Hazel read and liked Kristina's review of Minion (Vampire Huntress Legend, #1):

"This has to be the biggest disappointment I've come across in ages. Literally. I'd gotten the impression that L.A. Banks was a good writer in the paranormal universe, but that is not the impression I'm getting from this book at all. The introduction ...more This has to be the biggest disappointment I've come across in ages. Literally. I'd gotten the impression that L.A. Banks was a good writer in the paranormal universe, but that is not the impression I'm getting from this book at all. The introduction of this universe is done in a way that feels forced and unnatural; the members of the team talking about stuff that is new to the reader, but should be so natural to them that it's no need for them to explain it to each other. This is a bad way of introducing the universe, and as I already said, feels forced. None of the characters are sympathetic at all, and Damali (the main character) hasn't gotten under my skin even in the least bit. For me to be able to enjoy a book, the MC or one of the secondary characters need to do that. I need to be able to care about what happens to them, and that just didn't happen here. I could have been able to overlook that, hadn't it been for the extremely poor dialogue and the bad writing. Every author should use proper English in their writing, and "skillz" and "boyz" is unacceptable in my opinion. It's a struggle just to finish this book, but I will do it. However, I won't read the second book, or any other books by this author unless pursued to do so by someone I know to have good taste in books.(less) "

Hazel read and liked Venessa's review of Minion (Vampire Huntress Legend, #1):

"Ugh. I had high hopes for this book, but it came nowhere near following through. I must admit to not finishing the book. It became due at the library and though I'd made it through half the book, I decided that the book wasn't worth a renewal. And I ...more Ugh. I had high hopes for this book, but it came nowhere near following through. I must admit to not finishing the book. It became due at the library and though I'd made it through half the book, I decided that the book wasn't worth a renewal. And I really hate leaving books unread. If I'd owned it (I'm glad I didn't waste money on it), I probably would have finished it.

I had three huge issues with this book:

1. The characters, though seemingly diverse, fell flat. The main character is an African American vampire huntress. That seemed a very interesting premise to me and not done very often (this is why I picked up the book). However, by the middle of the novel, even though I knew her age to be almost 21, I couldn't tell her maturity level. She alternated between acting like an adult and acting like a 15 year old. It seemed as if the author had trouble "being" a 21 year old. Supporting characters seemed stereotypical - the hispanic guy, the white biker, the asian martial arts master, etc.

2. The story was probably the saving grace, but it wasn't plotted out very well. Again, by the middle of the book, I understood that the creature that they would eventually do battle with was different and more dangerous than what they were used to, but I had no idea how this world was supposed to be. It seemed like no one knows all these beings existed, yet there were huge gun-battles in alleyways. I didn't know enough background to have a clue as to what was significant and what wasn't until the characters (literally) said, "Hey, you know, this is significant!" I'm still not 100% sure of what was going on.

3a. I don't care if you're writing African American, Asian, or Martian characters: use proper English spellings! Skillz is not a word. Neither is boyz. The word "skillz" showed up in dialog. It was *almost* forgivable. Almost. But the instance of "boyz" showed up in narrative. In freaking narrative! Grrr. It was all I could do not to throw the book across the room.

3b. There were tons of info dumps, but most were short enough to be overlooked, except for the numerous, "As you know, Rider, when we'd do a show, we'd get one or two vampires in the audience and we'd take care of them after the show." ... "Right, (whatever the main character's name was that I've forgotten already), but then Marlene decided we should go hunting them." .... "Yes, and since then, they've been coming out of the woodwork and it's all we can do to clear them out every show." ... Ugh. Two characters telling each other what they already know.

I know so many people who have such great work who can't get a foot in the publishing door. Then I read this crap. I'm sure the story would have been a whole lot better if this author had actually had an editor to point out the shortcomings. As it is, it seems as though the book went from draft form (not rough draft, but perhaps second draft?) straight to print. (less) "

Hazel read and liked Caroline Alicia's review of Twilight (Twilight, #1):

"I regret I can not put half a star. This has to be the most vacuous piece of crap I ever had the misfortune of reading. I decided to read the series to see what the hype was about. I suppose I'm either too old or not stupid enough. Edward and Bella's...more I regret I can not put half a star. This has to be the most vacuous piece of crap I ever had the misfortune of reading. I decided to read the series to see what the hype was about. I suppose I'm either too old or not stupid enough. Edward and Bella's relationship is abusive and based on physical attraction only. How many times does Isabella go on about his eyes and looks. they know nothing of each other. Bella just ends up a mindless drone following him like a lost puppy. It's just unhealthy and disgusting.

I never wanted to burn a book....but that was pre-Twilight. I say we have a barbeque with this series. It's all just God awful.(less) "

Hazel read and liked Lindsey's review of Things Fall Apart:

"The first time I read this book was during one of the summers I worked in Montana in college. At the time, I remember thinking the story was interesting, but I wasn't focused enough to really get much out of it. I read it in small chunks and kept g...more The first time I read this book was during one of the summers I worked in Montana in college. At the time, I remember thinking the story was interesting, but I wasn't focused enough to really get much out of it. I read it in small chunks and kept getting the names mixed up, and I didn't take the time to look up the cultural references I didn't understand. All in all, not very active reading on my part.

This time around, half way through my second year of living in West Africa, I felt like I was reading an entirely different novel! The small details that were lost on me that first time--kola nuts, yam foo-foo, palm-wine, drumming circles, etc.--are now not foreign at all. What initially seemed like a total emotional detachment on the part of the narrator and the main character now make total sense with the way many cultures around here view masculinity. Even the names make more sense, now that I have Nigerian students to help me pronounce them. :) It's been an amazing experience teaching this with my 10th graders, given that I have several kids from Cameroon and other W. African countries, and I'm curious to see how my new understanding translates when I inevitably find myself teaching the book back in the States some day. (less) "