Tag Archives: Humor

Unknown's avatar

Death Ain’t But A Word

by

death ain't but a wordDeath Ain’t But A Word: A Supernatural Hot Mess
by Zander Marks

 

I had heard a lot of good things about this book before I got it and I will say that they were all justified. Now, it starts off a little slowly as it establishes who and what the characters are in relation to each other. And though we meet quite a few different characters they are not all fully fleshed out with a background and such though they still have a vital purpose in the story. The ebb and flow of the story was good and made understanding what was going on and why very easy to follow. Though some might not be able to always follow the conversations, the use of slang is limited and mostly explained when it is used. The idea behind this was just so delicious to me and I guess I could not help but like it, it spoke to me very loudly.

Wilkin Jones is a crackhead but he is so much more than just that and he wishes that he were not. It has been twenty-three years since his best friend disappeared and was presumed dead, but he has kept in touch off and on with him over the years. When the killer comes back and wants to clean up after himself, Wilkin finds that he is in the middle of something that could cause him to step over into the veil for good. He has fought who he really is for years but now he may not be able to do that any longer if he wants to survive.

The thought of a crackhead being the main focus was intriguing to me and it proved to be very entertaining. I found myself smiling a lot while reading this as well as getting a bit weepy at times. Wilkin is a likable guy who I can see myself knowing in real life. Some of these characters remind me of people from my old neighborhood and they were mostly good folks who just fell. I would recommend this to everyone! A different kind of ghost story that brings things into the light.

 

 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Don’t you DARE try that goo-goo-eyed force-be-with-you Obi-Wan Kenobi bullshit with me. I know what time it is. Ain’t about me. I’m a crackhead gonna die behind a Dumpster, nobody miss me when I do. Fuck that. This about him. He don’t deserve this. After all he been through, he do not deserve this. So cut the crap right now. Right now! And don’t piss on my leg and tell me it be raining, ’cause you coulda stopped it. You let it happen. You knew all along, and you were wrong for that. So fuck you and don’t hand me no light saber and play some bitch-ass Yoda. I AIN’T HAVING IT!”

 

 

 

 

Graph

 

Unknown's avatar

Bell, Book, and Sandals

by

bell,book, and sandals  Bell, Book, and Sandals (Maxie Duncan #1)
by Melissa L. Webb

 

This was a fun little story with a girl who was annoying but seemed to grow a bit. The characters were fairly real to life because I really disliked Maxie when she started acting all stuck up and that type of dislike is reserved for someone I can relate to. The story got me interested and kept me interested to the very end with a few twists I did not see coming.

Maxie is a little rich girl who thought she was going to have the perfect little rich life. Then her fiancée dumps her just weeks before their wedding for a nobody girl named Sunday. Unhappy and just wanting to get away she runs to Hollywood thinking that she can become an actress, even though she has never acted a day in her life, and that she will become famous. Well, that is not the case and she ends up having to actually work for the first time in her life. She is lucky enough to find someone who offers her a place to live and a job.

When she meets Ryan, a real movie star and starts a relationship with him she starts to turn her back on the people who took her in and helped her. Thinking that she is meant for better things than simply working for a living. But there are things she does not know about Ryan or herself for that matter. When she finds out things are going to change in ways she could not have seen.

I got into this story and the characters and was hoping for more, but have been unable to find the next book.

 

 

My rating: 4 f 5 Stars

 

 

Unknown's avatar

Turn Coat

by

turn coat

Turn Coat (The Dresden Files #11)

by Jim Butcher (Author) James Marsters (Narrator)
  I have been enjoying listening to the books after reading them a few years ago. James Marsters has brought so much life to the characters that I cannot imagine any other voice as that of Dresden. He gives a true vibrancy and personality to each of the characters which distinguishes them from one another. The stories have continued to evolve from that first introduction to the wizard and his world. Things can sometimes drag a little, but it is never for long and always picks up.

Morgan has been the bane of Harry Dresden’s life since he was a 16 year old kid hauled before the White Council for the crime of killing with magic. When Morgan finds himself on the other side of the good graces of the Council he goes to the one person who you would expect to laugh in his face and send him to his fate. But that is not how Harry operates, he believes Morgan when he says he is innocent, and at the risk of his own life sets out to prove that innocence.

A well written ride through the world of Harry and all those creatures, friend and foe,  who inhabit it. This is a good one!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“You’re in America now,” I said. “Our idea of diplomacy is showing up with a gun in one hand and a sandwich in the other and asking which you’d prefer.”
― Jim Butcher, Turn Coat
Unknown's avatar

White Knight

by

white night

White Night (The Dresden Files #9)

by Jim Butcher (Author), James Marsters (Narrator)
This is just another wild ride with the only practicing wizard in Chicago. The writing is always lively and descriptive giving a great look at both the characters and surroundings. The story is tight and flows perfectly. I love to listen because James Marsters is Harry Dresden and pulls me in as soon as he starts talking.

Harry has been drafted by the White Council as a Warden and is actually having to deal with them and look out for his territory. It just so happens that women, witches are being killed and or disappearing and he has no idea until Murphy clues him in. Molly is pushing hard to be included even though she has no experience. And to top it off many people believe he is the killer because a tall man in a grey cloak has been seen with the victims.

Dresden fans will enjoy this!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am a super fan of Harry!
“What is the point of having free will if one cannot occasionally spit in the eye of destiny?”
― Jim Butcher, White Night
Unknown's avatar

Proven Guilty

by

Proven Guilty

Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files #8)

by Jim Butcher, James Marsters (Narrator)

Another good Dresden book with characters we have not seen for a while as he avoided them. The story continues to evolve and his relationships continue to deepen and shift as he learns to deal with family. The characters themselves continue to grow and add new facets to their personalities.

Harry is tasked with contacting the Sidhe to find out why they are not helping with the fight against the Reds when they have violated their land. He is further given information that someone is using black magic in his town and that he needs to handle it. What he finds out about both situations brings him into contact with both the Summer Lady, Winter Lady, and Molly Carpenter. Molly is the wrench in the ointment because he has been trying to avoid her father and now he has no more excuses. As usual he is going to have to fight to save not only himself but his friends.

James Marsters continues to give life and breath to these characters, especially Harry Dresden, he has made him very real. Love it!

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
“I don’t care about whose DNA has recombined with whose. When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching–they are your family.”
― Jim Butcher, Proven Guilty

Save

Unknown's avatar

Blood Rites

by

Blood Rites

Blood Rites (The Dresden Files #6)

by Jim Butcher (Author), James Marsters (Narrator)
I am listening to the Dresden Files because I have read all of the books over the past several years and it became one of my favorite series and Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden became one of my favorite characters. I am gearing up for the next entry in the series, which I hope will arrive soon after I finish the last book. The series is total urban fantasy without the major romance you find in some, and that is appropriate for the main character. The characters have a rich life that you get to share in as they evolve more and more before your eyes. The stories always have an element of mystery and a noir feel that you expect within this world.

Thomas Raith hires Harry to help a friend who seems to be under some type of curse which is causing problems for those around him. The Black Court, Mavra in particular has taken over a downtown location and is causing problems. There is only one of him and yet he is trying to make sure that everyone comes out alive. To top things off Karrin Murphy is having family issues and Harry must be there for her. Murphy returns the favor and is there for him when he needs her the most.

Some surprises are popped, some alliances are forged, some new characters are introduced. This is a wonderful piece of work. Cannot recommend it more highly.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“Jobs are a part of life. Maybe you’ve heard of the concept. It’s called work? See, what happens is that you suffer through doing annoying and humiliating things until you get paid not enough money. Like those Japanese game shows, only without all the glory.”
― Jim Butcher, Blood Rites
Unknown's avatar

Death Masks

by

Death Masks

Death Masks (The Dresden Files #5)

by Jim Butcher (Author), James Marsters (Narrator)

Another good entry with the introduction of characters who will become very important later in the series. We meet Butters for the first time here in a limited way but you know he will be seen again since he is a doctor, even if he is into forensics. We also meet the Denarians and Nicodemus who are some very serious bad guys.

While a guest on a talk show Harry is ambushed by an emissary of the Red Court who informs him that there is a way to end the war. He also is sought out by a priest who wants to hire him for a job that could be very dangerous. He once again finds himself fighting for his life and trying to do the right thing for everyone.

Dresden is a good guy and a good wizard who does his best at all times but never seems to get ahead. Cannot help but be impressed by this character.We know how I feel about James Marsters. Love that voice! You have to listen to truly appreciate.

 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“There are things you can’t walk away from. Not if you want to live with yourself afterward.”
― Jim Butcher, Death Masks
Unknown's avatar

Summer Knight

by

Summer Knight

Summer Knight (The Dresden Files #4)

by Jim Butcher ( Author), James Marsters (Narrator)

Once again Jim Butcher gives me another great adventure with my favorite wizard. The Dresden series just continues to exceed my expectations at every turn. Having read the book quite a while ago it is something to listen to it and find all the nuances that you may have missed the first time jump out at you. The world continues to evolve and become richer as more about the wizard council and the fairies as well as the vampires is learned.

Harry cannot seem to catch a break. He gets a call from Billy which takes him to a park where frogs seem to be raining down, he is then informed by Billy that he has set up a meeting with a potential client, he is then summoned to a meeting of the White Council, and the Reds are still out for his blood. His year could not possibly get any worse. Or could it?

James Marsters continues to bring life to Harry and his merry band of friends of foes. His narration is the major reason to listen to these books, besides the fact that the stories are amazing. Continue the story and enjoy!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Unknown's avatar

Grave Peril

by

grave-peril

Grave Peril (The Dresden Files #3)

by Jim Butcher (Author), James Marsters (Narrator)
The story just gets better and better as it moves along. Though each book is basically a standalone, the story is advanced every time because we always know what has happened before. They are also always at least a year or two after. Every book introduces new characters who Harry gets to interact with and maybe become friends with. The world that they live in is our world with the only twist being that the fantastic and mystical exists, and who wouldn’t want that.

The barrier between reality and the never-never is thinning. Ghosts are coming through and causing a lot of trouble in Chicago and people still do not believe. Harry has been invited to attend Bianca’s elevation in rank within the Red Court of Vampires. While Harry did not consider going the invitation was issued while he was with Susan and she is one tenacious reporter who does not get the real danger involved. There is always more going on than meets the eye and Harry is blaming himself for a lot of things.

I loved the book the first time I read it and for the second time I listened and got even more out of it. James Marsters does the narration and he is Harry for me at this point. He does a great job not only with Harry but with every other character and brings them to life  wonderfully. I loved him as Spike on Buffy, and can hear him with some characters, and could and do listen to him for hours as he takes me away to Chicago and my favorite wizard detective. This is Urban Fantasy at its best!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“Holy shit,” I breathed. “Hellhounds.”
“Harry,” Michael said sternly. “You know I hate it when you swear.”
“You’re right. Sorry. Holy shit,” I breathed, “heckhounds.”
― Jim Butcher, Grave Peril
Unknown's avatar

Angry Lead Skies

by

9723006

Angry Lead Skies (Garrett Files #10)

This is one of the really good ones as far as Garrett and his adventures are concerned. I always like that he has something different going on that takes place in his fictional land. The story moves pretty quickly and we get to see how he acts with women other than those he always has around. The characters are fairly well defined and fleshed out.

Garrett is awakened from a deep sleep by Playmate who comes to him and asks that he help protect an obnoxious kid named Kip Prose who is being threatened by creatures who are hard to describe. Kip is a teenager who was befriended by two strange guys who have been giving him ideas for inventions that could make someone a lot of money. Opening his door when a woman is not knocking does not ever work out for him, but neither does it when they do.

Enjoy this adventure and watch Garrett try to please everyone and still get paid.

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
“The Dead Man once told me that monsters aren’t born, they’re made. That they are memorials which take years of cruelty to sculpt. And that while we should weep for the tortured child who served as raw material, we should permit no sentiment to impede us while we rid the world of the terror strewn by the finished work. It took me a while to figure out what he meant but I do understand him now.”
― Glen Cook, Angry Lead Skies