Zoa
I enjoyed this little jaunt. Overall it was a fun series and I am glad I got to see it through to the end. Maybe not the most satisfying ending, felt a little clunky, but it wasn't terrible.
I so enjoyed this suspenseful and unpredictable ride! Holly
Jackson makes me want to go back to adolescence so I can strive to be more like Pip. She takes no ones shit and stands up for others in a way that I admire. Not only is she brilliant and exceedingly observant, she also exudes bravery and self-assuredness without much apology. Loved reading this, and loved that the ending was not “storybook rainbows and unicorns,” but instead was more true to the reality of the world. Can't wait for the another GGGTM and to hear more from Holly Jackson!
I wasn't sure if I wanted to read (audiobook version) the second in the series or not, but I decided to give it a shot and I actually really enjoyed it and while I don't find that I am loving the series or the characters as much as those in the Throne of Glass series, they are growing on me, slowly. Maybe I am too jaded and cynical to enjoy the amount of love and romance lol
However I am a fan of the strong female characters and hope that they continue to grow in strength and that there are more of them throughout the series, as I am already on the fourth as I write this review.
Murderino excellence! Great combo of supernatural and true crime. Very enjoyable and thrilling. SSDGM!
Really enjoyed the twists and turns and character development. I was very drawn into everyone's story and how they needed up involved, and would have given a 5 star, but at one point I did start to get a little lost and bored, and thought things were winding down, and was ok with that, as it started to feel like things were just getting drawn out. The author brought it back around and I was glad to see they were able to bring it to an ending I could appreciate, but the lull was a little tough to get through. In the end, glad I did, and the author pulled it all together nicely. Looking forward to more from Emily St. John Mandel.
Took me a couple of times to get into the story, but once I did, I really enjoyed it! I am pretty sure I would not rate this above Throne of Glass series, but not sure how I'd rate it against ACOTR, especially since I'm only on Book One, but we shall see...
3.5 stars rounded up. Found this series by accident, and while it seems somewhat far fetched in some ways, I am enjoying the storyline and characters.
(But what do I really know of the intricacies of the midwestern 1970's child welfare, ICWA, BIA, general systems of care/systems impact on indigenous peoples, and systemic racism, aside from the fact that it was as unjust, fucked up and mismanaged as any other state's?!?).
The writing and character development leads the reader to want to get to know each character more and to care about them, and what happens to them, and there appears to be enough research and truth included to be realistic yet intriguing and not make you shake your head too much in complete disbelief. Unless you have no imagination, or don't believe in mysticism or the power of indigenous ancient shamanic/earth/ancient/psychic magical type things at all, in which case, maybe don't bother reading this series, since there is just enough to annoy you, which is what I like about the series.
Short, sweet and well narrated audiobooks with some good tidbits of historical context included that seem very timely and poignant today. Recommend highly for those mystery lovers out there who are intrigued to read/listen to something a little different.
Really enjoyed this book, and already finished the second in the series as well!
If you have any interest in the “secret societies” you might enjoy this, while it likely has some artistic license on the facts of the societies, there also seems to be quite a bit of historical accuracy included as well.
3.8 stars rounded up, and all for the modern day retelling of Greek mythology with creativity and a fun and action filled take on it all that has me hooked on reading the next in the series. Great departure from the norm and enjoying the fun character development of each of the Gods and Goddesses. Meh to the “spicy” parts, nothing against them, but romance has always been a genre I could live with or without. I will say that the writing is better than some that I have read, so it's at least not bad romance/spicy reading!
Looking forward to the rest of the series!
Mild Spoilers about the series in general, but no BIG SPOILERS ——
4.5 stars for another great chapter in the Will Trent series!!
I am more than little sad that this series is almost over, at least as far as what has been published. If K. Slaughter is in the process of writing another book, that would be great news!
I have really enjoyed the development of all the characters in this series. The story of Will Trent is of course the center of it all, and what initially drew me in, because he really is such a character! Having worked with system impacted youth for many years, his character is particularly intriguing to me, and I may have actually had a few tears in my eyes at the end of this one, but I won't say why.....but in addition to Will's story, there is so much great historical context on feminism and racism in America and so much more, when we start learning about things like how Amanda became the badass, cold-but caring (even if it seems unlikely) GBI Chief Detective. Amanda's connections to Faith, and her even more twisty and intriguing connection to Will...and the one liners Faith uses to describe this connection in almost every one of the later books...I laugh and chuckle a bit more loudly each time, and find myself liking Faith so much more now than when we first met her! She has grown a lot, and now, I just want to text her and ask if she wants to go get a drink and hang out for a few. Throughout the series there is history and child welfare policy written into this series that I have enjoyed reading about, and if it ends after #10, I will be more than a little sad, as I think I already mentioned.
I found this “installment” in the series no less intriguing and interesting and well researched. The background information around the antagonists and their histories are just as almost as well developed as those of the main characters, even though we've only just met them, but yet- we see them, we know them and by the end we can clearly identify the childhood traumas, psychosis, mental illness, or triggers that led to their criminal behaviors and the “ride” has been oh so thrilling and intriguing. By the end I was just so angry with the antagonist and so sad for some of them, and so hopeful for our Will. “Our Will.” Yup. That's what I said. I'm attached and I can't go back, and it's too late to tell me he's just a character in a book, he's “ours” and I am a little worried about him, because just when things are looking up...
Excellent and intriguing book for any true crime fans. Not only does it share the story of how Billy Jensen became a crime solver and “citizen detective,” it also discusses some of the story behind the capture of the Golden State Killer and Michelle McNamara's (Rest in Power) involvement and how her book, I'll Be Gone in The Dark” was finished after her death and (IMO) helped lead to the capture of Joseph DiAngelo, the GSK - AND there is a call to action and info on how to respond to that call. Overall a GREAT read and inspiring story about true crime and the power of crowd sourcing.
Really enjoyed this and it was a fun and anticipation building read. Twist and turns that were plausible yet surprising. I just realized this is the first in a series, so I hope the next one is as good!
L. Moriarty always seems to have a finger on the pulse of what is happening and new and upcoming in the world and that is again the case in this novel. Another rollicking ride through the most recent & most controversial subjects; from health & wellness fads, dieting, social media, and the #metoo movement to adolescent suicide and holistic mental health treatments- Moriarty takes it all on in this one and it kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what in the world come come next!?? I am always drawn in by the carefully and well developed characters that I grow to either love or really dislike. Moriarty creates characters whose quirks are often reminiscent of someone I actually really like, or someone...I could do without seeing again...it makes the novels so enjoyable to read, I'm always so invested in the outcomes!
While the series in general took me a minute and a few tries to get sucked in, I got totally sucked in about 1/2 way though Book 1, jumped right into Book 2, though my interest waned a tiny bit at the very beginning, but then I got sucked right back in and finished Book 2 within a couple of days. Maas just has a way with making the characters so relatable and even though I have to roll my eyes at times at some of the ACOTAR “smut” and inability to name the parts. Crescent City does not hold back and is refreshing in that sense. (If you know, you know - just say “the words” already...)
The fantasy portion is so well done, and I cannot say much more for fear of giving things away, but damn I am so in awe of the twists, turns and the world created by Maas, once again!
I enjoyed this as an audiobook, and thought that while it wasn't quite as great as the first in the series, it was still good and still had decent twists and turns. I enjoyed the deeper character development and learning more about Cormac Reilly and the path that brought him to Galway.
Curious about the prequels and if there is a #3 to the series.
An amazing and heartbreaking read (audiobook version), that I couldn't stop in the middle of and finished in less than a few days. The stark truths and realities felt very reminiscent of told by friends who were American Indian/Indigenous Americans in New Mexico where I grew up. All in all a poignant and great story with some very necessary truths we all need to hear.
4.5 stars rounded up
Enjoyable audiobook read, some new ideas and storylines I hadn't encountered before and enjoyed and now I would like to read book 2 please.
I found the “political espionage” intrigue and thriller tone/theme set within the fantasy genre of the novel very interesting, and it was overall a fairly well written book.
It's rare that a book is so truly new and unique that it is almost too unique to fathom. But this one is very unique and yet is enjoyable and has poignant social commentary. Another good read by Anders, but a little slow at times. Overall enjoyable though.
I found this book on Candace's list of books she has read and decided to check it out from the library in audiobook format, and was immediately caught up and drawn in to the story. I have already started the second book in the series. Great twists and turns and an intriguing story with interesting characters you want to get to know more about, talk to and ask if they would like to go for a hike.
I was even more intrigued by the author's treatment of the subject of child welfare/human services and the history of a system that may be necessary, but often, if not always evolves out of the moralistic “concerns” of “well meaning white (usually) women,” and is harmful as well as condemning of those who don't conform to “traditional” values. I appreciated the honest approach and discussion of just how judgmental and negative this system can be, and that this is not just the case in America. I believe I would have enjoyed the story even if I didn't have a personal tie to the field, but it definitely made it more specifically interesting to me.
This author has a lot of similarities to one of my favorite authors, Tana French. Maybe not quite as awesome as Tana French, but similar in some ways to the Dublin Murder Squad series, however I would say French's series is a 5 out of 5 and McTiernan is more of a 4.5 out of 5. While I truly enjoyed The Ruin, the character development does not have quite as much depth as French's series, but I think this starts to improve with the second in the series, and now I realize there are also 2 other prequels I have not read, but will be adding to my holds list ASAP.
All in all, a really great “ride” that had me listening late into the night and not wanting to fall asleep. While I am sure reading the books myself would also be great, as with French's series, I really love listening to the audiobooks which are read by a Aoife McMahon whose excellent storytelling/acting is really wonderful and contributes to drawing me on and enjoying the ride so much more! Also I would have had no idea how to pronounce Aisling's name had it been for the audiobook.
Fantastic as usual. David Sedaris never fails to keep my attention and to make me laugh, cry, deep sigh and to create an entertaining, comedic and cathartic sense of “it's not just me/my family/my relationship;” a refreshing solidarity in all the ways being “abnormal” is really the only normalcy that exists. I think families and relationships can be/are messy but fun, torture and treasure, grounding(in chaotic ground), terrific, and terrible... all at the same time and I always feel better knowing that others have similar experiences. David (I feel like we should be on first name basis after this many years) has a way of thinking and looking at the world that I truly appreciate and enjoy, and his ability to convey his unique perspectives in writing is sensational. I will never not love his work and never stop reading/listening to whatever he puts out there. Thanks David, for another great listen that I couldn't stop listening to, fell asleep to, “rewound” the next morning, ignored my family and dogs to finish and loved every minute of listening. I always love the audiobooks he reads/narrates/performs, and this one has some pieces from a few of his live readings interspersed, which was an unexpected treat!
