One of my favourite 'in Death' books, where Eve has to travel back to Dallas and learns more about her past than she would have liked. (Some parts of One of my favourite 'in Death' books, where Eve has to travel back to Dallas and learns more about her past than she would have liked. (Some parts of this book are really hard to read, but Galahad!)
I should preface this review by saying that the book was written by a friend of mine, any of whose writing I have enjoyed and admired so I was expectiI should preface this review by saying that the book was written by a friend of mine, any of whose writing I have enjoyed and admired so I was expecting great things from this novel - and I was not disappointed. I would really rate this a 4.5 because it had everything I'm looking for in a YA fantasy. There was a young female protagonist who was not perfect, a best friend, a new friend that she defended even after certain events happened, love for her parents, but still not a perfect child. There was mystery, adventure, magic of different kinds, character growth and non-bratty young people, as well as exciting world-building - and even a couple of inside nods to people we know.
I have bought extra copies to give to relatives and friends and recommended it to others - and now we have to wait until September 2013 for the second book!!
August 2013 - Just re-read this book before starting the sequel and enjoyed it just as much as the first time. ...more
I am really enjoying the books written by Iris and her son Roy. It was lovely to see Hannah and Kirov and Melis back again - and to see Connor's son gI am really enjoying the books written by Iris and her son Roy. It was lovely to see Hannah and Kirov and Melis back again - and to see Connor's son growing up way too fast, but adorable....more
Yay for new Iris Johansen books - this one out in paperback and the next one just got from the library in hardcover. Although Eve Duncan & Joe Quinn dYay for new Iris Johansen books - this one out in paperback and the next one just got from the library in hardcover. Although Eve Duncan & Joe Quinn don't appear in the book, they are mentioned and it carries on somewhat from her last book. This one fills in a lot of the back story of Catherine Ling while it serves up another suspenseful adventure....more
As a long-time viewer of Lloyd Robertson, following him from CBC to CTV, I really enjoyed the story of his lengthy career. He comes across in the bookAs a long-time viewer of Lloyd Robertson, following him from CBC to CTV, I really enjoyed the story of his lengthy career. He comes across in the book the same way he has done on TV all these years - gentle but firm, caring deeply about our country (Canada) and the people in it. I was sorry to see him leave as anchor of the national news last year as I'd been watching him my whole adult life, but I'm glad he went out on top and of his own volition. Of course he's still around on W5 and he always makes me smile when I see him.
Seeing the country that I love through his eyes and the public events that have shaped our history that I remember was enjoyable to me and I think to anyone interested in the history of our country over the past 30 years or more. It was fitting that I finished this on Remembrance Day....more
I found this book frustrating in that it did much more explaining than was necessary. Some of it was repititious and some would have been better off bI found this book frustrating in that it did much more explaining than was necessary. Some of it was repititious and some would have been better off being 'shown' rather than told. The main character's feelings had to be told, though, because for me they didn't feel real. None of the characters seemed more than two-dimensional. I liked the cat, of course, and the fact it could communicate with the main character was interesting but even that wasn't explored very well.
It was okay and I read it to the end but probably won't read any more if it's a series....more
I read this one out of order - for some reason I missed it - and yet the next book made sense to me. I enjoyed it, although I found the first half a bI read this one out of order - for some reason I missed it - and yet the next book made sense to me. I enjoyed it, although I found the first half a bit slow with all the explaining she was doing. I did like all the interaction with her family. On the other hand, it felt as if there were a book missing.
I liked this book about young Percy who has a hidden past and talents and his quest. I'll be reading more in the series.I liked this book about young Percy who has a hidden past and talents and his quest. I'll be reading more in the series....more
For me, this book would have benefitted from a lot of cutting. The author is a historian and it shows in the detailed descriptions of everything from For me, this book would have benefitted from a lot of cutting. The author is a historian and it shows in the detailed descriptions of everything from what they were eating or wearing to what they were discussing. I felt no affinity for the characters and by the time I got through the first third of the book I was tired of them.
I have to admit that for me, unless the book is very well-written, narration in the first person distances me from the story. ...more
I read this book while proofreading it for the author who is a friend, so it was a different reading experience than I usually have, plus I don't usuaI read this book while proofreading it for the author who is a friend, so it was a different reading experience than I usually have, plus I don't usually connect as well when a book is written in first person. That said, there is plenty going on in this book - vampires and werewolves (or are they?) and humans in a mix. There is murder and romance and travel and very good-looking 'people'....more
As others have said, I wasn't sure where Iris Johansen's Eve Duncan series would go after they finally found Bonnie, which was the impetus for all thaAs others have said, I wasn't sure where Iris Johansen's Eve Duncan series would go after they finally found Bonnie, which was the impetus for all that books that came before. However, Johansen found a way - by introducing a new character with close ties to Eve and by leaving the door slightly ajar at the end of the book.
As with most of her books, it was fast-paced and hard to put down. I will be waiting eagerly for the next in the series....more
This series just keeps getting better and better. Charley has a very quirky sense of humour which I love and, in spite of being written in the first pThis series just keeps getting better and better. Charley has a very quirky sense of humour which I love and, in spite of being written in the first person, I totally engage in the books. I usually find them hard to put down.
Each book has its own mystery for her to solve as a PI, but is also a continuation of the overall arc. Charley learns more about her life and who and what she is in every book and this one brought some startling revelations about her and her abilities.
I'm looking forward to the next one in the series....more
An interesting premise, but I found the two main characters - 11 and 13 year-old siblings - to be obnoxious, thoughtless and uncaring. As one reviewerAn interesting premise, but I found the two main characters - 11 and 13 year-old siblings - to be obnoxious, thoughtless and uncaring. As one reviewer said, at least in Harry Potter when they disobeyed or flaunted rules, there was a good reason for it. These two, especially young Seth, deliberately breaks rules just because he wants to, even after his grandfather (finally!) explains what's going on.
I read a lot of YA literature, but this is aimed at younger children and it just didn't keep my interest.
*SPOILER* Also, I'm not a fan of zoos or aquariums, so the thought of buying and trading faery creatures for the magical preserve just grated on me....more
This book is funny - laugh out loud in some places - and yet it has a number of kernels of truth to it. It's a fast read and the right time for a lot This book is funny - laugh out loud in some places - and yet it has a number of kernels of truth to it. It's a fast read and the right time for a lot of their points, of course, but I'm afraid they are probably mostly preaching to the converted....more
I actually missed reading a chunk of action in the latter section of the book because I had to get it back to the library (I had been reading the longI actually missed reading a chunk of action in the latter section of the book because I had to get it back to the library (I had been reading the longer books first), but I read the last chapter and I gathered enough information to figure out what I had missed - mostly more fighting with magic and swords. It was a good read with Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty as fighting princesses, going to rescue the prince. I'm not sure I'll read any more in the series though....more
I wanted to like this book because two people I follow on Goodreads whose opinion I respect - and usually agree with - gave it five stars. I would proI wanted to like this book because two people I follow on Goodreads whose opinion I respect - and usually agree with - gave it five stars. I would probably give it 2.5 if we could because for the most part I enjoyed it.
It was not a book I couldn't put down and I didn't feel particularly close to any of the characters. The world Williams set up was different and interesting but I didn't care enough about the main character. A lot of the book felt as if the story was just reeling from one knockdown-drag-'em-out fight to another, often with not much thought behind it (on the part of the main character). I had to skip through the sex scenes because I was so turned off by the description of the female partner and although I *was* convinced that Bobby was obsessed with her, I didn't see how he could love her as I didn't find her a sympathetic character at all.
I didn't feel that I wasted my time reading this book (as I did with another one I read this week) but I doubt if I will be picking up the next book in the series....more
This may be one of my favourite Eve Dallas books. Each one delves a little deeper into her past and its effects on her and cements her relationship wiThis may be one of my favourite Eve Dallas books. Each one delves a little deeper into her past and its effects on her and cements her relationship with Rourke, and to only a slightly lesser extent, her relationships to Peabody, other cops and her friends. She's come along way since the first book. In spite of the horrendous murders that take place in this book and previous ones, these people are ones I want to spend time with - and am sorry to leave at the end of the book.
Can't wait for #36! (September 23, 2012)
I have now read #36 but had to reread all of them, which I have just finished doing.
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