Downsizing

I'm going to be honest, I really had no interest in this seeing this film. I only saw it because company was over and they wanted to see it.
     First off, I was quite surprised with this film. The trailers were very misleading. I thought a comedy of some strange sort, but that wasn't it at all.
     This film actually could have gone several ways, a guy enjoying his fresh start in life, which could have been the comedy story line, but later in the film you start to catch on the true colors of this new "Utopia" when things in the small world still seems to mirror the giant world, not to mention other instances in the film that gets one thinking, I won't go into details, I hate spoilers.
     This movie had one flaw, there's a scene where the size difference is off. The only other thing I have to say about this film is I now see shrinky dinks in a whole new light. Really, not a bad film over all, twist and turns I never expected, but one I could say is probably better to be seen in on a big screen, to get a better feel for being small, or giant. I would say not a bad film to check out, if you want something a bit different.

Found by Harlan Coben

This is the third book in the Mickey Bolitar series. It needs to be read in order. The first one is Shelter.
It’s not just the twists and turns, and the surprises along the way that makes this installment as good as the first in the series. That does help make a good and enjoyable roller coaster of a story, it’s the believability of the characters.
I have read other YA books, and some have been good up to the point of “happily” ever after endings tied up in a neat bow, or a story with such potential but the actions of characters seemed so false and fake.
Coben understands the importance of real characters. Whether those characters live in a space ship, play with dragons, or live in the 1800’s, they must feel like the reader could meet them, talk to them, be in their world and its refreshing for me to see a story end without a tidy red bow making the characters have their happy ending.
From what I understand, this is the last Mickey Bolitar book, though by the time Mickey finally gets the answers about his father, I won’t spoil anything, but there definitely room for at least one more book.
I may hate red bow endings, but I dislike certain questions hanging in the air when a series ends. But besides this, Found is a wonderful final? Ride with Mickey, Ema, and Spoon. Glad I gave this series a try. Worth the time investment to read.

Operation Hailstorm by Brad Arquette

Enter a world eerily like the real world. Perhaps an alternate 21^st century we live in now.

      One major event alters the world and forever changes the lives of many. One of these people, Marshall Hale has taken it on himself to take out one terrorist at a time. He has now put himself on the gameboard of spies, lies, and politics.

     Add in a CIA agent, the President of the USA, and the FBI, all focused on stopping the enemy from getting the fire power to take out the USA. But as always when it comes to politics, the waters are murky and muddy…

     I listened to the audiobook version of this story. I was given it for free in return of leaving a review on it.

     I have never read anything by Brad Arquette before, nor had I heard of his other books. So I had no idea what to expect.

     It started a bit slow for me but once it got moving I started to like the story, and the characters becoming much more interesting. Though it reminded me a little of James Rollins and his Sigma series, this story doesn’t have lots of action sequences in it, but it still moves at a steady pace. It has a real feel to it, more of an actual progression of the mission, as I could visualize it in real life. Going down.

      An interesting story worth the time to read or listen too.

Into the Fire by Jeanine Frost

This is the fourth and final book in The Night Prince series. It must be read in order and the first book is Once Burned.

     The hunt is on for a way to free Leila from the curse that bonds her to Mircea. They need to find him first, and that is only one of the obstacles they face. Someone is using Mircea to manipulate Vlad, because now he has his own kryptonite. He will do anything to protect the woman he loves, and the person or persons in the shadows know this.

     This final installment is well woven and even finally answers some key questions about Leila and her powers. Plus, it sets up her next series, that is also set in The Night Huntress World of vampires, with Veritas and Ian.

     I will miss Vlad, and maybe Leila, she did sort of grow on me. A well done, not disappointing ending to this series.

Darkness Raging by Yasmine Galenorn

 This is part of the Otherworld or Sisters of the Moon series, which needs to be read in order. The first book is Witchling.

     This installment is from Menolly's perspective. This is one of those critical turning point tales in a series. The one that begins to set up those big changes for the eventual end game.
     Again a wonderful tale, that twists and turns as it goes on. This time, everyone's world is going to change, some changes bigger than the others, some expected to an extent while others not so much.
     This time the sisters are the target of three demon assassins. If that wasn't enough, Blood Wyne, Queen of all Vampires have plans for Menolly, and if that isn't enough, a major battle must commence  to help the Elves, and then if things weren't hectic enough, Nerissa gets taken to the Subterranean Realms and is being ransomed, for a cost that could never be paid without sacrificing everything the sisters and their allies have fought for.
   
   

Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews

This is part of the Kate Daniels series which needs to be read in order. The first book is Magic Bites.

     A lot has changed for Kate since she was a mercenary and now all she wants to do is marry the man she loves, but the future is anything but bright. A seer has foretold that if Kate marries she loses the man she loves, if she takes the fork to the left, she loses the man she loves and the child of that love, and Atlanta falls.

     But Kate has never played by the rules, and she isn’t about to. The future can be pliable to an extent if a big enough change occurs. So, Kate comes up with one huge Gambit, that requires her fiancé’s help, and one chancy move that could backfire in her face.

     And so, Kate begins to change her fate, one step at a time, but will it be enough to get the life she so desires.

     This is one of those pivotal series books. There are several revelations, and some aren’t just about Kate. The story grabs you and takes you on a wild ride. Another worth reading installment, and thankfully, no surprise deaths. I will always miss Aunt B. 

The Seventh Plague by James Rollins (audio book )

I actually got introduced to James Rollins thanks to a buy two and get one free paper book sale. However, I wasn't aware the book was third in the Sigma series. But it didn't matter. I fell in love with the Sigma series.
     Its better to read The Sigma Force books in order. The first is Sandstorm.
I have always liked the way Rollins blends, historical facts, science truths, throw in a bit of espionage and adventure, and perfectly blended into a wonder work of fiction.
     Like the last book, there are some interesting animals which I enjoy that addition. They fit in such a way that it just adds a bit more to the tale, in a way that humans just can't.
     This book connects several characters from Sandstorm, therefore bringing the Sigma Force tales full circle, which I really liked.
     Like all books in this series, it starts with a bang and keeps on going. It all starts with  a missing scientist, a virus that is much more than what it seems, and a search for the cure that leads to several astonishing discoveries. And add two assassins to the mix, remnants of the Guild, into the mix and once again, Rollins doesn't disappoint.
     Can't wait for the next installment.
   

Shadow Silence by Yasmine Galernorn

This is the second book in The Whisper Hollows series. They need to be read in order and the first book is Autumn Thorns.

I got introduced to Galernorn through her Sisters of the Otherworld series, and loved the characters that inhabit her wonderfully fantastic world so when this series debut, I was interested.
     In Shadow Silence, Kerris is delving deeper into her destined role as Spirit Shaman. She's been at it for six months now, and the darkness has begun to inch closer to Whisper Hollow.
     Her life once again gets shaken to the core. Her best friend, Peggin, gets nearly taken by The Lady of the Lake, but being rescued has left her cursed to be bound to the Lady of the Lake.
     To add to her troubles, the Shadow Men are becoming stronger, and causing more trouble. The Crone is weaving her web of destruction for Whisper Hollow, and once again Kerris and her allies, have there hands full, with a town to protect and a friend's curse to break...
     This tale weaves more myth and legend of Whisper Hollow and its world. As before a wonderful balance of story, and character relationships. Definitely can't wait for the next chapter of Whisper Hollows.

Day Shift by Charlaine Harris (audio book)

This is the second book in The Midnight trilogy. The first book is Midnight Crossroad. The television show Midnight, Texas is based on this series is good though it is a much more blended mix of the three books, to some extent, and is a revved-up Midnight. I still could see the author writing that way, and that makes it a good series.

     Midnight’s having a small population boom, one the locals aren’t embracing. The old motel is being brought back to life, and things seem a bit fishy. In Dallas, Olivia’s past gradually gets revealed when Manfred and Olivia cross paths, and Manfred discovers how Olivia makes a living.

     Then things get interesting. Manfred’s client passes away at a reading, and he’s suspect for the crime, and that’s just the beginning.

     In Midnight, the Rev is left with the charge of a young boy who is more than what meets the eye, and so begins another wonderfully weaved tale that gives a bit more hints of the characters and their lives. A few wonderful twists and turns along the way, and in the end, another surprise ending.

      As for the narrator, she was pleasant and did a decent voice job, though no one so far, has compared to Royce Dotrice from Game of Thrones  audio books.

War Hawk by James Rollins

War Hawk is the second book in the Tucker Wayne series, which is a spinoff from The Sigma Series books. The first book for Tucker Wayne is Kill Switch. Sandstorm is the first Sigma series story.

     One could probably read this book without reading the first one, but I would suggest reading in order. I love that this book has a dog as one of the main characters and not only that, but every so often you get a glimpse of how his canine minds work, which I like.

     This installment gives the reader a glimpse into Tucker’s past. As usual, Lames Rollins doesn’t fail when it comes to weaving a good yarn that balances history, science, and fiction in such a way that it all seems possible.

     As usual a well-designed coaster ride, from start to finish. Beautifully designed characters in a world you never mind revisiting.

     Worth reading.

                                                                                                                                

Dunkirk

The previews of this film had me hopeful it would be one of those good historical war films that I might watch again and again. Sad to say, it fell short.

     This film had potential to be so much more engrossing but fell short. The film has the action, no doubt about that, and it can be gripping experience but the film has more of a feel of a re-enacted documentary, just missing some narrator voice filling in the facts.

     The documentary feel is partially due that this film takes place in four fronts. If done right, this isn’t an issue, but one does have to pay close attention to what is going on, because it does jump around backing up a little at times.

     The documentary feel comes from the lack of the audience to really immerse themselves completely into what is going on because it’s hard to connect to any characters and care what is going on. Four fronts of the story don’t help this. Those fronts are officers at Dunkirk, soldiers at Dunkirk, British pilots, and the civilian crew going to rescue soldiers.

     There are a couple of moments that one connects to characters, but it’s hard when your kind of just thrown into the war, not getting a chance to really connect to anyone. Yes, you don’t want characters dying, but you don’t get that white knuckle, hold breath kind of feel for most characters, like you should at certain times.

    Over all, it was a decent film, but worth the time seeing it in a theater, not so sure it’s worth it.

Baby Driver

OK, I admit this was not one of those I was wanting to see films. I saw it because company wanted to see it. But I was pleasantly surprised.
     I love the way the songs fit in to the film. This approach has been used in other films, such as American Graffiti. It adds a layer to the film that makes the story a bit more.
     The film moved well till about the last twenty minutes or so where it seemed to have taken a strange detour and the story just got muddied up. Critics thought so too. But otherwise, I really enjoyed this film, which was a surprise to me.
     Looking for something to go see, I'd say give this a chance. Its a pretty good film, not a waste of time, a pleasant surprise.
   

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

I loved the first film, and yes, I understand that volume 2 is an important installment of this series because it explores the past of the characters, which is important, and understand that.
     But this felt a tad too long to me, the first did not. The story was a bit odd overall, to me, but not bad. Baby Groot was a scene stealer, a highlight of the film. It was good film over all, like I said one of those needed installments but never the best of the film series. Can't wait to see Vol. 3.

Wonder Woman

     This was one of the few films that were comic book based that I wanted to see. Its about time they had a female led hero comic film.
     This is definitely one of the best origin story films I have seen.
A good story that flows with the right bits of romance, fights, comedy, and life moments perfectly balanced. You can tell the cast has good chemistry. It was an interesting tale, never dull and you got lost in the tale.
     Wonder woman kicks butt. Its about time she made it to the big screen. Worth seeing. Wonder Woman done right.

Midnight : Crossroad by Charlaine Harris

This is the first book in the Midnight, Texas trilogy which needs to be read in order.

Welcome to Midnight, Texas. The one horse, I mean stop light town where the locals are friendly, and the community is close knit. There is only one rule, don't ask too many questions, for the townsfolk hold there secrets close, and some secrets run deep.
     I like how the reader follows the new guy, Manfred into town instead of just jumping into the story. This approach works well with this tale.
     Soon after Manfred arrives in town, things start to get interesting. A dead body is discovered, and bit by bit, the world of Midnight gets turned upside down.
     Along the way, Harris leaves bread crumbs about characters and future threats, which flow well with the story and never clogged it up. Somethings are answered fully while others are left in the air, and hopefully answered in the next to books.
     There is a series coming out based on the this trilogy. Midnight, Texas. If you like this book and haven't read The Sookie Stackhouse series, the one True Blood TV show was based on, its really good and the first is Dead Until Dark.
     Definitely, a good read.

Alien : Covenant

This is part of the Alien series. This installment takes place ten years after Prometheus which is the prequel to Alien.
     I have seen all the all the Alien installments. Nothing beats Alien. Having said that, I was not surprised that I left Prometheus disappointed.
     The trailers for Covenant looked much more promising. The  Alien Franchise is back and that is partially due to the original Alien director. This was better balanced with story, character, and Alien action. Not having seen Prometheus would not be a problem. Gaps are filled in.
     A pretty good sci-fi horror flick. Worth seeing in the theater. But Alien will always be the best in the franchise. Two and Three were pretty good and Resurrection was ok. JUst in case you were wondering what I thought.

Nemesis Games by James S.A. Corey

This is part of The Expanse Series that needs to be read in order. The first book is Leviathan Wakes. The series also has a show on SYFY, The Expanse which has already had two seasons and renewed for a third. Personally, I love the show at it is how I found out about the books and fell in love with them too.
     This is one of those pivotal books in the series. It has all led up to this, the moment that everything changes and will never be the same again.
     Nemesis Games opens the floodgates to the past and for the first time in a long time, the crew splits into different directions. The Roci is in dire need of a lot of repairs and tlc. So no contracts opens the door for Alex to return to Mars, to deal with some dreams of his ex, Amos, heads to Earth to say goodbye to a person he considered family, and Naomi's past resurfaces and she has no choice but to face it head long, and alone. Jim stays with the Roci, and by the end of the novel, everything will be up side down, relationships tested, and new threats will emerge.
     As always this series has a good balance of characters, power plays, and twists that make you want to read more. I will admit this wasn't my favorite installment and I do understand that in order to work the crew had to be separated but I enjoy it when the crew of  The Roci are closer together. But still, an excellent installment in the series.
   
     

The Drafter by Kim Harrison

Sorry, this post is much later than I intended.

What price would you be willing to pay if you could create an alternate timeline?

     Kim Harrison, does it again, she creates a world where the impossible becomes reality. In this debut of The Peri Reed Chronicles, there are three type of people in the world. The normal human beings. Then there are the small percentage with amazing power, one can rewrite a timeline, the drafter. But the drafter’s ability comes with a high price, and part of that price is the dependence on The Anchor, who can handle two timelines and with training can keep a Drafter sane.

     The government has found and trained these individuals to be used as agents of a sort. Ones who are unknown to the public and stay in the shadows. One of these agents, Peri Reed, a Drafter has her life turned upside when she is listed as a double agent…

     This book soon grabs hold of the reader and leads them through a twisted maze, and by the time the exit of the maze is found, the reader cannot wait to enter the next maze and see where it goes.

     Definitely, wanting to read book two. I first fell in love with Kim Harrison in her Rachel Morgan or also known as The Hollows series. If interested the first book is Dead Witch Walking.

The Horse : The Epic History of Our Noble Companion

I don’t usually read a lot of non-fiction books, but this one was given as a gift, so I read it.

     I really enjoyed this book. For a non-fiction novel it was very interesting and enlightening look at the history of the horse. The author does a good job, mingling her life and what she learned in a relevant and attention keeping way.

     I can see why this author made the New York bestseller list.

     This book is a great gift for any horse lover, or someone just interested in learning more about the horse.

Flight by Death by Yasmine Galernorn

     This is the first in the Fly by Night Series. There is an e-book prequel that is Flight from Hell, and I always try to read those if I can, before reading the first in a series.  It’s always a good way to see if it’s worth investing time into a new series.

     This is also a spin off series from the Sisters of the Moon series book, though you don’t have to be really familiar with that series to get into this book.

     A person from Alex Radcliffe’s past has asked for his help. An investment in an old house to be refurbished as a bed and breakfast is not going as planned. The house appears to be haunted, so Alex takes on the case, after all, he runs his own supernatural investigations service.

     But as when it comes to the supernatural, one thing can be something completely different.

This story is a perfect blend of lively characters, a good mystery, that beautifully flows, and by the end, leaves one wanting to see what comes next.

Deceptions by Kelley Armstrong

This is the third book in The Cainesville Series. It needs to be read in order. The first book is Omens.

     Olivia has gotten away from her whirlwind mess of a life, if only for a brief moment. But once again she is drawn back to Cainesville, and this installment, more of the truth is revealed, and in the end, there are several big revelations that will forever change Olivia and those around her.

     This tale does a good job balancing out the simple and mundane with the supernatural and manages to move in a way that grabs the reader and leads them on a wonderful ride, leaving one wanting to know what will happen to Olivia and those she cares for.

Cursed by S.J. Harper

This is the first book in The Fallen Siren series. I would suggest reading the novella, Captured first. It comes in a hard copy format. That story introduces the characters and gives the reader a taste of their world. Its a good way to see if you like the series.
     This story moves well, like the novella, and has a few twists you never see coming. It all starts with a missing artist, and from there, as the case evolves, so does Emma and her feelings for her new partner, who she has worked with in the past.
     Each clue, leads them to the unbelievable closing of this case, one that will shake the mortal and supernatural worlds, as well as Emma's.
     A definite good read. A new world I can get lost in, and characters I truly like.

Bound by Flames by Jeanine Frost

     This is the third book in a four book series. Once Burned is the first book in The Night Prince series. These books do need to be read in order.
     In my previous blog entries about this series, I have had a hard time swallowing Leila, as a real character. What I mean as real is could I actually see this person as being in the real world. For two books she felt fake, at times annoying, and not in the way that made her real to me.
     I guess, third time is the charm. I like Leila now, she grew from one dimensional to three. Why did it take so long? I have never had a problem not liking a character, like I have with Leila.
     This book takes place a few months or so since Leila had become a vampire. She and Vlad, have been on the hunt for an enemy from his past, that is out to end Vlad once and for all.
     This book has several twists and turns, and a whopper of an ending, that made this once planned trilogy become four books.
     I really enjoyed this book, more so than the first two but that had to do with Leila.
     This series is connected to The Night Huntress series and world. It can be read alone, but certain characters and plot parts make a bit more sense if you read the Night Huntress Series. If interested, the first book is halfway to the grave.