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Sarah (7800 KP) rated My Name is Monster in Books
Sep 15, 2020
An interesting read
My main reason for choosing this book was on the basis of @ClareR review, and I'm glad I did as I enjoyed this much more than expected.
Post-apocalyptic books are a dime a dozen and I've read many over the years, with varying degrees of success. When I first picked up My Name is Monster I was worried it would be nothing new, but it's actually a very interesting read that I struggled to put down. The beginning of the story isn't anything different with a lone survivor scavenging in an empty world (I kept picturing something similar to 28 Days Later minus the infected), but it's how it's written that really got me hooked. I really liked the writing style and the short chapters, and I think Monster's plight was interesting. My biggest issue was with the second part of the book. There's a lot of questioning around mother, creator etc which was fine, but I found it got a little rambling at times which made it slower to get through. I also had to suspend my disbelief at how easy something was for her as it is a teensy bit ridiculous.
But that said, this is still a very enjoyable book and worth a read, especially if you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories.
Post-apocalyptic books are a dime a dozen and I've read many over the years, with varying degrees of success. When I first picked up My Name is Monster I was worried it would be nothing new, but it's actually a very interesting read that I struggled to put down. The beginning of the story isn't anything different with a lone survivor scavenging in an empty world (I kept picturing something similar to 28 Days Later minus the infected), but it's how it's written that really got me hooked. I really liked the writing style and the short chapters, and I think Monster's plight was interesting. My biggest issue was with the second part of the book. There's a lot of questioning around mother, creator etc which was fine, but I found it got a little rambling at times which made it slower to get through. I also had to suspend my disbelief at how easy something was for her as it is a teensy bit ridiculous.
But that said, this is still a very enjoyable book and worth a read, especially if you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories.
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Fables: Volume 1: Legends in Exile in Books
Nov 30, 2020
<i>Ed. Note: this review was based on a re-reading, some years after the first reading.</i>
So, prior to writing this review, I wanted to peruse the reviews on here, to see what others said, reducing the risk of writing something already said. What I found were a number of 1-Star reviews, something I found to be quite surprising!
Not every comic (or book, for that matter) will necessarily start with an amazing first arc. It may be good, yes, but it could also be polished in spots. However, despite little things that could be better, the overall content should be seen as good enough to warrant reading the second story arc.
That is how I felt at the conclusion of this first volume, a mystery of sorts that also served to introduce us to a number of characters who go on to appear as series regulars. Sure, the dialogue was not perfect (really? Comparing it to Gaiman's SANDMAN? Like trying to compare RICK & MORTY to THE LAST UNICORN!), but I can safely say that the series matures, like a well-aged wine, and later issues are much, much better.
Long and short: it's an urban fantasy with the fables we grew up with. Go in without an judgments or comparisons, and you might be pleasantly surprised. Jus' sayin'..
So, prior to writing this review, I wanted to peruse the reviews on here, to see what others said, reducing the risk of writing something already said. What I found were a number of 1-Star reviews, something I found to be quite surprising!
Not every comic (or book, for that matter) will necessarily start with an amazing first arc. It may be good, yes, but it could also be polished in spots. However, despite little things that could be better, the overall content should be seen as good enough to warrant reading the second story arc.
That is how I felt at the conclusion of this first volume, a mystery of sorts that also served to introduce us to a number of characters who go on to appear as series regulars. Sure, the dialogue was not perfect (really? Comparing it to Gaiman's SANDMAN? Like trying to compare RICK & MORTY to THE LAST UNICORN!), but I can safely say that the series matures, like a well-aged wine, and later issues are much, much better.
Long and short: it's an urban fantasy with the fables we grew up with. Go in without an judgments or comparisons, and you might be pleasantly surprised. Jus' sayin'..
Merissa (13123 KP) rated Speak of the Devil (Broken Halos #2) in Books
Jun 27, 2019
Speak of the Devil (Broken Halos #2) by Maya Daniels
Speak of the Devil is the second book in the Broken Halos series, and we reunite with Hel and Eric. Hel is being held prisoner by Michael, as Eric desperately searches for her. Help comes from an unexpected source, and Hel is freed. Of course, it doesn't stop there, because then it would be a very short book. Instead, Hel starts gaining new powers, Eric has to tune down his monster-mash rage, they have sexy times, oh, and try to find Hector before he loses any further body parts.
Hel's attitude is as sassy as ever, and I love how she goes toe to toe with Eric. Maddison is a blast, although I know there is more to her than meets the eye. Raphael has a story he doesn't want to share, which just makes me want it all the more. All in all, this is a non-stop read, full of action and chaos.
Ending on a cliffhanger (just like book one), this will definitely leave you wanting more. A great second book, and definitely recommended by me.
* 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!
Hel's attitude is as sassy as ever, and I love how she goes toe to toe with Eric. Maddison is a blast, although I know there is more to her than meets the eye. Raphael has a story he doesn't want to share, which just makes me want it all the more. All in all, this is a non-stop read, full of action and chaos.
Ending on a cliffhanger (just like book one), this will definitely leave you wanting more. A great second book, and definitely recommended by me.
* 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!
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated American Horror Story - Season 1 in TV
Aug 29, 2019 (Updated Sep 17, 2019)
The start of something weird and (sometimes) wonderful
I recently convinced my partner to watch Game of Thrones (she loved it in case you were worried) and the deal was, when we were done with GoT, we would watch one of her favourite shows - American Horror Story.
As we sat down to watch the first season (often referred to as Murder House) of this anthology style series, I wasn't too sure what to expect, but I ended up really enjoying our time with the Harmons.
The season has a suitably creepy tone throughout, and a plot line that keeps you in the dark with what happens throughout, and a pretty impressive amount of violence and horror effects.
The huge positive about this show though is obviously the ensemble cast.
Evan Peters, Taissa Farmiga, Frances Conroy, and Jessica Lange in particular all carve in some really memorable parts to the overall series.
Sarah Paulson doesn't star too much in season 1, but her short time is a nice taster for the important roles she will play moving forwards.
The overall tone can be campy and hammy at times, but that balance throughout Murder House is pretty good.
We ended up watching the whole season in a couple of nights, and I'm glad that I let AHS into my viewing life 👍
As we sat down to watch the first season (often referred to as Murder House) of this anthology style series, I wasn't too sure what to expect, but I ended up really enjoying our time with the Harmons.
The season has a suitably creepy tone throughout, and a plot line that keeps you in the dark with what happens throughout, and a pretty impressive amount of violence and horror effects.
The huge positive about this show though is obviously the ensemble cast.
Evan Peters, Taissa Farmiga, Frances Conroy, and Jessica Lange in particular all carve in some really memorable parts to the overall series.
Sarah Paulson doesn't star too much in season 1, but her short time is a nice taster for the important roles she will play moving forwards.
The overall tone can be campy and hammy at times, but that balance throughout Murder House is pretty good.
We ended up watching the whole season in a couple of nights, and I'm glad that I let AHS into my viewing life 👍
Christine A. (965 KP) rated The Whisper Man in Books
Aug 31, 2019 (Updated Aug 31, 2019)
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
In The Whisper Man, recently widowed Tom Kennedy moves to Featherbank for a fresh start. What he does not realize is the town has a dark history and, as the old saying goes, history always repeats itself. Twenty years ago, a serial killer abducted and killed people whom he lured out of their house by whispering at their windows at night. Kennedy quickly becomes too familiar with this because his son hears whispering at his window.
The Whisper Man is a dark, suspenseful thriller by Alex North. According to his bio, North is a British crime writer who has previously published under another name. This is his first book published under Alex North. Betterreading.com sums up the mystery by saying "So, who is Alex North? Time will probably tell, but in the meantime, the biggest thriller of 2019 has been written by the Whisper Man himself."
The short chapters move the story at a fast pace. I had a hard time finding an appropriate place to stop reading because each chapter ended with me wanting more. There is a supernatural element but it is not the main focus.
I am looking forward to more by Alex North, whomever he is.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 8/30/19.
In The Whisper Man, recently widowed Tom Kennedy moves to Featherbank for a fresh start. What he does not realize is the town has a dark history and, as the old saying goes, history always repeats itself. Twenty years ago, a serial killer abducted and killed people whom he lured out of their house by whispering at their windows at night. Kennedy quickly becomes too familiar with this because his son hears whispering at his window.
The Whisper Man is a dark, suspenseful thriller by Alex North. According to his bio, North is a British crime writer who has previously published under another name. This is his first book published under Alex North. Betterreading.com sums up the mystery by saying "So, who is Alex North? Time will probably tell, but in the meantime, the biggest thriller of 2019 has been written by the Whisper Man himself."
The short chapters move the story at a fast pace. I had a hard time finding an appropriate place to stop reading because each chapter ended with me wanting more. There is a supernatural element but it is not the main focus.
I am looking forward to more by Alex North, whomever he is.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 8/30/19.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Dead Set in TV
Aug 18, 2019 (Updated Oct 25, 2019)
Dead Set in short - a six part British drama series, set around a zombie apocalypse, where most of the story takes place in the Big Brother house.
It's also from the mind of Charlie Brooker - the creator of Black Mirror, and the results are pretty good.
The opening episode deals with an eviction night of the British Big Brother series, where everyone involved both on camera and behind the scenes go about their usual business.
As a virus takes hold and chaos quickly ensues, the Big Brother housemates are trapped inside the house - which happens to be pretty secure.
The way that Dead Set is shot is frantic when the action starts. It's nasty and gritty whilst keeping a British dark humour sort of charm without ever going full comedy. In fact, the series is really quite bleak throughout.
The episodes run at 20 minutes each with an extended pilot, clocking in at just over 2 hours and it managed to hold my attention throughout.
Of course, being a Charlie Brooker project, there's an underlying message - as the zombie horde surrounding the house grows and grows, even in death, the public are drawn towards trashy reality shows.
Considering Dead Set is a TV show aired on Channel 4, it's pretty impressive. Well worth checking out for anyone who enjoys horror.
It's also from the mind of Charlie Brooker - the creator of Black Mirror, and the results are pretty good.
The opening episode deals with an eviction night of the British Big Brother series, where everyone involved both on camera and behind the scenes go about their usual business.
As a virus takes hold and chaos quickly ensues, the Big Brother housemates are trapped inside the house - which happens to be pretty secure.
The way that Dead Set is shot is frantic when the action starts. It's nasty and gritty whilst keeping a British dark humour sort of charm without ever going full comedy. In fact, the series is really quite bleak throughout.
The episodes run at 20 minutes each with an extended pilot, clocking in at just over 2 hours and it managed to hold my attention throughout.
Of course, being a Charlie Brooker project, there's an underlying message - as the zombie horde surrounding the house grows and grows, even in death, the public are drawn towards trashy reality shows.
Considering Dead Set is a TV show aired on Channel 4, it's pretty impressive. Well worth checking out for anyone who enjoys horror.
Nest: The Art of Birds
Book
We tend to take birds for granted, in the landscape or in our neighbourhoods. The presence of birds...
Kill Someone
9.0
Rate It
Book
From the author of the international best seller The Stone Man, short-listed for Audible UK's Book...
crime fiction
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated The Bone Knife (Dauntless Path, #1.5) in Books
Oct 2, 2020
The Bone Knife by Intisar Khanani is a prequel to a new series, The Theft of Sunlight that is hopefully coming out in 2021. This prequel was included in my copy of Thorn, which I loved, and I thought I would also share what I think of The Bone Knife.
Synopsis
Rae knows how to look out for her family. Born with a deformed foot, she feigns indifference to the pity and insults that come her way. Wary of all things beautiful, Rae instantly distrusts their latest visitor: an appallingly attractive faerie. Further, his presence imperils the secret her sister guards. But when the local townspeople show up demanding his blood, Rae must find a way to protect both her sister’s secret and their guest. Even if that means risking herself.
My Thoughts:
Even though this prequel is only 35 pages long, I felt incredibly invested in this story. Rae is such a sweet soul, and it's no surprise that she attracted the attention of the faerie. I also loved how Rae's relationship with her sister is so strong. She will do anything to prevent people from knowing that her sister possesses magical powers.
Beautifully written with very descriptive characters, this was a lovely nice short read that made me so excited about book one - The Theft of Sunlight.
Synopsis
Rae knows how to look out for her family. Born with a deformed foot, she feigns indifference to the pity and insults that come her way. Wary of all things beautiful, Rae instantly distrusts their latest visitor: an appallingly attractive faerie. Further, his presence imperils the secret her sister guards. But when the local townspeople show up demanding his blood, Rae must find a way to protect both her sister’s secret and their guest. Even if that means risking herself.
My Thoughts:
Even though this prequel is only 35 pages long, I felt incredibly invested in this story. Rae is such a sweet soul, and it's no surprise that she attracted the attention of the faerie. I also loved how Rae's relationship with her sister is so strong. She will do anything to prevent people from knowing that her sister possesses magical powers.
Beautifully written with very descriptive characters, this was a lovely nice short read that made me so excited about book one - The Theft of Sunlight.
Homesick for Another World
Book
The debut short story collection by the author of Eileen, shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2016....
Fiction social issues
ClareR (5916 KP) Sep 15, 2020