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Phil (7 KP) rated Huckleberry Finn in Books
May 23, 2017
Would be hard to meet expectations
Huckleberry Finn is a story about deciding your values. Mark Twain has a lot to say about everything, from slavery, to how we view adults vs children, to general decency. It's a great read if you want to be challenged on morality and the process of judgement and trust. It is, however, really hard to get through some conversations where half the words have to be taken on context. Being a classic of literature, I had built this up unfairly in my mind, so I had to drop the score assuming you'd do the same.
Would be perfect for anyone learning Southerner though, looking for a cheap immersion course.
Would be perfect for anyone learning Southerner though, looking for a cheap immersion course.

tonidavis (353 KP) rated The Selection in Books
Jun 30, 2017
America Singer (1 more)
Maxon
In America we trust
I truly love this series if you like YA dystopian Story's then this book is for you.
America Singer is a truly lovable protagonist who follows her heart and whilst this is not always the wisest of choices it does make a great story. America is a strong female who is a great inspiration for young girls to look up to.
Prince Maxon is also a great charcter although prince to Ilyria Maxon life isn't all glitz and glamour choosing between 30 strangers isnt as easy as the world thinks it is. he has pressure of war closing in on him at all sides his Dad wants him to go another direction and not all of the girls are what they seem.
America Singer is a truly lovable protagonist who follows her heart and whilst this is not always the wisest of choices it does make a great story. America is a strong female who is a great inspiration for young girls to look up to.
Prince Maxon is also a great charcter although prince to Ilyria Maxon life isn't all glitz and glamour choosing between 30 strangers isnt as easy as the world thinks it is. he has pressure of war closing in on him at all sides his Dad wants him to go another direction and not all of the girls are what they seem.

ClareR (5879 KP) rated The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air, #2) in Books
Apr 21, 2019
This series gets better and better!
It’s not often that the second book in a trilogy is better than the first, but I really feel that’s the case with this book. The machinations against one another (that’ll be EVERYONE!), the political intrigue - no-one trusts anyone else in this series, and for good reason! Nobody is particularly nice. The sexual tension between Jude and Carden reaches a whole new level, but even then, there’s no trust. I didn’t see ANY of the double crosses coming, but then I was so sucked in to the story, so it’s hardly surprising.
This is such a good series, and I have a year to wait for the last instalment!!
Many thanks to Readers First for my copy of this book, and for feeding the Faerie land addiction!
This is such a good series, and I have a year to wait for the last instalment!!
Many thanks to Readers First for my copy of this book, and for feeding the Faerie land addiction!

Andrew Kennedy (199 KP) rated I Am Mother (2019) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
Watched this on impulse and glad I did.
The cast is small, the concept is tried and tested and the sets are amazing.
Don't want to give too much away but after an incident that destroys the human race, in a lab a droid called Mother raises a daughter from embryo to teen. Training her to be a doctor.
Then a woman arrives from outside and she reveals that Mother may not have been totally truthful. There is a very uncomfortable scene of bullet extraction without pain relief.
It maybe a little bit of a predictable ending but the acting from the small cast is superb and you will forgive it's predictability.
Yes it's very Terminator in its execution of its central idea of can you trust machine.
The cast is small, the concept is tried and tested and the sets are amazing.
Don't want to give too much away but after an incident that destroys the human race, in a lab a droid called Mother raises a daughter from embryo to teen. Training her to be a doctor.
Then a woman arrives from outside and she reveals that Mother may not have been totally truthful. There is a very uncomfortable scene of bullet extraction without pain relief.
It maybe a little bit of a predictable ending but the acting from the small cast is superb and you will forgive it's predictability.
Yes it's very Terminator in its execution of its central idea of can you trust machine.

Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Wizard of Lies (2017) in Movies
Mar 8, 2018
Captivating...
Bernie Madoff. What can you say? His Ponzi scheme was so complex, far-reaching and of epic proportions, it ruined many people's lives. Tore their life savings from them based on the betrayal of trust.
"Rain Man' director, Barry Levinson, successfully captures the intrigue, suspense, and also the interesting family dynamics in this compelling true story.
If the family dynamics are to be believed as his wife and sons did not know about any of the lies and fraudulent trading, they were either incredibly naive, incredibly stupid or just living the good life..
De Niro gives one of his most memorable recent performances and almost makes you sympathize with him. The actual reporter who wrote the book plays herself well in the film also.
Was Madoff a sociopath?
"Rain Man' director, Barry Levinson, successfully captures the intrigue, suspense, and also the interesting family dynamics in this compelling true story.
If the family dynamics are to be believed as his wife and sons did not know about any of the lies and fraudulent trading, they were either incredibly naive, incredibly stupid or just living the good life..
De Niro gives one of his most memorable recent performances and almost makes you sympathize with him. The actual reporter who wrote the book plays herself well in the film also.
Was Madoff a sociopath?

Leah (: (569 KP) rated A Harless Little Game in Books
Jul 8, 2018
I could not put this book down!!
From the start I was hooked on Lindsay’s story and needed to know what would happen next. There were enough secrets and intrigue to keep you guessing and wondering throughout the book Not just the identity of the boys from the video, but how Lindsay would react to each new situation, what secrets were being kept by who and why, how will this all end, and most importantly who can we trust.
The book was well written, however it is the first book in a trilogy so it does end with a cliffhanger. I could not wait to start book two (A Harmless Little Ruse) particularly as it was told from Drew’s perspective.
I would definitely recommend this book however it is only suitable for mature readers.
From the start I was hooked on Lindsay’s story and needed to know what would happen next. There were enough secrets and intrigue to keep you guessing and wondering throughout the book Not just the identity of the boys from the video, but how Lindsay would react to each new situation, what secrets were being kept by who and why, how will this all end, and most importantly who can we trust.
The book was well written, however it is the first book in a trilogy so it does end with a cliffhanger. I could not wait to start book two (A Harmless Little Ruse) particularly as it was told from Drew’s perspective.
I would definitely recommend this book however it is only suitable for mature readers.

Sue (5 KP) rated Whisper to the River in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Maggie Jackson is hiding out in Rosetown trying to lay low before having to testify in a trial against her ex-boyfriend. Jake Jones is the owner of a local river rafting company and is trying to get on with life after the mysterious disappearance of his wife, but the town is keeping him at the center of its gossip.
The two meet and at first miscommunication and past betrayals keep them apart, but they soon find themselves working together as danger lurks around them. Can they develop trust, overcome hurt and betrayal, and find romance while facing issues from their past?
The author weaves a tale of romance and suspense that has you hoping for a happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The two meet and at first miscommunication and past betrayals keep them apart, but they soon find themselves working together as danger lurks around them. Can they develop trust, overcome hurt and betrayal, and find romance while facing issues from their past?
The author weaves a tale of romance and suspense that has you hoping for a happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Alicia S (193 KP) rated Murder Girl (Lilah Love #2) in Books
Sep 28, 2018
Loving this series so far and can't wait to see where we end up next!
Second book in this series and I can't say enough how thrilled I am that we'll be in for more of Lilah Love! Her tough attitude and fierce independence make her one bad a$$ FBI Profiler and a character that I can't help but love and admire. This story is a perfect blend of suspense, action, and romance and Kane's patience and understanding of Lilah and her habits is heartwarming. As dark as his life and experiences may be, he goes out of his way to create a safe place for her, even when she feels like there is no else she can fully trust. Loving this series so far and can't wait to see where we end up next!

Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated Mary's the Name in Books
Jun 21, 2019
Good book from a new author
Contains spoilers, click to show
This was my first book of the year and it didn't disappoint. Mary is a great wee character that the reader is drawn to from page 1. This is a novel about an innocent child and a corrupt granddad - a diamond of a man who loves his granddaughter dearly. The author did a great job of writing from Mary's point of view when the character is so young. My only criticism would be the explaining of Scottish words - trust your reader. Otherwise, it was great. The plot was brilliant and I even had a gasp, right in the middle, but I won't spoil it for anyone. Well done Ross, looking forward to the next one.

The Tale of the Dancing Slaughter Horse: A Memoir
Book
When Victoria meets Moonshine, an ex-racehorse saved from the slaughterhouse and abuse, she despairs...