russelmcq's reviews
78 reviews

A Time of Dread by John Gwynne

adventurous dark sad tense fast-paced

4.0

When I first started this series, I felt it took awhile to get really going before it captured me. However, in true Gwynne fashion, once it did get going, it grabbed hold of me and would not let me go. 

So far this isn't as good as the FATF quartet, but I am happy to be revisiting the banished lands and I do believe it will get better.

Still and excellent read for those that enjoy Gwynne's work.

Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as If Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss, Tahl Raz

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This book is worth 5 stars in every way. I truly believe the audio book is amazing and that if you are in any sales or a role in which a negotiation is vital, this is worth a read/listen.

Storm Front by Jim Butcher

adventurous dark funny lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I have been looking for a "cleanser" series for awhile. I tried Discworld, and it didn't really catch on for me, stand alones outside of the fantasy genre, and they are nice every now and then.... however I have to say I think I found it.

I have been told time and time again that Storm Front is the weakest book in the series and if that is true, I have to say, I am really looking forward to reading further into this series.

But not yet. Just when I need that break. You know the one? Where you are in a slump and you just can't seem to pick up the book you want to read on your TBR? 

This is it.

Seasons of Albadone by Élan Marché, Christopher Warman

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

3.25

3.25/5
The best thing I can say about this is:
This book is entirely not what you expect, has a fairy tale style to it, and may set you in motion for book 2 in the series.

I felt it was good, not great, or mind-blowing. 

Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom

emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

5.0

5/5
Tuesdays with Morrie is just a must listen. It teaches us a powerful lesson about life through two men's regular Tuesday visits.

This one really punches you in the gut like all Mitch Albom's books do

A modern classic

The Wisdom of Crowds by Joe Abercrombie

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

Somewhere between 4.75/5 and 5/5.

Truth is, Abercrombie has become one of my favorite authors ever after reading his entire series, starting with the first law trilogy, the stand alones, and now AoM.

It is all just so well written, each book and trilogy becoming better and better. 

This particular book left me with such a wide range of emotions.

Despair its all over... happiness for some characters, sadness for others

And, even after 9 straight books, read back to back... secretly wanting just a little more.

Abercrombie, you're brilliant. The end.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

adventurous informative lighthearted medium-paced

1.5

Review: 1.5 / 5 stars
It's important to remember that this book was written in 1870. Novels were just written differently and details and how they were described was different.

However, with that being said, my all time favorite book is the Count of Monte Cristo.

To me, I really struggled with the enormity of the details in sections of the book that felt..... irrelevant. I firmly believe this could have been a novella with 1/4th less content and it would have been much better overall.

Without giving anything away, that's all I will get into detail on.

Why was it given more than 1 star? Because I listened to the audio version and I felt Frederick Davidson did a great job with the narration, the different characters and really did a great job capturing the main character. I also felt that the overall story of Captain Nimo and his adventures were interesting; but if I had to read this book I would definitely not finished.

Classics I find are always hit and miss, but this one just really scraped by.

The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

4.5/5
Some absolutely amazing characters. Thoroughly enjoyed the book.

A great way to really look at a battle... if you really stop and think abkut it. How much does War really change in the end and for what?

Thats all I can really say. That ans the stand alones continue to impress and in my opinion are better than the trilogy.

Very impressive Abercrombie..

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I did the audiobook version of his book, with Malcolm himself narrating. 

5/5 - just wow.
I don't even know what to say. If you havent had an opportunity to read, or listen to this book yet I cannot recommend this book enough.

It is fantastic. The book is brilliant, he is brilliant and how he decided to... evaluate and analyze the aspect of humanities "Outliers" is astonishing. I never would have thought to look at things in this way and it simply flips the idea of an outlier on its head.

It is a MUST read/listen.

The Trouble with Peace by Joe Abercrombie

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

Simply put, as I have continued to read the First Law 4 has continued to climb up the ranks as one of my favorite authors. In my opinion, his books continue to become better and better as we go along.

The 2nd book in the Age of Madness trilogy is no different. It's everything you look for in a grimdark book and more.

Without spoilers, that is all I can say.
Simply great.