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abigcoffeedragon's reviews
1707 reviews
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
4.0
I listened to the audio book of this, so I will leave out the voice performance - some were good and a few were not
The Good - the Science is there, it is beleievable and it is fantastic - whether it is acurate, I am not a scientist, so I do not know, but everythign has an edge to it that made me want to continue and I enjoyed all of the science in the story ... however
The Bad - the Fiction is lacking - I mean, the story is there, but I don't care about the story - I don't care about the characters - There were no surprises, even the ending (no spoiler) was meant to be a shocker I think, and it did not surprise me.
The Good Again - The military parts were also beleivable to a point as we were talking about learning a new type of fighting in the school and the formation and strategies and it was all also beleivable -
The Bad Again - how many times do we need to hear about the boys running around naked? - Military men do not do this, why would children who are more bashful - in the skivies I understand, t-shirt and shorts - but too many moments of naked that were not needed
Overall - I did enjoy this story, but I will not continue with any stories in the series, and I have serious reservations about the film when it comes out next year.
The Good - the Science is there, it is beleievable and it is fantastic - whether it is acurate, I am not a scientist, so I do not know, but everythign has an edge to it that made me want to continue and I enjoyed all of the science in the story ... however
The Bad - the Fiction is lacking - I mean, the story is there, but I don't care about the story - I don't care about the characters - There were no surprises, even the ending (no spoiler) was meant to be a shocker I think, and it did not surprise me.
The Good Again - The military parts were also beleivable to a point as we were talking about learning a new type of fighting in the school and the formation and strategies and it was all also beleivable -
The Bad Again - how many times do we need to hear about the boys running around naked? - Military men do not do this, why would children who are more bashful - in the skivies I understand, t-shirt and shorts - but too many moments of naked that were not needed
Overall - I did enjoy this story, but I will not continue with any stories in the series, and I have serious reservations about the film when it comes out next year.
Flyte by Angie Sage
3.0
This book was OK compared to the first one - it started off with action and two story-lines going on side by side that should have and could have lasted longer, but the two merged into one fairly early on and then the whole book kind of went into blah - I will say that I never felt that there was any suspense with these books, and that the books have been about characters and flow and not surprises - there are no "Luke, I am your father" type moments, yet the first story was a page turning fantasy thrill - not this time - repeat characters took complete changes, and people that I had liked before I did not like this time - I think that the concept is good, which is why I give this a three, because there are parts that I go, 'well, that was cool', but the story as a whole was one that I honestly could not wait until I got to the end, to go to another book somewhere else. My journey through this world started off good, but ended with a blah - I am afraid to read any further, and this series is being put onto the back burner for now.
Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper
5.0
This is an extremely good read - compelling characters and story line, for a Young Adult novel of course, but it took and made pirate and vampires something in the same - not all vampires are pirates and not all pirates are vampires, so that is good, as well as many of the element sin this i feel kept to the major themes without being overly graphic and it made this novel fun. i look forward to the next book in the series.
Monster Hunter International by Larry Correia
4.0
I like this well enough - the writer is an obvious gun enthusiast and is very knowledgeable in this field, as this book reads like part adventure, part supernatural, and part gun pr0n - I think that is is great having someone that does know their guns as well as this author, and to have some explaining is good, but this was a bit over saturated and i felt at some times that people lost a gun so that they could get a new gun for a chapter only to lose that and get another one - surprises there were none, but it was still a good and enjoyable read, and I say good job - this was not a waste and it was very entertaining to read
A Devil in the Details by K.A. Stewart
5.0
This is a great beginning to the new series -
Jesse James Dawson is a champion that fights demons to save the souls of those who sold them for some kind of worldly desire - he is one of many, but he fights alone - the champions are scattered around the world.
This has all of the things that I enjoy in an action / adventure novel - it has plenty of fast paced scenes, with reflection scenes following to give you time to gather your thoughts and your breath before it slings you forward again on another twist or turn. The characters are fun, and the main lead is a happily married man who does what he does for his wife and kid - in an age when most heroes tend to be James Bond carbon cut-outs and sleep with anything moving before they die or try to kill him, this is a welcomed and refreshing change.
This, as well as the main story and the sub plot make this a great read and I look forward to reading book 2.
Jesse James Dawson is a champion that fights demons to save the souls of those who sold them for some kind of worldly desire - he is one of many, but he fights alone - the champions are scattered around the world.
This has all of the things that I enjoy in an action / adventure novel - it has plenty of fast paced scenes, with reflection scenes following to give you time to gather your thoughts and your breath before it slings you forward again on another twist or turn. The characters are fun, and the main lead is a happily married man who does what he does for his wife and kid - in an age when most heroes tend to be James Bond carbon cut-outs and sleep with anything moving before they die or try to kill him, this is a welcomed and refreshing change.
This, as well as the main story and the sub plot make this a great read and I look forward to reading book 2.
A Wolf at the Door: A Jesse James Dawson Novel by K. A. Stewart
5.0
As usual, Jesse James Dawson doesn't let me down - I enjoy these books because there is action, the supernatural, and a sense of humor that I enjoy - I will say that this one did not hold much in the sense that I knew the villain that was behind it almost immediately - though kudos for having one last surprise for me in the final pages that I was taken back by - all things aside, this is one of those books and series that Hollywood would do a wonderful job of messing up and ruining, and unless Joss Whedon ever make this into live action anything, I would like it to remain black on white in the books - waiting for number 4 with a bated breath.
The Spook's Curse by Joseph Delaney
5.0
Having gotten used to the First Person narrative, I flow thorough these with ease and passion.
Tom Ward, now 13, continues his work as the Spook's Apprentice, and this time, the danger is bigger, and the challenges are harder. I love how this shows the truer nature of a 13 year-old boy with his self-doubt, and yet his desire to do what he can, and what he has now come to accept as his future.
I am really enjoying this series of a teenage witch hunter and his trials and tribulations, as well as the natural progression of what makes a good series. Things have to get harder for the hero, and they do. He has to be able to do easily what was difficult in the previous book, which he does. And, he needs a new challenge to overcome, which he receives.
I am currently reading the eBook versions of these, but I can foresee buying these in hard copies for my boys to read.
An excellent series so far.
Tom Ward, now 13, continues his work as the Spook's Apprentice, and this time, the danger is bigger, and the challenges are harder. I love how this shows the truer nature of a 13 year-old boy with his self-doubt, and yet his desire to do what he can, and what he has now come to accept as his future.
I am really enjoying this series of a teenage witch hunter and his trials and tribulations, as well as the natural progression of what makes a good series. Things have to get harder for the hero, and they do. He has to be able to do easily what was difficult in the previous book, which he does. And, he needs a new challenge to overcome, which he receives.
I am currently reading the eBook versions of these, but I can foresee buying these in hard copies for my boys to read.
An excellent series so far.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
4.0
This is a good Young Adult book. It is written from the main character point of view, and the style lends itself to a teenager 'talking' to the reading about the events that are happening.
I am not a fan of first person, but it seems that this is a staple in the young adult fantasy realm - I will just have to suck it up buttercup.
The story is fast paced, and this is a definite book for the younger generation in terms of language and pacing. I like a bit more with my fantasy novels, but this fits the bill for what it is supposed to be.
I will not continue this series personally, only because the writing leaves much to my desire, but that is not to say that this is not good, this is just not for me. But for those looking for a modern take on Greek Mythology, this is the book for you.
I am not a fan of first person, but it seems that this is a staple in the young adult fantasy realm - I will just have to suck it up buttercup.
The story is fast paced, and this is a definite book for the younger generation in terms of language and pacing. I like a bit more with my fantasy novels, but this fits the bill for what it is supposed to be.
I will not continue this series personally, only because the writing leaves much to my desire, but that is not to say that this is not good, this is just not for me. But for those looking for a modern take on Greek Mythology, this is the book for you.