Don’t think this added to the overall story and so far has been my least favourite of the short stories. I found it dull and while I’m not a fan of beDon’t think this added to the overall story and so far has been my least favourite of the short stories. I found it dull and while I’m not a fan of being in the head of whiny teenaged girls while reading, I like being in a whiny teenaged boy’s even less which reflects why I found this not as engaging as the others I’ve read. I could have passed on this and not missed all that much.
Merged review:
Don’t think this added to the overall story and so far has been my least favourite of the short stories. I found it dull and while I’m not a fan of being in the head of whiny teenaged girls while reading, I like being in a whiny teenaged boy’s even less which reflects why I found this not as engaging as the others I’ve read. I could have passed on this and not missed all that much....more
Hmmm…read this a week ago and failed to write a review immediately so now I remember hardly anything. That is a pretty good indicator that this was onHmmm…read this a week ago and failed to write a review immediately so now I remember hardly anything. That is a pretty good indicator that this was only just ok for me, which puts the rating at 3.5. Entertaining but not memorable if it can’t even stick past a week. I liked Alwyn but he never gained much depth of character over the course of the trilogy. Neither did his relationship with Evadine. I didn’t feel overly invested in their ‘love’ because Evadine never had much depth either. Being a character driven reader, that detracted from my engagement with the book. Had their characters and relationship had more depth, I’d have liked the book and the series much more. The world building was not hard to imagine. It was very close to medieval time and I rather enjoyed that aspect. The plot and political maneuvering was engaging enough and made for an improved reading experience, compared to book 2. Though I enjoyed this book of the trilogy more than the second, it didn’t quite measure up to the first for me. I enjoyed Alwyn as a young man and it had had Robin Hood vibes that were engaging and as Alwyn matures and becomes a soldier, the book, and the series, lost a lot of it’s charm for me. Nonetheless, a solid read and I’m not sorry to have spent my time with it. I’d give the overall reading experience of the series 3.5...more
I enjoyed my time with this. It was fun to catch up with Anna and the Walsh clan. Anyone Out There was my all time favourite of the Walsh sister storiI enjoyed my time with this. It was fun to catch up with Anna and the Walsh clan. Anyone Out There was my all time favourite of the Walsh sister stories and it was nice to see her have a happily ever after. I appreciated that Anna is in her late 40’s and having to deal with all that comes with a woman aging. It was handled with humour but a good dose of reality as well. I’d have liked it better if there had been a little less going on and a little less characters but loved that it was still packed with Keyes trademark humour and charm. ...more
Excellent finish to the series. Everything comes together brilliantly. I found each book got progressively better and I enjoyed the world, the dynamicExcellent finish to the series. Everything comes together brilliantly. I found each book got progressively better and I enjoyed the world, the dynamics within the world, the characters and the conflict. Overall, the series was 4.5 for me, which is a very good outcome considering initially, on my first read of book one, I was not enthusiastic and didn’t think I’d carry on. It’s a good reminder for me to hang on to those 3 star books because there’s the possibility that at another time, I may just love them. ...more
This is a generous 3 stars because for the most part I didn’t enjoy it. What I didn’t enjoy was how confusing it seemed with all the different charactThis is a generous 3 stars because for the most part I didn’t enjoy it. What I didn’t enjoy was how confusing it seemed with all the different characters. Partly that’s my bad because I’ve only just realized I didn’t actually read the first 2 books in the series. Oops. But I did read 3 and 4 without finding them confusing so, something was off with this one. I found the narrator with this sounded like a much older person than the character was supposed to be so it just didn’t jive for me and lastly, until the last few chapters it was not very engaging. If this had been my first by the author, I may not have read anymore from her. Luckily I had so I may try to go back and read the first 2 but I must say, given my experience with the last 2, the characters don’t seem to have much growth in their arcs. Also, didn’t love the ending with this. And no book 6 to clear it up. Not cool. ...more
Another excellent read by this author. Also another heartbreaker. This is definitely holding a lens to religion and how people misuse it. The story isAnother excellent read by this author. Also another heartbreaker. This is definitely holding a lens to religion and how people misuse it. The story is told from the perspective of the main character Bill, who is a hardworking man and the father of 5 children. Bill is faced with a terrible decision, the decision between the demands of the society he lives in and the demands of his conscience, which goes against society, to save a young girl who is being abused and had her baby taken from her by the nuns at the local church. For a book with less than 120 pages it manages to cover quite a bit, including Bill’s own backstory and why he feels compelled to do as he does. Through his crisis of conscience it is revealed that the ‘secret’ of the Magdalen laundry at the local church is not really a secret and for one reason or another is turned a blind eye to. All of this takes place on Christmas Eve and shows to great effect the impact to a society that sees themselves as religious but has no kindness or empathy for others. ...more
This started well. The first chapter was well written and engaged my interest. I cared about the characters. First chapter solid 4 star. But with eachThis started well. The first chapter was well written and engaged my interest. I cared about the characters. First chapter solid 4 star. But with each chapter the book just got stupid. That’s unkind but it was so stupid that I feel my head will pop if I don’t say it. It was obvious where the story was going but it was completely implausible and the more it went on the more implausible it became. Plot holes a huge truck could be driven through. And the author really did not understand women and certainly couldn’t write them. Not one believable female character. Certainly not one likeable one. I should have dnffed, especially when it hit my 3 eyeroll limit but I was so close to finished and I kept expecting this big twist that reviewers said was going to happen, which was actually completely obvious from early on, so no big twist for me. And don’t even get me started with the prose. So badly overwritten that I’m shocked this was even published. Do not understand why this book is so well reviewed. Completely understand why M. night Shyamalan made a movie of it and I don’t mean that in a complimentary way. Definitely do not recommend. ...more
Not quite 5, but better than 4 so in the end, why quibble? Pretty much binge read this in a day and a bit while working on my newly acquired Bronte’s Not quite 5, but better than 4 so in the end, why quibble? Pretty much binge read this in a day and a bit while working on my newly acquired Bronte’s puzzle that I’m quite head over heels for. Having finished (and a little bereft that these characters are not going to be part of my day now that I’m done) I thought I’d pop on and congratulate myself for a job well done in trusting my GR friends who have loved this, Carol, and Nataliya should you be reading this, thank you! I did not enjoy Foundryside so I was definitely wary about this, but I do remember that though I didn’t like Foundryside, I was loving it until the key showed up and then crawled up everyone of my damn nerves, so I could no longer tolerate the book. So, having set aside my trepidation, trusted my GR friends I have been rewarded with an extremely satisfying read and have learned that I do enjoy a good mystery if it’s set in another world, whether sci-fi or fantasy. There’s something fresh and fun about that combo and it worked so well with this. Anna was marvellous as was Din and the first person narrative through Din’s pov was so well done and definitely added to the reading experience. I felt thoroughly invested in his character and thought him a perfect counterpoint to the slightly mad Anna. Chef’s kiss to these two. I guess my only quibble and it’s slight, was I couldn’t quite envision the world building though I did find it clever and unique. Excellent read and now I must find a copy for my library as I’ll definitely want to reread this when book 2 comes along. Please make it soon sir!...more
Aw, sorry I didn’t love this better as my son loved it and highly recommended (pushed) me to read it. Unfortunately this was just ok for me and I didnAw, sorry I didn’t love this better as my son loved it and highly recommended (pushed) me to read it. Unfortunately this was just ok for me and I didn’t see what he saw that made it amazing for him and I didn’t feel pulled to carry on with it, as he is doing. After being spoiled with Vinland’s amazing art and character arcs, Chainsaw man (actually hungry, horny, deprived teen-aged boy) felt lacking. Perhaps if more time was taken with getting to know the mc and his world in that first part of the book I’m sure I would have enjoyed it more. But as it was, it felt rushed with not enough time to develop a sense of his character and his world in the first book. I enjoy a more layered and detailed story, and this didn’t fit the bill for me. ...more
I did enjoy this. It had a few moments that had me laughing. Carlotta’s sarcastic humour was fun. But, the love interest was soooo problematic. I founI did enjoy this. It had a few moments that had me laughing. Carlotta’s sarcastic humour was fun. But, the love interest was soooo problematic. I found myself shaking my head no through the last few chapters. How could the mc possibly be in love with such a dick? Even the mc didn’t think they were going to live happily ever after. The explanations for why he was a dick were just as problematic as the things he did. Just no, no, no. It doesn’t matter how handsome a guy is, if he’s a dick, he’s a dick and that shit is just not attractive or relationship material. Was not impressed and actually felt concerned for the mc’s stupid choice. This book has me missing my brain while I’m getting over a horrible stomach virus. I want to read good things again but my brain can’t keep up so I’m reduced to this. Arghhh!!...more
Despite the heavy themes I enjoyed this. I love how Colgan writes atmosphere and setting which she does very well, especially with small town settingsDespite the heavy themes I enjoyed this. I love how Colgan writes atmosphere and setting which she does very well, especially with small town settings and secondary characters. As mentioned, there are some heavy themes, which if one is looking for something light, this might not be a good choice. Despite the heavy themes though, the cozy vibes made for an enjoyable read for me. ...more
Dnf at 49%. Cannot bring myself to read another page. Enjoyed the first quarter of the book but it became repetitive and while progressing page wise, Dnf at 49%. Cannot bring myself to read another page. Enjoyed the first quarter of the book but it became repetitive and while progressing page wise, the story doesn’t feel that way. Elements that worked initially, beautiful prose, stream of conscious first person narrative began to become repetitive, the prose overblown at times. The magic realism, initially intriguing became repetitive and pointless. The thought of reading another page depressed me utterly. Perhaps wrong time for this book for me as I have a lot of stuff going on but that being said, I don’t plan on picking it up in the future. Not for me. ...more
Just about perfect, especially when listened to. The prose shines when read aloud. I was not very inspired to read this given the adaptations made of Just about perfect, especially when listened to. The prose shines when read aloud. I was not very inspired to read this given the adaptations made of it, but the story is so much better than those adaptations and this was a perfect read for October Halloween vibes. ...more
A grudging 3 star for a book that in the end, I should just have dnffed. Not the best I’ve read with Stephen King’s name attached. I suppose the endinA grudging 3 star for a book that in the end, I should just have dnffed. Not the best I’ve read with Stephen King’s name attached. I suppose the ending was supposed to be poignant and positive but to me seemed pointless, tedious and highly improbable. ...more
Maybe 3.5ish. Not quite a horror novel and more an examination of grief. When read as an examination of grief as a marriage begins to dissolve, it is Maybe 3.5ish. Not quite a horror novel and more an examination of grief. When read as an examination of grief as a marriage begins to dissolve, it is effectively and beautifully written with some insights that made me pause and recognize the truth of them. However the narrative, plot wise was not entirely satisfactory for me. Though the premise and execution was promising, I was left with so many questions that were left unanswered. In the end the lack of answers leaves the reader to fill in the blanks with completely implausible explanations (at least that was true for my experience). Overall though, a strong debut and I would definitely be interested to see what the author does with her next novel. ...more
Loading...
