Review: Room by Emma Donoghue
Think of “Room” as an experiment of sorts. It isn’t a lengthy or overly demanding piece, despite the hesitant progress and rereading that comes with its opening chapters and initially distracting presentation. It is the sort of book that, regardless of one’s final opinion, will stick to the back of the consciousness for days afterward, demanding contemplation and consideration.
Review: 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill
It is doubtful that one will truly like every piece found here, but so too is it unlikely that one will dislike them all. The important thing to note is that the highs and lows are evenly spread throughout and for the most part mild in their permutations, and should consequently ensure an engaging reading experience from beginning to end.
Review: Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
Ultimately, this is a story about the humans (those on both sides of the great mortality debate) that live in a dangerous world and how they find peace within it. There’s plenty of violence thrown in, of course, but it never feels excessive or pointless. Instead, it helps further the story and give depth to the characters and their actions.
Review: Plague by Michael Grant
To be honest, I feel that this series may have peaked with “Lies.” While “Plague” is an excellent follow-up, it feels more like a maintainer than an innovator, keeping the quality of the story steady instead of enhancing it. Rather than significantly improving upon the aspects of its predecessors, as the last two books have done, this installment keeps the status quo.
Review: Lies by Michael Grant
A much thinner read than its predecessors, Grant’s third offering packs so much excellence into every page that any possibility of the shorter length being a hindrance to the storytelling is crushed within the first few chapters. It may not be long, but it’s a damn good story.
Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
So, yeah: I liked “Shatter Me.” It has plenty of teeth-grinding stupidity, but I certainly don’t dislike it as much as many others seem to. I think that Ms. Mafi shows a great deal of promise, and I’ll be reading the rest of the trilogy to see if she can overcome her issues and smooth out those rough edges.
