Brian

This serves as an excellent guide/bible for someone that is looking for a path to a positive mental attitude that will translate to a better emotional and psychological state. It does a good job starting with the very broad and then diving into specific best practices and healthy behaviors, but it could also be a bit cliche if the reader is someone futher along this part of their journey. Yet, it still serves as a great reminder of the little things one should be conscious of that add up to a big life impact.

Written as a set of journal entries, the structure didn't actually do anything to enhance or dive the story - if anything, it got a tad confusing with perspective/point of views from so many different characters. There were also times when the pace was fast enough, but other times when the narrative was slow - potentially because of some parts written in older syntax that could be heavy to read. One might also be surprised that for the most famous vampire story, the whole middle third of the book didn't have much vampire to it and an anti-climactic ending didn't do it any favors, either.

Again, this novel written in the 30's proves that almost every solid mystery, twist, and character in this genre has been inspired by works of Christie's. All of her classic elements are there - the dynamic setting/structure, the flavorful characters, and the fact that it's still rare if someone figures out what has happened before they're meant to. What might surprise, actually, is how well-written and how much better the storytelling still is here when compared to more modern-day attempts to tell this type of tale.

This sequel is ‘more of the same' from the first novel, but in the best way possible. There is a natural progression to the story and despite a few slower/side plot points in the first half, the second half moves at a very quick and engaging pace. The quality of the writing in the action, dialogue, and sexual tension all carryover as strong as they were before and the build up to an epic conclusion that hits all of the right story beats. There is even a pretty good twist built in just as you think the book might settle into a few predictable outcomes.

It is easy to see how this older-than-realized story may have inspired so many ‘whodunits' that have followed in the past 90 years. Its quick fire dialogue and the specific premise even set up for a nice reveal at the end, despite an otherwise fairly straight forward journey.

While this moved at a brisk pace and was extremely readable (potentially in one day), it also seemed to spin its wheels at times without settling on the morale or message it's trying to put forth. The journey with each character is one of awakening and a little bit of mystery, but it isn't quite clear what their path is supposed to do for (or mean to) them. The afterlife and storytelling premise is strong and the throughline is somewhat clever when realized, but for a dyanmic with so much potenital, it stops just before getting deep beneath the surface or into the additional layer where it might get really intriguing.

This turned out to be nothing more than a simplistic body swap story that feels like it set out to explore how perspective and life changes if you inhabit the opposite sex or your partner, but never really got beneath the surface.  Given there were a few interesting dynamics at play - like the sexual explorations and embedding yourself in the other's life - yet it comes with lots of filler and a confounding final Part that seems to have no significance or conclusion.  The prose was fine and the pace was good, it just spent too much time in the less interesting parts of the premise and omitted all of the how and the why that might've ended up being the best part. 

The structure makes it a very quick, easy, and enjoyable read.  It is mostly built on strong character development and the powerful conversations over time between them.  The messaging is well explored, and if the philosophy and life lessons are the tiniest bit predictable, they are at the same time fully flushed out and powerful aphorisms. Also didn't know that it (seems like it) was based on a true story.

A well-written novel that also feels like it veers off track at times with too much attempt at character development, as odd as that might sound. It's a bit unclear for most of the story what the main plot/focus/driver of the tale is, just like the book opens with something curious and intriguing and then barely addresses it until a last-pages explanation of what actually happened. In between, there are a few major milestones and when they do come about they are some of the best parts of the book, but they seemed too far and few between. Yet, once the threads begin to be resolved in the last 100 pages, the pace and the quality gives it a strong finish.

Not sure this was an entirely cohesive story and after a quick introduction of ‘the terrace', the narrative goes a completely different direction for almost 50% of the short novel and doesn't seem to make remote sense until the final 50 or so pages. Writing is solid and the characters are decently developed, but this read more like a set of 4 short stories that are loosely connected without a common thread until the very end.

For something that could be considered somewhat dated, it could also be considered ahead of its time. The dystopian premise was clever and straight-forward, but at the same time, the overall plot and journey contained some pretty familiar story beats. Yet, it was cinematic from the get-go with major Hungers Games/Squid Games vibes that did work on surface. But despite a somewhat suprising ending and a bit of decent social commentary sprinkled throughout, this felt a tad boring or run-of-the-mill and also featured a protagonist that didn't always have the most likeable character traits.

Strong, well paced prose that does make the book easy enough to move through, but some scenes are written extremely well with fascinating detail, while the quality of others vary because of what felt like a grab bag of tones. A mix of elements of an origin story, a father-son journey, then a coming of age tale make for a bit of a roller coaster but then it also sprinkles in the horror and supernatural elements (with the horror passages the peak of the ride). The book then later turns to a story about trauma and grief before it also becomes one about psychotic breaks, before a whole different stretch touches on a public health crisis from decades ago. And while the timelines were easy enough to follow, the disjointed through line and tons of unnecessary side/back story could make your mind wander during the read. Some of the actual magic and rituals (the reason most people probably picked up the book) are still the most intriguing parts of the story, but they are few and far between in the 700+ pages and there is also a weird abusive, love-hate relationship between the father and son that could be a bit off putting.

There is an interesting juxtaposition, of sorts, whereas this is a story that takes place over a short period of time but also takes the reader on an extremely thorough (and engaging) journey with the family at the center of it.  The first act is a deep exploration/introduction/origin story to each of the characters, but these are also cleverly woven into setting the foundational plot points that will be integral later.  The bridge between the beginning and the surprisingly explosive ending include the exploration of themes like self-worth, identity, and fear of the unknown while also proving that you really never know what is happening (or has happened) behind someone's mask.  This one is also elevated by the fact that it avoids some of the common tropes and brings pieces together in a very deliberate and diligent way that makes the reveals and additional context even more impactful as it is layered in over the quick-paced final third. 

This one starts of very quickly with a well-written, brisk pace that wastes no time getting to the main plot. As you get into the book, it does become interesting to read some of it from the perspective of a potential stalker and a lot of the mystery/thrill is around figuring out what the title is referring to as you read the ‘tale'. The structure really works well as a storytelling device and even though there are some solid and dark reveals, some of them do fall short of what one might already be hoping for, anticipating, or predicting in their head. As so, one might wonder afterwards if it might rather have been better titled ‘Most of This Is True'.

This is good if you want a detailed chronicle of their careers and to understand more about what makes each one of them tick, but it is definitely more heavily focused on Stallone and Schwarzenegger. While there are some interesting deep dives into their being/history and some surprising things to learn about some of their passions and values, the book felt like it stopped just before the stuff you might ultimately care about. The linear storytelling also ends with you hanging right as you reach their mid-careers (early 90's) with all of the curiosity that might've made you pick up the book still lingering - when/how did their relationships turn? How did things work when they co-owned Planet Hollywood? What were their direct interactions like over time, or now? And so many more...

Very well written, with good flow, pace, and structure - feels very authentic/real and relatable. Good jumping off point and the right balance of backstory and current journey with some good layers to each of the events. The characters are mostly flushed out, but could also be a little cookie-cutter when compared to ‘those friends' that a lot of people might have. Yet, there also seems to be a great grasp on the feelings and emotions beneath the surface level that most deep relationships live in.

Extremely readable and fast paced from the get-go, while also being written with a sense of depth. The flow was really strong and helped along the (mostly) linear story, but everything served as the perfect way to take you through a full literary journey - from concept to royalties. It was actually a bit surprising how interesting some of the behind-the-scenes is and it serves as a really good backdrop for the strong commentary around cultural appropriation and cancel-culture, as it brilliantly and respectfully explores it from all angles (especially with the juxtaposition of a white narrator).

This is a stark contrast to the feel/flow of the author's other biggest work - while Killers of the Flower Moon had a strong textbook vibe, this one reads like epic, cinematic fiction. Also as non-fiction, it still weaves in a ton of cites, accounts, and facts from the research, but this time it is part of well structured and tight story with some brutal detail that makes you feel like you are in the 1700s. The only shortcoming could be that there are strong shades of Lord of Flies after the shipwreck, but this is a ‘true story' that happened ages before and the quality of writing gives this one has plenty more depth to it.

There are some additional layers and dimensions to this sequel that create a great pace, picking up right where the last left off and giving visbility into the phase of what the aftermath of the Hunger Games looks like. The action scenes continue to be extremely well-written and there are some interesting evolutions of both story and character - with some surprises to boot - that gives the reader the perfect blend of treading new ground, keeping with the premise, and setting things up for an even bigger conclusion in the Book Three.

Very cinematic from the first word and is quick-paced with a strong story structure. The clear (and clean) dual-timeline elements mixed with the first-person narrative allows the reader to be on the journey to putting together the pieces of the puzzle together along with the main character. And having this all play out within the backdrop of humanity hoping for the success of a planet-saving mission worked really well - just expect more of ‘first contact' dynamics than a sci-fi action-adventure story. There are some parts that get a bit too scientific, but it doesn't slow down the book and it is certainly outweighed by strong character development and solid dialogue.

Quick, clear start that lays strong ground work and foundation with just the right amount of world building that allows the reader to still keep up.  There are also some significant action-oriented and intense/dramatic scenes very soon into the book that establish the significant stakes and the journey the reader is being set up to take.  Continues with a very strong pace through the first 200 pages and actually completes a big part that could've been understandably dragged out over the full 500 pages.  Kudos to not stretching out predictable story beats just to elongate the novel- this is a rare one that earns the length. There are great transitions back to the fast pace just before certain elements might become overdone and the last 80 pages provide the perfect surprises that make for a very strong ending.  

As one would guess is the case with most stand-alones from this writer, the twist/turns and reveals do live up expectations. There are some interesting dynamics at play with the protagonist being guilty of a terrible crime and with unfolding detail that doesn't paint him as a very good man. Yet, playing this off of the principle of how far would you go to find out the truth about anything involving your family makes for a quick, engaging read where everything ties out nicely. As probably intended, you are left wondering and curious about what is really going on from the very beginning and the answers deliver each time you are given another piece of the puzzle.

The writing was just ok here, and a bit slow or uninteresting in parts. It is also difficult to trudge through some of the prose when the main character is a prostitute and much of the main story is her making her way through an organisation as some sort of spy...yet it's a little vague and broad what it is she is even after. You can even throw in a few clichés - like falling for someone not a client or someone taking it too far just because of her line of work - and the ‘world building' also seems like a half-measure, where it is somewhat dystopian but yet most amenities are still available to much of society. Additionally, the main technological advancement that underpins society was underdeveloped and confusing, while it felt like the emotional stakes around it could've been a bigger part of the narrative. The big reveal (only in the last handful of pages in the book) is also just about telegraphed and while there is some resolution with the ending, there are a couple of major plot threads that simply end prematurely and abruptly.

The first act was difficult to get through as it seemed to struggle to find the balance between world-building, character development, and establishing any sort of intriguing plot. At the end of the day, the first third brought ‘the travellers' together, the second third was their journey to the final destination, and the last third was the big showdown they had been driving towards - all of it somewhat standard fare for the genre. While the end was solid and cinematic, the rest of the prose felt a bit clunky and the mythology came through as a weird mix of being too broad and yet too detailed at the same time.

Craftily written, with a depth to the prose that goes right up to the line before losing itself down proverbial ‘rabbit holes'. Strong world-building from all aspects of the story and once you understand the structure of the book, the different plot threads inter-weave well. There might be an overabundance of characters introduced throughout the book, but it does manage strong character development by keeping the main focus on a handful of key players.