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Hadley (567 KP) rated On Fire: a Teen Wolf Novel in Books
Feb 3, 2020
Favorite TV show (1 more)
Great side story
Nancy Holder is known in the literary world for her novel adaptations of TV shows, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Smallville, which has made her the go-to author for popular teen shows. With her ability to mesh together a story with what is going on within the TV show, I'm not surprised that she was picked to adapt MTV's 'Teen Wolf' into a novel. Having only read this book by her, On Fire: a Teen Wolf Novel, is definitely a successful must-read for fans of the show.
Do you need to have watched the show to understand what is going on in the novel? Yes, because the book does backtrack, but unless you've watched at least season one, you will have no idea what is going on. But if you have watched the first season, On Fire will fill in the small gaps that was left out of the TV show's story without losing the characteristics of our favorite cast members.
This is a 'young adult' book, so you can expect the usual tropes like teen drama and romance - - - if you can get past that, the story can be enjoyable. The main characters are different enough to keep interest going, there are werewolves, and some men with guns. But I do have to say that I felt Allison's character was flat and boring in 'On Fire.'
The story gets underway when the main character, Scott, finds out that his girlfriend's best friend's boyfriend, Jackson, has gone missing. Scott and his girlfriend, Allison, decide to go look for him at the last place his phone's GPS blinked at, but Scott is using this just as an excuse to hang out with his girlfriend because Jackson is a sworn enemy of his. As I have said, if you haven't at least watched season one of MTV's Teen Wolf, you'll be pretty lost in the beginning of the story because there are no introductions to these characters, since it seems Holder was writing this specifically for fans of the TV show (I am a huge fan of the series, and highly recommend it to people who love mythical creatures, such as werewolves and banshees).
On the other side of the story, viewers of the show get to see Derek Hale and Kate Argent's backstory, which Derek is a werewolf and Kate is a werewolf hunter, the two had a quick romance, but it turned out to be a lie on Kate's side. This side of the story will make fans of the show happy because the series only gave hints towards the fake romance between the two characters, while Holder shows us exactly what happened. From Derek meeting Kate when he is only 17-years-old, and she older, to her burning the Hale household to the ground with most of Derek's family inside of it--- because she hunts werewolves, of course.
Meanwhile, both Derek and Scott have been having nightmares about an Alpha wolf, that seems to either want both of them dead or to join his pack. Worse of all, Scott and Derek both end up at the forest preserve that the dreams took place in, which both feel another wolf presence while being there. Since they both sense this, they start to wonder if Jackson's disappearance is a trap set by the Alpha.
During all of this, Jackson's girlfriend, Lydia, and his best friend Danny, are also searching for Jackson or any clue as to why he suddenly disappeared, which this has nothing to do with what actually happens to Jackson in the TV series. I think the best parts of this book are the scenes without Scott and Allison, who spend the majority of the time trying to make-out while doing a half-ass job searching for the lost friend. As I said before, if you can get past the teen romance, the story is actually really good. Especially my favorite character, Stiles, who had the best description in the entire book: "Life in his[Stiles] head was accompanied by the soundtrack of a small, eternal, dull ache, but word was that would go away after a few decades."
If you have watched the show, you'll be glad to know that this book isn't just an adaptation of season two--- this one has a different story in it that wasn't in the show. Without giving too much away, we get a different glimpse of Jackson's personality and problems he has dealt with much of his life. The book isn't a necessary read for fans, but it gives us a little bit more of the Teen Wolf world to read about, such as introductions of new characters (like a high school girl named Cassie), who never made it to the TV series. While reading this book, it can tempt readers to go back or even start watching the MTV series. I warn you, though, once you start watching, you won't be able to stop. Binge fest anyone?
There were a few inconsistencies, and a whole lot of typos--- whoever the editor was, was apparently not paying attention, but the story is good and the characters are unique. I recommend this to people who have watched the series, and to those who love mythical creatures. But I do wholeheartedly recommend you watch season one before attempting to read this novel, otherwise, you will be lost!
For more paranormal and fantasy book reviews, check out my blog at GoreAndTea.com
Do you need to have watched the show to understand what is going on in the novel? Yes, because the book does backtrack, but unless you've watched at least season one, you will have no idea what is going on. But if you have watched the first season, On Fire will fill in the small gaps that was left out of the TV show's story without losing the characteristics of our favorite cast members.
This is a 'young adult' book, so you can expect the usual tropes like teen drama and romance - - - if you can get past that, the story can be enjoyable. The main characters are different enough to keep interest going, there are werewolves, and some men with guns. But I do have to say that I felt Allison's character was flat and boring in 'On Fire.'
The story gets underway when the main character, Scott, finds out that his girlfriend's best friend's boyfriend, Jackson, has gone missing. Scott and his girlfriend, Allison, decide to go look for him at the last place his phone's GPS blinked at, but Scott is using this just as an excuse to hang out with his girlfriend because Jackson is a sworn enemy of his. As I have said, if you haven't at least watched season one of MTV's Teen Wolf, you'll be pretty lost in the beginning of the story because there are no introductions to these characters, since it seems Holder was writing this specifically for fans of the TV show (I am a huge fan of the series, and highly recommend it to people who love mythical creatures, such as werewolves and banshees).
On the other side of the story, viewers of the show get to see Derek Hale and Kate Argent's backstory, which Derek is a werewolf and Kate is a werewolf hunter, the two had a quick romance, but it turned out to be a lie on Kate's side. This side of the story will make fans of the show happy because the series only gave hints towards the fake romance between the two characters, while Holder shows us exactly what happened. From Derek meeting Kate when he is only 17-years-old, and she older, to her burning the Hale household to the ground with most of Derek's family inside of it--- because she hunts werewolves, of course.
Meanwhile, both Derek and Scott have been having nightmares about an Alpha wolf, that seems to either want both of them dead or to join his pack. Worse of all, Scott and Derek both end up at the forest preserve that the dreams took place in, which both feel another wolf presence while being there. Since they both sense this, they start to wonder if Jackson's disappearance is a trap set by the Alpha.
During all of this, Jackson's girlfriend, Lydia, and his best friend Danny, are also searching for Jackson or any clue as to why he suddenly disappeared, which this has nothing to do with what actually happens to Jackson in the TV series. I think the best parts of this book are the scenes without Scott and Allison, who spend the majority of the time trying to make-out while doing a half-ass job searching for the lost friend. As I said before, if you can get past the teen romance, the story is actually really good. Especially my favorite character, Stiles, who had the best description in the entire book: "Life in his[Stiles] head was accompanied by the soundtrack of a small, eternal, dull ache, but word was that would go away after a few decades."
If you have watched the show, you'll be glad to know that this book isn't just an adaptation of season two--- this one has a different story in it that wasn't in the show. Without giving too much away, we get a different glimpse of Jackson's personality and problems he has dealt with much of his life. The book isn't a necessary read for fans, but it gives us a little bit more of the Teen Wolf world to read about, such as introductions of new characters (like a high school girl named Cassie), who never made it to the TV series. While reading this book, it can tempt readers to go back or even start watching the MTV series. I warn you, though, once you start watching, you won't be able to stop. Binge fest anyone?
There were a few inconsistencies, and a whole lot of typos--- whoever the editor was, was apparently not paying attention, but the story is good and the characters are unique. I recommend this to people who have watched the series, and to those who love mythical creatures. But I do wholeheartedly recommend you watch season one before attempting to read this novel, otherwise, you will be lost!
For more paranormal and fantasy book reviews, check out my blog at GoreAndTea.com
tonidavis (353 KP) rated Justice League (2017) in Movies
Dec 3, 2017
Flash -Ezra Miller a delight (2 more)
Aquaman -though scene have been cut got to love Momoa
Wonder Woman
Its better than critic give it credit for
I enjoyed Justice league. I don't think that steppon wolf was a particularly good cillian there seemed very little to thw character it was all crush kill destroy. Nothing refined or sinister compared to other DC Villians such as Lex Luthor or Joker.
What I enjoyed about this film was the friendship banter in the lustice league itself. Having met Jason Momoa at several conventions from Chevron to LFCC I 've got to say that he's pretty much his friendly self in the film and I was highly disappointed that it was mainly he's scence to have been cut out. Ezra Miller as the flash again is what makes the film he funny friendly and enjoyable to watch.
What I enjoyed about this film was the friendship banter in the lustice league itself. Having met Jason Momoa at several conventions from Chevron to LFCC I 've got to say that he's pretty much his friendly self in the film and I was highly disappointed that it was mainly he's scence to have been cut out. Ezra Miller as the flash again is what makes the film he funny friendly and enjoyable to watch.
Frecklesxoxo (6 KP) rated Ariel (Nano Wolves, #1) in Books
Feb 27, 2019
I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!!! I literally read the entire thing within 24hours!!!
It was exciting, supernatural. Sciencey and funny. I actually laughed out loud a number of times (especially about the boots)
The heroine really took the change in her stride and adapted quickly, instinctively knowing her priorities have shifted, she's no longer a scientist but an alpha werewolf with her own pack too.
It really highlights how different people react to loss, whether it's family, friends, life or oneself and how we change and shows that what we think would be our breaking point is in fact not and we can cope with far more than we realise.
Also love the Sex scenes,it's a bit like a fifty shades of wolf :) hahaha!
But on the whole this was a fantastic read and look forward to reading Brandi (book 2)
It was exciting, supernatural. Sciencey and funny. I actually laughed out loud a number of times (especially about the boots)
The heroine really took the change in her stride and adapted quickly, instinctively knowing her priorities have shifted, she's no longer a scientist but an alpha werewolf with her own pack too.
It really highlights how different people react to loss, whether it's family, friends, life or oneself and how we change and shows that what we think would be our breaking point is in fact not and we can cope with far more than we realise.
Also love the Sex scenes,it's a bit like a fifty shades of wolf :) hahaha!
But on the whole this was a fantastic read and look forward to reading Brandi (book 2)
Loz Hughes (80 KP) rated Hannibal - Season 1 in TV
Jul 14, 2018
The plot lines (4 more)
Hannibal's portrayal
Wills character acting
The depth of the story
The length of some of the deception
A fantastic tv series
This is a fantastic series for anyone interested in crime, psychopaths, sociopaths and the Hannibal book series.
Im generally a self proclaimed wuss and cant watch horror or psychological thrillers and while this series wouldnt be classed as those sometimes the murders really turned my stomach but the acting is superb and the character builds are great. It really adds to the book series and although im quite squeamish with some of it, I will keep watching the following series because I am fascinated with the relationship between Hannibal and Will. Its like a big game of cat and mouse but the mouse is really a wolf in sheeps clothing ?
Im generally a self proclaimed wuss and cant watch horror or psychological thrillers and while this series wouldnt be classed as those sometimes the murders really turned my stomach but the acting is superb and the character builds are great. It really adds to the book series and although im quite squeamish with some of it, I will keep watching the following series because I am fascinated with the relationship between Hannibal and Will. Its like a big game of cat and mouse but the mouse is really a wolf in sheeps clothing ?
David McK (3369 KP) rated Hero in the Shadows (Drenai 9; Waylander 3) in Books
Dec 5, 2021
Chronologically the third entry in David Gemmell's Drenia saga, published ninth in order, that completes the trilogy of Waylander the Slayer: a character first introduced in Waylander before being further expanded upon in Waylander II: In the Realm of the Wolf and which thus makes him of the very few characters that Gemmell returned to more than once in that series (indeed, the only other character I can think of is of Druss himself. Oh, and Skilgannon (who had two novels).
I've always found that there is an element of truth to the charge that the nations in his works reflect real-life counterparts (Nadir = Huns, Drenai = Greek), with those novel expanding to include the Kydor and the Chiatze, with the Men of Mud obviously reflecting the Terracotta army.
Oh, and the finale of the novel, in which Waylander finally finds peace?
*Chef's kiss*
I've always found that there is an element of truth to the charge that the nations in his works reflect real-life counterparts (Nadir = Huns, Drenai = Greek), with those novel expanding to include the Kydor and the Chiatze, with the Men of Mud obviously reflecting the Terracotta army.
Oh, and the finale of the novel, in which Waylander finally finds peace?
*Chef's kiss*
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Marked by the Alpha ( Bare Bites 1) in Books
Sep 7, 2023
122 of 235
Kindle
Marked by the Alpha ( Bare Botes 1)
By Aria Cole and Mila Crawford
⭐️⭐️
Gavin is the Alpha of the Bare Mountain Clan, and although he's content, there's something missing in his life.
His mate.
But when a snowstorm hits his area, he never expected to find her.
Alone, abandoned, and left to die, Liza was deserted by her pack in a strange territory. Always the lone wolf, her mismatched eyes and inability to shift has marked her as an outcast from birth.
But this unexpected adventure never prepared her for what she'd find.
Her mate.
Because what she'll find out is that when a member of the Bare Clan mates... it's for life.
This was just a fast forward mating “story” with all the characters apart from 1 of just sex lol it was wham bam thank you man!! 😂
Kindle
Marked by the Alpha ( Bare Botes 1)
By Aria Cole and Mila Crawford
⭐️⭐️
Gavin is the Alpha of the Bare Mountain Clan, and although he's content, there's something missing in his life.
His mate.
But when a snowstorm hits his area, he never expected to find her.
Alone, abandoned, and left to die, Liza was deserted by her pack in a strange territory. Always the lone wolf, her mismatched eyes and inability to shift has marked her as an outcast from birth.
But this unexpected adventure never prepared her for what she'd find.
Her mate.
Because what she'll find out is that when a member of the Bare Clan mates... it's for life.
This was just a fast forward mating “story” with all the characters apart from 1 of just sex lol it was wham bam thank you man!! 😂
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Broken Luna ( Broken Trilogy 1) in Books
Sep 8, 2023
124 of 235
Kindle
Broken Luna ( Broken Trilogy 1)
By Paulina Vasquez
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Do you believe in Myths? Just when she thinks it can't get any worse, it does. Lucy lost everything four years ago in a rogue attack. She's been abused, starved, rejected, and broken. As her eighteenth birthday approaches, strange things start to happen, things that only happen once every century. She finds friendship in the most unlikely place and escapes to find her true self with the help of the most dangerous Alpha.
I enjoyed this it was a really good read I wanted to go up to 4 ⭐️ but somethings were niggling at me like the communication between them and their Wolf it was a bit dumbed down in places, also felt it was quite rushed in a few places. But it was good and I read it with 24 hours.
Kindle
Broken Luna ( Broken Trilogy 1)
By Paulina Vasquez
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Do you believe in Myths? Just when she thinks it can't get any worse, it does. Lucy lost everything four years ago in a rogue attack. She's been abused, starved, rejected, and broken. As her eighteenth birthday approaches, strange things start to happen, things that only happen once every century. She finds friendship in the most unlikely place and escapes to find her true self with the help of the most dangerous Alpha.
I enjoyed this it was a really good read I wanted to go up to 4 ⭐️ but somethings were niggling at me like the communication between them and their Wolf it was a bit dumbed down in places, also felt it was quite rushed in a few places. But it was good and I read it with 24 hours.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Wolf (2019) in Movies
Sep 26, 2019
A lot of the acting in Wolf feels like it was from TV, and several of the parts wouldn't have been far off comedic roles in things made for network shows. The acting isn't the only thing that smacked of TV. The music is also not something you'd expect in this sort of thing, it would be much more suited to a crime drama. Occasionally I felt like it might have been perfect for this sort of historic piece but then it would quickly slip back to crime drama and I was almost completely distracted from the film.
As an idea it's an intriguing one. The outline of the story would make a good movie, it's simple and has lots of opportunities to be really effective on screen, unfortunately I don't think this delivered on that potential.
There's quite a spread of characters but some do get overlooked. Ima has a backstory that you can glean through context and Liviana has an implied story but both are only hinted at and nothing is used. Sometimes this is forgivable but with what happens with them both at the end of the film I think it's appalling that we don't get more from them.
This was yet another film that suffers from a black hole of time. There are a couple of points where they play fast and loose ad in one particular place it looks like they filmed at different times of day not accounting for the scenes timeline.
The location itself is stunning and you can see that repeatedly in the panning shots of forest... lots of forest, oh, and a mountain range. The first time it was nice, the second time it was a little cliche, and after that I started writing abuse in my notes.
The other thing that seems to be popular in Wolf is the blurry camera work. For the most part it looks intentional as it's part of the reveal but it's not isolated to that. Some of the fight scenes look like they might have been put together quite well but in one of the biggest of those you can't tell because the action is accompanied by camerawork that looks like it was done by someone hiccuping on a pogo stick.
My other major quibble is the ending. It seems very late in the game to be adding information to the story. There was even an opportunity to introduce the point earlier in the film but that was where we ignored Ima's backstory, looks like a lot of things could have been solved by changing that scene, it seems like a huge misstep.
It's not the worst film, but it's also not the best. There were some big opportunities for improvements but none of them were taken and ultimately this feels like a waste of a good story.
Check out my full review here: http://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2019/09/wolf-movie-review.html
As an idea it's an intriguing one. The outline of the story would make a good movie, it's simple and has lots of opportunities to be really effective on screen, unfortunately I don't think this delivered on that potential.
There's quite a spread of characters but some do get overlooked. Ima has a backstory that you can glean through context and Liviana has an implied story but both are only hinted at and nothing is used. Sometimes this is forgivable but with what happens with them both at the end of the film I think it's appalling that we don't get more from them.
This was yet another film that suffers from a black hole of time. There are a couple of points where they play fast and loose ad in one particular place it looks like they filmed at different times of day not accounting for the scenes timeline.
The location itself is stunning and you can see that repeatedly in the panning shots of forest... lots of forest, oh, and a mountain range. The first time it was nice, the second time it was a little cliche, and after that I started writing abuse in my notes.
The other thing that seems to be popular in Wolf is the blurry camera work. For the most part it looks intentional as it's part of the reveal but it's not isolated to that. Some of the fight scenes look like they might have been put together quite well but in one of the biggest of those you can't tell because the action is accompanied by camerawork that looks like it was done by someone hiccuping on a pogo stick.
My other major quibble is the ending. It seems very late in the game to be adding information to the story. There was even an opportunity to introduce the point earlier in the film but that was where we ignored Ima's backstory, looks like a lot of things could have been solved by changing that scene, it seems like a huge misstep.
It's not the worst film, but it's also not the best. There were some big opportunities for improvements but none of them were taken and ultimately this feels like a waste of a good story.
Check out my full review here: http://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2019/09/wolf-movie-review.html
Gareth von Kallenbach (977 KP) rated Red Riding Hood (2011) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
In a small village a wolf has been killing villagers who wander out alone. Yet for rule-breaking Valerie the desire to venture out and spend time with her true love overpowers all logic. However, drama sets in when Valerie finds she has been betrothed to a wealthy villager around the same time that that the big bad wolf returns.
Amanda Seyfried stars as Valerie in Red Riding Hood a reworking of the classic fairytale of the same name. The film also stars Shiloh Fernandez as Peter, Valerie’s childhood best friend turned love interest, and Max Irons as Henry, the wealthy suitor who has been selected to wed Valerie. The supporting cast includes some additional familiar faces such as Michael Hogan (The Reeve) best known for his work as Colonel Tigh in the Sci-Fi series Battlestar Galactica and Michael Shanks, known for his work on the hit television series Stargate SG-1 , who plays Adrien Lazer.
The concept of building more depth into the Red Riding Hood story is a good idea however the execution in this bland who-done-it comes a crossed as scattered. The film lacks cohesion and fails to build interest in the storyline focusing instead on sweeping landscapes and overly intense one-on-one character interactions.
The wardrobe is impressive with clothing that aptly represents both village life and fairytale ideals. However, much like the rest of the film, the wardrobe seems to be taking cues directly from other movies. Among the numerous familiar scenes is an ending that could have been plucked from The Lord of the Rings.
The film is not missing any major components but the lack of originality is a fatal flaw that impacts the entire tale. The scary moments are not scary. The intrigue lacks potency. And the romantic triangle fails to generate the intended drama.
Moviegoers will see far worse films this spring but Red Riding Hood does not deliver on what could have been a brilliant adaptation.
Amanda Seyfried stars as Valerie in Red Riding Hood a reworking of the classic fairytale of the same name. The film also stars Shiloh Fernandez as Peter, Valerie’s childhood best friend turned love interest, and Max Irons as Henry, the wealthy suitor who has been selected to wed Valerie. The supporting cast includes some additional familiar faces such as Michael Hogan (The Reeve) best known for his work as Colonel Tigh in the Sci-Fi series Battlestar Galactica and Michael Shanks, known for his work on the hit television series Stargate SG-1 , who plays Adrien Lazer.
The concept of building more depth into the Red Riding Hood story is a good idea however the execution in this bland who-done-it comes a crossed as scattered. The film lacks cohesion and fails to build interest in the storyline focusing instead on sweeping landscapes and overly intense one-on-one character interactions.
The wardrobe is impressive with clothing that aptly represents both village life and fairytale ideals. However, much like the rest of the film, the wardrobe seems to be taking cues directly from other movies. Among the numerous familiar scenes is an ending that could have been plucked from The Lord of the Rings.
The film is not missing any major components but the lack of originality is a fatal flaw that impacts the entire tale. The scary moments are not scary. The intrigue lacks potency. And the romantic triangle fails to generate the intended drama.
Moviegoers will see far worse films this spring but Red Riding Hood does not deliver on what could have been a brilliant adaptation.
Merissa (11950 KP) rated Riven (Reflections, #8) in Books
Apr 4, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
I started this series and thought that it would be nothing new apart from a slight twist on the tale as in it was two wolf packs with a girl in the middle, rather than a vampire and a werewolf. However, there is so much more than this. Each story takes you further and further in and, trust me, when I say that that is a very good thing.
In this story, Adri is once again at Alec's side but things are in no way easy. Everyone has their own problems and trying to integrate other people into one pack is always going to be troublesome but Alec has his own way of sorting out the pack hierarchy. We meet characters from the other books that we know and love and watch them struggle with their own issues. We meet new characters and see how they interact with everyone. We say goodbye to characters old and new as the story climaxes. This series is so much more than a love triangle, although love does play a big part in the story. Alec is only half the man (wolf?!) without Adri. All of the characters continue to grow and change and you are left wanting more, with stories that still need telling.
Dean Murray is a wonderful author and I am looking forward to more from him in this series however, there are other books by him that I have on my t-b-r list which I am positive will not disappoint.
Reflections is definitely a wonderful series that just gets better with every book. I have no hesitation in recommending it to all Young Adult or Paranormal fans.
* 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!
August 9, 2016
In this story, Adri is once again at Alec's side but things are in no way easy. Everyone has their own problems and trying to integrate other people into one pack is always going to be troublesome but Alec has his own way of sorting out the pack hierarchy. We meet characters from the other books that we know and love and watch them struggle with their own issues. We meet new characters and see how they interact with everyone. We say goodbye to characters old and new as the story climaxes. This series is so much more than a love triangle, although love does play a big part in the story. Alec is only half the man (wolf?!) without Adri. All of the characters continue to grow and change and you are left wanting more, with stories that still need telling.
Dean Murray is a wonderful author and I am looking forward to more from him in this series however, there are other books by him that I have on my t-b-r list which I am positive will not disappoint.
Reflections is definitely a wonderful series that just gets better with every book. I have no hesitation in recommending it to all Young Adult or Paranormal fans.
* 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!
August 9, 2016