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ericarobyn
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan is a novel revolving around loss and heartbreak, yet it is filled to the brim with love and hope, with a nice splash of the paranormal.
I was drawn right into this story immediately and had so much fun reading it. I'm very thankful that this was the book pick for May with my book club!
The story hit me really hard, especially with where I am currently in life, quickly approaching my wedding day. While reading, I thought a lot about my fiancé, Alex. I am just so thankful to have him in my life!
The story was set in two narratives that worked so wonderfully together. I really enjoyed that each centered around loss and love, but in slightly different ways. This was also a rare case where I enjoyed each storyline equally!
The novel was written so beautifully. The descriptions of certain elements, both large and small, and organization of the two narratives were just perfect. I loved how some things (again, some small, some large) circled back and connected to others; I'm a total sucker for when authors use this method. I also really appreciated the laugh-out-loud humor that was sprinkled in as well as the lovely short stories about each lost item that we were given the chance to read.
On that note, the whole idea of cataloguing lost items was so extraordinary to me! I ate this idea right up and I couldn't wait to learn more about the items. I would definitely read a companion novel that was just the short stories for each item in the collection!
I felt that each character included in the story was perfect for the role that they played. I really felt for Laura and the tough things she was dealing with; I was saddened by Anthony's heartbreak; I was intrigued by the slight mysteriousness with Freddy; I enjoyed the excitement of Bombers personality; I adored the loyalty of Eunice; I was infuriated with Portia's ridiculousness; and I couldn't help but grin every time Sunshine was in the scene.
There were a few elements in the story that were a bit clichéd. Some of my book club friends had a really hard time with these elements, but I actually loved them! I'm all for the clichéd romance complete with the ridiculous hiccups while the two settle into the relationship.
The one slight negative with this novel that I have to point out is that it was a little difficult to follow the timeline. I'd love to go back and reread this one to see if I had a hard time simply because I had missed something small.
My favorite passages:
The midnight summer sky was a watercolor wash of darkness with a glitter of tiny stars thrown across it.
The lace panels at the French windows lifted and fell in rhythm with the evening air which breathed gently through the crack in the frame.
He looked important. Uncertain how to greet a person of such standing, Sunshine bobbed a little curtsy and offered him a high five.
Things always look better in the morning. It wasn’t the sunlight that poked fun at Laura’s imperfections, but the darkness with its looming doubt that mocked her in the sleepless spells that broke the night.
My final thoughts:
I just adored this book! I really loved each of the characters, I enjoyed the deep friendships that were portrayed, and the overall plot and pacing kept me absolutely hooked. There were a few elements that I wish had been developed a bit more, but it was still a lovely read!
I would highly recommend this book with just one caution about the cliched tropes which, of course, I thought were done very well!
This book will certainly make you look twice at items left behind by their owners.
I was drawn right into this story immediately and had so much fun reading it. I'm very thankful that this was the book pick for May with my book club!
The story hit me really hard, especially with where I am currently in life, quickly approaching my wedding day. While reading, I thought a lot about my fiancé, Alex. I am just so thankful to have him in my life!
The story was set in two narratives that worked so wonderfully together. I really enjoyed that each centered around loss and love, but in slightly different ways. This was also a rare case where I enjoyed each storyline equally!
The novel was written so beautifully. The descriptions of certain elements, both large and small, and organization of the two narratives were just perfect. I loved how some things (again, some small, some large) circled back and connected to others; I'm a total sucker for when authors use this method. I also really appreciated the laugh-out-loud humor that was sprinkled in as well as the lovely short stories about each lost item that we were given the chance to read.
On that note, the whole idea of cataloguing lost items was so extraordinary to me! I ate this idea right up and I couldn't wait to learn more about the items. I would definitely read a companion novel that was just the short stories for each item in the collection!
I felt that each character included in the story was perfect for the role that they played. I really felt for Laura and the tough things she was dealing with; I was saddened by Anthony's heartbreak; I was intrigued by the slight mysteriousness with Freddy; I enjoyed the excitement of Bombers personality; I adored the loyalty of Eunice; I was infuriated with Portia's ridiculousness; and I couldn't help but grin every time Sunshine was in the scene.
There were a few elements in the story that were a bit clichéd. Some of my book club friends had a really hard time with these elements, but I actually loved them! I'm all for the clichéd romance complete with the ridiculous hiccups while the two settle into the relationship.
The one slight negative with this novel that I have to point out is that it was a little difficult to follow the timeline. I'd love to go back and reread this one to see if I had a hard time simply because I had missed something small.
My favorite passages:
The midnight summer sky was a watercolor wash of darkness with a glitter of tiny stars thrown across it.
The lace panels at the French windows lifted and fell in rhythm with the evening air which breathed gently through the crack in the frame.
He looked important. Uncertain how to greet a person of such standing, Sunshine bobbed a little curtsy and offered him a high five.
Things always look better in the morning. It wasn’t the sunlight that poked fun at Laura’s imperfections, but the darkness with its looming doubt that mocked her in the sleepless spells that broke the night.
My final thoughts:
I just adored this book! I really loved each of the characters, I enjoyed the deep friendships that were portrayed, and the overall plot and pacing kept me absolutely hooked. There were a few elements that I wish had been developed a bit more, but it was still a lovely read!
I would highly recommend this book with just one caution about the cliched tropes which, of course, I thought were done very well!
This book will certainly make you look twice at items left behind by their owners.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara is an incredible book about a chilling case that will have you triple checking your doors and windows at night.
I first heard about the case of the Golden State Killer on the podcast My Favorite Murder. Alex and I listened to that episode while driving up north to spend the long weekend in the mountains. The case made us both incredibly uncomfortable and it really suck with us.
When I first heard about Michelle McNamara's book, I was hesitant to pick it up simply because of how unsettled details about the case left me. However, when I heard the news that the GSK was caught, I went out and picked up the book the next day.
Now that I've finally gotten the chance to read Michelle's book... I'm just blown away.
I have to admit that I was a bit worried that this book would be too dry, since it was labeled "True Crime." But oh my goodness... That was not the case at all!
First of all, I have to say that I absolutely adore Michelle's writing style! She shared the dark details of the case in such an unflinching manner, while also seamlessly adding in bits and pieces about her own life that really took the book to a whole other level. In fact, a big part of this story is about how Michelle obsessed over this case, and she certainly didn't make an attempt to gloss over how much it affected her life. It was so raw, and so unfiltered.
Michelle really had a way with writing these sequences that totally captivated me. More than just a few times, I found myself holding my breath. One perfect example of a scene that had me literally one the edge of my seat and holding my breath as my eyes flew over the pages is below (don't worry, I'll just include a very small part in the midst of a larger story):
The baby-faced man turned slightly, sneakily, and drew a gun from his coat pocket, promptly firing it at McGowen. McGowen fell backward and things suddenly went dark. The bullet had struck the officer's flashlight.
Every now and again, Michelle would drop in quotes that victims of the crimes reported the GSK saying to them, which petrified me. The case itself is such a horrifying tale, but I really enjoyed learning more about it in such a well-researched and wonderfully organized way.
Bravo, Michelle!
My favorite passages:
Looking back now, it feels as though I was born into a party that had started to wind down.
I had no particular interest in crime aside from reading the occasional Nancy Drew book growing up. Yet two days after the killing, without telling anyone, I walked to the spot near our house where Kathleen had been attacked. On the ground I saw pieces of her shattered Walkman. I picked them up. I felt no fear, just an electric curiosity, a current of such unexpected, searching force that I can recall every detail about the moment- the smell of newly cut grass, the chipped brown paint on the garage door. What gripped me was the specter of that question mark where the killer's face should be. The hollow gap of his identity seemed violently powerful to me.
I need to see his face.
He loses his power when we know his face.
The baby-faced man turned slightly, sneakily, and drew a gun from his coat pocket, promptly firing it at McGowen. McGowen fell backward and things suddenly went dark. The bullet had struck the officer's flashlight.
There were often signs of his presence in a neighborhood before he struck, small, disquieting details only understood in retrospect.
It would become like a game of hangman he refused to lose, all the guesses wrong, the stick figure nearly fatally hung; Crompton kept the last move open, staving off defeat by waiting until he, or one of his successors, could reverse the momentum and fill in the blanks. Only then, the final letter correct, would the long, bruising chase in the dark end in the simplest but long-sought-after prize: a man's name.
My final thoughts:
A must-read for any true crime fan. This case will give you the chills and keep you up at night, but you will absolutely love the way that Michelle laid it all out for us. But prepare yourself, this isn't a typical true crime novel; this one will hook you from the start and not let you go.
I first heard about the case of the Golden State Killer on the podcast My Favorite Murder. Alex and I listened to that episode while driving up north to spend the long weekend in the mountains. The case made us both incredibly uncomfortable and it really suck with us.
When I first heard about Michelle McNamara's book, I was hesitant to pick it up simply because of how unsettled details about the case left me. However, when I heard the news that the GSK was caught, I went out and picked up the book the next day.
Now that I've finally gotten the chance to read Michelle's book... I'm just blown away.
I have to admit that I was a bit worried that this book would be too dry, since it was labeled "True Crime." But oh my goodness... That was not the case at all!
First of all, I have to say that I absolutely adore Michelle's writing style! She shared the dark details of the case in such an unflinching manner, while also seamlessly adding in bits and pieces about her own life that really took the book to a whole other level. In fact, a big part of this story is about how Michelle obsessed over this case, and she certainly didn't make an attempt to gloss over how much it affected her life. It was so raw, and so unfiltered.
Michelle really had a way with writing these sequences that totally captivated me. More than just a few times, I found myself holding my breath. One perfect example of a scene that had me literally one the edge of my seat and holding my breath as my eyes flew over the pages is below (don't worry, I'll just include a very small part in the midst of a larger story):
The baby-faced man turned slightly, sneakily, and drew a gun from his coat pocket, promptly firing it at McGowen. McGowen fell backward and things suddenly went dark. The bullet had struck the officer's flashlight.
Every now and again, Michelle would drop in quotes that victims of the crimes reported the GSK saying to them, which petrified me. The case itself is such a horrifying tale, but I really enjoyed learning more about it in such a well-researched and wonderfully organized way.
Bravo, Michelle!
My favorite passages:
Looking back now, it feels as though I was born into a party that had started to wind down.
I had no particular interest in crime aside from reading the occasional Nancy Drew book growing up. Yet two days after the killing, without telling anyone, I walked to the spot near our house where Kathleen had been attacked. On the ground I saw pieces of her shattered Walkman. I picked them up. I felt no fear, just an electric curiosity, a current of such unexpected, searching force that I can recall every detail about the moment- the smell of newly cut grass, the chipped brown paint on the garage door. What gripped me was the specter of that question mark where the killer's face should be. The hollow gap of his identity seemed violently powerful to me.
I need to see his face.
He loses his power when we know his face.
The baby-faced man turned slightly, sneakily, and drew a gun from his coat pocket, promptly firing it at McGowen. McGowen fell backward and things suddenly went dark. The bullet had struck the officer's flashlight.
There were often signs of his presence in a neighborhood before he struck, small, disquieting details only understood in retrospect.
It would become like a game of hangman he refused to lose, all the guesses wrong, the stick figure nearly fatally hung; Crompton kept the last move open, staving off defeat by waiting until he, or one of his successors, could reverse the momentum and fill in the blanks. Only then, the final letter correct, would the long, bruising chase in the dark end in the simplest but long-sought-after prize: a man's name.
My final thoughts:
A must-read for any true crime fan. This case will give you the chills and keep you up at night, but you will absolutely love the way that Michelle laid it all out for us. But prepare yourself, this isn't a typical true crime novel; this one will hook you from the start and not let you go.
Defender Vol. 2: Pilgrimage by Tim Hedrick, Mitch Iverson, and artists Jung Gwan & Rubine is another great installment of this series. It was such a fun read and I didn't want it to end!
This was another wonderful volume! We begin with a very dramatic introduction that jumps into a silly scene with the team. Shortly after, the team answers a distress call from the DavDabHau, a clan of hunters and shamans. From there it is non-stop action as the team tries to get the DavDabHau to their sacred lands.
As with the first volume, I absolutely loved the artwork! The colors in each panel were so perfect, whether it was a darker situation with lots of browns and blacks, or an intense space scene with lots of purples, pinks, and teals.
Of course the level of humor had me chuckling throughout. I just love the way that all the characters interact with one another.
My only slight complaint about this one was that a few parts just seemed rushed. There may have been a page limit or something, but I definitely would have preferred that a few scenes continued on rather than ending so abruptly.
My favorite passage:
Get hungry, Hunk!- Lance
Copy that!- Hunk
But not too hungry!- Coran
I don't follow...- Hunk
My final thoughts:
A must-read for any Voltron fan!
This was another wonderful volume! We begin with a very dramatic introduction that jumps into a silly scene with the team. Shortly after, the team answers a distress call from the DavDabHau, a clan of hunters and shamans. From there it is non-stop action as the team tries to get the DavDabHau to their sacred lands.
As with the first volume, I absolutely loved the artwork! The colors in each panel were so perfect, whether it was a darker situation with lots of browns and blacks, or an intense space scene with lots of purples, pinks, and teals.
Of course the level of humor had me chuckling throughout. I just love the way that all the characters interact with one another.
My only slight complaint about this one was that a few parts just seemed rushed. There may have been a page limit or something, but I definitely would have preferred that a few scenes continued on rather than ending so abruptly.
My favorite passage:
Get hungry, Hunk!- Lance
Copy that!- Hunk
But not too hungry!- Coran
I don't follow...- Hunk
My final thoughts:
A must-read for any Voltron fan!
I really enjoyed this book! It was wonderfully creepy from cover to cover. This book made me feel anxious (in a good way) that only a good horror story can do. I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed the organization of the chapters that switched back from past to present, showing us more and more about the world they were in.
My only complaint is that the author used the same wording to describe pain the main character was feeling THREE times. I don't want to spoil, so I will just say that the wording he used really only made sense for one of the situations. The other two could have made sense if he added a "...since (the last time this wording was used)."
My favorite passages:
A grisly story, but one whose notoriety Malorie attributes to the seemingly senseless way the Internet has of making random occurrences famous.
That sounds like a lot of time, but it passes quickly in here. The days begin to mush together. That's why we started keeping the calendar on the wall in the living room. You know, in a way, time doesn't mean a thing anymore. But it's one of the only things we have that resembles the lives we used to live.
My only complaint is that the author used the same wording to describe pain the main character was feeling THREE times. I don't want to spoil, so I will just say that the wording he used really only made sense for one of the situations. The other two could have made sense if he added a "...since (the last time this wording was used)."
My favorite passages:
A grisly story, but one whose notoriety Malorie attributes to the seemingly senseless way the Internet has of making random occurrences famous.
That sounds like a lot of time, but it passes quickly in here. The days begin to mush together. That's why we started keeping the calendar on the wall in the living room. You know, in a way, time doesn't mean a thing anymore. But it's one of the only things we have that resembles the lives we used to live.
There's A Bear On My Chair by Ross Collins is an absolutely adorable story about a frustrated mouse, a lazy bear, and just one chair.
I just had to pick this one up for my coworkers baby shower when I saw the polar bear on the cover. And, in my usual fashion, I just had to read it to make sure it was worth giving as a gift! Spoiler: it is!
This was too cute! I loved the illustrations so much. Just seeing what the bear and mouse were doing on each page was so much fun.
The story itself was also very cute! The rhyming was fun, and would be great to read out loud. I loved how frustrated the poor mouse got. And the ending was perfect!
I wonder if there will be a second book.
I just had to pick this one up for my coworkers baby shower when I saw the polar bear on the cover. And, in my usual fashion, I just had to read it to make sure it was worth giving as a gift! Spoiler: it is!
This was too cute! I loved the illustrations so much. Just seeing what the bear and mouse were doing on each page was so much fun.
The story itself was also very cute! The rhyming was fun, and would be great to read out loud. I loved how frustrated the poor mouse got. And the ending was perfect!
I wonder if there will be a second book.
Strange Tales in Fiction and Fact by Richard Howard is a beautifully written collection of short stories that will totally captivate you.
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
My thoughts:
This collection was so much fun! There were a number of stories that I really loved and already cannot wait to reread. The entire collection was so beautifully written.
I took my time reading this one so I could properly digest each tale, and I am so glad that I did. This collection just screams for a reread!
Here are my rating breakdowns and quick notes for each short story:
The Temple of Lior
Woah, what a story! I really enjoyed the building anticipation to see how this one was going to play out.
4/5
Storm Child
LOVE this one!! It was so suspenseful. I was really rooting for Eleanor and my heart totally broke for her. This was my favorite story of the collection!
5/5
Elegy in Red
Oooh! What a fun twist! This was a quick one, but such an action filled short!
5/5
The Messenger
I was getting so anxious to find out why the messenger was there! But I think I may have missed something with this one...
2/5
Lacrimae
Unfortunately I didn’t get this one. Guess I had better reread it soon!
Stars and Crystals
Loved this one! Such a sweet and interesting tale!!
5/5
Echoes
WOW! Heartbreaking, terrifying, and so bittersweet.
5/5
Moon Prophecy
I think I missed something in this one as well, but I really liked the beginning.
3/5
Last Rites
I’m always a sucker for vampire stories! This one was so spooky!
5/5
The Prisoner
WOW! I was feeling bit claustrophobic reading this one. And that ending!
5/5
Labyrinth
Lovely!! What a fun and fantastical tale about love!
5/5
Tower Song
What a fun tale!
5/5
Strange Tales In Fact ~ An Autobiographical Note
What an honest and beautiful section. I really appreciate the author giving us a glimpse into his life. I also really loved learning where some of these stories originated! What a great way to end the collection!
My favorite passages:
Just because we might not understand how, doesn't mean it cannot be.
Thunder crashed and rolled across the countryside like ocean breakers, crackling sharply just as it seemed most likely to recede.
Believe in the love that you have chosen and no harm will befall you.
My final thoughts:
I would highly recommend this short story collection if you like slightly mysterious tales with a strong dose of the paranormal. As I read each story, I was totally sucked in. While I didn't want many of them to end, I was also excited to dive into the next one.
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
My thoughts:
This collection was so much fun! There were a number of stories that I really loved and already cannot wait to reread. The entire collection was so beautifully written.
I took my time reading this one so I could properly digest each tale, and I am so glad that I did. This collection just screams for a reread!
Here are my rating breakdowns and quick notes for each short story:
The Temple of Lior
Woah, what a story! I really enjoyed the building anticipation to see how this one was going to play out.
4/5
Storm Child
LOVE this one!! It was so suspenseful. I was really rooting for Eleanor and my heart totally broke for her. This was my favorite story of the collection!
5/5
Elegy in Red
Oooh! What a fun twist! This was a quick one, but such an action filled short!
5/5
The Messenger
I was getting so anxious to find out why the messenger was there! But I think I may have missed something with this one...
2/5
Lacrimae
Unfortunately I didn’t get this one. Guess I had better reread it soon!
Stars and Crystals
Loved this one! Such a sweet and interesting tale!!
5/5
Echoes
WOW! Heartbreaking, terrifying, and so bittersweet.
5/5
Moon Prophecy
I think I missed something in this one as well, but I really liked the beginning.
3/5
Last Rites
I’m always a sucker for vampire stories! This one was so spooky!
5/5
The Prisoner
WOW! I was feeling bit claustrophobic reading this one. And that ending!
5/5
Labyrinth
Lovely!! What a fun and fantastical tale about love!
5/5
Tower Song
What a fun tale!
5/5
Strange Tales In Fact ~ An Autobiographical Note
What an honest and beautiful section. I really appreciate the author giving us a glimpse into his life. I also really loved learning where some of these stories originated! What a great way to end the collection!
My favorite passages:
Just because we might not understand how, doesn't mean it cannot be.
Thunder crashed and rolled across the countryside like ocean breakers, crackling sharply just as it seemed most likely to recede.
Believe in the love that you have chosen and no harm will befall you.
My final thoughts:
I would highly recommend this short story collection if you like slightly mysterious tales with a strong dose of the paranormal. As I read each story, I was totally sucked in. While I didn't want many of them to end, I was also excited to dive into the next one.
The Infinet by John Akers is a thought-provoking tale about technology and how it impacts our lives. If you're into sci-fi with a heavy dose of technical details and jargon, this is one that you won't want to miss!
To think about technology going rogue... that is incredibly eerie! And that is exactly what this book was about.
I loved that the book begins with a very interesting project that the main character has been working on. I was hooked into this immediately and couldn't wait to learn more. Then suddenly, we are introduced to a new idea from a second character that was also incredibly interesting. However, before we learn more there, the story totally threw me for a loop when the focus switched again! This makes it sound a little choppy, but I assure you, it all flowed so well together! I loved being caught so off guard; it really kept things interesting!
I really enjoyed that the main storyline was broken up by police reports and news articles the helped to show how the situation had gotten more and more intense. There were a few sections that could be seen as a little info-dumpy, but I personally think that the way the author incorporated the educational lessons into the story was very well done! It was conversational and interesting!
And you all know how much of a sucker I am for chapters that end with a sentence that keep you hooked, making it impossible to stop reading. This book had many of those. For example this last sentence of a chapter: "As Pax looked up, the blackness above suddenly soared away from them, and what it revealed took his breath away."
The author also packed so many very difficult and controversial topics into the narrative in a way that flowed so well. And WOW! What a wonderfully timely book. I found myself shaking my head and agreeing with many things that the characters were saying.
A lot of the jargon was a bit above my head, so of course I can't say how realistic the things included were, but that's why I love sci-fi so much! The author wrote this book in such a way that made everything so believable to me, especially with my tendency to be a bit skeptical.
There were so many things discussed that seemed so clever to me, such as the name of Pax's project, Simon. This technology was originally called "Psy Man" because it was centered on psychic powers. The name "Simon" came around in a joking reference to the game Simon, which focuses on pattern matching. I though this was very clever, especially after reading about the trials they went through to get this tech up and running.
Then there were the characters. They were all so much fun! I was most intrigued by the AI characters, but I loved the humans as well. I really enjoyed how snarky and quick Gabe, the AI, was. I mean, these sections had me cracking up:
"Well, this wasn't here when I left yesterday, so how did it get here?"
"Based on the available data, I'm pretty sure I have no idea," Gabe snarked.
"Mr. Pax, you're about to..."
"Whoa!" Pax cried out, as he caught himself leaning so far forward on the edge of the bed he almost fell onto the floor. He sat back and said, "Thanks, Gabe - got a little carried away there."
"Don't thank me, it was self-preservation. I was afraid you were going to fall on your face and break me."
My favorite passages:
The dust turned into sparkles which drifted down like the aftermath of a fireworks explosion before disappearing.
"...He often spoke of the importance of asking questions, and how they create a natural tension in the mind that persists until they are resolved. He used to say, "Humans are natural-born problem solvers, and when we are confronted with a compelling question, it attracts the information we need just like a moth to a flame. Our unconscious minds are always at work trying to answer them, silently sifting through data, like a background process in a computer program, until the answer is found."
Pax looked down at the slowly darkening cityscape. Without the normal noise of a helicopter, Pax felt if he were in a glass bottomed boat observing marine life in the water below. The headlights from an endless daisy-chain of cars on the freeway sparkled like a diamond necklace that had fallen to the bottom of a mysterious grotto.
Pax stared at Angelo, trying to see if he was pulling his leg. Angelo's face, however, was as stoic as a Roman statue's.
I still hold out hope that some day people will come to understand we're all passengers on the same boat, seeking answers to the same questions.
My final thoughts:
A must read for any sci-fi/technology thriller fan. While some of the terminology was way over my head, this book still absolutely captivated me. I couldn't wait to see what happened next!
To think about technology going rogue... that is incredibly eerie! And that is exactly what this book was about.
I loved that the book begins with a very interesting project that the main character has been working on. I was hooked into this immediately and couldn't wait to learn more. Then suddenly, we are introduced to a new idea from a second character that was also incredibly interesting. However, before we learn more there, the story totally threw me for a loop when the focus switched again! This makes it sound a little choppy, but I assure you, it all flowed so well together! I loved being caught so off guard; it really kept things interesting!
I really enjoyed that the main storyline was broken up by police reports and news articles the helped to show how the situation had gotten more and more intense. There were a few sections that could be seen as a little info-dumpy, but I personally think that the way the author incorporated the educational lessons into the story was very well done! It was conversational and interesting!
And you all know how much of a sucker I am for chapters that end with a sentence that keep you hooked, making it impossible to stop reading. This book had many of those. For example this last sentence of a chapter: "As Pax looked up, the blackness above suddenly soared away from them, and what it revealed took his breath away."
The author also packed so many very difficult and controversial topics into the narrative in a way that flowed so well. And WOW! What a wonderfully timely book. I found myself shaking my head and agreeing with many things that the characters were saying.
A lot of the jargon was a bit above my head, so of course I can't say how realistic the things included were, but that's why I love sci-fi so much! The author wrote this book in such a way that made everything so believable to me, especially with my tendency to be a bit skeptical.
There were so many things discussed that seemed so clever to me, such as the name of Pax's project, Simon. This technology was originally called "Psy Man" because it was centered on psychic powers. The name "Simon" came around in a joking reference to the game Simon, which focuses on pattern matching. I though this was very clever, especially after reading about the trials they went through to get this tech up and running.
Then there were the characters. They were all so much fun! I was most intrigued by the AI characters, but I loved the humans as well. I really enjoyed how snarky and quick Gabe, the AI, was. I mean, these sections had me cracking up:
"Well, this wasn't here when I left yesterday, so how did it get here?"
"Based on the available data, I'm pretty sure I have no idea," Gabe snarked.
"Mr. Pax, you're about to..."
"Whoa!" Pax cried out, as he caught himself leaning so far forward on the edge of the bed he almost fell onto the floor. He sat back and said, "Thanks, Gabe - got a little carried away there."
"Don't thank me, it was self-preservation. I was afraid you were going to fall on your face and break me."
My favorite passages:
The dust turned into sparkles which drifted down like the aftermath of a fireworks explosion before disappearing.
"...He often spoke of the importance of asking questions, and how they create a natural tension in the mind that persists until they are resolved. He used to say, "Humans are natural-born problem solvers, and when we are confronted with a compelling question, it attracts the information we need just like a moth to a flame. Our unconscious minds are always at work trying to answer them, silently sifting through data, like a background process in a computer program, until the answer is found."
Pax looked down at the slowly darkening cityscape. Without the normal noise of a helicopter, Pax felt if he were in a glass bottomed boat observing marine life in the water below. The headlights from an endless daisy-chain of cars on the freeway sparkled like a diamond necklace that had fallen to the bottom of a mysterious grotto.
Pax stared at Angelo, trying to see if he was pulling his leg. Angelo's face, however, was as stoic as a Roman statue's.
I still hold out hope that some day people will come to understand we're all passengers on the same boat, seeking answers to the same questions.
My final thoughts:
A must read for any sci-fi/technology thriller fan. While some of the terminology was way over my head, this book still absolutely captivated me. I couldn't wait to see what happened next!
Ethan and the Key by Dennis Canfield is a wonderful middle grade fantasy that flashes between the "normal" world and the kingdom of Abentur.
The action begins right away and totally sucks you in. I picked this one up one afternoon and couldn't put it down until I had finished the read.
Full disclosure: I was given free copies of this book and the audiobook by the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
The Story:
This book didn't waste any time at all; I love how we dove right into the action in chapter one! From there, it was a very fast-paced and action-packed tale that I just could not put down.
Like I said above, the story flashed between the "normal" world and the kingdom of Abentur. I loved this organization because it added a layer of anticipation to the story that wouldn't have been there if we had just stuck to the kingdom. There was also a level of humor throughout this book that kept me laughing out loud. Whenever Ethan did or said something that the people of Abentur didn't understand, such as offering a fist-bump, I would chuckle. I really enjoyed how bits and pieces of the "real world" were thrown in like that! Another great example was when Ethan rode the dragon, Smoke, for the first time:
Ethan was flying on the back of a dragon, the greatest thrill he had ever experienced. What he wouldnt have given for a GoPro at that moment!
The descriptions were lovely! They were so well done that I had no problem really imagining the landscapes, the architecture, the decor, and the people.
The characters were all so fun! I loved how each of their personalities were reflected, even if they were a character that we didn't learn much about. I especially enjoyed their relationships. For example, Ethan's relationship with his friends in the real world was so realistic and humorous. Ethan himself was a lovely main character! I really appreciated how down to earth he was. He was also very smart and brave and he had a bit of the underdog trope going for him, but in a refreshing way.
As for the plot... I don't want to give anything away. I will say that I thought it was really interesting and that there were twists and turns I totally didn't see coming. This is a story that I could read time and time again and never get tired of it because of how fun it is!
This story really had it all; great friendships, a brave main character, interesting family dynamics, humor, action, slight-violence, adventure, and of course, a dragon!
Audiobook:
Right from the first line of this one ("YOU'RE OUT!"), I knew it was going to be a great listen! The narrator, Nick Podehl, did a lovely job! He’s so energetic and really performs well! I really loved that he used different voices for each of the characters, and each of them was so different!
This is an audiobook that is such a treat to listen to because of how upbeat and fun it is.
My favorite passages:
He came to the path and joined the line of people going into the castle. They were speaking, but it didn't see like a natural language at all. It sounded more like radio static. It was almost painful to listen to. But he started to hear a few normal words among the static, as if the language part of his brain just needed to find the right frequency for him to understand what people were saying.
He stood about six feet tall, with muscles in his neck and arms and legs that a professional wrestler would have envied. His hooked nose, heavy eyebrows, and the anger in his eyes gave his face a hawk-like appearance, and he was going right at Ethan.
His only hope was that it was all a dream, or a nightmare. But it seemed much too real to be either.
"You're wrestling Howard?" Richard asked. "Where should we send the flowers?"
"It's been nice knowin' ya," Steve added.
It only took Ethan a moment to decide. "Let's rock and roll!"
The king had a puzzled expression. "Pardon me?"
"Sorry. I mean, yes, let's do it."
Ethan was flying on the back of a dragon, the greatest thrill he had ever experienced. What he wouldnt have given for a GoPro at that moment!
He had no idea how much weight to try, but he knew he weighed about ninety pounds. So he selected one hundred pounds, got under the handles, and pushed up.
He might as well have been trying to bench his house.
My final thoughts:
Both the book and the audiobook were so lovely! Definitely a must-read/listen for any middle grade fantasy fan! It reminded me a bit of the Magic Tree House books, simply from the feeling I got while reading it. I would very highly recommend this book! I cannot wait to reread it.
The action begins right away and totally sucks you in. I picked this one up one afternoon and couldn't put it down until I had finished the read.
Full disclosure: I was given free copies of this book and the audiobook by the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
The Story:
This book didn't waste any time at all; I love how we dove right into the action in chapter one! From there, it was a very fast-paced and action-packed tale that I just could not put down.
Like I said above, the story flashed between the "normal" world and the kingdom of Abentur. I loved this organization because it added a layer of anticipation to the story that wouldn't have been there if we had just stuck to the kingdom. There was also a level of humor throughout this book that kept me laughing out loud. Whenever Ethan did or said something that the people of Abentur didn't understand, such as offering a fist-bump, I would chuckle. I really enjoyed how bits and pieces of the "real world" were thrown in like that! Another great example was when Ethan rode the dragon, Smoke, for the first time:
Ethan was flying on the back of a dragon, the greatest thrill he had ever experienced. What he wouldnt have given for a GoPro at that moment!
The descriptions were lovely! They were so well done that I had no problem really imagining the landscapes, the architecture, the decor, and the people.
The characters were all so fun! I loved how each of their personalities were reflected, even if they were a character that we didn't learn much about. I especially enjoyed their relationships. For example, Ethan's relationship with his friends in the real world was so realistic and humorous. Ethan himself was a lovely main character! I really appreciated how down to earth he was. He was also very smart and brave and he had a bit of the underdog trope going for him, but in a refreshing way.
As for the plot... I don't want to give anything away. I will say that I thought it was really interesting and that there were twists and turns I totally didn't see coming. This is a story that I could read time and time again and never get tired of it because of how fun it is!
This story really had it all; great friendships, a brave main character, interesting family dynamics, humor, action, slight-violence, adventure, and of course, a dragon!
Audiobook:
Right from the first line of this one ("YOU'RE OUT!"), I knew it was going to be a great listen! The narrator, Nick Podehl, did a lovely job! He’s so energetic and really performs well! I really loved that he used different voices for each of the characters, and each of them was so different!
This is an audiobook that is such a treat to listen to because of how upbeat and fun it is.
My favorite passages:
He came to the path and joined the line of people going into the castle. They were speaking, but it didn't see like a natural language at all. It sounded more like radio static. It was almost painful to listen to. But he started to hear a few normal words among the static, as if the language part of his brain just needed to find the right frequency for him to understand what people were saying.
He stood about six feet tall, with muscles in his neck and arms and legs that a professional wrestler would have envied. His hooked nose, heavy eyebrows, and the anger in his eyes gave his face a hawk-like appearance, and he was going right at Ethan.
His only hope was that it was all a dream, or a nightmare. But it seemed much too real to be either.
"You're wrestling Howard?" Richard asked. "Where should we send the flowers?"
"It's been nice knowin' ya," Steve added.
It only took Ethan a moment to decide. "Let's rock and roll!"
The king had a puzzled expression. "Pardon me?"
"Sorry. I mean, yes, let's do it."
Ethan was flying on the back of a dragon, the greatest thrill he had ever experienced. What he wouldnt have given for a GoPro at that moment!
He had no idea how much weight to try, but he knew he weighed about ninety pounds. So he selected one hundred pounds, got under the handles, and pushed up.
He might as well have been trying to bench his house.
My final thoughts:
Both the book and the audiobook were so lovely! Definitely a must-read/listen for any middle grade fantasy fan! It reminded me a bit of the Magic Tree House books, simply from the feeling I got while reading it. I would very highly recommend this book! I cannot wait to reread it.
That's Not My Bear by Fiona Watt is an absolutely adorable sensory book! It's an extremely quick read, but one that young children would love!
Each of the pages features something on the bear that the child can touch; soft paws, scratch tongue, shiny claws, and more.
My only very small gripe with this one was that one panda bear is too fuzzy, but then the "my bear" ends up being another Panda. I personally think this would have worked better if they had featured a different bear. That, or feature a couple of the same bears, so the panda wasn't the only duplicate (unless you count the cover...). But perhaps I'm being too picky :)
Definitely a fun, quick read! I would recommend this one if you're looking for a book for a young child.
Mask Beneath Her Face by Rafael Chandler is an intense slasher novel filled with mayhem, gore, revenge, and characters straight out of nightmares!
Be warned: once you start this one, you won't want to put it down!
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
Right from the acknowledgements, I knew this was going to be a great book. I mean "Now: let us travel to the 1980s and see what horrors we find there." ... YES, LET'S GO!
Sure enough, when I read the very first sentence of Chapter 1, I was hooked!
What an incredible tale! This novel included all of my favorite things when it comes to horror stories;
*An opening first sentence that shocks you
*A believable and captivating storyline
*Excellent pacing
*Wonderfully developed characters that you can root for
*Interesting side characters that play their roles wonderfully
*Character backstories that you learn more about as the plot progresses
*Great friendships
*Incredibly terrifying baddies with haunting names
*Realistic dialogue
*Twists, turns, and shocking moments
*Paranormal elements
*Traps
*Chases
*Action
*Lots and lots of gore
Many elements of this novel reminded me of other horror movies or books! Two that really stood out to me included the the slow walk of the slasher in It Follows and the terrifying ventriloquist dummy in Dead Silence. Eek, I get the shivers just thinking about them!
This novel was so wonderfully written! This was a book that I dreaded putting down; I just wanted to keep reading to see what happened next! I loved how the chapters switched between the four main characters seamlessly, really immersing the reader into the crazy web that connected the four.
Unfortunately, to avoid giving away too much, I'll have to leave it at that!
My favorite passages:
*SLIGHT SPOILERS IN THE PASSAGES BELOW*
His goddamn day off, and he had to sit here wondering if this new murderer was a garden-variety psycho, or the type that comes back from the dead and cuts you up in your dreams.
Cris shook her head. "I need to concentrate," she said. "Tomorrow, I have to be completely focused. One mistake, and a sniper puts a bullet through my skull."
"Well, we don't want that," the spider said. "Your skull is where I live."
"This isn't a life. It's an EKG with the peaks pulled down and the valleys pushed up. Every day I get closer to a flat line. You three are the only bright spots in the dark..."
Skin graft had nicked him on a backswing, slicing a grin-shaped wound in Jesse's shoulder.
He stumbled through a thick wad of stubborn kudzu. Always the same, he thought. You're fleeing on foot, not sure if you're headed away from danger or towards it, and then the slasher lunges from behind a tree. Or worse, you look around, and there he is, grinning at you. Then he comes at you with that implacable stride, blade swinging like a pendulum --
Some days, she didn't even read posts or articles; she just skimmed the comments, astonished and repulsed and delighted by the vile torrent of sewage. It was a bit like overdoing the desserts at Golden Corral; she enjoyed it mightily, but always regretted it afterwards.
More droplets beaded up around the ragged wound in Sam's chest, then drifted upwards like snowflakes in reverse.
My final thoughts:
A must-read for classic slasher fans. My goodness, what a great movie this could be! I will definitely be rereading this time and time again.
Be warned: once you start this one, you won't want to put it down!
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
Right from the acknowledgements, I knew this was going to be a great book. I mean "Now: let us travel to the 1980s and see what horrors we find there." ... YES, LET'S GO!
Sure enough, when I read the very first sentence of Chapter 1, I was hooked!
What an incredible tale! This novel included all of my favorite things when it comes to horror stories;
*An opening first sentence that shocks you
*A believable and captivating storyline
*Excellent pacing
*Wonderfully developed characters that you can root for
*Interesting side characters that play their roles wonderfully
*Character backstories that you learn more about as the plot progresses
*Great friendships
*Incredibly terrifying baddies with haunting names
*Realistic dialogue
*Twists, turns, and shocking moments
*Paranormal elements
*Traps
*Chases
*Action
*Lots and lots of gore
Many elements of this novel reminded me of other horror movies or books! Two that really stood out to me included the the slow walk of the slasher in It Follows and the terrifying ventriloquist dummy in Dead Silence. Eek, I get the shivers just thinking about them!
This novel was so wonderfully written! This was a book that I dreaded putting down; I just wanted to keep reading to see what happened next! I loved how the chapters switched between the four main characters seamlessly, really immersing the reader into the crazy web that connected the four.
Unfortunately, to avoid giving away too much, I'll have to leave it at that!
My favorite passages:
*SLIGHT SPOILERS IN THE PASSAGES BELOW*
His goddamn day off, and he had to sit here wondering if this new murderer was a garden-variety psycho, or the type that comes back from the dead and cuts you up in your dreams.
Cris shook her head. "I need to concentrate," she said. "Tomorrow, I have to be completely focused. One mistake, and a sniper puts a bullet through my skull."
"Well, we don't want that," the spider said. "Your skull is where I live."
"This isn't a life. It's an EKG with the peaks pulled down and the valleys pushed up. Every day I get closer to a flat line. You three are the only bright spots in the dark..."
Skin graft had nicked him on a backswing, slicing a grin-shaped wound in Jesse's shoulder.
He stumbled through a thick wad of stubborn kudzu. Always the same, he thought. You're fleeing on foot, not sure if you're headed away from danger or towards it, and then the slasher lunges from behind a tree. Or worse, you look around, and there he is, grinning at you. Then he comes at you with that implacable stride, blade swinging like a pendulum --
Some days, she didn't even read posts or articles; she just skimmed the comments, astonished and repulsed and delighted by the vile torrent of sewage. It was a bit like overdoing the desserts at Golden Corral; she enjoyed it mightily, but always regretted it afterwards.
More droplets beaded up around the ragged wound in Sam's chest, then drifted upwards like snowflakes in reverse.
My final thoughts:
A must-read for classic slasher fans. My goodness, what a great movie this could be! I will definitely be rereading this time and time again.