Audiobook Mini Reviews: Midnight by Dean Koontiz & Inferno by Dan Brown

Title: Midnight
Author(s): Dean Koontz
Genre(s): Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
Publisher/Date: Berkley Publishing / January 1, 1989
Series: Stand Alone

The citizens of Moonlight Cove are changing. Some are losing touch with their deepest emotions. Others are surrendering to their wildest urges. And the few who remain unchanged are absolutely terrified—if not brutally murdered in the dead of night. Enter the shocking world of Moonlight Cove, where four unlikely survivors confront the darkest realms of human nature... (synopsis from Goodreads)

Summary Prognosis

I've never read anything by Dean Koontz before so I wasn't really sure what to expect when I purchased this audiobook. Murder, monsters, mayhem---well, that's right up my alley, I'd thought. Unfortunately for Koontz, my first impression left me with the shivers (and not the good kind). My qualms lie more with Koontz's writing style than with the plot which is a shame because this is a story with some serious potential.

As far as the concept goes, I thought it was pretty fantastic. I thought the creatures' lack of empathy to be quite chilling. But I had a hard time connecting with most of the characters save for Harry (the disabled war veteran) and Moose (his dog). Generally, I thought the writing was repetitive and the story, dated. There's an abundance of archaic technological and historical references which really showed the book's age. Little did I realize Midnight was published in 1989. Koontz also has a tendency to repeat the same minute details over and over and over again, causing no shortage of frustration on my end. 

Midnight started off with a bang and the ending had a lot promise, but alas, all the build-up was for naught. Like the rest of the book, it lacked the real scare-factor that I was looking for. J. Charles was a decent reader and the audio production itself was well done. Overall, I could see this story being adapted for TV and, in the right hands (here's to looking at you Guillermo del Toro!), I think it could be brilliant.

Rating: ★★½

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Title: Inferno
Author(s): Dan Brown
Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Thriller
Publisher/Date: Doubleday / May 14, 2013
Series: Robert Langdon (Book #4)

In the heart of Italy, Harvard professor of symbology Robert Langdon is drawn into a harrowing world centered on one of history’s most enduring and mysterious literary masterpieces . . . Dante’s Inferno. Against this backdrop, Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic science. Drawing from Dante’s dark epic poem, Langdon races to find answers and decide whom to trust . . . before the world is irrevocably altered. (synopsis from Goodreads)

Summary Prognosis

Generally speaking, I'm a fan of Dan Brown's work, particularly the Robert Langdon Series. Sure, Brown's books are predictable. Yes, they're a tad formulaic, however, for me, it's a formula that works so I can overlook all that. I loved the first two books in this series; however, because I was let down by the third, I picked up Inferno bearing some caution. Though it didn't quite live up to Angels & Demons or The DaVinci Code, overall, I found it to be more enjoyable than The Lost Symbol.

Before you go and pick up this book, there's one thing you should know: it's heavy on the history and lacking in action. But if you're like me and enjoy historical fiction, it shouldn't really be a problem. Though it can sometimes read like a giant info dump, Inferno touches on several subjects of interest: Dante Alighieri, the literary masterpiece Inferno, Florence and overpopulation. What? Yes. Overpopulation. I know it sounds a bit out of place but the relevancy behind it is both effective and befitting. In other words, Brown makes it work and in doing so, raises some chilling questions.

You don't really need to read the other books in the series to be able to follow Inferno, although,  some familiar patterns become apparent (i.e. - the supposed good guy who ends up being bad). I did like how Brown structured this book differently than the others, using Langdon's amnesia as a means by which to tell the story. It was unexpected and a nice twist. As a reader, I really liked Paul Michael's performance and would happily listen to him narrate again. Inferno was a likeable book, though I'd hardly rank it as one of Brown's best works to date. If you enjoy books heavy on history or like books dealing with this subject matter, I recommend it.

Rating: ★★★

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Book Review: The Diviners by Libba Bray

Title: The Diviners
Author(s): Libba Bray
Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Young Adult
Publisher/Date: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers / September 18, 2012
Series: Book #1 in a planned series 

"Memphis said the words without feeling. He wasn't thinking of being grateful for supper, but of the bounty he hoped to receive for himself. He prayed for his place in the world: his own words in a book and a reading at a salon on Striver's Row, a place at the table with Whitman and Cullen and Mr. Hughes."

Case Study

Imagine you’re a jive New Yorker during the 20’s—jazz rules; there are speakeasies around every corner, an abundance of bootlegged liquor and flapper girls dancing the night away. To enjoy it, all you’ve gotta do is go undercover and hope the cops don’t bust in on the party. Evie O’Neill is one hip gal who desperately wants to be in the thick of it all. She finally lands her chance when her uptight parents ship her off to the big city after an ill-performed party trick. Evie moves in with her Uncle Will, curator of the aptly named “Museum of Creepy Crawlies,” and is having the time of her life until a series of grisly murders threatens to ruin her good time. With the help of “Unc,” some sweet soothsaying abilities and a few talented friends, Evie’s embarks on a serious mission to figure out whodunit; because if the New York nightlife doesn’t get to her first, there’s a good chance the killer will! 

The Game's Afoot

This was my introductory into the world of Libba Bray, and my friends, I’m quite pleased! The Diviners is gripping, suspenseful and memorable without being too over-the-top. There’s soooooo much potential, and let me just tell you, the book lives up to it 110%! After reading, it’s very apparent Bray’s done her research well—from the diction to the fashion and politics, I was completely immersed in the glamorousness that is the Roaring 20’s. I guess the only downer is that, well; all the research makes the book quite thick. Occasionally, the text verges on meticulous leaving it feeling more like an encyclopedia entry than a story. But worry not because it doesn’t happen often and Bray’s affinity for vivid storytelling trumps all. There’s so much going on that the murders sort of meld into the background and feel more like an afterthought, which is okay because it’s a story more about people and their inner demons than anything else. The characters are what made me fall hard and is where the strength of Bray’s writing lies. She just totally baited me—hook, line and sinker. 

First off, can I just say how much I want Evie to be my BFF. Forget Mable, it’s all about the Nikk-ski. See what I did there? We’re meant to be! Not only is she a total doll but she’s a firecracker to boot. Evie isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty at a crime scene or put a fast-talking reporter in his place. She’s got moxie, spirit and gusto, but as feisty as she is, she’s just as loyal and dedicated to those whom she calls a friend. She’s certainly not perfect and she gets herself into trouble but she’s candid and remains true to her convictions. How could you not love someone like that? Then there’s the lovable thief, Sam Lloyd. He fights hard to worm his way into Evie’s heart and it’s hard to tell whether he’s being serious or pulling the wool over our eyes. Either way, he plays a dangerous game and has won my heart over. We also have Jericho, Will’s smarty-pants assistant and the apple of Mabel’s eye. I’m intrigued to see just how far Bray will take the interesting twist in his storyline. 

Bray rounds it out with Theta, a vivacious vixen who comes from humble beginnings. She is the embodiment of 20’s excess and is a girl after my own heart. There’s also Henry, Theta’s gay brother-from-another-mother who’s a whiz at the piano and her lover, Memphis. Oh, sweet Memphis with the charming smile and poetic wordsmithery (is that even a real word?). Memphis has a soulful sadness about him, what I like to call, the melancholy blues. His unwavering devotion to his brother and beautiful way with words are simply irresistible. Bray’s diverse cast of characters is bold and I applaud her for that because it’s not something you see very often in YA. All of our players harbour these immensely tragic backgrounds and unbeknownst to everyone else, life-altering secrets. I can’t wait to see how their individual stories intersect and play out in future installments. Overall, The Diviners was an utter joy to read and if I had to describe it in one word, it’s divine. Libba’s on the fast-track to becoming a favourite author of mine, so yeah, what an introduction indeed! 

Summary Prognosis 

The Diviners is a chilling paranormal tale that’s as authentic and genuine as its beautifully imperfect characters. Though a bit heavy on text, it’s worth reading through every single word and it never feels like a chore. Bray’s world and her peeps will blow you away with how posi-tute-ly brilliant they are! And how! 


Rating:  ★★★★½


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Book Review: The Hunt for Atlantis by Andy McDermott

Title: The Hunt for Atlantis Author(s): Andy McDermott
Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Historical Fiction
Publisher/Date: Headline Hardbacks / June 12, 2008
Series: Nina Wilde & Eddie Chase (Book #1)

“Adventure stories don't get much more epic than this” – Mirror

Case Study

Archaeologist Nina Wilde has a theory, a theory that could finally prove the existence of the legendary city, Atlantis. But that’s not all—if Nina’s theory is right, she will be able to pinpoint the city’s actual location. Here’s the catch—somebody knows about Atlantis, a certain brotherhood that doesn’t want its location to ever be found. With the help of an ex-SAS bodyguard and a billionaire heiress, Nina and her team set out on an action-packed roller-coaster ride to find the lost city. It’s a race around the world and against time as they fight for their lives and for eachother. From the streets of New York to jungles of Brasil to the mountains of Tibet, the hunt for Atlantis leads them to an 11,000 year old secret that could destroy all of mankind as they know it. Professional pride is on the line but so are their lives. Who lives? Who dies? And moreover, who can be trusted? 

The Game's Afoot

Andy McDermott is one of those authors that I go to time and time again and The Hunt for Atlantis is one of my favourite books. I’ve read it, like, a lot. So much so that my paperback copy runs the risk of disintegrating at any moment. It’s that good. Now let me preface my review by saying, this isn’t one of those books with a lot of deep, philosophical musings. This wasn’t crafted by an otherworldly literary prowess. No. It won’t be on high school reading lists anytime soon, that I can promise you. The Hunt for Atlantis is without a doubt, none of those things. What it is, though, is an explosive, in-your-face adventure novel. It’s what I like to refer to as “awesomely bad.” As in, it’s so bad it’s amazing. I tend to save this classification for those special books/movies that don’t tend to take themselves too seriously. You know the ones—they won’t be winning the Oscar or Pulitzer anytime soon. They sit back, relax and suddenly punch-you-in-the-face with how amazingly, unexpectedly great they are. Yeah. They’re my favourite kind. So if you can get down with that type of reading then grab a brewski and pound it hard and quick because we're going for quite a ride! 

What I love most about McDermott’s writing style is that it’s high impact and cinematic. When I read his stories I can picture the scenes exactly as if I were watching them on the big screen. I can safely compare it to one of those big-budget summer blockbuster hits, like Transformers, only not sucky. The Hunt for Atlantis is a fast-paced thrill ride with non-stop exploits and insurmountable intrigue. McDermott does a great job of contrasting the action against the mystery behind the search for Atlantis. He’s woven enough historical fact into the narrative to provide wonder without letting the story become a dull history lesson, though it is important to note, his main focus is on the adventurous parts. If I had to put a classification to it, it would be something like Indiana Jones meets director, John McTiernan. And yes, while some of the more gratuitous action is a tad unbelievable (i.e.- a motorcycle driving out of the back of an airplane), the book’s quick pacing makes it easy to overlook the cheese-factor. I find it hard to be too critical so long as you pick it up and know exactly what’s in store for you. 

And then there are the characters. Don’t get me wrong, I love me a kick-ass heroine but that’s not Nina Wilde. Don’t worry! I’m okay with this. Sometimes I want to see a normal archaeologist who doesn’t know how to wield a whip for a change. Sometimes there’s a need for a damsel in distress. It happens. It’s perfect because this is where my favourite character, ex-SAS bodyguard Edward Chase comes in. Oh god, I love me some Eddie. He’s bullish, he’s tough, he’s crude and he’s English. That’s my kinda man. I’d cast a very strapping Jason Statham to play Chase. The man delivers god-awful puns (are there any better kind?) for god’s sake! He’s sooooo amazing. And the tension between him and Nina is so palpable it had me stopping to fan myself like a dainty Southern belle in heat. Oh, let’s be honest here. That’s exactly what I was sans the adorable Southern drawl. Eddie Chase melts me into a tingly puddle of not-so-ladylike-thoughts all the time and I just love him. And Nina too. Oh, buggeration and fuckery. Hugs all around! 

I could seriously go on and on about how crazy this book is but I’ll spare you all and sum it up in a few words: The action. Nonstop. The characters. Amazeballs. The story. Gut-punching. In short, this is like the Die Hard of the book world—utterly ridiculous but explosively fun! End scene. 

Summary Prognosis

While The Hunt for Atlantis isn’t scholarly writing by any means, it’s got enough energy to overlook that fact. If you want a quick read that’s full of action, adventure and unbelievably cinematic scenes, I guarantee you; this is the right book for you. It’s a gut-busting-explosive-moments kind of story and I totally dig that shit. 


Rating: ★★★★★


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Audiobook Review: The Alexander Cipher by Will Adams

Title: The Alexander Cipher

Author(s): Will Adams
Narrated By: David Colacci

Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Action, Adventure

Publisher/Date: Grand Central Publishing / January 1, 2007

Series: Daniel Knox Series (Book #1)

"An unconquerable warrior king, Alexander was the single most powerful man on the planet and thought to be a god. Now, nearly 2,500 years later, the discovery of his tomb, seemingly lost forever, is within reach, triggering a deadly hunt for one of the greatest treasures of all time. Knox is not the only seeker; others are after the prize, and they would kill to win it." –Amazon.com

Case Study

What do you get when you cross Alexander the Great, Homer (not Simpson) and Ancient Egyptian lore? You get The Alexander Cipher—a race to discover the lost tomb of the ancient world’s greatest warrior. Anyone who’s met me knows that I’m a self-professed historical fiction/adventure enthusiast. If Indiana Jones had a secret affair with Michael Bay, the resulting love-child would be my favourite kind of book. Something like, say, this one. Written in the style of Clive Cussler or Steve Berry, Adams has crafted a riveting narrative full of action and adventure with a twist of compelling mystery.

 

The Game's Afoot

Alexander the Great is an incredibly intriguing figure and it’s evident that Adams has done his homework. His research blurred the lines between fact and fiction seamlessly and there’s definitely something to be said for that. The main problem I’ve found with this genre is that there’s a thin line between need-to-know fact and tedious detail. Many novels go so far in-depth with the facts that you’re left feeling like you’re sitting in a classroom. Adams balances the nitty gritty detail with just enough flair to keep you feeling engaged, not bored. There are plot twists and cliff-hangers looming around every corner; enough to keep you on your toes. Any novel that can blend the likes of history with the throes of an edgy thriller is a total winner in my book.

 

I guess my only real problem with The Alexander Cipher was the lack of an appealing main character. It’s not that they weren’t likeable, for all intensive purposes, they could be worse; it’s just that they aren’t notably strong. Adams missed the mark in making our main man, Daniel Knox, identifiable. He’s an enigma with one too many personality shifts—American to British to Egyptian—it’s just distracting. Our leading lady, Gaille, is way too weak and fickle for my tastes. One minute she hates Knox and the next minute she loves him. I couldn’t quite keep track. And look, I get it. Archaeologists aren’t action heroes. Understood. But would it have been too much to ask to take a little fire from Gaille’s overbearing boss, Elena, and shove it into her instead? Her timid act was just not relatable from a reader’s standpoint. I wanted to shake the meekness right out of her the entire time I was reading.

 

While this might seem like a huge issue (believe me, in most cases it is) Adams supplements this loss with an amazing cast of supporting characters. Tell me you’re not intrigued by a man like Mohammed, who risked everything to save the life of his terminally ill daughter. Tell me you wouldn’t like to kick some serious ass with the likes of Knox’s Aussie pal, Rick. Tell me you weren’t floored by the dedication of Dr. Ibrahim Beyumi. I’ve never seen someone who loves their job so much and it’s inspiring. Oh and the honorable goon Nessin. Honorable goon? An oxymoron, yes, but still true nonetheless. These guys are worth reading about and these guys made me overlook the book’s inherit flaws. Girlish side note here: I have a bit of a bookish crush on Knox’s wayward friend, Augustin. He’s just so damn charming! I’d be like total putty in those French hands of his!

 

Despite the book’s shortcomings, all in all, the twists and turns kept me satisfied enough to overlook them. There was an unpredictability in where Adams was going with storyline and enough action to keep the Bay in me at bay. When I finish a historical book and feel an immediate thirst for more knowledge on said subject, I know something was done right. The Alexander Cipher accomplished such a task and did exactly what a book of this genre should do—kept me turning the page and wanting for more.

Summary Prognosis

This genre is my total guilty pleasure and with that being said, it’s tough to disappoint. But in a sea of Dan Brown wannabe’s, Will Adams’ debut novel stands strong on its own two feet. I’ve read the second in the series and do look forward to reading more from him. Adams has found himself a dedicated new fan! And if you prefer the auditory experience, I’ve listed to the audiobook, it comes highly recommended.


Rating: ★★★½

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