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Leila (5 KP) rated Elevation in Books

Feb 3, 2019 (Updated Feb 3, 2019)  
Elevation
Elevation
Stephen King | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Horror, Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
7.2 (13 Ratings)
Book Rating
Storyline (1 more)
Characters
Short! (0 more)
Short but Worth the Read!
Being an avid King fan, I could not wait to read his latest novel, Elevation, and was a bit dismayed by the brevity. Upon starting the first chapter, however, I quickly realized that King had once again duped me into thinking he was only capable of writing long, winding novels (I've been duped before by his short story books and by Joyland) and I was pleasantly entertained from the first word to the last.
  Elevation is set in a small town, like most of King's stories, one which gives off the air of being both a town to love and one to avoid on a family trip; it has the small town charm we all look for but comes with the small town bigotry as well. Our main character is a long-time resident with an already established problem of which there seems to be no cure and a rocky relationship with his neighbors, one that has a profound effect on his future. King manages to pull his reader in from first page and attach you to his characters, and not just the protagonist but the supporting cast as well, in a way that will leave you desperately wishing there were just a few more pages.
  All in all, Elevation is another Stephen King that should not be passed up, filled with a strong central message about how we view the world and the people in it.
  
I'm 19% finished with this book and I have to put it down. My life is too short to read books that I cannot get into.

I was really excited to read this book. The advertising was spectacular and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to read a "Harry Potter with millenials." Unfortunately this book has fell so flat I'm having to DNF it. The characters seem to be extremely chiche & their descriptions were just awful. If this is supposed to be adult fiction you really don't need to have a description being "the hot" guy. I would expect more from any author.

The plot line seemed interesting enough but the writing has ruined any chance for me to enjoy it. It reads like a mix between young adult and middle grade fiction. This would be all fine and dandy if it wasn't being advertised as adult fiction.

All in all, I would not recommend this book.

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*
  
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Sarah (7799 KP) rated Bricking It in Books

Nov 24, 2020  
Bricking It
Bricking It
Nick Spalding | 2015 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fun but lacking in substance
I've read quite a few of Nick Spalding's books, and they can always be relied on to provide some much needed comic relief. Bricking It is no different, however I did feel like it was a little lacking in substance.

The plot is straight forward, and to be honest maybe a tad basic. It feels like a very short read and I do think potentially could have been expanded on a little. Focusing on both Danny and Hayley's sides of the story helped provide variety and a much needed change in perspective. There's a fair few funny moments in this, some that made me laugh out loud. There were also a few unbelievably cringeworthy moments that I could hardly bear to read (think toilet humour). I think overall this has a decent entertaining story but is sadly lacking in any real substance likely because the plot is very minimal.
  
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ClareR (5841 KP) rated Myface in Books

Jan 26, 2021  
Myface
Myface
Kevin Landt | 2020 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a short and snappy novella - a quick and enjoyable read. A lot like social media, really - and that’s what it’s all about. I’d heard of catfishing before, but I have to admit that I didn’t really know what the term meant (fyi: “the process of luring someone into a relationship by means of a fictional online persona”).

I would imagine this could be read in one sitting quite quickly (this was a book that The Pigeonhole serialised over five days), because the action is pretty relentless - much like social media, really! I think it holds a mirror up to society’s reliance on social media - usually minus the murder (I hope!) - and how we’re all deeply influenced by it.

There are some deeply unpleasant people in this, but that’s never a bad thing, in my own opinion. It’s an entertaining read, and worth your time!
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this, and to Kevin Landt for joining in the discussion!
  
Betrayal (The 1000 Revolution, #1)
Betrayal (The 1000 Revolution, #1)
Pippa DaCosta | 2017 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Action scenes (0 more)
Shortness (0 more)
Well I found this a quick read, I started it last night (7th Sep) and it was so quick to pull me in that I read 25% in one sitting and then picked it up again first thing this morning to carry on.

It easily had me intrigued with all the fragments of memory that #1001 kept remembering and the failure to reset or follow the commands. It became clear that she had some sort of background with Caleb, something that didn't end very well for them.

I also liked how Caleb and Fran sort of argued and didn't always get on but could work together brilliantly and outwit the fleet. There's quite a lot of action for how short it is but it's very engaging.

It's an interesting start and I'm definitely intrigued enough to carry on with the series but I'm going to work through my list of to-read before I go buying any new ones.
  
Zima Blue and Other Stories
Zima Blue and Other Stories
Alastair Reynolds | 2006 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A collection of short stories by science fiction writer Alastair Reynolds, these stories showcase his world building outside of his more well-known Revelation Space epics. Each story is told with his flair for hard physics combined with space opera but always driven by the psyche of his characters.

With so many well-written stories here, there is bound to be much to be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys futuristic science fiction. The ideas are intriguing and clever, often provoking considerable thought. The writing is deft and fluid, keeping the pace up. Every story feels like a perfect capsule of the idea it contains, rarely too long and flabby or too short and rushed.

If you are a fan of Reynolds' other works or if you have never read a word he has written, this book will not disappoint.
  
Flawless Witness
Flawless Witness
Merida Johns | 2023 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Oh, the feels

Trigger warning for this short, powerful book. There's abuse, emotional trauma, mention of suicide and stalking.

Flawless Witness is eye opening for both victims of a narcissist and people who have managed to avoid this kind of relationship. It opens the reader's mind to looking a little deeper when talking to people.
    It reminded me of a short relationship I had with a man like that, controlling, always playing the victim and self-centred......just like Jonathan.
    Suzanna is great, she's relatable and down to earth. The questions she asks herself and how she works her way through things shows the strength of character she has. Also how important a good support network is.

A thought provoking read that I'd recommend for daytime reading so there's plenty of thinking time. Also, book group worthy, would make for fantastic conversations.
  
AL
A Love for Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was only going to read a couple in this anthology but once I started I couldn't stop reading most of them. I have reviewed the ones I've read.
Trading yesterday by Kahlen Aymes - This is the first chapter of a new series from this author and what a start it is. This chapter gives you a taste of what's to come and I definitely can't wait to read more. This author never fails to deliver an outstanding read.
The break (breaking free #1) by Debra Presley - This book feels like it could be the start of something fantastic. This story is very well written with realistic emotions and danger. The characters are fantastic and I can't wait to read more from them in the future. A bit of a cliff hanger ending, which gives you a taster of what's to come.
Almost too late by Micalea Smeltzer - This is the first book by this author that I've read and it definitely wont be the last. This is a novella to the willow creek series, which I'll be downloading as soon as possible. This story is the back story of the characters. This novella has some twists and turns through out the story. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
What happens on spring break by R.C. Stephens - This is a fun and flirty read from this author. This book has fantastic characters with lots of chemistry. The twists and turns in this book will leave you wanting more.
Burning the midnight oil by Eilson Grace - This is the first book by this author that I've read and it definitely wont be the last. This book has fantastic characters with very hot chemistry. I'm definitely going to have a look on Amazon for more by this author.
Babysitting for the biker by Sammie Starlight - This is the first book by this author that I've read and it wont be the last. This is a short very hot and steamy story with fantastic characters. This story will grab your attention from the start and keep you reading till the end.
Awakened : a Leila Marx worlds novella by Amber Garr - This is the first book by this author that I've read and it wont be the last. The characters were cute, they would be fab in a full length book of there own. I really enjoyed this book, just wished it would have been longer.
Do you mind? by Freya Barker - This is the first book by this author that I've read and it wont be the last. This story draws you in from the first page. This is a beautiful story. The perfect short story. The characters are very likeable and you will fall in love with them from the start. This book has plenty of hot and steamy scenes and the chemistry between the characters is off the chart.
This is a fantastic collection of well written stories, definitely worth a read.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.