Unexpected in the best way possible
936141
Unexpected in the best way possible. This book was a great and quick read. It takes you on a journey with Alice Wonder and as she tries to figure out who she is and whether wonderland is real or if she has really gone mad. I picked up this book through an Amazon promotion and it has surprised me. I wasn't able to put it down and have already started figment, book 2, to see what in the world will happen next.
316942
Although most of the possibilities are not necessarily impossible, but the writers of several different stories found the most unlikely and possibly humorous way to make sure that the story is not totally impossible. I was impressed with the many extremely unexpected twists and turns in this series of stories about the humans and aliens and the different ways that we and they might possibly do with the different situations that they could possibly be faced with in this series.
4502649
Absolutely wonderful read - with an unexpected twist, which made it that much more exciting.
4475436
I love the surprise ending I can't tell you ,but it's a BIG SURPRISE!Read this book you won't regret it.(I promise you.)
2205552
this book wad unexpected. the story was surprising wifh a lot of emotion . i felt it in my heart.
190519
Very much enjoyed this. Much that is unexpected but, as it should be, the unexpected becomes less so as the reader is slowly informed of the "now" and the "then."  I recommend this.
2624421
What a surprise!! I was expecting little vignettes of Company life with the same roster of characters but the depth and variety of characters, settings and plots was simply stunning. Maybe it is true that the short story - as opposed to the novel, poem, saga, chant or song - is the real American art form. If so, then Ms. Baker has accepted that challenge with gusto.
The author is said to be a fan of the X-Files and in that show, one quickly grew tired of monsters and weirdos, yearning instead for the ever-changing, ever-evolving mythology which girded the series. The Zeus books follow a similar pattern. If "The Garden of Iden" is almost childlike - you might say innocent - the following tales evolved into philosophical treatises on the nature, reason and ultimate fate of time travel and, more than anything, the mysterious Chronos Corporation and its hidden agenda.
These are splendid stories although it is imperative that one is first acquainted with the preceding novels to which they allude. The sequence seems random but one discovers a serial-like order of presentation. The young lad with the extraordinary powers shows up several times and the attentive reader will discern both the hows and whys of his origin. Some of these stories sound boring in the extreme until the first paragraph. Suddenly you are caught in the web spun by the author and the only escape is finishing the tale.
Some are tongue-in-cheek (Lemuria), some are explanatory (Search for the Delacroix), others are reflective of the author's great interest in English history (Shakespeare). All possess that unique "Baker" quality that permeates her works - the excellent turn of phrase, the fidelity to the character and the times, the occasional surprise and the relentless movement of the logic to its conclusions, tragic, maudlin or triumphant. Many of these could easily be developed into novels, a task I hope the author will undertake in the future
3845348
I love surprise endings.  I am so used to reading books that have a problem a struggle and a solution.  All neatly tied with a bow.
The author lets us know that not everything in life has a solution.
He also leaves us with a little hope.
It is like Pandora and her box.
2301665
I loved this book for its unexpected... Almost everything.  It's just about impossible to classify.  It has sweetness and emotional depth seldom found in imaginative fiction.  Scanlon creates a thoroughly unique world yet somehow retains a feathery light touch.  The book is bursting with ideas without ever feeling forced, and without sacrificing story or character.  I've definitely never read anything like it before.
3182671
Fried Windows (In a Light White Sauce) is about as close to unexpected as you can get. This story is tremendously well written and fiendishly clever in its subtle transition from childhood fascination with imagination to things muck darker and complex later on. The main character, Brent, walks in two worlds and his actions and adventures in the present and the past, threaten his existence in both worlds. Knowledge is power and, to start with, Brent is powerless. He gains knowledge quickly, finding that he doesnt know enough and there is a whole new side to himself that he needs to remember. Though, it just might be that Brent himself is a memory that was lost, or being recaptured. The ending points straight at a sequel, which I will eagerly await.

Personally, there are two things I take away from this read. One is the authors transition throughout the story from the characters wonderment at a land of imagination existing. From this standpoint, the darkness of the plot that comes later is simply stunning because the pacing is consistent and even though the reader will sense the shift, its so carefully done that the transition is still a surprise.

Secondly, Brent is a devoted Dad.  When the beasties dare attack his daughter, the gloves come off.  Anyone that adds so much detail to the tough job of being a Dad gets huge marks in my book.  Awesome job from Elgon Williams, a new favorite in my must read author section.
2610395
I loved the way history was inserted into fiction.  It was a completely unexpected novel!
3974690
Wowzer. DARE MIGHTY THINGS was a mighty surprise.

Set in the not-so-distant future, Kaczynski establishes a world not unlike ours. Cassandra Gupta, who guides us through this journey, is part of what is oft-referred to as the first major wave of "designer babies". She has traits specifically geared towards athleticism and intelligence, better than average hearing, eyesight, endurance, and a potentially longer lifespan than that of her parents. But even with her specifically chosen genes, that didn't make her any more beautiful (thank god) or socially adept (which I loved). Just more capable; or, rather, with the  potential to be so.

Qualifying for a top secret, experimental, program into space, Cassie is in competition with -- initially -- sixtytwo other candidates between the ages of eighteen and twentyfive. It's basically THE HUNGER GAMES without the hunger or death. So.. nothing like it? Anyway, most of the book is spent undergoing intense stressful situations, mathematics and astrophysics, honing survival skills, all to prepare for a mission they know nothing about. But potentially being the youngest person ever to go to space is knowledge enough for Cassie.

There are a host of diverse (in all manner of speaking) characters in DARE MIGHTY THINGS. The brightest minds from all over the world. And Cassie, the book's only POV, was a delight. She was focused, driven, awkward, and initially unable to empathize with those around her; too focused on wanting to succeed. Watching her grow, watching her make the first friends of her life, watching her learn to care, was so wonderful. And the variety of friends she makes are pretty great, too.

I don't really have much more to say. Or, rather, that I feel I can say. There's a lot of complex scenarios and calculations and preparation that these kids, teens, young adults, go through. But I was never bored, I never skimmed, I thought the pacing was fantastic, and the scenarios changed just enough to thrill and keep you on the edge of your seat as we learn alongside them what this mission really is about.

Kacynski's debut was funny, heartfelt, interesting, complex, surprising.. because oh yeah, that ending? I had some suspicions but wow. Well done. I did not see some of that coming. I thought this was a standalone but I guess that's not correct now, is it? I mean.. it better not be.

There's been some pretty brilliant YA scifi offerings lately. From the smash hit of the lluminae Files series to this year's DEFY THE STARS (a personal favourite of mine). You can add this one to the list, too. It might be less action and intensity. But it's a slowburn with great characters and a very minimal, to non-existent, romance.. meaning we aren't bogged down by triangles and preoccupation with handsome boys. Cassie is a strong, determined, young lady who, despite her social stumbles, is a great smart role model for girls her age or younger. She dreams big, succeeds, fails, and is made better by friends and family. Who wouldn't want to root for her? I know I did.
1285553
I enjoyed this book.  It was unexpected.  I believe I am more acquainted with the characters issues now since the author really is quite good at defining the characters world and how they come together and start anew. The main plot was interesting and drawn from a plausible reality. I was drawn into the authors world and vested in the characters immediately.  This book has some sexual situations but it is presented in a very romantic way and not in graphic detail.
2473911
The author decided to play with all my expectations.  I found myself in the middle of a pong game whenever I decided the story was following an expected moment. Ms. Haus hit that little white circle of pain (pong) into an unexpected twist also know as awesome read.  Needless to say this has caused me to spend more $$$.  Sniff.
Enjoy, I know I will.
3361881
Always enjoy an unexpected, "guilty" reveal in an otherwise conventional life story. Maybe you see it coming, maybe not; either way, you're glad when it happens. Morlang's reveal is quite well done.
2713317
Woah.  This book was very unexpected, which is saying something considering I had virtually no expectations.

At the outset, a reader must know up front there is a rather graphic rape scene in this book (written from the POV of the victim), and the book deals quite in depth with sexual assault issues.  A review I read pointed out that the author has apparently advised sexual assault victims not to read this book, because it is filled with triggers.

A reader also needs to know this is NOT in the young adult genre, even though it appears on the surface that it might be.  It does contain some graphic consensual sex scenes.  I don't read erotica, so my only real exposure to graphic sex in reading comes from the urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and fantasy genres.  I was pleasantly surprised at how well written and tender these scenes were.

All the sexual content aside, this book was a wonderful surprise.  I found myself really liking the main character, Brooke.  She was so strong, but so flawed in so many ways, and she seemed 100% real to me.  I genuinely felt like she could be me (or someone I knew) at 18. Brooke I adored the secondary characters as well.  There were very few characters in this book that were anything but multi-faceted.

In reading some of the more negative reviews (and without spoiling), I note that a lot of reviewers disliked the way Brooke handled certain situations, and for whatever reason, that was unrealistic or frustrating to them.  It's a very judgmental and presumptuous position to take, imo.  I simply do not feel it is my job to second-guess her choices and the way she reacts, because the whole book is basically about the psychological fallout of these situations (specifically, about sexual assault).  Who the hell am I to presume I would react differently?  Or that I would have the presence of mind to make different choices?  Or that there is any correct response?

When dealing with any type of trauma, for instance the death of a friend, it's not for me to say whether another's reaction is appropriate, because everyone reacts differently.  Some people cry.  Some don't.  Is the person who doesn't cry any less affected by that death just because they don't reveal it as outwardly as another?

Put differently, I really dislike when reviewers project the way they think they would react to a situation onto a character, rather than judging the character's actions and behavior based on the the character's individual personality.  I especially dislike those projections when they presume to dictate that there is a right versus wrong way to react to a traumatic event.  The human psyche just isn't that simple.

I also enjoyed the dialogue, because it, too, felt very organic.  The major conflict in the book was not black and white and was definitely thought provoking.

The whole book just felt very...human and real.
4629743
Due to the fact that the title is so great, I think I expected a different story or perhaps, a better one. However, that being said, I read every word from the first page to the last. There were moments I wondered how the main character would survive from one day to the next. The fire episode was unreal. Amazing that the outcome worked out positively.