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b.Young (97 KP) rated The Six (The Six #1) in Books
May 2, 2018
AI theme (4 more)
Quick read
Great character development
Unique plot
Well written
Action-packed and exciting
I hadn't really given the Science Fiction genre a fair chance, so I decided that this would be a "starter" book. I figured since it was Book 1 of a series, I'd either love this book enough to get the next 2 or just abandon all hope for the genre.
I am happy to say that I found this book action-packed and exciting with a unique plot.
Well developed characters bring you into the story and make you actually care what happens to them.
The thought of humans having their minds transferred into AI robots (as well as other objects) is amazing and frightening all at the same time...especially when it is for the purpose of defeating a lab-created AI that has gone rogue with an objective to annihilate the human race!
I am happy to say that I found this book action-packed and exciting with a unique plot.
Well developed characters bring you into the story and make you actually care what happens to them.
The thought of humans having their minds transferred into AI robots (as well as other objects) is amazing and frightening all at the same time...especially when it is for the purpose of defeating a lab-created AI that has gone rogue with an objective to annihilate the human race!
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Haunted (Women of the Otherworld, #5) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Haunted was an interesting book, but it suffered from one major flaw - it's excessive length. There were just too many passages that could be trimmed for the better and I found myself glazing more often than not closer and closer to the end. The book isn't all bad, there are quite a few clever things, but it felt more like filler than an actual entry into the series. Ms. Armstrong would probably been better off taking out a few of her ideas and saving them for another book. Oh, and what does she have against cats? It's seriously disturbing. The other stuff I can handle, I can somehow separate myself from it because I know it's fiction. But there's something about animal torture, mutilation, etc., even in a fictional book that just creeps me out and makes me sick. Not my idea of fun reading. *shudder*
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated One Foot in the Grape (Cypress Cove Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Antonia Martinelli asks Penny Lively to look into sabotage at the Martinelli Winery, Penny feels like she has to say yes. However, things quickly escalate to murder, and Penny feels like she has gotten in over her head. Can she find the killer? Is the murder related to the sabotage?
This debut is filled with strong characters and a compelling plot that kept me turning pages. Sadly, the timeline early on had some errors in it, which is a big pet peeve. Those issues were resolved later in the book, and it never impacted the story. Overall, this is a strong book in what could easily become a long running series.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-one-foot-in-grape-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This debut is filled with strong characters and a compelling plot that kept me turning pages. Sadly, the timeline early on had some errors in it, which is a big pet peeve. Those issues were resolved later in the book, and it never impacted the story. Overall, this is a strong book in what could easily become a long running series.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-one-foot-in-grape-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Reaper Man (Discworld, #11; Death, #2) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
Not enough Death
I had high hopes for this book as Death is one of my favourite characters, but sadly it was a bit of a letdown.
Don't get me wrong, it isn't a bad book and is still quite good, it just isn't on par with a lot of the other Discworld books that I've read. Death is a fantastic character but he just isn't featured in this book enough (despite it being about life and death). The wizards and Windle Poons are featured more heavily and sadly they're not quite as loveable. They're funny in their own way, but they get a little rambling after a while. The plot too suffers from rambling as well and the whole concept is a little bit too bonkers, even for a Discworld novel.
It's still a good book and easy to read, it just isn't one of the best in the series.
Don't get me wrong, it isn't a bad book and is still quite good, it just isn't on par with a lot of the other Discworld books that I've read. Death is a fantastic character but he just isn't featured in this book enough (despite it being about life and death). The wizards and Windle Poons are featured more heavily and sadly they're not quite as loveable. They're funny in their own way, but they get a little rambling after a while. The plot too suffers from rambling as well and the whole concept is a little bit too bonkers, even for a Discworld novel.
It's still a good book and easy to read, it just isn't one of the best in the series.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated The Iron Hunt (Hunter Kiss, #1) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
<i>The Iron Hunt</i> is a beautifully written book with some interesting twists on established fantasy memes. To some extent, I felt that I'd come in to the world on book 2 or 3, but as far as I know (and from what Amazon says) this is the first book of the Hunter Kiss series. There was a bit of Buffy and a little Witchblade, with other elements I'm sure I'm overlooking.
For once, it's good to see a novel in which an established couple has a seemingly-healthy relationship. Maxine and Grant have very different skills, but they work together well. That said, this is <b>not</b> a romance.
Edited to add: I just learned that there is, in fact, a prequel to this book in <i>The Wild Thing</i> anthology, which I hadn't heard of before. I'll certainly be looking for it.
For once, it's good to see a novel in which an established couple has a seemingly-healthy relationship. Maxine and Grant have very different skills, but they work together well. That said, this is <b>not</b> a romance.
Edited to add: I just learned that there is, in fact, a prequel to this book in <i>The Wild Thing</i> anthology, which I hadn't heard of before. I'll certainly be looking for it.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Stalking The Angel (Elvis Cole, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
PI Elvis Cole is hired to find an ancient Japanese manuscript. The trail leads him to the Japanese mafia and down a path of other crimes, including brutal murder.
Part of my reaction to this book was purely personal – it is darker than I normally read. Still, the bleakness did bother me. Even so, I found the plot uneven, especially when it slowed way down two thirds of the way through for a segment that felt like a lecture. The characters became more real as the book went along, but they started out as stiff types as well. Maybe I’m just expecting too much since I know how popular the series is, but I feel like, my complaints about the darkness of the book aside, it still could have been better.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/10/book-review-stalking-angel-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Part of my reaction to this book was purely personal – it is darker than I normally read. Still, the bleakness did bother me. Even so, I found the plot uneven, especially when it slowed way down two thirds of the way through for a segment that felt like a lecture. The characters became more real as the book went along, but they started out as stiff types as well. Maybe I’m just expecting too much since I know how popular the series is, but I feel like, my complaints about the darkness of the book aside, it still could have been better.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/10/book-review-stalking-angel-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Merissa (11961 KP) rated Traitor (Maelstrom Chronicles, #2) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
I received this book from Entangled Publishing in return for a fair and honest review.
This is a complex and intricate science fiction story with a dash of romance thrown in for good measure. It is the second book in the series although it can be read as a standalone (as I have) and I don't feel that you lose too much by doing so. It also has a considerably large character list for you to keep track of. Traitor is quite a long book so you get a lot of book for your buck.
On the whole, this was an enjoyable read with lots of different opinions, points of view and action spots to keep you interested. It is well-written at a steady pace, building up to the climax. For lovers of Sci-Fi, I can definitely recommend it.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is a complex and intricate science fiction story with a dash of romance thrown in for good measure. It is the second book in the series although it can be read as a standalone (as I have) and I don't feel that you lose too much by doing so. It also has a considerably large character list for you to keep track of. Traitor is quite a long book so you get a lot of book for your buck.
On the whole, this was an enjoyable read with lots of different opinions, points of view and action spots to keep you interested. It is well-written at a steady pace, building up to the climax. For lovers of Sci-Fi, I can definitely recommend it.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (11961 KP) rated Spellbound (Magic in Manhattan #1) in Books
Aug 1, 2019
Spellbound (Magic in Manhattan #1) by Allie Therin
SPELLBOUND is the first book in the Magic in Manhattan series, and I seriously can't wait for book two!
Set in the 1920's, you get a front seat to all that involves--Speakeasy's, prohibition, mobsters, Germans. It's all here, and gives you an insight into what life might have been like.
Rory and Arthur make for a perfect couple! I loved Rory's sass and his spitting alley cat fight. Arthur is the big softie with an even bigger heart, who just wants to help.
With a great cast of characters, this story was gripping from the very start. The pacing is smooth, there were no plot holes I fell through, and the world building is outstanding.
With humour, sass, peril, and betrayal, this book had it all for me. Highly recommended, and when is book two coming out? Absolutely brilliant.
Set in the 1920's, you get a front seat to all that involves--Speakeasy's, prohibition, mobsters, Germans. It's all here, and gives you an insight into what life might have been like.
Rory and Arthur make for a perfect couple! I loved Rory's sass and his spitting alley cat fight. Arthur is the big softie with an even bigger heart, who just wants to help.
With a great cast of characters, this story was gripping from the very start. The pacing is smooth, there were no plot holes I fell through, and the world building is outstanding.
With humour, sass, peril, and betrayal, this book had it all for me. Highly recommended, and when is book two coming out? Absolutely brilliant.
Edexcel A Level Further Maths: Further Decision 1 Student Book
Mark Rowland, Brian Jefferson, David Bowles and John Rayneau
Book
This Student Book provides full support for the Decision Maths 1 paper in the Edexcel AS and A Level...
Edexcel A Level Further Maths: Further Pure 2 Student Book
Mark Rowland, Brian Jefferson, David Bowles and John Rayneau
Book
This Student Book provides full support for the Further Pure 2 paper in the Edexcel AS and A Level...