Surprisingly enough I have actually kind of enjoyed Stephen King’s shorts more than the novels he written in the past. Maybe it’s because they are shorter, therefore giving him less of a opportunity to over use suspense, get off topic or escape to some kind of dreamscape before returning to the actual story. Or maybe it’s because his shorts share a trait with the only Stephen King books, I actually like. They were his first works before what ever spark he had, faded away over time. Anyways I could write my Stephen King conspiracy theories all day, but you don’t care. You’re reading this for the book review. This time around, the review is on the Stephen King short story, “The Man In The Black Suit” that can be found in a collection called Everything’s Eventual

As far as explanation goes, there isn’t much. It’s about a boy named Gary who lives with his family in 1914. One day he decides to go fishing to help his family. He goes down to the river out a little ways with his fishing pole. He takes a seat to fish. As he sits there fishing, the devil walks up and sits beside him. He then holds a conversation with the boy.

So the good? Well it’s different. It doesn’t really seem copied from anything else. And even though it doesn’t have much detail, there is some imagery that puts a picture that is memorable.

The bad? Well I wouldn’t call it a bad thing, but I guess to some people it would be. This short story really plays out much more like a experiment with some new ideas than a actual short. It doesn’t have a climax. I can’t even say it has a beginning middle and end. But while some of his works, the imagination didn’t seem forced. Like he sat down one day and gone “Gee I wonder” and just explored the possibilities with pen and paper as the ideas flowed through his mind. Which (as a writer myself) I feel is where some of the best writing come from. But enough about my opinion. You got my point. If it’s not for you then you know already.

Overall, it’s interesting. Not spectacular. But as kind of intriguing. If you just like to always try new things, this is for you. If you’re looking for some dark, horrifying, twisted horror, just look somewhere else because it may have a hint of creepiness, but does not go anywhere beyond.

3 smoothies out of four.

Overall Rating: King’s Experiment Involving A Fisher boy And A Devil

P.S. Check out my book and ebook website. Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/

A couple years ago, I watched this fantasy movie. It was something I rented having no idea of what it was. It wasn’t the best movie in the world, but it was so imaginative that no matter how much I try to forget it, it will just hang in my head because it was just so original. It was called Ink Heart. And when I found out it was based on a book, I just had to read it. I actually went out of the way to buy Ink Heart by Cornelia Funke.

The book is a story about a man named “Mo.” It is short for Mortimore who can actually read objects out and into books. And it actually begins one peaceful night when Mo and his wife Teresa are cuddling by the fire place. Mo decides to read a bit out of a story that Teresa likes called Ink Heart. But when Mo reads, objects appear like they typically do. But his wife and two house cats were sucked into the tale of Ink Heart and as a result three characters appeared in the living room. Two of them were villains and the other is a fire wielding street performer named Dustfinger. Baffled and shocked, he tells the three that he can not control the power to send them back home. As the villains and Dustfinger leaves to this brave new world, Mo rushes to his daughter’s room and is relieved that she’s still in his world and not trapped in Ink Heart.

The book picks up many years later where things have certainly changed. The villains Basta and Capracorn are glad that they are out of Inkheart and want to control this new world. They became accustomed to. So they are desperately searching for a Silvertounge (some one who can bring things out of books), Mo in particular. They had found some that can bring people out of books in a distorted fashion. They read out many soldiers to help Capricorn. Basta and Capricorn wants one who can do it perfectly like Mo did. Knowing this Mo and his daughter Meggie are on the move never staying in place too long to elude these villains. He works as a book who, along the way, is desperately hoping to find a way to get his wife back. Dustfinger meanwhile is following Mo in the distance hoping there is a way Mo can send him home even though he told him “no” many times before. Then one day Capricorn finds Dustfinger and makes a deal. If Dustfinger tells him where Mo is, then he will command Mo to read him back into the book. Desperate to go home, he agrees and sets Mo and Meggie up to be caught. Wow. That was a whole lot of exposition. Sorry about it all that. But I didn’t know how else to explain it.

So what is good? Well first I will start with the story itself. The concept is something I never seen before. It is original and kind of brilliant. Second, I have to say Dustfinger. He is just a great character. He’s not a good guy and not a bad guy either. He just wants to go home. He feels that he doesn’t belong in this world. He doesn’t want any one hurt. He just wants to go home. And he prefers to be alone. He’s the only true anti hero I have ever seen in a book. And he’s so complex. He’s a double/triple crosser with a heart that is somewhat hidden. And he wants to desperately return to a story where
…………………………………………………………..Spoiler……………………………..
He dies at the end. Only he doesn’t know it.
……………………………………………………………Spoiler………………………..

The bad? Not much to say. Well maybe a couple tiny things. One mainly being that compared to Dustfinger, Meggie and Mo are very boring characters. He literally does steal the show. And secondly Meggie and Mo are book worms. I get that. I mean I’m a book worm too, or else I would not be writing this. But their love for books was so strong that it appeared the characters have an OCD disorder. But the again it is aimed at all audiences, especially children, so I guess that this was for them. I just thought that it was kind of weird.

But with all said and done, I recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy. It’s fresh, new and well worth the read.

4 smoothies out of four

Overall rating: An intriguing, imaginative tale about what happens when books come to life, literally

P.S. Check out my book and ebook website at Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/

Overall Rating: Zombies have now invaded a new form of entertainment

Okay, I won’t deny it any more. Zombies have over taken our media and you know what? People love it. People just can’t get enough of them. They invaded our video games with Resident Evil. It has just invaded TV with the premier of The Walking Dead. It’s been in horror comics for quite a while. And then they won’t get out of our movies. And I’m not just talking about American flicks. It has spread to other countries. It’s La Horde in France. 28 Days Later in Great Britain. And Undead in Australia. And they don’t die. I mean and I have whose’ out over these Undead Nightmare cowboy game. It will never go away. So now you’re probably asking why am I talking about zombies? Well because zombies have entered a new genre, which is a audio drama called We’re Alive.

You know I review books. But a audio drama or radio show isn’t that much different than a audio book. And I have to say it’s much more entertaining than a audio book in some ways. And I actually accident found out about, when I was listening to another podcast about a author who began by self publishing. And they wouldn’t stop talking about We’re Alive. So I looked it up.

So We’re Alive is a pod cast made up of twelve or so serial episodes that make up season one. (That’s all I’m reviewing now) It starts off with three military commandos Michael, Angel and Sol who are called to help the military with riots. But it turns out that these are not people and are actually zombies. So they actually go on a run and try to survive. They meet other survivors’ and decide to live and reinforce a apartment building. They lock themselves inside as the world falls apart around them.

But as the story goes on, it goes a bit beyond the Dawn of the Dead step. As the story goes on, the zombies are changing, hinting that they might not be zombies at all, but something else entirely. I’ll stop there , because I might spoil something. That and people who are survivors, but are not part of Angel’s Michael’s and Sol’s community are not exactly friendly and are willing to kill them for supplies. It’s a nice post apocalyptic piece.

So the good? Well it’s a zombie podcast that is a long layered story with enjoyable characters. I mean they might seem stereotypical at first, but evolve and grow on you. I mean there’s Sol who talks like “Ah man, I ain’t play’n dog.” Don’t they call that Gansta now? I don’t know. But he was the flattest character at the beginning, but became my favorite at the end. The voice acting has emotion. (This is how it’s better than a dull monotone, audio book) It had a music score and sound effect. And it is told through different point of views through out the story too, making it more interesting. And it’s an episodic format. So it’s not one giant long pod cast. And it’s not just about zombies. It’s about people. Common people who are trying to survive. The think what I like the most is, the show is creating its own mythology around zombies and not just copying everyone else.

The bad? Well some voice actors did better than others. Which isn’t too bad. Except for when a certain two characters share the same scene. Angel and Michael sound the same, so I kept on getting them mixed up when they were holding a conversation.

Overall, if you like good Resident Evil (I’m talking about the games) or Dawn of the Dead. This is worth looking into. I know I would just listen to it as I was working on projects, and got to hear a good story as I did it. So if you like this sort of thing , it’s on itunes and just on line to listen for free.

Listen To It Here @ http://www.zombiepodcast.com/The_Zombie_Podcast/WereAliveEpisodes.html

3 ¼ smoothies out of four

P.S. Check out my book and ebook website at Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.lelue.webs.com/

Overall Rating: Zombies have now invaded a new form of entertainment

Overall Rating: A attempt at a overdone idea that sadly missed it’s mark.

This is a another short story by Clive Bark out of the “Book of Blood.” And regardless of the cheesy titles, I like what I have read so far. It is great to see someone with their own style rather than ripping off someone else. So this is the first story. It’s called the “The Yattering and The Jack”
So to start off with, it’s not as dark as twisted as Barker’s other works. Strangely, it’s very lighthearted. There is a man named Jack, who had been basically walked on his whole life. But he does not retaliate in the least. He is completely indifferent. He just shrugs his shoulders and says, “stuff happens.” But it turns out hell wants his soul, because his mother never paid when she sold hers. So the Agency (hell’s) hires a demon called the Yattering to make him go insane, so he can snatch his soul away. He must scare him, put voices in his head, rattle chains and do whatever he can do. And he can’t get out of the contract. But through out the story, he had the toughest time breaking Jack’s indifference. The two are constantly tricking each other to get what they want.
So the good? Well it’s different. But sadly, it ends there. It wasn’t all that entertaining.
The bad? Well I felt I encounter this before. It felt like Monster Inc, or I should say, “Ahhhh Real Monsters!” It was one my favorite cartoons when I was a kid. It’s not new. And the idea that hell has a Agency to collect souls seemed cartoony. Just not exactly what I expected from Barker. And one last thing. There’s a scene where a roasted chicken gets up and starts scaring people by running around the kitchen. And I’m sorry, but that’s just stupid.
Overall, if you like old quirky horror tales, then this for you. For he rest of us it’s pass. I pretty much just recommend that if you’re even mildly interested by the story, then just get the kids cartoon “Ahhh Real Monsters,” and watch that instead. It’s much more entraining.

½ smoothie out of four

P.S. Check out my book and ebook website Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/

Overall rating: A Charming Western Fantasy about Two Lovers on the Run

This book was an unusual find. I found this at a yard sale during the summer out of the largest collection of odd books that ranged from mermaid love stories to alien mummies to pirates in love. I mean I’ve seen many love stories at yard sale with the pretty girls and then the half naked (or entirely naked) perfect men holding them. Yet this woman clearly likes the weirder versions of those. But I did find one that caught my eye. It was a western, called “Lockhart’s Nightmare” written by Wayne Banto and Stan Williams, and it was western about man and woman on the run. As I looked at it, I realized I never really had read a western before. The closest thing I ever read to it would be Stephen King’s Gunslinger, and I don’t believe that counts.
So before reaching the book that’s labeled western, I think True Grit, Unforgiven or Open Range. The dark gritty world of the old west, yet when I open the book and started reading, that is not what I got. In fact the whole book is very light hearted.
The book starts with Lockhart playing a game of poker with three friends. They’re all sales men, who sale and deliver various things across the country by train. Lockhart is delivering banknotes. They were traveling in a train car with a few other people. But just as Lockhart was about to lay down his hand, a marshal pulls him out of the chair and arrests him. He says he’s under the arrest for killing his clients. He says that the people in the rest of the cart must come with him for questioning. But a woman sitting in the back of the cart tries to run away. She quickly is arrested as well believed to be Lockhart’s accomplish in murder. The two are locked away for a night and then are delivered to be hanged the next morning. They have to work together to escape.
Once on the run the two them must manage to get along with each other to clear their names. The woman, Marion Taylor is an actress, liar and somewhat a con artist. James Lockhart is an ex civil war veteran who has a past that haunts him, so he went into a simple safe life of selling things afterwards. Together as they run from the Marshall Henson, they run into bad guys, meet up with a Chinese mafia, travel in air balloons, and they fall in love. Which considering the selection I pulled the book from, I wasn’t too surprised by that last factor.
So what’s the good? Well once you get passed the mediocre take off, it turns into a kind of sweet and charming Bonnie and Clyde tale. I really liked that aspect of it. Also, it went to so many different places that I didn’t expect it to go. I mean when they went to the badlands, I felt like I was reading another book, and the same goes for the fight on the air ship. Just as you feel it begins to drag the book offers something new. And it is very character driven. It is written in way that you actually learn to love and care for these characters.
The Bad? Well the detail. There really is not an ounce of it. They seemed to only add detail in the Little China piece. But the old western 1863? I don’t know what that even looks like. I’m only assuming from what I saw in old westerns movies. Then there’s a part where they go to Ohio. I just can’t picture it in my mind at all. Is that more industrialized? Or rural family communities? I mean, I don’t need a lot. But I need something to help. Because I’m not a knowledgeable at all what the nation was like at that time. That and I felt the ending was a bit rushed. They tied it up in the last couple chapters through lucky breaks as it took them forever to understand anything about who framed them.
Butt overall, it’s worth the read. It’s not so much the Unforgiven dark, gritty, truth about the old west, but more of charming western fantasy about two lovers on the run that went to surprising places. So despite the lack of detail and drawbacks, I recommend to any one just looking for short fun quick read.

3 smoothies out of four

P.S. Check out my book and ebook website Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to http://lelue.webs.com/

I was going to write this in the morning, but then realized I might forget that I even read it by then. So it might be better to write this as soon as possible. This is another short story by Laurel K. Hamilton called Selling Houses and it can be found in the Strange Candy short story collection.
So what is it about? Well first off, it is set in the Anita Blake world. Only it isn’t focusing on Anita Blake. It is focusing on a character with a much simpler job that consists of selling houses. It is focusing on a real estate agent named Abbie as she must sell a house that had a demon possession and massacre take place in it. She finds that it is still haunted so the ghost must be removed. And since vampires just became legal, she must sell it to a vampire family.
So the good? Detail is always good. And it’s a look into part of the Anita Blake world we never see. But beyond that, there isn’t much.
So the bad? It’s just not interesting. Abbie isn’t interesting or likable. We aimlessly followed her for a reason that I am still still trying to figure out. After reading this short piece, I’m asking ‘what is the point?’ This has to be one of the dullest pieces I’ve seen by Hamilton. But at least I can give her credit for trying something new.
So overall, one word can sum this up. Boring. I am only giving it ½ smoothie because the story serves no purpose. It’s worth skipping.

½ Smoothies out of Four

P.S. Check out my book and ebook website Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/

Overall Rating: An Odd Creepy Puzzle That May Entertain Or Disappoint.

Okay this is a short story by HP Lovecraft. Well overall I don’t think HP Lovecraft wrote anything but short stories. But all the same, this is a tale called Pickman’s Model. And if you have not heard of this author, then I dare you to look up some films that are based off of or influenced by Lovecraftean horror such as Re-animator, Dagon, From Beyond and my personal favorite, In The Mouth Of Madness.

The story starts off with a nameless character telling a story to a friend about a man he knew as Richard Upton Pickman. He was a man who had a creative talent, realistic painting techniques but unfortunately paints paintings of terrifying and morbid images. But while he is constantly rejected, Therber (later on the main character is given a name) is fascinated. Though Picket is considered a monster, evil or cruel, he can not help but be amazed but the realism of it all. Then one day, Pickman says there’s an old house that he goes to where the darkest of images come to him. They are the most realistic and modern pieces he done. Of course being Picket’s one and only fan, Thurber agrees and follows Picket into his dark world of demonic paintings and underground tunnels. And as he stops into this world, Thruber feels these painting a re just something beyond what could be possibly from someone’s imagination.

So the good? Well there’s the detail. Every painting, alleyway and even we can see in our own head. And we can feel Thurber emotional, what is going through his head through all of this. Also, its quick paced. There’s no mile long build up. We’re in the middle of it and we can see what is happening. It’s creep.

The bad? I felt that the climax was kind of weak. And I’m shutting up there. I don’t want to spoil anything. That and just fact this is written back in the 1920’s which means more attention to wording than ever.

Then in the middle of good and bad (I know I typically don’t do this but bear with me) is the ending. The ending is not bad. It’s very open ended and in actuality I feel that it didn’t answer questions but left a lot of close to what the real meaning behind the paintings may be. And I know there’s a large percentage of people who will say “That’s stupid” or “It didn’t make any sense” and not like the piece. But I’m not one of those people. After reading this, I’m still thinking of what everything meant and piecing it together in my head and finding deeper meaning to it. This piece is asking the author to think. It does so the same way films like Inception or Donnie Darko for. They give you the puzzle to solve and you only save it you put one effort into it than reading it alone. If you like mind games, then you know who you are, and the rest of you know you won’t catch it.

Overall it’s a simple yet creepy piece. I say it’s worth the read, but in the climax, I felt it failed a bit since it seemed to building up to something bug, So I can’t love it. But I do like the idea that it is asking me to piece things together. And late rather thinking about it more. My rating might change. But as of right now anything is average two smoothies out of four.

2 Smoothies out of four

P.S. check out my book and ebook website at Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/

Carriers by Patrick Lynch

Okay not much of intro for this one. All I can say is it was a church book giveaway and I grabbed whatever looked mildly interesting. And one of those books I did grab is called Carriers by Patrick Lynch. It was a simple white cover with bright bold red title. Then there was an inside cover revealing three faceless military people in gas masks and bio hazard suites. Which too me is a very alarming message of the government having too much control. The same sort of message that was portrayed in movies such as The Crazies and 28 Weeks Later. And it brought to mind the highly illegal drug treatments and experimental did with civilians in American history. So with that image alone, I felt that if this book was done right, it could go so much deeper than a Ebola outbreak, by digging into society and human nature it self through the novel. (I love books that work on multiple levels at once)
So the book Carriers by Patrick Lynch is about an out break of a Malaria mutation that they call Mayratebo virus. It has the symptoms of Ebola, but seems to be ten times more contagious. The book focuses on two central characters. One is Carmen who is in the military and has experience in finding B3 and B4 viruses. She is sent to Indonesia to investigate the source of the pathogen. Then there is a second main character named Holly. Her Ex husband works in Indonesia studying plants to come up with ways to formulate new medicines. (There’s a scientific name for this profession, but it’s eluding me right now) Holly let her daughters visit the father in Indonesia and she goes to Indonesia to see them and brings them home. And book on the victims for a while, explaining what virus does and the chronicles Carmen as she looks for the source and Holly as she looks for her children. And with that give I think its side for any one to conclude that these two factors are related. And by the way, there’s also the corrupt Indonesian government.
So the good? Well I’ll start with one thing I’m glad of. They did not go in extensive detail of the Ebola virus. That was a relief. I have read a book a like this one years ago, called, “The Hot Zone” and “The Hot Zone,” went into so much extensive detail about the virus, that it actually made me want to throw up. Thankfully, there is just enough detail for us to go “that’s really bad” but doesn’t detour the reader from reading the book. And the other thing, I say was good about it, is the climax. The last fifty pages of this book are fantastic.
And now the bad, the last fifty pages of the book that I said was good. Well those were the only pages I enjoyed truthfully. The book was very slow paced. And I’m patient. I mean I typically give longer books two hundred pages to set thing up before continuing the story, with the characters. But after the outbreaks within the first third, the book focuses on Carmen roaming through the jungle with her team for a very long time and Holly doesn’t show up until the very end. Overall it is slow paced. I’m not a big thriller fan. So some one else might think differently. But here’s the biggest complaint of all. The book is called, “Carriers” And how does Holly’s and Carmen’s stories come together in this book? Take a wild guess? I mean they give away the answer to the mystery in the title. This is the first book I even seen spoiled by the title. And twenty pages in you know who the carriers are. So the thrill of thriller is completely taken away from the reader.
Overall it’s worth the read for some. For me personally I may never read it again. The idea of an out break is appealing to me as I read about common day people trying to thrive. Not so much with the military as the main character running tests in the rainforest. Then again, I guess, I’m just picky. If you like this sort of stuff like bio chemical outbreaks, then this is for you. But for the rest of us, it may be one time read. And if you have no interest in science, what so ever, you’re just going to fall asleep. So I’m giving this two smoothies out of four

Overall Rating: A Journey Into The Rainforest For the Obvious Source.

2 smoothies out of four.

P.S. Check out my book and ebook website Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to www.freewebs.com/lelue/

Overall Rating: An Intriguing Look Into The Mind Of A Holocaust Survivor

This is another odd smoothie review. This one is a called Man’s Search For Meaning By Viktor E Frankl. It was a required reading for a college class. So since I read it, why not write a review.

First off, Man’s Search For Morning is not a text book. It’s not a memoir. It’s no a self help book. But it’s very much a combination of all three of these. It starts out with the recollection of the author’s survival as he was a jewfish member in a Nazi death camp during the Holocaust, and how his mind and other prisoners. And then it goes further into the detail about observations and conclusions after the recount. And it really is about the psychological impacts that such a event could have on some one. So you’re probably wondering, is it any good? Well I’ll tell you.

The good? This is actually good We hear so much about the holocaust , but we hardly ever hear about it first hand in a book like this. And this really is a step into the mind of the holocaust survivor. I mean it is as so intriguing to see things through the eyes and mind of a person in a position like this. Afterward, he carries his notes form the recount over to further studies and turns into what I call the “Self Help” section. And there are surprising concepts such as the vacuum existence. Where someone who may have free time and nothing else to do suffers from this feeling or being meaningless and sinking them into depression. And 62% of the U.S. suffer from this! That’s just crazy. And there’s a ton of other crazy facts, that will just hold your interest. Also it’s filled with self help methods he used and the after math of the mental condition of Jewish survivors.

The bad? This is all about psychology effects of the holocaust. It is not a recount that goes into detail about the beatings and torture. There is just a taste of the world and there to remind the reader how terrible it was. But it’s not about the Holocaust, but the effect it has on a person’s mind. Also the second half does indeed have a lot of good info, but may prove to be bore to most readers. Because in the second half it is no longer telling about the Holocaust, but more about psychology it self. So unless you have interest in the human mind, it might be a bore.

Overall it’s a good read is worth while. Though I can’t recommend it to everyone. After all it is about psychology and the human mind, and if you like that sort of stuff then you know who you are. Check it out. If you were uninterested in every word I just mentioned, then it’s pass. But this is overall better than I expected.

Three smoothies out of 4

P.S. Check out my book and ebook website at Lelue’s Realm. Google it or go directly to http://www.lelue.webs.com/

Overall Rating : Sweet gentle Tale From Deep Water

Okay after reading two really bad books in a row, I’m not sure whether I can gamble on another five hundred novel just yet. I need a breather after that god awful Clive Cussler torture contraption called Atlantis Found. So I’m taking a break and am heading back to world of short stories. And I’m going to one of favorite authors Laurel K Hamilton. This one is called “A Scarcity Of Lake Monsters” and can be found in the Strange Candy collection.

So what is it about? Well it’s a day in the life of Forest Ranger at the Enchanted Forest National Park, of which the forest title it self gives away the fact that the park has creatures such as satyr’s and leprechauns‘ live in it. But this story is involved deeply in the couple’s relationship with the Lake Monster named Irving, that they seem end to love as part of their family almost. Like a pet. But as the day goes on, something terrible happens, because people don’t understand the creature. Drama circles the incident. I’m not saying any more than that or I would be spoiling things if I hadn’t done so already.

So the good. Well even though this is ridicules. Everyone I it seems so real. Mike. Jordan, Susan and even Irving seem like real character. And the relationships between all of them felt like you were right there. Plus this is one of the most innocent pieces I seen by Laurel in a Lon time. I wish she would turned this into a book giving us all something new rather than her never ending Gentry and Blake series. As usual, detail is fantastic as well.

So the bad? I can’t say much. Maybe more action would be nice. But that already stated was not the goal of the story here. I wish it could continue but it is only a short story after all.

Overall this is something entirely new and written that kind shows a light hearted world. It is worth looking into.

Four smoothies out of 4

Overall Rating : Sweet gentle Tale From Deep Water