Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Books Review - Skin Game by Jim Butcher

Skin Game (The Dresden Files, #15)Skin Game by Jim Butcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The good thing about the Dresden Files is that it's like coming home to family members and having a good meal together and trading stories.

And it's brilliant how Jim Butcher manages to give new faces to old characters. The book picks up from where the previous book left off, there is a parasite growing in Harry Dresden's body and he has been tasked by his "fairy godmother" Mab to steal shit while working with some really bad characters.

The book follows the similar formula from the previous books, Dresden is stuck without any help in the growing dangers, but still the dude manages to make it even while being broken and messed up bad.

The struggle of the main character is what makes these books worth reading. The really emotional moments in the book really tug at your heartstrings and man, it's a roller coaster.

The book has Dresden's steady supply of pop culture references, wise ass quips and him squaring off against opponents on bigger power level than him in all manners and still, the crafty bugger manager to make it through.

As with all books that I love, this has been a satisfying read, but all that matters in the end, is spending a few days in Dresden's worth, like sitting with a good friend and having a good time for 3-4 days.

The whole Dresden series is worth a read, but the things really pick up after book 3-4. And then, you just don't want to stop reading.


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Review of Prince of Fools by Mark Lawrence

Prince of Fools (The Red Queen’s War, #1)Prince of Fools by Mark  Lawrence
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I fucking loved reading this book!

The funny moments made me laugh out loud, the scary moments scared me and the moments in the book that make you feel something deep within your soul, made me feel that inner wild calling to just go out there and do something.

The wild in the book called out to me.

The characters of Snorri and Jal are drawn picture perfect. For some reason, I kept imagining Snorri has Hager the Horrible and Jal as Calvin. But that's how they fit in my head.

The book is a cracking read, it doesn't let down in any area. From the beginning to the end, it's a tight fucking read. Like Tuco said, Tight! Tight! Tight!

I only slowed down in reading this one because I didn't want the adventure to end!

The end of the book was the most satisfying part for me. Many book that are book one of a series leave you hanging at the first part, because they think it's a tv series or something. BUT, Prince of Fools ties everything up in the most satisfying manner.

I'll surely be looking forward to the next part!


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Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Three (Legends of the Duskwalker #1) by Jay Posey


Three (Legends of the Duskwalker #1)Three by Jay Posey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I finished this book, I had more questions in my head than answers. There is lot about the tech that remains unanswered, there is a lot about the world that the book takes place in that needs further digging in.

I could never really get with the book as in I didn't feel the sense of danger or peril to the protagonist. BUT, that said, the book has great action sequences, the atmosphere buildup is great in all parts, it scares you at times and it makes you want to yell at the people in the book to do things that they are not doing.

What happens in the book?

The bounty hunter Three is a mysterious dude who escorts a mother and her son through dangerous territory while they're being chased by bad guys. But everyone in the group is hiding secrets that get revealed through the course of the book.

The second book by the author is also releasing some time in future. I am sure that book will explain things in more depth than this book did.


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Emperor of Thorns by Mark Lawrence


Emperor of Thorns (The Broken Empire, #3)Emperor of Thorns by Mark  Lawrence
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I took my time in reading this book because, first of all, I didn't want to leave the Jorg and Broken Empire universe, and second, some books are meant to be digested. It's like eating a dish that has been cooked all day and it has so many flavors that you want to spend all day eating it.

I am definitely coming back to the trilogy for a second read because I am sure that there is a lot that I might have missed in my slow reading through the book.

What is the book about? Well, our lovable murderer King Jorg has his eyes set on the the title of the Emperor and he also has some scores to settle with the Dead King and even when he has no plan in his head, he is always meeting things head on.

Mark Lawrence's writing is like a burning butcher knife through slabs of meat. It's powerful, it makes you think, it evokes images that you might not ever see while reading the usual fantasy books, and it leaves afterimages that will stay with you for a long time to come.

I loved the book for the "lessons" embedded in the prose. There is always this tongue in cheek sense of humor that makes you feel slightly guilty for finding it funny.

And a fitting finale. There was simply no other way and no better way to end a trilogy.

Right now, I'm really looking forward to reading Prince of Fools which is going to release sometime in June this year.


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Monday, March 10, 2014

Fiend - Peter Stenson


FiendFiend by Peter Stenson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reading this book currently, gave it a pause because the thing called life came in between and I keep thinking about the characters and keep meaning to get back to finishing the book.

Really well drawn out characters, situations and the whole emotional aspect of the book is like a punch in the face. And the author doesn't hold back anything. The first two night that I read this book, I took it slow, because it was too good and I knew it'd make me sad once the book was over.

This book would make the perfect movie.

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Finished this book once I got some spare time and I steeled myself for the ending. I had a feeling it was going to be terrible, because how else do zombie novels end? But, the author really made the ending somewhat bittersweet, beautiful, sad, and it felt right in many ways.

I say this is one kickass novel. It's definitely going to be one of those books that I re-read every year. Brilliant!


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Hearts In Atlantis - Stephen King

Hearts in AtlantisHearts in Atlantis by Stephen King
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This one pissed me off because of many reasons. The first half of the book is fine as a story, it's all stephen king, it's scary, it has the small town people making a living, it has a child who has some kind of special ability, but then when i got done by the first half, the second half had me completely WTF'd by it. Why didn't the story continue as it should have? Why do we have to switch gears and get into a totally different story?

The closure of the book left me with a ripped off feeling, too. I mean, if you skip the whole second half, reading a few pages in between and read the last few chapters, you'd get the whole idea of the story. What I think, is that the Vietnam bits were just not my cup of tea, because I cannot for the life of me, relate to it. Maybe it's me, maybe it's others, too, but this one just didn't work for me.

Reading king's books leaves you with a weird feeling of not wanting to pick another king book for a considerable time. It's so with all his books. Some authors, you pick a book, read a book and the next thing you want to do is read more fucking books by that same author. Not so with King. I can digest, perhaps, one book every six months. I loved reading Duma Key, but that one also left me drained and exhausted.

Anyway, will probably read some Dilbert book or something next.

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Review: Under The Empyrean Sky by Chuck Wendig

Under the Empyrean Sky (The Heartland Trilogy, #1)Under the Empyrean Sky by Chuck Wendig
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The good thing about this book is that it doesn't slow down and there is enough material in the book that will keep readers waiting for the next two books. Book two, Blightborn comes out in July this year and it's going to be as exciting as this one, I am sure.

All in all, it was a very fast read. I just zipped through the book in a few hours.

What is the book about? A lot of things, growing up, government control, corn, environment, family, love, standing up for friends, family and all the things you love. It's scary in parts and cute, too.

Good fun, give it a spin if you want to read something light.

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