Review: The Omega Factor

The Omega Factor by Steve Berry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Omega Factor by Steve Berry is a standalone novel that takes place in the Cotton Malone universe but does not include any of those characters.  Instead we meet Nick Lee who works for UNESCO investigating crimes against cultural heritage locations and items.  Through a personal connection with a nun he gets drawn into a Catholic mystery involving art, Cathars, Joan of Arc and the Virgin Mary.  Yes, please!  As always, you get the great blend of history and action that Berry consistently delivers.  If you already enjoy the Cotton Malone series, give this a read!  If you have never read a Steve Berry novel, this is a good starter.

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Review: I Was a Teenage Slasher

I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones from Saga Press via NetGalley.

I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones is yet another amazing foray into slasher movies from the perspective of someone living in one.  Tolly Driver is just a teenage boy trying to graduate from high school in west Texas when he unexpectedly finds himself living by the rules of a slasher movie except he is the slasher.  That's not really a spoiler.  It is right there in the title.  The book is him telling his story.  He didn't want to be a slasher.  He didn't even watch horror movies!  Fortunately, his best friend did.  She's a smart cookie and picks up on the signs right away.  The only problem is those movies never tell you how to stop someone from becoming a slasher.  They try their best though.  It is odd to find a book with a lot of violence heartwarming but I'm going to use that word.  I really felt for Tolly and his predicament.  And everyone needs a best friend like Amber.  Lots of nostalgia for growing up in the 80s as well.  Good stuff!

Finally, if you have a peanut allergy, don't accept a soda from anyone in the south apparently.  I didn't even know that was a thing. 

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Review: The Book of Elsewhere

The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves and China Mieville from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley.

The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves and China Mieville is based on the BRZRKR comic books created by Keanu.  I haven't read the comic books, but the story sounded very interesting.  This is weird fiction.  You have to be ok with not knowing exactly what is happening in the very beginning. The story will reveal itself with chapters alternating between "present" time and stories from the past that tell the history of Unute aka B.  Not only does B come back from the dead, he also goes into rage states where he becomes a killing machine.  If you don't do well with violence, you might want to skip this.  Although B is the main character, I wouldn't define him as a hero.  He's not necessarily a villain either.  The first few chapters were very slow going as I puzzled things out.  Once it all started to click, the pace really picked up.  You had me at religious fanaticism and pig-worshipping cults!  If you have read the comic books, definitely pick this up.  If you haven't but are looking for something that is an atypical action thriller, give this a go.

Bonus points for incorporating Babe, the immortal babirusa.  Honestly my favorite character.  I could read a whole series just based on Babe's adventures through history.  

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Review: Skein Island

Skein Island by Aliya Whiteley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Skein Island by Aliya Whitely is a dark tale about Fate.  Yes, Fate with a capital F.  I put it on my list because it is about an island that hosts a women-only retreat.  That theme keeps appearing in my life, so I may just have to sign up for one soon.  Women apply for an invitation to spend one week, all expenses paid, escaping from the rest of the world in exchange for writing the story of their life.  Sounds like an amazing deal!  Turns out there is a catch.  There is always a catch.  That catch is a bit terrifying.  People into mythology may also like this book.

My edition contained a bonus short story set in the same world but with different characters.  I enjoyed it too.  

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Review: Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters

Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters by Mark Dunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters by Mark Dunn is a delightful epistolary story with "a novel in letters" being a play on words of sorts.  Yes, it is told through letters, but it is also about letters, alphabet letters.  In an isolated island society, the local government decides to start banning the usage of letters of the alphabet based on a perceived divine intervention.  As letters get banned, the letters are written without them.  If you ever thought a letter was expendable, have a read!  The book is very cleverly written and can appeal to a broad audience but especially language nerds.  

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Review: Cat + Gamer Volume 1

Cat + Gamer Volume 1 by Wataru Nadatani
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cat + Gamer, Volume 1 is manga by Wataru Nadatani.  Easy to read in one sitting, Volume 1 introduces the story of a gamer girl who adopts a kitten.  She doesn't know much about cats, so she tries to user gamer logic to comical results.  As a gamer girl and an animal lover, this manga was made for me.  In my experience, cats tend to like video games, so this is a perfect combination.  It's a very cute and fun read.

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Review: Silence For the Dead

Silence For the Dead by Simone St. James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Silence for the Dead by Simone St. James is the embodiment of that phrase, "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you."  This is a ghost story wrapped up in gothic imagery.  An isolated mansion converted into a convalescence home for soldiers with what we would now think is PTSD set in the 1900s has to be haunted.  That's the rule.  This story is not particularly scary but haunting is a good description.  Nice if you are feeling gothy.

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Review: The 23rd Midnight

The 23rd Midnight by James Patterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The 23rd Midnight is the 23rd book in the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro.  You could start here, but this book's storyline makes reference to a previous storyline that is worth reading first.  All your favorite characters get some time.  We also get some hints that at least one member of the club is thinking about retirement.  I had been wondering when that day might come.  It all has to come to an end eventually.  The good news is there is another book already out so that time is not yet.

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