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Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet in Books
Jan 15, 2018
First off the title of this book is entirely fitting!! The end was a bittersweet pill to swallow... it was the perfect ending to the story and yet so frustrating to have it end so abruptly!!
The story itself took me awhile to really get in to, but it is a fascinating story. One that is not touched on much in any WWII fiction.... that of the Japanese internment camps in the US. It focuses on 2 elementary students who are supposedly on opposite sides of the war in the pacific despite being classmates & born in America.
It had all the components of hope and heartbreak, putting you in the story & making you feel like you were there. I just didn't like how slow moving the plot was but what redeemed it was the colorful characters & the fact that it was well written. Being realistic fiction it is hard to make it too fast paced & believable at the same time.
The story itself took me awhile to really get in to, but it is a fascinating story. One that is not touched on much in any WWII fiction.... that of the Japanese internment camps in the US. It focuses on 2 elementary students who are supposedly on opposite sides of the war in the pacific despite being classmates & born in America.
It had all the components of hope and heartbreak, putting you in the story & making you feel like you were there. I just didn't like how slow moving the plot was but what redeemed it was the colorful characters & the fact that it was well written. Being realistic fiction it is hard to make it too fast paced & believable at the same time.

Frecklesxoxo (6 KP) rated A Place Called Here in Books
Feb 27, 2019
Wow, I really enjoyed this, With Cecelia Ahern you really can't go wrong.
I am in aww I think her imagination is off the charts, who else would have come with writing about a place where missing things go, makes me wonder where all my socks go.
I love the story of Sandy finding herself in this missing place and actually finding out who she is realising she has lost a lot of her life to her obsession with finding missing things and as well as the story of Jack on a similar journey but wasting his life away obsessively searching for his brother.
I love how it all comes together.
My favourite quote is...
"I can only assume that there's only one thing more frustrating than not being able to find someone, and that's not being found. I would want someone to find me, more than anything."
A truly brilliant read.
I am in aww I think her imagination is off the charts, who else would have come with writing about a place where missing things go, makes me wonder where all my socks go.
I love the story of Sandy finding herself in this missing place and actually finding out who she is realising she has lost a lot of her life to her obsession with finding missing things and as well as the story of Jack on a similar journey but wasting his life away obsessively searching for his brother.
I love how it all comes together.
My favourite quote is...
"I can only assume that there's only one thing more frustrating than not being able to find someone, and that's not being found. I would want someone to find me, more than anything."
A truly brilliant read.

Film and stuff (30 KP) rated Kin (2018) in Movies
May 30, 2019
Underrated
Contains spoilers, click to show
Kin is a modern twist on a story that feels very familiar.
Our hero is a boy that we assume was sent back in time to live in relative safety until his time to do something pivotal in a future war comes about.
The biggest issue is the ending. Audiences are unforgiving of sequel bait endings and this isn't subtle either.
Franco is a cookie cutter bad guy that just about reaches entertaining.
The relationship between our three main characters is thin and underdeveloped.
The beginning catalyst of the father dying suffers from an underdeveloped relationship between him and his sons as well as the father figure being largely unlikable.
All this being said, as an entire piece of work there is plenty to enjoy and that's what you will need to do with this film.
A mild recommendation
Our hero is a boy that we assume was sent back in time to live in relative safety until his time to do something pivotal in a future war comes about.
The biggest issue is the ending. Audiences are unforgiving of sequel bait endings and this isn't subtle either.
Franco is a cookie cutter bad guy that just about reaches entertaining.
The relationship between our three main characters is thin and underdeveloped.
The beginning catalyst of the father dying suffers from an underdeveloped relationship between him and his sons as well as the father figure being largely unlikable.
All this being said, as an entire piece of work there is plenty to enjoy and that's what you will need to do with this film.
A mild recommendation

Karenbmwmew (0 KP) rated Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) in Movies
Sep 1, 2018
The Actors (1 more)
Updated version of a great movie
First all you would have to say is The Rock, Jack Black and Kevin Hart and you know it will be funny. Although I have to admit I was a little skeptical before seeing it because it is a reboot and let's face it they are doing a lot of those lately. Not all end up being as good or better then the original, however this is not the case with Jumanji. I thought this was a great reboot of a great movie. I like the updated idea of the game being a video game versus a board game but still follow along with the older version as well.
If you decide to see the movie and you are a Rock fan, or a Jack Black fan or a Kevin Hart fan I don't think you will be disappointed. I laughed quit a bit and my whole family enjoyed seeing it.
If you decide to see the movie and you are a Rock fan, or a Jack Black fan or a Kevin Hart fan I don't think you will be disappointed. I laughed quit a bit and my whole family enjoyed seeing it.

Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Choice: Escape Your Past and Embrace the Possible in Books
Oct 21, 2018
“Our painful experiences aren’t a liability—they’re a gift. They give us perspective and meaning, an opportunity to find our unique purpose and our strength.” ― Edith Eger, The Choice
Oh my goodness, I can't even begin to tell you how good this book is. It's not just another Holocaust survivors life-story, it's so much more than that ... it's extraordinary!
Dr Eger is now 90 years old and what an amazing woman she is ... this book tells the story of being a teenager and her relationship with her parents and sisters, the truly horrific time she spent being a prisoner of the Nazis, her astonishing strength and bravery before, during and after the war and of her life once freedom had been achieved.
Once again, I can't tell you how good this book is. It's beautifully written and flows exceptionally well. Highly recommended.
My thanks go to the publisher, Penguin Random House UK, Ebury Publishing via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.
Oh my goodness, I can't even begin to tell you how good this book is. It's not just another Holocaust survivors life-story, it's so much more than that ... it's extraordinary!
Dr Eger is now 90 years old and what an amazing woman she is ... this book tells the story of being a teenager and her relationship with her parents and sisters, the truly horrific time she spent being a prisoner of the Nazis, her astonishing strength and bravery before, during and after the war and of her life once freedom had been achieved.
Once again, I can't tell you how good this book is. It's beautifully written and flows exceptionally well. Highly recommended.
My thanks go to the publisher, Penguin Random House UK, Ebury Publishing via NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.

David McK (3600 KP) rated Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Lost Command in Books
Jan 30, 2019
This is now part of the Star Wars 'Legend's (i.e. non-canon stories) following Marvel's acquisition of Lucasfilm; however - in many respects - I also feel that this is/was a strong candidate for remaining as part of the lore (or, like Grand Admiral Thrawn, being integrated into it).
This is set between the events of "Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope" (or, if I was to place it as part of the lore now, between Sith and Rogue One), and sees Vader - who, at this stage, is still lamenting his loss of Padme - charged with hunting down and recovering Grand Moff Tarkin's son, who has disappearaed in the relatively unexplored Atoan Ghost Nebula.
Maybe a wee bit choppy, I still fouind this to be an interesting look into Vader's psyche - I also have to say that the opening panels, with Vader's limbs being, umm, 'reattached' may well have influenced a similar scene in Rogue One!
This is set between the events of "Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope" (or, if I was to place it as part of the lore now, between Sith and Rogue One), and sees Vader - who, at this stage, is still lamenting his loss of Padme - charged with hunting down and recovering Grand Moff Tarkin's son, who has disappearaed in the relatively unexplored Atoan Ghost Nebula.
Maybe a wee bit choppy, I still fouind this to be an interesting look into Vader's psyche - I also have to say that the opening panels, with Vader's limbs being, umm, 'reattached' may well have influenced a similar scene in Rogue One!

LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Happy Death Day (2017) in Movies
Aug 12, 2019 (Updated Oct 25, 2019)
Happy Death Day is far more enjoyable than it has any right to be - a PG-13 rated horror version of Groundhog Day sounds pretty uninteresting on paper, but it absolutely doesn't take itself seriously, and that works in it's favour.
The basic plot premise is nothing new, and has been done better in films like Edge of Tomorrow, but it has fun with it.
Every side character is set up to have a motive, so the identity of the masked killer is well hidden, and keeps you guessing throughout.
The lead actress Jessica Rothe is really good fun, as her character goes through a personality shift as she learns to appreciate the people in her life instead of being a total douche. (This would usually be an eye rolling plot point, but the film genuinely lands some good emotional beats)
It's definitely a far cry from being a classic horror film (that PG-13 rating is a potential contributor) but it's honestly a fun movie.
The basic plot premise is nothing new, and has been done better in films like Edge of Tomorrow, but it has fun with it.
Every side character is set up to have a motive, so the identity of the masked killer is well hidden, and keeps you guessing throughout.
The lead actress Jessica Rothe is really good fun, as her character goes through a personality shift as she learns to appreciate the people in her life instead of being a total douche. (This would usually be an eye rolling plot point, but the film genuinely lands some good emotional beats)
It's definitely a far cry from being a classic horror film (that PG-13 rating is a potential contributor) but it's honestly a fun movie.

Versusyours (757 KP) rated Strange Free World by Kitchens Of Distinction in Music
Nov 6, 2019
Sonic landscape (1 more)
Thought provoking lyrics
Lost classic
This artist came to my attention late in my life and I missed them at their peak. This seemed to be to issue with the band and with this album. There was a buzz from critics but this didn't reflect on sales. A loose part of the UK shoegaze scene that used guitar effects to create ethereal and sonic soundscapes Kitchens of Distinction may have been too mellow and introspective in their lyrics, this is not to say that the lyrics are not tight provoking as they still hold up to modern ears. This album saw them at their finest with songs like Railwayed, Quick as Rainbows and Drive that Fast being the picks with these being played on college radio during the early 90s.
Overall this album is worth a visit as it deserves to be in more lives and has aged well in parts
Overall this album is worth a visit as it deserves to be in more lives and has aged well in parts

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Girl Who Digs Graves (The Gravedigger #1) in Books
Dec 16, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
My name is Helena Pierce, Hel for short. I’m a gravedigger... well I was when I was alive anyway.
I had a rough start in life, losing both my parents before I was even a week old. Thankfully, Ray took me in and taught me his trade. I grew used to death, just another part of life.
I enjoyed being the caretaker of the old mountain cemetery, and one day while I was ...
This is a hard book for me to rate. At first I struggled with the way it was written and the whole story. I never try to leave a bad review and I didn't think I would continue with this book. But I pushed through and I'm so glad I did!!! I really ended up enjoying it. It's certainly a different spin on being dead and I really came to enjoy the book enough to give the second book a try to! My advice if you're struggling stick with it.
⭐⭐⭐

I had a rough start in life, losing both my parents before I was even a week old. Thankfully, Ray took me in and taught me his trade. I grew used to death, just another part of life.
I enjoyed being the caretaker of the old mountain cemetery, and one day while I was ...
This is a hard book for me to rate. At first I struggled with the way it was written and the whole story. I never try to leave a bad review and I didn't think I would continue with this book. But I pushed through and I'm so glad I did!!! I really ended up enjoying it. It's certainly a different spin on being dead and I really came to enjoy the book enough to give the second book a try to! My advice if you're struggling stick with it.
⭐⭐⭐


Lindsay (1774 KP) rated Inanna Phantom in Books
Jan 25, 2020
Well, Book 3 of this series “Inanna Phantom” was better a bit better with the action. Though I say is a 4.5-star rating for me. The story was good. I like that it completed showing the progression of the families from book one through book 3. Though this time is set on the families more so then it did one other.
The most action takes place on League sides and Eorthe (Earth). The main being David and Eklam being the main ones trying to solve the league and saving the world. With the help of Myr in the mix of it. We get most of the action with link net and ripped intrusions though out.
Why and does he the one wanting the power want to destroy all worlds? There is one surprising creature and I like that. Will he help save the league and Lantaarn worlds or will it hurt? We do see what can happen when things are put into the wrong hands.
The most action takes place on League sides and Eorthe (Earth). The main being David and Eklam being the main ones trying to solve the league and saving the world. With the help of Myr in the mix of it. We get most of the action with link net and ripped intrusions though out.
Why and does he the one wanting the power want to destroy all worlds? There is one surprising creature and I like that. Will he help save the league and Lantaarn worlds or will it hurt? We do see what can happen when things are put into the wrong hands.