pacardullo's reviews
278 reviews

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

2.0

I know a lot of people love this book and its message of individualism, pursuit of excellence, spirituality, etc. That said, it just did not work for me.
While I agree with and appreciate  most of themes, there was something about it that just rang the hollow.
I can see how folks would love it. I just didn't.

The Winter Box by Tim Waggoner

dark emotional fast-paced

4.0

Excellent short novella that has a stronger emotional core than one would expect from its length. Good stuff. Well worth a read.

Sphere by Michael Crichton

3.0

This one did not quite work for me. The general premise was intriguing, but the book felt a bit meandering. That, and there were too many "no, that is stupid. They would be dead at this point" bits in the story.
That said, there were enough interesting bits and musings scattered throughout that it pulled it up to a 3 star.

Little Miss Apocalypse by Danger Slater

funny fast-paced

5.0

More wonderful high weirdness from Danger Slater. This time, he presents his take on 80's teen comedies and coming-of-age stories. It is a quick, fun read - much more fun than the Toba Disaster from 74,000 years ago. Go read it. 

Desecration by J.F. Penn

4.0

Fine dark, twisted mystery. Starts w/ a creepy prologue, but then seems to settle in for a fairly down-to-earth story. After a bit, we get some (just a little bit) of psychic fun - just enough to give our main protagonist a good clue. But then we get to the last section are over the edge into craziness (in a good way).  We go over the falls and it is a satisfying ride.

Well worth picking up. I look forward to reading other stories in the series.

Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage

dark fast-paced

3.5

This one is divisive. I even wavered on what to give this. I eventually decided on the higher rating because I like how the book make me both hate and feel sympathetic for all three members of the family.
Is the book ableist? Possibly/probably - though I think the sympathy it engenders even towards its supposed antagonist offsets this.
I would say definitely give it a chance. You should know after a few chapters if it is something that works for you.

The Devastators by Donald Hamilton

4.0

Fun, almost-sort-of-grounded spy tale. Granted, being a spy tale from 1965, there is some pretty overt racism and sexism to get around. That said, a couple of the women in the story more than hold their own against the main character, which was nice to see.

This is the first Matt Helm story I read. The character's matter-of-fact attitude is what really carries the story.

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

fast-paced

5.0

Absolutely fantastic love letter to NYC. Great read. Super fun and compelling. It is one of those books you are almost sad when you are done reading it.

The Rats by James Herbert

fast-paced

4.0

Fun, goopy, gory creature feature/nature gone wild tale

Beneath by Kristi DeMeester

dark mysterious medium-paced

4.0

What starts as folk horror later shifts toward something else. The first two thirds were compelling enough, but it is the third act where thing kick into gear and elevates the story.