Reviews and Comments

MaddestMax

MaddestMax@bookwyrm.social

Joined 1 year, 11 months ago

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Matthew Stokoe: Cows (Paperback, 1999, Creation Books) 4 stars

Twenty-five-year-old Steven faces a bleak life with a sadistic mother and a job at a …

Review of 'Cows' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

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…

Cixin Liu: The Three-Body Problem (Hardcover, 2014, Tor Books) 4 stars

Within the context of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, a military project sends messages to alien …

Review of 'The Three-Body Problem' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

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. The last 20 pages or so are fairly interesting and then it's just over. I believe in it's original publishing it was one book separated into 3 volumes, so I won't hold that against it. I'll read the next just to see how it plays out. It has potential.

Jim Butcher: Peace Talks (Hardcover, 2020, Ace) 4 stars

HARRY DRESDEN IS BACK AND READY FOR ACTION, in the new entry in the #1 …

Review of 'Peace Talks' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

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.

Mike Bockoven: FantasticLand (Hardcover, 2016, Skyhorse) 4 stars

Review of 'FantasticLand' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

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.

Dan Simmons: The Fall of Hyperion 4 stars

The Fall of Hyperion is the second novel in the Hyperion Cantos, a science fiction …

Review of 'The Fall of Hyperion' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

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.

There’s a change in the writing about two-thirds of the way in. It’s almost imperceptible but I’d swear it’s there. It’s like someone else started helping with the writing. Or Simmons went through some life experience that changed him a little, maybe. I don’t know how to explain it, but I felt it.

I won’t be tackling the last two books right away. I need to catch up on some other books. I will be getting to them eventually for …

Richard Laymon: The Cellar (Paperback, 2006, Leisure Books) 4 stars

Tourists flock to Beast House, but few ever return. Behind the cellar door lurks a …

Review of 'The Cellar' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

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 below.









Spoiler:
The end of this book is just a pisser. I couldn’t believe it. Honestly, the weakest part of the entire book. Shame on the author. Makes me mad.

Dan Simmons: Hyperion (Paperback, 1995, Bantam Spectra) 4 stars

On the world called Hyperion, beyond the reach of galactic law, waits a creature called …

Review of 'Hyperion' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

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.

Stephen King: Thinner (Paperback, 1996, Signet) 3 stars

Thinner is a horror novel by American author Stephen King, published in 1984 by NAL …

Review of 'Thinner' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

2.5*
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.

Ryan C. Thomas: The Summer I Died (Paperback, 2006, Coscom Entertainment) 4 stars

Review of 'The Summer I Died' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

[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. Halfway through the book, I was thinking 3
, MAYBE. I found it a tad over the top with very little substance. The last third of the book really comes together and made me glad I powered through. Not for the faint of heart, but read it if you need your mind-f—k merit badge.

Steve Alten, Keith Szarabajka: Meg (AudiobookFormat, 2019, Blackstone Publishing) 4 stars

Review of 'Meg' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

3.75* Due to life, I haven't been able to read as much as I like to over the last few months. So, this book took me awhile to finish. If you liked the others, you'll like this. It's very similar. Telling you the plot would ruin some of the "surprises". Lots of underwater action and fun. I'll definitely read the next one.

Review of 'Old flames' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

This book is composed of 2 novellas. Old Flames and Right To Life. 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 second, 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.

Steve Alten: Nightstalkers (2016) 4 stars

"In this fifth installment of the New York Times bestselling MEG series, Nightstalkers picks up …

Review of 'Nightstalkers' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

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.

Stephen King: The Talisman (Hardcover, 2001, Random House) 4 stars

On a brisk autumn day, a twelve-year-old boy stands on the shores of the gray …

Review of 'The Talisman' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

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. I didn't want it to end. And I wasn't wrong. I loved this book. It is a marvelous story. I laughed, I cried and I got angry. All the good stuff. I didn't want it to end. The very end, I found a little disappointing. I know, there's more books. I WILL read them. I just found the last few pages to be weak compared to the rest. That said, it's still one of the best (if not the best) King books I've read yet. Not sure if that is thanks to Straub, or not. And I don't care.