T. Edmund

T. Edmund rated a book 5 of 5 stars

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend
by Matthew Dicks (Goodreads Author)

read in May, 2013

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Does this book really need a brief blurb? The narrator and protagonist is Budo, an imaginary friend of Max, a young boy accused of Autism.

Through Budo we see the world simultaneously through childish yet sophisticated eyes. As he struggles to deal wi...more

T. Edmund rated a book 3 of 5 stars

And the Mountains Echoed
by Khaled Hosseini

read in May, 2013

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Beginning with a highly allegorical bad-ass tale of a child-stealing div, Hosseini weaves several tales of hurt, death, love, and reunion that spans more than 50 years.

Centered around Pari a young Afghan woman, Hosseini employs a unique technique: b...more

T. Edmund made a comment on his review of Inferno (Robert Langdon, #4)

"Lorena wrote: "It was better than the lost symbol, but not that good like Angels and Demons"

It was certainly more memorable than Lost Symbol (I had to...more "

T. Edmund rated a book 4 of 5 stars

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, #1)
by Maggie Stiefvater (Goodreads Author)

read in May, 2013

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Meet 'The Raven Boys' a rag-tag band of brothers attending an esteemed college (don't worry tertiary education does not feature heavily.) Gansey, their eccentric brilliant leader, is obsessed with a mythic phenomenon linked to ley-lines or 'corpse ro...more

T. Edmund rated a book 3 of 5 stars

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
by Terry Pratchett

read in May, 2013

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What happens when you combine Gaiman's badassery and Pratchett's irreverent humour? (I guess you already figured this book)

While reading Good Omen's I tried to keep track of everything modern and historic that got poked fun at (yep, lost count.) I mu...more

T. Edmund rated a book 4 of 5 stars

How To Lose Friends And Infuriate People
by Jonar C. Nader

read in May, 2013

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Originally picked up this one at a sale, expected several satirical laughs. Not so unfortunately I had missed the 'controversial book for thinkers part.' The reason I say not so unfortunately is that I did enjoy Nader's take on business and managemen...more

T. Edmund rated a book 3 of 5 stars

Inferno (Robert Langdon, #4)
by Dan Brown

read in May, 2013

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In many respects it seems somewhat unfair to continually compare Dan Brown books to the controversial pomp that was The Da Vinci Code, given that it would almost be impossible to hit that sweet spot between average, easy to read thriller, and Catholi...more In many respects it seems somewhat unfair to continually compare Dan Brown books to the controversial pomp that was The Da Vinci Code, given that it would almost be impossible to hit that sweet spot between average, easy to read thriller, and Catholic criticism more than once.

Nonetheless with both The Lost Symbol and this current installment, Inferno, Brown continues to try to ply our ire with hot topics and mediocre thrills, thusly comparison is inevitable.

So more succinctly: Inferno does not live up to either of its predecessors (although could be better than that Angels and Demons product - I have not had the joy/pain of reading it)

This time round Brown has attempted a Jason Bourne amnesia trope - which unfortunately serves little or no real purpose to the plot, but does succeed in dragging the pace out excruciatingly - especially when coupled with Brown's trademark of detailing the history of almost every detail of the book. (oddly aside from the drastic slowing effect, this constant analysis is one of the more enjoyable parts.)

Where Da Vinci Code had a charming simplicity due to a paucity of main characters, Inferno is bogged down in antagonists, and their plots become so twisted the storyline disintegrates under its own improbability.

This time round Brown's subject of controversy is over-population. An intriguing topic for him to tackle, and I give some kudos for a morally unusual ending, although just as many are taken away for the lack of emotional literary impact from said ambiguous conclusion.

The ultimate weakness of Inferno is the repetitive scene structure of Robert L. and his latest female side-kick, just having enough time to ruminate and solve a puzzle before having to flee someone or multiple someones, only to get enough distance between them and their enemies to confront the next puzzle. We are given the occasional backstory glimpse between scenes, until the final few chapters when ALL the mysteries are revealed.

As a final jab, Brown has discovered an awkward sense of humor expressed in Inferno. 50 shades of e-books seem to be the target, although a slight modification of the term MILF makes an appearance too.

Inferno isn't the worst 'epic' thriller ever, however the book crumbles under its own bloated sense of importance and intrigue and I suspect Brown could do better to improve his storytelling rather than trying to outdo himself with controversy every time.(less)

T. Edmund is now following Rben Hmida's reviews

T. Edmund liked Mel's review of Think Twice (Rosato & Associates, #13):

" Interesting concept, less than stellar writing. "

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T. Edmund rated a book 5 of 5 stars Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Dicks (Goodreads Author) read in May, 2013	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Does this book really need a brief blurb? The narrator and protagonist is Budo, an imaginary friend of Max, a young boy accused of Autism. Through Budo we see the world simultaneously through childish yet sophisticated eyes. As he struggles to deal wi...more
May 21, 2013 11:19pm · see review
T. Edmund rated a book 3 of 5 stars And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini read in May, 2013	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Beginning with a highly allegorical bad-ass tale of a child-stealing div, Hosseini weaves several tales of hurt, death, love, and reunion that spans more than 50 years. Centered around Pari a young Afghan woman, Hosseini employs a unique technique: b...more
May 21, 2013 04:06am · see review
T. Edmund made a comment on his review of Inferno (Robert Langdon, #4) "Lorena wrote: "It was better than the lost symbol, but not that good like Angels and Demons" It was certainly more memorable than Lost Symbol (I had to...more "
May 15, 2013 10:26pm · see review
T. Edmund rated a book 4 of 5 stars The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater (Goodreads Author) read in May, 2013	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Meet 'The Raven Boys' a rag-tag band of brothers attending an esteemed college (don't worry tertiary education does not feature heavily.) Gansey, their eccentric brilliant leader, is obsessed with a mythic phenomenon linked to ley-lines or 'corpse ro...more
May 15, 2013 03:37am · see review
T. Edmund rated a book 3 of 5 stars Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett read in May, 2013	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
What happens when you combine Gaiman's badassery and Pratchett's irreverent humour? (I guess you already figured this book) While reading Good Omen's I tried to keep track of everything modern and historic that got poked fun at (yep, lost count.) I mu...more
May 15, 2013 12:34am · see review
T. Edmund rated a book 4 of 5 stars How To Lose Friends And Infuriate People by Jonar C. Nader read in May, 2013	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Originally picked up this one at a sale, expected several satirical laughs. Not so unfortunately I had missed the 'controversial book for thinkers part.' The reason I say not so unfortunately is that I did enjoy Nader's take on business and managemen...more
May 15, 2013 12:29am · see review
T. Edmund rated a book 3 of 5 stars Inferno (Robert Langdon, #4) by Dan Brown read in May, 2013	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
In many respects it seems somewhat unfair to continually compare Dan Brown books to the controversial pomp that was The Da Vinci Code, given that it would almost be impossible to hit that sweet spot between average, easy to read thriller, and Catholi...more
May 14, 2013 05:27am · see review
T. Edmund is now following Rben Hmida's reviews
May 13, 2013 11:24pm · like
T. Edmund liked Mel's review of Think Twice (Rosato & Associates, #13): " Interesting concept, less than stellar writing. "
May 12, 2013 10:54pm · see review

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