Review: The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is the longest torture. It took me weeks to finish reading (listening) to this book.

On the one hand, Kate Reading, the narrator, could make a phone book or dictionary sound good. There were times when it felt that was exactly what she was reading. There is a lot of background knowledge that Anne Rice included in the book that didn’t seem necessary. But Ms. Kate kept my attention even through that.

On the other hand, there were exciting parts that kept me awake for hours as the narrator could do all the voices and give each character their own personality. So many voices she needed to create for this book!

There are books a person should probably save for daytime. This is one of those. Yet I did it before sleep every night. Ugh! I would try to end the experience on a boring part or positive note.

I don’t think I will read the rest of the Mayfair Witches series. I’ll stick with the television program. There are so many begats, like the Bible. The show does that in a different and concise way. I am hoping the birth of Lasher isn’t at all like the book. And I can’t stand that idea. The incest issues were also off-putting. That birth procedure creeped me out like the ending of Demon Seed. I wanted to throw the book! Ugh!

And Rowan is so much more interesting in the show. She’s barely there in the book and then disappears.

I hope I haven’t turned off others to try the book. But I must warn those who have the issues that I mentioned above. I’m not a fan of horror, and I would put this book in that category.

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Review: The Lost World by Michael Crichton

The Lost World by Michael Crichton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was not as fun as the movies. I never felt anything for any of the characters. It seemed the book was about the gruesome as often as possible. But without caring about the characters, I felt nothing about them becoming dino snacks.

On the other hand, I could tell the amount of research that went into these books. And the author implemented the knowledge within the world he created.

I didn’t dislike the book; I felt it wasn’t as good as the first one. You may like it far more than I did. Or maybe you’ll not like it at all. I think it is very individual in how that works. And I think where a person is in their lives

Still, reading this before sleep was hard. Especially when the RV goes over the cliff. Actually, this wasn’t as scary as the movie. I sweat just thinking about that scenario.

It was fun seeing where certain scenes of the movie came from. Well worth the read.

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Review: The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think others will like this book. I think I might have liked an audio version rather than the Kindle text-to-speech. Maybe it was just I wasn’t into it. I put the speed faster to finish the book.

It had a good storyline. Which is why I feel it was just me not being in the mood for it right now. I do love the cover, so beautiful. As was the concept. So just take it as a me thing. It was a Kindle Libby, so it was free. Try it; you might love it!

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Review: The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas

The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A friend recommended this to me. She knew I loved reading about the concept of time travel. And she was not wrong. This was very interesting and even brought up ideas I hadn’t considered before. A lot of time travel science is included in the book, but I loved the story. I loved reading about all the different women who invented the time machines.

I borrowed this Kindle edition from the library. And for a lot of books, the text-to-speech works quite well. But for this book, it made it more challenging. All the voices are the same one, no matter the time or area the person was from; it was the same voice with no emotion. So I got pretty mixed up with who was who. So I have ordered the Audible version to try again later. I am concerned as there are so many characters I may have to take notes to keep it all straight.

Still, even as it was, I found it engaging every single night. I never wanted to quit reading, even when confused.

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Review: Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Okay, I’m late in reading these. I am a huge fan of the movies.

Usually, I like reading the book first before watching the film version. But I just didn’t get around to this one before memorizing the series’ first few movies. And that sadly gave me an up. I knew what needed to happen.

But the shows are better. I am so glad they rewrote the shows to tell a more friendly bunch of main characters. I don’t want to give spoilers if you haven’t read the books, but there were shockers. And now I feel I must read the next book in the series.

I do enjoy the writing of Michael Crichton. Yeah, I’m a newbie to his work.

Scott Brick gave a sense of authority to the science of the topic and acted most of the characters with gusto. But females were not done as well, sounding a bit demeaning. But overall, he kept the story interesting.

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Review: The Burning World by Isaac Marion

The Burning World by Isaac Marion
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Though not as good or a quick a read as Warm Bodies, it was still a crunchie and delicious read. Seeing through the zombie’s eyes, R’s, we learn as he does about his past and the world’s past and present. The romance, though ongoing, seems to be cooling as a whole team of acquaintances attempts to find places of safety.

The narrator, Jacques Roy, does a great job acting out the various characters. At least he doesn’t make the females sound like he’s demeaning them. He keeps the listener engaged.

The author, Isaac Mario, melds action and poetry. Sometimes I wish I could turn on the light and write down a line or two he says. Just beautiful for a zombie story! Especially toward the end. I have already ordered the next book. And though this was a Libby audio, I ordered my own copy of the audible version, and I now have the blu-ray. I love this series!

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Review: Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Now, this was a fun book. How is it I never heard about it until recently? I wish I hadn’t finished it so quickly. Luckily, there is a book two, so as soon as Libby has it available, I can go back into M’s world and watch brains form in the once-dead zombie.

Go check out the blurb on GoodReads or Amazon. But maybe, like me, you only need a good friend to tell you this is fun. You need a fun read. Here it is!

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Review: Becoming Crone by Lydia M. Hawke

Becoming Crone by Lydia M. Hawke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun book that, at last, didn’t have to do with someone under 60. It only took a couple of nights to get through. I do wish it were in Audible, but text-to-speech was still doable.

A mature woman whose marriage is over and the offspring has a child of his own finally finds her power, and boy, it’s a lot!

And her caretaker is a gargoyle. Her name is Kevin!

Hopefully, those weren’t spoilers.

It was such an entertaining book; I now have the second book lined up.

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Review: The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My friend, Michele, recommended this. I found the audio on Libby. The author, Aimee Bender, narrates, so you know the right emotions show through.

Synesthesia is the word that came to mind about Rose Edelstein. But this is far different from tasting color or smelling shapes. Tasting the chef’s mood or the affair her mother is having is a lot to believe. That her brother can disappear to another dimension or time is truly unfathomable.

The story is slow, but it made a good bedtime book. It had plenty for the imagination to work on.

I was disappointed that we didn’t see people using their talent for good. But maybe this is more realistic. But the ending was underwhelming.

Worth the read if only to explore a unique idea.

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Review: Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So, not my kind of book. But you’ll love this book if you like romance, especially paranormal romance with Greek mythology built in.

I must admit Devon Sorvari (Narrator) did a fantastic job telling the story.

Look, I realize I am not the target audience. So I don’t want to be mean or disparaging. I did finish reading, so it kept me engaged for that long. I don’t see reading the rest of the series. But I know others will love it. It is written well. May I just use the part I loved most: Flying. I’ll not ruin anything with spoilers with that bit.

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