Angel's Dance by Heidi Angell

I can't say how excited I am that Heidi Angell asked me to be a part of her virtual book tour this month. It not only gave me the opportunity to read a great book, but it got me back into reading since my move to Massachusetts nearly 3 months ago (how the time flies!) Angel's Dance is the second book based around Grant Anderson and Clear Angel, picking up about 6 months after the events that took place in Elements of a Broken Mind. This combination of crime thriller and paranormal/psychic fiction is seamless, and I'm giving Angel's Dance 4 out of 5 stars and a strong recommendation for anyone interested in crime or psychology.

From the author:
Psychic Clear Angel hasn't seen or heard from her one-time lover Detective Grant since their first case wrapped up six months ago, and that is perfectly fine with her! But when he shows up on her porch in the rain and in tears, she cannot hold her ground. No matter how she feels about Grant and her 'gift', she can't ignore the visions already pouring in.

Grant knows that he is no good for Clear, and has respected the distance she has kept. But when his daughter goes missing and the Chicago police have no leads, he turns to Clear and her unique abilities.

This next adventure puts Grant and Clear in close quarters as they find themselves once again fighting their feelings for one another. Thrust into the dark underworld of performance art, they strive to track down a ballerina who keeps taunting Clear in her visions. As they delve deeper into one studio, the grisly visions that haunt Clear may be more than she can handle. Can Clear hold it together to help find Grant's daughter before it's too late?

My thoughts:
Heidi Angell's books read like an episode of Law & Order, or maybe Psych. She has clearly done her research into the world of forensic psychology and criminal profiling, and as a student of criminal psychology I am more than impressed... "women feel more comfortable expressing their feelings and displaying their emotions. They also typically have a stronger network to share their emotions. Men tend to bottle things up and do not feel comfortable sharing their feelings, especially negative feelings, with others." It's nice to read a book that is both informative and entertaining.

The one issue I had with Angel's Dance was that I often had trouble distinguishing Clear's visions from reality. It was rather confusing for me to know when something was actually happening, versus something that had happened before and she was simply reliving, such as her visions of Bella in the dance studio. Other than my confusion, I was very pleased with this book and Ms. Angell's writing in general.

There was a bit more romance in this book than the first one, owing to Grant and Clear's complicated and not quite so professional relationship, and I just couldn't stop reading to find out how things were going to turn out, both in their relationship and in their hunt for Grant's daughter and the person who kidnapped her. It's very difficult to put a book down when you empathize so strongly with the characters, and I read almost the entirety of Angel's Dance in just one sitting. I dare anybody reading this to read Elements of a Broken Mind and Angel's Dance without getting sucked in.

 Don't forget to enter Ms. Angell's giveaways on the right side of my blog for the chance to win a paperback copy of Angel's Dance as well as posters and pendants!! Her book tour will be continuing throughout the month leading up to the release of Angel's Dance on November 25th, giving you plenty of time to read the first book and immerse yourself in the world of Grant and Clear. And of course, here's a link to her blog, An Angell's Life. Enjoy!

- Justin :)

Announcement: Heidi Angell's Virtual Book Tour Now Underway!!

Tell me this doesn't look intriguing. Go ahead and try.

Hey guys, I wanted to spread the news about a talented author beginning a virtual book tour to celebrate the upcoming release of her new book! Heidi Angell's new book Angel's Dance will be released on November 25th, and she's launched a book tour to spread the word. This is the sequel to Elements of a Broken Mind, a phenomenal psychological thriller that piqued my interest thanks to its combination of forensic psychology and psychic elements. What kind of book can manage that but the best kinds? In any case, the schedule and all the information can be found on her blog, An Angell's Life, and here's a link to the launch post. I'm excited, of course, to be a part of the tour; my review of her new book will go live on November 11th for everyone to read.

To celebrate the book release, she's opened up a few rafflecopters for the opportunity to win some exciting prizes, including bookmarks, a poster, pendants, and two paperback copies of Angel's Dance. I've posted links to two of the raffles on my page (on the right hand side, right next to my blog posts), and again they're also available on Heidi's blog. I look forward to finishing the story, and posting my review of it here for everyone to see on November 11th.

- Justin

PS, I did want to link to my reviews of both Elements of a Broken Mind as well as another of Ms. Angell's books that I've read, enjoyed, and reviewed, The Hunters. So there they are. Enjoy!

Elements of Broken Mind by Heidi Angell

First things first, my apologies to Heidi Angell and everyone who reads this blog for my long absence. I just moved to a new state, on my own, to start a brand new job, so I've been pretty overwhelmed and busy and haven't had much time to do anything else besides get everything settled. In any case, I am very thankful to everyone for actually reading this blog, and to Ms. Angell for her patience in waiting for a review for her book (I told you it was coming though!) :) On to the book review! A fantastic tale from a wonderful author, Elements of a Broken Mind is a 5 out of 5 star book to me, for keeping me entertained and stumping the forensic psychologist in me.

From the publisher:
Grant Anderson is a small-town detective
whose job was quiet and easy, until three
girls end up dead. A serial killer is stalking the young ladies in his town. Without the high tech equipment of big cities at his fingers, Grant must rely on good old-fashioned police work; but with no discernible pattern
and no clues to follow, the case seems to be grinding to a halt.
Then Grant gets a visit from a mysterious young woman. Who is Clear Angel? What is her connection to the case? If Grant is to believer her, then he must accept that she has “seen” these things. But Grant is a professional. He cannot believe in psychics! Yet when another girl goes missing, and Grant’s search is yielding nothing he is desperate enough to try.

Clear Angel has always been special. Seclusion has kept the nightmares at bay. Then the nightmares begin again. Are they premonitions
of events to come? Are they the sick fantasies of a madman?
Then one evening she runs into a stranger
and finds out that not only are they real, but they are happening here in her home town. After a lifetime of running and hiding from what she can do, she is now forced to reach out to the most unlikely person in an effort to save innocent girls and perhaps the world.

My thoughts:
So, I was sent this book by the author for an honest review. I'm so pleased that she sent it to me, and don't really have anything negative to say about it. Elements of a Broken Mind is a phenomenal, fast paced read and I'm very eagerly anticipating the next book in the series. The writing is spot on, the characters are realistic (which, given the plot, is amazing), and I had so much fun reading this book and figuring out for myself how Grant and Clear were going to find the killer and save the girls.

I have a background in forensic psychology, and have taken classes on profiling crime scenes and offenders. I still didn't know where Angell was going with her novel, and had a great time watching Grant and Clear work on solving the crimes before the killer took yet another young girl's life.  Particularly when the killer would 'return' his victims, only to kidnap more to replace them, I couldn't help but begin my own profile of the type of person who would be committing such crimes.

Even better was the fact that the attraction between the two didn't take center stage in Elements, something that appears to be becoming more and more widespread a problem in books today. Yes there is romance, but it is secondary to the thrilling mystery Angell puts in place from page one for her readers. It will be very interesting seeing the chemistry between the two in the next installment in this series :)

- Justin

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

I won't lie, I had absolutely no intention of reading this book, thanks to the creepy little girl on the cover. My bookseller friends were all interested in reading it, but I kept taking a pass, until I saw it on an impulse desk at my library. I mean, why not pick up a book then? The lesson that I learned is the age old "Don't judge a book by its cover." I was blown away at how fascinating the story was, and the originality and work involved in creating a story out of a collection of old photographs. In my opinion, Riggs did a phenomenal job introducing characters and plot out of random unconnected pictures, and Miss Peregrine is a 5 out of 5 star series/author debut.

From the publisher:
A mysterious island.



An abandoned orphanage.



A strange collection of very curious photographs.



It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive. 

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

My thoughts:
I thought this was a well thought out story; evidently Riggs has imagination aplenty to come up with such a colorful backstory to so many unrelated photographs. I found myself dreading the moment when I had to put the book down to get sleep or go to work or something, eagerly anticipating the next chance I'd have to pick it back up and see what Jacob was up to. The peculiar children are much more interesting, and less creepy, than the photographs suggest, and it was easy to imagine what they would be like if I were to visit Wales and run into them at the crumbling orphanage.

One of the biggest complaints I have heard about this book is that it wasn't what people had expected from the cover/summary, and honestly I am relieved that it wasn't what I expected. I don't really like creepy or scary, as my overactive imagination tends to give me nightmares. Especially since I read so much at night rather than during the day.

As much as I hate being 'that guy', I've been trying to find more books told from a male POV. So many young adult novels are told by a female, and while I do still read and enjoy them, it'd be nice to be able to relate to the narrator just a little bit more (Hunger Games and Divergent are awesome, but I start fading out when the narrators are discussing the guys they are interested in). Jacob is a confused, lost teenager trying to make sense of what happened to his grandfather, and it was refreshing to be able to identify so well with the protagonist and to not have to cross any gender boundaries. Again, though, I'm not trying to be sexist or anything. I just would like to see more male narrators in the world of young adult novels (and for them not to be about sports and only sports).

Overall I found Miss Peregrine to be unique, inventive, and very entertaining, and I'm looking forward to the release of Hollow City, the second Ransom Riggs novel, in January. If you haven't taken a look at this New York Times bestseller yet, you should definitely get on that :)

- Justin

The Average American Male by Chad Kultgen

This was one of the most hilariously inappropriate and surprising books that I've ever read. I think it was really more surprising than anything, since I wasn't expecting the sharp, crude humor that filled the pages. The title should tell it all, a story told from the point of view of a nameless male narrator in his mid to late 20's, and all the mental observations that come from having such a narrator. If this sounds like your cup of tea shot of whiskey, then keep going and read my 4 out of 5 star review of this novel. But fair warning: This will be one of my more offensive and crude reviews, as the book calls for nothing less. >:)

From the publisher:
An offensive, in-your-face, brutally honest and completely hilarious look at male inner life and sexual fantasy. In the course of this hilariously honest book, our narrator suffers through a relationship with his vapid wannabe-actress girlfriend until he finds the perfect girl. But when he moves into the new relationship, he slowly learns that all women are pretty much the same, that man's true desires will never be fulfilled, and the decision between living life alone or biting the marriage bullet must be made.


My thoughts:
I was really thrown off when the entirety of the first chapter is "Same old bullshit." and the second chapter opens with our narrator contemplating the factors that alter a man's perception: "I wonder what it is, other than age, that turns a mouth a man would want to put his cock in into a twitching hole getting yogurt shoveled into it with a baby spoon." Mostly because as soon as this happened, I couldn't help but wonder the same thing. And then I started twitching in horror, realizing at what this implied for any older women I've come across in the community. Kultgen doesn't hold anything back in this novel, and almost any topic or situation is the perfect setting for him to bring up sexual fantasies, concerns, and quandaries. Family gatherings, parties, sitting next to the hot redhead on an airplane... This is the average American mind?! Freaky. And I am, in fact, a guy.



The thought of yogurt is so tainted now...

Writing this review is tricky because one theme throughout the novel is that guys quickly and frequently turn to sex in their minds (also, that virtually all women boil down to the same being). How can I write this review as a guy, knowing that my friends and family would be reading this review and therefore wondering what's going on in an average male's mind? I got over that pretty quickly though, since most women I know have read or are interested in reading 50 Shades of Grey and other assorted smut romance novels. (I would know, I read that so-called book and here's my review of it.) In any case, while I can't deny that a lot of the observations our narrator makes in this book have crossed my mind at one point or another, I do like to think that my mind spends a little less time out of the gutter than in it..

In any case, The Average American Male is a great read, fast paced and entertaining, but with a kernel of insight to make you stop and think. Sometimes, the thinking leads to nightmares, but that's to be expected when every other sentence has some lewd comment or innuendo that you have spent years learning to ignore and repress in the real world. I had a great time with this novel, but just be aware opening the first page that this is offensive and lewd and essentially directed at college-age men. Or open minded people of any other demographic (but still over 18). I for one am very excited to start reading Kultgen's sequel, The Average American Marriage.

Justin

Oh, and this. Just so you have a visual ;)

Killer Rumors By Antonello Fiore

So, the author of this book sent me a digital version of it for an honest review, which I intend to deliver on (as I do with every book I read, whether or not the author requested a review). Killer Rumors is a gripping story that you can't help but be pulled in by, and if not for the grammatical errors and lack of proofreading it would certainly be a 5 star novel. However, I had to give this book 3 out of 5 stars because the jumps from present to past tense and vice versa, coupled with bad grammar, significantly interfered with my ability to truly enjoy this book as much as I could have. Again, the plot and the story development was phenomenal, but the execution of the book was less than stellar.

From the publisher:
Father D’Angelo and Bakeman, two devoted priests were brutally murdered while going on one of their nightly walks. Detective Frank Rinelli is called to the case- not only due to his close friendship with the priests, but with his expertise of tracking psychotic killers. Rinelli suddenly discovers these murders were based on a scandal that occurred several years ago at the same Church where the two murdered priests preached. And it doesn’t stop there. The list of people being murdered in connection with the scandal continues to grow until the killer has his ultimate vengeance- and the truth released.

My thoughts:
I was blown away at how deeply I was pulled into this story, and how quickly it happened. Not many stories have the ability to really make me wish I had a longer lunch break on which to read, but Fiore has a way with plot and character development. Frank Rinelli and his partner Nick Lorenzzo are immensely likable, filled with the wit and quips that come with the territory of being literary detectives (I highly doubt that detectives are really as sharp and witty as those that live in the pages of a book, likely due to an author's time spent developing the dialogue for his characters to deliver). I had a blast watching them try to discover who was killing off the priests and church employees, made even more entertaining by the fact that Fiore gives the killer his own voice in the novel. The reader gets to see what's going through his head, and why he has planned and executed these horrific crimes. I've read a lot of crime novels (here's looking at you, James Patterson), and this author certainly has the drive and the imagination to become a major player in this genre.

That is, of course, if there is a bit more editing done. The verb tense shifts back and forth from present to past, and it is so difficult and so disorienting to read. Add to this word salad and other assorted grammatical errors, and the incredible story loses its luster somewhat. It took away from my ability to sit and read for an extended period of time, no matter how intrigued and curious I was to see what was going to happen next. And I assure you, most of your time spent reading this will be on the edge of your seat, anxious for the next chapter and the next plot twist.

Killer Rumors is a fast pace crime thriller that I would read again and again (and probably be shocked at the ending again and again as well). Assuming, of course, that it is edited and re-released. I look forward to seeing what else the imaginative mind of Antonello Fiore can come up with in future installments of this series.

- Justin

NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

Advance copies, the perk to being a bookseller.

Ah, a fantastic fantasy/sci-fi/horror movie that blew me away. Stephen King's son certainly knows how to write a story, and I'm glad one of my coworkers got me all riled up for it. If you're looking for a thriller with a great plot and appealing characters, take a look at this book that is well worth the time, and is to me a 5 out of 5 star suspense.

From the publisher:
NOS4A2 is a spine-tingling novel of supernatural suspense from master of horror Joe Hill, the New York Times bestselling author of Heart-Shaped Box and Horns.

Victoria McQueen has a secret gift for finding things: a misplaced bracelet, a missing photograph, answers to unanswerable questions. On her Raleigh Tuff Burner bike, she makes her way to a rickety covered bridge that, within moments, takes her wherever she needs to go, whether it’s across Massachusetts or across the country.

Charles Talent Manx has a way with children. He likes to take them for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the NOS4A2 vanity plate. With his old car, he can slip right out of the everyday world, and onto the hidden roads that transport them to an astonishing – and terrifying – playground of amusements he calls “Christmasland.”

Then, one day, Vic goes looking for trouble—and finds Manx. That was a lifetime ago. Now Vic, the only kid to ever escape Manx’s unmitigated evil, is all grown up and desperate to forget. But Charlie Manx never stopped thinking about Victoria McQueen. He’s on the road again and he’s picked up a new passenger: Vic’s own son.

My thoughts:
The beginning was confusing and tough to follow, because it doesn't just discuss Vic and Manx, but several other minor characters, and the story sets itself up in a strange way-- Manx in a coma, Vic as a child, and Bing Partridge before we find out who he is. There was such a lack of connection between the early chapters that I wasn't initially sure how I would feel about the book. 

Needless to say, I got over my apprehension very quickly and am very glad I did. Joe Hill does a fantastic job bringing everything together, and doing so in a way that seems both natural for the story progression and keeps the reader entertained and interested in what's going on. NOS4A2 is a compelling, suspenseful read that kept me guessing. I didn't know what would happen with Vic and her family till the final pages, whether they would defeat Charles Manx and save the children of Christmasland, or if they would become the next victims of his.

Hill did a great job adding different elements of fantasy and science fiction into this horror novel, incorporating a concept of alternate dimensions and traveling between worlds. That's not to say that I would want to visit Christmasland, but I think the idea of some people being able to visit inscapes and get away from reality is an interesting one, and it'd be interesting to take a look at some of the research and topics that Hill looked into when putting this into his story.

Not only does Joe Hill add a fantasy element to his work, he does so in a way that makes it almost compatible with reality. Imagine you can travel through an inscape in your mind. How do you think people would react if/when they found out? Chances are, you would end up undergoing intense psychiatric observation. Vic herself developed a defense mechanism against her visits through the covered bridge by making up stories to explain where she found the missing objects, to deny to herself the existence of the bridge that led her to the objects. She sought medical help and was taking medications to restore her sanity, which is what most people would do if they had the same experiences she did. It makes the story so much more relatable, particularly  events and experiences that are clearly unrealistic and would almost never happen (because who knows, maybe they do exist).

I rarely give out 5 star reviews, reserving them for books I am more likely to re-read and recommend to other people, but Joe Hill's NOS4A2 is deserving of this rating, and I recommend it to everyone who can handle the occasional gruesome scene or inappropriate language.

Justin :)

FREE THIS WEEK!! The Dark Horde by Brewin

1989, rural Victoria, Australia. Something is preying upon the township of Howqua Hills. Brian Derwent, head of the local Police Station, must simultaneously grapple with the investigation, his disintegrating personal life and unseen forces that are not of this world.

Part thriller, part crime-fiction, all supernatural horror, The Dark Horde tells of the return of an ancient evil that is neither stoppable nor comprehensible...

---

If anyone's looking for a compelling horror story that will keep you up late at night (and that you can read with an Australian accent), look no further. Brewin's novel The Dark Horde is available for free in e-book format from Amazon this week, through June 14th. I have a link to the book here, and I also have a link to my review of the book here. Definitely an interesting novel worth taking a look at, but like I said, try not to read it late at night ;)


Justin

Banished: The Gods Among Us by William and Pamela Deen

Quick review for now, as I have work in a little bit.. Another indie author, and another good story that puts a new series on my to-read list.

There's something about mythology that always gets me interested, and almost always leaves me satisfied with the story in question. Banished tells the story of the god Inlil, banished to Earth for his indiscretions and harassment of the other gods. While I'm not familiar with the ancient Sumerian pantheon or any of these stories, I was still intrigued and thought I would take a look at this novella (the first of four). I don't regret this decision, and Banished is a 4 out of 5 star story in my book.

From the publisher:
Banished, begins the story on the gods' home world of Nibiru and is the first twelve chapters of The Gods Among Us. There, the malevolent god Inlil commits and is found guilty of crimes against a reigning goddess, Sud. In the past, Inlil's father, Anu, God-King of Nibiru, has overlooked his son's indiscretions. However, in this instance, he cannot ignore the heinous deed committed. After confrontations with Sud's father, Haia, the greatest warrior god of Nibiru, and advice from his consul, another son, Enki, Anu banishes Inlil to Earth. There he is allowed to reign within the realm of canid, as a wolf. The only decree placed on his banishment, "Do not encroach upon the realm of man".

Inlil cannot resist.
In the year 10,000 BC, he attacks and slaughters a tribe of humans. He learns from the experience. Death, pain, and suffering of humans empowers him.

In response, Anu is forced to send Enki for the purpose of returning Inlil to Nibiru and imprisonment in Irkalla, the underworld. Enki, taking the form of a great white eagle, confronts his half-brother. Inlil escapes, althought not unharmed, into the dense forest and the battle for humankind begins.

My thoughts:
While there were parts that I thought could have been written a little better, I was pleased with this story and am likely to pick up the rest of the Gods Among Us novellas. I feel like the dialogue left a bit to be desired, but the Deens do a great job with descriptions and plot development. Again, I'm not savvy on this world of mythology, and cannot speak as to the 'poetic license' that other reviewers claim Deen took in retelling the story of these gods, but it is a quick novella that is sure to catch your attention and pull you into the characters' lives. I would definitely like to learn more about the big events that have brought the gods to this juncture, and hopefully some of this is highlighted in the rest of the series.

Justin :)

Damned by Chuck Palahniuk

Having read Fight Club and Choke, I have high expectations for Palahniuk's novels. I think that's one of the biggest reasons I didn't like this book as much as I could have. While still entertaining and witty, it just wasn't what I had built it up to be in my mind. I enjoyed it, just not as much as I thought I would, which is why Damned earned itself 3 out of 5 stars.

From the publisher:
“Are you there, Satan? It’s me, Madison,” declares the whip-tongued thirteen-year-old narrator of Damned, Chuck Palahniuk’s subversive new work of fiction. The daughter of a narcissistic film star and a billionaire, Madison is abandoned at her Swiss boarding school over Christmas, while her parents are off touting their new projects and adopting more orphans. She dies over the holiday of a mari­juana overdose—and the next thing she knows, she’s in Hell. Madison shares her cell with a motley crew of young sinners that is almost too good to be true: a cheerleader, a jock, a nerd, and a punk rocker, united by fate to form the six-feet-under version of everyone’s favorite detention movie. Madison and her pals trek across the Dandruff Desert and climb the treacherous Mountain of Toenail Clippings to confront Satan in his citadel. All the popcorn balls and wax lips that serve as the currency of Hell won’t buy them off.

This is the afterlife as only Chuck Palahniuk could imagine it: a twisted inferno where The English Patient plays on end­less repeat, roaming demons devour sinners limb by limb, and the damned interrupt your dinner from their sweltering call center to hard-sell you Hell. He makes eternal torment, well, simply divine.

My thoughts:
Basically, the story is about 13 year old Madison Spencer, the daughter of a celebrity couple who dies and is sent to hell after a marijuana overdose (seriously?) She writes in the form of a Judy Blume novel, addressing Satan with each chapter: "Are you there Satan? It's me, Madison." Some of her observations are about the goings-on in Hell, while other comments are just her gripes about life and her complaints about how people can be Miss Whorey Vanderhoors and whatnot. The fact that the first half of the book was interrupted every other chapter by comments about how yes she's thirteen, but she's not stupid and knows what certain words are, really got on my nerves.

I did enjoy Palahniuk's vision of Hell, where candy is currency and the demons travel around devouring sinners, who just pop right back up after being eaten. The landmarks, lakes, and other obstacles that the small group comes across are both disgusting and inventive, and it takes quite the imagination to come up with. What's more interesting to me, having a deep interest in mythology and ancient civilizations, I enjoyed the concept that deities from each civilization are present after being overpowered by a new civilization who replaces the religion in the area. If there was any real way to conceptualize the toppling of a religion, it's by sending the losing side to Hell to become demons.

I didn't know where the story was going until she went on her adventure across Hell with Babette, Patterson, Archer, and Leonard, who played a role in the first part of the book but then kind of fell to the wayside. Why were they traveling? How did they all end up in Hell? It turns out they want to appeal Madison's damnation, which seems silly because she didn't seem to dislike it all that much. Especially by the end of the book, anyway. I would much rather have preferred if Madison was a bit less annoying, and the other characters played a bigger role and were more involved toward the end of the book. I happened to like Archer and Babette, and would've been interested to learn more about the whole Breakfast Club gang.

This all being said, once the plot picked up and they were on their way, I found it much more difficult to put the book down. Madison became less obnoxious, and I started to get a feel for the main points of the novel. I would still prefer to have read one of Palahniuk's earlier works, but this was not a bad way to pass the time.

- Justin

The Call of Agon by Dean F. Wilson

Yet another book sent to me by the author for a review :) If you couldn't tell, it always makes me feel a little more special when people want to know my opinion on something. Anyway, this time around it's the first book in the Children of Telm series, The Call of Agon. Part fantasy, part mythology, and bearing a slight resemblance to many different classic novels, TCOA is very well written and I give it 4 out of 5 stars, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series when Wilson finishes them up.

From the publisher:
THE LAST LINE. THE LAST WORDS. THE LAST CHANCE.

Ifferon is one of the last in the bloodline of the dead god Telm, who mated with mortal women, and who imprisoned the Beast Agon in the Underworld. Armed with a connection to the estranged gods in the Overworld and a scroll bearing Telm's powerful dying words, he is tasked with ensuring the god's vital legacy: that Agon remain vanquished.

Fear forces Ifferon to abandon his duty, but terror restores his quest when the forces of Agon find his hideaway in an isolated coastal monastery. Weighed down by the worries of the world, but lifted up by the companions he encounters along the way, Ifferon embarks on a journey that encompasses the struggles of many peoples, the siege of many lands, and discoveries that could bring hope to some—or doom to all.

My thoughts:
At first, I was very confused with the story. I couldn't figure out who was who, what was happening, and the main plot line was lost in the early chapters. That being said, the action and the mystery behind who Ifferon is, and why he is being hunted, add a strong element of intrigue and don't give the reader an opportunity to put this book down and forget about it. Ifferon meets an assorted crew, nay, a FELLOWHIP, on his quest to use the god Telm's final words to vanquish Agon back to the Underworld. Wilson does a great job making these characters fun to read about, and likable (even if you dislike a character, you still love to hate him as you read). Not only, by the way, is Ifferon's quest very comparable to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, but other details also bring the epic fantasy to mind. For example, Oelinor cannot die by natural means, but he is still fallible in battle (elves, anyone?) It was pretty fun to read this story, and think of where the inspiration for Wilson's characters and world came from.

As I said above, the beginning chapters can be confusing and hard to get into, partly owing to the fast pace and lack of explanation (which is mostly remedied throughout the story), but is also due to the difficult and somewhat similar names. I know enough mythology to know that this is to be expected, and also makes this story seem so much more similar to ancient stories. Many aspects of life and nature were humanized and deified by ancient civilizations, and it's interesting that the personification used in TCOA speaks to Wilson's ability to make the story and words themselves reference the world of mythology.

Overall, the combination of mythology, fantasy, and adventure makes The Call of Agon a great story to read, and I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys ancient mythology, epic novels such as LOTR, or who's looking for a good new book to read :)

- Justin

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

As if I didn't have a ton of books to read already, I accepted a challenge to read and review this philosophical fiction from my good friend Sergio (he does comics, you should check his site out HERE). In any case, I don't really regret taking this challenge, because The Unbearable Lightness of Being was a fantastic, insightful book that really makes you think. Kundera takes what could have been a standard love story between a man and his wife, and between that man's mistress and another of her lovers, and integrates theories and philosophies regarding the human psyche and the irrevocable decisions we all make in daily life. I fully enjoyed it, and it gets 4 out of 5 stars here on my blog.

From the publisher:
A young woman in love with a man torn between his love for her and his incorrigible womanizing; one of his mistresses and her humbly faithful lover -- these are the two couples whose story is told in this masterful novel.

Controlled by day, Tereza's jealousy awakens by night, transformed into ineffably sad death-dreams, while Tomas, a successful surgeon, alternates loving devotion to the dependent Tereza with the ardent pursuit of other women. Sabina, an independent, free-spirited artist, lives her life as a series of betrayals -- of parents, husband, country, love itself -- whereas her lover, the intellectual Franz, loses all because of his earnest goodness and fidelity.

In a world in which lives are shaped by irrevocable choices and by fortuitous events, a world in which everything occurs but once, existence seems to lose its substance, its weight. Hence we feel, says the novelist, "the unbearable lightness of being" -- not only as the consequence of our private acts but also in the public sphere, and the two inevitably intertwine.

This magnificent novel encompasses the extremes of comedy and tragedy, and embraces, it seems, all aspects of human existence. It juxtaposes geographically distant places (Prague, Geneva, Paris, Thailand, the United States, a forlorn Bohemian village); brilliant and playful reflections (on "eternal return," on kitsch, on man and animals -- Tomas and Tereza have a beloved dog named Karenin); and a variety of styles (from the farcical to the elegiac) to take its place as perhaps the major achievement of one of the world's truly great writers.

My thoughts:
At first, I wasn't sure which way this story was going to go. Who was I going to relate to the most, and why? Should I feel bad for Tereza, who was knowingly staying with a womanizer? Or for Franz, who spent his life still living under the influence of his mistress? Nah, I didn't feel bad for any of them because the decisions they made influenced the person they became, and further influenced other decisions they made. The human life only occurs once, complicating our decision making process. How do we know if the decision we've made is the right one in a given situation, considered we only have one life, and therefore no previous knowledge in that situation to base our decision on? What if we make the wrong decision? (This is particularly poignant to me, as I can never make up my mind and am always thinking about the decisions I've made and what would have happened if I had chosen differently). We don't have another life in which to rectify this and make a different choice. Oh, and I have plenty of quotes from the book to reference in this review!

- We can never know what to want, because, living only one life, we can neither compare it with our previous lives nor perfect it in our lives to come.

- Human life occurs only once, and the reason we cannot determine which of our decisions are good and which bad is that in a given situation we can make only one decision; we are not granted a second, third, or fourth life in which to compare various decisions.

Because life only occurs once, does this make our lives more or less meaningful? Is my life valuable because it only happens once, or is it less valuable because once it happens, it's done and that's it? After reading the book, and discussing with Sergio (let's admit it, he's a modest genius), I've come to the conclusion that life has meaning if somebody is around to experience it and for which it holds meaning. A life is finite, and if when somebody passes on there is nothing left of him, or nobody left for whom his life held meaning, then the meaning of that life ceases to be. This is why people are so set on leaving a legacy, be it children, music, art, and so on. "Something that is experienced timelessly to many escapes this meaninglessness" as Sergio put it. This also helps explain religion, the need for an omniscient and omnipresent being to watch over the human race and therefore give our lives meaning (again, the idea being that our lives have meaning so long as they are perceived by someone or something else).

I think this line of philosophy was the most prevalent in this book, although there were plenty of other theories and insightful views throughout. I honestly didn't follow the entire idea of kitsch: "... that the aesthetic ideal of the categorical agreement with being is a world in which shit is denied and everyone acts as though it did not exist. This aesthetic ideal is called kitsch... kitsch is the absolute denial of shit, in both the literal and figurative senses of the word; kitsch excludes everything from its purview which is essentially unacceptable in human existence." This definition from the book seems to make sense, but I wasn't following Kundera's use of the concept in the latter third of the book. Maybe I need to reread it, or see some discussion in the comments on here ;)

Kundera does a fantastic job blending philosophy and history into The Unbearable Lightness of Being, and makes this story fun and easy to read as well as interesting and insightful. I'll leave with you with a  few other quotes that I liked, and hopefully get a few of you to pick up this novel as well :)

- Not even one's own pain weighs so heavy as the pain one feels with someone, for someone, a pain intensified by the imagination and prolonged by a hundred echoes.

- Muss es sein? Ja, es muss sein. (Must it be? Yes, it must be).

- Es konnte auch anders sein. (It could just as well be otherwise).

- Only the most naïve of questions are truly serious. They are the questions with no answers. A question with no answers is a barrier that cannot be breached. In other words, it is questions with no answers that set the limits of human possibilities, describe the boundaries of human existence.

- What is unique about the 'I' hides itself exactly in what is unimaginable about a person. All we are able to imagine is what makes everyone like everyone else, what people have in common. The individual 'I' is what differs from the common stock, that is, what cannot be guessed at or calculated, what must be unveiled, uncovered, conquered.

- We can never establish with certainty what part of our relations with others is the result of our emotions- love, antipathy, charity, or malice- and what part is predetermined by the constant power play among individuals.

- Mankind's true moral test, its fundamental test, consists of its attitude toward those who are at its mercy: animals.

- And therein lies the whole of man's plight. Human time does not turn in a circle; it runs ahead in a straight line. That is why man cannot be happy; happiness is the longing for repetition.

Don't forget, leave comments about your own thoughts on my review, these quotes, and the book if you've read it. Happy reading!
- Justin

The Hunters by Heidi Angell

It is so refreshing to see a vampire book that actually involves vampires, not shiny creatures that don't kill humans. The Hunters was an interesting look at the world of vampire hunters, and the challenges faced by a young group as they hunt the vampires that were their friends and neighbors before being turned. I enjoyed this story, and felt like it was well written and worthy of a 4 out of 5 star review, although I did have an issue or two with it as well.

From the publisher:
What would you do if you found your town had been infested with vampires? For Chris and his brother Lucas, the answer was simple enough: you fight back. Gathering a small band of other people in their town who have been affected by the vampires, they begin a resistance. But after a year of fighting, they have only managed to kill a handful, while the vampire leader has turned five times that many.

Then two enigmatic strangers appear, changing the groups lives even further.

Fury and Havoc. They call themselves hunters, and want no part in this little band of heroes. Ordering them to lay low, the duo vow to rid their town of vampires. When Fury is injured, Chris aides these strangers, entwining his future with theirs.

Now that the vampires know the hunters are here, and that Chris and his friends have helped them, the group is in more danger than ever before. Lucas is torn between protecting his new family from the vampires, and protecting them from these seemingly inhuman beings who say they are there to help.

After all, what beings could be so powerful as to scare a vampire?

My thoughts:
Chris and Lucas were just two young brothers who, after a vampire infestation in their neighborhood, bands together with a jumbled assortment of others who had been victimized and affected by the monsters. These people have been through a lot, Lana even having to handle her own father becoming a vampire. They are tough and resilient, and it was great watching them fight to defend their town against the relatively unknown. It's easy to feel the protective urges of Lucas over his younger brother, or Chris' need to prove himself and actually do something instead of just talk and plan. You can't read this story without feeling sympathy for these characters, having to fight something they know so little about, and having to fight against people they used to know and speak with. Family, friends, the mailman, they could all be vampires now that you have to fight and kill, or be killed yourself. That can't be an easy thing to go through.

One of my favorite lines from The Hunters comes after Fury and Havoc are brought to the sanctuary by Chris, and Lucas is fighting to have them kicked out. Doc, who he believed would understand and back him up, agreed with the rest of the group that the two strangers should be allowed to stay as a source of knowledge and assistance. The betrayal Lucas felt "was akin to that of Caesar and Brutus..." and as someone who loves Roman history and mythology and stories, I was pretty excited to see this comparison.

One thing I wasn't completely sold on was the necessity of sex scenes in this book. The Hunters is about a group of vampire hunters taking a stand against the plague that's overcome their town, so why are we treated to a barn romp between Fury and Havoc, which Chris watches? I feel like while the later dialogue between Chris and Carissa makes sense, given that any of them could die that night (so why not give it up for the afternoon?), the barn scene almost served as filler. Maybe you could fill me in a little bit Heidi? Why show that side of Fury and Havoc?

All in all I had a great time reading this, and hope the author decides to write a sequel, or at least another story about Fury and Havoc because I would love to learn a little bit more about who they are and where they came from. And of course, I'd like to know what becomes of the ragtag group of vampire hunters, whether the town is truly scourged and what they do in the aftermath of the final battle in The Hunters :)

- Justin

Spycatcher by Matthew Dunn

I wanted so badly to really enjoy this book. I'm not sure what my reasoning was, as I had this ARC sitting on my bookshelf for almost 2 years by the time I finally started it, but I recall really wanting to enjoy this. And I thought I would; it sounded so similar to all the other spy thriller books that are out there, and I thought I had found a new protagonist hero in Will Cochrane (there's only so much Alex Cross I can take before the stories become stagnant and redundant).

Unfortunately, I feel like Spycatcher fell short of my expectations. It was interesting to read this knowing that Matthew Dunn really did work for the MI6 in England, and so the story was based in facts regarding espionage in the governments of both America and England. The story itself, however, just felt flat. My biggest peeve about Lee Child's Jack Reacher series is that everything was so monotonous, and the characters seemed uninterested in their own lives. How can a reader become interested then? Spycatcher is a 2 out of 5 star book in my opinion, but because I know many other readers are much more interested in the Jack Reacher books than I am, I still recommend this to any Lee Child fans as they are very comparable.


From the publisher:
Will Cochrane, the CIA’s and MI6’s most prized asset and deadliest weapon, has known little outside this world since childhood. And he’s never been outplayed. So far…

Will’s controllers task him with finding and neutralizing one of today’s most wanted terrorist masterminds, a man believed to be an Iranian Revolutionary Guard general. Intending to use someone from the man’s past to flush him out of the shadows, Will believes he has the perfect plan, but he soon discovers, in a frantic chase from the capitals of Europe to New York City, that his adversary has more surprises in store and is much more treacherous than anyone he has ever faced—and survived—up to now.

My thoughts:
Okay, Cochrane is basically the bad-ass hero that was missing from "The Expendables". Willis, Stallone, Statham, Cochrane; they're all big and brawny and up for kicking some bad guy butt. And I get that. I like explosions and fight sequences and all of that. I need some kind of realism in it though. These guys need to take a few hits as well, otherwise it's a bad mock-up of Star Wars and James Bond.. The villains outnumber the hero a million to one, but can't hit their mark if they were aiming at the Titanic. It's unrealistic and boring and people need to be hurt. And yes, Cochrane sustains a few severe injuries in this novel, but what's weird is that he gets up by the next day, every time. And he's supposed to be in his mid 30's, easy. You don't just bounce back from some injuries, no matter who you are. It's weird how much things like this bother me sometimes.

Isn't there terrorist/villain training or something?

 And speaking of Bond, (SPOILERS) Megiddo really bothered me as well. Didn't he watch any action movies before? As the villain, you don't sit and talk with your rival about your plans. You show up, shoot him, and be done with it. Megiddo is the predictable villain who thinks he's infallible, and so tells his entire plan to the man he intends to kill, without really knowing for sure that things will work out that way. I mean, come on! If you fail, then the hero knows what the plan is and can stop it anyway!  (NO MORE SPOILERS)

Will Cochrane has suffered a lot in his early childhood and teenage years, and it helped to shape the man he grew up to be. I understand that. Especially from a psychological perspective, I'm not surprised he grew up to become a government agent, working to protect innocents from evil and harm. After what he witnessed and was involved in, it would have been surprising for him to do anything else like a normal person. And I can even understand the need to avoid relationships and social situations. I can't figure out why, even though this story was from his perspective, we the reader never really get true debates and inner discussions. He is very methodical and logical, and a lot of the novel reads as I would expect a calculator to read. There were a lot of moments where I had to manufacture the emotions that I felt I should be experiencing through Cochrane, because he repressed any emotions, and rarely even let them cross his mind. Is that really how spies function? Because if so, that's remarkable. And also psychopathic. I'm a psych major, I know these things.

The story itself was very interesting and well laid out- Cochrane must work with a small US special operations unit to take down a man responsible for most of the Middle East's terrorist attacks against the Western world, before he can launch a new attack against one of the western nations. I would have loved to see different interactions between Will and Lana, because I think it would have made reading this more enjoyable to see some emotions in Will's thoughts and actions, rather than his cold and calculating demeanor. Let's see some surprise, some true happiness, anything!

Sometimes I think I can be a bit harsh in my critiques of books. All I really want, though, is a captivating story, with characters that are fun to read about and potentially to relate to/identify with, told in a way that keeps my attention and takes me away from the real world for a while. That's not too much to ask for in a book, I hope. Anyway, Spycatcher was a bit unemotional for my tastes, but I think fans of Lee Child would enjoy this debut novel from a former MI6 field operative.

- Justin

Almost a Turkish Soap Opera by Anne-Rae Vasquez

So, I have had this review in draft form for a couple weeks now, because it was so difficult for me to properly review this book. I didn't want to be overly critical or complementary of something based on my own subjective tastes and interests. I rarely read out of my comfort zone, which is something I've tried working on to expand my horizons and so I could expose myself to different types/genres of writing that I would almost never pick up otherwise. And this story certainly takes me away from my standard literary fare, and deserved a more objective review than I would have written right after I finished reading it. Almost a Turkish Soap Opera is precisely what the title intimates, and while I was very entertained by the plot I was not so much a fan of the layout of the novel. This story was written as a screenplay, and reads just as a television show summary would. Almost a Turkish Soap Opera is a fascinating look into the Turkish culture in today's society, and is worthy of the 4 out of 5 stars I'm giving to it.

From the publisher:
Almost a Turkish Soap Opera is a story about Adel,a young Turkish man whose family has lived in poverty while his grand uncle controls the inheritance money which rightfully belongs to his father. Adel travels to the USA with his best friend Kamil, works illegally, and is deported back to Istanbul. He flies to Canada, marries his rich grand uncle's spoiled obnoxious granddaughter in exchange for his permanent resident status. He becomes infatuated with his beautiful English teacher and tries to hide this from his wife. How did his life turn into a Turkish soap opera?

The novel paints a vivid portrayal of the lives and struggles of young modern Muslim adults trying to make a life in the West. The story will attract audiences of popular contemporary movies such as the Kite Runner and the Brick Lane. A published author, Anne-Rae Vasquez, wrote the novel, Almost a Turkish Soap Opera (to be released in 2012), Gathering Dust, a collection of poems, and Teach Yourself Great Web Design in a Week, published by Sams.net (a division of Macmillan Publishing).

My thoughts:
As I stated above, I was not a fan of the layout. Screenplays are difficult to read because it's essentially just a play by play of what would be happening in the show/movie. There is little in the way of inner dialogue and conflict; most of the writing is devoted to the actions and what the characters are doing. I need inner conflict! I need to hear more of what's going on in Adel's mind, and what he's thinking about throughout his dramatic time in America and Canada. He's got a very interesting inner dialogue, based on what Vasquez did put in her story. I could definitely see this on TV, though, kind of a dramatic Turkish "Days of Our Lives" or something else (I only know that show because my mother used to watch it)  :P

Although I would have preferred to see a 'standard' novel version of this story, the plot and the characters are a lot of fun. The plot is interesting, easy to follow, and fun to read, and offers a lot of insight into the lives of modern Muslim families. Adel and Kamil are likable characters, and I had a good time reading a story where I had to really extrapolate to picture myself in their shoes (particularly since I am not Muslim, and won't really have to worry about having an arranged, loveless marriage). I would definitely feel the same way though, and fight with my family to be able to pave my own way through life, and marry who I choose, rather than who my family decides I should marry.

All in all, while this wasn't something I normally sink my teeth into, I'm glad I did and I definitely recommend it for anyone who regularly watches/reads soap opera types of stories, or who's looking to try something new and exciting. Who knows, you might learn something new, or just find a new genre you enjoy!

- Justin

Hannibal House by David Nicol

If you're interested in reading this story for yourself, grab a copy here for a great price!

My first comment regarding this book was that I was rather surprised to see it was only 40 pages. I was expecting a longer, full-length type of novel. Not, of course, that I dislike short stories or was anything short of impressed by Hannibal House. It did after all earn 4 out of 5 stars in my book for giving me the creeps even though I read it in the middle of the day, on a treadmill no less. I just had that expectation in the back of my mind that I think threw me off more than anything.

Nevertheless, David Nicol (who I thank for sending me a copy of his story to read and review) does a fantastic job making me just a little more paranoid and jumpy today, even though it's the middle of the day and I know I'm safe.. Everyone knows at least one story like this, where a house is haunted and practically has a mind of its own. I think my first scary house story might have been a Goosebumps novel. In any case, Hannibal House was reminiscent of "The Amityville Horror" in that you never see the monsters or demons or what have you, but you know they're there and watching you. Part of me spent the entirety of my time reading this story shouting out "Get out of there!" at Troy, even though I obviously knew this fictional written character wouldn't respond to my pleas. I like that the subtle clues as to what was happening in the house were so obvious to the reader, yet I'm sure I wouldn't have thought anything of them had I been in Troy's position. I have three favorite events that hint to the dangers lurking in Hannibal House- the pictures Troy took of the house to send to his mother, Gary seeing Troy walking into his pub, and the newly installed television Troy had delivered to his new house. I won't give away what happens, but just know that I really enjoyed these moments in the story.

Like I said, I would have personally liked to see this story last a bit longer (especially after finishing it and knowing how entertained I was the entire time), but David certainly knows how to weave a tale. I really found it interesting how the places mentioned actually do exist, and if I had the money I would love to go visit the famed house myself. Maybe I'll return with my own material for writing a new story...

Justin :)

And I just want to point out how much of an idiot I am; I just went to post this review to Goodreads where I noticed the original cover of the story states "a short story" right on the cover. Whoops. I'm so smaht.

To the Last Breath by Francis Slakey

In all honesty, I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this memoir. Not because I had heard bad things, or anything like that; I just wasn't expecting to really get as into the story as I did. Slakey does a fantastic job sucking the reader in, and making what could have been a more technical and boring story quite the page-turner, earning itself 4 out of 5 stars from me.

From the publisher:
Before Georgetown physics professor Francis Slakey decided to climb the highest mountain on every continent and surf every ocean, he had shut himself off from other people. His lectures were mechanical; his relationships were little more than ways to fill the evenings. But as his decade-long journey veered dangerously off course, everything about him began to change.

A gripping adventure of the body and mind, To the Last Breath depicts in crystal-clear prose the quest that led Slakey around the glob, challenged his fiercely held beliefs, and opened his heart. Expanding his tale with riveting science and arresting insight into our relation to the earth and one another, Slakey takes readers across the plateaus of Tibet, into the heat of Tanzania, to the desolate edge of the Arctic, and beyond.

My thoughts:
I started reading this book because mountain climbing and surfing had always appealed to me, and thought this book would be about Slakey's record climbing/surfing. By the final chapters, however, it was evident that there was much more to this story than meets the eye. Slakey shows a marvelous progression from objective to subjective writing. Details about mountain climbing or surfing are ignored, and instead, Slakey talks more and more about the people he met along his journey, and the many lessons he learned as a result of his interactions with these people. I couldn't help but cheer when he returns from his trip to Antarctica determined to be more sociable and get to know people better, mostly because that's how I've always lived my life (I think/hope). You can't go through life in a shell of isolation and mechanical behavior. Life's all about leaving your mark on everyone you come into contact with, and having your life marked by all the people you yourself meet. And to be quite frank, I learned more about Buddhism and the interconnectedness of the human race through this memoir than through any classes/lectures that I've had on the subject. I am definitely going to be finding more reading material on this religion, and the remarkable people that follow it.
I also kind of wish I wasn't typing this on a laptop right now; being less materialistic and reliant on technology is something I've toyed around with in the past, and it'd be rather refreshing to truly be able to follow through on that. What sucks is that living in this country in this day and age, it really is almost impossible to go without material goods for longer than a couple days. People continue to be surprised that I managed it for a week when I lost power after Hurricane Sandy, not realizing just how easy it really can be to turn everything off and enjoy the peace and relaxation that follows. It really was peaceful without a phone/computer/television, seriously.

I'll leave you all with a few inspirational quotes I found throughout this book that I really liked:
- We are in a world of darkness, and people are sleeping through it.
- Do not believe because it is written in a book. Do not believe because it has been handed down for generations. If after observation and analysis, if it agrees with reason and can benefit one and all, then accept it and live up to it.
- Some things stand apart from scientific calculation. Those things are the stories, the color, the texture of life and reducing them to equations would be like trying to trap a warm welcome breeze in my fist.
- You only live once, but if you work it right, once is enough.

Justin :)

With and Without Class by David Wallace Fleming

David Fleming is one of the first authors I got in touch with after setting up a Goodreads account, and I am still glad I did. His writing is insightful, entertaining, and funny no matter which of his works you've picked up. The latest one in my hands, With and Without Class, is a collection of short stories, many of which appear in his other collection Not from Concentrate (I reviewed this audiobook in two parts, here and here). Overall, I definitely enjoyed myself throughout this set of stories, although there were some that stuck out more than others, and is a solid 4 out of 5 star collection in my book.

What I liked about With and Without Class is that while some stories are still very technology heavy, David tries a few different directions as well; he includes some horror and science fiction/fantasy stories in this collection. My favorites were "An Anniversary Concession" and "Talent Police", but I wasn't overly fond of "White Daddies" or "Embarkment". Mostly because I was a bit confused and couldn't really see the meaning behind the story itself.

David has a style of writing that, even though each story is rather short, you get a feel for the characters and what kinds of emotions they're experiencing. In "An Anniversary Concession", you can't help but feel as Eric did- nervous at the thought of taking the call by himself, then overwhelmed and shocked by the situation that ensues. In "Talent Police", which is told through a series of entries both to Frank's diary and to his diary's diary, I empathized with Frank, who was trying to discover who he was and what his purpose was, but was too fixated on other people to really see himself. Kind of sounds familiar, right? Too many people focused on the lifestyles and habits of celebrities and not-really celebrities to concentrate on their own lives and the lives of those around them.

Some of the other stories were a bit confusing, but were still fun to read and try to decipher what was going on and why- It'd be interesting, for example, to see the backstory to "Embarkment", including how the crew got to where they were, and why they became auras of their former selves. Even as I write this review, I find that I'm constantly having to remind myself that a short story is essentially a clip from the potential novel that it could be, and not everything can or will be explained without the story becoming a much longer piece of work (not that I'd be complaining, having more to read from a talented author such as David).

While I was able to learn a bit more about the symbolism and meaning behind "White Daddies" through speaking with the author, my arachnophobia still took precedent over any potential deep reading of the story. There is certainly a lot that could be gotten from the story, I am just not tough enough to get through it again :P

So, there you have it. Another fantastic work from an author I look forward to seeing more from. Definitely a recommended book, especially for people who have trouble getting through a full novel- they're short stories, everyone has time to sit and read one once in a while!

- Justin :)

Things to Lookout For :D

Wow, I'm getting pretty bad at updating this, aren't I? Truth is, I've been running around with the completion of my internship in New York, a job in Jersey, potential job in New York, and FINALLY getting back in shape, that it's taken me the entire month to read 2 books! Not that I'm complaining, I fully enjoyed David Fleming's With and Without Class, and while I have another 50 pages, I have no doubt that I'll enjoy the conclusion to Cassandra Clare's City of Bones. If I were reading this blog, I'd expect/demand posts reviewing these two books within the next week- my goal is by the end of February.

I also plan on revamping my bookshelf pages on my blog, making them more user-friendly and navigable (is this even a word?!) This way, you can click a book and pull up my review of it (assuming it's been reviewed), or at the least there'll be a more understandable list up, with a rating next to it so you can tell whether I enjoyed it or not.

When I first started this blog, I didn't expect it to actually gain followers, nor did I expect to have authors requesting that I read and review their novels. This was just something for me to post and rant about how I felt regarding what I was reading. I'm so pleased that people have noticed this, and that my reading addiction has become influential to other people. Makes me feel just a little more important, you know? Anyway, expect those two posts and the bookshelf updates soon, and if anyone has any comments, suggestions, or book recommendations, feel free to leave a comment here or elsewhere on my blog.

Thanks bunches!!
Justin :D

A Prophecy Revealed by Jennifer Selzer & Daniel Huber

After having read and enjoyed their first book in the Destiny's Kingdom series, Legend of the Chosen, I was contacted by these authors again to read and review their second book, A Prophecy Revealed. I can honestly say I was thrilled to be able to get a copy of their second book, because the first book was a 5 star winner to me and I couldn't wait to get back into the world that these two talented authors have created.

From the publisher:
Having seemingly committed the most heinous act of attacking the Keystone and leaving him for dead, Quade Dacairus seeks sanctuary with the galaxy’s most powerful magic user, the Avè. Hunted by the SanFear, an ancient entity as old and as powerful as the gods, Quade’s limited time to save his world ticks away as he searches for the chosen spoken of in legends to join him in this quest. Uniting the chosen is Quade’s only hope to defeat this evil and save his world from certain destruction. In a world rich with magic and technology, a seamless blend of Fantasy and Sci-Fi, Destiny’s Kingdom follows Quade’s journey as he battles to save a galaxy that has always known peace and prosperity, from a powerful evil that he alone can see. A Prophecy Revealed is Book two in the Destiny’s Kingdom Series.

My thoughts:
Needless to say, A Prophecy Revealed earns itself 5 out of 5 stars for being just as entertaining and fast paced as its predecessor. While it took me a few chapters to get back into the plot, and remember just where all these characters had left off previously, I was just as drawn into the story and anxious to find out if the Chosen are successful in defeating the SanFear. Fantastic blend of action and plot, with humorous dialogue well placed to avoid overly dramatic or emotional chapters (there was a lot of revelation in this book, that left me feeling feelings that Trina was hiding so well through her strength).

There are two quotes that I bookmarked on my Nook and felt that they needed to be shared:

The bulb-shaped space station glowed like an ethereal toy top in gargantuan proportion, hanging against the darkness like a decorative ornament might hang. Its honeycomb lower half was a celestial hive with dozens upon dozens of docking berths to accommodate ships of all shapes and sizes.

This is a fantastically unique way to describe a space station, and I'm not sure yet how I feel about it..

It is a blind faith we keep in so many of the things we hold most dear. It is that which we cannot grasp and cannot guarantee. But that we simply know.

I just really liked this quote, and wanted to share it with everyone. 

Almost all my questions from the first book were answered, although I'm still interested in learning more about Shylo and how things will play out between him, the Seer, and the rest of the Chosen. I did, however, get more confused about the Avé. He was almost affected by the SanFear, which sort of implies mortality or at the least a lack of power to fight the SanFear, and I spent the whole time up until this point thinking he was akin to a deity... Is the SanFear really that strong, or is the Avé weaker and less omnipotent than I originally thought?

Overall I was very pleased with A Prophecy Revealed, and definitely recommend to anyone who likes science fiction, fantasy, adventure, or really any type of genre as this is definitely a 'between the genres' kind of book. Elements of so many different topics and genres are introduced and blended so well together, and I look forward to seeing more from Ms. Selzer and Mr. Huber.

- Justin

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG IN LIFE TO READ THIS BOOK.

Seriously though, The Perks of Being a Wallflower was fantastic and I actually can't wait to reread it, which I know I will eventually. Definitely earns 5 out of 5 stars and a spot on my shelf along with the other novels that I think everyone should read in their lifetime.

PS- This is probably the only time I'll use a movie tie-in cover instead of the original. But Emma Watson is on it, so it's an exception I'm glad to make. She's purdy.

From the publisher:
Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor. This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion has become a modern classic.

     The Perks of Being a Wallflower is the story of what it’s like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie’s letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives or to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and music—when all one requires to feel infinite is that perfect song on that perfect drive.

     Through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting story, a powerful novel that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.
  

My thoughts:
This pretty much sums up high school life in a nutshell, and in such a way as to be funny, poignant, and moving all at the same time. Nobody would have enjoyed reading about high school as much as from Chbosky's modern classic. Charlie is an emotional, sensitive character that borders on being obnoxious and robotic, but because we the reader can see the inner workings of his mind, have a deeper understanding and more sympathy for him than the other characters who only see how he behaves. Patrick and Sam introduce Charlie to a world beyond his books and his mind; they bring him into the real world of school, and friends, and love.

Told through a series of letters written by Charlie to an anonymous reader, you feel more drawn in than if you simply read through a standard first/third person perspective. How can't you feel more for these characters than by reading about them as if you were a close friend? Then the ending comes along, and basically just tears you apart to read about. Charlie is quite odd, but he is yet another of my favorite protagonists to date.

I just finished reading this book this morning on my way into New York, and I spent the rest of the commute thinking about what my high school days were like. Definitely less drugs, pregnancy scares, and tragic deaths and unfortunate events, but Chbosky captured the confusion and isolation that I for one felt when I first started high school (of course, I was a bit less challenged in social situations than Charlie, so I worked it out a bit faster). I remember my first crush, and heartbreak, and awkward dances and parties, and it was much more entertaining to read about them in a book. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is easy to read, easy to quote, and easy to identify with, and I hope everyone who reads this blog gives the book a chance if they haven't done so already.

Justin :)

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

Now here was a book that was odd, confusing, and at the same time fun and interesting. Murakami throws in a ton of different characters, story lines, and elements of science fiction and fantasy that aren't exactly necessary, but at the same time tie everything together seamlessly. Even if you need to read passages multiple times to understand what's going on.

From the publisher:

Kafka on the Shore is powered by two remarkable characters: a teenage boy, Kafka Tamura, who runs away from home either to escape a gruesome oedipal prophecy or to search for his long-missing mother and sister; and an aging simpleton called Nakata, who never recovered from a wartime affliction and now is drawn toward Kafka for reasons that, like the most basic activities of daily life, he cannot fathom.

As their paths converge, and the reasons for that convergence become clear, Haruki Murakami enfolds readers in a world where cats talk, fish fall from the sky, and spirits slip out of their bodies to make love or commit murder. Kafka on the Shore displays one of the world’s great storytellers at the peak of his powers.

My thoughts:

Murakami does a fantastic job creating characters that are immensely likable and fun to read about and root for. Kafka is one of my favorite protagonists, and reminds me a little bit of Holden Caulfield albeit younger and less angsty. I feel like Murakami used a bit too much science fiction and fantasy in Nakata's story line though; it clashed rather than meshed with Kafka's running away from home.

One of the biggest drawbacks to this story is the difficulty in keeping track of plot events. Each chapter revolves around different characters, similar to the Game of Thrones series by George RR Martin. This was a much smaller book than those, so it was a bit easier to remember what was going on, but at the same time there was so much odd plot thrown in that it was still difficult sometimes (talking cats, flashbacks to WWII days, leeches falling from the sky).
No matter how difficult it got to understand what was happening, or why, I couldn't help but be pulled into the story, and hope for every character in this story to just be happy. Murakami is quite the storyteller, and it's no surprise that I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars and plan on reading more of his work in the future.

- Justin :)

No Easy Day by Mark Owen

This is the one and only success of my attempt at 'Nonfiction November', so needless to say I most likely won't be trying a challenge like that again. At this point, my challenge is writing a blog post when I finish a book :P

So, I picked up this book mostly because of all the hype about it being a front line story of the raid that resulted in Osama bin Laden's death. I was very pleased with this memoir and I give it 4 out of 5 stars for managing to entertain and inform me at the same time.

From the publisher:
For the first time anywhere, the first-person account of the planning and execution of the Bin Laden raid from a Navy Seal who confronted the terrorist mastermind and witnessed his final moment

No Easy Day puts readers alongside Owen and the other handpicked members of the twenty-four-man team as they train for the biggest mission of their lives. The blow-by-blow narrative of the assault, beginning with the helicopter crash that could have ended Owen's life straight through to the radio call confirming Bin Laden’s death, is an essential piece of modern history.

In No Easy Day, Owen also takes readers onto the field of battle in America's ongoing War on Terror and details the selection and training process for one of the most elite units in the military. Owen's story draws on his youth in Alaska and describes the SEALs' quest to challenge themselves at the highest levels of physical and mental endurance. With boots-on-the-ground detail, Owen describes numerous previously unreported missions that illustrate the life and work of a SEAL and the evolution of the team after the events of September 11. In telling the true story of the SEALs whose talents, skills, experiences, and exceptional sacrifices led to one of the greatest victories in the War on Terror, Mark Owen honors the men who risk everything for our country, and he leaves readers with a deep understanding of the warriors who keep America safe.

My thoughts:
I grew up a military brat, thanks to my father. At times, I was interested and tried learning as much as I could about warfare and the military, but for the most part it was just something my father did for a living and I was proud of him for it. After reading No Easy Day, my interest in the military has certainly been renewed. Owen does a great job keeping the reader on the edge of his seat through his Navy training, right up to bin Laden's final moments in the Middle East. He takes military jargon and makes it so easy for any reader to understand what is going on, and what different terms and equipment are. Not many authors can do that, and it was refreshing to read what could have been a difficult piece of nonfiction, and know what was going on and feel just a little bit smarter. Anyone who remembers or has learned about the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 should pick up this book and learn more about the military/government operations that went into effect afterward. It's not often I say pick up a nonfiction, but this is a very important part of America's history and it's good to see an author pay homage to the troops' sacrifices and the work they've done to keep this country safe in such a fascinating informative way.

(See, I'm getting just a little better at catching up on my blog. Next up, Lois Lowry's The Giver trilogy. Haven't read the fourth one, Son, yet so that'll be reviewed later.)

- Justin :)