In Our Own Image
Book
Twenty years ago, before the era of digital cameras, cell phones, Photoshop, and the World Wide Web,...
Wind/ Pinball: Two Novels
Haruki Murakami and Ted Goossen
7.0
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Haruki Murakami's first two novels, available for the first time in English outside Japan. With a...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Kaleidoscope in Books
May 11, 2024 (Updated May 11, 2024)
Fans of the first book will be happy to hear that the format of the plot didn’t change much. Sadly, for me, that means it didn’t work as well as I would have liked. The way the stories wander around and in and out of each other without any clear beginning or climax frustrates me. One of them ends very anticlimactically. On the other hand, I do enjoy the charming characters and I liked spending time with them again. As with the author’s Mrs. Pollifax series, the characters haven’t really aged even thought it was roundly 25 years between books and both take place in their present. As a fan of the author, I’m not sorry I read this book, but I won’t be reading this series again any time soon.
We Are the Change We Seek: The Speeches of Barack Obama
E.J. Dionne Jr. and Joy-Ann Reid
Book
A collection of Barack Obama's greatest speeches selected and introduced by columnist E.J. Dionne...
Windows 8.1 For Dummies
Book
The bestselling book on Windows, now updated for the new 8.1 features Microsoft has fine-tuned...
At Swim Two Birds
Book
Flann O'Brien's innovative metafictional work, whose unruly characters strike out their own paths in...
Zora Books Her Happy Ever After
8.0
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A heart-pounding, curvy romance about an indie bookstore owner who finds herself in a love triangle...
Contemporary RomCom
BookInspector (124 KP) rated Madam Tulip and the Knave of Hearts (Madam Tulip, #2) in Books
Sep 24, 2020
This book is a second part in Madam Tulip series, and normally, the first part is the one to wow readers to come back for more, but in this case, the second part was way better for me than the first one.
The first part was more of an introduction to Madam Tulip and what she is capable of, in this part things get more serious. Another difference was that, the first part was more like cosy mysteries; the second one loses its coziness and is more action filled, and more intense. Once again, Ahern chose his characters very skillfully. We have some which are incredibly eccentric and real personalities, and others, who are down to earth and very realistic. I honestly do not know how Ahern done his research for his books, but the details about royalty, elegance, old historical houses were a true pleasure to read about. Moreover, the details about historical house and laws of royal inheritance were really accurate and incredibly believable, so, well done to the author.
The narrative was once again told from Derry’s perspective, and in this book I was missing multiple perspectives, as I believe, it helps to understand other characters way better. I really enjoyed that Ahern played with this narrative more, incorporating different approaches in Derry’s life (working for her mom). In this novel there was less of Madam Tulip herself, and more of Derry and her bad luck to end up in dangerous situations. Another well done to the author for increasing the level of action in this novel, I really enjoyed unexpected turns and unusual places chosen for it. One thing what left me debating with myself was the “bad guy” in this book, he was very well picked, but at the same time very obvious and predictable. Even though this book is a second part in the series, it can easily be a standalone mystery, because Ahern explained everything a “new reader” needs to know.
The writing style of this book changed as well. It is more skillful and there are more difficult terms used in this novel, but it did not make it difficult to read, it just felt richer. The chapters are decent length, and once again, divided into smaller parts. I was little bit disappointed with the ending of this book, author used the same technique as in first book and it does not leave me satisfied. I WANT JUSTICE!!! :) So, to conclude, I was really amused with this book and I do recommend to give it a go. It left me very pleasantly surprised with more action, aristocratic and incredibly complex and entertaining characters, the interesting secrets, findings, and incredibly annoying and horrible Derry’s mom (can’t stand that woman now).
Was given this book by author for honest review.
Sarah (126 KP) rated Shallow Graves (The Haunted #1) in Books
Feb 16, 2019 (Updated Feb 16, 2019)
I enjoyed this book more than I expected to; there were some moments of real trepidation, wondering what was coming, but I did feel that the writing lacked a little urgency or ability to induce real fear.
That said, even though there were elements of the storyline that were incredibly predictable from the outset, it did grip me enough to make me continue with the series.
Meanwhile: An Interactive Comic Book
Book, Comics and Games
5.5
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MEANWHILE: an interactive comic by Jason Shiga On the way home from the ice cream store, little...