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Annie Chanse (15 KP) rated Lovecraft's Monsters in Books
Dec 19, 2017
I received an ARC copy of this anthology in exchange for my honest opinion, and regrettably, I wasn't overly impressed with it. I made notes as I read, and those notes are what I will be posting here now:
Well, I'm about to start the third story, but I thought I'd keep a running commentary on each story so that when it came time to review it, I wouldn't forget how I felt about each individual one.
"Only the End of the World Again" by Neil Gaiman was good. Probably 4 stars. It wasn't the typical greatness that I USUALLY associate with Gaiman, but it was still a quick and enjoyable read. I read it aloud to my eight year old son (editing out the few naughty words, of course) and even he really loved it. There were a few places where he didn't understand what was going on, but overall, he thought it was a great story.
"Bulldozer" by Laird Barron was terrible. I couldn't make it through the story. The writing style was AWFUL. I know that it was supposed to be written -- in parts -- in a stream of consciousness style, but it was awful. I stopped about halfway through and just said screw it. I wouldn't even give this story a star at all.
Finished "Red Goat Black Goat" by Nadia Bulkin. While it had some nice creepy vibes, it was, overall, a 2 star story. I realize, as a short story, it is limited by length and time constraints, but the story just starts in the middle of a world about which the reader has no idea whatsoever. It's not what I would call a good story, although, as I said, there were a couple of moments when I had to look up from my completely dark bedroom and make sure I didn't hear bumps in the night, so it gets one extra star for that.
"The Same Deep Waters As You" was actually fantastic. It's been the best story in the anthology so far. I know, I know... me saying something is better than a Gaiman story is almost unheard of, but this story by Hodge was truly good from beginning to end. It was completely unique, and even though it was a short story, it was completely self-contained. It didn't leave me wondering what happened before the story started to get us to this place, and it ended perfectly, not in a 'to be continued' style. Also, just wow. The ending was a killer. I did NOT see it coming AT ALL. Five stars.
"A Quarter to Three" gets 2.5 stars simply because of Newman's writing style. She is very articulate, and I loved the tone of this story. The content of the story, however, wasn't that great. However, I feel compelled to give it an extra half a star -- bumping it up to 3 stars -- for this one, perfect line:
"It was easy to see what she had seen in him; it left a thin damp trail between his scuffed footprints." Ha. Loved it
"The Dappled Things" was a total bust. 1 star, and that is being generous. So boring I nearly fell asleep twice trying to get through the first two pages. Not worth the time it took to read it.
"Inelastic Collisions" was decent. I have nothing really bad to say about it, but I have nothing super great to say about it either. Three stars.
"Remnants" deserves about 3.5 stars. It's pretty decent. I like the story and the way the plot developed. However, I dislike how abruptly it ended. If the ending had been a little more well-rounded, it could have easily been a 4.5 star story.
"Love is Forbidden We Croak and Howl" -- eh. Two stars. Didn't really hold my interest that much. I kept drifting off...
"The Sect of the Idiot" was a solid three stars. Overall the story wasn't super, but I really, really, REALLY did love the detail paid to the dream sequence. It was beautiful and creepy and dark. Lovely bit of storytelling, that was.
"Jar of Salts" is easily 4.5 stars. Short little Lovecraftian poem, but such a pleasure to read.
Well, I'm finally finished with Lovecraft's Monsters, but honestly, after the last update I made, none of the other stories were really worth reading. I was, overall, a bit disappointed with the book. :-/
Well, I'm about to start the third story, but I thought I'd keep a running commentary on each story so that when it came time to review it, I wouldn't forget how I felt about each individual one.
"Only the End of the World Again" by Neil Gaiman was good. Probably 4 stars. It wasn't the typical greatness that I USUALLY associate with Gaiman, but it was still a quick and enjoyable read. I read it aloud to my eight year old son (editing out the few naughty words, of course) and even he really loved it. There were a few places where he didn't understand what was going on, but overall, he thought it was a great story.
"Bulldozer" by Laird Barron was terrible. I couldn't make it through the story. The writing style was AWFUL. I know that it was supposed to be written -- in parts -- in a stream of consciousness style, but it was awful. I stopped about halfway through and just said screw it. I wouldn't even give this story a star at all.
Finished "Red Goat Black Goat" by Nadia Bulkin. While it had some nice creepy vibes, it was, overall, a 2 star story. I realize, as a short story, it is limited by length and time constraints, but the story just starts in the middle of a world about which the reader has no idea whatsoever. It's not what I would call a good story, although, as I said, there were a couple of moments when I had to look up from my completely dark bedroom and make sure I didn't hear bumps in the night, so it gets one extra star for that.
"The Same Deep Waters As You" was actually fantastic. It's been the best story in the anthology so far. I know, I know... me saying something is better than a Gaiman story is almost unheard of, but this story by Hodge was truly good from beginning to end. It was completely unique, and even though it was a short story, it was completely self-contained. It didn't leave me wondering what happened before the story started to get us to this place, and it ended perfectly, not in a 'to be continued' style. Also, just wow. The ending was a killer. I did NOT see it coming AT ALL. Five stars.
"A Quarter to Three" gets 2.5 stars simply because of Newman's writing style. She is very articulate, and I loved the tone of this story. The content of the story, however, wasn't that great. However, I feel compelled to give it an extra half a star -- bumping it up to 3 stars -- for this one, perfect line:
"It was easy to see what she had seen in him; it left a thin damp trail between his scuffed footprints." Ha. Loved it
"The Dappled Things" was a total bust. 1 star, and that is being generous. So boring I nearly fell asleep twice trying to get through the first two pages. Not worth the time it took to read it.
"Inelastic Collisions" was decent. I have nothing really bad to say about it, but I have nothing super great to say about it either. Three stars.
"Remnants" deserves about 3.5 stars. It's pretty decent. I like the story and the way the plot developed. However, I dislike how abruptly it ended. If the ending had been a little more well-rounded, it could have easily been a 4.5 star story.
"Love is Forbidden We Croak and Howl" -- eh. Two stars. Didn't really hold my interest that much. I kept drifting off...
"The Sect of the Idiot" was a solid three stars. Overall the story wasn't super, but I really, really, REALLY did love the detail paid to the dream sequence. It was beautiful and creepy and dark. Lovely bit of storytelling, that was.
"Jar of Salts" is easily 4.5 stars. Short little Lovecraftian poem, but such a pleasure to read.
Well, I'm finally finished with Lovecraft's Monsters, but honestly, after the last update I made, none of the other stories were really worth reading. I was, overall, a bit disappointed with the book. :-/
Auburn (57 KP) rated Wesley James Ruined My Life in Books
Apr 10, 2019
Wesley and Quinn have a love to hate relationship. She blames him for her parents divorce and spends the entire book trying to get even. Cool premise, but it falls a bit flat for me.
the cover shows a food truck, but that doesn't show up until like 3/4 of the way through so I am not quite sure why it's the cover? In fact the whole cover is quite deceptive as to what is actually in the book. But moving on.
While I enjoy a good hate to love story this was just meh, the character of Quinn was naive, dumb, and easy to peg. I just couldn't get into it.
the cover shows a food truck, but that doesn't show up until like 3/4 of the way through so I am not quite sure why it's the cover? In fact the whole cover is quite deceptive as to what is actually in the book. But moving on.
While I enjoy a good hate to love story this was just meh, the character of Quinn was naive, dumb, and easy to peg. I just couldn't get into it.
Auburn (57 KP) rated Just For Clicks in Books
Apr 10, 2019
Thank you for letting me read this egalley.
First off I want to say how much this book blew my mind. I went in thinking this would be a fluffy story and man was I wrong. This book is so much more. There is drama, love, family, and an overarching idea that sometimes life may look bad from your point of view but others may see something else. Perspective. This book has it and it makes you sit up and listen.
Poppy and Claire are sister goals and I will forever root for them.
If you are in the mood to be moved and feel all while getting that warm feeling of love pick up this book.
First off I want to say how much this book blew my mind. I went in thinking this would be a fluffy story and man was I wrong. This book is so much more. There is drama, love, family, and an overarching idea that sometimes life may look bad from your point of view but others may see something else. Perspective. This book has it and it makes you sit up and listen.
Poppy and Claire are sister goals and I will forever root for them.
If you are in the mood to be moved and feel all while getting that warm feeling of love pick up this book.
starwarsluvr (236 KP) rated The Glass Mermaid (The Chancellor Fairy Tales, #1) in Books
Jan 29, 2018
This was a quick novella. The writing was very well done. The images were written beautifully and I loved "seeing" how everything looked in the story. A writer is amazing when they can write their imagery and make you see it how they wanted you to see it. I love when that happens. Kate was amazing.. the last mermaid who makes amazing jewelry and falls in love with a man who is dying. This tale is told from both of their pov's and it is interesting to see what is happening from both characters. I was rooting for them from the start and I am so glad this was a hea. Very good read
Anne (15130 KP) rated Flight of the Raven in Books
Nov 4, 2019
This book and the previous in the series, The Mark Of The Raven are both amazing and I Love them!
The characters are great, their development and the romance - and I usually am not big on romance, slow burn. The inner turmoil and fight with good and bad choices was fantastic. Well developed, great story and plot and everything. I cant wait to read the next book or maybe reread the first two again.
This series is reminding me so much of Muirwood series by Jeff Wheeler that I LOVE so much!
If you havent checked this out, Get on it! You dont want to miss these fab books!
The characters are great, their development and the romance - and I usually am not big on romance, slow burn. The inner turmoil and fight with good and bad choices was fantastic. Well developed, great story and plot and everything. I cant wait to read the next book or maybe reread the first two again.
This series is reminding me so much of Muirwood series by Jeff Wheeler that I LOVE so much!
If you havent checked this out, Get on it! You dont want to miss these fab books!
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