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thepeachmartini's reviews
464 reviews
Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford's Forgotten Jungle City by Greg Grandin
3.0
While the topic was interesting, this book took forever to get through and I found it a bit boring, if I'm honest.
Lily Marin - Three Short Steampunk Stories by Paul Kater
2.0
This collection of 3 short stories had potential, but I felt it fell a little flat.
While all three stories were connected by the main character, they felt a bit disjointed.
While all three stories were connected by the main character, they felt a bit disjointed.
The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
3.0
I was intrigued by this book after reading an excerpt of the first chapter. The scene was set well, and I enjoyed reading about a girl who wasn't afraid to defend herself, even when it wasn't the socially accepted norm. I was also curious to know more about the thing inside her which seemed to cause her an awful lot of trouble.
"But she wasn't under anybody's control. Not even her own. She could feel it fracturing as something deep inside fought to get out."
I liked this book - it was an easy read, and kept me fairly entertained - but I wasn't glued to the story. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to see a strong female character in the lead, and I really liked seeing her relationships with others blossom, but some of the scenes felt like it was a means to an end. It is good starter-steampunk book, but some of the writing, dialog, and actions of the characters struck me as too modern, but only in a few spots.
If anything, reading books like these certainly open the door to new ideas in one's own writing - I felt inspired to jot a few notes down for penning my own stories.
"But she wasn't under anybody's control. Not even her own. She could feel it fracturing as something deep inside fought to get out."
I liked this book - it was an easy read, and kept me fairly entertained - but I wasn't glued to the story. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to see a strong female character in the lead, and I really liked seeing her relationships with others blossom, but some of the scenes felt like it was a means to an end. It is good starter-steampunk book, but some of the writing, dialog, and actions of the characters struck me as too modern, but only in a few spots.
If anything, reading books like these certainly open the door to new ideas in one's own writing - I felt inspired to jot a few notes down for penning my own stories.
Goliath by Scott Westerfeld
5.0
Barking Spiders indeed!
I am very bummed that the trilogy is over, but SO pleased with how things wrapped up. There truly is something for everyone, and I will push these books onto anyone willing to read them!
These books are written in such a way that historical events are intertwined with fictional devices and happenings without feeling contrived.
Will write a more thorough review once I've had time to really think about it...
I am very bummed that the trilogy is over, but SO pleased with how things wrapped up. There truly is something for everyone, and I will push these books onto anyone willing to read them!
These books are written in such a way that historical events are intertwined with fictional devices and happenings without feeling contrived.
Will write a more thorough review once I've had time to really think about it...
Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella
3.0
Another Sophie Kinsella selection that got me through boring commutes to and from work!
I enjoyed this one - I had actually read the book before, then obtained the audio version a few years after; once I started listening, I realized the story seemed very familiar :)
Likable characters, the story flows well, and it doesn't overdose on the sappy romance (its there but it doesn't make you want to gag). As with most of the books I've read/listened to of Ms. Kinsella's, this didn't disappoint. If you're looking for some light, 'fluff' reading for the beach or by the pool, this is one I'd recommend.
I enjoyed this one - I had actually read the book before, then obtained the audio version a few years after; once I started listening, I realized the story seemed very familiar :)
Likable characters, the story flows well, and it doesn't overdose on the sappy romance (its there but it doesn't make you want to gag). As with most of the books I've read/listened to of Ms. Kinsella's, this didn't disappoint. If you're looking for some light, 'fluff' reading for the beach or by the pool, this is one I'd recommend.
Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
2.0
I really wanted to like this. I'd read so many good reviews, that when I came across an audio version, I decided to give it a try. Airships, mechanical arms, zombies...what could be wrong with that combination?
The audiobook was narrated by two different people - a woman, who's name escapes me at the moment, and Wil Wheaton. (Yes, I said Wil Wheaton). The woman - who's tone reminded me a bit of Candace Bergen - really tried my patience with this book. I had a hard time getting past her style of reading; there wasn't a smooth transition from narrating to speaking as a character, as she had two different styles of reading. Perhaps I'm just being picky on that issue. Wil Wheaton's narration was better, though it felt like he was really trying to act the story and put a lot of drama into it. Plus, I couldn't stop picturing him sitting across the table from Sheldon Cooper and snidely calling him 'Moon Pie' :)
Right - back to 'Boneshaker' - I didn't think this book was well-suited for audio; I had to listen to the beginning several times before actually flipping through a copy at the bookstore to figure out that the first segment Wil reads is not actually part of the story. Then there is an excerpt from Hale's book, which didn't make sense to me until we actually met Hale in the story. It also felt like the story took so long to reach the climax...the book makes it out to be maybe a week or so, but it felt like it took FOREVER to get through.
I didn't feel connected to the characters (a complaint I've read in more than a handful of reviews); I found myself not really caring what happens to Zeke or Briar...then I felt guilty that I didn't care if the Rotters snatched them. I felt more for Lucy (sp? Not sure how it's spelled in the book) the barmaid than the main characters! Not a good sign, in my opinion.
Maybe I'd have better luck actually reading 'Boneshaker,' and I'm willing to give it a try - I think I might have been too hung up on the narration and not the story; I don't know how willing I'd be to recommend this one right now, though.
The audiobook was narrated by two different people - a woman, who's name escapes me at the moment, and Wil Wheaton. (Yes, I said Wil Wheaton). The woman - who's tone reminded me a bit of Candace Bergen - really tried my patience with this book. I had a hard time getting past her style of reading; there wasn't a smooth transition from narrating to speaking as a character, as she had two different styles of reading. Perhaps I'm just being picky on that issue. Wil Wheaton's narration was better, though it felt like he was really trying to act the story and put a lot of drama into it. Plus, I couldn't stop picturing him sitting across the table from Sheldon Cooper and snidely calling him 'Moon Pie' :)
Right - back to 'Boneshaker' - I didn't think this book was well-suited for audio; I had to listen to the beginning several times before actually flipping through a copy at the bookstore to figure out that the first segment Wil reads is not actually part of the story. Then there is an excerpt from Hale's book, which didn't make sense to me until we actually met Hale in the story. It also felt like the story took so long to reach the climax...the book makes it out to be maybe a week or so, but it felt like it took FOREVER to get through.
I didn't feel connected to the characters (a complaint I've read in more than a handful of reviews); I found myself not really caring what happens to Zeke or Briar...then I felt guilty that I didn't care if the Rotters snatched them. I felt more for Lucy (sp? Not sure how it's spelled in the book) the barmaid than the main characters! Not a good sign, in my opinion.
Maybe I'd have better luck actually reading 'Boneshaker,' and I'm willing to give it a try - I think I might have been too hung up on the narration and not the story; I don't know how willing I'd be to recommend this one right now, though.
Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld
4.0
Apparently I never finished reviewing this delightful book! Shame on me!
As I expected, Mr. Westerfeld did not disappoint with the second installment of the Leviathan series. This book picks up where the first left off, and continues following our beloved characters through their journey.
If you read the first book, I encourage you to read this one as well. I've purchased the 3rd but haven't started it yet; I just can't bring myself to complete the series!
As I expected, Mr. Westerfeld did not disappoint with the second installment of the Leviathan series. This book picks up where the first left off, and continues following our beloved characters through their journey.
If you read the first book, I encourage you to read this one as well. I've purchased the 3rd but haven't started it yet; I just can't bring myself to complete the series!