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shahw1

shahw1

has 26 followers and is following 37 people

I love to read and write, listen to music, enjoy movies and theatre, and to taste fine things. I enjoy travel and spending time with my husband, who is a pilot for Emirates, so he is away a lot. I prefer spending time alone and worry about spending time with people I do not know, finding shyness an issue. Online friendships are much easier... more »
  • Dubai, United Arab Emirates
  • member since January 10, 2011

Reviews

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Displaying 1-10 of 31 reviews
  • The Book of Lost Fragrances
    • Rated 4 stars

    “(3.5/5)

    I am not a huge fan of literary flights of passage, so can't recall why I accepted this book to review, in all honesty. I thought it might be more magical or fantastical - My mistake. I must not bare this in mind when reviewing this as that would be... rediculous. I can't blame that on the author or allow it to swing my overall review of the book, now can I? (Although, if I had a penny for how many do, especially on Amazon).

    Anyway, this book spans years and lives, cultures and beleifs. It covers relational issues, historical and political, even religious issues are bought to bare witness. The characters were mildly interesting, reflecting on past and present, hopes and wishes, familial issues of loss and abandonment and a cold, loveless parent; who loved his obsession more than his children. I didn't attach or care much though. There was a lot of description and literary flourishes which left me yawning. Again, this is because I don't enjoy this type of thing. This is a best seller who doesn't need to prove her literary worth to me. I acknowledge that, yet still. This is my review and simply I didn't really enjoy it. I skimmed a lot for a start, which I rarely do. I like to read slowly and digest everything.



    An irritant - (not of the authors making) - The formatting of the copy I reviewed made the reading process difficult and frustrating. Capitals weren't where they should be, repeated paragraphs popped up with alternate styles, and other general formatting issue littered the text. I would hope these issues would be ironed out before the actual publication date in March, however.

    I am assured this was only applicable to the review copy.

    Sometimes choosing an out of genre book is a great idea. I enjoy discovering new things. This time, not so much. There was too much 'literary' and not enough movement for my liking.

    In essence then, I'll say do not let me to put you off this book. If you enjoy this type of book, this type of writing, go for it. Did I enjoy reading this book? Not really - 2/5. How would I rate the authors a literary writing talent 5/5. Will I follow this author after reading this book? Probably not. Is that because she is a talentless author? Absolutely not! Would I recommend this book to readers of this genre - Yes.

    Overall: 3.5/5 but I averaged up to 4 because there are no half points.

    PS: I received this for review via the publishers, from Net Galley”

    shahw1 wrote this review Tuesday, February 28, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Girls' Guide to Dating Zombies
    • Rated 5 stars

    “MY REVIEW
    I read this in around two nights. At the beginning I wasn't exactly sure what I thought of it. It struck me as a Bridget Jones Diaries for a post apocalyptic world in which all men (or rather 99%) are now zombies. Not the dangerous cannibalistic type, but the rotting and shuffling animal brain type. As the title suggests, this is a 'How to...' guide for women, detailing how one might go about dating a zombie, using various medications to prevent smell, rot and overeating, amongst other things.

    I'm all for a bit of satire and this was amusing and well written. But I much preferred the book once around 45% (on Kindle) in to it. Here we get character and depth and the story grows into more than the ridiculous ideas it purports in the beginnings. I saw the zombies as couch potatoes - we could all be accused of this at come point in our live: we settle for things too easily, we do not question or fight for things. We mat not even both to change the channel when something bores us. I call it depression. Others may just call it life.

    I also saw her zombies as the men in our lives; those relationships where we simply 'make do' instead of being alone or ringing someone well, better. The author said to me, instead of settling for the amiable, manipulatable and easy-going guy, wait for or rather demand something more. She also said to me, women were entirely capable of running the world without men in it, but would that be a beautiful and well balanced world? I would say, no. Give me two sides to everything, including humanity.

    Of course, I may have been reading into this, seeing within it issues I felt were raised. She may well not have said anything of the sort. Essentially, it made me think, it made me laugh out loud, it had some great action within the latter half of the book and of course, it provided some yummy romance, and not with a rotting, animated corpse :).

    I say, go get it.”

    shahw1 wrote this review Thursday, February 23, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Demon's Slave

    Demon's Slave

    by Danielle D. Smith
    • Rated 4 stars

    “A really quick read, it moves so quickly. This is not the same as the first one. It is about the same characters: Rose (angel/human) Striker (demon/human) who are now fully in love. Rose decides that to show this love she wants to give him, for his birthday, herself as his slave for three days. The book is about BDSM (this authors first attempt at this genre) which occurs during that time. I'm not into this scene at all, but Danielle makes something which is to me, sounds a bit scary, (but hey-whatever makes your flame burn brighter :P) seem more understandable. Even gushingly romantic at times. There is no mistaking the love between these two, at any stage, no matter what is going on.

    The writing is tight and a pleasure to read. In fact, my only criticism (if it is that) would be that I'd hoped for more of the Rose and Striker demon slaying. But there was none. This book was nothing to do with that. I hope that next one is? ”

    shahw1 wrote this review Wednesday, February 8, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Sundered
    • Rated 4 stars

    “I adored this book. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. My only issue with it in fact was that it was only a tiny bit scary in only a couple of places. A bit more of a fear factor and it'd have been awarded five stars. The author writes beautifully, so much so that the romance between the two main characters, despite one of them being a zombie, is wonderfully believable. Highly recommended.”

    shahw1 wrote this review Thursday, February 23, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Girl Who Played with Fire
    • Rated 5 stars

    “I loved all three books in this series. ”

    shahw1 wrote this review Tuesday, January 31, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Mouch and Company: The Dream Psychic
    • Rated 4 stars

    “ I recently finished reading this book and have to say I enjoyed it. I wasn't sure it would be for me as the hero is only 14 years old, but it's so well written and the concept so original that the story unfolded so smoothly. Pretty soon I'd forgotten how young Mouch actually was.

    I was reminded of Harry Potter and his buddies as Mouch began making friends in his new Psychic School (instead of Magic School) and became aware of his impending doom at the hands of the evil Pith (instead of he who shall not be named :P). We also become involved with some of the teachers, as in H.P. I'm not saying it's a 'rip-off' of H.P however. This is an original story told very well. Any similarities to H.P are therefore not a bad thing.

    Mouch dreams vividly and realises that his dreams have one foot splashing in the pool of reality (hence, 'The Dream Psychic'). This is where we spend a lot of time. We also find out that a teddy and hand-puppet might not be quite what they seem. We enter the inner realms of the minds of the hero, his teacher and the evil Pith. Minds which can be strange, dark, unpredictable and changing, wonderful worlds.

    Mouch is an adorable character and easily liked. His two closest friends are 'different' and Sherman has a very biting sarcastic wit, which I loved and supplied a comic element to add colour to even darker elements of the story. This is especially important for younger readers, I think, but I enjoyed the contrast.

    You'll find action, emotion, friendship, imagination and lots of fun in this book. I highly recommend it for anyone over say, 12-13 yrs. Subjects to watch out for regarding younger children are death, some mild violence and there might be issues navigating and understanding the the latter third of the books plot. The psychic mind-entering bit in particular. But with a little help from an older reader, I doubt this to be a major issue.
    ”

    shahw1 wrote this review Tuesday, January 31, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Pitchfork Diaries
    • Rated 5 stars

    “This is a fabulous blend of the darker side of humanity with extreme horror. It will challenge and thrill you, give you nightmares and make you notice the mad stare in a strangers eyes, just a little bit more. It is disturbing and at times a gut wrenching read, but you'll be glad you did if you love horror.

    WARNING: Highly recommended to anyone 18 and OVER who loves to explore the darkest sides of humanity in their literature.

    These are well written, superb short stories. But there's more - The author punctuates these with dark prose/poetry. Each one a tiny musical glance at horror!

    Read it if you dare! I can't wait for the novel and the second collection of Pitchfork Diaries.”

    shahw1 wrote this review Friday, September 9, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Dead in the Family
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Love it!!”

    shahw1 wrote this review Saturday, August 20, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • True Blood Boxed Set
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Love these books - got all the others too!”

    shahw1 wrote this review Saturday, August 20, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
  • Sugar & Spice
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Although this was a very difficult read in parts, and uncomfortable throughout, it was still one of the best books I've ever read. You should know several things about this before reading it - it deals with pedophile in a very open and real way. You enter the thoughts and fantasies of them, from those who want to but do not act, to those who want to and do touch, to those who want to and touch and kill. Be prepared for this and if you think you can handle it, delve into its murky depths and when you reach them, swim right back to the surface, otherwise you know the saying - Look to long into the abyss and the abyss will look into you! (or something like that anyway!)”

    shahw1 wrote this review Tuesday, July 26, 2011. ( reply | permalink )
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Displaying 1-10 of 31 reviews

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