Reviews and Comments

Kaliane Bradley's "The Ministry of Time" is a delightful surprise, a story that exceeded my expectations and left me wanting more. The premise is intriguing: a world where time refugees, displaced from their own timelines, find sanctuary in modern-day London. The Ministry of Time, tasked with managing these refugees and preventing temporal disruptions, is a fascinating concept, and Bradley's execution is superb.

The characters are the heart of this story, and Bradley's character development is exceptional. Graham, poached from his own timeline, is a standout. His awkwardness and unintentional crudeness are both cringeworthy and hilarious. I found myself chuckling at his mishaps and rooting for him as he navigated the complexities of his new reality. The relationships and romance between the characters are beautifully portrayed, with genuine warmth and humor.

The science fiction elements are light, focusing more on the human impact of time travel than on the technicalities. While I would have liked to see more exploration of the time refugees' powers and the consequences of their displacement, the story's emphasis on relationships and personal growth is ultimately satisfying. The ending leaves the possibility of further adventures open, and I sincerely hope Bradley revisits this world and its characters in the future.

Overall, "The Ministry of Time" is a captivating read. Bradley's skillful storytelling, engaging characters, and thought-provoking themes make this a book that will stay with me long after the final page. If you're looking for a unique and emotionally resonant story, I highly recommend giving this book a try.

–This review was drafted by A.I. (Gemini) with a fairly lengthy prompt containing my opinions. Actually, much of the review is my actual prompt. I then edited the draft and posted it. –

I thoroughly enjoyed this second installment in the Heroes of Olympus series. Riordan introduces us to two fantastic new characters, Hazel and Frank, whose backstories and mysterious abilities immediately captivated me. Their personal journeys, intertwined with the overarching plot, added depth and intrigue to the narrative.

However, I must admit that I grew a little impatient waiting for the mysteries surrounding Hazel and Frank to unravel. The gradual reveal of their pasts, while ultimately satisfying, felt somewhat drawn out. Additionally, the lingering question of Hazel's curse left me wanting more closure.

Furthermore, the brief introduction of a character from the Percy Jackson series initially piqued my interest, but his subsequent absence from the story left me feeling a bit perplexed.

Despite these minor quibbles, "The Son of Neptune" remains an engaging and action-packed read. Riordan's signature blend of mythology, humor, and adventure kept me hooked from beginning to end. I'm eager to see how the story unfolds in the next installment and how Hazel and Frank's roles develop within the larger narrative.

–This review was drafted by A.I. (Gemini) with a fairly lengthy prompt containing my opinions. Actually, most of the review is my actual prompt. I then edited the draft and have posted it. –

I need more of this book! Cox's masterful storytelling draws you into the shadowy world of international crime, where the FBI's audacious sting operation unfolds with heart-pounding suspense. Honestly, it reads like a crime thriller, but the fact that it's true makes it even more gripping.

While I initially struggled to keep track of the many players involved (seriously, there are a lot of names!), the narrative is so compelling that I was quickly swept up in the action. The colorful nicknames, like the unforgettable "Microsoft," certainly helped!

With every page, the stakes get higher, and I found myself constantly on the edge of my seat, wondering if the operation would be compromised. The tension was palpable! Cox's ability to build suspense is truly remarkable.

This book is a testament to the ingenuity and determination of law enforcement in the face of sophisticated criminal networks. It's a must-read for anyone interested in true crime, cybercrime, or just a darn good story.

And, like a good TV series, I'm already craving a sequel! The vast amount of data collected by Anom during this operation must hold countless more stories waiting to be told. I'm eager to see Cox delve deeper into the operations of specific criminal organizations. This book has opened a Pandora's Box of fascinating possibilities.

–This review was drafted by A.I. (Gemini) with a fairly lengthy prompt containing my opinions. I then edited the draft and have posted it. –

So, this was a weird one. As a McCammon fan, I've been slowly working my way through the earlier books that I had skipped when I got busy with college things. I decided to read this one because I saw the Peacock series Teacup is loosely based on it. I've watched the first four episodes of the show, and the connections are definitely very loose. It is good to see McCammon is a producer on the show.

Stinger is classic early McCammon with great body horror and suspense, and the themes definitely connect to his later novel Swan Song, but the writing isn't as mature. It’s kind of self-satisfying to see the connections running and developing through an author’s works.

The pacing is also pretty slow. This book could have been half as long and just as effective. The tensions between the Mexican and white communities are also pretty dated and seem naive. They just don't feel realistic. That said, past-me, the one coming of age in the 80s, might disagree.

Overall, if you're a McCammon fan, it's worth checking out, but it's definitely not his best work.

This book is a rollercoaster of emotions, a symphony of storytelling that left my heart pounding and a little exhausted.

Zélie is a force to be reckoned with. The story begins where the previous one left off: Zélie is imprisoned with other Orïshans on a ship sailing for a foreign land, and she’s been crowned with Magicite embedded into her skull. We learn, “the skulls” are looking for a diviner who can serve in a ritual for King Baldyr.

The world-building is simply breathtaking. Adeyemi paints a vivid picture of Orïsha and Gaia, a country introduced in this novel. Like the diviners, the powers of the Gaian’s is connected to their land.

The plot twists and turns like a river, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, Adeyemi throws a curveball that leaves you reeling. And the ending? Well, you’ll be satisfied. That said, I would have loved a bit more denouement, not Return of the King levels, but a bit more conclusion after the climax. I just want to know how everything settles.

In short, Children of Anguish and Anarchy is an absolute triumph. It's a must-read for fans of fantasy, adventure, and anyone who loves a good story. So grab your staff, summon your inner warrior, and prepare to be swept away on an unforgettable journey!

This book is an absolute delight! Richard Osman's cozy mystery charmed me from the start with its clever plot, endearing characters, and witty humor. It follows four retirees in a peaceful village who meet weekly to investigate cold cases. When a real murder happens nearby, they jump at the chance to put their skills to the test.

Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron are the heart of this story. Their banter and friendship are a joy to read, and their unique strengths make them a formidable team. Osman's writing is sharp and filled with heartwarming observations about life and aging. The mystery is well-crafted, with twists that kept me guessing until the very end.

Beyond the mystery, this book celebrates friendship, community, and the wisdom of older adults. It's a reminder that it's never too late to find purpose and excitement, and it left me feeling uplifted and entertained. If you're looking for a charming and witty cozy mystery with unforgettable characters, The Thursday Murder Club is the perfect pick!

Thunderhead takes readers on another journey into a world where death has been conquered and Scythes maintain population control through gleaning. While not quite reaching the heights of its predecessor, Thunderhead delivers a captivating narrative with shocking twists that will leave readers reeling.

Citra’s unwavering compassion and dedication to justice clash with the brutal realities of gleaning and the treacherous political landscape of the Scythedom, the one segment of society ungoverned by the Thunderhead. Citra does navigate the surprises of this novel with a wisdom beyond her years.

Rowan, now the elusive Scythe Lucifer, embraces his role as a vigilante, targeting corrupt Scythes who abuse their power. His relentless pursuit of justice leads him down a dark path, blurring the lines between good and evil. I wonder if the Thunderhead did have some influence over the Scythedom if it would have created a role like Scythe Lucifer as a means to keep Scythes on track with their own laws.

Greyson Tolliver, a new character, finds himself thrust into the heart of a conspiracy that threatens to unravel the very fabric of society. His unwavering integrity and determination to uncover the truth make him a target for those who seek to maintain the status quo. Greyson's journey of self-discovery and his unwavering pursuit of justice offer a glimmer of hope in a world on the brink of chaos. And, in the end, he may be humanities only hope.

The climactic ending of Thunderhead is nothing short of shocking. The actions of a certain character, Godard, will leave readers speechless and questioning everything they thought they knew about the world and its inhabitants. This bold twist sets the stage for the final installment of the trilogy, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the resolution of this complex and thought-provoking narrative.

Throughout my reading, I wondered when the main story of Jason, Leo, and Piper would intersect with the search for Percy. I wish I’d caught on earlier to the larger picture, but I did manage to put it together before the big reveal toward the end.

Never during this adventure did I think it would be a self-contained story. Despite knowing it’s a five book series, just the text itself makes it clear this is an introduction to new main characters, and they need their own story to avoid being overshadowed by those characters we know and love already.

The new prophecy tells us we’ll be balancing between seven major heroes. Obviously, our new three plus Percy and Annabeth make five, but who will the final two be? Thalia? Grover? Nicco? Someone new? That’s a lot of characters to keep up with. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the follow-up books are as good as this one.

I’m not a big fan of the lost memory trope, but in the larger scope of the series, it plays an integral part in bringing characters together, so I really admire Riordan’s use of it here. And, even at the end, I’m wondering what we’ll discover about Jason that he’s just now remembering.

Finally, I love how Riordan is using the Greek and Roman aspects of the gods, their differences, and even how those differences have created Earthly conflict. I’m really looking forward to the rest of this series, and if he does something similar with the Egyptian and Norse gods, I might continue with the other series.

This is a great start to a series.

The opening of this book is pretty solid for creating suspense on the topic, then Hill moves into the history of facial recognition, which slows the narrative considerably; however, the book is well worth sticking with. Once the author moves into use cases and stories, the danger of ubiquitous facial recognition becomes pretty clear.

One of the reviews I read would like Hill to lean away from politics, particularly because she’s clearly anti-Trump, probably because he’s made it very clear that he’ll use any means necessary to punish his “enemies.”

I don’t have any issues with either the overt or implied integration of politics in this book because the use of facial recognition will be (is?) inherently political. What happens when someone comes into power in the U.S. or another country whose views I don’t agree with?

Whether that person is a local sheriff or the POTUS doesn’t really matter. Technology can be weaponized against anyone, so avoiding the political lens is nearly as dangerous as the technology itself. We must consider both the positive and negative use cases, and then create barriers to limit the negative uses of the technology if possible.

Hill does a nice job telling the emotional story of the technology. Reading the tale of the man mis-identified by ClearView, arrested without followup evidence, and then held for a few days is heartbreaking. I hope his family gets a good settlement and the deputies in that story learn a powerful lesson, something better than, “Oh, hey, he really doesn’t look like the guy in this photo. Maybe we should have done more checking first.”

While ClearView-level facial recognition can solve a lot of problems like making it easier to separate and identify looters and rioters during a protest, it will also make it easier for the opposing side to identify and harass those participating in a legal protest. It provides tools for stalkers to unmask the pseudonyms of sex workers, making them less safe. It will make separating oneself from the past, getting a fresh start nearly impossible. Witness protection will be dead.

This technology makes the unforgiving nature of the internet just that much more permanent.

Clearly, at book 34 I’m a dedicated Sandford fan, and I usually love the Prey novels, but until the last few chapters, this book was a slog. The only reason I’m giving this three stars is because I loved the ending.

This is supposed to be a Letty and Lucas adventure, but they don’t really do anything together. However, I definitely enjoyed Lucas’s dad-comments toward Letty’s new partner. I also liked Hawkins and Letty together. The two characters come from different backgrounds and have different values, in much the same way Winter and Lucas are different. They complement each other.

Dedicated series readers shouldn’t worry about rushing to the end… go ahead, rush. The whole chase is monotonous and was done better in both 12 Monkeys and Inferno. Enjoy the end though. I found it pretty satisfying. The scene where another law enforcement officer threatens to shoot Lucas if he does what he promises is one of the few great moments of tension and suspense in the whole story.