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Merissa (13956 KP) rated Wayward Stripper in Books
Aug 30, 2023
A great story that left me wanting more!
WAYWARD STRIPPER is a short novella about a trans man on the run from his abusive ex, who lands a trial run at an Omega (Ladies) Club. The Head Dancer, Tristan, is on hand to help in any way and the sparks are instantaneous.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, but I wanted so much more! I would love for this to be a full-length novel, so I can get all the background information I want - the ex-relationship, Jake's escape, and more between Jake and Tristan. As a novella, it is fast-paced, but I would have loved more of the nitty-gritty that gives the story some depth. For me, it was a little too fast, with chunks either missed out or skipped over.
A great story that left me wanting! I would still recommend it though!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 30, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, but I wanted so much more! I would love for this to be a full-length novel, so I can get all the background information I want - the ex-relationship, Jake's escape, and more between Jake and Tristan. As a novella, it is fast-paced, but I would have loved more of the nitty-gritty that gives the story some depth. For me, it was a little too fast, with chunks either missed out or skipped over.
A great story that left me wanting! I would still recommend it though!
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 30, 2023
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated How to Stop Time in Books
Jan 6, 2018
A little glib, better as a young adult novel
Matt Haig's novel, soon to be a motion picture with Benedict Cumberbatch, has had rave reviews, yet I feel I'm in the minority in saying it fell short of expectations.
Following Tom Hazard, an unusual protagonist with a rare condition which has made him live for centuries, has been searching for his daughter ever since he was forced to leave her. Describing major events in history, Hazard continues to change his identity in order to survive becoming a history teacher as his current persona. All the while being controlled by the mysterious Hendricks. Is it better to live for a short while with love, or for eternity alone?
While the story is imaginative, the characters are underdeveloped and the constant time change is inconsistent. The plot may be a little too juvenile for me, not really to my taste. Enjoy the film.
Following Tom Hazard, an unusual protagonist with a rare condition which has made him live for centuries, has been searching for his daughter ever since he was forced to leave her. Describing major events in history, Hazard continues to change his identity in order to survive becoming a history teacher as his current persona. All the while being controlled by the mysterious Hendricks. Is it better to live for a short while with love, or for eternity alone?
While the story is imaginative, the characters are underdeveloped and the constant time change is inconsistent. The plot may be a little too juvenile for me, not really to my taste. Enjoy the film.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Of Gods and Men in Books
Jan 31, 2018
Enough hints to anticipate twists and reveals (1 more)
Short and concise
Fantastic taster of Aryan's writing and world
*** I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***
This novella serves as an excellent taster of Stephen Aryan's writing style and the world in which his other books take place. I haven't read any of his other work yet, but as this is a prequel I didn't feel I was missing out on any inside knowledge. If anything, this book serves as an expanded backstory to one of the main characters of the first series, Vargus.
I really enjoyed the entry into the world, Aryan's easy-flowing narrative and the short, concise self-contained story which contains some good, well described action scenes, good dialogue and hints at a larger world to be explored and does lead you to want to read more.
This novella serves as an excellent taster of Stephen Aryan's writing style and the world in which his other books take place. I haven't read any of his other work yet, but as this is a prequel I didn't feel I was missing out on any inside knowledge. If anything, this book serves as an expanded backstory to one of the main characters of the first series, Vargus.
I really enjoyed the entry into the world, Aryan's easy-flowing narrative and the short, concise self-contained story which contains some good, well described action scenes, good dialogue and hints at a larger world to be explored and does lead you to want to read more.
Rachel Maria Berney (114 KP) rated Z Nation - Season 1 in TV
Dec 4, 2018
If you are running out of zombie apocalyps options, watch this
I love an apocalyptic film or tv series, I love a good zombie one best. After the The Walking Dead, not much lives up to expectations, falling far short of what I now expect and want in a zombie apocalypse.
Z-nation doesn't fall short. It even adds a new take, humour. I like the way they have merged the zombie horror, end of the world scenario with humour. It's not a heavy sprikling of jokes either, it's interweaved into the whole story line. That way you can still have the drama of the apocalypse without the humour making it less real, less able for you to be drawn into.
This is for all The Walking Dead fans that are looking to fill the mid season gap and gaps between seasons. You won't be dissapointed.
Z-nation doesn't fall short. It even adds a new take, humour. I like the way they have merged the zombie horror, end of the world scenario with humour. It's not a heavy sprikling of jokes either, it's interweaved into the whole story line. That way you can still have the drama of the apocalypse without the humour making it less real, less able for you to be drawn into.
This is for all The Walking Dead fans that are looking to fill the mid season gap and gaps between seasons. You won't be dissapointed.
Sherlock Holmes: Volume 2
Arthur Conan Doyle and Doug Elliott
9.0
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A stunning gift edition boasting the early tales of Sherlock Holmes, including a full-length novel...
Hark! the Herald Angels Scream: An Anthology
7.0
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Eighteen stories of Christmas horror from bestselling, acclaimed authors including Scott Smith,...
Horror Short Stories Holiday Christmas Anthologies
Merissa (13956 KP) rated Her Druid Temptation (The Amber Druid Series 0.5) in Books
Mar 31, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)
This is a short novella which introduces you to the Amber Druids, an ancient race of both men and women who each have their own intrinsic gifts.
Liana and Traven are two Amber Druids who are both living in New Orleans. Liana is a restauranteur and Traven is a P.I. They meet again when Liana has a meeting with a person that Traven is following. They have known each other for 50 years but each of them thought that nothing would ever happen, for their own reasons. This is a short, passionate, love story that I have enjoyed and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
This novella is enough to give you a taste - and leave you wanting more - of the Amber Druids. I want to know more about them!
* Verified Purchase - August 2012 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
July 29, 2016
Liana and Traven are two Amber Druids who are both living in New Orleans. Liana is a restauranteur and Traven is a P.I. They meet again when Liana has a meeting with a person that Traven is following. They have known each other for 50 years but each of them thought that nothing would ever happen, for their own reasons. This is a short, passionate, love story that I have enjoyed and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
This novella is enough to give you a taste - and leave you wanting more - of the Amber Druids. I want to know more about them!
* Verified Purchase - August 2012 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
July 29, 2016
Train of Thoughts
Book
In Train of Thoughts, Vee finds a sensible yet simple way to use poetry, essays, and short stories...
poetry bookbuzz
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Sieve (Drakon Book 1) in Books
Jul 31, 2018
Very short book 1 of 4
This first instalment in the Drakon book sees a mysterious figure, Da-Ren, appear at a monastery looking for salvation, and then follows his memories of his coming-of-age journey as a 12 year-old boy. Dragged from his bed in the orphans camp of his tribe and thrown into The Sieve - a 6 week long trial to weed out the weakest of the tribe, he and his fellow tribe members are forced to stand barely clothed in the freezing field - if they don't fall they get the luxury of clothes and meat; otherwise its porridge. The story flows really well and only seems to drag in a couple of chapters - quite a feat considering the daily drudge being described!
This first part is very short indeed and I can't help but wonder why. I think the overall page count of the full 4 "book" series is about 1500 - so cutting it in to 4 sections seems a little far. This book is about 250 pages. While it tells the full story of Da-Ren's time in the sieve and concludes with his final rating (the role he will perform for the tribe for the rest of his life) I think more of the present story (the monastery) could have been added on the end. A story featuring flashbacks should absolutely not finish in the flashback - showing that this is not really a standalone book at all.
I will read the rest of the series in due course as I loved the storytelling, the world built and am intrigued as to what is next.
This first part is very short indeed and I can't help but wonder why. I think the overall page count of the full 4 "book" series is about 1500 - so cutting it in to 4 sections seems a little far. This book is about 250 pages. While it tells the full story of Da-Ren's time in the sieve and concludes with his final rating (the role he will perform for the tribe for the rest of his life) I think more of the present story (the monastery) could have been added on the end. A story featuring flashbacks should absolutely not finish in the flashback - showing that this is not really a standalone book at all.
I will read the rest of the series in due course as I loved the storytelling, the world built and am intrigued as to what is next.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Broken in Books
Sep 16, 2020
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
Magnolia (Maggie) is not surprised when her estranged twin sister is murdered by her abusive husband. She travels to Beaumont Cove, the town where her sister and Mike lived. Mike protests his innocence, and, at first, she does not believe him. Wandering around town and looking into her sister's time there, she begins to have doubts. Hiring a local PI, Maggie looks into her sister's murder and wonders if Mike is telling the truth.
Broken by John Rector is a short, quick read. It is 284 pages. The story flows well, but I did not connect with the characters. The town is supposed to feel creepy, but it came across as similar to a New Jersey tourist town during the off-season, devoid of tourists. The "big reveal" from one of the characters' past was not surprising, although it did explain his actions.
The cover and description of the book made it seem as if the story was going to be scary or suspenseful. It was neither. While it was worth reading, the book felt too short and not fully fleshed out.
According to Goodreads, Rector's short fiction won several awards, including the International Thriller Award for his novella, Lost Things.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/15/20.
Magnolia (Maggie) is not surprised when her estranged twin sister is murdered by her abusive husband. She travels to Beaumont Cove, the town where her sister and Mike lived. Mike protests his innocence, and, at first, she does not believe him. Wandering around town and looking into her sister's time there, she begins to have doubts. Hiring a local PI, Maggie looks into her sister's murder and wonders if Mike is telling the truth.
Broken by John Rector is a short, quick read. It is 284 pages. The story flows well, but I did not connect with the characters. The town is supposed to feel creepy, but it came across as similar to a New Jersey tourist town during the off-season, devoid of tourists. The "big reveal" from one of the characters' past was not surprising, although it did explain his actions.
The cover and description of the book made it seem as if the story was going to be scary or suspenseful. It was neither. While it was worth reading, the book felt too short and not fully fleshed out.
According to Goodreads, Rector's short fiction won several awards, including the International Thriller Award for his novella, Lost Things.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/15/20.