This is definitely not my favorite Christopher Moore title, but I did enjoy it quite a bit. I had trouble following it at times, particularly all the...moreThis is definitely not my favorite Christopher Moore title, but I did enjoy it quite a bit. I had trouble following it at times, particularly all the flashbacks and geographic running around. Also, I'm just not very familiar with art history (shame) so I probably didn't even recognize some of the names that I should have. Still, this book still cracked me up in typical Christopher Moore fashion. There's all the laugh-out-loud ridiculousness that I know and love. Moore is definitely a love him or hate him kind of author, and this book falls right in line with his usual stuff. If you didn't like his other books you probably won't like this one, but his usual fans will not be disappointed. (less)
I love this series, and almost everything about it. There's lots of action, but the characters are well developed, too. The humor is fun and cheesy as...moreI love this series, and almost everything about it. There's lots of action, but the characters are well developed, too. The humor is fun and cheesy as ever. The plot has several twists and turns. It's one of those that there's not a lot to say about, as it's just good simple fun. (less)
I've never read a book quite like this before, and I really liked it. Stiefvater did a great job of creating the atmosphere of Thisby--it felt melanch...moreI've never read a book quite like this before, and I really liked it. Stiefvater did a great job of creating the atmosphere of Thisby--it felt melancholy and beautiful at the same time. I could just see the dangerous capaill uisce and the water's thrashing waves. The plot is a bit slow and definitely predictable, but I enjoyed the writing so much that it didn't bother me. (less)
I was really interested in the premise of this book. It's fascinating to think about how someone's personality would develop if it could be stripped o...moreI was really interested in the premise of this book. It's fascinating to think about how someone's personality would develop if it could be stripped of gender, race, and all the expectations that come with it. Levithan is obviously making some statements about gender roles and sexuality, and though they aren't subtle they aren't too heavy-handed. I usually like for mysterious things like what's going on here to be explained at some point, but for some reason it seemed to work here and I just accepted the bizarre situation. I really got into the story and couldn't put it down, but I had some trouble with the ending. It felt anticlimactic and disappointing. Still, I give Every Day a high rating overall for its thought-provoking nature and novelty factor. (less)
I think this is the last Mortal Instruments book I will read. I rarely don't finish a series I start, but I just can't handle any more of these. I'm n...moreI think this is the last Mortal Instruments book I will read. I rarely don't finish a series I start, but I just can't handle any more of these. I'm not sure why they annoy me so much because I really like the Clare's prequel series, the Infernal Devices. I guess I just don't like these characters as much. And yeah, I'll come out and say it--I just can't handle the incest stuff. I have a feeling that Clary and Jace will turn out to not be brother and sister, but it's still gross that they make out and are so hung up on each other when they think they're siblings. I'm sort of interested in what happens, but I think I'll just read up about it on Wikipedia and save myself some time. (less)
When Bronte starts dating Brewster, aka Bruiser, aka Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty, her twin brother Tennyson is not pleased. In fact, he's goi...moreWhen Bronte starts dating Brewster, aka Bruiser, aka Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty, her twin brother Tennyson is not pleased. In fact, he's going to do anything he can to sabotage their relationship. But when he follows Bruiser around a bit with intentions of scaring him, Tennyson discovers that there's something unusual about Bruiser. When people are around him, strange things happen to them. Tennyson totally misjudged Bruiser, but when and Bronte learn his secret they have no idea what they are getting themselves into.
I've never read a book quite like this before. I didn't know anything about it before I picked it up, so it took me a while to figure out what was going on. The story alternates between Bronte and Tennyson's points of view, and Shusterman does a great job of differentiating between their points of view. They both feel real and I really liked both of them, and I especially liked Bruiser. The ending isn't what I expected...sort of sudden, but I liked it. Overall, a very entertaining story. (less)
This was my favorite book in the Kane Chronicles. I had trouble following the others, perhaps due to my lack of knowledge of Egyptian mythology, but I...moreThis was my favorite book in the Kane Chronicles. I had trouble following the others, perhaps due to my lack of knowledge of Egyptian mythology, but I guess I'd learned enough from the previous books to help this story make sense. The action is pretty much nonstop, so I couldn't put the book down. Carter and Sadie both seem to grow up a little, which is good to see as the series concludes. I like the way everything came together for a very satisfying ending. Well done!(less)
I think of this book as chick lit with a punch. Ismae is no damsel in distress--she's basically an assassin nun. How cool is that? It's nice to read a...moreI think of this book as chick lit with a punch. Ismae is no damsel in distress--she's basically an assassin nun. How cool is that? It's nice to read a historical novel with such a strong heroine, one who's more concerned about spilling the blood of the next evil-doer than being ladylike. Sure, the romantic part is really predictable. And I had trouble following all the politics, all the so-and-so was supposed to marry so-and-so, this guy made this treaty, this guy might be a traitor, etc. But still, it's a fun, quick read, and I look forward to following Ismae's adventures in the upcoming books.(less)
The year is 1881. The Mississippi River divides the United States from the Indian nations of the West. The only thing keeping the US from expanding is...moreThe year is 1881. The Mississippi River divides the United States from the Indian nations of the West. The only thing keeping the US from expanding is the magic of powerful Indian medicine men. The America government is desperate to expand its territory (since it's the "destiny" of the US and all), so it sends Thomas Edison out West to the town of Tombstone, Arizona, to discover a scientific answer to the Indians' magic. When he arrives, he brings some of his other inventions to the town: horseless carriages, electric streetlights, and *ahem* robotic prostitutes. Meanwhile, Wyatt Earp and his brothers are hired to protect the genius. Problem is, Edison and Earp have enemies who make the Indian threat seem tame--the Clayton gang. When they find themselves in over their heads, Earp's old friends Doc Holliday and Bat Masterson ride into help. Though you'd think they'd get some good-karma by offering their assistance, Bat is turned into--what else--a bat and Doc is stalked by a zombie gunslinger. The gang will have to do some quick thinking--and shooting--to get out of this one.
I enjoyed every bit of this fast-paced story. Usually I want some more character development than what this one has, but because it's so action-oriented I was okay with a little less info in that department. I loved all the funky steampunkness and the wacky dialogue. The book kept me guessing about what was going to happen next and made me laugh as well. Fun, fun, fun!(less)
Things aren't going so well for private investigator/villain RJ. Thanks to his crazy ex-wife, he's on probation from the Villain's Union. This means h...moreThings aren't going so well for private investigator/villain RJ. Thanks to his crazy ex-wife, he's on probation from the Villain's Union. This means he can't be mean, cruel, vicious, or evil--at all. And it's killing him. Meanwhile, Cinderella has just been run over by a bus, and her not-so-ugly stepsister, Asia, suspects that it wasn't an accident. She hires RJ to find the killer, and due to his can't-be-evil curse, he is forced to say yes. When he begins to investigate, he finds himself getting sucked into Asia's crazy family: King and Queen Maledetto, who are constantly trying to kill each other; Cinderella's fiance, Prince Charming, who is obviously flamboyantly gay; and the so-ugly-she-hurts-your-eyes stepsister, who is in love with the butler. To make matters more complicated, RJ starts falling for Asia. He just has to solve the murder case, get the girl, and win over the Villain's Union so he can get his evil powers back. Unfortunately, someone starts trying to kill him, and it turns out that Asia is suffering from a curse of her own...
This is just a goofy, goofy book. I thought a few jokes were a little too over the top and it gets repetitive occasionally, but I did crack up quite a bit. I enjoyed the over-the-top characters and trying to figure out who really killed Cinderella. There's plenty of vulgarity so it's not for the faint-hearted, as it's heavy on the adult language and content. If you can handle that, though, and you like silly humor that you don't have to think about too much, this is the book for you. (less)
In some ways, Karou is a normal teenager. She loves drawing and hanging out with her best friend at their favorite coffee shop. But Karou has secrets,...moreIn some ways, Karou is a normal teenager. She loves drawing and hanging out with her best friend at their favorite coffee shop. But Karou has secrets, secrets that make her quite different from her friends. Like how she speaks many languages--not all of the human. How her blue hair is not dyed--it actually grows out of her head that way. And, most crazy of all, how her guardian is actually a demon who sends her on errands all over the globe. Like other teens, Karou is trying to figure out who she is. In her case, though, it's in more of the literal sense. Where did she come from? What is the purpose of her unusual powers? She's not an angel and she's not a demon, so what is she? These questions become even more urgent as a war stirs in the supernatural world. The arrival of a beautiful, haunted Akiva makes things even more complicated--especially when it becomes clear that he's on the other side of the conflict.
I really got into this book. There's something engrossing about the mysterious, nothing-what-it-seems world that Karou lives in. I had trouble following parts of this story--there's a lot of jumping around and not enough explanation about some things as I would like. Since it's part of a series, though, I don't hold that against it too much. I was somewhat annoyed by the romance aspect of the story. I'm not a fan of the star-crossed lovers thing, so I didn't really care whether Karou and Akiva got together. I do, however, love Karou; she's complicated, curious, and strong, which makes for a fascinating character I can root for. I also like how the book mixes up traditional ideas about good guys and bad guys--in this case, both the angels and the demons have positive and negative qualities. That, combined with the intriguing setting, sets up a series that I look forward to finishing.(less)
I really got sucked into this story. I love the creepy, exciting, mystical world Clare has created here. The action is paced well--it moves along quic...moreI really got sucked into this story. I love the creepy, exciting, mystical world Clare has created here. The action is paced well--it moves along quickly but there's room for characterization and even a bit of humor. Clary is a good, strong role model, but she's not so perfect that I couldn't relate to her. My only complaint is that the writing itself sometimes annoyed me. It's generally too dramatic and angsty for me. I enjoyed the story enough, though, that I can get past that and I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. (less)
I can't get enough of the Infernal Devices series! I love the world Clare has created, with the magic and funky steampunk elements. The characters are...moreI can't get enough of the Infernal Devices series! I love the world Clare has created, with the magic and funky steampunk elements. The characters are probably what really has me hooked, though. The bad ones are so easy to hate, the good guys are so lovable, and there are plenty who fall somewhere in the middle, which I like because that's how real life is. I'm not so thrilled about the Will-Tessa-Jem love triangle, though. I am Team Will all the way, especially after reading this second book and learning some pretty important things about his background that explain some of the less-than-wonderful aspects of his personality. I adore Jem too, of course, but I just think Will and Tessa belong together. The fact that I care so much says a lot, as I usually don't really get so into the romantic aspects of books. I don't know how I'm going to wait until November for the third title in the series. (less)
I haven't read any of the Mortal Instruments series, which this book is a prequel to, but I will have to now because I loved Clockwork Angel! The acti...moreI haven't read any of the Mortal Instruments series, which this book is a prequel to, but I will have to now because I loved Clockwork Angel! The action grabbed me from the first page, and the pacing is just right: it moves quickly, but there's enough time for characterization as well. I really cared about the characters, even some of the minor ones. I like that the vampires and other monsters are scary in this book, not all hot and sexy like in many of the other popular teen books that are out right now. Clare creates a really interesting world that I am looking forward to reading more about in the rest of the Infernal Devices series, as well as Mortal Instruments.(less)
Nathaniel Cade, the President's Vampire, is facing the worst threat he's ever come across in his more than 150 years of serving American presidents. I...moreNathaniel Cade, the President's Vampire, is facing the worst threat he's ever come across in his more than 150 years of serving American presidents. It's the one foe he has never been able to completely destroy...the Boogeyman. Yes, the Boogeyman. But not this is no hiding-under-the-bed children's myth; the horrific creature that calls itself the Boogeyman is real, and he comes straight from hell, resurrected in different bodies over and over by his faithful followers throughout the ages. He's been responsible for dozens of villains throughout history, including Charles Manson and Ted Bundy. Now he's back, just in time for the 2012 presidential election. For Cade and his young handler, Zach, the stakes have never been higher. They must protect the president on the campaign trail and stop the Boogeyman once and for all.
Okay, I know the plot sounds way out there. And it is. But I think it's done really well, and it's probably my favorite Nathaniel Cade novel to date (and I enjoyed the other ones, so that's saying something). I like that Farnsworth takes the Boogeyman--something that is traditionally silly and not taken seriously, at least by adults--and makes it truly fearful and disturbing. As usual, Cade is intriguingly mysterious (a vampire who is religious?) and goofy Zach provides some comic relief. However, he grows up a bit in this book, which is good to see. The action is nonstop and flows nicely, and there's a great cliffhanger at the end. This book is really bizarre, but it's a must-read if you like that kind of thing. (less)
I really liked the premise of this book, but I don't think it lived up to its potential. There's not a lot of characterization beyond the very basics...moreI really liked the premise of this book, but I don't think it lived up to its potential. There's not a lot of characterization beyond the very basics that come into play throughout the story, so I never really felt connected with the characters. The butterfly effect element seemed way overdone and overdramatic to me--they'd change the slightest thing (like knock over a vase), refresh the page, and find out that their Facebook status was different. That said, I did enjoy following the twists and turns that Josh and Emma's lives took, and it got me thinking about my own future and whether or not I'd want to know about it now if I had the chance. Good food for thought.(less)
I loved this book for two primary reasons: the atmosphere it creates and the fascinating characters. Morgenstern's writing has a way of making it seem...moreI loved this book for two primary reasons: the atmosphere it creates and the fascinating characters. Morgenstern's writing has a way of making it seems like you're at the circus yourself, and it feels incredibly full of magic. The sense of wonder it created for me felt like a grown-up version of Harry Potter. The characters, like real people, are complicated and I like that it took me a while to figure them out. I can't decided whether or not I like the crazy back-and-forth chronology. On one hand, it made the book a bit difficult to follow. I often found myself flipping back through the pages to remind myself when a particular part of the story was taking place, and that was annoying. On the other hand, it was interesting to try to put the story together as I went along and I liked the way that the timeline came together near the end. Bottom line: I think this is going to be a really big hit, especially for book clubs. "The Night Circus" creates a really cool world and also gives readers a lot to think about. Side note: Summit Entertainment has already bought the rights for a Night Circus film, and I can hardly wait to see the story come to life on the screen.(less)
I've felt sort of indifferent about the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. The wolves-and-humans love thing is a little out there to me and the characters...moreI've felt sort of indifferent about the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. The wolves-and-humans love thing is a little out there to me and the characters seemed to fall flat in my opinion, but something made me keep reading. The ultimate ending was fairly predictable, but I wanted to see how it got there and there were some interesting twists along the way. When I'd finished the trilogy, I felt about the same as I did all along--it was entertaining, but I definitely won't read it again or even think much about it after this. (less)
I love a campy horror story as much as (okay, let's be honest here: much more than) the average person, but even I thought that the premise of "Pinocc...moreI love a campy horror story as much as (okay, let's be honest here: much more than) the average person, but even I thought that the premise of "Pinocchio: Vampire Slayer" was a bit out-there. How many of these monster mashups can they write? Thank goodness one of my coworkers recommended it to me, because I read it anyway and I'm so glad that I did. It totally cracked me up. The plot isn't the strongest--in fact, there's one part of the ending that really irks me, and you'll probably know what I'm talking about if you read it--and I'm still not really sure how Pinocchio still has a wooden nose if he's supposed to be a real boy. Oh, well. The illustrations and the dark humor more than made up for those things.(less)
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