Gavin Patterson
A fun mix of Indiana Jones & Uncharted.
Quick and enjoyable read. A lot of high stakes action. The characters did gel together and you felt they did care for one another, at times the dialogue was a little rough. We left on a cliffhanger, not knowing where and what will happen after the climax.
I would have liked Luke to become more confident and stronger after each action scene, however he just stayed the same man. I'd have liked to have seen him become this sort of Indiana Jones / Nathan Drake sort of character.
Overall it was definitely a fun read, parts I felt could have been improved, although they weren't enough to make me dislike the story. 3.5/5
A thrilling and engrossing story filled with realistic characters and haunting nightmares.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very unexpected 5 star read. The characters were amazing, every single one was completely flushed out and unique. I felt as though I was watching a movie play out in front of my eyes.
I didn't expect this to be such an enjoyable, thrilling, scary and ultimately awesome read.
I didn't want this story to end and I really hope that there is further instalments of this! I can also easily see this having an excellent tv adaptation. I can't wait to buy this when it is released and enjoy this a second time.
You can find reach me @readsgavin
A brutal world filled with war and violence, only the strong will survive.
Anna - a life alienated from the world with her father in the woods, no amount of training and determination that her father could give her will prepare her for the gruesome road she will travel.
Grimm - once a man born to kill and pillage, has left that life behind after a horrific murder. He is forced to flee his homeland and find peace, however he befriends someone that'll change his life forever.
Elbert - never the most enchanting man of the room, more an eye roll of a human. He wants to be king but the kingdom may not want him.
All characters go from strength to strength, growing with every chapter. My favourite would probably have to be Elbert, however all 3 POV characters had their pros and cons.
I would liked to have heard more about the mythical beasts that were in the woods, it feels like it was glossed over and forgotten.
I'm not sure if I found the ending satisfying or not. I really didn't want certain things to happen but I trust the authors process and look forward to book 2.
Overall 3.5/5 - promising start to the series, rounded up to 4 as I'm left excited for book 2.
Very promising start, really enjoyed the relationship between the father and daughter. Touching and very moving.
First half I flew through the book, second half didn't keep me as engaged. Main character is great to begin with, however the final episode didn't land with me.
I recommend this to sci-fi lovers and particularly Blake Crouch fans. Very touching moments, large dose of sci-fi and a smidgen of evil army man.
It was a 4/5 majority of the way, enjoyed the mystery and family love to begin with more than the climax. 3/5 still enjoyed this one and would read more of this author.
Requested fro NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Wow that was too much emotion. Standing ovation for the finale. Terrific work.
The first instalment took me by surprise, I instantly took to Sancia and Cleft. The support cast where also very likeable and the bad guys were fleshed out. Now the finale has completed the series and Sancia is a hero that we all need.
There's only a few books that I feel I am competent engrossed in the characters and can visually see them as real people and know what choices they'd make. This is one of them, very well written. I don't want to say too much as it's the final book and most of the story will be spoiler territory.
5/5 stars I encourage fantasy readers to dive into this series.
Come chat with me about books and all things sci-fi fantasy @readsgavin
Em what?
My mind is blown, Blake Crouch has sent me on a multi universe, mind bending, head splitting journey..and it was great!
Characters were great - I think we can all relate to the main character. I found that I wanted to hate Jason2 but part of me thinks, what would I do if every day I regretted not taking the chance to be happy with the woman of my dreams.
Wow.
One of the best series I've ever read. Every character is amazing, cannot pick one. What a journey, very emotional and congrats to Fonda Lee on creating this epic.
I listened to this on audiobook as it was included with my audible membership. The description interested me and I went into it not knowing what to expect, other than the blurb.
The story is very enjoyable. Extremely gritty and raw. This is a great escape story, with friendship being a main point and what people would do in a chance of escape.
The narrator was brilliant, really enjoyed listening to her read the story. 3.5 stars.
Come chat books with me @readsgavin
Very fun and enjoyable read. I liked how it was set in 2/3 places and kept a small cast, beau the cat was my favourite of course. It wasn't overly scary, could do with more scares to make it to 5 but overall I was very pleased.
Have started reading The Twisted Ones because I enjoyed this so much.
Another great episode from RJB!
Quick review - great characters who continue to grow and develop, each having their own values and moral compass.
Plot continued to push on, twists and turns throughout (I called the twist with a key character), however there's a lot that takes you by surprise.
Ending leaves you wanting more, and I for one cannot wait for the conclusion.
4/5 stars
I didn't quite enjoy this one. It was fairly fast paced, I liked the setting being stuck in an underwater station/lab. I didn't connect with the characters and the type of scares weren't my cup of tea.
I enjoyed The Troop by Nick Cutter so I'd read more of his work, however this one just didn't quite hit the spot for me.
I am blown away. This is a masterpiece of work. Joe is currently dining with the great fantasy writers, alongside GRRM, Robin Hobb, Brandon Sanderson, amongst others who should be named but I'm far too lazy.
This is one of the worlds that you could read for the rest of your life and never tire.
The plot was fantastic, twist and turns throughout, keeping you on your toes.
Characters, well this is the author's speciality. He could make you hate someone for half the book, to then turn him/her into one of your favourites. The growth these characters go through is brilliant.
World building is top tier. You feel as though you are in this world with the characters, living, breathing the world of Adua and the like.
It doesn't get anymore epic than this. No criticisms, none at all. 5/5, my best read of 2021.
3/5 stars - I would have enjoyed this book much more if it weren't for the little girl, she grated on me far too much. Surely kids don't actually act like that, especially if there were bloody dinosaurs after them!
Michael Crichton does extremely well in raising the pace in the last 30% of the book. The hectic scenes are non stop, I couldn't put it down.
The detail about the dinosaurs and the characters are definitely the best of this book, the eccentric Hammond and the know-it-all Malcolm are great.
Enjoyed much more than film.
First audiobook of the year. Picked this up while working on a work project and is the first of this type of book I've read. I have to say, I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would.
I've always liked zombie type of movies and this lived up to my expectations.
Very interesting story and unputdownable at times.
The story follows a young thief named Sancia, who after doing the biggest heist of her life, finds herself involved in something far worse than she could ever imagine.
‘Grudges,' said Sancia, ‘are a privilege I can't afford.'
Characters - it didn't take long to be invested in Sancia's story. RJB done a fine job in making you root for Sancia from the minute the story started moving. A likeable rouge, who is fighting her own demons, amongst the houses of Tevanne.
The other side characters were likeable also, however not as much as Sancia. The bond the characters start building is enjoyable to read. My favourite of them all has to be Clef but the less said about him the better!
Magic / Worldbuilding - the magic system is fascinating. I personally haven't read anything similar and would say it is unique. It does sit amongst the likes of Brandon Sanderson, I feel both writers have similar skills of building their magic systems.
The world of Tevanne is very though out. From the slums all the way up to the main houses, each area designed differently, with separate states of residents and their own personal agendas.
The plot moves along nicely, keeping at a decent pace. The pay off is great at the end and makes you excited to read the second of the trilogy - Shorefall.
The heist set up is nice, I've not read much heist stories but would like to read more after this.
It does leave on a sort of cliff hanger, so be prepared to be invested in the full 3 books.
Overall 4/5 - enjoyable read throughout. Recommend for anyone who enjoys their heists with a side of magic and likeable characters.
Half a story.
If I knew that this book was just a warm up to the 2nd book, I wouldn't have decided to read it.
This is the origin story of the pilgrimage, telling the tales of each individual on why they are on the journey to the Shrike. Each story is told in a distinct way, that you do feel each character's voice is unique. With that being said, I only really enjoyed the first story as it was filled with suspense and some horror. The rest, I had to chore through.
I did manage to finish the book, although it was a challenge to stay motivated. The story is told well and it is somewhat fun, where I can see people liking this, however it just wasn't for me.
2 stars because I can see that there obviously is quality in the writing and I did enjoy the first pilgrim's story.
5/5 - my favourite this year..please read this book!
Character building was great - not one character i was bored with, everyone had their own mind and felt separate from the rest. I particularly enjoyed reading about Shallan.
The magic system was very flushed out, as expected from Brandon Sanderson. You learn so much more towards the end of the book, opens it up for next episode.
World building was brilliant, so many different animals, fauna and races. This is what I enjoyed most.
Please read!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story was great, I sped through the first half of the book within a day.
We fallow Anthem, an Exilist who lives in the walled city of Atlas. The post apocalyptic world is dark and bleak, one where monsters called Shivers haunt the living until they are hungry enough to devour them alive. Anthem is tasked with moving the afflicted and their shivers out of Atlas and to keep the city safe. This is not an envious role within the community, people see the Exilists as horrible people who bring death to their doors.
Anthem, a broken man, who wants to help the city and cares deeply for the habitants, is thrown out of the city and has a new job, one that could save or destroy his people.
This world is dark, bleak and humanity is on the brink of extinction. The journey is hard but the rewards could be the change that humanity needs to survive.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters were great and you cared for the habitants of Atlas, the stress and fear they must be under is terrible. The world building was great, I really liked hearing about Anthems day to day role within the city. The twist at the end was a little obvious but didn't detract from the overall story.
4/5 - very good story, one I'm very glad I picked up.
A thrilling page-turner that will keep you guessing in this cold and twisted murder mystery punchbag.
I read this over a few hours. I could not put this down, when I tried to I found myself another chapter down. The main character is very likeable along with a strong supporting cast.
An unexpected 4/5 stars.
Thank you netgally for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A fun mix between T Kingfisher and Blake Crouch.
The story is great, very fun and keeps you hooked from the get go.
Can't wait for book 2 and to find out what happens next!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3/5 stars.
I absolutely loved Illborn but this felt a little lower in quality, I don't know exactly why. I still enjoyed it and will be reading the next instalment when it's out. Great characters, some rough dialogue but some very exciting events. I have no idea how this series will end and I know the author will end this book in a marvellous way.