Monday, April 25, 2011

Kobra Kid Reviews: The Gashlycrumb Tinies

The Gashlycrumb TiniesThe Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"N is for Neville who died of ennui."

Ha! Perfection!

The Gashlycrumb Tinies is a work of utterly fantastic macabre hilarity. It's one of those books you cackle maniacally over while flipping through it after a run-in at the local Mega-Mart with some snot-nosed brat screeching and howling because Mommy wouldn't let him get that ridiculously expensive new toy or some treat with 20,000 grams of sugar.

And it never loses that special ghastly charm. Quick, simple, and simply hilarious, it's enjoyable no matter how many times you revisit it. Because really, even if you're someone who generally adores children, I dare you not to snicker darkly over such abecedarian dactylic delights as: B is for Basil assaulted by bears; and T is for Titus who flew into bits.

No, really.

I dare you.

Go. Read. Laugh. You won't be sorry. (And if you are, then I implore you, please, venture out and find yourself one of those elusive yet magical things known commonly as a Sense of Freaking Humor.)

Kobra Kid, signing off.
[You can't stop the signal.]

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Saturday, April 23, 2011

Kobra Kid Reviews: The Last Templar

The Last TemplarThe Last Templar by Raymond Khoury

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Blah, blah, whatever. This seems like The Da Vinci Code all over again, except the writing is marginally better. That's not saying much, though, considering just how hard that book sucked. The Last Templar doesn't quite meet DVC levels of suckery; it had potential, I thought, but the writing turned out to be too technical, for lack of a better way to put it. Basically, Khoury seems to labor under the notion that his readers won't be able to understand the story unless his writing is absolutely, perfectly textbook precise, which not only bogs down the flow with a lot of superfluous words, but ruins any attempt at style or character voices that might have been carried by the narrative. As a result, the book didn't hold my interest and I ended up abandoning it after the first couple chapters.

Kobra Kid, signing off.
[You can't stop the signal.]

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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Angel Reviews: Someone To Love

Someone to Love (Montgomery, #21)Someone to Love by Jude Deveraux

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is the 5th Jude Deveraux book I've read and since I adored the past 4 I cracked this one open with enthusiasm. When I finally finished I had mixed feelings. I did like the story for the most part, but there were just some parts that didn't really make much sense and seemed kinda tossed in to just finish it up fast. Almost like the plot got veered off where the author wanted it to go and so she had to just make up something to tie it all up at the end. It didn't really make sense.

From here on out some people might consider this spoiler so... you have been warned.....



Ok, so the main character Jace is all tore up over his fiances apparent suicide. So he buys this old haunted mansion in England near the place where she killed herself in hopes of finding out why it happened. At first I thought OK the ghosts had something to do with it, and the author sure makes you think that through the first half or so of the book. But in the end, the ghosts have nothing to do with it, we find out that the fiance actually had a lover way back in the way back and went off to see him the night of her death yadda yadda.. I wont tell you exactly what happened but it had NOTHING what so ever to do with the ghosts...

I also expected a little, ya know sex and romance. And most of you know I can't stand a book with nothing but sex scenes every other page but seriously....to wait until the very end to have the two main characters get it on and then.. to have their first experience be while they are possessed by the damn ghosts is just... I dunno STRANGE and I didn't like it.

This could have been a really good book had the plot panned out with any sense! It is a good premise for a romance but I just didn't think it meshed well in the end. I was left a little unfulfilled and one thing I want from a good rmance novel is FULFILLMENT

So 3 stars...cause it wasn't horrible but it definitely wasn't a home run.






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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Cove Update: 4/19/11

Hello fellow bloggers!

Just a little update to let ya know what's going on. I just finished Someone To Love by Jude Deveraux last night and I'm organizing my thoughts about it. Review will be coming in the next 24 hours! I have two more books I'm currently reading to finish before I pick some more. If you have any recommendations for me I'm open to them. Remember, I'll read just about anything!

As you can probably see by the posts on here I have snagged my sister to help me with book reviewing so head on over to her introduction post and WELCOME HER!!!!

Ok, that's it for now, reviews coming soon! Stay tuned!

Til Next Time---Angel

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Look Alive, Sunshine: An Introduction

Hey, guys.

I'm Daniella, alias Kobra Kid. (Brownie points if you get the reference.) I'm also known around these here intarwebz as tragicmuse85, if you care to look me up. I can invariably be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. Stalkers welcome.

Anyway. Some info. I'm a 25-year-old aspiring author, emphasis on the aspiring. Sometimes I think I'm too ADD to be a real writer. This is probably best evidenced by my choice in books; I have very eclectic taste, or so I've been told recently. I'm the sort of book worm who will read pretty much anything I can get my hands on, because I can never be without a book, and I have a tendency to go from reading books like Harry Potter to books like The Elegant Universe, just as an example.

In addition to being a book nerd, I'm also very opinionated and have a lot to say on the subject of books and writing. Hence, you can expect a lot of long-winded, analytical diatribes reviews from me. But these ain't yo mama's book reviews. I am not your school librarian. I'm not a nice, sweet girl. If I think a book sucks massive amounts of cock, I will state unequivocally and unapologetically, "This books sucks massive amounts of cock." Don't like it, scroll. You know how.

A few of my favorites, just so you know what you might expect from me. Favorite genres: classic lit, fantasy, non-fiction science, non-fiction history, and gay romance. Favorite authors: Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Diane Duane, Carl Sagan, and Vladimir Nabokov. Favorite books: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the Harry Potter series, the Young Wizards series, Macbeth, Hamlet, Neverwhere, Cosmos, and Animal Farm.

And now for some other info, if you're interested.

I'm also a music lover. HUGE music lover. Cannot live without it. My two favorite bands are Hanson (yes, that Hanson, but they're all growed up now) and My Chemical Romance (THIS BAND WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE THE FUCKING WORLD). I also love 90's alternative, punk, classic rock, oldies, and yes, BROADWAY MUSICALS. If you can listen to Les Miz and not be moved, you are dead inside.

Books are the soul of humanity, but music is the heart.

I play a little guitar (badly) and piano (even worse), and I sing a little (marginally better). Most of my time is spent writing, however. And when I'm not doing that, I'm making things; I love to knit and crochet. Mostly crochet. It's one thing I don't actually suck at. You can look me up on Ravelry if you're a fellow knitting/crochet freak.

A few of my other interests, quickly: body art (ink & piercings), martial arts (8th Gup, represent!), cult TV (Supernatural, Firefly, Stargate, American Idol), languages, world culture, science, history, folklore & mythology, photography, code, GAY RIGHTS, and basically anything I can do to thumb my nose at the Establishment Incorporated.

If there's anything else you'd like to know about me, leave a comment, drop me a line at tragicmuse85[at]gmail[dot]com, tweet me, or ask anon at Formspring.

Thanks for listening, kids. And remember: ART IS THE WEAPON.

Kobra Kid, signing off.
[You can't stop the signal.]

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Kobra Kid Reviews: Cosmos

CosmosCosmos by Carl Sagan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I'm not sure what I could possibly say about Cosmos that hasn't already been said by countless others in the 28 years since its publication, and likely in a far more intelligent and eloquent way than I ever could. But upon recently reading this book for the first time (which may seem a bit belated, but I am, after all, only 23) it instantly became one of my favorites, a status not easily attained by any book, and so I feel compelled to say something, to expound upon its many virtues and why it has endeared itself to me so completely.



"One glance at [a book] and you hear the voice of another person--perhaps someone dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, the author is speaking, clearly and silently, inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people, citizens of distant epochs, who never knew one another. Books break the shackles of time."



Perhaps prophetically, this is exactly the effect the late great Dr. Sagan acheived with this book. Through the power and fluid elegance of his prose, while reading Cosmos I could almost hear that familiar and somehow majestic voice (which in large part, I believe, made the PBS miniseries of the same name so wholly entrancing), as if the two of us were old friends having a leisurely, albeit profoundly intellectual, chat over coffee. Not exactly what one might expect from a book largely concerned with science, but this is just one of many qualities that makes it not only endearing to the reader, but also--and perhaps more importantly--accessible, making even the smattering of complex equations seem casual and undaunting.



Aside from the beauty of its prose, which is at times poetic in its depth and its eloquence, Cosmos is also wholly engaging and fascinating in the depth and scope of its subects. Sagan succinctly and expertly covers everything from the birth of stars to the birth of science, the origins of life on Earth to the possibility of life on other planets, and our far distant and recent (in the grand cosmic scheme of things) past to the possibilities for our distant future. And yes, because science is constantly evolving and, as Dr. Sagan states, self-correcting, some of the information and theories covered may now be outdated, but I still believe that Cosmos is well worth reading. Not only can it serve as a friendly, accessible, and engrossing jumping-off point for we common folk who are interested in delving deeper into science but may feel a bit intimidated, it is also, if nothing else, worth reading for the beautifully poignant and evocative insights and the oft-philosophical tidbits contained therein.



"We are the local embodiment of the Cosmos grown to self-awareness. We have begun to contemplate our origins: starstuff pondering the stars...."



My only complaints about Cosmos are these: the last two or three chapters lag just a bit, incorporating several topics that seem extraneous and unnecessary, and somewhat lose the smooth, easy flow present throughout the rest of the book; and though I feel that, in the current world political climate, the section discussing nuclear arms is still as relevant today as then, I can't help but think that anybody above the age of 12 and possessing a fully-functioning cerebral cortex is already aware of the potential consequences of nuclear war (gamma burst, radiation poisoning, junk in the atmosphere, nuclear winter, death, doom, destruction, we get it already). However, I can concede on this last point that, at the time of publication, the aftermath of a full-scale nuclear war was perhaps still a pretty hot topic. And in the grand scheme, these negative points make up only a negligible fraction of this otherwise fantastic book, and do not in anyway detract from its intrinsic value or from its overall enjoyability.



All in all, Cosmos is a thoroughly enthralling read that takes you on a breath-taking journey from the inception of the Universe to futures that may never be, and allows us to ponder--when considering our own epic journey from starstuff to "assemblages of a billion billion billion atoms contemplating the evolution of atoms"--what it truly means to be human and what our place, our purpose, is in the vast expanse of "this Cosmos in which we float like a mote of dust in the morning sky".



Kobra Kid, signing off.

[You can't stop the signal.]



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Kobra Kid Reviews: Moby Dick

Moby DickMoby Dick by Herman Melville

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This was the hardest book for me to get through that I've ever read in my life thus far. Moby Dick is extremely dense--not stupid dense, of course, dense like heavy. It's full of double meanings and hidden symbolism because, for a book we're not meant to view as "a hideous and intolerable allegory", it is in fact largely allegorical. And by largely, I mean the WHOLE EFFING THING is one big honkin' allegory, okay? Let's be honest. So the whole time I was slogging my way through this verbose tome of verbosity, I was constantly asking myself: what does this stand for? Does that represent something else? Is Melville being straightforward here, or am I missing the bigger picture?



This in and of itself was not the problem. Typically, I'm a fan of books wherein the larger story lies in the subtext. My problem with Moby Dick was that, frankly? I just don't care. At all. Hence, a good half to two-thirds of this book was so painfully boring to me that I was severely tempted to introduce my battered volume to the nearest trashcan. No joke.



To be fair, it started out well enough. I could appreciate and identify with Ishmael's misanthropy, with his discontent and his impulsiveness, the desperate need to get out and do something--something new and different and fucking wild--or end up self-destructing. I just wish this had stayed a story about Ishmael. Or, ya know, about Ishmael and Queequeg being gay for each other in a quaint Nantucket inn, because that is absolutely relevant to my interests. Unfortunately, the story quickly devolved into a lecture on cetology (is that even a real thing still?) and a tedious accounting of the specifics of whaling, at which point my interest waned drastically.



I suppose it should be interesting, on some level, because of the historical value. I'm not sure how many other places we can learn what life was like on a 19th century whaling voyage. But then again, I never wanted to learn what life was like on a 19th century whaling voyage because, you know, I don't care. And while sections of the book do give us a glimpse of the state of marine biology in 18whatever, unless you are a marine biologist or interested in that sort of thing, for whatever reason, the information is basically useless due to its being so outdated as to be almost entirely erroneous and laughable at best. The only parts I found even remotely interesting were those that demonstrated a tendency to anthropomorphize the whale enough to assign it a malicious nature, but not enough to believe it capable of any kind of sentience. It's a classic example of what we've seen so many times throughout history: it's always easier to kill something if you can demonize it, but not if you think of it as intelligent, or have to acknowledge its similarities to yourself. Typical human sociopathy at work.



Aside from these points, the book was filled with a lot of other crap I could've done without. Like the blatant racism present throughout the narrative, for example. Call it historically accurate, call it whatever you like, but just because I wouldn't expect them all to join hands and fucking sing Kumbaya doesn't mean I have to like the flagrant bigotry. And then, of course, there was all the horrible gross shit, like the entire section on how to kill a whale and strip its blubber off like peeling an orange. That shit is nasty. Although it pales in comparison to the part about the sharks eating their own entrails and is only slightly nastier than the part alluding to Ahab's totes inappropriate relationship with Pip.



"I do suck most wonderous philosophies from thee!"




That's just. Ew. No. Do not want. God knows I'm a fan of boylove, but even I have limits.



And while we're on that subject (the boylove, not my limits), let me just say that this book has more sperm in it than all the gay porn I've ever watched. Yeah, that much. Perhaps if it was the same variety these strapping young seafaring lads were playing about in, I would've enjoyed this book far more.



So, to summarize, Moby Dick is: a) long; b) boring; c) gross; d) really boring. And unless you've been living under a rock for the past 160 years, you already know what happens and what it's all supposed to mean. So unless you have to read it for school, or you have some deep and abiding love for 19th century seafaring stories, you freak, I would steer as clear from this book as I would from a crazy one-legged sea captain with a thirst for vengeance.



Kobra Kid, signing off.

[You can't stop the signal.]



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Angel Reviews: Chariots of The Gods

Chariots of the GodsChariots of the Gods by Erich von Däniken

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this book, not because it proved anything but simply because of the idea.



The author is presenting his theory of extraterrestrials visititing earth in ancient times and has quite a bit of information he presents. The thing is that all it is, is his own interpretation of the evidence. He has no concrete proof of anything. Lot's of awesome pictures and artifacts and a lot of really cool "what if's" but absolutely NOTHING that says: You know what, maybe this guy ISN'T crazy...



I rated it four stars just because the subject matter captivates me. I'm really a big dreamer and "what if" kinda girl so his ideas spoke to me. But if I wasn't so fascinated with the subject to begin with I would have rated it a 1 for no real supporting evidence.

Til Next Time---Angel

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Angel Reviews: Believe

Believe (Heartspell)Believe by Victoria Alexander

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


I don't normal write BAD reviews. I will complain about a couple things here and there but very rarely do I find a book I can't even finish. Unfortunately this is one such book.



First of all Tessa, the "Heroine" is such a crass, ditzy thing! I mean I like a girl who is sometimes a space brain cause heck, I AM A SPACE BRAIN! But for Gods sake this woman just would not shut up! And the main male character, talk about a testosterone laden idiot!



Hey look, I'm all for a good cheesy romance at times but it has to at least be READABLE!



I could not get past the first two chapters, I gave up. It was that horrible for me.



Please tell me I'm not the only one!

Til Next Time---Angel





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Angel Reviews: Under The Dome

Under the DomeUnder the Dome by Stephen King

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I like Stephen King I really do but, for s long as this book was I think he could have come up with a better ending! Seriously 700 some odd pages and THATS the way it ends Stephen??



The book was a slow builder, but then again it's Stephen King and in my opinion most if not all of his books do take quite some time to get going. Once it did build however it unraveled pretty fast.



The various characters were interwoven into a big blend of chaotic action that held you spell bound to the end.





Of course as I stated at the top, once you got to the end it was kind like seriously?? I can't say much more than that about it or I'd be a Spoiler so I'll just leave it at this: WTF Stephen?

Til Next Time---Angel

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Link exchange

Hello bloggers! I am looking for book review blogs with badges for my links page! (see menu at top) If you would like your link included there please comment below with info on where your badge is and I will add it! Thanks!

Angel Reviews: The Green Trap

The Green TrapThe Green Trap by Ben Bova

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Ok, first of all, it's way too early for me to be trying to write a book review but, since I finished this at stupid-o'clock last night, I want to get my thoughts out while it's still fresh in my head.

I picked this book up in the DOLLAR STORE of all places and paid a whoppin' $1.25 for it. I thought, this is probably gonna suck, why else would it be in the dollar store?

Well, it didn't suck. At first I thought oh no, I'm not gonna be able to read this. The beginning was a bit slow. I didn't really find myself involved with the characters until at least halfway through. but, once I hit that halfway mark, I just couldn't wait to turn the page.

The story is centered around science. Microbiology to be exact and deals with the conspiracy world of government and big oil. It depicts corruption and what I think is closer to the truth than fiction. i really enjoyed the fact that the science wasn't so complicated that it was mind boggling. It was described in a way that even the dullest witted person could understand.

The story had so much more than I thought it would have, murder, mystery, conspiracy theory, love, betrayal....it was a nice surprise and I'm glad I spent that whoppin $1.25! I'd have paid more for this read!

Til Next Time---Angel

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Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Angel Reviews: Physics of the Impossible: A Scientific Exploration of the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation, and Time Travel

Physics of the Impossible: A Scientific Exploration of the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation, and Time TravelPhysics of the Impossible: A Scientific Exploration of the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation, and Time Travel by Michio Kaku

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book really wasn't as hard to read as you might think it would be. I absolutely love sci-fi whther its books, television shows or movies, so for me this book was like a smorgasbord of food for the brain!



It used real science to discuss how typical things found in science fiction could or could not be possible. So if you've ever wondered if Stargates are real or if we may someday be able to fire those photon torpedoes, I suggest you get a copy of this book and sit down for a nice fulfilling read! I thoroughly enjoyed it!


Til Next Time---Angel
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Ask Angel Anything.

Ask Angel anything, about books, about herself, or about any crazy thing you can think of! http://formspring.me/angelscove

Angel Reviews: I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell

I Hope They Serve Beer In HellI Hope They Serve Beer In Hell by Tucker Max

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is possibly the most disgusting show of male piggishness I have ever mentally digested. That being said, I couldn't stop reading it. Are there really women/girls out there that are THIS self loathing and STUPID? Seriously?? I should feel sorry for the girls he wrote about but I just can't get past how sleazy and self debasing they were! i mean, I'm no angel and I've had a quicky hook up or 12 but the majority of the women he wrote about deserved to be slapped in the face with a dick... oh wait... he already did that...


Til Next Time---Angel
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Teaser Tuesday #1


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


This is my first Teaser Tuesday so I hope I am doing this right? page 227

It took every ounce of his remaining strength to reach up and hook the phone back on it's receptacle. Then he sank back to the carpeting and passed out.

Angel Reviews: Acheron

Acheron (Dark-Hunter, #15)Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with romance novels. I like them for the simple lovey dovey good feeling they can give you, and for the smut. On the other hand sometimes they seem a bit contrived and well, at times just plain stupid. That being said, I gotta say that this book was really really good!



I mean it's romance, but it actually had a really good plot and it's obvious the author did alot of in depth research to make sure the fantasy part of it actually seemed beleivable.



it's a twisted web of modern day pop culture and ancient mythology and she blended it so well that the charecters are beleivable and endearing. I give it 5 stars! Even if your not into the whole romance thing, you really should give this one a read.

Til Next Time---Angel

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Monday, April 11, 2011

Angel Reviews: An Angel for Emily

An Angel for EmilyAn Angel for Emily by Jude Deveraux

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was all set to hate this book I picked it up off my room mates bookshelf and snickered as I opened the cover and began to read. I expected rampant cheesiness, overly raunchy sex and no real plot or mystery. I was happily WRONG. While I don't think this is a literary masterpiece, as a romance novel this was better than most. There was mystery and intrigue, angst and humor. The sex scenes were not every other page and they were hot yet not so cheesy they made me roll my eyes.



This was a nice mix of total paranormal fantasy with attempted murder mystery that had me quickly turning pages to find out what happened next.



If you want a humorous, sexy read with a happy ending, this book is for you!

Til Next Time---Angel



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