I found the beginning slow and hard to get into, and I don't know why, because the beginning was a new colony on an alien world trying to gain a foothI found the beginning slow and hard to get into, and I don't know why, because the beginning was a new colony on an alien world trying to gain a foothold and establish itself to become fruitful (ha). The story is told over decades as the colony grows from the point of view of different colonists in different generations. And then things really get rolling, and my interest really spiked. This is not just a sci-fi romp -- there are some discussions about war and what happens after a war, and some of the story is told from a point of view that I never expected, and that turned out to be one of my favorite perspectives. ...more
I did not enjoy this novel. The narrator annoyed me. And although the blurb describes him as a "criminal psychotherapist," the text of the novel makesI did not enjoy this novel. The narrator annoyed me. And although the blurb describes him as a "criminal psychotherapist," the text of the novel makes clear that he does not have any criminology training, and that he's kind of obsessed with his own patient. And if it's supposed to be a novel exploring that weird obsession, well, okay, but his target is the silent patient. She doesn't do much, so the whole novel is the therapist either talking at her, or going around questioning her friends and neighbors, but not really getting anywhere. There was a twist at the end that makes me curious if the author is good enough to pull off a novel that can be read in two ways, but the first time through was so unpleasant -- so many of the characters are described in such terrible ways -- I don't think I want to go through it again. But kudos to the author for making me think about it I suppose. ...more
I started with the audiobook and hated the narrator, which made me fear that I might hate the book too, but once I got into the historical part of theI started with the audiobook and hated the narrator, which made me fear that I might hate the book too, but once I got into the historical part of the story, I was hooked. Having the frame story set during the COVID lockdown was a convenient excuse to throw Matthew together with his great-grandmother and get her story. I had not previously known about the famine in Ukraine in the 30s. This book does not go into great depth of the historical facts, but really did try to emphasize the human cost and the people's suffering. ...more
A mystery full of twists and turns told in two timelines, one in present day, one via the victim's diary from the 1960s. The main character, Annie, isA mystery full of twists and turns told in two timelines, one in present day, one via the victim's diary from the 1960s. The main character, Annie, is forced into sleuthing by the situation, but I think she'd have done it of her own accord anyway. There were so many names in the two timelines I kept jotting down little notes to remind myself of the relationships between them all -- especially who slept with who, and the "begats" that arose from them. But all the note-taking made me more invested in the story somehow. Maybe I should do that more often as I read mysteries....more
I liked the full cast performance of the audio book. The mystery was pretty good, but at the beginning when so many details were being withheld, it maI liked the full cast performance of the audio book. The mystery was pretty good, but at the beginning when so many details were being withheld, it made it hard to root *for* any of the suspects, even though I knew probably none of them actually did it (cf. In the Hall with the Knife)....more
Middle school detective finds herself investigating a missing person. Oh, but he went missing during a game of hide and seek. In a cemetery. That's haMiddle school detective finds herself investigating a missing person. Oh, but he went missing during a game of hide and seek. In a cemetery. That's haunted.
They are kind of like short stories, but with a common thread. They are kind of like episodes of The Twilight Zone. They are definitely strange, unsetThey are kind of like short stories, but with a common thread. They are kind of like episodes of The Twilight Zone. They are definitely strange, unsettling, unnerving, suspenseful, but not really horror. The pictures give the whole book an extra layer of information, as they are useful clues in interpreting the events. Highly recommended....more
A great book for spooky season, told from the point of view of a familiar, who's a dog, but also something more than a dog. All the players in the gamA great book for spooky season, told from the point of view of a familiar, who's a dog, but also something more than a dog. All the players in the game have familiars of various sorts, but the dog Snuff spends most of his time palling around with the cat Graymawl (sp? -- the trouble with audiobooks). I was hooked from the opening introduction to Snuff and his situation, and, as I listened to this story mostly on my commute, I often wished that my commute was longer! There is some action, but mostly this is a talking book, where the various characters do things off-page, then trade their insights or findings to others. In other words, there was a lot of networking....more
Based on actual events, but focusing mostly on the roles of various young people in the community who helped protect Jewish people during the second wBased on actual events, but focusing mostly on the roles of various young people in the community who helped protect Jewish people during the second world war in France.
There isn't really one main character, but lots of characters share the action and the dangers. Jean-Paul wants to be a surgeon, but finds that he also has a talent for forging ID cards and travel documents. Celeste starts by carrying little messages, but later dares even more. Pierre leads "travelers" cross-country and aboard trains to the border and (hopefully) to safety. Through it all, young Inspector Perdant has an inkling that something shady is going on. I loved the characters. What I didn't love was how abruptly it just ended -- which makes a kind of sense, because after you get the gist of how this village lives and works together, there's just a lot more of the same till the war is over (presumably). Nevertheless, I hate that Jules' story was left hanging the way it was.
This is literally tv-show Supernatural Junior, but with only one Winchester, who could be either Sam or Dean depending on the situation. Is he making This is literally tv-show Supernatural Junior, but with only one Winchester, who could be either Sam or Dean depending on the situation. Is he making clever connections? Is he being impulsive and taking unnecessary risks? Is he making eyes at the cute mermaid? All of it....more
Somehow I got the impression that this was going to be a "Most Dangerous Game" scenario set in a theme park. But what I got was an engineered apocalypSomehow I got the impression that this was going to be a "Most Dangerous Game" scenario set in a theme park. But what I got was an engineered apocalypse (not something I think I've ever read before, actually) and how this group of kids reacts in their different ways. But the end doesn't leave our main characters in any stable place or with any good prospects, which is realistic, but frustrating from this reader's standpoint....more
I love how this book refers to past events and situations, like there's an actual world and a history for t**spoiler alert** notes I took as I read :
I love how this book refers to past events and situations, like there's an actual world and a history for the story to inhabit. I also like that Charlie is already a pro at living in this world and doesn't have to be a fish out of water and learn how the Extra Normal world works.
The 2nd spider book in two weeks. I hope this isn't a trend for me.
I pick a nit : how did they translate Opal from her haunted house in San Franciso to wherever they are now?
Oh, Peter, are you a double agent?
Well yeah, if you're going to have a paranormal malice vault, you'd better line it with lead, silver, and salt. It's like an episode of "Supernatural Junior."
Yes, yes, he is. darnit.
Charlie has nothing special about her at all, so that she leaves the things that want to feed on her hungry, she gives them nothing – does this mean Charlie has no soul? Probably a bit too dark and creepy for a MG book......more
On the one hand, it's a bit repetitive, but the repetition really serves to make the reader feel the smothering claustrophobia of living in Romanian sOn the one hand, it's a bit repetitive, but the repetition really serves to make the reader feel the smothering claustrophobia of living in Romanian society in 1989.
The main character Christian is so sympathetic, I was rooting for him the whole time, hoping against hope that he could find true friends.
I was a senior in high school in December, 1989, and the events in Eastern Europe that year hardly pinged my consciousness. I take psychic damage every time I see this labeled as "historic fiction." ...more
It’s creepy, it’s got plucky 8th graders who learn from their mistakes and learn to work together to overcome a terrible horror. It took me a while toIt’s creepy, it’s got plucky 8th graders who learn from their mistakes and learn to work together to overcome a terrible horror. It took me a while to get into it, because I kept trying to figure out where this school was supposed to be located, but it sort of could be anywhere with a cold rainy fall or winter. Once the adventure and investigation get going, the book just rolls along and brings you on the ride....more
A 1st person POV narrator who observes the Americans more than he talks, and who doesn't bother to learn theiA "Mysterious" island with a death cult.
A 1st person POV narrator who observes the Americans more than he talks, and who doesn't bother to learn their names (except for the other person who is close in age, another teen named Chase).
A dog.
Alon is like a blank slate, reporting what they see but never connecting with it emotionally. It makes their "relationship" with Chase seem unreal, superficial, and one-sided, even though they keep telling the Diwata that they do in fact like Chase. But do they "like-like" him? And what even does Chase see in Alon to have all these big feelings?
This book gets five stars for creep factor, but the narration and people involved are all pretty meh. ...more
This story was so good, both uplifting and heartbreaking. And it might never have been told if 13-year-old Aimee (the audiobook narrator) had never wrThis story was so good, both uplifting and heartbreaking. And it might never have been told if 13-year-old Aimee (the audiobook narrator) had never written to her grandmother asking what her life had been like at 13. I loved the inclusion of the different poetic forms that echoed the music that surrounded the girls' lives in Ukraine....more
The beginning annoyed me, and I can't say why, just that it did. Maybe because it was only two members of the team. Anyway, when the team was reunitedThe beginning annoyed me, and I can't say why, just that it did. Maybe because it was only two members of the team. Anyway, when the team was reunited and solving puzzles and being clever, I was happier....more
When I read books like this, I wonder how much real research was done -- did the author talk to any survivors, or was he just inspired by the images aWhen I read books like this, I wonder how much real research was done -- did the author talk to any survivors, or was he just inspired by the images and interviews he saw on TV? Is this story based on someone who actually lived through those events, or did the author make up this family whole cloth? This is something that annoys me about Titanic (the 1990s movie) -- there were so many real stories there, why make up Jack Everyman?
But the story made me feel the same tension, shock, and horror that ran through us all during and after the disaster that was Hurricane Katrina, so props for that....more