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James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Arctic Zoo in Books

Oct 28, 2019  
Arctic Zoo
Arctic Zoo
Robert Muchamore | 2019 | Contemporary, Crime, LGBTQ+, Thriller, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Political without ever preaching (0 more)
Been mostly ignored (0 more)
Challenging the world
Even with a good book, 456 pages can start to drag. With Arctic Zoo however, I wanted to continue on Julius and Georgia's story. This is brilliantly paced read with a "one more chapter before bed" level of intrigue on every page to keep you up far too late every night. The story follows Georgia, and relatively unextrordinary English schoolgirl who has lost her sister who becomes the face of the protest counter culture community, and celebrity, completely by accident, who with no choice, is drawn further into that world, and Julius, the son of very rich Nigerian political elite, who is guy and ousted from the family. Both these teenagers stories interweave intermittently and both are engaging on their own. The thing is I really liked Julius and I really liked Georgia and I wanted so much for each of them to succeed despite all the things thrown against them. Whats also brilliant s this book has a lot to say without it ever forcing anything down your throat and doesn't shy away from throwing up hypocrisies either. Muchamore is an absolute master writer who has managed to create an engaging novel that any adult or teenager will enjoy without ever feeling like the pages have been dumbed down to reach a general audience. Yes it was 456 pages long at at the end I said, "ohh, its finished" feeling disappointed rather than the sense of achievement I normally get when completing a book, just because I wanted to stay with these characters in this book and be with them for more of their journeys. But that is what a great artist does, leaves them wanting more, Muchamore.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2572 KP) rated Crown of Chaos in Books

Jun 11, 2026  
Crown of Chaos
Crown of Chaos
Sarah E. Burr | 2019 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Is War on the Horizon?
The war council is finally happening, and Jax is happy to be able to present the evidence of the treason that has been happening in the realm. But even before the council gets started, Jax learns of betrayal among those she thought were allies. The first session ends with no progress, but things only get worse when a fire and a murder complicate things. Can Jax figure out what is happening? Or is she in over her head?

The last few books have been building to this one (so don’t start here), and I was on board from the start. The political intrigue and the murder mystery work well together, for a book I couldn’t put down until we reach the page turning climax. We don’t see all of the regulars, although we do get some updates on them. I am hoping that one storyline I haven’t been enjoying is heading toward a climax based on what happens here. And I’m finding Jax a bit arrogant; I’m curious to see where that goes in future books. And I will be picking up the next soon. Fans of the series will be just as hooked as I was.
  
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Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Deep Down (Jack Reacher, #16.5) in Books

Jun 20, 2019  
Deep Down (Jack Reacher, #16.5)
Deep Down (Jack Reacher, #16.5)
Lee Child | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
5
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Unfulfilling quick Reacher fix
I’m not sure why I keep listening to these Jack Reacher short stories, I think it’s because they are just a quick fix handy to have while doing other jobs.

Set back in the mid 80s we get a glimpse of Reacher’s military career where he is tasked with working out who is leaking information from Capitol Hill. The suspects are four fast-track women; Army political liaison officers. How in the mid 80s likely that all four of these positions would be taken up by women raises an eyebrow but it’s needed to fit the strategy of Reacher trying to get them each alone for a drink (eye-roll.) It doesn't quite work out like that but Reacher quickly gets stuff figured out, has a fight and lets us all go home glad for it to all be over. All standard Reacher just a lot less fleshed out and lacking some intrigue.

There's an odd decision to keep cutting to bits about an unnamed jogger, we find out who this is later but it really adds very little to the story and for a short one it seems a waste.

Like having something sweet when you are starving; it’s a quick yet ultimately unfulfilling experience. It’s not like it’s even a great chocolate bar….