CONTENT WARNING: animal torture/abuse on page, racism, sexism, slut shaming, drug use on page, underage drinking on page, physical assault, graphic viCONTENT WARNING: animal torture/abuse on page, racism, sexism, slut shaming, drug use on page, underage drinking on page, physical assault, graphic violence, gore, body dismemberment, eye trauma/loss, vom, death on page, mourning, death by fire, medical experimentation, unaliving oneself, body horror and bullying.
This novel was a thrilling ride through some graphic and gory few days in the lives of these teens in this smallish town. The author Johnson sure didn’t pull any of his punches, either. It’s incredibly well written, and it somehow trods the fine line between funny and horror, with a few kick ass characters and this fascinating plot line. I was hooked from the beginning, and stayed up waaayyyy too late that first night, trying to finish the entire book (but my tiredness won, boo!).
This was my first Johnson novel, and it certainly won’t be my last!
This novel was ok in a lot of ways. There was an awful lot going on, and with a huge cast of characters as well. Luckily, I was able to keep most of tThis novel was ok in a lot of ways. There was an awful lot going on, and with a huge cast of characters as well. Luckily, I was able to keep most of them straight. While this novel kept me interested until the end, I had a problem with the epilogue. I had no idea what the author was trying to say had happened to one of the main characters, and I had had to come to gr and read some reviews to figure out what other readers had thought happened. I really hate ambiguous endings, or endings that don’t make sense. This really bummed me out.
Kate Marcin Is the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel, and she was amazing. I’d not come across Marcin’s work before, but I hope to stumble across her more in the future.
All in all, this was not a bad way to spend the evening while crocheting something, or making dinner. Not sure if I’d recommend it to others, though.
CONTENT WARNING: Male-on-boy pederasty by a priest, m*lest*tion, sex with a foreign object mentioned and described, child abuse mentioned and describeCONTENT WARNING: Male-on-boy pederasty by a priest, m*lest*tion, sex with a foreign object mentioned and described, child abuse mentioned and described, unaliving oneself mentioned, drowning, possible mental illness on page, drug abuse mentioned, alcoholism, teens drinking, teen sex, castration described on page, and the eating of liver and kidneys in a cooked dish.
Not a bad murder mystery novel, and it kept me pretty much interested throughout the whole thing. I’m just not sure if this series is something I will continue with in the future or not. This is my first Banville novel, and I really enjoyed it. The difficult content therein can be draining to some though, and it may trigger some other people badly, so please be warned. But I took plenty of breaks, and was able to deal with things ok. It was rough though.
John Lee is the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel, and he was splendid. I’ve not heard his work before, but I’ll keep Lee’s name and look out for him in the future.
3.5 stars, and only recommended to those who can handle the subject matter and content....more
This slim novel wasn’t a bad read. I found the audiobook version of it on Scribd to listen to. There are some solid characters, and good dialogue. TheThis slim novel wasn’t a bad read. I found the audiobook version of it on Scribd to listen to. There are some solid characters, and good dialogue. The end was interesting. It kept me entertained while crocheting for 6 hours off & on, not including breaks.
David deVries is the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel.
Another great novel by Christopher Moore, set in the same era and world as Noir was. I enjoyed it a great deal, and I even snorted a couple of times (Another great novel by Christopher Moore, set in the same era and world as Noir was. I enjoyed it a great deal, and I even snorted a couple of times (sorry Moore, it’s difficult to make me laugh from an audiobook!). Johnny Heller Is the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel, and he was wonderful....more
This incredibly Short story is only 35 pages, so it’s a quick read. It is also a Scribd exclusive. Scribd gives the option of reading "Finn" in ebook This incredibly Short story is only 35 pages, so it’s a quick read. It is also a Scribd exclusive. Scribd gives the option of reading "Finn" in ebook format or of listening to an audiobook. I listened to the audiobook, of course. Since this apparently occurs somewhere in Ireland (or there-abouts), they got Kellen Boyle to do the narration for this story. He was grand. I adored his accents. They were superb. But this novel wasn’t nearly long enough�. So I was quite disappointed in the length of it. It took no time at all to get through. I’ve no idea what to make of the main baddie character, or the open ended ending King wrote for this story.
I love this novel. I dove in, hoping it would be good, and boy does it deliver! It’s really fast paced and tightly written. The conspiracy seems so peI love this novel. I dove in, hoping it would be good, and boy does it deliver! It’s really fast paced and tightly written. The conspiracy seems so perfectly targeted, and plausible to me. The characters are likable, except for that insta-like thing that happened between the two main characters, which is always annoying. (Luckily they didn’t make out that much, and the gooshy stuff was pretty low key). And the reviews that said you couldn’t put it down were correct; I just sped through the entire audiobook with nary a break. And I am SO GLAD that Scribd has the sequel, because that is *ALL* I want to do right now - find out what happens next! Be warned that the first novel ends on a cliffhanger, and makes way for the second novel immediately.
Rebekkah Ross is the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel, and she was perfect for this job. Thank you Simon & Schuster Audio for using this particular narrator. I’d never heard Ross� narration before, but luckily my library has tons of her work available for me to find, later on.
If you haven’t read or listened to this novel before, please give it a try soon. Hopefully you will like it as much as I did/do.
Content Warning: domestic abuse mentioned, and animal deaths
This novel is fan-freaking-tastic! The slow, creeping dread really knocked my socks off. IContent Warning: domestic abuse mentioned, and animal deaths
This novel is fan-freaking-tastic! The slow, creeping dread really knocked my socks off. I’m super glad I was finally able to get ahold of this ebook and check it out.
Not a bad way to spend the day in bed, reading while sick. Since it was copyrighted in 1967, a lot of the things that might have happened in later novNot a bad way to spend the day in bed, reading while sick. Since it was copyrighted in 1967, a lot of the things that might have happened in later novels that Francis wrote, didn’t happen here. But that’s ok, it still works. That ending should have been slightly different though, and I’m sticking with this opinion.
You can find the ebook version of this novel on Scribd, and possibly even in your local library. And amazon, if you like that website.
What a seriously freaky novel. This book of short stories has some really scary or freaky stories, some strange and unusual stories, and one in particWhat a seriously freaky novel. This book of short stories has some really scary or freaky stories, some strange and unusual stories, and one in particular that had me scratching my head in confusion. (And one super sad one�!). But I enjoyed this audiobook a great deal, and I wasn’t bored one single time.
Eric G. Dove is the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel, and he was wonderful. I’d loved Dove’s narration skills in the novel Seed, by Ania Ahlborn before this. I can see that he has done tons more narration work, and I will have to make sure to find his voice again soon.
The review of this novel by the author Paul Tremblay is seriously adorable. It’s found here on goodreads, and located with all the other reviews of this novel. I’ll try and leave the url in my comment section, if possible�.
This book is about knowing where you came from and having the free will to decide where you're going. This book is about embracing our differences, flaws and all, because that is what makes us human. This novel explores the importance of history and storytelling in defining who we are as people even as we move to new planets and leave our earth behind, and it also touches on the topics of assimilation and passivity. The Last Cuentista does an outstanding job at demonstrating that diversity, culture, heritage, language, and stories are all the good bits of humanity. I especially loved that she is dealing with a sight disability which is very much a part of her life and affects how she interacts with the world around her, but doesn't define her role in the book. It truly reads as a love story to Mexican folklore.
The audiobook is by far the best way for non-Spanish speaking readers to enjoy this inspiring tale. The narrator for the audiobook version of this novel is the beautiful Frankie Corzo, who is a first generation Cuban in the U.S. Maybe you heard her narration skills in ‘Mexican Gothic�, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia? She was wonderful there, too. I have officially combed through my library’s audiobooks for more of Corzo’s works, as soon as I finished with La Cuentista. Recorded Books, Inc., Escuchame! this Latina narrator helped get you 2 very prestigious awards, so you’d better start using her skills more often�!
5 stars, and recommended to everyone, everywhere....more
This novel is seriously fantastic. I would call it more of a psychological thriller than a horror novel though. Those of you who didn’t get it, idk whThis novel is seriously fantastic. I would call it more of a psychological thriller than a horror novel though. Those of you who didn’t get it, idk what to tell you�. But it worked for me. (I am also not such a fragile snowflake that the slightest hint of a put down makes *some* people in America start frothing at the mouth, and how ‘politics shouldn’t be mentioned in novels� and all that happy claptrap). Man, I enjoyed this novel! It has this really unique narrative format that I’d never come across before, so I’m willing to state that it might be brand new�.? (New to me anyway). And whoever directed and produced the audiobook is a fricken genius, because the way they had things all set up was perfection. *chef’s kiss*. Of course the MC Art Barbara is a pretentious asshole; that’s how he was written. He never made any mistakes, as everything was someone else’s fault. I’ve known so many people just like Barbara�.. ...more
This novel can be very slow moving at times. In fact it takes a good 10-12 chapters for anything really big to start happening. But if you, the readerThis novel can be very slow moving at times. In fact it takes a good 10-12 chapters for anything really big to start happening. But if you, the reader hangs in there until then, you should really start getting in to it, I think. There are some wonderful and fully fleshed out characters in this novel, and it’s plot line and story is very layered and with a depth I rarely find in urban fantasy/speculative fiction novels. Once I found that one sweet spot, I was just hanging on until this wild ride ended. I am definitely going to continue on with this series, because I HAVE TO know what comes next.
Peter Francis James is the narrator for the audiobook version of this novel, and he was a great narrator. Absolutely perfect for the “voice� of David Wolde. I hope he continues narrating with the series in its entirety.
My friend Jonathan Janz has this review that explains things perfectly, including the first line of it:
� My name is Dah-west. I was born in what is now called Ethiopia nearly five hundred years ago. I am an immortal. There are fifty-eight others like me. Our blood lives forever, and our bodies heal. We do not age. We were not born this way, and our condition is not genetic. We underwent a Ritual. We do not have extraordinary strength, and it is not our purpose to harm others. We are merely a race of scholars. Most of us choose not to mingle among mortals, but sone of us do. We love, and we have families. I have had wives and children before. I have outlived them or been forced to abandon them. We have a Covenant that forbids us to revel our truth.�
The audiobook has a long interview at the end with the author, and she is a bright spark in the darkness out there. I love hearing her voice, and he answers to the many questions. It lasts approx. 55 minutes, and I adore when publishers like Recorded Books Audio does this kind of thing. Please, do more of this..! I cannot explain how much it helps a reader like me, to hear what the author thinks and feels, etc. about everything - including the novels they wrote.
I first read this novel back when it was first published, I’m guessing some time around 1986. Since then I hadn’t reread it until now. Literally all II first read this novel back when it was first published, I’m guessing some time around 1986. Since then I hadn’t reread it until now. Literally all I could remember about it was that a bunch of strangers who had all met each other, or had something to do with each other when they were all staying at a little mom & pop motel in the middle of Nevada, and then forgot about everything and everyone else. That’s it. I’m guessing I didn’t remember much else of this novel, because it wasn’t worth remembering. I mean it was an interesting way to spend the last few nights listening to it while crafting, but it’s not anything that I feel the need to own. Or ever hear again� This novel needed a better editor, back when it was published. So much of this novel didn’t even seem necessary to the plot, not even as backstory or asides. I’m betting it could have been whittled down, and gotten much more acclaim, and notice. I was bored for sections, tbh. There are some dated descriptions in this novel of people, especially about having to do with autism. So please bear this in mind if you ever feel the need to read this novel. They aren’t horrible - I mean Koontz has had his characters utter MUCH worse, before this� but they ain’t the best. So yeah, I’m going to stick with my original rating of 3 stars, because this novel is so bloated, it took me two days to finish, and I had to keep powering through. And because the ending stunk like poo. That could have been written much better.
Dick Hill is the narrator of the audiobook version of this novel. His narration and the audiobook are available at Scribd, if your local library doesn’t have a copy. He was pretty good, and I enjoyed his narration skills.
3 stars, and not really recommended, unless you need something to help you fall asleep�?...more
I’m not sure if I’ve ever read this novel before, but if I had, it was probably back when this novel came out in 1990. And I’m quitCONTENT WARNING: **
I’m not sure if I’ve ever read this novel before, but if I had, it was probably back when this novel came out in 1990. And I’m quite sure I cringed back then, too. This novel is rife with stereotypes about Asians (even a positive stereotype is still a stereotype, guys), ableistic labels for people with Down Syndrome that Koontz even had his characters calling themselves, and all that crap. **But it also has incest, child abuse of all the kinds, r*pe, religion used as a weapon of sorts, body horror galore, gore, body disfigurement, cannibalism, sexuality used as a weapon, hermaphroditism, ambiguous genitalia, violence, murders, death, a suicide, some psychopaths, and more. They even had one of the narrators of the audiobook pretend to have Downs for two different characters, and make her voice sound like two different variations in severity. Isn’t that still a bad thing, even in this case�? I’m not sure, honestly. All I know is that This book is a fricken hot mess.
Save yourself, and don’t read it. Just�.. don’t. It’s not worth it. Like at all.
My friend Becky has this review that explains things better than I ever could:
Carl Cowan and Michael Hanson are the unfortunate narrators for the audiobook version of this novel, and I feel so bad for them both. I just wish they had turned down Brilliance Audio for this job. *sigh*
2 stars, if that. And avoid it at all costs. Please....more
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