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HOLY CRAP!!! THAT TWIST THOUGH!!!!
I really enjoyed the writing style of this novel. The way that Victoria Aveyard crafted the story made it very easy to get into the world. The rules of the world were set up really early on and there weren't too many of the usual YA tropes in it. I loved reading the character interactions in this story. They just felt really organic and lively. Mare was very well written. She was created with care and not condescended to in the writing. I felt like she, along with the other characters, were taken care of with the highest respect. That being said, it was really easy to start hating characters that I had previously loved. Thanks, Victoria. Like I didn't need my heart broken. I actually wasn't supposed to start reading this until after I finished my finals, but that is not what happened. It was too enticing and then I didn't want to put it down. The only reason I did was because I noticed that I actually had important assignments that I had to do.
I really recommend this novel to anyone who likes Fantasy and Dystopian novels. It is a perfect blend of the two and a really fun read. You will not want to stop until you finish!
I really enjoyed the writing style of this novel. The way that Victoria Aveyard crafted the story made it very easy to get into the world. The rules of the world were set up really early on and there weren't too many of the usual YA tropes in it. I loved reading the character interactions in this story. They just felt really organic and lively. Mare was very well written. She was created with care and not condescended to in the writing. I felt like she, along with the other characters, were taken care of with the highest respect. That being said, it was really easy to start hating characters that I had previously loved. Thanks, Victoria. Like I didn't need my heart broken. I actually wasn't supposed to start reading this until after I finished my finals, but that is not what happened. It was too enticing and then I didn't want to put it down. The only reason I did was because I noticed that I actually had important assignments that I had to do.
I really recommend this novel to anyone who likes Fantasy and Dystopian novels. It is a perfect blend of the two and a really fun read. You will not want to stop until you finish!
Mark Laidler (3 KP) rated Super Mario Odyssey in Video Games
Mar 24, 2018 (Updated Mar 24, 2018)
The Finest Mario Yet.
What can I say that already hasn’t been said. Mario Nintendo’s well used mascot has turned up in what feels like his hundred game so by now you would assume he has tired himself out what with being a doctor, a golfer, a plumber and a painter.
But no in a gaming world full of call of duty’s and battle royales this game is a joy to play.
It’s a game that for me personally after a long time of search is a game full of what it was to play games when I was younger. It exudes joy and fun that I haven’t experienced in a long time,
The Graphics are beautiful and the best of a Mario game yet and the gameplay is so simple that you, your grandma or your great great grandma can pick it up and play without any issue at all all thanks to the simple mode that has kindly been included in the game.
For me it’s a straight 9/10 if you have a switch (and a soul) it is a must buy for you.
But no in a gaming world full of call of duty’s and battle royales this game is a joy to play.
It’s a game that for me personally after a long time of search is a game full of what it was to play games when I was younger. It exudes joy and fun that I haven’t experienced in a long time,
The Graphics are beautiful and the best of a Mario game yet and the gameplay is so simple that you, your grandma or your great great grandma can pick it up and play without any issue at all all thanks to the simple mode that has kindly been included in the game.
For me it’s a straight 9/10 if you have a switch (and a soul) it is a must buy for you.
Merissa (13089 KP) rated Scion's Awakening (Seven Seals #3) in Books
Jul 24, 2018
Scion's Awakening (Seven Seals #3) by Traci Douglass
Scion's Awakening is the third book in the Seven Seals series, and we meet Wyck, whom we were briefly introduced to at the end of Chago's book. He is the resident geek, and Scion to the Seal of the Apocalypse, who in traditional opposite style, is a scientist trying to stop the world's famine problem. However, with the Nephilim involved, nothing is as simple as it seems.
This is a fast-paced story, so be prepared for it to jump a bit - one example being Quinn's reluctance to be with Wyck as he will only break her heart. Next paragraph, they are together. Now, I know, before I get shouted at, this is a novella so this happens. It was just a bit too quick.
On the whole, this was well written, and a good continuation of the series. I would have preferred to drool a bit more of Wyck's 'geekiness' which wasn't really mentioned, but that's just me! I am thoroughly enjoying this series, and look forward to continuing it. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is a fast-paced story, so be prepared for it to jump a bit - one example being Quinn's reluctance to be with Wyck as he will only break her heart. Next paragraph, they are together. Now, I know, before I get shouted at, this is a novella so this happens. It was just a bit too quick.
On the whole, this was well written, and a good continuation of the series. I would have preferred to drool a bit more of Wyck's 'geekiness' which wasn't really mentioned, but that's just me! I am thoroughly enjoying this series, and look forward to continuing it. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
MoMoBookDiary (20 KP) rated The Break in Books
Oct 1, 2018
MoMo’s Book Diary highly recommends this author’s latest release “The Break”
Marian Keyes has given us many brilliant novels – some of which I have ‘laughed out loud’ embarrassing my mother while on holiday in strange places. I have many happy memories reading Marian Keyes while on holiday.
I haven’t read anything by this author in some time and was excited to be given the chance to read and review for NetGalley and Penguin UK – Michael Joseph. It is a well paced book that is difficult to put down but I found that unlike some other books I have read recently I was able to put it down and take a break for normal life stuff… maybe it is due to this being a longer book that most that I read these days? Or maybe I have been reading too many crime based books that this just didn’t hold my attention as much as Marian Keyes did in the past. Don’t get me wrong I really enjoyed it and do recommend it as a novel.
It is a long read – enjoyable – and funny.
If you have read Marian Keyes in the past then you really don’t want to miss this one!
Thanks NetGalley and Penguin UK – Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read and review this fantastic novel.
Marian Keyes has given us many brilliant novels – some of which I have ‘laughed out loud’ embarrassing my mother while on holiday in strange places. I have many happy memories reading Marian Keyes while on holiday.
I haven’t read anything by this author in some time and was excited to be given the chance to read and review for NetGalley and Penguin UK – Michael Joseph. It is a well paced book that is difficult to put down but I found that unlike some other books I have read recently I was able to put it down and take a break for normal life stuff… maybe it is due to this being a longer book that most that I read these days? Or maybe I have been reading too many crime based books that this just didn’t hold my attention as much as Marian Keyes did in the past. Don’t get me wrong I really enjoyed it and do recommend it as a novel.
It is a long read – enjoyable – and funny.
If you have read Marian Keyes in the past then you really don’t want to miss this one!
Thanks NetGalley and Penguin UK – Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read and review this fantastic novel.
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated Halloween (2018) in Movies
Oct 20, 2018 (Updated Oct 20, 2018)
Atmosphere (1 more)
Great Performances
Very formulaic (1 more)
The ending was a little anticlimactic...
Strong Film, curious ending...
This is a very good Halloween movie, with a great atmosphere, some brutal kills, and some great performances.
However, there is very much a familiar feel to the original film, with some shots being used as an homage, but perhaps too often.
This is certainly a 'force unleashed' type of sequel, wearing it's love for the original openly, which isn't especially a bad thing, but the beats of the film do feel familiar and unsurprising.
The tension and atmosphere of the film are great, and most of the film is well paced, and ominous, and probably worthy of an 8 out of 10.
However, the ending largely left me cold.
There is nothing especially wrong with it, it just felt a bit anti-climactic...perhaps the pacing was off, but it felt a beat too soon, and was a bit disappointing.
It's a very good film, and one which I need to rewatch, and maybe I will change my mind about the ending with more viewings, but at the moment it does detract from my overall score.
Generally though this is easily in the top 3 or 4 Halloween movies, and if you are a Myers fan, you will find a lot to love here.
However, there is very much a familiar feel to the original film, with some shots being used as an homage, but perhaps too often.
This is certainly a 'force unleashed' type of sequel, wearing it's love for the original openly, which isn't especially a bad thing, but the beats of the film do feel familiar and unsurprising.
The tension and atmosphere of the film are great, and most of the film is well paced, and ominous, and probably worthy of an 8 out of 10.
However, the ending largely left me cold.
There is nothing especially wrong with it, it just felt a bit anti-climactic...perhaps the pacing was off, but it felt a beat too soon, and was a bit disappointing.
It's a very good film, and one which I need to rewatch, and maybe I will change my mind about the ending with more viewings, but at the moment it does detract from my overall score.
Generally though this is easily in the top 3 or 4 Halloween movies, and if you are a Myers fan, you will find a lot to love here.
Merissa (13089 KP) rated Ivy (Blackbird #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
The first thing that I loved about this book is that the main female character has a warmth and depth to her that makes her immediately likeable. She is a young widow (not a virgin for a change) who is still grieving for her husband who died unexpectedly from pancreatic cancer. She is encouraged (bullied!) to leave her flat to go Christmas shopping but whilst she is in the store there is a terrorist attack. She doesn't just scream and flap and wait to be rescued. No, she thinks about the advice her husband gave her and follows it to the best of her ability. And that, is just the start.
This book is amazingly written and it is hard to believe that it is the debut novel. I would have loved more scenes with the three of them as there were quite a few with Ivy, and Ivy and her friends, but not so much with Ivy, Gareth and Steve. Maybe I'm just being greedy but they had such a good connection, I wanted to see more. Hopefully they will be in other Blackbird books, which I am eagerly anticipating.
On the whole, this book has a well-developed plot line which proceeds with a great pace. The characters are all believable and have layers to them. The story itself is funny, warm and romantic. Definitely recommended.
This book is amazingly written and it is hard to believe that it is the debut novel. I would have loved more scenes with the three of them as there were quite a few with Ivy, and Ivy and her friends, but not so much with Ivy, Gareth and Steve. Maybe I'm just being greedy but they had such a good connection, I wanted to see more. Hopefully they will be in other Blackbird books, which I am eagerly anticipating.
On the whole, this book has a well-developed plot line which proceeds with a great pace. The characters are all believable and have layers to them. The story itself is funny, warm and romantic. Definitely recommended.
David McK (3576 KP) rated Shattered (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #7) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The most recent (as of the time of writing this review) of [a: Kevin Hearne|4414255|Kevin Hearne|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1289238438p2/4414255.jpg]'s 'Iron Druid series, which deals in a large part with 'daddy issues', and with the consequences Atticus faces for choosing to become the Iron Druid (iron, remember, is anathema to the faery races).
Since the start of the series, the number of Druids walking the earth has now trebled: no longer is there Atticus alone, but we now also have his apprentice Granuaile (sp?), as well as his old mentor who now goes by the name Owen Kennedy after being pulled off a time island at the start of this, after Atticus discovered him there at the end of the previous novel ([b: Hunted|17571837|Hunted|Karen Robards|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386557434s/17571837.jpg|24510885]).
As before, this is told in the first person narrative, largely taking it turns split between the (now three) main characters. Comic relief, as always, is provided by Atticus and Granuaile's trusty canine companions Oberon and Orlaith respectively, who the three main characters are able to communicate telepathically with. Also, as before, this ends on a decided cliffhanger to set up the next novel: one that I will, without a doubt, be picking up when it comes out.
Since the start of the series, the number of Druids walking the earth has now trebled: no longer is there Atticus alone, but we now also have his apprentice Granuaile (sp?), as well as his old mentor who now goes by the name Owen Kennedy after being pulled off a time island at the start of this, after Atticus discovered him there at the end of the previous novel ([b: Hunted|17571837|Hunted|Karen Robards|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386557434s/17571837.jpg|24510885]).
As before, this is told in the first person narrative, largely taking it turns split between the (now three) main characters. Comic relief, as always, is provided by Atticus and Granuaile's trusty canine companions Oberon and Orlaith respectively, who the three main characters are able to communicate telepathically with. Also, as before, this ends on a decided cliffhanger to set up the next novel: one that I will, without a doubt, be picking up when it comes out.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Vice (2018) in Movies
Jan 31, 2019
Adam McKay's attempt to reinvent himself as a sort of non-documentarian version of Michael Moore is not so much a hatchet-job as a machete-job - no, make that a chainsaw-job - on the reputation of Dick Cheney, Vice-Prez under Dubya. Christian Bale vanishes under layers of make-up and the Cheney who emerges is a disturbing, totally unprincipled monster, consumed by the acquisition and use of power, responsible for (amongst other things) the invasion of Iraq and the rise of ISIS. Potentially quite heavy stuff going on, then, but McKay takes care to cheer things up (relatively speaking) by including big performances from Sam Rockwell and Steve Carell, along with a few Monty Python ideas repurposed for this movie.
Highly entertaining in a ghastly sort of way, and illuminating with respect to the twisted logic employed by the Bush administration and the role they played in facilitating the current civic nightmare engulfing the USA. Unlikely to appeal to the Republican base, for obvious reasons, but the film inevitably has some jokes to make about its own liberal bias, too, as well as being smart enough to allow Cheney the chance to justify himself, which he does in a disturbingly persuasive way. Still probably a bit too partisan for its own good, but still very impressive and a lot of fun; thought-provoking too.
Highly entertaining in a ghastly sort of way, and illuminating with respect to the twisted logic employed by the Bush administration and the role they played in facilitating the current civic nightmare engulfing the USA. Unlikely to appeal to the Republican base, for obvious reasons, but the film inevitably has some jokes to make about its own liberal bias, too, as well as being smart enough to allow Cheney the chance to justify himself, which he does in a disturbingly persuasive way. Still probably a bit too partisan for its own good, but still very impressive and a lot of fun; thought-provoking too.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Rotherweird in Books
Jul 8, 2019
A very strange book
The premise for this book was strong - a number of suspiciously intellectually/artistically gifted children are identified in Elizabethan England and rather than being sent to their death as ordered, they are secreted away somewhere where their gifts can be nurtured. The country estate of Rotherweird is their destination.
However, the book that follows doesn't really pick up on this premise, and instead the book is more of a modern day Little England countryside romp. For within the area surrounding Rotherweird (now a private town cut off from the rest of British rule) there are access points to a secret other world, where a number of odd creatures are known to reside.
The plot relies on a number of tenuous crossword-type anagrams (but as everyone has such an unusual name, spotting them is impossible) and ridiculous puzzles as to be quite annoying.
A mysterious outsider has arrived and started to upset the introvert community, and more and more of the population begin to find odd relics or events, and once they start to team up they piece them together.
There is very little to distinguish the characters, and I frequently had to try and remember who was who from Finch, Flask, Fanguin, Ferensen, as well as the two almost identical young female characters.
A very frustrating read.
However, the book that follows doesn't really pick up on this premise, and instead the book is more of a modern day Little England countryside romp. For within the area surrounding Rotherweird (now a private town cut off from the rest of British rule) there are access points to a secret other world, where a number of odd creatures are known to reside.
The plot relies on a number of tenuous crossword-type anagrams (but as everyone has such an unusual name, spotting them is impossible) and ridiculous puzzles as to be quite annoying.
A mysterious outsider has arrived and started to upset the introvert community, and more and more of the population begin to find odd relics or events, and once they start to team up they piece them together.
There is very little to distinguish the characters, and I frequently had to try and remember who was who from Finch, Flask, Fanguin, Ferensen, as well as the two almost identical young female characters.
A very frustrating read.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Stranger Things - Season 3 in TV
Jul 9, 2019 (Updated Jul 9, 2019)
Bitchin'
Season 3 of Stranger Things (much like season 2), takes a little while to take off.
Not only that, but there's a good handful of different story threads running at once, in different locations, that at one point, I was starting to feel that it may not land as well as it had done in the past.
Turns out, I really had nothing to worry about.
The overall narrative may feel splayed at times, but by the end, it all feels pretty slick, as Hawkins once again finds itself siezed from an otherworldly threat.
The cast shine as expected, with the usual suspects now experiencing the ups and downs of being a teenager, and the adult characters, having to deal with said teenagers.
It makes for a nice comedic and emotional dynamic, whilst exploring some nice story arcs.
Billy gets more to do this season which I personally found awesome, and I really enjoyed the unexpected connection's he had with certain characters.
The effects are looking better than ever, especially in the breathtaking final episode, but the whole season has some really striking visuals throughout.
This third season continues to remind why Stranger Things is ahead of the pack when it comes to this kind of television.
I'm already (im)patiently waiting for season 4!
Not only that, but there's a good handful of different story threads running at once, in different locations, that at one point, I was starting to feel that it may not land as well as it had done in the past.
Turns out, I really had nothing to worry about.
The overall narrative may feel splayed at times, but by the end, it all feels pretty slick, as Hawkins once again finds itself siezed from an otherworldly threat.
The cast shine as expected, with the usual suspects now experiencing the ups and downs of being a teenager, and the adult characters, having to deal with said teenagers.
It makes for a nice comedic and emotional dynamic, whilst exploring some nice story arcs.
Billy gets more to do this season which I personally found awesome, and I really enjoyed the unexpected connection's he had with certain characters.
The effects are looking better than ever, especially in the breathtaking final episode, but the whole season has some really striking visuals throughout.
This third season continues to remind why Stranger Things is ahead of the pack when it comes to this kind of television.
I'm already (im)patiently waiting for season 4!