Blind-Seer

SPOILER ALERT!

This Crime is Rated a Felony

10:45 pm 13 May 2014

Centaur of the Crime: A Novel of Fantasy and Forensics - Michael Angel

There is a sense of awe and wonder when you read a book, especially so when that book takes you somewhere special. That place being the author's very personal imagination. Something that you can almost tangibly feel, the effort, the emotion, their fears, their desires; whatever the mind can come up with and that the writer wishes to show us, it is euphoric to experience its like.Which is something I didn't experience here; the plot, characters; everything felt contrived, shallow, not well thought out. The scheme of the story was very short sighted, there just wasn't enough material. It is short and the pace was off. It is predictable and didn't fulfill any of my expectation.

I have read another book by the same author with similar results but was hoping that this one might be different, because, honestly the premise of the story sounds very fun. Neither of them delivered though.

What it comes down to is ultimately I just didn't care about this story or the characters

Admittedly I did listen the audio book and that might have contributed to my detachment of the tale. But still...

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War Horse

5:00 pm 18 February 2013

I never thought I would say this but I think I liked the movie better than the book. Hard to believe I know. I loved the movie so I decided to read this book, which I liked but was disappointed when you compared them.

A Beautiful Friendship (Star Kingdom)

5:00 pm 3 October 2012

Honestly it really is beautiful, it is no lie. Read this book, seriously. One of the best Young Adult I have ever read. David Weber did a great job on the deput book in the Star Kingdom Series. For once I wasn't totally disgausted by a YA terrible writing. Now Weber doesnt normally write in this genre so that is probably why, he normally tells his tales in Adult Sci-Fi. This one is a Sci-Fi and for a YA novel it gets that job done. Go David!

I would noramlly want to know more of what is going on in the universe with Sci-Fi but maybe that information is in his other books, this is my first book with him and I was happily surprised by it. No real big complaints, by Ya standards this is very good. Just that I hope that the main characters figure out how to talk to eachother in the next book.

This book is just for me and I think you will enjoy it too. I really really want to get the next one as soon as possible! I give this one a 8/10!

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The Advance Guard (Phantom Squadron, #1)

5:00 pm 19 September 2012

I would like to point out that this author had a interesting idea (that I wished had worked), but that often is the case. The written story doesn't amount to what was expected (especially when someone tries to twist a cliche).
Thus execution in this book was off, just not enough back story or character development. I was left following a sequence of events that I foreshadowed miles away.
Unfortunately, books that throw in fantasy into the modern world are extremely difficult to do, and I admire the author for trying but the story left me unsatisfied. I didn't feel like it was actually happening (at least in the sense when readers get so engrossed in a novel they forget about the real world and only think about the one the author created, making it your new reality) and I didn't feel attached to the characters, not nearly enough time to connect with or enough material for me to sympathizes with them.
Consider all of this I still didn't hate the novel. I liked it enough to finish and I still might read the next book in the series. So it does have some redeeming factors, but the negative factors weigh more. Overall all I would just call this book "immature;" meaning that if was just rewritten to correct some of the mistakes then it would be quite a good book. A 2/10!

Sky Emblem

5:00 pm 12 September 2012

Before I begin, I would like to commend the author for his brilliant ideas he applied in this book. Very different from contemporary fantasy.
However, the reason I gave it 2 stars is because I can see that the author had trouble writing what he was trying to convey.
Christopher created two dimensional characters with little back story and half realized emotions. And a plot that left little description because the story was rushed.
I really was looking forward to reading such an interesting story, the synapse sounded very fun, but I was left disappointed with execution of the book. Not much more to say but that I thought this story could have had more potential. That is not to say I didn't enjoy it but like I said it was only half done. If the author writes another, which I encourage so that his writing gets good enough compliment his ideas, I will read it. A 3/10!

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, Book 3)

5:00 pm 19 April 2012

Speechless...

Awake at Dawn (Shadow Falls)

5:00 pm 11 April 2012

The second book in the Shadow Falls sereis is nothing to sneeze at. I think I am hooked on this now. Although, not for the writting or anything like that, I just want to know what happens. Because I still don't know what she is and who she favors.
Personally I don't know who I favor either (no homo).
It is fun and fast paced, you never know what is going to happen.
One thing that is grinding my gears though is her whinning. Please just grow a pair!
Same score as the last one, a 4/10!Will be awaiting the next one!

Sword of Fire and Sea: The Chaos Knight, Book One

5:00 pm 2 April 2012

Book 1 in the Chaos Knight series by Erin Hoffman just came out and I looked at the cover at Barnes & Nobles thinking "hey, this looks neat." (it has Griffins!) But as they say "you can't judge a book by it's cover," including the back. I also new this girl, but not as author but a video game maker. So I already had respect for her. Also, I new the story behind the creation of this book.
Sadly this didn't sate me, the book doesnt really do itself justice. It is a great story and I saw lots of potential but it was missing too much. Honestly, I felt like I was reading a Inheritance book by Christopher Paolini. It had that adventure qaulity to it and could have been better than Eragon and the others, but fell short. The story didnt flow and the book skipped to just the "important" parts. Not enough background and charaacter exploration. I need more explination, more in depth. Otherwise I dont connect with the story to experience it and instead am just reading a history book that is based off of fantasy. However, I did like the fact that in the prophecy the hero had a choice to either end the world or save it and him not knowing which choice did what. That was refreshing!
All in all I give the book 3/10 for good plot but bad story telling, but you don't have to listen to me, maybe I am wrong. You should find out and let me know!

The Princess and the Hound

5:00 pm 14 February 2012

What felt like a really classic romance fairy tale. I really felt like it was old times, where mysterious things are possible and love comes true no matter the difficulties. With classic romances though comes foreshadowing that is way too obvious.
Although, I like the twist that she put on the Beauty and the Beast story. With the man as the protaganist and the women as the "beast." Very refreshing! One thing that bug me though was that the characters were incredible dense. However, I did feel their emotion, which is much more important in my humble opinion. The author somehow made me sympathetic to them even though generally they weren't very smart.
Another thing I would to have liked to have seen is more of the culture with the animals. Honestly, the animals are much more interesting.
Despite all that though a good YA and r one of my new favorites. So you should read it, I know I will be reading more of this series! A 6/10!

Shiver (Wolves of Mercy Falls)

5:00 pm 29 January 2012

I have mixed feelings about books like these but unlike most YA novels this one really won me over. If I had to put my finger on it... I would say because the author had a way with words; let me explain. It wasn't that her writing was brilliantly sprinkled with colorful words but it was what wasn't said that impressed me. Normally I want an author to explain and give detail to every scene so that I can feel deeply more attuned to what is going on, not here however. I like to really feel the mechanics of what is going on, engross myself in the settings and characters; this was still accomplished with the books one page chapters and 3 word sentences. Some might call this mediocre writing but I call it a work of art.They say that a picture is worth a thousand words and each word has meaning beyond comprehension but the imagination that she let loose was so much more profound than anything the author could have said. It was what wasn't said that really spoke to me if that makes any sense. It probably is just me, all I am saying is that I got so much more out of the book than I would have thought with such simple words; my own thoughts on the story took its own course, thus making me view the happenings the way that my mind would enjoy this the most.
However, there is one thing that I am getting tired of in YA that this book brought to my attention. Personally I have read my share of the Paranormal (a cliche setting of writing anyway now a days) and I am getting tired of the way authors describe the separation of "man" and "beast". To be the beast is usually negative or... the man part is the dominant/ original being. Therefore whether in the body of the man or beast the man part is the personality that is followed in the story and there is no beast that exists just the man. For once I would like a tale where the animal is the shape-shifter and not the man.
Anyway, hope that all makes sense. All in all though, I enjoyed the book; I see a lot of dynamics in the future books, can't wait to read them! I give this book a 7/10!

The Cloud Roads (The Books of the Raksura)

5:00 pm 23 January 2012

What will be a classic coming of age tale! Martha Wells work in The Cloud Roads is an amazing work of art! The most redeaming quality about this book is the world that is created here. What a place... The different species and the different places really brings this story to life.
And I can tell you that there is a lot of potential in this series. I can't wait to see what is done!
It has also got political intrue, war, pregudice, love, companionship, and action. All the right things to make a great deput!
The one thing however that did bug me though was the main charaters attitude. It was vaguely explained why he behaves as he does but I still didn't make the connection between the two. Yes, I understood it but I didn't feel it. And then at the end of the book to just throw caution to the wind and change your outlook because of a small thing like a girl... far fetched.
Although, I did like the relationship between the two love birds. It was interesting and kept me wondering where these two would end up.
Also, I would like to know more about the Rakshura role. What is their purpose? Why are they mortal enemies? Where did they come from? Etc.
All in all great writing and great world building eqauls one happy reader and a 8/10! Can't wait until the next installment!

Dragon Champion (Age of Fire, Book 1)

5:00 pm 6 January 2012

A great coming of age story. Even better yet it is in the point of view of a dragon!
I love this character, his development is amazing. I have cried and laughed with this underdog, I will never forget him. His story is breathtaking, really touches the heart.
Also, the author in my opinion didn't ruin the image of what a dragon should be, a hard thing accomplish.
I can tell when I first read it that this is going to be an epic series and I wasn't wrong! A 9/10 for sure!

Spice and Wolf, Vol. 1

5:00 pm 4 January 2012

Spice & Wolf, Book 1 - Isuna Hasekura, Juu Ayakura, Paul Starr

I have watch this anime and when I saw that there were novels of them I bought them right away and they are even better than watching them! (As it usually turns out)
If you love banter on a intelligent level then read this! these two love sick dogs are just a joy to watch.
Plus I have always been a neko fan! (and no I am not a freak)
So I will be reading more of these to see were these two go, hope you will join me! A 8/10

The Iron Daughter (Harlequin Teen)

5:00 pm 27 December 2011

And it continues to get better, I wonder what this means for the rest of the books. I should read them! Anyway, just got to say... why did Iron horse have to die! I loved him!
Okay, now that I got that out I would like complement the author's creativity on these books. Lots of fun to read even if they are YA.
The ending on this one leaves me with lots of questions so I am eager to read the next ones.
And I love how the romance is turning out so far and how the main characters powers are growing. One thing I would like to see though is that we experience this book in the real world a little more.
So i will dub this one 6/10!

The Iron King (Harlequin Teen)

5:00 pm 19 December 2011

This book left me a little surprised since I am little prejudice against YA books, however this one din't let me down. An enjoyable read that is fast paced and fun. I like the idea behind it! It leaves a lot of room for the author to create more interesting things with story. One thing though that always bugs me is a wimpy hero, I am sorry but she takes and eats that cake too. I would like to mention though that Grim rocks!
Anyway, not bad can't wait to see how this is going to effect her, what kind powers she posses, and ultimately how this effects the Fey world. Oh and the romance, can't forget that too! Hehehe. I am glad the author doesn't over kill that genre though. A 6/10!

Brisingr (Inheritance, Book 3) (The Inheritance Cycle)

5:00 pm 17 December 2011

I enjoyed this one much more than the others ones! It turned into a story about the people we love instead of the the one person we have been following. Lots of secrets are revealed and it makes me that much more excited to read the next one! However, one thing that I have said has been lacking all along is Saphira. She is so one dementional I want to cry. I feel like she is just part of the environment and not a being on her own. I need to bond with her, because honestly, that is the whole reason I started this series. because of her. But now I am left empty with want of a real dragon!
Besides this though the story line is solid, so by all means read it! A 7/10!