Monday 28 February 2011

Book review: Daemonic by Stephen Laws

DaemonicDaemonic by Stephen Laws

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really loved this book, but it is a massive guilty pleasure. The storyline is completely unrealistic, the bad characters are pantomime villans while the good ones are out and out heroes. The idea is great: six people are brought to The Rock and have to fight for their survival from the man who sired them, meanwhile taking on daemons in Dragerman's studio sets. Apart from the Berserker, the daemons themselves are actually insignificant. They obviously play a part in the plot, but I would've like them to be specific to each person. Overall this would make a great film and it was something I really enjoyed reading. If I had nothing to read I would definately come back to it. I gave it a four because I did love reading it, and some points had me afraid to turn the lights off before bed, but the writing isn't perfect. There were also some points that niggled. Near the end of the book, when the tension was building, the writer would keep using 'as...' at the end of each chapter, obviously to string them all together, but it got on my nerves. Also, Laws opened some questions that he didn't answer. One of the characters asked why the lights were different colours in the corridors, and that was never revealed. I would recommend this to thriller readers, because those who are fantasy fans, may be disappointed with the lack of daemonic content.



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Sunday 13 February 2011

Book review: Prey by Graham Masterton

PreyPrey by Graham Masterton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this, but I actually pleasantly surprised. I love the time-travel aspect of it, but I was a little confused about the old ones and all the other stuff. The writing was good, clear, easy to follow and as soon as I got into the book I couldn't put it down. But it wasn't the best thing I've ever read and the characters weren't particularly developed. I would've also liked to know more about DS Miller. Another thing that struck me were the mistakes. At some points, David had no surname, then it was Walker and then Williams, at first I thought it would be important to the plot, but it wasn't. The author also got Liz and Janie mixed up from time to time. Over all a good, easy read, with an exciting plot and the grab that an author needs to have.



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Friday 11 February 2011

Book review: World Without End by Ken Follett

World Without End (The Pillars of the Earth, #2)World Without End by Ken Follett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I absolutley adored Pillars of the Earth and was very excited when I found out that there was a sequel, although I don't think that's the right word, as both books are practically unrelated apart from the town in which they are set.
I believe it makes a different to the reader whether they've read Pillars of the Earth. If they have, although the works of Ken Follett are absolutley genius, there are several similarities. For a start, Caris and Merthin are very close to the characters Aliena and Jack of the first book, in everything from their relationship, in that, they can't be together for a number of reasons, and their personalities and occupations. Like Jack, Merthin is an innovative architect and builder, whereas Caris, like Aliena, is strong and outspoken for her time. Merthin's brother Ralph is also similar to William Hamleigh, in his greed, his need to be nobility and the way he treats women. They both also have a child bride. The other thing I felt let this book down was the secret. In the first book, the big secret was relevant and had effects on characters within the story. In this one, it was almost an afterthought and had hardly any impact on the characters or Kingsbridge.
On the other hand, there were some parts of the book that were incredible. The descriptions of the plague and it's effect on Kingsbridge were brilliant, providing the reader with a vivid image. As always Follett makes the characters so real that you feel constant emotion, I have never read a book before where I felt such hate or love for the characters.
Overall, despite the disappointments, I'm still giving World Without End five stars, because although it's not as good as it's predecessor, these books are still a league above the rest.



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