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David McK (3587 KP) rated Ghost Story (The Dresden Files, #13) in Books
Dec 31, 2021
It's been a while since I last read the last full-length Harry Dresden novel ([i]Changes[/i]), so I'd more or less forgot how action-packed they generally are.
Picking up months after *that* ending of the previous books, I've gotta say, you'd wonder how Jim Butcher is going to continue the series! The answer is rather unusual: how many other novels (or, for that matter, stories in general) can you think of where the main character/narrator are a ghost? Beetlejuice, maybe, but other than that ... ?
Anyhow, this is another action packed entry in the series, with Harry's shade - unable to touch any physical object, or to communicate with the vast majority of the world - is back in Chicago, primarily looking for the identity of his own killer (I must admit that I was actually blindsided a bit by that identity, when it was finally revealed).
Picking up months after *that* ending of the previous books, I've gotta say, you'd wonder how Jim Butcher is going to continue the series! The answer is rather unusual: how many other novels (or, for that matter, stories in general) can you think of where the main character/narrator are a ghost? Beetlejuice, maybe, but other than that ... ?
Anyhow, this is another action packed entry in the series, with Harry's shade - unable to touch any physical object, or to communicate with the vast majority of the world - is back in Chicago, primarily looking for the identity of his own killer (I must admit that I was actually blindsided a bit by that identity, when it was finally revealed).
Cassie Osbourne (6 KP) rated The Toymaker in Books
Nov 9, 2018
As a kid who was into books with a dark, almost gothic feel to them when I picked this up at the age of thirteen I really loved it. What wasn't to like? Very creepy cover, exciting concepts, dark scenes and mortal peril - it had all of those boxes ticked. Yes, I can safely say that teenage me thought this book was excellent. So when I found this book under my bed a few weeks ago, I decided to give the book another read to see if it was as good as I remembered.
Sadly it wasn't. Don't get me wrong, this is still a good book (although three stars it is the higher end) but reading it eight years on there are particular aspects of this book that my adult brain has picked out more than my teen one.
The characters are alright; I suppose, but they are incredibly simplistic with very little character development. Katta (a joint protagonist with Mathias) is the only character who feels like she could be more interesting and have a little more about her than the rest, but I was still very unsure about whether I liked her or not (and the way she speaks really annoyed me). I would also have liked to see some more complex relationships - especially between Koenig and Stefan and Katta and Stefan (whose relationship was a very simplistic 'I hate you because of X' but nothing beyond that so got quite boring after a while). However, this is a kid's/young teen's book and didn't bother me too much when I first read it so I guess I can cut it a little slack.
The atmosphere was the thing that I most remembered this book for (there still being a couple of chapters fixed in my mind for how creepy they were), and I'm glad to say that this really held up. The book is dark most of the way through, and the sections/chapters where de Quidt really sees how dark he can be are the best and most memorable parts of the book. Any chapter with Marguerite is brilliant and I absolutely loved the carnival sections. Any bit where it's just Katta on her own away from the rest of the group is really dark (a little seedy perhaps) and just great. The one thing that is perhaps a little too far for me personally is the very vivid and graphic descriptions of the injuries/wounds (and there are a lot) and how they feel which, for someone like me who is a bit squeamish, can be a bit much. It was really nice that the thing that I most remembered the book for is still as great as when I first read it.
For the most part, the writing style is good. There are, however, occasional moments when the wording/phrasing and punctuation are a bit off or clunky. This makes it quite confusing at times and is a little distracting but I think this might be a translation (maybe) so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. This is the only thing that I can really remember bugging me when I was thirteen.
The plot is pretty good for what it is (four people solving a mystery about a blank piece of paper while villains follow and try to stop them) but I felt like this was more a sort of vehicle for creating a creepy atmosphere, which is no bad thing really. I have to say that when I found the book after so many years, I honestly couldn't remember the plot and I daresay I'll have forgotten it again in a few months time.
The intrigue with which this book grips the reader is, in no small part, down to the atmosphere that is created. I am someone who gets distracted very quickly, especially when reading, but when I picked this book up, I would find myself not able to put it down unless I was called away from it or found that it was 1 am and I should probably get some sleep. This is an excellent sign in any book but especially one aimed at teenagers.
The logic in 'The Toymaker' is hit and miss at best. The characters are wounded for what seems like forever but they don't really succumb to them apart from getting a little paler and being in pain most of the time. There are also lots of things that are not explained or just flat out make no sense. Yes, there is a bit of magic in the story but there still has to be some kind of logic or explanation for it rather than it being used as a kind of jarring deus ex machina to quickly (and a bit clumsily and lazily) move the story along. I can't really say whether or not this bothered me when I read it eight years ago because it's all tied up with the plot and, like I said earlier, I didn't really remember much of it.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I enjoyed delving back into Jeremy de Quidt's dark and creepy world and it was great revisiting, what I call, a nostalgia read but I think that now it is time to give my copy to a charity shop so another younger teenager can find and enjoy it while it's space on my bookshelf can be given to a book that I will enjoy as an adult.
Characters: 5.5/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Plot: 6/10
Intrigue: 8/10
Logic: 4.5/10
Enjoyment: 7/10
Sadly it wasn't. Don't get me wrong, this is still a good book (although three stars it is the higher end) but reading it eight years on there are particular aspects of this book that my adult brain has picked out more than my teen one.
The characters are alright; I suppose, but they are incredibly simplistic with very little character development. Katta (a joint protagonist with Mathias) is the only character who feels like she could be more interesting and have a little more about her than the rest, but I was still very unsure about whether I liked her or not (and the way she speaks really annoyed me). I would also have liked to see some more complex relationships - especially between Koenig and Stefan and Katta and Stefan (whose relationship was a very simplistic 'I hate you because of X' but nothing beyond that so got quite boring after a while). However, this is a kid's/young teen's book and didn't bother me too much when I first read it so I guess I can cut it a little slack.
The atmosphere was the thing that I most remembered this book for (there still being a couple of chapters fixed in my mind for how creepy they were), and I'm glad to say that this really held up. The book is dark most of the way through, and the sections/chapters where de Quidt really sees how dark he can be are the best and most memorable parts of the book. Any chapter with Marguerite is brilliant and I absolutely loved the carnival sections. Any bit where it's just Katta on her own away from the rest of the group is really dark (a little seedy perhaps) and just great. The one thing that is perhaps a little too far for me personally is the very vivid and graphic descriptions of the injuries/wounds (and there are a lot) and how they feel which, for someone like me who is a bit squeamish, can be a bit much. It was really nice that the thing that I most remembered the book for is still as great as when I first read it.
For the most part, the writing style is good. There are, however, occasional moments when the wording/phrasing and punctuation are a bit off or clunky. This makes it quite confusing at times and is a little distracting but I think this might be a translation (maybe) so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. This is the only thing that I can really remember bugging me when I was thirteen.
The plot is pretty good for what it is (four people solving a mystery about a blank piece of paper while villains follow and try to stop them) but I felt like this was more a sort of vehicle for creating a creepy atmosphere, which is no bad thing really. I have to say that when I found the book after so many years, I honestly couldn't remember the plot and I daresay I'll have forgotten it again in a few months time.
The intrigue with which this book grips the reader is, in no small part, down to the atmosphere that is created. I am someone who gets distracted very quickly, especially when reading, but when I picked this book up, I would find myself not able to put it down unless I was called away from it or found that it was 1 am and I should probably get some sleep. This is an excellent sign in any book but especially one aimed at teenagers.
The logic in 'The Toymaker' is hit and miss at best. The characters are wounded for what seems like forever but they don't really succumb to them apart from getting a little paler and being in pain most of the time. There are also lots of things that are not explained or just flat out make no sense. Yes, there is a bit of magic in the story but there still has to be some kind of logic or explanation for it rather than it being used as a kind of jarring deus ex machina to quickly (and a bit clumsily and lazily) move the story along. I can't really say whether or not this bothered me when I read it eight years ago because it's all tied up with the plot and, like I said earlier, I didn't really remember much of it.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I enjoyed delving back into Jeremy de Quidt's dark and creepy world and it was great revisiting, what I call, a nostalgia read but I think that now it is time to give my copy to a charity shop so another younger teenager can find and enjoy it while it's space on my bookshelf can be given to a book that I will enjoy as an adult.
Characters: 5.5/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Plot: 6/10
Intrigue: 8/10
Logic: 4.5/10
Enjoyment: 7/10
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Queen Sugar in Books
May 10, 2018
Charley Bordelon has just inherited 800 acres of a sugar cane farm from her father. So she uproots herself and her daughter from their life in California to Saint Josephine, Louisiana. She moves in with her grandmother, Miss Honey and tries her best to raise a successful cane farm. With other family members stepping in her way, this can prove to be difficult at times. Charley is doing the best she can, but will it be enough to keep the farm or will she be forced to sell it and head back to California.
I watched the series for this book on <a href="http://www.oprah.com/app/queen-sugar.html">OWN</a>; and I loved it. If I would have known about the book, I definitely would have read that first. They always say, the book is better than the movie, but in this case, I will say that the book was not as good as the series. The characterization is a little different and the TV series definitely added a lot more drama to the situation. Overall, though, I enjoyed the book and look forward to other books by <a href="http://nataliebaszile.com/">Natalie Baszile</a>.
Charley Bordelon has a lot on her plate. She has an adolescent daughter who hates the idea of leaving her home in California to live in a remote area of Louisiana. She has a sugar cane farm she has just inherited and she knows nothing about sugar cane. Her older brother Ralph Angel feels as though he is entitled to something, but he feels that way about everything in his life. Dealing with hurricanes, quitting farm hands, no money, and flooding back lots, there is a lot to learn and most people in the area, don't think she can do it.
The book takes you on a journey through Charley's first season of Cane Farming and all the trials and tribulations she endures during this time. I enjoyed the book and I look forward to the new season of the show coming this summer!
I watched the series for this book on <a href="http://www.oprah.com/app/queen-sugar.html">OWN</a>; and I loved it. If I would have known about the book, I definitely would have read that first. They always say, the book is better than the movie, but in this case, I will say that the book was not as good as the series. The characterization is a little different and the TV series definitely added a lot more drama to the situation. Overall, though, I enjoyed the book and look forward to other books by <a href="http://nataliebaszile.com/">Natalie Baszile</a>.
Charley Bordelon has a lot on her plate. She has an adolescent daughter who hates the idea of leaving her home in California to live in a remote area of Louisiana. She has a sugar cane farm she has just inherited and she knows nothing about sugar cane. Her older brother Ralph Angel feels as though he is entitled to something, but he feels that way about everything in his life. Dealing with hurricanes, quitting farm hands, no money, and flooding back lots, there is a lot to learn and most people in the area, don't think she can do it.
The book takes you on a journey through Charley's first season of Cane Farming and all the trials and tribulations she endures during this time. I enjoyed the book and I look forward to the new season of the show coming this summer!
SUPERB. EVER EVOLVING. EXCITING. THRILLING. EXCELLENT READ.
Brilliant, just like Amy.
Can you ever really know someone- completely?
WOW! I loved this book. I believe it is probably because the subject matter is so different from many of the titles I have read this year. I especially liked the way the author used the time frames as the chapters; “One week after…”
Halfway through the book I was very unsure how the story would end or turn out at all. I thought I knew what was going on until I reached the last few pages. I always think there are better ways to end certain stories but even though the ending didn’t turn out as I thought it would it was still an excellent story nonetheless. I wouldn’t change anything.
I hate raving about an author in a review to help others decide whether the read is worth their time or not. I have to say IT IS ABSOLUTELY worth the time. I typically don’t even read e-books unless its one of those books I simply cannot wait for, then I typically drag through the stories since I hate reading them on the computer and the tablet or Ipad is frustrating when all you want to do is turn a paper page. However, I would buy this author’s e-books and proudly on my desktop.
Gillian Flynn is a very good story teller. I am ecstatic that I discovered this author. I will definitely be following this read up with her other two novels: Sharp Objects and Dark Places.
Brilliant, just like Amy.
Can you ever really know someone- completely?
WOW! I loved this book. I believe it is probably because the subject matter is so different from many of the titles I have read this year. I especially liked the way the author used the time frames as the chapters; “One week after…”
Halfway through the book I was very unsure how the story would end or turn out at all. I thought I knew what was going on until I reached the last few pages. I always think there are better ways to end certain stories but even though the ending didn’t turn out as I thought it would it was still an excellent story nonetheless. I wouldn’t change anything.
I hate raving about an author in a review to help others decide whether the read is worth their time or not. I have to say IT IS ABSOLUTELY worth the time. I typically don’t even read e-books unless its one of those books I simply cannot wait for, then I typically drag through the stories since I hate reading them on the computer and the tablet or Ipad is frustrating when all you want to do is turn a paper page. However, I would buy this author’s e-books and proudly on my desktop.
Gillian Flynn is a very good story teller. I am ecstatic that I discovered this author. I will definitely be following this read up with her other two novels: Sharp Objects and Dark Places.
Kevin Phillipson (10072 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of BioShock The Collection in Video Games
Aug 12, 2019
Big daddies (2 more)
Little sisters
Rapture city
As I'm only reviewing the first to bioshocks and not infinite that will be separate review what can I say about bioshock games very creepy very claustrophobic and very dark my favourite characters are the big daddies and little sisters they are the stars of the game they draw u into the game as u search for Andrew Ryan thru rapture city spawring underwater city u traverse thru the first two games if u survive the splicers along the way who are addicted to Adam. It's a brilliant collection of three games looking forward to infinite after I finish the first two games
Richard Hell recommended The Brood (1979) in Movies (curated)
Julia Roberts recommended The Wild Palms in Books (curated)
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated Idaho in Books
Mar 15, 2018
Read me review here: https://bookbumzuky.wordpress.com/2017/02/16/review-idaho-by-emily-ruskovich/
<i><b>Take your picture off the wall
So I wont have to see your eyes
And maybe soon I wont recall
The painful things that once were nice</i></b>
This is one of those pieces of literature that is so beautiful and so emotional that its hard to get your words out. Im stuck on how to convey the beauty and excellence of this book.
Told through several different perspectives over several different years, this novel is a character study of how one event can affect so many different people. If youre into slow paced, character focused novels with little mystery and action, then this novel is going to become one of your favourites.
Without going through every single character and scene, I feel like its not easy to comment on this novel, but I dont really want to give anything away because I think this is a book you should start off with, not knowing much about it. If Ruskovich wanted you to know more about this piece of work, shed have written a different synopsis.
All I can say about this book is that its a <b>must read</b> debut for 2017. Im looking forward to more of Ruskovichs work.
<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Random House, Vintage Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.</i>
<i><b>Take your picture off the wall
So I wont have to see your eyes
And maybe soon I wont recall
The painful things that once were nice</i></b>
This is one of those pieces of literature that is so beautiful and so emotional that its hard to get your words out. Im stuck on how to convey the beauty and excellence of this book.
Told through several different perspectives over several different years, this novel is a character study of how one event can affect so many different people. If youre into slow paced, character focused novels with little mystery and action, then this novel is going to become one of your favourites.
Without going through every single character and scene, I feel like its not easy to comment on this novel, but I dont really want to give anything away because I think this is a book you should start off with, not knowing much about it. If Ruskovich wanted you to know more about this piece of work, shed have written a different synopsis.
All I can say about this book is that its a <b>must read</b> debut for 2017. Im looking forward to more of Ruskovichs work.
<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Random House, Vintage Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.</i>
Merissa (13123 KP) rated Flight (Voodoo Butterfly, #3) in Books
Aug 6, 2020
Flight is the third book in the Voodoo Butterfly series and it really must be read as a series rather than a set of standalones.
We start off in Malaysia as Sophie has travelled there to figure things out with Taj once and for all. Once there she realises things weren't as simple as she thought although, to be fair, it was quite clear as the reader just what was going on! 😁 Still, it made for a thrilling read, especially with the added bits of Sophie learning as she goes along. I do so love Marie and the witticisms she gives to Sophie.
The details given are, quite simply, amazing. I can only imagine the amount of research this series has taken but it is worth every moment. Yolanda was a bit too obvious for me so I can't say as I was surprised with that turn of events but even so, I still enjoyed how it was written.
This is an amazing series that just gets better with each book. I love the depth and history of each story and how they interlock with each other. I will always be #TeamJacques but I guess I can see how Taj fits into the picture. 😉
All in all, a brilliant book in a fantastic series that I most definitely recommend. Can't wait for the fourth!
* 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!
We start off in Malaysia as Sophie has travelled there to figure things out with Taj once and for all. Once there she realises things weren't as simple as she thought although, to be fair, it was quite clear as the reader just what was going on! 😁 Still, it made for a thrilling read, especially with the added bits of Sophie learning as she goes along. I do so love Marie and the witticisms she gives to Sophie.
The details given are, quite simply, amazing. I can only imagine the amount of research this series has taken but it is worth every moment. Yolanda was a bit too obvious for me so I can't say as I was surprised with that turn of events but even so, I still enjoyed how it was written.
This is an amazing series that just gets better with each book. I love the depth and history of each story and how they interlock with each other. I will always be #TeamJacques but I guess I can see how Taj fits into the picture. 😉
All in all, a brilliant book in a fantastic series that I most definitely recommend. Can't wait for the fourth!
* 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!
Wolf Tamer (Claiming My Pack #1)
4.5
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An Orphan Girl. A Group of Wolves. A Destined Fate for War. Don't you ever wish to find where...
Reverse_Harem Paranormal Romance Adult