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Archive for the ‘Review copy’ Category

Westsiders by Tom Finn

Posted in Life story, Rating: 3 stars, Review copy, Short stories, tagged , , , , , on June 25, 2012 | 1 Comment »

I must admit, I am not a massive fan of short stories. Why? Purely because they are short. With short stories, it feels almost like you start somewhere in the middle and before you realise the story is over. Imagine yourself really wanting to go swimming, you get ready, the excitement builds up and as soon as you are at the pool you jump in only to realise that the water is way too cold and you just shoot out of there never to return. That’s how short stories feel to me, never getting the full satisfaction the same way I get from other books.

Said that, now and again I feel like I need to read something else, something different, something unexpected and it is in these times that I reach for short stories. So when I got the chance to read the Westsiders, I thought, why not. And I wasn’t disappointed. This collection of short stories is like a deluxe package of spa treatment for your soul. You find yourself slowly strolling through 1940′s/50′s Corner Brook in Newfoundland listening to the stories of some of its residents. The book is full of more or less loveable characters and you only get a sneak peek into a brief moments in their lives. And that’s when you realise that generations upon generations have dealt with the same problems as people are dealing with now. The only difference is that now we have more options how to deal with the situations such as unwanted pregnancy or secret relationship and running away with a boss.

As you can imagine, Corner Brook in the middle of last century must have been place small enough for everyone to know everyone and ultimately a place where everyone was involved in everyone’s business. So there is no surprise that the underlying theme for the stories is an escape from Corner Brook. It seems that there are truly just two options – either to escape or stay and be the major topic of the town’s latest gossip.

Overall, I had nice time with this book  and my only hope is that when the time comes and I pick another book of short stories, I will be as lucky as with this ones.

(review copy)

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Dirty Little Angels by Chris Tusa

Posted in Life story, Novel, Rating: 3 stars, Review copy, tagged , , , , , on May 22, 2012 | 1 Comment »

I don’t know why, but I have really mixed feelings about this book. I really can’t say that I am disappointed by the book, because I am not and in the same time I feel like the book was missing something, but I really can’t put my finger on what the ‘something’ is. And of course, it doesn’t help that the more I think about how to write this review the less I know what to actually write…

Let’s take it step by step, first of all, what I liked about the book. I think the book has a great story and although it is a fiction, it can easily be a true story. The book is set in New Orleans in a very run down area. The author doesn’t hold back and portrays the struggle of the 16-year-old with her awakening libido, exposure to violence, drugs and a skewed view of a religion as well as trying to make sense (and find who to blame) why the family is falling apart. But to be honest, the little girl has her darker wicked side too and has ways how to cope in this environment. The book offers very interesting insight into a section of a society that is living sometimes on the right side of the law and sometimes dipping into the other side. It shows that the author clearly took the time to do the research.

What I particularly struggled with, was to build a bond with the characters (apart from Verma who is very sweet and down to earth). I tried over and over and it just didn’t work out for me and as a consequence, I didn’t really care about what is going to happened next. And I kind of feel sorry for that because the book is interesting and I should be able to enjoy it more.

For me, this book had all the right ingredients to be a great book but it is missing a ‘soul’. I don’t know whether I am biased because I have read quite a few exceptional books recently and this one didn’t reach the same high mark, which was slightly unsatisfactory. Said that, this book is still a better than average read so try and give it a go, maybe you will have better luck with it than me.

(review copy)

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Have a Nice Weekend by Ian Ellis

Posted in Life story, Novel, Rating: 4.5 stars, Review copy, tagged , , , , , , on May 20, 2012 | 1 Comment »

Well, this review is well overdue, so let’s get on with it :)

This book is a little gem that can be easily overlooked if you look at it under a wrong angle. It is undoubtedly an easy read but it’s true quality lies not 100% in what is written and how, but by a great part in what you take out of the book. This book bonds with you at a human level, it resonates within you and it makes you care about the characters.

I think we all met Will at some point in our lives and that makes him ever so real with all his hopes and desires (or the lack of) and his misunderstandings and mistakes. Will’s story beautifully shows that neither of us is perfect as we all are only humans and sometimes we put on a show, and others might see right through it.  Sometimes we are completely out of our depth, but try not to let it show and sometimes we just lose our way for a while. Neither of us lived our lives before so we all make do with what we think is the right thing to do, to want or to say. Combine this with other person’s believes, desires and anticipations and you end up with life as complex and complicated as it gets. But don’t we all have to deal with this? Didn’t we all go through relationships that were bound to end because of the accumulation of misunderstandings, bits of selfishness and half-hearted compromises?

As the saying goes, ‘there are two sides to every story’ and this book portrays both of them beautifully. Every each of us can find a part of us in this book and that’s what makes this book excellent.

I think I should mention one more thing, I came to a conclusion that with this book it really matters how old you are. I can only write from my experience, but I believe that in most cases, if you are in your teens or twenties you will not get the full punch from this book. Once you reached thirty you take the first stock of your life and you change your views slightly and you start to think about things you never thought before and even see relationships in different light. And once you reach this certain maturity, that’s when I think you will enjoy the book the most. I say this without any prejudice and if you are so lucky to be young and have a great insight into life, then good for you, go ahead and enjoy the book.

I hope that anyone who is going to pick up this book will have such a pleasurable read as I did.

(review copy)

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And They Called Her Spider (A Bartleby and James Adventure) by Michael Coorlim

Posted in Adventure, detective story, Rating: 4 stars, Review copy, Sci-fi, steampunk, tagged , , , , , , , , , on May 14, 2012 | 3 Comments »

And They Called Her Spider is a short detective story set in a steampunk Victorian London, or its very similar but somehow different version. As this is a short story, the author doesn’t beat around the bush and throws you right in the middle of the story, or so it seems. But this also means that you are literally hooked to the book from the first words as you want to know more! Despite its shortness, it is a very gripping read with two very loveable detectives. I don’t think you could find two characters that are more opposite than these two but they work very well together, maybe because of the differences, rather than in spite of them.

When I was reading this story, the dynamics between the two detectives reminded me of the relationship between Holmes and Watson, but that is actually the only thing (and the ‘historical’ setting) that these four characters have in common. I was quite surprised how skilfully managed Michael Coorlim establish the main characters in such a short space, so  that even during the reading you feel like you really understand them and know what makes them tick.

I truly enjoyed this read and I am very pleased to let you know that And They Called Her Spider is first in the series of A Bartleby and James Adventures, the rest of the series is listed below. I hope to find some time to dive into all of them as I really want to know what happens next!

I would like to urge you to give this story a try even if this genre is not your cup of tea, because I have no doubt that you won’t be disappointed.

The full series:

  1. And They Called Her Spider
  2. Maiden Voyage of the Rio Grande
  3. On the Trail of the Scissorman
  4. A Matter of Spirit

More information about the stories can be found on Michael Coorlim website.

(review copy)

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Legitimate Issues by Cassandra DeBrown

Posted in Rating: 3 stars, Review copy, Thriller on April 28, 2012 | 3 Comments »

This book has everything – twins, broken heart, damsel in distress, super villainous villain plotting on a world scale, hard muscle hired for a dirty work and his almost comical sidekick, confusion, plenty of action and one very loveable dog. All in all, plenty of good ingredients for a nice and fast paced thriller. The book reads well and there is some depth to some of the characters but sometimes I felt that the reality was stretched bit too far to be believable.

I enjoyed the read but in the same time I would prefer for the book to be bit longer, which would give the author some room to beef up the characters little bit more and to offer the reader more detailed information throughout the whole story. Overall, this was nice and decent read.

(review copy)

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Supervillain: The Concise Guide by Ras Ashcroft

Posted in Humour, Parody, Rating: 4 stars, Review copy on April 10, 2012 | 3 Comments »

What has window cleaning business to do with a Moon base and ruling the world? Well, to put it simply, everyone needs to start somewhere. And as everyone knows, the first steps are the hardest to make, so why not to take a self help book to your aid.

Said that, I would urge you to forget all self help books that you have read, owned or you aspire to read or own! This is the only one you will need! I admit, it is a self help book with a twist, but it still manages to highlight the importance of all the main business decisions. It answers the burning issues, such as, which industry to focus on, how to hire your new staff, guides you through the financial decisions you will need to face when your business starts to blossom (and believe me, it will!), opening new branches, decimating your competitors, all the way through to fulfilling your dreams.

Short, funny  and easy read especially for people (and managers) who don’t take themselves too seriously and enjoy now and again to put their feet on the table and have proper belly laugh.

Good luck to all current and aspiring villains. May the book help you spread your wings and reach your dreams! :D

(review copy)

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Omegasphere by Christopher John Chater

Posted in Rating: 4 stars, Review copy, Sci-fi, Thriller on April 10, 2012 | 1 Comment »

Have you ever wondered where ideas come from? What prompts us write what we write or do what we do?Or do you just fancy a good read with an interesting topic?

Well, if you answered yes to any of those questions, then Omegasphere is the right book for you. The book has intriguing plot, engaging characters and is packed full of action. I am not a massive sci-fi fan, and although I would prefer the plot go down the  conspiracy theory route rather than the way it did, I enjoyed the book non the less. It is very good and thought through gripping read that would satisfy even the more picky readers.

I even enjoyed the ending despite it being somehow abrupt. All in all, this book is very good read that provokes some interesting thoughts.

(review copy)

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A Smudge of Gray: A Novel by Jonathan Sturak

Posted in Novel, Rating: 2 stars, Review copy, Thriller on April 2, 2012 | 3 Comments »

I really wanted to like this book as the title and the short synopsis of the book (you can see it on Amazon) were intriguing and promised good read. Unfortunately my enthusiasm for the book started to crumble not long after I started reading the book. Don’t get me wrong, the story is very decent for a thriller but it isn’t one of those that will catch your imagination and keep you glued to the book throughout the night. And by saying that, I think I have exhausted all the remotely positive remarks I have about the book.

Few pages in and I started to question whether this is really the final product or whether I am reading a first draft.  For me, the characters felt flat and unlikeable and there are many actual errors! For example – on one page Trevor Malloy wears his coat open but right on the next one he unbuttons his coat to impress the first victim with his Burberry attire. There is also quite a few spelling mistakes which any decent proofreader could spot from miles away (know x now) and the same characters are described and introduced over and over again. I also was under the impression that the author is mildly obsessed with some words like ‘dapper’ and ‘yuppie’. There is nothing wrong with these words and they can clearly describe certain trade of the character but to use them frequently in space of several pages is just excessive and irritating. Not to mention that they were always linked to the same characters. Why doesn’t the author use the characters’ names instead?! Author also has a certain way of using phrases and metaphors. They are just odd phrases that never properly sit within the situation or scenario. I even caught myself guessing what ridiculous blurb the character is going to say next to further trash any good parts that the book has left. One example for all of them – and don’t worry it is not what it seems! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

‘He sat down as the woman dropped to the floor, opened the box, and caressed Trevor’s legs removing this oxblood boat shoes. Then, she guided his appendage into the hole. ‘

This passage describes Trevor testing new shoes in a shoe shop…

All in all, this book is in a desperate need of some TLC from a good editor and proofreader. Then it will have the potential to be developed into a decent and readable book.

(review copy)

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The Mexican Saga: a poetic journey through the 20-count by Elaine Stirling

Posted in Poetry, Review copy, Rating: 4.5 stars, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 2, 2012 | 1 Comment »

I must admit, that when I received this ebook, I didn’t know what to expect. But I was very intrigued by the topic and that it is written in verse. Naturally, I assumed, that the verses will rhyme and that there will be certain rhythmic pattern to follow. With these assumptions I virtually opened the ebook and was in for a big surprise. Firstly, the book is written in loose verse so there are no obvious rhymes and the book more or less flows through the rhythmic patterns rather than being constraint by them. All in all, few pages in and my set of mind was fighting with the concept of the book and I felt like I was missing something. I read the words but it was as if part of it was lost in translation somewhere on the highway between my eyes and my brain. I pushed through non the less! Half way through the book I felt getting used to the concept and I started to appreciate the author’s thoughts and my mind began to transform the words into beautiful pictures. And then it was over! Just like that! I wanted more! So pretty much straight away I returned to page one and started again. This time with completely open mind and used to the flow of the book and what a difference that made! I chuckled few times, I actually paused few times to think about certain parts of the book, I was just on an incredible journey leading deep into the centre of an ancient culture and its philosophical concept.

My favourite passages:

1)

You own only two things in life:

Your death, he held up one finger,

And perception, held up another.

Both must be intended, all else dropped.

2)

Because anti-aging is neither whole nor true.

You are not a slave to age or time or

Dwindling youth. These are perceptions

Held in assemblage that, like convicts

In a cell too small, plot constantly to kill you.

I would highly recommend to read this book even if the topic isn’t really close to you. The book isn’t big but if you approach it with an open mind I can guarantee you, that it will broaden your horizons and you will be coming back for more.

(review copy)

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