dyslexzak's reviews
241 reviews

Game of Thrones and Philosophy: Logic Cuts Deeper Than Swords by

dark informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

Written as a series of collected essays. As ever with these things, there were some that were stronger than others, but overall an interesting read with some interesting topics made digestible by looking at them through the lens of A Song of Ice and Fire.

100 Must-read Crime Novels by Richard Shephard, Nick Rennison

informative

2.5

I picked up this book being a fan of the series, in particular 100 Must Read Books for Men, but was disappointed.

I thought Crime Novels would be a variety of subgenres within the umbrella of crime. Expected capers, heists, police procedurals, classic mysteries, and thrillers.
I quickly discovered it would be detective stories only. Okay, my mistake. That is a definition of Crime Fiction. Perhaps it would be clearer if titled Detective Novels but oh well.
Then continuing to read, with adjusted expectations, I discover 5-6 (I haven’t counted) stories that are following criminals and even a suspense thriller I wouldn’t have even included in my initial, more broad definition of the genre.

I’m left wondering what this was trying to be. If it was using the definition of Crime Fiction exclusively referring to detective stories, then what are the examples stories not following investigations and mysteries? And if they were aiming at the more broadly applicable definition, then it is extremely waited towards detective fiction.

Not even to mention the mini essays about each book. They vary wildly between focusing almost exclusively on the writer’s life (giving you hardly anything to interest about the book they’re recommending), to spoiling the endings of at least a few of these novels.

My advice, if you’re going to read something from this Bloomsbury Reading Guides series, make sure it’s something Stephen E. Andrew’s is attached to.


Having said all that, there are 3-5 intriguing stories mentioned in here that I had not come across before.

Berserk, Vol. 27 by Kentaro Miura

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A good section of this volume is an extended fight scene, but so much is going on in the subtext. Then there are some hints and threads leading to what's coming next.

Howdunit: A Masterclass in Crime Writing by Members of the Detection Club by Martin Edwards

funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.5

I found this book after being disappointed by How to Write a Mystery by the Mystery Writers of America.

This is everything that wasn’t. Real, practical advice for writers with crime fiction as a focus. Exactly what it says on the tin.

If you’re a writer of any genre and of any level, I think there’s something for you in this book. This has good advice for beginners, but interestingly, that’s not all that’s in there.
There are some great musings on the writing life that will feel familiar to any writer.

Berserk, Vol. 26 by Kentaro Miura

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A really strong volume with a great teaser for what's to come. Can't wait to find out what happens next.

Churchill's Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: The Mavericks Who Plotted Hitler's Defeat by Giles Milton

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

This was a fascinating story, well laid out and detailed.

The Little History of England by Jonathan McGovern

informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.5

The book is made up of chapters only about a page long in most cases making it easy to pick up and put down.
I read a page or two most days and it lasted me much of the year.

A book like this can never cover everything, but as a ‘Little History’ it is clear and concise.

Berserk, Vol. 25 by Kentaro Miura

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This volume feels a little like an inbetween. I still thoroughly enjoyed it, and the cliffhanger ending makes me excited for what's to come. 

Collected Ghost Stories by M.R. James
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.

There were stories I enjoyed but they were few and far between. The ones I loved I really loved, but the others felt dull and slow.
I realised it was a chore to read every time and I decided my time was better spent elsewhere.

Berserk, Vol. 24 by Kentaro Miura

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I've been falling off of this series and had a long break between this volume and the last one I read. Coming back to it feels great. It finally feels like it's really moving again in a way it hasn't since the end of the last arc.
There are some interesting new characters introduced and I'm loving one of the older ones the more I get to know him.