Tag Archives: Audiobooks

Book Review, 2 Treasure Boxes, Public Library, Goodreads, Horror

City of Night by Dean Koontz

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This entry is part [part not set] of 3 in the series Frankenstein

Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes
Frankenstein Book 2
Publisher: Random House Audio, Listening Length: 8 hours and 29 minutes (400 pages), ASIN: B000ALAL5S


The creator of Frankenstein is creating and enslaving his own private race of super beings. The only problem is he is crazy and his beings are starting to break down. It is now current day and police detectives Carsen and Michael with a little help from Deucalion are trying to stop this insanity, but Victor’s influence is causing the evidence to disappear and no one believes there is a problem.

Dean Koontz has written numerous books, primarily suspense thrillers, but City of Nights falls into the horror genre, it is the second of five books written in his Frankenstein series. He co-wrote the first novel in this series with Kevin J. Anderson and City of Nights with Ed Gorman.  It is told in the third person narrative from the point of view of the various different characters in the book.

Victor is the ultimate in evil. In the original he was a good guy and suffered greatly at the hands of his creation. But 200 years of power has corrupted him, or perhaps the adjustments he did to himself to prolong his life have caused him to become insane. His creations are all self destructing but there’s no real explanation as to why and why now. We get an inside view of some of the characters that Victor has created.  There was some amusing banter between Mike and Carsen and they are both great characters.

There is still no conclusion to the story, this novel is more like the end of a part than the end of a book.  It definitely falls into the horror category with some pretty gruesome scenes but it also had lots of action and an intriguing story. I am wondering how Carsen, Michael and Deucalion are going to stop Victor.  I will be reading the next installment to see what happens next and how this tale unfolds.

To Purchase: “City of Night” from Amazon, click here or on picture above
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Book Review, Fantasy, 3 Treasure Boxes, Public Library, Goodreads, Young Adult

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods by Suzanne Collins

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This entry is part [part not set] of 5 in the series The Underland Chronicles

Book Review: 3 Treasure Boxes
Third Book in the Underland Chronicles
Publisher: Listening Library, Listening Length: 7 hours and 47 minutes (368 pages), ASIN: B000DN5UQI


The plague is killing people in the Underland in a very gruesome and horrific manner. When Gregor and Boots where called to the Underland, Gregor’s mother insisted on accompanying them, but she became ill with the plague while visiting. It is up to 12 year old Gregor, as the warrior, to find the cure and save his mother and friends from death.

This is the third of five books in The Underland Chronicles. It is a fantasy book aimed at 9 to 12 year olds, but can also be classified as Young Adult. The story primarily takes place on earth in the Underland, far below New York City. The story is told in the third person narrative from the point of view of the main protagonist, Gregor. Suzanne Collins has also written The Hunger Games plus a couple of other books written for youths.

This book examines discrimination and it shows the evil that can come about when people are influenced by the terrible belief that others are inferior. Gregor is given hints that the cure for the plague may not be quite what it seems and as the story unfolds we are able to see that this is true. The characters are endearing, especially Gregor and Boots. The story is well told and grabs our attention from the first page and keeps us engaged right up to the last page.

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods is a standalone story, but it also left a few loose ends.  I will be reading the next book in the series to see how these all tie together.  I recommend this series, but it is quite graphic and at times sad, so I do not recommend it for young children.

To purchase: “Gregor And The Curse Of The Warmbloods” from Amazon, click here or on picture above
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Book Review, 2 Treasure Boxes, Public Library, Goodreads, Crime novel

Purity in Death by J. D. Robb

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This entry is part [part not set] of 26 in the series In Death Series

Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes
In Death Series, Book 17
Publisher: Brilliance Audio, Listening Length: 11 hours and 6 minutes (320 pages), ASIN: B0019ZWM74


A computer program written by a group of terrorist vigilantes is killing people. They have decided to rid the world of the dregs of society, people who are preying on children. This program causes these evil miscreants to go crazy and die.  The only problem is they are taking innocent people down with them.  Although these people deserve to die, Eve is still determined to find the killers and stop them.

Purity in Death is the seventeenth instalment in the In Death series by J.D. Robb. To date she has written 42 books in the series, with one more expected to be released in February of 2012.  These are crime drama, suspense and romance because they focus on the case Eve is currently working on as well as her and Roake’s personal relationship. This is a futuristic suspense that takes place in 2059 in New York City. The books are told in a third person narrative that focuses primarily on Lieutenant Eve Dallas, but at times the story is also told through some of the other characters including the murderer. They are written by Nora Roberts under the pseudonym of J. D. Robb.

Eve and Peabody with a little help from Roake, McNab and Feeney are hot on the trail of these cold blooded murders.  They will stop at nothing and let no one get in their way as they follow the trail of the guilty. Trueheart gets pulled into this story as a minor player in this story.  The plot unfolds in a well paced manner with a good build up to the final unveiling.

The story was interesting and kept me engaged right up until the end. It was not one of the better books written in the series, but it was still worth reading. If you enjoy reading crime drama with a strong female lead in a futuristic environment, then you will enjoy this book.

To Purchase: “Purity in Death” from Amazon, click here or on picture above

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4 Treasure Boxes, Public Library, Goodreads, Drama

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

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Book Review: 4 Treasure Boxes
Publisher: Random House Audio (February 3, 2009), Audible Audio Edition, Listening Length: 23 hour(s) and 58 min. (667 pages), ASIN: B001RMWBFC


WOW!! An engrossing story centering on love and redemption.  Twin brothers, Marion and Shiva Stone are born in 1952 at a small missionary hospital in Ethiopia. Initially, conjoined, their birth resulted from the unlikely union of an Indian nun and a talented but aloof British Doctor.   This is a 360° view of their life as shown through the eyes of one of the twins.

Cutting for Stone is a wonderful first novel written by Abraham Verghese. He is a medical doctor, with Indian parents and he was raised in Ethiopia near Addis Ababa. It is told in the first person narrative with the voice of Marion, and sometimes it takes on a third person narrative when Marion is telling his mother or father’s story.

The setting is primarily in Ethiopia and we experience the turmoil that was going on in that country.  We also get a hint of what life was like there including a glimpse of the Ethiopian people. This is a beautiful story; painted with vivid and stunning word pictures. Mr. Verghese medical background adds an interesting dimension to this narration as Marion’s character develops as a Doctor.  He weaves together an incredible tale with phenomenal character development. The story swung full circle and although sombre it was still satisfying.

I highly recommend this novel. It has all, it made me laugh, it made me cry.  Although the ending was surprising and somewhat sad, it was still great.

My Favourite Quote from the book: “Wasn’t that the definition of home? Not where you’re from, but where you’re wanted.”

To purchase: “Cutting for Stone” from Amazon, click here or on picture above

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Alternate History, 2 Treasure Boxes, Public Library, Goodreads, Science Fiction

Against the Tide of Years by S. M. Stirling

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This entry is part [part not set] of 2 in the series Nantucket Series

Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes
Book two in the Nantucket Series
Publisher: Tantor Audio (November 17, 2008), Audible Audio Edition, Listening Length: 21 hour(s) and 47 min. (454 pages), ASIN: B001NNC0KG


The Island of Nantucket moved 3,000 years into the past 8 years ago. Against the Tide of Years shows how the Islander’s are adapting, what impact they are having on the Bronze age society. Walker and his evil wife Alice Hong are still rampaging and causing strife wherever they go, it is now time to track them down and stop them but something always seems to interfere with this task.

This is the second of three books in the Nantucket series, and it is considered both science fiction and alternative history.  Mr. Stirling has written numerous books and series in the science fiction, fantasy and alternative history genres.  It is told in a third person narrative by the various different characters.

The Islander’s have set up a good operation with a decent political system, the only problem is, they are starting to get complacent. They know they have to deal with Walker but it is simpler to put it off, until trouble comes looking for them. I was appalled that Hong has been torturing and disfiguring people for 8 years and I want to see her and Walker captured and tortured, but based on Hong’s personality, she might like this. We are introduced to a few new characters and some of the gang has moved into new territory.

I enjoyed the story, but I felt there were too many battle scenes with too little character development. I will read the final book in the series, but I am going to wait a while.

Question to Ponder: Based on the actions that Hong and Walker have particpated in, if and when they are finally stopped should they be made to suffer for all the pain they has caused, or would it be better to just remove them from existence?

To Purchase: “Against the Tide of Years” from Amazon, click here or on picture above1 FREE Audiobook RISK-FREE from Audible

Alternate History, Book Review, 2 Treasure Boxes, Public Library, Goodreads, Science Fiction

Dies the Fire by S. M. Stirling

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This entry is part [part not set] of 1 in the series Emberverse I

Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes
First book in The Emberverse I Series
Publisher: Roc (September 6, 2005), Paperback: 592 pages, ISBN-10: 0451460413, ISBN-13: 978-0451460417

What would happen to our world, if technological processes were no longer available? The same phenomena that caused Nantucket to move back in time 3,000 years from Island in the Sea of Time has affected our current society in Dies the Fire. Imagine how our world would respond with the ability to only utilize the technology available at the end of the bronze age (1,500 BC.)  This is an interesting concept and Mr. Stirling does a wonderful job of analysing the various situations that would arise while examining how different people would react.

S. M. Stirling has written numerous books and series, primarily in the fantasy, science fiction and alternate history genres.  There are three books in The Emberverse I series and currently there are five books in The Emberverse II series, with two more books expected to be released over the next few years. The book is told in a third person narrative from the various different characters point of view.  The main protagonists are the leaders of the two separate groups: Michael Havel from the Bearkillers and Juniper Mackenzie from Clan MacKenzie.

The characters are interesting and diverse with the introduction of two separate groups of “good” people who start out small but slowly attract others.  They draw together and using a little bit of brains and plenty of luck manage to carve out an existence for themselves in the new world. These groups initially do not know each other, but soon come into contact with some interesting consequences. There is lots of action, especially in the last third of the book which focuses primarily on battles being fought. There were perhaps just a few too many battle scenes for my taste.  There are plenty of bullies and bad guys who emerge as well and this is where the majority of the conflict resides.

I enjoyed the book and I really liked the concept.  I probably will read the next book in the series, but I need a break from all the battle scenes.

Favourite Quote: There’s no real refuge from what’s happening in the world, and what refuge there is, is in other people.

Question to ponder: if our current society lost all its technology and there was no gun power of any kind,  only brute strength and physical weapons, who would end up ruling the world? Would there be enough good people to pull together and become the dominant society or would the bullys end up ruling the world?

To purchase: “Dies the Fire” from Amazon, click here or on picture above

Mobipocket, Goodreads, Crime novel, 2 Treasure Boxes

Betrayal in Death by J. D. Robb

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This entry is part [part not set] of 26 in the series In Death Series

Book Review: 2 Treasure Boxes
In Death Series, Book 13
Publisher: The Penguin Publishing Group (Electronic Edition: August 2001), EBook: 593 KB, Language: English, ISBN:0-7865-0117-0

Why would a vicious and expensive hired killer, want to murder a simple chamber maid? Eve and her team are going to find out. Meanwhile, Eve must support her sexy husband Roake while he is handling a big charity auction for a celebrity. Add into the mix, Mick Connelly, a friend from Roake’s childhood and you have an interesting story. This is a good futuristic suspense novel featuring Lieutenant Eve Dallas.  She is a tough, smart, likeable homicide detective. In each book she solves a crime and finds the killer. The book also encompasses her entire life including her personal relationships.

Betrayal in Death is the thirteenth book in the In Death series by J.D. Robb, to date she has written 40 books in the series, with 2 more expected to be released later in 2011. I have read most of these books and found them all to be enjoyable and well written. This book falls into both the crime drama and romance categories as the book focuses on the case Eve is currently working on as well as Eve and Roake’s relationship. This is a futuristic suspense that takes place in 2059 in New York City. The books are told in a third person narrative that focuses primarily on Lieutenant Eve Dallas, but at times the story is also told through some of the other characters including the murderer. The books are written by Nora Roberts under the pseudonym of J. D. Robb.

The story introduces the murderer and then slowly unravels what is driving him. I thought the description of the FBI agents actions and agenda was interesting. I like how all the pieces of the tale fell together, with the convergence of the murders with the robbery.  We learn a bit more about Roake’s past and motivations with the introduction of his boyhood friend. The story built up to an exciting, although not totally satisfying ending. I found it impossible to guess who was behind the murders until it was revealed.  I always enjoy reading the personal dynamics between Peabody and McNab as well as Eve and Roake.

This is a standalone book but I am sure that if you read it you would be quickly reading the other books in the series, but the books should be read in order. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about strong female lead characters and enjoys a suspensful crime drama. The story is well written and enjoyable. I also recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about a bit of romance since there is a fair bit of this as well as some hot sex scenes between Eve and Roake.

My Favourite quote from the book: “ Yeah, I can see how your mother’s to blame for all this.”

Questions to ponder:

Did anyone else find the ending unsatisfying?

Who is your favourite character in the In-Death series?

To Purchase: “Betrayal in Death” in from Amazon, click here or on picture above