I am not sure why these first two books in this series do not garner more praise and press. I have been swept away by wonderful, fantastical...more4.5 Stars
I am not sure why these first two books in this series do not garner more praise and press. I have been swept away by wonderful, fantastical voyage that this series has been. Where the first book The Red Wolf Conspiracy is all about the adventure, about the voyage, and the mystery, this book The Rats and the Ruling Sea, is focused more on the characters. If you combined the first two novels into one very long one, I would have rated it 5 stars. Each book makes the other better.
The character development in this book made it work for me. I already was interested in many of the characters, both good guys and bad guys from the first book, I just never really felt attached with them. In this book Redick adds quite a bit of backstory, and chapters devoted to sole development of the heroes and the villains. The chapters that were letters written by Nilus and Isiq added a great deal of insight into the other POV's. Although this is a long novel, there is a great deal of action, tension, and twists and turns to keep you turning the pages.
It really is quite incredible to me the transformation and honing of the writing between these first two books in the series. Where the first book worked because it was just so damn fun and breathtaking. This book adds the depth, the human touch, and the emotional involvement needed to keeps us interested for over 1000 pages that tally only half the series. Redick adds a few new characters but really makes development a priority. I have grown attached to Pazel, Thasha, Hercol, and Neeps. Ott, Rose, Arunis, Taliktrum, and Oggosk make for a really diverse bunch of antagonists. Hercol and Dri add emotion to this story. Pazel and Thasha shed the little remaining childhood that they possess as they go through their trials and tribulations.
I loved this book and never felt that it was too long. I did not find chapters to be wasted as many reviewers seem to be touting. I will go on to book three and eagerly anticipate the fourth and final installment. I highly recommend this blast of a fantasy series that would also be appropriate for the YA reader as well... A fun voyage!(less)
What a great horror read. Meredith grabs a hold of you right from the start, with a taut, scary, and well done opening that sets the stage, the...more5 Stars
What a great horror read. Meredith grabs a hold of you right from the start, with a taut, scary, and well done opening that sets the stage, the tone, and the plot.
Peter Meredith has created a wonderful Poltergeist like scare fest that works by creating a cast of real, likable, albeit a bit stereotypical bunch to like and empathize with. You have your large, strong military father figure in William, who is both the foundation and the strength on which this story is built. He has his own issues and fears, but we the reader get to see him as he works through them. You have his soon to be a man of a teenage son in Willy J. that appears to be a young edition of his bravado father. You have the super smart sister in Talitha, whom, of course, does not realize how beautiful she really is. There are many other great side characters, a priest, a gypsy, a nerd, and a caring mom too.
Meredith's writing has some great unique aspects to it. One, he loves filling in the blanks with interesting dialogue: "Holy Crap! Look at this place! Gayle exclaimed, using only a widening of her eyes, followed by quick glance about. 'I know. Be cool about it.' he responded by way of the tiniest nod combined with a slight down turn of his lips....'It's ok, dear. You are a good husband and father, and I love you,' she made this known by rubbing his back in a circular motion twice, followed by a quick couple of pats."
He also paints a great picture in his action scenes, that play off this style and provides us a lot of details. He adds flair and intrigue to ramp up the tension. One small snippet that I enjoyed: "Yes, only a boy, after years of accepting impossibly stupid dares, of leaping for trees, fences, building, and even the tops of moving cars could have done it. Will was that kind of boy, at the beach or the pool during the endless summer days that seemed like heaven, no dive was ridiculous enough in its danger to slow him down, if there was a sun kissed girl nearby to impress,"
As for the horror. After a big bang beginning, the suspense and tension slowly builds and the level of creepiness increases. I really was at the edge of my seat as I found myself quickly trying to find out what happened next. As the plot thickens, and the story unfolds Meredith, to my pleasure throws in a good deal of God fearing religion and Christian beliefs.
"In the beginning was the word and the word was with God" This is not a gory read, nor is it very graphic, but it still succeeds at being intense and at times scary. You will find connections with the characters which will lead you to feeling a bit of their fears. The characterizations are good, the story is tight, and the horror is so much fun. A great start and finish to book number one in a series that I am now highly recommending and looking forward to.
And a super great deal for Kindle readers on Amazon...I got it for $.99.(less)
5 stars for it delivers everything that you would expect...
I really love space operas, and Leviathan Wakes is a very good one, albeit a light one. Th...more 5 stars for it delivers everything that you would expect...
I really love space operas, and Leviathan Wakes is a very good one, albeit a light one. This is not a hard science book like an Alastair Reynolds novel, but it is a true space opera in that outer space is one of the main characters.
The story centers around two very different protagonists that each view the world in a very different way. Miller and Holden are both good guys that try and make the world a better place by being the best at what each of them do. Holden is made Captain of his starship after his captain is killed. This is the job that he was meant for. He is a natural leader. He cares about the well being of his entire crew. He wears his moralities on his sleeves and is generally a good guy. Holden would be the priest in another story.
Miler is a detective that works on a large space colony station. He is a 50 year old cop that has seen what life can dish out. He has been around the lowest dregs of society for most of his life, and as a result, views the world through his graphic experiences. Miller, unlike Holden, does not see society and the average joe as all being good,God fearing people worth protecting.
The differences between our two heroes moralities is what really make this book work. They are polar opposites, yet they are on the "same side of the coin". Neither character wants to empathize with the other, and neither feels that the other one is justified in their beliefs. They have some great conversations where one tries to tell the other their point of view with little succes. I liked both men and found many reasons to side with each of them.
As a space opera this book rocks. Almost the entire book is spent on spaceships, in our solar system, and on distant moons and stations. The space travel is lightly explained, but it works. There are plenty of space battles, filled with lasers, cannons, protons, and other things that go boom...great stuff. There is an alien virus, and evidence of life outside of our solar system. Best of all there are VOMIT ZOMBIES!!!!
Miller is a detective and does solve a mystery, but I did not get much of a noir feel from him or his story. The mystery is an intergral part of the story, but to me, it came across as noir lite type novel. We needed more backstory, more dirt and grime, and more of it.
The writing is fun and descriptive. " Way, I see it, there's three ways this can go, One, we find your ship still in dock, get the meds we we need, and maybe we live. Two, we try to get to the ship, along the way we run into a bunch of Mafia thugs. Die gloriously in a hail of bullets. Three, we sit here and leak out of our eyes and assholes."
I really enjoyed this space romp and cannot wait for more. If you like space opera's or like the lighter side of science fiction, than this book is for you...(less)
I quit at 40%, I am sure that I will come back to it another day. Nothing really happened other than all the main characters did little more th...more2 Stars
I quit at 40%, I am sure that I will come back to it another day. Nothing really happened other than all the main characters did little more than whine and feel sorry for themselves. Martin is a master story teller and a writer that is unequaled. But, just because this book has great writing in it, it does not mean that it is neccessarily a great book. I did not bother to count how many Pov's there are, but others have, and it is around 25 now...wtf? Why would I care what the 14th unsullied views? I have no care in finding out that a distant related Greyjoy was feeling sad. And, I am definitely not interested in a backstory told by an unknown character...
I am incredibly disappointed...The first three books in the series creates characters that I loved, I believed, and I cared about. They are gone from these last two novels or lost among a tapestry of insignificant, grey, and boring nobodies.
I just could not get into this book. I normally love Pratchett novels and I am a huge fan of his. I skimmed through most of this one, which is...more2 Stars
I just could not get into this book. I normally love Pratchett novels and I am a huge fan of his. I skimmed through most of this one, which is about the City Watch. I like Captain Vimes, and Carrot is a funny non stereotypical dwarf, and trolls, and gargoyles add a great mix to the cast. The murder mystery was too vague for too long, and in the end it did not hold my attention.
Oh well, I still am a huge Pratchett fan and recommend him to both fantasy readers and straight up fiction readers, as his sattire is something not to be missed.(less)
I love Stephen King and I always look forward to what he might bring us next. This book takes us to a scary...more4+ Stars
"The butterfly spreads it's wings."
I love Stephen King and I always look forward to what he might bring us next. This book takes us to a scary place, an often sought after place but at times difficult to find, it reaches deep within the chasm, only to find a place in the heart. Love, romance, selflessness, compassion, empathy, connections, and perseverance, are all what this King novel is about. You already know that it is about JFK, about Lee Oswald, and of course time travel, but you might not realize that Stephen King is only using those subjects to explore the deeper more profound subject, the supernatural mystery that we call love.
This is a long book, but it is a very fast read. Yes, this is an oxymoron, but King's prose is easy on the eyes. There is always so much to take in that you cannot stop reading, and up you find that the hours have simply disappeared. This book has a great deal of humor, fun, nostalgia, and down right likability. Funny thing, I connected more with and this book about the early 60's, which was before my time, then I did with the way overhyped 80's novel (My Era), Ready Player One. King does a truly amazing job at making us feel what it might have been like to live in that time period, enjoying a root beer, while reminiscing with friends. King has a way that make his words paint pictures in our head.
Jake is a larger than life man that tries to take it all on his own. He feels the need to make things right and it drives him ever forward. Sadie is a super strong, amazing heroine, who gave this book it's depth and feel, and of course dancing. I loved all the chapters that centered on her the most. An amazing and colorful supporting cast, literally, as one is called "The Yellow Card Man". This is a character novel, and King does not disappoint.
I am not going to summarize the book as many other better reviewers than me have already done a much better job than I can. I will offer up, that if you are a Stephen King fan, you should not miss this one, as he bravely takes us on a supernatural trip of the heart.
"Here's another thing that I do know. The past is obdurate for the same reason a turtle's shell is obdurate: because the living flesh inside is tender and defenseless. And something else. The multiple choices and possibilities of daily life are the magic we dance to. They are like strings on a guitar. Strum them and you create a pleasing sound. A harmonic. But then start adding strings..."
I really was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It will stay with me for a while. It is not however without faults as I found the nearly 200 pages that told the story of Owsald and Mairna to be incredibly boring...I simply did not care to see the monster in any normal light. Ultimately though, that part of the book did nothing for our story, and it brought the plot to a standstill for far too long.
This is my second Koryta novel that I have read, Cypress House was my first (I loved that one too). After finishing this novel I feel it is saf...more5 Stars
This is my second Koryta novel that I have read, Cypress House was my first (I loved that one too). After finishing this novel I feel it is safe to say that Koryta is a masterful storyteller. He breathes life into his words, his settings, and his story. He creates characters that are three dimensional. They are real. They are not carbon copies or cookie cutter cutouts. Most importantly he creates a cast of characters that are memorable.
I am not going to give any spoilers away with this review except to say that this book would sit safely on any bookstore horror shelf. This is a supernatural thriller, no getting around it. It is a ghost story, a murder mystery, and a story about people accepting their place in the world.
A Song from the book that really captures this story called “Lantern” “ It’s a hungry world out there Even the wind will take a bite I can feel the world circling Sniffing round me in the night And the lost sheep grow teeth Forsake the lambs and lie with the lions So if you got a light, hold it high for me I need it bad tonight, hold it high for me ‘Cause I’m face-to-face, hold it high for me In that lonesome place, hold it high for me With all the hurt that I’ve done, hold it high for me That can’t be undone, hold it high for me Light guide me through, hold it high for me And I’ll do the same for you, hold it high for me…”
Like Cypress Hill, Koryta quickly establishes the setting as a main character in this novel. The woods, the river, the ridge, and the lighthouse, all make up the heart of this spooky read. Koryta does an amazing job at bringing the reader into the woods with his characters. You could almost smell the flowers, feel the breeze, and that flash of light from outside, maybe that came from the lighthouse. The locations of this novel add such depth and feel to the story that I did not want it to end.
This is a mature book, filled with a lot of symbolism and deeper meanings. I found myself recalling pieces of this book and trying to put them into a bigger context. The lighthouse is a literal manifestation of light versus dark. The good versus evil theme is repeated all through this book and through some fabulous symbolic anecdotes. The cats and their role, their place in this story is worth a review on its own. I loved all the scenes that were about the complexities of these amazing and fierce creatures. It was a poignant and heartfelt scene between Wesley and Kino, and I found myself having to pause for a while to take it in. All the cats played a role in this book but Ira obviously was the star. I loved the mystery behind the black cougar. The fierceness of that feline added a great deal of suspense and tension to the characters and to the story.
The characters are Koryta’s strong point. Kimble, Wes, Audrey, Roy, Kino, Wyatt, and of course Ira are all very well done, likable, believable, and memorable. I really believed that Kimble, after going through all that he had, and witnessing and investigating the horrors of his job, that he was able to take a leap of faith and believe what he was bearing witness to.
Koryta does a fabulous job of bringing an otherwise unbelievable story to our world and gives it to us in a way that makes it seem real. Bravo!!!
This is a very well written, atmospheric, symbolic, supernatural murder mystery. It is told by an amazing storyteller in a way that will surely have you catching your breath, looking out your window, and thinking about it long after you close the book (or ereader). I highly recommend this book and recommend Michael Koryta to all lovers of great fiction. (less)
"Once upon a time, a little girl was raised by monsters. ... But angels burned the doorways to their world, and she was all alone."
After a reread my thoughts and feelings have not changed, if anything, I enjoyed it the second time around even more than the first. This book is a whole lot of fun to read and it will satisfy so many diverse readers. There is plenty of Urban Fantasy, Action, Magic, and Romance to go around.
““It’s a wishbone,” she’d told him, holding it out. “You hook your finger around the spur, like this, and we each make a wish and pull. Whoever gets the bigger piece gets their wish.” “Magic?” Akiva had asked. “What bird does this come from, that its bones make magic?” “Oh, it’s not magic. The wishes don’t really come true.” “Then why do it?” She shrugged. “Hope? Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there’s no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.””
Original Review:
Only through my wife pushing me and my friends here at Goodreads did I decide to read this novel. It started out very poorly for me. Another, teen angst, supernatural love story, and coming of age story. Not very different from all the other teen trash that lines all the new release shelves. Blahhh, I am a dude who could careless which team you are on, vamps, or wolves. I hate them both. Well, thankfully, that is not what you get from Taylor in this one.
This is definitely a coming of age story and a story about self understanding. It is an adult oriented fairy tale in the vain of a Catherine Valente novel that is twisted with a romantic edged Neil Gaiman story. It is the heart that is the focus of the story and of our protagonist Karou. The "romance" of her life is the theme that gives this book such an incredible feel. It is told through lyrical descriptions and nearly alternating chapters of backstory that continually add layer upon layer to our wonderful heroine. Taylor's world that is filled with Angels, Demons, Monsters, and war. It is a magical place not very different from our own.
There are several main plots that are built upon. The first being that Karou does not know much about her past, her parents, or even her father figure Brimstone. ( you see, he is a demon that collects all sorts of teeth, and uses her to help collect them). Karou is always trying to find out more about her life's mysteries, and one day during a mischievous adventure, she comes to meet the angel Akiva. (of course they fight and try to kill each other). He is the second major protagonist of this story, and also a major character in Karou's life.
The mystery behind the teeth that Karou collects for Brimstone is really eye opening when it becomes revealed. These teeth play a major role in everything of Karou's life. Taylor's imagination with this really had me excited. A really great explanation behind the workings of magic.
The eternal war of Angels(Seraphim) versus demons(Chimera) is fought in this book. The main story thread exists solely on this struggle. I love biblical horror and this tickled me just right.
The book has a theme in hope. "Hope? Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there's no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic."
The writing and the prose is fantastic: "Snap...Rushing, like the wind through a door, and Karou was the door and the wind was coming home, and she was also the wind. She was all: wind and home and door. She rushed into herself and was filled. She let herself in and was full. She closed again. The wind settled. It was as simple as that....She was whole."
" We dreamed together of the world remade."
Like all great fairytales, they have their strengths in that they will make you forget where you are. You will be transported to a place far away, a place of magic and a place of dreams. And you will find yourself surrounded by new faces, some of whom will be friends of yours for the rest of your lives. Smoke and Bone is a fantastical beginning of a wonderfully imaginative series filled with angels, demons, war, love, and hope. I really enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend this to all fantasy lovers, guys included, and of course to the YA crowd as well. (less)
I really enjoyed this period piece thriller that has a tiny bit of supernatural added in for flair and color. This is my first Koryta novel tha...more4 Stars
I really enjoyed this period piece thriller that has a tiny bit of supernatural added in for flair and color. This is my first Koryta novel that I have read, but I am now a fan and will be sure to read his other works.
This novel's strength is that it is built around a very likable, believable, and rememberable protagonist named Arlen. The side characters are colorful and sufficient to compliment Arlen. Corridor County, the town, the place itself was to me the second strongest character of this book. The time period of the 1930's depression era was also a tangible player in this crime thriller. I loved the way that all the action, the events, and the main plots were shaped by the setting and the time.
The supernatural aspect of this book is small, and not completely necessary, but it works. It gives this story it's heart and emotion. The backstories of all the main characters also add to our investment in their outcome. Their stories are the reason we care about them by the books end. Arlen is a strong and able hero that could easily carry a series. Even though we learn a great deal about the man, it is very clear that there is much more to him than we are given. He appears to know more than he lets on. He seems to be too prepared to be just a man looking for work. Arlen is also a man that has an extraordinary gift that for most his life he has shunned and down played.
The setting and the time make this book an immersive read. You are there at the old time bayou setting. You can hear the howling hurricane force winds. You can smell the ocean, the beaches, and the farmers fields. You can almost feel the heat of the scorching Florida sun. I love well done period pieces, and Koryta has done a fine job at recreating Florida of the 1930's. I loved the backstories and the themes that play throughout. "Love Lingers" as Arlen's father used to tell him.
The plot is fairly straight forward and does include a couple of twist along the way. There is not a lot of action but the end sequences are competent and suffice to tie up our story. The supernatural is done with a light touch that only adds to the time frame novel, not detract from it. I will be sure to read more of Koryta and highly recommend this book to those that like a good thriller, noir, and depression era pieces.(less)
This was a very enjoyable novel and a fun read. It is a pirate type novel, but not in the swashbuckling typical way. Although I liked many of...more4.5 Stars
This was a very enjoyable novel and a fun read. It is a pirate type novel, but not in the swashbuckling typical way. Although I liked many of the characters, and Pazel is an interesting main protagonist, this is not a character study. This book works by giving us a riptide roaring fun adventure.
This book is filled with action, suspense, mystery, a bit of magic, and a whole lot of sea going fun. The world is painted vividly and it gives it a great fantastical feel. The book takes you away out to sea, and has you pondering for the answers behind the Red Wolf Conspiracy.
Even with a few flaws, I absolutely loved reading this book. I had fun and could not wait to read more. Not all novels give you that great escape feel, that this one does so well.
I cannot wait to read the next one, and highly recommend this one to fantasy lovers. This book would work for the YA crowd as well.
For a first novel this is a fantastic read. For a first in a series, it is a fun and fresh start, and one that i now look forward to reading. F...more4 Stars
For a first novel this is a fantastic read. For a first in a series, it is a fun and fresh start, and one that i now look forward to reading. For a lead protagonist, Locke Lamora is a fabulous antihero that puts loyalty to his brothers above all else. Locke comes across as a thief, a swashbuckler, and an ego maniac that does not like to be wrong. The setting that Lynch has created reminds me a bit of the Pirates of the Carribean. There is some magic and sorcery in the novel, but this is a world that is ruled mostly through steel and blood. The Gentlemen's Bastards are a colorful bunch of side characters that I Enjoyed. Chains was a great mentor, teacher, and father figure for Locke.
The writing, the prose, and the structure of this novel, were to me the best aspect of this book. Lynch writes like an old, experienced great, not a new author. The structure with many interlude chapters in between the main story line gave this book depth, pace, and color. Some of the short interludes that gave us deeper insight to Locke and has brothers were the gems of this book. They also helped Lynch craft some fantastic world building. His action and descriptions were tense and taught.
"I'll do more than that. Whatever he's planning, I will unmake it. Whatever he desires, I will destroy it. Every reason you came down here to murder my friends will evaporate. Every Gray King's man will die for nothing, starting with you."
I really enjoyed that Lynch does not try to make excuses or even make light of the fact that Locke is a thief, a murderer, and basically a bad man. He does it in a way that we can still route for the man, empathize with him, and like him too. This is a fun and fast read that I highly recommend to all fantasy readers.(less)
I am giving this book four stars solely on the merits of Murakami. Their simply is no other author remotely like him. Couple this with the fact...more4 Stars
I am giving this book four stars solely on the merits of Murakami. Their simply is no other author remotely like him. Couple this with the fact that these are translated works, I am blown away at the quality of his writing. The prose in his novels is delectable, lyrical, and at most times a bit magical too. His novelization is bold with structures that match. This is my 4th Murakami novel, I am an enamored fan.
In this book The Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, Murakami has created a pseudo sci-fi story that involves reality and a made up reality. We get alternating chapters that move both story lines forward without actually crossing one another. The plot is unclear for most of the novel as the characters struggle to comprehend their place in their worlds. Only by the end do the stories touch each other. Murakami explores some major themes some cross boundaries into religion and the time space continuum. There is a bit of cyberpunk and other science fiction fun too.
I enjoyed this book. I was swept away into the fantasy land that Murakami has created. I loved the writing, the description, and the prose. I am a fan of alternating chapters and POV's. This is not a long novel, and I liked that too. There are many things left unsaid, questions not answered, and reasons not told, but together these things make his novel work.
I was a little let down in that I never got the emotional attachment to this book like I did to Kafka on the Shore or The Windup-Bird Chronicle. The book often felt a bit sterile to me which left me feeling unattached.
Haruki Murakami is one of the most unique authors to ever pen a book. In my opinion he is one the greatest living today. His books will move you, stay with you, and be part of you long after you finish a read. Classes could focus on dissecting his books and never run out of material or new ideas. I highly recommend Murakami to all readers. The Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World is a very accessible start into the wonderful world of Murakami.(less)
This is an extremely hard to classify book. It is a combination of a horror novel, a historical fiction novel, a surreal fantasy, and a chara...more
3.5 Stars
This is an extremely hard to classify book. It is a combination of a horror novel, a historical fiction novel, a surreal fantasy, and a character study. While there is a great deal to enjoy about this unusual read, it is not an easy ride.
One thing that really worked well was the overall dark and dirty 1800's New Orleans feel that permeates through out this book. Maestros has created the feel of New Orleans down to the finest detail. The book feels like it is straight out of the old bayou and makes you want to take in more. The scenery, the street shops, the transportation, and even the way the people spoke, their diction all oozed this great time period. In this sense the book really plays out mostly a historical fiction time piece.
The book also excels on it's characterizations. Our protagonists are real, three dimensional, and very unique. Take their names for example: Typhus, Malaria, Cholera, Diphtheria and Dropsy, children named after diseases to show the glory of god. Others were also interesting: Reverend Noonday Morningstar, Marcus Nobody Special and even the boogeyman named Coco Robicheaux. Typhus, our main protagonist grows up to be a man of conviction from the young boy that the story first centers on. I really enjoyed much of the cast and could actually picture what they would look like, sound like, and even smell like. These are not cardboard cutouts.
The major problem I had with this book is it's inconsistencies in the stories that were told as backstory. Some, were very good and fit with the pacing of the novel. Others were very slow, offbeat, and did not fit in well with the main story line. Disjointed is the word that comes to mind as I progressed through this somewhat difficult read.
Overall, this book is definitely worth a read if you are willing to put some effort into it. Maistros reminds me a bit of Murakami, and that is a really huge compliment. Overall a fun read.(less)
I am excited to give you my very first "First-Reads" review:
This book is a great twist on the private eye genre. Here we have Hessius Mann, our...more4 Stars
I am excited to give you my very first "First-Reads" review:
This book is a great twist on the private eye genre. Here we have Hessius Mann, our protagonist, a former police detective that is now a private eye. Former, you see, as Mann was apparently convicted wrongly, sentenced to death, killed...then brought back due to the defense finding conflicting evidence contradicting his death sentence. Presently, Mann is scraping by (literally) as a private investigator, thanks to the remarkable scientific progress that has allowed the dead to be brought back to life.
They are brought back to life. Zombies, some are smart, most are dumb, some are juicy, some have dangling parts, most are dried up like jerky, they are called the Chakz. This is not a post apocalyptic world. It is merely an advance in technology where we can now have the wrongfully accused brought back to the living as a sort of atonement. The government went ahead and did just that on the thousands of people killed in the name of justice. These are not cannibalistic, brain eating, or mindless monsters. They are people that is of course unless they go feral, turning into angry, hungry, out of control animals.
Mann has many memories from before, but most are foggy and confusing at best. He is troubled by his lack of recollection. Troubled by his past. Uncertain about his future. We get some backstory on his life before told by him, his friends, and by the police. He takes care of a Liveblood named Misty. She is a woman that is also troubled, by drugs, by prostitution, by poverty, and by bad luck with life itself.
Petrucha made this first book in the new series interesting by giving us Mann's story through creative backstory that was tied in to the case that Mann was hired to solve. The focus of the plot is Mann trying to find out who is cutting up the Chakz community. Heads are rolling as Mann finds himself a target, puts his friends at risk, and causes another to shed a few pounds as a result of some bad decision making.
There is a great deal of bigotry, oppression, racism, and hatred of "Livebloods versus Chakz". Because Chakz can be so varied in level of intelligence, some are treated as less than pets. The plot is straight forward but there are a couple of good twists that are common in the mystery genre. Hessius Mann is a likable protagonist, and a strong enough character to carry a series. The book closes all the main plot lines in a real page turning fashion. By the end, we the reader are left looking forward to more.
I enjoyed this fast read. I liked the detective story with a zombie twist. I must confess though, I am a genuine a zombie-phile, a real zombie-aficionado. I recommend this book for the mystery readers and the undead readers.(less)
This is a tried and true straight up zombie horror novel. There is nothing really new, no unusual twists on the theme, and definitely no fant...more4.5 Stars
This is a tried and true straight up zombie horror novel. There is nothing really new, no unusual twists on the theme, and definitely no fantastical type ending. It is however very well written. Fast paced and filled with horror, action, and a bit of the human spirit too. I really enjoyed Keene's writing and felt that he created a top notch zombie book.
Our protagonist Lamar, is a likable gay, African American, that has worked his whole life attempting to never give in to awful stereotypes. He looks down on himself and has a difficult time accepting the fact that others around him see him as a hero. He takes on a parental figure role with the children that save him. He is a leader on the boat, and his friends look to him for his guidance and his answers.
A great theme through out this book about survival, is said by Lamar repeatedly:
"Listen… you never know what you'll do until you find yourself in an impossible situation, so don't ever say never. Survival instinct is a real motherfu&@$r, and when your back is. against the wall, everything changes. Everything. I know. It did for me. It all changed for me."
As with all great zombie books, I am always looking for the interesting additional undead characters. This book is chalked full of them. From undead versions of Tom and Jerry, to angry cattle and horses, throw in some lurching lions, and plenty of undead air flying dolphins, and you have a lot of ghoulies to root for...fun fun.
The plot, story, and conclusion are quite obvious, but the ride to get there is totally worth it. A guilty pleasure of mine, I love the undead, the apocalypse, and the struggle to stay alive. I will end my review by giving you one more quote from our hero Lamar and say that this book would be loved by post apoc aficionado's...
"Back in the day, there was a rap song I used to like. The lyrics said, "Evolve or Die." That line has taken on a new meaning for me. In order to survive, a species has to evolve. We did it when we came out of the ocean, and we did it again when we came down from the trees. - Survival instinct is a motherfu&@$r. - But evolution is even worse."(less)
I just finished this amazing book and need a bit of time to digest all that I took in. This was one of those rare gems that slowed me down to t...more5 Stars
I just finished this amazing book and need a bit of time to digest all that I took in. This was one of those rare gems that slowed me down to take my time and read each and every word.
Sure this book plays out a coming of age story that has been done so many times before, but it found a way to be fresh, to be literate. It is really funny that a book that is called Spellwright, is about a young man that misspells, yet it is written in a way that makes everything about the books' words seem grander. I loved the magic, I loved the characters, the plot is great, but best of all I love how Blake Charlton wrote this novel. A book filled with words describing a world of words...its truly magical.
I will write my full review later, but it safe to say that I really, really recommend this book. It will have a place among my favorite books read in 2011. Why I loved this book…
First, our main protagonist Nico, although young in terms of being a spellwright, was a man in his mid 20’s. This is not a story about a youth growing into an adult, though it is about an adult that definitely comes of age. Our hero suffers from a disability; you see he is a cacographer… Dictionary.com lists this noun as: “ca•cog•ra•phy [kuh-kog-ruh-fee] noun 1.bad handwriting; poor penmanship. 2.incorrect spelling.”
This impediment is really significant for one that strives to perform spells that are nothing more than words…spelling counts. Cacographers not only misspell, but when they touch words, books, spells, or other writings, they can cause them to become misspelled. Charlton treats this disability like any other and we get to see a world filled with prejudice, misconceptions, and bigotry. If not for our heroes mentor Shannon (He is a champion of cacographers), he and the other cacographers would be imprisoned, mentally destroyed, or even killed.
Nico’ mentor Shannon believes him to be the Halycon, a linguistic champion that is prophesized by his people. As a result he has taken a special interest in his growth and development; he makes him into a “pet project”. They have a relationship that we can see has resulted in the two men becoming very fond of each other and they genuinely care about each other’s well being. Their relationship is the heart of the story.
Second, Charlton has created a beautiful world that is easily visualized through his wonderful prose. This is a place that I would wish to visit and to see. He dedicates time to worlbuilding and backstory to make this place seem real. Charlton’s prose is detailed, colorful, and often of a very high quality. I love the fact that in a book about words themselves that the author demonstrates what a grasp on vocabulary that he himself has. I was reminded of a China Mieville book at times when I would have to stop to look up an interesting new word to me…I love that. There is some great witty dialogue in this book as well. The scene with Nico and the Chimera is one great example. I love how through their dialogue together they were testing each other and saying wry remarks like: “Is that supposed to be profound or cynical?” The plot moves forward quickly and it builds up the tension to palpable levels. The book has a good ending point as this is the first book of this new series. There are not many plot twists, and some outcomes are apparent early on, but that is all ok, because you end up really caring about our heroes.
Third, the magic within this book is among the best I have ever read. It ranks up there now with the allomancy of the Mistborn trilogy, the source Saidin/Saidar, of WoT series, and of course “The Force” from Star Wars. Charlton has crafted a system of magic that to me works on so many levels. We all know about tomes, scrolls, and spells. He has found a way to take them and put them into a system where they really mean something. I loved it… Parts of the magic also reminded me of Peter Bretts the Warded Man series and could easily fit in to that world as well.
Finally, this is a story that had me vested in our characters outcome. Nico, Shannon, and Deidre are all memorable, and I look forward to reading more about them. Nico learns a lot, grows a great deal, bears witness to many atrocities, and comes to grip with his place in the world. Nico is a very different man by the end of this book and we the reader are better for it.
So, enough of my gushing for one day… This is a book that I will make my wife read tomorrow. I will tell my fantasy friends and family to buy it. I will preorder book 2 today…Great fun, Great read. Although there is a great deal for the YA crowd to like in this one, I actually think much of it would be lost on them, but overall it would still be an appropriate read. (less)
I am a totally biased reviewer as this book contains all the elements of science fiction that I adore. Part space opera, part thriller, dabs...more 4.5 Stars
I am a totally biased reviewer as this book contains all the elements of science fiction that I adore. Part space opera, part thriller, dabs of physics, and even some post apoc to tie it all together. A tight, fast paced plot line keeps you turning the pages. There is some great action, some cool science, and far out gadgets to make you want more.
This was my first Gibson novel, what have I been waiting for? His style comes across as being similar to Greg Bear's accessible science fiction, and he even would be considered similar to a simplified Alastair Reynolds. There is a great deal of science in this book, but it would appeal to more than just the hardcore space junkies, it is not overly technical at all.
This book is centered around Saul, an ASI agent that is charged with finding answers, hung out to dry as the fall guy, and put on the most wanted list, by the books end. He is a centered agent that has been working very hard at trying to find out who is responsible for the collapse of the Galileo worm hole. Saul's life has literally been on hold as with the collapse, he was separated from his wife and daughter. 10 years have passed since the incident, the repairs finally near completion.
Mitchell Stone is an interesting focus of this story. Gibson provides us with several interesting plot twists involving Mitchell.
There are many other great side characters and Gibson is not afraid to change the POV frequently. What I liked most about Gibson's structure was that he never stayed away from the main story line for too long a time.
The book plays out like a thriller or as others have said like a great FPS video game. As the book progresses, the plot unfolds into the end of the world scenario, where are heroes have to try and save the world. Saying that Saul goes through a lot would be a bit of an understatement. The book builds up nicely to a strong ending. Gibson leaves plenty of things unanswered which to me, makes this book work even more.
If you enjoy worm holes, time travel, gun toting, conspiracy centered, cool gadgets, end of the world doomsday, and a likable main protagonist, then this is the book for you. This is not a super technical science fiction and would probably be enjoyed by most action or thriller readers as well. I am now a fan of Gary Gibson. (less)
3 is probably a little generous, but this is a short and fast read with some enjoyable moments.
This book started out interesting enough, with a...more3 Stars
3 is probably a little generous, but this is a short and fast read with some enjoyable moments.
This book started out interesting enough, with a post apocalyptic feel, and a bit of horror to boot.
"There was less blood when it came out of his chest, but the blind black snout of the June-bug-sized creature came right through the remnants of the shirt as if it weren't there. It crawled up and out, wet and red. It stood up high on it's legs and spread it's wings. It buzzed them and the blood splattered off in a pink mist..."
Good stuff, scary, gory, and written well.
Unfortuately, this book really is not about the bugs. They are simply there, part of life 50 years after they changed the world. Our hero Kimble, is a likable 13 year old boy that has gone through alot in his short life. He is raised by a kick ass Sensei named Ruth. This book turns out to be yet another coming of age YA novel, that uses a post apocalyptic setting to make it feel more unique. Pretty much all the obligatory ups and downs of every other coming of age story are here.
Kimble is special, that much is made very clear. From his accomplished training with Ruth, to his bravery of deeds, that all culminate as he works as a spy. Much of the spy stuff is a bit tough to believe, but it will still have you turning the pages.
Gould only briefly touches on the cooler aspects of this story, the bugs and the not-animals. It is a shame that the book didn't take a more sci-fi approach as their are some cool concepts here ready to be explored.
Turns out one of my favorite side chatacters was that of old Mrs Perdicaris...an old, angry, and down right mean.... mule. She provided some comic relief to our story.
I enjoyed Goulds writing and will definitely read more of his works. This book is simply just ok. Much more suited for the YA crowd.(less)
This was a really good beginning to the first book in the Vlad Taltos series. This was my first time reading a Steven Brust novel even though h...more4 Stars
This was a really good beginning to the first book in the Vlad Taltos series. This was my first time reading a Steven Brust novel even though he has been in my queue for as long as I can remember. This is a novel that was first published nearly 30 years ago. It is written in a fashion that keeps it fresh and relative to todays fantasy scene.
The combination of magic(sorcery)and witchcraft is very unique. The book gives some creative back story that explains the difference between the two schools of magic. The interaction of the Eastern humans and the western Dragaera(a large reptilian race)adds to the depth of the society and colors our story. Like many current fantasy novels, the Dragaera are organized into different houses, each named after an animal. The Jhereg house, the house of the mongrels is named after the snake like serpent called the Jhereg.
Our protagonist name is Vladamir Taltos. He is a human that belongs to the Dragaera house of Jhereg because his father bought them their title with all of his earnings.
Vlad is very likable and his diverse background of being raised in the west in the house Jhereg, while also being trained in the Eastern ways by his grandfather, make him a formidable force. Vlad is an assassin, plain and simple...Does that make him a bad guy...well.
Vlad practices his witchcraft and has a jhereg familiar named Looish. They communicate with each other telepathically. There is a lot of humor and clever banter between the two. Their relationship is really a center piece that make this book special.
This short story in the end, is a story about revenge. There is a mystery to unravel, and the sides are not always clear. It takes a while for the pieces of the story to come together, but when they do the payoff is great.
I really enjoyed this first book and now am a fan of Steven Brust...Bring on more Vlad... Highly recommended.(less)
This is a delightful dark journey that is filled to the brim with historical fiction and old Norse mythology. It is a fast page turner that i...more4.5 Stars
This is a delightful dark journey that is filled to the brim with historical fiction and old Norse mythology. It is a fast page turner that is filled with action and suspense. The book quickly moves the story from it's base that starts with the King to that of the story of the Prince brothers.
The magic system fascinated me and really elevated the dark feel to this book. Magic can only be achieved by one that enters the realm of death, either from dying, from madness, or from both. The magic was raw and dirty, and left the reader feeling a bit unclean...Great Stuff!!
The Norse mythology really worked and gave this book a really wonderful historical feel.
The two brothers were both likable even after a major plot twist changes the direction of this book and the series.
Lachlan's writing is fresh and sufficient. "He waved the sword again, its blade bright in the light of the moon and the fire. The torches caught the jewels on the wolf’s eyes, turned the rings on the king’s arms to burning snakes, made the scabbard of his sword dance like fire itself. His cloak seemed alive with sparks and even his mouth, the teeth inlaid with tiny red sapphires, seemed to burn. Only the space where his eyes should have been seemed dead, dead and pitiless."
"Others saw a different meaning in the rune, one that it would bear down the centuries until one day someone gave it a name. Wolfsangel. "
What a breath of fresh air as M D Lachlan writes this book to be a completely unique take on the werewolf story, and make me really want to read more... Sorry Bella no love for you here...
A great fantasy debut that will be loved by readers of dark fantasy.(less)
After what I thought was a remarkable first novel(Caught Stealing), Huston returns us to Hank's pulpy world in this book. I really found myself...more2 Stars
After what I thought was a remarkable first novel(Caught Stealing), Huston returns us to Hank's pulpy world in this book. I really found myself quite impatient as I read through this short piece of fiction. The plot was dull, plain, and done oh so many times before...
Our anti-hero is not much of a hero at all. Where as in the first book Hank's hands are tied and he is forced into making some incredibly difficult decisions and to do the unthinkable. In this book he sets off on a very linear path that is destined from the beginning to have the outcome that takes place. There us no further backstory in this book. No insight into the thoughts and feelings of our protagonist. Heck, there is no reason for us to care one iota about Hank and his money. Huston took a well pieced together story in the first book that we the reader could easily identify with and appreciate and simply threw it to the main stream. Boring.
Move the story forward in an obvious straight line and then end it in a way that makes me like Hank even less. I am a huge fan of the bad boy anti-hero, Hank however is neither to me.
I normally like to add in a quote or two to add to a point of mine, or to point out the prose. I never came across one worth remembering...This book, like my lack of found quotes will be quickly forgotten.
This is a fast read and Huston does a great job at penning out action and chase scenes. His first person narrative give these novels a noir feel that is very enjoyable. These two books are definitely pulpy and my cup of tea. I look forward to reading more by Huston but will have a tough time finishing this series.(less)
This is my first Charlie Huston book and I am already sold. This is a straight up noir type thriller that starts fast and ends even quicker. It...more4 stars
This is my first Charlie Huston book and I am already sold. This is a straight up noir type thriller that starts fast and ends even quicker. It a story about a young man that thanks to some bad luck and bad timing gets involved with things that will change him forever.
Hank is somewhat likable but easy to identify with as we all know people who seem to have everything going their way until fate reaches up and smacks them in their face and down into humble town. I thoroughly enjoyed the gritty first person narration that gives this novel the wonderful noir feel that it has. Like most noir, this book is filled with violence, darkness, tragedy, and a lot of unresolved issues to be worked out. Huston uses a peppering of humor and wit to give his story a more complete feel.
"I start with the beer, pouring it in the sink, but the smell backs up in there and my mouth starts watering, so I change my plan.I take the whole load into the bathroom and start pouring it all into the toilet. It works great and I feel very efficient: instead of drinking all this and pissing it back out, I've cut out the middleman. "
I loved how we the reader could feel the helplessness of Hank as he tries to deal with the out of control situations that continually ramp up the stakes and threat of death and failure. By the end of this book fate and some really bad luck has changed Hank forever...backing him into making decisions that just a short time ago that he would never dream of. Damn I found that I totally empathized with him and could see myself making such sickening choices...
Great short read in a genre that I cannot seem to get enough of. Although, I generally read sci-fi type noir books this thriller was a blast to read. I highly recommend it. On to book 2! (less)
I am now a Tim Lebbon fan... This is the second book in a very dark, adult oriented, dirty fantasy duology. It is written well, develops charac...more4 stars
I am now a Tim Lebbon fan... This is the second book in a very dark, adult oriented, dirty fantasy duology. It is written well, develops characters we can identify with, has a plot that is not all straight lines, and has enough action to keep us from putting it down.
Lebbon is a creative story teller... "Hope... A voice whispered, but it was like no voice he had ever heard before. It was a breeze through the bare branches of a tree, the wash of foamy waters on the shores of Sordon Sound, the whispered exhaltation of a lover passing seed and giving life. It was the language of the land."
Lebbon does not treat his heroes very well and as a result the book can at times be difficult to get through. The impending doom story line is so heavy that we are often left to wonder if our protagonists are simply going to call it quits. This second book quickly builds up the tension and the sense of urgency. It ties all the threads from the previous book into one giant tapestry that really appears to be about to be burnt up. This book does not give us much more back story as things quickly move into endgame mode. We receive little new information about our heroes, and only a couple of new threads are added in.
One of the coolest lines of the book also pertained to the coolest new character Flage. "The tumbler came out of the darkness and rolled Jossua Elmantoz into it's hide." Flage was a very colorful and unique character and the creature that he was is simply awesome...A bad ass tumbler.
I loved the no holds barred writing style of Lebbon, very Abercrombie-esque. I thoroughly enjoyed the blood, the guts, the death scenes, and the killings. Alisha's story line through out this one was really terrific and the burning down of her libraries really worked metaphorically for the purpose of the story and for us the reader. The Red Monks were extremely memorable, I now know what my next Guild Name would be if I were to delve back into an MMO. Kosar ended Jo being so much more than a disgraced thief. Hope remained an enigma through out this whole book, yet without her this book could not have worked.
Great writing, great action, a must read duology for those that like their books leaving them a bit squeamish or disgusted. I really enjoyed this series.(less)
This book has everything that I look for in my fantasy novels. Incredibly dark and dirty. Our heroes are not really good guys even though the...more4.5 Stars
This book has everything that I look for in my fantasy novels. Incredibly dark and dirty. Our heroes are not really good guys even though they are the protagonists of this adventure. I have never read anything from Tim Lebbon but I am now a big fan.
This book is not for the feint of heart, and it's grisly violence will turn some off. If you cannot deal with innocents being maimed and murdered then you need to stay way from this book. Trey, Kosar, Ameer, and Rafe are all likable protagonists as was Hope. These are not your typical band of brothers out on a quest to save the world. The cast is made up of a disgraced thief, a witch that is also a hoar, a miner that is not a normal human, a farm boy, and a librarian. There stories are all individual and unique, yet they are brought together as the fate of the world unfolds before them. They are faced with the return of magic into their world. They come together as they flee for their lives.
The backstory of each character adds depth to the characters and makes it easier for us to relate with them. The world building involving the tales of the past and the cataclysm of the war with the mages is all top notch. There are plenty of great chase scenes, action, sword fights, and killings. The red monks are truly scary bad ass dudes and the opening chapter of this book will show you just how bad they can be.
Lebbon's writing is colorful and often filled with depth and detail. I really enjoyed his prose. ""Mage shit, it's really here." The tattoos on Hope's face were in flux, shifting and moving as her emotions swat yes from fear to elation, delight to terror. Here was the living future, and the dead past. This boy was more myth than reality, a story so rare that she had never heard it told other than by her own mother and grandmother. Magic is destined to return, they had said, and it will be in a child unbirthed, offspring of the womb of the land in darkest Kang Kang."
This is a fairly fast paced book that had very few flaws to me. There are a few predictable twists that slightly detract from it's excellence. The ending which is not really an ending was a bit too unclimactic to me, it felt like it was forced. The threads of this story did not get the type of ending that I thought they deserved.
Overall, a really fun dark fantasy that Joe Abercrombie would find likable. I will move on to Dawn now as I really want to see how this unfolds... Great Stuff..(less)
5 Stars This book is not without flaws even though I am giving it full marks. The story does not truly hook you as the reader until the halfway mark of...more5 Stars This book is not without flaws even though I am giving it full marks. The story does not truly hook you as the reader until the halfway mark of this book. I found that I had little attachment to either the main protagonists, Celia and Marco until their first meeting together. This book does not answer all your questions, nor does it resolve all the plot lines. I agree however, with many of the fabulous reviews here, that this is a magically written, lyrically told fantastical love story. Much of it is dream like, whimsical, and colorful down to the last detail.
The plot is one that slowly builds; it takes the entire duration of this novel to come to a head. The number of amazing supporting characters, points of views, and interlaced storylines is simply fabulous. This is an adult oriented fairy tale in the vein of Neil Gaiman. I love the way the story was told through jumping time frames. I loved the tension and felt it growing to palpable levels. The mystery behind the contest remains just enough out of reach to us as it does to our young heroes. The magic is marvelous. The circus is breathtaking. The friendships are all ones that you would wish to be part of. Though the outcome becomes somewhat obvious, it does not detract from the feelings that you will feel when they finally reach them.
I was moved by this book. As the story progressed I found that I was making many internal comparisons of things in my life, my past, and in my dreams that are touched on by the prose of this novel. I am probably reaching but I feel that the best parts of this book are the things that are left unsaid. What is the contest? Who are the two father figure magicians? Why has the contest failed seven times previous? Are things really so Black and White? What is greater the heart or the mind? I am not sure how much the author intended on us going down these deep philosophical paths but I found myself feeling that this book was a test of Love, of human spirit. A testament to the fact the not all things are black and white and often, a change in point of view can render the differences moot. Celia and Marco are raised by very different fathers, opposites you might say. They were educated one through reading and thing of the mind, the other through emotions, feelings, and of the heart. They displayed magic in different ways; again you might say in an opposite way. There is a great deal of synergy between the heart and the mind in their magic, in their feelings, and in their dreams.
I was reminded of a favorite song of mine as the story came to conclusion, so I thought that I would share some of the relevant lyrics:
“I could leave but I won't go It would be easier I know I can't feel a thing from my head down to my toes
So why does it always seem to be Me lookin' at you, you lookin' at me It's always the same it's just a shame, that's all
But I love you, more than I wanted to There's no point in trying to pretend There's been no one who makes me feel like you do Say we'll be together til the end
But just as I thought it was goin' alright I found out I'm wrong when I thought I was right It's always the same it's just a shame, that's all Well I can say day, you'd say night Tell me it's black when I know that it's white Its always the same it's just a shame, that's all That's all “ Phil Collins That’s All
If you want to read a fairytale story that involves great magic, great characters, has wonderful prose, and leaves your imagination wondering and your heart aglow, then I highly recommend that you read Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. (less)
My first John Scalzi book that I have read and I will now grab up his other books as I am now a fan. This is a tough review to write as by sayi...more4 Stars
My first John Scalzi book that I have read and I will now grab up his other books as I am now a fan. This is a tough review to write as by saying what I like about this book might make it seem like it less than it really is.
This is a funny book. It is filled with clever wit, funny parodies, and downright corny jokes. The jokes are all over this one and give it a great feel, without actually detracting from the science. This is a science fiction novel, a space opera, and a futuriistic conspiracy novel where the stakes are nothing less than the fate of the Earth and all the people living on it. The jokes add color and flare to the action and chase scenes. They coincide with the plot points and move the story forward. At times they have you laughing out loud.
The first chapter had me hooked, an Earth trade representive developed an anal device and used it to enrage an alien diplomat by farting. "We're pretty sure that it's a device used to send chemical signals the Nidu could smell and interpret through a code of theirs. We think that your guy hid this until he got into the room, and the used it to enrage the Nidu negotiator into a stroke. He had a heart attack right after. He died laughing, Ted. It didn't look very good.". Too funny, an alien strokes out because of too much bad farting and the gassy man dies of a heart attack laughing his butt off.
"Dr Atkinson had warned James for years to eat a more balanced diet..." James was eating too much meat.
"Then in the afternoon we start on livestock quotas. We begin with sheep." " Do ewe think that's a good idea?". Haha so baaaaaad it's funny.
The story is a straight forward sci-fi involving the Earth, Alien races, traitors, and impending war(doom). There are many cool creatures, gadgets, and technologies. Creek is a likeable lead and Robin is equally easy to identify with. There are a couple of typical bad guys for us to hate, and a pace that keeps us interested. The action is decent, and the prose is competent too. I really feel that it is the integration of so much humor and sattire that made this one a good read.
I highly recommend this book to science fiction readers that don't take themselves too seriously and fans of books by Terry Pratchett would probably appreciate the wit of John Scalzi.(less)
I would have given this book a lesser rating if it wasn't so fun to read. Cherie Priest has created a wonderfully fun and imaginative alt histo...more3 Stars
I would have given this book a lesser rating if it wasn't so fun to read. Cherie Priest has created a wonderfully fun and imaginative alt history USA and done it in an awesome steampunk fashion. This was my least favorite of the four novels so far and to me it had the smallest scope. It was even smaller than Clementine which is a Novella.
This book works on the foundation that the first three books have built. Without the wonderful world building in them, this one would not have worked. Overall, it is a lesser book than both Boneshaker and Dreadnought, but it is still a fun fast read. This book lacks any depth and contains no real twists or surprises. It does play a little with the rotters(zombies), and they are discussed in detail by our main characters. Like all Priest novels our main hero is a strong woman that I both liked and rooted for.
There really was not enough in this book. Too litte action, too small a story line, too little zombies, and not enough dirigibles to make this a great read. I highly recommend The Clockwork Century series to those that enjoy steampunk or alt history American stories. Cherie Priest is one of my favorite authors and is worth checking out.(less)
This, being my second foray into the nightmarish worlds created by Mannetti, i had high expectations for a great ride. This novell...more Dissolution
1.5 Stars
This, being my second foray into the nightmarish worlds created by Mannetti, i had high expectations for a great ride. This novella however, simply did not work for me. There are too many similarities between this story and Mannetti's great novel The Gentling Box to keep your interest. Where the full length novel worked, and was truly a great read, this short story does not. Her stories take their life from their settings, from their backstories, and from their time periods. A novella simply cannot provide any of this, and as a result things start to look a bit too dirty and too muddy to be called good.
This novella, Dissolution, deals with a would be medical student charged with separating Siamese twin girls. He becomes entangled with the family, has extra relations, and comes up against a supernatural force. I wanted to like this book but found that I could not. The main hurdle that needs to be overcome is simply something that is in very poor taste. As a result I hated Stuart and did not get one bit invested in his outcome. I would have stopped reading this halfway through, but my respect for Mannetti made me push through. I was looking to find a great payoff, but was extremely disappointed when one was never found.
I should have put this book down after this first of the two novellas that are in this book, but I pushed on. After, 25 pages or so, I could not recall one real detail about the protagonist Tom, nor did I care to finish. The first novella turned me off and as a result I deleted this book. I am a fan of this very talented and gifted author. Lisa Mannetti has a great future in front of her and I really do look forward to what she will bring us.
Pass on this one and go grab Mannetti's The Gentling Box...(less)
Hot on the heels of the wildly popular Hunger Games Trilogy comes this book, #1 in the divergent series by new author Veronica Roth. This lik...more4.5 Stars
Hot on the heels of the wildly popular Hunger Games Trilogy comes this book, #1 in the divergent series by new author Veronica Roth. This like the aforementioned series is a book about a dystopian society. This is a very well written character study novel that makes it nearly impossible to put down. With all the similarities to the Hunger Games, a series that started out so incredibly and absolutely tanked in my opinion, you cannot help but read this one with reservations and without being on guard against the inevitable. I loved this book. I loved Tris as our main protagonist and feel that she holds her own against many of today's popular lead female kick ass heroine. Roth does an amazing job at unveiling this complex character to us while at the same time she grows up as her story progresses.
There are several great side characters and an interesting inclusion of a little romance that makes this book work. Four, Al, Christina, Molly and Eric all make up an interesting side cast.
This book reminded me a bit of Harry Potter in the way that they segregate themselves as a society into factions instead of schools . Abnegation, Candor, Erudite, Amity, and Dauntless make up the factions of Tris' world. At 16 after taking an aptitude test all children must choose a faction to belong to, even if it means betraying their family. We have seen this all before, and there really is nothing new here to set it apart. "Decades ago our ancestors realized that it is not political ideology, religious belief, race or nationalism that is to blame for a warring world. Rather, they determined that it was the fault of human personality--of humankind's inclination toward evil, in whatever form that is." Really, personalities and evil tendencies make war... I had a hard time believing that people would willingly let their children leave them for life at the age of 16 over this shallow premise.... Like I said before, that even though this is a very action packed and at times brutally violent novel, it is a character driven story first. Tris comes of age while going through the initiation phases of her trials of acceptance into Dauntless. She has a very hard time accepting her own flaws, her own feelings, and her choices that she has made. She takes a long time to grasp what deep down she already knows about herself. One such point that stuck out to me happens early on during phase 1 and really defines the turmoil Tris was facing. Tris hears someone crying on the first night and has issues with it. “His feet are just inches from my head. I should comfort him---I should want to comfort him, because I was raised that way. Instead I feel disgust. Someone who looks so strong shouldn’t act so weak. Why can’t he just keep his crying quiet like the rest of us?”
I cannot tell much about the story as to prevent any spoilers. I can say that this is a fantastic YA novel about the coming of age of a kick ass heroine named Tris. It takes place in a faction based society that is incredibly similar to that of The Hunger Games. Warning! This book is not for those people who do not like violence, there is a tremendous amount here. Action, romance, adventure, secret conspiracies, interesting technologies, and cool characters make this one a must read. I cannot wait for book 2 and highly recommend you read this one. (less)
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