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Heike B. (caljane) - - Reviews

1 to 6 of 6
The House in the Cerulean Sea
The House in the Cerulean Sea
Author: TJ Klune
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 30
Review Date: 12/29/2021


Linus, case worker for the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, leads a boring, depressing, friend- and joyless life. He is a stickler for rules and stuffy and without any self esteem. He is the most boring creature in the world and thus the first 10 to 15 percent of the book are somewhat - boring. Luckily not boring enough to put it away, and as soon as Linus hits the island a story with colorful characters begins, even if the author is swinging the moralistic cudgel a bit strongly.
I could have done with a few less sermons on humanity and a more likeable Linus, but I absolutely adored the children and their quirky characters. And I usually don't care for children in adult books at all!

I was introduced to T.J. Klune as an author through gay romance novels, thus expected one here. It is not. While there is some romance blooming a tiny little bit, and two men are involved, this is a beautifully told story about six special need children and their acceptance, and the story about a stuffy, lifeless adult who finds joy in life through these children.

4.5 stars rounded up for a memorable story and characters.


Illuminae (Illuminae Files, Bk 1)
Illuminae (Illuminae Files, Bk 1)
Author: Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 6
Review Date: 5/3/2018


Nice story, ironically I would have preferred it in a "normal" format, other than that it was impressive how the authors managed to make a story with those files.


Night Shift (Midnight, Texas, Bk 3)
Night Shift (Midnight, Texas, Bk 3)
Author: Charlaine Harris
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 21
Review Date: 3/19/2017


Is this it? Seems as if finally all the secrets of the Midnight citizens are out. Almost. There are still a few questions I would have.
This third installment of the mysterious citizens of Midnight was, again, an entertaining page turner, no dull moments when it comes to Charlaine Harris' writing. However, just like with the first two books of the series I always felt kind of disconnected from the characters. While the story was strong going, the characters, despite their many secrets, were somewhat flat.


Off the Grid (Joe Pickett, Bk 16)
Off the Grid (Joe Pickett, Bk 16)
Author: C. J. Box
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 28
Review Date: 2/22/2017


Nate is back and gets hired to find a fellow falconer who may or may not be a terrorist, Joe gets hired to find Nate for no good reason, Joe's daughter happens to end up in the middle of a terrorist scheme that made no sense whatsoever; and that the whole story was littered with inconsistencies not only in the time line didn't help the meager plot at all.
The 2 stars are for the 15 pages about Joe hunting a rogue grizzly bear - this is what I expect Joe Pickett books to be about - crimes in the outdoors and nature.
This book felt forced and like a bad comic strip (oh Sheridan, you were so right!) all the way through. Not a recommended read. I do, however, recommend everything else CJ Box has written in the past, some more, some less, but none as horrible as this book. If this would have been the first book I read by this author I would never touch another one of him again. I can not emphasize it enough: his other books are in average worth 4.5 star ratings if one likes this genre.


Scarlet Nights (Edilean, Bk 3)
Scarlet Nights (Edilean, Bk 3)
Author: Jude Deveraux
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 71
Review Date: 12/21/2013


This story was - weird. Even for Jude Deveraux too cheesy and the story was highly unbelivable, so was every little side story in this book. From setting up the meeting between the two protagonists up to the reason why a worldwide searched for thief would set up a scam around the place. FBI investigation *huh*?
Jude Deveraux published a lot of very entertaining books, the one or the other faux pas like this here will be forgiven. One of her best, of course, "Knight in Shining Armor".


Turbo Twenty-Three (Stephanie Plum, Bk 23)
Turbo Twenty-Three (Stephanie Plum, Bk 23)
Author: Janet Evanovich
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 102
Review Date: 2/15/2017


Stephanie's 23rd adventure was a bit less annoying than her 22nd, yet one wished Ranger could get back to his Mr Supercool himself and not be reduced to a guy whose vocabulary is abridged to "Babe". And Morelli could show a bit more character. And Lola could be just a tiny little bit less crazy. I love her craziness, but there is a line that gets crossed to utterly ridiculous.
Besides (surprisingly successful) bounty hunting with Lula, Stephanie moonlights as under cover agent for Ranger in an ice cream plant where employees were murdered. Coincidentally she finds the first body during one of her bounty hunts - well, Trenton is a small town. Lula is occupied trying to get into Reality TV. Naked. With a vertical challenged sidekick. While I hated these little side stories I do have to admit that I laughed out loud during reading them. I didn't want to, but I couldn't help it.


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