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A Reader's reviews
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-04-27 10:05:45 for The Killing Dance (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 6).
(Language: English)
 
And with that, I'm now done with the Anita Blake series.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-04-14 08:32:53 for Bloody Bones (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter).
(Language: English)
I enjoyed it, but, on the whole, it was really too much. Faerie, Vampires, Zombies all major themes in one novel? It's a lot. What's worse is that they were all themes and storylines that I liked on their own, but smashed together like this, it got confusing several times. I've heard people say that after the first 4 books or so the series starts to go downhill. After this one, I can sort of understand what they mean; the random sexual torture involving Jason in the middle of the book seemed unnecessary, there for its own sake. Which is fine, I guess, and there are other scenes like it in the previous books, but this just came across as far more excessive and of a longer duration than anything that's come before it. Again, it was part of a sequence that felt confusing and overdone. Too much. Meanwhile, there were scenes that I liked a great deal; particularly towards the end, when Anita attempts to flee the restaurant and Magnus. It plays out really well, the simplistic set-up works better and is much more enjoyable to read. Old-fashioned suspenseful stand-off. Classic Anita Blake. I must say that the ending did feel a little like it came to a screeching halt, and not in a good way. I was expecting book-end scenes with Bert (who gets her the job out there in the first place) and with Richard (since she went out of her way to see him before she left), neither of which were present. Worth reading, but not up to the usual par. I'm not sure what to expect from "The Killing Dance," but I hope the overall story is simpler and doesn't have as many types foes as this one did.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-04-13 03:18:14 for Guilty Pleasures.
(Language: English)
The first in the series and probably the best. Definitely an interesting take on the modern-day vampire story.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-04-05 11:07:18 for Iorich (Vlad).
(Language: English)
Mixed feelings. I enjoyed a lot of things about the book; particularly the newer characters and the ending, which was classic Vlad. Still, while I'm left definitely wanting more, eagerly awaiting the next installment, I did feel like there have been other books in the series that were better. The tone was different, despite being back in Adrilankha, and it sometimes didn't have the same feel that Brust usually conveys. That being said, because the book was slightly different, it added another level to the mystery that is where the series is heading. We all know there is some huge cataclysmic event planned for the ending (at least I hope so) and I'm at a complete loss as to what it might be.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-04-05 10:59:18 for The Laughing Corpse (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter).
(Language: English)
I was honestly expecting a lot more. The title - in and of itself, as a name - is probably my favorite in the entire series, and yet the book really fell short of what I'd hoped for. It was a fitting title, I suppose, since the story primarily deals with zombies, as opposed to the vampires or weres or ghouls. But I had hoped for more emphasis on the comedy club itself and for it to be more impressive, rather than just sort of odd. Still, an enjoyable book, no doubt. Just not quite up on the same par as "Guilty Pleasures" or "Circus of the Damned."
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-04-05 10:56:26 for The Lunatic Cafe.
(Language: English)
And so Anita Blake tangles with - and gets romantically involved with - the werewolf fraction. Not my favorite in the series, but it was definitely an enjoyable read. Beats the hell out of "New Moon," that's for sure.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-02-15 01:11:11 for The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson & the Olympians).
(Language: English)
I read this solely due to the film's release and I wanted to look at the film from an adaptation standpoint. I enjoyed the book overall, but had the film not been coming out, I would have put the book down very early on. Having finished it to the end, however, it was entertaining and enjoyable, but it's not particularly deep or life-changing. Riordan isn't, in my estimation, on the same level as J.K. Rowling just yet.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-02-04 03:26:08 for Animal Farm: A Fairy Story.
(Language: English)
Amazing. Absolutely amazing piece of literature. No film will ever be able to encapsulate it.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-02-04 03:25:16 for Cold Mountain.
(Language: English)
Mixed feelings about this book. It was a little too continually lyrical for my taste, but overall, I thought the story was sound and there were things that I think worked better and worse from the film's adaptation. In the novel, I preferred the actual discussion on the Civil War itself; the actal subject matter, motivation behind the war was noticably absent from the film. The various people Inman meets along his journey who give their opinions of the war gave more depth to the time frame and to the novel as a whole. In the film, I preferred that Teague had more of an active role; the character seemed a little more ambiguous in the book. I did see the film first, so my perspective is somewhat skewed, but I do feel that the film is far richer now that I have read the book. And I recommend it.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-07-02 09:32:32 for The Stranger.
(Language: English)
My favorite of Chris Van Allsburg's work, and completely under appreciated. The artwork is stunning and the story is one of the most rich and unique I have ever read, particularly in a children's book. The simplicity works on a more mature level as well, making it a great read for adults, despite the fact that it is essentially a picture book. I highly recommend it.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-07-02 09:25:58 for Sunshine.
(Language: English)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's unusual for McKinley, out of her realm of fairy-tale retellings, but I loved it. I also love that this came out prior to the Twilight phenomenon. That being said, for me, this was like a grown-up, more sophisticated Twilight. For adults. About adults. I was left wanting at the end, only because I felt there was more left. Despite the fact that she rambles quite a bit through the book, I think that the story is solid, realistic and believable and enthralling. I ADORE the vivid detail of her life in the bakery. It is so rich, you can feel the flour on your hands and smell the break baking. I love it. Wonderful. I also like how the grey area about her relationship with Constantine never goes away; he's never just a "good" vampire or a "bad" vampire. He's a vampire, though, but one with which she has this bond. I HIGHLY recommend this book.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-06-02 02:00:52 for DZUR (Vlad Taltos).
(Language: English)
Very nice. I love the span of characters you meet and re-meet in this installment. Very cool. I highly recommend. So far, it's fantastic!
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-06-02 01:44:56 for Issola (Vlad).
(Language: English)
Not one of the best ones, but not one of the worst, either. The ending kicks ass, though!
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-03-17 03:35:54 for Sunshine.
(Language: English)
I want to re-read this book, it's been ages.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-03-17 03:34:02 for The Outlaws of Sherwood.
(Language: English)
I enjoyed a lot of the ideas of this book, but I would rather she have written it in a different style. The "archaic" tone didn't really work somehow, despite the time period. I wish it had been more like Beauty or The Hero and the Crown.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-03-17 01:52:52 for Dragon (Tor fantasy).
(Language: English)
Quite interesting; again, nice to step back into the past and into Vlad's direct POV. I liked Orca being from Keira's POV, but there's something refreshing about Vlad's perspective. The story was not one of my particular favorites, but I thoroughly enjoy seeing the relationships between Vlad and Sethra/Morollan/Aleira develop. That was probably my favorite aspect of this book particularly. So far, so good. :)
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-03-16 09:55:30 for Taltos.
(Language: English)
Probably my second favorite in the series so far, after "Jhereg." It's the book of meetings; Vlad meets Kragar, Morollan, Sethra and Aliera in this escapade. It has that witty, sarcastic tone that really captured me with "Jhereg." This gets you back to the Vlad we know and love, particularly after the sudden dark turn of "Teckla."
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-03-16 09:53:35 for Phoenix.
(Language: English)
Nice; not quite so heavy as Teckla but not too light, either. The first real adventure that spends so much time away from Adrilankha, and a peculiar one at that. I particularly enjoyed meeting Zerika, myself.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-03-16 09:50:18 for The Matchlock Gun.
(Language: English)
This is a powerful little read for a children's book. It addresses war and early American History/the French and Indian War in a way that I find brilliant. It takes you away from the lines of fighting and into the home of this small family, where Gertrude and her two children, Edward and Trudy, are left to defend themselves when Indians get past the lines of defense. I think it would make an excellent short film.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-03-16 09:43:55 for Orca.
(Language: English)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a very refreshing follow-up after "Athyra," going back to the style and tone with which one associates Vlad and company. I sincerely enjoyed the large percent of the book being told from Keira's point of view. I thought it was yet another fascinating perspective. And the whole book is worth reading for the huge twist at the end. You never see it coming; probably the best surprise yet!
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-02-18 11:58:25 for The Book of Athyra (Jhereg).
(Language: English)
The first half, "Athyra," was a difficult read. Mostly because it's so unlike any of the other books in the series thus far. Not only is it not from Vlad's POV, but he is physically absent for a lot of the story; furthermore, the entire tone of the book slows WAY down. In some places it becomes even tedious. Not something I expected after "Phoenix." The protagonist in it, Savn, is an interesting enough boy, but he's no Vlad Taltos. "Orca" was amazing, though. I've dragged my way through Athyra, and now I'm onto Orca. Thank God. I did NOT care much for Athyra, for many reasons, but so far, Orca is more the Brust I know and love. The fact that it's from Keira's POV so far is bitchin'.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-02-18 11:57:10 for Athyra.
(Language: English)
yikes! this is the only book in the series which actually nearly caused me to walk away from it all. It was a really difficulty getting through; trouble is, in order to get to Orca, you have to read it. Bahh! It actually gets pretty enthralling there at the end, but getting there is a real struggle. The whole tone is different; not only is it not from Vlad's POV, but then it's not even in first person. The setting is different - WAY outside Adrilankha - the pace is MUCH slower and the lack of witty banter, sarcasm, etc. is just strange. Make of it what you will.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-01-07 11:18:19 for Jhereg 2: Yendi.
(Language: English)
I came back to this book after several years from putting it down, seeming disappointed with it at first after loving Jhereg. But I really enjoyed it this time! Definitely a good follow-up. I highly recommend it. Looking forward to the next instalment, Teckla!
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-10-07 08:06:59 for The Dragon Heir.
(Language: English)
If you read the first two books and prefer Seph and Jason to Jack, Will and Fitch, then have at it. I was disappointed, though. I stick to Warrior Heir alone. I'm going to just stick to Warrior Heir and pretend that it ends there.Not that this wasn't good, but I just don't think it's in the same league as the first in the series. Not to mention I still don't think it's enough of Jack... Same as "Wizard Heir," in that there wasn't enough of Jack. I felt set up throughout the book; I like Madison and Jason, they were cool, but I honestly could have cared less about Seph. Never seemed to like him much. Jack is my hero; and I wish that Chima had stuck with keeping the story more centered around him and Ellen. I get the feeling that "Wizard" and "Dragon" were the stories she cared about most, and "Warrior" was just the prequel. But I thought it was the better story, and Jack and Co. the better characters. Still, it's worth reading. And I'm going to keep a look-out for more work by Chima.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-07-30 02:14:37 for Loving Will Shakespeare.
(Language: English)
Honestly? I was expecting more. It was good towards the beginning, I guess, but I was disappointed by the end. it felt rushed, about halfway through.Anyway, I don't particularly recommend it.
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