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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Oct 16, 2021
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated The Self-Working Trick (and Other Stories) in Books
Feb 2, 2022
Eli Faces Crime in This Short Story Collection
For the eighth book in the Eli Marks series, author John Gaspard decided to present a short story collection. While two have been previously released, the rest of the twelve stories here are new. Over the course of this collection, Eli must help his ex-wife and her new husband figure out what happened in a bizarre murder/suicide case. Eli finds himself being questioned by the police when someone who gave him a one-star review is found dead. Eli finds himself being sent in by the police to perform magic for a man who refuses to come out of his house. And Eli and his uncle Harry figure out what happened to a man shot in front of a crowd on Halloween night.
While a couple of the stories don’t feature a crime, they still give us a great chance to see Eli in action and let us get some insight into his character. The rest of the stories feature a crime, often with a perfect puzzle that only makes sense when Eli uses his knowledge of the principles of magic to solve it. If you want to be fooled by magic, you’ll be happy to know that these principles are discussed in such a way that the solution to the mystery makes sense, but the specifics of how a trick works aren’t ruined. I love that. Fans will love getting these small glimpses of what else Eli has been up to between the big cases we’ve already read about. If you are new to the character, you’ll find the information you need to follow these cases with nothing from the regular novels spoiled. Most importantly, these stories are fun, with a few laughs along the way as well. This is a completely enjoyable short story collection.
While a couple of the stories don’t feature a crime, they still give us a great chance to see Eli in action and let us get some insight into his character. The rest of the stories feature a crime, often with a perfect puzzle that only makes sense when Eli uses his knowledge of the principles of magic to solve it. If you want to be fooled by magic, you’ll be happy to know that these principles are discussed in such a way that the solution to the mystery makes sense, but the specifics of how a trick works aren’t ruined. I love that. Fans will love getting these small glimpses of what else Eli has been up to between the big cases we’ve already read about. If you are new to the character, you’ll find the information you need to follow these cases with nothing from the regular novels spoiled. Most importantly, these stories are fun, with a few laughs along the way as well. This is a completely enjoyable short story collection.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Tenth of December in Books
Nov 21, 2017
Dark, disturbing and satirical
This collection of short stories cannot be pigeon-holed. In this oddly disjointed, surreal collection, the underlying issues in modern American culture are loudly explored. George Saunders' breathless writing style floods over terrible realities and hard truths, leaving the reader gasping in its wake.
Tenth of December handles its running themes in a poignant, individual and certainly irreverent way. Narcissistic ideas of charity stems from trivial competition, while sheer denial is shown in the face of true poverty. Generations breed generations, passing on corrupted ideals and traumatic examples. Paedophilia, racism, poverty: nothing is safe from these chastising, powerful stories.
Saunders leaves an expunged, brutally telling view of the American dream. In his futuristic imaginings, he exaggerates the failings of Western consumerism, yet ultimately his message is clear: When one tries to have it all, they're left with nothing.
Tenth of December handles its running themes in a poignant, individual and certainly irreverent way. Narcissistic ideas of charity stems from trivial competition, while sheer denial is shown in the face of true poverty. Generations breed generations, passing on corrupted ideals and traumatic examples. Paedophilia, racism, poverty: nothing is safe from these chastising, powerful stories.
Saunders leaves an expunged, brutally telling view of the American dream. In his futuristic imaginings, he exaggerates the failings of Western consumerism, yet ultimately his message is clear: When one tries to have it all, they're left with nothing.
Ameeka (131 KP) rated The Walking Dead: 400 Days in Video Games
Jul 13, 2017
Writing (1 more)
Stories
Nice filler between Seasons 1 and 2
400 Days is a short game that tells us about the Zombie Armageddon from five different viewpoints. I had no idea what was going on when the game started, just that I needed to choose who I was going to be. I didn't realize that I was going to be playing ALL FIVE of the characters, thus I played them out of (chronological) order.
Chronological order:
Vince - Day 2
Wyatt - Day 41
Russell - Day 184
Bonnie - Day 220
Shel - Day 236
Although you can play them in any order you wish, I recommend doing them in time-order since their stories can overlap. I did not feel a deep connection to these five characters, but I am amazed by Telltale's ability to evoke emotion even thought being half the length of an episode.
Chronological order:
Vince - Day 2
Wyatt - Day 41
Russell - Day 184
Bonnie - Day 220
Shel - Day 236
Although you can play them in any order you wish, I recommend doing them in time-order since their stories can overlap. I did not feel a deep connection to these five characters, but I am amazed by Telltale's ability to evoke emotion even thought being half the length of an episode.
Sam (74 KP) rated Let it Snow in Books
Mar 27, 2019
Three stories that slowly merge into one? I need more of this in my life. Why can’t more books be written like this? Because I love that you get three different points of view and you get to see the turn of events that means that all three stories merge in the most unlikely way.
Every character is quirky, and I can’t say I would expect anything less from this group of authors. They are all so individual and really developed. It read like a perfect novel, with no plot holes or nothing left unexplained.
And I loved that it is so unique! There isn’t a Christmas novel out there that is quite like this, and I’m still hoping that one day it will get turned into a movie. It would make the most amazing film to snuggle up with.
Every character is quirky, and I can’t say I would expect anything less from this group of authors. They are all so individual and really developed. It read like a perfect novel, with no plot holes or nothing left unexplained.
And I loved that it is so unique! There isn’t a Christmas novel out there that is quite like this, and I’m still hoping that one day it will get turned into a movie. It would make the most amazing film to snuggle up with.
Dana (24 KP) rated Little Knife (Grisha Verse, #2.6) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
This is one of the companion stories to the Grishaverse novels, and I loved it.
I really respect when authors put together stories that would be in the folklore of the world they built. I can imagine Alina or Nina getting told this story when she was a kid.
I loved how this story was so much about girl power and a woman's rights to her own personhood.
I enjoy any kind of fairy tale, but I especially love one that takes place in a world I adore. The language used was very mysterious and lyrical, much like the Grimm Brothers or Hans Christian Anderson would use in their classic fairy tales.
I loved the twists and spins in the story.
Spoilers ahead. You have been warned.
Don't trust rivers, they may be FREAKING GODS IN DISGUISE!?!?!?!?
I really respect when authors put together stories that would be in the folklore of the world they built. I can imagine Alina or Nina getting told this story when she was a kid.
I loved how this story was so much about girl power and a woman's rights to her own personhood.
I enjoy any kind of fairy tale, but I especially love one that takes place in a world I adore. The language used was very mysterious and lyrical, much like the Grimm Brothers or Hans Christian Anderson would use in their classic fairy tales.
I loved the twists and spins in the story.
Spoilers ahead. You have been warned.
Don't trust rivers, they may be FREAKING GODS IN DISGUISE!?!?!?!?
Louise (64 KP) rated The Lavender Witch in Books
Jul 2, 2018
I was lucky enough to get a free copy of the book from the goodreads giveaway, the description of the book intrigued me as I enjoy books based on true stories. Kitty and Gordon move into their new home in medbury Devon, when after a few days strange things start occurring in the house. Hannah beamish is a legendary witch in Devon and everyone thinks they know what become of her! Or do they?. The story goes back and forth from the 1800's to nowadays. The story written in italics is the story of what happened to Hannah beamish with the 2 stories coming together at the end.
I very much enjoyed this book, it becomes very dark and quite scary at some points, which I am frightened for kitty. I would recommend this book who into ghosts/witchcraft/true events.
I very much enjoyed this book, it becomes very dark and quite scary at some points, which I am frightened for kitty. I would recommend this book who into ghosts/witchcraft/true events.