Another excellent entry into this series. Full of action, plot twists, and character development, whilst plumbing the depths of Greek mythology to finAnother excellent entry into this series. Full of action, plot twists, and character development, whilst plumbing the depths of Greek mythology to find Percy and friends some more mythological asses to kick....more
For a series called All The Wrong uestions, this book certainly doesn't answer very many. Whilst it is a more clear-cut story than Who Could That Be AFor a series called All The Wrong uestions, this book certainly doesn't answer very many. Whilst it is a more clear-cut story than Who Could That Be At This Hour? there are still lots of hints towards something much larger going on, with many plot threads going unanswered at the end of the book. Snicket's distinct humour and narrative style are ever-present, and I can't believe we have to wait a year for the next installment, but as usual he writes an entertaining yarn that keeps the suspense flowing and the characters engaging all the way through....more
Like the rest of the books, most of the action is reserved for the final quarter of the book, but the rest is full of interesting conversations and deLike the rest of the books, most of the action is reserved for the final quarter of the book, but the rest is full of interesting conversations and developments as B grapples with Doctor Oystein's view of the world and whether or not she can subscribe to his crusade against Mister Dowling when she doesn't believe the way he does, so it definitely holds the interest more than the last few books have....more
I have no damn idea what I feel about this book. I finished it this time yesterday, and I still haven't wrapped my head around the conclusion and whetI have no damn idea what I feel about this book. I finished it this time yesterday, and I still haven't wrapped my head around the conclusion and whether I enjoyed it or not. So we'll just go with the 3 star rating, which is pretty middle of the road. I do know that I'm in no rush to read The Kill Order, that's for sure. Very odd....more
An enjoyable sequel to the un-put-downable Maze Runner. Takes the characters in some interesting and unexpected directions, and manages to be a compleAn enjoyable sequel to the un-put-downable Maze Runner. Takes the characters in some interesting and unexpected directions, and manages to be a complete story whilst building on previous mysteries and introducing new ones. I just hope the final book resolves everything in a satisfying manner....more
A little lopsided, because there's much more story potential after the finale that isn't really explained whereas we spend a lot of time running towarA little lopsided, because there's much more story potential after the finale that isn't really explained whereas we spend a lot of time running towards danger in the first 7/8s of the book, but to be honest, this has one of the most epic conclusions to a series I've ever read, and I get chills every time I read the final few chapters. Now and forever one of my favourite fantasy series....more
Lirael and Abhorsen are basically two halves of the same book, so I feel it's unfair to judge this one on its own, but it certainly gets the ball rollLirael and Abhorsen are basically two halves of the same book, so I feel it's unfair to judge this one on its own, but it certainly gets the ball rolling, introducing our new characters and showing how far everyone (and the Kingdom) have come in the past few years since the events of Sabriel.
I like how it builds slowly, starting with a younger Lirael and bringing her through trials to become the woman she is at the end of the novel. Conversely, Sameth is a bit of a wet blanket, but the humour of the Disreputable Dog and Mogget easily outweighs his lack of a compelling nature.
Lirael's a good book on its own, but is definitely overshadowed by the epicness of Abhorsen, and the more straight forward storytelling of Sabriel - not that that means it's not a damn good read anyway, because it most certainly is....more
It's been a while since I read this book, but re-reading it now reminds me why I loved it in the first place. It's full of heart, a compelling page tuIt's been a while since I read this book, but re-reading it now reminds me why I loved it in the first place. It's full of heart, a compelling page turner, and has a very interesting way of viewing magic and its place in the world of the novel. Whilst it's not my favourite of the trilogy, Sabriel lays the groundwork nicely for what's to come whilst been an emotional and character driven story where the stakes are enormously high....more
Gripping, suspense-filled, and definitely a compelling read. I haven't blazed through a novel this quickly in quite some time, and was genuinely disapGripping, suspense-filled, and definitely a compelling read. I haven't blazed through a novel this quickly in quite some time, and was genuinely disappointed when I didn't have the next one in the series readily available. Now we begin the agonizing wait for Amazon to deliver it....more
Clockwork Prince left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth after its anticlimactic ending, so I was hoping the finale of the series would rectify that.
To Clockwork Prince left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth after its anticlimactic ending, so I was hoping the finale of the series would rectify that.
To a certain extent, it does, resolving the Mortmain plotline fairly well and allowing Tessa to be the hero of her own story. It's the love stories that get under my skin a bit.
First, there's the fact that pretty much everyone pairs off, with one couple coming out of nowhere as if they thought 'We're the only ones not getting it on, let's not be left out', and then the long standing triangle between Jem, Tessa, and Will is resolved in a way that just feels indecisive and awkward.
I do like how the Infernal Devices trilogy affects the Mortal Instruments, and vice versa right near the end, however I had much higher expectations for this trilogy that it didn't really meet, especially after such a good start with Clockwork Angel....more
I really enjoyed Clockwork Angel, so I was disappointed when Clockwork Prince wasn't as good. The story plods along nicely with some good twists, but I really enjoyed Clockwork Angel, so I was disappointed when Clockwork Prince wasn't as good. The story plods along nicely with some good twists, but then resolves Will's curse far too easily, and the final third is anti-climactic and bland, which is a shame. I hope Clockwork Princess finishes strongly....more
A very enjoyable prequel to The Mortal Instruments; it's fun to see the similarities between this and the main series, and the new time period settingA very enjoyable prequel to The Mortal Instruments; it's fun to see the similarities between this and the main series, and the new time period setting and perspective brings a new outlook that makes this feel very different but similar, if that makes sense. In fact, if this keeps up, I may end up enjoying The Infernal Devices more than The Mortal Instruments overall....more
It's all ramping up now as Sebastian makes his move, and Jace and Clary find their love in even more impossible situations.
Now that the icky incest pIt's all ramping up now as Sebastian makes his move, and Jace and Clary find their love in even more impossible situations.
Now that the icky incest plot is out of the way, the romance doesn't hinder the Shadowhunting, and the rest of the characters get their own subplots to deal with too, making this probably the most cohesive novel so far....more
Took a while to get into, especially since I felt the previous book wrapped everything up fairly neatly, but about 1/3 of the way in, I couldn't put tTook a while to get into, especially since I felt the previous book wrapped everything up fairly neatly, but about 1/3 of the way in, I couldn't put this down. Blazed through the final two thirds and the conclusion was especially good. Thank god I had City of Lost Souls lying around to move straight onto....more
I somehow had it in my head that this was the last book in the Iron Druid Chronicles - I'm very glad it's not.
With Atticus and Granuaile on almost eveI somehow had it in my head that this was the last book in the Iron Druid Chronicles - I'm very glad it's not.
With Atticus and Granuaile on almost even footing now, two protagonists (and Oberon, of course) make for even better reading than before. Plus, the plot is beginning to unravel as Atticus closes in on the one who has been pulling the strings, though every answered question leads to puzzling new ones. We also bid adieu to a beloved (well, maybe that's pushing it) character, and it's nice to see the effects of their passing affecting Atticus even more so than anything else so far.
With still more threads to conclude and the potential for even more mischief (especially after the ending), I hope Atticus and friends get to live on for many more books yet....more
Like the rest of this series, it takes most of the book to get to the 'good stuff', but it actually feels like everything that happens in this volume Like the rest of this series, it takes most of the book to get to the 'good stuff', but it actually feels like everything that happens in this volume will be relevant for a while, unlike the beginnings of both Zom-B Underground and Zom-B City. The final few pages show that this series is going in a very different direction to Shan's previous horror work, and I'm already anticipating Zom-B Baby....more
If you're reading this book, chances are you've read the previous 4, and this is more of the same. Plot threads are resolved from before, the ripple eIf you're reading this book, chances are you've read the previous 4, and this is more of the same. Plot threads are resolved from before, the ripple effects of events from Hammered continue to affect Atticus, Granuaile and Oberon, and things are hilarious as they progress. What more do you want? I'm just glad that Hunted is out so soon, since the cliffhanger here is evil....more
More of the same from Atticus, Oberon, and friends as the knock-on effects of their raid on Asgard in Hammered come calling. The usual high humour, raMore of the same from Atticus, Oberon, and friends as the knock-on effects of their raid on Asgard in Hammered come calling. The usual high humour, rapid plot developments, and witty protagonist voice are all present here, making this another highly enjoyable instalment....more
Despite being a little padded in the middle with stories from other characters, this is another excellent instalment of the series, leaving everythingDespite being a little padded in the middle with stories from other characters, this is another excellent instalment of the series, leaving everything really up in the air for the next three books, and bringing the first big story arc of the series to a close. Great stuff....more
Building nicely on everything from the first book, this second volume picks up on some plot points in the first and turns them into a full blown storyBuilding nicely on everything from the first book, this second volume picks up on some plot points in the first and turns them into a full blown story, as Atticus and friends deal with numerous new problems that just keep making his life a living hell. It's all good fun though, and extremely funny in parts too. Atticus' old fashioned view twisted by his modern age-isms makes for fun reading all the way through, and there's plenty here for the third book and beyond to play with. A quick, easy read, and well worth it....more
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