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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Engleby in Books
Aug 20, 2017
Disappointing new book from Sebastian Faulks
I usually admire author Sebastian Faulks, who is a literary hero, especially for his lyrical and beautiful prose so I was definitely disappointed with the plot of this story. No doubt, it is well written, but the protagonist is so odious that I wanted to stop reading this. He is a pretentious, arrogant snob, and as you'll read, he also has a fair few demons. And I understand why he has been written as such because you'll hate him even more in the end. But it's borderline between having to read to the end and just wanting it to stop. So I'm not completely convinced.
There is an element of exploring mental illness and what makes a psychopath, but it is covered up by the self-serving first person narrative. Very cringe-worthy indeed.
There is an element of exploring mental illness and what makes a psychopath, but it is covered up by the self-serving first person narrative. Very cringe-worthy indeed.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Web of Secrets in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Rating: DNF
I really hate it when I pick up a book that sounds so great but disappoints after 2 chapters. This is why I write negative reviews: So that you won’t have to.
First of all, a large chunk of the mystery was disclosed right at the beginning, and it would have been so much better if I had gone into the story not knowing anything about Sarah.
Second, her husband was a transparent non-character… meaning number one I didn’t like him, and number two I didn’t feel his existence.
Thirdly, happyland syndrome. It was not in the plot as most often seen, it was in the dialogue. And after just a few pages, it felt yucky in my head. So I stopped reading.
Please check out other reviews before making a final decision about any book, Web of Secrets included.
I really hate it when I pick up a book that sounds so great but disappoints after 2 chapters. This is why I write negative reviews: So that you won’t have to.
First of all, a large chunk of the mystery was disclosed right at the beginning, and it would have been so much better if I had gone into the story not knowing anything about Sarah.
Second, her husband was a transparent non-character… meaning number one I didn’t like him, and number two I didn’t feel his existence.
Thirdly, happyland syndrome. It was not in the plot as most often seen, it was in the dialogue. And after just a few pages, it felt yucky in my head. So I stopped reading.
Please check out other reviews before making a final decision about any book, Web of Secrets included.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Dust (Dust, #1) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Dust by Joan Frances Turner
Genre: Adult fiction, Zombie
ISBN: 9780441019281
Pub date: September 7, 2010
Rating: DNF
Dust was a great idea, had great potential for a plot, and had great characters. But all I was reading were run-on sentences, fragments, and comma splices. Although I understand that writing novels allows for more creativity and independent writing style, I had trouble understanding it because it was so hard to read.
I hate not being able to give this book more than 35 pages (ARC) but in all honesty, a book that is hard to understand and frustrates me is not one I can enjoy anyway, no matter how good the story is.
Dust is published on September7th. Check out some other reviews before making a final opinion.
This review is copyright Haley Mathiot and Night Owl Reviews.
Genre: Adult fiction, Zombie
ISBN: 9780441019281
Pub date: September 7, 2010
Rating: DNF
Dust was a great idea, had great potential for a plot, and had great characters. But all I was reading were run-on sentences, fragments, and comma splices. Although I understand that writing novels allows for more creativity and independent writing style, I had trouble understanding it because it was so hard to read.
I hate not being able to give this book more than 35 pages (ARC) but in all honesty, a book that is hard to understand and frustrates me is not one I can enjoy anyway, no matter how good the story is.
Dust is published on September7th. Check out some other reviews before making a final opinion.
This review is copyright Haley Mathiot and Night Owl Reviews.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Kiss of the Night (Dark-Hunter, #4) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Another great book in the Dark-Hunter series! The love story was nicely done, and both Cassandra and Wulf were great characters. My only minor complaint is that some of the dialogue was awkward and stilted, the modern references were unnecessary (Britney Spears, etc. I always hate that in a book, it makes it feel so dated), and the book had a few editing problems (for example, in Elysia, one of the Apollites was called a Daimon). Other than that, the book was terrific. I especially liked how Sherrilyn Kenyon made Apollites and Daimons more, for lack of a better word, human. I really can't believe how many more books Ms. Kenyon can write, and how many directions she can go into, with the world(s) she has created - it could go on forever - or at least we can hope so! :)
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
Sam (228 KP) rated Hot Fuzz (2007) in Movies
Mar 2, 2019
Humorous (1 more)
Over dramatics Done Right
Hilarious and Brilliant
This film is what I'd consider slapstick humor that's been deeply influenced by the dark humor we've all grown to love. Although this film has a slow start and the tendency to loss many at the begin while you make your way through the starting storyline the overdramatics throughout is truly what makes it the brilliant piece it is. For anyone who enjoys the classic action cop film this is a humor they will either appreciate or hate depending on where you truly land on the scale of dark humors. I guarantee that if you truly love dark, twisted humor as I do then you will love this film and won't be able to walk away with anything less than a silly from on your face.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Kitty's House of Horrors (Kitty Norville, #7) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
At some point, while watching any episode of a TV show like Buffy or a scary movie, you know that you have spoken to the characters on the screen, despite the fact that they can't hear you. "Don't split up! That's when he'll get you!" or "NO! No sex! The ones who have sex DIE you idiots!" And you've wondered how it is NONE of the characters have ever SEEN a horror movie in their lives, right?
Well, Kitty and friends find themselves in the middle of a snuff film being made by people who hate were-beings/vampires/psychics/etc. Kitty, at least, is smarter than your average scream queen. What ensures isn't exactly hilarity, but this being a Kitty Norville book there are a few bright spots here and there (although far fewer than usual).
Well, Kitty and friends find themselves in the middle of a snuff film being made by people who hate were-beings/vampires/psychics/etc. Kitty, at least, is smarter than your average scream queen. What ensures isn't exactly hilarity, but this being a Kitty Norville book there are a few bright spots here and there (although far fewer than usual).
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Unravelling Oliver in Books
Mar 9, 2018
An incredibly creepy look at sociopaths
This psychological thriller is unlike most others because there isn't a big reveal as such but it is based on the behaviour of the criminal mind.
In this case, we look at Oliver, who is a sociopath, and feels very little remorse for the terrible crimes he has committed but instead feels aggrieved at his lack of entitlement.
While half of the book is written from his perspective looking back at his past, the rest is written by people around him who believe they could sense his immoral behaviour. Hence it is a case of whether it is nature of nurture that has forced him to behave in such way, and if society truly did think that he was a monster. Interesting concept, but as expected, you'll hate the main character.
In this case, we look at Oliver, who is a sociopath, and feels very little remorse for the terrible crimes he has committed but instead feels aggrieved at his lack of entitlement.
While half of the book is written from his perspective looking back at his past, the rest is written by people around him who believe they could sense his immoral behaviour. Hence it is a case of whether it is nature of nurture that has forced him to behave in such way, and if society truly did think that he was a monster. Interesting concept, but as expected, you'll hate the main character.
Book_nerd_qu33n (0 KP) rated One of us is Lying in Books
Mar 11, 2018
One of my new faves
I loved one of us is lying
I had to buy it when I saw it was like the breakfast club which is obviously a cult classic...
I didnt want to stop reading it.. at first I was getting confused with all the character changes but its not hard to get me confused lol... The character growth was very well done I enjoyed how they evolved into the people they are supposed to be it was full of twists that i didnt see coming even though i did predict who it was I was still suprised with the way it was all planned out. I usually hate endings of good books because they usually end disastifyingly but i was happy with the ending..... I recommend this book to anyone who loves twists and whodunnit stories.
I had to buy it when I saw it was like the breakfast club which is obviously a cult classic...
I didnt want to stop reading it.. at first I was getting confused with all the character changes but its not hard to get me confused lol... The character growth was very well done I enjoyed how they evolved into the people they are supposed to be it was full of twists that i didnt see coming even though i did predict who it was I was still suprised with the way it was all planned out. I usually hate endings of good books because they usually end disastifyingly but i was happy with the ending..... I recommend this book to anyone who loves twists and whodunnit stories.
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated The Last Namsara in Books
Jul 5, 2018
I liked this book - the beginning was super slow for me, the first half of the book actually - but then it picked up quite a lot and got exciting! Sometimes I love books like that, sometimes I hate them, depending on what the pace feels like in the beginning, this one was just plain slow to me.
I loved the dragon aspect of this book - it felt very how to train your dragon to me at some parts - which was all exciting and fun.
I liked Asha's fierceness and her just.. need and want to be independent - I really think this book had very well rounded heroes/villains - just enough to despise a few and love others - plus the dragons .. who cant love that. Just wish the beginning would have been just as pumped up as the end.
I loved the dragon aspect of this book - it felt very how to train your dragon to me at some parts - which was all exciting and fun.
I liked Asha's fierceness and her just.. need and want to be independent - I really think this book had very well rounded heroes/villains - just enough to despise a few and love others - plus the dragons .. who cant love that. Just wish the beginning would have been just as pumped up as the end.
Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) rated In the Wake of the Plague: The Black Death and the World It Made in Books
Sep 3, 2018
I cannot believe how boring this book is. I've always been fascinated by the Black Plague and the time period so I was rather excited to find this book. I wish I had looked through it before purchasing it as it has been a complete waste of time. It is the least engaging book I've ever read. Even Where's Waldo has more intrigue and adventure. I am halfway through it and I simply cannot remember anything that was written. None of the author's stories makes any sense. It's just pretentious drivel and as much as I hate to do it, I am going to throw the book away instead of finishing it and will NEVER buy anything from this author again. It's a sad state of affairs when an author cannot make one of the most interesting subjects come to life.