Book Review: Shadow And Bone

Image Courtesy of Indigo

Summary

Alina was an orphan who grew up to be a cartographer to help navigate through the dangerous Fold. This area was filled with monsters named Volcra who devoured foreign beings that enter their world. This Fold was formed many centuries ago by an evil being. The world was looking for a Grisha, (someone with special powers), who could summon light to destroy the Fold. The leader of the Grisha, the Darkling, was going to find this person and save everyone.

During one adventure into the Fold, Alina suddenly released the power of light when they were attacked. Therefore, the Darkling, took her in and became her guide. He would help train her to use her powers to destroy the Fold. The Fold was the ultimate enemy….not the selfish and snobby Royal Family?

Conclusion

I have to be honest. I watched the series recently and then, decided to read the book. Most of the major themes and scenes matched quite nicely. I really appreciated the imagery that I could conjure from the book.

Love and betrayal was really played up throughout the book. Loyalty to the right side could be in a grey area. Choices could be very confusing.

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Photo Of The Day: Abundance

Vibrant shades

Of pink and fushia

Blooming on the edge

Of the sidewalk

Gently waving

At me

Calling my name

Till I slow down

And admire

Its abundance.

—-Chocoviv

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Book Review: The Bug Job

Image Courtesy of Farrago Books

Summary

Carl was ready to retire from the unit after 26 years in the special unit 351. Just as he was planning his tropical destination, his boss handed him just one last assignment. His assignment was to take out Professor Quigley, who was the Head of the Department of Entomology at a local university. Most importantly, he was a consultant for the Department of Defense, researching how to weaponize dangerous insects. Intel was leaked about how he wanted sell his research to the highest bidder. So, he needed to be take care of… through a work-related accident with insects…..

In order to be successful, Carl contacted Salvatore or “Skinny” the bug specialist, who used his time in jail to achieve an education about entomology. He was pointed out to be the perfect candidate to help Carl to complete this mission. Interestingly enough, Skinny worked at an Entomology Research Centre.

First they had to decide which bugs to use for the mission. Then, they had to figure out how these bugs would be introduced “accidentally “……

Conclusion

As a fan of insects, I found the knowledge listed out by Skinner quite intriguing. The pace picked up and then, I had finished this short story! Now I am interested in the rest of the series.

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Small People, Here’s The Door

Image Courtesy of A Life Outstanding

My ambition was to learn as much knowledge as I can during my own downtime. I enjoyed watching education documentaries and listening to webinars about health. Therefore, sometimes complimentary training samples were sent out. It’s a nice gesture if these companies wanted us to spend an hour or so of our precious time to participate.

In the past, one of the complaints from the main office was the fact that they had to separate out these training samples to be transferred out. Therefore, I tried to have them shipped directly to where I was located at instead. Unfortunately, sometimes this was not available.

SO, I WAS ASKED TO NOT TO DO TOO MANY TRAININGS BECAUSE SOME OTHER PERSON IN THE COMPANY WAS DOING A LOT.

Wow… They had forgotten why staff training was important at any workplace. Adequate training was necessary for the benefit of the company. Those that train more usually were more successful at their work as they possessed the knowledge through training. Plus, all the information that I could retain would benefit everyone around me too!

Yes, these types of comments bothered me and should be ignored. My goal——do what I believe to be correct.

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Book Review: I Will Make You Pay

Image Courtesy of Good Reads

Summary

“I am going to use a cheese wire on you….” An electronic-like voice announced when Alice, a journalist, answered her phone. As a well-known journalist, receiving threatening calls or letters was quite common. But, ones that used a voice modulating device, was very creepy. That was the first Wednesday.

Who was the caller and stalker? Why was he doing this to Alice? Was it an ex from her past? She just couldn’t figure it out….Imagine walking into a coffee shop and the stalker had already ordered her regular order from her local spot for her.

From then on, every Wednesday, this stalker’s threats became more and more scary. From having liquids thrown on her face to expanding to threats to her family. Finally, her boyfriend, Tom, convinced her to hire Mathew, a private investigator to solve this case.

Conclusion

This story was written in three person’s point of view, Alice, Mathew and the mysterious Him. Everyone had their own past experiences. Some were more traumatic than others. Sometimes, things that one believed to be wonderful, could also be devastating to another.

The ending was a complete surprise with a few excellent twists!

Trigger warning: Themes of child abuse

Netflix Series: Shadow And Bone

Image Courtesy of IMDb

Summary

Alina was an orphan, who grew up in an orphanage with her best friend, Mal. On the day that they were to be tested to see if they had special powers as Grishas, was worried that she was one. She used a self injury trick, so she was guaranteed to stay with Mal as a regular mortal.

As young adults, both served in an army to help find ways to conquer through the Fold. This dark and dangerous fold contained Volcra, the monstrous creatures. According to the legend, the Dark Heretic was an extremely powerful Grisha, who created the Fold when he became power hungry and wanted to destroy his enemies.

One day, when they were attacked by the Volcra as they were travelling through the Fold, a creature was attacking Mal and as another grabbed her, an enormous beam of light blasted around her body. This beam destroyed the creatures around their vessel! She was actually the legendary Sun Summoner! Alina could be their solution to destroying this monstrous Fold! However, now she became the target of many greedy souls…..

Conclusion

Apparently in this fantasy world, Su Han was the enemy territory and Alina was half-Su Han. As looking half-Su Han (I saw this as equivalent to half-Asian in real life), she lived with racism and prejudice her entire life. This constant bullying made to her stronger and more independent at a young age.

I haven’t read the trilogy that this series was adapted from yet. Therefore, I couldn’t comment if it followed the books faithfully. However, the theme of growing up as the despised and into the sought after Legend made it a feel-good series. There were some twists in the plot as characters begin to show their true colours.

The ending definitely hinted that a second season would be coming someday!

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Art Inspiration: Donuts, Anyone?

Glazed

Jelly-filled

Sprinkles

All over

Each sweet

And delicious

Mouthful

Is a perfect partner

To a cup of Java.

——Chocoviv

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Book Review: Our Little Lies

Image Courtesy of Indigo

Summary

Marianne’s husband, Simon, was a charming and handsome surgeon, whom all the women drooled after. She lived in a beautiful townhome with her stepdaughter and twin boys. Simon believed that everyone had a price, so as long as he wanted it, he would pay for it. He believed that his family deserved the best. Simon was so perfect. Unfortunately, Marianne was never good enough as a wife or mother in his eyes. He demanded perfection in Marianne. She was nothing without him. It was her incompetence that made him look elsewhere. According Simon, Marianne didn’t need friends or hobbies that made her happy. The children and the beautiful home should be enough to make her happy. He made sure she was taking her medication to deal with her anxiety. Higher doses would placate her and stopped her jealousy from causing more problems. She was the crazy one that needed electro-shock therapy to fix her stupid mind. That was his idea. She was always imagining that he was cheating on her.

After years of therapy, Marianne thought that she was fixed. Receiving a bouquet of flowers weekly showed his loved for her. He wasn’t cheating…. it was all in her head. Until one day, he blurted out a name, Caroline……

Conclusion

From the start of the book, I had a feeling that Simon was not the perfect husband. I could tell in the conversations that he was a narcissistic jerk that even his daughter disliked his comments towards other mothers at the school. For those that have been in relationships where the other person constantly belittled, gaslighted and criticized their partner, the story had many trigger points.

Many times I got so angry at Simon. He was so hypocritical! Everyone had to respect his privacy, while he could just walk into Marianne’s craft room anytime. That’s because her craft was not important to him, even though it actually helped his wife to be less anxious. Her only job in life was to serve him and the children. How selfish!

First Dazzling Blogger Award

Thank you, Crispy Confessions, for nominating me on this first Dazzling Blogger Award!

The Official Rules

1. Thank the person who nominated you for The Dazzling Blogger Award.
2. Link back to the original blog post.
3. Answer the seven questions that they asked on their blog post.
4. Make up seven new questions.
5. Nominate seven more people for The Dazzling Blogger Award, who you think exemplifies excellent blogging skills.

The 7 Questions

1. What is one life lesson that you learned during the Covid-19 pandemic? Being laid off was a blessing in disguise
2. What was the catalyst for you wanting to start blogging? My contract as a blogger for business ended
3. What are seven things that you hope to accomplish within the next five years? Grow my blog, IG, Twitter, TikTok platforms. Grow stronger and fitter by the day. Continue to work as a nutritional consultant.
4. What book or movie has been life changing for you? Are you there, it’s me Margaret?
5. What advice would you give to any new blogger? Stay connected
6. What are seven of your favorite things? Food, beauty, art, books, karaoke, dancing, travel
7. In seven words or less, tell me what your blog is about. My daily life

My Questions

1) Where do you want want to travel next?

2) What is your blog about?

3) Last meal that you ate

4) coffee or tea

5) Sweet or savoury

6) Last book you read

7) Link to your latest blog post

My Nominations

https://mindbeautysimplicity.wordpress.com/

https://aboltoutofthebook.wordpress.com/

https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com/

https://lovelyandgrateful.wordpress.com/

https://alwaysneedmorebooks.com/

http://beyondthefrontcover.blog/

https://wordgazingandmagic.wordpress.com/

My Questions

1) In your opinion, what is the most dazzling in the world?

2) What dazzling personality trait do you like the most?

3) Dazzling car or a piece of jewellery?

4) The most dazzling book you have read so far.

5) Who would you want to have dinner with at this moment?

6) Where would you want to travel to after the lockdowns?

7) Leave a link to one of your blog posts to share.

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Book Review: The Widows

Image Courtesy of Amazon

Summary

It was 1924, and Lily’s husband was murdered. Daniel was the sheriff and everyone suspected that the murderer was a rowdy miner who Daniel was transferring to the county jail. In place of her husband, Lily became Ohio’s first female sheriff.

Then, there was Marvena, a miner’s wife. Her husband had died in a mining accident when the cave collapsed. Her older daughter, Ula, had left home and Daniel had promised to look after Ula. She finally decided to find Daniel, not knowing that he was murdered.

When Lily and Marvena got together, they discovered that Daniel had many hidden secrets that connected the two families. Where did he get all that money?

Conclusion

This book was inspired by the true story of Ohio’s first female sheriff. To read about how these two widows were so brave and courageous during the times when women didn’t have high regards from men. Both women had young children to take care of with the absence of their husbands. Marvena also was fighting for the rights of the miners by trying to start a worker’s union too! Amazing!

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