Siz's Book Reviews

My summaries of the books I've read. My main tumblr: www.sizalyn.tumblr.com

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What book u reading now? Work in on any review?

Dangerous Kiss by Avery Flynn :) Working on 2 reviews!

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Ragnarok Rising: The Awakening by D.A. Roberts

Before we start out, I am gonna give a description on what Ragnarok is. Cause I had to look it up myself. I knew it was part of mythology, but beyond that… no clue. Keep this in mind while reading:

Ragnarök (Ragnarok) was the doom of the gods and men, and the destruction of the Nine Worlds. Nothing will escape the coming destruction, whether you live in heaven and on Earth. The war will be wage between the goods and the evils. The Norse gods knew what was to come, and knew they could not do anything to prevent prophecy coming to pass.

A Corrections Officer was watching the news footage of mob violence and rioting in Los Angeles. Wylie Grant notices the rioters shamble through the wreckage while their eyes glazed and mouths ridged with blood.  Wylie shakes it off, as it’s nothing but a April Fool’s day prank.

However, this was not a prank as the outbreak starts to spread to the east; from California. More and more people are getting sick and social media is going wild with reports. When the uprising finally reaches Springfield Missouri, all law enforcement officers are called to duty. However, most of the police and correction officers are out sick or dead. Wylie is forced to take charge and sets up a remote checkpoint. The “rioters”  become clear as they feed on the living.  Wylie and his crew main goal is only to survive.

“We were passing through a residential area, and the dead were everywhere. Overturned vehicles were burning, houses were burning and chaos reigned supreme in the streets. Everywhere you looked was blood and death. It wasn’t a big stretch of the imagination to believe that this truly was the end of the world or whatever you wanted to call it. If this was happening everywhere, then humanity was finished.”

As mass chaos tears apart Springfield, Wylie starts hallucinating these vivid dreams about Vikings fighting the same type of rioters. Wylie awakes and looks down at his triple horn tattoo on his chest and valknuts on each bicep. He sighs a breath of relief as they symbolize his dedication to Odin and Aesir, as he prays to Odin for help.

With a new plan in place, Wylie and Spec-4 attempt to rescue as many survivors as they can and gather as many resources as possible. Along the way, they discovers that the zombies are not the only enemy humanity is facing. The Evac Centers that had been society's last hope are part of a government “containment protocol.” No one is being evacuated, but executed. Wylie faces the realization that no one is coming for them, and the government that they had thought to be their ally has become yet another enemy in the uprising. Over all, this was a great zombie book. There was some things that I had problems with!

It tends to get a repetitive while Wylie keeps going back out on rescue/scavenging missions.  Also the road names and directions put me off and we get too much and it gets super confusing. It seemed like we were finding our way around traffic and the town. 

I love how we get to see all the weapons and such, but we didn’t need most of the focus on all the weapons. The mentioning of weapon after weapon was kinda distracting since a lot of people may not know what a lot of these weapons are. 

Wylie sends his family off to safety and he mentions that the last words he says to his wife are the last before she dies. However, later in the story they have many additional conversations? It seemed like Roberts was planning to take his personal story in a different direction and then changed his mind. This was really annoying. 

I absolutely loved this book! The characters were interesting. I love the humor and wit of Spec-4.  This book had some complex characters with suspenseful action. I love how Roberts tied in the Norse tradition.  “He spread his arms wide and leaned his head back with his face towards the sky. “May the Great Spirit bless all who travel this day. May our journey be swift as an eagle in flight. May our path be clear and our purpose fulfilled in safety. And may the Great Spirit guide and keep us from the dead that walk among us.”

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The books on the done list, how long ago was that started? I see ye read and reviewed more. Just wondering!

I think it was started at the end of Oct 2015! I have taken a lot off the done list well before that. 

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The Breadwinner (The Breadwinner Trilogy #1) by Stevie Kopas

It’s lovely day in our upscale community in Columbia Beach, Florida... but that is all about to change. A mysterious illness has taken Northwestern Florida by storm. We meet a group of people trying to survive this apocalyptic dystopian world. We first meet up with a fellow named Samson. He is a defense attorney. His wife is a prude delusional hot mess with their two kids. With all the deaths and illness, he is no longer making the big bucks. Sam still considers himself the breadwinner of the family, but now it’s food and other things that they need to survive the uprising. While leaving the court house, Sam eavesdrops on a conversation:     “Two officers stood in front of a messy desk talking to a clerk. “I’m tellin’ you! I saw it with my own eyes, the fucker took a chunk right out of his cellmate’s neck!” one of the officers exclaimed. “Had to put the whole fuckin’ place on lock down after we finally put the crazy son of a bitch down.” “And you expect me to believe one of your jailbirds tried to eat someone?” the balding clerk asked the short cop. “Fuck yeah, I do. And he wouldn’t die either. Shot him four times before he finally stayed down. Had to shoot him in the head.” He jabbed at his own forehead, “Right between the eyes.” The clerk rolled his eyes, “And then the guy with the chunk missin’ out of his neck, he came back to life?” The cop nodded, “I’m tellin’ you, I don’t care how bat shit crazy it sounds, it happened! Just this morning." 

Social media outlets are blowing up on how sick Franklin Hills’ (and surrounding areas) residents are becoming. How would ya react to this news? If the state ya live in suddenly went into mass panic mode, would ya also panic and flip the fuck out? While everyone seems to be in mass hysteria and eating each other, Veronica is trying to get her brother and herself safely out of the city. The duo runs into a trio of Ben, Sal and Lucy. Seeing there was no escape from these creatures, they all agree to travel together. However, they get ambushed and separated.  The world has went to Hell and the roles ya play in society no longer applies and neither does the rules. The bonds of family and friendship, we see in this book, can turn up in the most unlikely of places or events. In a instant, it can be taken away just as quickly.  We see the main characters moving farther away from who they once were. We watch as they come together as a group, and try to rid the world of a darker evil and escape the faith put forth. The characters in this book are phenomenal down to the last detail. It’s so rare to see this in today’s main stream books. Thank ya, Kopas, for bringing out the dimensions of each person we meet.    I did have a couple issues with this:

For starters: This book starts off right in the middle of the action. We just get tossed in without warning. I didn’t care for that. I would’ve like at least a small build up of where we are and some descriptions. That way, we can picture it when the action starts. 

There’s a lot of flash backs and the story jumps around too often. Sometimes ya have to re-read it. Also, the some parts of the story goes from past to present tense, it gets a tad annoying. 

This was great as it keeps ya guessing all the way through. The characters have depth to them and ya can’t help but feel love and concern, as they try to escape. Breadwinner doesn’t give us many peaceful moments, as Kopas shows us a hard look at what would happen during a Zombie Apocalypse. Food is scarce as safety is thrown out the window. As many people turn a blind eye of other survivors, because they can be lost in a instant or violently eaten. “For the first time in a week Veronica slid the balcony door open and let the outside world in. An opera of agony greeted her. Sirens, breaking glass, screams, alarms, screeching tires and feral howls. Even up on the fourth floor, the smell of smoke, destruction, and death filled her nostrils. Isaac stood in the doorway, “ Are you sure you should you be standing out there like that?” “They’ve got no reason to look up.” She looked out into the city around her. Everywhere she looked there was smoke on the horizon. The streets were less dense but people still ran here and there, screaming as they went. Somewhere out there, people were shooting guns and driving cars.”

I don’t want to give to much away, because this is well worth the money and the read! Please go and pick up this book today! :) Ya won’t regret it! 

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Kiss Me When I'm Dead by Dominic Piper

This is going to be a shorter review, because this book had so many twists and turns in it, that I don’t want to give anything away. It really is amazingly weird. Major props to Dominic Piper for keeping us on our toes! 

It’s a typical, London, day for Daniel Beckett. He’s a private investigator who was hired by a millionaire, Nathan Raleigh. Daniel comes in for his briefing and introduction. Suddenly, Daniel is taken back by Raleigh’s secretary; Anjukka.

“She’s mid-twenties; about five foot eight in four-inch heels with a knockout, pneumatic figure trapped in an expensive black suit that seems designed to show off those inescapable curves. The skirt is maybe six inches below her knees with a twelve inch split up the left hand side. She’s wearing a white cotton blouse under the jacket with a blue bead necklace around a perfect, porcelain white neck. I inhale from her cloud of L’air du Temps and momentarily forget where I am or what I’m doing.”

Shortly after flirting with Anjukka, Daniel meets Raleigh and his assistant/bodyguard Fisher. Raleigh’s daughter, Viola, whose been missing for 2 years and the police don’t seem to care. However, 3 weeks ago, somebody else reported her missing. Sadly, Viola is a heroine addict and a prostitute. Her father is worried about her due to no contact. So he pays Daniel to find her, then will add a big bonus to bring her home. A grieving father looking for his only daughter who's out of control. It all seems legit and convincing.. however Daniel was very wrong.

Along his adventure in tracking down people, who might know what happen to Viola, we meet a lot of gorgeous women. Daniel womanizes them to get information. Yes.. even sleeps with them. It works in his favor as he follows lead after lead to these two nasty scumbags named Novak and Jeremy.

“But you’ve got ways of making your female clients pay off their debt and maintain their habit,’ I say. Viola had to be put through a vigorous training regime. The most vigorous there was. She had to be trained to show enthusiasm. She had to be trained in many different arts and skills. She was an amateur and it was my task to turn her into a professional! ‘First of all, they have to understand that they can never turn down a client. They have to deal with men who they may personally find utterly repugnant. So with that in mind, my first act was to give her to Jeremy here for a week. Jeremy, as you can see, is a revolting, fat, brutish specimen with appalling personal hygiene and a stupid, boorish personality. He’s a malodorous thug with the IQ of a lizard and that is an insult to lizards. He hates all women and is prone to inflicting callous, ferocious and savage violence against them. He is a degenerate slime bucket of the first order.”

Jeremy even had her lick nasty toilet bowls to clean um. Everything else you can imagine, he had Viola do it. This grotesque went far past bdsm and bondage. After they are done with Viola, they sold her and threw her away like a piece of trash. (I will just leave this here and let ya read what disturbing pimps and perverts they are.) This isn’t Daniel’s last lead, nor his hardest. Raleigh hires professional espionage’s to tail Daniel.  They wanted to track his every move, however this just pissed him off even more. We meet many other characters in this book. My favorite is Sakura Bianchi. She add so much to this book, that I loved to see her in a stand alone book. I don’t want to give to much away, but she is a fierce “Madame” with a 5th degree black belt. Yet she is sweet and sensitive at the same time. In all honesty, I really think that Daniel should’ve forgotten about Anjukka and just married Sakura, but there was a clause. She had saved his life and even beat the crap out of him. No matter what, Sakura had Daniel’s back (vice versa). I think she is the main female heroin. Up until the very end, they made a great duo. I did have a couple problems while reading this book:

♣ I don’t like how Daniel fucked women for information. Yes, he had a nice body and we are always reminded of this. This was a general occurrence, but I was surprised when he didn’t fuck Louisa Gavreau. I think it was because, she found out information about Rosabel’s portrait.

♣ I did not like Anjukka. It always seemed she was playing Daniel. Also, I am still pretty sure she was in all the whole scheme, but played damsel in distress. It felt she wasn’t even real, like a one dimensional charterer. When there is a strong protagonist, like Daniel, and when you put her beside him; she seems undeveloped and a second thought.

That aside, this was a great book. With the brutality in the story, it actually helps the flow of details with the progression of the plot! Most authors never think to do that, and I love it. Thank ya so much Piper! This also had a vintage Pulp Fiction feel to it. With that and the narration, it leaves ya guessing on what happens next. There is so many twist and turns that one can not possible see coming. Some can guess, like I did with Raleigh, but they don’t know where they are truly heading. 

“I mull all of this around in my head for a few moments. Is Raleigh mad? No. He’s just an unusual variety of perverted tyrant who’s always been allowed to do as he wished because of his money. I’m sure he has a million ways of justifying it all to himself and to others. I’m sure he thinks that us normal folk are just too stupid and unworldly to understand the mysterious ways of the exceedingly powerful. At least I hope that’s the case. Any alternative is much too unsettling to contemplate. ‘So is our private dick back in the land of the living?’

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Updated list Updated on 3/31/2016

Done:

She Walks in Darkness Thanksgiving Night This Man Colter Christmas Without Holly Littleville Uprising My Soul To Keep Making Rumours Reckless Billy and the Cloneasaurus Tied to Murder Northern Lights The Eyes of the Dragon Buried in Benidorm New York Outbreak Death Checks Inn Kiss Me When I’m Dead Breadwinner The Awakening

Waiting to be read:

The Girl In Between Die in Plain Sight Red Wing October Dawn (Saving for October) At Hell’s Gate (Saving for October)

Repeat Offender (On hold until my Library system gets it in, or I have money to purchase it.)

Done read, but waiting on a review: Under Fire: The Admiral Once Gone Dead Wrong Dangerous Kiss

KEEP IN MIND THIS LIST MAYBE CHANGED AND/OR  NEW BOOKS ADDED.

[sizalyn]

It’s been a while! Sorry

I am fine. Thanks for sending in messages to me. I couldn’t get logged in to my account. I some how was locked out. Finally, I can log back in! Thanks for checking up on me! I really love ya guys!

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This book contains short stories. I will do a small reviews on 3 at a time. The review won’t really give the story away. So don’t fret! :)  Thanks!

UPDATE: THIS WILL BE SAVED FOR OCTOBER 2016

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Death Checks Inn by Sara Robbins

I was asked to read and review “Death Checks Inn” For a smaller book, this was something!  :) (NOTE: this is a short review. I don’t want to ruin it for someone who wants to read this book. Thanks! )

Lacey Washburn is gearing up for her grand opening of the Aspen Valley Inn. They day before the big opening; Lacey and her sister, Charlotte, meets Wyatt Graves. He is a new sheriff for Peak County. Wyatt likes to visit each site and explore the place, before approving any kind of license(s). Pleased with the Inn and Lacey, Wyatt takes leave and wishes her luck. 

“The day she had waited for was finally here. Lacey Washburn as proud proprietress was happy to be hosting the Aspen Valley Inn’s official grand opening. She was so excited she couldn’t stand to set still. She wandered around checking all the last-minute details. She was so nervous she began to question every decision. Maybe she should have hired some extra help. No, she and Charlotte needed to handle everything themselves. They would be mostly unpaid and overworked until business and profits allowed for additional employees. They needed to keep the overhead as low as possible. Besides, she knew Charlotte would work as hard as she did to make this venture successful.” 

With the celebration over and guests settled in. Lacey turns in for the night. She was exhausted and very happy with the turn out. It seem like only seconds when she was awoken by screams. A man was murdered.

“[Lacey] shook her head as she tried to clear her muddled brain and hurried to the bottom of the stairs. She leaned over the body and struggled to turn him over. As she started into the sightless eyes, she knew he was dead. She checked for pulse and finding none, confirmed he was indeed dead. As she pulled her hand away, she stifled a gasp as she noticed that her hand was stained with blood. Sticking out of the victim’s chest was an antique railroad spike.”

Wyatt rushes though the door and he lightly strokes Lacey’s back and tries to calm her by saying, ‘I’ll get to the bottom of this. I will make sure you are safe. I promise.” She look into his eyes and nodded. For some reason she had no doubt that he would keep that promise. I liked this book, but it had some flaws..

Wyatt’s love for Lacey comes outta no where. Love at first site, I reckon? He’s a new sheriff and he never meet Lacey before. It’s just creepy and awkward for the readers. 

I felt that over half of the book was spent talking about the workings of the hotel, how “near” perfect the hotel is, how many things you can do in Aspen, and even how many chocolates you get on your pillow in the hotel. Not enough? Sure, there is more ramblings about other things. 

The point of view on the story was changing constantly, without any indication. I found this confusing especially when the story is jumping from one person’s thoughts to another one’s. 

Overall, this was a good read for a time killer. It gives some nice details of the place to Aspen. However, the murder mystery romance did not work for the book. The murder mystery gets lost as the time spent reading is consumed by Wyatt’s and Lacey’s so called love.  But hey, maybe someone else will enjoy this book even more? “She had found a murder victim and thought she was falling for the officer who is investigating the crime. She saw a secretive smile tilt towards the corners of her mouth. He was something special. She felt a definite tingle up her spine when she remembered the way he said he had no reason to remove his wedding ring until now.”

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Journal of the Undead: New York Outbreak by S.G. Lee

After reading Littleville Uprising, I was left wanting more!! So when the second book came out, I got it and enjoyed the ride!! :)  (This is shorter because I can’t give to much away, if ya want to read this great book)

When Cassie moved from Ohio to New York, she was sure that she’d make it as an actress. 8 years later, she is still a waitress while doing random auditions. One night she left work early she thought Paulie finally fired her. Her audition went horrible. She missed her bus and had to pay for a cab. It was raining by the time she got to her boyfriend’s apartment. However, Royce was cheating on her.  Cassie was left to wonder around the rainy streets of New York, completely lost. A police car came to her rescue and took her home. 

“The squad car pulled over in front of her apartment building and Cassie gushed with gratitude. The officers insisted it was just part of the job so Cassie waved as they pulled away. She took one look at the door and sighed. She needed another way. With my luck, Samir will be waiting right inside to badger me for rent. Thanks to the cab ride, I don’t even have any cash to hand over. After the day she’d had Cassie didn’t want to add eviction to her mini woes. She slipped around back and opted to use the fire escape.”

Ryan McCallistar was in the process of moving his box spring into his new apartment, when Cassie came up. Cassie gave him a hand and suddenly the landlord, Samir, went to knock on Cassie’s door. Cassie stayed in Ryan’s apartment until the coast was clear.  However, Samir camped out in front of her door. Meanwhile, Ryan and Cassie got to know each other and had a few drinks. Hours later, Ryan knew that Samir already left; but he wanted Cassie to stay. So he lied to her and she spent the night at his place.  Ryan has gone through a rough divorce and Cassie had a very painful breakup and supposed job loss. The next day while trying to raise money for Cassie's rent, they start seeing odd attacks happening around the city.  Ryan vows to keep Cassie safe no matter what. 

“Cassie explained that Beckett’s hired walk-ins to hand out fliers for local businesses. If you get there early enough, you could pick better locations. We season recruits know the best places are the subway stations, near bus stops or in the park . What’s wrong? Cassie asked noticing the worried look on Ryan’s face. I can’t exactly be seen handing out flyers when I’m supposed to be following up on the Fanning situation, he admitted. Too bad I don’t have a disguise. Her toothy smile stretched until laugh lines cracked in the corner of her eyes. Before he knew it, Ryan had been stuffed into a giant taco suit with a mask that look like a dollop of sour cream. Laden with a sack full of fliers for New Mexican restaurant, he followed Cassie out to the sidewalk. This is humiliating, Ryan grumble.” 

This book was really good, but I did have a couple issues with it.

For starters, I don’t like Ryan. He just meets Cassie and decided to lie to her about Samir not leaving. They got drunk and she ends up waking up in his bed. Ryan claims that nothing happen between them last night, but he couldn’t explain why her pants where off. I am just gonna be blunt. Ryan is a pussy. He really reminded me of Captain America in the Avengers. Captain America didn’t really fight the battles, but offer moral support or block things with his shield. Ryan didn’t really get involved with some of fighting. He was more of a support and protector of Cassie. Also, Ryan didn’t care about his family during the apocalypse. That made me not like him even more. Regardless how “bad” your relationship with your family is.. YOU don’t LEAVE them. Especially, during an apocalypse. 

Cassie is a moron at times. She does random things without reason. I wanna to slug her a couple times. We all saw it coming, but not Cassie. I got a good laugh outta those times she did something stupid. 

For a sequel to Littleville, this book could stand alone. That kinda made me sad. It only intertwined Littleville twice. 

All in all, this was a great book! I love S.G. and I can’t wait for the next book to come out! :) With lots of mystery and suspense, it keeps ya not wanting to put the book down. PLEASE GO OUT AND PURCHASE THIS BOOK! YOU WON’T REGRET IT!! 

“Until that moment, I hadn't even considered that there are probably thousands-maybe millions of people have been infected but still believed it was ‘just a flu’. I wondered how many were on their way to see a doctor or maybe heading to the hospital when they changed. We spent so much time smashing in their brains that I often forget, once they were regular people just like us. After becoming infected they were out and about doing everything things like normal people thinking I was just the regular old flu.”

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Hello. I can request Silent Shadow by Jack Parker? Much Thanks

I can see if I can’t request it from my library. I currently can’t afford to buy it. I am unsure when I can read it. I will add it to my list :) 

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That's CRAZY.. Erm how about V? :D

I will check next time I go there! 

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I challenge you to go to your library and the first book that starts with Z Not child section! Have fun!

Just got back from the library... There wasn't a book that started with Z. Not even freaking Zorro. I went looking for a books that was "The Z__"" Nothing. Last resort, I went looking for an author that started with Z. My mom and I combed the fiction and non fiction over a couple times. Nothing... Please pick a different letter! Sorry about this.

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I got side tracked. I am currently reading this!

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Buried in Benidorm by L.H. Thomson

I was asked to read Buried in Benidorm, and for a murder mystery kind of book; I went for it!

We meet up with a guy named Max Castillo. He works as a private detective, who lives on his houseboat in the harbor of Benidorm, Spain. A few years ago Max left the priesthood and since then he struggles to make an income living the way he is. With drinking and gambling too much, he is about to be evicted from his boat, if he doesn’t pay rent. During his priesthood Max helped a gal, Caridad, from prostitution. Cari now runs a little cafe and she tries to help Max, the way he helped her. She lets him have a tab for his meals and beer. But she’s not happy about his constant drinking or gambling addiction.  “My friend Auerlio, who is a local gambler of some reown, had been teaching me backgammon. I was finding it a fascinating and enjoyable way to lose money, his pieces flying around the board with a dexterity that suggested I might not be able to make rent by the end of the summer. My last case had paid enough to cover liquor and food for the next three months– theoretically– and the sun was hotter than in recent memory as I lay on the deck chair, absorbing its rays with the absolute motionless enthusiasm I could muster. It was the most relaxed I have felt in sometime. Of course, it could not last. Nothing good ever last. Life is as transient as ice in a double scotch.” Anthony Ortega was a long time benefactor of the church who was murdered.  Max is manipulated, by his the church's Bishop Anderson Mendoza, into taking the case. Andy hopes that Max can prove that Anthony’s widow is guilty. To where the church’s dead benefactor would get all the money. Reluctantly, Max wants no part of this, because he’s on vacation. Since his landloard is on his rump. He decides to take Andy’s offer. Max finds that almost everyone who ever came into contact with Anthony; hated him enough to kill him. Two thugs continuously harasses and warns Max too stay off the case. They even when as far as death threats and bodily harm. Max thought, it’s just a matter of figuring out who actually had the nerve to murder.  “Raised in a strict family that always expected me to enter the priesthood, I have never felt as close to God as I did when I drew an inside straight, preferably with a drink in one hand and a smoke in the other. Many people who knew my time in the church– and thinks a couple of nosy newspaper articles, it was quite literally many people– have long ago decided that my slight problem with gambling was the real reason for my departure from the priesthood. It was not true, of course, many think so.  I try my hardest to be a good and decent man, I’m only human. And as we carry our own burdens in frailties, mine is an addictive personality.”  It’s not the type book where ya get all the clues needed to solve it yourself. As some things are held back until the end. In all honesty, this book reminded me of The Rockford Files. I love how we get to see Max evoke and probe people thought out this book. It makes for a fun read. I like how LH made Max Castillo out to be. Foul mouth, sarcastic,  and interesting. There are some parts where we learn about losing his religion and the reasons behind it.  This was a good book to read, it’s a shorter read with a slow pace. However, the characters make this book more than the actually story or plot. Go out and read this book! Ya won’t regret it! :)

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The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King

A while back someone requested this book. I already had a long reading list, so I am sorry this took a bit longer than I assumed. I have read many Stephen King books, so I automatically thought I would love it. Ohhh how wrong I was..

We are taken back to an Arthurian like kingdom. Stephen tells us of how strong a sibling rivalry can quickly devastated the kingdom of Delain.  We have King Roland, Queen Sasha, their two sons, Peter and Thomas. King Roland always had, his magician and advisory, Flagg by his side. However, Flagg is plotting to destroy Delain.

“Most bad people are more like dogs than devils. Dogs are friendly but stupid, and that’s the way most men and women are when they’re drunk. When dogs are excited and confused, they may bite; when men are excited and confused, they might fight. Dogs can be brave, but they may also be cowards that will howl in the dark or just run away from danger with their tails between their legs. A dog is just as eager to lick the hand of a bad master as he is to lick the hand of a good one, because dogs don’t know the difference between good and bad. A dog will eat slop, vomit up the part of his stomach can’t stand, and then go back for more. Do you understand these things, Peter?  Peter nodded. “Fine! Now, tell me.” She leaned toward him, “Does a dog use a napkin?”  Humbled and ashamed, Peter looked down at the counterpane and shook his head. “Don’t cry over an unused napkin my love, for that was  not my intention” said Sasha” 

Young Peter never saw or talked to his mom again, as she died giving birth to Thomas. Secretly, Flagg was stalking Roland’s growing sons and determined that Thomas should be crowned King instead of his older brother Peter.  Tom is the spitting image of his father down to his gross personality; while Peter is handsome, bright, and he has a strong will. This is what Flagg fears the most. 

There is a secret passage, in the wall of Roland’s apartment. Where Flagg saw Roland’s quarters though the eyes of the dragon. (King Roland had slain a dragon; whose head was kept as a trophy on his wall.) Flagg even shown Tom this passage and he was awe struck by spying on his father. When Peter was about to be crowned King. Flagg came up with the perfect scheme; or so he thought. Every night Peter brings his father wine. He knew Peter would be blamed for poisoning his father. One night after Peter left, Flagg came and offered more wine. In which he put Dragon’s Sand in. Roland being the drunken slob he was, drank it up. Flagg’s next move was to place a small poisoned mouse in Peter’s long lost box along with a bit of the Dragon Sand. He then hide this box in Peter’s room for his servants to find. Flagg thought Thomas shall be King while Peter rots in prison. What Flagg didn’t know was that Tom saw the whole thing, from the eyes of the dragon. Flagg killed his father…. 

“Roland complained of indigestion. He belched. It was long, arid, rattling sound. The Convivial crowd in the ballroom fell silent with wonder and apprehension as the king doubled over. When Roland straightened up, a gasp ran through those present. The King’s cheeks were aflame with color. Smoking tears ran from his eyes. More smoke drifted from his mouth. It was Peter they all saw going to the doomed man, and this did not displease Flagg at all. Roland clutched his stomach with one hand and his chest with the other. Smoke suddenly poured out of his mouth in a gray- white plume. It was as if the King had learned some amazing new way of telling the story with great exploit. But it was no trick, and there was screams as smoke poured not only from his mouth, from his nostrils, ears, in the corner of his eyes. His throat was so red it was nearly purple. “DRAGON”. King Roland shrieked as he collapsed into his son’s arms. It was the last word he ever spoke.”

The major problems I had with this was:

Stephen King kept adding in his random comments though out the book. It was super annoying. It was like someone was reading us this book and making their comments. Also, the some of the material was repeated over and over again. With the unnecessary comments and having us recap what we just read, it just made me emphatic to this book. 

Also, I had a hard time with this book being dedicated to his daughter, Naomi. She had to be a young child when this book was published in 1987. It’s just the whole content of Flagg making Roland sex potions (something like Viagra today) and talking about his junk to his new wife Sasha, (who was many years younger than Roland was). Heck, Sasha didn’t even know what to do, so Roland showed her. I always knew Stephen King had a sick twisted humor, but in this book? Alrighty than XD

Given the first few pages pulled me in, but Stephen King switches styles and writes it in a faerie-tale style narrative voice.. it just fails horribly. We are given a solid back story and some of it is intriguing. But once we actually got to the main story, the plot and theme disappears.  I honestly didn’t see any fantasy aspects as this was more family drama with political crisis. 

This book was okayish. I honestly found myself putting it down often and not wanting to pick it back up. It just never capture my attention. I knew since someone requested it, I must finish. That was the only thing that kept me reading it.  If ya want to go out and read it, go for it. Be prepared for page fillers and random comments. “God, oh great God.” Peter whispered. He staggered back to his bed and sat down on it heavily, just before his knees would have unhinged and spilled him to the floor. He's done it all before! He's done it all before, and exactly the same way, but he did it over four centuries ago! Peter face was dead white; his hair was standing on end. For the first time he realized that Flagg, the King’s magician, was in reality Flagg the monster, loose in Delain now, serving a new King--- serving his own young, confused, easily lead brother.

[sizbooks]

when can we expect next review? Also can I request The Girl In Between by Kemp?

I have 3 waiting to be reviewed, well 2 technically. I am forcing myself to read the last 100 pages of The eyes of the dragon. (It’s a terrible book XD)I should have one up within the next couple days! :) Sure, I’ll add it to the list!