I have to say that my memory of this book was far better than the reality. I was disappointed in how lifeless The Lost World is following Jurassic ParI have to say that my memory of this book was far better than the reality. I was disappointed in how lifeless The Lost World is following Jurassic Park. Gone are the themes overflowing in the first story as, ultimately, this book isn't about anything. It feels more like a primer for the eventual script that was to come.
Even Ian Malcolm, who was a standout in the first book, seems rather flat here. Generally, it simply vanished in the shadows of a far superior predecessor.
Overall, it is still a completely serviceable book, just a bit shallow which is made all the worse in comparison to Jurassic Park. Ultimately, it just feels tacked on, and I was hoping for more....more
With a story as revered as this, there isn't much to say that hasn't been said a dozen times in the near century since it was first written.
For me LovWith a story as revered as this, there isn't much to say that hasn't been said a dozen times in the near century since it was first written.
For me Lovecraft is continually the master of intriguing concepts with an oddly emotionless prose style. An odd mix that is undeniably unique.
This is not my favorite work of his, but as I had heard so much about it, I wanted to read it for myself. While I did find a massive chunk of the story dry and largely uninteresting, I have no regrets experiencing it for myself....more
As opening acts go, Parliament of Rooks is fine. The art is beautiful. The narrative format is interesting, but theImpressive, but not yet compelling.
As opening acts go, Parliament of Rooks is fine. The art is beautiful. The narrative format is interesting, but the characters fail to shine here especially when stacked against the overall problem that comes to light.
I wanted to be dragged by the nose into issue #2, but I was left wondering if I cared enough to proceed. Perhaps I will one day, but mostly because the art is so incredibly gothic and haunting. ...more
Coming into House of Leaves, I had little concrete information aside from the internet's collective declarations that the book was weird, unsettling, Coming into House of Leaves, I had little concrete information aside from the internet's collective declarations that the book was weird, unsettling, and unique. That glowing endorsement and the fact that it had been credited with inspiring one of my favorite stories of all time, Control, I couldn't stay away.
As usual, I will avoid most of the plot points here, but suffice it to say that this novel has taught me a few things about just how strange and creative a narrative can be crafted. As I explained to my wife, you, the reader, are an active participant in the novel. You read a book compiled by one character based on research collected and commented upon by another about a documentary filmed by a photojournalist who buys a house that grows stranger as he and his family settle into it.
How strange? Let's say the interior of the house is 1/4 inch longer than the exterior, and that's only the beginning of the oddities in store on Ash Tree Lane.
At its core, it's not the creepy, ever-changing mystery house that held my interest but the oddly personal way the tale was told. What I found myself obsessed with were the many flawed characters and the various ways in which the stresses of the house directly, or the notions that reached through the more removed scenarios, amplified, and later, preyed upon those flaws.
I have heard this book referred to as a terrifying read or as a pretentious piece of post-modern drivel, and yes, to a degree, it is both, but it is somehow neither at the same time. I have never read another novel like this, and just when I thought I had felt everything I could, Mark Danielewski snuck in one final gut punch; a section of letters written by a character's embattled mother to her estranged son had me in tears at 6 am on a Sunday morning when everyone else in my home was sleeping peacefully.
After closing the book, my first read-through done, I could only declare my intention to ride this rollercoaster at least one more time. But until I summon the courage to face those cold, dark, malleable halls again, House of Leaves will stay with me. ...more
I would love nothing more than to say that The Oath is either terrible or amazing. The truth is much more complicated. I don't usually skim reviews beI would love nothing more than to say that The Oath is either terrible or amazing. The truth is much more complicated. I don't usually skim reviews before I read a book, but something told me to do so this time. What I found were several warnings about Peretti being a deeply entrenched Christian writer as if that is inherently a bad thing.
I am not religious myself, but I was raised around it, so I shrugged off everything I read and dove in. At first, I was enthralled. The initial 200-250 pages were like reading an excellent small-town conspiracy horror story. An outsider is killed in a horrific way that cannot be easily explained. The people of Hyde River stonewall every attempt to dig any deeper while alluding to long and closely held secrets. While in the shadows, a mysterious killer stalks our protagonist as he seeks to understand just what happened to his brother.
Great stuff, right? I thought so, too, but it careens off a cliff at about page 300. From there, the rules of the world, previously established, fall apart in favor of the Christian message. Now, if the novel had established this tone and reality earlier on or even highlighted the spiritual troubles of our two main characters before literally having another character speak them into existence more than halfway through, even this could work.
Peretti's views on Christianity are also askew from anything Baptist churches taught me, but that discussion shouldn't count against the book. Only what is written in these pages should matter for a review. Character assassination becomes the method by which the author brings forward his message. The story's logic takes a massive hit as well, and on top of it all, Jesus becomes the Deus Ex Machina that resolves the story, tying too shiny a bow on the events that take place.
Needless to say, I was thoroughly disappointed in this one. I do not recommend The Oath. 2.5/5...more
What a difference a day makes. In summing up the impression I was left after reading this pulse-pounding military sci-fi romp, the old idiom comes to What a difference a day makes. In summing up the impression I was left after reading this pulse-pounding military sci-fi romp, the old idiom comes to mind. When a routine reservist training exercise meets with desperate aliens seeking a means to save their race, confusion and violence ensue. Nick Snape begins his Weapons of Choice series at nearly a full sprint, only to pour on more speed as he goes. We, the readers, are in the thick of it from the very beginning, learning about our characters and adversary on the fly as we moved from engagement to engagement throughout a Scottish forest, occasionally stopping by Washington to get a bird's eye view of the whole situation.
Pacing is the blade upon which this adventure is balanced. We get very broad strokes on characters as we are moving so quickly. They are in the dirt, scrambling to survive, and as such, there isn't much downtime to be had with them. In fairness, this is the first in a seven-book saga, and there are severe hints that quiet moments are coming. At no point was I left mistrusting the author's intent or skill to bring forward his characters in deep and meaningful ways as the story continues.
Make no mistake, this novel is the initial hook, and considering that, it is sharpest when it leans into the science fiction of it all. In the opinion of this reviewer, it is the nature of the aliens, the tech involved, and the motivation of their one-way run to our planet that presents the largest mystery and spurred me forward. While the modern military tactics, action, and politics are well done, give me more of the vivid imaginings present in those moments.
In the end, this is a stellar start to what I anticipate to be a wild ride through an enthralling new universe. 4.5/5...more
I came by this novel on Twitter, breaking that most cardinal of rules, judging it a fun and light-hearted read by it's cover. That turned out to be moI came by this novel on Twitter, breaking that most cardinal of rules, judging it a fun and light-hearted read by it's cover. That turned out to be mostly true.
Angela Sylvaine has sculpted a cozy, believable small town complete with poorly kept secrets and discontent youths, and into this well-realized setting she drops a fairly unique alien conundrum.
Make no mistakes, this novel is the equivalent of the type of B-movies that once effortlessly earned their place on the front shelves of any Blockbuster. It is fun and dark and surprisingly savage both which it's characters' emotions and with the flesh and blood of its townsfolk.
The stakes here are real even when the novel takes surreal turns and I was enthralled. If you are a fan of stories in the vein of Critters, Night of the Creeps, or Stranger Things, pick up Frost Bite and a few boxes of your favorite movie snack. ...more
I won't bury the lede, as noir-esque stories go, this is solid. 'The Case of the Velvet Claws' is a very old book with all the olAn old tale well told
I won't bury the lede, as noir-esque stories go, this is solid. 'The Case of the Velvet Claws' is a very old book with all the old fashioned verbage, and sensibilities that go along with it. If you have issues setting aside the "triggered" mentality inherent in our time, I would avoid it. But if you're down for something out of time, this book is a refreshing and interesting read.
From a craft standpoint, it directly contradicts a number of modern writing "rules," some in enjoyable ways, others can be much more jarring. Gardner writes almost entirely from outside his characters in a way that recall plays. At times it can seem crude, but it's undeniably effective for the no nonsense style of the plot and tone.
I didn't come to this novel knowing how it would be constructed, but hoping for a detective (well... investigative lawyer) story with grit and surprises. I got what I came for and it doesn't hurt that it fits with the new series and old TV movies, I was already familiar with.
I could have only appreciated it more if it played that classic theme at the end....more
I don't know if these should count as books, but Amazon counts them, so I'm going with it.
This is my first blush with Joe Hill, and I have been lookinI don't know if these should count as books, but Amazon counts them, so I'm going with it.
This is my first blush with Joe Hill, and I have been looking forward to it for some time. Being a fan of many of his father's books, I wondered just how far the apple fell from the tree. It turns out the distance is negligible in this case.
The Pram is a short but gruesome tale about loss and disconnection with an air of supernatural horror. At first, I was concerned that this would continue the tried and tired approach of masking suppressed trauma beneath some ambiguous scenario that may or may not be only in the main character's head. I was thoroughly relieved to find the threat real and the scenario both simplistic in its existence outside of our characters while being complicated by their emotional baggage.
It's a short read, so give it a shot if you're looking to make your skin crawl....more
This story is far creepier than I expected going in. For a tale so short, it covers a great deal and never allows the dread to fade as it rockets alonThis story is far creepier than I expected going in. For a tale so short, it covers a great deal and never allows the dread to fade as it rockets along. The Narrator knocks the performance out of the park, nailing the emotion with ease. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a rough night's sleep....more
Miss Olson continues to impress with this second book in her Nightshades series. I continue to be amazed at the texture and imagination placed in her Miss Olson continues to impress with this second book in her Nightshades series. I continue to be amazed at the texture and imagination placed in her worlds. This one is even more to my liking than The Old World series due to its more grounded portrayal of vampires and their function in regard to humans.
The characters here lack some of the shine her other books are overflowing with, but that is relative to their length. Still, I don't want for personality, only development, though I imagine that by the time the series concludes, I will have the completed arcs that I am looking for.
It's another solid book by one of my favorite authors. 4/5...more
I have been a fan of Melissa F. Olson's Old World series for a while, having read all the mainline novels, but I never got around to this series. So II have been a fan of Melissa F. Olson's Old World series for a while, having read all the mainline novels, but I never got around to this series. So I put on audible, and before I knew it, I had burned through this entire book.
I love the variation she takes with the vampires in this setting. Where the Old World books lean heavily on magic, Nightshades is very scientific in its approach. I'm not sure which I prefer, but I can say that having the world know of their existence is fresh and exciting, especially from the FBI angle taken here.
I have already bought book two and will ravenously consume it the same way I did this novel. If you like Vampires with a bit more science and less mysticism, try this one out. I believe you will be more than satisfied....more
In this third installment of the Ships of Britannia series, we finally reach the point Maia had aimed for since Book 1. She becomes a Ship. Most of thIn this third installment of the Ships of Britannia series, we finally reach the point Maia had aimed for since Book 1. She becomes a Ship. Most of this novel feels like setup, very engaging setup, but all the same. At this point, the novel focuses more on the journey and characters' reactions vs. the plot's mechanisms.
I actually preferred this, though there were long periods where we covered POV characters that seemed largely superfluous until the final chapters. By the end, everything comes together rather perfectly in a climax that comes as a surprise but reaches back to the earliest parts of Book 1. It is an excellent twist and it couldn't have been executed without the intensive character work.
Needless to say, I am strapped in for the final two books in this series and I can't wait to see what role, Maia, Raven, and the others play in the uncertain future that is to come.
As with the previous title, Prey of the Huntress is a deftly constructed tale that honors mythology while taking it in both inventive and unforeseen dAs with the previous title, Prey of the Huntress is a deftly constructed tale that honors mythology while taking it in both inventive and unforeseen directions. The prose remains excellent as do the characterizations. In this book, supporting characters like Raven and Milo take roles closer to the story's center while Maia moves into the backseat (or so it felt to me).
That is where my concerns with the novel take place. Maia has not been a character to drive the plot in this series, though I feel getting there will be part of her ongoing arc. However, with this book, she is almost a non-factor. The story's events are continuously happening to her and she seems to have little agency. That in itself is not a problem. It works that way with many mortals in ancient myth, only here, as the book continues, the story pulls away from her, beginning a new plotline that, while I found vastly more interesting than hers, has seemingly nothing to do with Maia's plight from this book or the first. I understand the structure Prey of the Huntress holds, it just seemed like another character's novel was intercut between the chapters of this one, and that I found a bit more distracting than I would have preferred.
I still enjoyed my time with the book and if you're looking for a mythological fiction tale, this series is hard to beat. On to the Trials of Neptune... 3.5/5 (rounded to 4) ...more
First let me say, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I bought it on a whim after seeing the TicTok post about it and the author. I found the short clip hFirst let me say, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I bought it on a whim after seeing the TicTok post about it and the author. I found the short clip heartwarming and took a chance.
I would say that the book didn't change my life or anything, but it was a fun read. The characters were mostly believable and Leigh actually felt as conflicted and confused as she should have been given the situation.
Where the novel begins to fall apart is in the mystery. The answers are uncovered for Leigh rather than her actually finding useful clues and making deductions based on them. Its forgivable given the lead is only 16, but still disappointing.
The antagonist left a bit to be desired as well, as did the dynamics between Leigh and the ghosts. I get the feeling that there was initially a much more elaborate journey to the eventual ending than what was published, and I would have loved to read that version.
Still, I don't regret reading any part of this, and I would definitely return to Simmons-Pierce Manor for another visit. 4/5...more
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