Very different than any book I've ever read. Many ...
922136
Very different than any book I've ever read. Many twists and turns - suspenseful and exciting up until the end!
1165945
It seems every book I've read in the last year or so was, on some level, written before.  I'm sure you know what i mean.  This book however, is unlike anything I've ever read, and i couldn't get enough of it.
The beginning confused me a bit, but it soon explained everything about these characters that you aren't really sure if they're the good guys, or the bad, or if you're wrong for rooting for them...
Every time you think you KNOW what will happen or who is who, (like so many other predictable books we're getting bored with) you're hit with another crazy twist or crazier character that has you questioning yourself yet again.
The book is set in the very distant and unique future where humanity is at a crossroads, and there is evil on each side as well as good.  Nobody seems entirely trustworthy, and yet they are forced to put their trust into someone, or die alone. You can't be sure which is the right and wrong side to choose, and maybe this time choosing the unknown is a better option simply because our only known truth is that mankind might just be more evil than any devil we've read about before.
2078540
This book was like no other book I have ever read.  First of all is the subject matter.  Other books that I have read have mentioned in passing the Spanish Inquisition that was led by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.  I knew that it was about ridding those who were not Christians from their country - but that was about the extent of what I knew.  I also have always seen these stories from the viewpoint of a member of royalty.  This novel took a very different look at this event.  The story is told mostly from the viewpoints of Judith Migdal, a Jewish woman whose life is being affected by the Inquisition, and Luis de Santngel, a converso who is the chancellor for King Ferdinand.  This story is told from the viewpoints of those who are being directly affected by the Inquisition, versus everything I have read where the story has been told by those leading the Inquisition.  It is definitely a very different look at the world.  I think by seeing this event from both sides now, I have a much better understanding of just how awful it was.  I really loved how this was regular people struggling to make it in the world.  I also very interesting to see both the Christian and Jewish perspective on the Inquisition.  Very well researched!

One character that really surprised me, and I enjoyed these interludes featuring him, was Cristobol Colon - or Christopher Columbus!  I had never really thought of how he might fit into the world, except in the context of his voyage - it definitely added another level to this book.  I also liked the interesting explanation of Mad Juana.

I would have originally given this book 3  stars - up until the middle of the book.  It was a little slow at the beginning - but it really took off after that and I connected with the characters.  Be prepared with a tissue for the ending!

This book was received from the publisher in exchange for a review and this was also posted on my blog.
4299254
I would say this is hands down the oddest book I have ever read. It's not a genre I usually choose from but it caught my attention and held it.
3698903
I don't know what I expected but I definitely got more! So different than other books. Can't wait to read the next one!
400211
A very compelling and different style than what I am used to. A very novel concept, not what I expected at all. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
2424211
This book was not at all what I expected, but the combination of the title, the concept, and the poet's style are themselves a totally unpredictable set of things. It's about/set on Spencer Butte in Oregon, but the approach to the poems is very modern--not dealing with nature in any of the old or more-predictable ways. It's a hard read (which some would say poetry should be) and worth it. I can't see how there could be another book like this; again, very unique, very fun, modern, intellectual book.
2433808
This book defies conventionality and is unlike anything that I have read except "Alice in Wonderland".  That makes it difficult to review.  Helen is on a journey not only to find herself, but find her missing  husband.  The cast of characters that she encounters are not only  entertaining, but pieces to the puzzle of a murder.  I found myself bored  at times and intensely interested at others.  I enjoyed the ways in which  this book was different, including the drawings and lithographs that were  on every 10 pages or so. This is definitely a different type of read, and  for that alone I liked it.
631235
I found this story very different from any I have read before. It has a lot of twists that you don't expect.
2402903
I had never heard of author Teric Darken before, but I picked up the KINDLE version of this book a little while ago.  I didn't start reading it until late last week--finished it last night. Early in the book I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep reading, but once I started to "get it," I wanted to keep reading and did.  Anyhow, this is the most unusual novel I have ever read that was written from the perspective of a Christian World View.  I realize that this book may offend some of my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Teric uses some swear words, which totally fit into the situations and the characters. His style of writing is very edgy and dreamy.  It took me a little while to figure out how he was intertwining current narrative in the story with past events told largely through dreams (nightmares).  But once I caught on the book had me and didn't let me go.  I don't want to say too much. If you are not into edgy, honest fiction from a Christian world view, stay away. But personally I believe this book has a very real quality that much Christian writing does not contain. I believe I would have enjoyed this book just as much if I were not a believer, and it may have made me seriously consider some things.
2010403
This book is very different than books I normally read but it captured me from the beginning.

I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.
4403564
I was very surprised by this book.  It was unlike anything I have ever read.  What I thought happened in the beginning was so unlike the ending.
2026405
"Etta and Otto and Russell and James" is unlike any novel I have ever read.  The premise is, of course, ridiculous.  The idea of Etta at age 83 deciding to just walk away causes the reader to wonder just how much stranger can this novel be.  The answer is...a lot stranger.  I really identified with the characters and wanted everything to turn out fine. Sometimes I couldn't even consider laying the book down, regardless of the time or what needed to be done.  Other times, many times  for that matter, I re-read the last paragraph or full page over and over trying to fit it all together.  And, not to give away any secrets, the character -James- is..to say the least....unlike any character in any book I have ever read.
2966647
I don't believe i've ever read a more thought provoking book in my life
3763980
A book unlike anything I`'ve read before.  Intriguing characters.  I certainly want to read more adventures with Strike and Robin.
2442238
This book is very different from any that I have ever read.  With a reverse side for notes it has caused me to work at thinking of, or viewing life with a different eye.
4270300
This was crazy and funny. Lots of strange characters and one strong main character.
Not at all like anything else I have ever read.