Joe Hill writes from a dark and mysterious place. When I read this book, I was enthralled and uncomfortable at the same time. With every Hill novel I Joe Hill writes from a dark and mysterious place. When I read this book, I was enthralled and uncomfortable at the same time. With every Hill novel I have read, the evil is unconventional and twisted. In this novel, the protagonist connects with the dark forces through mysterious horns growing out of his head . . . and it only gets stranger from there.
My guess is that 9 out of 10 readers will have no idea exactly what happened, but there is a good chance that most of them will have enjoyed it (I was one of those)....more
The next step in the Riftwar series. If you enjoyed Magician, continue the adventure here with a quest led by Arutha (my autocorrect does not like AruThe next step in the Riftwar series. If you enjoyed Magician, continue the adventure here with a quest led by Arutha (my autocorrect does not like Arutha). If you have not read Magician: Apprentice and Magician: Master, stop, slowly step away from this review, and then quickly get those and start reading!
As you may have seen, I challenged my fantasy loving friends to read this series. If you made it this far, you're welcome!...more
This book was just okay. I did not believe the characters or their relationships. I may think twice before reading more John Saul. This was his first This book was just okay. I did not believe the characters or their relationships. I may think twice before reading more John Saul. This was his first effort, so maybe the books will improve after this one....more
A decent suspense/thriller. Content is quite dated (late 70s - smoking everywhere, every man is sexist, characters searching for payphones) but that dA decent suspense/thriller. Content is quite dated (late 70s - smoking everywhere, every man is sexist, characters searching for payphones) but that did not detract - in fact, it was an interesting history lesson for late 70s culture....more
I read this book a couple of years ago because it has been hyped up for years, here are a few of my observations:
- I found this in the Young Adult secI read this book a couple of years ago because it has been hyped up for years, here are a few of my observations:
- I found this in the Young Adult section of my Library, but I would not classify this as Young Adult at all. It makes me wonder how they determine that. - I would say that I am fifty-fifty on the hype. It was an interesting story, but not totally enthralling to me. At points it drug on a bit. But, definite points for being unique! - Overall assessment. Decent, but would I recommend it? Maybe leaning towards probably not. Since it is such a different type of story, I am not even sure what I could compare it to to try and make a recommendation....more
A shocking looking into American industry and poverty in early 20th Century Chicago. I would have given it 4 stars if the story didn't stop about 40 pA shocking looking into American industry and poverty in early 20th Century Chicago. I would have given it 4 stars if the story didn't stop about 40 pages before the end and become strictly Socialist propaganda...more
Updating this review in June 2016. I was just discussing this series with a friend I recommended this to and we were both sayFANTASY FANS PLEASE READ!
Updating this review in June 2016. I was just discussing this series with a friend I recommended this to and we were both saying how shocked we are how few people have read it because it is so good. It can be hard to find Feist's books in stores or at the library - but it shouldn't be!
I am not saying that everyone will end up liking this, but I think there are a lot of people missing out. To give you a statistical analysis of how many people are missing out - I currently have 627 friends on Goodreads. 135 of them have read A Game of Thrones. Only 8 of them have read the first book in this series.
You might look at my book list and say, "Matthew, you hypocrite! You may be reading this series, but you have yet to read Game of Thrones! How can you compare the two?" This is true. Maybe Game of Thrones is superior. I look forward to reading it eventually and finding out, but my point is that I think Feist's series is great and I want to spread the news (also, it is 30 books long - with two to four book story arcs within it. The first arc is just 4 books. But, the series is complete. No waiting years for the next one!)
So, here is challenge to fantasy fans (friends on here or otherwise). As soon as 30 more people give this series a try because of this review, I will immediately begin reading Game of Thrones. I know that isn't much of an incentive for you, but I hope the joy you find in reading this series is enough. If this review leads you to read this, please let me know in the comments. Or, I will just keep an eye on how many of my friends have rated it and as soon as it gets to 38, Game of Thrones is a go!
(Update: I have now read the first two GoT books and watched the series)
Note: In this series, I am up to book 11 and it is still going great!
Warning to readers! Book 1 and 2 really are "book one" of a trilogy. Frequently they are combined into one volume (Magician) If you only read the first book, this is not a case where you get the complete first part of the story. You really need to read a least the first two before you will be able to tell if this story is for you or not!...more
This was a good series. I think I liked the last two books the best - they were a reboot of the story with what felt like a much more suspenseful atmoThis was a good series. I think I liked the last two books the best - they were a reboot of the story with what felt like a much more suspenseful atmosphere. I love Dean Koontz for his quick and thrilling reads that always have the most twisted of characters and plot lines....more
I enjoyed this book, but I am not really sure I cared for the ending. I am not sure what I expected, but after enjoying the story of all the characterI enjoyed this book, but I am not really sure I cared for the ending. I am not sure what I expected, but after enjoying the story of all the characters, I was not really blown away by the resolution.
The two main ways I can describe this book:
1. This is The Silver Linings Playbook if it was written about teenagers and high school. 2. If after reading it I had found out it was by John Green I would not have been surprised.
The author tried to fit a lot of early 90s teen angst into this book, and that was when I was in high school, so it was a bit of a nostalgic adventure for me, too....more