Owl Manor - the Final Stroke: Book 3 of the Owl Manor Gothic Suspense Trilogy (Zita Harrison)

 

The good thing about trying to read different genres is that it widens my preference, which means there are more books to like and read.

This book works well as a standalone; it’s a complete story and doesn’t rely on the predecessor. Readers are soon immersed in the settings and backgrounds, where we read the story from three different points of view. It’s a curious mixture between first person and third person, but it works for the content and experience as we follow one main character more than the rest.

From the patient progression of the plot, we see the character interacting and changing. I appreciate the patient story-telling, especially when it is captivating, like this book. However, it is concluded in the ending that I personally feel is too rushed. It’s contradictory that we learn about almost everything in detail at the beginning, middle, and near the end, but there are many things left unanswered at the very end. It tries hard to protect and detour readers from the actual killer, but it ends up unexplained.

Continue to spoiler review

What did Rachel and Cecil do, and why did they follow the last victim?

Why Bradstone affects Rachel that much if she is not his ‘vessel’?

So Cecil’s only motives are money and lust?

If everyone is affected that Bradstone brings up the worst in them, it’s unclear, even though it was discussed briefly. It’s also curious that some seem unaffected, and some are affected very badly. Gabriel remains logical and heroic, while Cecil is the reincarnation of evil. The level differs between the women, servants, and guests too. That could be intentional, but it would be great if the conclusion were more evident.

The book is beautifully written, especially on the art of painting. It brings me back to the rich era, and I secretly wish there were illustrations that accompany the book.

4 out of 5 stars

View all my Goodreads reviews

KA,AZULA (Black Hole Radio #3) Ann Birdgenaw

Initially, I felt short-changed because I didn't realize this was the third book. It mentioned events that happened previously that I knew very little about, and the relationships between friends are not fleshed out in this book. It makes sense when I found out.

Growing up, I loved to read Enid Blyton's book, which continued until I was an adult. It sent me places and carried me through adventures I didn't get in real life. Personally, I prefer realism, especially in children's story than trying to imagine a group of kids going through life-threatening situations with skills that are quite a stretch for me to believe (not the 'gifted' ability—that works in the story—but things such as driving like Fast and Furious expert and shooting like John Wick). 

The basketball, school, and ordinary life scenes felt detached from the other two-thirds of the book when they visited the other world. It would be great if there were more relationships between these two parts or some continuation when they return for a bit.

For the characters, it's quite hard to get their age and distinction. Sometimes they speak like adults, and sometimes like children. There are also fewer unique personalities to each of them, but I give it the benefit of the doubt that they are reflected in earlier books. There is excessive use of high-fives that they feel forced to remind the readers that they are kids instead of working it into consistent conversation styles or other ways. 

I like the imagination of the world, the bluest blue, and the meaning that anyone can bring home. I can relate to not knowing that we are different if not for others who make a big deal out of it. The author makes it simple; everyone is open-minded. It's on the contrary in real life, but it works for children's books, and hey, actually, it should work in real-life too! I think it's an excellent message; it just feels a bit too preachy at the end. The earlier and subtle indication works much better, imho.

I round this up for the benefit of the doubt that many issues I have are addressed in the earlier book.

3.5 Random Alien Candies out of 5 Azulizard Sausages

View all my Goodreads reviews

Talking to a Praying Mantis (Francis T Crowley)

 

The book starts right away with an engaging scene. We are introduced to a man's predicament, with him not really remembering how he got into that situation. It then methodically pulls back to his past and gives us some understanding of what he is doing.

It's an easy read and difficult to put down. We get inside this character's head, justifying his actions and reasoning. The character shouldn't be likable; he is selfish, as we are told about how he slowly destroys his life and those around him. But despite all his shortcomings, I want to read on and, at no point, feel that he is irredeemable. It's not easy, but I think the author managed to do it.

The level of knowledge about the processes and experiences convince me that this is a well-research book or told from actual experience. It's scary to see how one could somehow lose that much control of his life, and just like every real-life struggle, the cure should start within that person. If this is non-fiction, I am very happy about the recovery. The character is fortunate; not everyone has that level of support system, especially financially. Many would fall back into the abyss because of desperation and difficulty.

The book opens my eyes to the struggle and difficulty of getting out of addiction. The book's conclusion is long, but in this case, I think it's fitting. It's beautifully told and believable. So to whoever is making an effort, remember your inner praying mantis even if you don't have that level of support system. You are the first one you should count on.

5 Praying Mantises out of 5 Mission Barcelonas

View all my Goodreads reviews

Below Torrential Hill (Jonathan Koven)

I am not familiar with this coming-of-age genre; this is my first experience with it.

Possible spoiler

Below Torrential Hill is a story about the personal struggles of Tristen. This protagonist tries to make sense of everything as we enter his mind, feeling his despair, confusion, helplessness, sorrow, hope, denial, and alcoholism.

Personally, reading between the lines of rich and imaginative language is not my cup of tea. The flow of the story is very descriptive and imaginative,  but I am often left to ponder, 'what do I get from this scene?' And there are times when I struggle to differentiate whether the character actually experiences what he describes or is it just another metaphor, especially when things start to detour, and the line between imagination is blurred. However, this style is appreciated by many, and it is fitting for this genre, too, especially when the reality blur is intentional. If readers are looking for this, you are in for a treat because the writing style is very creative and expressive.

There are also some not too/way too distinctive subjects/characters that sometimes it isn't easy to figure out who is talking. For example, when there are only two characters, a male and female, or when there is only one character, the name is being used repeatedly instead of referring to them as he and she. However, when there are two male characters, sometimes it needs to be clarified who is talking, especially when the conversations from two speakers are put in the same paragraph.

I wish there were more balance between the struggle and the conclusion. I feel like we are in the mud for 85-90% of the book, and the leftover is insufficient for the optimistic conclusion, mainly because, along the way, we touch a lot of disturbing things that are not adequately explored. Abusive parents, domestic violence, a possible murder (?), and I wish we know more about Lave's character because he plays a significant role in the conclusion.

Round up the star for the creativity of involving readers in the character's struggle.

3.5 makeshift trees of out 5 Christmases

View all my Goodreads reviews

 

Starlie's Legacy from Tragedy to Triumph

I am trying to figure out how to review this book.

Spoiler review

The title of this book is Starlie's Legacy from Tragedy to Triumph.

It starts with a beautiful introduction about Starlie, who she was, and a brief history of her impact on her loved ones' lives. We get a powerful foreword, and I like her instantly, reminding me about many influential people I look up to in my life.

The introduction ends with: Some of the stories in this book may seem unrelated to her, but none of these stories would have been possible if it hadn't been for the most courageous actions taken by Starlie when she was a mere child. 

This is her story and legacy.

The story starts with a very captivating first chapter. None of the characters or event mention Starlie, but when I continued to the powerful second chapter, everything became clearer, and I was mesmerized. It has a solid connection to the first chapter. I like the way it intertwines and introduces the book; it's perfect. Together with the subsequent four chapters, they create a poignant story that connects me to the characters, makes me feel for them, and captivates me to no end.

And then comes chapter 6 and the rest. I read through them with great interest thinking about how and what powerful connections they have to Starlie. I read through stories about new and different characters, learned dozens of new names, and as the chapters came and went, I only found some little mentions about Starlie in a few sentences.

Let me be clear here. In the book titled Starlie's Legacy, there are a total of 5 chapters about Starlie, direct and indirect, but they clearly set a strong story about Starlie.

The stories are about everybody else in the whopping subsequent 13 chapters (there are 18 chapters in the book). As mentioned, besides a few sentences thrown here and there, they are not about Starlie anymore.

- There are five chapters of the new characters' love story and Hurricane Katrina, and until now, I am still determining the connection, if any, except the setting. I wonder why these people are taking up the same number of chapters as the titular character. I learned nothing about any possible influence of wisdom connected to Starlie.

- There is one chapter about another character dealing with war PTSD. The author, the son of Starlie, knows this character personally, but that is all.

- Six chapters about the author's family life and people who are close to them but not Starlie. Although there are glitters of Starlie's wisdom, there is only one chapter that explores it (The Help) in deeper meaning about her impact, while the other five chapters are about the author's life that are weirdly put together: a brief vacation story, a concert story, a cruise story, English teacher story, and one chapter about some ghostly experience that doesn't seem to mean anything.

- The last chapter, one maddening chapter about the Romanian Rebel (?). I was suddenly thrown into a political essay about more things than I remember. East and West, the United States and the Soviet Union, Berlin Wall. There is a plethora of names and societies, people that the author met, and their stories are mixed together in this chapter.

A quote: ...because we are celebrating thirty years since the Romanian Revolution of December 1989 these days, considering the fact that the historical truth must be spread, acknowledged, and above all, respected, I will recount the things I lived, and, particularly, felt those days... and afterward.

But why here, in this book?

This 'I' refers to a character who is not the author, telling pages and pages about this historical truth from the first person point of view and, at many points, mentioning this character's mother.

And... the book ends here!

Entering the second hour I write this review, trying as hard as I can to preserve the wonderful feeling I had at the start of this book. I must be honest that the last chapter is my peak of frustration. I would never ever prepare to read about some political and historical essay from a character that has nothing to do with Starlie, what the book is supposed to be about (I think), in the first point of view, and numerously mention 'my mother' but not Starlie. And all this because the author knows this character. I fail to see the significance of this inclusion to this book. I don't have doubt that this other character and his mother are wonderful people, but what I want to read is the wonderful mother to which the book is dedicated.

IMO, it has nothing to do with the essence of the book, am I the only one who don't look forward to reading something politically heavy when I pick up something that is supposed to be a biography, especially when it has nothing to do with the said person? There is a disclaimer upfront, but I think that there should be at least some stronger correlation to Starlie. Imo, it's even a stretch if this book is written as the author's biography because an enormous chunk of it is about other people. The stories are also disconnected from each other.

- I would rate the first five chapters as 5 stars. It touches me the most. It's hard to read because of its sensitive and traumatizing nature, and I am sure it's even harder to recall and write. It is a very powerful and inspiring story, there are many gems of wisdom, and I think it's impactful.

- Middle chapters about other people. Why are they here? What are their connections? The story won't be possible if not for Starlie being as wide as possible, as anyone's account would not be possible from (insert some major world/local event/ancestor existence). The stories are decent and captivating enough. They could and should be stand-alone. 

- Middle to end chapters about the author. This would work better if this book is about the author although they are jumpy and feel disconnected at times without an apparent red thread connecting the story to make it smoother. The first five chapters would work great, even if this book is about the author.

- Last chapter. It doesn't belong in this book, because of the vastly different kind of content.

It's hard for me to rate this. Dedicating almost three hours to write this review, I want to ensure everyone reading this that I am trying to be as fair as possible, and this review is based only on my own opinion. 

I probably had the wrong expectation, thinking that it's one story (instead of compilation) about the titular character or the family that is closely connected to her.

View all my Goodreads reviews