nuances and great story, opening up a new dimension of great ...
932754
If it's not overtly clear by now, I have nothing but the highest respect for the publisher Le French Book, and the people who work there. The ability to translate not just words, but feeling, nuances and great story, opening up a new dimension of great authors and works to English-speaking audiences, is something I admire greatly.

"The Collector" has a very fast pace - a one-sitting read. Make sure to set aside a little time when you get this book, because it will be very hard to put down until the final page!

This is the start to a new series for this author, but it is not her first work. Ms. Thieblemont knows and owns her voice, starting out with strong confidence that carries through the whole book. This was refreshing to read, when there are so many other books that take a few chapters to really warm up. To be immersed in the story from page one, to feel the enthusiasm with which the tale is told from the start, made "The Collector" fun to read, even outside of the actual plot!

It was neat to see a new perspective on French life, through French eyes. I got a look at life in Paris, rather than the countryside focus of the Winemaker Detective. It was interesting to read the Parisian nuances, things I've not yet come across in character descriptions set in other places in France. It's similar to the use of "pop" vs. "soda" here in the United States - little identifiers that round out a person's background and personality. Once again, I've learned something new.

The book is set in the world of art, and Ms. Thieblemont's descriptions make that world vivid and stunning. The colors, the textures, the contrasts, all were expertly created for the reader. I enjoyed lingering among the display, even as the story compelled me onward.

It will be interesting to see where Marion's story goes from here! I look forward to finding out.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
1308332
I have never had the desire to read a story about some World's Fair that occured in the 19th century, nor have I ever cared about any historical acpects of Chicago, and I am not an avid reader of serial killers (I don't care for gruesome subjects).

But when Erik Larson is telling the story, it's hard not to be captivated and immersed in the storyline. The author is a truly talented original writer, and I am his new fan.

What starts out in the first chapters about a few details about architecture and construction adversity in Chicago turns into an incredible story of serendipity that kept me hanging on every word.

There are some reviews here that were negative in terms of how the story was layed out, constantly adding snippets of new information and characters and plot, but that is what I found truly artful. The story built upon itself - and as a work of non-fiction, it is difficult to present a story without being one-dimensional and linear. The author manages to give the reader a multi-dimensional view from all aspects thereby allowing the reader to develop his/her own judgement - which for me was a constant state of awe and shock about the story that unfolded.
296378
A well written story told from a new perspective
3237644
Alex introduces an alternate version of 19th century America, described to us through the accounts of its many characters. A great deal of attention is paid to details of the landscape, the events, and the people who make up this post-apocalyptic world. The reader's preconceptions about both the world they're reading about and the people within it are challenged throughout, and the ending makes it clear that this is all just the beginning of a much bigger story. While I am looking forward to the next installment in the series, I think this stands well on its own as a thought-provoking and enjoyable piece.

(Note: I highly recommend downloading the audio drama of The Cartographer's Handbook, as the music and actors' performances do wonders to bring the book to life)
2428110
Different, with interesting perspective and story mapping
3205668
When I see that a book is being hailed by critics as "a new classic" or destined to become one, I usually roll my eyes. Wildwood, however, blew me away, and I would say it is at the very least a new classic in YA literature of the Pacific Northwest.

Meloy's descriptions of Wildwood and its inhabitants are brilliant in their authenticity; they are enriched by the diverse flora and fauna of Oregon's forests. The details and vocabulary will have readers both young and old referencing field guides and Wikipedia. It becomes clear that there truly is a magical world to be discovered in the forests just beyond the cities and suburbs. And what's more, there is order and structure to life in these forests.

The story itself is fairly epic and gripping (though it did take some time getting to the plot developments that really grabbed my attention). Younger readers may find the length of the book daunting, but the pace is quick, cutting back and forth between relatively short scenes that follow Prue's and Curtis's respective adventures. As Prue and Curtis find themselves on very different journeys, a variety of perspectives are encountered regarding issues such as alliances and rivalries, relations among species, the causes of disputes and feuds, and the motives that may lead someone down a path of evil, madness, and treachery.

Ultimately, the book shows that within a small realm or territory there is room for a vast range of differences, and there are ways for conflicting groups and individuals to find common ground.

The artwork feels appropriately earthy, mysterious, and cloudy. The close collaboration of partners in both life and art makes for a story whose text and illustrations complement one another exceptionally well.

As a native Oregonian, I may be biased, but I think Wildwood is a remarkable book that will hopefully pave the way for other works of imaginative, contemporary regional folklore.
1325819
You will fall in love with the characters in this story all the while getting caught up in the drama that is unfolding around them.  This story will change the way you look at progress and rethink the way you look at people who live simpler, humbler lives. What a great way to bring attention through storytelling to an important issue that impacts us all.  I loved it!
1643032
i sometimes tend to read books with concurring themes..such as ahab's wife, moby dick and this book which a very handsome bartender named william let me borrow when i was finishing moby dick.

i think it's great to jump from contemporary fiction to classic fiction to little known (to me) sci-fi. i really got into this book and enjoyed the lush visual imagery and the sailor's new adventure in a new, unique world.
625134
Part detective procedural, part sci-fi/adventure, part horror story channeling Koontz and King; fully delightful opening narrative arc of a new series.

The initial depravity is disturbing, but it acts as a crucial backdrop to set up the backstory for a thoroughly enjoyable character development and potential superhero / villain storyline.

Looking forward to the next installment

I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and Vesuvian Books in exchange for an honest review.
536128
Wow. This book is amazing. The story is great: a world with no adults, where time has stood still since... forever? Then, the Dapper Men arrive, and time begins again. The children and robots that inhabit the world need to fix some things, and one of the Dapper Men helps them nudge things along. The world That Jim McCann creates is a world ripe for exploration, and when I finished the book, I wanted to read more about the next adventures that were in store for everyone.

I met the book's artist, Janet K Lee, at an event at my comic book store a few weeks ago and picked up the book. While the story is great, what really draws me in is the art. There's a lot that goes into the way Janet does it, and it's a fascinating process. The art is perfectly matched to the story, and it's easy to get lost in the fanciful details.

I'm looking forward to the sequels.
3123833
I loved this story. Scalzi really outdid himself here. It's wonderful after the incredible creativity that went I to his first book that he has here been able to take his characters and world to a level of story-telling I found surprising and engaging from beginning and end. It was a story of heart and politics and human ingenuity that I loved as much if not more than the first. I highly recommend this book.
3333201
Such a poignant exploration of a familiar story from a totally different point of view, in a new and exciting way. The illustrations are gorgeous and really enhance this story of grief and hope. Melissa Jane Osborne has a relatable way of writing that easily draws you into this world, with Wendy at the center. Its fun to see characters and imagery we already know in a reimagined way. Plus, it made me cry. Its authentic, moving, and beautiful to explore.
3221665
As I was reading this it was as though I was getting a V.I.P, behind the scenes peek of a sensually decadent world that I have not seen portrayed in previous fiction, erotic or otherwise.

In this retelling and updated rendering of Story of O,Greene has been able to tune into a frequency that, for me, Rage could not. I hesitate to make too many comparisons between Story of O and Master of O. Trying to compare the two is like the comparison between listening to Vivaldi on an old a.m.transistor radio vs. hearing it on a Bose Sound System. Both are entertaining, while one rings a bit tinny and floats on the surface, the other is lush, rich and felt at a bone deep level.

This book stands on it's own. One need not have read Story of O to get the full impact (pun intended) of Greene's Master of O. For myself, having read both, this work answers so many questions . Why would O be attracted to these particular men, who seemed quite unlikable? In this telling, I was better able to see the inner workings of a dominant male. Greene's Steven is complex,sympathetic and masterfully flawed. All of his characters are so full and alive, as is one of my favorite characters, Los Angeles. As a native Angeleno, I have to admit my bias, but his description of Los Angeles adds to the noir feel of the book. I am delighted to have found a book that is both an extremely erotic tale and incredibly well written. I am someone who enjoys a long read , which this is. That being said, I did not want it to end.
795822
From the beginning that is startling and innovative, the story engrosses you with unexpected turns.  The author puts the character in constantly new and bewildering situations, and it's a testimony to the skill of the author that the reader feels herself similarly put under challenges--what would you do in a situation like this, when everything that you think you are is gone?  What would you do when you find that you don't like what you've become?  What would you do when you find yourself having to respond to people in an entirely new way?  How do you start to figure out what you are really like, and what you want?

These are the major questions that the author sets up for her character, and through an engrossing series of actions and vividly sketched characters, the author makes the character--and the reader--consider each one carefully.  It was an extremely enjoyable and thought-breaking book experience!
1102094
What a fresh voice! Great story telling, world building and myth building too. So often the great science fiction stories are inherently euro-centric, in this case author's obvious talent and  familiarity with African, particularly Nigerian, culture adds profound depth and memorable twists to this story.
4520426
I think the breadth of reactions to this book are a pretty good indication that we are dealing with a completely different stylistic voice.  While the sometimes confusing shifts in perspective and tone were annoying to some, I thoroughly enjoyed the fresh perspective and unique voice.
Mr. Eggers writes with a glaring honesty about the deaths in his family, his surrogate parenting of his younger brother, and his struggle to find a goal in life without "selling out".  There are issues and topics here that every one of us has faced, and Mr. Eggers writes about what we are afraid to say.
Throughout the book, Mr. Eggers presents us with a completely new take on what is an old theme - self-absorbtion.  In many self-revealing works from the past, authors veil their use of characters as merely pawns in the story.  Eggers owns up to his use of real-life situations and people as story-telling devices.  I found this perspective not only refreshing but intensely revealing.
For readers seeking a very different style and perspective from the spate of "personal tragedy" books on the market, I think you will enjoy this book.
697937
I have been plagued by modern novels all written from the first person perspective.  It seemed like this was the new trendy paradigm of novel writing.  It has become so pervasive I am sick and tired of it.

That being said, this series of books is a breath of fresh air.  The author uses a "third person" perspective where we can hear a character's thoughts and actually follow the story as it flows from character to character and back again.  This really enhances the pace of the story and drives it forward relentlessly.  So much so that it is difficult to put any of the books down.

The story itself has so many twists and turns that are both surprising and partly expected.  Even the end of the last novel invites the question of "What will happen next?"

The underlying theme of what constitutes progress and what doesn't raises interesting philosophical questions as well.  These books work on several levels because of that.  I can't wait for book number 4.