Smashbomb

Search

Search results

All (776)

Content

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Raven Black in Books

Mar 18, 2021

Raven Black

Ann Cleeves | 2015 | Contemporary, Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Mystery

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

An atmospheric and intriguing mystery

This is the eighteenth book in my #atozchallenge! I'm challenging myself to read a book from my shelves that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Let's clear those shelves and delve into that backlist!

Magnus Tait, a longtime resident of Shetland, was suspected a while ago in the disappearance of an eleven-year-old girl. Magnus lives alone now and is seen as "different." When his neighbor Fran Hunter stumbles across the body of another girl, teenager Catherine Ross, Magnus is the immediate suspect again. But DI Jimmy Perez isn't so sure. Working with a team from "the outside," he must try to solve Catherine's killing in this tiny and sheltered place.

I read Cleeves' book The Long Call a bit ago and really enjoyed it, so figured reading Raven Black was a great idea for my "R" book. I'm glad I did. This seems like the start of a great series, and I've already nabbed the next book. Raven features an intriguing story that kept me guessing the entire time--something that's rare and always appreciated. The setting is atmospheric, making you feel as if you're part of the Shetland countryside. I quite liked Jimmy Perez and the cast of Shetland folks.

Overall, I can see this shaping up to be a series I'll quite enjoy. I'm a sucker for an interesting mysteries with a strong lead. 4 stars.

Kudos

Shelle Perry (66 KP) rated The Accidental World in Books

Jul 24, 2021

The Accidental World

K.A. Griffin | 2021 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)

9.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

The Accidental World is one of the more unique stories I have read of late

The Accidental World is one of the more unique stories I have read of late. Ethan Scott is thrust into a world of intrigue in an alternate world where the only lifelines he has are the vague instructions left to him by his grandfather before his disappearance and the board game that he has played since he was a child. There are those who help him along the way, but there are always more questions than answers and he has a role to play.

On the surface this seems like a tropey Y A novel with an unlikely hero who is thrust into the role of savior (yada yada), but it is really such a well written imaginative world that comparisons like that fall by the wayside in favor of well paced and exciting adventure. The book is packed full of interesting characters who engage the reader full throttle. In my mind it played out just like a movie, especially the gaming sequences and the action near the end.

The cliffhanger ending has me wanting to return to this world and these characters to see what happens next.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy through IRead Book Tours for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.