Review: Fool Moon

Author: Jim Butcher
Series: Dresden Files #2
Pages: 401
Star Rating: ✪✪✪✪

Synopsis

I will give you the Synopsis for book one.

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he’s the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things—and most don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a—well, whatever. There’s just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks.

So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name. And that’s when things start to get interesting.

Magic – it can get a guy killed.

My thoughts

This is the second book in the Dresden files series, which is a series that I am really enjoying. Harry Dresden is a crime fighting wizard which is a character I didn’t know I needed in my life.
He is a character I really enjoy and I haven’t enjoyed a character like this in a long time. He is so funny, especially when everything is  going wrong for him. I didn’t think the humour was there as much as in the first book I read but it was still there. I enjoyed the supernatural elements in this book and they were done in a way I hadn’t read before.
I love the way that crime fighting plus murder/mystery crime fighting is brought together and I think it is done really really well. I will definitely be continuing with this series which I think at the moment is now on book 16.

Here is my review for book 1 – Storm Front

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below if you have read this book

-Happy Reading
xoxo

If It Bleeds Review

Author: Stephen King
Pages: 447
Star Rating: ✪✪✪✪

Synopsis

A collection of four uniquely wonderful long stories, including a stand-alone sequel to the No. 1 bestseller THE OUTSIDER. News people have a saying: ‘If it bleeds, it leads’. And a bomb at Albert Macready Middle School is guaranteed to lead any bulletin. Holly Gibney of the Finders Keepers detective agency is working on the case of a missing dog – and on her own need to be more assertive – when she sees the footage on TV. But when she tunes in again, to the late-night report, she realises there is something not quite right about the correspondent who was first on the scene. So begins ‘If It Bleeds’, a stand-alone sequel to the No. 1 bestselling THE OUTSIDER featuring the incomparable Holly on her first solo case – and also the riveting title story in Stephen King’s brilliant new collection. Dancing alongside are three more wonderful long stories from this ‘formidably versatile author’ (The Sunday Times) – ‘Mr Harrigan’s Phone’, ‘The Life of Chuck’ and ‘Rat’. All four display the richness of King’s storytelling with grace, humour, horror and breathtaking suspense. A fascinating Author’s Note gives us a wonderful insight into the origin of each story and the writer’s unparalleled imagination

My thoughts

I really enjoyed this book and thought the stories where good. I have a strange relationship with Stephen King books, I either love them and finish them really quickly or I take forever to get through them as they don’t grab me.
I bought this because of the short story for The Outsider.

Mr Harrigan’s Phone – This one was good and I thought a solid start to keep me gripped and wanting to read the other stories. It was about a lovely relationship between an older man and a younger boy, where both of them teach each other about life from their perspectives. I would of liked a little more in this one because of the relationship between them both.

The Life of Chuck – If I am being honest about this one it isn’t one I remember much about. From what I can remember it was about the world slowly dying. I would need a re-read of this one. I do remember finding it story which was thought-provoking but not one which sticks around.

If it bleeds – This is the reason I bought this book and I actually really enjoyed this. Holly Gibney is a character from the Mr Mercedes trilogy which is not something I have read but after reading this, it is now on my radar. I thought this was an interesting plot and a lot longer than the other short stories in this collections.

Rat – This one was my least favourite out of the entire book. It is about an author who is good at writing short stories but can not finish a full novel. It is his journey to finally writing his first full length novel. I didn’t really find it that interesting and found myself skim reading it towards the end. Overall I would recommend this book to people and I will definitely be picking up the Mr Mercedes trilogy in the future.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below if you have read this book

-Happy Reading
xoxo

Review: Storm Front

Author: Jim Butcher
Pages: 384
Star Rating: ✪✪✪✪

Synopsis

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he’s the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things—and most don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a—well, whatever. There’s just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks.

So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name. And that’s when things start to get interesting.

Magic – it can get a guy killed.

My thoughts

Wizards and detectives! sign me up… as soon as I read that I was extremely interested and wanted to dive into this series.

Characters = 8.5

I thought the characters were extremely likeable and developed throughout the story. Harry Dresden is the main character and he is extremely funny. He makes some choices throughout, which sometimes where debatable and if made ever so slightly differently he would have had an easier ride but he was funny throughout about these choices.

Murphy is the female detective in the plot and she is a strong female character who doesn’t take anything from anyone but is still self conscience about how she is doing in the job role.

Atmosphere = 7

The atmosphere throughout was good and I felt all the moods and emotions, there were times were it lacked a little but it didn’t take away from the story.

Writing = 8.5

I really liked the writing style and the way it was written. It is written in first person and I think that adds to the way the story works.

Plot = 8 and Intrigue = 9

I really enjoyed the plot for this book, it was a murder/mystery detective plot with the twist of supernatural with a wizard detective consultant. This plot was everything I didn’t know I wanted in a book. It plot was just so intriguing and I think it was done really well.

Logic = 8.5

I gave the logic an 8.5 because I thought the choices the characters made where choices that made sense but if they made changes, for example, just communicating with another character, the choices would have had a better outcome now matter how logical they seemed. I could feel myself thinking “oh Dresden” when he just didn’t make that one little phone call.

Enjoyment =10

I loved this book and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience reading it. I dove straight into the 2nd book of the series and can not wait to see were the series goes.

overall the book got a 8.5 which equals a 4 star and I would highly recommend this series to everyone. One thing to note is that for some people it takes a couple of book to get in to.

What are your thoughts on this style of review? Let me know in the comments below

– Happy reading XO

Review: The Way Of Kings

Author: Brandon Sanderson
Pages: 1001
Star Rating: ✪✪✪✪

Synopsis

According to mythology mankind used to live in The Tranquiline Halls. Heaven. But then the Voidbringers assaulted and captured heaven, casting out God and men. Men took root on Roshar, the world of storms. And the Voidbringers followed…

They came against man ten thousand times. To help them cope, the Almighty gave men powerful suits of armor and mystical weapons, known as Shardblades. Led by ten angelic Heralds and ten orders of knights known as Radiants, mankind finally won.

Or so the legends say. Today, the only remnants of those supposed battles are the Shardblades, the possession of which makes a man nearly invincible on the battlefield. The entire world is at war with itself – and has been for centuries since the Radiants turned against mankind. Kings strive to win more Shardblades, each secretly wishing to be the one who will finally unite all of mankind under a single throne.

On a world scoured down to the rock by terrifying hurricanes that blow through every few day a young spearman forced into the army of a Shardbearer, led to war against an enemy he doesn’t understand and doesn’t really want to fight.

What happened deep in mankind’s past?

Why did the Radiants turn against mankind, and what happened to the magic they used to wield?

My thoughts

I enjoyed my read of this book and thought it was a solid start to a series, I have found with Brandon Sanderson’s books I do struggling at the beginning of some of them with the pacing but they pick up really quickly.

I loved the character Kaladin and really enjoyed learning his back story throughout the books built into what he is doing at the moment, it really made me understand him alot more and the choices he makes. I hope we hear more from his bridge crew in the other books.

I really want to learn more about the other characters. One of my favourite things about Sanderson’s writing is how he does his characters.

I am going to read the next book in the series in September and I am really looking forward to it

Have you read this book? What were your thoughts, let me know in the comments below

– Happy Reading xo

Review: Malice by John Gwynne

Author: John Gwynne
Pages: 628
Star Rating: ✪✪✪✪.5

Synopsis

Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors, learning the art of war. He yearns to wield his sword and spear to protect his king’s realm. But that day will come all too soon. Only when he loses those he loves will he learn the true price of courage.

The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed in battle, the earth running dark with their heartsblood. Although the giant-clans were broken in ages past, their ruined fortresses still scar the land. But now giants stir anew, the very stones weep blood and there are sightings of giant wyrms. Those who can still read the signs see a threat far greater than the ancient wars. Sorrow will darken the world, as angels and demons make it their battlefield. Then there will be a war to end all wars.

High King Aquilus summons his fellow kings to council, seeking an alliance in this time of need. Prophesy indicates darkness and light will demand two champions, the Black Sun and the Bright Star. They would be wise to seek out both, for if the Black Sun gains ascendancy, mankind’s hopes and dreams will fall to dust.

My thoughts

I really enjoyed this first book in The Faithful and The Fallen series. The author is writes really well and caught my attention from the beginning. I enjoyed watching the characters grow. I really enjoyed reading the relationship between the main character Corban and his sister Cywen. I thought the pacing of the book was done really well. Gwynne made me hate characters with a passion and love characters equally as much but my gosh does John Gwynne know how to flip characters and to write emotion inducing endings.

I have immediately bought the next in the series and plan to try and add this to my TBR for either August or September.

Have you read this book? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

-Happy reading
xoxo