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graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Happy Hour of the Damned (Amanda Feral, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Snarky, crude, smart, bitchy, strange, dirty (in more ways than one), superficial, gory and more-y, HAPPY HOUR OF THE DAMNED is a hard book to describe in few words. Besides calling it zombie chick-lit urban fantasy, which is such a disservice. Amanda isn't the type of main character I usually enjoy reading about, I admit I'd rather read about someone more sympathetic than a label-conscious, cocktail swigging, loose, uppity, self-absorbed diva. But guess what, I actually liked her. Go figure. Now I wouldn't want to hang out with someone like her in real life, but in a book, it's all in good fun and I definitely will pick up the next two Amanda Feral books and hope there's more to come.
I loved the snarkiness, the footnotes (how many fiction authors actually do that?), the memoir-style writing, the cleverness of it all, it's a very good book. So why didn't I give it a higher rating, you may be thinking. Or maybe you're not. Whatever. Well, it did lose me a couple places and the plot meandered a bit in the beginning, and I'm still not sure what the master plot entailed (or is it entrailed? LMAO :D) exactly, as the plot did get a bit confusing towards the end. That could have just been me, I'm not the brightest at times. However, I think I did get the gist of the whole thing, so I wasn't left completely confused. In addition, I didn't find myself absorbed in the book, meaning I could put it down without withdrawal symptoms, so that brings my rating down slightly. I found the best thing to do with HAPPY HOUR OF THE DAMNED was to just let the book take me for the bizarre and fun ride the author had in store for the readers.
I'm sorry to hear that the series is in trouble, as it's much better than a lot of urban fantasy out there. We snarks of the world need these brainy reads (the fun kind) to survive, so in a way, we're zombies too. You may be wondering, "What can I do to help a good author out?" Well, go buy it! But only if you don't mind foul language, queasy and disgustingly gory scenes and imagery, sex in all it's kinkiness (which is mostly mentioned in passing), brand name designers, in-the-gutter-humor and more! All for the low, low price of $6.99. Have your credit card handy, operators are standing by - okay, I'm done with my infomercial sales pitch now. But really, if you do mind the aforementioned descriptions of what's covered inside, why are you looking at a zombie book anyway?
3.75 stars - just because I can.
I loved the snarkiness, the footnotes (how many fiction authors actually do that?), the memoir-style writing, the cleverness of it all, it's a very good book. So why didn't I give it a higher rating, you may be thinking. Or maybe you're not. Whatever. Well, it did lose me a couple places and the plot meandered a bit in the beginning, and I'm still not sure what the master plot entailed (or is it entrailed? LMAO :D) exactly, as the plot did get a bit confusing towards the end. That could have just been me, I'm not the brightest at times. However, I think I did get the gist of the whole thing, so I wasn't left completely confused. In addition, I didn't find myself absorbed in the book, meaning I could put it down without withdrawal symptoms, so that brings my rating down slightly. I found the best thing to do with HAPPY HOUR OF THE DAMNED was to just let the book take me for the bizarre and fun ride the author had in store for the readers.
I'm sorry to hear that the series is in trouble, as it's much better than a lot of urban fantasy out there. We snarks of the world need these brainy reads (the fun kind) to survive, so in a way, we're zombies too. You may be wondering, "What can I do to help a good author out?" Well, go buy it! But only if you don't mind foul language, queasy and disgustingly gory scenes and imagery, sex in all it's kinkiness (which is mostly mentioned in passing), brand name designers, in-the-gutter-humor and more! All for the low, low price of $6.99. Have your credit card handy, operators are standing by - okay, I'm done with my infomercial sales pitch now. But really, if you do mind the aforementioned descriptions of what's covered inside, why are you looking at a zombie book anyway?
3.75 stars - just because I can.
Jamie (131 KP) rated Dangerous Behavior in Books
May 24, 2017
Extremely slow start (1 more)
Heavy focus on the romance can be off-putting
Killer Couples
I could almost tag this book as a straight up romance given how much time is dedicated to Sam and Jules’ love story. While the romance could be a good hook for some I personally just found it distracting and kind of eye roll worthy. Sam and Jules were high school sweethearts, Sam cheats, and after getting dumped Jules finds her way into the arms of his brother, who took care of her through her family troubles. The book spends an inordinate amount of time on Sam’s miserable love life and how he never got over his first love despite a plethora of women throwing themselves at him. This made the earlier parts of the novel slow down to a crawl as the narrative focus was more about the romance than the actual murder.
It got worse when Jules started getting her memory back and remembers nothing of the love she shared with her husband and instead keeps thinking about Sam and all the great sex they had. Days after her husband is murdered. I groaned. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised and it’s predictable, it’s just so distasteful and was just sort of a big middle finger to Sam’s brother Joe. I couldn’t get behind the romance in the story at all and it really decreased my enjoyment. So much that I actually was really struggling to like the book and had been thinking about rating it lower until I got to the second half of the book.
Thank goodness for the second half, when the mystery really started to come together. The thrill killers were an interesting pair that bring to mind several serial killer couples. It was a confusing twist on an otherwise average murder mystery and at first I had been wondering why they were even in the story at all. As I dug deeper into the story, however, things pulled together nicely and I actually found these characters to be pretty interesting.
This was the part of the book that was actually good, and the ending alone convinced me to push my rating just a little bit higher. It was worth slogging through the romance to get to the good stuff. While I found certain parts predictable and had figured out the dastardly duo immediately when they were introduced I still enjoyed unraveling the mystery and finding a few surprises along the way.
It got worse when Jules started getting her memory back and remembers nothing of the love she shared with her husband and instead keeps thinking about Sam and all the great sex they had. Days after her husband is murdered. I groaned. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised and it’s predictable, it’s just so distasteful and was just sort of a big middle finger to Sam’s brother Joe. I couldn’t get behind the romance in the story at all and it really decreased my enjoyment. So much that I actually was really struggling to like the book and had been thinking about rating it lower until I got to the second half of the book.
Thank goodness for the second half, when the mystery really started to come together. The thrill killers were an interesting pair that bring to mind several serial killer couples. It was a confusing twist on an otherwise average murder mystery and at first I had been wondering why they were even in the story at all. As I dug deeper into the story, however, things pulled together nicely and I actually found these characters to be pretty interesting.
This was the part of the book that was actually good, and the ending alone convinced me to push my rating just a little bit higher. It was worth slogging through the romance to get to the good stuff. While I found certain parts predictable and had figured out the dastardly duo immediately when they were introduced I still enjoyed unraveling the mystery and finding a few surprises along the way.
The Study Guide for the New Trading for a Living
Book
Test your trading knowledge and skills without risking any money You may read the best trading book,...
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated In Plain Sight: Seeing God's Signature throughout Creation in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Rating: 4.5
As an artist, a writer, and a creator, God has left His fingerprints in His work. Look at an eyeball… now look at gold particles. Look at a cabbage leaf… now look at blood vessels. One of my favorite comparisons: The birth of a cell, a nebula in space. A cell is so small… a nebula is so big. Both are small or big to the point that we really can't wrap our minds around how small and big they are… and yet the similarities are striking.
Gordon has created a beautiful book with 40 days of photographs and daily devotions, scripture verses, and some thought provoking questions. I thoroughly enjoyed reading through his thoughts and devotional guides. This book really opened my eyes to what was meant when God said that He had clearly exposed himself in creation, so that man had no excuse.
In Plain Sight was a joy to explore, and left me with a whole new way of looking at God's creation.
Recommendation: This book would be great for a family devotion, a small group, a Bible study, or an individual of any age. I would recommend keeping a notebook to answer the questions, and instead of reading the one verse in the text, read the paragraph or chapter that it came from, for the sake of keeping the verses in context.
As an artist, a writer, and a creator, God has left His fingerprints in His work. Look at an eyeball… now look at gold particles. Look at a cabbage leaf… now look at blood vessels. One of my favorite comparisons: The birth of a cell, a nebula in space. A cell is so small… a nebula is so big. Both are small or big to the point that we really can't wrap our minds around how small and big they are… and yet the similarities are striking.
Gordon has created a beautiful book with 40 days of photographs and daily devotions, scripture verses, and some thought provoking questions. I thoroughly enjoyed reading through his thoughts and devotional guides. This book really opened my eyes to what was meant when God said that He had clearly exposed himself in creation, so that man had no excuse.
In Plain Sight was a joy to explore, and left me with a whole new way of looking at God's creation.
Recommendation: This book would be great for a family devotion, a small group, a Bible study, or an individual of any age. I would recommend keeping a notebook to answer the questions, and instead of reading the one verse in the text, read the paragraph or chapter that it came from, for the sake of keeping the verses in context.
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Looking for Dei in Books
Jun 10, 2018 (Updated Jan 18, 2019)
I hate being the first person to give a book a low rating, but after months of trying, I was unable to finish Looking for Dei. Largely, it's simply not my style. The voice is a little too passive, the story a little too predictable. Then again, my tastes are a bit bloodier and darker than this fantasy novel, and this is yet another pure YA read--like Ghost Slayer, but fantasy rather than paranormal.
I don't feel an attachment to any of the characters, and for me that's a big problem. There's no connection, no wondering what will happen to them and that could be in part because of all the exposition. They simply bore me, for lack of a better word. I don't mean to come off harsh, but I've really been struggling to read this.
Plotwise, its much of the same. Too much of what is going on can be guessed at. The evil characters have no mystery to them. The good characters are always fortunate in what happens to them. It's simply too fantastic in that regard for me.
I'd like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC of his book for the purpose of review. I regret being unable to finish this book, but after three months of trying and putting it down, I simply cannot force-feed it to myself.
I don't feel an attachment to any of the characters, and for me that's a big problem. There's no connection, no wondering what will happen to them and that could be in part because of all the exposition. They simply bore me, for lack of a better word. I don't mean to come off harsh, but I've really been struggling to read this.
Plotwise, its much of the same. Too much of what is going on can be guessed at. The evil characters have no mystery to them. The good characters are always fortunate in what happens to them. It's simply too fantastic in that regard for me.
I'd like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC of his book for the purpose of review. I regret being unable to finish this book, but after three months of trying and putting it down, I simply cannot force-feed it to myself.
2 and a half star rating rounded up.
I love reading books about dogs as I just love animals and I find most of the stories heartwarming and inspirational.
This was an ok read, I did enjoy parts of it but in other parts it grated on me...quite a lot.
From reading the book's description you know it's going to be a very emotional read and at the start of the book you are made aware of the death of Muffin. This means that throughout the whole book you are awaiting the inevitable which, for me, left me a bit emotionally detatched as I was continually expecting that bomb to be dropped at any moment.
The constantly shifting timeline made this book somewhat difficult to read as it just made it a bit of a mess, it felt like it wasn't planned or thought out very well and it definitely lacked structure. Another problem for me was the author's relationship to Muffin, I was constantly questioning it. In some parts Muffin is the back bone of the family but in other parts Muffin is referred to as 'The Dog', that, to me, seems a bit cold towards a much loved family pet. I added a star just because I enjoy reading about animals and Muffin sounded like a wonderful companion.
I love reading books about dogs as I just love animals and I find most of the stories heartwarming and inspirational.
This was an ok read, I did enjoy parts of it but in other parts it grated on me...quite a lot.
From reading the book's description you know it's going to be a very emotional read and at the start of the book you are made aware of the death of Muffin. This means that throughout the whole book you are awaiting the inevitable which, for me, left me a bit emotionally detatched as I was continually expecting that bomb to be dropped at any moment.
The constantly shifting timeline made this book somewhat difficult to read as it just made it a bit of a mess, it felt like it wasn't planned or thought out very well and it definitely lacked structure. Another problem for me was the author's relationship to Muffin, I was constantly questioning it. In some parts Muffin is the back bone of the family but in other parts Muffin is referred to as 'The Dog', that, to me, seems a bit cold towards a much loved family pet. I added a star just because I enjoy reading about animals and Muffin sounded like a wonderful companion.
Cori June (3033 KP) rated The Dragonstone (Mithgar, #1) in Books
Dec 3, 2018 (Updated Dec 8, 2018)
The book follows our heroines and heroes hoping to avert a possible disaster by finding the jade egg and defeating a wizard. Their only real map a puzzle of a prophecy that they have to figure out. It does use a lot of what I call "old or high" language where the meanings have changed from today's usage and there are a lot of thee and thine. As well as a peppering of what I think is Japanese and possibly French words. He also really likes the word whelm. The Dragonstone is philosophical inclined and many discussions about free will vs. predestination are inside.
Technically, I rate this book as 7 1/2 stars (I'm not sure how to do a half rating & enjoyed it enough to round up). I received over half of his books over ten years ago about the same time as the LOTR movies came out. Yes, they are very similar. You can tell he is a LOTR fan. Like a lot of his books, this story starts in the middle and builds through flashbacks. One of my favorite things about this books series is that you get multiple p.o.v. And you can read the series all hodgepodge with few as "true" sequels or trilogies- most of those are contained as one book now.
Technically, I rate this book as 7 1/2 stars (I'm not sure how to do a half rating & enjoyed it enough to round up). I received over half of his books over ten years ago about the same time as the LOTR movies came out. Yes, they are very similar. You can tell he is a LOTR fan. Like a lot of his books, this story starts in the middle and builds through flashbacks. One of my favorite things about this books series is that you get multiple p.o.v. And you can read the series all hodgepodge with few as "true" sequels or trilogies- most of those are contained as one book now.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Courageous (Valiant Hearts, #3) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
I loved the first two books in the Valiant Hearts Series. Exciting and engaging. However, the final book in the series fell very short of my expectations. It was fun to revisit characters from the first two books, I love how the storylines cross over. The epilogue provided a satisfying conclusion to the series. But Courageous just could not hold my attention. The first half of the book is very slow and lacking in action. There was some discrepancy regarding dates in the beginning of the book, it may just have been a typo, but it made things very confusing for a bit. I enjoyed Randel and Rosalind's characters and their journey of growth, healing and courage. I highly recommend the first two books in the series: Dauntless and Chivalrous. You may enjoy Courageous more than I did, it just wasn't for me. Keep in mind that it has a very different feel and approach. I recommend reading this series in order. There are characters and circumstances that I don't believe can be fully appreciated unless you read the first books first.
I received a free copy of Courageous from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
My Rating
★★☆☆☆ - She is tolerable I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me.
I received a free copy of Courageous from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
My Rating
★★☆☆☆ - She is tolerable I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me.
New Financial Ethics: A Normative Approach
Book
Following the internationalisation, globalisation and deregulation of the financial market over the...
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of its release!
I hadn't read anything by Dolly Alderton before but I'd heard great things about 'Everything I Know About Love' so when I heard about her fiction debut I knew I needed to try it! I love Dolly's voice, it's so wonderfully British which as someone who reads so much American based fiction was refreshing. There was quite a lot of heavy swearing so if that's not your thing be wary (but that's what you get for being British I guess). I loved the different aspects of ghosting that were covered from dating, to friendships fading, and to dementia and the ghosting of memories. It was such a poignant read. I enjoyed this book immensely but I just couldn't get invested, it took me quite a while to get through as I only found myself reading a chapter at a time so hence the reason for my lower rating but I think I'm slightly younger than the target audience for this book so that's potentially why but I'd say if you are older and single you'll definitely see a lot of yourself here, I'm young and single and I definitely did. It made me think a lot about the future.
I hadn't read anything by Dolly Alderton before but I'd heard great things about 'Everything I Know About Love' so when I heard about her fiction debut I knew I needed to try it! I love Dolly's voice, it's so wonderfully British which as someone who reads so much American based fiction was refreshing. There was quite a lot of heavy swearing so if that's not your thing be wary (but that's what you get for being British I guess). I loved the different aspects of ghosting that were covered from dating, to friendships fading, and to dementia and the ghosting of memories. It was such a poignant read. I enjoyed this book immensely but I just couldn't get invested, it took me quite a while to get through as I only found myself reading a chapter at a time so hence the reason for my lower rating but I think I'm slightly younger than the target audience for this book so that's potentially why but I'd say if you are older and single you'll definitely see a lot of yourself here, I'm young and single and I definitely did. It made me think a lot about the future.