NetGalley Review: Tell the Story to Its End by Simon P. Clark

St. Martin’s Griffin
To Be Published Oct. 20, 2015
208 Pages

Oli is has been taken from his home and with his mom moved to the countryside for the summer to live with an Uncle and Aunt he never met. Oli knows that everyone is keeping a secret from him especially since he hasn’t heard from his dad and his mom won’t talk to him about it. 

So Oil discovers a secret of his own; a creature in the attic. His name is Eren and he likes stories. Soon Oli is sharing his story and slowly discovers the secrets his family is hiding. 

Short review*

This book was painfully slow and although I understood why people thought it to be creepy, the creepiness didn’t last long at all.

When you met Eren that is when it is creepy and the thought of not knowing if he is real or part of Oli’s imagination makes it creepy but the book itself isn’t creepy. To be honest by the end of the book, I thought it was in Oli’s head as a way to cope with the fact that he was away from his home, his mother wasn’t really speaking to him and his father was gone.

I felt that the author was trying too hard to make this book more of a realistic horror than actually a book that makes you uneasy in your seat. I can’t say I enjoyed the book it was okay. I don’t feel the author was creative enough nor was the characters interesting enough for an adult let alone a child.

The cover offers horror, the title offers mystery but the book itself doesn’t offer anything. Other people love it I don’t.

2 Pickles

Quick Five© With Kim Liggett

Courtesy of Kim Liggett

Name: Kim Liggett

Who is Kim?  Love of music and all things creative

Books: Blood & Salt (To Be Published September 22, 2015), The Last Harvest (Still Under Production)

Buy:  Barnes & Noble, Amazon

You got to love a author with a colorful background. You can almost bet that whatever they write will be the most amazing read you have had in a long time. Take author Kim Liggett, a former musician and actress who decided to keep her love of creativity by starting businesses and by writing a book (that has nothing to do with music).  I for one, look forward to Ms. Liggett’s new chapter. You should too.

You have businesses in the arts as well as music, why decide to write a Young Adult novel?

I’ve always been involved in the arts, one way or another. I just see this as an extension of my interests. I will always create, whether it’s books, businesses, or music…or maybe a beautiful garden someday. The future’s wide open.

G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
To Be Published Sept. 22, 2015
352 Pages

Your book “Blood and Salt” is being described as Romeo and Juliet meets Children of the corn. How accurate is that statement? Why did you choose to write a romantic horror?

I’d say it’s extremely accurate. A lot of people probably think it’s some kind of gimmick comp, but it’s pretty dead-on. I’m dyslexic, so reading was hard. It had to be pretty damn compelling to get me to finish a book—I gravitated toward the naughtier bits of horror and romance novels to get me through.

What do you want readers to get out of reading your novels?

I hope they’re swept up. I hope there’s enough interest to keep even the most reluctant reader flipping the pages until the very end. Because the end is so worth it. ; )

How has the current popularity in Young Adult novels influenced your writing? If there is any influence at all?

I love the pacing of YA novels. I find that aspect really addictive. I’m a new writer—I can still read a book for sheer pleasure without analyzing the prose. I’m grateful for that—because above all else, I consider myself a fan of the genre.

Finally… who were the biggest rock bands you sang backup for in the 80s’ ( I’m dying to know)?

Haha! Blast from the past. Duran Duran, The Eurythmics, Eddie Money…I did a lot of studio work and some touring in the mid to late 80’s. It was a crazy way to grow up—to be a teen. And yes, someday, that will work its way into a book. : )

Twitter: @kim_liggett

Website: http://www.kimliggett.com

Book Review: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

William Morrow Books
Published Jan. 1, 2014
181 Pages

When a middle age man returns to his hometown in Sussex, England for a funeral, he goes to the farm at the end of the road, and begins to remember a girl name Lettie Hempstock, he met when he was seven. 

Once he reaches this farm house, he remembers things from his past that maybe someone shouldn’t remember. Memories that show that everything isn’t what it seems.

Let’s jump right into this. . . .

This book was creepy and that was really the only thing that kept me reading the book.  But don’t think that as a bad thing. It means that the author did his job to keep me to the end.

The entire plot of witches, and evil beings was well defined. It wasn’t too complicated but it still produced original characters. What I really loved about this book was the fact that the author was not blunt. He didn’t dumb down his writing at all. I knew what he was saying, he didn’t need to say oh she’s a witch.  Gaiman wrote for intelligent readers.

There was no romance, (THANK YOU!) No one being spiteful, there pure supernatural mess. The story was slow. There was too much down time as a paranormal novel. It wasn’t as if origins was explained. It was just serious down time.

The main character lacked character. He was a simple child that was comfortable reading books and petting his cat but got caught in the wrong thing.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the creep factor of it was a wonderful surprised.  It made the book a quick read and even though it had a lot of down time, the creepiness kept it going. It has been a long time since I’ve read a Neil Gaiman book.

4 Pickles.

Manga Review: Ajin (Vol 1.) by Gamon Sakurai

Vertical
To Be Published Oct. 14, 2014
228 Pages

 

Kei Nagai is hit by a truck when he discovers that he is a ajin, an immortal that has supernatural abilities.  Becoming an instant target by the government and those looking to make a profit, Kei goes on the run, becoming a turning point in a war against ajins and humans. 

I love the creepiness of this cover. That is what drew me to it.  It is the perfect blend of what the heck and ghost like creepy.

The story itself was interesting and a bit hard to understand. There is a lot going on once Kei has been “discovered.” There is also a lot of disgusting emotions that occur within Kei’s peers and his own family.

I can’t really say I liked the story because it was confusing and it didn’t feed the need of knowledge known. There is a lot of back-story that the author gives  very little of. Even in volume two ( yes, I read it) there is still so many whys that I am not sure volume three will answer them.

I didn’t quite understand nor like Kei. He is cold, very calculated but then the next page he is emotional and is fighting for the greater good. I also didn’t understand the relationship with his sister and why she hates him and where it came from. The author again tries to explain it but it isn’t clear at all.

I was intrigued by the story, so I kept reading ( Volumes 2 & 3) but I am still just as lost as I was in the first book.

Overall, this is a hit or miss. The art work was great; creepy, graphic, detailed, not cliché, exactly what to be expected. But the story got lost.

2 Pickles.

Book Review: I Hunt Killers (Jasper Dent #1) by Barry Lyga

Little, Brown and Company
Published April 3, 2012
359 Pages

Jasper is the son of the world’s most famous serial killer. Growing up, Jasper was exposed to things people only see on television. He knows the ins and outs of crimes and that makes him valuable.

When a new serial killer comes to the small town of Lobo’s Nod, Jasper joins the police force to not only stop the bodies from piling up but to also prove he is not his father.

Wow. . . .

That was my first reaction once I finished reading this book.

The first thing that blew me away was how realistic the entire story seem. From beginning to end nothing in this book felt fake, sensationalized or ridiculous. It felt like one of those crime shows that come on television.

Because this felt so real, it as creepy. Really CREEPY. I always complain about mystery books that don’t have enough creepiness in it but this book right here!  . .  hit the nail on the head. I had to put the book down on several occasions because it was so detailed it was freaking me out.

I loved the simple complex Jasper. A boy trying to fit in at the same time trying to stop his fear of becoming like his crazy father. What I didn’t like was one part of this book when his girlfriend who is black said she did not care for her ancestors being slaves or the past because it had nothing to do with her. Honestly, I was confused by this and so was Jasper who is described as looking at her as if she is half crazy. I feel that this section was unnecessary and only made me completely dislike her.

But what I also liked about the book was the comic relief of Jasper and his best friend. It transitioned the story very easily and it was a nice break.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Will I read the second book? I am not sure because after I finished this book I had to watch spongebob for an hour. Do I think this author is a must read? Yes.

5 Pickles

Manga Review: Pandora Hearts by Jun Mochizuki

Published Dec. 15,2009

Oz Vessalius is about to have a day he will never forget. At his coming of age ceremony, he is sent to the abyss, an eternal prison, for a sin he has no idea he committed. 

In the abyss, he meets Alice, desperate to escape the abyss. She needs Oz’s help in order to leave. But at what cost?

This manga was okay. Oz is okay. The plot is what saved this series.

If you just read the first one, you won’t get much out of it. But if you keep reading it gets good. The story is a play on Alice in Wonderland, which is something I didn’t pick up on til the third book (I think).

I love the fact that the story isn’t one note. It was extremely well written, mysterious and complicated just enough for me to keep reading. However, what I didn’t like about the book was Oz. He didn’t show any growth and I read eight books. He was boring, lifeless and he didn’t failed to actually understand anything that was going on. He was stupid but he did act stupid constantly. Oz had no backbone either.

I understand he is a 15 year old boy but he is the main character. Everything centralizes around him and he was so willingly to throw his life away for the sake of being a hero but he really didn’t know what it all meant. Oz made the manga feel really drawn out. I was seriously tired of his mess.

As for the artwork, it was great! The series is very violent; so there is a lot of aggressive movements in the art. I loved it.

Overall, the manga get 3 Pickles.

Book Review: The Nightmarys by Dan Poblocki

When I read horror or thriller books the mission of the author is to make me feel creep-ed out. Dan Poblocki is one of those authors that can really creep-ed me out.

Random House
Published Aug 24, 2010
336 Pages

Timothy July is having nightmares; nightmares about creepy jars in his history class staring at him, about his brother, Army Soldier, in a coma and a new girl named Abigail that he really didn’t care to notice before.

The thing about Timothy’s nightmares is he is starting to see them in real life and is having a hard time figuring out what is real or not. But low and behold the girl he didn’t notice before Abigail seems to be able to hold the answers to his nightmares and other weird things going on between Timothy’s best friend and history teacher.

This book was creepy, enticing and a bit scary (even for an adult). From the beginning you instantly want more. Poblocki (the author) doesn’t take 5-8 chapters to get juicy; when Timothy and Abigail first speak you’re already like “what the heck.” You want more and that is what makes the book perfect.

The imagery was also on point. I don’t just mean “her hair was fiery red” no I mean describing a stalking shadow in the corner of your room and the big ,once abandoned ,house on the dead end street.

The only downfall to this book is it stalled while the kids were finding answers. Other than that the book has a lot of surprised and things just don’t go back to the way things were i.e. everyone is happy and singing.

I think this book is perfect for not only adults that want to be spooked a bit but for teens that enjoy a good shake in the books. Over all the book gets a 9 out of 10. It breaks all the rules of children looking for answers they shouldn’t even be looking for.

 

Book Review: The Poison Eaters and Other Stories by Holly Black

Holly Black is officially my favorite author.

Big Mouth House
Published April 1,2010
212 Pages

In her first collection of short stories Holly Black brings readers a range from vampires, werewolves, faeries and other supernatural beings. This short collection also gives readers a preview/idea of her latest book “The Coldest Girl in Coldtown” which despite the title it was a pretty good read.

“The Coldest Girl in Coldtown” is the only story that left you wanting more. It brought out my curiosity because I wasn’t expecting vampires and I honestly have no idea why I wasn’t expecting vampires. I think the characters were a bit weak but I am going to chalk that up to it being a short story.  But this story leaves quite a bit of questions so I am interested in the actual book.

 “In Vodka Veritas” is a story in which a private schools’ Latin class put a spell on their peers at a school prom. This story was also the weakest story in this collection. It really lacked in development of the main character and it lack follow up. She led you on (which is a good thing) but fell short in making you in love with the story.

“The Poison Eaters” is also another story that didn’t quite work out for me.  It truly was a short story in every sense and didn’t leave any questions as in whom what or why. Everything was answered but it didn’t leave much to the imagination.

Over this entire book get 9 out of 10. For the first time, I actually found a book that is both well written and creepy . . . so very creepy.

 

 

Tania Lasenburg is a communications major that plays video games and cyber stalks Gym Class Heroes. Follow her on twitter @mrztanyapickles