A. Renee Hunt's Blog, page 62

Try Not to Breathe by Holly Seddon

Try Not to Breathe, a story that slowly pulls you in.  It takes you through the hum-drum life of Alex Dale and into the life of Amy Stevenson- a severely beaten young lady, who's been in a coma for fifteen years.  Yes, you read that correctly, fifteen years.  So what's so interesting about this girl?  
That's what Alex wants to share.

     The story is nicely written and not really for the faint of heart.  There's some serious activity in this book (No SPOILERS because it makes the story) - it made me cringe a bit.  You're given alternating narrations: Alex then Amy, back and forth, which is getting a bit old to me these days.  Everybody wants more than POV- which is cool, but le sigh...

     The thing is, the book is phenom.  The emotions invoked by Seddon is beautiful.  It's a psychological drama that doesn't let go.   I honestly flew through this book in a few days, feeling satisfied by the ending..  Try Not to Breathe was a pleasant read.  Check it out while I move on to the next read!

Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel

     I remember when I got this book- actually books.  They sent me two and I was thrilled to embark on such an adventure.  You know me, I read a synopsis and suddenly I'm hooked before opening the cover!  I have the ARC's, so I wasn't blessed with this amazing cover that puts me in mind of Prometheus...      Sleeping Giants, by Sylvian Neuvel, is written in a style that's been used by novels like Illuminae and World War Z.  There's not always a person telling the story, but documents and reports that let you know what's taking place.  

     A particular artifact was discovered; a piece of something very large and inexplainable.  So large in fact, it sets off a series of events and not all for the better.  Planetary Federation type events- it's world changing!  And that's what was so cool about the story.  The situations of the story put placed humans into intergalactic progression.

     What lost me was the way it was put together.  I didn't like the colorless characters ( i.e. the mystery man in black).  The science fiction portions of the story are amazing though!  From what I understand, Neuvel is a linguistic morphologist or something, so he has the knowledge to put this together, but when it came to conversations and interaction, it didn't carry too well.  A+ for the science but B-  or a C on the synergy.  I just didn't feel it.

     To sum it up, the story is cool, but the style and exchange pushed me towards a lower rating.  I'm off to the next read!

The Railway Man's Wife by Ashley Hay

     My last couple of books have been all girly and feely- placing me out of my element, but I survived.  This novel, The Railwayman's Wife, by Ashley Hay is one of those feely books.  It's takes you to a time when war and the railroad were all people spoke of.  Enter 1948 in South Wales, Australia, where marriages were made to last a lifetime and death can be sudden and swift...      Okay, I don't want to do this book an injustice, so I have to type slowly, ensuring I actually think for myself instead of my fingers doing it all for me.  The RailwayMan's Wife, by Ashley Hay is a poetic novel.  Not because it's on poetry, but the careful way it was written.  The story is soft, flowy (Yes, I said flowy) and romantic.  It's a girly book, full of love that makes your knees weak and your heart sigh, But it doesn't last long.

     This story is tragic and full of pain.  Three individuals deal with loss in one form or another and their getting though these trying times all seem to be around the Railway Institute's library.  I won't go into detail, for fear of giving SPOILERS, but I can say Hay has the gift.  Her writing is beautiful.  She allows you to experience all that takes place in the life of Anikka Lachlan, Roy McKinnon's and Frank Draper's lives... a little too much.

     I have to say that if I had to rate this book on looks- it would receive 4-stars.  Its pretty and I can fall in love with any cliff view.  But  the book itself, is a three.  I'm sorry, the story was (1) too soft and overly detailed for me.  I love books that get to the heart, but this one was so deep, I felt like I was reading someone's journal.  With no action and no drive.  I was falling into Anikka's depression and you can't help someone through their turmoil if you're in the trenches with them!  I just couldn't stay with it.

     It's a sweet, sweet book, but not for me.  Cheers to you while I'm on to the next read!

What Was Mine by Helen Klein Ross

     I've read many books; I've read more this year than I can remember!  I can honestly say, What Was Mine , by Helen Klein Ross, is by far the most emotional read-  
Ever!

     The story is about a woman, Lucy, who's always gotten what she wanted.  The best job, a great guy turned hubby and money to do whatever she pleased.  But she couldn't have a baby.

     Her desire for a child was so strong, it snatched a hold of her entire life.  Her marriage, her free time, even a bedroom in her home.  Things were looking rough... until the child of her dreams was just, one day, waiting for her!  And that's where the story takes off.  

     I guarantee, if you read this book, you will feel a great range of emotions.  You will be shocked, angry, happy, saddened, and so much more and that's within the first few chapters...      When I received this novel as an ARC, I happened to move and sorta forgot about it.  Then I found it in my Audible.com library and thought, don't I have this?  I purchased it anyway and WOW!  This book was unreal.  

     I normally don't like the multiple points of view and voices, but it all worked for this book, making it a superlative read as well as listen.  I enjoyed reading the book, then taking it with me when I walked, jogged and drove with this story because it was enthralling.  The emotions tied up in this story made me want to cry with understanding, get angry and maybe even kick a bit of arse!  Sorry...  This book was finished in a few days because it was just that good and that doesn't happen enough for me, when it comes to adult fiction.

​     I will go out and look for more by Ms. Ross.  She's skilled in storytelling and allows you to enter the story, experiencing every range of feeling.  This book gets all up in your 'feels'.  It's not a ride, it's a careful walk-through of lives that you become attached to.  You want to chastise and fuss, and maybe even cry a little- but don't tell anyone I told you that!

     Read this book; it's pure perfection.  I'm on to the next read! 

The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow

     Any time I see a tale on a child dealing with being a product of an IR relationship, I feel the need to read and know.  With my son being mixed, I feel I may gain some insight.  This book didn't really provide that, but WOW did I experience a great deal.  There was a lot of wrong in this book, but it was laced with truth and an innocent girl who longed to be touched and loved for who she was...       The Girl Who Fell From The Sky , by Heidi W. Durrow, is the story about a small bird who fell from the sky- spotted by a boy who's destiny was to protect it.  Rachel, the daughter of a black, military man and a white Danish woman was the bird.  This is her story.  And yes, she did fall from the sky!

     This book was sweet, beautiful, enraging, honest, churlish and full of curiosity.  It tells how Rachel dealt with going from being Rachel to being a girl who's not white, but not enough black to be black.  She was caught in-between two worlds who didn't know how to deal with her.  Her Father was afraid to be involved because of the tragedy- which I won't tell, due to it being a SPOILER! and a grandmother who did her best to erase everything in her the made her 'special'.  Her grandmother loved that she was special, but hated the parts that made her special (her long hair and blue eyes).  

    Durrow shared Rachel's story by sharing a few others as well.  In her mother's words, her mother's employer & some-what friend, Rachel's father and the boy, bird watcher, "Brick" or James.  What you walk away with is a superb telling of life and how no matter what background one derives, all any one person truly desires is to be loved and cared for.  

     The characters were carefully carved and so honest and transparent, you feel you truly know each one.  You grew just as angry or disgusted by Doug's actions or Grandma's words.  You loved Aunt Loretta as much as Rachel and you appreciated Doug.  This book is one I'll never forget.  No matter where you are from or where you've been, you will find this book to be a treasure in your collection.  I'm on to the next read.  Have a great day!

The Waiting, A Supernatural Thriller by Joe Hart

This is my second read by Joe Hart, the first being Outpost.  This time it's a novella, but still a quick read.      The Waiting.  It's a haunting tale about a guy who's lost almost everything- his wife, his son's mental faculties, even his job.  It's when he's sent to a cabin, through a friend, to stay and stabilize from his life's tragedies that things become phantasmic.  Evan can't get his mind together, especially when he believes he can turn back time to make things right with the help of a grandfather clock that's gathered a horrific past...

     This book is pretty cool.  It's not as good as the other story- I almost feel as though Outpost is a piece to this tale.  Hart's got something with cabins on lakefront property.  I loved how Evan was slowly driven mad- the hauntings, his repetitive ramblings and experiences that can easily drive the reader, right along with him, into madness.  In a good way!  It moved a bit slow, but not enough to make me quit the story.  On the contrary, it was just enough to keep me interested.  

     I can't give this one a five-spec rating, like his short story, but I can say it was a decent read.  I hope to grab another by this guy and see how it fares.  On to the next read!

Dead Bunnies Make All Eight of Me Cry by Adelise M. Cullens

     I guess it's good that I'm always looking for culture in someone else's country!  I know a few things about everywhere, which is a plus when I read books like this insane and hilarious read!  Dead Bunnies Make All Eight Of Me Cry, by Adelise M. Cullens is an adventure of life story of... well, the insane!      This is the story of Suzie- and she's got issues.  She not only suffers from DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder), she's got a lot of Me's in her.  The strangest part is... she can see them!  So, totally, not normal- if normal's the word most applicable.

     Well, Suzie has been dealing with some rough patches in her life and not taking her meds is one of them.  She, her Uncle and bestie/cousin Emily decide to take a roadtrip- The Plan.  They also take Suzie's Me's: Tanzy the hardcore gal; Monica the emotional eater; Rochelle, who's a tomboy; Alice the paranoid; Ivy the violent one, Violet the needy and Baily the lover of man-meat!  lol  It's a crazy ride.  Oh, and during the ride, you find out the reason for the title... the 'dead bunnies' thing.  It's something I'd never thought of but I guess it's like seeing skunks, armadillos, deer and the occasional dog on our roadways...

     I really enjoyed this story.  Cullen's is a talented author and her writing technique is zany and imaginative!  The story allows the reader to flash back to Suzie's past, offering the basis to her troubles, adding humor for adjustment.  We all have relationship issues, but she ended up recovering in the oddest of ways.  The part I believe I loved best was the mural- an amazing item to imagine. Also, I think I'm still pondering the John Goodman thing!  lol  
   
​     Check out Dead Bunnies Make All Eight of Me Cry!  Available everywhere.  
Cheers! 

Call of Duty: Zombies by James Blundell & Craig Houston for ActiVision

*Graphic Novel Review      I only knew Call of Duty as a video game, but to find there are books (graphic novels by Dark Horse Comics) isn't surprising.  When Doom came out, I tried to play, but I SUCKED.  I can't play games unless there's a joystick and one big, red button, without sounding voyeuristic- I like to watch.  But I read the stories of Doom and now, today I'm reading/reviewing  Call of Duty: Zombies.  But I didn't expect it to be so dorky... But in a good way!      So this edition, the first edition in the series, is filler.  It's giving a story between stories, as all comics do.  This special team (operative word is TEAM) are trapped in a sort of future earth, where zombies are everywhere.  The characters: Join Stuhlinger, Misty, Russman, and Marlton are trying to escape a hoard of zombies and not really doing so well.  Physically or mentally.

     The team is rag-tagged and on the run the entire book.  One is The Tech (Marlton) is busy working drones and other devices while Misty is the sharpshooter.  Then theres the two oddballs: Stuhlinger, who I believe is NOT crazy but being spoken to by either the narrator or someone from another world.  Then there's  the goof who speaks of himself in the third person.  I don't think I like him; he's annoying.  His name's Russman and I believe he is the comic relief when Misty isn't joking about.

     Call of Duty: Zombies is a segment of the team's  journey.  It doesn't really have a point but to let you know there's a greater evil than just the carniverous, walking undead.  There's someone pulling strings on the rotted meat-puppets.  There's no name I"m awake of, but he may be from a previous series.  Either way, I liked the comic.  The pics were perfect (made that way as digital), and the dead look totally wicked!  Seriously!  Comics are great, but the digital ones come to life!

     I'd definitely purchase more of them.  If you like zombies and you're dwelling within the walls of the Call of Duty fandom, this book is graphic novel is for you!  Check it out while I move on to the next read!

Paper Tigers by Damien Angelica Walters

     What do you do when you want your life back, but it's just impossible?  What do you do when your life transforms in the blinking of an eye, leaving you half the person you used to be, even fearing to go outside your home unless it's dark?  Well, you find someone who can complete you, who can make you whole again.  Even if it's a ghost...      Paper Tigers is a tale of isolation and desperateness.  The story tells of a woman lost in her current situation.  She was deformed in an accident that left her without a her health and happiness, family and future.  She became a recluse.  Until she met a special someone.  Someone who offered her exactly what she wanted, but left her even worse off than before!

     Paper Tigers, by Damien Angelica Walters was very interesting, even haunting, during the first half of the story.  I loved the insanity of it all- and the obsession!  Alison is a character to gather 'feels' for.  She has been given a huge stroke of bad luck and you want her to come out of such a state, but what brings her up also carries her down.  

     The story is disturbing and shows just how fragile and post-traumatically stressed individual can be.  The book is written in a way that causes confusion in knowing what's taken place or not.  She's worried about how people perceive her; she describes emotions in colors and she takes the reader spiraling into irrationality and neurosis.  If I viewed delusions as art, I'd say it was a classic horror story, along the lines of Vincent Price.  It was interesting but not truly my cup of tea.  If you adore horror of the mental sort, this tale is yours!  Check it out while I check into another novel. 

Fellside by M. R. Carey

      Fellside , by M. R. Carey is a different sort of book.  When I found out about it, I thought, "Oh wow, this is gonna be an excellent read!"  I jumped on the giveaway and snagged my copy.  I also purchased the audiobook, to listen while walking each morning.  Nothing better than having a good book read to you, right?  Not only that- he's a writer for groups like DC and Marvel comics- you know I had to get in on this one!      Imagine my deep feelings of confusion while reading this book! I kept trying to figure out, why there was so much going on!  I wondered if the ending was going to be sure the "Bad Guys" got their just deserves or not!  

     This is what the book's blurb says:
Fellside is a maximum security prison on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors. It's not the kind of place you'd want to end up. But it's where Jess Moulson could be spending the rest of her life.  It's a place where even the walls whisper.
And one voice belongs to a little boy with a message for Jess.
Will she listen?

     Sounds great right?  But there was so much more going on, it obscured the story of Jess!  I kept thinking, why is all this other stuff going on- it doesn't matter!  The good thing is, the ending was much better than I thought it would be.  I was very pleased with it, but did I think it was as great as anticipated?  Nope.  I was sorta let down because the secondary story took over the main portion I was salivating for.  It wasn't too shabby, all in all.  Check out Mike Carey's (M. R. Carey) Fellside.  I'm on to the next book.