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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Girl on Fire in Books

May 7, 2018  
Girl on Fire
Girl on Fire
Tony Parsons | 2018 | Crime, Thriller
8
9.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Addictive reading
"I woke up and the world was gone.

All was silent, all was black, the darkness so complete that it was as if all the light had been drained from the world."

Those are the dramatic opening lines to this book which had me hooked and eating up the pages as if my life depended on it.

Mr Parsons writes with grit, authenticity and humanity which I find very addictive and although Max isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, he is a very engaging character that I love getting to know a little more with each outing.

I must admit that there were times when I felt reality was ignored for the sake of the story (i.e. missed suspects which, in my opinion, were glaringly obvious) but I just put them to one side and continued to enjoy the ride on Mr Parsons' roller-coaster because, after all, this isn't a true story although the subject matter certainly is unfortunately.

Although this can be read as a standalone, I would very much recommend you read the others in the series as this will give more depth and understanding to the main characters and will enhance the whole reading experience.

I would highly recommend this series and Tony Parsons as a great British author and would like to thank the publisher, Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for my copy in return for an impartial review.
  
The Theory of Happily Ever After
The Theory of Happily Ever After
8
6.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
What’s better for a book than an awesome comedy filled with inspiring messages and sparks of romance? That’s what Mrs. Billerbeck’s new novel has! But, it’s so much more than it! It’s captivating, and on more than one occasion , it had me laughing out loud and people looking funny at me! Each turn of the page brought me a little closer to Maggie and Sam and their quirky, Austenesque story.

What is the meaning of your happiness? Did you have to search it out or did it seek you out? That’s what Maggie Maguire encounters in this fun chick lit novel. I felt myself turning into Maggie, wondering what will happen next, what’s in store, is there a happily ever after. And, when Sam entered the picture, being a fan of Jane Austen, I was instantly pulled to him and his grump like self! The interaction between Maggie and Sam was fun and I was rooting for them the whole way through the story.

This is definitely a 4 star novel and one you shouldn’t miss! You’ll laugh out loud more times than not and you’ll find yourself instantly a part of this well written, inspiring novel of happy ever afters and true love. Well done, Ms. Billerbeck! Definitely a keeper on my shelf for sure!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
2018 | Action, Sci-Fi
Almost everything (0 more)
It's clearly one half of a full story (0 more)
Thanos is badass
Starring - EVERYONE!! (almost)

Plot - Mad Titan Thanos is hunting down the infinity stones to add to his gauntlet so he can kill half the universe. Avengers, Guardians and co must stop him.

First impressions - Holy crap this film looks excellent. As expected the trailer was the unfinished article and this film looks amazing.
The plot is thin but with 10years of back story, I'd say that's allowed. Thanos is an excellent villain who is fleshed out and well motivated. Something that has been lacking from most MCU Villians.

Were the Russo brothers able to pull off so many characters being in one film?
- in a word, yes. True that some characters get more time than others but the way they jump between plot lines and sub plots feels incredibly well stitched together.

Action?
Action a plenty and very well done. Inventive and on a cosmic scale.

Is it a clever film?
....it has plot holes but they could be explained away if you so wish. My advice, just go with it. It's a universe with rage monsters, Gods and Titans.

Is it worthy of the MCU?
This is the MCU at some of its finest.

Sum up:

This is balls to the wall crazy. Some of the most fun I've had at the cinema in years. I cheered on multiple occasions, found myself holding my breath and gave it a standing ovation.
  
40x40

Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Say My Name in Books

Jun 5, 2019  
Say My Name
Say My Name
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Drawing on her impressive intellectual prowess, Allegra Huston introduces us to a spectacular cast, all each with their part to play.
This story goes beyond the love and friendship surface and digs deep into the sensual world of danger and excitement from which the main character, middle-aged Eve Armanton, blossoms. But this is no normal voyage of self-discovery, but an empowering awakening brought on by a much younger musician Micajah, and a mysterious, battered old violin. Through these Eve has a startling realisation that her life will never be the same again – with or without a man in her life.
The author has a very distinct writing style with a kind of musical rhythm of her own! What I thought was just going to be a basic love story with a happy ending, turned into an exciting, page-turning thrill.
Eve is buried under the difficulties of her married life and the longing to find who she really is. But how far is she prepared to go to discover her own true power?
I liked the connection (which I think was intentional) between the the shattered violin and Eve’s life. Both had seen better days. Both were lost and now found. But what is to become of them?
A stirring account of a broken wife slowly coming to terms with the reality of what is her life, one powerfully sensual beat at a time.
  
MS
Magic Spark (Enchanted, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
MAGIC SPARK Enchanted: Book One Sara Dobie Bauer Em Shotwell Wendy Sparrow

Four Stars

This book was fun to read. I enjoyed all three stories. The authors gave a unique twist to true love and the HEA. Out of the three I enjoyed SARA DOBIE BAUER Destiny's Dark Light the most. The author gave us something different when it came to witches and prophecy. You would definitely want to continue the next book. I did enjoy the other stories the characters all had flaws and were a little crazy. I would like to explore more from these authors. Wendy Sparrow’s When A DemiGod Courts Death was well written and a enjoyable short story. The author gives you a different spin on God and human children. Needing a match to stay alive. The lines were funny and flowed without too much pause. I would like to read a full story. The book that had me like what is happening was These Roots Run Deep. The characters had me a little upset because of the lies and all the neediness. The main character wanted this man to stay and went to great lengths to make that happen. I didn’t like her personality or how she used her family to get what she wanted. No woman should have to feel like they only way he will stay is if you put him under a spell. If he halfway out the door let him leave. You deserve better.
  
Last Christmas (2019)
Last Christmas (2019)
2019 | Comedy, Romance
Thunderously crass and obvious Christmas turkey, in which A Christmas Carol is involved in a head-on smash with the Richard Curtis rom-com formula: many normally reliable performers are scythed down by the shrapnel, possibly along with unfortunate audience members. The Christmas Carol personal-redemption story formula requires the lead character to be a horrible person in need of reformation; the rom-com pattern requires them to be cute and loveable from the start. Even if Emilia Clarke was as good an actress as I am always being told, she would need to be equipped with a much better script in order to square this particular circle.

This is the main problem the film has to contend with; others include the misplaced belief that quirkiness is an acceptable substitute for actual wit, and a generally pervasive sense of insincerity (it's hard to shake the notion that some key cast members were only employed to help flog this thing in Asian markets). This is before we get to the astonishing non-twist central to the story, or the glib platitudes casually dropped into the script. I imagine people will say its heart is in the right place (somewhat ironically); this is only true if you think the correct place for the heart is between the ears. I laughed once, and this was understandable, for it was at Peter Serafinowicz: unfortunately he is only in one scene.
  
The End of Hatred (Etherya's Earth #1)
The End of Hatred (Etherya's Earth #1)
Rebecca Hefner | 2018 | Paranormal, Romance
10
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The End of Hatred is the first book in the Etherya's Earth series and we are introduced to a world that co-exists within our own, that we are (up until now) unaware of. This world is roughly split into three - the Slayeras, the Vampyres, and the Deamons. They have been at war for centuries and Miranda, the Slayera Princess is tired of it. She comes up with a solution to end the war but she needs the help of the Vampyre King to do so, even if she is ostracised by her father.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! From Miranda to Sathan, Lila to Latimus, Darkrip to Arderin, these characters all came to life. They are individual enough to remain in my mind whilst holding true to the characteristics of their races. I found the pacing to be perfect and there was never a dull moment. I also loved the pop references that I found, in particular, those about 'Buffy', for obvious reasons.

This is the start of the series and one I will be continuing with. It was a fantastic story and there are many more couples yet to come that I want stories for. Absolutely recommended by me.
 
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
 
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
McFarland USA (2015)
McFarland USA (2015)
2015 | Drama, Family
9
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
The new Disney movie, McFarland USA, is based on a true story.

I didn’t recognize any of the actors in it, except Kevin Costner, but that didn’t take anything away from the movie for me.

I really enjoyed the film a lot.

I laughed, I cried, I held my breath, and it had me on the edge of my seat in some parts too.

Costner plays Coach Jim White, who, due to an outburst of temper at his previous position, has had to take on a teaching and assistant coaching job in an out of the way tiny town called McFarland, CA.

He has a slight run in with the head coach, and gets demoted.

Discovering the untapped potential in a handful of the McFarland high school boys, Coach White petitions the principal for permission to start a cross country track team.

The principal gives his consent, and the story unfolds.

The kids help the Coach on his ‘life journey’ as much as he helps them.

He helps them realize their potential, and teaches them how to dream big and never give up, and they teach him about the importance of community, that ‘bigger’ isn’t always ‘better’, and that sometimes having the heart and desire to do something means more than a fat paycheck.

I wouldn’t bring very young kids to this movie, but children from maybe 9 and up should appreciate and enjoy it.

I would give this movie 4.5 out of 5 stars.