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Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Alien Tango (Katherine "Kitty" Katt, #2) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Every bit as fun as [bc:Touched by an Alien|7283762|Touched by an Alien (Katherine "Kitty" Katt, #1)|Gini Koch|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1277088475s/7283762.jpg|8498290]! Come on, [bc:Alien in the Family|8714075|Alien in the Family (Katherine "Kitty" Katt, #3)|Gini Koch|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1285844542s/8714075.jpg|13586954]! (It says "expected publication April 5, 2011" which is pretty specific if you ask me! I know from reading other authors' blogs, though, that these dates can get changed at the last minute, so as much as I want it, I'm not holding my breath.)
David McK (3414 KP) rated The Grimoire of the Lamb (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #0.4) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Released after book #5 in Kevin Hearne's 'Iron Druid Chronicles' (i.e. after [b:Trapped|8428140|Trapped|Michael Northrop|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1395769555s/8428140.jpg|13291342]), this is actually somewhat unusual in that it does not take place after or during the events of the previous but before those of the next: i.e. this is NOT book 5.5.
Rather, this joins both [b:Clan Rathskeller|10324651|Clan Rathskeller (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #0.5)|Kevin Hearne|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323223194s/10324651.jpg|15227090] and [b:Kaibab Unbound|11950840|Kaibab Unbound (The Iron Druid Chronicles , #0.6)|Kevin Hearne|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323225105s/11950840.jpg|16912742] in being set before the first novel (i.e. before [b:Hounded|18404329|Hounded|David Rosenfelt|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1382758931s/18404329.jpg|26038191]), set even before either of those two novels. As such, there's no Granuaile (sp?) in this one, with Atticus still living in Tempe and still in charge of his shop. Indeed, it's an item in that shop - the Grimoire of the title - that acts as the catalyst for this tale, which sees Atticus (and Oberon!) traveling to Egypt when said item is stolen from him for nefarious purposes.
Rather, this joins both [b:Clan Rathskeller|10324651|Clan Rathskeller (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #0.5)|Kevin Hearne|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323223194s/10324651.jpg|15227090] and [b:Kaibab Unbound|11950840|Kaibab Unbound (The Iron Druid Chronicles , #0.6)|Kevin Hearne|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323225105s/11950840.jpg|16912742] in being set before the first novel (i.e. before [b:Hounded|18404329|Hounded|David Rosenfelt|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1382758931s/18404329.jpg|26038191]), set even before either of those two novels. As such, there's no Granuaile (sp?) in this one, with Atticus still living in Tempe and still in charge of his shop. Indeed, it's an item in that shop - the Grimoire of the title - that acts as the catalyst for this tale, which sees Atticus (and Oberon!) traveling to Egypt when said item is stolen from him for nefarious purposes.
David McK (3414 KP) rated The Last Camel Died at Noon (Amelia Peabody, #6) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Book number 6 in Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody (think female Victorian Indiana Jones) series, which sees Amelia, her husband Radcliffe and son Ramses back in the dusty climes of Egypt following their adventures in the previous ([b: The Deeds of the Disturber|32139|The Deeds of the Disturber (Amelia Peabody, #5)|Elizabeth Peters|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388887764s/32139.jpg|2176252]).
I have to say, though, that the plot of this one is more-than-slightly reminiscent of [a: H Rider Haggard|4633123|H. Rider Haggard|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1298296700p2/4633123.jpg]'s [b: King Solomon's Mines|108914|In Search of King Solomon's Mines|Tahir Shah|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348655880s/108914.jpg|4188], pretty much just swapping the African setting and characters of that novel for the dusty climes of Egypt - a similarity that Emerson, in a bit of meta-fiction, himself complains about.
Throw in a dash of [b: She|5203|She's Come Undone|Wally Lamb|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1408313457s/5203.jpg|1003370] (also by H Rider Haggard) with a soupcon of intrigue and more entertaining byplay between the Emerson's (with Ramses his usual precocious self), and the result is another entertaining read in the series.
I have to say, though, that the plot of this one is more-than-slightly reminiscent of [a: H Rider Haggard|4633123|H. Rider Haggard|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1298296700p2/4633123.jpg]'s [b: King Solomon's Mines|108914|In Search of King Solomon's Mines|Tahir Shah|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348655880s/108914.jpg|4188], pretty much just swapping the African setting and characters of that novel for the dusty climes of Egypt - a similarity that Emerson, in a bit of meta-fiction, himself complains about.
Throw in a dash of [b: She|5203|She's Come Undone|Wally Lamb|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1408313457s/5203.jpg|1003370] (also by H Rider Haggard) with a soupcon of intrigue and more entertaining byplay between the Emerson's (with Ramses his usual precocious self), and the result is another entertaining read in the series.
David McK (3414 KP) rated Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire, Vol. 2 in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Second entry in Marvel's new Star Wars Legends series, this (as the title suggests) is set between the events of The Rise of the Sith, and of A New Hope.
Following on from Vol. 1 of the same ([b: Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire, Volume 1|23153104|Star Wars Legends Epic Collection The Empire, Volume 1|John Ostrander|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1420825979s/23153104.jpg|42700777]), the stories in here are all inter-connected through the use of recurring characters, with Vader popping up occasionally to play a pivotal role.
As before, some of the stories (and Artwork) are better than others: for my money, the best is probably 'Blue Harvest', followed closely by 'Out of the Wilderness'. The full list is as follows:
Parallels (parts 1 to 5)
Vector (parts 5 and 6)
Blue Harvest (parts 1 to 5)
Out of the Wilderness (parts 0 to 5)
Following on from Vol. 1 of the same ([b: Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire, Volume 1|23153104|Star Wars Legends Epic Collection The Empire, Volume 1|John Ostrander|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1420825979s/23153104.jpg|42700777]), the stories in here are all inter-connected through the use of recurring characters, with Vader popping up occasionally to play a pivotal role.
As before, some of the stories (and Artwork) are better than others: for my money, the best is probably 'Blue Harvest', followed closely by 'Out of the Wilderness'. The full list is as follows:
Parallels (parts 1 to 5)
Vector (parts 5 and 6)
Blue Harvest (parts 1 to 5)
Out of the Wilderness (parts 0 to 5)
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated L-DK, Vol. 04 in Books
Jan 6, 2021
This is reminding me a lot of [b:アオハライド Ao Haru Ride 1|13571757|アオハライド Ao Haru Ride 1 (Blue Spring Ride, #1)|Io Sakisaka|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1333286264s/13571757.jpg|19152133] in the will they, wont they/please get together already! way. I love it, but it's also driving me mad! They were so close to kissing at the end of this and then he has to be an arse...
Off to start Volume 5!
Off to start Volume 5!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Pictures of Lily in Books
Sep 6, 2019
I really liked this!
Like Paige's latest book, The Sun in her Eyes, this too focuses on first loves but we actually read it happen so we fall for Ben at the same time. There's an age difference between them but for the ten years later bit it isn't as much of a problem. But what's to happen when Lily is already with someone else?
One thing I really like about these books is that Paige interlinks the books in various ways with characters that were main ones in previous books becoming secondary in later books e.g. Josh from this is one of the secondary characters in The Sun in her Eyes, and Lily from this is the main character in Lucy in the Sky. Everyone's favourite band is Fence, which is Johnny Jefferson's--from Johnny be Good's--band.
Now I'm going to be good with my reading marathon of Paige Toon's books and start reading them in order but first I'll have to read [b:Lucy in the Sky|1032295|Lucy in the Sky|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328707137s/1032295.jpg|1018573] since it was the first book she ever wrote and I've already read books 2 ([b:Johnny Be Good|2274457|Johnny Be Good (Johnny Be Good, #1)|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327919693s/2274457.jpg|2280480]), 3 ([b:Chasing Daisy|6450060|Chasing Daisy|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327919799s/6450060.jpg|6640188], 4 ([b:Pictures of Lily|7134057|Pictures of Lily|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1269790608s/7134057.jpg|7396938])-this one-and 5 ([b:Baby Be Mine|9566822|Baby Be Mine (Johnny Be Good, #2)|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1307174722s/9566822.jpg|14453585]
Like Paige's latest book, The Sun in her Eyes, this too focuses on first loves but we actually read it happen so we fall for Ben at the same time. There's an age difference between them but for the ten years later bit it isn't as much of a problem. But what's to happen when Lily is already with someone else?
One thing I really like about these books is that Paige interlinks the books in various ways with characters that were main ones in previous books becoming secondary in later books e.g. Josh from this is one of the secondary characters in The Sun in her Eyes, and Lily from this is the main character in Lucy in the Sky. Everyone's favourite band is Fence, which is Johnny Jefferson's--from Johnny be Good's--band.
Now I'm going to be good with my reading marathon of Paige Toon's books and start reading them in order but first I'll have to read [b:Lucy in the Sky|1032295|Lucy in the Sky|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328707137s/1032295.jpg|1018573] since it was the first book she ever wrote and I've already read books 2 ([b:Johnny Be Good|2274457|Johnny Be Good (Johnny Be Good, #1)|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327919693s/2274457.jpg|2280480]), 3 ([b:Chasing Daisy|6450060|Chasing Daisy|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327919799s/6450060.jpg|6640188], 4 ([b:Pictures of Lily|7134057|Pictures of Lily|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1269790608s/7134057.jpg|7396938])-this one-and 5 ([b:Baby Be Mine|9566822|Baby Be Mine (Johnny Be Good, #2)|Paige Toon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1307174722s/9566822.jpg|14453585]
David McK (3414 KP) rated Leviathan (The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier, #5) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Book #5 in the 'Beyond the Frontier' sub-set of the 'The Lost Fleet' series of books (so book # 11 if read in order, or roughly #14 if you include 'The Lost Stars' spin-off series), in which 'Black Jack' Geary is in pursuit of rogue AI ships, created by how own government, which have since malfunctioned and attacked Alliance ships.
Unlike the previous in the series ([b: Steadfast|17230200|Steadfast (Spellcaster, #2)|Claudia Gray|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1372091229s/17230200.jpg|23745045]), the majority of this is given over to (numerous) and relativistic space-time battles, instead of to the politicking of before. Perhaps too much so, however ...
(It's almost as if [a: Jack Campbell|55547|Jack Campbell|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1302415236p2/55547.jpg] has over-compensated from what appears to be a common criticism of the previous)
Unlike the previous in the series ([b: Steadfast|17230200|Steadfast (Spellcaster, #2)|Claudia Gray|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1372091229s/17230200.jpg|23745045]), the majority of this is given over to (numerous) and relativistic space-time battles, instead of to the politicking of before. Perhaps too much so, however ...
(It's almost as if [a: Jack Campbell|55547|Jack Campbell|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1302415236p2/55547.jpg] has over-compensated from what appears to be a common criticism of the previous)
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated The Atrocity Archives (Laundry Files, #1) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I don't give many 5-star ratings, but <i>The Atrocity Archives</i> deserves one. You may need to read it with a web browser open to look up references using Wikipedia or Google, but if you enjoy Torchwood, Men in Black, or [b:Snow Crash|830|Snow Crash|Neal Stephenson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1157396730s/830.jpg|493634], I think you'll enjoy this one.
The volume actually includes the novel and a novella, <i>The Concrete Jungle</i>. Both are good reading, and I recommend giving yourself time to enjoy the foreword and afterword, as well.
The volume actually includes the novel and a novella, <i>The Concrete Jungle</i>. Both are good reading, and I recommend giving yourself time to enjoy the foreword and afterword, as well.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Nightmares: A New Decade of Modern Horror in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Shallaballah by [a:Mark Samuels|679023|Mark Samuels|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1485638875p2/679023.jpg]
Weird and I didn't completely understand it. I'm not big on surreal-like stories.
1.5 stars
Sob in the Silence by [a:Gene Wolfe|23069|Gene Wolfe|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1207670073p2/23069.jpg]
I liked it okay, but wasn't wowed. I feel like there was a missed opportunity and that the ending was too abrupt.
3 stars
Our Tun Too Will One Day Come by [a:Brian Hodge|167606|Brian Hodge|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1326937946p2/167606.jpg]
Folklore and horror equal an interesting tale. I'd read more from Brian Hodge.
4 stars
Dead Sea Fruit by [a:Kaaron Warren|1207458|Kaaron Warren|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1303270263p2/1207458.jpg]
So far the best in the book. Perfectly paced and pretty darned creepy.
4.5 stars
Closet Dreams by [a:Lisa Tuttle|38313|Lisa Tuttle|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1296860221p2/38313.jpg]
Haunting. That's the first word that popped into my head when I finished this story. Also, disturbing, sad, and devastating. Trigger warning: <spoiler>pedophilia and abduction, although not described in any kind of detail</spoiler>
5 stars
Spectral Evidence by [a:Gemma Files|765702|Gemma Files|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1266869494p2/765702.jpg]
I had a hard time with this, especially at the beginning since it's written as a case study with footnotes. Had this been written as a regular short story, I do believe the horror is there for a good tale, but as it stands it didn't feel at all scary or nightmarish.
2.5 stars
Hushabye by [a:Simon Bestwick|2830642|Simon Bestwick|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
This was...okay. It sorta fit the book, but it also sorta didn't. The story almost felt noir, but not quite, plus everything was rather vague. Not bad, but fine.
3 stars
Very Low-Flying Aircraft by [a:Nicholas Royle|20435|Nicholas Royle|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png]
The only horror in this is the fact that it's included in a horror anthology. I'm not even sure what the point was.
1.5 stars
The Goosle by [a:Margo Lanagan|277536|Margo Lanagan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1361153347p2/277536.jpg]
Meh. An even more twisted sequel of sorts to Hansel and Gretel sans Gretel. While it's gory, it didn't bother me but I didn't love it.
3 stars
The Clay Party by [a:Steve Duffy|376166|Steve Duffy|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1329037438p2/376166.jpg]
A take on the Donner Party told through diary entries and a letter at the end.
4 stars
Strappado by [a:Laird Barron|466494|Laird Barron|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1446325324p2/466494.jpg]
This didn't do anything for me; it was just too vague.
2 stars
Lonegan's Luck by [a:Stephen Graham Jones|96300|Stephen Graham Jones|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1458951688p2/96300.jpg]
Interesting, the writing and pace was good. The MC is a conman of the old(?) West. I didn't understand why he did what he did exactly, like were there circumstances of something that happened to the country as a whole, but it's not such a big thing. I only hoped he'd get a taste of his own medicine, so to speak.
3 stars
Mr. Pigsny by [a:Reggie Oliver|518983|Reggie Oliver|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1477924368p2/518983.jpg]
An odd, creepy little tale.
4 stars
At Night, When the Demons Come by [a:Ray Cluley|4446653|Ray Cluley|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
Perfectly told, perfectly paced, with a horrible-ish ending. Definitely memorable.
4.5 stars
Was She Wicked? Was She Good by [a:Mary Rickert|7344680|Mary Rickert|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (as M. Rickert)
Meh. Not bad, but not great either. I don't really have much to say about it.
3 stars
The Shallows by [a:John Langan|58413|John Langan|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
I honestly don't even remember this one so it must not have been all that bad or good.
2 stars
Little Pig by [a:Anna Taborska|4343515|Anna Taborska|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
Horrific only in the way of what you might do to for the survival of those you love. A quirky start with an powerful ending.
4 stars
Omphalos by [a:Livia Llewellyn|2966042|Livia Llewellyn|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1298571003p2/2966042.jpg]
Well-written but definitely not one for everybody. It's sick, a little too descriptive with the incest. I don't need an actual scene with explicitness. While I felt sorry for the MC and her brother, the story made me sad for actual victims. Possibly the point, but it's an upsetting story that some should probably skip. Also, what happened in the end? I get some of it, but it was so confusing and vague that I didn't fully comprehend the conclusion. It doesn't matter much, but I'm getting tired of vague endings or other scenes in these stories.
3.5 stars
How We Escaped Our Certain Fate by [a:Dan Chaon|16560|Dan Chaon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1241719844p2/16560.jpg]
Interesting and thoughtful zombie tale. Slightly melancholy.
3.5 stars
That Tiny Flutter of The Heart I Used to Call Love by [a:Robert Shearman|128037|Robert Shearman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1363523036p2/128037.jpg]
Strange. I'm not sure exactly what I thought of this tale, and I'm not sure I totally get what happened at the end, but that seems to be my lot with some of these stories.
3 stars
Interstate Love Song (Murder Ballad No. 8) by [a:Caitlín R. Kiernan|4798562|Caitlín R. Kiernan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1491390729p2/4798562.jpg]
I liked this story. It was....interesting to say the least. Not my favorite but solid.
3.75 stars
Shay Corsham Worsted by [a:Garth Nix|8347|Garth Nix|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1207583754p2/8347.jpg]
3.5 stars
The Atlas of Hell by [a:Nathan Ballingrud|2957979|Nathan Ballingrud|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1354770124p2/2957979.jpg]
4.5 stars
Ambitious Boys Like You by [a:Richard Kadrey|37557|Richard Kadrey|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1252945001p2/37557.jpg]
4 - 4.5 stars
Okay, I kinda ran out of reviewing steam near the end, but the last two stories were excellent.
Weird and I didn't completely understand it. I'm not big on surreal-like stories.
1.5 stars
Sob in the Silence by [a:Gene Wolfe|23069|Gene Wolfe|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1207670073p2/23069.jpg]
I liked it okay, but wasn't wowed. I feel like there was a missed opportunity and that the ending was too abrupt.
3 stars
Our Tun Too Will One Day Come by [a:Brian Hodge|167606|Brian Hodge|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1326937946p2/167606.jpg]
Folklore and horror equal an interesting tale. I'd read more from Brian Hodge.
4 stars
Dead Sea Fruit by [a:Kaaron Warren|1207458|Kaaron Warren|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1303270263p2/1207458.jpg]
So far the best in the book. Perfectly paced and pretty darned creepy.
4.5 stars
Closet Dreams by [a:Lisa Tuttle|38313|Lisa Tuttle|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1296860221p2/38313.jpg]
Haunting. That's the first word that popped into my head when I finished this story. Also, disturbing, sad, and devastating. Trigger warning: <spoiler>pedophilia and abduction, although not described in any kind of detail</spoiler>
5 stars
Spectral Evidence by [a:Gemma Files|765702|Gemma Files|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1266869494p2/765702.jpg]
I had a hard time with this, especially at the beginning since it's written as a case study with footnotes. Had this been written as a regular short story, I do believe the horror is there for a good tale, but as it stands it didn't feel at all scary or nightmarish.
2.5 stars
Hushabye by [a:Simon Bestwick|2830642|Simon Bestwick|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
This was...okay. It sorta fit the book, but it also sorta didn't. The story almost felt noir, but not quite, plus everything was rather vague. Not bad, but fine.
3 stars
Very Low-Flying Aircraft by [a:Nicholas Royle|20435|Nicholas Royle|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png]
The only horror in this is the fact that it's included in a horror anthology. I'm not even sure what the point was.
1.5 stars
The Goosle by [a:Margo Lanagan|277536|Margo Lanagan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1361153347p2/277536.jpg]
Meh. An even more twisted sequel of sorts to Hansel and Gretel sans Gretel. While it's gory, it didn't bother me but I didn't love it.
3 stars
The Clay Party by [a:Steve Duffy|376166|Steve Duffy|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1329037438p2/376166.jpg]
A take on the Donner Party told through diary entries and a letter at the end.
4 stars
Strappado by [a:Laird Barron|466494|Laird Barron|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1446325324p2/466494.jpg]
This didn't do anything for me; it was just too vague.
2 stars
Lonegan's Luck by [a:Stephen Graham Jones|96300|Stephen Graham Jones|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1458951688p2/96300.jpg]
Interesting, the writing and pace was good. The MC is a conman of the old(?) West. I didn't understand why he did what he did exactly, like were there circumstances of something that happened to the country as a whole, but it's not such a big thing. I only hoped he'd get a taste of his own medicine, so to speak.
3 stars
Mr. Pigsny by [a:Reggie Oliver|518983|Reggie Oliver|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1477924368p2/518983.jpg]
An odd, creepy little tale.
4 stars
At Night, When the Demons Come by [a:Ray Cluley|4446653|Ray Cluley|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
Perfectly told, perfectly paced, with a horrible-ish ending. Definitely memorable.
4.5 stars
Was She Wicked? Was She Good by [a:Mary Rickert|7344680|Mary Rickert|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] (as M. Rickert)
Meh. Not bad, but not great either. I don't really have much to say about it.
3 stars
The Shallows by [a:John Langan|58413|John Langan|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
I honestly don't even remember this one so it must not have been all that bad or good.
2 stars
Little Pig by [a:Anna Taborska|4343515|Anna Taborska|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
Horrific only in the way of what you might do to for the survival of those you love. A quirky start with an powerful ending.
4 stars
Omphalos by [a:Livia Llewellyn|2966042|Livia Llewellyn|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1298571003p2/2966042.jpg]
Well-written but definitely not one for everybody. It's sick, a little too descriptive with the incest. I don't need an actual scene with explicitness. While I felt sorry for the MC and her brother, the story made me sad for actual victims. Possibly the point, but it's an upsetting story that some should probably skip. Also, what happened in the end? I get some of it, but it was so confusing and vague that I didn't fully comprehend the conclusion. It doesn't matter much, but I'm getting tired of vague endings or other scenes in these stories.
3.5 stars
How We Escaped Our Certain Fate by [a:Dan Chaon|16560|Dan Chaon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1241719844p2/16560.jpg]
Interesting and thoughtful zombie tale. Slightly melancholy.
3.5 stars
That Tiny Flutter of The Heart I Used to Call Love by [a:Robert Shearman|128037|Robert Shearman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1363523036p2/128037.jpg]
Strange. I'm not sure exactly what I thought of this tale, and I'm not sure I totally get what happened at the end, but that seems to be my lot with some of these stories.
3 stars
Interstate Love Song (Murder Ballad No. 8) by [a:Caitlín R. Kiernan|4798562|Caitlín R. Kiernan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1491390729p2/4798562.jpg]
I liked this story. It was....interesting to say the least. Not my favorite but solid.
3.75 stars
Shay Corsham Worsted by [a:Garth Nix|8347|Garth Nix|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1207583754p2/8347.jpg]
3.5 stars
The Atlas of Hell by [a:Nathan Ballingrud|2957979|Nathan Ballingrud|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1354770124p2/2957979.jpg]
4.5 stars
Ambitious Boys Like You by [a:Richard Kadrey|37557|Richard Kadrey|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1252945001p2/37557.jpg]
4 - 4.5 stars
Okay, I kinda ran out of reviewing steam near the end, but the last two stories were excellent.
David McK (3414 KP) rated Blood's Game in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Like, I'm sure, many others, my first exposure to the writings of [a:Angus Donald|584064|Angus Donald|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png] was when I picked up [b:Outlaw|6624899|Outlaw (The Outlaw Chronicles, #1)|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347668868s/6624899.jpg|6819139] on sale: a novel which reimagined the familiar character of Robin Hood, and which I thoroughly enjoyed: so much so that I made it a point to pick up all the novels in that series ([b:Outlaw|6624899|Outlaw (The Outlaw Chronicles, #1)|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347668868s/6624899.jpg|6819139], [b:Holy Warrior|7710240|Holy Warrior (The Outlaw Chronicles, #2)|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327539941s/7710240.jpg|10428506], [b:King's Man|11351795|King's Man (The Outlaw Chronicles, #3)|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328436464s/11351795.jpg|16281574], [b:Warlord|13077584|Warlord (The Outlaw Chronicles, #4)|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1342984405s/13077584.jpg|18244685], [b:Grail Knight|20613734|Grail Knight (The Outlaw Chronicles #5)|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1410172817s/20613734.jpg|21976159], [b:The Iron Castle|19857964|The Iron Castle (Outlaw Chronicles, #6)|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1402550564s/19857964.jpg|27860558] and (finally) [b:The Death of Robin Hood|29348050|The Death of Robin Hood (The Outlaw Chronicles, #8)|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1467543641s/29348050.jpg|49585935]).
This, however, would be the first time I had read one of Donald's novels that concerned a different central character, and that had a different setting: would it, I wondered, be more of the same, or would it have it's own 'feel'?
The answer, I can now say, is the latter.
Replacing Alan-a-Dale with Holcroft Blood, and told in the more traditional her-and-know third-person narrative (instead of the conceit of an elderly Alan recalling his youthful adventures with Robin Hood), this particular novel deals with the (attempted) theft of the Crown Jewels from the Tower of England during the reign of King Charles II, not long after the restoration.
While that (attempted) theft is carried out by Thomas Blood - who was caught red-handed but later, incredibly, was granted a pardon by Charles II - this novel does not have Thomas as the central character: rather, instead, we follow the fortunes of his youngest son Holcroft: a son who, throughout the course of this novel, becomes friends with Sir John Churchill, the future Duke of Marlborough (and Winston Churchill's direct descendant).
Whether true or not, young Holcroft is portrayed in this as suffering from a mild form of Asperger's Syndrome, able to easily code and decode correspondence sent to his master The Duke of Buckingham from his various spies and informants: a skill that comes in handy in this tale! I have to say, too, that the court of King Charles II comes across as incredibly decadent, full of scheming and back-stabbing rivals out wholly for themselves ...
I'd be interested in seeing where this series goes, especially as the next entry ([b:Blood's Revolution|36146468|Blood's Revolution|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1504033386s/36146468.jpg|57749834]) concerns itself - at least, according to the blurb at the back of this - with what is (in this country - Northern Ireland - at least) a very divisive and pivotal moment in English history.
This, however, would be the first time I had read one of Donald's novels that concerned a different central character, and that had a different setting: would it, I wondered, be more of the same, or would it have it's own 'feel'?
The answer, I can now say, is the latter.
Replacing Alan-a-Dale with Holcroft Blood, and told in the more traditional her-and-know third-person narrative (instead of the conceit of an elderly Alan recalling his youthful adventures with Robin Hood), this particular novel deals with the (attempted) theft of the Crown Jewels from the Tower of England during the reign of King Charles II, not long after the restoration.
While that (attempted) theft is carried out by Thomas Blood - who was caught red-handed but later, incredibly, was granted a pardon by Charles II - this novel does not have Thomas as the central character: rather, instead, we follow the fortunes of his youngest son Holcroft: a son who, throughout the course of this novel, becomes friends with Sir John Churchill, the future Duke of Marlborough (and Winston Churchill's direct descendant).
Whether true or not, young Holcroft is portrayed in this as suffering from a mild form of Asperger's Syndrome, able to easily code and decode correspondence sent to his master The Duke of Buckingham from his various spies and informants: a skill that comes in handy in this tale! I have to say, too, that the court of King Charles II comes across as incredibly decadent, full of scheming and back-stabbing rivals out wholly for themselves ...
I'd be interested in seeing where this series goes, especially as the next entry ([b:Blood's Revolution|36146468|Blood's Revolution|Angus Donald|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1504033386s/36146468.jpg|57749834]) concerns itself - at least, according to the blurb at the back of this - with what is (in this country - Northern Ireland - at least) a very divisive and pivotal moment in English history.
