Book: A Calm Before Storm #5

“Retired Private Investigator Derrick Storm was enjoying the easy life–until he fished up a decaptiated head belonging to a victim of notorious criminal, The Fear. When Derrick’s father, Carl, revealed that The Fear was teh man who killed Derrick’s mother, they both swore vengeance.

After interrupting an assassination attempt on the Russion ambassador, Derrick and Carl found themselves amidst an international crisis. Helen Pierce, Derrick’s CIA contact, forbade them from getting further involved. But instead, Derrick made a plea for help to his old flame, covert CIA agent Clara Strike.

Derrick, Clara and Carl made it into Russia, hoping to stop The Fear’s attempt at destabilizing relations between Russh and Germany. The trio interrogated a man named Viktor Mueller, who revealed The Fear’s agenda: leading a massacre during a rally at the Kremlin, wielding German weaponry.

Hoping to stop The Fear, Clara and Carl left Derrick to contend with Viktor–instead, he was ambushed by The Fear himself.“

That was it?

Seriously?

After five issues, I thought there’d be a better way to end this series than with a half-assed attempt at “I just want to see the world burn” speech, followed by a clean-up by the same character.

Seriously?

I’m not saying I was expecting a masterpiece. After the filler that was Issue #4, I was just looking forward to actual plot movement and a logical turn of events. I did not expect a forced conclusion to what had become a fluff Derrick Storm story.

And to think this mini-series had actual potential!

I mean, what happened to the angle of Derrick’s mother dying at the hands of The Fear? Aside from the taunting that was to be expected, of course. Where did the pretend-I’m-dead story arc come from? What in the name of all that is good was up with the sudden reveal of a turncoat that wasn’t even foreshadowed?!

And seeing how much of a goof Derrick Storm is, I have to wonder–how did he become known as a good detective, to the point that the CIA were willing to work with him?

I can’t even–

Whoever in Marvel is in charge of the Derrick Storm title should really rethink what they’re doing to the character. I mean, I know that it’s not really a title they’re planning to sustain, as it’s just Castle merchandise at the end of the day, but the least they could do is give content that won’t take readers for fools.

But fools we are for having followed this story to the end.

Ugh.

Book: Lola, a Ghost Story

“Jesse sees dead people, monsters, demons, and lots of other things that go bump in the night. Things that no one else can see. No one except his ailing grandmother — a woman who used her visions to help those living in her small town. The same rural community in all the scary stories Jesse’s heard as a child. Man-eating ogres in trees. Farmhouses haunted by wraiths. Even pigs possessed by the devil. Upon his grandmother’s passing, Jesse has no choice but to face his demons… and whatever else might be awaiting him at Lola’s house.“

If one was to judge a book by its cover, you would say that this book isn’t scary at all. And you would be right. Because I don’t think the intent behind this book was to scare. At any capacity. Which makes me wonder–what exactly was the purpose behind Lola: A Ghost Story?

The story is nice. Unfortunately, it’s just that– Nice. It’s not groundbreaking in any way. Nor is it very original.

It’s a story designed to pull at the heartstrings, but only manages a few tugs before giving up.

It’s a story that sets up a world it has no intention of visiting again.

But it’s very likeable. Which, I think, has more to do with the art than the actual story. Because looking back at it now, asking myself what I liked in the book… I’m drawing a blank.

Well, that’s not true. I really liked the art. The story though, I feel, was a wasted opportunity.

Writer Torres sets out to tell one story, a visit to the Philippines mitigated by the death of the title character: the grandmother. It weaves stories about said grandmother to tell the reader how special she was. But the actual story happens at present, at the wake her grandson from Canada is forced to attend. And his story doesn’t really connect with the grandmother save for the fact that they share the same gift: the ability to see visions–and talk to dead people.

Something we don’t really get to explore much.

We get teases of it, sure. And the actual story does deal with one ghost. But juxtaposed with the more fantastical stories about the grandmother–the main plot falls flat.

And then we get to the ending with its vision of the future.

Closing the book, I had to ask–what was the point of the ending? And then, as I type this, I followed this up with, what was the point of the whole story? Is it about acceptance? About destiny? About faith?

Whatever the story may be about, it remained unclear and unrealized.

But the art was really nice.

Of course, I could be looking at this the wrong way. Someone out there might have been able to discern why this book is good. So let’s see what other people said about the book:
One Metal
Comic Book Resources
Kat in Books

Book: House of Secrets

“Brendan, Eleanor, and Cordelia Walker once had everything: two loving parents, a beautiful house in San francisco, and all the portable electronic devices tehy could want. But everything changed when Dr. Walker lost his job in the wake of a mysterious incident. Now in dire straits, the family must relocate to an old Victorian house that used to be the home of occult novelist Denver Kristoff–a house that feels simultaneously creepy and too good to be true.

By the time the Walkers realize that one of their neighbors has sinister plans for them, they’re banished to a primeval forest way off the grid. Their parents? Gone. Their friends? A world away. And they aren’t alone. Bloodthirsty medieval warriors patrol the woods around them, supernatural pirates roam the neighboring seas, and a power-hungry queen rules the land. To survive, the siblings will have to be braver thant hey ever thought possible–and fight against their darkest impulses. The key may lie in their own connection tot he secret Kristoff legacy. But as they unravel that legacy, they’ll discover it’s not just their family that’s in danger… it’s the entire world.“

I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it either. So why did I buy the book? Well, I was intrigued. And there was a lot of press about it, this book being the brain child of Chris Columbus (yes, the director) and Ned Vizzini. How was I supposed to know that when you sign up for a Chris Columbus book, you’d get what you ask for: a Chris Columbus book.

I am aware of how that sounds, read aloud.

What I mean is, you get what you ask for. Chris Columbus films are not known for their subtleties, their complicated plots–or any logical progression of story. I’m telling you that the House of Secrets will not be known for them either.

If you’re into books like this, well, this book is for you. If you’re looking for something more, I don’t know, intermediate and not elementary, I suggest looking at another title.

Now, if you think I’m bad-mouthing the book, you wouldn’t be wrong. I am doing that. A little bit. Because House of Secrets is a waste of a pretty good premise! Not an original one, but a good one.

Three fool-hardy kids from the Apple generation get stuck in actual books? Awesome.

None of the kids are the meek type who embrace their heroism as they learn to value their selves? Sign me up.

Alas, as with baking, having the right ingredients doesn’t mean you’ll get a good product. There has to the right measurement, the right pace, the right everything–and House of Secrets has none of the latter.

I don’t think it even had a structure. There were times, while reading the book, that I felt as if the writers (there’s two of them!) were making it up as they went along. And I know this because this was a writing exercise I did with a friend back in high school! She would set up our characters into predicaments that would seem impossible to get out of, and I’d find a way to do so–or device a loophole to their dilemma

It was a fun exercise, but it does not make a good story. Because you end up with a story that tries to be smarter than it should be. You get a book that feels like it has a split personality. And that’s not what you want when you’re trying to escape into a world of fantasy.

When things are unreal, you want them to make a little sense. If only to ensure that no one’s getting cheated out of a good resolution in the end.

Too bad the House of Secrets is more about cheap twists and thrills. It could’ve been the new Inkheart.

Book: Angel & Faith, Live Through This

“Throughout history Angel has had a lot to make up for, but it’s his most recent mistake that may forever alter the course of this fan-favorite antihero–the murder of one of Buffy’s most trusted allies. In his ongoing search for redemption, Angel firmly believes he’s found a way to make amends–by reviving the dead! Cue Faith–rebel Slayer charged with helping angel recover in the aftermath of his biggest misdeed. Out of fierce loyalty she supports his ridiculous scheme, if only to prevent him from going too far to attain his goal. Past, present, and potential future threats emerge as this unlikely duo struggles against real and personal demons while hitting the dark streets of London.“

I finally found a copy of this! Now, if only I could find the rest of it–

Yes, I liked it. I’ve always been fond of Faith as a character on Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, and Angel always has this effect on Faith that makes her want to be better–I’m happy that the two characters get to share this title together.

Back when Buffy and Angel were in the television, I was more of a Buffy fan as Angel went down its darker route. Buffy was always about living life, and facing problems. Angel dwelt too much in what was done, and repentance, and atonement. And I can’t say I didn’t like it. It fit the show’s noir sensibilities. I just preferred Buffy‘s relatively lighter tone.

When Faith was introduced on Buffy, she stuck out like a sore thumb because the latter’s world did not fit her. I liked the character. I liked how we’re seeing a different kind of Slayer, one who had to make choices different from Buffy’s. One who didn’t have the support system of friends– But in Buffy’s world, she was turned into a villain. Not because of who she is, but because of who she was.

And I didn’t get this until Faith came to Angel.

Faith, as a character, really doesn’t fit on Buffy’s world because she wasn’t moving forward. She was stuck in the past, unraveling her character and the choices she made. That made her a perfect fit for Angel. And this was apparent in the few episodes of the spin-off the featured her.

Angel and Faith clicked, and not romantically. That was key. They knew who they were, and who they were trying to become. They understood each other. And they respect each other so much that they aren’t afraid to call each other out on mistakes.

And that companionship–that respect–is what makes Angel & Faith, the comic series, way better than Angel: After the Fall, even though I’ve only read the first five issues as of yet.

No offense to the people behind the latter title. Angel: After the Fall was smart. It just didn’t feel like Angel. I’m not a comics person. I picked up Angel: After the Fall because I was interested to see the characters I loved on television live on. The characters I got in the title were not those characters.

But when the story universe of Buffy and Angel merged once more, resulting in Angel & Faith–I was intrigued. And it took me forever to find a copy of the title. But based on the first five issues alone–

I’m sticking with this title.

Soon as I find the next volumes.

Book: The King of Plagues

“The horror is unlike anything he has ever seen. Driven by grief and rage, Joe Ledger rejoins the Department of Military Sciences and within hours is attacked by a hit-team of assassins. Sent on a suicide mission into a viral hot zone during an Ebola outbreak, Joe and his team are being pushed over the edge.

To get to the bottom of this horror, Joe and the DMS must tear down the veils of deception surrounding them. What they uncover is something far more horrifying than nature or legend could have imagined. Millions will die unless Joe Ledger meets this powerful new enemy on their own terms, on their own ground. In this war, you fight terror with terror.“

This is the best Joe Ledger book I’ve read so far, but I don’t think I would be reacting this way had I not read Patient Zero.

Oh, sure. I wasn’t very fond of Patient Zero, but it wasn’t so much because I didn’t like the book, as much as it was the fact that I thought Rot & Ruin was written better. And because they were by the same writer–well, I couldn’t help but compare.

Now, why do I say that The King of Plagues is best because I’ve already read Patient Zero? This time, it’s not because I’m comparing the two. Patient Zero is essential reading for you to truly enjoy reading The King of Plagues, because it sets up a couple of characters that play a big part in the events of this book.

If you’ve already read Patient Zero, you might already know who I’m talking about it. If you haven’t–well, I wouldn’t want to spoil your reading pleasure.

That said, I must say that Jonathan Maberry truly is a master of drama. And this is great because it sets him apart from other horror/action-thriller authors. Maberry knows how to make you care about characters, and he knows which buttons to press to make readers feel every hurt. Most importantly, he knows when to give readers a happy ending. Well, a happy enough ending.

But what I like about him best is the fact that the villains are human too. Well, have humanity.

Okay, maybe not all of the villains.

Basically, Maberry knows that morally ambiguous characters can exist in both sides of the spectrum: in the side of good, and in the side of evil. It helps ground his fictional world more into reality when he has characters who truly captures what it means to be human.

Even though some of them tend to be the more-than-human variety.

And putting down The King of Plagues, I think I’m a bigger Maberry fan than I was before.

Of course, to keep things in perspective, let’s see what other people have to say about the book:
The Fringe Magazine
SF Signal
Fantasy Book Critic