6/21/2021 0 Comments Hostage by Clare Mackintosh
Hostage by Clare Mackintosh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars Holy $H!T that was INTENSE! To the VERY LAST PAGE my anxiety was roiling in the pit of my stomach, not wanting it to end, fearing how it might end, “Please, gawd, will this ever end?!” It’s been so long since I’ve read such a thriller that kept me glued to the pages, that didn’t make me scream at the characters for their irritating and banal introspection. FINALLY, a balanced narrative, enough internal conflict to make a story, but not excessive to the point of indifference at the conclusion because you’re ready to be finished with the story, regardless of how it ends. Mina and Adam are relatable characters with semi-relatable problems, past traumas that haunt them but don’t keep them from moving forward, or at least to a crippling degree. However, it still catches up with them, and just as everything personally is coming to a head, well, professionally, it’s about to get interesting. Both are equally represented, the good and the bad, neither coming out looking rosier than the other and I appreciate the equity. The wild card, Sophia, manages to be a challenging child but not one that you wish wasn’t there, she makes it interesting, she adds the flair. The multiple and separate accounts from various characters throughout the book keep the perspective fresh, the tension high, and the wheels in your head turning as you try and piece together everyone’s part, they’re role, where they fit into the whole of the story. Even if you begin to think you have it all figured out, I guarantee, there will still be a few surprises waiting in the wings. An advanced copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews
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6/13/2021 0 Comments The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
My rating: 2 of 5 stars It was an unfortunate kismet that this book was one more in a string of thrillers with whiny female protagonists, but here it is, and so explains my two-star rating. Again, with the females with baggage, with the wool pulled over their eyes, with the toxic relationships and self-talk. Not to mention another mystery that is not her job to solve, yet she continues to take it upon herself to impede on an investigation, put herself in danger, and in the end up believing something that may or may not be true. I was initially intrigued because of the academia setting with the possibility of a cult dynamic involving the “maidens”, but instead it was a slow unraveling of a mediocre mystery with agonizing and extraneous character development. The end reveal was unimaginative, almost trailing off into a cliffhanger that left me with zero desire to learn the conclusion. An advanced copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews 6/8/2021 0 Comments Rabbits by Terry Miles
Rabbits by Terry Miles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars If you don’t want to notice coincidences and synchronicities everywhere you go, then I’m still going to recommend you read this book because it’s too much fun to miss. Realizing that this is the second book in a row that I’ve read that is set in my home state of Washington already has me wondering if there is more truth to this book then what I’m being lead to believe . . . Running through Seattle on a conspiracy-driven scavenger hunt, losing time, being chased by shadows and darkness, and slipping through dimensions, is it a some nameless underground game, a means of keeping the world as we know it intact, or is it all just an elaborate hoax orchestrated by someone with limitless funds? Not only is this story exciting, it’s also a beginner’s guide to theories relating to multiverses, conspiracies, ley lines, and so much more that will you scratching your head and doing a lot of Googling. The mood throughout this entire novel is definitely written by someone familiar with the area, unlike many TV shows that throw a gray filter on a camera and put a few people in chunky sweaters and call it “Seattle”, Terry so accurately describes the sights and smells, the personalities that you meet, the numerous coffee shops, it’s obvious that he’s a local. Knowing that I live in close proximity to the author (when he’s in Washington), may cause me to frequent some of his haunts while holding his book in hopes of running into him and obtaining an autograph. However, what I’m really hoping for is an onscreen adaptation, and seeing that Terry is already in the biz . . . well, let’s see what can be done about that, hmm? An advanced copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews
Legends of the North Cascades by Jonathan Evison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars As a Washingtonian, born and raised, I am drawn to stories that are told in this area, naturally, and I especially love anything based in the outdoors. Needless to say, I had high hopes for this book, and I was not disappointed. What a fun escape, in what can be described as an adult version of Hatchet and My Side of the Mountain, and the thrill of survival that can really only be enjoyed from the safety of your comfortable surroundings. Despite the grisly realities described on the pages, it still further inspired me to want to get out and experience more nature, if only for a short hike or a weekend camping trip with a stocked cooler and a good book. Legends touches on so many talking points, with frank discussions about grief, war, politics, PTSD, all written in a way that is readable and relatable and you will feel every range of emotion, dread, hope, frustration, wonder. The relationship between Bella and Dave is tenuous and engaging, their bond realistic yet enviable. Same could be said with the fascinating parallel story that takes place with N’ka and S’tka, their prehistoric adventure played out in humor and horror. Both stories leading to an exodus, an escape, or search for a better life. As the story progresses, you want to root for Dave, punch your fist in the air in solidarity against the toxicity of the everyday climate with social media, politics, war, etc., but eventually that alliance begins to crumble and you want to snap your fingers in his face and wake him up from this delusion that living in a cave on the side of a mountain in the dead of winter is natural, even when you know the origins of the first peoples, as spelled out in the story of S’tka and U’ku’let. You want to hate his brother and the park ranger and the social worker, but you also realize that they aren’t the bad guys, no one is the “bad guy”, as far as the ones “interviewed” and/or featured in this book. Despite the grim landscape, there are plenty of pockets of hope, well-placed humor, and moments of levity that prevent you from needing a break from the depth and darkness that could consume you otherwise while reading through some of the bleaker passages. However, it does not take away from the seriousness of the issues discussed. Easily one of my favorite books this year, I cannot recommend this book enough and I am excited to read more from Jonathan in the future. An advanced copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews
The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid
My rating: 3 of 5 stars Beautiful imagery of fantastical and sometimes unforgiving landscapes along with terrifying descriptions of horrific creatures will draw the reader into a world that in many ways parallels our own, but in so many more ways, is starkly different. While the pictures are eloquently painted on the pages, sometimes it can become a bit busy with a proliferation of similes and euphemisms, the same being used again and again, with very little variation in the text. The first half of this story was difficult for me to get through, the story and characters wandering aimless, searching for something that isn’t found and then wandering back, meeting various conflicts along the way, all with little point or direction. About three-quarters of the way, it begins to pick up, and I really enjoyed when Evike began to learn how to write and to take part in the traditions from her Yehuli ancestry. From then on, though, it’s another slapdash attempt at a climax that again drags with stops and starts only to lead to unresolved conclusion. Many elements to this story held promise and could have been something spectacular but in the end, I came away feeling dissatisfied and unimpressed. An advanced copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews 6/1/2021 0 Comments May Wrap-Up5/31/2021 0 Comments Girl One by Sara Flannery Murphy
Girl One by Sara Flannery Murphy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars Fans of the X-Men and The Umbrella Academy will love this tale of superwomen “conceived” on a rural Vermont commune and slowly realizing their full capabilities while trying to fully understand their origins. The ultimate story of girl power, finding inner strength, learning the truth and achieving full potential. With numerous twists and a delicious slow burn, this story will keep you riveted from beginning to end. An advanced copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews 5/31/2021 0 Comments Revival Season by Monica West
Revival Season by Monica West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is the second book this year that I have had to continuously remind myself that what is taking place is in the current timeframe, as opposed to something happening in the last century. This is due, in part, to some antiquated ideals paired with timeless behaviors and practices. As a pastor’s child myself, a lot of the atmosphere and activities were very familiar, and I was appreciative of the fact that the author is respectful of the faith and views of God while still pointing out and uncovering the imperfect human nature prevalent in the religious community. The supernatural aspect is a fantastic and relevant twist, even with its own inconsistencies, and the familial relationships are compelling and provocative. I definitely recommend this if you would like to step away from the normal read and explore something unique. An advanced copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews 5/18/2021 0 Comments Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars For a sci-fi novel, this book has something for everyone; it’s heartfelt, it’s funny, it’s definitely science-y with plenty of fiction, but overall, it’s a well-rounded, enjoyable read. Weir’s dry wit and humor that was prevalent in The Martian is back in full force. From the very beginning, I was laughing out loud and rereading passages to my husband because he wanted to know what was so funny. There isn’t much I can say in a review for fear of spoiling any of the surprises, but I’m anxious and excited for the movie version, since it’s already been optioned, because as much as I would love to see how they recreate some of my favorite scenes, part of me knows that they’ll undoubtedly fail to capture it in just the right way to satisfy my imagination. While the science talk can become a bit technical and would cause me to space out (pun intended) at times, most of it is written in a way that us laypeople can understand complex concepts and still remain interested and engaged. The structure of the novel, with well-placed flashbacks answering many of the questions that come up during the present timeline, keeps the story fresh and moves it along at a fair pace. Everything about this story was fantastic and I cannot recommend it enough. An advanced copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews 5/18/2021 0 Comments Goblin by Josh Malerman
Goblin: A Novel in Six Novellas by Josh Malerman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars Welcome to Goblin, a town with a tumultuous inception, a terrifying forest filled with giant, red-eyed owls, an unsettling police force that creeps everyone out, and monstrous topiaries reminiscent of The Shining. It is filled with a cast of unique characters that have a slew of stories to tell and it’s almost voyeuristic the way in which we watch their lives play out on the pages. Fans of Stranger Things will embrace the overall feeling of nostalgia and community, while those who grew up watching The Twilight Zone will revel in the short stories, the deeper undercurrents of thought and moral underpinnings, the overall quirkiness, and questionable denouements. Six stories that are markedly different are brought together and find common ground in this unassuming town with the anomalous name. An advanced copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. The opinions are my own. View all my reviews |
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