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From Dead to Worse (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 8) review

Posted : 3 months ago on 11 July 2008 11:43 (A review of From Dead to Worse (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 8))

If my opinion of the "All Together Dead" (the previous book in the series) was that it was filler, then this book would have to be a bridge.

While reading it, I was rather confused at everything that was going on. This is mostly because there was so much going on in just one book. It felt more like a series of short stories rather than an overall plot. It wasn't until I got to the end that I figured out this might actually be the point.

"From Dead to Worse" brings back almost every character we have seen in the series since the beginning. The majority of it is really a series of knots, tying up any loose ends and linking together any hole we might have had in the past. I do think that this is a great idea and I like that things are now left clean and concise, with Sookie ready to face the next big bad or reach another emotional crossroads. It was something that needed to be done and I don't think I really realized how much had been left open until it was then closed.

On the downside, this left me a little disappointed with some of the things that I wish Harris had spent more time on. As someone who is very much "Team Eric", I was hoping for a lot of time spent on the revelation, on Eric remembering, on Sookie trying to deal with how he might have felt about it all. Instead, it was sort of brushed under the rug with a vague promise that it would all be addressed later. Other things, like Bob the cat, were summed up in a few pages, and suddenly it was just over. I truly believed that could have provided far more comedic fodder. The new family and Sookie's possible fairy ancestors should have proven to be a novel in itself. It would have allowed us to discover even more about a species of supernaturals that haven't been dealt with very much in the Southern Vampires series.

So I'm left a little torn. I like that things were adressed that needed to be, and I like that Sookie now has the chance for a fresh start... but simultaneously I was hoping for more classic Sookie fare. Either way, if you go into it prepared, than you will not be as disappointed. Accept it for the link between Sookie version 1.0 to (hopefully) Sookie version 1.5 (we don't want her to change too much).

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The Summoning (Darkest Powers, Book 1) review

Posted : 3 months ago on 10 July 2008 09:48 (A review of The Summoning (Darkest Powers, Book 1))

I've begun to have this firm belief that if it's written by Kelley Armstrong, then you just can't fail. She's followed up my favourite Women of the Otherworld series with her first novel for young adults.

The wonderful thing about this book is that you don't have to have read any of her other work to appreciate this story or the Otherworld universe. The characters really stand on their own, and we are introduced to this world with supernatural people living among normal humans. We get to discover that some people aren't like everyone else and how this can sometimes be interpreted as children having emotional or psychological problems. It was great fun reading along as Chloe discovers her powers and uncovers mysterious secrets about her new group home.

For anyone who has read Armstrong's previous novels, you can appreciate the small nuances or references in the story. You almost sort of feel like you're peeking in at what it might have been like for Clay, Adam, or Jaime as children. You appreciate the trials, confusion, and fear so much more knowing that there is a great big world filled with people like them, ready and willing to offer help.

The characters are great, but mostly I was quite surprised at the fact that I couldn't nail most of them down. Usually, when I read a story, I can tell who's going to be a good guy and who's going to be someone the protagonist should be wary of in the long run. By the time I finished "The Summoning", I thought everyone was sketchy or shadey. I found everyone multi-layered and started believing that not everyone was as nice or as helpful as they seemed. This was a very welcome surprise.

And speaking of the ending... you'll be cursing the fact that you don't have the follow-up book, ready and waiting. It's a great cliffhanger and definitely leaves you wanting more.

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Chosen: A House of Night Novel review

Posted : 3 months ago on 9 July 2008 10:37 (A review of Chosen: A House of Night Novel)

Thought the novel starts off a little too saccharine and childish, it certainly picks up towards the end. There's quite a bit going on in this novel and it's nice to see the characters maturing.

One of my favourite aspects of the House of Night series is the wonderful interaction between the friends. It's so nice to see a core group of kids really depending on each other and working together. Which makes it all the bittersweet when that trust and closeness is threatened in Chosen. I definitely see it as an integral part of Zoey's growth, but you can't help but feel bad about the situation.

I was really surprised about the issue of Zoey's virginity. It's hard to review or talk about without giving away too much detail... but suffice it to say you really want to give the girl a talking to. I really liked that the Casts broached the subject, rather than circling around it or writing themselve into some corner. They faced it head on, didn't gloss over it, and didn't string us along for many more books. I really look forward to seeing how the authors (and Zoey) handle all of this in the next stories.

The Hosue of Night world is also evolving and there are some great insights to future revelations. It looks like everything is not as it seems and we may begin to discover that either the adult vampires aren't sharing all their information, or maybe they don't even know everything about their kind. Quite interesting and it makes me like this universe all the more.

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Happy Hour at Casa Dracula review

Posted : 3 months ago on 7 July 2008 08:18 (A review of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula)

This? I was not expecting. I honestly thought I was going to be reading a chick-lit style novel. Instead, I found a sassy heroine who makes me want to laugh and simultaneously shout out, "Amen, sistah!"

I am so used to reading the "serious" vampire novels where everyone is always brooding and people are always getting the shit kicked out of them (but somehow rising up the next morning to do it all again). That's why I loved the great lines in the novel and stepping in to Milagros' shoes, seeing the world through her eyes. And included in those funny lines are the chapter titles... there just aren't enough people that title their chapters anymore.

In terms of vampire lore, I have to give it to Acosta for being original on this one. I don't think I've ever read a novel where the vampirism is a simple blood disorder. Makes a great change from the standard mythology, and also allows her to play around with condition; infections, fear of spreading, the chances of infertility. That'll make for plenty of drama and obstacles in the future, and I'm hoping we'll also get a more in depth look at its history and evolution.

As for the heroine, Milagros De Los Santos, it's really hard not to like her or to hope she gets the one who makes her desire sing. She really covers good middle ground between prude and hoochie, which I've noticed seems to be really hard to do in today's fiction. She's not a total tramp, but acknowledges her her needs and attractions. It's kind of refreshing as we're so used to sexual tension building and building before anything ever happens between characters. At the same time, it's not as if she slept with all the men in the story or hosted outrageous orgies! Good call, I'd say.

The only thing that I was unable to mesh with was Milagros' preoccupation with her nationality and origins. I don't think this has anything to do with the writing so much as something that I couldn't relate to or really understand. Is it so hard to be Latina specifically, or is it being used as an example of minorities, stereotypes, and/or pre-conceived notions? As I said I can't identify with that as I'm not of latin descent and I don't live in an area where anyone particularly cares about those kinds of things. Either way, it was sometimes perplexing to me personally, but it's not as if it detracts from the story. I preferred to look at it as a message on visible differences and people who don't fit the "molds."

I'm also curious as to whether Acosta would be willing to do for zombies (and their "skin maladies") as she did for vampires. Now, that would be interesting to read.


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Shakespeare Re-Told: Macbeth review

Posted : 3 months ago on 6 July 2008 05:51 (A review of Shakespeare Re-Told: Macbeth)

A great adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth. The setting is odd as I couldn't quite figure out what kind of restaurant/hotel it was. It was dark and incredibly odd, but it generally fit the overall tone of the movie. Watching Joe and Ella breakdown was intense. Each does it in a different way, but it's no less interesting to watch.

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Atonement review

Posted : 3 months, 1 week ago on 6 July 2008 03:32 (A review of Atonement)

Though I enjoyed small individual moments in the movie and the overall execution... I was left feeling like there was something missing. I think the beginning went too quickly, and I feel I didn't get the chance to develop an attachment to the characters, to see the connection grow between them. Because of that, moments that should have been heartbreaking felt rather cold and distant. I really enjoyed McAvoy, though, as his parts set during the war were rather moving... but Knightley appeared sickly and aloof. The scenery was phenomenal and the plot an intense one, so I'm rather disappointed that I didn't feel as if I could immerse myself in it.

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Fight Club: A Novel review

Posted : 3 months, 1 week ago on 6 July 2008 08:26 (A review of Fight Club: A Novel)

I promised myself that I wouldn't read "Fight Club" until it was the last Palahniuk novel left on the market... and now I'm glad I saved it for last. It honestly is one of his best. I've noticed that he focuses a lot less on the graphic/explicitness of symbolism, and much more on words. I liked that much more, though it's always expected that with Palahniuk, your stomach will be turned half a dozen times over.

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Basil review

Posted : 3 months, 1 week ago on 5 July 2008 01:08 (A review of Basil)

Awkward and often too slow. The plot is interesting but lacks execution; you actually can't even like any of the characters. The end is maybe the only redeeming factor, as that's just about the only point where any of the actors seem to be comfortable in their roles.

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Snitch review

Posted : 3 months, 1 week ago on 5 July 2008 08:52 (A review of Snitch)

I have noticed that this has become a popular read for young adults. I'm not sure that I enjoyed it too much, if mostly because I found it rather soft. It's a very heavy and difficult subject and I sort of think the author treat it with kid gloves. I was especially floored with the ending which was far too "happy" for what I would have expected in a story about gangs. Aside from that, it's still easy to read and the story does move along at a good pace.

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Definitely, Maybe review

Posted : 3 months, 1 week ago on 5 July 2008 08:18 (A review of Definitely, Maybe)

Just beautiful! :) I wish there were a lot more romantic comedies like this. I loved that you actually like all the women that Reynolds' character sees over time. His chemistry with Abigail Breslin, who plays his daughter, was also quite endearing to watch.

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