Tag Archives: thriller

Movie Reviews

Deliciously Frightening | Review of ‘IT’ (2017 Film)

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By Cynthia Ayala

IT starring Jaeden Lieberher & Bill Skarsgård Warner Bros. Pictures Image Credit: IMDB

“A group of bullied kids band together when a shapeshifting demon, taking the appearance of a clown, begins hunting children.” —IMDB

Before I begin, let me just say this: I was not a fan of the original miniseries, even as a child it bored the crap out of me and I did not find Pennywise frightening. It was unimpressive, the original. Part of the reason was the length. It was too long, making it dull. Yes, I understand the concept of a miniseries, some of my favorite things are miniseries (The 10th Kingdom, Dune, Children of Dune). However, with a story like this, something that is supposed to be a horror, the energy, the tension has to be consistent, it has to be there lurking behind every shadow, every corner, every scene. It needs to keep the audience on edge, and I do not feel like the original does that properly. Especially when it hits the adult part of the story, it becomes repetitive and lackluster. It stopped being scary.
 Continue reading Deliciously Frightening | Review of ‘IT’ (2017 Film) →

Book Reviews

Character Driven Mystery | Review of “When I Am Through with You”

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By Cynthia Ayala

When I Am Through with You by Stephanie Kuehn
Dutton Books for Young Readers
Image Credit: Goodreads

“Ben Gibson is many things, but he’s not sorry, and he’s not a liar. He will tell you exactly how what started as a simple school camping trip in the mountains ended the way it did. About who lived and who died. About who killed and who had the best of intentions. And he’ll tell you about Rose. But he’s going to tell you in his own time. Because after what happened on that mountain, time is the one thing he has plenty of.” —Goodreads

Published August 1, 2017, by Dutton Books for Young Readers, When I Am Through with You
by Stephanie Kuehn is a contemporary thriller for the young adult audience.
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Reading List

Weekly Reading List #101

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By Cynthia Ayala

Hey there people of the page. So, it turns out that I have once again become backlogged on books. I have until Sept 2 to read 4 books. I’ve knocked one out of the park (these are ARCs with expiration dates btw) and I’m in the middle of two at the moment. I’m saving the longest for last while I go through these two, using every spare moment, my sleepless nights (I’m an insomniac) to read, read, read. I guess it’s a good thing I have finished prelim edits on my novel. I printed out a copy for myself so that I can go over formatting and editing issues that will no doubt need to be addressed. So, until that arrives in the mail, I plan on using all this free time to catch up on this reading. I’ve also gotten control over my anemia again. I’m not great at taking care of myself and I feel fine most of the time so I don’t take my iron pills but when I crash, boy do I crash. And you know what one of the symptoms of anemia is? Loss of interest. So I was reading slower than usual, spending half my time just being a lazy bum. But I’ve taken my iron pills every day for the past 6 days, getting my iron up as best as possible. And the change is noticeable.

So here you go folks, my upcoming reading list for this week. Since my energy is up, I have no doubt that I will catch up on my reading. At least, that’s the hope. Happy reading!
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Book Reviews

Just Not Fresh | Review of ‘The Lost World’ (Jurassic Park #2)

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By Cynthia Ayala

The Lost World by Michael Crichton
Alfred A. Knopf
Image Credit: Goodreads

“It is now six years since the secret disaster at Jurassic Park, six years since the extraordinary dream of science and imagination came to a crashing end—the dinosaurs destroyed, the park dismantled, and the island indefinitely closed to the public. There are rumors that something has survived. . .” —Goodreads

Published September 17, 1995, by Alfred A. Knopf, The Lost World by Michael Crichton is the second and final book in the sci-fi adventure series Jurassic Park.
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Reading List

Weekly Reading List #97

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By Cynthia Ayala

Hey there readers! Hope everyone had a great week. This weekend is the South FL SuperCon. Woo! But anyway, not much time for reading this weekend I’m afraid, between work and SuperCon. I’m a busy, busy girl. But, I’ll catch up, I always do. So check out this weeks’ reading list.

1. Poor Unfortunate Soul: A Tale of the Sea Witch (Villains #3)

By Serena Valentino

The tale of the sea king’s daughter Ariel is a beloved one of losing-and then finding-one’s own voice. The story has been told many times and in many ways. But always the mergirl wants more than her world can offer, and her father demands that she live within the confines of his domain. Her rebelliousness costs the little mermaid her voice and nearly her soul. But the power of good prevails, and Ariel emerges proud and unchanged.

And yet this is only half the story. So what of Ariel’s nemesis, Ursula, the sea witch? What led to her becoming so twisted, scorned, and filled with hatred? Many tales have tried to explain her motives. Here is one account of what might have shaped the sea witch into a detestable and poor unfortunate soul.

2. The Lost World (Jurassic Park #2)

by Michael Crichton

It is now six years since the secret disaster at Jurassic Park, six years since the extraordinary dream of science and imagination came to a crashing end – the dinosaurs destroyed, the park dismantled, the island indefinitely closed to the public.

There are rumors that something has survived….

3. The Ruby Circle (Bloodlines #6)

by Richelle Mead

THEY WILL BE TESTED

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets – and human lives.

Their forbidden romance exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s bestselling Bloodlines series.

When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, she and Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world and alter their lives forever.

Don’t miss their unforgettable final chapter…

LOVE WILL CONQUER ALL

*Disclaimer: All synopsis are provided by Goodreads.

Movie Reviews

Worthy of the name ‘Alien’ | Review of ‘Alien: Covenant’

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By Cynthia Ayala

Alien: Covenant starring Starring: Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston & Billy Crudup
20th Century Fox
Image Credit: IMDB

“The crew of a colony ship, bound for a remote planet, discover an uncharted paradise with a threat beyond their imagination, and must attempt a harrowing escape.”

—IMDB

Alien: Covenant does its predecessors proud…for the most part. While the film was overly amazing, at the end of it, it’s clear that it suffers from some continuity issues. But I’ll get to that in a minute because overall, they don’t affect the enjoyment of this film at all.
 Continue reading Worthy of the name ‘Alien’ | Review of ‘Alien: Covenant’ →

Book Reviews

A Breathtaking Ending | Review of ‘Vicious’ (Pretty Little Liars #16)

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By Cynthia Ayala

Vicious by Sara Shepard
HarperTeen
Image Credit: Goodreads

For years, Hanna, Emily, Aria, and Spencer have been terrorized by “A,” a mysterious figure who has harassed them, revealed all their secrets and even threatened their lives and the lives of their loved ones. But now the mystery is over. They know A is the real Alison who. through a vicious scheme, has placed them in jail. In the final fight for their lives, some will leave broken, some will fight until the very end. One things for certain, this is the end of the Pretty Little Liars.

Published December 2, 2014, by HarperTeen Vicious by Sara Shepard is the final novel in her bestselling Pretty Little Liars series where young adult meets mystery.
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Reading List

Weekly Reading Post #89

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By Cynthia Ayala

Hey there readers. I hope everyone is having a wonderful week. It’s been a nice week. I had four days off from work but then I worked all weekend, which is fair, and I don’t mind working the weekends, there’s more energy on the weekends. It’s crazy sure, but time also just flies by. Been working on my business plan with my mom for “Dragin Pub House”. Can’t reveal everything about it but the title is a pun. I have quite the affinity for puns. Anyway, since it’s been pretty easy going of late (minus the bouts of insomnia) I’ve been able to catch up on my reading, editing, and writing. Love it! So check out this week’s reading list. Hope something catches your eye here, Happy reading.
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Book of the Month

Book of the Month Poll – July 2017

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By Cynthia Ayala

Hey there avid readers. I hope everyone is having a wonderful day. Another month’s means another poll for you to cast your votes and choose the book of the month for July. So check out these titles below and vote for your favorite upcoming title, author or book cover. Oh, and don’t forget to check out this month’s winner. Remember, the winner will get a featured book review. Vote here on Qzzr or by clicking the link below.
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Reading List

Weekly Reading List #88

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By Cynthia Ayala

Hey there avid readers! I hope that everyone is having a wonderful day. It’s been easygoing lately. I’ve postponed the publication of my book by a year because quality matters and I feel like I’m rushing so taking a step back taking my time. I want this novel to be good, I want it to connect to my readers. So while I’m working on my novel, taking my time, I’ll also be here on y blog catching up on my reading and my reviews. So here’s my weekly reading list, happy reading!
 Continue reading Weekly Reading List #88 →