Dissapointed at first, then I got over it.
598193
I was mad as heck when I realized that the bolt stop cover plate adapter was TOO THICK to fit in the mini 14.  I had to get a dremel tool with a grind stone to grind down the edges, then tap it in with a hammer.  After I spent hours getting this thing to fit, it perfomed flawlessly.  It hasn't lost zero once, even after taking it off and putting it back on.  Use locktite ont he lock screws though.
2850209
The first chapter of this book, with its awfully overdone dialect, made me wonder if I should stick with it, but I did, and I was very pleasantly surprised. It wasn't long before I was completely drawn in. The characters became very solid in my mind and the plot moved along pretty decently. I wanted to spend more time with the ladies that were the focus of this novel, so I expected to give this one four stars or so by the time I was done with it.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, this book failed in the home stretch. The ending, as others have suggested, did seem a bit rushed. But, further than that, the ending made no sense to me, as I couldn't see the characters involved behaving they way they did, emotional distress or not. It was almost as if the author just gave up, wrote the quickest thing she could, and walked away.

Now, I didn't expect a happy ending from this, but I expected the ending to fit, and this one just didn't. It's too bad, too, because I very much enjoyed the rest of the book.
666108
When I first started reading this book, it didn't feel like a Nicholas Sparks book. It was kind of weird and I had to keep re-reading sentences because it seemed really slow and I kept daydreaming (not a good start). However, the story finally started to unravel and it got better. I really despised the ex in this book and I guess I personally didn't like how it made me feel. When I read Nicholas Sparks books, I hope to not be so annoyed by any of the main characters because his books are my way of drifting away from reality. But other than that, I'd recommend getting the book from the library. Not something I'd read again, but I still give it 4 stars.
374093
It started slow for me, but in the end I really liked it.
4659496
Not exactly what I was looking for initially. I have since found it satisfactory.
2457384
When I read the plot on the back the first time, I was a little interested. However, that wasn't enough to make me interested. When I picked it up again, that was because I read A Tale of Two Cities. (I would've given that four stars if I didn't only read it for a Crowning Moment of Awesome.) Even when I got irritated, I continued due to the thinness of the novel. Now I almost stopped reading when Lord John didn't want to admit he may be related to ape men. I'm aware that some people screwed Darwin's words (people still do that today), but that doesn't mean I have to be fine with that. (On that same note, Darwin said ape-like creatures.) Also, if you're going to travel with men of science, you need to be willing to accept inconvenient truths.

I do have mixed feelings about a couple of things. The first is Professor Challenger. I could understand his demeanor when it came to what he saw in South America. He might've gotten tired of the constant disbelief. I might feel the same way except I'd be smart enough to not expect people to believe me. (On that same note, I'd have to discern actual interest from feigned interest.) After a few chapters, I found no reason to like him. Still, I didn't find him annoying. The second thing is the lack of description of the luxury trip. I was upset at first because I figured I might've liked it. After a while, I figured that it was unnecessary. If it was included, it'd have no bearing on the plot.

When Gladys is first introduced, she annoyed me because I felt that she made the main protagonist jump through hoops for her affection. At first I forgave her because, it'd be a long time before anyone started encouraging women to find their own mates. However, I retracted any empathy when it's revealed that she married somebody else. Now I wouldn't have done that if Edward didn't make his feelings obvious. However, he does soon after the story starts. At first that made me think Arthur Conan Doyle can't write romance. (I haven't because I want to learn how happy relationships work first. Also, it adds Sir, but I don't care about him being knighted.)

Even though I'm going to criticize Edward Malone, I must say one thing. While there are times where I like dumb protagonists, this isn't one of those times. He didn't seem too learned about science. While I wouldn't expect someone to be an expert on the subject, I do feel if you're writing an article on something you need to do research. I'm aware that this novel was written in 1912, but for the most part, that's no excuse for a lack of reason. It got annoying to read him saying half-breed. First off, no one race has been pure for thousands of years. Also, his race is a form of trickle down economics. There are two reasons why I got annoyed when he called Gomez villainous. First off, while murder isn't an acceptable response to a blood feud, someone who's furious won't care. It doesn't help we get no explanation on why Gomez's brother was murdered. Also, I shouldn't have to point out the English aren't above that, should I? I did forgive him for calling the Indians wretched. At first I thought he was being pretentious (or racist), but he soon revealed that the Indians didn't help them.

The way the novel's written kind of bothered me. The first issue is the author's notes. Those kind of slow down the story and considering this could be called boring, they don't help much. While they do explain a little bit, towards the end of the novel, they stop doing that. The scenes could've be written much better. I felt the description of the first altercation was silly as soon as I read Catherine wheel. I even told myself ,"Am I supposed to take this seriously?" Even if I didn't find it silly, I felt it was lacking. I didn't even find the climax interesting! Still, it could provide lessons to writing fight scenes.
4971889
I wasn't sure I was going to like this book.  It took me a while to understand what was going on, but when I finally caught on, I enjoyed it after all.
2460663
I got a slow start reading this book.  At first I couldn't get myself to care about the characters.  I went from not caring to hating them all. From hating the all to feeling bad for them...

If you can just push past the slow parts there are a lot of twists and turns blended in with the obviousness.
3149661
Didn't think I would like it at first. But once I saw the first episode it turned me into a fan.
1247316
Took me a little while in the beginning to follow it and get interested.
268181
I thought it was going to be kind of "hoakey" at first but was pleasantly surprised!
3441834
I found myself dizzy from the different characters and their associations; until I persevered and got farther into the book I found my attention waning.  Once the action started and I began to finally understand the connections, I enjoyed the book.  Some might not have persevered.
3430851
I actually hated this album the first half dozen times I listened to it, but as I continued to listen and give it a chance I've grown to love it. It's kind of off putting at first, but it will really grow on you and lately it seems like all I want to listen to.
4156469
It seemed to be a bit depressing at first , but it gained some speed and then it became a bit of a mystery.  Ending in a bit of surprise.
1585516
I was intrigued by the descrption of the book that I picked it up and deceided to read it.  I liked it, as you see I gave it for stars, and on my scale that means Excellent.  I was a little dissapointed and I will tell you why below.  But first I must say this man knows his language.  The words he used, the discrptions...WOW!  It was amazing at times.  Very well written.
Now I was a little dissapointed with where the story took me.  I assumed it would be mostly about Peter Lake, his love with the dying girl, and his quest to "shatter time and bring back the dead" as it is put.  But the story eventually leaves Mr. Lake and focuses on other people I wasn't really interested in reading about.  It was, however, a good story with what he gave us.  And I was also dissapointed with the ending Peter Lake.  Did he "shatter time and bring back the dead?"  We will never know because of the tacked on "look in your heart and decide for yourself" ending.  No, I want YOU to make an ending.  Sure, in my heart he does.  But I want to read a story about that and what happens afterwards.
Essentially i'm not mad about the time it took reading it.  It was a good book.  others might like it more or less than I did.  But that's for you to find out.
1644431
At first It was just to slow for me that I actually stopped reading it but on my second try I have to be honest I couldn't put it down
4027716
Bit lame beginning, but improves along the way.