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: 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: All Out War Part 2 by Robert Kirkman

All Out War Part 2 by Robert Kirkman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

These last couple of books about the Negan wars were hard to read. I am not the target audience, senior woman that I am. But anyone who finds fighting and killing abhorrent is not the target of these books. And the lack of versatile vocabulary, especially Negan’s, makes him so uninteresting.

I am, however, impressed with the translation of the shows. The choices of actors and variety in the plot make the story more than males measuring body parts.

I am still impressed with reading comics on Kindle because I can expand the picture and text to see it more clearly.

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Review: All Out War Part 1 by Robert Kirkman

All Out War Part 1 by Robert Kirkman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

War. Negan. Not the best of the story for me. However, I love Jeffrey Dean Morgan. I found his ability to do the same lovable smile he did on Grey’s Anatomy and scare you to pieces on the Walking Dead to be absolutely amazing. And the actor does a phenomenal job playing the Negan from the comic book.

And the story varies a bit between the original written story to the show, but the basics are the same. And the war is horrible, regardless.

This is book one of the war, so I still need to read book two to find out what really happened. Rick is now one-armed from way back. So far, Carl’s story is quite different during this part.

I still love reading the comic through the Kindle as it can be helpful to enlarge each frame to see words or art details. I find the paper version impossible, even since my cataract surgery.

I know many find the thought of zombies disgusting or horrid, but I find them to be the thing that proves the metal of the breathing humans.

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Review: The Walking Dead, Vol. 19: March to War by Robert Kirkman

The Walking Dead, Vol. 19: March to War by Robert Kirkman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

No question about it, I love The Walking Dead, not the zombies; they represent the problem humanity has to deal with. The books and show are about how differently we respond to the threat. This was made clear during the pandemic. Back then, Robert Kirkman understood how people could change with a huge problem.

In this issue, all the problems Negan and the saviors have brought bring all the groups together to fight for their independence.

This was written before the show, so it is interesting to see the original intent. I have to admit that the show is better. I never say that about the difference between books and shows. But in this case, the story grew up into the show.

I don’t like war and shooting. But in this case, it is necessary for most people to live peaceably in the future. Ugh! I even hate saying that. But it is true.

The story varied but was nearly the same as the show. Some characters are subbed in for others. But the storyline stayed the same.

Please check out the Kindle version of these comics. You can enlarge the pictures or font to see it all the better than the paper product.

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Review: The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

The House Of The Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have mixed feelings about this book. Much of it gives me the creeps. I love the Walking Dead and think cloning will never bring exact replicas due to the environment and circumstances of the original versus that of the clone. But the treatment of people in this dystopia seems horrible and never improves.

Nancy Farmer’s writing keeps the reader engaged. That is why I read to the end.

Robert Ramirez (Narrator) did well when reading for the males in the book, but all the females sounded foolish and unreal.

A few years ago, I decided to read primarily women authors who wrote of strong female main characters. I have found that women portray their sex far better than males do. The male narrators are great for boys or men but seem unable to play the fem parts.

Another thing, this is supposed to be a book for middle grades to adults. I can’t imagine a child reading this. I can’t imagine not getting nightmares from this as a kid. It nearly did that to me as an adult. On the other hand, I think it would have been a good read together and discussed with my children when they were old enough to handle the subject matter. My kids were better at the scary books and movies than I was. But I wouldn’t have wanted them to miss the lessons presented.

On the plus side, I loved getting into another culture. The Spanish language and mores are a beautiful addition.

Look, I don’t want to taint your opinion of this book. There are so many varied ratings; everyone sees this story differently. There are lessons for the modern world to look at sprinkled all over.

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The Walking Dead Deluxe #21 by Robert Kirkman

The Walking Dead Deluxe #21 by Robert Kirkman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As much as I love Michonne in the show and in the previous issue, I am not a fan of hers in this book. This story is full of intrigue and keeps you guessing.

Again, I have to say how much I love reading comics on Kindle, where you have control of the font and picture sizes.

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