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At the Table of Wolves (Dark Talents #1)
At the Table of Wolves (Dark Talents #1)
Kay Kenyon | 2017 | Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I've had this book on my nook e-reader since it was released, but I just never had the itch to read it.
I'm glad I finally did. This is the first of a trilogy that's an alt-history in the 1930s. After the Great War, there's an event called 'the bloom' and individuals begin to have 'talents' or powers manifest. It's definitely a riff off of the X-Men, but it really worked for me in this novel. The lead character, Kim, is a 30-something who has the talent of 'spill', which is essentially compelling people to spill various secrets, though she can't exactly control it. I liked Kim because she was completely relatable and made mistakes.
I wish that the book had been longer, but now I'm anxiously awaiting for the 2nd book from the library. Luckily, the final book in the trilogy is coming out in March, so I won't have long to wait for book 3.
  
Seaforth Prison (The Haunted #3)
Seaforth Prison (The Haunted #3)
Patrick Logan | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry, Horror, Paranormal
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A disappointing continuation of the series
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, which I've been reading as part of my Kindle Unlimited subscription, even if certain elements felt a little predictable.

The second book didn't have quite the same level of excitement and tension as the first, but was still enough to hook a reader and kept with "The Haunted" theme of the series.

With this third book, any "haunting" element has really been pushed into the background and I don't feel that the story is quite as compelling in this latest installment. I also read some reviews of the second book after I finished it, and one in particular mentioned the lack of variety in the swearing - and now that I'm aware of it, it REALLY started to bother me.

I know I'm going to go ahead and read the next book in the series, at least. Hopefully this will be return to the more exiting themes of the earlier books
  
Ready Player One
Ready Player One
Ernest Cline | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
7
8.9 (161 Ratings)
Book Rating
Writing is excellent (2 more)
Full of well developed characters
Very believable
Very heavy on the 80s genre (0 more)
If I had been a teenager in the 80s I’m sure I would be absolutely loved the constant references to familiar games, but the 90s was my decade so a great deal went straight over my head. That said the future envisioned by the author is compelling and if I may say, utterly frightening. To not have any future in the real world and to only live in a virtual reality is my worst nightmare come to life. I enjoy playing games but having it BE my life is a step too far. The level of despair I could feel in the book was fascinating. The characters and plot were well developed, believable and realistic. By the time I put this book down, though satisfied with the ending I was relieved to get back to the real world.
  
TU
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Maxine “Max” O’Hara and Jake Lambert are entering a local brews and burgers festival. However, the festival takes a turn for the worse when notoriously nasty food critic Reginald Mobley signs on as a replacement judge. However, no one expects him to be murdered. Worse yet, he collapses right after eating Jake’s entry in the burger competition. Can Max figure out what is happening.

I enjoyed the first book in this series, but I loved this one even more. The characters we met in the first book are all back, and they are still fantastic. The mystery is compelling with lots of secrets to be revealed before we reach a suspenseful and logical climax. I’m already looking forward to the next in the series.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-tangled-up-in-brew-by-joyce.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
LG
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was a very sad and true tale about the disappearances of women in the North Eastern coast of America. If you know me, you will know I love true crime stories. I don't know why, I just find them so interesting and compelling. That being said, this one was incredibly sad. These women who were abducted, killed, and buried without any feeling for their lives or their families lives is heinous and callous. The fact that these women's killer still has yet to be found is just as horrifying. I am definitely planning on looking into these murders more, not really to see if I can help, because I don't think I can. But I would like to see if there is more information that can be gathered on it.

To the friends and families involved, I hope you are able to find peace in knowing your childrens' stories are getting out into the world. Thank you for sharing their stories.
  
H(
Hunted (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #6)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow. That was SO good! Now when can I have more?

Seriously, I need to learn that every time I get my hands in a new book from Hearne, I should just clear my calendar and explain to all and sundry that I am unavailable for the following day or so. I am wholly incapable of reading them in anything but one delicious session, rubbing sleepy eyes, skipping meals, and ignoring the phone. When I do come to the last page, I flip on, desperately hoping that there might be a little more left. Afterwards, I have to immediately visit the author's web site, seeking news of the next release.

There are very few winters whose work is so compelling to me. Jim Butcher is the other who comes to mind immediately.

If you haven't read the Iron Druid series, I strongly encourage you to do so. If you've read earlier volumes but not thus one, what are you waiting for?
  
E is for Evidence (Kinsey Millhone, #5)
E is for Evidence (Kinsey Millhone, #5)
Sue Grafton | 2005 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
A couple of days before Christmas, Kinsey is asked to investigate a fire for the insurance company she sometimes works for. Everything looks routine until she is called in to defend her findings and sees pages that were not part of her original file. Afraid she might find herself accused of insurance fraud, she starts investigating the situation. But is she the target or an innocent bystander?

I truly enjoyed this book since it starts out with a great mystery that doesn’t involved a murder. Of course, when murder does enter the picture, it only gets more compelling from there. What few supporting characters there are in the series are mostly missing thanks to the Christmas time frame, but I found it a great way to develop Kinsey more, and the new characters were fabulous, doing their job as suspects perfectly.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/11/book-review-e-is-for-evidence-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.