Tantalize review

Posted : 12 hours, 46 minutes ago on 16 May 2008 07:38 (A review of Tantalize)

It's always so nice to find a paranormal/supernatural gem that few people have heard of. It sort of makes the great story that much sweeter, thinking you're the only one who gets to enjoy it... Though this is one that should be shared.

Smith has created a rather interesting world where vampire and weres are enemies... and some weres don't even associate amongst themselves. I've always loved stories that didn't stick to just werewolves and scoff at the idea of people shape shifting into other animals. And really, what's cooler than a were-possum?!

While the story rolls smoothly and there's enough interest piqued that you begin to wonder what's happening, I almost felt bad for Bradley at the end of it all. Sure things don't turn out the way we except, but at least he had some honour!

But seriously, the novel is at times twisted, and occasionally funny. The whole restaurant idea is great fun! The only disappointment? Not knowing if there's more of this in the works!

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Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto review

Posted : 1 day, 11 hours ago on 15 May 2008 08:31 (A review of Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto)

I think GQ's line really said it best: "sometimes exasperating but almost always engaging."

Occasionally, it's difficult to get past Klosterman's ego to what he's actually trying to communicate. But when you can, he's got some interesting things to say and they're the kind you want to share. While reading this, I often found myself reading parts of it out loud to anyone who would listen, sparking plenty of debate and arguments. I figure if that's the best I can get out of the novel, then that's pretty darn good.

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My thoughts

Posted : 2 days, 16 hours ago on 14 May 2008 03:57 (A review of The Attraction (plus bonus novella 'The Necromancer'))

Although some of the scenes and dialogue in "The Attraction" was clichéd, I liked the overall story of teenagers lost in the desert confronting an ancient monster. I also liked the second story, "Necromancer," especially how the narrator discovers the truth about his twin's death.

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My thoughts

Posted : 2 days, 16 hours ago on 14 May 2008 03:55 (A review of Killing Floor)

This was a good mystery featuring Jack Reacher who finds himself in the middle of an ongoing plot that threatens a small town. I liked how Jack and his new friends figure out the mystery and eventually outwit the criminals and I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Die Trying.

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My thoughts

Posted : 2 days, 16 hours ago on 14 May 2008 03:47 (A review of A Knot in the Grain and Other Stories)

I liked these stories of fantasy and discovery. I especially liked the stories of Lily and her search for her voice and Erana who learns where her true home is.

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My thoughts

Posted : 2 days, 16 hours ago on 14 May 2008 03:45 (A review of Mine)

This book grabbed my attention from the opening line and didn't let up until the end. With many twists and turns, I felt like I was with both Laura and Mary in the chase from Georgia to California while hoping that throughout the mayhem and chaos the baby would survive. I also liked how the narrative switched from Laura to Mary and back again.

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Marked (House of Night, Book 1) review

Posted : 3 days, 13 hours ago on 13 May 2008 07:13 (A review of Marked (House of Night, Book 1))

Such an interesting novel, though it appears to be trying a little too hard to appeal to the young adult crowd.

I was a little disappointed when reading it to see that the main character, Zoey, was rather judgmental. There were a few too many comments in the book that struck me as being rather condescending about other people's habits or vices (or "Okie-ness" - do the writers have a prejudice against country folk?) Maybe it's that I found it occasionally a little hypocritical that the character longed so much to be accepted, but thought the actions of others were hideous when it was probably motivated by their own insecurities and desire to fit in. This was most prevalent in Zoey's interaction with Heath and Kayla.

In the spirit of playing devil's advocate, Zoey's impressions of the religious zealousness of her step-father are surprising once we see her get sucked into almost the same situation at the House of Night. Though she loved what was occurring, it seems to me that an outsider might see those as actions of a cult. Again, that speaks to the hypocrisy and slight arrogance; "My worship is better than your worship."

Outside of those irksome points for me, the novel and lore is strong. The vampires are chosen, and the idea of growing or becoming a vampire after a second puberty is creative. Mixing that with elementals, ghosts, and teen angst (see also: "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead) adds lots of fun and suspenseful moments.

I truly think the novel is a great addition to the urban fantasy genre for Teens and look forward to future adventures (and saucy moments with Erik!).

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Frostbite (Vampire Academy, Book 2) review

Posted : 3 days, 21 hours ago on 13 May 2008 10:27 (A review of Frostbite (Vampire Academy, Book 2))

The Vampire Academy kids certainly transfer into some very dark moments in this novel. It might be way difficult for some readers depending on their age... but if they've watched most supernatural shows in TV, it won't be any shock to them.

Truthfully, the twist to the end of this novel is heartbreaking for Rose, but I loved how Mead handled it. She wrote Rose with such honour and grace that you really cry with her and feel her drastic actions and anger are more than justified.

The interaction between her and Dimitri leads into some troubled waters and I'm not sure I am comfortable with this idea. Dimitri himself is an excellent character but the age thing grates simply because Rose is under age. Either way, Mead introduces Adrian, who could potentially stir things up. As a reader and from Rose's point of view, there's some intensely sketchy about this character but who doesn't love those complicated, dark leads?!

Between this novel and the second, I find I'm really beginning to enjoy Mead's take on vampiric lore. The idea that there are different royal families, that there are class distinctions between sub-races of vamps, that each vamp has special skills with certain elements; this all makes things rather interesting. It's quite different from the traditional vamp stories but there's history added there and you can see where this might create some great plot points in the future.

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'For the bonds of love are ill to loose!

Posted : 5 days, 16 hours ago on 11 May 2008 03:28 (A review of Lady Chatterley's Lover (Bantam Classics))

I think that taking into consideration the fact that D.H Lawrence wanted to call this book Tenderness bodes well for what sentiments he originally intended top portray with this novel.

The book focuses on a young, strong minded and educated woman named Constance who marries her intellectual companion just before the first world war. Unfortunately he returns to her a cripple and embarrassed by himself retires to a life spent a genius recluse. Bound by her sense of wifely duty and her intellectual connection to her husband Constance busies herself about the house relishing rare visits from guests, but ultimately becomes bored, trapped and isolated.

As her frustration builds with her situation in life and with her husband she realizes that no one can live solely by the mind, that to live you have to be physically alive.
In a desperate attempt to save herself she falls for the charms of a family friend who offers her what her husband has never been able to and an alternative source of mental. This relationship soon too turns out to be unreal and Constance’s only hope is to seek solace outside, in the nature and life around their grounds.
That is until she meets the cold and reproachful game keeper Mellors.

This book is filled with moral and social dilemmas and the problems of conscience and duty. Set against a time of massive social, technological and political upheaval.

The characters wrestle with fears of their country’s future as much as their own. The whole book is beautifully crafted and a pleasure to read as its poetry paints vivid pictures.
The quips are quick and quirky and never to be outdated.

‘"And I'm going to marry. Oh, yes, I must marry."

"It sounds like going to have your tonsils cut," laughed Connie. "Will it be an effort?"’

The feelings both for and of the characters are genuine and sensitive, a real achievement for a man of that period in time, who himself didn’t have the best luck with women.

If you’re going to read a classic, make it this one.


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City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments) review

Posted : 5 days, 17 hours ago on 11 May 2008 03:12 (A review of City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments))

Such a fantastic read. Clare has continued the misadventures of Clary in this second novel with just as much sass and drama as the first one.

What I love about this is that it's a good versus evil story but at heart really just a fight against racism and bigotry. There's plenty of character growth and most importantly, a lot of them that become less narrow minded and appreciative of people for who they are, and not just their "race."

There are also lots of similarities between the Mortal Instruments series and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. Those are quite obvious but don't overly detract from the story. You can see the homage, but at the same time Clare's created a very unique universe populated with outspoken and colourful characters.

The character I found shone the most in this novel was really Simon. His character, seemingly just a secondary one in the first story, becomes more necessary this time around for Clary.

I look forward to the third installment and this has definitely fallen under an author I'd recommend to any young reader.

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