Percy Jackson is a consistently good series that gets better with each book as the storyline develops, questions get answered and more mysteries are rPercy Jackson is a consistently good series that gets better with each book as the storyline develops, questions get answered and more mysteries are revealed. This story deals with the Greek myth of the labyrinth, and in a very creative way. I like how Riordan takes the myths and has created a novel story on top of it. It's full of laughs, but also some very poignant moments. And it seems like things are getting quite dark as the series progresses. Always great to hang out with Percy, Annabelle, Grover, Tyson, and the other Demigod kids. And yes, there is a minotaur, sort of. One of my favorite JV/Middle Grade series. The audiobook narrator Jesse Burnstein always does a good job.
Merged review:
Percy Jackson is a consistently good series that gets better with each book as the storyline develops, questions get answered and more mysteries are revealed. This story deals with the Greek myth of the labyrinth, and in a very creative way. I like how Riordan takes the myths and has created a novel story on top of it. It's full of laughs, but also some very poignant moments. And it seems like things are getting quite dark as the series progresses. Always great to hang out with Percy, Annabelle, Grover, Tyson, and the other Demigod kids. And yes, there is a minotaur, sort of. One of my favorite JV/Middle Grade series. The audiobook narrator Jesse Burnstein always does a good job....more
To me, this wasn't as good as other Cole and Pike books, but it was still good. I think Crais is a darn good writer, even when the storyline isn't thaTo me, this wasn't as good as other Cole and Pike books, but it was still good. I think Crais is a darn good writer, even when the storyline isn't that exciting. For me, it's about the characters and how they work through the situation. Although I'm Team Pike, I really enjoy Elvis. He's a cool guy, and very laidback, almost Zen. But at the same time, the bad guys underestimate that about him, to their disadvantage. He's an extremely good detective, and a huge part of that is how he interacts with people. Being a keen observer of human nature is a tool in his arsenal. He also shows concern and empathy that he employs with his clients and those that he helps.
Let's be honest, a guy who has a cat almost always is a decent guy. And Elvis' cat is a temperamental, scarred up tomcat who hates everyone (except for Cole and Pike, sort of).
The henchmen also had an interesting dynamic. I mean, they were still awful, but the story about their time in Mexico, that added a lot of depth to them that they might have lacked otherwise. So, yes, the story wasn't all that exciting, I enjoyed it for the characters, main and secondary. And there's something oddly soothing about the narrator's voice as he reads the story....more
This is basically a collection of stories that Neil Gaiman, a lifelong admirer of Norse Mythology, curated that tell some of the most characteristic (This is basically a collection of stories that Neil Gaiman, a lifelong admirer of Norse Mythology, curated that tell some of the most characteristic (and frankly some that I never heard of) stories that he has come across in his study of the The Prose Edda and I believe other texts. Norse Mythology is so delightfully odd. The oddness is highlighted in an appealing way by Neil Gaiman's narration. He treats the stories with respect, and he really is an excellent narrator. I love that he narrates the audio for many if not all of his own books. One of the things I really appreciate about Neil Gaiman is that he's very much a geek and a booknerd like me. While he's such an incredibly talented, and credentialed writer, he seems very down to earth in the way that he communicates his love of narrative and storytelling.
I had forgotten about Ragnarok and how devastating it is. It's really distinct feeling how the gods face their fates in the Norse myths. I am not saying that I know all the world myths, but in my study of them, I feel that the Norse myths have such a concrete ending and that stands out to me. It's a bit of a downer, if I'm honest.
Reading the legends, myths and lore of a people tells you a lot about their values and their history. For that reason, it's not just an enjoyable exercise, it's a very educational one as well. For those who have an interest into exploring Norse mythology (perhaps their interest has been piqued by the movies and television shows that highlight some of the Norse myths and legends), this book is a nice and relatively short diving board into that rich content.
Side note: I'm reading Rick Riordan's Magnus Chase series (about a young man whose father is the Norse god Freyr), and I really appreciate how some of these stories give context to the ongoing story arcs and characters in that series. If one is looking for a more kid-friendly way to introduce Norse mythology to their children, I wouldn't recommend this book. It's quite adult. Magnus Chase would probably be better, although it does have some bits that might be too much for kids under 12 or 13....more
This is the first book in the series that I felt I needed to think seriously about giving a five star rating, although I do feel like some aspects of This is the first book in the series that I felt I needed to think seriously about giving a five star rating, although I do feel like some aspects of the conclusion were a bit of a cop-out. I think that the five star rating seems right to me because of the fact that this book successfully completes Quentin's ongoing character arc. He has come a very long way from the unlikable, immature guy he was in the first book. I think the strength of this book is seeing that the crap that Quentin has gone through has shaped him into a more mature, composed, confident, decisive, empathetic, and compassionate man. It's interesting to see Quentin as a 30-year-old through others' eyes. He realizes that while Fillory will always have a special place in his life, he can have a full life without living in Fillory. He also has some resolution on his seemingly doomed relationship with Alice.
Quentin starts out this book in a dark place. He's banned from Fillory for life, and has had to settle down and try to be as normal as a magician can be. He's even teaching at Brakebills. However, he's recruited for a magical caper and life makes it very clear that a normal life is not for him. And the crooked road leads him back to his great obsessions.
While Quentin is the heart of the novel, there are a lot of other things going on. This book, more than the other two (with the exception of Julia's narrative in The Magician King), has multiple stories with varied points of view. I really did appreciate how the story meanders into a variety of directions. They seem to be diversions but these digressions all flow together in the end. That, in itself was a feat.
I was a little thrown by the introduction of the character of Plum, but then I really appreciated her relationship with Quentin. I think that she balances out him in good ways, and I liked that in some ways she was like his apprentice. She could learn from Quentin's mistakes, but also she helped Quentin think outside of his own mental boxes. Plum, in some ways, is kind of a composite character of Quentin and Alice, with a smidge of Julia thrown in. Plum shares Quentin's sense of childlike devotion to an ideal, has the cynicism of the Physical Kids, and the isolation of Alice's character.
Other characters overall had good resolutions for their stories. I personally strongly dislike Julia (although I hate what happened to her.) Honestly, I was apathetic about her return. (view spoiler)[It feels kind of gimmicky that she's a demi-goddess, but I'm glad she's in a good emotional place now. I have some strong opinions about Julia's story that I would probably need to process before I could elucidate them in this review. I'll leave at it the fact that much is made of her character, and more than I think was warranted, and her appearance felt anti-climactic and a bit Deus ex machina to me. (hide spoiler)] I thought Janet's character got the development and storytime she needed. I feel a little more interested in her because I do like her character on the SyFy Channel tv show, and having started that show (I'm on the third season now), I view her as the actress Summer Bishil, instead of how she is written in the first two books. Honestly, I know see most of the characters looking like their actor choices in the tv show now.
I really like Eliot. I have to say that he's kind of my favorite character (both in the book and on the show). At first, I didn't get why he was the High King, but now I really believe it was the right choice to make. I liked how much of the story was devoted to his POV.
Alice is one of the more enigmatic characters. I actually liked her in the first book, which is saying something, because I didn't really anyone else. Her story seems to end in the first book. But that's not what happens. The rest is really interesting and complex, and I found that aspect very fascinating. I feel that Quentin's character arc relies very heavily on Alice, which is surprising, because it seems as though fate is throwing him back together with Julia. In the end, I feel that Quentin's tendency to become obsessive about the things that matter to him in his life has to be dealt with because he can have healthy relationships. I honestly believe that Alice deserved more development than she got in this series, but this book made me a lot more satisfied about how characterization.
Fillory itself, well, it's a huge character in this story in its own right. Fillory has been an shining ideal to Quentin, and something that he gave everything up to obtain, and lost anyway. But that doesn't mean that he won't sacrifice everything to save Fillory. Quentin, it turns out, has two great loves, Fillory and Alice, and those things motivate him to grow and to change throughout this series. Interestingly enough, it's as much about losing both as it is gaining them. It's true that you never know how much you've got until it's gone.
Readers who read the first book and weren't 100% sold, it's hard to say that they should stick with it, but it's absolutely the case. I enjoyed the first book, and I thought the writing was pretty solid, but I had an issue with how unlikable the characters were. I do feel that each character matures vastly over the course of the series. Since that was my biggest issue with the first book, I was very satisfied with the conclusion of the novel.
Are there things I thought could have been better? Yeah, a few. I do think the cynical tone is a bit much at times. That aside, Quentin's story ends perfectly for me, and that's why I was satisfied with this story. Also, the treatment of magic is impressive. It has surprises for me as a reader, but also has plenty of humor, but despite the cynicism, there's also a sense of wonder that a young me who was captivated with Narnia and other stories of magical worlds and beings can't help but be drawn to.
Yes, ultimately, five stars feels just right for me.
I can't wait to see what Lev Grossman comes up with next.
PS. The SyFy series is pretty awesome (at least through season 3, as far as I've gotten). Check it out....more
This took me two months to read because I was so darn busy. But it's a fantastic book. I loved everything about it. I enjoyed the almost fragmented waThis took me two months to read because I was so darn busy. But it's a fantastic book. I loved everything about it. I enjoyed the almost fragmented way the story is told, which reflects the somewhat fragmented consciousness of Jenny Aaron, a woman who was traumatized by a bust gone very wrong. She is five years out but has lost both her sight and her memory about important events. She will never regain her sight, but hopes to regain her memory. Her view of life is formed by her father's lessons and by her bushido philosophical beliefs. Her antagonist is her equal in every way, and that makes him a very dangerous adversary.
Cara Delaney, the adopted daughter of Eve Duncan and Joe Quinn, becomes the focus of a deranged man bent on revenge. When she's kidnapped, Eve, Joe, tCara Delaney, the adopted daughter of Eve Duncan and Joe Quinn, becomes the focus of a deranged man bent on revenge. When she's kidnapped, Eve, Joe, their brilliant, atypical young son Michael, and Jock Gavin (there are unrequited feelings between him and Cara) work to get her back safe. This book is nonstop suspense, and I loved that about it. Cara's fragile but also strong like a strand of silk. She's a great match for Jock, who has a very troubled past that has made him an extremely dangerous man. I hope there are more stories about these two, and the very fascinating Michael, who is mature beyond his years.
Not your typical historical fiction. I liked that it was about an African queen of legend, and there's plenty of mythology and folklore and magic inteNot your typical historical fiction. I liked that it was about an African queen of legend, and there's plenty of mythology and folklore and magic intertwined. Some aspects of the story I didn't care for, but it was certainly a well-written, involving story.
Okay so I read this on CD back in 2019 and I never got around to writing my review. I did a reread on Audible a few months ago, so this is a dual reviOkay so I read this on CD back in 2019 and I never got around to writing my review. I did a reread on Audible a few months ago, so this is a dual review.
My life is so blessed by this series. Evan Smoak is the hero I always wanted in my life. This is not an overstatement. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a bit obsessed with assassin fictional characters. I don't mean the type who kill just anyone for enough money, I like the ones who have some code they adhere to. Well Evan was taken out of a boy's group home at the age of twelve and "adopted" by his handler Jack Johns, who became his surrogate father that Evan adored as only a young child can adore their parental figure. He also taught him to be a formidable agent, to withstand untold pain, to learn how to kill in more ways than you could dream of, to be able to operate in any situation and realize that if you screwed up, you were on your own. And Even followed orders faithfully until he began to see that he wasn't necessary working for the good guys. So Evan dropped off the Orphan program radar and tried to live a 'normal' life and also became The Nowhere Man.
His story is expertly told in the first book (I have read the first three books, and I have the fourth one ready to start, hopefully this summer). Although each book manages to give readers a piece of the Evan Smoak puzzle, this book introduces a character that is surely beloved by many (including myself). It's told by flashback and also in present day. The excellent writing reveals a lethal weapon who also happens to be a deeply principled, conscientious man. He manages to be both an a way that in beautifully integrated. I love the idea of his work as The Nowhere Man. Think "The Equalizer" and you get a starting reference for Evan's practice, also he's a lot more brutal to the bad guys. But it's a way that is very easy to co-sign on. He is truly helping the helpless, the people who can't rely on the system or the police to help them. The folks who fall through the cracks.
There's a lot to love about this story, but one of the things I really loved other than the flawless character building, is the well-plotted narrative. Even though it takes some things that are pretty familiar to those who enjoy action suspense books, tv and movies, it's done in a way that feels innovative. There's plenty of gun play and description of weapons, but Hurwitz always makes it clear that the most deadly weapon is the mind. I think that it's easy to think of guns as a show of machismo and strength, but being well-armed doesn't always make you the hero or the strongest person. Evan has to do a lot of thinking and plotting to get out of the many sticky situations he encounters in this book. He deals with a fair amount of bullies and I think there is welcome commentary about that and how one can use their strength to protect others versus preying on helpless people.
At first I wasn't sure I liked the storyline about Mia and Peter, but then I realized how important it was to the evolution of Evan's character, and then I realized how much a piece of the puzzle their relationship with Evan was. The concept of him juggling all the aspect of his life at the same time really rang true although I'm hardly an assassin who is pretending to be an ordinary joe and who also helps people deal with unsolvable problems.
The action is on point and perfectly paced. The dialogue is authentic, and runs the gamut depending on the situations the characters are in. Hurwitz is very good at crafting characters of all sort, from the main character of Evan, who is perfectly nuanced and dimensional, to the incidental characters. Each interaction serving the story.
Some notes about the Audiobook: Scott Brick is a fantastic narrator. His voice is such a fine instrument. I believe he has nailed Evan Smoak and he transmits him brilliantly in the narration. He also does an excellent job at the other characters. He transmits the menace of the bad guys and the vulnerability of the people that Evan helps. As well as the distinctive supporting characters, including young Peter and Tommy Stojack, Evan's armorer. I think that Scott Brick really sold these books to me, to the point that I have to listen to the audiobooks now, even though I know eventually I will read them as prose as well.
The Orphan X series is now become a point of comparison for me that I use for other action suspense series, and that's a good thing in most cases, except when I read a book that doesn't measure up. I definitely recommend this book and the entire series....more
I like that SK started a newer series that is diverging from the Dark Hunters. I liked the pirate theme and motif. However, I do feel like it was a biI like that SK started a newer series that is diverging from the Dark Hunters. I liked the pirate theme and motif. However, I do feel like it was a bit one-note and a bit too samey as her Dark-Hunter books. I was fairly interested, and I wanted to see where the story went. As always, I enjoyed her dialogue and the snark that is freely traded between the characters. I was surprised about who ended being the couple. I thought it was going to be someone different. I would continue this series, but clearly two years later, it hasn't been a priority for me....more
I saw the animated movie first and that's what perked my interest in this book. I loved the idea of Hulk as the hero and the savior. In the Avengers wI saw the animated movie first and that's what perked my interest in this book. I loved the idea of Hulk as the hero and the savior. In the Avengers world, he's consider the big gun weapon who's hard to control. He was betrayed by his companions and marooned on a planet that was on surface inhospitable.
He's the ultimate unlikely hero, and very noble and tragic, in fact.
In this story, the reader gets to see a more thoughtful Hulk who is valued for more than just the havoc he can wreak. His blood literally is the stuff of life on Planet Sakaar. He is fated to save the people from unjust tyrant and to lead a revolution to liberate the people.
The worldbuilding is fantastic, with such a rich background for the different races and the creatures that live on Sakaar. The volume I read had a long appendix that explained everything, but I honestly got bored with it and didn't finish reading it. It's not necessary. The writing in the novel is so good, you don't need the backstory and explanations, to be honest.
I've grown to love Hulk and this book is a big part of that evolution. I would love to read more Hulk volumes as see this layered complex character in his best light. ...more
I listened to this one a while ago. It was pretty good. I didn't quite like it as much as the first book, but I think the monotone voice of the narratI listened to this one a while ago. It was pretty good. I didn't quite like it as much as the first book, but I think the monotone voice of the narrator was a factor. A narrator makes or breaks an audiobook. I didn't get into the story quite as much as the first book. I still find Victor an intriguing character and he's extremely badass. And I do have to say, for a ruthless assassin, he has his own moral compass. Lots of globetrotting, and while Victor is highly formidable, he is in situations that felt sufficiently suspenseful, and didn't make his survive seem like a foregone conclusion. It has some pretty good action scenes and I could see this making a good action movie.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was definitely entertaining, and I enjoy Eddie and Nina as characters. Some parts felt kind of cheesy and coI have mixed feelings about this book. It was definitely entertaining, and I enjoy Eddie and Nina as characters. Some parts felt kind of cheesy and corny, and the action wasn't as well described as I would like. Admittedly some of the action scenes were pretty great. Others did nothing for me. I feel like the first book was a much stronger book. This book has villains that are campy but really evil and mean as well. As far as the overall story, that was fairly satisfying, with some really neat twists that I didn't expect at all.
Nina and Eddie's relationship is in a rocky place in this book. They have grown apart as Nina's job has taken on a more administrative role that keeps her out of the field and doing a lot of schmoozing. Eddie's not happy. He's a man of action, and as Nina's bodyguard, he's not doing much guarding. He doesn't feel like Nina respects him or even likes him. When his ex-wife asks for his help, he's ripe for her overtures, and that leads to a lot of trouble.
I get a real kick out of Eddie. He's very authentic and seems like a great guy to know. He's going to keep it real all the time.
I did like that the storyline relies heavily on the dynamics of Eddie's present relationship with Nina and his past relationship with his ex-wife Sophia. I did think his treatment of Nina was very harsh, although he did have some reasons for how he felt about things. To be honest, I was never fond of Sophia. I'll leave it at that. I like Nina a lot and I think she's really good for Eddie. I didn't like that they were fighting at all.
As far as the Hercules' Tomb search, it felt too much like an afterthought and was rather anticlimatic. I wanted more of this aspect, and I was hoping for a supernatural twist, me being me.
I am probably judging this book harshly because I started it shortly after I read the latest Agent X book, which I think is one of the best thriller/suspense/action series out now. However, I do think this book had a lot of room for improvement. Having said that, I'm excited to continue the series, because I really like Eddie and Nina as a couple and as characters.
I listened to the audiobook of this narrated by Jay Snyder and it was excellent. It's been a while since I read The Gray Man, so I was a little rusty I listened to the audiobook of this narrated by Jay Snyder and it was excellent. It's been a while since I read The Gray Man, so I was a little rusty on some details, but the book does a pretty good job of catching you up.
Court is a compelling character, undoubtedly a stone cold killer, but one with a moral compass. He started out as a CIA assassin and went private sector when he got burned, and when the book begins, he's four months out recovering from a standoff with his former employers at the CIA. Unfortunately, he has developed an opioid addiction that he somehow manages to keep in check for the most part. Now, he's having to take some assignments that aren't ideal. Gray Man gets picked up by a Russian gangster who wants him to do a hit on a certain leader in a certain country, and while he could say no, it wouldn't be exactly healthy for him. His former team commander contacts him to take the hit and turn it into a kidnapping, and that's when things get very interesting.
This book takes place over about a week, and it's practically nonstop action. Having said that, Greaney also leaves time for some introspection and character development with Court. While Court knows he's a killer, he knows right and wrong and would never be considered a psychopath or a monster, and he's far from sociopathic. When confronted with the genocide and ruthless murder and abuse of the black peoples of the Sudan, he wants to do something about it, even when it complicates his life greatly. He also has to save a woman who is in the wrong place at a terrible time. Court assumes responsibilities to keep her safe that involve killing others, and stands tall in the face of her judgmentalism about it. I personally was pretty annoyed at the woman. She was making some really stupid decisions and when Court risks his own mission to keep her ass safe, she's all up in his face calling him a monster. That conflict was interesting because it is timely with a lot of really profound evil going on in the world. When do our actions represent giving in to evil and compromising ourselves versus being a weapon for finding a rough sense of justice and ultimately helping others, admittedly through dark means?
Court is put into situations where he interacts with others who have the opportunity to assess his character, and most of them have huge character flaws of their own. I hope that there is some closure with the mob boss who hired Court. That dude needs to be dealt with.
I really like how Court has to get himself out of really tough situations using his training, skills and ingenuity. Also how he makes tough, untenable choices. He knew what it meant when he decided to go against his commander's order. It was a tough decision that would make his life hell and things even worse for him than they were when everything started, but he made it anyway. He continues to do this through the rest of the book. Court is the kind of hero you root for to kick ass but also to save the day and to keep himself and others safe, even knowing he's an assassin (although I really like assassin heroes, so that's not an issue for me (as long as they aren't sociopathic or psychopathic monsters who enjoy hurting others).
The action scenes were very well written and cinematic. I felt like I was watching this on a movie screen. There weren't any cardboard character. Even the lesser developed characters still have some depth to them. His old commander, Hightower is an a***&%$%! And says some really racist stuff too. While the woman that Court helps annoyed me, I think that Greaney did show her growth in understanding of who Court was and what motivates him. Greaney gives a nuanced perspective on the situation in the Sudan and how it relates to the geopolitical current events with China and Russia (how they are exploiting Africa for resources, deliberately causing strife and destruction to facilitate this processes) , and not necessarily showing the Americans and the good guys who do the right things for the right reason.
I would have liked more closure on Court's health situation near the end of the book, but I have to assume that's all okay. I really hope he kicks the opioid addiction very soon.
This is a really excellent follow up to "The Gray Man." I already downloaded Ballistic so I can listen to it very soon....more
A satisfying conclusion to The Chosen Ones series. Dodd did a great job evolving Aleksander from the young boy to the mature man, as well as Charisma A satisfying conclusion to The Chosen Ones series. Dodd did a great job evolving Aleksander from the young boy to the mature man, as well as Charisma from the alienated goth teen. The series has a unique angle from many paranormal series that I have read. While I liked the romance between Charisma and Aleksandr, I equally enjoyed having the other Chosen Ones as prominent characters in this book. It made me want to reread their stories. Also loved the brief cameos from the older Wilder men and women, as that series was even more beloved by me. Some parts felt a little silly but others are very well written and exciting, with some fantastic imagery. The aspects of human nature at its most monstrous really hit home with me. Evil is spiritual but human hearts open themselves up to it, and that's very evident in this novel. I always enjoy a good beauty and the beast storyline, so it was nice to see one unfold in Wilder. Sadly, all good things have to come to an end.
Listened to audiobook between 1/2019 and 3/2019. Robert Petkoff is an excellent audiobook narrator. He's great at accents and equally skilled at portrListened to audiobook between 1/2019 and 3/2019. Robert Petkoff is an excellent audiobook narrator. He's great at accents and equally skilled at portraying male and female characters. He made each personality distinctive. This is still one of my all time favorites in the series.
Previous Review Below-----------
I loved this book! This was worth waiting for, even though it was a long wait for it to come out in paperback. I can say that the hours spent reading it were truly enjoyable. It's true that I am a huge fan of this series, but it never gets old for me. I do believe this is one of the best paranormal series out there, hands down! It has a lot of sex, so I wouldn't recommend it to a fantasy fan who doesn't like sex, but I feel that the world-building stands up to muster for a fantasy novel as well. I think that this story keeps expanding in ways that intrigue and fascinate me. I am happily surprised at all the twists and turns Cole gives this storyline.
Lothaire totally lived up to his potential. He is all that and more. I think that Cole did a great job of giving this character a romance without compromising who he was. Lothaire will always be a bad guy. He is just a bad guy who sometimes does the right thing. Kind of different and it worked for me! I have a sick fascination weakness for villainous/antiheroic types, and Lothaire is the top of the list!
Things I loved about Lothaire *Lothaire stays true to his character. He doesn't become a Stepford Hero just because he finds his true love. He is always going to be Lothaire, just Lothaire in love. *He cracks me up. I know he's not trying to be funny. He's just being him, but his way of twisting his words to get around his physiological demand to be truthful, and his sheer arrogance, results in some laugh out loud, snarkalicious comments. I can imagine Ms. Cole cracked herself and her editor up reading as she wrote it. I know she cracked me up. *I love a wickedly intelligent guy. My Achilles' heel. Lothaire is such a calculating dude. Always working all the angles. It was interesting to see how others reacted to him. Many hated him, some were scared witless by him, and some admired him (in a "I hate him" kind of way). No one was 'meh' about him. *Lothaire actually wants to be faithful to his Bride.
Things I loved about Elizabeth *She's very tough considering all that she went through. (Shudders) I can't imagine having that awful thing taking over my body committing those horrible acts with it. And then, where she spent five years! That was so dark! *She's so down to earth. I love a down to earth heroine. She's very proud of her humble root, loves her family, and is unshakably loyal. *She holds her own with Lothaire. Maybe she doesn't have thousands of years of experience or his incredible, immortal strength, but she has a snarky tongue, plenty of intelligence, and a big heart.
Things I loved about this book *Kresley Cole never tries to sell this as a normal people/functional romance. From the beginning, it's clear that this is not for the faint of heart. Lothaire is not a kind, loving, good-hearted boy next door. He is the Enemy of Old. Ellie is not the normal girl next door with a sweet, happy existence. Her life was tough since she was young, and it turns into a living hell when she's eighteen, and things just get worse. Despite that, I found it to be a sigh-worthy romance. I don't want a Lothaire of my own, but I sure did like reading about his romance with Ellie! *Lothaire has met his match in Ellie. Although he tried to walk all over her, he finds out the hard way that's not going to fly. Ellie proves to be a dangerous woman in her own right. If you have read this, you'll find out. *I didn't find this to be predictable. I had my ideas about how things would work out, but I was wrong! In fact, I was thrown a loop a time or two. I love how Cole turns all the endgame goals of Lothaire on their heads. *Freaking hilarious. Despite the very dark beginning and dark subject matter, there is much to enjoy and laugh about this book. *Smoking hot love scenes. I mean, wow! (thinks about the scenes and wipes forehead) *This world is endlessly fascinating and entertaining. All the different characters and how their immortal lives intersect. I like seeing the plots come together and overlap. With each book, I just want more.
Over five hundred pages of fantastic goodness. And when it ended, I was sad. I want to read it over again, but no time. Good thing I am planning on an Immortals After Dark series reread early next year!
Thumbs Way Up!!! This is a Goodread For Sure!...more
Actually a lot weirder than the movies, and that's saying something!
Previous Review:
It was really interesting to read the comic fReread: January 2019:
Actually a lot weirder than the movies, and that's saying something!
Previous Review:
It was really interesting to read the comic for Hellboy after seeing the movie first and so many years ago. It's no secret how much I love Hellboy. I am eternally grateful to the Guillermo Del Toro movie (made with Mignola as his concept and art designer) for introducing me to this wonderful character and world where dark folklore has a vivid life (with some added humor). I think that seeing the movie first did affect my rating. I hate to say this, but I think the movie was more dramatic in many ways than the graphic novel. Maybe that's a good thing that Del Toro and Mignola collaborated so well to make such a fantastic cinematic vision that cemented unforgettable imagery in my brain. Having said that, I did enjoy this graphic novel version.
The storyline is actually quite different in several ways. It was darker (if that is possible), and Professor Bruttenholm (pronounced Broom)'s fate is harder to accept in the graphic novel (I felt it was more poetic in the movie). Having said that, the graphic novel should stand alone, and should be respected for what it is, especially considering that this is the first full-length collection in the series (a few preliminary shorts notwithstanding), and a very strong foundation for a series that has branched out into so many different media (I am still keeping fingers crossed for a TV show).
Hellboy is quite a leading man. His origins are as dark as one can imagine, but he rises above that to be more. That's a moral in itself. Another way in which the movie excels because you can see that pathos played out in the excellent acting of Ron Perlman as Hellboy in the movie and in his relationship with his mentor, who is played by John Hurt. (Okay, stop talking about the movie!!) Anyway, his wisecracks and his power punches add some levity to the dark storyline. Hellboy does get beat up a lot in this book, and I love the line "Gonna be sore in the morning." I love this big, red guy.
Also appearances by Liz Sherman (who has her own angst to deal with), and Abe Sapien. Together, the make a good team.
The villain is nasty with a capital N. His master plan very dark and foul, but he had Hellboy all wrong, because Hellboy is no one's tool. and neither is Liz Sherman.
I do feel that this graphic novel suffered from having insufficient dialogue/text. The panels tell a lot of the story, which isn't bad. Again, I think it comes from having watched the movie first. Ultimately, I have to give this 4.5 stars, not only because of what's there in this graphic novel, but what it has created in the creative arena, and the impact that this series has had on my literary life. Not a small one.
I stand by the assertion that Mignola is a literary hero of mine. I will not be moved from that....more
This is an sprawling, epic read and I found it very entertaining. I listened to the audiobook, which I would recommend. The narrator has a British accThis is an sprawling, epic read and I found it very entertaining. I listened to the audiobook, which I would recommend. The narrator has a British accent, but he also manages to change his cadence and intonation very well to convey the many, many characters. Deathstalker is a space opera set in a space empire currently under a merciless tyrant with no regard for life. It has a lot of gore and some sexual content. The characters run the gamut from slightly heroic to invidiously villainous. It demonstrates Simon R. Green's keen imagination in coming up with some very strange and fascinating subject matter. His vision of a future where people regularly travel from planet to planet, are capable of sky's the limit genetic engineering, and feats of artificial intelligence invention, is often nightmarish. He also manages to bring an interesting archaism to the world-building, with a sword and sandals feel in which one of the planets has gladiatorial games. There are characters who are essentially warlords with spaceships. Additionally, many of the big families fight duels with each other, in the style of 17-18th century Europe. And throw in some weird monsters and humanoids with highly developed extra-sensory abilities. Oh, and a nice forbidden love story as well, with a Romeo and Juliet meets The Scarlet Pimpernel angle. There's something for everyone in this book. I would warn those who are sensitive to descriptive gore because there's a fair amount in this book. Some scenes are not for the squeamish.
Definitely worth the money for an audiobook because it is quite long. I plan on continuing this series....more
Danielle The Book Huntress
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Books:
2019-action-adventure-aficionados-c
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