Reviews and Comments

lakelady

lakelady@books.theunseen.city

Joined 1 year, 4 months ago

exploring the fediverse. Enjoy a mix of fiction and non-fiction.

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Dead of Winter (2020, Pegasus Books) 2 stars

meh

2 stars

I picked this up because I like historical novels and was looking for something involving Giordano Bruno. Overall I found these novellas disappointing and set it aside for months. The final novella was a bit better but not sure I'll be reading more by this author. I have one more that I may try but I won't expect much from it. I certainly wouldn't describe these as "exhilarating".

Parable of the Sower (Paperback, 2000, Warner Books) 4 stars

In 2025, with the world descending into madness and anarchy, one woman begins a fateful …

Glad it was recommended to me

4 stars

The beginning of this book is dark and very distopian and I had to set it aside for awhile. Picked it back up and the story picked up speed and I finished it the same day. I can see why this is so highly recommended. I'll definitely be reading more from Octavia Butler after finishing this one.

Decent historical murder mystery

3 stars

A fairly light and entertaining read. I especially enjoyed the historical setting of Victorian San Francisco. It started off a bit slow and I was pleasantly surprised how well the ending gathered speed and wrapped things up, even if the culprit wasn't much of a surprise. Good enough that I'll probably read more in this series when I'm in the mood for a light and entertaining story.

Secret Dead (2014, HarperCollins Publishers Limited) 4 stars

Review of 'Secret Dead' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I got this as it's essentially a good introduction into a much larger series of novels about Giordano Bruno and I wanted to test them out before buying more. A series on PBS about Queen Elizabeth I and her spies had me looking into what was available in the genre of Elizabethan spy novels. I have to say after reading this little gem I'm really looking forward to reading many more full length novels by SJ Parris.

Edit: Do NOT buy this book along with Dead of Winter. I did not know that this one was the first novella in that publication so now I've got a new book that I've already read one third of. Not happy at all with the marketing of these publications.

The Stupidest Angel (Hardcover, 2005, William Morrow) 4 stars

Christmas crept into Pine Cove like a creeping Christmas thing: dragging garland, ribbon, and sleigh …

Review of 'The stupidest angel' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

A wildly funny and irreverent romp through a small town in coastal California during Christmas. Not your typical Christmas fare that's for sure. I won't say more to avoid spoilers but if you have a dark sense of humor and need a break from typical Hallmark movie Christmas fare this is the book for you!