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David McK (3562 KP) rated Cold Days (The Dresden Files, #14) in Books
Jan 30, 2019 (Updated Jan 16, 2022)
[2022 update]
Setting the bar pretty high already for the title of best-book-I've-read-this-year
[original 2013 review]
I heard (or read) somewhere a while back that the Dresden Files series was meant to run for about 20 books, with Jim Butcher having the general gist of the series as a whole already in mind. If that's true, then we must be on - or approaching - the home stretch, with this as book number 14 in the series.
And what a book it is, too.
By far one of the best books I've read this year, this starts with the previously-thought-to-be-dead Harry Dresden returned to health (of a sort) and life by Mab, the faerie Winter Queen, who is holding him to his promise to be her Winter Knight (which is also the reason why he was 'killed' (note the inverted commas) at the end of <i>Changes</i>, 2 books ago).
The Faerie play a larger role in this than in any book since, perhaps, <i>Summer Knight</i>, with characters from that earlier entry returning. Indeed, there's so much back-story here I wouldn't recommend picking this one up without reading any of the previous: normally, I'd count that against a novel, but not in this case. This one also leaves a couple of plot threads left hanging for the next entry, which I'm already looking forward to.
Let's hope it's not another year before I get reading it!
Setting the bar pretty high already for the title of best-book-I've-read-this-year
[original 2013 review]
I heard (or read) somewhere a while back that the Dresden Files series was meant to run for about 20 books, with Jim Butcher having the general gist of the series as a whole already in mind. If that's true, then we must be on - or approaching - the home stretch, with this as book number 14 in the series.
And what a book it is, too.
By far one of the best books I've read this year, this starts with the previously-thought-to-be-dead Harry Dresden returned to health (of a sort) and life by Mab, the faerie Winter Queen, who is holding him to his promise to be her Winter Knight (which is also the reason why he was 'killed' (note the inverted commas) at the end of <i>Changes</i>, 2 books ago).
The Faerie play a larger role in this than in any book since, perhaps, <i>Summer Knight</i>, with characters from that earlier entry returning. Indeed, there's so much back-story here I wouldn't recommend picking this one up without reading any of the previous: normally, I'd count that against a novel, but not in this case. This one also leaves a couple of plot threads left hanging for the next entry, which I'm already looking forward to.
Let's hope it's not another year before I get reading it!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Halloween Cupcake Murder in Books
Aug 23, 2023 (Updated Aug 23, 2023)
Grab a Treat to Read with These Three Novellas
Kensington is back with another Halloween anthology for us, this time featuring three different authors. Up first, Carlene O’Connor takes us Home to Ireland as a trip trying to find Halloween decorations for Tara Meehan’s shop leads her to find a dead body. Our next stop is the North Pole with Liz Ireland’s Mrs. Claus. It’s the second Halloween in Santaland, and April Claus is dealing with missing candy corn, the themed ingredient for the bakeoff, and a murder in a bakery. Finally, we travel to Salem to spend time with Carol J. Perry’s Lee Barrett. The town’s favorite baker is missing, and Lee can’t help but get involved, especially when her visions show her where he might be.
As if often the case with these anthologies, I only read one of the authors. I love the Mrs. Claus series, and this was easily my favorite in the book. The other two were good, although they did leave me with some small questions I wish had been answered. Still, they were good introductions to the characters, as I had no problem following who all the characters are. All three stories kept me guessing until sleuth figured things out. While there’s obviously a culinary theme to the collection, we only get one recipe at the end. If you are looking for some new series, this is a fun way to try three new to you authors. If you are already a fan of these series, you’ll enjoy these between books check ins.
As if often the case with these anthologies, I only read one of the authors. I love the Mrs. Claus series, and this was easily my favorite in the book. The other two were good, although they did leave me with some small questions I wish had been answered. Still, they were good introductions to the characters, as I had no problem following who all the characters are. All three stories kept me guessing until sleuth figured things out. While there’s obviously a culinary theme to the collection, we only get one recipe at the end. If you are looking for some new series, this is a fun way to try three new to you authors. If you are already a fan of these series, you’ll enjoy these between books check ins.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Heist Society (Heist Society, #1) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I bought this book from a Scholastic book order that I sent home with my 4th graders...yeah, 4th graders. I thought the synopsis looked interesting & I had heard good things about the author.
I enjoyed the book. It is similar to The Italian Job or Ocean's 11, but for a middle/early high school crowd. That is the reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 4. The writing was simple, but the plot was interesting if not a bit predictable in places. Of course it is hard for me to judge too harshly because I am not its target audience.
With that being said, it was still a great read! I look forward to continuing to read the series & see what Katarina does with her life.
I enjoyed the book. It is similar to The Italian Job or Ocean's 11, but for a middle/early high school crowd. That is the reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 4. The writing was simple, but the plot was interesting if not a bit predictable in places. Of course it is hard for me to judge too harshly because I am not its target audience.
With that being said, it was still a great read! I look forward to continuing to read the series & see what Katarina does with her life.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Final Sentence (Cookbook Nook Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Jenna Hart has returned home to Crystal Cove, California to help her aunt open a new cookbook bookstore. But their big guest for the grand opening - Food Network Star and Jenna's college roommate Desiree - is murdered before the store even opens. With local gossip making Jenna a suspect, can she prove her innocence?
This has many of the traits of a first in a series, but it is filled with warm characters and a sense of fun I enjoyed. I'm looking forward to many return trips. I did have a few niggles with the book - one weak character and a couple of timing issues - but they were minor overall.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-review-final-sentence-by-daryl.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This has many of the traits of a first in a series, but it is filled with warm characters and a sense of fun I enjoyed. I'm looking forward to many return trips. I did have a few niggles with the book - one weak character and a couple of timing issues - but they were minor overall.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-review-final-sentence-by-daryl.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated The Caregiver (Families of Honor, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2018
We are introduced to a few people in this new book and series. In the very beguining we learn about Lucy Troyer and her husband Paul. Lucy and Paul are married for two years, during that time Paul is physical and verbal abuse toward her and her family and her commuity see and know about but do thing about it.
Lucy then travel on a train to take care of her cousin Mattie who is having breast cancer. She meet a young man named Calvin and his sister, Katie and his uncle John. They are travel back home to Jacob Crossing. They get to know each other while traveling. They both have carry past hurts. Their train break down along the way and they have to band together while they face the outside world.
Lucy then travel on a train to take care of her cousin Mattie who is having breast cancer. She meet a young man named Calvin and his sister, Katie and his uncle John. They are travel back home to Jacob Crossing. They get to know each other while traveling. They both have carry past hurts. Their train break down along the way and they have to band together while they face the outside world.
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #4) in Books
Jul 5, 2018
Ugh Percy if your book wasn't so funny I would really stop reading you. Book #4, almost done the series and I will keep reading you of course because.. why stop now?
You're always so cute and funny to read but still not that super awesome of a book. Always disappointed at the end when I finish, but super quick reads so I don't feel bad about it either way.
Grover is always my favourite character to read and now Tyson added to that list as well - again with the secondaries. The story was fun, the historyness of the gods is always fun to read or whatnot but still nothing to write home about.
2.5 lovely stars for you Percy, perhaps you shall surprise me with book 5.....................................................
You're always so cute and funny to read but still not that super awesome of a book. Always disappointed at the end when I finish, but super quick reads so I don't feel bad about it either way.
Grover is always my favourite character to read and now Tyson added to that list as well - again with the secondaries. The story was fun, the historyness of the gods is always fun to read or whatnot but still nothing to write home about.
2.5 lovely stars for you Percy, perhaps you shall surprise me with book 5.....................................................
Sue (5 KP) rated Smugglers & Scones (Moorehaven Mysteries, #1) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
I am a fan of cozy mysteries and when the opportunity to read this book fell into my lap I, of course, jumped at the chance.
The main character is Pippa and she runs Moorehaven, which is a quirky bed-and-breakfast that had been the home of a world-famous mystery writer. The B&B attracts writers who want to find their own fame of writing crime novels.
The book was filled with some mystery, a little suspense, a possibility of a love connection, funny situations, and of course a murder to solve. This was a fun new mystery and I feel other readers like myself will be jumping at the chance to read more in the series.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book.
The main character is Pippa and she runs Moorehaven, which is a quirky bed-and-breakfast that had been the home of a world-famous mystery writer. The B&B attracts writers who want to find their own fame of writing crime novels.
The book was filled with some mystery, a little suspense, a possibility of a love connection, funny situations, and of course a murder to solve. This was a fun new mystery and I feel other readers like myself will be jumping at the chance to read more in the series.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book.
Caffeinated Zombie (3374 KP) rated San Diego 2014: The Last Stand Of The California Browncoats in Books
Jan 9, 2019
Description for Mira Grant's website: It was the summer of 2014, and the true horrors of the Rising were only just beginning to reveal themselves. Fans from all over the world gathered in San Diego, California for the annual comic book and media convention, planning to forget about the troubling rumors of new diseases and walking dead by immersing themselves in a familiar environment. Over the course of five grueling days and nights, it became clear that the news was very close to home…and that most of the people who picked up their badges would never make it out alive.
This novella is part of the newsflesh series, and explores what would happen if a zombie outbreak occured a comicon. And interesting read although it felt a little bit rushed.
This novella is part of the newsflesh series, and explores what would happen if a zombie outbreak occured a comicon. And interesting read although it felt a little bit rushed.
David McK (3562 KP) rated Identity Crisis in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Superman.
Batman.
Wonder Woman.
Green Arrow.
The Flash
The Elongated Man?
If, like me, you'd no idea who the latter character is - even though he has recently shown up in the DC TV series 'The Flash' - then this might seem a risky proposition. A few pages in, however, that decision pays off: unlike the 'big name' characters of DC (for whom you know nothing bad will ever really 'stick'), by making a relatively-minor character the initial focal point of the story, the tragedy that strikes (with the murder of his wife) really hits home.
That tragedy then being the reason why other members of the super-hero community start investigating her death, with it eventually coming to light that there is more going on here than meets the eye ...
Batman.
Wonder Woman.
Green Arrow.
The Flash
The Elongated Man?
If, like me, you'd no idea who the latter character is - even though he has recently shown up in the DC TV series 'The Flash' - then this might seem a risky proposition. A few pages in, however, that decision pays off: unlike the 'big name' characters of DC (for whom you know nothing bad will ever really 'stick'), by making a relatively-minor character the initial focal point of the story, the tragedy that strikes (with the murder of his wife) really hits home.
That tragedy then being the reason why other members of the super-hero community start investigating her death, with it eventually coming to light that there is more going on here than meets the eye ...
Fashion Brand Internationalization: Opportunities and Challenges: 2017
Byoungho Jin and Elena Cedrola
Book
The first volume in the Palgrave Studies in Practice: Global Fashion Brand Management series, this...