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MoMoBookDiary (20 KP) rated A Mind Polluted in Books
Oct 1, 2018
I was hooked from the first page of Martin Geraghty’s awesome debut novel. I read it in two sittings and was up until after 2am unable to sleep until I reached the final page – and then for some time afterwards as Connor’s story swirled around inside my head.
I am still thinking of the emotional rollercoaster from this gritty and dark tale a few days after finishing. The story takes the reader on an experience unlike any other book I’ve ever read!
The secret overheard by the lead character is shocking and the author has, in my view, described the emotions and reactions from all concerned perfectly. It is a fast paced novel which is set in four parts and definitely a ‘one more page’ type of story.
I am finding it difficult to write the review in a way not to give anything away. I can’t wait to read more from this very talented author.
I am still thinking of the emotional rollercoaster from this gritty and dark tale a few days after finishing. The story takes the reader on an experience unlike any other book I’ve ever read!
The secret overheard by the lead character is shocking and the author has, in my view, described the emotions and reactions from all concerned perfectly. It is a fast paced novel which is set in four parts and definitely a ‘one more page’ type of story.
I am finding it difficult to write the review in a way not to give anything away. I can’t wait to read more from this very talented author.
Katie (868 KP) rated The Haunting of Hill House in TV
Oct 13, 2018
I tried giving this show the benefit of the doubt. The first episode wasn't terrible, but unfortunately, the subsequent episodes displayed a real lack of creativity and understanding of the novel. It basically became a checklist of modern horror cliches.
The original novel and the 1963 film, The Haunting, were wonderful because of the subtlety. There weren't any jump scares or visible monsters. It was all a question of one's sanity rather than an unambiguous haunting. This all lent to the eeriness of the story. The eeriness was the question, the not knowing.
If you've seen any run of the mill horror films in the last 10 years you know what this series is going to throw at you and it will not surprise you one bit. Despite all that I'm still watching it so it must have something that's keeping my interest. Because of that, I'm giving it a 3/10 rather than 1/10.
The original novel and the 1963 film, The Haunting, were wonderful because of the subtlety. There weren't any jump scares or visible monsters. It was all a question of one's sanity rather than an unambiguous haunting. This all lent to the eeriness of the story. The eeriness was the question, the not knowing.
If you've seen any run of the mill horror films in the last 10 years you know what this series is going to throw at you and it will not surprise you one bit. Despite all that I'm still watching it so it must have something that's keeping my interest. Because of that, I'm giving it a 3/10 rather than 1/10.
Becs (244 KP) rated Select Few in Books
Oct 24, 2018
An all right contemporary read
I received a read and review copy of Select Few by Marit Wiesenberg from NetGalley for my full honest opinion.
I have not read book one of The Select series but I was a bit confused during the first half of the novel. I'm not sure if it was because I haven't read book 1 or if it was because it seemed like the author didn't really give a great background on the characters or the stories. Whatever it may have been, it really affected the overall story.
The second half of the novel was really good and really has me intrigued in the rest of the series but also at the same time I'm not quite sure whether I'll pick it up or not. There were some overall great scenes and some scenes that I had to push through because I was bored with them.
You can read the full review on my blog at bookingwayreads.wordpress.com
I have not read book one of The Select series but I was a bit confused during the first half of the novel. I'm not sure if it was because I haven't read book 1 or if it was because it seemed like the author didn't really give a great background on the characters or the stories. Whatever it may have been, it really affected the overall story.
The second half of the novel was really good and really has me intrigued in the rest of the series but also at the same time I'm not quite sure whether I'll pick it up or not. There were some overall great scenes and some scenes that I had to push through because I was bored with them.
You can read the full review on my blog at bookingwayreads.wordpress.com
David McK (3623 KP) rated The Noah's Ark Quest (Tyler Locke, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
If I was asked to describe this book in just one word, I think it's safe to say that that word would be 'frantic'.
The latest book I've read in what seems to be a fast-growing genre (thrillers using elements of the Bible as their starting point - think 'The Da Vinci Code'), this one really deals with the search for Noah's Ark while a power-crazed madman plots to start Armageddon. The novel moves along at a fair clip, rushing from once action scene to another with barely a pause for breath. Perhaps, however, that pace is too fast, as it leaves little in the way for plot to develop before rushing on to the next big scene.
As seems to be De-Rigor for this type of novel, the central protoganists also has access to all sorts of toys and gadgetry, as well as contacts high up in government: it's never just Joe Bloggs from down the street that these stories focus on! *laughs*
The latest book I've read in what seems to be a fast-growing genre (thrillers using elements of the Bible as their starting point - think 'The Da Vinci Code'), this one really deals with the search for Noah's Ark while a power-crazed madman plots to start Armageddon. The novel moves along at a fair clip, rushing from once action scene to another with barely a pause for breath. Perhaps, however, that pace is too fast, as it leaves little in the way for plot to develop before rushing on to the next big scene.
As seems to be De-Rigor for this type of novel, the central protoganists also has access to all sorts of toys and gadgetry, as well as contacts high up in government: it's never just Joe Bloggs from down the street that these stories focus on! *laughs*
David McK (3623 KP) rated The Warlord of Mars (Barsoom, #3) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Entry #3 in Edgar Ruce Burroughs <I>Barsoom</I> series, <I>The Warlord of Mars</I> follows on from the previous entry (<I>The Gods of Mars</I>), with John Carter counting down the days until the release of Dejah Thoris from the prison in which she was trapped at the end of that book. Of course, and quite early in this, she is released and captured by some of Carters enemies from that previous entry, tying the events of this directly into the events of that novel.
Unlike the previous entry (which started on Earth), the entirety of this novel takes place on Mars itself. It is also very much so a 'classic' boys own adventure story, full of numerous battles, a little bit of intrigue and some narrow escapes - as before, it is easy to see the influence this would have on later, perhaps better well known, stories by various authors.
Unlike the previous entry (which started on Earth), the entirety of this novel takes place on Mars itself. It is also very much so a 'classic' boys own adventure story, full of numerous battles, a little bit of intrigue and some narrow escapes - as before, it is easy to see the influence this would have on later, perhaps better well known, stories by various authors.
David McK (3623 KP) rated Guardian (The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier, #3) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
3rd entry in Jack Campbell's (or John G Hemry) <i>The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier</i> series, so really 9th(!) book overall in </i>The Lost Fleet</i> series.
Having successfully found the frontiers of 'Enigma' alien space and started his journey back home in the previous 2 novels, this novel finishes off that journey, with 'Black Jack' Geary's First Fleet finally making its way back to Alliance Space, accompanied by the allied alien 'Dancers' they had previously encountered along the way, and with the captured 'Kick' super battle cruiser in tow.
The bulk of the novel deals with the final leg of the journey back home, with a section at the very end where Geary's flagship is sent back Home (with a capital 'H') back to the Sol system, where human life originated ...
In short, more of the same, with scope left open for even more entries in the series!
Having successfully found the frontiers of 'Enigma' alien space and started his journey back home in the previous 2 novels, this novel finishes off that journey, with 'Black Jack' Geary's First Fleet finally making its way back to Alliance Space, accompanied by the allied alien 'Dancers' they had previously encountered along the way, and with the captured 'Kick' super battle cruiser in tow.
The bulk of the novel deals with the final leg of the journey back home, with a section at the very end where Geary's flagship is sent back Home (with a capital 'H') back to the Sol system, where human life originated ...
In short, more of the same, with scope left open for even more entries in the series!
David McK (3623 KP) rated Resurrectionist (Matthew Hawkwood, #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The sequel to 2006's <i>Ratcatcher</i>, <i>Resurrectionist</i> again follows the exploits of Matthew Hawkwood: a former army officer now working as a Bow Street Runner.
While <i>Ratcatcher</i>, in many respects, was a straight-forward action/adventure set in Regency London, this novel is more of a mystery/crime novel. This time, Captain Hawkwood is on the trail of body-snatchers - colloquially known as 'Resurrection men' - and of an escaped convict from Bedlam Hospital. Initially believing the two cases to be distinct, this later proves to be far from the case ...
Body-snatching was - and is - a pretty gruesome business, and McGee doesn't shy away from the full import of what the grave-diggers were involved in, with some of the scenes described not for the squeamish! Similarly, the early years of medical science are also touched upon - again, some of those scenes are not for the squeamish.
While <i>Ratcatcher</i>, in many respects, was a straight-forward action/adventure set in Regency London, this novel is more of a mystery/crime novel. This time, Captain Hawkwood is on the trail of body-snatchers - colloquially known as 'Resurrection men' - and of an escaped convict from Bedlam Hospital. Initially believing the two cases to be distinct, this later proves to be far from the case ...
Body-snatching was - and is - a pretty gruesome business, and McGee doesn't shy away from the full import of what the grave-diggers were involved in, with some of the scenes described not for the squeamish! Similarly, the early years of medical science are also touched upon - again, some of those scenes are not for the squeamish.
David McK (3623 KP) rated The Painted Man (the Demon Cycle, Book 1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
First in "The Demon Cycle", this is very much what I would term a dark fantasy novel: not urban fantasy (like The Dresden Files), not heroic fantasy (David Gemmell) and not high fantasy (Lord of the Rings).
This is set in a world where Demons rise through the ground every night to terrorise/slowly cull the few remaining humans, the novel follows three seperate survivors of such attacks. It's pretty obvious that they are, eventually, going to meet up, which only happens in the latter porion of the book, by which stage one of the survivors has become The Painted Man (i.e. covered in magical wards, which the demons can't stand) of the title.
An enjoyable enough read, but I did find this to be occassionally hard going. I also picked it up when Waterstones had it on sale for about £3: for that price, I'm happy enough, but I also wouldn't be looking for the sequels at full price either.
This is set in a world where Demons rise through the ground every night to terrorise/slowly cull the few remaining humans, the novel follows three seperate survivors of such attacks. It's pretty obvious that they are, eventually, going to meet up, which only happens in the latter porion of the book, by which stage one of the survivors has become The Painted Man (i.e. covered in magical wards, which the demons can't stand) of the title.
An enjoyable enough read, but I did find this to be occassionally hard going. I also picked it up when Waterstones had it on sale for about £3: for that price, I'm happy enough, but I also wouldn't be looking for the sequels at full price either.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Super Fun Sexy Time in Books
Jun 21, 2019
Consent (1 more)
Inclusive
Most Graphic of Graphic Novels
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS GRAPHIC NOVEL. Obviously, caps-lock was needed. Super Fun Sexy Times by Meredith McClaren is not your typical graphic novel, nor is it something that is going to be for everyone. It's graphic, and I do mean graphic so that that into consideration. The artwork beautiful, but the content takes the cake on how amazing this book is. This book is full of consent, sweet, fun, and sexy consent. I loved that we saw characters negotiating role play scenes & realistically talking about sex. I also truly appreciated how inclusive this book was. You have people of all shapes, sizes, sexual orientation, etc. which made me want to cry with how beautiful it was.
This is definitely a book I would recommend to the right reader. It is well worth the read & a book that I'm going to have to buy a hard copy of.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS GRAPHIC NOVEL. Obviously, caps-lock was needed. Super Fun Sexy Times by Meredith McClaren is not your typical graphic novel, nor is it something that is going to be for everyone. It's graphic, and I do mean graphic so that that into consideration. The artwork beautiful, but the content takes the cake on how amazing this book is. This book is full of consent, sweet, fun, and sexy consent. I loved that we saw characters negotiating role play scenes & realistically talking about sex. I also truly appreciated how inclusive this book was. You have people of all shapes, sizes, sexual orientation, etc. which made me want to cry with how beautiful it was.
This is definitely a book I would recommend to the right reader. It is well worth the read & a book that I'm going to have to buy a hard copy of.
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Hudson's Kill in Books
Oct 25, 2019
Hudson's Kill
If you have seen Gangs of New York then you know the period this novel is set. This book is completely immersive, Hirsch has done an incredible amount of research, to the language used, the the style of buildings. I often felt myself drawn into the period, even dreaming about the city in my sleep, his descriptions become so vivid. Hudson's Kill has pretty much got a bit of everything for everyone. It's a thriller, it's a murder mystery, it's a political and corruption rollercoaster, it's full of action, it has heroes , villains and enough in every page to keep you turning. All this and written in a way that is very easy and absorbing. Hirsch is a master and it is very hard to believe this is only his second novel. Hudson's Kill deserves to be celebrated and loved, a rare book that will delight so many and deserves to be read. 4/5