Book Pledge UPDATE

Inkpot recently updated us on her book pledge, and gave the following reviews of books 6 - 10.


Book pledge up date

6. Black Rabbit Island by Valinora Troy
Valinora Troy’s first foray into the horror genre. The bulk of this book was written in 12 days last November, but it in no way detracts from the characters, chills or gore that make BRI a truly gut wrenching read. A little rough around the edges, I would highly recommend this book to all horror fans – but be warned, a strong stomach is required!
10/10 – shines like The Lucky Diamond

7. The Eyes of Darkness by Dean Koontz
A very early Koontz novel, written in 1981 and originally published under a pseudonym, this is very much thriller science fiction. The writer that Koontz was to become is very evident in this book with many of his trademarks – set over a short time period and centred on a small cast of characters – but at the same time his writing is not as polished as Brother Odd, for example, and parts of the book seem forced and contrived. Enjoyable, fast paced read.
7/10 Not bad

8. Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs
Written by the woman whose books and live ‘inspired’ the TV series Bones. Written in the first person, the character of Temperance Brennan read very much like a ‘Mary Sue’ to me, her life copying the author’s in too many categories, and I found the first person was inexpertly handled and made the story contrived and unbelievably. An apt progenitor for Bones.
4/10 Half way decent

9. The SpiderWick Chronicles
The first in a series of books commissioned to cash in on the successful children’s market, jointly produced by writer and artist team. The books are nicely produced, with plenty of old fashioned illustrations. This book reminded me of a cheap rip off of the Series of Unfortunate Events but without any of the humour, information or skill that made Lemony Snicket’s tales of woe stand out.
1/10 Darren Shan-tastic

10. The Day After Tomorrow by Robert A Heinlein
I have great respect for this science fiction author, but this is not one of his better books. Centred on the USA in the aftermath of an invasion by the pan Asians, only six military men survived to fight the aggressor. Dated, dull and depressing, I struggled to get through this social commentary for a by gone era.
2/10 Darren Shan Wannabe