What Are You Reading, Part 2

[Treamayne]

12 hours ago, Through the Living Hopper said:

Over spring break, I got into the Alex Cross series from James Patterson.

Along Came a Spider 

Okay, pretty mild compared to the others.

Kiss the Girls

I felt like I was losing a bit of morality with this one, but interesting story.

Jack and Jill

Strong opening, did go downhill.

Cat and Mouse

Not the most memorable story, but not bad either.

Pop Goes the Weasel

Again, not the most memorable story, but pretty good. It does stray into the courtroom, which I can tell isn't Patterson's strongest suit. 

Roses are Red and Violets are Blue

These two together were probably my favorite. They were interesting but didn't make me fear for my life that much.

Four Blind Mice

Okay.

Currently reading: Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson 

I loved the Alex Cross series, at least the first dozen or so. I think the last one I read was Cross My Heart (book 21) but I may have missed a few between Double Cross and that one 

[aneonfoxtribute]

I finished Volume 31 of ReZero. This series is awesome lmao. As the strongest existence, Natsuki Subaru will trample upon all his foes!

[Through the Living Hopper He/Him]

1 hour ago, Treamayne said:

I loved the Alex Cross series, at least the first dozen or so. I think the last one I read was Cross My Heart (book 21) but I may have missed a few between Double Cross and that one 

The series as a whole is pretty great, especially with how many there are. They all have a similar story: mystery, make-out session, mystery, then at about 85% they capture the guy except it's the WRONG GUY, then they catch him. 

They are all very entertaining, though, and there is genuine suspense. Are any of his other books any good?

[Treamayne]

3 minutes ago, Through the Living Hopper said:

Are any of his other books any good?

James Patterson. . . I can only comment on the ones I have read

BLUF: Patterson, like Clancy, has mostly become a "Brand" and most of the recent titles with his name are written by the co-author (Patterson helps brainstorm the story, and sometimes outline) - which is when I stopped reading most of his work (with some exceptions); partly from quality and partly from volume (so many new books per year was not worth it to me). 

Women's Murder Club:

Spoiler

Easily the best series after the Alex Cross novels - at least in the beginning. I really liked the early premise of having the cop, coroner, lawyer and journalist all working together; with different roles being primary or secondary in different books (Lindsey Boxer, the cop, wasn't always the primary focus) and it also led to multiple story-arcs that may or may-not intertwine. 

The first six were excellent, as I recall, and Maxine Paetro is a good co-author with Patterson. I read through 13, I think, but I don't have strong memories of the later books.

I was sad the TV adaptation was a bust (especially with Angie Harmon in the lead, who I really liked in the adaptation of Tess Gerritsen's of Rizzolli and Isles)

Michael Bennett:

Spoiler

I really liked the beginning of the series, but I think I only read two or three of them as I found them about the time I burned out on Patterson. 

Private:

Spoiler

I recall enjoying book 1, and the series went "international" on the second or third book. The stories were fine, but having a whole new cast every book turned me off a bit. I don't think I read past Private: London

Maximum Ride (YA):

Spoiler

This started strong as a YA Urban Fantasy and the first three were really good. Then, it seemed to me the plan changed (for unknown reasons, and the whole tone shifted in a way that I did not care for. 

Witch and Wizard (YA):

Spoiler

As a YA fantasy, it seemed okay. Only five books total and I mostly read them as a ""pre-check" because I gifted them to a niece and I wanted to make sure they were content appropriate. Not bad, not stellar. Just dystopian YA at the beginning of the Dystopian YA craze (2009 for book 1).

Zoo:

Spoiler

Stand-alone (ish) - I enjoyed the story and it was a bit of a departure from most of his work (with the touch of Urban Fantasy for the plot). It technically has a novella sequel, but that is, to me, ignorable. 

 

Hope that helps

[KaladinsSenseOfHumourSpren He/Him]

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This one I read for school. It's historical fiction, set in World War II, something I don't usually read. It's pretty good, and really the main things that could've made it more enjoyable for me would be making the main character relevant to the greater war and changing the outcome somehow, so basically making it not-historical fiction.

The book didn't place on my top 50, but I'd say it's the best out of all the historical fiction books I'd read, which is like four books, but still.

Mitosis by Brandon Sanderson

Interesting Epic powers! Also kind of foreshadows stuff in the later Reckoner's books.

[Mitosis]

Spoiler

I liked the ending. The people of Newcago helping was really cool.

 

[aneonfoxtribute]

Blasting through Black Clover now. Just passed chapter 200 because the arc I'm on is crazy good. 

[Treamayne]

Just picked up the new Dresden Short Story - Mister Petty - Paranormal Payback anthology

PoV is Goodman Grey

- - - 

Finished Mr. Petty and 12 Months. 

Finished Parade of Horribles

Considering Powder Mage or Leviathan Wakes next.

Edited May 23 by Treamayne
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