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nerdyreferencelibrarian89's Reviews (1.18k)
Some of the short stories in this collection were great, I really enjoyed Jim Butchers, another story focused on a teen girl moving into the elf trailer park, and a few others; however, several just drag.
I am about halfway thru listening to this book but I don't think I will be finishing. The quality of the stories varies so greatly from writer to writer.
I could see this being worth reading, as you can easily skip stories that don't interest you, but as an audio book it just did not work for me.
I am about halfway thru listening to this book but I don't think I will be finishing. The quality of the stories varies so greatly from writer to writer.
I could see this being worth reading, as you can easily skip stories that don't interest you, but as an audio book it just did not work for me.
The first half of this rates 2 stars, but the second half is closer to 3.5 stars, so I found a nice medium rating :).
While I was reading the first two chapters I was strongly considering stopping reading this entirely. The story was mediocre and I wasn't thrilled with the characters.
As the story goes; however, the tension and action begins to improve and the characters become more interesting.
Talon really makes this story, with Nightwing serving more as a foil to Talon for most of the volume.
My favorite parts of the story were the brief interactions between Batman and Nightwing, highlighting the differences between these two heroes.
This wasn't an amazing story, but it was enjoyable, and is a decent introduction to Nightwing as a character.
While I was reading the first two chapters I was strongly considering stopping reading this entirely. The story was mediocre and I wasn't thrilled with the characters.
As the story goes; however, the tension and action begins to improve and the characters become more interesting.
Talon really makes this story, with Nightwing serving more as a foil to Talon for most of the volume.
My favorite parts of the story were the brief interactions between Batman and Nightwing, highlighting the differences between these two heroes.
This wasn't an amazing story, but it was enjoyable, and is a decent introduction to Nightwing as a character.
Whew this was a roller coaster ride, in the best ways possible.
One of the best things this novel does is show case what the Thousand Sons were attempting to do, highlighting why, but also showing some of the clear faults in their logic. This sets up a really interesting dynamic, where I found myself wanting to really like the legion, wanting to like their Primarch, but struggling because of the clear and obvious hubris they were exhibiting.
Following their journey, and development was thrilling. The characters, specifically Arhiman, were likable and interesting. The mystery and horror behind the legion kept me reading.
For a Horus Heresy book, this novel was light on action, but I think it works. Rather the sprinkling bolter porn throughout the book, it builds, and builds the tension, giving brief moments of action, but mostly focusing on the thoughts and ideas of the legion, until this all crashes and burns in a gigantic apocalyptic showdown at the end of the novel that was well worth the wait. Each of the side characters gets moments to shine, to fail, and to do some really cool things.
There were some negatives to the book. It starts slow and confusing, however, McNeill often leans into this style of throwing you into the action, and having the reader catch up.
The Primarch of the legion I also found difficult to understand or like. There were facets of him I found really interesting, but considering how much of the book he is in, I didn't really get a great feel for him.
Despite these small downsides I think this was great, and any Horus Heresy fan should read this book!
One of the best things this novel does is show case what the Thousand Sons were attempting to do, highlighting why, but also showing some of the clear faults in their logic. This sets up a really interesting dynamic, where I found myself wanting to really like the legion, wanting to like their Primarch, but struggling because of the clear and obvious hubris they were exhibiting.
Following their journey, and development was thrilling. The characters, specifically Arhiman, were likable and interesting. The mystery and horror behind the legion kept me reading.
For a Horus Heresy book, this novel was light on action, but I think it works. Rather the sprinkling bolter porn throughout the book, it builds, and builds the tension, giving brief moments of action, but mostly focusing on the thoughts and ideas of the legion, until this all crashes and burns in a gigantic apocalyptic showdown at the end of the novel that was well worth the wait. Each of the side characters gets moments to shine, to fail, and to do some really cool things.
There were some negatives to the book. It starts slow and confusing, however, McNeill often leans into this style of throwing you into the action, and having the reader catch up.
The Primarch of the legion I also found difficult to understand or like. There were facets of him I found really interesting, but considering how much of the book he is in, I didn't really get a great feel for him.
Despite these small downsides I think this was great, and any Horus Heresy fan should read this book!
This book on the surface seems very straight forward, it is about Hulk coming back to Earth, pissed, and ready to smash, and oh boy he smashes EVERYTHING.
As a standalone, I think this only rates a 3 star, as it is enjoyable, but doesn't do a ton of interesting stuff with the characters. However, as a follow up to Planet Hulk and to a lesser degree the Civil War storylines, I think this book really shines as the culmination of a lot of groundwork and development.
Planet Hulk spent a great deal of time building up a supporting cast of "monsters" for the Hulk, who also spends time developing as a character. World War Hulk is the result of when all that development and effort blows up in Hulk's face.
I also think, after the Civil War storyline, Hulk's smashing crusade really highlights the deep fissures and distrust the hero community and segments of the US have toward Stark and Reed Richards, because they were pretty scummy during that story line. And it is exceedingly satisfying to see Hulk smash them knowing this.
On its own it is interesting, but tied together this is a great climax to a very compelling Hulk narrative.
As a standalone, I think this only rates a 3 star, as it is enjoyable, but doesn't do a ton of interesting stuff with the characters. However, as a follow up to Planet Hulk and to a lesser degree the Civil War storylines, I think this book really shines as the culmination of a lot of groundwork and development.
Planet Hulk spent a great deal of time building up a supporting cast of "monsters" for the Hulk, who also spends time developing as a character. World War Hulk is the result of when all that development and effort blows up in Hulk's face.
I also think, after the Civil War storyline, Hulk's smashing crusade really highlights the deep fissures and distrust the hero community and segments of the US have toward Stark and Reed Richards, because they were pretty scummy during that story line. And it is exceedingly satisfying to see Hulk smash them knowing this.
On its own it is interesting, but tied together this is a great climax to a very compelling Hulk narrative.
This story was extremely powerful, and really highlights the strengths graphic novels can bring to telling a difficult story, with a unique perspective.
The story starts off a little slow, but as you get to know Barbara, and gets hints of what is happening in her life you really begin to feel for her.
By the end of the story I think most people will be holding back tear of some sort.
The illustration style I think was the thing that I had the biggest problem with, at times it was extremely hard to tell what was happening in the frames, what the hints of the monsters being drawn were; however, the pacing, writing, and rest really makes this a minor problem. The art isn't bad, it just isn't clear in segments.
The story starts off a little slow, but as you get to know Barbara, and gets hints of what is happening in her life you really begin to feel for her.
By the end of the story I think most people will be holding back tear of some sort.
The illustration style I think was the thing that I had the biggest problem with, at times it was extremely hard to tell what was happening in the frames, what the hints of the monsters being drawn were; however, the pacing, writing, and rest really makes this a minor problem. The art isn't bad, it just isn't clear in segments.
This book was another addition to the important series of YA books coming out discussing and covering police brutality and racial profiling.
I really enjoyed seeing something in the graphic novel format coming out that covers this. I thought the idea of the victims of this traveling in a train, while waiting for justice, was interesting.
However, as other reviewers have found, in a year filled with excellent examples of this style of fiction (like The Hate U Give) this didn't quite do it for me.
I thought covering different instances and time periods worked very well. However; some of the forced Shakespear allusions, and the art style at times just didn't pull the story together enough for my taste. Not bad, but I preferred "How it Went Down" and "The Hate U GIve"
I really enjoyed seeing something in the graphic novel format coming out that covers this. I thought the idea of the victims of this traveling in a train, while waiting for justice, was interesting.
However, as other reviewers have found, in a year filled with excellent examples of this style of fiction (like The Hate U Give) this didn't quite do it for me.
I thought covering different instances and time periods worked very well. However; some of the forced Shakespear allusions, and the art style at times just didn't pull the story together enough for my taste. Not bad, but I preferred "How it Went Down" and "The Hate U GIve"
I didn't finish this volume, I got half thru and it wasn't grabbing me. I love the original ninja turtles movie, but i'm not a huge fan of this rewritten origin and backstory.
The dialogue is still campy, but I didn't find it as amusing.
The dialogue is still campy, but I didn't find it as amusing.
Let me start this review by saying I love Miles Morales, I love reading about his new perspective and spin on Spider-man. I find his crush on Ms. Marvel extremely cute. And I love some of the subtle interactions worked into this volume, like where he questions Tony Stark's perspective on profiling, where he gets dozens of cops guns pointed at him and starts thinking about the dozens of instances of police profiling and brutality against people of color.
However, all these good points are lost in a disjointed, hodge podge storyline, which is jumbled up with the events of the second marvel Civil War and something going on with Miles' dad. This whole thing means that most of the novel is not well connected, nor does it do a good job focusing on Miles.
I had high expectations, but honestly did not enjoy this volume.
However, all these good points are lost in a disjointed, hodge podge storyline, which is jumbled up with the events of the second marvel Civil War and something going on with Miles' dad. This whole thing means that most of the novel is not well connected, nor does it do a good job focusing on Miles.
I had high expectations, but honestly did not enjoy this volume.
This is the second book in the Gentleman Bastard series and if you liked the first book, chances are you will like this one.
As the second book you know vaguely what to expect, it is filled with Locke's schemes, cons, and Jean's hatchets. The group isn't in the same city, but their hi-jinks are familiar.
This book doesn't have as great pacing as "The Lies of Locke Lamora" the first half took a while to really feel like it was going anywhere. However, after some initial slowness I once again found myself heavily invested in the trials and tribulations of Locke and Jean. The second half of the book I thought was amazing, with action and schemes vamping up.
While not as good as the first book, I still thoroughly enjoyed Red Seas Under Red Skies.
I loved the ending so much I immediately started the 3rd book in the series.
As the second book you know vaguely what to expect, it is filled with Locke's schemes, cons, and Jean's hatchets. The group isn't in the same city, but their hi-jinks are familiar.
This book doesn't have as great pacing as "The Lies of Locke Lamora" the first half took a while to really feel like it was going anywhere. However, after some initial slowness I once again found myself heavily invested in the trials and tribulations of Locke and Jean. The second half of the book I thought was amazing, with action and schemes vamping up.
While not as good as the first book, I still thoroughly enjoyed Red Seas Under Red Skies.
I loved the ending so much I immediately started the 3rd book in the series.