wynnz's reviews
213 reviews

Mango Bob by Bill Myers

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

 Wow, what a great book, if you enjoy reading the terms and conditions of your mobile phone contract you’re going to love this book.

And needless to say it was as funny as a dose of syphilis. 

Jury Duty by Peter Cawdron

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

 Well, the seventeen or so previous books in this series, I have greatly enjoyed. All my frustrations and disappointments about this book were addressed in the Afterword by the author, so I'm not sure where that leaves me now. He's stolen my thunder. So what's a book review without a review? Well, it's just a book. Well, here's my ten-penny worth anyway. Does the book cover look like a human brain and stem? Do you think aliens carved the Antarctic landmass hundreds of thousands of years ago to look like that? Do you think we should carve a huge thumbs up, out of, say, Greenland, to say, "Look what we've done, are you impressed?" Just a thought.

Firstly, our main character Nick is not a likable fellow. He's angry, selfish, egotistical, abusive, and homicidal. But during the course of the book, he metamorphosed into Socrates, Confucius, Buddha, and the king of common sense and rational thinking.

Secondly, almost all of the first half of the book enlightens us on the inhabitability of the Antarctic continent. He told us it was freezing down there, with violent stormy weather and two-hundred-mile-an-hour winds. It was cold enough to freeze your lungs, with storms that lasted weeks and could kill you in minutes. It's a very dangerous environment to live and work in because it's extremely cold. Additionally, it's difficult to navigate, and the constant daylight and night can be disorienting and psychologically challenging. The constant lecturing on this subject became tiresome very quickly. But it gave the author time to develop the main character Nick into the aforementioned philosophers and teacher, and explore his contrition regarding his past transgressions.

Thirdly, the third quarter of the book was devoted to abseiling and the technicalities of that particular pastime.

Fourthly, last but not least, first contact with the aliens.

Fifthly, a bit of a twist for your perseverance. Sadly, not his best work. 

Killing Time in Charleston by Tom Turner

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

 

The main part of the plot was decent, and the narrative was well-paced with no lulls. The characters were well-rounded and believable, with some being likable and others not so much. There was also a diverse cast of characters. The story revolves around the rich, powerful, and egotistical stomping all over the little guy, which is nothing new and falls into an age-old cliche.

Overall, I found the story enjoyable and entertaining. The build-up to the ta-da moment was well done. However, I did find the end of the investigation a bit convenient and flat 

Insane City by Dave Barry

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.25

There are many books out there that boast laugh-out-loud hilarity, but I have found that not many actually deliver on that promise. Well, this one does! I did laugh out loud—it's genuinely funny, chaotic, and features very amusing dialogue and commentary. It's a joy to behold, with likable characters, a great narrative, and fast-paced storytelling that never lulls. It makes The Hangover look like an amateur stag night organized by nuns! With a wonderfully heartwarming ending.

The Better Part of Valor by Tanya Huff

inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

 

This was very disappointing and frustrating. The premise sounded interesting and intriguing but failed to deliver. An unknown spaceship was found, with no one on board. It had a configuration that the Confederation had no knowledge of, making it a mystery to unravel. Who built it? Where and what happened to the crew? Where did the ship come from? There was no sense of curiosity or exploration. I would have expected them to search for the ship's bridge to gather as much information as possible, but that didn't happen. These are valid questions that were left unanswered. I felt like I was led down the garden path only to find out there was no garden. Instead the story focused on the camaraderie between the marines and the staff sergeant and her duty to finish the “job” no matter what. The banter was mildly amusing, as gallows humour can be, but it felt like a missed opportunity for an exciting story, wasted on just banter!

The concept of the ship being able to self-configure its internal structure was also interesting but left largely unexplored. So, in a nutshell, they boarded the ship with some scientists and marines, encountered bugs, and hastily tried to escape. The End. However the last 10% of the book was exciting and exhilarating, just a shame the other 90% was uninspiring and flat.

 

Do They Know it's Christmas Yet? by James Crookes

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Coasts of Christmas Past: From the Tales of Dan Coast by Rodney Riesel

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

4.0

 Join Dan, a wannabe PI and a self-destructive widower, and his friends as they help out a friend in distress. While investigating a shooting, Dan and his posse uncover more mayhem and shenanigans. It's a fast-paced, entertaining read with great snappy and sharp-witted dialogue and banter. There are some excellent one-liners that made me "Ha!" out loud. The book features a diverse cast of likable characters, and then there's Skip, your classic, symbolic surfer dude who is very amusing.

The book also delves into Dan's emotional state, his pain, suffering, and grief. It is written in a very sympathetic and poignant manner. I'm not ashamed to admit that it brought a tear to my eye. Perhaps it's my age, or maybe it was just a bit of grit in my eye. Yes, that was it—a bit of grit. I'll go with that. 

Bust by Jason Starr, Ken Bruen

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 

Max, a disgruntled husband,

Popeye, a psychotic hitman,

Angela, a seductive and sexy go-getter, Max's mistress, and Popeye's girlfriend,

A deadly ménage à trois.

Take a peek into the lives of the paranoid, despairing, and deranged. Follow Max's life, a man who, on the surface, has everything: a wife, his own successful company, a gorgeous mistress—just like a duck swimming on a pond, on the surface calm and serene, but manic and chaotic underneath. Watch as his life and the lives of those in his orbit slowly dissolve and go down the drain.

A black comedy that examines the absurdity and desperation of people searching for the perfect life. An entertaining and fast-paced read with despicable and shallow characters and an interesting plot. 

Brute Force by Scott Meyer

adventurous funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

In this uproariously entertaining tale, "Brute Force," humanity finds itself thrust into the midst of an intergalactic conflict as the most violent species in the universe. However, there's a twist: they are recruited by a pacifistic species to fight against an enemy whose ancient military traditions are more comical than effective. What unfolds is a side-splitting account of thousands of deaths that will leave you laughing and pondering the absurdity of war. 

From the very beginning, the juxtaposition of humans being branded as the most violent species in the universe is a stroke of brilliance. It forces readers to confront their own preconceived notions about humanity's place in the cosmos while setting the stage for the satirical comedy to follow. The sheer irony of humans, with all their destructive tendencies, becoming the unlikely saviours of a peaceful race, is a recipe for hilarity. 

The enemy the humans face is an intriguing contrast—a species steeped in ancient military traditions but lacking intelligence. This combination creates a perfect storm of humorous situations as the enemy's ill-conceived tactics lead to one catastrophe after another. From tripping over their own weapons, their antics will keep readers in stitches. The author skilfully crafts these comedic moments without undermining the gravity of war, striking a delicate balance that keeps the story both light-hearted and poignant. 

What truly shines in this narrative is the clever writing and sharp wit. The author's ability to blend satire, slapstick humour, and thought-provoking social commentary is commendable. The characters, especially the human soldiers, are depicted with depth and nuance, offering a reflection of our own complexities. Through their interactions, the story examines themes of violence, pacifism, and the absurdity of conflict in a way that is both entertaining and intellectually stimulating. 

While "Brute Force" expertly navigates the humorous aspects of war, it does not shy away from the serious consequences and sacrifices. It reminds us that even in the face of absurdity, there are real lives at stake and genuine emotions at play. This delicate balance between comedy and tragedy is handled with sensitivity, allowing readers to connect with the characters and their experiences on a deeper level. 

However, it's worth noting that humour is subjective, and what might evoke laughter for one reader could fall flat for another. Some may find the comedic elements too exaggerated, detracting from the story's overall impact. Additionally, those seeking a purely light-hearted comedy may find the exploration of deeper themes to be too heavy-handed. 

In summary, "Brute Force" is a brilliantly conceived and skilfully executed story that delivers laughs, while simultaneously challenging our perceptions of violence and war. The hilarious mishaps of the enemy species, combined with the thought-provoking commentary on humanity, create a compelling narrative that will leave readers chuckling and contemplating the contradictions of our existence. Strap in for a wild and laughter-filled ride through the cosmos in this uproarious tale of unconventional heroes and the absurdity of war.  You've got love AI I could not write a review like this in a million years, but funnily enough it's written exactly what I was thinking of writing, how ironic! 

Drunk on a Plane by Zane Mitchell

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-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

4.5

 

Ha! No laughing out loud, but I did have a few titters and maybe a few chuckles here and there, plenty of sarcasm, and snappy dialogue. I think it is very much a lads' book, especially in this day and age and environment. I'm sure some women will find it offensive, and others not so much, just like everything else under the sun. "You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time" - John Lydgate.

Poor Drunk is having a miserable time of it, trying to be a better man and respecting his soon-to-be wife, only to find her having her nuptials early and with her ex-boyfriend in his bed, so Drunk heads off on his honeymoon on his lonesome to Paradise, an island in the Caribbean. But before his plane even lands, he's already in trouble in more ways than one.

For me, it was a very enjoyable and entertaining read, with a lot of funny banter and commentary, a reasonable plot, and likable characters. It's not Shakespeare by any stretch of the imagination, but who wants to read that all the time? Throw in a bit of light entertainment now and again.