Quantum of Tweed: The Man with the Nissan Micra
Originally reviewed at almightylewry.wordpress.comThis was on old little book, the main character, Albert was a clumsy, accident prone assassin, he reminded me of Bertie Wooster without the money.
The story starts with Albert accidentally running over a pedestrian and from that point his life is changed, what I don't get is how it almost immediately went from him running over the pedestrian to getting a call from someone offering him further "hits". I read this part a couple of times and I still don't get it, it is as if a whole chunk of the story is missing from the point he left the scene to the point he took up his new life.....very odd.
Apart from the plot hole above, it was quite a funny book, dealing with the situations he managed to get himself into and not actually having to deal with them. I got a sense of what was actually going on in Albert's head and it appeared to be a little all over the place.
I didn't really feel invested in Albert and really didn't care how the story unfolded after awhile. That being said it was a comical read and would quite easily see you through a lunch hour.
A Sea Change
Originally reviewed at mightylewry.wordpress.comThis is another quick reads book I picked up at my library. I have really started to get into these and I recommend everyone else doing the same especially if you want something you can get through in your lunch hour, you never know what you might find.
This is a charming little novella about two people who are not happy with the way their lives have turned out.
Craig – a police officer has recently been acquitted of police brutality. He has always been an officer who follows the letter of the law, however after the recent investigation he is questioning whether he is in the right job. He goes to Everdene to escape the stress as he likes surfing and there is a certain amount of envy for those who live that sort of life – care free and no responsibilities.
Jenna- a local girl to Tawcombe, is from and drunken abuses home, she left to make a better life for herself. She now lives in a run down flat house share with 6 others and a bully for a landlord. Haunted by the memories of home she refuses to go back.
When Jenna loses her job at the Ice cream shop, she barely has enough to survive, she definitely doesn’t have enough to pay rent which is already late…..So she takes matters into her own hands.
This is not only a portrayal of what is happening up and down the UK in seaside towns due to the recession, but it is also a story of hope and lives can change… even from making the wrong decisions. I really recommend this title as it is a “Quick Read” and easy going, really enjoyed it.
The Cave
Originally reviewed at mightylewry.wordpress.comThis was a great story, centered around the aftermath of the Great War, and Freddie. the story deals with the tragic loss Freddie’s brother who was never recovered and links in with the middle ages of all things and the horrific acts soldiers undertake during the war..don’t worry nothing graphic at all.
This is great for a lazy afternoon read or something you can polish off in your lunch hour. I haven’t read any of Kate Mosse work before but based on this little gem it might be worth investigating further.
A Cool Head
Originally reviewed at mightylewry.wordpress.com“My dad used to say to me, ‘Try to keep a cool head and a warm heart’. At least, I think it was my dad, I don’t really remember him….”
Rating 3.5 out of 5
This book has everything: A Councillor, Gangsters, Mental health issues, Scotland and Celine Dion.
I have never read any of Ian Rankin’s work before, and I was pleasantly surprised, I don’t normally go for “Thrillers”, but as part of my challenge for the weekend I set myself – Reading three titles over the weekend, I thought I would hedge my bets by getting short stories and as I don’t normally read these either, but in for a penny in for a pound.
The story starts of with a chap called “Gravy”, it becomes apparent very quickly he has mental health issues, he lives in a hostel, and life to him is simple. He has a friend called Benjy, who comes to him to hid things. One day Gravy is working and Benjy turns up in an unfamiliar car and clutching his chest asking Grave to hid a bag.
I thought this would be a great plot line in a Guy Richie film, the characters are similar to Lock Stock and that is why I initially and naively thought it was based in London, especially with a character called “Gorgeous George”.
It was a great story that had its moments of suspense – I found myself attributing what I had watched as gangster behaviour in films and expecting the story to go a certain way based on that preconceived idea. I am pleased to say I was partially wrong, there is a hard man image associated with gangsters and that way of life, but while this title portrayed this expected behaviour, it also shows a different side, a more personable side, which was a nice addition.
All in all this was a great little read and wasn't quite what i expected, don’t quite know what i was expecting, but this wasn't it and it was a pleasant diversion
Wrong Time, Wrong Place
Originally reviewed at mightylewry.wordpress.com“Have you ever been in the wrong place at the wrong time?
You are hiking in the Scottish highlands with free friends when you come across a girl.
She is half-naked, has been badly beaten, and she can’t speak English
She is clearly running away from someone.
Do you stop to help her? Even if it means putting your friends’ lives – and your own – in terrible danger?”
I don’t normally go for ”Quick Reads” titles but at on the spur of the moment decided to set myself a little challenge for the weekend. I picked this one and a couple of others, which I will review once devoured.
This reminded me of Wolf Creek, by that I mean you get the feeling that the characters are doomed from the start. This is about two couples out hiking in Scotland to get away from the hustle and constricting lives they lead in Singapore and London. It’s a generic setting, no one for miles around and as you find out, no telephone signal. They spot a naked girl running towards them from the woods and from that moment their lives are forever changed.
This was very well written but was a bit predictable. I really enjoyed the story and it definitely portrayed a tense doomed feeling throughout the story and as a quick read is is really worth it, however as it was a little predictable I gave it a three.
One down two to go
Seven Forges
reviewed at mightylewry.wordpress.comRating: 4.5 out of 5.
I was quite surprised by this book, I hadn't read anything of James A Moore before. More of his titles can be found here.
This is a book about first contact with a new civilisation. Initially Captain Dulver ex military man now mercenary was tasked by Desh Krohan – sorcerer and right hand to emperor of Fellien, to find a path to the Seven Forges through a land decimated by the gods over a thousand years ago. While fighting some of the local creatures he comes across Drask Silver hand, who is Sa’ba Taalor. I wont say anymore about them, as they are the main part of the story.
The story and characters, I found to be engaging and well developed, through the story you find out more about the Sa’ba Taalor, their history and religion and to say it is fascinating is an under statement, the problem with this is I found myself wanting the story to delve further into their culture and history. Parts of the story covering Sa’ba Taalor and their environment could have been developed further, i.e. the first contact. It seamed to be over as soon as it began.
One interesting point to make, is when first contact was made there was a language barrier between the races, I thought this was a great idea, because in most Sci-Fi/Fantasy titles I have read this is very rarely explored- to be fair I haven’t read a lot of first contact novels so it maybe more developed than I realize.
Summing up, this was a great book, and was left on an epic cliff hanger which partially reminded me of the end scene in “The Grey” with the mighty Qui Gon Jinn. The book left the world forever changed and empire wide implications to deal with. There is an endless amount that can be built on in future installments and from what I have seen with my first foray into James Moore’s work, I cant see he will disappoint.
until next time!!!
I Am Legend
Check out my review here:http://themightylewry.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/i-am-legend-by-richard-matheson.html
The Forever War
In all honesty I didn't finish it. That's not to say its a terrible book, I just lost interest half way through and completely stopped enjoying it and couldn't bring myself to finish it - that is the reason for the 2 stars. Maybe I didn't give it enough of a try, there is a slim possibility that I will go back to it in the future. but for now it found it uninteresting and uninspiring.
The Novice (Black Magician Trilogy, #2)
stunning sequel to the magicians guild, filled with intrigue and suspicion, this really adds depth to the world, and touches on some interesting issues, like acceptance in its many forms .
 - Trudi Canavan)
Darwin
This was OK, borrowed from my local library, and unfortunately there were a few things missing like letters from darwin and manuscript pages. However the artwork was fantastic. the information contained within is in depth but for whatever reason I got bored half way through - which is probably me rather than they way it is written
The Magicians' Guild
fantastic start to a trilogy. a well thought out universe , few spelling mistakes but generally great
Spinward Fringe Broadcasts 1 and 2: Resurrection and Awakening
I thought this was fantastic, it moved at a pace that kept me interested throughout the book. Only a few typos that I noticed and it didn't take me out of the experience. Soooo good, I started the next one in the series right away.
Spinward Fringe Broadcast 0: Origins
fantastic book, characters had great depth and this is everything I love about SciFi and everything I want in a book
