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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Daylight War (The Demon Cycle #3) in Books
Nov 12, 2019
The Daylight War is the 3rd installment in the Demonwar Cycle by Peter V. Brett. It concerns a world (strongly hinted to be a future version of ours) that is plagued every night by demons that rise from the ground to kill the human population.
In the previous book (The Desert Spear) the rise of Jardir and his attempt to unite the humans by force was described, as was the continuing story of Arlen Bales, Leesha Paper and Roger Inn, the other major players in the story.
This book follows on immediately from the previous book. At the next new moon the demon princes are going to arrive in an attempt to destroy both Jardir and Arlen (both believed by many to be the fabled Deliverer) and both must prepare for the coming.
Most of the story follows Arlen and the people of Cutter's Hollow in their preparations for the next new moon. It also follows the return of Leesha and Roger to Cutter's Hollow following their journey to Everam's Bounty to stay with Jardir, and the many different threads that arise from that encounter and their return home.
As with the previous books the focus is on the characters involved, their interactions and personalities. Even more of the supporting cast is explored, with the main inhabitants of Cutter's Hollow and Jardir's inner circle becoming familiar to the reader. Conflicts and secrets between the characters abound with old feuds settled.
Again the writing is sublime with the descriptions and personalities of the characters a particular highlight. The scenes fighting demons are well written and Brett seems to have worked hard to produce something different in each one so they are never dull or predictable. The ending is brilliant and there are plenty of threads to pick up in the next installment.
Definitely recommended, but have patience it is a very long book.
In the previous book (The Desert Spear) the rise of Jardir and his attempt to unite the humans by force was described, as was the continuing story of Arlen Bales, Leesha Paper and Roger Inn, the other major players in the story.
This book follows on immediately from the previous book. At the next new moon the demon princes are going to arrive in an attempt to destroy both Jardir and Arlen (both believed by many to be the fabled Deliverer) and both must prepare for the coming.
Most of the story follows Arlen and the people of Cutter's Hollow in their preparations for the next new moon. It also follows the return of Leesha and Roger to Cutter's Hollow following their journey to Everam's Bounty to stay with Jardir, and the many different threads that arise from that encounter and their return home.
As with the previous books the focus is on the characters involved, their interactions and personalities. Even more of the supporting cast is explored, with the main inhabitants of Cutter's Hollow and Jardir's inner circle becoming familiar to the reader. Conflicts and secrets between the characters abound with old feuds settled.
Again the writing is sublime with the descriptions and personalities of the characters a particular highlight. The scenes fighting demons are well written and Brett seems to have worked hard to produce something different in each one so they are never dull or predictable. The ending is brilliant and there are plenty of threads to pick up in the next installment.
Definitely recommended, but have patience it is a very long book.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Stop the World in Books
Nov 26, 2019
17 year old Jody appears to have everything. She is popular in school, a beauty queen, engaged to the most eligable boy in town and living in a close family unit with her parents. But after she is paralysed in a car crash, and the finger of blame is pointed at her, she loses everything.
This book then is her story from that fateful moment and how she rebuilds her life, not as it was before but into something new and better. On the way she must fight through every emotional and physical low and push herself further than she thought possible in both mind and body. A modern allegory, this shows that no matter what set backs life throws at you, there is always a light if you know where to look.
Jody as the narrator of her own tale is a great character, her thoughts even at the bleakest moments are always worth attention and Sherry Mayes does an excellent job of portraying her struggle. Jody comes to recognise her own flaws as well as those of the people around her and learns to cope with them. The result is an extremely positive and uplifting novel.
The other characters are also terrific - her parents are well drawn, with their own demons that she has been blind to for 17 years. Particularly strong and amusing is her physiotherapist who is extremely blunt and no-nonsense and never fails to provoke a smile in both Jody and the reader.
The story ticks along at a great pace but always taking the time to focus on how Jody's actions affect those around her (and vice versa) and her thoughts as she struggles with events.
This book is for anyone who wants to read something that is in turns inspiring, emotional, gritty, heartwarming and funny. This is quite simply one of the best books I have ever read
This book then is her story from that fateful moment and how she rebuilds her life, not as it was before but into something new and better. On the way she must fight through every emotional and physical low and push herself further than she thought possible in both mind and body. A modern allegory, this shows that no matter what set backs life throws at you, there is always a light if you know where to look.
Jody as the narrator of her own tale is a great character, her thoughts even at the bleakest moments are always worth attention and Sherry Mayes does an excellent job of portraying her struggle. Jody comes to recognise her own flaws as well as those of the people around her and learns to cope with them. The result is an extremely positive and uplifting novel.
The other characters are also terrific - her parents are well drawn, with their own demons that she has been blind to for 17 years. Particularly strong and amusing is her physiotherapist who is extremely blunt and no-nonsense and never fails to provoke a smile in both Jody and the reader.
The story ticks along at a great pace but always taking the time to focus on how Jody's actions affect those around her (and vice versa) and her thoughts as she struggles with events.
This book is for anyone who wants to read something that is in turns inspiring, emotional, gritty, heartwarming and funny. This is quite simply one of the best books I have ever read
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Zero Hour (Numa Files #11) in Books
Nov 29, 2019
Zero Hour is an 'Adventure from the NUMA Files' which means following the team of Kurt Austin, Joe Zavala and Paul and Gamay Trout on their adventures.
In truth the main players in this are Kurt and Joe with the Trouts taking a back seat. In fact Dirk Pitt has more of a role in this novel than they do. I'm not sure that is a bad thing, having find roles for four leading characters started to get a little stretched for me in the more recent books.
Back to the story, which could come straight out of a James Bond plot. Genius develops a weapon which taps into zero point energy and causes massive earthquakes. Feeling that the nations of the world have shunned him and killed is daughter he decides to turn the weapon upon them in revenge. It is up to Kurt, Joe and an Australian scientist (female, providing the love interest for Kurt) to stop him, against the clock and against all the odds.
This is a real old fashioned adventure story, a few twists here and there to keep the interest but nothing too demanding. It moves at a fantastic pace, has some brilliant set pieces and a typically over the top villain. There are multiple threads to the story which join up for a satisfying conclusion.
The narrative moves on at a good pace and never gets bogged down in too much exposition. There is the expected need to suspend belief in parts, but really not as much as other stories. This was an easy book to read and had that 'unputdownable' factor that should be expected. Probably one of the better NUMA files novels (which have in my mind always been the poor relation to the other Cussler series).
Overall I would rate this as a good, entertaining book, well worth a read if you like advemture stories.
In truth the main players in this are Kurt and Joe with the Trouts taking a back seat. In fact Dirk Pitt has more of a role in this novel than they do. I'm not sure that is a bad thing, having find roles for four leading characters started to get a little stretched for me in the more recent books.
Back to the story, which could come straight out of a James Bond plot. Genius develops a weapon which taps into zero point energy and causes massive earthquakes. Feeling that the nations of the world have shunned him and killed is daughter he decides to turn the weapon upon them in revenge. It is up to Kurt, Joe and an Australian scientist (female, providing the love interest for Kurt) to stop him, against the clock and against all the odds.
This is a real old fashioned adventure story, a few twists here and there to keep the interest but nothing too demanding. It moves at a fantastic pace, has some brilliant set pieces and a typically over the top villain. There are multiple threads to the story which join up for a satisfying conclusion.
The narrative moves on at a good pace and never gets bogged down in too much exposition. There is the expected need to suspend belief in parts, but really not as much as other stories. This was an easy book to read and had that 'unputdownable' factor that should be expected. Probably one of the better NUMA files novels (which have in my mind always been the poor relation to the other Cussler series).
Overall I would rate this as a good, entertaining book, well worth a read if you like advemture stories.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2271 KP) rated Buried to the Brim in Books
Jan 29, 2020
Brimming with Fun, Doggone It!
Cousins Scarlett and Viv have an unusual new client for their hat shop. Betty Wentworth, Scarlett’s fiancé Harrison’s aunt, is about to enter a dog show with her dog, Freddy, and she is hoping that a top hat will launch him from second place to first place this year. At first Viv, who designs the hats, is reluctant, but soon she is on board, and everyone is delighted with the results. However, the contest weekend gets off to a rocky start during the cocktail party that kicks things off when Betty gets into an argument with Gerry Swendson, the owner of the dog food company that sponsors the show. The next morning, Freddy is the one to find Gerry’s very dead body. With the police looking at Betty, Scarlett begins digging in, trying to figure out who else had motive. It quickly becomes apparent that this dog show is far from cute. But who committed murder?
It’s been a couple of years since the last book in this series came out, and it was wonderful to catch up with these old friends. Some time has passed for them as well, but the relationships were as great as ever. We saw plenty of the supporting characters and I loved every minute of it. The mystery was just as strong, with plenty of suspects and a fantastic ending. I did find one thing near the climax pushed me out of the book and I didn’t remember a few instances of very mild swearing in earlier books, but both are worth noting only in passing. The running gags involving puns were always one of my favorite things in the series, and it is as delightful as ever here. And the dogs! There are some very cute moments with the dogs here. Fans of the series will be delighted to get to revisit these characters.
It’s been a couple of years since the last book in this series came out, and it was wonderful to catch up with these old friends. Some time has passed for them as well, but the relationships were as great as ever. We saw plenty of the supporting characters and I loved every minute of it. The mystery was just as strong, with plenty of suspects and a fantastic ending. I did find one thing near the climax pushed me out of the book and I didn’t remember a few instances of very mild swearing in earlier books, but both are worth noting only in passing. The running gags involving puns were always one of my favorite things in the series, and it is as delightful as ever here. And the dogs! There are some very cute moments with the dogs here. Fans of the series will be delighted to get to revisit these characters.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2271 KP) rated Script for Scandal in Books
Jan 8, 2020
Will a Movie Script Revive a Scandal?
In 1936, a bank robbery took place in Los Angeles. While the robbers were killed, the money was never found, and rumors have circulated that there was someone else involved. Most suspect that the someone else was LAPD Detective Gene Morrow, the boyfriend of Lillian Frost. While the rumors have mostly died down, they are about to come out again in 1939 thanks to a new movie being filmed at Paramount. Costume designer Edith Head has seen the script, and she gets a copy to her friend Lillian so she and Gene can be prepared. Lillian is more concerned than Gene and actively tries to find out who the writer is claiming is his source for this movie. She hasn’t been looking for too long before someone turns up dead. Can Lillian and Edith figure out what happened back then and how it is impacting what is happening today?
I was so happy when this series found a new home because I enjoyed the first two books so much. This book is just as strong. The authors mix real people with the fictional characters so expertly I am sure I missed some of the cameos. Yet everyone comes across as real. I did think the plot was wandering a bit early on, but everything became an important part of the story before it was over. Not that I was complaining since I was hooked for most of the book and couldn’t wait to see how it would all turn out. Both Edith and Lillian are instrumental to solving the crime in the end. Meanwhile, there is a delightful subplot involving Lillian’s boss preparing for a job as an extra that leads to a hilarious scene. This book brings old Hollywood to life in every detail, and I enjoyed every minute spent in that world. This book will delight Edith and Lillian’s fans and win them new ones.
I was so happy when this series found a new home because I enjoyed the first two books so much. This book is just as strong. The authors mix real people with the fictional characters so expertly I am sure I missed some of the cameos. Yet everyone comes across as real. I did think the plot was wandering a bit early on, but everything became an important part of the story before it was over. Not that I was complaining since I was hooked for most of the book and couldn’t wait to see how it would all turn out. Both Edith and Lillian are instrumental to solving the crime in the end. Meanwhile, there is a delightful subplot involving Lillian’s boss preparing for a job as an extra that leads to a hilarious scene. This book brings old Hollywood to life in every detail, and I enjoyed every minute spent in that world. This book will delight Edith and Lillian’s fans and win them new ones.
Merissa (12346 KP) rated Coliseum Arcanist (Frith Chronicles #3) in Books
Mar 2, 2020
Okay, so this book has the capability to break me! Coliseum Arcanist is the third book in the Frith Chronicles and we return once more to Volke, Illia, and the rest.
Gille is working hard to find a cure for the plague and is accompanied by the Frith Guild to see the queen. Only, they get more excitement than they bargained for when they find out there will be a tournament for a new sovereign dragon arcanist. Illia is still dead set on revenge on Calisto but the others are excited to participate.
Wow, so much happens here! This is a long book but not a single word is wasted. So many new characters to meet and old ones to reacquaint with. Volke is, of course, the star of the show but he doesn't hog all the limelight. Through his eyes, you see the others and how they change and grow. Zaxis is still obnoxious but I'm also hoping he will calm down and become a better man. He is still young after all.
The ending of this book, the last few chapters, are absolutely action-packed. There is never a dull moment and I will admit to my eyes leaking too. I had a suspicion about the outcome of the last match when I read the description given in Volke's book but how it was written was just amazing. The rest of it came as a surprise and I couldn't read fast enough to find out what happened next.
With a cliffhanger you have to read to believe, I seriously can NOT wait for the next book in the series. You definitely have to read all of them in order to get the full experience but what an experience it is. I really can't recommend this series, or this book, highly enough.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Gille is working hard to find a cure for the plague and is accompanied by the Frith Guild to see the queen. Only, they get more excitement than they bargained for when they find out there will be a tournament for a new sovereign dragon arcanist. Illia is still dead set on revenge on Calisto but the others are excited to participate.
Wow, so much happens here! This is a long book but not a single word is wasted. So many new characters to meet and old ones to reacquaint with. Volke is, of course, the star of the show but he doesn't hog all the limelight. Through his eyes, you see the others and how they change and grow. Zaxis is still obnoxious but I'm also hoping he will calm down and become a better man. He is still young after all.
The ending of this book, the last few chapters, are absolutely action-packed. There is never a dull moment and I will admit to my eyes leaking too. I had a suspicion about the outcome of the last match when I read the description given in Volke's book but how it was written was just amazing. The rest of it came as a surprise and I couldn't read fast enough to find out what happened next.
With a cliffhanger you have to read to believe, I seriously can NOT wait for the next book in the series. You definitely have to read all of them in order to get the full experience but what an experience it is. I really can't recommend this series, or this book, highly enough.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
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