Blackstone Publishing provided an early galley for review.
Every now and again, I like to dive into a sci-fi novel about space as it was a genre I readBlackstone Publishing provided an early galley for review.
Every now and again, I like to dive into a sci-fi novel about space as it was a genre I read a lot of in my teens. Having enjoyed an earlier novel by Segura, this one caught my eye.
Interestingly enough, this novel has two writers which I always find to be an intriguing exercise. Can I tell the difference between their two styles? (I could not.) Do their styles mesh well together? (They do.) The story itself is split between two main protagonists in two different locations which probably made their work a bit easier (assuming they each took one narrative path, which I am not sure if they did or not).
However, the narrative ping-pong really did not work for me here. While each storyline moved along and eventually came together to a satisfying conclusion, I found myself frustrated by being invested in one only to be jerked back to the other. That took some of the luster off of the book for me....more
Ace Books/Berkley Publishing provided an early galley for review.
We're back again for book three in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. I enjoyed book 1 Ace Books/Berkley Publishing provided an early galley for review.
We're back again for book three in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. I enjoyed book 1 and book 2, so I was ready for another run with our heroes.
By this point in the series, Dinniman's style and narrative rhythms are fairly well-established. We have the voices of the characters; we have the framework of the game and its elements. The new wrinkles are the layout of the level, the secrets behind them and what it will take for Carl and company to get through them. That is the where the freshness comes in each time, especially if each book is only going to give us one level of progression. There is a lot more story to go; Dinniman needs to be careful with how he doles it out to avoid either boring or burning out the reader.
The first half of this one was a bit slower for me, for the reasons just noted. However, when the second half hit all of the pieces came together and proceeded at a breakneck pace. Hopefully future volumes will give less of the former and more of the latter....more
This title recently came out in a mass-market paperback and thus was my choice for our library branch's monthly mystery book discussion for October ofThis title recently came out in a mass-market paperback and thus was my choice for our library branch's monthly mystery book discussion for October of 2024. As someone who enjoys books, it sounded like an interesting plot.
This was the first of Swanson's books that I have read, and I liked his approach to the story. It starts off with a casual, conversational way about it that makes it an easy read that pulls you along. As a librarian, all the references to books and poetry are nice layers. When the book throws out a solid twist within the first third, I was completely on-board.
I can see why this is either a book folks will enjoy or dislike. It definitely appeals to certain readers over others. I am hoping my discussion group (who are very avid mystery readers for decades) will appreciate this love letter to the genre and certain titles within it. That was certainly Swanson's intention here....more
Fantasy stories have always been in my wheelhouse, both as a reader and a writer. With an intriguing cover BooksGoSocial provided a galley for review.
Fantasy stories have always been in my wheelhouse, both as a reader and a writer. With an intriguing cover and description, I was interested to get in on the ground floor of a new series by a new author.
I have to admit that I had a very hard time clicking with this one. I got through almost half the book (250 out of 536 pages - a lot more than my usual 50 to 100 pages) to try to keep me interested, but it just was not sticking. Sadly, I have to move it to my did-not-finish pile; maybe I'll give it another shot later.
The narration is split between present-day Damian and alternating flashback chapters with his parents Rowin and Dawn that stretch as far back as seventeen years. The latter are there to give the reader foundational information regarding the conflicts with the church, a more dynamic way to show this rather than tell it all via info dumping or expository dialogue. For some reason, though, I didn't feel the urgency with them (since we know where both parents are come present-day). I felt that these put the brakes on the present day narration. Since the author planned for this to be a series right from the start, maybe these chapters might have served better as their own prequel novel to come later - once the reader felt some kind of connection to Rowin and Dawn and then wanted more of their story.
It is obvious that Allen put a lot of work into the worldbuilding which he parses out quite generously at points. The reader learns how the church is layered in with military rankings and structure. He also goes into great depth of the training the initiates face (a part I was actually into as it added several characters for Damian to play off) with an interesting subplot involving the chemical stimulant vival to push through the pain (a nice allegory to opioids, perhaps). But we also get a good bit about the card game Radiate which Damian is very good at (good enough to win money) as well as the vamp trade (prostitution). Again, all interesting ideas but it is a lot of a lot for a single book much less for a debut novel in a series.
If this book did not go through any kind of formal editing process on the publisher side, that might be why it fell off the rails for me. Editors can help to tighten a work, offer the tougher criticisms and encourage reworking to make a piece stronger....more
Review and Titan Books provided an early galley for review.
The concept, the setting and the cover of this novel really caught my attention. It soundedReview and Titan Books provided an early galley for review.
The concept, the setting and the cover of this novel really caught my attention. It sounded like it would a fun read.
Major has dabbled with mysteries featuring other literary figures before (he has a trio of Sherlock Holmes novels to date). So, this one seems to fall right into his lane. As it turns out, all of the main lead characters here come from past Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde stories with Muriel coming from the 1931 film adaptation (which the author fully acknowledges in his end-notes). Major's writing style and tone fits well with the Victorian era setting, coming across as elevated and proper. It reads in a very classic way.
At the heart of it all is the interplay and relationship between Henry/Edward and Muriel. There is a tension as well as a contrast in methods that provides a conflict to go along with the ongoing mystery itself. The differences in personalities provide the real uniqueness and intrigue of the story.
I appreciate the ending with its potential for a sequel. There is definitely more that Major can mine from the trio....more
University of Nevada Press provided an early galley for review.
I've never been to Vegas but have always wanted to go. The cover and description of thiUniversity of Nevada Press provided an early galley for review.
I've never been to Vegas but have always wanted to go. The cover and description of this novel sounded intriguing.
The Pyramid World hotel setting appears to be meant as a stand-in for the real-life Luxor hotel, with the story line of the construction to mirror that of the actual hotel in the early 90's. Unger, a professor of English at the University of Nevada - Las Vegas, clearly is drawing from a city he knows as he sprinkles in plenty of real Vegas locals - other hotels, restaurants, etc. - into the narrative. The details about all things casinos and gamblers also ring true.
I'm a bit on the fence with this one though. At times, it reads a lot more like a nonfiction historical book rather than a fiction novel. Not being familiar with the author (his last fiction book looks to have been from 1995), I am not sure if this is part of his writing style or just the approach taken for this particular release. The narrative arc spans over several decades for the main characters, thus it lacks the urgency I usually gravitate towards in stories. When we do get an in-depth scene with lots of character dialogue and interaction, I was definitely tuned in though.
Lake Union Publishing provided an early galley for review.
Author Brad Meltzer mentioned his enjoyment of this new novel on social media, so I knew I hLake Union Publishing provided an early galley for review.
Author Brad Meltzer mentioned his enjoyment of this new novel on social media, so I knew I had to check it out. The plot description was right up my alley, and I was familiar with Guggenheim's writing from television as well. Therefore, I was confident this would be a great ride.
The story bounces between "now" and flashbacks, the latter filling the reader in on how Jonas and Amanda's relationship developed as well as key moments relating to rising conflict. It is a method that works well in various forms of media (novels included). This allows Guggenheim to control the pacing with intense action followed by less stressful narrative releases that still move the story forward. The characters are interesting and likable which goes a long way to getting me invested in how the story will turn out.
As for the plot itself, it definitely kept me engaged. The concept of parallel universes is one I've enjoyed since childhood, so having that history made wrapping my head around the "science" here easy enough. The challenges that Jonas faces along the way as well as his actions to conquer them ring true. The themes of love, desperation, and revenge add to the story nicely.
I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it to anyone intrigued by the synopsis....more
Simon and Schuster provided an early galley for review.
As her introductory author's note states, Stapley was a 90's teen passionate about the music anSimon and Schuster provided an early galley for review.
As her introductory author's note states, Stapley was a 90's teen passionate about the music and artists of that time. That love and longing translates perfectly into the character of Hen, the sullen teen who Jane encounters shortly after her arrival in the country.
While the present day acts as the roadmap of the story, the flashback chapters provided much-needed backstory to the relationship between Jane and Elijah. I had to smile with the BBS (bulletin-board system) exchanges; early Internet chatrooms were something one does not forget. The use of letters between characters also works very well here (it is a literary technique I don't think about utilizing that often myself). I also liked that the flashbacks are written in past tense while the "present day" chapters are written in present tense. It is a subtle thing (it took me almost a third of the book to register it) that works well.
Stapley mixes real world musicians like Bono and Michael Stipe with those she has made up for her tale (like the reimagined Seattle music scene and her stand-in for Sinéad O'Connor, one of the artists Stapley praises in her opening author's note). For those who know their 90's music trivia, these nods and reworkings will be very familiar. Whether one considers these reinterpretations of people and events as creative license or an literary shortcuts will vary. In any case, the story makes it way to a satisfying conclusion.
I like the added bonus of three song lyrics at the end. That is a nice touch too....more
Harper Perennial provided an early galley for review.
I had the pleasure back at the PLA Convention in April 2024 to hear Kois talk about this upcomingHarper Perennial provided an early galley for review.
I had the pleasure back at the PLA Convention in April 2024 to hear Kois talk about this upcoming novel. I liked the aspect of suburban horror tied to it being a period piece set in the late 1980's. It really enticed me to add it to my to-read list.
As a writer, I liked the way Kois has this novel structured. The opening chapter introduces our main cast, followed by the next four chapters telling the parallel exploits of each of the pairs and their boss. The final chapter pulls it all together. It works very well to move the story along, keep the focus on a specific arc, and give the reader easily digestible portions. The overall shorter length of this novel means there is not a lot of filler as well, which is always appreciated.
As for the story itself, I found the opening and closing chapters the strongest, followed by the Kevin chapter and the Nishu/Al chapter. The Sigmone and Joel chapter was next, though it is more about the former of the two with the latter sort of along for the ride. I found the Mark and Ryan chapter to be the one that least kept my interest.
Kois has a strong voice when it comes to the realistic/everyday aspects. This definitely has encouraged me to check out his earlier novel from 2023....more
Ace/Berkley Publishing provided an early galley for review.
I had a lot of fun with the first book in this series and was excited that the second's re-Ace/Berkley Publishing provided an early galley for review.
I had a lot of fun with the first book in this series and was excited that the second's re-release was coming so soon. Less wait between volumes is always good, especially for a story like this one which is designed for a longer series.
Now that Dinniman has gotten a lot of the set-up out of the way with the first book, he is able to dive headlong into the plotlines and progression of this LitRPG series. That means even more crazier encounters and complex narratives being set up and executed in the form of quests. The quests usually keep things into controlled, organized blocks. Overall, I found this volume's pace to be much quicker because of this.
I like too that he is open for changing and evolving the main characters (Carl and Donut). He adds and subtracts elements (gear, abilities, etc.) in order to give himself new toys with which to play in upcoming encounters. This certainly keeps things from being repetitive and predictable.
I am on-board for the next volume which is coming later in the Fall....more
Random House Publishing provided an early galley for review.
This is the fourth novel from Rendon and, having read them all, I see that she employs simRandom House Publishing provided an early galley for review.
This is the fourth novel from Rendon and, having read them all, I see that she employs similar elements with this one as she has with her Cash Blackburn mystery series. Being a Native American, she writes about what she knows and does a fantastic job doing that. Her details about life for those on the reservations comes across clearly and honestly. It is a strength that she plays into for her novels.
Rendon also makes it a point to highlight the challenges that Native Americans face. This novel specifically focuses on the abduction of women and children from reservations. She feels it is important to shine a light on these problems and uses her writing to inform and to sound a call for action.
There are a couple things in her writing, though, that did not work for me as a reader.
First, she occasionally peppers dialogue with the Ojibwe language. While this very much adds to the realism of her work, it can be a source of confusion for the reader. Without some kind of translation, it puts the responsibility on the reader to find a way to translate things (if they decide to put in that effort at all). That takes time that pulls them out of the reading experience.
Second, her sentence structure tends to be less complex. It is often person-did-this, person-did-that. A lot of telling rather than showing. Again, it factors into the overall reading experience.
In both of these things, the mileage may vary depending upon the reader and their usual consumption sources...more
Penguin Group Viking provided an early galley for review.
I've become a fan of Osman's mysteries over the past few years, having read all of his novelsPenguin Group Viking provided an early galley for review.
I've become a fan of Osman's mysteries over the past few years, having read all of his novels so far. His Thursday Murder Club series is a lot of fun. Of course, when I saw he was putting out a new book in a new series, I had to check it out.
With his two protagonists, Osman is giving us a family affair here. I like the dynamic between the two that shows the similarities and differences between them quickly. The world they move through is also a bit grittier and more ruthless, a nice change from his earlier work. And then there is Rosie, the perfect spice for this combination. I always enjoy characters who are writers.
Of course, there are plenty of interesting and fun secondary characters here as well. The author has a knack at populating his world with folks that we very likely could see again in the sequel(s).
Lastly, I like Osman's use of ChatGPT as an element in the story. As someone who has played around with the AI tool, I found it to be something writers can use to our benefit....more
Penguin Group/Viking provided an early galley for review.
Haig was an author who hit my radar in late 2020 and early 2021. Enjoying earlier works meantPenguin Group/Viking provided an early galley for review.
Haig was an author who hit my radar in late 2020 and early 2021. Enjoying earlier works meant this was one I would check out based on his byline alone.
The plot, as often is the case with this author, is a bit unconventional. However, he uses those fantastical elements to explore interesting aspects of human nature. His work often provokes deeper thought.
I quickly found a connection with Grace even though we have nothing in common. I chalk it up to the author's effortless presentation of the character, making her appealing and sympathetic. The fact that the narration is one of her telling/writing to someone also gives it a more personal feel as well.
The structural layout of this novel is an interesting. Rather than numbered chapters, they are instead each given a title of some sort. The lengths are also highly varied with some as short as a single paragraph. This makes for a very different reading experience and for the story to stand out....more
Harper Collins provided an early galley for review.
It is always a good sign when the prologue of a book has a curious hook that reels the reader in. THarper Collins provided an early galley for review.
It is always a good sign when the prologue of a book has a curious hook that reels the reader in. That is what I found here with Murrin's debut novel. It made me want to get more of the story.
Also, I learned something from this novel - that divorce was unlawful in Ireland from 1937 to 1996 (which was when the 15 Ammendment to their Constitution was signed into law). It is funny how one can take for granted something that is ever-present in one's view only to realize that it wasn't always the case elsewhere. Murrin's story revolves around several marriages in various states of dysfunction, and the changing stance on divorce casts a shadow over the entire narrative.
All in all, this is a very engaging character-driven tale about realistic yet flawed people. Murrin is an author I'll be watching for more in the future....more
Ace and Berkley Publishing Group provided an early galley for review.
As a long-time dungeon dweller myself (a D&D player since 1982), this title and cAce and Berkley Publishing Group provided an early galley for review.
As a long-time dungeon dweller myself (a D&D player since 1982), this title and concept was perfect for me.
Dinniman wastes no time getting the concept down; in chapter 1 we and Carl are thrown right into the thick of things. It is literally do the dungeon crawl or wait to die. Of course, there are questions: Who? How? Why? Unfortunately, there is no time for answers as the world bombards Carl right out of the gate - much like the tutorial phase of a videogame. Of course, once arriving at the first safe house, the true tutorial begins (the perfect way of disguising a lot of expository information for the reader). Dinniman draws from many gamer sources and elements, again a perfect fit for someone like me.
The combat action is described very clearly and quite violently to boot. Again, very videogame like. It takes on this vibe quite well.
Despite the length, it moves fairly quickly. Of course, it is just book 1 of a longer series; the publisher appears to have an aggressive release schedule for the follow-ups so there won't be too long a wait for the story to continue. I am certainly onboard for the ride....more
I liked the first book in the series well enough that seeing the second one pop up had me interested. I also like to support authors who are doing whaI liked the first book in the series well enough that seeing the second one pop up had me interested. I also like to support authors who are doing whatever it takes to get the stories in them out for others to enjoy.
Again, I must praise Hendricks on several fronts. She captures 1950's America well, from the fashion to the mannerisms to the dialogue. It all fits. Even when she touches on themes that we might not have seen on classic shows from that era, she manages to keep it all within that framework in presentation and messaging. It is a sanitized approach where there is no usage of curse words, and any intense sexual moments are cut-away rather than being explicitly portrayed. She has taken the time to really immerse herself in the world within which her characters live. For readers comfortable with that as well, this is a nice place to land.
Also, as I noted last book, Hendricks takes her time unfolding her story. Once more, we're clocking in at over 400+ pages; she definitely is giving readers their money's worth. Because the book has such a large cast of characters (adding more new characters this time around like Ronnie the drummer, Nancy the teen reporter and more), the larger page count makes sense; it gives each one time some time in the narrative spotlight. In a lot of ways, this series reminds me of the classic soap operas with detailed scenes of several subplot threads going on at the same time. The story moves at a slower pace, reflective of the 1950's time period, but the book still reads in a "moving manner".
Overall, this was a relaxing, enjoyable read....more
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