graywild's reviews
641 reviews

The Deluge by Stephen Markley
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.

DNF. I  got through 200+ pages of this almost 900 page book and felt like nothing had really happened yet.  Lots of character introduction but no connecting story. 

The Little Liar by Mitch Albom

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I like Mitch Albom's writing style.  This is a story set in WWII with 4 characters - 2 Jewish brother, a Jewish girl from their town and a Nazi officer.  The story intertwines nicely though I feel like some of the characters are stereotypically and not fleshed out well. Vacation read recommendation. 

The Moorings of Mackerel Sky by MZ (Choreographer)

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-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? No

3.0

Mackerel Sky is a lobster town in Maine that has a rich history of mermaids and fishing.  The book splits between the towns founding and modern day.  There are essentially 3 stories in the modern part - a trouble boy being helped by an older woman, a high school student becoming aware of his sexuality and a depressed school teacher missing her husband and daughter.  The characters are interesting but at times the story stalls and at the end I thought alot happened very quickly to resolve some of the questions.  It was just okay and would recommend as a vacation read. 

Medusa's Sisters by Lauren J.A. Bear

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I am a fan of mythology.  This book tells the story of the immortal Gorgons and their mortal sister Medusa.  Parts are taking from clues in written mythology and parts are fictionalized relationships.  The 3 sisters all have their own faults and egos.  Initially they appeared like humans but when Athena gets crossed she turns all three into monsters.  They all have variation of snakes for hair and they all turn mortals into stone.  I felt like each sister was brought forward as a more interesting character as the book progressed.  Recommend.

The Institute by Stephen King

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Good pacing and a reasonably quick read even though it is 500+ pages.  Story centers on Luke who finds himself in an institute with a bunch of other kids.  The kids either has telepathy or telekinesis.  The institute runs a tests on the kids and it seems they are prepping them to be used as weapons.  No spoilers but a disruption occurs to these evil plans and the truth is starting to come out about this secret facility.  Maybe a slightly lower rating because I felt like military commandos could be stronger against untrained personnel.  Recommend especially if you like Stephen King.

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Eve and Charlie are working on their new home located in a remote area.  One night Eve is home alone and a family shows up asking to look around as the father grew up in the home.  Once Eve lets them in the story basically begins.  Don't want to give any spoilers but the story is a combination haunted house/ghost story where it becomes hard to keep track of reality.  I thought the pacing was good.  There are definitely some unanswered questions but it doesn't take away from the story.

The T in LGBT: Everything You Need to Know About Being Trans by Jamie Raines

informative fast-paced

3.0

Decent introduction to transgender world.  There is information for allies but more geared toward those starting out on their journey.  The author is a trans male so it is geared more toward his experience.  However, he does also talk about trans females and non-binary.  Good introduction if you need to educate yourself but maybe not as helpful for those who have been on the journey for a while. 

The Devil by Name by Keith Rosson

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

This is the 2nd book in the series so if you haven't read the 1st one please do that or you will be confused.  5 years after the 1st book the survivors of the Message are trying to survive.  Still lots of zombie and the bad government guys are very power hungry.  The supernatural demon involved with Matthew is more pronounced in this book.  Overall the pacing is good and thought the ending was decent.  Recommend

Fever House by Keith Rosson

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Great spin on classic zombie story with a twist of evil artifacts from a demon.  Of course there is a bad governmental agency that is trying to control the power of these evil artifacts.  The book focuses on a severed hand that messes with people's minds when they are close to it. There is a little side story about a famous band and its lead singer that to me seemed like a throw away story expect it got cleared up at the end of the book.  Recommend for those who like horror and supernatural combos. 

The Endless Vessel by Charles Soule

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

I'm not even sure what I just read.  The story starts out with the burning of the Louvre and goes into Lily losing her job and taking a weird object from her former place of work.  Later in the book it goes to the 1700s and a widow who wants to bring her dead husband back to life.  Finishing off with an alternative universe and maybe the end of the world.  At least 3 stories not really well put together.  I finished it but don't recommend.