Books matching: brisk pacing
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- #1
Save:How the Skin Sheds by Chad Lutzke combines a brisk pacing and first-person narration in a unique take on the Western genre. The story follows Garrett as he seeks vengeance after discovering the tragic fate of his sister and niece. Along with his friend Franklin and his niece Nadine, Garrett hunts down a deranged killer, leading to intense and gut-wrenching scenes. Lutzke's writing flows naturally, avoiding predictable plot outlines, and keeps readers engaged with emotional depth and horror elements that highlight the brutality of the killer's actions.
The novella is celebrated for its well-crafted characters and dynamic interactions, making readers feel connected to their journeys. While some feel certain character backstories could have been deeper, Lutzke's storytelling shines with vivid imagery and a gripping narrative. This book stands out in the Splatterpunk Western series as an emotional and brutal tale that captivates both genre enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
May 2023•109 pages - #2
Save:A creepy, cerebral, and utterly unique novel that lingers in the mind - brilliant for fans of the weird and philosophically adventurous, but definitely not your typical literary comfort read.
'Remainder' by Tom McCarthy is a novel that delves into the mind of a protagonist who receives a large settlement after an accident, leading him to obsessively stage re enactments of past memories and interactions. The book explores themes of identity, authenticity, and the blurred lines between reality and performance. The writing style is described as sharp, precise, and compelling, with a plot that unfolds in a logical yet unsettling manner, drawing the reader into the protagonist's increasingly elaborate re enactments.
It’s not that I’m being shy. It’s just that—well, for one, I don’t even remember the event. It’s a blank: a white slate, a black hole. I have vague images, half-impressions: of being, or having been—o...2001•311 pages - #3
Save:A clever, cozy sci-fi detective story with a rich setting and academic sapphic romance - perfect for fans of mysteries in imaginative worlds. Short, sweet, and leaves you wanting more.
The book follows Investigator Mossa as she delves into a mysterious case of a missing man on a colony around Jupiter. Reconnecting with academic Pleiti, the two unravel a complex web of secrets and past relationships while navigating a strange and captivating futuristic world. The story combines elements of a classic detective mystery with a unique setting and a focus on the dynamic between the main characters, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged until the very end.
March 2023 - #4The Shadow KillerBook 2 in the series:Reykjavik Wartime Mystery/Flovent and Thorson Thrillers
Save:'The Shadow Killer' in the series 'Reykjavik Wartime Mystery/Flovent and Thorson Thrillers' by Arnaldur Indridason is set in WWII Iceland where the occupation by British and American forces brings societal changes and challenges. The story follows local policeman Flovent and Canadian military cop Thorson as they investigate a murder case that quickly unravels into a complex web involving both military and civilian players. The author vividly captures the historical setting of wartime Iceland, highlighting the internecine rivalries, societal norms, and the impact of the occupation on the local population.
The writing style of the book is described as capturing the essence of wartime Iceland, with richly drawn characters and a twisting plot that keeps readers guessing until the end. The story unfolds with a brisk pace, offering a blend of historical context and intriguing mysteries, while delving into the evolving relationships between the main characters, Flovent and Thorson.
May 2018•378 pages
(Also, see 28 recommendations for the series Reykjavik Wartime Mystery/Flovent and Thorson Thrillers ) - #5
Save:"Rogue Squadron" in the series "Star Wars: X-Wing" by Michael A. Stackpole follows the story of Wedge Antilles as he reforms Rogue Squadron with new members like Tycho Celchu and Corran Horn. The plot involves intense space battles, training sequences, and the introduction of characters like Director Ysanne Isard and Kirtan Loor. The writing style is described as enjoyable pulpy sci-fi military excitement with well-described battles and good character development, focusing on non-essential characters in the Star Wars universe.
You’re good, Corran, but you’re no Luke Skywalker. Corran Horn’s cheeks still burned at the memory of Commander Antilles’s evaluation of his last simulator exercise. The line had been a simple comment...1996•392 pages - #6
Save:Brutal, bold, and brilliantly told - A Star Called Henry is a must-read for historical fiction lovers who aren’t afraid of some grit, moral complexity, and a sweeping tale of revolution and survival.
"A Star Called Henry" by Roddy Doyle follows the life of the protagonist, Henry Smart, as he grows up in the Dublin slums and becomes involved in the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during the early 20th century. The story provides a mix of historical events, such as the Easter Rising in 1916 and the Anglo-Irish War, intertwined with fictional elements. Henry's journey from a poverty-stricken childhood to becoming an IRA assassin is depicted through a blend of grim realism and moments of levity, showcasing the hardships of the era alongside themes of rebellion, violence, and resilience. Doyle's writing style is praised for its rich storytelling, skilled juxtaposition of humor and violence, and the ability to capture the essence of Dublin's slums and the historical context of the time period.
I looked, her other little Henry sitting beside her on the step. I looked up and hated him. She held me but she looked up at her twinkling boy. Poor me beside her, pale and red-eyed, held together by...January 1999•364 pages - #7
Save:A breezy, suspenseful paranormal mystery that’s perfect for younger YA readers who like ghost stories with strong female leads - just don’t expect deep realism or sophisticated twists.
Maya Blair, a teenager with the ability to communicate with ghosts, finds herself entangled in a mystery involving artifacts from a shipwreck and ghosts searching for a key and a book of black magic. As Maya navigates her unique gift, she encounters ghosts like Blake and Gavin, each with their own hidden agendas. The story unfolds with Maya facing romantic dilemmas and supernatural dangers, all set against the backdrop of a museum exhibit and the secrets of the Black Lady shipwreck.
The late afternoon sun gilded the tops of the waves in gold as Maya Blair walked the wide, mostly empty sidewalk of Coronado Bay’s Main Street. It was almost five, a time when the majority of resident...June 2011•160 pages - #8
Save:A unique, clever mashup of time travel, mystery, and women-led storytelling - ambitious and original, but sometimes a little confusing. If you love genre-mixing, big ideas, and female-centric casts, give it a try!
'The Psychology of Time Travel' by Kate Mascarenhas is a unique and complex story that revolves around time travel and its psychological effects on individuals. The book follows the lives of four female inventors who pioneer time travel in the 1960s, leading to a world where time is no longer linear and people interact with multiple versions of themselves. The plot unravels a murder mystery intertwined with the lives of various characters, exploring themes of relationships, identity, and the consequences of manipulating time. The writing style is described as detailed, imaginative, and rich, with multiple timelines and points of view adding depth to the narrative.
The laboratory, in Cumbria, was home to four young scientists. Margaret was a baroness turned cosmologist. Lucille had come from the Toxteth slums to make radio waves travel faster than light. Grace—w...2018•346 pages - #9
Save:A fun, pulpy horror romp perfect for B-movie fans, but a little too cheesy and tropey for those seeking depth or subtlety.
When their yacht sinks, six castaways find themselves adrift in a lifeboat until they stumble upon a seemingly abandoned oil rig in the middle of the ocean. Little do they know, the rig is actually a bizarre scientific laboratory where a man-made creature has killed the crew, and now they are the next target. The story unfolds with plenty of excitement, believable science, and a great cover that entices the reader, reminiscent of classic horror movies like The Thing and Alien.
The book delves into themes beyond just horror, exploring heroin addiction and the desperate lengths individuals will go to for their next fix. The narrative cleverly uses the creature's reign of terror as a metaphor for addiction, adding depth to the story. The author, Harry Adam Knight (John Brosnan), effectively builds tension and scares throughout the book, capturing the reader's attention with a fast-paced plot and well-crafted suspense.
1983•168 pages - #10
Save:A stylish, short, and wildly imaginative adventure with a classic Zelazny antihero. Not his deepest novel, but it’s inventive, entertaining, and a cool twist on the battle between science and magic.
'Jack of Shadows' by Roger Zelazny is a fantasy science fiction story that follows the character Jack, an amoral and immortal being, on an interesting quest that ultimately changes the world. The book blends fantasy with science fiction in a world where one side is perpetually facing the sun, divided between technology and magic. Jack, a character who draws power from shadows, moves between the two hemispheres of the planet, navigating through themes of duality and existence.
The Hellflame was a slim urn of silvery fires, gracefully wrought and containing a fist-sized ruby at the uppermost tips of its blazing fingers. These held it in an unbreakable grip, and the gemstone...1971•236 pages
