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Max S. - Reviews

1 to 7 of 7
Blind Eye (Benjamin Justice, Bk 5)
Blind Eye (Benjamin Justice, Bk 5)
Author: John Morgan Wilson
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 10
Review Date: 8/20/2009


Yet another dark entry in Wilson's Justice series, I found this book just about as enjoyable as his others. These novels feel a little trashy, but in a good way - like an old dime detective novel. Definitely a guilty pleasure, but I'm going to keep reading these.


The Dark Is Rising (Dark is Rising, Bk 2)
The Dark Is Rising (Dark is Rising, Bk 2)
Author: Susan Cooper
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 67
Review Date: 8/20/2009


Cooper's young adult novels are fun, if a bit dated. A lot of it doesn't feel very exciting because the children involved are always kept extremely safe and rarely in any kind of immediate and really threatening danger - which is markedly different from today's Harry Potter or A Series of Unfortunate Events works. There are still a lot of interesting concepts and the story itself is timeless.


Darkover Landfall (Darkover, Bk 1)
Darkover Landfall (Darkover, Bk 1)
Author: Marion Zimmer Bradley
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 61
Review Date: 8/20/2009
Helpful Score: 2


I wanted to enjoy this book and did until about halfway through when it became anti-abortion propaganda, combined with a very grim view of women's rights. I finished it, but I won't read any of Bradley's work again - left a very bad taste in my mouth.


Eragon (Inheritance, Bk 1)
Eragon (Inheritance, Bk 1)
Author: Christopher Paolini
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 790
Review Date: 7/9/2009


Eragon is an interesting, albeit bland, blend of a lot of the things that are considered the origins of contemporary fantasy. Unfortunately Paolini has little comprehension of what it takes to make a compelling character, and Eragon himself is not only obnoxious at most times, but often too perfect for anyone to feel any kind of connection toward. The world and it's people are shallow at best, which only heightens the sense that the lead character is some kind of untouchable fanfiction character that the author has created to enact his personal fantasies of being in Lord of the Rings, Dragon Riders of Pern, or Star Wars.

While this is decidedly children's literature, I think it has underestimated even it's target audience's intelligence.

One would be better served - if one is an adult that sometimes enjoys young adult fiction (as I do), by simply tracking down copies of the original works that inspired this.


Fahrenheit 451
Fahrenheit 451
Author: Ray Bradbury
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 1438
Review Date: 7/10/2009
Helpful Score: 1


It's amazing how relevant this book still is to today's society. It's written gorgeously, and though it's a short read, quite captivating. I finished in a span of several hours and feel it time well spent.


The Last Sherlock Holmes Story
The Last Sherlock Holmes Story
Author: Michael Dibdin
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 2/5 Stars.
 4
Review Date: 3/13/2010
Helpful Score: 2


A plot I kept hoping was more complex than it was, and it turned out not to be. The book could have been about fifty pages shorter and attained the same point.


Torsos
Torsos
Author: John Peyton Cooke
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 2.5/5 Stars.
 4
Review Date: 3/13/2010


Interestingly written, good account of the events that it is inspired by. I didn't love it, but I enjoyed it. Worth reading!


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