Simple and intriguing. I questioned fantasy vs reality throughout. Great characters. Not a full five stars because it drug on in a couple of spots forSimple and intriguing. I questioned fantasy vs reality throughout. Great characters. Not a full five stars because it drug on in a couple of spots for me, but I would recommend this to most people....more
Lots of trivia about just about everything. The structure of the book is that the trivia relates to rooms throughout the house, but I felt like this cLots of trivia about just about everything. The structure of the book is that the trivia relates to rooms throughout the house, but I felt like this connection not a strong one. Despite this, the random stories about the development of everyday life over the last 400 years or so was very interesting!...more
A very interesting and bizarre book - bizarre in a good way! What I like about the creativity of this novel is that it all feels somewhat believable eA very interesting and bizarre book - bizarre in a good way! What I like about the creativity of this novel is that it all feels somewhat believable even though it is very fantastic. Over the past couple of years I have read books in the fantasy/supernatural genre where the made-up elements feel forced and kind of silly. That was not the case with this book. (view spoiler)[ The mysterious supernatural activities are described in beautiful and believable detail, and even though we never really find out where they come from, how they work, or why - that is okay (hide spoiler)]
I have no problem recommending this to a person who likes a good story and good descriptive narrative....more
Decent medical thriller - Suspenseful! Far-Fetched, but not so much as to be distracting. Not as obviously dated as previous books I have read by CookDecent medical thriller - Suspenseful! Far-Fetched, but not so much as to be distracting. Not as obviously dated as previous books I have read by Cook....more
Meh . . . I keep hearing about how awesome this series is, but someone needs to tell me when it gets good! Three books in and I am still not super impMeh . . . I keep hearing about how awesome this series is, but someone needs to tell me when it gets good! Three books in and I am still not super impressed.
The first problem I have is that everything he makes up sounds so convenient and unbelievable. I know that fantasy/supernatural stories involve a lot of made up stuff, but usually the author makes it sound believable. With this book (and the previous ones) whenever the main character is in peril, the author would pull something out of thin air to save the day. (i.e. OMG, the giant monster is going to eat me! But, that monster is from Pittsburgh, and it is Tuesday, and the ancient chronicles say that monsters from Pittsburgh cannot attack wizards on Tuesday. Therefore, with a flick of his wrist, Harry decimated the monster).
The second problem is how conveniently every character seems to show up in every scene. Toward the end of the book, they are at a vampire party and every few minutes, the main character runs into someone else from the story. It does end up being relevant to the plot, but it feels forced.
The third problem is how whiny Harry Dresden is - I don't know feel like he is believable as a wizard that would take on the forces of evil. Also, because of this, I find it hard to believe that he would attract so many friends and women who want him. He is just kind of blah to me. (and if he says "Hells bells" one more time . . . . )
The fourth problem is that the author frequently preaches against the church even though some of the main characters who help him are from the church. He doesn't have to like the church, but it doesn't really seem to advance the story - and, if I were his Christian friends, I would probably leave him in the dust.
The fifth problem is that every time a woman walks in the room we get a detailed description of her breasts and nipples. Seems kind of weird; like he doesn't know any other way to describe a woman. Descriptions like this work if used in moderation, but in excess it gets kind of creepy.
The sixth problem relates to the audio version of the book. The reader whispers most of the book very slowly, which sometimes made it very hard to hear. Also, it didn't always seem to fit what was happening. Not one of my favorite readings.
Despite all of this - a part of me wants to keep going and find out what happens next. I see that this book generally gets good reviews, so I am wondering if maybe this story is just not for me. ...more
This book was okay. The characters were kind of pathetic. In the end, I felt the resolution was that it is okay to be pathetic because that is who theThis book was okay. The characters were kind of pathetic. In the end, I felt the resolution was that it is okay to be pathetic because that is who they are are and their whole family is pathetic. I really don't think that any of the characters grew or changed.
The entertainment value in this book is the same as watching Jerry Springer. ...more
Kudos to the author for a very thorough evaluation of the interstate highway system, US transportation, I-69 proposals (controversies, etc.), and the Kudos to the author for a very thorough evaluation of the interstate highway system, US transportation, I-69 proposals (controversies, etc.), and the people who were touched by it all. But, I think if I had been reading this instead of listening, I may not have been able to make it through. While some of the stories about the people and communities involved were very interesting, they did get a bit repetitive after awhile. Also, there was a very large section about highway funding that got a bit tedious.
I think if I was a politician, activist, or someone who had direct interest in this topic it would have drawn me in more as it was basically a textbook on the issue. As an outsider with passing interest and knowledge in the I-69 project because I am an Indiana citizen, it was just okay. ...more
I was expecting more from this, but perhaps as this is the first in the series, it will improve with further reading. There were large parts where I wI was expecting more from this, but perhaps as this is the first in the series, it will improve with further reading. There were large parts where I wasnt really sure what the author was talking about - I think he was trying to be symbolic and poetic, but it sometimes came out of nowhere so it was hard to follow.
I had expected similarities to C. J. Box, but at this point, Box is better and more interesting to me. I will try a few more in this series, though, before I make any final opinions....more
A very good episodic zombie adventure. Each chapter could easily be a 30 minute to one hour television episode; many of them end with a decent cliffhaA very good episodic zombie adventure. Each chapter could easily be a 30 minute to one hour television episode; many of them end with a decent cliffhanger. This reminds me a lot of The Walking Dead - in fact, they could easily be taking place in the same world. If you like zombies and/or post-apocalyptic stories, give this one a shot....more
A good book with a tough story to tell. I enjoyed how all the story lines started separately and came together in the end. This book is probably not fA good book with a tough story to tell. I enjoyed how all the story lines started separately and came together in the end. This book is probably not for everybody because of the intense subject matter; I could see personal beliefs and experiences with war/military service, foster care, abuse, racism, etc. getting in the way of enjoying this story. But, I think that was the point that the author is trying to make: this story could happen, has happened, and is not an easy pill to swallow....more
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