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Brandon H. (bhall) - , - Reviews

1 to 10 of 10
Blood Relative
Blood Relative
Author: Richard Tortorici
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 2.5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 9/17/2009


This was not a bad book, but neither was it one I'd read again if I had it to do over again.

For starters, its written in present tense, which I absolutely hate.

Beyond that, its a fair story about a cop, who happens to be a vampire and runs across another vampire living in his town(thats forbidden). More than that, the other vampire is rogue has a score to settle and causes a lot of havoc in the process.


The Dangerous Days of Daniel X (Daniel X, Bk 1)
The Dangerous Days of Daniel X (Daniel X, Bk 1)
Author: James Patterson, Michael Ledwidge
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.
 121
Review Date: 9/17/2009


I rather enjoyed this book. It's a quick, easy read, full of action, adventure and a decent bit of drama mixed in for good measure.

While it can be enjoyed by all ages, the book is written for a younger audience and is quite a bit liter than what you would normally espect from Patterson.

Regardless, its definately worth a read if you like sci-fi and/or seeing aliens get their butts kicked.


A Hymn Before Battle (Posleen War, Bk 1)
A Hymn Before Battle (Posleen War, Bk 1)
Author: John Ringo
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 105
Review Date: 9/17/2009
Helpful Score: 3


When i first saw this book, to be honest, I was on the fence. So I went to Amazon and clicked the 'look in side' link and read the first several pages of the book. If for no other reason, the idea of a computer nerd that spends his days working on websites getting called back to action to fight aliens is what compelled me to order this book.

And I'm glad I did. Even if the title makes no sense, I really enjoyed it. It was a very good book with enjoyable characters (except for the idiots, but its okay because they die eventually).

If I have any real complaint, its that there is too much going on in this book. I understand that a lot has to go on, what with Earth finding out about Aliens on the same day they find out about the war thats coming. There is a lot to prpare for, but some of it just seemed to be for word count.

On the other hand, that fluff will probably be dealt wtih more heavily in the sequential books. At least I hope so. :D


Ill Wind (Weather Warden, Bk 1)
Ill Wind (Weather Warden, Bk 1)
Author: Rachel Caine
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 526
Review Date: 9/17/2009
Helpful Score: 2


I've seen this series here and there for years but had never gotten around to reading any of the books. I'm glad I finally did. I really enjoyed this book.

There do seem to be a few areas of the book that maybe wasn't well thought out, where the author relied too heavily on coincidences to continue the story, but otherwise it was well done and an enjoyable read.

Beyond that, it sure gives you a new perspective on weather.


A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Read (Psych, Bk 1)
A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Read (Psych, Bk 1)
Author: William Rabkin
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 34
Review Date: 9/17/2009
Helpful Score: 1


I absolutely loved this book. It was very well written and very true to the characters it was based upon.

Not only that, its funny. I laughed out loud several times and laughed...um..not out loud lots more.


Night Wars (Night Warriors, Bk 4)
Night Wars (Night Warriors, Bk 4)
Author: Graham Masterton
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 3.1/5 Stars.
 15
Review Date: 9/17/2009


There really isn't a whole lot I can say about this book.

I enjoyed it, and I'd probably read it again if I had it to do over, but it sure is out there. Very origional with nightmarish bad guys and unlikley heros.


Psychic Warrior (Psychic Warrior, Bk 1)
Psychic Warrior (Psychic Warrior, Bk 1)
Author: Robert Doherty
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.2/5 Stars.
 22
Review Date: 9/17/2009


I wasn't sure what I was going to get into with this book at first. I liked the general synopsis but I was afraid it would be too technical, at least from a military stand point.

It was, to a small extent, but not so much that it distracted from the story. It was a little busier than I'd like, jumping from character to character, but in this case, it was probably needed to keep the story going.

Beyond that, I did rather enjoy it and do look forward to reading the next book in the series.


Relentless (Lost Fleet, Bk 5)
Relentless (Lost Fleet, Bk 5)
Author: Jack Campbell
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 68
Review Date: 5/31/2009


Relentless is book 5 (of 6) in the Lost Fleet series. It picks up where Valiant, left off, with Captain John 'Black Jack' Geary leading his fleet ever closer to Alliance space.

Things are never easy for the famous Black Jack Geary. Not only does he have to deal with Syndic trying to destroy him and his fleet every chance they get, but he has to deal with saboteurs within his own fleet that are willing to kill their comrades to undermine him and his authority.

And to make matters even worse, with only a couple of jumps left between him and Alliance space, he gets information that suggest there is another large Syndic fleet waiting for him somewhere between his fleet and hard earned safety.

On top of all that, he has to worry about the mysterious third party that seem to want the Alliance and Syndic's fighting among one another, who seem all to willing to destroy a star system to keep the war raging.

This was not the best book in the series and at times the dialogue can get bland, often feeling as if characters are lecturing one another rather than having conversations, but all in all, it is a good addition to the series. It gives a slight sense of resolution to a few lingering issues while leaving the larger ones wide open and ready to draw you into the sixth and final installment in The Lost Fleet series.


The Secret of Platform 13
The Secret of Platform 13
Author: Eva Ibbotson
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 14
Review Date: 9/17/2009


This was a pretty decent book. It was written for a much younger audience, but if you can get past that or know someone young that likes books with magic worlds and outlandish characters, this is a great book.


Wildefire (Wildefire, Bk 1)
Wildefire (Wildefire, Bk 1)
Author: Karsten Knight
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 9
Review Date: 5/11/2011
Helpful Score: 1


I want to start off by saying that I did enjoy this book, would gladly read it all over and would definitely read a sequel.

From the back of the book, I wasn't actually sure I would get into it but I was hooked from the start.

I enjoy the character of Ash and am definitely intrigued by her sister, Eve. Their relationship is charged to say the least.

While this was a fun read that easy easy to follow and kept you wanting more, there were a few parts where i felt it let me down.

There were just moments that required more detail, more explanation and more book time but were skimmed over. One of the most important examples being when Ash finds that one of the major reasons for her ending up at the boarding school was due to a inky black creature with a blue flame for an eye that is supposed to be the cause of her race going extinct instead of a mysterious prophet with good intentions. Something like that seems to demand more book time but you hear nothing else of it beyond a few sentences early in the following chapter. Ash doesn't even tell her other godling friends the earth shaking news.

There was also a small issue Eve and other minor characters seeming to be omnipresent and omniscient. They just happen to be in the perfect place to see everything that happens at all times, magically unnoticed and has information about the main character she barely even knows yet.

Otherwise, it was a fun read, very entertaining and absolutely a page turner. The characters were interesting, the plot was fresh and more original than any I've read in a long time and the potential for the series is tremendous.


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