mac_ashton's reviews
121 reviews

Sourcery by Terry Pratchett

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

dark lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

 It's rare that I DNF a book, but unfortunately Gideon is joining the club. This book has enough positive reviews that I'm sure it's for someone, just not for me. For context, I stopped about 30% in, and one of the final straws was: "Her blood shone redly". I can put up with a lot of bad adverbs, but this book is bursting at the seams. Top it off with a plot that didn't really grab me and a confusing world that never really clicked for me, and it turning the pages just got too hard.

I like to try and find positives even when I don't like something, so I will say the characters, while one dimensional, were occasionally humorous. The ideas present to create the world are also ambitious, I just don't feel like they were fully realized. 

Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett

3.0

Origin by Dan Brown

4.0

Classic Robert Langdon adventure. The payoff was a little weak, but overall a very enjoyable read.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two by Jack Thorne

3.0

Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard

5.0

I never knew that I wanted a humorous take on a socially-awkward necromancer collecting souls for the devil, but as it turns out, I did. From the very first chapter I was hooked, and had a hard time putting the book down. The wit is quick, the sarcasm flows like the River Styx, and each of the characters brings a unique brand of disorder to the cast. For a more modern comparison, Johannes Cabal feels like Doctor Strange, only meaner, and far more interested in the dark arts than the light. Would recommend this novel to anyone looking for a bit of dark humor and a fun adventure.

If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of A B Movie Actor by Bruce Campbell

5.0

This may be one of my favorite memoirs I've ever read. Bruce's anecdotes are hilarious and provided a new perspective to the making of some of my favorite films. On a personal note, it's also inspiring to read about the amount of work that went into getting the first Evil Dead film funded and made. Puts the life of an author in perspective and shows that with a little hard work, it can all pay off.

For fans of Bruce's work, or just those who want a good laugh about the ins and outs of the movie industry, be sure to check this one out. I would also recommend the audio book as Bruce narrates it himself.

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield

3.0

The War of Art is a mixed bag, but if nothing else, it provides a swift kick in the ass to motivate writers who aren't writing. At times, the writer can come off as a little pretentious (I guess he's earned a bit of that with his work), and that took me out of the advice. However, if you can make it through those portions and a few lengthy rambles about the cosmic muse, there are some really motivating passages in here. It's a great book to have around and leaf through a few quick chapters when you're feeling unmotivated or stuck.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:
"The critic hates most that which he would have done himself if he had the guts"

"For the artist to define himself hierarchically is fatal."

Hail to the Chin: Further Confessions of a B Movie Actor by Bruce Campbell, Craig Sanborn

4.0

Bruce Campbell is a pro at making sequels at this point, and this book does not disappoint. My only complaint is that it's shorter than the first one, and I want more. So, Bruce, if you could live a few lifetimes in between this book and the final in the trilogy, that'd be great.

This series is very fun, and I highly recommend the audiobooks as they are read by Bruce himself. For anyone who wants to know a little more about the life of a B-Movie actor, it's absolutely worth the read.

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore

5.0

I had no idea what to expect when I opened Lamb. This was my first Christopher Moore book, and certainly my first piece of satirical biblical fiction. The story was an absolute delight and had me laughing out loud more times than I could count. More importantly, it answered the question I never knew was so important: What if Jesus knew Kung Fu?

While lampooning portions of The Bible, I do feel like Christopher Moore tackles this subject respectfully and with thought.

Would recommend to anyone.