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Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated The Testament of Gideon Mack in Books
May 14, 2017
Gideon meets the Devil and he's not quite what he expected
This was a really good read. The novel is written in the style of a memoir and is pretty convincing. There are layers and layers of myths and legends throughout the novel and truth and lies become so merged that the reader is left wondering about the clarity of the protagonist and the statements and evidence of the editor and journalist who represent the story. The novel explores the life of Gideon Mack, who, like his father become a minister of the Christian church. Gideon however, has no real faith in god until his accident leads him on a journey of discovery in which he claims he meets the devil.
I thought the description of the devil was excellent and the significance of the shoes has baffled me a little, however, it may be the old, 'What is it like to walk in my shoes', I am undecided. I thought the book was well written and kept me hooked until the end. Good plot, good narrative voice and convincing read.
I thought the description of the devil was excellent and the significance of the shoes has baffled me a little, however, it may be the old, 'What is it like to walk in my shoes', I am undecided. I thought the book was well written and kept me hooked until the end. Good plot, good narrative voice and convincing read.
Long winded and dull
Dan Brown is a very divisive author. Most people either love him or hate him, and if I'm being honest, I'm verging more on the latter after reading this.
The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons were fantastic books, but I discovered after reading most of Dan Brown's other books that his writing and plots follow virtually the same paths. And that gets a little boring after a while when it feels like you're reading the same story with slightly different details. And this is the problem with Origin. It's the same old plot structure, but this time with a very dull storyline. It promises us this amazing discovery and builds it up for far too long over the initial 100 pages or so, but then reveals nothing until after 450 pages by which point I was very close to giving up. There wasn't even any tension or thrills during Brown's predictable chase scenes, and the whole story was just beyond dull and predictable. And even the final reveal right at the end, I'd predicted it right from the start. Think I may have to give up reading Dan Brown's books now.
The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons were fantastic books, but I discovered after reading most of Dan Brown's other books that his writing and plots follow virtually the same paths. And that gets a little boring after a while when it feels like you're reading the same story with slightly different details. And this is the problem with Origin. It's the same old plot structure, but this time with a very dull storyline. It promises us this amazing discovery and builds it up for far too long over the initial 100 pages or so, but then reveals nothing until after 450 pages by which point I was very close to giving up. There wasn't even any tension or thrills during Brown's predictable chase scenes, and the whole story was just beyond dull and predictable. And even the final reveal right at the end, I'd predicted it right from the start. Think I may have to give up reading Dan Brown's books now.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2273 KP) rated Blown Away in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Emmy Adler is living her dream, opening a kite shop called Strings Attached in Rock Point, Oregon, and living with her best friend Avery right on the beach. However, the morning her shop is due to open, Emmy discovers a dead body, that of Avery’s ex on the beach. With the police certain that Avery is the killer and the evidence mounting against her, Emmy jumps in to find the real killer. Can she do it?
I fell in love with the setting in the first chapter even with the discovery of the dead body by the end of it. The pace was off a couple of times, but everything did come together for the climax, and we got some good twists along the way. Emmy seemed to get angry easily, sometimes I understood and sometimes it seemed over the top. The other characters were a varied bunch and I enjoyed them. Overall, this was a good debut, and I look forward to visiting again soon.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/04/book-review-blown-away-by-clover-tate.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I fell in love with the setting in the first chapter even with the discovery of the dead body by the end of it. The pace was off a couple of times, but everything did come together for the climax, and we got some good twists along the way. Emmy seemed to get angry easily, sometimes I understood and sometimes it seemed over the top. The other characters were a varied bunch and I enjoyed them. Overall, this was a good debut, and I look forward to visiting again soon.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/04/book-review-blown-away-by-clover-tate.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Lost in Translation (Geronimo Stilton Graphic Novels, #19) in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Geronimo Stilton #19: "Lost in Translation" by Geronimo Stilton finds the mice travelling in time to stop the pirate cats. These are fun adventures with a bit of history thrown in. The history this time was the discovery of the Rosetta Stone in Egypt during Napoleon's campaign in 1798. The pirate cats have their own agenda for what to do with it. It may alter the world that Geronimo and his friends know.
This is a cute time-travel story of a Mouse, Geronimo Stilton, who is also the editor of the Roden's Gazzette. This is the 19Th in the series, and apparently he has gone on a lot of adventures, but this particular one was to the time of the Neopolonic Wars, when the French were in Egypt, uncovering artifacts to take home with them, such as the Rosetta Stone.
I like how history is taught in this series. Every so often there is a blurb about how important the Rosetta Stone is and was, and what the French were doing when they are in Egypt.
I received this ARC from Papercutz via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a cute time-travel story of a Mouse, Geronimo Stilton, who is also the editor of the Roden's Gazzette. This is the 19Th in the series, and apparently he has gone on a lot of adventures, but this particular one was to the time of the Neopolonic Wars, when the French were in Egypt, uncovering artifacts to take home with them, such as the Rosetta Stone.
I like how history is taught in this series. Every so often there is a blurb about how important the Rosetta Stone is and was, and what the French were doing when they are in Egypt.
I received this ARC from Papercutz via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2273 KP) rated Italian Iced in Books
Jul 3, 2018
The Star in the Freezer
The Terminal at the Tracks diner is featuring Italian food this month, and Laurel is thrilled with how popular the choice has been on the first night. However, she returns home to find that it has been trashed. Nothing appears to be taken, but someone was searching for something. Before she can figure out what they were looking for, she makes an even worse discovery, the body of mega movie star Meghan in the freezer down at the diner. Laurel has had no contact with Meghan for the past year since Meghan fired her. What was she doing in town? And how did she come to die in the freezer?
The mystery is great with a steady stream of clues, surprises, and red herrings to keep us guessing until the end. Laurel also gets a chance to reflect on her life then versus now, and the growth we see in her is wonderful. There are only a few series regulars, but it is fun to spend time with them again. The suspects are strong and do a great job of keeping us guessing until the end.
The mystery is great with a steady stream of clues, surprises, and red herrings to keep us guessing until the end. Laurel also gets a chance to reflect on her life then versus now, and the growth we see in her is wonderful. There are only a few series regulars, but it is fun to spend time with them again. The suspects are strong and do a great job of keeping us guessing until the end.
Cori June (3033 KP) rated Black Unicorn in Books
Dec 3, 2018 (Updated Dec 4, 2018)
I read this book last, of the three unicorn books this one (for me) was the hardest to find. I actually started with the second book purchased at a school's book fair at about age 12 and found the third book somewhere in high school then after a decade found this one in a used books store. My first thought was this is a children’s book? This chaotic crazy story, that called the main character a slut when something goes bad that is put in situations that could go extremely wrong. An anger that has occasionally levity of the peeve (one of the best characters ever). This is a book for preteens? But it just shows that with age perspective changes. Because rereading it the story changed.
Tanith Lee is a great story teller and the ending of the book it worth the trouble of the beginning. How Tanaquil grows and how less self centered and selfish she becomes is subtle. I don’t know if I would recommend reading the second unicorn book first or this one. Either way, it is a journey of discovery.
Tanith Lee is a great story teller and the ending of the book it worth the trouble of the beginning. How Tanaquil grows and how less self centered and selfish she becomes is subtle. I don’t know if I would recommend reading the second unicorn book first or this one. Either way, it is a journey of discovery.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Crimes Against Magic (The Hellequin Chronicles #1) in Books
Dec 27, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
It’s been almost ten years since Nathan Garrett woke on a cold warehouse floor with nothing but a gun, a sword, and no idea of who he was or how he got there. His only clue … a piece of paper with his name on it. Since then, he’s discovered he’s a powerful sorcerer and has used his abilities to work as a thief for hire. But he’s never stopped hunting for his true identity, and those who erased his memory have never stopped hunting for him. When the barrier ...
Absolutely brilliant!
I will admit my usual books tend to have women as female leads! This was totally refreshing and did remind me a bit of Dresden. Following Nate through his self discovery was fascinating and I found the book hard to put down. It's non stop action with so many interesting turns. Love how Steve uses characters we have all heard of from past history whether they are fictional or real and tales we all grew up with then twists them to fit his writing. So looking forward to reading more in the series. Would definitely recommend.
Absolutely brilliant!
I will admit my usual books tend to have women as female leads! This was totally refreshing and did remind me a bit of Dresden. Following Nate through his self discovery was fascinating and I found the book hard to put down. It's non stop action with so many interesting turns. Love how Steve uses characters we have all heard of from past history whether they are fictional or real and tales we all grew up with then twists them to fit his writing. So looking forward to reading more in the series. Would definitely recommend.
ClareR (5784 KP) rated The Ice House (The Honours #2) in Books
Jul 8, 2019
It wasn’t until I was halfway through this book and adding it on to Goodreads, that I realised it was the second in a series. So I would say that it can be read on it’s own - but I’m going to buy the first book and read it now! I love this world building! It would be interesting to read about Delphine’s childhood, the discovery of the Honours and the gateway.
There’s a great cast of characters in this book - the females have great representation and lead the story. They’re strong, brave and don’t wait for someone else to do what they can do for themselves.
The Honours refers to a gift given to certain, chosen people from this otherworldly, accessed by the gateway, and it makes them immortal - which I thought was a great touch.
I feel that only the surface has been scratched, and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series (there had better be one - we’re certainly left thinking that there will be one!). Thanks to NetGalley for my copy of this book - this is all my own, unbiased opinion, and I’m sorry for taking so long to review it!
There’s a great cast of characters in this book - the females have great representation and lead the story. They’re strong, brave and don’t wait for someone else to do what they can do for themselves.
The Honours refers to a gift given to certain, chosen people from this otherworldly, accessed by the gateway, and it makes them immortal - which I thought was a great touch.
I feel that only the surface has been scratched, and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series (there had better be one - we’re certainly left thinking that there will be one!). Thanks to NetGalley for my copy of this book - this is all my own, unbiased opinion, and I’m sorry for taking so long to review it!
