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emeraldreviews's reviews
130 reviews
The Last Storm by Tim Lebbon
5.0
A story of the human soul and family strength. All the while packing the sting of a scorpion's strike!
The Last Storm by Tim Lebbon is the first novel of his that I have read and it certainly won’t be the last. I am a huge fan of apocalyptic stories and this one is so likely to happen (the climate change part, maybe not the rainmaker part) that it makes it all the more terrifying.
The story approaches from multiple angles due to each chapter being focused on a different character. I found that this keeps the story fresh and keeps you thinking about how these characters could all eventually link up. Tim Lebbon has a masterful ability to create intensely suspenseful scenes which would not be out of place on the big screen. Tim is a true thriller/horror master. Lacing the story with exceptionally interesting characters who each have their own story to tell. Each of them have such incredible depth to them that there is no ‘main character’ in this book.
The setting of the book surrounds an apocalyptic wasteland of deserts, wildfires and very…very little rain. So little that most rain came from a family of rainmakers. Each location is given ample description, cementing each scene in your mind, providing a superb base for the story to take place. I really enjoyed the emotional way that Hillside was described. I had a vivid image in my mind of what the area looked like but also the emotional attachments to the area which gave me a deeper connection to the story. The destitute locations are the result of a very real potential future in which we totally lose control of our environmental destruction and essentially kill the world. We all complain about the rain but imagine a world without it. Imagine the worldwide devastation and loss. It’s nightmarishly scary. You know what’s scariest? It’s right around the corner. We have to start healing the world today, right now, with no hesitation.
A stunning apocalyptic adventure which plays on real world fears. Partnered with immensely interesting characters and a storyline that could be a streaming series, you are in for a treat with The Last Storm by Tim Lebbon.
The Last Storm by Tim Lebbon is the first novel of his that I have read and it certainly won’t be the last. I am a huge fan of apocalyptic stories and this one is so likely to happen (the climate change part, maybe not the rainmaker part) that it makes it all the more terrifying.
The story approaches from multiple angles due to each chapter being focused on a different character. I found that this keeps the story fresh and keeps you thinking about how these characters could all eventually link up. Tim Lebbon has a masterful ability to create intensely suspenseful scenes which would not be out of place on the big screen. Tim is a true thriller/horror master. Lacing the story with exceptionally interesting characters who each have their own story to tell. Each of them have such incredible depth to them that there is no ‘main character’ in this book.
The setting of the book surrounds an apocalyptic wasteland of deserts, wildfires and very…very little rain. So little that most rain came from a family of rainmakers. Each location is given ample description, cementing each scene in your mind, providing a superb base for the story to take place. I really enjoyed the emotional way that Hillside was described. I had a vivid image in my mind of what the area looked like but also the emotional attachments to the area which gave me a deeper connection to the story. The destitute locations are the result of a very real potential future in which we totally lose control of our environmental destruction and essentially kill the world. We all complain about the rain but imagine a world without it. Imagine the worldwide devastation and loss. It’s nightmarishly scary. You know what’s scariest? It’s right around the corner. We have to start healing the world today, right now, with no hesitation.
A stunning apocalyptic adventure which plays on real world fears. Partnered with immensely interesting characters and a storyline that could be a streaming series, you are in for a treat with The Last Storm by Tim Lebbon.
Twenty Years Dead by Richard Farren Barber
4.0
A bite size horror Novella loaded with grotesque imagery and immeasurable unease!
Now, I’ve read horror stories before but nothing could quite prepare me for what was awaiting me between the covers of this book. Never before have I ever witnessed a story quite like this. Richard Farren Barber presents to us a terrifying tale of unfinished business, family torment and general horror!
The entire idea of the dead arising from their graves periodically after their demise is a very unnerving situation. There is a potential upside to this phenomenon though…maybe you will get some peace of mind, some clarity or some final answers from your dearly departed. Some of the violence and savagery described by Richard Farren Barber in this book is immense in its gore & grotesque imagery. Set in a singular location, Richard uses his skill to ensure that the characters are rich and developed, offsetting the limited locational description opportunities.
This is a punchy, fast paced, fright fest of a novella. Packed from cover to cover with stupendously disgusting descriptions of the dead, coupled with a foundation of past family trauma and a quest for answers…you are in for a treat if you are a horror fan. A unique, terrifying book.
Now, I’ve read horror stories before but nothing could quite prepare me for what was awaiting me between the covers of this book. Never before have I ever witnessed a story quite like this. Richard Farren Barber presents to us a terrifying tale of unfinished business, family torment and general horror!
The entire idea of the dead arising from their graves periodically after their demise is a very unnerving situation. There is a potential upside to this phenomenon though…maybe you will get some peace of mind, some clarity or some final answers from your dearly departed. Some of the violence and savagery described by Richard Farren Barber in this book is immense in its gore & grotesque imagery. Set in a singular location, Richard uses his skill to ensure that the characters are rich and developed, offsetting the limited locational description opportunities.
This is a punchy, fast paced, fright fest of a novella. Packed from cover to cover with stupendously disgusting descriptions of the dead, coupled with a foundation of past family trauma and a quest for answers…you are in for a treat if you are a horror fan. A unique, terrifying book.
Betrayal by Lilja Sigurðardóttir
5.0
A tense, political thriller covered in a cloak of fear, humanity and intoxicating mystery.
I have never read any Nordic before, however I do seem to have some form of attachment to the Nordic culture and history. That made this novel by Lilja Sigurdardóttir extremely intriguing to me. I will give a big thanks to the wonderful team at Orenda Books for the review copy.
Lilja Sigurdardóttir has begun what I believe will be a long love of Nordic novels. This honestly is a phenomenal story which involves deep betrayals, mysterious magic and violent political unrest. I was on holiday, off the grid, whilst reading this book and I couldn't put it down. Every moment of calm involved me flipping open my kindle and whisking away to frozen Iceland. Every chapter played out like a thriller TV series and Lilja has a supreme ability to develop a world inside your mind.
The story itself is a wild ride. Within the covers there is everything from Norse magic to political deception and cover ups at the highest levels! Each of the chapters are packed with intense action and always ends with a terrific cliff-hanger that wills you to carry on reading and more often than not… I did, normally way past when I should have been asleep!
If you are looking for rich characters then look no further. Lilja has created a wealth of deeply intriguing and investable characters. Each of which has the ability to lead its own story, in fact they do. Each character has their own storyline that is entwined with that of Úrsula. These storylines have been given as much attention as Úrsula’s and provides a support for the main story whilst keeping the novel fresh and satisfying.
[b:Betrayal|53444167|Betrayal|Lilja Sigurðardóttir|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589898744l/53444167._SY75_.jpg|65923755]
Betrayal will forever hold a special place in my heart as a novel that has kickstarted a love of Nordic novels. A sublime story of fighting the good fight, betrayal on the grandest scale wrapped up with Norse magic and fantastic personal journeys. Betrayal by Lilja Sigurdardóttir is a suspenseful Nordic crime thriller that hooks you and doesn’t let go.
I have never read any Nordic before, however I do seem to have some form of attachment to the Nordic culture and history. That made this novel by Lilja Sigurdardóttir extremely intriguing to me. I will give a big thanks to the wonderful team at Orenda Books for the review copy.
Lilja Sigurdardóttir has begun what I believe will be a long love of Nordic novels. This honestly is a phenomenal story which involves deep betrayals, mysterious magic and violent political unrest. I was on holiday, off the grid, whilst reading this book and I couldn't put it down. Every moment of calm involved me flipping open my kindle and whisking away to frozen Iceland. Every chapter played out like a thriller TV series and Lilja has a supreme ability to develop a world inside your mind.
The story itself is a wild ride. Within the covers there is everything from Norse magic to political deception and cover ups at the highest levels! Each of the chapters are packed with intense action and always ends with a terrific cliff-hanger that wills you to carry on reading and more often than not… I did, normally way past when I should have been asleep!
If you are looking for rich characters then look no further. Lilja has created a wealth of deeply intriguing and investable characters. Each of which has the ability to lead its own story, in fact they do. Each character has their own storyline that is entwined with that of Úrsula. These storylines have been given as much attention as Úrsula’s and provides a support for the main story whilst keeping the novel fresh and satisfying.
[b:Betrayal|53444167|Betrayal|Lilja Sigurðardóttir|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589898744l/53444167._SY75_.jpg|65923755]
Betrayal will forever hold a special place in my heart as a novel that has kickstarted a love of Nordic novels. A sublime story of fighting the good fight, betrayal on the grandest scale wrapped up with Norse magic and fantastic personal journeys. Betrayal by Lilja Sigurdardóttir is a suspenseful Nordic crime thriller that hooks you and doesn’t let go.
Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson
4.0
A short story with all the punch of Brandon’s normal, full length epic novels. Any fans of Brandon Sanderson will be enamoured this this novella. And damn… that artwork for the cover is stunning.
In A Garden Burning Gold by Rory Power
4.0
An epic story with fantastic characters and a mammoth storyline. In. A Garden Burning Gold is a brand new adventure for all fans of everything fantasy..