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Showing posts with label Historical. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Historical. Show all posts

In Odd We Trust Review

Dean Koontz, Biographical, Crime Manga, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical, Horror Manga, Horror, Mystery, Thriller

In Odd We Trust

Published: 24, June 2008
Genre: Biographical, Crime Manga, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical, Horror Manga, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Odd Thomas Graphic Novels Book 1

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

The first graphic novel starring Dean Koontz's character Odd Thomas is In Odd We Trust. Queenie Chan and Koontz wrote it, and Chan illustrated it in a Manga manner. "In Odd We Trust" is an excellent new installment in the Odd Thomas series. For those of you who are new to the series, I can only recommend reading the first four novels. For those of you who have previously read the novels, this is where you should start. This is more of the Odd you're used to, but because it's a graphic book, it's a lot shorter read. As a result, it moves at a much quicker rate. 

The knowledge you already have of Odd and the strange things he knows, does, and thinks helps to compensate for the fast pace and lack of details such as Odd's thoughts to himself. 

This graphic novel comes before Brother Odd. It was a brief story, but it was excellent. I love how they turned this into a graphic novel.

I adore comics and Manga if the author, illustrator, and character are worth my time, and this book was full of perfection for me and I liked it, the only thing that was difficult for my brain to adjust to was Odd Thomas’s character, and that was because of the movie. If you watch the movie, you'll understand what I'm saying.

You may note that I repeat a few sentences in this review, such as it is a graphic novel, a comic, and a Manga. I'm doing it on purpose so that skimmers may read it and realize it's not a regular book, and they won't blame me or the author for not telling them or tricking them into buying a comic instead of a regular book.

Odd Thomas was an excellent first novel, and I was eager to see and read the sequel. The third was likewise snatched up with zeal. I was a little upset by the finish of the first book, but it felt appropriate once I realized what it meant. This comic novel was an excellent method to introduce Odd to a broader audience.

The reason this book did not receive a perfect score is as follows... The drawings are fine, but Dean Koontz has been so masterful at expressing Odd Thomas' actions, ideas, and the amusing ways that he thinks without actually describing him that seeing him portrayed in this work was a minor disappointment. 

Interestingly, it is probable that Dean Koontz, who addresses Odd's representation at the conclusion of this book, never fully pictured Odd, and while he enjoyed the portrayal and believed it was the best that could be done, it fell somewhat short. 

The tale is nice, but it misses Koontz's brilliant comedy since it is a graphic novel rather than a whole book. I enjoy the Odd Thomas series, and although this one was enjoyable, it appeared to forgo information in favor of visual effects. 

The same Odd is present, but Stormy is not how I would have imagined her from the previous books. I've read almost all of them; therefore I obviously like the characters and the majority of the plots. 

Stormy is still a main character in the book, hence it begins before the first strange Thomas novel. It is a short read, and the artwork is excellent for those of us who lack creative skills. 

Because of the animation, I believe it will attract a younger audience to the series. If you've read the Odd Thomas series, you'll enjoy this book, but if you haven't, there are a lot of unsolved issues and gaps in the plot.

Dean Koontz has undergone a significant transformation. I love his Odd stories, and this is simply another interesting and unique way to convey them. 

To truly appreciate the narrative, I believe you must be a fan of Odd Thomas. Dean Koontz comics and graphic novels are required reading for every Dean Koontz fan or collector.

Be mindful of the following before purchasing In Odd We Trust:

A - This isn't an Odd Thomas novel; it's a black-and-white comic book, a graphic novel done in the style of Japanese manga. If you do not love this form of amusement, do not purchase this product.

B - This graphic novel isn't entirely written by Dean Koontz; instead, most of the work is done by Queenie Chan, a well-known Manga writer, and illustrator. 

If you anticipate the literary style to be comparable to that of the Odd Thomas novels, you will be disappointed. However, I feel Chan comes close to capturing each character's soul. Her pictures of Odd Thomas and, in particular, Stormy Llewellyn, were likewise spot on. 

Overall, I believe Chan did an excellent job here, especially considering the likely creative limits she had.

(3) In Odd We Trust is a prequel tale set before the events of the first Odd Thomas novel. As a consequence, I believe it is not the greatest spot to begin Odd's narrative. 

My recommendation is to start with Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas book and then move on to In Odd We Trust. I believe that doing so will increase your pleasure of the graphic book.

In general, I enjoyed In Odd We Trust. It's a great story, and I liked seeing all of the characters from the first Odd Thomas novel again. 

The tale lacks the complexity of Koontz's novels, but I believe this is due to the graphic novel format's limitations (the story, after all, is less than 150 pages long, and took me about half an hour to read). However, if you're a Koontz fan who also appreciates Manga, this is definitely worth your time.


Final Thoughts

I enjoy graphic books. I enjoy reading comic books. Anything that tells a good tale appeals to me. Dean Koontz's short tale served as the inspiration for this novel. The short story is supplied so that you can observe whether the images diverge from the plot.

I must say that it was once again extremely pleasant; it was good to see Odd and Stormy together again on another journey, even though this is a precursor.

I expected this to be a fantastic way for the series to become more aesthetically exciting, and I was not disappointed. The Manga style was a bit strange to me, but the tale was compelling. 

I believe a more typical comic book or graphic novel approach, as well as color in the artwork, would have been preferable, but the overall tale was fantastic and in line with Koontz's usual genius in the Odd Thomas world. Congratulations to both Mr. Koontz and Queenie Chan!

Overall, I loved this since it helps to explain Odd and Stormy's connection while also revealing elements of Odd's background that are addressed and hinted at throughout the novels.

If you like the rest of the Odd Series, you should get this as well (you'll be glad you did). If you've read the Odd Thomas novels and liked them but weren't blown away by them, you should definitely go to a bookstore and read them there.

The graphic novel is equally as good as the traditional novel. Those who adore Manga will appreciate its distinct structure and aesthetics. The tale is fantastic, and the artwork is equally so! I adore it!


Synopsis

““Meet a young man named Odd . . . who helps the dead get even."

From the infinite imagination of #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz comes the suspenseful graphic-novel debut of a natural-born hero with a supernatural twist.

Odd Thomas is a regular nineteen-year-old with an unusual gift: the ability to see the lingering spirits of the dead. To Odd, it’s not such a big deal. And most folks in sleepy Pico Mundo, California, are much more interested in the irresistible pancakes Odd whips up at the local diner. Still, communing with the dead can be useful. Because while some spirits only want a little company . . . others want justice.

When the sad specter of a very frightened boy finds its way to him, Odd vows to root out the evil suddenly infecting the sunny streets of Pico Mundo. But even with his exceptional ability–plus the local police and his pistol-packing girlfriend, Stormy, backing him–is Odd any match for a faceless stalker who’s always a step ahead . . . and determined to kill again?”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Artwork, Bad Guy, Black And White, Fry Cook, Graphic Novel, Love The Odd, Odd Thomas Series, Odd We Trust, Pico Mundo, Story Line, Thomas Series


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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Sleeping Beauties Review

Stephen King, Owen King, American, Classic, Fiction, Ghost, Historical, Horror, Literary, Literature, Mystery, Post Apocalyptic, Psychic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Sleeping Beauties

Published: 26, September 2017
Genre: American, Classic, Fiction, Ghost, Historical, Horror, Literary, Literature, Mystery, Post Apocalyptic, Psychic, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller

Check the summary of this book here:


The Review

Sleeping Beauties is a novel written by Stephen King and his son Owen King, who, according to Stephen King, gave him the concept for the book. The novel was first revealed in June 2016 and is set in a women's jail in West Virginia during a bizarre magical event that leads all of the world's women to fall asleep. On September 1, 2017, Entertainment Weekly released an excerpt in their special The Ultimate Guide to Stephen King edition.

An AMC series based on the book might be on the way, but it's been almost three years since the previous update, and I haven't heard anything about it. As always, I'll post any new information as soon as I get it.

This is a fantastic modernized fairy tale. I was scared they'd go down the women's good, men's evil road, and there was a little amount of that - I mean, raising the question "Is it possible that a woman has ever launched a war? I don't think so." (Or anything along those lines.) 

Could I please present you to Margaret Thatcher? What about Golda Meir? What about Queen Elizabeth I? What about Queen Victoria? And so on and so on. But they didn't do it all that much. They were reasonable.

Stephen and Owen, a father and son literary duo, have effectively crafted a continuous narrative voice in the 700+ page novel that runs straight ahead at a terrific speed. 

I've always admired Stephen King for moving out the inevitable King-style climactic and cinema-graphic confrontations between good and evil for much too long. 

These noisy, brutal, and often confused passages, for example, in "Bag of Bones" and "The Stand," to name two, may occupy 10 minutes of screen time, but pages and pages and pages of text that I read and reread are still better than any movie. 

Well, I'm pleased to report that the climax "showdown" sequences in "Sleeping Beauties" are considerably clearer but still noisy, gruesome, and well-paced.

I never liked to read an author who is the child of a famous author for obvious reasons: chances are, the book was never written by the child author, and the famous author actually wrote it for the kid to help him or her grow, but after reading Anne Rice and her son Christopher Rice's books, I changed my mind, and the same applies here. 

And now I feel that these works were written by the children rather than the parents, with the exception of the later parts of Dune, which were released after the death of the mythological Frank Herbert, and I believe they were never written by him, as no scripts were discovered late after his death. 

For me, the first three books were the best, but later they became different, and then after his death, it was entirely someone else writing those books, namely "Kevin J. Anderson and maybe Brian Herbert, but I doubt it," but I still read all the books in the series, and I always read the later parts with the clear mind that they were not written by Frank Herbert, so I don't get mad at the story or quality because, compared to the Dune, any quality will feel like a kid wrote the books. 

Don't get me wrong, Kevin J. Anderson is a fantastic author, but I'm simply comparing the first novel to any other work in the same universe.

Let's get back to the book I'm meant to be reviewing... I admit that I was apprehensive when I learned that my favorite author, Stephen King, had collaborated on a novel with his son, Owen King. 

I was curious if their writing styles would be comparable, and if they would complement one another. 

I wasn't expecting such a gripping novel, part fantasy, half science fiction, all suspense. There are several characters, like in many of the elder King's writings. 

At the beginning of the book, the writers graciously give a list of them, along with a one-line summary of their role in the plot. 

Once again, King demonstrates his ability to conceive and bring to life a wide range of characters. Some generate more pity, while others arouse more disdain, yet they all fit together.

An excellent treatment of the topic of the sexes' interaction. From men's insensitivity to women to full-fledged misogynists, the novel delves into a conceivable scenario of a single-gender society. 

Women's perspectives are strongly represented, particularly in the conclusions reached. As an open-minded individual, I believe I can connect to a variety of masculine views toward females, as well as female ones. 

I remember thinking at first that the book couldn't have been written by a man, then changing my mind to honor this candid and accurate portrayal of reality. 

A useful insight can be beneficial to both men and women. I know King is a fantastic writer who doesn't need his son's help to write all of this flawlessly, but I still like to envision them sitting together and weaving this magnificent masterpiece as a father and son team. 

I've read a number of Owen King's works, and I believe he can write with his father and add the stuff in this book, but it's clear that he still needs a lot of time to break out of the shadow of his father, the divine literary giant Stephen King.


Final Thoughts

Stephen and Owen King have created an excellent story that delves into the minds of men and women with incredible authenticity and insight. 

The universe they build is really fantastical, yet plausible since it encompasses all of the distinct characteristics of both sexes and presents them for the reader's perception.

The events that led to the female convicts' arrival in their different locations in this story reflect very vividly actual conditions in the lives of so many women. 

There are several instances where "righteous" does not imply the right to liberty.

This tale made me think deeply and showed me how narrow the line is for males to walk while dealing with so many of life's events, and how men and women behave differently. 

This is a narrative that will make you think about morals, society, and the roles of both sexes in society. 

It will not provide you with solutions, but it will certainly get you thinking. There are plenty of story twists and flights into plausible fantasy, with just enough truth to please the most discerning readers.

This book is not a quick read, but it is rewarding and hopeful, and it is wonderful if you want to discover hope since we all need it.

This novel has some extremely moving passages. I don't want to provide any spoilers, so go ahead and buy it and find out for yourself!


Synopsis

“In this spectacular New York Times bestselling father/son collaboration that “barrels along like a freight train” (Publishers Weekly), Stephen King and Owen King tell the highest of high-stakes stories: what might happen if women disappeared from the world of men?

In a future so real and near it might be now, something happens when women go to sleep: they become shrouded in a cocoon-like gauze. If they are awakened, if the gauze wrapping their bodies is disturbed or violated, the women become feral and spectacularly violent. And while they sleep they go to another place, a better place, where harmony prevails and conflict is rare. One woman, the mysterious “Eve Black,” is immune to the blessing or curse of the sleeping disease. Is Eve a medical anomaly to be studied? Or is she a demon who must be slain?

Abandoned, left to their increasingly primal urges, the men divide into warring factions, some wanted to kill Eve, some to save her. Others exploit the chaos to wreak their own vengeance on new enemies. All turn to violence in a suddenly all-male world. Set in a small Appalachian town whose primary employer is a woman’s prison, Sleeping Beauties is a wildly provocative, gloriously dramatic father-son collaboration that feels particularly urgent and relevant today.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Character Development, Evie Black, Fall Asleep, Father And Son, Joe Hill, King Novel, Looking Forward, Many Characters, Page Turner, Son Owen


Rating: 85/100
Recommended: 90/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

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Joyland Review

Stephen King, Anthologies, coming of age, Fiction, Ghost, Hard-Boiled, Historical, Horror, Murder, Mystery

Joyland

Published: 4, June 2013
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Anthologies, Coming Of Age, Fiction, Ghost, Hard-Boiled, Historical, Horror, Murder, Mystery

Check the summary of this book here:
Joyland Summary


The Review

Stephen King's novel Joyland was originally published by Hard Case Crime. Following The Colorado Kid, it is Stephen King's second novel for the label. The initial edition was exclusively available in paperback, with cover art by Robert McGinnis and Glen Orbik. A week later, a limited hardback version was released. The novel was nominated for an Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original in 2014.

This narrative takes place in 1973 and is mostly set at Joyland, a small amusement park. We get to spend the summer with Devin, a 21-year-old who works at Joyland. Devin has a broken heart after being dumped by his college sweetheart, but he dives headfirst into his new career. 

I like how we get to see so many different sections of the park because Devin seems to work everywhere.

This book's characters were wonderful. I enjoyed getting to know Devin, and at the conclusion of the book, I felt like I knew him well. 

This book's narration approach is as if Devin were telling us a story years after these events occurred, and he would wander and move forward a little at points. This manner, in my opinion, made the narrative feel more natural and added a lot of appeal to it. 

Devin's park friends, coworkers, a small kid, and his mother all played key parts in this novel, and I believe Stephen King did an excellent job of pulling each of them to reality.

The tale moved slowly at the opening, with the first half of the novel focusing on character development. The pace quickened in the second part of the novel, and I was eager to know more about the girl who had been slain in the park years before. 

I believed I'd figured out the puzzle, only to discover that I was completely wrong. Devin and Mike's bond, I believed, brought a lot to the plot. 

In this shorter composition, a lot of diverse parts came together to produce a very fantastic tale.

This isn't your standard Stephen King novel with an unusual conclusion. I wish he'd continue to publish books like this. 

There was a supernatural aspect weaved in, after all, it's Stephen King, but it's more of a narrative of a 21-year-old man getting over his first heartache, meeting friends for life, occurrences that would alter him, and a mystery. 

This book took me two and a half days to finish. There were a few elements that were out of date, but we can overlook them, such as the minimum salaries of the period we're reading about and the fact that no amusement park in the south would have a no-smoking policy in those days, but then again, it's Stephen King's novel. 

So anything is possible, and he can construct and tell us a reason, or maybe it was about an alternate reality that he didn't reveal so he can reconnect it in another novel or series, similar to how we met and discovered other people from his many novels in the Dark Tower series.

It's a bit misleading to include this under the "Hard Case Crime" series because there's no genuine hard crime in this. Other volumes in the series have a more noir feel to them, but this one is more of a coming of age narrative. 

It reminds me of "Adventureland" or "The Way, Way Back" because it takes place in an amusement park. 

Basically, a youngster graduates from high school and spends the summer working at Joyland, a North Carolina amusement park. Along the way, he falls in love, as one would expect from a heartbroken person, and learns about love and other things.

Because it's Stephen King, there's a ghost, as well as psychic skills, or something from The Shining, to put it another way. 

The majority of the narrative is quite well-written. The scene where the girl in the red hat chokes on a hot dog hit me like a punch in the stomach personally.

Despite the fact that this novel contains murder, I felt it to be the weakest component of the story. 

Nonetheless, it is an excellent book in general. More like Stephen King's "The Green Mile" or Richard Bachman's horror tales than "The Stand" or "It." As a result, don't expect a horror narrative. 

A little note for readers who are unaware, Stephen King and Richard Bachman are the same person.

There is no need to read any reviews and simply buy the books since Stephen King is reliable and dependable! 

If you're a fan and a voracious reader, you already know what to anticipate from a Stephen King book. If you haven't read any Stephen King novel before, this is a fantastic place to start. 

The park's staff are a mix of intriguing locals, summer temp workers like the main character, and veteran carnies. 

Throw in an unsolved crime from years ago, and you're in for a treat. It's a quick book that entertains and leaves you, like most vacations do, feeling satisfied yet a bit melancholy that it's over.


Final Thoughts

Stephen King has always been one of the greatest at placing me right in the heart of the plot, out of all the authors I've read through the years, and there have been many, both authors and years.

I can see, feel, and recall precisely how it was, whether it's a cool fall day or the last day of school, right before the bell rings for summer vacation. I'm at a loss for words. He simply seems to get it perfect every time. 

As summer draws to a close, the beach takes on a new look. The novel takes place in this kind of setting, and anybody who has spent a summer or falls near a beach will know the experience of the seasons changing.

This is Stephen King at his best once more. The characters in this narrative entice you to keep reading.

I've never read another author who is so good at creating realistic characters. This is a simple, unpretentious story with no frills or gimmicks, just superb writing! 

And while the premise is excellent, it is the personalities that catch and hold your attention.

While this novel has supernatural themes, it is not a horror story. In many respects, it's a detective narrative, but it's also a coming-of-age story.

This is a book that I would suggest to others. I felt this was a well-written narrative with engaging characters, a compelling mystery, and a hint of the weird.


Synopsis

“Set in a small-town North Carolina amusement park in 1973, Joyland tells the story of the summer in which college student Devin Jones comes to work as a carny and confronts the legacy of a vicious murder, the fate of a dying child, and the ways both will change his life forever.

"I love crime, I love mysteries, and I love ghosts. That combo made Hard Case Crime the perfect venue for this book, which is one of my favorites. I also loved the paperbacks I grew up with as a kid, and for that reason, we’re going to hold off on e-publishing this one for the time being. Joyland will be coming out in paperback, and folks who want to read it will have to buy the actual book." –Stephen King”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords

Age Story, Amusement Park, Case Crime, Character Development, Coming Of Age, Devin Jones, Hard Case, Highly Recommend, King At His Best, North Carolina, Quick Read, Really Enjoyed, Well Written


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 90/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here

Free With Free Audible Trial

The Green Mile (1999) (16+)

Salem’s Lot (1979) (G)

Salem’s Lot: The Miniseries (2004) (NR)

The Dark Tower 8 Book Boxed Set (Paperback)

The Dark Tower (2017) (PG-13)

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The Feast of All Saints Review

The Feast of All Saints

Published: 16, January 1979
Author: Anne Rice
Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Ghost, Gothic, Historical, Horror, Literary, Literature, Romance

Check the summary of this book here:
The Feast of All Saints Summary


The Review:

I can't say enough good things about Anne Rice's novel The Feast of All Saints. The novel is set in her hometown of New Orleans in the 1840s, and the subject matter is fascinating: the free people of color, the Creole progeny of white landowners, who were a much-overlooked component of New Orleans society at the time. The prose is rich in every aspect, as it is in all of Anne Rice's books, nearly drippy and delectable! One of her best! Beautifully written and painfully expressed! If you like vampires, and who doesn't? you should read this one as well as her third book, Cry To Heaven, but that's a different story.

Another of my favorite Anne Rice novels, this time a historical fiction set in New Orleans in the mid-nineteenth century told through the perspective of a mulatto boy growing up in the French Quarter, the son of an upriver white planter and a free woman of color.

A portrayal of the sophisticated and little-known Creole society, which comprised scholars, artists, craftsmen, and even opera singers, and whose members enjoyed a peculiar position - able to own property, including slaves, yet disenfranchised and relegated to servitude to even the lowest whites. Fascinating! And it's all contained in a single, tightly written volume!

This was a fantastic read for me. I had watched the movie some years before and was familiar with the general plot, but the book was far superior and provided much more depth and complexity to the characters and tale.

I'm used to Anne Rice's vampire and witch novels, and I enjoy otherworldly fiction, but this narrative with an all-human cast was delightful. I wanted, I could travel back in time to New Orleans and spend time with the characters in this novel!

Too many of the characters are what we would consider teens nowadays, which I find a little "off the beat." No matter what their social background is, they talk and act like someone five to 10 years older than you would anticipate for 14 to 18-year-olds.

"When you shame yourself, you shame us." This novel's subject is defined by this single line. You must be able to rise beyond your feelings of rage. No matter how hard someone tries to get you into trouble, act like a gentleman (or a woman).

Anne Rice's Feast of All Saints necessitates the employment of various adjectives. It's engaging, enthralling, and, above all, incredibly dramatic, especially as the narrative nears its conclusion.

Historical fictions are known for being dramatic, and The Feast of All Saints is no exception. On top of that, the book's location and situations are based on actual events. It's an enthralling time of history to study.

The novel itself is a non-fiction work with no clear storyline. The story's most significant element is undoubtedly its characters, as well as their interactions with one another, some of which will surprise the reader and others of which will confirm whatever preconceptions you may have.

The characters are well-developed, and the philosophical insights that we witness in them only add to their credibility. It's the kind of novel that appears to start at any point, and the reader is essentially thrust into the plot while the characters are still in the thick of it.

The narrative is divided into three parts, the second and third of which are far more remembered than the first. Much of volume one (which, don't get me wrong, is still excellent) introduces and develops the novel's various characters and their circumstances.

A decent narrative becomes really, really fantastic in volumes two and three. The novel will surprise you with unexpected twists and turns, notably in the closing phrase of Volume 2, which makes it nearly hard to prevent your jaw from dropping and increases your want to keep reading.

However, the first half of the novel moves at a snail's pace at points. It might feel like you're slogging your way through every now and again.

These periods are few in comparison to the length of the book; nonetheless, the thrilling aspects far surpass any of these occurrences.

Anne Rice's novel The Feast of All Saints is a fantastic read. Her passion for what she wrote is contagious. I believe it's a touch long-winded, but I'm sure Anne Rice put her heart and soul into this immensely emotive (and, once again, theatrical) depiction of the free people of color who lived in New Orleans at the time. This is a great book for historical fiction fans.

The fact that "mixed" couples were not allowed in the French Quarter was something I wish had been stressed more. (See New Orleans Architecture: The Creole Faubourgs by Pelican Press, as well as The Esplanade Ridge by the same source.)

Soldiers from Napoleon's invading army of 1803, who survived yellow fever on Santo Domingo, swiftly married locals of African origin. Their union was sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church.

When these men and their wives and children arrived in New Orleans in the early 1800s, the Catholic Church taught them that their marriages were not "genuine" because they resulted in "miscegenation," or the mixing of European and African blood, which was considered a sin! These husbands had to change their wives' status from wives to mistresses; "placage" served a more sad function than the one implied in this tale.

The new neighborhood (faubourg) Marigny was located downstream from the French Quarter (see Frenchmen, Desire, Good Children and Other Streets in New Orleans by John Chase). There were a lot of free people of color who settled there.

It was a pleasure to read this book. It's not a supernatural story like the others I've read by the author, so it was a refreshing change. While I admit to being a huge admirer of all of her novels and a lover of the supernatural, I adore her writing style, so I expected to enjoy this book as well and I did.

Giving you a glimpse into a new culture while also telling you a gripping narrative. This book will engross you and keep you reading for a long time. It's well worth the read, and it'll make you love Anne Rice even more.


Final Thoughts:

When it comes to crafting a novel, the author never fails to impress and in most of her works, she weaves a lot of history in, and this one is no exception. I've never read an author that is so committed to both entertaining and educating their audience.

Anne Rice's language is really exquisite in this novel. Exhilaration in its ultimate formula! Unequivocally magical!

The lives of the characters in Anne Rice's work will both educate and fascinate you!!!! A work of art!

A masterwork that is underappreciated. I've read everything Anne Rice has written and adored them all, especially Cry To Heaven, before moving on to The Feast of All Saints.

This novel, on the other hand, is like a cozy blanket on a chilly night. You won't be able to put it down, and the tale engulfs you and transports you to a different time and location in this nation.

You have no clue where it's going or how things will turn out, which is unusual in today's literature. You won't care since Anne Rice's characters are ageless.

I feel like I robbed myself by putting off reading this for so long. I can see this being read a few more times in the coming years.


Synopsis:

“In the days before the Civil War, there lived a Louisiana people unique in Southern history. Though descended from African slaves, they were also descended from the French and Spanish who enslaved them. Called the Free People of Color, this dazzling historical novel chronicles the lives of four of them - men and women caught perilously between the worlds of master and slave, privilege and oppression, passion and pain.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Anna Bella, Anne Rice, Civil War, Couleur Libre, Cry To Heaven, Feast Of All Saints, Free People, Gens De Couleur, Historical Fiction, Interview With The Vampire, New Orleans, People Of Color, Subject Matter, Vampire Lestat, Vampires Or Witches, Witching Hour, Years Ago


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 50/100 Yes.

Free With Free Audible Trial

The Feast of All Saints (2001) (R)

Interview with the Vampire (1994) (R)

Queen of the Damned (2002) (R)

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Of Love and Evil Review

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Of Love and Evil

Published: 30, November 2010

Author: Anne Rice

Book 2 of 2: The Songs of the Seraphim

Genres: Assassination, Christian, Fiction, Ghost, Historical, Jewish, Literary, Metaphysical, Mystery, Poetry, Psychic, Renaissance, Romance, Suspense, Theory, Thrillers, Time Travel, Vampire, Visionary


Check the summary of this book here:

Of Love and Evil Summary


The Review:

In Anne Rice's novel "Of Love and Evil," Toby O'Dare, a former hitman, is summoned once again by the angel Malchiah and transported back to fifteenth-century Rome, to the land and time of Michelangelo, Raphael, Pope Leo X, and the Medicis. To a period marked by high drama and strife in both the public and private spheres.

This time, Toby is in charge of investigating the case of Vitale, a Jewish man who lives in the house of Antonio, a wealthy gentile. Niccolo, one of Antonio's sons, is terminally ill and dying a slow, painful death, with Vitale suspected of being the perpetrator due to his Jewish heritage.

During this time, the home is also subjected to a powerful metaphysical disruption caused by an enraged dybbuk—a dislocated spirit, or "ghost" for want of a better phrase. It's up to Toby to solve these two puzzles, as well as the actual reason for Niccolo's sickness and the dybbuk's rampage.

It's tough to go much further with this review without revealing too much information. Anne Rice manages to integrate a fascinating mystery thriller into a masterfully crafted, dramatic tale with themes loaded with action, philosophical questions on life, love, spirituality, history, and prejudice, among the many captivating things you should know about this outstanding book. Her superb conciseness is much more visible here than in her second book about Jesus' early life, "Road to Cana."

The author skillfully creates a story with an honest tone that is authentically "biblical." Niccolo's connection with his brother is a significant theme in the story. Also, the would-be killer's technique of choice, poisoning, is an intriguing story device.

It takes a certain sort of killer to select poison as a method of murder, and it tells a lot about them. They don't suffocate their victim with a single, powerful blow or a knife to the throat, as they could. Instead, they systematically inject precise toxic quantities over time.

This not only provides the impression that the victim is dying of a long-term disease, but it also allows the killer to hide in the shadows and see the fatal scheme unfold. Few activities are more terrifying than this...

The concept that evil, or sin—severe wrongs performed against innocents, crimes, discriminatory deeds, and so on—leaves a permanent impression in Anne Rice's Angel Time, and especially here, Is a key aspect of the tale of "Of Love and Evil" from a conceptual standpoint.

There can be no atonement until and until the wicked deed is confronted, dealt with, and set right. The victim of the terrible deed lives on in unrelenting rage until there is closure and salvation.

This story's ghost, or dybbuk, is enraged. Is that ever the case! And with good cause. Redemption is something that must be gained. It can't just be given out without a plan. Only when justice has been served can there be any semblance of peace.

The strength of Anne Rice's works has always been her curious personality. Every one of her novels revolves around a challenging spiritual subject that she has been debating for a long time. "Of Love and Evil" poses an intriguing quandary that is central to Christianity.

What decides whether anything is a good or bad conduct now that we have this new Christian perspective? Could a loving deed that we feel mirrors the spirit of Christ, however, be clearly evil?

This book should appeal to anybody searching for an exciting mystery thriller with human characters who have true flaws, whether or not they are Christians. Furthermore, people of many religious backgrounds face the same spiritual issues as these characters. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Atheists, and Agnostics all think about the purpose of our lives.

Despite the fact that our positions appear to be solidified from the outside. We continue to have doubts about the opinions we thought we had established. I was divided between the questions as I read this book, but it's best if you read it first and then figure out the questions and answers for yourself.

This book, in my opinion, is a piece of art, but it is modern art, not a tidy picture, but wide strokes painted with feeling, around the narrative of a foiled assassination plan and an earlier century Jewish ghost, with an unexpected intrusion of the Devil. Toby of Angel Time continues to fulfill specific petitions for the angels as repentance for his prior existence as a mass murderer and executioner.

All of this could only make sense in the hands of a writer like Anne Rice. As far as I can tell, she's been decoding vampires for years, so the realm of Angels and Demons appears to be a natural progression.

She leaves us hanging at the conclusion; just as Toby is about to go to confession and have a lovely reunion with God and his Catholicism, a link from his CIA days emerges as a young stranger asking inquiries - the end!

This is the most apparent lead-in to a sequel I've ever seen, yet it works - I was waiting for the third chapter, but it never arrived; at the very least, the tale was finished.


Final Thoughts:

Anne Rice's books never fail to put me in a trance while I'm reading them or after I've finished them. The want to keep reading her writings usually strikes you like a sudden longing for a cup of hot coffee or a piece of rich chocolate.

Her books are braided into a complicated web of gorgeous design that includes multiple important spiritual truths on every page.

Her latest installment “Of Love and Evil” in the "Songs of the Seraphim" series sticks to the tried-and-true format of her previous works. This isn't meant to be construed as a critique. Her combination of intriguing writing, first-person viewpoints of a solitary personality, and rich historical settings, in fact, brings her books to a very high degree of excellence.

I've read all her books and her works leave a mark of enormous fascination that is impossible to remove. Instead, the reader is only interested in reading the next book in one of her numerous series or conducting a study into some of the fascinating historical, spiritual, or philosophical issues discussed in her writings.

Yes, it was a tiny book, but it was to the point with no fillers, and I was surprised by some readers who were unhappy with the size. I'm not sure what people want; if Anne Rice writes a thousand-page book, they don't like it and complain that it's too lengthy; if she produces a short book, they complain that it's too short; please just make up your minds.


Synopsis:

“The second book in this nationally bestselling series is a gripping metaphysical thriller in which angels partner up with assassins, from the author of Interview with the Vampire.

Barely recovered from his previous divine mission, former contract killer Toby O'Dare is once again summoned by the angel Malchiah to investigate the poisoning of a prominent nobleman and stop the haunting of a diabolical dybbuk. Together, they travel back to fifteenth-century Italy—the age of Michelangelo, the Holy Inquisition, and Pope Leo X—and this time Malchiah has Toby pose as a lute player sent to charm and calm this troublesome spirit. But Toby soon discovers that he is in the midst of plots and counterplots, surrounded on all sides by increasingly dangerous threats as the veil of ecclesiastical terror closes in around him.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Angel Time, Anne Rice, Back In Time, Book In The Series, Century England, Century Rome, Contract Killer, Guardian Angel, Hit Man, Love And Evil, Lucky The Fox, Main Character, Mayfair Witches, Mission Inn, New Orleans, Right Man, Seraphim Series, Songs Of The Seraphim, Ten Years, Toby O Dare, Toby Odare, Vampire Chronicles


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 95/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here


Free With Free Audible Trial


Interview with the Vampire (1994) (R)


Queen of the Damned (2002) (R)


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Angel Time Review

Anne Rice, The Songs of the Seraphim, Assassination, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Jewish, Metaphysical, Poetry, Psychic, Suspense, Thrillers, Vampire, Visionary

Angel Time

Published: 27, October 2009

Author: Anne Rice

Book 1 of 2: The Songs of the Seraphim

Genres: Assassination, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Jewish, Metaphysical, Poetry, Psychic, Suspense, Thrillers, Vampire, Visionary


Check the summary of this book here:

Angel Time Summary


The Review:

In Angel Time, Anne Rice has done it again! Despite the fact that the protagonist in this work and its sequel is a ruthless assassin, the author immerses us in his world and makes us sympathize with him. Toby O'Dare, alias Lucky the Fox, is a tortured soul struggling to reconcile his spiritual sensitivity with his ruthless profession.

When a Seraphim takes him from such a life and sends him to work actually on the side of the angels, we typically rejoice. Anne Rice's portrayals of life in a remote time and place are meticulously researched and fascinating, as they always are.

Toby is a figure that makes us rejoice at his seeming absolution of innumerable misdeeds in his past life, and we eagerly anticipate the next chapter of his exploits, similar to Lestat in Memnoch the Devil.

This time, Anne Rice's primary character is an angel, namely a seraph. When you put the divine creature, in all its beauty and perfection, next to a professional assassin, you get a powerful, mind-blowing novel that tackles themes like faith and sin, anger and forgiveness, the futility of good and the necessity of evil, all mingling together in a single chance to give up your past and start a new life.

Angel Time is a book for people of all faiths. It's a remarkable novel about the atonement that's nearly difficult to put down. Tony O'Dare has had a difficult upbringing. He had numerous siblings and his mother was an alcoholic.

He did everything he could to assist the family. But then something terrible happened, and his life would never be the same. He takes on the role of assassin. He works for a man named 'The Right Man,' who orders hits, and Tony, also known as 'Lucky,' utilizes poison needles.

Tony is nothing but a shell. He's completely hopeless. His dreams are no longer alive. He's basically a walking corpse. The straw that broke the camel's back came after a strike he made in a spot close to his heart.

Despite everything he's been through, he's never lost faith. Anne Rice's prose is stunning, and the writing of the Angel Time, which transports Tony and the angel, is both beautiful and magical. It's convincing and elegant.

First and foremost, Angel Time has the advantage of being a short and easy read. It's simple, yet it's chock-full of historical information and nuggets. Anne Rice's preoccupation with Catholic Monasticism is also prominent throughout the story, in addition to her deep knowledge of the world of Angelic intervention.

I found it fascinating to read about the various forms of education that a monk may study and impart in the course of their dedication. Anne Rice's description of the interaction between Jews and Christians in the middle Ages (and presumably an accurate picture of subsequent centuries) was both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

It only goes to show that no matter how religious you are, you are still a human being. Even though Christianity was the dominant religion at the time, monks, priests, and monarchs relied on the knowledge of Judaism to transmit their wisdom.

It's always reassuring to believe that everyone has a guardian angel looking over them, always attempting to communicate with humanity. In a time when Christian hope is hard to come by, here is yet another lovely story of redemption and Christian hope.

If you're interested in learning more about angels, I strongly suggest Billy Graham's book "Angels," which gives a biblical explanation of God's messengers. William Young's "The Shack" is also quite similar in its portrayal of how salvation may be found even in the darkest of situations.

Angel Time by Anne Rice starts with her trademark vivid imagery, which makes the reader feel as though they can see and feel every element she's describing. In this example, she's talking about the Mission Inn in Riverside, California, and I don't think there's a better place to get a better recommendation than here.

Then we learn about Toby O'Dare, the book's primary character and our lute-loving anti-hero, and his tumultuous life. His is a damaged soul if ever there was one, yet, like she has done so many times before, she manages to elicit pity or at the very least empathy for someone who kills on a regular basis and excels at it by detailing in great detail the events that led to him being who he is.

In a strange sense, this novel reminded me of Interview with the Vampire. Only the main character, the Angel, and another character, who has a significant role in the narrative to tell, are the narrators, and they are the ones who put everything together.

It's also amazing how Anne Rice can transport a reader back in time and write about it in a way that's just as plausible and realistic as when she's writing about our own reality.

I've read all of Anne Rice's books and have never been dissatisfied. Her stories draw you in and surround you, whether they are about vampires, witches, the life of Jesus, her own hardships, or angels. This novel will not disappoint Anne Rice lovers. I hadn't given my guardian angel much consideration in years. This book helped me remember that my angel is real and always at my side.

This novel included an Angel visit, but I got the impression it was more like her vampire and witches stories than her most recent, which focuses on Jesus and her version of his life. Those who like her vampire novels will likely appreciate this fantasy featuring angels.


Final Thoughts:

It is a fantastic read for both believers and those who wonder if their lives have any meaning. It was a fascinating read. Insightful and thought-provoking. I highlighted key points that I wanted to go over again and again, but instead of doing so, I read it from beginning to end.

I could empathize with Lucky the Fox because the character felt so real. This book will appeal to everyone who enjoys intelligent reading. As soon as I completed this book, I started reading the following one, "Of Love and Evil."

I really suggest this book to everyone, whether you are a firm believer in God or don't believe at all. Like all of her works, the plot is brilliantly written and linked, and you will leave with more intellectual capability, as she always teaches as well as thoroughly delights.

Angel Time, as predicted, has an open conclusion, as Toby's experiences are not yet complete. Toby's journey to atonement is likely to be as lengthy as his misdeeds have made it, which means the Seraph will provide him with several opportunities to aid mankind and answer the most difficult pleas. 

Overall, Anne Rice has written a wonderful story that will have the reader thoroughly engrossed and anxious to learn everything there is to know about Toby O'Dare, a complicated and tortured character.


Synopsis:

“NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A divinely thrilling series about an assassin with the choice to turn from darkness to light—from the author of Interview with the Vampire

It’s the present day. Toby O’Dare—aka Lucky the Fox—is a contract killer on assignment once again. He’s a soulless soul, a dead man walking. His nightmarish world of lone and lethal missions is disrupted when a mysterious stranger, a seraph, offers him a chance to save rather than destroy lives. O’Dare, who long ago dreamt of being a priest, seizes his chance. Now he is carried back through the ages to thirteenth-century England, to dark realms where children suddenly die or disappear, and accusations of ritual murder have been made against Jews. Here O’Dare begins his perilous quest for salvation, a journey of danger and flight, loyalty and betrayal, selflessness and love.”


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:
Anne Rice, Century England, Guardian Angel, Hit Man, Lucky The Fox, Mayfair Witches, Mission Inn, New Orleans, Right Man, Songs Of The Seraphim, Toby Odare, Vampire Chronicles


Rating: 85/100
Recommended: 95/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle Version Here


Free With Free Audible Trial


Interview with the Vampire (1994) (R)


Queen of the Damned (2002) (R)


Compare Kindle E-readers on one page


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