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Merissa (13409 KP) rated Get Frosted (Christmas Falls #3) in Books
Nov 16, 2023
GET FROSTED is the third book in the multi-author series, Christmas Falls. This time we have the managers of the two pubs - Frosty's and Rudolph's. They have known each other for years as Rudy was Mik's brother's best friend. They had a rivalry that was blown out of proportion to keep them both in the spotlight when they played hockey. Rudy is the one who has always moved around. Mik is the one with deep roots in Christmas Falls.
Although I enjoyed the story, it didn't press as many buttons as the previous books have. I also can't agree with them being 'forced' to work together. No one forced anything. Although this is billed as low angst, I actually would have preferred a little more angst! It felt as though the storyline about Rudy possibly leaving was almost lost amidst the pregnant sister-in-law and the birthday granny.
On the whole, I enjoyed this story and did enjoy being back in Christmas Falls. It just didn't work as well for me as the others have. I have no hesitation in recommending it for all those who love a low-angst seasonal story.
** 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!
Nov 15, 2023
Although I enjoyed the story, it didn't press as many buttons as the previous books have. I also can't agree with them being 'forced' to work together. No one forced anything. Although this is billed as low angst, I actually would have preferred a little more angst! It felt as though the storyline about Rudy possibly leaving was almost lost amidst the pregnant sister-in-law and the birthday granny.
On the whole, I enjoyed this story and did enjoy being back in Christmas Falls. It just didn't work as well for me as the others have. I have no hesitation in recommending it for all those who love a low-angst seasonal story.
** 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!
Nov 15, 2023
Merissa (13409 KP) rated My Soul Immortal (Fated Eternals #1) in Books
May 17, 2023
Don't you just love it when you get a book that is completely different from anything you have read before? I know I do, which is why I thoroughly enjoyed this story by Jen Printy. She has set up a world completely different from anything I have read before, with not a vampire or werewolf in sight. Instead, it is a whole new world, most of which you learn from Jack's point of view. This, as well, makes a nice change, to read it mainly from the male's perspective.
The writing and editing were fantastic and I didn't spot any errors in here at all. There is a lot that goes on, from how we first meet Jack, to his moving to Portland, to meeting Leah and so on. That being said, I did feel that certain parts of the book could have done with being tightened up somehow. It just felt a bit 'slow' in places, which is not a bad thing!
For a fresh and new story with excellent world-building and characters, then I can definitely recommend this book. I am looking forward to reading more in this series, as I certainly want to know how the new trainee copes!!
* 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!
Jan 16, 2016
The writing and editing were fantastic and I didn't spot any errors in here at all. There is a lot that goes on, from how we first meet Jack, to his moving to Portland, to meeting Leah and so on. That being said, I did feel that certain parts of the book could have done with being tightened up somehow. It just felt a bit 'slow' in places, which is not a bad thing!
For a fresh and new story with excellent world-building and characters, then I can definitely recommend this book. I am looking forward to reading more in this series, as I certainly want to know how the new trainee copes!!
* 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!
Jan 16, 2016
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn in Books
Feb 2, 2021
Thrilling epic fantasy heist
This was a very original take on the fantasy genre (for me at least). The main character, Ardor Benn, is a roguish 'ruse artist', who runs small time cons on everyone from bar patrons (betting he can't hit a shot after numerous drinks) to gangsters. He is approached by a religious, monk-type, man who wants to hire him to run a con on the king of the Greater Chain of islands.
The world Whitesides has built is really wonderful, not totally dissimilar to that in Mistborn. However, here materials aren't ingested and 'burned' by people to get powers, they ignite specifics types of grit. This grit has been processed from materials originally eaten and pooped out and burned by dragons. Different materials before being eaten will give different results when ignited, causing a cloud of dust that bends reality - creating light or explosions, stopping all sounds or light or gravity, making impenetrable bubbles or healing. And the most valuable of all is the Visitant Grit, which will summon an all-powerful paladin to implement the ambitions of the worthy holder. This latter grit is produced by igniting the pooped out remnants of a male dragon's bones. Sadly, all male dragons have died out, meaning these saviours are no longer possible. And that's where Ardor's new job comes in...
The story is a non-stop thriller as the job they plan is so ambitious that it takes on several phases, all of which are massive in themselves. There were a few times during the early parts where I felt the story dragged a little (chapters covering one character learning how to mime an operatic aria), but these weren't too damaging to my motivation. There are a number of times when things don't go to plan, and a re-think is needed. These are also well written pieces, as the characters solve these in creative ways. There were no real deus ex machina moments where they escaped despite all odds. There is one very surprising twist/revelation in the final third which had me nervous that all my enjoyment was about to be swallowed up, pooped out and burned, but that turned out not to be the case. This weird pivot was very well handled and worked well within the story.
The action scenes are well narrated, allowing so much better visualisation than a lot of books I've read recently, and the characters are all fairly well realised and develop nicely together and on their own.
An excellent, thrilling fun book, and wonderfully part 1 of a trilogy.
The world Whitesides has built is really wonderful, not totally dissimilar to that in Mistborn. However, here materials aren't ingested and 'burned' by people to get powers, they ignite specifics types of grit. This grit has been processed from materials originally eaten and pooped out and burned by dragons. Different materials before being eaten will give different results when ignited, causing a cloud of dust that bends reality - creating light or explosions, stopping all sounds or light or gravity, making impenetrable bubbles or healing. And the most valuable of all is the Visitant Grit, which will summon an all-powerful paladin to implement the ambitions of the worthy holder. This latter grit is produced by igniting the pooped out remnants of a male dragon's bones. Sadly, all male dragons have died out, meaning these saviours are no longer possible. And that's where Ardor's new job comes in...
The story is a non-stop thriller as the job they plan is so ambitious that it takes on several phases, all of which are massive in themselves. There were a few times during the early parts where I felt the story dragged a little (chapters covering one character learning how to mime an operatic aria), but these weren't too damaging to my motivation. There are a number of times when things don't go to plan, and a re-think is needed. These are also well written pieces, as the characters solve these in creative ways. There were no real deus ex machina moments where they escaped despite all odds. There is one very surprising twist/revelation in the final third which had me nervous that all my enjoyment was about to be swallowed up, pooped out and burned, but that turned out not to be the case. This weird pivot was very well handled and worked well within the story.
The action scenes are well narrated, allowing so much better visualisation than a lot of books I've read recently, and the characters are all fairly well realised and develop nicely together and on their own.
An excellent, thrilling fun book, and wonderfully part 1 of a trilogy.
Evie (10 KP) rated South Park: The Fractured But Whole in Video Games
Nov 30, 2017
Gameplay (3 more)
Animation
Controls
Storyline
Want to control a South Park episode? Well here's your second chance.
I've come away from video games in recent years, but there are always exceptions to my hiatus. The first one being South Park: The Stick of Truth. A game hyped for many years, but actually managed to maintain the hype at its release. The Fractured But Whole is no different.
Filled with the wit and wisdom usually found in a South Park episode, Ubisoft has been able to manufacture a near perfect game. That is, only if you enjoy South Park. If you aren't a fan, or don't follow the latest series storylines (which link in with the game (notably Tweak and Craig)), then you're probably not going to appreciate this game as much as a fan would.
Here's a checklist of what to expect and appreciate:
*Superheroes
*Fart jokes
*Tragic backstories
*Turn based attacks
*South Park humour.
Filled with the wit and wisdom usually found in a South Park episode, Ubisoft has been able to manufacture a near perfect game. That is, only if you enjoy South Park. If you aren't a fan, or don't follow the latest series storylines (which link in with the game (notably Tweak and Craig)), then you're probably not going to appreciate this game as much as a fan would.
Here's a checklist of what to expect and appreciate:
*Superheroes
*Fart jokes
*Tragic backstories
*Turn based attacks
*South Park humour.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated The Tea Planter's Wife in Books
Dec 7, 2017
The Tea Planter's wife is a mysterious sweet, loving story. It starts out with Gwen coming to Ceylon to be with her husband.
You go allow with Gwen with her struggles and learning curves of being a mother and wife to her twins and what is going on with Ceylon culture.
When one of her children is colored she does not know if it was her husband or someone else's child. She fights with herself when she gives her daughter to a village. That is when she gives birth to her twins. She has a household servant named Naveena.
Gwen had to deal with not only decision to what she made but also her sister in law. She dealt with that and her raising her son. You are lean so much history and culture of Ceylon at that time as well. You meet Tamil and Sinhalese worker that were part of Tea Plantation.
You go allow with Gwen with her struggles and learning curves of being a mother and wife to her twins and what is going on with Ceylon culture.
When one of her children is colored she does not know if it was her husband or someone else's child. She fights with herself when she gives her daughter to a village. That is when she gives birth to her twins. She has a household servant named Naveena.
Gwen had to deal with not only decision to what she made but also her sister in law. She dealt with that and her raising her son. You are lean so much history and culture of Ceylon at that time as well. You meet Tamil and Sinhalese worker that were part of Tea Plantation.
Merissa (13409 KP) rated Thick & Thin (THIRDS #8) in Books
Jun 27, 2017
Thick & Thin (THIRDS #8) by Charlie Cochet
Thick and Thin is a novella that gives the reader some necessary down-time after the emotional upheaval of Smoke and Mirrors. It also gives Destructive Delta the opportunity to catch up with what is going on with Dex and Sloane. Yes, they're unhappy at the secrets being kept and their own fears, but will it be enough to split them up permanently, or will they be able to work it out?
I needed this book, a touch of normality after the previous book! I still found my emotions in play though as the rest of the team learned about what had gone on that they had no idea about. However, I am now excited to see where it will lead. Very well written, as per the whole series, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow. Definitely recommended by me.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2017 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I needed this book, a touch of normality after the previous book! I still found my emotions in play though as the rest of the team learned about what had gone on that they had no idea about. However, I am now excited to see where it will lead. Very well written, as per the whole series, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow. Definitely recommended by me.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2017 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
beforethedawn (7 KP) rated Fight Club in Books
Jul 23, 2017
Meh
So this was a REALLY good book in so many ways but I can't help but feel majorly disappointed with it. Anytime I mentioned to anyone that I was about to read it or was reading it said 'Oh my god it's amazing' and I heard it so many times that when I finished the book I felt like the end was missing. Like someone had pulled the remaining pages out of it. I don't know if I'm being really harsh about it but the book just ended. I felt like it was just a series of events.
The idea behind the book had me interested. I thought it was such an amazing plot but I just felt like there was zero point to the book. There was just a begining, middle and an end. And I really wanted to say that I enjoyed it as well. No wonder I've never been able to get through the film.
The idea behind the book had me interested. I thought it was such an amazing plot but I just felt like there was zero point to the book. There was just a begining, middle and an end. And I really wanted to say that I enjoyed it as well. No wonder I've never been able to get through the film.
Li Hughes (285 KP) rated Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) in Movies
Aug 5, 2017
Characterization (2 more)
Plot
Sets/CGI
Great, but not as good as the first
Don't get me wrong, I love this film. And Baby Groot, can't forget him. But as good as this film was on it's own, it doesn't quite live up to the original.
The first had such an easy, unself-conscious joy to it. The jokes flowed and felt organic. And that's still mostly the case here. But there are several spots, especially with Drax and Nebula, where the humor feels forced. Drax and Nebula's characters both feel a touch 'off', overall.
On the other hand, Peter and his relationships are written very well. Yondu's arc and character growth are amazing. The rest of the plot is strong and the stunts and CGI are awesome.
Personally, my favorite part was the resolution at the end and Peter's realization. So emotional, heart-warming and in-character, without being sappy or weird.
The first had such an easy, unself-conscious joy to it. The jokes flowed and felt organic. And that's still mostly the case here. But there are several spots, especially with Drax and Nebula, where the humor feels forced. Drax and Nebula's characters both feel a touch 'off', overall.
On the other hand, Peter and his relationships are written very well. Yondu's arc and character growth are amazing. The rest of the plot is strong and the stunts and CGI are awesome.
Personally, my favorite part was the resolution at the end and Peter's realization. So emotional, heart-warming and in-character, without being sappy or weird.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated More Than a Soldier in Books
Sep 7, 2017
NonFiction (1 more)
Story is told about Angelo DiMarco
More than a Soldier is a really good book about a soldier and his journey to survive. We meet Angelo first in a train car, with a few of his buddies and comrades. The story then goes back to when he signs up and what his family life is like. Will he make back to his battalion?
We get to follow Angelo and struggles through the military. We see how the Germans treat their prisoners and how rough life was behind enemy lines. The Germans are taking their prisoner through some extreme things.
The author did a wonderfully great job. With this being more of a Nonfiction book, It really told the story on each and every page. It was well written. Does the 1st Battalion survive or is Angelo the only survivor? You will want to read the book. You do get a somewhat of a tour of Italy.
We get to follow Angelo and struggles through the military. We see how the Germans treat their prisoners and how rough life was behind enemy lines. The Germans are taking their prisoner through some extreme things.
The author did a wonderfully great job. With this being more of a Nonfiction book, It really told the story on each and every page. It was well written. Does the 1st Battalion survive or is Angelo the only survivor? You will want to read the book. You do get a somewhat of a tour of Italy.
I love this book. There is a huge variety of large and small shapes, animals and flowers, ocean and sky. But they all go so well together, and they are all so fanciful with a touch of random goth. Upon first glance some of them look fairly normal, until you notice the little details hiding in the images, and they become something else entirely. Each of the designs are apparently pulled from the patterns in Tula’s different fabric lines. Each of the patterns are on the back of the page. (that being said, my quilting friends, check out Tula’s quilting books!)
The pages are perforated for easy removal, and are blank on the back side. The paper is a bit thin though so you’d have to avoid markers or pens.
With more than 75 designs, this book will keep me busy for a while. I’m loving it so far! Recommended for all ages.
The pages are perforated for easy removal, and are blank on the back side. The paper is a bit thin though so you’d have to avoid markers or pens.
With more than 75 designs, this book will keep me busy for a while. I’m loving it so far! Recommended for all ages.