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samharnold's reviews
1101 reviews
The Last Word by Elly Griffiths
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
5.0
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Toll by Neal Shusterman
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Wow what an ending to a trilogy. There are always those moments of dread when you wonder if three books will be ruined by one terrible chapter. This is not the case here.
I rated this five stars as the trilogy is certainly worth five stars. The story twists and turns and you never know where it is going. I couldn’t have guessed the ending.
This book is about survival, right and wrong and love. It is also a book that will make you feel question your own humanity and how we treat the world and those in it. A must read.
The Pig in the Derby Hat by M.A. Knights
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This might seem like a low rating, I thoroughly enjoyed the book it just wasn't as good as Dickens and Brontë for me. I will however be reading more of her work.
Pharmacology by Christopher Herz
5.0
It is always with in-trepidation that you start the second novel from an author, when you loved their first. It was with this in mind that I started Pharmacology by Christopher Herz. Would the book be as good as the first? Was this author just a one hit wonder? Could he continue his writing form into another novel to be loved?
Through this book we are taken into a world that we know exists, but may not be comfortable admitting exists. The world of pharmaceutical companies and the tactics that they use to manipulate the everyday public into buying their drugs. In essence within the book there were areas that remind me of another of my favourite books 'State of Fear' by Michael Crichton. Both depict how the everyday public can be manipulated by clever media to think in a certain way. The one line that I love from the book which describes the main thread running through the novel is
“Pharmaceutical companies were using homeless people in the city to run experiments in early clinical trials after the FDA had said that testing on mice was no longer a viable option”
However, it would be unfair just to review this book in these terms as it is so much more. The main character Sarah Striker is engaging and well written. By the end of the book you really feel like you have bonded and got to know her, warts and all. The book is written as if it is Sarah's memoirs and this is expressed well when the character at times floats from one thought to another and back again. There is a lovely subtle connection between the legal drugs used by the pharmaceutical companies and the illegal recreational drugs that some characters use. I loved the author's use of some of the old rock bands of the 80's. Growing up in the UK and having to import my favourite American music it is nice to know I didn't dream up some of these bands in my younger days.
In essence the book is a thoroughly enjoyable novel which is well written. The underlying theme in the book is written in such an engaging way that you are left pondering the ethics of these companies in society now. The theme is very different from the authors first book. However, it also has the twist towards the end, that I must be honest I didn't see coming at all. This is similar to his first novel. I feel compelled to say that this novel is better than his first. Although this leaves me feeling guilty like I have just picked my favourite child. I could write so much more about this novel but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Go and read it yourself you will not be disappointed. My only criticism, if there was one, is that 214 pages is just not long enough. Although don't all excellent authors leave you wanting more.
Through this book we are taken into a world that we know exists, but may not be comfortable admitting exists. The world of pharmaceutical companies and the tactics that they use to manipulate the everyday public into buying their drugs. In essence within the book there were areas that remind me of another of my favourite books 'State of Fear' by Michael Crichton. Both depict how the everyday public can be manipulated by clever media to think in a certain way. The one line that I love from the book which describes the main thread running through the novel is
“Pharmaceutical companies were using homeless people in the city to run experiments in early clinical trials after the FDA had said that testing on mice was no longer a viable option”
However, it would be unfair just to review this book in these terms as it is so much more. The main character Sarah Striker is engaging and well written. By the end of the book you really feel like you have bonded and got to know her, warts and all. The book is written as if it is Sarah's memoirs and this is expressed well when the character at times floats from one thought to another and back again. There is a lovely subtle connection between the legal drugs used by the pharmaceutical companies and the illegal recreational drugs that some characters use. I loved the author's use of some of the old rock bands of the 80's. Growing up in the UK and having to import my favourite American music it is nice to know I didn't dream up some of these bands in my younger days.
In essence the book is a thoroughly enjoyable novel which is well written. The underlying theme in the book is written in such an engaging way that you are left pondering the ethics of these companies in society now. The theme is very different from the authors first book. However, it also has the twist towards the end, that I must be honest I didn't see coming at all. This is similar to his first novel. I feel compelled to say that this novel is better than his first. Although this leaves me feeling guilty like I have just picked my favourite child. I could write so much more about this novel but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Go and read it yourself you will not be disappointed. My only criticism, if there was one, is that 214 pages is just not long enough. Although don't all excellent authors leave you wanting more.
The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffiths
4.0
REVIEW
If you like the first two novels from this author then this will be no different. This book instead of dealing with medieval history deals with the more recent Second World War era. The story is fast paced and well described in an era many of us have heard stories about.
The book also continues the character development where the last book left of also leaving a further character development wide open for the next book. I especially like the way that the author leaves little time between her books in the characters lives so the story flows well with them. Having said this I was a little bored when one of the characters finds herself in jeopardy again thinking to myself ‘ not again surly you would learn’ three dangerous situations in a year is just careless.
Having said this the book is as good as ever and I have already preordered the fourth so I wasn’t put off that much. Enjoy
If you like the first two novels from this author then this will be no different. This book instead of dealing with medieval history deals with the more recent Second World War era. The story is fast paced and well described in an era many of us have heard stories about.
The book also continues the character development where the last book left of also leaving a further character development wide open for the next book. I especially like the way that the author leaves little time between her books in the characters lives so the story flows well with them. Having said this I was a little bored when one of the characters finds herself in jeopardy again thinking to myself ‘ not again surly you would learn’ three dangerous situations in a year is just careless.
Having said this the book is as good as ever and I have already preordered the fourth so I wasn’t put off that much. Enjoy
The Dead Town by Dean Koontz
1.0
Now I am a massive Dean Koontz have been for many years. I have purchased and read all his books several times over. So you can imagine how hard it is for me to say that this book is a pile of rubbish.
The book follows his Frankenstein theme through to its conclusion. Firstly thank god this is the end of this series and Koontz has flogged it to death. Like the Odd Thomas books which have also been used repeatedly this series is two books too many.
I ask myself has my favourite author run out of characters or is he just taking the make a quick buck route. Whichever it is this is not good. I am left hoping that the next offer from this author is a return to form.
The book follows his Frankenstein theme through to its conclusion. Firstly thank god this is the end of this series and Koontz has flogged it to death. Like the Odd Thomas books which have also been used repeatedly this series is two books too many.
I ask myself has my favourite author run out of characters or is he just taking the make a quick buck route. Whichever it is this is not good. I am left hoping that the next offer from this author is a return to form.
The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths
4.0
I can’t quite remember who recommended this book. I know I read about it on a forum and thought it sounded worth a read. The same of it is if I could remember I would like to thank them as this book is well worth any recommendation. For the first novel from the writer it shows a maturity some writers take ages to achieve. The characters are well designed and have the perfect amount of human flaws in them. The book has an easy story line which is east to follow unlike some more in-depth crime writers that you need a degree to understand. My only disappointment came at the end of the book when you discover that some of the locations described are imaginary, I had booked my holiday to explore them in person.
The best recommendation for a book is when you want to read the next and I am already on the hunt for the next offering. Don’t you just love it when you find another author to become excited about.
The best recommendation for a book is when you want to read the next and I am already on the hunt for the next offering. Don’t you just love it when you find another author to become excited about.
The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
4.0
If like me you are addicted to the new American TV drama Rizolli and Isles then this is the book for you. Intrigued to see where it all started I decided to read the first in the series. This book is exactly the beginning of the story and although linked to the show by no way depicts stories that you have seen in the show instead enhancing them.
The book features tough cop Rizolli and her relationship with her partner Thomas Moore her first partner. It gives you an insight into her character and how hard she found it to advance in the police force. However fans of the TV maybe disappointed to know that there is no mention of Laura Isles as of yet she does not feature until the second book in the series.
On its own merit though this book is an excellent read, a page turner that keeps you hooked until the last page, even though as a fan of the series you think you know where it will end. A brilliant crime novel which has left me eager to read the second in the series now and take these characters further
The book features tough cop Rizolli and her relationship with her partner Thomas Moore her first partner. It gives you an insight into her character and how hard she found it to advance in the police force. However fans of the TV maybe disappointed to know that there is no mention of Laura Isles as of yet she does not feature until the second book in the series.
On its own merit though this book is an excellent read, a page turner that keeps you hooked until the last page, even though as a fan of the series you think you know where it will end. A brilliant crime novel which has left me eager to read the second in the series now and take these characters further