Five stars for managing to be both very scary and emotionally gut wrenching. The story was literally chilling! Such a good mystery with supernatural eFive stars for managing to be both very scary and emotionally gut wrenching. The story was literally chilling! Such a good mystery with supernatural elements....more
review is xposted on my blog. Thank you NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. ----
“What was that noise? What happened to the Christmreview is xposted on my blog. Thank you NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. ----
“What was that noise? What happened to the Christmas tree?” Nathan asked. “Your cat is what happened. If Shadow doesn’t smarten up, he’s gone – out of this house,” Justen said, pointing his thumb over his shoulder.
The Cat in the Christmas Tree is a middle-grade chapter book about a rambunctious cat named Shadow. There are some fantasy elements to this short but sweet tale of a badly behaving cat.
Justen and Sara are husband and wife and parents of their eight year old child, Nathan. They are also guardians of a black cat named Shadow. The story opens up on Christmas Eve, with Shadow running around the house, knocking over eggnog and climbing the curtains. Justen is frustrated and fed up with the cat, while Sara is more compassionate. Nathan absolutely adores his cat, and becomes upset when his father threatens to get rid of Shadow. Nathan makes a wish on the Christmas tree to keep Shadow away from it. As the night goes on, Shadow’s behavior continues to get him in trouble, and Justen convinces Sara that Shadow must be put up for adoption. But unbeknownst to them, the Christmas tree is indeed magical, and Shadow will be taught a lesson about his behavior.
When I started reading The Cat in the Christmas Tree, I thought it might be a story about having compassion and patience. It is that, but it’s also to help teach children boundaries. The magical Christmas tree helps Shadow understand why his behavior is bad and the consequences of bad behavior. This is a good lesson for young people and in my opinion it’s told in an age-appropriate manner, even if it isn’t subtle about it.
Shadow’s personality comes through the pages and reminded me of the cats I grew up with and the cats I have at home. The magical elements of a talking tree, among other things, adds a sweet layer to the story. I thought the fantasy part of the story was creatively done and would even like to read more about it (I’m being vague as to not spoil what happens in the story). My only complaint after reading is that I wish Justen received a bit more of a lesson, too. I understand that he was frustrated but I didn’t like him as a character that much. He could learn a bit from Nathan, I think!
Overall, a cute story that a young child who loves cats would enjoy, especially during the holidays. I would recommend this book to young readers....more
Huh, not sure how to review this one. Honestly, it read kind of bland. There wasn't much tension in the story. I'm truly shocked at the fact it's pickHuh, not sure how to review this one. Honestly, it read kind of bland. There wasn't much tension in the story. I'm truly shocked at the fact it's picked up for series? Did I read that right? I guess stories with like a dozen characters could make for an interesting show simply because you have a lot of people, but with everyone in the novel being kind of "ho hum" about a possible murder, I don't see how that'll play out well for TV. I kept waiting for something to happen, something exciting. About 2/3 of the way through the book did pick up the pace, but it's one of those "young inexperienced male main character who somehow gets everything right and nothing bad ever happens to him" types stories. and what's with all the women readers having a crush on the MC?! (view spoiler)[he did his GF wrong right from the beginning, he stopped talking to her, he cheated on her, didn't tell Ugla he even had a gf... lmao damn and that's your literary crush? (hide spoiler)]...more
Even more ridiculous than "The Evil Twin," which I read immediately previous to this one. I think The Evil Twin is the superior horror novel from the Even more ridiculous than "The Evil Twin," which I read immediately previous to this one. I think The Evil Twin is the superior horror novel from the Sweet Valley High Series, but this one is still enjoyable....more
Just as fun as I remember it being. I hadn't read this book since I was a teenager. Back then, I LOVED The Sweet Valley High books. My favorite characJust as fun as I remember it being. I hadn't read this book since I was a teenager. Back then, I LOVED The Sweet Valley High books. My favorite character was always Jessica, even though we are totally not alike.
Anyway, this book is absolutely ridiculous. The premise is daytime soap worthy. It makes about as much sense as one, anyway. I'm rating it so highly because I enjoy this dumb thriller. The writing isn't that bad. The characters are as predictable as always, but that's what you get with these old book series. Jessica is gonna Jessica! BTW. It's super gross that her boyfriend in this book was a 23 year old and she was 16. I felt like the book glossed over that aspect of their problematic relationship, but at least there was actually a paragraph about birth control when she was contemplating losing her virginity to the creepy boyfriend....more
Hmm, might change to a 4. Right now it's about a 3.5 I thought it had a slow start... it ended really strongly, though. Once the actual story-within-aHmm, might change to a 4. Right now it's about a 3.5 I thought it had a slow start... it ended really strongly, though. Once the actual story-within-a-story got up and running, the novella really picked up and was so creepy!...more
Disappointed by this - was hoping for a creepy story but it was mostly boring until the end.
The four characters have to stay at an old haunted house Disappointed by this - was hoping for a creepy story but it was mostly boring until the end.
The four characters have to stay at an old haunted house while they clear it out/break it down. They're on a strict time schedule and of course there's inclement weather. I found that the story got bogged down in mundane activities where the characters talked at length for what they were going to do. And then it got repeated when they actually did the things. Perhaps this wouldn't have bothered me as much if I hadn't just finished a book about showing not telling in your writing, but I had that advice in my head while I was reading it. So once I noticed all the unnecessary descriptions - like sentences devoted to Dahlia removing her socks - it started to drive me bonkers. During moments where tension was building, everything stalled when we had to read about something unnecessary like the breaking down of a cabinet or window. I found myself more concerned that they wouldn't get their work done than I was about whatever the ghost was supposed to be doing to them. About halfway through I was beginning to lost interest in the story's repetition. The characters were at the house for about four days (can't recall exactly) and each day went about in the same way. The ghost activity did increase as the story went on, and I was interested to see how it would conclude. The ending perked things up, but maybe I read too fast because I still don't understand the ghosts' motivation for harassing Dahlia. And even though there were only a few characters, I feel like we didn't really get to know them except for Dahlia. The casual glossing over Bobby's drunk driving was weird. I guess his alcohol dependency gave some depth to his character but ultimately was it really necessary? It did nothing to actually further the plot.
Me being nitpicky: I can't stand it when multiple characters have names that start with the same letter or sound the same, and here we have not only a Bobby and a Brad but also a Gabe.
I know this review is pretty negative but I still gave it three stars, overall this is between "okay" and "liked it". Not the worst book I ever read but also not that memorable....more
I'm town between 3 and 4 stars, because a lot of these stories in this book were not my cup of tea. HOWEVER, the reason why I read this collection wasI'm town between 3 and 4 stars, because a lot of these stories in this book were not my cup of tea. HOWEVER, the reason why I read this collection was all because I wanted to read the short story Who Goes There?, which is the basis of one of my favorite horror sci-fi films, The Thing.
I would give that story five stars, and I'd give another short story in the collection, Elimination five stars as well.
I really appreciated the introduction and the postscript. In the Introduction I learned quite a bit about the development of sci-fi literature. Prior to reading, I was ignorant of the role John. W. Campbell played in the history of the genre. I liked that this collection included his earliest works and moved through his writing career chronologically because you can see the progression in his storytelling skills as you turn the page. The ideas expressed in his early works are fascinating and impressive, and I respect that, even if the characters and plot development were lacking. That was apparently how sci-fi was back then, though, so you can't really blame him for his "crude" writing.
After going through all the stories (and admittedly I skipped/skimmed over some) I can say that Who Goes There? is probably his best work. It's a truly frightening story that has both great characters AND great science, and the prose is the best that I've seen from him based on the collection....more
Well now I'm going to be terrified during the next snow storm. creepy and satisfying read!!!Well now I'm going to be terrified during the next snow storm. creepy and satisfying read!!!...more
This book is appealing in so many ways: The plot twists and turns with truly frightening moments and the suspense will keep you reading. Whenever I thThis book is appealing in so many ways: The plot twists and turns with truly frightening moments and the suspense will keep you reading. Whenever I thought I figured someone out or knew what was going on, I was taken by surprise in where the story turned. The tension did not let up, although there was some comedic relief! I LOVED the ending.
This book was not what I expected and I'm glad for that. I'm sure that many readers will find this book frustrating and even boring at times. I certaiThis book was not what I expected and I'm glad for that. I'm sure that many readers will find this book frustrating and even boring at times. I certainly did, at least during parts of the first half of the book. HOWEVER... it all paid off in the end. The Abominable is a fantastic, beautifully written story of what humans are capable of -- both good and bad. There's mystery, drama, intrigue, suspense, and a lot of emotion, too. I can't say exactly how the book is different from my expectations because I feel like that would ruin a reader's experience. Just be patient and enjoy the climb.
Such a good thriller! At first I was a little confused by the set-up, but after a few chapters the rhythm falls into place and I started to understandSuch a good thriller! At first I was a little confused by the set-up, but after a few chapters the rhythm falls into place and I started to understand how the different characters' lives tangled together. I loved how it all come together in the end. The story was chilling and a perfect winter read for those of us who enjoy dark literature. ...more
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