This was epic in scope, which also, at times, made it feel REALLY long. I would think it had to be close to the end, and there would still be hundredsThis was epic in scope, which also, at times, made it feel REALLY long. I would think it had to be close to the end, and there would still be hundreds of pages left, haha.
The world-building and characters were clearly developed.
It's always good to come to an older fantasy series that does not try to dumb down the story's scope and the personalities.
I have had many Lois McMaster Bujold books on my radar for years, but this was someone my first. It absolutely will not be my last of hers!
I love the terrorism vibe, but there was a bit too much-disjointed telling and many instances of "redaction" that got annoying. I would have rather haI love the terrorism vibe, but there was a bit too much-disjointed telling and many instances of "redaction" that got annoying. I would have rather had some of them removed in repetitive sections.
I wish more travel timelines and operations had more depth because it was easy to detach from something that should have triggered emotion in me.
Excellent addition to the military thriller genre, and Reece is a well-depicted character.
Most of my issues relate to personal experience with related topics, but I know some things can't be released in this forum.
Overall I wanted a bit better flow in some of the connecting sections.
Dang, how do you mess with the book title already on book 3?
The premise was good, and the mystery mainly unfolding went well.
Unfortunately, coming tDang, how do you mess with the book title already on book 3?
The premise was good, and the mystery mainly unfolding went well.
Unfortunately, coming to this one off of a spectacular Alex Cross showed some of the weakness in the plot flow, and it felt a bit like a female echo.
The biggest thing missing in this series from Alex Cross is the characters' relationship, which gives them a tad bit more depth, as there are multiple narrators on the good guy side with Lindsay Boxer.
All of these marriages are terrible. These neighbors are WAY too involved in one another lives. Obviously, this leads to immense drama.
There are the All of these marriages are terrible. These neighbors are WAY too involved in one another lives. Obviously, this leads to immense drama.
There are the Loverlys, Whitney & Jacob. Mom, Whitney, has anger management problems that may or may not have led to her son's fall from a bedroom window that now has him in a coma. Whitney's dissatisfaction with her life is destroying her family. She worries about Xavier's social and intellectual development before the fall. There are also twins that seem to be more in line with social acceptability. Jacob, while present in between his business trips, doesn't seem to have much of a personality.
The Parks, Aidan & Blair, whose daughter Chloe is friends with Xavier, who fell out the window. Blair is best friends with Whitney but has witnessed a couple of her outbursts towards Xavier. Aidan has a wandering eye that he doesn't try to hide. Blair has a weird obsession with the Loverlys.
The Goldsmiiths, Ben & Rebecca, who keep trying and failing to have a baby. They got married together because they wanted to have a baby together. The disappointments in their inability to bring a child to term have put them at odds with one another, while Rebecca hides a major secret.
Mara & Albert moved here from Portugal, they had a son that no one seems to know about, but he is no longer living. She and her husband seem to have drifted vastly apart over the years.
Ashley knows how to write flawed and selfish mothers, and she brings that to stark reality here. The final line was great, but it also led me to more questions.
(view spoiler)[Whose baby is it? Did Mara poison her husband? Will Blair tell Jacob about Whitney? Will Ben fess up? What the heck will happen to Whitney? (hide spoiler)]
I probably wouldn't have liked this one as much if I didn't enjoy the characters as well.
Honestly, it's hard to really pinpoint what was so great aboI probably wouldn't have liked this one as much if I didn't enjoy the characters as well.
Honestly, it's hard to really pinpoint what was so great about it, but while reading it, I had a good time, and that's what matters.
The hard partygirl ex-wife of a former NFL Quarterback is found unresponsive at a party after some sexual tryst and ends up in a vegetative state in a coma and on life support.
3 young men go on trial with a clear ring leader being the final one to be with her when the sex games turn dark, leading to minor charges and a short jail stint.
The ex-husband is still listed in her will as the final say in what to do with life support. But he knows secrets that make me keep her alive.
Now that the ringleader's release date is due early, a prosecution attorney wants to take another shot at the case.
Things turn convoluted when money buys silence but can't buy humanity.
Romance ensues. Mysteries unravel, and thrills are thrilled.
The stories were mostly more humorous as the grandkids were younger, but there were still awesome quotable passThis book was great and made me laugh!
The stories were mostly more humorous as the grandkids were younger, but there were still awesome quotable passages to help teach Chicaho history and make it relatable to teens.
Grandma Dowdel is a hoot! Most of the wisdom comes from Joey.
Worth the read! I'm going to have to re-read it now with my tween!
Some of the many quotes that made me laugh "Even from a distance, he looked like somebody you didn't want to know better."
"About the only thing Vandaylia and Junior had going for them as a couple was that they weren't cousins."
“Never trust an ugly woman. She's got a grudge against the world,' said Grandma who was no oil painting herself.”
This one was a great 2nd edition to the story, although the Antagonist's narrative sections were less enjoyable. He had a weird and anoyign idiom obseThis one was a great 2nd edition to the story, although the Antagonist's narrative sections were less enjoyable. He had a weird and anoyign idiom obsession and would repeatedly explain the ones he used. I think maybe author Jeffrey Burton was trying to do this to make him so, but it wasn't as fun to read. I also think the mystery was less exciting here. Serial killers are a lot more fun ;)
Vira is still the bestest girl ever! I could read about her forever!
Mace's love life continues to grow lamer. I feel bad for him, and as much as I like Kippy, maybe he needs to have an interim romance.
Quantum Leap but worse in terms of events/bodies that MC Zits finds himself thrown into. Some of the darker historical moments in Native American vs. Quantum Leap but worse in terms of events/bodies that MC Zits finds himself thrown into. Some of the darker historical moments in Native American vs. White Man history. But this was well done and didn't get too crazy.
Sherman Alexie is an excellent storyteller and the narration adds an extra element that is enjoyable.
As with most of Alexie's novels, there's always a serious silver lining moment that brings tears to my eyes!
I had missed this one in my early King reading days and got to experience it for the first time now.
This was a well-done Paranormal mystery, although I had missed this one in my early King reading days and got to experience it for the first time now.
This was a well-done Paranormal mystery, although I did want a bit more from some of the paths I was led down. There were a lot of brilliant details that could have led in many directions.
While it was on the longer end, I want to experience it again in the next few years now that I can see the brilliant placement of some of the clues and information that seemed minor at the time. I know, I know, nothing is ever a minor detail in a King novel, but some parts were a lot of details with no good place to put them.
Ky was a great addition to the King 'Verse.
The Sarah Laughs name reveal gave me chills! Along with the fridge magnet fun.
You can tell this book was written in the late 90s prior to the better portrayal of female characters, so that could be a turn-off for some readers. For example, 40Y Man romancing a 21Y woman, while repeatedly commenting on how wrong it should feel because she LOOKS 16...
Overall, it was an enjoyable time 4-4.5 stars....more
After finding much left wanting in the first book, I wasn't sure what to think about this series, but I am glad that I gave the series another chance.After finding much left wanting in the first book, I wasn't sure what to think about this series, but I am glad that I gave the series another chance.
The biggest issue in this one was that the flow from the first book into this one seemed disjointed. This could have almost been a true book one, and we could have skipped most of the prior novel as a prequel.
The Laughing Corpse solved many of the problems I had with Guilty Pleasures. There weren't as many cringe moments, and the editing seemed much better accomplished.
The plotline was more detailed and entertaining, and the characters had more depth and personality. It was easier to see the longevity of the series here. Fight scenes were much more entertaining, and the dialogue was more enjoyable.
Nigerian Mythology is so fascinatingly dark and chaotic. I love the seemingly randomness that can come from fantasy books that use it as inspiration.
WNigerian Mythology is so fascinatingly dark and chaotic. I love the seemingly randomness that can come from fantasy books that use it as inspiration.
With the emergence of many YA Fantasy books featuring similar traditional creatures, it is fun to see the different viewpoints given by the authors.
A lot was going on in this one, and you needed to pay attention because politics come into play a lot, both in the human realm and the mythological roles.
Many tricksters on both sides try to sabotage just for the sake of creating chaos.
I really enjoyed Dèmi and Jonas as characters and the complicated mother-daughter relationship.
This is a series that I will easily continue as the culture here is so beautiful and colorful.
While the main mystery "killer" was not that big of a mystery, this book does a lot to stir the pot.
With dirty politicA solidly good Psych Thriller.
While the main mystery "killer" was not that big of a mystery, this book does a lot to stir the pot.
With dirty politics, a charity organization, women with no regard for other's husbands, and playing up the jealousy and cattiness of women. There is discrediting of multiple female characters from others and a lack of banding together against "the men and politics". from both male and female characters.
This was done brilliantly to depict the ruthless environment of the book. it was almost hard to believe that Sloane was still such a nice person and did not lose herself.
Mental health, especially as it pertains to women's "hysterics" was well utilized in the narrative and Liv Constantine knew her characters and her audience.
The twists and smaller shockers were fun and highly enjoyable.
The biggest thing I wanted more of was the actual major deal going on behind the scenes that was more brushed over than it should have been. I would have liked to have more insider narration on that from Whit.
The other issue was that I was NEVER at ANY POINT sold on the huge falling in love between Whit & Sloane that was discussed but never portrayed adequately.
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