Book Review: Jaws by Peter Benchley

 First off, the customary plot. 

The shark-versus-man classic that inspired the blockbuster Steven Spielberg movie—now in a fiftieth anniversary edition with an exclusive foreword from the author’s wife, renowned ocean conservation advocate Wendy Benchley.

A great white shark terrorizes the beautiful summer getaway of Amity Island, and a motley group of men take to the water to do battle with the beast. A heart-pounding novel of suspense and a brilliant meditation on the nature of humanity, Jaws is one of the most iconic thrillers ever written.

In addition to Wendy Benchley’s foreword, this edition features bonus content from Peter Benchley’s archives, including the manuscript’s original typed title page, a brainstorming list of possible titles, a letter from Benchley to film producer David Brown with candid feedback on the movie adaptation, and excerpts from Benchley’s book Shark Trouble, highlighting his firsthand account of writing Jaws, selling it to Universal Studios, and working with Steven Spielberg.

After writing Jaws in the early 1970s, Peter Benchley was actively engaged with scientists and filmmakers, and over the ensuing decades, joined many expeditions around the world as they expanded their knowledge of sharks and shark behavior. He encouraged each new generation of Jaws fans to enjoy his riveting tale and to channel their excitement into support and protection of these magnificent prehistoric apex predators.

 

My Review:  

I recall trying to read this a long time ago, like when I was in Junior High, around grade 7 or so. I never did finish it. I think it was b/c it was in mass market paperback. After all, it was from the school library. So, here I am now, reading it.

First off, it's quite different than the movie. That's fine. Normal in most adaptations. 

The characters. Wow are they different than the movie. I really dislike them more in the book. Their attitudes, where they came from, who they know/knew. So, so different. The worst one is Ellen Brody. She's just not a very nice person at all.

The book spends way too many pages/chapters on Ellen Brody. She's not an exciting person at all. I find her neurotic, depressed and trying to regain her youth. Not really a very good wife or person. 

Hooper is so so different too. He's not as knowledgeable about sharks in the book, as he is in the movie. He's more at odds with Chief Martin Brody. Defensive, argumentative. 

The most exciting part of the book was the last 2-3 chapters when they were actually going after the shark. You were wondering if they ever were going to find it and once they did, if they were going to catch it. 

In the final chapter, they caught it. How, I will not say. Did anybody else die? Nope. Not saying that either. Like I mentioned earlier in my review, the book is so so different from the movie. 

This is one time that I can honestly say that I liked the movie better. I think it's the way that the characters were portrayed in the book. 

The book was ok. I give it 3.5 ⭐⭐⭐⯨ stars. It was good, but not great. I did enjoy it, but didn't like some of the characters. 

 

 

 

Book Review: Pippi Goes on Board by Astrid Lindgren (Pippi Longstocking 2)

 Here's the customary plot: 

Outrageous Pippi Longstocking has no parents around and no rules to follow, so she lives according to her own daredevilish ways. She's been treating her friends Tommy and Annika to wild adventures, too--like buying and eating seventy-two pounds of candy, or sailing off to an island in the middle of a lake to see what it's like to be shipwrecked. But then Pippi's long lost father returns, and she might have to leave Villa Villekulla!

From the Hans Christian Andersen Medal-winning author of the classic Pippi Longstocking, this is another rollicking adventure that's sure to please fans of the freckled, fun-loving little girl.

"Lovers of Pippi Longstocking will welcome this rollicking tale of a topsy-turvy world in which Pippi and her next-door neighbors put into practice some ideas about good times." - School Library Journal

 

My Review:

This is a reread of the books that I read as a kid. I always liked reading the Pippi Longstocking books. They're a quick fun read. 

 Rereading this book makes me happy. It's such a fun read. I enjoyed it yet again. 

What's not to love about Pippi Longstocking? She's a fun loving kid. 

I've always enjoyed reading the Pippi Longstocking books and this one is no different. Pippi, along with Tommy and Annika always have such fun and adventures. 

As always, this is a 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ book. Remember, it's always fun to revisit the books you enjoyed as a kid. It's allowed. 

 

Book Review: Engines of Reason (Elder Race 2) by Adrian Tchaikovsky

 To start off with, the customary plot: 

 Visit a world where sorcery intertwines with science by multiple Hugo nominee Adrian Tchaikovsky in this highly-anticipated sequel to his hugely popular Elder Race.

On a planet where stories govern identity, where science and magic are a merely point of view, a fallen princess, a reluctant wizard, and a precocious child must unravel the past to shape the future.

Betrayal, ancient myths, and the clash of worlds converge in this spellbinding tale of courage, friendship, and self-discovery.

A profound exploration of identity, memory, and discovery from one of science fiction’s most compelling voices.

 

My Review:  

I got an eARC from Netgalley. This will be my third attempt at reading something by this author. I did read Elder Race. 

I'm not sure I'm feeling this book or not. I have noticed that it's not quite holding my attention. I will finish it, as it's a very short book. 

The story moved, but not entirely quick. Things did get figured out by the end. 

We have a few new characters in this book. Each one important to the story and how it ends. 

The story picked up pace at the 70% mark. It held my attention a lot more. I actually enjoyed the last 30% more than what I did the rest of the book. I'm guessing that the slower pace was not my thing. 

The ending was a bit of a surprise that I did not expect to happen. Was it a satisfying ending? Yes. The way this story was, the ending was good. 

Does it leave room for another book? Yes, but if there isn't that's fine too. 

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. Why? Only because it didn't hold my attention for most of the book. 

 

 

Book Review: The Wisdom of Crowds (The Age of Madness book 3) by Joe Abercrombie

 First, here's the usual plot:

 From the New York Times bestselling author of A Little Hatred comes a stunning fantasy novel that finds the world in an unstoppable revolution where heroes have nothing left to lose as darkness and destruction overtake everything.

Chaos. Fury. Destruction. The Great Change is upon us . . .

Some say that to change the world you must first burn it down. Now that belief will be tested in the crucible of revolution: the Breakers and Burners have seized the levers of power, the smoke of riots has replaced the smog of industry, and all must submit to the wisdom of crowds.

With nothing left to lose, Citizen Brock is determined to become a new hero for the new age, while Citizeness Savine must turn her talents from profit to survival before she can claw her way to redemption.
Orso will find that when the world is turned upside down, no one is lower than a monarch.
And in the bloody North, Rikke and her fragile Protectorate are running out of allies . . . while Black Calder gathers his forces and plots his vengeance.

The banks have fallen, the sun of the Union has been torn down, and in the darkness behind the scenes, the threads of the Weaver's ruthless plan are slowly being drawn together . . .

 My review:  

This book picks up right where the 2nd book ends. Right away we find out what happens to Leo dan Brock. Savine is still very pregnant at the beginning too. 

This book is non-stop action. You just have to keep reading to find out what happens with all of our characters. 

At the halfway point in the book, there's a battle in the North. Not going to say how that goes. You need to read for yourself. It was a bloody battle. Lots of twists.

When you reach up to Part IV, boy oh boy, does it get intense. The pace picks up even more than it was at the beginning. Some of our character's lives are at stake. Will they make it? Keep reading...

Oh the huge surprises later on. Some people who were not who we thought they were and some were more involved that what we figured. Surprise! We also find out who was behind The Great Change, that was part of this entire series. Again...Surprise! I didn't think this person was the instigator of the entire thing, as well as the person known as The Weaver. 

All loose ends were tied up, by the end. We learn what happened to our characters, at least those that did survive to reach the end.

The ending itself seemed like that there could be an opening left for another series of books. It would be nice to see what will become of  these characters. If not, the ending is perfect too. 

I've really enjoyed this series, this world and all of the characters. I give this book, 5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It was well worth the read. 

As always, the covers are great.  

 

 

 

Book Review: Sublimination by Isabel J. Kim

 Here's the customary plot: 

 Doppelgängers, corporate intrigue, heartbreak, betrayal, and the harsh permanence of the border: Sublimation is a thrilling and provocative debut for fans of Severance that asks what you'd sacrifice for a different life from award-winning author Isabel J. Kim.

The border cuts you in two.

When you immigrate, you leave a copy of yourself behind, an instance. One person enters their new country; the other stays trapped at home.

Some instances keep in touch, call each other daily, keep their lives and minds in sync in the hopes of reintegrating and resuming a life as one person. Others, like Soyoung Rose Kang, leave home at ten years old and never speak to their other selves again. Rose, in America, never imagined going back to Korea until her grandfather died and her Korean instance called her home for the funeral.

She doesn’t know that Soyoung plans to steal her body and her life.

How far would you go to live the choice you didn’t make?

 

My review:  

This is an eARC that I was approved for from Netgalley.

I have never read anything that was in the genre of Speculative fiction. So, all this is new to me. This is a good thing to read a slightly different genre.

With my first sit down to read this book, I ended up reading to 19%. So far, it was holding my attention. The concept was pretty good.  

This book is a bit weird. Not in a bad way. Just weird. It's still holding my attention at the 56% mark. Now, I'm at the point that I want to know what happens with the characters. 

There's a little bit of mystery in this book. That's a reason why to keep reading. You want to know what will or will not happen.

After 80%, the story really picked up and got more of a faster pace. You really wanted to know what and how things were going to happen. The ending was a nice surprise. I didn't see that happening. 

Now, this world was well thought out. The way that people split or instanced was well done. The characters were well thought out too. You felt like you knew them personally. 

If this book was a standalone or if there's a part 2, I'd definitely want to read it. If it remains a standalone, that's fine too, as the ending was satisfying. 

I'll give this book a solid 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐. The only reason why I didn't give it 5, was because of the little bit of extra story in each chapter. I understand why it was given. It gave you some explanation as to why this world had instancing. 

All in all, I do recommend you to read this book. I really did enjoy it.

 

 

 

 

Book Review: The Infinite State by Richard Swan

 First up, the customary plot: 

 In this blistering science fiction epic, international bestselling author Richard Swan presents a thrilling tale of survival and an eviscerating examination of totalitarianism.

THE INFINITE STATE begins at a flashpoint in the lives of a widowed party member, a disgraced investigator, and a hypersled pilot—entangled in a plot to escape the suffocating authority of a fascist state.

WHO GIVES YOU LIFE?
PATER AETERNUS.

Katherine Fuller’s husband is dead. As an esteemed member of Pater Aeternus—governing party of the fascist, galaxy-spanning Decurion Empire—he has left behind an estate of immeasurable wealth. And Katherine is going to inherit it.

WHO GIVES YOU PURPOSE?
PATER AETERNUS.

Life under the Eternal Father is rigidly stratified, surveilled, and controlled—each new day to be endured, not lived. But with Katherine’s newfound fortune, she is presented with a rare and dangerous opportunity: purchase a virgin world, and create a better, fairer society.

WHO GIVES YOU JOY?
PATER AETERNUS.

But the Empire cannot allow its wayward daughter to succeed. And as Katherine works in secret, recruiting allies she's not even sure she can trust, she will discover exactly how far Pater Aeternus is willing to go to stop her. Because Katherine is going to create something nobody has seen for many years.

A democracy.

My review:

This is an ARC that I received from NetGalley.  

At only 15% in, this book is giving me serious George Orwell's 1984 vibes. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.  🤔

I'm not a fan of the Dystopian type of science fiction. But...this book is keeping me wanting to know what will happen to each of the main characters.

The story itself is quite fast paced. Not much of a slowdown at all. The world building is very good. The characters well developed. 

In Part II of the book, you get all of the main characters getting together in one place. How and why this happens gets explained as you continue. You find out that some of these characters were not exactly what they appeared to be when you first meet them. 

The action picks up even more, once you hit about the 75% to 85% place in the story. And boy does it ever surprise you. 

The one thing that I did not enjoy was the change of POV in mid chapter in the second half of the book. That has got to be one of my biggest peeves. Other than that, I did enjoy this book.

All in all, this was a very good book. A solid 4 stars (****).  It probably would have been 5 stars (*****), if it didn't have the mid chapter POV change. 

This is definitely a book/series that I will want to continue to read. I must know what happens next to these characters. 

Here's the cover: 

 

Book Review: Vanessa's Men by Jason Starr

 Here's the customary plot:

 A MARRIAGE. A DISAPPEARANCE. A STORY NO ONE WILL BELIEVE.
 

Nineteen years ago, Vanessa Rizzo’s fiancé vanished without warning—no goodbye, no explanation, no trace. She built a new life on top of that unanswered a marriage, two teenage sons, a polished Upper East Side world that finally feels safe. 

Then she sees him on a Manhattan street. 

Days later, her husband disappears. 

Suddenly the life Vanessa fought to protect is under investigation—by the police, by her neighbors, by the people who think they know her best. The past she buried has begun to move inside the present, and every answer leads to a more terrifying  

How many times can one woman lose the man she loves? 

Propulsive, emotionally charged, and impossible to put down, VANESSA’S MEN is a novel about marriage, memory, and the moment an ordinary life turns dangerous. 

For fans of Harlan Coben, Lisa Jewell, and Megan Abbott. 

From the international bestselling author of Panic Attack and Too Far 

“Jason Starr is hypnotically good. Some of the best new writing there is.” — Lee Child

 My review: 

I found this book to be unputdownable,  and yes, it's a new word  by me. 

Like I said, un-put-downable. I usually am not a fan of the psychological thriller, but this book was amazing. 

It's fast paced. Rarely slowed down. You get all the feels for the main character, Vanessa. 

At the 75%  (3/4) mark of the book....Twist! Didn't see that coming. 

That twist changed things. It kept me reading  until I was finished. Did we get things figured out? Yes. Yes we did. Am I going to say what that was? Nope. Read the book. Any word to help you think what it could be? Karma. Karma is a real bitch!

You're going to love that ending. It was so satisfying. I truly enjoyed this book. I'll give it 5 stars *****. It's definitely a 5 star book. 

Thanks to the author, Jason Starr for giving me the opportunity to read & review this book. I recommend  it, especially if you're a fan of the Psychological Thriller. Even if you're not a fan. 

 

 

 

Book Review: The Price of Fear by Miles Lyon

 Here is the customary plot: 

 For a Godless like Azreal the Wretched, peace might be a more profitable time, but it’s no less bloody…

A decade into the armistice with Inath, the North, once united against invasion, finds itself a divided kingdom. Azreal – an infamous mage of the Northern military – operates in his native land as a contract killer, employed to hunt traitors by a king who is squabbling against his would-be usurpers.

But when the completion of his latest bounty unveils a foreign plot to dethrone the North altogether, Azreal is the only one who can cross the border and respond in kind…

Or he would have been, until betrayal at the final moment resulted in his killing of the wrong man and capture by those that he’s spent half his life fighting.

Now, imprisoned and awaiting his execution for the murder of an Inathian crown prince, Azreal finds himself across the interrogation table from Anamira Lestrade. A career criminal investigator, Ana is tasked with extracting the truth behind the assassination or dying in failure – linking the two through one last story that could stave off both their gruesome ends.

Possessed of few friends, countless enemies, magic blades that feast on his emotions, and the haunting rumors of how he won his name, Azreal the Wretched’s narrative pits him against traitorous conspiracy, brutal magical feuds, and broken promises of love. And if there is any hope of making it out alive at its end, he’ll need to conquer the price it cost him to paint the tale

Fear.

My review: 

This is the first book for me to read by this author, as it's his debut novel.   

The book started off with a bang. We learn currently where the main character is, and why he's there. In the 2nd chapter, we get a bit of a backstory as to how he got to where he is.  The story goes back and forth from present day, to what happened. The backstory is interesting. You definitely get to learn about the main character. 

We learn that this world has magic. In this world, the ones who use magic are called mages, Godless. We also learn that with using magic, it comes with a price, and that depends on what the mages specialty is. 

Our main character is Azreal the Wretched. He gets his name for the type of magic he wields, and the name of his weapons. He's a crass, smart-mouthed, dangerous mage. He's also has a sense of humour, which helps you to sort of like him. 

 OMG! This book just  didn't slow down. So much action. So much blood. The climax....the ending... The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I'm not really of fan of those. In this case, it just makes me want to read the next book in the series, and the rest of the series. 

Why, you ask? Let me tell you.

The world building is great. You can just picture in your mind at how this world looks. Dirty, grungy in the North. The South, clean, the people full of themselves. Perfect opposites.

The characters are well developed and thought out. You find yourself easily liking the main character, Azreal, even though he's not a very good person. Even the secondary characters are well done. You feel like you've known them for awhile. 

This is a 5 star book (*****). It has a great plot, the story doesn't drag, and the build up to that ending. What a rush.

It's definitely a book worth reading, as well as to continue the rest of the series. 

The cover is also great. 

Thank you for letting me read an ARC of this book. I truly enjoyed it. Congrats on a terrific debut novel. 👏

 

 

Book Review: A Time of Courage by John Gwynne

A Time of Courage is book 3 in the Of Blood and Bone series by John Gwynne. It's the final book that's set in The Banished Lands. 

Customary plot: 

Heroes shall rise and fall, the earth shall be stained red, and the fate of the Banished Lands will be decided once and for all in A Time of Courage, the final book in acclaimed fantasy author John Gwynne's Of Blood and Bone trilogy.

The demon king Asroth has been freed from his iron prison. Now, alongside his dark bride Fritha, he plans to conquer the whole of the Banished Lands.
 

In the shadows of Forn Forest, Riv and the surviving Ben-Elim desperately search for a way to unite those who remain against Asroth's vast army.
 

Far in the west, Drem is with the Order of the Bright Star, besieged by a demon horde. Their fragile defenses are on the brink of shattering, but they know that it is better to fight and die than to live without hope.
 

And across the Banished Lands, armies are heading south, to settle ancient grudges and decide the fate of humanity.

Of Blood and Bone
A Time of Dread
A Time of Blood
A Time of Courage
 

The Faithful and the Fallen
Malice
Valor
Ruin
Wrath

 

My review:  

 

This book jumps in right where the previous book ends. So much action. 

 

In the beginning of the book, Meical and Asroth are freed from their Starstone gaol, in Drassil's great hall.  

 

The action doesn't slow down at all. By the time you're half ways through, you've had several bloody battles, and have lost some characters.  

 

At about the 2/3 mark, you come up to the main battle. The battle to end all battles. And, boy does it start off with a bang. We lose some characters during this battle, just like during the smaller battles earlier on in the book. 

 

Continuing on towards the 3/4 mark, you find out that that big battle wasn't it. There's another battle brewing.  

 

What a battle that was! It was brutal. So much action. So much action. So many lives lost. I won't say who died or who survived. That is up to the reader to find out. I don't, and wouldn't want to deny anybody that. The ending was fitting. There was actually a sort of happy ending. 

 

I really enjoyed my time reading about The Banished Lands. It was quite the journey. 

 

This is a 5 star book. The entire series is. All 7 books are. If you like a good bloody fantasy, this is definitely the series to read. 

 

 Thank you John Gwynne for writing two great and wonderful series. 

 

Truth and Courage

 

 

My Year in Books

 This year, I read 16 books. My goodreads challenge/goal was 12, so I did really well. I used to read a lot more, but stuff happens, and my reading count is less. Any reading is good, right?

With this year's read books, I only had one that was DNF (did not finish). That's not too bad. Sometimes, I get more than one. It depends on what I'm reading at the time, and if I'm enjoying it or not. 

I read all genres, except romance. Can't stand that crap. My favourite genre is fantasy. Dark, epic fantasy. 

My goodreads reading challenge for 2026 will again be 12 books. I set the bar low mostly because I'm reading good meaty books that are well over 300 pages. Some as big as 800+. 

Now, you'll find some of my reviews on older blog posts, but not all. I didn't write posts on all of them, only the ones that I was doing strictly for review purposes. Now, all my reviews will be done via a blog post book review & posted to goodreads. 

Anyways, here's the link to my year in books.

 https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2025

Here's the list:

Assassin by Andy Peloquin

A Strip for Murder by Max Allan Collins

Full Moon by Jim Butcher

Planetside by Michael Mammay

The Silverblood Promise by James Logan

The Case of the Careless Kitten by Erle Stanley Gardner

The Winter Man by Robert Firlotte

Protector by Andy Peloquin

Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Blood of the Old Kings by Sung Il Kim

Blood for the Undying Throne by Sung Il Kim

Lies Weeping by Glen Cook 

Seduction of the Innocent by Max Allan Collins

The Blackfire Blade by James Logan

Johnny Mnemonic by William Gibson

Supermax: The Max and Angela Trilogy by Ken Bruen, Jason Starr 

 

What's next for my next read? I'm not sure yet. Still thinking on it.  

 Keep a watch out for all of my future reviews. 

Later