Dan Brown is back with some of his best work in a while. I was not a huge fan of his last two – Inferno and The Lost Symbol. I think for me they seemeDan Brown is back with some of his best work in a while. I was not a huge fan of his last two – Inferno and The Lost Symbol. I think for me they seemed kind of stale after Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code. Origin is now probably my second favorite of his (behind Angels and Demons).
Some of the key points:
Religion and Science – this is a big battle in our world today. It is an exhausting battle for someone like me who goes to church but also loves science. I worry that the feeling is starting to be that the two cannot exist together. Dan Brown does a great job of addressing this debate in this book (even though at times I was worried that it was going to end up just being another annoying commentary on the same debate)
Lead Female Characters – Brown amuses me with every new lead female character. It is always a scientist, art expert, museum curator, etc. who just so happens to be one of the top 5 most beautiful women alive (he has 5 Langdon books, each with one of those top 5 ;) )
The Dan Brown formula – I will say that each of Brown’s book has basically the same structure. A mystery starts (usually in a museum, church, famous building). Langdon meets a woman (see above). Langdon and this woman run around trying to solve the mystery. Yes, that formula is here. However, that felt okay this time. The last two books it felt like old hat – almost like he was phoning it in. But, with this one I was kind of glad to get back into the same formula and he developed the plot and suspense well.
If you like Dan Brown – I recommend this.
If you thought maybe the Langdon series had no gas left – I recommend this.
If you want an interesting, thought-provoking mystery with a lot of suspense – I recommend this.
Merged review:
Dan Brown is back with some of his best work in a while. I was not a huge fan of his last two – Inferno and The Lost Symbol. I think for me they seemed kind of stale after Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code. Origin is now probably my second favorite of his (behind Angels and Demons).
Some of the key points:
Religion and Science – this is a big battle in our world today. It is an exhausting battle for someone like me who goes to church but also loves science. I worry that the feeling is starting to be that the two cannot exist together. Dan Brown does a great job of addressing this debate in this book (even though at times I was worried that it was going to end up just being another annoying commentary on the same debate)
Lead Female Characters – Brown amuses me with every new lead female character. It is always a scientist, art expert, museum curator, etc. who just so happens to be one of the top 5 most beautiful women alive (he has 5 Langdon books, each with one of those top 5 ;) )
The Dan Brown formula – I will say that each of Brown’s book has basically the same structure. A mystery starts (usually in a museum, church, famous building). Langdon meets a woman (see above). Langdon and this woman run around trying to solve the mystery. Yes, that formula is here. However, that felt okay this time. The last two books it felt like old hat – almost like he was phoning it in. But, with this one I was kind of glad to get back into the same formula and he developed the plot and suspense well.
If you like Dan Brown – I recommend this.
If you thought maybe the Langdon series had no gas left – I recommend this.
If you want an interesting, thought-provoking mystery with a lot of suspense – I recommend this....more
"You gotta stand up for your friends. Sometimes that means dying. Sometimes that means killing a whole lot of people"
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In volume 3 of the Sin Cit"You gotta stand up for your friends. Sometimes that means dying. Sometimes that means killing a whole lot of people"
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In volume 3 of the Sin City series, the story remains dark, gory, and creative. For those who have seen the original movie you will recognize this as the middle part of it.
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This is a highly entertaining mix of action, humor, and bad-ass-ery (a word that I am growing very fond of using). If you like your thrills noir, your heroines very naughty, and your heroes fighting to within an inch of their life, then this is for you!
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You can pretty much pick this one up without having read the previous ones if you want. But, so far they are all pretty good, so you should probably read them all....more
Well . . . that’s the ending of the iZombie series. Pretty much seemed like a phoned in rush job just to bring the series to a close. They might as weWell . . . that’s the ending of the iZombie series. Pretty much seemed like a phoned in rush job just to bring the series to a close. They might as well have called this issue “Deus Ex Machina” as almost every frame was like “Oh, here are some people that we need to be here to continue the story” and “Oh, suddenly we are all here where the important stuff is happening”.
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For a series that started off so well, I am disappointed that it ended this way. In fact, I am not sure you really need to read the previous volumes because they throw it all out the window to bring it to a close. All the focus on Gwen as the zombie protagonist is gone as she is hardly in this volume until the very end. Every character they introduced throughout the previous books is in this, but they have very little purpose except to interact with each other in a way that will get them all to the same place for the big climax. In fact, there are two or three characters I am not even sure they ever explained why they were there – they just show up! It really feels like the creators were suddenly told they were cancelling the series and the author and artist scrambled to get it done. I even feel like the art is less crisp – like it was rushed.
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I should have known it wasn’t going well when it took me two weeks to read this because I was never really interested in going back to it.
While I enjoyed the first 3 volumes, I cannot say I recommend the series because I know you are building up to a disappointing ending. ...more
I don't think I really understood this book at first, but after I finished it, I went looking around online for more info about it and it clicked. ThiI don't think I really understood this book at first, but after I finished it, I went looking around online for more info about it and it clicked. This book is a prequel to Jane Eyre to be read after you read Jane Eyre. Reading it before you read Jane Eyre will probably spoil some of it for you. Also, as a stand alone book without referrence to Jane Eyre, I don't think it is a particularly interesting book.
The story for me was a bit flat. I didn't fully understand the motivation of the characters. This is a case of having to know a bit of the background of the world at the time the book was released to really get it. There are a lot of themes around the treatment of women, race, slavery, imperialism, etc. that the casual reader may not catch. I know I didn't at first (thanks, Wikipedia! 😉)
So, here's a basic bullet point rundown:
- A so-so story - Doesn't really stand well on it's own (must be read after Jane Eyre) - With Jane Eyre in mind, you should really read a synopsis of it before, during, and/or after you read this (unless you are well versed in Jane Eyre) - I give it 3 stars as it is cool to get backstory from another book, but I couldn't go higher because I was not moved or blown away. The story just was there . . . kinda blah....more
This is a nice, short transitional volume after the high drama of the last volume. The main purpose here is to give some backstory on our heroines (FrThis is a nice, short transitional volume after the high drama of the last volume. The main purpose here is to give some backstory on our heroines (Francine and Katchoo) and at least one of our less than favorite characters (Freddie Femurs).
A typical High School morning for Francine and Katchoo: [image]
I would write more of a review here, but I am going to let my 20 year old self do that. After reading the High School mini-series I wrote a letter to Terry Moore (on what was then VERY new email technology). He published the letter in the back of issue 16 in July of 1998 - here it is!
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Side note on issue 16: It is grouped with the High School series, but it is a one shot shout out to Xena Warrior Princess and did not advance the main story.
I fear it is impossible to say too much about this book without spoilers. Because of this I will be brief so you can never go back and say, "I would hI fear it is impossible to say too much about this book without spoilers. Because of this I will be brief so you can never go back and say, "I would have loved this book, but that Matthew guy from Goodreads ruined it for me!" So, here is my quick but hopefully useful review.
This is a classic mystery. You like mysteries? You have to have to read this!
Characters are great! So much fun meeting and learning about them all.
Current mysteries have nothing on Christie. This is very intricate and very fun to watch the clues be put together and the solution come into focus. But, now I am getting too close to spoilers.
I love the random (and extensive) collection of Graphic Novels I can find on Hoopla. I have been introduced to a lot of great titles simply because thI love the random (and extensive) collection of Graphic Novels I can find on Hoopla. I have been introduced to a lot of great titles simply because they are simple to review and access. The Beauty is an unexpected treat I found in the midst of them all.
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The Beauty is a sexually transmitted disease that gives the infected an appearance every narcissist would die for. Ever since it is discovered, people have been clamoring to become infected instead of protecting themselves. The only side effect is a slightly elevated temperature . . . or is it?
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Creepy and creative from page one – this is definitely one I am going to stick with to the end. The art work is dark and gruesome. Some of the images are definitely ones that would creep the S#!T out of you if you were reading this under the covers with a flashlight in the middle of the night.
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Another cool thing about the art is that it is very precise and detailed when it is close up, but the farther away it is from the main focal point of the reader it becomes more obscure and impressionistic. I think this is a great visual representation of the precise beauty given by the disease not being quite as sharp as it seems.
If you like horror and don’t mind mature content, checking this out is definitely a no-brainer....more
YAS! On top of the ongoing relationship turmoil, this volume gets deeper into the political intrigue and espionage touched on in the earlier volumes. YAS! On top of the ongoing relationship turmoil, this volume gets deeper into the political intrigue and espionage touched on in the earlier volumes. A quick glance at this series and you might think it is only about the wacky adventures of our suburban heroines Francine and Katchoo. But, in every closet, there are a few skeletons, and sometimes those skeletons come back from the dead.
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With this volume, Terry Moore returned his creation to his own private studio – Abstract. The first few issues of this volume were still with Image/Homage comics and I think that the influence of that studio was felt. After he started to get back to his own studio with only himself to report to, the feel of the story went back to some of his early work when he was publishing out of his own studio. This is a very good thing!
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A few of the cool things he does in this volume: • Mixes prose with comic panels • One issue includes guitar tablature so that you can play along with his original song if you like • And, despite the aforementioned suspense and intrigue, he does a great job including humor, little inside jokes, and subtle side stories within the bigger story. (Taking a closer look at some of the panels – and sometimes in-between the panels – will reveal new things you may not have noticed in the first place
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This series is awesome! Read it!
Note: This volume is a compilation of the original run series Vol. 3 Issues 6-12...more
So, a testosterone overloaded jock, a women’s right’s activist, a pubescent teenage boy, a literary genius, and a sci-fi/horror manga artist all get tSo, a testosterone overloaded jock, a women’s right’s activist, a pubescent teenage boy, a literary genius, and a sci-fi/horror manga artist all get together and get really drunk and REALLY high. What happens?
The Empowered graphic novel series!
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These books are creative while being raunchy, humorous while being sentimental, gratuitously sexual while fighting against body image issues. Really, all the stuff that is combined here does not make a lot of sense (and could frequently make a sensitive person uncomfortable), but MAN! What a wild ride!
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A couple of additional notes:
- If you are REALLY PC, get offended easily, and/or cannot just appreciate something for its obnoxious goofiness, THIS IS NOT FOR YOU! Don’t even try it! Seriously! Stop! Go away! If you don’t heed this warning, you try it, and end up hating it – don’t blame me! - This volume is the first with a really solid storyline. The previous ones were just a collection of anecdotes with some minor continuity. This one had a whole beginning, middle, and end (with a pretty cool final Epic battle)
The first collected volume of issues from what became the main bulk of the series. Volume 1 had 3 issues and Volume 2 had 13 issues. I recommend you sThe first collected volume of issues from what became the main bulk of the series. Volume 1 had 3 issues and Volume 2 had 13 issues. I recommend you start with those so you know the characters and backstory before you get into new things here. This volume collects issues 1 to 5 of Volume 3.
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While in theory this volume is a complete story and it does end with the line “End of Part 1”, it is definitely a reintroduction to the SIP crew that needs to be followed up by continuing into the next volume. There is no way you could read this volume and be fully satisfied with what you got. This is the appetizer and your steak is on the way!
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Despite the traditional black and white of the photo above, this volume is in color (unless he re-released it in black and white later). Based on reading some notes on this, it sounds like this approach was taken because he was looking to go more mainstream with a new publisher at the time and that was the way to do it. I do believe, if I recall from reading the first 30 or so issues a few years ago, that he does go back to black and white later on – which I do prefer for Moore!
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While Love Me Tender was in color and not a complete story – I still LOVE Strangers In Paradise, the way Moore writes his characters, and just his writing style in general. He does a great job combining humorous and serious content. You want to laugh, and you want to cry. You are always left wanting to know what will happen next!...more
A few introductory comments on my rating and review:
My rating is reflective of my experience with this book and not the actual impact this book has haA few introductory comments on my rating and review:
My rating is reflective of my experience with this book and not the actual impact this book has had on literature and other people over the years. Sometimes when I read a book I don’t like, I cannot understand why others like it either. That is not the case here – it is very easy for me to tell why others would like this book and I think it was very interesting at its core; it is just the delivery that did not work for me.
I hesitate to actually say that I read this. I really only grasped about 15% of what was going on during the book as the randomness of the events in the plot had me confused and I kept daydreaming in the middle of it. It is only through internet searches after I was done that I was able to pull all the events together coherently.
Now, on to the review:
I think the story was very interesting. Also, from what I have read about Virginia Woolf, it is very reflective of her life experiences. But, I went low with my star rating because the stream of consciousness delivery had me lost and disinterested most of the time. As mentioned above – if it wasn’t for Google, I may not have fully understood what transpired. I did this as audio and I am glad I did because I am not sure I could have stuck with it if I was reading it.
As a famous classic on many must read lists, I get it. But, it is one of those that I think not a lot of people are going to get into. So, be warned before you go out to choose a classic and hope that Mrs. Dalloway is the one for you: a great story but rambling, stream of consciousness delivery has to be something you don’t mind. ...more
At first I wasn't sure. Some of these early Jedi vs Sith graphic novels are okay, but end up not living up to my full expectations. This one was prettAt first I wasn't sure. Some of these early Jedi vs Sith graphic novels are okay, but end up not living up to my full expectations. This one was pretty good!
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Compiling only two normal length coming books, this is the smallest Star Wars collection I have encountered so far. If you have about 30 minutes, you can make it through this. Since it is in the middle of the larger Tales of the Jedi series, I do not recommend just randomly reading this one without reading the others first - it just won't be the same.
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The artwork in this collection is fairly old fashioned. It took some time to get used to it since I have been reading more modern graphic novels. But in the end, I kinda loved it!
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For Star Wars completists - check it out! For casual Star Wars fans, probably not worth hunting down....more
Thanks to Bantam Books/Random house for this ARC. Also thanks to Dustin Crazy little brown owl - moderator of Koontzland - the definitive Koontz GoodrThanks to Bantam Books/Random house for this ARC. Also thanks to Dustin Crazy little brown owl - moderator of Koontzland - the definitive Koontz Goodreads group - for hosting the giveaway. I say ARC even though it came out two weeks ago, but I got it just a couple of days before the release so I am late to the party.
The Jane Hawk adventure continues as she takes her bad-ass-ery all over America in search if truth an justice. There is so much stuff happening in this book and it was very suspenseful. Page after page I was fully entertained. I cannot wait for this saga to continue.
For Koontz fans: this series is unlike anything I have read by Koontz before. If you are look for a story and writing like early Koontz, you will not find it here. That is not a bad thing, just different. This series is more espionage and corporate/government corruption instead of horror and supernatural. But, it does have dogs - so it is definitely Koontz!
Important note: as you may already know this is the second book in the series. While you might be able to read this without reading the first one and still be entertained and catch up with what is going on, I highly recommend starting with the first....more
Not much going on here - while there are a couple of big revelations in the end, this was basically just a good ol' fashioned zombie cattle drive. SeeNot much going on here - while there are a couple of big revelations in the end, this was basically just a good ol' fashioned zombie cattle drive. Seemed like more of a transitional volume. Not much more to say, I guess.
So, for those of you who stop by for my Pulitzer Prize winning reviews, sorry that this is all you get!
Also, it appears like I might be in the minority with this opinion . . .
An interesting collection of anecdotes from Africa in the early 1900s. It is better than a history book because you get to learn about it from the worAn interesting collection of anecdotes from Africa in the early 1900s. It is better than a history book because you get to learn about it from the words of someone who lived it.
The colonialism approach of the time that is seen in the writing can be construed as imperialistic and, at times, racially inappropriate. However, I would say that the author is writing what she knows at the time and never gets malicious to or speaks down about anyone in her story - even if there are undertones that might be considered inappropriate today. In fact, I think she does a pretty good job of giving us a glimpse into native life in Africa only one generation removed from no outside influence.
Another thing I did not really see in the book is any hatred between religions or judgement of people because of who they are. People of different religions, races, and social standing all seem to respect each other and give each other a wide berth when necessary (i.e. the Christians come to mourn a person, then they leave to allow that person's Muslim friends come in to mourn in their way). I did not sense any animosity throughout the story. Many of the main characters are Somalis and I kept thinking about all the conflicts there over the past 50 years or so - none of that is seen here. I would have to look into the background of this story a bit more to see when she wrote this, but I am wondering if some of her inspiration with World Wars raging was to show an Africa before all of that and all the changes it was heading towards.
This is a must read for history and memoir buffs!...more
This seems to be a more transitional volume in the series. Not as much action as the last one. This time the focus is on the relationships between theThis seems to be a more transitional volume in the series. Not as much action as the last one. This time the focus is on the relationships between the main characters; lots of misunderstanding, emotional chaos, and reconciliation. I did not give it a full 5 stars because the ending was a bit abrupt to me, but still another great volume!
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This volume compiles issues #10–13 of Volume 2 of the series. (I know, confusing right – Volume 3 of the trade paperback has part of volume 2 . . . Moore restarted the numbering on the series twice. So, after this volume it all keeps going up from 1)
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I still cannot recommend this series enough. Anyone and everyone should give it a try. If you avoid comics/graphic novels because you are not into superheroes, this is not that! This is more raw, emotional, and real. The artwork and poetry are fantastic. If you can read this series and not fall in love with Francine and Katchoo, you may not have a heart!
I received a copy of Hell’s Detective from Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review.
I have to say, this was one HELL of a book! This was a I received a copy of Hell’s Detective from Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review.
I have to say, this was one HELL of a book! This was a DAMN fine action/mystery that will keep you enthralled from the beginning to the end! It would be a SIN to miss out on reading this one!
Imagine you are a detective and you are trying to solve a mystery while avoiding seedy characters and nefarious plotting . . . but, you are in Hell – so, every character is seedy and every plot is nefarious.
Michael Logan creates a fantastically interesting and creative depiction of Hell. It is not your typical hellfire and damnation. The lost souls of Hell (who all live in the less than picturesque city of Lost Angeles) get a chance to fulfill their every sinful desire over and over again until the end of time, BUT they also have to relive the sins that brought them to Hell every night as the appropriately named Torments come to pay a visit. Through the eyes of our hard-boiled, badass detective Kat Murphy we get to tour the underbelly trying to not only figure out a mystery that could easily end in total Armageddon but also determine if there is any hope for the souls doomed to roam the metropolis on Route 666.
I loved pretty much everything about this book. Kat will remind you of any classic, hard-boiled detective. Interestingly, in the afterward the author mentions a friend suggesting he do some “gender reassignment” for this novel – having a female gumshoe ends up working out quite well. Also, the people Kat encounters along the way are interesting because they are damned to hell, so, what have they got to lose? How would you act if you knew every day was just another day to stew in your sin juices? How could you approach solving a crime when most crime has no consequence anyway? How do you convince someone to help you at gunpoint when they know if you shoot them, they will just be back to their same, old damned selves in a few minutes? Logan works his way masterfully through all of these questions and it never feels forced, contrived, or like he is leaving plot holes you could drive a car through.
Another great thing about this book is the questions it raises about the afterlife, paying for your sins, religion, etc. But, at no point does it feel like he it is approaching it from any particular standpoint. I feel like this book could be enjoyed by someone of any religion, agnostic, atheist, etc. without any issue. In fact, I think that this might be a great conversation starter for a group of people with lots of different viewpoints (as long as everyone in the group is open to a lively but friendly discussion!)
If you like hard-boiled mysteries with a twist of horror and you are looking for a new setting for a story, why not try Hell? I can guarantee that Hell’s Detective will be happy to give you a thrilling tour you will not be able to put down!...more
This book was a fun audiobook experience as my wife and I listened to about 45 minutes of it together every night. I think this is a great activity foThis book was a fun audiobook experience as my wife and I listened to about 45 minutes of it together every night. I think this is a great activity for book loving spouses!
Partway through this book I thought I was going to give it an "okay, but didn't really blow me away" 3 stars. However, I think that the last 3rd of the book really brought things together in an interesting way.
At first, the book seemed like it was trying to be too many things at once. Click here for a video from my Goodreads friend Hannah and go to 7:16 - she does a great job describing how this book is many different things. However, after finishing the book and showing the video to my wife, we agree that whether it is intentional or not, the many different directions this book goes is a great representation of the anxiety of the main character.
Another thing that really raised my enjoyment of this book is that the entirety of the events take place within about 20 minutes of my house. Also, almost every major landmark described in the book can be seen from my office window. When a book hits that close to home, it means a bit more. (view spoiler)[The entrance to Pogues Run is 5 miles from my office (hide spoiler)]
A comparison - tell me if you agree. A John Green teenage conversation:
Girl: My heart is torn asunder with thoughts of my most eloquent yet deeply morose love interest. He is so elegantly handsome, but very humble because:
A. He is an artist B. He is extremely wealthy but loves the simple things like fast food and independent rock music C. He is misunderstood D. Or, because every JG novel has lists!
Boy: You can overcome yourself with my constant caring. I immediately like you and would die for you even though we have nothing in common. Look up into the sky and behold Ursa Major, Casseopea, and Polaris as they cross the zenith of Saturn. Later I will read you the poem I wrote about this inspired by the works of William Shakespeare.
A teenage conversation when I was a teenager.
Girl: 'Sup?
Boy: 'Sup? Wanna go out?
Girl: Ewww!
Boy: 'Kay, whatever!
The End
Last, but not least, the Tuatara (read the book, it will make sense)
This book was very entertaining. I think it might be the perfect book to help end a reading slump. If you need a variety of book options with a varietThis book was very entertaining. I think it might be the perfect book to help end a reading slump. If you need a variety of book options with a variety of backstories - and reasons to read or avoid - to get your reading juices flowing again, look no further!
Spence covers at least a hundred books; each with a few pages or maybe just a paragraph. You can tell she had a hell of a good time putting this book together. I figure this must be similar to how I sound when someone asks me for book recommendations.
I was happy that she mentions some books that I have read. I was very excited when she talked about Dandelion Wine - twice! Also, since she talks about a lot of books I have not read, I am gonna have to go out and add to my TBR (I'm looking at you The Virgin Suicides).
I was a little worried when she mentioned some books I loathe (specifically Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close- or, as I like to call it, Extremely Boring and Incredibly Sucky). What does this mean about the other books she recommends that I haven't read??? But, when she touches on books I have read and like as well (the afirementioned Dandelion Wine) or is spot on with her observions (hated Jane Eyre in high school, liked it a lot when I reread it this year), I have to give her the benefit of the doubt. I mean, we can't all have exactly the same taste in books, right!?
I recommend this to all book lovers. Trust me, this book is every discussion you wish you were having right now and is just like every booklist you give your friends when they ask for a recommendation.
Deliciously creative and satisfyingly wacky - this tasty second edition was very entertaining (and filling!)
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International flavor redefines the Deliciously creative and satisfyingly wacky - this tasty second edition was very entertaining (and filling!)
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International flavor redefines the phrase "tastes like chicken". New elements are added to the story started in vol 1, and things are really starting to flesh out.
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The art is weird but wonderful - it is very cool to see the artwork go beyond the norm. Some graphic novels are good, but the art is the same-old, same-old. I have no doubt if I saw artwork from any issue of Chew, I would know it was from Chew.
I will definitely keep reading this series, perhaps you would like this tasty morsel, too?...more
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