I found this book for free on Smashwords and bought it for no other reason than the quirky title. Great Absurd, crazy and vivid. A rollercoaster ride.
I found this book for free on Smashwords and bought it for no other reason than the quirky title. Great story.
The story is told from the perspective of a young man who is trying to find his missing uncle. Although the main character is a teen, this book seems like it targets adult readers.
The story features stopped time, ninja girl scouts, clones, aliens, and overly friendly enemies. Everything is connected with everything else, and nothing happens without a reason, no matter how absurd. Although some (or perhaps all) of the scenarios are outrageous, they are all described in a way that I could picture them clearly in my mind.
Overall, I really liked this story for its vivid storytelling and meticulously interconnected absurdity. People who like over the top stories featuring humor, mysterious happenings, and quirky, yet well-developed characters may like this story.
It's number two in a series. I didn't realize that until nearly through. I imagine that some of the things that confused me would have made more sense if I had started with the first one. Still, in my opinion, the book's good enough to stand alone. Now I have to go pick up number one.
The Golden Compass presents a world where humans are accompanied by an external manifestation of their souls. They call them daemons,A fantastic book.
The Golden Compass presents a world where humans are accompanied by an external manifestation of their souls. They call them daemons, which might bring to mind something sinister, but in this case they are not. They take on the form of animals, linked to the nature of their human companions, shifting between forms with the speed of thought until their humans reach puberty.
The world itself is similar to ours. Basically, it's portrayed as an alternate universe or alternate reality that could exist even now alongside our own. But in this reality we have the daemon companions, flying witches who live hundreds of years, and speaking bears who are fierce and proud. Yet even these fantastic things are presented in a way that they are believable within the world they inhabit.
As for the characters, they are proud, flawed, loveable, scary, aloof, all the things that would make up a real person. Lyra, of course, is my favorite. She's a wild child left to raise herself among the street children, leading pranks and battles against other groups of them in the city. She is easy to root for, admirably pushing through her fears and working past the limitations of her own childhood to achieve her goals.
Mrs. Coulter, another of the main characters, makes an excellent villain. She is sweet, beautiful, and elegant. But she is also frightening and shows a total lack of empathy towards anyone but herself and, of course, Lyra. I won't go into any more details there, as the book will do a much better job of it.
The story also touches on an underlying theme of hypocracy and the danger of a world controlled by the Church. It presents a scenario where the fear of an unknown and the drive to eliminate sin at its source result in targeting the most innocent and vulnerable among the population: children. All in the name of the greater good, yet are we surprised that the perpetrators would not include their own children in their experiments?
Although the Church in the story seems based on christianity, I don't think the author intends this story to say that christianity itself (or rather solely christianity) is necessarily a bad thing. Instead, I get the impression that it was chosen because of the historical strength of the Catholic Church and the plausibility of an alternate reality where that power is never diminished by protestantism. I think the book is trying to show that any religion with such control and power over the government, the schools, and the general population, no matter how well meaning, could become corrupted. To say the least, this story and the parallels it draws with our world provide fuel for thought.
I highly recommend this story to those who enjoy fantasy, mystery, and adventures. I also think that those who like to look for deeper meanings, symbols, and links to real life will find this story a satisfying one.
I was loaned a copy of this book from a friend after a conversation turned to the topic of the related movie....more
Full length novel, but reads like a fable. Beautiful language use. Well edited.
I love the easy and humorous way this story is told, while still communFull length novel, but reads like a fable. Beautiful language use. Well edited.
I love the easy and humorous way this story is told, while still communicating a deeper message. Finnegan's Quest is like Animal Farm, but more entertaining. There's a mystery to solve and Finnegan and Crookshank are well on their way to solving it.
Young Finnegan, leaving home for the first time, believes his mother's lessons are just fine for a kit, but he's fully grown now and such things like "don't talk to strangers" and "pay attention" just won't cut it. Nope, he's in the market for a great teacher, a guru who can unlock the mysteries of life and the universe. Someone glorious and strong and impressive. Someone like Duh Fuz, the most fearsome beast of Squiggly Wood. But Spirit has someone else in mind for Finnegan's guru...
Crookshank is an old crow with a gimpy leg, compliments of a run in with Duh Fuz in her younger days, but you won't find her complaining. Though it's crooked, occassionally achy and not much good for walking, her leg is in tune with the vibrations of the universe. A useful gift that gives her insight into the world and her fellow critters. And sometimes, if she listens just right, she can tune right into the guiding voice of Spirit.
Finnegan and Crookshank as student and teacher are a great duo. Finnegan is naive and optimistic, but is beset on every side by those who would lead him to harm, to self-deprecation, to chain letters, and to get rich quick scams. He becomes the focal point of Squiggly Woods as critters from all walks of life work to convince him that their way is best, that their leader is all-knowing and that only by following can happiness be gained. But luckily for Finnegan, Crookshank is there for him. Her quick wit and timely interventions don't make Finnegan think like her, but they do help him learn to think for himself and recognize when things aren't what they seem to be.
The rest of the characters in this tale are equal parts cautionary and entertaining. The city rat who walks with a twitch because it's in. The whirly gigs who twirl until they are dizzy and moan "woe is me" at the results. Buford the bullfrog preacher. Duh Fuz, the terror of the wood. And Dame Squeeze, a ferret who has it all figured out. And I love how even the smallest of characters brings a valuable lesson.
I knew I loved this book only a few paragraphs in and though some of the lessons in it are tough or touch on serious issues like religious fanaticism, drug abuse, and predatory marketing, all were delivered in a whimsical and enriching way. The messages and warnings are there, but the storytelling is brilliant and lyrical.
As for the quality of the writing, it's excellent. The pacing, the flow, the plot: everything works. The story is obviously well-edited and well-planned. I found only one error in the whole thing, and I was looking for them. I've read best sellers with more than that.
Overall, I loved this book. It's one of those books that I know I'll return to many times, worth reading again and again because there will always be some new thing to discover with each retelling. I highly recommend this story to those who enjoy allegory, animal characters, humor, and enrichment.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, non-reciprocal review. ...more
I love this! I've been practicing karate for a few years and know some of the related history, but this book really brings it to life. It's a mix of hI love this! I've been practicing karate for a few years and know some of the related history, but this book really brings it to life. It's a mix of history and anecdotal stories of those who contributed to karate as we know it today.
Also included are photographs of several of the more recent masters and of students performing various katas (forms). Although it was interesting to look through these, I didn't find the kata photos easy to follow. They weren't numbered or captioned, and without already knowing them, I couldn't figure out what order the moves would be performed in.
I spent considerable time looking for Tatsuo Shimabuku in the geneologies, but I think they linked him in with his brother. He is the founder of Isshinryu Karate, the style that I follow, and his teachers are mentioned in the book and in a couple of cases, Choki Motobu and Miyagi Chojun, have chapters devoted to them. I also saw an Angi Uesu listed. In the binder my sensei gave me there is an Angi Uezu, and I wonder if it is the same person. If so, it's pretty cool, because he was at one point my teacher's teacher. Reading back through the geneologies and following the stories and legends all the way down to names I recognize is one of the things that I enjoyed most. It makes me feel a part of something bigger than myself.
Besides the historical value, though, the stories themselves are fantastic. The ones featuring Bushi Matsumura are larger than life, especially the one about how he earned the title Bushi, but the story about how he tried to determine whether he was a better fighter than his wife was also amusing. So, basically, this isn't just history and facts. There is entertainment value as well.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to people who practice Karate, who enjoy historical stories and legends, or who are interested in martial arts in general. I was happy to receive this book on loan from my sensei and now that I've written my review I will reluctantly return it. ...more
Mmm, gives me chills. This incredibly short offering is well-written and spooky. I found it for free on Smashwords. I can't really say much more or I'Mmm, gives me chills. This incredibly short offering is well-written and spooky. I found it for free on Smashwords. I can't really say much more or I'll spoil it.
Silly little story where grandpa tells his two grandsons all about the origins of the diarrhea ghost. I found it to be funny, and it left a smile on mSilly little story where grandpa tells his two grandsons all about the origins of the diarrhea ghost. I found it to be funny, and it left a smile on my face. Can you imagine? A ghost whose presence gives you diarrhea.
I bet the Ghost Hunters wouldn't want to take on that one.
:-)
Looks like it's perpetually free on Smashwords. Worth picking up for those who like an incredibly short, humorous read. ...more
One of those books that make me want to read everything from the author.
Let me start by saying I picked this book up mostly because it was free and beOne of those books that make me want to read everything from the author.
Let me start by saying I picked this book up mostly because it was free and because I needed a book title with a K for the A-Z reading challenge I'm playing along with this year. That being said, I was surprised to be drawn in immediately.
The hero is Gavin Kinshield, a bounty hunter or lawman for hire, who finds himself drawn to solving the Kings Runes. This is not something he desires. Instead, the runes and their solutions haunt him constantly, annoying him until he has no cure but solving another one. All this you get in the first chapter or so. After that, Gavin's character gets even more interesting. At first glance he's nothing one would consider kingly material, but the author slowly reveals there is more to him in a way that draws you in.
Another interesting character is the main female lead, a warrior called Daia, who has an interesting ability, a noble past, and a conflicted present. She finds herself alternately disgusted and impressed by him, an interesting thing in itself, and the banter between Daia and Gavin is both natural and amusing. She is also a member of an elite group of women called the Viragon Sisterhood, which battles otherwordly creatures called beyonders and hire out as protectors. This brings in another aspect I enjoyed, the portrayal of women as strong and capable.
But their prowess and strength are not enough to protect them from the evil sorcerer who seeks the rune solver for his own nefarious purpose, and they are caught up in the ever more intricate web that threatens not only Gavin, but also the entire country, for Brodas Ravenkind as king would be worse than no king at all. As the evil villain, Brodas is both despicable and powerful, scary and charismatic. Certain chapters are told from his perspective, which reveals just how awful he truly is. I loved it!
Another thing I loved about this book was the history that is revealed as the story progresses. Gavin's personal history and the Kinshield legacy, for which the book is named, are fascinating and are built slowly to allow the reader a chance to guess at what more there may be. But it is not only Gavin with a noteworthy past, Daia, Brodas, a young warrior woman Brawna, and the Farthans, Artlet and Risen Stronghammer, have their own stories to tell, all of which lead to a satisfyingly rich cast of characters with believable motivations.
As for the quality of the book itself, Kinshield Legacy is smoothly told and well-edited. It's a well polished product that I feel confident recommending to others.
Overall, I loved this book and feel it is worth reading again. I highly recommend it to folks who love adventure, fantasy, and a complex (but not overwhelming) plot. The story is just the right size, the writing is solid, and the experience is worth repeating.
I want to read the next books in the series, though the print copies run a little high for my taste. Still, as stories I'll likely re-read, the investment in paper may be worth it. Plus, I want my husband to read them, and he's not fond of e-readers. I'll probably read them all in ebook before getting the print copies....more
This classic tale, featured originally in The Jungle Book, tells of the brave battle of Rikki-Tikki the mongoose against the deadly cobras, Nag and NaThis classic tale, featured originally in The Jungle Book, tells of the brave battle of Rikki-Tikki the mongoose against the deadly cobras, Nag and Nagaina. Rikki-Tikki is swept away from his family by a flood and finds himself a most welcome guest of a human family.
I remember reading this once in school, though I can't remember exactly when, and I was happy to come across it for free on Amazon. It's actually quite an exciting tale, though perhaps a little scary. The snakes, Nag and Nagaina, are sinister and plot the death of the entire family in the big house, hoping that Rikki-Tikki would then move on. But luckily their plot is discovered, and the mongoose defends his adoptive family with every fiber of his being.
The characters are varied and are each entertaining in their own right. I love the idiotic Tailorbird, Danzee. He weeps, sings, and celebrates in turn, without any regard to consequence, mostly because of his short attention span. The little fearful musk-rat, who runs along the walls, but never to the center of the room, is also amusing. His role as informant is important to winning the battle, but mostly because he's afraid he'll be mistaken for the mongoose.
But mostly, I love Rikki-Tikki himself. Too curious to be afraid and fiercely protective of the young family and the creatures of the yard, he is an admirable hero. Brave and funny, and believable, too. When he's not busy saving the day, he scampers around on the breakfast table, perches on the little boy's shoulder, and otherwise endears himself to both the family and the reader.
I also like the poem at the beginning and Danzee's song at the end, cut short because Danzee himself was interupted in the singing by Rikki-Tikki.
Overall, a short, but powerful story of triumph, bravery, and danger. I recommend this one to anyone who likes rooting for the underdog and those who enjoy animal characters. ...more
Valmont Sharp: Monster Hunter is an easy read with plenty of excitement, danger, and adventure. I like the idea Great story, but needs some polishing.
Valmont Sharp: Monster Hunter is an easy read with plenty of excitement, danger, and adventure. I like the idea of the fake, real monster show, hiding true monster hunting behind special effects and showmanship. The young Chris Sharp, Valmont Sharp's son, is the main character, a bit of a surprise since the cover and title seemed to imply that Valmont would be the focus. The other characters are well fleshed out and interesting, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. I thought Chris's friends were cool and enjoyed their chatroom conversations. Valmont's inner circle is equally intriguing, especially the 30-year old suffering from a curse that ages him. And the enemies, ruthless and flawed. I won't go into any details there due to spoilers.
Those who are greatly annoyed by errors in a book might want to wait until most of the errors are addressed in a future edition. There are times the book reads like a Mad Libs game with random words in place of the ones the author most likely intended to use. Also, double words and repeated phrases pepper the work. Still, if your human autocorrect is strong and you don't mind putting it to work, I would definitely recommend this story.
I really liked this story, though it needs some serious editing and proofreading. I recommend this to folks who love a bit of adventure, battles against mystical forces, and a unique plot, particularly those who don't mind a bit of rough or missing editing. ...more
A dish of humor served with a side of gore. Short, creepy, creative...
Feast is the first in the Feast, Stray, Love short story trilogy. The story begiA dish of humor served with a side of gore. Short, creepy, creative...
Feast is the first in the Feast, Stray, Love short story trilogy. The story begins with Damien being rescued by his teacher after passing out and causing a massive fire at the local college. Upon waking in the hospital, he learns he has a brain tumor, and his doctor performs the surgery to remove it. Unfortunately for Damien, his doctor is a bit of a quack and scrambles a few things up while working on him. Luckily, Damien's mother and boyfriend are there to support him through his recovery, but the extra job his boyfriend picks up to help cover expenses soon leads to unexpected complications in their relationship, and his doctor's shoddy operating techniques lead to complications of their own.
First off, I must say I don't frequently read stories specifically focused on men in romantic relationships with each other. That being said, I found the relationship believable and, for the most part, tastefully done. There are some sexual situations, but none are too explicit and the focus seems to be more on the emotional relationship, which is an approach I tend to like in a story. However, I would classify this book as horror, rather than romance.
The true focus of the plot is the doctor's mess of a job on Damien's brain and the creepy factory outside of town that subverts his boyfriend and later threatens his mom. People enter the factory, never to return. Those who land jobs there either disappear or leave their families to stay at the factory, and strange shipments arrive frequently. Besides that, the question is, what exactly does the factory do? The dodgy answers Damien gets from his boyfriend and later from a detective leave much to be discovered in later books in the series. Adding to the horror aspect of the story are the relationships. The author builds a highly admirable and likeable boyfriend, who the main character loves deeply, and then puts him in harm's way. He does the same with Damien's mother, building her up into someone the reader likes, and then showing her becoming a bit too enamored of an ironically named self-help book, "Feast, Stray, Love."
As for the vastly unqualified doctor in the story, I'm not certain the details or credentials surrounding him or his work on Damien are exactly believable, but his bedside manner is humorously atrocious, and his less than stellar operating skills are responsible for Damien's subtle transformation throughout the book. Again, is it believable? Not really, but it is entertaining. A good bit of the humor in the book stems from this crazy, irreverent doctor and the reactions of those around him.
Besides the romantic angle, the plot, and the crazy doctor, which I enjoyed and led me to like the story overall, there are a few things that kept me from loving it: one, grammatical issues, primarily the punctuation of the dialog; two, the frequent use of the F-word, not a surprise since it's also used in the book description; and three, various plot points for which I had to hit my "I believe" button. The dialog and other minor grammatical issues might detract from the story for those who find that sort of thing annoying, but could be fixed in a future edition. The F-word usage bugs me, but I think it fits into the story and the style of the writing, totally a personal preference type thing. The things that were vague could be due to the constraints of writing a short story, namely details are often cut to keep the story short. However, some of the details and situations presented are hard to imagine in a real setting, but are portrayed as being normal or realistic, which made some of the fictional aspects of the story less believable.
Overall, I liked Feast. It's a good, short book with a bit of humor and romance and a whole lot of mystery and creepiness factor, good for a horror story. The romantic relationship between Damien and his boyfriend isn't too explicit, focusing more on their relationship, but I would caution that it is aimed at mature readers. I'd recommend this story to those who like the horror genre, want a quick read, and either prefer or aren't bothered by books that feature a male-male romance.
I picked up a copy of this book from Amazon during a free promo day after the author requested a review....more
Love it. The right mix of humor, danger and whimsy...
Santa Claus vs. the Aliens follows young Edwin Cardona on an unexpected adventure in New York CitLove it. The right mix of humor, danger and whimsy...
Santa Claus vs. the Aliens follows young Edwin Cardona on an unexpected adventure in New York City. Edwin, the son of Puerto Rican emigrants, lives in a children's home where his father left him temporarily while he got on his feet. In a moment of frustration, Edwin throws away his father's most cherished possession, a gaudy ring with a face that looks like Santa. The story begins with Edwin setting out from the children's home on a quest to retrieve the lost ring and ramps up from there into a surprisingly riveting urban adventure featuring aliens, Santa and personal growth.
Set in the Great Depression era, the historical details in this story are both fascinating and accurately portrayed. I didn't get all of the song references, favorites of the time, but the rest is interesting. That young Edwin lives in a children's home and prefers it to his father's family is an interesting setup, made all the more so because Edwin, his father and the family are all real people, relatives of the author. In fact, I've confirmed it with the author; everything besides the obviously fictional parts (aliens, Santa, etc.) actually happened as told in the story.
I enjoyed how the story is told from the perspective of Edwin and occasionally his father. Edwin's New York accent comes out strongly in the dialog but does not carry over into the narrative, making the story easy to read and enjoy while still seeming authentic to the setting. Unlike some books I've read where the accents make the dialog unintelligible, the author uses simple tweaks to the words that help the reader pronounce them the way they would have been spoken. Overall, I thought it was well done.
Besides the accent and perspective, Edwin's inner conflict is well done. He's got a lot going on for such a young man, and that doesn't all go away just because he's on the run from scary aliens. Edwin is a strong character and he reacts to the challenges he faces in a believable and admirable way. I also enjoyed the father's side story and history, especially the part where he meets the Farting Man, both funny and appropriate for a kid's story.
For a story aimed at the middle school crowd, I think this one has the right mix of humor, danger and whimsy. The story is unique and can be enjoyed by people both young and old; plus, it's an interesting take on the Santa story and the sci-fi twist is fantastic.
As an added bonus, teachers and parents can take advantage of the vocabulary words listed out by chapter at the end of the book. Throughout the story, the words are used in context and explained succinctly, and I must admit I learned a few new ones. Kids will appreciate that the story is fun and doesn't seem like it's teaching them anything at all (though it is). I think this would be a good book to stock in school libraries.
There is some Christian content and context, as might be expected in a story that features a Santa character at Christmas time, but the story is written in such a way that individuals can take what they need from the story, whether a message of faith overcoming all or one of a person's strength of will helping him through a tough situation. It really is left to the reader to decide, giving this story a broader appeal than if it had just focused on one or the other.
Overall, I loved this story for its unique plot, strong characters and fascinating history. I highly recommend it to readers both young and old, though the audience that will likely appreciate it the most would be the middle school crowd.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, non-reciprocal review....more
Great plot, well-researched, and above all, fun to read!
Iron William Kidd is a former secret agent for the English King Henry. After falling out of faGreat plot, well-researched, and above all, fun to read!
Iron William Kidd is a former secret agent for the English King Henry. After falling out of favor, he finds himself opposite a former colleague, Hamilton Rush. When the two collide, the results are disastrous for both, though Kidd seems to get the worst of it. He nearly loses his hands, but his friend Vllen, one of the innovative minds of the budding renaissance, devises a pair of metal gauntlets that fuse with his maimed flesh.
Not only must Kidd cope with his less than agile replacement hands, but also a nearly impossible quest. With nothing more than a snippet of text hinting at the missing relic's existence and the threat of the Church's retribution should he fail, Kidd is faced with the ultimate cold case file, and he's not the only one after the prize.
First of all, bravo on the research. The story is set in the renaissance, where science and innovation are just starting to take off. The locations, the empires, and the way of life are depicted realistically, as are the biblical references (and scenes). In fact, I found the lost history of the Tears to be the most fascinating aspect of the story. Never too much at once, the details are brought to life as Kidd discovers them, sometimes by chance, other times by deduction.
The plot is solid, and everything that happens in the story, happens for a reason, and the story moves forward in a natural progression that draws one to the next page, the next chapter and right into the wee hours of the morning. One of the things I enjoyed is that the story mixes epic quest with historical mystery. Add in the action and the likable characters and it makes for a fun and exciting read. I'm not often able to link a book to a similar book or movie, but in this case, the Indiana Jones movies seem to be a good match.
As for flaws, there were few. I noticed a few typos here and there, but they are infrequent and didn't distract me from the story. Also, the part where Kidd is in training seems a bit rushed in places and slow in others. Although both the stump exercise and the snake test are tied in with the story later on, I'm not exactly sure what Kidd was supposed to learn from them.
Overall, Iron William and the Carpenter's Tears has a fantastic story line, interesting characters and solid details. I most definitely plan to read this book again and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical action/adventure with a powerful relic thrown in the mix, secret societies bent on protecting it and powerful villains out to exploit it. Those who love watching (and perhaps re-watching) the Indiana Jones movies will likely enjoy this book for the same reasons.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest, non-reciprocal review....more
This one literally took me about two minutes to read, but it had me laughing and smiling. It's a clever take on the origins of Funny and worth a read.
This one literally took me about two minutes to read, but it had me laughing and smiling. It's a clever take on the origins of a certain mystical being much loved by elementary school children.
I can say that it is rare for me to rate a short story with five stars, but this one deserves it. The plot is well developed, the characters (three of them, it is a short after all) vivid and strange, and the parting shot at the end is fantastic.
A winner for adults and kids (I'd say middle-schoolers), though adults should read it first before passing it along. ...more
Shakespeare for Cats is made up of a bunch of short stories, featuring the furry, hoofed, feathered and even two legged denizCute, quick, and amusing.
Shakespeare for Cats is made up of a bunch of short stories, featuring the furry, hoofed, feathered and even two legged denizens of an aging neighborhood.
The characters are each unique and well-developed, and though they may not try to be, they are humorous in their interactions and their life views. My favorite, and a great example, is Fav the opossum. He organizes a gang of house mice on raids, ambushes and intelligence missions, and even makes an attempt to bribe a guard parrot into looking the other way for a cut of the take.
The reference to Shakespeare in the title is reflected in the story with various quotes from and scenes reminiscent (although loosely) of various Shakespearean works. It's not a rehash of those works, however, just a lighthearted and amusing nod to them. A pair of elderly twins in the neighborhood who grew up in a family that appreciated Shakespeare provide the most quotes, though the tragic and dramatic exploits of Fav's mice minions provide their fair share of tongue in cheek references as well.
As for the organization of the book, some of the stories seem a bit disjointed and many end abruptly. However, each story features one of the characters from the last, which seems to be the thing connecting them all together. Took me a while to figure it out, but once I did, it made sense.
Overall, Shakespeare for Cats is a cute, humorous, and light read featuring a few amusing references to Shakespeare. I think those who would most enjoy this book are people who like to read quick and amusing short stories before bedtime. Those who enjoy stories featuring clever animal characters would probably also like this book....more
Water and Storm Country opens with Huck Jones of the Soakers in Water Country. As the son of the Soakers' Admiral, Huck is under aOne of the best yet!
Water and Storm Country opens with Huck Jones of the Soakers in Water Country. As the son of the Soakers' Admiral, Huck is under a lot of pressure to meet his father's expectations. A broken memory of his mother's death and his perceived role in it haunt him, and he can't help but feel a failure in his father's eyes.
Sadie, a Stormer of Storm Country, also lives with a traumatic memory, one that shapes her feelings for her father. Unlike Huck, she wants nothing to do with impressing her father, considering him weak, but her mother is another story. She trains constantly to become a Rider like her mother, a warrior. Brave.
Water and Storm Country follows the format of the Dwellers series in that it alternates between the perspectives of two main characters who do not know each other, but whose paths are destined to cross. Because of this, you get two stories in one, plus, favorites from Fire Country, Ice Country and the Dwellers series are woven in seemlessly and set things up for The Earth Dwellers, the 7th and final book in the combined Country and Dwellers Sagas.
What I like most is the complex plot featuring both internal and external struggles, which are woven in such a way to draw you in and draw you forward, making it difficult to put the book down for such mundane things as food, sleep and conversation.
I also like that the themed dialects featured in the other Country books have been toned down for the new characters in this one. It was unique and funny in Fire Country, but seemed forced in Ice Country. This one is just right, though the characters from those other stories are true to their origins when they make their cameos, as they should be.
The only thing that bugged me were the multi-line internal dialogues that Huck tended towards. I thought they were a bit choppy and strange, but on the positive side, they were consistently applied to his character. I guess that's how he thinks.
Overall, I loved Water & Storm Country for it's complex plot, multiple story lines, and interesting characters and conflicts. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves YA Dystopian and to those who love strong female main characters....more
Exciting and magical YA, can't wait to read the next...
The story opens at Sera's birthday dinner. Her father, engrossed in his flirty girlfriend, bareExciting and magical YA, can't wait to read the next...
The story opens at Sera's birthday dinner. Her father, engrossed in his flirty girlfriend, barely acknowledges his daughter's presence, which is probably why he doesn't notice when a mysterious, and obviously evil, woman in black takes an interest in her. It isn't until Sera collapses to the ground under the fiery weight of the woman's attack on her mind, that he realizes something's wrong. Of course, Sera can't tell him what really happened. She's not even sure of it herself.
Reality crushing events continue to haunt Sera to the point she begins to doubt her sanity even as she discovers clues to the mysteries of her past, present, and future. When her father sends her to live with her aunt in Chicago, she soon realizes that insanity is the least of her worries.
I love how the author weaves together a bit of steampunk and magic into the story. I'm a steampunk newbie, at least in books, but I know enough to recognize elements of it in this book. The gadgets, the animated metal guardians, and the larger than life technology with an old world flair are hard to miss. I also dig how they use some of the gadgets in conjunction with their powers.
As for the magical aspects, I was happy to realize this is a story where a young girl discovers she has powers, and that she discovers them on her own and thinks she's losing her mind makes it all the more interesting. There are some similarities to Harry Potter in that there is a magical school, and like the wizards in that other series, those that share Sera's gifts have formed a secret society and keep themselves separate from the "normals." The magical system is solid and consistently applied, which is important to keeping the fantasy believable.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in the series. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy YA, with a touch of magic and romance on the side. YA steampunk fans may also find this book to their liking, though I'm uncertain how closely this story conforms to the genre....more
Tad is fifteen the year Vicki Campbell is murdered. Neighborhood parents are afraid, but Tad and his friends, while worriedA ghost story with a twist.
Tad is fifteen the year Vicki Campbell is murdered. Neighborhood parents are afraid, but Tad and his friends, while worried for Vikki, are more interested in breaking free of the extra restrictions imposed to keep them safe from an unknown predator. On the way to a pickup game the kids are organizing to break the monotony, Tad has his first run in with the cat.
While this story features a young boy as the main character, isn't a kid's story. The subject matter is scary, and both his experiences and the ultimate outcome are somewhat graphic. Also, the story seems to be told from the perspective of a fifteen year old, though the main character seems to be reflecting on a long-past memory. The language used is simplistic, and the dialog is filled with juvenile bravado and insults. Still, I enjoyed the quick read and the surprising, yet disturbing, twist.
Cat's Paw is a reasonably entertaining ghost story, though not for those who are easily disturbed or offended when the horrors are portrayed realistically and in detail....more
I took too long reading this because I was also editing it, so I plan to read it all the way through again (post edit version) before I leave a properI took too long reading this because I was also editing it, so I plan to read it all the way through again (post edit version) before I leave a proper review. I definitely recommend it, but I've been looking at it so closely, I've lost the big picture.
Anyhow, keep an eye out for me restarting my reading of this.
I will say, for those who follow this series, this one is on par with the rest, just as action packed, and Emily is awesome, as always. I'm also excited that there is another in the works. The lead in to it from this book is great, and as with the first two books, you leave it satisfied, because although you know more is coming, the story you're experiencing now is completely fleshed out and resolved within the larger story that continues.
Everything falls apart at the close of Mountain of Black Glass (Otherland #3), and now the unlikely heroes of the OAn exciting conclusion, I loved it.
Everything falls apart at the close of Mountain of Black Glass (Otherland #3), and now the unlikely heroes of the Otherland system are scattered far and wide in the heart of the dying operating system and beyond. Renie, !Xabbu, and Fredericks are stuck with unlikely allies in the evil Felix Jongleur and the brain damaged Ricardo Klement. But even this tenuous partnership is shattered when the virtual world shatters, and Renie finds herself stranded in an amorphous landscape with the doddering Klement her only companion.
Martine, Paul Jonas, T4b, and Florimel find themselves back in the already terrifying bug world, made even worse with horrifically human-bug mutations on the loose, mutations whose sole desire is to rip them limb from limb. Not even the benevolent Kunohara seems to be able to hold off the writhing masses for long.
In the real world, things are becoming truly scary for little Christabel. Her daddy learns of Mr. Sellers and now the entire family, plus Sellers, the boy Cho Cho and the lawyer Catur Ramsey, end up on the run together. But they can't run forever...
Meanwhile Dulcie Anwin awakens from her fledgling crush on Johnny Dread into growing unease and fear, even as he begins to show her the romantic attention she has long desired. Dread himself revels in both the virtual destruction of the Otherland realms and the terrorization of the Other itself, the effects of which are felt keenly by those still trapped within the system.
Finally, Long Joseph, Jeremiah, and Del Rey find themselves under siege, the military stronghold under the mountain no longer the sanctuary they'd thought it to be. It's only a matter of time before Dread's mercenaries break through the base's defenses, and all the three have to defend themselves are a single gun with three bullets and none among them skilled enough to make them count.
This is perhaps the most edgy installment of the Otherland series. Everything seems to be falling apart and danger stalks the heroes and the villains at every turn. No one is safe, and still the children lie comatose in their hospital beds. Will the destruction of the Otherland network spell their doom?
I love this book and the series that spawned it. You'll find no plot holes in this series, everything, even those things that seemed insignificant in the other books, finds a purpose in Otherland #4. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves sci fi and has the time and patience to tackle such a massive work....more
Annie Banner and her mom, Dana, run a successful wedding planner business. But this time, a routine visit takes strange turn and the duo find themselvAnnie Banner and her mom, Dana, run a successful wedding planner business. But this time, a routine visit takes strange turn and the duo find themselves in the middle of a mystery.
So, let me start with what I enjoyed about this story. First up, the title and cover are adorable. Also, Annie's son and her grandma are funny. The son because he's a six year old ball of energy who also happens to be an expert at squeezing extra bedtime stories out of his mom and grandma. Annie's grandma, on the other hand, is quirky. I like quirky characters. She seems to have a direct line to a mystical being called the great Scorpio, who sometimes sends her eerily accurate premonitions but is at the same time absolutely worthless for the lottery. She also wears a lampshade occasionally.
Next, I like the quick mystery, called cozy on the cover. I think it's an accurate description of the style of this book. It's quick, not too deep or horrifying (though the subject of this particular mystery wasn't too pretty), and reasonably satisfying. I was happy with how the story turned out for Annie and Dana.
Now for what I didn't like. First, the choice of verb tense usage was distracting and not what I expected. It's a mix of present tense for things like side info and other "states of being" parts of the story and past tense for things that are happening in the story. The usage seems to be intentional rather than an error. I'm just not used to it. I noticed a couple of other minor things like the occasional missing word or wandering quotation punctuation. I tend to look for such things, so they were obvious to me.
As for some of the details surrounding the mystery, I had to press my "I believe" button a few times. One of these was the apparent speed with which a DNA match was produced, another was the clarity of a cell phone photo. For the first, I simply assumed the police were trying to spook the subject. For the second, well, I'm a bit behind in the phone tech, so perhaps it's possible, just not with the phone I'm using.
Overall, I thought the story was cute, reasonably interesting and good for a light read. I'd recommend it to folks who like these qualities in a book and don't mind if all the twigs don't quite add up to a bunch.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest, non-reciprocal review....more
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