James Herbert is a writer I've only recently come across after attempting to read '48 during the latter half of last year but finding it to be rather slow and boring. However, someone then mentioned The Rats to me which I soon found in a charity shop and bought. I then read it.
I had no idea what to expect when reading The Rats, but I imagine it was something similar to what I felt when I read Shaun Hutson's The Slugs. I was, however, wrong. The Rats, due to its being set in the East End and therefore mentioning a number of familiar places, was certainly chilling. As I read through a story of London becoming infested with giant rats, I found that it made me feel slightly uncomfortable and on edge.
Although good, I found that JH's writing was slightly repetitive with its phrases and certain words. Descriptions were also sometimes lacking. Those are my only criticisms of this novel. It was otherwise a read that could be compared to Shaun Hutson's stuff. Although short at 200 pages, I found that it took me longer to read than expected. Possibly due to various outings and hospital visits or just my own laziness.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, I would, but more so if you happen to live in the East End of London.
Overall rating: 3/5
Wednesday 23 January 2013
Thursday 10 January 2013
Target by Simon Kernick
Yes, that's right, it's another Simon Kernick book review. I may have mentioned this previously, but I've recently started a mission to be the only independent book review blog which has every SK book reviewed and my reading of Target has sent me one step closer to this.
Normally I'd manage one of SK's books in 2-3 days. However, due to a ridiculous amount of uni work before and after Christmas, I failed at this and read the book in a shocking span of almost 3 weeks. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it. I did yet happened to be flooded under with work along with a mixture of stomach bug and New Year's hangover. Yesterday, though, I finished it as I always do.
Target is the story of Rob Fallon: a man who, after spending the night with his best friend's girlfriend, is feeling rather guilty. Especially after she's abducted from her own apartment. In order to both refrain from being caught by his friend as well as make himself feel better about the abduction, he ends up on a wild goose chase, trying to find the girlfriend.
Being a crime and Simon Kernick novel, though, things will never go right and Rob Fallon ends up in a very messy doghouse. As one might expect this is well-researched, fast-paced and lively with non-stop criminal action throughout. Had I had the time, I more than likely would have managed it within 3 days max as the plot was extremely well-planned and characters all had personalities and ways which made me want to read on more. What made the book even better was the inclusion of my all-time favourite SK character, the Black Widow. Better known as Tina Boyd. And any novel with her in is bound to be a good one.
Despite being one with a lively plot and ending, I wouldn't say Target is the best of SK's novels. I found some parts to be a bit slow and dry. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, it just means that instead of a 5/5 rating, this one will be getting a 4/5.
Normally I'd manage one of SK's books in 2-3 days. However, due to a ridiculous amount of uni work before and after Christmas, I failed at this and read the book in a shocking span of almost 3 weeks. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it. I did yet happened to be flooded under with work along with a mixture of stomach bug and New Year's hangover. Yesterday, though, I finished it as I always do.
Target is the story of Rob Fallon: a man who, after spending the night with his best friend's girlfriend, is feeling rather guilty. Especially after she's abducted from her own apartment. In order to both refrain from being caught by his friend as well as make himself feel better about the abduction, he ends up on a wild goose chase, trying to find the girlfriend.
Being a crime and Simon Kernick novel, though, things will never go right and Rob Fallon ends up in a very messy doghouse. As one might expect this is well-researched, fast-paced and lively with non-stop criminal action throughout. Had I had the time, I more than likely would have managed it within 3 days max as the plot was extremely well-planned and characters all had personalities and ways which made me want to read on more. What made the book even better was the inclusion of my all-time favourite SK character, the Black Widow. Better known as Tina Boyd. And any novel with her in is bound to be a good one.
Despite being one with a lively plot and ending, I wouldn't say Target is the best of SK's novels. I found some parts to be a bit slow and dry. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, it just means that instead of a 5/5 rating, this one will be getting a 4/5.
Tuesday 8 January 2013
Hell Bent for Leather by Seb Hunter
Hell Bent for Leather is one of those books I purchased a long time ago but simply allowed to gather dust on my bookshelf. However, in September of last year I started the Life Writing module and thought that it would be time to get reading it. So, in early December, I did. And I'm only now writing the review due to being piled under with work.
The book is the story of Hunter's discovering heavy metal at 15 and not looking back. It tells the stories of his various bands, the disagreements with his parents, drug and booze troubles and his transformation from heavy metaller to writer.
Along with his own tales, it provides insider knowledge of (and opinions on) some of the world's most famous bands including Judas Priest (of which the book gets its title), AC/DC and Iron Maiden.
Being a huge fan of metal since the age of 12 I found the book to be a fun read and not too serious. It was able to mock metal and its stereotypes whilst also being one. Additionally, I found that I was able to agree with a number of the writer's views on things yet also laugh at them as I thought back to some of my younger years.
Well-researched and written with a certain passion for music, this was one of those reads that every fan of music should read (if they can), whether or not they are listeners of metal and/or its subgenres.
Overall rating: 4/5
The book is the story of Hunter's discovering heavy metal at 15 and not looking back. It tells the stories of his various bands, the disagreements with his parents, drug and booze troubles and his transformation from heavy metaller to writer.
Along with his own tales, it provides insider knowledge of (and opinions on) some of the world's most famous bands including Judas Priest (of which the book gets its title), AC/DC and Iron Maiden.
Being a huge fan of metal since the age of 12 I found the book to be a fun read and not too serious. It was able to mock metal and its stereotypes whilst also being one. Additionally, I found that I was able to agree with a number of the writer's views on things yet also laugh at them as I thought back to some of my younger years.
Well-researched and written with a certain passion for music, this was one of those reads that every fan of music should read (if they can), whether or not they are listeners of metal and/or its subgenres.
Overall rating: 4/5
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