Anytime you are driving cross-country and your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, don't trust the small town that tries to help you. It never eAnytime you are driving cross-country and your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, don't trust the small town that tries to help you. It never ends well. In Cavus, Evil is feeding on the townspeople, but it is hiding behind their innocent faces. Fantastically creepy story! Bottom line... don't take food (or drink) from strangers, don't trust little girls you don't know, and don't trust anyone who is afraid of dogs. Halloween Bingo 2020 - first book - Terror in a Small Town
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Anytime you are driving cross-country and your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, don't trust the small town that tries to help you. It never ends well. In Cavus, Evil is feeding on the townspeople, but it is hiding behind their innocent faces. Fantastically creepy story! Bottom line... don't take food (or drink) from strangers, don't trust little girls you don't know, and don't trust anyone who is afraid of dogs. Halloween Bingo 2020 - first book - Terror in a Small Town...more
The story is thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat, the narrator did a fantastic job, and Jocko is hysterical. I loved how the narrator performThe story is thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat, the narrator did a fantastic job, and Jocko is hysterical. I loved how the narrator performed the character of Jocko. He made him even funnier than he was originally written. Jocko might be my favorite part of the entire book.
The end wrapped up this part of the story very nicely. I'm looking forward to seeing what the characters encounter in the next book. I loved the way Victor prepared for the chance that something could happen to him....more
Victor Leben (formerly Helios, formerly Frankenstein) has designed a new race of superhumans. This time he incorporated nanotechnology into his creatiVictor Leben (formerly Helios, formerly Frankenstein) has designed a new race of superhumans. This time he incorporated nanotechnology into his creations. Carson & Michael (New Orleans detectives) and Deucalion are back, as are Erica 5 and Jocko. But there area bunch of new characters and the setting has moved to Montana. This book and the next feel different than the first three, with more characters introduced, and a whole new race of superhumans, and a whole new Victor. I agree with many reviewers that this book seemed like half a book. It ended so suddenly that I had to double-check that I wasn't missing something. Luckily for me, book 5 was already out and I could jump right to it. For me, it was worth the extra credit, but I would have been annoyed if I had to wait a year to continue the story. But, I do love Jocko and it was really fun to hear him again and see how he is developing and to see his relationship with Erica 5 (who is a great mother for him). We aren't exactly sure why the two of them survived Victor's final solution in New Orleans, but I sure am glad they did....more
Great end to the series. I enjoyed the entire series even though this book wrapped up a little too easily. My favorite things about this last book conGreat end to the series. I enjoyed the entire series even though this book wrapped up a little too easily. My favorite things about this last book continue to be Jocko and Erica 5. I could listen to a whole book about Jocko's pirouetting adventures and fear of Johnny Depp. I also enjoyed Mr. Lyss and Nummy. At first, I thought Mr. Lyss was irredeemable, but I think Nummy's naivete and good outlook brought out the best in him. Their banter was more enjoyable than Carson & Michael's in these last two books.
I have recently been disappointed in Koontz's books, but this series reminded me of what I enjoyed about his writing in the first place....more
Excellent continuation of the story. Deucalion, Carson & Michael are all that stand between Victor Helios' (formerly Frankenstein) new race and the deExcellent continuation of the story. Deucalion, Carson & Michael are all that stand between Victor Helios' (formerly Frankenstein) new race and the destruction of humankind. They have two hearts and are nearly impossible to kill, but some are mutating and breaking down. The story follows several different characters including a new race couple assigned to kill Carson & Michael, and Erica 5, Victor's current version of his wife. Victor is haughty and convinced he is brilliant and incapable of making mistakes.
This is another fast-paced book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It ended quite suddenly. It was jarring because I was listening to the audiobook and didn't realize how close I was to the end. Moving on to book 3......more
Frankenstein's "monster" has been alive for over 200 years and he goes by the name Deucalion. He has been living at a Monastery until he finds out thaFrankenstein's "monster" has been alive for over 200 years and he goes by the name Deucalion. He has been living at a Monastery until he finds out that Victor Frankenstein is still alive and continuing his evil work. Deucalion travels to New Orleans and teams up with Detectives Carson O'Connor and Michael Maddison to try to stop Victor. Wow. This book is fantastic. Carson & Michael's banter can be a little annoying at times, but they are endearing enough to make up for it. Deucalion is fabulous and determined to stop his creator and end his plans to destroy humankind. The characters are terrific and the story is amazing. Koontz did a fabulous job bringing the story of Frankenstein into the current century. The series is 5 books long....more
Before I listened to this book, I watched the movie on Netflix. It has been over a month though. While I was listening, I had flashes of the movie. ThBefore I listened to this book, I watched the movie on Netflix. It has been over a month though. While I was listening, I had flashes of the movie. The story is creepy in either version. The movie added some extra twists, but the story is scary enough without them. It's incredibly claustrophobic and the fact that they are only steps into the grass when everything goes to hell makes it worse. The rock is mysterious and maybe could have used a longer story, but the fact that it was so short let me listen in one sitting (instead of sleeping) until 1 am. I'm a huge Stephen King & Joe Hill fan, and this didn't disappoint....more
After being run down on his bicycle, Evan has terrifying nightmares or visions. He can see things that are currently happening at other places and to After being run down on his bicycle, Evan has terrifying nightmares or visions. He can see things that are currently happening at other places and to other people. I liked this book, but it was a bit too short. I should look into the next book in the series. Listened to the audio version....more
This is an amazing book about the power of words & truth and how they can change lives. When I looked at this book and saw reviews referencing FahrenhThis is an amazing book about the power of words & truth and how they can change lives. When I looked at this book and saw reviews referencing Fahrenheit 451, I was excited because I read that book recently. The idea that government removed words from our vocabulary and pushed their reality to make people believe that crime had been eradicated instead of hidden isn't really so farfetched. Meri buys into the government's truth until her mom is killed and Meri is accidentally exposed to the truth.
I love the idea of an hidden, underground library where people save books (and the truth). I wanted to live in that library. The characters are terrific and the premise is scarily believable. I loved this book and look forward to the next one.
Joelle Charbonneau is an amazing writer and I loved her Testing series. I don't know why I haven't read more books by her. I look forward to changing that. :)...more
I liked this one better than the first but I'm not sure why. It has a similar storyline with a few twists added. I wanted to watch the Netflix show, bI liked this one better than the first but I'm not sure why. It has a similar storyline with a few twists added. I wanted to watch the Netflix show, but I thought I should read the book first. I didn't hate Joe quite as much in this one, even though he still has the same personality. I liked Love better than Beck so maybe that helped. The ending left me desperate for the next one....more
I enjoyed Ashes and jumped right into this one. I'm lucky to be reading this series after all of the books are written because there is a lot to rememI enjoyed Ashes and jumped right into this one. I'm lucky to be reading this series after all of the books are written because there is a lot to remember between books. Ashes was a great book told from Alex's point of view. This book is told from multiple POVs with some new characters. It was sort of hard to follow and keep up with who was who and what situation we left them in. Bick is constantly ending a chapter on a cliffhanger and then moving to another POV. This was kind of annoying and hard to follow, but it did keep me listening far into the night. There is a great deal of gross gore in this book (cannibalism and many different gross ways to die). It didn't bother me, but it is such a large part of the book that you might want to skip it if you are squeamish. I jumped right into book 3 (Monsters) because I still want to find out why and what motivates some of these characters. I hope that the final book ties things together......more
An electromagnetic pulse takes out all electronic devices. These days that is nearly everything. It also kills billions of people. All of that is expeAn electromagnetic pulse takes out all electronic devices. These days that is nearly everything. It also kills billions of people. All of that is expected after an EMP, but it also turns kids into zombies (not sure why exactly but neither are the characters). Alex was taking her parent's ashes to a lake where they spent a lot of time as a family. She's a seasoned camper and was prepared for a multi-day trip, but not for this. Right before it happens, she runs into Ellie and her grandfather (he has a pacemaker). So, Alex is left with a young girl (around 8) who is bratty and mad at the world (her father recently died). I like Alex, she is a great strong female character. She knows how to handle herself and take care of others too, but she makes mistakes (after all the world is falling apart). Katherine Kellgren performs the characters and I think she does a fantastic job. I read reviews where people hated her performance, so I guess she is polarizing. I can see why. She doesn't just read the story, she acts out the characters and puts a lot of emotion into them. The end is a cliffhanger and I went right into book 2. ...more
This is a solid follow up to The Dispatcher. It delves further into the idea that people who are murdered almost always come back and how this complicThis is a solid follow up to The Dispatcher. It delves further into the idea that people who are murdered almost always come back and how this complicates things for the bad guys who want to murder someone. Zachary Quinto's narration is again amazing. I would listen to him read the Dictionary. Tony Valdez is exactly a likable character and his relationship with the police woman confuses me, but I enjoyed the story. I'm going to check out other books by John Scalzi....more
I think I could listen to Zachary Quinto narrate anything. This book is clever, short, and original and I loved it. In the future, if you are murderedI think I could listen to Zachary Quinto narrate anything. This book is clever, short, and original and I loved it. In the future, if you are murdered, 999 times out of a thousand, you will come back and wake up in your bed. No one is sure why, but it happens. Tony Valdez is a professional dispatcher. His job is to humanely kill people who are about to die of natural causes and give them a chance to come back. He works in emergency rooms and occasionally for people who want someone to murder them for a thrill. Tony is working with the police to try to find his friend, a fellow dispatcher who has gone missing. Original concept with engaging characters and a fast-paced story line. Highly recommended. I moved right on to book 2....more
I picked this up the instant I finished BZRK Apocalypse. It was only 36 pages, so I was able to finish it right away. Even though it was short, the boI picked this up the instant I finished BZRK Apocalypse. It was only 36 pages, so I was able to finish it right away. Even though it was short, the book filled in some interesting background about Sadie's dad and how BZRK came to be. Overall, I highly recommend this series to sci-fi fans. The writing is great, the action moves quickly, and Grant isn't afraid to pull the rug out from under you....more
Who would have thought LEAR was... and Vincent couldn't possibly... and Sadie and Noah.... oh wow. Great ending to the series!Who would have thought LEAR was... and Vincent couldn't possibly... and Sadie and Noah.... oh wow. Great ending to the series!...more
All the surviving characters from the first book are back. Things are getting messy. BZRK is being attacked by thugs from the Armstrong Fancy Gifts CoAll the surviving characters from the first book are back. Things are getting messy. BZRK is being attacked by thugs from the Armstrong Fancy Gifts Corporation. Noah and Sadie are getting closer and Vincent has lost his mind. They need to regroup and figure out what to do next. When will this war end and can anyone actually win? Great series - I'm on to book 3....more
Nanotechnology. This book is about kids (twitchers) (usually gamers) who are fighting on two sides of a war no one knows about. The Armstrong Gift CorNanotechnology. This book is about kids (twitchers) (usually gamers) who are fighting on two sides of a war no one knows about. The Armstrong Gift Corporation is run by conjoined twins Benjamin & Charles who also deal in weapons and happen to be sociopaths. They want to use nanobots to control every person on earth so that no one will ever suffer again or have to think for themselves. Everyone will also worship them. Bzrk is the other side and they want to stop the Twins. The book talks a lot about what it is like to be a microscopic bot exploring the human brain/face. It's a bit weird. Both sides use the biots to"wire" people so they can control them or so they will do something for them. The biots are made from tissue from the twitcher's body and if the biot dies, it affects the twitcher mentally (like they go crazy). The story is thrilling and by the end, I couldn't wait to read the next one. So... I borrowed it from the library immediately....more
I really wanted to like this book. It was so clever to take Scooby-Doo like characters and put them in the middle of a real supernatural story. The BlI really wanted to like this book. It was so clever to take Scooby-Doo like characters and put them in the middle of a real supernatural story. The Blyton Summer Detective Club unmasked the Sleepy Lake monster thirteen years ago, but they have never been the same. They come back to Blyton Hills to revisit the mystery and solve it once and for all. I was a big Scooby-Doo fan as a kid, and I had high hopes for this. I liked that there was a smart dog and that the body of water was called the Zoinx River. But the book is filled with wacky sentences and wording that just didn't make sense or was too overblown. There are many cases of unwords "innerstruggled" and "capslocked"(used as a verb). After awhile it got old. Here is an example of an overwhelming sentence: "They rushed upstairs, crossed a hallway, flashlights sweeping the rooms frantically, trying to catch sight of the invisible wheezers that stood cheering around them, crawling all over the house, outside, beneath, above, a stereophonic choir crescendoing to homicidal ecstasy." There were a lot of those too. Reading this book was irritating and too much like work. ...more
Reading is my Escape
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