Review: Don't Fear the Reaper

Don't Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Don't Fear the Reaper, the second book in the Lake Witch Trilogy, by Stephen Graham Jones from Gallery Books via NetGalley.

Not very long ago, I finished My Heart is a Chainsaw, the first book in this trilogy, and I was SO EXCITED when I got an email that I would be getting a copy of Don't Fear the Reaper!  I already had about other five books checked out of the library and teed up to read, but I set them all aside for this one.  I couldn't wait to find out where this story would go.  

Some time has passed since the first book, but the events of that book still haunt many of the characters.  How could they not????  You definitely want to read these books in order.  While Jennifer/Jade is still a main character, we have a new voice writing papers for history credit.  I'm wondering what that will mean for the final installment in the trilogy.  Horror movies still play a leading role.  There are still supernatural elements even though a legitimately real serial killer is on the loose.  Fans of horror movies really need to read this series.

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Review: 22 Seconds

22 Seconds by James Patterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

22 Seconds is the 22nd book in the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro.  While there are references to the previous books, you could definitely start here.  If you do that though, you may wonder why people are invested enough in this series to read 22 books.  

While all the members of the Women's Murder Club make appearances and contributions to the story, this book is mostly focused on Lindsey and Joe.  Their part of the story is very appropriate for the times we live in.  And while I don't mind having a story focused on them, I hope we get back to the whole club soon.  I miss that interplay.  

Bonus points for Martha.  I hope this series ends before something happens to that dog!

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Review: Uncharted Waters

Uncharted Waters by Sally Hepworth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Uncharted Waters is a short story by Sally Hepworth available through Amazon Original Stories.  At 49 pages, you can easily read this in one sitting.  This one is best if you haven't read too much about it going in.

I'm not even sure how this story came to my attention.  I've never read anything by Sally Hepworth before.  However, I am a sucker for a story that takes places at a retreat, camp, cult, you get the picture.  I also watch a lot of Below Deck.  A wellness retreat on a private yacht...I'm in!  I'm not going to give away many details.  Instead, I will say the vibe was mystery thriller like Basic Instinct if it was PG-13.  There's definitely tension and you aren't sure how it ends.  Very engaging!

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Review: The Last Watch

The Last Watch by J.S. Dewes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Last Watch is the first book in The Divide series by J.S. Dewes.  I haven't read the second book yet, but it would seem this is a good place to start because it sets up a lot of background information I would see one needing for a future book.  

I'm relatively new to hard sci-fi and space operas.  Since they aren't a natural choice for me, I need a good hook to get me beyond the cover.  In this case, J.S. Dewes was on a panel I attended.  Hearing Dewes speak about this book and writing in general got me interested in what this book might offer.  While this was definitely more hard sci-fi, it wasn't daunting.  It's an interesting group of fleshed-out characters.  There was a good amount of humor for a book about the impending collapse of the universe.  The only caveat I have is if the trolley car problem gives you nightmares, this might not be the book for you.  You can feel the weight of those types of decisions.

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Review: I Choose Darkness

I Choose Darkness by Jenny Lawson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I Choose Darkness is a short essay about holidays by Jenny Lawson available through Amazon Original Stories.  This is the best time of year to read it, so get on it!

It is no secret that I love Jenny Lawson.  I read all her books.  I follow all her socials.  And before you start to think she should maybe take out a restraining order on me, I would like to say it is because I share a lot of her opinions on things.  Also, I once went on a date to a Michelin-star restaurant with a taxidermied stoat dressed in a top hat and tails.  It was the best date of my life.  Jenny would understand.  I digress.  I would have read this based on the title alone.  That Jenny wrote it, made it even more attractive.  That it is about my favorite holiday EVER is the icing on the cake.  I'm not going to tell you which holiday, but it is the best holiday, my family's favorite holiday, and everything Jenny says about it is spot on.    

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Review: Ready Player Two

Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline is the sequel to Ready Player One.  You will definitely want to read these in order.  There are many references to the first book in this one.  

You don't have to be a gamer to like these stories.  It is more important that you be at least somewhat interested in the 80s.  There are so many references!  This is a sci-fi action thriller much like the first book.  My favorite thing about this is how we visit virtual worlds based on a very specific theme, like John Hughes or Prince.  I was really invested in the John Hughes world and would really like if someone could get on creating that ASAP.  

This is a cautionary tale about getting to know your heroes.  If they are human, they are probably flawed in some way.  But it also gets into some deep ethical and moral decisions that make you think.  The ending walks a fine line.  Overall, just a lot of fun for me.

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