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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated You May Now Kill the Bride (Return to Fear Street #1) in Books
Oct 9, 2018
The Plot (3 more)
The Characters
The Pacing
The World Building
R.L.Stine Does It Again!
I was a huge R.L. Stine fan back when I was in school. I was constantly reading every book I could read by R.L. Stine. I credit him with my love of horror books. Anyway, when I heard R.L. Stine was writing new Fear Street books, I had to read them! The first in this series is You May Now Kill the Bride. I absolutely loved it!
The pacing for You May Now Kill the Bride is fantastic! This book really was a page turner. I found myself not wanting to put it down. Each page had me hungry for me.
I really enjoyed the plot of You May Now Kill the Bride. Part of this story takes places in 1924 where we learn about the Fear/Goode curse. A Fear wedding takes place, but it really doesn't good as planned and tragedy ensues. The other part of the story takes place in present day. Another Fear wedding is about to take place, but it doesn't happen because the bride has gone missing. Will this Fear wedding end in tragedy as well? There were a few plot twists which I really enjoyed even if a couple of the plot twists were somewhat predictable. Even though You May Now Kill the Bride is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. There were no cliffhangers at the end of the book, and all of my questions were answered.
R.L. Stine did an amazing job with the world building like always. I always felt like I was part of the story. Even though this is a work of fiction, everything felt real. I found myself even holding my breath at the most climactic parts of You May Now Kill the Bride.
I felt that all the characters in You May Now Kill the Bride were fleshed out very well. I enjoyed all the characters very much. My favorite character was Ruth-Ann. It was hard not to like her as I could really relate to her on a personal level. However, all the characters were interesting to read about even the minor characters. Most of the story is told in first person from Harmony's point of view. While I did find Harmony annoying right at first, I quickly ended up liking her.
Trigger warnings for You May Now Kill the Bride include magic, the occult, murder/death, and minor violence. There's also one scene where a character hurts their hand which isn't overly graphic, but those who are a bit squeamish may not like it too much. There's also another scene about a body being found after being found at the bottom of a cliff. The description isn't very graphic, but some may find it unsettling.
Overall, You May Now Kill the Bride was such a really good and quick read. The plot is fantastic, and the characters are written very well. Fans of R.L. Stine will truly love this story especially those that loved the original Fear Street series. I would definitely recommend You May Now Kill the Bride by R.L. Stine to everyone aged 15+. It was so good!
The pacing for You May Now Kill the Bride is fantastic! This book really was a page turner. I found myself not wanting to put it down. Each page had me hungry for me.
I really enjoyed the plot of You May Now Kill the Bride. Part of this story takes places in 1924 where we learn about the Fear/Goode curse. A Fear wedding takes place, but it really doesn't good as planned and tragedy ensues. The other part of the story takes place in present day. Another Fear wedding is about to take place, but it doesn't happen because the bride has gone missing. Will this Fear wedding end in tragedy as well? There were a few plot twists which I really enjoyed even if a couple of the plot twists were somewhat predictable. Even though You May Now Kill the Bride is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. There were no cliffhangers at the end of the book, and all of my questions were answered.
R.L. Stine did an amazing job with the world building like always. I always felt like I was part of the story. Even though this is a work of fiction, everything felt real. I found myself even holding my breath at the most climactic parts of You May Now Kill the Bride.
I felt that all the characters in You May Now Kill the Bride were fleshed out very well. I enjoyed all the characters very much. My favorite character was Ruth-Ann. It was hard not to like her as I could really relate to her on a personal level. However, all the characters were interesting to read about even the minor characters. Most of the story is told in first person from Harmony's point of view. While I did find Harmony annoying right at first, I quickly ended up liking her.
Trigger warnings for You May Now Kill the Bride include magic, the occult, murder/death, and minor violence. There's also one scene where a character hurts their hand which isn't overly graphic, but those who are a bit squeamish may not like it too much. There's also another scene about a body being found after being found at the bottom of a cliff. The description isn't very graphic, but some may find it unsettling.
Overall, You May Now Kill the Bride was such a really good and quick read. The plot is fantastic, and the characters are written very well. Fans of R.L. Stine will truly love this story especially those that loved the original Fear Street series. I would definitely recommend You May Now Kill the Bride by R.L. Stine to everyone aged 15+. It was so good!
Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) rated Still Alice in Books
Sep 3, 2018
I just finished reading a novel called Still Alice by Lisa Genova about Alice, who is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease in her early fifties. It's written from the point of view of the woman with the disease instead of the usual POV of a caretaker. With every page, as she fell deeper into the grips of the disease, I was convinced that I had early onset Alzheimer's. The phrases, it's a real page-turner or I couldn't put it down, are used so often that we forget that there are books that are actually like that. This one is. I had physical reaction to the book. I gasped in awe and terror. I laughed. I was fascinated by its beauty and terrified of the disease becoming a reality in my life someday. I cried. I got angry. I sighed with relief. I went through a whirlwind of emotion. It took my breath away. It should be required reading for everyone.
The novel is written so well that I become consumed by the author's thoughts and feelings and it really drew me in. After I finished the book, it took maybe a few days for me to realize it was just a book and not me losing my memory and my mind. I highly recommend the book, even if the subject matter may be scary to you, because you get a sense of how Alzheimer's robs a person of their thoughts and abilities and it will give you insight into how to treat loved one's and other victims of dementia and Alzheimer's. It was fascinating to learn how Alzheimer's ravages the different areas of the brain and what effect it has on the person. It explained what I always wondered, how can a person die from Alzheimer's. This IS NOT a spoiler. I am not saying that Alice dies in the book. Just that the mechanics of the disease is explain very well. It isn't just a novel for entertainment and enjoyment. It tells you about Alzheimer's inside out and as both Alice and her husband are scientists and Harvard professors, it doesn't dumb it down to the audience. It is not vague details but explicit facts that you will remember, that will change the way you think of Alzheimer's and aging and, dare I say, will change your life.
The character is a professor of psychology at Harvard (the author is also is a neuropsychologist or neuropsychiatrist. I forget which, oh, the irony! So she knows her stuff) and although at a few points, I thought it was far above my head, but when I really dug in and read the sentences a few times, it started to make sense and I think I learned something from it. I have fibromyalgia and arthritis so I have memory loss and cognitive thought issues and deal with so much pain in my life that it's difficult to understand new concepts, especially in the realm of academia. Other people may not have as much difficulty as I did getting through the scientific aspects of the disease and the vast influx of new information.
Sidenote: I was very happy to discover that the book has been made into a movie being released soon with Julianne Moore as the title character. That is one I will definitely see in the theater.
I'm so glad that the movie is made and will reach more people and expose them to early onset Alzheimer's.
Bravo to the author for taking us down the path, pain and beauty, yes, beauty of Alzheimer's.
The novel is written so well that I become consumed by the author's thoughts and feelings and it really drew me in. After I finished the book, it took maybe a few days for me to realize it was just a book and not me losing my memory and my mind. I highly recommend the book, even if the subject matter may be scary to you, because you get a sense of how Alzheimer's robs a person of their thoughts and abilities and it will give you insight into how to treat loved one's and other victims of dementia and Alzheimer's. It was fascinating to learn how Alzheimer's ravages the different areas of the brain and what effect it has on the person. It explained what I always wondered, how can a person die from Alzheimer's. This IS NOT a spoiler. I am not saying that Alice dies in the book. Just that the mechanics of the disease is explain very well. It isn't just a novel for entertainment and enjoyment. It tells you about Alzheimer's inside out and as both Alice and her husband are scientists and Harvard professors, it doesn't dumb it down to the audience. It is not vague details but explicit facts that you will remember, that will change the way you think of Alzheimer's and aging and, dare I say, will change your life.
The character is a professor of psychology at Harvard (the author is also is a neuropsychologist or neuropsychiatrist. I forget which, oh, the irony! So she knows her stuff) and although at a few points, I thought it was far above my head, but when I really dug in and read the sentences a few times, it started to make sense and I think I learned something from it. I have fibromyalgia and arthritis so I have memory loss and cognitive thought issues and deal with so much pain in my life that it's difficult to understand new concepts, especially in the realm of academia. Other people may not have as much difficulty as I did getting through the scientific aspects of the disease and the vast influx of new information.
Sidenote: I was very happy to discover that the book has been made into a movie being released soon with Julianne Moore as the title character. That is one I will definitely see in the theater.
I'm so glad that the movie is made and will reach more people and expose them to early onset Alzheimer's.
Bravo to the author for taking us down the path, pain and beauty, yes, beauty of Alzheimer's.
Kill the Father
8.5
Rate It
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'The rock cast a sharp, dark shadow over a shape huddled on the ground. Please don't let it be the...
Merissa (13568 KP) rated Blue Blood (Series of Blood #3) in Books
Aug 14, 2017
Blue Blood (Series of Blood #3) by Emma Hamm
Blue Blood is the third book in the Series of Blood, and this time it is Jasper's story. We reunite with him after the battle that took place at the end of Red Blood (Lyra's story), and he is locked in an iron cage. This doesn't sit with well with our 6ft plus hero, and he is determined not to show any fear to his captors. Kudos to him, because I would have! He finds out that he is caged next to a lovely young woman called Ella, who houses a Unicorn. Ella helps him every way she can, but she can do nothing when Malachi shows up with a job for Jasper to do. You know things won't go according to Jasper's plan, but he has to try. He ends up rescuing Mercy, although he is not sure what sort of rescue it is when she simply gets transferred from one cage to another. Along their adventure, you meet a multitude of amazing characters that will tug at your heart strings and provide some lighthearted moments that are needed in contrast to the torment that Mercy is going through. No one ever said love was easy, but this is ridiculous!
I would say that this is definitely the darkest book so far, and it is certainly a HFN ending. I don't even know if Jasper will get his HEA, given the circumstances! I won't say anything else, as I don't want to spoil it, but I really can't wait to see where this story is going to go! With cameos from previous characters, plus meeting the new ones, there is plenty going on. Plus Pitch makes his usual appearance (still love this dude!) and helps in his own inimitable way.
With plenty of action and a storyline darker than the previous books, this was the complete page-turner. Both Jasper and Mercy are amazing characters, fully rounded and intriguing. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, the pace was smooth, the story excellent. All in all, I have no hesitation in highly recommending this book, and the series.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I would say that this is definitely the darkest book so far, and it is certainly a HFN ending. I don't even know if Jasper will get his HEA, given the circumstances! I won't say anything else, as I don't want to spoil it, but I really can't wait to see where this story is going to go! With cameos from previous characters, plus meeting the new ones, there is plenty going on. Plus Pitch makes his usual appearance (still love this dude!) and helps in his own inimitable way.
With plenty of action and a storyline darker than the previous books, this was the complete page-turner. Both Jasper and Mercy are amazing characters, fully rounded and intriguing. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, the pace was smooth, the story excellent. All in all, I have no hesitation in highly recommending this book, and the series.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
BTPBookclub (18 KP) rated Baby Teeth in Books
May 11, 2019
Was in my top 20 reads of 2018
Oh wow. Where do I even begin? I had heard so many great things about this book I just had to see what all the fuss was about… They weren’t wrong at all. What a bloody brilliant book! Amazing to think this is Zojes debut. WOW! Literally amazing, outstanding. This book will be going straight into my top 20 of 2018! A well deserved five stars. A must read. A must buy.
It’s not often a book takes over my life but this one did and must have been one of the quickest books I’ve ever read. I well and truelly devoured it. I was hooked. I was captured by these pages. I haven’t read anything similar to this story before either. This book hit me hard especially as I have a little girl myself.
Hanna has to be one of the most nastiest, evil, manipulative, clever and twisted child/character I have ever read! I couldn’t even begin to think how I could cope with a child like that poor Suzette. Suzette is one strong character and mother I wouldn’t be able to deal with what she did. She handled herself very well under the circumstances but sometimes I felt she went a bit too far with her responses.
This book will have you divided feeling angry, upset and shocked for the most part but towards the end you start to feel sorry for Hanna and the family, shocker I know but that soon turns back into anger don’t worry! So yes, this book will mess with your feelings A LOT. Just when you think things can’t possible get worse… THEY DO!
This is a book that you won’t be able to put down at all. You will want to read this in one sitting! A real page turner with shock after shock. I can’t stress enough how much you should read this and let me know what you think… previously published under the title Baby Teeth. I look forward to more by Zoje Stage in the future but the expectations are going to be hard to beat after this one. Brilliant.
Is Hanna just one misunderstood child? How would you have dealt with the circumstances in this book?
It’s not often a book takes over my life but this one did and must have been one of the quickest books I’ve ever read. I well and truelly devoured it. I was hooked. I was captured by these pages. I haven’t read anything similar to this story before either. This book hit me hard especially as I have a little girl myself.
Hanna has to be one of the most nastiest, evil, manipulative, clever and twisted child/character I have ever read! I couldn’t even begin to think how I could cope with a child like that poor Suzette. Suzette is one strong character and mother I wouldn’t be able to deal with what she did. She handled herself very well under the circumstances but sometimes I felt she went a bit too far with her responses.
This book will have you divided feeling angry, upset and shocked for the most part but towards the end you start to feel sorry for Hanna and the family, shocker I know but that soon turns back into anger don’t worry! So yes, this book will mess with your feelings A LOT. Just when you think things can’t possible get worse… THEY DO!
This is a book that you won’t be able to put down at all. You will want to read this in one sitting! A real page turner with shock after shock. I can’t stress enough how much you should read this and let me know what you think… previously published under the title Baby Teeth. I look forward to more by Zoje Stage in the future but the expectations are going to be hard to beat after this one. Brilliant.
Is Hanna just one misunderstood child? How would you have dealt with the circumstances in this book?
Kaz (232 KP) rated Never Say Spy- Book 1 of the 'Never Say Spy' Series in Books
May 18, 2019 (Updated May 18, 2019)
A Real Page Turner
This book was given to me as a present by a friend and is the first in the 'Never Say Spy' Series.
Firstly, what I really liked about this novel, was that the main character was a woman. This is a book set within a crime/spy environment and it's unusual to have a female main character, within this genre. I also really liked how Aydan Kelly was not portrayed as a weak, helpless victim, who was waiting to be rescued. She had guts and could definitely hold her own in a tricky situation.
This is a very fast- paced novel, from the very beginning. I liked this because you felt like you were finding out things, as Aydan was. This is so gripping, that I found it difficult to put this book down.
I also liked the Sci-Fi element to this novel. Usually I don't like books mixing genres too much, but actually., I wish that it could have been used a bit more, because it makes this different from every other novel within this genre.
I enjoyed reading about the male characters within this novel. They are all very distinctive and I liked that they all had their own identities. I loved the dynamics of the two main male characters with Aydan and it kept me wanted to know how this was going to resolve.
Due to the fact that Aydan Kelly is such as strong character, she has some very funny one liners and I really cared what happened to her. However, my only criticism of this novel would be that, as well as being a feisty woman, she also has a lustful mind. This is good because it's realistic, but, I did feel that these thoughts crept into her mind at the most inappropriate times, particularly when she had just been in an intense, dangerous situation.
This is also violent and gory in places. Although I wouldn't say that these parts were not inappropriate to the story.
I'm generally not a fan of spy novels and films, but I really enjoyed this one. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series.
Firstly, what I really liked about this novel, was that the main character was a woman. This is a book set within a crime/spy environment and it's unusual to have a female main character, within this genre. I also really liked how Aydan Kelly was not portrayed as a weak, helpless victim, who was waiting to be rescued. She had guts and could definitely hold her own in a tricky situation.
This is a very fast- paced novel, from the very beginning. I liked this because you felt like you were finding out things, as Aydan was. This is so gripping, that I found it difficult to put this book down.
I also liked the Sci-Fi element to this novel. Usually I don't like books mixing genres too much, but actually., I wish that it could have been used a bit more, because it makes this different from every other novel within this genre.
I enjoyed reading about the male characters within this novel. They are all very distinctive and I liked that they all had their own identities. I loved the dynamics of the two main male characters with Aydan and it kept me wanted to know how this was going to resolve.
Due to the fact that Aydan Kelly is such as strong character, she has some very funny one liners and I really cared what happened to her. However, my only criticism of this novel would be that, as well as being a feisty woman, she also has a lustful mind. This is good because it's realistic, but, I did feel that these thoughts crept into her mind at the most inappropriate times, particularly when she had just been in an intense, dangerous situation.
This is also violent and gory in places. Although I wouldn't say that these parts were not inappropriate to the story.
I'm generally not a fan of spy novels and films, but I really enjoyed this one. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated When We Fall in Books
Jun 18, 2018
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
I received this book for free from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
The book “When We Fall” by Emily Liebert is a definite page turner. While there are some flaws I give this book a 4/5 star rating. The main character, Allison Parker, 11 years prior to the story suddenly was faced with the death of her husband, and still 11 years later she is trying to pick up the pieces. Her husband, Jack, was in a bus accident that caused his untimely death which resulted in him never to meet his son Logan. Allison was left raise Logan alone as a single mom. Allison, an artist, put her career on hold me be the best mom she could be even though her life was fall apart around here. Prior to moving to Wincourt to have a fresh new start, Allison and Logan lived in New York. Wincourt is a suburb of New York. Allison found a house with a place where she could focus on her art career and Logan could attend a good school.
On Logan’s first day of school, Allison meets Charlotte who is Gia’s mom and Logan’s classmate. Come to find out the Charlotte is the wife and Gia the daughter of Charlie who was Jack’s best friend. Charlie and Jack worked and attended the same summer camp. Sadly, Charlie never called Allison after Jack died. Immediately, Charlotte and Allison became fast friends. They both were in need of a good friend so it was perfect timing, but then things get complicated and everything fell apart.
Allison and Charlotte became friends, good friends even. But Charlotte has a friend named Sabrina who tries to make everyone miserable. Sabrina told a lie to Charlotte that Allison and Charlie were having an affaire even though that was far from the truth. It caused a strain in Charlotte and Allison’s relationship, which left Allison utterly confused and Charlotte feeling hurt.
The relationships are well developed and true. It’s easy to identify with the characters of the story if you have ever been in a relationship or lost someone close to you. There is heartbreak but there is also hope. Hope that while relationships can have strains if you work things out there is hope that all things will work together. The minor characters bring an added level of trueness to the story.
I received this book for free from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
The book “When We Fall” by Emily Liebert is a definite page turner. While there are some flaws I give this book a 4/5 star rating. The main character, Allison Parker, 11 years prior to the story suddenly was faced with the death of her husband, and still 11 years later she is trying to pick up the pieces. Her husband, Jack, was in a bus accident that caused his untimely death which resulted in him never to meet his son Logan. Allison was left raise Logan alone as a single mom. Allison, an artist, put her career on hold me be the best mom she could be even though her life was fall apart around here. Prior to moving to Wincourt to have a fresh new start, Allison and Logan lived in New York. Wincourt is a suburb of New York. Allison found a house with a place where she could focus on her art career and Logan could attend a good school.
On Logan’s first day of school, Allison meets Charlotte who is Gia’s mom and Logan’s classmate. Come to find out the Charlotte is the wife and Gia the daughter of Charlie who was Jack’s best friend. Charlie and Jack worked and attended the same summer camp. Sadly, Charlie never called Allison after Jack died. Immediately, Charlotte and Allison became fast friends. They both were in need of a good friend so it was perfect timing, but then things get complicated and everything fell apart.
Allison and Charlotte became friends, good friends even. But Charlotte has a friend named Sabrina who tries to make everyone miserable. Sabrina told a lie to Charlotte that Allison and Charlie were having an affaire even though that was far from the truth. It caused a strain in Charlotte and Allison’s relationship, which left Allison utterly confused and Charlotte feeling hurt.
The relationships are well developed and true. It’s easy to identify with the characters of the story if you have ever been in a relationship or lost someone close to you. There is heartbreak but there is also hope. Hope that while relationships can have strains if you work things out there is hope that all things will work together. The minor characters bring an added level of trueness to the story.
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Way of All Flesh in Books
May 31, 2018
Excellent gripping period thriller set in Edinburgh's medical revolution
This tale of murder takes place in mid 19th century Edinburgh, where the city is at the forefront of the world's advances in medicine - both medical practices and procedures and also drugs and anaesthetics. Many nights are spent with some of the city's top surgeons sitting round the dinner table in the post-prandial slumber sampling various substances looking to find the perfect anaesthetic.
Will Raven, a recently qualified doctor, starts a new job as apprentice to Edinburgh's pre-eminent midwifery expert, Dr James Young Simpson. But he has recently found the dead body of a female friend and starts to investigate the mysterious circumstances of her demise.
The book takes several strands: we have the true history of Edinburgh's medical revolution where doctors like Simpson vied to get the job done but also find better ways to do it for their patients, we have the murder mystery angle, we have the capable and frustrated women who are refused to even attempt to do jobs they are clearly able to do, and we have the class system in full evidence and while many go along with it, some people like Simpson try to get past this and make their households more inclusive for all.
The threads are all interwoven brilliantly and combine to give a story that is both thrilling and interesting.
Having read a lot of Chris Brookmyre, I had high expectations for his storytelling and these were more than met with a brilliantly paced and enjoyable page-turner. I believe writing with his wife has helped tone down the language a little and the tone of the dialogue is very different to his previous work.
My one gripe would be that the climax of the story was a little laboured, with every single event, decision and twist explained numerous times from different perspectives. Given I had spotted a number of hints quite early on and knew who the perpetrator was, and was happy to assume certain things had happened, I didn't feel the need to have this confirmed at length in great detail.
Otherwise an excellent book and the start of a new series that I will be avidly waiting for the next instalment of.
Will Raven, a recently qualified doctor, starts a new job as apprentice to Edinburgh's pre-eminent midwifery expert, Dr James Young Simpson. But he has recently found the dead body of a female friend and starts to investigate the mysterious circumstances of her demise.
The book takes several strands: we have the true history of Edinburgh's medical revolution where doctors like Simpson vied to get the job done but also find better ways to do it for their patients, we have the murder mystery angle, we have the capable and frustrated women who are refused to even attempt to do jobs they are clearly able to do, and we have the class system in full evidence and while many go along with it, some people like Simpson try to get past this and make their households more inclusive for all.
The threads are all interwoven brilliantly and combine to give a story that is both thrilling and interesting.
Having read a lot of Chris Brookmyre, I had high expectations for his storytelling and these were more than met with a brilliantly paced and enjoyable page-turner. I believe writing with his wife has helped tone down the language a little and the tone of the dialogue is very different to his previous work.
My one gripe would be that the climax of the story was a little laboured, with every single event, decision and twist explained numerous times from different perspectives. Given I had spotted a number of hints quite early on and knew who the perpetrator was, and was happy to assume certain things had happened, I didn't feel the need to have this confirmed at length in great detail.
Otherwise an excellent book and the start of a new series that I will be avidly waiting for the next instalment of.
Louise (64 KP) rated Surviving Execution in Books
Jun 28, 2018
First off thank you to readers first for a copy of this book.
Surviving execution is the true story of Richard Glossip, a man who is on death row for a crime he never committed. Richard Glossip’s story is told by Ian Woods a UK Sky news reporter, Ian wanted to bring this to the UK’s attention of the miscarriage of justice and how capital punishment is not always as straight forward as it’s made out to be.
Richard Glossip was arrested for the murder of his boss and motel owner Barry Von Treese, however Richard was not the person that killed him but was implicated by Justin Sneed and the police who interviewed him. For this the man who actually murdered Barry Von Treese got life without parole whilst Richard gets the death penalty for being the supposed mastermind.
Richards Glossip didn’t start off well with a bad lawyer that was under qualified for this type of case and failure to bringing certain evidence to light was going to cost Richard his life. With multiple trials, appeals and stays you would hope this man would get some sort of break, however that’s not the case and shows how corrupt the police and the law can be.
Also this book tells us a bit about the history of Capital Punishment, the methods, the countries and also the abolitionists. Although this is non fiction it is really easy to digest and very much the page turner. It makes you question so many things and whether this should really still be carried out.
We also get an insight in to what Ian Woods is thinking as he is helping this mans case and whether he would or could witness the death of a man that he has come to know and call a friend. Ian tries to remain unbiased especially when asked if he thinks Richard is guilty which infuriates others helping with the case. This case got some high coverage as Richard Branson, Susan Sarandon, Sister Helen Prejean and even the Pope got involved.
I would really recommend reading this book if you are interested in true crime and capital punishment. Maybe just read this book so you can decide if the state of Oklahoma was correct in giving this man the death penalty.
Surviving execution is the true story of Richard Glossip, a man who is on death row for a crime he never committed. Richard Glossip’s story is told by Ian Woods a UK Sky news reporter, Ian wanted to bring this to the UK’s attention of the miscarriage of justice and how capital punishment is not always as straight forward as it’s made out to be.
Richard Glossip was arrested for the murder of his boss and motel owner Barry Von Treese, however Richard was not the person that killed him but was implicated by Justin Sneed and the police who interviewed him. For this the man who actually murdered Barry Von Treese got life without parole whilst Richard gets the death penalty for being the supposed mastermind.
Richards Glossip didn’t start off well with a bad lawyer that was under qualified for this type of case and failure to bringing certain evidence to light was going to cost Richard his life. With multiple trials, appeals and stays you would hope this man would get some sort of break, however that’s not the case and shows how corrupt the police and the law can be.
Also this book tells us a bit about the history of Capital Punishment, the methods, the countries and also the abolitionists. Although this is non fiction it is really easy to digest and very much the page turner. It makes you question so many things and whether this should really still be carried out.
We also get an insight in to what Ian Woods is thinking as he is helping this mans case and whether he would or could witness the death of a man that he has come to know and call a friend. Ian tries to remain unbiased especially when asked if he thinks Richard is guilty which infuriates others helping with the case. This case got some high coverage as Richard Branson, Susan Sarandon, Sister Helen Prejean and even the Pope got involved.
I would really recommend reading this book if you are interested in true crime and capital punishment. Maybe just read this book so you can decide if the state of Oklahoma was correct in giving this man the death penalty.
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Rotham Race in Books
Jul 4, 2018
This ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Jordan Elizabeth has aced the dystopia genre in her first attempt at a post-apocalyptic story. Set in what remains of the United States in 2057, thirty-seven years after “The Happening”, the country is a broken place. Some states no longer exist and the ones that do are barely inhabitable. Civilian lives have been reduced to mere survival rather than living, however, there is one small hope. The US lost a microchip in the desert containing data that would help them restore the country to its better days. The only problem is finding it.
Orphan Troy, aged seventeen, is determined to be the one to locate the precious microchip. For ten years, bike riders have joined the “Rotham Race” into the desert in hopes of being the one to bring it back and return the US back to its former glory, however, within that decade, only one rider has ever returned. Undeterred, Troy sets off from Maryland to New York to sign up for the biggest race in history.
Along the way, Troy meets Barbie, a seventeen-year-old mechanic who helps him fix up his bike. Whilst staying with her, awaiting new cycle parts, the teenage pair falls in love, giving Troy a strong reason to make sure he wins and returns from the race.
Unbeknownst to the racers, the government has secrets that render the race a futile endeavour. Whilst hundreds hope for a victory, there is almost no chance of anyone returning.
Rotham Race is an exciting page-turner and original concept. Dystopian stories have been recycled again and again but Jordan Elizabeth brings something new to the table. The characters are likeable and strong, and the storyline is carefully thought out and gripping.
As a novella, Rotham Race is not very long and can be read in a matter of hours. Whilst some people prefer short stories, Jordan Elizabeth has the potential of turning it into a full-length novel or series. Since the story’s conclusion leaves matters unfinished, perhaps there will be a follow-up novella.
Previously, Jordan Elizabeth has concentrated on short fantasy stories but, as Rotham Race proves, her strengths lie in science fiction and dystopia. Rotham Race would not look out of place amongst popular novels such as Divergent and The Hunger Games.
Jordan Elizabeth has aced the dystopia genre in her first attempt at a post-apocalyptic story. Set in what remains of the United States in 2057, thirty-seven years after “The Happening”, the country is a broken place. Some states no longer exist and the ones that do are barely inhabitable. Civilian lives have been reduced to mere survival rather than living, however, there is one small hope. The US lost a microchip in the desert containing data that would help them restore the country to its better days. The only problem is finding it.
Orphan Troy, aged seventeen, is determined to be the one to locate the precious microchip. For ten years, bike riders have joined the “Rotham Race” into the desert in hopes of being the one to bring it back and return the US back to its former glory, however, within that decade, only one rider has ever returned. Undeterred, Troy sets off from Maryland to New York to sign up for the biggest race in history.
Along the way, Troy meets Barbie, a seventeen-year-old mechanic who helps him fix up his bike. Whilst staying with her, awaiting new cycle parts, the teenage pair falls in love, giving Troy a strong reason to make sure he wins and returns from the race.
Unbeknownst to the racers, the government has secrets that render the race a futile endeavour. Whilst hundreds hope for a victory, there is almost no chance of anyone returning.
Rotham Race is an exciting page-turner and original concept. Dystopian stories have been recycled again and again but Jordan Elizabeth brings something new to the table. The characters are likeable and strong, and the storyline is carefully thought out and gripping.
As a novella, Rotham Race is not very long and can be read in a matter of hours. Whilst some people prefer short stories, Jordan Elizabeth has the potential of turning it into a full-length novel or series. Since the story’s conclusion leaves matters unfinished, perhaps there will be a follow-up novella.
Previously, Jordan Elizabeth has concentrated on short fantasy stories but, as Rotham Race proves, her strengths lie in science fiction and dystopia. Rotham Race would not look out of place amongst popular novels such as Divergent and The Hunger Games.