Review: Adrenaline

Publisher: Self

Price: Mainly free

I read RY's first book Gatecrasher last year and thought it was a decent read. RY has returned and is back with this book and I tell you what it's rather good indeed.

Totally different to Gatecrasher as it is so so subtle, and the writing style is glorious. I enjoyed the use of split narrative voices in the first and 3rd person. It kept me on my toes and it kept me intrigued as you got to know two very different characters in very different ways. One very personally and the other as an outsider and the public eye see him. The REALLY short chapters did annoy me a tad but I was delighted that there wasn't a cliff hanger at the end of each one! HUZZAH!!

A really subtle and interesting story with some excellent twists, action and interpretations of what it means to be this particular type of being. Thoroughly enjoyable read and I think it'll appeal to blokes a fair bit...not 100% sure why though!

Happy Reading

Book Geek 

:-)

Review: Beyond His Years

Publisher: Self

Price: £ 3.01 (ebook)

This is the final installment of the train driver and rat trilogy. Read Above His Station and Before His Time, NOW! You will not regret reading any of these books as they are amazing and DC is a fantastic author and illustrator too!! YAY!

The humour is here again from the driver and rat. I love the characters completely and it's great to see a return of Astrid too as she is a total babe and I love her...have I mentioned that before?? The rat's film, music and TV references have returned and they are spiffing, remind me of Fickle Mate once again and it's always funny. Particularly enjoyed the Star Wars theme in this book! BRAVO!

The story keeps you turning the pages one again and the self referencing and self awareness of the story and novel writing and the narration is brilliant as it makes the whole thing SO personal and really does suck you in to the story. But don't worry, the whole thing is just as mental as ever and I am still in awe of DC's brain. I am one of his biggest fans I do believe!!!! 

The conclusion for the trilogy was 100% satisfactory and it was so so lovely and endearing but sad too. Sad as this means no more Rat and Driver especially. I've really loved this trilogy and am so so happy to have read all three, reviewed all three and to have been sucked in to this crazy narrative.

Do read them, they won't take long and if you don't love them and DC by the end, well, I'll eat my hat!

Happy Reading

BG

:-)

Review: Grave Descend

Publisher: Hard Case Crime/Titan Books

Price: £ 7.99

After reading Binary I was expected a recurrence of characters but there was no such thing. However, the style was still there and the set up was familiar also. McG is going on a dive, but all is a bit fishy (pun intended)!

Short and sweet read, once again, but still a fast moving, action packed page turner. Didn't feel dated, similarly to Binary which is a real skill. Transient writing, to me at least, is most impressive indeed. MC really did have one intelligent brain it seems! 

I loved Yeoman and McG in a big way. Spiffingly wonderful characters, sexy and buff and slightly odd with it. Cracking evil party too, also, a great play from the Jamaican police, just as chilled as the country's rep is. 

In a way, I would have liked these books to be a series, with the same characters. But, then again, tis always great to have a surprise and meet new people along the way.

A quick, fun, page turner that's totally easy to read. Another brill thing an defo looking forward to reading the next one. Btw, the cover of this one makes sense more than the Binary cover, as the book does indeed include in this case, scantily clad babes.

Happy Reading

Book Geek

;-)

Review: Down Among The Dead Men

Publisher: Arrow Books

Price: £ 6.99

DCI Keane has a lot on his plate what with a shed load of murder and he only has his eyes on one person for the guilty party.

The book starts so so well. When set in Liverpool it's pretty decent indeed, creepy dodgey characters, some Liverpool fun thrown in. Love Em. Love her, she is great, and her and Frank make it even better. So yeah, the beginning is good, the beginning is intriguing, the beginning keeps you reading and keeps you guessing...then the location changes and it all gets rather silly and ridiculous from there.

I just couldn't accept the story after the location change, it was ridiculous, such a massive flip in proceedings and I'm afraid the ending is totally unacceptable and then ridiculous.

SORRRYY!!!

Book Geek

:-)

Review: Baptism

Publisher: Quercus 

Price: £ 7.99

If you thought you were having a bad day then you just think about George, Maggie and Ed. They are really having a shit of a day!

Warnings and advice:

- Do not read this book in, on, around or near the tube.

- Always take water and nappies on the tube.

- Max Kinnings is evil!

Bloody hell, what a shit scary bok. Taking normal things and making them terrifying...why not do that hey MK and scare the crap out of all us tube riders?? Hmmmm?? Wahhhh! 

I loved Ed. He was bloody amazing, love him completely. Also, Simeon....wahhhhhh! Excellent characters all round. Belle and Tommy were perfectly warped and to such an extent that sometimes you just didn't know what to do with them at all! 

The whole book is a great spin on terrorism and the 'conventional' perceptions of perpetrators. Most refreshing indeed. A real page turner of a book. Action and emotion and adrenaline packed and I was a big fan of the real time feel of the chapters.

So, don't read this on the tube but do indeed give it a shot. Spiffing read and a very intelligent one at that I feel!

Happy Reading

Book Geek
:-p

Review: Life After Death

Price: £ 12.99

Publisher: Atlantic Books

So, this was my 100th book of the year! And to be honest, I don't know how I felt about it.

I did some reading about the whole thing before I picked it up as I wanted to know exactly what was what. From what I read and from how DE has written I really don't know what to believe at all. I have no idea if I think he is innocent or guilty. I don't really believe that it was all a big conspiracy. I'm not 100% sure of that at all. He must have been a tad mentally unstable for people to certify him as so. I just don't know what I think.

I found the whole book a little bit odd too. Why was so much focused on his life and upbringing when the book is entitled Life AFTER Death. I would rather have read about his time on death row and dealing with the world once he was released. How he adjusted, what had changed, how people accepted and perceived him. All that stuff. I dunno, I'm just full of umms and ahhhs.

I would defo like to see the documentaries made about DE. I would like to see him in action, speaking etc for myself and I would like to see how other people interpret him.

Interesting to read, but not what I was expecting at all. Where do I stand on the whole thing? Not sure of that either.

Happy Reading

Book Geek

:-s

Review: Ecko Burning

Price: £ 7.99

Publisher: Titan Books

If you haven't read Ecko Rising then you MUST before you read this otherwise there will be no sense whatsoever...There's your warning now GO!!!

So, we are back in the crazy world that Ecko has found himself in with all the awesome fantasy people that don't make sense to sci-fi world Ecko. And I tell you what it's all gone to shit and he is seriously pissed off about, well everything.

There isn't as much Ecko as in the first book and I'm glad about this as I really don't like him. There isn't as much bard which is sad too, I'd like to have seen a bit more of what happens to him. However there is plenty of the babe that is Triq and Mael is now my new favourite. I actually love him!!! YAY!!! Redlock still has a place though, don't you worry I haven't forgotten about him.

If you thought the first book was crazy then you ain't seen nothing yet. You flick between characters and plot things at the absolute speed of light and once again, I had a few moments when I didn't exactly know what was going on but that didn't matter as it alllll ruled in the end.

I wish I had read the first book again as there were a few bits I think would have made more sense if it was fresh in my mind, but none the less Ms W is a truly great mash up author and I love the cut and shut of these books. The ending however, has once again left me gagging! BOOOO!!!!!

Happy Reading!
Book Geek
:-P

Review: The Telling Room

Publisher: Random  House

Price: Not sure - ebook

Oh my dear god!!!! It took me months, yes MONTHS to finish this book. I am not going to beat about the bush, I HATE IT!!!

What a pile of self indulgent drivel written in a horribly tedious tone and god is the topic boring.

The text on the cover offers so much!!! You think vengeance, hatred, death and a bit of comedy when it comes to a good bit of cheese. But no, you are basically reading a book about how some cheese was made and how the business model pissed someone off and how the author became obsessed in a weird way with it all. 

I'm sorry, I had such high hopes for this book, I read it to the end with the hope that it would get better, but no. I've lost that part of my life and I will never have it back. The people in the book were even detestible. I couldn't find a character I liked!

I'm sorry, I just hated this book. I've complained so much in real life about it to friends, the boy and colleagues. The worst thing I've ever read!

Book Geek

:-(

Review: A Modern Family

Publisher: Blue Moose Books

Price: £ 8.99

What a blissfully depressing book.

I knew from page one I would enjoy this book as I read out at least 2 lines to work bezzie as I found them do dry and satirical. 

The book starts out darkly, dark but funny as you look at one family, one kinda average family. However it keeps getting darker and more twisty and yet in so many ways some of the thoughts and situations are familiar and appear to be like so many lives you see.

No family is what they appear to be on the outside...unless maybe they are in a cult.

I really enjoyed the way it was written in disjointed streams of consciousness and snippets of interaction. There were also, of course, strange parallels with a certain set of TV car people, but that just added to the fun of the book.

As a whole the book made me feel a tad depressed but at the same time uplifted in a way I'm not 100% certain of. It is a gloriously different book. 

Happy Reading

Book Geek

:-D

Review: Binary

Price: £ 7.99

Publisher: Hard Case Crime - Titan Books

So it seems, another book has fallen to my mercy, and this time a good old fashioned spy(ish)novel. 

This is a scenario set in the 70s but it defo hasn't dated which reminds me of the Matt Helm books I read earlier this year. This was a tad like the MH books, but far less cheesy and far more intelligent. This is like MH for the thinking man. There is a bit of the James Bond in it again, but it ain't half as sexy, despite what the cover may imply. It's far more intriguing and serious, but it still is a fun and very easy read.

The chapters were in hours and that gave it a feel of an old school 24. JG is like the Jack Bauer of the 70s. I loved the parallel in personalities between the main character JG and the baddy JW. They were like two sides of the same coin but you can see the potential for corruption in JG and that was really entertaining.

It's strange to think that the guy who wrote ER wrote this and the other 7 that follow. This one is nothing like ER, it has a whole new genre. Maybe the action and plot intrigues are there but there isn't any other kind of similarity.

A very fun and book that's a real page turner. I look forward to reading the others.

Happy Reading

Book Geek

:-p

Review: Beauty

Publisher: Gollancz

Price: £ 9.99 (hardback)

Well, well well. I really enjoyed Poison so I was delighted to find this in my letterbox! This is actually possibly better!!!!

The plot is of 'Sleeping Beauty' but with many a twist and a turn. More happens than you ever thought possible in a fairytale and the inclusion of others were brilliant. So subtle in some cases but so wonderfully in your face in others! TBH, I feel like Beauty had more of a fairytale feel to it than Poison. 

Petra ruled, Toby ruled, the Huntsman is a fantastic bit of rough. The characters are, on the whole, brilliant. They are as fairytale characters should be. Having fairytale adventures and emotions all round. Oh, and I was glad to see that the prince was a total weed. I really hate it when princes are the dog's!

I want to go to one of the parties in the 'other' ballroom. These parties are where SP really makes this story her own and dominates it!! The parties sound so immense and I want to be involved in the disgusting opulence. 

I can't leave this review without commenting on the illustrations and cover. Once again, AMAZING. The book looks incredible and has such a magic about it. The illustrations are amazing also and really do fit in and are very creepy in a way.

Not for kids and not for those who want to keep hold of the magic of fairytales but pah, forget about that and get involved with this book. It is glorious!

Happy Reading

Book Geek

:-D

Review: Someone Else's Skin

Publisher: Headline

Price: £ 13.99

There have been some incidents surrounding the Muslim community and when two police people go to find the key to the case they become involved in a whole other world of trouble.

Marnie is your troubled police babe. It really is nice and refreshing to see a broody female rozza! Noah is a god, I LOVE HIM! The ladies from the refuge and the 'bad guys' are all grotesque but crazy and in some instances wonderful in their own ways, it's cracking. Oh, and Ed is defo someone you would take home to meet your mother!

This is a book of two very distinct parts but they are fabulously paired and interwoben. The whole thing becomes terribly terrifying indeed. As the story unfolds all your ideas and preconceived ideas of domestic violence are questioned and the story takes twists and turns you wouldn't expect. You throw what you've always thought to the side and realise that the world is indeed a place that can tip things on its head in an instant.

A great page turner that is skilfully crafted. I would defo recommend it to people be they fans of crime/thrillers or not. Touching and disturbing allll at the same time. And with that ending, bring on the next one!!!!

Happy Reading

Book Geek

:-D

Review: Freaks

Publisher: The Friday Project

Price: £ 6.99

A collection of short stories and poems and comic strips with glorious illustrations to match.

I warn you now...this is going to be a short one, but that's because this is a short book and I don't want to ruin a thing.

The Stories
They really aren't what you expect. These people are freaks of the mind, freaks to themselves, freaks you'll meet in everyday life and they are freaks for everyday reasons. It is such a great look at the personalities of people around you and the things you feel yourself! The eclectic mix of poem, comic and narrative is great too and you meet so many different people it is mind boggling.

The Illustrations
Bravo. I've been a massive fan of DC for a while now and I love his style of writing as well as his illustrating. They work beautifully with the stories and help contribute to that ambiguous not quite a comic, not quite superheroes but yes they are feeling.

Cracking book, really different and totally Friday Project!

Happy Reading

Book Geek
:-D

Review: The Detainee

Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books

Price: £ 14.99 hardback

We're on an island, somewhere in the not too distant future. Everyone is trapped, prisoners, and there are tribes (in effect) that just don't get on. But one chap, he develops other ideas.

The whole thing is through the eyes of Clancy, Big Guy, as if he is making a statement about what happened on that island over the period of what seems like a matter of months, if not weeks. We aren't 100% sure why the world is like this now or why he is really there and to be honest, I found that a tad annoying. There was so much potential for the back story and the collapse of the world as we know it to be described. It felt a tad like PL had the idea for this book but didn't have the grounding for it or the way of making it seem realistic.

Yes this is a fantasy/scifi novel but, it has too many references to life in our memories and time for it to be that far removed that it doesn't need further explanation. If I forgot about that for a moment then I could enjoy this book far more. 

It is very well written indeed and the characters are developed in a great way. Fear, love, hope, emotions in general are constructed delicately and effortlessly. But, I can't get over the fact that there just seemed to be something missing in the plot. There was just a niggling hole that needed to be filled. I'm also kind of hoping that this is part of a series or another along the lines of this book, in this world, will crop up to do just that.

A read that I enjoyed to an extent, but think I would have enjoyed more if that extra layer had been there.

Happy Reading

Book Geek

:-s

Review: Storm Front

Publisher: Titan

Price: I left the dust jacket at home and can't find ££ on tut web

So, let's get this straight. This book is written by RC, the fictional author from the TV series CASTLE. This is meant to be one of the books he writes whilst following the police and things around, yes? So, WHO THE BLOODY HELL ACTUALLY WROTE THIS???

I like James Bond, its cheesy action and cringey bits and this does indeed have similarities on those fronts, however, on occasion it takes things from the sublime to the ridiculous! I'm just not sure how I feel about it!

Yes, this book is a page turner. There is action, there are intriguing financial plots, there are counter plots! It also has the really bad, baddy, the wonderful hero, the tragic hero and the lady things. However, they are sometimes tooooo parody like for me. There are also weird parallels with the series that crop up and tbh, I don't think they were needed.

I just don't know. I kept turning pages and reading because I was deep in the plot, it had drawn me in completely. However, I just think it's a bit too much of a low rent James Bond for me to embrace it completely. 

Fans of Castle will love it, I am glad I read it as it was fun. Just not sure if for me 100%.

Happy Reading

Book Geek

:-)

Review: Mr Penumbra's 24 hour bookstore

Publisher: Atlantic Books

Price: £ 12.99

Very rarely do I read a book that, when I finish it and put it down, causes me to sigh. I don't really know what the sigh means but it always leaves me with that warm fuzzy feeling inside.

Mr P owns a bookshop, but it isn't just any old bookshop and Clay is on a mission to find out why.

The story starts off as well, a slightly quirky tale of a grad who is in a spot, but it develops and develops and changes and changes in to glorious mystical fantasy and joy. It doesn't go where you expect at all and, it is wonderful. A glorious celebration of life and books! The parallel between it and the Dragon Song Chronicles is also amazing. That fantasy world is being recreated in the present day, with real people, fitting the fantasy stereotypes on a real quest. A quest of the modern day and it's tremendous technology and the written word.

The characters are great and I'm not 100% sure I can pick one all out love! Mr P, I want him to be my granddad, Clay is a babe, Kat is a misunderstood weirdo, Neel is a bit of a god...it just goes on and on and on. 

I am writing this immediately after setting it down so I am all a whirl of joy and I'm still digesting. But I will say that that was a fabulous book. It wasn't at all what I expected and I don't think it will be what anyone else expects either. It really is a true gem of a book that I think, one day, I'd like to read again to see if I've missed any thing (and I never want to read anything twice).

Happy Reading

Book Geek

:-D

Review: Bones in her Pocket

Price: No idea in ££

Publisher: Random House/Cornerstone

A quick little shortie for you if you want something to read to fill in half hour or so. It's a mini thriller, like a singular episode of CSI or something like that. 

You can indeed tell it was written by a scientist/forensic person, no doubt at all in a million years as it is very clinical in places and the details are (I imagine) spot on. It is also very serious and that makes it feel a bit like a diary entry with an edge. The length of it makes you feel this too, it's not really a short story in tone, but a snippet of someone's life on a particular day.

The ending was totally cheese in every way however, which was a tad disappointing, however, when it comes to short stories, people do always try and put a moral in there. Oh well, I'll live.

A shortie review as a shortie story

Happy Reading

Book Geek

:-D 

Review: The Kill List

Price: Unknown

Publisher: Random House/Transworld

Well, probably not the best book to read whilst on a 9 hour flight home from the US but, there you go. A terrorist is causing havoc but have no fear, the Tracker is on it!

This is defo not my usual book, and defo not the best thing I've read. Yes, there was interest, but you really do have to concentrate a lot sometimes just to understand who is who, who is part of what and where and why and to make sure you get the back story. The book promised far more than you are given in the blurb and the cover and all the hype etc.

Yes, there were some good bits and I did find this interesting, however, I couldn't always give it the concentration it needed AND, I was always questioning how much was actually true and how much was fabricated and fiction, as let's face it, the US/UK/everywhere are not going to give up details of missions, terror suspects, agents etc willingly. How much of FF's book really is true and correct and believable...I'm not sure.

I really don't know how I feel about this book. Maybe I'm not the right person for it. There was an old man sitting a few seats away from me reading it on the plane, and one of The Boy's flat (ex now) mates bought it for his dad for Christmas, so maybe, yes, I am indeed not of the correct demographic to have enjoyed this. Shame, as I thought it held such promise.

Oh well

Happy reading

Book Geek

:-(

Review: The Blackheath Seance Parlour

Publisher: Cutting Edge Press

Price: £ 9.99

Well bloody hell!!! Isn't this a whole big bucket of mental!! BRILLIANT MENTAL!!! CEP in their wonderful realm of the weird and mad and wonderful. BLOODY BRILLIANT.

There are two sisters who are in a bit of a fix, so they set up shop as mediums, but one feels left out and the other is writing a book and well...let's just leave it there with the plot for now.

It's like two books in one! Judy's book and AW's story of the sisters. Even though a guy is writing about women and their ways and struggles and loves and families, it is most convincing and you don't for a second doubt the author gender. Also, when AW is writing as a woman, writing a book that is rather out there and for women, his style and tone etc is marvellous once again. He adopts a completely new one! Bravo AW!!

I wanted to read Judy's book as much as I wanted to read the story of the sister's and the parlour. And I wanted to know about Mrs Walters, she is defo my favourite character, I loved her. The sisters were both a bit nobby in their own ways, it worked for them but they didn't have my love like Mrs W does!

It is great to see such a mental and unique and intriguing book. The fact that it delves in to historical opinions on the underworld and religion and women's place in society as well as being a bit crazy and out there is wonderful and pretty darn unique if you ask me.

Wonderfully and skilfully written book. I thoroughly recommend it to all!

Happy Reading

Book Geek

:-P

The Harry Potter Challenge: The Order of the Phoenix

So, we appear to be back to the darkness of book 3!! HUZZZZAH! THANK GOD! Obviously the second author of the HP books got their hands on this one and wrote the majority of it and by god, I was pleased they did, especially as we were back to the childish shite in The Goblet of Fire.

Yes, the beginning of this book was rather slow moving and that did get on my wick somewhat, however it got so so so so much better. There were some hard core kickass moments, but I wasn't all that shocked in some parts as I knew the story already, however I am now distraught that the only character I gave a shit about will not be appearing any more!! ARSE!!!! ARSE!!! ARSE!!!

I am delighted that we are back to the dark and twisty with the books, but after the disappointment of book 4 after 3 I do not hold high hopes for the next one.

I will of course let you all know how I get on with it. After The Order, I am rather looking forward to reading it but I am scared I am going to be let down once again!

Onwards!

Book Geek


P.S. I watched half of the third film...I could not watch any more as my web allowance in the hotel I was in reached its daily limit. I watched exactly half and not a lot had really happened...obviously have loads to cram in to the second part!!!!

Review: Jimmy Coates, Killer

Publisher: Harper Collins

Price: £ 5.99

Jimmy Coates ain't your average 11 year old, he doesn't know that yet, nor does he know how mental his life is going to get.

Yes this is a kid's book but it was a gripper indeed. Some jokes in there were defo for adults and there was great amusement to be had. There was also action, politics, swarthy gorgeous heroes (Viggo), fun, family, loyalty and love. Really, there is something for everyone of any age.

I can really see this book getting people in to reading at a young age, specially boys, who you don't see reading a much as usual. I read the whole book during the one flight and I was rather sad when it was over as I really wanted more!

Brill start to what I hope will be an cracking series. I do indeed think I will read more and, if this doesn't get kids reading then nothing will.

Happy Reading

Book Geek

:-D

p.s. I read 3 books on my work trip last week so there are two more to come later this week

BOOM!

Gone a working

Sorry happy book folks, but I'm going to be quiet for the next week or so as I'm off to the land of America for a work trip.

If you are going to be at the AFPM Q&A see if you can spot me/work out which delegate I am.

If not, have no fear I will be back and by then I am sure I will have read some stuff to review!

Mummy geek will be looking after Catsby so don't worry about his safety!

Talk to ya soon!

Happy Reading

Book Geek
:-)

P.S. I'm going to the Wood Green Lit Fest when I'm back on Sat 12th HUZZAH!!!!!

Review: The Troop

Price: Not known in fine English pounds

Publisher: Gallery Books

Oh. Holy. Jesus!!!!!! As chaos descends on an island which is housing a troop of scouts for a weekend, a horrible infection type thing arrives. Psychos take over, chose ensues and everything becomes horrifying and disturbing and shocking.

This is possibly one of the most terrifying and horrifying things I've read in a good long while because such crazy shizz could actually happen and impact the whole entire world ever!!! It's like zombies, killer viruses, blackouts!! ARRGH!! Society will crumble!!!

The witness statements/interviews/after the fact portions are terrifying in their own right. They would work as a book alone, however, when you add the narrative of how things are developing on the island, it gets even scarier. Especially when you consider how quickly all descended in to chaos and torment!!! ARRRG!!!! 

The characters were great, even those that appeared in the inter splicing interviews, those on the island were so diverse and their relationships with each other so dramatically different that it added a certain something I can't quite put my finger on.

I've read that this book is like Lord of the Flies but with more terror. I can totally agree. This is terrifying and unnerving and unsettling and on occasions made me feel physically sick! A short review as I don't want to give too much away about this grippingly horrifying read!!!

Happy Reading (if that is possible)

Don't have nightmares

Book Geek

:-s

P.S. I was surprised that this book didn't give me nightmares. Instead, I had a dream that I flat shared with Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer who were in a relationship and were outrageously camp. We were throwing a halloween party, and noone came in fancy dress, I was very sad. 

Review: Bad Companions

Price: £ 9.99

Publisher: The History Press

I don't usually read a lot of non-fiction, it's not really my bag, but sometimes it's nice for a change and sometimes, the topic is indeed interesting enough. This is a book about 6 women who carried out murders in the days gone by. It looks in to each case from crime to punishment to aftermath. 

Even though this is non-fiction, it wasn't dry. I find such books to be so usually, but KC obviously has a passion of murder and the things behind it. She has researched all aspects and also put her own thoughts on paper in a kind of Law & Order cold case fashion that is rather interesting. She discusses how, if today's detecting techniques were available, the outcomes would possibly have been very different. 

I defo enjoyed the extracts from letters and news papers of the time, they were enlightening and really did open up the cases and in some instances make the murderesses more real and human. I don't know if I find the murders shocking, but at the time I can imagine they were, especially the woman who killed her maid servants, they were rather brutal.

If you don't really read non-fiction, then maybe have a look at this as it is all murder and twisty and intrigue, not dry and prescriptive and boring as arse! If you are in to non-fiction then this indeed could be one for you!

Happy Reading

Book Geek
8-)

Review: Whitstable

Publisher: Spectral Press

Price: £ 2.04 ebook

A person who actually existed has lost his wife, he goes for a walk and comes across a young lad who is having some problems with a 'vampire'. 

I will admit that in the beginning this book rather pissed me off. It was too wallowy in self pity for my liking! However, once Carl is discovered it takes a dramatic turn and it all goes from weird, to terrifyingly realistic.

I do wonder how much this is based on fact as it is Peter Cushing who is the main figure. I do wonder if these were, to an extent real events and if Carl and his life were something PC got involved in. However, part of me doesn't want to know if this is real as it'll ruin it for me if it wasn't. 

The story of one man coping with his grief, which is making him a tad mad and is also making him a bit obsessive. However, he just wants someone to care about and something to help him over come his grief.

I'm not 100% sure how I feel about this novella or how it made me feel. I wanted to keep reading it as I was drawn in by how real it was and how well, almost normal to an extent. Maybe it would mean more to people if someone close had been lost. Well written and executed though.

Happy Reading

Book Geek

:-)

Review: The City's Son

Publisher: Jo Fletcher Books

Price: £ 7.99

London has an underworld that we knew nothing about and all I can say is, IT HAD BETTER BE REAL!

Fantasy or SciFi? I have no idea to be honest but I don't care as its a bloody weird and got me bloody hooked from the start. TP's mind must be bonkers as I have never really thought such a world and creatures could be created from the urbanisation of London. BRAVO!!!!

Beth was a bit of annoying character and totally fucked me off but I got over that as the other characters were immense, especially Victor. WAHHH he was a total dude. I also grew to love Fil. He was a bit tooooooo weird at the start but by the end I was completely in love with him and would gladly have him as my toyboy!

This is a crazy and weird and wonderful story of love and friendship and hard times and lies and manipulation. It is weird and wonderful as I said but that is a point I feel I need to drive home. Such a unique book, I don't know if there is one like it around...but if there is throw it at me. I cannot wait to read the next one, which is currently sitting on my shelf.

HUZZAH and happy reading

Book Geek

:-D

Harry Potter Challenge: The Goblet of Fire

Oh for god's sake! Why are we back to the shite that appeared in books 1 and 2? Book three was dark and twisty and intriguing and felt like a bit more of a grown up read...as I said, felt like to was written by someone else completely. Now we are back to this childish and annoying writing style with a childish and annoying plot that is full of childish and annoying characters.

The fallings out and the love triangles are just ridiculous. The books have back tracked. They have ceased to mature with the characters like three did and I am really disappointed!!!! The whole thing is now very repetitive and I am getting a tad fed up. Bring back the darkness, bring back the terror, bring back the maturity and the far more appealing and engaging style that was there before. Yes, the last 50 pages are a bit dark but for me it was too little, too late and too far fetched, even for HP!!!

The only thing I really enjoyed about this one was Winky. She was great, even Sirius didn't really do anything for me and I bloody loved him before!!!!

I am thoroughly disappointed and I am in no way enthused to read on as I was after finishing The Prisoner of Azkaban. SO FRUSTRATING!!

But I will plough on as it is my challenge...but I will have a break to read something good....well I hope the next reads are good!

Big Booos all round!

Book Geek

Review: The Executioner's Heart

Publisher: Titan Books

Price: £ 7.99

We are in Victorian London, we've got a crazy murderer on the loose and there is some steampunk thrown in!

I've not read any SP before but I think I like it. Subtle twists on an eccentric Victorian detective style novel. It was always a surprise when the machines cropped up but they didn't seem out of place and I enjoyed that thoroughly. There was also a hint of the Sherlock Holmes about this book. A slightly mental and drug addled lead with his more sensible and grounded sidekick.

The story was fun but gruesome, action packed yet light. A totally new type of book for me but one that I did indeed enjoy. N&H had a good dynamic and a past was successfully built for them. I don't know if they have featured in other books in the past, but I did in no way feel as if their relationship or back story was lacking. They had a bond, a connection and a history that was wholly convincing and cemented. 

I think I will defo look out for more SP novels in the hope that they are like this one. I think the subtlety of the SP elements helped my introduction to the genre and I do indeed get on with a cracking detective novel. I do think I'm going to have to try to stay away from murder for a while as it is impacting my dreams in a big way.

Detective novel with a twist that is fun indeed.

Happy Reading

Book Geek

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Review: The Stranger You Know

Price: £ 8.54 ebook

Publisher: Ebury Publishing imprint of Random House

Women are being murdered and it's sodding scary!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The book is written through the eyes of MK, female and young, the same as the victims, so of course, that led this book to scare the shit out of me even more. First person MK makes it believable an personal and terrifying to me!!! Why do I read books like this when I am home alone?????

I kept turning pages, with a compulsion. I had no idea what was going to happen, then I thought I was convinced I knew, then I was wrong but was convinced again but then I was wrong again!!! Very well done on that Ms C as when I can see a conclusion coming I am always bitterly disappointed. 

There are some cracking characters. Some are creepy, some are just dudes, some are babes. Even the small time non-descript characters that crop up enhance the book and couldn't be done without. 

I didn't feel like I was lacking any understanding of the book by not having read any previous MK novels. This works as a stand alone novel. I'm sure I would have had great understanding of character relationships, but they worked for me in this individual book and that's that!

I would defo read another MK book. I'm not a 1st person fan as you may know but I liked MK. She was strong and fighty but human and endearing and nice too. I also enjoyed the complex plot that sometimes lacks in a thriller. Cracking and terrifying read that crime/thriller fans should pick up!

Happy Reading

Book Geek

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P.S. don't read home alone if you are female and in your 20s!!!

Review: Finches of Mars

Publisher: The Friday Project

Price: £ 14.99 (hardback)

We are on mars in a colony of earth people. It's a weird set up and we are struggling to reproduce. On earth, things are all going rather tits up.

There is defo something of the Brave New World to this book and that's fine by me as BNW is one of my favourite books. FoM is wonderfully intelligent yet not out of grasp. Politics, love, religion and evolution are all debated and all are examined but not in the convoluted, pretentious way that was possible and I have to say somewhat expected.

The story is shocking and interesting and startling and defo fits wonderfully in to the genre of sci-fi. There was something of the old school about it, it wasn't too techno or action filled. It was what good old sci-fi novels used to be like and for that I am truly happy. There is a wonderful mix of characters and some glorious personalities are in play, even if they aren't all that clear at first.

A book that I am sure will surprise and delight sci-fi fans. It wasn't what I expected and it will indeed stick with me for a while. 

Happy Reading

Book Geek

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P.S. a short one I know but it's a pretty short read!!!

Review: Pale Kings

Price: £ 9.99

Publisher: Self

This is the second book in Mr G's series! Farden is back and things have gone somewhat to shit and guess who has to sort it out??? We pick up a few months after the last book......

I LOVE THESE BOOKS!! The story is action packed, twisty, turny and so so intriguing and compelling and gripping. The characters are also amazing. Farden is a total babe and there is another mage that crops up who is almost as babelicious (but I won't say who). The evil characters are evil personified, the good are gloriously good. Elessi is still a tit and I can't stand her still, but I've never been a fan of wet, weak and pathetic female characters, but then again, who is?

I still love Mr G's style of writing and the way he develops characters and plot lines. Smooth, involving and very intelligent. Glorious fantasy all round that gives you everything from vamps, to mages to dragons to wizards to Gods!!!

I really do recommend this series (and I'm only on book 2) to everyone who loves fantasy and I think people who aren't big fantasy fans should maybe give it a go as there as so may aspects of it and layers to love. A really enthralling series that has gripped me, just like Robin Hobb did when I discovered the Farseer Trilogy at the tender age of 17 (bloody hell that was 10 years ago now!!!!).

Please read these they are stonking! BRING ON THE NEXT ONE!

HAppy reading

Book Geek

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Review: The Last Werewolf

Price: £ 7.99

Publisher: Canongate Books

Jake is a werewolf and he's been one for a very long time and he's gone through a lot of shit. Now he seems to be the last one and things are all going a bit tits.

This book was lent to me by one of Boy Geek's flat mates. He thought I would enjoy it, he was wrong. I usually love books about the supernatural, the fantasy the weird and wonderful but this book was bloody awful! Let me explain....

At the beginning it's rather unclear who is who and it took me a while to gather that Jake was the were and Harley was the familiar. ARRRRGH!!!! It just wasn't written well. Following on, the story was hugely predictable and therefore it was rather boring. I could tell who would do what and why as we went along the whole entire way. Also, the story tries to do too much. GD seems to try to weave too many elements and characters in to what could have been a very moving and interesting tale. I think it was the mere volume of very predictable character and story lines that lead the story to be so rather shit. The keep it simple principle would have benefitted this book more.

Also, some aspects of the story were unnecessarily gratuitous and some aspects were unnecessarily vulgar and I'm not a squeamish or shy or reserved person in the slightest! So yeah, not a very good book, I will never get my time back! 

ARSE

Book Geek

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Harry Potter Challenge: The Prisoner of Azkaban

So then, I've finished part three of my challenge and well, this was a turn up for the books! It seriously feels like a completely different person has got hold of them. The style feels different in every single way, I kinda think that maybe there was more input from editors and stuff. Also, the plot moves so quickly and is so much more intriguing it is again like someone else has decided to write the books.

I do not feel still that the series is a massive work of genius however, I really did find this book rather entertaining. I didn't have to wait for 94 years for something to happen! Stuff happened all the time, the plot moved quickly, the characters were so interesting and the plot was far more complex. Sirius is a total dude as well as Lupin. There ceased to be characters that I wanted to murder. Hermione even became one that I could tolerate and I am now actually looking forward to reading the next book.

This is a crazy change of opinion for me but, as I said, I have been open to becoming a fan of the series. I do think, that it has something to do with the complete change in style and plot progression though....sorry.

Happy Reading

Book Geek
<:-)

P.S. I watched the second film. I fell asleep about half way through....it was not exciting at all.

Review: The Cult of Nostalgia

Publisher: Cutting Edge Press

Price: £ 8.99

We're in Paris at three different points in time, however, all are weirdly linked and all tell very different stories.

It's obvious that BB has done his homework and has a very enthusiastic style of writing. He obviously is a fan of Hemingway and knows a lot about him, but this really isn't a book for me. I can appreciate it for its merit and how it will appeal to many, but there just wasn't a certain something that I need to be enthralled by a book. I just couldn't get involved in it and, to be honest, every time I read it I fell asleep. I got better as time went on, but I don't know if that was enjoyment or just sheer determination to finish the book.

Rosette and Danielle were great characters. Very funny, quirky and loveable, but, I am afraid tat two quirks don't mean love.

A good work of literature that I am sure will be lobed many times over by the right person.

Happy Reading

Book Geek

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Review: The House Of Journalists

Price: £ 16.73 hardback

Publisher: Jonathan Cape

We're looking at the HoJ at one moment in time, we're looking at the present, pasts and futures of one set of residents who currently inhabit this house of gifted writers and their ghosts.

I enjoy the flipping and flopping of POV, it gives the book interest and a personal quality. However, I don't really think I 'got it' on the level at which it is intended to be received, but that doesn't mean I didn't find it enjoyable. I just feel, maybe, that there was some kind of society/literary comment I missed.

I enjoyed the look at corruption that comes from power, not only in governments but in small organisations and committees. How people have their own agendas and sod the rest of you! Freedom of voice and of the press is a precious thing and the events described by the inhabitants of the HoJ show that it is some thing to be fought for. I do wonder if the inhabitants' experiences were in fact based on true stories as you certainly hear ones like them from time to time. 

This is a very moving and warm yet scary and unsettling (in places) story told by the fellows. It's dark in places but that makes it even more enjoyable. Also, the enigma that is AA adds a certain something that I can't quite put my finger on.

Happy Reading

Book Geek

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Review: No Photo Available: A Sex Scandal in 563 Emails

Publisher: Self published

Price: £ 3.38 e book

Emails from and to Tom have been compiled to Sophie. These emails, as the title implies are scandalous! Tom is dead but he ain't been playing by the rules.

This book reminds me of The Afterparty by Leo Benedictis, you know its fiction, you've been told its a work of fiction, but you always sit on the edge of 'is it REALLY fiction.' The way it is written and compiled is so real, especially with the fore and after word from Sophie! SO SO BLOODY REAL.

The notes and emails which compile this book make it personal and emotive. You keep thinking bastard, bastard, bastard the whole way through. It really did evoke a great deal of emotion from me. It also worried the hell out of me! Do you really know any one??? Do you really know you can trust the people around you? Is everyone really a manipulative bastard deep down?

There are a few odd and cliched bits of language in the emails bandied around. This may however be intentional in many cases as manipulators, I am sure will stop at nothing to get what they want. They know how to use lang to wheedle themselves in and anchor their place in a person's life and heart.

I'm most pleased that this book didn't pass me by. It is compelling and intriguing and so so uncomfortable and disturbing! There is sex and love and manipulation and psychological abuse! WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT??

Happy Reading

Book Geek

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