Hauling Checks - Alex Stone (Author for review)I'm a cargo pilot. In the industry, I'm known as a "Freight Dog." I fly canceled checks and other types of high-value cargo around the country, mostly at night, in airplanes that are older than I am. Flying freight-or "work" as we call it-in small, twin-engine aircraft is a lesser known side of the aviation world. Our day starts when banker's hours end. Thousands of flights move millions of pounds of work from city to city every night while the rest of the country is asleep.
We're out there in the freezing rain getting de-iced when you're laying down for bed. We're sweeping the snow off our wings with a broom at three in the morning. That horrible thunderstorm you heard last night while you were sleeping, we were flying through it. The fog you woke up to in the early morning hours, we were landing in it.
Hauling Checks is a comedy about the darker side of aviation. A cast of degenerate pilots, who work for a shady night time air cargo operation, take you on a flight through the unfriendly skies. The pilots abuse every Reg in the book in their quest to make deadlines for their high value cargo. As the company falls on hard times, management resorts to questionable measures to save the failing airline.
My Thoughts:
This is a comedy about flying checks from bank to bank at night and by comedy I mean every crazy, hair brained stunt you could think of, is done in this book and more. The pilot in the story seems to be an okay guy but the company he works for is as crazy and dirty as they come. The book chronicle some of the pilots adventures working for this company. I'm serious it's a good thing you know it's fiction or this book would go from funny and relaxing to downright freaky lol.
It read a lot like a memoir but is in fact a work of fiction. Good thing the author makes sure you know this or flying at night would become a nerve wracking event. All in all this was an entertaining, quick read that I enjoyed.
Tirissa and the Necklace of Nulidor - Willow (Author for review)One day twelve-year-old Tirissa discovers that everyone in her village is under a spell. Everyone but her! Then she sees a mysterious stranger change into a huge bird, a bird with a beak like a sword. Did he cast the spell? Desperate to find someone who can break it, she flees, leaving her village behind. An old herbwoman tells her to seek help from a wizard who lives far away, and her journey takes her across the Three Kingdoms. Along the way she's joined by a kindly troll and a short, fat palace guard. They are pursued by the twin princes of Kellayne, the best hunters in the Blue River Kingdom, as well as by the huge, dangerous bird. Meanwhile, an evil wizard watches Tirissa and her friends in his magic mirror and plans a second spell that will kill everyone in the Three Kingdoms.
My Thoughts:
I found Tirissa to be an light, easy read and exactly what I was looking for after the last few books I've read. I really enjoyed the characters in this book especially the ogre. The book is full of adventure and obstacles for the characters.
In your basic good vs evil, Tirissa took me on a journey filled with danger and peril. A simple yet enjoyable read. I think it's a good start for any young reader looking to read a fantasy style book. It's easy enough for a younger person to understand without all the complications that a full blown adult fantasy novel can have, and yet full of fantasy fun.
Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading and it asks us to...
