(2) the second story Smee, I once read this story as a child and it's still so damn good, the suspense(1) The first story is okay-ish, 2.8 to 3 stars.
(2) the second story Smee, I once read this story as a child and it's still so damn good, the suspense is so finely built up! 5 stars!
(3) the third story: A Bad Heart, is suspenseful enough but not very outstanding, 3.5 stars.
(4) Lucky's Grove, featuring a Christmas tree from a cursed place! However, I don't think I understand the ending well, did the house (view spoiler)[ burn down with the children and everyone else trapped inside (hide spoiler)]!? 4.5 stars!
(5) There are a few more stories but they are not very memorizable....more
I like the world of the Lords of the Underworld a lot, but this novella is just......how could angels be so boring...although the God's shinning and rI like the world of the Lords of the Underworld a lot, but this novella is just......how could angels be so boring...although the God's shinning and righteous army is hardly any fun, but still. LOL...more
Premise of the story: After their father’s sudden passing, Eva and her older sister were forced to move to their father's childhood home, a house ownePremise of the story: After their father’s sudden passing, Eva and her older sister were forced to move to their father's childhood home, a house owned by a mysterious late great-aunt they had never heard of before. However, upon arrival, the sisters were faced with suspicious, unfriendly townies and the rumors of their late great-aunt being a much-feared witch.
I like the writing, and the situation the sisters found themselves in is easy for me to sympathize with, so far so good.
(1) This is a breath of fresh air in the field of paranormal YA novels with a 'new girl in a small town' setting.
(2) The writing, the characters, and the plot are very solid, so I will recommend this novel to general readers who have a taste for urban fantasy, small-town mysteries, and slight-Gothic thrillers.
(3) I like the sisterly love between the heroine Eva and her older sister, and I also like how their rather tragic backstory is slowly revealed to us.
(4) The townies the sisters encountered are quite colorful too!
(5) Although I can appreciate that the townies didn't go (view spoiler)[into a full-on witch hunt when they deal with Eva (hide spoiler)], still on the other hand I am a bit disappointed that they didn't, does it make sense?
(6) I also like how the sisters slowly discovered all the family's secrets! ^_^
(7) The ending, it might not be as Gothic, dark or scary as I like, but it is still a satisfying ending for a suspenseful story! ^_^
(8) Although I am a bit wary of the fact that (view spoiler)[ the supposed witch in the story is just a misunderstood good person, not that I don't like good, kind witches! However, it is still good to see old-fashioned evil dark witches (hide spoiler)] once in a while! ^_^...more
(1) Alright, I have been warned about, again, a horny adult fantasy book being marketed and sold to teenagers as YA fantasy by the 1 to 2 stars reviews...Personally, I skipped all those NC-17 scenes because life is too short for this BS...*sighs* ......and....What is this book doing in the Young Adult corner of the public library anyway!?
(2) My problem with the story so far: Emilia gets to marry the Devil and become the Queen of Hell/Queen of the Wickeds, with barely any drawback! Does it sound like much of a hardship to you? A heroine who doesn't go through hardship to get their HEA is so boring!
(3) As for the question about the death of Emilia's twin and the curse of the First Witch.......I am at page 12, so far I still cannot see there is much development with these issues. Haven't we been dealing with the same two issues for two whole books already?
(4) The world-building in this book is the most boring and unimaginative thing I have seen in recent years.
(5) So there is barely anything going on between Emilia and Wrath in this book, no conflict and issue for the couple to overcome, no misunderstanding or miscommunication to resolve, zero effort in building any understanding and meaningful relationship which isn't related to their ridiculous sex drive and fuckings. Don't get me wrong, a healthy sex life is good for any romantic relationship, but shouldn't they have more things going on in said relationship than just mind-blowing sex!?
(4) Then...the conflict...or THE TOTAL LACK OF IT: The curse is dealt with rather easily because clues just dropped onto Emilia's lap whenever she opened her mouth and asked some questions! Everyone just handed the answers to her willingly! The conflict between the witches and the demons is still there but in front of Emilia and Wrath's all-mighty power and tru luv the witches just don't stand a chance! Emilia seemingly gave up nothing to get her man and a HEA! I am so pissed.
(5) The thing with (view spoiler)[ Emilia's twin, (hide spoiler)] again it becomes a non-issue by the end of this book. Supposedly this character should be raining down revenge and mayhem on both the demons and the witches but in the end she did barely a thing!
(6) And the witches........don't make me laugh, I can't even believe such useless creatures have been going toe-to-toe with the demons in their supernatural battles.
(7) The demons are not any better than the witches because as a bunch of supposedly ageless, merciless demonic nobles, I barely see any of them doing anything remotely scary, wicked and heartless. And their demonic kingdom so goddamn boring, 3 books went by and it still hasn't improved!
(8) Some of the demonic princes are actually halfway interesting but as a whole, they are too mild I cannot believe these are a group of immortal creatures with tons of knowledge, experience, and power to do evil.
(9) Some of the plot twists aren't bad at all, in fact those twists can be quite impressive and clever if only the author could have managed and delivered them better.
(10) To sum up, one HELL of a disappointment!...more
Rating: 4.5 stars. Although this book isn't what I'd expected, but Shinzō Mitsuda simply doesn't disappoint! IBook title:The Tower of the White Demon
Rating: 4.5 stars. Although this book isn't what I'd expected, but Shinzō Mitsuda simply doesn't disappoint! I actually like how the author explained the 'white demon/yokai' and its activities.
Question: Do you believe a teenage girl would allow a stranger to enter her cottage in the middle of nowhere even when the stranger claims he has lost his way?!
Unless, it actually isn't an ordinary teenage girl.
What's what in the story: in the post-WWII Japan, a young man applied for the job as a lighthouse keeper, in order to get to the lighthouse, he must went up some mountains, got inside a creepy woods to reach a remote village. However, the young soon lost his way in the woods and was forced to spend a night inside a creepy cottage in the middle of nowhere, which was resided by a strange pair of mother and daughter, who might or might not be the sorceresses (with the power to summon spirits and familiars) feared by the villagers?
The next day, when they young man went on his way again, he got a strong sense of being watched by the strange white figure which seemed to be lurking behind him...
When eventually the guy went to the lighthouse in one piece, an older lighthouse keeper told him about the strange experience he once had when he first arrived to station in this lighthouse, and the older man's experience mirrored the young man's own experience somehow?
What is the secret behind the cottage in the middle of the woods and the white 'yokai' that seemed to haunt the different lighthouses and their caretakers!?
I also quite like the explanation for the 'haunting' at the end of the story! (view spoiler)[So the white yokai is in fact the 'living spirit' of the young woman in the strange cottage in the middle of nowhere? (hide spoiler)] I like this explanation!!...more
Premise: 17 years old Stephanie Armand and her kid sister moved into a historical mansion with their father, but unluckily, their new house was well..Premise: 17 years old Stephanie Armand and her kid sister moved into a historical mansion with their father, but unluckily, their new house was well...haunted.
(1) I like that the girl is still using her brain after she saw this outstandingly handsome, mysterious guy in her dream. I hope she can keep that up...
(2) I kinda like 'Erik'/Phantom's reason to 'haunt' the heroine and her family! At least it isn't a repeat of The Phantom of the Opera!
(3) So what's the deal with the heroine's absent mother? It sounds like the mother is dead but...then why would the heroine and her father behave like there's something about said mother that they must keep secerts from the heroine's kid sister!?
(4) and what's the deal with the heroine's supposedly haunted house!?
(5) I really am not a fan of first-person POV, but I will bear with it for the time being...
(6) Ghost Hunters v.s. the Phantom!? Plus the Phantom guy forbids the girl to invite the other boy over, ha!!!LOL
Premise: the 4th volume of the Hell is Dark and Flowerless takes us to a luxurious train trip through the snowy landscape in winter. The (literal) batPremise: the 4th volume of the Hell is Dark and Flowerless takes us to a luxurious train trip through the snowy landscape in winter. The (literal) battle of wits to decide who will be the next Ruler of Hell will take place in this train trip full of sinners who deserve to go to Hell.
So far, the story's quality is still good. The murder mysteries can keep you guessing and the contest to keep more 'sinners' alive instead of throwing them to Hell is interesting. I even like the real killer's backstory of (view spoiler)[actually being the murderer who killed her mother and said mother's boyfriend, but her cop father took the blame for her and committed suicide (hide spoiler)] and reasoning and their relationship with a certain evil mastermind as well. I'm more than glad and will keep an eye on more books from this author.
From the Afterword at the back of the novel, it seems like the author originally decided to end the series with vol. 4 but I'm glad later the series does continue to vol. 5....more
"Devil knows what. God's not looking." Fee pressed two fingers into her temple.
I think I like the author's previous works better. This one
"Devil knows what. God's not looking." Fee pressed two fingers into her temple.
I think I like the author's previous works better. This one isn't bad but the characters seem thin, no one seems to stand out, not even the antagonists. Still, I do like the teenage witchy business and the story is obviously trying something new instead of being one of those paranormal romance YA. So, 3.5 stars....more
It's one of the novella from Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld series, this time it's Legion's romance with a certain Big Bad, Galen the TreachIt's one of the novella from Gena Showalter's Lords of the Underworld series, this time it's Legion's romance with a certain Big Bad, Galen the Treacherous.
After her failed attempt at capturing the heart of her first-love, Legion was captured and put through endless torture in Lucifer's palace, after she was recused by the Lords of the Underworld, she remained a broken woman, afraid of her own shadow.
Then Galen came back for her again, together they went on a quest of healing and discovery...but things can be as positive as this between a former demon and a known supervillain of the supernatural worlds?
Over all I like this story, it's entertaining and the pacing is okay, I like how the main couple are bonding over killing their enemies and collecting demon's heads as trophies. Although I have to say sometime I don't see why Galen, an ageless immortal, is so obsessed with Legion (and I do like Legion!) and I don't like how the other Lords seemed to accept Galen's going out with Legion rather easily.
Anyway, it's a nice romance novella. If you like the LotU series, you might enjoy it.
I got a free copy of this book from Google Play-Book but........10 pages into the story, there are already two unearthly handsome supernatuPre-review:
I got a free copy of this book from Google Play-Book but........10 pages into the story, there are already two unearthly handsome supernatural guys eyeing the heroine and wanting to get to her?
I'm on the fence about giving this book 3 stars or 4 stars. Once again the main characters are interesting (a dead woman and a guy who has to sleep wiI'm on the fence about giving this book 3 stars or 4 stars. Once again the main characters are interesting (a dead woman and a guy who has to sleep with different person every night to survive, how will they get together?), the setting and the plots are also interesting, the supporting characters and their subplots are nice; but by the 3/4 of the story, things start to drag and I skimmed some parts, but the ending really took me by surprise, so 3.8 stars.
PS: I still don't really understand why suddenly the hero is able to be with just one woman at the ending, (view spoiler)[is it because she killed the current king of gods and became the new queen (hide spoiler)]? Will need to check back on it later....more
The story is interesting and the author is respectful to the cultures she used to set up her story. However, th3.5 stars, leading toward 3 stars only.
The story is interesting and the author is respectful to the cultures she used to set up her story. However, the characters soon lose their charm as the story goes on. The magical elements and the supernatural beings in the story do not stand out, the heroine is set up to be 'special' but her relationships with her family and the villagers never stand out (she doesn't seem to have any friend her age aside from her brothers and a sister), plus the stepmother is those typical crazy mean-spirited women which is rather disappointing. The ending is good, but the book as a whole doesn't hold up my interest too much, by the end I was merely turning pages just to get it over with.
Still, I don't like it doesn't mean you would also not like it, I'll suggest people to at least try it out....more
It's a non-fictional book about the abandoned buildings and ruins around Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China, Taiwan and Korea. (well, most of the sites It's a non-fictional book about the abandoned buildings and ruins around Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China, Taiwan and Korea. (well, most of the sites are in HK)
Aside from the gothic book designs and impressive photos taken (by the authors, of course) from the ruins or abandoned buildings, there are spooky stories and/or ghost stories which come along with the ruins. I especially enjoy the stories about the mental hospital (closed as recently as 2001), the villa on a remote island, the abandoned slaughter house in HK, the abandoned hotel in Macau and the abandoned holiday resort in Taiwan.
Who would have guessed there can be so many abandoned buildings and haunting sites in a city as crowded as HK? Plus I didn't know it usually takes *days* to get in and out of an urban exploration spot in mainland China.
Urban exploration is so exciting! But make sure don't take anything away other than pictures!...more
4.5 stars. This volume is part of the '100 Ghost Tales From the Streets' series, by my favorite author Natsuhiko Kyogoku.
In the English translation, 4.5 stars. This volume is part of the '100 Ghost Tales From the Streets' series, by my favorite author Natsuhiko Kyogoku.
In the English translation, the series is called 'The Wicked and the Damned: A Hundred Tales of Karma', anyway, I love this series so much because almost all of the stories are good.
It's an outstanding series mixing Japanese demon folklore+murder mystery+frauds+historical backdrop together. The frauds are well planned and the short stories always have surprising endings. It's entertaining and enjoyable....more
4.8 stars. The short stories, mixing suspense and Japanese demon folklore together, do work really well! I'm entirely satisfied with the reading!4.8 stars. The short stories, mixing suspense and Japanese demon folklore together, do work really well! I'm entirely satisfied with the reading!...more
Huh, I was still in the middle of the story when I had to return it to the library because someone else has also requested it.
Judging from what I'd reHuh, I was still in the middle of the story when I had to return it to the library because someone else has also requested it.
Judging from what I'd read, I think the story and the characters are okay, the mythology is interesting but not very outstanding. I know hardly anything about mythologies from Africa so I can't tell how accurate Adeyemi's take on said mythologies are. So.........I still want to read to the end, hope I will be lucky with this book.
Edited@2020/10: I had to return the book to the library, so will continue reading this only when I can borrow it again.
What should you do if you wanted to read good vampire romance (okay, gay or lesbian ones, please) these days?
I found I only have two options:
(1) SearcWhat should you do if you wanted to read good vampire romance (okay, gay or lesbian ones, please) these days?
I found I only have two options:
(1) Search through a sea of vampire fanfics and find the few good ones.
(2) Write the stories yourself.
*sighs* Ah, woe is me.
Note: I read the Chinese translation of this novel.
Sadly, this vampire romance novel doesn't live up to any of my expectation---and my expectation has never been high when it comes to the mainstream heterosexual vampire romances. I'm not saying you also won't like this book just because I don't like it, but the heroine doesn't do any meaningful thing in a whole freaking 400+ pages book, and I don't even want to befriend any of those vampires not to mention forming a romantic relationship with any of them. I mean, even a few vampires who were nice at first turn out to be jackasses later), it's really disappointing.
Plus, a male vampire sleeping around with tons of females is accepted and allowed with no question asked, but when a human girl slept with one single male vampire? Then she is slut-shamed by the whole community! How great!
In this novel, vampires can live for 1000+ years and more but I swear I can't see one single homosexual or bisexual vampire in this crowd...
Last but not least, the male love interest is rude to almost everyone, especially to the heroine......I get that vampires are supposed to be ruthless, warlike, blood-crazed and rough around the edges.....but sometimes there is no excuse for this level of rudeness and arrogance.
Since I don't have time to write vampire fanfics for my own pleasure, I'll just go back to read the Immortals After Dark series instead....more
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