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Dana (24 KP) rated The Eleventh Plague in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I got this book in high school about six years ago and decided to finally give it a read. It was just starting at me from my shelf with it's sad eyes, so I had to give in.
This was a pretty interesting dystopia. I liked the world building and the idea of the eleven plagues to wipe out humanity. It was pretty well written and even though it was short, there was a lot of story involved in the pages. It felt like it was rushed. A lot of stuff happens in such a short amount of time that does not allow for the characters to really flourish in the book for me. I think that is the main problem I had with this book
It's been a while since I read it, so I don't remember much of the plot which is kind of a problem for me. I think I will look into more of what Jeff Hirsch has written because I want to try out another book of his to get a feel for the writing style.
Overall, not too bad of a book. I just wish I remembered more of it.
This was a pretty interesting dystopia. I liked the world building and the idea of the eleven plagues to wipe out humanity. It was pretty well written and even though it was short, there was a lot of story involved in the pages. It felt like it was rushed. A lot of stuff happens in such a short amount of time that does not allow for the characters to really flourish in the book for me. I think that is the main problem I had with this book
It's been a while since I read it, so I don't remember much of the plot which is kind of a problem for me. I think I will look into more of what Jeff Hirsch has written because I want to try out another book of his to get a feel for the writing style.
Overall, not too bad of a book. I just wish I remembered more of it.
Merissa (13414 KP) rated The Elevator (Close Proximity #1) in Books
Jul 19, 2018
The Elevator (Close Proximity #1) by Erin M. Leaf
The Elevator is the first in the Close Proximity series, which from the looks of this book, is going to be short and steamy reads!
Adrian is a self-proclaimed geek, and works hard for a company that doesn't really appear to deserve him. Greyson is the owner of the building, definitely a millionaire but probably a multi-billionaire, and has his sights set on Adrian.
This is a short story, so expect a fast pace. The whole story takes place from Friday through Monday, so don't expect too much detail. The details you do get though, are brilliant and really help to see all the characters. It is well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. I would recommend this read as perfect for a coffee break book, so long as you don't mind being hot under the collar!
More in this series? Bring it on!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Adrian is a self-proclaimed geek, and works hard for a company that doesn't really appear to deserve him. Greyson is the owner of the building, definitely a millionaire but probably a multi-billionaire, and has his sights set on Adrian.
This is a short story, so expect a fast pace. The whole story takes place from Friday through Monday, so don't expect too much detail. The details you do get though, are brilliant and really help to see all the characters. It is well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. I would recommend this read as perfect for a coffee break book, so long as you don't mind being hot under the collar!
More in this series? Bring it on!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (13414 KP) rated The Music Box in Books
Oct 18, 2018
The Music Box by Alyssa Drake
The Music Box is a fairytale with an urban setting. It deals with sensitive subjects, such as dementia and work harassment. Gabrielle is spending her evenings with her mother in a care home, whilst during the day she is doing a job she doesn't like, with a boss who is abhorrent. The only bright spot on her horizon is Luciano, the grandson of another patient.
There is a lot of information in this book, packed within a few short pages, so you can imagine the pacing is quite fast. That being said though, the whole story is here. Yes, I would like to see it more 'fleshed out' in places, but the basics are here. Enough for me to enjoy the story and want to read more about these characters.
With no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, I thoroughly enjoyed this short story, and have no hesitation in recommending it.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
There is a lot of information in this book, packed within a few short pages, so you can imagine the pacing is quite fast. That being said though, the whole story is here. Yes, I would like to see it more 'fleshed out' in places, but the basics are here. Enough for me to enjoy the story and want to read more about these characters.
With no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, I thoroughly enjoyed this short story, and have no hesitation in recommending it.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Debbiereadsbook (1557 KP) rated The Arts of Love: Stories of Sensual Creativity in Books
Dec 10, 2018
a fabulous little collection!
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
16 short stories, written by the same author, based around love and the Arts. Music, acting, writing and everything inbetween.
A 16 book collection was never going to get 16 individual reviews, so here's what I thought about them all, as a whole.
I rather enjoyed it!
It's a great collection of shorts, average about 15 pages each, some a little shorter or longer, but that gives you just enough for each story, I thought, to give you a brief connection, a glimpse into these people's lives.
Some stories are a bit more explicit, some almost clean, in my opinion. Mostly written from one person's view, in the third person.
Each short is well written, and well delivered. I saw no spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading experience.
This is the first I've read of this author, and I'd like to read more. Something much longer than these shorts, just to see what they can do with more pages!
A thoroughly enjoyable Sunday afternoon spent reading, thank you.
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
16 short stories, written by the same author, based around love and the Arts. Music, acting, writing and everything inbetween.
A 16 book collection was never going to get 16 individual reviews, so here's what I thought about them all, as a whole.
I rather enjoyed it!
It's a great collection of shorts, average about 15 pages each, some a little shorter or longer, but that gives you just enough for each story, I thought, to give you a brief connection, a glimpse into these people's lives.
Some stories are a bit more explicit, some almost clean, in my opinion. Mostly written from one person's view, in the third person.
Each short is well written, and well delivered. I saw no spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading experience.
This is the first I've read of this author, and I'd like to read more. Something much longer than these shorts, just to see what they can do with more pages!
A thoroughly enjoyable Sunday afternoon spent reading, thank you.
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Messages From Henry in Books
Nov 20, 2019
When Evelyn Bury is kidnapped, her abductor is unaware that Henry, her friendly homing pigeon, is able to track her. As law enforcement track the criminal down with Henry's help the poor victim is moved from place to place.
This is told from the point of view of Tammy, Evelyn's neighbour who first realises that Henry is carrying messages from Evelyn and Henry does come out as the hero, defying the odds to save his mistress.
A short story for younger readers (but not too young due to the subject matter which at times could be distressing for them) this will especially appeal to animal lovers. The story is written to be both sympathetic and dramatic and having Tammy narrate as a friend to the hostage works well.
The story flows at a good pace and the reader will be waiting for Henry to arrive almost as much as Tammy and each time hope that Evelyn is finally rescued.
A good read for those just under the target audience for most 'young adult' stories and short enough that it doesn't seem a chore to read.
This is told from the point of view of Tammy, Evelyn's neighbour who first realises that Henry is carrying messages from Evelyn and Henry does come out as the hero, defying the odds to save his mistress.
A short story for younger readers (but not too young due to the subject matter which at times could be distressing for them) this will especially appeal to animal lovers. The story is written to be both sympathetic and dramatic and having Tammy narrate as a friend to the hostage works well.
The story flows at a good pace and the reader will be waiting for Henry to arrive almost as much as Tammy and each time hope that Evelyn is finally rescued.
A good read for those just under the target audience for most 'young adult' stories and short enough that it doesn't seem a chore to read.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Lost Files of the M.B.R.C in Books
Jan 7, 2021
4 of 250
Kindle
The lost files of the Magical Beings: A MBRC anthology: A Chicago urban fantasy comedy
By K.M. Shea
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
The Lost Files of the MBRC is an anthology of five MBRC short stories--three of which have never before been released.
When Morgan decided to stay employed at the Magical Beings' Rehabilitation Center, she thought her life might quiet down as she started college and developed her career. She thought wrong.
In between balancing her relationship with Devin the Pook and planning for MBRC domination with her reluctant business partner, Aysel, Morgan chauffeurs around a reclusive Kraken, continues to play the lute at Asahi and Kadri's annual marriage celebration, and pulls all-nighter study sessions for college. Thankfully, her old friends - like Madeline, Frank, and Frey - are still around to wreak havoc and fun!
This was one of my favourite series last year! This is 5 short stories just tying up lose ends!
It’s fantastic to read I’m how they are all doing and how settled it’s become! Nice end to a fab series!
Kindle
The lost files of the Magical Beings: A MBRC anthology: A Chicago urban fantasy comedy
By K.M. Shea
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
The Lost Files of the MBRC is an anthology of five MBRC short stories--three of which have never before been released.
When Morgan decided to stay employed at the Magical Beings' Rehabilitation Center, she thought her life might quiet down as she started college and developed her career. She thought wrong.
In between balancing her relationship with Devin the Pook and planning for MBRC domination with her reluctant business partner, Aysel, Morgan chauffeurs around a reclusive Kraken, continues to play the lute at Asahi and Kadri's annual marriage celebration, and pulls all-nighter study sessions for college. Thankfully, her old friends - like Madeline, Frank, and Frey - are still around to wreak havoc and fun!
This was one of my favourite series last year! This is 5 short stories just tying up lose ends!
It’s fantastic to read I’m how they are all doing and how settled it’s become! Nice end to a fab series!
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated My Sister, the Serial Killer in Books
Mar 16, 2021
This is a very different novel to what I usually read.
A book about a sister who covers up her own sisters murders, before realising that her sister has hit the number of murders to make her a serial killer. And still she doesn’t report her to the police or try to do much to stop her. At one point, someone tells her she’s worse than her sister and I think that is very true. Her sister might be the murderess but she is standing by and letting it happen time and time again.
The style of the writing was very different to most books, with the short chapters and each chapter name being taken from something that happened in the chapter. It was also quite a short book, so something that can be read in an evening.
I didn’t find myself particularly sad that it was coming to an end, and that we didn’t find out if either sister ever had a happy ending or not. The book was ok, but not really one that I found myself looking forward to a bit of free time to continue reading or picking up for half an hour before bed.
A book about a sister who covers up her own sisters murders, before realising that her sister has hit the number of murders to make her a serial killer. And still she doesn’t report her to the police or try to do much to stop her. At one point, someone tells her she’s worse than her sister and I think that is very true. Her sister might be the murderess but she is standing by and letting it happen time and time again.
The style of the writing was very different to most books, with the short chapters and each chapter name being taken from something that happened in the chapter. It was also quite a short book, so something that can be read in an evening.
I didn’t find myself particularly sad that it was coming to an end, and that we didn’t find out if either sister ever had a happy ending or not. The book was ok, but not really one that I found myself looking forward to a bit of free time to continue reading or picking up for half an hour before bed.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Nameless City in Books
Sep 2, 2020
159 of 200
Kindle
The Nameless City
By H.P. Lovecraft
The Nameless City of the story's title is an ancient ruin located somewhere in the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula and is older than any human civilization
As someone who isn’t very wordy and struggles with certain terms I’ve always sort of stayed away from H.P. Lovecraft but my husband installed all the Novellas onto my kindle so I thought what the hell let’s give it a go! I don’t pretend or write big long fancy reviews so this won’t be as intelligent as some you read if you read it at all!
So I enjoyed this short I felt so claustrophobic during the crawl through the hidden corridors and found myself getting involved in the story. This even to me is the whole point of writing to bring your reader into the world you’re creating. I did have to find out a few of the big words as like I said I’m not entirely sure of some of the language used! I’m not entirely hooked from one short book but I’m certainly intrigued!
Kindle
The Nameless City
By H.P. Lovecraft
The Nameless City of the story's title is an ancient ruin located somewhere in the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula and is older than any human civilization
As someone who isn’t very wordy and struggles with certain terms I’ve always sort of stayed away from H.P. Lovecraft but my husband installed all the Novellas onto my kindle so I thought what the hell let’s give it a go! I don’t pretend or write big long fancy reviews so this won’t be as intelligent as some you read if you read it at all!
So I enjoyed this short I felt so claustrophobic during the crawl through the hidden corridors and found myself getting involved in the story. This even to me is the whole point of writing to bring your reader into the world you’re creating. I did have to find out a few of the big words as like I said I’m not entirely sure of some of the language used! I’m not entirely hooked from one short book but I’m certainly intrigued!
Merissa (13414 KP) rated Blended Whiskey (Agents Irish and Whiskey #4.5) in Books
Nov 14, 2023
Blended Whiskey is a short in the Agents Irish and Whiskey series, and we catch up with Jamie and Aidan for their wedding. Not only do we get to hear from them, but also from Danny, Mel, Nic, and Cam too. High on the sweetness level, and still as steamy as ever, I loved this addition. There is enough of a teaser regarding Nic and Cam that I am now desperately trying to remain patient until their story comes out. I loved how this was told from different perspectives, and loved every aspect of this short story, including Katie's vows. Aidan and I had our issues but I'm very glad to see he's worked them out. I wish the happy couple every happiness for the future 😉
With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, I thoroughly recommend this novella, but only AFTER you've read the others. Honestly, they're too good to miss!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 15, 2018
With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, I thoroughly recommend this novella, but only AFTER you've read the others. Honestly, they're too good to miss!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 15, 2018
Merissa (13414 KP) rated The Tea House in Books
Oct 13, 2021 (Updated Jul 12, 2023)
THE TEA HOUSE is a novella with a perfectly timed release - just in time for spooky season. Because that's what this is - spooky. There is some blood and gore but nothing too bad. Instead, you get that feeling of creepiness, that something is about to happen, you know it, you just don't know when.
Logan and Jaime are the perfect counterfoils for The Tea House and it starts off sweet enough. Be prepared for it to change though, and maybe not in the way you're expecting!
This is a short read that I enjoyed, but I will admit to wanting more. More from Jaime and him accepting certain things. More from Logan and his history, present, and future. And more of them together.
I did enjoy the ending, and it left me with a hopeful (evil) gleam in my eye!
A short one but absolutely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Oct 13, 2021
Logan and Jaime are the perfect counterfoils for The Tea House and it starts off sweet enough. Be prepared for it to change though, and maybe not in the way you're expecting!
This is a short read that I enjoyed, but I will admit to wanting more. More from Jaime and him accepting certain things. More from Logan and his history, present, and future. And more of them together.
I did enjoy the ending, and it left me with a hopeful (evil) gleam in my eye!
A short one but absolutely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Oct 13, 2021