Helena

CHILLS .... CREEPS .... CRINGE .... IT'S ALL HERE!

Revisado: 08-06-13

Kill 4 Me is a shorter novel that gets the story started immediately without dragging it out with unnecessary additional side plots or details, which I really appreciate. . Author Joel Andre is talented with setting a totally uneasy ambience, and his details in the macabre are what set him apart from the rest. You will find yourself in a trance-like state as you drift into paranoia along with Casey, without your even "knowing" it's happening, as you spiral downward into overdrive through the physical and mental realm of chills, creeps, and cringes. You will be desperate to find a way out of the spirits clutches, and Casey tries everything you would think of trying, to no avail.

I was totally frustrated to find out 'who' the spirit was that was urging Casey into being her unwilling pawn, just as any one of us would be, and when I found out 'who' it was, I was even more angry than Casey. It just goes to show you, you never know who you can hurt without being consciously involved.

This is a 'do-not-listen-to-without-the-lights-on' kind of story. And I'll bet you a million dollars, if your cell phone vibrates during the middle of the book, up to the very ending ... ESPECIALLY at the VERY END! I promise ... you will jump! LOL

Destiny Landon, narrator, was "amazingly fantastic." Talk about living in the moment and being in character. I can't help but wonder how much of these evil entities have latched on to her own soul. ooooooo .... I think I see another story idea!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

The best romances - Have No Happy Endings!

Revisado: 07-16-13

The book is told through the impressions of Nick, a middle class guy, and revolves around the Great Mr. Gatsby. A man who has replaced the fortitude of spirituality with the frailty of materialism in the hopes of acquiring a woman, Daisy, hardly worth his disdain let alone his life.

The story reflects the deeper truth that rationality and science alone cannot solve our problems and certainly cannot supplant the need for a higher purpose in life or belief in a higher power. To do so leaves a void too often filled with materialism which is a cheap substitute.

This is exemplified in the characters of Tom Daisy and Jordan, soulless wraiths who drift aimlessly from place to place draining the life of everything they touch. Even Tom, who has every conceivable material possession, betrays a longing for days gone by when he was revered as a football hero presumably since this was the only title he ever earned.

Gatsby is a compromised and tragic figure partially redeemed only by his solitary quest to fulfill an adolescent meaningless fantasy. Unlike "old money" he has a goal, however trivial.

The fulfillment of his goal is anti-climactic as with all objects pursued solely for possession and display. The empheral joy of possession is replaced with the enduring meaninglessness of his life and the eventual ignomy of losing Daisy.

The end of the story shows the illusion of Gatsby, a young wealthy eccentric enigmatic gentleman, dissipated by the reality of Gatsby, a hollow common criminal consumed by the desire for a used mindless woman.

With the contemporary obsession with materialism, in the form of youth, beauty and wealth, to the exclusion of all else the book is more relevant today than it was then.

This book has everything, the (impossible) love story, money and wealth, greed, affairs, jealousy and obsessions. Fitzgerald's writing style is vivid and eloquent. Simply an elegant use of the language! His language reminds me of Hemingway, one of my other favorites.

Narrator Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the most authentic narrators I have listened to. Wonderful performance! He brought this tale to the believable platform necessary to maintain this classics high standard of excellence.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Very Solid Mystery

Revisado: 07-16-13

I thought every cliche associated with the genre was being played out: The down and out detective on his last (leg)s, creditors, no clients, just broke up with his girlfriend, a temporary receptionist who is part girl Friday, the suspicious suicide of a famous and beautiful model, and a wealthy client with issues. Hammitt and Chandler had to be spinning in their graves. Who would take on such a daunting task of rewriting a classic format. Robert Galbraith (a pseudonym) has his wounded war vet private eye in London. First, I read widely in this genre and am not afraid to put a book down at any time. I did not put down this one (came close in just the first few pages). Cormoran Strike is an interesting character to follow. This is obviously the first book in a new series.I am suspicious the next books may take a totally different swing, so I may follow it just to see where it does go.
The cast of characters, while a few were interesting, were, to coin a phrase, the usual suspects. The novel really picks up with the second suspicious suicide so I'll give the author credit for taking a genre on head on and holding his own.

In other words - Cuckoo's Calling is basically a good story, well-written, with engaging characters, excellent dialogue and an interesting setting. However, I'm not fond of the kind of ending where everything unravels mostly in one long monologue. There were a couple of clangers that made me wince--cliches inserted in the plot that really added nothing but unnecessary words. Rowling, of course, is an imaginative and capable story teller, but I'm hoping that in her future novels, she will find a less tedious way to wrap things up. I've seen this style of "monologuing" in several movies that could have been so much more if handled differently.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 6 personas

All the Hype is validated! AWESOME BOOK!!!!!

Revisado: 07-16-13

Insurgent begins where Divergent ends, so as you may have already guessed - YOU MUST READ THE FIRST ONE 'FIRST'. Don't hope to understand where the paths lead by jumping into book 2. In Book 2, the relationships are tested and many threats and events challenge Tris Prior, making her a much stronger person as she makes the right choices.

From the simulation of Maylene to the escape of Tris and Four from the Erudite Compound, this book will keep you glued until the very last page, where Roth will abruptly end, leaving you frustated and breathlessly waiting impatiently for the next and final installment to arrive next year. Some would expect a sophomore slump for this installment, and I can say it right now, it improves much better than the last book with better character development and higher vocabulary uses. Veronica Roth is king (or to some 'queen) and knows how to keep the suspense and mystery balanced without overdoing it. And yes, there are many Tris and Four moments here. ;)
This suspense-filled novel will not disappoint "Divergent" fans, with enough suspense to keep them awake all night, with adrenaline pumping throughout their body while awaiting on the next move our characters are about to make.

Ms. Roth's style leaves the reader hanging in eagerness to figure where in the hell you are.
While you are reading, you are not sure if this is an uprising, government oppression, or what (remember the Hunger Games? Same idea). I just know that I love Tobias and Tris and how they do not assimilate into what is considered the norm. They think outside the box, which sadly the majority of people today are perfectly happy being cattle and told where and how to think.

Ms. Roth does hint throughout the book at the big "secret" that Marcus isn't willing to give out because he doesn't believe people are able to handle the truth. The foreshadowing employed and mentions of the societies being "inside the fence" did lead me to a conclusion. Although the secret doesn't come as a big shock to the reader, it is more in credence to the foreshadowing than it being a predictable outcome. The book ends with this revelation and all you can do is scream NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

On a scale of 1-10 ... I'll give it a 13!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña