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philibin's reviews
829 reviews
Saturation Point by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
(4.5 Stars)
This was a really good Horror/Sci-Fi Story. The narration is excellent, the characters are unique and identifiable, and the plot is intriguing. It is hard to believe how much action was packed into a very short story. But it didn't feel rushed, and it had a perfect pace.
If I had to compare this to something, I would say it is a lot like the movie Predator, combined with Anaconda. I really liked this story a lot.
This was a really good Horror/Sci-Fi Story. The narration is excellent, the characters are unique and identifiable, and the plot is intriguing. It is hard to believe how much action was packed into a very short story. But it didn't feel rushed, and it had a perfect pace.
If I had to compare this to something, I would say it is a lot like the movie Predator, combined with Anaconda. I really liked this story a lot.
The Ragpicker by Joel Dane
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
(2.5 Stars)
I really struggled deciding if I wanted to rate this book 2 or 3 stars, so I split the difference. It wasn't because I didn't like the book, But I also wouldn't say I loved it. Based on the other reviews, I am definitely in the minority, so maybe it is just me.
Have you ever been late getting to a movie, or maybe your friend started it before you got there and You can still follow the movie, but you feel like you might have missed an important piece of information and some things just don't make sense? Well I spent most of this book feeling like that.
I really thought I missed something, so I re-listened to the first two chapters three times, then I went and looked to see if maybe this book was written about a video game, or maybe was part of a series and I didn't read the first book, but no... This was a stand alone book
Don't get me wrong, the prose of the book was beautiful. The author is good at the craft. It was both visual and visceral, stunning and captivating. But it was also superfluous and obfuscated.
It reminded me a lot of Stephen King's Dark Tower, but Stephen King did a better job of setting up the characters and plot. Speaking of Characters and plot. The world building in this book is superb. I'd like to say the same about the character growth, but I don't know if it is. Sure, they changed and learned new things, but I can't say they really developed.
The book itself could be summed up like the "Tears in rain" monolog that Roy Batty says to Deckard before saving him, the entire book is that stream-of-consciousness rambling, but meaningless in the end.
I really struggled deciding if I wanted to rate this book 2 or 3 stars, so I split the difference. It wasn't because I didn't like the book, But I also wouldn't say I loved it. Based on the other reviews, I am definitely in the minority, so maybe it is just me.
Have you ever been late getting to a movie, or maybe your friend started it before you got there and You can still follow the movie, but you feel like you might have missed an important piece of information and some things just don't make sense? Well I spent most of this book feeling like that.
I really thought I missed something, so I re-listened to the first two chapters three times, then I went and looked to see if maybe this book was written about a video game, or maybe was part of a series and I didn't read the first book, but no... This was a stand alone book
Don't get me wrong, the prose of the book was beautiful. The author is good at the craft. It was both visual and visceral, stunning and captivating. But it was also superfluous and obfuscated.
It reminded me a lot of Stephen King's Dark Tower, but Stephen King did a better job of setting up the characters and plot. Speaking of Characters and plot. The world building in this book is superb. I'd like to say the same about the character growth, but I don't know if it is. Sure, they changed and learned new things, but I can't say they really developed.
The book itself could be summed up like the "Tears in rain" monolog that Roy Batty says to Deckard before saving him, the entire book is that stream-of-consciousness rambling, but meaningless in the end.
Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs by Jamie Loftus
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
3.5
(3.5 Stars)
This was part History, part road-trip, part social commentary, part humor, and part autobiography.
It was a quick book to read and parts of it were really informative. The humor was low brow and predictable, but usually funny. I happen to agree with a lot of the social/political statements, but I think this is not a book for the easily offended or the hot dog gatekeepers (if that's even a thing).
It was narrated by the author, and she does an excellent job of it. My favorite was the "flavor" she gave to the regions she traveled through. Being from Western NY, I loved the quote about my hometown:
"By all accounts, it's a miserable place to be. And it's a miserable place where you can find extremely good food."
I also had a little chuckle because she went from Troy to Rochester and never stopped in Syracuse for the self-proclaimed famous Hofmann's Hots.
If you are a fan of the author's podcasts, you will like this book. If you've ever wondered who has the best Hot Dog in America... you might want to check this book out. And mostly, if you ever want to know where to grab a dog when you are on the road, keep this book in mind.
This was part History, part road-trip, part social commentary, part humor, and part autobiography.
It was a quick book to read and parts of it were really informative. The humor was low brow and predictable, but usually funny. I happen to agree with a lot of the social/political statements, but I think this is not a book for the easily offended or the hot dog gatekeepers (if that's even a thing).
It was narrated by the author, and she does an excellent job of it. My favorite was the "flavor" she gave to the regions she traveled through. Being from Western NY, I loved the quote about my hometown:
"By all accounts, it's a miserable place to be. And it's a miserable place where you can find extremely good food."
I also had a little chuckle because she went from Troy to Rochester and never stopped in Syracuse for the self-proclaimed famous Hofmann's Hots.
If you are a fan of the author's podcasts, you will like this book. If you've ever wondered who has the best Hot Dog in America... you might want to check this book out. And mostly, if you ever want to know where to grab a dog when you are on the road, keep this book in mind.
When The Sky Falls by B.R. Spangler
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
(4 Stars)
This is a good post-apocalyptic dystopian fictional story. It reminded me a lot of Hugh Howey's Silo series. The narration for the audiobook is excellent.
I have very mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I think the plot was sound, most of the main characters had good development, and the the book length was just right.
On the other hand, this is not hard science and some explanations of events just don't seem to make sense. The minor characters were given backstories without good reason, and some of the major characters didn't have enough of a backstory to make you care about them as much as the book assumes you should. And like I said, the length was good, and I understand this is part 1 of a two part story, but there was no real closure.
With that being said, it did make me want to continue on to the next book in the series, so I did like it... and I hope the next book is able to tie it all together.
This is a good post-apocalyptic dystopian fictional story. It reminded me a lot of Hugh Howey's Silo series. The narration for the audiobook is excellent.
I have very mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I think the plot was sound, most of the main characters had good development, and the the book length was just right.
On the other hand, this is not hard science and some explanations of events just don't seem to make sense. The minor characters were given backstories without good reason, and some of the major characters didn't have enough of a backstory to make you care about them as much as the book assumes you should. And like I said, the length was good, and I understand this is part 1 of a two part story, but there was no real closure.
With that being said, it did make me want to continue on to the next book in the series, so I did like it... and I hope the next book is able to tie it all together.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
(5.0 Stars)
A story as engaging as it is disturbing. This was a re-read for me because I remembered it closely echoing the sentiments of "today". Unfortunately, I was remembering correctly.
I want to say this is a cautionary tale, one that everyone should read. But I think at this point it could be overkill. This is a dystopian novel, this is a warning to authoritarian rule, this is a poke in the eye to those who think "might makes right". But most of all... this is, or at least was, a great work of speculative fiction that in retrospect seems prescient.
A story as engaging as it is disturbing. This was a re-read for me because I remembered it closely echoing the sentiments of "today". Unfortunately, I was remembering correctly.
I want to say this is a cautionary tale, one that everyone should read. But I think at this point it could be overkill. This is a dystopian novel, this is a warning to authoritarian rule, this is a poke in the eye to those who think "might makes right". But most of all... this is, or at least was, a great work of speculative fiction that in retrospect seems prescient.
Moon Dust in My Hairnet by J.R. Creaden
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
(5.0 Stars)
I find that most books about people living on The Moon fall into one of two categories. The first one is campy, humorous, and filled with puns and self-awareness. The second is more like an action-adventure where The Moon (and Laser-blasters) is nothing more than a backdrop to what could otherwise be written as a modern-day Western. I can honestly say that is book is neither of those.
What it is, is a beautifully written story of grief, loss, change... but also hope, love, and what it means to be family. I don't like repeating the book description in my reviews, but the description is completely accurate and honest. But also so much more. This book has excellent character growth and development, a "world" that is both familiar and dissimilar to the world we live in. The cast is diverse, and showcases strength because of, and not in spite of, that diversity.
I look forward to future works by this author.
I find that most books about people living on The Moon fall into one of two categories. The first one is campy, humorous, and filled with puns and self-awareness. The second is more like an action-adventure where The Moon (and Laser-blasters) is nothing more than a backdrop to what could otherwise be written as a modern-day Western. I can honestly say that is book is neither of those.
What it is, is a beautifully written story of grief, loss, change... but also hope, love, and what it means to be family. I don't like repeating the book description in my reviews, but the description is completely accurate and honest. But also so much more. This book has excellent character growth and development, a "world" that is both familiar and dissimilar to the world we live in. The cast is diverse, and showcases strength because of, and not in spite of, that diversity.
I look forward to future works by this author.
The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
This book started off very slow... it was probably close to 60% before it went from a story of a Korean American family living in America to a "horror" story. It stayed slow, but did get better, or at least more interesting. I rated this a 4 because it is one of those stories that stays with you after it ends.
If you like Dexter, by Jeff Lindsay, this should be good for you. especially from the perspective of a young female serial killer.
This book started off very slow... it was probably close to 60% before it went from a story of a Korean American family living in America to a "horror" story. It stayed slow, but did get better, or at least more interesting. I rated this a 4 because it is one of those stories that stays with you after it ends.
If you like Dexter, by Jeff Lindsay, this should be good for you. especially from the perspective of a young female serial killer.
The Valkyrie by Kate Heartfield
adventurous
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? No
5.0
(5 Stars)
This was a beautifully written story, brilliantly narrated. This was recommended to me by Kevin Hearne (Iron Druid Chronicles) and I am so thankful to him.
It is part love story, part mythology, part fantasy, and a complete pleasure to read. This book is a perfect example of why I like reading.
It is told as a narration between two people, recounting events, sometimes overlapping, from each of their points of view, to the other. And it is flawlessly carried out.
If you like mythology-based historical fiction this could be the book for you.
This was a beautifully written story, brilliantly narrated. This was recommended to me by Kevin Hearne (Iron Druid Chronicles) and I am so thankful to him.
It is part love story, part mythology, part fantasy, and a complete pleasure to read. This book is a perfect example of why I like reading.
It is told as a narration between two people, recounting events, sometimes overlapping, from each of their points of view, to the other. And it is flawlessly carried out.
If you like mythology-based historical fiction this could be the book for you.
How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive by Craig DiLouie
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
(3.0 Stars)
This was entertaining and good, but I think it was a little too long and drawn out. There is a big cast of characters, and the book reads like a screenplay... where the character building is done like a synopsis before a scene.
The narration is good and the plot is unique. It was fun to read.
This was entertaining and good, but I think it was a little too long and drawn out. There is a big cast of characters, and the book reads like a screenplay... where the character building is done like a synopsis before a scene.
The narration is good and the plot is unique. It was fun to read.
Oak Avenue by Brandi Reeds
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
4.5 Stars - This was a lot of story packed into a compact short story. It was a great classical haunted house tale. Definitely worth the time.