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Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated The Long Drop in Books
Mar 15, 2018
This is the first book I've read by Denise Mina, but it won't be the last! I found this novel instantly exciting and by the time I got to 30% I was hooked and couldn't put it down, finally finishing it at 1:30 in the morning. This novel drips with menace and chills you to the bone in some parts, it's really a fantastic and quick thriller read.
This book tells the story of Peter Manuel, real life Scottish serial killer. Like with so many other books on the market nowadays, this is a non-fic-fiction novel. It's based its contents on real events but the author has weaved a story around it too.
What's so striking about this novel is Mina's ability to tell a story. The story flowed brilliantly and it never lost my interest, even when we started getting into some of the more in-depth and historic facts about Glasgow. The writing style is short and snappy, so you really feel yourself racing through this.
Characters. Oh wow, the characters. Somehow, you feel simultaneously angry and empathetic for everyone in this book, even Peter Manuel, the serial killer. Mina's character development is superb and you find yourself getting drawn into each person's story so quickly. We follow Peter Manuel and William Watt throughout most of this novel, but there are small scenes popped in that introduce characters we only meet once throughout the entire book, yet I still felt like I knew them and I still invested myself in their stories, no matter how short.
Overall, this book was really superb and if you're looking for something dark, but quick to read, this is the book for you. At only 240 pages, you'll find yourself racing through this! I can't wait to read more of Mina's work, if it's all as good as this one.
This book tells the story of Peter Manuel, real life Scottish serial killer. Like with so many other books on the market nowadays, this is a non-fic-fiction novel. It's based its contents on real events but the author has weaved a story around it too.
What's so striking about this novel is Mina's ability to tell a story. The story flowed brilliantly and it never lost my interest, even when we started getting into some of the more in-depth and historic facts about Glasgow. The writing style is short and snappy, so you really feel yourself racing through this.
Characters. Oh wow, the characters. Somehow, you feel simultaneously angry and empathetic for everyone in this book, even Peter Manuel, the serial killer. Mina's character development is superb and you find yourself getting drawn into each person's story so quickly. We follow Peter Manuel and William Watt throughout most of this novel, but there are small scenes popped in that introduce characters we only meet once throughout the entire book, yet I still felt like I knew them and I still invested myself in their stories, no matter how short.
Overall, this book was really superb and if you're looking for something dark, but quick to read, this is the book for you. At only 240 pages, you'll find yourself racing through this! I can't wait to read more of Mina's work, if it's all as good as this one.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Trust No One in Books
Feb 19, 2018
***NOTE: I was provided a free copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
Jerry Grey is a best-selling crime writer who writes under the pen name of Henry Cutter. He is 49 years old, and has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. Jerry can’t always remember what is reality and what is fiction. Sometimes he believes that he is Henry. Sometimes he talks to Henry. And sometimes he confuses his real life with the lives of his characters. He confesses to crimes that never happened except within the confines of his books. At least that what everyone keeps telling him…
Several women have been killed recently at times when Jerry has gone wandering away from the nursing home where he now resides. He may know what has happened to them, but he can’t trust his memory of events. Can he trust what he’s written in his “madness journal”? And how can he be sure people are telling him the truth about what has happened during times that he has no memory of?
Trust No One is a very fast-paced, suspenseful novel. This book kept me guessing right up to the end. Just when I thought I knew who did what, something would happen to make me think that I must be wrong.
I would recommend Trust No One to any thriller or suspense fan, but if you like stories told by unreliable narrators, such as Before I Sleep or Girl on the Train, then you really must read this one!
Warnings: occasional explicit language, violence, and those who have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s may be uncomfortable reading about the disease’s devastating effects on Jerry and his ability to function
Jerry Grey is a best-selling crime writer who writes under the pen name of Henry Cutter. He is 49 years old, and has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. Jerry can’t always remember what is reality and what is fiction. Sometimes he believes that he is Henry. Sometimes he talks to Henry. And sometimes he confuses his real life with the lives of his characters. He confesses to crimes that never happened except within the confines of his books. At least that what everyone keeps telling him…
Several women have been killed recently at times when Jerry has gone wandering away from the nursing home where he now resides. He may know what has happened to them, but he can’t trust his memory of events. Can he trust what he’s written in his “madness journal”? And how can he be sure people are telling him the truth about what has happened during times that he has no memory of?
Trust No One is a very fast-paced, suspenseful novel. This book kept me guessing right up to the end. Just when I thought I knew who did what, something would happen to make me think that I must be wrong.
I would recommend Trust No One to any thriller or suspense fan, but if you like stories told by unreliable narrators, such as Before I Sleep or Girl on the Train, then you really must read this one!
Warnings: occasional explicit language, violence, and those who have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s may be uncomfortable reading about the disease’s devastating effects on Jerry and his ability to function
Merissa (11731 KP) rated To Discover a Divine (Rise of the Stria #1) in Books
Jun 7, 2018
To Discover a Divine (Rise of the Stria #1) by Tessa McFionn
To Discover a Divine is the first book in the Rise of the Stria series, and we start this series with a bang. Evainne has ended up on a prison barge in the middle of outer space when all she did was walk out of her front door. She is rescued by an 'alien' who helps her as much as he can. Evainne is different to the females Khalym knows, as she is blunt to the point of being tactless. However, the sparks are there between the two of them. Now if they can only figure out just what Evainne was wanted for, and how they keep being found, it should all be good.
This is a fast-paced science fiction romance, with plenty of action and adventure too. Evainne handles all the information remarkably well, but it is written in a way that explains that, rather than just trying to sweep it under the carpet. Khalym is a hero who thinks he is broken as he has been rejected for most of his life. Together, I can see these two having an amazing time, and it has definitely given me a taste for more in this series.
With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this story kept me engrossed from beginning to end. It does have a HFN ending, with a sort of cliffhanger, but all that has done is leave me wanting MORE right NOW! Absolutely recommended.
* 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!
This is a fast-paced science fiction romance, with plenty of action and adventure too. Evainne handles all the information remarkably well, but it is written in a way that explains that, rather than just trying to sweep it under the carpet. Khalym is a hero who thinks he is broken as he has been rejected for most of his life. Together, I can see these two having an amazing time, and it has definitely given me a taste for more in this series.
With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this story kept me engrossed from beginning to end. It does have a HFN ending, with a sort of cliffhanger, but all that has done is leave me wanting MORE right NOW! Absolutely recommended.
* 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!
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated The Lost History of Stars in Books
Jun 16, 2018
The Lost History of Stars by Dave Boling is a powerful and shocking story about a family during The Second Anglo-Boer War during the early part of the 20th century in Africa. It's a historical fiction story that is inspired by true events. The Lost History of Stars is a story of desperation and hope.
The main character, Lettie, who is a thirteen year old Dutch-Africkaner girl comes from a poor farming family. She endures the loss of her home with her mother and two younger siblings when the scorched earth policy employed by the British during the Boer War burns their farm and forces them to leave in a wagon. Their African maid, Bina, tries to stay with the family, but is given no choice by the soldiers but to return to her people.
Lettie and her family are sent to a concentration camp where the conditions are awful. Her father, older brother, uncles, and grandfather are sent to fight the British with guerrilla tactics. Lettie worries and wonders about Bina and her family. Often Lettie remembers the songs and wisdom Bina shared during her childhood and the history of stars that Grandpa shared with her at night under the sparkling sky.
The story is told from Lettie's point of view. The reader learns of her experience in the concentration camp. Lettie attempt to find the good in small moments. Her more treasured possession is her English dictionary, which she reads for comfort to pass time.
The story switches between the present and past. This allows the reader to understand life before the war and during the war. It give the reader background information to understand the family dynamics.
The main character, Lettie, who is a thirteen year old Dutch-Africkaner girl comes from a poor farming family. She endures the loss of her home with her mother and two younger siblings when the scorched earth policy employed by the British during the Boer War burns their farm and forces them to leave in a wagon. Their African maid, Bina, tries to stay with the family, but is given no choice by the soldiers but to return to her people.
Lettie and her family are sent to a concentration camp where the conditions are awful. Her father, older brother, uncles, and grandfather are sent to fight the British with guerrilla tactics. Lettie worries and wonders about Bina and her family. Often Lettie remembers the songs and wisdom Bina shared during her childhood and the history of stars that Grandpa shared with her at night under the sparkling sky.
The story is told from Lettie's point of view. The reader learns of her experience in the concentration camp. Lettie attempt to find the good in small moments. Her more treasured possession is her English dictionary, which she reads for comfort to pass time.
The story switches between the present and past. This allows the reader to understand life before the war and during the war. It give the reader background information to understand the family dynamics.
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Secrets of the Weird in Books
Jun 5, 2018
Chad Stroup’s novel, Secrets of the Weird is a piece of bizarro fiction that leaves me with more questions than answers. That’s not to say the book is bad by any means; I just feel that it does not live up to its full potential. Sweetville is a decidedly dark setting, with its own underground that we as readers get a brief glimpse of and nothing more. It’s as if Stroup teases us.
What I loved: the dynamic cast of characters Stroup creates. His ability to write lifelike and engaging characters is astounding. The main character, Trixie, is so real in her struggles that I imagine she’s quite relatable for several people. Her trek to being a woman is filled with bump after bump, and yet she still finds a reason to carry on, to seek her own happiness. In fact, much of this book focuses on her journey to self-acceptance, culminating in a beautiful metamorphosis. Other characters are equally fleshed out, but in ways that make my stomach turn. For instance, Cypress and the Angelghoul are despicable. Were either character to perish, I’d be fine. But its these anti-heroes that open up a lot of unanswered questions – if they can be called that.
First, there’s the Withering Wyldes. A creature whose purpose is to convert others into joining their cult like organization. Their history is explained, and they consistently show up throughout the book, but after a few chapters in which a linguist tries to understand their method of communication, they become background noise. The Angelghoul’s quest for enlightenment goes uncompleted. Trixie’s boyfriend fades away into nothing. And finally, Cypress’s threats seem to… well, not come to fruition.
The book is most definitely a fun read, but with those plot issues it falls short of a five skull rating for me. I’ll have to give it three.
What I loved: the dynamic cast of characters Stroup creates. His ability to write lifelike and engaging characters is astounding. The main character, Trixie, is so real in her struggles that I imagine she’s quite relatable for several people. Her trek to being a woman is filled with bump after bump, and yet she still finds a reason to carry on, to seek her own happiness. In fact, much of this book focuses on her journey to self-acceptance, culminating in a beautiful metamorphosis. Other characters are equally fleshed out, but in ways that make my stomach turn. For instance, Cypress and the Angelghoul are despicable. Were either character to perish, I’d be fine. But its these anti-heroes that open up a lot of unanswered questions – if they can be called that.
First, there’s the Withering Wyldes. A creature whose purpose is to convert others into joining their cult like organization. Their history is explained, and they consistently show up throughout the book, but after a few chapters in which a linguist tries to understand their method of communication, they become background noise. The Angelghoul’s quest for enlightenment goes uncompleted. Trixie’s boyfriend fades away into nothing. And finally, Cypress’s threats seem to… well, not come to fruition.
The book is most definitely a fun read, but with those plot issues it falls short of a five skull rating for me. I’ll have to give it three.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated The Hawaiian Quilt in Books
Jun 18, 2018
The Hawaiian Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter & Jean Brunstetter is a refreshing new twist on Amish fiction. This is not your typical Amish story. There is such faith, hope, dreams, heartbreak and determination throughout this wonderful story. This one will keep you turning pages right up to the very end so you can see how it ends.
A very different type of Amish story, we are going to Hawaii, and we are using cameras and cell phones, and doing tourist things, we are also on a cruise ship.
Four dear friends decide to take a trip of a lifetime, and decide to take a cruise to Hawaii and Mexico, this is happening before they join the Amish church. Now you can picture these sheltered young women being on this exciting journey, how different for them. Mandy, Ellen, Barbara and Sadie decide early on their trip to each take separate side trips and then share their experiences with each other so that they are able to see more. Mandy and Ellen are late getting back to the ship while in Kawai and when they get to the dock the ship is gone. These girls sure had God’s hand on them, you can imagine all kind of bad things happening, but they end up staying with Christians and this is where the lost quilt comes into the story.
I enjoyed this quick read, questioned some of Mandy’s actions, but then remembering they are in their run around time, but I could see that Ellen was more set in her faith. The ending to me left a lot to be desired, it seemed a bit rushed, but then I didn’t write the book, and as I said this is a very different Amish story.
I received this book from Barbour Publishing and Shiloh Run Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A very different type of Amish story, we are going to Hawaii, and we are using cameras and cell phones, and doing tourist things, we are also on a cruise ship.
Four dear friends decide to take a trip of a lifetime, and decide to take a cruise to Hawaii and Mexico, this is happening before they join the Amish church. Now you can picture these sheltered young women being on this exciting journey, how different for them. Mandy, Ellen, Barbara and Sadie decide early on their trip to each take separate side trips and then share their experiences with each other so that they are able to see more. Mandy and Ellen are late getting back to the ship while in Kawai and when they get to the dock the ship is gone. These girls sure had God’s hand on them, you can imagine all kind of bad things happening, but they end up staying with Christians and this is where the lost quilt comes into the story.
I enjoyed this quick read, questioned some of Mandy’s actions, but then remembering they are in their run around time, but I could see that Ellen was more set in her faith. The ending to me left a lot to be desired, it seemed a bit rushed, but then I didn’t write the book, and as I said this is a very different Amish story.
I received this book from Barbour Publishing and Shiloh Run Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Just take my money!
Claire North just seems to get better and better. It's getting to the point where I pick up one of her books and hand over my money, not even knowing what the book is about. I just know that it will be a really good book.
This is dystopian fiction, set in a very probable present/ near future. Everyone's life has a monetary value. Crimes are calculated and those who commit them can pay off their value. Those who can't afford to pay the fine, are sent to the 'pattie line'. Social media is king and The Company runs everything.
The main character, Theo, is a faceless, seemingly emotionless man, who runs in to an ex-girlfriend. He then has to admit to himself and to her that he isn't in fact Theo Miller in reality. It's a persona he has stolen from an old university friend who was killed in a 'duel gone wrong' so that he could get on in life (social class is still everything). His ex is murdered and Theo decides that he has the responsibility of trying to solve her murder and continuing with the task she had set herself before she was murdered. And in the process, he hopes to bring down The Company.
The language is disjointed and unsettling, which only adds to the feelings of distress and hopelessness in this dystopian future-present.
I loved it, and would happily turn back to the beginning and start all over again. I will say though, if you're looking for a light 'beach read' (I've never understood that term), this probably isn't it. If you're looking for something that will make you sit up and think, then this is the book for you!
This is dystopian fiction, set in a very probable present/ near future. Everyone's life has a monetary value. Crimes are calculated and those who commit them can pay off their value. Those who can't afford to pay the fine, are sent to the 'pattie line'. Social media is king and The Company runs everything.
The main character, Theo, is a faceless, seemingly emotionless man, who runs in to an ex-girlfriend. He then has to admit to himself and to her that he isn't in fact Theo Miller in reality. It's a persona he has stolen from an old university friend who was killed in a 'duel gone wrong' so that he could get on in life (social class is still everything). His ex is murdered and Theo decides that he has the responsibility of trying to solve her murder and continuing with the task she had set herself before she was murdered. And in the process, he hopes to bring down The Company.
The language is disjointed and unsettling, which only adds to the feelings of distress and hopelessness in this dystopian future-present.
I loved it, and would happily turn back to the beginning and start all over again. I will say though, if you're looking for a light 'beach read' (I've never understood that term), this probably isn't it. If you're looking for something that will make you sit up and think, then this is the book for you!
Kristin (149 KP) rated Midnight City (Conquered Earth, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I won an ARC print copy of this book from a FirstReads giveaway.
I'll start by saying I'm not generally a fan of science fiction. That being said, I entered the giveaway for "Midnight City" because the premise sounded very interesting to me, and after reading it, I was not disappointed. The idea is that an alien race, called the Assembly, has taken over Earth using force and what is called "the Tone." The Tone immediately took control of most adults, anybody over the age of 20-21, and left the kids/teenagers to fend for themselves, under they are old enough to lose themselves to the Tone, as well. Holt Hawkins, on the other hand, is Heedless, meaning the Tone doesn't affect him at all, but he must suffer watching those around him Succumb to its effects. The story follows him and his dog Max on their quest to fulfill a bounty on Mira Toombs, and it just gets more interesting from there, as the trio finds a downed Assembly ship with a little girl named Zoey inside.
I've tried to explain this book to a few people, and they all looked at me like a grew a second head. It sounds extremely "out there," but it a very good story, the first in a series, and it really held me through the entire book. I was anxious to see what was around the corner for the group, and every time it looks like fate has smiled on them, their hopes get dashed again. It's a very intriguing roller-coaster ride from start to finish, and I look forward to reading the next part of the series. It ends on a cliff-hanger, and definitely leaves you wanting more. =)
5 stars
I'll start by saying I'm not generally a fan of science fiction. That being said, I entered the giveaway for "Midnight City" because the premise sounded very interesting to me, and after reading it, I was not disappointed. The idea is that an alien race, called the Assembly, has taken over Earth using force and what is called "the Tone." The Tone immediately took control of most adults, anybody over the age of 20-21, and left the kids/teenagers to fend for themselves, under they are old enough to lose themselves to the Tone, as well. Holt Hawkins, on the other hand, is Heedless, meaning the Tone doesn't affect him at all, but he must suffer watching those around him Succumb to its effects. The story follows him and his dog Max on their quest to fulfill a bounty on Mira Toombs, and it just gets more interesting from there, as the trio finds a downed Assembly ship with a little girl named Zoey inside.
I've tried to explain this book to a few people, and they all looked at me like a grew a second head. It sounds extremely "out there," but it a very good story, the first in a series, and it really held me through the entire book. I was anxious to see what was around the corner for the group, and every time it looks like fate has smiled on them, their hopes get dashed again. It's a very intriguing roller-coaster ride from start to finish, and I look forward to reading the next part of the series. It ends on a cliff-hanger, and definitely leaves you wanting more. =)
5 stars
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I think this was one of the very first books that I requested on Netgalley and I can’t even remember why I requested it, it’s not really something that I would go for. However I requested and finally read it and now reviewing :). This is a science-fiction/dystopian Young adult book, it is hard to categorise as it felt like several genres. We follow this boy and he is known as Boy 23 and lives in ‘My Place’ he doesn’t have any human contact and has no idea of the outside world, he communicates with ‘The voice’ who tells him his schedule and is a role model of such.One night Boy 23 is bundled in to the boot of a car and dumped into the woods with a backpack and ‘the voice’ telling him to run as far away as possible. With never being outside before he doesn’t know foe from friend. Someone is out to get him but he needs to let the right people know that he exists before he is captured. This book was OK! It was fast paced with an air of mystery, however it took a long time for the big reveal and I was getting a little bored to be honest. The writing was not the greatest and the use of ‘Squizz’ and ‘yomping’ was way too much and started irritating the hell out of me. The world building was pretty non-existent, we knew that it was set in Germany but we didn’t get much more than that.
I rated this 2.75/5 stars.
I think this was one of the very first books that I requested on Netgalley and I can’t even remember why I requested it, it’s not really something that I would go for. However I requested and finally read it and now reviewing :). This is a science-fiction/dystopian Young adult book, it is hard to categorise as it felt like several genres. We follow this boy and he is known as Boy 23 and lives in ‘My Place’ he doesn’t have any human contact and has no idea of the outside world, he communicates with ‘The voice’ who tells him his schedule and is a role model of such.One night Boy 23 is bundled in to the boot of a car and dumped into the woods with a backpack and ‘the voice’ telling him to run as far away as possible. With never being outside before he doesn’t know foe from friend. Someone is out to get him but he needs to let the right people know that he exists before he is captured. This book was OK! It was fast paced with an air of mystery, however it took a long time for the big reveal and I was getting a little bored to be honest. The writing was not the greatest and the use of ‘Squizz’ and ‘yomping’ was way too much and started irritating the hell out of me. The world building was pretty non-existent, we knew that it was set in Germany but we didn’t get much more than that.
I rated this 2.75/5 stars.
Debbie (52 KP) rated The Handmaid's Tale in Books
Jul 26, 2018
The Handmaid's Tale By: Margaret Atwood
Adult Fiction 295 Pages My rating 4 stars
I wasn't sure that I wanted to read this because looking at the cover reminded me of nuns and I really didn't want to read about nouns. As I heard people talking about this book I finally decided to give it try.
I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed this book. This book talks about the world as we know it but is no longer the same. We are still around but have gone back a little in time. The women are no longer allowed to hold jobs, have money or property. Everything they have now is now owned by the men.
Our main character is known as a handmaid and her job is to have babies. She is assigned to a family and once a month she has relations with the husband and yes the wife knows in fact she is there with them. She has a very boring life. She is only allowed to eat certain things and can not smoke or drink. She is allowed once a day to go outside to run an errand for the cook. She is not allowed to go by herself she meets up with another handmaid and they shop together. They are watched all the time.
She is adjusting but can still remember what life was like back a few years ago. Before all the changes she was married and had a little girl. She doesn't know what happened to her husband or her child.
You must read this book to find out the changes and how she got where she is now. The ending leaves a little to the imagination. Please give it a try, it is a good story.
Adult Fiction 295 Pages My rating 4 stars
I wasn't sure that I wanted to read this because looking at the cover reminded me of nuns and I really didn't want to read about nouns. As I heard people talking about this book I finally decided to give it try.
I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed this book. This book talks about the world as we know it but is no longer the same. We are still around but have gone back a little in time. The women are no longer allowed to hold jobs, have money or property. Everything they have now is now owned by the men.
Our main character is known as a handmaid and her job is to have babies. She is assigned to a family and once a month she has relations with the husband and yes the wife knows in fact she is there with them. She has a very boring life. She is only allowed to eat certain things and can not smoke or drink. She is allowed once a day to go outside to run an errand for the cook. She is not allowed to go by herself she meets up with another handmaid and they shop together. They are watched all the time.
She is adjusting but can still remember what life was like back a few years ago. Before all the changes she was married and had a little girl. She doesn't know what happened to her husband or her child.
You must read this book to find out the changes and how she got where she is now. The ending leaves a little to the imagination. Please give it a try, it is a good story.