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the_lectorem's Reviews (35)
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The second book in ‘The Cold Winter Series’ resumes the story exactly where the first book ended, making it one of the most commendable sequels I have read recently. The premise, events, and characters established in the first book made it easy to navigate through the plot since, as a reader, I was already familiar with the world Chris Underwood created.
The plot revolves around Thom's struggle with his drug addiction and his journey to reclaim the best version of himself, as portrayed in the first book. I felt deeply saddened by Thom's condition, which stemmed from the events that unfolded during the previous book's climax. Toni's concern and worry for Thom added an emotional connection, making their struggles even more heartfelt.
What stood out most, however, was the character of Dominic and his sidekick Kirksey. They seemed to take control of the story, elevating it to new heights. The face-off between Dominic and the national guards was the highlight of this book for me, creating a tense and unpredictable atmosphere, teetering on the brink of bloodshed.
This installment adds even more suspense to an already intense storyline by exploring probable theories surrounding the power outage and a rapidly spreading virus. Although nothing has been confirmed yet, I suspect the third book will provide answers. I was captivated by the mind-boggling possibility that the government itself might be behind the power outage and the virus, which has already affected millions. With the healthcare system in disarray and resources stretched thin, the author has steered the story to an unprecedented and gripping point.
I found the characterization in this book to be even stronger than in the first. The author has enhanced the development of returning characters such as JP, Dominic, Carl, Linda, and Allen. Meanwhile, the integration of new characters like Scott, Pete, and Adam felt seamless, with each given a well-written backstory that contributed meaningfully to the narrative.
The book concludes with an unnerving cliffhanger, setting the stage for the action and revelations expected in the third installment. I also noticed a subtle shift in the protagonist's power dynamic—from Thom to Dominic. By the end, Thom seemed more like a liability, whereas Dominic emerged as a leader capable of carrying the story forward on his shoulders.
I have high hopes for the next book and the revelations it promises. The stakes are incredibly high, and there’s no way to predict what card the author will play next.
The plot revolves around Thom's struggle with his drug addiction and his journey to reclaim the best version of himself, as portrayed in the first book. I felt deeply saddened by Thom's condition, which stemmed from the events that unfolded during the previous book's climax. Toni's concern and worry for Thom added an emotional connection, making their struggles even more heartfelt.
What stood out most, however, was the character of Dominic and his sidekick Kirksey. They seemed to take control of the story, elevating it to new heights. The face-off between Dominic and the national guards was the highlight of this book for me, creating a tense and unpredictable atmosphere, teetering on the brink of bloodshed.
This installment adds even more suspense to an already intense storyline by exploring probable theories surrounding the power outage and a rapidly spreading virus. Although nothing has been confirmed yet, I suspect the third book will provide answers. I was captivated by the mind-boggling possibility that the government itself might be behind the power outage and the virus, which has already affected millions. With the healthcare system in disarray and resources stretched thin, the author has steered the story to an unprecedented and gripping point.
I found the characterization in this book to be even stronger than in the first. The author has enhanced the development of returning characters such as JP, Dominic, Carl, Linda, and Allen. Meanwhile, the integration of new characters like Scott, Pete, and Adam felt seamless, with each given a well-written backstory that contributed meaningfully to the narrative.
The book concludes with an unnerving cliffhanger, setting the stage for the action and revelations expected in the third installment. I also noticed a subtle shift in the protagonist's power dynamic—from Thom to Dominic. By the end, Thom seemed more like a liability, whereas Dominic emerged as a leader capable of carrying the story forward on his shoulders.
I have high hopes for the next book and the revelations it promises. The stakes are incredibly high, and there’s no way to predict what card the author will play next.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have been reading one intense book after another where the stakes were too high. Even though I love reading thrillers, there comes a time when I get overwhelmed and strongly crave something different or light-hearted to read. Charlie's Story by Ann McNicol was one such book for me that provided a fresh and unique reading experience.
The story is set in 2045, where rising sea levels have flooded a significant part of the world, forcing humans to relocate to elevated places. It revolves around our protagonist, Samantha, and her passion for exploring and studying coral reefs. Her journey takes an interesting turn when she comes across Charlie, a Caribbean reef octopus that appears to exhibit intelligent signs of communicating with her.
A talking octopus? No! This is where the book excels in staying grounded and believable as a science fiction novel, especially in its portrayal of the technology used to establish interspecies communication. It highlights real-world challenges in communicating with animals and how tricky it can be. I admire the author's approach in crafting a speculative narrative without making the plot or the description of the technology overly complex. I found the second half of the book more captivating, with plot developments that kept me glued until the end.
Samantha, as a protagonist, shines in this book for being noble, curious, and resilient. Her character arc is not just limited to her role as a mediator for interspecies communication; it also provides significant depth in her academic progress. Her work in the field could contribute to understanding the marine ecosystem better and taking necessary steps to protect intelligent species like octopuses.
Other characters, such as Dr. Kelly, Jerry, and Samantha's mother, Amanda, play significant roles, but their characterization is somewhat limited. I didn’t feel emotionally connected to them, except for the bond between Peter and Samantha, which I believe will be explored further in the next book.
The climax took a perilous turn and kept me hooked with its tense and worrisome build-up for Samantha. It was hard to put the book down until it concluded with a satisfactory closure.
Final thoughts: this was indeed a good read, and I enjoyed it for being light-hearted while still addressing serious issues like climate change and the protection of endangered species. I am more eager to learn the crucial and environmental impact of the collaboration between humans and Caribbean reef octopus.
The story is set in 2045, where rising sea levels have flooded a significant part of the world, forcing humans to relocate to elevated places. It revolves around our protagonist, Samantha, and her passion for exploring and studying coral reefs. Her journey takes an interesting turn when she comes across Charlie, a Caribbean reef octopus that appears to exhibit intelligent signs of communicating with her.
A talking octopus? No! This is where the book excels in staying grounded and believable as a science fiction novel, especially in its portrayal of the technology used to establish interspecies communication. It highlights real-world challenges in communicating with animals and how tricky it can be. I admire the author's approach in crafting a speculative narrative without making the plot or the description of the technology overly complex. I found the second half of the book more captivating, with plot developments that kept me glued until the end.
Samantha, as a protagonist, shines in this book for being noble, curious, and resilient. Her character arc is not just limited to her role as a mediator for interspecies communication; it also provides significant depth in her academic progress. Her work in the field could contribute to understanding the marine ecosystem better and taking necessary steps to protect intelligent species like octopuses.
Other characters, such as Dr. Kelly, Jerry, and Samantha's mother, Amanda, play significant roles, but their characterization is somewhat limited. I didn’t feel emotionally connected to them, except for the bond between Peter and Samantha, which I believe will be explored further in the next book.
The climax took a perilous turn and kept me hooked with its tense and worrisome build-up for Samantha. It was hard to put the book down until it concluded with a satisfactory closure.
Final thoughts: this was indeed a good read, and I enjoyed it for being light-hearted while still addressing serious issues like climate change and the protection of endangered species. I am more eager to learn the crucial and environmental impact of the collaboration between humans and Caribbean reef octopus.
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
Trigger Warning: Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Abuse, Graphic Content
Once in a while, we read a book and get emotionally involved with the characters, and when we finish that book, it feels like saying goodbye to a close friend. Some Must Die by Angie D. Comer is one such book for me.
This book places child abuse and domestic violence at the core of its theme, where our protagonist, Carl, acts as a vigilante to deliver justice to the abusers. He is an anti-hero, doing the right thing in the wrong way. The family is formed of six children who are survivors of abuse and violence, and as readers, we get to witness their journey as outlaws.
When I started this book, I assumed it would just be a teenage drama where our characters would remain between the ages of 12-18, but seeing/reading them grow up from 1968 to 2025 was something I didn't expect. It provided me with time to understand each of them and the family dynamic as our characters matured.
Even though it's a crime thriller, at many instances, it doesn't feel that way because most of the time, our characters—Carl, Bonny, Lea, Saul, Sherry, and Matthew—are on a road trip, going from one place to another, living their mundane lives until "vengeance" (Batman reference) strikes again, and the action takes over.
The story is seamlessly written, with a few side plots that I initially found irrelevant, but when merged with the main plot, they blew my mind. One such astounding example is Dr. Stephanie Archer’s subplot, which turned out to be imperative and shifted the narrative in a completely different direction and genre. This is the twist I didn’t see coming when our crime thriller turns into almost post-apocalyptic fiction. I was awestruck thinking about how grounded the story started and the turns it took to conclude in something I didn’t expect.
This twist comes with a small disadvantage, though, because until it happened, the majority of the story revolved around our family of outlaws. However, after the twist, the focus shifted to Sam and her mother, Dr. Stephanie. I would have loved it more if the unity of the family had been as consistent as it was before the worldwide crisis.
The characterization in this book is magnificent. My favorite among all the characters was Carl; he was sensitive but fierce, loving, kind, and protective, and more than anything, unpredictable. His intolerance of child abuse and violence makes him deadly and dangerous. The family of outlaws is trauma-bound; the suffering of these characters makes the reader empathetic toward them, and seeing them happy later in life delivers a sense of happiness.
This book ends with a prospective hint of its sequel, and I would love to read about our characters and how they will tackle new challenges while maintaining their bond, which provides them the strength to stick together through thick and thin.
It's a 4.5/5⭐ for me. Highly recommended for the variety of elements I discussed. More than anything, read it for the character development of our outlaws.
Once in a while, we read a book and get emotionally involved with the characters, and when we finish that book, it feels like saying goodbye to a close friend. Some Must Die by Angie D. Comer is one such book for me.
This book places child abuse and domestic violence at the core of its theme, where our protagonist, Carl, acts as a vigilante to deliver justice to the abusers. He is an anti-hero, doing the right thing in the wrong way. The family is formed of six children who are survivors of abuse and violence, and as readers, we get to witness their journey as outlaws.
When I started this book, I assumed it would just be a teenage drama where our characters would remain between the ages of 12-18, but seeing/reading them grow up from 1968 to 2025 was something I didn't expect. It provided me with time to understand each of them and the family dynamic as our characters matured.
Even though it's a crime thriller, at many instances, it doesn't feel that way because most of the time, our characters—Carl, Bonny, Lea, Saul, Sherry, and Matthew—are on a road trip, going from one place to another, living their mundane lives until "vengeance" (Batman reference) strikes again, and the action takes over.
The story is seamlessly written, with a few side plots that I initially found irrelevant, but when merged with the main plot, they blew my mind. One such astounding example is Dr. Stephanie Archer’s subplot, which turned out to be imperative and shifted the narrative in a completely different direction and genre. This is the twist I didn’t see coming when our crime thriller turns into almost post-apocalyptic fiction. I was awestruck thinking about how grounded the story started and the turns it took to conclude in something I didn’t expect.
This twist comes with a small disadvantage, though, because until it happened, the majority of the story revolved around our family of outlaws. However, after the twist, the focus shifted to Sam and her mother, Dr. Stephanie. I would have loved it more if the unity of the family had been as consistent as it was before the worldwide crisis.
The characterization in this book is magnificent. My favorite among all the characters was Carl; he was sensitive but fierce, loving, kind, and protective, and more than anything, unpredictable. His intolerance of child abuse and violence makes him deadly and dangerous. The family of outlaws is trauma-bound; the suffering of these characters makes the reader empathetic toward them, and seeing them happy later in life delivers a sense of happiness.
This book ends with a prospective hint of its sequel, and I would love to read about our characters and how they will tackle new challenges while maintaining their bond, which provides them the strength to stick together through thick and thin.
It's a 4.5/5⭐ for me. Highly recommended for the variety of elements I discussed. More than anything, read it for the character development of our outlaws.
challenging
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What could possibly go wrong with a power outage? But what if that power outage is state-wise and possibly a cyber attack on the power grid? Without any certainty to be back again? What if it's a cold WINTER? No heaters are working in the houses while the temperature outside keeps dropping down, and the ration starts running out? Where people are crossing their threshold of humanity to engage in inhuman activities to merely survive?
That's the intriguing premise of ‘The Cold Winter’ by Chris Underwood, where our protagonist Thom must do all he can to keep his family and friends safe from the impending danger of cold temperatures and raiders who could kill you to take what's yours. With the first four chapters, the author pulls a reader into this riveting story, sets characters in place and puts the nail-biting narrative in motion.
Its fast-paced and exhilarating storyline kept me hooked till the end of the book. Throughout the book it kept me in an ominous state. I always enjoy reading where I am not just reading but the author creates such a world through his noteworthy writing that I feel part of it. Whether it's the description of the neighbourhood of Thom, Gelena, or the action; it has been written cleverly, which makes it more like a cinematic experience (Those who follow my reviews may know how much a cinematic experience means to me when reading a good book).
My favourite aspect of this book is the characterization of Thom. He is calculative, strategic, cautious, knows how and when to take charge, and always thinks ahead of time in a catastrophic event, and these abilities help him survive such testing times. Characters like Toni, Erick and Carl have been written well, but the characterization of JP, Brad, Ed and Allen is limited; even when a character dies, it doesn't make an impact as it's supposed to. This is just the first book in this series, so I am still hopeful that maybe the author was holding himself back, and in the second book, other characters and their dynamics will be explored more.
The part that took me off guard was the revelation in the end that revolved around Thom and Randal. The way that parallel story was running, I had my speculations and predictions because it felt obvious that way but it was beyond that. The author certainly lets you predict and delivers the unpredictable. If this was a standalone book then I would have complained about the way it ended, but since it's part of a series and the end anticipates the events that may follow in the second book I am satisfied with it because, without open end, I wouldn't have been eager to know what what will happen in the second book.
I still don't know what to expect from it because of the helpless state the first book ends with. How are our characters supposed to survive when a mere hint of having food can attract danger towards them? With jammed highways of cars, no means of communication to establish contact with other states, and no help coming from the government because of unfavourable and bleak conditions that too in the middle of a political crisis across the country.
This curiosity and eagerness to find out is what I mean whenever I mention “the author knows what he is doing” in my reviews. Chris Underwood's compelling storytelling in this book is praiseworthy for the detailing and unsettling atmosphere it has created. I am looking forward to knowing how the story turns out in the next book.
That's the intriguing premise of ‘The Cold Winter’ by Chris Underwood, where our protagonist Thom must do all he can to keep his family and friends safe from the impending danger of cold temperatures and raiders who could kill you to take what's yours. With the first four chapters, the author pulls a reader into this riveting story, sets characters in place and puts the nail-biting narrative in motion.
Its fast-paced and exhilarating storyline kept me hooked till the end of the book. Throughout the book it kept me in an ominous state. I always enjoy reading where I am not just reading but the author creates such a world through his noteworthy writing that I feel part of it. Whether it's the description of the neighbourhood of Thom, Gelena, or the action; it has been written cleverly, which makes it more like a cinematic experience (Those who follow my reviews may know how much a cinematic experience means to me when reading a good book).
My favourite aspect of this book is the characterization of Thom. He is calculative, strategic, cautious, knows how and when to take charge, and always thinks ahead of time in a catastrophic event, and these abilities help him survive such testing times. Characters like Toni, Erick and Carl have been written well, but the characterization of JP, Brad, Ed and Allen is limited; even when a character dies, it doesn't make an impact as it's supposed to. This is just the first book in this series, so I am still hopeful that maybe the author was holding himself back, and in the second book, other characters and their dynamics will be explored more.
The part that took me off guard was the revelation in the end that revolved around Thom and Randal. The way that parallel story was running, I had my speculations and predictions because it felt obvious that way but it was beyond that. The author certainly lets you predict and delivers the unpredictable. If this was a standalone book then I would have complained about the way it ended, but since it's part of a series and the end anticipates the events that may follow in the second book I am satisfied with it because, without open end, I wouldn't have been eager to know what what will happen in the second book.
I still don't know what to expect from it because of the helpless state the first book ends with. How are our characters supposed to survive when a mere hint of having food can attract danger towards them? With jammed highways of cars, no means of communication to establish contact with other states, and no help coming from the government because of unfavourable and bleak conditions that too in the middle of a political crisis across the country.
This curiosity and eagerness to find out is what I mean whenever I mention “the author knows what he is doing” in my reviews. Chris Underwood's compelling storytelling in this book is praiseworthy for the detailing and unsettling atmosphere it has created. I am looking forward to knowing how the story turns out in the next book.
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Comprehensive Guide to Co-Parenting With a Narcissist” by Lee Alexander dives deep into the complex dynamics between the narcissist parent’s influence on the children and their partner. I loved the author's straightforward approach to explaining narcissistic behaviour, its characteristics and the toxic impact it can have on the partner who has to bear that emotionally abusive and mentally tormenting behaviour. As the title suggests, this book doesn't address general people but has been specifically written for parents who are struggling with their narcissistic partner and want to safeguard their and their children's overall well-being and safety.
Being a Psychologist, I understand the sensitive nature of Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Lee Alexander has made sure to handle the topic as sensitively as it's supposed to be. Instead of being submissive or surrendering to the Narcissistic treatment, which can damage emotional, mental and overall well-being, this book encourages the identification of narcissists' behaviours and manipulation techniques so that one can step back by setting boundaries and creating rules to take charge in their hands.
The environment, affection, love and treatment children receive during their developmental period are very crucial for them because they shape their personality, self-esteem and self-image. A narcissistic parent can negatively impact the children, and by addressing that, Lee Alexander has provided cautious measures that can help in mutually deciding certain DOs & DON'Ts behaviours around children.
Furthermore, this book or the author doesn't attempt to be a replacement for Mental health professionals; the author is well aware of the limitations of helping parents through a book, so she recommends seeking professional help whenever required.
This book doesn't just help with teaching effective ways of setting boundaries with a narcissistic partner to protect emotional and mental health. It also assists with navigating through financial rights and negotiations as well as suggesting practical ways of seeking legal assistance that can be in the favour of children. It's a concise and precise guide that can significantly help parents who struggle with dealing with their narcissistic partner.
Being a Psychologist, I understand the sensitive nature of Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Lee Alexander has made sure to handle the topic as sensitively as it's supposed to be. Instead of being submissive or surrendering to the Narcissistic treatment, which can damage emotional, mental and overall well-being, this book encourages the identification of narcissists' behaviours and manipulation techniques so that one can step back by setting boundaries and creating rules to take charge in their hands.
The environment, affection, love and treatment children receive during their developmental period are very crucial for them because they shape their personality, self-esteem and self-image. A narcissistic parent can negatively impact the children, and by addressing that, Lee Alexander has provided cautious measures that can help in mutually deciding certain DOs & DON'Ts behaviours around children.
Furthermore, this book or the author doesn't attempt to be a replacement for Mental health professionals; the author is well aware of the limitations of helping parents through a book, so she recommends seeking professional help whenever required.
This book doesn't just help with teaching effective ways of setting boundaries with a narcissistic partner to protect emotional and mental health. It also assists with navigating through financial rights and negotiations as well as suggesting practical ways of seeking legal assistance that can be in the favour of children. It's a concise and precise guide that can significantly help parents who struggle with dealing with their narcissistic partner.
How to Win Friends and Influence Fungi: Collected Quirks of Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math from Nerd Nite
Chris Balakrishnan, Matt Wasowski
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
