Todd Warner

What a fun read. A great mystery. Really well developed, three-dimensional characters, and a nice twisty plot that winds its way around the New Orleans region and the Louisiana bayou. If you like a good modern gumshoe mystery, you have come to the right place. Recommend.

Well written and organized. The effort to distill this dense material into a coherent narrative is impressive. It's required if you ever hope to become a broker in North Carolina. Get the lastest version and study study study.

This is a sequel. Much like its predecessor, I liked the book. And there need to be more books like this, by authors such as this. You will like the book. So read it!

But I have much criticism. This was traditionally published, but the editing is rather poor. I'm not talking about grammar or spelling (I found only one typo in two books!). It's the developmental editing that was so . . . slapdash. There are outright errors (a poker scene really screws up which hand beats another, for example) but then there are other major errors that a good editor (or team of editors, or beta-readers) should have caught.

Spoilers . . .

The geography is messy and not well understood. For example, not for many pages did we understand that they were downstream of Sacramento when they were on the Sacramento River. The reader is left wondering what the characters are thinking on this.The antagonist. I didn't know he was the main antagonist until act 3. I didn't buy into him being the bad guy. His crimes were not sold well. Sure, he made really REALLY bad choices, but we didn't know that he was doing Nazi-like experimentation until near the end. Plus, the cure would have saved millions. So, for the entire book, I just felt that the thrust of the story was that the main protagonist was in the wrong about him—that she would discover that, no, the scientist's quest for the cure was far more complicated than she thought and he really isn't a terrible person. I was wrong. But I blame the writing and the editing. The writer could have developed this better, for sure, but I lay this on the feet of the editorial staff failing the author and the readers.World-building: If the entire east and mid-west is wiped out . . . how is everyone not starving to death and dressed in rags. All materials would be extremely scarce. And humans would be MAJORLY more violent towards each other. I'm not buying the world as it is described.The main character murders a lot of people. This is not addressed well enough IMHO. She even swapped out one body for another to get a bounty. Execution without justice . . an odd choice for a book such as this. I mean, it can certainly work, but I don't think it is explored nearly enough and the main character doesn't earn it. IMHO.The magic. The penny was unnecessary and seemed out of place. It think the author realized that after the first book and that is why she invented a way to make it a non-factor in the second book. But then she added a ghost. Ugh! The ghost was really her conscience, but it was not sold on the page as such and was simply not well done. Cut out those scenes entirely and it would have been a better book. This is a sci-fi western, really, not a fantasy. Just didn't fit.Murder, mayhem, torture, prostitution, and sexually charged language here and there. And yet still, the unbelievable amount of racism of that era is only given a lukewarm treatment for the YA audience (though they are moving outside of White America for much of this sequel). Much like the previous book, I think the YA audience could be treated a bit more maturely and this historical fiction made a bit more historical.

Criticism aside. I want to see more from this author and more books like this on the bookshelves. The self-published world is so much richer in this regard, but I want to see it from the trad-publishing world as well.

“The night was loud with frogs and cicadas competing for space.”

That line from this volume is, perhaps, an apropos characterization of the swirling thoughts, feelings, and conflicted actions and intentions that then highlight the beats of our lives.

I love a good short story collection and this one did not disappoint. Cushman writes with such earnestness. He writes with a yearning for understanding and meaning in a crazy world of relationships forged by serendipity and an effort to make it all work.

Solid advice presented very succinctly. I thought I had read every bit of advice out there, and I probably have, but this book still made me think and consider. It's essentially a merging of the author's and Aristotle's (via Poetics) thoughts on what makes for a good story, whether it be a tragedy or a comedy. A good book. It could have used one more round of edits, ironically though, there's a section in there that discusses when to stop editing. Apparently, he did. Heh. Anyway. Recommend.

What a fun book. Great characters. Great dialogue. Great settings and scenes. Lots of twists and turns in a world both grounded in reality and mysticism. Kim Beall leads you down a road that, just when you think you know where it may head next, unexpectedly veers to the right. So much fun.

I loved this book. You will too. I can't wait to read the next in the series, Moonlight and Moss.

Clever. Unique. Makes you think. 

Recommend. Let me start off with that. It didn't wow me (hence three versus four stars), but I find this a very unique read with a fascinating voice. The concept is compelling, and the principle characters are folks you really want to sit with and explore.

Most of the other characters, though, even the important ones, get short shrift. The narrative is more than a bit uneven here and there as well, but the pacing is great and the book starts off really strong.

The science: The author needed to spend a bit more on verifying the science. Even some relatively basic things, she misses the mark (insect drones are male. always. oil is not explosive. etc.).

BUT!

Great story, nice and twisty with an unexpected ending that in retrospect is perfect. I really enjoyed this.

I enjoyed this book. I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I read only one or two entries each sitting. Instead, I essentially read it in two long sessions ... and since each entry is, more or less, unrelated except by theme, the experience is much like binge reading an entire blog.

Well written, often “Hmm” generating, I'd recommend this to anyone interested in reading something a bit more thought provoking. His writing I can already see influencing my own.

Best book on the topic, hands down. We purchased this book many years ago and used it to train two rescue dogs, one of whom was a huge HUGE handful (especially destructive and out of control misbehavior). Using this book as a guide, we guided those two dogs into becoming extremely well behaved, loving life partners. And that “handful of a dog” was often cited by friends and neighbors as turning into the “perfect” dog. And he was. He lived a long happy life, but has since passed.

Since we gifted that book and several other copies to friends to help them, today we received in the mail the new revised version of the book. The timing compliments our two new rescues! Again it will help guide us developing these precious challenges into becoming the next generation of “perfect” dogs.

Buy this book. There is no better. Follow their advice to a T and we wish you a happy journey towards your “perfect” dog.

Excellent and inspiring.

Succinct. Measurable-ish. Actionable. Chamine offers a practical approach to shifting individual and team dynamics towards a more positive pathway. This is not a book that offers a plan to merely “think positive” or “meditate your way to happiness.” No. It's an actionable approach to identifying and then addressing fundamental problems through analysis, introspection, and communication. 

Of all the how-to books on storytelling structure that I have read, this one is the best. Comfortably the best, I think. Thorough, extremely well-written, well-structured, insightful, sometimes academic, and clear.

The book could have been edited down a bit and the author gets a smidge repetitive, but I get why he does what he does. He presents the same arguments from one direction, then another, then applies and gives examples from another, etc. etc. The benefit is that you understand his points better because he has fleshed them out thoroughly. Do I think a bit too thoroughly? Maybe. It's a quibble. Buy this book anyway if you write stories.

Note: Into the Woods is focused on screenwriting, but don't let that stop you if that's not your thing. Storytelling is storytelling. It all applies.

A sprawling work of art.
The prose is stunning. Jaw-droppingly incredible The story paints a fascinating portrait of lives drifting along the edge of the world. So good.

Excellent. Recommended.

An inspiring story and the how-to to go with it. Attack your chronic health issues by cleaning up your diet. More importantly, do it intentionally with a better understanding of the science behind every bite you eat.

Let me start this off with, David Goggins is an extraordinary man. He rose up from an unbelievably abusive household and found a positive path in life that brought him success and fulfillment. Well, some fulfillment. Maybe “purpose” is the right word.

NOTE: A warning to readers, this is a book written end-to-end in bro-speak. I commend the ghostwriter (Adam Skolnick) for capturing that voice and putting it to the page, but it makes this book a hard read. If you are a 20-something-year-old male, you will probably have no issue with it. Adults though . . . this will be more challenging. I recommend just trying to push that aside and see the story for what it is.

The strength of this book is in the story of the subject's personal journey. It's remarkable and incredibly unusual. Interwoven with the personal story is a lot of philosophizing. I found this interesting, but . . . Goggins lived a bizarre life and is driven in a way that is singularly unusual. His personal journey is the strength of the book, but his philosophy on his approach to condition and training is interesting as well, if not unusual. He just takes it to 11.

You see. I can relate to the personal philosophy Goggins espouses. I was “that guy” in the military. In fact, I actually considered writing a book on the exact same idea (I even have a title and summary paragraph written out in my idea-bank). I was rock-hard, hardcore—a super-soldier as my peers called me—while in the military. I reached my maximum potential while I served. But I was normal-guy hardcore. I was never ever going to achieve what Goggins did because, well, I wasn't gifted with his genetics, to be frank. Plus, I didn't have that same focused drive. Not for the long haul anyway. I had and have many many interests (too many), but while I was in the active-duty military, I strove to be #1. Always. So, I was goggins, small-G. There were a lot of folks like me, but we were the 1%-ers in the military.

My story changed course when I decided I had had enough of the military and moved on. My interests diverged and diluted and, as my wife can attest, it took about 5 years for me to deprogram. I'm not a normal dude with normal dude issues for the most part and I am happier for that. I look back at my Goggins lifestyle wistfully, but I am glad that phase is over. Plus I learned a few things along the way that Goggins seems to only be catching onto lately.

Goggins outdid his peers by sheer willpower and focus. Brute force. And a healthy dose of genetics to help along the way. I was the same way (minus the super-genetics). I always said, “I may not be the smartest person in the room, but I will outwork anyone.” And I did. This has its positives, but over time it becomes inefficient and draining and eventually, counter-productive. You have to morph into “work smart, not hard.” In the book, it sounded like Goggins was slowly coming to that realization as well. Maybe that will be his next book. I will read that one as well (let's hope the bro-speak is toned down). Additionally, I'd be curious to know how many people lose the message he delivers simply because he is such a mutant. I wonder if his message truly resonates with those far from his archetype.

Regardless of my nit-picking, Goggins is right on all accounts. We can achieve far more than we think we can. We can all suffer more hardship and discomfort than we think we can. And most importantly, we all need to step away from our comfortable lives from time to time. Otherwise, we stagnate and decline. If you are utterly comfortable, it feels good at the moment, but over time, it will slowly erode your potential. To grow, one must challenge oneself. Goggins slams home this point.

Goggins is an interesting fellow. A very singular human being. This book is a fascinating read, but ... 3 stars from me. The best books get 4 and my favorites get 5, so 3 stars in good company. I hope Goggins can find true sustained contentment. A little more balance. Assuming he is not a narcissist (he comes across as potentially narcissistic), I hope he can finally cobble together a family and find a way to live a normal, happy, and sustainable life. Right now, he does not appear to be there yet, but he's still relatively young. Maybe that will be his next book.

This book teaches you how to become a more rigorous reader, writer, thinker, idea-generator, and researcher via a note-taking methodology that is slowly emerging out of German academia (where it has enjoyed legendary status but in niche obscurity) and now into the popular consciousness. It has come to the attention of the rest of the world primarily because of this book. That model of note-taking and knowledge-management is called Zettelkasten, or the slip-box method. Even if you don't adopt this methodology, this book is an excellent discussion of these themes and will give you lots of ideas for how you can incorporate better techniques of reading, note-taking, and introspection.

The target audience is academia, but this really is a tremendous resource for all learners. It is an exploration of how we learn and remember and how we can do better. How we can reduce the amount of knowledge, comprehension, and ideas that evaporate from our brains over time. But where this book really shines is as a how-to guide for the Zettelkasten methodology so you can better interrogate what you have learned over time combined with your current thinking and new ideas. It can help you follow paths of introspection and guide you to new ones.

This book is tremendous. It will make you better.

...

Criticisms:
The author at times uses unclear labeling (namely because you think he is labeling when he is, in fact, describing). You know this is an issue when review after review about and tutorial after tutorial associated to this book misdescribe the methodologies in the same way. I figured this out by deep note-taking (since this was a note-taking book) and using this book as a model to implement the techniques he described. If he ever re-edits this book, I would love to see him clear up some of the ambiguity. The description of how notes in the Bibliographical Slip Box are developed, written technically, and organized would be particularly helpful. He is especially vague there (you have to pick it out from several places in the books).

Also, the spine text is flipped, as is traditional in Eastern Europe. But the book I am reviewing is the English translation. The author or publisher should have also adjusted the cover to match the English-speaking world's expectations. Most annoying. Like really really annoying.

Still . . .  a five-star book. Excellent.

Beaverland is a narrative deep dive (impressively researched) into the the world of beavers and all the folks who champion (from trappers, to enthusiasts, to scientists, to everyday people) this most important keystone species. The focus is on North America, and Connecticut more specifically, but the author does a great job outlining the specie's ecological importance globally as well. Great book. It's at times light and full of adventure as the author tramps through swamps and other times very appropriately serious and academically detailed. Recommend.

My first romance. I met the author at her lovely little local bookshop. I like to support local and independent authors and asked her to recommend one that would serve as a gentle introduction to a crusty cynical old man. She handed me this novella, smiled, and exclaimed, “Even my husband enjoyed this. And hey, the guy is a geologist!” Sold. The story is breezy and fun and indeed the love interest is a geologist. Success! A romance that charmed this particularly crusty cynical old man. You'll enjoy it too. :)

A fellow writer handed me this book. She chuckled and said, “You only have to read the first chapter.”

Well. I read the first chapter. Then the rest of the book. I know it was supposed to be clumsy and bad, but ... I actually kinda liked it. Ha!

Is it often ridiculous? Oh yes. Like, Hallmark movie ridiculous, with enough melodrama to make a romance writer blush. The opening scene alone took WTF? to 11. Did the novel always make sense? Not a chance. Were there plot holes? Yup.

But ...

The writing at the line level mainly was pretty darn good. Zooming out, the structure was solid, and the pacing was on point. And the characters ... at least some of them were interesting.

All this book needed was an editor with the power to say “No.”

So. Fun read. Don't expect a lot and you may enjoy it. Think of it as a romance writer attempting to write suspense, which should set the right expectations.

Happy reading, folks.

The writing conveys a very creepy Lovecraftian vibe, but set in modern times. Really very unique and otherworldly.

My only criticism (a quibble, really) is that the characters were So. Very. Sarcastic. All of the time. Distracting and it made the tone a bit juvenile. Still, it's an excellent read. Recommend.

P.S. You'll find plenty of antlions in North Carolina, and really most temperate and warmer parts of the world. ... You'll understand when you read the book. Heh.

The language is dated making it hard to read and hard to absorb its moments of brilliance. But there are moments of brilliance. A great and not so great book all at the same time. I will be thinking about this whale for some time... and that says something.

Ghosts. Faeries. Old houses....
And intrigue. And romance. And mystery. Even a bit of politics.

Ms. Beall's prior book in this series, Seven Turns, was marked by just how fun it was. It also had some truly great characters, all set in a town that was a character all its own.

The 2nd in this series takes all that and cranks it up a few notches. Even more on the line. Even more intertwined plotlines. Even more references to classic rock... And just as fun! Her characters become your friends and neighbors. As a reader you will fully immerse yourself into this community.

Oh! And it is funny! A lovely dry sense of humor permeates the whole series.

This is a great book. Recommend!

Finished! What a great and unique series. Wallace, @[email protected],  really knows how to paint a picture on the page. A fantasy, but without being a fantasy. Steampunkish, scifi-ish, fantasy-ish. Recommend. I even more highly recommend this series for folks who don't normally read series (like myself), and for folks who crave fantasy (-ish) written for adults (like myself).

Also notable: this series showcases female, non-binary, and LGBTQ+ empowerment in case that is a deciding factor for you.

And I can't say it often enough: the covers are bitchin'. :) #SavageRebellionTrilogy

This is the capstone for a superb trilogy that is just so much fun. Ms. Beall weaves a tale of romance and ghosts and legacy and old houses and ... oh, just go read it. It's got a gothic vibe that is so rare anymore. A rare treat indeed.

Recommend.