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kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
4.0
While A Ritual of Flesh was yet again really entertaining, I didn't enjoy it just as much as the first. The plot is still nicely twisted and mysterious, there's lots of gore, action and tension.
So all in all its still a good book,.I enjoyed reading! So why am I going for 3,5 stars?
I felt the characters didn't really grow, but rather felt a bit more detached. To me it seemed it was more about the pure technical "how to get out of here alive" (or, in many cases, not...) than any actual motivation or insights.
Yes, I'd definitely run for the hills of zombies ever came a-knocking, but I just missed seeing more depth to the characters, aside from swinging the sword. Yes, some act brave, some cowardly, and some lose their path. But it felt a bit more stereotypical than in earlier books. And that alone let to me losing some of my interest in the characters. In kind that made the long drawn out battle and action scenes less gripping, when I just wasn't as invested in who comes out the other side.
I hope in the next installment we get some more focus on the characters again, as I really want to read more on this bleak and bloody world!
So all in all its still a good book,.I enjoyed reading! So why am I going for 3,5 stars?
I felt the characters didn't really grow, but rather felt a bit more detached. To me it seemed it was more about the pure technical "how to get out of here alive" (or, in many cases, not...) than any actual motivation or insights.
Yes, I'd definitely run for the hills of zombies ever came a-knocking, but I just missed seeing more depth to the characters, aside from swinging the sword. Yes, some act brave, some cowardly, and some lose their path. But it felt a bit more stereotypical than in earlier books. And that alone let to me losing some of my interest in the characters. In kind that made the long drawn out battle and action scenes less gripping, when I just wasn't as invested in who comes out the other side.
I hope in the next installment we get some more focus on the characters again, as I really want to read more on this bleak and bloody world!
egswriter's review against another edition
5.0
With all that’s been going on in the last year plus, you would think that reading a book that involves a plague, and the walking dead and some other stuff wouldn’t be at the top of my list. Well, given how much I enjoyed Lee C Conley’s A Ritual of Bone, I figured it would turn out okay. And I was right! Well, it definitely did not turn out okay for the characters, but it was still an absolutely enjoyable read.
1. Thoughts on the plot
There is a lot going on in this book, not just a plague that is slightly more problematic than the current situation. The book follows several characters as they face the consequences of book one, as well as deal with the fact that everything is getting much, much worse. I can’t say a whole lot, because that would involve spoiling the first book, which I shall not do, but I can say that I really appreciated each complex thread that was left untethered at the end of book one. They were taken and woven expertly into the various scenarios for this book, and it really made things come together perfectly. The characters’ threads all seemed to collide, and the way that this was done involved a steady escalation of events. I have rarely seen things done so steadily and expertly when causing mayhem; definitely a good story, plot wise.
2. Thoughts on the characters
This book had all the familiar characters from the first book, which I liked. I enjoy seeing further developments of characters and situations. I think that Bjorn’s development and furthered situation was perhaps my favourite, but I also really enjoyed the whole…situation…with the apprentice.
Quick note on the apprentice: he has a name! I shan’t say what is is, again to avoid spoiling book one, but the way that this was revealed felt so…almost anticlimactic. It was just stated, and seemed almost to ruin the mystery of having the information withheld for so long. However! I think that the way it was done really emphasised the character and made for an excellent transition when things went a little wonky and started going pearshaped. Such insignificance in the mystery really hammered some of the later development home and it was perfect.
Also, everyone else was just great.
3. Favourite part
The whole naming thing, as described above. It just made such a quiet point, and I liked it.
4. Critique
I think the only real issue I had with this book had very little to do with the book itself, and more to do with the world. It was a harder task than I anticipated to read a story about a plague that gets a whole lot worse during a pandemic. Things just struck a little close to home, and it took me longer than I would have liked to get through the books. Of course, once things got exponentially worse in this book, it was completely fine, because my brain is weird. So not really a critique about the book, just a statement about life, I suppose.
If you are interested in an expertly written story that weaves a stunning tapestry together, and also has the dead, a plague, people being potentially problematic, and all the elements of dark/grimdark fantasy, then this is definitely a worthwhile read. It follows on perfectly from book one, and now I really need all the answers for the next instalment. An excellent book!
1. Thoughts on the plot
There is a lot going on in this book, not just a plague that is slightly more problematic than the current situation. The book follows several characters as they face the consequences of book one, as well as deal with the fact that everything is getting much, much worse. I can’t say a whole lot, because that would involve spoiling the first book, which I shall not do, but I can say that I really appreciated each complex thread that was left untethered at the end of book one. They were taken and woven expertly into the various scenarios for this book, and it really made things come together perfectly. The characters’ threads all seemed to collide, and the way that this was done involved a steady escalation of events. I have rarely seen things done so steadily and expertly when causing mayhem; definitely a good story, plot wise.
2. Thoughts on the characters
This book had all the familiar characters from the first book, which I liked. I enjoy seeing further developments of characters and situations. I think that Bjorn’s development and furthered situation was perhaps my favourite, but I also really enjoyed the whole…situation…with the apprentice.
Quick note on the apprentice: he has a name! I shan’t say what is is, again to avoid spoiling book one, but the way that this was revealed felt so…almost anticlimactic. It was just stated, and seemed almost to ruin the mystery of having the information withheld for so long. However! I think that the way it was done really emphasised the character and made for an excellent transition when things went a little wonky and started going pearshaped. Such insignificance in the mystery really hammered some of the later development home and it was perfect.
Also, everyone else was just great.
3. Favourite part
The whole naming thing, as described above. It just made such a quiet point, and I liked it.
4. Critique
I think the only real issue I had with this book had very little to do with the book itself, and more to do with the world. It was a harder task than I anticipated to read a story about a plague that gets a whole lot worse during a pandemic. Things just struck a little close to home, and it took me longer than I would have liked to get through the books. Of course, once things got exponentially worse in this book, it was completely fine, because my brain is weird. So not really a critique about the book, just a statement about life, I suppose.
If you are interested in an expertly written story that weaves a stunning tapestry together, and also has the dead, a plague, people being potentially problematic, and all the elements of dark/grimdark fantasy, then this is definitely a worthwhile read. It follows on perfectly from book one, and now I really need all the answers for the next instalment. An excellent book!
fantasybooknerd01's review against another edition
5.0
I have to say that Ritual of Flesh is a more accomplished book than the original. It’s not that I did not like A Ritual of Bone, but from the outset it felt that Lee Conley had found his beat and he is about to produce a 19 minute prog opus that steadily reaches its crescendo.
When I finished the first book, I had questions. Lots of the questions, but the main one revolved around the Apprentice. Who was he? What is he up to? Does he have a plan? What is that Dark force that is hanging around in the background orchestrating events like Palpatine at a political rally?
Well, let me tell you dear reader, these questions get answered. Well, kind of! Look, Lee Conley is an author. He likes to maintain an air of mystery, likes to keep you interested. I mean he needs to get you come back doesn’t he.
Sorry, I went off on a tangent there, didn’t I? Anyway, let’s get back to the point. Yes, Lee Conley does give these answers. However, I am not going to tell you what these answers are. Job done, review over!
No just kidding!
The book starts immediately after the first book. Initially, bringing in the quiets tones, that have a slight twang of ominous tension. In the first instance, Lee Conley expertly weaves a number of different events that are happening in the world of Arnur. Much like the first book, we have a multiple point of view, with the Apprentice making his way to the college in order to report the findings of his master’s experiments. Whilst in another part of the land Bjorn is collecting his bounty and also imparting the findings that he found about the cannibals. Meanwhile Lord Arnulf is making his way to the capital, Arn to warn of the impending doom and also back up these claims by taking his son, Ewolf to show him. You remember the one that got bit and turned into a feral killing machine.
Oh, and then there is Nym’s story, which I found to be one of the most engaging character arcs. It shows her daily struggles that she has to contend with. How she is managing on a daily basis, her attempts to keep her wayward brother in check. However, there is a wider picture at work here, in that it highlights the social decline following the pandemic that has struck the land and how brutal this degradation is.
It is also interesting that he gives Ewolf a part in the story. Not only when he is being transported, but as he turns into one of the feral beats that eat human flesh. He manages to convey a sense of intelligence and purpose in the creatures, rather than mindless killing machines.
Throughout the story, there are lots of events happening. However, never once did I feel lost with the sheer amount of story that Lee Conley crams into this book.
I think the most interesting storyline was the one of the Apprentice. Lee Conley details his change from an unassuming student, whose only aim is to gain his position as master, to the place where he gets to by the end of the book, full of confidence and willing to make his own destiny, whatever the cost.
All the way through the first part of the book there is some pretty nifty ominous foreshadowing of events. You get a palpable feeling that something is going to happen
It is in this first part tha Lee Conley firmly orchestrates all his instruments into play. Each one adding to the texture of the story, whilst showcasing each individual player in their own right.
All of the characters get time to grow and to play their part in the story. And on top of that he also manages to broaden the world that the characters live in. Besides the Apprentice, there is a full cast of characters, and each one is realised and individual. Even down to the most insignificant guard.
However, all this is a power play to get to the events that you know are coming, and when they do come the pounding beat brings in the pulse banging events. Everything increases tenfold when events take off. It’s like he turns the action up to 11 and there is no stopping till the end. It was at this point that my headphones were permanently glued to my ears until I got to the breath taking end, and my goodness what an end it is.
There is tragedy, loss and horror as the wall of undead make their appearance. And a relative tsunami of horror envelops the city of Arn as each of the characters fight for their lives and sanity in the raging torrent of the cursed.
As it reached it's conclusion, I let out a breath that I knew I was holding and relexed. However, I must say…… I still have questions!
At its core, Ritual of Flesh has all the tones of a twisted epic fantasy, with regular tropes being played upon. In some respects, you will find the found family element, particularly when events start to take hold, and each of the individual characters are thrust into finding each other.. You will also recognise the unassuming boy finding his destiny in The Apprentice's story. In addition, there are dark forces at play looking to destroy the equilibrium. However, when you add the icing on the cake of 'The Cursed', it takes it into a whole new level.
Postscript
Now as I told you, I listened to the audiobook of Ritual of Flesh, and I have to say this is one of my favorite audiobooks that I own. RJ Bayley does a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life, giving each one a distinctive voice and character. He magnificently manages to convey the change that the Apprentice undergoes, and he successfully manages to initially show the uncertainty of his character and the weakness that he feels and his transformation by the end of the book
In addition to that, he manages to convey the emotions and nuances of each individual character.
You never get lost in the story and all of the words are audible. I sometimes find that the sound design can get muddled in some audiobooks I have listened to, and on occasion have lost aspects of dialogue. However, with Ritual of Flesh, the production is clear and accessible.
The story is told distinctively in a North of England accent, and I have to say that hats off to RJ Bayley and Lee Conley for the correct pronunciation of water. Now you might question what that means, and I will explain. Normally, water is pronounced with a soft ‘a’, and sounds like ‘warter’. However, in parts of Northern England it is pronounced with a hard ‘a’, like in ‘apple’ and that is how I grew up hearing it pronounced.
When I finished the first book, I had questions. Lots of the questions, but the main one revolved around the Apprentice. Who was he? What is he up to? Does he have a plan? What is that Dark force that is hanging around in the background orchestrating events like Palpatine at a political rally?
Well, let me tell you dear reader, these questions get answered. Well, kind of! Look, Lee Conley is an author. He likes to maintain an air of mystery, likes to keep you interested. I mean he needs to get you come back doesn’t he.
Sorry, I went off on a tangent there, didn’t I? Anyway, let’s get back to the point. Yes, Lee Conley does give these answers. However, I am not going to tell you what these answers are. Job done, review over!
No just kidding!
The book starts immediately after the first book. Initially, bringing in the quiets tones, that have a slight twang of ominous tension. In the first instance, Lee Conley expertly weaves a number of different events that are happening in the world of Arnur. Much like the first book, we have a multiple point of view, with the Apprentice making his way to the college in order to report the findings of his master’s experiments. Whilst in another part of the land Bjorn is collecting his bounty and also imparting the findings that he found about the cannibals. Meanwhile Lord Arnulf is making his way to the capital, Arn to warn of the impending doom and also back up these claims by taking his son, Ewolf to show him. You remember the one that got bit and turned into a feral killing machine.
Oh, and then there is Nym’s story, which I found to be one of the most engaging character arcs. It shows her daily struggles that she has to contend with. How she is managing on a daily basis, her attempts to keep her wayward brother in check. However, there is a wider picture at work here, in that it highlights the social decline following the pandemic that has struck the land and how brutal this degradation is.
It is also interesting that he gives Ewolf a part in the story. Not only when he is being transported, but as he turns into one of the feral beats that eat human flesh. He manages to convey a sense of intelligence and purpose in the creatures, rather than mindless killing machines.
Throughout the story, there are lots of events happening. However, never once did I feel lost with the sheer amount of story that Lee Conley crams into this book.
I think the most interesting storyline was the one of the Apprentice. Lee Conley details his change from an unassuming student, whose only aim is to gain his position as master, to the place where he gets to by the end of the book, full of confidence and willing to make his own destiny, whatever the cost.
All the way through the first part of the book there is some pretty nifty ominous foreshadowing of events. You get a palpable feeling that something is going to happen
It is in this first part tha Lee Conley firmly orchestrates all his instruments into play. Each one adding to the texture of the story, whilst showcasing each individual player in their own right.
All of the characters get time to grow and to play their part in the story. And on top of that he also manages to broaden the world that the characters live in. Besides the Apprentice, there is a full cast of characters, and each one is realised and individual. Even down to the most insignificant guard.
However, all this is a power play to get to the events that you know are coming, and when they do come the pounding beat brings in the pulse banging events. Everything increases tenfold when events take off. It’s like he turns the action up to 11 and there is no stopping till the end. It was at this point that my headphones were permanently glued to my ears until I got to the breath taking end, and my goodness what an end it is.
There is tragedy, loss and horror as the wall of undead make their appearance. And a relative tsunami of horror envelops the city of Arn as each of the characters fight for their lives and sanity in the raging torrent of the cursed.
As it reached it's conclusion, I let out a breath that I knew I was holding and relexed. However, I must say…… I still have questions!
At its core, Ritual of Flesh has all the tones of a twisted epic fantasy, with regular tropes being played upon. In some respects, you will find the found family element, particularly when events start to take hold, and each of the individual characters are thrust into finding each other.. You will also recognise the unassuming boy finding his destiny in The Apprentice's story. In addition, there are dark forces at play looking to destroy the equilibrium. However, when you add the icing on the cake of 'The Cursed', it takes it into a whole new level.
Postscript
Now as I told you, I listened to the audiobook of Ritual of Flesh, and I have to say this is one of my favorite audiobooks that I own. RJ Bayley does a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life, giving each one a distinctive voice and character. He magnificently manages to convey the change that the Apprentice undergoes, and he successfully manages to initially show the uncertainty of his character and the weakness that he feels and his transformation by the end of the book
In addition to that, he manages to convey the emotions and nuances of each individual character.
You never get lost in the story and all of the words are audible. I sometimes find that the sound design can get muddled in some audiobooks I have listened to, and on occasion have lost aspects of dialogue. However, with Ritual of Flesh, the production is clear and accessible.
The story is told distinctively in a North of England accent, and I have to say that hats off to RJ Bayley and Lee Conley for the correct pronunciation of water. Now you might question what that means, and I will explain. Normally, water is pronounced with a soft ‘a’, and sounds like ‘warter’. However, in parts of Northern England it is pronounced with a hard ‘a’, like in ‘apple’ and that is how I grew up hearing it pronounced.
its_justine's review against another edition
5.0
Only valour and steel can stand against the rising dead.
A Ritual of Flesh is dark and brutal tale of the power of knowledge and the dangers of seeking knowledge meant to remain hidden. Lee C Conley tells a story of the lengths one is willing to traverse in order to protect those they hold dear using a backdrop of unrest and terrors lurking in the shadows. While it tells of a convergence, the scope is more grand and epic in scale in comparison to its predecessor, A Ritual of Bone, yet more personal as we begin to see what lies in the hearts of the many players of this dangerous game. Book two of The Dead Sagas continues where we left off, taking us on a journey of life and death on a hunt for answers. As war and pestilence and death close in on all sides, will the people of Arnar find the strength and resolve to fight the tides of fate? Or will they all drift into the cold embrace of Old Night?
At the center of this story lies a sprawling cast of characters with multiple points of view that all converge on the shattered city of Arn. Each character with a distinct background and purpose, but most with a profound sense of honor and duty. Whether driven by vengeance, money, or survival, they weave a tale of the plight of humankind, and the one thing they all have in common is loss. Loss of loved ones, loss of their home, loss of the past. We witness a warrior on a pilgrimage of revenge, a hunter scouting his way home, a young girl protecting her family, and an apprentice seeking respect, one as determined as the last. As the story stands, there's a clear distinction between who are the heroes and who are the villains, with a surprising lack of those morally gray characters expected in the Dark Fantasy genre. Yes, lines are crossed, seared and singed by the fires of selfishness, but only together can they join with sword and axe in hand to survive the night.
The life of a man, weighted with silver. So be it…
The secondary world we're transported to is absolutely captivating and immersive, so strikingly detailed and portrayed. We encounter awe-inspiring settings dominated by towering monoliths, haunting burial cairns, and winding tunnels, but there's a perpetual scent of rot and death drifting on the cold winter winds. Hovels marked with the blood red sign of plague, the putrid dead littering muddy street gutters, surrounding lands pockmarked by mass graves, and desperation seeping from every doorway, Arn has truly been torn asunder. Outside the locked city gates, war rages in the north, raiders assault from the west, and an old enemy with a hunger for flesh lies in wait over the mountains – there's no rest for the wicked in Arnar and beyond.
The way in which Conley enriches this world is breathtaking, injecting little bits and pieces in passing to a craft a depth I didn't even know I needed. There's no sign of overusage of exposition to slow the flow of the story, everything is done in bite-sized portions that plant a seed that may or may not bloom into something of grave importance later on. I would be remiss to not mention one of my favorite moments in the book, where a mother and child, both who have no bearing on the outcome of the plot, kneel by their window sill to thank the goddess Bheur for the season's first snowfall on a cold, moonless night. It was beautiful and stirring, and so utterly tragic.
As with book one, A Ritual of Flesh seamlessly blends dark fantasy and horror, only in a magnified and more cohesive manner. The ills of foul magic and disease are spilling into the capitol, and there's no refuge in sight for those withstanding the onslaught of the risen dead and other beasts of the night. Blood and gore aplenty, each cringe-inducing atrocity draws you further into this unconventional zombie apocalypse brought about by the greed and follies of man. Beneath the horrors lie many cryptic mysteries waiting to be unearthed, everything from the origins of the strange and dangerous rituals to the identity of those pulling the strings, and I'm waiting with bated breath to finally find the answers I seek.
They deny you this title of master, which is your by right, hissed the voice. They fear you, they fear your knowledge, your power. You saw the secrets with your own eyes, you will be master of them all, this I promise, apprentice.
From book one to book two, I've witnessed Conley's writing evolve, becoming stronger, more poignant, and thoroughly enthralling. He continues to create a story balancing gruesome action with heart-rending emotion, all told with a finely flowing prose, easily bringing you under his spell. With steady pacing fueled by a sense of foreboding, it was near impossible for me to put this book down. He continuously builds to a crescendo, and once the shit hits the fan, Conley is merciless – the final third of the book had me on the edge of my seat until the final page was turned…and I need more.
A Ritual of Flesh is a book I've been waiting (im)patiently for a while now, and it not only lived up to my expectations, but completely surpassed them. I fully enjoyed making my way through A Ritual of Bone, but I LOVED A Ritual of Flesh. It utilizes what we expect of a tale taking place in a Viking/Medieval-inspired world, but pulls in flavors of modern horror, and presents the wonderfully fresh and unforeseen, which is something I always welcome in a fantasy read. This is not a read for the faint of heart, so be warned there is more than just your typical gore peppering these pages, but for those with a strong stomach and a penchant for the dark and gruesome, The Dead Sagas is a series you need in your life. I can't recommend it enough – one of my favorite reads of the year.
Note: A huge thank you to the author for providing me with a complementary advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CW: Graphic gore, death, cannibalism, captivity
nick_borrelli's review against another edition
5.0
The Dead Sagas came to my attention a little over a year ago. It was then that I read the first book in the series, A Ritual of Bone. It immediately made an impact on me with its wonderful blending of horror and dark fantasy. It definitely brought me back to my early reading days when I was obsessed with the Ravenloft books and that exact formula of fantasy/horror. Fast forward to today and author Lee Conley was gracious enough to provide me with an advance copy of the eagerly anticipated second book in The Dead Sagas, A RITUAL OF FLESH. This volume is quite a bit heftier than book one, but I tore through it so quickly that it could have been 100 pages shorter in length for all I knew. And the cover is bloody spectacular as well.
A RITUAL OF FLESH begins not too long after the insanity that wrapped up the first book and we don't have to wait very long before things go to hell again, so to speak. I'm going to stay away from specifics to avoid spoilers, but I will touch on some general elements that make this series so incredibly fun to read. First, there's so much going on! Plague, walking dead, war, political backstabbing, sorcery, a rich history and backstory, I mean if you love fantasy and could pick all of your favorite things to have in one story, this book and series covers all the bases. It's one of the reasons why I never get bored when reading these books, there's always another angle at play coming just around the corner.
The other thing I loved about this book in particular is that the characters finally begin to realize the depths of what they are dealing with and the story gets advanced at a breakneck pace that makes for some truly heart stopping moments. Where book one was a creepy, slow build foreboding tome, A RITUAL OF FLESH opens the floodgates of blood and gore to a glorious degree for anyone who craves some ghoulish moments this Halloween season. You really can't get much more brutal toward the end stages of this book and there are some definite moments that will chill the squeamish to an unholy degree to say the least.
The setting of Arn and the surrounding territories is another aspect that makes this story so amazing. In my mind I picture it as similar to the classic Hammer Horror films of the 60's and 70's starring Peter Cushing. All that technicolor goodness with the steaming bogs, fog-filled graveyards, and cobblestone village roads. Yep that's what I envision when I read Conley's books and it's freaking brilliant! Conley spares nothing at all in his world building and it makes for a fantastic journey that plays out in a mysteriously creepy landscape.
There's really not a lot more that I can say about what Lee Conley has given us with the first two books in this series. I recommend it for fans who are waiting for the next John Gwynne offering because it has a lot of the feels that I get from his books. It certainly is epic in nature the same way that The Faithful and the Fallen books are and there's an undeniable sense of tension and awe as well. The Dead Sagas is a series worth discovering for all of the reasons I mentioned and so much more. It really is a landmark effort that begs to be read and savored. A RITUAL OF FLESH only solidifies its standing among the very best in horror fantasy fiction with a story that is shocking, suspenseful, and more than satisfying. Read it at your own peril....or pleasure.
A RITUAL OF FLESH begins not too long after the insanity that wrapped up the first book and we don't have to wait very long before things go to hell again, so to speak. I'm going to stay away from specifics to avoid spoilers, but I will touch on some general elements that make this series so incredibly fun to read. First, there's so much going on! Plague, walking dead, war, political backstabbing, sorcery, a rich history and backstory, I mean if you love fantasy and could pick all of your favorite things to have in one story, this book and series covers all the bases. It's one of the reasons why I never get bored when reading these books, there's always another angle at play coming just around the corner.
The other thing I loved about this book in particular is that the characters finally begin to realize the depths of what they are dealing with and the story gets advanced at a breakneck pace that makes for some truly heart stopping moments. Where book one was a creepy, slow build foreboding tome, A RITUAL OF FLESH opens the floodgates of blood and gore to a glorious degree for anyone who craves some ghoulish moments this Halloween season. You really can't get much more brutal toward the end stages of this book and there are some definite moments that will chill the squeamish to an unholy degree to say the least.
The setting of Arn and the surrounding territories is another aspect that makes this story so amazing. In my mind I picture it as similar to the classic Hammer Horror films of the 60's and 70's starring Peter Cushing. All that technicolor goodness with the steaming bogs, fog-filled graveyards, and cobblestone village roads. Yep that's what I envision when I read Conley's books and it's freaking brilliant! Conley spares nothing at all in his world building and it makes for a fantastic journey that plays out in a mysteriously creepy landscape.
There's really not a lot more that I can say about what Lee Conley has given us with the first two books in this series. I recommend it for fans who are waiting for the next John Gwynne offering because it has a lot of the feels that I get from his books. It certainly is epic in nature the same way that The Faithful and the Fallen books are and there's an undeniable sense of tension and awe as well. The Dead Sagas is a series worth discovering for all of the reasons I mentioned and so much more. It really is a landmark effort that begs to be read and savored. A RITUAL OF FLESH only solidifies its standing among the very best in horror fantasy fiction with a story that is shocking, suspenseful, and more than satisfying. Read it at your own peril....or pleasure.
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