A brutal and evocative police procedural featuring Detective Shannon Bradford as she squares off against The Vigilante Killer and The Terrible ToothfaA brutal and evocative police procedural featuring Detective Shannon Bradford as she squares off against The Vigilante Killer and The Terrible Toothfairy Rapist. A brash, feminist, voice in the contemporary thriller, dripping with razor blade dread....more
I must admit, I was only vaguely aware of the book when the movie THE RUINS came out in 2008. I saw the movie shortly after its release, thought it waI must admit, I was only vaguely aware of the book when the movie THE RUINS came out in 2008. I saw the movie shortly after its release, thought it was decent enough, and that was it. I recently bought the book at faire and decided to give it a go.
First off, the book is quite a bit different from the movie. There’s a sixth character, a young Greek man, who doesn’t speak English and is injured almost immediately upon arrival to the ruins. This drives a good bit of tension throughout the book. Mathias, the Norwegian, has a much larger part as well. Smith uses the four American characters in an interesting fashion, rotating the point-of-view between them throughout the entire book. Because of this, all four become our main protagonist and we get a unique and complex perspective. Amy, Stacy, Jeff, and Eric all have their strengths and flaws laid out, painted as truly real people. This is intensified as they come to realize they are trapped on the ruins by the Mayans, and then worse, why. The vines, which could easily come across as comical, are handled deftly, simply an unknown terror they have been trust into.
All that said, there are large parts of this book where nothing happens. I’ve never been so bored by a book, yet so captivated that I knew I had to keep reading. I even already figured I knew the ending from having seen the movie. However, I chalk this up to Smith’s incredible characters. Although the pacing is slow, it’s truly believable – talking vines and all. I must admit, I’m still not sure why he titled it “The Ruins,” since the hill they’re on in the book is never really portrayed as any type of ruin. That’s odd.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this book and think it should be read outside of the influence of the movie (which is okay, too.) It’s not blood-chilling horror, but it’s an engaging read. Smith has only penned two books in the last twenty years, so hopefully we see a third one from him here soon. ...more
I had the opportunity to read an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of THE BLOOD OF OTHERS by C.L. Stegall. Simply put, I consumed the entire novel in one sitI had the opportunity to read an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of THE BLOOD OF OTHERS by C.L. Stegall. Simply put, I consumed the entire novel in one sitting, it was that gripping. While some might raise an eyebrow at another title in this particular sub-genre, these Vampires don't lurk or swoon... they strike.
There's a rich lore woven throughout the story, chapters flipping back and forth between the present dangers and flashbacks to the past. We are treated to the tale of how young Paris (a chosen name) rose from runaway child to her position among the High Guard in the secret Vampire society. Fortunately, Stegall has created a mythos that is more inspired by films like "Underworld" and "Blade" than by any sparkling teen romance. That's not to say there isn't an element of romance contained in the story, only that it comes with equally healthy doses of action, mystery, and horror.
The character development unfolds in a wonderful fashion, and it's fascinating to see how Stegall allowed the main protagonist to grow over her Vampire years. The details of the Vampire society are intricate and unique, and more than once I found myself chuckling at the ways he portrayed some of the complex relationships. The action/adventure aspect of the book is essential to the tale, and every fight scene was brilliantly scripted. Perhaps the only issue I had with the novel was the abundance of supporting characters, of which I occasionally got confused on.
THE BLOOD OF OTHERS is an excellent dark fantasy, adventure-horror novel, with an exceptional female lead. It's dark, sexy, violent, and most of all, engrossing. Highly recommended. ...more
My love for Warren Ellis stems all the way back to his time writing "The Authority," a comic title that changed the way I thought. His work on titles My love for Warren Ellis stems all the way back to his time writing "The Authority," a comic title that changed the way I thought. His work on titles like "Transmetropolitan" and "Planetary" showed him to be a visionary voice in the medium, one he's walked away from in recent years. While fanboys/girls might weep at his departure from comics, it's books like this that demonstrate exactly why Ellis is an author so beloved.
Upon simply analysis, "Crooked Little Vein" may seem nothing more than a study in depravity. A deeper look will show that Ellis has asked bigger questions concerning morality, choice, and freedom. Our protagonist is dragged into an obscene underbelly of American culture, only to discover things are not so black and white. And while he balks at many of the darker aspects, he is forced to admit that the perpetrators are well within their rights to act in these fashions.
Filled with the blackest of humor, there are many laugh out loud scenes. Be warned, this is NOT a book for those easily offended. Ellis finds nothing sacred, nothing taboo in his writing. However, if you can accept our institutions and traditions are not necessarily meant to be placed on pedestals, and you're willing to question your own beliefs, you may just fall in love with this book....more
Hughes presents us with a work of genre-crossing noir in the tradition of Jim Butcher - only better. Take out the down-on-his-luck Wizard in modern daHughes presents us with a work of genre-crossing noir in the tradition of Jim Butcher - only better. Take out the down-on-his-luck Wizard in modern day Chigaco and transplant in an ex-junkie telepath in futuristic Atlanta. If THAT doesn't already make you interested...
The world building is spectacular, with so much room to go. A planet ravaged by the "Tech Wars," who now fears computers, and a Telepath's Guild that saved them. A new drug called Strain, rampant bio-engineering, oh, and there are hover cars. All of this is presented in a brilliant fashion by Hughes, who teases out the information to us as we need it.
Adam (the protagonist) is quite damaged, and his battle with drug use is portrayed in a very realistic way without resorting to preachy tactics. His powers are also shown to the reader in a superb fashion, really drawing us further into not only Adam's head but the very universe built by Hughes. It's yet another reason this title stands out.
While I'm often not a fan of noir-bending, this is perhaps the most original and best conceived of its type I've read in years. I highly recommend for fans of soft scifi, comic book adventure, and even paranormal fantasy....more
Simply put, I love this guy's work. Less "bromantic" than Clive Cussler and more accessible than Micheal Crichton, both of whom I do enjoy, his tales Simply put, I love this guy's work. Less "bromantic" than Clive Cussler and more accessible than Micheal Crichton, both of whom I do enjoy, his tales are just fun, adventurous, and often educational. I wanted to read the Sigma Force books in order, so it took me a while until I could track down the first in the series - and I wasn't disappointed.
With any literature of this type, you have to be able to muster up a certain suspension of belief. Sigma Force, in itself, is a wild concept - scientist soldiers running around acquiring deadly tech for DARPA. We're not even going to get into the near meta-physics that pop up in every book. The thing is... none of that matters. You don't read these books looking for an accurate portrayal of our impact in socio-economic politics - you read these books for sexy spies, crazy weapons, secret societies, and stuff blowing up! And oh, oh does Rollins give it to us.
So yes, I'm hooked. Painter Crowe and the whole crew are awesome. I think I'm on the 4th book now. And seriously... Gray Pierce would beat "The DaVinci Code's" Robert Langdon into a stain with one fist....more
What can I say about this book, the work of a friend and fellow author? I read the original years ago, and I was honored with opportunity to provide tWhat can I say about this book, the work of a friend and fellow author? I read the original years ago, and I was honored with opportunity to provide the blurb for the 10th anniversary cover. This is one of the most bizarre, hilarious, disturbed, adventurous and touching novels I've ever had the pleasure to consume - and I say that without hyperbole. I read it again last night, in one sitting, and found myself laughing-out-loud half a dozen times, tearing up twice, and grossed out more times than can be remembered. But what are you going to find in the book?
Imagine Carl Hiaasen fueled by whiskey-violence and on an S&M bender. Imagine Clive Cussler growing up full of paranoia and pulp magazines. Imagine a hystertically depraved take on everything you know and may hold dear - a clone of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis's dead twin raised as an assassin, a botched Antichrist, government spooks with snackfood names, Nazi pseudo-science brought to life, and a hidden history with an 80 year old JFK flinging poo.
"Made In The USA" is Christopher Moore, Stephen King, and Robert Ludlum all thrown into a blender and then poured back out onto the page for our twisted entertainment. It's a celebration of the American spirit, of individuality and simple freedoms. It's also a collection of scatological jokes, T&A scenes and gratuitous bloodshed. I guess that's American, too.
No, the book not for everyone. But for those who the book is intended, they will spread it everywhere...
I've read a bunch of Kay Hooper's 'Special Crimes Unit' books now. This was the latest in the series and easily my favorite. I would say it was her beI've read a bunch of Kay Hooper's 'Special Crimes Unit' books now. This was the latest in the series and easily my favorite. I would say it was her best, but I believe a number of her readers aren't pleased with the move AWAY from romance. I simply loved this tale because it featured almost the whole 'psychic FBI gang' working together as a unit.
It was bloody, it was brilliant and it was a bold new direction. THIS is where Kay Hooper's tales are going epic, and this is the book that proves that the SCU could be just as viable a television property as Charlaine Harris's "True Blood."...more
There are going to be some obvious comparisons between this book and Michael Crichton's Sphere. Well, I loved both, each for their own story. While boThere are going to be some obvious comparisons between this book and Michael Crichton's Sphere. Well, I loved both, each for their own story. While both deal with a mix of military & scientists deep underwater investigating a mysterious artifact, with tons of plot twists, each tale is presented differently.
Ultimately, Child's novel is less personal and more epic. There are quite a number of characters and sub-plots, textbooks worth of scientific information being thrown at you during the increasingly tense novel. By the time you've finished Deep Storm, you'll realize it has very little in common with Crichton's novel other than what would amount to a paragraph description.
Reads like any other Preston-Child book of awesomeness, with that Crichton/Cussler feel. ...more
I'm beginning to love James Rollins. He merges the Adventure antics of Clive Cussler (minus the bromance) and the contemporary Sci-Fi Horror found in I'm beginning to love James Rollins. He merges the Adventure antics of Clive Cussler (minus the bromance) and the contemporary Sci-Fi Horror found in the best novels by Michael Crichton. I loved his book Subterranean and I enjoyed this book even more. Don't get me wrong - you have to suspend belief a good deal and roll with the popcorn, but it's just a fun and exciting tale. I've been eying Deep Fathom and after this, I'm definitely going to check it out.
While a bit more epic in scope, I believe I also have to draw parallel between Rollins work and that of Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child. While their beloved Pendergast Series is more character driven, if you're a fan of any of their stand-alone novels, you'll definitely dig Excavation. (see what I did there?) ...more
In the style of of your typical espionage-adventure novels, this one involves a dedicated male hero and a female character thrust into the action. HowIn the style of of your typical espionage-adventure novels, this one involves a dedicated male hero and a female character thrust into the action. However, this book takes two slightly unique bends from the norm, both of which made the book more interesting to me.
First, the female protagonist (yeah, her name is October.) is an Iraqi War Vet who is now training through the New Orleans University psychology department in a oft-mocked "remote viewing" program. The subject matter, while easily hookey if handled wrong, comes across quite well when written by the duo working under the pen name of C.S. Graham. Second, this novel blatantly bashes the GOP Republicans, Corporate Capitalism and Fundamentalist Christians - pretty ballsy for a novel surrounding the CIA!
Nothing terribly ground-breaking here, but a good, fun read none the less......more
Supposedly Patterson rewrote this after it had been sitting around for years. Chances are, one of his many ghost writers tackled it. I don't care - I Supposedly Patterson rewrote this after it had been sitting around for years. Chances are, one of his many ghost writers tackled it. I don't care - I still love Patterson's popcorn mysteries, and was quite surprised to see he had ever taken a stab at horror.
A pretty standard plot involving two virgin births, one in Boston and one in Ireland shakes up the Catholic Church, and (of course) a nun-turned-PI has to investigate. I did keep wondering where they tale was going, what exactly was being laid out for our ex-nun (I was right), and which of the two virgins was carrying something other than a messiah.
Nothing astounding, nothing terrible... good 'ol Patterson....more
First, let me say that I LOVE Preston-Child's Pendergast Series. Insanely so. And this book would have had a 4 star review... right up until those lasFirst, let me say that I LOVE Preston-Child's Pendergast Series. Insanely so. And this book would have had a 4 star review... right up until those last few chapters. I won't give anything away, except to say that I'm pretty sure that either the editors of the publishers started screeching about length/word count, and the duo just... well, wrote the worst ending I've read in years.
I can't even describe how far my WTF Meter went into the red. Five chapters that should have been ten, character acting completely, er, out of character, needless deaths, and a final paragraph that made me hurl the book against the wall. I'm only a few chapters into "Dragon Mount" and I'm hesitant to read any further.
So many mystery novels are cliched copies of each other. Few things original, in concept or delivery, authors just trying to produce more xeroxed taleSo many mystery novels are cliched copies of each other. Few things original, in concept or delivery, authors just trying to produce more xeroxed tales. Some might argue Heartsick is no different - but they would be wrong. Even with her blatant wink towards Thomas Harris, the homage is developed in a unique manner, drastically different in style and delivery. Our beautiful and manipulative psycho-killer aside, it is Cain's wonderfully realistic dialogue that catapults this book beyond its peers. You understand Archie, you believe in him as a terribly broken person, and you identify with Susan almost immediately. Indeed, it is Cain's prose that makes this book excel - it is brutal, honest and captivating....more
When an 80-something year old lady brings a bunch of books into my store, many of which catch my eye or are one I've read before, and points to this bWhen an 80-something year old lady brings a bunch of books into my store, many of which catch my eye or are one I've read before, and points to this book and says, "I really liked that," I'm gonna snag it.
Thank you, old lady.
Immediately, I began to draw parallels from Subterranean to Jeff Long's The Descent. However, there's not really much in common between the two. Giant underground cavern systems populated by various creatures - that's it. Long's book is Horror, in my opinion. Rollins has written a more contemporary SciFi book.
With the exception of WHY the hell that damn kid was allowed to be brought along on an Antarctic exploration, I found the plot excellent, pacing tight, and characters believable. Some might groan at the Mimi'Swee, but Crichton has done weirder and gotten away with it. I must admit though, I just couldn't picture those skateboard things they used.
I will absolutely track down more by James Rollins. Unfortunately, the only one I have on hand at the moment is The Judas Strain, which is book 4 of his Sigma Force stuff. I hate starting in the middle of a series....more
I tend to wary of Mystery novels. I usually just don't care, and I'm not into the mundane plots. However, I have a soft spot for any tales concerning I tend to wary of Mystery novels. I usually just don't care, and I'm not into the mundane plots. However, I have a soft spot for any tales concerning FBI Agents... and these are FBI Agents with Psychic Powers? I am SO there!
My first book by Kay Hooper, and I'm pretty well hooked. A lot of the normal, cliched Mystery stuff is here, but was able to fly right through it thanks to the interesting angle. This same angle (the supernatural) seems to be why a number of readers don't care for the series. I honestly think these books would do better with fans of Jim Butcher's "Dresden Files" and other Urban Fantasy.
In any case, I will be tracking down more tales of The SCU....more
Human misery and suffering can come in many forms. Regardless, I've never seen it delivered in a book with such brutal realism, with such heartbreakinHuman misery and suffering can come in many forms. Regardless, I've never seen it delivered in a book with such brutal realism, with such heartbreaking force. This book took me longer than usual to finish, not because it was bad, but because after only a few chapters I'd have to put it down to go play with my damn cats or watch something stupid on TV.
Yeah, the book is filled with THAT much despair. Don't get me wrong... I'm considering that a good thing. It's because it wasn't brought to us ham-fisted or in a melodramatic style, but in a nightmarishly mundane fashion.
Reed has been labeled "The Gay Stephen King." Personally, I think that does a disservice to Reed! And while the homosexual overtones were a bit... looming... it didn't stop this heterosexual guy from getting swept up by the horrible reality of homeless children selling themselves for drugs and money.
Oh, and I dare you to try and find an antagonist you despise more. There may be some minor reasons to try and sympathize with the villain, but seriously, I found myself fantasizing hopefully about his extended torture scene. No joke, Dwight Morris has now entered my Top 5 "Most Despicable" or what have you.
If you have a strong stomach for, well... everything; get this....more
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