Im just gonna come straight out at say it: Starship Troopers is one but steaming turd of sheer, complete, unending boredom.
Everything about this bookIm just gonna come straight out at say it: Starship Troopers is one but steaming turd of sheer, complete, unending boredom.
Everything about this book reads like the slow and methodical pace of a 3 toed sloth. Things happen occasionally but inbetween those very rare moments of action, readers are treated to Heinlein’s never ending diatribe about military might and a bunch of other “oooh rah” mumbo jumbo that those ubiquitous ROTC cadets from high-school would always blather about.
Heinlein tries to sound deep and insightful with questions about war and humanity but all he manages doing is making this story drag on and on and on with literally no reward for sticking through it. Even those “scary” bugs only feature for about 30 pages out of this 340 page edition.
Much like Fahrenheit 451 I honestly have no idea why Starship Troopers manages to still be such a widely regarded “classic”. It’s just vapid, empty, and a perfect example of worthless hype.
I may be speaking straight up blasphemy here but at this point, the terrible and universally derided film adaptation of this book is infinitely better and thoroughly more enjoyable....more
I don’t understand how this book is as popular and prolific as it still is, 40 something years later. Obviously I know Spooktober 2022 Book 6
2.5 stars
I don’t understand how this book is as popular and prolific as it still is, 40 something years later. Obviously I know a lot of its lingering effect on the zeitgeist of mid 90s pop culture is due to the immensely profitable film that it spawned but if we are going by the book alone, I don’t get it.
In and of itself the book is just ok. It’s nothing special, nor seems to have anything significant to make it as much of a YA icon it was and is. Characters are cliched. The story is thin. The eventual climax leaves a lot to be desired in terms of closure.
I’ll give it credit for being ridiculously easy to read and actually kind of compelling at times, though seriously, it’s severely overrated and doesn’t deserve its high standing. ...more
Talk about an absolute bore and a massive test of wills to get through. “
Children of Dune is a slow slog through mediocrity and overall lame self aggrTalk about an absolute bore and a massive test of wills to get through. “
Children of Dune is a slow slog through mediocrity and overall lame self aggrandizing prose. Herbert’s success from the titular book must have gone to his head because this is nothing like that original (and fantastic) novel. Gone are the sci-fi elements that made the book so amazing. Here it’s page after endless page of Fremen philosophy, pseudo religion, and otherwise immensely inane palace intrigue that would make sense if I had the patience to read dull dialogue for countless pages.
I know people hate the Brian Herbert/Kevin J Anderson sequels but my God, those are works of pure genius compared to this train wreck since those are actually fun and don’t feel like a study in ancient religion. ...more
Like most middle school students in America, I was forced to read this book. And while no kid enjoys being told what to read and how to read it, I canLike most middle school students in America, I was forced to read this book. And while no kid enjoys being told what to read and how to read it, I can recall, knowing, even then, that Fahrenheit 451 was awful.
Fast forward 20 something years and I figured I would give this one another go. After all, I ended up loving The Great Gatsby once I was out of high school and chose to read it on my own.
Well, the same can't be said of 451. Unlike those previous re-reads, giving Bradbury's seminal novel another chance only made me hate it even more and realize that 13 year old me actually could recognize shit for what it was 20 plus years ago.
I could go on and on and on about how much I absolutely loathe this novel. I could talk about Bradbury's failure to tell a good story, his almost plagiarism of Orwell's far superior 1984. I could mention how terrible his characters are or how flat out awful he seems as a human being (read his "coda" at the back of this edition), but I'll let this one passage from the book sum up the extent of how mind numbingly idiotic 451 is...
"He saw himself in her yes, suspended in two shining drops of bright water, himself dark and tiny, in fine detail, the lines about his mouth, everything there, as if her eyes were two miraculous bits of violet amber that might capture and held him intact. Her face, turned to him now, was fragile as crystal with a soft and constant light in it. It was not the hysterical light of electricity but--what? But the strangely comfortable and rare and gently flattering light of candle. One time as. a child, in a power failure, his mother had found and lit a last candle and there had been a brief hour of rediscovery, of such illumination that space lost its vast dimensions and drew comfortably around them, and they, mother and son, alone, transformed, hoping that the power might not come on again too soon..."
Seriously? What the hell? Bradbury wastes 9 sentences to tell us that Montag sees his reflection in the eyes of some other girl. That's just literary diarrhea at this point. Words for word's sake. Words to fill the void to sound smart, when all it does is waste space with pointless metaphor and bore the everloving hell out of the reader.
I'd forgive Bradbury if this was the only occurrence, but nope. Every damn page is populated with this cholera of language, spewing from the ass end of Bradbury's overactive imagination. If he would have actually spent time on telling a story that wasn't half assed and rushed, maybe we wouldn't hear about being stuck on some desert in the middle of the living room or hear how books are like burnt butterflies for the upteenth time.
Yeah, Fahrenheit 451sucks. Its just a bunch of pretentious and overdone drivel under the guise of "classic literature". I try to be kind to books, especially ones that are so universally lauded, however that's not gonna be the case with this one; 451 easily moves into one of my least favorite novels ever written and is probably at the top of the podium....more
Here we are with yet another “amazing” and “life changing” and “deep” novel that I am either willfully angry towards or just blissfully ignorant of itHere we are with yet another “amazing” and “life changing” and “deep” novel that I am either willfully angry towards or just blissfully ignorant of its “greatness”.
I don’t understand the hype for The Stranger. Not one tiny bit. In fact, I feel that this book goes the same route that Fahrenheit 451 goes…and that’s a mediocre story with a lame message that people still think is the greatest thing since electricity and the internal combustion engine.
The Stranger isn’t deep or thought provoking. Instead it’s a story of an asshole who knows he’s an asshole. All this asshole does is look at life with a self centered and nihilistic point of view. He does a pointlessly violent act at nearly halfway through the novel and then is found guilty, and has to pay the price. That’s it. Literally.
I guess Camus is trying to ask the age old question of what the purpose of life is and why humanity has a natural proclivity towards either violence or kindness, but it’s buried beneath a pointlessly boring 154 pages of bland exposition and incredibly unlikable characters.
If you like this novel, cool. Maybe there is something here I missed, however, I don’t think I could ever be persuaded to re-read this ridiculously overrated classic. ...more
Here is the book that started it all. The book that began Andrews’s illustrious career and spawned legions of rabid fans.
Personally, I enjoyed FlowersHere is the book that started it all. The book that began Andrews’s illustrious career and spawned legions of rabid fans.
Personally, I enjoyed Flowers in the Attic. I even enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Andrews writing is gripping and tense. Countless times I found myself wondering how much worse things could get for the Dollanganger gang, only to be even more shocked that their fate exceeded my darkest imaginations.
At this point, some 40 something years later, everyone knows that yes, there is an incest scene in this novel. A fellow reviewer called it “brotherfucking” and the description fits. However, while it’s shocking and goes against the grain of common society, Andrews description and handling of the event is far from salacious or gratuitous.The scene is only a few sentences and is looked at with derision and disgust. It’s not meant to titillate, but rather show the desperation of confined pubescent teenagers who have no outlet for their sexual frustration.
All in all, Flowers is a great read. I don’t know if I’d consider myself one of the Andrews faithful yet, but if anything else she wrote is like this, I can see myself joining the cult. ...more
Much better than its predecessor, Casino Royale, Live and Let Die begins to set the stages of what would become the infamous James Bond series.
This onMuch better than its predecessor, Casino Royale, Live and Let Die begins to set the stages of what would become the infamous James Bond series.
This one does date itself with some pretty derogatory stereotypes and vernacular (there’s an entire chapter called “N****r Heaven”) but this book was penned in 1954 when these beliefs were fate more common and accepted. Obviously it’s not exactly condonable but it’s still zero reason for anger or calls for cancellation.
The Overnight, while the shortest of the Fear Street so far, is probably the best as Spooktober 2020 Book 29
R. L. Stine is nothing if not consistent.
The Overnight, while the shortest of the Fear Street so far, is probably the best as it’s the most suspenseful and keeps the tension pretty much constant from cover to cover.
There’s no major fat or filler which keeps things quick and makes for a book that’s easy to read in one sitting. ...more
The Surprise Party is yet another hit in Stine’s Fear Street series.
Though this one felt more like a junior version of a KevinSpooktober 2020 Book 25
The Surprise Party is yet another hit in Stine’s Fear Street series.
Though this one felt more like a junior version of a Kevin O’Brien novel than actual horror, it was still a great read, complete with the requisite amount of twists and turns and surprises...enough to keep a cranky old reader like me entertained.
Definitely enjoying these short novels and seeing another side of Stine. Looking forward to the next one. ...more
While I was alive and thriving during the height of the original Goosebumps books, I missed the Fear Street series by almost a Spooktober 2020 Book 24
While I was alive and thriving during the height of the original Goosebumps books, I missed the Fear Street series by almost a decade. Aside from the fact that I was only one when the first of this series came out, I know for a fact that since my folks thought Goosebumps would be too scary for my young, impressionable mind, Stine’s earlier, more “mature” Fear Street series would be an even bigger no no. Hell, I didn’t even know Stine did anything before Goosebumps for years.
Anyway, now that I’m 32 and rediscovering my love for 80’s horror, it was only a matter of time, and no surprise really, before I stumbled upon Stine’s previously successful series. What is surprising, though, is how much I liked this first book.
The New Girl isn’t exactly spooky or even really what I would call “horror” but, like the series that came after it, Stine knows how to grab his intended audience’s attention. Just as he did for elementary kids in Goosebumps, Stine daily captured the wants and needs of young high schoolers with The New Girl. From cheesy late 80’s cliches to even modern day high school hijinks, the first book in this series was well written and had a feel that no doubt roped in so many readers way back when.
The story itself read extremely well, keeping my interest from the first page to the last sentence, even going as far as actually kind of catch me off guard with the final reveal. Like I said, this particular novel didn’t really come off as “horror” (neither do many of the Goosebumps books, come to think of it), reading more like a mystery/thriller/bloodless slasher pulp kinda novel, but damn it, I can’t say I wasn’t hooked.
It’s pretty easy to see now why Stine is a Guinness record holder for being the most successful children’s author of all time. The dude can write a hell of a good story, both for kids and young adults. It’s time we really give Stine his due and hold him on the same esteem as other greats who have had such incredible success.
Piano Lessons Can Be Murder is one of those many Goosebumps books that falls through the cracks. Not because it’s bad, but becaSpooktober 2020 Book 20
Piano Lessons Can Be Murder is one of those many Goosebumps books that falls through the cracks. Not because it’s bad, but because, when compared to perennial classics like Night of the Living Dummy and The Haunted Mask, it just doesn’t hold up.
I think the problem with Piano Lessons is that, like Say Cheese and Die and Let’s Get Invisible it’s just forgettable. You’d think with haunted pianos and creepy music teachers there would be something memorable, but alas, there is little to even talk about of any importance or anything they stands out.
Of course Stine is Stine, finding a way to make horror accessible to young readers, so you can’t fault him, it’s just that there are far better stories in this series. ...more
For a book that was so praised and seen as a horror classic, I gotta say, I’m let down.
It’s not that either of the 2 novellas Spooktober 2020 Book 19
For a book that was so praised and seen as a horror classic, I gotta say, I’m let down.
It’s not that either of the 2 novellas included in When Darkness Loves Us are terrible...it’s just that they’re both incredibly underwhelming for being so lauded.
I honestly can’t seem to understand why Grady Hendrix (who mentioned this one in his otherwise fantastic Paperbacks from Hell), along with others, seems to think this particular book is so well written.
The title story was a huge letdown. There are better summaries and synopsi out there but “When Darkness Loves Us” is a meandering bore of a story where nothing happens. It’s decently written, and it has a big premise that could have led somewhere, but at the end I was left thinking WTF was that?...and not a twisted WTF either. More like why the hell did I just waste time reading this? and why the hell does everyone pitch a tent in their pants over this story?
“Beauty is...”, the second story in this collection is a better tale that reads much more like a King novella, what with its slice of life/horror kinda feel. It’s like The Green Mile meets any number of King’s “Castle Rock” or “Derry” short stories. Despite an ending I didn’t see coming, It’s just too bad that it’s much too long and leaves too many unanswered questions or explanations.
For a book I searched around for for a year, and one I was super stoked to finally get to read, I gotta say, I feel super bummed out that When Darkness Loves Us failed to do what it was promised. Don’t believe the hype. This one is a dud....more
I claimed in my review of the first book that I never considered myself a huge fan of Halloween. That sentiment is still true hSpooktober 2020 Book 15
I claimed in my review of the first book that I never considered myself a huge fan of Halloween. That sentiment is still true here, but Martin’s take on novelizing the second film in the franchise results in a solid book that answers questions and gives more explanation than the film does.
I’ve actually never seen the second Halloween film (well not the original anyway...I made the mistake of seeing Rob Zombie’s remake and hated every minute of it), so now, after finishing Martin’s book, I’m gonna have to sit down and give the 1981 version a whirl. And of course, what better time than now? Halfway through October?
Halkin’s Slither is one of those rare books that stands out from an absolute glut of horror novels that were produced from the Spooktober 2020 Book 11
Halkin’s Slither is one of those rare books that stands out from an absolute glut of horror novels that were produced from the late 70s to the early 90s. Which is weird because compared to a lot of stuff from that era, it doesn’t really do much to stand out or separate itself from the crowd.
It is decently written (at least compared to similar books), but it’s nothing special. Maybe it’s because at this point in 2020 there have been countless rehashes and slightly more action packed takes on killer worms?
Whatever the reason, Slither wasn’t awful or downright disappointing, but it left me wanting more and wondering why it’s achieved such a classic status amongst fans. ...more
I’m man enough to admit that I’m not a huge fan of the film Halloween. Personally I find the film slow, and kind of silly, withSpooktober 2020 Book 10
I’m man enough to admit that I’m not a huge fan of the film Halloween. Personally I find the film slow, and kind of silly, with far too many plot holes and confusing moments. However, I can’t deny how seminal the film is both in terms of horror and the film industry in general. There is obviously something interesting and different about the film and story and, couple that with a novelization I hoped would fill in the gaps, as well as it being October, it only made sense to give Curtis Richards’s book a try.
This particular novelization is almost as popular as the film its trying to tell about. Unlike a lot of novelizations that are just blatant fictionalizations of screenplays this version of Halloween goes in a completely different direction, adding some new and rather strange elements to the story. There’s a whole historical component that attempts to explain Michael Myers’s character, as well as some inner monologues that we didn’t get in the film version. It’s also pretty obvious that this book was based off an early draft as Myers looks completely different than his film counterpart, and the final climax takes a different direction.
Overall, Halloween is a decent read. It’s fast paced and cuts right to quick of thing, skipping exposition for action. Seeing what could have been is interesting, though I feel there are still far more questions and a startling lack of information to explain certain moments. ...more
Be Careful What You Wish For isn’t the best Goosebumps story. It’s not creepy like Night of the Living Dummy, dark like Curse ofSpooktober 2020 Book 9
Be Careful What You Wish For isn’t the best Goosebumps story. It’s not creepy like Night of the Living Dummy, dark like Curse of the Mummy, or spooky like The Haunted Mask. It’s more along the same lines of Say Cheese and Die and Let’s Get Invisible.
By that I mean that it’s fine for what it is, but it’s lacking any kind of spook factor that other books in this series have achieved.
Obviously this series isn’t supposed to be that scary (Stine himself never intended for this series to be more than humorous horror), so the more YA and comedic elements are defiantly more on display here than previous stuff.
I guess there’s a lesson about wishing for better things and finding out the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, so there’s that. And there’s a kind of funny ending......more
While a some of the early Goosebumps stuff was hit or miss, there were a handful them that clearly made a mark and resonated witSpooktober 2020 Book 7
While a some of the early Goosebumps stuff was hit or miss, there were a handful them that clearly made a mark and resonated with its intended audience. The Haunted Mask was one of those latter ones. It spawned a classic TV episode and is still considered one of the best of the entire original 62 books.
As I’ve said in previous reviews of other Goosebumps books, I was brought up smack dab in the middle of the craze, being about 7 or 8 at the time. Unfortunately I was also one of 2nd grades biggest wimps and just seeing famous the dripping font on the front of these books was enough to give me second thoughts (well, that and the fact that my mom sheltered my brother and I to such an extent that even Halloween commercials for McDonald’s gave us chills). And, I have no doubt that the tow headed kid with a mullet who was freaked out over the Disney animated version of Sleepy Hallow would probably had some mild nightmares from The Haunted Mask.
Now, at 32, reading this book from a different angle and being able to appreciate Stone’s wit and clever humor, I can agree that Haunted Mask is easily one of the better Goosebumps works. It’s got the typical scared main character, a Halloween setting, a pretty good description of ugly/scary masks, and a twist ending that makes for one of the best endings in the series. Plus, Carly’s decent into madness while wearing the mask is quite mature and spooky for even older readers.
Sometimes “classics” are overrated and way over hyped but The Haunted Mask is a rare exception in which it deserves all the praise it gets. ...more
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