Amanda
In order to pay off a debt he owes John Marcone, Harry Dresden agrees to help a criminal who wants to go legit. Things, of course, do not go smoothly.
I'm a few books behind in the series so I was afraid I might be lost reading this novella, but it's independent enough from the series' deep lore that I had no problem keeping up. It's a fun read with a great cast of characters.
Received via NetGalley.
In order to pay off a debt he owes John Marcone, Harry Dresden agrees to help a criminal who wants to go legit. Things, of course, do not go smoothly.
I'm a few books behind in the series so I was afraid I might be lost reading this novella, but it's independent enough from the series' deep lore that I had no problem keeping up. It's a fun read with a great cast of characters.
Received via NetGalley.
In order to pay off a debt he owes John Marcone, Harry Dresden agrees to help a criminal who wants to go legit. Things, of course, do not go smoothly.
I'm a few books behind in the series so I was afraid, I might be lost reading this novella, but it's independent enough from the series' deep lore that I had no problem keeping up. It's a fun read with a great cast of characters.
Received via NetGalley.
In order to pay off a debt he owes John Marcone, Harry Dresden agrees to help a criminal who wants to go legit. Things, of course, do not go smoothly.
I'm a few books behind in the series so I was afraid, I might be lost reading this novella, but it's independent enough from the series' deep lore that I had no problem keeping up. It's a fun read with a great cast of characters.
Received via NetGalley.
The mayor of a small Swedish town in decline seeks to revitalize the place by getting a German company to open a factory there; her plan involves a ready made, fully functioning factory, charm, and a few shenanigans.
This one was a delightful way to spend an afternoon! There wasn't any question about how the story would end, but the characters and their schemes were fun to read. I think the ending could have used a bit more oomph, but overall I enjoyed the read.
Received via NetGalley.
The mayor of a small Swedish town in decline seeks to revitalize the place by getting a German company to open a factory there; her plan involves a ready made, fully functioning factory, charm, and a few shenanigans.
This one was a delightful way to spend an afternoon! There wasn't any question about how the story would end, but the characters and their schemes were fun to read. I think the ending could have used a bit more oomph, but overall I enjoyed the read.
Received via NetGalley.
This review is of the audiobook read by Natalie Naudus.
A woman wakes up on the shores of Hong Kong during WWII with no memories. Over the years she builds a life for herself as someone who talks to ghosts for the local triad; eventually her forgotten past comes back to haunt her.
I like the premise, but dislike the organization of the book. The multiple timelines feel like they're competing instead of complementing each other, which left me feeling so uninvested that I just did not care about the characters or where the story was going.
Narrator
I really hated the narration. Natalie Naudus often had this annoyingly perky voice for dialog, which was often completely at odds with what the characters were actually saying. It's the kind of delivery I associate with people reading storybooks to kindergartners.
I'm rating the audiobook two stars with the caveat that I may have rated the book higher if I had been reading print rather than listening.
Received via NetGalley.
This review is of the audiobook read by Natalie Naudus.
A woman wakes up on the shores of Hong Kong during WWII with no memories. Over the years she builds a life for herself as someone who talks to ghosts for the local triad; eventually her forgotten past comes back to haunt her.
I like the premise, but dislike the organization of the book. The multiple timelines feel like they're competing instead of complementing each other, which left me feeling so uninvested that I just did not care about the characters or where the story was going.
Narrator
I really hated the narration. Natalie Naudus often had this annoyingly perky voice for dialog, which was often completely at odds with what the characters were actually saying. It's the kind of delivery I associate with people reading storybooks to kindergartners.
I'm rating the audiobook two stars with the caveat that I may have rated the book higher if I had been reading print rather than listening.
Received via NetGalley.
In post-WWII Belgium a strange creature escapes from animal traffickers and is rescued by a boy who is being bullied by his schoolmates.
I've never read a Marsupilami book, but I always had the impression they were bright, lively tales. This new version is dark, drab, and full of cruelty; however, the heroes of the book are still able to act with kindness and mercy. It's a sad story and ends on a cliffhanger, but it's poignant and I very much want to read volume two.
Received via NetGalley.
In post-WWII Belgium a strange creature escapes from animal traffickers and is rescued by a boy who is being bullied by his schoolmates.
I've never read a Marsupilami book, but I always had the impression they were bright, lively tales. This new version is dark, drab, and full of cruelty; however, the heroes of the book are still able to act with kindness and mercy. It's a sad story and ends on a cliffhanger, but it's poignant and I very much want to read volume two.
Received via NetGalley.
A lord bound to a dragon must rescue his kidnapped daughter.
Based on the cover and the publisher's description, I expected this to be lighter and more whimsical than it is. It's leagues away from grimdark, but I don't think it's quite cozy either.
Whatever its subgenre, An Accident of Dragons is an entertaining tale with wonderful characters. I'll be on the lookout for more books by the author.
Received via NetGalley.
A lord bound to a dragon must rescue his kidnapped daughter.
Based on the cover and the publisher's description, I expected this to be lighter and more whimsical than it is. It's leagues away from grimdark, but I don't think it's quite cozy either.
Whatever its subgenre, An Accident of Dragons is an entertaining tale with wonderful characters. I'll be on the lookout for more books by the author.
Received via NetGalley.
This review is of the audiobook read by Will Watt.
A shopkeeper who unexpectedly inherits a fortune in need of a guide to the upper classes becomes involved with a count of dubious title and equally dubious motivation.
This has everything I love about KJ Charles novels: an entertaining plot, engaging characters, and rich period detail. I enjoyed every minute I spent with Titus and Nico.
Narrator
Will Watt read the book well. He spoke clearly and at a good pace, he gave distinct voices to the characters, and he conveyed emotion well.
Received via NetGalley.
This review is of the audiobook read by Will Watt.
A shopkeeper who unexpectedly inherits a fortune in need of a guide to the upper classes becomes involved with a count of dubious title and equally dubious motivation.
This has everything I love about KJ Charles novels: an entertaining plot, engaging characters, and rich period detail. I enjoyed every minute I spent with Titus and Nico.
Narrator
Will Watt read the book well. He spoke clearly and at a good pace, he gave distinct voices to the characters, and he conveyed emotion well.
Received via NetGalley.
Two former best friends and their foster sister go on a quest for ancient treasure.
Oh, where to start? The characters are shallow, the "quest" feels like an endless cycle of people getting injured doing dumb stuff, and the worldbuilding is so sparse that it's almost nonexistent.
As for the romance, all I can say is Griff and Mal definitely belong with each other so they won't be inflicting their juvenile selves on other people.
Received via NetGalley.
Two former best friends and their foster sister go on a quest for ancient treasure.
Oh, where to start? The characters are shallow, the "quest" feels like an endless cycle of people getting injured doing dumb stuff, and the worldbuilding is so sparse that it's almost nonexistent.
As for the romance, all I can say is Griff and Mal definitely belong with each other so they won't be inflicting their juvenile selves on other people.
Received via NetGalley.
A young woman who has finally escaped her overbearing family finds the life she is trying to build turned upside down when she is bitten by a vampire.
I think the jacket copy makes this sound way more interesting than it is. I felt the characters were cookie cutter and the book's metaphors very ham-handed.
Received via NetGalley.
A young woman who has finally escaped her overbearing family finds the life she is trying to build turned upside down when she is bitten by a vampire.
I think the jacket copy makes this sound way more interesting than it is. I felt the characters were cookie cutter and the book's metaphors very ham-handed.
Received via NetGalley.
Pride of Baghdad
A graphic novel inspired by the true story of four lions who escaped from the Baghdad Zoo during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
This is not some happily ever after Disney story; this is a heart-wrenching look at war through the eyes of four innocent victims. The anthropomorphic animals serve as a vehicle for looking at the meaning of freedom.
Niko Henrichon's art perfectly illustrates the story. The animals are realistic and have an untamed look as they roam through the masterfully-rendered bombed-out city.
Received via NetGalley.
A graphic novel inspired by the true story of four lions who escaped from the Baghdad Zoo during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
This is not some happily ever after Disney story; this is a heart-wrenching look at war through the eyes of four innocent victims. The anthropomorphic animals serve as a vehicle for looking at the meaning of freedom.
Niko Henrichon's art perfectly illustrates the story. The animals are realistic and have an untamed look as they roam through the masterfully-rendered bombed-out city.
Received via NetGalley.
A village of hunters/warriors are being overrun by madden animals from the fores; the future of both species lies with Taru, a misfit hunter, and Hana, the prisoner Taru befriended.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say author Léo Schilling is a fan of Hayao Miyazaki. Hana and Taru's story and its emphasis on empathy, environmentalism, and understanding are strongly reminiscent of Princess Mononoke and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Fans of Studio Ghibli films will probably like this book.
Received via NetGalley.
A village of hunters/warriors are being overrun by madden animals from the fores; the future of both species lies with Taru, a misfit hunter, and Hana, the prisoner Taru befriended.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say author Léo Schilling is a fan of Hayao Miyazaki. Hana and Taru's story and its emphasis on empathy, environmentalism, and understanding are strongly reminiscent of Princess Mononoke and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Fans of Studio Ghibli films will probably like this book.
Received via NetGalley.
A priestess who guides the dead takes a lucrative commission so she can provide for her ailing father, but the job turns out to be more complicated than expected.
I like the premise of this one, but the execution is poor. The style is very stiff and the story reads like it was written to a checklist. Characterization is weak and the relationship between the two leads feels forced and artificial.
Received via NetGalley.
A priestess who guides the dead takes a lucrative commission so she can provide for her ailing father, but the job turns out to be more complicated than expected.
I like the premise of this one, but the execution is poor. The style is very stiff and the story reads like it was written to a checklist. Characterization is weak and the relationship between the two leads feels forced and artificial.
Received via NetGalley.
A look at ancient Rome through a day in the life of a gladiator.
This is a well researched and informative book on a wide variety of aspects of ancient Roman life. Although Sidebottom uses gladiators as a focus for the book, he gives information on such topics like diet, hunting, dream interpretation, and time keeping.
There are copious notes and a lengthy bibliography included, which I always consider a good sign in non-fiction works.
Where this book let me down a little was in organization. Or perhaps I should say expectation: The subtitle is <i>A Day in the Life of a Roman Gladiator</i> so I expected gladiators to be the focus of the book, but they're more the lens through which ancient Rome is examined. Not a bad thing, just not what I expected when I started reading.
Received via NetGalley.
A look at ancient Rome through a day in the life of a gladiator.
This is a well researched and informative book on a wide variety of aspects of ancient Roman life. Although Sidebottom uses gladiators as a focus for the book, he gives information on such topics like diet, hunting, dream interpretation, and time keeping.
There are copious notes and a lengthy bibliography included, which I always consider a good sign in non-fiction works.
Where this book let me down a little was in organization. Or perhaps I should say expectation: The subtitle is <i>A Day in the Life of a Roman Gladiator</i> so I expected gladiators to be the focus of the book, but they're more the lens through which ancient Rome is examined. Not a bad thing, just not what I expected when I started reading.
Received via NetGalley.
A novel of the dying days of Neanderthals and the rise of Homo sapiens.
I get what Golding is doing, but I don't like it. I find the writing agonizingly boring and think there is more than a bit of the "noble savage" to the story.
Received via NetGalley.
A novel of the dying days of Neanderthals and the rise of Homo sapiens.
I get what Golding is doing, but I don't like it. I find the writing agonizingly boring and think there is more than a bit of the "noble savage" to the story.
Received via NetGalley.
An anthology of fantasy short stories on the theme of payback.
I wanted to read this one because I'm a fan of the Dresden Files. “Mister Petty" is a fun side story to the series, and features an investigator who is quite a bit different than Harry. I loved the comeuppance that the loathsome people got!
Tanya Huff's "Contained" was another standout story for me. Henry Fitzroy tracks down the people responsible for killing someone under his protection. It's self-contained enough that a deep knowledge of the Blood Books and Henry Fitzroy series isn't necessary.
My favorite story wound up being "Dog-Eared" by Kim Harrison. It's set in the early part of the Hollows series and features the demon Algaliarept serving out 100% proportionate and justified retribution against a human who damaged a rare book.
The rest of the stories I found fair to middling, but that's my experience of most themed anthologies.
Received via NetGalley.
An anthology of fantasy short stories on the theme of payback.
I wanted to read this one because I'm a fan of the Dresden Files. “Mister Petty" is a fun side story to the series, and features an investigator who is quite a bit different than Harry. I loved the comeuppance that the loathsome people got!
Tanya Huff's "Contained" was another standout story for me. Henry Fitzroy tracks down the people responsible for killing someone under his protection. It's self-contained enough that a deep knowledge of the Blood Books and Henry Fitzroy series isn't necessary.
My favorite story wound up being "Dog-Eared" by Kim Harrison. It's set in the early part of the Hollows series and features the demon Algaliarept serving out 100% proportionate and justified retribution against a human who damaged a rare book.
The rest of the stories I found fair to middling, but that's my experience of most themed anthologies.
Received via NetGalley.
An illustrated collection of dragon stories from around the world.
First, I love that this story features so many stories from outside the UK, which I've found is kind of rare for this type of collection. Nine of the stories are from outside Europe, and only two of the European stories are from the UK.
Each story is a few pages long and retells a myth or legend in a simplified but engaging way. The stories all have a couple of appealing illustrations in bright colors.
I think this would be a good book for children to read to themselves, but it would also work well for reading aloud.
Received via NetGalley.
An illustrated collection of dragon stories from around the world.
First, I love that this story features so many stories from outside the UK, which I've found is kind of rare for this type of collection. Nine of the stories are from outside Europe, and only two of the European stories are from the UK.
Each story is a few pages long and retells a myth or legend in a simplified but engaging way. The stories all have a couple of appealing illustrations in bright colors.
I think this would be a good book for children to read to themselves, but it would also work well for reading aloud.
Received via NetGalley.
Fruit of the Underworld 1
Seiji has been struck by bad luck after accidentally visiting the underworld. After ten years of narrowly escaping death on a regular basis things suddenly get a lot worse and the fate of the world is at stake.
This is a really fast-paced book with a lot of action in it, and it has some light humor despite the dark setting. I wish there had been a little more story and a little less action, but I enjoyed reading it and am looking forward to volume two.
Received via NetGalley.
Seiji has been struck by bad luck after accidentally visiting the underworld. After ten years of narrowly escaping death on a regular basis things suddenly get a lot worse and the fate of the world is at stake.
This is a really fast-paced book with a lot of action in it, and it has some light humor despite the dark setting. I wish there had been a little more story and a little less action, but I enjoyed reading it and am looking forward to volume two.
Received via NetGalley.
This review is for Stephanie McCarter's translation.
A new English translation of Catullus's poetry, with the original Latin text included.
Catullus did write some beautiful and moving poems, but he's more memorable when he was being catty and sex obsessed. This collection is full of bawdy and vulgar lines and is 100% worth reading.
McCarter's translation is clear and easy to follow, although I'm not sure about a few of her neologisms. Her introduction is informative, and the robust notes at the end provide context and also assure the reader that yes, Catullus was saying exactly what you think he was saying there.
Received via NetGalley.
This review is for Stephanie McCarter's translation.
A new English translation of Catullus's poetry, with the original Latin text included.
Catullus did write some beautiful and moving poems, but he's more memorable when he was being catty and sex obsessed. This collection is full of bawdy and vulgar lines and is 100% worth reading.
McCarter's translation is clear and easy to follow, although I'm not sure about a few of her neologisms. Her introduction is informative, and the robust notes at the end provide context and also assure the reader that yes, Catullus was saying exactly what you think he was saying there.
Received via NetGalley.
