There are few authors that can literally force to me read their longest books through the night and into the wee morning hours. Stephen King is one o...moreThere are few authors that can literally force to me read their longest books through the night and into the wee morning hours. Stephen King is one of those. "Under the Dome" is a post apocalyptic doomsday story set inside a small town. The kicker is that they're the only ones in the midst of the end of the world. The Dome, as it comes to be called, holds them all captive. They are cut off from the world.
We are introduced to characters we grow to love, cheer and weep for as the tale is woven through scene after scene. You end up really wishing death on every one of the villains so viciously you can't help but love how King writes these characters. It is a brutal, painful and heart wrenching story of humanity at it's worst and best. Be ready for some violence, a very aggressive and disturbing scene involving a woman being taken advantage of by a posse of insanity. The blood flows and so do the lessons. The truth of our humanity (both the good and the bad) is laid out in detail. How humans can be callous, power hungry and dangerous all at the same time.
It is also interesting how King brings the story to resolution. I'll have to read deeply into the ending once again as I must have missed a few points. King writes for depth and thought and I definitely felt it. If you like thrilling non stop put you on the edge writing, then this will be you welcome friend. If you can't handle it...well, go read Cujo. That'll fix ya right up.(less)
The sequels are never as good as the original. In the case of "Elegy Beach", I'm tempted to make an exception. It has the punch of the ori...moreThe sequels are never as good as the original. In the case of "Elegy Beach", I'm tempted to make an exception. It has the punch of the original (familiar characters return) with a new cast of magicians and nefarious gangsters of the Rasputin kind. There are some great moments in this book that when you reach them it's like a old friend stopping in for a chat over tea. Much of this tome feels like that and it's a welcome feeling.
The are moments of friendship rekindled, fears reborn and ultimately the question of returning everything to normal runs center to the end of this story. Instead of bashing you head in with the ideas it allows you to think on your own as the drama plays out as you read. I had a hard time deciding if the events had happened to me...what would I do?
Would I inspire to restart the industrial revolution in favor of the magical one that was now shaping the earth from coast to coast? It's a pretty fun question and the book exacts its point fairly cleanly. I enjoyed the ending as it gives us hope and a happy ending. It doesn't shy away from the reality of life and what it means.
I enjoyed it and would pick it up again to read through all the things I enjoyed and even some that I may have missed.(less)
Wow. I had never heard of this book until I stumbled onto it's sequel "Elegy Beach" in the library and suddenly I was in a world of unicorn...moreWow. I had never heard of this book until I stumbled onto it's sequel "Elegy Beach" in the library and suddenly I was in a world of unicorns and magic. The idea of "Ariel" is that for whatever reason (it's never really explained which I love) the world suddenly stopped being real. Technology, weapons, electricity and just about everything man created that moved, whistled and beeped no longer works.
Guns don't work. You can load it and fire it. Nothing happens. The titular character of this book is Ariel, a unicorn. She takes our friend Peter on a journey of epic discovery that teaches him about life, truth and the reality of the world we live in without nary a thought to how it all really works.
I found myself staying up late to finish this book as each arc turned and twisted through the pages. I enjoyed the ending if only because it was the only way it could have ended. You may have a bittersweet feeling but don't worry. Nobody dies. There's dragons, wizards and other assorted creatures of fantasy to inspire your imagination. Read it for the post apocalyptic story of good versus evil and what happens to Man in the end when the world's natural lines are blurred and erased. (less)
Graphic Novels or "comic books" are always tricky. This one isn't really. A cool little story with a mix of "Heroes", "Batm...moreGraphic Novels or "comic books" are always tricky. This one isn't really. A cool little story with a mix of "Heroes", "Batman" and a few others it takes a honest and fascinating look at life with superheroes. What it means to them, us and those around it all. It starts off a little preach with politics but sealed the deal as it went along. I'd be curious to see the rest of the series.(less)
Holy crap. Zombies. Star Wars. Han. Chewie. ZOMBIES! ONNOMNOM!
That's all you really need to know. It's fairly terrifying (descriptio...moreHoly crap. Zombies. Star Wars. Han. Chewie. ZOMBIES! ONNOMNOM!
That's all you really need to know. It's fairly terrifying (descriptions might make you squirm) but it's a nonstop adventure in the deep darkness of space where everyone screams. And wants to eat your brains. ONNOMNOM!
If you like Star Wars, Zombies, Alien and all kinds of spacey scarey stuff...you'll need to give this book a run over your eyes. It's a fun little peek into the darker aspects of the Empire.(less)
Wow. I loved this book to hate one or two characters. A simple four way story between four people destined to kill themselves. All on the same nigh...moreWow. I loved this book to hate one or two characters. A simple four way story between four people destined to kill themselves. All on the same night. Together they awkwardly join together to become some eccentric gang of insane people gathered together towards a goal. Whatever that may be. By the end you want to throttle the young girl in the story and you want to hug the rest of them. It's a fantastic little story of people, pain, struggle and in the end...twisted triumph. Love me some twisted triumph.(less)
Well. Watchmen is a comic book/graphic novel like any other. Viewing it today after all my comic book reading days that is. When it was published I...moreWell. Watchmen is a comic book/graphic novel like any other. Viewing it today after all my comic book reading days that is. When it was published I'm sure it rocked the world and changed everything. However...it didn't do it for me. Sure, it's got a solid plot, great characters and one heckuva history to tell. Yes, it's got a compelling storyline and without question is a excellent addition to the comic book genre.
I enjoyed reading it and may end up purchasing it someday. I enjoyed the ending with bittersweet feelings since a character or two gets offed. I agree with those that say all comic book fans should read this sucker. It is a great foundation builder and excellent introduction to the great dark and fun world of graphic novels.(less)
Wow. This book was just gobs of fun for me. I'm an oldschool Titanic geek and parts of this book had me smilin' wide like a fool. Some good hauntin...moreWow. This book was just gobs of fun for me. I'm an oldschool Titanic geek and parts of this book had me smilin' wide like a fool. Some good haunting moments and pretty thrilling story combined with a acceptable ending makes this book something I'd enjoy reading again to pick up on details I missed. Fun and historical. Gotta love it!(less)
A fairly acceptable continuation of the adventures with introduction of new characters to further flesh out the story of Darth Vader. Characters are ...moreA fairly acceptable continuation of the adventures with introduction of new characters to further flesh out the story of Darth Vader. Characters are ok. I say ok because some of them are just mind blowingly stupid. The Vader moments were we get to see inside his mind and his early interactions with the Emperor are great and really add something to the legend and story of the Dark Lord of the Sith. A good summer read that won't change your life and might bring a smile to your face.(less)
This book is hard to quantify because of a few things. One is that George RR Martin is a seriously impressive author. Legend is one of the words tha...moreThis book is hard to quantify because of a few things. One is that George RR Martin is a seriously impressive author. Legend is one of the words that would be use to describe him. His Throne Of Kings series blows the door, walls and roof off anything that tries to compete.
And therein lies the trouble. This book is a short novel and is not a three or four book volume series where details and stories can be slowly marinated over a warm fire. The ideas and backstory is avalanched down on the reader and before you know it you're reading through a encyclopedia entry of the history of the past and present of the world and characters.
Again, Martin is unparalleled in his story telling and talent. However in my opinion this book is almost too much too fast. The last 3/4 finally picks up and then uses what we've just learned to give us a great ending and page turning climax. Trouble is this wasn't long enough to justify reading through the entire history to get there.
The story is great and the characters wonderfully written. Just tried to fit too much into too little space.(less)
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