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jachism

jachism

has 31 followers and is following 28 people

I am a major book nerd and an aspiring novelist. I run my own review site (www.FictionAddict.com) where you can find the latest reviews, interviews, and fiction related content. My wife and I are the proud parents of two precious children. There is nothing like being a Daddy!

My favorite authors are Dean Koontz, Ted Dekker, Terry... more »
  • Krum, TX, USA
  • member since July 9, 2007

Reviews

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Displaying 1-10 of 153 reviews
  • The Scarecrow
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Jack McEvoy made headlines when he helped track down a deadly serial killer early in his career. These days he is being forced out of the Los Angeles Times because of budget cuts. It seems the world has forgotten about the hero reporter who avenged his brother's death. Just as Jack is ready to throw in the towel, he catches wind of a story that might just allow him to go out with a bang. As Jack digs deeper he soon discovers that the newspaper may be done with him, but a deadly new killer is certainly not.

    We first met Jack McEvoy in Michael Connelly's highly acclaimed novel, The Poet. Many consider that first introduction of the character to be Connelly's finest work, surpassing even the dearly loved Harry Bosch novels. Thankfully, Connelly decided to prove to us all that Jack McEvoy is anything but a one hit wonder.

    The Scarecrow is the perfect blend of vintage Connelly with a welcome dose of tech savvy thriller. While The Poet dealt much more with the daily life of a beat reporter, this time around we get more action layered with the perfect amount of detail. One of Connelly's trademarks is his thoroughness, giving the audience an all access pass into the lives of his characters. While that element is still strong throughout here, it almost feels like Connelly holds back just enough to let the characters tell the story. The Scarecrow has a much tighter, fast paced feel that makes for an even better read than The Poet.

    Rachel Walling is of course back and Connelly does a masterful job of portraying the ache of old flames and the hope of what might be. Jack and Rachel have both matured in different ways, yet they can't deny the spark that never died. Their relationship feels like a natural overflow of the story and even helps carry the tension along as the plot unfolds.

    The Scarecrow himself is a deeply disturbing villain whose weapon is the one thing that makes us all vulnerable: technology. This is a whole new frightening breed of serial killer, and Connelly wondrously brings this character to life through some riveting third person narrative.

    What sets The Scarecrow apart from the rest is the character of Jack McEvoy. Michael Connelly nails every aspect of this veteran reporter with an unyielding sense of justice. The use of the first person is second to none here and the switching from first to third person throughout works as a clever storytelling device.

    Millions of Michael Connelly fans wait with bated breath for the next Harry Bosch novel, and rightly so. I, however, can't help but hope that we haven't seen the last of Jack McEvoy.”

    jachism wrote this review Wednesday, July 1, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Ghostwriter
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Dennis Shore has made quite a name for himself as a bestselling horror novelist. Every year his rabid fans anxiously anticipate the release of his new and terrifying creation. What his fans don't know is that this year things aren't what they seem with his new book. Sure it's scary and addicting, some would even say his best work yet. Although his name may be on the cover, Dennis Shore didn't write this book. Unfortunately for Dennis, the man who did write it is out to get him. And Dennis Shore will pay.

    Like the fictional Dennis Shore, Travis Thrasher himself has begun to make quite a name for himself in the horror genre. Isolation proved that Thrasher has what it takes to scare the wits out of his audience while challenging them at the same time. Ghostwriter takes Thrasher's writing to a whole new level of terror and heart.

    From the opening lines we are effortlessly drawn in with Thrasher's delectable prose and revealing insight into the mind of a novelist. Dennis Shore is an endearing character that demands our compassion because of the struggles life has thrown him. Yet on the other hand the more we get to know Dennis our compassion only grows as we realize how fallible he is.

    The horror elements are very strong throughout as Dennis goes head to head with a madman that will stop at nothing to see him suffer. Ghostwriter truly offers some of Thrasher's most disturbing scenes to date. Time after time I wanted to look away, but the quality of Thrasher's writing made it impossible to do so. As the story progresses and truth is brought to life we are treated with a wondrous display of light in the midst of the deepest darkness.

    Travis Thrasher only continues to astonish me with not only the quality of his writing, but his ability to tell powerful stories. It's rare to find an author who can take us to places we don't want to go in order to bring us to a place we long to be. Ghostwriter is the kind of gem that comes along far too seldom; displaying the kind of writing that deserves to be devoured by the masses. ”

    jachism wrote this review Monday, May 11, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Exposure
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Kaycee Raye is scared of...well...everything. All of her life she has struggled with paranoia and irrational fears, something she believes was passed down from her troubled mother. Kaycee has found a way to deal with the fear by writing a column that has taken on a life of its own and has turned Kaycee into a household name. Up until now the column has been both fun and therapeutic as she has found a way to connect with readers who share many of the same fears and experiences. Unfortunately for Kaycee, someone out there is watching her and waiting for just the right moment to unleash the greatest fear she has ever known.

    To say that Brandilyn Collins is prolific would be an understatement. You would think that a writer who cranks out a novel every few months would sooner or later hit the wall and lose their edge. It's bound to happen right? Guess again. If Collins has proven anything to me it's that she is not only a master of her craft, but there literally seems to be no end to the depth of her talent.

    Exposure has many of the elements that we have come to expect from Collins: intensity, tension, high-caliber suspense, and engaging mystery. It's all there and once again works well. We are also treated to a unique story telling device that really propels the narrative along. While I figured out the twist early on, never did the story lose steam in my mind. Collins knows how to grab readers early on and she never gives us a moment to even consider letting go.

    Where Brandilyn Collins always excels is her ability to bring us strong spiritual insight through what her characters experience. Many fans will be able to relate and sympathize with Kaycee's struggles in this story and will be moved by her journey to overcome. Collins once again delivers a pulse pounding story that will have you on the edge of your seat and will leave you desperate for more.”

    jachism wrote this review Monday, May 11, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Always Watching
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Shaley O'Connor has the kind of life most girls would do anything for: A rock star mom, limitless wealth, and the celebrity status to boot. What teenager wouldn't want to tour with one of the world's most famous bands? Unfortunately, the fame soon loses its power and appeal when one of Shaley's closest friends is murdered back stage at the latest concert. As new evidence comes to light she soon realizes her own life is in danger. Not knowing who to trust, Shaley turns to the God who has always seemed so far to help her in her greatest time of need.

    Mother and daughter team Brandilyn and Amberly Collins have stormed onto the YA scene in exhilarating style with this great new series. Always Watching is a fast paced whodunit set against the intriguing backdrop of rock star celebrity. From the opening lines, we are immersed into Shaley's exciting life as a celebrity's daughter. It doesn't take long for us to see that fame is not all its cut out to be. Indeed Shaley's struggle to balance her public status with her true identity is one of the most interesting aspects of this story.

    When you read Brandilyn Collins you expect mystery and thrills, and once again she doesn't disappoint. Her adult fans will find much to rave about here, while new teen readers will love the youthful voice and perspective that Amberly Collins brings to the table. Underlying the tension and dread is a strong spiritual message about trusting in the God who is always watching over us. In the end we are left with the closure we long for and a promise of even more mystery to come. The Rayne Tour is in full swing and you can guarantee that I won't miss a show.”

    jachism wrote this review Monday, May 11, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • The 8th Confession
    • Rated 3 stars

    “Someone is killing Bay area socialites and they are leaving no clues behind. Because of the high society spotlight, Detective Lindsey Boxer is feeling pressure from on high to track down this ruthless killer. M.E. Claire Washburn is just as baffled as the police when she is unable to find anything wrong with the bodies that are piling up. This is one case that might just be too much for The Women's Murder Club to handle.

    So here we are with round eight in James Patterson's wildly popular series. 7th Heaven gave me hope that Patterson and Paetro still had some tricks up their sleeves for these beloved characters. Unfortunately, 8th Confession left me scratching my head at the total lack of mystery that has been such a strong cornerstone of this series. The only real sense of whodunit comes in the side tale of a murdered homeless man that feels both out of place and contrived.

    The good news? Well, it's James Patterson. Even if you aren't swept away by the story you will find it hard to stop reading. Patterson is the master of fast paced storytelling making even his most uninteresting novels easy to swallow. Too bad this one is just as easy to forget. Next please.”

    jachism wrote this review Monday, May 11, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • 7th Heaven
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Detective Lindsay Boxer just landed the lead of her career in the disappearance case of Michael Campion, the teenage son of California's former governor. Not only has she found a suspect, but she has the murder confession to boot. Just when everything falls into place the suspect recants the confession throwing the trial into a downward spiral. Meanwhile, two arsonists are preying on wealthy rich couples and Lindsay and her partner, Rich Conklin, can't seem to keep ahead of these sadistic murderers on the loose. Once again Lindsay Boxer leans on her cohorts in the Women's Murder Club to try and save the day.

    This seventh installment of James Patterson's bestselling Women's Murder Club series gives fans just what they want: more mystery, more murder, more romance, and thankfully a better story than The 6th Target. Lindsay, Claire, Cindy, and Yuki are as engaging as ever and Patterson and Paetro do a great job of giving each character a fair share of the story. This series seems to be developing a pattern of following multiple cases with each new offering and this time it really works. Both cases are interesting throughout and there's even a great little twist in the end that I never saw coming.

    The only thing not working for me in this series is the relationship turmoil Lindsay continually finds herself in. I do realize these scenes were not necessarily written for my demographic, and I suspect Lindsay's romantic entanglements are exactly why millions of other readers keep coming back to this series. However, for me the mystery and fast paced storytelling are all I need and are enough to bring me back for more.”

    jachism wrote this review Sunday, April 19, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Last Thing I Remember
    • Rated 5 stars

    “The last thing Charlie West remembers is going to sleep after one of the best days of his life. That morning he wowed his high school classmates with a black belt demonstration at school, only to have the girl of his dreams write her phone number on his arm. Later in the day Sensei Mike encouraged Charlie to follow his dream of being an Air Force pilot, and even an argument with his friend Alex couldn't take away the buzz of an unforgettable day. Charlie falls asleep on top of the world only to wake up strapped to a chair battered, bruised, and bloody. As Charlie tries to make sense of the situation he soon discovers he is being held captive by men who want him dead. Using his black belt skills he finds a way to escape only to find out things are much worse than he could have ever imagined.

    Edgar Award winner Andrew Klavan takes his first foray into young adult fiction with this riveting first installment of The Homelanders series. This is a fast paced thrill ride carried effortlessly along by the first person narrative of Charlie West. From the intriguing opening hook we are whisked along on an action packed jaunt that is full of twists and turns and is impossible to put down.

    In the midst of the shootouts and riveting hand to hand combat scenes, Klavan builds character depth through Charlie's flashbacks of the last day he remembers. We soon find out that Charlie is not just a good kid, but someone that has a strong faith and a great love for his country. It's these solid foundations that help Charlie find the strength to face the overwhelming circumstances in front of him.

    The Last Thing I Remember does everything the first book in a series should. It grabs our attention with a hero to root for and delivers a plot that will have readers begging for more in the end. Andrew Klavan gives action thriller fans a story they will love, laced with some powerful messages of honor, duty, and sacrifice. This is only the beginning for Charlie West and I can't wait to see what's in store next.”

    jachism wrote this review Wednesday, April 15, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Deadlock
    • Rated 5 stars

    “It's been one year since John Hutchinson battled Declan Page and his teen cronies in the remote Canadian wilderness. Back home in Denver, Hutch has been on a personal mission to bring down Declan's father, Brendan Page, the man behind the horrors that took the lives of so many innocent people. Unfortunately, Page just happens to be the CEO of a major paramilitary organization with strong government support, and all of Hutch's digging leads nowhere. Brendan Page soon decides that Hutch needs to be silenced and kidnaps his son. John Hutchinson must now fight the ultimate battle to save his son and bring down a maniacal madman who seemingly holds every card. Unfortunately for Page, he has underestimated the love and determination of a father armed only with a bow and an uncanny knack for survival.

    In 2007 Robert Liparulo wowed fans and critics with his original and innovative thriller, Deadfall, where he took a peaceful camping trip and turned it into a hellish nightmare for Hutch and his buddies. Ever since the follow up was announced I have anxiously been waiting for what I hoped would be another rock solid thrill ride. Rest assured Deadlock delivers on every level.

    Liparulo is known for his intense action sequences and sometimes gruesome violence, and once again I found myself fidgeting nervously and cringing throughout this story. It's very rare that an author can make me wince involuntarily through sheer descriptive power alone, but Liparulo gets me every time. Good writers know how to drop the audience into the middle of the story, and that's where I found myself throughout. I love the way Liparulo continues to use ground breaking technology to propel his stories. In Deadlock, virtual reality is taken to a whole new level that is both fascinating and terrifying when you consider the real life potential for military use. Fans of Deadfall will also enjoy the return of some favorite characters that bring a welcome depth to the story.

    Brendan Page is one of Liparulo's most ruthless and well crafted villains. This man is truly frightening with his distorted view of reality and his unwavering belief that he is right. Page's character is the embodiment of so many infamous world leaders and people of influence who have sacrificed the lives of millions for their own warped versions of reality. Not only is he insane, but he is clever, highly skilled, and powerful, all working together to make him the ultimate bad guy.

    Deadlock is by no means a light hearted tale, but Liparulo sets himself apart from other thriller writers with the level of emotion he brings to each story. Hutch is an endearing and imperfect character that struggles with the tension between being a hero and being a good father. Amidst all the flying bullets and whizzing arrows we are treated to a soul stirring story about fighting for your family at all costs. I love Hutch taking out bad guys with his bow just as much as the next guy, but it's the heart in Liparulo's storytelling that always brings me back for more. Bravo!!”

    jachism wrote this review Tuesday, March 31, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Long Lost
    • Rated 5 stars

    “It's been ten years since Myron Bolitar has heard from his old flame, Terese Collins. She has become a suspect in her ex-husband's murder in Paris and pleads for Myron's help. After arriving in Paris, Myron finds out troubling information about Terese's past and the death of her daughter. Myron begins digging around for answers and discovers evidence that might prove Terese's daughter is still alive. With the help of the ever faithful Win, Myron embarks on an international search for answers to the mystery behind Terese's past. What they discover is more frightening then anything they could have imagined.

    In Long Lost Harlan Coben sets out to satisfy the masses with his first Myron Bolitar novel in three years. Not only does he satisfy, but he gives his faithful fans what may be his most enticing thriller to date. What makes the Bolitar novels so addicting is the strong and quirky characters and of course they are all back in wondrous fashion. Myron himself is as endearing as ever with his unyielding desire to help those he loves. Coben would be shunned by his rabid fans if he didn't give us a healthy dose of Windsor Lockwood III. Never fear. Win is back and just as psychotic and engaging as ever. Esperanza is as sassy as always bringing some welcome moments of humor and tenderness throughout.

    Coben has long established himself as a master of the first person narrative and I don't think anyone writing in the genre today compares. I love how Coben takes these characters that are so familiar and raises the stakes by placing them in a horrific conflict with global implications. This is a far cry from Myron's mystery solving sports agent days, yet despite the raised stakes we still find the same old Myron and Win we fell in love with years ago.

    In the end we are left with a truly terrifying conclusion that may surprise readers, but nevertheless fits the plot that Coben has so masterfully constructed. Harlan Coben consistently keeps me in awe with each new installment and Long Lost is certainly no exception. Even if you have never read a Myron Bolitar novel, Coben gives just enough background to keep you out of the dark. Pull up a chair and sit tight because you won't be going anywhere once you begin.”

    jachism wrote this review Tuesday, March 31, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • Outcast
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Darth Caedus is gone but the Galactic Alliance is suffering from the aftermath of his dark reign. The Jedi have been shouldered with the blame and Luke Skywalker has been banished from Coruscant because he was unable to stop Jacen Solo's turn to the dark side. To make matters worse, Jedi Knight Valin Horn is suffering from a psychotic break that brings even more unwanted attention on the Jedi. In a desperate move, the Galactic Alliance assigns official observers to every Jedi Knight to keep them in check.

    After his banishment Luke and his son, Ben, decide to uncover the truth behind Jacen's turn to the dark side and their search leads them to Dorin, home world of the mysterious Kel Dors. While there they uncover some startling revelations that bring a whole new set of problems. Meanwhile, back on Coruscant, the Jedi continue to struggle under the watchful eye of the government and the media. When a rogue Jedi appears suffering from Valin Horn's same condition, the Jedi must find a way to capture him and get the answers they need. All the while they must outwit the government forces that have turned against them.

    Outcast was a mixed bag for me because even though I flew through the pages, there were certain elements that didn't work. One thing that works well throughout is Aaron Allston's top notch writing. This story flows easily and Allston does a wondrous job of plopping us right into the middle of the civil conflict brewing around the Jedi. Throughout the story we are treated with a nice balance of action and character development that make this an effortless read. I especially enjoyed the fresh insights into the Kel Dors and it was fun to see grandparents Han and Leia up to their old tricks.

    What didn't work for me was how little actually happens in this story. I hate to even comment on this since I enjoyed Allston's writing so much, but that is my straight up initial reaction. Granted, I have not read the Legacy of the Force series, and one could argue that perhaps that hindered my understanding and comprehension of everything going on in Outcast. Honestly, I feel like Allston did a great job of including the perfect amount of background info to set the stage for the story and besides, I didn't encounter anything a little Wookiepedia couldn't remedy. In the end it just seems like very little happened here and I never really felt like any of the heroes were in any kind of danger.

    Don't get me wrong though. As I stated earlier, the elements that did work, worked quite well and were enough to keep me going. Star Wars fans will no doubt find plenty here to rave about, but I won't be surprised if many are left with the same impressions that I was. This is the first book in the series, and my hope is that as the series unfolds I will look back on Outcast and have a deeper appreciation for it. In the meantime I am eagerly anticipating the release of the second installment, Omen.”

    jachism wrote this review Tuesday, March 31, 2009. ( reply | permalink )
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