Saturday Discussion: Anne with an E

Hello everyone! This month Carole and I decided to shake it up a bit and watch Season 1 and Season 2 of 'Anne with an E'.

I am in red and Carole in orange.

Title: Anne with an E 

Genre: Drama

Running Time: Season 1 & Season 2

Rating: TV - PG

Released: 2017 - 2018

The adventures of a young orphan girl living in the late 19th century. Follow Anne as she learns to navigate her new life on Prince Edward Island, in this new take on L.M. Montgomery's classic novels.

DISCUSSION: 

Mmm, your text was hidden from me just now. Sigh. Not my day! Let us start

Very weird! But yesssss. I am so glad we watched this. I’ve had this on my list for a while. So long that season 2 already came out. LOL I am so bad.

Same! I am glad I finally watched it, all thanks to the book Marilla of Green Gables. Which also made me realise many have not read or watched the previous series. OMG I loved that series as a kid. Canadian tv rocks! It was so sweet.

I never watched it as a kid! D: I heard of it and I wasn’t really interested. Not sure what was wrong with my kid mind.

Well to be honest, there wasn’t much on when I was younger. Things I remember was Anne of Green Gables, Flying Doctors (best show ever), MacGyver and Little house on the Prairie. So those were always on re-runs ;)

I remember Little House on the Prairie. That was fun. I was a Full House and Prince of Bel-Air kid. I also liked the anime shows (nerrrddddddd kid). So yes. This was a first for me. I wasn’t sure what to expect. LOL. Anne is a handful D: IDK if I could handle her as my kid.

Lol. I like to think that I have a good imagination, but Anne’s head is always in the clouds. And at that time when chores had to be done and houses not burned down ;) Well, I can imagine her being quite the handful.

I feel like I would have a hard time being her friend at first. Not that she is a bad person, but she is clueless and embarrassing. She is also pretty darn selfish. Bless Diana’s heart. Took her in right away even though all the others were like “ew red-headed orphan!” Which. I like red-heads...I am jealous I don’t have red hair. >_>

Yes, why the hate on red-heads?  Always wanted red hair! And why the hate on her being an orphan?! Privileged two parents assholes!

But yes Anne is, more fun to read or watch then to have as an actual friend. I guess you grow used to her and then I imagine she is quite wonderful. Always thinking of new games. But she is also THE BIGGEST DRAMA QUEEN ever.

Yesss that town needed to have a reality check. HOW MANY TIMES DOES ANNE HAVE TO SAVE THE DAY FOR YOU PEOPLE TO AT LEAST TOLERATE HER!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I wanted to scream. Like….c’mon she is learning the proper ways to act in society. She was a damn orphan. Give the girl a break. That one boy (can’t remember his name) was such an asshat. I wanted someone to beat him. Terrible kid. No reason for it. He has a good home and friends. UGH

And yessss she was a huge drama queen. She really needs to see a therapist. Things got overly dramatic at the end of season 2. I was a little meh about it. Like….I don’t know what to say without spoiling. But c’mon. Everyone chill.

I liked season 1, it was nice. But in season 2 I felt they took on too much too fast. Race, social differences, gender, women’s role, sexuality in different forms, bullying. Every issue there is they wanted to bring forth. Too much at once.

Yes, they did take on too much in the last season. I get all those are important things especially back then. But focus on a couple of things. Save some plot line for the next season.

I guess that if they did not know they would get a 3rd then they wanted to discuss everything! But it was all too fast. Spread it out! Like now I felt the whole Dash thing so weird. What kind of grown man follows a 14 year old boy home and lives with him? And then his romance, also too fast!

I feel like they went around the whole thing wrong. Maybe Dash comes to town with him and then gets a house in the town. Meets his girlfriend. The boy is lonely and asks Dash and the wife to move in. I think I would’ve felt better that way. It just felt awkward. Don’t get me wrong. I adored the Dash character, but like you said...it felt rushed and awkward. Season 1 was soooo good and Season 2 felt so rushed and jam-packed with all these social issues.

Dash was wonderful, but yes his story should have been spread out over more and now just have them move in and..weird! And then they had those other things too. Like I would have liked the Miss Stacy thing to have its on time too. She was interesting. A woman in pants. Shocking! But like all other things it was thrown in there. S1 was much better. Sad but true.

They were prolly worried that was the last season. Not sure if they even announced another season or not. But I wished they did spread things out. I was happy to learn more about Anne’s adopted parents. Poor things. Gave up so much. I am so glad that Matthew got to have his moment of anger. He really held it all in with his silent ways. He was so resentful and I don’t blame him! I would’ve been too. He lost his brother too!

It does make me wonder, how did the brother died? Did I miss it?

They only allude to it. I don’t think they actually say HOW he died. How they talk about it was that it was just an accident of some sort.

At least they did not throw that in also, maybe it can be said in s3. Which I hope is more calmed down.

Have they announced s3 yet? I want to watch it! Even though S2 was rushed, I still enjoyed it overall. LOL. I want to see what happens next to these characters. *does research* Yesss looks like S3 is confirmed. Cool.

I meant to have so many things to say and now...siiiiiilence. Ok, so yes it is a fun series. I always like historical and it is fun to watch. Even when rushed.

There are a lot of topics they bring up but I feel like some of them will spoil the storyline. And again I apologize for the small spoiler I gave you a while back ;). It is a good show to watch and discuss. This town sucked at first but they are better now.

Well, that town is meant to suck, hehe. And they will grow and accept more things…*coughs* ANd there will always be asshats!

UGH the queen of having a closed mind is Marilla’s friend. I wanted to smack her! But then there were times she was awesome and then she would suck again. Ugh!!!! Maybe she won’t suck in season 3.

All people have ups and downs I guess. But she was being a b*tch at times

She was the worst. She was just as dramatic as Anne. LOL

Oh no, she is Marilla’s Anne! Like DIana to ANne

Oh dear god. Does that mean Diana is going to end up a spinster??????!!!! LOL

 Do you want me to spoil it?

Nooooo. LOL I’ll have to wait like a good girl. But I doubt Diana would be a spinster.

Oh now I remember. The teacher romance..that was weird too. I felt like they started it like one thing and then made it another thing.

Ewwww that whole thing was gross. Maybe if the teacher was actually good looking it wouldn’t have been gross? IDK but he looked like a child molestor (which in fact he was). He was a mean werido.

But at that time no one thought it would be weird if that girl married him. I guess she was like 17? Totally ok if he had a future. But it was so strangely done. Like with the whole season

True. It wouldn’t have been super weird...but HE made it gross. He looked gross, sounded gross, just ew. If he had been even remotely pleasing to the eye I think I wouldn’t be so grossed out. I’m glad it ended the way it did. He was an ass.

He was the worst kind of bully. I wanted to kick his arse.

Me too! Me too!

So, do we have more to add?

Without spoiling anything major??? Mmmm. Nothing but...Watch this show. It is good. At least watch s1.

Too bad s1 ends with a spoiler so you have to watch more!

LOL yesss it was a good way to end it. I couldn’t help but start s2 in a rush. OH THOSE GUYS! *shakes fist*

So long Avonlea then!

Can’t wait for s3!!!!!!! 

Audio: Toxic - Lydia Kang

Narrated by Amanda Ronconi, Vikas Adam

Publication date Nov 20, 2018 by Tantor Audio

Running time 11 hrs 7 min

Sci.fi YA

Thank you Tantor for this review copy

My Thoughts:

Ronconi and Vikas Adam! What could go wrong? Yes I only chose this book cos of them.

Poor Hana, she spent 17 years in one room. Hidden from everyone. Because if they found out she would have been killed. Only those meant to be born are born, and she was not meant to. But she has her life in her room, she learns things, she speaks with the ship. She hopes to one day come out and see the world.

I get that her mother wanted to keep her safe, but it was so very selfish. Wanting a child. Keeping that child hidden in her room. But then again, who can blame her mother for longing for something.

And then she wakes up and everyone are gone. Spoooky! What happened?

Well, that is no spoiler. The ship is dying and they all left and left her behind. That has me wondering so much. Her mother would not leave! Or would she?

And that is how we meet Fennec, voiced by Vikas Adam. He and his crew are there to study what happens when the ship dies. This guy had a chip on his shoulder. He was a thief. He had made mistakes, but come on, Fen! You are just a kid!

The ship is alive, so freaky. I would certainly not want to fly in a ship that is alive, that has thoughts, even if most of the crew though of Cyclo as only a ship. Hana knew it was more, so much more. Poor ship.

There is romance too. Two teens meeting, obliviously things will blossom. I get why Hana falls, and I get why Fen falls.

Not to mention there is suspense, murder! Is there someone else there too?

And the real reason Fen was there was, oh I hate that corporation that made Cyclo.

Conclusion:

It was a good book. It had a bit of everything and I do like the idea of a ship that lives. It is interesting. Too bad it was a stand alone. I would have liked to read more set in this world.

Narration.

Vikas Adam is great, I just find his voice lovely.

Amanda Ronconi is great too. She really is a reason to choose a book for.

They are perfect together.

Blurb

Cyclo, the first and largest biological ship of its kind, is dying. A small crew of mercenaries have handed over the rights to their life to document the death of the ship, but the abandoned ship is anything but abandoned―one girl has been left behind.

Hana has known nothing but the isolation of a single room and the secret that has kept her there for seventeen years. When she meets Fennec, the boy assigned to watch her, she realizes that there is a world she has yet to experience but she is doomed to never meet.

When crew members begin mysteriously dying, Hana and Fenn realize that they are racing against the death of the ship to find a way to survive―unless someone kills them even before Hana’s truly had a chance to live. 

Seasons of Sorcery anthology

Kindle Edition, 370 pages

Published November 13th 2018 by Brightlynx Publishing

Fantasy romance/UF

for review

My Thoughts and Synopsis

WINTER'S WEB BY JENNIFER ESTEP

An assassin at a renaissance faire. What could possibly go wrong? Everything, if you’re Gin Blanco. This Spider is trapped in someone else’s icy web—and it seems like they don’t want her to leave the faire alive . . .

The story was ok and all, but, I have only read one Gin book and that was ageeees ago. I never read more. And I did feel like fans would love this so much more. While I was all, ok she is an Assassin. I guess those are her friends and BF. So she kicks some ass and saves the day

A CURSE FOR SPRING BY AMANDA BOUCHET

A malevolent spell strangles the kingdom of Leathen in catastrophic drought. Prince Daric must break the curse before his people starve. A once-mighty goddess trapped in a human body might be the key—but saving his kingdom could mean losing all that he loves.

This was a nice fantasy romance. Leathen grows up with the former Goddess of Spring. Oh I would have liked more of that. I know that this was only a novella, but still! This would have been a great book.

The country is dying. Can Leathen and Rain save the day? There are baddies trying to stop them and well obvi these two will have feelings for each other. Took them long enough!

Nice story

THE DRAGONS OF SUMMER BY JEFFE KENNEDY

As unofficial consort to the High Queen, former mercenary Harlan Konyngrr faces a challenge worse than looming war and fearsome dragons. His long-held secrets threaten what he loves most—and he must make a choice between vows to two women.

I know I often say that everything works as a stand alone, but here, well you really should read the rest.

As for what happened...FINALLY! OMG I HAVE WAITED FOR THAT. Happiness is something all should have.

Also, when will we meet Jenna again? Is she still alive? Arghhhh

A WILDERNESS OF GLASS BY GRACE DRAVEN

The stretch of sea known as The Gray rules the lives of those in the village of Ancilar, including widow Brida Gazi. In the aftermath of an autumn storm, Brida discovers one of the sea's secrets cast onto the shore—a discovery that will change her world, mend her soul, and put her in the greatest danger she's ever faced. 

I did not expect that and I did learn something I always wondered about, well at least Draven came up for one explanation lol.

I have read a story set in this world before, or two? Interesting little town and now it is Brida's turn, a widow, to find something and oh I can not say too much! Spoilers.

Like maybe there is some romance *whistles*

Conclusion:

Two of these are stand alone and worked great as that. Another one does work on it's own, but I feel you get more for your money if you know the series. And the final one really should be read in its series. How else can you love Harlan and Essla!

Audio: What Ales the Earl - Sally MacKenzie

Book 1 in the Widow’s Brew series

Narrated by Justine Eyre

Publication date Oct 23, 2018 by Tantor Media

Running time 9 hrs 7 min

Historical romance

Thanks to Tantor for this review copy

My Thoughts

I liked that this one did keep true to time. For most of the book it does not even hit Harry that he could marry Pen. Why would he? He is an Earl, she is a farmer's daughter. And that was the sad facts. But hey, this is romance. Do NOT worry.

Pen and Harry spent a glorious summer together. He went off to War, she found out she was pregnant and fled. He is now back and is an Earl. She is making ale and living with a bunch of other women. He wants to marry a lady to get an heir and a spare. She wants a secure home for her daughter.

Harry was like a nobleman would have been. He would marry someone equal to him, he would not love her and they would do their own things. And then he sees Pen and offer to have her as his mistress (after some time, he is not a total arse.) Yes, I thought that was perfectly reasonable. It's not like he would have seen her and thought must marry her! Everyone would gossip after all. His first thought was mistress and it took some time for his mindset to change. I thought it was stupid of him, but yes reasonable.

Pen knew these things too. But she also wanted more, and I admired her for that. Good for you!

They have a lot of talking in front of them. And him getting to know their daughter. A crazy lady will emerge. And when he finally sees the light it is wonderful. Because this is a romance and even farmer's daughters get those HEAs.

Conclusion:

Romance, a bit of ale and some nekkid times.

Narrator.

Justine Eyre is great, I have nothing bad to say about her. I like all her voices and her accents.

Cover

cute

Full Synopsis
Scandal does not define the "fallen" ladies of Puddledon Manor's Benevolent Home. Instead, it's a recipe for an intoxicating new future as the women combine their talents—to operate their own brewery and alehouse . . .

When Penelope Barnes arrived at the Home with her young daughter, she discovered a knack for horticulture—and for cultivating the hops needed to produce a superlative pint. She put her scandalous affair with Harry Graham firmly in the past, along with the wrenching pain she felt when he went off to war. After all, she'd always known a farmer's daughter had no future with an earl's son. Now she has the pleasant memory of their passion, and she has little Harriet . . .

Harry went off to fight for the Crown unaware that his delightful interlude with his childhood friend had permanent consequences. Now he's back in England, catapulted into the title by his brother's untimely death. He sorely misses his former life of unfettered adventure, so when he has reason to explore Little Puddledon, he jumps at the chance. But what he finds there is something—and someone—he never knew he'd lost, and a once forbidden love whose time has come, if only he can persuade Pen he's home to stay . . .