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pelicanfreak's reviews
2209 reviews
Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This one was fun—initially it was far more intriguing and gripping than ‘Wicked’, though it did grow rather slow-paced.
Still, I enjoyed some of the war strategy, and Liir’s adventurous travels, and a look at his inner narrative, which proved rather interesting.
Elphaba was rather loved in some circles, outside of the munkinfolk and I found that sadly satisfying as well.
Honestly, I loved the ending and it made me feel a NEED to read on into this series. I’d been waffling right up until that ending.
Audio:
Really, really great, almost sounded like full cast!
Worth sticking around for the author interview afterwards also!
Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I loved Cornwell and Scarpetta when I was much younger—in my teens and twenties. Having gotten away from a lot of mainstream reads, due to being busy with indie authors’ books, I haven’t picked up one of these in probably 15 or 20 years, so I wanted to see if I’d still enjoy them. I’ve found that a lot of my favorite authors from when I was younger just bore me now.
Scarpetta is always a fun lead to have, I remember what I liked about reading her POV as a kid was that I learned a lot. Re-binging this book, I’m realizing that this is where I learned a lot and maybe become more interested in CJ (which is interesting as I did later go on to major in it).
Enough about that—onto the book at hand…
“The dead have never bothered me—it’s the living I fear.”
While there is more ‘telling’ than I’d like, as I prefer being ‘shown’ these days, it did hold my interest—I love a good mystery read.
Police procedural.
Serial killer on the loose.
Sexism in the workplace.
Female lead in male-dominated professions.
*Will possibly re-read more into this series.
Audio:
The audio is fine—overall smooth sound quality. The narrator isn’t the best I’ve heard but she did fine. 4 stars.
Champagne and Lemon Drops by Jean Oram
3.0
Completely, category-wise out of my comfort zone. Yet, it still managed to suck me in right away and now I must have the next in the series. Well done, Ms. Oram. Usually words like "chick lit" and "romance" send me running in the other direction but I am partial to small-town life. Surprisingly, this book drew me in before getting to the small-town introductions. Recommend. Good, quick read.
Dying To Forget by Trish Marie Dawson
5.0
Couldn't put down ... then immediately had to purchase #2 in this series and boy was I relieved to see that #3 just dropped as well as someone who is DYING for the third installment of Dawson's Find Me Series.
The book starts off on a predictable note but turns unpredictable within just a few pages. Piper Willow is special; that much we can tell right away but I'm still into book 2 and haven't found out exactly how/ what makes her special. Not only is this an impossible-to-put-down page turner but, this can completely help those who have lost people to suicide. Trish describes a completely plausible and detailed explanation of where they go and what they are doing - and it's damn good, like they took themselves from us because others need them more.... without giving anything away - I guess that's all I'll say here. Other than: read it. I personally promise you'll love it, 'young adult' or not.
The book starts off on a predictable note but turns unpredictable within just a few pages. Piper Willow is special; that much we can tell right away but I'm still into book 2 and haven't found out exactly how/ what makes her special. Not only is this an impossible-to-put-down page turner but, this can completely help those who have lost people to suicide. Trish describes a completely plausible and detailed explanation of where they go and what they are doing - and it's damn good, like they took themselves from us because others need them more.... without giving anything away - I guess that's all I'll say here. Other than: read it. I personally promise you'll love it, 'young adult' or not.
Dying to Remember by Trish Marie Dawson
5.0
Annoyingly, yet brilliantly typical of Trish, this book leaves us hanging - badly. When I finished this, I had to jump right on amazon and buy the next installment. That means I not only couldn't put it down but couldn't stop even when the book stopped.
I'm painfully waiting for the third installment of her Find Me series as I write this, I know other fans of TMD are with me here.
Without spoiling anything, this book is an amazing read. A great continuance of Dying to Forget, #1 in the Station Series - it elaborates on what happens to suicide victims and opened my mind ( and hopefully yours too) to other worlds and realms. This book kept me intrigued while causing me to think which is a wonderful gift Trish has.
READ THIS SERIES - you will not be sorry. You might find yourself thinking about all kinds of things you previously thought impossible, OR even - helped. If you've lost someone or been suicidal yourself, you've got all the more reason to read this series.
While it is fiction -it is mind-opening.
I'm painfully waiting for the third installment of her Find Me series as I write this, I know other fans of TMD are with me here.
Without spoiling anything, this book is an amazing read. A great continuance of Dying to Forget, #1 in the Station Series - it elaborates on what happens to suicide victims and opened my mind ( and hopefully yours too) to other worlds and realms. This book kept me intrigued while causing me to think which is a wonderful gift Trish has.
READ THIS SERIES - you will not be sorry. You might find yourself thinking about all kinds of things you previously thought impossible, OR even - helped. If you've lost someone or been suicidal yourself, you've got all the more reason to read this series.
While it is fiction -it is mind-opening.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
5.0
The perfect way to wrap up this hold-onto-your-seats, impossible-to-stop-thinking-about, series. Without spoiling for any kids who haven't gotten this far yet, I will say I am pleased overall with the survivors, and as the series was very well done, sad for the losses but they were done, in the book (not so much in the movies) with grace and care and the respect they deserve.
The entire point of the series comes out in the final pages of this last installment - it was left out of the movie so if you're a fan DO read the books. I will not post spoilers here, as I said but it is important.
Ms. Rowling's imagination and creativity here are heroic and often - yes, I'll say it - true to life. Thank you, Jo for the insight and for helping me to open my mind. Your books mean so much to my family. The movies do make for great watching when we can calm ourselves down about the cuts and changes - like any book-to-movie needs in order to fit onto film.
Read the entire series, in order - you'll never be disappointed. In fact, you won't be able to put it down. & if you keep an open mind, you might even learn some valuable things...
The entire point of the series comes out in the final pages of this last installment - it was left out of the movie so if you're a fan DO read the books. I will not post spoilers here, as I said but it is important.
Ms. Rowling's imagination and creativity here are heroic and often - yes, I'll say it - true to life. Thank you, Jo for the insight and for helping me to open my mind. Your books mean so much to my family. The movies do make for great watching when we can calm ourselves down about the cuts and changes - like any book-to-movie needs in order to fit onto film.
Read the entire series, in order - you'll never be disappointed. In fact, you won't be able to put it down. & if you keep an open mind, you might even learn some valuable things...
Qaddafi's Point Guard: The Incredible Story of a Professional Basketball Player Trapped in Libya's Civil War by Alex Owumi
4.0
This book will suck you in rather early, albeit with some cringe-worthy moments but Owumi's candor is important and refreshing. Alex survived thanks to more than one miraculous event and his own perseverance. As one reader who is adamantly against religion, I must say I did not mind one bit his attributing much of his tribulations and subsequent accomplishments to his deity. His honesty in all aspects of his experience is refreshing, as I stated and his story in general is one that everyone living in a developed nation, accustomed to all that encompasses - taking much of it for granted - should experience.
Please do read this, share it - it is important that we all become more aware of the events he had the misfortune to experience. Kudos to him for writing about all of it and therefore educating those who take the time to read his story.
Oh and you won't be sorry- as it is fascinating all the while.
Please do read this, share it - it is important that we all become more aware of the events he had the misfortune to experience. Kudos to him for writing about all of it and therefore educating those who take the time to read his story.
Oh and you won't be sorry- as it is fascinating all the while.
Conner by Miranda Stork
Right off the bat, I'm excited and drawn in by the sort of dark atmosphere. I mean this literally as it's a summer evening and the point of view is told from - we know not what ... yet. Some ideas come into place just as I am brought back to modern day and again pulled right in by the psychology professor whose ethics are more to my tune than the man who seeks her help. A not-so-subtle ethics debate is underlying as what appears to be a fascinating tale begins.
As I read on, the main character prompts me to wonder if he's what he says he is, or just a modern day Sybil. All the while the ethics question lingers and comes up repeatedly based on how he's being treated in his current facility. As I watch him transition back and forth the first few times, during his first examination by Dr. Miller, as Conner explains the incident that led to his incarnation, I cannot help but think of the line Jared Leto sings, "Tell me would you kill to save a life?" Read for yourself, you'll see what I mean & have your own opinions as to the 'right' answer to such a question.
Reading along I also thoroughly enjoy the author's references to pop culture, both classic and of my generation.
The adventure begins early into the book - I read it in one session, unable to put it down. An element of good vs. evil... or wait! Is it evil or only a group of people who aim to protect the planet & all of its inhabitants from the destruction we humans inflict? You'll have to read for yourself to see - you won't be sorry you did.
5.0
Right off the bat, I'm excited and drawn in by the sort of dark atmosphere. I mean this literally as it's a summer evening and the point of view is told from - we know not what ... yet. Some ideas come into place just as I am brought back to modern day and again pulled right in by the psychology professor whose ethics are more to my tune than the man who seeks her help. A not-so-subtle ethics debate is underlying as what appears to be a fascinating tale begins.
As I read on, the main character prompts me to wonder if he's what he says he is, or just a modern day Sybil. All the while the ethics question lingers and comes up repeatedly based on how he's being treated in his current facility. As I watch him transition back and forth the first few times, during his first examination by Dr. Miller, as Conner explains the incident that led to his incarnation, I cannot help but think of the line Jared Leto sings, "Tell me would you kill to save a life?" Read for yourself, you'll see what I mean & have your own opinions as to the 'right' answer to such a question.
Reading along I also thoroughly enjoy the author's references to pop culture, both classic and of my generation.
The adventure begins early into the book - I read it in one session, unable to put it down. An element of good vs. evil... or wait! Is it evil or only a group of people who aim to protect the planet & all of its inhabitants from the destruction we humans inflict? You'll have to read for yourself to see - you won't be sorry you did.