The First Days: As The World Ends
Rhiannon Frater
336 pages
Publisher: Tor Books
Source: Advanced Reader Copy (Goodreads)
Rhiannon Frater
336 pages
Publisher: Tor Books
Source: Advanced Reader Copy (Goodreads)
Rating: ★★★★★ & two shots of Jose Cuervo, straight no chaser
You can read the Goodreads summary here.
I have to say I was blown away by how good this book turned out to be. It exceeded my expectations as both a science fiction book and as a member of the Zombie genre.
The First Days: As The World Ends is non-stop action that takes off like a Triple-crown winner from the starting gates. Immediately you are drawn into the plight of Jenni as she tries to come to grips with what is going on around her and Katie as she struggles with the death of her wife. I especially enjoyed how this author explored the advent of a Zombie apocalypse, choosing a more realistic approach. There is utter confusion occurring all around the country as people are in denial that Zombies could even exist, thinking that loved ones were sick, not realizing that they had become the undead until it was too late. This realistic approach, not just simply accepting the existence of Zombie’s at face value, gives the entire story more depth and believability; with each character reaching their own reality in their own way
There was just enough romance to keep things interesting without being too much to drive away the male reader. The depth of and consistency of the character development keeps the reader enthralled in the story and creates an emotional connection between the reader and each and every one of the main characters. I can’t wait to read the second book.
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5.16.11 - The husband's second review is below:
The Jefferson Key
Steve Berry
457 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Source: Advanced Reader Copy (Goodreads)
Steve Berry
457 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Source: Advanced Reader Copy (Goodreads)
Rating: ★★★★✩ & two fingers of Makers Mark 46
Wow, I’m really impressed. I liked Steve Berry’s first book of the Cotton Malone series, The Templar Legacy, but this piece of work show’s a great maturity in writing from the author.
The web that the plot weaves always leaves you guessing what is going to happen next. Unlike most thrillers I had a hard time predicting what the next page would reveal. I particularly enjoyed the multiple parallel plots that played out throughout the novel. Steve Berry did an excellent job of making you really hate begin to loathe the antagonist, without making you over zealous for the protagonist.
When it came to the ending I found myself shouting out loud in excitement over the conclusion to the climax. [Editor's note: It's true, he did.] Which was made even better by the fact that I didn’t see it coming.
I especially enjoyed the fact that the novel was firmly rooted in historical fact, with a secret society, yet there was no mention of the Mason’s or Templars anywhere; refreshing. Not to mention, who doesn’t like a good pirate book? This book is a must read for anyone to likes historical thrillers or thrillers in general.
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The Templar Legacy
Steve Berry
475 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Source: Ye Olde Book Repository (DeKalb County Public Library)
Steve Berry
475 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Source: Ye Olde Book Repository (DeKalb County Public Library)
Rating: ★★★✩✩ & a Sam Adams Boston Lager
Hey y’all this is my first post on the Wifey’s blog. So first I should explain my rating system. I use the same star system that she uses but I also assign the book a drink based on whether or not I would have to get smashed in order to want to read it or if I would just be chilling and relaxing with a cold beer. Picture the type of person you’d see in a bar with said drink and you will understand my personification of the book. I’m also gone be rating much different books then she normally would. I like the action/psychological thriller books, mysteries, and anything by Stephen King.
So the reason I read this book is because I received a ARC from goodreads.com for the Authors newest book The Jefferson Key, but seeing as that is the 7th book in the Cotton Malone series I wanted to first get the background on the protagonist; there is no better way to do that then read the first book, so I did.
I went into reading this book with a chip on my shoulder already seeing that it appeared from the title alone to be just another book in the quagmire of Templar conspiracy novels that followed on the coattails of The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown. I was, however, pleasantly surprised this book managed to set itself apart. The plot was so nicely webbed together that it gave everything a nice twist. I also enjoyed the fact that everything was heavily routed in historical fact, save for the authors individual take on the Templar secret. If I had to pick the one thing that set this book apart from all the others, it would be the Templar Secret.
From the very beginning this book was action packed never leaving you an opportunity to get bored. All in all I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anybody who likes a good action mystery novel.
