This was a good idea that wasn't executed particularly well. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed it, I just found myself getting really frustrated with the characters and the events. The lack of subtlety was also an issue. There was also a tendency to beat the reader over the head with the significance of a small act. However, that said, the premise of a curse running through a family because The Story demands it is a good one and it made for an interesting twist on the Fairy Tale Genre.
The real problems come with the characters rather than the plot. Wilhelmina Grimes is a major pain in the proverbial. Yes, I get that the whole clumsy, socially inept shtick is there to juxtapose against who she really is and what she will have to become to beat The Story at it's own game. Unfortunately, this means that she comes across as alternately arrogant, rude, obnoxious and very, very needy. Not exactly personality traits that you want in your protagonist. Maybe the intention was to make her a strong, modern teenage girl but she comes across as the one you would actively avoid because she is toxic.
There's a lot of peril thrown in, but most of it in places where it would make no sense for Mina to be written out of the story so it loses it's impetus and just seems to be a way to get her together with that holy grail of teenage girl existence BOYS. Yes, there is a lot of Mina mooning over boys. I get it puberty makes you dumb and those raging hormones make your preferred gender all but irresistible but it does start getting very old, very fast.
So, why did I scrape up the 3 Stars for something I clearly have issues with large parts of? Quite simply the whole premise of the book is a strangely good one and the explanation behind how the Grimms came to be cursed and what that means for their descendants is really well thought through and explained. The balance between the Fae World and the Human World is excellently handled and there are some quite chilling moments when they intersect - I don't think these are necessarily where, or what, the author intended but more happy coincidences.
At the time of reviewing this book there are another 4 in the series. Would I rush to read them? Sadly, no. Initially I did think that this could be a wonderfully immersive series but by the end of the first book I have lot patience with Mina completely and the thought of voluntarily subjecting myself to more of her shenanigans is a non-starter.
Sunday, 30 June 2019
Dead Haven by Flint Maxwell
Despite having read an awful lot of horror stuff over the years somehow I have managed to avoid ever reading a zombie book before. To be fair, I'm not really a fan of zombie movies so have pretty much avoided them based on that fact. I was a little tentative going in to this one to be honest but I found myself really enjoying it. Yes, it is as corny as all get out and you pretty much know where things are going and the reason for the zombie apocalypse descending on Small Town America is ridiculously cliched. You know what, that is what every zombie film I've ever had the misfortune to sit through was like so I'm guessing the more literary version should be the same.
Whilst Dead Haven doesn't bring anything new or innovative to the table, it does entertain. There's plenty of shuffling, groaning dead flesh that is managing to wander about (okay, so they only murmured "Brains" in my mind) and do a moderate amount of problem solving to get at the lovely warm human flesh. Nicely gory scenes that manage to walk the tightrope between gross and disturbing adeptly. There is a sort of plot but honestly it doesn't really matter that Jack Jupiter is obsessed about getting back to his fiancee Darlene. It doesn't matter that he is cooped up with the father of his school bully (who clearly taught his son all he knows). It doesn't matter that we get introduced to a fair number of people because most of them are going to die anyway.
This book gave me a great deal of reading pleasure. I could unplug from the world for a bit and just enjoy myself bobbing around on the periphery of a videogame treatment with a few authorly bells and whistles. For all I know this could be a terrible exponent of the genre but that matters less to me than how much fun I had reading it. Would I look out the following 7 books in the series? Probably not to be honest - it was fun but I don't care about the characters or their situation enough to want to see what happens next.
Whilst Dead Haven doesn't bring anything new or innovative to the table, it does entertain. There's plenty of shuffling, groaning dead flesh that is managing to wander about (okay, so they only murmured "Brains" in my mind) and do a moderate amount of problem solving to get at the lovely warm human flesh. Nicely gory scenes that manage to walk the tightrope between gross and disturbing adeptly. There is a sort of plot but honestly it doesn't really matter that Jack Jupiter is obsessed about getting back to his fiancee Darlene. It doesn't matter that he is cooped up with the father of his school bully (who clearly taught his son all he knows). It doesn't matter that we get introduced to a fair number of people because most of them are going to die anyway.
This book gave me a great deal of reading pleasure. I could unplug from the world for a bit and just enjoy myself bobbing around on the periphery of a videogame treatment with a few authorly bells and whistles. For all I know this could be a terrible exponent of the genre but that matters less to me than how much fun I had reading it. Would I look out the following 7 books in the series? Probably not to be honest - it was fun but I don't care about the characters or their situation enough to want to see what happens next.
Saturday, 29 June 2019
Arctic Zoo by Robert Muchamore
Starting the book you do wonder where this is going to lead as it almost has a One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest vibe in the opening stanzas. Starting, as it does, in a UK Mental Health facility and introducing us, via a group therapy session, to a group of struggling teens. It isn't immediately obvious who the book is about as we get introduced to several characters in a few lines but all is soon made apparent. From Alex's breakdown with Henry in the session to Julius's dramatic entrance on to the unit we then move back in time to before all of this happens.
Centering around Georgia Pack and Julius Adebisi the book follows a, more or less, chronological timeline describing the events that led both of them to land up needing help. Whilst being disparate teenagers in very different socio-economic groups and lands there is a lot that unifies the characters; not least the struggles and pressures of growing up and making a path for yourself in the world. There is a strong sense, initially, that things happen to the characters rather than them making any overt decisions about where their lives are heading or controlling the situations they find themselves in.
Even reading as an adult there is a lot to engross you and make this book enjoyable. The characters are well thought through and come to life in the pages of the book, you really do feel that you know as much as these shuttered people will let you know about themselves. There is also a very pronounced sense of hope in the book, that no matter how bad it looks, or indeed gets, there is always a little chink of light out there.
The plot felt a little outlandish at times but the author always manages to distract you with a gentle swell of unexpected humour or a quick subject change. I found it all too easy to slip in to Georgia and Julius's lives for protracted periods and ended up reading this book in almost one sitting. Whether you find yourself in rainy London or sweltering Akure the settings are brought to life by the characters and you do feel like you understand a little about their individual worlds.
The forward by the author mentions his own battles with Mental Health and it does give you pause before starting the book. However, don't let this put you off picking it up and giving things a chance. Yes, there are some tough subjects dealt with but the telling is so good you don't even really start to contemplate the bigger picture until you have finished reading. Yes, it does lead to some tough questions about your own opinions and beliefs but it could also open up some really useful conversations about important topics (this book touches on suicide, homosexuality, the nature of protest, corruption and many more). If that all sounds a bit "heavy" then just enjoy a cracking good tale that is very well told.
THIS IS AN HONEST REVIEW OF A FREE COPY OF THE BOOK RECEIVED FROM READERS FIRST.
Centering around Georgia Pack and Julius Adebisi the book follows a, more or less, chronological timeline describing the events that led both of them to land up needing help. Whilst being disparate teenagers in very different socio-economic groups and lands there is a lot that unifies the characters; not least the struggles and pressures of growing up and making a path for yourself in the world. There is a strong sense, initially, that things happen to the characters rather than them making any overt decisions about where their lives are heading or controlling the situations they find themselves in.
Even reading as an adult there is a lot to engross you and make this book enjoyable. The characters are well thought through and come to life in the pages of the book, you really do feel that you know as much as these shuttered people will let you know about themselves. There is also a very pronounced sense of hope in the book, that no matter how bad it looks, or indeed gets, there is always a little chink of light out there.
The plot felt a little outlandish at times but the author always manages to distract you with a gentle swell of unexpected humour or a quick subject change. I found it all too easy to slip in to Georgia and Julius's lives for protracted periods and ended up reading this book in almost one sitting. Whether you find yourself in rainy London or sweltering Akure the settings are brought to life by the characters and you do feel like you understand a little about their individual worlds.
The forward by the author mentions his own battles with Mental Health and it does give you pause before starting the book. However, don't let this put you off picking it up and giving things a chance. Yes, there are some tough subjects dealt with but the telling is so good you don't even really start to contemplate the bigger picture until you have finished reading. Yes, it does lead to some tough questions about your own opinions and beliefs but it could also open up some really useful conversations about important topics (this book touches on suicide, homosexuality, the nature of protest, corruption and many more). If that all sounds a bit "heavy" then just enjoy a cracking good tale that is very well told.
THIS IS AN HONEST REVIEW OF A FREE COPY OF THE BOOK RECEIVED FROM READERS FIRST.
Hudson's Kill by Paddy Hirsch
3.5 Stars
I have not read the first of the Justy Flanagan series, The Devil's Half Mile, but I am happy to report that did not spoil this book for me. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of re-capping that tale either and there is enough information given about the characters that you can get to know them through this book without having read the first. Overall a win-win, if you have read the first you don't have swathes of text to skim through that are covering the first book and if you are new to it then this is almost a stand alone tale.
The setting itself is evocative and completely believable. When reading you can almost hear the sounds and, regrettably, smell the air. This is helped by the language used throughout the book, how accurate the "Flash" is we will never know but a glossary is provided at the back of the book to help you out if you don't understand a term or can't figure it out from context. The sources for the language are also cited so any inaccuracies are definitely not the author's. In fact, the research that has gone in to the whole book is incredible and gives it not only a sense of veracity but also a freshness; almost as if the author has transported themself back to the earliest days of New York and is writing from there.
Characterisation is very strong and not necessarily sympathetic. Kerry O'Toole and Justy Flanagan are our main protagonists and both are very flawed human beings. I like this in a fictional character, it makes them feel whole and more relatable than a perfect literary protagonist does. Justy in particular has a wonderfully warring personality, where what is right is not necessarily what wins through - more what is right for the situation.
Discussions of class structure are also dealt with well and there is a real separation between the "haves" and the rest of the populace. The delineation of the gangs between The Irish, The Negroes (contemporaneous term and not used to denigrate) and The Nativists is clearly described and there is a real sense of menace between the warring factions; all of whom want control of this burgeoning city. I also found the blurring of the lines between The Watchmen/City Marshals as the infancy of a regularised police force and the gangs to be interesting and well handled.
My problems came with the plot, I just couldn't really buy in to it. Far too much seemed to rely on coincidence and hot headedness. The initial discovery of the mysterious, murdered girl is handled well and a sense of intrigue builds up well. Somehow it then all got lost in a miasma of plots at the highest level of society, warring gang factions and a charismatic preacher. Such a shame as so much about this book is completely wonderful. It would probably have benefitted from one or two fewer "incidents" and concentrated on honing the whys and wherefores of the main plot.
THIS IS AN HONEST REVIEW OF A FREE COPY OF THE BOOK RECEIVED FROM READERS FIRST
I have not read the first of the Justy Flanagan series, The Devil's Half Mile, but I am happy to report that did not spoil this book for me. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of re-capping that tale either and there is enough information given about the characters that you can get to know them through this book without having read the first. Overall a win-win, if you have read the first you don't have swathes of text to skim through that are covering the first book and if you are new to it then this is almost a stand alone tale.
The setting itself is evocative and completely believable. When reading you can almost hear the sounds and, regrettably, smell the air. This is helped by the language used throughout the book, how accurate the "Flash" is we will never know but a glossary is provided at the back of the book to help you out if you don't understand a term or can't figure it out from context. The sources for the language are also cited so any inaccuracies are definitely not the author's. In fact, the research that has gone in to the whole book is incredible and gives it not only a sense of veracity but also a freshness; almost as if the author has transported themself back to the earliest days of New York and is writing from there.
Characterisation is very strong and not necessarily sympathetic. Kerry O'Toole and Justy Flanagan are our main protagonists and both are very flawed human beings. I like this in a fictional character, it makes them feel whole and more relatable than a perfect literary protagonist does. Justy in particular has a wonderfully warring personality, where what is right is not necessarily what wins through - more what is right for the situation.
Discussions of class structure are also dealt with well and there is a real separation between the "haves" and the rest of the populace. The delineation of the gangs between The Irish, The Negroes (contemporaneous term and not used to denigrate) and The Nativists is clearly described and there is a real sense of menace between the warring factions; all of whom want control of this burgeoning city. I also found the blurring of the lines between The Watchmen/City Marshals as the infancy of a regularised police force and the gangs to be interesting and well handled.
My problems came with the plot, I just couldn't really buy in to it. Far too much seemed to rely on coincidence and hot headedness. The initial discovery of the mysterious, murdered girl is handled well and a sense of intrigue builds up well. Somehow it then all got lost in a miasma of plots at the highest level of society, warring gang factions and a charismatic preacher. Such a shame as so much about this book is completely wonderful. It would probably have benefitted from one or two fewer "incidents" and concentrated on honing the whys and wherefores of the main plot.
THIS IS AN HONEST REVIEW OF A FREE COPY OF THE BOOK RECEIVED FROM READERS FIRST
The Woman In The Photograph by Stephanie Butland
3.5 Stars
This is an undeniably well written book with solid pacing and a strong narrator in Vee. Starting with the Ford Dagenham women striking for equal pay and taking us up to the modern day it charts Vee's rise as a professional photographer and as one of the Second Wave Of Feminism. Split in to 7 Sections (like the Seven Ages Of Man - I see what you did there author, I see) each is prefaced by a description of a photograph and the major events of the year it was taken and then goes on to tell us, from Vee's perspective, what happened in her life during this period. This is effective and helps sink the reader in to the setting.
My issue really came with the introduction of Leonie. She represents everything that makes my teeth itch about Feminism. This is a woman that espouses equality but really wants domination over and the subjugation of men. Strangely this is best shown in her interactions with other women, even her supposed Sisters, who she browbeats in to accepting her ideology. Whilst she appears to be good for Vee initially I really felt that she, ultimately, ruined Vee's personal life and hopes for happiness.
When we finally met Erica, Leonie's niece, who is setting up the retrospective of Vee's work we are invited to see her as a repressed woman. Concerned with trying to juggle family and professional life, initially you empathise with her as these are struggles any parent can relate to. The problem comes when Vee gets to know her on a personal level and indoctrinates her in to the ways of Feminism. I got so angry with the portrayal of Erica's husband as being infantilised and almost a second child for her to raise. Yes, there are men like that but equally there are a vast number that genuinely co-parent and have a partnership with their significant other but this is a relationship stuck in a 1950s time warp.
Unfortunately there is no separation between the author and the subject and her own views come through strongly. These are views that I, personally, find borderline toxic and it did really spoil the story for me as I could feel my blood boiling regularly throughout the story. Yes, I am female. Yes, I am a married working mother. Yes, I do believe that all people should be treated fairly and equally. No, I do not believe that this what the Feminist Movement wants.
The book itself is very well written and the author should be applauded for having the courage of her convictions (even if in my case it would be with a somewhat sarcastic slow handclap). The characters are well drawn and, with the exception of Leonie, are mainly sympathetically written, multi-faceted people. Emotions feel genuine and in proportion to the events. However, my personal bias against the subject matter did colour my enjoyment and subsequent review of the material.
THIS IS AN HONEST REVIEW OF A FREE COPY OF THE BOOK RECEIVED VIA READERS FIRST.
This is an undeniably well written book with solid pacing and a strong narrator in Vee. Starting with the Ford Dagenham women striking for equal pay and taking us up to the modern day it charts Vee's rise as a professional photographer and as one of the Second Wave Of Feminism. Split in to 7 Sections (like the Seven Ages Of Man - I see what you did there author, I see) each is prefaced by a description of a photograph and the major events of the year it was taken and then goes on to tell us, from Vee's perspective, what happened in her life during this period. This is effective and helps sink the reader in to the setting.
My issue really came with the introduction of Leonie. She represents everything that makes my teeth itch about Feminism. This is a woman that espouses equality but really wants domination over and the subjugation of men. Strangely this is best shown in her interactions with other women, even her supposed Sisters, who she browbeats in to accepting her ideology. Whilst she appears to be good for Vee initially I really felt that she, ultimately, ruined Vee's personal life and hopes for happiness.
When we finally met Erica, Leonie's niece, who is setting up the retrospective of Vee's work we are invited to see her as a repressed woman. Concerned with trying to juggle family and professional life, initially you empathise with her as these are struggles any parent can relate to. The problem comes when Vee gets to know her on a personal level and indoctrinates her in to the ways of Feminism. I got so angry with the portrayal of Erica's husband as being infantilised and almost a second child for her to raise. Yes, there are men like that but equally there are a vast number that genuinely co-parent and have a partnership with their significant other but this is a relationship stuck in a 1950s time warp.
Unfortunately there is no separation between the author and the subject and her own views come through strongly. These are views that I, personally, find borderline toxic and it did really spoil the story for me as I could feel my blood boiling regularly throughout the story. Yes, I am female. Yes, I am a married working mother. Yes, I do believe that all people should be treated fairly and equally. No, I do not believe that this what the Feminist Movement wants.
The book itself is very well written and the author should be applauded for having the courage of her convictions (even if in my case it would be with a somewhat sarcastic slow handclap). The characters are well drawn and, with the exception of Leonie, are mainly sympathetically written, multi-faceted people. Emotions feel genuine and in proportion to the events. However, my personal bias against the subject matter did colour my enjoyment and subsequent review of the material.
THIS IS AN HONEST REVIEW OF A FREE COPY OF THE BOOK RECEIVED VIA READERS FIRST.
Friday, 28 June 2019
Want To Know A Secret? by Sue Moorcroft
Despite the subject matter, I really enjoyed this book. I'm not a big fan of books that deal with some of the harsher realities of life as I read for escapism. However, Ms Moorcroft writes with such warmth and humour I found that I was really enjoying Diane's story and actually willing things to work out for her.
When her husband, Gareth, is critically injured in a helicopter crash Diane's world goes in to a tailspin of it's own. Finding out that he has been lying to her for 2 years is a shock, finding out that he has a whole other grown up family that seem ready to welcome her in to the fold is perhaps an even bigger one. Her whole married life has been about scrimping and scraping and making do; something Diane has been very happy to do. Now, the knowledge that Gareth has been leading a double life throws everything in to doubt. Throw in an attraction to an unavailable man and Diane is sure to go through the wringer.
Despite the bleakness of the topics covered in the book there is a lot of enjoyment to be had from this book. A well paced plot was vital to this story and we have that in abundance. Everything moves at a natural feeling pace, even some of the more random plot points (Diane's sewing business for instance) slot in well and feel believable. The real drivers for the story though are the characters of Diane and James. Both are well constructed and have strong, individual voices that come across well on the page.
Covering betrayal, the nature of romantic love, familial love and paternal/maternal love it also touches on mental health issues, alcoholism and just the general struggles of daily life. Set in the beautiful landscape of The Fens it all just gelled together quite wonderfully. All the characters act more or less believably, apart from Gareth. Unfortunately Gareth has no redeeming characteristics and this spoilt the story somewhat for me because if he is such a reprehensible person then how did Diane fall so deeply for him in the first place? Even the flashbacks to their courtship make it clear he was a prize pranny then as well, it just spoilt the veracity of the rest of the tale.
It is a strangely charming tale that really did suck me in and make me want to keep reading.
When her husband, Gareth, is critically injured in a helicopter crash Diane's world goes in to a tailspin of it's own. Finding out that he has been lying to her for 2 years is a shock, finding out that he has a whole other grown up family that seem ready to welcome her in to the fold is perhaps an even bigger one. Her whole married life has been about scrimping and scraping and making do; something Diane has been very happy to do. Now, the knowledge that Gareth has been leading a double life throws everything in to doubt. Throw in an attraction to an unavailable man and Diane is sure to go through the wringer.
Despite the bleakness of the topics covered in the book there is a lot of enjoyment to be had from this book. A well paced plot was vital to this story and we have that in abundance. Everything moves at a natural feeling pace, even some of the more random plot points (Diane's sewing business for instance) slot in well and feel believable. The real drivers for the story though are the characters of Diane and James. Both are well constructed and have strong, individual voices that come across well on the page.
Covering betrayal, the nature of romantic love, familial love and paternal/maternal love it also touches on mental health issues, alcoholism and just the general struggles of daily life. Set in the beautiful landscape of The Fens it all just gelled together quite wonderfully. All the characters act more or less believably, apart from Gareth. Unfortunately Gareth has no redeeming characteristics and this spoilt the story somewhat for me because if he is such a reprehensible person then how did Diane fall so deeply for him in the first place? Even the flashbacks to their courtship make it clear he was a prize pranny then as well, it just spoilt the veracity of the rest of the tale.
It is a strangely charming tale that really did suck me in and make me want to keep reading.
Double Visions by Matt Drabble
This book sort of falls between two genres melding a supernatural tale with a more straightforward thriller - well, as straightforward as any serial killer tale can be said to be. It was moderately successful in bridging the gap between the two but just seemed to have something missing. One of the most jarring things was British police carrying guns, simply doesn't happen, and for a story set in the UK and written by a British author this annoyed me.
The supernatural elements of the story centre around Jane Parks, a psychic who was instrumental in capturing The Crucifier. Now, 8 years later he seems to be back and terrorising the same small English town. Unfortunately for Jane his victims seek her out to get their justice and it seems that The Crucifier also has a link to her. Jane's sections are actually quite well written and have been thought through. She is a sympathetic character and there are definitely "legs" to a series of stories featuring her.
The real problems come from the Police procedural sections. The author's research seems to have come from watching TV shows, mainly American, rather than actually speaking to anyone even peripherally associated with the police. Detective Meyers Junior is a reasonably strong character but never really comes alive on the page; there's always something missing about him and he does seem to be defined by his sense of duty and his sexuality.
Unfortunately, as things progress and the body count rises I did find myself losing interest in finding out who was behind this latest spate of murders. This was mainly because it felt like a series of set pieces bolted together and each murder grows gradually more gruesome. I voluntarily read Richard Laymon so gruesome isn't an issue for me but when it is merely there as an intention to shock it grates; regrettably that is how this book felt.
Enjoyable enough but there were just too many ideas battling for page space to satisfactorily explore any of them. Nice twist to the identity of The Crucifier but the final showdown is cluttered and has some gaping holes in it's execution.
The supernatural elements of the story centre around Jane Parks, a psychic who was instrumental in capturing The Crucifier. Now, 8 years later he seems to be back and terrorising the same small English town. Unfortunately for Jane his victims seek her out to get their justice and it seems that The Crucifier also has a link to her. Jane's sections are actually quite well written and have been thought through. She is a sympathetic character and there are definitely "legs" to a series of stories featuring her.
The real problems come from the Police procedural sections. The author's research seems to have come from watching TV shows, mainly American, rather than actually speaking to anyone even peripherally associated with the police. Detective Meyers Junior is a reasonably strong character but never really comes alive on the page; there's always something missing about him and he does seem to be defined by his sense of duty and his sexuality.
Unfortunately, as things progress and the body count rises I did find myself losing interest in finding out who was behind this latest spate of murders. This was mainly because it felt like a series of set pieces bolted together and each murder grows gradually more gruesome. I voluntarily read Richard Laymon so gruesome isn't an issue for me but when it is merely there as an intention to shock it grates; regrettably that is how this book felt.
Enjoyable enough but there were just too many ideas battling for page space to satisfactorily explore any of them. Nice twist to the identity of The Crucifier but the final showdown is cluttered and has some gaping holes in it's execution.
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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...
