Unique, gripping, and pageturning.
586658
London for Immigrant suckers is a very unique and gripping story about the brutal split of Yugoslavia. The story is about something very serious yet somethings are described in a fun way using many pop culture references.

I enjoyed the writing style of Kolya S. You can really feel what the characters are experiencing with the way its described. And that is not an easy thing to pull off as a writer. I wasn't too familiar with Yugoslavia and London night life but after reading this book I now have a personal interest in them both. This book was a pleasure to read and I highly recommend it!
2365441
The Language of Secrets is a tightly wound mystery, with a plot unlike any other I've ever run across. The entire story is unusual and grabs you immediately. The main character had moved to London to pursue a career, and remained out of touch with his immediate family. After many, many years, he returns to California and tries to reconnect. He finds his parents have died, and when he visits their graves, he sees another headstone next to them. His. Showing that he died at age four. Immediately he's bounced into a living hell of flashbacks, waking delusions, and disquietude that infects his own marriage. He has no idea who he is and what has happened.

Thus begins this twisted and complex tale that takes you through the lives of several members of his family. It is suspenseful and anxious...so much so that I felt nauseated at times. Perhaps it was the suspense of the missing four year, nearly the same age as my own child, which made me anxious. All I can say is that this story fascinated me by just how off-the-wall it was. I read a lot, and running into an utterly unique premise is unusual.

That said, it's apparent that this is a plot driven story rather than built on solid characters. I felt a bit cheated that some of these amazing situations came from some rather superficial characters who seemed predictable despite the unpredictable plot. Some were so shallow that I could actually foresee their actions, and others exemplified tremendous character values yet no rationale for their behavior was given. It was the characters that detracted me from the story.

The story proceeds at a quick pace, and the only other "blip" that occurred was when one character's almost unimaginable actions were explained, in an `aside' by the author, where she attempts to justify the actions in light of the socio-political values of the time period. It was only two paragraphs, but it didn't fit. She should have been able to show those details without such an invasive explanation. It felt a bit preachy, actually, and it derailed the pace. And while she tried to account for the actions, it wasn't sufficient to overcome the initial doubt about the behavior, and effectively made her argument less powerful.

This is a intriguing book, and one that I will share with friends. The minor flaws it has doesn't take away from this tremendous story and fascinating plot.
3994163
The Last Second Chance is a thoroughly enjoyable tale of two men on a collision course, each blaming the other and seeking violent retribution and revenge. The author is a gifted storyteller with a flair for allusions and an eye for detail that combine to make relatively commonplace settings seem fascinating and unique. The characters are three-dimensional with intricate histories and believable motivations. Some characters are familiar, but with unique backgrounds. Others are unique characters one would not ordinarily encounter in a thousand lifetimes. But they all seem authentic. The story is character driven. Half a dozen characters are pursuing conflicting goals, each of which is fairly simple and straightforward in its own right. Taken together, the story is filled with unexpected twists and turns as the characters and plots intertwine and conflict.

It is not a difficult read; however, it is not a quick read. The prose is crafted with such skill that it needs to be savored. The allegories and allusions give the descriptions a unique texture.
3220726
A riveting book that i could not put down before the last page.
2129412
Unique Storting telling at its best. Absolutely hooked. Could not put it down.
942392
In this latest novel by St. James, The Broken Girls, she transports us to Barrons, Vermont a small town where the restoration of an abandoned boarding school will unearth powerful emotions, tragic memories, and more long-buried secrets and skeletons than anyone could have imagined.

The prose is eerie and dark. The plot, told from alternating timelines, is gripping, suspenseful and filled with familial drama, neglect, hatred, abuse, desperation, violence, and murder allinterwoven with a thread of the supernatural. And the characterization isspot on with a cast of characters that are damaged, fearless, and loyal, and a setting, Idlewild Hall,that is acharacter itself with itsdereliction and isolation.

Overall, The Broken Girlsis an intelligent, unique, skillfully crafted page-turner that will have you on the edge of your seat from the very first page and will ultimately leave you chilled, surprised, satisfied and thoroughly entertained.
1915714
This work is genuinely unique. This world has depth to it. I could not put down this book. I recommend it highly. This book would appeal to all readers. It has feeling, suspense, mystery and originality. I will keep reading if more stories follow. Well done, Mr. Howey.
3219054
An amazing intense read--with evocative language and a unique point of view. With the author's great storytelling ability, this gripping tale feels so real as it unfolds from the point of view of the accused.  It reinforced for me how we humans must continue to guard against our worst instincts--how quickly we can lose our humanity!  I also like the afterward with the brief story of Ms. Mailman's own ancester in New England who was also accused of witchcraft.  This would be a great book club choice.
4686366
Unique, entertaining, and adventurous. Couldn't put it down until I'd read the last page!
3077053
With a lot of twist and turns that kept you turning to the next page.  Even to the last page.
881077
I really enjoyed this. When I initially downloaded this as a part of my Kindle Unlimited subscription, it was because the synopsis intrigued me, but I wasn't 100% sure I was going to like it. I let it sit on my device for a couple of weeks, choosing other books over it, before finally deciding to take the plunge. I wish I had picked it up right away because it was fantastic. The plot is unique and gripping, unlike anything else I've ever read, and the characters are well developed and relatable. I can't wait to read the next installment. I will be waiting on it with pins and needles. I *need* to know what happens!
4834423
Dan Simmon's The Terror: A Novel is one of the most gripping stories I've read in a while.  Based on real events, the story wraps itself around historical figures and stamps one possible outcome for what really happened to the Franklin Expedition.  Simmons does a masterful job creating a truly overwhelming sense of isolation that must have actually plagued the real expedition.  Simmon's emerses the reader in the dull day to day monotony which actually adds to the terror.

At 769 pages in length, The Terror will take the average reader a while to get through.  As with any book this long there are periods when the story seems to simply die.  Don't give up.  Read on.  You won't regret it.  The mix of supernatural with historical fact is unique.

The Terror isn't a page turner but it will grip you.  During the periods I wasn't reading I would find my mind wandering back to the book and the story.  I couldn't wait to get back at it.  The characters are well rounded and Simmon's gift of decription is singular.

The Terror will make you glad you picked the book up.
2344215
Wow!  What a story.  This story is so unique that it is hard to believe this is fiction.  You just can't make up a storyline like this.  The characters are everyday people that are woven into a intricate plot.  This is a real page turner that will leave you entertained right thru the last page.  I was sorry for the book to end; I wanted more.
1864377
I titled my review 'unusual' because I have not read another book quite like this one.

Overall, I will say I enjoyed the book.  I did not have a hard time putting it down, but neither was I reluctant to pick it back up.

I think Jolin does a good job capturing the chaos of the teenage years, and will be generous in suggesting that much of the chaos of the writing itself simply adds to that feeling of confusion.  Without giving away the plot, I will say that both the email at the beginning of the story and the rooftop scene at the end perfectly capture the teenage (and in general, human) desire to have some control over a world that we obviously have no real control over.  In addition, many of the scenes (in particular, the email and the rooftop scene again) perfectly illustrate the impact that our own perspective and hopes has on the reality of any situation, and the author has done a lovely job of leaving the reality of those scenes open to interpretation.

As for the three main characters, Aliya, Miya and Gillian--what teenage girls have in common is that they unexpectedly lost Trevor.  While this means something different to each of them (Aliya, who was in love with Trevor; Gillian, who was in business with Trevor; and Miya, who was an acquaintance and regretted her last words to Trevor), the crux of the book is that all lost a huge measure of control over their lives, and this sudden change has caused them all to rethink both the relationships they knew and their own dreams for the future.

Add to that is the way that each of them has to balance living their own lives with the expectations that their family has for them--or that they have for their family.  The details about the family relationships--and the transitions in these relationship throughout the books--are intricate and intriguing.

As other reviewers have commented, moments that promise to be climactic fall a bit short; some of the character development (in particular, Miya's change in attitude about "magic") comes out of nowhere and seems especially unrealistic (even in a book about Craft).

In spite of this, would I recommend this book?  Absolutely.  I think most teenagers (at least teenage girls) who are interested in books about Craft would be able to relate to at least one of the characters.  The book, while a bit creepy in parts, is unlikely, I think, to especially alarm a reader.

One small note: I would not recommend this for teenagers who have recently experienced the loss of a friend / loved one.
2631238
I really did enjoy this book, and if it were not for some messy spots and dragging, I would have given it another star.  Very unusual and for the most part, enjoyable and mesmerizing.

The book opens with a young boy, on his way home, who suddenly and inexplicably disappears without a trace.  But this is not the first, or last eerie thing to happen in Niceville.  In fact, these odd types of disappearances and crimes have been going on for generation.  Cops are killed in broad daylight, during a bold and bloody robbery.  A wealthy widow just disappears.  You'll be sucked in by the characters and the unusual happenings, and even the worst character is oddly likable and almost endearing.

It will pull you in fast, then you may feel that the story has lost it's way.  Stick with it though, cause it will pick up again and blow your mind.  This is one you really can't pin any specific genre on, it crosses way too many fields for that.
396739
Gripping; enthralling.  There's not a place to draw breath from beginning to end.
1900556
This isn't my typical read, but a friend suggested I check it out, so I did.  After a slightly slow opening, things picked up and I was compelled to keep turning the pages.  The story takes an unexpected and powerful twist at the perfect moment, transforming what might have been a routine dark fantasy tale into something considerably more thought-provoking.

I'd say this would probably be four stars if you enjoy the genre.