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Lilyn G - Sci-Fi & Scary (91 KP) rated Gwendy's Button Box in Books
Jan 31, 2018
An interesting plot bunny, but a bland book.
So, one of the things that makes a lot of horror book lovers give me the stink-eye is the fact that I freely admit to the fact that I don't really like to read Stephen King's books. I'm a huge fan of his plots, but I have an attention span the length of a gnat, so when he goes off on his 'wanders', I go glaze-eyed and generally move on to something else.
But, I saw everyone talking about Gwendy's Button Box, and took note of the fact that it had been 'co-written' by Richard Chizmar. Given the fact that it was a novella, I decided to give it a try. (I got the audio version from the library.) And.. it was... okay? Yeah, okay is the right word.
The narrator did a fantastic job as Gwendy, and the concept of the Button Box was a great one. The character development of Gwendy is excellent. However, the actual story itself just left me scratching my head and wondering if I missed something. It was a good thought experiment, but coming from two horror writers, I was a little taken aback at the lack of actual, you know, horror.
But, I saw everyone talking about Gwendy's Button Box, and took note of the fact that it had been 'co-written' by Richard Chizmar. Given the fact that it was a novella, I decided to give it a try. (I got the audio version from the library.) And.. it was... okay? Yeah, okay is the right word.
The narrator did a fantastic job as Gwendy, and the concept of the Button Box was a great one. The character development of Gwendy is excellent. However, the actual story itself just left me scratching my head and wondering if I missed something. It was a good thought experiment, but coming from two horror writers, I was a little taken aback at the lack of actual, you know, horror.
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels, #5.5) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I'm fairly sure that I missed a Kate Daniels book, because I don't recall some of the events referred to in this book. That annoys me, and I'll have to go back and read whatever the last one was out of order now. It'll be worth it, though, because Ilona Andrews' writing is always fun. Gunmetal Magic is no exception.
This is the first novel to focus on Andrea Nash, Kate Daniels' best friend. Exposed as a shapeshifter, she's been kicked out of the Order. She had just chosen to obey orders from a superior officer instead of fighting with the Pack, which led to a breakup with her lover Raphael. Now she has to rebuild her life from a shattered ruin.
Andrea is a fascinating character, abused repeatedly in her terrible childhood and raised to be ashamed of and hide her shapeshifting nature. Her relationship with Raphael is informed by their bouda nature, but her human side isn't left out by any means.
I particularly enjoy the part that Atlanta plays in Andrews' books, but as a near-native Atlanta I'm bound to be biased in that respect.
This volume and the bonus novella "Magic Gifts" are definitely worthwhile reading for any fan of the Kate Daniels series.
This is the first novel to focus on Andrea Nash, Kate Daniels' best friend. Exposed as a shapeshifter, she's been kicked out of the Order. She had just chosen to obey orders from a superior officer instead of fighting with the Pack, which led to a breakup with her lover Raphael. Now she has to rebuild her life from a shattered ruin.
Andrea is a fascinating character, abused repeatedly in her terrible childhood and raised to be ashamed of and hide her shapeshifting nature. Her relationship with Raphael is informed by their bouda nature, but her human side isn't left out by any means.
I particularly enjoy the part that Atlanta plays in Andrews' books, but as a near-native Atlanta I'm bound to be biased in that respect.
This volume and the bonus novella "Magic Gifts" are definitely worthwhile reading for any fan of the Kate Daniels series.
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated I Like You Like This in Books
Jul 5, 2018
I quite enjoyed this book - there were a bit of issues with transitioning into different mindsets - I prefer when each person is either labelled or there is a space to show there is another person talking, so I had a bit of a problem following along in a few parts, but since most of the book is Hannah it was not a huge issue.
I read an arc of this book, I saw the description and it immediately spoke to me - being a self conscious acne riddled (adult mind you) I was like, hey first hook line and sinker. Hannah's family life is pretty awful for her, she tries to escape I think using Deacon, their time together was actually quite amazing to read. You get those fluffy romances most YA books have and this was different. I thought it was great.
Onto the ending - if I don't get a book 2, or a novella, or SOMETHING I'm going to be very upset, you can't do that to me! You just cant! I'd totally read this book again, and I would recommend it (to certain members of my family/friends, as I know some people wouldn't be interested in the content there's a lot of drug talk, etc.)
I read an arc of this book, I saw the description and it immediately spoke to me - being a self conscious acne riddled (adult mind you) I was like, hey first hook line and sinker. Hannah's family life is pretty awful for her, she tries to escape I think using Deacon, their time together was actually quite amazing to read. You get those fluffy romances most YA books have and this was different. I thought it was great.
Onto the ending - if I don't get a book 2, or a novella, or SOMETHING I'm going to be very upset, you can't do that to me! You just cant! I'd totally read this book again, and I would recommend it (to certain members of my family/friends, as I know some people wouldn't be interested in the content there's a lot of drug talk, etc.)
Merissa (13194 KP) rated Concealed in Books
Oct 19, 2018
Concealed by Rosalie Redd
Concealed: Lexi is a story from the Blood Courtesan world, a series of standalones by different authors. This one has been written by Rosalie Redd, and an amazing job she has done with it too.
Lexi and Gavin's story is a Beauty and the Beast tale, with a vampirical twist. Not only are there vampires and courtesans in this story, but this vampire can also get sick. Sickness not crossing over to vampires is purely a myth. ? Gavin has his issues, Lexi has hers. You hope they will end up together, but the fun part is seeing just how they do.
This is a fast paced long-novella, with plenty of back history given at the right times - no info-dump here. The characters are nicely rounded out, and the situations believable. Going along with my experience of Rosalie Redd, there were no editing or grammatical errors in this story that disrupted my reading flow.
For the romantic, for those who love a good vampire story, I can highly recommend this!
* 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!
Lexi and Gavin's story is a Beauty and the Beast tale, with a vampirical twist. Not only are there vampires and courtesans in this story, but this vampire can also get sick. Sickness not crossing over to vampires is purely a myth. ? Gavin has his issues, Lexi has hers. You hope they will end up together, but the fun part is seeing just how they do.
This is a fast paced long-novella, with plenty of back history given at the right times - no info-dump here. The characters are nicely rounded out, and the situations believable. Going along with my experience of Rosalie Redd, there were no editing or grammatical errors in this story that disrupted my reading flow.
For the romantic, for those who love a good vampire story, I can highly recommend this!
* 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!
AO
Accounts of China and India
Abu Zayd Al-Sirafi, Zvi Ben-Dor Benite and Tim Mackintosh-Smith
Book
"These accounts are full of fascination and wonder...[and] continue the contribution this excellent...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Fae’s Captive (Fae’s Captive #1) in Books
Nov 13, 2020
191 of 200
Kindle
Faes Captive ( Faes captive book1)
By Lily Archer
My college roommate is the worst. Cecile steals my food, brings guys over at all hours, and parties instead of studying. But those quirks pale in comparison to what she does next. She drugs me, and I wake up imprisoned in an alternate universe full of terrifying creatures. Now, the biggest and scariest creature of all--a fae king--believes I'm his mate. He's freed me from the dungeon but keeps me close. So close, in fact, that I'm beginning to like his wintery gaze and ice-chiseled body. But secrets and villains lurk throughout this new world, and I don't know if I'll survive long enough to figure out how to get back home.
Author's Note: Fae's Captive is the first book in a series that will set your imagination--and other parts of you--on fire. Mind the cliff, but book 2 is already out.
Had so much potential but read as a novella instead of a novel! Short and apart from the kidnapping and palace escape (which I didn’t actually get why as he was a king in his own right wasn’t he? ) not much happened! I will continue hoping the others get better!
Kindle
Faes Captive ( Faes captive book1)
By Lily Archer
My college roommate is the worst. Cecile steals my food, brings guys over at all hours, and parties instead of studying. But those quirks pale in comparison to what she does next. She drugs me, and I wake up imprisoned in an alternate universe full of terrifying creatures. Now, the biggest and scariest creature of all--a fae king--believes I'm his mate. He's freed me from the dungeon but keeps me close. So close, in fact, that I'm beginning to like his wintery gaze and ice-chiseled body. But secrets and villains lurk throughout this new world, and I don't know if I'll survive long enough to figure out how to get back home.
Author's Note: Fae's Captive is the first book in a series that will set your imagination--and other parts of you--on fire. Mind the cliff, but book 2 is already out.
Had so much potential but read as a novella instead of a novel! Short and apart from the kidnapping and palace escape (which I didn’t actually get why as he was a king in his own right wasn’t he? ) not much happened! I will continue hoping the others get better!
Merissa (13194 KP) rated The Mercenary's Tale (In the Company of Men #1) in Books
Sep 2, 2019
The Mercenary's Tale is the first book in the In the Company of Men series, and it is a tale of two halves. In the first half, we have Drake and Ansel. Unfortunately, as happens in war zones, Ansel dies a tragic death, leaving Drake broken. Two years later, when he is still trying to lose himself in the bottom of a mug of ale, he is asked by a friend to help him. This leads him to Logan, a widower with a young boy.
Both parts of this story were good, and it was a very brave decision by the author to kill off Ansel after investing so much time and energy into his character. Even though I sort of guessed it was coming (it is in the blurb after all), it still came as a shock.
This was an easy to read novella, with plenty of hot scenes. Everything is easy, and everyone is gay 😉 All in all, a great coffee break book.
* 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!
Both parts of this story were good, and it was a very brave decision by the author to kill off Ansel after investing so much time and energy into his character. Even though I sort of guessed it was coming (it is in the blurb after all), it still came as a shock.
This was an easy to read novella, with plenty of hot scenes. Everything is easy, and everyone is gay 😉 All in all, a great coffee break book.
* 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!
Knights of Stone: Mason (Highland Gargoyles #1)
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