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romankurys's reviews
493 reviews
Abarat by Clive Barker
4.0
A really delightfully strange read is the best I can describe this book.
Clive Barker created an alternate reality based on 24 hour time system that is so odd you're best reading this in a hardcover format with his illustrations or with safari near you to look up the visuals.
It reads a bit childish though, I didn't realize it was a YA read. Young girl heroine didn't give that away clear enough to me, as it would seem...but overall a very engaging read.
Unknown elements in the book are new and refreshing, there was no falling back into stereotypes known from other creations, which was great.
Be prepared to weirdness. You've been forewarned.
Roma
Clive Barker created an alternate reality based on 24 hour time system that is so odd you're best reading this in a hardcover format with his illustrations or with safari near you to look up the visuals.
It reads a bit childish though, I didn't realize it was a YA read. Young girl heroine didn't give that away clear enough to me, as it would seem...but overall a very engaging read.
Unknown elements in the book are new and refreshing, there was no falling back into stereotypes known from other creations, which was great.
Be prepared to weirdness. You've been forewarned.
Roma
A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan
5.0
Yep another awesome book in the Wheel of Time series. Book 7 did not disappoint, and continued the legacy of this series very well.
Yes, as many noted, this is a book that moves rather slowly. It is not about the action, although there is a good amount of it here but story is not driven by action at all. It is more about a set of excellent character that you will remember probably for ever. I do.
Jordan's way to weave descriptions in and out of dialogue though is really masterful. I find myself re-reading multiple parts just to relive what it is he's describing, cities and entire countries come alive with flavor and their own customs, you can really delve into a whole new world. It is very easy for Earth to just disappear and before you know it what seemed a massive 400,000words novel is done.
It really rings reminiscent of Tolkien's style, except different. I can't see anyone who enjoyed LOTR not liking this story.
Highly recommended, just be prepared to delve into the new world, ready to soak it in, learn its intricacies and details, immerse yourself into another reality and you will absolutely love this book. You will not read it in a seating, each chapter will need you to stop and absorb what happened, let it sync in.
So far for these seven books at least I set aside three weeks and enjoy the glories while I let the Wheel weave as the Wheel wills.
Roman
Yes, as many noted, this is a book that moves rather slowly. It is not about the action, although there is a good amount of it here but story is not driven by action at all. It is more about a set of excellent character that you will remember probably for ever. I do.
Jordan's way to weave descriptions in and out of dialogue though is really masterful. I find myself re-reading multiple parts just to relive what it is he's describing, cities and entire countries come alive with flavor and their own customs, you can really delve into a whole new world. It is very easy for Earth to just disappear and before you know it what seemed a massive 400,000words novel is done.
It really rings reminiscent of Tolkien's style, except different. I can't see anyone who enjoyed LOTR not liking this story.
Highly recommended, just be prepared to delve into the new world, ready to soak it in, learn its intricacies and details, immerse yourself into another reality and you will absolutely love this book. You will not read it in a seating, each chapter will need you to stop and absorb what happened, let it sync in.
So far for these seven books at least I set aside three weeks and enjoy the glories while I let the Wheel weave as the Wheel wills.
Roman
Space Marine by Ian Watson
2.0
So I was extremely conflicted on the rating for this book and had I known more about Warhammer 40K universe maybe it would have been beneficial, but alas, I figured a good book should be able to tell ya own story.
And it did.
Problem was me looking up about 4-5 words in the dictionary every other page. It was so bad I had to check my own "stupid" level and send screenshots to some friends to see if it's just me.
Nope. Not just me.
Oddly enough, Ian Watson writing style reminds me of Ann Rice, although obviously a completely different genre. But what I remember most vividly about reading "Interview with the Vampire" is how frustrated I was to need a dictionary constantly near me, so I couldn't fully immerse myself into the story for long.
Same with Ian Watson.
Once you get past not being able to really fully immerse, story is decent, but very choppy. It reads almost like a video game. Space marines go on random missions and kill things, missions don't seem to be related at all and the only thing coherent and persistent through the entire book is three main characters oddly twisted friendship and authors love of rectums and poop.
I did like the grimness of the world, the terrorizing dark world where there doesn't seem to be a single ray of Hope, but people somehow survive. The world was great.
The rest of it, mediocre and boring at best, for me.
Roman
And it did.
Problem was me looking up about 4-5 words in the dictionary every other page. It was so bad I had to check my own "stupid" level and send screenshots to some friends to see if it's just me.
Nope. Not just me.
Oddly enough, Ian Watson writing style reminds me of Ann Rice, although obviously a completely different genre. But what I remember most vividly about reading "Interview with the Vampire" is how frustrated I was to need a dictionary constantly near me, so I couldn't fully immerse myself into the story for long.
Same with Ian Watson.
Once you get past not being able to really fully immerse, story is decent, but very choppy. It reads almost like a video game. Space marines go on random missions and kill things, missions don't seem to be related at all and the only thing coherent and persistent through the entire book is three main characters oddly twisted friendship and authors love of rectums and poop.
I did like the grimness of the world, the terrorizing dark world where there doesn't seem to be a single ray of Hope, but people somehow survive. The world was great.
The rest of it, mediocre and boring at best, for me.
Roman
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
4.0
So despite me wanting to dislike this book, and there were chapters were I really did dislike it, overall this is quite a fun, fast paced read.
Sure, I don't believe it is very well written, but it's YA, kind of comes with the territory. Hard to find YA books that are well written. (I'm open to suggestions, just have not actually read one yet).
Sure it has WAY too many pages wasted on feelings and emotional turmoil and obsession over Edwards and Jacobs chests...
But, despite all its shortcomings, I really do like the premise of the book, and emotional pages removed (about 1/3 of the book or so) it is a pretty darn good page turner.
I'll definitely be reading he next part, once I feel I've used up enough man-soap to get my testosterone levels up to normal levels.....
Roman
Sure, I don't believe it is very well written, but it's YA, kind of comes with the territory. Hard to find YA books that are well written. (I'm open to suggestions, just have not actually read one yet).
Sure it has WAY too many pages wasted on feelings and emotional turmoil and obsession over Edwards and Jacobs chests...
But, despite all its shortcomings, I really do like the premise of the book, and emotional pages removed (about 1/3 of the book or so) it is a pretty darn good page turner.
I'll definitely be reading he next part, once I feel I've used up enough man-soap to get my testosterone levels up to normal levels.....
Roman
Guy Mannering by Walter Scott
4.0
Guy Mannering is without a doubt an acquired taste of a read. I think all of Sir Scott is really an squired taste of a read, really. Unless, maybe you already understand Scottish dialect then all good there. :)
Other then a very slow pace of read, trying to decipher 1800's English mixed with heavy Scottish this book has no drawbacks.
Scott tells a good story, complex enough where it's fun to read but not to the point of overbearing so in it by itself it was a good read. Top it off with a historical value, as I usually learn more from classics about way of life during their times in the country then I do from any history class and you got yourself a double positive right there.
Smugglers, gypsies, Royal dragoons, a few love stories mixed in, plus fortune telling...I mean what else would you want from a good story, right?
If you don't mind the slow pace or generally a fan of European Classics, this one is definitely worth a read!
Roman
Other then a very slow pace of read, trying to decipher 1800's English mixed with heavy Scottish this book has no drawbacks.
Scott tells a good story, complex enough where it's fun to read but not to the point of overbearing so in it by itself it was a good read. Top it off with a historical value, as I usually learn more from classics about way of life during their times in the country then I do from any history class and you got yourself a double positive right there.
Smugglers, gypsies, Royal dragoons, a few love stories mixed in, plus fortune telling...I mean what else would you want from a good story, right?
If you don't mind the slow pace or generally a fan of European Classics, this one is definitely worth a read!
Roman
Beyond by Maureen A. Miller
2.0
I really am not sure how this get all its 4 and 5 star ratings. While I'd agree that this book had a very good Sci-Fi premise behind it and some really good ideas that could have been built upon...
For once there's an idea that humans aren't unique to Earth as species
There's an idea about the innerworkings of an alien spaceship
There's a possibility to delve deeper into space combat
but no.
Instead all the focus went into the emotional parts of the story with a heavy emphasis on relationship, feelings and just way, and I mean WAY too much gooiness. This sort of reminded me of a simplified Twilight. (Yes...Twilight could be simplified. Just read this one).
Not a huge fan of the book. Will I read Part 2...maybe, just because I have OCD and it's extremely hard for me to not finish something, but I would be doing so with very little enthusiasm.
Roman
For once there's an idea that humans aren't unique to Earth as species
There's an idea about the innerworkings of an alien spaceship
There's a possibility to delve deeper into space combat
but no.
Instead all the focus went into the emotional parts of the story with a heavy emphasis on relationship, feelings and just way, and I mean WAY too much gooiness. This sort of reminded me of a simplified Twilight. (Yes...Twilight could be simplified. Just read this one).
Not a huge fan of the book. Will I read Part 2...maybe, just because I have OCD and it's extremely hard for me to not finish something, but I would be doing so with very little enthusiasm.
Roman
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
4.0
I'm pretty sure that by this point Oliver Twist has been reviewed enough without me needing to put my 2cents in.
But...since there is an option to do so...
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. It is also the first time I have read it in English, and that alone was worth the experience.
The only reason I wouldn't say I love it with a 5 stars is because for what it is. A classic.
First 250 pages is a wind up, then the last 100 pages is when stuff actually happens.
That's just the style of books written back then. Great opportunity for writers to build their characters that's for sure, however when compared to a more modern writing style, quite unnecessary.
There is a reason Dicken's is still being read today, however, so all in all I like this read a lot. Definitely will read another one of his novels at some point.
My suggestion is...if you enjoy classic literature, you have probably already read this.
If you don't, you probably never will.
Roman
But...since there is an option to do so...
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. It is also the first time I have read it in English, and that alone was worth the experience.
The only reason I wouldn't say I love it with a 5 stars is because for what it is. A classic.
First 250 pages is a wind up, then the last 100 pages is when stuff actually happens.
That's just the style of books written back then. Great opportunity for writers to build their characters that's for sure, however when compared to a more modern writing style, quite unnecessary.
There is a reason Dicken's is still being read today, however, so all in all I like this read a lot. Definitely will read another one of his novels at some point.
My suggestion is...if you enjoy classic literature, you have probably already read this.
If you don't, you probably never will.
Roman
Danse Macabre by Stephen King
1.0
It ha taken me THREE months to finish this book. I have tried my hardest to enjoy it, but it just wasn't meant to be.
It was definitely on the Top 10 of most boring books list.
Now I LOVE Stephen King work, I actually have every book he wrote in an actual hard cover at home on my shelf. I absolutely loved his other 2 books about writing that were a non fiction, but this one was just hrs to swallow.
Sitting here trying to think why, it hits me. This book was written in 1981...most of the movies and books he is speaking about are from 60's and 70's so other then the classics like The Exorcist or Amitiville Horror or Rosemary Baby I have absolutely no idea what he is talking about.
All the actors names he's mentioning I have never heard of.
This books simply did not engage me like it would engage someone who knew all this material before hand. There was nothing there to draw me in.
Obviously, I'm going to read the next King book on my list, without a doubt.
But a hint of caution to readers who have not been a part of 60's and 70's cinema releases, TV shows and book reading: you will fall asleep after 3 paragraphs...
Roman
It was definitely on the Top 10 of most boring books list.
Now I LOVE Stephen King work, I actually have every book he wrote in an actual hard cover at home on my shelf. I absolutely loved his other 2 books about writing that were a non fiction, but this one was just hrs to swallow.
Sitting here trying to think why, it hits me. This book was written in 1981...most of the movies and books he is speaking about are from 60's and 70's so other then the classics like The Exorcist or Amitiville Horror or Rosemary Baby I have absolutely no idea what he is talking about.
All the actors names he's mentioning I have never heard of.
This books simply did not engage me like it would engage someone who knew all this material before hand. There was nothing there to draw me in.
Obviously, I'm going to read the next King book on my list, without a doubt.
But a hint of caution to readers who have not been a part of 60's and 70's cinema releases, TV shows and book reading: you will fall asleep after 3 paragraphs...
Roman
The Feast of All Saints by Anne Rice
5.0
This book really caught me off guard. I did not expect such a great read. Anne Rice is a vampire queen after all, right?
I actually enjoyed this more then I did reading her "Interview With the Vampire".
Somehow this was very engaging and tense read and apart from that I have learned more about South before the Civil War then I knew before.
She paints a very clear picture and goes on describing all sorts of social taboos back then and add racial tensions which are very high throughout and you got yourself a fun read
Great Book, definitely recommended.
Roman
I actually enjoyed this more then I did reading her "Interview With the Vampire".
Somehow this was very engaging and tense read and apart from that I have learned more about South before the Civil War then I knew before.
She paints a very clear picture and goes on describing all sorts of social taboos back then and add racial tensions which are very high throughout and you got yourself a fun read
Great Book, definitely recommended.
Roman
Han Solo's Revenge by Brian Daley
3.0
Quick and fun read.
Get to know Han Solo a bit more and get a glimpse into what his life is like outside of the main books/movies.
Overall it was a good read, kind of a space cowboy detective theme, although the ending felt too rushed.
I have never really understood why Han Solo is as popular a character as he is. Personally, he never interested me all that much and the only reason I'm reading the original trilogy is to satisfy my own curiosity and see how it all started, as these are some of the first Star Wars books ever written.
Personally I'd prefer a more dark side focus in the story, or some more Authority point of view, but alas that's the Sith in me :)
Overall, it was a decent read. Definitely gonna finish up the trilogy. If you like Star Wars, it's a great glimpse of where it all started before Disney had to go ahead and mess it up...(pun intended)
Roman
Get to know Han Solo a bit more and get a glimpse into what his life is like outside of the main books/movies.
Overall it was a good read, kind of a space cowboy detective theme, although the ending felt too rushed.
I have never really understood why Han Solo is as popular a character as he is. Personally, he never interested me all that much and the only reason I'm reading the original trilogy is to satisfy my own curiosity and see how it all started, as these are some of the first Star Wars books ever written.
Personally I'd prefer a more dark side focus in the story, or some more Authority point of view, but alas that's the Sith in me :)
Overall, it was a decent read. Definitely gonna finish up the trilogy. If you like Star Wars, it's a great glimpse of where it all started before Disney had to go ahead and mess it up...(pun intended)
Roman