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A Court of Thorns and Roses
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas | 2015 | Young Adult (YA)
9
8.7 (108 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fall down the rabbit hole with this series
This was everything it promised to be by those who recommended it and its the first book I've read by Sarah J. Maas. I have to say, that it is exquisitely written.

The premise for the book is a beauty and the beast tale. Feyre is a young woman, from a family that once had wealth and position but brought to poverty and near starvation by bad debts. The setting is fantastical, with humans and fairies living in the same lands with a wall separating their kinds. Feyre has become the hunter in her family, keeping them just about fed. It is a stark life with no pleasure. One day she kills a wolf who was one of the fairie. She knew this, but still went ahead. Now Tamlin has arrived from the land of the High Fairie to pursue revenge with her life lived in his lands. This is a twisty, completely absorbing tale. The creatures are light and dark, scary and warm and the relationships are so compelling. The culmination of this tale is utterly unpredictable and it is left wide open for the next book. I cannot wait to read more.

Audio update: this was brought to life most wonderfully by Jennifer Ikeda. I got even more from the story and characters through audio. I even developed a sympathy for Rhysand.
  
The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019)
The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019)
2019 | Adventure, Animation, Comedy
The hidden truth of those dogs, cats, and other four-legged friends you care about continues. More like a three episode animated series than a 80 minute feature film, The Secret Life of Pets is a collection of three interconnected stories, a Pup Furtion with Chloe as the wise Paul and four wolves instead of just Winston Wolf. First, Max (now voiced by Patton Oswald) and Katie have a new master, the baby/toddler Liam. Parenthood give Max an anxiety disorder turning him into a canine version of Marlin protecting his yound ward from all the dangers of New York City instead of the Great Barrier Reef. Katie and new hubby take Max and Duke to the country for some relaxation where Max meets alpha dog Rooster who teaches our old dog new tricks. The second story is Gidget who is entrusted with Max's toy Busy Bee and loses it in the apartment of a cat lady. Gidget is given lessons in cattitude by Chloe to save Busy Bee. Last up, Snowball who moonlights as a costumed hero meets a femme fatale Daisy who wants Snowball to save a circus tiger from an abusive Russian. For a supposed family feature, there is a lot of animal cruelty on display whether intentional or not. I cannot support any film without regard for the safety of its animal cast. Therefore, avoid Secret Life of Pets and watch Aladdin a second time.
  
Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'n' Roll
Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'n' Roll
Peter Guralnick | 2015 | Biography
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
For those not familiar with the name Sam Phillips, he is the man who started up Sun Records in Memphis, TN. And it was there at 706 Union Avenue that Sam invented rock n roll. Now, he didn't invent the music or the soul behind rock n roll, rock n roll was cooked up by the men and women working in the cotton fields, folks in the churches singing hymns, heartbreak, and good times goofing off with friends; just to name a few ingredients. With any recipe, no matter how great the ingredients, a great cook is needed; and Sam Phillips was a five star chef ahead of his time. Thankfully for all us, he made it his time. He produced and laid down the first tracks for some of the greats, such as Howlin' Wolf, Ike Turner, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis just to name a few. I wouldn't say he discovered these great musicians, but rather helped them discover themselves. Back to the book, that's only a small portion of his story. Learning more about the man, who and what made him who he was, all of his accomplishments, and all of the details of what most know and a lot of what you had no idea about, made for a very fascinating read. If you have a love for music, then this is a must read book.
  
Dark Veil (The Society #2)
Dark Veil (The Society #2)
Mason Sabre | 2016 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
101 of 250
Kindle
Dark Veil ( Society book 2)
By Mason Sabre

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

For the past two years, Cade MacDonald and Gemma Davies have been forced to hide their illicit affair from the Other world, where mating with a species different to your own defies every law and mandate of Society. Considered an indefensible act, it is punishable by banishment from their community, or even worse, by death. However, Cade and Gemma experience a bond few ever do, wolf and tiger connecting deeply and irrevocably. Against all odds, their relationship flourishes and solidifies despite the difficulties.

Yet now, they suddenly find themselves faced with obstacles and danger they could never have imagined. Not only is their relationship and place in Society at stake, but their lives—as well as those close to them—are at risk. Their enemies are many, and the battles they need to overcome seemingly insurmountable. Will they be able to defeat their adversaries, and more importantly, will their love manage to prevail above all else?

This was definitely an improvement from book 1! I mar first I thought really a baby? But it worked and it was better written and paced out really well. Humans really are an awful species! Without giving much away I’m really hoping they can get away! Also loving the new characters and the introduction of witches!