Jason
This was a simple, quick read with good characters.
It was a bit of a mixed bag for me with several sections that were tense and well written, and others that felt somewhat amateurish. I don't mean that as an insult to the author, but more of an indication of sections that pulled me out of the story because of a writing style that seemed to change in quality. More often than not during dialogue or an overuse of metaphors that made it feel like I was being spoon fed. I did note however that these occured more often earlier in the book.
Then there were other sections that were so gloriously descriptive and gruesome that had me feeling everything.
Overall this fell short of being great and was more of a popcorn read for me.
A letter to the author....
Oh my God Scott!
This was by far one of the craziest, yet wonderful books I have ever read!
I usually have issues being patient enough to try and figure out exactly what the hell is going on in books that don't want to at least start trying to explain things within the first few chapters, but I was so caught up in the sheer delightful mindfck of not being able to even guess what the hell was going to happen next, that I didn't care.. I just wanted to know what these characters could possibly show us next. Everything that happened was vividly described yet not superfluous in any way. Such a rare treat in fantasy/sci-fi writing.I also laughed out loud in many places, which is something I rarely do when reading.The characters were wonderful, the story was batsht crazy yet somehow made perfect sense, and all I feel now after finishing it is disappointed because you HAVEN'T WRITTEN ANY MORE BOOKS!
However, after stalking you on your website and blog, and understanding the reason why you haven't yet released any more fiction, all I can say is thank you.
Thank you for not only taking the time to make sure this was right before you released it, but also for not jumping into production line mode and releasing hollow, cookie cutter stories for the sake of making a quick buck.
Because of that, I can safely say you have a definite sale here for whatever you do end up releasing next (if anything), no matter how long it takes to be ready.
Thank you again for the journey you just took me on.
First book I've read this year (it's only January at time of writing!), and I'm not sure if it will be topped.
I loved everything about this book. Good, flawed characters, buttery smooth writing style, and despite there being a sequel, this is a complete story which is becoming harder and harder to find in this world of book series and cliffhanger endings.
First page turner I've read for quite some time. Didn't want to stop reading at any point, and was only forced to due to time restraints.
First time reading this author too. Easily a new favourite and will be buying more.
So many “firsts” in this review! That's gotta be good right?!
Ugh... Don't know what to say.
I'm a huge fan of Simmons first two Hyperion books. These being the only books of his I've read.
So after seeing the tv version of The Terror and loving it, before realising it was based on this book by Simmons, it seemed like a no brainer to be my next read.
I want those two months back.
Yes.. two months. Only through my incessant need to finish any book I start caused me to complete this.
At 70% I even switched to the audiobook version just to try and get it finished. That was equally as painful and...just... wouldn't...end!
The book is bogged down in constant character roll calls, scurvy symptoms, descriptions of tents and equipment to the finest detail, Inuit myth complete with foreign language.
Things that are great to hear the once, but not in every chapter and going on for pages.
It...was...a ..slog
This is the first time that I've ever not only needed and audiobook to complete a book, but also needed to start reading a second book at the same time just to keep my love of reading intact.
I'm sorry, I know this book is loved by many, but this was the hardest reading chore I've ever accomplished.
I honestly don't think it was written by the same person that wrote Hyperion.
There's a great book in this, and it's 500 pages shorter
Only the second book I've not been able to finish. I can't stay awake. It's a textbook disguised as a collection of stories. No humour. No character development. No heart.
Interesting ideas written by someone that fails to capture my imagination.
I enjoyed Babylon, but everything else felt pretentious.
Sorry. Highly rated, but for reasons I don't understand
Easy read, but pretty bland
This is one of those books that keeps you reading even though nothing is really happening. Lots of talking about what happened in the past and reactions to a single event in the present, before things started kicking into gear about 75% into the book.
I also found the writing style a little juvenile for my taste, and I'm not into pretentious books at all, so that says something.
I did enjoy it, but was just a bit meh.
Absolutely loved this! Not normally my genre but I was hooked by the accessible writing style and premise.
Good characters and captivating dialogue.
I found the action elements extremely visceral and easy to follow which is often something I find challenging.
This was my introduction to Koontz and gifted to me by a friend. It was a wonderful journey.
Quite frankly one of the best books I've read for some time. I was expecting this to be more sci fi than what it was. This was much more along the lines of historical fiction - which I really have absolutely NO interest in.
Says so much then that I struggled to put this book down. Not once was I disappointed hat this wasn't what I was expecting.
I don't think I've read a book where the characters have been so masterfully developed.
I felt physical sensations with the the characters that I have never felt before because they were written so descriptively - yet without ever looking like the author is trying to get me to understand something I couldn't possibly understand.
The beauty of the writing demonstrated wonderfully with the following quote:
The light of the rocket reflected off her bright eyes as if the fire of her soul were coming out to push the rocket into the sky.
Love the setting and the characters. Such a unique world has been created here and I can see many great ideas for future books. For a debut, this author has the rare gift of being able to paint a picture without getting bogged down in superfluous language. I was able to visualise all the settings which is something I struggle with sometimes, and considering the crazy universe this is set in, it's no mean feat to get me to effortlessly see through the authors eyes.
It took me to another world.
Easy to read, but a complex and fun adventure.
Epic and original
Some minor spoilers follow. Nothing major.
The premise behind this had me hooked from the start. Such an original and clever concept that had me champing at the bit to find out how it would all play out...
...until about half way through when it became more of a traditional post apocalyptic story with warring factions etc... At this stage I was beginning to tire as it seemed to stray from what made it so enjoyable to me. This was also a very long read so it felt at the time that these sections were unnecessary filler...
...until later in the book when you realise that this section is actually essential to the final outcome in what becomes a very circular tale.
The ending is as beautiful as it is tragic, and made me forgive the middle section of the book.
This one will stay with me for some time.
A fantastic debut.
Epic and original
Some minor spoilers follow. Nothing major.
The premise behind this had me hooked from the start. Such an original and clever concept that had me champing at the bit to find out how it would all play out...
...until about half way through when it became more of a traditional post apocalyptic story with warring factions etc... At this stage I was beginning to tire as it seemed to stray from what made it so enjoyable to me. This was also a very long read so it felt at the time that these sections were unnecessary filler...
...until later in the book when you realise that this section is actually essential to the final outcome in what becomes a very circular tale.
The ending is as beautiful as it is tragic, and made me forgive the middle section of the book.
This one will stay with me for some time.
A fantastic debut.
Tough to review. There's no doubt this is a fantastic book. Beautifully written, palpable characters, fantastic backdrop. I can see why it's recieved so many accolades.
But all that said, I didn't find it enjoyable to read.
It took a while to figure out why. Even while reading it I'm thinking to myself “This is so good”, but at the same time wondering why I'm bored and looking forward to the next book.
Finally I think I nailed it. Nothing really happens. It's all set in amongst the background of a lot happening, but other than hearing about it, there's not much that really goes on with the characters that so much time has been spent making us love.
This feels like all the parts of a fantastic book that happen BETWEEN the major plot points.
I spent the majority of this book waiting for something to happen, and when it doesn't it feels like there no payoff for the time invested in these characters.
Maybe this is what literary fiction is about. I can see why people may like it. It's life through the eyes of others.
But books are a form of entertainment. This wasn't entertaining to me, and I couldn't wait to start a new book.
The prologue and first few chapters are some of the most intense storytelling I've ever read. The emotion and graphic nature of it was palpable.
After this it became a little more by the numbers, but still a fantastic read.
This was my first Joe Hart book and I'll certainly be seeking out more. Very talented writer, and despite the intensity of the early chapters not filtering all the way through the book, this still goes down as one of my favourites.
This was a good little ghost story. A short, quick read but nicely paced and well constructed. I didn't think a “found footage” style would work in print, but this was done very well.
I must admit I would have liked it to go on a little longer, but that's hardly a criticism. More of a, “I enjoyed it enough to want more”.
This was a good little ghost story. A short, quick read but nicely paced and well constructed. I didn't think a “found footage” style would work in print, but this was done very well.
I must admit I would have liked it to go on a little longer, but that's hardly a criticism. More of a, “I enjoyed it enough to want more”.
Started strong but got bored
I really enjoyed the first half of this. Then something happened and I found it becoming a bit of a chore to read. I don't know why. The story was strong. I ended up listening to the last 30% via audiobook on double speed just to get it finished quickly.
Again, the story and concept was good, but just maybe not my cup of tea.
I love this series. It's the first series I've read in which I was truly looking forward to reading the next part. What I love also is while each book continues an overall story, all of the books are very much a self contained chapter. There's no cliff hanger gimmicks to make to buy the next book.
What makes you buy the next book is fantastic storytelling and an impeccable ability for Michael Bray to build imagery in your mind. Some of it quite horrific.
Every one of these books had elements that really got into my head.
This final piece of the puzzle brings everything to a satisfying and well crafted conclusion. It scared me, upset me, shocked me, made me laugh and made me shed man tears (these are the type we feel but refuse to let spill - it's a thing).
These are the first books I've read by Michael, and he's probably the first author that I've come across that makes me want to actively seek out more of his books. Only “It” by Stephen King has held my attention and awe to the level these books have.
God! Does this mean I've become a fan of an Author?
I think it does.
Love love love.
I love this series. It's the first series I've read in which I was truly looking forward to reading the next part. What I love also is while each book continues an overall story, all of the books are very much a self contained chapter. There's no cliff hanger gimmicks to make to buy the next book.
What makes you buy the next book is fantastic storytelling and an impeccable ability for Michael Bray to build imagery in your mind. Some of it quite horrific.
Every one of these books had elements that really got into my head.
This final piece of the puzzle brings everything to a satisfying and well crafted conclusion. It scared me, upset me, shocked me, made me laugh and made me shed man tears (these are the type we feel but refuse to let spill - it's a thing).
These are the first books I've read by Michael, and he's probably the first author that I've come across that makes me want to actively seek out more of his books. Only “It” by Stephen King has held my attention and awe to the level these books have.
God! Does this mean I've become a fan of an Author?
I think it does.
Love love love.
Name dropping does not make a good book
I'm a child of the 80's. I loved the 80's. I want to go back there.
So like every other tragic fan of that era I thought this book was tailor made for me.
Unfortunately this was the closest I've ever come to a DNF. 80% of this was not a story. It was name dropping for the sake of it. For the first half of this book I felt like I was sitting in a room with someone simply reading through a list of 80's movies, TV shows, songs and fictional characters. That's it. That's all it was. It was 20% story, and 80% filler. And the 20% story was filled with overly convenient and simplistic plot devices.
“Oh let's pull this thing out of my inventory that was never mentioned anywhere else in the the book which just happens to be the exact thing I need to progress further!”
Sorry, but I'm angry. Because so many people love this book. So many people I respect. But I can't help but think they all got so caught up in the reminiscing that they didn't notice that this is a terrible story.
I look forward to seeing what Spielberg does with the movie, because if anyone can make something good out of this, he can. And he's the perfect person to turn this into what it should have been.
This was a well written story and a good premise. Character development was also very good, but for whatever reason by about 75% of the way through I was looking forward to reading a new book.
I can't put my finger on why I lost interest in this. The quality was solid all the way through, but eventually I just didn't care that much how it ended.
Loved the first book, and this one is just as enthralling. I'm loving Michael Bray's style and there's some truly disturbing imagery in this book.
Takes a lot to actually get me to wince - especially from a book - but there were several moments in this that made me let out a mildly (and very manly) shriek.
This was a perfect and very logical continuation of the first book and I look forward to reading the conclusion!
Loved the first book, and this one is just as enthralling. I'm loving Michael Bray's style and there's some truly disturbing imagery in this book.
Takes a lot to actually get me to wince - especially from a book - but there were several moments in this that made me let out a mildly (and very manly) shriek.
This was a perfect and very logical continuation of the first book and I look forward to reading the conclusion!
Just brilliant
This was a fantastic exploration of the power that religion, science and trade all play over the populace.
Many very clever setups are paid off beautifully, and several times I shook my head with a giddy smile over how well the characters meet their goals.
I'll definitely be reading more of this classic series.