The Book thread

[Darkweasel]

Just finished the latest Dexter novel, Double Dexter. Very good overall, although the killer's reveal was severely compromised by the relatively short length of the book, turning an "Oh. My. God" moment into an "Oh, yeah, it's him isn't it" moment.
The climax of the book was more than a little convenient too, and as before, was easy to spot a mile off.
Still, even after saying all that, it was a good, fast paced story and seriously difficult to put down once it got on a roll. Definitely one of the better Dexter books.
8/10


Now to Lovecraft's Necronomicon.

[Tet]

Just finished the first of James Barclay's "Chronicles of the raven" books, which was rather good. After that I took a slight detour to read "Go! More than a game" by Peter Shotwell. Which is absolutely terrible in terms of writing style, but does contain some useful information.

[Littlemissmetal]

Tet, get Gardens of the Moon!

[clare-l]

just finished City of Thieves by David Benioff. a teenager and a deserter are given an unusual punishment of searching Leningrad for a dozen eggs. weird premise but it was fantastic, really loved the two main characters.

[Rwand]

My 3G kindle broke so I had to go through the process of getting a new one. Thankfully I didn't have to pay as it was in its one year guarantee but I put the librarian's card details on the site in case I don't send my broken one off and they make me pay for the new one

[fluffymoo]

I finally managed to dig out a book my brother had given me ages ago. It's Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch, second book after The Lies of Locke Lamora. Really excited about getting started!

[Marksson]

I've started reading 'The Sagas of Icelanders'. Basically it is a collection of the Saga's written by the Icelandic Vikings, but it includes many mentions of the Norwegian Vikings in their travels. It's brilliant so far, highly recommended!!

[Littlemissmetal]

Left Dust of Dreams at Alex's by accident (aargh, sacrilege etc) so I'm re-reading Legend by David Gemmell. As possibly my favourite book ever if forced to pick just one (it's a tie between this and The Silmarillion) I read it usually at least once a year. Time for round one of 2012

[Johnny Tightlips]

Bit of a long one seeing as I've been on holiday...

Jeffery Deaver - The Sleeping Doll
As much as I adore Deaver, I've always been put off reading the Kathryn Dance novels. I find her character in the Lincoln Rhyme series to be a bit boring and one-dimensional, but with the third book in the series now due this summer I thought I should go back and give them a go. And, wouldn't you know it, I was very surprised - the first book was great. Only someone like Jeffery Deaver can take a very mundane character with a very boring skill and make her interesting. One of the better Deaver plots of late, and all the usual good supporting characters. I should never have doubted him.
8/10

Jeffery Deaver - Roadside Crosses
More Kathyrn Dance, and this time even better. The story did get a little distracted at times, but it was pulled back on track very quickly and had a final twist worthy of The Coffin Dancer (which I still maintain has the best plot twist of any book). For the most part, not as good as The Sleeping Doll, but the ending more than made up for it, so for me they're on par.
8/10

Adam Blake - The Dead Sea Deception
Adam Blake does not exist. Well, he exists on paper. Mr. Blake is in fact a pseudonym for an "internationally bestselling novelist based in London". Upon reading this book it then becomes painfully obvious that this "mysterious author" is clearly a crime fiction author looking to cash in on the DBSOT (Dan Brown School of Thought ©), because this book is purely a crime book with historical fact/fiction thrown in for good luck. Ultimately, this muddles the plot horrendously and half your time is spent laughing at the ridiculous plot jumps and nonsensical dialogue. Avoid.
3/10

Hammond Innes - The Wreck of the Mary Deare
Not one of Hammond Innes' best books, but a solid book overall. I did find the marine terminology a bit overbearing throughout, but this is quite common with this author as the majority of his books are based around maritime affairs. A good, classic read but only for those who are fans of Bagley/MacLean/Kyle etc...
6/10

Hammond Innes - Campbell's Kingdom
A step up compared to the previously reviewed book, and interestingly very similar to Desmond Bagley's Landslide. Typically British (and dying) man sets off to reclaim his grandfathers kingdom in Canada, only to find locals standing in his way. Cue excellent backdrops, good adventure and plenty of good old fashioned sexism. They don't write them like this anymore.
7/10

Desmond Bagley - Juggernaut
Bagley's last novel, published after his death, sees the transport of a 300 ton transformer atop a vast lorry across a civil war-torn fictional African country. Everything you could want from an adventure/thriller novel is here in Bagley's usual style. My only gripe is the sudden ending of the book. Granted, Bagley does have a good excuse (he died), but with his wife left to finish it I have a feeling she panicked and ended it a bit too early. That being said, perhaps the ending was for the best? Perhaps the ending mirrors Bagley's life, in that both ended suddenly without warning, and it was left like that intentionally? An abrupt end to an incredible legacy of fiction.
9/10

John Case - The Genesis Code
One of the original religious conspiracy thrillers, published in 1997, reads as well today as it did back when it was released. The dialogue may be a little stilted at times, and the plot may be slighty jumpy, but its a gripping read with an excellent ending. Recommended.
8/10

Alex Connor - The Rembrandt Secret
A serial killer murdering people in the style of Rembrandt's paintings, all of whom were partial to a terrible secret about Rembrandt himself - sounds OK? Thats what I thought - until I read the book. The writing style borders on silly (why would you start new paragraphs, complete with linebreaks, in the middle of a scene?), the characters have no depth and the ending is just ridiculous. Terrible.
2/10

Bernard Cornwell - The Death of Kings
Without a doubt, one of the most plot lacking books in Cornwell's Saxon series, yet...I couldn't stop reading it. Other than the obvious part of the plot (Alfred dies, the clue is in the title really), almost nothing happens in this book. But, as usual with Cornwell, I found myself reading on and on...and on...only to discover the book was over, and I was craving more. With Alfred dead and Uhtred growing old though, I suspect we only have 2 or 3 books left before this series calls it a day.
7/10

Richard Matheson - The Shrinking Man
Another sci-fi "classic" that I just didn't get. It was well written in general, and the plot was good, but I was mystified as to why there was so much sex in a book that was supposed to be about a man shrinking (obvious penis jokes aside). I also realise that the ending was supposed to be left to your imagination, but I did feel a bit cheated that it ended so soon. An OK book, but nothing more.
5/10

Alexander McCall Smith - Tears of the Giraffe
I read this book purely because I didn't bring enough of my own books on holiday with me, but I was quite surprised - it was actually OK. Nothing special or riveting, but OK. I found the whole "happiness" of the novel a bit boring at times, and no where near enough time was devoted to the actual crime (a vague, rushed explanation was shoved in at the end), but it was well written and a decent book for a quick read.
6/10

[Littlemissmetal]

Left the latest Malazan book at Alex's by accident, so decided to re-read Legend by David Gemmel this week until I get it back at the weekend.

There are no words in any language to describe how much I love this book and how happy it makes me

[Twaddlefish]

I finally managed to dig out a book my brother had given me ages ago. It's Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch, second book after The Lies of Locke Lamora. Really excited about getting started!

That's what I'm gonna read next, and hopefully bounce straight on to Republic of Thieves if it's out.

Just started The Wiseman's Fear, it's pretty great so far.

Anyone use goodreads?

www.goodreads.com

[Fjar]

Anyone use goodreads?

http://www.goodreads.com

I do now.

[Littlemissmetal]

I'm engrossed in their Never Ending Book Quiz at the moment

[VirginInvader]

Just started The Wiseman's Fear

Good man

[keera_envenomed]

Anyone use goodreads?

http://www.goodreads.com

I do now.

I've just spent two hours doing quizzes and rating books on this thing. What have you introduced me too? Like the internet doesn't already eat up enough of my time!

When I started it was sunny, now its raining. Perfect excuse to spend my afternoon rating books!