My Rating: 5 out of 10 stars
Tales of Blight and Horror is a collection of three short stories, and one sneak preview, written by Ryan Notch. I picked it up for a short, quick read on the Kindle and finished it in one sitting.
A Heart Shaped Uterus was the main story of this set, and if you like your horror bizarre and a bit wacky, then this author is for you. Though the story was strange and interesting enough, the ending was a bit anti-climatic. Also includes a sneak peek into his full-length novel, Nowhere Blvd, which I added to my Kindle wish list.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Buy @ Amazon
REVIEW: The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
My Rating: 6 out of 10 stars
The Woman in Black is a ghost story set in Victorian London. Arthur Kipps is a young lawyer who's sent to a remote village in the northeastern shores of England to settle the affairs of one of the firm's clients. As he arrives in town, he finds that the locals are pretty tight-lipped over the late Alice Drablow of Eel Marsh House. And rightly so! As it turns out, eerily strange things have been happening at the house, and soon Arthur himself finds he's being haunted by a strange woman in black, a woman with a pale, gaunt face and a dark air of malevolence all about her.
I have the DVD movie of The Woman in Black waiting in my Netflix queue so I wanted to read the book first, as I often do. The book itself was fairly short, only about 176 pages, and though originally written in 1983, the writing style definitely harks back to that of the more formal Victorian era in which it takes place. In that regard, it's quite different from the standard horror novel of today. Instead of creeping you out with blood and gore, the author uses amazingly vivid descriptions that evoke all sorts of chilling and spine-tingling visions. I can imagine that it would come through to the silver screen quite well and I'm now looking forward to seeing the movie.
The only real reason I didn't rate it higher is because I'm not a huge fan of the more formal writing style of Victorian times. Plus, I sometimes had to look up unfamiliar words--a simple task really since I was reading on my Kindle--but it would break the flow and I'd end up having to reread a particular passage over once I fully understood the word's meaning. Though the exact time frame the story takes place was never mentioned outright, the author writes so well that she doesn't have to; her writing takes you right there!
Buy @ AmazonThe Woman in Black is a ghost story set in Victorian London. Arthur Kipps is a young lawyer who's sent to a remote village in the northeastern shores of England to settle the affairs of one of the firm's clients. As he arrives in town, he finds that the locals are pretty tight-lipped over the late Alice Drablow of Eel Marsh House. And rightly so! As it turns out, eerily strange things have been happening at the house, and soon Arthur himself finds he's being haunted by a strange woman in black, a woman with a pale, gaunt face and a dark air of malevolence all about her.
I have the DVD movie of The Woman in Black waiting in my Netflix queue so I wanted to read the book first, as I often do. The book itself was fairly short, only about 176 pages, and though originally written in 1983, the writing style definitely harks back to that of the more formal Victorian era in which it takes place. In that regard, it's quite different from the standard horror novel of today. Instead of creeping you out with blood and gore, the author uses amazingly vivid descriptions that evoke all sorts of chilling and spine-tingling visions. I can imagine that it would come through to the silver screen quite well and I'm now looking forward to seeing the movie.
The only real reason I didn't rate it higher is because I'm not a huge fan of the more formal writing style of Victorian times. Plus, I sometimes had to look up unfamiliar words--a simple task really since I was reading on my Kindle--but it would break the flow and I'd end up having to reread a particular passage over once I fully understood the word's meaning. Though the exact time frame the story takes place was never mentioned outright, the author writes so well that she doesn't have to; her writing takes you right there!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
REVIEW: Outpost by Ann Aguirre
My Rating: 10 out of 10 stars
Outpost is the second book in the Razorland series and the follow-up to 2011's Enclave. I enjoyed Enclave tremendously and immediately predicted it'll be one of my best reads of 2013. Fortunately the sequel—while quite different—was just as riveting. I'd give it a 9.5 if I could—if only because I liked Enclave just a wee bit better, mostly because of it's slightly faster pace throughout—but definitely not enough to deduct a whole point for it. :)
The story begins two months after Deuce and Fade emerged Topside from the dank, dark underground tunnels of the Enclave, into a part of the city now ruled by rival gangs who fight to the death for their lives and territory. Along with unlikely allies Stalker and Tegan, whom they picked up in the city, the four teens arrive at the walled, protected community of Salvation—built on the now trice settled site of an old war fort near what was once the Canadian border—and attempt to carve out a life Topside.
But adjusting to life in Salvation is anything but easy, especially for Deuce who doesn't particularly care for this new, simpler way of life where physical strength, aptitude, and training count for nothing if you're a woman. Instead, Deuce is expected to learn to do womanly work in the home, cook, wear dresses and look pretty. Things that are definitely not in a Huntress's repertoire. Several of the more god-fearing, bible-thumping citizens of Salvation shun Deuce, claiming she's an abomination whose presence will displease the gods and bring the plague back down upon them! But who needs plague when the Freaks—now called Muties by the citizens of Salvation—have been getting smarter and are now able to think and plan—even if they still smell of rotting flesh. Little do they realize that for Salvation to survive, they are going to need a girl like Deuce to save their ass!
Though this story takes place in a post-apocalyptic dystopian world like its predecessor, Outpost takes place completely topside, so there's a whole new world to be discovered, both by the reader as well as by Deuce and her friends, and Aguirre does a spectacular job creating this scary new world. Character development is amazing as Deuce and Fade continue to learn, grow, and adapt, and as a reader, you come to understand many of the complexities that make up their personalities—these are no one-dimensional characters! The plot is quick and snappy and I hated when I had to put this book down to actually get other things done! LOL But what I hated even more was when I finished and realized that the final book in the trilogy, tentatively named Horde, is not due out until the end of October. :o So now I have 9 more months to wait before finding out how this amazing story ends!
If you're a fan of dystopian fiction, you must read this series. Though classified as young adult, it is definitely a book for all ages (okay maybe not pre-teens LOL), but everyone else for sure!
BookCrossing journal page for this book
Buy @ AmazonOutpost is the second book in the Razorland series and the follow-up to 2011's Enclave. I enjoyed Enclave tremendously and immediately predicted it'll be one of my best reads of 2013. Fortunately the sequel—while quite different—was just as riveting. I'd give it a 9.5 if I could—if only because I liked Enclave just a wee bit better, mostly because of it's slightly faster pace throughout—but definitely not enough to deduct a whole point for it. :)
The story begins two months after Deuce and Fade emerged Topside from the dank, dark underground tunnels of the Enclave, into a part of the city now ruled by rival gangs who fight to the death for their lives and territory. Along with unlikely allies Stalker and Tegan, whom they picked up in the city, the four teens arrive at the walled, protected community of Salvation—built on the now trice settled site of an old war fort near what was once the Canadian border—and attempt to carve out a life Topside.
But adjusting to life in Salvation is anything but easy, especially for Deuce who doesn't particularly care for this new, simpler way of life where physical strength, aptitude, and training count for nothing if you're a woman. Instead, Deuce is expected to learn to do womanly work in the home, cook, wear dresses and look pretty. Things that are definitely not in a Huntress's repertoire. Several of the more god-fearing, bible-thumping citizens of Salvation shun Deuce, claiming she's an abomination whose presence will displease the gods and bring the plague back down upon them! But who needs plague when the Freaks—now called Muties by the citizens of Salvation—have been getting smarter and are now able to think and plan—even if they still smell of rotting flesh. Little do they realize that for Salvation to survive, they are going to need a girl like Deuce to save their ass!
Though this story takes place in a post-apocalyptic dystopian world like its predecessor, Outpost takes place completely topside, so there's a whole new world to be discovered, both by the reader as well as by Deuce and her friends, and Aguirre does a spectacular job creating this scary new world. Character development is amazing as Deuce and Fade continue to learn, grow, and adapt, and as a reader, you come to understand many of the complexities that make up their personalities—these are no one-dimensional characters! The plot is quick and snappy and I hated when I had to put this book down to actually get other things done! LOL But what I hated even more was when I finished and realized that the final book in the trilogy, tentatively named Horde, is not due out until the end of October. :o So now I have 9 more months to wait before finding out how this amazing story ends!
If you're a fan of dystopian fiction, you must read this series. Though classified as young adult, it is definitely a book for all ages (okay maybe not pre-teens LOL), but everyone else for sure!
BookCrossing journal page for this book
Friday, January 25, 2013
REVIEW: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
My Rating: 4 out of 10 stars
read January 18-24, 2013
This book really didn't live up to all the hype for me. Neither of the main characters really endeared themselves to me and when I don't like the main characters, I find myself not really caring what they do.
That said, the way the story was composed, with the author making you wonder what was going on for most of the book, is what kept me reading. But then when I got to the end, whoa that really blew it for me. I didn't like the ending AT ALL! I hear they might be changing the ending for the movie though, so I'll probably see it just for comparison purposes, and to see if the characters are somehow more likeable on the big screen.
Buy @ Amazonread January 18-24, 2013
This book really didn't live up to all the hype for me. Neither of the main characters really endeared themselves to me and when I don't like the main characters, I find myself not really caring what they do.
That said, the way the story was composed, with the author making you wonder what was going on for most of the book, is what kept me reading. But then when I got to the end, whoa that really blew it for me. I didn't like the ending AT ALL! I hear they might be changing the ending for the movie though, so I'll probably see it just for comparison purposes, and to see if the characters are somehow more likeable on the big screen.
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
REVIEW: Enclave by Ann Aguirre
My Rating: 10 out of 10 stars
Wow, this was a fantastic read! Enclave is the first book in the Razorland trilogy, a new Young Adult dystopian series by Ann Aguirre. (Actually it was published in April 2011 so it's not really that new.) I devoured this book in only 5 days, having a hard time putting it down. It was only about 272 pages though so I'm sure there's many that could read that in a single day. ;) Though it's only January, I have a feeling this one will wind up at or very near the top of my best reads of 2013.
So what makes this novel stand out among the plethora of others like it? Yes, the whole dystopian theme has been getting an extraordinary amount of attention, some even claim it's being overdone, but you can't deny the success of books like The Hunger Games or TV series like The Walking Dead. And IMO, this stuff is a whole lot more interesting than the snooze fest that is Fifty Shades of Grey. :P
The author has taken several chilling themes—zombies, war, plague, underground societies—and given them a different spin so the story is fresh and new. And thankfully, no "love triangle"!
I'd highly recommend this series to fans of the above mentioned books and shows, and I'm looking forward to reading Outpost, the next book the series, which fortunately I already have here and waiting thanks to a thoughtful holiday gift from PaperBackSwap. :)
Buy @ AmazonNew York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20's. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade's long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known.
Wow, this was a fantastic read! Enclave is the first book in the Razorland trilogy, a new Young Adult dystopian series by Ann Aguirre. (Actually it was published in April 2011 so it's not really that new.) I devoured this book in only 5 days, having a hard time putting it down. It was only about 272 pages though so I'm sure there's many that could read that in a single day. ;) Though it's only January, I have a feeling this one will wind up at or very near the top of my best reads of 2013.
So what makes this novel stand out among the plethora of others like it? Yes, the whole dystopian theme has been getting an extraordinary amount of attention, some even claim it's being overdone, but you can't deny the success of books like The Hunger Games or TV series like The Walking Dead. And IMO, this stuff is a whole lot more interesting than the snooze fest that is Fifty Shades of Grey. :P
The author has taken several chilling themes—zombies, war, plague, underground societies—and given them a different spin so the story is fresh and new. And thankfully, no "love triangle"!
I'd highly recommend this series to fans of the above mentioned books and shows, and I'm looking forward to reading Outpost, the next book the series, which fortunately I already have here and waiting thanks to a thoughtful holiday gift from PaperBackSwap. :)
REVIEW: Kitty Raises Hell by Carrie Vaughn
My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars
This is the sixth book in the Kitty Norville series, and it was great to get back to this series after a year and a half away.
In this installment, Kitty is back home in Denver and dealing with the repercussions of her recent trip to Las Vegas where she seriously pissed off a cult of were-tigers and it's vampire priestess. With her life in danger, as well as those of the people she cares about, she sets out to track down the source of the curse that's been placed on her. Fortunately, a group of TV paranormal investigators--one of whom has real psychic abilities--is in town filming so Kitty is sure that if she can enlist their help, she can stop this thing before more people get hurt.
This was another fantastic installment in the Kitty series and I look forward to reading more. :)
Buy @ AmazonThis is the sixth book in the Kitty Norville series, and it was great to get back to this series after a year and a half away.
In this installment, Kitty is back home in Denver and dealing with the repercussions of her recent trip to Las Vegas where she seriously pissed off a cult of were-tigers and it's vampire priestess. With her life in danger, as well as those of the people she cares about, she sets out to track down the source of the curse that's been placed on her. Fortunately, a group of TV paranormal investigators--one of whom has real psychic abilities--is in town filming so Kitty is sure that if she can enlist their help, she can stop this thing before more people get hurt.
This was another fantastic installment in the Kitty series and I look forward to reading more. :)
Monday, December 31, 2012
REVIEW: Keeper of Light and Dust by Natasha Mostert
My Rating: 7 out of 10 stars
A supernatural thriller with a twist, The Keeper of Light and Dust blends martial arts with science and magic to create a story that is unique and different, intriguing and compelling.
Mia Lockhart is a Keeper who uses special protection tattoos of her own making combined with out-of-body experiences to protect the fighters in her keep. Nick Duffy is a long time friend of Mia's and fellow martial artist who has returned to London to start fighting again, and has high hopes of finally starting up a romantic relationship with Mia. But not if Adrian Ashton has anything to do with it!
Adrian is an oddly brilliant scientist recently arrived in London as well who's very interested in the martial arts and other Chinese medicine and practices. With the help of several ancient texts combined with his own studies, he's discovered a way to cheat death by draining the chi life energy from his victims without their even knowing it. He's particularly drawn to boxers and other martial artists because of the strength of the life force they carry within them, especially during a fight. But with Adrian in town, things may not turn out too good for Nick and Mia.
Most of the concepts used in this book are indeed based on actual practices in use today, particularly in Eastern civilizations, but the author is able to seamlessly bring it all to the next level to give the story it's otherworldly and supernatural slant. Though it was immediately apparent from the beginning who "the bad guy" was, along with his motives, it's the how and why behind those motives that drive the story forward. Overall, a very good read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Buy @ AmazonA supernatural thriller with a twist, The Keeper of Light and Dust blends martial arts with science and magic to create a story that is unique and different, intriguing and compelling.
Mia Lockhart is a Keeper who uses special protection tattoos of her own making combined with out-of-body experiences to protect the fighters in her keep. Nick Duffy is a long time friend of Mia's and fellow martial artist who has returned to London to start fighting again, and has high hopes of finally starting up a romantic relationship with Mia. But not if Adrian Ashton has anything to do with it!
Adrian is an oddly brilliant scientist recently arrived in London as well who's very interested in the martial arts and other Chinese medicine and practices. With the help of several ancient texts combined with his own studies, he's discovered a way to cheat death by draining the chi life energy from his victims without their even knowing it. He's particularly drawn to boxers and other martial artists because of the strength of the life force they carry within them, especially during a fight. But with Adrian in town, things may not turn out too good for Nick and Mia.
Most of the concepts used in this book are indeed based on actual practices in use today, particularly in Eastern civilizations, but the author is able to seamlessly bring it all to the next level to give the story it's otherworldly and supernatural slant. Though it was immediately apparent from the beginning who "the bad guy" was, along with his motives, it's the how and why behind those motives that drive the story forward. Overall, a very good read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Saturday, December 01, 2012
REVIEW: The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost
My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars
Will West has lived his life under the radar, doing all he can not to call attention to himself at his parent's request. Having moved around all his life, he's used to being the new kid at school so this has worked out well for him so far, until one day...
Now Will's on the run from who-knows-what from the Never-Was, and seeks solace at a very secretive, very private school in Wisconsin called the Center for Integrated Learning. But why are these monsters after Will and his parents in the first place? And just how much does the school really know about it all? Will can only hope that with the help of his new friends, they have what it takes to defeat them and escape with their lives.
Will's story is intriguing and moves along at a good pace. The author uses lots of description and imagery to bring everything to life, though I never found it excessive or slowing the story down. That's good because at 560 pages, it took me nearly the entire three weeks of my library's eBook rental term to finish it.
Yes, there are some things you don't quite understand for much of the first half of the book, but I didn't find that the least bit frustrating, instead it piqued my interest and kept me reading well into the night. Once the main story line is wrapped up at the end, the author leaves you with a little bit of a cliffhanger which will have you looking forward to the next book in the series.
This is Mark Frost's first foray into the young adult fantasy genre. Though I haven't read any of his other books yet, I have The List of Seven on my TBR which I acquired in a swap or book box over at BookObsessed some time ago, so now I'm looking forward to reading that while I wait for the release of Alliance: The Paladin Prophecy Book 2. Mr. Frost was also involved in two successful television series: Hill Street Blues and Twin Peaks.
Buy @ AmazonWill West has lived his life under the radar, doing all he can not to call attention to himself at his parent's request. Having moved around all his life, he's used to being the new kid at school so this has worked out well for him so far, until one day...
Now Will's on the run from who-knows-what from the Never-Was, and seeks solace at a very secretive, very private school in Wisconsin called the Center for Integrated Learning. But why are these monsters after Will and his parents in the first place? And just how much does the school really know about it all? Will can only hope that with the help of his new friends, they have what it takes to defeat them and escape with their lives.
Will's story is intriguing and moves along at a good pace. The author uses lots of description and imagery to bring everything to life, though I never found it excessive or slowing the story down. That's good because at 560 pages, it took me nearly the entire three weeks of my library's eBook rental term to finish it.
Yes, there are some things you don't quite understand for much of the first half of the book, but I didn't find that the least bit frustrating, instead it piqued my interest and kept me reading well into the night. Once the main story line is wrapped up at the end, the author leaves you with a little bit of a cliffhanger which will have you looking forward to the next book in the series.
This is Mark Frost's first foray into the young adult fantasy genre. Though I haven't read any of his other books yet, I have The List of Seven on my TBR which I acquired in a swap or book box over at BookObsessed some time ago, so now I'm looking forward to reading that while I wait for the release of Alliance: The Paladin Prophecy Book 2. Mr. Frost was also involved in two successful television series: Hill Street Blues and Twin Peaks.
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