Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Fawkes in Books

Jan 2, 2019  
Fawkes
Fawkes
Nadine Brandes | 2018 | Young Adult (YA)
10
9.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
A stunning masterpiece. Melding history and fantasy into an unforgettable story.

I can not get over just how much I have come to love this story! There is so much history in this story that I was shocked by how well the author was able to mingle such a rich fantasy aspect to the story as well.

This story has so much to captivate the imagination, magic, romance, battles, plots, alliances, and true history! Brandes has created such a world of Colors that makes me believe color speak is possible. I am so impressed I am in a sort of color-daze.

The bottom line, if you enjoy YA Fantasy you will fall in LOVE with this story. If you enjoy historical books but haven't been brave enough to give the fantasy genre a try yet...I have a feeling you will enjoy this one. So be brave, give it a try...You may just fall in love with a new author!

I received a complimentary copy of Fawkes from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
The Mule (2018)
The Mule (2018)
2018 | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Clint Eastwood (0 more)
Clint still going strong at 89 years oldA
A real slow burner of a film but told in a wonderful way by a true Hollywood legend.Based on a true story Eastwood portrays a man who has lost his home,his livelihood and his family and sees that there isnt much out there for him.So after being pointed in the right direction he decides to become a drugs mule for a drugs cartel.He becomes their most reliable mule delivering their product and making himself some money in the process.

A real pleasure of a film that goes along at a nice slow pace and gives us another wonderful performance by a hollywood great.
  
40x40

Matt Dentler recommended Shadows (1959) in Movies (curated)

 
Shadows (1959)
Shadows (1959)
1959 | Drama, Romance
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"In fact, the whole John Cassavetes: Five Films set. This is the starter kit for anyone who wonders about the roots of the American independent film movement. Seeing Cassavetes’s debut, the politically charged love story Shadows, is like watching the birth of a giant. Meanwhile, Faces and A Woman Under the Influence are searing portraits of the blinding pain true love can bring when a marriage ends up tearing a family apart. The Killing of a Chinese Bookie and Opening Night, on the other hand, are noirish sagas of death and business. Plus, Charles Kiselyak’s moving documentary A Constant Forge offers up the proper historical and cultural perspective on one of American cinema’s true visionaries."

Source
  
True Blood  - Season 2
True Blood - Season 2
2009 | Sci-Fi
Season Two of True Blood is probably one of my favorite seasons. I feel like the storytelling was complex and interesting enough to hold my attention better.
The best part of this season was learning more about Eric, and his relationship with Godric. The next best story line is Jason's, with him joining the crazy, fundamentalist church. It was hilarious because it was so true to life.
I'm not a huge fan of Tara or Arlene in general, so those were the sections of the eps that I found tedious.
Of course, this season ends with a huge and intriguing cliff-hanger, and you have to prepare to meet the newest supernatural species in the next season.
  
AG
A Grand Man ( Mary Ann series 1)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
75 of 220
Book
A Grand Man ( Mary Ann series 1)
By Catherine Cookson
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Set on Tyneside, the part of the world which Catherine Cookson knew and understood so well, this heartwarming and humorously observed book skillfully weds an authentic and unsentimentalized background to the kind of fairytale story that we all like to believe could come true and which the Mary Ann Shaughnessys of this world know to be true.

A little girls love for her Da is priceless. Catherine Cookson brings live and determination to all her books. This is the first in the Mary Ann Shaughnessy books a little girls journey in a tough environment. Love this author.
  
40x40

Merissa (11958 KP) rated The Murderess Must Die in Books

Sep 3, 2021 (Updated Jul 14, 2023)  
The Murderess Must Die
The Murderess Must Die
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE MURDERESS MUST DIE is a fictional telling of a true crime. Most of the main characters are from newspaper articles of the time and pieced together to make a story.

Was Mattie Place insane? Or a madly jealous stepmother? Or was she someone who had just reached her limit? We will never know for sure, but the author brings her to life and raises questions. As the first woman to be killed by the electric chair, she has some notoriety but has never had a voice.

Told from multiple perspectives, I wasn't sure, to begin with just who was who, apart from Mattie, but as the story continued, the other players slotted into place and showed how a story can be changed by the omission of facts, or just by being told a certain way.

I found this story to be absolutely captivating and loved the last entry by Mr Knittle. The questions 'he' raised were good ones and it does make you wonder if it had been any different if those answers had been found.

I love true crime and I love stories based upon true crime. This one kept my attention and got me thinking, which is always a good thing in my book. A fascinating read that kept me turning the pages and one I definitely recommend.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* 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!
Sep 3, 2021
  
Overall, this was an enjoyable series. There are a few story devices that I am over such as the cheating boyfriend and “one true mate” but the author has an easy style that, once you get into the story, the story seems to fly by. I didn’t even realize how far into the story I was until I had to set it down.

Derek and Claire are not my favorite couple. Claire comes off as a bit childish despite being 30 something years old, and, honestly, I felt her little pity party early on in the story that brought about the accident was poor storytelling. That being said, I thought Derek was precious in in subtle courtship of her. He wanted to make her happy but thought he couldn’t be with her so he left her little presents. I mean how adorable?

But I digress. The author is skilled with painting a clear portrait of the scenery events. While I wasn’t overly fond of her leads, I was still invested in their HEA.
  
TT
The Thing on the Doorstep
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
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!
  
Johnny Frank Garrett&#039;s Last Word (2016)
Johnny Frank Garrett's Last Word (2016)
2016 | Horror
3
5.3 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Disappointing even though it's based on a terrifying true story
I was looking forward to watch this film given that the story of Johnny Frank Garrett is on par with the real life mysteries of Amityville and The Omen. However, the film completely missed the point and went straight to a Rob Zombie type horror film.

Garrett was executed in reality in 1992 following the rape and murder of a nun. On what many believe shoddy evidence, he was found guilty despite proclaiming his innocence throughout. His last words were chillingly prophetic as much of what he said allegedly came true.

Many of those involved in the case including jury members met mysterious deaths as well as their family members post-execution. And this is where this filmmaker came in. Instead of exploring the connections and insanity of the deaths itself, he turns Garrett into a demon-like character which makes the whole film a bit of a joke. What a disappointment.