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All reviews - Books (44)

Welcome to the Feral Zone

Posted : 9 years, 7 months ago on 6 May 2015 08:41 (A review of Inhuman (Fetch #1) )

I was intrigued by the cover, curious description of the book and convinced the good grades on various portals. For me personally, it was a hit, I penetrated to the world described by the author and I am sure that this world will long remain in my memory.

The beginning was quite barren, I thought that this perhaps wasnā€™t interest me, in addition - the main character, Delaney, wasnā€™t very convincing, but luckily action very quickly moved behind a massive wall, which was built by the corporation as part of compensation for the fact, that several years ago it caused the disaster and its experiments on animals led to an infection of a huge amount of the population. On one side of the wall "normal" society, on the other side of the wall ā€“ Feral Zone and beastmen in the strangest forms.

For me, everything was very exciting, the climate and the world behind the wall - great, I was reminded Planet of the Apes movies that I love, expressive characters, and really it was easy to forget about everyday life. Delaney wasnā€™t so annoying teenager and Rafe - gem, his personality, his way of being amused me to tears.

Perhaps it was in this book some inaccuracies, may have been a little absurd situations, but all captivated me so much, that I turned a blind eye. The book was a good entertainment and gave me a lot of emotions and I impatiently expected to continue.


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Fear and pain are only wind

Posted : 9 years, 8 months ago on 12 April 2015 10:15 (A review of The Daylight War (The Demon Cycle, Book 3))

After the sensational, or at least very good previous parts, here Iā€™m totally disappointed, because it was simply boring.

At the beginning we know mainly the story of Inevera, her youth and the events that we already know, but from her perspective. Itā€™s also about Arlen and Renna and their return home, and return Leesha and Rojer, also we get to know a little more of Jardirā€™s intentions regarding the conquest of the North. Everything was very dragged, sometimes I had the feeling that everything just standing in place and is being expanded by less important details, which would only prolong the action. I like this world, but I was bored to death.

The second half of the book was much better. Finally it began, as I waited. Arlenā€™s powers are becoming bigger, unimaginable and inhuman, he makes important decisions about their personal life (emotional), to the North back Leesha and comes to a confrontation between her, Arlen and Renna. Here it was quite interesting, because I wasnā€™t quite sure, which of these women Arlen really loves. Finally, also comes the new moon, and finally something happens, Demons led by intelligent princes are not so helpless.

And most importantly, the title war in daylight, I was waiting for this confrontation from the outset. This wasnā€™t war, which I expected, and it was definitely too short and too fast, but the ending left a big 'wow' and I think that's really not the end, and just the beginning and I look forward to what will be in future books.


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Rick and company

Posted : 9 years, 8 months ago on 27 March 2015 08:08 (A review of The Walking Dead, Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye)

I didnā€™t read in my life too many comics and I must admit that it was a really nice change. I love The Walking Dead tv series, and I've always wanted to check how looks original, and finally I did it.

I love it. Fast action, really great illustrations. Of course, all the time I compared the characters in the comic with these from TV series, Glenn was removed straight from comic book, Carol I liked more in the series, it was nice to remember once again the characters that I liked, like an old man Dale, and those whom I hated, as Shane and Andrea, and return to the events that I saw on the screen quite a long time ago.

Certainly, I will continue my adventure with zombies, not only that one with TV series, but also in the form of comics.


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Sheā€™s a hunter, heā€™s her prey

Posted : 9 years, 8 months ago on 26 March 2015 10:12 (A review of Legend)

"Legend" was lying on my shelf for a long time before I took to reading. I do not know what exactly distract my attention from this book, maybe a little impressive cover, maybe quite patriotic titles of the series, I assumed that it would be boring and uninteresting. Now I spit on the chin, because the book was interesting.

Author presents us a world dominated by the Republic, occupying a large part of the former western United States. Part of the land was lost by the floods, so it takes a constant struggle for the land, with the Colonies located in the east, which we didnā€™t find out too much, maybe in later volumes. The population clearly divided into the poor and the parent entities, which are the smarter part of society, rich and mainly serve in the Army of the Republic. I love dystopian themes like this and author created interesting vision of a world, in which takes place great story. Compared to other sagas maintained in these climates, which I read, this is really good. Well, at least the first part.

First of all, each character in this book was interesting, cool characterized. The main characters come from opposite worlds, and their paths come together in a rather unfriendly circumstances. She is a hunter, he is prey. She is a 15-year-old child prodigy, a military genius. She reminded me a little female version of Ender from Cardā€™s novel. The main character is a criminal and a threat to the Republic. Each of them is a strong, charismatic, and maybe that's why I liked them so much, especially June, which isnā€™t a sentimental girl, doesnā€™t pass inner transformation from a shy, insecure herself girl in a super courageous fighter, which, I have to admit, it started to irritate me in the books of the type.

In summary, a lot going on, sometimes is quite violently (the author definitely doesnā€™t have problem from describing death), there is no shortage of emotion, literally, I swallowed this story and I couldnā€™t break away from reading. I recommend it!


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More about demons world

Posted : 9 years, 8 months ago on 25 March 2015 10:18 (A review of The Great Bazaar & Brayan's Gold: Stories from The Demon Cycle Series)

Iā€™m reluctant to reach for the extras this type, because itā€™s usually donā€™t bring absolutely nothing to the novel, arenā€™t especially surprising, are only a supplement and I donā€™t expect too much. Here was similar. I decided to read it, donā€™t regret it, because I love the world created by the author, but confirmed everything that I wrote earlier.

The book contains two stories, located in different places in time. From the Great Bazaar we find out a little more about Abban and his friendship with Arlen, and know exactly how Arlen came into possession maps to the lost city. It wasnā€™t especially thrilling, but it was nice to know. Bryanā€™s Gold takes us back in time to the moment, when Arlen studied in Miln, we know the story of his first big mission as a messenger. This part was really interesting, there isnā€™t too much influence on the course of events in the novel, but in itself as the story is interesting, especially for me, because I very liked Arlen from that early period and it was nice to read again something in this topic. Especially because there appears again a one-armed rock demon, his relationship with Arlen was one of my favorite topics in the book.

Between these two stories is located some unnecessary things, and I think it would be better, if they were stuck to the book, or that they werenā€™t there. Namely, two deleted scenes from The Painted Man, and some explanations of runs and the characteristics of the types of demons. There is also a glossary of language Krasians people... ahh, after Desert Spear completely useless for me, I'm a long time assimilated their culture and vocabulary, and stuck in my head, so a glossary was unnecessary for me in this short book.

Generally speaking, donā€™t necessarily need to read, but as someone really likes the author, is worth reading for sure.


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Friendship and courage

Posted : 9 years, 9 months ago on 9 March 2015 11:29 (A review of The Ruins of Gorlan (The Ranger's Apprentice, Book 1))

This is my first contact with this author and I consider this meeting to be quite successful, but I'm not particularly impressed.

I donā€™t know what exactly happened, usually I like stories about young people, their adventures and the power of friendship, I like when the main character has a cool short and concise name, like Will, Finn, Todd, Ben, etc. And when his weapon is a bow... (I have a weakness for archers), in addition he is smart, resourceful, courageous and talented... what more can I want? But comparing this book to all that I've read before, seemed to me a little too much geared towards young readers, and the main character isnā€™t so young. I felt no higher sympathy for any of the characters. In addition, the first 100 pages dragged mercilessly, and learned from them the same thing as I read in the description on the back of the book, so zero surprise. Later, when there is a horse, the action getting started, while hunting accompany us real emotions. And almost till the end is just better, including a surprising epilogue, maybe with the exception that the master Halt, knowing very well the weakness of the enemy, he doesnā€™t came up with the idea of some kind of ambush, and generally this fight ends up pretty stupid.

I will definitely read more volumes, scares me a little their amount, so I probably will not read this whole saga as soon as I assumed. I always hope that history, especially voluminous gets started and at some point I feel it. And definitely this is a position that Iā€™m in the initial order, in addition to Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, His Dark Materials, I can recommend in the future my adolescent son (daughter not necessarily).


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All men are brothers in the night

Posted : 9 years, 9 months ago on 4 March 2015 06:12 (A review of The Desert Spear (The Demon Cycle, Book 2))

I must admit that I liked very much. "Desert Spear" hasnā€™t done on me such a great impression as "The Painted Man," but the world created by the author is really interesting and engaging.

Humanity constantly struggling with the plague of demons, arising after dark from planetā€™s core. In the first part of the book we get to know closer the residents of Krasia, their customs, tribal divisions, their faith, and in particular Jardirā€™s history from his youngest years. We are members of his training as a warrior, and his first and subsequent meetings with Arlen, and all the facts which led to event, that Jardir in "The Painted Man" has decided to pick up Arlenā€™s spear and call themselves the Deliverer. This part was the hardest for me to assimilate. Much Krasia naming, which was difficult, but over time has created a unique atmosphere and it was definitely worth to know the Jardirā€™s history, which I hated, for what he did, and now I hate him equally strongly, but at least I understand :) Later we go back to Arlen and his friends. There is also a Renna thread, which made me very happy. Her subsequent history was probably the most shocking part of the book for me.

In the second half of the book to the villages in the North is coming more and more refugees from areas occupied by men of Krasia, finally confronted the people of the desert with the people of the North, which results in more interesting complexities. Renna thread is still interesting continue and lead to a great finish. I also enjoyed the more frequent occurrence of the Mind demons and Mimic demons, which certainly has introduced a breath of fresh air to the whole story, and a bit of concern that despite the powerful war runes, the fight against demons will not be so simple and obvious. If previously men of Krasia and people from North not kill each other... There were also more Arlen, and I must admit that this is my favorite character in this story.

I really like, that in this whole story, we donā€™t get everything at once, there are many threads are jumps in time, we very accurately know the main characters, it all makes us look forward with bated breath on the course of events. Also, a world that is very accurately described, makes me feel a participant, every appearance of demons was scary, every single event was very lively and almost real. What can I write more... I like this story, puts me in a really unusual world, and that I expect from the book.


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You have to carry the fire

Posted : 9 years, 9 months ago on 2 March 2015 07:48 (A review of The Road)

ā€œPeople were always getting ready for tomorrow. I didn't believe in that. Tomorrow wasn't getting ready for them. It didn't even know they were there.ā€

What can I say about "The Road"... was a long, sad, rather monotonous, and generally I've been waiting for the moment when they will end. Some things I liked and others made me bored out.

Pluses - definitely cruel and very grim vision of the world, I felt encompassing emptiness and fear of the characters before each day. A few scenes made me shiver... especially one at which I really felt how cruel people can be in the face of hunger and desire to survive. Quite touching father-son relationship. If the author had in mind calling the feeling of dejection while reading, he hit the nail.

Minuses, which had an impact on the fact that I rate this book as judge - a terrible monotony, day after day dragged mercilessly, all was mingled together, gray, emptiness, ash, cold, man and son swathed in blankets, looking for food, their fear of any form that they meet on the road, very terse dialogues, short, often several times about the same. Very little happens during a really long way.

But in comparison to the movie, which I saw in the past and barely watched to the end, the book was a whole lot better.


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Stories are wild creatures

Posted : 9 years, 9 months ago on 26 February 2015 08:43 (A review of A Monster Calls: Inspired by an idea from Siobhan Dowd)

ā€žThe monster showed up just after midnight. As they do.ā€

At the outset, I must mention that I ordered this item on the Internet and what was my surprise when I unpacked at home delivery! The book was just beautiful! I couldnā€™t stop touching it, stroking and browse. Wonderful thick white pages, no yellowed from shit. In addition, the whole enriched with illustrations by Jim Kay, which added the character of all events, and made the book jumps to entirely another level, it will be a real decoration of each bookcase.

The book was short, but very rich in content. Story of a boy, Conor, who lives in a world where he must embrace at an early age a lot of things at once, parental divorce, serious illness of his mother, disappointment regarding the friend, not an easy existence among his peers at school. He has nightmares. One night Monster visits him, who in spite of all the erroneous beliefs about Monsters, it isnā€™t so bad...

ā€œWhat you think is not important. It is only important what you do.ā€

Stories like this everyone treats in their own way. Moved me deeply, stepped back to childhood and re-experiencing my own story, my own loss. This story came in me and exploded somewhere inside, I had a desire to run out at night on the street, talking to the trees, down on my knees and shout: "Mom, why? Mom, come back !!ā€

And now I donā€™t know what more I could add... Just worth it to read this book. From today I will be really closely monitored this author, because so far, both this story and the beginning of the Chaos Walking trilogy were great.


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Walk or die

Posted : 9 years, 9 months ago on 19 February 2015 10:10 (A review of The Long Walk)

I had very high expectations about this book. Whole didnā€™t disappoint me, but not left a big 'wow' or any other great affection. The book was just good.

I accompanied these boys from the start to the end, sometimes with more and sometimes with less interest. I must admit that I pulled up the strongest at the end, it remains few friends that we got to know through the entire book and then grew tension and expectation, of what really happens and how The Long Walk will end. Then we got to know some of the reasons which motivated the characters by notifying to the Long Walk, their concerns and their fear.

Earlier, despite the omnipresent death, everything was presented devoid of any feeling, as if all those people really were characterized by insensitivity to death, every minute another participant walked away, just like that, fell like a tree beside the road, and life went on, and the audience clapped and cheered. This caused a thrill on the skin and the true horror.

Why Iā€™m not fully satisfied? I missed some origins, a more detailed description of the world in which The Long Walk is the largest entertainment for the people living there, a more detailed description of the reasons, why young people voluntarily going to die. I missed the competition, struggle these young people to survive, I thought that the dramatic situation triggers the wildest instincts in them, and that not only the soldiers with weapons will be a threat to them, but also themselves. And a little disappointing ending. At the finish the action took place too quickly. I havenā€™t felt this, as I should.


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