One more book recommendation before the year's end...
Aside from being one of Laymon's more depraved stories, what makes this one special is the included "and other tales" portion of the book, including 'Mess Hall' (about a serial killer), 'Dinker's Pond' (a tall tale), the infamous 'Madman Stan' (which didn't disappoint), my favorite of the short stories, 'Bad News' (nightmarish!), and 'The Tub' (a jaw-dropping tale).
Jason
In case you are still looking for a Christmas gift, here are my favorite books that I read this year - recommended for the readers in your life. . .
Rather than just giving you my "Top Ten", this year I have categorized my favorites in each genre.
(An * denotes the book was published this year)
Best Adventure Novel(s):
'The Loch' and its sequel *'Vostok' - both by Steve Alten
Best "Based on a Television Series" Novel:
'Sons of Anarchy: Bratva' by Christopher Golden
Best "Beginning of a New Series" Novel:
*'Blade of the Destroyer' by Andy Peloquin
Best Biography Novel:
*'My Fight/Your Fight' by Ronda Rousey
Best Christian Fiction Novel:
'Rooms' by James L. Rubart
Best "Drama" Novel(s):
'The Brotherhood'/'The Betrayal'/'The Breakthrough' ("Precinct 11" trilogy) by Jerry B. Jenkins
Best "End of a Series" Novel:
*'Warheart' by Terry Goodkind
Best Historical Fiction Novel:
'The Auschwitz Escape' by Joel C. Rosenberg
Best Horror Novel:
*'Nightwalk' by D. Nathan Hilliard
Best "Book of Novellas":
*'Black Cat Mojo' & *'Die Dog or Eat the Hatchet' both by Adam Howe
Best "Stand-Alone Novella":
*'Sailor's Cove' by Franklin E. Wales
Best Self-Help Book:
*'Unhealthy Anonymous' by Dr. Pete Sulak
Best Thriller Novel:
*'The Third Target' by Joel C. Rosenberg
Hopefully you can find something of interest from the above list.
As for movies - in my opinion, it has been another blah-kind of year, this year, for movies.
With that having been said, here are my top ten favorite films this year (in alphabetical order):
This is a somewhat generic list, but these are the films that entertained me the most...
Ant Man
Avengers 2: Age of Ultron
Burying the Ex
Chappie
Fast & Furious: Furious 7
Jurassic World
Pixels
San Andreas
Sean the Sheep
Tomorrowland
The Best Movie of the Year, this year, goes to 'American Ultra' - if you haven't watched it yet, definitely do so!
Some "Notable Mentions":
[Non-2015 films that I enjoyed this year]
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
John Wick
Kingsman: The Secret Service
Whiplash
So, just to break it down, once more, for those who skip to the end...
My favorite film this year is 'American Ultra' and my top three most recommended books would be:
#1) The Third Target and/or 'The Auschwitz Escape' both by Joel C. Rosenberg
#2) Nightwalk by D. Nathan Hilliard
and for those who like their stories on the short side:
#3) Black Cat Mojo and/or Die Dog or Eat the Hatchet both by Adam Howe, who, by the way, is my "favorite new author" that I discovered this year.
Jason
Wrapping-up the year with a series that I started at the very beginning of the year...
It took a while for this final book in the trilogy to get released, however it was worth the wait!
While not as good as the first two books, once this one kicks into high gear, it is great!
Now, just to elaborate a little bit more on my above comment - I read the first two books back-to-back which may have made a vast difference.
The start of this one seemed a bit sluggish, but it could have just been due to the time span in-between books.
I definitely recommend reading the entire trilogy as one book.
When you start the third one, if it still seems a bit slow, just wait until the werewolves retaliate against the town... non-stop action after that!
Jason
'Halloween Returns: A Fan Fiction Anthology' is a free compilation of fan fiction based off of the 'Halloween' films. . .
It is a collection of 19 stories, most of which are decent, with a couple being above average, and a few not even worth the bother.
Aside from the expected grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors, this anthology is worth it, if you are a die-hard Michael Myers fan.
This anthology is not for sale - you can download it for free at http://www.best-horror-movies.com/news?name=download-halloween-returns-a-fan-fiction-anthology-free-now
If you do decide to give this anthology a shot, here is a brief breakdown of what I did and did not enjoy.
As I stated before, most of the stories are worthwhile, these are the exceptions:
The story "The Haddonfield Companion" by Michael Ayoob has a good twist that I enjoyed.
The story "Inspiration" I would skip entirely!
The story, simply titled, "Halloween" by Nathan Cabaniss is super-short, but great!
The story "One Night in Haddonfield" by Neil Hudson ended far too soon - it had great potential!
There are two stories, both titled "Halloween Returns" by two separate authors - both are skippable - the first one was blah, and the second one didn't make any sense.
The story "Halloween: Return to Haddonfield" by Mark Allen Gunnells is another great one!
All of the remaining tales, not mentioned, are run-of-the-mill stories - entertaining enough.
Jason
Where do I even begin?
21 years and 18 books later, Terry Goodkind's epic 'Sword of Truth' saga comes to an end. :'(
(You know it is true, when "the conclusion" is on the cover of the final book - such a ring of finality!)
This series has been with me through good times and bad times. I fell in love and got married, my children were born, I went through job changes, my family traveled the country for 5 years. . . all of this within the span of this series!
And now the journey is complete.
Goodkind is a Master at creating a pendulum of emotions. Your feelings will swing from one point to another, in a heartbeat, just like in life.
Hence my lack of anything further to say (my emotions are currently in turmoil).
If you know me, then you know that Goodkind is my all-time favorite author, and this is my all-time favorite series! Read it and you will understand why.
I could not have asked for a better finale!
That is all.
Jason
As a big fan of Richard Laymon, I am always on the lookout for books of his that I do not own.
At this time of year, I couldn't have asked for a better find.
Aside from the rather abrupt ending, classic Laymon!
As a fan of Paul Campion's short films 'Night of the Hell Hamsters' & 'Eel Girl' (see past reviews) I am happy to tell you that Campion has just acquired the rights to author Josh Viola’s dark story “The Librarian,” which is part of the newly released “Nightmares Unhinged” anthology by Hex Publishers.
Filming will begin in London, next summer, once Campion finishes directing “The Naughty List,” another short based on work from Brian Keene(!)
Preproduction for “The
Naughty List” is already well under way and filming is due to begin in early 2016.
Exciting times!
Jason
Genre - Dark Crime/Neo-Noir/Horror
Year Published - 2015 [*Nov. 3rd]
Length - 240 (digital) pages
Written by Adam Howe
Rating: 5+ Skulls
Plot Summary:
Three original novellas of hard-bolied crime, graphic horror, and pitch-black gallows humor.
[The beauty of reading this book, digitally, is that I did not have a back-of-the-book/book-flap summary to tell me what each of the stories are about, which makes it more interesting!
So, the above is the only description that you will get from me.] ;-)
Review:
I am still having trouble narrowing Howe down as to exactly what type of genre writer he is... Splatterpulp maybe?
Well, whatever specific genre he is pigeonholed under, he is the King of it!
In fact, I would say it is fair that whatever genre Howe decides to dabble in that he will dominate it!
(To steal a phrase from Randy Chandler - another Comet Press author that I will be looking into - who happened to write the intro to this book; Howe is a "wizard with words"!)
One of the novellas in this book is 'Gator Bait' which I read (and reviewed) as a stand-alone story, back in August, so no need to re-cap that one, other to say that it is a great read, and fits perfectly into this collection!
As for the other two novellas in this book:
I had every intention of saying that 'Damn Dirty Apes' was going to be my favorite of Howe's stories, thus far, however the rawness of the title story 'Die Dog or Eat the Hatchet' takes the cake (we'll get to that).
You may recall, from a prior post of mine, that there was some controversy over 'Damn Dirty Apes' involving S.P.N.A.S.A. (the Society for the Preservation of the North American Skunk Ape).
After having now read the story, I do not see what all the fuss was about. (this controversy is recollected at the end of this book in Howe's "Story Notes")
For the record, I found the skunk ape hunter, Jameson T. Salisbury, to be more of a Captain Ahab type character (even moreso than Howe's professed Quint from Jaws) as opposed to the slanderous perception of the General Secretary of S.P.N.A.S.A., but enough of that...
As great as 'Damn Dirty Apes' is, one of my favorite parts about it is the fact that it directly ties in to another of Howe's stories from 'Black Cat Mojo'. I don't know that this story would have happened, the way that it did, without that video camera!
Now, for the title story:
In my last Howe review [Black Cat Mojo] in the comment section, Howe responded, and I asked him about a future novel...
Well, after having now read 'Die Dog or Eat the Hatchet' not having a full-length novel may not be such a bad thing after all. I am not sure how much more I could have handled of this story!
Seriously though, the majority of Howe's tales have laugh-out-loud funny moments spattered throughout them. Not so with 'Die Dog...'
You can tell, right away, from the epigraphs that Howe chose for this one (quotes from Ted Bundy and Texas Chainsaw Massacre) that this one is going to be a very dark, horrific ride.
But what a thrill ride it is!
For me, every story that I have read of Howe's plays like a movie in my head, but none so much as this one.
Be forewarned though - this one is straight-up horror - if you are at all familiar with Richard Laymon, Jack Ketchum, Ray Garton, Edward Lee, or Bryan Smith, their stories seem tame compared to this one!
In Howe's own words (from his "Story Notes")
"Every so often, I’ll write something so disturbing it gives me pause."
If that doesn't give you a heads up, I don't know what will.
So, don't say I didn't warn you.
Don't miss out on this book - mark your calendars now for November 3rd!
Jason
While waiting for a book, on order, to arrive, I was faced with the dilemma every avid reader faces... which book should I read next?
(this was the day before I received a review copy of 'Die Dog or Eat the Hatchet' so I do not have to face the dilemma this time around!)
After having just finished 'Black Cat Mojo' I decided I needed something to cleanse my mental palette, so to speak ;-) so I grabbed a book off of my wife's "to be read" pile.
I had heard nothing but good things about this book, and I know that it is getting ready to be made into a movie, and I always like to read the book beforehand, if I am able to, (I missed the opportunity with last year's 'Gone Girl') so I chose this one.
This book is definitely a great debut!
Paula Hawkins nailed the narrative and keeps you guessing right up until the end.
Definitely recommended if you are curious about this one, like I was.
Jason
"In these three novellas of blackly comic crime and creature horror, you'll go slumming with well-endowed dwarf porn stars, killer badgers, redneck mama's boys, morbidly obese nympomaniacs, dumbass dog-nappers, trailer trash Jesus freaks, diarrheic Jack Russell Terriers, not-so-wiseguys, mob-movie memorabilia collectors, junkie blackmailers, and giant man eating Burmese pythons."
[All of the above, in under 200 pages!]
Who thinks of this crazy stuff?!?
Adam Howe, that's who!
Howe has quickly become my favorite newly discovered author this year.
(If you missed my review of 'Gator Bait', back in August, it is currently FREE to download on the Kindle app. I would definitely recommend doing so, pronto!)
As for 'Black Cat Mojo' - there is a blurb, written by S. R. Mastrantone, which says, "Black Cat Mojo makes you feel like you've stumbled across a treasure trove filled with the stories Tarantino was too afraid to tell. . ."
This blurb sums up Howe perfectly!
When you read Howe, it is like you are reading a Tarantino flick on paper.
If you like your crime fiction dark & twisted, then this is a must-read!
One of those books where time flies!
There is also another tale included in this book that was originally published in Nightmare Magazine, last year, so you get four stories for the price of three! ;-)
Jason
Genre - Horror
Year Published - 2015
Length - 323 (print) pages
Written by D. Nathan Hilliard
Tagline:
"Don't you hate it when your neighborhood slides into Hell"
Rating: 5+ Skulls
Plot Summary:
Welcome to Coventry Woods. . .
. . .a tranquil, middle class neighborhood where trees turn the streets into shady tunnels, soccer moms jog on secluded paths, and backyard barbeques are weekend staples. It's a quiet, urban example of the American dream. Here businessmen are neighbors with DJs, young doctors buy their first houses, and author Mark Garret has been settling in with his lovely new wife and stepdaughter.
But tonight Coventry Woods is going to come with something Mark never bargained on.
The pits of Hell have yawned wide and poured their contents into the midnight streets and homes. Everything has gone insane. Shots and screams ring out in the night, while death stalks the darkness in forms this earth has never before seen. Even worse, the only escape is by foot.
Now Mark, along with his daughter and his back-fence neighbor, must flee the neighborhood while attempting to help the people they meet. And it won't be easy. They will be walking a gauntlet of unearthly predators as they strive for a goal they aren't sure still exists...
...the outside world.
Review:
If you are not reading D. Nathan Hilliard, this needs to change immediately!
Hilliard does not disappoint!!
(as you can see by his consistent 5+ ratings - see past reviews for 'Dead Stop' and 'Spiderstalk' - the + stands for exceptional work, which I do not give out lightly)
I cannot give Hilliard enough accolades!
He is a true Master of Horror!
More than that, he is a Master of Terror!
You cannot ask for more from an author than to create a story that seems so real that you feel that you are living it, along with the characters, and that is exactly what Hilliard does.
Just in time for Halloween, Hilliard has crafted a tale that may seem far-fetched, yet is seemingly plausible and truly horrific! The story takes place over the span of a few hours and is completely riveting. This is a story that would make H. P. Lovecraft proud!
A true nightmare!
Best Horror Novel of the Year - no doubt!
Jason
Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi
Year Published - 2015
Length - 105 (print) pages
Written by Paul M. Feeney
Rating: 4 Skulls
Plot Summary:
We've all been there - the dreaded early morning commute.
The surly driver; the obnoxious teenagers; the guy who just has to invade your personal space; the awkwardness as everyone avoids any kind of social interaction with anyone else; the frustrations of snarled-up traffic and tail-backs.
For most of us, a trip on public transport is about as bad as it gets.
For these passengers, it's about to get a lot worse.
Jonathon, Justine, and Hanna don't know each other, but they're about to be thrown together as a simple journey to work turns into a race for survival.
Mysterious objects begin to fall from the sky, the early onset of an alien invasion.
Mutated monsters, trigger-happy soldiers, and personality clashes abound on. . .
The Last Bus
Review:
Clocking in at just over 100 pages, this super-quick read is a must for any fan of Sci-Fi "B" movies.
Feeney is a master at fast character development. You are quickly attached to each of his characters, and you immediately know who you like and who you dislike.
My biggest disappointment with this book is its size - I wanted so much more!!
Aside from the story itself, the best thing about this book is that it has made me a Feeney fan! I am now eagerly awaiting his first full-length novel, which can't come soon enough!
The only way to currently purchase this book is through http://www.crowdedquarantine.co.uk/store/p29/The_Last_Bus_by_Paul_M._Feeney_%28Signed%2FNumber_Limited_Edition%29.html
I highly recommend that you do so, as it is a signed, limited-edition (only 250 copies!), nicely-bound book.
Jason
Genre: Horror
Year Published: 2015
Length: 122 (digital) pages
Written by Franklin E. Wales
Rating: 5+ Skulls
Plot Summary:
Like many small towns, Prosperity Glades keeps its dark secrets hidden away from the prying eyes of outsiders.
The Sailor’s Cove Private Resort is one such secret.
Built in the nineteen fifties, at great expense, its doors never opened to the public.
Over the years, memories of its existence faded away, just as the iron fence surrounding the property disappeared under decades of overgrown vines and greenery.
In fear for his life, Garrick Houston was looking for a safe haven, off the radar, and Prosperity Glades seemed an ideal choice.
It might have been, had he not learned the truth about Sailor’s Cove.
Review:
When I woke up, yesterday morning, I had an e-mail waiting from Mr. Wales - "something new for my e-reader..."
Now, I am already in the middle of another book, however last night, while my wife was watching the Emmy's, out of curiosity, I figured that I would just check out Mr. Wales' latest tale, see what it was about - this was a huge mistake (not really!) as I was immediately sucked into Wales' "Tale from Prosperity Glades".
I had an idea from Wales' epigraph (I always love those!) of what this story was going to be about, and I was not disappointed!
A little backstory:
(which you will learn about in the Introduction to this book)
It turns out that Prosperity Glades is a small, Floridian town created by another author by the name of Jeffrey Kosh (a name that I have heard, but never read) Mr. Wales has set his tale within Kosh's fictional town, and I believe that the town is better for it. (I am sure that those who have read Kosh's stories, set in this town, will be thrilled by Wales' addition to it.)
Just remember that I warned you - make sure that you have some extra time on your hands before you read this one.
I devoured it in one sitting, albeit late into the night... (I can't even remember the last time that I did that)
It is time well spent!
Jason
Genre - Fantasy
Year Published - 2015
Length - 293 pages
Written by Andy Peloquin
Rating: 5 Skulls
Plot Summary:
The Hunter of Voramis is the perfect assassin:
Ruthless. Unrelenting. Immortal.
Yet he is haunted by lost memories, bonded to a cursed dagger that feeds him power yet denies him peace of mind. Within him rages an unquenchable need for blood and death.
When he accepts a contract to avenge the stolen innocence of a girl, the Hunter becomes the prey. The death of a seemingly random target sends him hurtling toward destruction, yet could his path also lead to the truth of his buried past?
Review:
First, let's start with the basics:
I love the title of this book!
I love the cover art of this book!
I love the concept of this book!
Fortunately, this book lives up to all of the above hype!
In this day and age of digital books, it is somewhat easier/cheaper to take a chance with an unknown author. While I have many, many digital copies of books, I still prefer to read a physical book. I took a chance and paid more for a physical copy of this book, and that chance paid off, ten-fold! (This book now holds an esteemed place on the limited shelf space in my library.)
Peloquin immediately grabs you and thrusts you smack dab into the middle of the world and characters that he has created, and what a well fleshed out world it is! Every word that Peloquin writes has a purpose in the story that he has crafted. There is a depth to his characters, that pays off, as the main character is not a nice guy, (he is an assassin after all) yet once his humanity starts to peek through, you begin to understand the complexity of the character.
(I can best equate this to one of my all-time favorite television shows - 'Sons of Anarchy' - this is a show about an outlaw biker gang/club. These are not nice people, yet through the writing & characterization of the show, you begin to understand their humanity, and actually begin to start caring for the characters. Peloquin does the exact same thing with his character of the Hunter...)
I am extremely happy to say that this is Book 1 of a series ('The Last Bucelarii').
I cannot wait to jump back into the world of Einan and see where Peloquin takes us next!
Jason
I am not sure how I missed this one, back in 2013, though I am glad that I stumbled across it now...
A great essay on gun-control!
Whether you agree with King (I agree on the majority) or not, this is definitely a good read!
(available for just a buck on the Kindle app)
Jason
Genre - Christian Fiction
Year Published - 2015 [*9/15/15]
Length - 3,488 digital (Kindle App) pages (based on my Samsung Galaxy Note 3)
Written by Wm. Paul Young
Tagline:
'The Shack' shattered our limited perceptions about God.
'Eve' will destroy harmful misconceptions about ourselves.
Rating: 3 Skulls
Plot Summary:
When a shipping container washes ashore on an island between our world and the next, John the Collector finds a young woman inside - broken, frozen, and barely alive.
With the aid of Healers and Scholars, John oversees her recovery and soon discovers her genetic code connects her to every known human race.
She is a girl of prophecy and no one can guess what her survival may mean.
No one but Eve, Mother of the Living, who calls her "daughter", and invites her to witness the truth about her story - indeed, the truth about us all.
Review:
This book is completely different from Young's prior works ('The Shack' & 'Cross Roads') - this one has a slight sci-fi feel to it, and to be completely honest, it was just an okay read. For me, it did not live up to the expectations that the above tagline set.
The book is still an interesting read, just not what I was expecting. I get what Young is attempting to convey, it just seemed a strange way to do it. The last chapter helped raise the book slightly above average. I would have liked for there to have been more, like that, afterwards.
If you are a fan of Young, then by all means, give this book a shot - it may just be me...
Jason
For anyone wanting to live a healthier lifestyle, then this book is a must read.
An eye-opening, paradigm-shifting read!
Jason
When I read author David Dubrow's blurb regarding this novella, I immediately bought a copy.
(the best buck that I've spent, in a long, long time!)
Here is Dubrow's blurb, in hopes that it will coerce you into buying a copy for yourself:
"Adam Howe’s Gator Bait is a steamy, disquieting piece of bayou noir that you can’t help but eat all in one sitting. It won’t settle your stomach, but it will stay with you long after you’ve digested it."
That blurb sums this novella up perfectly!
The only other thing that I want to say, before I go looking into more of Howe's work, is that the whole time that I was reading this novella, I kept picturing the story in 'Sin City' style-effects, in my head... a fun, fun read!
Jason
Genre - Young Adult
Year Published - forthcoming - 01/05/16
Length - 288 (print) pages
Written by: Marieke Nijkamp
Tagline:
Four Students.
Fifty-Four Minutes.
One boy with a gun.
Rating: 4 Skulls
Plot Summary:
10:00 a. m.
The principal of Opportunity High School, in Alabama, finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.
10:02 a. m.
The students get up to leave the auditorium.
10:03 a. m.
The auditorium doors won't open.
10:05 a. m.
Someone starts shooting.
Review:
"This explosive, emotional, page-turning debut about a high school held hostage is told from the perspective of four teens - each with their own reason to fear the boy with the gun."
Mark your calendars - January 5th, 2016 - that is the day that this book will be released.
Taking place from 10:01 a. m. - 10:55 a. m. on the first day of the last semester, this book revolves around four particular students as they face a horrifying reality.
Two of the students (the shooter's sister, Autumn and her girlfriend, Sylv) are trapped within the auditorium.
The other two students (the shooter's ex-girlfriend, Claire and Sylv's brother, Tomás) are outside of the auditorium.
This book is a fast-paced read that will show you how your life could change in a split-second!
Jason
An extremely unique spiritual journey!
This is the kind of book that makes you think about and evaluate life more thoroughly.
I will definitely be reading more of Rubart's works!
Jason
If you have read 'The Shack' then you should definitely enjoy 'Cross Roads'.
(I liked it even better than 'The Shack')
If you haven't read either, both are recommended reads.
Jason
So, my reading list was slightly derailed due to the fact that I watched 'WolfCop' the other day, (a fun movie!) and I had remembered seeing, not that long ago, that Permuted Press had published a WolfCop story, which I, of course, then had to read...
Both are enjoyable, for what they are.
If you enjoyed the movie, more-than-likely, you will enjoy the book as well.
With a 'WolfCop' sequel on the way (looking forward to it!) it wouldn't surprise me if more books may be in the works as well.
Jason
Clive Barker at his finest!
Instead of rebooting the 'HellRaiser' franchise, they should make this a movie instead... epic!
Jason
Currently being hailed as the most dominant athlete on the planet, Rousey's 'My Fight/Your Fight' will help you understand why that is so.
I have read at least a dozen biographies of MMA fighters, and this one sits at the top of the list.
Great read!
Jason
This book has been in my "to read" pile...
My wife read it, back when it first came out, and my mother just recently read it, and both raved about it.
Since the movie is now out on dvd, I wanted to go ahead and read it, before I watched the movie.
First, it truly is an amazing story of survival!
I enjoyed the book, and I am glad that I read it, though I am not sure that I loved it as much as my wife & mother. (some parts just seemed a bit repetitive is all)
As for the movie - in my opinion, the movie had the rare potential to be better than the book, but alas it is not.
After having read the book, the movie just seemed way too overly condensed/rushed.
While each is readable/watchable, if you are interested in this true story, I would definitely go the book route!
If you enjoyed the first two books ['The Brotherhood' & 'The Betrayal'] you will enjoy this one as well!
I am about as far as you can get from being a football fan [MMA is my sport of choice], however when Tim Tebow visited my church, earlier this month, he intrigued me enough (very funny guy!) to go out and buy his biography.
If you are a Tebow (or football) fan, then I would imagine that you would enjoy this book.
Tebow seems to me to be a pretty stand-up guy with a work ethic that is above & beyond!
I enjoyed the book (football stuff aside) and I enjoyed hearing him speak at my church.
Jason
Not only is this book a sequel to 'The Loch', it is also a prequel to the upcoming 'Meg 5: NightStalkers' novel. . .
Taking place two years after The Loch, 'Vostok' follows the adventures of Marine Biologist Zachary Wallace (and later Jonas Taylor, from the 'Meg' series of novels) as they explore Vostok - a 6,000 square-mile lake, over 1,000 feet deep, and two-and-a-half miles below an ice cap!
I LOVED the 1st half of this book! Absolutely fantastic! A fun, nail-biting adventure.
Then, the book suddenly jumps ahead, seven years later, and shifts in a completely different direction.
I am not saying that the latter half isn't good, it's just different. The book, as a whole, is a great read, I just enjoyed the first half more than the second.
It will be interesting to see how this book will tie into 'Meg 5'. (I have only read 'Meg' and 'Meg: Origins' so I need to get on the ball and read the others, before Meg 5 comes out this summer...)
Jason
With the release of Steve Alten's 'Vostok' (the sequel to 'The Loch') last month, I figured that it was time for me to go ahead and read 'The Loch'.
(I bought it, years ago, however it was one of those books that I just never got around to reading until now.)
If only I had read this book when I first bought it.
It is a Fantastic book!
Alten has created an excellent cast of characters, (characters that I hope to see return in 'Vostok'!) and the book is full of sound science and Scottish history, which makes for a fun/quick read.
Stay tuned, because 'Vostok' is definitely going to be the next book that I read. . .
Jason
Another book review that I failed to post, on here, from earlier this month. . .
"If you come across this book, in a bookstore, and read the prologue, I guarantee you that you will end up buying the book, as it has one of the most riveting prologues that I have ever read!
Not to mention that the serial killer in this novel [The Illusionist] is right up there with "Sqweegel" (the killer from Anthony Zuiker's 'Level 26' trilogy).
This is a smartly written, stay-up-late, intriguing book that becomes much more than it first seems.
(I have already purchased the next four books in this series)"
Jason
Earlier this month, I posted this "mini-review" on my Google+ page, and I neglected to post it on here, as well. . .
"You can tell that this is Rosenberg's first novel, (the flow of the story is slighty off) however it is still a fast-paced thrill-ride of a read! (the time-line of the book is less than one week)
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series."
Jason
Back in May, of 2013, (5/14/13 to be exact) I posted a review of 'Eternity'.
Well, great news if you live in the UK!
This movie will become available, on all digital formats, on April 9th, so mark your calendars!
Jason
Eternity (NZ Feature Film) OFFICIAL Trailer HD 1080p: https://youtu.be/grVQUEv4vww
The sequel to 'The Brotherhood' - more along the lines of what I was expecting from the 1st book, yet again, it totally took me by surprise - went in a completely different direction than I was expecting... great read!
A very entertaining pulp-adventure novel.
[Reads just like a Burroughs' novel]
If you are a fan of Edgar Rice Burroughs, H. P. Lovecraft, H. G. Wells, Star Trek: The Original Series, or the show 'Lost', then this definitely is a must read for you - great fun!
According to Keene, this is the 1st book in a planned multi-volume series (wahoo!)
I will be pre-ordering each new adventure, that's for sure!
Jason
A nearly flawless novel!
A gripping, page-turning, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride.
BE FOREWARNED: this book ends with a massive cliffhanger!
(I haven't looked this forward to next year, so soon in the year before)
Completely not what I expected from this book, yet it is still a great read, from its horrifically tragic beginning all the way through to its climatic ending!
Posted on G+:
I now have a new favorite UK author!
(and along with that, a new favorite werewolf novel)
I couldn't have asked for a better atmosphere to read this book, than with the latest full "wolf" moon the last few nights.
Graeme Reynolds has crafted a superb novel, fleshing out great characters, and he has absolutely no hesitation on the violence factor!
I read this one on my Kindle App and, at the end, it gave me the option to buy 'High Moor 2' (good thing too, with the cliffhanger ending of this one!)
Needless to say, I purchased the 2nd book, immediately, so stay tuned!
Jason
I posted this on G+ earlier this afternoon.
Figured I would post it here as well...
(just remember that I can no longer answer comments on here - see prior post - feel free to comment on my G+ profile though)
What do we do now that 'Sons of Anarchy' has ended its seven-season run?
I recommend reading 'Sons of Anarchy: Bratva'!
I couldn't have started the year off better than choosing to read this book (a Christmas gift from my wife).
The book takes place after the 4th season of the show...
Jax learns that Trinity (his Irish half-sister; discovered in season 3 - my personal favorite of the seasons) is in the U. S. and has gotten herself mixed up with some Russian Bratva gangsters.
Jax, along with Opie (yea!) and Chibs, head to Nevada where they team up with some members of SAMNOV to search for his sister.
This book is a quick, fantastic read that plays out, in your head, just like an episode of the show!
The author, Christopher Golden, nailed the characters and added some new, endearing ones into the mix as well.
Here's to hoping that he continues to write some more original SOA novels!
I will be the first in line...
Happy New Year everyone!
I just wanted to post this for those of you who have been leaving me comments.
I post everything on my phone, nowadays, which has different access than my home computer did (I no longer have internet at home) and my phone's default account is different than my blog's, and every time I try to switch accounts, on my phone, it doesn't work - it just kicks back to the default account, which means that I am unable to publish/reply to your comments. For this, I apologize.
Feel free to look me up on Google+ [google.com/+JasonBerry - I believe] or you can just e-mail me your thoughts, and I can reply to you, directly via either choice.
Thank you all,
Jason
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