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Red Kingdom (Fairy Tale Retellings #2)
Book
Little Red Riding Hood reimagined with a dark and realistic twist. Princess Blanchette’s world...
Historical Fantasy Romance Fairytale Retelling Medieval
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2593 KP) rated Sheer Window in Books
Nov 6, 2024
Poly Would Be Thankful to Learn What Is Happening Across the Street
This Thanksgiving, Poly Monroe is hosting a few friends for the day in the apartment over her fabric store. When she learns that someone has moved into the apartment over the bar across the street, she decides to invite them to join the festivities. However, not only does she not get a response when she goes over there, but she manages to twist her ankle. Now injured in her apartment, she finds herself watching what is happening across the street. She thinks something strange is going on. Is she right? Can she get anyone to believe her?
This is a fun novella to get us in the Thanksgiving mood. Obviously, it is a loving homage to Rear Window, and the story really leans into that with several references and nods to the film. The story is strong and pulled me in. It’s also the perfect length for this novella. We still get to see quite a few of the series regulars, which I enjoyed as well. Since it’s a novella, it will be easier to slip this into a busy holiday season. And when you pick it up, you’ll find it is sheer delight.
This is a fun novella to get us in the Thanksgiving mood. Obviously, it is a loving homage to Rear Window, and the story really leans into that with several references and nods to the film. The story is strong and pulled me in. It’s also the perfect length for this novella. We still get to see quite a few of the series regulars, which I enjoyed as well. Since it’s a novella, it will be easier to slip this into a busy holiday season. And when you pick it up, you’ll find it is sheer delight.
Merissa (14056 KP) rated Accidentally Vacationed with an Incubus (Briar Coven, #2) in Books
Mar 21, 2025
ACCIDENTALLY VACATIONED WITH AN INCUBUS is the second book in the Briar Coven series, although the coven doesn't appear for most of the book.
Jen was sent to prison nine years ago for killing her parents and has never forgiven herself. Devlin has never been summoned and has given up, taking a vacation instead. With the help of a magical bedsheet, these two meet and realise they can help each other, falling in love along the way.
This was a great story that had more of a mystery than the first book, with red herrings thrown in too. I loved the connection between Jen and Devlin and how it played out naturally. Fated mates with a twist. And not only that but there is another magical house! I love Boo-dini just as much as House, and I definitely want my own.
A great addition to the series that will leave you wanting more. Definitely recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 19, 2025
Jen was sent to prison nine years ago for killing her parents and has never forgiven herself. Devlin has never been summoned and has given up, taking a vacation instead. With the help of a magical bedsheet, these two meet and realise they can help each other, falling in love along the way.
This was a great story that had more of a mystery than the first book, with red herrings thrown in too. I loved the connection between Jen and Devlin and how it played out naturally. Fated mates with a twist. And not only that but there is another magical house! I love Boo-dini just as much as House, and I definitely want my own.
A great addition to the series that will leave you wanting more. Definitely recommended by me.
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 19, 2025
Merissa (14056 KP) rated Brittle Bonds (Guadel Chronicles #3) in Books
Apr 7, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
This book starts off in the same vein as the other - Va'del is still not trusted by most of the Guadel but those that do trust him also respect him. Va'ma takes Va'del into his confidence and tells him of his fears that the Capital is not as safe as everyone thinks. They make plans to test out their welcome and make contingency plans just in case. It's a good job they do because then this story takes an unexpected twist.
Va'del and Jain find themselves in a world unknown to them and have to learn how to fit in quickly as their survival depends on it.
The layers upon layers of this story make it at once intricate, rich and detailed whilst still being an easy read. This story will draw you into it and take you along for the ride. Highly recommended for all Fantasy fans. Brittle Bonds reaches a natural conclusion that will still leave you wanting more. Luckily for me, I have Shattered Ties ready to go (review to follow).
* 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!
July 20, 2016
Va'del and Jain find themselves in a world unknown to them and have to learn how to fit in quickly as their survival depends on it.
The layers upon layers of this story make it at once intricate, rich and detailed whilst still being an easy read. This story will draw you into it and take you along for the ride. Highly recommended for all Fantasy fans. Brittle Bonds reaches a natural conclusion that will still leave you wanting more. Luckily for me, I have Shattered Ties ready to go (review to follow).
* 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!
July 20, 2016
Merissa (14056 KP) rated Use Somebody in Books
Apr 12, 2023
This book will take you on an emotional story rollercoaster as you learn why Scarlett changed from having blonde hair and being happy to everyone into Scar, a black-haired sullen and sarcastic emo girl. Not only that but you also see how friendships change over the years and how some just aren't meant to last past a certain time.
It was wonderful to read something that was a slow-burner, where they took the time to get to know each other and indeed, the idea of taking that any further shook one of them up so much that it became a detailed part of the story.
There is a twist to this story that I never saw coming and I LOVED IT! I won't say any more than that because I don't want to spoil it for anyone else but it certainly gave the whole story a new spin which is incredibly hard to do at such a late stage in the book.
A raw and poignant story about life, love and friendships. Definitely recommended!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
September 11, 2016
It was wonderful to read something that was a slow-burner, where they took the time to get to know each other and indeed, the idea of taking that any further shook one of them up so much that it became a detailed part of the story.
There is a twist to this story that I never saw coming and I LOVED IT! I won't say any more than that because I don't want to spoil it for anyone else but it certainly gave the whole story a new spin which is incredibly hard to do at such a late stage in the book.
A raw and poignant story about life, love and friendships. Definitely recommended!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
September 11, 2016
Merissa (14056 KP) rated Phoenix Rising (Phoenix #1) in Books
May 8, 2023
Set in an alternate world with Rengallas and Dalshies, this book is absolutely jam-packed with action and humour!
Daughtry is our main female and, to be blunt, her life has been a pile of..., but most especially this past year. She found the inner strength to break free of an engagement with a vindictive and abusive man and then found herself cut off from her family when they threw her out. She has major issues stemming from a lack of love and trust, but rather than being annoying, this just made her character all the more relatable.
I'll be honest when it started, I thought it was going to be a love triangle (which is one of my pet peeves) but instead, it took a fresh twist that had me gripping my Kindle, unable to put it down until I had read "just one more page."
This story is refreshing, full of humour and quick wit, traumatic with events, and full of a whole gamut of emotions. Absolutely fantastic and I loved every page. Highly recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 17, 2015
Daughtry is our main female and, to be blunt, her life has been a pile of..., but most especially this past year. She found the inner strength to break free of an engagement with a vindictive and abusive man and then found herself cut off from her family when they threw her out. She has major issues stemming from a lack of love and trust, but rather than being annoying, this just made her character all the more relatable.
I'll be honest when it started, I thought it was going to be a love triangle (which is one of my pet peeves) but instead, it took a fresh twist that had me gripping my Kindle, unable to put it down until I had read "just one more page."
This story is refreshing, full of humour and quick wit, traumatic with events, and full of a whole gamut of emotions. Absolutely fantastic and I loved every page. Highly recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 17, 2015
Kim Pook (101 KP) rated Fear of Rain (2021) in Movies
Jun 3, 2022
Straight away we see a young teen running for her life through the woods. A hooded stranger captures her, ties her up and buries her alive. She manages to escape but is grabbed again........ By a doctor at a hospital and strapped to the bed. It turns out this girl has schizophrenia and everything that just happened was inside her head and these visions are due to her not taking her medication.
She soon returns from hospital, back on her meds and a return to normal life, or at least as normal as life can be for her. About half an hour in, we finally get to the plot line of the movie where Rain is adament there's a kidnapped child in the attic of her neighbours house, but nobody believes her when she tells them including her therapist, so she sets out to find the truth for herself.
This movie had me gripped from the start and it went at a nice pace, everyone involved did a fantastic job at bringing the characters to life, so much so that you even start to question what's real and the huge twist at the end I was not expecting at all.
She soon returns from hospital, back on her meds and a return to normal life, or at least as normal as life can be for her. About half an hour in, we finally get to the plot line of the movie where Rain is adament there's a kidnapped child in the attic of her neighbours house, but nobody believes her when she tells them including her therapist, so she sets out to find the truth for herself.
This movie had me gripped from the start and it went at a nice pace, everyone involved did a fantastic job at bringing the characters to life, so much so that you even start to question what's real and the huge twist at the end I was not expecting at all.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Orphan (2009) in Movies
Oct 12, 2022
In the years since it's release, Orphan has earned it's spot as a genre favourite. It's a tense and unsettling drama, with fantastic performances from its cast. Isabelle Fuhrman is a pitch perfect creepy-horror-movie-child and gives us a more than memorable villain. Esther is manipulative, dangerous, and mysterious in equal measure, and Fuhrman cements all of those things, no problem. This is complimented by the delightfully unhinged turn by Vera Farmiga. She has become a bit of a darling in the horror genre and Orphan was one of the film's that propelled that. Her character is troubled and erratic, suspicious of Esther, and someone who we as the audience root for until the very end.
The relatively long runtime, and slow burning first half never gets boring, and the mystery surrounding Esther ticks along nicely, until we're hit with one hell of a batshit twist. It's definitely a payoff that hits its mark. The last 30 minutes are pedal to the floor craziness as everything descends into chaos. It's a satisfying finale to its long build up.
Orphan is a well loved film that deserves that status, and one that is fun to go back to, even knowing the outcome.
The relatively long runtime, and slow burning first half never gets boring, and the mystery surrounding Esther ticks along nicely, until we're hit with one hell of a batshit twist. It's definitely a payoff that hits its mark. The last 30 minutes are pedal to the floor craziness as everything descends into chaos. It's a satisfying finale to its long build up.
Orphan is a well loved film that deserves that status, and one that is fun to go back to, even knowing the outcome.
Merissa (14056 KP) rated Once Upon a Forbidden Desire: Fairy Tales and Other Stories in Books
Sep 13, 2023
Anthologies can be hit-and-miss for me. Sometimes, you'll get a great collection. Other times, it will be a list of mediocre stories. ONCE UPON A FORBIDDEN DESIRE definitely belongs in the first category. If you love fairy tales, then you will adore this collection. There is a heat level here for everyone, with stories ranging from The Pied Piper of Hamelin to Hansel and Gretel, told with their own twist by each of the authors.
With an abundance of new-to-me authors, as well as old favourites, I now have a list of various stories and series that I want to read, based on their stories in this anthology. There was not a single one that let the side down.
This was a fantastic collection of fairy tale retellings, each with its own heat rating at the beginning. I loved every story and thoroughly appreciated the range of various fairy tales to enjoy. Highly recommended by me.
** 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!
Aug 19, 2022
With an abundance of new-to-me authors, as well as old favourites, I now have a list of various stories and series that I want to read, based on their stories in this anthology. There was not a single one that let the side down.
This was a fantastic collection of fairy tale retellings, each with its own heat rating at the beginning. I loved every story and thoroughly appreciated the range of various fairy tales to enjoy. Highly recommended by me.
** 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!
Aug 19, 2022
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated 47 Meters Down (2017) in Movies
Apr 27, 2022
47 Meters Down is a good enough, popcorn movie, that has a lot of things going for it, and is unfortunately hampered by incredibly bland characters.
The set up is mercifully short. The time spent with a bunch of people dating and speaking to eachother like Instagram influencers is limited and its not long before they're stuck at the bottom of the ocean. The minimalist execution of the bulk of the narrative is well done. The predicament the leads find themselves in provides plenty of tension and some well earned jump scares. Personally, I find the idea of the deep ocean utterly terrifying, and 47 Meters Down did a good job of making me feel uncomfortable for the most part.
The main draw back as mentioned, is the characters. Neither of the sisters are that likable, and it's hard to care whether they make it through to the end, which is an issue considering they're the only two on screen for 90% of the runtime. The narrative packs in a relatively clever twist before an underwhelming ending which left me feeling a bit empty.
Overall though, it's a solid shark horror/thriller that delivers on its entertainment value, and there are certainly worse shark films out there.
The set up is mercifully short. The time spent with a bunch of people dating and speaking to eachother like Instagram influencers is limited and its not long before they're stuck at the bottom of the ocean. The minimalist execution of the bulk of the narrative is well done. The predicament the leads find themselves in provides plenty of tension and some well earned jump scares. Personally, I find the idea of the deep ocean utterly terrifying, and 47 Meters Down did a good job of making me feel uncomfortable for the most part.
The main draw back as mentioned, is the characters. Neither of the sisters are that likable, and it's hard to care whether they make it through to the end, which is an issue considering they're the only two on screen for 90% of the runtime. The narrative packs in a relatively clever twist before an underwhelming ending which left me feeling a bit empty.
Overall though, it's a solid shark horror/thriller that delivers on its entertainment value, and there are certainly worse shark films out there.