Review: Swipe

Swipe by Kathy Reichs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Short and in my opinion, expensive, although I waited a long time for it to get cheaper, no dice, I caved and bought it.
That said, it delivered, but 1 star less as I guessed early on where the T-800 was.
Good story though, I just wish it had been longer.
Highly recommended.




View all my reviews

Review: How to Fall

How to Fall by Jane Casey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Fast read, YA-Teen-Thriller. Very good characters, both good ones and bad ones, some are in between (not simply black and white).
Jess Tennant, the heroine is very likeable, stubborn, intelligent and has a good sense of doing the morally right thing or telling other people that.
A nice twist in the solving of the case.
A decision by her mother near the end of the book hints at the next book.
Unputdownable page turner, although I guess some may differ or will not see it.
As with her more adult Maeve Kerrigan-series, some chapters are rather long, and that makes it difficult for me to stop.
Recommended, I really like the style and the scenery (UK, but, sadly in this case I could not look it up on Google Earth, like in her last book).
Have bought and started the next book in the series, [b:Bet Your Life|18041969|Bet Your Life|Jane Casey|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388620529s/18041969.jpg|25317380] and I guess I will have finished it by tomorrow evening.



View all my reviews

Review: The Last Girl

The Last Girl by Jane Casey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Great twists, although I nearly guessed the killer.
Some romance, like in the last book, but not too much.
I think in skimming through 2-3 star-reviews I saw complaints, that this book is not as good as the first 2 and I beg to differ.
Three different story-line intertwined, one without conclusion and a good continuation with characters and problems from [b:The Burning|10769683|The Burning (Maeve Kerrigan, #1)|Jane Casey|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317067725s/10769683.jpg|14449306].
Cannot wait to read the next book, but will start instead with [b:How to Fall|17934525|How to Fall|Jane Casey|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1405301180s/17934525.jpg|21968740] (her new YA-series), before going back to other (probably YA) books.
High recommendation, for some 5 stars might be too much, but I think the great scenery and the people warrant it.



View all my reviews

Review: The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Started February 3d, 2014 with the free sample on my Kindle PW1.
On finishing the sample (I think the first about 3 chapters, the sample ended in between), bought the book without further checking, wether it would be cheaper at a different shop or as a 3-1 Trilogy-complete bundle.
Very good world-building integrated in the story, as we know as little or as much as the hero, Thomas.
While I guessed the first twist (the next newbie), the beginning is entirely gripping.
So far, a page-turner and I am not too sure how long I can do other things before reading on.
Reason for starting now, I had the sample on my kindle for some months now - as I do have free samples of other books.
And lots of unread books, both freebies and paid for.
So, the reason to start now is the trailer for the upcoming movie. Dark and gritty.
Had to pause a few times, reading other things during the pause.
Am now close to the end, and one of the reasons to pause is that I do not like to see it end.
There was a built-up to a short, devastating battle. While that was as bloody and deadly as expected, it was rather short and a bit of a letdown for the long built-up to it. As I have skimmed a few of the reviews, I know what to expect, no real explanation, but I am currently not sure wether I will read the other books (0.5, the prequel, #2 and #3 in the trilogy) soon.
Currently I guess it will be a solid 4star recommendation.
Later after lunch and reading all: Yup.
Just finished. A sort of explanation what happened (the Flare) and why (Maze) is there, I wonder why so many reviews gripe about there being none.
Nice, evil twist in the Epilogue, after all went to sleep after the ordeal.
Also the ending is setting the stage for the second book, but also offers bit of breathing time and closure. Bodes well for the film, as it can be filmed without the need for a change in the ending, in case the second film is not made. Being that this is one of many YA-Dystopias in cinemas last year and this, I hope this does not fail and sink.
Regarding the book, 4 stars it is and a recommendation, I will read the other books, but probably not soon, having a huge backlog of bought (mostly e-)books.




View all my reviews

Review: Enslaved By the Others

Enslaved By the Others by Jess Haines

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Had this preordered for Kindle.
Great story. Maybe 5 stars is a bit too much, but a nice sex-szene at the end and good fighting scenes where worth it.
No long review, but then I do that for books I do not like (3 stars or less), like I have to justify me...



View all my reviews

Review: You're Next

You're Next by Gregg Hurwitz

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is the July 2014 BOTM read of the Goodreads Group "Psychological Thrillers".
The opening (Prologue) is quite interesting, something I am surprised parents don't do more often.
For a while the timeline jumps between chapters titled "Now" and "Then", so you get a glimpse what happens as the child from the Prologue grows up and some explanation how he became what he is (and also his friend who helps him later).
Currently on page 197 - 36%. And I am staying away from the discussion thread on the group to avoid spoilers.
Had some personal stuff to do, or I would have finished it sooner, this is a real good page-turner, realistic, good persons ( William Burrell !), technology used in both good and bad ways, very up-to-date on surveillance by the powers that be.
And while not outright criticising this surveillance it should make you think wether it is good or bad to compile all these facts about everyone, free to be abused as it is shown in the book. A few years ago (even as it was published) I would have said that was not possible, but the still ongoing revelations showed us all how it is in fact quite possible.
Also the technology was used by both the bad guys and the good, and sometimes it bites back, as in the case when a connection with the internet is traced back to the hotel room.

The persons where believable and deep, their decisions well explained and for me feel real and understandable, not produced out of thin air, also, the action felt real. Even Kat the child was not bad, a first for me, who usually finds children whiny and childish and would gladly do as in the Prologue (that is one more reason I will never have a child). And no Deus ex machina, nothing felt constructed.
Still, my favorite person in this book is William Burrell, a really good bad guy, with a disease very detailed and realistically described, a professional torturer who knows pain himself knows how to inflict pain (although Dodge does the work).

Beware: a few people are tortured, and some die rather bloody deaths.
This book is highly recommended, and I am glad we chose it as a Book-of-the-month (see above). I will probably read more of his books.



View all my reviews

Review: Shaken

Shaken by J.A. Konrath

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Lend this with Amazon Prime for free, as I needed a short break from [b:You're Next|10148340|You're Next|Gregg Hurwitz|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393104022s/10148340.jpg|15046649]. Gripping beginning.
And it is a short read.
A few different timelines are chapter wise swapped and tangled. As it is obvious from the beginning, that Jack (not Daniels the whole time) is alive till the last timeline (2010), not all of it is very suspenseful. But great writing. Be aware, quite a lot of detailed torture.
A few different serial killers pop up in the book, some playing major parts.
As with some of the other books by Konrath I read, a few unbelievable escape scenarios.
So 4 stars might be a bit much, but I recommend it, and read it out of order, which, given the different timelines was ok, I do not think it would have helped a lot read all Jack Daniels books in order to understand this one.



View all my reviews