I tend to forget, when I haven't read anything by him for a while, just how good a writer Graham Masterton is. His ability to draw me in from the firs...moreI tend to forget, when I haven't read anything by him for a while, just how good a writer Graham Masterton is. His ability to draw me in from the first page (often the first sentence) never ceases to impress me.
Death Mask is a great horror story written by a true master of the genre. My only criticism, and the only reason it doesn't get the full 5 stars, is that the ending is a bit too quick and easy after all that has gone before. However that should not stop anyone from picking up this book - even with that small fault it is among the best of genre fiction available. I can only aspire to reach this level.(less)
I've just given up on this. The subject matter is interesting, that's why I bought it in the first place, but it's let down by the writing. Not so muc...moreI've just given up on this. The subject matter is interesting, that's why I bought it in the first place, but it's let down by the writing. Not so much bad as very flat and boring. Like reading a school essay with correct English but no emotion. Hate criticising a writer but it just didn't make me want to read on.(less)
Took me a while to get round to it but I've finally read the first of the Uplift novels and it was very very good. Classic science fiction of the type...moreTook me a while to get round to it but I've finally read the first of the Uplift novels and it was very very good. Classic science fiction of the type I've always liked but struggle to find these days (except by re-reading old Clarke, Asimov, Heinlein, Dick etc.). It was also my first novel by David Brin so I will be searching out more of his books, both Uplift novels and others.(less)
The book itself is a very nicely done slim hardback and looks good on any bookshelf. The content is interesting but I felt a little overwritten and at...moreThe book itself is a very nicely done slim hardback and looks good on any bookshelf. The content is interesting but I felt a little overwritten and at times confusing, with a stream of full names and their shortened versions thrown at you with frightening rapidity. That aside this is a book that anyone who grew up reading the Pan Book of Horror series, as I did, should own as a memory of those anthologies.(less)
Despite the sci fi/horror setup with its echoes of Frankenstein and The Island Of Doctor Moreau this is above all else a very good adventure story. Th...moreDespite the sci fi/horror setup with its echoes of Frankenstein and The Island Of Doctor Moreau this is above all else a very good adventure story. Thoroughly enjoyable.(less)
Despite feeling slightly disjointed at times, this is certainly a book that keeps you reading. Built the characters and tensions nicely towards a horr...moreDespite feeling slightly disjointed at times, this is certainly a book that keeps you reading. Built the characters and tensions nicely towards a horrifying climax and then the ending caught me totally by surprise. I won't say anymore about it so as not to spoil it for someone else, but it definitely caught me unawares.(less)
Not one of his best, but once you're past the travelogue-like early sections it picks up pace and the last third of the book is typical Wheatley rip-r...moreNot one of his best, but once you're past the travelogue-like early sections it picks up pace and the last third of the book is typical Wheatley rip-roaring adventure and very enjoyable. Be warned, however, that the deep-seated racism of our colonial past is very much in evidence at times. However this (and all books for that matter) should be read while being aware of the time and culture it was written in. It shows how fiction can give us a glimpse of the social morals and attitudes of earlier times while still entertaining us.(less)
The Sphinx is an easy and enjoyable read and one that keeps you going back for more but it doesn't quite reach the very high standards set by other Gr...moreThe Sphinx is an easy and enjoyable read and one that keeps you going back for more but it doesn't quite reach the very high standards set by other Graham Masterton books. The tale of an ancient secretive race in modern Washington is well done but the main character, Gene Keiller, is not particularly sympathetic in his attitudes and actions - no doubt partly because of when the book was written (1978). It detracted slightly from my involvement in the book. However, Mr Masterton is one of my all-time favourite authors and just because this book falls a little short by his standards does not mean it doesn't do well when compared with most others books in the genre, despite its age. Worth checking out for yourself.(less)
Another excellent read from Matheson. I don't think anyone does creepy ghost stories like he does. Right up there with I Am Legend and Hell House - wh...moreAnother excellent read from Matheson. I don't think anyone does creepy ghost stories like he does. Right up there with I Am Legend and Hell House - what a pity the films never live up to the quality of the books. Very much a recommended read.(less)
It's been a while since I read any Cynthia Felice and, while she doesn't quite reach the heights of her sometime writing partner Connie Willis, she do...moreIt's been a while since I read any Cynthia Felice and, while she doesn't quite reach the heights of her sometime writing partner Connie Willis, she does manage a blend of Science Fiction and Romance that I always enjoy. Her Science Fiction (spaceships, other planets etc.) is the kind I tend to like anyway, and the romantic elements of her stories never descend into embarrasment - they are simply natural parts of her characters' lives and often with a twist - in this case the couple having aged at different rates during their separation, he by 10 years, she by 30. Add into their lives the complications of impending interstellar war and betrayal in the ruling elite and you have a fast moving, intriguing and involving story. Well worth searching out.(less)
I wasn't sure when I started to read this whether it would be up there with Mr Smith's best. Not sure why, maybe a bit of a slow start, maybe my mood ...moreI wasn't sure when I started to read this whether it would be up there with Mr Smith's best. Not sure why, maybe a bit of a slow start, maybe my mood at the time, maybe because the small town/young people mix reminded me of my least favourite Stephen King books? Thankfully I was wrong to doubt it. Once the story had gripped me, as they always do with Guy N Smith books, I really enjoyed it and it is a book deserving of a sequel. I can't help feeling there's still more to tell of this character. If, like me, you struggle a little at the beginning, bear with it - you won't be disappointed.(less)
Guy N Smith, like Dennis Wheatley before him, may not ever be classed as a writer of great literature, but what they both do very succesfully is crank...moreGuy N Smith, like Dennis Wheatley before him, may not ever be classed as a writer of great literature, but what they both do very succesfully is crank up the excitement and tension and write bloody good stories. The art of great storytelling is sadly underrated by many (most of whom are critics or judges of literature competitions).(less)
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