A book about abuse, denial, suffering and mental disorder. Is it enterainment? Not really. Is it a worthy read? Absolutely. Despite the subject matter it is never too overwhelming, nor is it ever handled lightly. Stepping into the minds of broken individuals, one of which is a bible reading cat (!), is increasingly interesting as the story progresses.

Let down in the last few short chapters and perhaps a bit too similar to other stories that have similar setups (Split / Primal Fear / Identity). Without rewatching these movies I’d almost go so far as to say that The Last House On Needless Street feels a bit like a mash-up of them. Perhaps this is more to do with the disorder involved in the book, and even if it were a direct “homage” it doesn’t detract from the fact that the book is very well written. Each of the characters are presented well and believable.

An easy 4 out 5 broken personalities and easily a recommended read IF you are prepared for a grounded, bleak, disturbing insight into a maladjusted mind.

Possibly the worst criticism I could give to Project Hail Mary is it is just a little tedious in places and certainly not nearly as convincing as Andy Weirs “The Martian”. The latter of which remains one of my favourite books and left me truly feeling like humanity had actually already visited Mars (say it ain’t so). The setup here is a fairly typical end-of-world-final-chance affair but is presented believably and makes for a worthwhile read and one I wholeheartedly recommend. I do tend to prefer more personal struggles than end-of-everything yarns and this book thankfully focuses on the main characters situation and struggles rather than dwelling on the reasons for it. I genuinely felt for the comradery between the two main characters by the end – which was entirely satisfactory even if I’d have liked to know more about the struggles that humanity faced back on Earth.

An excellent read from beginning to end (4 out 5 Supernovas).

“How did you do it? What killed it?”
“I penetrated the outer cell membrane with a nanosyringe.”
“You poked it with a stick?”
“No!” I said. “Well. Yes. But it was a scientific poke with a very scientific stick.”

The second book in series, the first of which showed promise (I gave it 3 out of 5 average Bourne like wannabes).

Guy Fowle, the main antagonist, ups the ante by accidently coming across a Russian hackers doomsday phone during an unbelievable court room escape. The contrivances are many and ridiculous. With his inconsistent heroin “addiction”, lack of emotion – except pathological hate for England, and superhuman ability to survive, he can now read peoples auras. Yeah… That sounds as bad written here as in the book. The protagonist is so cookie cutter he’s not really worth mentioning beyond “hero, nearly fails, doesn’t”. The author can write, but this isn’t a good story. Near constant tension overload with a huge anti-climax and an awful final chapter. An author for the future, if featuring different characters perhaps.

A struggle from beginning to end. How, or perhaps better “WHY?” I finished this book I’ve no idea (A low 2 out of 5 give me some of Fowles stuff to ease the pain).

the one man who decides Russian strategy has become cocooned in an ever-thickening web of half-truths, dubious interpretations, and ludicrous optimism, which may make him prone to increasingly dangerous adventures

One Paragraph Reviews are simple reminders to myself about the books/places/etc. I’ve read/been to/etc. Don’t take them too seriously 🙂

J

Good plot device let down by a strange bullet point. Style of writing. That seemed to exist. Just so the author could move forward quicker. Odd as there were times this style repeated the same point. Characters were terrible. None were likable and only the main protagonist, Racheal, showed any sort of competence. I’d have believed the book written by a feminazi due to the absolute incompetence or general nastiness of ALL of the male characters but this, for the most part, included the other female chars ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

A good average read even if it’s just for the setup (3 out of 5 links in the chain).

She remembers that Tacitus line about how you always hate those you have wronged.

One Paragraph Reviews are simple reminders to myself about the books/places/etc. I’ve read/been to/etc. Don’t take them too seriously 🙂

J