A Nameless Witch by A. Lee Martinez

TITLE:  A Nameless Witch

AUTHOR:  Martinez, A. Lee
GENRE:  Fantasy

DATES READ:  5/1/2017 - 5/20/2017

MY RATING:  3.5/5

I picked this one up at a library book sale, and it turns out my brother loves the author. Awesome!

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An undead witch with no name, a troll, a demon duck and a White Knight. Throw in a horde of ravenous goblings and you've got yourself a novel!

This is, without a doubt, one of the strangest books I've ever read. The main character truly doesn't have a name (which I love!) and the author's commitment to this is great.

However, two characters are a stand out for me. The troll, Gwurm, and the demonic duck, Newt. Nothing like a little character variety and some quippy dialogue.

The sentiments of fantasy and romance are strong yet pleasantly quirky. No cliches here. The main character may fall in love with her White Knight, but that doesn't mean she doesn't desperately want to eat him up. Literally... eat him... maybe with ketchup.

Refreshing humor, magic, romance and a peculiar cast of character. Recommended for someone who's feeling like they've read it all, and want something different.

Will read and write soon!

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Haven by Tom Deady

TITLE:  Haven

AUTHOR:  Deady, Tom
GENRE:  Horror

DATES READ:  4/16/2017 - 4/30/2017

MY RATING:  4/5

This local author is in the running for a Bram Stoker Award! I was lucky enough to get a copy from our book store. Can't wait to get started...

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A small town called Haven put its monster (Paul Greymore) in prison, halting a series a child deaths. After Paul serves his time and returns home, the killings resume. He insists he never committed the alleged crimes, and there are those that believe him. But if Paul isn't the killer, who is?

I really enjoyed Haven!!! A well woven monster tale with a delightful and devious cast of characters. Deady has fleshed them out so well that you want to hug them or slap them across the face. They're real people and it shows in the emotion he draws to the surface.

This book has a "Stranger Things" and even "Goonies" vibe to it. Kids vs. Monsters vs. Bullies. Nothing like a coming-of-age tale complete with potential monsters and mysteriously scarred heroes.

I would recommend this (no doubt) to horror and paranormal lovers everywhere. It's an awesome read that makes you think twice about that summer dip in the lake, or walk in the woods.

Will read and write soon!

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Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

TITLE:  Go Set a Watchman

AUTHOR:  Lee, Harper
GENRE:  Fiction

DATES READ:  4/13/2017 - 4/25/2017

MY RATING:  3.5/5

The sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird, a book that touched my heart in many ways. We're reading both in my regular book club so that we can compare the two on Harper Lee's birthday!

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This book is set a couple of decades after the first one and involves young Scouth (now 26!) returning home to visit her old stomping grounds. Her homecoming is bittersweet as she learns some difficult truths about her town, her friends, and her family.

I listened to this one on audiobook, and my favorite part was that Reese Witherspoon read it! Her voice fits Scout so perfectly. I don't think they could have made a better choice for narration.

While shifting away from the childish innocence and hope of To Kill a Mockingbird this book did not sway my love for the original book. I was worried from reviews I had read that it might. But it does make me look at some of the characters a little differently.

I still adore Scout (especially her voice as a child). This book brought to light, even further, the still divided south. It also brings to light how people change throughout their entire lives. And someone you may idolize can become somebody else...

Overall, I loved Mockingbird more, but this book surprised me. And in a more pleasant way than I thought.

Will read and write soon!

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The Gunslinger by Stephen King

TITLE:  The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower #1)

AUTHOR:  King, Stephen
GENRE:  Fantasy/Science Fiction

DATES READ:  4/3/2017 - 4/16/2017

MY RATING:  4/5

The first book in Stephen King's Dark Tower canon.  I've never read any of the Tower books before, so I'm intrigued and a little apprehensive. Thanks for the assignment from my Stephen King book club!

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The start of the Gunslinger's journey across the desert to capture the Man in Black. What a wild ride!

I feel like this book could be the start of a beautiful relationship for me. I may be a... Tower head? That's what my masterful book club leader called it. I'm still on the fence, but maybe I am...

King drew me in with the dystopian world, the futuristic bizarre language and the intensely complex character of Roland, the gunslinger. There are some really unique ideas at play here involving time and different worlds that may leave timid readers confused.

I like some weird stuff, and he lost me a little at the end with all of the time nexus, universe bending craziness. But the baseline story was a good time.

And let's face it... the man in black is such a great nemesis!!!

The world King created is epic, dystopian, futuristic and somehow manages "western" vibes. Recommended but with some reservations. Not sure everyone will get it.

Will read and write soon!

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Christine by Stephen King

TITLE:  Christine

AUTHOR:  King, Stephen
GENRE:  Horror

DATES READ:  9/18/2016 - 10/9/2016

MY RATING:  3/5

First book I'm reading for a brand new Stephen King Book Club! Excited to get to know everybody.

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A classic tale of a young boy Arnie, and his first car. It's just like first love. But Christine is a special car. And she can get a little jealous and angry if you cross her...

Didn't finish this one in time for book club, but I finished it while camping with my family. Definitely really scary!

As always, sometimes my favorite scary scenes from King's works are the character's moments of clarity within the insanity (Arnie).

And I adored the car going back in time and healing itself. Terrifying! It was slow at times, but overall, I really enjoyed the characters/story. I like that even King's narrators aren't safe from the action.

Will read and write soon!

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In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

TITLE:  In the Time of Butterflies

AUTHOR:  Alvarez, Julia
GENRE:  Historical Fiction

DATES READ:  9/4/2016 - 9/18/2016

MY RATING:  3/5

A gift from my Mama 💖! And a need to mix it up with something new/different.

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This tale of three sisters, Las Mariposas or "The Butterflies", spans decades. From the Dominican Republic, these sisters live under the rule of Trujillo and survive his dictatorship with courage and love. The official state newspaper reported their deaths as an accident, but their legacy lives on In the Time of the Butterflies.

This book had its uplifting moments but it was overall a bit of downer. The telling was interesting, switching back and forth between the sisters (and the present).

It was a more passive representation of a revolution, and gave a perspective of average daily life under a totalitarian rule. Very interesting, but not gripping.

Difficult to get into, but I think historical fiction buffs could get into it. Read like it was based off a true story, and appreciated it.

Will read and write soon!

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Finders Keepers by Stephen King

TITLE:  Finders Keepers (Bill Hodges Trilogy #2)

AUTHOR:  King, Stephen
GENRE:  Thriller/Crime

DATES READ:  8/27/2016 - 9/4/2016

MY RATING:  4/5

Second book in the Bill Hodges Trilogy.  I know it's been a while since I've read Mr. Mercedes, but I can't wait to get started.

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Morris Bellamy is furious with the author of his favorite books for halting writing, and for making his idol main character a "sell out".  And Bellamy will go to amazing and horrifying lengths to see the author's new material.  Including waiting patiently behind bars for years in order to read it.  But what if someone else finds it first?

Overall, I really loved this story.  I know some people haven't taken to this more crime/thriller side of Stephen King, but I love it!!

Morris Bellamy definitely has an Annie Wilkes vibe to him.  For me, this novel went exactly as I expected, but I enjoyed all of the allusions to Mr. Mercedes.  Also, I loved the depiction of the insanity of a true book lover and the lengths he'll go to for revenge!

Will read and write soon!

***Photo by B. Bumble***