1 to 9 of 9
Review Date: 2/23/2011
Like many others who have read and liked this series I am a fan of fantasy. I love fully incorporating myself into a brand new world and forgetting about the world around me. Huge sweeping epics are my favs!
This series has a lot of that epic landscape and setting the we fantasy readers crave. The characters are richly detailed and never fall into the boring good versus evil tropes. They are gray. Like the colors of House Stark.
At first I found the alternating chapters charming and interesting. Looking and the story from different perspectives gave me a sense of history and scope that is not easily achieved. BUT, it started to wear thin when I realized there was no one person for me to hold onto for the ride.
I simply did not like ANY of the characters. I mean, I appreciate the nuance, and they are very interesting, but I was not rooting for anyone. This meant that the "twists and turns" at the end did not hold my attention.
I felt nothing when I closed this book. Complete indifference. So, I asked myself, what was the point of reading this? Well, it did provide an escape for a few days and the world was very entertaining. That's why this book gets 3 "Like It" stars for me.
Now if only Mr. Martin could craft an anti-hero we could root for as well as he envisions this fascinating new world. Maybe he does in the next few novels? I'm not sure if I should give him another chance or not..
This series has a lot of that epic landscape and setting the we fantasy readers crave. The characters are richly detailed and never fall into the boring good versus evil tropes. They are gray. Like the colors of House Stark.
At first I found the alternating chapters charming and interesting. Looking and the story from different perspectives gave me a sense of history and scope that is not easily achieved. BUT, it started to wear thin when I realized there was no one person for me to hold onto for the ride.
I simply did not like ANY of the characters. I mean, I appreciate the nuance, and they are very interesting, but I was not rooting for anyone. This meant that the "twists and turns" at the end did not hold my attention.
I felt nothing when I closed this book. Complete indifference. So, I asked myself, what was the point of reading this? Well, it did provide an escape for a few days and the world was very entertaining. That's why this book gets 3 "Like It" stars for me.
Now if only Mr. Martin could craft an anti-hero we could root for as well as he envisions this fascinating new world. Maybe he does in the next few novels? I'm not sure if I should give him another chance or not..
Review Date: 4/18/2011
Helpful Score: 1
I first read this book when I was 10 years old. It was my introduction to Chinese culture and I have been interested in it ever since.
This book is not just a fascinating glimpse into another time and place though.. It is a thoughtful, endearing look at humanity at it's greatest and at it's worst.
I will never forget these people they have made such an impact on my life. Obviously I highly recommend this book. I never even blink when people ask me my favorite book of all time it's been the same since I was 10 and it will always be "The Good Earth."
This book is not just a fascinating glimpse into another time and place though.. It is a thoughtful, endearing look at humanity at it's greatest and at it's worst.
I will never forget these people they have made such an impact on my life. Obviously I highly recommend this book. I never even blink when people ask me my favorite book of all time it's been the same since I was 10 and it will always be "The Good Earth."
Review Date: 4/18/2011
Helpful Score: 1
Definitely not for the uninitiated science fiction reader.
This is a brisk and heart breaking tale. Charles Yu has a very unique voice and I think we will be hearing great things from him in the future.
Warning: If you do not like or understand the first 20 pages don't go any further. It only gets darker and more complex.
Now, if you are not intimidated and ready for a challenging, sometimes fun, often bleak, science fiction story, then this book is for you.
This is a brisk and heart breaking tale. Charles Yu has a very unique voice and I think we will be hearing great things from him in the future.
Warning: If you do not like or understand the first 20 pages don't go any further. It only gets darker and more complex.
Now, if you are not intimidated and ready for a challenging, sometimes fun, often bleak, science fiction story, then this book is for you.
Review Date: 4/18/2011
Even when I knew where this book was going and some of the characters started to feel like cardboard cut-outs I could not put it down.
I think this is because the main character is so likeable even when doing some peculiar things.
Fast paced and never boring this looks to be the start of a very interesting little YA series.
I think this is because the main character is so likeable even when doing some peculiar things.
Fast paced and never boring this looks to be the start of a very interesting little YA series.
Review Date: 4/18/2011
Helpful Score: 1
Shockingly fast read. I was done with a thousand pages before I knew it and definitely craved more.
I know this is not everyone's cup of tea since there is some violence towards women (and even more towards men) but if you are not turned off by that then I truly believe this is a great novel and you should read it.
And then, there's 5 more to read! I have already read a couple of the other books but it all starts here, and it is a wild and fantastical ride.
I know this is not everyone's cup of tea since there is some violence towards women (and even more towards men) but if you are not turned off by that then I truly believe this is a great novel and you should read it.
And then, there's 5 more to read! I have already read a couple of the other books but it all starts here, and it is a wild and fantastical ride.
Review Date: 9/4/2009
If you have never read Stephen King (where have you been?), then this is absolutely the book to start with. A collection of, in my opinion, his best short stories. Including the novella sized "The Mist". This collection has something for everyone, horror, science fiction, fantasy and just plain great story telling.
These stories can be read in any order so it's a great book to pick up and put down at your leisure. Highly recommend, especially if you have never read Stephen King before.
These stories can be read in any order so it's a great book to pick up and put down at your leisure. Highly recommend, especially if you have never read Stephen King before.
Review Date: 4/18/2011
Helpful Score: 2
The darkness before the storm couldn't possibly get any blacker, right? I mean at the end of "A Clash of Kings" it seems as though the entire Stark Family is just beyond the edge of the cliff diving headlong into an abyss! And then, it just.. gets.. worse.
It doesn't just get worse for the Starks though, it gets bad for just about all your favorite characters and happily some of your not-so favorite characters. I do enjoy the way many characters have grown in this book in particular Jamie Lannister and Sansa Stark.
These were two people that I believe most readers would have dismissed as being one-note, but actually they are much more complex than some of the main players in this crazy game of chess. I feel after this book that the series can only get better from here on out. Which is a relief because I was not so captivated by the first book in this series.
It doesn't just get worse for the Starks though, it gets bad for just about all your favorite characters and happily some of your not-so favorite characters. I do enjoy the way many characters have grown in this book in particular Jamie Lannister and Sansa Stark.
These were two people that I believe most readers would have dismissed as being one-note, but actually they are much more complex than some of the main players in this crazy game of chess. I feel after this book that the series can only get better from here on out. Which is a relief because I was not so captivated by the first book in this series.
Review Date: 9/22/2011
During the Depression America was wrapped up in a craze called the "Dance Marathon." These marathons would last for weeks in some cases. Young people without many prospects would enter the competitions for food and clothing which the promoters would supply, and in some cases, with hopes to win the grand cash prize. They would dance all night and day taking 10 minute breaks for food and sleep every hour or so. The conditions are brutal and this book describes the heartbreak and desperation with beautifully sparse prose. There is much more to this little book than you think upon first reading. In fact it's so short you could read it twice in a couple of hours! I love the pacing of this book and the noir touches. It is very true to its time and place. I highly recommend this for people who like noir or are interested in depression era literature.
Review Date: 6/17/2011
Helpful Score: 5
Jennifer White is suffering from early on-set Alzheimer's and this books takes you inside her experience with this devastating disease. What it does to her once brilliant mind, her family, and her future, will haunt you.
This is not an easy book to read since it jumps around in time, and the way the author places dialogue in-between Jennifer's thoughts and emotions can be disjointing. But shouldn't it be? Shouldn't it be upsetting and confusing? Since that is the state of Dr. Jennifer White at any give time I believe this topsy-turvy style makes this book riveting.
That and the fact that it is a murder mystery. Jennifer White was once a well respected surgeon, specializing in hands. When her best friend across the street turns up murdered with her fingers expertly removed Dr. White becomes a prime suspect. Did she do it? Was she lucid? Will she remember? And who knows the truth?
This is a great first novel and I highly recommend it for book clubs as there is a lot to discuss.
This is not an easy book to read since it jumps around in time, and the way the author places dialogue in-between Jennifer's thoughts and emotions can be disjointing. But shouldn't it be? Shouldn't it be upsetting and confusing? Since that is the state of Dr. Jennifer White at any give time I believe this topsy-turvy style makes this book riveting.
That and the fact that it is a murder mystery. Jennifer White was once a well respected surgeon, specializing in hands. When her best friend across the street turns up murdered with her fingers expertly removed Dr. White becomes a prime suspect. Did she do it? Was she lucid? Will she remember? And who knows the truth?
This is a great first novel and I highly recommend it for book clubs as there is a lot to discuss.
1 to 9 of 9
