I literally don't care what you're doing. You need to stop, get this book, and move it to the top of your TBR list.
If you've ever thought to yourselfI literally don't care what you're doing. You need to stop, get this book, and move it to the top of your TBR list.
If you've ever thought to yourself, "I'm sure the justice system will make sure that guy gets what he deserves."
If you've heard, "It's partially her fault because she made bad choices."
If you've ever wondered "What kind of person does that to someone?"
This is a book review, so I'm not going to dive into my own past assault, or go all political on you, or talk about what's wrong with the system. Because we have books that do that for us. That's why we read books like this.
There were some really great quotes in this book... actually, this is the most quotable book I've ever read. The writing was beautiful. Every other sentience I wanted to make it into a graphic. There was so much truth in here that if I were to go through and highlight all the quotes, more than 3/4 of the book would be highlighted. Even the dialogue was poignant.
The characters were specific and lifelike and real, including the main character, who was dead (took me a few chapters to figure it out though. And it was done so much better than The Lovely Bones.)
The audiobook narrator, Laurel Schroeder, was great. There was something about her voice and her reading that was a bit odd, but it suited the book perfectly. It was almost disjointed.
I will be keeping my eyes on T. E. Carter's releases and adding her to my Author Watch list.
Content/recommendation: Some language, and some semi-violent rape scenes. This book is not suitable for younger teens as it does have semi graphic scenes in it. ...more
This book was a fast read (I listened to the audio, and it was about 9 hours total). I tore through it in 2 days, and could have easily listened to thThis book was a fast read (I listened to the audio, and it was about 9 hours total). I tore through it in 2 days, and could have easily listened to the whole thing in one sitting, had I not had to go to work. (ah, stupid job! Kidding, I love my job.)
Imagine you're about to get everything you've ever wanted. You're sick and tired of dealing with the bull#$*t that goes on with the local politicians. You're about to get OUT. and then someone coerces you to transfer to a new department. And they don't let you read the contract before you sign it. Turns out you just signed your life away to fighting dangerous dragons for the rest of your life. Forget training, let's just throw you in and hope you don't die.
This is Smoke Eaters.
But filled with clever one-liners, engaging and humorous interior monologue, plot twists, androids, ghosts, and a touch of human sacrifice.
All topped with a heavy dose of sarcasm and scales.
The reason this book isn't ridiculous and silly is because it IS, but it doesn't take itself seriously. That allows me to enjoy it and laugh at the absurdity without thinking to myself "what the actual..."
An added bonus, the narrator, T Ryder Smith, who did an amazing job.
I wish there was another book in this series, because I'd be all over it! I hope there will be more. If not, I'll be keeping my eyes out for more by Sean Grigsby. ...more
I literally don't care what you're doing. You need to stop, get this book, and move it to the top of your TBR list.
If you've ever thought to yourselI literally don't care what you're doing. You need to stop, get this book, and move it to the top of your TBR list.
If you've ever thought to yourself, "I'm sure the justice system will make sure that guy gets what he deserves."
If you've heard, "It's partially her fault because she made bad choices."
If you've ever wondered "What kind of person does that to someone?"
This is a book review, so I'm not going to dive into my own past assault, or go all political on you, or talk about what's wrong with the system. Because we have books that do that for us. That's why we read books like this.
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Amazon/Audible| Downpour | Estories | Goodreads
There were some really great quotes in this book... actually, this is the most quotable book I've ever read. The writing was beautiful. Every other sentence I wanted to make it into a graphic. There was so much truth in here that if I were to go through and highlight all the quotes, more than 3/4 of the book would be highlighted. Even the dialogue was poignant.
The characters were specific and lifelike and real, including the main character, who was dead (took me a few chapters to figure it out though. And it was done so much better than The Lovely Bones.
The audiobook narrator, Laurel Schroeder, was great. There was something about her voice and her reading that was a bit odd, but it suited the book perfectly. It was almost disjointed.
I will be keeping my eyes on T. E. Carter in the future!
Content/recommendation: Some language, and some semi-violent rape scenes. This book is not suitable for younger teens as it does have semi graphic scenes in it. ...more
***I listened to the audio of this book! as such, I have no clue how to spell the character's names.***
I cannot possibly express all the things I felt***I listened to the audio of this book! as such, I have no clue how to spell the character's names.***
I cannot possibly express all the things I felt while reading this book. I just kept thinking to myself, "this is SO IMPORTANT." Why write essays about social issues when you can write novels that people can relate to and understand and feel in the depths of their heart? That's the point of a novel, right?
This book tacked one of the biggest issues we have in our society today; racism. Two clans of vikings who hate each other's guts and get together once every 5 years to try to slaughter each other somehow end up on the same page, living together in peace, united under a common enemy. Is that not the epitome of what we need right now? Thank you, Adrienne Young, for writing about important things.
But it wasn't just important; it was GOOD. The very first chapter was like BAM action, in your face. You have no idea what's happening, you're just carried along with the action, like a bustling around you that throws you around. From there, it progressed and evolved into a complex and well thought out world. Characters growing and building, realization and understanding came slowly.
I figured out pretty quickly who was going to fall for whom. Part of me didn't want it to happen because it seemed cliche. Looking back, I tried to find the exact moment in the book where I saw Fisk change his opinion on Elin. I think it was the Bear that changed everything, at least for him.
The love that the characters felt for each other--and the anger and hate, and heartbreak-- was real enough for me to get goosebumps and a lump in my throat throughout the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the listen, and was dreading when it was over.
I'm looking forward to more from Adrienne Young! ...more
The book began with a scene of 3 young children, parent-less, sitting on a bench, while a group of adults decided what would happen to them. Would theThe book began with a scene of 3 young children, parent-less, sitting on a bench, while a group of adults decided what would happen to them. Would the children be split up, or kept together? What were the pros and cons of each? The children were split up and sent to opposite sides of the country, and since they were young enough, they would never remember.
The story then completely changes pace and goes forward about 30 years to a crime being committed, and that's where the main characters, Freyja and Huldar show up. Freyja is a child trauma psychologist, and Huldar is a recently-promoted detective in charge of his first case.
The first few chapters I really struggled to follow the characters, as it switched 4 times between different perspectives, but then once I figured out who was who I started to follow better. I loved how quickly the characters were developed and built, but it didn't feel like building, it felt like a gradual discovery. I figured out "who's the bad guy" about 15 seconds before it was revealed, which is my favorite way to discover a crime thriller. Looking back, of course there were subtle hints, but there's no way I would have figured it out on my own.
I'm very happy with the ending. It was conclusive enough to feel satisfactory, but definitely open to more adventures in the future. I anxiously await the next two books in the series, and will keep my eyes out for the author. (And no, I have no clue how to pronounce her name.)
Content/Recommendation: 17+, violence, language. It goes without saying that a crime thriller is for adults only, but I'll stress that even having read many crime thrillers over the past 10 years, this one managed to shock me....more
I love Geralt. I want to be a Witcher when I grow up. How much better can life get? Having magic super-powers, hunting down monsters for money, travelI love Geralt. I want to be a Witcher when I grow up. How much better can life get? Having magic super-powers, hunting down monsters for money, traveling the world on horseback…
And yet Geralt gets so much stink for what he does. C’mon, he’s taking care of the monsters for you, and you’re going to call him names and ask him to leave town and despise him just on principle? Really, you guys.
The magical land where this Witcher lives and hunts is full of monsters of all sorts—more than you can imagine. The world is changing and it’s becoming harder for him to live and find work. Geralt travels with his horse through cursed forests and strange towns, unraveling one mystery at a time, and learning more about himself with every step.
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was because it ended a bit abruptly, like it was the end of a chapter, not the end of the book. The chapters were a bit odd too, and at first I thought maybe I missed a track here or there. Since it was based off a video game, it was a bunch of smaller adventures. I would have liked to see the different stories tied together a little more clearly.
Narrator Peter Kenney did a great job, as always (He also narrated Touch by Claire North). I loved his voice for Gerald and for his goofy friend, for the funny towns people he meets on the road, for the monsters. A good narrator isn’t afraid to throw you into the story and use their voice to get you there.I
All in all, loved The Last Wish and I’m super excited about the rest of this series!...more
There’s a lot to be said for a book that focuses on what the body NEEDS. We see so many things out there today; adds, tv shows, articles, trying to teThere’s a lot to be said for a book that focuses on what the body NEEDS. We see so many things out there today; adds, tv shows, articles, trying to tell you what your body wants, what would make you happy, what will make you skinny, what will make you strong.
But there’s a lot of science behind bodies, and a lot of science behind food, and it’s fairly simple: eat good quality food, eat the right amount, and your body will take care of you. This book starts by looking at what food really is, what kind of food your body needs, and how four basic principles on how to make it happen:
1. Whole foods are better than packaged or processed 2. Pre-planning is essential. 3. Buying fresh foods can be more expensive but you can plan ahead and buy at stores where they’re on sale, and it will force you to avoid waste 4. Remove temptations.
It gives a specific list of staples you should stock your kitchen with, then helps you figure out exactly how much you should eat, and what you should eat.
Are you seeing something important here, guys? this isn’t just for body-builders. This book is for everyone. It doesn’t matter what your goals are for your body… this is how food is supposed to work.
Moving on to the recipes: these all look amazing. I wish there were more pictures, but the instructions are super easy to follow.
I recommend this book for anyone who eats food… so, everyone?
Special thanks to the Lasselle Press team for sending me a review copy!
I really enjoyed this book. It was clever and hilarious, and there were lots of great stories. Farsad brought a lot of heavy topics to the table, but I really enjoyed this book. It was clever and hilarious, and there were lots of great stories. Farsad brought a lot of heavy topics to the table, but in a way that showed the problem without pointing fingers and hating. I laughed the whole time and really enjoyed myself. Farsad referenced her documentary and comedy show The Muslims Are Coming quite a bit. I have totally added it to my To-Watch list. See the trailer below. - See more at: http://www.thelifeandlies.com/2016/07......more
I loved this book. From the first chapter it threw you into a complicated and exciting story. I fell in love with characters only to have them slaughtI loved this book. From the first chapter it threw you into a complicated and exciting story. I fell in love with characters only to have them slaughtered minutes later. And from there, the story began to unfold.
There was violence, sex, adventure, surprises, poison, and lots of bad choices. Characters we loved back in the first part of the First Law series came back up but showed a different side. We met several new characters in this book, and I can’t wait to see them again. I definitely recommend this book to anyone willing to put in the hours—it’s not as long as some of Abercrombie’s books, but it’s still 24 hours long (it took me about a week to get through).
One of the things I love about A is his writing style. There is so much clever repetition, he drops subtle hints, and little things come back to show their face that you didn’t expect. Of course it was expertly and beautifully narrated by Steven Pacey.
Literally the only thing I didn’t like about this book is the fact that when I looked it up and went to find the cover image, it has a blonde on the cover. GUYS IT CLEARLY SAYS MANY TIMES THAT MONZCARO MURCATTO HAS BLACK HAIR. This is not complicated. ...more
Touch was crazy. It threw you in at the first sentence. It hung on tight the whole story through. I was amazed at the beauty and ugliness of the thingTouch was crazy. It threw you in at the first sentence. It hung on tight the whole story through. I was amazed at the beauty and ugliness of the thing that was the main character—whatever her…his…it’s name was. I was amazed at all of it. Up until the end when I thought I would cry.
I didn’t want it to end, and when I finally figured out how it would, end I was furious. But I also knew there was literally no other way it could work; and yet it was still so hard to accept.
The mystery, the suspense, the back-story that fed into the current events, it was all enchanting and amazing and well written, and I will 100% read it again, and 100% recommend it to anybody. Claire North, you’re on my Author Watch.
As well as being well written, it was also well performed. I loved the voice chosen for the reader, it was read at a good speed, and it was read well.
Content/Recommendation: Some language. ages 15+...more
The Gameshouse is a novella series by Claire North, author of Touch and several other books. She is a stunning writer with a distinct and mysterious wThe Gameshouse is a novella series by Claire North, author of Touch and several other books. She is a stunning writer with a distinct and mysterious writing style that engages the reader and forces them to think harder and harder with every passing page.
The first novella, The Serpant, proved a beautiful introduction to the world in which the Gameshouse resides, which is our world, except not. It’s a world in which there are cunning, clever, devious, and skilled players using our world as a game board. The game might be an election, a war, or something more simple such as hide and seek. But they play for more than money. They play for years of their lives, their love of the taste of strawberries, a memory, the affections of the person they last loved, the richness of the color purple… or something more detrimental: if I win, you take my asthma. If you win, I take your constant migraines.
The story begins with a beautiful portrait and backstory of our main character Thini, who later becomes a crucial piece in a bigger game. Her game is played, the game is won, and the world goes on.
The third story The Master ties the other two together in the ultimate game. The final game, the Great Game. A great player, known only by the name SiThe third story The Master ties the other two together in the ultimate game. The final game, the Great Game. A great player, known only by the name Silver, challenges the Gamesmaster, the woman all in white behind a veil, who is in charge of the Gameshouse. The doors of the Gameshouse shut and both players use every piece they have to play a giant game of chess with the world. The winner will have the rights to the Gameshouse. The loser dies. But Silver is not a normal player. Silver has a different goal for the outcome. And when the last move comes to play, he has to make a choice. And so he leaves that choice up to the one thing he doesn’t have control over. Luck. And the world goes on.
The second novella, The Thief, shows us a more detailed and in-depth look at the Gameshouse and how it works, and how sometimes, not all games are faiThe second novella, The Thief, shows us a more detailed and in-depth look at the Gameshouse and how it works, and how sometimes, not all games are fair. Remy plays hide and seek with a highly skilled player whose record of finding someone is 11 days. If Remy wins, he gains 20 years of the other man’s life. If he loses, he forfeits all of his memories. All of them. A hungover older player against a highly skilled young man who only plays when he knows he can win leaves us with a thrilling and unexpected end to an unbalanced match. But it ends, and the world goes on.
This is the third book of the Cormoran Strike series by JK Rowling, writing under the name Robert Galbraith. I jumped at the chance to review this stoThis is the third book of the Cormoran Strike series by JK Rowling, writing under the name Robert Galbraith. I jumped at the chance to review this story, as I enjoyed the other two so much. The second one left me with a slight surprise at the end, I was eager to continue the adventure. It surpassed my hopes, and I believe that so far, this is the best in the series. Galbraith seems to really be getting the hang of this crime novel thing. :-)
One of the great things I love about the series is the distinct way Galbraith slowly reveals the story, one bit at a time, one interview at a time, one little mistake the bad guy made at a time. And then Strike gets it, but you still don’t, so you’re sitting there like “What? What did I miss, what did he realize? what is it? WHAT IS IT!?” and it drives you crazy until Strike outlines it for you. I love that.
The relationship between Strike and Robin continues to grow, and the engagement between Robin and Matthew continues to deteriorate. More true emotions and motives are revealed, and some of Robins mysterious past is disclosed.
The audio book was narrated by Robert Glenister. He was excellent as always. He has the best voices and accents and
Just as the second novel, this one also ends in a way that demands the next book to hurry up and be published. I’m really excited about the growth of this series and I can’t wait for the next one! ...more
I love Tom Holt’s sense of humor and writing style. He is sarcastic, quirky, fun to read, entertaining, light-hearted, and hilarious. I fell in love wI love Tom Holt’s sense of humor and writing style. He is sarcastic, quirky, fun to read, entertaining, light-hearted, and hilarious. I fell in love with his world and his style when I read (listened to) Doughnut way back in 2013. Apparently TGTB&TS is book 4 in the series and I missed all the ones in between. But not once did I feel lost or confused. Actually I didn’t even know it was part of the series until I recognized the sound of “The Very Very Large Hadron Collider.”
That being said, I’d recommend reading book 1 before you read this, otherwise you will be so confused it would distract you from how funny the book is.
Tom Holt has managed to take something so absolutely ridiculous and impossible and make it totally real. The characters are well built and real (even if they are goblins and elves and stock brokers pretending to be rumplestiltskin). The plot had my heart racing (trying to figure out why The Dark Lord is crying over patterned curtains is a serious matter) and the conclusion, though open to interpretation and somewhat confusing, was still fulfilling. I’m very happy with this book and look forward to going back (and forwards) to enjoy the others in the series!
Content/Recommendation: some language, some mention of eating body parts. no sex. Ages 18+ ...more
This is one of the best, most intense, creepiest books I’ve ever read. I would read it again in a heartbeat. I would buy it for myself and for my frieThis is one of the best, most intense, creepiest books I’ve ever read. I would read it again in a heartbeat. I would buy it for myself and for my friends. I would buy copies for a local library and make sure they always had one on the shelf.
This book is filled with mystery, magic, and incomprehensable events that never fully resolve themselves but still leave you feeling resolved at the end. It plays with concepts I don’t see often in YA, and doesn’t shy away from hard questions. There is some questionable content, so I wouldn’t recommend it to all ages. But I am totally adding Dawn Kurtagich to my Author Watch list and hope you will too!
I don’t want to say too much about the story itself because I don’t want to spoil it. I requested the book, forgot about it, and then picked it at random having absolutely no idea what it was about. Suffice to say I was completely enthralled and enjoyed every moment of it. I can’t stress this enough: GO GET A COPY OF THIS BOOK IMEDIATELY. Audio, print, e-book, whatever. You will not be sorry.
Content/recommendation: some language, some sex, some violence. Most of the violence is mental torture the main character endures. Some witch-craft. Ages 16+. ...more
Battlemage was so exciting. It held on tight and didn’t let go. I was hooked from the very first few sentences from the first chapter and from there iBattlemage was so exciting. It held on tight and didn’t let go. I was hooked from the very first few sentences from the first chapter and from there it just got better. It was everything I’d hoped it would be. It had an exciting, well thought-out plot, complex and interesting characters, good writing, great humor, and amazing war-time magic. It had an interesting (subtle) religious and political commentary running through it that added dimension to the world. It made it more real. And it had a character that I had to really think about, really pay attention to, to figure out his true identity! I love that. I love a book that makes me think, and that surprises me.
I love good-guy/bad-guy magic. Magic that can take you to higher levels of selflessness and servant-hood and kindness, and that same magic can be used to pull you and everyone around you into filth and degradation. The Source is so powerful that, if used in the wrong hands, can completely break and ruin a person. And we see that in the battlemages. That’s my favorite kind of magic.
The narration was very good. Addis created a perfect voice for the personalities of the characters. He has superb accents and articulation, spoke clearly at a good pace, and took a book that was at 100% great and made it 200% great (which is exactly what the narrator should do! Add to the experience, not take away from it.)
The only thing about Battlemage I thought was slightly lacking was the very end. It was a little abrupt and open. Open in a good way, meaning it immediately demands a sequel. But I felt like the author was like “Hah! It’s over! bwahahahah!” rather than the kind of gentile ease away that leaves the reader feeling satisfied but still excited for what is to come. However I was still highly satisfied with the story, would totally read/listen to it again, and recommend it to anyone 18+. ...more
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