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Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated 56 Days in Books

Aug 20, 2021  
56 Days
56 Days
Catherine Ryan Howard | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
4.5 stars rounded down to 4.
Who would’ve thought that a book about lockdown would be something that I’d want to read and thoroughly enjoy just as things are getting back to normal after a year of lockdowns. But that is exactly what this book is!
We follow Oliver and Ciara through their whirlwind romance that’s starting just as COVID-19 is picking up pace in Dublin. They make the decision to move in together so that they can continue with their relationship during lockdown, but both of them are hiding a secret from their past.
The chapters go back and forward on Ciara’s timeline, Oliver’s timeline and then “today” when there are police officers at a scene of a murder. Although it sounds like it might be confusing going back and forth, it really isn’t too confusing and still pretty easy to follow.
There is a twist towards the end, that is sorted of hinted at, which then turns into another twist that I really didn’t see coming and had to read a few sentences a couple of times to realise what had happened. And everything is quite nicely tied up by the end of it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, the only thing I would have changed would have been some of the thought processes behind some of the actions towards the end of the book, but nothing major at all.
Thank you to Readers First for allowing me an advanced read of this book, and to Catherine Ryan Howard for writing it and for it being about something so relatable to us all.
  
40x40

Dracoria Malfoy (690 KP) rated A Court of Mist and Fury in Books

Sep 23, 2017 (Updated Oct 30, 2017)  
A Court of Mist and Fury
A Court of Mist and Fury
Sarah J. Maas | 2016 | Young Adult (YA)
9
9.3 (54 Ratings)
Book Rating
Erm... Scenes (6 more)
Cassian
Nessian Tension
Mor
Rhys
Every single character other than Tamlin and Ianthe and Hybern and maybe Lucien I dunno
The writing
Tamlin and Ianthe and Hybern and maybe Lucien I dunno. (3 more)
Attor
Almost nothing
Broken Bond
Contains spoilers, click to show
This was significantly better than the first book, and definitely one I won't regret reading. The... erm... scenes were written well, though I think they could have been better. The ending killed me, and the shocking twist at the end, that Elane was Lucien's mate? That. Was. INSANE. As usual, with amazing books, I had to close it and hold it in my hand for a good 10 minutes, while resisting the urge to throw it at a wall. All in all though, a good book that could do with almost no improvement.
  
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
2017 | Action, Comedy
Soundtrack (2 more)
The plot
The cast
Some of the cuts (0 more)
The plot is interesting and modern, the action scenes are amazing and the cast is actually perfect. Adding the new agency was a really good way to add a fun twist and bring in new characters. I am so glad I saw it in cinemas and would happily see it again.

What made it lose points for me, was that I genuinely feel that certain parts that ended up cut, should have stayed in the film. The film was apparently originally 3 and a half hours long, so while I understand why it was cut down, I really hope a directors cut is released.

I also feel the trailers were misleading, making out Channing Tatum to have a much bigger part than he actually did.
  
Collateral Beauty (2016)
Collateral Beauty (2016)
2016 | Drama
Tackles a difficult subject well (1 more)
Incredible Cast
Although I was expecting this film to be good as it was. I was definitely not expecting it to become one of my favourite films. It managed to tackle a very difficult subject in an incredible good and tactful way. The cast was incredible with both well known stars like Will Smith and Helen Mitten to the (what I'm sure is to be) incredibly promising not as well known stars such as Jacob Latimore. Also the twist at the end was amazing! They also managef to include a good amount of humour whilst at the same time not making light of a very real and serious issue. All in all it well exceeed my expectations and easily made it's way into my top films.
  
Demon Kissed (Demon Kissed #1)
Demon Kissed (Demon Kissed #1)
H.M. Ward | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Demon Kissed (Demon Kissed #1) by H.M. Ward
In this book you have the age old tale of good versus evil - angels versus demons - demons versus hunters - which ever way you want to look at it. In this they are Martis who are good, and Valefor who are bad. But then throw in a twist or two and you have a really good story.

The character development for all of them is good but I do have to say that the main female just irritated me at the beginning. She does get better as the book goes on though. The plot and storyline has a good pace to it and enough action to suit most.

Recommended for YA/Paranormal fans.

* Verified Purchase ~ January 2013 *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Jenny Pox (The Paranormals, #1)
Jenny Pox (The Paranormals, #1)
J.L. Bryan | 2010 | Paranormal
10
9.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
[Jenny Pox]by [J.L. Bryan] is a different twist on teen paranormal. No stupid sparkly vampires here! Instead teens with special powers all in the same small town.

Jenny can kill with a touch but does her best to protect everyone even though it brings her ridicule and bullying.

Seth can heal people with his touch.

Ashley can control people with hers and she does for her own benefit.

No one knows about these powers except the person with them until an accidental encounter between Jenny and Seth. All the pieces begin to fit.

This was a really enjoyable story and the fact that the teenagers had normal teenage personalities and issues made it all the better. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
  
Tilt-a-Whirl: John Ceepak, Book 1
Tilt-a-Whirl: John Ceepak, Book 1
Chris Grabenstein | 2005 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Pretty hilarious but requires a bit of sensitivity
I thoroughly enjoyed this Cabot Cove style detective story, especially for a first book right up until the last 20 mins where the author could have handled the actual tragic circumstance with a little more sensitivity and not brush it off as just part of an investigation.

The narrator, who poses as the 24-year-old sidekick is brilliant, his antics and hilarious commentary kept the entire plot together at a wonderful pace. Unfortunately, when the story turns dark and serious, the tone didn't change and it almost seemed to be a mockery of a very disturbing situation. The plot twist in the end, however, was a good day to go. I would definitely read more in this series mostly because of the comedic aspect.
  
The Other Side of the Door (2016)
The Other Side of the Door (2016)
2016 | Horror, Mystery
5
5.8 (5 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Love the South Asian-west mix of horror, but not particularly scary
An interesting concept, mixing some deep cultural traditions from India with western horror. After a mother loses her son in an accident, she brings him back by attempting to communicate with the dead. But what comes back is another being altogether. It's been done a million times, even in the form of Stephen King's Pet Sematary, but I like the Indian twist, especially for those who know that these kind of beliefs still exist. Shiva shamans, who are known to dabble in black magic, begin to stalk the family in an attempt to rid the house of spirits as well as other ghoulish entities. Great for those who understand the superstitions of India, but not for horror fans.
  
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
2017 | Action, Adventure
Great adaptation (4 more)
Funny
Fast paced
Good dialogue
Good action scenes
Vulture could have been better (1 more)
Plot of 2nd half pretty stock
Great, comic faithful version of spiderman.
Really enjoyed watching this wise cracking version of spiderman leaping around in an even more comic faithful version than Sam Rami's version. If you liked Spidey's guest appearance in Civil War then you'll like this. Definitely appeals to a younger audience but older comic fans like myself will enjoy watching our childhood heroes come to life. On the downside I did find the Vulture to be a little dull as villains go and the second half of the film was perhaps a little formulaic, with a contrived plot twist, but I still enjoyed the film as a whole. Recommended - if you like super hero films, obviously.