The Hollow by Agatha Christie Book Review

Description:

A party ends in murder when a doctor is left lying in a pool of blood. His wife is holding the gun. But nothing is that simple for Hercule Poirot (From Goodreads),

My Thoughts:

This is my second book by Agatha Christie, and I do like her books but they are not the best mystery novels I have read. Which is kind of deceiving because for me when I hear the name Agatha Christie, you think her books must be excellent. Because she had and still has such a great influence in this genre.

Hollow was an interesting book and I liked some of the characters and then was annoyed with others. The storyline was good and the mystery was very interesting. But I felt like the author did not spend much time trying to solve the murder. But rather there was a lot of talk about characters personal lives. Which is alright, because that does play part in the murder, but I personally felt like there was too little time devoted to the actual murder.

Also, Poirot is part of the book and he is the one that solves the murder, but there was not enough action on his part. What I mean by action is that throughout the whole book he was barely involved in solving the murder. He is handful of chapters.

My list favorite character from the very beginning was Greta, the Doctors wife. I could not stand her. She was stupid and no backbone. Even though throughout the book she, Greta, says that she is not stupid but she only pretends to be stupid and no backbone. For me I cannot image why someone would pretend to be stupid. It just bothered me.

The other character I had hard time with was Lucy, she was annoying as well. The way she talked and the topics of her conversations. I could not imagine why most of the other characters were so fascinated by her.

Overall book was good; it was an easy and quick read. Would I recommend it anyone? Yes I would just because it is Agatha Christie.



3.5 of 5 STARS

Curtain by Agatha Christie Book Review

Description:

Hercule Poirot returns to Styles, the scene of his first great case, to prevent a dangerous mass murderer from striking again. But the great detective doesn't know that this will be the most dangerous case in his illustrious career - and perhaps the last (from Goodreads).

My thoughts:

This is my first book by Agatha that I have ever read, so I was not sure what to expect. But as you can imagine the expectations were high, because I am reading Agatha Christie’s books, author who had and still has such a great influence on mystery novels.

This book is set in Styles and it is the last book for Poirot. The story was very interesting and there was a lot of mystery around it, as a reader you have a hard time figuring out who the murder is, actually you do not figure it out till the very end. Well at least I did not.
This case takes different approach to solving a crime, in this book Poirot tries to figure out who will be the next victim rather than who the murder is. This is because he already knows who the murder is. Like already mentioned it was very interesting and intriguing book to read. Also it was a quick read

In some instances I was annoyed with how Poirot talked to his friend and partner Hastings, telling him he is not smart enough, etc. But in turn I was also annoyed with Hastings for accepting this verbal put down by Poirot. Because Hastings was not a stupid man, maybe he was not as smart as Poirot but he was not stupid.

Also I found the book to be sexists in some cases, when the author was talking about the female characters, but then what can you expect from the time period this book was written in. But it was somewhat off putting.

Aside from all its shortcomings this book was enjoyable read, and if you like mystery novels this will appeal to you , especially the ending and the mystery behind the murder. The ending is ironic and that is what I loved about it.

4 out of Stars

The Last Time They Met by Anita Shreve Book Review

Description:

A dazzling story about marriage, forgiveness, and chances not taken, by the bestselling author of Body Surfing and A Wedding in December.

At a literary festival a poet named Linda Fallon meets for the first time in years a fellow poet, Thomas Janes, whose fame has grown during a decade of seclusion.

This is no chance meeting. Thomas saw that Linda was scheduled to appear, and chose this moment to re-establish contact with a woman he had passionately pursued years earlier. Their affair was disastrous for them both, a turning point in their lives, and the damage they did in those years still haunts them both.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET moves backward in time from Linda at age 52 to explore her life years earlier, at age 26, and still earlier, at 17. Anita Shreve examines the extraordinary resonance a single choice, even a single word, can have over the course of a lifetime (from Goodreads). 

My thoughts:

This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I was pleasantly surprised, I liked it. When I picked up this book from the library I did not know what to expect.

The story is broken into three parts, where characters are 52, 28 and 17 years of age. The story is told backwards, which is interesting and you do not see this every day.

It is a story about love, broken hearts, betrayal and friendship. The characters are well developed and overdeveloped, I somewhat feel that that was the intent of the author. You do not want to develop the character to much, there is an air of mystery about them, which makes you question and wander? The book makes you think and wonder because not all secrets are fully revealed

It is very realistic and you can identify with the characters, you feel their pain and heartbreak. You see why they made certain decisions and how those decisions affect rest of your life.

In a way some parts of the book author is writing in a sort of the poetic way, which I did find somewhat choppy and not well done. However the last two parts of the book are my favourite, especially part three which actually makes the book good book in my opinion. It is the beginning of it all, what happened and why.

This is a compelling story; it is a depressing romance as I like to call these type of books, because there is no straight forward happily ever after.
I would recommend this book to all who love romance, I guess more complicated and sadder romances.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Book Review

Description:

In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury's classic, frightening vision of the future, firemen don't put out fires--they start them in order to burn books. Bradbury's vividly painted society holds up the appearance of happiness as the highest goal--a place where trivial information is good, and knowledge and ideas are bad. Fire Captain Beatty explains it this way, "Give the people contests they win by remembering the words to more popular songs. ... Don't give them slippery stuff like philosophy or sociology to tie things up with. That way lies melancholy."

Guy Montag is a book-burning fireman undergoing a crisis of faith. His wife spends all day with her television "family," imploring Montag to work harder so that they can afford a fourth TV wall. Their dull, empty life sharply contrasts with that of his next-door neighbor Clarisse, a young girl thrilled by the ideas in books, and more interested in what she can see in the world around her than in the mindless chatter of the tube. When Clarisse disappears mysteriously, Montag is moved to make some changes, and starts hiding books in his home. Eventually, his wife turns him in, and he must answer the call to burn his secret cache of books. After fleeing to avoid arrest, Montag winds up joining an outlaw band of scholars who keep the contents of books in their heads, waiting for the time society will once again need the wisdom of literature (from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:

I have heard of this book but never read it until now. It is a small book, 160 pages or so, but there is a lot in those pages. It is excellent book, it is a dystopia of sorts, it’s about burning books, censorship, and do not ask questions such as "why" only "how". It is a scary world that Ray Bradbury describes, were no one reads book, no one thinks or questions.

Just imagine a world were there is no books, any kind of books, that owning a book is a crime. I tried and it made me very sad, for someone who loves to read it sounds frightening.

It is also about living in a world were people do not need to read because they live in age very there is all this technological stimulation that is almost brain numbing and you do not even realise it. It was frightening because he is describing our word. Because on every corner we face large plasma TVs , video games. Today people do not have to read books they just go to the movies or play video games, or listen to ipods or mp3 players. And we ask ourselves why is there a decline in literacy?
This book maker really think, think about books, and how you view books.  

As you can see I am somewhat passionate when it comes to censorship and reading. Like I have already said, this book makes you thing about books and the world you live in. When a books does that than you know that it is a good book. 5 out of 5 STARS.

Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman Book Review

Description:

He smiles. "Hello." It's a deep voice. I can feel it reverberate in my chest and echo all the way down to my toes. I know I should leave, but I don't want to. I want to keep my senses like this forever. I'm all eye, all ear, all skin. Persephone lives in the most gorgeous place in the world. But her mother's a goddess, as overprotective as she is powerful. Paradise has become a trap. Just when Persephone feels there's no chance of escaping the life that's been planned for her, a mysterious stranger arrives. A stranger who promises something more—something dangerous and exciting—something that spurs Persephone to make a daring choice. A choice that could destroy all she's come to love, even the earth itself. In a land where a singing river can make you forget your very name, Persephone is forced to discover who—and what—she really is (From Goodreads).

My Review:

I have seen this book in the bookstores and always admired the cover, how pretty it is. But I never turned it over and read what it was about, I just admired its cover and walked away. So, other day I was on my lunch break and went to the local library and this is the book I came upon. I picked it and read the back cover, it sounded good.

It is story about Persephone and Hades. Book was alright, just alright.

This is a story about Persephone falls in love with Hades and goes to live with him in the underworld. But the thing is you really do not see much of interaction between Hades and Persephone. It is a love story but there is no romance or spark between the two main characters.

Mother daughter relationship, at the beginning and throughout most of the book, my mother does not care for me, she loves her harvest and being a goddess more than me. But then at the third part of the book it takes one chapter, which was no longer than 4 pages I believe. It went from my mother does not care enough to my mother loves me in few pages.

The story had a promising start but as it progressed it just fell flat, there was no action or any excitement. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars, it was ok.

Iron King (Iron Fey, #1) by Julie Kagawa Book Review

Description:

Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series (from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:

I love, love this book. Now I have to wait for six months for the second book to come out. It was action packed, fast paced book that I could not put down. I love how the author uses some of the characters from A Midsummer’s Nights Dream, such as Puck (I love his character), Queen Tatania, Oberon.

The faery world that Meghan enters is dangerous and not very friendly. Danger lurks on every corner, and not many friends to be made, everyone wants something from her.

As a character Meghan grows throughout the books and learns about the faery world, learns that you do not give your word lightly in Nevernever because you are bound by your promise. There is a very nice romantic story between Meghan and Ash, which makes you wonder will they have a happy ever after. I personally like books with happily ever afters.

What I did not like about this book was Meghan’s reactions in some scenes, she was too shocked or paralyzed from wonder or fear or both. This bothered me especially later on in the book, long after she learned that faeries exist along with all the other magical beings. In some instances she would say things without thinking, she would apply every day life in the real world to Nevernever. But she got better on as the book progressed.

After I finished this book I wanted to read the next book in the series, which is Iron Daughter, and it will be released some time in August 2010. Till then I will just have to be patient.

Steph Su Reads: My Blogoversary Giveaway!

Steph Su Reads: My Blogoversary Giveaway!

Gone (Dream Catcher, #3) by Lisa McMannn Book Review

Description:

This is the third and final instalment of wake trilogy.

My Review:

I have read first two book from this trilogy last summer and I have not done a review of them since this blog was non existent at the time. I will give a short review on the first two book in the series.

Wake and Fade, when I first picked up these book since they were strongly recommended by a friend. I read both books in like two day; they are very small books and very easy read. However I was intrigued by the story, but the authors writing was lacking. It was boring, and it took forever to have some action. When some action started to occur it was done in like four pages, than we were back to the same even monotone of writing. I would give 3 stars out of 5 for the first two books in the series.

The third book in the Dream Catcher series was out on the shelves early, only four days early at my local book store.
I picked it up, not sure what to expect since I was disappointed with the first two books from the series. The only reason that I bothered to read this one is because I have already read the first two books, so I thought to myself might as well read the last book in the series and see what happens.
I did not expect much from this book and I was correct. It was even more boring than previous two books. It was anticlimactic, same monotone of writing.
I was bothered by the writing, for example;

4:29 pm
It's all so complicated.
It always is, with Janie.

That is a whole paragraph, and you will find a lot of similar paragraphs throughout the book. It is annoying.
The choice that she has to make, yes it is difficult on, but the it was not well translated into wards and emotions.
For me this trilogy was a disappointment because it had so much more potential.

Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough Book Review

Description:

Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all. This is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthral, and thoroughly enchant (from Goodreads).

My Thoughts:

This book was a pleasant surprise. I read this book in one day, since it was an easy read and was intended for the younger audience. But regardless it was very good and gripping story.
I have always enjoyed reading stories about magic, witches and such things. I likes the authors take on the witch’s magic, which is called Talent. The magical system developed by the writer is easy to understand and in a way it is different. It does have some of the more traditional elements of witch magic that you can find in many other books, but there is also something new.
I enjoyed portrayal of Tamsin’s relationship with her family and her feeling like an outsider because of her lack of Talent. Her relationship with her older sister, her subtle jealousy of her sister whom she thinks is perfect in everything she does.

I loved Gabriel’s character, he was so sweet and obviously in love with Tamsin. We get to watch how their relationship starts to develop throughout the book.

When I came to the part where there is time travel, I was bit hesitant. My experience with lot of books that had time travel, but not all, was usually not always the best. Author would try to hard and have so many twists and turns that I did not know which side was up or down. In this book the time travel was easy and straight forward.

Over all this book will appeal to many teens, because they can identify with Tamsin. Tamsin is likable character, many teenagers can identify with her relationship with her family and her romantic relationship with Gabriel.
I would recommend this book to all YA lovers with touch of fantasy, you will not be disappointed.

Goddess of the Rose (Goddess Summoning #4) by P. C. Cast Book Review

Description:

 Empousai family roses have bloomed for centuries, thanks to the drops of blood their women sacrifice for their gardens. But Mikki would rather forget this family quirk and lead a normal life. Until she unwittingly performs a ritual, ending up in the strangely familiar Realm of the Rose. As its goddess Hecate reveals, Mikki is a priestess—and the Realm’s been waiting for her…
Long ago, an enraged Hecate cursed her guardian beast and the entire Realm with a slumber only a priestess can undo—and she’s counting on Mikki. The beast at first terrifies Mikki—but soon intrigues her more than any man ever has. But the only way he and the Realm can be saved is for Mikki to sacrifice her life-giving blood—and herself (from Goodreads).

My Review:

This is a retelling of story about Beauty and the Beast. Story was alright and it was not my favourite from this series. I found that it took for ever, more than half of the book, for something to happen between the Guardian and Mikado. I did not find It as romantic as some of the other books from the series.

This book did not appeal to me, but I kept reading it because I wanted to know what happens to Mikado and the Guardian. Story of Beauty and the Beast was always one of my favourite fairy tales.
If you are looking for a fast read this book is not it. Author takes time to write the story and to develop her characters, and to built the relationship between the Guardian and Mikado. Which I found it took for ever. Also. Throughout the book we get to read the story from the Guardian’s point of view. This does not happen that much, but those few timed you get to climbs at what he is feeling. I wish that there was more of those instances where the story is told from the Guardians point of view.

Even with all the flaws and disappointments I have to say that I did enjoy this book and I would give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Captivate (Need, #2) by Carrie Jones Book Review

Description:

Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It's made him vulnerable. And now there's a new king in town.

A turf war is imminent, since the new pixie king, Astley, is moving in quickly. Nick nearly killed him in the woods on day one, but Zara came to his rescue. Astley swears that he and Zara are destined to be together, that he's one of the good guys. Nick isn't buying it, though Zara isn't as sure -- despite herself, she wants to trust the new king. But it's a lot more than her relationship with Nick that is at stake. It's her life -- and his.

My Review:

Second book of Need series continues where Need left off. In this book I felt like it took more than half of the book for some action or adventure to happen . It kind of dragged, nothing interesting happens other than introduction of some new characters. I guess all this built-up was for the ending of the book.

Even thuggish dies, well nor really, I felt nothing. I did not care much. Nick and Zara’s relationship was the focal point of this book, but there was nothing there. Usually when I read a book I care about the characters I am reading, I feel their pain and happiness.

It seems that the characters did not grow in this book, they remained the same as in the first book. It seems that Devyn and Issie are the two characters that developed throughout the series. I was rooting for Issie and Devyn to get together.

I know that there will be Need # 3 coming up sometime this year. However I am not sure if I am going to read it, I am kind of disappointed with this series, because it has so much potential.

Need (Need, #1) by Carrie Jones

Description:

 Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.

She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - no human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.

In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you’d have to fear (From Goodreads.com)

My Review:

I was browsing thought the YA books section at my local book store, when I came upon this book. You know how they always say do not judge a book by its cover, well I did. The only reason I bought this book is because of the beautiful cover. Lets face it a lot of people are more likely to pick up a book that has a nice cover, rather than a book with a plain boring cover.

Anyways, I bought the book, not really sure what to expect. I read the description on the dust jacket. I have never heard of this author before, so I thought I will give it a try.

I did like the book, but I did not love it. The story line is good and interesting, but felt like the book was missing something. Main character, Zara, she was not well developed and she has a lot of potential. I found her somewhat annoying, I could not make up my mind if I liked her or not.

I also found it bothersome how from the moment that she discovered that pixies exist, she was convinced that they are all evil.

I really liked Devyn and Issie in this book, and I almost wished that they are the main characters. They were such likable characters, I found Issie to be funny, smart and a loyal friend to Zara.

I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars, it is not bad but it is not wow either. However the story is interesting enough and will be reading Captive (Need, #2) from this series.

The Goddess of Light (Goddess Summoning # 3) by P. C. Cast Book Review

Description:

Interior designer Pamela Gray has nearly given up on romance. She's tired of controlling egomaniacs. She wants romance and she wants it with someone with real godlike qualities. As she whispers her wish, she unwittingly invokes the Goddess Artemis, who has some tricks up her celestial sleeve...

Twins Artemis and Apollo have been sent to the kingdom of Las Vegas to test their mettle in a world where they are no longer worshiped. The last thing Artemis expected was to be obliged to a mortal through a heartfelt wish—and she demands that her golden brother make that wish a reality. Who better than the handsome and charming God of Light to bring love to this lonely woman?

But Apollo is not quite prepared for this spitfire of a woman in her stiletto heels. Pamela may be a mortal, but she is a goddess in spirit—and in Sin City, where all of life is a gamble, Pamela finds the courage to let go of her fears and love again. After all, you only live once: Or do you? (From Goodreads).

My Review:

What did I like and dislike about this book? I liked everything about this book, it fun, fast read and very well written. I loved Apollo and Pamela together, they were such nice couple. He had never been in love, lust yes, but love no. Falling in love with mortal woman of all people, this is something different for him, and he does not know how to act or do.  It's new to him. 

I found it cute, both Apollo and Artemis, how they were dealing being stuck in today’s Los Vegas. I found it funny how afraid Apollo was of the cars, which turned to be ironic at the end. I had to laugh at Artemis and her first ever hangover.  Artemis character was developed well and I hope that we get to read about her more in other books, or maybe a book of her own.  I liked her, even though she can be a bitch sometimes. 

I especially enjoyed the ending, which ended in a way I did not expect. However it was a good surprise. But do not worry there is a happy ending. It was a different ending, the way romance books go. It was a happy and quite ending, rather than a sappy one. I personally believe that the ending made the whole book. As much as I liked the whole book, ending was my favourite part.

This book falls in Romance/Fantasy genre, because it is a mix of both. P. C. Cast did an excellent job of mixing real two worlds together. I have read number of other romance books where Greek Mythology plays important past, but I always had hard time getting into them. I think it the fact that I like Romance books and like to read about Greek Mythology. It was the way that the writers used the myths in their stories that always put me off. But not with P. C. Cast’s Goddess Summoning Series, these are excellent.

Goddess of Spring by P. C. Case Book Review

 Description:

Lina is a baker from Tulsa, whose bakery is not doing so good and she needs to come up with a plan to save her bakery. she finds this cookbook, which she thinks is the solution to her problems. Through the book she evokes the Goddess Demeter.
Goddess has plans of her own and she convinces Lina to switch souls with her daughter Persephone, the Goddess of Spring.
goddess of spring will bread new life into the bakery, while Lina must go to Underworld. There she meet Hades. God of Underworld, with whom she falls in love. However hades is not aware that Lina switched souls with Persephone.

My Review:
This was very good book, it was more than I expected. If you like Greek mythology, or gods and goddesses than you might like this book.
It was very well written and the characters were well developed. I loved the writers description of Underworld and Hades. He is interesting character, handsome, loner, you could say grumpy, but kind. Something you do not expect from the lord of the Underworld.
Lina's character was likable and fun.
Even though myth of Hades and Persephone is familiar to a lot of people, however in this story the plot is straight forward but not predictable. I mean its not rocket science either, but it does make you thinks, what is going to happen next.

This book is a second book in the Goddess Summoning Series. Each book is a stand alone book and has its own story. I have already bought the other 4 books in the series.

I have not yet read any other books by this author, however I did receive other series (House of Night Series) for a Christmas from a friends who recommended them as a must read.

Here we go...

I been thinking about blogging for a while. What is better than to blog about books if you are book lover like I am. Probably you are if you are reading this blog (I hope that someone will read it) or any other blog about books.

Ahh books... I love books, love to read. So many books. but little time. I know corny but it is true. I wish I had more time to read and brows through book stores, which by the way is one of my favourite places to be.


Anyways, back to blogging. i think that this would be an interesting thing to do, something to look farward to. Sharing joy of reading with others; my opinions on the books that I read.

I pretty much read anything, depending on what I feel like. I read Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Historical, Non Fiction, YA. Actually I have never read anything from Science fiction, which is kind of strange since I do love to watch Sci-Fi movies.