Search
Search results
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated The Ocean at the End of the Lane in Books
May 16, 2018
The Ocean at the End of the Lane is the first work I’ve read by Neil Gaiman – and I love it. This short novel tells the story of a young boy. He discovers a sort of magic in the world around him that blends in a delightfully haunting way. The real star of this book isn’t the boy though. It’s the Hempstocks.
This piece of fiction is a quick read and harbors elements of fantasy and horror in a world much like our own. The house at the end of the lane is a bit removed from the rest of society and, to a homegrown, country girl like myself, oozes a rural familiarity. This house, being the home of the Hempstocks, is the source of everything surreal in The Ocean at the End of the Lane and through the little boy and his friend Lettie, we see an entirely different side of things. A place where a child learns morals (such as lying, obeying, etc.) in the most horrifying ways.
I found The Ocean at the End of the Lane nearly impossible to put down – in fact, I only paused long enough to shower and take a brief nap. I refused to sleep until I had turned the last page. It’s nice to see several elements of fiction in play, especially with how Gaiman foreshadows and references certain odd incidents that take place in his story. My next Gaiman read will be American Gods, which I received as a gift from Dad.
This piece of fiction is a quick read and harbors elements of fantasy and horror in a world much like our own. The house at the end of the lane is a bit removed from the rest of society and, to a homegrown, country girl like myself, oozes a rural familiarity. This house, being the home of the Hempstocks, is the source of everything surreal in The Ocean at the End of the Lane and through the little boy and his friend Lettie, we see an entirely different side of things. A place where a child learns morals (such as lying, obeying, etc.) in the most horrifying ways.
I found The Ocean at the End of the Lane nearly impossible to put down – in fact, I only paused long enough to shower and take a brief nap. I refused to sleep until I had turned the last page. It’s nice to see several elements of fiction in play, especially with how Gaiman foreshadows and references certain odd incidents that take place in his story. My next Gaiman read will be American Gods, which I received as a gift from Dad.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated A Letter from Lancaster County in Books
Feb 25, 2019
When I first read the title of this book, I thought I would be reading another Amish novel from a talented author. However, after sitting down and opening the first pages of the book, I quickly realized it wasn't your normal Amish fiction. This book was truly well written and kept me hooked from start to finish. I loved the sisters and visiting the country side of Lancaster County!
I loved getting to know the sisters! Angela and Rose,sisters who long to reconnect their relationship, really kept me captivated through out this story. I enjoyed following them to Lancaster County to visit sweet Aunt Sylvia, their Mennonite aunt, watching them change and grow in their relationship and learning to accept what God has in store for them, instead of what they had in store for themselves.
This story of faith, hope and longing is beautifully written and highly captivating. If you want your normal Amish fiction novel, that will be solely about the Amish, then this isn't the book for you. If you are looking for a 4 star, wonderfully chiseled contemporary story filled with heart capturing characters and a whirlwind plot line, that keeps you hanging on every word, then this is definitely the book for you! I can't wait to see the next book Ms. Lloyd has in store for her fans, especially if she mixes English, Mennonite and Amish together in a fantabulous read! <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/13952-revision-v1/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
I loved getting to know the sisters! Angela and Rose,sisters who long to reconnect their relationship, really kept me captivated through out this story. I enjoyed following them to Lancaster County to visit sweet Aunt Sylvia, their Mennonite aunt, watching them change and grow in their relationship and learning to accept what God has in store for them, instead of what they had in store for themselves.
This story of faith, hope and longing is beautifully written and highly captivating. If you want your normal Amish fiction novel, that will be solely about the Amish, then this isn't the book for you. If you are looking for a 4 star, wonderfully chiseled contemporary story filled with heart capturing characters and a whirlwind plot line, that keeps you hanging on every word, then this is definitely the book for you! I can't wait to see the next book Ms. Lloyd has in store for her fans, especially if she mixes English, Mennonite and Amish together in a fantabulous read! <a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/13952-revision-v1/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The House of One Thousand Eyes in Books
Nov 28, 2018
Realistic, historical fiction YA about living in East Berlin in the early 1980s
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Lena Altmann is a 17 year old girl who lives in East Berlin. After her parents were killed in an explosion, Lena was forced to move in with her aunt. Lena's only respite comes when she spends her Sundays with her uncle, her aunt's brother. One day he is erased. He along with all of his possessions,and his birth records are gone. His published books have disappeared from bookstore shelves. He is just gone, disappearing without a trace.
Lena frantically searches for him but knows government spies are everywhere and she feels alone. Her aunt is a hardcore member of the Communist party. Can she trust her? Can she trust her friends? Can she trust anyone?
Through her story, Michelle Barker shows what it was like to live in the "Better Berlin" in the 1980s. She shows the rigidness, fearfulness, suspicion, and oppression of life in East Berlin.
The House of One Thousand Eyes did not feel like fiction. You could feel and hear Berlin. You could believe Lena, her uncle, and her aunt were real people and this book just captured a portion of their lives.
Although the story wraps up nicely at the end, it ends abruptly.
Lena Altmann is a 17 year old girl who lives in East Berlin. After her parents were killed in an explosion, Lena was forced to move in with her aunt. Lena's only respite comes when she spends her Sundays with her uncle, her aunt's brother. One day he is erased. He along with all of his possessions,and his birth records are gone. His published books have disappeared from bookstore shelves. He is just gone, disappearing without a trace.
Lena frantically searches for him but knows government spies are everywhere and she feels alone. Her aunt is a hardcore member of the Communist party. Can she trust her? Can she trust her friends? Can she trust anyone?
Through her story, Michelle Barker shows what it was like to live in the "Better Berlin" in the 1980s. She shows the rigidness, fearfulness, suspicion, and oppression of life in East Berlin.
The House of One Thousand Eyes did not feel like fiction. You could feel and hear Berlin. You could believe Lena, her uncle, and her aunt were real people and this book just captured a portion of their lives.
Although the story wraps up nicely at the end, it ends abruptly.
Deborah (162 KP) rated Devil's Consort in Books
Dec 21, 2018
This is the third book by Anne O'Brien I have read recently, and I have found her to be a very readable author - far better that the dull Gregory, if you want my opinion! All three of the novels I have read have been written in the first person, which is a narrative technique that I don't generally care for as it often feels too contrived and limits the point of view (see Philippa Gregory!). However, O'Brien, for me, has managed to pull this off and the first person narrative works for her and gives you a real empathy with her protagonists.
This was a good read and a good piece of historical Fiction, with perhaps a bit more emphasis on the Fiction element, as a few incidents I'm not convinced actually happened, or have been embroidered in the retelling. This deals with Eleanor's earlier life, from just before she becomes Queen of France to just after she becomes Queen of England. There could be a whole other book to be written on her life after the end of this book!
O'Brien made Eleanor come alive for me as a person, even if, as I have already said, I did have some reservations on historical accuracy. I think that if an historical novelist gives you a real feel for a person and makes you want to know more, then they have certainly done their job. There are some good biographies on Eleanor out there, so hopefully readers of this novel will feel inspired to seek them out.
This was a good read and a good piece of historical Fiction, with perhaps a bit more emphasis on the Fiction element, as a few incidents I'm not convinced actually happened, or have been embroidered in the retelling. This deals with Eleanor's earlier life, from just before she becomes Queen of France to just after she becomes Queen of England. There could be a whole other book to be written on her life after the end of this book!
O'Brien made Eleanor come alive for me as a person, even if, as I have already said, I did have some reservations on historical accuracy. I think that if an historical novelist gives you a real feel for a person and makes you want to know more, then they have certainly done their job. There are some good biographies on Eleanor out there, so hopefully readers of this novel will feel inspired to seek them out.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Primordial (A Liberator Universe Novelette) in Books
Nov 25, 2019
The first Liberator novel is a riot of noise, violence and fun, the summer blockbuster of the science fiction novel. This shorter story from the same universe shows a very different side, every bit as taut, dark and unsettling as Liberator is freewheeling, brash and stirring.
A vessel headed out to a distant star system comes across an ancient artifact in uncharted deep space together with an old damaged and apparently lifeless spaceship of unknown design. Despite misgivings the lure of salvage is too much for the crew to ignore. But they soon discover that although the ship may be derelict there is an entity there that has been waiting patiently for a long long time for visitors. For fresh meat.
Told from the point of view of XO Koby Solomon this is a terrific slice of science fiction horror, very much in the mould of something like Alien. Bailey plays the disorientation and claustrophobia of the derelict alien vessel for everything it is worth as well as the panic and paranoia of the salvage crew. Like the best horror stories it's never clear to the reader exactly what is going to happen next or where they - or the crew - ought to be looking: into the darkness ahead or over their shoulders?
There's really nothing to fault here. The change in pace from Liberator shows the breadth of imagination and story telling from Bailey (and his Liberator co-author Darren Bullock) will ensure that readers will want to keep reading.
A vessel headed out to a distant star system comes across an ancient artifact in uncharted deep space together with an old damaged and apparently lifeless spaceship of unknown design. Despite misgivings the lure of salvage is too much for the crew to ignore. But they soon discover that although the ship may be derelict there is an entity there that has been waiting patiently for a long long time for visitors. For fresh meat.
Told from the point of view of XO Koby Solomon this is a terrific slice of science fiction horror, very much in the mould of something like Alien. Bailey plays the disorientation and claustrophobia of the derelict alien vessel for everything it is worth as well as the panic and paranoia of the salvage crew. Like the best horror stories it's never clear to the reader exactly what is going to happen next or where they - or the crew - ought to be looking: into the darkness ahead or over their shoulders?
There's really nothing to fault here. The change in pace from Liberator shows the breadth of imagination and story telling from Bailey (and his Liberator co-author Darren Bullock) will ensure that readers will want to keep reading.
The Awakening: And Other Stories
Kate Chopin and Pamela Knights
Book
'She wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before.' Kate Chopin was one of the most...
SO
Stories of Your Life: And Others
Book
Soon to be a major motion picture starring Amy Adams. This new edition of Ted Chiang's masterful...
The Embassy of Cambodia
Book
Revisiting the terrain of her acclaimed novel NW, The Embassy of Cambodia is another remarkable work...
The End of the Story
Book
The first and only novel by Lydia Davis, winner of the Man Booker International Prize 2013. 'It...
Monstress, Volume 1: Awakening
Sana Takeda and Marjorie M. Liu
9.2
Rate It
Book
Set in an alternate matriarchal 1900's Asia, in a richly imagined world of art deco-inflected steam...