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A reader's reviews
| My Reviews - Page 1 of 3 |
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A reader posted a review at 2009-11-15 19:42:34 for Soul Catcher.
(Language: English)
  
Frank Herbert writes eloquent prose laced with Native-American mysticism in this suspenseful tale with a chilling ending. The writing has its own unique rhythm that pulls the reader into the fractured mind of Charlie Hobuhet, aka Katsuk. The messiah/savior theme that runs through the Dune books take a different course here with our modern world as represented by David (the hoquat) and other Native-Americans reacting to Hobuhet becoming Katsuk. Wherein the Dune books we see a young man come to his own as a messianic leader, here we see a darker take on that journey. Herbert carefully stages the mysticism in the book so its never overtly magical. Like David, its up to the reader to decide if the lighting and the ravens are truly united with Katsuk's horrible plan. Herbert masterfully turns up the suspense with every turn as one is unsure of what will actually happen to Katsuk and David until the very end, literally the final two pages. 
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A reader posted a review at 2009-11-08 18:11:07 for The Big Sleep.
(Language: English)
Chandler's prose, rich with dark irony and a wonderful gift for descriptions makes this novel a standout crime mystery. The plot keeps you guessing right up to the final chapter and then when you think you have everything figured it out, Chandler unveil another layer to the story. Marlowe is a fabulous character, the definition of a hard-boiled detective.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-10-15 21:37:16 for Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture.
(Language: English)
Well, after reading this book you'll never shop at Target, Whole Foods, Walmart, Ikea, or eat shrimp or pork ever again. Shell offers some compelling insights in the psychology of why we as consumers are attracted to the 'deal' as well as chronicling the rise of our modern shopping experience. The author shows some occasional bias (bio-diesel is a 'fad', the two Ikea chapters are quite venomous) throughout, but it doesn't take away from the impact of her analysis of how manipulated we are by corporations. Certainly an eye-opening and even unsettling book.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-08-25 20:22:03 for Serendipities: Language And Lunacy.
(Language: English)
I greatly enjoyed the 'The Force of Falsity' with its many examples of how falsehoods end up having great consequences and historical impact. 'Languages in Paradise' was interesting but I admit to not knowing all of the references Eco made in the essay. I had never been aware of the inconsistency between the story of the Tower of Babel and Genesis 10. The search for the original sacred language is a fascinating concept in itself.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-08-25 20:10:15 for DC Universe: Inheritance.
(Language: English)
More of a Roy Harper novel then anything else; Grayson dwells on the back stories of the former Speedy, Robin, and Aqualad with uneven results. The emphasis is on Harper, now Arsenal, for most of the novel with an interesting POV to the events of Green Arrows early days and his going off with GL in the classic O'Neil/Adams run. The present day story involves Harper's relationship with Cherise, thus making him the lynch pin for the whole story. The novel eventually shifts gears to GA and Nightwing, although their present-day investigation is less interesting and feels less important then Batman and Arsenal's global adventuring. Grayson keeps this part of the story light with a portrayal of Green Arrow that is more carefree (and frankly not as smart) then in most comics. Oddly, but to much comedic effect, allot of homoerotic quips are shot of by Ollie. By the time Aquaman and Tempest make their token appearance in the novel, Grayson has little time but to recap the former Aqualad's tempestuous history grant Aquaman little more then a scuffle with Deathstroke at novel's end. The inclusion of the underwater heroes seems tacked on just to pad out the novel and really should have been either left out, or the novel made longer to give equal time. Overall the novel is worth a read for the hardcore Green Arrow fans, but those wanting Batman or Aquaman adventures should look elsewhere.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-07-19 18:59:06 for Devil May Care (Vintage).
(Language: English)
Having been an avid reader of the 007 books by Gardner and Benson, I can't help but be disappointed in this entry. The first 007 novel in some time, the idea of a story set in the Cold War neutralized most of the tension in this adventure, although Faulks does capture some of the nuances of Fleming's style. He earns point for use of the Soviet Ekronocraft (I'm surprised this cool piece of tech has not shown up in a movie before) but much of the novel plays out like a pastiche on Fleming's Bonds instead of something with a life and style of its own. Dairus is a stand-in for Kermin Bey and we are treated to a return appearance by Leiter (but without a pairing up with 007). The central villain is a bit OTT even for a Bond foe (a monkey paw, honestly?) and his last minute switch in diabolical plans from drugging all of England to precipitating war seems like Faulk suddenly felt this book needed a bit more action. The tennis match between Gorner and Bond is a too obvious homage to Goldfinger.Not very exciting but I suppose worth a read for the completionist. I think the way to go is to bring back Benson and keep the modern Bonds going.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-06-23 19:48:40 for The Egyptologist.
(Language: English)
THIS is one of my favorite books of all time. With a sense of humor akin to Douglas Adams, this novel hosts some bizarre characters who speak the most ludicrous dialogue. The digs at academia and the role of authored history itself are fascinating, honest at times, and always funny. The labyrinthine plot snakes across continents with a mix of ancient Egypt, gum-shoe detective work and layers and layers of elaborate lies that would make Baron Muchanhausen blush and cry. The finale involving the 'discovery' of the tomb is dementedly funny and pathetic at once. My copy is autographed, from a session where I went to see Phillips and it was attended by.....four people. Yes, a major author event at the Broward County Main Library and only 4 people showed up. It was sad in way, but Phillips was very articulate and funny. We enjoyed immensely.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-06-23 19:32:37 for Med Ship (Med Ship Saga).
(Language: English)
F.Scott Fitzgerald reading Calhoun and his alien companion Murgatroyd travel the galaxy solving inventive medical mysteries written in a fast moving prose. Some of the dialogue is a bit heavy handed, but the action moves at a fast clip. I was drawn to the details of interstellar travel, especially the hazards of space travel as presented by Leinster. The invention of the tormal, Murgatroyd, adds humor and is a very unique and entertaining science fiction creation.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-06-11 19:06:22 for 01-01-00.
(Language: English)
When you guess the ending of a novel right at the opening of the story, one gets pretty miffed. One is especially let down when the novel in question proclaims itself as the "Novel of the Millennium". Ok, sure, that subtitle is not meant to be a critical statement, but still you can't help but have high and lofty expectations. Mining material left over from Chariots of the Gods and old episodes of In Search Of , the novel mixes in some Contact, a little Silence of the Lambs and even a few action thriller conventions. We first find our lead heroine, Susan Garnett on the eve of an attempted suicide. Satisfied with having put behind bars the hacker who unwittingly killed her family, a selfish little bugger nicknamed Bloodaxe, she decides to off herself when that fateful phone call rings through. Thus begins Pineiro's predictable task of showing Garnett that life is still worth living via a global crisis (nothing like the end of Western civilization to snap me out of a suicidal stupor) and a new page of love with Indiana Jones' illegitimate son Cameron Slater. Together the pair head off to the jungles of South America to trace the source of a millennial computer virus that just happens to be tied to a signal from a distant corner of space. Also in the jungle we find a cool brother and sister assassin tag-team, enterprising Japanese astronomers, and enough trivial nuggets about the Maya from Pineiro to form a feature length episode of Unsolved Mysteries. With most of the plot based on 70's pseudo-science that begs for Orson Welles narration, its pretty hard to imagine all these characters taking such Earth-shattering revelations in such stride. And the idea that a French minister would somehow endanger the world for the sake of saving face is a farce not even the French would buy into. Oh and let's not forget the sudden international jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (See how X-Files has spoiled us). Despite these plot hurdles, Pineiro's prose is a fast and painless read, tackling the computer jargon with a clear style that should make itself readable to even the most computer illiterate (and God bless him for using BASIC). Events moving along at a brisk pace and once everyone is in the jungle and Mayan head priests start rearing their heads the novel begins to have a little more fun with its premise.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-06-10 18:11:18 for Oil! (There Will Be Blood).
(Language: English)
Ok novel, the film There Will be Blood was much, much better. The novel drags on far too long.
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| My Reviews - Page 1 of 3 |