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ArecRain (8 KP) rated Two Dukes and a Lady in Books
Jan 18, 2018
ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A historical menage a trois involving childhood friends? Sign me up please! As soon as a I read the synopsis, I requested this book immediately. This is everything I wanted. Historical erotica is the best. Childhood friends to lovers is my weakness. Throw in a menage a trois and I am sold 100%.
And the novel didnt disappoint. Overall, it was as erotic as it was romantic. I was a little annoyed at the characters, their actions/reactions to situations, and how they handled them. I mean, they havent seen this woman they loved for years, and the first time they do, they practically ravage her in the street after not contacting her in forever. It felt similar to reading a YA where the couple hasnt quite figured out how to interact with their significant other as an adult.
Barring that, it was a great read. I wish I could find more novels similar to this mold (that arent garbage.)
A historical menage a trois involving childhood friends? Sign me up please! As soon as a I read the synopsis, I requested this book immediately. This is everything I wanted. Historical erotica is the best. Childhood friends to lovers is my weakness. Throw in a menage a trois and I am sold 100%.
And the novel didnt disappoint. Overall, it was as erotic as it was romantic. I was a little annoyed at the characters, their actions/reactions to situations, and how they handled them. I mean, they havent seen this woman they loved for years, and the first time they do, they practically ravage her in the street after not contacting her in forever. It felt similar to reading a YA where the couple hasnt quite figured out how to interact with their significant other as an adult.
Barring that, it was a great read. I wish I could find more novels similar to this mold (that arent garbage.)
Kyera (8 KP) rated The Extraordinary Cases of Sherlock Holmes in Books
Feb 1, 2018
I may be good, but Sherlock Holmes is better. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle weaves unusual and fantastical tales about the globally beloved detective in this collection of stories. Each is short and can be devoured in less than an hour. They are some of his more famous short works and highly enjoyable.
Doyle paints a narrative through the eyes of Holmes' companion, Dr. Watson and makes the tale more accessible to the average reader. Holmes' sharp mannerisms and lofty thoughts would not be as intriguing if Watson's nobler sentiments and smoothing words did not soften him. Each mystery slowly unfolds before the reader's eyes and if their powers of deduction are keen, they may even discover some clues or Holmes' motives before they're expressly detailed.
The adventures of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson were beloved in their time and are now classics for a reason. This is a wonderful collection of stories and highly recommended to fans of detective stories, classic novels, or have never read a story about Sherlock Holmes before and wish to give them a shot. (You won't be disappointed.)
Doyle paints a narrative through the eyes of Holmes' companion, Dr. Watson and makes the tale more accessible to the average reader. Holmes' sharp mannerisms and lofty thoughts would not be as intriguing if Watson's nobler sentiments and smoothing words did not soften him. Each mystery slowly unfolds before the reader's eyes and if their powers of deduction are keen, they may even discover some clues or Holmes' motives before they're expressly detailed.
The adventures of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson were beloved in their time and are now classics for a reason. This is a wonderful collection of stories and highly recommended to fans of detective stories, classic novels, or have never read a story about Sherlock Holmes before and wish to give them a shot. (You won't be disappointed.)
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated Spectre (Zoe Martinique #2) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Hmm. <i>Spectre</i> feels less like a sequel to <i>Wraith</i> than a chapter two, if that makes any sense. Both books are full-sized novels, but they're so closely related that book two wouldn't make any sense without having read book 1 (and the novella in between). Unfortunately, <i>Spectre</i> ends on a cliff-hanger. I hate that.
At least I know (from her blog) that Weldon is working on the third book. I can only hope that it comes out soon and wraps up all the loose threads without introducing new ones that aren't left hanging again.
I do have to agree with another GR reviewer who mentioned that the main character carries on more like a 13-year-old kid than a 28-year-old woman. I have to agree. I understand that losing one parent early might, for some people, to a closer relationship with the surviving parent—but give me a break! Zoë apparently needs to move across the country to learn to live without Mommy. Or maybe Mommy should move?
At least I know (from her blog) that Weldon is working on the third book. I can only hope that it comes out soon and wraps up all the loose threads without introducing new ones that aren't left hanging again.
I do have to agree with another GR reviewer who mentioned that the main character carries on more like a 13-year-old kid than a 28-year-old woman. I have to agree. I understand that losing one parent early might, for some people, to a closer relationship with the surviving parent—but give me a break! Zoë apparently needs to move across the country to learn to live without Mommy. Or maybe Mommy should move?
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Never Let Me Go in Books
Mar 6, 2018
Grim reading, but completely unexpected
For readers of Kazuo Ishiguro's other books, this will come as another surprise. While Remains of the Day is a period drama, and the Buried Giant is folklore, this novel reads as a dystopian fiction. What this shows is the author's incredible versatility at writing different themes, each as good as the other.
The story follows Kathy H., a carer to dying patients, and her mysterious upbringing alongside her charges at a secluded boarding school. From the beginning, we are introduced to the concept of 'donors', and it only becomes apparent after some time what it truly means. As a child, her and her fellow classmates were urged to be overly health-conscious with a special focus on artwork, which is said to be taken away to a gallery if exceptional. But when the students begin to question about its necessity, they understand that not all is what it seems.
From cloning to transplants, this book is both daring and alarming - and perhaps one of my favourite Ishiguro novels so far.
The story follows Kathy H., a carer to dying patients, and her mysterious upbringing alongside her charges at a secluded boarding school. From the beginning, we are introduced to the concept of 'donors', and it only becomes apparent after some time what it truly means. As a child, her and her fellow classmates were urged to be overly health-conscious with a special focus on artwork, which is said to be taken away to a gallery if exceptional. But when the students begin to question about its necessity, they understand that not all is what it seems.
From cloning to transplants, this book is both daring and alarming - and perhaps one of my favourite Ishiguro novels so far.
Aspiring novelist Lena London has been given the change of a lifetime, helping her idol, best-selling author Camilla Graham, polish up her newest novel. But Lena has hardly arrived in town when she finds the dead body of a young man near Camilla’s house. What is going on?
There is a strong element of wish fulfillment in this novel, and I must admit I enjoyed that real life fantasy. Camilla writes gothic novels, and there are elements of those here as an homage to the genre. Even though I’m not familiar with that genre, I still spotted a few; I probably missed others, but it wasn’t that big a deal to me. The characters are fun and the plot was strong. I did have some issues with the pacing at the end, but overall, I enjoyed this. It certainly left me anxious for the next one.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-dark-and-stormy-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
There is a strong element of wish fulfillment in this novel, and I must admit I enjoyed that real life fantasy. Camilla writes gothic novels, and there are elements of those here as an homage to the genre. Even though I’m not familiar with that genre, I still spotted a few; I probably missed others, but it wasn’t that big a deal to me. The characters are fun and the plot was strong. I did have some issues with the pacing at the end, but overall, I enjoyed this. It certainly left me anxious for the next one.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-dark-and-stormy-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Amy-Faye is coordinating a celebration of Gothic novels for the local bookstore, culminating in a dance that night. The night ends in tragedy when a dead body is found – the body of a stranger. Amy-Faye had seen the victim during the events earlier in the day. Who was he? Why would someone kill him? And can the Readaholics’s latest read, Rebecca, offer some clues to the modern crime?
It is wonderful to be back in the presents of this group of mystery lovers. All five of the women are great and contribute in their own ways to the plot. The mystery is strong with some good twists and surprises before we reach the logical and satisfying ending. I hadn’t read Rebecca before I picked up this book, but that didn’t hamper my enjoyment at all.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-readaholics-and-gothic-gala.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
It is wonderful to be back in the presents of this group of mystery lovers. All five of the women are great and contribute in their own ways to the plot. The mystery is strong with some good twists and surprises before we reach the logical and satisfying ending. I hadn’t read Rebecca before I picked up this book, but that didn’t hamper my enjoyment at all.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-readaholics-and-gothic-gala.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Lee Ann (116 KP) rated Opposition (Lux, #5) in Books
Mar 13, 2018
It's always weird when you finish a series of books. When it's a standalone novel, it's easier to let go of a set of characters, but with a series - especially when they go past the typical three - you spend so much time with the characters, they become a fixture for a while.
When I started the Lux series, I wasn't sold on it. I'm not a huge fan of YA novels at the best of times. Daemon amused me enough to keep me interested, though, so I slogged through the first and second books and hit the third... and that's when it captured me. Something clicked and the story became more than just a "yeah, it's not bad," to "holy shit, gimme more!"
Opposition has its issues. There are a couple of things I think could have been done better, but overall, a fantastic book which ties up the series nicely.
... and I've been informed today (and pre-ordered) that Luc is getting his own book in October this year (2018) so there's that!
When I started the Lux series, I wasn't sold on it. I'm not a huge fan of YA novels at the best of times. Daemon amused me enough to keep me interested, though, so I slogged through the first and second books and hit the third... and that's when it captured me. Something clicked and the story became more than just a "yeah, it's not bad," to "holy shit, gimme more!"
Opposition has its issues. There are a couple of things I think could have been done better, but overall, a fantastic book which ties up the series nicely.
... and I've been informed today (and pre-ordered) that Luc is getting his own book in October this year (2018) so there's that!
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Monopoly: The Walking Dead in Tabletop Games
Apr 4, 2018
I'll be honest, I'm a sucker for a themed version of Monopoly so a Walking Dead version really appealed. Although it's a good version, personally its not my favourite.
For starters, this is based on the original comics/graphic novels so there is quite a bit in this that won't be familiar to fans of the show (like me). It's not as easy to get into a themed game like this when you don't know everything about the subject. I also think that the themed items (money, properties and chance/community chest cards) are a little weak compared to other themed versions out there. Although this could just be because I'm not as big a fan of The Walking Dead as I thought! What I did love was the tokens, it's a little dark and disturbing to get to play as Lucille or a bucket of body parts.
The rest of the gameplay is standard Monopoly fare as expected, but maybe this is one made for die hard Walking Dead fans.
For starters, this is based on the original comics/graphic novels so there is quite a bit in this that won't be familiar to fans of the show (like me). It's not as easy to get into a themed game like this when you don't know everything about the subject. I also think that the themed items (money, properties and chance/community chest cards) are a little weak compared to other themed versions out there. Although this could just be because I'm not as big a fan of The Walking Dead as I thought! What I did love was the tokens, it's a little dark and disturbing to get to play as Lucille or a bucket of body parts.
The rest of the gameplay is standard Monopoly fare as expected, but maybe this is one made for die hard Walking Dead fans.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Forsaken (Shadow Cove Saga #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
***NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
Forsaken is a book partially based on characters and events from the Salem witch trials. Some of these events find their way into the latest novel by best-selling novelist Thad McAlister.
Throughout the story, the author allows you glimpses into the past via excerpts from Clayton Stone's journal, showing you important events that happened in 1692. These journal entries give you just enough information to keep you guessing and add to the suspense when you are reading about the present. There were some good twists and a nice salute to Stephen King (one of my favorites) that made this even more fun to read. This was a great stay-up-all-night-reading type of spooky story, and I recommend this book to any fans of horror novels, witches, or things that go bump in the night. I will also be on the lookout for book #2 of the Shadow Cove Saga, to find out what happens to Ashley and Rachael!
Forsaken is a book partially based on characters and events from the Salem witch trials. Some of these events find their way into the latest novel by best-selling novelist Thad McAlister.
Throughout the story, the author allows you glimpses into the past via excerpts from Clayton Stone's journal, showing you important events that happened in 1692. These journal entries give you just enough information to keep you guessing and add to the suspense when you are reading about the present. There were some good twists and a nice salute to Stephen King (one of my favorites) that made this even more fun to read. This was a great stay-up-all-night-reading type of spooky story, and I recommend this book to any fans of horror novels, witches, or things that go bump in the night. I will also be on the lookout for book #2 of the Shadow Cove Saga, to find out what happens to Ashley and Rachael!
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated The 6th Extinction (Sigma Force, #10) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
I enjoyed the story and the exotic locations the story takes place across the globe from the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, to the remote tepuis of Brazil, and all the way to Antarctica. It was a very fast-paced thriller, with less investigation and more diving-right-in-and-doing than some of the other books in this series. The returning characters from previous novels were a nice surprise, but I wont names in case you are a fan of the series and havent read this one yet. Jenna, Nikko, and Drake were nice additions to the team, and I wouldnt mind seeing them pop up again in future volumes. I do wish that Seichan had a bigger part in this one though.
As always with James Rollinss books, be sure to read / listen to the Notes to the Reader at the end of the novel. He always explains what out of the book is science, and what is fiction. In this novel particularly, that is the scariest part of all.
As always with James Rollinss books, be sure to read / listen to the Notes to the Reader at the end of the novel. He always explains what out of the book is science, and what is fiction. In this novel particularly, that is the scariest part of all.