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Alice (12 KP) rated Blood Bank in Books
Jul 3, 2018
<i>I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review</i>
Blood Bank is the first book by Zoe Markham that I’ve read and it was one of those “swallow you whole” books. It was only a short little novella but it was packed full of action and kept your interest from the get go.
From the very first page we’re drawn into a story about the paranormal like no other; it begins with a carnival and quickly transfers into the town of Swindon and vampires. Not just any vampires – we’re talking brutal business men – not the romantic kind we all know – but vampires you DO NOT FUCK with.
There’s a club in Swindon where only the down-on-their-luck can get an invitation into its depths, where, if you can’t pay in money, you pay in the next best commodity – blood. The characters we see in this book are Zack, Ben and Lucy – all three of whom eventually have a link.
Zack and Lucy are in a relationship and this is basically where the story begins, they’re out on a date and as usual Lucy ends up paying for it, Zach has got himself into some big time debt and the only way to get out of it is to donate his blood.
Ben is a vampire – 10 years converted and hating it more each day – he comes to Lucy’s rescue when something bad happens to her and they develop a relationship that seems to be healthier than Lucy and Zack’s one. Zack has got the ugliest bracelet on which was supplied to him by his new employer, the creepiest priest agoing y’all. When they call, he has to come, if he doesn’t then the debt goes to his nearest and dearest.
The writing style of this book was one that I really liked, the correct terminology was used for the enemy of the vampires which was great and there was a suitable amount of freak out on Zack’s part and it was written with that in mind. Lucy was surprisingly mature given her age and I liked that about her.
There also wasn’t a lot of unnecessary filler dialogue or descriptions which I sometimes find with novellas – as if they struggled to fill the small amount of pages novellas take up – I didn’t find this with Zoe’s Blood Bank which has kind of given me an insight into her other writing which I’d love to read.
Blood Bank is the first book by Zoe Markham that I’ve read and it was one of those “swallow you whole” books. It was only a short little novella but it was packed full of action and kept your interest from the get go.
From the very first page we’re drawn into a story about the paranormal like no other; it begins with a carnival and quickly transfers into the town of Swindon and vampires. Not just any vampires – we’re talking brutal business men – not the romantic kind we all know – but vampires you DO NOT FUCK with.
There’s a club in Swindon where only the down-on-their-luck can get an invitation into its depths, where, if you can’t pay in money, you pay in the next best commodity – blood. The characters we see in this book are Zack, Ben and Lucy – all three of whom eventually have a link.
Zack and Lucy are in a relationship and this is basically where the story begins, they’re out on a date and as usual Lucy ends up paying for it, Zach has got himself into some big time debt and the only way to get out of it is to donate his blood.
Ben is a vampire – 10 years converted and hating it more each day – he comes to Lucy’s rescue when something bad happens to her and they develop a relationship that seems to be healthier than Lucy and Zack’s one. Zack has got the ugliest bracelet on which was supplied to him by his new employer, the creepiest priest agoing y’all. When they call, he has to come, if he doesn’t then the debt goes to his nearest and dearest.
The writing style of this book was one that I really liked, the correct terminology was used for the enemy of the vampires which was great and there was a suitable amount of freak out on Zack’s part and it was written with that in mind. Lucy was surprisingly mature given her age and I liked that about her.
There also wasn’t a lot of unnecessary filler dialogue or descriptions which I sometimes find with novellas – as if they struggled to fill the small amount of pages novellas take up – I didn’t find this with Zoe’s Blood Bank which has kind of given me an insight into her other writing which I’d love to read.
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Merissa (13860 KP) rated The Blood of Four Gods and Other Stories in Books
Sep 29, 2017
The Blood of Four Gods and Other Stories by Jamie Lackey
The Blood of Four Gods and Other Stories is a collection of short stories by Jamie Lackey, with a strong Asian/Native American theme. None of the stories are guaranteed a HAE, and in fact, I would say at least half have their own particular ending. These stories are all very vivid when you read them, which is excellent - Jamie Lackey's descriptive voice is in full flow. However, some of them are not so 'nice' to read, and so the descriptions can make you swallow slightly as you read them. Some only seem like snippets, and I would love to know more about the characters and the worlds in which they live.
With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, I thoroughly enjoyed each of these stories. With smooth pacing, well rounded characters, and with individual stories for each and every one, this is a wonderful collection of stories, sure to delight. Absolutely recommended by me.
* 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!
With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, I thoroughly enjoyed each of these stories. With smooth pacing, well rounded characters, and with individual stories for each and every one, this is a wonderful collection of stories, sure to delight. Absolutely recommended by me.
* 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!
Gloria (27 KP) rated Desert Blood: The Juarez Murders in Books
Jul 18, 2017
A Mystery Unlike Any Other
Gaspar de Alba brings a fine writer's sensitivity and the open heart of her heritage. The result is a novel that takes your breath away, page after page, and grabs your heart.
Desert Blood is a mystery unlike any other. Gripping, heart-wrenching, set against the tough, lacerating reality of border-town engaging mystery, but it is more than well-written entertainment. It is an important book that sheds light on the Juárez murders--the ongoing slaughter of young Mexican women in the border city of Juárez by persons unknown. Desert Blood weaves together its fictional tale and the known facts of these notorious crimes in a way that reveals the cultural and political attitudes that have allowed these murders to continue with the indifference--if not the outright complicity--of Mexican authorities.
Gaspar de Alba not only crafts a suspenseful plot but tackles prejudice in many of its ugly forms: against gays, against Hispanics, against the poor. It's an in-your-face, no-holds-barred story full of brutality, graphic violence, and ultimately, redemption. Offering a powerful depiction of social injustice and serial murder on the U.S.-Mexican border, this is an essential purchase for both mystery and Hispanic fiction collections.
Desert Blood is a mystery unlike any other. Gripping, heart-wrenching, set against the tough, lacerating reality of border-town engaging mystery, but it is more than well-written entertainment. It is an important book that sheds light on the Juárez murders--the ongoing slaughter of young Mexican women in the border city of Juárez by persons unknown. Desert Blood weaves together its fictional tale and the known facts of these notorious crimes in a way that reveals the cultural and political attitudes that have allowed these murders to continue with the indifference--if not the outright complicity--of Mexican authorities.
Gaspar de Alba not only crafts a suspenseful plot but tackles prejudice in many of its ugly forms: against gays, against Hispanics, against the poor. It's an in-your-face, no-holds-barred story full of brutality, graphic violence, and ultimately, redemption. Offering a powerful depiction of social injustice and serial murder on the U.S.-Mexican border, this is an essential purchase for both mystery and Hispanic fiction collections.
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Scream (1996) in Movies
May 12, 2018
Labeled a classic and dubbed as a mystery/slasher film, Scream is a film you can turn to for years to come when you’re in need of a blood bath. If you’re a 90s baby like me, then you probably have. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I consider it a favorite, but it is definitely a movie I like to watch when I need to relax.
One of the things that I really like about Scream is the fact that it serves a dual purpose: it sates my thirst for blood while simultaneously making a mockery of itself. If you’re new to the horror genre, then it’s an easy and entertaining way to learn the “rules” of horror movies – and then watch as the cast adheres to them without failure. Of course, these aren’t real rules in as much as they are unspoken. For prime examples of movies that highlight these rules, I point you to Halloween, The Nightmare on Elm Street, and Friday the 13th.
Scream is one of those films that is more likely to draw a bit of laughter from me than it is likely to scare me. To some degree, this is because I’ve seen it so many times. To another… it’s honestly hilarious.
One of the things that I really like about Scream is the fact that it serves a dual purpose: it sates my thirst for blood while simultaneously making a mockery of itself. If you’re new to the horror genre, then it’s an easy and entertaining way to learn the “rules” of horror movies – and then watch as the cast adheres to them without failure. Of course, these aren’t real rules in as much as they are unspoken. For prime examples of movies that highlight these rules, I point you to Halloween, The Nightmare on Elm Street, and Friday the 13th.
Scream is one of those films that is more likely to draw a bit of laughter from me than it is likely to scare me. To some degree, this is because I’ve seen it so many times. To another… it’s honestly hilarious.
CarlaM (53 KP) rated Devil's Dream: Shade of Devil Book 1 in Books
Oct 30, 2019
Eat your Heart out Drac! Sorin is back!
Before Dracula ever tasted his first drop of Blood, Sorin Owned the night. After centuries of Drenching Europe in blood, he Grew weary of the Carnage and left to discover the new world, only to be tracked down by an old enemy. Sorin survives the Attack but only by being put into a healing slumber....and wakes up 500 years later in Present day New York and that is where our adventures begins.
I found this book endlessly pleasing. Sorin is out to make New friends and he meets some very interesting characters along the way. Although he has some classic Vampire broodiness, he does not conform to the new age definition of sparkly "vegetarian" Vampires. He is unapologetically brutal to his enemies and trying to come to terms with a world he doesn't understand. It makes for a funny action packed book filled with witty one liners and funny scenarios.
It was a true page turner and I loved Every minute of it.
I really can't wait for the next book!
I found this book endlessly pleasing. Sorin is out to make New friends and he meets some very interesting characters along the way. Although he has some classic Vampire broodiness, he does not conform to the new age definition of sparkly "vegetarian" Vampires. He is unapologetically brutal to his enemies and trying to come to terms with a world he doesn't understand. It makes for a funny action packed book filled with witty one liners and funny scenarios.
It was a true page turner and I loved Every minute of it.
I really can't wait for the next book!
David McK (3731 KP) rated Blood's Campaign in Books
Mar 5, 2020
Third entry in Angus Donald's Holcroft Blood series (after Blood's Game and Blood's Revolution), with this one set in Ireland.
Which is where I live (well, in Northern Ireland).
Living, as I do, not that far from Carrickfergus in Belfast I was aware of the siege of Carrickfergus, and (of course) of the Battle of the Boyne - it's impossible not to be, living here! With William's victory celebrated by a section of the community every 12th of July - although the subjects were never really taught at all in my school days; seemingly more concerned with the Norman conquest or with the English Civil War or World War 2 than with 'local' history. In retrospect, I think that might be because local history is (still) a touchy subject: what is one man's hero, for example, is another man's villain in this country!
Anyway, I've gone off topic: Blood's Campaign.
An interesting read, with Holcroft Blood still an unusual protagonist (hinted as being on the autistic spectrum?), with - even for someone born and raised in Northern Ireland - some fascinating history thrown in, although (I have to say), that this one didn't quite grip me as much as Angus Donald's 'Outlaw' (Robin Hood) series.
Which is where I live (well, in Northern Ireland).
Living, as I do, not that far from Carrickfergus in Belfast I was aware of the siege of Carrickfergus, and (of course) of the Battle of the Boyne - it's impossible not to be, living here! With William's victory celebrated by a section of the community every 12th of July - although the subjects were never really taught at all in my school days; seemingly more concerned with the Norman conquest or with the English Civil War or World War 2 than with 'local' history. In retrospect, I think that might be because local history is (still) a touchy subject: what is one man's hero, for example, is another man's villain in this country!
Anyway, I've gone off topic: Blood's Campaign.
An interesting read, with Holcroft Blood still an unusual protagonist (hinted as being on the autistic spectrum?), with - even for someone born and raised in Northern Ireland - some fascinating history thrown in, although (I have to say), that this one didn't quite grip me as much as Angus Donald's 'Outlaw' (Robin Hood) series.
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