52/52 Friday Update - Books Read; Currently Reading & TBR (and bought)

 Unfortunately since the 28 I've been sick with the flu so my reading stop almost completely. Having asthma and a flu is no sick joke. Had to go to hospital to receive some pills to recover from this. Oh well.. I Did advanced on both Hunt's but they are not getting finish this month/year. As you can see I miss all objectives on December reading goal. 

Already Finish

1. Sympathy for the Widow - Jon Athan                 180p - 1/12/2023  - 10⭐
2. The Ravening Deep - Tim Pratt                          330p - 5/12/2023  - 9⭐
3. BTOOM Vol 1 through Manga)                            780p -8/12/2023 - 8/9⭐
4. Ravencry - Ed McDonald                                    415p    10/12/2023  9⭐
5. Legion of the Damned - Sven Hassel                   256p  10/12/2023   7⭐
6. Uma Aventura nas Arabias                                 240p  16/12/2023   6⭐
7. Creature - John Saul                                         329p  19/12/2023   7.5⭐
8. Betwixt: A Horror Manga Anthology                    200p 19/12/2023   4 ⭐
9. Tomie - Junji Ito                                                750p  24/12/2023  6 ⭐
10. The Social Media Murders - Jon Athan                  216   28/12/2023  6 ⭐
      

Ongoing

1. The Great Hunt - Robert Jordan               225/705pp (32%)
2. Hunt for Red October - Tom Clancy          240/469p  (50%) 

December Reading Goal (my goal is 10 to 12 of them)

1. Ursun's Teeth - Graham Mcneill 256p (2/2) Finish The Series
2. Thunderhead - Neal Shusterman 515p (2/3)
3. The Last Son of Dorn - David Guymer 241p (10/12)
4. Last of the Ravagers - Bryan Smith 256p
5. Road of the Patriarch - RA Salvatore 373p
6. Uma Aventura nas Arábias  (Portuguese children's book) 228p (Solo)
7. Shadows of Pnath - Josh Reynolds 332p
8. The Ravening Deep - Tim Pratt 330p
9. Year Zero - Jeff Long - 498p (solo)

TBR Pile, Books received piling up...

1. Defiant - Brandon Sanderson 420p (4th of Skyward)
2. Tender is the Flesh - Agustina Bazterrrica 221p
3. Termination Shock- Neal Stephenson 707p
4. Kingdom of bones - James Rollins 586p
5. Pandora's Star - Peter Hamilton 1144p
6. Judas Unchained - Peter Hamilton 1235p
7. The 6th Extinction - James Rollins - 587p
   
8. The Last Odyssey - James Rollins - 592p
9. Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days - Alastair Reynolds - 198p
10. Great North Road - Peter F Hamilton - 1087p
11. Sea of Souls - Chris Wraight (40K) - 397p
12. Blacktalon - Liane Merciel - (Sigmar) 297p
13. TEmple of Silence - Richard Strachan  (Sigmar) 275p
14. Glacier's Edge - RA Salvatore (way of the drow 2) 428
15. Lost Metal - Brandon Sanderson -500p
16. Kingdom of Death- Christopher Ruocchio 528
17. Ashes of Man - Christopher Ruocchio 513
    
18. The Abyss Beyond Dreams- Peter Hamilton 685
19. Night Without Stars - Peter Hamilton -755
20. Seventh Plague - James Rollins 620p
21. Inhibitor Phase - Alastair Reynolds 465
22. Elysium Fire - Alastair Reynolds 419
    
23. Outlaw of Gor - John Norman 254p
24. Blood Brothers of Gor -John Norman 479p
25. Savages of Gor -John Norman 335p
26. Guardsman of Gor  -John Norman 304p
27. Rogue of Gor  -John Norman  318p
28. Fighting Slave of Gor -  -John Norman 384p
29. Explorers of Gor -  -John Norman 464p
30. Beasts of Gor -  -John Norman 444p
31. Tribesmen of Gor -  -John Norman 364p
32. Marauders of Gor -  -John Norman 296p
33. Captive of Gor  -John Norman 368p
34. Raiders of Gor  -John Norman 312p
35. Assassin of Gor  -John Norman  409p
36. Priest-Kings of Gor -John Norman 317p
37. Slave Girl of Gor  -John Norman 446p
38. Nomads of Gor  -John Norman 344p
39. Cursed City - C L Werner 312p (Special Edition)
40. Lightning Shell - Michael & Kathleen Gear 462p
41. Do not Disturb 3 Goldbrush - Jon Athan 365p
42. Sin and Sorrow - Michael Fletcher 415p
43. Atomic Horror - Tim Curran 295p
    
44. Surface Action - David Drake 233p
45. The Jungle - David Drake 282p
46. Forlorn Hope - David Drake 317p
47. Redliners - David Drake374p
48. Cross the Stars - David Drake342p
49. Paying the Piper - David Drake 469p
50. Sharp End - David Drake 375p
51. The Warrior - David Drake 275p
52. Rolling Hot - David Drake 280p
53. Counting the Cost - David Drake 265p
54. At any Price - David Drake 288p
55. Hammer's Slammers - David Drake 318p
56. 

    The Bootlegger's Dance - Rosemary Jones 352p
57. Blender Babies - Jon Athan - 362p
58. The Silence of Ghosts - Jonathan Aycliffe 224pp
59. The Gates of Athens - Conn Iggulden 443p
60. Protector - Conn Iggulden 416p
61. Cult Classic - Stephen Blackmoore 288p
62. The Vaults of Terra - Chris Wraight 980p (Limited Edition)
63. 

    We all died at Breakaway Station
64. The Bone Labyrinth 
65. Fever
66. Demon Crown 

Expected to Arrive

1. Conan the Barbarian  (ebay) (bought on 10/11)
2. Here Comes the Sun (Blackwell)
3. Brass Man  - Neal Asher  (4 January)
4. Jack Four - Neal Asher  (4 January)
5. Girdlinked - Neal Asher  (4 January)
6. The Line of Polity  - Neal Asher  (4 January)
7. Hilldiggers  - Neal Asher  (4 January)
8. Line War  - Neal Asher  (4 January) 
9. Polity Agent  - Neal Asher  (4 January)
10. The Gabble  - Neal Asher  (8 January)
11. The Technician  - Neal Asher  (8 January)
12. The Skinner  - Neal Asher (8 January)
13. The Voyage of Sable Keech  - Neal Asher (4 January)
14. Orbus  - Neal Asher (4 January)
15. The Parasite  - Neal Asher (8 January)
16. Shadow of the Scorpion - Neal Asher (8 January)
17. Jupiter War - Neal Asher (8 January)
18. Zero Point - Neal Asher (8 January)

Book Review: The Ravening Deep by Tim Pratt

The Ravening Deep by Tim Pratt
My rating: 9 of 10 stars

Pages : 336 

Year :  2202 

Genre : Lovecraftian Horror

Series : Arkham Horror

Another great entry on the Arkham Horror novels. Finally someone understands a bit more on what's the purpose of this novels. With one Major Character from the boardgames (Diana Stanley) plus Ruby Standish a thief (Ally that you could get), plus the leader of the Silver Twilight Lodge, Carl Sanford. Our Main character is none of those for the vast majority but Abel Davenport (which was not in the game to my knowledge).

So basically due to some circustances Abel is trying to awake a dead god (the Ravening Deep among other names) but after a promising start, he undestands the problem with that dead god and with the help of Diana Stanley (a acolyte for the Silver Twiligt Lodge) plus Ruby Standish they try to thwart the Ravening Deep awakening. Since they can't do it alone they enlist (although in a non linear way) Carl Sanford to stop the ritual.

First of all, I loved Carl. I want to know more about the silver twilight lodge and him. Is he a villain? a Hero? an Anti-Hero? Or just a person with enourmous ego? Either way he was by far the most interesting character. The ending between him and Ruby was amazing and made me say "WHATT?"

Diana was also an interesting atraction. She first starts in the Lodge with a goal but soon , and throughout the novel changes and comes to understand she must undermine the lodge (which makes sense because in Arkham Horror 2 Edition at least & Eldritch Horror she is already an ex-member. In Arkham Horror LCG (don't know about AH 3 Edition) she is still in the Lodge but undermining from within.

Overall, one of the best books. 9/10

My main complain was the pacing of the story. Some parts were amazing, but some with Abel were a bit boring. Mainly how the writer chose to explain to (we the readers) through Diana how he came to be against the Ravening Deep.

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Music Awards 2023 - FOR ME - Trha & Sadness (Again)

Hello 

So Trha wins again. Probably a bit up the scaled compared with Sadness. But interesting I said two things last year;

Next year I don't expect anything different...

Please continue to make great music.. I will keep buying. Wish I could have CD's to hear in my car.

I did buy 5 cd's so far and yes nothing is different. Still love Trha and it's only band I hear constantly. No other comes to the fight. Interesting on how things are turning out...

So I bought "§ºanΩë aglivajsamë cá nëlh¶iha i eddana pi¶e " No, I am not having a stroke writing this... is how it's written :) Also bought:

"lhum'adsejja" , 
mã Héshiva õn dahh Khata trhândlha vand ëfd datnen Aghen Ecíës drhãtdlhan savd
abcu
vat g​ë​l​é​nva​!​!​!
Rain Chamber (the only from Sadness)

I bought around 60 albuns, the vast majority are either from Trha & Sadness (like 40 or so). Bear in mind that he releases a cd/split every month for each one and I bought what I was missing from Sadness.

Apart from that guy the only thing I bought was Shigenso from Enterré Vivant. I even bought the CD.

So what' my favourite of the year? It's kind of hard to choose but If I had to do it I Would go with Trha  - Abcu. My young boy of 8 asks me to put that music on (the second one). Although All three are near perfection that one everyone fell in love here - even my wife. 

If you can't hear it, go here https://flowingdownward.bandcamp.com/track/2-trh-c-n-nina-emul

But there are other good ones, 

5 -  https://flowingdownward.bandcamp.com/album/m-h-shiva-n-dahh-khata-trh-ndlha-vand-fd-datnen-aghen-ec-s-drh-tdlhan-savd

4 - https://flowingdownward.bandcamp.com/album/vat-g-l-nva

3 - https://trha.bandcamp.com/album/lhumadsejja

2 - https://trha.bandcamp.com/album/an-aglivajsam-c-n-lh-iha-i-eddana-pi-e

1- https://trha.bandcamp.com/album/abcu

Book Review: Tomie by Junji Ito

Tomie by Junji Ito
My rating: 6 of 10 stars

Pages :  750p

Year :  2016

Genre : Horror

Series : Anthology Tomie

This was not my best book of Junji Ito. So you've got this girl that was butchered in the first story and came back to life. I Thought the all other stories were connected, like a revenge thing but they were not. there were some yes, but the vast majority is just normal people who encounter and go crazy. First they love her then kill her, probably due to loving her so much. It's a bit repetitive to be honest. I am not saying it's bad, it's not. But it's repetitive. It's 720 pages of some guy/gal find her, fell in love with her and go crazy. Mayhem and depravity.

There is some nudity so if you shy against it, well though luck. It's not that much but there is some. And now I am going to give you a spoiler , after reading it... she is a minor! ;)

True, this nudity has nothing to do with sexuality per se. 99% is well pure physics. You can't be born with clothes right?

I enjoy it. My goal of reading everyhing Junji Ito is almost over, only one more book to go... No Longer Human.

6/10

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Goal for 2024 (Temporary) and my TBR for January (at least)

So, here are again, trying to improve our reading goals...
My goal as last year is to read 100 pages per day. This year I read around 43000 so a bit more than 100. My goal is to do just that or more.

Also I am not counting books but pages, so my goal is 3000 pages per month.  So this month of Jan my TBR novels are;

1. The Ice Lion - Kathleen O'Neal Gear (Rewilding Report #1/3) 294p
2. Cthulhu Reloaded - David Conyers (Harrison Peel #1/3) 257p
3. The Last son of Dorn - David Guymer (The Beast Arises #10/12) 247p
4. Skyward - Brandon Sanderson (Skyward #1/4) 510p
5. Thunderhead - Neal Shusterman (Scythe #2/3) 515p
6. Generation Ship - Michael Mammay 589p
7. Ship of Fools - Richard Paul Russo 370p
8. We all died at Breakway Station - Richard C Meredith 240p

2733 pages

I have some other books to read that I may substitute, Neal Asher (The Departure), Dad Abnett (Ghostmaker) and CS Friedman (The Madness Season)

Book Review: The Social Media Murders by Jon Athan

The Social Media Murders by Jon Athan
My rating: 6 of 10 stars

Pages : 216

Year :  2017

Genre : Slasher Horror

Series : Solo

Not my favourite book by him but good nevertheless. This one is also a revenge story like the one I read early this year (Sympathy for the widow) but not as good.. First of all, in the first you could almost feel - palpatable, the hatred, the need for revenge. Here it was written the other way around. He started introducing the characters, people being killed and as the book progress we learn more of the death. It's a Scream kind of book. In the beginning there is no knowledge why everything is happening and later on we get glimpses of why. I thought that this being scream inspired, the killer would be one of the protagonists, could even be the a woman (usually they are always male). But alas, when we get to know what was the killer I was a bit "oh.. ok"

don't get me wrong. This is Jon Athan. He is a great storyteller. Probably not the best written novel, he lacks some finesse there BUT in terms of stories I've never read on of his books and said - oh this is crap. I can't say that for much authors. 6/10

Good, but if you want to start with his books go read the one I mentioned before. Next one without a doubt is going to be Blenders Babies :) 

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Best Books of 2023

 Here we are again, 2023 is now gone and I almost finishing my last book of the year. I've read 152 novels with 43067 pages. Pretty good, right? I know.

In terms of rating 

5 Stars - 27 Books

4 Stars - 68 Books

3 Stars - 33 Books

2 Stars - 17 Books

1 Stars - 9 Books

In terms of favourite books of the Year were; I Think this is the correct list. There are some books that should be here like Tombs by Junji Ito, or my reread of Trollslayer & Fellowship of the Ring. I won't add them here but If I had they would be 3 & 2 respectably. 

12. The Ravening Deep - Tim Pratt

11. The Exorcist -  William Peter Blatty

10. Scythe - Neal Shusterman

9. Nightmare at 20,000 Feet - Anthology

8. Raven's Cry - Ed MacDonald

7. State of Fear - Michael Chrichton

6. False Gods - Graham McNeill

5. Pet Sematary - Stephen King

4. Horus Rising - Dan Abnett

3. Alien Horrors - Tim Curran

2. Speaker for the Dead - Orson Scott Card

1. Toxic Love - Kristopher Triana

Interesting that I made a list in October and the books were a bit different in terms of positions... The beggist rise was Toxic Love and the biggest fall was exorcist. Don't know why.

I believe I made a review of all of them in my goodreads and I've been slowly adding them here.

Disappointing Reads

1. The Fall of Chronopolis Barrington J Bayley
2. The Overlords of War Gerald Klein
3. Samhain Sorceries - Anthology
4. Ancient Images - Ramsey Campbell
5. Shadow Games Michael Reaves
6. The Swarm Chris Pearson
7. As the Curtain Falls Robert Chilson
8. Poe: 19 New Tales inspired by Edgar Alan Poe Anthology
9. Meddling Kids Edgar Cantero
10. No Guilty of Bloodshed - John Baltisberger

Series Finished

- Crossed - (Finished)

- Lost Level - Brian Keene (3 novels)

- Agatha Christie's Poirot (46 novels)

- Last Chancers - Gav Thorpe (3 novels)

- The Drifting Classroom (3 Novels - Manga)

There are lot of ongoing series, my goal next year is to finish some of those as well.

51/52 Friday Update - Books Read; Currently Reading & TBR (and bought)

 Already Finish

1. Sympathy for the Widow - Jon Athan                 180p - 1/12/2023  - 10⭐
2. The Ravening Deep - Tim Pratt                          330p - 5/12/2023  - 9⭐
3. BTOOM Vol 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (Manga)                        780p -8/12/2023 - 8/9⭐
4. Ravencry - Ed McDonald                                    415p    10/12/2023  9⭐
5. Legion of the Damned - Sven Hassel                   256p  10/12/2023   7⭐
6. Uma Aventura nas Arabias                                 240p  16/12/2023   6⭐
7. Creature - John Saul                                         329p  19/12/2023   7.5⭐
8. Betwixt: A Horror Manga Anthology                    200p 19/12/2023   4  ⭐
      

Ongoing

1. The Great Hunt - Robert Jordan               225/705pp (32%)
2. Hunt for Red October - Tom Clancy          101/469p  (21%) 
3. Tomie - Junji Ito (Manga)                        332/750 (44%)

December Reading Goal (my goal is 10 to 12 of them)

1. Ursun's Teeth - Graham Mcneill 256p (2/2) Finish The Series
2. Thunderhead - Neal Shusterman 515p (2/3)
3. The Last Son of Dorn - David Guymer 241p (10/12)
4. Last of the Ravagers - Bryan Smith 256p
5. Road of the Patriarch - RA Salvatore 373p
6. Uma Aventura nas Arábias  (Portuguese children's book) 228p (Solo)
7. Shadows of Pnath - Josh Reynolds 332p
8. The Ravening Deep - Tim Pratt 330p
9. Year Zero - Jeff Long - 498p (solo)

TBR Pile, Books received piling up...

1. Defiant - Brandon Sanderson 420p (4th of Skyward)
2. Tender is the Flesh - Agustina Bazterrrica 221p
3. Termination Shock- Neal Stephenson 707p
4. Kingdom of bones - James Rollins 586p
5. Pandora's Star - Peter Hamilton 1144p
6. Judas Unchained - Peter Hamilton 1235p
7. The 6th Extinction - James Rollins - 587p
   
8. The Last Odyssey - James Rollins - 592p
9. Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days - Alastair Reynolds - 198p
10. Great North Road - Peter F Hamilton - 1087p
11. Sea of Souls - Chris Wraight (40K) - 397p
12. Blacktalon - Liane Merciel - (Sigmar) 297p
13. TEmple of Silence - Richard Strachan  (Sigmar) 275p
14. Glacier's Edge - RA Salvatore (way of the drow 2) 428
15. Lost Metal - Brandon Sanderson -500p
16. Kingdom of Death- Christopher Ruocchio 528
17. Ashes of Man - Christopher Ruocchio 513
    
18. The Abyss Beyond Dreams- Peter Hamilton 685
19. Night Without Stars - Peter Hamilton -755
20. Seventh Plague - James Rollins 620p
21. Inhibitor Phase - Alastair Reynolds 465
22. Elysium Fire - Alastair Reynolds 419
    
23. Outlaw of Gor - John Norman 254p
24. Blood Brothers of Gor -John Norman 479p
25. Savages of Gor -John Norman 335p
26. Guardsman of Gor  -John Norman 304p
27. Rogue of Gor  -John Norman  318p
28. Fighting Slave of Gor -  -John Norman 384p
29. Explorers of Gor -  -John Norman 464p
30. Beasts of Gor -  -John Norman 444p
31. Tribesmen of Gor -  -John Norman 364p
32. Marauders of Gor -  -John Norman 296p
33. Captive of Gor  -John Norman 368p
34. Raiders of Gor  -John Norman 312p
35. Assassin of Gor  -John Norman  409p
36. Priest-Kings of Gor -John Norman 317p
37. Slave Girl of Gor  -John Norman 446p
38. Nomads of Gor  -John Norman 344p
39. Cursed City - C L Werner 312p (Special Edition)
40. Lightning Shell - Michael & Kathleen Gear 462p
41. Do not Disturb 3 Goldbrush - Jon Athan 365p
42. Sin and Sorrow - Michael Fletcher 415p
43. Atomic Horror - Tim Curran 295p
    
44. Surface Action - David Drake 233p
45. The Jungle - David Drake 282p
46. Forlorn Hope - David Drake 317p
47. Redliners - David Drake374p
48. Cross the Stars - David Drake342p
49. Paying the Piper - David Drake 469p
50. Sharp End - David Drake 375p
51. The Warrior - David Drake 275p
52. Rolling Hot - David Drake 280p
53. Counting the Cost - David Drake 265p
54. At any Price - David Drake 288p
55. Hammer's Slammers - David Drake 318p

Expected to Arrive

1. Conan the Barbarian  (ebay) (bought on 10/11)
2. The Silence of Ghosts  (ebay)  (bought on 10/11)
3. We all died at Breakaway Station (Ebay)
4. Demon Crown (Blackwell)
5. Fever (Blackwell)
6. The Bone Labyrinth (Blackwell)
7. Here Comes the Sun (Blackwell)
8. The Bootlegger's Dance (Blackwell)

50/52 Friday Update - Books Read; Currently Reading & TBR (and bought)

Already Finish

1. Sympathy for the Widow - Jon Athan                 180p - 1/12/2023  - 10⭐
2. The Ravening Deep - Tim Pratt                          330p - 5/12/2023  - 9⭐
3. BTOOM Vol 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (Manga)                        780p -8/12/2023 - 8/9⭐
4. Ravencry - Ed McDonald                                    415p    10/12/2023  9⭐
5. Legion of the Damned - Sven Hassel                   256p  10/12/2023   7⭐
6. 
   

Ongoing

1. The Great Hunt - Robert Jordan               225/705pp (32%)
2. Hunt for Red October - Tom Clancy          101/469p  (21%) 
3. Tomie - Junji Ito (Manga)                        332/750 (44%)
4. Creature - John Saul                               225/329 (68%)
5. Uma Aventura nas Arabias                       138/240 (57%)

December Reading Goal (my goal is 10 to 12 of them)

1. Ursun's Teeth - Graham Mcneill 256p (2/2) Finish The Series
2. Thunderhead - Neal Shusterman 515p (2/3)
3. The Last Son of Dorn - David Guymer 241p (10/12)
4. Last of the Ravagers - Bryan Smith 256p
5. Road of the Patriarch - RA Salvatore 373p
6. Uma Aventura nas Arábias  (Portuguese children's book) 228p (Solo)
7. Shadows of Pnath - Josh Reynolds 332p
8. The Ravening Deep - Tim Pratt 330p
9. Year Zero - Jeff Long - 498p (solo)

TBR Pile, Books received piling up...

1. Defiant - Brandon Sanderson 420p (4th of Skyward)
2. Tender is the Flesh - Agustina Bazterrrica 221p
3. Termination Shock- Neal Stephenson 707p
4. Kingdom of bones - James Rollins 586p
5. Pandora's Star - Peter Hamilton 1144p
6. Judas Unchained - Peter Hamilton 1235p
7. The 6th Extinction - James Rollins - 587p
   
8. The Last Odyssey - James Rollins - 592p
9. Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days - Alastair Reynolds - 198p
10. Great North Road - Peter F Hamilton - 1087p
11. Sea of Souls - Chris Wraight (40K) - 397p
12. Blacktalon - Liane Merciel - (Sigmar) 297p
13. TEmple of Silence - Richard Strachan  (Sigmar) 275p
14. Glacier's Edge - RA Salvatore (way of the drow 2) 428
15. Lost Metal - Brandon Sanderson -500p
16. Kingdom of Death- Christopher Ruocchio 528
17. Ashes of Man - Christopher Ruocchio 513
    
18. The Abyss Beyond Dreams- Peter Hamilton 685
19. Night Without Stars - Peter Hamilton -755

    
20. Seventh Plague - James Rollins 620p
21. Inhibitor Phase - Alastair Reynolds 465
22. Elysium Fire - Alastair Reynolds 419

    

    
    
23. Outlaw of Gor - John Norman 254p
24. Blood Brothers of Gor -John Norman 479p
25. Savages of Gor -John Norman 335p
26. Guardsman of Gor  -John Norman 304p
27. Rogue of Gor  -John Norman  318p
28. Fighting Slave of Gor -  -John Norman 384p
29. Explorers of Gor -  -John Norman 464p
30. Beasts of Gor -  -John Norman 444p
31. Tribesmen of Gor -  -John Norman 364p
32. Marauders of Gor -  -John Norman 296p
33. Captive of Gor  -John Norman 368p
34. Raiders of Gor  -John Norman 312p
35. Assassin of Gor  -John Norman  409p
36. Priest-Kings of Gor -John Norman 317p
37. Slave Girl of Gor  -John Norman 446p
38. Nomads of Gor  -John Norman 344p
39. Cursed City - C L Werner 312p (Special Edition)
40. Lightning Shell - Michael & Kathleen Gear 462p
41. Do not Disturb 3 Goldbrush - Jon Athan 365p
42. Sin and Sorrow - Michael Fletcher 415p
43. Atomic Horror - Tim Curran 295p

    

    
    
44. Surface Action - David Drake 233p
45. The Jungle - David Drake 282p
46. Forlorn Hope - David Drake 317p
47. Redliners - David Drake374p
48. Cross the Stars - David Drake342p
49. Paying the Piper - David Drake 469p
50. Sharp End - David Drake 375p
51. The Warrior - David Drake 275p
52. Rolling Hot - David Drake 280p
53. Counting the Cost - David Drake 265p
54. At any Price - David Drake 288p
55. Hammer's Slammers - David Drake 318p

Expected to Arrive

1. Conan the Barbarian  (ebay) (bought on 10/11)
2. The Silence of Ghosts  (ebay)  (bought on 10/11)
3. We all died at Breakaway Station (Ebay)
4. Demon Crown (Blackwell)
5. Fever (Blackwell)
6. The Bone Labyrinth (Blackwell)
7. Here Comes the Sun (Blackwell)
8. The Bootlegger's Dance (Blackwell)

Book Review: Curtain by Agatha Christie

Curtain by Agatha Christie
My rating: 8 of 10 stars

Pages : 283

Year : 1975

Genre : Mystery

Series : Last book on Poirot Series.

So this was the last one from Agatha Christie and Poirot. One of the first things that come to my mind is that this book was written back in 1940's when the world war was progressing and Christie didn't want Poirot & Mapple not have an ending so she wrote them both but only released near her own death. I think Poirot was released right before and Mapple afterwards.

Some spoilers

First of all, we understand , or come to realize several things, one; Christie either despised Poirot (I think that's hinted) or at least wanted to get rid of him. He is old and frail but his mind is sound and he knows a crime is going to be committed in house of Styles where everything started. There is a killer on the loose who has been guilty of at least 5 deaths. Not by himself directly but indirectly. A word here, an action there and so Poirot, on contrary of all other novels he will act as a judge and executioner. I don't know why Agatha Went this way. I can see people hating Poirot on this novel I enjoyed it.

Spoilers end

It was interesting to see again Hasting and how Poirot treat him and the relation between them.

It's a shame that everything is over now... I am not going to read the new novels being released under her name. But I Will read probably the remaining books of her.

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Book Review: Wool by Hugh Howey

Wool by Hugh Howey
My rating: 8 of 10 stars

Pages : 576

Year : 2012

Genre : Post Apocalpytic \ Dystopia

Series : Wool 1/3

What a long book. It felt longer than it is.

I've read the first two parts , when they were released online, more than 10 years ago. Much more.

Then I forgot about it - or did I?

Then the TV Series came out and I remember reading it and enjoying and asking myself, why didn't I continued? Well, I was poor and had no money. There was no paperbook and I don't read eBooks (I read this because it was around 40 pages and I was at worked.

First of all, I read this after the TV Series so my vision of the characters was the same. First of all, there are some changes hat were a bit odd, first of all Robert Sims, who the heck is he?

Bernard motives are quite different, well , not different but mysterious in the series. In the books he says all the time. George Wilkins is quite inexistent in the novel (there are some references but quite sporadic). The TV Series focus a lot on Julliete & Holston , on the book there isn't any kind of it. there is some connection but it's quite over part 100 pages. Sims is quite insistent and he isn't part of Judiciary. Walker is a man in the novels, here they genderswap. Also the all relation between Lukas & Juliette

There are some stuff that don't exist in the book (in the first one at least - Flamekeepers, the Syndrome.

First of all, bear in mind that all the TV Series are basically first 227 pages of the novel. The remaining are probably 2 season (or part of it).

So, after talking so much, what's this book about?

We've got this people living in Silos, and Silos is what you expect from our normal silos but now imagine 10 or 20 times as the biggest one where 10,000 people can live all together. They live, unaware there is a world outside, well, they know there is a world outside but it's diseased and everyone that is sent out dies within minutes. So, what do we have here is a several stories all connected (you can read as one big story). The first part, we start accompanying a sheriff of the silo as he voluntarily wants to go outside. It's a dead sentence but he wants to follow his wife. He thinks people in the top are keeping them in the blind and not telling everything. The second part we've got a quite interesting introduction of Juliette the main character of the novel per se plus the deputy of the sheriff & mayor as they travel from top to bottom to grab Juliette which is going to be next Sheriff at the recommendation of the previous one. You get glimpses of power struggle between the Mayor and Bernard from IT.

The third part is the story of Juliette and a bit of mystery as she is trying to investigate why the Mayor and deputy died(killed themselves) plus discovering what the previous sheriff was on.

The biggest part is the fourth part (the one that is not part of the TVseries) , so some SPOILERS AHEAD

This part deals with Juliette now outside, not cleaning, but went into another desert Silo. You get more of Bernard & Lukas (which is shadowing Bernard) and getting to know the history of Silo and the reason behind all the mystery. And I Thought it was good. I didn't enjoy that much of civil war, kind of bland , boring and I bet the vast majority of TV Series 2 Season will be focus on this, although here was a bit overshadow by Lukas and Juliette and Solo.

I enjoy it, but my complain was that the pacing was a bit on the slow pace. Again the all fightning and other characters were there to what?

Enfin... I will read the 2 and 3 novel without any doubt. I think the second will be the sequel whilst the third will be a prequel of some sorts and that interest me.

Now, one question remains and it comes to this... They try to give free rein in some silos and they went dark and kill themselves, civil wars and so on. Other silos that kept silence and hush stuff prosper... so , is it okay to limit freedom for the greater good or freedom is top priority even if in the end we end up killing one another? Is a good question this book presides and no matter your answer, it's not the correct one. Because there isn't one. It's like politics, Left Leaning or Right Leaning? Which is better? Communism or Fascism or Democracy or any other form of government. All have some good points, some more than others, and have weak points. It's quite interesting debate. You may lean to one or the other and that's okay I guess, but in the end which one is perfect? Is there any form of government that is perfect? Cool questions..

Well overall, the book is good and very interesting. My main problem was the all length. I am going to provide some spoilers, but if you watch the movie

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49/52 Friday Update - Books Read; Currently Reading & TBR (and bought)

Last month of the Year. To surpassed last year in terms of pages I would have to read 6000 pages which Is highly unprobeable. To be honest, last year I read some comics and I am currently reading one manga, so who knows - maybe. Either way my goal is to get to 40,000.

Now a different thing.. goals for 2024.

- BUY LESS BOOKS!! Please gods help me achieve this.
- Read as much as this year.

Already Finish

1. Sympathy for the Widow - Jon Athan                 180p - 1/12/2023  - 10⭐
2. The Ravening Deep - Tim Pratt                          330p - 5/12/2023  - 9⭐
3. BTOOM Vol 1, 2, 3, 4 (Manga)                           780p -8/12/2023 - 8/9⭐

Ongoing

1. The Great Hunt - Robert Jordan               225/705pp (32%)
2. Hunt for Red October - Tom Clancy          101/469p  (21%) 
3. Ravencry - Ed McDonald                          360/415 (90%)
4. Tomie - Junji Ito (Manga)                        242/750 (32%)
5. Creature - John Saul                               50/329 (15%)
6. Legion of the Damned - Sven Hassel         75/256 (29%)

December Reading Goal (my goal is 10 to 12 of them)

1. Ursun's Teeth - Graham Mcneill 256p (2/2) Finish The Series
2. Thunderhead - Neal Shusterman 515p (2/3)
3. The Last Son of Dorn - David Guymer 241p (10/12)
4. Last of the Ravagers - Bryan Smith 256p
5. Road of the Patriarch - RA Salvatore 373p
6. Uma Aventura nas Arábias  (Portuguese children's book) 228p (Solo)
7. Shadows of Pnath - Josh Reynolds 332p
8. The Ravening Deep - Tim Pratt 330p
9. Year Zero - Jeff Long - 498p (solo)

TBR Pile, Books received piling up...

1. Defiant - Brandon Sanderson 420p (4th of Skyward)
2. Tender is the Flesh - Agustina Bazterrrica 221p
3. Termination Shock- Neal Stephenson 707p
4. Kingdom of bones - James Rollins 586p
5. Pandora's Star - Peter Hamilton 1144p
6. Judas Unchained - Peter Hamilton 1235p
7. 
   The 6th Extinction - James Rollins - 587p
   
8. The Last Odyssey - James Rollins - 592p
9. Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days - Alastair Reynolds - 198p
10. Great North Road - Peter F Hamilton - 1087p
11. Sea of Souls - Chris Wraight (40K) - 397p
12. Blacktalon - Liane Merciel - (Sigmar) 297p
13. TEmple of Silence - Richard Strachan  (Sigmar) 275p
14. Glacier's Edge - RA Salvatore (way of the drow 2) 428
15. Lost Metal - Brandon Sanderson -500p
16. Kingdom of Death- Christopher Ruocchio 528
17. Ashes of Man - Christopher Ruocchio 513
    
    
    

Expected to Arrive

1. Conan the Barbarian  (ebay) (bought on 10/11)
2. The Silence of Ghosts  (ebay)  (bought on 10/11)
3. Norman of Gor (16 Novels) (ebay)
4. Cursed City (Special Edition) (Ebay)
5. We all died at Breakaway Station (Ebay)
6. David Drake (12 Novels) (Ebay)
7. The Exile: The Bound and The Broken  (Blackwell)
8. Demon Crown (Blackwell)
9. Fever (Blackwell)
10. The Bone Labyrinth (Blackwell)
11. Here Comes the Sun (Blackwell)
12. The Bootlegger's Dance (Blackwell)
13. The Seventh Plague (amazon)
14. Do Not Disturb 3 (amazon)
15. Atomic Horrors (amazon)
16. Lightning Shell (amazon)
17. Glacier's Edge (wook)
18. Kingdom of Death (wook)
19. Ashes of Man (wook)
20. The Lost Metal (wook)

Book Review: Devour by Kurt Anderson

Devour by Kurt Anderson
My rating: 5 of 10 stars

Pages : 400

Year : 2016

Genre : Thriller Adventure

Series : Solo

I've heard this in audiobook format.

Basically it's a story of giant prehistoric monster on a rampage in the north atlantic. Already destroyed some vessels and now has her sights on cruise ship. Meanwhile we follow a couple of characters, in one side we've get a fisherman who is going through though times and a man who is hosting a high stake card game in international waters. We've got other characters like a waitress and a small girl.

The story is one of those sci-fi movies you've watch in Sy-Fy. It's Saturday afternoon flick that will end and forget about it. Either way, I enjoy it but don't expect much... 5/10

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Book Review: Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano

Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano
My rating: 7 of 10 stars

Pages : 439

Year :  2023

Genre :  Horror, Thriller

Series : solo

I've heard this novel via audiobook. First of all it looked cool. Then the story interested me. IT was a mystery island with some kind of horror element (Lovecraftian stuff). I was not disappointed, although I do feel the author could have focus more on the evil and to make us understand it, instead he focus more on the people which gave some hints and we as the readers would have to figure it out. Bear in mind that in terms of feeling, there is always an eerie sensation that something is afoot, what? Well just on the last , what 40 pages? you understand what this island is all about.

I am not saying that this is a bad book, it's not. IT's very good.

But there are things that I can't really explain, why the loop? The explanation is there but feels dumb down. Spoilers ahead, it's like you eat at noon and you will get hungry around 8 PM for supper, right? But If I keep delaying the time and you never get to 8 PM then you will never get hungry. What? Makes zero sense... Although the all stuff stuck in the 90's is pretty awesome.

Spoiler end..

I also enjoyed the interaction between characters and how the story is told. From the letters in the past, to the transcriptions to the conversations. It gave distinct voices. I will probably read from him.

7/10

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Book Review: Watchers in Death by David Annandale (The Beast Arises #9)

Watchers in Death by David Annandale
My rating: 8 of 10 stars

Pages : 208

Year : 2016

Genre : BL Warhammer

Series : The Beast Arises #9/12

I believe this book meeting was something like this;

- Hey Annan (that's how I call him), you know what? You are the man to introduce the deathwatch and at the same time reunite the Imperium with the sisters of silence. You think you can?

- Sure, do I have a trilogy of novels, maybe a duology where I can write one each?

- No. This you've got one novel.

- I can do it. But at least give me 500 pages.

- Hmm , no can do. Yours is going to be one of the smallest one. You've got 200 page novel.

- What?

- We've got paper shortage (in a few years). It's like you writing for lexicanum, just copy paste and give them some dialogues and that's it.

- Oh shit... (I don't know if he said frak, shit or any other stuff but I bet he did say something)

This book follows the last where humanity destroyed the Beast (or not), Vulkan disappeared, the vast majority of space marines died, billions dead. IT was a disaster. So, Koorland say, well, if brute force doesn't work, let's go 5 or 10 go there and destroy the ork moon. That will work. And thus DeathWatch were born (with the help of Vangorich of the Officio Assassinorum- probably one of my favourite characters in the series - I know that next books will feature him, the last two I guess)

I think the books in the series have their hits and misses. It's like they outline the main story and then divided in 12. Each writer would write one of book (Annandale wrote the 4th, 7th and 9th). It seems some novels felt too long, while others too short. This last two were two short. They could easily be bigger. All the Lords acceptance of Kill Teams felt rushed and disjoined. I opened for more politics and such. Oh well. Overall it was a good novel, don't get me wrong. I just hoped for more. 8/10

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48/52 Friday Update - Books Read; Currently Reading & TBR (and bought)

 Not Friday but Thursday since is the end of the month of November

So, one week to go to November and I already read around 4000 pages. I am truly amazed to be honest. I know to some may not seem much but for me it's one of the best months of ... well, ever. I only got one novel Ship of Fools. Next month will be a month of restrain (although I am waiting for a book haul of John Norman of Gor 16 novels. Apart form that, is the residual book here and there.

Already Finish

1. Samhain Sorceries - Anthology -                           210p - 2/11/2023  - 2⭐
2. Elephants can Remember - Agatha Christie            299p - 4/11/2023  - 7⭐
3. The Sailors on the Seas of Fate -Michael Moorcock 128p - 9/11/2023 - 7⭐
4. Jack Finney - The Body Snatchers                          226p - 10/11/202 - 5 ⭐
5. Your Dreams Will Come True When You're Dead - John Comunale 186p 15/11/2023 - 6⭐
6. Sea Change - James Powlik                                      481p 17/11/2023 -7⭐
7. Lair of the Crystal Fang - S A Sidor                          363p 18/11/2023 - 8 ⭐
8. The Drifting Classroom, Vol. 3 - Kazuo Umezz          768p 18/11/2023 - 8 ⭐
9. No Guilt of Bloodshed -  John Baltisberger               168p 19/11/2023 - 8 ⭐
10. Dead Eleven - Jimmy Juliano                                 439p  20/11/2023  -7⭐
11. Watchers in Death - David Annandale                    198p   20/11/2023- 8⭐
12. Wool - Hugh Howey                                              540p  25/11/2023- 8⭐  
13. Devour - Kurt Anderson (audiobook)                      400p    27/11/2023 -6⭐
14. Agatha Christie - Curtain: Poirot's Last Case           283p    28/11/2023 -8⭐

Ongoing

1. The Great Hunt - Robert Jordan               164/705pp (23%)
2. Hunt for Red October - Tom Clancy          101/469p  (21%) 
3. Ravencry - Ed McDonald                          112/415 (30%)

October Reading Goal (my goal is 10 to 12 of them)

1. Jack Finney - The Body Snatchers 226p (Solo) 
2. Lair of the Crystal Fang - S A Sidor 363p (solo)
3. Sea Change - James Powlik 481p (solo)
4. Elric Saga - The Sailor on the Seas of Time 130p ( 2/3)
5. Agatha Christie - Elephants can Remember 299p (38/39)
6. Agatha Christie - Curtain: Poirot's Last Case 283p (39/39) Finish The Series
7. Ursun's Teeth - Graham Mcneill 256p (2/2) Finish The Series
8. Thunderhead - Neal Shusterman 515p (2/3)
9. Watchers in Death - David Annandale 198p (9/12)
10. The Last Son of Dorn - David Guymer 241p (10/12)
11. Shadow of Ullanor -  Rob Sanders 204p (11/12)
12. The Beheading - Guy Haley 250p (12/12)
13. Last of the Ravagers - Bryan Smith 256p
14. No Guilt of Bloodshed - John Baltisberger 158p
15. Childhood's End - Arthur C Clarke 237p (solo)
16. Thanquol's Doom -  C L Werner 416p
17. Road of the Patriarch - RA Salvatore 373p
18. Uma Aventura nas Arábias  (Portuguese children's book) 228p (Solo)
19. The Deadly Grimoire - Rosemary Jones 344p
20. Shadows of Pnath - Josh Reynolds 332p
21. In the Coils of Labyrinth - David Annadale 345p
22. The Ravening Deep - Tim Pratt 330p
23. Year Zero - Jeff Long - 498p (solo)
24. Crowfall - Ed McDonald - 454p

TBR Pile, Books received piling up...

1. Chancy - Louis L'Amour 195p
2. Vran: The Chaos Warped - DM Ritzlin 200p
3. Once a Killer - Anthology 307p
4. The End and the Death  Volume 2 - Dan Abnett 745p
5. Cold West - Clayton Snyder 159p
6. Conan of the Aquilonia - Antholgoy 159p
7. Of Darkness and Light - Ryan Cahill 688p
8. A Thunder of Stars - John Kippax
9. Seed of Stars - John Kippax
10. The Neutral Stars - John Kippax
11. Where the STars Guide - John Kippax
12. Conan the Mercenary
13. Conan and the Sorcerer
14. Conan and the treasure of Tranicus
15. Conan and the Flame Knife
16. Conan the Liberator
    
17. Conan The Sword of Skelos
18. Conan The Road of Kngs
19. Conan and the Spider God
20. Conan the Rebel
21. Conan the Defender
22. Conan the Destroyer
23. My Lord Barbarian - Andrew Offut
24. The Eyes of Sarsis - Andrew Offut
25. Web of the Spider - Andrew Offut
26. Demon in the Mirror - Andrew Offut
27. The Iron lords - Andrew Offut
28. All of Your Dreams Will Come True When You're Dead - John Wayne Comunale - 186p
29. Redwall - Brian von Jacques -333p
30. Untamed Realms - Anthology (Sigmar)
31. Galaxy of Horrors - Anthology (40K)
32. Da Gobbo Rides Again - Rhuairidh James 105p
33. Ship of Fools  - Paulo Russo 368p
34. Crucible  - James Rollins 606p
35. First Light - Peter Ackryod 328p
36. At the Narrow PAssage - Timeliner Trilogy - Richard Meredith 240p
37. No Brother, No Friend - Timeliner Trilogy - Richard Meredith 235p
38. Vestiges of Time  - Timeliner Trilogy - Richard Meredith 235p
39. Blood of Gods - Conn Iggulden 500

Expected to Arrive

1. Conan the Barbarian  (ebay)
2. The Silence of Ghosts  (ebay)
3. conan the unconquered (ebay)
4. Timeliner Trilogy - Richard Meredy (ebay)