Intriguing, interesting and different, really enjoyable
935017
I found this in "True Crime" and I'm glad I did. Fascinating stories about cursed objects. Several I knew about, some I'd never heard of, all interesting. I also liked that the author didn't expect the reader to believe that the curses were real, just present the stories and some facts about the objects.
1959170
I believe you will enjoy reading this book, beyond the concept being, if not being entirely new (what is?), is unusual and interesting.
1143401
The whole idea behind Stoker's Manuscript was really intriguing for me. I started reading this around a time when I was kind of sick of a lot of books told in first person. I went into it thinking it would probably be written in third person, so I was surprised when it turned out to be first person. This was in no way detrimental though. In fact, one of the reasons why I loved it so much was because I was reading first person without feeling like I was reading it. It had the flow of first person but the quality of third person writing, which I've always felt is usually of higher quality.

There were many echoes of Dracula all throughout Stoker's Manuscript without it feeling like a knock off. It truly felt like Mr. Prouty was paying homage to Stoker's original novel by including small details like how the vampire's fingernails were filed and (my personal favorite) the quote, "The dead travel fast." Like Mr. Harker, Mr. Barkeley is kept at Bran Castle on the pretense of business, well... at first that is. Even the smell was almost the same. Mr. Prouty's vampires smelt worse, but even a detail like that was kept. There were even some things I noticed that I'm not sure were intentional or not but were very interesting. When Dracula drives Mr. Harker up to the castle, he placed plum brandy under the seat for him; and, at the end of Stoker's Manuscript, Mr. Barkeley is given plum brandy.

Stoker's Manuscript definitely carried a feel to it that reminded me a lot of when I read Dracula. The writing felt very precise, much like the characters. The mix of historical fact and fiction was fantastically done! As for the dialogue, I actually found myself reading it aloud just so I could get the full of effect of what the characters were saying and how they said it. Or, rather, how I imagined them saying it. It was definitely awesome trying (and failing) to mimic the Romanian accents.
 One thing that really struck me was the explanation behind vampires. It was unexpected but the concept was very interesting and intellectually stimulating for me. And it was written in a way that made it easy to understand. Loved it.

Mr. Barkeley's past was very interesting. I really enjoyed the preludes in the beginning of some of the chapters. They gave you more information about Mr. Barkeley and really painted a picture of him (and whatever else they were about). I was always secretly worried that they were going to be boring but they never were. I found them very interesting.

Mr. Prouty did an excellent job creating the setting. I could perfectly see the mud-caked, dirty streets as the rain poured or after it had finished.

As a fan of Bram Stoker's Dracula, I felt Royce Prouty paid homage to this amazing novel while still making Stoker's Manuscript his own story. I was a little worried it might in some way be a kind of rip off and disgrace to Dracula but I was pleasantly surprised and pleased. All in all, this is a novel I would recommend to anyone whose read Dracula or who is just looking for a good old-fashioned vampire novel. The vampires we were able to get to know, were both different but sinister in their own way.
2776352
This was a definitely a unique story sure to be intriguing to book lovers far and wide. The Invisible Library is what I guess you could call an inter-dimensional entity. It collects works of fiction from different times, realms and realities - but is a part of none of them. The library is run by different levels of librarians... who are somewhat spies and thieves, but also passionate bibliophiles. The senior librarians send junior librarians out on missions to retrieve unique and rare works of fiction from the reality in which it was created. Sometimes the missions are simple and wasy, and other times they are chaotic and dangerous.

Junior Librarian Irene is the protagonist of this series. Born to Librarian parents, she has always known that she would dedicate her life to Library service. So when Irene returns from a mission to discover that she has been saddled with an apprentice and sent into a Chaos-infested reality, she takes it on the chin and endeavors to complete her assignment. Things begin to go awry from the moment they enter a steampunk London filled with vampires, werewolves and fae - the very manifestations of chaos. They soon learn the situation is much worse than feared when a Library traitor enters the race to get a rare version of Grimm's Fairytales. I quite liked Irene. While she was not a powerhouse, she was a capable and logical heroine that I respected. She dealt with people very well and managed all the secondary characters with admirable aplomb.

The cast of secondary characters shone just as brightly as the heroine. I loved her apprentice, Kai, who has a special nature that happens to be my favorite type of supernatural character. (I won't spoil it for you by revealing his secret.) Vale, the private detective was a nice addition that move along the detective aspects of the story. I would have liked more back story on both of these characters as I have a feeling one, or both, will be a romantic interest for Irene in the future.

There were a few antagonists that provided the necessary drama, namely Brandamant, Silver and Alberich. Brandamant is a fellow Librarian and I think I hated her more than the actual villain. Her grandstanding and petty behavior really got under my skin. I think I hated her more than the villain because she was such a backstabber.

Silver, a lesser fae, and Alberich, the Library traitor were the main antagonists (Alberich more so than Silver). Alberich had turned truly evil and went against all the Library principles. I thought he made a good villain, but I would have liked to know more about him as well.

I would say that this is not a book to read when you are tired. I have been exhausted over the couple days as I was trying to read this one and I felt like some things were going over my head... and I was having to go back and re-read quite a bit to try to follow what was happening. That being said, I did find the story entertaining. The world-building was fun and left lots of room to explore new times and realities in the rest of the series. I love that this is a series about fiction books... it spoke to the bibliophile in me and got my bookish imagination going.

I would recommend this one to fellow book nerds and fans of steampunk and fantasy. I received an advanced copy of the re-releasing version of this book from Tor in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars / No Heat.
2105075
This is not a typical novel, so be prepared to experience this differently than other things you have read. It reads in the same way that life unfolds - at times confusing, then satisfying, sometimes delightful, then intriguing, other times nonsensical, but ultimately wonderful. Live and wait for the good parts, the parts that make sense. It will make sense to you, especially if you are familiar with love and loss.

I gave it five stars because the writing is very good. I tend to get bored, and even a little upset with writing conventions. This book is fresh and new, and I appreciated that. Not everyone will like it because it is artful and different - there are a lot of images and unorthodox configurations of type, but it all has a purpose and is designed to add something to the story. I thought it was very refreshing and interesting. I liked it even better on second read. I would imagine it would make a good book club book because there would be so much to discuss; everyone feeling and experiencing something different. Anyway, this probably all sounds very enigmatic, but thats just because there is a lot to it. Check it out.
1431272
A wonderful , throughly enjoyable and interesting book, which opened up for me a world I was not familiar with before!
4025202
I loved this book! It was different from anything I had ever read before -- an interesting mix of comedy, drama, horror, theology, religion, mystery, and more. I started reading the next book in the trilogy (The Power) yesterday and can't wait to see what the Berkeley Blackfriars get into next!
3831868
I love the cover and admit that it really drew me in. The sample seemed competent too so I bought the book. I didn't realise it was so short, and wished it had been free in Australia as it apparently is in the USA. However, that's Amazon's fault, not the authors. I bet she wants them to make it free everywhere. But to the book.

A unique story with a mix of ancient and modern, magic and technology, that I really enjoyed. The central character was likeable enough, and I loved the way she saw overlays of other realities or times. I think the concepts will suit a longer treatment, so I'm glad that this is just the introduction to a story.

There's a lot of potential for a good follow up series here.

Perhaps it was a result of the length of the story, but I found the men rather too willing to confess to their terrible deeds. I felt it was a bit unrealistic. Most people try to hide their crimes. My only other quibble is with the overuse of 'she thought'. In most cases that tag wasn't needed, and it appeared so many times that it became irritating. It probably wouldn't bother those who aren't editors and certainly isn't a reason not to read the book.
376757
I was asked by the author if I would be interested in reviewing his new book,  4 Years Trapped In My Mind Palace. The title is quite a mouthful!  But the book was unusually special. So different and unique. I really did enjoy it. The premise behind it was why it was so different but it is more what the author DID with it that will stretch your minds. There are many layers to the narrative and you need to really think about the situation this young boy and his parents are stuck in to see them. I love that there is bit of romance, a bit of hocus pocus  and a lot of supernatural thrown in. The writing is quite good and I didn't see any editing error that I noticed. I cant not imagine the horror of being stuck inside your own body with no way to communicate to get some sort of outside stimulus for your self. Frightening beyond belief and yet it has happened and probably will continue to.
 Loved the characters, especially Solomon with his belovedBetty. They are warmly drawn and I think how his parents responded to his situation would not be too unusual. As they thought their boy Aaron was not inside that body any longer. It took a lot of hocus pocus to get things straightened out but what an interesting ride it was.
 One should also read the comments by the author at the back of the book. VERY interesting indeed and entertaining to see how he worked the interwoven timelines.  This is a book I would highly recommend but just remember, this is not a Beach Read . It is full of substance although there is a dash of magic throughout.
3823469
Very interesting premise, finally something different! Justin is a bit of an unusual character to get used to what with his drinking, drugs and women. But Mae and her story make the book interesting.  I recommend this novel to anyone looking for something new to read that is fun, engaging and original.  Can't wait for the next book in the series.
995945
This was a really intriguing sequel to Ninefox Gambit, both in that it captured my attention, as well that it contained a lot of intrigue. There were a new set of viewpoint characters for this book, so I was once again dropped into a lot of things where I wasn't quite sure how things fit, but I really enjoyed reading more of this, and the smoothness with which plans came together at the end was a delight. Here's hoping to a third book; it's not necessary, as this one wrapped up quite well, but I'd love to see even more of the world.
4787429
What a fun and entertaining novel.  The story takes you on many adventures with very amusing and compelling events.  I really liked the characters and the truly intriguing attributes that are layered and quite thought provoking.  I suggest this book to readers who enjoy a fun and amusing story with many anecdotal qualities.  I can't wait for the authors next book.
2559465
It was a very interesting story. I know it kept me enthralled to keep reading to the end and not just for the erotic detail. It ended somewhere very different than where it began. I'm not generally into a tech-based worlds but this was written in a way that was fluid and easily picked up. The story concepts were in themselves excellent and I was genuinely saddened when the bigger plot twist took place. The experience was delightful and I might later pick up the second book in the series when the mood strikes :) I definitely recommend it as a wonderful experience.
4308316
interesting plot, a fun but different kind of read
3981064
I was fascinated by Crashing Eden when I read a review about it on one of the blogs I frequent. It sounded intriguing and I was excited about reading it; as it turned out, I was a lucky winner of a giveaway receiving my very own copy of the book, which in my opinion is a very intriguing read.  It starts out with our meeting a young man named Joss, who by all appearances is not a very likable character.  Something has happened, which is revealed as the story unfolds, he is very bitter and what I guess would be termed antisocial, acting out his rage.  When he is in an accident he sustains a head injury and everything begins to change.  His brain pathways open and he is able to hear the OME, he is happier and more at peace than he has been since age six.  Those around him are not accepting of these changes and he is committed for psychiatric evaluation.  While hospitalized he meets the young woman who was responsible for his accident.  Joss tells her about the OME and she becomes very excited as she has been studying this phenomenon and attempting to find the way back to this state of mind for humanity.  Following these events the roller-coaster just keeps on going to the end.  I admit that at times I laughed, cried, became angry, and really felt a whole battery of emotions during the read.  Crashing Eden is not an easy read, it is complicated and thought provoking, and makes you view spirituality in a different light.  This book will not be for everyone, but if read with an open mind it is very intriguing indeed.  I found myself at a party and was discussing Crashing Eden and the premise of the god figures and came to the conclusion that any book that would take you to a place where you are open to discussion about the probabilities of occurrences in written fiction and makes you think, in my mind, is a very good book indeed.  I would definitely recommend Crashing Eden, it is well written with a believable world and character building, and feel it is an interesting, thought provoking novel that is complete and has a very satisfying ending.
1997375
Awesome, very intriguing and making you want more.
1780751
This was a really different and interesting story.  If you're looking for a book with characters who are swept up in bigger (supernatural) events but seem like real people with real lives, you should check out this book.  Loved the main character, especially, and that she actually has friends (like a real person) who while not the main character also get caught up in the story.  Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.  Also the main character has anxiety, which is just a part of her life and really well written.