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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Mar 10, 2022
Merissa (11779 KP) rated Remembered (Hollow City Coven #5) in Books
May 20, 2023
This has been a wonderful series so far, but this instalment blew the others out of the water. In this novella, we get the story of Tenebris and how Galia, Mina, and Strayke end up there, and what becomes of them once they are there. The majority of this story is told about the past, with Gillian, Mathias, and Shayne only making a brief appearance at the end.
This certainly fills in the holes that Gillian has had in her 'memory', whilst giving the reader a front-row seat in their history. Exceedingly well-written, with characters that jump out of the page to you. With no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this is an excellent addition to the Hollow City Coven series, and definitely recommended.
* 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!
Jan 30, 2016
This certainly fills in the holes that Gillian has had in her 'memory', whilst giving the reader a front-row seat in their history. Exceedingly well-written, with characters that jump out of the page to you. With no editing or grammatical errors that I found, this is an excellent addition to the Hollow City Coven series, and definitely recommended.
* 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!
Jan 30, 2016
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Along Came a Spider (Transplanted Tales, #3) in Books
Sep 6, 2019
The main thing I liked about this story was how the characters were rarely how they were portrayed in their particular rhyme or story, for example, Olivia Snow White running an adult business; whod have thought?? Haha :P
Its brilliant and contains almost all of our favourite characters from Al Addin to Juliet Capulet (she gets mentioned, anyway)
Im just sorry I missed the first two books in the series though they arent really necessary to understand this one, and I presume tell the story of two of the other couples mentioned in this one (Red and Nate and Lavender and Seth). I have to admit the author does a good job of making sure you dont miss out on much that happened in the previous books by retelling it from another characters viewpoint, though it isnt quite the same as reading it as it happened, if you know what I mean. It isnt necessary but it is an advantage to read Red and The Better to See You before this one.
That being said, the author has a great style of writing and I was quickly dragged into the story. Its a mix of action, mystery and romance. What more could you ask for?
Its brilliant and contains almost all of our favourite characters from Al Addin to Juliet Capulet (she gets mentioned, anyway)
Im just sorry I missed the first two books in the series though they arent really necessary to understand this one, and I presume tell the story of two of the other couples mentioned in this one (Red and Nate and Lavender and Seth). I have to admit the author does a good job of making sure you dont miss out on much that happened in the previous books by retelling it from another characters viewpoint, though it isnt quite the same as reading it as it happened, if you know what I mean. It isnt necessary but it is an advantage to read Red and The Better to See You before this one.
That being said, the author has a great style of writing and I was quickly dragged into the story. Its a mix of action, mystery and romance. What more could you ask for?
Ross (3282 KP) rated The Liar's Key in Books
Mar 30, 2018
Reading Mark Lawrence books, while seeing the outpouring of adoration for his works on facebook and goodreads, is quite a complicated situation to find yourself in.
I love Mark Lawrence's writing style - that is, his flowing prose and sense of humour. I love the world of the Broken Empire - a post-apocalyptic version of the world after the use of nuclear weapons (all very much implied) and where the sea level has risen, changing the geography of Europe. I like most of the characters (in that I like all aspects of some of them and some aspects of the rest of them if that makes sense).
The tricky thing is, I have mixed feelings about the way Lawrence lays his books out - to my understanding he has a high level idea of the plot but then just ... writes. He just lets it happen. Now, this isn't a car crash like it might sound, there are enough hints and pointers strewn throughout the book (or trilogy) to make it all hang together, but at times things happen that just don't quite feel right. I'm not sure if its a deus ex machine type thing or just his characters being spontaneous, but at times I found that the right thing happens despite no suggestions this should be so. Characters making illogical decisions etc.
This has been the case throughout all 5 of his books I have read now and it is starting to become an irritant. The thing is, I tend to enjoy the overall story and am glad I have read them, it's just that at times I don't enjoy the journey.
That was very much the case here - the book is considerably longer than its predecessor but without any tangible benefit from that extra word count. The first half of the book is quite a slow boring journey and except for meeting two new characters/companions and some minor plot points, there is very little purpose to it. Snorri, my favourite character from the Prince of Fools, is almost absent here - just a massive, injured, sulking lump. This puts the focus on Jalan, our thoroughly detestable narrator.
The second half sees Jalan separate from the group and head home, only to run off once again, almost without reason. There then follows a very dull section of the book where he seems to be getting ahead at last, making money on the derivatives exchange (makes Phantom Menace trade quota discussions seem positively riveting).
The conclusion of the book is excellent and points to an exciting third book.
I love Mark Lawrence's writing style - that is, his flowing prose and sense of humour. I love the world of the Broken Empire - a post-apocalyptic version of the world after the use of nuclear weapons (all very much implied) and where the sea level has risen, changing the geography of Europe. I like most of the characters (in that I like all aspects of some of them and some aspects of the rest of them if that makes sense).
The tricky thing is, I have mixed feelings about the way Lawrence lays his books out - to my understanding he has a high level idea of the plot but then just ... writes. He just lets it happen. Now, this isn't a car crash like it might sound, there are enough hints and pointers strewn throughout the book (or trilogy) to make it all hang together, but at times things happen that just don't quite feel right. I'm not sure if its a deus ex machine type thing or just his characters being spontaneous, but at times I found that the right thing happens despite no suggestions this should be so. Characters making illogical decisions etc.
This has been the case throughout all 5 of his books I have read now and it is starting to become an irritant. The thing is, I tend to enjoy the overall story and am glad I have read them, it's just that at times I don't enjoy the journey.
That was very much the case here - the book is considerably longer than its predecessor but without any tangible benefit from that extra word count. The first half of the book is quite a slow boring journey and except for meeting two new characters/companions and some minor plot points, there is very little purpose to it. Snorri, my favourite character from the Prince of Fools, is almost absent here - just a massive, injured, sulking lump. This puts the focus on Jalan, our thoroughly detestable narrator.
The second half sees Jalan separate from the group and head home, only to run off once again, almost without reason. There then follows a very dull section of the book where he seems to be getting ahead at last, making money on the derivatives exchange (makes Phantom Menace trade quota discussions seem positively riveting).
The conclusion of the book is excellent and points to an exciting third book.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Sixth Man (King & Maxwell, #5) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This is the first of the Michelle Maxwell & Sean King series that I have read. I'm not normally someone who picks up a book from the middle of series...I like to read all the way through starting at book 1. However, not knowing any of the "back story" didn't harm my enjoyment of this book at all.
The premise of the book is very cloak & dagger stuff...Dept of Homeland Security, Cabinet memebers, federal prisoners, etc. There were a few places in the book that dragged a bit, but all in all it was a page turner from the outset. Maxwell & King are dynamic lead characters with more twists & turns than you can imagine. There is also a strong chemistry/attraction between them. Baldacci does a great job of putting that aspect out there without making it too sappy, something I hate in spy/action novels.
All told I really look forward to reading more books in this series, even if it means I have to read them out of order!
The premise of the book is very cloak & dagger stuff...Dept of Homeland Security, Cabinet memebers, federal prisoners, etc. There were a few places in the book that dragged a bit, but all in all it was a page turner from the outset. Maxwell & King are dynamic lead characters with more twists & turns than you can imagine. There is also a strong chemistry/attraction between them. Baldacci does a great job of putting that aspect out there without making it too sappy, something I hate in spy/action novels.
All told I really look forward to reading more books in this series, even if it means I have to read them out of order!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2091 KP) rated Sunny Side Up in Books
Sep 19, 2018
Cruise of Murder and Bullies
Liam Johnson is thrilled to have landed a job on the prestigious Howard Cruise Line as a waiter. His family needs the money he will be making. However, he quickly discovers that his boss hates him and some of the customers he must deal with delight in making his life miserable as well. That doesn't prepare him for finding the body of one of the passengers dead on the Sunbathing Deck. The ship's doctor is quick to rule it an accidental death due to sunstroke, but Liam isn't so sure. Several things about the scene are off. Can he prove it was murder before the cruise ends?
I really thought this book sounded like fun, but it turned out to be much more somber than I was expecting it to be. Liam faces quite a bit of abuse and bullying over the course of the story, and I didn't find it that fun to read. Even his friends on the ship turn on him regularly. The mystery is well put together with plenty of clues. I did feel things were a bit overly complex, but the clues were all there when Liam explains things at the end. This books definitely falls on the traditional side of the spectrum with a smattering of language and talk about sex (but nothing on the page) that keep it from being a true cozy. This wasn’t' truly a bad book, but I did hope for something sunnier when I picked it up.
I really thought this book sounded like fun, but it turned out to be much more somber than I was expecting it to be. Liam faces quite a bit of abuse and bullying over the course of the story, and I didn't find it that fun to read. Even his friends on the ship turn on him regularly. The mystery is well put together with plenty of clues. I did feel things were a bit overly complex, but the clues were all there when Liam explains things at the end. This books definitely falls on the traditional side of the spectrum with a smattering of language and talk about sex (but nothing on the page) that keep it from being a true cozy. This wasn’t' truly a bad book, but I did hope for something sunnier when I picked it up.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2091 KP) rated Oliver and the Seawigs in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Oliver's parents are retiring from exploring, and Oliver is looking forward to living a life in one location and making friends. However, they haven't even spent one night in their new home when his parents set off to explore some islands before they and the islands disappear.
This is a transitional book from easy readers to chapter books, and it's a lot of fun. The illustrations are great, the story is fast moving, and the characters are fun and creative. In other words, it's perfect for the target 2-5 grade audience.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-oliver-and-seawigs-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a transitional book from easy readers to chapter books, and it's a lot of fun. The illustrations are great, the story is fast moving, and the characters are fun and creative. In other words, it's perfect for the target 2-5 grade audience.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/07/book-review-oliver-and-seawigs-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Jemma Walsh (81 KP) rated Looking Good Dead (Roy Grace, #2) in Books
Sep 9, 2018
Addicted to Roy grace
Contains spoilers, click to show
After reading the first book I was hooked and left needing to read the next as soon as!!
Love the darkeness of this book, tom finds a cd on the tube and curiosity make him play the cd where he witnesses something gruesome!
Which then leaves him and his shopaholic wife in danger!
These books are so easy to ready they are so descriptive making it easy to imagine what’s going on.
Not only have you got crime solving going on in the book but you also get snippets of Roy graces life, what happened to sandy who one day just vanishes, will he ever get over it and accept that she is gone? Can he ever have a happy relationship with Cleo ?
Love the darkeness of this book, tom finds a cd on the tube and curiosity make him play the cd where he witnesses something gruesome!
Which then leaves him and his shopaholic wife in danger!
These books are so easy to ready they are so descriptive making it easy to imagine what’s going on.
Not only have you got crime solving going on in the book but you also get snippets of Roy graces life, what happened to sandy who one day just vanishes, will he ever get over it and accept that she is gone? Can he ever have a happy relationship with Cleo ?
Neneh Cherry recommended Sassfrass, Cypress & Indigo in Books (curated)
Eliza and Higgins have gone to Ascot to cheer on the race horse that Eliza’s father recently bought a share of. However, a woman is murdered in the stable and a man runs onto the track in the middle of a race. Higgins things he could have stopped the tragic events of the day, so he starts investigating. But another murder makes Eliza wonder if things are really that simple. What is going on?
Those who enjoyed seeing these beloved characters again will be delighted with their return. The writing duo behind these books has done a wonderful job of making them their own and continuing to grow the characters. The mystery is fantastic as well with everything falling perfectly into place during the suspenseful climax.
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/2015/09/book-review-move-your-blooming-corpse.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Those who enjoyed seeing these beloved characters again will be delighted with their return. The writing duo behind these books has done a wonderful job of making them their own and continuing to grow the characters. The mystery is fantastic as well with everything falling perfectly into place during the suspenseful climax.
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/2015/09/book-review-move-your-blooming-corpse.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.