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Fyodor Dostoevsky: in the Beginning (1821 1845): A Life in Letters, Memoirs, and Criticism
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More than a century after his death in 1881, Fyodor Dostoevsky continues to fascinate readers and...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Death by Smoothie in Books
Jan 13, 2023 (Updated Jan 13, 2023)
This Smoothie Isn’t Healthy for Someone
Someone is trying to revive the cult classic sitcom I Married a Zombie as a stage musical, and freelance writer Jaine Austen has been hired to punch up the script. Since the producer is also the writer and the star, the script needs a lot of work, but the biggest problem is Misty, the actress hired to play the lead. She can’t act and she can’t remember her lines, but the producer is enchanted with her. That is until someone poisons her afternoon smoothie. Jaine jumps into action to figure out who the killer is. Can she do it?
Anyone familiar with this series will know exactly what to expect here, and they will be delighted by it. It’s more of the same in the best way possible. By my count, we have four sub-plots that weave in and out of the story, and they keep the reader from ever getting bored. The sub-plot involving her parents might be my favorite yet. These sub-plots also help provide plenty of wacky situations, and this book is filled with humor from beginning to end. The characters are a bit more types as a result, created for their humor potential, but they work. The mystery is strong and kept me guessing until the end, even when I thought I had it figured out early on. I was smiling or laughing with every page. It’s always a treat to pick up a book in this series. If you are looking for a light, fun mystery, this is the one for you.
Anyone familiar with this series will know exactly what to expect here, and they will be delighted by it. It’s more of the same in the best way possible. By my count, we have four sub-plots that weave in and out of the story, and they keep the reader from ever getting bored. The sub-plot involving her parents might be my favorite yet. These sub-plots also help provide plenty of wacky situations, and this book is filled with humor from beginning to end. The characters are a bit more types as a result, created for their humor potential, but they work. The mystery is strong and kept me guessing until the end, even when I thought I had it figured out early on. I was smiling or laughing with every page. It’s always a treat to pick up a book in this series. If you are looking for a light, fun mystery, this is the one for you.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated The Forlorned in Books
Dec 12, 2017
I received a free copy of this book via Clean Teen Publishing Elite Reviewers which I am a member of. I made no guarantee of a favorable review.
If you are looking to read a book that will creep you out then look no further because this one will do just that. There's even a scene in the story that had me quickly getting out of the bathtub and I LOVED it!!!
This is horror and supernatural at its extreme best. The author's unique and creative story telling ensnares you from the very beginning and the heart pounding scares will keep you glued to the book until the outstanding end. I hope the movie version does this book justice. I can't wait to read more books written by this extremely talented writer.
If you are looking to read a book that will creep you out then look no further because this one will do just that. There's even a scene in the story that had me quickly getting out of the bathtub and I LOVED it!!!
This is horror and supernatural at its extreme best. The author's unique and creative story telling ensnares you from the very beginning and the heart pounding scares will keep you glued to the book until the outstanding end. I hope the movie version does this book justice. I can't wait to read more books written by this extremely talented writer.
tonidavis (353 KP) rated Doctor Who - Series 1 (New Season - 1) in TV
Dec 27, 2017
Rebirth of a great show (3 more)
Russell T Davies
Stephan Moffatt
Billie Piper
The ReBirth of Doctor who
Wether your a old doctor who fan or new to the show Christopher Eccleston performance launched the new generation of Doctor who to a much wider audience across the world. Bille Piper performance as Rose is relatable and bring humour to counter Eccelstons sterner side.
Show runners Russel T Davies and Stephan Moffat make a great team with Moffat being a great writer to invoke your inner fears the monsters he creates are top notch and Russel T Davies keeps the series well run and created thw Arc structure that Moffat fails at in later series.
Not to mention it always good to have cybermen darleck back on our tv screens
Show runners Russel T Davies and Stephan Moffat make a great team with Moffat being a great writer to invoke your inner fears the monsters he creates are top notch and Russel T Davies keeps the series well run and created thw Arc structure that Moffat fails at in later series.
Not to mention it always good to have cybermen darleck back on our tv screens
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Underground Railroad in Books
Jul 28, 2017
Powerful, epic, a real look into inhumanity
Reading this is obviously a struggle, the content of slavery is not something that can be trivialised so be warned.
While Colson Whitehead did not get into much character building, the focus on the underground railroad itself is detailed and descriptive. The protagonist Cora serves as a good barometer in understanding the level of horror that many African Americans faced hence the writer does not seem to concentrate on creating emotive backgrounds for each character.
Nevertheless, the terrifying incidents leave the reader empathising with the characters as it reflects the lack of safety and constant fear they had to face. It is a rollercoaster read, starting off slow but still horrifying, culminating in more and more terrible situations.
A 21st century tribute to the generations who have suffered.
While Colson Whitehead did not get into much character building, the focus on the underground railroad itself is detailed and descriptive. The protagonist Cora serves as a good barometer in understanding the level of horror that many African Americans faced hence the writer does not seem to concentrate on creating emotive backgrounds for each character.
Nevertheless, the terrifying incidents leave the reader empathising with the characters as it reflects the lack of safety and constant fear they had to face. It is a rollercoaster read, starting off slow but still horrifying, culminating in more and more terrible situations.
A 21st century tribute to the generations who have suffered.
Wittsend (43 KP) rated Slenderman, Slenderman, Take this Child in Books
Aug 2, 2017
Amazing read!!!!! I could not put the book down. I was unsure how this horror story was going to play out as I am not familiar with the myth but can say that it was very well written and not in the slightest gory. This story is very chilling, creepy, fast paced, and above all nail biting exciting. The writer has created characters that drew me in from the beginning, from Jemima, her Great Uncle Tomaz, crazy Mary (homeless lady), the kids at school (bullies/school crushes), to the hateful school governess. These characters were beautifully crafted and well written.
NOTE: A few may find the sexual element of this book unsettling; however, I think the author was tactful in writing about the taboo subject in this horror novel and handled it very well.
NOTE: A few may find the sexual element of this book unsettling; however, I think the author was tactful in writing about the taboo subject in this horror novel and handled it very well.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Сталкер [Stalker] (1979) in Movies
Apr 27, 2019
![Сталкер [Stalker] (1979)](/uploads/profile_image/707/bcd145ec-5561-4909-a7e6-e801874bb707.jpg?m=1528075150)
Famously cryptic Russian existential SF classic, or possibly just three men wandering about on some waste ground for two and a half hours. A 'stalker' leads a writer and a scientist into a heavily guarded zone which contains a room that supposedly gives existence to the fondest desires of anyone entering it. They discuss philosophy. A lot.
Not quite as challengingly impenetrable as some of Tarkovsky's work, but still challengingly dense and subtle. Almost all the actual SF content is left to the imagination of the viewer; the film is primarily about discussions of virtue, faith, psychology, and many other abstract things. Mesmerising to watch, but quite hard work; there's a good chance it's every bit as good as everyone else says, but I'm just too thick to figure that out.
Not quite as challengingly impenetrable as some of Tarkovsky's work, but still challengingly dense and subtle. Almost all the actual SF content is left to the imagination of the viewer; the film is primarily about discussions of virtue, faith, psychology, and many other abstract things. Mesmerising to watch, but quite hard work; there's a good chance it's every bit as good as everyone else says, but I'm just too thick to figure that out.
Miguel Covarrubias (143 KP) rated The Outsider in Books
Apr 30, 2019
I often forget how much I enjoy Stephen King's writing style. It's almost a fun game trying to see how his work fits into his larger King-Iverse. This one ties in quite well, and in fact reminded me quite a bit of my absolute favorite of his, The Dark Tower Series. There were a few elements that I felt were a bit unusual and wondered why they were added like the weird affair between characters. But I understand that characters do what characters do. You, as a writer, don't necessarily control them. You are a conduit for their story and often times they will tell it the way they want to tell it. So for those I will deduct the one star. Not King's fault necessarily, more the fault of the characters.
Film and stuff (30 KP) rated Backtrack (2015) in Movies
May 15, 2019 (Updated May 15, 2019)
Fails to deliver
Director: Michael Petroni
Writer: Michael Petroni
Stars: Adrien Brody, Jenni Baird, Bruce Spence and Sam Neill
What's it about?
Peter Bower is a Psychiatrist who discovers all of his clients are ghosts that died in a train accident that he was witness to as a child. Whilst revisiting his home town where the incident took place, he begins to discover the truth behind the accident with the help of the victims spirits
Is it scary?
Nah. Tension fails to really build and the jump scares are very predictable
Does it have any redeeming features?
Well acted and a mildly gripping ending
.
How does it compare to other horrors?
It makes the sins by being neither entertaining or so bad that it's funny
Writer: Michael Petroni
Stars: Adrien Brody, Jenni Baird, Bruce Spence and Sam Neill
What's it about?
Peter Bower is a Psychiatrist who discovers all of his clients are ghosts that died in a train accident that he was witness to as a child. Whilst revisiting his home town where the incident took place, he begins to discover the truth behind the accident with the help of the victims spirits
Is it scary?
Nah. Tension fails to really build and the jump scares are very predictable
Does it have any redeeming features?
Well acted and a mildly gripping ending
.
How does it compare to other horrors?
It makes the sins by being neither entertaining or so bad that it's funny
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated File M for Murder (Cat in the Stacks, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Charlie Harris is delighted to have his daughter, Laura, in town for the semester teaching drama at Athena College. He’s less excited about having Connor Lawton as the writer in residence since the playwright is nasty man. However, it is still a surprise when Laura finds him murdered late one afternoon. Who hated Connor enough to kill him?
Having Laura in town was wonderful since it gave us a chance to get to see a different side of Charlie. We’re actually getting a rather large cast of characters already, but I truly love them all. Yet the characters never slow down the plot, which builds steady to a logical yet surprising climax.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-file-m-for-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Having Laura in town was wonderful since it gave us a chance to get to see a different side of Charlie. We’re actually getting a rather large cast of characters already, but I truly love them all. Yet the characters never slow down the plot, which builds steady to a logical yet surprising climax.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-file-m-for-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.