Category Archives: Book Review

Distressed Travelers by Nina Kiriki Hoffman

Book Review, , ,

Overview

Blood Lite IIITitle: Distressed Travelers
Author: Nina Kiriki Hoffman
In: Blood Lite III: Aftertaste (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Horror
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: All this extra security was a pain in the butt.

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Synopsis

Somebody’s feeding on the frustrations of those at a airport with delayed flights. But the real question is, who wants to feed on him?

Thoughts

This short story made me feel sick. To be fair, it could have been me getting car sick. Because I was reading this in the car. On windy roads. Late at night. But, I’m pretty sure that I felt sick because this story kind of freaked me out.

It started off innocently enough. Weird alien feeding off of people’s emotions. The veritable smorgasbord of an airport. The added deliciousness of cancelled flights and the stress that this brings. But, then things take a far more incidious turn… he finds someone with no emotions.

You can  kind of see where this goes… packed airport, guy with no emotions, seedy motel… yeah, there’s a reason that I felt a little crook after reading this short story in the dark, on a windy road, in the middle of nowhere…

 <- Short Term Review Bayou Brawl Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Mort by Terry Pratchett

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Mort

Title: Mort
Author: Terry Pratchett
Series: Discworld #4, Death #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Corgi
Year: 1987
5th sentence, 74th page: And so Mort came at last to the river Ankh, greatest of rivers.

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Synopsis

Death comes to us all. When he came to Mort, he offered him a job.

Henceforth, Death is no longer going to be the end, merely the means to an end. It’s an offer Mort can’t refuse. As Death’s apprentice he’ll have free board, use of the company horse – and being dead isn’t compulsory. It’s a dream job – until he discovers that it can be a killer on his love life…

Thoughts

Death is always considered such a horrifying and exacting end. But, in the case of Mort, it’s really just a beginning… and an apprenticeship. With Pratchett’s unique and entertaining take on it.

Alright, that introduction to this review feels very confusing and convoluted. But, honestly, that’s generally how I feel before, during and after reading one of the Discworld novels. They’re weird, they’re confusing, and they have a completely unique take on the world. Even when I feel like there may be a far better, more amazing message than what I’ve absorbed, I feel like I’ve learnt something interesting and fantastic after I turn the last page. The fact that this story is about the personification of Death, something that I have been struggling to deal with a little lately, just makes it all the more fun and poignant.

I loved the princess in distress with her noble rescuer theme throughout this. Yet, it was the fact that the ending wasn’t quite one that I expected that was really enjoyable. After all, the typical story would be tall, suave rescuer saves princess, they live happily ever after. Nothing goes like this throughout, and although Mort makes blunder after blunder in his apprenticeship, there is a really nice happily ever after (of a sorts) at the conclusion.

<- Equal RitesSourcery ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Equal Rites

Title: Equal Rites
Author: Terry Pratchett
Series: Discworld #3, Witches #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Corgi
Year: 1987
5th sentence, 74th page: Across the forest animals broke and scattered as the shadow passed overhead, crying and cursing.

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Synopsis

They say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.

The last thing the wizard Drum Billet did, before Death laid a bony hand on his shoulder, was to pass on his staff of power to the eighth son of an eighth son. Unfortunately for his colleagues in the chauvinistic (not to say misogynistic) world of magic, he failed to check that the bab in question was a son. Everybody knows that there’s no such thing as a female wizard. But now it’s gone and happened, there’s nothing much anyone can do about it. Let the batttle of the sexes begin…

Thoughts

There is an incredibly poignant and obvious message in this novel – that we are all equal and entitled to equal rights. That’s not to say that this tale isn’t filled with Pratchett’s (I hesitate to say) typical sense of humour. There is the satirical humour scattered throughout that draws you into his world, whether you want it to or not. Luckily, for me, I was ready and happy to be swept along in his chaotic, entertaining realm.

Esk is a typical little girl with six big brothers. She’s tough, independent and keen to prove herself against the big, wide world. The fact that she is partnered with a supremely magical and powerful wizard’s staff just helps to complicate things. That, and her mentor is a slightly uneducated witch. And there is no such thing as wizards in this world… when is anything ever simple in Discworld?

As I’ve mentioned before, I completely loved the fact that this book highlights women’s rights and equality. It is something that I strongly believe in, and although sometimes it is a topic touched upon, it isn’t something that people tend to really delve into when writing or reading. We talk about equality, but I haven’t actually read such a well written novel that highlights the importance of this. The fact that this story was written in the 80’s and is still discussing issues that we are facing today just heightens my respect for Terry Pratchett.

<- The Light FantasticMort ->

Image source: Pinterest

Dating After the Apocalypse by Stephen Dorato

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Overview

Blood Lite IIITitle: Dating After the Apocalypse
Author: Stephen Dorato
In: Blood Lite III: Aftertaste (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Easy reading, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Julie seemed to be a regular, ordinary girl – a bit reserved, but who wasn’t these days?

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Synopsis

How does one date after the zombie apocalypse destroys the world?

Thoughts

I haven’t been single in a very long time. And I haven’t had the misfortune of too many horrible dates. Which makes it extra enjoyable (and kind of foreign) to read about dating. And horrible first dates. And one night stands… putting what I assume is a zombie apocalypse and the end of the world as we know it into the mix just made it all the more fascinating and enjoyable.

The way that this story, like all good short stories, turns itself on its head at the conclusion was highly entertaining. The idea that there are more terrors in settling down than people already experience kind of made a comment on how hard it can be to actually settle down. Both symbolically and physically, this is a good example of the difficulties of dating, getting married and living your happily ever after…

 <- The Great Zombie Invasion of 1979 Review Typecast Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Queen’s Army by Marissa Meyer

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Queen's ArmyTitle: The Queen’s Army
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #1.5
In: Stars Above (Marissa Meyer)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Z pushed himself back into the exam table.

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Synopsis

In this prequel to Scarlet, we’re introduced to the army Queen Levana is building, and one soldier in particular who will do anything to keep from becoming the monster they want him to be.

Thoughts

Levanna’s army is shown in Cinder and it seems kind of scary. Which is why a short story about one of the young men who are placed into this situation and created as a soldier worked in quite well. It’s the story from behind enemy lines that is not only introducing a character that will (I’m sure) appear in the next novel, but helping to highlight the horrors which Levanna inflicts upon her own people.

There really wasn’t much that was shocking in this story. It was expected that the soldiers would be genetically modified. That the lead would be unwilling to join the legions. And that he would eventually triumph over the other sufferers of brutality. The way in which it was done was completely different though. Mostly because of the great and unique world in which Meyer has placed her characters.

Now that I’ve read about the boy, I can’t wait to meet the man in Scarlet…

 <- Cinder Review Scarlet Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

CinderTitle: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Yes, her ratio should be impressive.

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Synopsis

A FORBIDDEN ROMANCE.
A DEADLY PLAGUE.
EARTH’S FATE HINGES ON ONE GIRL…

Cinder, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She’s reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen – and a dangerous temptation.

Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth’s future.

THIS IS NOT THE FAIRY TALE YOU REMEMBER. BUT IT’S ONE YOU WON’T FORGET.

Thoughts

Cinderella is a fairly well known fairy tale. After all, it’s the perfect rags to riches tale. The story of someone overpowering their bad situation and finding a good one. The fact that there is a handsome prince, and a pretty dress and a ball…that just makes it all the more appealing and sweet… at least normally, Cinder gives this tale a very different spin. And one that I personally love to pieces.

I am fairly new to the steampunk genre. But, I absolutely adore it. It’s something that marries a range of different themes and styles into this perfect little world. The fact that this was then partnered with the childlike world of riches kind of made this series absolutely perfect for me. Having already read Glitches, I had a little more backstory on Cinder’s unwanted presence in the Linh household. But, even without that, the creation of a future world in which cyborgs walk (and are owned) among us was fun. The joy and happiness of Peony and the quirkiness of Ito just helped to make the story a whole lot more enthralling. And cute. There were a lot of serious, hard and sad moments throughout the story for Cinder, but the attitude of not only her, but her companions made it a lot easier to bear.

I really wasn’t expecting the ending to this story. Although it is a Cinderella tale, it didn’t quite end in the same way. And it left the tale wide open for the next book in the series… which I now have to wait for… there’s always something great about a surprise at the end of a series, and it always makes getting the next book in the mail all the more exciting…

 <- The Mechanic Review The Queen’s Army Review ->
Image source: Jennifer Melza

The Mechanic by Marissa Meyer

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Stars AboveTitle: The Mechanic
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #0.9
In: Stars Above (Marissa Meyer)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: “But without knowing what’s wrong with -”

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Synopsis

In this prequel to Cinder, we see Kai and Cinder’s first meeting from Kai’s perspective.

Thoughts

This is an alternative view at a great scene in Cinder. And it’s something that I enjoy in a series – looking at another character’s point of view. The fact that it is Kai, the other half of the love match in the first full Lunar Chronicles novel, made it even more captivating. And, it was enlightening as to why Kai fell for Cinder. After all, she is constantly described as being very plain. So I found it a little difficult to really understand their connection in this scene. Until I read The Mechanic, then everything fell into place.

I like that the heroine of this story isn’t described as beautiful and stunning. It’s difficult to connect with characters when they are constantly described as otherworldly. The fact that Kai’s draw in to Cinder is her simplicity and difference makes you feel like everyone has their own hope for the future.

 <- The Little Android Review Cinder Review ->
Image source: The Lunar Chronicles Wiki

A Day in the Life by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Book Review, , ,

Overview

Blood Lite IIITitle: A Day in the Life
Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
In: Blood Lite III: Aftertaste (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Horror
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Stressed.

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Synopsis

Is Elliot about to become the editor for a dead woman? Or is something more sinister happening in the office?

Thoughts

The harsh critiques of editors and readers is something that I think we all fear. So what happens when there is a horror of a writer and the editor is forced to constantly deal with her ghost?

This story started out kind of nice. It had a ghost and one of the first lines is ding dong the bitch is dead. So it feels like it might be a bit of a comedic take on the idea of the editor-writer relationship. Until things take a much more sinister turn. And more ghosts start appearing. And you realise that Elliot, the editor, may not have been as kind as you first thought… karma can be a bitch too.

 <- Still Life Review Old MacDonald Had an Animal Farm Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

After Sunshine Passes By by Marissa Meyer

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Stars AboveTitle: After Sunshine Passes By
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #0.25
In: Stars Above (Marissa Meyer)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: State-of-the-art.

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Synopsis

In this prequel to Cress, we see how a nine-year-old Cress ended up alone on a satellite, spying on Earth for Luna.

Thoughts

The idea of shells is introduced in Cinder and it is a great reminder that even if you don’t have superpowers, you still have powers. The beginning of the Rapunzel story starts off kind of sad. It’s an unwanted girl in a place where she is told that she is unwanted and not needed. Actually, this is the saddest of the short stories in The Lunar Chronicles that I have read so far. There is no light on the horizon, but rather it just ends with a young girl being locked up by herself, orbiting the earth.

One thing that I really loved about this short story is Cress’ strength of character and ability to find something good in her life. The picture painted about her dismal upbringing would ensure that many people became downtrodden. Yet, somehow this girl is optimistic and full of hope – the very short story begins with her imagining a better life for herself.

 <- The Keeper Review Glitches Review ->
Image source: Lunar Chronicles Wiki

BRIANS!!! by D.L. Snell

Book Review, , ,

Overview

Blood Lite IIITitle: BRIANS!!!
Author: D.L. Snell
In: Blood Lite III: Aftertaste (Kevin J. Anderson)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Easy reading
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: “Well, your mom sucks.”

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Synopsis

A zombie book signing and release just couldn’t go anymore wrong!

Thoughts

When I read the name of this short story I thought that there was a typo. After all, it is in a collection of short stories that are surrounded by horror and the paranormal… brains would make sense. Zombies after all. But within the first page, it finally makes sense… this is about a book that has a typo in it. It should be BRAINS! The author is an idiot.

This story touches really badly on mumma’s boys. And the irritating things that overbearing mothers do. Reading about it was painful. Reading about the end of this relationship was just… well… weird. I still don’t know how I feel about this short story. I think it’s just something that you have to read to experience it…

 <- Smoke and Mirrorballs Review Still Life Review ->
Image source: Goodreads