Review! (Yay!) - alt.sherlock.holmes

Title: alt.sherlock.holmes

Author: Gini Koch, Jamie Wyman, Glen Mehn

Genre: Anthology, Novellas/Short Stories, Crime, Contemporary*, Historical Fiction*, LGBTQ+*, M/M* (*one or more stories.)

Amazon: UK - USA



Individual Novellas:

The Case of the Tattoed Bride (UK - US)
A Study in Starlets (UK - US)
The Power of Media (UK - US)

A few starting notes:

I received a free digital review copy of this book via NetGalley from the publishers Abaddon, an imprint of Rebellion. NetGalley provides review copies from publishers in exchange for fair and honest reviews.

I'm a fan of pretty much anything Sherlock-Holmes-related, so when I got the chance to read this collection of alternative takes on Holmes & Watson, I was there.

Premise:

A Scandal in Hobohemia (and) The Case of the Tattooed Bride by Jamie Wyman

 

Sanford 'Crash' Haus (this story's version of Sherlock,) is the owner of a travelling carnival in 1930s dustbowl-America.

Fate throws him together with Jim Walker (John Watson,) a black amputee war-veteran, who also happens to be one hell of a doctor.

All the Single Ladies (and) A Study in Starlets by Gini Koch

Murder and reality shows bring together Dr John Watson with Ms Sherlock Holmes, a consulting detective with the LAPD.

Will Southern California ever be the same?






Half There/All There (and) The Power of Media by Glen Mehn


This Sherlock is hanging out with some very interesting people - Andy Warhol's hangers-on, to be exact, and their drug-dealer, Dr John 'Doc' Watson.

But Sherlock is bored - and decides to find some cases to occupy his time. 

Best bits:

A Scandal in Hobohemia (and) The Case of the Tattooed Bride by Jamie Wyman

I really loved the romance between Jim Walker (this story's John Watson,) and Mrs Hudson - it was sweet but not overly, and gave a nice sub-plot to the whole thing.

I also liked that Jim was a black man in 1930s America - along with all the prejudice that comes with that, despite being a wounded war veteran.

Jim's the narrator here, and never lets himself be pigeon-holed as a victim.

I also love the careful balance of the PTSD elements - a realistic struggle, but not something which overwhelms Jim's whole life.

The 1930s circus/carnival (not entirely sure which,) setting gave it all a slightly Carnevale (UK - US) vibe, which I kind of loved.

All the Single Ladies (and) A Study in Starlets by Gini Koch

I think this was the scenario where Sherlock seemed most like Sherlock - despite being a woman instead of the traditional male role.

She's clever, cutting, but also occasionally playful.

She has a strong edge to her which just spoke totally of Sherlock Holmes to me - determined and non-nonsense; as far as I'm concerned she rocks.

I liked the part-showbiz setting, and the title of 'A Study in Starlets,' is just fantastic ;)

Half There/All There (and) The Power of Media by Glen Mehn

I really liked the prose here in particular - it was incredibly well-written and was quite beautiful in places.

I also loved the Holmes/Watson relationship dynamic here - totally made sense, and was believable and sweet t'boot :)

Plus there was always the sense that everything interweaved with everything else in this one, even if not directly, which gave it a really unique vibe.

Hard to explain it really, but I liked it, whatever it was.

I liked that this novella tried to deal with the racial tensions, and the issues faced by LGBTQ+ people in the 1960s - unfortunately it maybe didn't always get the balance right.

Not so great bits:

There's various instances of violence and swearing throughout the collection, which won't be to everyone's taste.

A Scandal in Hobohemia (and) The Case of the Tattooed Bride by Jamie Wyman

There were moments when I felt that things just didn't quite gel together with this take on Holmes.

I'm not sure why exactly - maybe it was just trying to achieve too much in too short a time, but this made it seem a little jumpy and incoherent in places.

Also, it kept switching from a circus to a carnival, and I'm like: which is it?!

I felt like maybe we could've done with a stronger show of Sanford (this version's Sherlock,) or 'Crash,' and his general character.

He didn't seem all that detailed, character-wise, and, to me at least, I would've liked some more depth.

That's a personal thing though, and I think a lot of people will be happy enough with Wyman's portrayal.

All the Single Ladies (and) A Study in Starlets by Gini Koch

There were moments here where the prose seemed to drag a bit. It wasn't too bad, but it did slow me down in places.

Largely speaking it zipped along, there was just the odd moment where the prose slowed down a little too much for my liking.

Also, occasionally Sherlock acts like a bit of a douche - but then, the character always has been a bit of a douche. (In the best possible way.)




Half There/All There (and) The Power of Media by Glen Mehn

I wasn't too thrilled by all the casual-drug-taking here. In places, it felt like it was a little too normalised, and that's not great. *Shrugs.*

I was also a little confused by the 1960s references in places - I'm not from New York in the '60s, you may have to explain a little more. Just saying.

Also, if the author could've dialogue-tagged the speech a little more? Explained who was talking and when? That would've been great.

I did feel a little uncomfortable with the way some of the racial and LGBTQ+ issues were dealt with.

Referring to LGBTQ+ people as 'homos,' for example, may be historically accurate (i.e. for the 1960s,) but it doesn't feel right to a 21st Century mind-frame.

It's highly uncomfortable - at best.




Verdict:

I really enjoyed this collection overall.

Each one of the interpretations somehow managed to bring a freshness to a story that's been told time and time again (and very well at that.)

Sure, there were hiccups here and there, but largely speaking? An enjoyable read.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads

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Month in Review(s) - April 2016

Lots more reviews this month! Especially of graphic novels.

There've been some truly rocking graphic novels out this month - my faves are probably Blood Stain and I Hate Fairyland.

Check out all the lovely reviews! :)

Kids

Eliza Rose by Lucy Worsley - historical fiction



New Adult

Growing Up by Tricia Sol - contemporary, LGBTQ+, short stories, romance (m/m)



Adult

Play Hard by J T Fox - LGBTQ+, romance (m/m,) short stories, contemporary
Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult - contemporary, crime*, witches*, magic realism* (*ish)



Graphic Novels

Golem by Lorenzo Coccetti - dystopian, sci-fi, manga
Paper Girls, Vol 1 by Brian K Vaughan - sci-fi
Blood Stain, Vol 1 by Linda Šejić
Echoes by Joshua Hale Fialkov - horror, crime
I Hate Fairyland, Vol 1: Madly Ever After by Skottie Young - fantasy, fairies/fae, humour

Review Time! - Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

Title: Salem Falls

Author: Jodi Picoult

Genre: Contemporary, Crime*, Witches*, Magic Realism* (*ish)

Amazon: UK - USA

A few starting notes:

I figured of all Jodi Picoult novels, this was the one I'd be most likely to enjoy.

It has witch-y elements and secrets and atmosphere, and all that sort of stuff. Cool, huh?

So when I saw it in the library I figured I'd pick it up and give it a try.

And there is a lot to talk about here - buckle up guys!

Premise:

Jack St Bride is a man looking for a fresh start and a town where no-one knows him. What he finds is Salem Falls.

Addie Peabody is the owner of Salem Falls' local diner. She's clinging onto a painful past when Jack St Bride walks in one day, looking for work...

Gillian Duncan and her coven are hiding what they are from their town and their families.

One night can change everything.

Salem Falls may be a small town, but it has a lot of secrets - what really happened in the woods that night?

Best bits:

I loved that this book had so many layers. It's one that really gives you a lot to think about. 

Even the title can be interpreted in as many metaphorical ways as you can shake an English teacher at. (Please don't shake your English teacher - they don't appreciate it.)

All the different aspects and themes going on in this novel make up an uber-intricate piece of fiction.

And it's good for books to make us think occasionally - to challenge our perceptions and ideas. Salem Falls certainly does that.

This is a book that is just full of feels. I mean it - the intensity is like: argh!

And every time you think we're headed somewhere something else happens!

You're like: dude, are you even serious right now?!?!?!


Jack's already dealing with the thing and the other thing and you're going to stick THIS on his plate as well?!

LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!!!!

The writing is serviceable and draws you on... and by the end, you SO want to know what happens that you WILL finish this book!

I liked the atmosphere and all the intricacies, and the fact that nothing here is quite what it seems to be.

I also liked the references to Arthur Miller's The Crucible (UK - US) (note to self: want to read or find on audiobook,) and Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter (UK - US) (which I listened to on audiobook in the LA Theater Works version (UK - US,) and loved.)

Not so great bits:

It can't be avoided that the mean theme of this book is rape and sexual assault, mainly involving underage girls.

There is a lot about the subject in this book - and if it's an issue that affects or distresses you then I strongly advise that you do not read this book.


There's also some swearing and violence.

While you can tell that Picoult has made an effort to balance-up the portrayals of sexual assault, and its victims, in this book, I still felt like it didn't make clear enough that teenage girls are rarely the seducer in these cases, and that false allegations of rape are extremely rare.

Girls are also rarely quite as manipulative as I felt some of them came across here; some of this may even be seen as victim-blaming. I personally think it stops short of that, but others may not see it that way.

It did also get a little over-dramatic for my tastes (I could practically hear the Eastenders cliff-hanger music in places,) but it keeps your attention I suppose.

I didn't find the denouement (me and all my posh and fancy words ;P) to be all that convincing, given what happened before.

I can't really go into too much detail about that, given the spoilerific possibilities, but I just wasn't quite sold on the resolution here.

I hated Jack's mother - she was just so holier-than-thou but she didn't seem to give two sh**s about Jack.

Jack himself I have mixed feelings on - again, can't go into too much details due to spoilers, but one of his flashback scenes changed the way I looked at the character and how he treats women.

While the writing was largely fine, I occasionally got the feeling that the writer was mentally high-fiving herself for being so smart. Not often, true, but it annoyed me.

Verdict:

Not entirely sure how much I liked this one. I did like it, and I didn't like it: does that make sense?

Still, the amount of thought-provoking moments and happenings make this well worth the read.

And if you like books with lots of intensity, lots of stuff going on, and a deep level of atmosphere, then this is one for you.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads – Author's Site

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Review! (Graphic Novel Edition!) - Echoes, Vol 1 by Joshua Hale Fialkov

Title: Echoes, Vol 1

Author: Joshua Hale Fialkov

Contributors: Rahsan Ekedal, Troy Peteri, Ryan Cady

Genre: Graphic Novel, Horror, Crime

Series: Echoes (#1-5)

Amazon: UK - USA

A few starting notes:

I received a free digital review copy of this book via NetGalley. NetGalley provides review copies from publishers in exchange for fair and honest reviews.

This looked both cool and creepy.

To be honest, it doesn't really take more than that to draw me in. Cool? Creepy? Yep, I'll give it a shot.

Premise:

Brian's father is dying. What he says next will change everything.

Is it true - the box, the house, the sick trophies? And if it is, if Brian's father is a monster, what does that make Brian?

They share the diagnosis of schizophrenia... could they share this horrible legacy?

Best bits:

I loved the way that nothing is quite what it seems in this book. You think one thing, and suddenly it's completely flipped on its head, and you're left questioning all of your assumptions.

Brian's schizophrenia is a large part of this - we don't know what, if any of this, is real. How much is he hallucinating? How much is really happening?

The black-and-white artwork helps with this - it gives everything a vibe that's half-classic-horror-film, and half-dreamscape.

It's literally a world that's made up of grey-area - and the confusion is handled wonderfully, playing the reader and leading us through the feelings we're supposed to have at various points.

And you will have some pretty intense feelings with this book. The sickening dread is brought to just the right level to give you that thrill you want from a comic like this.

It's not just the reader's assumptions which are turned on their heads here - it's society's too. Assumptions about the sort of people who would commit a crime, about the sort of people we should or should not trust, are questioned and broken open. And it's incredible.

Not so great bits:

A lot of people will find this book distressing. There's some sensitive subjects in here - mental health, Alzheimer's, and some hugely unpleasant things happening to children.

The portrayal of schizophrenia is purposely vague and contradictory - because it's here that the 'did he do it?' aspects come in. I personally didn't mind this depiction, but I think some people might find it offensive or distressing.

There's also swearing, blood, gore, and implied violence - the usual cohort of stuff that I feel it my blogger-ly duty to warn you about, just in case.

There's also horror elements. If you don't like horror, then I don't recommend this book.

I would've liked a more conclusive ending, but that's very much a personal thing. There was nothing wrong with the actual ending we have here.

Verdict:

This is a great graphic novel - one that really makes you think.

The artwork is great, and the story drags you along, challenging everything you think it's going to be, and every turn you think it's going to take.

If you fancy something creepy, something challenging, something compelling, then give this a try.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads – Author's Site

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The Month In Review(s) - March 2016

Ahhh, spring and March and books and reviews :)

Check out all the books I've reviewed this month:

Kids

Midnight by Jacqueline Wilson - contemporary, chick lit
After Tomorrow by Gillian Cross - dystopian

Young Adult

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell - fantasy, paranormal, LGBTQ+ (M/M)

Adult

Mr Mercedes by Stephen King - crime, thriller
Orlando by Virginia Woolf - classics, historical fiction, LGBT*Q+
The True and Splendid History of the Harristown Sisters by Michelle Lovric - historical fiction
The Zoo Father by Pascale Petit - poetry

Graphic Novels

Adulthood is a Myth: A Sarah's Scribbles Collection by Sarah Andersen - humour
The Beauty, Volume 1 - dystopian, horror, sci-fi

Non-fiction

Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates

Review Time! - Mr Mercedes by Stephen King

Title: Mr Mercedes

Author: Stephen King

Genre: Crime, Thriller

Series: Bill Hodges (#1)

Amazon: UK - USA

A few starting notes:

I'm a fan of (good) crime novels, and a fan of Stephen King - put the two together, and we're ready to roll!

Premise:

Bill Hodges is a retired cop. But there's one case which he just can't let go - the Mercedes Massacre.

Now 'Mr Mercedes,' the psychopath who perpetrated the crime, has made contact. Bill should pass on what he knows. But...

Best bits:

I actually really liked the way we know from early on who the Mercedes Killer is, while Bill Hodges doesn't. This could have gone terribly wrong - but it didn't, because Stephen King has the talent and skill to pull this off.

So what we have here, instead of a 'whodunnit' is a cat-and-mouse chase - will Bill manage to figure out who Mr Mercedes is in time? That's the hook here. And it's done supremely well.

What I also really loved was the inclusion of main characters with mental health problems.

Bill clearly has depression issues post-retirement, and Holly - well, Holly rocks. I would have loved to have her come in earlier in the book, but meh, c'est la vie - what we have with Holly in particular though is a realistic and individual character with mental health problems. Who I love. She's my new hero.

Also worth mentioning is Jerome - another main character - who just so happens to be black. Diversity rocks.

There's also - alongside references to King's own books - a reference to Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box, which did my fangirling heart good to see.

Not so great bits:

This is a Stephen King book: if you want rainbows, bunnies, and unicorns, find another author. There's everything here from incest and bombs to child murder and suicidal thoughts. Bunnies and unicorns it ain't.

There's also a fair amount of violence and gore. And swearing.

There's instances of the 'n' word, even though we're not supposed to be on the side of the guy who uses it, it's still not OK. 

And Jerome himself plays-up to racial stereotypes, but in a fooling-around teenage-idiot kind of way. Still, written by a white author... it's awkward.

Verdict:

A great book that uses all of King's talent and experience to add something that seems genuinely fresh and new to the genre.

I really enjoyed it - and loved that the depth King always gives to his characters was present here.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads – Author's Site

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The Month in Review(s) - January 2016

From now on I'm going to provide a brief 'Month in Review(s)' post.

This is literally a re-cap of all the reviews that I've written this month, collated in one post.

So now you can take a shufty at the books (and the odd film) that I've reviewed in the month, and catch up on any you may have missed.

Enjoy! :)

Kids

Hetty Feather by Jacqueline Wilson - Historical Fiction

Young Adult

Dark Hope by Monica McGurk -  Angels, Paranormal.
The Invisibles by Francis Gideon - Romance (M/M), LGBTQ+.



Adult

Dead Ice by Laurell K Hamilton - Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Zombies, Vampires, Crime, LGBTQIAP+
Poetry From the Lady of the Pier by Effrosyni Moschoudi - Poetry, Short Stories, Chick Lit

Graphic Novels

STARVE Vol 1 - dystopian

Non-fiction

Death, Disability, and the Superhero: The Silver Age and Beyond by Jose Alaniz

Popcorn Reviews (Film)

Batman (1989)
Constantine (2005)


I'll do a Charity Reading Challenge 2016 update when I've actually read something towards it. (Note to self: remember to read stuff for that challenge.)

Books On My 'To-Buy' List

Do you have a 'to-buy' list?

My 'to-buy' list isn't quite the same as my tbr - if I bought everything on my tbr I wouldn't have any money left for things like... food.

Some of them are on my tbr, obviously, but a lot are books that I've already read but want to own so that I can re-read them, or just because I want to know I have them (Don't judge me!)

I really want these books... I'll just have to save my pennies!



Straight James/Gay James by James Franco (UK - US)

You may have noticed, but I really love this book. That's why I want to own it. I want to have a nice paperback copy in my hands :) That came out decidedly weirder than how I intended it to sound.





Crimson Peak: The Official Movie Novelization by Nancy Holder (UK - US)

I've seen the film (UK - US) (Tom Hiddleston - yes, please!) but have heard very good things about the novelisation - which caught my attention, because normally people are a bit like 'Ehhhh...' when it comes to novelisations.







20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill (UK - US)

I've read this twice from the library. I love Joe Hill. I love short stories. I love Joe Hill short stories. I really want this book.







Locke & Key: Welcome To Lovecraft by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez (UK - US)

Joe Hill + graphic novels = one happy reading addict!






Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane (UK - US)

Another book I've borrowed from the library not once but twice, and one I was first inspired to read by the Leo DiCaprio film (UK - US) (yes, sometimes I watch the film without having read the book - please don't hurt me!)


It also started my Dennis Lehane addiction; Leo has a lot to answer for.






Live By Night by Dennis Lehane (UK - US)


Another Lehane book to feed my junkie habits. This is book #2 of the Coughlin series (you can read my review of book #3 'World Gone By' here.)

I love Joe Coughlin; I shouldn't because he's a gangster. But I love him.






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• Book or Film? The debate continues!

Review Time! - Dead Ice by Laurell K Hamilton

Title: Dead Ice.

Author: Laurell K Hamilton.

Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Zombies, Vampires, Crime, LGBTQIAP+ and Polyamorous

Series: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter (#24.)

Amazon: UK - USA.

A few starting notes:

I received a free paperback review copy of this book from the UK publisher, Headline, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is #24 in the series - I know, it's a big series. I'd read a few before, and really enjoyed them, but haven't read all of them, and certainly not in order.

Dead Ice can be read as standalone with very little problem, but there are a few spoilers for previous events in the series, so be aware of that if you want to read this book as standalone. 

As usual, the level of spoilerage in this review won't go beyond what's in the blurb of the book.

Premise:

US marshal, zombie animator, and legal vampire executioner, Anita Blake, is on the trail of someone making zombie porn.

That's ick enough in itself, but there's something different about these zombies... zombies shouldn't be capable of fear.

If that wasn't enough, Anita also has wedding plans to deal with, and relationships - both personal and political - to juggle as well. Things are going to get interesting.

Best bits:

I love the frenetic energy of these books - things happen in a whirlwind of personal, professional, fur (there are wereanimals,) and fangs.

Anita's sarcasm and exasperation are, quite simply, awesome. And she's pretty kick-ass in general.

This series is pretty much the pinnacle of urban fantasy (and I do love me some urban fantasy - what with all the paranormal faffing around cities and everything...) and this instalment does justice to Hamilton's reputation as the queen of this genre.

The plot here is involving enough to keep you reading - keeping the right mix of Anita's personal and professional lives with the promise of a criminal case leading through it all.

Strangely, this book is also pretty emotionally healthy. Nope, I mean it.

Sure, bad stuff happens, a lot, and everyone is slightly broken because of it (of course,) but Anita and her household work pretty damned hard to make sure everyone is open, and no-one ignores what they're feeling. Nice and refreshing in any book.

Not so great bits:

Not everyone is going to be happy with the references (though no graphic scenes,) to BDSM.

There are also explicit sex scenes, including with wereanimals, which ultimately aren't going to be to everyone's taste. They are however handled about as tastefully as you could reasonably expect of explicit sex scenes.

There's a lot of characters here - which can get a little confusing when you're trying to remember who said what with who. But overall, it's not too difficult to regain your bearings.

Some of the LGBTQIAP+ representation - especially regarding intersex people - might be a bit off; though there is so much going on here that it's difficult to fully define that. Overall though, just having this amount of LGBTQIAP+ rep in a book is great.

Verdict:

An enjoyable instalment in a tried-and-tested urban fantasy series, showing that Ms Hamilton has enough in reserve to keep the involving plots and intrigues going for quite a while yet.

Buy Now UK - Buy Now USA - Goodreads - Author's Site

Amended 29th October 2016

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