Book Review: Stonehedge Legacy - Sam Christer

This novel is good. No doubt about it. I read the last two hundred in fifty pages in two days, which for me was very good. Unheard this last six months.

The book follows a couple of characters, a son who is trying to uncover why his father killed himself. A woman in a police station trying to connect a kidnapping, a suicide and a murder. And we also follow the main antagonist (if you can call him that) and a celebrity from the Survivor's series and daughter of the Vice President of America.

Well, this game centers in Stonehenge and the reason it was made and some secret mystery that would unveil in our days. After 5000 years it just happened to be on our days... But, okay. So we've got some people, descended from the Builders and main protectors of the site and of a Religion called the Craft.

What the author presented us was indeed a good tale, fast paced and full of thrill. The characters were alive and I felt for their miseries... BUT, and there is a big BUT... I hated, I truly hated the ending. It was dreadful. It was a pain to read the last twenty pages...

We've got a religion with thousand of years and with an influence that rivaled the Freemasons. Doctors, Lawyers, Politicians, Army, Police and other elements were in that religion and they couldn't stop a policewoman and a archaeological guy? That's ridiculous. I am sorry but I just couldn't get it. It was anti-climatic. You must read the book, so you could find so many errors from a group of guys who dominate central uk.

Anti-climatic.

Authors out there... Hear me if you please... Not all books must end with the good guys triumph. The Good guys don't always win. Thrillers is about rush, action and mystery. You know what could give more rush? Learn with Green Goblin "The one thing they love more than a hero is to see a hero fail, fall, die trying. In spite of everything you've done for them, eventually, they will hate you."

I hate that ending. I hated you (Sorry about that) because you were giving some great thrill and you take it all from me... Oh well... 

Book Review: The House - Bentley Little

This is my second review for this novel. It was one of those books that didn't work for me globally. It was really interesting the prologue, which unfortunally didn't led anywhere. The book itself had five characters and each chapter was dedicated to one character. Some characters had really interesting stories but others were almost identical (maybe that was the point).

Each character was connected to a House they lived and each one had some connection to a caretaker and to a girl. This girl in one point or another seduced the inhabitants of the house and I must say that some parts where Little depicts a thirteen year old girl saying "F*** my a**, like your dad likes to do" was kind too much but I understood the point.

I think the book tried to hard. So many characters, with so many stories were a bit too much to me. Only in the end I get to know which one was which.

Is it a good book by Little? No. I am sorry but I don't think it's his best or nearer. But it has some good points. The overlapping Houses and the war between the shadowlnand and our reality was interesting (but not that developed in my humble opinion). The girl was also an important part but I think that she was not that developed as well. It was a bit vague. I mean I really want to know more of her. Of what was her/it intentions. The ending itself was a bit weak. Vague and in my opinion didn't brought a closure.

But if you are a fan of Bentley Little read it. If you are a new, then I advice to read The Store; The Association or even The Mailman. They are way better

Book Review: Mind Riders - Brian Stableford

This book is not that easy to review. First of all I will say you this. Brian Stableford is one of my favourite writers. His Brian Craig books on Warhammer universe are quite good. Pawns of Chaos and Wine of Dreams are two of the most interesting books written in that world. More focus on characters and plot than wars and battles.

Said that, I must say that this book is weaker when comparing per example with his Hooded Swan 6 books. Nevertheless thinking that it was written over 30 years ago I think it was not that outdated.

The premises is that virtual reality was gone up a notch and now when you experience Virtual Reality not only you are the eyes of that character (or boxer) but also you feel something. You take the feelings the boxers are feeling. Basically you are a vamp.

We have a character that is brought into that world but he has some inner problems that must solve at the same time. Several parts of the books are monologues where the character (author) talks about VR; Boxing or Psychology.

The book is quite small so you can read it in a day or two. It is not the best book out there but it's interesting to know what people thought about this subjects.

This book as I said, it's character driven. Plot wise it's there, read the synopsis, and the important part is the development of our main character and how will he choose his path.

Book Review: Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Light Novels, Vol. 2 - Fujino Omori

This episode focus on two things.

First and foremost on the meeting between our protagonist and his supporter Liliy. Basically a supporter is someone who follows around the adventurers and gather the magic stones. In the end the supporter receives a fair share of the cake... unless the adventurers beat the supporters and refuse to give them anything - that's the life of Lily.

She tries to steal Bell and clueless Bell lets her because he is trying to "save" her.... another anime character who due to is good, innocent, white heart saves someone from being a jerk and a criminal. I think this could have been done in other way because I doubt in reality there are many people like that... I know this is not reality but as a novel, anime, tv series (whatever) you have to relate to the characters or else you don't enjoy the show... Well, this is not always like this. I enjoy evil characters and I am not evil so... what do I know.

Nevertheless, a good novel, it focus more on Bell and his evolution. He learns magic and it's rapidly evolving. We get some glimpses of his goddess, Ais & the guild girl and also very interestingly some background story.

suffice to say I am buying the next volume...

Book Review: Invocations - Anthology

I don't think this was the best short story compilation Black Library published. But some were really good.

David Annandale the Summon of Shadows is the most depressing of the bunch. Really grimdark pointless realization of a common life in 40K world. Then he wrote more two stories both attached to The house of Night and Chain. Interesting to read but not really outstanding.

Blood sacrifice by grimdark writer Peter McLean was the best overall. Unfortunately it connects to other stories and this was the "last" I think. I will have to read them all. I hope he writes a full length story in 40K (horror or not).

Steven Sheil - The Healer is another good piece of Sigmar world. to a person who doesn't know that much about that world some stories can be really disconnected but this one was very good. I cannot say the same for Richard Strachan story. Wish I knew more...

Supplication is a very good story as well.

Flesh and Blood & A Sending from the Grave were not to my liking as Stitches by Nick Kyme. The weakest in mind opinion was Lora's He Feasts Forever.

Overall, is solid intake. Not that spooky or horrorful (is this a word?) but good. Maledictions rating I think.

Book Review: The Vanishment - Jonathan Aycliffe

 

Well well well...

What can be said about this book?

With less than 230 pages I hope something fast paced, and having read other books by the author like "The Matrix" or "the Lost" I hope something reminiscent but unfortunately it wasn't. I don't think the book is/was bad but I think it was not as good.

This novel is more akin to some old gothic novel in terms of pace and story. There isn't much fright evolved (probably the last 20 pages have some supernatural phenomenons).

Basically a couple go to a house for some vacation and the woman dislike the house and warns the husband of it. After a couple of days, the woman disappears and there is a investigation. Nothing comes up. Afterwards the man goes back to London where he stay at a friends house. Their daughter (The friends's) start saying stuff he read on reports on the house they stay almost a century before. Months afterwards his wife turns out dead. He then learns that the previous owner wife also vanish in that same house.

Soon afterwards their friends have an accident and they are both killed. The man then takes the child to that house to try to get rid of the curse.

In the end we get some strange connections, a bit far-fetched some, but all works out... There is a final "fright" and we learn a bit more about the main character past.

I hope for a different ending but as I said I think the author try to make some ode to old Gothic tales... why do I say this? Well, only in the last 30 pages or so, we learn that the man had a child and due to his drinking problem he got violent and killed his child. Still his wife kept with him (he was arrest 5 years). I thought that the author, since he only in the end, release that information, was trying to say that everything was in his mind and the drinking problem... i say this because there are several instances he was drinking AND because when he was at the house he thought he wrote several short stories and sent to his editor. Later on the Editor says that indeed he received his work BUT it was only one short story that basically told the house horror tale.... BUT it seems the writer was not going that way...

Nevertheless, good story - I read it in 3 days that means something, no?

Unfortunately it felt old, out of pace and the ending disappointed me with the confrontation of the supernatural being. The good parts; well the rural feeling, the story of the house, the child and the dread from the last 20/30 pages. 

Book Review: Excavation - James Rollins

So... As all thrillers they start the same with a little introduction usually regarding the mystery in the blurb of the novel. Then we are introduced to all characters. Always going forward and then adversity appears. Then the bad guys appear - usually in the beginning they are that bad - they are hidden. Then the plot advances and they discover something ah and then the bad guys unveil their Machiavelli plan. And go we go and battles ensure the all plot is unveil with all the mystery "AHH!" and the bad guys lose and good guys without that much loses.

Basically this is all thrillers and this is no different.
Every single character (good guys) are perfect human beings. Okay Ralph (the black) is a bit homophobic but he has an answer - his family is very christian so he learn that way. BUT no problem he sacrificies himself for the gay character.
What about the women? Well she also has a excuse - she was born in northern ireland so of course she excused - I laugh when they throw a gun at her and "of course I can handle - I was born in nothern ireland" oh my - didn't know it was like texas or something like that. Of course there were IRA but no all people work with guns

What about the main character? Oh my is so perfect that even dies... and his reborn again! and gets the girl! oh yeah
Even the old uncle gets a girl.

Enfin... weak plot about Incas. I expected something different. But then it got "aliens" and some weird stuff that nobody see except incas and the conquistadors but everyone shut up about it...

And the bad guys you ask? 

Book Review: The Lone Drow - R A Salvatore

I enjoy the novel. IT took me a while to finish but in the end it was a nice reading that really made me wanna read the next novels in a row.

The tale we follow Drizzt as he tries to recover from the supposedly loss of all his friends. Meanwhile Catti-brie & Wulfgar try to make a stand against the Orcs while Bruenor is almost non-existent since he is in a coma. We also follow Regis as he tries to unite the dwarves in war.

Probably a third of the novel we follow other characters that added to a almost epic fantasy series but unfortunately I don't care about most of them. We follow the drows, Obould, the two elves & other minor characters...

Overall a nice addition but I wished more Drizzt the Hunter. 

I Read the novel not audiobook - but that' the cover... Good one no?

Book Review: Meg - Steven Alten

Meg by Steve Alten
My rating: 4 of 10 stars

Some minor spoilers ahead...
This book is a summer read on a beach. Megalodons on the loose.

The beginning as a T-Rex is being eated by a Megalodon. Don't know if it would happen since T-Rex were extinct at 65 milions years ago and early fossils from megalodons have at most 28 million years. So....

Well besides the "technical" detail that's okay. Nice paced narrative. I must say to it's defense it's 343 pages are ever flowing. Quick narrative. Like a movie script.

Our hero, Jonas Taylor a deep sea expert, and world's most famous expert on the Megalodon is called to fix some sensors in the Mariana Trench. The same one that made him loose his job after killing two fellow coworkers as he panicked after seeing a Megalodon and rising to quickly to the surface. But you must control your fears so he tries to help the japanese billionare and with the help of the japanese son he dives into the deep sea where he again finds his arch-enemy but this time he rises to the surface.

From this moment on, you've got a megalodon that kills people, whales, destroys submarines, boats (small and medium sizes) attacks helicopters (flying in low orbit, of course).

There is also romance in this book but poorly made. His wife is a slut that sleeps with everyone. I expect some boob girl showing her breasts a couple of times and so on. And the daughter of japanese billionaire falls in love with a men that she previously despise. One time they are fighting and in another chapter they are in bed. Poorly done my friends.

The last part of the book (entitled Hell) (view spoiler)[is Jonas inside the Megalodon. Wtf man? (hide spoiler)]

Would I advice you to read this book? Yes, if you are going to a beach and like the movie Jaws.

"Perhaps of all the monsters, the giant shark is the most enduring. It incorporates virtually every element that we require of our mythological sea beasts: great size, mysterious habits, verified anthropophagous inclinations, and a history that goes back to the beginnings of recorded time. More than Leviathan, more than the sea serpent, more than the Kraken, Megalodon may be the ultimate monster."

- Richard Ellis, Monsters of the Sea

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Book Review: Power of the Daleks

Power of the Daleks by David Whitaker
My rating: 3 of 10 stars

The power of the daleks as a simple story about human arrogance. Humans think that they are smart than everything. But the Daleks prove them wrong.

This is the first tale with the second doctor and it was a bit odd because the process of regenaration is not mention and the second doctor treated the first one as a third person.

Maybe at the time of this tv series they didn't knew how to cope with it end of one doctor and the second?

This Doctor is quite different. Always playing his flute but at the same time more in the center of the action.

A rebellion, the daleks being brought to life to be the humans slaves. Good but at the same time simple, too simple and didn't dwell much on the Doctor. But it was a good effort. Advisable to anyone who doesn't want to see the Reconstructions made for this episode but don't expect enlightnaments on the new doctor.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash - Ao Jyumonji

I really enjoy this book. Everything in it felt really dark and gloomy.

After seeing the anime I had great expectations on the series since I know that no season 2 is on the making but I wanted to know what happened to all those people...

In this book it depicts probably the first 6/7 episodes. The first 150 pages - the group forms (There are some differences here from the anime) the group train, first goblin kill, the death of a friend (Manato). The second part of the book deal with the loss of Manato and how everyone coop with it and the coming of a new priest Merry.

Haruhiro is the main character and almost everything we see or know its true his eyes.

Ranta is the same in the anime and book (snarky / brash / arrogant and troublemaker), Moguso (is a bit different - in the anime they all band together but in the book Moguso join another group that stole all his money), Shihoru (is almost the same but in the anime there is no indication that she is in love with Manato - but in the book Haruhiro hints at it) but Yume it's all different. In the anime she is very brave and energetic (same as book) but in the book she talks like... "Yume thinks that is wrong." - "Maybe Yume don't want to learn that" - "Yume don't have tiny tits" and so on... in the anime she is quite normal lol Strange... Then we got Merry/Mary which is a new healer totally different of Manato. But very equal in the anime and light novel.

Basicaly the story follows a band of people that awake to be in another world (isekai) but have no recollection of their previous world/life. They know same words of things that don't have there (Cell Phone, australia, tsundere, game and other words). what's odd is that they never try to figure that out and basically accept with resignation their lives.

They are to in a group of trainees where everyone will follow a path (fighter, rogue, ranger, magician, priest and Dark Knight among others) and band together to stop some evil guy that might come out. Most of the book it deals with this struggle of first battles - what I really enjoy is that in the beginning even a single goblin is difficult and not easy peasy like per example "In Another World with My Smartphone". It's really grim(gar) with the loss Manato but there are moments of comedy (not like Konosuba bear in mind) - well basically everything Ranta does).

Really enjoy the novel and going to buy the next ones...

Book Review: The Saga of Tanya the Evil, Vol. 1: Deus lo Vult - Carlo Zen

 First of all a brief word on the tile - Youjo Senki was translated as The Saga of Tanya the Evil - but the correct translation would have been - The Military Chronicles of a Little Girl which I bet would not appeal to many people.

This novel was not that "light" to my opinion. With five chapters where each chapter dividied in subchapters of some sorts. Some were in the first person perspective of Tanya while others we followed other characters. The problem was that it was always in first person perspective - which at times got a bit confusing.

Nevertheless, I've watch the anime and it is one of my favourite - Tanya no doubt top 3 favourite characters of all times and I really enjoy the duality in her. Her thoughts being of a salaryman and her words the young 9/10 young girl.

Quite interesting - at times our salaryman told stuff from our world and incorporated in that isekai which gave some "credibility". But in the end it resumes to one sentence - if we would have been born in another time, era, place would we be what we are now? Our thoughts, way of thinking, actions and personality? I think not.

The anime focus a lot on action but the book focus a lot more on the personality of Tanya (from her and other characters perspective) and tactician - almost thesis on how to make war. - in others words what should have Germany done to win the first world war (or second) - and how her views are molding Germany Empire.

There are some other interesting monologues about evil vs evil which to me is gold!

Excellent book - eagerly waiting the second light novel while I wait for the movie thats coming out in 2018 (?). 

Anime Review: Summer 2020

Well this season we had less anime, probably due to covid so it was good to put watch other stuff.

Dokyuu Hentai HxEros it's about the battle of a group of people against some monsters. Hentai it's on the title so there is nudity evolved. Perversion makes more furious power against the monsters. I watch 5 eps then gave up waiting for the uncensored version.

Enen no Shouboutai third season and really interesting. It left the realm of only focus on our two main characters but great develop others. Good.

Ninja Collection a short anime that remind me of YamiShibai.

The God of High School it's a korean anime where people join in an arena to fight. Then after episode 6 it was all over the place and I got lost and desintereted.. I believe they skip some chapters because I Really didn't enjoy the pacing.

Monster Musume it's anime that focus on a young human doctor treating monsters. Nothing worth mention. Skip it. Not even some ecchi scenes.

Gibiate it's a really bad show and one of the worst of the season. The animation, 3D particular are bad. So humanity went to shit due to a plague (covid?) and then some people were transported back in time (samurais) and then battle those monsters that appeared due to the plague (basically humans were the mosnters). Bad.

Re:Zero second season part1 - It follows the story but to me it was far worse than the first season. BUT even so, better than most of these shows...

Peter Grill - Ahh Great Show about fightinig and sex. Small episodes of 10 episodes. Worth watching.

Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai!- Is a nice solid slice of life, comedy and romance. Very good. Waiting for a second season.

Maou Gakuin no Futekigousha: Shijou Saikyou no Maou no Shiso, Tensei shite Shison-tachi no Gakkou e - What a name.... What a show. When authors create heroes/villains they can go in several directions. One I don't like, I despise characters that are untouchable - Kirito comes to mind in anime. There are others. But here, the vilain it's untouchable and nothing anyone do to him can harm him. BUT this is how you do it. Watch an episode and decide for yourself.

Kanojo, Okarishimasu - This is how you do a romantic yet comedy show. Althought at times I Was really angry with the MC I really enjoy the show. All the girls were different. All wanted different things. I am really looking forward season 2. Who will win? See below... (we all know it's going to be the one on the left...)

Deca-Dence - most people enjoyed it. I could get into the anime itself.. I understood the concept but that's it.

Umayon - The chibi version of Uma Musume: Pretty Derby which came out in Winter of 2021. Unless you are a hardcore fan - skip it.

Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld 2nd Season - The Nth season of SAO. Still not that good but watchable. The battles made of CGI are stiff and here you go again. They are all fighting - now it's like an epic fantasy with a dozen MC's and all start very powerful and then fall until Kirito appears and everyone it's just in awe and defeated by him. Enfin... As I said - watchable.

Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Kan - Ah the star jewel of the season. Third season and the one I really wanted to watch. So good slice of life and romance. Great dialogues - although I Admit sometimes were confusing (probably translation) and sometimes they contradict themselves. Nobody really talk what was on their mind. Of course the ending was as you expected. Hikigaya got his girl Yukino. I felt bad for Yui but it was really predictable. If this was an hentai I would have love it haha...

Ratings

• Aggressive Retsuko (ONA) 3rd Season Fanworks 7
• Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld 2nd Season A-1 Pictures 5
• Umayon W-Toon Studio 2
• Deca-Dence Nut 4
• Kanojo, Okarishimasu TMS Entertainment 8
• Maou Gakuin no Futekigousha: Shijou Saikyou no Maou no Shiso, Tensei shite Shison-tachi no Gakkou e Silver Link. 8
• Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai! ENGI 7
• Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Kan feel. 10
• Peter Grill to Kenja no Jikan Wolfsbane 7
• Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 2nd Season White Fox 7
• Gibiate Studio elle 3
• Monster Musume no Oishasan Arvo Animation 4
• The God of High School MAPPA 5
• Ninja Collection ILCA 5
• Enen no Shouboutai: Ni no Shou David Production 7

Anime Review Fall 2020

Let us review some anime from last season.

Bear in mind that some are still going like Dragon Quest; Higurashi; Ino no Neko, Jujutsu & King's Raid.

So regarding last season from those hentai that are camouflage as hardcore ecchi you got two. So no complaining there. Otona nya Koi & Eternity. Both are what you expect. Some story and lot of sex. Watch the uncensored version or else don't even bother watch any of them.

I must say it was not a good season but it had some interesting animes and worth your time. Don't expect ground breaking animes...

First of all in a positive you've got Munou na Nana. This one deals with a girl with no powers that goes to a island where she must kill other boys/girls that have superpower. The power people think there are enemies of mankind that want to kill them while she thinks they are the ones that are the enemies. It's very interesting, dark thriller anime. I really enjoyed it. No ending in sight but a second season must come. It was well received.

Other that was very good and with a good finale was Kamisama ni Natta Hi. This one it's a slice of life where a young girl with the power of a god meets a boy and tries to give him his wish while saying that the world was ending in 30 days. Each episode was heart warming with a bit of a comedy. The last two eps were in contrast less comedy and more drama. Advisable.

Adachi to Shimamura is the story of a young teen as she struggles to understand his love with her female colleague. It's a nice  yaoi. Great graphics and animation but bad plot and character development. Not that advisable. There are better Yaoi. In the end, it goes status quo and stay as it began... She is lesbian, no doubt about it - but the other girl maybe it's not (?) I mean, she is not. A lot of lesbians in this show, almost every character is one.

Akudama Drive it's a nice sci-fi, steampunk adventure with very interesting take on technology and philoshopye. 

Guraburu it's chibi anime dealing with another anime Grandblue. Nothing worth mentioning unless yoiu really love the mother show or chibi.

Sleepy princess in the Demon Castle was a very good, comedy with a slice of life. Get a trope like a kidnap princess by Maou (demon lord) but instead of focusing on the heroes, focus on the princes and her quests while in prison like getting a nice pillow, bed etc. Very very interesting.

Kimi to Boku no Saigo no Senjou, Aruiwa Sekai ga Hajimaru Seisen - This anime it's about a war in a world where two factions battle. One it's highly magic focus whereas the other focus on sci-fi stuff. They battle each one for his own freedom. But the two main characters both want the same thing. Peace but their government don't. A romance shounen with interesting characters. Sincerely only her side was interesting. The MC (male) it's withouht any expression which was aa shame.

One Room Third Season it's what you expect from the last two but with more history.

Kami-tachi ni Hirowareta Otoko (By the Grace of Gods) it's the first isekai (The other were fantasy) and it was boring. So he was better than everyone else. A 30's earth guy that now it's a boy of 10 or so. He then meets a family that help realize his pwoer and what he could do it with it. There is some innuendo of child love which I found out a bit problematic but not that heavy focvus. Just some moments. Don't worry FBI is not coming to you.

Climbing Girls was our sports anime where four teens try to go full national with it. One it's very new but good at pc games so she has a natural knack to it? That was a bit odd but a good anime.

Dogeza de Tanondemika it's about a man going full dogeza so he can see the girls boobs and panties...  Wait for uncensored version !

Tonikaku Kawaii was romantic, comedy anime. Basically a boy meets a girl and she wants to marry him. Then after a while she appears and marries him. The next 11 episodes it's basically their struggles and whatnots. Very different but was fun - since it's hinted that she is not fully human? Let us hope a 2 season.

Taisou Zamurai it's about a gymnastic man and his struggles of getting old. It's more slice of life than sports but it's there. Watchable. Rail Romanesquece - Another chibi skippable anime. The Journey of Elaina - Majo no Tabitabi. Ahh one of the most beautiful aesthetically but remind me of other like the Journeys of  Kirito? Solid slice of life with fantasy.

Haikyuu To the Top 2nd Season - Top  (pun) of the season. The last few episodes where crying from the beginning to the end. VERY good shounen. Watch from season 1 onwards in one go.

Golden Kamuy 3 Season - Ah High Expectation but I would not rate this better than the 1 and 2 season.

Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka III - Third season. If you watch the first two this one follows the same route although this is a bit different. The first two were more focus on the development on our MC. The second focus more on his patterns and the 3 it's more focus on the familias, the monsters and the war behind the scenes.

Assault Lily Bounqet it's that all girl anime that warm one's heart. girls have power and fight monsters - basically that's it. 

Ani ni Tsukeru Kusuri wa Nai! 4 it's anime that is going to the 4 season. It's a comedy chinese anime about the life of two brothers and their friends. Nothing new but always funny.

100-man no Inochi no Ue ni Ore wa Tatteiru was another isekai and to me the high point was the dark twist in the last two episodes. Really make me give another rate that the one I was giving before. Looking foward for a second season but who knows.

Ratings:

• 100-man no Inochi no Ue ni Ore wa Tatteiru 7
• Ani ni Tsukeru Kusuri wa Nai! 4 8
• Assault Lily: Bouquet 6
• Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka III 8
• Golden Kamuy 3rd Season 6
• Haikyuu!!: To the Top 2nd Season 9
• Majo no Tabitabi - The Journey of Elaina 7
• Rail Romanesque 3
• Taisou Zamurai 6
• Tonikaku Kawaii 6
• Dogeza de Tanondemita 5
• Iwa Kakeru!: Sport Climbing Girls 6
• Kami-tachi ni Hirowareta Otoko (By the Grace of Gods) 5
• One Room Third Season 5
• Kimi to Boku no Saigo no Senjou, Aruiwa Sekai ga Hajimaru Seisen 7
• Maoujou de Oyasumi - Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle 8
• Guraburu! 3
• Akudama Drive 7
• Adachi to Shimamura 4
• Kamisama ni Natta Hi 8
• Munou na Nana 7
• Eternity: Shinya no Nurekoi Channel 3
• Otona nya Koi no Shikata ga Wakaranee! 3
• Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken (2020) Ongoing 7
• Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gou (2020)          Ongoing 6
• Inu to Neko Docchi mo Katteru to Mainichi Tanoshii Ongoing 8
• Jujutsu Kaisen (TV)                                   Ongoing 7
• King's Raid: Ishi wo Tsugumono-tachi           Ongoing 5
• 
  

Book Review: Roadwork - Stephen King

I am not going to give more that two stars. If this was a 10 rating I would give 4 so...

Well what can I said?

This was written by Bachman (Stephen King) and while I enjoy more than some of King's own novels this was not a good novel.

First of all we follow a man that nowadays woke people would consider having toxic masculinity. Basically in the beginning we see him buying a gun and throwing his job under the bus. At home he and his wife become to distance themselves until she leaves home. His home is going to be demolished as his own own job site so a interstate could be built. But he just against it. Therefore he has nothing to lose and is in a path of self-destruction.

The comparisons to breaking bad are there because both have got much anger and nothing to lose so they go the extremes.

The second part of the novel, we see him dealing with his inner demons, probably something that explains the reason behind him behaving the reason he is behaving like that. And I believe this is the real good part. He and his wife had two Childs. One was dead inside the mother's belly and the other was killed by cancer. His wife dealt the way she knew (bear in mind that this was ten years before) but he never forgot or get over it. 

My deduction is that his wife and him lived all their lives there; they had their children there and therefore destroying everything it was too much for him. He didn't want his wife to fall the same path so he alienates her going so far to divorce her. He also got together with a young teen and even left her some money (When he and her only got together one night). Maybe he saw in her his own child? I don't know... I Want to believe that he wanted to get her a chance in life - something his own children didn't had.

Enfin, the ending was a bit anti-climatic to be real and I was disappointed. Yeah basically that it. The  story was a bit slow and you could cut 50 pages (as in all King's stories) and the ending was rushed.

Btw- what a misleading cover lol

Book Review: The Ritual - Adam Nevill

I am afraid that this is not a everybody horror-novel and it has some flaws that make it particularly boring. It has some uninteresting pages (with that awesome premises) but it failed short in the end.

You can watch the movie in netflix and be content. I think 1h30 of a movie or more than 400 pages seal the deal (although I read before I watched) I think this book could be slice down to 250 or so - or if he wants it 400 pages then please develp more the supernatural stuff and terror factor.

Nevertheless, its not without merit - but In my opinion it should stand with 2,5 stars.

Book Review: Hollow World - Michael J Sullivan

** spoiler alert ** This novel was not for me. High expectations but I thought it failed in two points (for me).

First it's preachy then it's not that good characterization-wise.

** Sorry a bit of interlude... please skip if you don't want to be lecture... **

I read for pleasure and for escapism reason and one thing I don't like are books preachy and tell me that unless I think like the author I am wrong. Unfortunately this book felt like it.

** I warned you - last chance **

I don't enjoy this new snowflake generation to tell me unless I think like them I am a evil person like hitler (no matter what I belief). Personally I don't give a crap if you are gay or black. So what? You want a medal or something like that for being one? Cool. This novel I felt that this author was shoving down my throat something that I didn't want to be shove (what?).

What I am telling is this... there are people who are gay, black and woman. There are people who are against all of them. Then there are people who support one or another and probably half the population don't give a crap about that. They just don't care. BUT unless they demonstrate they support them they are evil. That really upsets me. Don't shove your opinions on me. I don't give a crap.

Do you give a crap about those somalis or other african people dying of hunger? Yes? What do you do about it? NOTHING! So ... off!

I am not a horrible people, I am one of those normal people who want to live their life not upset by other people. I belief that each one of us should fight for what he think it's the correct way BUT I am totally against when your beliefs (no matter what subject) are more important than my and you start to make me feel bad. Am I bad? Sorry but I Don't give a crap about your opinion anyway :)

Unless you want to share your opinion and take mine. I am not going to defend myself saying that I have black friends (which I don't) or gay friends (I probably have - don't know BECAUSE I DON'T GIVE A CRAP about your sexuality) or woman (I have a wife and my best friend is also a woman - and a Jeoavah Witness lol)

** End of intermisssion **

What's wrong with the book? heavy spoiler alert!!! I cannot tell why I didn't enjoy unless I spoil... [Our main character for start travels forward in time because he was going to die - he then meets the new earth inhabitants and even find a old friend who turns out to be psychopath probably the son of hitler and stalin with Mao inbetween. After all he only was friend with him for 40 years and didn't realized that he was racisct, womanizer, homophobic (like our main character) and mass murderer (thinking about it I think he was worse that hitler, stalin and mao) damn talk about being blind. Then we realize that the reason his son kill himself was because he found out that his son was gay and told him that he should either "Stop" that OR lose his family - then he turns out to be ... GAY! well partially gay since this futurist beings are neither male or female.... probably both or none. WHAT A bunch of crap. It was a bit disappointing to see that he didn't develop more about society 2000 years into the future... Until half the book I was enjoying.. a mix of fantasy, apocalyptic and mystery..

Book Review: The Imago Sequence and Other Stores - Laird Barron

The Imago Sequence and Other Stories by Laird Barron
My rating: 2 of 10 stars

I am very disappointed...
First I am disappointed that this book was not as Lovecraftian I thought it would be. It's more weird, noir fiction that horror. To be honest, only probably the first story had some horror and the title story. The remaining were just weird - some I didn't understood what was happening... I sincerely felt lost in most tales - mainly Hallucigenia, Bulldozer, Black Sloth were very unreal and probably that was the purpose but I couldn't connect with anything - even the plot.
Old Virginia was the only one with a clear plot.
So my conclusions are:
a) maybe I am not an erudite regarding this kind of writing?
b) maybe is just not that good?
If goodreads is something to take into consideration by option it's A.... well... who knows.

There were some stories that were connected which - at least Imago was with Parallax.
The second possible disappointing thing is that I also bought The Croning, Occultation, The Light of Darkness so... Let us hope they are better/different.

This year of 2021 has started on a bad note...But I must phrase that you should be totally confident that this is a bad book. It's just weird to me - Writing skill it's great. It remind me of Vandermeer writing...

View all my reviews

Book Review: The 13th Black Crusade - Andy Hoare

I just made a review but the computer crash. Damn you!

This book was quite good. For one who is trying to read more about 13th black crusade this book is definitely a must have. The writing is simple and you get a view of the grand scenario behind it. The images accompanying this book are: a) photos - horrible and don't add nothing b) drawings - excelent.

There were some stories that I would like to see a full lengthen novel like:

Saint Josmane's Hope - specially the last mission

Invasion of Cadia - Maybe a series of novels that cover from the beginning until the end.
Edit: Already have two novels

Khârn the Betrayer - Need I say more? 
Edit: Already have two novels

Subjugators chapter

Eldrad Ulthran - Story of this most important eldar

Ulthor World or Eidolon - Battles and transformation.

Ursarkar E. Creed
Edit: Already have two novels focus on Cadia

There are here, only in this War, room to make dozens of books, as the made in HH. But of course I know it's not possible. My only complain to BL is that they are going astray with their new policy. Short stories each weak, novellas each month and "exclusive" books every other month. I think it's ridiculous. I know that companies need to survive but their policy of publishing is almost too stupid. Usually they had a website that could tell us what books were going to be release. With some surprises which were good. Now, I have only the pre-orders, no  but if I go to amazon I can see the BL release schedule for 6 or 7 months. This is just absurd. I used to buy everything from them and gave the thousands of pounds. Now? I won't buy from them (maybe a novella from time to time) and buy from bookdepository or amazon.

Shame on you BL. Look at the prices with other publishers and the selling prices on Amazon. Maybe discounts from buying from you. Free Shipping on smaller fees. I was curious. Are BL making more money now or last year or in 2007/08/09/10 ?

Book Review: The Last Ditch - Sandy Mitchell

This was an interesting take on the 40K universe but after reading 7 novels of Ciaphas apart from two of them they are pretty similar. Nothing was learn and nothing was given as extra. We learn nothing more. The only thing we learn is that Tyranids have been in the know-galaxy far longer than humans thought. Amberley was only seen for one page; Sulla a couple of pages.

Well Ciaphas is yet again in a world being invaded not one BUT two enemies. The next novel will feature tyranids & tau. Let us see if it's better. This is not bad by all means. I only think that's more the same...

Book Review: The House of Night and Chain - David Annandale

So here we have a new novel in the growing horror tales coming out from Black Library.

First of all, like some previous takes I would say that with only a couple of changes this could be set in any other world. To be that's a minus star. I want to read Horror stories set in the 40K (or Sigmar).

This novel was written by an nowadays prolific writers in the Black Library universe called David Annandale. I've read the Yarrick novels, Mephiston & The Last Wall (one book from the ten magnus opus War of the Beast).

I this story we follow Colonel Strock who is returning home, after almost 30 years serving the Imperium, to save his world from corruption, at the behest of the Inquisition. He was discharged after a long phyrric battle in a far way world. He is returning to his world where is family rule. His late wife had died some years prior and the two children still live (now around 30 years).

From this moment on, and most of the book, it's about Strock dealing with the various factions in the world including the main antagonist (which supposedly is corrupting the world); his two childhood friends and his own children.

Every few chapters we get some snippets about his wife demise and we get to know that the main protagonist of the story it's not Strock at all but the House.

This is something I've read somewhere. Maybe Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher? That really doesn't upset me or so (don't get me wrong). But the ending felt a bit rushed and we get the glimpse of what's happening after all. There were some questions in air but overall it felt rushed.

As i said, apart from some names - Inquisition; Enforcer; Ecclesiarchy and other random names this could have been in any other world. I wished for more 40K elements Maybe some chaos or Tyranids background. More Inquisition meddling...

Either way it's not a bad story but it's not the best from him. Maybe Black Library wants to make this kind of novels more avaiable to other people who don't usually read 40K novels? I bet this is it because of all reviews here in goodreads of people who never dwelt on it.

Let's hope C L Werner Castle of Blood it's better. I am reading it next (probably).

Book Review: Night Songs - Charles L Grant

I couldn't finish this book the way I wanted it. From the hundredth page it became boring with no plot and characters. Not like other person here the "racism" and misconceptions didn't bother me. I can understand that different times had different views and I try to understand those views. People not enjoying Lovecraft because he was a racist it's one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. Everyone was like that back in the day. All our forefathers (and mothers because I don't want to offend the feminists) had something we may disapprove nowdays. how can I criticize them? different times.

Back to the book. It's boring. Plotwise crap. Characters are several but boring. Enfin not advisable to anyone. Wished for a bit more "horror".