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Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
What would you do if you found out you were the latest in a long line of protectors, sworn to secrecy and to uphold the world as we know it from demonic harm? And you learn all this while still a child. That's what happens in this story, and it's a pretty epic one.
Neil Branch is just a boy one minute, but after meeting a mysterious stranger, he learns that he is destined for far bigger things. He must learn what it means to be the Caomhnoir, the lore that goes with it, and how to protect the world without them every knowing there's something they need to be protected from. Neil becomes career military, and it's during his travels between the last few wars of our time that he picks up on Puck, the one he's meant to destroy. Throughout the novel, we travel back in time to WWII, Korea, and ultimately Vietnam, and we learn along the way how Neil came to be in this position. When the other shoe drops, how will the fight end?
I thought this story was a great trip through history with an awesome paranormal twist. I shared quite a few scenes with my boyfriend, and I found myself on the edge of my seat a few times. The historical aspects are fantastic, the characters are fun, and just the idea behind it is such an interesting one. I would recommend it to paranormal fans, history fans, military fans, and those who like a little world-saving before their afternoon tea. =)
4 1/2 stars
What would you do if you found out you were the latest in a long line of protectors, sworn to secrecy and to uphold the world as we know it from demonic harm? And you learn all this while still a child. That's what happens in this story, and it's a pretty epic one.
Neil Branch is just a boy one minute, but after meeting a mysterious stranger, he learns that he is destined for far bigger things. He must learn what it means to be the Caomhnoir, the lore that goes with it, and how to protect the world without them every knowing there's something they need to be protected from. Neil becomes career military, and it's during his travels between the last few wars of our time that he picks up on Puck, the one he's meant to destroy. Throughout the novel, we travel back in time to WWII, Korea, and ultimately Vietnam, and we learn along the way how Neil came to be in this position. When the other shoe drops, how will the fight end?
I thought this story was a great trip through history with an awesome paranormal twist. I shared quite a few scenes with my boyfriend, and I found myself on the edge of my seat a few times. The historical aspects are fantastic, the characters are fun, and just the idea behind it is such an interesting one. I would recommend it to paranormal fans, history fans, military fans, and those who like a little world-saving before their afternoon tea. =)
4 1/2 stars
Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated The Victim (2012) in Movies
Jul 21, 2018
Horrible acting (4 more)
Boring plot
Long talking scenes that add nothing
No likable characters
Predictable
Was this still worth £1?
So I paid £1 for this on blu ray from Poundland. You can't argue with that price even if you are going to just watch it once.
The tone confused me a lot at first. I wasn't sure what it was supposed to be. The lighting felt terrible and the plot was terrible.
Michael Beihn was pretty much the only good part. He's a great actor but not a good director sadly. Mostly the acting was just horrible.
None of the characters were particularly likable. Despite all this, I felt there was going to be a lot more to the story than I was led to believe at the beginning so I stuck with it expecting some kind of twist. Sadly the whole thing isn't like this and just has a predictable ending.
It is badly paced with boring scenes that go on far too long and a sex scene that feels too out of place. It is a movie that tries to rely on hot girls and sex (not much might I add) with flashbacks to tell a lot of the story. This does not work and takes away whatever suspense there was.
The movie was too predictable with no surprises. I wouldn't waste your time with it to be honest. You can't even laugh at it but for £1 I can't really argue. Somehow it ain't even worth that but at least I watched it so you don't have to.
The tone confused me a lot at first. I wasn't sure what it was supposed to be. The lighting felt terrible and the plot was terrible.
Michael Beihn was pretty much the only good part. He's a great actor but not a good director sadly. Mostly the acting was just horrible.
None of the characters were particularly likable. Despite all this, I felt there was going to be a lot more to the story than I was led to believe at the beginning so I stuck with it expecting some kind of twist. Sadly the whole thing isn't like this and just has a predictable ending.
It is badly paced with boring scenes that go on far too long and a sex scene that feels too out of place. It is a movie that tries to rely on hot girls and sex (not much might I add) with flashbacks to tell a lot of the story. This does not work and takes away whatever suspense there was.
The movie was too predictable with no surprises. I wouldn't waste your time with it to be honest. You can't even laugh at it but for £1 I can't really argue. Somehow it ain't even worth that but at least I watched it so you don't have to.
Lou Grande (148 KP) rated The Grip of It in Books
Jul 9, 2018
I knew going into The Grip of It that it wasn't going to be "flashy" horror. It was marketed as a literary horror book and was compared to Turn of the Screw and House of Leaves. Now, I don't think it wasn't as good as those books, but I didn't think it was as bad as everyone says, either. The ending is fairly ambiguous, but that doesn't mean it's bad; in fact, I thought the horror grew out of the tension between the husband and wife, James and Julie. The premise is rooted in a possibly haunted house, but the couple moves to get a fresh start from James's gambling addiction. So already the couple is on unsteady ground. The tension builds as the weirdness starts to become more intense. There comes a twist towards the end of the book that might have been disappointing to some.
The Grip of It is excellently written. The changes of perspective between the husband and wife (which usually coincide with the end of a chapter, but stop following a pattern as the book goes on), give the reader a sense that James and Julie, while at odds with each other, are really more similar than different--but they don't know it. The terror here comes from the fact that no matter how well you think you know someone or how much you love them, their mind is ultimately a mystery. As the couple comes to realize this, they have no choice but to accept this or separate. And maybe it's better to follow your spouse into insanity than to live alone.
The Grip of It is excellently written. The changes of perspective between the husband and wife (which usually coincide with the end of a chapter, but stop following a pattern as the book goes on), give the reader a sense that James and Julie, while at odds with each other, are really more similar than different--but they don't know it. The terror here comes from the fact that no matter how well you think you know someone or how much you love them, their mind is ultimately a mystery. As the couple comes to realize this, they have no choice but to accept this or separate. And maybe it's better to follow your spouse into insanity than to live alone.
ClareR (5950 KP) rated The Corset in Books
Sep 28, 2018
A Victorian tale (so pretty horrifying then)
Dorothea is a rich, upper class 25 year old, who believes that she can change a convicts attitudes by the power of phrenology (better than Greyskull, I suppose). Well, if she's kind to them, their heads will change shape, and they'll magically/ scientifically reform (I still think she'd have more luck with Greyskull, to be honest). This was a common belief in Victorian times: that the lumps, bumps and the shape of a persons head would tell the phrenologist all they needed to know about a person. So, Dorothea visits the local women's prison regularly to test her theories. This is where she meets Ruth, who believes that she can kill someone with the power of her sewing. We learn Ruth's story as told to Dorothea: how she lost her baby sister and father (her fault, she sewed bad feelings in to a baby hat); her mother, a seamstress went blind (also her fault), and was consequently sold in to a life of slavery and abuse at Metyards dress making shop.
As the story unfolded, I was left wondering if Ruth did indeed have some sort of magical power. It's quite a menacing atmosphere in the book. Dorothea comes across as frivolous, only concerned with her comfy life - but this also changes as the book develops.
And that twist at the end!
Contrary to my He-Man allusions at the start, I really enjoyed this book. It was a real treat to read, and completely unexpected, as I hadn't read her first book. I'll be rectifying that mistake!!
As the story unfolded, I was left wondering if Ruth did indeed have some sort of magical power. It's quite a menacing atmosphere in the book. Dorothea comes across as frivolous, only concerned with her comfy life - but this also changes as the book develops.
And that twist at the end!
Contrary to my He-Man allusions at the start, I really enjoyed this book. It was a real treat to read, and completely unexpected, as I hadn't read her first book. I'll be rectifying that mistake!!
Necole (36 KP) rated Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel in Books
Oct 14, 2018
From a fan of Hocus Pocus movie … I loved this book!!!
Part 1 was just like the movie and well as I was reading, the movie played in my head … Who doesn't love a witch story during the month of October with Halloween around the corner?
There was one difference in that a 4th sister is introduced .. Elizabeth, who is written as the good sister!!!
Part 2 dragged a little but was an exciting twist on a continuation of the Sanderson Sisters and All Hallows Eve. It takes you to present time and introduces us to old characters from the first and original story line but adds new characters like Max's and Allison's daughter Poppy. It also added things relative to now such as the lingo and a lesbian crush.
This definitely was a great story line of finding a blood moonstone which is needed for a spell for eternal life. And the spell book makes an entrance in style with one of the characters being a descendant of a witch!!
The writing style was an easy read, characters were current and relatable to now from the technology to the way they talk and act.
Fanfiction is what I felt like I was reading and I liked that about this book!!!! A fun filled, magical read for Hocus Pocus lovers and readers who just want a fun entertaining book for Halloween and not blood and gore!!!
Was fun to enter the world of the Sanderson sisters once again!!!!
Part 1 was just like the movie and well as I was reading, the movie played in my head … Who doesn't love a witch story during the month of October with Halloween around the corner?
There was one difference in that a 4th sister is introduced .. Elizabeth, who is written as the good sister!!!
Part 2 dragged a little but was an exciting twist on a continuation of the Sanderson Sisters and All Hallows Eve. It takes you to present time and introduces us to old characters from the first and original story line but adds new characters like Max's and Allison's daughter Poppy. It also added things relative to now such as the lingo and a lesbian crush.
This definitely was a great story line of finding a blood moonstone which is needed for a spell for eternal life. And the spell book makes an entrance in style with one of the characters being a descendant of a witch!!
The writing style was an easy read, characters were current and relatable to now from the technology to the way they talk and act.
Fanfiction is what I felt like I was reading and I liked that about this book!!!! A fun filled, magical read for Hocus Pocus lovers and readers who just want a fun entertaining book for Halloween and not blood and gore!!!
Was fun to enter the world of the Sanderson sisters once again!!!!
Amy Curtis (49 KP) rated The Woman in the Window in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Interesting (1 more)
Different
Phenominal!
Contains spoilers, click to show
I cannot recommend this book enough. I found it really easy to read and one that I didn't want to put down. It follows the story of Dr. Anna Fox who suffers from Agraphobia. I found that interesting on its own because it's not a very well know disorder. I think this is one of the things that drew me to the book because I once dealt with a customer who had Agraphobia and I didn't know what it was. It is focalised through Anna and you learn about her day to day life. As she is unable to leave the house, she spies on her neighbours watching their lives instead of living her own. A new family move across the road and she instantly takes an interest in them particularly when the mother pays her a visit and they drink a lot of wine and play chess. One day when spying on the neighbours, she sees the mother get killed. This novel takes you on a rollercoaster as Anna uncovers what happened to her. There are some classic elements of a thriller in this book but I don't think I truly knew what I had got myself into. When reading at work, all I kept saying to my colleagues is "I can't cope with this book, everytime I think I know what's going to happen, there's another twist or turn." The novel itself is written very well and it leaves you constantly questions what real and what's not and what's true and what's false. I really couldn't recommend this book enough.
Darren (1599 KP) rated Already Dead (2008) in Movies
Jun 20, 2019
Story: Already Dead starts as we see Thomas Archer (Eldard) having to follow instructions by mobile as he is looking to get his son back from a kidnapper. We continue to watch Thomas take instructions as he runs the events of the night when his son was taken through his mind.
As the night continues he gets put through tests by the man on the phone including being able to get revenge on the man that killed his son, but are these just tests where they criminal is getting this man to do his dirty work. We watch how the twists are laid into plan for this film as they come thick and fast.
Already Dead gives us a story which asks you the question just how far would you go to get revenge on the person who took and killed your son, but it also throws a twist in their where we have to deal with the idea the cops have created a game to rid the streets of criminals of people they don’t want or can’t deal with through legal reasons. I would question certain character decisions because after what happens would these two men be friends, I think not.
Onto the acting and what can I say, this doesn’t have the best acting from any of the people involved with the lead struggling to make any sort of impact in the screen and most of the supporting cast barely doing anything of merit.
Overall: Thriller that lacks all the punches it needs to truly stand out.
https://moviesreview101.com/2017/01/27/already-dead-2007/
As the night continues he gets put through tests by the man on the phone including being able to get revenge on the man that killed his son, but are these just tests where they criminal is getting this man to do his dirty work. We watch how the twists are laid into plan for this film as they come thick and fast.
Already Dead gives us a story which asks you the question just how far would you go to get revenge on the person who took and killed your son, but it also throws a twist in their where we have to deal with the idea the cops have created a game to rid the streets of criminals of people they don’t want or can’t deal with through legal reasons. I would question certain character decisions because after what happens would these two men be friends, I think not.
Onto the acting and what can I say, this doesn’t have the best acting from any of the people involved with the lead struggling to make any sort of impact in the screen and most of the supporting cast barely doing anything of merit.
Overall: Thriller that lacks all the punches it needs to truly stand out.
https://moviesreview101.com/2017/01/27/already-dead-2007/
iain Hart (5 KP) rated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) in Movies
Jan 9, 2019
Nice refreshing direction
I never read the blurb before going to see this because I wanted to be surprised and this film did not disappoint.
Take what you know about Spider-Man and put it to one side because this comes at it in a totally original way.
From the very outset this is one trippy, fast paced well thought up movie, it came from the minds who brought you the brilliant 21 jump street and the excellent Lego movie I speak of Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
I loved everything about this movie from the animation, which was part movie , part graphic novel, good balance of action and story
the soundtrack fits it with the bouncy non stop visuals. I have had the soundtrack playing non stop ever since there is just something so catchy about it, I know some only work in the context of the film but this works outside it which is great. Some familiar names you may know are Nicki Minaj, Jayden Smith and Post Malone.
The voice acting is brilliant as something birthed by Marvel I wouldn’t expect anything less, see below for the link to actors featured, the directors were Rodney Rothman, Peter Ramsey and Bob Persichetti , they took the vision Phil and Chris had and brought it to life in a new and refreshing way.
I would definitely recommend this if you are a Spider-Man fan or even if your new to him, with laugh out loud moments and genuinely touching times this is a brilliant twist on what I know as Spider-Man.
Take what you know about Spider-Man and put it to one side because this comes at it in a totally original way.
From the very outset this is one trippy, fast paced well thought up movie, it came from the minds who brought you the brilliant 21 jump street and the excellent Lego movie I speak of Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
I loved everything about this movie from the animation, which was part movie , part graphic novel, good balance of action and story
the soundtrack fits it with the bouncy non stop visuals. I have had the soundtrack playing non stop ever since there is just something so catchy about it, I know some only work in the context of the film but this works outside it which is great. Some familiar names you may know are Nicki Minaj, Jayden Smith and Post Malone.
The voice acting is brilliant as something birthed by Marvel I wouldn’t expect anything less, see below for the link to actors featured, the directors were Rodney Rothman, Peter Ramsey and Bob Persichetti , they took the vision Phil and Chris had and brought it to life in a new and refreshing way.
I would definitely recommend this if you are a Spider-Man fan or even if your new to him, with laugh out loud moments and genuinely touching times this is a brilliant twist on what I know as Spider-Man.
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Rogue Wave (Waterfire Saga, #2) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
This eBook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Jennifer Donnelly continues the story of the brave mermaid, Principessa Serafina, as she searches for talismans that will help to save the watery world she lives in. The reader was already introduced to Sera in the first book in the Waterfire Saga, Deep Blue. Rogue Waves follows Sera as well as her friend Neela as the story alternates between their perspectives.
In the previous book Sera's realm had been destroyed and her mother killed. She visited the Iele, otherwise known as the river witches where she met other mermaids: Becca, Ling and Ava. Here she learnt about the missing talismans and is now determined to find them. However, now there are death riders everywhere and no where is safe. With a little help from those they can trust, both Sera and Neela go their separate ways and begin their search for the magic objects. Just when the ending of the story was beginning to look positive, there was a twist in the plot and a final cliff hanger, leaving readers eager to read the next instalment.
Compared with the first book, Rogue Waves was not as exciting and was a little confusing in some parts. As with Deep Blue, the characters felt very human and it was easy to forget that they were actually mermaids.
In a way it was a disappointing sequel as the story line was not as strong as the first book. On the other hand there is the potential for improvement and more excitement in the following books yet to be written.
Jennifer Donnelly continues the story of the brave mermaid, Principessa Serafina, as she searches for talismans that will help to save the watery world she lives in. The reader was already introduced to Sera in the first book in the Waterfire Saga, Deep Blue. Rogue Waves follows Sera as well as her friend Neela as the story alternates between their perspectives.
In the previous book Sera's realm had been destroyed and her mother killed. She visited the Iele, otherwise known as the river witches where she met other mermaids: Becca, Ling and Ava. Here she learnt about the missing talismans and is now determined to find them. However, now there are death riders everywhere and no where is safe. With a little help from those they can trust, both Sera and Neela go their separate ways and begin their search for the magic objects. Just when the ending of the story was beginning to look positive, there was a twist in the plot and a final cliff hanger, leaving readers eager to read the next instalment.
Compared with the first book, Rogue Waves was not as exciting and was a little confusing in some parts. As with Deep Blue, the characters felt very human and it was easy to forget that they were actually mermaids.
In a way it was a disappointing sequel as the story line was not as strong as the first book. On the other hand there is the potential for improvement and more excitement in the following books yet to be written.
Josh Burns (166 KP) rated The Inpatient in Video Games
Jun 21, 2019
A few decent scares (1 more)
Multiple endings
Too slow paced (1 more)
Short
Learn what happened at the asylum before Until Dawn
The Inpatient takes place 60 years Before Until Dawn. Like Until Dawn, it is mostly narrative and choice based with multiple endings. The Inpatient puts you in the middle of the the downfall of the asylum and hotel from the 1st game. It's short, averaging 2 hours per playthrough and slower paced than the original. It combines Creature Feature, Isolationism, and Body Horror genres. Unlike the 1st game you only play as one character (who yiu can choose gender and skin tone for). It also uses a feature allowing you to speak your answers in conversation into the VR's built in mic rather than clicking on the different answers. I will not spoil this because it has a very nice twist in the story, but you are a patient with amnesia and suffering from terrifying nightmares (that you play through). Shit hits the fan and you go from there. As you explore the asylum you can piece together memories by finding things that trigger those memories, showing you bits of who you were before losing your memory. It plays with paranoia as well, you have no idea if you can trust the staff or not. As a standalone, I can't recommend it because of length and it mainly just builds onto the story of the 1st. If you have played Until Dawn and liked it, than this is worth it. The other big downside is you walk sooooo sllooowww. It's playable with the DS4 controller or Move Controllers.