Matthew R. Bell's Blog, page 3
October 14, 2016
Gravity by Tess Gerritsen - Book Review
4.5/5 Stars
With the contagion now threatening Earth,
there can be no rescue,
leaving Emma and the astronauts quarantined in space,
where they are dying one by one...
Gravity is a tense, terrifying, and deeply claustrophobic read, and I intend all of those to be compliments.
I will admit, initially, I found this chilling standalone a little difficult to bite into. There are a lot of technical terms, medical jargon, and 'NASA-speak'. They all, of course, lend the novel a sharp authenticity, and the author is always fantastic in executing delicious details, but, for the first quarter, reading can be heavy while you acclimate.
It's my own fault. My lack of knowledge on certain subjects and my penchant for easy-going thrillers have blunted my brain a little. Luckily, Tess whittles it back into shape.
Just think of those first hundred pages as the incubation stage of the novel's story; you don't know it for sure yet, but you're going to have your mind blown.
Synopsis
Emma Watson, a brilliant research physician, has been training for the mission of a lifetime: to study living creatures in space. Jack McCallum, Emma's estranged husband, is grounded due to a medical condition. He shared her dream of space travel, now all he can do is watch as the mission turns into a nightmare.
A culture of single-celled organisms aboard the space station begins to multiply uncontrollably and infects the astronauts - with agonising results. Emma struggles to contain the deadly micro-organisms, while back home Jack and NASA desperately try to bring her home.
But with the contagion now threatening Earth, there can be no rescue, leaving Emma and the astronauts quarantined in space, where they are dying one by one.
Plot - 5/5 Stars
Wow, and multiply that wow by ten.
Tess isn't afraid to freak you out, and Gravity definitely freaks me out. A mysterious contagion killing in a gruesome fashion while you're trapped in space? I have shivers (and now nightmares) after reading this book. If I ever wanted to go to space, I don't now. Not that I ever have wanted to go to space. I'm a wimp; I like my feet on the ground.
The story manages quite the balance. The author cultivates an audacious amalgamation, with genres such as mystery, medical thriller, and horror just to name a few. The atmosphere created, the fear and isolation, are all phenomenal. I mean, really, once the plot hits its stride, Gravity is nothing short of incredible.
Tension escalates the further along you read with frightening ferocity. Revelations reveal some engaging science-fiction, and Tess's skill at depicting the horrifying and the heartwarming really strikes you to your core.
And the ending... That is how you finish a story with satisfying flair. If you've never thought about your existence much, you will after Gravity.
Pace - 4/5 Stars
The flow is slow to begin with, giving the reader ample time to sink comfortably into the writing style and absorb the many terms used throughout the book. It's a little infuriating, but wholly worth it. Once the story dips into its terror, you can't stop.
Even when that final page has been devoured, your mind will still be flashing on many events that just burn themselves into your consciousness.
Characters - 4/5 Stars
The core circle of characters are fantastic. They have depth, personality, and backstories that weave an intricate pattern that compliments the overall plot well. Emma is a solid protagonist, and the author expertly expresses her emotions with vigour. Romance is also a factor, with Emma and Jack, in the midst of a divorce, trying to manage their feelings when the nightmare hits its swing. It's sweet and heartbreaking all at once.
But Gravity is bursting with characters. There are so many names and titles that eventually I just couldn't keep track of them all. Luckily, who's who and what they do don't particularly matter in the bigger picture; the only thing that does matter is the content of their conversations, which are exhilarating.
Writing - 4/5 Stars
Despite the abbreviations and acronyms that can sometimes plague the pages, Tess has done a superb job. The way she manipulates tension and tantalises with tenuous tales just can't be knocked. Descriptions are brutal, and with her medical background, shockingly realistic. Events are balanced well and riveting, each scene a nail-biting experience that will immediately have you paranoid of the bacteria and organisms hiding beyond our sight.
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
An incredibly well-crafted story with a stunning atmosphere and thrilling horror.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
With the contagion now threatening Earth,
there can be no rescue,
leaving Emma and the astronauts quarantined in space,
where they are dying one by one...
Gravity is a tense, terrifying, and deeply claustrophobic read, and I intend all of those to be compliments.
I will admit, initially, I found this chilling standalone a little difficult to bite into. There are a lot of technical terms, medical jargon, and 'NASA-speak'. They all, of course, lend the novel a sharp authenticity, and the author is always fantastic in executing delicious details, but, for the first quarter, reading can be heavy while you acclimate.
It's my own fault. My lack of knowledge on certain subjects and my penchant for easy-going thrillers have blunted my brain a little. Luckily, Tess whittles it back into shape.
Just think of those first hundred pages as the incubation stage of the novel's story; you don't know it for sure yet, but you're going to have your mind blown.
Synopsis
Emma Watson, a brilliant research physician, has been training for the mission of a lifetime: to study living creatures in space. Jack McCallum, Emma's estranged husband, is grounded due to a medical condition. He shared her dream of space travel, now all he can do is watch as the mission turns into a nightmare.
A culture of single-celled organisms aboard the space station begins to multiply uncontrollably and infects the astronauts - with agonising results. Emma struggles to contain the deadly micro-organisms, while back home Jack and NASA desperately try to bring her home.
But with the contagion now threatening Earth, there can be no rescue, leaving Emma and the astronauts quarantined in space, where they are dying one by one.
Plot - 5/5 Stars
Wow, and multiply that wow by ten.
Tess isn't afraid to freak you out, and Gravity definitely freaks me out. A mysterious contagion killing in a gruesome fashion while you're trapped in space? I have shivers (and now nightmares) after reading this book. If I ever wanted to go to space, I don't now. Not that I ever have wanted to go to space. I'm a wimp; I like my feet on the ground.
The story manages quite the balance. The author cultivates an audacious amalgamation, with genres such as mystery, medical thriller, and horror just to name a few. The atmosphere created, the fear and isolation, are all phenomenal. I mean, really, once the plot hits its stride, Gravity is nothing short of incredible.
Tension escalates the further along you read with frightening ferocity. Revelations reveal some engaging science-fiction, and Tess's skill at depicting the horrifying and the heartwarming really strikes you to your core.
And the ending... That is how you finish a story with satisfying flair. If you've never thought about your existence much, you will after Gravity.
Pace - 4/5 Stars
The flow is slow to begin with, giving the reader ample time to sink comfortably into the writing style and absorb the many terms used throughout the book. It's a little infuriating, but wholly worth it. Once the story dips into its terror, you can't stop.
Even when that final page has been devoured, your mind will still be flashing on many events that just burn themselves into your consciousness.
Characters - 4/5 Stars
The core circle of characters are fantastic. They have depth, personality, and backstories that weave an intricate pattern that compliments the overall plot well. Emma is a solid protagonist, and the author expertly expresses her emotions with vigour. Romance is also a factor, with Emma and Jack, in the midst of a divorce, trying to manage their feelings when the nightmare hits its swing. It's sweet and heartbreaking all at once.
But Gravity is bursting with characters. There are so many names and titles that eventually I just couldn't keep track of them all. Luckily, who's who and what they do don't particularly matter in the bigger picture; the only thing that does matter is the content of their conversations, which are exhilarating.
Writing - 4/5 Stars
Despite the abbreviations and acronyms that can sometimes plague the pages, Tess has done a superb job. The way she manipulates tension and tantalises with tenuous tales just can't be knocked. Descriptions are brutal, and with her medical background, shockingly realistic. Events are balanced well and riveting, each scene a nail-biting experience that will immediately have you paranoid of the bacteria and organisms hiding beyond our sight.
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
An incredibly well-crafted story with a stunning atmosphere and thrilling horror.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
October 11, 2016
The Fate of Ten by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies, #6) - Book Review
5/5 Stars
They awoke a power that had been hidden within our planet for generations.
Now this power can save the world...
...or destroy it.
It will all depend on who wields it...
I'll have to keep this short...
Why? Because you have to be annoyed at how much praise I've showered this series with. I thought The Revenge of Seven, this entry's predecessor, was the height of what this collection of novels could achieve; and I only thought that because it's such an experience.
I was wrong, of course.
The Fate of Ten makes The Revenge of Seven look weak. The series has hit a fever pitch with this instalment. Things happen with such deliciously organised chaos that reality just drops away. I can't wrap my head around it. I can't process the greatness.
All I know is that, if this is the penultimate novel, United as One, the final, is all but guaranteed to be an explosive paradise.
Synopsis
For years the Garde have fought the Mogadorians in secret. Now all of that has changed. The invasion has begun. If the Garde can't find a way to stop the Mogs, humanity will suffer the same fate as the Lorien: annihilation.
There is still hope. When the Elders sent the Garde to Earth, they had a plan - one which the Garde are finally starting to understand. In the climax of The Revenge of Seven, a group of Garde traveled to an ancient pyramid in Mexico known to their people as the Sanctuary. There they awoke a power that had been hidden within our planet for generations.
Now this power can save the world...or destroy it.
It will all depend on who wields it.
Plot - 5/5 Stars
The Fate of Ten is big, bold, and brazenly brilliant. An alien invasion rocks the Earth, and our heroes, splintered across the globe, are forced into an apocalypse they aren't ready for. There's endless action and oxygen-sucking suspense. Each moment is tense and unpredictable, so if you're a nail biter, get ready to have no nails.
This isn't a spoiler for this entry, considering it's The Revenge of Seven's big finish, but I have to say, the twist to give humans powers is one of the most delicious developments the series has done. It obliterates the old dynamics and brings in some fantastical fun. The series didn't need it, but it adds another spark and freshens up the story.
And don't get me started on the stunning blend of physical feats with supernatural abilities. The choreography is only brightened by the alien attack, and every corner holds damning danger. So much danger, in fact, that the conclusion hits like a brick to the face. Revelations come fast and hard, but the final fight is a heartbreaking step that sets up the final novel with more emotion than ever before.
Pace - 5/5 Stars
There's an alien invasion going on, folks!
The Fate of Ten couldn't be slow or boring if it tried.
Characters - 5/5 Stars
I mean, what else can I say about the cast that I haven't already beaten to death in my previous reviews?
Their personalities are phenomenal; their development is phenomenal; their dialogue, while a little shaky to begin with during the series' run, is a lot stronger and, yes, phenomenal.
This series, The Fate of Ten included, has a way of making you one of its own. It's immersive as hell.
Writing - 4.5/5 Stars
The present tense, first-person narration in this entry is a little disjointed to begin with, and I do mean a little. We follow mostly Four's and Six's viewpoints, with a smattering of Ten's. Initially, it's not until the scene is set that we realise who's who, but that eventually smooths out.
Overall - 5/5 Stars
All in all, a web of wonder inhabits The Fate of Ten, and it looks ready to charge for the final battle in United as One.
And I will most definitely be there.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
They awoke a power that had been hidden within our planet for generations.
Now this power can save the world...
...or destroy it.
It will all depend on who wields it...
I'll have to keep this short...
Why? Because you have to be annoyed at how much praise I've showered this series with. I thought The Revenge of Seven, this entry's predecessor, was the height of what this collection of novels could achieve; and I only thought that because it's such an experience.
I was wrong, of course.
The Fate of Ten makes The Revenge of Seven look weak. The series has hit a fever pitch with this instalment. Things happen with such deliciously organised chaos that reality just drops away. I can't wrap my head around it. I can't process the greatness.
All I know is that, if this is the penultimate novel, United as One, the final, is all but guaranteed to be an explosive paradise.
Synopsis
For years the Garde have fought the Mogadorians in secret. Now all of that has changed. The invasion has begun. If the Garde can't find a way to stop the Mogs, humanity will suffer the same fate as the Lorien: annihilation.
There is still hope. When the Elders sent the Garde to Earth, they had a plan - one which the Garde are finally starting to understand. In the climax of The Revenge of Seven, a group of Garde traveled to an ancient pyramid in Mexico known to their people as the Sanctuary. There they awoke a power that had been hidden within our planet for generations.
Now this power can save the world...or destroy it.
It will all depend on who wields it.
Plot - 5/5 Stars
The Fate of Ten is big, bold, and brazenly brilliant. An alien invasion rocks the Earth, and our heroes, splintered across the globe, are forced into an apocalypse they aren't ready for. There's endless action and oxygen-sucking suspense. Each moment is tense and unpredictable, so if you're a nail biter, get ready to have no nails.
This isn't a spoiler for this entry, considering it's The Revenge of Seven's big finish, but I have to say, the twist to give humans powers is one of the most delicious developments the series has done. It obliterates the old dynamics and brings in some fantastical fun. The series didn't need it, but it adds another spark and freshens up the story.
And don't get me started on the stunning blend of physical feats with supernatural abilities. The choreography is only brightened by the alien attack, and every corner holds damning danger. So much danger, in fact, that the conclusion hits like a brick to the face. Revelations come fast and hard, but the final fight is a heartbreaking step that sets up the final novel with more emotion than ever before.
Pace - 5/5 Stars
There's an alien invasion going on, folks!
The Fate of Ten couldn't be slow or boring if it tried.
Characters - 5/5 Stars
I mean, what else can I say about the cast that I haven't already beaten to death in my previous reviews?
Their personalities are phenomenal; their development is phenomenal; their dialogue, while a little shaky to begin with during the series' run, is a lot stronger and, yes, phenomenal.
This series, The Fate of Ten included, has a way of making you one of its own. It's immersive as hell.
Writing - 4.5/5 Stars
The present tense, first-person narration in this entry is a little disjointed to begin with, and I do mean a little. We follow mostly Four's and Six's viewpoints, with a smattering of Ten's. Initially, it's not until the scene is set that we realise who's who, but that eventually smooths out.
Overall - 5/5 Stars
All in all, a web of wonder inhabits The Fate of Ten, and it looks ready to charge for the final battle in United as One.
And I will most definitely be there.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
October 8, 2016
The Games by James Patterson (Private, #12) - Book Review
4.5/5 Stars
One murder at the World Cup was just a warning...
The Games, also known as Private Rio, is tense and terrifying.
Patterson and Mark Sullivan immerse the reader in Brazilian culture as they cultivate a chilling tale around the Olympic Games. I hoped that The Games wouldn't be too similar to a previous entry to the series, Private Games, where we focus on the London Olympics, and the authors don't disappoint. This instalment blends the morally righteous with the morally outrageous to ravage the reader's sense of right and wrong.
What do you do when the victims of horror are overlooked in favour of the image and reputation of the rich? How do you rectify that with any kind of goodness? And if you can't, with avenues of change restricted, what lines do you cross to be heard?
The Games plays with these questions and much, much more. So get ready for a high-octane adventure that doesn't shy away from giving you a solid taste of guilt.
Synopsis
Two years ago, Jack Morgan was in Rio consulting on security for the World Cup. The tournament went without a hitch. Until a man died in one of the executive hospitality suites during the final, and the autopsy showed the cause to be a rare and deadly virus.
The story was kept from the media to avoid causing panic, but Jack feared that the death was no freak occurrence.
Now the eyes of the world are once again turned towards Rio for the Olympic Games, and Jack is back in Brazil's beautiful capital. It's not long before he uncovers terrifying evidence that someone has set in motion a catastrophic plan.
The death at the World Cup was just a warning. The Olympic Games could be the setting for the worst atrocity the world has ever seen.
Plot - 4.5/5 Stars
The Games follows two plots: A wealthy man's daughters have been kidnapped for ransom, and an angry virologist intends to use a deadly virus to enact change. Both stem from a very real and very heartbreaking problem. The villains behind these morally reprehensible actions are fuelled by anger at other morally reprehensible actions. It's hard to take a definitive stand against people with a twisted sense of the greater good in mind.
What pushes them, you ask? Wealth, or the lack of for millions of people. The Games shows greed in a startling light. The line between the rich and the poor is thin, but at the same time so vast, that the authors excel in painting a myriad of lives and struggles.
We see corruption and depravity, kindness and heroics, clashing principles that, coupled with the fantastical fiction created by the authors and interspersed with audacious action, really help bring this novel up to another level.
Pace - 4.5/5 Stars
Aside from a little disjoint here and there from managing the two high-stakes plots, The Games is fast-paced euphoria. Patterson's standard style of balancing action with questions and answers is solid.
Characters - 4/5 Stars
Initially, the characters of the novel didn't impress me. The only real individual I connected with outright was the villain. We know right from the start the identity of one of the main antagonists, but it's hard to hate him. His history and motivations are expertly expressed with emotion by the authors, so while you absolutely stand against the murder of innocents, his goal is, confusingly, good and pure.
As the story progresses, though, the authors get a grip on the personalities of their cast. Jack Morgan leads the group, and he gets some surprisingly stellar development after being our stoic hero for so long. There is a little romance, which didn't impress me to begin with either, but there are some truly sweet moments that get me.
The biggest draw of the novel is its dissection of a population's standard of living, and the consequences that can arise from being on one side of the economical spectrum vs the other. It's not new or groundbreaking, but it's something we should try never to forget.
Writing - 4/5 Stars
The Games is another sharp story that rallies the best parts of the series and knits them together.
Its short chapters keep you turning the pages and its lovely descriptions of Rio paint a vivid picture.
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
I've just realised that's me all caught up with the Private series, woo-hoo!
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
One murder at the World Cup was just a warning...
The Games, also known as Private Rio, is tense and terrifying.
Patterson and Mark Sullivan immerse the reader in Brazilian culture as they cultivate a chilling tale around the Olympic Games. I hoped that The Games wouldn't be too similar to a previous entry to the series, Private Games, where we focus on the London Olympics, and the authors don't disappoint. This instalment blends the morally righteous with the morally outrageous to ravage the reader's sense of right and wrong.
What do you do when the victims of horror are overlooked in favour of the image and reputation of the rich? How do you rectify that with any kind of goodness? And if you can't, with avenues of change restricted, what lines do you cross to be heard?
The Games plays with these questions and much, much more. So get ready for a high-octane adventure that doesn't shy away from giving you a solid taste of guilt.
Synopsis
Two years ago, Jack Morgan was in Rio consulting on security for the World Cup. The tournament went without a hitch. Until a man died in one of the executive hospitality suites during the final, and the autopsy showed the cause to be a rare and deadly virus.
The story was kept from the media to avoid causing panic, but Jack feared that the death was no freak occurrence.
Now the eyes of the world are once again turned towards Rio for the Olympic Games, and Jack is back in Brazil's beautiful capital. It's not long before he uncovers terrifying evidence that someone has set in motion a catastrophic plan.
The death at the World Cup was just a warning. The Olympic Games could be the setting for the worst atrocity the world has ever seen.
Plot - 4.5/5 Stars
The Games follows two plots: A wealthy man's daughters have been kidnapped for ransom, and an angry virologist intends to use a deadly virus to enact change. Both stem from a very real and very heartbreaking problem. The villains behind these morally reprehensible actions are fuelled by anger at other morally reprehensible actions. It's hard to take a definitive stand against people with a twisted sense of the greater good in mind.
What pushes them, you ask? Wealth, or the lack of for millions of people. The Games shows greed in a startling light. The line between the rich and the poor is thin, but at the same time so vast, that the authors excel in painting a myriad of lives and struggles.
We see corruption and depravity, kindness and heroics, clashing principles that, coupled with the fantastical fiction created by the authors and interspersed with audacious action, really help bring this novel up to another level.
Pace - 4.5/5 Stars
Aside from a little disjoint here and there from managing the two high-stakes plots, The Games is fast-paced euphoria. Patterson's standard style of balancing action with questions and answers is solid.
Characters - 4/5 Stars
Initially, the characters of the novel didn't impress me. The only real individual I connected with outright was the villain. We know right from the start the identity of one of the main antagonists, but it's hard to hate him. His history and motivations are expertly expressed with emotion by the authors, so while you absolutely stand against the murder of innocents, his goal is, confusingly, good and pure.
As the story progresses, though, the authors get a grip on the personalities of their cast. Jack Morgan leads the group, and he gets some surprisingly stellar development after being our stoic hero for so long. There is a little romance, which didn't impress me to begin with either, but there are some truly sweet moments that get me.
The biggest draw of the novel is its dissection of a population's standard of living, and the consequences that can arise from being on one side of the economical spectrum vs the other. It's not new or groundbreaking, but it's something we should try never to forget.
Writing - 4/5 Stars
The Games is another sharp story that rallies the best parts of the series and knits them together.
Its short chapters keep you turning the pages and its lovely descriptions of Rio paint a vivid picture.
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
I've just realised that's me all caught up with the Private series, woo-hoo!
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
October 7, 2016
The Revenge of Seven by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies, #5) - Book Review
5/5 Stars
Finally, we have the power to fight back...
Holy crap on a cracker with a resurrected Jesus on top...
I hope that's a suitable outburst of emotion that conveys my awe.
If not: kjuhfiurhcxunihfuixmhifubmihexfuhxwuznwjegnhruxo.
Words have no meaning to me after what I just experienced with The Revenge of Seven. It gives me everything I love about the series: Action, chemistry, and a fascinating fictional story that utilises aliens and superpowers. But the way this entry bashes your mind with sensational surprises just frazzles my synapses.
The Lorien Legacies series, so far, has been able to build with passionate fire. Each book grows more and more cataclysmic and heroic.
And if the ending of The Revenge of Seven is any indicator, things are about to combust in a very conclusive way...
I need oxygen!
Or maybe a life-support machine...
Synopsis
The worst was supposed to be over.
We were reunited after a decade apart.
We were discovering the truth about our past.
We were training and getting stronger every day.
We were even happy...
But we never imagined the Mogadorians could turn one of our own against us. We were fools for trusting Five. And now Eight is lost for ever. I would do anything to bring him back, but that's impossible. Instead, I will do whatever it takes to destroy every last one of them.
I've spent my entire life hiding. That stops now.
We have a new ally who knows their weaknesses.
And we're going to take the battle to them.
Finally, we have the power to fight back...
Plot - 5/5 Stars
The series is definitely moving toward its endgame, and it's doing it with flair. The Revenge of Seven follows a multitude of stories manned by phenomenal personalities, all of which crisscross across the globe on an epic journey that weaves every fibre of its narrative seamlessly. We pick up only a few days after the events of The Fall of Five, and an emotional beginning leads into an action-packed adventure that expands the series' mythology and regales the reader with riveting revelations.
I really wish we could bottle the action this series does so well. As is standard so far, The Revenge of Seven has a solid structure that is practically infallible. Its balance of high-octane events and exposition is perfect, and even when the two collide, you're nothing short of breathless.
And the finale... I just want to blurt out everything in capital letters, but it's better experienced; my little review won't hit you like this novel's conclusion will. What I will tell you is it's catastrophic and exhilarating.
A full-blown invasion is here.
Pace - 5/5 Stars
I read so many fast-paced novels that I'm running out of ways to describe them.
The brilliant balance also has the added benefit of giving the reader a smooth and rapid journey that coalesces into all-out war.
God, I cannot wait to get to the next instalment.
Characters - 5/5 Stars
The Revenge of Seven, while a story that does wonderful work for all of its cast, focuses on three main viewpoints: Four's, Ten's, and Six's. Being a fan of the series, it's no longer even a slight problem for me to ascertain whose perspective I'm reading from. The layout is done to avoid confusion.
I am a part of these characters now. The author plays so well with morality that, thanks to the histories they've lived through, even when a character does something we would deem wrong, we understand.
The feel of unity is also a major theme, and while so far we've been avidly awaiting that moment the good guys all come together, it's never occurred to me that one of them could be compromised. But on a larger scale the series is essentially about humanity. The Loric are the better, more nurturing part of the human race, while the Mogadorians are the selfish, destructive part. Light and dark, both battling for dominance, both a startling part of the human condition.
With humanity stuck in the middle of the war between two vastly different races with two radically different ideals, it's hard not to draw the apt parallels between them and our species in reality. And horrifying to see the eventual overlap.
It highlights the core difficulty of living in the real world; all of us have the potential to be good or bad, but most of the time, we're a combination of both.
Writing - 5/5 Stars
Present tense. First-person narration.
It's simple, clean, and direct.
Lightning-quick and informative don't cover it.
You'll love it.
Overall - 5/5 Stars
Yesterday I downloaded United as One, which I think is the seventh and final entry to the series. Before that, though, there's The Fate of Ten, which I'm gagging to start.
Did I mention that cliffhanger?
Has anyone got around to bringing me a life-support machine yet?
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
Finally, we have the power to fight back...
Holy crap on a cracker with a resurrected Jesus on top...
I hope that's a suitable outburst of emotion that conveys my awe.
If not: kjuhfiurhcxunihfuixmhifubmihexfuhxwuznwjegnhruxo.
Words have no meaning to me after what I just experienced with The Revenge of Seven. It gives me everything I love about the series: Action, chemistry, and a fascinating fictional story that utilises aliens and superpowers. But the way this entry bashes your mind with sensational surprises just frazzles my synapses.
The Lorien Legacies series, so far, has been able to build with passionate fire. Each book grows more and more cataclysmic and heroic.
And if the ending of The Revenge of Seven is any indicator, things are about to combust in a very conclusive way...
I need oxygen!
Or maybe a life-support machine...
Synopsis
The worst was supposed to be over.
We were reunited after a decade apart.
We were discovering the truth about our past.
We were training and getting stronger every day.
We were even happy...
But we never imagined the Mogadorians could turn one of our own against us. We were fools for trusting Five. And now Eight is lost for ever. I would do anything to bring him back, but that's impossible. Instead, I will do whatever it takes to destroy every last one of them.
I've spent my entire life hiding. That stops now.
We have a new ally who knows their weaknesses.
And we're going to take the battle to them.
Finally, we have the power to fight back...
Plot - 5/5 Stars
The series is definitely moving toward its endgame, and it's doing it with flair. The Revenge of Seven follows a multitude of stories manned by phenomenal personalities, all of which crisscross across the globe on an epic journey that weaves every fibre of its narrative seamlessly. We pick up only a few days after the events of The Fall of Five, and an emotional beginning leads into an action-packed adventure that expands the series' mythology and regales the reader with riveting revelations.
I really wish we could bottle the action this series does so well. As is standard so far, The Revenge of Seven has a solid structure that is practically infallible. Its balance of high-octane events and exposition is perfect, and even when the two collide, you're nothing short of breathless.
And the finale... I just want to blurt out everything in capital letters, but it's better experienced; my little review won't hit you like this novel's conclusion will. What I will tell you is it's catastrophic and exhilarating.
A full-blown invasion is here.
Pace - 5/5 Stars
I read so many fast-paced novels that I'm running out of ways to describe them.
The brilliant balance also has the added benefit of giving the reader a smooth and rapid journey that coalesces into all-out war.
God, I cannot wait to get to the next instalment.
Characters - 5/5 Stars
The Revenge of Seven, while a story that does wonderful work for all of its cast, focuses on three main viewpoints: Four's, Ten's, and Six's. Being a fan of the series, it's no longer even a slight problem for me to ascertain whose perspective I'm reading from. The layout is done to avoid confusion.
I am a part of these characters now. The author plays so well with morality that, thanks to the histories they've lived through, even when a character does something we would deem wrong, we understand.
The feel of unity is also a major theme, and while so far we've been avidly awaiting that moment the good guys all come together, it's never occurred to me that one of them could be compromised. But on a larger scale the series is essentially about humanity. The Loric are the better, more nurturing part of the human race, while the Mogadorians are the selfish, destructive part. Light and dark, both battling for dominance, both a startling part of the human condition.
With humanity stuck in the middle of the war between two vastly different races with two radically different ideals, it's hard not to draw the apt parallels between them and our species in reality. And horrifying to see the eventual overlap.
It highlights the core difficulty of living in the real world; all of us have the potential to be good or bad, but most of the time, we're a combination of both.
Writing - 5/5 Stars
Present tense. First-person narration.
It's simple, clean, and direct.
Lightning-quick and informative don't cover it.
You'll love it.
Overall - 5/5 Stars
Yesterday I downloaded United as One, which I think is the seventh and final entry to the series. Before that, though, there's The Fate of Ten, which I'm gagging to start.
Did I mention that cliffhanger?
Has anyone got around to bringing me a life-support machine yet?
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
October 5, 2016
Private Royals by James Patterson (Private, #11.5) - Book Review
5/5 Stars
One word to the police
and Abbie will be killed...
Time for a quick review! Let's get into this spitfire of a novel!
Maybe I'm still just flying high on the euphoria I gained from reading the phenomenal Private Paris, but I can't help but be wowed by Private Royals. One of Patterson's BookShots (stories under 150 pages), the esteemed author is joined by Rees Jones as both craft an electric tale.
I know Bookshots can split a lot of people, at least from what reviews I've read. As you can see, I absolutely adore them. Patterson's works are lightning-quick adventures already, but you can never go wrong with a thriller that tantalises you and takes less than an hour to finish.
Synopsis
Jack Morgan is visiting Peter Knight and the team in the London branch of his investigation agency, Private.
At a cocktail party the night before the Trooping the Colour parade for the Queen's 90th birthday, Jack receives a phone call (it's actually Peter who receives the call, but I'm being shamefully anal here) from the Duke of Aldershot saying that his daughter, Abbie, has been kidnapped. He needs Private on the case - one word to the police and Abbie will be killed.
Jack will have to find Abbie before 11:00 a.m. the next morning, or the kidnapping will turn to murder.
Plot - 5/5 Stars
Private Royals is a condensed action/thriller novel that doesn't hold back on brutality and blood. Taking place in London with some returning faces from previous novels, Jack and the gang are pulled into a race against time to save a royal's life. But, in true Patterson fashion, the road they're on has twists, turns, and selfish individuals all intent on their own gain.
The story's structure is stellar, with minimal fluff to burden the reader. Exposition often takes place during high-octane events, keeping this fast-paced adrenaline ride, well, fast-paced.
And the conclusion is riveting. A riotous finale that is tense enough to give you heart palpitations.
Pace - 5/5 Stars
The BookShots' tagline pretty much covers how I feel:
Stories at the speed of life.
Any time I read a BookShot, I might just use that line for this section. The pace is awesome.
Characters - 4/5 Stars
Private Royals' cast is pretty clear cut. Jack Morgan, our series' protagonist, is in the main role. Accompanied by Peter Knight, who's returning from Private Games, and a few other old faces, Private Royals keeps things simple. There are little bios here and there, so you do get a solid feel for who you're journeying with, but this novel isn't about development.
Villains are a little lacklustre, but the point of the novel isn't really to flesh them out. A fresh face, though, proves to have some potential, so I guess we'll see if she resurfaces in the future.
The story does do a good job of highlighting people's self-interest and the betrayal that can come from such selfishness. It's decent stuff.
Writing - 5/5 Stars
Patterson and Jones cut right to the chase and keep that chase accelerating at exhilarating speeds.
Sharp descriptions hold no punches back, laying the scene, giving us the information we need, and then moving on.
Overall - 5/5 Stars
If you have an hour and are in the mood for a fast, easy-going suspense story, Private Royals is insanely right for you.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
One word to the police
and Abbie will be killed...
Time for a quick review! Let's get into this spitfire of a novel!
Maybe I'm still just flying high on the euphoria I gained from reading the phenomenal Private Paris, but I can't help but be wowed by Private Royals. One of Patterson's BookShots (stories under 150 pages), the esteemed author is joined by Rees Jones as both craft an electric tale.
I know Bookshots can split a lot of people, at least from what reviews I've read. As you can see, I absolutely adore them. Patterson's works are lightning-quick adventures already, but you can never go wrong with a thriller that tantalises you and takes less than an hour to finish.
Synopsis
Jack Morgan is visiting Peter Knight and the team in the London branch of his investigation agency, Private.
At a cocktail party the night before the Trooping the Colour parade for the Queen's 90th birthday, Jack receives a phone call (it's actually Peter who receives the call, but I'm being shamefully anal here) from the Duke of Aldershot saying that his daughter, Abbie, has been kidnapped. He needs Private on the case - one word to the police and Abbie will be killed.
Jack will have to find Abbie before 11:00 a.m. the next morning, or the kidnapping will turn to murder.
Plot - 5/5 Stars
Private Royals is a condensed action/thriller novel that doesn't hold back on brutality and blood. Taking place in London with some returning faces from previous novels, Jack and the gang are pulled into a race against time to save a royal's life. But, in true Patterson fashion, the road they're on has twists, turns, and selfish individuals all intent on their own gain.
The story's structure is stellar, with minimal fluff to burden the reader. Exposition often takes place during high-octane events, keeping this fast-paced adrenaline ride, well, fast-paced.
And the conclusion is riveting. A riotous finale that is tense enough to give you heart palpitations.
Pace - 5/5 Stars
The BookShots' tagline pretty much covers how I feel:
Stories at the speed of life.
Any time I read a BookShot, I might just use that line for this section. The pace is awesome.
Characters - 4/5 Stars
Private Royals' cast is pretty clear cut. Jack Morgan, our series' protagonist, is in the main role. Accompanied by Peter Knight, who's returning from Private Games, and a few other old faces, Private Royals keeps things simple. There are little bios here and there, so you do get a solid feel for who you're journeying with, but this novel isn't about development.
Villains are a little lacklustre, but the point of the novel isn't really to flesh them out. A fresh face, though, proves to have some potential, so I guess we'll see if she resurfaces in the future.
The story does do a good job of highlighting people's self-interest and the betrayal that can come from such selfishness. It's decent stuff.
Writing - 5/5 Stars
Patterson and Jones cut right to the chase and keep that chase accelerating at exhilarating speeds.
Sharp descriptions hold no punches back, laying the scene, giving us the information we need, and then moving on.
Overall - 5/5 Stars
If you have an hour and are in the mood for a fast, easy-going suspense story, Private Royals is insanely right for you.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
October 4, 2016
The Fall of Five by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies, #4) - Book Review
5/5 Stars
The battle is far from over...
This series just does not disappoint!
It has its negatives just like any other collection of novels, sure, but when a story can obliterate your misgivings in only a couple pages then you know you're helpless. The Fall of Five ensures the series' stakes are sent to the stratosphere. Heartwarming heroics enthral you as the author moves the overall plot just that bit further along, answering questions while fearlessly foreshadowing a fantastic future (and by fantastic I mean one with horror and heartbreak).
But even though this instalment is manned by some impressive characters, no one is safe. Heartbreak fractures hope, and The Fall of Five is fraught with just enough new developments that your head will be spinning by the end.
Synopsis
I thought things would change when I found the others. We would stop running. We would fight the Mogadorians. And we would win.
But I was wrong. Even though we have come together, we barely escaped from them with our lives. And now we're in hiding, figuring out our next move.
The six of us are powerful - but not strong enough to take on their entire army. We haven't discovered the full extent of our Legacies. We haven't learned to work together. Time is running out, and there's only one thing we know for certain: We need to find Number Five before they do.
They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
I am Number Four. I was supposed to be next.
But I'm still alive.
This battle is far from over.
Plot - 5/5 Stars
There are a few inconsistencies, a few convenient moments, and a few threads that have been dropped completely as the series has gone on (unless they pop back up in the future). But that's really the only negatives I have. If you could call them negatives; they're largely negligible.
The Fall of Five is a sharp, funny, and magical story that's rife with dramatic action sequences and stomach-churning twists. Sure, some surprises are insanely obvious from the get-go, but part of me feels that it's deliberate. The tension that arises from your strong suspicions is delicious, especially when you find out you're right and you watch everything go to hell.
The thrills start right from the start, and while I do think this entry pulls back on the action a little, the substitute character development and crackling chemistry more than make up for it.
Of course, the ass-kicking action is still there and predominant. And, trust me, this series always squeezes the most out of its super-charged cast and choreography.
The finale is intense and insane, hitting the reader with so much you can't turn the pages fast enough. The last page leaves on a decent cliffhanger, one that ensures you'll pick up the next instalment.
Pace - 5/5 Stars
The Fall of Five, and the series in general, has a way with the story's flow. It's fast, furious, and frightening in its ferocity. The way the author can manage a structure of such spectacular proportions is unreal. I always love when a series can balance its action and exposition in a way that is smooth and hooking.
And this series knows how to do it without breaking a sweat.
Characters - 5/5 Stars
The greatest thing about the Lorien Legacies' characters is just how developed they are, and they never fail to amaze. Their voices can sometimes mix in this entry, but the divine dynamics that their differing personalities bring are phenomenal. Each person is slowly, but naturally, falling into place as the war between alien races for survival moves forward.
The dialogue and comedy are also both on point. The past few entries have good amounts of both, but they don't always hit the mark. Well, The Fall of Five has humour and wit during even the most tenuous of scenes, and it really adds a spark that keeps events unpredictable.
Writing - 5/5 Stars
Keeping the present tense and first-person narrative, The Fall of Five moves forward at a brisk pace. Events are sharp and fast-paced, even when exposition is in play. The author really makes you feel like you're along for the ride rather than someone watching from outside.
The lore is also getting more expansive, with nicely woven omens subverting the reader's predictions.
Overall - 5/5 Stars
I haven't been failed by this series yet, and I'm gonna be at a loss when I reach the final entry.
If you haven't picked up any of these books, please do. An intergalactic war that sees good vs evil battling it out for survival is always a good thing (at least in fiction; it'd suck in reality). Plus, superpowers.
Superpowers!
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
The battle is far from over...
This series just does not disappoint!
It has its negatives just like any other collection of novels, sure, but when a story can obliterate your misgivings in only a couple pages then you know you're helpless. The Fall of Five ensures the series' stakes are sent to the stratosphere. Heartwarming heroics enthral you as the author moves the overall plot just that bit further along, answering questions while fearlessly foreshadowing a fantastic future (and by fantastic I mean one with horror and heartbreak).
But even though this instalment is manned by some impressive characters, no one is safe. Heartbreak fractures hope, and The Fall of Five is fraught with just enough new developments that your head will be spinning by the end.
Synopsis
I thought things would change when I found the others. We would stop running. We would fight the Mogadorians. And we would win.
But I was wrong. Even though we have come together, we barely escaped from them with our lives. And now we're in hiding, figuring out our next move.
The six of us are powerful - but not strong enough to take on their entire army. We haven't discovered the full extent of our Legacies. We haven't learned to work together. Time is running out, and there's only one thing we know for certain: We need to find Number Five before they do.
They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
I am Number Four. I was supposed to be next.
But I'm still alive.
This battle is far from over.
Plot - 5/5 Stars
There are a few inconsistencies, a few convenient moments, and a few threads that have been dropped completely as the series has gone on (unless they pop back up in the future). But that's really the only negatives I have. If you could call them negatives; they're largely negligible.
The Fall of Five is a sharp, funny, and magical story that's rife with dramatic action sequences and stomach-churning twists. Sure, some surprises are insanely obvious from the get-go, but part of me feels that it's deliberate. The tension that arises from your strong suspicions is delicious, especially when you find out you're right and you watch everything go to hell.
The thrills start right from the start, and while I do think this entry pulls back on the action a little, the substitute character development and crackling chemistry more than make up for it.
Of course, the ass-kicking action is still there and predominant. And, trust me, this series always squeezes the most out of its super-charged cast and choreography.
The finale is intense and insane, hitting the reader with so much you can't turn the pages fast enough. The last page leaves on a decent cliffhanger, one that ensures you'll pick up the next instalment.
Pace - 5/5 Stars
The Fall of Five, and the series in general, has a way with the story's flow. It's fast, furious, and frightening in its ferocity. The way the author can manage a structure of such spectacular proportions is unreal. I always love when a series can balance its action and exposition in a way that is smooth and hooking.
And this series knows how to do it without breaking a sweat.
Characters - 5/5 Stars
The greatest thing about the Lorien Legacies' characters is just how developed they are, and they never fail to amaze. Their voices can sometimes mix in this entry, but the divine dynamics that their differing personalities bring are phenomenal. Each person is slowly, but naturally, falling into place as the war between alien races for survival moves forward.
The dialogue and comedy are also both on point. The past few entries have good amounts of both, but they don't always hit the mark. Well, The Fall of Five has humour and wit during even the most tenuous of scenes, and it really adds a spark that keeps events unpredictable.
Writing - 5/5 Stars
Keeping the present tense and first-person narrative, The Fall of Five moves forward at a brisk pace. Events are sharp and fast-paced, even when exposition is in play. The author really makes you feel like you're along for the ride rather than someone watching from outside.
The lore is also getting more expansive, with nicely woven omens subverting the reader's predictions.
Overall - 5/5 Stars
I haven't been failed by this series yet, and I'm gonna be at a loss when I reach the final entry.
If you haven't picked up any of these books, please do. An intergalactic war that sees good vs evil battling it out for survival is always a good thing (at least in fiction; it'd suck in reality). Plus, superpowers.
Superpowers!
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
October 2, 2016
Private Paris by James Patterson (Private, #11) - Book Review
5/5 Stars
Paris is burning
- and only Private's Jack Morgan can put out the fire...
After not being so in love with this entry's predecessor, Private Sydney, I sat down with Private Paris, took a deep breath, and thought, 'Don't think too much.' Well, contrary to that, this book has me thinking a lot. Private Paris delves deep into issues that are front and centre in today's society. Racial and religious tensions throughout the world are tenuous and terrifying, and Patterson, along with Mark Sullivan, fully capture those emotions as they craft one of their central plots around immigration.
Combined with other plots and a solid cast, Private Paris is a smooth, realistic ride with bouts of explosive action and pitch-perfect paranoia.
Synopsis
Paris is burning - and only Private's Jack Morgan can put out the fire.
When Jack Morgan stops by Private's Paris office, he envisions a quick hello during an otherwise relaxing trip filled with fine food and sightseeing. But Jack is quickly pressed into duty after a call from one of his most important clients, asking Private to track down his young granddaughter who is on the run from a brutal drug dealer.
As Jack scours the city, several members of Paris's cultural elite are found dead - murdered in shocking, symbolic fashion - and the French police need Private's help. But as religious and ethnic tensions simmer in the City of Light, it's only a matter of time before the smouldering powder keg explodes.
Plot - 5/5 Stars
Whether you're an ardent fan or a newbie to Patterson and his novels, you can always be assured of fast-paced, high-stakes stories that are easy-going but definitely not about sunshine and rainbows. It's why we love him. Private Paris shows what happens when these elements are on point and refined. There's no fluff or dead weight, and revelations come fast and hard while our characters live close to death.
Aside from the racially charged story this entry portrays, Patterson and Sullivan weave another, lighter tale that meshes exceptionally well. Hired to find a respected client's granddaughter, Jack Morgan and members of his company's Paris outfit are pulled into a mysterious mess involving drugs and assassins. It's a good suspense story that's interspersed perfectly in a city growing more and more tumultuous.
The biggest plot, however, is of course the trials of immigration. Paris, like many other countries today, is receiving a tremendous amount of immigrants. And not everyone is happy with it. Private Paris explores bigotry, paranoia, and radicalism in precise detail, eliciting a variety of uncomfortable and clashing emotions from the reader.
Both authors portray both sides. They show the dangers of a religion that's out of touch, but also the intolerance of the ignorant that wish to squash those that follow their ideals in peace. This story is drenched in realism and really strikes a cord, proving to be a worthwhile read while also delivering a fantastic fictional tale.
Twists and turns abound, and the conclusion is satisfying and terrifying in its starkness.
Pace - 5/5 Stars
Patterson novels more or less always get the pace right. But Private Paris is one that gets it right. The plots are tight and well-balanced, driven by a great cast, and written with sharp detail.
Characters - 4/5 Stars
Jack Morgan is back as our viewpoint, but a new host of characters back him up (or scoff at him, even when they're on the same side). Both old and new are strong and distinctive. In fact, Private Paris has a buddy-cop feel to it with the inclusion of Louis Langlois, Private Paris's leader. He and Jack are superb partners, and both bounce off of one another in surprisingly comical ways.
There's not a lot of development in terms of protagonist growth, but Patterson and Sullivan make up for that with their fleshed-out villains.
There's a little romance, which isn't too bad. Personally, I'm just glad it's not between Jack and Justine, although there are a few moments of awkward tension over the phone.
Writing - 5/5 Stars
Both authors create a divine structure that capitalises on the stories they've envisioned. With short, beautiful descriptions of Paris and the standard concise chapters, Private Paris is an efficient and emotional entry to a series that has its ups and downs.
There's a few instances of continuity, where the authors will refer to past events, but this instalment can be read as a standalone, and if you're thinking about trying the series but don't know where to start, I would recommend you do so here. That way you can see if you like the style and content from an entry I feel is one of the best so far.
Overall - 5/5 Stars
We have our good and bad times, Private series, but I do adore you when you get it right.
See you in next instalment!
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
Paris is burning
- and only Private's Jack Morgan can put out the fire...
After not being so in love with this entry's predecessor, Private Sydney, I sat down with Private Paris, took a deep breath, and thought, 'Don't think too much.' Well, contrary to that, this book has me thinking a lot. Private Paris delves deep into issues that are front and centre in today's society. Racial and religious tensions throughout the world are tenuous and terrifying, and Patterson, along with Mark Sullivan, fully capture those emotions as they craft one of their central plots around immigration.
Combined with other plots and a solid cast, Private Paris is a smooth, realistic ride with bouts of explosive action and pitch-perfect paranoia.
Synopsis
Paris is burning - and only Private's Jack Morgan can put out the fire.
When Jack Morgan stops by Private's Paris office, he envisions a quick hello during an otherwise relaxing trip filled with fine food and sightseeing. But Jack is quickly pressed into duty after a call from one of his most important clients, asking Private to track down his young granddaughter who is on the run from a brutal drug dealer.
As Jack scours the city, several members of Paris's cultural elite are found dead - murdered in shocking, symbolic fashion - and the French police need Private's help. But as religious and ethnic tensions simmer in the City of Light, it's only a matter of time before the smouldering powder keg explodes.
Plot - 5/5 Stars
Whether you're an ardent fan or a newbie to Patterson and his novels, you can always be assured of fast-paced, high-stakes stories that are easy-going but definitely not about sunshine and rainbows. It's why we love him. Private Paris shows what happens when these elements are on point and refined. There's no fluff or dead weight, and revelations come fast and hard while our characters live close to death.
Aside from the racially charged story this entry portrays, Patterson and Sullivan weave another, lighter tale that meshes exceptionally well. Hired to find a respected client's granddaughter, Jack Morgan and members of his company's Paris outfit are pulled into a mysterious mess involving drugs and assassins. It's a good suspense story that's interspersed perfectly in a city growing more and more tumultuous.
The biggest plot, however, is of course the trials of immigration. Paris, like many other countries today, is receiving a tremendous amount of immigrants. And not everyone is happy with it. Private Paris explores bigotry, paranoia, and radicalism in precise detail, eliciting a variety of uncomfortable and clashing emotions from the reader.
Both authors portray both sides. They show the dangers of a religion that's out of touch, but also the intolerance of the ignorant that wish to squash those that follow their ideals in peace. This story is drenched in realism and really strikes a cord, proving to be a worthwhile read while also delivering a fantastic fictional tale.
Twists and turns abound, and the conclusion is satisfying and terrifying in its starkness.
Pace - 5/5 Stars
Patterson novels more or less always get the pace right. But Private Paris is one that gets it right. The plots are tight and well-balanced, driven by a great cast, and written with sharp detail.
Characters - 4/5 Stars
Jack Morgan is back as our viewpoint, but a new host of characters back him up (or scoff at him, even when they're on the same side). Both old and new are strong and distinctive. In fact, Private Paris has a buddy-cop feel to it with the inclusion of Louis Langlois, Private Paris's leader. He and Jack are superb partners, and both bounce off of one another in surprisingly comical ways.
There's not a lot of development in terms of protagonist growth, but Patterson and Sullivan make up for that with their fleshed-out villains.
There's a little romance, which isn't too bad. Personally, I'm just glad it's not between Jack and Justine, although there are a few moments of awkward tension over the phone.
Writing - 5/5 Stars
Both authors create a divine structure that capitalises on the stories they've envisioned. With short, beautiful descriptions of Paris and the standard concise chapters, Private Paris is an efficient and emotional entry to a series that has its ups and downs.
There's a few instances of continuity, where the authors will refer to past events, but this instalment can be read as a standalone, and if you're thinking about trying the series but don't know where to start, I would recommend you do so here. That way you can see if you like the style and content from an entry I feel is one of the best so far.
Overall - 5/5 Stars
We have our good and bad times, Private series, but I do adore you when you get it right.
See you in next instalment!
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
October 1, 2016
The Reunion by L.J. Smith (The Vampire Diaries, #4) - Book Review
4.5/5 Stars
The Reunion...
Who will be the casualty...?
Quick Note: I couldn't find a picture of the book with The Reunion as the title, but not to worry, Dark Reunion is the same novel. The Reunion is just the UK edition's name.
Have I mentioned that this series is a guilty pleasure of mine? Well, after reading this entry, why don't we just drop the guilty part, huh? (Not that I ever really felt guilty.)
The Reunion isn't perfect, but despite its cheesiness, its ludicrous sequence of events, and its stretches in believability, I can't help but be utterly infatuated. And no instalment has ever taken me over so completely as this one. Well, of the ones I've read, anyway. This entry exudes all the qualities I love about the show: Strong, distinctive characters; a supernatural plot that revels in unpredictability; and a concentrated flow that has no time for pit stops.
Synopsis
Damon is forced to put his trust in the brother he loathes when Elena is threatened by a terrifying evil.
Can Stephan keep his promise to Elena and protect the town from its most powerful villain yet?
Who will be the casualty?
Plot - 4.5/5 Stars
Picking up six months after the end of The Fury, The Reunion is a tense and exciting novel that remains completely focused on telling a sharp story. With vampires, witches, and great evil we are treated to a creepy tale that fully capitalises on all the supernatural juice it can muster. There are twists and turns, revelations and revenge, and all of it is contained in under 250 pages.
Plus, all that build leads to a spectacular conclusion. Superb action couples with brutal bloodshed and vicious heartbreak to drive this ending deep. Sure, there are a few stretches in logic, and some things that happen go unexplained, but despite it dropping all reasoning, I almost had a tear in my eye.
Pace - 5/5 Stars
The Reunion is littered with magic and mystery, compelling the reader to continue through snappy and concise exposition, while basking in the adrenaline-infused glow of epic battles.
So, yeah, the pace is pretty phenomenal.
Characters - 5/5 Stars
Since the first entry we've predominantly followed Elena as she's introduced to the world of the supernatural and the consequences of falling for someone with a tainted soul. But with The Reunion, we mostly follow Bonnie, and, believe it or not, it works. The Vampire Diaries' cast has always been a solid one. Each character has been through things that have given depth to their already stellar personalities. Growth has always been consistent, and this entry doesn't let any of that go.
And while romance remains a strong undercurrent throughout, it takes a backseat to all the supernatural shenanigans. Everything has more room to breath, and when the lovey-dovey aspects are shown, they have more of an impact on the reader.
Writing - 4.5/5 Stars
Written for young adults, this series has always embodied that style of writing. It's simplistic with bouts of poetic language. And it works. Thanks to the novel's short length, The Reunion is a fast, fun read that lies between fantasy and romance, often combining the two in a maelstrom that's nothing short of addictive.
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
I'm gutted that I've run out of instalments to read. I'm poor, so I'm gonna have to save my pennies so I can dive back into this stellar series. I hope The Reunion is the new norm, because the balance of themes and genres is fantastic.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
The Reunion...
Who will be the casualty...?
Quick Note: I couldn't find a picture of the book with The Reunion as the title, but not to worry, Dark Reunion is the same novel. The Reunion is just the UK edition's name.
Have I mentioned that this series is a guilty pleasure of mine? Well, after reading this entry, why don't we just drop the guilty part, huh? (Not that I ever really felt guilty.)
The Reunion isn't perfect, but despite its cheesiness, its ludicrous sequence of events, and its stretches in believability, I can't help but be utterly infatuated. And no instalment has ever taken me over so completely as this one. Well, of the ones I've read, anyway. This entry exudes all the qualities I love about the show: Strong, distinctive characters; a supernatural plot that revels in unpredictability; and a concentrated flow that has no time for pit stops.
Synopsis
Damon is forced to put his trust in the brother he loathes when Elena is threatened by a terrifying evil.
Can Stephan keep his promise to Elena and protect the town from its most powerful villain yet?
Who will be the casualty?
Plot - 4.5/5 Stars
Picking up six months after the end of The Fury, The Reunion is a tense and exciting novel that remains completely focused on telling a sharp story. With vampires, witches, and great evil we are treated to a creepy tale that fully capitalises on all the supernatural juice it can muster. There are twists and turns, revelations and revenge, and all of it is contained in under 250 pages.
Plus, all that build leads to a spectacular conclusion. Superb action couples with brutal bloodshed and vicious heartbreak to drive this ending deep. Sure, there are a few stretches in logic, and some things that happen go unexplained, but despite it dropping all reasoning, I almost had a tear in my eye.
Pace - 5/5 Stars
The Reunion is littered with magic and mystery, compelling the reader to continue through snappy and concise exposition, while basking in the adrenaline-infused glow of epic battles.
So, yeah, the pace is pretty phenomenal.
Characters - 5/5 Stars
Since the first entry we've predominantly followed Elena as she's introduced to the world of the supernatural and the consequences of falling for someone with a tainted soul. But with The Reunion, we mostly follow Bonnie, and, believe it or not, it works. The Vampire Diaries' cast has always been a solid one. Each character has been through things that have given depth to their already stellar personalities. Growth has always been consistent, and this entry doesn't let any of that go.
And while romance remains a strong undercurrent throughout, it takes a backseat to all the supernatural shenanigans. Everything has more room to breath, and when the lovey-dovey aspects are shown, they have more of an impact on the reader.
Writing - 4.5/5 Stars
Written for young adults, this series has always embodied that style of writing. It's simplistic with bouts of poetic language. And it works. Thanks to the novel's short length, The Reunion is a fast, fun read that lies between fantasy and romance, often combining the two in a maelstrom that's nothing short of addictive.
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
I'm gutted that I've run out of instalments to read. I'm poor, so I'm gonna have to save my pennies so I can dive back into this stellar series. I hope The Reunion is the new norm, because the balance of themes and genres is fantastic.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
September 29, 2016
Private Sydney by James Patterson (Private, #10) - Book Review
2.5/5 Stars
Secrets. Conspiracy. Murder.
All in a day's work...
I guess I've found my least favourite entry to the series (so far). Private Sydney isn't atrocious. There are suspenseful and superb moments throughout that comfortably sit within Patterson's ballpark; and then there are parts, big parts, that are so convoluted and confusing that the flow of the story is completely crippled.
Even the cast is a muddle. Bland and unimposing, it highlights a fault this series often commits. Outside of main protagonist Jack Morgan and his team, when instalments take place in other Private Investigation offices around the world, the cast is pretty much a copy-and-paste job (with some individual exceptions here and there).
Private Sydney does have smooth transitions, and its chapters are short and concentrated, but I can't help but feel unsatisfied and yearn for more solid answers to the many questions the book raises.
Synopsis
Even for Private Investigations, the world's top detective agency, it's tough to find a man who doesn't exist...
Craig Gisto has promised Eliza Moss that his elite team at Private Sydney will investigate the disappearance of her father. After all, as the CEO of a high-profile research company, Eric Moss shouldn't be difficult to find.
Except it's not just the man who's gone missing, all evidence he ever existed has vanished too. And there are powerful figures pulling the strings who want Moss to stay 'lost'.
But when a woman is found brutally murdered and a baby is missing, Private are suddenly drawn into another frantic search. And this is a case Craig has to throw everything into, because he may well be responsible for sending the killer straight to the victim's door...
Plot - 2.5/5 Stars
Maybe it's just because I've been tired today, or maybe I missed a piece of pertinent information in the novel, but Private Sydney doesn't feel like it fits the series. We're taking a break from Jack Morgan and are back with Craig Gisto, who we last saw in Private Down Under. Breaking the book into two plots, Patterson and Kathryn Fox start things off pretty well. Both stories have potential, and both grab the reader by their inner detectives.
The murdered woman and missing baby prove to be the most solid lines of plot. Things develop with twists and turns that are exciting and mystifying, and the conclusion is adrenaline-infused action mixed with some emotional moments that do strike home. It's a good story, not spectacular, but good. I enjoyed it.
The search for missing man Eric Moss, however, is not. It starts fine, with intrigue and strong, satisfying secrecy. From there, things delve deep into convolution. I understand its end and its answers, well, at least I think I do, but the journey is not pleasant. This plot feels the need to repeat things constantly, piling events upon events that only serve to reiterate the fact that something is 'strange' rather than adding anything for the reader to piece together.
Theories are thrown around and barely backed up, only for the answers to be a maddening mix of them all. And instead of taking the time to smooth it out, the authors rush the end, leaving a few loose threads.
Pace - 3/5 Stars
Private Sydney, surprisingly, contains a lot of useless fluff. It's a shock to the system as it strays from Patterson's usual style. There are interesting aspects that thrill and action that kicks ass, so the story is steady enough. Its dips, however, are very, very noticeable.
Characters - 2/5 Stars
The cast of Private Sydney is a weak one. Barely any background leaves the characters empty, giving them no motivation other than magical altruism to explain their actions. Each have their own role of course, but why those roles are right for them are a mystery. Development doesn't exist and personalities mesh so much that I'm thankful for their names.
There is one shining light, and that comes in the form of Eliza Moss. A new character, Eliza is the daughter of the missing man Craig is hired to find. She's disabled, and the only reason I mention that is because it offers an amazingly inspirational theme of overcoming adversity to a novel that desperately needs a spark. The fact that her condition doesn't hold her back and that the story enforces this with an impressive history does wonders.
Writing - 2.5/5 Stars
There are a lot of chapters that don't add much to the overall plot. Or sometimes they add what's already been added. Only to then go on to add more of the same. Chapters merge well enough, and there's no real disjoint or uncomfortable reading tied to the writing style.
Overall - 2.5/5 Stars
Private Sydney has its moments, but they are too few and too far between. If you enjoy the series it's worth the few hours, and even though it can stand on its own, I don't recommend starting with it. There are better entries that don't feel as rushed.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
Secrets. Conspiracy. Murder.
All in a day's work...
I guess I've found my least favourite entry to the series (so far). Private Sydney isn't atrocious. There are suspenseful and superb moments throughout that comfortably sit within Patterson's ballpark; and then there are parts, big parts, that are so convoluted and confusing that the flow of the story is completely crippled.
Even the cast is a muddle. Bland and unimposing, it highlights a fault this series often commits. Outside of main protagonist Jack Morgan and his team, when instalments take place in other Private Investigation offices around the world, the cast is pretty much a copy-and-paste job (with some individual exceptions here and there).
Private Sydney does have smooth transitions, and its chapters are short and concentrated, but I can't help but feel unsatisfied and yearn for more solid answers to the many questions the book raises.
Synopsis
Even for Private Investigations, the world's top detective agency, it's tough to find a man who doesn't exist...
Craig Gisto has promised Eliza Moss that his elite team at Private Sydney will investigate the disappearance of her father. After all, as the CEO of a high-profile research company, Eric Moss shouldn't be difficult to find.
Except it's not just the man who's gone missing, all evidence he ever existed has vanished too. And there are powerful figures pulling the strings who want Moss to stay 'lost'.
But when a woman is found brutally murdered and a baby is missing, Private are suddenly drawn into another frantic search. And this is a case Craig has to throw everything into, because he may well be responsible for sending the killer straight to the victim's door...
Plot - 2.5/5 Stars
Maybe it's just because I've been tired today, or maybe I missed a piece of pertinent information in the novel, but Private Sydney doesn't feel like it fits the series. We're taking a break from Jack Morgan and are back with Craig Gisto, who we last saw in Private Down Under. Breaking the book into two plots, Patterson and Kathryn Fox start things off pretty well. Both stories have potential, and both grab the reader by their inner detectives.
The murdered woman and missing baby prove to be the most solid lines of plot. Things develop with twists and turns that are exciting and mystifying, and the conclusion is adrenaline-infused action mixed with some emotional moments that do strike home. It's a good story, not spectacular, but good. I enjoyed it.
The search for missing man Eric Moss, however, is not. It starts fine, with intrigue and strong, satisfying secrecy. From there, things delve deep into convolution. I understand its end and its answers, well, at least I think I do, but the journey is not pleasant. This plot feels the need to repeat things constantly, piling events upon events that only serve to reiterate the fact that something is 'strange' rather than adding anything for the reader to piece together.
Theories are thrown around and barely backed up, only for the answers to be a maddening mix of them all. And instead of taking the time to smooth it out, the authors rush the end, leaving a few loose threads.
Pace - 3/5 Stars
Private Sydney, surprisingly, contains a lot of useless fluff. It's a shock to the system as it strays from Patterson's usual style. There are interesting aspects that thrill and action that kicks ass, so the story is steady enough. Its dips, however, are very, very noticeable.
Characters - 2/5 Stars
The cast of Private Sydney is a weak one. Barely any background leaves the characters empty, giving them no motivation other than magical altruism to explain their actions. Each have their own role of course, but why those roles are right for them are a mystery. Development doesn't exist and personalities mesh so much that I'm thankful for their names.
There is one shining light, and that comes in the form of Eliza Moss. A new character, Eliza is the daughter of the missing man Craig is hired to find. She's disabled, and the only reason I mention that is because it offers an amazingly inspirational theme of overcoming adversity to a novel that desperately needs a spark. The fact that her condition doesn't hold her back and that the story enforces this with an impressive history does wonders.
Writing - 2.5/5 Stars
There are a lot of chapters that don't add much to the overall plot. Or sometimes they add what's already been added. Only to then go on to add more of the same. Chapters merge well enough, and there's no real disjoint or uncomfortable reading tied to the writing style.
Overall - 2.5/5 Stars
Private Sydney has its moments, but they are too few and too far between. If you enjoy the series it's worth the few hours, and even though it can stand on its own, I don't recommend starting with it. There are better entries that don't feel as rushed.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
September 28, 2016
The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies, #3) - Book Review
4.5/5 Stars
I am Number Six.
To finish what they started,
they'll have to fight us first...
The Rise of Nine continues to chronicle our favourite aliens as they search for each other and partake in epic battles along the way. The series' structure is pretty predictable, but it's reliable thanks to its fast pace and gripping action. Each entry so far hasn't failed to delight and move the plot just that little bit further toward the endgame.
The first half is a little scattered, but when the story focuses, the build up is beyond worth it. We follow various viewpoints, each distinctive and delicious. Through those perspective we adventure through a tale of unity, hope, and utter devastation.
The board is filling up, and I cannot wait to see how the series handles the many captivating pieces. I know for sure it's going to be phenomenal (fingers crossed).
Synopsis
Until I met John Smith, Number Four, I'd been on the run alone, hiding and fighting to stay alive. Together we are much more powerful. But it could only last so long before we had to separate to find the others...
I went to Spain to find Seven, and I found even more, including a tenth member of the Garde who escaped from Lorien alive. Ella is younger than the rest of us, but just as brave. Now we're looking for the others - including John.
But so are they.
I am Number Six.
To finish what they started,
they'll have to fight us first.
Plot - 4/5 Stars
The Rise of Nine picks up not too long after the end of The Power of Six, only now we're treated to three viewpoints: Four's, Six's, and Seven's. I will admit I found the first half of the book a little scattered. I guess you could say it's meant to be, considering our cast has no real idea what the hell to do. Action scenes, while concentrated pieces of adrenaline that do not fail to get the blood pumping, also feel overly orchestrated, like they're just to give the characters something to do.
But, don't get me wrong, The Rise of Nin, from start to finish, is a white-knuckle ride.
I mean, come on, can aliens fighting for the survival of their race with superpowers ever get old?
Once the story pinpoints its purpose, things go boom (often literally). The race to unite, to survive and fight and succeed is tense and suitably suspenseful. The overall plot moves forward with startling surprises, and a little more lore is wreathed throughout the series' mythology.
The finale is action gold, but it is kind of abrupt.
Pace - 4.5/5 Stars
There are so many developments that that final page comes far too soon.
But don't worry, there's more to come.
Characters - 4.5/5 Stars
The Rise of Nine's three perspectives are impeccable. There's never any confusion about who's eyes you are looking through, and the fact that everyone is mostly scattered gives the novel the best adventure feel as we race across the Earth. Character development is small, but effective. Each member of the cast has already been through so much that their personalities are layered phenomenally as it is.
Their backgrounds give them major juice.
We also get a more in-depth look at the main bad guy, and some subtle hints pique the reader's interest in a horrifying (if I'm right) way.
Writing - 4/5 Stars
The author (or authors?) keeps the novel flying along with the present tense coupled with first-person narration. The style is simple but full of energy, which merges well with the super-charged plot and characters. Dialogue is good, for the most part; it can sometimes be a little stiff, and comedy can sink a scene when it falls flat.
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
To put it simply: The Rise of Nine is a relentless, riveting read.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
I am Number Six.
To finish what they started,
they'll have to fight us first...
The Rise of Nine continues to chronicle our favourite aliens as they search for each other and partake in epic battles along the way. The series' structure is pretty predictable, but it's reliable thanks to its fast pace and gripping action. Each entry so far hasn't failed to delight and move the plot just that little bit further toward the endgame.
The first half is a little scattered, but when the story focuses, the build up is beyond worth it. We follow various viewpoints, each distinctive and delicious. Through those perspective we adventure through a tale of unity, hope, and utter devastation.
The board is filling up, and I cannot wait to see how the series handles the many captivating pieces. I know for sure it's going to be phenomenal (fingers crossed).
Synopsis
Until I met John Smith, Number Four, I'd been on the run alone, hiding and fighting to stay alive. Together we are much more powerful. But it could only last so long before we had to separate to find the others...
I went to Spain to find Seven, and I found even more, including a tenth member of the Garde who escaped from Lorien alive. Ella is younger than the rest of us, but just as brave. Now we're looking for the others - including John.
But so are they.
I am Number Six.
To finish what they started,
they'll have to fight us first.
Plot - 4/5 Stars
The Rise of Nine picks up not too long after the end of The Power of Six, only now we're treated to three viewpoints: Four's, Six's, and Seven's. I will admit I found the first half of the book a little scattered. I guess you could say it's meant to be, considering our cast has no real idea what the hell to do. Action scenes, while concentrated pieces of adrenaline that do not fail to get the blood pumping, also feel overly orchestrated, like they're just to give the characters something to do.
But, don't get me wrong, The Rise of Nin, from start to finish, is a white-knuckle ride.
I mean, come on, can aliens fighting for the survival of their race with superpowers ever get old?
Once the story pinpoints its purpose, things go boom (often literally). The race to unite, to survive and fight and succeed is tense and suitably suspenseful. The overall plot moves forward with startling surprises, and a little more lore is wreathed throughout the series' mythology.
The finale is action gold, but it is kind of abrupt.
Pace - 4.5/5 Stars
There are so many developments that that final page comes far too soon.
But don't worry, there's more to come.
Characters - 4.5/5 Stars
The Rise of Nine's three perspectives are impeccable. There's never any confusion about who's eyes you are looking through, and the fact that everyone is mostly scattered gives the novel the best adventure feel as we race across the Earth. Character development is small, but effective. Each member of the cast has already been through so much that their personalities are layered phenomenally as it is.
Their backgrounds give them major juice.
We also get a more in-depth look at the main bad guy, and some subtle hints pique the reader's interest in a horrifying (if I'm right) way.
Writing - 4/5 Stars
The author (or authors?) keeps the novel flying along with the present tense coupled with first-person narration. The style is simple but full of energy, which merges well with the super-charged plot and characters. Dialogue is good, for the most part; it can sometimes be a little stiff, and comedy can sink a scene when it falls flat.
Overall - 4.5/5 Stars
To put it simply: The Rise of Nine is a relentless, riveting read.
Read more book-orientated posts over on my website: Matthew R. Bell's BookBlogBonanza
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A part of me cried out in pain...
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