Reviews and Comments

ApparentParadox

ApparentParadox@outside.ofa.dog

Joined 10 months, 3 weeks ago

GWM living in Oregon.I used to love books that would really stretch me, but lately I've needed more solace from the books that I read.

My ratings are as follows: * 5 stars: it's truly a great book, and I'll want to re-read it again and again. * 4 stars: it's a good book, and I enjoyed reading it. I'll probably re-read it. * 3 stars: It's a fine book, just not special. I may re-read it if I'm looking to just relax and not have to think, but I would probably pick up a new book instead. * 2 stars: I finished it, but might have given up if I were in a different mood. * 1 star: I didn't enjoy the book and probably didn't finish it. I wouldn't blanketly recommend it, but it might speak to someone else.

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Mona of the Manor (2024, HarperCollins Publishers) 3 stars

Much like his other books, with one exception

3 stars

This is very similar to his other "Tales of the City" books. If you read those, then you have an idea of what this one will be like.

The one problem I had with this book is that it is written about the past. With the other books, he was basically describing "current events" and the people were all aging along with the books. This is a throw-back to a previous time, and so it felt a bit strange in that way. Not really so different for those who are coming fresh to the books (because for them, they are all in the past), but for people who have read the books as they were released, it just feels a bit odd.

I enjoy these books, but I sometimes get annoyed at minor problems in them. There's a lot of talk about how likely the plane is to crash if Jon is on board because he'll mess up the electronics. OK, planes have lots of safety features. He might kill the engines and the radio, but the pilots can still fly the plane and probably even land it decently if they are skilled pilots. Yep, they may have to do an emergency landing, but knowing they have Jon on board, they should be prepared for that.

Not really my style

2 stars

This was a fine book, but not really my style. The humor was about the only thing that kept me reading it. The characters are a bit like comic book characters, but that fits the style of the book. I did like most of them, even the ones that are the "unpleasant people".

One pet peeve is getting technology completely wrong. At one point someone is supposed to be good at navigating, so they could find the island without GPS (and so the coast guard wouldn't know). But, GPS doesn't work like that! Nobody knows whether you're using it (or LORAN, which is more likely for a boat). That doesn't really affect the plot, just a pet peeve.

Healing Winter (Turtlehat Creatives) 3 stars

Jameson has been living for the pack ever since he and his brother took over …

Nice characters, not completely satisfying ending

3 stars

I did like some of the characters and events, but the ending wasn't completely satisfying. It just kind of petered out with a semi-ending, but nothing really resolved.

Still, it was an enjoyable read.