A. Renee Hunt's Blog, page 14
November 28, 2018
Lullaby
An Audible.com Audible Short Story
by Jonathan Maberry
Short stories are always going to be a means of literary convenience. It allows people who dislike reading novels to grab something quick, like a bag of chips on the go. For me, it's an inconvenience; even my own short stories are a bit longer than they should be, but only because I don't like it when something good comes to a rapid and abrupt end. That's what happens in Jonathan Maberry's Lullaby. Awesome beginning - curt ending. It all happened way too fast!
I’ve read a few Maberry zombie tales before. He’s an interesting author but not one of my favorites. When Audible began their Originals freebie audiobooks, I hopped on board, taking Lullaby with me. It’s a short story, with a running time of 37-minutes. Did I make a mistake by doing this? Well, you’ll have to continue reading to find out.
Lullaby is about a family who moved into a new home, fully knowing it was haunted. With a baby, the couple ignore the warning voices in their heads and fall for the sale’s pitch, hook like and sinker. Jillian, the mother knew it was probably a mistake but they felt they couldn't ignore the perfect price.
What can I say about this short story? The creep factor isn’t heavy but it is spooky. It’s written well and honestly a decent haunted house tale. It's one I'd recall around a campfire... if I camped. Way too many Crystal Lake movies for me. I liked it but sadly, it’s way too short. Just when it gets foot, it’s gone. I hate that!
Lullaby was free when I nabbed it on Audible. If you're looking for a short story to keep the kids or young adults creeped out, this is the one to play or recall. I'm moving on the next book. Cheers!
Lullaby
Jonathan Maberry
Audible Studios
Narrated by Scott Brick
Running Time: 37m
by Jonathan Maberry
Short stories are always going to be a means of literary convenience. It allows people who dislike reading novels to grab something quick, like a bag of chips on the go. For me, it's an inconvenience; even my own short stories are a bit longer than they should be, but only because I don't like it when something good comes to a rapid and abrupt end. That's what happens in Jonathan Maberry's Lullaby. Awesome beginning - curt ending. It all happened way too fast!I’ve read a few Maberry zombie tales before. He’s an interesting author but not one of my favorites. When Audible began their Originals freebie audiobooks, I hopped on board, taking Lullaby with me. It’s a short story, with a running time of 37-minutes. Did I make a mistake by doing this? Well, you’ll have to continue reading to find out.
Lullaby is about a family who moved into a new home, fully knowing it was haunted. With a baby, the couple ignore the warning voices in their heads and fall for the sale’s pitch, hook like and sinker. Jillian, the mother knew it was probably a mistake but they felt they couldn't ignore the perfect price.
What can I say about this short story? The creep factor isn’t heavy but it is spooky. It’s written well and honestly a decent haunted house tale. It's one I'd recall around a campfire... if I camped. Way too many Crystal Lake movies for me. I liked it but sadly, it’s way too short. Just when it gets foot, it’s gone. I hate that!
Lullaby was free when I nabbed it on Audible. If you're looking for a short story to keep the kids or young adults creeped out, this is the one to play or recall. I'm moving on the next book. Cheers!
Lullaby
Jonathan Maberry
Audible Studios
Narrated by Scott Brick
Running Time: 37m
November 23, 2018
Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm off to enjoy the family. I hope you are too! Have a fabulous weekend. I'll also be off Monday. See you on Tuesday morning!
Alyssa
November 21, 2018
Upgrade
A Fun Movie Review
Do you enjoy fast-paced, high octane action and an amazing, futuristic plot? Then Upgrade, starring Logan Marshall-Green, is the movie for you. I knew it was going to be killer long before it hit theaters. The fact that I got to see it a bit early was simply a plus.
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So a guy, in the future, details antique vehicles. He loves cars that do not drive themselves and require petro in order to go. It's a high paying hobby, but he when he restores a classic for a high-tech programmer, he winds up paying a high cost that sends him on a rampage of revenge. Or is he?
Grey Trace, the protagonist in Upgrade, and his wife are attacked by a few thugs that murder his wife and leave him paralyzed. From there, Grey is given the opportunity to have an artificial intelligence chip placed into his spinal cord (STEM), allowing him to walk again. What happens after that sends you, the viewer on a violent, crucial, first-hand watch on how the future can help you do more than take back your life. Exact revenge and maybe even lose yourself.If I say more, I'll end up giving SPOILERS and that would ruin everything.
Just know Upgrade- it's funny, will have you laughing like crazy. Then it will have you jump, like "Whoa!" It's one of the best action movies I've watched in a while- it's amazing!
Upgrade
Directed by Leigh Whannel
A Blumhouse Production
Starrs Logan Marshall-Green, Betty Gabriel, Harrison Gilbertson, Christopher Kirby and Simon Maiden
Released June 2018
Runtime: 1h35m
Do you enjoy fast-paced, high octane action and an amazing, futuristic plot? Then Upgrade, starring Logan Marshall-Green, is the movie for you. I knew it was going to be killer long before it hit theaters. The fact that I got to see it a bit early was simply a plus.#element-eea92a29-f0f7-493f-9ced-7b95a79f85be .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
So a guy, in the future, details antique vehicles. He loves cars that do not drive themselves and require petro in order to go. It's a high paying hobby, but he when he restores a classic for a high-tech programmer, he winds up paying a high cost that sends him on a rampage of revenge. Or is he?Grey Trace, the protagonist in Upgrade, and his wife are attacked by a few thugs that murder his wife and leave him paralyzed. From there, Grey is given the opportunity to have an artificial intelligence chip placed into his spinal cord (STEM), allowing him to walk again. What happens after that sends you, the viewer on a violent, crucial, first-hand watch on how the future can help you do more than take back your life. Exact revenge and maybe even lose yourself.If I say more, I'll end up giving SPOILERS and that would ruin everything.
Just know Upgrade- it's funny, will have you laughing like crazy. Then it will have you jump, like "Whoa!" It's one of the best action movies I've watched in a while- it's amazing!
Upgrade
Directed by Leigh Whannel
A Blumhouse Production
Starrs Logan Marshall-Green, Betty Gabriel, Harrison Gilbertson, Christopher Kirby and Simon Maiden
Released June 2018
Runtime: 1h35m
November 20, 2018
Shadow On the Stairs
I usually don’t read books of short stories, but since I’ve been considering putting one together of my own... Shadow On the Stairs is a novel of the shortest shorts I’ve ever read. A while back I read stories like these and remember feeling let down. Is that what happened with this book as well? I guess we shall see, yes?#element-d4f454b9-d381-4a63-9660-6341a65b4c09 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Shadow On the Stairs is 326-pages of nightmares and monsters. It’s great that shorts can weave such intricate beginnings- because that’s what these are. They’re short story beginnings; they could also be novels but they’re not finished. The author, Blair Daniels, leaves the rest to you. Sometimes that’s cool but in a book of never ending tales, it’s not. At least not for me.With that being said, I admit, I found a few highly intriguing. Honestly, more than a few but only because they lent promise to either a gruesome ending or one of escape. One told of a guy who’d overslept on his subway ride home and ended up face to face with a Reaper! Another promised something about to climb through a bedroom window to devour both child and parents. Another where death was most eminent but as previously stated, the ending doesn’t come.
I believe that’s the only disappointment with Shadow On the Stairs. I don’t want to write the ending myself. I don’t want to have to sit and ponder what came next in a book of almosts. To me, it’s a sort of rip - especially with over three hundred pages.
I’m not knocking th author because the beginnings of these tales are more than excellent. I simply need more. If you like short short stories, check out the book and see for yourself while I move on to the next read. Cheers!
Shadow On the Stairs
Blair Daniels
Haunted House Publishing LLC
August 2018
326 pages
November 19, 2018
Tales From the Hood 2
A Horror Movie Review
You are reading my review of the movie Tales From the Hood 2. I’m stating this fact due to my being in a good place right now. In a good place being my happy marriage, because when I watched the first Tales From the Hood movie I was nearing the end of my marriage with my daughter’s father. That movie had been good; I can not say the same for that marriage.
Okay, let me begin by stating what I liked most about the movie...
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Now let me tell you what I didn’t like about it. The premise was the same, an opening that introduced a storyteller. Sharing the same bit of racial dissonance as the first, TFrH2 is tries go deeper. More racial, more political and more ridiculously awful. They attempted to reuse the vengeful dolls in a manner- the best way to describe it is Velveeta.
The stories, Robo Hell, Good Golly, The Medium, Date Night and The Sacrifice are all filled with less that interesting acting and story. Keith David was the best part of the movie, but even he wasn’t enough to carry the story. If I had to choose, I’d say The Medium was the best. It’s about a con man who’s used to channel an enemy of a set of gangsters looking for the location of a money stash. They’re idiots!
The Sacrifice was a good story as well, but I don’t like being preached to. This movie used a disheartening incident, from real life headlines- even an image that brought me to tears when I first saw it back when I was in my early 20’s. I don’t like movies that distort my horror into reality. If I wanted that I’d have watched all the Hostel and Saw movies.
The effects were weak, the stories were weak and the ending was over-worked. I normally don’t down something this heavy, but people kept telling me this was as good as the first. I saw the first TFtH back when it hit theaters. I haven’t watched it since but I’m sure it’s Emmy material compared to part 2.
I can't even begin to convey the disappointment I felt while watching this movie- even more when the credits rolled. I would tell you to go check out Tale From the Hood2, but... Yeah, anyway I’m off to the next movie. Cheers!
Tales From the Hood 2
Directed by Rusty Cundieff, Darin Scott, Elaine Dysinger, Griff Furst and Jim Steele
Written by Rusty Cundieff, Darin Scott
Starred Keith David, Bryan Batt, Alexandria DeBerry, Kendrick Cross and Cat Limket.
Produced by Universal 1440
Released July 2018
Running Time: 111 minutes
You are reading my review of the movie Tales From the Hood 2. I’m stating this fact due to my being in a good place right now. In a good place being my happy marriage, because when I watched the first Tales From the Hood movie I was nearing the end of my marriage with my daughter’s father. That movie had been good; I can not say the same for that marriage.Okay, let me begin by stating what I liked most about the movie...
#element-00a548f1-92fc-406c-a84d-d01c92611749 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Now let me tell you what I didn’t like about it. The premise was the same, an opening that introduced a storyteller. Sharing the same bit of racial dissonance as the first, TFrH2 is tries go deeper. More racial, more political and more ridiculously awful. They attempted to reuse the vengeful dolls in a manner- the best way to describe it is Velveeta.The stories, Robo Hell, Good Golly, The Medium, Date Night and The Sacrifice are all filled with less that interesting acting and story. Keith David was the best part of the movie, but even he wasn’t enough to carry the story. If I had to choose, I’d say The Medium was the best. It’s about a con man who’s used to channel an enemy of a set of gangsters looking for the location of a money stash. They’re idiots!
The Sacrifice was a good story as well, but I don’t like being preached to. This movie used a disheartening incident, from real life headlines- even an image that brought me to tears when I first saw it back when I was in my early 20’s. I don’t like movies that distort my horror into reality. If I wanted that I’d have watched all the Hostel and Saw movies.
The effects were weak, the stories were weak and the ending was over-worked. I normally don’t down something this heavy, but people kept telling me this was as good as the first. I saw the first TFtH back when it hit theaters. I haven’t watched it since but I’m sure it’s Emmy material compared to part 2.
I can't even begin to convey the disappointment I felt while watching this movie- even more when the credits rolled. I would tell you to go check out Tale From the Hood2, but... Yeah, anyway I’m off to the next movie. Cheers!
Tales From the Hood 2
Directed by Rusty Cundieff, Darin Scott, Elaine Dysinger, Griff Furst and Jim Steele
Written by Rusty Cundieff, Darin Scott
Starred Keith David, Bryan Batt, Alexandria DeBerry, Kendrick Cross and Cat Limket.
Produced by Universal 1440
Released July 2018
Running Time: 111 minutes
November 14, 2018
The Parasitology Series
A Wormy Audiobook Series by Mira Grant
Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if there were no illnesses? If you nevr caught a cold again, suffered allergies- or had to endure radiation or chemotherapy? That's the world all envision, but in order to obtain it, what if you had to take on something that lived inside you? It would stay all the microbial invasions and keep your body in it's best shape possible... #element-f83655ee-cf6d-4361-a435-849b62b5c511 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
In this dystopian world, people re enduring a process that allows such a world to be. The Parasitology series, by Mira Grant, is one of great scientific exploration and imagination. You're bound to a single commitment, but freed of all things that ail you, cripple you. Destroy you!
What begins as a simple, medical case becomes pandemic, creating a new world, creating a living hell for most until there's no one left to complain. No one left to fight. So how does this even begin? It starts with Sally, in Parasite, and the SymboGen Corporation. Without even knowing it, she's suffering from a rare occurrence but no one really will tell her why. After being in a coma and having to learn how to even understand words again, she's recovered. Three years and she's now trying to began again from a blank slate.
She suffers dreams and sounds and other things that cause her to think she's going crazy but it's all for a reason. There's a huge conspiracy going on and she's smack-dab in the center of it all. Set in 2027, complete with futuristic commercials that reminded me of an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, I listened to the changes in the world, changes in Sal. But as my reading moved to Symbiont, the realization is that Sal isn't the freak of nature she'd always thought herself to be. There are more and they have an agenda. One in particular wants Sal at their side - but can this be done? Does she have to take a side? By the time Chimera hits, the world in this series has taken a turn for the absolute worst and there may not be any turning back! How do you compete with what's supposed to be the perfect person?
This series is good, I enjoyed it, but man is it filled with technical jargon and procedures that sorta bored me. I'm a simple gal. I know instructions and explanations are required in stories like this, but ugh... I wanted to die at times. It took me a while to get through the entire series, but in the end it was worth it. Because of another book, I dived into this series. If you can get past the technicalities, then you'll enjoy this too. I'm off to the next read. Cheers!
Parasitology Series
Written by Mira Grant
Released from 2013-2015
Published by Orbit
Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if there were no illnesses? If you nevr caught a cold again, suffered allergies- or had to endure radiation or chemotherapy? That's the world all envision, but in order to obtain it, what if you had to take on something that lived inside you? It would stay all the microbial invasions and keep your body in it's best shape possible... #element-f83655ee-cf6d-4361-a435-849b62b5c511 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
In this dystopian world, people re enduring a process that allows such a world to be. The Parasitology series, by Mira Grant, is one of great scientific exploration and imagination. You're bound to a single commitment, but freed of all things that ail you, cripple you. Destroy you!What begins as a simple, medical case becomes pandemic, creating a new world, creating a living hell for most until there's no one left to complain. No one left to fight. So how does this even begin? It starts with Sally, in Parasite, and the SymboGen Corporation. Without even knowing it, she's suffering from a rare occurrence but no one really will tell her why. After being in a coma and having to learn how to even understand words again, she's recovered. Three years and she's now trying to began again from a blank slate.
She suffers dreams and sounds and other things that cause her to think she's going crazy but it's all for a reason. There's a huge conspiracy going on and she's smack-dab in the center of it all. Set in 2027, complete with futuristic commercials that reminded me of an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, I listened to the changes in the world, changes in Sal. But as my reading moved to Symbiont, the realization is that Sal isn't the freak of nature she'd always thought herself to be. There are more and they have an agenda. One in particular wants Sal at their side - but can this be done? Does she have to take a side? By the time Chimera hits, the world in this series has taken a turn for the absolute worst and there may not be any turning back! How do you compete with what's supposed to be the perfect person?
This series is good, I enjoyed it, but man is it filled with technical jargon and procedures that sorta bored me. I'm a simple gal. I know instructions and explanations are required in stories like this, but ugh... I wanted to die at times. It took me a while to get through the entire series, but in the end it was worth it. Because of another book, I dived into this series. If you can get past the technicalities, then you'll enjoy this too. I'm off to the next read. Cheers!
Parasitology Series
Written by Mira Grant
Released from 2013-2015
Published by Orbit
November 13, 2018
He's Always Been Here
An Emotional Novel by Blu Zaas
Unlike any book I've ever read, He's Always Been Here took me on a journey into the life of an addict. The life of a person who needed love and support. The life of a person who knew no other way to traverse a cruel world without being harsh, cruel and heavily sedated on something that destroyed instead of helped, assisted, protected.
This is my review of a novel by Blu Zaas.
He's Always Been Here is about a woman named Shia, torn by her past, angry and filled with a snarkiness that would prick anyone nearby, she's decided to take her life back. To ditch addiction and rise from the ashes, as The Phoenix. It's hard, the struggle is real and she's not sure if things will work out when she comes across a man who's like no other. One who'd come from a similar past but different circumstances. But how could she deserve someone so strong, so amazing, so delicious! Can he change her world? Can she change his?
The first thing I thought of, once I saw the connection between the main characters, I thought: Isn't this against ALL the rules of recovery? Then I wondered if people really spoke this way- before remembering some of my own family members. He's Always Been Here is a slightly difficult book to read. No, I do not own virgin ears, but the way I read, I hear and see it all. These people are CRAZY! I did my best to relate, understand, sympathize- even empathize. They made it hard, but that's what characters do. It may have taken me a while to get through the novel, but I did and I appreciated it all.
If there's anything I couldn't really enjoy, it was the way faith came into play. I loved that God wasn't kept from such a serious life struggle but dang it if they didn't throw me for a loop! I can't say why, because it would offer up SPOILERS and you know I don't do that. Anyway, you'll have to read it to understand. I walked away from HABH with a sense of realism that I haven't experienced. It's not a simple read and put back on the shelf. You have to take something with you. I don't know what you'll gain, but my sense of reality has definitely been shifted.
Check out He's Always Been Here. Oh- I can tell you, the ending is rather nice. Still a lot of cursing and stuff, but I loved it. I'm off to the next read- cheers!
He's Always Been Here
Blu Zaas
Published by Her Blutiful Mind, via Amazon Digital Services
June 2018
342 Pages
Unlike any book I've ever read, He's Always Been Here took me on a journey into the life of an addict. The life of a person who needed love and support. The life of a person who knew no other way to traverse a cruel world without being harsh, cruel and heavily sedated on something that destroyed instead of helped, assisted, protected.This is my review of a novel by Blu Zaas.
He's Always Been Here is about a woman named Shia, torn by her past, angry and filled with a snarkiness that would prick anyone nearby, she's decided to take her life back. To ditch addiction and rise from the ashes, as The Phoenix. It's hard, the struggle is real and she's not sure if things will work out when she comes across a man who's like no other. One who'd come from a similar past but different circumstances. But how could she deserve someone so strong, so amazing, so delicious! Can he change her world? Can she change his?The first thing I thought of, once I saw the connection between the main characters, I thought: Isn't this against ALL the rules of recovery? Then I wondered if people really spoke this way- before remembering some of my own family members. He's Always Been Here is a slightly difficult book to read. No, I do not own virgin ears, but the way I read, I hear and see it all. These people are CRAZY! I did my best to relate, understand, sympathize- even empathize. They made it hard, but that's what characters do. It may have taken me a while to get through the novel, but I did and I appreciated it all.
If there's anything I couldn't really enjoy, it was the way faith came into play. I loved that God wasn't kept from such a serious life struggle but dang it if they didn't throw me for a loop! I can't say why, because it would offer up SPOILERS and you know I don't do that. Anyway, you'll have to read it to understand. I walked away from HABH with a sense of realism that I haven't experienced. It's not a simple read and put back on the shelf. You have to take something with you. I don't know what you'll gain, but my sense of reality has definitely been shifted.
Check out He's Always Been Here. Oh- I can tell you, the ending is rather nice. Still a lot of cursing and stuff, but I loved it. I'm off to the next read- cheers!
He's Always Been Here
Blu Zaas
Published by Her Blutiful Mind, via Amazon Digital Services
June 2018
342 Pages
November 12, 2018
IA: Invincible Assassin,
An IA Novella by John Darryl Winston
Another huge hit! John Darryl Winston is one of those writers who knows how to put a story together, make it click and end with something so spectacular- I envy his artistry! In a good way now, not hating on my friend or anything like that. Today, I am sharing a novella, Invincible Assassin.
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I read the IA series with my son, but not this novella. This one was all mine since we're still reading the Lemony Snicket series. This one's a short with Harvis, not Naz, at the center of it all. Well, that may not be the full truth but you'll know when you read it.
Invincible Assassin is a sneak peek into what's to come for Naz and Harvis. It's a window, where we're given the opportunity to see the demi-god that is Naz at an angle. What I mean is that the story isn't coming from Naz's POV but Harvis. Winston allowed us to see through someone else's eyes in a loving, trolling, conspiratorial manner. Everything Harvis did was for his friend, even when his friend didn't want it.
The admirable part was how everything was implemented. How Harvis received advice from both his mother and father and they both carried an emotional connection, not only to their son but for his friend and cause. This book was like no other- but let us not forget the story line! Naz is planning to become a scythe of reckoning! He wants revenge and with the powers within him, he may get every single member and gang leader responsible for his sister's death. Will he lose his soul? Will Harvis sacrifice hisown in order to save his friend?
Check out this series! It's perfect for young people but even better for us grown folk. Cheers!
IA: Invincible Assassin
John Darryl Winston
PUblished by BHC Press/H2O
Releases October 9th 2018
Another huge hit! John Darryl Winston is one of those writers who knows how to put a story together, make it click and end with something so spectacular- I envy his artistry! In a good way now, not hating on my friend or anything like that. Today, I am sharing a novella, Invincible Assassin. #element-354eab36-b5bb-43b5-bc65-8afb49cf50b9 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
I read the IA series with my son, but not this novella. This one was all mine since we're still reading the Lemony Snicket series. This one's a short with Harvis, not Naz, at the center of it all. Well, that may not be the full truth but you'll know when you read it.Invincible Assassin is a sneak peek into what's to come for Naz and Harvis. It's a window, where we're given the opportunity to see the demi-god that is Naz at an angle. What I mean is that the story isn't coming from Naz's POV but Harvis. Winston allowed us to see through someone else's eyes in a loving, trolling, conspiratorial manner. Everything Harvis did was for his friend, even when his friend didn't want it.
The admirable part was how everything was implemented. How Harvis received advice from both his mother and father and they both carried an emotional connection, not only to their son but for his friend and cause. This book was like no other- but let us not forget the story line! Naz is planning to become a scythe of reckoning! He wants revenge and with the powers within him, he may get every single member and gang leader responsible for his sister's death. Will he lose his soul? Will Harvis sacrifice hisown in order to save his friend?
Check out this series! It's perfect for young people but even better for us grown folk. Cheers!
IA: Invincible Assassin
John Darryl Winston
PUblished by BHC Press/H2O
Releases October 9th 2018
November 7, 2018
Into the Drowning Deep
Novel by Mira Grant
Today’s review is set near the Mariana Trench, where the full crew of the Atargatis liner vanished, leaving behind a video of bloody catastrophic event. And when I use bloody, it’s in the actual meaning of the word, not British profanity. This leads an investigation into a topic that’s not only considered taboo by the scientific world but foolhardy. Into The Drowning Deep takes on myths, fantasy and horror, proving there are other things in this world, on this planet, that we not only do not understand- we don’t need to either!
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The hero of this tale is a woman- I like- who’s out to find her sister who was aboard the Atargatis. Their mission had been to entertain the world but Victoria is out to find her sister and if possible, revenge. What they discover is much worse than they’d imagined. With a crew to care for a luxury liner, scientists, linguists, and more set out to see what they can find. They use all of their tools, gadgets and ideas to do everything but get the heck outta dodge when they had the chance. How did it end? Well, I can’t tell you, but I’ll share what I thought anyway.
Into the Drowning Deep was an interesting adventure, filled with things of the underworld. By underworld, I really mean in the sea. And for all the intelligence that was aboard the following ship, they were all rather foolish. Too many secrets and plots that kept people ignorant to the dangers that laid in waiting. It didn’t make much sense to me. The story was fabulous, but to me it could have been so much better had all the sciency stuff (yes, I said sciency) to a minimum and these grown freaking peopled used some actual common sense!
You don’t take a ship-load of people to a place where you know ‘there be monsters’ and don’t tell them! Who does that? These people, evidently. And the ending, I feel was cut down. Once it was given who the real terror was, it was done. And the epilogue just made me mad. I didn’t like that part at all; I could have done without that part altogether!
Don’t get me wrong, it’s an awesome book. The subject matter, most of the events and how they managed to- ah... almost gave something away! LOL No SPOILERS here! Anyway, just the things I griped about messed it up for me, but it could be totally different for you. USA Today loves Mira Grant, the author, so who am I?
Anyway, grab a copy of Into the Drowning Deep and see what you think while I move on to the next book. Oh, there's supposed to be a follow-up book too. Cheers!
Into the Drowning Deep
Mira Grant
Published by Orbit November 2017
448 Pages
Today’s review is set near the Mariana Trench, where the full crew of the Atargatis liner vanished, leaving behind a video of bloody catastrophic event. And when I use bloody, it’s in the actual meaning of the word, not British profanity. This leads an investigation into a topic that’s not only considered taboo by the scientific world but foolhardy. Into The Drowning Deep takes on myths, fantasy and horror, proving there are other things in this world, on this planet, that we not only do not understand- we don’t need to either!#element-48c3747a-1f0e-4d91-a324-a4e2e7ea5751 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
The hero of this tale is a woman- I like- who’s out to find her sister who was aboard the Atargatis. Their mission had been to entertain the world but Victoria is out to find her sister and if possible, revenge. What they discover is much worse than they’d imagined. With a crew to care for a luxury liner, scientists, linguists, and more set out to see what they can find. They use all of their tools, gadgets and ideas to do everything but get the heck outta dodge when they had the chance. How did it end? Well, I can’t tell you, but I’ll share what I thought anyway.Into the Drowning Deep was an interesting adventure, filled with things of the underworld. By underworld, I really mean in the sea. And for all the intelligence that was aboard the following ship, they were all rather foolish. Too many secrets and plots that kept people ignorant to the dangers that laid in waiting. It didn’t make much sense to me. The story was fabulous, but to me it could have been so much better had all the sciency stuff (yes, I said sciency) to a minimum and these grown freaking peopled used some actual common sense!
You don’t take a ship-load of people to a place where you know ‘there be monsters’ and don’t tell them! Who does that? These people, evidently. And the ending, I feel was cut down. Once it was given who the real terror was, it was done. And the epilogue just made me mad. I didn’t like that part at all; I could have done without that part altogether!
Don’t get me wrong, it’s an awesome book. The subject matter, most of the events and how they managed to- ah... almost gave something away! LOL No SPOILERS here! Anyway, just the things I griped about messed it up for me, but it could be totally different for you. USA Today loves Mira Grant, the author, so who am I?
Anyway, grab a copy of Into the Drowning Deep and see what you think while I move on to the next book. Oh, there's supposed to be a follow-up book too. Cheers!
Into the Drowning Deep
Mira Grant
Published by Orbit November 2017
448 Pages
November 6, 2018
Arc of the Scythe series
Scythe & Thunderhead
by Neal Shusterman
*Audible Originals
When you find a good book, you're happy. When the follow-up is just as good, making you sad when it's over, you've found yourself a winner and a keeper. But when you discover the third book to the series is in the works and you begin to salivate- That's when you've got literary gold! That's how I feel right now, as I share this review. The Arc of a Scythe series, by Neal Shusterman, is one for your shelves or your audiobook collection.
#element-44065d05-b224-4c2f-a85a-0201c839622d .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Below are my reviews for both Arc of a Scythe (book 1) and Thunderhead (book 2). Simply click not he tab and you'll get to read my thoughts. Just know that if you're interested, book 3, The Toll, is in the works and will be out some time in 2019 with an unknown date. Just know that this series is freaking amazing! The story, the characters, the process and the endings! 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Forget everything you feel you know about the mortal world. In Arc of a Scythe, many things are different. Sorry, you still pay your bills and follow the law but the law's very different. The world of mortals has changed and the biggest benefit - You don't die! Okay, so that's not completely true. There are no mortal diseases and you no longer die in your sleep - the natural way. Instead a Scythe, a highly respected individual, comes to you and gleans you. You are randomly chosen to be killed. And this is considered natural. When you die, your family is given a year of what's called 'immunity'. This is when no one in your immediate family can be gleaned, due to your sacrifice. How could this happen you ask?
I can't say.
What I will tell you is, everything is different. Faith, religion, family and more has flipped the script! The conflict plays in when some of the scythes begin to grow greedy and selfish in their duties. They begin to enjoy their job, when taking lives shouldn't be something to celebrate or find pleasure in. What happens when a few of the elite begin to gain rather large egos and go on a mission that will again, flip the world and all you know on its head?
Arc of a Scythe, book 1
Neal Shusterman
Published by Simon & Shuster, YA Reads
November 2016
436 pages
In Thunderhead, book 2 of the Arc of a Scythe series, our future is bleak! The conspiracy is truly revealed but there's a process that must be completed in order to stop it. Our heroes, the future of the future are being thwarted at every turn and the one who could easily stop it CAN'T! The Thunderhead must not intervene, so how can things change? How can those with evil plans, and yes they're evil, be stopped? This story shows you what could never come to pass but if something even remotely close should happen, I'm looking to be long gone. What do you do when people are killed but can return- even after a beheading? What the wha? This book is mind-blowing and that's how you feel after reading book one!
I truly believe that what I loved most is that this book grants your dystopian future that I'd honestly sorta enjoy being a part of. Sadly, your love is tested- but I can't say how. That would be a SPOILER. Thunderhead is one of those books that I now must own in hardback instead of audiobook only. With superb writing, characters that come off as real, everyday people who just want to do things right, you will love them. You will want them to win and ache when they'd one. Thunderhead even ends in a way that makes you mad because you don't have book three in the next room. Check it out!
Thunderhead
Neal Shusterman
Published by Simon & Shuster YA Reads
Released January 2018
504 pages
by Neal Shusterman
*Audible Originals
When you find a good book, you're happy. When the follow-up is just as good, making you sad when it's over, you've found yourself a winner and a keeper. But when you discover the third book to the series is in the works and you begin to salivate- That's when you've got literary gold! That's how I feel right now, as I share this review. The Arc of a Scythe series, by Neal Shusterman, is one for your shelves or your audiobook collection.#element-44065d05-b224-4c2f-a85a-0201c839622d .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Below are my reviews for both Arc of a Scythe (book 1) and Thunderhead (book 2). Simply click not he tab and you'll get to read my thoughts. Just know that if you're interested, book 3, The Toll, is in the works and will be out some time in 2019 with an unknown date. Just know that this series is freaking amazing! The story, the characters, the process and the endings! 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Forget everything you feel you know about the mortal world. In Arc of a Scythe, many things are different. Sorry, you still pay your bills and follow the law but the law's very different. The world of mortals has changed and the biggest benefit - You don't die! Okay, so that's not completely true. There are no mortal diseases and you no longer die in your sleep - the natural way. Instead a Scythe, a highly respected individual, comes to you and gleans you. You are randomly chosen to be killed. And this is considered natural. When you die, your family is given a year of what's called 'immunity'. This is when no one in your immediate family can be gleaned, due to your sacrifice. How could this happen you ask?I can't say.
What I will tell you is, everything is different. Faith, religion, family and more has flipped the script! The conflict plays in when some of the scythes begin to grow greedy and selfish in their duties. They begin to enjoy their job, when taking lives shouldn't be something to celebrate or find pleasure in. What happens when a few of the elite begin to gain rather large egos and go on a mission that will again, flip the world and all you know on its head?
Arc of a Scythe, book 1
Neal Shusterman
Published by Simon & Shuster, YA Reads
November 2016
436 pages
In Thunderhead, book 2 of the Arc of a Scythe series, our future is bleak! The conspiracy is truly revealed but there's a process that must be completed in order to stop it. Our heroes, the future of the future are being thwarted at every turn and the one who could easily stop it CAN'T! The Thunderhead must not intervene, so how can things change? How can those with evil plans, and yes they're evil, be stopped? This story shows you what could never come to pass but if something even remotely close should happen, I'm looking to be long gone. What do you do when people are killed but can return- even after a beheading? What the wha? This book is mind-blowing and that's how you feel after reading book one!I truly believe that what I loved most is that this book grants your dystopian future that I'd honestly sorta enjoy being a part of. Sadly, your love is tested- but I can't say how. That would be a SPOILER. Thunderhead is one of those books that I now must own in hardback instead of audiobook only. With superb writing, characters that come off as real, everyday people who just want to do things right, you will love them. You will want them to win and ache when they'd one. Thunderhead even ends in a way that makes you mad because you don't have book three in the next room. Check it out!
Thunderhead
Neal Shusterman
Published by Simon & Shuster YA Reads
Released January 2018
504 pages
