Book Review - Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Title: Then She Was Gone
Series: -
Author: Lisa Jewell
 
Description: She was fifteen, her mother’s golden child. She had her whole life ahead of her. And then, in the blink of an eye, Ellie was gone.
 
It’s been ten years since Ellie disappeared, but Laurel has never given up hope of finding her daughter. And then one day a charming and charismatic stranger called Floyd walks into a café and sweeps Laurel off her feet. Before too long she’s staying the night as his house and being introduced to his nine year old daughter. Poppy is precocious and pretty, and meeting her completely takes Laurel’s breath away. Because Poppy is the spitting image of Ellie when she was that age. And now all those unanswered questions that have haunted Laurel come flooding back. What happened to Ellie? Where did she go? Who still had secrets to hide?
 
Review: “Then She Was Gone” is a story in which everything revolves around the missing Ellie, a family tragedy one would not wish on anyone.
 
Laurel and Paul Mack have an average family with three children and lead a happy life until their daughter Ellie disappears. After that, no day is ever the same and the marriage is suffering. It eventually ends in divorce.
 
The family members each deal with the loss of Ellie differently and each tries to pick up life in their own way. The storyline is overall very predictable and doesn’t feel original. There are many red flags for characters, that eventually turned out to be correct and many things that happened, I expected to happen. This book didn’t do much for me.
 
Lisa Jewell’s writing style is pleasant to read though. Short chapters from different character’s perspectives. But in general, I don’t think Jewell’s stories are for me. I somehow never really got into this book, it never grabbed or captivated me fully. And it was way too predictable for my liking.
 
Rating: 2, 5/ 5

Book Review - Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam

Title: Leave the World Behind
Series: -
Author: Rumaan Alam
 
Description: Amanda and Clay head out to a remote corner of Long Island expecting a vacation: a quiet reprieve from life in New York City, quality time with their teenage son and daughter, and a taste of the good life in the luxurious home they rented for the week. But a late-night knock on the door breaks the spell. Ruth and G.H. are an older black couple. It’s their house, and they’ve arrived in a panic. They bring the news that a sudden blackout has swept the city. But in this rural area, with the TV and internet down, and no cell phone service, it’s hard to know that to believe.
 
Should Amanda and Clay trust this couple, and vice versa? What happened back in New York? Is the vacation home, isolated from civilization, a truly safe place for their families? And are they safe from one another?
 
Review: Amanda and Clay are vacationing in a remote home, together with their teenage son and daughter, when they hear a knock on the door in the middle of the night. It’s Ruth and G.H., the owners of the house and clearly rushed to the house in a panic. Back in New York City there is a black out, but no one knows what is really going on. With no cell phone service and TV, there is no way to find out.
 
“Leave the World Behind” deals with a very serious theme, but the approach is small. The intrigue is in the details. Author Rumaan Alam is very good at making seemingly nothing happen, but at the same time setting the tension to the point where, as a reader, you don’t want to put the book down. If you expect big action, you will be disappointed. It’s best to go in blank before you start reading this book.
 
While reading this book, you’re constantly asking yourself questions. Who are these people, what is going on, who can be trusted? And you have no idea what is going to happen. This books is definitely not for everyone. I would understand if people say this book is boring and that would be their reason to disliking the story. It’s true that not a lot happens, but there is so much tension felt constantly and the characters are very interesting and mysterious. And I just wanted to find out what was going on.
 
I’m so surprised by how much I loved this book. I loved the approach Alam went with for this theme. Not your typical apocalyptic story.
 
Rating: 5/ 5

20s Movie Review - Amsterdam

Director: David O. Russell
Genre: Comedy/ Mystery
Runtime: 134 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Christian Bale, John David Washington, Margot Robbie, Rami Malek, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert De Niro, Andrea Riseborough, Chris Rock, Alessandro Nivola, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Shannon, Mike Myers, Zoe Saldana, Taylor Swift, Timothy Olyphant

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 30: A MYSTERY MOVIE
 
Description: In the 1930s, three friends (Christian Bale, John David Washington, Margot Robbie) witness a murder, are framed for it, and uncover one of the most outrageous plots in American history.

Review: Burt Berendsen is an American doctor and a war veteran. He practices specifically for fellow veterans. Many of these patients need experimental surgery and pain relief, and the last he tests himself. He and his friend Harold Woodman, an African-American lawyer and fellow veteran, stumble upon a sinister plot surrounding the death of a former general. They will try and solve this mystery, together with their other friend, nurse Valerie.

This film is star-studded, it has the best of the best. Besides the three mains stars, Christian Bale, John David Washington and Margot Robbie, there is Rami Malek, Anya Taylor-Joy, Michael Shannon, Mike Myers, Chris Rock and Robert De Niro, among many others. It’s an entertaining back and forth between all these movie stars. The trio of Robbie, Bale and Washington is a delight to watch. They are an odd trio, a group you wouldn’t pair, but work perfectly together.

The story flies all over the place, and I’m still a bit in confused to why the movie title is “Amsterdam”, but this was a fun and highly enjoyable comedic mystery. I believe it deserves way more praise then it’s getting.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Review - Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Thriller
Runtime: 163 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, Esai Morales, Cary Elwes.
 
Description: Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team must track down a dangerous weapon before it falls into the wrong hands.

Review: Master spy Ethan Hunt is back in “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”, already part seven within the franchise. And aside from the second film in this series, which is the odd one out, the Mission: Impossible franchise is very solid and I liked or loved every single one of these films. You can say it’s a fairly consistent series. “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” has so far been my favorite, and after seeing this seventh installment it still is. “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” does not reach the same level, but nevertheless remains a strong sequel, that will most definitely end up on my favorites list at the end of the year.

Tom Cruise wouldn’t be Tom Cruise if he didn’t, yet again, do some crazy stunts. Jumping off a cliff on a motorcycle is a cake walk for Cruise, but him risking his life like that gives the audience an authentic movie experience. “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” contains plenty of practically shot action. And the action is what these movies excel at. That aforementioned stunt is a one to look forward too, but an exciting car chase through the streets of Rome and a derailed train scene are gems as well. That last one was my favorite part.

The seventh film collects successful plot points and elements from previous volumes and merges them together. Every time I watch one of these movies, I feel like I want to be a spy too. Ethan Hunt has such a solid team behind him. But this time they have a smaller role than usual. Which was my only critique. We did get a new great addition though, in the form of Hayley Atwell. She is amazing in this film and I hope (and predict) she will be in the next film as well.

They cleverly added “Part One” to the film title, so people know this film might end on a cliffhanger and with several loose ends. I can’t wait for this story to continue, because all Mission: Impossible film deliver and excel in their action sequences and stunt work.

Rating: 4/ 5

Summerween 2023 - Wrap-Up

Summerween has been over for a while now, but I have finished all the books I had set for my TBR. All five I have read physically, which is kind of a big deal. Okay, I specifically picked shorter books (not all though), to make it more achievable. But still. You can check out the original post for my Summerween TBR HERE

I made a prediction for how I would rank them. And this is what I thought the top 5 would be:
1. Coraline by Neil Gaiman

2. What Lies Between Us by John Marrs

3. Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

4. Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

5. The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean

I was very sure about my number one, the rest I just winged. I put the Will Dean book last because that was the book I knew the least about. Turns out, this was my actual ranking at the and of the readathon!!! 

Here are some short thoughts on each book, per prompt, with links to the full review:

Prompt 1: Read a book in the dark

Slaugtherhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut

A unique book, which I highly enjoyed, but is definitely not for everyone. It constantly jumps back and forth in time and it deals with alien abduction. I love Vonnegut's writing. Read my full review HERE

Rating: 4/ 5

Prompt 2: Read a Thriller

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs

A fast-paced and exciting thriller. Just when you think you've figured it out, it goes in a different direction. Hard to put down and again a great John Marrs thriller. Not all twists are as surprising, but the ending was. HERE is my full review. 

Rating 4,5/ 5

Prompt 3: Read a book that takes place in the fall

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

A modern fairytale, a magical yet creepy read. Quick and original, with beautiful illustrations and fantastic characters. Great for adults and kids. Click HERE to check out my full review. 

Rating:5/ 5

Prompt 4: Read a book with orange or black on the cover

The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean

A story that had potential, but didn't use it to the fullest. i didn't enjoy this book. only the first 20 percent maybe, but then it became repetitve and boring. Would not reccommend. HERE is my full review. 

Rating: 2/ 5

Prompt 5: Read a manga, graphic novel or novella

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

A classic story, which would be perfect for those who haven't delved into to classic yet. This is a good one to start with. The infamous plot twist is well-written and I really wonder how people back in the day responded to reading that for the first time. It was a fine read, but in the end it never captivated or grabbed me. HERE is my full review. 

Rating: 3/ 5

My average rating for this readaton is: 3,8

I did well, in general. One 5-star book, I'm happy about that. Just a shame for that one 2-star book though. I had made this TBR beforehand, but it's not something I'm going to continue. I prefer to read whatever I'm in the mood for, not a set TBR. So, back to mood reading now. 

10s Movie Review - What We Did On Our Holiday

Director: Andy Hamilton, Guy Jenkin
Genre: Comedy/ Dram
Runtime: 95 minutes
Year: 2014
Starring: David Tennant, Rosamund Pike, Billy Connelly, Ben Miller, Emilia Jones, Bobby Smalldridge, Harriet Turnbull, Amelia Bullmore, Celia Imre

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 29: A MOVIE SET IN THE SUMMER
 
Description: A family of five heads to Granddad’s nig 75^th-birthday party at an uncle’s estate in rural Scotland. The parents (Rosamund Pike, David Tennant) are separated and hope their three kids won’t mention it. The kids love, can talk with, and would do anything for Granddad.

Review: The marriage of Doug and Abi is on the verge of collapsing. But they have to keep it a secret for Doug’s dad Gordie, who is sick and might not have that long to live. That’s more difficult than it sounds, because Doug and Abi are visiting Gordie for his 75^th birthday in Scotland and are taking their three young children with them. And they need to keep the secret too.

I didn’t know much about this film, but it pleasantly surprised me. It takes some time to get going, but once we’re in the story it is such a fun film. The script is fresh and the setting is gorgeous.

Rosamune Pike, David Tennant and Billy Connolly are the big names, but it’s the three kids that steal the show. Such heartwarming and endearing performances by all three, especially in combination with Connolly, who is their granddad.

A good tragic-comedic film, perfect length and endearing roles for three talented children.

Rating: 4 / 5

Book Review - Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Title: Coraline
Series: -
Author: Neil Gaiman
 
Description: There is something strange about Coraline’s new home. It’s not the mist, or the cat that always seems to be watching her, not the signs of danger that Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, her new neighbors, read in the tea leaves. It’s the other house, the one behind the old in the drawing room. Another mother and father with black-button eyes and papery skin are waiting for Coraline to join them there. And they want her to stay with them. Forever. She knows that is she ventures through that door, she may never come back.
 
Review: Coraline and het family have just moved into a large house. The house is so big, it is divided into four apartments. Coraline and her parents live on the second floor, with elderly ladies Spink and Forcible among them. On the attic floor love a crazy old man who is training a mouse circus. The fourth house, next to Coraline’s apartment, is empty.
 
One day, Coraline finds a door, and when she opens it she walks into an apartment that looks exactly like hers. But better. The food is tastier, the toys are nicer and even her parents are there. But they are different, have black-button eyes and papery white skin. The ‘other mother’ wants Coraline to stay with her forever, but Coraline really wants to go back. But she finds out her actual parents have been stolen.
 
“Coraline” is definitely an extraordinary book. The characters are apt and well developed, with Coraline herself as the leading role. She is a delightful headstrong girl, which is especially evident in the dialogues with her eccentric roommates. The setting is also perfectly chosen. And old house with a dilapidated garden quickly evokes associations of all sorts of ghost stories.
 
“Coraline” is an exceptional and original story, that read like a modern fairy tale, and cannot be compared to any other book I have read. I love Neil Gaiman’s writing and world building. He builds the tension, which is well dosed and grimly constant, but is never relies on bombastic scare effects. It relies on a chilling setting, creepy undertones and a series of extraordinary characters.
 
I read the copy with illustrations by Chris Riddell, which are detailed pen drawings that a just a creepy and magical as the story is. A good addition to Gaiman’s book.
 
“Coraline” is exciting, highly original, pleasantly creepy and very quick to read. A highly recommended read, for both adults and children.
 
Rating: 5/ 5