tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39757027226717808752024-03-13T14:12:18.147+00:00Read Between the ScenesA book and movie review blog.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04538620694178697468noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-32413559270564238242018-11-23T15:00:00.001+00:002018-11-23T15:07:24.524+00:00Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaBi79C0W16aPOPxlGvusedqgtixy8tucjdVwyuYPs0qkGDGSU1YcQ9bSujk4Ap2agfVZK12QgS87Wd7A6U9u7Cb5T59ZRgpLvHihP2oOPc5jBmPFfKgNkad1uO4a0c6o8jJ_6NiNHHY/s1600/bg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="1584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaBi79C0W16aPOPxlGvusedqgtixy8tucjdVwyuYPs0qkGDGSU1YcQ9bSujk4Ap2agfVZK12QgS87Wd7A6U9u7Cb5T59ZRgpLvHihP2oOPc5jBmPFfKgNkad1uO4a0c6o8jJ_6NiNHHY/s1600/bg.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Straight up, I enjoyed this film for what is was. It was visually striking, with the tonal shifts and beasts. The use of an extreme close up on Theseus and Leta as they talked to Newt at the start of the film conveyed the sheer pressure and how uncomfortable Newt felt around them - the reasoning is partially explored as the film continues, although partly touched on in the first instalment. This is a nice touch as the viewer and Newt are much more relaxed once away from this awkward situation. The CGI and worlds are well realised with the trip back to Hogwarts a nice touch for the fans. There is plenty fan service - with much loved characters and objects making brief appearances throughout.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A quick character run down; Jude Law is an excellent, charismatic, endearing and persuasive Dumbledore. He portrays the character much like how he is when Harry comes across him later in his life, only he is younger more direct with those in the know. The casting of Johnny Depp was much talked about, yet his portrayal of Grindelwald could be likened to Depp of old, where he becomes the character and not a caricature of himself. You forgot you were watching Depp and instead got taken in with the enigmatic evil that is Grindelwald, he is equally persuasive and manipulative as Dumbledore and has his own legion of supporters to do his dirty work. Ezra Miller continues his fine performance of Credence, who is becoming more sure of his abilities. Claudia Kim as Nagini... will hopefully be built upon in further films - here she wasn't given a lot to do. Katherine Waterston as Tina and Eddie Redmayne as Newt have a much more palpable chemistry between one another in this film as compared the the last (a part from the final scene). It is clear that their characters are being developed at a slower pace now that the story has shifted to focus on other issues/characters yet we will still follow them throughout the films as their stories are well and truly entwined. Callum Turner as Theseus and Zoe Kravitz as Leta Lestrange are alright, and towards the end Leta is given a more important role with the events but overall their characters contribution to the film is minimal and easily looked over. Dan Fogler as Jacob and Alison Sudol as Queenie are an entertaining duo when on screen together, and are able to stand on their own as separate characters as the film progresses. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, it is flawed. The movie would not stand up on it's own without the knowledge from the first film and even then, some of what is revealed even baffles the most discerning fan. This is a departure from the Harry Potter films where, barring Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2 you would be able to watch and enjoy each self contained story while it built upon wider story arks. I felt that this film relies heavily on what the viewer should already be aware of, and frankly will become aware of with the next instalments, this could ultimately exclude some of the audience as they may not be aware of just what is happening. I liken this to middle-book-syndrome where the story relies too heavily on what came before and what will come after that it loses its way and relies on shock and awe to hold its own within a series. I suspect as the next movies are released this one will not be well remembered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, previous readers will be aware that I am a fan of the Wizarding World. I grew up on Harry Potter and devoured the books upon their release - especially towards the end when I would snatch the book before my mother could read it first. This is a new age however, untested grounds if you will. These movies are being released, with the viewer likely to know the conclusion but not how we get there. However, that does mean that J.K Rowling has to be weary of what lore she is introducing and why - does it conflict with previous lore from the books, or latterly Pottermore? It will be interesting as the series progresses to see what is ultimately realised and if fans are able to guess what is true and what is false. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04538620694178697468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-34474839686428975282018-10-25T12:00:00.000+01:002018-12-30T14:36:28.510+00:00The Kinship of Secrets by Eugenia Kim<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpE0N5lSKYqJNCcAzzTnfI_Om7XW3OQCR5sS0sozqX8Z_ceOD9dI6GXnmudxc1_flUkoWABTXznV8FtWrWKgbVVIJ_nnmC6GK1By1qdJWLKjJ_8maeX9mQ6l2KySHwRIVf25d8DC7g-E/s1600/cover142590-medium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpE0N5lSKYqJNCcAzzTnfI_Om7XW3OQCR5sS0sozqX8Z_ceOD9dI6GXnmudxc1_flUkoWABTXznV8FtWrWKgbVVIJ_nnmC6GK1By1qdJWLKjJ_8maeX9mQ6l2KySHwRIVf25d8DC7g-E/s1600/cover142590-medium.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The riveting story of two sisters, one raised in the United States, the other in South Korea, and the family that bound them together even as the Korean War kept them apart</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 1948 Najin and Calvin Cho, with their young daughter Miran, travel from South Korea to the United States in search of new opportunities. Wary of the challenges ahead, Najin and Calvin make the difficult decision to leave their other daughter, Inja, behind with their extended family; soon, they hope, they will return to her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But then war breaks out in Korea, and there is no end in sight to the separation. Miran grows up in prosperous American suburbia, under the shadow of the daughter left behind, as Inja grapples in her war-torn land with ties to a family she doesn’t remember. Najin and Calvin desperately seek a reunion with Inja, but are the bonds of love strong enough to reconnect their family over distance, time and war? And as deep family secrets are revealed, will everything they long for be upended?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Told through the alternating perspectives of the distanced sisters, and inspired by a true story, The Kinship of Secrets explores the cruelty of war, the power of hope, and what it means to be a sister.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Release Date: November 1st // <a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/the-kinship-of-secrets-9781526602831/" target="_blank">Bloomsbury</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This story blindsided me with the depth of the narrative and the underlying social narrative interwoven throughout. Miran and Inja are sisters who are separated due to circumstance and the ensuing Korean War. We get to follow both their lives as they grow up through the 1950s to the 1970s. Eugenia Kim uses the sisters and their alternate lives as a form of contrast between the relatively rich and safe lives of those living in the US and the poverty and uncertainty of those in South Korea. </span></div>
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It is certainly well researched and draws upon personal experiences, giving the narrative a depth and validity. I particularly enjoyed the first half of the book - following their lives as children. the latter half had larger time jumps, losing some of the intimacy between reader and characters as the author began to tie the story together.
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However, both Miran and Inja have unique voices which are easily identified throughout the book. They are created as individuals and not carbon copies of one another. Their different upbringings are made clear to the reader with Miran growing up with American ideals while Inja is instilled with Korean ideologies. This becomes apparent as the secrets mentioned in the title are revealed to Inja, she maintains a reserved nature and a strong sense of familial responsibility which as she grows older begins to weigh on her. This depth is what drew me towards Inja's story more than Miran's although her story of adapting to a culture within a family she doesn't entirely feel like she belongs is enlightening and together with Inja's story, this makes the reader appreciate the upbringing that they have received. Some of the thoughts that are explored in this book may be unfamiliar to those who have grown up in Western households, but the narrative helps to illustrate the meaning behind why the families behave the way that they do.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04538620694178697468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-30916851602060228372018-10-17T17:02:00.000+01:002018-10-17T17:05:20.264+01:00Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa<div class="sp__the-summary" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Enter a beautiful and perilous land of shapeshifters and samurai, kami and legends, humans and demons…a world in which Japanese mythology and imagination blend together</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Every millennium the missing pieces of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers are hunted, for they hold the power to call the great Kami Dragon from the sea and ask for any one wish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As a temple burns to the ground Yumeko escapes with its greatest treasure the first piece of the scroll. And when fate thrusts her into the path of a mysterious samurai she knows he seeks what she has. Kage is under order to kill those who stand in his way but will he be able to complete his mission? Will this be the dawn that sees the dragon wake?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Release Date: Out Now ebook // Paperback 1st November UK // <a href="https://www.harpercollins.co.uk/9781848457393/shadow-of-the-fox/" target="_blank">Harper Collins</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Readers of the Young Adult genre back in 2010 will probably know of Julie Kagawa. Her Iron Fey series was a sensation of its time, followed by the Talon series, Kagawa is not afraid of infusing myths and fairy tales into her books. Shadow of the Fox is revolved around Japanese mythology and legends, with Yumeko, the main character a Kitsune. Yumeko in Japanese means dream child, a notion which is touched on in the narrative. We meet Yumeko in the temple where she has been raised to be more human than monster (or Yokai) by the monks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I did enjoy reading this, although the story felt stringed out. It was if the story had to be padded out so much to exhibit the powers held by Yumeko and Kage (which means Shadow). The additional trials and tribulations felt forced however there was pay-off of what was hinted at throughout by the end of the book. Kage and Yumeko are unlikely travelling companions, and Yumeko's naivety and big heart leads to additional strays joining their group which means by the end of the book there is quite the eclectic group.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I thought this was written much like Kagawa's other works which left the writing and narrative choices feeling a little dated. The community has shifted since Kagawa released The Iron Fey, and some of the tropes used felt well used and wrung out. Much like her some of her other works, the "villain" is devious and female, contrasting somewhat with the naive heroine. This doesn't mean the book isn't good - oh no, it was plenty enjoyable and the Japanese inspired world was well built, I look forward to Kagawa developing this story and possibly her narrative style in time for the sequel. </span></div>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04538620694178697468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-65673683478805101662018-07-20T15:15:00.000+01:002018-07-20T15:15:13.693+01:00Why Change a Classic? - Mulan (2020) live-action<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTVKuAvq0L-Tnn6smNs7aC_ck6ILNh9MziMrEfkGS_4anWVVRtVnZtrE6qkBrVPeq0rxpRhRniNclhIY_fOj8Y4RYcWnyKfSiMwg-WxEbclwvz8dsIenuXP1Mb3CNgY__Odo6_3-CZEY/s1600/0001-title-page.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="1189" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTVKuAvq0L-Tnn6smNs7aC_ck6ILNh9MziMrEfkGS_4anWVVRtVnZtrE6qkBrVPeq0rxpRhRniNclhIY_fOj8Y4RYcWnyKfSiMwg-WxEbclwvz8dsIenuXP1Mb3CNgY__Odo6_3-CZEY/s640/0001-title-page.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Currently scheduled for release in 2020, Disney’s upcoming
live-action release of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mulan</i> has left
many fans scratching their heads as casting and narrative decisions have been
released to the public. Perhaps one decision which left many fans of the
original animated movie stunned was the decision not to follow in the footsteps
of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beauty and the Beast </i>(2016) by
using the original songs. Instead it is likely that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mulan</i> will not be musically based at all – yes, that means no “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’ll make a man out of you”</i>, which is
arguably the most popular song from the 1998 classic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTedcXRel8jfIQVoPncnrxEWy7XeKEPEqMypjNgHG0EsqNJGBdpCInDTXVBlxFlh0zGTUN000D6HuVFY3Dd0N_gMoW4bObrJ5tRDFMvnqwuK3JbzFLip3MNgC62Nxlakwd8TW8SLZEIk/s1600/AN00235159_001_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1287" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTedcXRel8jfIQVoPncnrxEWy7XeKEPEqMypjNgHG0EsqNJGBdpCInDTXVBlxFlh0zGTUN000D6HuVFY3Dd0N_gMoW4bObrJ5tRDFMvnqwuK3JbzFLip3MNgC62Nxlakwd8TW8SLZEIk/s320/AN00235159_001_l.jpg" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It should be remembered that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mulan</i> was based on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Ballad of Mulan</i> which was first transcribed in China in the 6<sup>th</sup>
Century. I briefly discuss the ballad
and Chu Renhuo’s <i>Romance of the Sui and Tang</i> (alternatively, the <i>Sui
Tang Romance</i>) in a <a href="https://www.readbetweenthescenes.com/2016/04/the-origins-of-mulan.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">previous post</span></a> which looked at the origins of Disney’s
portrayal of Mulan. Additionally to these, Xu Wei wrote <i>The
Female Mulan </i>(alternatively, <i>The Heroine Mulan Goes to War in Her
Father's Place</i>) during the latter end of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) which
adds to the original ballads 31 couplets. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A translation of ballad can be read <a href="http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/china/mulan.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">here</span></a> and as you
can read, there just isn’t much depth to Mulan’s story. This has led to various
re-imaginations of the story throughout the years, whether it be by Chu Renhou
or Xu Wei or Americanised by Disney. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mulan and Disney</span></span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is the adaption by Disney where the focus now shifts.<i> Mulan</i> (1998)
was well received in the US, Canada and Europe with audiences enchanted by the
narrative; songs; and talking a dragon. However, in China the film was not well
received, with <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/299618.stm" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">complaints</span></a> ranging from; the romantic sub-plot; confusion between China and Japan; and
Mulan herself not looking Chinese. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the time of writing this, four other animated films have received their
live action remakes with four more alongside <i>Mulan</i> currently being produced.
<i><a href="https://www.readbetweenthescenes.com/2014/06/movie-review-maleficent.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Maleficent</span></a></i> (2014) and <i><a href="https://www.readbetweenthescenes.com/2015/03/movie-review-cinderella.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Cinderella</span></a></i> (2015) deviated from the original animations
whereas <i><a href="https://www.readbetweenthescenes.com/2017/03/beauty-and-beast-2017.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Beauty and the Beast</span></a></i> (2017) could not have been any more similar.
Personally, I felt that <i><a href="https://www.readbetweenthescenes.com/2016/05/the-jungle-book.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">The Jungle Book</span></a></i> (2016) built on the first movie,
tightening the narrative and immersing the audience into the jungle. All the
above were well received by both critics and the audience although <i>Cinderella</i>
was perhaps the under performer of through group by collecting $543 million at
the worldwide <a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=cinderella2015.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">box office</span></a>.
<i>Beauty and the Beast</i> more than <a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=beautyandthebeast2017.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">doubled this</span></a> at $1.264 billion.
This would leave the executives at Disney a dilemma, do they follow the
original story scene-by-scene or take a route like that of Cinderella?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perhaps, when considering these complaints generated in China, it is of
no surprise that the live-action remake is going to be considerably different
from its animated predecessor. Rather than doing what Disney does best, drawing
on the nostalgia of the audience, they are taking a calculated risk with the
direction of Mulan. Liu Yifei (Crystal Liu) has been cast as Mulan, and is
notable because of her delicate appearance which earned her the nickname “Fairy
Sister”. It is also of note that much of the cast is of Chinese descent, moving
away from the criticism of the characters not looking of the correct origin. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It appears that the story will draw on more elements from the original ballad,
Mulan will have a sister and there will be no romance with her commanding
officer. Although, there will still be a romantic sub-plot with another
character. It appears that the iconic songs from the original animation will
not be returning and instead of the Huns, the villain will be an evil witch
portrayed by <a href="https://variety.com/2018/film/asia/gong-li-jet-li-disney-live-action-mulan-1202752102/" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;">Gong Li </span></a>(ah a witch, how Disney). This casting of a witch as a villain is of interest
to me. Why would they pick a witch over the invading Shan Yu and his Huns? I’m
just going to lean towards Disney being Disney and wanting some witch-craftiness
to add an intensity to the movie while bringing in another well-known name in
China and globally. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Overall, I am pleased with how this film is shaping up. By drawing more
from the original legend and using a wealth of Chinese talent, <i>Mulan </i>can
showcase these actors on a truly global - and Disney backed – scale. Under
representation is still a hot topic within Hollywood with past social media
campaigns such as <i>#OscarsSoWhite</i> showcasing the divide between talent of
various ethnic groups. Hopefully Disney will continue to follow on from the
success of <i>Black Panther</i> and continue to use diverse casts in their movies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I hand it over to you, how do you think a witch will fit in? Will you miss the songs and Eddie Murphy's fabulous Mushu? Are you looking forward to this films release?</span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04538620694178697468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-41837165477062436622018-07-04T06:00:00.000+01:002018-07-04T06:00:06.485+01:00Blog Tour: Truth Sister by Phil Gilvin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJwCDIoiIvPx05wHNapQ2gX2xBUeFRiRmpAfwS6N2Qo7Uk5TTde14G9mx8EgIUO4EIukiz33yMnhwzThSeTcCzm0PYnxGOQpgFwiiSCpASF5fEUzuWtopLI-SmLxKGEj09kNrQLnRHcU4/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJwCDIoiIvPx05wHNapQ2gX2xBUeFRiRmpAfwS6N2Qo7Uk5TTde14G9mx8EgIUO4EIukiz33yMnhwzThSeTcCzm0PYnxGOQpgFwiiSCpASF5fEUzuWtopLI-SmLxKGEj09kNrQLnRHcU4/s640/IMG_0183.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The year is 2149. The Women's Republic of Anglia seeks to harness forgotten technologies from the time when men ruled the world. Naturals are second-class citizens, while women born through cloning are the true children of the Republic. When Clara Perdue graduates from the prestigious Academy, she is ready to do her part to support the Republic and bring about a better future for all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But when she stumbles on information that the Republic has tried to keep hidden, she begins to realise that the society she has been taught to believe in - and trained to defend - is not all that it seems. A secret from Clara's past puts herself, her family, and her friends in danger, and Clara must choose between subservience and rebellion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a world where knowledge is power, what you know can save your life. Or it can get you killed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Release Date: </b>1st July 2018 // <a href="http://www.impress-books.co.uk/impress/truth-sister/" target="_blank">Impress Books</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book is aimed at the older end of young adults and as a fan of This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada, I am grateful to receive a copy of Truth Sister from Impress Books for review.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We meet Carla Perdue getting ready to graduate from Academy with dreams of getting a first so that she can become a Truth Sister. The author describes the Academy and the characters very well that you remember all of the characters even though there are a lot and they pop up throughout the book throughout Carla's journey into discovering the truth about the world. A lot of things happen in the first few chapters and we learn how naturals are treated and it is reiterated a lot throughout the book that men are the root of evil in the world and now they have become servants to women as the women are being cloned to remain pure and fix the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Carla has been bought up believing in the Republic's ways and believing in cloning as the method for the future, however something happens before her graduation and before she starts her working life as a Truth Sister to make her question all that she was taught to believe and in the governments ways. I did find it a bit unfair how men were blamed for all the disasters because they stored information on computers and then the world ran out of power to access the information stored, but it is a possibly in the real future as we become more dependent on computers. I also did cringe a little when men and women were described as animals for mating naturally compared to relying on cloning for making babies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall I did enjoy the book and having lived in London for most of my life, I enjoyed when Carla visited towns that I've lived in / visited myself e.g. Battersea, Clapham Common and Vauxhall. A lot of things are tied up towards the end of the book but also there is enough left for further books in the series, I did keep wondering how the book would end as I kept thinking there was a lot of things to cover when I was 3/4 of the way through the book. It will be interesting to see how Clara will use the information she has learned from being a Truth Sister against the Republic in the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>About the author:</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HFZz5mweSQDCS31tonx8BofRyIu668MskF7LVVo3UPj5RX5lWv3e7psDptbZ-P_ZCI63bTVk0uN3Vm9DLcq8KPdC6lthZV6DUb4FwmW4naorNqN-WpagWA7qHR-iC3lXv3m4f2YT6_w/s1600/imgp0745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HFZz5mweSQDCS31tonx8BofRyIu668MskF7LVVo3UPj5RX5lWv3e7psDptbZ-P_ZCI63bTVk0uN3Vm9DLcq8KPdC6lthZV6DUb4FwmW4naorNqN-WpagWA7qHR-iC3lXv3m4f2YT6_w/s1600/imgp0745.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst holding down a scientific day job, Phil Gilvin served an apprenticeship through attending writing courses, entering competitions and writing novels. Truth Sister is the product of lots of hours, lots of learning and lots of tea. Before turning to writing as a career, Phil spent thirty years managing a service providing radiation badges; before that, he graduated in astrophysics and x-ray astronomy, and spent time as a volunteer teacher in Nigeria. Phil lives in Swindon, UK, with his wife. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More about Phil can be found on his <a href="https://philgilvin.com/about/" target="_blank">website.</a></span></div>
<br />Anne Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02355663344000142594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-52526936107773993082018-05-14T08:00:00.000+01:002018-05-14T08:00:09.591+01:00Blog Tour: The Manhattan Project by Paul McNeive <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_2aN3Sax9O7JwOSPJjmX5mqaBItRNnl45tpQjw1HhHIbXK8TKliPqRXWKls6zSX3akanl1eYZvAfYjkScJNfHYkCVAFVCXugS_taecvis4M3fJhps7jrxA_PlAj1Q2-NMY3LAZqOgL0/s1600/The+Manhattan+Project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_2aN3Sax9O7JwOSPJjmX5mqaBItRNnl45tpQjw1HhHIbXK8TKliPqRXWKls6zSX3akanl1eYZvAfYjkScJNfHYkCVAFVCXugS_taecvis4M3fJhps7jrxA_PlAj1Q2-NMY3LAZqOgL0/s640/The+Manhattan+Project.jpg" width="417" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.48px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A fast-paced, present day biological terrorist thriller spanning Japan, the Middle East and New York, The Manhattan Project pits a Hiroshima survivor turned pharmaceutical mogul and criminal mastermind intent on avenging the deaths of his family by exacting revenge on the US through an ingeniously evil terrorist plot against heroic New York cop John Wyse in a battle to save the lives of millions of innocents. A love story wrapped in a breath-taking international thriller, The Manhattan Project provides much food for thought.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.48px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Release Date</b>: 10th May 2018 (UK)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.48px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Disclaimer: Thank you Black and White Publishing who provided an early copy for this review. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.48px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anyone who has studied any form of history should be familiar with the nuclear bombing of Japan by the United States during the Second World War. What Paul McNeive has done is create characters who have been affected by these events and while masquerading as pharmaceutical big wigs, they have been plotting their revenge. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.48px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The plot is disturbingly simple and ingenious, pulling on the post-modern phenomena of consumption which is seen in developed (predominantly Western) economies. By "market[ing] them to death" with the latest health fad, they will infiltrate the homes of millions and leave them susceptible to the next phase of their plan. The whole plan leaves a disturbing cast to thoughts about what we consume as a society, and where it ultimately comes from. While we may fear out-and-loud incidents such as bombs and gun-attacks, it could be beneficial to pause and look at the companies behind the projects we ingest to improve our lives. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.48px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">John Wyse is a NYPD Detective who meets Tsan Yohoto at a dinner part yin New York. As his girlfriend, Anna, works on the marketing campaign for the new pharmaceutical he has an uneasy feeling about Tsan but cannot detect why. John and Anna's relationship is a pleasant romantic element woven through the narrative which helps to alleviate some of the tension which has been created, although their story isn't as simple as it first appears. There are numerous other stories also used to illustrate the hardships of life and how easy it could potentially be to infiltrate these families. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.48px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">McNeive has created a nightmare scenario which draws on real threats that we see today. The growing ineffectiveness of antibiotics is a real threat in today's society. All it takes is one virus which is resistant to antibiotics to have a devastating effect on society. This book has several thought provoking ideologies throughout, while having a tense atmosphere as the Detective looks for the answers. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.48px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I really enjoyed this book; it is tense; and it draws on real-world concerns which should be thought about. The characters have real concerns, they aren't dreamily written but are gritty. There are so many threads that are slowly pulled together as the book continues which creates a beautifully constructed story. Well worth a read over the summer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.48px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>About the Author*: </b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeMwConATJa4FnKzXORAodcuomiDFT7E7G-WVOPphFbgLtEx56Gu6oguCkL18gI19Xr4oLDZN2PZMznjqWmDX3WwHjYjBP1yPYdMFSw1ZiXvLmhi2Cle5IXMJ0t3l_IOePwoV7EdGBBI/s1600/Paul+McNeive_7+%2528c%2529+Sean+Cahill+low+res+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeMwConATJa4FnKzXORAodcuomiDFT7E7G-WVOPphFbgLtEx56Gu6oguCkL18gI19Xr4oLDZN2PZMznjqWmDX3WwHjYjBP1yPYdMFSw1ZiXvLmhi2Cle5IXMJ0t3l_IOePwoV7EdGBBI/s320/Paul+McNeive_7+%2528c%2529+Sean+Cahill+low+res+%25281%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.48px;">Paul McNeive lost his legs in a fire aged 20 and this life-changing experience and what happened to him on his road to recovery inform his debut novel, </span><span style="font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.48px;"><i>The Manhattan Project. </i>In a highly successful career, Paul was the managing director of <i>Savills</i>, Ireland, and is now a motivational speaker, a writer for the <i>Irish Independent</i> and was the world's first double amputee helicopter pilot. Paul is an ambassador for the <i>Douglas Bader Foundation</i> and on the board of Ireland's National Rehabilitation Hospital. He also enjoys another life as a singer-songwriter. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.48px;">*Provided by Black and White Publishing.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.48px;">Follow him of Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulMcNeive" target="_blank">@PaulMcNeive</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.48px;">If you enjoyed my review you might want to visit the other stops on the tour. See below to find out where and when they will be published.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUSFwD1CTxML9Mtm6SbAh_NVJuYkk3JFhHjUxZcKdS-Xh9Siet_Ra_AhgJAKQOBwNIgks4iBoOpa0VsENT5X-wgs0nugnQIJ2QtHtl_wLDwa-gi4syXadQTaBrqpA1iJib4WP72zPZBk/s1600/The+Mangattan+Project+blog+tour+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1600" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUSFwD1CTxML9Mtm6SbAh_NVJuYkk3JFhHjUxZcKdS-Xh9Siet_Ra_AhgJAKQOBwNIgks4iBoOpa0VsENT5X-wgs0nugnQIJ2QtHtl_wLDwa-gi4syXadQTaBrqpA1iJib4WP72zPZBk/s640/The+Mangattan+Project+blog+tour+banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.48px;"><a href="http://www.writerinawheelchair.co.uk/" target="_blank">Writer in a Wheelchair</a> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.thesecretworldofabookbloggerblog.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Secret World of a Book Blogger</a> <a href="http://www.favouritenovels.wordpress.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Favourite Novels</a> <a href="http://www.lovebooksgroup.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Love Books Group</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.whisperingstories.com/" target="_blank">Story Whispers</a> </span><a href="http://www.lacyace.wordpress.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Lacy Claire</a> <a href="http://www.stephbookblog.wordpress.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Steph Book Blog</a> <a href="http://www.rorotbd.wordpress.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">rorotbd</a> <a href="http://www.bookmoodreviews.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Book Mood Reviews</span></a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04538620694178697468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-17632089230223394192018-05-12T12:40:00.000+01:002018-07-17T13:57:08.480+01:00Look For Me by Lisa Gardner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOwP3kkR1i7JkYneMBU3kQH-TPkyROpmmvdSd54wApD8MjPLYpEP0h1_51ejgxT_kZXikBFwEdEWYt-Ii3kNC7ju1kDIAA7N12Gm9G0oicnvveK1w8w8SaNo4Lpm3d4JgvKEgfkGF4wr_/s1600/cover123148-medium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="255" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOwP3kkR1i7JkYneMBU3kQH-TPkyROpmmvdSd54wApD8MjPLYpEP0h1_51ejgxT_kZXikBFwEdEWYt-Ii3kNC7ju1kDIAA7N12Gm9G0oicnvveK1w8w8SaNo4Lpm3d4JgvKEgfkGF4wr_/s400/cover123148-medium.png" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Detective DD Warren and Flora Dane are in a race against time to save a young girl's life - or bring her to justice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A family home has become a crime scene. Five people are involved: four of them have been savagely murdered; one - a sixteen-year-old girl - is missing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Was she lucky to have escaped? Or is her absence evidence of something sinister?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Detective D. D. Warren is on the case, as is survivor-turned-avenger Flora Dane.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Seeking different types of justice, they must make sense of the clues left behind by a young woman who, as victim or suspect, is silently pleading, Look for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As a fan of thrillers, from the first chapter of this book, I knew that I would be hooked. I've read a few Lisa Gardner books before so I was familiar with Detective DD Warren but not of Flora Dane as I haven't read all of her books in order. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The characters in the book are well developed and you get to know them very well and the story changes between chapters from Detective DD Warrens view, to Flora Dane's view to the past essays written by the sixteen year old girl who is missing. So you get to see the story from all views and the book is very well written so the story doesn't seem repetitive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The women in the story may be broken women but they are fighting to become strong women slowly. I enjoyed this thriller very much and I certainly couldn't have predicted the ending of the book. For me this was an enjoyable page turner and I look forward to reading more in the future series. </span></div>
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Anne Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02355663344000142594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-4233547901209771702018-04-26T04:04:00.000+01:002018-04-26T20:08:45.126+01:00Avengers: Infinity War<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hu1AJy6F1vG7P8L90YQnnpGI8BCKGu_0LYc5OE6zzqODk0izzvODE0yUYVaSSf4-gayaWyaCcLzxaz58Jk5ThoTxKm-aZoGd_ybSZTz9xXrkskYpv5gyt395z-XQ1pRz0f_1KVPAGCo/s1600/avengers-infinity-war-et00073462-02-04-2018-09-21-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hu1AJy6F1vG7P8L90YQnnpGI8BCKGu_0LYc5OE6zzqODk0izzvODE0yUYVaSSf4-gayaWyaCcLzxaz58Jk5ThoTxKm-aZoGd_ybSZTz9xXrkskYpv5gyt395z-XQ1pRz0f_1KVPAGCo/s1600/avengers-infinity-war-et00073462-02-04-2018-09-21-43.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The following review has been written with no spoilers, however as I will be referencing sections of the movie I would advise that you proceed with caution as you should any review. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have just come out after watching <i>Avengers: Infinity War</i> for the first time and I can say that I will be going again. The cumulus of ten years of planning and stage setting is here, and for good measure, it's in two parts that will be released a year a part. The characters that many of us have grown up with are to meet their mightiest foe, he has been teased for years and now his time to shine has come, Thanos is here to destroy the Galaxy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For ease, I have split this review into three parts.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Characters and Acting</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As with any team up movie there are characters, and as you can imagine a lot of them. This is the nineteenth instalment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) yet somehow the Russo brothers have managed to give each of the heroes something. Coming off the back of <i>Thor: Ragnarok,</i> Chris Hemsworth has discovered who Thor is and how he should act. I enjoyed his surprisingly nuanced performance which kept the funny Thor but built upon it, and became something wholly his own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Similarly Mark Ruffalo continues to bring a perspective to the mental strain that comes with being the Hulk. He is still the Bruce Banner that we have known in past films but he too has grown. Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch has grown from strength to strength and her acting throughout captured the emotion and raw feeling that is essential to illicit a response from the audience. Zoe Saldana's Gamora is still secretive and manipulative but when faced against the adopted father who stole her from her planet, her story becomes clearer and jaw-dropping. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chris Evans remains the steely eyed man we have seen previously, as Robert Downey Jr has remained the Iron Man we know. These two found their characters early in the MCU but as the world around them changes, so do they and I enjoyed seeing how the characters choices have influenced who they are becoming. Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow remains strong and battle ready, as does Danai Gurira's Okoye. The rest of the ensemble retained their characteristics and performed well. I didn't find anyone's acting particularly stunted, but this may change on a second viewing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My stand-outs were definitely Thor, Gamora and Scarlet Witch, the acting and character arcs were beautifully done and acted upon. Thanos is a character with some depth although saying anymore may bring about spoilers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This movie hops around a fair bit, we have New York, Edinburgh, Wakanda and various alien planets and ships. The visuals throughout are bright and striking, even during the grittier aspects, the creators have ensured that the scene in front of the audience is visually stimulating. However, as previously seen in the trailers, Tony's suit looks less and less metallic although I believe this is an aesthetics based choice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The choice of camera angles throughout created an atmosphere that made it feel like the viewer was part of the ensemble. It brought you into the movie and made some characters larger than life. Lense flare is a technique seen often and one I often attribute to J.J. Abrams, so it felt right that it was used throughout the scenes set in space, while the earth-based scenes remained more grounded without the piercing light. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Story</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is the tricky part right here, was the story good? In my opinion, it was. We have a lot of character pay off, be it built up over multiple films or just over a few. The characters actions felt right, and that <i>it had to be this way. </i>Would I say there is a solid defined narrative throughout the film? Maybe not so much, it very much is the payoff from the films that came before it, I think Avengers 4 will definitely pick up more of a story though!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A theme which has been threaded through multiple movies is family and we all know <i>family, it's challenging. </i>Infinity War is no different and family, whether chosen or biological remains a theme throughout the larger MCU. The ending will have all fans itching for the next year, it will feel like an eternity especially alongside the little post credits tease - oh Feige, please stop!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Conclusion</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Avengers: Infinity War</i> left we awed and speechless as I left the cinema, it is quite possibly one of the most ambition films ever made, crossing over multiple distinct film personalities to morph them into what you will see before you. It is not perfect, but then what movie is? It is enjoyable and the narrative is well balanced, feeding the audience what they want, when they are emotionally ready for it... or not ready for it. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04538620694178697468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-10931742824311568302018-04-17T08:00:00.000+01:002018-04-17T21:03:27.106+01:00Blog Tour: The Legacy of Old Gran Parks by Isobel Blackthorn<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKMY3ud6ICkWnv_jPHCVpLdPHfNuWVfFt9ro6SCOs2yGvoBtAbaec_tKLWSqjPZYJX3t4zHQ0jgeUO-H4EgOwU-XN1VbwfigU5oCwzxx7g0iQxnwnBbtQN0_TnNVDxjKZYW7ujYtwbXc/s1600/The+Legacy+of+Old+Gran+Parks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKMY3ud6ICkWnv_jPHCVpLdPHfNuWVfFt9ro6SCOs2yGvoBtAbaec_tKLWSqjPZYJX3t4zHQ0jgeUO-H4EgOwU-XN1VbwfigU5oCwzxx7g0iQxnwnBbtQN0_TnNVDxjKZYW7ujYtwbXc/s1600/The+Legacy+of+Old+Gran+Parks.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Set in Cann River in Australia’s rugged southern wilderness, The Legacy of Old Gran Parks is a tale of a remote town haunted by a legacy, a legacy with ominous consequences. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s a warm evening in the autumn of 1983 when Miriam Forster rolls into town in her broken down car. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Frankie the deer hunter, is up in the forested hinterland with her gun. Old Pearl the fisherwoman sits on her front deck down by the lagoon with her whisky and her dog. And Emily, the English backpacker, scrubs out the pie-encrusted kitchen at the roadhouse. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All is not well. There’s a hoon doing donuts at the crossroads and screaming down the fire trails in the woods; a suspicious-looking city-slicker with two small children, squatting in Fred’s shack down by the lake; a beanie-headed gaunt guy convalescing at the lighthouse; and an acne festooned creature in the hotel room next to Miriam, thrashing about in the night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gran Parks is stirring. Who will survive? Who will get away? Who will stay? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Isobel Blackthorn is a novelist, book reviewer and English tutor based in rural Australia. She holds a PhD in Western Esotericism and the occult features in most of her writing. Isobel is the author of the novels Asylum, The Drago Tree, A Perfect Square and The Cabin Sessions. The Legacy of Old Gran Parks is her fifth novel. Her short stories have appeared in journals around the world and her short story collection All Because of You received a 5 Star book award from Reader's Favorite. Her passion for books is boundless. Isobel reviews for Shiny New Books, Trip Fiction, Sisters in Crime and the Australian Women Writer's Challenge. She lives on the wild southern coast of Australia with her little white cat, Psyche.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Author Website: <a href="https://isobelblackthorn.com/" target="_blank">Isobel Blackthorn</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Author Twitter: @<a href="https://twitter.com/IBlackthorn" target="_blank">IBlackthorn</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be prepared for a story were violence is a prevalent theme. This novel is a <i>dark comedy</i>. Set in the middle of no-where Australia where the locals know everyone, there is an increase in strangers as Miriam Forster literally rolls into town and cannot leave until her car is fixed. The story is told through the views of four women who find themselves in town. First is Miriam, then there is Frankie, who is a deer hunter who stays in an abandoned shack in the forest. Pearl is an elderly fisher-woman who is concerned with the family who have appeared in the shack next door. Finally there is Emily who is stuck working in the roadhouse not earning enough money to return home to England. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Each woman has distinct characteristics, although I find their general unkindness to each other a little disappointing. Through the story we are introduced to four men who each display characteristics which leave the reader feeling uneasy. As the story continues there is a Sweeney Todd-esque feeling to the events that transpire. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The writing is very eloquent with the descriptions adding an extra layer of grit to the story. The Legacy of Gran Parks stems from Gloria's story which is explored in the first chapter - it foreshadows what will happen throughout the book. This book definitely isn't for someone who dislikes violence but as someone who enjoys a dark gritty story from time to time I really enjoyed the writing and plot throughout although some of the characters were less than likeable - although this may have been intentional. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thirteen other blogs are part of this tour and you should check out the others thoughts!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04538620694178697468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-45573507215258459672018-04-05T16:47:00.000+01:002018-04-05T16:47:14.003+01:00A Year of Taking Chances; By Jennifer Bohnet<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life is about to change forever…</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">When best friends, Tina and Jodie, make a drunken New Year’s Eve vow to change their lives before they hit the big 3 – 0, neither expected to end the year with much more than another hangover…</span></div>
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Twelve months later, Jodie is married and living in Provence – and Tina is exactly where she was a year ago (although now her rent is double). Tina can’t help but feel a little bit left behind, but as Jodie reminds her, she’s not thirty yet, there’s still time to quit her job, start her own literary agency and sign the man of her dreams!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Release Date: <a href="https://www.harpercollins.co.uk/9780008262723/a-year-of-taking-chances/" target="_blank">6 April 2018 (UK)</a></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>**Early copy courtesy of HQDigital for an honest review**</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tina and Jodie are best friends and find themselves in a rut as they are closing in on their 30th birthdays. Something has to change and a wish to the cosmos might just be the answer. Told in third person this story follows Tina in London, Jodie in France and as a little bonus, Maisie who becomes Tina's new flatmate. Usually, I find multiple POVs a bit jarring but the transitions between characters is seamlessly done. As such, it makes it a joy to read as the writing continues to flow. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jodie is now married and her partner, Ben, is a writer. As she settles into a new country with a new language to learn, Jodie as a character becomes a little lost and confused over what to do with her life. She wanted away from the rat-race in London but a quiet country life in France just isn't for her. A mystery related to her dead parents pops up and needs to be emotionally resolved. She provides the positive reinforcement Tina needs to get out of her situation - the twos dynamic may not be the focal point of the story but it feels like there is real thought and feelings put into their relationship. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">Tina is stuck in a job that is being poached on by the new starter. Feeling like she no longer belongs in the company she decides to start her own literacy agency and hopes to sign Lucinda Penwood whose debut novel she believes will be an instant best seller. All she needs is a little love in her life. Life changes as she takes in Maisie who followed her now ex-boyfriend to London and was left homeless. There is a nice symmetry between Maisie and Tina who are at different points in their lives but are both finding their feet. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">Friendship is shown to be a bond which can last a lifetime - no matter how far apart you become. New people are not necessarily a bad thing and changing up your life can lead to a fulfilment that's unexpected. I understand why this is being marketing as a feel-good holiday read. It's set in two countries, and has that wonderfully wholesome feeling throughout. </span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the <i>Sunday Times</i> bestselling author, Simon Kernick,
comes the thrilling second instalment in The Bone Field series.
Featuring DI Ray Mason and PI Tina Boyd.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A house </b>deep in the countryside where the remains of seven unidentified women have just been discovered.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A cop</b> ready to risk everything in the hunt for their killers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A man</b> who has seen the murders and is now on the run in fear of his life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So begins the race to track down this witness before the killers do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For Ray Mason and PI Tina Boyd, the road ahead is a dangerous one, with bodies and betrayal at every turn…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Release Date: </b>Out Now</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've read nearly every book from Simon Kernick, so when I saw this book, I knew what I was in for. I didn't know this book was part of a series when I started reading the book, but I have read books with the characters in previously and I have read some of his previous books out of order, so some parts of the book didn't make sense, but there is enough of the story there to make the plot make sense and it is explained well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DI Ray Mason is working with the police force on a case referred to as The Bone Field case, he's not a very well respected member of the forced because of the methods he uses, but he produces results. PI Tina Boyd works alongside him outside of the force and is his partner. In the previous books, Tina is like a broken woman, so seeing her now in a relationship was very different!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story keeps you guessing and hooked to find out how Ray and Tina will work together to find out the killers as the killers have both made appearances in their pasts trying to kill them as well. There are many characters in the book and they are all woven into the story well, the ending of the book wasn't how I expected it to end and left me wanting more! I am guessing that there will be another part to the series because of how the book ended. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A must read if you're a fan of thrillers and this author!</span>Anne Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02355663344000142594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-13352988454654742662018-03-27T09:00:00.000+01:002018-03-27T09:00:31.438+01:00Starfish; by Akemi Dawn Bowman<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kiko Himura has always had a hard time saying exactly what she’s thinking. With a mother who makes her feel unremarkable and a half-Japanese heritage she doesn’t quite understand, Kiko prefers to keep her head down, certain that once she makes it into her dream art school, Prism, her real life will begin.</span></div>
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But then Kiko doesn’t get into Prism, at the same time her abusive uncle moves back in with her family. So when she receives an invitation from her childhood friend to leave her small town and tour art schools on the west coast, Kiko jumps at the opportunity in spite of the anxieties and fears that attempt to hold her back. And now that she is finally free to be her own person outside the constricting walls of her home life, Kiko learns life-changing truths about herself, her past, and how to be brave.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Release Date</b>:<a href="http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Starfish/Akemi-Dawn-Bowman/9781481487726" target="_blank"> Out Now US</a>/ <a href="http://blackandwhitepublishing.com/shop/imprints/ink-road.html" target="_blank">5 April 2018 UK</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thank you to Ink Road Books for the early copy to review. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This story follows Kiko who struggles with self-doubt and anxiety. Her family situation isn't perfect and she is different from the rest of those in her town. With a half-Japanese heritage she struggles to discover who she while fighting against her demons and being trod on by her mother. Initially I believed that this would be a story about the pressure parents put onto their children and although this features to an extent, it wasn't the kind of pressure for perfection I believed it would be. Rather, it was the pressure to be the person you know you can be and not the person that you are forced into being.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kiko is an artist and her art reflects her mental position throughout the book. At the beginning she lacks confidence in her abilities and instead shows work that she isn't proud of. This stems partly from her social anxiety which is very well portrayed throughout the book with her friend knowing how far to push her in social situations. When compared to Jamie, he struggles initially with making sure his childhood friend is comfortable in situations - he doesn't know how to deal with anxiety. I found that this worked well as it is a representative look at how friends of those who suffer from anxiety are not always able to react correctly to the situation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jamie is a character whose friendship with Kiko is sweet although some of the revelations through the book with sour this slightly. However, this character flaw ensures that he isn't simply the perfect pretty boy. Their relationship comes across as natural and evolves well with the book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Kiko's family is another thread throughout the book. She has two brothers who handle the psychological abuse they receive from their mother differently. Their mother is simply described as manipulative and evil - so evil that you wonder how Kiko can justify her actions. I believe this stems from the fact that Kiko knows no better, this behaviour is seen as normal for her as it is all she has ever known. The events that bring her home to the end of the book is a position that no child should ever feel is their only option. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I enjoyed this read, it has emotion threaded throughout making you happy then sad all in one chapter. The writing is beautifully done with a story full of heartbreak and redemption. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04538620694178697468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-56348225505957080592018-03-24T13:39:00.001+00:002018-03-24T13:44:30.851+00:00Ready Player One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFKMOd2wVDkzLQR1SS1wuJSYJOQqJ6n1nUv5vcW_a9L9Mo8TKE9nK6f75jzsYyf7X6mRvkcXSHYd2jdFcvQ65-e-XRsTmuqicpVkCWCN0CeBfCbbYmoqVPdVmuCxLJubpumAvzoCVGjg/s1600/MV5BY2JiYTNmZTctYTQ1OC00YjU4LWEwMjYtZjkwY2Y5MDI0OTU3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNTI4MzE4MDU%2540._V1_SY1000_CR0%252C0%252C674%252C1000_AL_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFKMOd2wVDkzLQR1SS1wuJSYJOQqJ6n1nUv5vcW_a9L9Mo8TKE9nK6f75jzsYyf7X6mRvkcXSHYd2jdFcvQ65-e-XRsTmuqicpVkCWCN0CeBfCbbYmoqVPdVmuCxLJubpumAvzoCVGjg/s1600/MV5BY2JiYTNmZTctYTQ1OC00YjU4LWEwMjYtZjkwY2Y5MDI0OTU3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNTI4MzE4MDU%2540._V1_SY1000_CR0%252C0%252C674%252C1000_AL_.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When the creator of a virtual reality world called the OASIS dies, he releases a video in which he challenges all OASIS users to find his Easter Egg, which will give the finder his fortune.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Release Date:</b> 28th March 2018 (UK) // 29th March 2018 (US)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My thoughts coming out of the cinema? Wow. Just. Wow. Also, there was a crippling disappointment knowing I would have to wait at least 10 days before I could see it again. 3D also is used very well in this film, It isn't added for an in-your-face BAHM effect, rather much like <i>Avatar</i>, it is used to enhance the experience, bringing the viewer into the world. I appreciated the idea that as we put on our glasses we were entering the OASIS much like characters in the film. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are quickly introduced into the world of the OASIS and, what the world outside the game has turned into. It was informative without being a dump of information for the viewer, just setting the scene through the impeccable visuals and narrative. After the title card do we really get into the meat of the story - setting up character dynamics and the plot - the hunt for the three <strike>rings</strike> keys. The story has been well constructed and the viewer themselves feel like they are part of the game, it hits the right notes with gamer's who appreciate the puzzle-solving linear story that many games utilise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As stated earlier, the visuals in the film are gripping and dynamic. When in the OASIS, anything is possible and the colours are enhanced and bright. It really feels like you are in an open world with side-quests and diversionary games to keep you entertained. I particularly enjoyed the almost behind the scenes piece seen on the road to the first key. You'll know it when you see it. But, when the goggles come off the world appears muted and brown, the richness of life seems to be confined in the game. The world they live in looks desolate with caravans towered up on each other and one company who appears to look over them all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The score is utilised to great effect to drive home this duality, while additionally adding an extra pop of nostalgia for the audience with songs from the 1980s to the 2010s. Head bopping fun I tell you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As for the characters, as they say you never really know who is on the other side of the character and this is shown in the film. Who cares what age you are when you are literally the best ninja fighter? The performances of Tye Sheridan and Olivia Cooke are well nuanced and do convey a gravitas when required. For roles which rely heavily on voice acting only they do extremely well. I enjoyed Simon Pegg's character throughout - I think he was enjoying being an old man by the end. Ben Mendelsohn is appropriately slimy and tyrannical in equal measure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I did not read the book going into this, I purely saw it because of Anne's excitement. So when given the chance to see the film pre-release I was all for it, and extremely glad I did. Now, I am someone who is familiar with games and movies so the pop-culture references through-out were not lost on me - I got a lot more than the people I went to see it with anyway. Even the older films (Thanks Dad! - I think?). I would say that even for the casual gamer and/or movie goer there is such a variety packed in that I really do believe everyone will recognise something be it <i>Back to the Future</i> or <i>Overwatch. </i>If you are unsure, give it a chance the story is there and it is enjoyable even if you don't get the references.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04538620694178697468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-19094771377777541122018-03-19T09:00:00.000+00:002018-03-19T09:00:30.514+00:00Fourth Anniversary Celebration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATKt0biJYBbg4CW87zYQ-nP-K1Cg4M_BduyiYxm1dHu-3TXAUsTAKGJOrbjXa6qvBmHZ-HJjjnV9w7qSWBf3jv9WTtkeNFUMfvdSxAYRovBdyP5K9iiHBMIdGL54Xp5DslOqGxKfA378/s1600/Twitter_Anniversary_MR_101315.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATKt0biJYBbg4CW87zYQ-nP-K1Cg4M_BduyiYxm1dHu-3TXAUsTAKGJOrbjXa6qvBmHZ-HJjjnV9w7qSWBf3jv9WTtkeNFUMfvdSxAYRovBdyP5K9iiHBMIdGL54Xp5DslOqGxKfA378/s1600/Twitter_Anniversary_MR_101315.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh my gosh, I would never believe that four years ago that Read Between the Scenes would still be here today. It was created, with the encouragement of my friends, as something to do when I was unsure about where I was going with my life (I'm sure we've all been there). Four years later, we are still reading and posting reviews, watching movies and generally nerding out about things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For this anniversary I decided to do something a little different. I love playing the Sims 4 and so, I decided to combine movies and gaming to create a speed build of the Parr family home from the Incredibles. It's about 20 minutes long and has some interspersed voice over with my thoughts as I built - please be kind! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikubzDmR8q_Xpb_wjHaYGoInt9AGnTZkjP7-xxQIsh2wMLYKXvu60YkbGfHwTvqIDF-DfHwm2bRr0Jb5jPQngfbw0YOXhZhLak5oq2Xw3ZjsbZLkrCNxcM0Cj27nrU6giud8etwrxRlt0/s1600/House2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikubzDmR8q_Xpb_wjHaYGoInt9AGnTZkjP7-xxQIsh2wMLYKXvu60YkbGfHwTvqIDF-DfHwm2bRr0Jb5jPQngfbw0YOXhZhLak5oq2Xw3ZjsbZLkrCNxcM0Cj27nrU6giud8etwrxRlt0/s1600/House2.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you enjoyed this, I might do more of these in the future - so let me know! Now time to find some cake and gorge out in celebration. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04538620694178697468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-45814524596258234662018-03-10T13:24:00.000+00:002018-03-10T13:24:14.594+00:00Children of Blood and Bone; By Tomi Adeyemi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXe1g8SwQIrh3ouLD2J9X_1JFVyevZ7wfKaWG4KpOjinTl4o_3NffdvEfUH6_-2ShrSPcd6W7kxQLLrhsIPm1M-3Iqzow9yUvV4R9-_UAgRbB6kRJiOMcN1GLIuum40bO5sOj4bksv4U/s1600/34728667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXe1g8SwQIrh3ouLD2J9X_1JFVyevZ7wfKaWG4KpOjinTl4o_3NffdvEfUH6_-2ShrSPcd6W7kxQLLrhsIPm1M-3Iqzow9yUvV4R9-_UAgRbB6kRJiOMcN1GLIuum40bO5sOj4bksv4U/s1600/34728667.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls. </span></div>
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But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.</div>
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Now, Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good. </div>
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Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers—and her growing feelings for the enemy.</div>
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<b>Release Date</b>: Out Now // <a href="https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/tomi-adeyemi/children-of-blood-and-bone" target="_blank">Macmillan</a> // <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1509871357/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rbtscenes-21&creative=6738&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1509871357&linkId=49bf970fde13912a64f1f338005e1079" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
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<i>Children of Blood and Bone</i> has been hailed as the biggest YA Novel of the <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/books/a19170915/children-of-blood-and-bone-author-interview/" target="_blank">year</a>. This began last year as news trickled in about the plot and characterisation that would be seen throughout the novel and people got excited. So, the real question is <i>does it live up to the hype?</i> In my opinion I would say yes, yes it does. </div>
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Hot on the heels of the release of <i>Black Panther</i> which has reached over <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2018/03/09/box-office-black-panther-might-top-1-billion-today/#33b4f315225b" target="_blank">$1Billion</a> at the world wide box office, the literary world is set alight by this story full of mystery and magical elements. The addition of a royal family and the suppressed adds to the heightened emotions that are weaved throughout the book - with Tomi Adeyemi weaving threads that are drawn from real life events. These echoes are resonating with a wide audience - this book is definitely not just for young adults (no book is), it can be enjoyed by adults. The writing is fluid, the multiple point-of-views do not hinder the storytelling like is may in other novels. Instead, it enhances what is being told adding deeper meaning to the events throughout as seen by the characters who all have unique characteristics and personalities. This allows the reader to see an event from multiple angles, what is morally right or is it an ambiguous situation?</div>
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Z<span style="text-align: center;">élie is impulsive and forthright. She is someone who although they see the reasonable action will jump into any situation if she believes it will improve a situation. When life throws a situation at her, she runs with it and will (usually) do what is morally right. She is scarred by her past and as the story unfolds these scars shape her character more and more, without her realising just how much a past can effect the future. Z</span><span style="text-align: center;">élie takes a little bit of warming up to, as does her brother Tzain, who is a very black/white out look on life. There is only right or wrong - even when it comes to family. He too undergoes a character arc which we witness from Z</span><span style="text-align: center;">élie and Amari's characters, it is subtler but he is loyal and a tactician. His personality is the Yin to Z</span><span style="text-align: center;">élie's Yang and together they work well as a brother/sister duo. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">Although the book is primarily about Z</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">élie, I can't help but feel that Amari is my favourite character. Her character arc is beautifully constructed and has mirrors of Z</span></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">élie's, she isn't simply some pampered princess who has never suffered or seen pain. She has her own problems that she battles throughout the novel; the pressure of doing what is right; what is</span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"> best for her; living up the expectation of others. From the first time we meet Amari it is clear that she is repressed, someone who wants more and as such she befriends her maid. This friendship is what spearheads Amari's motivations and by the end of the book she is a changed woman and it is exciting to see what she will do next. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The third point-of-view comes from Inan, Amari's brother and the crown prince who is a character who will do anything for his country - even to the detriment of himself. This mental struggle against being what his father wants him to be and who he truly is, sets up Inan as a conflicted character. As the quest to do what his father wants leaves him bereft of choice, his life starts to come apart and he has to make big decisions as the story progresses. Personally, I wasn't too enamoured by Inan and as the story came to a close I was interested in what happens to him but not to the same extent of Z</span></span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">élie and Amari. </span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">As you can probably see above one of the key threads throughout the story is how the characters interplay amongst one another and this is excellently done and manages to feel very organic. These emotions do not seen forced or simply plot points and it makes these interactions a joy to read. As the book comes to a close it is well set up for the next book in the series, there is plenty mystery and intrigue as to what just happened, what has happened to everyone and just what will become of Or</span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">ïsha. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">On a side note, this book is long and as such the book is pretty big. The UK edition (especially the <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/children-of-blood-and-bone/tomi-adeyemi/9781509871353" target="_blank">Waterstones</a> edition) is beautiful and well worth buying but you may find the text to be on the small side. </span></div>
</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04538620694178697468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-72020801924119697352018-03-03T18:25:00.000+00:002018-03-03T18:25:10.294+00:00Wraith; by Helen Harper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieLb3mul3g2-Fpv0zXN6t7DXk24FAXl_wkS3k38kyRCr4ZGGkpblxDuUeZsQjkxrbxD9bWF6_G0aV7RwRXDofBNDWRxgxrIEJlMU3cy0Sn5FLwM6oi1wC-vBkBhKIKYWcKZCH95KMG8M/s1600/Wraith-Version-1-1-400x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieLb3mul3g2-Fpv0zXN6t7DXk24FAXl_wkS3k38kyRCr4ZGGkpblxDuUeZsQjkxrbxD9bWF6_G0aV7RwRXDofBNDWRxgxrIEJlMU3cy0Sn5FLwM6oi1wC-vBkBhKIKYWcKZCH95KMG8M/s1600/Wraith-Version-1-1-400x600.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saiya Buchanan is a wraith, able to detach her shadow from her body and send it off to do her bidding. But, unlike most of her kin, Saiya doesn’t deal in death. Instead, she trades secrets – and in the goblin besieged city of Stirling in Scotland, they’re a highly prized commodity. It might just be, however, that the goblins have been hiding the greatest secret of them all. When Gabriel de Florinville, a Dark Elf, is sent as royal envoy into Stirling and takes her prisoner, Saiya is not only going to uncover the sinister truth. She’s also going to realise that sometimes the deepest secrets are the ones locked within your own heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Release Date: </b>Out Now</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have previously read <a href="http://helenharper.co.uk/books/wraith/" target="_blank">Helen Harper</a>'s Lazy Witch series so I was happy to see a new book by her - a stand alone no less. With the book located in Scotland I am familiar with the geography in and around Stirling as I have visited it on quite a few occasions. It was interesting to see how she altered Stirling - with the castle remaining the focal point in the city - while it is under the rule of the Goblin's.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The world building is mainly centred around Stirling, which is gritty - almost medieval-like with gallows and dark, damp housing. Yet, it still has what would have been modern conveniences such as bowling alleys, clubs and upscale international dining options for those who could afford it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saiya has utilised her powers in such a way that she is able to survive relatively well in Stirling - she keeps to herself and will sell the secrets of others for extra food and drink. Saiya is cunning yet a caring individual who wants to be able to help her neighbours even if it leads to trouble. She wants to avoid death at all costs but when her shadow is captured she might get more than she bargained for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saiya and Gabriel have an interesting dynamic. Where Saiya will lie and cheat her way to safety, Gabriel believes it is the most important thing to tell the truth all the time and then work out a way to escape. Apparently Dark Elves don't like to deceive. This parallel works well with the story showing that sometimes to be successful you have to do what is not right. By working together and trusting each other, they are able to work against the Goblins to hopefully reclaim Stirling for all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a romantic element laced throughout the book which is used as a plot device to pull the characters together and trust each other in a time sensitive environment. The use of this didn't hinder my reading experience as there was still time for the characters to be developed as individuals and as a couple. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I enjoyed this for an evening read, it feels like a well constructed complete story which left little to wonder about once I finished. Much like her other series, the book is well written and edited. I look forward to her next book. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04538620694178697468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-14711072670528823012018-02-23T19:22:00.000+00:002018-02-25T17:13:13.834+00:00CardCaptor Sakura: Clear Card by CLAMP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbY3Vt_OYIZIY0kFRVtFW1xLW51PhaR0NZ61ku0IBa6enngehyphenhyphenB2BtmfMdcx8Aog15dTN_hRd3uB3-6zDpEQYZrdLAoAsfI_6Ir8r14KGK_jL_3tu-Y4cqce9UZ4oijE-n46DCHjlfr6k/s1600/cover131966-medium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbY3Vt_OYIZIY0kFRVtFW1xLW51PhaR0NZ61ku0IBa6enngehyphenhyphenB2BtmfMdcx8Aog15dTN_hRd3uB3-6zDpEQYZrdLAoAsfI_6Ir8r14KGK_jL_3tu-Y4cqce9UZ4oijE-n46DCHjlfr6k/s1600/cover131966-medium.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Guided by the Key of Dreams, Sakura embarks on a new adventure! With over 15 million copies in print in Japan alone, plus translations in over a dozen languages, the original <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Cardcaptor Sakura</em> is an international phenomenon you can't miss! And now, the long-awaited new chapter begins!</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is spring, with cherry trees in full blossom, and Sakura is just entering middle school. Her beloved Syaoran has returned from Hong Kong, and life couldn't be better. But when she awakens from a strange dream to find her Sakura Cards powerless, how can she protect Tomoeda from disaster?!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Free copy provided by Kodansha Comics for an honest review. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I remember watching the American cut of this anime years ago then reading the manga at a later age and realising just how horrifically the anime had been cut for an english speaking audience. In 2016 CardCaptor Sakura returned to Japan with the Clear Card arc, and now it has reached the english speaking audience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cardcaptor Sakura continues almost as if it had never ended in the first place. The characters are all slightly older but their key characteristics still endure Sakura is still shy but independent, Syaoran has returned from Hong Kong and Tomoyo is her lovable, video taking, clothes producing self. There is still the strong support network around Sakura who are all ready to support her as she requires. This initially re-introduction was pretty packed in with the reader skipping quickly over everyone, but once it is completed it is time to get into the meat of the story. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This first volume introduces the reader to the latest cards, clear cards and the new mystery that is the lack of energy felt around them by everyone. As Sakura successfully captures a couple within the first volume the reader is sucked back into the world looking to carry on to the next volume instantly. Personally I believe that these clear cards will prove to be more powerful compared to their clow counterparts, but this is yet to be seen as the first volume really is just a reintroduction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I enjoyed coming back into Sakura's world, it is a nice fluffy place compared to other iterations within this genre such as Madoka Magica which is aimed at a slightly more mature audience. I recommend that you return to this world if you have encountered Sakura's story before and if not, catch up on the Clow Card arcs then carry onwards. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04538620694178697468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-85256069701536796992018-02-21T00:39:00.001+00:002018-02-23T15:29:01.981+00:00Undercover Princess; by Connie Glynn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">L</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">ottie Pumpkin is an ordinary girl who longs to be a princess, attending
Rosewood Hall on a scholarship.
Ellie Wolf is a princess who longs to be ordinary, attending Rosewood
Hall to avoid her royal duties in the kingdom of Maradova.
When fate puts the two fourteen-year-olds in the same dorm, it seems
like a natural solution to swap identities: after all, everyone
mistakenly believes Lottie to be the princess anyway.
But someone's on to their secret, and at Rosewood nothing is ever as it
seems..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Release Date: </b>Out Now// <a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/305228/undercover-princess/9780141379906/" target="_blank">Penguin</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The book begins with Ellie Wolf the princess of Maradova who doesn't want the world to know that she is the princess and she has been on a wild streak and wishes to spend the last moments of freedom at a school in England of her choosing rather than the school that her father wishes her go to. We then meet Lottie Pumpkin getting ready to go to Rosewood Hall, the school that she has worked so hard to get into by following her dying mothers wishes. We follow Lottie on her journey and her entering the school and making friends very quickly. The school is all she was hoping for until she meets her room mate, Ellie Wolf and it doesn't seem like they will be getting along well until Lottie snaps and says she is accepted in the school funding program and things change. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I enjoyed this book very much, you get to know the main characters very well as Lottie is believed to be the Princess of Maradova by other students and finds out her actual room mate is the real princess and Lottie helps protects Ellies identity and they form a close bond. Many things happen and there are threats to them both, another character appears in the book, Jamie, a partizan, a person who will protect the princess at all costs; we learn how he became a partizan and follow as he forms close bonds with Lottie and protects her as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I look forward to the next book in the series and hope to find out what happens to Lottie's childhood friend Ollie as he appears in the book a bit in the beginning and himself and Lottie have a close relationship but he seems fed up with her towards to end as Lottie is unable to return to her hometown and spend time with him. For teens who are no stranger to Youtube, Connie Glynn is better known as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxlNE1UStmCupXMn7SdY7xw" target="_blank">Noodlerella</a></span>Anne Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02355663344000142594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-74232777152651481502018-02-07T23:10:00.000+00:002018-02-23T15:26:52.109+00:00The Innocent Wife by Amy Lloyd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twenty years ago, <b>Dennis Danson</b> was arrested and imprisoned for the brutal murder of a young girl in Florida's Red River County. Now he's the subject of a true-crime documentary that's whipping up a frenzy online to uncover the truth and free a man who has been wrongly convicted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A thousand miles away in England, <b>Samantha </b>is obsessed with Dennis's case. She exchanges letters with him, and is quickly won over by his apparent charm and kindness to her. Soon she has left her old life behind to marry him and campaign for his release.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But when the campaign is successful and Dennis is freed, Sam begins to discover new details that suggest he may not be quite so innocent after all. </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But how do you confront your husband when you don't want to know the truth?</span></b><br />
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</i></span></b> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Release Date: </b>Out Now //<a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/amy-lloyd/1080168/" target="_blank">Penguin</a></i></span><br />
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</i></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dennis Danson was 18 years old when he was convicted for multiple murders in Red River County. He has maintained his innocence for the murder that he was convicted on and with a documentary film made about his case and many online discussions regarding his case, interest into his crime has remained and a new series true crime documentary with backing from a big maker has been made.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our main character Samantha hears about Dennis' case and quickly becomes obsessed with all the details and absorbs herself into the online discussions about the case and starts to write Dennis. Filling the void in her life with her letters to Dennis, they soon become romantically involved and she makes the trip to America to see Dennis in person. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Things progress quickly and Samantha gets married to Dennis before new evidence comes to light and his days in prisons are coming to an end. Conflicting emotions overcome Samantha as she learns Dennis will be released. Many things happen after he is released and her life with him is not as she had imagined they would be. Throughout the book we follow Samantha as she is questioning her feelings for Dennis and whether he is actually innocent or not. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The book is a good read, the ending I wasn't quite sure of as most of the story is wrapped up quickly towards the end and after reading half of the book you can sort of guess what will happen but you're still not completely sure how the author will end the story.</span>Anne Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02355663344000142594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-82438197480523111982018-02-03T18:59:00.000+00:002018-02-21T17:26:49.296+00:00A Darker Shade of Magic; (Shades of Magic #1) by V. E. Schwab<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTlKs_XYVBsHhCSBOLEp3LedFmyGED1z1BzxbuNjhW-pAjCwnw12cGvv7Ymmxf_Tr7bRRL9XygUmezkGjHNpqxn6NNLIklR05vlQ1QJ9CkW37B9B8pBFtNXjVQxMaCYdDnurosg9OcM8/s1600/51ctIcXkkmL._SX326_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTlKs_XYVBsHhCSBOLEp3LedFmyGED1z1BzxbuNjhW-pAjCwnw12cGvv7Ymmxf_Tr7bRRL9XygUmezkGjHNpqxn6NNLIklR05vlQ1QJ9CkW37B9B8pBFtNXjVQxMaCYdDnurosg9OcM8/s320/51ctIcXkkmL._SX326_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.</span></span></div>
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Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see. It's a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.</div>
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After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.</div>
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Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive.</div>
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Release Date: Out now by <a href="https://us.macmillan.com/adarkershadeofmagic/veschwab/9780765376466/" target="_blank">Tor/Forge</a></div>
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I remember when this book was first released, I looked at it was intrigued but ultimately didn't buy it. Why? I would not be able to tell you now as it fits in what I like to read about. A smidge of mystery, thieves, magic and multiple worlds. I'll simply chalk it down to being enamoured with something else - easily distracted I can be when it comes to choosing books. Roll around to 2018 and when encountered with a wee trip to Edinburgh I faced the dilemma of what books to read while away, and so as I came across this series again the books were bought and the reading began. </div>
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It is always difficult starting a series as hyped as <i>Shades of Magic</i>. You have such expectations but like with all books, it is down to the individual view on the writing, the plot and story. As an author, <a href="http://www.veschwab.com/" target="_blank">Schwab</a>'s tagline is '<i>for those who dream of stranger worlds' </i>and stranger worlds is exactly what she delivers as the London's we are met with are not quite the London's we know. There is a magic in the world but it does not come equally. There is a world with lots of users, and one with none. There is a world no longer travelled - this is Black London and will have a bearing on the plot.</div>
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Red London sits in the middle where Kell lives with the royal family traversing between Grey and White London delivering messages. Kell has an idealistic nature but isn't at all naive to how easy life is, however he isn't hardened by the world around him as is his White London counterpart - Holland. Holland is stoic, hardened and forthright. His life isn't easy and the little snippets which are revealed of his life leave the reader intrigued as to why he is the way he is and why his London (White) is so volatile.</div>
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Delilah comes from Grey London - unsurprisingly it is devoid of magic - and she is a thief who meets Kell after picking his pocket and he hunts her down to collect. Delilah as a character is difficult to like initially, she is nasty and dirty and will do whatever she has to survive. They eventually travel together to Red London - where Kell and Delilah's personalities balance each other well, her grittiness merges well with his more straightforward approach and they are able to bounce off each other well. </div>
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All the characters introduced by Schwab have a purpose, they are not merely included as cannon-fodder but instead used to build the main protagonists stories. There is no needless romance just because the author/editor/publisher wants to tick that box, the best friend - Rhys acts as a centre to Kell and keeps him grounded. The plot progress's at a pleasant snappy pace although some of the plot points come across as somewhat predictable I couldn't help but think I was reading something that would actually have a much larger bearing later in the series. </div>
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Overall, I really enjoyed this book and series as a whole. The writing is engaging and witty, the story isn't overly confusing and the multiple point-of-views allow for an easy progression and a time for getting to know the characters before they come together. This is later books can lead to a bit of confusion as the amount of characters that are followed increases but ultimately it is the ideal writing technique for this story. Besides, we all would love Kell's multi-sided coat. </div>
</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04538620694178697468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-71469554990386636452018-01-17T10:39:00.000+00:002018-02-23T15:32:44.340+00:00Faking Friends; by Jane Fallon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Amy thought she knew everything there
was to know about her best friend Melissa. Then again, Amy also thought
she was on the verge of the wedding of her dreams to her long-distance
fiancé.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Until she pays a surprise trip home to London. Jack is
out, but it's clear another woman has been making herself at home in
their flat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's something about her stuff that feels oddly familiar . . . and then it hits Amy. The Other Woman is Melissa.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Amy
has lost her home, her fiancé and her best friend in one disastrous
weekend - but instead of falling apart, she's determined to get her own
back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Piecing her life back together won't be half as fun as dismantling theirs, after all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> <br /><b>Release Date: </b>Out Now // <a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/jane-fallon/31829/" target="_blank">Penguin</a> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I received a copy of this ebook from Penguin UK in return for an honest review.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Amy is an actress living in America where the tv show she is in is being filmed, travelling back to London to surprise her fiance and best friend. She arrives at the flat she is sharing with her fiance but notices its very clean and things seem different, she spots a suitcase with womens clothing in her bedroom and notices a perfume scent that she recognises but can't place. Hiding out in a hotel nearby she surprises her fiance, Jack and together they go to her best friends birthday party where it clicks, the scent and clothing belongs to her best friend, Melissa.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Throughout the rest of the book, we follow Amy, and see her plotting her revenge against Jack and Mel, whilst also trying to get on with her life. You root for Amy as she gets some payback, until Mel clicks on that Amy is back in London and not a part of the American tv show anymore and starts firing back at Amy. Some parts of the book are told from Mel's perspective but it is mostly from Amy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book was an enjoyable read and it was a happy ending for Amy and I guess for Mel.</span></div>
Anne Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02355663344000142594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-46730081533057699702018-01-05T22:11:00.000+00:002018-02-23T15:32:58.670+00:00If I Die Before I Wake; by Emily Koch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); box-sizing: border-box; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">HOW DO YOU SOLVE YOUR OWN MURDER?</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everyone believes Alex is in a coma, unlikely to ever wake up. As his family debate withdrawing life support, and his friends talk about how his girlfriend Bea needs to move on, he can only listen.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But Alex soon begins to suspect that the accident that put him here wasn’t really an accident. Even worse, the perpetrator is still out there and Alex is not the only one in danger. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As he goes over a series of clues from his past, Alex must use his remaining senses to solve the mystery of who tried to kill him, and try to protect those he loves, before they decide to let him go.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The description of this book drew me in and I don't think that I've read a book like this before. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The main character of this book is Alex, and everything is told from his perspective lying on the hospital bed in a vegetable state trying to piece together what has happened to him from the bits of conversation that he catches from his visitors. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We find out that Alex was in a climbing accident and he wasn't wearing a helmet; he was stabilised after his accident but put into a coma to help him heal but he never recovered, everyone around him thinks he is unresponsive but he can sort of see and hear everything that is happening around him. His family cling onto the hope that he will come around and his girlfriend Bea fights for him and tries to find out what happened to Alex and how he fell. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The books pacing was fairly slow and I did find myself speed reading at some points as I just wanted to find out what really happened to Alex. I certainly didn't expect the "killer" to be who it was but it is explained clearly so you do understand why they tried to do what they did. This book did help pass the time on my journeys to work though and you could see what was going to happen to Alex by the end of the book. A recommended read if you like mysteries. </span></div>
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Anne Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02355663344000142594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-8704197458550642042018-01-04T22:47:00.000+00:002018-02-23T15:27:19.649+00:00This Mortal Coil; by Emily Suvada<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>3 billion lives at stake. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>2 people who can save them. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>1 secret hidden in their DNA.</b> </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A breathtaking debut series about one girl's quest for answers in a genetically and technologically advanced future. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There's no gene for RUN LIKE HELL. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When a lone soldier, Cole, arrives with news of Lachlan Agatta's death, all hope seems lost for Catarina. Her father was the world's leading geneticist, and humanity's best hope of beating a devastating virus. Then, hidden beneath Cole's genehacked enhancements she finds a message of hope: Lachlan created a vaccine. Only she can find and decrypt it, if she can unravel the clues he left for her. The closer she gets, the more she finds herself at risk from Cartaxus, a shadowy organization with a stranglehold on the world's genetic tech. But it's too late to turn back. As the pieces fit together it's clear there is one final secret that Cat must unlock. A secret that will change everything. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Release Date: </b><i>Out Now</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">I received a copy of this book from Penguin in return for an honest review.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">This book was a quick read for me, because once you start reading, you don't want to put the book down. My partner has also read the book and he finished reading it in one day, it took me about 2 days because of work! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">You meet Catarina, the main character of this book as she is hunting pigeons to look into their DNA as we learn about the coding and changing of DNA to change the appearances and characteristics of things in the world set in this book. Cat is with her father and Dax living in a bunker in the woods until the men in her life are taken from her by Cartaxus, the leading company in genetic tech. Cat is hidden away from the company and her father warns her to never be caught by Cartaxus, so she hides out there surviving while a virus is spreading in the world causing death to many. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Catarina, joins a rival organisation called the skies who regularly hack Cartaxus to release code to cure health conditions for free to people still living in the surface and not in the Cartaxus bunkers. She has a friend Agnes, who she is on her way to meet when she is warned about an unknown vehicle outside her place. Racing to get away from a Cartaxus agent, who her father warned her before he was taken himself, she is injured and then we learn that not is all as it seems. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">This agent will becoming integral to the story and there are many twists you may not see coming as we learn more about this virus that is taking over people and the rival organisations. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">I really enjoyed this book and read most of it in one sitting, I certainly did not see some of the twists coming. You can put some of the things together with the bits and pieces dropped throughout the book but I was kept guessing which kept me wanting to read on and now I can't wait for the next book in the series. </span></span>Anne Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02355663344000142594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-50880271467252658552017-12-28T15:08:00.000+00:002018-02-21T17:40:03.938+00:00Truthwitch; by Susan Dennard (The Witchlands #1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a continent on the edge of war, two witches hold its fate in their hands.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Young witches Safiya and Iseult have a habit of finding trouble. After clashing with a powerful Guildmaster and his ruthless Bloodwitch bodyguard, the friends are forced to flee their home.</span></span></div>
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Safi must avoid capture at all costs as she's a rare Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lies. Many would kill for her magic, so Safi must keep it hidden - lest she be used in the struggle between empires. And Iseult's true powers are hidden even from herself.</div>
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In a chance encounter at Court, Safi meets Prince Merik and makes him a reluctant ally. However, his help may not slow down the Bloodwitch now hot on the girls' heels. All Safi and Iseult want is their freedom, but danger lies ahead. With war coming, treaties breaking and a magical contagion sweeping the land, the friends will have to fight emperors and mercenaries alike. For some will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.</div>
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<b>Release Date: Out Now</b></div>
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This is one of those books that has been on my radar for a while now, and I finally got round to reading it. This story follows Safiya and Iseult in a land where magic is real but not all power is equal. As they fight and depend on each other throughout the story we learn more about just who they are and what depends on them.</div>
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Safiya is head strong, a bit naive but is passionate and loyal. There is very little she wouldn't do to help those that she loves, especially Iseult her threadsister. I enjoyed reading about Safiya's and Iseult's antics and the bond that they shared through many trials - all which sets up plot points later in the book. Where Safiya is openly passionate, Iseult is inwardly passionate. She has a quiet stoic nature that balances Safiya making their duo even more powerful.<br />
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There is plenty intrigue and mystery as the story progresses, with little snippets of who they are scattered waiting for the reader to clutch these hints and come to conclusions. As they are chased by the Bloodwitch Aeduan, who is nuanced and quite possibly not quite as bad as we are first led to believe (yay for multi-layered antagonists!).<br />
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The opening scene sets up the characters very well and draws you straight into the story, there is no faffing about with acres of world building that leave the reader bereft of story. Instead we are thrust into the world that builds around the story as it is told. All the plot elements have a reason, all the threads (heh) lead to something more, something new and the introduction of the hint of romance is refreshing in a time when books seem to be full of instant all-encompassing love.<br />
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Susan has crafted a book that not only grabs your attention it refuses to let go and I quickly bought the next book, devoured it and left bereft as - i'm sure you all understand - the wait for the next in the main series goes on. It is probably best, I have exams to revise for and this series may have distracted me from such - Susan my grades are on you.<br />
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</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04538620694178697468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3975702722671780875.post-6287292176490072752017-12-03T10:25:00.000+00:002018-02-23T15:33:20.272+00:00Anything You Do Say; By Gillian McAllister<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's the end of the night. You're walking home on your own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then you hear the sound every woman dreads. Footsteps. Behind you. Coming fast.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You're sure it's him - the man from the bar who wouldn't leave you alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You make a snap decision. You turn. You push. Your pursuer tumbles down the steps. He lies motionless, face-down on the floor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now What? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Call 999</b><br />Wait
for the police to arrive. For judgement, for justice, whatever that may
be. You just hope you husband, family and friends, everyone you love,
will stand by you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Run</b><br />Stay silent. You didn't mean to
do it. You were scared, you panicked. And no one saw. No one will ever
know. If you leave now. If you keep quiet. Forever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Which is it to be?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Release Date</b>: <i>Out Now</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I received an e-book copy from Penguin UK in return for an honest review.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've seen this book in the top sellers a lot around the UK and have heard it being compared a lot to the film sliding doors, so I thought, why not give this book a go as I've seen the film a long time ago and enjoyed it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You meet Joanna / Jo, as she is on a girls night out with her best friend Laura having drinks until they receive some unwanted attention from a guy. They try to ignore the guy and get away from him and carry on their girls night out, but he keeps approaching them and takes a selfie with Joanna. They manage to leave and end the night by parting ways in different directions. Joanna hears footsteps behind her and thinks its the guy that was previously giving her unwanted attention so she quickens her pace and calls her husband who is at home waiting for her to let him know that shes on her way home but thinks shes being followed. The mobile phone cuts in a dead spot and it is soon Joanna and the guy behind her in a secluded spot. Feeling threatened, she pushes him when he approaches and the guy ends up on the floor and isn't moving.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After this event, the book is spilt between chapters which show how her life would turn out if she conceals (leaves the guy on the floor and walks away) or reveals (calls an ambulance for the guy on the floor). I did enjoy this book a lot and you follow Joanna as you see how different her life turns out between the conceal and reveal chapters, the effect that pushing a guy down onto the floor has on her friends, family and husband. You do find yourself glued to the book as you can sympathise with Joanna being afraid and pushing and not knowing what to do. I wouldn't have predicted some of the things that happen towards the end of the book, but I did enjoy how the two stories merge into one in the end and there is a conclusion so you're not left wondering about any cliffhangers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would highly recommend this book as it keeps you gripped and the telling of the characters is done really well.</span>Anne Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02355663344000142594noreply@blogger.com0