January 2022 Book Review
Here is the list and review of the books Tayler and I read last month, we are still getting used to this format so it took a bit longer to get this post out. I decided to go with a monthly list rather than a yearly summary so that we can give a more detailed account of what we read. As a struggling author myself, I want these reviews to be as positive as possible, but still honest. Please take a look and tell me what you think. You can always find me @L0stTurkey on Instagram and Twitter, or use the contact page on this site.
Bennion’ Reads:
Title: The Devil's Only Friend By: Dan Wells
Format: Audible audiobook.
Summary: This is the fourth title in the John Clever series, which is about a teenage psychopath doing his best to not be a serial killer while also hunting down demons. This book really dives into the lore of the Demons and is a drastic change in scenery compared to the first three, meaning it really advances the arch of the series story.
What I didn't like: There isn't a lot to criticize. I have been very impressed with Dan Wells. I will give a warning that this series is about brutal serial killers and thus has a lot of violence. He keeps it in a pretty tight PG-13 level, but there are probably scenes that would upset some readers.
What I liked: He is able to write horror without being overly graphic or crude. I always feel that his stories fall into the psychological thrillers rather than slasher/ horror genres. That being said, there is plenty of violence and blood, though I believe he does a great job of toeing the line between gruesome and gratuitous, meaning the violence you do see feels necessary and is handled with care. If you like horror I think that this is a great series to read.
2. Ted Bundy: Conversations with a Killer By Stephen G. Michaud and Hugh Aynesworth
Format: Audible audiobook
Summary: This is the book that spawned the Netflix documentary series “The Ted Bundy Tapes”. It is the recorded conversations of reporters with Ted Bundy, who they are able to convince to talk about his crimes using a third-person narrative.
What I didn’t like: I don’t think “didn’t like” is the right term here, but there are some things potential readers should be aware of. The source material is rough. We are talking about one of the most prolific and famous serial killers in history so it isn’t exactly a fun read. There are plenty of reasons for this, but the interviewers talk to Ted like an old friend and talk about crimes without judgment. I really wanted someone to rip into the guy and tell him off (he was, obviously, put to death so he did get his, but not in the confines of the book). There are some gruesome descriptions of murders and assaults, described in the third person by the murderer himself.
What I Liked: I am a big true crime fan. If you look at my reading list from last year you will see plenty of serial killer biographies. This fit exactly what I was looking for. You get a frighteningly raw view inside Bundy’s head and what he was thinking while he committed his crimes. You can even see his arrogance depicted in the way he talks; clearly inflating his vocabulary to come across as intelligent. If you enjoy understanding serial killers and getting a peek into what makes them tick, this book does exactly that. Reader beware: this is a brutal, honest, and raw book about some awful murders. I am not recommending this to everyone, though I did find it captivating.
3. The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
Format: Audible audiobook
Summary: In the middle of a 200-year war, one filled with women who can call dragons and men with super-human strength, an ungifted man named Tau does his best to escape. Of course, his plan does not play out as he hoped and Tau begins a path towards revenge.
What I didn’t like: This story did not captivate me the way I hoped it would. It had all the aspects of a story that I love (good pacing, action, balanced narrative and exposition, and interesting magic) but I never felt fully invested. I fully acknowledge that is as much my problem as the authors.
What I liked: Winter, the author, is living the dream. This novel was originally self-published and was picked up by a traditional publisher after he gained enough traction. The book is worth reading on the merits of that alone, I have self-published before and it is difficult to get a book off the ground on your own. I know I am in the minority when I say the story didn’t grab me the way I wanted to and I am sure that many people will openly, and probably rightfully, disagree with me. If you enjoy epic fantasies along the lines of Game of Thrones, this is right in that same vein.
4. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue By VE Schwab
Format: Audible audiobook
Summary: Addie LaRue makes a deal with the devil to live forever and be forgotten by everyone she meets. The story covers her centuries of travel and how she manages in a world where she can leave no mark. She meets a boy that can, somehow, remember her and she tries to escape the curse.
What I didn’t like: That it ended. I guess I could say that this is not the type of story I usually read, but that is kind of the point. I normally miss awesome magical battles, violence, blood, and the sorts. This had almost none of that, and I loved it.
What I liked: This is one of the most interesting stories I have ever read. Schwab has become one of my favorite authors as of late, though it took me a while to read Addie LaRue since it is outside of my wheelhouse. The story bounces between times to show the extent of Addie’s curse and how she learned to thrive in a world where she can leave no mark and cannot be remembered. There is some adult content, but it is handled artfully and never comes across as crass. This is my favorite book of the month, and I am sure will be in contention for the best book of this year. I highly recommend any of Schwab’s work, but especially this fantastic book.
Tayler’s Reads":
The Crown of Gilded Bones By: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Format: Audible Audiobook
Summary: This is the third book in the “Blood and Ash” series. Poppy continues to grow her powers and she continues to build her love with her husband, stop the undead enemy and save her brother who she believes is “not too far gone.”
What I didn't like: The sex scenes in the book can get a little intense, for sure in the R rating zone, to the point that I skipped past most of them. Narratively, the story wraps up a little too smoothly, I wanted a little more drama.
What I liked: Where this is the third book the characters and story points are all very well defined. I have read similar stories that have a change of pace in the later books, but this reads smoothly compared to the first two installments. Poppy’s story is intense with plenty of great action and some awesome scenes that kept me turning the pages.
2. Title: The Bridge Kingdom By: Danielle L. Jensen
Format: Audible Audiobook
Summary: Lara is the chosen daughter of the king sent to fulfill a marriage agreement with the foreign Bridge Kingdom. Her mission is to kill the King and send all the secrets of their land back home to her father. Lara is succeeding in her mission when she starts to fall for Aren, her husband, and the ruler of the Bridge Kingdom. The drama comes from her deciding between her husband and her family back home.
What I didn't like: Not much to be upset about with his book. Some of the turns of the story felt a little predictable but overall I enjoyed the flow and pace of the story.
What I liked: I thought it was a fun story idea to take a princess and turn her into a spy and trained assassin. She is very poised but can kill a man with her bare hands, a fantastic character! The romance is well written, the author finds a great balance between a slow boil and giving the audience what they want.
3. Title: The Traitor Queen By: Danielle L. Jensen
Format: Audible Audiobook
Summary: This is the second book in the Bridge Kingdom series. Lara enlists the help of her sisters and allies to help stop her father and gain control of the Bridge Kingdom.
What I didn't like: I felt like the story was moving along at a good pace and in the last few chapters so much happened! I would have liked for the story to continue at the same pace and have the author take her time with wrapping up the story, felt a little rushed.
What I liked: There was a bit more action in this book than in the first. I love a good fight scene, especially in a book like this with strong female leads. You find out more about Lara and her family, upbringing, and backstory of her father. The family dynamics were pretty interesting, and it was awesome to see behind the curtain a little bit to understand more about Lara and her motivations.
4. Title: The Four Agreements By: Don Miguel Ruiz
Format: Paperback
Summary: This is a self-help book designed to help you escape from your personal hell that you keep yourself trapped in and teaches you to embrace a happier lifestyle based on the four agreements that you make with yourself.
What I didn't like: I felt like there was a lot of fluff in the writing. The same message was told over and over again when it didn’t need to be. That repetition messed with the flow of reading so it wasn’t as pleasant as it could have been.
What I liked: Great lessons learned and agreements to live by. You can see why this book has helped so many people as it changes your perspective on the world around you and how you contribute to your own happiness.
5. Title: Ready Player One By: Ernest Cline
Format: Audible Audiobook
Summary: The story is set in the future when the planet is in ruins and society has turned to the virtual reality called the Oasis, for their daily interactions such as schooling, jobs, and social relationships. When the owner and creator of the Oasis dies, Wade and his friends try to find the hidden Easter eggs left behind and win fame and fortune and become the new owners of the Oasis.
What I didn't like: The romance in the story felt a little rushed and cheesy. The guy is obsessed with the girl he meets online and will do anything for her even when she clearly isn’t as interested as he is. Every challenge felt the same as the characters are so stumped for months and then everything clicks and they beat the games or challenges in one try. Would have liked to see a little more struggle in the story, not everyone is good at everything they try the first go around.
What I liked: So much fun to read all of the nerdy 80s references and pop culture references. I am blown away at how much time and research must have been put into this book. Really unexpected twists and turns in the story that kept me on the edge of my seat while listening. This felt like the “coming of age” story of the future. I learned so much about the ’80s by listening to his. Easy to see the hype behind this book. Just fantastic.
6. Title: Ready Player Two By: Ernest Cline
Format: Audible Audiobook
Summary: Wade and his friends are the owners of the Oasis. Wade finds some hidden technology that allows for a fully immersive experience and launches it for the world to use. This sets off another set of challenges left behind by the original creator of the Oasis. This time, there are 7 challenges that must be completed. In a shocking turn, Wade and his friends are locked within the Oasis and have 12 hours to beat the challenges or die along with everyone else logged into the Oasis.
What I didn't like: This is on me, but where I listened to both books back to back it felt so repetitive. These books were published nine years apart so that wasn’t the intention. Felt very similar to the first but with new pop culture references.
What I liked: The characters in this series are so fun and you get to dive more into their story and their relationships with each other. Lots of unexpected twists with the “bad guy” of the book and what needs to be done to ultimately regain control of the Oasis and the fate of humanity. Everything comes together in an ending that felt fresh and exciting.