Mike's Top Fiction Book Reviews

Pet Sematary

by: Stephen KING

Many Stephen King fans would say that The Stand is their favourite book of all time, but for me, Pet Sematary is the best. The idea of being able to bury your pet, kid or loved one in a cursed Indian burial site and have them come back changed is extremely frightening to me.

I remember reading this book in one night when I was only ten years old. The Toronto Maple Leafs were playing on the television, and my parents were playing Euchre with our neighbours. I was laying on the couch being scared silly by Stephen King's sick, twisted imagination.

I also remember reading somewhere that Stephen had been scared by his own book. When he was writing it, he said that he threw the draft out because it was giving him nightmares. Imagine, the King of Horror being scared stiff by his own writing!

His wife picked it out of the trash and told him to finish it. I'm sure glad she did too. It's my #1 pick for horror books.

Intensity

by: Dean Koontz

If you enjoy thrills and intense action, this book is a must-read. I've never read a book that was quite like it. Within the first few pages the action begins and it doesn't let up till you're finished.

It's about a woman who finds herself trapped with a sadistic killer. She's forced to hide from him, while Koontz weaves a story that will leave you breathless. I read this book in one sitting. I was unable to put it down, and while I've read all of Dean Koontz's books, this one sticks in my mind as the best. The storytelling is superb, and the action literally doesn't stop from beginning to end.

If you haven't read this book, you definitely have to give it a whirl!

Complete Vampire Chronicles (Interview with the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, The Queen of the Damned, The Tale of the body Thief)

by: Anne Rice

I'd have to say that Memnoch the Devil and Queen of the Damned are my two favourite books in this series. Anne Rice is an amazing storyteller. The Vampire Chronicles breathe life into the vampire myth and make them plausible.

Anne Rice has a way of writing in vivid detail that brings the story to life around you. Her vampires are sensual, sexy and more provocative than any other vampire book I've ever had the pleasure to read. And I've read a bunch, believe me!

The first five books are my favourite, since Lestat is featured in each. While the rest of the vampires are interesting, Lestat and his friends are the heart of this series in my opinion. After book five, the series starts to follow other vampires. Those books are good, but not nearly as good as the first ones.

If you enjoy blood sucking vampires, you don't want to miss out on the Vampire Chronicles.

The Skystone (The Camulod Chronicles, Book 1)

by: Jack Whyte

The Camulod Chronicles are far and away my favourite books. You'd think that a King Arthur based series would feature lots of magic, but that isn't the case with this series. Instead, Jack Whyte breathes new life into the Arthurian legend with a skill that is amazing to behold.

There is plenty of action, and the characters almost jump off the page with their realism. There is political intrigue, which is weaved together with historical fact. I was stunned when I first read this series, and it remains my top pick. I would be very surprised if anyone else can top what Jack Whyte wrote in this series.

If you enjoy historical fantasy, you definitely want to check out this series. Take my word for it, it will leave you breathless. You'll wish that there were more books in the series.

The Wheel of Time, Boxed Set I, Books 1-3: The Eye of the World, The Great Hunt, The Dragon Reborn

by: Robert Jordan

The Wheel of time is one of the largest and widely sold fantasy series in the world. It's enjoyed immense success, and it deserves to be recognized for its powerful effect on the fantasy world.

The Wheel of Time series is based on...well...a wheel of time. The wheel has seven spokes, and as it turns, one age dies and another begins. Lews is the main character in this series, and he must become The Dragon so that he can stop the growing power of the Dark One.

The books are predicated on the theory of balance - if there is immense evil, there is also a greater good to balance it. There are magicians, battles, and a fully realized world that is unbelievable in scope.

This series has been so successful that there have been video games, role playing games, cards and even an album released based on the books. In terms of sheer impact on the fantasy genre, The Wheel of Time series ranks up there with Tolkien.

If you're a fantasy addict like I am, it's likely you've read this series. If you haven't, you should seriously consider doing so. It's a fantasy lover's dream come true.

The Lies of Locke Lamora

by: Scott Lynch

The third book on my list was the hardest to choose. However, after careful thought I had to hand the crown to Scott Lynch for his book The Lies of Locke Lamora.

I love antiheroes. They always seem more real to me than the handsome, gallant good guys found in a vast majority of fantasy novels. Locke exudes realism. He's a con man, and the leader of the nefarious crooks, The Gentlemen Bastards.

This book is full of plot twists and moral dilemmas. It also has its fair share of fights and politics, making it an excellent read. The world that Locke lives in is tangible, and the characters are fully developed, making them nearly walk off the page and into your living room.

Red Seas Under Red Skies is the second book in the Locke Lamora series, although both books can be read as standalone novels. I truly enjoyed reading Locke's tale, and this author has a very bright future. I know I would read another book by Scott Lynch in a heartbeat.

A Painted House

John Grisham is one of the best authors on the planet. I don't like courtroom dramas, and I certainly don't like stories about little boys who have a tough life on a cotton farm, but somehow, no matter what the story, John Grisham makes it interesting. He has an eerie way of getting inside someone's head and making the characters become so lifelike that it's almost as if you're there.

The story is about a boy, Luke, who has his world turned upside down. He witnesses a murder that could change his life forever. Not only that, but Luke is a curious child, and he finds secrets in unlikely places. As he struggles to find a way out of these secrets, he unravels secrets that could change his life, and that of every town member, for the rest of time.

Luke's story is captivating and although the story doesn't seem that interesting, it was hard to put down this book. I honestly think that john Grisham is one of the best storytellers of our lifetime.

If only he wrote fantasy!

The Terror: A Novel

by: Dan Simmons

The Terror is a literary masterpiece. I recently read this book and I couldn't believe how good it was. When I bought it, I thought the description on the back of the book sounded mildly interesting, but I was completely surprised by how great this book turned out to be.

The Terror is actually a mixed genre book. The main storyline is about the doomed Franklin expedition in 1840, which really happened. In 1840 two ships, the Terror and Erebus, were stranded in the ice. Running out of food and coal, the crew begin to starve and suffer from the effects of scurvy. If this wasn't enough, there is also a monster stalking the ships, picking off the weak and feeding on them.

The Terror is unbelievably good. Not only will it entertain you, but it will educate you at the same time. How can you go wrong with man vs. the elements, a vicious, heartless monster and cannibalization?

The Pillars of the Earth

by: Ken Follett

The Pillars of the Earth is an historical fiction that takes place in the 12th century. It's the tale of the building of the cathedral in Kingsbridge. While there are many characters involved in this book, the main character is Tom Builder, who will ultimately be responsible for building the cathedral. Without the cathedral, the town of Kingsbridge faces extinction.

The characters seem real and the plot keeps you guessing. It's one of the most entertaining books I've ever read. It has political intrigue, violence and explores the moral dilemmas that face people in the 12th century. It's a fast moving wonder ride of a read. I also had the pleasure of reading World Without End, which is the sequel to The Pillars of the Earth.

The Passion

by: Donna Boyd

The passion is the closest thing to a romance to be featured on this lens. However, it seriously belongs here.

Donna Boyd weaves the tale of werewolves in the nineteenth century. In it, the werewolves hold most of the positions of power. They are the inventors and great thinkers responsible for mankind's elevation in the world.

However, the werewolves also fear humans in some respects, although they would never admit it. The humans outnumber the wolves, and they depend on them for their wealth and position. Without humans, the werewolves wouldn't have the money they do or be able to live a lush lifestyle.

This book is about love. It's a romance book, although it has many other aspects to it as well. While love plays a central role in the story, greed, ambition and walking the fine line between man and beast are heavily featured themes. It's an engrossing tale that I couldn't put down.

If you enjoy The Passion, you'll enjoy the second and final book in this miniseries, The Promise.

American Gods

by: Neil Gaiman

American Gods belongs on this list for originality alone. Neil Gaimen has a vivid, original imagination that makes every book he writes a treat to read.

In American Gods, Neil Gaimen explores mythology to the fullest. In it you will find old gods, such as Odin and Loki, as well as younger gods, which are basically manifestations of today's society. Shadow is the main character of the book, and he must find a way to help the older, weaker gods defeat the young gods.

The book is amazing. It's full of plot twists, humour and lifelike characters. Neil Gaimen is truly a gem of a writer that I'll enjoy reading for many years to come.