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Sarah (7800 KP) rated Black House in Books
Jan 4, 2020
Another of King's epic stories
Stephen King is my favourite author, so I'm always going to enjoy his stories although it varies as to how much. I have a particular fondness for his short stories or epic doorstop sized novels, and I'm pleased that Black House falls into the latter.
The Talisman is a great story, and this is a very welcome sequel with Jack now as a rather endearing and heroic adult, scarred by his past. This is a story that starts off as a standard crime story and as it goes on turns into a fantastical horror, filled with King's usual mix of well written secondary characters and a nice amount of gore. What I also loved about this is how it links into other King stories - not just The Talisman, but others that I won't spoil but are very much beloved.
That's not to say this book is perfect. It is VERY long and I feel like there are parts of this that get too rambling and long winded, and there are some parts that could quite easily have been cut out without impacting on the main plot. There are also a few characters in this with odd speech impediments or accents, and trying to read their manner of speech gets very irritating after a while.
But apart from this, this is a hugely enjoyable King epic novel. Although only one to read if you've read The Talisman - this is not a standalone sequel.
The Talisman is a great story, and this is a very welcome sequel with Jack now as a rather endearing and heroic adult, scarred by his past. This is a story that starts off as a standard crime story and as it goes on turns into a fantastical horror, filled with King's usual mix of well written secondary characters and a nice amount of gore. What I also loved about this is how it links into other King stories - not just The Talisman, but others that I won't spoil but are very much beloved.
That's not to say this book is perfect. It is VERY long and I feel like there are parts of this that get too rambling and long winded, and there are some parts that could quite easily have been cut out without impacting on the main plot. There are also a few characters in this with odd speech impediments or accents, and trying to read their manner of speech gets very irritating after a while.
But apart from this, this is a hugely enjoyable King epic novel. Although only one to read if you've read The Talisman - this is not a standalone sequel.
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated A Work in Progress: The Untold Story of the Crawley Writers’ Group in Books
Jul 11, 2021
Hilarious (2 more)
Mad characters
Unbelievable situations
Such an easy read, and one that had me giggling throughout.
We follow a group of writers through emails, both to the group and some privately between members. This eclectic group would in both way be friends outside of the group, and it shows with just how different they all are. A couple do meet up outside of the group, with hilarious results (the night in the hotel before comic con being the one that sticks in my mind the most!) that mean you can’t help but wonder just how these people get through day to day life.
It was great to follow this group through the trials of trying to write their own work, as well as the trials of being thrust together with people they didn’t particularly like, and to also see that they either didn’t understand or didn’t want to see some of the sarcastic comments that were pointed towards them.
Reading this book was so easy, and such a different type of book with it all being written in email form. Although it sounds like it won’t work, in this case it absolutely does. I loved every minute of this, and could have read so many more pages of it!
Thank you to Dan Brotzel, Martin Jenkins, Alex Woolf and Pigeonhole for allowing me to read this beautifully written and extremely mad book, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
We follow a group of writers through emails, both to the group and some privately between members. This eclectic group would in both way be friends outside of the group, and it shows with just how different they all are. A couple do meet up outside of the group, with hilarious results (the night in the hotel before comic con being the one that sticks in my mind the most!) that mean you can’t help but wonder just how these people get through day to day life.
It was great to follow this group through the trials of trying to write their own work, as well as the trials of being thrust together with people they didn’t particularly like, and to also see that they either didn’t understand or didn’t want to see some of the sarcastic comments that were pointed towards them.
Reading this book was so easy, and such a different type of book with it all being written in email form. Although it sounds like it won’t work, in this case it absolutely does. I loved every minute of this, and could have read so many more pages of it!
Thank you to Dan Brotzel, Martin Jenkins, Alex Woolf and Pigeonhole for allowing me to read this beautifully written and extremely mad book, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I really liked Albus in this novel, he is different from Harry, and I would absolutely love to read more of his adventures in Hogwarts. I really liked the way characters were interacting, I liked the different friendships made in this story. It was unexpected and refreshing to me. In the series my No1 was Harry, but in this book, I didn’t really like him that much, even though he is a great father, I think he lost his charm. I loved Ron’s personality, his carelessness and fun made the whole story livelier.
I really enjoyed the storyline. I loved the adventure it had to offer as well as all the unexpected turns and twists. I really liked the topics it was discussing as well, such as father-son relationship, not fitting in, friendships etc. It was very easy to read this play, the acts are pretty short, so it was a quick and enjoyable read for me. I liked the ending of this book, I think it rounded up the story pretty nicely. The setting of this book was constantly changing, and I am very curious, how they managed to portray all this on the stage.
So, to conclude, if you enjoyed the Harry Potter series, you might like this book as well. It is different, it introduces new, unfamiliar characters as well as brings back the old and beloved ones, and it has a little bit less magic, but it is still stunning nevertheless.
I really enjoyed the storyline. I loved the adventure it had to offer as well as all the unexpected turns and twists. I really liked the topics it was discussing as well, such as father-son relationship, not fitting in, friendships etc. It was very easy to read this play, the acts are pretty short, so it was a quick and enjoyable read for me. I liked the ending of this book, I think it rounded up the story pretty nicely. The setting of this book was constantly changing, and I am very curious, how they managed to portray all this on the stage.
So, to conclude, if you enjoyed the Harry Potter series, you might like this book as well. It is different, it introduces new, unfamiliar characters as well as brings back the old and beloved ones, and it has a little bit less magic, but it is still stunning nevertheless.
Debbiereadsbook (1478 KP) rated When I Look In the Mirror in Books
Aug 22, 2023
liked well enough, but not sure this author is for me!
Independent reviewer for Achaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I liked this, well enough, but I'm not sure this author works for ME. I stress the ME here!
I said in the first book I read from Davenport, I'm With The Band, that I wanted to read another book by this author, but not that series. And this book fits that bill, since it's a stand alone.
But while I read it, finished in under an hour, and there were some things I did like, it just really isn't one for me.
I liked that it doesn't get as scary as I thought it would, once I started reading. Ouija boards are nothing to be messed with, as Tatum finds out here, and I won't ever touch one! Finding a demon in her mists was tricky to deal with but Zach really helps her.
I liked the connection between Zach and Tatum, and how that all plays out. I wasn't sure which way things would play out and it left me hanging for a hot minute!
I didn't like that only Tatum gets a say, I would have liked to hear from Zach.
Like I said, only short, some 70 pages. Not sure it was really for me, but passed a lazy Tuesday morning in bed.
3 good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
I liked this, well enough, but I'm not sure this author works for ME. I stress the ME here!
I said in the first book I read from Davenport, I'm With The Band, that I wanted to read another book by this author, but not that series. And this book fits that bill, since it's a stand alone.
But while I read it, finished in under an hour, and there were some things I did like, it just really isn't one for me.
I liked that it doesn't get as scary as I thought it would, once I started reading. Ouija boards are nothing to be messed with, as Tatum finds out here, and I won't ever touch one! Finding a demon in her mists was tricky to deal with but Zach really helps her.
I liked the connection between Zach and Tatum, and how that all plays out. I wasn't sure which way things would play out and it left me hanging for a hot minute!
I didn't like that only Tatum gets a say, I would have liked to hear from Zach.
Like I said, only short, some 70 pages. Not sure it was really for me, but passed a lazy Tuesday morning in bed.
3 good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated The Girl from the Other Side: Siuil, a Run: Vol. 1 in Books
Dec 29, 2017
Sometimes you just need a simple but intriguing story.
I'm not usually a fan of manga's, I have no idea why but I always have a really hard time getting into them compared to comic books and when I bought The Girl from the Other Side I didn't know it was a manga until it arrived but damn am I glad I still decided to read it.
The story isn't very complicated and for a book so short they covered some of the world building and backstory quickly but at the same time, it didn't feel like it was rush at all. The characters are so interesting that I can't wait to read the next Volume.
My favorite part though and honestly the main reason I even bought this book was the art, the cover just drew me in and I knew I had to have it, the style really goes with the story so well the lights and darks just represent Shiva and "Teacher" so well and the art style is gorgeous and that alone is enough to have me already ordering the next book.
The story isn't very complicated and for a book so short they covered some of the world building and backstory quickly but at the same time, it didn't feel like it was rush at all. The characters are so interesting that I can't wait to read the next Volume.
My favorite part though and honestly the main reason I even bought this book was the art, the cover just drew me in and I knew I had to have it, the style really goes with the story so well the lights and darks just represent Shiva and "Teacher" so well and the art style is gorgeous and that alone is enough to have me already ordering the next book.
Lou Grande (148 KP) rated Teratologist in Books
May 15, 2018
Like a Buddy Cop movie directed by Satan
THE TERATOLOGIST--a researcher of physical abnormalities--is both a disgusting and fun (short) horror novel. Something like a Buddy Cop movie, a writer and photographer go to the mansion of a young billionaire who collects people with birth defects for a single nefarious purpose: to see God.
If you've read Edward Lee's Infernal Series, you may notice the similarities in theme. It isn't just good vs evil, it's Good vs Evil. It has the same dash of irreverent humor and more than enough depravity to make it a fun read for readers with iron stomachs.
That said, this is absolutely not for the faint of heart. If you're easily offended, why are you looking at a book by Edward Lee and Wrath James White to begin with? Both are masters of the splatterpunk genre, which has given birth to the "extreme horror" subgenre. This book will gross you out. Even seasoned readers might cringe at some of the acts depicted in THE TERATOLOGIST. They disgust on a moral and visceral level, but isn't that the point?
If you've read Edward Lee's Infernal Series, you may notice the similarities in theme. It isn't just good vs evil, it's Good vs Evil. It has the same dash of irreverent humor and more than enough depravity to make it a fun read for readers with iron stomachs.
That said, this is absolutely not for the faint of heart. If you're easily offended, why are you looking at a book by Edward Lee and Wrath James White to begin with? Both are masters of the splatterpunk genre, which has given birth to the "extreme horror" subgenre. This book will gross you out. Even seasoned readers might cringe at some of the acts depicted in THE TERATOLOGIST. They disgust on a moral and visceral level, but isn't that the point?
Alli Lamb (4 KP) rated Five Feet Apart (2019) in Movies
Mar 20, 2019
Young adult film that makes you fall in love
Contains spoilers, click to show
What if you couldnt touch the one you loved? I havent read the book yet but I cant wait to read it, I thought the movie was great! Stella suffers from CF (cystic fibrosis) she likes to be in control. Will also has CF and he is very care free he knows life is short and wants to experience it outside hospital walls. Together they give each the thing they need to see life in a new light.
Since Will isnt eligible for new lungs cause of a bacteria, stella needs to stay at least 6 five apart so she doesnt get his bacteria. But with how this disease stole so much from them they want to take one foot back.
While on their date they are at a pool and it's such an intimate moment between them without any physical touching. I hope there is a similar moment in the book if not something that goes into more detail.
I highly enjoyed this film and I was engaged the whole time. Rooting for them so much hoping they would get their happily ever after.
Since Will isnt eligible for new lungs cause of a bacteria, stella needs to stay at least 6 five apart so she doesnt get his bacteria. But with how this disease stole so much from them they want to take one foot back.
While on their date they are at a pool and it's such an intimate moment between them without any physical touching. I hope there is a similar moment in the book if not something that goes into more detail.
I highly enjoyed this film and I was engaged the whole time. Rooting for them so much hoping they would get their happily ever after.
Merissa (13115 KP) rated The Accidental Baker in Books
Apr 30, 2019
The Accidental Baker by Clare London
The Accidental Baker is more like a collection of short stories that all a common theme - Easter, and Donnie's chocolate. Each chapter involves a different couple, and how they meet. ALL of the stories are sweet, some characters are lovely, some (sorry Henry) I really didn't take to.
This was well-written and excellently paced - each story giving just what it needed to work. Personally, I would love to see this progress into their own stories, just so I got more information about each couple. Maybe if I knew more about Henry, he wouldn't grate on me so much. I understood his back story, what we got, but it just didn't do it for me.
A thoroughly enjoyable, quick, seasonal read - absolutely perfect for your coffee break, or when you just have time for a few pages! Just one chapter, and you get a complete story. Definitely recommended.
* 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!
This was well-written and excellently paced - each story giving just what it needed to work. Personally, I would love to see this progress into their own stories, just so I got more information about each couple. Maybe if I knew more about Henry, he wouldn't grate on me so much. I understood his back story, what we got, but it just didn't do it for me.
A thoroughly enjoyable, quick, seasonal read - absolutely perfect for your coffee break, or when you just have time for a few pages! Just one chapter, and you get a complete story. Definitely recommended.
* 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!
Amy Christmas (171 KP) rated The Tattooist of Auschwitz in Books
Jan 16, 2018
It's compelling at times (2 more)
The chapters are short
It's all to the point and not fluffy
Not compelling most of the time (2 more)
Writing can become very bland
It didn't feel real at times
I wouldn't say 'unputdownable'
This book is good, not great but alright.
You follow Lale a Slovakian Jew and in 1942 each family is required to gove over a worker for Labour camps. In hopes to keep his family safe Lale goes to Prague where he's put in a cattle car and shipped to birkaneau.
The story is sad and hopeful and shows the raw need for survival but also that in times like that we can all pull together.
While the story was good and lovely to read about the writing was bland and off-putting at times. I struggled to get through the entire book and put it down for ages at a time because I just wasn't enamoured by the writing as others were.
If you can't look past bad writing and appreciate the story this book is ok for you, but there are better accounts of that period of history waiting to be read.
You follow Lale a Slovakian Jew and in 1942 each family is required to gove over a worker for Labour camps. In hopes to keep his family safe Lale goes to Prague where he's put in a cattle car and shipped to birkaneau.
The story is sad and hopeful and shows the raw need for survival but also that in times like that we can all pull together.
While the story was good and lovely to read about the writing was bland and off-putting at times. I struggled to get through the entire book and put it down for ages at a time because I just wasn't enamoured by the writing as others were.
If you can't look past bad writing and appreciate the story this book is ok for you, but there are better accounts of that period of history waiting to be read.
