Reading update
8. 
Star Island by Carl Hiaasen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Hiasssen spins a tale of spoiled celebrities and mistaken identities, ending with an amusing and adventure filled novel.
Ann, an aspiring actress, spends many of her nights (and some days) posing as Cherry, a post-Disney-esqe manufactured pop star. Well, at least on the many occasions that Cherry is far too stoned or drunk out of her mind to walk or talk herself. The pay is at least decent and the life is not that bad, even if her role is largely unacknowledged.
Its all pretty good until a crazed photographer kidnaps Ann, thinking she is Cherry - and Cherry becomes increasingly out of control of her handlers.
Through in the mix some parents who refused to admit that their daughter has a drug problem at all; a bodyguard with an unique way of handling those same problems; and an ex-governor who might either be the most insane person in all of Florida - or perhaps just very sane - the celebrity set of Florida may never be the same.
9.
A Fountain Filled With Blood: A Mystery by Julia Spencer-Fleming
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
At the start, this unfolded with much of the same promise as the novel in the series. It opens up a few months later, with the relationship between Clare and the Police Chief unsettled. The town of Mills Kills is unsettled as well; with a new resort being built on the outskirts of town corresponding with a rise in PCB levels in the water supplies.
And then there is a beating of the towns' medical examiner. And quickly after that, another. It appears that there is someone who is attacking gay men in the town.
****
In the first book, Clares' role in the investigations was somewhat plausible - there was a reasonable explanation for her getting involved, for staying involved, and her emotional attachment that pushed past any reasonable judgment was reasonable.
In this book, the line of being pushy/involved and really crossing the line to "interfering the investigation to the point it would get thrown out in court" is crossed very early on. And she pursues it to the point that the reader is left to wonder why, precisely, she is still keeping her robes and just not joining the force. And at the end of the book, she moves into full superhero mode - in a way that is only slightly believable, and again, shows an amazingly lack of judgment on her part.
The relationship between her and Ross also moves forward at a fast forward pace - for a man who is worried what the townspeople think about their relationship, he does incredibly odd things; such encouraging her to meet his mother.
10. Thicker then Water (Felix Castor, book 4) by Mikey Carrey
11.
Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
A cute read about the typical teenage angst - a new stepdad, moving away, trying to fit into a new school, social cliques, and cute guys.
But the whole thing is just a lot messier when everyone at school happens to be descendants of gods, with the powers that go with it, except for you.
Not any big surprises or twists here, but probably a nice read for any tween interested in mythology.
12. Angel: The Crown Prince Syndrome.
13.
Spike: The Devil You Know by Bill Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
My gosh, sometimes the illustrations of this - especially of Spike - rendering him completely unidentifiable, which is a shame because the storyline was great.
Unfinished Reads
14.
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
I wanted to enjoy this book, since the plot is a classic and when it is well done it often a rich and complex read.
The characters' had potential, I admit, but the writing was awful. It was so dry and ponderous that even skimming it, I was wanting to fall asleep.
The author seemed to be unable to understand that points can be made and even driven home with endless repeating. Instead of underlying obsessions with sex and desire and sin, it made me feel like I was reading a self-published novel about the dangers of porn.
15. Madame Bouvary Gustave Flaubert.
Star Island by Carl Hiaasen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Hiasssen spins a tale of spoiled celebrities and mistaken identities, ending with an amusing and adventure filled novel.
Ann, an aspiring actress, spends many of her nights (and some days) posing as Cherry, a post-Disney-esqe manufactured pop star. Well, at least on the many occasions that Cherry is far too stoned or drunk out of her mind to walk or talk herself. The pay is at least decent and the life is not that bad, even if her role is largely unacknowledged.
Its all pretty good until a crazed photographer kidnaps Ann, thinking she is Cherry - and Cherry becomes increasingly out of control of her handlers.
Through in the mix some parents who refused to admit that their daughter has a drug problem at all; a bodyguard with an unique way of handling those same problems; and an ex-governor who might either be the most insane person in all of Florida - or perhaps just very sane - the celebrity set of Florida may never be the same.
9.
A Fountain Filled With Blood: A Mystery by Julia Spencer-Fleming
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
At the start, this unfolded with much of the same promise as the novel in the series. It opens up a few months later, with the relationship between Clare and the Police Chief unsettled. The town of Mills Kills is unsettled as well; with a new resort being built on the outskirts of town corresponding with a rise in PCB levels in the water supplies.
And then there is a beating of the towns' medical examiner. And quickly after that, another. It appears that there is someone who is attacking gay men in the town.
****
In the first book, Clares' role in the investigations was somewhat plausible - there was a reasonable explanation for her getting involved, for staying involved, and her emotional attachment that pushed past any reasonable judgment was reasonable.
In this book, the line of being pushy/involved and really crossing the line to "interfering the investigation to the point it would get thrown out in court" is crossed very early on. And she pursues it to the point that the reader is left to wonder why, precisely, she is still keeping her robes and just not joining the force. And at the end of the book, she moves into full superhero mode - in a way that is only slightly believable, and again, shows an amazingly lack of judgment on her part.
The relationship between her and Ross also moves forward at a fast forward pace - for a man who is worried what the townspeople think about their relationship, he does incredibly odd things; such encouraging her to meet his mother.
10. Thicker then Water (Felix Castor, book 4) by Mikey Carrey
11.
Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
A cute read about the typical teenage angst - a new stepdad, moving away, trying to fit into a new school, social cliques, and cute guys.
But the whole thing is just a lot messier when everyone at school happens to be descendants of gods, with the powers that go with it, except for you.
Not any big surprises or twists here, but probably a nice read for any tween interested in mythology.
12. Angel: The Crown Prince Syndrome.
13.
Spike: The Devil You Know by Bill Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
My gosh, sometimes the illustrations of this - especially of Spike - rendering him completely unidentifiable, which is a shame because the storyline was great.
Unfinished Reads
14.
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
I wanted to enjoy this book, since the plot is a classic and when it is well done it often a rich and complex read.
The characters' had potential, I admit, but the writing was awful. It was so dry and ponderous that even skimming it, I was wanting to fall asleep.
The author seemed to be unable to understand that points can be made and even driven home with endless repeating. Instead of underlying obsessions with sex and desire and sin, it made me feel like I was reading a self-published novel about the dangers of porn.
15. Madame Bouvary Gustave Flaubert.