Well, I've not been reading much, which is why this blog has been so quiet, but I've also decided that blogspot and I don't get along that well. So, I've changed sites. This one will remain for old reviews, but everything new will be posted at the new site!
http://www.boombabyreviews.com/
Monday, July 9, 2012
Review: "The Red Man" by Anna Reith
The Red Man by Anna Reith, purchased on my own from Smashwords.
Description: An archaeological dig unearths an ancient Celtic secret that should have stayed buried.
Review: We hit another one of those books that has lots of raves and then... my opinion. I just didn't like it that much. The idea was interesting, and I liked the history she chose to use, but I found the story far from riveting and like... 90% of it was Tell. Now, in a short story, that's hard to avoid. In First Person, it's also hard to avoid, but it felt like the entire thing was just Telling me. I want to be Shown a little more than that.
I'm afraid I can only give this a 2.5 Fireballs, but it seems other people enjoyed it far more and I wish everyone to like it better than I did.
Description: An archaeological dig unearths an ancient Celtic secret that should have stayed buried.
Review: We hit another one of those books that has lots of raves and then... my opinion. I just didn't like it that much. The idea was interesting, and I liked the history she chose to use, but I found the story far from riveting and like... 90% of it was Tell. Now, in a short story, that's hard to avoid. In First Person, it's also hard to avoid, but it felt like the entire thing was just Telling me. I want to be Shown a little more than that.
I'm afraid I can only give this a 2.5 Fireballs, but it seems other people enjoyed it far more and I wish everyone to like it better than I did.
Friday, July 6, 2012
I've moved!
I had started my review blog on blogspot, but find a wordpress site off my own site is easier and so I've moved! You can view the old site and the reviews on it: here.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Review: "Klondaeg the Monster Hunter" & "Smite Me, Oh Dark One" by Steve Thomas
Title: Smite Me, Oh Dark One
Title: Klondaeg the Monster Hunter
Author: Steve Thomas
Available: Smite Me, Oh Dark One & Klondaeg the Monster Hunter at Smashwords
Summary: "Acerbus hates his job. While he is content to watch and study the mortal races, the other gods constantly look for reasons to destroy their newly-created world. When they finally find an excuse, they command Acerbus to become the Smiter, destroyer of all creation. Acerbus decides that there is only one way to ensure his own failure and save the world: by becoming an Evil Overlord."
"Klondaeg is a simple Dwarf with a simple plan: rid the world of monsters. When he was a boy, his parents were killed by unidentified monsters, and he swore revenge against all of them. Armed with a talking battle axe with two personalities, Klondaeg travels the countryside, slaying everything from tiny werewolves to gold-devouring demons. But will he ever find the thing that killed his parents?"
Source: I received this free/purchased on my own.
Review: Since one is a short story, and they are in the same world, I'm combining reviews.
I enjoyed both of these. They're very funny, merrily poking at epic fantasy while, you know, writing epic fantasy. I've been on a humor/fantasy kick lately, so these were right up that alley. I liked the over-lapping between the stories, and the gods that there were greatly amused me.
Something about Smite Me didn't quite snag me enough to give a huge rating, but I did like it. Klondaeg amused me more. I really liked the banter between the King's Rest, and anyone else. Plus, gnomes are funny. And the silent G thing.
All that being said, the stories didn't quite smack me around enough to rave about them, but that could be the real life crazy distracting me. I really did enjoy them. So, 4 Fireballs to Smite Me, Oh Dark One and 4.5 Fireballs for Klondaeg the Monster Hunter.
Title: Klondaeg the Monster Hunter
Author: Steve Thomas
Available: Smite Me, Oh Dark One & Klondaeg the Monster Hunter at Smashwords
Summary: "Acerbus hates his job. While he is content to watch and study the mortal races, the other gods constantly look for reasons to destroy their newly-created world. When they finally find an excuse, they command Acerbus to become the Smiter, destroyer of all creation. Acerbus decides that there is only one way to ensure his own failure and save the world: by becoming an Evil Overlord."
"Klondaeg is a simple Dwarf with a simple plan: rid the world of monsters. When he was a boy, his parents were killed by unidentified monsters, and he swore revenge against all of them. Armed with a talking battle axe with two personalities, Klondaeg travels the countryside, slaying everything from tiny werewolves to gold-devouring demons. But will he ever find the thing that killed his parents?"
Source: I received this free/purchased on my own.
Review: Since one is a short story, and they are in the same world, I'm combining reviews.
I enjoyed both of these. They're very funny, merrily poking at epic fantasy while, you know, writing epic fantasy. I've been on a humor/fantasy kick lately, so these were right up that alley. I liked the over-lapping between the stories, and the gods that there were greatly amused me.
Something about Smite Me didn't quite snag me enough to give a huge rating, but I did like it. Klondaeg amused me more. I really liked the banter between the King's Rest, and anyone else. Plus, gnomes are funny. And the silent G thing.
All that being said, the stories didn't quite smack me around enough to rave about them, but that could be the real life crazy distracting me. I really did enjoy them. So, 4 Fireballs to Smite Me, Oh Dark One and 4.5 Fireballs for Klondaeg the Monster Hunter.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Review: "Sweet Dreams (The Lyndsey Roughton Anthology)"
Title: Sweet Dreams (The Lyndsey Roughton Anthology)
Author: Various
Available: Kindle
Summary: "17 talented authors present their tales in order to raise funds for Lyndsey Roughton, a 27 year old currently suffering from an inoperable brain tumour. Ranging from dark fantasy, humour, sci-fi to horror the tales in this book will transport you to a different world."
Source: I purchased this myself.
Review: First off, I will say that even though I have written a couple short stories myself, they tend not to be my thing. To fit as much as you want into the confined space, you tend to have to get a little abstract and I tend to be a little more linear. Still, when the chance to join this anthology and help a little came by, I was glad to pitch in. I will say that I will not be reviewing my own story. (I'd probably give myself a lower rating anyway!)
So, that being said... there's a lot of good stuff here, including work from a couple authors fast becoming favorites and some new-to-me authors that I really enjoyed. I'll do a little story by story reviewing.
EVERYONE GOES TO HELL – Joseph Garraty
I liked this one. It was quick and funny. I won't say that it caught me by surprise in any way, but I'm a cynical person and I still really enjoyed it.
HERE BE MONSTERS – Namoi Clark
This story kind of meandered to me and I would have liked a little bit more to the things that we were presented with -- like the main character's issue with the sea and the scientist guy, and what was Andrew's deal? -- but otherwise it was interesting. I liked the idea of it.
THE EASTER WEREWOLF – Jason McKinney
This one was just kind of goofy, but in a good way. The idea was really quirky and Felicia made me think of the Ghost of Christmas Present from "Scrooged" with Bill Murray. (That's a good thing.)
A SEASON FOR MICKEY BLAYTON – Chris Fraser
This one I'm not entirely sure of my thoughts about. It was all right, though meandered through its point a bit for my taste. But then, again, I'm not a short story person so that might of been it.
THE GREAT ZOMBIE POT-PLANT LOVE THANG – J H Sked
Sked is fast becoming one of my favorite writers. This was just funny. It's the "nom nom nom" line -- you'll know it when you read it -- that makes it art.
DESCENT – Mia Darien
Man, this writer sucks! ...okay, so this one was me. I won't review it, but will say as my short stories go, this was always one of my favorites cause it still kind of creeps me the f*** out.
BAKKIAN CHRONICLES, DISNEYLAND DEBACLE – Jeffrey Poole
Oh, Mr. Poole. Another round of crazy Bakkian fun. In Disneyland no less. And so many hearts for Christopher. Now I really can't wait for book three!
THE DESERT – Richard Shury
I like stories that contrast outer and inner conflict, breaking down the human condition from inside and out, and this one did that. I liked that. The delivery was a little heavy handed for me, but only a little and I generally thought it was good.
LAID TO REST (A CHERRY GARCIA STORY) – Leanne Fitzpatrick
I need to find more Cherry Garcia stories. I'm a big fan of First Person Sarcastic, and paranormal. This story was totally up my alley and snarky fun.
THE GARDEN – Renee Carter Hall
Not usually big on flash fiction, but this was good. I liked the ending.
A THIEF’S ESCAPE – Joseph Occipinti
This one was interesting. Not quite Locke Lamora, but had that edge to it.
ALL STRUNG OUT – Sky Corbelli
This one was good, although I had this feeling halfway through of it being a fantasy take on a well known sci-fi movie -- won't say what one to not give anything away -- but I liked the strings thing. Not sure about certain other elements, if they were too much device or not, but generally, I liked it.
CYPHER – Edward Larel
This one was kind of odd, but interesting.
HARD CANDY WITH STRUDEL & TEA – Jana Hill
Good, but depressing.
PHANTOM OF THE NIGHT – Nicholas Ordinans
Odd and totally creepy, but that's a good thing.
SUMMER GHOSTS – Leigh Roughton
This one was interesting, sad and yet not, in its introspection. Even more so when you realize the author in relation to the time frame.
THE GENE PRIEST – B. Throwsnaill
This is among my favorites. I really liked the set-up/world, found that idea fascinating. It wasn't really... unpredictable or surprising at all, but that was okay. I still really liked where it started and where it went.
Over all, I say this anthology -- my story totally not included -- is a solid 4 Fireballs!
Author: Various
Available: Kindle
Summary: "17 talented authors present their tales in order to raise funds for Lyndsey Roughton, a 27 year old currently suffering from an inoperable brain tumour. Ranging from dark fantasy, humour, sci-fi to horror the tales in this book will transport you to a different world."
Source: I purchased this myself.
Review: First off, I will say that even though I have written a couple short stories myself, they tend not to be my thing. To fit as much as you want into the confined space, you tend to have to get a little abstract and I tend to be a little more linear. Still, when the chance to join this anthology and help a little came by, I was glad to pitch in. I will say that I will not be reviewing my own story. (I'd probably give myself a lower rating anyway!)
So, that being said... there's a lot of good stuff here, including work from a couple authors fast becoming favorites and some new-to-me authors that I really enjoyed. I'll do a little story by story reviewing.
EVERYONE GOES TO HELL – Joseph Garraty
I liked this one. It was quick and funny. I won't say that it caught me by surprise in any way, but I'm a cynical person and I still really enjoyed it.
HERE BE MONSTERS – Namoi Clark
This story kind of meandered to me and I would have liked a little bit more to the things that we were presented with -- like the main character's issue with the sea and the scientist guy, and what was Andrew's deal? -- but otherwise it was interesting. I liked the idea of it.
THE EASTER WEREWOLF – Jason McKinney
This one was just kind of goofy, but in a good way. The idea was really quirky and Felicia made me think of the Ghost of Christmas Present from "Scrooged" with Bill Murray. (That's a good thing.)
A SEASON FOR MICKEY BLAYTON – Chris Fraser
This one I'm not entirely sure of my thoughts about. It was all right, though meandered through its point a bit for my taste. But then, again, I'm not a short story person so that might of been it.
THE GREAT ZOMBIE POT-PLANT LOVE THANG – J H Sked
Sked is fast becoming one of my favorite writers. This was just funny. It's the "nom nom nom" line -- you'll know it when you read it -- that makes it art.
DESCENT – Mia Darien
Man, this writer sucks! ...okay, so this one was me. I won't review it, but will say as my short stories go, this was always one of my favorites cause it still kind of creeps me the f*** out.
BAKKIAN CHRONICLES, DISNEYLAND DEBACLE – Jeffrey Poole
Oh, Mr. Poole. Another round of crazy Bakkian fun. In Disneyland no less. And so many hearts for Christopher. Now I really can't wait for book three!
THE DESERT – Richard Shury
I like stories that contrast outer and inner conflict, breaking down the human condition from inside and out, and this one did that. I liked that. The delivery was a little heavy handed for me, but only a little and I generally thought it was good.
LAID TO REST (A CHERRY GARCIA STORY) – Leanne Fitzpatrick
I need to find more Cherry Garcia stories. I'm a big fan of First Person Sarcastic, and paranormal. This story was totally up my alley and snarky fun.
THE GARDEN – Renee Carter Hall
Not usually big on flash fiction, but this was good. I liked the ending.
A THIEF’S ESCAPE – Joseph Occipinti
This one was interesting. Not quite Locke Lamora, but had that edge to it.
ALL STRUNG OUT – Sky Corbelli
This one was good, although I had this feeling halfway through of it being a fantasy take on a well known sci-fi movie -- won't say what one to not give anything away -- but I liked the strings thing. Not sure about certain other elements, if they were too much device or not, but generally, I liked it.
CYPHER – Edward Larel
This one was kind of odd, but interesting.
HARD CANDY WITH STRUDEL & TEA – Jana Hill
Good, but depressing.
PHANTOM OF THE NIGHT – Nicholas Ordinans
Odd and totally creepy, but that's a good thing.
SUMMER GHOSTS – Leigh Roughton
This one was interesting, sad and yet not, in its introspection. Even more so when you realize the author in relation to the time frame.
THE GENE PRIEST – B. Throwsnaill
This is among my favorites. I really liked the set-up/world, found that idea fascinating. It wasn't really... unpredictable or surprising at all, but that was okay. I still really liked where it started and where it went.
Over all, I say this anthology -- my story totally not included -- is a solid 4 Fireballs!
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