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Merissa (12710 KP) rated Natasha (Blackbird #2) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
This series started with a bang when we met Ivy and her beloved Alpha Gits, Steve and Gareth. Would this book be able to match that one? The simple answer is yes, yes it can. As this book is about Natasha and Darren, they are obviously the main ones we see. However, we do still see Ivy, Gareth and Steve as well as the others from Blackbird Security as Ivy once more tries to remain out of the Auctioneer's clutches.
Darren and Natasha have a history together, a difficult history. So much so that Darren needed all the help of his pack to keep him together after their last meeting. Will it be any different this time? I love Ivy's answer to Natasha as they are talking about it - “You know what I love about history?” Ivy stood from the couch she‟d been curled up on to make her way into the kitchen to start making tea. “It‟s in the past. You don‟t have to give a damn about it, unless you want to.”
This is a wonderful, fast paced addition to the Blackbird Series, written in Dahlia Donovan's inimitable style. I loved seeing Ivy and her gits again and I think I always will. What was brilliant though was being able to 'meet' some of the others and learn more about them. I can't wait for the other stories that I hope won't be too long in making an appearance but for some reason, I am especially looking forward to Elaine's. She's prickly and stand-offish and I love her.
Highly recommended.
Darren and Natasha have a history together, a difficult history. So much so that Darren needed all the help of his pack to keep him together after their last meeting. Will it be any different this time? I love Ivy's answer to Natasha as they are talking about it - “You know what I love about history?” Ivy stood from the couch she‟d been curled up on to make her way into the kitchen to start making tea. “It‟s in the past. You don‟t have to give a damn about it, unless you want to.”
This is a wonderful, fast paced addition to the Blackbird Series, written in Dahlia Donovan's inimitable style. I loved seeing Ivy and her gits again and I think I always will. What was brilliant though was being able to 'meet' some of the others and learn more about them. I can't wait for the other stories that I hope won't be too long in making an appearance but for some reason, I am especially looking forward to Elaine's. She's prickly and stand-offish and I love her.
Highly recommended.
Jessica - Where the Book Ends (15 KP) rated Wonder Woman: Warbringer in Books
Jan 30, 2019
I must start off by saying that I picked up this book completely on a whim. I had seen the Wonder Woman movie and hadn't cared for it at all. I've noticed over the last couple years that I am definitely more of a Marvel fan than I am DC; however, that being said, I ended up enjoying this book A LOT. Another thing I need to point no matter how ashamed I am of this; Wonder Woman was the first book I've read by Leigh Bardugo. I've heard a lot about her writing style around booktube, and she has tons of fans. I must admit I quite enjoyed her writing style and even went so far as to purchase Shadow & Bone immediately after finishing this book.
I read this book in 2 ways. I physically read some of it and I also listened to a bit of it on Overdrive from my local library. I really enjoyed both aspects of it. Wonder Woman as a character was very well written and her journey in this story was much more enjoyable than in the movie.
The plot of the story was unique and moved along quickly which kept me deeply enthralled in the story and left me not wanting to put the book down. The characters are we written (especially WW). The supporting characters are easy to relate to, but when all is said and done I must admit they were easy to forget.
Overall I give it 4 stars and look forward to the other DC books that are coming out in the coming months.
I read this book in 2 ways. I physically read some of it and I also listened to a bit of it on Overdrive from my local library. I really enjoyed both aspects of it. Wonder Woman as a character was very well written and her journey in this story was much more enjoyable than in the movie.
The plot of the story was unique and moved along quickly which kept me deeply enthralled in the story and left me not wanting to put the book down. The characters are we written (especially WW). The supporting characters are easy to relate to, but when all is said and done I must admit they were easy to forget.
Overall I give it 4 stars and look forward to the other DC books that are coming out in the coming months.
Jordan Binkerd (567 KP) rated The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning (2007) in Movies
Aug 15, 2019
April Scott as Daisy Duke was hot - which is half of the appeal (2 more)
The stunts were decent - which is the other half
Harland Williams is hilarious, and I'll watch basically anything with him in it
Most of the cast - not necessarily that they were bad, but some were a bad fit for the characters (2 more)
The writing sometimes felt like a parody of itself.
The stunts were only decent.... and this is Dukes of Hazzard, where the stunts are the key.
Inconsistent and dumb
Ugh. And I thought the first movie was bad. Basically, this movie wants to be The Dukes of Hazzard meets American Pie but winds up closer to a parody of the classic show crossed with one of American Pie's less competent knockoffs. At times it hits the mark, true, but other times its almost more like a parody of the Dukes than it is the real deal. April Scott was decent in her role as Daisy, and turned out not to be just a mannequin for the shorts and crop-top, but the two leads? Less than stellar. Harland Williams is hilarious, but he's not a good fit for Sherriff Coltrane, who is supposed to be at least a little menacing if memory serves. Chris McDonald has made his career playing the corrupt businessman/politician role, which means he does it well, but his turn as Boss Hogg was just a generic rehash of a dozen other roles. As a final nail in the coffin the TV budget hampered the stunts to the point of not being able to save it. Go watch the show instead.
Merissa (12710 KP) rated Wicked Fire (Wicked Magic #3) in Books
Dec 27, 2019
WICKED FIRE is the third book in the Wicked Magic series, and we continue our story by focusing on Morgaine and Drako. Morgaine was imprisoned within a menhir but it broke and she was free. After being 'oh so nicely' given the instructions to go to America and save Lily, she goes to fight Teran. If that saves Lily, all good. Drako is expelled from Lily's body and into one of his own at long last. Together, he and Morgaine try to get up to speed with the times, as well as learn how to work together. Pretty hard going when Drako knows Morgaine isn't telling him the whole truth.
This was such a brilliant book. I devoured every word. Morgaine and Drako are absolutely perfect for each other, once they get past the mistrust. I love how Lily and her men are interwoven into this story, becoming an integral part of Morgaine's life.
There are other characters that drew me to them though, Yan and Feather to name just two. I'm really, REALLY, hoping that Feather gets her own book. She does have her very own dragon after all! Plus Yan and Omer's story isn't over yet either. Oh, so many stories I still want to read!
I would recommend you read this book after at least reading book two in the series (Wicked Truth). Like I've said, it involves Lily and so I think it would help. Basically though, I recommend this book. It is hot, it is emotional, it is full of action and adventure. Absolutely brilliant!!
I received a review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was such a brilliant book. I devoured every word. Morgaine and Drako are absolutely perfect for each other, once they get past the mistrust. I love how Lily and her men are interwoven into this story, becoming an integral part of Morgaine's life.
There are other characters that drew me to them though, Yan and Feather to name just two. I'm really, REALLY, hoping that Feather gets her own book. She does have her very own dragon after all! Plus Yan and Omer's story isn't over yet either. Oh, so many stories I still want to read!
I would recommend you read this book after at least reading book two in the series (Wicked Truth). Like I've said, it involves Lily and so I think it would help. Basically though, I recommend this book. It is hot, it is emotional, it is full of action and adventure. Absolutely brilliant!!
I received a review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This one's a bit too close for comfort...
Well, this was a bit of a disconcerting and frankly worrying book. but it's one that made me really think.
Set in present day, it follows Jon Keller, an American Historian, and his fellow guests at a hotel in Switzerland, following a nuclear war. Pretty much every major city in the world has been bombed. The majority of guests have left, trying to get back to their homes even thought the media has advised them against doing so (no aeroplanes, no public transport). Jon and a small group of other guests decide to stay and make the best of it.
Whilst checking water supplies in the roof storage tanks, they find the body of a child, and Jon decides to investigate.
The book is written in Jon's voice as he writes a diary, a history, of his and the other guests survival, and his investigation.
I really liked this. It wasn't sensationalised, it all seemed so reasonable, and in our current worldwide political climate, so plausible - which is what made it really scary. It did have a bit of the "Huis Clos" (a play by Jean Paul Sartre) feeling about it: a feeling of being trapped with the same day coming around again and again, no escape, stuck with the same people that you neither particularly like or trust. And I liked that about it.
By the way, in the advent of a nuclear holocaust, Switzerland would seem to be a pretty civilised place to be 'stuck'.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Viking for the copy of this book to read and review!
Set in present day, it follows Jon Keller, an American Historian, and his fellow guests at a hotel in Switzerland, following a nuclear war. Pretty much every major city in the world has been bombed. The majority of guests have left, trying to get back to their homes even thought the media has advised them against doing so (no aeroplanes, no public transport). Jon and a small group of other guests decide to stay and make the best of it.
Whilst checking water supplies in the roof storage tanks, they find the body of a child, and Jon decides to investigate.
The book is written in Jon's voice as he writes a diary, a history, of his and the other guests survival, and his investigation.
I really liked this. It wasn't sensationalised, it all seemed so reasonable, and in our current worldwide political climate, so plausible - which is what made it really scary. It did have a bit of the "Huis Clos" (a play by Jean Paul Sartre) feeling about it: a feeling of being trapped with the same day coming around again and again, no escape, stuck with the same people that you neither particularly like or trust. And I liked that about it.
By the way, in the advent of a nuclear holocaust, Switzerland would seem to be a pretty civilised place to be 'stuck'.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Viking for the copy of this book to read and review!
Merissa (12710 KP) rated Sixteen (The Dreamwalker Diaries #2) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Sixteen continues approximately six months after Fifteen finished. Ashling is on community service for trying to buy sleeping pills, Tate and Nadette are still missing, and Ashling is still without her mum. She decides that if she can just find Dr Dietz, she will find a way to dreamwalk again, so that she can save her mum from dying. She finds Dr Dietz, plus a whole more than she ever imagined. She does manage to dreamwalk again, but to a different time and place than she wanted. Walker Smith is still a horrible character, he still treats Skylar as not being worthy of him (for reasons she still doesn't know about).
Numerous twists and turns keep this story interesting. With new characters, old favourites, and old ones who become new, there is something here for everyone. I love that we meet Coop in this one and, although I understand the reasoning behind it, I'm not too happy with the hinting of a love triangle between Coop, Caleb, and Ash. That's just me, I don't like triangles, never have, and probably never will. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that things will work out, and now I just have to wait as patiently as possible for the next book to come out.
Extremely well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow, Sixteen continues to impress with the fresh ideas and circumstances detailed within its pages. 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!
Numerous twists and turns keep this story interesting. With new characters, old favourites, and old ones who become new, there is something here for everyone. I love that we meet Coop in this one and, although I understand the reasoning behind it, I'm not too happy with the hinting of a love triangle between Coop, Caleb, and Ash. That's just me, I don't like triangles, never have, and probably never will. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that things will work out, and now I just have to wait as patiently as possible for the next book to come out.
Extremely well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow, Sixteen continues to impress with the fresh ideas and circumstances detailed within its pages. 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!
Merissa (12710 KP) rated The Inconvenient Pet (Alien Slave Masters, #5) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
The Inconvenient Pet is the fifth book in the Alien Slave Master series, and once again follows the non-con/dub-con route. If this isn't your thing, then don't read it, simple as that. If, however, you can cope with that, then you are in for a wonderful series that continues to surprise and surpass as you go along.
With the four previous books, you have had a 'human' slave boy, paired with a Travian Master. In this one, the roles are swapped. Wen, who we have met before, is the Travian slave boy, and Dax, who we've also met before, is the human Master - although he doesn't like being called that!
Wen doesn't really belong in the military, although he has fought hard to earn his place. Dax is with a group of humans and Travians, calling themselves Naturalists, who want to go back to a more primitive way of life, living in harmony with each other. Of course, there is a maggot in most apples, this one is named Burrell. Of course, you also meet new characters who shine. Chloe is one of those for me. She is a strong female, knowing her capabilities, and yet not afraid to ask for help when needed.
The story is fresh, the characters familiar, and it is all well-written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow. 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!
With the four previous books, you have had a 'human' slave boy, paired with a Travian Master. In this one, the roles are swapped. Wen, who we have met before, is the Travian slave boy, and Dax, who we've also met before, is the human Master - although he doesn't like being called that!
Wen doesn't really belong in the military, although he has fought hard to earn his place. Dax is with a group of humans and Travians, calling themselves Naturalists, who want to go back to a more primitive way of life, living in harmony with each other. Of course, there is a maggot in most apples, this one is named Burrell. Of course, you also meet new characters who shine. Chloe is one of those for me. She is a strong female, knowing her capabilities, and yet not afraid to ask for help when needed.
The story is fresh, the characters familiar, and it is all well-written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow. 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!
Deborah (162 KP) rated Consider the Fork: A History of How We Cook and Eat in Books
Dec 19, 2018
I don't know about you, but I can't say I've ever spent much time considering the fork - it's just one of those things we have in everyday life. Of course, some cultures would think about forks much less, as they don't use them at all! Bee Wilson takes us on a tour of the history of domestic cookery and the implements used. There is a good deal of focus on the West, but also lots of information about the different Eastern cultures and how their different approach to eating has a visible impact!
The book is very well written and very entertaining and not at all heavy or pompous. There are some illustrations in the shape of line drawings, but this is the one area for me where a few more illustrations would really have helped things. I'm afraid I still have no idea what a potato ricer looks like, of why I would possibly need one!
This book made me think (but without the head wanting to explode!) about the origins of words and sayings associated with food and eating and how they came into being. It also made you think about other things; when you realise that the balloon whisk is a relatively modern invention, your mind boggles at all the whipped desserts our ancestors enjoyed and how they were actually made without what is to us a fairly basic piece of kitchen equipment! I can't imagine using a bunch of twigs for 3 hours to whip up some egg whites!
A really different book and a really interesting one - highly recommended to anyone with an interest in cooking or social history.
The book is very well written and very entertaining and not at all heavy or pompous. There are some illustrations in the shape of line drawings, but this is the one area for me where a few more illustrations would really have helped things. I'm afraid I still have no idea what a potato ricer looks like, of why I would possibly need one!
This book made me think (but without the head wanting to explode!) about the origins of words and sayings associated with food and eating and how they came into being. It also made you think about other things; when you realise that the balloon whisk is a relatively modern invention, your mind boggles at all the whipped desserts our ancestors enjoyed and how they were actually made without what is to us a fairly basic piece of kitchen equipment! I can't imagine using a bunch of twigs for 3 hours to whip up some egg whites!
A really different book and a really interesting one - highly recommended to anyone with an interest in cooking or social history.
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Breathing Underwater (Breathing Underwater, #1) in Books
Jan 23, 2020
I suppose I'll mention this was one of the books we just finished in English. Apparently, I think that Breathing Underwater is the best book so far in the school year that was required reading. (Notice I didn't say the best book I've ever read...)
Nick seems to be a person who is quite spoiled and probably has the perfect life being handsome, popular and rich. Beneath the surface though (see what I did there?) he's abused by his father often and has taken out his anger on others as well, such as Caitlin. As a result, there are many consequences due to Nick's actions. It make me really sad to hear that his father was abusive though. Comparing my very own life to Nick's life, my life seems to be easy as pie.
I don't seem to have a lot of reaction from this book. I typically don't read YA Realistic Fiction that much on my own when I look on my list of Books Read.
Why I really gave it such a high rating is the dramatic storyline and the emotional process that Nick takes to recover and learn from his many mistakes that really makes his life far from perfection when he takes an anger management.
Though I don't typically read Realistic Fiction, I highly recommend that if you enjoy reading Realistic Fiction, you read the book. As mentioned earlier, the book has a dramatic storyline and is an emotional and powerful read.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-breathing-underwater-by-alex-flinn/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Nick seems to be a person who is quite spoiled and probably has the perfect life being handsome, popular and rich. Beneath the surface though (see what I did there?) he's abused by his father often and has taken out his anger on others as well, such as Caitlin. As a result, there are many consequences due to Nick's actions. It make me really sad to hear that his father was abusive though. Comparing my very own life to Nick's life, my life seems to be easy as pie.
I don't seem to have a lot of reaction from this book. I typically don't read YA Realistic Fiction that much on my own when I look on my list of Books Read.
Why I really gave it such a high rating is the dramatic storyline and the emotional process that Nick takes to recover and learn from his many mistakes that really makes his life far from perfection when he takes an anger management.
Though I don't typically read Realistic Fiction, I highly recommend that if you enjoy reading Realistic Fiction, you read the book. As mentioned earlier, the book has a dramatic storyline and is an emotional and powerful read.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-breathing-underwater-by-alex-flinn/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Ross (3284 KP) rated Perfect Kill in Books
Feb 7, 2020
Superb, a real return to form
Thanks to the publishers Avon and NetGalley for the chance to read a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This, the 6th of Fields' Edinburgh crime thrillers has a different feel to it. These books had started to feel a little formulaic, with one major investigation, one minor one and personal issues lurking in the background. Here the story is for once fully focused on (what turns out to be) one large-scale linked crime.
Luc Callanach, who has taken something of a back seat in the recent books, is back in his native Paris, as Scottish liaison to Interpol. He is working to uncover a suspected organ theft operation with potential Scottish victims. Meanwhile back in Edinburgh, Ava Turner is embroiled in missing persons cases, apparently unconnected murders and a few bone fragments left by pigs, trying to piece it all together.
The underlying story is strong as usual, with clear and believable twists and discoveries. The new characters introduced are all well-formed and distinct, and the dialogue much stronger than in previous books (I have at times had issues with the form of swearing in the books - living in Edinburgh and taking public transport I hear a fair amount of it!).
I absolutely rattled through this book in under 4 days - pretty much unheard of for me - partly due to being away on business and with no English TV channels in my hotel room, but also due to the superb rolling storyline which makes you want to read one more chapter.
A superbly told and imagined crime thriller.
This, the 6th of Fields' Edinburgh crime thrillers has a different feel to it. These books had started to feel a little formulaic, with one major investigation, one minor one and personal issues lurking in the background. Here the story is for once fully focused on (what turns out to be) one large-scale linked crime.
Luc Callanach, who has taken something of a back seat in the recent books, is back in his native Paris, as Scottish liaison to Interpol. He is working to uncover a suspected organ theft operation with potential Scottish victims. Meanwhile back in Edinburgh, Ava Turner is embroiled in missing persons cases, apparently unconnected murders and a few bone fragments left by pigs, trying to piece it all together.
The underlying story is strong as usual, with clear and believable twists and discoveries. The new characters introduced are all well-formed and distinct, and the dialogue much stronger than in previous books (I have at times had issues with the form of swearing in the books - living in Edinburgh and taking public transport I hear a fair amount of it!).
I absolutely rattled through this book in under 4 days - pretty much unheard of for me - partly due to being away on business and with no English TV channels in my hotel room, but also due to the superb rolling storyline which makes you want to read one more chapter.
A superbly told and imagined crime thriller.