Lori McD has
1482 books
(22 selected)
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| # | cover | title | author | isbn | isbn13 | asin | num pages | avg rating | num ratings |
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date pub (ed.) | rating | my rating | review | notes | recommender | comments | votes | read count | date started | date read | date added | date purchased | owned | purchase location | condition | format | ||
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| B00BFMJJAO
| 4.61
| 967
| Feb 14, 2013
| Feb 14, 2013
|
4+ stars Another novella from Dex's POV... enlightening, scary, pervy, and heart breaking.... this is Dex's journey into discovering himself and his he...more 4+ stars Another novella from Dex's POV... enlightening, scary, pervy, and heart breaking.... this is Dex's journey into discovering himself and his heart. We learn how Dex pulled himself together when Perry was falling apart... and we learn about a new tattoo that Dex gets in Perry's honor - a tattoo to remind him, always, to man up and get Perry back. So worth reading!!!(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| not set
| Mar 24, 2013
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Mar 25, 2013
| Kindle Edition
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| B009LLHPRU
| 3.92
| 622
| Oct 16, 2012
| Oct 16, 2012
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It's difficult to categorize, rate, and review a book about Special Agent Pendergast, especially a short story from his childhood. But I'll try. This s...more It's difficult to categorize, rate, and review a book about Special Agent Pendergast, especially a short story from his childhood. But I'll try. This story is a Pendergast family story at its best. And the best person to tell the tale is Aloysius Pendergast.... The tale involves Aloysius and his younger brother (some would say evil brother) Diogenes, when the family lived in New Orleans. The boys' parents were out of town, and their uncle was staying with them. There was an urban legend about the man who lived in the decrepit house down the block... that this man was the tooth fairy, but not in the kind sense. Children would leave their baby teeth in the copper pot inside the box outside this man's house rather than putting the tooth under their pillows for money. It was said that if you didn't, this Tooth Fairy would extract his vengeance upon you. Of course, to Aloysius Pendergast, even at the tender age of 8, the whole story was bunk - myth - a tale to frighten children. So when his brother, Diogenes, loses a tooth and tells Aloysius he's taking it to the local Tooth Fairy, Aloysius decides to teach his brother a lesson. He retrieves the tooth from the box and tells Diogenes that he's done so. Diogenes panics and cries, telling his brother that the Tooth Fairy will get him. The next day, Diogenes is nowhere to be found. Their uncle is concerned, but Aloysius says that Diogenes is in a sulk. Except that by the next morning, Diogenes still isn't to be found. Now Aloysius is worried. Could the local Tooth Fairy really have taken his brother? =============== This tale is macabre, almost mythic-fairy tale, and a journey into the unknown... paranormal? Your call. Fact of fiction? Your call. But it's a tale worthy of the Special Agent Pendergast series...(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| not set
| Oct 17, 2012
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Oct 04, 2012
| Audiobook
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| 4.66
| 1,499
| Jul 27, 2012
| Aug 13, 2012
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4+ stars WOW! It's quite something being in Dex's head for a change.... it's spooky, sexy, scary, pervy, disturbing, and wild. But that's Dex for you. W...more 4+ stars WOW! It's quite something being in Dex's head for a change.... it's spooky, sexy, scary, pervy, disturbing, and wild. But that's Dex for you. We get glimpses into events that have spanned the Experiment in Terror series from Dex's POV, starting with scenes from Darkhouse. It all seems so... logical and so ... Dex when we're in his head. Perry's theories about him deliberately being a jerk are explained, as is the reasons why he tries not to see ghosts, why he's attracted to Perry (and that is very real, very magnetic for him too, and very tough for Dex), and so many more of the WHYs and HOWs of Dex's actions over the series. Dex is as screwed up as Perry is. And I don't think he deliberately sets out to hurt her; he's just trying as hard as she is to protect himself from her, as she protects herself from him. They've both got major trust issues, which can be traced back to so much in each of their lives... Dex has been taking the easy way out, until he met Perry. He's frightened of her and attracted to her at the same time. He's such a guy, and while I still don't quite get the hockey game and the strip club, at least seeing it through his eyes helps me to see that he wasn't trying to hurt Perry. The whole thing with Jenn really did throw him for a loop. There's only hope for Dex, and for Dex and Perry together.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| not set
| Mar 23, 2013
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Mar 25, 2013
| ebook
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| 2940044680159
| unknown
| 4.18
| 1,251
| Jun 23, 2012
| Jun 23, 2012
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4+ stars This novella, while marked as 5.5, really should be 4.5 or 4.9. I'd advise reading it BEFORE or WITH On Demon Wings. This is Pippa's story - F...more 4+ stars This novella, while marked as 5.5, really should be 4.5 or 4.9. I'd advise reading it BEFORE or WITH On Demon Wings. This is Pippa's story - FINALLY! While we have an idea that she's Perry's grandmother, we don't know much more than that she's got a relationship with Dex somehow. The CONFUSING THING about this book is that Dex is supposed to be 9-10 years older than Dex, but either Pippa's memories are more confused than we think, or the author goofed. Because in Pippa's memories, Dex is 13 before Perry's parents are married and she's born. Can't figure out if this is because we're supposed to be suspect of Pippa's memories? But that doesn't make sense, because SO MUCH is explained in this book.... Pippa's story isn't an easy one. It's sad and dark and heartbreaking. So is Dex's story. We learn so much more about his home life, including the fact that Dex has an older brother, Michael, who was the "golden boy" in his home. Both Dex's mother and father preferred Michael, who could do no wrong in anyone's eyes, Dex's included. Dex was the one his mother beat up and destroyed all his belongings at every turn. While Regine is a drunk, WHY does she turn on Dex so, even as a small boy? Is it because Regine can see ghosts, too? Does she resent Dex because he's like her? In On Demon Wings, Dex's mother "comes through" the demon inhabiting Perry during the exorcism, threatening to tell Dex's secret - the one that we don't learn about until The Dex Files. Yes I'm behind on putting in my reviews... I almost think that this book should have been before On Demon Wings except that as a reader I wouldn't have been able to wait. And The Dex Files is a MUST READ that you should undertake just after this book. And you'll probably be like me after reading this book and The Dex Files I had to go back to Lying Season and On Demon Wings and re-read a few parts to put them all into context. Pippa's book is so personal... we learn about her early childhood, her cold distant parents, her forays into understanding her gifts to see and talk to ghosts and so much more. What Pippa has going for her that Perry is only beginning to understand and accept is that Pippa acknowledged and accepted her gift early on. Which means that Pippa found "acceptable" ways to deal with seeing ghosts early in life. The unfortunate part of it all is, (view spoiler)[that despite this, Pippa wasn't able to keep her sanity. Because the more she tried to separate herself from her gift and from the spirits that plagued her, the more she was drawn in. Enter the Jacobs... Jacob is a "boy" that Pippa sees when she finally leaves home and moves to Stockholm to embrace her dream of being an actress. Pippa is working at a local theatre company as the makeup artist, costume designer, and cleaner. (So now we see how/why the weird outfit and clown make up come in!) One night, Pippa sees Jacob sitting at the edge of the stage, and she follows him. She learns that Jacob is part of The Thin Veil, Otherworld, Black Sunshine - he's a ghost and a guide, supposed to be guiding Pippa. The problem is, how much can we trust Jacob? He's supposed to be Pippa's "guide", and yet he tells her too much about her future more than once, trying to "warn" her off. One could argue that by doing so, Jacob sealed Pippa's fate and her choices to head directly towards those things that Jacob labeled as disasters. Does that make it Pippa's choice or Jacob's pushing? Even looking back, Pippa's not quite sure. She doesn't push aside her own responsibility, she simply wishes she could have chosen differently. Turns out that Perry's mom, Ingrid, wasn't her father Karl's daughter. No, instead, Ingrid is the product of an affair with a vain, selfish actor that Pippa never quite got over - to the point that she carried on with the actor for years after she was married. Which doesn't seem fair to Karl, the gentle giant who tenderly wooed Pippa after her heart was broken and her dreams crushed. It's such a shame, because despite Karl being 10 years or so older than Pippa, he didn't seem to be the kind of man that ever fell out of love with Pippa. He even embraced Ingrid eagerly as his daughter and raised her as such. But Ingrid was vain, selfish, self-centered, and always looked down on her mother, Pippa, despite Pippa's coddling and spoiling. Pippa truly loved Ingrid - too much, it seems. And Ingrid picked up on so much of her mother's gifts, even though Pippa tried to keep them hidden. Which is why Ingrid's relationship with Pippa was so... awful. And Ingrid is the reason that Pippa ended up in a mental hospital and died there - abandoned and alone. But I can't leave out Dex's family... see, Pippa moved with Ingrid to New York when Ingrid was only 16 to pursue her modelling career. While Karl supported them both from Sweden, Ingrid was ashamed of Pippa and never wanted her around. So Pippa eventually moved out from living with Ingrid and decided to find a job to keep her occupied. The job was being housekeeper and nanny to the O'Shea family - 9 year old Michael and 6 year old Declan. Pippa could see, right away, that Dex took the brunt of his family's unhappiness from everyone; she also recognized a kindred spirit - she knew that Dex could see ghosts, too. Pippa tried to train Dex to ignore the spirits when others were watching. She tried to fill the hole in Dex's heart from Dex's father being indifferent and his mother attacking Dex in every possible way. To the point where, it's possible that Pippa caused Dex's father to leave: Pippa called the police to intervene with Dex's mother, Regine, one time too many. Dex's father was too class and social conscious. He didn't want anyone to see beneath the veneer of a "happy, wealthy family". So one night, he left and never returned. The only good thing he did was put money into trust accounts for both sons.... While we're led to believe that Michael died, nothing in Pippa's story points to that or reveals it. So we have to believe that Dex's brother is still very much alive, even if he wants no contact with Dex. Dex changed his name from O'Shea to Foray (his mother's maiden name) after his mother died. (hide spoiler)] Through Pippa's story, we have so many questions answered and so many more hanging. Can the Jacobs be trusted? Do they have their own agenda? How awful can Perry's mother really be - is it possible that she doesn't love Perry and never has because Perry reminds her too much of her own mother? Can't wait to find out MORE!!!(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| not set
| Mar 23, 2013
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Mar 25, 2013
| ebook
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| B0088A0XQK
| 4.42
| 2,239
| Jun 01, 2012
| Jun 01, 2012
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4 stars This last book in the series was really, really good... but it also dragged a bit for me. There are a lot more politics involved in this book,...more 4 stars This last book in the series was really, really good... but it also dragged a bit for me. There are a lot more politics involved in this book, and a lot of what seems to be esoteric side-trips that don't always make sense until virtually the end of the book. I'm not complaining. As a whole, I'd give this series a 3.75-4 star rating. The characters stay true to themselves. The story and the mystery does unfold, albeit very slowly; this is the culmination book, though, so you have to go with it and try to savor the build up to the final climax. Now that we've survived the trip to China and the aftermath of that, including losing a someone dear to the group, we're whisked away to Rome to finally meet Livia. My only real problem with this book is that the set-up we've had with Livia is far different from the real vampire/female. Now, twists and turns are always welcome, but somehow, it felt to me as if the writer changed her mind about Livia and her role in this epic and reflected those changes about 1/3rd of the way through this book. I have nothing to go on other than my gut... and it all works out in the end, but still... I completely understand when characters and situations change in an author's mind; but I'd have appreciated a bit more heads-up on this one. Regardless, Lorenzo makes a few irritating cameo appearances, and I wondered if anything would truly be resolved by the end of this book. And I was going to be supremely upset if I had to start another series (that's not done yet) by the author to get my closure. But no, Ms. Hunter is much smarter and savvier than that, thank goodness! I'm not sure that the ending is as satisfying as I'd expected. Ms. Hunter reminds us that few people or vampires are strictly black or white. But it's almost disturbing... and again, I wonder if I have to delve into her 2nd series for that to make any sense at all. It's rather strange, but very cool when I step back from it all. We also receive introductions to the oldest four vampires still living, which is quite a trip in and of itself. A (small) nit is that Isadora (grandma) and Casper are once again non-existent except for a phone call or two. Ben, though, takes a more dominant role, which seems appropriate, given that he's quickly becoming a man. Seems a shame that vampires can't create children the old-fashioned way... and the author never really explains why that is. I guess being undead and all has something to do with it - LOL!(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Mar 29, 2013
| Mar 30, 2013
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Mar 29, 2013
| Kindle Edition
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| B0087HI44W
| 3.74
| 1,104
| May 29, 2012
| May 29, 2012
|
2.5-3 stars (maybe) I'm still not quite sure what to think of this short, prequel to The Grimm Diaries. I expected something out of the ordinary. I did...more 2.5-3 stars (maybe) I'm still not quite sure what to think of this short, prequel to The Grimm Diaries. I expected something out of the ordinary. I didn't expect Snow White to be a vampire, or at least to create vampires! The story is told from the POV of the Evil Queen, as a written letter to one of the Grimm brothers. She's chastising him for changing the fairy tale so much that it's no longer true. She claims that not only is she Snow White's actual mother (not a step-mother), but that she's not at all evil. It's not easy to ask for the heart of your daughter, after all... and then she slowly tells the tale that Snow White's blood red lips come from sucking blood. First from the Evil Queen's pricked thumb; later from "yummy" young princes and others. I have "Ashes to Ashes and Cinders to Cinders", because it was a freebie Kindle book. Which is why I bought this book... it's the first prequel; the "Ashes..." book is the 2nd. But I'm not going to rush to read it. These books aren't my style.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Sep 05, 2012
| Sep 05, 2012
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Aug 24, 2012
| Kindle Edition
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| B0082T3FGW
| 4.59
| 2,007
| Apr 30, 2012
| May 13, 2012
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4+ stars TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY FREAKY! This is, without a doubt, the scariest of all the books in the Experiment in Terror series. And it's been a lon...more 4+ stars TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY FREAKY! This is, without a doubt, the scariest of all the books in the Experiment in Terror series. And it's been a long while coming, as we see how the beings that literally take over Perry's body and want her mind and soul as well, have been looking for ways in; and they finally found the IN they needed. SPOILER ALERT AHEAD - if you haven't read all the books up to this one, including Lying Season, Old Blood, and The Dex-Files, DO NOT READ ON!!! (Yes, Old Blood is marked 5.5 and The Dex-Files are marked 5.7 - BUT READ THEM FIRST!!! (view spoiler)[ We start where we left off in Lying Season: Perry left Dex in Seattle, after their week together exploded into amazing sex and passion in Dex's apartment. Except that when Dex had asked Perry earlier if she was in love with him, she lied and said no. Both Perry and Dex are afraid to come clean about their feelings for one another, even to admit their true feelings to themselves. So post-amazing sex, Dex is freaked out by knowing and finally admitting to himself that he's completely in love with Perry. Dex, thinking that he's only hurting himself, gets all awkward afterwards, instead of lovey-dovey. Which drives Perry over the edge, and the screaming ensues. Dex yells at Perry; she yells at him. She tells him that he's not the only one who can lie, meaning that she lied to him about loving him, and she storms out. Now as much as I'd like to hate Dex over all of this, the truth is that Perry LIED point-blank to him. Sure I get why but still... and Dex has just finally figured out that Jenn is sleeping around on him with her own cameraman douche canoe Brad. That, plus the wild week they've had where Abbey his dead ex-girlfriend shows up and tries to kill him with wasps and all the other stuff... Well, Dex isn't the best of head spaces either. When this book opens we find out that Perry not only left Seattle, but that she cut off ALL contact with Dex and the friends she made at Shownet, including Dex's friend and Jenn's Wine Babes co-host Rebecca. Perry's changed her email address and her phone number after she recovered, mostly from being a curled-up ball of tears and depression Perry got herself a job at a local coffee shop as a barista. But she's plagued by constant illness - pains, nausea, and headaches that she attributes to her stress levels and recent events. Except unexplained things like lights going on and off, constant anger, voices in her head, visions of demon girls with sharp teeth, and the smell of rotten meat follow her around. One day while cleaning the coffee shop's bathroom, Perry finds herself in the middle of an episode - one that leads to a dream-world where she delivers a monster baby... only to discover that in reality she had a miscarriage on the bathroom floor. Yes, that one time with Dex was unprotected... and guess what? Perry is thrown into even more of a tizzy and depression, now that her parents know what happened with Dex or part of it. Her parents are not happy. Trying to recover at home doesn't seem to help, because the awful visions and dreams and noises and anger continue to plague her until Perry feels as if she's two people: the Perry she knows, and a Perry that wants to hurt her and anyone she cares about in every possible way. And now she's dealing with "missing" time: entire blanks in her memory and unaccounted for time, like giving herself a manicure with a bright coral pink. (If you know Perry, that's not something she'd ever do!) Ada, her 15 year old sister, seems to be the on her side, as does Maximus, Dex's old friend and band mate. Perry met Max in book 2 Red Fox, and she sensed unresolved issues between Dex and Max. Dex said Max wanted to get into her pants. And while attracted to Max, Perry got enough of a strange vibe from Max that she couldn't completely trust him, even if she did use him to make Dex jealous. Now Max is coming on to her with a vengeance. He's aware of her "gifts" and seems to be supportive. In fact, Max seems to think that Perry could be haunted, and he offers to do a cleansing ritual to her family home to rid it of negative energy and spirits. Perry's not sure when she's in control, and when this other "thing" inside her will gain control; but she's hoping that Max is right, and that she's not possessed. Except that when he takes her to his apartment and makes a move on her, Perry finds herself not only having sex with Max, but wild, raw, bruising, punishing, angry sex... sex that leaves fingernail marks on Max's face. It bothers Perry, especially since the missing time is happening more and more. Cut to the chase, and Max's already suspicious motives hit the fan when, post-cleansing ritual, Perry's and Ada's parents come home early. Max acts like nothing was his idea, and that he simply went along with all of this to humor the crazy Perry. Ada is livid, as is Perry, especially when her parents start talking about getting Perry's old psychiatrist involved again. In the meantime, things get so bad, that her family has to tie Perry to her bed to prevent her from physically assaulting them. Ada calls Dex, who shows up on the double with a plan to take Perry to see an exorcist. But is it too late? Will the demon inside Perry take over completely before Perry can be healed? Will Max and Perry's parents prevent her from being able to leave with Dex to seek help? ---------------------- Yeah, this book was a big trip! It's definitely more personal than the other books, because even while those events happened to Perry, they were still exterior to her. Bird told her in Red Fox that spirits and evil are attracted to Perry's power and would try to take it for themselves, even to kill her to get it. This is the first time that we see a demon actually step in. This particular demon used Abbey to get to Perry during her especially vulnerable time of pregnancy and miscarriage, following the tumultuous events in Seattle with Dex. I was really happy to see Bird again! And I was thrilled that her sister, Ada, was Perry's lifeline and support. Max? Wow... there's so much more to him than meets the eye; does his last name of Jacobs have something to do with the Thin Veil? After reading Pippa's story in Old Blood and her description of guides who take on the name Jacob or Jakob, we know that Perry's high school "friend" Jacob was really a guide and a ghost. So what's Max's story? And whose best interests does he have in mind? Is he doing what Pippa's guide wouldn't: literally stepping into Perry's life and attempting to change her decisions and affect the outcome of her life? If so, why wouldn't he KNOW that she was being possessed and want to help her? Did he really think that medication and a trip to the insane asylum was going to cure Perry - make her less herself - perhaps take away the gifts that she has? (hide spoiler)] And the ending... what a cliffhanger! (less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Mar 22, 2013
| Mar 22, 2013
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Mar 22, 2013
| Kindle Edition
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| B006LEWJWQ
| 4.70
| 2,025
| Dec 12, 2011
| Dec 12, 2011
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4.5 stars There's SO MUCH in this book.... it's as beautiful as it is terrifying. There are many literal laugh-out-loud moments. And yet, it makes me w...more 4.5 stars There's SO MUCH in this book.... it's as beautiful as it is terrifying. There are many literal laugh-out-loud moments. And yet, it makes me want to cry. Perry finds herself and then loses it all. Dex finally gives it all only to find himself withholding it all and crushing everything, again. ================ 1st read: March 22, 2013 As much as I hate to say it, THIS WAS FINALLY the book I expected a couple of books ago... certainly in terms of Perry and Dex and a focus on their SHOW. This time, they both seemed to be ready and able to do their job, despite all the spooky, creepy, horrific things going on around them with ghosts. They actually had CAMERAS and EQUIPMENT recording while the creepy was happening! But, this is also one of the hardest books, so far. Dex and Perry come to a real dramatic climax in this book, no pun intended. Perry learns much more about Dex and his medication and his past; whether she puts it to the best use is in doubt. Perry travels to Seattle, home of Shownet (the webisode "empire" backing Experiment in Terror on the web and paying both Dex and Perry) for two reasons: 1. To film another show in Seattle, in a mental institution purported to be haunted; the institution hasn't ever allowed ghost hunters or paranormal equipment or people to film. It's a coup for Dex. 2. For the Shownet Christmas party. And, oh joy, Perry is invited to spend an entire week as a guest in the new apartment that Dex shares with his girlfriend, Jennifer, and their new dog, a French bulldog named Harvey or Fat Rabbit, depending on whether you ask Dex or Jennifer. Perry is understandable horrified at spending time with Jennifer. On the principal alone that Dex and Jenn are in a relationship that's quite rocky and that Perry has feelings for Dex. And we're sure that Dex has feelings for Perry. If not, what's all the subtext and the little "scene" in the tent on D'Arcy Island about? When Perry first meets Jennifer, as much as she wants to hate her, she just can't. Jenn's being too nice to her. But that quickly goes by the wayside, and Perry begins to see the "real" Jennifer - spiteful, selfish, self-centered, and vain - take over. It's tough for the chemistry between Dex and Perry to be anything but obvious, and it's obvious that Jenn feels it, too. She's plain jealous, and she does whatever she can to make Perry's and Dex's lives miserable. In addition, Perry's being haunted by what seems to be Dex's ex-girlfriend, Abby - the one who had the car accident after getting drunk. The Abby that has history with both Dex and Max. And when Perry tries an experiment to switch out Dex's drugs with placebos, she discovers that Dex can and does see Abby, too. In fact, he's been taking the meds to prevent seeing ghosts! Dex figures that since Perry can see them, he doesn't want to. So all this stuff that she's been going through and seeing when Dex acts like she's crazy... well, major BA-BOOM moment between them. It's tempered only because Perry knows that Dex spent 2 years in a mental institution, and hey, his ex is stalking them. Add to that a new copycat show with ties to real TV is trying to take over Experiment in Terror's audience. The 2 hosts, a fitness guru and a so-called parapsychologist, are more than obnoxious. They find a way to hone in on the institution, even though they're not officially welcome - going so far as to leave Dex and Perry locked in the basement so that they can get footage for their own show. THEN add Perry's awareness of her own body and her own sex appeal to the other "cast" members of other Shownet shows, including Rebecca, Jenn's Wine Babe's co-host who not only hates Jennifer with a vengence but is a good friend of Dex's. The Christmas Party is unlike any other I've ever read about. And I found myself yelling - "GO Perry!" Unfortunately, the whole thing unravels in the absolutely worst way... and I was disappointed that, while there was brief mention about the happenings at D'Arcy Island, most of it was ignored. My heart ached for Perry and for Dex when this one was over. I'm not sure I'll like the next book... (less) | Notes are private!
| none
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2
| May 02, 2013
| May 14, 2013
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Mar 22, 2013
| Kindle Edition
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| B005VTVE0U
| 4.20
| 4,106
| Oct 14, 2011
| Oct 13, 2011
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3.5 stars I had to deduct 1/2 a star, because there are still so many secrets left untold at the end of the book. And because, frankly, the book dragge...more 3.5 stars I had to deduct 1/2 a star, because there are still so many secrets left untold at the end of the book. And because, frankly, the book dragged at the beginning and during what should have been an exciting sequence that led to the climax at the end. But the book has me hooked - strong, well-written characters. The author shows, rather than tells, so who and what Giovanni is is up to the reader to discover; the clues are there (show), but the author doesn't fall into what's easy and simply say it point-blank on the page (tell). It works. While this is the 1st book in a 4-book series (hoping it doesn't go past that), it seems as if more of the secrets could and should be told. I suppose, in a way, I'm greedy; the author does give us information about Gio and his friends and what the elementals in the series title means. And we have a better understanding of what happened to B's (Beatrice's) father and who the bad guy is in all this. And yet... there's the feeling that so much is yet untold. The romantic tension between B and Gio is good. It's frustrating at times, but it's meant to be. I like it that there isn't a falling-into-lust-tearing-clothes-off scene. It might work, but the author's restraint with these 2 characters feels more realistic and true to who she's established them to be as persons. Love the comic relief with Cadwyn and his dog. Love the cat, Doyle. Love B's grandmother and Caspar, and I especially love them together.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Mar 27, 2013
| Mar 28, 2013
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Feb 14, 2013
| Kindle Edition
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| B005VB5BIO
| 4.55
| 2,115
| Oct 12, 2011
| Oct 12, 2011
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3.5+ stars This one is freaky-deaky... the closest to true "horror" of the books, so far. Sure, book #1 had a creepy lighthouse and Old Roddy, but some...more 3.5+ stars This one is freaky-deaky... the closest to true "horror" of the books, so far. Sure, book #1 had a creepy lighthouse and Old Roddy, but somehow, this one is as much psychological as "real". It's Perry and Dex's own "The Blair Witch Project". They turn on themselves and each other, as they both grapple with what's real and what isn't. And, as usual, each of them has their own issues going on: Dex is dealing with a potential pregnant girlfriend, Jennifer, in a relationship that's obviously on the rocks. Perry is dealing with her self-image problems and her unrequited love for Dex. I ranked it down at least .5 a star, because the book just seems to ramble. There are too many strange occurrences without any "reason" behind them, especially with animals - raccoons and deer. It's not as if everything has to tie neatly into a package with a bow or anything, but there's way too much ambiguity here. It just feels like it takes too long to GET TO THE POINT and to the action. We have to suffer with Perry through a hockey game and a strip club (where Dex buys Perry a lap dance in some bid to make her feel better about her body?), as well as a visit to one of Dex's old friend's. Sure, the Creepy Clown Lady puts in an appearance at the hockey game, and Dex's friends is loaning them the boat. But why does the friend have to have a little girl? And all the stuff that happens on the island... might be 3 days or so, but it feels like a week. Once again, neither Perry nor Dex is really communicating. They're able to talk a bit more when drunk, but still. Perry's doubts about herself and her inability to see the forest for the trees really got to me. PLUS the fact that Dex and Perry are supposed to be FILMING A SHOW, and yet, neither of them has a camera or any recording device ready or handy for most of the horror. HUH? After they arrive and get some basic footage the first night, it's like they just forget what they're supposed to be there to do and devolve into madness - internal and external and against one another. It was almost impossible to read, because I was afraid for where it was going to end up! I get that there's not a lot available on the history of D'Arcy Island and the leper colony, but the author doesn't seem to mind filling in the details. It's just that she leaves as many gaping holes as she fills in. Creepy? Yes. Satisfying? No. Not for the number of pages and all the stuff that we're put through in the end. Sorry.(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Mar 21, 2013
| Mar 21, 2013
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Mar 21, 2013
| Kindle Edition
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| B0050Q6HQK
| 4.01
| 3,834
| May 01, 2011
| May 12, 2011
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4 stars 2nd reading: April 2013 I upped my rating by 1/5 star to 4 full stars, mostly because this series holds up so well throughout! I appreciate that...more 4 stars 2nd reading: April 2013 I upped my rating by 1/5 star to 4 full stars, mostly because this series holds up so well throughout! I appreciate that in a series. Love, love, love the characters. Perry Palomino is full of spunk and yet she's got so many self-image and worth issues; I love how she wants to be "special" somehow. Don't we all? In this book, Perry finds her "calling", even though it scares her almost to death. She's starting to come to terms with the weirdness of her life... realizing that her imaginary childhood friends and enemies and her drug use in her teen years might have been more than it all appears to be. Dex is an enigma... does he see and hear ghosts, too? How much like Perry is he? Why does the Creepy Clown Lady know Dex and what does she say to him? Are Dex and Perry being "guided" into pure evil and horror? Or to some sort of salvation - a salvation that they can only find in one another? The creepiness and evil of the dark house in the title isn't completely resolved. Yes, resolution happens. But we never quite know the story of Old Roddy or the lighthouse/dark house... except as we've heard and seen it from Dex, Perry, Uncle Al, and Perry's day-mares and dreams. Quite an opening book! ================ 1st reading: March 19, 2013 3.5+ stars Hard to rate or categorize this book... It's not what I'd call "horror" - more like scary, frightening... but it's filled with ghostly images, paranormal happenings, dreams, and mystic events. Perry is a 22 year old still trying to figure out her life. She's got a degree in advertising, yet she's only a receptionist at an ad agency. She feels as if she's going nowhere. Her past is troubled: she has a history of drugs, minor skirmishes with the law, and strange behavior - strange enough for a shrink and family counseling. In high school, she was mostly a loner - overweight, insecure, and always the "friend" and not the "girlfriend". Perry's lost weight, but she still has a distorted body image; she's not stick-thin and she's short, so she'll never be model material. What's a bit frustrating is that Perry obviously has an "in" on the psychic front. She has recurring dreams about lights and ghosts and... lighthouses? Spooky and strange. But instead of realizing that this is some sort of psychic ability and owning it, she's afraid she's losing her sanity. But Perry's miserable enough in her life and her skin that she finds herself seeking out the strange. Like investigating the old lighthouse on her uncle's property in the middle of the night rather than hang out with her 15 year old sister Ada, two 19 year old male cousins, and their friends by a bonfire. No, Perry wants to check out the lighthouse - alone, in the dark. Perry stumbles into Declan "Dex" Foray, who's trespassing with a movie camera inside the lighthouse. Dex is trying to capture footage for a new interweb show on something called Shownet. Instead of TV shows, Shownet produces low-budget web shows, including the popular Wine Babes, featuring Dex's drop-dead gorgeous girlfriend Jennifer. While in the lighthouse, Perry and Dex hear and see some very strange things - things that make them run from the lighthouse. But Dex decides that Perry might be an "in" with her uncle to get back to the lighthouse and film more for this pilot that he wants to create - something on the paranormal. Not Ghost Hunters, but similar. Perry is attracted to the 32-year old Dex - he's sexy and creepy at the same time. So she agrees to arrange her uncle's permission and return to the lighthouse with Dex the next weekend. Dex and Perry are still getting to know one another. It's obvious that Dex has his own dark secrets, insecurities, and hang ups. Will Perry ever be able to get underneath and know Dex? While at the lighthouse this time, Perry seems to be the magnet to freaky sights, sounds, and happenings. Unfortunately, often, Perry's the only one who can see and hear them. But a late night trip turns into a real experiment in terror when Dex and Perry encounter Old Roddy, the ghost lightkeeper, in the kelp/flesh, so to speak. Floods, fire, near death... explosions... all kinds of stuff happens. Old Roddy tells Perry that "she's the one" he's waited for. What does that even mean? Perry doesn't know. In the aftermath, Perry and Dex have to come up with something to tell the firefighters, police, Uncle Al, and Perry's parents. Then Dex puts together the footage, along with the story of what happened to them (written by Perry). Dex shows it to his boss, Jimmy Kwan. Jimmy pushes each of Perry's insecurity buttons, but Dex stands up to him and gets the go-ahead for more shows. Perry will be paid minimum wage for exactly the hours she puts in. But will anyone believe their tale? Will Perry be able to keep her promotion at the ad agency and only work part-time, with weekends free to shoot for the new show? ============= So much about this book and its characters get into my head. I relate to Perry in a lot of ways, constantly battling weight and self-image issues. I understand living too much in your head. But I get frustrated with Perry because she can't see her "ability"; she's so worried about being crazy or weird, that she can't make it work for her, rather than against her. But it's enough to attract Dex - he needs Perry to make all of this happen. And despite their 10 year age difference, there's definite chemistry between them. I was glad to find out that Dex also saw and knew the Crazy Clown Lady... but who is she? What is she really telling these two? Is she good or evil? It's all very confusing and somewhat frustrating. But this story definitely has me on the edge and wanting more. Since this is the 1st book and it was a freebie, I'm more than happy to move on to book #2 to find out more.(less) | Notes are private!
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2
| Apr 19, 2013
| Apr 21, 2013
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Mar 19, 2013
| Kindle Edition
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| B004IYITK2
| 4.25
| 37,557
| Mar 29, 2011
| Mar 29, 2011
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**spoiler alert** 3.5-4.5 stars (not sure yet) Still absorbing this one... not sure how to review it just yet. Quick thoughts in the meantime: 1. SO GLAD...more **spoiler alert** 3.5-4.5 stars (not sure yet) Still absorbing this one... not sure how to review it just yet. Quick thoughts in the meantime: 1. SO GLAD that V and Butch didn't go there... hard enough for where they did have to go. If they'd have crossed the line, I'd have had to be done with this series. These 2 guys need to be BFFs with that "extra" something connection. Just not a full-on physical one. Butch is awesome; he did exactly what V needed. And Butch is aware that V and Jane need one another. 2. Grappling with V's issues... hard to get my head around his anger & pain. I feel as if it should be obvious, but somehow, it isn't. Altho I respect that he's never really dealt with it, especially not with Jane. I was disappointed that all we got was an announcement of an official mating ceremony with Jane and not the actual thing. (Even in the next book, no mention of the ceremony finishing - at least not 50% through.) Kinda ticks me off, actually. The announcement isn't good enough. I was hoping for a double ceremony with Manny and Payne. 3. Manny - kinda had to figure that he was part vampire. While the author cleverly tried to lead up to it, it was obvious where she was going, especially with Manny's strong reactions with Payne. And of course, V's previous "Brother" foreknowledge. Although having Manny related to Butch, which makes them both somehow related to Wrath... that was kinda genius and freaky at the same time. I just figured that Manny's recognizing Butch had to do with his being a former cop; once again, the author fooled me. Perhaps I shouldn't think I'm as hard to fool as I think anymore? Wow. That was something. But Butch could use a dose of family, and so could Manny. And the doctor thing with the father was sort-of a tip-off, but it didn't completely hit me until the reveal. Although one more person leaving the "real world" to become part of the BDB world... seems almost a shame. I would have liked to see them allow Manny to straddle that world a bit longer. I think it might have worked, but then again, it might just be me. I realize he couldn't have remained head of surgery and all that, but still... Xhex stays somewhat in the human world, or she did - Rehv, too. 4. Payne and Manny are good together. No qualms there. Just questions about whether or not she's fighting with the Brotherhood. Again, nothing in book #10 so far, and I'm 50% in. I wondered how this was going to go. (And I expected the trouble to be with Payne & Manny, not John & Xhex.) I didn't think I liked Payne before I really got to know her. But I really do. She's a wonderful combination of Xhex's warrior and Layla's Chosen. She's innocent and yet completely her own gal. She knows what she wants and she's out to get it. Her "gift" from her mahmen is amazing; I can't wait to see it more in action. And I hope that she doesn't get lost in the shuffle of the forgotten shellans, like Marissa. As much as Butch features in things when V's around, Marissa is relegated to the 1 paragraph thing, much like Beth can be. Mary gets a bit more time, mostly because she's the gang's therapist now; which is good. Although it would be better to get a shot of the occasional "hot" and something more from each of the couples again. Even Bella and Nalla have faded into the background. And isn't it time for SOME OTHER FEMALE to go through a Needing? Time for another happy event/young in the BDB household? I was hoping it would be Xhex and John, but not in this book. Even Cormia and Phury, for Scribe Virgin's sake! (I'm still not convinced about these two; I almost with that P would take his Primale duties seriously and start breeding with the Chosen, even on earth. But again, that's probably just me.) 5. No'One - shocker and yet not at all. The previous book set up quite a lot with respect to her history, esp. with Darius and Tohr. Not sure how I feel about her, though. The reveal about her & Xhex wasn't a shocker to me; but it's still a bit shocking... if you know what I mean. I hadn't fully equated her with the missing aristocratic daughter, and yet I knew she was Xhex's mother somehow. 6. Band of Bastards (BoB) - again, unsure... I was freaking when Payne was taken. Couldn't handle one more messy scene with abuse of a female; I really hoped we weren't going there, 'cuz I just wasn't going to handle it well. And yet, the resolution with Payne was... priceless and so right. Glad she set Xcor straight; I wondered how he could be the Bloodletter's son... and yet sometimes a son isn't necessarily blood-related, but the guy who raises you. If the Bloodletter claimed Xcor as his son, that says something. Not really liking these guys... Throe, I like, I think. Still trying to figure out his story. Guess I'm not keen on the whole "take-over-the-throne" thing... although the lessers, even though they seem to be multiplying, seem to be such an impotent (pun intended) set of villains, I guess the Brotherhood needs someone to really be concerned about. Rehv has both the sympaths and the glymera (or at least the Council) under control - or at least the Council somewhat; and he's on Wrath's side. So I suppose these are the new villains? Sad, since in so many ways, they have similar interests to the BDB. But I get the whole "bastards" thing and the not being accepted. I keep wondering if Qhuinn will end up with them somehow; it seems to fit, too. 7. Torhment, John, Lassiter... Well, if I didn't know the next book was about Tohr, I might pack it in, too. I'm kinda tired of Tohr being there but not. I see him coming out of his shell more in this book, but still. It's more that he's not caring about himself and really doing what he needs to fight and be strong; I get not getting over Wellsie and all. I'm not asking him to go beyond that. But Tohr's got a long way to go to be back to fighting strength and mind. Lassiter is a pain in the butt. I know he's supposed to be, but you'd think the guy would just tell someone what he's really up to and be done. 8. Qhuinn, Blay, Saxton - I'm probably in the minority, but I think that Blay and Saxton are good together; I get that Blay thinks he's still in love with Qhuinn, but IMO, that's because he & Qhuinn never hooked up. And I'm not so sure that it's going to be all love-forever if/when they do. Saxton seems to be a good guy, and it's sad that he's getting the short-end-of-the-stick so to speak. I'm almost mad at him for sticking around, if he thinks that Qhuinn and Blay s/b together or that Blay will never love anyone but Qhuinn. Sometimes you have to walk away before you get what you need and want. I think Qhuinn should get with Layla and be happy - and be happy for Blay and Saxton and really step out of the way. But that's me. 9. The new detective, DelVecchio... well, wasn't that something? Not really sure where the author is headed with this, but somewhere not good. I almost wondered if he wasn't the one doing the murders. Wondering if this guy is just a side note like many other human characters and sub-plots in this series, or if this guy is really leading us somewhere. Jose being back is kinda "meh"... he's not that interesting to me. He was in book 1, but not so much anymore. Anyway... venturing into the next book - and the last until the 11th comes out sometime in 2013. I really hate getting caught up to a series. It almost killed me with Outlander!(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Jul 04, 2012
| Jul 04, 2012
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Jul 04, 2012
| Kindle Edition
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| 1468053868
| unknown
| 4.17
| 1,501
| Feb 07, 2011
| Dec 07, 2011
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Short story, but worth it! Lots of twists and turns... like how Dex and Perry seem to be more comfortable with one another. Like how the author picks...more
Short story, but worth it! Lots of twists and turns... like how Dex and Perry seem to be more comfortable with one another. Like how the author picks up after book #2 - some more mention of what happened and some aftermath (not a lot). More later...(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| not set
| Mar 21, 2013
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Mar 21, 2013
| ebook
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| 0451229851
| 9780451229854
| 4.41
| 46,248
| Apr 01, 2010
| Apr 27, 2010
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Wow! If I thought the last book was something... I never got the Xhex-John thing, and in some ways, I still don't. But I'm much more of a believer aft...more Wow! If I thought the last book was something... I never got the Xhex-John thing, and in some ways, I still don't. But I'm much more of a believer after reading this book. The author did an excellent job of tying all the loose ends together and showing that she's weaving a tapestry - she's skilled that way. I liked the symmetry of Darius's history with John's present. I liked the push-pull going on inside of both Xhex and John, but even more between them. I liked getting to know Xhex more - being inside her head. Perhaps that's only possible in this book, because she's not tamping down her sympath side as much? And for once, I'd label the sex in this book as steamy/erotic! It was hot! Not that it hasn't been good with the other Brothers in their books; but for some reason, between John and Xhex, the sex was super-hot and super-steamy. Which shocked me, 'cuz as I said, I haven't been a fan of this pairing, nor did I think that the author could sell me on them. Wrong! The Lash thing - UGH! He's horrific in his sick "relationship" and obsession with Xhex. As far as we know, he doesn't even know that John has a thing for Xhex, so Lash's "love" for her comes only from the sick fighting and sex. What's happening to his body, though... hmmmm... we never really do get to understand it, do we? Sometimes I think the whole Lash son-of-Omega thing was half-baked; a great idea, but never fully developed. And in some ways, I feel as if we, the readers, were gypped by what happens in this book. How could the Omega not know that his son, half-vampire, would need to feed from another vampire/lesser - a female one? (view spoiler)[ So how does this suddenly freak out or anger his "dad" so much that he disowns his own son? I get the Omega dumping his Fore-Lessers... but his own? He was so proud of Lash, wasn't he? Did he expect Lash to "go" his way - into the obviously sick and twisted sex thing? And I don't just mean that his dad is into males... he's obviously way beyond just the usual m-m and even sado-masochistic thing. (hide spoiler)] The Lash-Omega thing... didn't sit well with me in this book. Too many things left unanswered. Is the author saving these up for another book? Did the whole lesser thing/Omega thing/Lash thing just get boring to readers? I can see why, if it did. Although Lash seemed to breathe life back into the whole thing. But what's hard to buy is that when Lash is left out in the cold, he's going to suddenly feel remorse? Feel "bad" for ostracizing John and anyone who was different? Huh? What the heck was that? He even calls the Brotherhood to take care of lesser biz, which makes a certain amount of sense, since he's self-serving. Anyway... back to John and Xhex. John showing her his past - at least what he knows of this life's past. Xhex knowing/guessing the rest. I was upset at first that the author seemed to gloss over her abuse, her abduction - almost as she did with Bella. (That still never was really resolved, BTW. No mention of Bella ever talking to Mary.) And Mary does seem to come into her own, finally, and be of some use to the family/Brotherhood. Even to Xhex. Loved the full circle with Tohrment and John.... loved seeing how Tohr and Darius got so tight. Loved Torhment's realization about how he's like his house.... Loved seeing more of Wrath again. As frightening as the whole blind thing is, I guess we were going there. And it's something that I'm glad the author addressed. Even the stuff with Payne on the Other Side (Far Side?) was good - and good for Wrath. Although lots of unanswered questions about Payne. Since her book is up next, guess we'll get there, too. And the Paranormal TV crew thing... OK, this was just plain weird. It didn't make sense, even when it was revealed. Really. Although I guess we'll see and hear more of the result of this, or so I assume. While the Lash stuff and the "haunting" stuff almost deducted a star (even the gratuitous ending there), the rest of the story is good. Really good. Good enough to sweep away my main objections. And on to the next book.... soon I'll be out of books, and I'll be with all the other BDB fans. Waiting. And I hate to wait!(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| not set
| Jul 03, 2012
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Jul 04, 2012
| Hardcover
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| B00276HADK
| 4.38
| 48,144
| Apr 28, 2009
| Apr 28, 2009
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It took me awhile to get through this book... perhaps because I've been sucking down the BDB books like the guys do their alcohol. And since this book...more
It took me awhile to get through this book... perhaps because I've been sucking down the BDB books like the guys do their alcohol. And since this book focuses more on Rehv (Rehvenge), I found myself needing a break. BUT, this book is every bit as good as the best in the series. I really appreciated FINALLY understanding more about Rehv's life and how he came into being. The connection to the sympaths, how sympaths function (more or less), and the hows and whys of who Rehv is. I was able to let go of some of my prejudices against him and his shady ways and open my eyes (and my heart) enough to see him. Just like Ehlena had to do. Yeah, in some ways, it seems like the fairy tale of the Brotherhood - Rehvenge and Ehlena. But the author weaves her magic spell and pulls the cords tightly... she knows just how to manipulate her readers, by putting them in Ehlena's place and then pulling the ripcord, so that we free fall along with Ehlena. So that we realize that we're really no better and no worse than those we deem to put "beneath" us. Yes, we've seen some of Rehvenge's bad side; and it doesn't completely excuse the good he's done. But somehow, balance again comes into play. Balance is the watch word of this author. Ehlena's father and her situation is... heartbreaking. Her loneliness and her beauty and her goodness - all counterbalance to Rehv. Or so we think. There are skeletons in this girl's closet that she doesn't even know about. And when the reveal hits, it's perfect. I wasn't disgusted by Rehv's and Ehlena's courtship or love. It felt right. The question was, how was the author going to mop it all up and make it work? Once again, she doesn't disappoint. As for Wrath... well, good to see more of the guy! And how wonderful to see some king come out in him again! The whole kill-Wrath sub-plot was genius and almost fell by the wayside, because it was about time! The main problem I have with the glymera is that Wrath just took up the kingship a few years ago; so why suddenly does the glymera care? Why the sudden power surge? Or did they just feel as if they already had the power before Wrath decided to be king again? I always felt as if the author missed an opportunity by not having a big KING ceremony with the vampire population. Yes, we saw a ceremony with the Brotherhood and for Beth as Queen. But not the general vampire population - not the glymera. As for Lash... well, he finally seemed to be of some use. Hooking up with the drug kingpins and the sympaths was finally worthy of the son of Omega. We saw Lash as we know him well, but even more... his new "evil" really makes him something. The sympath royalty... OK, I admit it, the author got me here. I wasn't up with what was going on until the reveal. And wow! I'm not often surprised or shocked, so one up for the author! It was chillingly wonderful, bitingly horrific, and just right. I almost shelved this book as "horror", because in so many ways, it fits. Let's just say that the ending is a save from hell - for many. I didn't believe that the author could pull it off, but she did in a stunning way. I still don't get the Xhex-John thing, but I guess I will in the next book. I hope. I'm still in a bit of awe as I type this review. But I'm loving it!(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Jul 2012
| Jul 02, 2012
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Jul 01, 2012
| Kindle Edition
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| B001NLKZUA
| 4.28
| 196,510
| Mar 25, 2008
| Mar 24, 2009
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3.5? 4 stars? I don't know yet...this book took me by surprise so many times, I haven't been able to figure out what I think of it yet. I enjoyed readi...more 3.5? 4 stars? I don't know yet...this book took me by surprise so many times, I haven't been able to figure out what I think of it yet. I enjoyed reading it, but it took me longer than expected. It was easier to put down than I would have thought. I think that's because it's a much darker, more intense book than I expected. Sure, the 2nd book in a 3 story arc (although I realize that's not quite true) is usually the dark-before-the-dawn. But I think that it was tough for me in so many ways. To be on the safe side, I'll put those thoughts into spoiler text, so as not to ruin anyone's enjoyment of the book who might be looking at reviews before reading the book: (view spoiler)[1. Simon becoming a vampire That one really threw me. I don't know why, because I was getting tired of everyone calling him a mundane, too, and treating him as if he didn't belong. But somehow, it felt... off. Forcing Simon into that world... I know that in a way Clary already did. But Simon rushing off and throwing himself into the vampire hotel to "turn". Well, that doesn't feel right. It gave Jace a chance to "make up" with him, I guess - giving Simon his blood. Is that why Simon can now withstand daylight? He has the blood of a Nephilim in him rather than humans or animals? 2. Valentine This guy is nothing if unpredictable. As predictable as he can be as a villain, he's still so out there. But his interactions with Simon and especially with Clary didn't shed ANY light on his character or really, his motives in this book. Which made him very one-dimensional. Yes, we heard about his plans for bringing demons in to "cleanse" the world and all. But the important stuff - the stuff about his motivations towards both Jace and Clary.... nothing. Nada. It seems as if he wants his SON to be just like him; but that's nothing new. We knew that in the previous book. So when Jace tells the Inquisitor that his father won't trade him but rather agree to have him killed instead, we know it's true. Clary... such strange interaction with Valentine. He acts as if he could care less about her, almost as if he wasn't really her father. Or is he taking out his feelings of betrayal from her mother on Clary because she looks so much like her mother? I can't tell yet. But I have the distinct feeling that there's a real disconnect there - something isn't right. And I keep hoping that it's because Jace and Clary aren't really related through either Valentine or Jocelyn and can actually be "in love" with one another. But that's too easy. 3. The "special" powers of Jace & Clary Yes, it makes sense, but it seems cliched. Except that Clary's "powers" are more fun and unpredictable. Her being able to use OPEN in the most literal sense is ... hilarious! And yes, it gives her a more equal footing with the rest of the trained Shadowhunters, because she has the ability to "create" meaningful ruins, the unspoken language. Whether her "father" has anything to do with that, though... remains to be seen. As to that, while I realize that there hasn't been time for training, Clary is being treated as a full-fledged Shadowhunter. And she's not. Or maybe it's just because she's thrust into most of the situations, because Jace has tried to prevent her from being part of the worst of it all. I guess it just seems as if SOMEONE should be showing Clary the basics in the "off time", so that she doesn't end up creating a ruin that will blow up the world or melt it all down or something! (hide spoiler)] So much happens in this book in such a short time, that it feels as if the ACTION takes over. The questions about the Inquisitor's motives... what happens in the City of Bones... Simon... Maia... the Seelie Court (which was intriguing, especially what the Queen told Jace to tell Valentine)... and the all-out fighting. And WHAT THE HECK DID THE INQUISITOR TELL JACE AT THE END? While the characters attempt to deal with their feelings, they never really have the time, because they're racing to deal with the next "event", and there are a lot of "events" that happen! And I'm with my friend, Regina, when she says that too many "secrets" are interrupted before being revealed. That might be a good way to keep us in suspense, but for ALL OF THEM? C'mon - give a little here! I'm hooked on the series, but so far, it's not the kind of series that makes me want to race through it. Which is probably a good thing. Lots to absorb in this "new world" that the author's created.(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Apr 24, 2013
| Apr 28, 2013
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Apr 15, 2013
| Kindle Edition
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| B000FCK6EI
| 3.71
| 120,968
| Apr 01, 2003
| Jun 01, 2005
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4+ stars I have to qualify my review by saying that I don't usually read books in the vampire genre. I'm not a "Twilight" fan, a horror fan, or a fan o...more 4+ stars I have to qualify my review by saying that I don't usually read books in the vampire genre. I'm not a "Twilight" fan, a horror fan, or a fan of the glut of TV/movies that feature vampires and otherworldly creatures. I do enjoy a good gothic... a good scare... a good tale. And that's what this book is to me. It isn't a tale of vampires. It's a good story that happens to be about history's search for Vlad Dracula, and how that search affected many lives, but especially the lives of a young girl (16 when we meet her), her father Paul, and her absent mother, Helen. This book is more a book for people who love books... travel... other cultures... history. I'm not saying that the book is accurate in any sense of the word where any of those is concerned. After all, as a reader, I don't necessarily care to look up the images of vampires in Greece or the cultural rituals of holy days in Bulgaria. I want to read a good book - a tale told well, that engages my mind and makes me part of its pages. The Historian is a good book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The ending was perhaps a bit too neat for me, but after all the protagonists has suffered to get to the end, I could forgive a tidy, happy ending. Yes, some of the more in-depth discussion about places and histories was a bit much - even my eyes glazed over a time or two. But the book sets itself up from the 1st paragraph as exactly what it is. Only a foolish reader actually believes that anything in this book is absolute history; it's a novel!(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Feb 06, 2012
| Feb 08, 2012
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Jan 18, 2012
| Kindle Edition
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| B00317G724
| unknown
| 3.73
| 2,077
| Jan 01, 2000
| unknown
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2.5-3 stars This book reminded me a lot of the 2nd book, but with a different couple. While Artemas and Madeline are very different people than Edison...more 2.5-3 stars This book reminded me a lot of the 2nd book, but with a different couple. While Artemas and Madeline are very different people than Edison and Emma, the banter between them, the chemistry between them, and the whole employer-employee thing was much the same. The ghost part of the story and the mystery involved was different, and that was more compelling than the relationship between Artemas and Maddie. Somehow, I didn't feel the heat between them like with Edison and Emma. Not sure why... The Vanza part of the tale was more revealed, but it still seems fantastic - probably because we still know so little about it. The author gives us dribs and drabs of the Strategies, the stealth, and the fighting techniques. I suppose she wants to keep it mysterious by not giving too much away; but it almost backfires, at least with me. However, there is a brief mention of Edison in this book. Madeline originally wanted to hire Edison, because he was supposedly the best (next possible Vanza Master); but she "settled" for Artemas, because Edison had taken his new bride (Emma) on a honeymoon tour. Later, Artemas remarks that he'll send something to the Isle of V on one of Edison's ships. So we intimate from those brief mentions that Artemas and Edison know one another through Vanza. But here's the thing: Vanza is supposed to be about suppressing strong emotion, yet Artemas is all about revenge and vengeance for a wrong done to his lover 5 years ago. Not that she didn't deserve to be avenged, it's just that Vanza supposedly helps one master that sort of thing. Artemas seems too emotional to be much good at Vanza, IMO. We never learn if he left the "circle" as Edison did or if Artemas supposedly still practiced. We never learn who Artemas' master was. I'm not sure if it matters, but it does seem as if this part of the tale is left out - and that leaves a hole... how can we really know who Artemas is if we don't know those answers? Madeline's father was Vanza, as was her grandfather. But again, I'm not sure if her father was a master or not; I *think* so, because I think that's what her husband, Deveridge, was after - the inner-circle knowledge that he thought Madeline's father had about Vanza. And her father did know a lot, but it seems what he knew was information collected about each Vanza member - their darkest secrets. It's never really clear why, except that Lorring (the previous Grandest Master of Vanza in England) appointed her father to keep the record. We know Lorring wasn't all good from the previous book, so one has to wonder about his reasons for wanting those records. Nonetheless, Madeline's father also taught her much about Vanza, even though it was supposed to be for men only. Most importantly, he taught her how to read the ancient language of Vanza; Madeline has just come into possession of a small bound book that she's deciphering from Vanza to English. But we don't learn much more about the book until the end - we only know that it must be significant somehow. The point of all of this is that Madeline wants to hire Artemas to find out if her husband is really dead or even if he's haunting her. She doesn't admit to shooting him that night, despite his questions. And no one really knows for sure. But Madeline is frightened and plagued by nightmares of that night. Other Vanza members seem to be encountering her husband's ghost, too. The description of the ghost is vague, but there's just enough detail and just enough that the ghost knows and hints about that neither Artemas nor Madeline can say it's definitely not her husband. What I do love that's different about this book is Artemas' associates - Zachary and his Eyes and Ears - a group of street urchins who are paid to see and hear what's going on and report back to Artemas through Zach. Artemas pays them enough that these street urchins don't need to pickpocket or do other things to survive and get thrown into jail for. And one of the street urchins plays an important role in the story. Overall, this book's mystery is compelling, and I enjoyed Madeline's aunt Bernice and Artemas' man Henry. I especially liked their little romance, even though we didn't witness much or even hear much about it - we just know that it was. And Artemas' revenge for Caroline does happen, just not the way that he intended. I realize that's supposed to be the key to Artemas, and I know it, I just wasn't convinced. Just as I wasn't completely convinced that he and Madeline were really that passionate about one another. Something just didn't click, but I am happy for them both. I simply wasn't as engaged in this affair as I have been in previous Amanda Quick books and stories.(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Apr 11, 2012
| Apr 11, 2012
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Apr 02, 2012
| Kindle Edition
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| B004G8P2K0
| 3.76
| 24,909
| 1989
| Mar 16, 2011
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3.5 stars, maybe more I liked this book a lot, so admittedly, the prejudicial rating is my own; I wasn't keen on the story direction or where it ended....more 3.5 stars, maybe more I liked this book a lot, so admittedly, the prejudicial rating is my own; I wasn't keen on the story direction or where it ended. I wasn't expecting a HEA - this isn't a full-fledged romance book. But I was surprised and disappointed in our main character, Ramses the Second, aka The Mummy. I don't really want to get into spoilers here, so I'll just say that for as wise as this man is and for the number of years that he's lived, he didn't think too far ahead. I know, I know... his heart overwrote his mind. And yet, after he does what he does, he still ends up choosing our main heroine? Hmmm... so much just didn't quite jive for me here. I also felt teased too much by small details that never quite came to fruition. But it's a good read.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| not set
| Jan 10, 2013
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Jan 11, 2013
| Kindle Edition
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| 1567921892
| 9781567921892
| 3.62
| 12,851
| 1983
| Dec 30, 2001
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2.5-3.5 stars Here's the difference in my rating: The story has great potential and all the elements of a truly frightful, mind-twisting ghost story. B...more 2.5-3.5 stars Here's the difference in my rating: The story has great potential and all the elements of a truly frightful, mind-twisting ghost story. But the story, itself, isn't much and yet it's drawn out as much as it can be through the 160+ pages. The book starts several years ahead of the event, which is confusing. What has all of this to do with the Woman in Black and the actual story? Not until the telling of ghost stories begins, do we realize that this idyllic scene is to contrast with what is to come. There are hints of it in the back story that Arthur Kipps supplies for us, but scant hints. Nothing of substance. And that's what I find this entire book - nothing of substance. When Kipps does actually tell us the story, it's in fits and starts - again, lots of background that doesn't really add much, IMO. An entire town that doesn't talk of this ghostly apparition? NO ONE will give Kipps the proper warning? No one gossips enough to provide any details? Kipps literally walks into and through this story without any real knowledge of what is happening or supposed to be happening to him. The terror is in the sounds and in his head, as the Woman in Black plays with him. But to what end? Why does she plague him now? Is it only because there is a new victim to plague with her evil? That question is never answered, and it's quite unsatisfactory. The ending is not unexpected, given the information that we've already received from Mr. Kipps. But it is a bit shocking. And very unsatisfying, as again, we have to wonder WHY - why him? Why now? What grievance has the Woman in Black against Arthur Kipps that she came after him 2-3 years after the whole horrid events at Eel Marsh House? I understand this is a successful play in London. And, of course, the movie is debuting in the U.S. in February. The movie, starring Daniel Radcliffe, looks terrifying. Perhaps the movie will be able to do what that book cannot?(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| not set
| Jan 22, 2012
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Jan 05, 2012
| Paperback
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| B006WDK9SM
| unknown
| 3.30
| 87
| 1983
| Jan 12, 2012
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3-3.5 stars Mixed review on this one... Lots of fun and spunk from our Heroine, Melissa Rivenwood, but lots of red herrings and overlooked clues, too....more 3-3.5 stars Mixed review on this one... Lots of fun and spunk from our Heroine, Melissa Rivenwood, but lots of red herrings and overlooked clues, too. Who is the Hero? It's tough to figure it out exactly, because the gentlemen don't necessarily act like gentlemen when it comes to Melissa. Is Giles the Hero? Is Sir Adrian a spy, a murderer for hire, or something else? Her Ladyship, the dowager Countess of Harforth, Lady Dorothy to whom Melissa left the dreary, oppressing school of girls to become a companion to is quite a hoot! A fussy, sarcastic older woman with a frail heart and, it turns out, quite a secret! Robbie, the Earl is quite the seven-year-old. Precocious is the understatement. Yet he's all boy and endearing. His claims that someone is out to kill him seem obvious, yet none of the adults wants to seriously believe his life is in danger. That would mean that one of them is trying to murder him, and that's beyond belief. Except that Melissa does, eventually, see that Robbie's telling the truth. It's just a matter of who is behind it all... Reminds me a bit of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey... there's a bit of the Gothic flair, with an eerie old house, its mysterious inhabitants, and strange happenings - a fire, a governess who walks too close to the cliffs, highwaymen who don't seem to want to rob but point the gun only at Robbie, and more... It's a bit uneven in tone and style. One minute Melissa is appalled at Giles, yet the next she's dreaming about being in his arms. Giles is cold and sarcastic one moment, and then the next he's grabbing her and kissing her thoroughly. Very confusing! Perhaps it's the author's idea of how a rakehell acts and how a virtuous poor servant girl might react towards said rakehell? It's delightful and delicious, and about as filling as cotton candy. Not a bad effort for a first book; and interesting that the other books in this series came along much later. You know there's something about Sir Adrian that will continue through the series... it's just what? Is he spy or counterspy? Or double agent? Or something else? And I wonder if we'll see any of the other characters later in the series. I'd like to see Melissa, Giles, Lady Dorothy, and Robbie again.(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| not set
| Mar 24, 2012
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Mar 23, 2012
| Kindle Edition
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| 0553145436
| 9780553145434
| 3.56
| 114
| Jan 01, 1958
| Jan 28, 1981
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2-2.5 stars It's tough to categorize this book. The cover says that it's a gothic novel set in the Scottish Highlands. If "gothic" means Way Too Long,...more 2-2.5 stars It's tough to categorize this book. The cover says that it's a gothic novel set in the Scottish Highlands. If "gothic" means Way Too Long, then this book fits. The germ of the story is a good one, but moving everything along is almost impossible - it's a tortoise-pace. I suspect the idea was to use Daphne du Maurier's "Rebecca" and that style of novel as the inspiration behind this 1972 novel. Except that, IMO, the author didn't sustain the action or the suspense through the majority of the story. There was always this gothic description with the idea that we, the readers, are holding our hands to our mouths in gasps of fright or surprise. But the fright and surprise never really came. Frankly, it took me over 2 weeks to read this book, mostly because I could only read a small portion before becoming quite bored. I wanted to read the story, because, as I said, the germ of it interested me. But all the surrounding stuff just faded into nothingness, and I felt that instead of springing to life, the main characters (especially Kirsty, Callum, Margaret, and Gavin) seemed to fade into caricatures and behave in ways that I didn't understand and couldn't make sense of. If you want to know how to make Scottish whisky (yes, no "e"), then this is the book for you. There are pages and pages of description, and while it's somewhat fascinating, as a reader, my eyes glazed over a bit. Except that THIS BOOK is about the making and distilling of whisky - the fictional Cluain whisky, single-malt and the finest whisky ever. In Gaelic, Cluain means "green plain" or "pasture", and there is a brand of Scotch whisky called Clynelish, which might be the inspiration for Cluain whisky - it's situated in the right spot geographically, and it boasts of being a "Cluain whisky" - or from the pasture. ----------- Anyway, this is the story of Kirsty (Catherine) Howard. Her father was a bishop who chose to go to China. Kirsty's mother, the only child of Angus Macdonald, married Kirsty's father and went off to China with him, against her father's wishes. Kirsty and her brother William were born and raised in China, but William returned to Scotland for schooling, intending to become an engineer and take advantage of the unmechanized country to make his fortune in China. Except that William never returned to China; he died at Cluain. Kirsty's father died shortly after in China - he unfortunately got in the middle of feuding war lords and was a casualty of that war. Kirsty had just buried her father when she received word from her grandfather in Scotland that William was dead. Before he died, William sent Kirsty a scroll in Mandarin script; while it was difficult to translate, the scroll essentially said, "She has killed...", pointing to someone at Cluain being responsible for William's death. Having nowhere else to go and her only family her never-before seen or spoken to grandfather in Scotland, Kirsty takes herself to Scotland and Cluain. She learns of the fierce rivalry between the Campbells, who have the title and the big house, and the Macdonalds (her grandfather), who got the best of the farm lands in an old family dispute. The current Campbell, Gavin, seems amiable enough, but he's married to the beautiful Margaret and has a son, Jamie. Gavin and Margaret have grown apart, mostly due to her over-reaching father, James Ferguson, who was determined to purchase respectability and a title for his daughter and heirs. Ferguson was born a merchant, not a gentleman; but he's amassed great wealth, which he has no problem spreading about, taking over the Campbell house and grounds to rebuild it and make it grander, as well as building a London family home, so that his daughter can be a proper lady. Ferguson and Margaret have cultivated the acquaintance of the Prince of Wales, and Prinny is coming to the Campbell home for a summer visit, so of course, no expense is to be spared. But there's more to the breech between Margaret and Gavin. Both Gavin and Kirsty suspect that William and Margaret were having an affair before his death. Is Margaret the "Enchantress"? Is she the "she" of the scroll? Could Margaret have killed William? Kirsty also meets Callum Sinclair, a handsome, single, independent man who lives by his own rules. Callum has the falcon of the title, Giorsal which is Gaelic for "grace". Callum's mother, Mairi Sinclair has a whole tale to herself: Mairi was tossed from her crofter's cottage by her father after beating her near to death when he discovered Mairi was with child; no, it's not incest. Mairi wouldn't name the father, and still hasn't these 30 years. She's been shunned by many, but her gifts at housekeeping, cooking, and mainly healing have earned her a place in the gossiping countryside. Mairi is the housekeeper and cook of Cluain - harsh, stern, and almost frightening. At first, I thought she would be the Mrs. Danvers ala "Rebecca" of this gothic tale, but not really. Mairi is frightening in her austerity and her obvious passion for her independence and her son. Kirsty wonders if Mairi Sinclair is the Dragon Lady her brother William wrote her of, and if Mairi possibly helped poor William on his way with her herbs when he'd been injured and became ill in a hunting accident. Is Mairi the "She" in "She has killed...."? But Kirsty has eyes only for Callum. She's almost instantly drawn to the man 10 years her elder. He tries to put her off, but Kirsty is determined to have him. She forces Callum to tell her all about the distillery and the whisky (thus our first lesson in whisky making). Callum runs the distillery, although he won't do any more work than that; it's his bargain with Angus Macdonald, Kirsty's grandfather. Her grandfather and Callum seem to only tolerate each other - barely. Kirsty can't quite get the story as to why from anyone. But everyone, including the young, pretty, efficient maid Morag warns Kirsty to stay away from Callum - even Callum, himself. When it becomes apparent that Callum is having an affair with Margaret Campbell, Kirsty almost loses herself. She's a woman in the Victorian era in the Scottish Highlands; she's not allowed to truly work or housekeep, and she isn't allowed to be part of the business. For all her grandfather has slowly and grudgingly accepted her, he's made it clear that she should marry a man to keep Cluain going. Kirsty is determined that man should be Callum. So when she discovers that he's head-over-heels in love with Margaret C and having a summer affair with her, Kirsty is crushed. Morag seems to know everything about Callum's comings and goings, and Morag tells Kirsty where Margaret and Callum meet; Kirsty can't help herself, she finds herself going to that small cabin. While there, her trusty little pony falls ill after eating from an oat bag. Mairi nurses her back to health. Not a day or so later, Callum shows up with a dead Margaret in his arms - while out on one of their trysts, Margaret's horse was acting strangely and finally stumbled, throwing Margaret and breaking her neck. The mare broke her leg when she stumbled. The scandal of Margaret and Callum is already known, however. During the Prince of Wales' visit, Callum did the sword dance in full Highland dress with a piper. When the dance ended, Callum ran to Margaret, bowed to her and kissed her hand, ignoring the Prince altogether. The Prince was amused, and so no damage was done... except for the wagging tongues, who knew that the gesture was a snub to the Prince but also a gesture of declaration. Gavin had already told Kirsty that he was going away - far from his lands. The Campbells didn't have much income before his father-in-law interfered, and because of that monetary interference, Gavin felt "owned" - something he passed off when he and Margaret were in love. But now, knowing her betrayal with Callum, Gavin was going to leave. And then Margaret died. Gavin and Kirsty had formed a friendship of sorts. One that from the beginning showed the signs of being something more, except that Gavin was married. And once Kirsty saw Callum, all thoughts of Gavin left her head - for more reason than one. But after Margaret's death, Callum took off, leaving Kirsty in charge of his falcon; Gavin took Jamie on an extended hunting trip; and Ferguson is holed up with her grandfather and his accountant. Will Ferguson buy Cluain? What Kirsty discovers, finally, is that Ferguson is going broke. He's proposed a deal by which Cluain will join with 2 other distilleries to take over the Ferguson brand. His brand is mostly blended whisky - Cluain whisky with various other brands, making several different price points. But with Prinny's visit, Ferguson's creditors finally started calling in the bills, and Ferguson didn't have the money to pay them. Kirsty is incensed that her grandfather is even considering the possibility of giving up his independence and the fierce independence of Cluain to become part of a partnership that wouldn't favor Cluain. Her grandfather doesn't see any other way; Kirsty is a woman without a husband - there's no man to run the distillery. AND FINALLY, we get to the part of the story that's interesting! Morag has overhead most of this conversation, and she puts in her two cents, saying that she's going to get the Macdonald family bible and Mairi Sinclair, despite Angus Macdonald's threats. And so, we discover just who Callum Sinclair's father truly is, and what part Morag has had all along in this tale. Tragedy ensues... deaths occur... and we have a few pages left to see Gavin and Kirsty pick up the pieces and continue on together, once again reuniting the lands of the Campbells and the Macdonalds. ----------- While the overall story is good, the majority of this book is just. plain. boring. Sorry if I offend, but it takes a motivated reader to finish the pages and find the gem. I wouldn't recommend it for that reason.(less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Dec 24, 2011
| Dec 29, 2011
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Nov 30, 2011
| Paperback
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