Reviews and Comments

slayra

[email protected]

Joined 2 years, 1 month ago

My favourite genre is fantasy but I also love comedy, which means I am a big fan of Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Neil Gaiman and CK McDonnell. Truth is, I'll read anything!

This link opens in a pop-up window

Caimh McDonnell: The Day That Never Comes (Paperback, 2017, McFori Ink) 4 stars

Remember those people that destroyed the economy and then cruised off on their yachts? Well …

Darker Bunny

4 stars

Bunny McGarry is missing, and Birgit is not talking to Paul, which means their brand new detective agency will be done before it starts. While looking for Bunny, Paul takes a case where he has to follow one of three property developers that have embezzled a lot of money.

This book is darker and seems to be grey all the time even though it takes place in the Summer. I feel McDonnell was not in high spirits while writing this, but as the novel progresses and the comic moments start creeping in - mostly by the paw of Maggie - the pace picks up and I read the last 30 chapters in one sitting. I am sure this will not be my favourite book of this series, but it's a good read.

Neil Gaiman, David K. Dickson, M. J. Simpson, Guy Adams: Don't Panic (EBook, 2018, Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.) 4 stars

'It's all absolutely devastatingly true -- except the bits that are lies' Douglas Adams

Don't …

Makes you want to discover Douglas Adams all over again

4 stars

Neil Gaiman has a lot of respect for Douglas Adams' work and quirkiness, and therefore you can feel the endearment just from reading. The book is funny - mostly through footnotes - and I learnt a lot that I wouldn't say is essential to understand Adams, but it planted a willingness in me to read everything again. I even want to listen to the original radio series. This book is worth reading if you enjoy Douglas Adams the man, and not exactly for Hitchhiker's Guide even though it is a big chunk of him.

Neil Gaiman: Anansi Boys (2006, Harper Torch) 5 stars

God is dead. Meet the kids.

When Fat Charlie's dad named something, it stuck. Like …

Fat Charlie is more funny than expected

5 stars

Fat Charlie has a comfortable life in London and a lovely fiancée whose mother is hell on Earth. Fat Charlie cannot say his life is everything he has ever dreamt of, but when his father dies and he learns he is the son of a god and that he has a brother, the life he knows and Rosie are gone and Fat Charlie wants it back.

This book was a brilliant surprise. Whether you like or do not like American Gods, give this a try because there is nothing in common between the two except that there are gods in it. Fat Charlie, Spider, Rosie, Rosie's mother and Daisy are characters that we easily care about but I wasn't expecting the humour. This book is way funnier than it should be because it is beautifuly written, the characters and story evolve in a very satisfying way and it even has …

Neil Gaiman: Anansi Boys (2006, Harper Torch) 5 stars

God is dead. Meet the kids.

When Fat Charlie's dad named something, it stuck. Like …

Fat Charlie has a comfortable life in London and a lovely fiancée whose mother is hell on Earth. Fat Charlie cannot say his life is everything he has ever dreamt of, but when his father dies and he learns he is the son of a god and that he has a brother, the life he knows and Rosie are gone and Fat Charlie wants it back.

This book was a brilliant surprise. Whether you like or do not like American Gods, give this a try because there is nothing in common between the two except that there are gods in it. Fat Charlie, Spider, Rosie, Rosie's mother and Daisy are characters that we easily care about but I wasn't expecting the humour. This book is way funnier than it should be because it is beautifuly written, the characters and story evolve in a very satisfying way and it even has …

Janet Evanovich: Going Rogue (Hardcover, 2022, Atria Books) 4 stars

Review of 'Going Rogue' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

It's not like I am expecting to be surprised by the plot, I read/listen to these books for the comfort of a good cozy mystery, more than a couple of chuckles and some car explosions. This book does not disappoint on those topics. The characters don't develop exactly, and they haven't for a long time, but we get to see a new side of Vinnie and Stephanie staring to care about defending herself.

The narration alone is worth it, Lorelei King can't do no wrong!

Review of 'Other Half of the Grave' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Cat was the narrator when we met Bones many years ago, and now it's time for Bones' version of the story that led to the creation of their dynamic lethal duo. It's the same story, but it's told with a bit more knowledge of what is really happening with the vampires that keep crossing Cat's path.

I didn't think I was interested in this book, but after listening to the "Graphic Audio" adaptation of the first one, I decided to try this one while waiting for the next adaptation (which apparently is coming in December). I've always enjoyed this story, so I wasn't sure a different point of view would add much - it doesn't. I wouldn't recommend it as a "must read" from the series, but it's nice to read something new (even if old) from Cat and Bones. I'll read the following one too, as it probably is …

Terry Pratchett: The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents (Paperback, 2004, Corgi Books) 5 stars

Winner of the 2001 Carnegie MedalOne rat, popping up here and there, squeaking loudly, and …

Review of 'The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Maurice is a talking cat that has his own group of rats following him, as well as a boy. Together they get rich by pretending to save towns from rats. But their last job goes very wrong. There's something else in the shadows of their new town...

I listened to the new Audible version that isn't available in Goodreads yet. I wasn't expecting the book to be scary, but it is made for Halloween! Peter Seratinowicz does a very good narration job (the rat king whispers are scary good, but not good in noisy transports - be warned!). A brilliant story about stories. The short note from Rob Wilkins at the end is also worth it.

Jeaniene Frost: Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress #1) (Paperback, 2007, Avon) 5 stars

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of …

Review of 'Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress #1)' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield knows her family is afraid of her "darker nature", and tries to make up for it by killing vampires at night. One night she meets a powerful vampire that teaches her more than she wanted to know, and not only about vampires.

It's been more than ten years since I first read this book, but I had to take a chance on the Graphic Audio version because I was sure it would be worth it. It is amazing what good actors and sound effects do to a story, you pay attention even to moments in the book where your head would probably stray a little. Cat and Bones are a favourite duo, and they remain ready to take over the world. I confess I remembered Cat being less petty, but the whole story and dialogues are much better experienced in this format. It seems there is more …

Gregory Mcdonald: Fletch's Fortune (1984, Avon Books (Mm)) 4 stars

He hadn't been a practicing journalist for years, although people remembered him and he still …

Review of "Fletch's Fortune" on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Fletch receives a surprise visit from special agents that blackmail him into attending the American Journalism Alliance to spy on some journalists. On the day Fletch arrives to the convention, someone murders the Alliance's president and Fletch is one of the few journalists who doesn't have a motive for murdering him.

Flethch's adventures are quite fun and the narrator is pretty good. However, this time there was no real twist or at least I saw everything coming so it wasn't as entertaining as the previous ones. Nevertheless, Fletch is a great character and I am surprised at how well some women are characterised as well. I confess I missed Flynn on this one.

Gregory Mcdonald: Fletch forever (1978, Nelson Doubleday) 4 stars

Review of 'Fletch forever' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Fletch is engaged (again) to a beautiful Italian woman named Angela whose father has been kidnapped in Italy. Fletch flies to Boston trying to find the paintings that were stolen from the family's house more than 2 years before, as the family needs them to pay the ransom. But on arrival, he finds a dead woman in his rented apartment and he is the most obvious suspect.

This book is as good as the previous one, lots of action and witty dialogues. This time around Fletch is not as much orchestrating everything as trying not to be sucked into the mess that the murder has created for him. I enjoyed his book, detective Flynn is a lot of fun and I am looking forward to read some books of his own series. Fletch audiobooks are part of the Audible free catalogue - the narrator does a very good job. Also, …

Gregory Mcdonald: Fletch's Fortune (1984, Avon Books (Mm)) 4 stars

He hadn't been a practicing journalist for years, although people remembered him and he still …

Review of "Fletch's Fortune" on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Fletcher is a reporter that is currently investigating a local drug problem. Confused by Alan Stanwyk as one of the addicts, Fletcher is offered a lot of money by Alan to kill him. Fletcher accepts the proposal as he realises there's a good story behind whatever is going on with Stanwyk's life.

I was about to give this book 3 stars, but since it was writtein in the 70s I'm cutting it some slack. Fletcher is a fun and witty character, but there's too much of a James Bond vibe happening with the ladies around him. It is weird to realise that we now have all information we need at the distance of a thumb, and some decades ago it took days to perform a proper research. I liked Fletcher and the cozy mystery, even though I figured it all out before the end. The Audible version is pretty good …