Off the Shelf : The Death of Yorik Mortwell

Am sure that by now you're used to me posting about things that I've read in digital format. This is a change of pace we're looking at a book that I brought home in hard copy format. Nothing is ever going to replace the way turning the  pages in a book feels. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't enjoy digital books. They all have their own types of appeal.

Image from Amazon

The Death of Yorik Mortwell

Stephen Messer

173 pages

Illustrated by Gris Grimly

To be fair, it was the art combined with the first two lines of the book that hooked me. Gris Grimly is a name that I recognize, and I enjoy his art style. So you could say that in truth, this was sort of a guilty pleasure read. It's a young adult, or maybe a juvenile book. So it's aimed at younger readers. But I know that I'm not the only one that has a soft spot for a light enjoyable read.

"Twelve-year-old Yorik Mortwell lay on the hard, cold ground, dead.

            His day had started off rather better than that."

                        Chapter 1, Stephen Messer

Am sure you can see why the first couple of lines hooked me. There's a level of understanding without even getting any further. We all have days like that, where things start out good and just go downhill from there. So I really enjoyed the way the story moved. It had a wonderful pace, and it kept it without really slowing down.

I would classify this almost a steampunk piece. Just because of some of the referencing in the book. There's a dirigible, and a few other elements, such as an almost fairy like creature or three. So it definitely touches on the general imagery you would see in the genre without being so complex as to distract from the plot. Also, if you have a younger reader interested in the supernatural this would be a good book for them. It's not scary, and there are no gory descriptions.

I really enjoyed this book, although I'm sue you've figured that out by now. I would recommend it for all age groups, it's a good read for a male or female audience. If you do read it, I hope you enjoy it. 

Ghost Story (SPOILERS)

Ok, so I just finished reading a book that I've wanted to read for a while now. And I'm SO DAMNED ANGRY! To be honest, I haven't read a Dresden Files book that I don't like. But this one has me enraged, frustrated and just miffed. I mean... this book had me sitting here in tears for cripes sake.

Ghost Story
Jim Butcher
496 pages

First of all, I suppose I should give you a slight reaction about the book in general, a little blurb so to speak. If you're unfamiliar with The Dresden Files Series, you're really missing out on some great reads. This one is no different, but I do recommend that you start by reading the series from the beginning or by reading the Side Jobs short story anthology. The book itself has a great storyline, and an interesting plot.

As a reader, I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what was going to happen. It's always nice to be able to feel that excited about a book. As usual the characters are given enough personality, that we can either like them or hate them. Not to mention, there are enough hints at back story that even if it is the first book that you're reading from the series, you can understand how and why certain characters interact with each other the way that they do.

Personally I find the complexity of the relationships and situations between the various characters to be fascinating, as well as believable. There are situations and characters that we can relate to. The basic story plot revolves around unraveling a mystery to find out who killed Harry Dresden , and why. Mysteries are always a good read, as they challenge us to figure out what happened.

WARNING: THE REST OF THIS BLOG POST IS FULL OF SPOILERS!!!

IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK YET DON'T READ ANY FURTHER!
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Ok, so the basis of this book is that Harry Dresden is DEAD! Yeah, that's what my reaction was too. How and why was he dead (I think I must have skipped a book in the series because there's some stuff that was mentioned that I must have missed in general.) NOT TO MENTION how frustrated I was trying to figure out why a ghost could use magic at all.

AND ALL FOR WHAT? YEAH only to find out that he's not dead at all >.<. I sat here crying my fool head off reading and feeling so sad thinking that he was done for, only to find out that NUUUUUUUUUUU he isna dead at all and that there is more. I hate when they do that! I mean why make us start preparing for the "END" of something wonderful, if you're only teasing us? It's not fair.

GRRRRR I hate when books do that. Mess with your emotions by making you think someone important you've come to look up to is gone. Yeah... Ok... anyway.... yeah >.> End rant ~_~