A. Renee Hunt's Blog, page 24
May 1, 2018
Worship Me
A novel by Craig Stewart 
I love horror that messes with you. The sort of story that sinks beneath the skin and irritates- that's a good story! In Worship Me, by Craig Stewart
Worship Me is about the congregation of St. Paul's United Church. Though they get together every week and call on The Lord for forgiveness and to be with Him when they leave this world, they're not all that faithful. They've done things that may or may not be forgiven.
When Angela and her son Alex attend service, she expects it to be her final attendance. She and her son need to get away. Something's happened to her family, and though the church has been good to her, they don't know the entire truth. She doesn't either.
Then one Sunday service, God comes to them. He has answers to their pain, their loss and especially Angela's trials and tribulations. But God doesn't come with promises of streets of gold and an eternity free from pain. As a matter of fact, pain is the doorway into his blessings. It's not until he asks for a child in sacrifice in three days time that they all begin to wonder what really has a hold of their small church.
Worship Me is a story that I would have finished weeks ago, had I not had other book deadlines. I began and got halfway through before I had to set it aside to read three other books! I became hooked in the blink of an eye. The story is written very well and with enough conviction, if I weren't heavy in my faith I'd have questioned what's after death! It's that good. It's also gross, painful and creepy good!
IF you like horror at its finest, check out Worship Me by Craig Stewart. You will not be left hanging and the ending is just as good as the beginning. I'm off to the next read. Cheers!
Worship Me
Craig Stewart
Published by Hellbound Books Publishing, LLC, August 2017
358-pages
I love horror that messes with you. The sort of story that sinks beneath the skin and irritates- that's a good story! In Worship Me, by Craig StewartWorship Me is about the congregation of St. Paul's United Church. Though they get together every week and call on The Lord for forgiveness and to be with Him when they leave this world, they're not all that faithful. They've done things that may or may not be forgiven.
When Angela and her son Alex attend service, she expects it to be her final attendance. She and her son need to get away. Something's happened to her family, and though the church has been good to her, they don't know the entire truth. She doesn't either.
Then one Sunday service, God comes to them. He has answers to their pain, their loss and especially Angela's trials and tribulations. But God doesn't come with promises of streets of gold and an eternity free from pain. As a matter of fact, pain is the doorway into his blessings. It's not until he asks for a child in sacrifice in three days time that they all begin to wonder what really has a hold of their small church.
Worship Me is a story that I would have finished weeks ago, had I not had other book deadlines. I began and got halfway through before I had to set it aside to read three other books! I became hooked in the blink of an eye. The story is written very well and with enough conviction, if I weren't heavy in my faith I'd have questioned what's after death! It's that good. It's also gross, painful and creepy good!
IF you like horror at its finest, check out Worship Me by Craig Stewart. You will not be left hanging and the ending is just as good as the beginning. I'm off to the next read. Cheers!
Worship Me
Craig Stewart
Published by Hellbound Books Publishing, LLC, August 2017
358-pages
April 30, 2018
Beasts Made of Night
A novel by Tochi Onyebuchi 
When I found this book, I'd chosen it for my son and I to read for school. Sadly, once I got about five or so chapters in, I knew he wouldn't like it. So what did I think of Tochi Onyebuchi's Beasts Made of Night? #element-a6608798-c141-4f6e-8ab0-7a7163594cb1 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} 
Beasts Made of Night is a story of magic, culture and survival. The land of Kos is divided into casts, similar to those of Nigerian or even Indie. There are those who are ordinary people, then there are royals- who are as snooty as ever. But there are others...sin eaters, who are neither ordinary nor royal and shunned. Their daily jobs are what save lives. To a degree.
Taj is one of the sin eaters. At seventeen, his body is covered with the markings of the Aki. Aki are looked won upon, because they remove and devour the sins of others. It is a dangerous way of life and leaves its mark on the Aki in more ways than one. It's not until he uncovers a plot of unbelievable proportions that he realizes his daily work will carry him into a war that affects the lives of everyone in the land of Kos.
What a beautiful book cover- isn't it? Well, the story within was one of those that is written more like cultural poetry. It has its funny bits, but it's more about life, politics and society having its way on the less fortunate. I found myself both mystified and bored, to be honest. Not that Beats Made of Night isn't good, I just knew my son wouldn't enjoy it. And it was a bit slow for me. It seemed to focus more on the daily goings on that the actual plot of the tale- though it was all necessary.
Beasts Made of Night ends in a manner that lets you know another book is coming. I probably won't buy it.
I'm off to the next read. Cheers!
Beasts Made of Night
Tochi Onyebuchi
Published by Razorbill, Penguin Random House October 2017
302 Pages
When I found this book, I'd chosen it for my son and I to read for school. Sadly, once I got about five or so chapters in, I knew he wouldn't like it. So what did I think of Tochi Onyebuchi's Beasts Made of Night? #element-a6608798-c141-4f6e-8ab0-7a7163594cb1 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} Beasts Made of Night is a story of magic, culture and survival. The land of Kos is divided into casts, similar to those of Nigerian or even Indie. There are those who are ordinary people, then there are royals- who are as snooty as ever. But there are others...sin eaters, who are neither ordinary nor royal and shunned. Their daily jobs are what save lives. To a degree.Taj is one of the sin eaters. At seventeen, his body is covered with the markings of the Aki. Aki are looked won upon, because they remove and devour the sins of others. It is a dangerous way of life and leaves its mark on the Aki in more ways than one. It's not until he uncovers a plot of unbelievable proportions that he realizes his daily work will carry him into a war that affects the lives of everyone in the land of Kos.
What a beautiful book cover- isn't it? Well, the story within was one of those that is written more like cultural poetry. It has its funny bits, but it's more about life, politics and society having its way on the less fortunate. I found myself both mystified and bored, to be honest. Not that Beats Made of Night isn't good, I just knew my son wouldn't enjoy it. And it was a bit slow for me. It seemed to focus more on the daily goings on that the actual plot of the tale- though it was all necessary.
Beasts Made of Night ends in a manner that lets you know another book is coming. I probably won't buy it.
I'm off to the next read. Cheers!
Beasts Made of Night
Tochi Onyebuchi
Published by Razorbill, Penguin Random House October 2017
302 Pages
Attack the Block
*Artwork borrowed from CromeYellow.com I can't believe I haven't shared this gem of a horror movie. What do you get when aliens decide to invade South London? You get this amazing movie- Attack the Block! This was, I believe John Boyega's first movie, before Star Wars put him on the freaking map permanently. It's got action, crazed teenagers, vicious alien monsters and the best British accents ever! #element-40d55f8f-affa-42e2-b08c-8673aa7fbaec .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
The movie begins with a group of ignorant kids who decide they're going to rob a young lady on her way home from work. They're dumb and you want them to get what they deserve... and then they do. Something falls from the sky, right next to them, from outer space!This is one of the best movies I've seen that's not quite big time, but definitely not low-budget. I bought it as soon as I watched it, I think on Netflix a while back. It's just one of those you will watch again and again.
I don't know if it was his first movie or not, but John Boyega was the man, as Moses (leader of the South London gang) takes on things superior hunters. It's action packed, gross, funny and an out 'n out wild ride!
The best part of this movie is WHY they're fighting.
Anyway, check out the preview I added to this and make sure to watch this epic movie. At least to me! LOL
Cheers!
Attack the Block
Written by Joe Cornish
Produced by StudioCanal Features Film4
Starred John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Alex Esmail, Franz Drameh, Leeon Henry Jones
Released March 2011
April 25, 2018
No One Gets Out Alive
An audionovel by Adam Nevill
narrated by Colleen Prendergast
I am a fan of horror, especially ghostly horror. I think I admire it so much because I'd like to write it myself. When I purchased No One Gets Out Alive, by Adam Nevill, I was looking for some serious ghosts. A haunt of a time and a humongous thrill.
I read other people's reviews and just knew it was going to be one of those amazing scares. Was I right, or did I get fooled by the rants and raves? #element-d157def5-5b7a-428c-bcf5-ac76237f7b4a .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Stephanie is in a bad way. She's got no home, working temp with very little available and she's in need of a temporary home while she gets on her feet. She finds herself in a bad place, the rough part of Birmingham renting a room for about 160 quid. Cheap with an even cheaper landlord.
Everything about the place is creepy. She's told there are others in the old house that's been converted, but she doesn't see them. But she does hear them. In the middle of the night, skittering about, pressing against her bed, whispering... It's a terrible experience, but there's more to the old house than Stephanie understands. It's not until she'd held prisoner that things go from worse to horrific!
Have I ever mentioned that I like my horror to remain in the horror category? I don't like real life to creep in, unless it's really spooky and scary. Well this book treads in two worlds. It wanted to be a ghost story, but it also shares the miserable measures of the downtrodden, immigrants and the very foolish.
When it kicked off, I was thrilled. I mean, it has an amazing start, but I have to admit, I couldn't even finish the book. I got near halfway and just couldn't push on. Stephanie left me knackered- no, overly exhausted! It's all because I'm one of those women who never took to being bullied. I'd fight before kneeling, you know. Stephanie let things go way too far and never once acted in a manner of someone strong. It irked me to the fullest. I couldn't handle it.
Other reviews give this book the highest praise. Because of that, I feel bad that I gave it only two starts on Goodreads.com, but I have to share what I feel. The foolishness, the being pushed about and even the stuff I can't mention because it would offer up SPOILERS - It was too far-fetched for me.. Just know that this book takes a great deal of patience. It's ûber long and takes a great deal of empathy. It simply was not for me.
Check out No One Gets Out Alive, by Adam Nevill while I move on to the next read. Cheers!
No One Gets Out Alive
Adam Nevill
Narrated by Colleen Prendergast
Published by Audible Studios: 17 hours, 9 minutes
640-pages
Literature/British&Irish/Fiction/Horror
narrated by Colleen Prendergast
I am a fan of horror, especially ghostly horror. I think I admire it so much because I'd like to write it myself. When I purchased No One Gets Out Alive, by Adam Nevill, I was looking for some serious ghosts. A haunt of a time and a humongous thrill. I read other people's reviews and just knew it was going to be one of those amazing scares. Was I right, or did I get fooled by the rants and raves? #element-d157def5-5b7a-428c-bcf5-ac76237f7b4a .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Stephanie is in a bad way. She's got no home, working temp with very little available and she's in need of a temporary home while she gets on her feet. She finds herself in a bad place, the rough part of Birmingham renting a room for about 160 quid. Cheap with an even cheaper landlord.Everything about the place is creepy. She's told there are others in the old house that's been converted, but she doesn't see them. But she does hear them. In the middle of the night, skittering about, pressing against her bed, whispering... It's a terrible experience, but there's more to the old house than Stephanie understands. It's not until she'd held prisoner that things go from worse to horrific!
Have I ever mentioned that I like my horror to remain in the horror category? I don't like real life to creep in, unless it's really spooky and scary. Well this book treads in two worlds. It wanted to be a ghost story, but it also shares the miserable measures of the downtrodden, immigrants and the very foolish.
When it kicked off, I was thrilled. I mean, it has an amazing start, but I have to admit, I couldn't even finish the book. I got near halfway and just couldn't push on. Stephanie left me knackered- no, overly exhausted! It's all because I'm one of those women who never took to being bullied. I'd fight before kneeling, you know. Stephanie let things go way too far and never once acted in a manner of someone strong. It irked me to the fullest. I couldn't handle it.
Other reviews give this book the highest praise. Because of that, I feel bad that I gave it only two starts on Goodreads.com, but I have to share what I feel. The foolishness, the being pushed about and even the stuff I can't mention because it would offer up SPOILERS - It was too far-fetched for me.. Just know that this book takes a great deal of patience. It's ûber long and takes a great deal of empathy. It simply was not for me.
Check out No One Gets Out Alive, by Adam Nevill while I move on to the next read. Cheers!
No One Gets Out Alive
Adam Nevill
Narrated by Colleen Prendergast
Published by Audible Studios: 17 hours, 9 minutes
640-pages
Literature/British&Irish/Fiction/Horror
Peter Rabbit
Movie Review 
If you happened upon my thirteen year old son, you'd think he was around fifteen- maybe sixteen. He's wide like a line backer and about as tall as one too, towering at six feet in height. But he's my baby and wanted to go see Peter Rabbit, the movie.
I'm one of those people who despises movies like The Smurfs (with live action) and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, but I happily went to see it as soon as I heard their accents and all the most amazing shots of London and English countryside! How could I say no? #element-d454ebe7-f28a-4499-aef8-335a4523f02a .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
So the story is about that rascally rabbit, Peter. He manages to win the heart of a young woman who reminds him of his mother. But when the old farmer on the next lot, with a plentiful garden, dies away, they come across a new foe. One who not only keeps the garden fruits and vegetables to himself, but also wins the heart of Peter's surrogate mum. So the man has to go!
Peter Rabbit carried a few qualities I enjoyed, even though I dislike cartoons and people in movies. One was- it was amazingly beautiful! (Location! Location! Location!) The country is lush and definitely a place I'd love to live. That alone gives the movies a thumbs up from me. Secondly, it was fun to see London again, and all the gorgeous sites I'd visited, as well as missed during my extended visit. Anything that shares views like the ones in Peter Rabbit, I'm always going to enjoy.
If I had to be honest, yes there are parts that were very funny. I laughed, but none were side-splitting. It was funny. But there were parts that I fought sleep on as well. I don't know why, but I just don't do well with real people and digitally added creatures. They did look better than the surfs had, so that was a plus. I'm going to rate it slightly overr the halfway mark out of ten, but exactly where, I'm not sure.
If you've got little ones and they love watching animals get the best over a grown man, then they'll love this! If they love seeing a digitized bunny make the most meanest of faces and laugh out loud at them, this is their movie! Oh, just go see Peter Rabbit! LOL I'm off to the next review!
Cheers! Peter Rabbit
Written, Produced and Screenplay by Will Gluck
Based on the book by Beatrix Potter
Stars Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson, Sam Neill, Daisy Ridley and Elizabeth Debicki
Released March 2018
If you happened upon my thirteen year old son, you'd think he was around fifteen- maybe sixteen. He's wide like a line backer and about as tall as one too, towering at six feet in height. But he's my baby and wanted to go see Peter Rabbit, the movie. I'm one of those people who despises movies like The Smurfs (with live action) and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, but I happily went to see it as soon as I heard their accents and all the most amazing shots of London and English countryside! How could I say no? #element-d454ebe7-f28a-4499-aef8-335a4523f02a .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
So the story is about that rascally rabbit, Peter. He manages to win the heart of a young woman who reminds him of his mother. But when the old farmer on the next lot, with a plentiful garden, dies away, they come across a new foe. One who not only keeps the garden fruits and vegetables to himself, but also wins the heart of Peter's surrogate mum. So the man has to go!Peter Rabbit carried a few qualities I enjoyed, even though I dislike cartoons and people in movies. One was- it was amazingly beautiful! (Location! Location! Location!) The country is lush and definitely a place I'd love to live. That alone gives the movies a thumbs up from me. Secondly, it was fun to see London again, and all the gorgeous sites I'd visited, as well as missed during my extended visit. Anything that shares views like the ones in Peter Rabbit, I'm always going to enjoy.
If I had to be honest, yes there are parts that were very funny. I laughed, but none were side-splitting. It was funny. But there were parts that I fought sleep on as well. I don't know why, but I just don't do well with real people and digitally added creatures. They did look better than the surfs had, so that was a plus. I'm going to rate it slightly overr the halfway mark out of ten, but exactly where, I'm not sure.
If you've got little ones and they love watching animals get the best over a grown man, then they'll love this! If they love seeing a digitized bunny make the most meanest of faces and laugh out loud at them, this is their movie! Oh, just go see Peter Rabbit! LOL I'm off to the next review!
Cheers! Peter Rabbit
Written, Produced and Screenplay by Will Gluck
Based on the book by Beatrix Potter
Stars Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson, Sam Neill, Daisy Ridley and Elizabeth Debicki
Released March 2018
April 24, 2018
Bride
A novel by Kyle Alexander Romines 
When you look at the classic movies, you know there's a fabulous story, but you never really know what's on the minds of the antagonists. In Dracula, you naturally know what's going on, but what about The Mummy, Wolfman or in this case, Frankenstein? Well,
Kyle Alexander Romines
sorta takes care of that in Bride. #element-51438cd5-42fe-406f-babb-511a475d8338 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} 
I grew up on classics. What I fell for the most were the classic horrors. They're what flowed through my veins and still do to this day. So when I got my hands on Bride, I was thrilled. Romines is a brilliant author. Each book I've read by him has been a true keeper. So what was the difference between this telling compared to others? The POV: point of view.
You discover Persephone's newly created personality. Just when you think you know her, other facets resurface. It's a path to discover and rediscovery. She has to find a way to start again, move on and seek out, not a fairytale ending, but a life worth living. Can she? Or will she end up in pieces- not just emotionally either!
Bride isn't just the story of a re-animated woman, It's about a woman who's learning all about who she is as well as who she'd been. It's deep, sort of a mystery. It's soft, a bit of a romance as well. Then it's a horror- it is about a woman who'd been killed and brought back to life! Speaking of being brought back, the reason she was reanimated is also fabulous, making it also about revenge.
This is my third or fourth read by Romines and I have to say, I am a fan. I think he's struck oil with this book and I'm proud to boast on it. If you enjoy thrillers, romance, horror and mystery- this is your book!
Cheers!
Bride
Kyle Alexander Romines
Published by CreateSpace Publishing
362-pages
Books/Literature/Fiction/Horror
When you look at the classic movies, you know there's a fabulous story, but you never really know what's on the minds of the antagonists. In Dracula, you naturally know what's going on, but what about The Mummy, Wolfman or in this case, Frankenstein? Well,
Kyle Alexander Romines
sorta takes care of that in Bride. #element-51438cd5-42fe-406f-babb-511a475d8338 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} I grew up on classics. What I fell for the most were the classic horrors. They're what flowed through my veins and still do to this day. So when I got my hands on Bride, I was thrilled. Romines is a brilliant author. Each book I've read by him has been a true keeper. So what was the difference between this telling compared to others? The POV: point of view. You discover Persephone's newly created personality. Just when you think you know her, other facets resurface. It's a path to discover and rediscovery. She has to find a way to start again, move on and seek out, not a fairytale ending, but a life worth living. Can she? Or will she end up in pieces- not just emotionally either!
Bride isn't just the story of a re-animated woman, It's about a woman who's learning all about who she is as well as who she'd been. It's deep, sort of a mystery. It's soft, a bit of a romance as well. Then it's a horror- it is about a woman who'd been killed and brought back to life! Speaking of being brought back, the reason she was reanimated is also fabulous, making it also about revenge.
This is my third or fourth read by Romines and I have to say, I am a fan. I think he's struck oil with this book and I'm proud to boast on it. If you enjoy thrillers, romance, horror and mystery- this is your book!
Cheers!
Bride
Kyle Alexander Romines
Published by CreateSpace Publishing
362-pages
Books/Literature/Fiction/Horror
The Titan
A Sci-Fi movie review 
What happens when humans have destroyed all of it's resources. When its inhabitants have used up all food and are literally suffering riots, horrible storms, starvation and mass deaths? What do we do? We send our own to another planet for habitation, of course. But what if every planet found won't sustain us? What if, in order for humans to survive, they have to immediately evolve? This is The Titan. #element-80b8f80c-208c-4992-a802-ed98494ad112 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Many dystopian-futuristic movies have planet Earth in a sate of collapse. In The Titan, the world is fading fast. Food is practically gone, riots are breaking out, dust bowls are prominent and the government has a plan to find a new home, but it comes at a cost. Can it be too much and will it be humanity that survives?
A particular group of men and women have been chosen for the habitation of Saturn's moon, Titan. They receive injections and run through a gamete of tests that transform them, allowing them to breath the air and such. It's all a countdown to who will be the first to inhabit the planet as a homo titanians. But can they endure? Those selected, along with their families are given homes of millionaires and fancy food aplenty, but things quickly go wrong. The transformations don't quite work out for some. Will the plan work or will it backfire in their faces and in the faces of all depending on them for survival?
The Titan is one of those science fiction movies that keeps you hooked. I watched it on Netflix and I was moderately entertained by the story, the FX and the acting. It's 100% fantastic. The story is driven by purpose, but in the end, it was all about family. I loved the face-off in the end and how they made things happen, but it's a sad story. A lot is lost, along with the fate of humanity.
Check out The Titan. This story of forced evolution has been done before, but it's not a total loss of a movie. Not a great one either, but if you want something for a Sunday, couch-lounge of an afternoon, this one's a go. Cheers!
The Titan
Screenplay by Max Hurwitz
Story by Arash Amel
Directed by Lennart Ruff
Produced by Arash Amel and Fred Berger
Starred Sam Worthington, Taylor Schilling, Tom Wilkinson, Diego Boneta, Agyness Deyn and Nathalie Emmanuel
What happens when humans have destroyed all of it's resources. When its inhabitants have used up all food and are literally suffering riots, horrible storms, starvation and mass deaths? What do we do? We send our own to another planet for habitation, of course. But what if every planet found won't sustain us? What if, in order for humans to survive, they have to immediately evolve? This is The Titan. #element-80b8f80c-208c-4992-a802-ed98494ad112 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Many dystopian-futuristic movies have planet Earth in a sate of collapse. In The Titan, the world is fading fast. Food is practically gone, riots are breaking out, dust bowls are prominent and the government has a plan to find a new home, but it comes at a cost. Can it be too much and will it be humanity that survives?A particular group of men and women have been chosen for the habitation of Saturn's moon, Titan. They receive injections and run through a gamete of tests that transform them, allowing them to breath the air and such. It's all a countdown to who will be the first to inhabit the planet as a homo titanians. But can they endure? Those selected, along with their families are given homes of millionaires and fancy food aplenty, but things quickly go wrong. The transformations don't quite work out for some. Will the plan work or will it backfire in their faces and in the faces of all depending on them for survival?
The Titan is one of those science fiction movies that keeps you hooked. I watched it on Netflix and I was moderately entertained by the story, the FX and the acting. It's 100% fantastic. The story is driven by purpose, but in the end, it was all about family. I loved the face-off in the end and how they made things happen, but it's a sad story. A lot is lost, along with the fate of humanity.
Check out The Titan. This story of forced evolution has been done before, but it's not a total loss of a movie. Not a great one either, but if you want something for a Sunday, couch-lounge of an afternoon, this one's a go. Cheers!
The Titan
Screenplay by Max Hurwitz
Story by Arash Amel
Directed by Lennart Ruff
Produced by Arash Amel and Fred Berger
Starred Sam Worthington, Taylor Schilling, Tom Wilkinson, Diego Boneta, Agyness Deyn and Nathalie Emmanuel
Lifesong
A novella by Julia Blake 
What would you do if you woke in a land completely foreign to you? Would you be happy in a place where you have a connection with all things through song? Lastly, what if you were transported to a place completely foreign, but found a person who belonged to your soul but could die if you stayed? This is Lifesong, by
Julia Blake
. #element-2ecdca03-1ffa-4da5-9fcd-aaf1f7035471 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
When a female entity uses what can only be astral projection, from her home world to another, she finds herself looking through the eyes.of a stranger. When they collide again, she's beside him. Repeatedly she visits, finding herself growing closer and closer to him. Through observation, she discovers his origin of sadness and depression, only to feel she can relate, due to her recent loss. But they share so much more.
She is from a fantastical place, where every living thing, animate and inanimate, has a lifesong. A sort of life force liked through music. But this is not your average cd compilation of songs- it's what allows each individual to live and thrive. Even when one of her own passes away in her world, there's a song to be sung. But where she visits, there are no songs. And the little she happens to come across are connected to devastation and abuse.
Lifesong is a story that embodies several themes. It's a romance novella but it's also a lesson on our environment and the abuse we give it. Lastly, it's the embodiment of science fiction. You can't help but enjoy them all, as the relationships between them collide into a book I practically read in one sitting! Blake wrote quixotic fantasy and made it romantically entertaining, while delivering a lesson on what we're doing wrong and how it truly affects all we know and hold dear.
I enjoyed this story, even though I'm not one of those romantics at heart. It allowed me to see through both the eyes of both characters and found beauty. Check out Lifesong, a novella by Julia Blake while I move on to the next read. Cheers!
Lifesong
Julia Blake
Amazon Digital Services
75 pages
Fantasy/Science Fiction/Literature/Romance/Enviroment
What would you do if you woke in a land completely foreign to you? Would you be happy in a place where you have a connection with all things through song? Lastly, what if you were transported to a place completely foreign, but found a person who belonged to your soul but could die if you stayed? This is Lifesong, by
Julia Blake
. #element-2ecdca03-1ffa-4da5-9fcd-aaf1f7035471 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
When a female entity uses what can only be astral projection, from her home world to another, she finds herself looking through the eyes.of a stranger. When they collide again, she's beside him. Repeatedly she visits, finding herself growing closer and closer to him. Through observation, she discovers his origin of sadness and depression, only to feel she can relate, due to her recent loss. But they share so much more.She is from a fantastical place, where every living thing, animate and inanimate, has a lifesong. A sort of life force liked through music. But this is not your average cd compilation of songs- it's what allows each individual to live and thrive. Even when one of her own passes away in her world, there's a song to be sung. But where she visits, there are no songs. And the little she happens to come across are connected to devastation and abuse.
Lifesong is a story that embodies several themes. It's a romance novella but it's also a lesson on our environment and the abuse we give it. Lastly, it's the embodiment of science fiction. You can't help but enjoy them all, as the relationships between them collide into a book I practically read in one sitting! Blake wrote quixotic fantasy and made it romantically entertaining, while delivering a lesson on what we're doing wrong and how it truly affects all we know and hold dear.
I enjoyed this story, even though I'm not one of those romantics at heart. It allowed me to see through both the eyes of both characters and found beauty. Check out Lifesong, a novella by Julia Blake while I move on to the next read. Cheers!
Lifesong
Julia Blake
Amazon Digital Services
75 pages
Fantasy/Science Fiction/Literature/Romance/Enviroment
April 23, 2018
The Power
A novel by Naomi Alderman 
I received this title from an announcement email. The Power, by
Naomi Alderman
is the telling of the future, but shared with the past. It's the story of an awakening that brings revolution, Women's Lib and so much more. But is The Power powerful enough to make for an excellent and original read? #element-8b5b464d-112c-47b4-80b3-a4c877c13c73 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
When I purchased this audiobook, I'd hoped to be drawn in hook, line and sinker. What I ended up with was a disappointment. I'm not bad-mouthing the book, because it's written well. It's unique in what's happening and how, but I just found myself lost more so in the narrator's voice than what she was actually saying.
Narrated by
The book shares political ideas and views on how men are supposedly superior to women in every way, through news reports and experiences. But what if woman suddenly gained an advantage? Would the world truly become a better place, or would they, like most powerful men, exploit their gifts? There are cults created, riots break out, everyone's trying to find their place in the world when this "Even" strikes up. Through the lives of three particular women and one man, the story shows how chaotic things can be should a major shift affect the social dynamic.
Though it was interesting, it just was not what I'd expected. I desired so much more. I can honestly say, it's not a bad book- just not for me. Fair enough? I'll leave it at that and say if you like The Handmaid's Tale, you may like this- but it's not the same in the least.
I'm off to the next read. Cheers!
The Power
Naomi Alderman
Little, Brown and Company, October 2017
416 pages/12 Hr 5 min audiobook
Science Fiction/Fantasy/Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian
I received this title from an announcement email. The Power, by
Naomi Alderman
is the telling of the future, but shared with the past. It's the story of an awakening that brings revolution, Women's Lib and so much more. But is The Power powerful enough to make for an excellent and original read? #element-8b5b464d-112c-47b4-80b3-a4c877c13c73 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
When I purchased this audiobook, I'd hoped to be drawn in hook, line and sinker. What I ended up with was a disappointment. I'm not bad-mouthing the book, because it's written well. It's unique in what's happening and how, but I just found myself lost more so in the narrator's voice than what she was actually saying.Narrated by
The book shares political ideas and views on how men are supposedly superior to women in every way, through news reports and experiences. But what if woman suddenly gained an advantage? Would the world truly become a better place, or would they, like most powerful men, exploit their gifts? There are cults created, riots break out, everyone's trying to find their place in the world when this "Even" strikes up. Through the lives of three particular women and one man, the story shows how chaotic things can be should a major shift affect the social dynamic.
Though it was interesting, it just was not what I'd expected. I desired so much more. I can honestly say, it's not a bad book- just not for me. Fair enough? I'll leave it at that and say if you like The Handmaid's Tale, you may like this- but it's not the same in the least.
I'm off to the next read. Cheers!
The Power
Naomi Alderman
Little, Brown and Company, October 2017
416 pages/12 Hr 5 min audiobook
Science Fiction/Fantasy/Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian
Subhuman: Unit 51
A series by Michael McBride
Narrated by Neil Hellegers
If you like movie titles like Alien: AVP, The Thing, The Colony and books from your high school biology and history and geography classes? Well, this book in a nutshell is for you! There's a team on the furthest end of the world, looking at bones dubbed "eggheads". Their skulls are massive, their teeth are canine and their visages are gruesome. So what do these adventurers do? They freaking wake the things up! #element-9c01338d-4a46-460a-86eb-c19d735c761a .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Subhuman: Unit 51, by
Michael McBride,
is about a team recruited to research a lost civilization, surrounded by a sort of necropolis. Haunting, ancient and cursed, the team discover the intelligence of such a savage race can be bad for your health. Then there's the blood...
I have to admit, when I began reading this book, I was bored outta my freaking skull! Probably because my head isn't as large as the skulls of these monsters. The voice talent of Neil Hellegers, to me, was a huge mistake. His voice was equivalent to a windmill- no lie! It was monotonous and the book was filled with pregnant pauses in his reading. He made it terribly easy for me to phase out during all the explanatory ties of the book. None of it was interesting to me, thanks to the stodgy info-dump that took like all of part one of the book!. Not until they opened up Pandora's box and woke the monsters.
To me, the book was like reading AVP, but they weren't in a maze, they were in a research station in the Antarctic. Which brought me the impression of The Thing, Except the things weren't absorbing the living, they were attacking and killing/eating or the dead or changing them, like in The Colony. It just made me thing of so many other movies, that it didn't feel original.And the characters, as intelligent as they were really didn't make educated decisions. Then if they did, they vanished into the air ducts- like in Alien 3!! It didn't impress me. Sorry.
Maybe you'll like it. I probably won't be purchasing the rest of the series. The shift from extreme science fiction to horror was lopsided to me. It wasn't balanced and the monster- I'm sorry, xenomorph wasn't original. I'm off to the next read.
Cheers! Subhuman: Unit 51
Michael McBride
Published by Tantor Audio, October 2017
Running Time: 11 hours, 5 minutes
Narrated by Neil Hellegers
If you like movie titles like Alien: AVP, The Thing, The Colony and books from your high school biology and history and geography classes? Well, this book in a nutshell is for you! There's a team on the furthest end of the world, looking at bones dubbed "eggheads". Their skulls are massive, their teeth are canine and their visages are gruesome. So what do these adventurers do? They freaking wake the things up! #element-9c01338d-4a46-460a-86eb-c19d735c761a .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Subhuman: Unit 51, by
Michael McBride,
is about a team recruited to research a lost civilization, surrounded by a sort of necropolis. Haunting, ancient and cursed, the team discover the intelligence of such a savage race can be bad for your health. Then there's the blood...I have to admit, when I began reading this book, I was bored outta my freaking skull! Probably because my head isn't as large as the skulls of these monsters. The voice talent of Neil Hellegers, to me, was a huge mistake. His voice was equivalent to a windmill- no lie! It was monotonous and the book was filled with pregnant pauses in his reading. He made it terribly easy for me to phase out during all the explanatory ties of the book. None of it was interesting to me, thanks to the stodgy info-dump that took like all of part one of the book!. Not until they opened up Pandora's box and woke the monsters.
To me, the book was like reading AVP, but they weren't in a maze, they were in a research station in the Antarctic. Which brought me the impression of The Thing, Except the things weren't absorbing the living, they were attacking and killing/eating or the dead or changing them, like in The Colony. It just made me thing of so many other movies, that it didn't feel original.And the characters, as intelligent as they were really didn't make educated decisions. Then if they did, they vanished into the air ducts- like in Alien 3!! It didn't impress me. Sorry.
Maybe you'll like it. I probably won't be purchasing the rest of the series. The shift from extreme science fiction to horror was lopsided to me. It wasn't balanced and the monster- I'm sorry, xenomorph wasn't original. I'm off to the next read.
Cheers! Subhuman: Unit 51
Michael McBride
Published by Tantor Audio, October 2017
Running Time: 11 hours, 5 minutes
