Reviews and Comments

slayra

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Joined 2 years, 7 months 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!

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reviewed King of thorns by Mark Lawrence (Broken empire -- bk. 2)

Mark Lawrence: King of thorns (2012, Ace Books)

Review of 'King of thorns' on 'Goodreads'

In the first book, Prince Jorg has become King Jorg at 14 and plans to be an emperor sooner than later. However, at 18 he is still a king and is getting married whilst his castle and lands are under attack. There are other things to take care of as the invasor brought a gigantic army with him and Jorg only has a few hundred to stop him, along with a couple of tricks up his sleeve.

I loved this book as it jumped from 14-year-old Jorg to 18-year-old Jorg and learnt of the path that brought him to his wedding day as an adult with only part of his being intact. I loved how fire and death made him whole and yet broken, loved all the adventures and hidden plans. However, I loathed the long meaniningless descriptions and the useless bits on Jorg's and Katherine's musings. Those bits lacked …

Sara Gruen: Water for elephants (Paperback, 2007, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill)

As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that …

Review of 'Water for elephants' on 'Goodreads'

Unsettled by his parents' deaths, and right before finishing his final exams to become a vet, Jacob Jankowski jumps on a circus train. Jacob ends up as the vet for the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. There he meets very peculiar characters and makes a lot of weird friends and powerful enemies.

At first I thought it was interesting to know the end before reading the whole story as it would leave me less anxious for the characters, but it turns out it worked against the book because I lost all interest in the story of the young Jacob Jankowski. The older version was the one that kept me reading/listening to the book. I liked it, his monologues felt very real, but I did not think the book was that interesting. The end is pretty good though.

reviewed Prince of thorns by Mark Lawrence (Broken empire -- bk. 1)

Mark Lawrence: Prince of thorns (2011, Ace Books)

After witnessing the murder of his mother and brother and leading a band of bloodthirsty …

Review of 'Prince of thorns' on 'Goodreads'

Jorg, prince of Ancrath, saw his mother and brother being killed, and he only survived because he was thrown into a briar. When Jorg finds out his dad has no intention of revenging their deaths, he decides that even at nine he is capable of facing his uncle Renar. However, life gets in the way and Jorg is now 13 and vows to be a king by 15.

I enjoyed this book. It is not easy to like Jorg but he is funny, and one does not need to like him to enjoy his adventures and twisted plans. I am looking forward to the next books in the trilogy.

Janet Evanovich: Smokin' Seventeen (Paperback, 2011, Headline Publishing Group)

Dead bodies are showing up in shallow graves on the empty construction lot of Vincent …

Review of "Smokin' Seventeen" on 'Goodreads'

Vincent Plum Bail Bonds is being rebuilt and until the building is finished, the business is running from Mooner's bus. Unfortunately for Vinnie, a body is found half buried in the construction site. Unfortunately for Stephanie, her mother is trying to pair her up with Dave, a former school acquaintance. And since nothing is ever simple with her, Stephanie's cases include a bear and an old man who thinks he is a vampire and may have convinced Lula of the fact.

This book was funny, it took me back to laughing out loud at Stephanie. Usually it bothers me when I know who the killer is since the beginning, but in this case it worked to build up the suspense and I cringed every time Stephanie was in danger. I found her less worried about her life and it made the reading easier. Life is complicated as it is, no …

Neil Gaiman: Stardust (2006, Harper Perennial)

Stardust is a 1999 fantasy novel by British writer Neil Gaiman, usually published with illustrations …

Review of 'Stardust' on 'Goodreads'

Tristan Thorn is in love and promises Victoria Forester a fallen star in exchange for what he desires the most. She concedes and Tristan rushes through the wall in search of adventure, and of a fallen star. He soon finds that the star is more real than he ever thought, and has a broken leg and an attitude. But she also has a priceless heart...

I love this book and I could never grow tired of it, I think the best compliment anyone can give to a book is to want to read it again and again. I admit Robert De Niro stole my heart in the film, but I cannot say which story I prefer, the book or the film. I love both as they are a perfect mix of magic, love and a lot of good hearts. This is a book you want to read out loud and …

Alex Archer: Destiny (Rogue Angel) (2006, Gold Eagle)

Archaeologist and explorer Annja Creed's fascination with the myths and mysteries of the past leads …

Review of 'Destiny (Rogue Angel)' on 'Goodreads'

Archaeologist Annja Creed is in France trying to find material for a piece on a local monster for a sensational TV show. Annja ends up finding that the beast really existed, but the most pressing mystery is to figure out why she is being followed by assassins and a brotherhood of monks. Turns out Annja's destiny is bigger than she ever thought as she ends up with a magic sword that only obeys to her.

I'm assuming this is the type of series filled with adventures that involve Annja kicking and fighting bad guys whilst solving puzzles and ancient mysteries. I am hoping for some character development along the way, but for now this was very entertaining!

reviewed The heist by Janet Evanovich (The Fox and O'Hare novels)

Janet Evanovich: The heist (2013)

Just when it seems that international crook Nicolas Fox has been captured for good, he …

Review of 'The heist' on 'Goodreads'

Even though she is called Hare and he is called Fox, it's FBI Agent Kate O’Hare that is pursuing Nicolas Fox, a very skilled thief. Kate ends up catching Fox and he cuts a deal with the FBI and changes sides, as expected.

I think I liked the short stories better, but this book was very entertaining. The story is not exactly original but I enjoyed reading it and finding out which plan they were going to try next. I liked that the end wasn't extremely obvious, even though most of the plot was. But I really wished they added a twist where Griffin ended up being gay and wanting Fox instead....

Review of "Notes on Gerald Durrell's My family and other animals." on 'Goodreads'

Eccentric does not begin to describe Gerrard Durrell's family. Their stay in the island of Corfu is full of natural wonders, and a lot of animals of several different species!

I read this book mainly because of the title and I had no idea it was so full of greek wonders and natural history. But the best part - hands down - is when Gerry describes his family and their adventures in Corfu from the eyes of a kid. This is a wonderful sunny read.

Review of 'Sizzling Sixteen' on 'Goodreads'

Stehanie's boss Vinnie is kidnapped by Bobby Sunflower who wants a million dollars to set him free. His wife does not care and his family does not want to pay to get Vinnie back. Stephanie, Connie and Lula do not have that kind of money, but they will do anything in their power to set their boss free and keep their jobs.

I am always entertained by Stephanie Plum's books but this one did not feel as entertaining. I liked the plot, Vinnie is tossed around and the continuity seems fine, but I did not find myself laughing at the situations. I like that Connie is playing a bigger part in the book and that they act more as a team. But it was not as fun and I mostly read these because they make me laugh, hence the three stars.

reviewed Allegiant by Veronica Roth (Divergent trilogy, book 3)

Veronica Roth: Allegiant (Hardcover, 2013, Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered -- fractured by violence …

Review of 'Allegiant' on 'Goodreads'

The Allegiant were formed to bring back factions to their society and discover what exists beyond the fence. Tris and Tobias are amongst the first to venture outside, even against his mother's orders.

Usually I refrain from writing spoilers but beware: this review has lots of spoilers.

First, I just can not believe that the author could destroy the amazing creative world she created. Why would she bring it to our world? I knew it could happen but I was really hoping it would not. It is deceit upon deceit upon deceit. It is tiring and I was only reading. Then I cannot understand how smart people like the erudite develop serums but do not realise the population has different genes. It does not really matter but it bothers me. Then why would a group of young people traumatised for seeing parents and friends dying almost every day keep pursuing …

Darynda Jones: Eighth Grave After Dark (Paperback, 2015, St. Martin's Griffin)

Review of 'Eighth Grave After Dark' on 'Goodreads'

Charley is hiding away waiting for Beep to be born, and hoping no creature wanting to harm her baby can come into sacred grounds. But things are not always what they seem and protecting Beep is the hardest task Charley has ever taken.

I was surprised by this book. It felt more like a bridge to "what is to come" than a Charley story. I love that Beep is born and that we catch a glimpse of Charley in all her greatness, but it was not enough for me. That random room in the house and Denise's help seemed a little forced into the story to help the plot. I also did not find it as funny as the previous ones. This is not to say I did not like it and that I am not looking forward to the next one, but it missed some juice in my opinion. …

Terry Pratchett: Guards! Guards! (2001)

Guards! Guards! is a fantasy novel by British writer Terry Pratchett, the eighth in the …

Review of 'Guards! Guards?' on 'Goodreads'

Dragons do not exist any more... or do they? Kings no longer rule Ankh-Morpork but maybe monarchy is not dead... yet. Maybe all it takes is someone to kill a dragon and become the king. But what if the dragon does not want to go because it rather enjoys the city? Captain Vimes and his squad are in charge of bringing common sense to the people, but the task may be too hot for them.

I loved, loved, loved this book! I may have fallen in love with every main character, even with the "propulsion" dragon. I laughed way too much! But as always, Pratchett knows exactly how to infuse the story the story with humans and their human silliness. What a great book!

Review of 'Bifes mal passados' on 'Goodreads'

Uma viagem hilariante e às vezes estranhamente profunda sobre o Reino Unido. Não estava à espera de me rir tanto com o livro, especialmente porque me revi nalgumas situações como a tentar dizer "prêt-a-manger" à francesa com a plena convicção que era assim que se lia. Recomendo a qualquer pessoa que goste do Reino Unido, mas acima de tudo que reconheça as falhas (ai os pubs!) e que se queira rir porque no fundo gostamos todos de lá voltar. Hum e de yorkshire puddings! Não acredito que a única comida nativa que eu aprecio não aparece no livro.

BookBuddy: Analysis of Veronica Roth's Insurgent (2014, BookBuddy)

Review of "Analysis of Veronica Roth's Insurgent" on 'Goodreads'

Tris and Tobias have seen their friends and family kill other friends and family under a simulation. They were able to stop it, but most of Abnegation is gone and the Dauntless are broken into two groups. However, problems do not stop there as Jeanine still lives and is able to control the minds of even more people. To fight back, they need the divergent and maybe more brains than muscle...

I was mostly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book and how quickly I finished it. It is not as original as the first one - it could never be - but I feel it develops the story in the best way possible. There is more to each character, there is more to their fenced world and Tris is as traumatised as she should be. She lost her mother, father and killed a closed friend. There was no …