4.5 stars. Really enjoyed this one, which was the first novel I have read by Barclay. The story quickly pulls you in and never drops to a slow pace, y4.5 stars. Really enjoyed this one, which was the first novel I have read by Barclay. The story quickly pulls you in and never drops to a slow pace, yet it is not one of those action packed thrillers that overdoes it with describing the frenetic antics of the hero narrowly dodging one danger after another (I don't enjoy that type of thriller). The author has a great knack of ending each chapter with a sentence that makes you think, Ok, just one more chapter. Will definitely look for more novels by him!...more
A light, silly and fantastical read that is highly original and creative. It has the feel of Disney, but made for adults and not3 stars - It was good.
A light, silly and fantastical read that is highly original and creative. It has the feel of Disney, but made for adults and not at all predictable. I really enjoyed the author's frequent play on words which provided nerd humor throughout the book. I plan on continuing the series, but for me, this is definitely something I will have to be in the right mood/mindset in order to really enjoy it.
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Favorite Quote: He wondered what kind of life it would be, having to keep swimming all the time to stay exactly in the same place. Pretty similar to his own, he decided.
First Sentence: In a distant and secondhand set of dimensions, in an astral plane that was never meant to fly, the curling star-mists waver and part... ...more
Excellent atmospheric mystery set in a small Wyoming town that includes Native American subject matter. What made t4 stars - It was great. I loved it.
Excellent atmospheric mystery set in a small Wyoming town that includes Native American subject matter. What made this one shine for me was the dialogue, which was hilarious if you enjoy sarcasm, and the characters. The author did a wonderful job of creating memorable characters that are easy to visualize and will be missed when the book is over. Listened to the audio version of this one, which I would easily recommend as it is narrated by one of my favorites, George Guidall.
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Favorite Quote: Rarely do you get those glimmers of unadulterated love and, if you're smart, you pack them away for darker days.
First Sentence: Bob Barnes says they got a dead body out on BLM land. ...more
4.5 stars - loved this eccentric, quirky, original novel! An excellent character study that includes satire and a close look at certain current societ4.5 stars - loved this eccentric, quirky, original novel! An excellent character study that includes satire and a close look at certain current societal trends. I found this one humorous and thought-provoking. I really loved the author's writing style and found this book to be a breath of fresh air. Being a stand alone novel PLUS not having a major subplot that involved romance was part of the wonderfulness. It seems everything now is a series and everything in every genre has to have a romantic subplot. Not sure that everyone will love this one as much as I did, but I found it to be surprisingly delightful. Expectations exceeded. Azle - 9/17 ...more
I enjoyed this novel and found the characters refreshing in that they were not good or bad - they were flawed and subsequently more realistic (magic aI enjoyed this novel and found the characters refreshing in that they were not good or bad - they were flawed and subsequently more realistic (magic and fantasy world aside of course). There is a lot of sarcasm and cynicism in this tale which I always welcome, and which created a few lol moments. So what went wrong you ask? The story felt too rushed to me. Some significant events were glossed over and I was left wanting more or thinking "already?!", particularly for the first 70% of the novel. It created a sense of detachment as a reader - I think the story would have been better if it was doubled in length so that you could get a better feel for the world(s) and the events that transpired.
Favorite Quote: In a way fighting was just like using magic. You said the words, and they altered the universe. By merely speaking you could create damage and pain, cause tears to fall, drive people away, make yourself feel better, make your life worse.
First Sentence(s): Quentin did a magic trick. Nobody noticed....more
3.5 stars - for what it is, this one was above the rest. If you are in the mood for a easy, sexy read, you can't beat this one. Literally lol'd throug3.5 stars - for what it is, this one was above the rest. If you are in the mood for a easy, sexy read, you can't beat this one. Literally lol'd throughout - the main character is a great narrator....more
This was a beautifully written, captivating book about books, with a twisty plot that just begs to be made into a m4 stars - It was great. I loved it.
This was a beautifully written, captivating book about books, with a twisty plot that just begs to be made into a movie. Should ever such movie making occur, I must humbly demand that my favorite character, Fermin, be played by Robert Downey Jr.. I look forward to continuing the series, though this definitely can be read as a stand alone if you too are fatigued by the current over-serialization literary trend.
[image] ------------------------------------------- Favorite Quote: Does the madman know he is mad? Or are the madmen those who insist on convincing him of his unreason in order to safeguard their own idea of reality?
First Sentence: I still remember the day my father took me to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books for the first time. ...more
What a fun romp of a read. Fast moving, endearing main characters, heavy sarcasm, and a satisfying romance added i4 stars - It was great. I loved it.
What a fun romp of a read. Fast moving, endearing main characters, heavy sarcasm, and a satisfying romance added in as well. I wish the secondary characters could have been more grey instead of so black or white on the good/evil scale, but it was engaging enough that I look forward to continuing the series to see where the author takes Cat and Bones next. ------------------------------------------- Favorite Quote: There is only one way to fight, and that's dirty. Clean gentlemanly fighting will get you nowhere but dead, and fast. Take every cheap shot, every low blow, absolutely kick people when they're down, and maybe you'll be the one who walks away.
First Sentence: I stiffened at the red and blue lights flashing behind me, because there was no way I could explain what was in the back of my truck....more
Another one that I read in one day and really loved. Unique story with the narrator having a distinct voice 4.5 stars - Incredible. I really loved it.
Another one that I read in one day and really loved. Unique story with the narrator having a distinct voice - one that often came across as unintentionally funny. I loved how the author was able to tackle serious drama subjects, yet still maintain an enjoyable "un-put-downable" literary experience. I also loved all of the nods to classics - though they were full of spoilers if you have not yet read them. Really was impressed with character development and look forward to further writings by Matthew Quick. This one was quirky, and you guys know how I love quirky.
If considering watching the movie (which is quite different from the book, but also wonderful), I highly recommend reading the book first. The book uses the mystery of what made Pat "snap" as a tension building force that carries throughout most of the story, and is not revealed until near the end. In the movie, they tell you why Pat snapped in the first five minutes or so.
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Favorite Quote: Life is not a PG feel-good movie. Real life often ends badly. Literature tries to document this reality, while showing us it is still possible for us to endure nobly.
First Sentence: I don’t have to look up to know Mom is making another surprise visit....more
3.5 stars. Loved that it was narrated through a dog's point of view, but hated the parts that were depressing or dealt with animal abuse - just not to3.5 stars. Loved that it was narrated through a dog's point of view, but hated the parts that were depressing or dealt with animal abuse - just not topics I enjoy reading about....more
Mix together a dash of: Robin Hood + Harry Potter (in the orphan gets new "family" while being schooled k4.25 stars - It was really great. I loved it.
Mix together a dash of: Robin Hood + Harry Potter (in the orphan gets new "family" while being schooled kind of way) + The Count of Monte Cristo + Ocean's Eleven + a Tony Stark-esque (Iron Man) arrogant, snarky character = My copycat recipe for The Lies of Locke Lamora.
This was a well paced, plot driven, fun read with lots of interesting twists and turns as well as many quips that will have you laughing out loud. To fully enjoy it, you will have to suspend disbelief at times as things can be too convenient, and/or you will have a hard time believing anyone could be so naive and gullible as to fall for some of Locke's schemes.
I enjoyed the way the author moves you back and forth between present day and the past in the form of "interludes" which show you Locke's childhood and how he became who he is today. The author also is heavy handed with the profanity so be warned if that is a turn off for you. For me, it flowed well and fit the characters and did not come across as jarring or out of place.
While normally I will put off starting a series until it is near completion, clearly I made an exception here. For those of you with similar reading quirks, this one does wrap up quite nicely with no sense of urgency to grab the next one and definitely not on a cliffhanger. Of course, that does not give any sort of guarantee regarding the next one, but sometimes you just feel like living life on the edge and being a rebellious, gambling, rule-breaking outlaw.
If placed in capable hands and cast well, this could be a movie of epic proportions. Epic, I tell you.
Favorite Quotes: It's very strange how the evidence of our victories can become the instruments of our downfall. AND But time's a river, Locke, and we've always drifted farther down it than we think.
First Sentence: At the height of the long wet summer of the Seventy-seventh Year of Sendovani, the Thiefmaker of Camorr paid a sudden and unannounced visit to the Eyeless Priest at the Temple of Perelandro, desperately hoping to sell him the Lamora boy. ...more
If a Jane Austen novel collided with a Seinfeld episode, it would result in something along the lines of this char4 stars - It was great. I loved it.
If a Jane Austen novel collided with a Seinfeld episode, it would result in something along the lines of this charming novel, full of dry British wit and the over analyzing of life's daily offenses.
Major Pettigrew is a retired man that still very much values honor, politeness, and the proper way that one should do things. This novel shows him navigating recent changes in his life and town, while addressing differences generations and family members often have in their priorities. You also see the start of a sweet (but not overly sweet) relationship building between him and a neighbor, and sadly the ignorance and prejudices they encounter as they are not a "traditional" couple.
If you do not like classics or if you prefer action adventure plot driven type of novels, you will likely find this one slow. If you are a fan of classics, Austen in particular, or if you enjoy character studies, then I heartily recommend this one. It is serious but not heavy, funny in a wry sort of way, and the characters are memorable and endearing.
Favorite Quote: You are not the first man to miss a woman's more subtle communication . . . They think they are waving when we see only the calm sea, and pretty soon everybody drowns.
First Sentence: Major Pettigrew was still upset about the phone call from his brother’s wife and so he answered the doorbell without thinking. ...more
Still a wonderful novel, but didn't enjoy this one as much as the first. There were several sections of the story that seemed to drag on for too long Still a wonderful novel, but didn't enjoy this one as much as the first. There were several sections of the story that seemed to drag on for too long and became boring, but the other sections were just as great as the first. Enjoyed the new characters/cultures that were introduced, but wished there would have been more time at the Arcanum. Guess it would be hard to have both though. :) Cannot wait to see how the next book plays out - hoping it is released very soon. Listened to the audiobook version of this one and the narrator did a fantastic job! P.s. So sick of Denna. So sick....more
I like a little bit of romance in a story, and unfortunately this was a little bit of story in the romance. Positives included Scotland, and some comiI like a little bit of romance in a story, and unfortunately this was a little bit of story in the romance. Positives included Scotland, and some comical witty dialogue. As with most time travel stories, I enjoyed the comparison of the times and how each person felt their time was the superior. Negatives included a played out fixation on virginity, and incredibly cheesy dialogue during never ending, overly descripted sex scenes. I wish more authors would realize that so often, less truly is more. When you "show" too much, it is almost impossible to not come across as cheesy. This one had nice parts, but overall it was like a overly sweet piece of cheese. Will continue as I heard the series gets better, as well as hoping to find some of that magic the fever series emanated. ...more
Cliched and tropey but so much fun to read anyways. I laughed out loud throughout and enjoyed a few unexpected twists. 3.5 stars - It was really good.
Cliched and tropey but so much fun to read anyways. I laughed out loud throughout and enjoyed a few unexpected twists. Overall a really good story with the back half far outshining the beginning. ------------------------------------------- Favorite Quote: People who devoted attention to their physical health were usually healthy in mind as well.
First Sentence: The MacKeltar is a dangerous man, Nevin. ...more
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