Knock, Knock by S.P. Miskowski is a fascinating tale of what not to do and the consequences not only for you, but for others nearby.
Three young girls decide to perform an ancient ritual against the advice of one who knows better. They go to the center of an old wood and make their blood pact calling up 50 years of terror.
Fact of the matter is that Knock, Knock frightened me as few horror stories do anymore. It has a strong psychological affect on you and you find yourself jumping at what used to be normal noises. Now they are harbingers of the evil coming for you.
The author has done a wonderful job with his first novel and should have a promising career scaring the pants off readers.
Knock, Knock by S.P. Miskowski is available as paperback or Kindle. Get it!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
The Burning Sky: Halcyon, Book One
The Burning Sky by Joseph Robert Lewis is the first novel in the Halcyon Trilogy. And what a fantastic beginning it is! Lewis gives us a well woven story with brilliant characters and non-stop adventure. I found the story so well written and entertaining that I flew through it and was surprised when I came to the end...and dismayed as I want the next novel immediately!
The story is described as a historical fantasy, but I would describe it more as an alternative steampunk history with the steampunk element a maybe. Whatever you may call it, you will be entranced with The Other World.
The central character, Taziri, is an airship engineer and pilot until the fleet is destroyed and most of the Air Corps killed. It is up to Taziri to chase down the killers through the horrors of mad doctors and ruthless assassins.
There is a detailed appendix at the end of the book along with a preview of the next book in the series, The Broken Sword: Halcyon, Book Two.
There are too many elements in The Burning Sky to tell here without giving up plot details and I don't do that.
I recommend you read this book as soon as possible. You'll be glad you did and will then be waiting for the next installment along with the rest of us.
The story is described as a historical fantasy, but I would describe it more as an alternative steampunk history with the steampunk element a maybe. Whatever you may call it, you will be entranced with The Other World.
The central character, Taziri, is an airship engineer and pilot until the fleet is destroyed and most of the Air Corps killed. It is up to Taziri to chase down the killers through the horrors of mad doctors and ruthless assassins.
There is a detailed appendix at the end of the book along with a preview of the next book in the series, The Broken Sword: Halcyon, Book Two.
There are too many elements in The Burning Sky to tell here without giving up plot details and I don't do that.
I recommend you read this book as soon as possible. You'll be glad you did and will then be waiting for the next installment along with the rest of us.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Review: Art of Imagination: 20th Century Visions of Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy
Art of Imagination is an eleven pound, 768 page book of glorious information and artwork. It is a monster of a book (10.25 x 13.25 x 2.25)which allows for near actual size reproductions of various covers. The presentation, color, text is outstanding and guaranteed to last a good long time.
I simply cannot stress enough how beautiful this book is and along with it's good looks, it is very informative.
If you can find a copy (plentiful online), buy it, read it, share it and cherish it. This is heard a lot, but Art of Imagination truly is a must have book for the fans of everything fiction and art.
Title: Art of Imagination: 20th Century Visions of Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy
Author(s): Frank M Robinson, Robert E Weinberg, Randy Broecker
Cover Art: Alex Schomburg
Publisher: Collector's Press Inc
Publication Date: 2002
Pages: 768
ISBN-10: 1888054727
Note:
Art of Imagination is a compilation of three published books;
Science Fiction of the 20th Century - Frank M Robinson
Horror of the 20th Century - Robert E Weinberg
Fantasy of the 20th Century - Randy Broecker
Art of Imagination is an eleven pound, 768 page book of glorious information and artwork. It is a monster of a book (10.25 x 13.25 x 2.25)which allows for near actual size reproductions of various covers. The presentation, color, text is outstanding and guaranteed to last a good long time.
I simply cannot stress enough how beautiful this book is and along with it's good looks, it is very informative.
If you can find a copy (plentiful online), buy it, read it, share it and cherish it. This is heard a lot, but Art of Imagination truly is a must have book for the fans of everything fiction and art.
Title: Art of Imagination: 20th Century Visions of Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy
Author(s): Frank M Robinson, Robert E Weinberg, Randy Broecker
Cover Art: Alex Schomburg
Publisher: Collector's Press Inc
Publication Date: 2002
Pages: 768
ISBN-10: 1888054727
Note:
Art of Imagination is a compilation of three published books;
Science Fiction of the 20th Century - Frank M Robinson
Horror of the 20th Century - Robert E Weinberg
Fantasy of the 20th Century - Randy Broecker
Review: Hellucination: A Memoir by Stephen Biro.
Hellucination is a book like no other and is a bit hard to categorize. There is some horror, a touch of auto-biography, some fantasy and above all, a bizarro tale of one man's trip to discover himself and to answer the big question...is there someone watching over us?
I admit to having a hard time describing the book without giving too much away and I don't like spoiler reviews. All I can say is that you really need to read Hellucination. It is an intriguing and trippy story that will leave you wondering about yourself and the great cosmos around us.
Highly recommended.
Title: Hellucination: A Memoir
Author: Stephen Biro
Artwork: Duncan Long
Limited Edition Artwork: Jason Hicks
Publisher: Unearthed Books
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 165
ISBN-10: 1466386819
ISBN-13: 978-1466386815
Friday, November 18, 2011
Review - Night at the Demontorium: Series One
Night at the Demontorium: Series One by Naima Haviland. http://naimahaviland.com/
A collection of short stories. An exceptional collection lovingly crafted of dark, thoughtful visions of death and addictions. The writing is surprisingly refreshing considering the subject matter.
I admit to having a difficult time describing the stories without telling all, so to speak. I can say that they are quick and easy to read while leaving you thoughtful at the end. Each story evokes a different response ranging from awe to disgust.
There five stories included in this release;
Aunt Téa's Addiction: Will leave you thoughtful at the very least. An extreme addiction.
He Dreams in Yellow: Depression, it's not what it's cracked up to be.
Sparky's First Day: Life in one's mind can be rewarding or at least a way out.
The Entrepreneur: This and the final story are my favorites. This one goes somewhere surprising and horrific.
Bedring: This is just crazy. Demonically crazy and an example of what a person will do to save themselves.
I am very glad to have discovered Naima Haviland and hope to read more of her work. Her stories are elegant and horrible both.
Night at the Demontorium: Series One is not to be missed.
A collection of short stories. An exceptional collection lovingly crafted of dark, thoughtful visions of death and addictions. The writing is surprisingly refreshing considering the subject matter.
I admit to having a difficult time describing the stories without telling all, so to speak. I can say that they are quick and easy to read while leaving you thoughtful at the end. Each story evokes a different response ranging from awe to disgust.
There five stories included in this release;
Aunt Téa's Addiction: Will leave you thoughtful at the very least. An extreme addiction.
He Dreams in Yellow: Depression, it's not what it's cracked up to be.
Sparky's First Day: Life in one's mind can be rewarding or at least a way out.
The Entrepreneur: This and the final story are my favorites. This one goes somewhere surprising and horrific.
Bedring: This is just crazy. Demonically crazy and an example of what a person will do to save themselves.
I am very glad to have discovered Naima Haviland and hope to read more of her work. Her stories are elegant and horrible both.
Night at the Demontorium: Series One is not to be missed.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The Worm Reads - Choosing To Be
Choosing To Be: Lessons in Living from a Feline Zen Master by Kat Tansey.
As a cat lover I have always known that cats were founts of wisdom whenever they chose to be. Kat Tansey and her personal budda-cat, Poohbear Degoonacoon (a Maine Coon) share the wisdom as a conversation throughout this book.
Chapter by chapter Poohbear doles out slivers of knowledge for those with a desire to learn and to find inner peace.
Choosing To Be truly is an entertaining read written with love and a nice dose of humor along the way. I found that I liked it best when I read one chapter at a time with a break in between, sometimes of a week or more. The conversation was just as fresh when I came back as it was when I left.
Do yourself (and your cats) a favor, pick up Choosing To Be by Kat Tansey today and read it for a long time.
As a cat lover I have always known that cats were founts of wisdom whenever they chose to be. Kat Tansey and her personal budda-cat, Poohbear Degoonacoon (a Maine Coon) share the wisdom as a conversation throughout this book.
Chapter by chapter Poohbear doles out slivers of knowledge for those with a desire to learn and to find inner peace.
Choosing To Be truly is an entertaining read written with love and a nice dose of humor along the way. I found that I liked it best when I read one chapter at a time with a break in between, sometimes of a week or more. The conversation was just as fresh when I came back as it was when I left.
Do yourself (and your cats) a favor, pick up Choosing To Be by Kat Tansey today and read it for a long time.
The Worm reads - The Uninvited
The Uninvited by Tim Wynne-Jones is a most excellent read. It is well written with full characters and rich dialogue.
Two people looking for peace and solitude find each other at a house on the snye (look it up, I had too!), but there is something else, someone else about. Or is there?
The Uninvited will grab you by the back of your mind and leave you with goosebumps of unconscious dread. All the while teaching, revealing how people, even family interact and react to one another and their environment.
Two people looking for peace and solitude find each other at a house on the snye (look it up, I had too!), but there is something else, someone else about. Or is there?
The Uninvited will grab you by the back of your mind and leave you with goosebumps of unconscious dread. All the while teaching, revealing how people, even family interact and react to one another and their environment.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Just the facts.
Via some unknown stupidity, a random act of idiocy, I managed to delete my site and lost all information, including reviews on it. So if you notice that some reviews have similar dates, it is because I am reposting as I can.
In between bouts of self-flagellation that is.
Please be patient with me as I get all my past reviews back up and get caught up on my current ones as well.
In between bouts of self-flagellation that is.
Please be patient with me as I get all my past reviews back up and get caught up on my current ones as well.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Crooked Little Vein
Crooked Little Vein is the title of the latest (and greatest) creation of Warren Ellis.
This has to be, hands down, the funniest novel I've read in some time. After reading his comic books for years, I had often wished he would write a novel and this is why. The sharp wit and dry humor will leave you gasping for air and your jaws aching from laughing so much.
Our protagonist is a PI named Michael McGill and is a bit of a stereotype. The guy sleeping in his office, wearing yesterdays shirts and wondering if he'll be able to pay the rent of have to sneak out of town.
Just he is wondering about this (and if his shirt is too yellowed to wear another day) he gets a visitor like no other. And no, it's not a beautiful bombshell, but rather a very strange little man making him an offer he can't refuse.
Michael is hired to find the 2nd (and very secret) Constitution. The so-called 'real' one.
So he's off and running. Unfortunately, Michael has a talent for falling into the worst sort of situations. Things just go bad around him and getting this job is only the smallest part of how bad things are going to get.
If you like mysteries, humor and very strange events, this is the book for you. In fact, you should buy it even if those aren't your things. Crooked Little Vein will convert you. Buy 2 copies and give one away. Afflict someone else with the writings of warren Ellis!
This has to be, hands down, the funniest novel I've read in some time. After reading his comic books for years, I had often wished he would write a novel and this is why. The sharp wit and dry humor will leave you gasping for air and your jaws aching from laughing so much.
Our protagonist is a PI named Michael McGill and is a bit of a stereotype. The guy sleeping in his office, wearing yesterdays shirts and wondering if he'll be able to pay the rent of have to sneak out of town.
Just he is wondering about this (and if his shirt is too yellowed to wear another day) he gets a visitor like no other. And no, it's not a beautiful bombshell, but rather a very strange little man making him an offer he can't refuse.
Michael is hired to find the 2nd (and very secret) Constitution. The so-called 'real' one.
So he's off and running. Unfortunately, Michael has a talent for falling into the worst sort of situations. Things just go bad around him and getting this job is only the smallest part of how bad things are going to get.
If you like mysteries, humor and very strange events, this is the book for you. In fact, you should buy it even if those aren't your things. Crooked Little Vein will convert you. Buy 2 copies and give one away. Afflict someone else with the writings of warren Ellis!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
A book of course!
I like to read and I like to talk about what I read. So this gives me a chance to talk to myself about books I've read or want to read.
To start off-
Dead To Me by Anton Strout.
Urban Fantasy at it's best and funniest.
Simon has a peculiar view of good and evil in that it is simply a black and white affair. You are good or you are evil, there isn't anything in between. A good part of this novel is of Simon learning the hard and usually humorous way that there is a lot of gray in the world as well.
Not to mention the foibles of falling for a ghost or a minion of evil. Then there are the attack-prone bookcases, file cabinets that eat people and the occasional outbreak of brain-loving zombies to be put down.
I haven't enjoyed a novel so much in quite a while and am eager to read the next book in the series. In fact, I couldn't put it down and read it non-stop from beginning to end with breaks for resting my sides from laughing so much.
This really is a must-read book and an exceptional first attempt for Anton Strout.
Now a brief message from the Penguin Group;
To start off-
Dead To Me by Anton Strout.
Urban Fantasy at it's best and funniest.
I believe this is Anton's first novel, although he does have a few short stories out that are excellent as well. As a first attempt, I would rate it very high.
Maybe even 5 bookworms out of 5!
Simon has a peculiar view of good and evil in that it is simply a black and white affair. You are good or you are evil, there isn't anything in between. A good part of this novel is of Simon learning the hard and usually humorous way that there is a lot of gray in the world as well.
Not to mention the foibles of falling for a ghost or a minion of evil. Then there are the attack-prone bookcases, file cabinets that eat people and the occasional outbreak of brain-loving zombies to be put down.
I haven't enjoyed a novel so much in quite a while and am eager to read the next book in the series. In fact, I couldn't put it down and read it non-stop from beginning to end with breaks for resting my sides from laughing so much.
This really is a must-read book and an exceptional first attempt for Anton Strout.
Now a brief message from the Penguin Group;
An excerpt from debut author Anton Strout's terrific urban fantasy novel, Dead To Me:
Possessing the power of psychometry has meant a life of petty crime and failed relationships for Simon Canderous, but now he's gone over to the good side. A recent recruit to New York City's underfunded and (mostly) secret Department of Extraordinary Affairs, Simon's learning his way around mazes of red tape, office politics, and the basics of paranormal investigation. But it's not just the paperwork that has him breathless...
After Simon spills his coffee on (okay, through) the mysterious ghost of a beautiful woman—who doesn't know she's dead—he and his mentor decide to track down her killers. But Simon's not at all prepared for the strange and nefarious plot that unfolds before him, one involving politically correct cultists, a large wooden fish, a homicidal bookcase, and the forces of Darkness, which kind of have a crush on him.
http://us.penguingroup.com/static/html/scifi-fantasy/deadtome.html
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