PROJECT HAIL MARY by Andy Weir is an amazing blast of character development and voice!
MY TEASE…
The sun is fading. Projections are dire. In 19 years, PROJECT HAIL MARY by Andy Weir is an amazing blast of character development and voice!
MY TEASE…
The sun is fading. Projections are dire. In 19 years, Earth will be iced over.
The best minds are being selected for a last-ditch effort: an international taskforce assembled to save the planet. A Hail Mary.
No way does Ryland Grace think he should be included in the chosen elite. He’s a junior high school science teacher whose academic clout is less than stellar. Significantly less. As in, his doctoral thesis was widely rejected. Laughable, in fact.
But Ryland can’t remember any of that when he wakes up. He can’t even remember his name or those of the two corpses near him.
Unsettling as his new reality is, three things are easily discernable: Ryland is alone, on a spacecraft, and somewhere beyond Earth’s solar system.
Will he remember what led to his circumstances? And is he capable of saving himself, let alone Earth which is light-years away?
THOUGHTS…
Wow, wow, wow! I love reading books that thoroughly engage me as a reader while modeling exceptional writing, inspiring me as an author. This book delivers big time—rockets blazing!
PROJECT HAIL MARY is a masterpiece on “voice.” The voices of the characters are so authentic, so captivating and endearing, that I didn’t care how many science principles were thrown at me. I was going to stick with these characters no matter what. That’s the sign of a talented author from whom I can learn!
This book has landed on my “favorites” shelf. For my tastes, it fires on all cylinders when it comes to engaging me in a survival story packed with originality and believability; one that’s expertly written and deeply connects me with the characters.
QUICKFIRE RATINGS from 1 (ugh) to 5 (woo-hoo)…
Plot (the story): 5+ Main character’s likability: 5+ Development of supporting character(s): 5+ Settings/Atmosphere: 5 Pacing (how fast did I turn the pages): 4.5 Believability (in the context of the story): 5 Satisfying ending: 4.5 Tension of the story: 4.5 Stirs the heart (friendship): 5+
OVERALL…
PROJECT HAIL MARY soars to my favorites shelf! Packed with originality, this book shines brightly when it comes to character development and voice. I highly recommend it!...more
THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE by Carissa Orlando is a tension-filled crossover, combining ghost horror and psychological suspense, that will keep readers guessiTHE SEPTEMBER HOUSE by Carissa Orlando is a tension-filled crossover, combining ghost horror and psychological suspense, that will keep readers guessing where the story is heading!
MY TEASE…
Margaret had developed a personal philosophy to deescalate domestic contentions: Follow the rules and “everything is survivable.” For the most part, her philosophy has worked.
But when Margaret and her husband, Hal, moved into a beautiful Victorian mansion on Hawthorn Street, little did she know that her philosophy would be tested like never before—certainly the “survivable” part. Turns out, the ghostly inhabitants of their new residence, built in 1882, have their own set of rules, especially in the month of September when their paranormal activity is off the charts.
Hal, who had always been the rule setter, wasn’t accustomed to following the rules of others, let alone rules imposed by a horde of disfigured, temperamental ghosts. He fled, leaving Margaret to fend for herself as September closed in on the house.
Being the quintessential rule follower, Margaret would’ve been fine. Except, her daughter Katherine wouldn’t be denied a first-time visit to the house any longer. After all, her father hasn’t been seen or heard from since he left, and Katherine is determined to find out why.
Will Hal be found? And will Margaret and Katherine survive the perfect storm that is about to engulf the mansion?
The walls are already bleeding and that’s only the start…
THOUGHTS…
THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE was an awesome read! It wasn’t bite-your-nails scary; instead, it was a tension filled walk on thin, cracking ice. I give a thumbs up to the author for making sure I was never on sure-footing! I knew the cracks were coming, I just wasn’t sure from which direction. This made for a very engaging story!
There’s quite a bit of narrative in this novel, but this didn’t lessen my enjoyment at all. Margaret has a dry sense of humor which was subtle perfection! Like this example:
“I barely got the door settled back against the doorframe before it screamed open, shoving me aside with a strength one rarely sees in doors.”
I also appreciated how the author infused difficult topics such as… (view spoiler)[domestic abuse. Margaret’s journey from enabling to “enough” felt authentic. Abusers can be anywhere: in real life and in the afterlife. The author also thoughtfully incorporated Katherine’s concerns that her mother might be in the throes of dementia. (hide spoiler)]
When it came to the paranormal, the author asked a lot of me in the area of suspension of belief. However, there was so much to enjoy in this book that the story won me over anyway. This was Orlando’s debut, and I can’t wait to read what she does next!
QUICKFIRE RATINGS from 1 (ugh) to 5 (woo-hoo)…
Plot (the story): 5+ Main character’s likability: 4.5 Development of supporting character(s): 4.5 Settings/Atmosphere: 5+ Pacing (how fast did I turn the pages): 5 Believability (in the context of the story): 3- Satisfying ending: 4.5 Tension of the story: 5+ Stirs the heart (romantic elements): N/A Did I solve the mystery/guess the ending before the reveal? There were some twists that I suspected and others that totally surprised me!
OVERALL…
THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE is an addictive read that will expertly keep you off balance and guessing! This book has earned a spot on my favorites shelf and I highly recommend it!...more
DAUGHTERS OF THE LAKE by Wendy Webb is a wonderfully crafted, 5-star read which I'm shelving in my favorites collection.
MY TEASE…
Kate Granger is droDAUGHTERS OF THE LAKE by Wendy Webb is a wonderfully crafted, 5-star read which I'm shelving in my favorites collection.
MY TEASE…
Kate Granger is drowning in her troubles.
Humiliated and betrayed, Kate leaves her job and her husband (a fellow co-worker) when she learns he is cheating on her with someone at the office.
Not even sleep brings her relief. Curiously, Kate keeps dreaming about a beautiful, mysterious woman—seeing through her eyes, feeling the love the woman shares with her husband.
As if that isn’t enough to deal with, the unthinkable happens.
While staying at her parents’ waterfront home, the woman Kate dreams about washes onto Lake Superior’s shore. She’s been murdered and a baby is tucked in the folds of her nightgown.
Kate can’t hold back her shock and despair when authorities arrive. Worse, except for the corpse’s name, Kate knows more about the woman than any innocent person should know about a deceased stranger.
Lonely, unemployed, confused, and now a person of interest in the case, Kate seeks refuge at her cousin’s bed and breakfast: Harrison’s House, a mansion which has been passed down through the family ever since Kate’s great-grandfather built it.
Will the house’s hidden secrets and Kate’s dreams help solve the mystery before she unravels?
THOUGHTS…
DAUGHTERS OF THE LAKE creatively brings together two generations of a family, separated by 100 years, through dreams, ghosts, legends, and artifacts, in order to correct history by bringing the truth to light.
The writing is eloquent. (And may I add, Wendy Webb knows how to do fog!) The toggles between the past and present are flawless. And I’m typically not a fan of an omniscient point of view, but I immediately found the all-knowing narrator endearing. Here’s a sample of the narrator’s voice:
“Kate’s wail finally found its voice and pierced the morning calm with a sound so fierce that all the animals within earshot fell silent to listen. There, nestled in the folds of the dead woman’s gown, was a baby. The tiny body was serene and still, as though it were sleeping, cradled in its mother’s arms.”
Every now and then, the book shared more information than I needed so I found myself skimming over those paragraphs. I also felt that the last 10% of the book had lost the narrator’s voice; however, the plot was still strong which is why this didn’t affect the book’s high marks!
QUICKFIRE RATINGS from 1 (ugh) to 5 (woo-hoo)…
Plot (the story): 5+ Main character’s likability: 5 Development of supporting character(s): 5 Settings/Atmosphere: 5+ Pacing (how fast did I turn the pages): 4 Believability (in the context of the story): 4 Satisfying ending: 5 Tension of the story: 4 Stirs the heart (romantic elements): 3.5 Did I solve the mystery/guess the ending before the reveal? There’s a unique twist that keeps me from answering!
OVERALL…
DAUGHTERS OF THE LAKE is an engaging story with exceptional character development and outstanding atmosphere. I highly recommend it!...more
THE LIFE I LEFT BEHIND by Colette McBeth is an exceptional ghost fiction novel that makes my favorites' list.
MY TEASE… (no spoilers)
Two parallel livesTHE LIFE I LEFT BEHIND by Colette McBeth is an exceptional ghost fiction novel that makes my favorites' list.
MY TEASE… (no spoilers)
Two parallel lives. One mutual friend. One patient murderer.
Melody and Eve both know David Alden.
Six years ago, David was Melody’s friend. When Melody stumbled home from a bar one night, something went terribly wrong. She was found comatose in a wooded park, having been strangled and left for dead with a pendant of a caged bird in her hand. If only Melody could remember.
Melody’s life has resembled that caged bird after she woke up to learn evidence proved David was her attacker.
Fast forward, David has served his jail time but still professes his innocence. Eve specializes in overturning wrongful convictions and she believes she can help David. She interviews everyone connected to Melody.
If only Eve could’ve reported her findings. But she’s found strangled to death with the murder’s calling card pendant in her hand. Now she’s a restless spirit watching the truth try to flap its wings.
Will Melody unravel the mystery and free herself from the bird cage? Or will the murderer squeeze tighter until unfinished business has finally been successfully executed?
THOUGHTS…
Every aspect of THE LIFE I LEFT BEHIND was exceptionally done, especially the writing. For example, Melody has anxiety triggers from her attack, one of which is crowds. Here’s a writing sample:
“It was the shoes she noticed first. All black, like cockroaches scurrying around her. So many. Too many. They were going to start crawling over her body. Stamp, stand, stamp. The place was teeming with them.”
The author also used a narration strategy that I thought was fresh. Melody’s voice was told in third person, close. Eve’s voice is told in first person. I thought this was brilliant!
THE LIFE I LEFT BEHIND impressed me! I think it would make an awesome movie. I highly recommend this book and my quickfire ratings show why! This one makes my favorites list!
QUICKFIRE RATINGS from 1 (ugh) to 5 (woo-hoo)…
Plot (the story): 5+ Main character’s likability: 5+ Development of supporting character(s): 5+ Settings/Atmosphere: 5 Pacing (how fast did I turn the pages): 4.5 Believability (in the context of the story): 4.5 Satisfying ending: 5+ Tension of the story: 5+ Stirs the heart (romantic elements): N/A Note: There is plenty of relationship dysfunction, just no healthy romance to stir the heart! Did I solve the mystery/guess the ending before the reveal? No!
OVERALL:
THE LIFE I LEFT BEHIND made my favorites' list as it excels on all marks, including exceptional writing....more
I could pinch myself! This year is proving to be one of my favorites in terms of reading, based on the quality of books stacked on my 2021 completed sI could pinch myself! This year is proving to be one of my favorites in terms of reading, based on the quality of books stacked on my 2021 completed shelf (thus far). Usually, I’m thrilled by one or two. This year, I’ve been over-the-moon on almost all of them!!! In fact, I’ve added MEXICAN GOTHIC, COME WITH ME, and now BIRD BOX to my all-time favorites list! And SHARP OBJECTS, THE DROWNING KIND, and LAYLA were so close as well!
So let’s get to the most recent gem…
BIRD BOX by Josh Malerman is an amazing eye-opener…both disturbing and heart pounding. Add these effects to an against-all-odds apocalyptic survival story that’s told with a simplistic yet riveting style, and you’ll understand why BIRD BOX is my favorite book of 2021. Bottomline, I could not look away from its pages. I was completely mesmerized by this book.
MY TEASE…
The outside world can no longer be seen. Creatures have arrived—those which have never been described because if visibly seen, the eyewitness will go mad. Insane. Berserk; as in, violently killing those in close proximity before committing suicide.
In order to survive while outdoors, people need to be blindfolded from the indiscernible evil. Inside, they must take precautions by covering windows and becoming shut-ins. But let’s face it: Survivors can only last so long in isolation, with limited food. (Think…birds confined inside a box.)
Pregnant and tragically alone, Malorie finds her way to a safe house (a home whose owner had advertised in the newspaper as a “sanctuary” before civilization had completely shut down). “A place for strangers to meet, to pool their resources, gather in numbers, to face the impossible, changing world outside.”
Strangers, of course, can harbor their own evils. But Malorie has no plans of cowering to danger. Her unborn baby depends on her. Come Hell or high water, she will survive…
Right?
THOUGHTS…
Tension…BIRD BOX is stuffed with it. Every single page is basted with tension. The intensity, in fact, slices through each chapter like a knife. (See what I did there? LOL!)
In my opinion, the level of tension achieved is phenomenal. It isn’t captured in a few sentences or within several scenes. Tension drips from every page while not seeming forced or over baked. It just wafts in the air like aromas ahead of Thanksgiving dinner.
What I found interesting was that the first line of the book stands in opposition to everything authors are warned not to do when starting a book: Don’t begin your book with your main character…thinking (or dreaming). Here’s the first line:
“Malorie stands in the kitchen, thinking.”
This is literally what I thought about the beginning: Wow. BIRD BOX must really be good for Josh Malerman to start his novel this way. Talk about confidence...
And BIRD BOX delivered!
If I was to look closely for a criticism, I would say that I found one scene unbelievable. The one where Malorie drives “blind” for 4-miles to a bar she remembered (in search of food), albeit driving slooooowly. Then she drives blind to return to the house. Walking? Possible. Driving? Noooooo. However, the hook in this book was so deep for me, that no way was I going to take a detour!!! I rolled with it ;)
I've moved on to the sequel: MALORIE. And I hope to see the movie BIRD BOX soon!
QUICKFIRE RATINGS from 1 (ugh) to 5 (woo-hoo)…
Plot (the story): 5 Main character’s likability: 5 Development of supporting character(s): 5 Settings/Atmosphere: 5+ (Crushed it!) Pacing (how fast did I turn the pages): 5+ (Crushed it!) Believability (in the context of the story): 4 Satisfying ending: 5 Tension of the story: 5+ (Crushed it!) Stirs the heart (romantic elements): N/A Did I solve the mystery/guess the ending before the reveal? Yes
OVERALL:
BIRD BOX is my favorite, BEST read for 2021 thus far! The book is outstanding....more
COME WITH ME by Ronald Malfi has everything I hope for in a book…emotionally impactful, page-turning, complex, thrilling, scary/tension-filled, well cCOME WITH ME by Ronald Malfi has everything I hope for in a book…emotionally impactful, page-turning, complex, thrilling, scary/tension-filled, well crafted, atmospheric, and satisfying.
MY TEASE…
Aaron Decker’s wife wrote a column for a neighborhood paper called Allison’s A-List which highlighted local teens and their accomplishments. Nothing hard hitting, just feel good stories about young people doing good things.
Ironically, kids from Allison’s childhood town wouldn’t have made the cut for her positive newspaper articles, including Allison herself. Apparently, doing good things wasn’t commonplace in the smoky refinery town called Woodvine, Pennsylvania, where even fresh snow was greyed with soot. Maybe the shroud of despair was fueled by the town’s urban legend: Gas Head Will Make You Dead. No wonder Aaron’s wife had rarely talked about her years growing up in Woodvine. Anyway, her family was dead. In fact, dying was the only thing the residents of Woodvine seemed to do well.
Aaron and Allison had enjoyed five years of marriage in Maryland. But it all came to a tragic end one December morning when Allison left to go shopping at a strip mall and a crazed gunman opened fire, killing his ex-girlfriend and three random people, including Allison Decker.
After his wife’s death, Aaron soon learned he had never really known Allison as well as he thought.
First clue? He discovered his wife had padlocked her hope chest. Oh Allison. What kind of secrets have you been keeping in the files stuffed within your hope chest?
Now Aaron had some questions of his own. Where would those secrets lead him? And at what cost?
THOUGHTS…
WOW. I was thoroughly engaged in this story which was an eclectic mix of mystery and suspense, complemented by the haunting tension of restless spirits and the vividness of light horror. And of course, a story of grief. COME WITH ME is one of my favorite reads for 2021 and will be shelved within my top tier of all-time favorites. It was THAT good!
The story was written in third person from Aaron’s point of view, with emotionally gripping insertions of second person when he speaks directly to his wife. I found this combination so fresh, feeling about as close to Aaron’s intimate thoughts as I could get. This approach really worked for me!
The writing was excellent. Here are two samples:
“Directly overhead, the moon was a fat pearl wreathed in smoky black clouds.”
And then…
“Bits of gravel and sand slid out from beneath my shoes and bustled in compact little avalanches down the slope.”
If I was looking hard for some criticism, I would say that sometimes parts of the book could’ve been trimmed back (and would’ve been just as powerful). And every now and then, believability slipped. Even still, I loved this book so much!
QUICKFIRE RATINGS from 1 (ugh) to 5 (woo-hoo)…
Plot (the story): 5 Main character’s likability: 5 Development of supporting character(s): 5 Settings/Atmosphere: 5 Pacing (how fast did I turn the pages): 5 Believability (in the context of the story): 4 Satisfying ending: 5 Tension of the story: 5 Stirs the heart (romantic elements): N/A Did I solve the mystery/guess the ending before the reveal? No Cover: 5
OVERALL:
COME WITH ME was an enthralling, 5-star read that refused to let me go....more
MEXICAN GOTHIC by Silvia Moreno-Garcia earned 5 golden, glittering stars and will be shelved as one of my favorites!
MY TEASE…
Noemí Taboada is a beautiMEXICAN GOTHIC by Silvia Moreno-Garcia earned 5 golden, glittering stars and will be shelved as one of my favorites!
MY TEASE…
Noemí Taboada is a beautiful, twenty-two-year-old socialite whose esteemed father bankrolls her upscale leisure and shifting fancies. Naturally, pampered Noemí is completely unaware that there are dark forces in the world, those beyond her control.
That is, until her father sends her on a trip through the Mexican countryside to unravel the mystery involving Noemí’s cousin, Catalina. A year ago, Catalina married into a once prominent family, the Doyles, who owned and operated a lucrative silver mine before it shut down. Now living with generations of Doyles, Catalina has sent a disturbing letter to Noemí’s father. She writes of bizarre and supernatural happenings. Fearful Catalina is losing her mind, Noemí is tasked with learning the truth.
Noemí’s arrival at High Place—the deteriorating mansion located on a secluded mountain-top, fails to conjure a warm family welcome, as the Doyles make it clear she isn’t one of them. With the perpetual chill and fog on the grounds, the ignored mold and dust inside the dwelling, and the house’s unfriendly stewards, Noemí hopes her stay will be brief.
However, as Catalina’s condition worsens and Noemí’s visit lengthens, the peculiar embraces her. Noemí begins to learn the secrets behind the Doyle legacy and her disposition turns gloomy. If she isn’t careful, Noemí may find herself in even more danger than Catalina.
Legacies, after all, are intended to be passed on.
THOUGHTS…
First and foremost, the writing is elegant. Fabulously refined. For gothic fiction (a.k.a. horror), the writing quality elevates the entire story, to the level of a classic. LOL, that’s seriously how I felt. And I enjoyed the application of words that aren’t used often but remain impactful: insectivorous, spasmodically, and tincture. The author’s mastery of craft is inspiring!
Let's talk about the main villain (whom I won’t name). The author perfectly executes the villain. Think of a flame flickering in complete darkness. The moth knows it represents danger, knows death is likely if it gives into desires, yet, the moth has difficulty resisting the magnetic pull—the false promise—of the sensual flame. Yup, that’s how Silvia Moreno-Garcia made the main villain.
Like a classic, the action wasn’t firing on all cylinders in every chapter. But the promise was there—the promise that when everything converged, the ride was going to be heart-pounding. MEXICAN GOTHIC delivered.
In my quickfire ratings, the only deduction was in believability. However, Noemí’s journey hooked me from the get-go, so honestly, I was all in.
QUICKFIRE RATINGS from 1 (ugh) to 5 (woo-hoo)…
Plot (the story): 5 Main character’s likability: 5 Development of supporting character(s): 5 Settings/Atmosphere: 5 Pacing (how fast did I turn the pages): 5 Believability of story: 3 Satisfying ending: 5 Tension of story: 5 Stirs the heart (romantic elements): 5 Did I solve the mystery/guess the ending before the reveal? No (4)
OVERALL:
I’ve added MEXICAN GOTHIC to my favorites shelf! I highly recommend this fabulous work of literary artistry!!!...more
As a Little Red Riding Hood retelling, THE GIRL IN RED by Christina Henry earned 5 howling-great stars from me!
Twenty-year-old Cordelia, nicknamed RedAs a Little Red Riding Hood retelling, THE GIRL IN RED by Christina Henry earned 5 howling-great stars from me!
Twenty-year-old Cordelia, nicknamed Red, is a horror junkie. She knows every reason in the book why naïve people die during an apocalypse. That’s why she became a prepper. She has always known “Something Would Happen” and she has no intentions of being naïve or…dying.
So at the first signs of “The Cough,” Red finetunes her survival plan, convincing her family it is the only way to outsmart and outrun “The Crisis.” The plan is simple: avoid the government’s quarantine camps and trek off-road to Grandma’s cabin in the woods, some 300-miles away.
Despite all of Red’s preparations, she underestimates one variable that has no regard for her astute plans: the improbable. Turns out, Red never could've guessed what was hiding in the most unexpected places.
In an upside-down world full of “wolves,” will Red, her handy axe, and her family ever make it to Grandma’s? ALIVE?
BULLSEYES:
• The author is brilliantly masterful at conveying Red’s voice—the protagonist and narrator of this story. Red is fierce, stubborn, endearing, opinionated, and flawed by her own extremes. I LOVED this character and rooted for her every step of the way!
• The writing is exceptional. Enough said :)
• THE GIRL IN RED starts as an action & adventure apocalypse and breaks loose into horror! I wasn’t expecting this, but in retrospect, that’s exactly what the fairytale of Little Red Riding Hood does (minus the apocalypse)!
• The book's cover is spectacular.
DROPS(the axe drops from the target and doesn’t score):
• The story toggles between events “Before” and “After.” Since the entire book’s span is only around three months, I didn’t feel this strategy added to the tension. The out-of-order events made me work harder as a reader, which I typically don’t mind if I’m rewarded with a bump in tension.
• The book’s back cover copy makes it clear that men are a top-level enemy. “There are worse threats in the woods than the things that stalk their prey at night. Sometimes there are men. Men with dark desires, weak wills, and evil intents. Men in uniform…” At times, I thought this message went too, too far in the book.
• Not every question raised in the story was answered. Does this mean a sequel is in the making? I hope so!
• Based on the cover, I literally thought real wolves with red eyes would be involved! However, the artwork of the wolf is a metaphor. Too bad, because I thought a scene with a wolf predator would have been a great addition.
All in all, this Little Red Riding Hood retelling was an exciting journey of survival. And since the story hits on many important bullseyes, it scores as one of my favorite books read in 2019!...more
I’m always thirsty for a book with a classic feel that captures the tension and atmosphere of DRACULA.
Co-authored by Dacre Stoker and J. D. Barker, DI’m always thirsty for a book with a classic feel that captures the tension and atmosphere of DRACULA.
Co-authored by Dacre Stoker and J. D. Barker, DRACUL deliciously quenched my palate! One of its authors is even Bram Stoker’s great grandnephew. How cool is that?
The story serves as a prequel to DRACULA and bloody hell, it delivers! This book earned five oozing, crimson stars from me.
MY TEASE...
Young Bram shouldn’t be alive. He’s a sickly child who can barely leave his bed in the attic, overlooking a foggy harbor. That is, until their family’s nanny (Nanna Ellen) takes Bram under her wing and miraculously nurses him back to health.
Nanna Ellen is elusive and mysterious. Bram and his sister Matilda are obsessed with learning her secrets.
While sneaking into their nanny’s bedroom and digging around, the siblings find a full-length wooden box tucked under her bed, filled with dirt and maggots. Also intriguing, the sheets on the mattress look like they’ve never been slept in.
One chilly, moonlit night, the pair notices Nanna Ellen is making her way to the ruins of Artane Castle. And they follow her.
As Bram and Matilda close-in on who or what their caregiver is, Nanna Ellen disappears. But she’s not gone altogether. Bram itches when she’s near, especially the puncture wounds on his wrist.
And so begins the adventure of finding Nanna Ellen and learning how she connects to a nearby horrific-murder of a family: The O’Cuiv’s.
THOUGHTS...
Similar to DRACULA, DRACUL toggles between journal entries, letters, and the present. I love when authors use different communication tools to move a story forward.
The writing carries the same level of tension that made me love Bram Stoker’s classic. From character Bram's perspective…
“I fell still and peered up at the forbidding castle. The weathered stones dripped with ivy and moss. As I focused my eyes, I spotted tiny ants crawling over the surface, skittering this way and that, unnaturally active considering the frosty air, with a purpose known only to them. There were spiders, too, hundreds of them, spinning their wicked webs amongst the leaves of ivy in hopes of snaring flies.”
QUICKFIRE RATINGS from 1 (ugh) to 5 (woo-hoo)…
Plot (the story): 5 Main character’s likability: 5 Development of supporting character(s): 5 Settings/Atmosphere: 5 Pacing (how fast did I turn the pages): 5 Believability (in the context of the story): 5 Satisfying ending: 5 Tension of the story: 5 Stirs the heart (romantic elements): N/A Cover: 5
OVERALL:
This book satisfied my craving for a classic-styled read :) I highly recommend DRACUL and have added it to my favorites!!!...more
Here's an example of Stoker's writing, from Jonathan Harker's journal shortly after he was taken prisoner by Count DA classic literary masterpiece!!!
Here's an example of Stoker's writing, from Jonathan Harker's journal shortly after he was taken prisoner by Count Dracula in his castle:
"I looked out over the beautiful expanse, bathed in soft yellow moonlight till it was almost as light as day. In the soft light the distant hills became melted, and the shadows in the valleys and gorges of velvety blackness."
and then...
"But my feelings turned to repulsion and terror when I saw the whole man slowly emerge from the window and begin to crawl down the castle wall over that dreadful abyss, face down, with his cloak spreading out around him like great wings."
add to this...
"I saw fingers and toes grasp the corners of the stones, worn clear of the mortar by the stress of years, and by thus using every projection and inequality move downwards with considerable speed, just as a lizard moves along a wall."
Wow! What writing. I gave this five stars, I mean, who wouldn't? It is also in my favorites bookshelf. A must read for classic horror....more
I’m listing THE RAVEN BOYS as one of my favorites because it satisfies all my checkmarks for an exceptional read—excelling in plot, characters, writinI’m listing THE RAVEN BOYS as one of my favorites because it satisfies all my checkmarks for an exceptional read—excelling in plot, characters, writing, tension, love, twists/surprises, and humor.
PLOT: This paranormal fantasy takes the reader on a scavenger-hunt style adventure to wake “the ley line,” illusive energy lines that connect the world with the unworldly—such as the 15th century Prince of Wales: Owen Glendower. The pursuit is dangerous, intriguing, thrilling, and fantastical!
CHARACTERS: Who can’t be enthralled by a group of prep-boy misfits (who attend the exclusive Aglionby Academy) who are joined by a public-school girl (named Blue) who is herself a hub of paranormal energy and lives with a household of psychics? Each character is uniquely gifted, and all share a common goal: find the ley line before the bad guys do.
WRITING: Author Maggie Stiefvater truly shines in this category! Here are two samples:
There are trees, and then there are trees at night. Trees after dark become colorless and sizeless and moving things….The wind through the leaves was like the bellows of exhaled breath and the hiss of the rain on the canopy was like a sucked-in sigh. The air smelled like wet soil.
and
Crouching, he hovered his free hand over the water. His fingers spread wide, millimeters from the surface. Beneath his hand, the water shifted and darkened, and Blue realized that there were a thousand tiny fish just underneath. They flashed silver and then black as they moved, clinging to the faint shadow he cast.
TENSION: Blue has been told that if she kisses her true love, he will die. And she’s falling for two of the Aglionby boys! Need I say more? (And this is just one of the tension-inciting sub-plots!)
LOVE: See the tension category!
TWISTS/SURPRISES: Some of the twists are a bit far-fetched, but that’s expected in a paranormal fantasy! The ending is satisfying while leaving some unanswered questions for book 2 in the series: THE DREAM OF THIEVES. (Yes, I’m definitely going to buy all the books in the series!!!)
HUMOR: I loved the banter between the characters; it was clever, subtle, and refreshing! Here’s what I mean:
“Out of the blue?” Calla asked. ”I’d prefer if you didn’t use that expression,” Blue said.
This book earned five stars from me and has been listed in my favorites bookshelf! And thank you to my daughter for recommending this great read! ...more
Absolutely loved this book! Had everything I love in a great good-versus-evil post-apocalytic thriller: a relentless will to survive, an adventure witAbsolutely loved this book! Had everything I love in a great good-versus-evil post-apocalytic thriller: a relentless will to survive, an adventure with twists and turns, the societal-ills caused by government corruption, and the power of never-ending love over the ages! Yup! A 5-star read!!! ...more
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