wife and I were late bloomers, getting into the show as it entered its 5th, and final season. We "binge watched" on Netflix, getting caught up, and then left with a craving for more after series ended. Enter 'Fringe: The Zodiac Paradox', the 1st in Christa Faust's trilogy that serves as prequels for the the three main characters: Walter and Peter Bishop, as well as Olivia Dunham.
Reviewing a number of reviews on here, as well as via Amazon.com, I found complaints that Walter's characterization was more in-line with his character in the show, not the 1968 "scientist" version. And, yes, that is true enough, the story and dialogue were good enough that I could overlook that issue, in head, reworking his persona, as I read it.
I am probably biased, as I am fan of 'Fringe', as well as having an interest of sorts in stories involving the Zodiac Killer, but I liked the book. Is it perfect? No, but, as I am finding these days - in books, newspapers/magazines, and even scrolling text on TV, spelling, grammar, and/or syntax have gone the way of the dinosaur! The errors were minimal, at worse, and the only character that appeared "off" was Walter. None of that, though, affected my appreciation of the story.
If you are looking for a good fix to fill your 'Fringe' void, you could do a heckuva lot worse. Try it, I think you may surprise yourself..
Reviewing a number of reviews on here, as well as via Amazon.com, I found complaints that Walter's characterization was more in-line with his character in the show, not the 1968 "scientist" version. And, yes, that is true enough, the story and dialogue were good enough that I could overlook that issue, in head, reworking his persona, as I read it.
I am probably biased, as I am fan of 'Fringe', as well as having an interest of sorts in stories involving the Zodiac Killer, but I liked the book. Is it perfect? No, but, as I am finding these days - in books, newspapers/magazines, and even scrolling text on TV, spelling, grammar, and/or syntax have gone the way of the dinosaur! The errors were minimal, at worse, and the only character that appeared "off" was Walter. None of that, though, affected my appreciation of the story.
If you are looking for a good fix to fill your 'Fringe' void, you could do a heckuva lot worse. Try it, I think you may surprise yourself..
Kate (493 KP) rated Circle Of Lies (Morecambe Bay Trilogy #2) in Books
Oct 19, 2020
This was the second book in the Morecambe Bay trilogy. There were all the character's from the last book and some new ones. Although the story was a continuation of the initial story of Bruce there was also another story but it did include him. In this story Charlotte is a lot more involved and she helps push the story forward. The book went back to the past again which was needed as again it gave the full picture on the current story. Sometimes, again, Charlotte annoyed me as she put herself and others in danger but I understand why she did this. Although there were 2 main stories running it didn't confuse the overall story.
I got into this book a lot quicker than the last one. This may of been because I was in the story as I had gone from one book straight onto the next one so it didn't feel so much like starting a new book.
The book ended on a cliff hanger and it wasn't resolved at all. Therefore I had to buy the second book to get the end of the story. This was slightly frustrating as I prefer to have the choice as to whether I want to purchase the next book. I didn't want to leave the story unfinished and if I had not purchased the third book I would have.
I got into this book a lot quicker than the last one. This may of been because I was in the story as I had gone from one book straight onto the next one so it didn't feel so much like starting a new book.
The book ended on a cliff hanger and it wasn't resolved at all. Therefore I had to buy the second book to get the end of the story. This was slightly frustrating as I prefer to have the choice as to whether I want to purchase the next book. I didn't want to leave the story unfinished and if I had not purchased the third book I would have.
Kristina (502 KP) rated With Visions of Red Book Two (Broken Bonds, #2) in Books
Dec 7, 2020
Something felt a bit off about this second book. Iโm not quite sure what it was. There was definitely just as much tension as the first and it most certainly didnโt lack any of the previous intrigue. Throughout this second book, I was just as curious, if not more so, about who the UNSUB could be. The author points the finger in multiple directions, shedding a suspicious light on so many people, it makes me wonder if who the main suspect is really could be the serial killer theyโre all looking for. My aggravation is probably a little higher, but that may be due to the fact Iโm aware this trilogy is coming to an end, so Iโm more desperate to get answers. Luckily, I did have at least one question answered: I now know what Colton did to push him into the BDSM scene. Actually, Iโm not quite sure what to think of that situation โ I suppose I understand where heโs coming from on an emotional level, but my morals wonโt let me completely look over what he did, even if it was an act of love and mercy. Even still, I was thrilled to have my answer, despite another dozen questions popping up. Like I mentioned before, Iโm not sure what it was, but I wasnโt as interested. Donโt worry โ I still really enjoyed the story and I canโt wait to read the third and final book and uncover all the secrets!
Andrew Thomas (363 KP) rated Trancers III: Deth Lives (1992) in Movies
Jul 26, 2020 (Updated Jul 26, 2020)
Cheesy B-grade videostore goodness.
Contains spoilers, click to show
I purchased all three of what I have nicknamed the Lena Trilogy out of pure curiosity. I'd walked past the Trancers movies in my local videostore numerous times in years past but never took the plunge. Finally I decided to give em a try because of nostalgia and because I learned that Helen Hunt was in them. The first Trancers I enjoyed, the second film was a little all over the place for me but it was still fun. Trancers 3 was a bit of a let down.
The Jack/Lena romance comes to a dissatisfying end...a romance I was never rooting for to begin with considering that the time travel angle makes it an incestuous relationship. The story teases a return to the post-apocalyptic future of Angel City, but it's only a quick stop off before heading back to the 1990s. The idea of witnessing the origins of the Trancer threat was tantalizing in theory, but it comes across as a bad Captain America rip off. Plus the absence of Art LaFleur as Jack's future boss McNulty leaves out an important element of what made the first 2 movies fun. Bottom line, Trancers 3 let me down, but I don't regret watching it. If you are able to enjoy the first 2 films you might like this one.
The Jack/Lena romance comes to a dissatisfying end...a romance I was never rooting for to begin with considering that the time travel angle makes it an incestuous relationship. The story teases a return to the post-apocalyptic future of Angel City, but it's only a quick stop off before heading back to the 1990s. The idea of witnessing the origins of the Trancer threat was tantalizing in theory, but it comes across as a bad Captain America rip off. Plus the absence of Art LaFleur as Jack's future boss McNulty leaves out an important element of what made the first 2 movies fun. Bottom line, Trancers 3 let me down, but I don't regret watching it. If you are able to enjoy the first 2 films you might like this one.
The Falconer (The Falconer #1)
8.3
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She's a stunner. Edinburgh, 1844. Eighteen-year-old Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the...