Search
Search results
Sarah (126 KP) rated Scarsdale Crematorium (The Haunted #4) in Books
Feb 18, 2019
By this point, the series is really starting to feel like it's being drawn out unnecessarily. More characters are being brought in, with pages of information about them/their surroundings/backgrounds, which feels a lot like filler to meet a word count in some cases.
For me, the series isn't living up to the promise of the first book, which is a real shame. I really hoped for a more "haunted" vibe, given the name of the series, with unresolved matters being settled in the manner of the very first book, but the direction the story has taken isn't as appealing to me - purely a matter of personal taste, and I'm clearly very much in the minority given reviews I've read on other sites.
In all honesty, this isn't a series I would have persevered with if I was buying the books, but borrowing them as part of my Kindle Unlimited subscription (akin to borrowing from a local library, but more convenient!), I will finish the series.
For me, the series isn't living up to the promise of the first book, which is a real shame. I really hoped for a more "haunted" vibe, given the name of the series, with unresolved matters being settled in the manner of the very first book, but the direction the story has taken isn't as appealing to me - purely a matter of personal taste, and I'm clearly very much in the minority given reviews I've read on other sites.
In all honesty, this isn't a series I would have persevered with if I was buying the books, but borrowing them as part of my Kindle Unlimited subscription (akin to borrowing from a local library, but more convenient!), I will finish the series.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated The Stonekeeper (Amulet, #1) in Books
Apr 17, 2019
Beautiful graphics & engaging plot
I have been waiting forever for the library copy of this book to finally be available! I am so glad I waited. I first learned of the Amulet series when I worked in a bookstore. I just started to get into graphic novels and it was always a book I passed by and thought "I should read that." When my niece came to my house toating the book around like precious cargo, I knew it was time to finally read it!
The Stonekeeper is the first book in the series and it really does a great job of setting up the story. The graphics were breathtakingly good & I loved how it was just the perfect amount of dark. I will say, it surprised me how dark it was but that isn't a bad thing. I tend to like grittier things so it was a pleasant surprise. The plot kept my interest and I will definitely need to keep reading the series!
The Stonekeeper is the first book in the series and it really does a great job of setting up the story. The graphics were breathtakingly good & I loved how it was just the perfect amount of dark. I will say, it surprised me how dark it was but that isn't a bad thing. I tend to like grittier things so it was a pleasant surprise. The plot kept my interest and I will definitely need to keep reading the series!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2177 KP) rated The Fantastic Family Whipple in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Arthur is the only member of the Whipple family who hasn’t broken any world records. It’s not that he hasn’t tried, but he always comes up short. However, when the family birthday party is sabotaged, Arthur might be the only one who can uncover the truth.
I wanted to like this book. I really did. The various world records were outlandishly funny. The characters were good, although most of them don’t get that much development. Unfortunately, the plot was too unfocused and fairly uneven as a result. I really think there needed to be more focus on that in another rewrite to make this book better. Having said that, there are some dangling threads that make me curious enough to think about picking up the next book, but only if I can get it from the library.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-fantastic-family-whipple-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I wanted to like this book. I really did. The various world records were outlandishly funny. The characters were good, although most of them don’t get that much development. Unfortunately, the plot was too unfocused and fairly uneven as a result. I really think there needed to be more focus on that in another rewrite to make this book better. Having said that, there are some dangling threads that make me curious enough to think about picking up the next book, but only if I can get it from the library.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-fantastic-family-whipple-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2177 KP) rated No Cats Allowed (Cat in the Stacks, #7) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The Athena College Library has a new director, and Oscar Reilly seems determined to drive all the staff away. The heads of the library’s departments hate him and Charlie’s friend Melba is ready to quit. In fact, Charlie’s issue, that Oscar is claiming allergies as a reason that Charlie can’t bring his cat Diesel to work anymore, seems minor. It’s not terribly surprising when Oscar turns up dead, but who actually killed him?
Those who like this series will love this installment. The characters are as delightful as ever, and we get some advancement on series plot threads. The murder is set up well with good suspects and motives that Charlie has to work his way through until we reach the logical solution. This is my favorite to date in the series.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-no-cats-allowed-by-miranda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Those who like this series will love this installment. The characters are as delightful as ever, and we get some advancement on series plot threads. The murder is set up well with good suspects and motives that Charlie has to work his way through until we reach the logical solution. This is my favorite to date in the series.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-no-cats-allowed-by-miranda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2177 KP) rated Claws for Concern (Cat in the Stacks, #9) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Charlie’s grandson has been born, and he’s delighted to be spending time with this addition to the family. But he soon begins to get drawn into another mystery. First a true crime writer wants to write about some of Charlie’s past cases. Then there’s the mysterious man in the library asking questions.
This is definitely a slower book in the series as it took a while for us to figure out exactly where the mystery might be. There is one in the book, and I enjoyed it once Charlie started investigating. As always, the characters, both new and old, shine. I loved getting to spend more time with the usual gang, and most of them get at least an appearance. We also get to see some characters from the author’s other series, which was a lot of fun.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2018/03/book-review-claws-for-concern-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is definitely a slower book in the series as it took a while for us to figure out exactly where the mystery might be. There is one in the book, and I enjoyed it once Charlie started investigating. As always, the characters, both new and old, shine. I loved getting to spend more time with the usual gang, and most of them get at least an appearance. We also get to see some characters from the author’s other series, which was a lot of fun.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2018/03/book-review-claws-for-concern-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Whisper To The Blood (Kate Shugak, #16) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I've enjoyed Stabenow's work since her first novel, <i>Second Star</i>, and I request every new book at the library as soon as it hits their computer system. I'm glad I read this one, but it really took patience to get to the "good stuff." For some reason, the first half of the book moves very, very slowly. It does wrap up a loose end from the previous Shugak tale, but one of the book's two murders is solved in such a way that it seems an afterthought, right at the end.
Still, Johnny Morgan, now 16, gets more "face time" in this book than in any of the earlier ones. The Aunties (Vi, Edna, Joy, and Balasha) all get some time, and we get more of their background than we've had in the past.
I definitely recommend the book for confirmed fans of the Shugak series, but it wouldn't be the best place for a reader new to the author to start.
Still, Johnny Morgan, now 16, gets more "face time" in this book than in any of the earlier ones. The Aunties (Vi, Edna, Joy, and Balasha) all get some time, and we get more of their background than we've had in the past.
I definitely recommend the book for confirmed fans of the Shugak series, but it wouldn't be the best place for a reader new to the author to start.
When sorting books in the basement of the town library, Ricky Kidd stumbles on what he thinks might be a treasure map. Soon, the entire town is buzzing about it, and the race is on to find the treasure that the town miser hid before his death. Can Ricky and his friends find the treasure first? Is there even a treasure to find?
It’s been a while since I first read this series or revisited the characters, but I quickly fell back under their spell. The characters are absolutely wonderful with hints at hidden layers. The plot is strong with wonderful clues and twists before the end. And there are some great laughs and nice thoughtful moments along the way as well. The target middle grade audience will love it, and any mystery reader will enjoy it as well.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-race-for-park-street.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
It’s been a while since I first read this series or revisited the characters, but I quickly fell back under their spell. The characters are absolutely wonderful with hints at hidden layers. The plot is strong with wonderful clues and twists before the end. And there are some great laughs and nice thoughtful moments along the way as well. The target middle grade audience will love it, and any mystery reader will enjoy it as well.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-race-for-park-street.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Booksnthreads (19 KP) rated What Would She Do? 25 True Stories of Trailblazing Rebel Women in Books
Jun 4, 2018
My classroom library is somewhat lacking when it comes to non-fiction. I often have a difficult time finding non-fiction that is engaging for a middle school audience.
While I think that this will interest my students, as an adult reader, it's a bit lacking in depth.
I like the bite-sized chunks of information and the bold illustrations of each woman profiled in the book. The biographical information is just the right amount for this age group.
What I really objected to was the attempt to provide life advice from each woman. After each biography, the author imagines a modern real life question readers might have and then attempts to answer that question as the woman who was just profiled might. The whole thing feels incredibly contrived and, at times, not even loosely connected to the woman who was just profiled. I think I actually cringed with some of them because of how cliche and didactic they are.
While I think that this will interest my students, as an adult reader, it's a bit lacking in depth.
I like the bite-sized chunks of information and the bold illustrations of each woman profiled in the book. The biographical information is just the right amount for this age group.
What I really objected to was the attempt to provide life advice from each woman. After each biography, the author imagines a modern real life question readers might have and then attempts to answer that question as the woman who was just profiled might. The whole thing feels incredibly contrived and, at times, not even loosely connected to the woman who was just profiled. I think I actually cringed with some of them because of how cliche and didactic they are.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated You Are So Undead to Me (Megan Berry, #1) in Books
Nov 14, 2018
<b>2 Star Rating</b>
I picked this one up from the library because it sounded good and I love books about zombies.
The idea is fantastic! It's original in the sense that it's about zombies crying out for help and needing assistance with their unfinished business rather than trying to eat your brains...I liked that.
Unfortunately for me the idea just didn't come together. I found the MC to be very annoying and the plot was continuously battered due to her wanting to be popular...it was just one big popularity contest. I found the other characters rather shallow and were immensely over shadowed by the MC. Just by looking at the front cover I should of expected that whole American high school princess drama but I guess I didn't expect it to be that bad.
So much could of been done with such a fantastic idea, it just wasn't for me.
I picked this one up from the library because it sounded good and I love books about zombies.
The idea is fantastic! It's original in the sense that it's about zombies crying out for help and needing assistance with their unfinished business rather than trying to eat your brains...I liked that.
Unfortunately for me the idea just didn't come together. I found the MC to be very annoying and the plot was continuously battered due to her wanting to be popular...it was just one big popularity contest. I found the other characters rather shallow and were immensely over shadowed by the MC. Just by looking at the front cover I should of expected that whole American high school princess drama but I guess I didn't expect it to be that bad.
So much could of been done with such a fantastic idea, it just wasn't for me.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated The Small Hand in Books
Nov 14, 2018
After browsing through the shelves at my local library I spotted this book and knew I recognised the author's name...the brilliant author who wrote The Woman in Black (which I read quite recently and very much enjoyed) so I thought I would pick this one up.
The Small Hand is a nice, enjoyable ghost story which unfortunately lacked a certain chill, I did not find it to be scary in any way and I found that perhaps I was somewhat spoilt by the rollercoaster of The Woman in Black. I got a bit bored part way through with the constant diversions and the lack of depth, I wanted more meat that was sadly missing from this short book, this made it feel rushed or if there were pages missing.
I would still say that if you enjoy ghost stories please do give this one a read, it's not bad but in my opinion it just wasn't that great either.
The Small Hand is a nice, enjoyable ghost story which unfortunately lacked a certain chill, I did not find it to be scary in any way and I found that perhaps I was somewhat spoilt by the rollercoaster of The Woman in Black. I got a bit bored part way through with the constant diversions and the lack of depth, I wanted more meat that was sadly missing from this short book, this made it feel rushed or if there were pages missing.
I would still say that if you enjoy ghost stories please do give this one a read, it's not bad but in my opinion it just wasn't that great either.