Tag Archives: star rating

Jan26

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Running Man By Stephen King As Richard Bachman Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Lil Red’s Book Club: The Running Man By Stephen King As Richard Bachman Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing The Running Man by Stephan King writing as Richard Bachman. Johnny and I live for an Arnold Schwarzenegger flick and one of our all time favorites has got to be The Running Man. Who loves you and who do you love? DAMON! Oddly enough, neither of us has read the book and I decided to rectify that. I am so glad I did because it was excellent and I will be looking forward to seeing the new(ish) movie as I understand it follows the book more closely. Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning on The Running Man for graphic violence and disturbing content. Now, let’s get into it:

Ben Richards and his family are destitute. Ben is currently unemployed while his wife turns tricks to make ends meet. Their baby daughter, Cathy, is incredibly sick and needs a doctor like three days ago. Of course, they will never be able to afford the care she needs and she seems to be getting worse by the second. There is only one thing that Ben or really anyone in his dilapidated neighborhood can do for money. To head to the Games Network headquarters and apply to be a contestant.

The games that the Network hosts are not like The Price Is Right. No, they are violent, dangerous, and could potentially kill you all for trying to make a buck. But it’s Ben’s only option and he takes it. After a grueling process, Ben lands a spot on the most popular show on the Games Network – The Running Man. In this show, contestants are free to move and travel wherever they please and all the while they are being hunted. For every hour a contestant lives, money is earned. Should a contestant make it the entire thirty day challenge, they will be rewarded handsomely. This has never been done before.

At the start of The Running Man, Ben will get a grace period of twelve hours to get as far away as humanly possible. To create a disguise, get weapons, and formulate some semblance of a plan. After the twelve hours are up, Ben is fair game to be hunted. Winning won’t come easily and his daughter’s life is on the line. But if no one has won before, why not Ben? He is savvy, creative, and strong. But will that be enough to last thirty days on the run? Read The Running Man to find out!

Can I just start out by saying that The Hunger Games is literally just The Running Man? There, I said it. It’s so true, though! Down on their luck people competing for stability all for the entertainment of the rich. I just know that Suzanne Collins is a Stephen King fan! Having said all that, holy WOW was The Running Man good. It was so fast paced and something new was happening with every turn of the page. Ben’s situation was dire and as it was nothing like my beloved Schwarzenegger movie, I had no idea what was going to happen. I seriously couldn’t stop reading and my jaw dropped on the last page!

The Running Man really is an underdog story and it is impossible to read this book and not root for Ben every step of the way. This is his chance to save his family. His chance to stick it to the man. And his chance to maybe bring some changes to the messed up world that they live in. Every step back was agonizing but every step forward was one closer to the ultimate prize. I was on the edge of my seat to see if he could pull it off. As a funny anecdote, The Running Man is set in the future (now past) year of 2025. This book came out in 1982 and, honestly, Stephen King was definitely onto something with his glimpse into the future. Just my brief synopsis alone is enough to make you see why. -_-

Overall, I am going to rate The Running Man with an eight out of ten stars. It wasn’t my favorite Stephen King/Richard Bachman novel but it was very, very good!

Have you seen either of The Running Man movies? What did you think of the newest one? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan24

Groovy Movies: Zootopia 2 Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Groovy Movies: Zootopia 2 Edition

Hi! This past weekend was full of entertainment for me. Some excellent and some that actively sucked – just take a look at yesterday’s Stereophonic review lol. On Friday, I took my big nieces to see Zootopia 2 together and we had the best time. My bestie girls and I love going to the movies. Of course, we all love the snacks but that time spent watching a show together on the big screen, laughing, and cheering the characters on can’t be beat! I have to admit that I don’t remember the first Zootopia very well as it has been several years since I watched it with my oldest niece. However, that did not deter from my enjoyment of its sequel one bit. It was such fun! Let’s discuss:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Thanks to the ingenious invention of weather walls to control the climate, Zootopia is a home for all creatures big and small. All creatures except for snakes, of course. Snakes have not been seen in Zootopia since forever and any member of the reptile family is looked down upon. However, after Judy and Nick make a bust at a loading dock, they believe that a snake has touched down in Zootopia after finding its shed skin. No one believes their discovery as a snake being in Zootopia would be simply impossible, but Judy and Nick work the case anyway. Through their detective work, they learn that the snake might be going to a gala to celebrate Zootopia’s centennial anniversary. It’s time for them to go undercover.

The party is hosted by a powerful family of lynxes who are descendants of Zootopia’s original founder. Our snake friend named Gary would say otherwise and that is why he is in Zootopia. To prove that the lynx family are frauds and to help his own family who has been in hiding since they took something very important away. A journal that would show where the original patent for the weather walls is located. A patent not created by the lynxes at all. Gary manages to get the journal back but in the chaos Judy and Nick are accused of aiding him. Now, they are all on the run to clear their names.

With the help of countless new friends, the unlikely trio sets to work to solve the mystery of the missing patent. They race across Zootopia seeking information about how it was founded and just what happened to all of the reptiles. And, wouldn’t you know that there was a time when they coexisted with the other animals peacefully despite their differences? Little does Judy and Nick know, the real snakes are not the snakes at all. If the patent is not found, there will be nowhere safe for the reptiles to go and the powerful will remain so based on a farce. Will Judy, Nick, and Gary save the day and make Zootopia a home for all once more? Watch the movie and find out!

From start to finish, Zootopia 2 was an absolute blast. It was hilarious, exciting, and had an all star cast to voice all of Zootopia’s inhabitants. Not to mention that the adults in the audience would find shocking similarities to our current political times. It was incredibly apparent and I was living for it. But the best thing about Zootopia 2 is its message. That being different isn’t a bad thing. It’s a beautiful thing that makes the world colorful and special. And when you dare to be different and let your true self shine is when magic and changes can happen.

I wasn’t sure if my girl squad was going to sit through Zootopia 2 in its entirety without getting the jitters. It was a bit longer at one hour and fifty minutes and I sometimes get the jitters with too long movies! That was not the case in the slightest. This movie completely held our attention and I think we were all a little sad when it was over. Zootopia 2 was an amazing family flick that will be just as enjoyable for the adults as it is for the children. Highly recommend!

My Zootopia 2 outing was a ten out of ten stars experience hands down. We all loved it and are planning on watching the first one together next time!

What is your favorite animated movie? Have you seen anything at the theater recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan16

Groovy Movies: Primate Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Groovy Movies: Primate Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Groovy Movies! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing one of the newest horror flicks called Primate. When it comes to horror, I am not a huge fan of the creature genre and much prefer a good old fashioned slasher. However, Primate turned everything that I thought I knew on its head. This movie was absolutely insane from start to finish! Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a big fat trigger warning on Primate. The only words I can use to describe it are brutal and gruesome. It is not for the faint of heart! Now, let’s get to it:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Lucy is a college student and is back in Hawaii with her dad, little sister, and a few friends who tagged along for summer break. She is also returning home to Ben, the family’s pet chimpanzee. Not the usual choice for a pet, but her deceased mother was a linguistics professor who was studying communication between humans and animals. One day she just brought Ben home and he has been a family staple since. He’s clever, silly, and completely harmless, right? So wrong. Ben recently got infected with rabies and his once beloved family is now his prey.

While Lucy and her friends enjoy a dip in the infinity pool, Ben begins his rampage and gravely injures her little sister. As he cannot go into the water, that is where they remain. But they can’t stay there forever and medical help is needed immediately for Lucy’s sister. The only thing that can be done is to get to a phone. Phones that are all in the house. Phones that they will have to get past Ben to use. His blood lust is palpable, his strength is unmatched, and his kill count is rising rapidly. Will Lucy be able to rescue what remains of her friend group? Or will Ben destroy his family in one night? Watch Primate to find out!

Long story short, Primate was a wild ride. I didn’t know what I was expecting but it definitely wasn’t all of that! About three minutes in is Ben’s first kill and if you thought that scene was bad, wait until you see the rest because holy shit lol. Brutal is seriously the only way to sum this movie up. I have seen countless horror movies in my day but I can’t recall any with kills that compare to Primate. Some of them were legit throw up worthy and all of it came from a pet chimpanzee.

I had to laugh when I saw the initial trailers for Primate that showed people in the theater reacting to the movie. It reminded me so much of when Paranormal Activity came out! In these trailers, the people watching Primate were jumping, screaming, and at the edge of their seats. My sentiments were exactly the same! My heart was pounding and my stomach was clenched for the entire duration of this one and a half hour powerhouse. Honestly, thank goodness it was a short movie because I genuinely don’t know how much more I could take and that’s really saying something!

Overall, I am going to award Primate with the coveted ten out of ten stars. This was a game changer to horror and not just the specific creature genre. Best of luck if you go to see it!

What were your thoughts on Primate if you have seen it? Are there any movies you are looking forward to seeing? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan10

Lil Red’s Book Club: Wild Dark Shore By Charlotte McConaghy Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Lil Red’s Book Club: Wild Dark Shore By Charlotte McConaghy Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy. This book had it all – suspense, romance, and a riveting whodoneit. It was, at times, painfully sad but I enjoyed every moment of this three hundred page powerhouse. Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning on Wild Dark Shore for natural disasters, animal cruelty, general violence, and sexual assault. Now, let’s get to it:

Dominic Salt lives and works on remote Shearwater Island with his three children, Orly, Fen, and Raff. Dom is the caretaker to this island that is home to wondrous animals like seals, albatrosses, and penguins as well as a seed bank should the world ever fall into a time when plants would need to be restored. Once a bustling place with scientists and researchers is now left to the Salt family. Everyone else has fled the island or vanished and it is up to them to maintain the seed bank until they are scheduled for extraction. They have their tasks and routines down to a science until it goes haywire when a woman washes up on shore.

Despite her hatred of the water, Rowan must get to Shearwater Island for someone she wants back desperately. She hires a boat and a captain and sets sail into rough waters. Then, catastrophe strikes when a major storm hits, destroying the boat and sending Rowan into the sea. By some miracle, she is rescued by Fen who mans the beach at Shearwater. She is barely conscious, badly injured, and is nursed back to health by the Salt family with a lot of help from the youngest, Orly, who refuses to leave her side.

After Rowan returns to the land of the living, she can’t help but shake the feeling that the Salt family is lying to her. They tell her that all sources of communication have been destroyed, they are the only people on the island, and Rowan must stay until their extraction date. As the days continue and Rowan recovers, she finds that she cannot stay still with idle hands for weeks. While she investigates her cause, she begins to grow a fondness for the family through their shared labor, living quarters, and experiences. She might even be growing fond of the patriarch, Dom.

Of course, feelings are always subject to change and as her love for the Salt family blooms, she begins to uncover their lies. There is no way off the island. No way to reach anyone and Rowan is stranded and in probable danger. Were these lies meant to cover something sinister? Or were they to protect Rowan from a hard truth? Read Wild Dark Shore to find out!

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I began reading Wild Dark Shore. This is the first book by Charlotte McConaghy that I have read and I suspect it won’t be my last because this book was excellent. Wild Dark Shore flip flopped between Dom, Rowan, Orly, Fen, and Raff with chapters that were short and sweet. It was no secret that the Salts were hiding a secret and each point of view came together to paint a clear picture. It kept me turning the pages SO quickly and I also liked that I didn’t figure out the grand reveal completely. While this was a family based plot with a delicious “Will they, won’t they?”, this was still a novel of suspense through and through. It was a welcome change of pace from my usual thrillers and I have to say that the make you blush sex scene was a nice touch too! 😀

The cast of characters in Wild Dark Shore has zero complaints from me because I honestly loved them all. I adored Orly and his passion for nature. I related to Fen as she healed from trauma. I rooted for Raff as he battled his anger. And although I didn’t know the lie keeping Dom and Rowan at arm’s length, I was pulling for their relationship every step of the way. These characters were expertly crafted and the book was beautifully written. From McConaghy’s vivid descriptions, it felt like I was right there on Shearwater too. I marveled at its splendor as Rowan took it all in with fresh eyes. I mourned for the losses the island experienced. I kept my hopes up that this broken woman and family would find peace in any way they could salvage. And I closed this book feeling sad but immensely satisfied by this profound read.

Overall I am going to award Wild Dark Shore with the coveted ten out of ten stars. I can’t put into words how fantastic this book was. You are just going to have to trust me and read it for yourself!

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan7

Groovy Movies: Anaconda Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Groovy Movies: Anaconda Edition

Hello! Johnny and I are lucky enough to have the most amazing downstairs neighbor. We hang out often, so much so that we formed a club called Friday Night Dinner Club. FNDC is exactly what it sounds like: We go out to dinner or order in and watch a movie and round robin who is paying. This past Saturday we shifted into Saturday Afternoon Lunch Club for a meal at Chipotle before hitting up the movie theater to see Anaconda. It was great fun but even better because of the company. In a spoiler free setting, as always, let’s discuss this silly popcorn flick further. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning for snake carnage. Here we go:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Doug (Jack Black) and Griff (Paul Rudd) spent their childhood making movies with their best friends, Claire and Kenny. They had dreams of making it big and Doug and Griff semi realized their goals. Doug makes wedding videos that he calls “films” and Griff works at Lowe’s while taking any bit acting job he can… And not getting fired. What they need is a change of pace. Something to reignite their creative passion. So, they decide to do an entirely self funded and self staffed remake of Anaconda.

After some convincing, the ragtag crew is on their way to the Amazon. They have a boat with a captain and a snake expert hired and their initial days of filming have gone better than expected. The boat captain may seem a bit sketchy but she is getting them from Point A to Point B. As they continue filming, a snake situation has left them in need of… Well, a new snake. As they search for a replacement in the Amazon jungle, the crew becomes the hunted of an Anaconda that has a taste for humans. Doug, Griff, Claire, and Kenny have literally stepped foot into the actual movie and it’s up to them to get out unscathed. Will they survive the Amazon jungle and the Anacondas that inhabit it? See Anaconda to find out!

Anaconda was a short and sweet flick that was barely over an hour and a half. AKA my kind of movie because any longer and I would have needed a bathroom break lol. Was this the best movie I have ever seen? No, not by a long shot. Was it still a good time? Yes! Anaconda was full of fast paced action, funny jokes, and classic Paul Rudd and Jack Black. Johnny and I love both of those actors so much and their roles were basically themselves. What’s not to like? 😀

If you are looking for a groundbreaking remake, you’re not going to find it in Anaconda. If you are looking to be entertained for a little while, it is definitely worth the watch. I genuinely can’t say if I liked this movie a lot because I liked it or if I liked it a lot because of the people I was with. If that makes sense! It was just such a nice afternoon out with my two favorite guys and I enjoyed myself very much. All I know is that I will be looking forward to our next Lunch/Dinner/Movie Club meeting to see the new Jason Statham flick coming out at the end of the month!

Overall I am going to rate Anaconda with a six out of ten stars. It was pretty good but not great. If you are Paul Rudd and Jack Black fans too, this one is for you!

What was the last movie you saw in theaters? How was it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec29

Lil Red’s Book Club: Never Flinch By Stephen King Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Lil Red’s Book Club: Never Flinch By Stephen King Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we will be discussing the horror king and literal king, Stephen King’s, newest book called Never Flinch. This book revisited a few beloved characters who were in Stephen King books that I unfortunately never read. However, this did not deter from my enjoyment of Never Flinch a bit and I devoured it in three sittings. Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning on Never Flinch for graphic violence and child abuse. Now, let’s get to it:

An innocent man was wrongfully convicted, went to jail, and was murdered by an inmate. But who is the guiltiest of all? Do they even feel guilt? Trig wants to know and is going to seek revenge. For every guilty party who took place in the trial, an innocent person will be killed in their name. His murders are random, fast paced, and there is officially a serial killer on the loose. Trig knows he will die during his mission but wants a grand finale anyways. And what better way to end his spree than with two celebrities?

As the police and detectives work the Surrogate Juror Murders case, private investigator Holly Gibney is busy tracking down someone too. Holly was recently offered a new gig – to serve as bodyguard to controversial women’s rights activist Kate McKay. After a series of attacks during her lecture tour, Holly has been recruited to protect both McKay and her personal assistant. Their stalker has trailed them unseen throughout the tour and the attacks are becoming increasingly violent. Holly has decided she hates this job, but will see it through. Until the tour touches ground in her hometown at least, where the Surrogate Juror Murders are taking place.

Despite a serial killer running rampant, business as usual must continue. In Wherever, Ohio there are three big shows coming up. Sista Bessie, a gospel and soul singer, has come out of retirement to tour again. Kate McKay is lecturing and there is also the much anticipated Guns And Hoses charity softball game between the police and fire departments. Trig wants a grand finale to his spree and his stage has been set perfectly. Will he succeed in avenging the death of an innocent man? Or will real justice prevail? Read Never Flinch to find out!

I absolutely LOVE a cat and mouse plot and Never Flinch was excellent. It was actually quite an interesting change of pace because this book read more as a thriller than a true horror novel which we all know Stephen King specializes in. It had its moments of terror, sure, but this was a novel of suspense through and through and is a testament to the fact that King can write anything he pleases and it will still be great. Never Flinch was fast paced with a double cat and mouse plot and you all know I live for a multiple narrator setup. The book was told from the perspective of Trig, Holly, and Detective Jaynes, as well as two other characters. The flip flopping narrators kept me turning the pages until the very last.

Never Flinch was expertly written and provided good guy characters that were so easy to root for. Every page was one step closer to both the stalker and the killer being caught and I wanted to see it happen. Holly and Detective Jaynes were so plucky and resourceful and any scenes of danger involving them had my heart in my throat. I also deeply appreciated the local to my neck of the woods references like the Cleveland Cavs, the Guards, and the go to grocery store Giant Eagle. Stephen King put Ohio on the map, baby, and that was SO fun for my forever in Ohio self to read!

Overall I am going to rate Never Flinch with an eight out of ten stars. This was a delicious dive into a thriller Stephen King’s way and I highly recommend it!

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec23

Groovy Movies: Silent Night, Deadly Night Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Groovy Movies: Silent Night, Deadly Night Edition

Howdy! My blogging bestie, Kate, is the Christmas Queen and I’m pretty sure she has been prepping for the holidays since the last holiday season lol. She has a deep love of Christmas movies and I love that for her because she watches enough for the both of us! I have a handful of holiday flicks that I enjoy but my favorite of all is a good seasonal slasher. I was SO excited to see Silent Night, Deadly Night in theaters and it did not disappoint. Before we begin our discussion in a spoiler free setting, as always, I’ll be placing a trigger warning for graphic violence and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

^^^ I have no rights to this video!

Our main character, Billy, has lived a… colorful life. As a child, he witnessed the murder of his parents by a man named Charlie who was dressed as Santa. Since that fateful night, Santa Charlie has lived on in Billy’s head. With Billy’s eyes, Santa can see all and guides Billy to the people who have been naughty. Their punishment? Death. For every day of the Advent calendar, Billy must kill one person on the naughty list or someone innocent will take their place. After the seasonal murder spree, Santa and Billy can rest until next year’s holiday season.

Due to these unusual circumstances, Billy is a drifter and finds himself in the small town of Hackett to continue his holiday justice. He snags a gig at a local antique store and uses his job to scope out potential victims. And, oh yeah, scope out the gorgeous Pamela whose family owns the shop. Billy doesn’t want Pam to think of him as a bad person but he doesn’t want innocent blood to be shed, either. However, their two worlds are about to collide in a major way and they might be able to do some good after all. Will Billy have his happily ever after? Or will he drift through life alone with Santa Charlie forever? Watch Silent Night, Deadly Night to find out!

I have to admit, I have never seen the original Silent Night, Deadly Night *gasp*. I guess I am going to have to add it to my watch list because I absolutely loved this flick! This was a perfect slasher with a healthy mix of camp, comedy, and gruesome kills. It followed a classic slasher playbook to the T with a holiday twist and it was most definitely my kind of Christmas movie. It was a wacky story, yes, but it was also scary fun. 😀

The first fifteen minutes or so of Silent Night, Deadly Night had me feeling a bit ambivalent. Then, the pace picked up and it was nonstop thrills for the rest of the movie. There were great jump scares, a little romance, and two unlikely characters that you couldn’t help but want a happy ending for. This was a short and sweet flick at barely over an hour and a half and I wish it was longer. After the stage was set, I felt like I blinked and the movie was done. Once I was in, I was so in and I can’t wait to watch it again!

Overall, I am going to rate Silent Night, Deadly Night with an eight out of ten stars. If you love a seasonal slasher too, this is a must see!

What is your favorite Christmas movie? How about your favorite seasonal slasher? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec17

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Inmate By Freida McFadden Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Lil Red’s Book Club: The Inmate By Freida McFadden Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing another Frieda McFadden thriller called The Inmate. This is the second McFadden book I have read in a row and like its predecessor and all those that came before it, The Inmate was very average. However, it was a quick read and Freida McFadden is the author I turn to when I want a twisty tale that can be read in a sitting or two. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on The Inmate for general violence. Now, let’s get to it:

Brooke has returned to her hometown called Raker with her son, Josh, to live in her recently deceased parents’ home. After horrible bullying at his old school, Brooke thinks Josh needs a fresh start although a new beginning for him means going back into her past. Brooke is the survivor of a terrible string of murders and Josh’s father is none other than the perpetrator. Her parents all but disowned her after deciding to keep the baby and they barely communicated since. Before this all took place, however, the small town she grew up in was a happy place and she hopes the same for Josh.

Prior to the move, Brooke applied as a nurse practitioner to every medical facility in the area and received no calls back… Except from Raker Penitentiary. This was her last resort option and now her only option. She accepts the job and crosses her fingers that her former boyfriend and Josh’s father, Shane, will never end up as one of her patients. Of course, it was bound to happen and Shane ends up in the exam room for stitches on her very first day. She does her job, tries not to notice how good he still looks, heeds the warning from her colleagues that Shane is a “manipulative” person, and sends him on his way.

Shane is not the only ghost from her past that she encounters upon her return to Raker. There is Tim, her next door neighbor, first best friend, and was an attendant at the party in their teens that turned deadly. He is the assistant principal at Josh’s school, has turned into quite the looker, and is still as madly in love with Brooke now as he was back in the day. After a few dates, Tim becomes a staple in their household and Josh adores spending time with him. Life is teetering on being actually good and Brooke could get used to this, if she could just keep her racing thoughts out of her head.

Brooke feels like she is missing something from the night of the murders. A critical piece of information that might make Shane innocent after all. There is something suspicious about Tim and as Brooke removes Shane’s stitches at work, he claims that it was not him but her new boyfriend who committed the crimes. Did Brooke really put an innocent man in prison with her testimony? If she did, she needs to make it right but whodoneit? Her first love and the father of her son or her new flame? Read The Inmate to find out!

I like to fancy myself an amateur detective and every twist that occurred in The Inmate was seen from a thousand miles away. Do I like when this happens? Not necessarily although I like to pat myself on the back lol. I prefer to be surprised and there were no real surprises to The Inmate… until the final twist. And, the final twist is always where my problem lies with Freida McFadden books. The shockers leading up to the grand reveal are so transparent and when the reveal happens it’s so out of left field that it barely makes sense. That was very much the case with The Inmate. BAM here’s what happened and now the story is over. In a way, this feels like a cop out on McFadden’s part. To write an entire book, throw some random ending in, and then just be done. It explains why I always feel unsatisfied after finishing her thrillers!

My other qualm with The Inmate and Freida McFadden books in general are the characters. They are all so simple with nothing special about them and it makes it hard to feel anything for them. The characters in The Inmate felt wildly underdeveloped and it almost read like a first draft rather than completed product. In a crazy thriller scenario, the characters were dull and the sense of urgency of a potentially innocent man in prison was nonexistent. The Inmate was an alright story but it felt so incomplete and, therefore, I was unimpressed.

Overall, I am going to rate The Inmate with a four out of ten stars. This was not McFadden’s best and I would not recommend this one!

What is your favorite Freida McFadden book? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec8

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Intruder By Freida McFadden Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Lil Red’s Book Club: The Intruder By Freida McFadden Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing the most recent thriller by Freida McFadden called The Intruder. I have a love/hate relationship with Freida McFadden books. I love how quick and easy they are to read. I hate how perfectly average they always are and The Intruder very much held those sentiments. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on The Intruder for graphic violence, disturbing content, and child abuse. Now, let’s get to it:

Casey lives in a cabin in the woods in the middle of nowhere, New Hampshire. Since her beloved father’s passing, life has been on a downward spiral. Casey promptly lost her teaching job and decided to go off the grid to a ramshackle cabin she could barely afford. The cabin’s roof is falling apart, a huge tree in the yard is on the verge of falling, and oh yeah – there is a dangerous storm on the way. With no help from her landlord, Casey must face the storm on her own and pray that the cabin remains in one piece for the night.

As Casey prepares for the upcoming downpour, she notices movement outside of her cabin and even thinks she sees a face in the window. She chalks it up to paranoia until she sees light coming from the decrepit tool shed. Casey investigates herself thinking that someone might be injured or lost and finds a painfully skinny girl who is soaked in blood and clutching a knife. She promises the girl that she will not let anyone know that she is there as long as she stays in the cabin for the night where it is relatively safe.

After attempts at conversation that feel like pulling teeth, Casey learns that the girl is named Eleanor. The whole situation seems insane and Casey is fearful of her new guest. However, after she sees bruises and burn marks on Eleanor’s arm she knows that she can’t send her back to wherever she came from. Casey and her visitor share a meal and while Eleanor is in the bathroom, she takes it upon herself to snoop. In Eleanor’s blood soaked backpack is a notebook filled with horrific drawings. Scenes of torture upon a woman who looks like Casey as well as a hand drawn map leading to her home. Is Casey the intended target of Eleanor? Or is she just a pawn in a much bigger plan? Read The Intruder to find out!

I breezed through The Intruder in two sittings and after I was done, I simply said “oh”. It was the definition of a good but not great book. The funny thing about Freida McFadden’s books is that I like the plots of them. I think I just don’t care for McFadden’s writing style which I often feel verges on amateurish. The Intruder featured one of her most twisty plots out of her recent work and I actually didn’t see the biggest reveal of all coming. I love when that happens because I’m usually very good at working it out for myself. Regardless, The Intruder fell short for me.

One of my main qualms about The Intruder was the length of the book as it barely reached two hundred and seventy pages. Don’t get me wrong, I like a short and sweet book as much as the next. However, it just felt incomplete. I understand the fast pacing as Eleanor’s visit occurred during the span of one night. But the book flip flopped between past and present and I was hungry for more information on the past. These flashbacks were when The Intruder really shined with the grit of an excellent suspense novel. I just wish The Intruder maintained that momentum in the present day.

Overall, I am going to rate The Intruder with a five out of ten stars. If you like Freida McFadden, I’m sure you’ll read it. If not, you’re not missing out on anything!

What is your favorite Freida McFadden book? Do you have plans to see The Housemaid in theaters? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov25

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Regulators By Stephen King As Richard Bachman Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Lil Red’s Book Club: The Regulators By Stephen King As Richard Bachman Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! After accidentally borrowing a book from the library I had read before, I was in a literature limbo. So, I decided to consult mine and Johnny’s own library for a new book. We have been really enjoying watching Welcome To Derry and I had Stephen King on the mind. From Johnny’s collection of his works, I chose The Regulators which was written as Richard Bachman. The kooky cover screamed out at me and I devoured the almost five hundred page book in three sittings. This will be a spoiler free setting, as always. Before we begin, however, a big fat trigger warning will be placed on The Regulators for highly disturbing content, suicide, and violence in all possible forms. Now, let’s get to it:

Poplar Street is the perfect slice of suburbia located near Columbus, Ohio. A place where neighbors barbecue, talk sports over their fences, and kids toss frisbees and footballs all summer long. It is a buzzing community and everyone is constantly out enjoying the weather and freedom of sweet summertime. Except for Audrey and her little nephew, Seth. The neighbors haven’t seen much of them since Audrey’s husband committed suicide and their house sits like a storm cloud on picturesque Poplar Street.

If the house looks uninviting from the outside, just imagine the state indoors. Audrey and her late husband took Seth in after his entire family was killed in a freak drive by shooting. Seth has autism and inside his secret world in his mind and body is the host to something terrible. A vampire named Tak. Tak called to Seth on a family road trip and the little boy answered back. Tak desires strength, to procreate, and shares a passion for everything Seth loves: Chocolate milk and Chef Boyardee and his favorite forms of entertainment. Old westerns like Bonanza and The Regulators as well as a cartoon called MotoKop 2200.

An evil unlike anything the world has ever known is living in her home. A home that is littered with trash, ant infestations, and rotting food. When Tak goes away, Seth is still the same sweet little boy that Audrey loves with all her heart. When Tak returns, he has the power to make people hurt themselves. To slap themselves silly, fall down the stairs, and even end their own life. Tak is growing stronger by the day no matter how hard Audrey and Seth try to block their minds to hinder him. The vampire feeds on pain and negativity and he needs more than what this poor aunt and nephew can provide. So, he takes matters to the streets.

In Tak’s world, anything goes. All he has to do is call on what is already in Seth’s imagination: Outlaws in a shootout and cartoon MotoKops saving the world from destruction. In this skewed reality, the residents of Poplar Street are dead center in a mishmash of Seth’s favorite things. Cowboys and cops wreak havoc on the once quiet neighborhood. Destroying homes, causing fires, and killing everyone that stands in their way. As Tak feeds on the dead, his power increases and he transforms the entire world around them. They are no longer on Poplar Street but a world where Tak reigns supreme. Will the survivors live another hour let alone another minute? Will Seth forever be doomed to be Tak’s host? Read The Regulators to find out!

WOW. What a whacky story right?! Totally and completely insane. And you know what? I loved it! The Regulators was so unlike anything I have ever read before or seen in a movie or show and I couldn’t stop turning the page to save my own life. In a way, Richard Bachman created a dream scenario – a child whose favorite shows have come to life. It’s a fantastical idea but the cause and cost are so horrific that the dream is a full fledged nightmare.

My heart absolutely shattered for Seth and Audrey during the entirety of my binge read. This family has already been through so much and now a vampire is added to the mix?! And all they could do was suffer on their own because who would believe a story like this? All the while, life on Poplar Street continued as normal as evil festered a few houses down. It just goes to show that you never know what is going on behind closed doors.

The Regulators was action packed and was a cross between vampire horror, sci-fi, and bang bang shoot em’ up westerns. Right off the jump, this book kicked it into overdrive. So much so, that it took a while to gather my bearings around the other residents of Poplar Street. As this book dealt with so many people, it was hard to get a grip on who was who and form any meaningful connections with them. For me, this didn’t happen until beyond halfway through for some of the key players. At times, it made comprehending everything a bit difficult because all of the insanity was happening to people whose names I barely remembered. However, chaos was exactly what Bachman wanted and The Regulators had it in spades!

Overall, I am going to rate The Regulators with an eight and a half out of ten stars. The story was excellent but I could have done without the countless character overload!

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah