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Kevin Wilson (179 KP) rated Whisper Me This in Books
Oct 1, 2018
Captivating story that loses its pace
I want to start by saying i liked this story. The first half was very captivating, and will definitely keep you engaged. The author tackled a very delicate issue about abuse and the characters were very believable.
I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the parents but if you read the sypnosis you can kind of see what's going to happen. I hate they put in a big spoiler in a typical sypnosis. It did lose some of its mystery but was still engaging. This mystery was all reveled halfway through the book and this is when it started to lose its pace and I lost my interest sadly but this is probably because this genre in general has never interested me.
I loved the characters and felt very connected to them. They were believable and you could relate to them.
Because of the big spoiler the story became too predictable which left me very disappointed. The fact I stick with this story despite it not being my kind of book shows that it was still engaging though and I would recommend. Just don't read the story sypnosis first.
I still think the story overcomes the shortcomings, and also think it is an important story to read. It is intense and the author did well telling such a complex story.
I'll give you the spoiler free sypnosis here : Single mother Maisey has always fallen short of her own mother's expectations but she is rushed back home when she hears here mother is in a coma and her father is facing charges of abuse and neglect.
She must make a life and death decision. Her confused father is destroying can't records including her mother's final wishes. What is the big mystery?
I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the parents but if you read the sypnosis you can kind of see what's going to happen. I hate they put in a big spoiler in a typical sypnosis. It did lose some of its mystery but was still engaging. This mystery was all reveled halfway through the book and this is when it started to lose its pace and I lost my interest sadly but this is probably because this genre in general has never interested me.
I loved the characters and felt very connected to them. They were believable and you could relate to them.
Because of the big spoiler the story became too predictable which left me very disappointed. The fact I stick with this story despite it not being my kind of book shows that it was still engaging though and I would recommend. Just don't read the story sypnosis first.
I still think the story overcomes the shortcomings, and also think it is an important story to read. It is intense and the author did well telling such a complex story.
I'll give you the spoiler free sypnosis here : Single mother Maisey has always fallen short of her own mother's expectations but she is rushed back home when she hears here mother is in a coma and her father is facing charges of abuse and neglect.
She must make a life and death decision. Her confused father is destroying can't records including her mother's final wishes. What is the big mystery?
A very odd mix of stories that feature a harvest moon and only the first by Lackey fits the cover, of which makes me think of fairies and moonbeams.
Overall: <b>3.5 stars</b>
<i>A Tangled Web</i> by Mercedes Lackey (Light Fantasy)
A retelling of the Greek myth pertaining to Persephone and Hades, with some added Norse mythology. A cute story, if a little thin on actual plot. I'll probably forget it by next week.
<i>2.5 stars/5</i>
<i>Cast in Moonlight</i> by Michelle Sagara (Fantasy/Urban Fantasy hybrid)
Fascinating mythology and world-building, intriguing characters and races. If I hadn't already been interested in reading the Chronicles of Elantra series, this would have done it. Pretty much a perfect story that stands alone quite well.
<i>5 stars</i>
<i>Retribution</i> by Cameron Haley (Urban Fantasy)
A solid short story dealing with a sorcerer and enforcer for a mob boss. Has some interesting ideas and is a promising beginning to a new series. While it does have cursing, it feels authentic and fits the scenes and characters. This is definitely not a story for the faint of heart.
<i>3 stars</i>
Overall: <b>3.5 stars</b>
<i>A Tangled Web</i> by Mercedes Lackey (Light Fantasy)
A retelling of the Greek myth pertaining to Persephone and Hades, with some added Norse mythology. A cute story, if a little thin on actual plot. I'll probably forget it by next week.
<i>2.5 stars/5</i>
<i>Cast in Moonlight</i> by Michelle Sagara (Fantasy/Urban Fantasy hybrid)
Fascinating mythology and world-building, intriguing characters and races. If I hadn't already been interested in reading the Chronicles of Elantra series, this would have done it. Pretty much a perfect story that stands alone quite well.
<i>5 stars</i>
<i>Retribution</i> by Cameron Haley (Urban Fantasy)
A solid short story dealing with a sorcerer and enforcer for a mob boss. Has some interesting ideas and is a promising beginning to a new series. While it does have cursing, it feels authentic and fits the scenes and characters. This is definitely not a story for the faint of heart.
<i>3 stars</i>

Liliannar (58 KP) rated Mr Mercedes in Books
May 29, 2018
Character development (1 more)
Extremely well narrated
Audible version
From the very earliest of pages the reader is drawn into the horrific events that kick of Mr. Mercedes. It isn't much of a spoiler to say that a deeply troubled person commits an awful crime leaving 8 dead. This happens in the first few pages of the book. From there the reader is taken on an in-depth journey into finding out who this heinous person is and what drove them to commit the act. Along the way characters are developed on both sides of the crime as the reader gets to know Detective Bill Hodges, Holly, Gerome, and of course, Mr. Mercedes. This is a great example of how King can build an extremely full world of characters while telling a compelling story.
In true King style there are bits of the story that just don't seem to add, but aren't necessarily a detraction. Bits of the story move much slower than the main story line but they are intermittent and short in nature. As a whole it doesn't detract from the engrossing nature of the book.
In true King style there are bits of the story that just don't seem to add, but aren't necessarily a detraction. Bits of the story move much slower than the main story line but they are intermittent and short in nature. As a whole it doesn't detract from the engrossing nature of the book.

Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Body of Christ in Books
Jan 31, 2019
One of the things I love about horror is the potential for wildly imaginative happenings. Like fantasy, some crazy things can take place–only with horror, it’s more attuned to the things we fear. In Mark Matthews Body of Christ, we see the fantastic in strange, everyday behaviors.
Body of Christ tells the story of two children simultaneously, one a young boy whose mother is abusive and father kills himself, the other a girl whose mother has died and her father neglects her. Both children are peculiar in their own ways, and it is deliciously disturbing. Despite how messed up the story is, I can’t help but feel a bit of pity for the children and that’s a good thing, considering they’re the herald of bad things to come.
The story is quick-paced, with no time wasted. Considering my short attention span, this is a plus. Boredom often leads to me not finishing a story. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this work. I feel that the plot was unique and I love the way Matthews describes his horrific things.
I received a free copy of this book. This is my unbiased opinion.
Body of Christ tells the story of two children simultaneously, one a young boy whose mother is abusive and father kills himself, the other a girl whose mother has died and her father neglects her. Both children are peculiar in their own ways, and it is deliciously disturbing. Despite how messed up the story is, I can’t help but feel a bit of pity for the children and that’s a good thing, considering they’re the herald of bad things to come.
The story is quick-paced, with no time wasted. Considering my short attention span, this is a plus. Boredom often leads to me not finishing a story. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this work. I feel that the plot was unique and I love the way Matthews describes his horrific things.
I received a free copy of this book. This is my unbiased opinion.

Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Baby Rescue (Creatures of Dawnia #1) in Books
Nov 8, 2019
Fuzz the mouse is lonely and needs some friends. What he doesn't need is to be eaten by a pterodactyl. When he finds out that Dack, the pterodactyl, is also lonely they strike up a friendship. When they then witness the kidnap of a baby pig by goblins, they set off on an adventure and make many more friends.
For a short children's story this certainly contains a lot of characters - and every single one of them is interesting in their own way. This would be a great story to read aloud as there are so many opportunities for funny voices, from sleepy camels to sly goblins. The story moves quickly too, never getting bogged down and always presenting something new and interesting to keep younger minds happy. The message of the importance of friendship and being nice runs through the whole story, making it a very positive book.
This is a great introduction to the City of Dawnia and the varied creatures who live there, definitely one that younger children will enjoy having read to them, and then reading themselves when they are older.
For a short children's story this certainly contains a lot of characters - and every single one of them is interesting in their own way. This would be a great story to read aloud as there are so many opportunities for funny voices, from sleepy camels to sly goblins. The story moves quickly too, never getting bogged down and always presenting something new and interesting to keep younger minds happy. The message of the importance of friendship and being nice runs through the whole story, making it a very positive book.
This is a great introduction to the City of Dawnia and the varied creatures who live there, definitely one that younger children will enjoy having read to them, and then reading themselves when they are older.

A Dog's Purpose
Book
This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog's search for his purpose over the course of...

Leaf by Niggle
Book
Published for the very first time in its own volume, Tolkien's remarkable tale about a painter whose...

Merissa (13275 KP) rated Wayward Stripper in Books
Aug 30, 2023
A great story that left me wanting more!
WAYWARD STRIPPER is a short novella about a trans man on the run from his abusive ex, who lands a trial run at an Omega (Ladies) Club. The Head Dancer, Tristan, is on hand to help in any way and the sparks are instantaneous.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, but I wanted so much more! I would love for this to be a full-length novel, so I can get all the background information I want - the ex-relationship, Jake's escape, and more between Jake and Tristan. As a novella, it is fast-paced, but I would have loved more of the nitty-gritty that gives the story some depth. For me, it was a little too fast, with chunks either missed out or skipped over.
A great story that left me wanting! I would still recommend it though!
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 30, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, but I wanted so much more! I would love for this to be a full-length novel, so I can get all the background information I want - the ex-relationship, Jake's escape, and more between Jake and Tristan. As a novella, it is fast-paced, but I would have loved more of the nitty-gritty that gives the story some depth. For me, it was a little too fast, with chunks either missed out or skipped over.
A great story that left me wanting! I would still recommend it though!
** 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; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 30, 2023

Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated How to Stop Time in Books
Jan 6, 2018
A little glib, better as a young adult novel
Matt Haig's novel, soon to be a motion picture with Benedict Cumberbatch, has had rave reviews, yet I feel I'm in the minority in saying it fell short of expectations.
Following Tom Hazard, an unusual protagonist with a rare condition which has made him live for centuries, has been searching for his daughter ever since he was forced to leave her. Describing major events in history, Hazard continues to change his identity in order to survive becoming a history teacher as his current persona. All the while being controlled by the mysterious Hendricks. Is it better to live for a short while with love, or for eternity alone?
While the story is imaginative, the characters are underdeveloped and the constant time change is inconsistent. The plot may be a little too juvenile for me, not really to my taste. Enjoy the film.
Following Tom Hazard, an unusual protagonist with a rare condition which has made him live for centuries, has been searching for his daughter ever since he was forced to leave her. Describing major events in history, Hazard continues to change his identity in order to survive becoming a history teacher as his current persona. All the while being controlled by the mysterious Hendricks. Is it better to live for a short while with love, or for eternity alone?
While the story is imaginative, the characters are underdeveloped and the constant time change is inconsistent. The plot may be a little too juvenile for me, not really to my taste. Enjoy the film.

Ross (3284 KP) rated Of Gods and Men in Books
Jan 31, 2018
Enough hints to anticipate twists and reveals (1 more)
Short and concise
Fantastic taster of Aryan's writing and world
*** I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***
This novella serves as an excellent taster of Stephen Aryan's writing style and the world in which his other books take place. I haven't read any of his other work yet, but as this is a prequel I didn't feel I was missing out on any inside knowledge. If anything, this book serves as an expanded backstory to one of the main characters of the first series, Vargus.
I really enjoyed the entry into the world, Aryan's easy-flowing narrative and the short, concise self-contained story which contains some good, well described action scenes, good dialogue and hints at a larger world to be explored and does lead you to want to read more.
This novella serves as an excellent taster of Stephen Aryan's writing style and the world in which his other books take place. I haven't read any of his other work yet, but as this is a prequel I didn't feel I was missing out on any inside knowledge. If anything, this book serves as an expanded backstory to one of the main characters of the first series, Vargus.
I really enjoyed the entry into the world, Aryan's easy-flowing narrative and the short, concise self-contained story which contains some good, well described action scenes, good dialogue and hints at a larger world to be explored and does lead you to want to read more.