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Candid_Chameleon

Candid_Chameleon@books.theunseen.city

Joined 2 years, 11 months ago

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David Graeber: Direct Action (Paperback, 2009, AK Press)

Direct Action: An Ethnography is an ethnographic study of the global justice movement written by …

At times a trudge, but worth it

Much of the first part revolves around a recreated narrative of a Direct Action event, from the author's notes.

Later the book becomes a sort of analysis of these events, how they fit into the Anarchist culture, and how that culture fits into the Capitalist society around it.

All in all, a good introduction into what Anarchy and Direct Action are, how they work in theory and how the author has seen them work in practice.

Robert Moor: On Trails (Hardcover, 2016, Simon & Schuster)

"From a brilliant new literary voice comes a groundbreaking exploration of how trails help us …

Detailed and at times wandering, but not lost

The author is clearly a talented writes and dedicated researcher of his material. At the end he begins to tie the themes into each other in a very beautiful, if not wholly fleshed out manner. As said in the introduction, this isn't a framework culminating in a final conclusion. Rather it's more like the trails explored: With a clear delineation of being finishing, but not quite complete, in that there's always more path to walk.

David Wong: What the hell did I just read (2017)

Investigating the activities of a shapeshifting entity that is snatching local kids, the friends from …

They just keep getting better

I can't help but read the John Dies at The End series as fast as possible. The pacing is quick and the humor absurd as it is irreverent. The author plays a lot with the concept of a trustworthy narrator, and it just adds to the madness.

Justin Cronin: The Passage (Hardcover, 2010, Ballantine Books)

IT HAPPENED FAST. THIRTY-TWO MINUTES FOR ONE WORLD TO DIE, ANOTHER TO BE BORN.

Equal parts heart racing and thought provoking

The first in the series, The Passage opens up the world to the reader in a way that's both gradual and enthralling. There's significant set-up to the true story being told, but it's exciting in it's own rite and pays off really well as the story progresses. Can't wait to read on.

Thomas Harris: Red Dragon (Paperback, 1982, Bantam Books)

If you never thought a book could make you quake with fear, prepare yourself for …

A damn good read

A very fast paced and thrilling read. Harris does a great job of saying a lot with very little, giving just enough description to let your mind make it terrifying. Can't wait to read more.

John Scalzi: The Ghost Brigades (2007)

The Ghost Brigades is a science fiction novel by American writer John Scalzi, the second …

Much better than the first in the series

What the first book lacked in character buildings, the sequel makes up for with room to spare. The world building expanded some, answering questions the first book left me asking. Looking forward to the next in the series.

V. E. Schwab, V. E. Schwab: A Darker Shade of Magic (Hardcover, 2015, Tor)

STEP INTO A UNIVERSE OF DARING ADVENTURE, THRILLING POWER, AND MULTIPLE LONDONS.

Kell is …

Incredible potential for the series

The first of a series, but not the first publication of the author, I was a little disappointed. The third act wraps up so much in so few pages, it feels like there's something missing. I plan to continue the series, but this one felt rushed and a little haphazard at the end.

reviewed Old Man's War by John Scalzi (Old Man’s War #1)

John Scalzi: Old Man's War (Paperback, 2007, Tor)

John Scalzi channels Robert Heinlein (including a wry sense of humor) in a novel about …

A very large world, a very limited protagonist

I plan to keep reading the series, as it's very engaging and the pages go by fast. On top of that, the world feels massive with so much left to explore. With that said, the main character falls a bit flat. We don't see much of his life pre-war and as a result the affect it has on him isn't a very strong dichotomy.

Rivers Solomon: An unkindness of ghosts (Paperback, 2017, Akashic Books)

Aster has little to offer folks in the way of rebuttal when they call her …

Good but sad to say, not great

The characters are brilliant, grabbing and dynamic. But as for the rest of the book... it leaves something to be desired. It can't quite decide if it's a fairytale story set in space, or a SciFi story with fairytale elements. It offers a very interesting perspective on gender constructs, power dynamics, and living with trauma.

David Wong: This Book is Full of Spiders (Hardcover, 2012, Thomas Dunne Books)

"Fan favorite David Wong takes readers to a whole new level with this blistering sequel …

Absolute must read

I can't over hype this book, it's a twisted, hilarious and gruesome crazy fucking story. What the first in the series lacked in pacing, this sequel has more than made up for. I'm about to re-read immediately, you must must read it.

Grady Hendrix: Horrorstör (Spanish language, 2014, Alianza Editorial)

Something strange is happening at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, Ohio. Every morning, employees …

A quick and engrossing read. It turns an IKEA-type big box store into a house of horrors. Not to mention it's hilarious, right up until it gets dark as hell.

finished reading The Ecstatic by Victor D. Lavalle

Victor D. Lavalle: The Ecstatic (2002, Crown) No rating

What a strangely turning story. I'm not entirely sure if it's amazing or frivolous, which is in line with the themes of the book... Make of that what you will.

Very different from the other Lavalle I've read, which has just been "The Ballad of Black Tom"