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tobin_elliott's reviews
539 reviews
Starslayer: The Log of the Jolly Roger by Mike Grell
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Was really hoping for a lot more on this one. I read—and mostly enjoyed—Grell's WARLORD series, especially the art.
But this one? Grell basically takes Warlord and flips everything 180 degrees. Modern man in a prehistoric world? Now he's a man from an ancient time in a future world. Man trapped in a hollow planet? Now he roams the stars. Man has a subservient female sidekick? Now he's trained and helped by basically his superior. Man has a male sidekick who helps him? Now it's a wisecracking robot that feeds him the information he needs. Man has snow-white hair? Now it's jet black.
...you get the idea.
Anyway, that's all the concept, but what about the story? Basically, the first seven issues are a rather rushed quest for some nebulous final result that we don't really get until the final pages of chapter seven, that also works well as the end of the first arc. So, of course they have to spoil it by tacking on an even more truncated, rushed epilogue that's mostly unnecessary, and filled with incredibly inferior art.
And the strong female (who's still clad in basically a bikini, because...reasons...) is sorely underutilized. Tamra is presented as pretty much every bit Torin's equal, then she's almost constantly sidelined, and I don't know why.
Overall, mildly entertaining at best.
But this one? Grell basically takes Warlord and flips everything 180 degrees. Modern man in a prehistoric world? Now he's a man from an ancient time in a future world. Man trapped in a hollow planet? Now he roams the stars. Man has a subservient female sidekick? Now he's trained and helped by basically his superior. Man has a male sidekick who helps him? Now it's a wisecracking robot that feeds him the information he needs. Man has snow-white hair? Now it's jet black.
...you get the idea.
Anyway, that's all the concept, but what about the story? Basically, the first seven issues are a rather rushed quest for some nebulous final result that we don't really get until the final pages of chapter seven, that also works well as the end of the first arc. So, of course they have to spoil it by tacking on an even more truncated, rushed epilogue that's mostly unnecessary, and filled with incredibly inferior art.
And the strong female (who's still clad in basically a bikini, because...reasons...) is sorely underutilized. Tamra is presented as pretty much every bit Torin's equal, then she's almost constantly sidelined, and I don't know why.
Overall, mildly entertaining at best.
The Story Solution: 23 Actions All Great Heroes Must Take by Eric Edson
informative
fast-paced
4.25
I'm always fascinated by story structure, and patterns and methodologies to write. Yes, this book borrows heavily from Joseph Campbell, as well as other story structuring/screenwriting tips, but the way Edson puts it together is probably the best I've seen.
The way each of the 23 actions is brought up, explained, then illustrated with various different movies is really helpful and illuminating. It's an intriguing premise, and I do want to see if it applies to virtually every movie, as claimed.
I'm also very much interested in attempting to construct at least one story using the framework, just to see if I can.
The way each of the 23 actions is brought up, explained, then illustrated with various different movies is really helpful and illuminating. It's an intriguing premise, and I do want to see if it applies to virtually every movie, as claimed.
I'm also very much interested in attempting to construct at least one story using the framework, just to see if I can.
Human Tenderloin by Craig Wallwork
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The thing I love about this collection is that, while it's very much horror, there's not a lot of horror. Instead, we get to delve into the lives of the various characters. Wallwork makes them very real.
For me, not all of the stories worked—in fact, the story that the collection is titled from is my least favourite of them all—but there's some absolutely incredible stories here.
"Everybody Hurts" and "The Ballad of Windsong House" and "Rosemary and Time" were the standouts for me personally, but with sixteen stories, there's a lot to choose from, and a lot to love.
I very much enjoyed my time traveling down the various avenues of Wallwork's mind.
For me, not all of the stories worked—in fact, the story that the collection is titled from is my least favourite of them all—but there's some absolutely incredible stories here.
"Everybody Hurts" and "The Ballad of Windsong House" and "Rosemary and Time" were the standouts for me personally, but with sixteen stories, there's a lot to choose from, and a lot to love.
I very much enjoyed my time traveling down the various avenues of Wallwork's mind.
The Beatles Illustrated Biography by Tim Hill
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
Very much a photo record of the Beatles, from beginning to end. Lots of great photos, but it's unfortunate that none of the photographers were credited.
The biography aspect is extremely high level, not a lot of depth there, but truly the focus is on the photos.
The biography aspect is extremely high level, not a lot of depth there, but truly the focus is on the photos.
Bluesman by Andre Dubus III
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I don't think Dubus is capable of writing a bad book, be it novel or memoir. For the longest time, I'd believed I'd read evertything by him and only recently discovered this, his first novel.
It's not necessarily his best, but it holds all the hallmarks of a Dubus novel: A very common person in a common dilemma. Dubus doesn't really write bigger-than-life stories or characters. Everything he does is relatable in some way, his characters very much everyday, and their situations the same.
But it's his observations, his writing, and how he takes the reader through the story that always hold me enraptured to the story.
This is no exception. When I find myself getting angry at a fictional character, or frustrated with a fictional plot point, then that author has grabbed me.
Dubus has done both with every single novel, including this one. If you enjoy Andre Dubus III, you'll enjoy this first outing.
It's not necessarily his best, but it holds all the hallmarks of a Dubus novel: A very common person in a common dilemma. Dubus doesn't really write bigger-than-life stories or characters. Everything he does is relatable in some way, his characters very much everyday, and their situations the same.
But it's his observations, his writing, and how he takes the reader through the story that always hold me enraptured to the story.
This is no exception. When I find myself getting angry at a fictional character, or frustrated with a fictional plot point, then that author has grabbed me.
Dubus has done both with every single novel, including this one. If you enjoy Andre Dubus III, you'll enjoy this first outing.
Book of Evil by Scott Snyder
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
In the closing note to this collection, Snyder indicates that this was the toughest story for him to write, because the message is so important to him.
Well, then he either bobbled the delivery or I'm stupid and missed the point (most like the latter is the correct one). But this was, to me, a story that tried too hard to make its point, despite burying it deep in the last quarter of the story. And the point wasn't really all that revelatory, to be honest. I mean...um...Scott...have you LOOKED outside at the world lately?
Instead, we're treated to a very long introduction to the world and the main characters—who tend to come across whiny and boring more than anything—then two sections of them getting ready to travel, and traveling. Apparently this is important because, in the history of this world, no one's ever succeeded before (probably the part I had the hardest time believing, to be honest). Then, finally the destination and The Big Secret.
Very much a by-the-numbers Huckleberry Finn/Logan's Run crossover, but nowhere near as good as either.
The writing is...okay. There's a lot of it, so it should be a pleasure to read, not a chore, but I feel like Snyder relied more on creative font usage and colour to get his points across, rather than taking pains with the actual words.
And the art. Hmmm. I love Jock's art. Always have. But this was art with minimal effort. There's so many reused images, including big moments (Homer and Blake kissing the second time is Homer and Blake kissing the first time, just mirror-imaged). So, instead of enjoying it and the art enhancing the words, the repetitive use of the same images came across as lazy.
Much like the story.
For me, this ended up being less BOOK OF EVIL and more BOOK OF BANAL.
Well, then he either bobbled the delivery or I'm stupid and missed the point (most like the latter is the correct one). But this was, to me, a story that tried too hard to make its point, despite burying it deep in the last quarter of the story. And the point wasn't really all that revelatory, to be honest. I mean...um...Scott...have you LOOKED outside at the world lately?
Instead, we're treated to a very long introduction to the world and the main characters—who tend to come across whiny and boring more than anything—then two sections of them getting ready to travel, and traveling. Apparently this is important because, in the history of this world, no one's ever succeeded before (probably the part I had the hardest time believing, to be honest). Then, finally the destination and The Big Secret.
Very much a by-the-numbers Huckleberry Finn/Logan's Run crossover, but nowhere near as good as either.
The writing is...okay. There's a lot of it, so it should be a pleasure to read, not a chore, but I feel like Snyder relied more on creative font usage and colour to get his points across, rather than taking pains with the actual words.
And the art. Hmmm. I love Jock's art. Always have. But this was art with minimal effort. There's so many reused images, including big moments (Homer and Blake kissing the second time is Homer and Blake kissing the first time, just mirror-imaged). So, instead of enjoying it and the art enhancing the words, the repetitive use of the same images came across as lazy.
Much like the story.
For me, this ended up being less BOOK OF EVIL and more BOOK OF BANAL.
Small Favor by Jim Butcher
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Yet again, I found myself happily pulled into the world of Dresden, and once again, I had a great freaking time...well until the end, when Butcher went and pulled the damn rug out and got me upset.
It's the endless inventiveness that Butcher ladles into each installment to this series, and then just when you have it all figured out, he confounds your expectations.
The world of Dresden just grows richer and more fun with each novel. I started out this series wondering what the fuss was about. Now?
Now I completely understand. I have bought into the fuss.
It's the endless inventiveness that Butcher ladles into each installment to this series, and then just when you have it all figured out, he confounds your expectations.
The world of Dresden just grows richer and more fun with each novel. I started out this series wondering what the fuss was about. Now?
Now I completely understand. I have bought into the fuss.
It Was Thirty Years Ago Today by Terence Spencer
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I happened to run across this in a funky little used book store in Northern Ontario, and I couldn't pass it up.
Filled with great candid shots of the Beatles, both individually and grouped, as well as some excellent shots of the public in reaction to them, by Life photographer Terence Spencer (who initially had no idea who they were or what all the fuss was about), this is a beautiful time capsule that captures—much like McCartney's 1964: EYES OF THE STORM, that time when the Beatles were still new and the world was still sorting out what they thought of them.
And...of course...when the world, though intrigued, also knew they'd be old news in another six months.
A great capturing of a wonderful moment in time.
Filled with great candid shots of the Beatles, both individually and grouped, as well as some excellent shots of the public in reaction to them, by Life photographer Terence Spencer (who initially had no idea who they were or what all the fuss was about), this is a beautiful time capsule that captures—much like McCartney's 1964: EYES OF THE STORM, that time when the Beatles were still new and the world was still sorting out what they thought of them.
And...of course...when the world, though intrigued, also knew they'd be old news in another six months.
A great capturing of a wonderful moment in time.
The Blood Prince by Ayla Marie
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
This novel, the first in a series, has no right being as good as it is.
Independently published authors don't create works as well written as traditionally published authors, right? Their covers aren't as good. The editing is no good. And it's going to take at least three or four books to get something written that has a decent plot and characters, and the author finally develops some small measure of writing ability, right?
Right?
Ayla Marie is living proof that this is not the case. I'm quite picky with my fantasy. I don't enjoy a lot of it, but when the author gets it right, I really enjoy it.
This novel? I really enjoyed this. Let's dig in to the story a bit.
The novel dives right in and exposes us to Leo and his rather large family, of which he's the eldest. I will say, there's stuff aluded to, or mentioned, that the reader has no context for. Trust me when I say, Marie makes it all make sense as we go.
The plot spins out, and mysteries are highlighted, and some are exposed, revealing deeper mysteries underneath. New characters come in that aren't who they seem to be. There's three four things I want from any story and, though each sounds reasonably common, I will say it's quite uncommon to see them all done well.
I want:
- A good plot that makes sense and holds up logically.
- Good characters who are not one-dimensional.
- Good motivations for those characters that pushes them through the story.
- An author that can give me a sense of wonder as I read.
This book delivers on all of those, while also offering up great writing, great dialogue, and questions that I need answers for.
If I have any complaints, it's exactly two...
The first is the single grammatical error I found in the novel (though it shows up twice) and it's the use of the the word "taught" when it should be "taut"...
The only other thing—and this comes down to more personal preference than anything—is that some of the character names aren't as distinctive as they should be. There's Cael, Cass, and Cassien, and there's Elana (sometimes Ella), and Emrys.
But for a 400+ page novel? Those are minor.
I loved this book, and I'm about to purchase the next one in the series...and do my best to not be jealous of an indie author a third of my age who's already writing circles around most of the authors I know.
Good on ya, Ayla Marie.
Seriously. Get this novel.
Independently published authors don't create works as well written as traditionally published authors, right? Their covers aren't as good. The editing is no good. And it's going to take at least three or four books to get something written that has a decent plot and characters, and the author finally develops some small measure of writing ability, right?
Right?
Ayla Marie is living proof that this is not the case. I'm quite picky with my fantasy. I don't enjoy a lot of it, but when the author gets it right, I really enjoy it.
This novel? I really enjoyed this. Let's dig in to the story a bit.
The novel dives right in and exposes us to Leo and his rather large family, of which he's the eldest. I will say, there's stuff aluded to, or mentioned, that the reader has no context for. Trust me when I say, Marie makes it all make sense as we go.
The plot spins out, and mysteries are highlighted, and some are exposed, revealing deeper mysteries underneath. New characters come in that aren't who they seem to be. There's three four things I want from any story and, though each sounds reasonably common, I will say it's quite uncommon to see them all done well.
I want:
- A good plot that makes sense and holds up logically.
- Good characters who are not one-dimensional.
- Good motivations for those characters that pushes them through the story.
- An author that can give me a sense of wonder as I read.
This book delivers on all of those, while also offering up great writing, great dialogue, and questions that I need answers for.
If I have any complaints, it's exactly two...
The first is the single grammatical error I found in the novel (though it shows up twice) and it's the use of the the word "taught" when it should be "taut"...
The only other thing—and this comes down to more personal preference than anything—is that some of the character names aren't as distinctive as they should be. There's Cael, Cass, and Cassien, and there's Elana (sometimes Ella), and Emrys.
But for a 400+ page novel? Those are minor.
I loved this book, and I'm about to purchase the next one in the series...and do my best to not be jealous of an indie author a third of my age who's already writing circles around most of the authors I know.
Good on ya, Ayla Marie.
Seriously. Get this novel.
Grim Vol. 4 by Stephanie Phillips
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
It took until this volume for the series to live up to the promise of the first few issues (at least for me) and get interesting again.
I like the individual backstories, and how they're tying into the larger narrative. Unfortunately, the larger narrative isn't holding my attention at all, so I'm drawing the line here. As good as this one was, I still don't think I'm going to enjoy this going forward, so I'm done.
I like the individual backstories, and how they're tying into the larger narrative. Unfortunately, the larger narrative isn't holding my attention at all, so I'm drawing the line here. As good as this one was, I still don't think I'm going to enjoy this going forward, so I'm done.