A. Renee Hunt's Blog, page 63

Before the Fall by Noah Hawley

     Sometimes you can read a book and find yourself wanting to toss it across the room!  It's that realistically possible.  Then there are books that make you angry and want to reach within the lines and create sense to senseless.  Both happened to me with this book!  I found myself in the midst of The Feels and there was nothing I could do but to finish the read.  I did too.  Really fast...       Before the Fall , by Noah Hawley, is fast-paced, thrilling and full of emotions that pull you into the story.  You see things happening before your eyes, in vivid images that allow you to become entranced wishing the story.  He's a great author and helped me find appreciation in his work enough to grab another novel.  I think you'll enjoy this one too.

     The story is about several people- most of them die early in the story.  But it's the story that lead to their deaths that make the story!  On a small, private plane, nine people travel, but the plane crashes.  There are only two survivors, a 4-year old boy and an artist who didn't belong.  Then Hawley takes you on a journey, giving the reader insight from the world's view as well as each person who was on that plane.  It may sound crazy, going back and forth, but when you begin to see how their lives intermingled and how things happened the way they did- you can't help but continue to turn page after page, till its over!

     I loved it.  I do have to say, I wanted a bit more at the end.  It was a great ending, don't get me wrong.  It was superb, but I'd have loved to have received just a bit more information on what happened next?  All in all, Before the Fall was an excellent book.  Check it out as I move on to the next read.

One to Go by Mike Pace

     A book so good- so funny, original and with just the perfect combination of faith, horror, murder and more!  So much more!
Mike Pace sent this book to me as part of a drawing - I remember winning it but I don't remember who hosted it.  Regardless, I'm grateful I won because this book was mind-warping!
(Original book cover, modified by me for blog.)      One to Go is about some seriously bad luck!    Tom's a smart guy.  Book smart.  Many of us know, you can have all the book smarts in the world but if you carry no common sense, you're going to have some trouble.  Tom knows the law- he works for the law, but he doesn't follow the rules, especially when he's drinking and driving.  And texting and driving... which is what gets him into the situation this book finds him.  He's caused an accident that gets his sister-in-law, nieces, friends and his own daughter killed.  Yes, KILLED!  But a strange couple, who can change all that, offer up a deal.  

     Tom is given a second chance, to save his little girl, her friends and cousins and even his sister-in-law, but at a price so great, it places him in constant jeopardy!  Dangers where his own life is risked to save theirs!  He's a hot mess the entire story, from the very beginning but it's such a train wreck, you can't help but keep reading!  You don' know whether to cheer for Tom and his ignorance or for the ones who are pushing him over the edge - but you cheer nonetheless,

     This book was a huge breath of fresh air.  It was different, original and a push that kept me reading.  It's not a huge book, but with my hectic scheduling, I probably could have finished this in two days.  It took me a little over three.  I enjoyed it so much- I'd probably reread this one.  I'm so happy I own it.  You should check it out too.  You'll be slapping your forehead, running the palm of your hand down your face and kicking at the air, envisioning Tom's butt before you- kinda good.  Ha!  Read it while I move on! 

Raven's Song Book 1 of Inoki's Game by I. A. Ashcroft

*An eBook & Audio Review      You know you've done well when you jump in on two giveaways and win both, on the same book!  When I received one newsletter announcing a new dystopian ebook- I said "Yes!".  Then I was offered, by another newsletter the audiobook, Again, I said, "Yes" and I instantly began to salivate like one of Pavlov's dogs! I entered on one day and was downloading the next.  That's like music to this book reviewer- erm... well maybe not music.   You know what I mean!

     Raven's Song is a dystopian fantasy, written by I. A. Ashcroft and is book one in an apparent series.  I don't know much about Ashcroft but from what I've seen so far, he may not be too bad.  The guy can write a story, but I was a bit torn on whether I enjoyed the read or not.  I'll go into all that- first: the book cover.  

    The cover is cool- even a bit mysterious & magical, which fits the theme of this story.  There's some serious strangeness too but it's Chicago.  What can you expect?  LOL  (no offense).  Though it's not one of those that automatically captures the eye, it is a nice cover.  I can't say anything negative about.  It's simple, yet perfection for the storyline.      The story is written from two POV's in third person.  There's the main character, Jackson, who's backstory and development is written exceptionally well.  He's got issues- like someone's poisoning him, he sees ravens everywhere and he's got people after him and he didn't do anything wrong!  Then there's  Anne.  She was found stark naked and hasn't a clue where she is or when...  Oh, and she has magical powers!  In the first few chapters on her, she's tranq'd, kidnapped and imprisoned without a clue as to why!  Due to they way they meet, they feel they need to stick together.  They have so much in common: they have abilities that are unexplained and they are hunted.  

     Set in a futuristic, dystopian society where the world's been nuked and inhabitants are suffering radiation poisoning and mutations, it's hard to survive.  New York residents dwell beneath a dome but it's not much protection.  Those like Jackson and Anne are regulated by a group called The Order, but there's not much help there.  With people after them, they have to find the reasons for their gifts and figure out the mystery behind a note written in crayon.

     The story is not too shabby.  I liked the characters, but there was so much confusion for the two main ones; I didn't know if I was coming or going with them.  From Jackson's sleep-walking and insane dreams to Ann and where she came from and when she came.  The tension never stopped with the story and it kept going and going, placing the characters in tighter and tighter situations.  Some of which were a bit unreal- but that's fantasy for you.

​     I didn't like how I didn't get to know about the origin of the magical powers.  I can't go into much detail because that would be offering up SPOILERS, but it would have been nice to know if they stemmed from radiation poisoning or not.  I also didn't get to know who Inoki was.  He's supposed to be running the show, according to the subtitle, but I was just left in a state of limbo.

     I did enjoy the book and I think anyone who's in to characters that put you in mind of Harry Canyon (Heavy Metal) then this book is for you!  This book is available in all versions, including Audible.com.  I'm on to the next read!

Keep Me Posted by Lisa Beazley

     Many people stay connected with family, friends and school buddies through social media.  It's amazing and a very helpful tool.  But what happens when a sister challenges her sibling to dump social media and to become penpals?  Something very personal and embarrassing stuff lands all over media and passed on like the latest gossip...       Keep Me Posted, by Lisa Beazley, is about Cassie and her sister Sidney.  She and Sid live half a world away and decided, while celebrating at Christmas time, to become penpals.  Through these letters, wifey complaints, child-rearing, and household help are discussed.  But when Cassie decides to keep the letters on file for future reading, on an online diary, things get out of hand- especially when a mistake she makes against her family is up for debate with readers around the world!

     When I review books, I do my best to stay positive and say only nice things, pointing out only a few of the negatives I find, to keep from turning other readers away.  Keep Me Posted, in my opinion, was boring.  All Cassie did was whine and fuss about how Sid was so much better than her.  How everyone's life was better than hers and how she wanted to change things.  It's like she was going through a 30-something year old pre-mid life crisis!  

     I could relate to her housewife blues and never having much time for one's self, but she was beyond ridiculous with her actions!  I WISH I could get a pedicure or buy thousands of dollars in clothing just for myself!!  She wasn't happy about anything and in the end, she hadn't matured at all!   And Sid- she was way too perfect!  Her husband cheated on her and she didn't break down or go "Angry Wife!"  She was like, "Whatever will be will be"... Seriously?  That's not even realistic!  But enough on Cassie and her all forgiving sister.  Let's talk about the story as a whole...

     I felt like I'd read someone's diary.  The story had a beginning and an end, but the climactic middle was so small and weak, I almost quit reading.  The biggest part of the story should have been when Cassie talked to Leo (right before going to Singapore).  Instead it was short, brief and gone- fizzled out.  Instead, Sid's leaving to head home was bigger and more of a counterpoint and that's all wrong!  I don't know about you, but this book didn't keep me posted.  It left me hanging...

     You may enjoy it, but books like this is why I love horror, YA and fantasy!  Sorry Beazley... I'll be having the next book please!

The 52nd by Dela

     I'm not gonna lie- I wanted this book because of the amazing cover.  The 52nd by Dela caught my eye on Instagram and I thought to myself: "That book would look great on my shelf!"  So as soon as my Book Buy funds became available, I added it to my collection.  Am I happy I did...?      There are many times I can begin a book and know immediately if I am going to like it or not.  It's happened many times.  When I know I'm going to love it, I fly through the book in a few days.  When I know it's gonna suck... I find myself in mortal pain and agony and I flip from page to page- praying for a speedy demise.

     As soon as I got to the second chapter, I knew this book was not going to work for me.  I immediately thought of Twilight- EVERYONE is amazingly perfect and like, total babes!  Their hair and eyes are flawless and- I don't know if it happened or not, but I don't think Mayans and Aztecs of the past had blue eyes.  I'm just saying- I'm no scientist so don't quote me on this!  Even the author said it was rare!

     Okay, so I won't go into SPOILERS with this book; I refuse to give the story away.  But when you have perfect characters- immortals for that matter, who can glamour and move über-fast with ultra clear hearing (the only thing they didn't do was sparkle in sunlight), I began to wonder who wrote this book for real!  I was so upset by the characters, I'm not even going to begin talking about the on and off, just to be back on again relationship between Zara and Lucas.  It was annoying, to say the least.  

     It wasn't a bad book, but the story just didn't win me over.  Sometimes YA novels regurgitate storylines, living me overly unimpressed.  This time, my judgment of the cover played me on the book.  On to the next read! 

Some Writer! A Tribute to E. B. White by Melissa Sweet

    Everyone knows the story of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little!  The names are synonymous with childhood.  But do you know the author of those wonderful tales?  Do you know where he came from and if he did anything else?  Well, this book can shed a lot of light on those answers.  Some Writer!: The Story of E. B. White is a combination of graphic novel and biography on a man; weaving a tapestry of personal letters, photos and artwork that will make you proud to have this book on your shelf!      Written by Melissa Sweet, a journalist who's won the Sibert Medal and Caldecott Honors, Some Writer: The Story of E. B. White had me flowing easily through the pages.  Filled with bold artwork, comments from White, himself and photos, you feel as though you're looking through a family photo album/comic book.  It's a very personal and comfortable, but you find yourself laughing and pointing things out as though you're reading a children's book.

     Elwyn's life, or En as he's referred to in the book, is written for middle graders.  It's a pleasant book; not filled with regurgitated facts but as a series of life events.  It's as though Sweet was there the entire time, jotting notes and pivotal moments.  There's even a colorful sketching of the manual typewrite he used at the beginning of the book.  I've never read anything like this!

     Some Writer! will be available as of October 4th, 2016.  If you enjoyed Charlotte's Web- you'd love to know exactly where it all began!  Check it out while I check another book.  

The Good Night's Sleep by Jack Follman

     Jack Follman is known for short stories or chapter stories.  I came across his name on Goodreads.com and followed a trail to Amazon.com.  One of the reviewers said something about ThoughtCatalog.com, so I went there too!  That's where I came across this chapter story:  The Good Night's Sleep.  

     It's a story about a young lady named Katherine who thought she was in line to inherit the wonderful illness of sleep apnea.  She couldn't afford the programs for a proper diagnosis, but she could take her doctor's suggestion to video herself and he'd conduct a medical investigation.  The story runs into some pretty spooky stuff.       So I became intrigued.  It was crazy- like something out of the Alfred Hitchcock or that movie where the man was hiding in the family's attic, haunting them!  Or the babysitter who kept getting the phone calls from upstairs from a murderer to killed the children she was supposed to be watching!  I was caught up in chapter one.  But then it got to be sorta ridiculous and I wondered if I wanted to keep going.  I did.  And found the ending to be rather dumb.  I was let down!      

     It's not too bad though and I'm still interested in Follman's first novel!  If I get it, I'll be sure to share it!  On to the next read!

The Hatching by Ezekiel Boone

                                                                                                                                                                            *Both an Audio and Physical Book Review!

     Since the day I spotted this ARC on a fellow IG's account, I knew I had to have this story!  I pre-ordered both the audiobook and novel (sadly I missed out on the totally awesome book sleeve for the ARC's that had been previously released) and waited.  Until July 5th!  The audiobook was released and I pounced with the intensity of a mountain lion- not a house cat.  From there on, I cringed, wriggled and writhed from the story.
Nothing's more horrific that a story like this...      I found great appreciation in the writing style of The Hatching, by Ezekiel Boone.  It was like reading/listening to a movie with giving the main characters their bit of the story, then switching to an incident somewhere in the world.  It lent realism and dimension.  There were layers of activity, even to people unknown or minor, that kept the story flowing.  I also liked the idea of strong women.  There was a Madame President of the US, a divorced entomologist who was considered THE specialist, and a military leader who was respected by her male peers.  It's nice to see.  FBI Agent Rich was actually the frayed ending.  Strong but frayed.  Okay, so what was the story about?

     It was about nature making a comeback.  It was about hunger and it was about them wanting out!  All around the world, strange events were taking place.  A black wave rolled over land and sea, leaving nothing in its wake.  Well, actually it did, but I can't tell.  SPOILERS and all...  

The Giant Who Loved the Moon by Martini Fisher

     The Giant Who Loved the Moon is unlike any book I've read before.  Because I know the author, via our Instagram relationship, I've seen her work.  Martini Fisher is an unbelievable researcher who seeks only the beauty in the world's creations and facts that give purity and sincerity - not what most want to simply know.  This book is proof of how great her work is.

    In this Balinese Folktale collection, are nine tales, each one simple in its own theme.  They almost felt like children's stories; like the Three Pigs or Hansel & Gretel.  They're all stories carried from generation to generation, by word of mouth and always have to do with someone needing help - even the Gods and Goddesses of Heaven.

     I believe the story I loved the most was The Kind Little Giant.  It's the very first tale and the one that affected me the most.  It's about a couple who prayed for a son so desperately, they were finally blessed with one.  Only he was a massive eater and grew to an unbelievable size (Careful what you wish for).  He was a kind child, though so gigantic he frightened even warriors from a neighboring area.  But his heart was pure, as was his smile that melted hearts.  Sadly, the story made me think of adages like: Digging your own grave and  being killed with kindness.  
     I also found appreciation for The Youth Who Didn't Study Well.  It's about a girl named Ingtai and a boy named Sampik.  It's rather funny but it speaks of the important of study- at least know how to count!  It also showed how complicated women can be, even school-aged!  

     I enjoyed The Giant Who Loved the Moon.  It was a short read, satisfying my need to work my mind, early July 4th!  I woke around 2 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep, so I pulled up my ebooks and found it.  It was just what I needed!  I finished it and went back to perfect sleep.  Not saying that's when you should read it though.  Actually, I may purchase a physical copy for my coffee table too.  It's that sweet!
Next book!

The Worms Crawl In by Kacy Jey

     The Worms Crawl In, by Kacy Jey, is a creepy, crawly tale.  It's about a small town in Michigan becoming infested with aggressive, little nasties that carry a yearning for human flesh and... chocolate.  Yes, I said chocolate.

​       Because it's a short story, I can not say too much, but I can admit that I didn't catch a case of the willies- as I'd hoped for.  It was very "The Mist" feeling and more of a militarian-science kinda thing.  I liked it, but I was looking for more chaos.  More fear and more gore... I was left wanting but not in a negative way.  

     The story was good and I think anyone searching for a short story would be happy with it.  I'll check out more by Jey and see what's next.  NEXT!