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.