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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Breakdown in Books
Jul 24, 2017
Stick with it, takes a while to like the protagonist
After reading the brilliant 'Behind Closed Doors', I was wondering how BA Paris would be able to excel expectations - and she has thankfully managed to avoid the usual psychological thriller pitfalls once again.
There was a massive red herring which provides a brilliant twist and opportunity for the ultimate revenge. Feeling claustrophobic throughout, due to the main character's apparent early onset dementia, it sets an unnerving tone from the outset. At this point I did worry it would end up with the same gaps in information such as in The Girl on the Train. However, Paris manages to steer clear of becoming another wannabe Gone Girl, and totally holds her own.
For about 75 per cent of the time, you will find the protagonist's almost neurotic personality quite annoying until the last quarter of the book where you will end up completely empathising with her. Another fantastic dark tale from BA Paris.
There was a massive red herring which provides a brilliant twist and opportunity for the ultimate revenge. Feeling claustrophobic throughout, due to the main character's apparent early onset dementia, it sets an unnerving tone from the outset. At this point I did worry it would end up with the same gaps in information such as in The Girl on the Train. However, Paris manages to steer clear of becoming another wannabe Gone Girl, and totally holds her own.
For about 75 per cent of the time, you will find the protagonist's almost neurotic personality quite annoying until the last quarter of the book where you will end up completely empathising with her. Another fantastic dark tale from BA Paris.
Merissa (13422 KP) rated Phantom Pleasures (Phantom #1) in Books
Aug 23, 2017
Phantom Pleasures (Phantom #1) by Julie Leto
This book has some quirks with the main characters, but on the whole, I really enjoyed the story and the background given and am looking forward to reading Book 2 in the series.
It was nice to read a paranormal story that had nary a vampire or shifter in sight but instead followed the story of a phantom and how he came to be stuck inside a painting by gypsy magic.
The supporting characters of Cat and Ben steal the show in places, but the winner for me all round is Paschal. He is just wonderful! The part when Alexa and Damon meet for the first time has been covered in other reviews so I won't say too much, but I will agree that things happen very quickly, with no moment of disbelief or questions.
Recommended if you want paranormal with a twist.
* Verified Purchase ~ March 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
It was nice to read a paranormal story that had nary a vampire or shifter in sight but instead followed the story of a phantom and how he came to be stuck inside a painting by gypsy magic.
The supporting characters of Cat and Ben steal the show in places, but the winner for me all round is Paschal. He is just wonderful! The part when Alexa and Damon meet for the first time has been covered in other reviews so I won't say too much, but I will agree that things happen very quickly, with no moment of disbelief or questions.
Recommended if you want paranormal with a twist.
* Verified Purchase ~ March 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated How to Twist a Dragon's Tale in Books
Apr 27, 2018
I am a huge fan of Cressida Cowell. She's on my Author Watch list! I think she's brilliant. This is the fifth book in the How To Train Your Dragon series, and it was just as clever and hilarious as the other ones. The writing is an interesting combination of poetic and satirical, with just a twinge of sarcasm. The characters are so full of life that I feel like they're my friends. The funny parts are hilarious, and the dramatic parts literally sent shivers down my spine. Only Cressida Cowell can make a fart joke and then make you want to cry two seconds later. Also. The audiobooks are narrated by David Tennant. So there's that. If you haven't listened or read them yet, do so immediately. I guarantee you'll want to be a viking within the first chapter. Appropriate for all ages - See more at: http://www.thelifeandlies.com/2016/07/book-review-how-to-twist-dragons-tail.html#sthash.sjH1e1ur.dpuf
Connelly’s First Great Team Up
Former FBI agent Terry McCaleb is enjoying his new life on Catalina when he is asked to come back to the mainland and consult on a bizarre case. He zeros in on a clue – a plastic owl. Where will that lead him? Meanwhile, Harry Bosch is working closely with the prosecution on a case that he investigated. The defendant is a Hollywood director. Is their case strong enough to win?
Fans of Michael Connelly will enjoy getting to see these two characters team up in one book. We even get appearances by some characters from other Connelly books, which is a treat for fans, although not knowing the backstory doesn’t hamper anything if you start with this book. The characters are sharp, both returning and new. The pacing was a bit off as times since we can guess one twist early and Bosch’s scenes in court tend to slow things down, but overall, this is another great book with a fantastic climax.
Fans of Michael Connelly will enjoy getting to see these two characters team up in one book. We even get appearances by some characters from other Connelly books, which is a treat for fans, although not knowing the backstory doesn’t hamper anything if you start with this book. The characters are sharp, both returning and new. The pacing was a bit off as times since we can guess one twist early and Bosch’s scenes in court tend to slow things down, but overall, this is another great book with a fantastic climax.
Natacha (374 KP) rated The Well of Ascension (Mistborn, #2) in Books
Feb 23, 2019 (Updated Feb 23, 2019)
Is was a great book with even more twists and turns than the first one. The only reason why I’m not giving this book full marks is the following:
1) The first two third of the book was more focused on political games. And although we were kept guessing all the way about what was happening and I had many moments of “I didn't see that coming” in my personal liking ⅔ of the book were a tiny bit more than what I would have liked.
2) Again, to my personal liking, I little bit too much self-doubting from Vin about who she is and if she should be with the man she loves or not.
Having said tha, holy moly did the last part of the book did make up for the above. I couldn't put the book down. Full of twist, battle and amazing moments! Now I can wait to read the final book in the series.
1) The first two third of the book was more focused on political games. And although we were kept guessing all the way about what was happening and I had many moments of “I didn't see that coming” in my personal liking ⅔ of the book were a tiny bit more than what I would have liked.
2) Again, to my personal liking, I little bit too much self-doubting from Vin about who she is and if she should be with the man she loves or not.
Having said tha, holy moly did the last part of the book did make up for the above. I couldn't put the book down. Full of twist, battle and amazing moments! Now I can wait to read the final book in the series.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated Spring Fling Kitty in Books
Apr 9, 2019
It all starts when Nadine is in a tree chasing her cat "Greyheart". Her father does one thing that gets it all in the motion.
It gets even better and more twist and turns as you read the story. It is mostly about Nadine and Connor Hart. What makes it even more entertaining is that Michael and Elaine and Nadine want to have their father worry about their lives.
Does Nadine father love her or not? To find out you would need to read the story. Michael wants something, but what is the question.
Connor is bugged about his love life though his family and sisters. Who is Connor true love? Nadine does not want to play second fiddle or be a side piece to any man. Will Nadine get her wish and is Connor Hart, her true love? Elaine is an older half sister to Nadine will she help her sister or is she using Nadine for herself?
It gets even better and more twist and turns as you read the story. It is mostly about Nadine and Connor Hart. What makes it even more entertaining is that Michael and Elaine and Nadine want to have their father worry about their lives.
Does Nadine father love her or not? To find out you would need to read the story. Michael wants something, but what is the question.
Connor is bugged about his love life though his family and sisters. Who is Connor true love? Nadine does not want to play second fiddle or be a side piece to any man. Will Nadine get her wish and is Connor Hart, her true love? Elaine is an older half sister to Nadine will she help her sister or is she using Nadine for herself?
Film and stuff (30 KP) rated Before I Wake (2016) in Movies
May 15, 2019
....meh
Director: Mike Flanagan
Writers: Mike Flanagan, Jeff Howard
Stars: Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane and Jacob Tremblay
What's it about?
New foster carers look after a sweet young boy whos dreams and nightmares come to life.
Is it scary?
Well, the first 20 to 30 minutes are really good. It builds slow and has a real confidence about it that is refreshing. sadly after that it devolves into standard horror clichés and is deeply not scary. It switches from tension building to attempted jump scares that simply don't land.
Does it have any redeeming features?
The reveal/twist is rushed and half arsed. Cody (the young boy) is so sweet and struggles with what is happening. Trying everything he can to stay awake because of his ability is so refreshing from the normal "evil child" trope.
How does it compare to other horrors?
It's mainstream. It offers a really nice premise but sadly doesn't do much with it.
Writers: Mike Flanagan, Jeff Howard
Stars: Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane and Jacob Tremblay
What's it about?
New foster carers look after a sweet young boy whos dreams and nightmares come to life.
Is it scary?
Well, the first 20 to 30 minutes are really good. It builds slow and has a real confidence about it that is refreshing. sadly after that it devolves into standard horror clichés and is deeply not scary. It switches from tension building to attempted jump scares that simply don't land.
Does it have any redeeming features?
The reveal/twist is rushed and half arsed. Cody (the young boy) is so sweet and struggles with what is happening. Trying everything he can to stay awake because of his ability is so refreshing from the normal "evil child" trope.
How does it compare to other horrors?
It's mainstream. It offers a really nice premise but sadly doesn't do much with it.
Awix (3310 KP) rated 3 Faces (2018) in Movies
May 19, 2019 (Updated May 19, 2019)
Low-octane comedy-drama from Iran, as a film director and an actress (both playing themselves) set off to learn the fate of a teenage girl who has sent them a series of troubling messages. And... they drive around a lot, meet various locals, hear a lot of stories not strictly relevant to their investigation, and so on.
I went to see this with a friend of Iranian extraction and at the end I asked him if there was some kind of subtle cultural subtext going on I wasn't picking up on. And he said no, this is just a film with not much going on in it. The pace is ambling, at best, the tone curiously laid-back (the closest thing to a plot twist comes when a prize stud bull hurts its leg); there may be something going on about cultural and generational divides within Iran, but if so it's very obliquely presented. Not unpleasant to watch, but the entertainment value is ambient.
I went to see this with a friend of Iranian extraction and at the end I asked him if there was some kind of subtle cultural subtext going on I wasn't picking up on. And he said no, this is just a film with not much going on in it. The pace is ambling, at best, the tone curiously laid-back (the closest thing to a plot twist comes when a prize stud bull hurts its leg); there may be something going on about cultural and generational divides within Iran, but if so it's very obliquely presented. Not unpleasant to watch, but the entertainment value is ambient.
Film and stuff (30 KP) rated Kin (2018) in Movies
May 30, 2019
Underrated
Contains spoilers, click to show
Kin is a modern twist on a story that feels very familiar.
Our hero is a boy that we assume was sent back in time to live in relative safety until his time to do something pivotal in a future war comes about.
The biggest issue is the ending. Audiences are unforgiving of sequel bait endings and this isn't subtle either.
Franco is a cookie cutter bad guy that just about reaches entertaining.
The relationship between our three main characters is thin and underdeveloped.
The beginning catalyst of the father dying suffers from an underdeveloped relationship between him and his sons as well as the father figure being largely unlikable.
All this being said, as an entire piece of work there is plenty to enjoy and that's what you will need to do with this film.
A mild recommendation
Our hero is a boy that we assume was sent back in time to live in relative safety until his time to do something pivotal in a future war comes about.
The biggest issue is the ending. Audiences are unforgiving of sequel bait endings and this isn't subtle either.
Franco is a cookie cutter bad guy that just about reaches entertaining.
The relationship between our three main characters is thin and underdeveloped.
The beginning catalyst of the father dying suffers from an underdeveloped relationship between him and his sons as well as the father figure being largely unlikable.
All this being said, as an entire piece of work there is plenty to enjoy and that's what you will need to do with this film.
A mild recommendation
Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated The Usual Suspects (1995) in Movies
Jan 16, 2018
EPIC
A group of 5 criminals who are always rounded up whenever a big crime is committed (hence the title.) They ending working together to commit a few crimes together when they are tracked down by a man working for a notorious crime figure named Kaisar Soze (sorry if badly misspelled) who begins to blackmail then to do one last deadly job and they can have their lives back. This all leads to amazing dramatic ending. The movie is full of major twists and turns and if you blink you might miss a huge plot point.
This is a movie that can never and should never be remade because you can't recreate a masterpiece. The twist I never saw coming and there are few actors today who could even play Kaisar Soze. This is a must see movie for all crime lover alike and anyone who likes a mystery.
This is a movie that can never and should never be remade because you can't recreate a masterpiece. The twist I never saw coming and there are few actors today who could even play Kaisar Soze. This is a must see movie for all crime lover alike and anyone who likes a mystery.