This was a surprisingly enjoyable horror novel. I was not anticipating enjoying it as much as I did so that is always a bonus for any book. That said I am on the fence about purchasing further installments in the series as the characters were fine in isolation in one, rather slim volume; I feel that they could become tedious very, very quickly.
There is an attempt at romantic tension between our psychic heroine Billie and the police office Ray Mockler. They clearly have a history and this left me wondering if I had inadvertently ended up a few tales in but this is labelled as Book One so I guess not. Sadly the romance angle really doesn't work as it feels a little stalkerish on Billie's part and that made my skin prickle.
The horror, or occult as Mr McGregor, section is very well written. With the discovery of a satanic "temple" in the basement of an abandoned house complete with corpse the tension really begins to ratchet up. This is especially true when the house's inhabitants start crowding in on Billie knowing that she can see and hear them. The plot is fast paced but didn't feel rushed and I was actually rather glad that the author stuck to his guns and kept it the length it needed to be rather than trying to extrapolate another hundred pages from it. Although it ends of a cliffhanger I don't feel compelled to read on, which is probably bad news for the author, as the tale felt complete enough for me to be happy to leave the characters at this juncture.
Enjoyable romp that has quasi-believable characters and enough scares to keep you interested.
Monday, 23 April 2018
Whisper Of The Moon Moth by Lindsay Jayne Ashford
I was a little hesitant reading this novel at first as a fictionalised reimagining of a real life feels so many shades of wrong. However, I decided to give it a fair crack of the whip and decided to treat it as though the people within the covers had never really existed and it was all fiction. This is surprisingly easy to do, especially if you know absolutely nothing about Merle Oberon. To me she was merely a name from the end of the Golden Era in filmmaking and I'm not even sure that I have seen her in a film - I know her most famous film was perhaps Wuthering Heights but as I don't particularly like the novel I haven't been in any rush to see an adaptation of it.
The tale itself is gloriously wrought. The early section, in India, where the young Estelle lives with her mataji, Charlotte, is particularly evocative. You can feel the heat and smell the spice laden air wafting from the pages. The character of Estelle is particularly empathetic and her naivety from her rather cloistered upbringing in the Anglo-Indian quarter is at eternal odds with both her ambition and her underlying sensuous nature. Whether Merle Oberon was really like this I have no idea but I kind of hope she was; there is a feisty fearlessness to her that makes you immediately warm to her and accept her character flaws without them diminishing your affection for the character.
Whilst only just "pale enough to pass" this doesn't stop her from following her dreams and travelling to England with a letter of recommendation in her pocket and love in her heart. Sadly the love was misplaced and the intended recipient of the letter away but by a string of fortuitous meetings she still manages to make the right connections by meeting with Sandor Korda who sees her potential and so a star is born.
I found this to be a real page turner and was quite sad when it finishes early in Merle's life after her marriage to Korda. Whilst the events are fictionalised the inspiration behind the author's imaginings is explained in the Afterword and the known biography of Ms Oberon is synopsied there for the reader. All of the characters in the book live and breathe and this isn't because there is a "name" attached to them; indeed many of them behave in ways that you wouldn't expect (although Vivien Leigh's overvaulting ambition and spite are well recorded) and feel all the more real for it.
If you can seperate the real person from the fictional account then you will enjoy this novel. The settings, both glamorous and mundane, are richly evoked and the populace of the pages live and breathe on their own. There are some twists and turns in the plot that you genuinely don't see coming but when all mixed together they just make it feel like a genuine life.
The tale itself is gloriously wrought. The early section, in India, where the young Estelle lives with her mataji, Charlotte, is particularly evocative. You can feel the heat and smell the spice laden air wafting from the pages. The character of Estelle is particularly empathetic and her naivety from her rather cloistered upbringing in the Anglo-Indian quarter is at eternal odds with both her ambition and her underlying sensuous nature. Whether Merle Oberon was really like this I have no idea but I kind of hope she was; there is a feisty fearlessness to her that makes you immediately warm to her and accept her character flaws without them diminishing your affection for the character.
Whilst only just "pale enough to pass" this doesn't stop her from following her dreams and travelling to England with a letter of recommendation in her pocket and love in her heart. Sadly the love was misplaced and the intended recipient of the letter away but by a string of fortuitous meetings she still manages to make the right connections by meeting with Sandor Korda who sees her potential and so a star is born.
I found this to be a real page turner and was quite sad when it finishes early in Merle's life after her marriage to Korda. Whilst the events are fictionalised the inspiration behind the author's imaginings is explained in the Afterword and the known biography of Ms Oberon is synopsied there for the reader. All of the characters in the book live and breathe and this isn't because there is a "name" attached to them; indeed many of them behave in ways that you wouldn't expect (although Vivien Leigh's overvaulting ambition and spite are well recorded) and feel all the more real for it.
If you can seperate the real person from the fictional account then you will enjoy this novel. The settings, both glamorous and mundane, are richly evoked and the populace of the pages live and breathe on their own. There are some twists and turns in the plot that you genuinely don't see coming but when all mixed together they just make it feel like a genuine life.
Tuesday, 17 April 2018
Up, Back & Away by K. Velk
I have to admit I dickered about purchasing this book but the numerous 4 and 5 star reviews made my mind up for me. I really wish that I had let my indecision take centre stage and not purchased it. I am never knowingly defeated by a book but I came really close to giving up on this one. I even commented to my other half last night that if it had been free I would just give up on it as I was not enjoying it.
The biggest problem with it is not that it is authored for children, I have read a lot of books aimed at that market as the realms created are often far superior to those in adult literature as they feed in to an imagination unfettered by the mundanity of modern life. It is simply that there is no appreciable tension in the plot or the text. Whilst Miles continually tells us that he is on the look out for "The Girl" and that he has no idea what the "secret that was not meant to be" is or how he is going to find out never did I feel a sense of urgency for garnering this information. You would have thought that a boy from 2012 America going to 1928 England would stick out like a sore thumb. However, the inhabitants of Tipton must be very simple folk as his thin back story is never put in to question. Even the awful Mrs Grimwald seems to take it at face value.
I also found the characters to have little in the way of depth or interest. Even our protagonist, Miles, has very little to him that you can hook onto and become interested in. Perhaps the nearest we get to a real feeling character is Susannah but she only appears fleetingly.
The writing I found to be a little ploddy and not really designed to hold interest. You know it's not great when daytime television is a welcome distraction. I did appreciate that although this is an out and out fantasy tale that the author did manage to keep the "mystical" elements of it rather grounded and the decision to link them with folklore was an interesting one and a good way to bring in characters that could assist Miles.
Sadly this was not the book for me and I am just relieved that it is now completed and I can move on to the next one that will, hopefully, entertain me more.
The biggest problem with it is not that it is authored for children, I have read a lot of books aimed at that market as the realms created are often far superior to those in adult literature as they feed in to an imagination unfettered by the mundanity of modern life. It is simply that there is no appreciable tension in the plot or the text. Whilst Miles continually tells us that he is on the look out for "The Girl" and that he has no idea what the "secret that was not meant to be" is or how he is going to find out never did I feel a sense of urgency for garnering this information. You would have thought that a boy from 2012 America going to 1928 England would stick out like a sore thumb. However, the inhabitants of Tipton must be very simple folk as his thin back story is never put in to question. Even the awful Mrs Grimwald seems to take it at face value.
I also found the characters to have little in the way of depth or interest. Even our protagonist, Miles, has very little to him that you can hook onto and become interested in. Perhaps the nearest we get to a real feeling character is Susannah but she only appears fleetingly.
The writing I found to be a little ploddy and not really designed to hold interest. You know it's not great when daytime television is a welcome distraction. I did appreciate that although this is an out and out fantasy tale that the author did manage to keep the "mystical" elements of it rather grounded and the decision to link them with folklore was an interesting one and a good way to bring in characters that could assist Miles.
Sadly this was not the book for me and I am just relieved that it is now completed and I can move on to the next one that will, hopefully, entertain me more.
Sunday, 15 April 2018
Before He Kills by Blake Pierce
This is a fairly standard police procedural with nothing new to offer the genre. Whilst the main protagonist, Mckenzie White,is a young female officer she is disturbed rather than damaged which makes for some sort of change I suppose. Yes,she has the murdered parent (father just to mix things up a little it) that has driven her to become a member of Law Enforcement. Now she finds that it isn't all a bed of roses, having got her promotion to detective she finds that the other officers are too old and too "male" to fully accept her. Considering this is set contemporaneously I find it implausible that such misogynistic attitudes would not only be condoned by the Police Chief but that he would actively foster them.
The investigation is very much based on gut feelings rather than cold,hard facts. The little evidence they have points the way but they don't realise the significance of this evidence until over halfway through the book. This drove me mad as it was perfectly obvious what it referred to and I know I won't be the only reader to sit muttering at the text because of this. When Mckenzie finally realises what it all means she has to"go maverick" to solve the final puzzle.
The main character is, on the whole, pretty multi-faceted. She is completely absorbed by her work (surprise, surprise) so it is no big reveal when she throws her boyfriend out Getting drunk in a bar and propositioning an attractive colleague was but did at least make her seem more human. The other characters are either creepy (the FBI agent Ellington is at the very least skeevy), full of antiquated views and not afraid to share them (Chief Nelson) or heart of gold under the bluster (Detective Porter). We even have the "tart with a heart" thrown in courtesy of the first murder victim Hailey.
Not a terrible addition to the genre by any means but it is populated by one dimensional characters and plot that you can see through. The saving grace is that the writing is pacy and manages to stray away from hyperbole to some extent. I did get an almost guilty pleasure from reading this book but not enough tread any further in to the series.
The investigation is very much based on gut feelings rather than cold,hard facts. The little evidence they have points the way but they don't realise the significance of this evidence until over halfway through the book. This drove me mad as it was perfectly obvious what it referred to and I know I won't be the only reader to sit muttering at the text because of this. When Mckenzie finally realises what it all means she has to"go maverick" to solve the final puzzle.
The main character is, on the whole, pretty multi-faceted. She is completely absorbed by her work (surprise, surprise) so it is no big reveal when she throws her boyfriend out Getting drunk in a bar and propositioning an attractive colleague was but did at least make her seem more human. The other characters are either creepy (the FBI agent Ellington is at the very least skeevy), full of antiquated views and not afraid to share them (Chief Nelson) or heart of gold under the bluster (Detective Porter). We even have the "tart with a heart" thrown in courtesy of the first murder victim Hailey.
Not a terrible addition to the genre by any means but it is populated by one dimensional characters and plot that you can see through. The saving grace is that the writing is pacy and manages to stray away from hyperbole to some extent. I did get an almost guilty pleasure from reading this book but not enough tread any further in to the series.
The Curious Heart Of Ailsa Rae by Stephanie Butland
This is a bit of a hit and miss novel and, if I'm being honest, I found that it did actually miss more than it hit. The problem lies in the fact that when it hits it does so wonderfully well and you just want it to keep going and going in that vein. sadly, you do get let down time and time again. In fact I very nearly gave in at the 80-odd page mark as it was all rather ploddy and I couldn't see where it was going. Fortunately another 20 or so pages in and I was rewarded for my perseverance and started to actually enjoy this rather quirky little tale. So, only quarter of a book for it to grab me.
Ailsa herself is quite a charming character, she took me a while to warm to but I did end up rooting for her. She is selfish and quite childlike but after spending 28 years at the mercy of her failing heart this is understandable. I loved her forays in to becoming an adult but felt like whispering her ear - no-one ever really grows up, not if you do it right.
I loved the build up to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (almost as much as I loved the fact the author got the name right - one of my particular bugbears is calling it the Edinburgh Fringe Festival). This is likely coloured by the fact Ailsa is learning to Tango and that has to be simply the greatest ballroom dance ever - even if the author did confuse Ballroom Tango and Argentine Tango in her descriptive passages. Of course it doesn't explicitly state Ballroom Tango in the text but when referred to as "Tango" then one has to assume it is not anything other than the Ballroom variant.
The romance element with Seb I was less convinced of. For someone supposed to be a charmer he came across as less than charismatic to this reader and I really couldn't see what she saw in him.
I could see how this could be a very difficult read for some people, dealing as it does with acute illness, organ donation and death. The handling of this is sensitive without becoming mawkish and is to be applauded. However, some of Ailsa's introspection does stall the story in places and could well be why it took me so long to really gel with the book.
In summation the themes are laudable and dealt with, overall, with aplomb. It is a slowburner and you my need to really persevere to become immersed in the story.
I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM READERS FIRST IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
Ailsa herself is quite a charming character, she took me a while to warm to but I did end up rooting for her. She is selfish and quite childlike but after spending 28 years at the mercy of her failing heart this is understandable. I loved her forays in to becoming an adult but felt like whispering her ear - no-one ever really grows up, not if you do it right.
I loved the build up to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (almost as much as I loved the fact the author got the name right - one of my particular bugbears is calling it the Edinburgh Fringe Festival). This is likely coloured by the fact Ailsa is learning to Tango and that has to be simply the greatest ballroom dance ever - even if the author did confuse Ballroom Tango and Argentine Tango in her descriptive passages. Of course it doesn't explicitly state Ballroom Tango in the text but when referred to as "Tango" then one has to assume it is not anything other than the Ballroom variant.
The romance element with Seb I was less convinced of. For someone supposed to be a charmer he came across as less than charismatic to this reader and I really couldn't see what she saw in him.
I could see how this could be a very difficult read for some people, dealing as it does with acute illness, organ donation and death. The handling of this is sensitive without becoming mawkish and is to be applauded. However, some of Ailsa's introspection does stall the story in places and could well be why it took me so long to really gel with the book.
In summation the themes are laudable and dealt with, overall, with aplomb. It is a slowburner and you my need to really persevere to become immersed in the story.
I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM READERS FIRST IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
Off Balance by Terez Mertes Rose
I read these books out of order but it really does not matter as Off Balance and Outside The Limelight may both deal with the West Coast Ballet Theatre and have some of the same cast this really doesn't matter as each book is about a different set of characters. In Off Balance we are only concerned with Alice (a former soloist for the WCBT who has a horrendous fall on stage that cuts short her career) and Lana a new recruit to the WCBT who is pushed straight in to the role of Soloist much to the chagrin of the established members.
The author's first hand knowledge of what it takes to make a career in the world of Ballet and how much of a toll it takes on your body are obvious throughout the book. You can almost smell the sweat and tears of Company Class and Rehearsals through her prose. I did find myself looking forward to the scenes set at the theatre rather than at Alice's home or at various fundraisers and events. I think this may simply be because I have a love for dance and am intrinsically nosy about what goes on behind the scenes.
The characterisations throughout are wonderfully wrought. The main characters of Alice and Lana are beautifully nuanced, complete people who you find yourself genuinely caring about. Gil is a bit of a waste of space initially and seems to think he is entitled to everything. Lana soon seems to knock that out of him but I did find myself worrying about the effect his rampant ego would have on this doormat of a girl. As the reasons for Lana's rather wet fish personality become apparent you really do start rooting for her to overcome her upbringing. It also serves as a salient reminder, mainly through Alice, that families are never the face they present to the world.
I loved this book and am only sad that there are only 2 books in the series and I have now read both of them.
The author's first hand knowledge of what it takes to make a career in the world of Ballet and how much of a toll it takes on your body are obvious throughout the book. You can almost smell the sweat and tears of Company Class and Rehearsals through her prose. I did find myself looking forward to the scenes set at the theatre rather than at Alice's home or at various fundraisers and events. I think this may simply be because I have a love for dance and am intrinsically nosy about what goes on behind the scenes.
The characterisations throughout are wonderfully wrought. The main characters of Alice and Lana are beautifully nuanced, complete people who you find yourself genuinely caring about. Gil is a bit of a waste of space initially and seems to think he is entitled to everything. Lana soon seems to knock that out of him but I did find myself worrying about the effect his rampant ego would have on this doormat of a girl. As the reasons for Lana's rather wet fish personality become apparent you really do start rooting for her to overcome her upbringing. It also serves as a salient reminder, mainly through Alice, that families are never the face they present to the world.
I loved this book and am only sad that there are only 2 books in the series and I have now read both of them.
Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine
I have read Rachel Caine before (The Morganville Vampire Series) so when I saw a thriller series penned by her I thought it would be worth a look at. I already know she can write believable characters and spin a rich fantasy world so was intrigued to see how she would handle this genre. In a lot of ways this is everything I dislike about the Thriller genre and found it quite hard to get in to. It only really kicked in to gear and held my attention after about the 5th Chapter and then I can honestly say I was hooked.
For once we are spared the multiple viewpoints and the investigation of a series of grisly murders. These have already happened and Gina Royal has been plunged in to a living hell and is on the run with her children. She is not on the run from the police, she is on the run from something far more sinister - the Social Media Court of The Vigilante who have decided that she was her serial killer husband's helpmeet and just as guilty as him. For her court appointed freedom she must be made to pay.
Maybe I am naive but I found the descriptions of the hatred outpoured online to Gina and her family a tad unbelievable. Maybe I just want to believe that human nature is basically good and that after being acquitted at her trial nobody would hound someone in this way. Maybe I'm wrong but I really, really hope I'm right and that nobody has to go through what Gina and her children experience at the hands of anonymous members of Joe Public.
The plot is very strong and unfolds at a natural pace and the snapshots of normal, mundane life work beautifully You would think reading about reroofing a house and building a deck would slow the action down wouldn't you. Instead they give you pause and a hope for normality for the family, they also (in a very peculiar way) ratchet up the tension of the storyline. The characterisations of the Royal family are well wrought and you can feel just how torn Gina is between protecting her children from the hate and allowing them to have normal lives and you do empathise with the lengths she has (and will) go to to protect them. Proper Momma-Bear behaviour going on here.
I was becoming disenchanted with the Thriller genre as the recent books I have read all seemed to be made from the same recipe book. This book has reinvigorated my interest and I thoroughly enjoyed it once I struggled past the early chapters.
I do have the second book in the series but am holding off as the third installment isn't due until December 2018 so I need to pace myself here.
For once we are spared the multiple viewpoints and the investigation of a series of grisly murders. These have already happened and Gina Royal has been plunged in to a living hell and is on the run with her children. She is not on the run from the police, she is on the run from something far more sinister - the Social Media Court of The Vigilante who have decided that she was her serial killer husband's helpmeet and just as guilty as him. For her court appointed freedom she must be made to pay.
Maybe I am naive but I found the descriptions of the hatred outpoured online to Gina and her family a tad unbelievable. Maybe I just want to believe that human nature is basically good and that after being acquitted at her trial nobody would hound someone in this way. Maybe I'm wrong but I really, really hope I'm right and that nobody has to go through what Gina and her children experience at the hands of anonymous members of Joe Public.
The plot is very strong and unfolds at a natural pace and the snapshots of normal, mundane life work beautifully You would think reading about reroofing a house and building a deck would slow the action down wouldn't you. Instead they give you pause and a hope for normality for the family, they also (in a very peculiar way) ratchet up the tension of the storyline. The characterisations of the Royal family are well wrought and you can feel just how torn Gina is between protecting her children from the hate and allowing them to have normal lives and you do empathise with the lengths she has (and will) go to to protect them. Proper Momma-Bear behaviour going on here.
I was becoming disenchanted with the Thriller genre as the recent books I have read all seemed to be made from the same recipe book. This book has reinvigorated my interest and I thoroughly enjoyed it once I struggled past the early chapters.
I do have the second book in the series but am holding off as the third installment isn't due until December 2018 so I need to pace myself here.
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Lego Tony Stark's Sakaarian Iron Man 76194
I know nothing about the "What If" TV show but what I do know is that I absolutely LOVE Mechs and Lego always manage to put somet...
