Vera
This book is amazing!
All the short stories are thought provoking and surprising.
I've been meaning to write a review for it for a long time and this is not it yet but since I saw Arrival this past weekend, I felt I needed to make at least this comment that I also did on Twitter: it's so rare to see a movie based on a book (or in this case, a short story) that stays true to the original source, doesn't ruin it, and all the additions and changes actually work.
I rarely see movies based on books I've read because I usually give up halfway through it. Ruining or disfiguring a good story is such a crime. Thankfully, that didn't happen with Arrival.
2.5, rounding on 3 starsI guess I wasn't the right reader for this one?The Tracker isn't badly written, let me start with that. It is well written, well structured, with a good plot and a good pace. It is a political thriller, and after reading [b:The Short Drop 27239265 The Short Drop (Gibson Vaughn #1) Matthew FitzSimmons https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1445329536s/27239265.jpg 45640572], I was eager to find another exciting book in the same genre.The problem, for me at least, is that Sam Callahan is basically a Gary Stu. He has qualities and talents that make him not relatable and not believable. I lost count of how many times I rolled my eyes reading about the many ways he is clever and street smart. And because he being so amazing wasn't enough, he also has a brilliant journalist ex-girlfriend and a hacker extraordinaire as a friend. The perfect storm.Some events ever also a bit far-fetched but so are the events on many movies, so I'll let that one go.So yeah, this wasn't a bad book, it just wasn't the book for me.I'd like to thank NetGalley and author Chad Zunker for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
5 shiny stars.
This book is a fine example how you can create unique, compelling characters and a breathtaking edge of your seat story, do something different and not get lost in it.
I can't say much because I don't want to spoil anything but there are some points and aspects I want to highlight.
First of all, this book is mostly told in the first person with multiple narrators. I confess I found it a bit overwhelming at first but as the narrative progressed it didn't stand in the way or bothered me at all because every character, every voice is unique. And every point of view - past or present - adds a little piece to the puzzle.
The story is, like I mentioned, present in the present with chapters focusing on past events. They all serve their purpose, they add to the story, be it by helping understand the characters, be it to understand the world they live in and their mindset.
This book was impossible to put down. I had the urge to know what's going on, to find the next piece, to figure out things. It is brilliant and it is a fresh take on the detective novel genre.
I highly recommend to anyone who loves a good thriller.
I'd like to thank NetGalley, Random House UK and Cornerstone, and author Emma Cavanagh for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.
I can't wait to read more of Emma Cavanagh's work. This introduction to her was fantastic.
3 and half stars.
It took me a while to decide on the rating of this book. I knew it was a 3 and half stars, but I couldn't figure if it was leaning into 3 or 4 stars. I ended choosing 3 because of its predictability. The book is good, don't get me wrong, reading it was a nice experience but being able to figure out almost every twist and turn almost as soon as they're presented stopped me from giving it a higher rating.
The main character, Louise, is interesting and human, she makes mistakes, she hurts and she is hurt. There are other few characters well developed, others not so much.
One thing I really loved was the descriptions of the places Louise visits. They are rich and made me wish to visit them.
All in all, this was a good read, an enjoyable one perfect for a lazy weekend.
I'd like to thank NetGalley, Quercus Books and author Kate McQuaile for providing me with a copy of What She Never Told Me in exchange for an honest review.
3 stars
Okay, let's start with the good.
This book has an interesting and promising premise. A college student is murderer and the investigation falls into the hands of two police officers that are working together for only six months. They are still learning their way around each other and how to work together. D.I. Jim Neal, the Senior detective of the pairing, is interesting, if a bit idealized. He is handsome, brilliant at work and a dedicated single Dad. Oh, and young and successful. Despite that, and the mentions about his experience, he makes a bunch of rookie mistakes that made me feel like banging my head (or his) on the wall. He is likeable, though, and I think his struggles and behavior are the most close to reality.
There are some interesting characters and plot ideas that helped me finish the book. The pace was good and the author managed to not leave loose ends. It was well written and didn't drag, which allowed me to give it 3 stars.
Now, the not so good.
Yeah, there were some good plot points in the book, but it wasn't an exciting or satisfying read. It didn't left me with urge to read more about these partners (maybe if author got Neal a new partner...) The solution to the case didn't left me satisfied. Yeah, it made sense, and yeah, there were some allusions to it in the book, but still.
My main issue was with the second detective, D.S. Ava Merry. She is drop dead gorgeous and attracts attention wherever she goes. She is supposed to be a smart and relatable character, but she got on my nerves. We are presented with bits of her backstory and we're supposed to see a multi-layered character, but to me she ended being one dimensional. I kept waiting to see the other sides of her come into play but it never happened.
This one ended being longer than I originally planned. Oops?
This was not a bad read, despite it all, but it's not memorable either. Other seems to have loved it, so I guess it was just not the book for me.
Edited on November 16th, 2019
I'm lowering this book's grade to 2.8 stars because try as I might, I can't remember a single thing about it.
So it was a fun read at the time, but apparently forgettable.
3.5 stars
This is a second installment on a series, and even though I haven't read the first book, I didn't have any trouble keeping up with the characters and their backstories. Actually, sometimes I felt like the author repeated some bits of information a little too often, which can become annoying. I've read an advance copy, though, maybe it was fixed by the time it went on sale.
Margie Peterson, our heroine, is overwhelmed. Her marriage is falling to pieces, her oldest child is behaving oddly, her in-laws are rich and meddling, her new age mother is coming to visit and she has a crazy job at a detective agency. She's also a bit of a klutz. Now throw in the murder of the headmaster of the private elementary school and a ‘pignapping' (or pig rescue, depending on who you ask) and you have this book in a nutshell (emphasis on nuts).
As I read this book, I could easily see it as a TV Show, a dramedy like The Mysteries of Laura or Monk. It has the kind of action and insanity that would work perfectly on TV.
The writing is great, even when the plot is a little on the verge of escaping the realms of believability. The characters are fun and charismatic and the pace doesn't leave space for boredom.
This is a nice read, even if not really my style. I highly recommend if you like a mix of mystery and with lots of laughs.
I'd like to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer author Karen MacInerney for providing me with a copy of Mother Knows Best in exchange for an honest review.
3 and half stars
Fourteen years after the murder of senior student and track star Sydney Adams' murder, the disgraced (and alcoholic) detective who was responsible for the investigation haven't given up on proving Sydney's tracking couch was the person responsible.
With new evidence in hand, he hires Jocelyn Rush - a former police detective, now private investigator - to solve the mystery once and for all. He only has a few months to live and he'd like to see the case closed and justice being served.
This book started slow and a little bit different - we supposedly know who the killer is but nobody was able to prove it.
The story takes a while to find its rhythm but once it does, it's a fun, exciting ride.
The characters - Jocelyn, her friend and business associate, her friends from the force, her boyfriend - they are all interesting and enjoyable, adding charm and warmth to the story.
This was a great read and I look forward to read more from the author.
I'd like to thank NetGalley author Lisa Regan for providing me an ARC of Cold-Blooded in exchange for an honest review.
4 stars.
That was an exciting, addictive novel. I had trouble putting it down (I'm human and not that young, I need to sleep). This books is fast paced, surprising and very well written.
I really liked the MC, DCI Erica Foster, but sometimes I wanted to grab her, shake her and scream What the hell are you doing?!?! She's intelligent, but sometimes she doesn't make the right choices.
The clues to who the murderer is are smart and well placed. I figured out who the person was (the author made a choice to not make it clear if it was a man or a woman) but there was a twist related to it that I did not see coming.
I loved this book, I love how real and human the MC is, and I can't wait to read more on this series.
I'd like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and author Robert Bryndza for proving me with an ARC of The Girl In The Ice in exchange for an honest review.
***
Review also posted on my blog, Tiny Box of Imagination.
4 stars.
This book was a surprise. I admit I'm not a huge fan of horror, but I am curious about the genre, so I was at the same time excited and dreading reading this book.
So, this is horror, but it's also prominently supernatural. It is also a love story.
There's two tales happening at the same time. There's the race against time to stop stop evil and save oneself, and there's the slow understanding that everything may look perfect when you look back, but that's just one's mind choosing to remember only the good.
The book a little to find its rhythm, but when it found, it made it impossible to put it down. As a result, I went to bed 3:30am last night. I couldn't wait until the next morning, I had to know how it ended!
Also, I think the book dragged at times, a few scenes were unnecessary plot wise. I didn't skip any of them, though, afraid I'd lose a hint or a sudden development, and trust me, they were there, not everywhere, but the twists and hints were there, and they helped build an exciting and surprising narrative. Also, I should mention there's some gore and violent imagery, but if you're a fan of horror, you're already expecting it.
This is book is an excellent read for fans of thrillers and supernatural. The love story is also well written, not annoying or too sugary, and true as the layers are peeled and more is revealed.
I'd like to thank NetGalley, Joffe Books and author Taylor Adams for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
***
This review was also posted on my blog, Tiny Box of Imagination.
March 2, 2016 update:Review now added to my blog Tiny Box of Imagination3.8 starsIt's an unusual number but I think it's fitting.This was a very interesting take on time travel with interesting, complex characters, well built tension and clever twists. Back in high school, a friend told me she had no regrets. I don't know if she still stands by that philosophy but I remember that, at sixteen, I already had a lot of regrets and a lot of things I wish I could go back and do differently. I couldn't fathom the idea of someone being able to go on not regretting a single thing. This book is about this, it's about people trying to fix mistakes, trying to right wrongs, trying to save people. It is also about power, about how it can corrupt, rot and destroy somebody.This is a fast paced, entertaining read. It's a great addition to the library of any fan of science fiction.***I'd like to thank NetGalley and author [a:Ernie Luis 9813064 Ernie Luis https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1442987893p2/9813064.jpg] for providing me of an ARC of [b:Alternate 27846920 Alternate (Omnibus Edition) Ernie Luis https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1447780265s/27846920.jpg 47834061] in exchange for an honest review.
4 and half starsThis novel is everything a mystery novel should be. it's gripping, it's heart stopping, it's heartbreaking and it's brilliant. It's not only a mystery book, though. It is also a book about abuse, about neglect and how these things can destroy lives.I felt deeply saddened by the neglect Johnny was facing, by the hell that thirteen old boy was forced to face. He acted, sounded and felt like a wary adult, but he was so damaged I couldn't help picture an even younger boy. He reminded me of Steven from [b:Blacklands 6596845 Blacklands Belinda Bauer https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1349021712s/6596845.jpg 6790614]. Their backstory is similar and their end goal is the same: fix their families.There are lies and deceit, there are adults and children doing horrible things. Nobody is innocent.The story is well built and well written, and I highly recommend it.
3 and half stars
This is not really a book but a short story. It's an interesting play with a known horror literary concept. It is well written and entertaining, even if not ground breaking.
***
3 1/2 estrelas
Conto interessante que joga com um conceito muito usado na literatura de terror. Bem escrito e divertido, ainda que não ofereça nada de realmente novo.
4 starsGosh, what a ride! I know some people who loved it, others found it underwhelming. I found it fun and exhilarating, great things for a thriller.It is fast pacing, exciting and nerve wrecking. This was an ‘edge of your seat' experience for me. The book is not perfect. There were some unnecessary tension build ins (oh my gosh it's him! No, it's not...) and some plot points were a bit forced, but it was an enjoyable read.There are some sad moments and slightly vivid descriptions of violence, but I've read worse.I'm looking forward to read other books from the author.I'd like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and author [a:Kathryn Croft 7733791 Kathryn Croft https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1389091972p2/7733791.jpg] for sending me an ARC of The Girl You Lost in exchange for an honest review.
(Updated February 24, 2016)4 starsI love how the books from this series are quick reads.Okay, so I started this series by book 4 ([bc:Dead Lost 28196527 Dead Lost Helen H. Durrant https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1450125241s/28196527.jpg 48224123]) but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of this at all. If anything, it made me feel like reading an origin story.This is a great detective thriller with all the elements that makes the genre fun: it's fast paced, intriguing, well plotted and well developed.Calladine and Bayliss are great characters, smart and human, relatable in their doubts, wins and failures. The hints for who was the perpetrator were well placed and it all came together making complete sense.I already have the second book of the series waiting for me and I can't wait to read it.***Review also posted on my blog, Tiny Box of Imagination.
4 stars
(Updated February 24, 2016)
This is the story of a Chinese adopted girl, but it transcends that. This is the story of every single person, no matter the ethnicity or upbringing, trying to understand who they are and their place in the world.
Growing up is hard enough. Growing up and being expected to know and enjoy a culture you came from but have no link to, that's really complicated, especially if it makes you so confused you'd rather pretend you have nothing to do with said culture.
This is a wonderful tale of a young girl learning about who she is and accepting that person. It's also a story about friendship, and how everybody has something to add, and something that they don't like about their lives or themselves. Like the R.E.M. song says, everybody hurts sometimes. It's okay. But it's also okay to take chances and open up. Embrace the opportunities. Win some, lose some, but believe and persevere always.
This is a lovely book and I highly recommend it.
***
I'd like to thank NetGalley, Sourcebooks and author Nancy Cavanaugh for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4 and half starsThis was a hard book to read, not because it's not well written - it really is very well done - but because of the subject matter and some characters. The plot, to me, is scarier than many horror books and movies out there. Too much power concentrated at the hands of one single person who turns out to be a megalomaniac sociopath it's terrifying. I had to read it in small doses, cringing at the insanity of one of the main characters, scared for others. They were all well written, real and scarily believable. Not all characters are crazy sociopaths and psychopaths, but all of them are broken one way or another. This book has some graphic violence and graphic sex scenes. If you're comfortable with those, you're good to go. If you're not, you get enough warning that let you skip these parts and not miss the great plot.The main plot is solved in a way that makes sense, but the ending.... I won't spoil you.This is a book worth reading but not for the faint of heart. There are enough twist, turns and surprises to make a fan of great thrillers very happy.Maybe you'll finish this book a little bit paranoid, but that's not really a bad thing, right?I'd like to thank Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and author [a:Barry Eisler 603 Barry Eisler https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1271016603p2/603.jpg] for sending me an ARC of The God's Eye View in exchange for an honest review.
I thought about giving it 4, maybe 4 and half stars but this book deserves a 5 star rating.
The writing in this book is beautiful. It's impossible not to understand and feel Steven's pain. It's heartbreaking to realize he's doing such extraordinary thing - find the body of his murdered uncle - to fix his little broken family. All he wants is to be normal and happy. It's so simple and so poignant.
On the other side of the equation is Arnold Avery, the serial killer who murdered Steven's uncle Billy Peters when he was a kid. Arnold is very honest about who he is, he doesn't try to justify himself or believes he has a right to do what he does.
This book is a mix of character study and mystery, it is engaging, breathtaking and heartbreaking. It was hard to put it down - I only did because I was falling asleep but picked it up right after getting up.
This is a fast, fantastic reading. It deals tragedy and how it affects the lives of the survivors in the long term. I can't recommend it enough.
***
Review now posted on my blog Tiny Box of Imagination.
4 starsMy reviews are usually very gut oriented meaning I talk mainly about the impressions a book leaves on me and what I feel reading it. I can't help it. A book, a song, a movie, a painting, any form of art has to make me feel something - good or bad.The amazing ratings this book was receiving plus the theme - amnesia - caught my attention. Like many others, I read this book quickly, I was eager to find out along with narrator who he was and what had happened.This is a well written, well paced novel. The reveal is well done and well paced, and [a:David M. Staniforth 6880127 David M. Staniforth https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1359317019p2/6880127.jpg] was very careful covering all bases, not explaining everything but still making every plot point a satisfying end point.The angst Tom (the amnesiac) and Penny (his girlfriend) feel is real and touching. Many times you wonder along with them if it's really worthy trying to recover the memories lost. After all, some things are better left forgotten. Still, they persevere, despite their fears.This was a self published book, and I urge you to check it out. I'll definitely be reading David's other books.***Review now also posted on my blog Tiny Box of Imagination.
4 stars.I'm not usually into romance, but I needed to read something different, something more light hearted and this book was the perfect choice.This is a story of being found by your destiny, no matter how much you run from it. It is full of powerful magic, beauty and love. It reads like a fairy tale of sorts, a story of destiny, of breaking rules and boundaries, and finding and accepting yourself in the place and role you tried to escape.This is also a story about friendship and learning to lean on others.It's about true love and soul mates, and how love knows no prejudice. If you want to read something lovely, entertaining and rich, this is the book for you.Did I mention the main character, Kay Baker, is a Native American, and descendant from a powerful lineage of medicine women? And she talks with coyotes? Oh, and she can't cook, but that's okay because she meets Sam, and although he knows nothing about herbs and healing and would run the other way if he came across a coyote, he is a chef, and a lot more.I'd like to thank NetGalley and author [a:Julie Manthey 14760746 Julie Manthey https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] for providing me with a copy of [bc:The Magic of Cape Disappointment: A Novel 28243432 The Magic of Cape Disappointment A Novel Julie Manthey https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1450517079s/28243432.jpg 48199681] in exchange for an honest review.This is a self published book, and a great one. I highly recommend it. ***Review now posted on my blog Tiny Box of Imagination.
It's Summer here right now and I needed a light, fast read, [b:DEAD LOST a gripping detective thriller full of suspense 28196527 Dead Lost Helen H. Durrant https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1450125241s/28196527.jpg 48224123] provided me just that. That's the first book of this series I've read and now I want to read the other ones (although I know I've spoiled myself with plot points from some of the previous books).One thing I really love is when characters feel real, relatable, and both D.I. Calladine and D.S. Ruth Bayliss are just that. They're not sherlockian, higher than thou genius people, they are hard working police officers trying to do their best and who care for the people they are trying to protect.Dead Lost was fast fun read, one that can easily be read in one weekend. I'd like to thank NetGalley, Joffe Books and author [a:Helen H. Durrant 14144438 Helen H. Durrant https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1436642955p2/14144438.jpg] for providing me with an ARC of [b:DEAD LOST a gripping detective thriller full of suspense 28196527 Dead Lost Helen H. Durrant https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1450125241s/28196527.jpg 48224123] in exchange for an honest review.***Review now also posted on my blog Tiny Box of Imagination.