Saturday, March 31, 2012

Hansel and Gretel Are Dead

Hansel and Gretel Are Dead (Zombie Fairy Tales, Book 2)Hansel and Gretel Are Dead by Kevin Richey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for review.


This is the second installment in the Zombie Fairytale series and its just as gross as the first one. Which, if you like zombies, that's a good thing. This is a twist on the story of Hansel and Gretel. After they have been infected with the zombie plague they are left by their parents to die in the woods. They make their way thru the woods to find the home of a canniballistic old hag and as the living dead deal out justice. This is definitely a unique and original telling of this fairytale that dishes out karmic justice for those that are abusive to children. I would recommend this to those over 18 due to the bloody nature of this story, but if you are into horror you should give this one a try. Its not necessary to read the first one in this series as both are stand alone stories that are set in the same world.



View all my reviews

Friday, March 30, 2012

Scarlet

Scarlet (King Raven, #2)Scarlet by Stephen R. Lawhead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a continuation of Hood (King Raven, #1) The story is told from the point of view of William Scatlock that becomes known as Will Scarlet as he is being held in prison. We learn about how he comes to be with Rhi Bran y Hud and his life among the outlaws and his love for Noin. Bran is still fighting for his lands and the rights of his people when he learns of a plot against the king and believes he can use the information to regain what is his. As Will is telling his story we read alternating chapters with the Ffreinc. We see how the people have been abused and oppressed by the usurpers.

This is definitely a story that has a little bit of everything: laughter, tears, tyranny and rebellion, love and loss. The ending certainly left us knowing that there is more to come and I am looking forward to reading Tuck (King Raven, #3) Stephen R. Lawhead has done an awesome job retelling the Robin Hood story, its definitely one that I have enjoyed so far. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys historical fiction or the retelling of fairytales as it has certainly been brought to life.



View all my reviews

Friday, March 23, 2012

Gone Girl

Gone GirlGone Girl by Gillian Flynn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I appreciate FirstReads giving me the chance to read and review this book.



This was a story of a marraige falling apart. Told in alternating chapters by Nick and Amy. I loved that we got to hear both side of the story. As Amy says am marriage is all he-said, she-said. And with anything there is always 3 side to every story: his, hers, and the truth is somewhere in the middle. Nick and Amy's marriage was definitely in trouble but Amy took her anger to a whole new level by faking her death and framing her husband. She definitely had a surprise around every corner. This was a pager turner til the very end and would have gotten 5 stars from me if it had ended diffently. I won't spoil it for you, tho, it was and ending that was plausible but not what I was hoping for. It just felt a little flat after the whirlwind story that was before it. All in all, I loved it despite the flat ending. It was full of exciting twists and turns that I didn't see coming and would recommend it to anybody that loves a good thriller.



There were a few minor points that didn't make sense to me. There was a big deal made about Amy trying to buy a gun. But I know from experience that its not difficult to buy a handgun in Missouri if you aren't a fellon or crazy. I don't understand why if she knew all the laws as her character did she just didn't go buy one at any pawn shop or gun shop? She was after all wanting to leave a trail. The other thing (and this is something that only someone from my area of the world would even notice) is at one point Amy took a train from Carthage to Jonesboro, Arkansas. That couldn't have happened. The Amtrak will take you to Walnut Ridge, AR but it doesn't stop in Jonesboro. But, I know, I'm just being picky. Like one of those people that while watching a movie says "That couldn't have happened that way!" These details don't detract from the story. It is an awesome read that I would recommened to just about anybody.



View all my reviews


I would be interested in giving this book away. I tried listing it on booksfreeswap.com but its too new, the ISBN isn't listed. If there is enough feedback for a give away I will set one up. If you are intersted just leave a comment.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Zombie Cinderella

Zombie Cinderella (Zombie Fairy Tales #1)Zombie Cinderella by Kevin Richey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for review.





This is certainly a new twist on the Cinderella fairytale. Cinderella is scratched by an old woman with the plague after her fathers funeral. When she returns home she is ill and is mistreated by her wicked step mother and step sisters but instead of happily ever after zombie Cinderella takes over. This short story is well written and an original thought on an old tale. Its full of ick and gore (and altho not my genra of choice) will definitely appeal to those that like horror. Its not for everyone and I would put it in the over 18 category just because of the violence and the ick factor.



View all my reviews

Gargoyle

The GargoyleThe Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Despite all of the gruesomeness that came with this book I thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrator of this story is a man that was horribly burned in a drug induced car accident and while he is in the hospital he encounters a psychiatric patient that turns his thoughts from suicide to life. She is a sculpturess of gargoyles and believes that she knew him in a previous life. Throughtout the book she tells their story a piece at a time giving him something to contemplate besides his horrible ordeal and thoughts about only dying. These wonderful stories woven within the story of their love and life toghether amidst such tragedy keeps you wanting to know what happens. This was a book that was hard for me to put down.



View all my reviews

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Free Ebook on Amazon

The New Death and others

The New Death and Others

This great collection of short stories is free for a limited time on Amazon.com

Synopsis

Death gets a roommate...

An electronic Pope faces a difficult theological question...

A wicked vizier makes a terrible bargain...

44 stories. 19 poems. No whiny vampires. There's a thin line between genius and insanity, and James Hutchings has just crossed it - but from which direction?


ebook, 102 pages

Published September 28th 2011 (first published September 27th 2011)

ISBN 9781465720

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Q8Q8DY

Friday, March 9, 2012

True Grit

True GritTrue Grit by Charles Portis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Westerns are generally not my genra of choice but after starting this book I found it very hard to put down. The story is told from the point of view of Mattie as she looks back upon her life. She is an old woman remembering a life changing experience. When she was 14 her father was killed in Fort Smith Arkansas by his hired hand for a few dollars and his horse and she hires Rooster Cogburn to bring him to justice. They are joined by a Texas Ranger, LaBeouf, who has been on the trail of Cheney. The story is told in an easy, fluid way that keeps you interested and carries you along quickly thru the book. Mattie isn't your typical damsel in distress that is generally portrayed in westerns. She is only 14 but is a strong character that holds her own and demands to be taken seriously and this really adds alot to the story. She is very pro-active in the adventure that they have undertaken. Without her things would have ended quite differently.

One thing that made this book particularly interesting to me was the location this book was set. Much of it took place in Fort Smith Arkansas and surrounding areas which is practically in my back yard.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Certainly much more than I expected to since I'm generally not fond of westerns. I kept hearing great things about it and I'm very glad I decided to give it a chance.



View all my reviews

Thursday, March 8, 2012

The New Death and Others

The New Death and othersThe New Death and others by James Hutchings

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I appreciate the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.



This is a collection of short stories and poetry all relating the macabre or to death in general. Many I found very funny and some were a little on the bizarre side, but most I really enjoyed. They aren't gorey or dark instead this collection is more on the fun side and some have an interesting underlying message. A Date With Destiny and also The God of the Poor were two of my favorites, but all of them were enjoyable. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys short story collections especially if you are looking for something humorous and a little off the beaten track.

And it may be trivial, but I love the cover on this one :)

View all my reviews

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Saturday Comes

Saturday Comes: A Novel of Love and Vodou Saturday Comes: A Novel of Love and Vodou by Carine Fabius

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I appreciate FirstReads giving me the opportunity to read and review this book

This was an awesome read. A coming of age story full of mystery and Voudoo. As a young girl Maya is forced to leave Haiti under horrible circumstances and makes her way to Miami in a rickity boat. The sole survivor she is found by a young boy and taken to live with Madame Mirta the local Voudoo priestess. Maya brings with her the pain and resentment of having to leave her family and first love behind because of the wealthy landowner that her mother works for. She grows up with all that anger in her heart and never able to let it go. Throw into this mix of emotion her love and talent for Voudoo, co-narrated by Baren Samedi, and it makes for a wonderful story. We see the complicated caste system of Haiti along with being intrduced to the ceremonies and Gods of the Voudoo religion which adds alot of flavor to the story. The characters themselves have a complexity that really brings them to life. As the story progresses we find that they are definitely more than they seem. I recommend this book to anyone that loves a good story, or a good mystery, that definitely has a twist. Loved this book!



View all my reviews

Sunday, March 4, 2012

New Purchase

Torn

This is the second book in the Trylle trilogy. I ran across this in the story today and since I just finished the first one, Switched, I decided to grab it. I hope to be reading and reviewing this one soona s I did enjoy the first one.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

The Tale of Liril

The Tale of LirilThe Tale of Liril by Kevis Hendrickson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was asked to read and review this short story in exchange for a free ecopy.



This was a wonderful children's tale where Liril wants to give her father something for his birthday but is too poor to buy him anything. An old woman in the village tells her if she will retrieve her locket from the black forest she will give her a magic seed. This quest sends her on an adventure that teaches her to be careful what you wish for and to appreciate what she already has. Full of magic and talking creatures it is a delightful story that's perfect for middle school age.



View all my reviews

Friday, March 2, 2012

Family Care

Family CareFamily Care by Jessa Callaver

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I appreciate having the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.



This is a coming of age erotica short that takes a common theme and given it new life. Joise is an 18 yr old senior in high school that takes a job babysitting the kids of a hot couple. She finds herself romantically involved with the sexy Mr. Sharp and manages to get herself pulled into the issues of the couple. Josie does a lot of growing up in those two weeks she stays with them in more ways than just sexually. The author does a great job of bringing to life great characters and putting them in some very hot situations. This being not only the first of her ebooks, its also a bit longer than the others. The story is therefore a bit more indepth than the others and the storyline is more developed. The Evan and Celia reveal and face their problems with Josie's help and they have a lot of mixed emotions to work thru. This is a great romantic short for those over 18.



View all my reviews

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss


I would like to wish Dr. Seuss a very Happy Birthday! Born on this day in 1904 without whom most of us would have had a less happy childhood. Theodor Seuss Geisel brought us such wonderful works as Green Eggs and Ham (my childhood favorite) The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who, Hop on Pop (which my grandaughter loves) and many other favorites. Thank you Dr. Seuss for making learning to read fun!
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...