4/5 Stars Venom: Let There Be Carnage

November 21, 2021October 23, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Movie Reviews, superhero Movie Review, Venom 2

Starring: Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson, Naomie Harris, and Michelle Williams

Summary:

Venom is an alien living inside Eddie Brock, a down on his luck in life journalist. The symbiotes have a spat and go their separate ways for a time, which almost turns out disastrously. A serial killer gets a hold of part of the alien creature, developing his own mayhem inducing ability. Carnage ensues.

Additional Comments:

This is a sequel, but you can probably watch it without having seen the first. You’ll likely enjoy it more if you have seen Venom though.
It’s definitely got some slow points, but the setup is worth it.
I enjoyed the drama side where Venom and Eddie were having an emotional crisis.
It’s open to a third movie, but there is enough closure that you feel you have an entire story.
As typical of these kinds of superhero/supervillain movies, there’s massive CGI destruction of property and even a thrilling chase sequence.
The part with Frances Barrister being locked away sort of didn’t make sense to me, but that could be because I haven’t experienced the comics.

Conclusion:

Worth seeing on a big screen.

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Many of my 50 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Awakening – Redeemer Chronicles Book 1, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
The Holy War – Redeemer Chronicles Book 2, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
Reclaim the Darklands – Redeemer Chronicles Book 3, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
River’s Edge Ransom – Prequel to Redeemer Chronicles (Amazon) (email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)

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Devya’s Children Series Links:

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – short stories featuring Jillian. (Amazon) (free codes)
The Dark Side of Science – official prequel to Devya’s Children; Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live. (Amazon) (Please email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift. (Amazon) (free codes)
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma. (Amazon) (free codes)
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother. (Amazon) (free codes)
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble. (Amazon) (free codes)
More Scifi:
Reshner’s Royal Ranger (epic sci-fi) just made it there. (Amazon) (free codes)

Guardian Angel Files:

Spirit’s Bane – Allister and Mina are training to be Guardians. Satan’s out to get them. (Amazon) (free codes)
Kindred Spirits – Mina’s exiled to Earth. Allister’s stuck in the Heavens. (Amazon) (free codes)

4/5 Stars Video Game Review Hogwarts Mystery (iphone)

November 18, 2021October 23, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Fantasy Video Game Review

Summary:

You get to play as a young witch or wizard in the Harry Potter world. It’s a long, drawn out adventure story. I have been playing for a few weeks now. It’s fun but there are certainly annoying points.

Additional Comments:

Pro: Graphics are beautiful.
Con: Load times are annoying.
Neutral: If you’re willing to watch a bajillion of the same ads, you can earn energy.
Ah, energy. It’s probably the sorest point. That’s how they make their money. It takes 4 minutes to get 1 energy, but they will happily give you 3 from time to time if you watch an ad. Those are a sanity and life-saver. I get that they need to make money off the game, but 4 minutes is excessively long when it takes about 30 energy for an hour long quest, 60 for a 3 hour quest and about 100 for an 8 hour quest.
Between ads and bonuses you can find every few hours throughout the castle, you should be able to complete a few quests a day.
Con: Certain story quests lock you in until it’s finished. Most, you can come and go as you please to pick up extra energy, feed a pet, or work on your friendships.
Pro: Year 3 features study with a friend. This is an amazing boost to your friendships.
Neutral: Meal with a friend is okay for building friendships, but they don’t give you a lot of experience and there is a 6-hour cooldown between instances. I’d starve if I went to this school. Playing gobstones gives more XP for building friendships. You kind of have to advance friendships if you want your friends to help you on your crazy quest to find your missing brother.
Pro: Most of the answers to quests are available online. Not sure how I’d have made it without those walkthroughs. Major thanks to those who painstakingly put the lists together.
The story itself is fine, but it’s a little drawn out for the sake of prolonging the game. For example, I’m trying to get the lady in the Three Broomsticks to give me my brother’s quill. She’s using me as an errand girl. At least the collection quests are short so far.
Quiddich is fun. I like the game mechanics. You have to move the cursor into the spheres when it reaches the green part. The quest to join the quidditch team for your house is kind of annoying though. Orion’s a jerk.
Con: I’ve had major connectivity issues. I’m not sure if the blame rests with Jam City (game maker) or Facebook or what, but it still stinks. Thank goodness for Youtube videos that tell you how to preserve a game. Even if it’s FB’s fault, I highly recommend connecting your game. I’ve been restarted twice and gotten my game back through the method in this video.
I played ages ago, but I quit because the dueling annoyed me.
Dueling is now possible against other players. It’s a lot more fun that way.
They’ve also done a lot more work with events. Timed quests can be annoying, but they’re possible if you plan carefully. In that sense, it is a bit of a strategy game.

Conclusion:

It’s not bad for a phone game. A little tedious at points (okay, a lot tedious), but still fun.

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Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

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3.5/5 Stars Viva Jacquelina!

November 6, 2021October 23, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks Bloody Jack Series, Katherine Kellgren, L.A. Meyer

Performance 5

Story 3 Stars

Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

Run Time: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Summary:

Another long-winded detour for the trouble-magnet, Jacky Faber.

Additional Comments:

Jacky’s off to Spain to fulfill her obligation to the government. Things go awry, of course.
She ends up getting to an artist’s studio and working as a model. She repeatedly claims no to be shy and that pans out in this book.
The mushroom thing was alternately amusing, highly disturbing, and finally fitting.
It almost seemed like 3 unrelated books: the war, the desertion/art studio detour, and finally, the gypsy tangent.
I’d think the character would get more sense eventually.
The performance is amazing as usual.
Story kind of drones on and on. I enjoyed the third act though.
The brush with the cult seems far-fetched, even for these books, which do excel at the ridiculous.
I had to take a long break after this one. As much as I love Katherine Kellgren, there’s only so much of the Faber voice one can take at once and stay sane.

Conclusion:

Third act almost makes up for the rest of the plot plodding.

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Many of my 50+ audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Guardian Angel Files:

4/5 Stars The Mark of the Golden Dragon by L.A. Meyer

October 14, 2021September 16, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks Bloody Jack Series, Katherine Kellgren, L.A. Meyer

Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

Run Time: 10 hrs and 20 mins

Genre: Adventure, historical (sorta)

Summary:

Jacky’s back in England, and so is Jaimy. But Jaimysort of insane and robbing people because he thinks Jacky’s dead and Flashby and another intelligence agent put her there in a round about way.

Additional Comments:

A lot happens but it doesn’t seem like a lot happens.
Jacky’s scheme is kind of eloquent, but it would be a whole lot easier if she just sanctioned a bullet to the back of the bad guy’s head.
I do like the ties this story had to the old poem, The Highwayman. Poor Bess just can’t catch a break no matter which story she’s in.
I find Jacky’s relationship with pretty much every guy but Higgins kind of disturbing. I mean she seems to be all about Jaimy but she’s also attracted to the cavalry captain.
They’re still good books, but they are sort of spinning their wheels to nowhere.
There are sweet moments, then confusing moments.
The conclusion was satisfying but is sort of undone at the beginning of the next book.
Ravi’s still around.
The audiobook covers make her look like 13 … that may be where the series started but she’s supposed to be 17 now.

Conclusion:

Definitely don’t start the series with this one. I read the others out of order and they’re fine, but these are becoming much more adult in nature.

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Many of my 55 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Guardian Angel Files:

4/5 Stars The Wake of the Lorelei Lee by L.A. Meyer

October 11, 2021October 3, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks Bloody Jack Series, Katherine Kellgren, L.A. Meyer

Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

Bloody Jack Series #8

Run Time: 14 hrs and 53 mins

Genre: Mostly YA Adventure à and then it flips to Adultish Adventure

Summary:

This is another high-seas adventure featuring the crazy, smart, sassy, sometimes dumb, and very impulsive Mary “Jacky” Faber. Jacky gets arrested in England and sentenced to an Australian penal colony.

Additional Comments:

It’s got about 7-hours of random, sometimes raunchy filler material. Long-winded does not begin to describe it. I think it takes about 3 hours to get to the arrest that sends Jacky on this journey. There are also a LOT of side trails, some necessary, some not so much.
Katherine Kellgren’s performance is stellar as usual. She had a lovely singing voice, but even so, most of those were just filler.
Jacky seems to work hard at keeping her girls out of trouble, but then has 0 trouble being the “pet” of a Chinese pirate. That alone would flip this well out of YA range for me, which is kinda a shame because the rest of the series is absolutely fantastic and YA friendly.
I don’t remember much about Joseph Jarred so the tension with him just came across as uber weird.
Content Warning: There’s a LOT of cursing, some understandable. It includes 4 ish f-bombs, mostly by Jaime or the Irish crew. Their sections were fine, but the story could very easily have skipped over those or summarized later.

Conclusion:

This is an adult version of Jacky Faber. She’s still spunky and on many adventures, but if you’re giving this to kids, tap out at book 7 and mentally end with happily ever after.

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Audiobook Promotions …

Many of my 57 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.

Review copies for many titles are available from StoryOrigin.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Books 1-4 were re-released in audiobook form in 2021.
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift. (Amazon) (Request a Review Copy)
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma. (Amazon) (Request a Review Copy)
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother. (Amazon) (Request a Review Code)
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble. (Amazon) (Request a Review Code)
More Scifi:
Reshner’s Royal Ranger (epic sci-fi) just made it there. (Amazon) (click for sample)
If you’re all in and want to review the entire trilogy (~35 hrs!) go here.

Aeris Legends Books 1-3 ~17 hrs of epic fantasy. (Request a Review Copy)

Guardian Angel Files:

I have Author Direct codes from Findaway Voices for the combo book that has Spirit’s Bane and Kindred Spirits. (Click here for a review copy.)

Anotech Chronicles by Julie C. Gilbert

October 7, 2021August 23, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks, scifi Julie C. Gilbert, Liz Brand, scifi

pic from audible

Narrated by Liz Brand

Run Time: 35 hrs and 54 mins

Genre: Scifi

Summary:

This trilogy follows the Royal House through about 20 turbulent years. It starts off with a prince just trying to prove himself. Being the younger prince, Terosh never expected to be king. Reia Antellio just wants to keep the prince alive. Both get way more than they bargained for during Terosh’s Kireshana journey. To tell you much more would walk straight into spoiler territory.

Additional Comments:

This combo is likely my longest to date.
The Reshner series isn’t quite done, though I’m a big fan of closure, so there should be a decent sense of that at the wrap of Reshner’s Royal Guard. Someday, I’d like to write a 4^th novel.
The trilogy had an unusual pedigree. It started with the 3^rd book and then went to 1 and 2 as I unraveled the complicated history that led to the events in book 3.
It’s hard to pick a favorite character. I’m intrigued by Mavis’s history. Maybe someday, I’ll get to explore that. Taytron and Deanna’s love story is untold as yet too.
The story went through several iterations. What you have now is the cleaned up version that had some of the perspectives slimmed down because it was getting too complicated.
I typically don’t like the middle books of trilogies, they’re dark and depressing, but there was just too much to end with book 1 and open with the events of book 3.
It’s a time investment, no question.
Liz’s performance is top notch, as usual. She’s got an excellent range of voices.
Content Notes: I consider this book clean. There are no curse words. But there are some references to heavy topics. I think it even opens with a murder.
Tie-ins to other stories. The Anotech Chronicles is mentioned in Devya’s Children. A random scifi series featuring kids with special powers sort of strikes too close for Jillian and Danielle.

Conclusion:

If you’re looking for a quick and easy story, this ain’t it. If you like getting swept up in a different time and place, dive in.

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Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

Guardian Angel Files:

4 stars Mad Dog by Andrew Beery

September 24, 2021August 11, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks, scifi Andrew Beery, Dave Cruise, scifi

Narrated by Dave Cruise

Series: Boneyard Dog #2

Run Time: 5 hrs and 30 mins

Genre: scifi

Summary:

The plot’s the same as about a gazillion other scifi stories, with some subtle changes.

Additional Comments:

Admiral Jeremy Ryker’s clone is off in space fighting to save humanity.
Narration style is charming and definitely not serious. That keeps things interesting.
Performance was just as good as the first story. I don’t remember much about the first book, but it was decent. I found some voices used highly annoying, but given the text, I’m not sure the narrator could have made it less annoying. The words had to have been written in a halting manner.
Some allusion to sex, but nothing described and no curse words.
Decent world-building.
Typical save the human race sort of plot. Teleporting was new. Not much is explained about that but there is a book three. It wouldn’t surprise me if that came back in a big way.
Light scifi. Oh, there are alien races and space battles, but they’re more realistic than most space jockey stories. One smack and your ship’s pretty much toast.

Conclusion:

A worthwhile light scifi story you don’t have to think about too hard, just enjoy the ride.

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Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Devya’s Children Series Links:

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(Movie Review) 4/5 Stars: Free Guy

September 17, 2021September 16, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, drama, Movie Reviews Free Guy, Jodie Comer, Ryan Reynolds

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Joe Keery, and Taika Waititi

Summary:

It’s a bit like Edge of Tomorrow meets Leverage meets Inception meets a guy having an existential crisis. There are several layers to the movie. It attempts to find the balance between telling a fun story and a meaningful story. Mostly, it succeeds, but there are some jokes that fall incredibly flat. Okay, so there are a lot of jokes that fall flat.

Additional Comments:

The movie is a very odd mix of colorful characters.
There’s an inner and an outer story, which can be a lot of fun. They found a decent balance between the two. In the inner story, Guy is an NPC (Non Playable Character) in a video game called Free City. In the outer story, a woman is trying to prove that the guy who runs free city, stole her AI system to do it. The guy who helped her build that system now works for the jerk that stole the work.
I’m not a huge Ryan Reynolds fan, but he fits the character guy pretty well. And the movie was well done over all.
I enjoyed the fact that you could take the movie as a superficial fluff piece or as a deeper, more complex study of the meaning of life.
The bad guy in the outer story is over-the-top, money hungry.
The outer story love angle was cute. Predictable but cute.
The deal at the end sort of doesn’t make sense, but whatever. Probably their bid for a sequel.

Conclusion:

Not exactly a movie I would see a dozen times, but well-worth the effort to watch.

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Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

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Movie Review 4/5 stars The Protégé

September 11, 2021September 8, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Movie Reviews, thriller assassins, Maggie Q, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson

Saw it on 8/31/21

Starring: Maggie Q, Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Keaton (Also has Robert Patrick)

Summary:

A woman raised by an assassin finds herself embroiled in a weird and deadly game of cat and mouse with a crazy dude and the crazy dude’s sidekick.

Additional Comments:

They threw in at least one nice twist.
Anna (Maggie Q) and Moody (Samuel L. Jackson) make a pretty awesome team.
I suppose there are worse father figures than an assassin.
End turned out to be predictable but satisfying.
Has enough action to earn the thriller badge.
They threw in an obligatory sex scene that they probably could have done without.
There was a lot of shooting. Looked awesome from a visual standpoint.
Content warning: strong language. Some pretty gruesome kills.

Conclusion:

Not exactly a return for 8x kind of movie but enjoyable.

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Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

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4.25/5 Stars Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

September 8, 2021September 8, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Movie Reviews marvel, Movie Review, Shang-Chi

Saw it on 9/8/21

Starring: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Fala Chen, and Michelle Yeoh

Summary:

Shaun and Katy are valet drivers who kind of just loaf about and do karaoke when not on the job. They’re friends who met in high school.

Additional Comments:

Shaun is Shang-Chi who has some serious daddy issues. But who wouldn’t if their mother got killed in front of him when he was just a kid. Then, daddy dearest trained him to be an assassin.
Katy kind of seems to be just along for the ride, but she has her moments.
Shang-Chi and his sister, Xialing, both have pendants their father wants for a crazy quest to save their mother.
The beginning kind of took a while to get through, but it’s necessary backstory for the most part.
I’m not a huge fan of flashbacks, but I’m also not sure there is any other way to tell such a story. I did enjoy that the flashbacks expanded each time to give the audience more details.
There’s a lot of subtitles.
I love Michelle Yeoh, and she makes one awesome aunt to Shang-Chi and his sister.
The baby and young boy who played Shang-Chi in flashbacks were heart-meltingly adorable.
I missed most of the first special scene, but it was still a great experience.

Conclusion:

Worth watching. Maybe worth watching a few times.

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Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

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