Tag Archives: Book Review

2014, adventure, Book Review, mystery, mythology, romance, science-fiction, series, steampunk, YA

[Review] Chasing the Star Garden – Melanie Karsak

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Book Title:                    Chasing The Star Garden
(The Airship Racing Chronicles Series #01)
Author:                           Melanie Karsak chasing the star garden cover
Number of pages:    325

Synopsis:

An opium-addicted beauty.
An infamous poet living in self-imposed exile.
An ancient treasure about to fall into the wrong hands.

Melanie Karsak’s Chasing the Star Garden takes readers on a thrilling adventure from the gritty opium dens of gaslamp London to the gem-colored waters of the ancient world. Lily Stargazer, a loveable but reckless airship racer with a famous lover and shattered past, reluctantly plunges into a centuries-old mystery in a romantic adventure best described as Dan Brown meets Mary Shelley.

It all begins on one of the worst days of Lily’s life. She just lost the London leg of the 1823 Airship Grand Prix. To top it off, a harlequin fleeing from constables shoved a kaleidoscope down her pants, told her to fly to Venice, then threw himself from her airship tower. What’s a girl to do? For Lily, the answer is easy: drink absinthe and smoke opium.

Lily’s lover, Lord Byron, encourages her to make the trip to Venice. Lily soon finds herself at the heart of an ancient mystery which has her running from her past and chasing true love and the stars along the way.

(re: Goodreads @ Chasing The Star Garden by Melanie Karsak)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less review:
  • It’s like the Da Vinci Code meets Indiana Jones – a treasure-hunt of sorts on both tangible/intangible extremes.
  • Fancy steampunk? World building is superb and this is a fast-paced read that might fit your bill.
  • Anti-heroine is fleshed out well. She also inhales drugs and alcohol like oxygen. So that’s cool.
Initial Thoughts:

I don’t really understand the hype of steampunk or the vintage feel of steam-powered technology. I mean, I guess I can visualise the appeal others might have…but it just never did it for me. And then I was graced with this read; which I will say kind of changed my perception of steampunk. Not by much, but it’s a step in the right direction in discovering new things.

Let me throw down some concrete thoughts:

Disclaimer: Potential spoilers inherent to this review from here onward.

Continue reading [Review] Chasing the Star Garden – Melanie Karsak →

2014, Book Review, horror, mystery, standalone, supernatural, suspense, thriller

[Review] The Waiting – Joe Hart

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Book Title:                     The Waiting (Standalone)
Author:                            Joe Hart
Number of pages:     254

Synopsis:

thewaiting_cover

Evan Tormer is haunted.

His life has been shattered by events beyond his control and regret is his constant companion. His wife is gone, lost to an unbeatable cancer. His son has been mentally and physically handicapped by a tragic accident. He’s been fired for using company funds in a failed attempt to save his wife’s life.

On a whim, Evan accepts an invitation to housesit on a picturesque island in northern Minnesota. At first it seems like the perfect second chance for he and his son to recover and rebuild their life together.

But there is something very, very wrong with the house and all that occupies it. And worst of all, Evan doesn’t know if the house is haunted…

…Or if it’s all in his mind.

(re: Goodreads @ The Waiting by Joe Hart)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less review:
  • There is emotionally-charged depth in character development.
  • Narrative is layered and is more than your typical horror thrill ride.
  • Inclusion of gimmicks that remind you of why you’re scared of them in the first place. Well played, sir.
  • A certain modern realism in plotting – if you own, want to own, or can imagine a cottage…read this.
Initial Thoughts:

Classified as a (supernatural) horror-ghost thriller? Alright, you can do this; you’ve seen stuff like this before. No problem. Cue the curtain call: creepy basement, a doll that stares back at you, hallucinations and night terrors, the ticking of a clock; a few of many chills that encapsulate this narrative. And for someone who doesn’t normally read horror novels, I might need more.

I’ll explain:

Disclaimer: Potential spoilers inherent to this review from here onward.

Continue reading [Review] The Waiting – Joe Hart →

2013, action, Book Review, dystopian, post-apocalyptic, science-fiction, standalone, YA

[Review] Until We End – Frankie Brown

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Book Title:                       Until We End (Standalone)
Author:                               Frankie Brownbookcover-until-we-end-frankie-brown
Number of pages:       277

Synopsis:

It’s been nine months since the virus hit, killing almost everyone it touched. Seventeen-year-old Cora and her little brother, Coby, haven’t left home since. Not after the power cut out; not even after sirens faded in the distance and the world outside their backyard fence fell silent. But when a blistering drought forces Cora to go in search of water, she discovers that the post-apocalyptic world isn’t as deserted as she thought when she meets Brooks, a drop-dead sexy army deserter.It’s been nine months since the

Fighting their way back home, Cora finds her house ransacked and Coby missing – kidnapped by the military for dangerous medical experiments in the name of finding a cure. Brooks knows exactly where Cora can find her brother, except he says it’s a suicide mission. Cora doesn’t care. But Brooks can’t let her go…

(re: Goodreads @ Until We End by Frankie Brown)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less review:
  • Biological warfare? Probably in the near future.
  • There is finesse in the world building in tight and expansive areas.
  • Easily relatable heroine who delivers a palpable sense of urgency in plotting.
  • Interactions between characters are lighthearted but rooted in seriousness.
Initial Thoughts:

Not a social butterfly? Not a problem! For a simple fee of a widespread virus, you too can stay at home for nine months post-outbreak and live off of canned rations and decaying greenhouse produce.

This was another quick read selected due to its similarity with The Fifth Wave (you can read about my review for it here). I wasn’t particularly crazy about the cover design but the first bit of the synopsis hit the mark for me – can’t help but enjoy a quick, post-apocalyptic read.

But if there is a lesson that I’m reminded of during this read, it’s that skepticism in literary comprehension will go a long way in the enjoyment of the outcome. For better or worse, you decide.

Let’s (out)break into the review.

Disclaimer: Potential spoilers inherent to this review from here onward.

Continue reading [Review] Until We End – Frankie Brown →