The third Nora Kelly/Corrie Swanson adventure – and they are starting to accumulate quite a cast of other regulars as well! This is quickly becoming aThe third Nora Kelly/Corrie Swanson adventure – and they are starting to accumulate quite a cast of other regulars as well! This is quickly becoming another “must-read-as-the-books-are-released” series from Preston & Child.
I give this one 4.5 stars and it might be my favorite one in the series so far. Part of the reason for that is that, while the other two are good, I think it usually takes a few books for a series to get settled in. The story is very intriguing and mysterious. The plot is action packed. There is the always appreciated tongue in cheek humor.
If you like Preston & Child but haven’t started this series yet . . . you should. If you liked the first two Nora and Corrie books and are wondering if you should continue . . . you should!
Below is my summary of the book that I shared in a biddy read chat. Only click if you have read the book already or you don’t care about spoilers:
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
They have to be two of the silliest and cheesiest action/horror books I have ever read. But you know what – thatI read Meg and then I read The Trench.
They have to be two of the silliest and cheesiest action/horror books I have ever read. But you know what – that is just fine! I knew that is what I was getting into and I needed a little bit of escapism with some mindless entertainment. And, I also started this one while on a beach vacation, so it added a little extra spice to the trip.
My 4 stars is because I was entertained and it improved my overall vacation experience, not because of the writing and presentation. The Trench will not blow you away with its fine prose. It is the equivalent of watching a movie with really bad actors and very far-fetched plot lines. But it is not hard to stay interested in and enjoy just like some of the bad, cheesy horror flicks that have come out over the years. If this is the sort of thing you are looking for, then you cannot go wrong with the Meg series.
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
Preston & Child are back with another Pendergast-adjacent adventure featuring Corrie Swanson and Nora Kelly. If you enjoy these authors and the characPreston & Child are back with another Pendergast-adjacent adventure featuring Corrie Swanson and Nora Kelly. If you enjoy these authors and the characters from their main series, you really cannot go wrong here. It is worth reading Old Bones first as that is when these two characters first get together for an adventure, so it sets this one up nicely.
One thing I really liked about this book was that it takes the reader to the United States Southwest and therefore has the same feel as their previous work, Thunderhead. And, since it features one of the characters from that book, you do run across a little reminiscing along the way. If you were a fan of Thunderhead, I am pretty sure you will enjoy this one as well. Also, the main storyline and mystery were unique and have had me doing a lot of side internet research into the non-fiction elements they based some of it on. Being inspired to Google is usually a good sign!
You might think it sounds like I am setting this one up for 5 stars but then you will see I only gave it 4. Why is that? Well, 4 still means that I liked it quite a lot, however, this one did lay on the cheese and coincidence pretty thick. They even go so far as to point out that some of the events are a Deux Ex Machina, so they are not trying to hide the coincidences. This is especially clear with the (view spoiler)[climax/epilogue when Pendergast shows up. I know we all love him, but he showed up at the end of Old Bones, too, so this just felt like forced/repetitive fan service. I mean, I was pretty excited that he showed up, but I rolled my eyes a little bit, too (hide spoiler)]
In conclusion, if you love Preston & Child, read this, but be sure to bring some nachos for all of that cheese dip! ...more
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
4 to 4.5 stars (Rounding up because I was so darn entertained)
I read Riders of the Purple Sage several years ago and always wanted to try Zane Grey ag4 to 4.5 stars (Rounding up because I was so darn entertained)
I read Riders of the Purple Sage several years ago and always wanted to try Zane Grey again. However, after reading Riders and looking at several other titles as possible follow-ups, I always assumed my next would be a classic Western. But, that is not the case with Boulder Dam.
While Boulder Dam does take place in the American West just outside of Las Vegas, it is not the typical cowboys and cattle rustler type story. Instead, as the title would indicate, the events of the story take place during the construction of Boulder Dam (eventually Hoover Dam) and deal with corruption and human trafficking in Las Vegas and the newly constructed Boulder City.
I found this title while looking through some options on Audible. Grey was a very prolific writer and this appears to be one of his lesser know titles. But, I think I found a gem! It jumped out at me because I visited Hoover Dam a few years ago and was fascinated by the history of the construction. To read a historical fiction novel based on that time period, location, and the people who built it was perfect!
The story is a perfect balance of action, suspense, intrigue, and history. If you have zero interest in the history of the construction of Hoover Dam, some of the sequences may not interest you. I love how all the characters are sort of caricatures of certain types instead of being realistic written: manly heroes, vile villains, hard-nosed lawmen, damsels in distress. I felt like I was watching a black and white film from the 40s with borderline bad acting and I loved it!
If you love historical fiction and "sort-of" Westerns - especially anything relating to the early days of Las Vegas - do yourself a favor and check this one out!...more
This book did not age well, but it is not the book’s fault.
Published in 2000, it deals a lot with how quiet things had been in America s3.5 to 4 Stars
This book did not age well, but it is not the book’s fault.
Published in 2000, it deals a lot with how quiet things had been in America since the 1980’s in regards to extremist terrorism except for the bombing of the parking garage of the World Trade Center in the mid-90s. There are many mentions of the country being somewhat lax in its concerns over terrorism making it ripe for another attack. There are also many discussions of the World Trade Center and characters looking at it and thinking about what it stands for and how the bombing shows how vulnerable we are on our own soil. So, yeah . . . I cringed a few times while reading.
Also, because it is pre-9/11 it has a lot of the Reagan-Era Cold War gusto feel to it. This is not good or bad, it just made it very obvious to me how different books dealing with terrorism as one of their main plot points feel different in the post-9/11 world. It’s almost like you could say this is an artifact of political thrillers to be studied by literary anthropologists - kind of fascinating in that respect.
All of that aside, it was a pretty entertaining thriller. A bit cheesy at times – forcing some humor down the throat of the reader while keeping them on the edge of their seat with some decent action and mystery. The main protagonist, John Corey, is a sarcastic, some-what sexist pig with a heart of gold. No matter what the situation, whether wooing a female co-worker or looking evil straight in the face he is cracking jokes and making light of the situation. So, he is silly, entertaining, and often another cringe-causing element in this book.
If you like political thrillers with macho leads and non-PC humor set in the world of pre-9/11 terrorism, then you will probably enjoy this one. But, note my mention of “non-PC” – if that bothers you at all, this might be one to avoid. However, I will say that DeMille’s take on terrorists is less angry and controversial than some recent political thrillers I have read – I think that may also be another reflection of this being pre-9/11. ...more
I will start by saying that Karin Slaughter is a pretty darn good thriller writer
I will follow that by saying she goes to some pretty dark and disturbI will start by saying that Karin Slaughter is a pretty darn good thriller writer
I will follow that by saying she goes to some pretty dark and disturbing places. I almost feel bad enjoying her stories as much as I do! But that is the thing with a good escape, it often takes you places you may not normally be comfortable going. You know . . . pushing the limits can be quite a ride!
With Triptych, Slaughter starts a new series with protagonist Will Trent. He is a very interesting character that I am glad to know I am not done with yet. He was fleshed out so well that I want to know more and see him in action. And, in addition to Will being an interesting character – all the characters from this book are wonderfully flawed. Whether their flaws make them tragic heroes or twisted maniacs, they are all fun to read about. I love the way she introduces each of them and then fills the reader in with their back stories (one backstory went on for so long, I started to forget about the main story – but that was just fine!). And, none of the characters are plain vanilla or cookie cutter – all are unique – like nothing I have read before.
Back to my comment about pushing the limits. I love her writing and her books, but Slaughter always goes almost too far with her plot devices. Some readers may be put off by this. So, if you do not like your crime novels gory and your sexual situations kind of twisted, this may not be the book for you. But I will say that even though she gets pretty extreme, it always feels like it fits. I don’t get this feeling like she forced a scenario in for shock value. That, to me, is a sign of a great writer.
If you give it a shot, I think you will be enthralled. But, don’t say I didn’t warn you!...more
I am not sure is I will continue to volume two as there are so many other titles out there to choose from. I just don’t think I care enough for2 Stars
I am not sure is I will continue to volume two as there are so many other titles out there to choose from. I just don’t think I care enough for this title to keep going.
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The story is weird and artsy, and it is in that forced weird and artsy way that I don’t really care for. It’s like the author sat down to make something “out there” instead of letting the oddities flow organically
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The artwork, in my opinion, is not for me. It does not really interest my eye and I cannot think of one time I enjoyed looking at it throughout volume 1. Maybe it will be something you will like (see examples), but I felt nothing for it.
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As I didn’t care for this, I am not sure who I think I would recommend it to. If you do enjoy the more unusual superhero titles (which are not uncommon with Image Comics), you may enjoy this one. However, I do usually enjoy the more unusual titles, so . . . proceed with caution!
You may think it is easy to judge this book by its cover. Buxom, scantily clad superheroines doing battle with evil forces. And, while there is indeedYou may think it is easy to judge this book by its cover. Buxom, scantily clad superheroines doing battle with evil forces. And, while there is indeed a part of it, this series continues to provide a lot more than just sexy, action packed battles. There is a lot of humor and it gets surprisingly deep and introspective.
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The first half of this volume deals with each character’s viewpoint on what Hell is and if it exists or not.
The second half is two characters headed into hell to save a certain soul; each of those characters having a vested interest in the life and the afterlife of that soul. It actually gets quite emotional and tear-jerking at moments.
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A major development in this volume is a change in the way some of the main characters view each other. While there have been vicious rivalries, back stabbing, general loathing, and jealousy over time, all of the storylines for the previous volumes come together in what is definitely the biggest resolution of the series so far. I am quite impressed that a title that started out somewhat slowly and silly for me has morphed into a very strong and meaningful title.
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The artwork has remained the same throughout the series. That is something that I greatly appreciate in a graphic novel series. In the past, my interest has waned in titles when there is a big shift caused by new artists being brought in. Also, I continue to love that this has remained in a black and white format. While colors are cool, I am a big fan of how graphic novel art looks when done in basic black and white.
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I think that this title may appeal to a lot of people. I also think that the covers of the volumes may make you think it is something that may not interest you. Unfortunately, it does not hit its stride until about Volume 6 – but overall it is pretty good and worth a shot if you like Manga, black and white graphic novels, humor, and superheroes....more
Everyone tells Chuck Norris jokes, but what type of jokes does Chuck Norris tell?
Chuck Norris tells Velvet Templeton jokes!
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Velvet Templeton is Everyone tells Chuck Norris jokes, but what type of jokes does Chuck Norris tell?
Chuck Norris tells Velvet Templeton jokes!
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Velvet Templeton is 100% smooth, 100% sexy, 100% badass! This is the strong female lead you have been looking for! Everyone underestimates her . . . and that was a big mistake. This issue, and the whole series, are action packed and dripping with political espionage. It has to be one of the best written and finest presented spy thrillers I have ever read. 5+ stars!
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I love the art in this book! The covers are fantastic and the panels inside are a throwback to old school comics. The art keeps the story moving along perfectly – and this is extremely helpful as often I find espionage stories get confusing and convoluted and my mind starts to wander. This is not the case here – the images kept my face glued to the page and the story moving right along.
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I cannot recommend this series enough. If you like action comics, spy/espionage thrillers, kick ass female leads, etc. you just cannot go wrong here. Seriously – read it!
Dynamite Comics has continued to do a pretty awesome job with its James Bond graphic novel seriIn the beginning there was Bond . . . James Bond
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Dynamite Comics has continued to do a pretty awesome job with its James Bond graphic novel series. I will admit (and the evidence is there if you go back through my graphic novel shelf) that I did not care much for the first volume in the series. (VARGR) But, after that it has only been getting better and better and I have been enjoying the ride!
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I think I have started to get a bit out of publication order now. But, that doesn’t seem to be a big deal since a) this is a origin collection and b) the James Bond series, but its very nature, tends to deal with only very loosely connected episodic adventures. So far this origin series is shaping up to be something you could check out even if you have no interest in the other titles Dynamite offers.
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I could be wrong, but I don’t think James Bond’s early years have ever been delved into quite as much as they are here. I have read all the Ian Fleming novels and seen all the movies, but I only remember occasional hints of Bond before MI6. If there were any novels written by other authors addressing this time in his life, I have never seen them. But, I am glad to see it here because it has translated into a very, very good (and very cool) story.
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The art varies from volume to volume in the Dynamite collections, but I am very pleased with the artists handling the origin story. The art is crisp but very well reflects WWII era locales and dress. Some of the panoramic and action sequence fames feel very cinematic Also, they did some very neat variant covers that look like the war effort posters from that era.
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If you love Bond, I really don’t think there is any way you will not enjoy this! ...more
Another great volume of American Vampire! This one is quite epic as it collects two full stories spanning 12 issues.
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This is the WWII part of thAnother great volume of American Vampire! This one is quite epic as it collects two full stories spanning 12 issues.
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This is the WWII part of the overall storyline. One story in this collection takes place in the Pacific Theater and the other in Nazi Germany. The setting and mythology of World War II meshes perfectly with the addition of vampires.
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While these two stories have some stand alone elements, they do also carry on the timeline of the American Vampire series overall. There are a few recurring characters from previous issues, flashbacks, etc. It had been a while since I read the last volume, but it was not hard to get back into it.
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The art of this series continues to be fantastic. Sometimes it is impressionistic. Sometimes it it's detailed and precise. Sometimes it is outlandish - especially when monsters and gore are featured. But, whatever it is, it is always eye-catching and cinematic. It's such a fun book to look at!
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Overall, I have been very pleased with this series and the volume has continued the awesomeness. I can't wait for more!
As I loved World War Z, I was excited to read another one by Max Brooks. Since I had high expectations, I suppose I needed a big payoff 2.5 to 3 stars
As I loved World War Z, I was excited to read another one by Max Brooks. Since I had high expectations, I suppose I needed a big payoff to consider this a success. Unfortunately, I didn't get one.
While the format was a bit like World War Z - interviews post tragic event - this one more focused on one specific event. Basically, Mt. Rainier erupts and Bigfoot attacks (I don't feel like I need to mark that sentence as a spoiler as that is in several book summaries I read - so it should not be a surprise!). The premise sounded cool with lots of potential. It was potential that was, in my opinion, never realized.
First and foremost, the pace and story was completely clouded by the exposition. I would probably put this in my top ten books for number of times I found myself saying "GET ON WITH IT!" And, when it finally felt like things were moving along, there would be some more random exposition to slow things up again.
Next, the characters and their actions/relationships were so cheesy and unbelievable. At first I would think that I wasn't following a conversation, but I was. It was just that the conversation was so silly, and the way the characters were acting towards each other so bizarre, my mind couldn't comprehend it.
I mentioned the Rainier eruption earlier. As a fan of a good volcano disaster story, I was disappointed in how much the eruption was just an afterthought and minor footnote. It was like "Oh, Rainier erupted and now we are trapped. What do we do next?" - except the sentence I just wrote has more intensity than what was in the book. I know the focus of this book was the Sasquatch Massacre, but he could have had some more intense and interesting details about the Rainier part and it would have greatly heightened the urgency of the story.
Most of my review has been things I didn't care for. But, it did have some interesting high points and I am not sad I read it. I just wished there had been a lot more high points!...more
Kabuki is my first graphic novel of 2020, but is a revisit of an old favorite from back in the 1990s. In fact, the volume I have is apparently one of Kabuki is my first graphic novel of 2020, but is a revisit of an old favorite from back in the 1990s. In fact, the volume I have is apparently one of the originals and, as of the time I am writing this review, not able to be selected on Goodreads.
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Cool side story to start. I found this artist and series back in the 90s when I was in an alternative comic book phase. I say “alternative” because I was not into DC and Marvel, it was more Image and Dark Horse and any other “off brand” of comic. However, I did not find this book by inquiring at the local comic book store. I was helping out my mother by doing a summer acting workshop for kids in her school district. I was a theater major at the time so it seemed like a perfect summer project. As part of it, I wrote a play and directed it. In addition to school kids, some of the teachers and substitute teachers got involved. One of the substitute teachers found out that I liked comics and recommended his brother’s title . . . at this point you can probably see where this is going . . . he was David Mack’s brother and the title was Kabuki.
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I was glad that I did not have to use any of my acting chops to make his brother believe that I liked it. As soon as I picked it up, I was instantly into it. While I am a fan of both black and white and color comics, I think black and white is my favorite, which made this very appealing to me from the get go. (Another title I was very into at the time was Terry Moore’s Strangers in Paradise – also a black and white title).
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So, how did it hold up after all these years?
1990s me gives it 5+ stars 2020 me gives it 4 to 4.5 stars – I am going to round it up to 5 as an average between old me and new me!
Why the reduction in stars? Well, I suppose it has to do with that feeling you get when you go back and watch or read any favorite after years away from it. There is a chance it might appeal just as much, but there is also a good chance that your memory of it will shine brighter than the revisitation. I think, too, that at the time I was in college, so I was into more artsy and works. This title is very artsy and poetic to the point that the story is sometimes not straightforward and requires analysis through introspection. That just isn’t quite me as much anymore. It’s still good, but preferences change.
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If you are into really great artwork, Japanese lore, poetry, symbolism, revenge, etc. I cannot recommend this title enough. If you need your story and art to be clear and concise, you may not enjoy this one quite as much. But, for graphic novel fans who like to dabble in all aspects of the medium, I think this is a title you cannot afford to miss.
If you like spy craft, revenge, espionage, and graphic novels and you are not reading this series 5 stars again – so great! Just like Volume 1!
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If you like spy craft, revenge, espionage, and graphic novels and you are not reading this series right now, I am not really sure what you are doing with your life. So far this series has been absolutely amazing. Well written, beautiful art, and a fabulously perfect heroine. Velvet Templeton is the character authors hope to create when they set out to create a strong female lead.
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Oh, did I mention the artwork? Yes, yes I did . . . but I will again! I always put in a few images with my reviews of graphic novels, but it was tough to pick only a few this time because every frame is stunning. Sometimes brutal, sometimes sleek and dark, sometimes sexy – always perfect!
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I read this in one sitting. I could not stop! And, I did not want to binge into volume 3. I need to savor this. And, I don’t want to rush to the end as it appears volume 3 is the last!
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Moral of this story so far: Don’t f&$! with your secretary – you never know what secrets she might be hiding . . . and she might be really good at revenge!...more
It appears that I have completed the Sin City saga with this volume. It may not be quite as mind blowing as the earlier volumes, but it is better thanIt appears that I have completed the Sin City saga with this volume. It may not be quite as mind blowing as the earlier volumes, but it is better than the past couple. Not that those were terrible, but this one returned closer to the roots of the series
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If you are looking for the trippy-est volume of an already very trippy series, then you have found it. This one has some very odd twists and turns with one whole section from the point of view undergoing some serious drug hallucinations. You will have to pay close attention to be able to keep up with what is going on. But, if for some reason you can’t, just sit back and enjoy the ride!
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The art has remained solid throughout the series. I appreciate any series where the artwork remains the same. I am not sure there is a one where I didn’t lose just a little interest when the primary artist changed. Also, the end of this volume has some alternative artwork from a variety of artists depicting scenes from throughout the series. Very cool!
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If you like dark, edgy, and scandalous action and are a fan of graphic novels . . . and you haven’t read this series!?!?!? Well, why not!? ...more
This has to be one of the best, most well-written, most believable (despite being over the top) spy stVelvet is just simply badass . . . period
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This has to be one of the best, most well-written, most believable (despite being over the top) spy stories I have ever read. I am a huge James Bond fan, but I think I may have found a new favorite secret agent.
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If you are looking for stories with strong female protagonists, look no farther. Velvet is real and raw. Sexy and smooth. Clever and cunning. While she uses her looks and feminine charm to woo the bad guys, she is not a pushover. She just knows men’s weakness and uses it to her advantage. I have read other spy stories or seen movies with main female characters and it just ends up feeling like it is all about sex or the women being used as a tool by the male leaders. That is not the case with Velvet – she is “take charge, no holds barred, do not eff with me” all the way!
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The art is so awesome. I went for a search online to fine some images for this review and I had to stop myself. Sometimes I have a hard time finding the perfect ones to include, but this one had plenty of awesome images to grab!
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Sometimes I have found spy stories to be rambling and confusing. It’s as if the writer feels like the more sprawling and intricate the espionage is, the more the readers will enjoy. For me, I don’t want to be so lost that I cannot even tell who is really good, who is really bad, and what actually happened in the end. It is amazing how often this happens with spy stories. I did not have that problem with Velvet – the espionage was perfectly intricate and understandable.
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If someone does not turn this into a movie or TV show soon, they are missing out! I will be lined up to watch it when they do!
Well, T-Rex, I think nature might have some other plans for you!
As I recently finished up all currently available Preston & Child Pendergast bo[image]
Well, T-Rex, I think nature might have some other plans for you!
As I recently finished up all currently available Preston & Child Pendergast books, I decided to move on to some of the solo efforts. It is obviously different; not bad, but just a little off what I expect. I can feel some of the same essence there, but it will take some getting used to.
Are you a fan of Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park? This is a great book for people who love science, archeology, and or paleontology-based mysteries. It also has quite a bit of political intrigue for people who enjoy political thrillers. If you enjoy authors that write in any of these genres and/or books with lots of locations, lots of twists/turns, and lots of suspense, I think it is worth giving this one a go.
Also, based on some of the content of this book, I am thinking (as I have with at least one of his other books) Douglas got some help from his brother Richard!
This is the first book of the Wyman Ford series (and, if you read this book looking for Ford, you will be waiting a while before he joins in!). I plan to continue the series to satiate my hunger until the next Pendergast book hits the scene! ...more
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