Saga continues to impress and shock. This series is definitely not for everyone and I feel like this issue went farther when it comes to controversialSaga continues to impress and shock. This series is definitely not for everyone and I feel like this issue went farther when it comes to controversial issues and content than any previous issue. It makes it one heck of a ride, but proceed with caution if you offend easily!
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For me, the controversial content (which I cannot specify without spoilers) is presented in a fascinating and moving way. It is not always easy to weave sensitive content into a story, but this volume handles two or three hot button topics pretty perfectly.
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The art continues to be fantastic: detailed, beautiful, at times grotesque, always wonderful to look at. I am so glad that this series has kept up a high standard of illustration through eight volumes.
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Graphic novel fans, sci-fi fans, fans of stories that do not hesitate to shock in order to make a statement - you must all read this series!
Merged review:
Saga continues to impress and shock. This series is definitely not for everyone and I feel like this issue went farther when it comes to controversial issues and content than any previous issue. It makes it one heck of a ride, but proceed with caution if you offend easily!
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For me, the controversial content (which I cannot specify without spoilers) is presented in a fascinating and moving way. It is not always easy to weave sensitive content into a story, but this volume handles two or three hot button topics pretty perfectly.
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The art continues to be fantastic: detailed, beautiful, at times grotesque, always wonderful to look at. I am so glad that this series has kept up a high standard of illustration through eight volumes.
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Graphic novel fans, sci-fi fans, fans of stories that do not hesitate to shock in order to make a statement - you must all read this series!...more
This book is oddly relevant to the current political climate of our world. As I have been trying my best to escape that over the past few years, maybeThis book is oddly relevant to the current political climate of our world. As I have been trying my best to escape that over the past few years, maybe this book was not the best one to read right now!
However, it is a very interesting and thought-provoking book with the theater of politics at its core. Friends become enemies and enemies become friends all depending on which leader is saying what is right and what is wrong at the time. We watch one of the fathers of a political philosophy become one of its victims as a new rank of ideas comes to power. In the process, he becomes jailed with the very people he was responsible for putting there. Also, people he knows become guilty by association even though they really haven’t done anything at all.
Really it is all just one big chess match where nothing has really changed except for perceptions and which people decide which ideas are going to be executed. It would almost be funny if it is not so scary in its consequences.
4 stars for this interesting exploration into political folly. But not something to read if you don’t want to be frustrated and possibly angered by the futility of people killing each other over who has the “right” political idea at the time. ...more
I enjoyed this entry in the Will Trent series. I don’t remember much about the second book in the series, but I do remember I didn’t really care for iI enjoyed this entry in the Will Trent series. I don’t remember much about the second book in the series, but I do remember I didn’t really care for it as much as previous Slaughter titles so I was worried that maybe this would not be the series for me. But, with the ties back to Grant County and the uniquely bizarre mystery I was able to stay invested in this one. Also, one thing that sometimes turns me off to mysteries that did not happen with this one is that it did not seem to become intentionally convoluted and confusing. Often, I feel like authors figure if they make the mystery as confusing as possible it will constitute a good book. Or maybe I am just easily confused! ...more
I got a comment on this review today hinting at the fact that it is taking me months to finish the last 5% and that sounds like a bad deal . . . so, II got a comment on this review today hinting at the fact that it is taking me months to finish the last 5% and that sounds like a bad deal . . . so, I figured it is about time I finally write my review. I did finish this book back in October, but I have not been all that inspired to write a review. That is partially a product of a year+ long book slump I have been going through. It is also partially because this was a very big book with lots to absorb and, because I was slumping, I am not really sure I can do it justice. So, you may want to take my review of this with a grain of salt as I am not sure it would reflect my experience with it during a better year.
Overall – I would give this book 3.5 to 4 stars.
I don’t really know a lot about the history of India, so it was interesting to learn about mid-20th Century India through this book. I cannot say that I know if Rushdie did a good job of being historically accurate – but, it sure feels like he did and I have not seen any complaints hinting at the contrary.
There was a lot of magical realism and mysticism in the story. In general – I tend to really like magical realism. There are a few authors who use magical realism a lot that do not click with me - the main one that comes to mind is Gabriel García Márquez. And, having read One Hundred Years of Solitude recently, Midnight’s Children had a very similar feeling to it. In fact, I would not be surprised if I were to hear that Rushdie was trying to write this book in the same vein. However, and not that I can quantify it in any particular way, I liked Midnight’s Children more than Solitude . . . maybe I just found it more accessible?
Should you read this book?
If you are working your way through the classics and are ready for an epic and complex book – definitely!
If you are not ready for something heavy, extensive, a bit odd, and requiring focused thought, you may want to wait. I go back to the fact that I read this for a book club during a slump – if it was not for that, I think I would have stopped and saved this until my head was in a better and more focused place. ...more
Family, religion, drugs, the legal system, and putting everything on the line when you have no idea what the best choice is . . .
This is a “Wha4 Stars
Family, religion, drugs, the legal system, and putting everything on the line when you have no idea what the best choice is . . .
This is a “What would you do if faced with a difficult decision” story. And, with multiple lives and the future at stake, the reader is left with a lot to keep them occupied throughout. I think fans of family-based drama (specifically people with close sisterly-bonds) will be enthralled by this story. In fact, if you have sisters and your relationship with them is strained, this book could hit very close to home for you.
Overall, this book is gut-wrenching – but it was the difficulty of the circumstances that kept me intrigued. Be aware that if you are sensitive, there is a lot here that might be tough to swallow. But, if you can, in the end the whole package is rewarding and will leave you with a lot to think about. ...more
Hmmm . . . not really all that tight and interesting. It started off strong, but the twists and turns were all over the board and felt forced (and somHmmm . . . not really all that tight and interesting. It started off strong, but the twists and turns were all over the board and felt forced (and sometimes silly).
As mentioned, it started very good and the first third of the book was an interesting story that is basically completely unrelated to the rest of the book (I would give the first third 5 stars). This is sad because it was the best part and I thought it was building up to something much better than I ended up with.
I need to try some of this author’s other books as I know he has a reputation for good, twisty thrillers. But this one just didn’t do it for me, so I am sad that my first outing with Lehane was here. ...more
If you do, are you surprised when bad things happen?
A decent “bubble gum” suspense thriller. Some good tWho opens a hotel in a creepy old sanitorium?
If you do, are you surprised when bad things happen?
A decent “bubble gum” suspense thriller. Some good twists and turns but a lot of suspending reality. But, with many “bubble gum” thrillers, reality is found no where near the plot! Definitely worth a try if you are looking to escape somewhere creepy for a while.
The book appears to be setting up to be a series (with The Retreat expected in 2022). I am not sure that I was into this one enough to go out of my way to continue the series. However, I bet if I give it a try some day, I will find myself somewhat entertained . . . and that will not be a bad thing!
Side note: I have been reading a lot of Riley Sager over the past few years – I think this book will appeal to fans of Sager. ...more
I have read two other Jonathan Janz books before this and loved them. That is why it pains me a bit to have to report my mediocre experience with thisI have read two other Jonathan Janz books before this and loved them. That is why it pains me a bit to have to report my mediocre experience with this one. I think it is a book that can still be appreciated by those who are really into gore and shock value in their horror stories, but for me it did not work as well as the others.
Castle of Sorrows is the sequel to The Sorrows. I LOVED The Sorrows – I thought it was perfectly creepy with the right level of horror, gore, shock value, etc. But, as perfect as The Sorrows was is as overbalanced I felt with Castle of Sorrows. It seemed like it had very little coherent plot for the sake of lots of gory shock value scenes frequently using gratuitously violent sex. I am okay with everything in the previous sentence as long as the entire plot doesn’t lean on it and it helps move the story along. In this case, it kind of felt like those Saw movies: how many gruesome ways can we kill people for no really good reason.
But I have to step back and say that I do enjoy the Saw movies, and I like a good slasher film every now and then. I guess with those I kind of just expect mindless, gory entertainment. In this case, after reading The Sorrows I expected more intricately woven plot driven horror and gore. But instead I just got an 80s horror b-movie highlight reel.
Maybe gore and shocks are what you are looking for. If that is the case, this is a book worthy of your attention. Just be sure to read The Sorrows first as it is a much better and well-crafted book overall, in my opinion. ...more
V is for Vendetta is one of those graphic novels that I would think that everyone at least kind of knows about due to the 2005 movie with Natalie PortV is for Vendetta is one of those graphic novels that I would think that everyone at least kind of knows about due to the 2005 movie with Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving or the fact that the Guy Fawkes mask from it has become a popular pop culture symbol. It has been a long time since I have seen the movie, but it feels like in many ways it followed the graphic novel closely. But, if you want the full experience of the story as it was meant to be, reading the graphic novel is a must.
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This was definitely the longest it ever took me to complete a graphic novel. This is not the fault of the graphic novel itself, it just happened to be chosen as the monthly read for one of my book clubs when I was in the midst of one of the worst reading slumps of my life. Because of this, I never really gained any momentum with this one. So, do not look at the length of time it took me to read this one and it does not really reflect my experience with it at all.
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However, I would not say I am in with the people who were blown away by this book or feel like the experience is life changing. I know that this story has a passionate following considering it has become the symbol of how some people feel about government in general. It is very easy to see why this is the case as this book doesn’t pull any punches in the same way that 1984 didn’t pull any punches. And, while I can 100% appreciate that, I didn’t quite connect with this as much as I had hoped. I truly think that this relates to the fact that time in my life that I met this book. Over the past few years of dealing with political debate in America, I have become quite exhausted with it all, so I think this felt like reading the news that I have been trying to avoid!
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All that being said, it is a good and thought-provoking story. If you enjoy dystopian fiction and don’t mind when it doesn’t fall too far from the reality tree, then you will find something here to scratch your reading itch.
This is where Poirot began! Christie’s most famous detective started his investigations (at least on paper) with The Mysterious Affair at Styles. I haThis is where Poirot began! Christie’s most famous detective started his investigations (at least on paper) with The Mysterious Affair at Styles. I have already read a couple of his other adventures, so I am a bit out of order. I figured it was time to go back and tackle them the way Christie intended!
This was a strong start and I can see how it appealed enough to become a series. It is fun to follow the quirky behavior and deductive reasoning of our protagonist. While it is not always easy to tell where he is going with his explanations, it all came together in the end.
Another thing this book has going for it is that the mystery was interesting, which is not always the case. A few times I read mystery stories and, while the investigation is interesting, the general plot is lackluster. But, from the moment I met the characters I was hooked. Then it only got more interesting as I learned their backgrounds, witnessed the crime, and then joined Poirot in putting the puzzle pieces together.
I am so glad I tried another classic from Christie. I think if you have any interest in mystery novels you should try Christie, and this would not be a bad place to start. ...more
I have had this book on my TBR for a while now and was inspired to give it a try after watching the Challenger docu-series on Netflix. Unfortunately, I have had this book on my TBR for a while now and was inspired to give it a try after watching the Challenger docu-series on Netflix. Unfortunately, historical disasters are fascinating and tend to make for interesting shows and books. I remember the day the Challenger accident happened, and I have always been interested in learning more about it.
With Truth, Lies, and O-Rings I learned A LOT about the events leading up to and following the Challenger tragedy. And, it is no accident that I capitalized A LOT; McDonald does not just give a basic, quick summary. This is an extremely detailed, often repetitive, account of EVERYTHING you could possibly ever want to know about it. I cannot stress this enough – if you only have a passing interest in this event, just want a quick summary of everything (much like what was presented in the docu-series), or this is just your first time to try and learn about this subject, I don’t recommend this book.
However, this is a great book and will give you all the details you need. If you love getting into the nitty gritty of historical events - and, I mean, really immersing yourself in the details, the facts, the people, etc. - then this is the book for you. Despite being dense with facts, McDonald does a pretty decent job of keeping it interesting and has written it in a way that is accessible to the layman.
While reading, someone commented on one of my statuses that they hoped I would give my before and after impressions of NASA when I was done reading this book. To be honest, I never gave a whole lot of thought to NASA before reading this book. To me, they were just an agency that put people in space. After reading the book, I see a bit more of how they are just another government agency with lots of bureaucracy, red tape, and pressure to deliver – sometimes at the expense of safety and common sense. Also, they really work hard to pass the blame when possible. But, they also did many positive things over the course of the events in this book – so it is not all bad. So, I would say I now know more about NASA, but I am not really surprised by its behavior as a government agency.
In summary, I recommend this book to hardcore space and historical disaster buffs who want all the details in depth and ad nauseum. I do not recommend this book to those with a passing and casual interest. ...more
I think it is important that I am upfront when writing this review about the fact that I am both in the middle of a reading slump that has been on andI think it is important that I am upfront when writing this review about the fact that I am both in the middle of a reading slump that has been on and off or month and I am in the middle of a cross-country move. I feel like it is very likely that both of these things affected how I felt about the book and my ability to focus on it. So, you might want to take my review with a grain of salt.
Key things that I felt when reading this: - I enjoyed the first Will Trent Book better. - It was a decent book, but far from my favorite Slaughter book. But, not my least favorite, either. - I do enjoy Slaughter and her characters so I will be continuing this series. - There was a lot of jumping around between characters and storylines and I got lost at a few points. - With that last bullet point, I go back to my warning paragraph and the fact that there were many distractions in my life at the time of reading so this is likely not any fault of the book or Slaughter. - Slaughter writes about pedophiles a lot. - As usual, with Slaughter, a gory thriller.
If you have enjoyed other Slaughter books you know what you are getting into here. There may be twists and turns, but no surprises with the way she writes. So, Slaughter fans can read with confidence. Those with queasy stomachs and who cannot focus may want to steer clear (in the second case, at least until you can focus!) ...more
The best way I can describe this book is that it seems like DeMille needed a transitional book for his character John Corey and his pre vs post 9/11 wThe best way I can describe this book is that it seems like DeMille needed a transitional book for his character John Corey and his pre vs post 9/11 world. Since the type of adventures/mysteries Corey gets involved in usually deal with terrorism, it was probably a challenge to figure out how to go from one to the other. It could not just be as simple as releasing a book after the fact and suddenly everything is different. I applaud DeMille for thinking this through and putting it all into a full book.
That being said, this entry in the Corey series was good, but probably my least favorite so far. I think actually some of that might have to do with what I praised in the previous paragraph. Since DeMille had a lot of focus on the build up to 9/11 in the story I feel like it may have affected the organic flow a bit.
So, good – not great – 3.5 stars perhaps (and I will round up to 4 since Goodreads doesn’t take half stars and I don’t want to round down to 3). But, if you have enjoyed the Corey series so far, it is definitely worth reading and I look forward to continuing his adventures past Night Fall. ...more
Also, every one if Moore’s books are not too long. Not that I miI just love reading Christopher Moore!
It’s silly!
It’s irreverent!
It’s un-put-downable!
Also, every one if Moore’s books are not too long. Not that I mind a long book, it is just nice every once in a while to get in a quick, fun read. And, as Moore usually does not seem to release one-offs, there are more books in the world of Practical Demonkeeping to read.
This book is about as much horror as it is comedy. And, the horror is kind of funny. And the comedy is kind of horrific. A perfect tale for lovers of dark humor.
I am glad that I can confidently pick up a Christopher Moore book and know I am in for a few hours of enjoyment. There are very few authors that I am confident with in that regard. I hope you have the same experience! ...more
Classic and so good! I am glad I finally read this.
I am familiar with Sherlock Holmes, but I am not sure I have ever actually read any of the books. TClassic and so good! I am glad I finally read this.
I am familiar with Sherlock Holmes, but I am not sure I have ever actually read any of the books. Throughout my life, I have seen many Holmes movies and various pop culture references, so it is all kind of mashed together in my head. By reading The Hound of the Baskervilles I now know with 100% certainty that I have read a Holmes book.
And . . . it seems like it was a great place to start!
Sometimes when reading classic mysteries, they get kind of muddled and confusing for me. When reading Agatha Christie, I often have to go back over sections to clear things up or when I get to the resolution, I will find I missed something. This has also happened for me when watching the Downey, Jr. Holmes movies. But, thankfully, this was not an issue for me with the Hound of the Baskervilles. The mystery is interesting, easy to follow, and progresses nicely. It has lots of the Holmes tropes that anyone with even a passive interest in Holmes would know about. All in all, a very satisfying experience.
Looking to start your Holmes journey? I think starting here would be "Elementary"!...more
I continue to be very entertained by the Chew graphic novel series!
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Always funny! Slightly irreverent! Maybe not something to read around mealtiI continue to be very entertained by the Chew graphic novel series!
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Always funny! Slightly irreverent! Maybe not something to read around mealtime – it might either make you lose your appetite or get sick to your stomach. But at least you will be laughing while you do!
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While the story is great, the artwork is even better. It is a carnival for your eyes! The goofiness and cartoonishness (is that a word . . . cartoony-ness maybe? ...more
As an issue by itself: 4 stars As an issue continuing the storyline of a series: 2.5 to 3 stars
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I am not really sure what happened to this seriesAs an issue by itself: 4 stars As an issue continuing the storyline of a series: 2.5 to 3 stars
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I am not really sure what happened to this series, but it seems to have gone off the rails from the original plot. What started as an intriguing mystery (which may still be in there somewhere) turned into an action packed revenge story for this issue.
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As mentioned in my star rating at the top, I really did enjoy the action and the revenge. And, if this stood alone I could easily walk away giving it 4 stars. But, trying to reconcile it with the plot I was given 4 issues ago, I am totally lost. I think there is only one issue left so we will see if it comes full circle.
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The art is just okay for me in this series. There are a few really great frames but a lot of the times the faces and expression seem slightly off/incorrectly proportioned. The covers are much better and I wish that had been the art used in the story.
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So, I cannot say I continue to recommend this title. It had some cool stuff early on, but feels like it is fading away....more
Terrifying, disturbing, twisted, gory, and EXCELLENT!
In fantasy novels you often hear the term "world-building" and many will base part of the5+ stars
Terrifying, disturbing, twisted, gory, and EXCELLENT!
In fantasy novels you often hear the term "world-building" and many will base part of their enjoyment of the book on how well the author does this. For The Sorrows, I am going to use the phrase "Haunted House Building", and Janz does it perfectly. I just love what he has done here is creating a creepy castle on a creepy island and all of the related creepy lore. If you love a good haunted house story, look no further.
There area few things I could be nit-picky about. At times things are coincidental and convenient. Maybe it is a little obvious that something happens just to keep the plot moving. But, at no point did these things distract to the point of lessening my enjoyment.
One plot hole that kind of bugged me (view spoiler)[ one of the main characters inflicts a fairly significant injury to their abdomen while having a sleepwalking nightmare. Later on, other characters see her naked - including a sex scene where someone gets up close and personal with her abdomen. But, no one acknowledges that she has an abdominal injury. It seemed odd - maybe the injury was a figment of her imagination, but I didn't think it was described that way. (hide spoiler)]. Oh well, it was not big enough of a deal to ruin the plot or my enjoyment.
If you like your horror a bit demented, and your suspense intense (this book did not let up AT ALL during the last 1/3) then you have to try The Sorrows. This is my second Janz book and after having great experiences with both I am surprised he is not yet more widely known among horror readers.
Over the course of the movie series I know there has been much swooning over James Bond and his body. I recall that Daniel Craig coming out of the watOver the course of the movie series I know there has been much swooning over James Bond and his body. I recall that Daniel Craig coming out of the water in blue bathing trunks in Casino Royale caused the temperature to rise for many. So, it goes without saying that The Body is an important part of James Bond lore, and there is now a series of graphic novels which take one story and focus on specific parts of the it in each issue.
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I thought this was a pretty creative approach to a well-known series. Since there have been so many books and movies, I am sure it can be difficult to come up with new and creative ideas. While the over-arching story is typical bond, giving a very specific focus to a part of the body in each adds some depth that makes what might normally be ordinary more extraordinary.
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The story has one author, but each issue has a different illustrator. Sometimes this bugs me, but in this case, it worked to give several artists a piece of the story and let them run with it. While some of the illustrations I enjoyed more than others, overall it was a visually satisfying adventure.
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If you have thought about trying the James Bond graphic novel series, this is one worth checking out. You get some of the typical bond tropes you know and love with and interesting and creative twist on presentation. ...more
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