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tobin_elliott's reviews
354 reviews
Fever House by Keith Rosson
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Big city crime boss.
Demons.
Angels.
Shadowy, off-the-books government agency.
Collectors of eccentric, odd things.
Massive corporate military suppliers.
Rock 'n' roll.
Zombies.
Holy shit.
This book should not work. This is like not knowing what to make for dinner, and just making random grabs from cupboard and fridge contents and throwing it together...so you end up with eggs and Jell-O and soya sauce and icing sugar.
But, damned if Rosson doesn't just make it work, but he utterly smokes the concept.
The other thing that shouldn't work for me is zombies. I dislike zombies, because they're mostly really boring to me. But, much like THE WALKING DEAD, Rosson knows that, if used sparingly and more as a trigger for other things, they can be effective.
Seriously, this book truly blew me away. Rosson takes a lot of care with his characters, and the plotting is both intricate and unguessable. This is easily in the top five horror novels I've read this year, and it may be the top one (we'll see when I read the follow-up in a couple of months).
But yeah, I haven't read a lot like this, but if I must compare it to something, I'd compare it to the best of John Skipp and Craig Spector's co-authored works, but more complex and intricately plotted.
Brilliant stuff. Easiest five stars I've given this year.
Demons.
Angels.
Shadowy, off-the-books government agency.
Collectors of eccentric, odd things.
Massive corporate military suppliers.
Rock 'n' roll.
Zombies.
Holy shit.
This book should not work. This is like not knowing what to make for dinner, and just making random grabs from cupboard and fridge contents and throwing it together...so you end up with eggs and Jell-O and soya sauce and icing sugar.
But, damned if Rosson doesn't just make it work, but he utterly smokes the concept.
The other thing that shouldn't work for me is zombies. I dislike zombies, because they're mostly really boring to me. But, much like THE WALKING DEAD, Rosson knows that, if used sparingly and more as a trigger for other things, they can be effective.
Seriously, this book truly blew me away. Rosson takes a lot of care with his characters, and the plotting is both intricate and unguessable. This is easily in the top five horror novels I've read this year, and it may be the top one (we'll see when I read the follow-up in a couple of months).
But yeah, I haven't read a lot like this, but if I must compare it to something, I'd compare it to the best of John Skipp and Craig Spector's co-authored works, but more complex and intricately plotted.
Brilliant stuff. Easiest five stars I've given this year.
Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I don't know of another author who writes novels with as much pedal-to-the-medal force as T.J. Newman. She grabs you from the first page, and just doesn't let go.
When I taught creative writing, I used to, in one of the classes, do a fun little exercise where I set up a bad situation, then divided the class into a few groups and told them to build it up even worse by continually asking, "Yeah, but what would make that even worse?"
Newman is pretty much a black belt in the art of Make It Even Worse.
I enjoyed the heck out of this book. It's fun. It's action packed. The ticking clock never stops. But the strength is in the characters that inhabit Newman's books, and she does so again here. If I have any complaints, it's that this slim book is almost overstuffed with characters, but still, she does a great job of juggling them all.
When I taught creative writing, I used to, in one of the classes, do a fun little exercise where I set up a bad situation, then divided the class into a few groups and told them to build it up even worse by continually asking, "Yeah, but what would make that even worse?"
Newman is pretty much a black belt in the art of Make It Even Worse.
I enjoyed the heck out of this book. It's fun. It's action packed. The ticking clock never stops. But the strength is in the characters that inhabit Newman's books, and she does so again here. If I have any complaints, it's that this slim book is almost overstuffed with characters, but still, she does a great job of juggling them all.
Long Past Midnight by Jonathan Maberry
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Like many others, I first encountered Jonathan Maberry's writing with the Pine Deep trilogy, and I've since gone back there with the odd short story I've stumbled across, as well as with his somewhat (or very) connected novels, such as GLIMPSE and INK.
I really enjoyed the original trilogy, and I love that these various stories from various times in Pine Deep's history just open up that world even more. Maberry's strength is always in his characters, and Chief Crow, Crow's wife Val, and Mike Sweeney, as well as a few notable star cameos just give this collection a comfortable feeling of visiting old friends...
...even if those old friends are surrounded by monsters and buckets of evil.
If you haven't read the Pine Deep trilogy, read that first, but this is an excellent follow up read.
I really enjoyed the original trilogy, and I love that these various stories from various times in Pine Deep's history just open up that world even more. Maberry's strength is always in his characters, and Chief Crow, Crow's wife Val, and Mike Sweeney, as well as a few notable star cameos just give this collection a comfortable feeling of visiting old friends...
...even if those old friends are surrounded by monsters and buckets of evil.
If you haven't read the Pine Deep trilogy, read that first, but this is an excellent follow up read.
A Mask of Flies by Matthew Lyons
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Matthew Lyons is one of THE best of the newer horror authors going right now. I devoured his first two novels, and this one didn't disappoint either. I'm still thinking it through, but it may be his best so far. It's hard to tell, because it's a very high bar.
I'll leave the synopsis to others. Crime story. Bank heist. Crazy horror. That's all you need to know.
But Lyons is a master of character, of dialogue, and damn, when he turns up the horror, he turns it all the way up.
If I have one complaint, it's that Murphy the cat doesn't get fed enough, and doesn't have a place to do his business (you'll understand when you get close to the end of the novel).
So, here's my take. I read a lot of books. Most of which are books I wouldn't write, but I love to read...non-fiction stuff, mysteries, SF, fantasy...all of that. That's the bulk of what I read.
Then there's the stuff that I love, and only WISH I could write. Kind of a "Damn! I wish I wrote that!" sort of situation. Matthew Lyons' s novels fit firmly into that category. He writes horror. Yes, I write horror too. And while I really like the horror I write (hell, I write it to please myself first), I LOVE the horror that Lyons puts out. If I was a better author, I'd write what he's writing.
And honestly, that's the highest compliment I can give a fellow author.
I'll leave the synopsis to others. Crime story. Bank heist. Crazy horror. That's all you need to know.
But Lyons is a master of character, of dialogue, and damn, when he turns up the horror, he turns it all the way up.
If I have one complaint, it's that Murphy the cat doesn't get fed enough, and doesn't have a place to do his business (you'll understand when you get close to the end of the novel).
So, here's my take. I read a lot of books. Most of which are books I wouldn't write, but I love to read...non-fiction stuff, mysteries, SF, fantasy...all of that. That's the bulk of what I read.
Then there's the stuff that I love, and only WISH I could write. Kind of a "Damn! I wish I wrote that!" sort of situation. Matthew Lyons' s novels fit firmly into that category. He writes horror. Yes, I write horror too. And while I really like the horror I write (hell, I write it to please myself first), I LOVE the horror that Lyons puts out. If I was a better author, I'd write what he's writing.
And honestly, that's the highest compliment I can give a fellow author.
The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
This came so close to a DNF on several occasions.
It was a crime novel that wanted to be a horror novel, something that a Jack Ketchum excelled at, but overall, I felt this one failed.
Okay, so...the narrative style was good, and often amazing. When not proselytizing, Iglesias is a very good writer. And that's what got me over the finish line.
However, overall, I don't think the trip was worth it. Yes, I know Iglesias is a Latino author but, just like I don't like multiple passages of French, or Latin, or Russian, or any other language, the multiple breaks into Spanish really wore on me. As well, the horror sequences felt mostly bolted on, as though the author didn't quite have the confidence to make this a straight heist novel. I honestly think it would have worked better that way.
But there were also so many preachy sections toward the haves and the have nots.
I understand all of the stuff that was being covered, but I'm not a fan of preachy, and I don't care who's doing it. Hell, I don't like when King does it, either. First and foremost, tell a good story. If you can show some situations where the things you want to preach about become evident to the reader without being flat-out told, then great. Show, don't tell.
Overall, not a fan of this book, though I did truly enjoy the straight crime pieces.
It was a crime novel that wanted to be a horror novel, something that a Jack Ketchum excelled at, but overall, I felt this one failed.
Okay, so...the narrative style was good, and often amazing. When not proselytizing, Iglesias is a very good writer. And that's what got me over the finish line.
However, overall, I don't think the trip was worth it. Yes, I know Iglesias is a Latino author but, just like I don't like multiple passages of French, or Latin, or Russian, or any other language, the multiple breaks into Spanish really wore on me. As well, the horror sequences felt mostly bolted on, as though the author didn't quite have the confidence to make this a straight heist novel. I honestly think it would have worked better that way.
But there were also so many preachy sections toward the haves and the have nots.
I understand all of the stuff that was being covered, but I'm not a fan of preachy, and I don't care who's doing it. Hell, I don't like when King does it, either. First and foremost, tell a good story. If you can show some situations where the things you want to preach about become evident to the reader without being flat-out told, then great. Show, don't tell.
Overall, not a fan of this book, though I did truly enjoy the straight crime pieces.
Storm Front by Jim Butcher
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'm giving this one leeway, as it's the first one, so it's got a lot of work to do, aside from telling the story. We have to get a sense of Dresden, of his world, of how his magic works, of the various recurring players in the series.
It's a lot, and while Dresden himself isn't the most likeable character, and some of the side characters are shockingly swift to turn on him and blame him for crimes, overall, this isn't a bad start to the series.
It's very much a cozy mystery with magic, which, I guess, is the description of urban fantasy (a term I've come to despise), but this one's mostly fun.
Let's see where it goes from here.
It's a lot, and while Dresden himself isn't the most likeable character, and some of the side characters are shockingly swift to turn on him and blame him for crimes, overall, this isn't a bad start to the series.
It's very much a cozy mystery with magic, which, I guess, is the description of urban fantasy (a term I've come to despise), but this one's mostly fun.
Let's see where it goes from here.
Eynhallow by Tim McGregor
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow.
Just...wow.
Every time I read something from Tim McGregor, I just get more and more impressed with the writing. He just gets better and better.
McGregor is the most delicately skilled of writers. He never presents the main instigator of the story directly, instead choosing a beautifully well drawn character who, through their actions and meetings, come upon the subject that he wants to reveal. Then, through that indirect character's interactions, he slowly, delicately, meticulously unveils that tangential object of focus. McGregor's stories are never fast-paced. Instead, they are carefully constructed to hold the same anticipation as a lovingly wrapped birthday present. The story unfolds, holding back the horrors until the reader is well and truly immersed in the lives in the story.
He gives you an observer who slowly becomes the main focus because of this small bit of grit that shows up to change their world.
The man's a brilliant writer, as well. The story is good, but a story is nothing without a skillful use of language and observation, and McGregor gives the reader much to enjoy.
I don't want to talk directly about this novel, because it is one to be enjoyed and experienced with as little forewarning as possible, letting the story wash over the reader.
Trust me, this is a story you want to drown in.
Just...wow.
Every time I read something from Tim McGregor, I just get more and more impressed with the writing. He just gets better and better.
McGregor is the most delicately skilled of writers. He never presents the main instigator of the story directly, instead choosing a beautifully well drawn character who, through their actions and meetings, come upon the subject that he wants to reveal. Then, through that indirect character's interactions, he slowly, delicately, meticulously unveils that tangential object of focus. McGregor's stories are never fast-paced. Instead, they are carefully constructed to hold the same anticipation as a lovingly wrapped birthday present. The story unfolds, holding back the horrors until the reader is well and truly immersed in the lives in the story.
He gives you an observer who slowly becomes the main focus because of this small bit of grit that shows up to change their world.
The man's a brilliant writer, as well. The story is good, but a story is nothing without a skillful use of language and observation, and McGregor gives the reader much to enjoy.
I don't want to talk directly about this novel, because it is one to be enjoyed and experienced with as little forewarning as possible, letting the story wash over the reader.
Trust me, this is a story you want to drown in.
Blaze by Stephen King, Richard Bachman
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
One of the King novels that didn't leave much of an impression when I first read it. It kind of had some things going against it for me when I first picked it up. It was an old trunk novel from 1975, 30 years earlier. It was going to be one of the Cold Case Crime books until it wasn't. And it's not horror.
Honestly I don't know why it wasn't just put out by Cold Case, as I think it's more a crime novel than COLORADO KID was, though yes, I think COLORADO was a better story overall.
I know, three months from now, this one's going to be mostly forgotten for a second time because, even as I read it, it left little impression, like a hastily gulped lunch in three minutes before your next meeting.
While it did have small flashes of the King magic here and there, overall it's only an okay story. I kept thinking, what would a David Joy, or John Hart, or most intriguingly, an Andre Dubus III have done with this?
Not a bad premise, but there's authors out there that do it far better.
Honestly I don't know why it wasn't just put out by Cold Case, as I think it's more a crime novel than COLORADO KID was, though yes, I think COLORADO was a better story overall.
I know, three months from now, this one's going to be mostly forgotten for a second time because, even as I read it, it left little impression, like a hastily gulped lunch in three minutes before your next meeting.
While it did have small flashes of the King magic here and there, overall it's only an okay story. I kept thinking, what would a David Joy, or John Hart, or most intriguingly, an Andre Dubus III have done with this?
Not a bad premise, but there's authors out there that do it far better.
Orphans of the Atercosm: A Collection by C.F. Page
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Yes, my advance praise for this book shows up above. It's no secret that I am a fan of Page's writing and this collection did not disappoint.
For me, the Globster story and The Hand are the standouts. They're both really good and creepy, and Globster could have been a lost Lovecraft story, to be honest.
I will admit I wasn't sure about Boondoggle initially, but I quite enjoyed it by the end. But Nocturnium? That one kicks serious butt, and it's a fantastic way to end it. And I really want to read the full novel (you listening, Mr. Page?)
I enjoyed this strange, bizarre, brilliant collection immensely.
For me, the Globster story and The Hand are the standouts. They're both really good and creepy, and Globster could have been a lost Lovecraft story, to be honest.
I will admit I wasn't sure about Boondoggle initially, but I quite enjoyed it by the end. But Nocturnium? That one kicks serious butt, and it's a fantastic way to end it. And I really want to read the full novel (you listening, Mr. Page?)
I enjoyed this strange, bizarre, brilliant collection immensely.
FAUST: Love Of The Damned by David Quinn
challenging
dark
fast-paced
2.5
Well. So that's done.
God's honest truth, I'm still not sure what I read. The actual reading part was...not enjoyable. Not in the least. Honestly, for much of it, whenever Quinn had two people in a conversation, it was like each was carrying on their own monologue, mostly unrelated to what the other was also monologuing about.
The art was frequently gorgeous, however. Like Mike Golden around his Micronauts period crossed with Bernie Wrightson, with a hint of Paul Gulacy. Vigil is a great artist and he brought a gorgeous visual look to all the violence and explicit sex Quinn (often needlessly) demanded.
I've seen this compared to Moore's WATCHMEN and Miller's DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. And yes, while it plays in the same deconstructed superhero sandbox as those two, and while it does push the boundaries of what we've seen in mainstream comics from the angle of extreme violence and bloodshed, as well as sex, it truly can't hold a candle to either of the other two from a storytelling standpoint.
Four stars for the art, virtually no stars for the story.
God's honest truth, I'm still not sure what I read. The actual reading part was...not enjoyable. Not in the least. Honestly, for much of it, whenever Quinn had two people in a conversation, it was like each was carrying on their own monologue, mostly unrelated to what the other was also monologuing about.
The art was frequently gorgeous, however. Like Mike Golden around his Micronauts period crossed with Bernie Wrightson, with a hint of Paul Gulacy. Vigil is a great artist and he brought a gorgeous visual look to all the violence and explicit sex Quinn (often needlessly) demanded.
I've seen this compared to Moore's WATCHMEN and Miller's DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. And yes, while it plays in the same deconstructed superhero sandbox as those two, and while it does push the boundaries of what we've seen in mainstream comics from the angle of extreme violence and bloodshed, as well as sex, it truly can't hold a candle to either of the other two from a storytelling standpoint.
Four stars for the art, virtually no stars for the story.