As promised, April's Rants & Raves is up much earlier than the previous month. With my shoulder issue hopefully in the past I should be able to get back to not only LISTs like this but writing as well. This month's list has some surprises too. One of our normal heavy hitters disappoints immensely and our biggest winner is a new writer. Also this month we will be using our new modified Rating system, 8.5 used to be capital RAVEs but now 8.5 going forward will be lower case Rave to make the capital RAVE more worthwhile and prestigious. Without more to say, let's do this.
19. Tonight, Again by Clive Barker: 6.5 - Okay
Oh man... This was disappointing. As regular readers of my blog know, Clive Barker is my favorite novelist of all time so for one of his writing works to be this low really shows how bad it is. This loose collection of illustrations, erotic poems and erotic short fiction was so pedestrian and un-inspired I felt none of the 'spice' or 'heat' it was supposed to invoke. If this book was written in modern days I would be convinced someone type 'write some erotic fiction in the vein of Clive Barker in ChatGPT' and then published it.
This was so bad, I DNF'ed it before I even knew what DNF was. I decided to go back and finish reading because it was at the tail-end of Clive Barker month I was having but I am happy I did so I leave it in the rear-view and never think about it again. A big disappointment.
18. Gone for Good (Netflix): 7.5 - OKAY
So it looks like this month was a month of misfires even by people I normally enjoy. Harlan Coben's shows are always great thrill rides but I will not lie, out of all his shows, this one doesn't rank that high when I compare it to the others. The final twist was pretty great tho and raised this shows rank up slightly and the story was not bad, it was just formulaic.
This show also had a very strange filler episode dedicated to one of the main cast that kind of had nothing to do with the main plot. It was a good story, no doubt but at the end of the show I was thinking back if there was a true point to it and I could not come up with one. The cast is commendable but Coben has much better adaptions out there so this falls on the backend of this LIST and gets an OKAY.
17. The Innocents (Netflix): 8 - Rave
This show had such potential to be a really good one but unfortunately some really bad writing and a very convoluted ending to eked out another season ruined it. The cliffhanger was un-necessary and similar to my thoughts on Butterfly (Amazon) this show could have concluded so much better.
One of the reasons why I love K-dramas is because 'most' of the time they write with endings in mind. They don't write like they need more seasons. I thought most UK shows had the same principal but it appears not when its on Netflix. This season ended with an obvious cliffhanger to bait another season and Netflix did not bite. It is a shame because the cast was great with some nice chemistry between our leads and a compelling, unique unexplored story. If the ending was better, this could have been a 9 or a 8.5 at least.
16. Punisher Warzone: 8 - Rave
After two previous attempts (the horrible Dolph Lundgren one and the Thomas Jane lead one in 2004), Lionsgate Studios gave the Punisher one more attempt before eventually handing the license back to Marvel. Getting Lexi Alexander, a female director and a person who didn't really know who the Punisher was, why did this go so hard? This maybe one of the most faithful renditions of Frank Castle and yes I am even including Marvel's Jon Bernthal's version. Lexi just understood what made Frank, Frank. The brutality, the stoicism, the thirst for justice and vengeance and just the general bad ass-ness (the scene where he breaks his own broken nose back into place with a pencil? Chef Kiss).
Sure, this isn't the greatest film and you can tell they were working with a budget but when it comes to faithfulness to the source? This movie gets a Hell yeah from me. I am only removing some points because I felt his main enemies (Jigsaw and his brother) were kind of hokey and over the top and some small pacing issues but overall, this movie was amazing. Also rest in peace to the lead actor, Ray Stevenson, he did an amazing job and sits tall as my definitive Punisher.
15. Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates: 8 - Rave
A great companion piece to Ta-Nehisi's memoir 'The Beautiful Struggle' which we previous loved and reviewed, Between the World and Me is another intimate look into Ta-Nehisi's mind. Filled with great observations that asks the hard questions, this book (written as a letter to his son) reads just as well as his memoir. I however did not enjoy it as much. It still has Coates' signature amazing prose and storytelling skills are un-matched but I also felt this book was not as focused as I would have liked. Still a good read, for anthropologists (like myself) or if you have any interest in the ever evolving race relations in the United States.
14. Flight and Glory # 1: Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros: 8 - Rave
This one was a good read. I have become a big fan of Rebecca since discovering her through her contemporary novels and The Empyrean series. I really enjoy her character work and how she handles spice as well with nothing getting too risquè but filled with passion. This book starts amazingly with some of the most well-written depictions of grief I have ever read. I really thought I was onto a winner so when it flattened out and turned into a more standard romance with a will they/ won't they trope I was a bit disappointed.
Sadly, I never really felt the Main Female Characters motivations to not be with the Main Male character. Her reasoning got less and less rational as time went on and it was a bit frustrating to see her go back and forth on. It at least ended well and I am looking forward to continuing the rest of the series and as a lead book, it is not bad but I do feel this book lost me a bit hence its lower placement on this LIST.
13. Magisterium # 5: The Golden Tower by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare: 8 - Rave
After a strong penultimate book, I walked into The Golden Tower expecting some good things. I was sadly disappointed. This book did the cardinal sin of writing of showing transition of one scene to another (aka driving from one location to another) and not having a real reason other then to fill up space. On top of that we have a climatic showdown which really lack oomph for me and an ending that just... ends. When I turned the last page on this book, I was hoping there was a hidden epilogue or something but no, Holly and Cassandra decided to just end it the way it did and I could not be more disappointed.
Because I read them both around the same time and they are both 5 book series, I was always mentally pitting the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning versus this one and 99.9% of the times, Magisterium won, until the end. Karen's Fever series ended very satisfactory and Magisterium ends like there is another story coming... and it is not. I originally gave this book a 8.5 during my initial thoughts but I have now scaled it down to a 8. I think I'll adjust my Goodreads rating as well.
12. Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson: 8.5 - Rave
My first Brandon Sanderson novel (I had a quick dalliance with his graphic novel White Sands but that one is not 'written' by Sanderson) and I liked it. I actually enjoyed this a lot and I can see how people can become fans of his writing. I enjoy his detailed explanations about the magic systems (I'm a Ken Liu fan, I enjoy good detailed explanations now) and his character work was also very strong. I enjoyed learning about the complex histories of these worlds however sadly just as I was really getting into it, it ended.
Now this isn't as bad as The Golden Tower above but it was abrupt and I was left disappointed that just when it got good, this particular story was over. I would have enjoyed to see some of the characters achieved their dreamed of goals, some relationships develop and some more action but nope. I feel this may have affected its final rating slightly. However, this foray into Sanderson did end well and I think I'll continue exploring his Cosmere universe in other stories. Next up, the Stormlight Archives.
11. The Ultimates Vol. 2: Power to the People: 8.5 - Rave
Deniz Camp continues to write some of the most compelling alternate world history since Jonathan Hickman. I can see why Hickman picked him to continue the Ultimate universe and also to end it. They share similar 'big moments' mixed in with quiet character studies so well. However sadly, I do have one issue with this volume and it probably is why it is not in the top 10 for this month.
I don't remember much of what happened in this volume. I recall enjoying myself while reading it and I remember being excited for the next volume but ask me now, gun to my head, my favorite moment from this volume, I'll draw a serious blank. I think I low-key created the new rating system for moments like this. I really enjoyed it but does it deserve a capital RAVE? I do not think so. The capital RAVE should be saved for things that blew me away or got me thinking about it long after I close the book or the credits roll and this volume did not do it for me.
10. Gone before Goodbye by Harlan Coben and Reese Witherspoon: 8.5 - Rave
Harlan and Reese write a compelling stories with a great hook. I really enjoyed this book's pace and at times I felt like I was reading a screenplay (which does not surprise me that it was written with a TV series in mind). The characters are compelling, our lead character is flawed, believable but also some one you can cheer for and screw the haters, Porkchop is amazing and everyone needs someone like him in their fictional lives.
This book really reads like Coben, Reese might have contributed some ideas and scenarios but it definitely reads like a Coben thriller and I have no issues with that. Also as always, that trademark final twist (once I understood it, it was written a bit strange for me and others) was a another jaw dropping moment. My only down marks for this book are some pacing issues and the villains, why heinous were also kind of one dimensional. Still, a great read and worthy of cracking this month's top 10.
9. The Housemaid (Film): 8.5 - Rave
Now this was a surprise. My wife actually read the book but I just watched the film and for my first Freida McFadden experience it was a good one. This film had it all, a good cast, a unique storyline that kept you on your toes and some nice twists.
Amanda Seyfried played crazy a bit too well lol. My wife also said the book does not end like the film does so that was a nice twist for people who read the book. Overall, this was a good popcorn film, something you can watch after turning your brain off and going for the wild ride it took you on.
8. The Passing of the Dragon by Ken Liu: 8.5 - Rave
A nice, impactful short story by one of my new favorite authors Ken Liu. Ken examines the nature of art and who it truly belongs too. Is it the artist or the people who interpret it. This reads like one of the great short stories I previously read in The Paper Menagerie or The Hidden Girl collections and it is cool, he has made it free to read on his website as well. As always Ken's prose is near flawless and hooks you and even tho the story is short, the ending is very satisfying for me... something authors in this LIST can learn from.
7. Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer: 8.5 - Rave
Okay, now we are getting to the really good stuff on this LIST. Compared to the first novel, I really enjoyed Apprentice. I think now I am used to the characters, the cozy setting and the basic set-up of how this world works, I am buying more into it and enjoying it because of that.
This book had some good twists, some nice reveals and I enjoyed getting more perspectives too instead of just Evie and the Villains. I still feel the main true villain is a bit weak and he does exude menace like how the book is describing him (at least for me) but that is a small mark on something I read pretty quickly and enjoyed. I will definitely continue with the series.
6. A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown: 8.5 - Rave
I am so happy when I take a chance on a new artist and they surprise me like Roseanne A. Brown does. Funny story, I found this book not through Booktok or Youtube recommendations, no I found her on my own because I was shopping at Ollies for books and her second book in this duology was on sale so I picked it up due to striking cover art. After reading the blurb I decided to borrow the first book and boy did it not disappoint.
A Song... is a unique fantasy with African influences which really drew me in. The characters are flawed, the storyline is compelling and does not play it safe and I really enjoyed every moment of reading this. Roseanne's writing is nice and easy to read which always a plus and this first volume gives me the good feeling I got when I was reading A Darker Shade of Magic which is a good news because I really like that series. I will definitely finish out this duology and see what else she has written.
5. Now You See Me, Now You Don't: 9 - RAVE
Our first legit RAVE for this month and it deserves it. This movie hit all the right marks for me and I really enjoyed how they were able to bring the OGs together with the Next Generation. The special effects as always were amazing, with some really cool effects (especially in the castle) and the cast, new and old, did a great job. I especially enjoyed how the rivalry between the old cast and the new.
Also it was nice to Isla Fisher back (Ozzie! Ozzie! Ozzie!) especially after her sitting out the sequel and still fitting into the narrative. The story was compelling, especially being the third time around, they did something that made sense and did not feel like a rehash like so many sequels. I kind of saw the big twist coming but it was still cool to see as well. Yes, I still believe in magic.
4. Invincible Season 4: 9 - RAVE
If this was a review based on episodes, Episode 7 of this season of Invincible would break the ratings scale and score a 12. However, as it stands, this is a review of the entire season and I loved it but at the same time, I do have some issues with it. From the first couple episodes I did not get the same feelings I always got when I watched this show. As a show that's quickly becoming one of my favorite animated series of all time, the first two episodes were just good to me. Episode 3 was better but then we had Invincible's side-quest into Hell and well, things fell apart there. I did not hate the episode like some people do and boy do some folks hate it but it is the epitome of a filler episode.
Thankfully the show then dove tails into the Viltrumite Wall and that is when I got invested again. Overall I like the new additions like Tech Jacket, the rip off Star Trek crew being the biggest idiots known to man and seeing Nolan really grow as a character as he asks for forgiveness was good TV. However those last couple of episodes (including the very low-key but also ominous finale) really hard carried this show to a 9. The voice cast continues to be amazing and yes, the animation only really improves during certain scenes but boy when they do go all in, it is a sight. No lie, I can watch episode 7 on repeat and not be upset. It is that damn good.
3. Ask for Andrea by Noelle W. Ihli: 9 - RAVE
Continuing this month's tread of finding new authors I really enjoy is Noelle's Ask for Andrea. This dark thriller had me hooked from jump and I really enjoyed how the premise allowed the author to explore 3 different perspective and capture your attention with each person. Seeing your murder from the your eyes is definitely something I knew I needed to read but here we are and Noelle does a great job at it.
My only really gripe is near the end, this novel does lose a bit of its unique-ness by combining all three perspectives into one. It of course makes sense but the three different POVs is what really made me like this book. The ending was also good but not great but that does not detract that Noelle is definitely a writer I'll be paying attention to going forward, hence the # 3 spot.
2. Bloodhounds Season 1 (Netflix): 9 - RAVE
Wow, this is the type of K-drama that is perfect for Netflix. Similar to how Squid Games took advantage of the freedom Netflix provided, Bloodhounds does not pull any punches (pun intended) and has some of the most intense action sequences I have seen in awhile. Woo Do-hwan shines as a boxer with a heart of gold and trying to keep his friends and family safe. He gives so much in his performance and you can see his growth as an actor. Lee Sang-yi is not mis-casted either, being a perfect wingman to Do-hwan and the two combined make a duo worth cheering for.
This show also loved to spike my blood pressure with some crazy cliffhangers and what I feel was the k-drama equivalent of Game of Thrones infamous Red Wedding where nothing goes right, IYKYK. Also the show sadly had to deal with a massive real life scandal with the tragedy involving their lead actress, Kim Sae-ron but the show was able to pivot and still give us a good ending despite that. That there is something you really got to commend them for as well.
1. Vanessa Jared's Got a Man by LaQuette: 9.5 - RAVE
To everyone surprise, including myself, my Golden Rave and # 1 this month goes to not only a brand new author but also a romance novel? In a month packed with my favorite author of all time (Barker), his modern equivalent (Liu) , a skilled writer with a lot of good books under her name (Yarros) and one of my new favorite thriller writers (Coben), the winner is a Black Woman writing a spicy, slice of life romance.
I don't know how to describe why I like this book so much but I'll try. I love the cover, it just pops and caught my eye. I love the premise and related very heavily to it, a Black Woman and a Asian man, both older which is nice to see, wiser and needing a fresh approach to love. I love how easy it was to read. I read 70% of this book in one night while I was laid up in bed with a bad shoulder and in immense pain and this book was one of the only things that kept me sane. I even, after finishing it, went back and re-read some of my favorite chapters and immediately looked up what else LaQuette has written and purchased the one that stood out to me the most (it'll show up high in next month's LIST I promise) and purchase this very novel through Book Outlet first chance I had.
I love the characters, Vanessa and Michael feel like real people with real problems. I love their chemistry and how they are there for each other and how their attraction just felt real. I like the side cast and happy two of them will get their own books and own stories. There is just many reasons why I like this book and I am happily bestowing on it the highest honor of this month. The Golden RAVE.
Well, wasn't that a surprise. Truly this was the month of amazing episodes, enjoyable movies, explosive action packed dramas and amazing new (to me) talents. It was not all good tho, I noticed a pattern of some folks not sticking landings and that always disappoints me.
However the future is bright with authors like Brandon Sanderson, Noelle W. Ihli, Roseanne W. Brown and especially LaQuette blowing my mind and filling up my TBRs.
Until next time.
AV
No comments:
Post a Comment