If you are one of the bazillion people here who loved the book Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch, you will love this one too. It is similar in some ways.
IIf you are one of the bazillion people here who loved the book Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch, you will love this one too. It is similar in some ways.
If you loved the Jetsons or Futurama, you should also love this one. All of the cool future-gadgets are in the story. I admit that I am one of those. I just want one robot-maid, flying car, and insta-meal machine before I die. Is that asking too much, science? Nobody's getting any younger over here, ya know. Get your shit together! Sheesh!
[image] Everyone's a critic.
Our hero is a lovable loser who screws up the space/time thingy that they tell you to never mess with. Because of his blundering, we are stuck in THIS crappy world instead of the awesomeness that should have been.
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So, he ends up in our reality and is pretty much screwed since the guy doesn't even know how to brush his own hair or feed himself. Okay, so maybe letting the computers and technology will make us as helpless as babies, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they will rise up and kill us all because we are no longer worth their trouble, right? Robots have maternal instincts, I think.
[image] See? This one is trying to make a robot/human baby. That's so sweet!
The only thing some people didn't like about this book was the writing style. It's meandering, meaning , you know when someone is telling you a story and then goes off into five different stories on the way until you almost forget what the original subject was? Well, it does that. I liked it! I know you think that is crazy since I totally NEVER go off subject when I write reviews to tell you things about my dog or love of chocolate or how the book reminds me of something completely different that may or may not be like a burrito somehow..... In other words, if you have actually read my review to this point, and haven't unfriended and blocked me for being a pain in the ass, snarky, unhelpful, sub-par reviewer, you might like this book. It was fun, original, and compelling.
If I had to use one word to describe this book it would be "busy". Not so action-packed, although there was plenty of that, but the fact that every maIf I had to use one word to describe this book it would be "busy". Not so action-packed, although there was plenty of that, but the fact that every magical creature, mythology, urban legend, religious legend, and infamous historical person you can think of was included in this story. It's like when someone decides to order a pizza and puts so many toppings on it that it really doesn't resemble a pizza anymore.
[image] What the hell is going on here?
Here is a breakdown of SOME of what's included in this story:
Cassandra Palmer - our heroine. Raised with vampires, a clairvoyant, but "more", sees dead people, has a ghost side-kick, is running from a hit-man vampire, is a virgin, but has a magical vagina because all the vamps want a piece of that.
Gangster Vampires - bad guys trying to kill Cassy because she ratted out their organization to the cops who don't believe in vampires, but they got them on tax evasion.
Ruler Vampires - bad/good guys who are led by Cleopatra (yes, THE Cleopatra, not Cleopatra Smith) who want to protect Cassy as long as she is willing to have sex with one of them and be their tool forever. (Oh, and by the by, Jack the Ripper is in this group.)
Rebel Vampires - bad guys who are led by Rasputin (yes, THAT Rasputin, not Cleo Smith's husband) and are trying to kill the ruler vamps to take over.
Satyrs - they are cocktail servers in a casino and some of them may or may not shift into rats.
Wererats - see above.
Dark Mages - bad guys who are siding with Rasputin.
Light Mages - represented by a guy name Pritkin who is kind of an asshole and really gun-crazy. He hates Cassy and calls her a whore even though she's our special virgin. They also want to get their hands on Cassy to control her power.
Witches - not sure if this means that the mages are only male, but our asshole mage calls Cassy a witch as an insult. If so, this is so sexist. Why is it that strong men are called powerful and strong women are called witches? SMH
Fey - we only meet an evil little Tinkerbelle, but there is reference to a lot of them.
Werewolves - cameo appearance to remind us that weres and vamps don't like each other. In case we forgot.
Ghosts - Cassy has a ghost side-kick and apparently there are many different kinds of them too.
Time traveling - it's a thing in this story.
And yet, somehow, this ends up being pretty fun. Cassy is not too-stupid-to-live, but is pretty cynical and sarcastic, which I like. But, she's also NOT a badass like Kate or Mercy or Cat, so don't be disappointed that she runs away from trouble. I personally think that running away would be my thing too if I was one of these characters. I would like to be a badass, but I notice that they seem to get hurt a lot, and I would rather NOT get hurt. So, I would leave the badassery to the supes and just run for my life. Let the things that heal fast take the hits.
Okay, I think you are ready to read this book now. You've been prepped....more
Oh my gosh - what is happening to this series? It's not funny anymore. The ending? It was actually disturbing and sad.
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Betsy and Laura go to helOh my gosh - what is happening to this series? It's not funny anymore. The ending? It was actually disturbing and sad.
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Betsy and Laura go to hell, and then do a bunch of time traveling. The time-traveling part was pretty cool. We get to see Sinclair as a child and when he first was turned. Since Betsy hasn't bothered to learn anything about her husband in the year or so they have been married, this is a revelation. And, then we see the future and it is bleak. Like, let's just all commit mass-suicide bleak because there is no hope.
Why is this happening? When did this cute and funny series decide to try and be a dark paranormal story? I really just hate everything right now....more
I need to review this beast. It is a big-ole book that people either loved or hated. I'm in the love category. Jaime is my new book-boyfriend, and ClaI need to review this beast. It is a big-ole book that people either loved or hated. I'm in the love category. Jaime is my new book-boyfriend, and Claire is my new book-bestie. He's a sweet alpha, and she has that dry British humor that cracks me up (part of what made me marry my own Sassenach).
This book is beautifully written. Even though it moves slowly at times, the descriptions of Scotland in the 20th and 18th centuries were captivating. I usually hate when authors get overly descriptive, but it didn't feel like that to me. There was enough to help me visualize things, but not so much that I wanted to kill myself, like I do with other books, after reading 10 pages about the color of the sky and trees. The sky is freaking blue, the trees are leafy - enough already! Also, Claire's subtle humor throughout had me chuckling as I was reading. She's one of those friends who will whisper sarcastic remarks in your ear while you are out together and you end up looking like an idiot for giggling at the wrong times.
I admit that the brutality was sometimes rough. But, I think we are so accustomed to our modern ways that we forget how cheap life was back then. Clair was considered an "older woman" at the ripe old age of 27. That makes me a mummy.
(view spoiler)[The other scene that most people freak out over was the "spanking" thing, and I admit that I have conflicted feelings about it myself. On the one hand, Jaime was so sweet and soft-spoken towards Clair and would never have hurt her, so it does seem like truth that he was just doing what was normal for that time period. On the other hand, if it were me, I would have killed him in his sleep that night. Book over. So, there's that. (hide spoiler)]
All in all, I understand all of the hype over this book. Now, I need to watch the TV series and order my husband a kilt on ebay....more
Emerson really missed the boat in the first book ! She picks the boring boy scout who constantly keeps secrets and will barely kiss her over the superEmerson really missed the boat in the first book ! She picks the boring boy scout who constantly keeps secrets and will barely kiss her over the super buff, tattooed and pierced, reformed bad-boy with the ability to empathize with her feelings? On what planet would any girl resist him? I think the author wrote the perfect guy....oh if only he could be a real live boy! Where is a blue fairy when you need one?
I liked this book better than the first one because I liked reading Kaleb's POV better than Emerson's. He told the story with more humor and it was clearer (good job on the author's part). It was pretty believable that it was a guy's POV, although not completely (guys are not likely to be thinking as cleanly, but this is YA, after all).
Lily's background and power is interesting, but I want to see how this all comes together in the last book. The thing about these time travel books is that absolutely anything is possible, but somehow , I see this wrapping up in a sweet little package with everyone coupled off and riding in to the sunset together. I kind of hope that's not the case....more
This book had a very rough start for me because it had the most insta of insta-loves that I have ever seen! They were in love and had their first fighThis book had a very rough start for me because it had the most insta of insta-loves that I have ever seen! They were in love and had their first fight within 24 hours of meeting, resulting in him bringing her flowers and them having to "talk it out". Really? Add in a love triangle, which was also the instant she and the boy's best friend laid eyes on each other., and I almost gave the book to my dog who loves to chew paper. I find it hard to believe that this girl has never been kissed before because she has some sort of super-power that makes gorgeous men fall in love with her the second they meet her. That super-power , along with the ability to see dead people and time travel. Plus, she has sick karate skills and can flip men over twice her size because she's just so petite and blonde and cute.... add in her great sense of humor and the crazy....ok, that must be the winning combination to getting all the guys. It's Barney Stinson's hot:crazy ratio theory from "How I Met Your Mother" paired with a little quirkiness like Zoe, and time travel for the science geeks. She's the full package.
Getting over the irritating parts mentioned above, the story is exciting and fun. I am interested in the next book because it focuses on Kaleb, and he seemed like he had potential to be an entertaining main character....more
So, the future officially sucks! Literally. Mosquitos are spreading around a disease so deadly that it kills people in days. And, everyone is dying. SSo, the future officially sucks! Literally. Mosquitos are spreading around a disease so deadly that it kills people in days. And, everyone is dying. So, a bunch of immune people get together and travel back to our time, hoping to improve the future. But, once they get here, they enjoy the cushy present with all the food and not being surrounded by death and disease that they forget about fixing the future and just decide to lay low and enjoy their lives. Screw their future selves and family members who died - including many of their children and spouses - we have candy! But, Prenna happened to have been spotted on her way in by a guy who has been obsessing over her since she landed in the past, because she was naked. And, this guy also happens to be friends with a homeless guy who happens to be telling him all these crazy stories about needing to do something important to fix the future, so things happen. Of course, they fall in love, and of course, it is forbidden and dangerous. One word could solve it all: condom. But, whatever. I guess they could master time travel and try to save the world, but would never think to stop by a pharmacy... I'm just saying......more
One of the best things about this book, and the first one, is the super fun and crazy way the people look and dress in the future. I find this very exOne of the best things about this book, and the first one, is the super fun and crazy way the people look and dress in the future. I find this very exciting. Before reading this, I thought we were all doomed to matching silver jumpsuits at some point, so this is very encouraging. Here are a couple of descriptions:
"One woman walked by with a hat shaped like a miniature merry-go-round. Another woman was wearing two mechanical birds from her ears. They chirped a tinny melody."
Fun, huh? And, that goes with extremely loud colors, dyed crazy hair colors, and daily face painting. I like this wacky, colorful view of future fashion!
As for the story, it was more from Taylor's pov this time, which I didn't care for at first, but I got used to her. She was very bitchy in the beginning and I missed reading more from Sheridon's pov. But, I did like Echo, and thought that he rounded out Taylor very well....more
First off, this book is funny! The girls, Taylor and Sheridan really had me cracking up at times with the crazy things they were making up about our tFirst off, this book is funny! The girls, Taylor and Sheridan really had me cracking up at times with the crazy things they were making up about our time period. Here is an example: The future people asked them what "ok" stood for in our time, to mean everything is all right - what was the full word. "Oklahoma," Taylor answered. There was a long pause, then Jeth said, "Why did Oklahoma mean something was all right?" "Because Oklahomans were that way. I mean, none of the world's problems ever origninated in Oklahoma" And, there were countless more of these exchanges that were weaved in there that were so funny. They had these future "historians" completely mixed up!
Second, the book feels a lot like a cross between Uglies and the later book, Extras, because of the crazy looks and the tags that they all wear that rank them by social standing. The crazy descriptions of what they looked like reminded me of that old cartoon, Jem. I don't know how to add a graphic, so I put a book photo:
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. These guys were wearing blue moons and red stars on their faces. nice!
So, there was a lot of silliness and fun, and it made the book fun. I really didn't expect much more than that. But, toward the end, there was a surprise and the story became much more substantial. The story of the brother's death was tragic and I am interested in where this goes, so I do want to read the next one. Plus, the religious aspect of it is also very interested. I was really surprised that they had such blatent religious messages in the book, but then I read reviews and realized it was an LDS book. I didn't know that was a thing. I think it makes the book even more interesting because the real world has religion and almost all of these dystopian books try to erase that. I don't agree that religion will just go away, so it's interesting to read a book on it surviving.
The down side of the book: there was major insta-love. Why in the world did Echo fall for Sheridon the second they met, and vice-versa? It says that he was doing so out of having a reason to leave, but later, that no longer works as a story. So, I'm not sure what his deal was, although I have suspicions that would be spoilers. As for her, I think she was extremely vulnerable when everything happened. I know I would probably play the damsel in distress if I was pulled into another century with nobody but a good-looking guy telling me that he would protect me. We'll see how this plays out, because I can see a possible triangle with her sister in the next book, although I think it will be in Sheridon's mind. She is pretty insecure and seems to read a lot in to things while automatically assuming they are negative about her....more
This book is quirky. It is not some everyday time travel novel that you have read it all before, type of thing. It is unusual, very witty, smart, and This book is quirky. It is not some everyday time travel novel that you have read it all before, type of thing. It is unusual, very witty, smart, and multi-layered.
It is basically the story of Ned, a time-traveler, who is suffering from a time-lapse illness and needs to rest. He is sent into Victorian times to rest, while doing a small mission, and meets up with a wonderful cast of characters. Of course, Ned is so disoriented and out-of-it when he gets there that he completely messes everything up and craziness to fix the past becomes a priority.
The best part of this book is by far, the characters that Willis creates. They are complex, funny, and dynamic. I really felt like these characters had a life of their own and made their own decisions about what they would do next in the story, and Willis had no choice but to go along with it. They were just that believable.
The general storyline was complex, with many different aspects coming together to form one story. It had a mystery within the sci-fi, mad-capped, love-story, adventure. But, the best part of it all was the humor throughout the whole thing. I was laughing out loud during the scene when Verity first saw the Bishop's Bird Stump at Coventry, and they were describing it! Oh my gosh! ("Is that a camel?" "No, a unicorn") I loved this book!...more
A little bit of Terminator without the robots is what you get with this book. It was fast-paced and exciting with a few twists and mysteries to figureA little bit of Terminator without the robots is what you get with this book. It was fast-paced and exciting with a few twists and mysteries to figure out. The characters were really good, especially the character of James, the emotionally disturbed genius. You spend a lot of time trying to figure him out in the book. The main character, Marina, starts out as a mean girl, but grows up a lot and becomes a totally different person (literally). ;)
In the first book, I wasn't too thrilled with the character of Gwen because I found her to be too immature for a 16 yr old. To be blunt, I thought sheIn the first book, I wasn't too thrilled with the character of Gwen because I found her to be too immature for a 16 yr old. To be blunt, I thought she was stupid and shallow. In this second book, (why did I keep reading? I don't know!) she got a bit better. The story also became more interesting and I decided to hang on and continue reading to find out what happens. I also think it would have helped the author if she hadn't written in the first person narrative because she has Gwen not knowing who David Copperfield is, but then using words like supercilious. This gives the character of Gwen a very inconsistent feel. However, the books are easy to read, flow nicely, and have a lot of humor....more
The final book in the trilogy was the best one, in my opinion. There were some plot twists, surprises, mysteries, and Gwen grows up a bit. On the wholThe final book in the trilogy was the best one, in my opinion. There were some plot twists, surprises, mysteries, and Gwen grows up a bit. On the whole, I actually enjoyed reading this book. We also get more understanding of Charlotte, who has only been portrayed as a terrible enemy, but should be seen as a girl who dedicated her life to what she thought was a noble cause, only to have it taken away by her cousin who didn't care one bit about the whole thing. I really enjoyed Gwen's interactions with her grandfather, and I just loved the character of the seamstress! Also, I was happy for James!...more
This book was an easy, light read with humorous moments, but I found the main character to be very immature and shallow for her supposed age. She seemThis book was an easy, light read with humorous moments, but I found the main character to be very immature and shallow for her supposed age. She seemed much younger and not very bright. For example, as soon as she realized she was time traveling, she did not do the most logical thing and start to immerse herself in learning history, but relied on the male to think for her. She also couldn't remember a simple latin phrase of four words that would literally mean the difference between her life and death exactly 20 seconds after being told the phrase several times. And, even after hearing it a few more times, she still could not seem to grasp it. I agree with the reviewer who said that she seemed to be 12, not 16 years old. I am hoping that her character will develop and she will rise to become a more capable female hero in the next stories, and not just an air-headed fool who is busy making googly eyes at the hottie that she is partnered with. I prefer the Tris or Katniss type of characters who give young female readers the example of strength, bravery, and intelligence. But, as I said, it is an easy, fun read for a light story without too much to challenge the reader....more
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