Search
Search results
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Alice in Zombieland - White Rabbit Chronicles in Books
Feb 1, 2018
This was an interesting re-imagining of Alice in Wonderland. In Alice in Zombieland, Alice Bell's life has always been curtailed by her father's insistence that monsters exist. The family cannot leave the house after dark, she's been taught how to fight hand-to-hand and with a couple of weapons, and they never - NEVER - drive past the graveyard. All of this changes in one night - when Alice "falls down the rabbit hole" as it were - and discovers her father wasn't insane after all.
Now, living with her grandparents, haunted by visions of her little sister and glimpses of monsters in the dark, Alice - or Ali, as she insists on being called - finds herself being called on to fight the monsters alongside the roughest crowd in her high school. Falling in love with the leader of the bad boys doesn't help her social life, but might help her stay alive.
I enjoyed this book and will probably pick up the sequel, Through the Zombie Glass, if I can find it at the library. The writing flowed well most of the time, and while Alice began a little whiny, by the end of the book she was pretty bad ass. It felt.... a little more "young adult" than some young adult books I've read; the emotions seemed detached or damped down a bit. While she was dealing with grief over the loss of her family, and possible death at the hands of zombies, it just didn't feel as raw as I think those emotions should have felt. And the notion of a bunch of high school kids fighting zombies - with the support of adults, including the high school principal - was a little weird. Still an interesting book, and not a waste of time, but it felt a lot like "teenagers are special snowflakes!"
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Now, living with her grandparents, haunted by visions of her little sister and glimpses of monsters in the dark, Alice - or Ali, as she insists on being called - finds herself being called on to fight the monsters alongside the roughest crowd in her high school. Falling in love with the leader of the bad boys doesn't help her social life, but might help her stay alive.
I enjoyed this book and will probably pick up the sequel, Through the Zombie Glass, if I can find it at the library. The writing flowed well most of the time, and while Alice began a little whiny, by the end of the book she was pretty bad ass. It felt.... a little more "young adult" than some young adult books I've read; the emotions seemed detached or damped down a bit. While she was dealing with grief over the loss of her family, and possible death at the hands of zombies, it just didn't feel as raw as I think those emotions should have felt. And the notion of a bunch of high school kids fighting zombies - with the support of adults, including the high school principal - was a little weird. Still an interesting book, and not a waste of time, but it felt a lot like "teenagers are special snowflakes!"
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Merissa (13931 KP) rated The Eagle and the Fox (A Snowy Range Mystery #1) in Books
Oct 19, 2018
The Eagle and the Fox (A Snowy Range Mystery #1) by Nya Rawlyns
The Eagle and the Fox is the first book in the Snowy Range Mystery series.
The story is about two adult males, a young girl, and her secret boyfriend. The two adult men, Josiah and Marcus, have known each other for years, but only to 'grunt' to each other as they pass by in the store that Marcus owns. Pet is the young girl that Marcus keeps an eye on, like an adopted uncle. He took her on to save her, but you'll need to read the book to find out what he was saving her from! And Kit is her secret boyfriend, a mysterious figure that we don't actually learn much about.
Once Josiah and Marcus start talking, things move at a pretty pace for them. Not only do they have their feelings for each other to contend with, but they also have the problems with Pet, plus the trouble in town that is happening.
I found this book to be very well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow. The characters are well rounded and well suited to the story. This story is a definite mix of romance and mystery. It defies being in just one genre. It is finished off for this story, but the ending is definitely left open for it to continue. Looking forward to book two to see where it will go next.
If you like a bit of mystery with your romance, then I can definitely recommend this book/series.
* 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!
The story is about two adult males, a young girl, and her secret boyfriend. The two adult men, Josiah and Marcus, have known each other for years, but only to 'grunt' to each other as they pass by in the store that Marcus owns. Pet is the young girl that Marcus keeps an eye on, like an adopted uncle. He took her on to save her, but you'll need to read the book to find out what he was saving her from! And Kit is her secret boyfriend, a mysterious figure that we don't actually learn much about.
Once Josiah and Marcus start talking, things move at a pretty pace for them. Not only do they have their feelings for each other to contend with, but they also have the problems with Pet, plus the trouble in town that is happening.
I found this book to be very well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow. The characters are well rounded and well suited to the story. This story is a definite mix of romance and mystery. It defies being in just one genre. It is finished off for this story, but the ending is definitely left open for it to continue. Looking forward to book two to see where it will go next.
If you like a bit of mystery with your romance, then I can definitely recommend this book/series.
* 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!
Four-Letter Word
Book
Eight friends. One game. A dozen regrets. And a night that will ruin them all, in this high stakes...
C. Desir Four-Letter Word Young Adult Games Young Adult Fiction
Gage (Angelbound Offspring #8) by Christina Bauer
Book
Gage runs the L’Griffe, AKA the dragon shifter mafia on Earth. Since the human realm has no...
Young Adult Fantasy Series
Moonrise by Sarah Crossan
Having discovered Sarah Crossan and the style of writing in verse earlier this year, I was keen to read her latest book. Moonrise is told from the point of view of Joe. His brother Ed is on death row in Texas for murdering a policeman and the story starts as the date of execution is set.
I love the medium of verse as a writing tool – Crossan is able to convey emotions and tell a story in far less words than a conventional novel. The topic of the death penalty is interesting and thought provoking and its perfectly pitched for the young adult audience it is aimed at (but is also of interest to adults too).
If you fancy something a bit different, I would recommend this or any of Crossan’s books wholeheartedly.
I love the medium of verse as a writing tool – Crossan is able to convey emotions and tell a story in far less words than a conventional novel. The topic of the death penalty is interesting and thought provoking and its perfectly pitched for the young adult audience it is aimed at (but is also of interest to adults too).
If you fancy something a bit different, I would recommend this or any of Crossan’s books wholeheartedly.
Nikki G. (48 KP) rated The Fault in Our Stars in Books
Sep 2, 2017
There was a point where the tears started to drip, faintly, from my eyes, and they didn't stop until I closed the book and lay there for a bit.
I avoided this book for a while because it has been super-hyped, and most of the time, those are the books that do not live up to my expectations. This, however, was pretty solid. Hazel and Augustus have the short of overblown, pretentious conversations I had as a young adult, back when I thought I was so Worldly because I'd read a handful of classics. The only difference, of course, is that I did not have a terminal illness. I appreciate Mr. Green's attempt to bring the sometimes ugly reality that is cancer to the fore. It was also humorous in parts, and sweet. Hit all the right notes for me.
I avoided this book for a while because it has been super-hyped, and most of the time, those are the books that do not live up to my expectations. This, however, was pretty solid. Hazel and Augustus have the short of overblown, pretentious conversations I had as a young adult, back when I thought I was so Worldly because I'd read a handful of classics. The only difference, of course, is that I did not have a terminal illness. I appreciate Mr. Green's attempt to bring the sometimes ugly reality that is cancer to the fore. It was also humorous in parts, and sweet. Hit all the right notes for me.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Feast of Fools (The Morganville Vampires, #4) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Yet another fast, fun, and easy read featuring Claire, her friends, and the town of Morganville (and all it's vampy inhabitants!). I enjoyed this foray and was pleasantly surprised the 'rental units' weren't in it much at all. The story held my attention and I do look forward to the next installment. However, I am so over the cliff-hanger endings. Does Ms. Caine think teenagers won't read the next book if there isn't that 'to be continued...' aspect of a T.V. show? Because I remember as a teen I did <i>not</i> need that incentive to read the next book in a series, and frankly, it's kind of insulting. There is a way to tie up a book <i>and</i> leave the reader (even a young adult *gasp*) wanting to read the book. I wish the author would realize that.
ALilLacey (2 KP) rated After Impact (After Impact #1) in Books
Mar 4, 2019
After Impact was a great start to a new thought provoking series. Avalon brought interest to a new look of how the world may handle an asteroid destroying life on earth. I liked actually reading a book where a younger girl actually acted appropriately for her age and that she was intelligent. The book keeps you wondering how society will not only function being the last few thousand alive on earth and waking from cryo-sleep hoping to find the outside earth environment liveable. In addition to that, we work through a mysterious illness and disappearance of some of the lower class residence. Of course we also have a good mix of love interests too. Overall an excellent young adult book and it's a clean read! Definitely recommended. I can't wait to read the next in the series.
Kristie (106 KP) rated The Brilliant Death in Books
Sep 18, 2018 (Updated Sep 18, 2018)
Great storyline
The Brilliant Death by Amy Rose Capetta is a great young adult fantasy novel with a unique storyline. The designs inside the book and the cover art are absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait to see what the final version of this book will look like. I really enjoyed the characters and how they develop as the story goes on, and the rich setting of this world. I really enjoyed learning about the strega and their history alongside Teodora as she learns about her self and how she came to have her unique magic. I loved how Teo and Cielo's love develops and unfolds through the story and I can't wait to see what is next for them. The story had an amazing ending that already has me anticipating book two in this epic new fantasy series.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Suspiria (1977) in Movies
Oct 19, 2018
The colors, the colors, the colors....
I had heard about this film most of my adult life, but had never seen until tonight.
Boy, was it worth the wait.
I would say after watching, the film is difficult to describe and must be "experienced". The plot, dialogue and acting are all secondary to the wondrous use of color, the beautiful musical score and set decoration of this visual art.
The score especially is mesmerizing and I indeed rewound a few scenes so I could hear the transfixing melody again and again.
The stylized horror has some gruesome moments, but overall fits the unraveling story well as we discover the world of the haunting ballet studio when a young American girl arrives to begin her instruction.
Any true film fan has to see this!
Boy, was it worth the wait.
I would say after watching, the film is difficult to describe and must be "experienced". The plot, dialogue and acting are all secondary to the wondrous use of color, the beautiful musical score and set decoration of this visual art.
The score especially is mesmerizing and I indeed rewound a few scenes so I could hear the transfixing melody again and again.
The stylized horror has some gruesome moments, but overall fits the unraveling story well as we discover the world of the haunting ballet studio when a young American girl arrives to begin her instruction.
Any true film fan has to see this!
