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Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated In The Shadow of Blackbirds in Books
Jan 23, 2020
I had this random tendency to not write a review, at all, for Cat Winters' <i>In the Shadow of Blackbirds</i>, to which the copy at the library had an extremely sucky synopsis (though the design IS pretty):
In a city filled with the dead and dying,
while a nightmarish war rages halfway across the world,
the grieving look for answers in photographs and séances.
It's 1918. San Diego.
And a girl who doesn't believe in spirits
steps off the train and into a new life...
Apparently the one sentence synopsis provided by the publisher (yes, I read those) is a lot more helpful than this inside jacket cover synopsis, which gives a the book a mysterious aura that separates it from the other 2015-2016 Gateway Award Nominees.
The book, albeit a fantastically creepy concept, apparently goes from one end of the spectrum to the other end of the spectrum by the end of the book.
The so-called beginning of the spectrum I'm speaking of is the absolute, complete paranoia of the time period. Literally all of the characters depicted throughout the book was highly addicted to onions, spirit photography, or shunning the Germans. Of course, the more historical fiction and actual historical texts I read of World War I, I sometimes find it highly hilarious mainly due to the simple fact that Americans actually came from Europe and the majority of them have German blood (okay, a lot of ya'll have European blood). Funny how that actually works.
The only characters that I actually liked was Mary Shelley Black (thankfully the main character) and Stephen Embers (or rather, Live Stephen and not Dead Stephen, who actually spent a good few times squishing Mary Shelley). Both Mary Shelley and Stephen were more "adventurous" (logic and science) and tended to stray from the rest of the pack. On the unfortunate side... dear old Stephen Embers is apparently dead, which eventually results in the book being one of your typical ghost stories/shows where the dead have unfinished business.
However, in Stephen's case, all Mary Shelley seems to get from him is something about blackbirds - blackbirds attacking him.
The other end of the spectrum, as the book continues and Mary Shelley gets closer to finding out Stephen's "unfinished" business, is apparently the book going from the main character being the most logical and unparanoid one to being one of the paranoid ones. She goes from being one of the logical ones who reasons and questions everything to someone who "freaked" out over a cough or "drowning" herself in onions. Onions are apparently the garlic of the book while the vampire is the influenza.
Simply put, <i>In the Shadow of Blackbirds</i> started to become a little bit too "insane" for my taste and for me to handle at certain points until the very end. Cat Winters' debut novel was a chilling read that left me walking away feeling mainly satisfied with how Stephen and Mary Shelley eventually come to terms with their relationship.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-in-the-shadow-of-blackbirds-by-cat-winters/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
In a city filled with the dead and dying,
while a nightmarish war rages halfway across the world,
the grieving look for answers in photographs and séances.
It's 1918. San Diego.
And a girl who doesn't believe in spirits
steps off the train and into a new life...
Apparently the one sentence synopsis provided by the publisher (yes, I read those) is a lot more helpful than this inside jacket cover synopsis, which gives a the book a mysterious aura that separates it from the other 2015-2016 Gateway Award Nominees.
The book, albeit a fantastically creepy concept, apparently goes from one end of the spectrum to the other end of the spectrum by the end of the book.
The so-called beginning of the spectrum I'm speaking of is the absolute, complete paranoia of the time period. Literally all of the characters depicted throughout the book was highly addicted to onions, spirit photography, or shunning the Germans. Of course, the more historical fiction and actual historical texts I read of World War I, I sometimes find it highly hilarious mainly due to the simple fact that Americans actually came from Europe and the majority of them have German blood (okay, a lot of ya'll have European blood). Funny how that actually works.
The only characters that I actually liked was Mary Shelley Black (thankfully the main character) and Stephen Embers (or rather, Live Stephen and not Dead Stephen, who actually spent a good few times squishing Mary Shelley). Both Mary Shelley and Stephen were more "adventurous" (logic and science) and tended to stray from the rest of the pack. On the unfortunate side... dear old Stephen Embers is apparently dead, which eventually results in the book being one of your typical ghost stories/shows where the dead have unfinished business.
However, in Stephen's case, all Mary Shelley seems to get from him is something about blackbirds - blackbirds attacking him.
The other end of the spectrum, as the book continues and Mary Shelley gets closer to finding out Stephen's "unfinished" business, is apparently the book going from the main character being the most logical and unparanoid one to being one of the paranoid ones. She goes from being one of the logical ones who reasons and questions everything to someone who "freaked" out over a cough or "drowning" herself in onions. Onions are apparently the garlic of the book while the vampire is the influenza.
Simply put, <i>In the Shadow of Blackbirds</i> started to become a little bit too "insane" for my taste and for me to handle at certain points until the very end. Cat Winters' debut novel was a chilling read that left me walking away feeling mainly satisfied with how Stephen and Mary Shelley eventually come to terms with their relationship.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-in-the-shadow-of-blackbirds-by-cat-winters/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Charles Darwin: pocket GIANTS
Book
When Darwin announced his theory of evolution by natural selection, he did more than transform...
Sheridan (209 KP) rated ARQ (2016) in Movies
Jul 12, 2017
Groundhog Day on Steroids
Ever felt like you're doing the same thing over and over again, but can't remember when? Yeah, that's this movie. You don't even get time to blink, it's simply straight into action, again and again. Surprisingly, you don't feel like the repetition is getting old. A fast paced, thrilling ride, right to the very end. Plus it's Stephen Amell's cousin so he's very easy on the eyes :p Not bad for an Netflix Original.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Mr Mercedes in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Well this book started off a bit on the slow side...not like King normally. But let me tell you, once the story got rolling it was hard to put down! And in true Stephen King fashion the ending was fantastic!! My jaw hit the floor & I found myself thinking, "okay, so when does the next book come out!?" The characters are true & real. The plot itself could easily be ripped from the headlines. I can't wait for more!
Poorly developed characters (1 more)
Plot holes
This book follows the story of survivors of what appears to be a major terrorist attack. It's suspenseful but sometimes feels forced. It's not something I think i will ever pick up again but it's an enjoyable enough read for someone who is a fan of Stephen King. There are many elements to the story that make it clear that this book fits well within the standard "King" writing style.
Dean (6925 KP) rated Nightmares and Dreamscapes in Books
Feb 18, 2018
Great Anthology of stories
This is a great book that fans of Stephen King will love. 23 stories of varying length that have all the trademarks of his stories. Some aren't so great and very short, but the majority of stories I would rate 7-10 individually. The stand out stories are:
Dolan's Cadillac
The Night Flier
Chattery Teeth
Dedication
Sorry Right Number
The Ten O'clock people
The Doctor's case.
Dolan's Cadillac
The Night Flier
Chattery Teeth
Dedication
Sorry Right Number
The Ten O'clock people
The Doctor's case.
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Tales From The Backseat by The Academic in Music
Feb 13, 2018
A solid debut packed with indie rock thrills...
The debut album from Irish four-piece The Academic is brimming with energy and potential. The band, singer Craig Fitzgerald, drummer Dean Gavin, and brothers Matt and Stephen Murtagh, guitar and bass respectively, have been building up a following across the Irish Sea since forming as teenagers in 2013.
By Ealasaid MacAlister
Original Review - 7
Read the Full Review Here - http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/the-academic-tales-from-the-backseat
By Ealasaid MacAlister
Original Review - 7
Read the Full Review Here - http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/the-academic-tales-from-the-backseat
David McK (3369 KP) rated The Mating Season (Jeeves, #9) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Even by PG Wodehouse standards, this one is pretty complicated - so much so, that Bertie Wooster even provides a list at the end of the novel (something liek 'Sundered Hearts'/'Reunited Hearts')!
Of course, while reading it, I was also (perhaps unavoidably) comparing it to the episodes of the old TV series that were clearly based on this particular novel, making it impossible to visualise any other than Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie as Jeeves and Wooster, respectively.
Of course, while reading it, I was also (perhaps unavoidably) comparing it to the episodes of the old TV series that were clearly based on this particular novel, making it impossible to visualise any other than Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie as Jeeves and Wooster, respectively.
Merci A Velez (18 KP) rated It in Books
Jan 17, 2019
Great plot (1 more)
Amazing twists
I have always had an intense love for all things stephen king and this book is one of the many reasons why.It feeds into your deepest darkest fears and weaknesses.Brings you into a world of childhood terror that will have you inner kid hiding in a corner.Highly recommend for those horror lovers out there!Im not one myself but this is a classic that i will always love to recommend
Psychic Viewpoint
Podcast
On each of our weekly two hour Internet radio shows, the hosts (Maureen Holleran, Steve Frampton,...