Wedding Gateaway That Couldn't Take Place

This coming week was supposed to be the first of the trips that we will be making this year.  We actually do not foresee much travelling this year unless necessary and we have not given any thoughts to any vacation plans at all.

We are supposed to be making our way to the capital city this morning for a few nights to attend the wedding of our family friends' daughter.  Yes, I have reached the stage where most weddings I attend now are the weddings of the younger generations.

But the travel and the wedding plan have been put on hold...yes...due to travel lockdown in the country due to COVIC 19.

It is understandable as situations are getting worse in some parts of the world. It is getting worse for our country so some form of social distancing is taking place.

With forced shutdown, there are no better time to pick up on your reading.

At this time of posting, we have been in restricted movement mode for 10 days or so and I have been doing some reading, not much but quite a bit in between working from home, home related stuff and my K-drama as well as K-reality shows.

The initial restriction was supposed to be until end of March but it was announced that it would be extended for another two weeks and with possibility of further extension if situation does not improve.

At this point, we can all just do our part and pray for divine intervention for for healing for the land and the people.

Stay safe world.

The Tyrant's Tomb (Book #4 The Trials of Apollo) by Rick Riordan

Synopsis :

In his penultimate adventure, a devastated but determined Apollo travels to Camp Jupiter, where he must learn what it is to be a hero, or die trying.

It's not easy being Apollo, especially when you've been turned into a human and banished from Olympus. On his path to restoring five ancient oracles and reclaiming his godly powers, Apollo (aka Lester Papadopoulos) has faced both triumphs and tragedies. Now his journey takes him to Camp Jupiter in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the Roman demigods are preparing for a desperate last stand against the evil Triumvirate of Roman emperors. Hazel, Reyna, Frank, Tyson, Ella, and many other old friends will need Apollo's aid to survive the onslaught. Unfortunately, the answer to their salvation lies in the forgotten tomb of a Roman ruler . . . someone even worse than the emperors Apollo has already faced.


This is what I say :

The Tyrant's Tomb is book number four in the Trials of Apollo Series.  You can find here my review of book 1, book 2 and book 3.  I was actually surprised to read an e-copy of this book so soon after it's release (September 2019, if not mistaken).  I thought it make take years before I can get hold of a copy. 

Book four is a rather important book as there's many turning point in the storyline.  Lester/Apollo and Meg escorted the body of Jason back to Camp Jupiter. There, we touch base once again with Frank, Hazel, Rayna and some others as well.

It was as exciting as the previous books but being at the tail end of the saga, I do get a bit tired of Apollo and his adventure already.  However, I will wait patiently for the fifth title, The Tower of Nero which will put an end to the series.

I bought a book (book purchase #1 for 2020)

I bought a book a few days ago.  It was my first purchase for the year.  Last year I bought only 2 books so for this year, the target for this year is also around 2 to 3 books.

I bought It by Stephen King.  I used to own a copy.  I lent it to a 'friend' and never got it back.  I was watching the move, It Chapter 2 when a pre-loved copy was available for sale at only three ringgit which is than US $1.

So, why not?  I wouldn't mind reading it again.

The Black Box by Michael Connelly

Synopsis :

In a case that spans 20 years, Harry Bosch links the bullet from a recent crime to a file from 1992, the killing of a young female photographer during the L.A. riots. Harry originally investigated the murder, but it was then handed off to the Riot Crimes Task Force and never solved.

Now Bosch's ballistics match indicates that her death was not random violence, but something more personal, and connected to a deeper intrigue.

Like an investigator combing through the wreckage after a plane crash, Bosch searches for the "black box," the one piece of evidence that will pull the case together.

This is what I say :

I quite like Michael Connelly's book but I won't go all out to search them out.  However, if I do come across a title, I won't say no to it.  This is the case of The Black Box.  It just came across my path so I decided to spend some time with it.  All in all, I spent about 1 week with The Black Box.

It was quite a good 1 week.  It's the same character that I read of in previous titles by this author. Eight years ago and and four years ago.  The title that I read four years ago was briefly mentioned in this title but wasn't in details.

Anyway, The Black Box is rather thrilling for an investigative title.  I won't say no the next time I come across another title by this author.  I hope it won't be in another four years time!

Redemption by Jussi Adler Olsen

Synopsis :

Two boys, brothers, wake tied and bound in a boathouse by the sea. Their kidnapper has gone, but soon he will return. Their bonds are inescapable. But there is a bottle and tar to seal it. Paper and a splinter for writing; blood for ink. A message begging for help.

In Copenhagen's cold cases division Carl Mørck has received a bottle. It holds an old and decayed message, written in blood. It is a cry for help from two boys. Is it real? Who are they and why weren't they reported missing? Can they possibly still be alive?


This is what I say :

This title is also known as A Conspiracy of a Faith, the third title in the series featuring detective Carl Morck.  It is however, the second book that I read right after this.

Redemption is better than Disgrace.  Perhaps I am getting more used to the characters, which can make the book better, but then I am still have not endeared myself to them.  Indeed, detective Carl Morck's team is a rather 'odd' bunch with Asard who is a Syrian with plenty of secrets and Rose who seems to have split personality?  But I am rather curious about them so I will certainly move on to the next title, Mercy real soon.

Again, like Disgrace, readers are introduced to the perpetrator right on the onset of the story in Redemption. The thrill is how the investigation closes the gap between the perpetrator and the police and how he ended up getting caught at the end.  There are a lot of luck I would say, rather than skills so in a way, the story is a bit far-fetch but then, it's fiction after all so what's my problem?! hahah...

Anyway, I will certainly continue with the other titles that I have in this series but perhaps will take a break for the tile being and move on to other authors for now.