Twelve year-old Stephanie Edgley's fantasy writer uncle was a bit of an outlier, especially as he was often spotted with strange, dare I say dangerousTwelve year-old Stephanie Edgley's fantasy writer uncle was a bit of an outlier, especially as he was often spotted with strange, dare I say dangerous looking people. On his death, Stephanie, who was the only person who truly tolerated him (as he tolerated Stephanie) inherited the larger part of his wealth and his home, and it is in that 'home' that Stephanie is attacked, and then save by Skulduggery Pleasant. Skull who you ask? Mr Pleasant is just your every day average walking talking skeleton detective. [image] Let's be clear up front, this is very much a children's book, with it's writing, characterisations and plotting, but with enough darkness to maybe be called 'dark fantasy' as it's labelled on Wikipedia. It's pretty interesting and entertaining tale, al the better for essentially having no romantic themes of any kind and very minimal contact with the normal world. It's a 12-year old girl picking up a legacy she didn't know she had and displaying the typical flexibility of the young jumping into the adventure head-first. So why is this series so popular? For me, it's the humour/humorous dialogue, which is not only quote funny, some of it is quite clever. Only 234 more books (just joking) to go in this series :). A 6 out of 12 for the first book in this series. [image] 2023 read...more
Suburbia, parents and 2 kids living in semi-detached house with a garden. Teen, Rowan has insomnia, rashes and has to wear Factor 60 sunblock; his sisSuburbia, parents and 2 kids living in semi-detached house with a garden. Teen, Rowan has insomnia, rashes and has to wear Factor 60 sunblock; his sister has turned vegan but is now getting really sick; mid-life crisis heading GP dad is always thirsty; and mum holds it all together, as she tries to deny her heady past. Meet the Radleys... oh, and in case I forgot to mention, the parents are yet to tell the kids that they're all vampires! Behind this white picket fence lives a nest of reluctant vampires... this tenuous state is shaken up, when cool, reckless and exciting Uncle Will is called in to sort out a family crisis! [image] What if an abstinent vampire family lived a normal life in Middle England? At times darkly comedic, and at times darkly horrific, this book works to an extent, but also kind of fails because it's never quite sure what it wants to be a Young Adult fiction? A horror book? A look at contemporary life through a vampire lens? I can see what Matt wanted to achieve, but don't think he really gets it, but this still didn't stop me from enjoying this, surprisingly fun read! 7 out of 12. [image]...more
I probably like the paranormal genres the least and this book hasn't changed my mind, however I did like the spin Peter James takes with this tale. 4 I probably like the paranormal genres the least and this book hasn't changed my mind, however I did like the spin Peter James takes with this tale. 4 out of 12. [image]...more
Penned by the usually amazing James Robinson, but even his steering hand is not enough to create a captivating story, despite such a pretty awesome vePenned by the usually amazing James Robinson, but even his steering hand is not enough to create a captivating story, despite such a pretty awesome version of Wanda, after her being misused by so many creators previously. [image] When magic died, Wanda's investigation took her down some strange paths which have now lead her to to position where she have to come to terms with her origin! This is the best rendition of Wanda, probably ever! 6 out of 12. I read the Marvel Comic books Scarlet Witch #11-15 [image]...more
With words and story by the usually amazing James Robinson, who on this occasion maybe because of corporate Marvel's limitations(?) does not do enoughWith words and story by the usually amazing James Robinson, who on this occasion maybe because of corporate Marvel's limitations(?) does not do enough to really create a captivating story; he's not helped by having so many different artists across the series. Magic is dead, so Wanda tours the magic places around the world investigating its demise and as a result and faces tough challenges, with the toughest challenge being her own past. This is still the best rendition of Wanda, probably ever, because for once she isn't the victim or foil to someone else's story. 6 out of 12 I read the Marvel Comic books Scarlet Witch #6-10 [image]...more
I read the Marvel Comic books Scarlet Witch #1-5, story by the usually amazing James Robinson but in this case he doesn't do not enough to really creaI read the Marvel Comic books Scarlet Witch #1-5, story by the usually amazing James Robinson but in this case he doesn't do not enough to really create a captivating story despite it still being really well written, and drawn by a plethora of artists! Witchcraft is dead, so Wanda seeks out to fix it, and faces tough challenges including her own past. This is the best rendition of Wanda, probably ever though! 6 out of 12 [image]...more
A highly engaging supernatural tale set in modern (and Elizabethan) York with an interesting, pragmatic and non-believing female lead in Grace who hasA highly engaging supernatural tale set in modern (and Elizabethan) York with an interesting, pragmatic and non-believing female lead in Grace who has to deal with a godmother who has been dabbling in the occult! This is not usually the type of book I read, but I found that I really needed to know how it all ended…. So a good read? I loved the core question the books asks, if Grace is really doing what she is doing transporting to Elizabethan York or is this a case of severe PTSD! A strong Three Star, 7 out of 12. [image] 2014 read...more
Collecting Tom Judge and Tilly's adventures with the Rapture artifact in Universe #1-8 and Tom Judge: End of Days. 6 out of 12. I read the Top Cow (owCollecting Tom Judge and Tilly's adventures with the Rapture artifact in Universe #1-8 and Tom Judge: End of Days. 6 out of 12. I read the Top Cow (owned by Image Comics) comic book editions. [image]...more
Miriam Black hits us up again, but this time we're in Florida, and she may have met her match! You know all that life-saving that Miriam did in
anMiriam Black hits us up again, but this time we're in Florida, and she may have met her match! You know all that life-saving that Miriam did in
and Mockingbird that required well some life-taking, well it looks like natural forces are being unbalanced, and a need for balance is required. Oops, sounds like bad news for Miriam. Chuck Wendig kept me glued to my seat with a non-linear tale that starts with Miriam captured by an unlikely looking FBI duo, to whom she recounts what she's been up to over the last year and a bit, as well as sharing previously unrevealed snippets of her abusive childhood. I was unable to put this book down! [image] Miriam Black book No. 3 The Cormorant is another ultra potty mouthed, deathly violent, poorly dyed hair jobbed, bollocks kicked hard ridden, Psychopomp fuelled, shocker of shocking dark underbelly of America-fest with deeds of villainy, callousness, zealotry and also a bit of abusive childhood recall; in effect another utterly original, darkly funny at times, but also darkly horrific ride with the Lizbeth Salander on amphetamines, non-compromising whirlwind that is Miriam Black! Despite one of the most clumsy pieces of foreshadowing possible, this book still gets a 9 out of 12. This series is paranormal urban dark fantasy servers something special. [image] 2023 and 2020 read...more
Strangely compelling supernatural story of a stereotypical (on the face of it) middle England middle class family with a huge secret… one the the pareStrangely compelling supernatural story of a stereotypical (on the face of it) middle England middle class family with a huge secret… one the the parents never shared with their two children. 6 out of 12. [image]...more
This supernatural mystery thriller, is packed with great ideas and compelling non-linear storytelling, but being of the supernatural ilk, those alwaysThis supernatural mystery thriller, is packed with great ideas and compelling non-linear storytelling, but being of the supernatural ilk, those always a fear of Deus Ex Machina! And alas, despite this book really getting under my skin and chilling me at times, I found the later stages of the book so unsatisfying! Horror lovers will most likely enjoy it though. 7 out of 12. [image] Sadly with the exception of the most marvellous Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft, I've found Joe Hill's conventional horror novel work really unsatisfying on completion... the journey's are great, but the last acts are meh! [image] 2020 read...more
Although the story was good and the mystery, mysterious, I found this supernatural thriller hard-work as I struggled to finish it. Nothing like as gooAlthough the story was good and the mystery, mysterious, I found this supernatural thriller hard-work as I struggled to finish it. Nothing like as good and well written as his 'Dead Simple' Brighton based crime series, although this was first published in 1990! 4 out of 12. [image]...more
More Countdown to Infinite Crisis: with Day of Vengeance… in which aided by the new Eclipso, the soulless Spectre runs amok trying to kill all magic aMore Countdown to Infinite Crisis: with Day of Vengeance… in which aided by the new Eclipso, the soulless Spectre runs amok trying to kill all magic and magical beings! 6 out of 12. I gotta say, that back-in-the-day D.C. really linked-up all their events pretty well! [image]...more
A collection of the Sookie Stackhouse short stories to accompany the ongoing book series. As ever Harris continues to flesh out her world of Bon TempsA collection of the Sookie Stackhouse short stories to accompany the ongoing book series. As ever Harris continues to flesh out her world of Bon Temps and Sookie's adventures with vampires, weres, fairies etc. Some interesting shorts give more detail on her relationships with Eric, Pam, Amelia and Niall her fairy-grandfather - a must read for True Blooders. 7 out of 12, Three Stars. [image] 2012 read...more
True Blood book No. 9: We've had a were war, a vampire war, so this one's the Fae war, and what a war! This one's very dark and has a few huge series' True Blood book No. 9: We've had a were war, a vampire war, so this one's the Fae war, and what a war! This one's very dark and has a few huge series' resolutions. Great episode, nine parts in, one doesn't expect a series to produce it's best story yet! Harris's trick is, that within her tales she truly conveys how super beings would relate, or should that be - not relate, to us mere mortals! 7 out of 12, Three Stars [image] 2010 read...more
True Blood #8: In which there is a Were war, a vampire war and some big reveals. The darkly quasi-comical supernatural romantic serial continues in goTrue Blood #8: In which there is a Were war, a vampire war and some big reveals. The darkly quasi-comical supernatural romantic serial continues in good form. 6 out of 12, Three Stars. [image] 2010 read...more
True Blood #7: One of the darkest tales yet sees Sookie, Eric, Bill and co. go to a vampire conference in Rhodes; this volume also includes the trial True Blood #7: One of the darkest tales yet sees Sookie, Eric, Bill and co. go to a vampire conference in Rhodes; this volume also includes the trial of Queen Sophie-Anne. Barry the bell-boy and Texan vampire Stan (from Dallas) are also there among many other characters in the 'True Blood' universe, including Quinn. 6 out of 12, Three Star read for me. [image] 2010 read...more
Audrey Niffenegger does it again throwing down innovative storytelling creativity - this one is an incredibly original and delicious tale about twins,Audrey Niffenegger does it again throwing down innovative storytelling creativity - this one is an incredibly original and delicious tale about twins, isolation, mortality, envy, want and need. A very special tale set in and around a wondrous Highgate cemetery. Not too mention a delightful sub-plot about an extreme OCD sufferer being 'mended' by one of the twins. Good stuff! 8 out of 12, freaky Four Stars. [image] 2010 read...more
True Blood book No. 6: Having lost her cousin to the vampires, Sookie inherits her legacy... which stirs up forces trying to stop her looking too deepTrue Blood book No. 6: Having lost her cousin to the vampires, Sookie inherits her legacy... which stirs up forces trying to stop her looking too deep into her cousin's past. In addition Jason has girlfriend trouble and The Queen wants Sookie to work for her. Another good Southern vampire reality read. A neat Three Star, 7 out 12 read. [image] 2010 read...more
True Blood book 5: Another episode of the charming and pretty innovative Southern vampire fantasy drama cum soap opera: someone or somebodies are shooTrue Blood book 5: Another episode of the charming and pretty innovative Southern vampire fantasy drama cum soap opera: someone or somebodies are shooting Shifters; Jason goes panther(!?), it appears that someone or somebodies are after Sookie (as per); and Tara realised her supernatural boyfriend is also super. As ever the multiple storylines keep me more entertained in that at least 2 or 3 of them are quite interesting. [image] The multiple plotting is the key device that works well for me in this series., in addition to the large and mostly eclectic cast of human and supernatural characters. A 6 out of 12, Three Star read. Why do I call this the True Blood series? - because one of the few things I dislike about it is the Sookie Stackhouse character, so I can't be asked to call the series by its actually name! [image] 2010 read...more
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