Initially I was sure that this was going to be at least a 4 stars read, because it did start well.
I do praise the author’s originality, the writing anInitially I was sure that this was going to be at least a 4 stars read, because it did start well.
I do praise the author’s originality, the writing and the concept, but the development of the storyline and the storytelling itself wasn’t that gripping. There was no intrigue or suspense.
It’s a character driven story, which I tend to love, but here there are too many main and side characters, and I just didn’t care for a single one, although I did favour Jia.
I don’t t feel like saying anything else, but because it is a slow burn, this felt so lengthy with 141k words, even though the chapters were not that long.
The book is divided into 8 parts with a total of 55 chapters.
Anyways, I was really expecting to love this book, which is the second one released by this author (I do own the first, “Never Saw Me Coming”, which I purchased in 2021 and remains unopened to date)....more
I wasn’t planning on reading this book so soon, but the audi“The Couple at Table Six”, by Daniel Hurst
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (for how daring the author was)
I wasn’t planning on reading this book so soon, but the audiobook was available from Libby and the ebook was on sale for $1.58, so I purchased the ebook, which I read simultaneously with the audiobook. By the way, I loved the audiobook. But I still needed to read the words. I did enjoy the writing and the structure of the book with its dual alternating POV(s) between the two female characters. I did wish that the Max, the husband, had his own POV. The first half was absolutely gripping, but from there the story became absurd. I won’t go into details, but, although I wouldn’t recommend it to my friends, I found this book highly entertaining, hence my ratings. Read it at your own risk.
Coincidentally this is the second book that I read in a row that has a story related to drug“Two Kinds of Truth”, by Michael Connelly
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Coincidentally this is the second book that I read in a row that has a story related to drugs, especially the opioid crises.
Here we have another solid writing by this author, hence my ratings.
The story is not a page turner, like his other books, but it was interesting and there are some very good moments, especially the courtroom scenes. In this book there are two urgent but unrelated cases together. Some reviews were very negative about this, but I think there is nothing new about it. Quite often the crime fiction books that I read have more than two cases going on. Anyways, I thought that it was very entertaining and well executed, although there was nothing extraordinary or memorable.
I tried the audiobook but I didn’t like the narrator.
I have not yet watched any of the episodes of the TV series.
“Daughter of Fortune”, (book 1 of the Involuntary Trilogy) by Isabel Allende (Translated from the Spanish by Margaret Sayers Peden)
4 fascinating stars “Daughter of Fortune”, (book 1 of the Involuntary Trilogy) by Isabel Allende (Translated from the Spanish by Margaret Sayers Peden)
4 fascinating stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was my 4th book by this author.
The first book I read was “The House of the Spirits”, which was her debut novel in 1982 and is now considered book 3 of this trilogy. That, in my opinion, is an outstanding novel.
This book, which was published in 1999, spans time from the early 19th century in Valparaiso (Chile) through the mid-1800’s at the height of the California Gold Rush and contains some dark themes like the sex trafficking of girls and women for the purposes of prostitution during the Gold Rush. It also deals with issues of gender identity.
There isn’t a lot of dialogue. It’s mostly a tale. And this author’s storytelling skill is superb!
I simply adore her.
And I think she is very lucky to have a terrific translator, whose chose the perfect words and sentences.
Once again she was able to spellbound me!
Although there were too many characters, the historical elements were fascinating.
I’m looking forward to reading “Portrait in Sepia”.
Note from GoodReads: Trilogía Involuntaria Series (“Involuntary trilogy", in English): all could be considered standalone books and follow the long family line of the Del Valle. Characters in “The House of the Spirits” are mentioned in “Portrait in Sepia”, which is a sequel focusing on the descendants of characters from “Daughter of Fortune”....more
“Shades of Mercy”, Porter Beck Mystery #2, by Bruce Borgos
3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, even though I’m not keen on e“Shades of Mercy”, Porter Beck Mystery #2, by Bruce Borgos
3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, even though I’m not keen on espionage thriller stories. The story here takes on the opioid/fentanyl crisis. There is plenty of action, so I wouldn’t say it was boring, but unfortunately I wasn’t thrilled. I did not connect with the characters and I found the development of the story a bit convoluted, but at least everything is tied up at the conclusion. Porter is a very intelligent character, that kind who knows everything, so deep investigation was not an important key in the story. I would have loved knowing more about Mercy, the teen hacker, as I find that kind of mind fascinating, so perhaps the author will come up with another book (could be a prequel) that would showcase the development of this character.
Anyways… don’t mind my opinion as there are plenty of terrific 5 stars reviews.
ebook (Kobo): 310 pages (default), 96k words (44 chapters)
Audiobook narrated by James Babson: 10.4 hours (at normal speed) - unabridged ...more
“The Wrong Side of Goodbye”, (Harry Bosch series - book #19), by Michael Connelly
4 brilliant stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s been years since I read a book with B“The Wrong Side of Goodbye”, (Harry Bosch series - book #19), by Michael Connelly
4 brilliant stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s been years since I read a book with Bosch as the protagonist.
And this one did not disappoint me.
This book was a Xmas gift from a coworker, back in 2016. It’s been sitting on top of my bedside table since, unopened.
The beginning was a bit dry and cold but soon the story warms up and becomes very intriguing.
The writing is solid!
The storyline is very well executed, although I thought that Bosch was finding the answers way too fast (easily). Yes, I know… he is a great detective…
And I liked the twist in the end.
I did try the audiobook while simultaneously reading my hardcover edition, but I didn’t like the narrator.
Hardcover (Little, Brown and Company): 408 pages (first edition - cover to back cover) - 44 chapters
Ebook (Kobo): 401 pages (default), 109k words
Audiobook narrated by Titus Welliver: 10h07min (at normal speed) - unabridged...more
Brilliantly written and executed. This is the author of the month for me, He was recommended to me by a fellow reader, just recently, and I have read 4 Brilliantly written and executed. This is the author of the month for me, He was recommended to me by a fellow reader, just recently, and I have read 4 full novels already. I love the main character! Simply brilliant!...more
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