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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2269 KP) rated Out of Circulation (Cat in the Stacks, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Charlie Harris has joined the Friends of the Library board in time for their annual Christmas fundraiser. Unfortunately, he’s walked into a feud that has been going on for years between the elderly Ducote sisters and Vera Cassity, who likes to think of herself as a bigger deal in town than she is. The night of the gala, Vera takes a tumble down the stairs and breaks her neck. With the sheriff looking at Azalea, Charlie’s housekeeper, he needs to figure out what really happened.
As a fan of the Southern Ladies series, I was quite anxious to read the book that introduced the Ducote sisters. They are as much fun here as they are in their own series. We get to see a different side of a couple of series regulars as well, which I really enjoyed. The plot was strong and kept me going until the surprising yet logical conclusion.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-out-of-circulation-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
As a fan of the Southern Ladies series, I was quite anxious to read the book that introduced the Ducote sisters. They are as much fun here as they are in their own series. We get to see a different side of a couple of series regulars as well, which I really enjoyed. The plot was strong and kept me going until the surprising yet logical conclusion.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-out-of-circulation-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Endgame (Sirantha Jax, #6) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Endgame is the final book in the Sirantha Jax series, according to Aguirre, and it definitely shows. Everything gets wrapped up very satisfactorily. Nothing new is introduced. Jax's relationships with March and Vel are both expanded in a delightful manner, and I love the way that works out. She also gets to develop a not-quite-motherly relationship with Sasha, March's adopted son.
The entire volume takes place on Laheng, home of the Lahengrin. We've only met the race through Loras so far in the series, but their story is touching. This is Loras' story as much as anything, the story of the fight to free the Lahengrin from the Nicuans and from the need to be owned (or "protected" as it is called). The action is brutal - Aguirre doesn't hide the realities of war. She doesn't dwell on it in an obscene manner, though, so the book is readable.
Reading the ending of a wonderful series is also bittersweet, but at least Aguirre has stated that she'll revisit this universe.
The entire volume takes place on Laheng, home of the Lahengrin. We've only met the race through Loras so far in the series, but their story is touching. This is Loras' story as much as anything, the story of the fight to free the Lahengrin from the Nicuans and from the need to be owned (or "protected" as it is called). The action is brutal - Aguirre doesn't hide the realities of war. She doesn't dwell on it in an obscene manner, though, so the book is readable.
Reading the ending of a wonderful series is also bittersweet, but at least Aguirre has stated that she'll revisit this universe.
Charlotte (0 KP) rated The Mortal Instruments 1: City of Bones in Books
Nov 2, 2018
Sets up the rest of the series (2 more)
The brother-sister plot line (spoilers as for why in review)
The fantasy world Clare creates
Contains spoilers, click to show
I love this book (currently reading book 5 of the series) because of the world that Clare relates. Whilst it contains the fantasy ideas expressed in different novels; it brings them all together in a unique and interesting way. Controversially, I enjoy the brother-sister plot line the novel introduces to the budding romance of Clary and Jace; it means that we are not reading the same cliche teen romance. People think it is weird but SPOILER ALERT they are not actually brother and sister but allows character progression and other storylines to happen. This allows the romance to occur naturally and when we can see that the feelings are genuine and true. Overall, Clare has produced a great novel to begin her series and leaves reader wanting to know more and delve deeper into the Shadowhunter world.
Natalia (73 KP) rated Ruin and Rising (The Grisha #3) in Books
Jan 26, 2019
Having finished this book just an hour before writing this, I can really feel the effect this book is having on me.
Getting to know these character for two/three books and having that come to an end is utterly heartbreaking in the best way possible. While some questions remain, I have a feeling they'll be answered in the rest of the Grishaverse books, and those that will remain unanswered will either keep me coming back or keep me discussing the possibilities obsessively with the few people I know who've also read the series. Characters have gained depth, and plenty is set up to link in the other works from Bardugo. Even some of the characters that I felt were one-dimensional became well-rounded and have managed to take up their own place in my heart.
Genuinely, I cannot say how I feel about the series coming to an end. The ending itself I love - but to leave this series behind will take a lot of effort on my part.
Getting to know these character for two/three books and having that come to an end is utterly heartbreaking in the best way possible. While some questions remain, I have a feeling they'll be answered in the rest of the Grishaverse books, and those that will remain unanswered will either keep me coming back or keep me discussing the possibilities obsessively with the few people I know who've also read the series. Characters have gained depth, and plenty is set up to link in the other works from Bardugo. Even some of the characters that I felt were one-dimensional became well-rounded and have managed to take up their own place in my heart.
Genuinely, I cannot say how I feel about the series coming to an end. The ending itself I love - but to leave this series behind will take a lot of effort on my part.
Mastering Orthopedic Techniques: Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty
Book
Total hip replacements (THRs) are very successful procedures, but they eventually wear out and...
Living Rooms
Laura Watkinson and Jo Pauwels
Book
The new "Home" series from Beta-Plus invites you to take a fascinating journey through the most...
Small Spaces
Laura Watkinson and Jo Pauwels
Book
The new "Home" series from Beta-Plus invites you to take a fascinating journey through the most...
Sarah (7799 KP) rated The Devil’s Star (Harry Hole #5) (Oslo Sequence #3) in Books
May 28, 2020
A great crime thriller
I'm not a huge fan of crime thrillers, especially not series related ones. Mostly because they're two a penny and the majority of them are fairly second rate. However there's something about the Harry Hole series that really draws me in.
Maybe it's Harry Hole himself. A beyond flawed and almost irredeemable reckless and crazy character, yet one you really can't help but love. Or maybe it's because Nesbo really knows how to write a crime story. He keeps you guessing to the very end and the plot in this story is particularly interesting - an intriguing serial killer mixed in with Harry's vendetta to bring down a corrupt cop. The story in this is just right. The right amount of detail and twists to be thrilling and entertaining yet still plausible.
This isn't my favourite Harry Hole book, the accolade for that probably goes to The Snowman (how they turned such a good book into a terrible film I'll never understand). But this is definitely one of the better books in the Hole series and worth a read.
Maybe it's Harry Hole himself. A beyond flawed and almost irredeemable reckless and crazy character, yet one you really can't help but love. Or maybe it's because Nesbo really knows how to write a crime story. He keeps you guessing to the very end and the plot in this story is particularly interesting - an intriguing serial killer mixed in with Harry's vendetta to bring down a corrupt cop. The story in this is just right. The right amount of detail and twists to be thrilling and entertaining yet still plausible.
This isn't my favourite Harry Hole book, the accolade for that probably goes to The Snowman (how they turned such a good book into a terrible film I'll never understand). But this is definitely one of the better books in the Hole series and worth a read.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Terminal (Major Crimes Unit #4) in Books
Aug 29, 2021
Having just read book 3 in the series "End Play", I was jumping to read this the 4th in the series and was extremely pleased and grateful to Iain Rob Wright for sending me a copy prior to it's publication date in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Once again, Iain provides a fast-paced and thrilling read starring Sarah Strong and her colleagues at the Major Crimes Unit. From the first page to the last, this book had me absolutely hooked and I fair whizzed through it.
Full of excellent characters, a storyline that is not beyond the realms of reality (scarily so!) and written at a pace that fair trots along, this is a story well written and exciting and one that I would definitely recommend. Although you don't have to have read the others in the series, you won't be disappointed if you do but it does work as a standalone quite well.
I would definitely recommend to others who enjoy getting engrossed in the world of major crimes.
Once again, Iain provides a fast-paced and thrilling read starring Sarah Strong and her colleagues at the Major Crimes Unit. From the first page to the last, this book had me absolutely hooked and I fair whizzed through it.
Full of excellent characters, a storyline that is not beyond the realms of reality (scarily so!) and written at a pace that fair trots along, this is a story well written and exciting and one that I would definitely recommend. Although you don't have to have read the others in the series, you won't be disappointed if you do but it does work as a standalone quite well.
I would definitely recommend to others who enjoy getting engrossed in the world of major crimes.
Merissa (12339 KP) rated Garridan's Mate (Etherya's Earth #6.5) in Books
Dec 16, 2022
GARRIDAN'S MATE is part of the Etherya's Earth series, taking place before the battle between Bakari and Callie.
Garridan was born an aristocrat but prefers being a soldier. Siora is one of the first women allowed into the army. Together, these two are badass... once they can get past the misunderstandings that litter their every confrontation.
This was a great addition to one of my favourite series and I'm hoping to hear more about Sebastian and Celine. I also really want to go back and read Callie's story again, just because I can.
This packs a punch, even though it is a novella. The story flows perfectly and the pacing is spot-on. Everything you could ask for in a novella. A great addition to the series and absolutely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Garridan was born an aristocrat but prefers being a soldier. Siora is one of the first women allowed into the army. Together, these two are badass... once they can get past the misunderstandings that litter their every confrontation.
This was a great addition to one of my favourite series and I'm hoping to hear more about Sebastian and Celine. I also really want to go back and read Callie's story again, just because I can.
This packs a punch, even though it is a novella. The story flows perfectly and the pacing is spot-on. Everything you could ask for in a novella. A great addition to the series and absolutely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!