My son and I stumbled onto Darcy Coates' work almost two years ago and have read several of her horror novels together since then. Voices in the Snow My son and I stumbled onto Darcy Coates' work almost two years ago and have read several of her horror novels together since then. Voices in the Snow is the first book we read that is part of a series and I was both intrigued and incredibly disappointed. In some ways, it's the weakest of her novels.
The horror aspect of the writing is very good - twisted, grotesque, unnerving and bloody. That's been true of several of her stories and it's what I really like. Very good, vivid descriptions of physical violence and great atmospheric settings - does that make me a sick-o? Sue me.
Unfortunately, what Coates tries to pull off here and fails at MISERABLY, is a romance between the two main characters. The budding attraction and dialogue between Clare and Dorran is beyond stale, beyond cliche - it's just plain embarrassing. I almost put the book down it was that bad. Coates ties a romance into Voices in the Snow where it could exist plausibly if handled by someone more skilled in writing romance.
With that said though, the plot had a lot of suspense so I never quite put the book down. And there was a pretty decent cliffhanger at the end so, while I'm bracing myself, I will be reading book two of the series. I just hope and pray that either the author took a few Writing Romance courses in between writing books 1 and 2, or decided to minimize the romance in future stories.
Because the plot is good - it typically is in her stories - but she unwisely decided to go for romance in this story and, so far, that's been the biggest horror of all! :)...more
I have been a fan of Ron Chernow, the biographer of founding fathers George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, for many years so I picked up The FirstI have been a fan of Ron Chernow, the biographer of founding fathers George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, for many years so I picked up The First Populist expecting to be let down. That's not exactly fair to biographer David Brown. And in all fairness to him, his account of the life and presidency of Andrew Jackson was pretty impressive.
I've also always been a fan of Revolutionary America and Brown's account depicts the years in the immediate aftermath of the War of Independence from Britain, when the new American country began expanding westward. Young Andrew Jackson was central to that movement, settling in Tennessee in the late 1700s, ambitiously pursuing roles in government and law before finding his moment in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812, whose victory catapulted him to national fame.
This was the time when the growing complexity of the expanding nation impacted politics. No longer would the presidency fall naturally to Virginia planter/aristocrats such as Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. The western frontier and its demands for pushing back the British and Spanish influence, and displacing of Indian communities all in the name of expanding land grabs, tilted in favor of rugged, direct frontiersmen such as Jackson, who were on the front lines of a newly emerging American identity.
Jackson didn't always play by the rules and he often broke some constitutional laws on his way to defending and expanding the American country. James Monroe, as president, couldn't quite bring himself to hold Jackson accountable for his transgressions since Monroe was also a not-quite-closet expansionist and liked the irascible Old Hickory's achievements in expanding the nation's territories.
Eventually, political and national dynamics launched Andrew Jackson to the presidency - the first western president who with his sometimes coarse behavior and tendency to feel compelled to repay real or perceived slights and demand personal loyalty over fealty to great national principles, caused conservatives in the Jeffersonian-Monroe tradition to feel the end of the republic was nigh.
Biographer Brown's insight into the expanding national identity was my favorite part of the biography. I'd never before read about the political shifts underway in the early 19th century but I came to appreciate, after completing the book, how this must have caused quite a bit of tension between the Old Guard (the aging Founding Fathers including John Quincy Adams, who honored his father John Adams' accomplishments and detested Jackson) and the emerging class of Western expansionists on the far side of the Appalachian Mountains who weren't quite as groomed by the politics of the East Coast.
Jackson himself is almost treated by the biographer as an object moving through the national discourse and while Brown does delve somewhat into Jackson's upbringing and experiences, and how they served as possible motivators for his behavior, Brown does not explore Jackson's character with anywhere near the depth that Chernow came to depict Washington and Hamilton.
The book ends with the growing tension of slavery taking root in the nation's identity in the 1830s and 1840s, especially in light of the controversial Missouri Compromise. Slavery and the forthcoming Civil War would end up as the next painful step in the growing country's birth pains following the tensions associated with western expansion, land purchases (or seizures), the right of states to challenge national tariffs and the role of a National Bank - Alexander Hamilton's baby, which Jackson hated - in the national economy.
I highly recommend The First Populist for readers of American Revolutionary history. For those interested in how the new nation began facing new challenges and opportunities in the early 1800s, and who can appreciate how Andrew Jackson came to represent more than anyone else, these tectonic shifts, it is an engaging and educational read. ...more
What a mind-blowing exploration of value as a primary determinant for powerful client relationships. John is a direct, knowledgeable but also supportiWhat a mind-blowing exploration of value as a primary determinant for powerful client relationships. John is a direct, knowledgeable but also supportive guide through the process every solopreneur must take to identify what they should provide to build strong, mutually beneficial relationships. I highly recommend!...more
This is the third novel by Darcy Coates I have read with my son over the past year and it is the best of the three. Great plot, strong characterizatioThis is the third novel by Darcy Coates I have read with my son over the past year and it is the best of the three. Great plot, strong characterization and a haunted house. Some of the disturbing parts gave me a nightmare one night. I'll chalk that up as a win. ...more
Without question, this is one of the best novels I have read in a long time. I've only recently turned back to fiction after being away for a while. TWithout question, this is one of the best novels I have read in a long time. I've only recently turned back to fiction after being away for a while. The kicker is- I only found out about this book because my teenage son bought it for me in an airport store when he was traveling in New Mexico!
The storytelling is magnificent. One might think it presumptuous for the author to lean so heavily on Charles Dickens' famous novel, David Copperfield, as the inspiration for her similarly titled novel, but she really delivers.
I would recommend this as a compelling read that shows the challenges and strengths of life in Appalachia while developing a great cast of characters.
Unique, evocative read on the psychological barriers we often place on ourselves to avoid growth in our lives. Dr. Gay Hendricks is also author of TheUnique, evocative read on the psychological barriers we often place on ourselves to avoid growth in our lives. Dr. Gay Hendricks is also author of The Genius Zone, which is on my to-read list, and which helps one identify the unique value they offer to the world to create abundance....more
Great read. Kind of a slow burn like 80s horror flicks but with enough intrigue dropped along the way during the first three quarters to keep one readGreat read. Kind of a slow burn like 80s horror flicks but with enough intrigue dropped along the way during the first three quarters to keep one reading until the last quarter when things really take off. Look forward to reading more by Darcy Coates in the future!...more
Great book about goal-oriented planning strategies. I'm using its methods already.Great book about goal-oriented planning strategies. I'm using its methods already....more
I very rarely rate books poorly but this one astonished me for it's superficiality. I'm a professional marketer and so am familiar with Seth Godin andI very rarely rate books poorly but this one astonished me for it's superficiality. I'm a professional marketer and so am familiar with Seth Godin and his thought leadership behind such concepts as permission marketing. I was genuinely shocked at how he took a simple concept - don't give up on something difficult because it's hard - and attempted to draw it out into a book length (albeit a short book) examination of quitting and staying the course. I can't say readers will get much from this. Trust your gut. Trust your intuition. Know whether something is a good investment before you invest in it. That's all you really need to know about what this book has to share with you....more
Excellent collection of short stories. The complexity with which King deals with major themes in his short fiction continues to impress. Only disappoiExcellent collection of short stories. The complexity with which King deals with major themes in his short fiction continues to impress. Only disappointments were Red Screen and I thought he should have pushed hard on the accelerator on the Lovecraft-inspired The Dreamers. There was the potential, given King's talent, to turn that story into a major shitshow for the protagonist. But he seemed to hold back for reasons I'm not too sure about. But overall an exceptional read!...more
Outstanding and insightful perspective on the role of material characters in the Star Wars universe, this book draws upon the three film trilogies, thOutstanding and insightful perspective on the role of material characters in the Star Wars universe, this book draws upon the three film trilogies, the stand alone films and the streaming series (The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, in particular) to demonstrate the power, potential and concerning stereotypes that can be channeled through some of the most memorable non-human characters in the franchise. A thoughtful and engaging read, whether or not you're a fan of Star Wars....more
