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Wicked Weeds: A Novel

Pedro Cabiya and Jessica Powell

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Book

A Caribbean zombie, smart, gentlemanly, financially independent and a top executive in an important...

Science fiction

Yesterday

Games and Entertainment

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The first thriller by the indie studio that created the million-selling RUNAWAY saga! A psycho is...

ClareR (5721 KP) rated Macbeth in Books

Sep 14, 2018

Macbeth

Jo Nesbo | 2018 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller

9.3

(3 Ratings)

Book Rating

All of the darkness of the original - and more.

Macbeth in Nordic Noir style - and it works! I've enjoyed the Hogarth Shakespeare series so far, and I think this is the best of the four that I've read.
Nesbo has done a really good job of moving the setting from medieval Scotland to modern Scandinavia (I think! That's what it felt like as I was reading anyway). The names of the towns in the original are the names of the casinos; the Queen of the witches, Hecate, is the main dealer and leader of organised crime in the town; Lady (Macbeth) is the owner of the most exclusive of those casinos.
Like Shakespeare's play, this book is grim, oppressive and ultra-violent. The body count is high, the murders committed without thought, or at least the only thought in Macbeth's head is that he will gain more power in the eradication of his 'enemies' and their families.
The description of the city portrays a poverty stricken, unemployment plagued, drug addicted, polluted northern town. These people seem to be accustomed to the corruption of their police and government officials, which is how the door opens to allow Macbeth to step through with Lady, his wife (who isn't his wife in this, but his girlfriend). Lady is the one who guides Macbeth's hand in everything he does, and then pays the ultimate price when guilt drives her mad.
I really do think that this is an excellent retelling. Five hundred pages went by in a flash for me, and I have to admit to a feeling of satisfaction as the story was wrapped up at the end.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book - and this is a totally unbiased review, people!

Kudos

AnnieW (23 KP) rated Fortitude in TV

Dec 13, 2018

Fortitude

2013 | Drama, Thriller

7.1

(17 Ratings)

TV Show Rating

Interesting storylines, kept me watching and wanting next episode (0 more)

Can be a bit confusing in places (0 more)

Gets weirder each series

I loved the first series of Fortitude. The setting, Arctic Norway, was beautiful. The town of Fortitude has a selection of characters from different countries, all of whom seem to have some kind of secret, and who are played by a great cast. It can be quite slow moving at times, but there is a lot to take in. This is not a show to watch half-heartedly. There's mystery, intrigue and a bit of gore thrown in, too. I've seen comparisons to Twin Peaks - that might give you a bit of an idea of what to expect. If you like scandi-noir and a bit of dark humour, you'll like Fortitude.

(SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD)
In series one, a mammoth is found under the ice, threatening the development of a new hotel and Fortitude's first murders occur. There are many potential suspects but it turns out it's not just a straightforward case of finding who is responsible.

Throughout the three series' there are scientific discoveries and experiments, a shaman, missing persons, people possessed by parasites, a schoolteacher with a feeding fetish and many, many questions.

The first series was superb. The second series was just as good but started to get a little weirder. The third series is shorter than the previous two at only four episodes, but managed to fit in a whole lot more weirdness. (Dance with a burnt corpse, anyone?)

Series three is reported to be the last, and I think that's the right choice, but the ending does leave the possibility of the cause of Fortitude's 'problems' starting again somewhere else.

Kudos

Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Last City in Books

Nov 18, 2019

In the far future humankind has spread into space but a series of wars together with the harsh realities of living beyond the solar system has taken its toll. Amongst the scattering of colonies the Last City is the final bastion against extinction. Ruled over by the autocratic and ruthless Toros Strand, society exists in a rigid hierarchy defined by which level they occupy. From Strand himself on the 100th floor down to those who live in the lower levels - and below - the city there are many stories to be told.

The simple setup allows a number of current science fiction authors to stretch their imagination as they investigate the workings of the Last City. Each story looks at a different aspect - although most of them concentrate on the lower levels. A very noir private detective who is more than he seems. A secret route through the city for those who wish to disappear. Hunting for lost areas to loot and claim. A dangerous race across the outside where the stakes are high. There are also a couple of tales which show how the city appears to those who are beyond it.

The standard is high and every new story feels as fresh and interesting as the one before. All are packed with great ideas, enabling not only some stories dealing with straight forward science fiction themes but also ones covering social hierarchies and injustice, intolerance of 'outsiders' and the harsh tactics employed by totalitarian regimes to keep their populace in check.

I've tried to think of a science fiction short story collection I've enjoyed more, but there simply isn't one. I'd say there were plenty more stories to be told in this universe, perhaps another short story collection or novella wouldn't go amiss. Authors willing of course...