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Biggles Learns to Fly
Biggles Learns to Fly
W.E. Johns | 1935 | Children
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was going to start this by saying this was the earliest set of the Biggles stories, back in The First World War.

Then I did a bit of research, and discovered that it depends upon how (and what) you are counting as a Biggles story/book - see http://www.biggles.info/

Perhaps, then, it would be better to say that this is the earliest set of any I have read.

Published in 1935, this is (apparently) a collection of 12 separate short stories, all of which are loosely linked together and follows some of Biggles earlier exploits.

I realise I'm not the target audience for these (I'm now too old). I don't care: sometimes it's nice just to re-live your childhood!
  
Blood of Elves
Blood of Elves
Andrzej Sapkowski | 2008 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
8.3 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the first full-length Witcher novel, which I read after both the collection of short stories contained with The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny

This is the novel that inspired the video game of the same name, and the upcoming (as of time of writing) Netflix adaptation, with Geralt - as the novel starts - already having taken guardianship of Ciri, and having a history with Yennefer as war begins to brew between the 'elder' races and mankind.

I think I will read some more of these to see where the story goes, although - at the moment - I think I may take a break from this particular genre of novel, having read a few of that genre in relatively close succession.
  
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Hazel (1853 KP) rated Nine Ways to Die in Books

Jan 24, 2021  
Nine Ways to Die
Nine Ways to Die
Jordan Elizabeth Mierek | 2021 | Paranormal, Young Adult (YA)
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fifteen-year-old January "Jan" hates the new town she has moved to but loves her new boyfriend, Jean. Her parents are never home, and her sister is in hospital, so she spends the summer days with her new friends. The only people she meets are around her age, and she never comes across any adults. The buildings are decrepit and old, almost like a ghost town. The more time Jan spends with her friends, the more peculiar the town, Memoir Falls feels.

Nine Ways to Die is a short story by versatile writer, Jordan Elizabeth. The details about Jan's past gradually emerge until Jan, along with the reader, discovers the truth about the strange town and its inhabitants. There are clues everywhere, but like Jan, readers fail to notice them until they come together in a sudden climax.

Through Jan's eyes, readers experience the town as though they are also new inhabitants. Although it is a short story, there is so much on offer: suspense, romance, thrills, and the supernatural. For those familiar with Jordan Elizabeth's work, this is a welcome addition to her vast collection of books. For newbie readers, this is a tempting taste of the author's full potential.
  
    Boo

    Boo

    Neil Smith

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

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    From Neil Smith, author of the award-winning, internationally acclaimed story collection Bang...

Haunted House Murder
Haunted House Murder
Leslie Meier | 2022 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Weak Novella
Halloween is coming, but everyone in Tinker’s Cove is talking about the old, abandoned house in town. While it looks run down from the outside, someone has bought it and moved in during the middle of the night. However, they aren’t very friendly, rebuffing Lucy’s and other’s attempts to welcome them to town. Then the rumors start flying and strange events start happening. What is really going on in this house?

I know that the Lucy Stone series is extremely popular, but I struggle to get through the stories I have read. Part of it is Lucy’s family. I haven’t spent enough time with them to look past their faults and love them, I guess. And, let’s face it, that is often what we have to do with people in real life. In this case, I found the story to be better suited to a short story than even a novella. It’s not bad, but it felt drawn out and a little forced.

NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Haunted House Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time consider this Halloween trip to Maine.
  
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ClareR (5674 KP) rated Honeycomb in Books

Nov 30, 2021  
Honeycomb
Honeycomb
Joanne M. Harris | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Honeycomb by Joanne Harris is a collection of short fairy tales that are all connected by way of the Lacewing King so that a bigger picture of this world is built. The Lacewing King is a cruel and selfish ruler, as are many of the Kings and Queens of the Silken Folk. However the Lacewing King begins to learn that there are consequences to his actions.

I loved these stories. I’m a huge fan of fairytales, myths and legends - they’re most definitely not just stories for children, as these dark and often disturbing stories prove. In fact, these short tales are just like the original fairy tales, in that people are tricked, driven to madness and die (but not ALL the time!).

The seemingly separate stories gives the reader more insight to the world of the Silken Folk, and the overarching story of the Lacewing King was just perfection. The beautiful artwork by Charles Vess really does make this a very special book, and I’m going to be sad to see it go back to the library!

I’d highly recommend this wonderful book.