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David McK (3485 KP) rated The Furthest Station (Peter Grant, #5.5) in Books
Feb 19, 2019
I read the first entry in Ben Aaronovitch's Peter grant series (Rivers of London) a few years back.
It was an OK read, but didn't really grab me enough to want to go out and pick up others in the series.
However, this novella was recently on sale on Amazon Kindle a while back for something like 99 pence, so I thought I would give it another go. And what is immediately obvious is just how much I've missed by skipping those full-length novels in-between Rivers of London (#1) and this (# 5.5).
Which is probably why I struggled to get into this: as before, I found this an OK read (once I got past the initial "who's s/he now? What're they talking about?" confusion, but nothing that would pull me back into the world of PC Grant
It was an OK read, but didn't really grab me enough to want to go out and pick up others in the series.
However, this novella was recently on sale on Amazon Kindle a while back for something like 99 pence, so I thought I would give it another go. And what is immediately obvious is just how much I've missed by skipping those full-length novels in-between Rivers of London (#1) and this (# 5.5).
Which is probably why I struggled to get into this: as before, I found this an OK read (once I got past the initial "who's s/he now? What're they talking about?" confusion, but nothing that would pull me back into the world of PC Grant
KatieLouCreate (162 KP) rated Three Dark Crowns in Books
Oct 11, 2018
pacing (1 more)
story
Great Read
I bought this book probably over a year ago while browsing some books in my local supermarket. The cover pulled me in, but the blurb made me buy the book. It was a promising premise of the book and I knew I just had to buy it and find out what happens.
Overall, I love the book. It is such a refreshing read from the stock, cliche, ya books you usually read. This has originality in it. The characters are fully developed and interesting. The story does feel like it is going too slowly or too quickly unless it is needed. It is a well written book and well worth the read if you want something different to you traditional YA reads.
My only woe with this book is the somewhat lack of world building. Usually it would be enough if the book was not a fantasy. But I feel all fantasy books, especially those not based on our world, in our time, needs a lot of world building to it. Sure, there is a map, and you can some world building and traditions/ceremonies. But I am still unsure of what the whole island looks like as a whole. Is it a hot country? Cold? Is it mountainous or flat? Is it a large island or small? Do they have electricity or not? It is just simple things like this, and to be honest, I'm just nit-picking here because I did rather enjoy the whole story.
Now if you need me, I will be reading the second book, One Dark Throne because that cliff-hanger at the end was so juicy I need to find out more...
Overall, I love the book. It is such a refreshing read from the stock, cliche, ya books you usually read. This has originality in it. The characters are fully developed and interesting. The story does feel like it is going too slowly or too quickly unless it is needed. It is a well written book and well worth the read if you want something different to you traditional YA reads.
My only woe with this book is the somewhat lack of world building. Usually it would be enough if the book was not a fantasy. But I feel all fantasy books, especially those not based on our world, in our time, needs a lot of world building to it. Sure, there is a map, and you can some world building and traditions/ceremonies. But I am still unsure of what the whole island looks like as a whole. Is it a hot country? Cold? Is it mountainous or flat? Is it a large island or small? Do they have electricity or not? It is just simple things like this, and to be honest, I'm just nit-picking here because I did rather enjoy the whole story.
Now if you need me, I will be reading the second book, One Dark Throne because that cliff-hanger at the end was so juicy I need to find out more...
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Stranger (Jude Lyon) in Books
Sep 19, 2020
Complex, tense and gripping
I was lucky enough to be invited to read "The Stranger" by Hodder & Stoughton after having read and reviewed other books from their catalogue in the past. I haven't read anything by Simon Conway despite this being his fifth book and, if I'm honest, I hadn't heard of him before either but he is definitely on my radar now.
This is a complex tail involving terrorists, spies, lies and subterfuge within the murky world of MI6. I admit that it took me a while to get into it but once I did, I couldn't put it down. The characters are believable and interesting and the plot is complex, tense and gripping and, unfortunately, not beyond the realms of reality.
This is a very well written and researched spy thriller and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre.
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review and for introducing me to yet another great author.
This is a complex tail involving terrorists, spies, lies and subterfuge within the murky world of MI6. I admit that it took me a while to get into it but once I did, I couldn't put it down. The characters are believable and interesting and the plot is complex, tense and gripping and, unfortunately, not beyond the realms of reality.
This is a very well written and researched spy thriller and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre.
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased and unedited review and for introducing me to yet another great author.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Night Embrace (Dark-Hunter #2) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
Well I loved the first book, I think I gave it five stars. This one, not so much. Unfortunately for it, the romance was based on reincarnation which is not something I enjoy reading about. I think it's because I don't get to really see the relationship grow, more like scenes of them now and then when the feelings are already there and I feel a little cheated.
Nevertheless, I still love the secondary characters and can't wait to read more. Zarek certainly has me intrigued and I can't wait to see who makes him turn all warm and gooey.
Not just yet, though. I appear to have lost interest in paranormal books right now, but soon.
Nevertheless, I still love the secondary characters and can't wait to read more. Zarek certainly has me intrigued and I can't wait to see who makes him turn all warm and gooey.
Not just yet, though. I appear to have lost interest in paranormal books right now, but soon.
Anne Still (2 KP) rated House Of Leaves in Books
Apr 28, 2018
Yes, it is challenging..
I know a few people that gave up on this one.. while I have reread it multiple times.. The author challenges the reader in multiple ways. I honestly loved the fact that by the end you almost felt like you were also on the edge of sanity.. you are witnessing the building insanity in the main character, all due to the ravings of a mad man.. Now, if you happen to have POE'S album Haunted, play it while you read.. she wrote the music while he wrote the book... It brings a unique sense of continuity.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Neverwhere in Books
Jun 19, 2018
Gaiman is very hit or miss for me. I've only really liked one book.
I really disliked Neverwhere when I first read it, it took me forever to get through, and I really liked the idea of the novel, just not the execution. But, yes, I am rating this an 8. The reason for this high of a rating is the BBC production of this book with James McAvoy. That radio adaption made me like it so much more, and I've now listened to it twice.
After this, I decided to only audiobook or get BBC productions of Gaiman's novels, but thus far, it's still been a bust.
I really disliked Neverwhere when I first read it, it took me forever to get through, and I really liked the idea of the novel, just not the execution. But, yes, I am rating this an 8. The reason for this high of a rating is the BBC production of this book with James McAvoy. That radio adaption made me like it so much more, and I've now listened to it twice.
After this, I decided to only audiobook or get BBC productions of Gaiman's novels, but thus far, it's still been a bust.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Learning to Feel in Books
Jan 11, 2021
Huh...2.5 stars.
As mentioned in my previous N.R. Walker review, I seem to love all her books...apart from this one. I don't know what it was about it but i was a little bored by it.
I don't know if it's due to the other M/M series I've just read, where they were rather naughty questionable straight guys who ended up in gay relationships but this paled in comparison to the excitement I felt for the other stories.
It's probably unfair to compare them but that's the kind of mood I'm in right now.
It was far too sweet and gentle for me.
As mentioned in my previous N.R. Walker review, I seem to love all her books...apart from this one. I don't know what it was about it but i was a little bored by it.
I don't know if it's due to the other M/M series I've just read, where they were rather naughty questionable straight guys who ended up in gay relationships but this paled in comparison to the excitement I felt for the other stories.
It's probably unfair to compare them but that's the kind of mood I'm in right now.
It was far too sweet and gentle for me.
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Winter Moon (Walker Papers, #1.5) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
The first story by Mercedes Lackey is meant to take place in her world of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, minus the power of The Tradition to force things a certain way. The only clue the I found that could indicate that this story would fit in the Five Hundred Kingdoms is the presence of the Fool. Other than that, it simply read as a good fantasy plotline, with equal parts romance, intrigue, and adventure. The story wrapped up nicely, with no loose ends, but I would love to read a full novel about the Grey Ladies - not much information is given on this group of women and they certainly have much potential for a good full-length story.
The second story is by Tanith Lee, whom I have never read before now. I rather enjoyed the world development, despite the length she had to work in, and the imagery was both mysterious and beautiful. After I read the story, I went looking online to see if this world fit into any other novels, but I could not find any information on this. Still, I plan to check out more of her work now.
The third story by C. E. Murphy takes place in her Walker Papers series, specifically between the first and second book. Since I have only read the first two books in the series, I thoroughly appreciated how this story filled in a few blanks for me about what is happening in the series. In this story, Joanne learns about her deceased mother, who turns out to be quite a fascinating character. I think I may even prefer her to Joanne. It can't be easy for the author to translate a thick Scottish accent onto paper, either. Now I am anxious to read more of the Walker Papers series.
The second story is by Tanith Lee, whom I have never read before now. I rather enjoyed the world development, despite the length she had to work in, and the imagery was both mysterious and beautiful. After I read the story, I went looking online to see if this world fit into any other novels, but I could not find any information on this. Still, I plan to check out more of her work now.
The third story by C. E. Murphy takes place in her Walker Papers series, specifically between the first and second book. Since I have only read the first two books in the series, I thoroughly appreciated how this story filled in a few blanks for me about what is happening in the series. In this story, Joanne learns about her deceased mother, who turns out to be quite a fascinating character. I think I may even prefer her to Joanne. It can't be easy for the author to translate a thick Scottish accent onto paper, either. Now I am anxious to read more of the Walker Papers series.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Once Upon a River in Books
Mar 19, 2019
I was so looking forward to this book, and almost bought it. But, the library had it, so I just rented it. THANK GOD I did.
I really, really, REALLY disliked this book until the last 90 pages or so. It was so slow moving, and this book isn't even that long! The chapters jump between multiple characters, all of whom are claiming this miraculous child that was seemingly dead. I thought it was fairly clear from the beginning that the reason the focus was on these families was because all of the events were related.
I loved Bellman and Black, hated the Thirteenth Tale, and mostly disliked this book. I'm wary to read another Setterfield book now.
I really, really, REALLY disliked this book until the last 90 pages or so. It was so slow moving, and this book isn't even that long! The chapters jump between multiple characters, all of whom are claiming this miraculous child that was seemingly dead. I thought it was fairly clear from the beginning that the reason the focus was on these families was because all of the events were related.
I loved Bellman and Black, hated the Thirteenth Tale, and mostly disliked this book. I'm wary to read another Setterfield book now.