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Booksnthreads (19 KP) rated Full Cicada Moon in Books
Jun 4, 2018
I absolutely loved this book! I suppose I’m a bit partial to stories told in poetry, as I’ve really enjoyed all of the YA novels I’ve read that are written this way, but I’m just so impressed at how these authors use this medium to tell incredibly powerful stories about difficult topics.
This particular book addresses issues of racism as well as tackling issues involved with being bi-racial in America, something that hits particularly close to home for me as I’m raising bi-racial children. While the story is set in 1969, I think so many of Mimi’s experiences still resonate today–everything from being followed around a store by a suspicious salesperson to being a wallflower at your first middle school dance.
Of course, the other aspect that I’ve fallen in love with in Marilyn Hilton’s writing is her ability to capture images so beautifully in her poetry. This section, towards the end of the novel, is particularly touching:
I used to think the people of Vermont
were like the snow–
crusty,
chilly,
and slow to thaw
But now I think
they’re what’s underneath.
Like the crocus bulbs making flowers all winter
in the dark earth–
invisible until they push through the snow–
and like the cicadas growing
underground for years–
until they burst from the ground–
the people of Vermont
do their hardest thinking
and their richest feeling
deep inside,
so no one can see.
This particular book addresses issues of racism as well as tackling issues involved with being bi-racial in America, something that hits particularly close to home for me as I’m raising bi-racial children. While the story is set in 1969, I think so many of Mimi’s experiences still resonate today–everything from being followed around a store by a suspicious salesperson to being a wallflower at your first middle school dance.
Of course, the other aspect that I’ve fallen in love with in Marilyn Hilton’s writing is her ability to capture images so beautifully in her poetry. This section, towards the end of the novel, is particularly touching:
I used to think the people of Vermont
were like the snow–
crusty,
chilly,
and slow to thaw
But now I think
they’re what’s underneath.
Like the crocus bulbs making flowers all winter
in the dark earth–
invisible until they push through the snow–
and like the cicadas growing
underground for years–
until they burst from the ground–
the people of Vermont
do their hardest thinking
and their richest feeling
deep inside,
so no one can see.
Strong female character (2 more)
Engaging story
Plot twists a plenty
Characters aren't fully developed (1 more)
World isn't fully explored/explained
The story follows the main character of Mare. A girl brought up in poverty where, in her society, she is considered lesser because of her red blood. The elite members of society have silver blood and a range of special abilities which are introduced throughout the book.
Through a series of events Mare ends up living in the Palace with the silver bloods working as an accomplice and spy with the newly formed Scarlet Guard (or the resistance to you and me).
The book sucked me in after a clichéd start to the novel (a fact which is openly mentioned on the front cover of the novel). Once it gets past the sections of the story you swear you've heard before, the plot twists and unexpected elements of the novel come out to play.
There's special powers, secret plots, war, love triangles. Everything you need to make a really exciting read.
My bug bear with this series was the lack of depth. I wanted to know more about the characters and their motivations, I wanted to know more about the world. I felt like too many big (and interesting) concepts were only mentioned in passing rather than given the attention they deserved.
Overall, I did really enjoy this story and I feel compelled to read the other novels in the series but it isn't a favourite.
Through a series of events Mare ends up living in the Palace with the silver bloods working as an accomplice and spy with the newly formed Scarlet Guard (or the resistance to you and me).
The book sucked me in after a clichéd start to the novel (a fact which is openly mentioned on the front cover of the novel). Once it gets past the sections of the story you swear you've heard before, the plot twists and unexpected elements of the novel come out to play.
There's special powers, secret plots, war, love triangles. Everything you need to make a really exciting read.
My bug bear with this series was the lack of depth. I wanted to know more about the characters and their motivations, I wanted to know more about the world. I felt like too many big (and interesting) concepts were only mentioned in passing rather than given the attention they deserved.
Overall, I did really enjoy this story and I feel compelled to read the other novels in the series but it isn't a favourite.
AmyBee (4 KP) rated The Damnation Game in Books
Sep 6, 2018
This novel has to be one of, if not THE sickest, goriest horror novels I have ever read. For that reason, I LOVED it! The plot is strong, the characters are entertaining and the scare-factor is off the scale!
It soon becomes clear that the author of this novel is the same guy who wrote and directed the first HELLRAISER film. His ability to 'think outside the box' in his writing is evident with certain tropes in this novel that I wouldn't have even thought existed but are absolutely terrifying. I was blown away.
I love the way that horror and comedy seem to be interchanged in this novel in a way that makes the horror even sicker. As the reader, once you realise that certain scenes are actually making you chuckle, it makes YOU feel like the sick one for daring to laugh at such a grim scene. It takes a great writer to be able to do this and to pull it off without coming across like they are just trying to cash in a cheap gag and Barker has this skill down to a T. Excellent stuff!
Just one thing annoyed me about this and that is the two young Jehovah's Witnesses who make an appearance somewhere like halfway through the novel. I thought their characters were far more 2D than all the rest were, and they could have been written much better. To me, they were just not believable at all.
It soon becomes clear that the author of this novel is the same guy who wrote and directed the first HELLRAISER film. His ability to 'think outside the box' in his writing is evident with certain tropes in this novel that I wouldn't have even thought existed but are absolutely terrifying. I was blown away.
I love the way that horror and comedy seem to be interchanged in this novel in a way that makes the horror even sicker. As the reader, once you realise that certain scenes are actually making you chuckle, it makes YOU feel like the sick one for daring to laugh at such a grim scene. It takes a great writer to be able to do this and to pull it off without coming across like they are just trying to cash in a cheap gag and Barker has this skill down to a T. Excellent stuff!
Just one thing annoyed me about this and that is the two young Jehovah's Witnesses who make an appearance somewhere like halfway through the novel. I thought their characters were far more 2D than all the rest were, and they could have been written much better. To me, they were just not believable at all.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits in Books
Nov 14, 2018 (Updated May 29, 2020)
Humorous Sci-Fi book 1 of the Zoey Ashe series
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
When Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits by David Wong was available to read for review, I was pleasantly surprised, primarily since it was published in 2015. I had read it for a book club in 2016 and remembered how much I enjoyed the story and its humor. My memory was indeed correct.
Wong is known for wit in his novels, and Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits is no exception. It falls into his usual writing genre - humorous SciFi. I realized I should not read his book while at work because I chuckle out loud.
The main character, Zoey, has a ton of snarkiness and a very smelly cat. It is "a world in which anyone can have the powers of a god or the fame of a pop star." It is worse than big brother watching you. It is an entire world in which an all-seeing social network tracks your every move. Villians have superhuman enhancements. Ok, yes, sometimes they do not work, and people blow up.
Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick, book two in the Zoey Ashe series will be released in October 2020, so you have plenty of time to read Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 5/28/20.
When Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits by David Wong was available to read for review, I was pleasantly surprised, primarily since it was published in 2015. I had read it for a book club in 2016 and remembered how much I enjoyed the story and its humor. My memory was indeed correct.
Wong is known for wit in his novels, and Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits is no exception. It falls into his usual writing genre - humorous SciFi. I realized I should not read his book while at work because I chuckle out loud.
The main character, Zoey, has a ton of snarkiness and a very smelly cat. It is "a world in which anyone can have the powers of a god or the fame of a pop star." It is worse than big brother watching you. It is an entire world in which an all-seeing social network tracks your every move. Villians have superhuman enhancements. Ok, yes, sometimes they do not work, and people blow up.
Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick, book two in the Zoey Ashe series will be released in October 2020, so you have plenty of time to read Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 5/28/20.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Lovely and the Lost in Books
Jun 17, 2019
Original title: Lost Causes
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
The Lovely and the Lost is the first novel I read by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Considering she published almost 30 novels in genres I often read, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, and Young Adult, that is surprising.
In it, we are introduced to the Bennett family. Cady, the mother, is one of the best search and rescuers who also trains search and rescue dogs. Her son is Jude and her adopted daughter, Kira, was found by Cady in the woods many years ago. Rounding out the family is Phoebe, who prefers to be called Free, the 3rd in the teen's close-knit trio. The story focuses on a search and rescue and gives some detail on how to tray search and rescue dogs. All of the teens work with the dogs and are training to be search and rescuers.
The Young Adult novel is well thought out and well-written. The characters are flawed, show their limitations, their strengths, and feel real. While it would be enjoyable for all readers of YA, I feel middle school students would enjoy it the most.
I will definitely read one of Jennifer Lynn Barnes's series. As of 6/17/19, Goodreads lists 7 series.
This review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 6/17/19.
The Lovely and the Lost is the first novel I read by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Considering she published almost 30 novels in genres I often read, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, and Young Adult, that is surprising.
In it, we are introduced to the Bennett family. Cady, the mother, is one of the best search and rescuers who also trains search and rescue dogs. Her son is Jude and her adopted daughter, Kira, was found by Cady in the woods many years ago. Rounding out the family is Phoebe, who prefers to be called Free, the 3rd in the teen's close-knit trio. The story focuses on a search and rescue and gives some detail on how to tray search and rescue dogs. All of the teens work with the dogs and are training to be search and rescuers.
The Young Adult novel is well thought out and well-written. The characters are flawed, show their limitations, their strengths, and feel real. While it would be enjoyable for all readers of YA, I feel middle school students would enjoy it the most.
I will definitely read one of Jennifer Lynn Barnes's series. As of 6/17/19, Goodreads lists 7 series.
This review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 6/17/19.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Fact: When I discover a series that completely sucks me in...I simply have to binge read the whole thing. If the series has stand alone novels in it, it isn't as much torture and I can wait...But if it is a continuing storyline...You won't see me come up for air until I am done (or to post the reviews for said books). So pass me the Starbursts and Red Bull, I will see ya later! Oh, after I finish this post.
Scarlet picks up the day after Cinder ends. Cinder and Kai remain as main characters throughout the second book. But now we are introduced to a whole new level of intrigue in the storyline. Scarlet and Wolf are AMAZING! I adore them and can't wait to see where their story leads. Scarlet's grandmere is pretty awesome too!
As secrets unfold of her heritage and her grandmother's past, Scarlet embarks on a dangerous mission to find her grandmere and bring her home. Scarlet will do anything to protect the only family she has left, even at the risk of her own safety. We also begin to learn more about Cinder's past and everything that she has gone through.
Cyborgs, Wolf Gangs, Lunar aliens, space travel, escaped convicts, hidden princess, hidden genealogy, this series has so much to offer and entertain. Clean and sweet romance appropriate for Young Adults. I am comfortable recommending this book to teens and adults.
Scarlet picks up the day after Cinder ends. Cinder and Kai remain as main characters throughout the second book. But now we are introduced to a whole new level of intrigue in the storyline. Scarlet and Wolf are AMAZING! I adore them and can't wait to see where their story leads. Scarlet's grandmere is pretty awesome too!
As secrets unfold of her heritage and her grandmother's past, Scarlet embarks on a dangerous mission to find her grandmere and bring her home. Scarlet will do anything to protect the only family she has left, even at the risk of her own safety. We also begin to learn more about Cinder's past and everything that she has gone through.
Cyborgs, Wolf Gangs, Lunar aliens, space travel, escaped convicts, hidden princess, hidden genealogy, this series has so much to offer and entertain. Clean and sweet romance appropriate for Young Adults. I am comfortable recommending this book to teens and adults.
David McK (3557 KP) rated The Folded World in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Christmas 2014/early 2015.
There was a gift pack available in Easons, with said sealed pack including 2 sci-fi film magazines, and one of six Star Trek novels. As the pack was sealed, there was obviously no way of knowing which novel is in which pack.
When I purchased said pack, this is the novel that was in mine - if I'm honest, it's probably not one that I would have picked up in a bookstore, nor was it the novel I was hoping would be included.
Set during The Original Series era (i.e the original TV series) of Star Trek, this obviously therefore includes all the central character of said TV show: Captain James T Kirk, Scotty, Spock, Dr 'Bones' McCoy, etc. That is, the 'original' of those characters, rather than those in the more-recent J.J. Abrams reboot.
The plot has to do with Captain Kirk and co receiving a distress call while en-route to a diplomatic mission, and boarding a spaceship unlike any they have ever seen before, where (once again) the usual rules of time and space do not apply.
While readable enough, I have to say, it's also pretty forgettable, with nothing to really convince me to pick up other books by this author, or (while I admit it may be somewhat unfair to base my perception of the whole on this alone) to go looking for other Star Trek books unless they come highly recommended.
There was a gift pack available in Easons, with said sealed pack including 2 sci-fi film magazines, and one of six Star Trek novels. As the pack was sealed, there was obviously no way of knowing which novel is in which pack.
When I purchased said pack, this is the novel that was in mine - if I'm honest, it's probably not one that I would have picked up in a bookstore, nor was it the novel I was hoping would be included.
Set during The Original Series era (i.e the original TV series) of Star Trek, this obviously therefore includes all the central character of said TV show: Captain James T Kirk, Scotty, Spock, Dr 'Bones' McCoy, etc. That is, the 'original' of those characters, rather than those in the more-recent J.J. Abrams reboot.
The plot has to do with Captain Kirk and co receiving a distress call while en-route to a diplomatic mission, and boarding a spaceship unlike any they have ever seen before, where (once again) the usual rules of time and space do not apply.
While readable enough, I have to say, it's also pretty forgettable, with nothing to really convince me to pick up other books by this author, or (while I admit it may be somewhat unfair to base my perception of the whole on this alone) to go looking for other Star Trek books unless they come highly recommended.
David McK (3557 KP) rated Batman: Hush in Books
Jan 28, 2019
So, not long ago I picked up a copy of the Batman 75th anniversary box set, which is made up of 3 separate stories: The Dark Knight Returns, The Court of Owls and Hush. I also put caked up both Year One and The Killing Joke separately.
Of them all, I knew that at least 3 were (supposedly) very good: The Dark Knight Returns, The Killing Joke and Year One. What I ddid nt know, however, was just how good Hush was.
Set during a period when Batman is at the top of his game (unlike the older Batman of The Dark Knight Returns, or the younger of Year One), this graphic novel includes just about any and all of Batmans friends and foes - top of my head, I can think of only one major villain who doesn't play a role (but is mentioned in passing).
Like The Dark Knight Returns, it also includes The Man of Steel in the story, with Batman and Superman again facing off against one another in a portion of it (but for very different reasons than in The Dark Knight Returns).
OK, it may be pretty obvious - I felt - fairly early on just who is pulling the strings,but this still makes for a very enjoyable and dynamic read, with some of the best artwork I have yet seen in any of the graphic novels I have read.
Of them all, I knew that at least 3 were (supposedly) very good: The Dark Knight Returns, The Killing Joke and Year One. What I ddid nt know, however, was just how good Hush was.
Set during a period when Batman is at the top of his game (unlike the older Batman of The Dark Knight Returns, or the younger of Year One), this graphic novel includes just about any and all of Batmans friends and foes - top of my head, I can think of only one major villain who doesn't play a role (but is mentioned in passing).
Like The Dark Knight Returns, it also includes The Man of Steel in the story, with Batman and Superman again facing off against one another in a portion of it (but for very different reasons than in The Dark Knight Returns).
OK, it may be pretty obvious - I felt - fairly early on just who is pulling the strings,but this still makes for a very enjoyable and dynamic read, with some of the best artwork I have yet seen in any of the graphic novels I have read.
David McK (3557 KP) rated Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers (Red Dwarf #1) in Books
Jan 28, 2019 (Updated Sep 1, 2019)
Back in the late 80s/early 90s, there was a TV show on British terrestial channles, that gained a bit of a cult following: 'Red Dwarf'.
Set on a 6-mile long mining ship in deep space, the early years of Red Dwarf were centred around the odd-couple pairing of Dave Lister (the last known Human alive, who was in a stasis booth - released thousands of years later - when a radiation leak wiped out the crew of the eponymous ship) and Arnold J Rimmer: a hologram of his dead bunk-mate, and perhaps the most annoying man in existence. Added to this are the ships now-senile computer Holly and the Cat: a creature evolved from a cat that Lister had smuggle aboard (and why he was in the stasis booth in the first place).
To this, and round about season 3 (although he first made an appearance in season 2), was added Kryten: a mechanoid with an overactive guilt chip.
Some novels based on a TV show seem to pretty much just repeat the episode scene for scene; others seem to share nothing in common with hteir source material except the name. This, I felt, falls somewhere in the middle: while certain segments of the novel do indeed follow (very) closely to their source, others only use that as their starting-off point. It aslo does a better job of tying the episodes together than the TV show ever could!
Set on a 6-mile long mining ship in deep space, the early years of Red Dwarf were centred around the odd-couple pairing of Dave Lister (the last known Human alive, who was in a stasis booth - released thousands of years later - when a radiation leak wiped out the crew of the eponymous ship) and Arnold J Rimmer: a hologram of his dead bunk-mate, and perhaps the most annoying man in existence. Added to this are the ships now-senile computer Holly and the Cat: a creature evolved from a cat that Lister had smuggle aboard (and why he was in the stasis booth in the first place).
To this, and round about season 3 (although he first made an appearance in season 2), was added Kryten: a mechanoid with an overactive guilt chip.
Some novels based on a TV show seem to pretty much just repeat the episode scene for scene; others seem to share nothing in common with hteir source material except the name. This, I felt, falls somewhere in the middle: while certain segments of the novel do indeed follow (very) closely to their source, others only use that as their starting-off point. It aslo does a better job of tying the episodes together than the TV show ever could!
David McK (3557 KP) rated The Genesis Fleet: Vanguard in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Another spin-off from Jack Campbell's 'The Lost Fleet' series, with this one taking place centuries before the events of those novels (and their own other spin-off series'), back when mankind has omly just begun to colonise the stars.
Like the intial series (and it's first set of spin-offs in the 'Beyond the Stars' series), the main character in this is once again a Geary: like his descendant, a fleet officer in the Navy who just happens to be the only such on the brand-new colony world of Glenyon, with the leaders of that world turning to him for help when they are attacked by a neighbouring star system. Alongside Rob Geary, they also turn to a former Marine (Mele Darcy) for help when that star system illegally sets up a colony on their planet, with two of Mele's former associates also pulled in the orbit of the story.
Alongside the usual military sci-fi of this series ('Newtonian' battles in space and on land), what I found to be the main 'hook' on this particular one was just how it lays the groundwork for the state of the universe as shown in 'The Lost Fleet' series: the start of the recerence for ancestors movement/religion and the proto-type (in effect) for The Syndics and The Alliance, alongside how politicians would become (?) to be viewed, and how those same politicians would view the military.
Like the intial series (and it's first set of spin-offs in the 'Beyond the Stars' series), the main character in this is once again a Geary: like his descendant, a fleet officer in the Navy who just happens to be the only such on the brand-new colony world of Glenyon, with the leaders of that world turning to him for help when they are attacked by a neighbouring star system. Alongside Rob Geary, they also turn to a former Marine (Mele Darcy) for help when that star system illegally sets up a colony on their planet, with two of Mele's former associates also pulled in the orbit of the story.
Alongside the usual military sci-fi of this series ('Newtonian' battles in space and on land), what I found to be the main 'hook' on this particular one was just how it lays the groundwork for the state of the universe as shown in 'The Lost Fleet' series: the start of the recerence for ancestors movement/religion and the proto-type (in effect) for The Syndics and The Alliance, alongside how politicians would become (?) to be viewed, and how those same politicians would view the military.