Tuesday 24 November 2009

Double Book Review


I felt like rambling about book today, so I decided on doing two book reviews!

First off:
'Zombie Raccoons & Killer Bunnies'
Edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Kerrie Hughes

What is it about:
It's a book with 15 stories about 'creatures - some alive, some not - who may be prowling right outside your door...'

What did I think of it:
Again a book that I just had to get if only because of the cover and title. The good thing about anthologies in my opinion is that there is always bound to be a couple of stories that you will like and it gives you a chance to test drive some new writers so to speak. This book is no exception to this rule: All in all there were 10 stories that I liked if not loved and just 5 that couldn't grab my attention. I will certainly check out other works of some of the authors.

My favourite stories from this book:
'Death Mask' by Jody Lynn Nye - A tale about why you should treat raccoons with respect
'Bone Whispers' by Tim Waggoner - A very sad, but also beautiful story featuring a giant groundhog
'Ninja Rats on Harleys' by Elizabeth A. Vaughan - The title of this story says it all!!

Why should you read this book:
If you (like me) are always on the lookout for new writers and love stories about animals that are a bit different if not flat out scary, this is your book!


On to book number two:
'Bloody Good' by Georgia Evans

What is it about:
German agents have infiltrated the English countryside during WWII - nazis who can fly, read minds and live forever. They're not just fascists: They're vampires. and it's up to Dr. Alice Doyle to save the day.

What did I think of it:
The idea of this book is cool: who can resist reading a story about nazi vampires!? I couldn't anyway. But it turns out an idea is not enough. The story is too easy in my opinion, there's hardly any real struggle. Now don't get me wrong: I like a happy ending as much as the next pig, but I want the characters to sweat at least a little along the way to that happy ending. And there were way too little nazi vampires in this book too! There's two more books in this series, so maybe there will be more of them in one of the other two, but the chance that I will pick up either one of them isn't very big.

Why should you read this book:
If you want a relaxing read without having to worry about anything, this might be your book.

Saturday 14 November 2009

Movie review - Autumn (the beginning of the end)

What is the movie about:
A mysterious virus kills off most people on earth and only a few people survive. While they are trying to figure out what to do next the corpses suddely rise again.

What did I think of it:
You'd think that with a basic plotline like the one sketched above you couldn't go wrong. Well, it turns out you can! The lead characters keep contradicting themselves with their actions, which makes it hard to feel for them and when even the zombies contradict themselves you know it's bad! Add some annoying camerawork and weird scene switches in the name of art to that and it gets even worse. And I don't need a story when it comes to a zombie movie, but only if I get some serious zombie mayhem in return, but even that was too much to ask.
All in all I didn't like this movie at all!

Why should you see it:
Well.........
You shouldn't actually.

Thursday 12 November 2009

Movie Review - Surveillance

What is the movie about:
Two FBI agents have to question three witnesses who may lead them to a serial killer, but all three witnesses have a different story to tell.

What did I think of it:
I loved this movie! It's directed by Jennifer Lynch, the daughter of David Lynch and I can tell you she sure paid attention to how her father does things! There's action, atmosphere, cool characters and a pace to the story that is just right in my opnion. It doesn't have a clear cut storyline, but it isn't totally out there like some of David Lynch's movies so it doesn't leave you flabbergasted in the end like Mullholland drive for example.

Why should you see it:
If you're a fan of David Lynch, you will also love this movie. I should warn you that it's not a movie for the faint of heart though, it's quite disturbing at times.

Friday 6 November 2009

Queen Victoria, Demon Hunter


Today's review is about the book 'Queen Victoria, Demon Hunter' by A.E. Moorat.

What is it about:
When a young Victoria becomes queen of the United Kingdom she soon discovers there are creatures she didn't even knew excisted who are bend on causing chaos and destruction. Can she cope with hunting these demons, ruling a country and still manage to spend time with the man she loves?

What did I think of it:
Who can resist a book with the tagline 'She loved her country. She hated zombies'.
This book might have been the worst written book ever and I still would have loved it just for this.
As it is I really loved the story. It is well written, funny and captivating. Add zombie mayhem to this and you got me hooked! The only thing I could critisize about this book is that there's a lot of jumping back and forth in time in the first part of the story which can be a bit confusing if you're not paying attention. All in all I put this book on my 'must read it again sometime real soon' list.

Why should you read it:
Zombie Mayhem!!!
Need I say more!