This ended up being an interesting read. Yes, it's the book Who Framed Roger Rabbit? is based on, but unlike the current trend, the original book was This ended up being an interesting read. Yes, it's the book Who Framed Roger Rabbit? is based on, but unlike the current trend, the original book was the dark and gritty version. While a lot of the characters show up in both versions, the movie and the book have completely different plots.
There are some other differences between the book and movie worlds. In the book, Toons mainly work in comics and not cartoons. They speak with speech bubbles that float above their heads, probably explaining the comic thing. In the book, Toons aren't nearly indestructible, like in the movie; they can die as easily as humans. The catch is that they can create limited time doppelgangers to serve as their stunt doubles like Loki in the MCU. Another big difference is that some humanoid toons like Jessica Rabbit are so realistic that they can almost pass as human. In universe conspiracy theories are centered around famous people really being toons.
The book plays the story pretty straight, for the most part. It's a hard-boiled detective story that just happens to take place in a world with Toons. I liked the mystery, but I wasn't a huge fan of the very ending. I was floating between 3 and 4 stars, and the ending settled it for me. I still think it's worth a read if you're a hard-boiled mystery fan or liked the movie. Being familiar with one won't ruin the other.
There are more Roger Rabbit books, but it sounds like they're a direct sequel to the movie and retcon this book. Sounds like I'll probably skip them....more
This was my first Adam Nevill book and there probably won't be a second for a long, long time. I could not get into the writing style at all. EverythiThis was my first Adam Nevill book and there probably won't be a second for a long, long time. I could not get into the writing style at all. Everything was so over-described that I often forgot what was being described, except for when he glosses over something so quick you think you accidentally skipped a page. I had to go back and re-read so much of this book trying to figure out what was going on, that I'm almost tempted to count it twice for my reading challenge. Then, there are the dreams and hallucinations that you don't find out are fake until the end of them...except that some of the dreams are really prophecy and are real, kind of, sort of, maybe? Overall, this was a really frustrating read.
This book is split into two parts and almost feels like two separate novels thrown together. The first half is a lot like the Blair Witch Project. Spooky things happen and people disappear, but we don't know fuck all about what's going on because all the action happens while the only view point character has his back turned. After 200 pages of not seeing the monster, I was about ready to throw in the towel. I kept reading mainly to see how the book managed to keep going for another 200 pages when it seemed all but finished.
Part two feels like a Scandinavian Deliverance or Misery. The story picked up for a minute, but started getting boring before too long. Finally at the end of the book, the monster makes its first appearance in part two. For once, some action happens in front of the main character and we see the monster in all its disappointing detail. Despite the book being way too long, it still ends too soon.
I think the author was going for a slow burning, character driven plot, but none of it worked for me. The slow burn went way too long and the characters were annoying idiots. I know people do it in real life, but spending your vacation in the middle of nowhere just seems like a stupid idea. Have these people never read a book or seen a movie?...more
This was pretty disappointing. The plot was very predictable, as most of the foreshadowing was done with a spotlight. There's nothing really new aboutThis was pretty disappointing. The plot was very predictable, as most of the foreshadowing was done with a spotlight. There's nothing really new about the characters. We have the pretty, female protagonist who doesn't know she's pretty, the male best friend that's secretly in love with her, the rich, beautiful friend who always gets everything handed to her and the guy from the wrong side of the tracks who really isn't a bad guy. Nothing new was really done with them.
As for the plot itself, it requires a lot of suspension of disbelief. This whole thing is run and planned by high school students. Every student willingly contributes and none of the money ever turns up missing. Then there's the local police, who are trying to shut down the game, but can't find it in their small town. Apparently, no one ever realized they could just follow the large group of students driving around in the middle of the night. It would actually be more believable if some shady, underground organization was running the whole thing as an underground gambling event. ...more
If you're looking to read some Stephen King, but aren't really a horror fan, this (along with the Green Mile) would be a great place to start. The firIf you're looking to read some Stephen King, but aren't really a horror fan, this (along with the Green Mile) would be a great place to start. The first 3 novellas (Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, Apt Pupil, and The Body) are all very strong novellas. The Breathing Method is the weakest of the four and the only one that really falls under the horror heading. It's still not a bad story, it just suffers by comparison.
This collection is also notable because it contains two stories that led to two of the best movie adaptations of Stephen King's work. Shawshank Redemption is obvious, and the Body is the basis for the movie, Stand By Me. ...more
This was a pretty quick read, that keeps you entertained from beginning to end. It's easy to see why the movie based on the book has become a classic.This was a pretty quick read, that keeps you entertained from beginning to end. It's easy to see why the movie based on the book has become a classic. Mattie is definitely one of the more interesting child characters I've read in awhile. ...more
I think one of the biggest problems this book has, is that it's too famous. Christine, like Cujo, is such a big part of pop culture that even people wI think one of the biggest problems this book has, is that it's too famous. Christine, like Cujo, is such a big part of pop culture that even people who have never read a Stephen King book, know the basic plot of the novel. Normally, that wouldn't be a problem, but Christine is a little different.
The book is a slow burn almost up to the 50% mark. We know something is wrong with Arnie. We know something isn't right with Christine, but we still don't really know what. The first half of the book does a brilliant job of introducing and developing Dennis and Arnie and their friendship. Here's where the famous part becomes a problem. When you already know the reveal, the slow burn can start to feel tedious and unneeded. If you were reading Christine when it first came out, this would be one of King's best books. Reading it in the present makes the length a lot harder to take and that's probably the single biggest complaint I saw in other reviews.
All of that aside, this is still one of my favorite Stephen King books. It has a solid beginning, middle and end and excellent character and relationship development. ...more
I really don't get having this be the first book in the new reading order. So much of it would just be meaningless without knowing what happens in theI really don't get having this be the first book in the new reading order. So much of it would just be meaningless without knowing what happens in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The book by itself, would probably only be a two or a three, but as part of a series, I'm giving it four stars. The book does a good job explaining how Narnia came to be and how the Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve came to play a role in it....more
Finally, I'm back to Eustace free Narnia books. This story felt much more in the spirit of the first two books in the series and was a fun read. The nFinally, I'm back to Eustace free Narnia books. This story felt much more in the spirit of the first two books in the series and was a fun read. The new reading order makes more and more sense with each book in the series I read. I remember the Magician's Nephew being another high point in the series, so the new reading order starts with the four best books. ...more
I last read this about twenty years ago and didn't remember it being a great Stephen King book. I thought it was okay, but nothing special. After re-rI last read this about twenty years ago and didn't remember it being a great Stephen King book. I thought it was okay, but nothing special. After re-reading it though, it ranks pretty high on my Stephen King list. King may get accused of writing bad endings, but he didn't seem to have that problem when writing as Richard Bachman. It's actually a pretty screwed up ending, but it fits the book perfectly. If you haven't read this one, it's definitely worth a read....more
Eustace is a twat. About halfway thru, he starts acting better, but as soon as things start going bad, he's right back to being a twat. At least EdmunEustace is a twat. About halfway thru, he starts acting better, but as soon as things start going bad, he's right back to being a twat. At least Edmund being a twat in the first book served a purpose in getting scenes with the the White Witch and he actually seemed to feel remorse for his decisions. The new reading order is starting to make some sense to me; it's probably a good idea to keep the Eustace books as close to the end of the series as possible.
A theme of the first two books seemed to be "Aslan helps those who help themselves." The theme of this book appears to be "Aslan is tired of your bullshit and is going to hold your hand thru the whole book." Every time there's a problem, Aslan immediately turns up and fixes the problem. On top of that, Aslan goes full God-mode in this book and can apparently do anything and everything. There seemed to be some limits to his powers in the first two books, but not so in this one.
I'll probably put off reading the Silver Chair for a bit because I've got better things to read than more of Eustace's crap....more
I know I've read the whole series in the past, but I really don't remember much of anything other than the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. For my moI know I've read the whole series in the past, but I really don't remember much of anything other than the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. For my money's worth, Prince Caspian is just as good, if not a little better, than LWW.
There really isn't a lot of meat to these books, but they're still a fun story....more
What a great series! Generally, when I think of a graphic novel, I just think of a big comic book. This is the first graphic novel I've read that realWhat a great series! Generally, when I think of a graphic novel, I just think of a big comic book. This is the first graphic novel I've read that really felt like a novel. The story was intriguing and keeps you guessing, you care about the characters and they show some real growth throughout the series and it has a satisfying ending. The art started off a little rough in the first couple of volumes with a few of the characters looking more like caricatures than real people, but the artist seems to hit his stride from Volume 3 and I have no complaints about the artwork from that point on.
I've enjoyed Joe Hill's novels and was curious to see how he'd transition to a different format. So far, I'm really impressed and will continue to check out anything that he puts out....more
Just about everything gets revealed in this volume. At this point, I know I'm not getting anything else done until I finish the final volume.Just about everything gets revealed in this volume. At this point, I know I'm not getting anything else done until I finish the final volume....more
I'm really enjoying this story so far. This volume was a little weaker than the previous ones, but still pretty good. My main issue was that it seemedI'm really enjoying this story so far. This volume was a little weaker than the previous ones, but still pretty good. My main issue was that it seemed like a lot of things got glossed over this volume. There was one chapter that was basically one panel per day for the month of February and some of those panels left me wanting more of that individual story.
The Calvin and Hobbes tribute panels were brilliantly done, but felt out of place with the story that was being told....more
Now I'm really getting into the story. Not sure where it's going, but it least I have a handle of what's going on right now. Looking forward to finishNow I'm really getting into the story. Not sure where it's going, but it least I have a handle of what's going on right now. Looking forward to finishing the story (in a good way). I think the art is getting better. At least Tyler doesn't remind me of Mr. Incredible so much now and I can almost usually figure out who I'm looking at....more
I think I'm starting to figure out what's going on. The art seemed a little better in this one, or I'm just getting used to it. I'm still enjoying it I think I'm starting to figure out what's going on. The art seemed a little better in this one, or I'm just getting used to it. I'm still enjoying it enough to finish out the story....more
I'm tentatively giving this four stars. I really don't have any idea what's happening in the story yet, but I'm intrigued enough to move on to the secI'm tentatively giving this four stars. I really don't have any idea what's happening in the story yet, but I'm intrigued enough to move on to the second volume. I'm not a big graphic novel reader, but was curious to see what Joe Hill did with the format. The art style is kind of hit or miss. The landscapes, buildings and objects are beautifully done, but some of the people leave a lot to be desired....more
**spoiler alert** Not sure why the author made some of the decisions they did with this book. The first half was pretty good and I'd have given it 4 o**spoiler alert** Not sure why the author made some of the decisions they did with this book. The first half was pretty good and I'd have given it 4 or 5 stars at that point. Then the second half happens. At this point, Cassie Dewell takes over the "investigation," and the series.
After a promising start with Back of Beyond, this series took a quick nose dive. I don't plan to read any more in this series because Cassie Dewell is a pretty weak, unintersting character. Maybe she gets better in future books, but I could barely stand her in this one. She moans about being fat and a woman for most of the book, has a mean mommy, throws her partner under a bus and then never solves anything. She gets tipped off with who the bad guy (one of them, anyway) is and where they're at. The other one gets away due to her incompetence.
This was my Grady Hendrix tie breaker. I originally read Horrorstor and absolutely hated it. I kept hearing good things about Grady Hendrix, so I wentThis was my Grady Hendrix tie breaker. I originally read Horrorstor and absolutely hated it. I kept hearing good things about Grady Hendrix, so I went a head and read Southern Book Club when it came out and liked that one. This book was to determine which of the books was the fluke. I gave it 5 stars, so I guess you could say I liked it. This really was an almost perfect book. There were a couple things that bugged me, but I'll put them at the end since they're a little spoilery.
Grady Hendrix excels at writing friendships (and getting great cover art. The VHS tape cover is one of the best book covers I've ever seen). That's why I liked the Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires and My Best Friend's Exorcism. Both of these books are more about friendship than the monsters they are fighting. MBFE is about those childhood friends that you share a magical bond with and SBCGSV was about friends that you make as an adult. My biggest problem with Horrorstor, was that I wasn't invested in the characters. They were a bunch of individuals stuck together in a bad situation. If the characters didn't care about each other, then why should I.
Here come some mild spoilers. I thought the beginning and end of the book were phenomenal. My biggest problem came almost exactly half way thru the story. There's a stretch of about 50 pages where most of the characters start acting completely out of character and it really took me out of the story. I assume Hendrix did this in order to isolate the main character, but in my opinion, there were better ways of doing it. We have a main character that is being possessed by a demon, so her acting out of character and manipulating and telling lies to isolate Abby would make perfect sense. The only reason I could see for doing it this way was that Hendrix didn't want to make Gretchen irredeemable, but then she gets pretty close after the damage was done. Things get somewhat back to normalish after that, so I can look past it. The other two things were somewhat minor issues. At the end, the exorcist is let out of jail with time served because the DA couldn't get anyone to testify at his trial. Why did they need witnesses? The exorcist already walked into a court room and confessed to everything. At that point, the trial should have been a formality and witnesses unnecessary. The other minor thing was that the book was filled with diary excerpts, magazine quiz questions, pamphlets and news articles. Not sure how these worked in the physical book, but they were just distracting in the e-book. Most of them were too small to read without clicking and zooming. They'd randomly pop up between blocks of text and didn't really add anything to the story (other than the food diary). I'd have preferred that they weren't included.
After reading this, I'm hopeful that Horrorstor was just a fluke and will give the rest of Grady Hendrix's books a read. ...more
