And now for a little fun.

So, ummmmm, I‘m not sure I can properly review this. This is the kind of book that no matter what you say, someone will call you sick. Lol. It is definitely different. It is definitely dark and twisted. Not for the feint of heart. It‘s also not without merit. If you‘ve got a strong stomach, just give it a go. Maybe…

What the hell did I get into? I‘m used to offensive novels, but this…this is something special. I‘ll hang in there and see.

What can you say about another Joe Ledger novel. Fast paced, lots of fun and the ending is a little disappointing. Still a fun read. I'll keep reading them.

After seeing this recommended over and over and over, I was excited to read it. I went into it with no knowledge whatsoever. I wasn't expecting the history lesson that is the first half of the book. It is slooooow and the character building seems to take second stage to making sure you understand the politics. That said, it also ends abruptly.

Struggling to get into this. The translation makes it read like an instruction manual half the time. Also, I‘ve had to read way more Wikipedia than I like. Just kidding, mostly.

Nothing extra here really. If you like the Ledger novels, you‘ll like this one. I feel the ending was a little weak. The almost supernatural portions are a stretch. Not upset I read it. Always a fan of the series.

I finished this almost a month ago. I just haven‘t had time to post anything. Here‘s the short and sweet: if you like Dresden, you‘ll love this. It‘s pure, unadulterated Harry. Maybe a tad softer than usual, but close. Having family will do that to you. It‘s lots of fun and it‘s a fast read. I know I‘ll probably get some hate for this, but I (so far) do not see the point of splitting this novel in two. We shall see when I get to the second half.

After needing to finish some less than stellar books first and...spending a few hours reading through recaps of the last book, I get to sink into this. I just don‘t have the time to do rereads. Series these days are making me crazy that way. I‘ve been reading these books for over a decade, but I can‘t keep track when there‘s years between books. It‘s becoming commonplace.😤 Anyway, loving it so far! No big surprise. It‘s so much fun!

Barely “So-So”. Best way to describe this book. Not one likable character. Strange structure and style. The best part of the story is left unexplained, which takes away from its plausibility. If your in your late teens or early twenties now, maybe it‘ll resonate more. For me though, pretty sad use of my time.

A few days into this and I‘m not super impressed. The mechanism is weird and the writing is...a tad juvenile. I‘m hoping the second half kicks it up. The premise is great fun!

It took me a couple of days after finishing this book to get here. In typical P. Brown fashion, I felt angry, sad and dirty at the end. I struggled through it for personal reasons, but I‘m glad I made it. This series truly is worth the praise from the drooling fans. The world is amazing! The story, with its sadness and curves draws you in and makes you care. It also tangles your brain. I love it. Can‘t wait for the finale!

I‘ve been reading this (on and off) for 6 months now! Sheesh! It‘s not that it isn‘t great. It is. It‘s powerful and exciting and heartbreaking. I just have not had any time to read. This series is like GoT though, so it‘s hard to remember all the characters and politics if you don‘t keep fresh. Halfway though it now though and on a good streak. Should finish it in two weeks. 😂🤞🏻

Man! This took me forever to finish. Busy year with the family and work coupled with it not being quite the page turner Hyperion is, and voila: destruction of my reading numbers.

I enjoyed this story. I enjoyed it a lot. It is NOT at the same pace as the first. It‘s slow and sometimes drawn out. BUT, the story is great. I was pleasantly surprised a few times, even.
CONT.

Put on Soma FM for some reading music and this is the song that was on. Imagine that.

I chose not to wait too long and dove back into it. So far, I‘m really enjoying it again.

Blah blah blah. I‘m totally missing the draw to this book, or authors style or whatever. The writing is sloppy and gross. The sex is stolen from a teen boy‘s journal with the exception of the pedo stuff which is just awkward. Long story short, I wouldn‘t bother. Spoiler in comments.

I have a feeling this book is not going to be a...big winner. The writing is just not up to par. Even for a shock horror novel. We‘ll see.

At the beginning, I was worried. Shortly after that, I fell in love. This is a phenomenal read. Beautifully spun tales that keep one fully engaged and unable to put it down. Reading older sci-fi and seeing how on point it can be is always a treat. This is no exception. So glad I finally picked this up. Started a filler book, but immediately reading the rest of this series after that.

After years of avoiding it (based on reading SO many love/hate discussions) I finally decided it‘s time. It just felt right. So far, it a very enjoyable read. The storytelling makes it very interesting and keeps the pace. I can‘t say I am enraptured like so many people have. But it‘s early and I‘m holding out hope.

Doing a read through of King‘s work is a task. He‘s not my favorite author. He has some great books. Annnnd he has some dogs. This is in between. There‘s some great storytelling and there‘s some very lazy plot holes. It‘s that book where you just think, “why would you do it that way” the whole way through. Not feeling more complete having read this.

Continuing my SK biblio read through with this classic. So far, I‘m really enjoying the writing. Fast, pulpy, clever SK. Image credit: Vince Locke

3.75* This is a really fun, subterranean horror/sci-fi book. Lots of action and some great characters. It has a lot of plot holes but it moves fast enough that you don‘t really care. My big issue: I feel like it‘s written to be turned into a movie. That and a series. You can tell that from about halfway through. Still very entertaining and I‘ll for sure be reading the whole series.

Can‘t remember where I saw this suggested but I‘m glad I did. So far, a very interesting subterranean horror.

[4*]
I started this shortly after becoming a father. The fact that I could no longer read before bed is the only reason this has any bearing. Honestly though, even if that hadn‘t been the case, I probably wouldn‘t have read this at night. I love me some goreporn. But this...I didn‘t want to go to sleep with this in my head. If you‘re into really F-d up horror books, this is a must. It‘s just grotesque. [Cont. below.]

I started this book about 6 weeks ago. A baby and life have gotten in the way of me reading much. Trying to find the time to get back to it.

Old Flames is a decent read about a woman who tracks down a long lost lover. It's not particularly original or unexpected, but it plays out nicely. Not the typical Ketchum I was expecting. The 2nd story, Right To Life is...Ketchum. Actually, I found this to be a little over the top, even for me. I found it very disturbing. That's not to say it's not well done, but it's not my type of horror read. It's without a doubt, torture porn. So be aware.

Unfortunately, this book is not grabbing me like most of his books do. I hope it picks up.

3.5* Okay, this is not my favorite of the series. I got a headache from rolling my eyes back into my head. The writing seems a bit rushed and...messy and the general handliu of characters we know and enjoy seemed sloppy. That said, it's still really enjoyable. I flew through it. There were some tears and some anger even. It's a must read for anyone who has enjoyed the rest of the series.

This book took me forever to read. Not because it wasn't good. I've been reading a bunch of birthing books and parenting guides. I've got that going on. :) But, I got to the last few chapters of this book weeks ago...and I've put off reading them until today. Cont...👇🏼

I'm my slow quest to read all of the King books chronologically, I've arrived here. Every few books, I squeeze in a King novel. It'll take me awhile, but I've got time. For the first 30 or so pages, I was wondering if this was going to be a slow read. Then, the hook set in. I have a feeling this will be one of my favorite works by SK.

I really really enjoyed this book. The telling is similar to his first book, "House of Windows", but it's far more gripping. It's a story and it's told brilliantly, like a story should be. You can imagine sitting in a booth in a dark bar and listening to an old man spin his tale. I'm a sucker for all things Lovecraftian and this is full of it. Spooky, dark and very enjoyable.

Starting this bad boy tonight. 🎣

Two books, Red being the main, and The Passenger being the novella at the end. Red was okay. It felt a little phoned in. A made for TV book if you will. Not what people read Ketchum for. The Passenger is what people read Ketchum for. Short, violent and intriguing. Still suggest it as a quick read.

The second time he stopped he cried at last for the loss of him and for their long fine past together and pounded with his fist at the hardscrabble earth that had brought them here.

Not looking forward to this one. As a doggie daddy of three and an animal lover, I imagine this is going to be tough to get through.

I saw mixed reviews and didn't expect to enjoy this. I did. Very much. It reads like a modern take on a 60s ghost movie. I can see a screenplay. It's long-winded and detail heavy, but reads quickly. The story isn't the most original, but there's enough new to make you keep turning pages. I could of done with more chapter breaks, but I'm particular. Very enjoyable.

Starting this sucker tonight. On my slightly-compulsive way to "The Fisherman".

3.75*'s
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It's impossible to not note the similarities with "Lord of the Flies". The kids are fewer and far kinder, but the beast is pretty gnarly and quite revolting. A quick, fun read that left me...itchy. I won't be recommending it to any teenage Scouts though. They might leave the group.

Been hearing about this one forever. Finally going to give it a go.

I've heard so many rave reviews about this over the years, I was prepared to dislike it. The reality is, it's one of my favorite King novels so far. It's the perfect use of his very descriptive style. It's a quick and enthralling read. A wonderful setup for what I imagine will be a sprawling take. I really enjoyed it and look forward to the next in the series.

I started reading this 20 some years ago and never finished. It was around the time I stopped seriously reading King. I'm slowly working my way through his works now and I'm pretty excited to be on this one.

3 1/2*
Not my favorite Ketchum novel. It's almost entirely believable. Maybe too believable. It reads like a true crime reenactment, which isn't a bad thing. Just not what I was looking for. Well done though.

Just starting this bad boy. Getting close to the end of Ketchum's works. Sad days.

I was NOT a fan in the beginning. After the first few stories, it hits a stride. The last few are pretty cute. Not great, but cute.

I've been waiting a long time to read this. I had some other books lined up first, but I was also a little afraid. Afraid I wouldn't be able to remember the important details from the previous three books. It's coming back to me... slowly. Wish me luck.

Unpopular opinion: this book is not good. I trudged through and kept hoping it would get better. After many false starts, it was over. I'll attempt to read her other works. I've heard too many good things. But, I'm nervous. 😨

Atwood has been on my list forever. I usually prefer to read authors chronologically. My wife is eager to watch the show. So, I'm forced to leave my bubble and read this first. It makes me very uneasy, but I'll power through.

4 1/4* I read some of the negative reviews, just to see. Jeez people, STFU! Sometimes a story is a story. Reading too much into something takes away from it. Unfortunately, we're living in a world where most people are trying to leech all the joy out of everything with ridiculousness.

This book is fun. I understand why some people call it a tad juvenile. It does sway that way. It's not particularly "hard" fantasy.