Tag: Review

REVIEW – Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

Aimeeeliz

“There is a problem with that island. It is an accident waiting to happen.”

Jurassic Park has been one of my favorite movies for as long as I can remember. I first saw it in theaters when I was six – I was obsessed with dinosaurs. I don’t know if it was my age, or if it was just a “thing” in the early 90s, but it seemed that dinosaur mania had taken over. Dinosaurs were EVERYWHERE. And as a kid, that was awesome.

I’ve seen Jurassic Park more times than I can count. I know the movie backwards and forwards. But for some reason, I had never read the book.

I am kind of glad I waited until I was older to read the book. It’s amazing – it’s much more in depth than the movie. Some parts are scarier. It’s gory. It’s tense.

I didn’t think the ending was as impactful as the movie, but it was still good.

I’m a Jurassic Park purist. I think the first movie is perfect on its own, and the sequels are pure entertainment (but unnecessary). However, I will definitely consider picking up The Lost World (and checking out more of Crichton’s books).

I know the T-Rex is always a fan favorite, but the raptors steal the show – both on screen and in the book.

“Believe me, all the problems we have so far, are nothing compared with what we’d have if the raptors ever got out of their holding pen.”

REVIEW – Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery

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“I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.”

I’m so glad I finally read Anne of Green Gables this year, and I’m excited that I was able to find a boxed set of the series!

Anne of Avonlea was a lovely, cozy book, although not *quite* as magical or memorable as the first (but still good!)

I found myself laughing out loud while reading. I loved my journey back to Avonlea and catching up with the characters I grew to love in the first book.

Anne is such a delightful character – I love how she’s able to find goodness in joy in everyone and everything.

REVIEW – The Islanders by Meg Mitchell Moore

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This book is good. The characters are well-developed, their struggles are realistic and the setting is lovely. It’s a great summer read.

I really enjoyed Lu’s chapters the most, and I thought her friendship with Anthony was sweet and relatable.

The story wasn’t incredibly exciting, but I don’t think it needed to be. When I was about a quarter of the way in I was waiting for something to “kick in” but then I realized it’s simply a book about people and is 100% character driven.

The Islanders is a light, easy read, either for people who gravitate toward these types of books, or for readers like me who need a palate cleanser between thrillers/mysteries.

I received an ARC of this book from William Morrow as part of a Goodreads giveaway.

REVIEW – A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

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“Stories are the wildest things of all, the monster rumbled. Stories chase and bite and hunt.”

I read this in one sitting and it emotionally wrecked me. What an incredible book – I pretty much knew where it would end up but that didn’t make getting there any less memorable or emotional.

The artwork in this book is stunning. And even at 200 pages, it’s a quick read.

“There is not always a good guy. Nor is there always a bad one. Most people are somewhere in between.”

REVIEW – An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Aimeeeliz

Woof. This book was…fine.

It was a bit too long. Way too repetitive. And took way too long to get to the point. I also felt that most of the “twists” were hinted at so heavily throughout the book that once revealed they simply confirmed my suspicions instead of being shocking surprises.

I thought the first half of this book was great – I was on board, I was interested and I was ready to learn more. Then it just kept going…and going…

I enjoyed The Wife Between Us so I will give these authors another try if they write more books.

REVIEW – The Summer We Lost Her by Tish Cohen

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The Summer We Lost Her is an absolute gut punch. Tish Cohen has written amazing, complex and, in some cases, despicable characters.

This book is incredibly atmospheric – I could vividly picture Lake Placid and imagine myself right alongside Elise and Matt. Even though I knew Gracie was going to go missing, the moment in the book where it happens was still incredibly emotional.

I absolutely hated two characters in particular, to the point that my husband had to ask if I was okay because I scoffed so loudly after reading a chapter. Cohen’s writing is THAT good.

An amazing read for anyone who likes deep domestic fiction with just a dash of thriller/suspense.

Thank you Scout Press for providing me with a review copy of this book!

REVIEW – Inspection by Josh Malerman

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My middle-ish rating is not indicative of Malerman’s writing. Malerman is a fantastic writer. However, I think this book was maybe 80 pages too long, or may have been more impactful as a short story.

It does start to get a bit slow and repetitive at times, but the ending is fast and insane and…brutal.

Inspection has elements reminiscent of 1984, Never Let Me Go and The Giver.

It’s an incredibly unique story, and although not quite as memorable as Bird Box, still enjoyable for those who like some sci-fi/light horror.

REVIEW – Your Life is Mine by Nathan Ripley

Aimeeeliz

Your Life is Mine reads like an episode of Criminal Minds. There are twists you will likely predict, but others that will be a gut punch.

The best way to summarize this book is: You’re in a cult, call your dad. (Fellow Murderinos will understand!) The cult aspect of this book was eerie – Chuck Varner is like a cross between Charles Manson and a Columbine shooter. The mindset of those who will blindly follow a deranged, violent cult leader is chilling.

Overall, it’s an interesting, gritty thriller. I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in true crime – there’s definitely some true crime elements in this story.

Thank you to Atria Books for providing me with an ARC to read and review!

REVIEW – Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

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This is a very hyped book that fell flat for me. The writing is beautiful, don’t get me wrong.

But I must be too much of a cynic, not enough of a romantic, someone who reads too many “twisty” books for this one to affect me.

I just didn’t find the storyline realistic – I know it’s fiction, but I felt that it was intended to be a “real” story and it just wasn’t believable. And I couldn’t connect with the romantic plot(s).

I didn’t think the “murder mystery” part of the story was really necessary, either. The rest of the book would have worked without it.