This book was written for the author's two middle-school aged kids, and I'd say the appropriate audience for the book is probably right around that ta...moreThis book was written for the author's two middle-school aged kids, and I'd say the appropriate audience for the book is probably right around that target age (12-14 years old). That's not to say adults can't enjoy it, too, but it's a little too melodramatic and watered-down-for-preteens for my tastes.
I've heard the books in the trilogy get better and longer as they progress, so I'll probably check out the next one as part of the Kindle Lending Library, as I like the author and I'd be willing to give the series another chance.(less)
Complete and utter dreck. The whole plot is ridiculous, the writing childish, and the entire thing is so unbelievable that my wife and I were ready to...moreComplete and utter dreck. The whole plot is ridiculous, the writing childish, and the entire thing is so unbelievable that my wife and I were ready to give up about halfway into the novel. The only reason we finished was that it was a 2 hour audiobook and we had a 2 hour drive that needed accompaniment. We would have been better off listening to NPR. (less)
The writing was sort of cheesy, but I enjoyed the premise and the plotting of the novel. There was an awful lot of dialog-as-exposition but I wasn't e...moreThe writing was sort of cheesy, but I enjoyed the premise and the plotting of the novel. There was an awful lot of dialog-as-exposition but I wasn't expecting a masterpiece, just something to keep me entertained while I was bedridden, and this did the trick.(less)
I really enjoyed the premise of this book, but I had to subtract one star for the stilted quality of some of the writi...moreFree via Kindle Lending Library.
I really enjoyed the premise of this book, but I had to subtract one star for the stilted quality of some of the writing (I'm guessing this was translated from its original Spanish and some of the translations need work). I also didn't enjoy the journal-entry format of the book as much, possibly because I had last year read the Mira GrantNewsflesh Trilogy which covers the blogging/journal entry format in a much more engaging manner, and in comparison this one just fell a little flat. It seemed like the author tried a little too hard at times to pound home the point that humans are a fragile animal and without our normal crutches of modern technology and science, we'd quickly be at the mercy of nature and fate.
Other than this though, this was a solid Zombie Apocalypse story told from the point of view of an "Average Joe" who has no clue what is going on until it's too late, is scared shitless, and is just trying to do whatever he can to keep himself (and his cat) alive.(less)
Fun and very engaging, with excellent narration by the author Mike Bennett. There were some details of the plot/characterization that didn't seem to f...moreFun and very engaging, with excellent narration by the author Mike Bennett. There were some details of the plot/characterization that didn't seem to fit properly, but overall I really enjoyed this novel. I would recommend listening to the book over reading it - Bennett does a great job creating individual voices for each character that bring the story to life.(less)
Paranormal Romance in 1800s Brighton, where magic exists, as do "vampyres", "rogue mages", and apparently, "goblin invasions". S...moreFree Kindle download.
Paranormal Romance in 1800s Brighton, where magic exists, as do "vampyres", "rogue mages", and apparently, "goblin invasions". Sorcerer/Aristocrat Marquess Kendall Lake is directed to investigate a mysterious paranormal occurrence plaguing the niece of his magic Order's most powerful sorcerer. He discovers a surprisingly [to him] attractive, and [coincidentally] single young woman photographer plagued by a curse [the subjects of her photos keep dying, oh my!]. Magic and mystery ensue, with enough Victorian-era romance thrown in to appease those who are seeking out such prose.
If you can't tell from my summary above, I wasn't overly impressed with the book. Obviously I am not the intended audience for this work, as I'm not a Romance novel fan (usually). I have enjoyed certain classical and modern romance novels (e.g. Lois McMaster Bujold's Sharing Knife series) which have a little more heft and may be considered more equal parts fantasy and romance, but this just wasn't my bag. In spite of my decision to this effect after a few chapters, I finished it since at 3 chapters in I was already more than halfway through the book and since it wasn't going to take more than a couple more hours to finish, I went ahead and read through to the end to satisfy my curiosity as to whodunit, which kept me going more than any of the magic or more "amorous" passages in the book.(less)
Fun story set on an fantastical planet with a 2000 hour long day/night cycle (and 4 such "days" a year). The planet is just window-dressing though, as...moreFun story set on an fantastical planet with a 2000 hour long day/night cycle (and 4 such "days" a year). The planet is just window-dressing though, as the tale revolves around a plucky young reporter (the only one on the planet) covering a rebellion/uprising/revolt of the main populace (made up of equal parts fishermen/sea-monster-hunters and townspeople who survive because of the monster-trade) against the corrupt politicians that have run the government for so long that they don't even hold elections for their positions. The book shows its age in places, but still entertains. It's a pretty quick read and reminds me a lot of the Heinlein juvies, complete with 2 parts bravado, 3 parts can-do-attitude, and a dash of please-suspend-your-disbelief-for-a-bit.(less)
Agatha Christie's first Poirot mystery, and my second Poirot tale, I was umimpressed. Christie's attempts to constantly befuddle the reader with count...moreAgatha Christie's first Poirot mystery, and my second Poirot tale, I was umimpressed. Christie's attempts to constantly befuddle the reader with countless red herrings, combined with the narrator's thick-headed chronicle of the investigation left me with almost no desire to find out whodunit. I enjoy Christie's writing and there were some wonderfully insightful quotes that I relished, but overall, I think I'm just not enough of a Christie/mystery fan to really appreciate this book.(less)
I'm a big Neal Stephenson fan, and many aspects of this novel really appealed to me, but I just wasn't caught up in this story as much as some of his...moreI'm a big Neal Stephenson fan, and many aspects of this novel really appealed to me, but I just wasn't caught up in this story as much as some of his other works.(less)
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