Dexter Is Delicious (Dexter #5) by Jeff Lindsay

Introduction: Dexter is Delicious - He most certainly is! I used to be a big fan of Dexter TV series, falling in love with him each time I watched the show. So when I saw this book, I cant resist the urge to read it - perhaps because even if I have outgrown my "love" for Dexter, he still appeals to me ;) 

Overview: Dexter Morgan has always lived a happy homicidal life. He keeps his dark urges in check by adhering to one stead­fast rule . . . he only kills very bad people. But now Dexter is experiencing some major life changes—don’t we all?—and they’re mostly wrapped up in the eight-pound curiosity that is his newborn daughter. Family bliss is cut short, however, when Dexter is summoned to investigate the disappearance of a seventeen-year-old girl who has been running with a bizarre group of goths who fancy themselves to be vampires. As Dexter gets closer to the truth of what happened to the missing girl, he realizes they are not really vampires so much as cannibals. And, most disturbing . . . these people have decided they would really like to eat Dexter. 

My Opinion: In this installment, we can see a lot of changes in Dexter's life. Besides being married, he is now a father to Lily Anne. He started developing emotions which he dont know how to deal with - most especially, the desire to be Daddy Dexter who will provide and look after his family. I find all this "suddenly he has emotions" thing very amusing - simply because its so not him - that is, until there's too much of that going on that it simply got tiring to read. 

Also, I always love Debra's character - but in this book, given that she is a bit "not herself", she is just plain. But the pregnancy is indeed a surprise! :) And Rita - what's with the stammering? If its character building - well, sorry to say but its irritating! 

So to tell you the truth, I preferred the Dexter I met on the TV series. Don't get me wrong though, I didn't say this book is bad. Its actually good - well written and focused, giving me more insight as to what's going on inside Dexter's head. Its just that the plot has gone way out of my taste. I dont like how Dexter tried to get rid of his Dark Passenger - I mean, come on! That's all the reason why Dexter is so adorable to me. He is a cold and calculating killer, who surprises us by showing some hint of human emotions from time to time. That's the Dexter I know and love - A real charmer! 

I am tempted to give this book a 5 - because of the title, and because, well... its Dexter! But... I have to listen to my Dark Passenger here :p 

My Rating:

The Lovers by Vendela Vida

Introduction: I think this book is nice. I love the way it was written, and being a non-Muslim who haven't been to Turkey, I think Vida was able to give me a definite picture of what I'll find should one day I'll have a chance to visit the place. The story kept me wondering what's gonna happen to Yvonne - all alone and fragile in a place filled with memories of the happy times she spent with her late-husband. 

Overview: Twenty-eight years ago, Peter and Yvonne honeymooned in the beautiful coastal village of DatÇa, Turkey. Now Yvonne is a widow, her twin children grown. Hoping to immerse herself in memories of a happier time—as well as sand and sea—Yvonne returns to DatÇa. But her plans for a restorative week in Turkey are quickly complicated. Instead of comforting her, her memories begin to trouble her. Her vacation rental's landlord and his bold, intriguing wife—who share a curious marital arrangement—become constant uninvited visitors, in and out of the house.

Overwhelmed by the past and unexpectedly dislocated by the environment, Yvonne clings to a newfound friendship with Ahmet, a local boy who makes his living as a shell collector. With Ahmet as her guide, Yvonne gains new insight into the lives of her own adult children, and she finally begins to enjoy the shimmering sea and relaxed pace of the Turkish coast. But a devastating accident upends her delicate peace and throws her life into chaos—and her sense of self into turmoil.

With the crystalline voice and psychological nuance for which her work has been so celebrated, Vendela Vida has crafted another unforgettable heroine in a stunningly beautiful and mysterious landscape.

My Opinion: I love the idea behind this book about how Yvonne decides on going back to the place where she and her late husband honeymooned in order to remember how it was that time. I think that's very brave. Some people would choose to forget, but she chose to remember the feelings and hold on to the memories they bring.

I also love the truth that Vida showed about the people that her protagonist met in that foreign land - the culture, the art, the practices - both the positive and the negative... its all new to me. Its very informative. Although there are a lot of things I dont approve - like the use of heavy metaphors when the story can be fine without it? And often times I get disappointed by the passivity of the story. At one point, it became very boring and I cant even empathize anymore with the relationships she made with people... to Ozlem or even to Ahmet. Its simply lacking connection - or maybe it is made to be like that?

Anyway, this book may not appeal to everyone, and trust me - I fought my urge to abandon this book countless times, but I have to say - in all fairness to the author, this is one of the books I read that is nicely written.

My Rating: