Biggs' Zone

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Empire (In Her Name: Redemption)

Book Review: Darkfever

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On December 10, 2015

In Book Review, Fantasy

Darkfever (Fever, #1)Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
My rating:[rating=3]
(Click here to read this review on Goodreads)

This was another one of those books I snagged for free, probably from Book Bub. The book starts kind of slow. I had a hard time with the main character ultimately having some kind of supernatural abilities. She seemed like such a plain Jane/fashionista, which may have been the author’s intention. When Mac was described as having pink fingernails and ostentatious clothing, I started envisioning Reese Witherspoon from Legally Blonde.

I never stop reading a book; once I start it I intend to finish it no matter how horrid I think the book is. This book was not horrid, just slow to get started. By the end, however, I was starting to get hooked. In fact, under the right circumstances, I may even be inclined to pick up the next book to see what happens next.

While I may be off to a slow start with this author, that doesn’t mean I would turn away from anything else Moning has written. On the contrary, I would probably feel quite compelled to read it.

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Empire (In Her Name: Redemption)

Book Review: Gone Girl

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On November 9, 2015

In Book Review, Thriller

Gone GirlGone Girl by Gillian Flynn
My rating:[rating=5]
(See this review on Goodreads.)

This book and the associated movie had been talked about so much that I decided I really wanted to read it before I saw the movie. I tried as much as I could to avoid finding out anything about the twist ending. If you have managed to avoid it I wouldn’t continue reading. I don’t think I can write a review about this book and not talk about the twist. I would highly recommend reading the book. I have not seen the movie so I don’t know how much was changed but the book is always better.

***** SPOILERS AHEAD *****

I knew, going into this book, that Nick hadn’t actually killed his wife and, in fact, his wife is the one that tried to make it look like he did. What I didn’t expect was how twisted and psychotic Amy really was. The diary entries you read from Amy’s “perspective” successfully create this persona that make you believe (just as the police believe) that Amy really is an innocent, doting wife. It’s a brilliant writing mechanic on Flynn’s part. She successfully endeared me to Amy for the first 300 pages. I was even thinking that I had heard wrong and that she actually was abducted and/or murdered.

Then you read the first chapter in the second part of the book and you are just stunned. She is well deserving of the “Psycho Bitch” moniker Nick gives her later in the book. As I read the last 150 pages I kept wondering how this was going to end. I was not expecting this book to be one of those where the villain wins. In fact I wonder if Gillian Flynn has plans to write a sequel because the book ends with that as a possibility. I would definitely be in line to read it.

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Empire (In Her Name: Redemption)

Book Review: Blood and Masks

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On October 8, 2015

In Book Review, Fantasy

Blood and Masks (Neva Cora, #1)Blood and Masks by Alex Ziebart
My rating: [rating=4]
(Click here to see this review on Goodreads.)

If you’re a gamer, specifically MMOs like World of Warcraft, then you will enjoy this book. If you happen to read Blizzard Watch frequently then you should know this author. Alex Ziebart is the Editor-in-Chief and owner of the Blizzard Watch blog site. This book was his debut novel as a fantasy author.

I’d say, for a newbie author, his first book was well done. I haven’t read a lot of fantasy novels but the world he created in Blood and Masks seemed pretty unique to me. That’s not to say he didn’t borrow from the vast world of fantasy races, but he doesn’t violate any canon rules (i.e. elves). He does create his own class of fantasy race called “minari”, which does have some “demon hunter” influence but still remains unique. The minari world Ziebart creates is intriguing and I hope to learn more about their kind in future novels.

I hope this novel brings Alex success and motivation to continue writing fantasy. I think, with Blood and Masks, he is off to a great start.

Recommended for any fantasy reader.

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Empire (In Her Name: Redemption)

Book Review: Odd Thomas

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On August 21, 2015

In Book Review

Odd ThomasOdd Thomas by Dean Koontz

My rating: [rating=5]
(Click here to see this review on Goodreads)

Dean Koontz proves once again why he is one of my favorite authors. I probably enjoyed this book about as much as I enjoyed The Door to December (which is my favorite Koontz novel). I think I read this book fairly quickly because I was hooked fairly quickly. In fact he pretty much hooks you right at the beginning when you learn about Odd Thomas’ gift.

I have to admit, this was the first time I was feeling a little choked up at the end of a Dean Koontz novel. It was an ending I wasn’t expecting. I think [possible spoiler alert, here] my heart bottomed out just as Odd’s did when reality set in. I think Koontz handled the character relationships extremely well, hence my feeling of deep sorrow at the end.

I understand now why so many people fell in love with Odd Thomas and I’m looking forward to reading the other books. If you are a Koontz fan, then you need to read this book (if you haven’t already).

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Empire (In Her Name: Redemption)

Book Review: Four

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On August 16, 2015

In Book Review

Four: A Divergent Collection (Divergent, #0.1-0.4)Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth

My rating: [rating=4]
(Click here to read this review on Goodreads)

I really enjoyed the different perspective and the little bit of backstory about Four. You learn a little bit about why he left Abnegation, why he and Eric don’t get along, and what is going through his mind during the time he is Tris’ initiation instructor. Obviously that means this book does have portions from Divergent so you should at least read Divergent before reading this book.

There are some interesting plot points that, had Four decided differently, would have completely changed how the war would have begun. It may have even altered the fates of some of the transfers in Tris’ unit.

I probably haven’t read the other books since Divergent was in theaters so some of the conversations between Tris and Four are a little fuzzy. I feel like some of the things they say to each other were different between the two books but I could be mistaken. Honestly it doesn’t really matter, it was a fun read regardless.

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Book Review: Fairest

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On July 13, 2015

In Book Review, Fantasy

Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles, #3.5)Fairest by Marissa Meyer

My rating: [rating=4]
(Go to goodreads to see this review there)

Although fairly short, this book was well worth the read. It gives you an interesting look into the confused mind of Levana. It also provides a little bit of interesting backstory to other characters from the series as well as some of the plot elements critical to the story.

Reading about Levana does create an emotional dichotomy for the reader because you almost want to feel bad for her when you realize why its so critical for Lunars to use their “gift” more wisely. Unfortunately by the end Levana has pretty much gone as mad as Ahab and will stop at nothing to get her “white whale”.

Reading this book does make me excited for Winter (which doesn’t come out until this fall). The chronological value of this books is 3.5 so I would read it in that same order. It’s not really a book that needs to be read as a prequel.

Oh, and if you haven’t read any of the Lunar Chronicle books, you need to get right on that now!

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