Book Reviews
The Bedwetter by Sarah Silverman
I was less than impressed with Sarah Silverman's autobiographical book called The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee. It is sometimes funny and often rambling, and it wound up being a little too self congratulatory without being very interesting. I didn't come away from this feeling like I knew much more about Sarah than before I read it.
Solomon Kane: Castle of the Devil
This is a graphic novel that was first issued as a five-part comic series from Dark Horse comics. It is based on the writings of Conan creator Robert E. Howard, although this story was written by Scott Allie and the artwork was done by Mario Guevara. The main reason I wanted to check this out was to learn more about the Solomon Kane character before I watch the movie that is to be released on video later this month.
I, Strahd by P.N. Elrod
I, Strahd: The Memoirs of a Vampire is one of the earlier books in the Ravenloft series, which is based on a Dungeons & Dragons fantasy/horror setting. It was written by P.N. Elrod, who went on to write a series of books called The Vampire Files, as well as many other horror type novels involving vampires and the supernatural.
The Dragon Factory by Jonathan Maberry
The Dragon Factory is the second book in author Jonathan Maberry's excellent Joe Ledger series. Word has it that ABC television has this series on a short list to be adapted into a new TV series. Joe Ledger is sort of a Jack Bauer type and this series would surely draw in fans of shows like 24 and The X-Files because of the way it mixes sci-fi/horror elements with secret military type action.
Thor: Volume I
I decided to check out some of the Thor comics in preparation for the upcoming movie release. If you stayed behind after the credits for the recent Iron Man II movie, it showed an image of Thor's hammer beside a crater in the desert. That same imagery is used in this comic collection called Thor: Volume 1. This is how Thor arrives on Earth.
The Calling by David Gaider
The Calling is the second novel based on the Dragon Age: Origins role playing video game for PC and consoles. It was written by David Gaider, who was lead writer on the game. Whereas the first novel was a prequel for the main game, this novel is sort of a prequel for the Dragon Age: Awakening expansion pack. If you're playing the game, you will definitely get a kick out of reading these books.
The Broker by John Grisham
I got two main things from reading John Grisham's The Broker. First, he doesn't care much for the concept of Presidential pardons. Secondly, he really likes Italy. This is a so-so book about a guy set up to be killed after being pardoned by the President, and he hides out in Italy while trying to avoid assassins. You can find the audiobook version in the bargain bin at most bookstores.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
I could not stop thinking about Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter from the moment I saw it on display in the bookstore. I liked how the cover showed an old photo of Lincoln with blood splatters all around, then the back cover showed him holding an axe and a severed vampire head behind him. It's one of the few times that I was sold by a book cover alone.
Top 3 Books that Need to be Made into Movies
This is a fun little list I wrote for AssociatedContent.com on three books that I think would make great movies, and why. I just hope the movie stays as good as the book, which often is not the case.
Blood Cross by Faith Hunter
Blood Cross is the great follow-up to Faith Hunter's Skinwalker. This book is the second in a new series about a woman named Jane Yellowrock who happens to be a shapeshifter and fights vampires and witches in and around New Orleans. It's sort of like Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Dirty Harry, and it's a very fun read if you like supernatural detective stories.
Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne by David Gaider
If you are a computer gamer who likes to read, then you should be playing Dragon Age: Origins and reading this book called Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne. It was written by David Gaider, who was the lead writer on the game, and is a prequel to the game. In fact, you'll get more out of the game from reading this book because it gives you a lot of history on the characters of Maric and Loghain.
Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher
Being that I am a fan of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series, I thought it would be interesting to check out this book called The Furies of Calderon. It's a fantasy novel set in an original world, and is the first part of a series. I didn't really have any expectations about this novel, other than knowing the author's previous works have been quite good. Now that I have finished reading it, I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Daredevil: The Man Without Fear
This is an awesome origins story for the Daredevil character. Forget the Ben Affleck movie, because this is the real deal. I was never that much into Daredevil until a friend recently turned me onto this graphic novel, which was originally issued as a five-part comic book series. This was written by Frank Miller, and that should be reason enough for you to want to read it.
Ender's Game: Battle School
This is a graphic novel based on Orson Scott Card's well-loved book called Ender's Game. I have not read Card's original novel, so I went into this graphic novel without any prior knowledge of the source material. In the end, I was pretty impressed with the story and it has the makings of a great new series. This was originally released as a five-part comic book series.
The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry
The story here is about lost Templar treasure that is hidden away using some ancient hidden codes and the treasure hold some secret that could destroy Christianity and make everyone reevaluate their beliefs. Haven't heard that one before, have you? A group of so-called Christians think they are doing good by killing people who get involved, and some others are just seeking the truth no matter how it might impact the world. It's a formulaic copycat plotline lifted from The Da Vinci Code.
The Last Ship by William Brinkley
I used to think that Stephen King was one author seriously in need of some editorial work, but now I think William Brinkley takes the cake with The Last Ship. Published in 1989, this is absolutely the most long-winded and boring book I have ever read. Underneath it all is the potential for a really cool post-apocalyptic story in the same genre as Alas, Babylon, but it gets so bogged down in details that it is truly a chore to read.
The Ghost King - Transitions III - R.A. Salvatore
Prior to reading R.A. Salvatore's Transitions III, The Ghost King, I didn't know that the author had lost a close family member to cancer. Having also recently lost someone, I started picking up on some imagery and emotions in this story that made me realize how much of it was surely influenced by the author's experiences with the frustration of watching a loved one die from an unstoppable disease. On that level, this book is a work of genius. It's also extremely dark and violent.
Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
It was with a sense of sadness that I reviewed Michael Crichton's Pirate Latitudes, because this is his last finished novel. After his passing in 2008 from throat cancer, the completed manuscript for this novel was found among his files. I don't think anyone knew he'd been writing this. While I did like the book, I have a feeling that it isn't the full version that Crichton intended for print.
Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Children of Hurin is a novel from Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien and edited by his son, Christopher. It's a prequel type story that takes place before the events in Lord of the Rings, and it serves to fill in some of the gaps that were mentioned in passing in other stories. Personally, I think it is meant more for die-hard fans than casual readers.
Book Features
Stephen Lawhead's King Raven trilogy
This series of books is a reboot of the Robin Hood legend, as told be bestselling author Stephen Lawhead. I highly recommend this series and the realistic approach it takes in attempting to explain the origins of the legendary character that became known as Robin Hood.
E.E. Knight's Vampire Earth book series
If you like post-apocalyptic stories where humans are struggling for survival against a more powerful foe, I think you should check out author E.E. Knight's Vampire Earth series of books. They read sort of like a cross between Rambo and Resident Evil.
Raymond E. Feist's Conclave of Shadows trilogy
This trilogy of novels from the acclaimed fantasy author tell a revenge story that takes many unexpected detours along the way.
