C.C. Thomas's Blog, page 11
January 9, 2015
Tick Tock, Just Watching the Clock: Tick Tock by Dean Koontz
Tick Tock by Dean Koontz
Paranormal Romantic Horror Thriller
Fortunately, this wasn't my first Dean Koontz book. If it were, it would be my first...and my last. Normally, I can count on Koontz to provide me with a chilling story, a taut plot, and unforgettable characters. Now, I just want to forget this whole thing.
By his own admission in the introduction, Koontz wanted to do something different with this book. He sought to meld together a variety of genres and write a light-hearted, romantic, horror story. If that sounds a bit strange, that's the perfect explanation of this book. Just strange.
Tommy Phan is a first-generation American, trying desperately to forget his Vietnamese heritage. He buys a Corvette and goes home to find a doll on his porch. The doll turns out to be a demon that tries to kill him. He tries to escape, wrecks his Corvette, and is rescued by a waitress with paranormal powers.
A bizarre plot sequence. The mix in genres was unsettling to me and the book never really got any better than just "okay". Because I know what a master Koontz is, I'll have to research better and not read any more of his literary experiments. "Tick Tock", for me, meant watching the clock drag by as I tried to finish this story.
Paranormal Romantic Horror ThrillerFortunately, this wasn't my first Dean Koontz book. If it were, it would be my first...and my last. Normally, I can count on Koontz to provide me with a chilling story, a taut plot, and unforgettable characters. Now, I just want to forget this whole thing.
By his own admission in the introduction, Koontz wanted to do something different with this book. He sought to meld together a variety of genres and write a light-hearted, romantic, horror story. If that sounds a bit strange, that's the perfect explanation of this book. Just strange.
Tommy Phan is a first-generation American, trying desperately to forget his Vietnamese heritage. He buys a Corvette and goes home to find a doll on his porch. The doll turns out to be a demon that tries to kill him. He tries to escape, wrecks his Corvette, and is rescued by a waitress with paranormal powers.
A bizarre plot sequence. The mix in genres was unsettling to me and the book never really got any better than just "okay". Because I know what a master Koontz is, I'll have to research better and not read any more of his literary experiments. "Tick Tock", for me, meant watching the clock drag by as I tried to finish this story.
January 8, 2015
A Witch with Potential: The Coven Series #1: White Witch by Trish Milburn
The Coven Series #1: White Witch by Trish Milburn
Young Adult Paranormal Fantasy
I didn't really expect to like this book quite as much as I did. I admit to being something of a "judge a book by its cover" reader and I was totally turned off by the cover. It looked amateurish. I know, I know, I shouldn't judge...but I do.
I expected a semi-good read with nothing really new to pique my interest. But, I am delighted to report I was wrong. The story started off a bit rocky (it shot out off the gate too quickly and with too little background explanation), but I soon found myself really involved in it and had a hard time putting it down.
In it, the main character Jax has run away from her witch coven, determined to live life on her own terms and without her powers, wanting nothing more than to be a normal teen. She knows this means there's a price on her head but she's willing to risk it all for her freedom. Then, she meets Keller, a witch hunter who also happens to go to her school and, of course, she can't help falling for him. (There's always something about a tall guy with a weapon, isn't there?!?) Along the way, Jax makes friends, gets bullied by the popular girls, and discovers parts of her past weren't all that bad.
Really, not a bad read. I feel that young adult girls, who are the target audience for this book, will like it just fine. It's a fast read that focuses on action and romance with lots of kissing. For me, though, I wish the author had slowed the story down a bit. It would have been much stronger with more explanations of....well, just about everything. For all that, I will be checking out the second in the series and hope to learn more about the main character there.
Young Adult Paranormal FantasyI didn't really expect to like this book quite as much as I did. I admit to being something of a "judge a book by its cover" reader and I was totally turned off by the cover. It looked amateurish. I know, I know, I shouldn't judge...but I do.
I expected a semi-good read with nothing really new to pique my interest. But, I am delighted to report I was wrong. The story started off a bit rocky (it shot out off the gate too quickly and with too little background explanation), but I soon found myself really involved in it and had a hard time putting it down.
In it, the main character Jax has run away from her witch coven, determined to live life on her own terms and without her powers, wanting nothing more than to be a normal teen. She knows this means there's a price on her head but she's willing to risk it all for her freedom. Then, she meets Keller, a witch hunter who also happens to go to her school and, of course, she can't help falling for him. (There's always something about a tall guy with a weapon, isn't there?!?) Along the way, Jax makes friends, gets bullied by the popular girls, and discovers parts of her past weren't all that bad.
Really, not a bad read. I feel that young adult girls, who are the target audience for this book, will like it just fine. It's a fast read that focuses on action and romance with lots of kissing. For me, though, I wish the author had slowed the story down a bit. It would have been much stronger with more explanations of....well, just about everything. For all that, I will be checking out the second in the series and hope to learn more about the main character there.
January 6, 2015
What a Dilemma!--The Pines #2: Wayward
The Pines #2: Wayward by Blake CrouchScience Fiction/Dystopian Thriller
It isn't often that I give a book 5 stars. I save those for the books I can't put down; for the books that move me as a human; books that I think everyone should read. This is definitely one of those books I just couldn't put down. I inhaled this second installment in The Pines series just like I did the first one. That is a rarity for me. Usually the second book disappoints but this one just picked up speed and now I am rushing to buy and read the last one. But....I don't want to read it because then it's over. What a dilemma!
This story picks up just where the first left off, so be sure to read them in order. Ethan Burke finds himself as the unwilling sheriff of a utopia, the last bastion of humankind in a world overrun by aberrations, humans that have warped and changed into monsters over the last two thousand years while he and his fellow Wayward Pines townspeople were sleeping. Ethan should be happy to be alive but his ethical and moral code has a problem with the beautiful prison where he lives with his family. He can't leave Wayward Pines, and he increasingly discovers he also can't stay. What a dilemma!
I loved everything about this book--the main character Ethan, a fallible man who tries to do his best even when that obviously isn't good enough; the other characters--a couple of love triangles kept it interesting; the evil scientist--why aren't there more stories about evil scientists?!? I love those villains!; the setting--a dark and disturbing future where science has run amok. What's not to love about this book? What a dilemma!
I can't find a single thing to complain about. As a reader, that's a nice dilemma to have.
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It isn't often that I give a book 5 stars. I save those for the books I can't put down; for the books that move me as a human; books that I think everyone should read. This is definitely one of those books I just couldn't put down. I inhaled this second installment in The Pines series just like I did the first one. That is a rarity for me. Usually the second book disappoints but this one just picked up speed and now I am rushing to buy and read the last one. But....I don't want to read it because then it's over. What a dilemma!This story picks up just where the first left off, so be sure to read them in order. Ethan Burke finds himself as the unwilling sheriff of a utopia, the last bastion of humankind in a world overrun by aberrations, humans that have warped and changed into monsters over the last two thousand years while he and his fellow Wayward Pines townspeople were sleeping. Ethan should be happy to be alive but his ethical and moral code has a problem with the beautiful prison where he lives with his family. He can't leave Wayward Pines, and he increasingly discovers he also can't stay. What a dilemma!
I loved everything about this book--the main character Ethan, a fallible man who tries to do his best even when that obviously isn't good enough; the other characters--a couple of love triangles kept it interesting; the evil scientist--why aren't there more stories about evil scientists?!? I love those villains!; the setting--a dark and disturbing future where science has run amok. What's not to love about this book? What a dilemma!
I can't find a single thing to complain about. As a reader, that's a nice dilemma to have.
January 5, 2015
Delights and a Disappointment--The Lost Heroes#2: The Son of Neptune
The Lost Heroes #2: The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
I am both delighted and disappointed with this second installment in The Lost Heroes series.
First, my delights: Percy Jackson is back! I have missed this plucky, all-too-human demigod. After reading the first in the series, I was afraid we had seen the last of Percy and his adventures. But, he's back with more exciting thrills as he loses his memory, starts a new prophecy, and tries to save the world-again. That "again" is a compliment, not a put-down. There isn't another hero I would rather read about. Riordan is absolutely at his best in this one--full of more mythological creatures, more riddles and more fun. I am truly hooked on this series and already have the next three waiting in my queue to read. What's not to love?
Now, for my disappoints: where in the world is Jason Grace? While I truly love a good Percy yarn, I actually liked Jason better. Perhaps it's the war-mongering Roman in me but I was even more excited by the possibility of a new hero to follow. He isn't anywhere in this book. It's not much of a disappointment, though, as this story was excellent. Hopefully, he'll be in the next book, working with Percy--the best of both worlds!
I am both delighted and disappointed with this second installment in The Lost Heroes series.First, my delights: Percy Jackson is back! I have missed this plucky, all-too-human demigod. After reading the first in the series, I was afraid we had seen the last of Percy and his adventures. But, he's back with more exciting thrills as he loses his memory, starts a new prophecy, and tries to save the world-again. That "again" is a compliment, not a put-down. There isn't another hero I would rather read about. Riordan is absolutely at his best in this one--full of more mythological creatures, more riddles and more fun. I am truly hooked on this series and already have the next three waiting in my queue to read. What's not to love?
Now, for my disappoints: where in the world is Jason Grace? While I truly love a good Percy yarn, I actually liked Jason better. Perhaps it's the war-mongering Roman in me but I was even more excited by the possibility of a new hero to follow. He isn't anywhere in this book. It's not much of a disappointment, though, as this story was excellent. Hopefully, he'll be in the next book, working with Percy--the best of both worlds!
December 29, 2014
Warmed Up Leftovers--The Magisterium #1: The Iron Trial
The Magisterium #1: The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Adolescent Fantasy
A young boy with a mysterious past and a scar suddenly finds himself thrust into a magical school with two sidekicks, a boy and a girl, who soon become his best friends and help him to understand his past and withstand a prophetical future. Sound familiar? If you're thinking another Harry Potter, you're right.
There's nothing really new here...Callum Hunt is a young boy who is forced to attend a magical school to develop his latent powers. He pairs up with a boy and girl who grow into his best friends. They have adventures and find out Callum has a dangerous secret that could destroy them all. Harry Potter, much? I wish the co-authors had changed something...anything. Maybe had the protagonist be a girl instead of a boy? That's what really holds the story back for me. The entire time I kept thinking this was just a retelling, and one that wasn't as good as the original. Even the setup of the book is Potter-like right down to the font and the beginning of each chapter with a cool drawing above the beginning. That, in the end, lessened my pleasure.
And, yet, I found myself really liking the story, the characters, and the writing. The characters are intriguing, the writing is solid. Still.....I can't more than half-heartedly recommend it. From two amazing authors, it was a bit of a disappointment. I wanted more and, because of the similarities, my brain couldn't help but do the comparisons automatically.
Adolescent FantasyA young boy with a mysterious past and a scar suddenly finds himself thrust into a magical school with two sidekicks, a boy and a girl, who soon become his best friends and help him to understand his past and withstand a prophetical future. Sound familiar? If you're thinking another Harry Potter, you're right.
There's nothing really new here...Callum Hunt is a young boy who is forced to attend a magical school to develop his latent powers. He pairs up with a boy and girl who grow into his best friends. They have adventures and find out Callum has a dangerous secret that could destroy them all. Harry Potter, much? I wish the co-authors had changed something...anything. Maybe had the protagonist be a girl instead of a boy? That's what really holds the story back for me. The entire time I kept thinking this was just a retelling, and one that wasn't as good as the original. Even the setup of the book is Potter-like right down to the font and the beginning of each chapter with a cool drawing above the beginning. That, in the end, lessened my pleasure.
And, yet, I found myself really liking the story, the characters, and the writing. The characters are intriguing, the writing is solid. Still.....I can't more than half-heartedly recommend it. From two amazing authors, it was a bit of a disappointment. I wanted more and, because of the similarities, my brain couldn't help but do the comparisons automatically.
Warmed Up Leftovers
The Magisterium #1: The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Adolescent Fantasy
A young boy with a mysterious past and a scar suddenly finds himself thrust into a magical school with two sidekicks, a boy and a girl, who soon become his best friends and help him to understand his past and withstand a prophetical future. Sound familiar? If you're thinking another Harry Potter, you're right.
There's nothing really new here...Callum Hunt is a young boy who is forced to attend a magical school to develop his latent powers. He pairs up with a boy and girl who grow into his best friends. They have adventures and find out Callum has a dangerous secret that could destroy them all. Harry Potter, much? I wish the co-authors had changed something...anything. Maybe had the protagonist be a girl instead of a boy? That's what really holds the story back for me. The entire time I kept thinking this was just a retelling, and one that wasn't as good as the original. Even the setup of the book is Potter-like right down to the font and the beginning of each chapter with a cool drawing above the beginning. That, in the end, lessened my pleasure.
And, yet, I found myself really liking the story, the characters, and the writing. The characters are intriguing, the writing is solid. Still.....I can't more than half-heartedly recommend it. From two amazing authors, it was a bit of a disappointment. I wanted more and, because of the similarities, my brain couldn't help but do the comparisons automatically.
Adolescent FantasyA young boy with a mysterious past and a scar suddenly finds himself thrust into a magical school with two sidekicks, a boy and a girl, who soon become his best friends and help him to understand his past and withstand a prophetical future. Sound familiar? If you're thinking another Harry Potter, you're right.
There's nothing really new here...Callum Hunt is a young boy who is forced to attend a magical school to develop his latent powers. He pairs up with a boy and girl who grow into his best friends. They have adventures and find out Callum has a dangerous secret that could destroy them all. Harry Potter, much? I wish the co-authors had changed something...anything. Maybe had the protagonist be a girl instead of a boy? That's what really holds the story back for me. The entire time I kept thinking this was just a retelling, and one that wasn't as good as the original. Even the setup of the book is Potter-like right down to the font and the beginning of each chapter with a cool drawing above the beginning. That, in the end, lessened my pleasure.
And, yet, I found myself really liking the story, the characters, and the writing. The characters are intriguing, the writing is solid. Still.....I can't more than half-heartedly recommend it. From two amazing authors, it was a bit of a disappointment. I wanted more and, because of the similarities, my brain couldn't help but do the comparisons automatically.
December 26, 2014
A Picture Book for Adults--Percy Jackson's Greek Gods
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan
I've always thought it not fair that the best picture books are wasted on children who are too young to read them and truly too young to appreciate the stories and artwork. Alright, so I'm a little jealous. All those marvelous picture books! There should be something for adults like that.
And, now there is. Thank you, Rick Riordan. This huge book is truly a picture book adventure for young adults (or adults still stuck in their youth, like me). I felt like a little kid again every time I opened those pages. I loved the silky feel of each new chapter. I ooohed and aaaahed over the amazing illustrations. There was nothing NOT to love about this book.
This book is told to us by Percy Jackson, hero of Riordan's other books. In this one, Percy tell us the ancient stories of the Olympians and the Titans, going back to the very beginning of Greek history and Greek story. While I consider myself something of a "Jeopardy"-brain about Greek myth, there were many stories in there I hadn't heard of. What fun! It was sometimes hard to tell where Percy was embellishing, so I often had to rush to the computer or other books to read more. These are my favorite kinds of books--ones that light fuses I have to read more to put out.
The book is a delight from beginning to end. It would be a good read-aloud for younger kids but is a great Greek myth introduction to older kids and teens. And, if you're even older than that (like me), you won't be disappointed either. It's a book to love reading again and again.
I've always thought it not fair that the best picture books are wasted on children who are too young to read them and truly too young to appreciate the stories and artwork. Alright, so I'm a little jealous. All those marvelous picture books! There should be something for adults like that.
And, now there is. Thank you, Rick Riordan. This huge book is truly a picture book adventure for young adults (or adults still stuck in their youth, like me). I felt like a little kid again every time I opened those pages. I loved the silky feel of each new chapter. I ooohed and aaaahed over the amazing illustrations. There was nothing NOT to love about this book.
This book is told to us by Percy Jackson, hero of Riordan's other books. In this one, Percy tell us the ancient stories of the Olympians and the Titans, going back to the very beginning of Greek history and Greek story. While I consider myself something of a "Jeopardy"-brain about Greek myth, there were many stories in there I hadn't heard of. What fun! It was sometimes hard to tell where Percy was embellishing, so I often had to rush to the computer or other books to read more. These are my favorite kinds of books--ones that light fuses I have to read more to put out.
The book is a delight from beginning to end. It would be a good read-aloud for younger kids but is a great Greek myth introduction to older kids and teens. And, if you're even older than that (like me), you won't be disappointed either. It's a book to love reading again and again.
A Picture Book for Adults
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan
I've always thought it not fair that the best picture books are wasted on children who are too young to read them and truly too young to appreciate the stories and artwork. Alright, so I'm a little jealous. All those marvelous picture books! There should be something for adults like that.
And, now there is. Thank you, Rick Riordan. This huge book is truly a picture book adventure for young adults (or adults still stuck in their youth, like me). I felt like a little kid again every time I opened those pages. I loved the silky feel of each new chapter. I ooohed and aaaahed over the amazing illustrations. There was nothing NOT to love about this book.
This book is told to us by Percy Jackson, hero of Riordan's other books. In this one, Percy tell us the ancient stories of the Olympians and the Titans, going back to the very beginning of Greek history and Greek story. While I consider myself something of a "Jeopardy"-brain about Greek myth, there were many stories in there I hadn't heard of. What fun! It was sometimes hard to tell where Percy was embellishing, so I often had to rush to the computer or other books to read more. These are my favorite kinds of books--ones that light fuses I have to read more to put out.
The book is a delight from beginning to end. It would be a good read-aloud for younger kids but is a great Greek myth introduction to older kids and teens. And, if you're even older than that (like me), you won't be disappointed either. It's a book to love reading again and again.
I've always thought it not fair that the best picture books are wasted on children who are too young to read them and truly too young to appreciate the stories and artwork. Alright, so I'm a little jealous. All those marvelous picture books! There should be something for adults like that.
And, now there is. Thank you, Rick Riordan. This huge book is truly a picture book adventure for young adults (or adults still stuck in their youth, like me). I felt like a little kid again every time I opened those pages. I loved the silky feel of each new chapter. I ooohed and aaaahed over the amazing illustrations. There was nothing NOT to love about this book.
This book is told to us by Percy Jackson, hero of Riordan's other books. In this one, Percy tell us the ancient stories of the Olympians and the Titans, going back to the very beginning of Greek history and Greek story. While I consider myself something of a "Jeopardy"-brain about Greek myth, there were many stories in there I hadn't heard of. What fun! It was sometimes hard to tell where Percy was embellishing, so I often had to rush to the computer or other books to read more. These are my favorite kinds of books--ones that light fuses I have to read more to put out.
The book is a delight from beginning to end. It would be a good read-aloud for younger kids but is a great Greek myth introduction to older kids and teens. And, if you're even older than that (like me), you won't be disappointed either. It's a book to love reading again and again.
December 21, 2014
A Sugary Treat--Seven Up: Stephanie Plum #7
Seven Up: Stephanie Plum #7 by Janet EvanovichMystery/Thriller/Romance
If I were a bounty hunter, I suspect I would be a lot like Stephanie Plum. I am mostly certainly clumsy enough and have the shin and knee bruises to show it. I often put my foot in my mouth without warning, almost as if a giant, evil mastermind were controlling what came out my pie hole. And, I like food a lot. (I don't have Plum's metabolism so I can't eat that much cake, but I do enjoy living vicariously through her.)
And, if I had two hot guys after me, I would most certainly sleep with both of them (remember this is dream me; real me has been happily married for 20+ years).
Perhaps that's why I enjoy these books so much--complete and total escape from reality. Plum is a lot like the Tastycakes she snarfs down--sugary fun.
If you've never read any of the Stephanie Plum mysteries, be sure to read them in order, starting with the first one. The romantic plot is worth following and resembles a tennis match played with a live grenade. I'm not sure of the title of the next one, but I know that "Eight" won't be enough for me!
If I were a bounty hunter, I suspect I would be a lot like Stephanie Plum. I am mostly certainly clumsy enough and have the shin and knee bruises to show it. I often put my foot in my mouth without warning, almost as if a giant, evil mastermind were controlling what came out my pie hole. And, I like food a lot. (I don't have Plum's metabolism so I can't eat that much cake, but I do enjoy living vicariously through her.)And, if I had two hot guys after me, I would most certainly sleep with both of them (remember this is dream me; real me has been happily married for 20+ years).
Perhaps that's why I enjoy these books so much--complete and total escape from reality. Plum is a lot like the Tastycakes she snarfs down--sugary fun.
If you've never read any of the Stephanie Plum mysteries, be sure to read them in order, starting with the first one. The romantic plot is worth following and resembles a tennis match played with a live grenade. I'm not sure of the title of the next one, but I know that "Eight" won't be enough for me!
A Sugary Treat
Seven Up: Stephanie Plum #7 by Janet EvanovichMystery/Thriller/Romance
If I were a bounty hunter, I suspect I would be a lot like Stephanie Plum. I am mostly certainly clumsy enough and have the shin and knee bruises to show it. I often put my foot in my mouth without warning, almost as if a giant, evil mastermind were controlling what came out my pie hole. And, I like food a lot. (I don't have Plum's metabolism so I can't eat that much cake, but I do enjoy living vicariously through her.)
And, if I had two hot guys after me, I would most certainly sleep with both of them (remember this is dream me; real me has been happily married for 20+ years).
Perhaps that's why I enjoy these books so much--complete and total escape from reality. Plum is a lot like the Tastycakes she snarfs down--sugary fun.
If you've never read any of the Stephanie Plum mysteries, be sure to read them in order, starting with the first one. The romantic plot is worth following and resembles a tennis match played with a live grenade. I'm not sure of the title of the next one, but I know that "Eight" won't be enough for me!
If I were a bounty hunter, I suspect I would be a lot like Stephanie Plum. I am mostly certainly clumsy enough and have the shin and knee bruises to show it. I often put my foot in my mouth without warning, almost as if a giant, evil mastermind were controlling what came out my pie hole. And, I like food a lot. (I don't have Plum's metabolism so I can't eat that much cake, but I do enjoy living vicariously through her.)And, if I had two hot guys after me, I would most certainly sleep with both of them (remember this is dream me; real me has been happily married for 20+ years).
Perhaps that's why I enjoy these books so much--complete and total escape from reality. Plum is a lot like the Tastycakes she snarfs down--sugary fun.
If you've never read any of the Stephanie Plum mysteries, be sure to read them in order, starting with the first one. The romantic plot is worth following and resembles a tennis match played with a live grenade. I'm not sure of the title of the next one, but I know that "Eight" won't be enough for me!
