Kindle Spotlight -- Legacy: The Reunion

A few years ago I reviewed Michelle Lowe's novel Legacy (for that review, see https://tinyurl.com/y8o5fd3v). Well, now she's back with Legacy: The Reunion. Is it worth your time? Let's find out.

The story picks up not too long after Legacy. Pierce Landcross manages to escape from vengeful British officer Lieutenant Javin with the help of the vampire Robin Hood. However, when he reunites with Clover and Archie, he learns Javin has arrested his parents for attempting to rob him and assaulting him. Deciding a word with the queen is in order, he sneaks into her home and tries to get her to intercede on his behalf. But she has an alternative proposal. If Pierce can infiltrate the prison where his parents are being held and get them out without being caught, she'll let them all go. But if he fails, it's curtains for all of them.

Pierce manages to succeed (for the most part) with the help of some old friends and reunites with his parents while meeting lovely Russian Taisia for the first time. He then learns of an inheritance, but in order to claim it, they'll have to solve a series of clues. Along the way, they'll learn about Pierce's family and its mysterious origins. However, both Javin and a duo of bad guys are after Pierce; can he claim the inheritance without getting killed in the process?

I criticized Legacy for being poorly edited. Thankfully, the sequel does not suffer from that. It's much better edited and I didn't have problems in that regard. But what about the story itself? Well, it's not as epic this time around. The world isn't being threatened; really, it's all about Pierce uncovering his origins. At first, I was bored because I didn't give a crap about his family. But once we got into the meat of it, I realized it really is an interesting story. Lowe has real talent; honestly, I feel this is worth more than the $1.99 she's charging for it. The only real complain I have is the fact she halts the plot's momentum mid-way to tell a prequel story involving Pierce's brother Joaquin. I feel she should have saved that for the end.

Other than that, Legacy: The Reunion is a solid read.

https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Reunion-Michelle-Lowe-ebook/dp/B07B46DZHF/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1522856995&sr=8-2&keywords=michelle+lowe+legacy

Aragami Book Trailer

Aragami Now Available For Pre-Order

I got the ebook file back from the company I hired for conversion, and it looks pretty darn good. Better than anything I've ever published, if I do say so myself. Really professional work. You can now pre-order the book on Kindle. It will be released on March 27. Just head on over to the Amazon page. Enjoy!

Cover Reveal -- Where Gods Dare

I am proud to present the cover for Book Four of my Divine Protector series which started with God School. It is Where Gods Dare. You might notice a different art style this time around. That's because I went with a new artist: Ramon Santiago. If you like what you see and would like to hire him, you can shoot him a message at monmacairap@gmail.com.

Having won the God Games, Ev and his friends are given the location of the Flawless Few's base. But before they can act, a surprise attack by Zero Grade takes away the powers of almost every god on Narska. With only a handful of gods left, the students decide to take the fight to their enemy. However, this may turn out to be a suicide mission when the Flawless Few reveal the true extent of their power. Can our heroes overcome a twisted prison warden, brainwashed moon people, cybernetic enhancements and city-smashing weapons to save mankind from enslavement?

It is available for pre-order now at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCTNT8D. For Kindle readers in other countries, you should be able to find it on your respective country's Amazon site. It will be released on March 7.

Kindle Spotlight -- Another

Today we have a Japanese novel by Yukito Ayatsuji. It is Another.

The story takes place in Japan in 1998. Teenager Koichi Sakakibara has just transferred from Tokyo to the rural town of Yomiyama following a hospitalization. Everyone is friendly at first and the town seems very peaceful. But when he finally arrives at Yomiyama North Middle School, things take a strange turn. First, we are told a legend about a student named Misaki or Masaki (no one is quite sure) who died in the 1970s at this school. Ever since then, unexplained phenomena has been reported.

Anyway, Koichi meets his classmates and they seem to hit it off. However, he then encounters a mysterious girl in his class named Mei Misaki. She's antisocial, says cryptic things, comes and goes at seemingly random, and no one seems to notice her. They do, however, seem to take note of Koichi's attempts to befriend her and issue vague warnings. Koichi is understandably perplexed, but he can't get any answers from the students and faculty.

At first, this is just a confusing annoyance. But when people around him start to die horribly, it gets deadly serious and the people in his class become increasingly distant and terrified. At this point, the only one willing to answer his questions might be Mei Misaki. But the answers she gives won't necessarily make things easier for him, and eventually he will have a choice to make: stand up for Misaki and himself, or accept the status quo for the greater good.

This novel came out of nowhere for me, and I have to say...it's delightfully different. I thought we were just going to get a standard ghost story, but the explanation for the bizarre happenings in this story turned out to be far more cerebral than I could have imagined. It's complicated, but rewarding when you finally grasp what's going on. You think you have Koichi's class and faculty figured out, but then the big revelation comes and you realize you have to take another look at these people.

I should also point out that Ayatsuji wrote a sequel, so don't expect things to wrap up neatly at the end of this volume.

Bottom line: Another is intelligent and freaky.

https://www.amazon.com/Another-Vol-novel-Yukito-Ayatsuji-ebook/dp/B00AFZ5O5Q/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Kindle Spotlight -- Sacred Planet

Austin Rogers recently sent me a pre-release copy of his novel Sacred Planet. Quite a lengthy read, it took me some time but now I'm finished and ready to give you my review.

The story begins in the Carina Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy. The scavenger ship Fossa arrives at the wreck of a yacht in hopes of scoring a huge payday. But what they find instead is Sierra Falco, the daughter of the Carinian prime minister and the only survivor of a vicious attack on the yacht. Sierra pins the blame on Abramists, a religious sect within Carina that seeks war with the nearby Sagittarians. Davin, the Fossa's captain, takes a liking to her and decides to help her get home. It won't be easy, though. All stargates leading to Carina have been closed following the attack, and the Abramists are hot on their trail, intent on keeping their involvement in the attack secret.

Meanwhile, in the Sagittarius Arm of the galaxy, on the planet Triumph, the nobleman warrior Kastor claims victory in a battle royale to become Champion to the Grand Lumis Zantorian. But Zantorian wants absolute loyalty, and the only way for Kastor to gain that is to kill his soul mate Pollaena. After some tragic bloodshed, Kastor is sent to the planet Upraad to convince their king Radovan to allow their world to be absorbed into Zantorian's empire. Radovan refuses, however, and since Kastor can't go back empty-handed, an alternative solution must be found. Kastor instead sides with Radovan's illegitimate son Abelard to overthrow the king. Cue an epic battle, some betrayals and more bloodshed (and we're only getting started).

Meanwhile, the Abramist Morvan is pushing Sierra's father to authorize an invasion of the Sagittarius Arm, blaming the attack on Zantorian. Morvan also wants to annex the holiest site in the galaxy, the Sacred Planet--Earth. But he also has designs on Upraad. He wants to control that planet as well, so he sends backup to help its ruler fight off a Sagittarian invasion (which leads to...guess what...more bloodshed). Kastor is then called upon to finish what he started, but the fruit of failure is bitter indeed.

Austin Rogers hasn't been shy in describing this as Game of Thrones in space, and that's an apt description. It switches between different characters who never meet, at least not in this book. There are power struggles, betrayals and, of course, bloodshed. The only thing missing is gratuitous nudity. I will say that what works for Game of Thrones works for Sacred Planet. The story is suitably epic in scope, and if you like GoT you'll like this. It's also pretty darn well-written and Rogers has a way with prose.

However, Sacred Planet also suffers from the same problem as GoT: too many characters. A lot of faces pop up in this book and I had a hard time keeping tabs on who was who, particularly in scenes that focus on ancillary characters.

Still, I consider that a minor quibble. I enjoyed Sacred Planet and have no problem recommending it.

https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Planet-Book-One-Dominion/dp/1537166301/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1475013583&sr=1-1&keywords=Sacred+Planet

Kindle Spotlight -- Victorian

Jordan Elizabeth is back with her latest novel, the supernatural mystery Victorian. Is it worth your time? Let's find out.

Contrary to the title, the story doesn't take place in England or the 19th century. It actually takes place in modern day New York. In the beginning, we are introduced to two teenage girls, introverted Celeste and antisocial rebel Weronika. The story switches between the two, but primarily focuses on Celeste. Both girls meet at a counseling group and strike up a friendship.

Celeste wants to be more outgoing, so she opts to join an upcoming event, the 1867 Fair which will be held at an abandoned village. The fair will showcase life in Victorian England, and although it's not the most historically accurate event, Celeste and Weronika get on board with it.

At first, things seem to be going well. But then Celeste begins seeing people others can't see and realizes the fair is haunted. Worse, these spirits didn't have peaceful deaths, and Celeste knows they need her help to pass on. So, with help from bad boy Zander, she digs into the village's past and uncovers a horrifying crime. She then sets out to tell everyone the truth. Meanwhile, both she and Weronika have tragic secrets that need to be let out, but do they have the strength to face their respective pasts?

Those looking for action should steer clear of Victorian. It has very little to get your adrenaline flowing. But if you're willing to read a slower, more human story of love and loss, this is the book for you. Celeste and Weronika are interesting heroines with their own flaws and insecurities. Weronika's past, in particular, is so heart-wrenching you might wonder if her life can ever be salvaged. This is a well-written story which anyone who has ever experienced loss and trauma can identify with.

However, I'm not sure the author handled Weronika correctly. She's used a lot less than Celeste and ends up being irrelevant to the solving of the big mystery. She's mostly just there to spur Celeste's growth as a character. I think she should have been more central to the main plot.

Nevertheless, it's a good story and I have no problem recommending it.

https://www.amazon.com/Victorian-Jordan-Elizabeth-ebook/dp/B01HC4NU12/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1469740124&sr=1-5&keywords=jordan+elizabeth+mierek#navbar

Kindle Spotlight -- Ceres

The writing trio N.J. Tanger is back with the third installment of their Universe Eventual series. The book is Ceres. For my reviews of the previous two books, see http://thegamecalledrevolution.blogspot.com/2015/11/kindle-spotlight-helios.html. BTW this review contains spoilers.

The plot picks up right after the end of Helios. The surviving crew of the Chimera are heading to the lost colony of Damascene in the hopes of getting supplies and repairs following their encounter with the psychotic AI Helios. Captain Selena Samuelson is exhausted, both mentally and physically, after the ordeal in which she lost her best friend. She's also hurting from the betrayal of former protagonist Theo Puck and ousted captain Marcus Locke. Their fate remains unknown.

And on Damascene, a very different struggle is taking place. This particular culture has rejected advanced technology and lives for the most part as a medieval society. Artisan in training Kerissa is commissioned to make a sculpture of a recently deceased child. Rather than making what is effectively a death mask, she decides to make the sculpture look alive. But this is in violation of the law, and she is arrested. Kerissa is brought before the mysterious Interlocutor who wants her help framing a rebel group for the crime. Kerissa goes along with the plan to save her mentor and fellow artisans, but when it becomes clear just how corrupt the Interlocutor and her troupe of female slave soldiers are, soldiers Hammid and Sanji bust her out of prison. Sanji is killed, but Hammid and Kerissa escape. The manage to get away, but it's a dangerous world beyond the city of Adan, and they face continual danger as they look for a way to avoid execution.

Meanwhile, on the Chimera, Selena embarks on a rescue mission to save crew members trapped on the other side of the ship. The trip is fraught with peril, and they don't even know if anyone survived the Helios' attack or their deadly escape into fractal space.

Eventually they will arrive at Damascene, but what kind of reception will they get? Can they enlist the aid of the colony ship Ceres, or will the Interlocutor prove too dangerous an enemy?

I had high praise for the previous book. I thought it was riveting and incredibly well-done. Unfortunately, I can't say quite the same for this entry. Most of the compelling characters are absent for this book, and a couple only show up in the epilogue. That means the authors must rely on the strength of new characters, and I don't think these newcomers are as interesting as in previous entries. Unlike Marcus, the Interlocutor is a very generic antagonist who doesn't carry much narrative weight. Hammid and Kerissa are all right, but they can't match the depth of Theo.

Also, the book needs proper editing. Typos and formatting mistakes pop up with uncomfortable frequency, something I didn't notice with the previous book.

Nevertheless, the story is strong enough that it kept my interest throughout, and I will definitely read the next entry when it releases.

https://www.amazon.com/Ceres-Universe-Eventual-Book-3-ebook/dp/B01HK58SGK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468875643&sr=1-1&keywords=Ceres#navbar

Kindle Spotlight -- Star Wars: Bloodline

Today we have a recent novel by Claudia Gray. It's Star Wars: Bloodline.

The story takes place a number of years before The Force Awakens. Leia Organa is a New Republic senator in her forties dealing with a do-nothing senate which is divided into two factions: the Populists and the Centrists. The Populists want each planet's government to be sovereign, while the Centrists advocate for a strong central government. Leia is a Populist, but even she can't seem to get the senate to do any meaningful governing.

One day, a Twi'lek representative pleads for the senate to investigate a powerful drug cartel running roughshod over his home world. Most senators dismiss his concerns, but Leia decides they need to do something. So she teams up with Centrist Ransolm Casterfo to go to the afflicted world of Bastatha and meet with the cartel leader, but things don't go as planned. After an impromptu rescue by Casterfo, they head back to the senate to report their findings.

Before long, it is decided the senate needs a strong leader to make decisions, so both factions begin fielding candidates for First Senator. Leia seems a shoe-in for the role, but a terrorist act soon shakes the senate to its core, with both sides blaming one another. Nevertheless, Leia is determined to get to the bottom of things. But when her greatest secret is revealed, she's rendered powerless.

To make matters worse, the cartel is merely the tip of the iceberg. Leia and her remaining allies discover the existence of a powerful paramilitary organization bent on galactic conquest. They've got to get to the bottom of things and convince the senate to act before it's too late, but with Leia now the galaxy's biggest pariah, it seems only a desperate, foolhardy mission can save the New Republic.

Bloodline is a first-rate Star Wars novel. Claudia Gray really understands Leia and what makes her tick. We truly get an in-depth analysis of her character. We go deep into her psychology and find out what motivates her actions. We find out how she feels as mother, wife, senator, rebel and royalty. This is more than we ever got in any of the movies. It's far better than Before the Awakening which I reviewed months ago and which I felt didn't add much to Star Wars lore. Bloodline, on the contrary, adds a great deal and succeeds admirably in explaining how Leia came to be the leader of the Resistance.

I also like the fact the author included numerous references to the prequels. I don't really like those movies but they are a part of the Star Wars universe and shouldn't be forgotten.

Bottom line: if you're a Star Wars fan, you have to read Bloodline.

https://www.amazon.com/Bloodline-Star-Wars-Claudia-Gray-ebook/dp/B00Z3G1VU4?ie=UTF8&keywords=star%20wars%20bloodlines&qid=1464656336&ref_=sr_1_1&s=books&sr=1-1

Cover Reveal -- Until We Break

Here it is! The cover for Until We Break, Divine Protector book three.

It's been half a year since Arcturus Reich's defeat. Ev Bannen is on track to become a god of justice and secure a bright future with Maya. However, everything changes when Zero Grade launches an attack on his hometown. Ev races to the rescue, but he's powerless to stop the outbreak of the next great god war. Soon, everyone he knows is dragged into the struggle, and it seems only a miracle can stop mankind from being decimated.

The book will be released on July 5 exclusively on Kindle, with a paperback copy to follow at a later date. You can pre-order at https://www.amazon.com/Until-Break-Divine-Protector-Book-ebook/dp/B01FCXDD4Y?ie=UTF8&qid=1462849979&ref_=sr_1_8&s=books&sr=1-8

Kindle Spotlight -- Project Daily Grind

Today we have a recent release by Ukrainian-born author Alexey Osadchuk. It is entitled Project Daily Grind (Mirror World Book #1). This is it's first time being translated into English. Is it worth your time? Let's find out.

 

The story centers around Russian family man Oleg who has a very big problem. His daughter needs a new heart, and those don't come cheap. Sure, he could slave away in a regular 9-5 job to get the money, but where would be the fun in that? So Oleg decides to earn the cash by delving into the virtual MMORPG called Mirror World and mining fake resources for the game's rich big shots. He chooses his job (digger) and his race (Ennan, a surly character resembling Popeye the sailor) and gets started. But first he has to learn the game's basics, which isn't easy for a non-gamer like himself. And the vile player Shantarsky Jr. immediately takes an intense disliking to him. Having already made an enemy, how could things get worse?

 

Quite easily, as it turns out. Oleg soon discovers the race he chose is a dead one created by a former Mirror World programmer named Pierrot, and it causes him all sorts of trouble. Pierrot left a bunch of surprises for whoever chooses his race, and these surprises turn out to be both good and bad. For one thing, the Ennan can gain levels much faster than other races, and this makes Oleg a potential target for those who might think he has an unfair advantage. In addition, Shantarsky's father gets wind of this and uses it as leverage against Oleg to get him to do his bidding.

 

Despite all of this, Oleg manages to make friends and establish his place in Mirror World and begins bringing in the money as he works the game's mines. But with the danger of being exposed very real, and his daughter still needing a new heart, can he achieve his goals and protect what matters most?

 

Project Daily Grind is a bit of an odd duck. It doesn't have rising stakes (his daughter's condition never deteriorates throughout the course of the story), or even much conflict (Oleg isn't a warrior, so he avoids battle rather than face it head on). In fact, he actually moves his character to another region rather than fight the Shantarskys. Also, for all his troubles, he actually has mostly good luck in Mirror World; things usually go his way thanks to the machinations of Pierrot.

 

Nevertheless, the story of a father fighting to save his daughter is a compelling one, and I found it easy to root for Oleg throughout the course of the story. Far from a world-saving hero, he's just an ordinary man trying to protect his family, and that makes him very relatable. This is refreshing in a way.

 

Osadchuk also does a fine job showing off his knowledge of MMORPGs. He has crafted a deep world that has all the elements of games like World of Warcraft, and he spends a large amount of time explaining its different elements. Having played a few MMORPGs in my time, I'm impressed by the level of detail in this story.

 

In summary: Those expecting a traditional fantasy story will be disappointed, but those wanting something new and different will walk away happy. This is only the first book in the series, so I'm curious as to what future adventures await our Russian everyman.

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Project-Daily-Grind-Mirror-World-ebook/dp/B01AF0Z3CE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1460861952&sr=1-1&keywords=Project+Daily+Grind

 

Kindle Spotlight -- Death and Doris

Today we  have a novella by Eddie J Green, entitled Death and Doris: Episode 1 (Escape Terminal). Modeled after anime such as .hack and Sword Art Online, is it worth your time?

 

The story centers around Everett Hall, a teenager with a incurable disease. His life consists of bouts of chemotherapy and agonizing nausea. One day, however, he receives an offer from the Escape Terminal Foundation to transfer his consciousness to an MMORPG called New Terminal while they work on a cure.

 

So he finds himself in a fantasy-themed online game. He chooses his name ("Everett Death"), his class (Hexer), his appearance, stats and skills. At first, his time in New Terminal is very liberating since he feels no sickness there. He soon meets a Berserker named Doris Night who asks to team up. Since anyone who dies in this world loses all medical support from Escape Terminal Foundation, Everett agrees to the alliance. They waste no time getting to work fighting monsters and leveling up.

 

But they quickly get in over their heads when they take on a particularly tough enemy and are saved by a mysterious Assassin named Miro Shade. In order to repay him, they agree to take on a seemingly simple quest. The quest turns out to be a lot more complicated than they bargained for, and tough decisions will have to be made in order to complete it.

 

And even if they succeed, they'll discover a sinister network of player-killers threatening the lives of people like Everett and Doris who depend on medical treatments from Escape Terminal Foundation for their survival in the real world. But our heroes will have to decide who they can trust in a world where everyone has secrets.

 

Death and Doris has a good story that's held back by a few things. First, Everett is annoyingly emo and keeps spouting cringe-inducing lines such as "You can't outrun the Reaper. The name's Everett Death, now take it to your grave." This bit gets old really fast.

 

Second, this book was very poorly edited; punctuation errors abound and you'll be spotting them with alarming regularity.

 

But, as I said, it has a good story. Green has included all the trappings of an MMORPG and you'll feel like you're playing one as you read. Also, the players' collective plight of playing the game to receive medical treatments makes them sympathetic and relatable, even though some of them do horrible things to one another. I especially like the fact that the longer they play the game, the more real-world memories they lose, lending a double-edged aspect to their adventures.

 

This is supposed to be the first in a long series of books. I look forward to future entries and hope Green will get them properly edited and ditch Everett's lame dialogue. That's all it will take for this series to become great.

http://www.amazon.com/Death-Doris-Episode-Escape-Terminal-ebook/dp/B01BQYRMCW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1456027223&sr=1-1&keywords=Death+and+Doris

Kindle Spotlight -- Cogling

Today we have yet another novel from Jordan Elizabeth. She previously brought us Escape from Witchwood Hollow and Born of Treasure (both featured on this blog). How does this latest effort stack up? Let's find out.

 

The story centers around peasant girl Edna Mather who, along with her brother Harrison, eke out a meager living in a fictional steampunk world by working for a noble family and their daughter Rachel. Rich people like them can afford the services of the hags which are basically witches. Some hags are ugly stereotypical witches while others look like normal humans, but all possess magic.

 

One day, Harrison begins acting strangely and gets them in trouble by apparently stealing a pocket watch from Rachel's family. Edna chastises him and snatches the watch away. To her horror, he screams and explodes into mechanical pieces. Edna seriously freaks out and goes in search of help, only to run into adolescent thief Ike. He recognizes the pocket watch and explains her brother has been replaced by a cogling--a clockwork doppelganger. The real Harrison is being held prisoner (along with a number of other children) by the hags in a factory in the swamp. Furthermore, the hags are forcing the kids to assist in their nefarious plot to overthrow their human overlords.

 

So Edna and Ike set out for the factory, but they'll need help getting there. With that in mind, Ike recruits members of his family to assist in the rescue mission. Together, they board an airship and make haste to save Harrison. But even if they succeed, they'll be wanted fugitives for daring to attack the hags who are under the protection of the king. Will they save Harrison? What is the mysterious force that lies within Edna, clamoring to get out? And what secrets is Ike hiding that could jeopardize the mission?

 

Cogling is slow to get going, but eventually builds into an enjoyable story. Jordan Elizabeth has once again proven she has the writing chops to keep us entertained. I think this is even better than her previous efforts, and those weren't half bad. Here she has created an engaging steampunk world but also successfully melds fantasy elements such as dragons into it. I do feel the book could have benefited from more extensive editing, as typos and punctuation errors can be found occasionally. Nevertheless, Cogling is a solid effort that deserves to be read.

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Cogling-Jordan-Elizabeth-ebook/dp/B01AKE4L8C/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1455662352&sr=1-1&keywords=Cogling

Kindle Spotlight -- The Spaceship Next Door

Today we have a recent novel from Gene Doucette: The Spaceship Next Door.

 

The story takes place in Sorrow Falls, Massachusetts. One day, a mysterious spaceship touches down in a field. The sleepy town immediately becomes the center of attention as the government tries to get a handle on this unexpected development.

 

Flash forward three years. The ship has simply sat idle all this time, and has become a fixture of Sorrow Falls. 16-year-old Annie Collins has accepted this and currently lives a quiet life in the town with her mother. One day, however, a reporter named Ed Somerville comes to town to supposedly do a story on the ship (or "Shippie" as Annie and her friend Violet call it). Except it becomes obvious to everyone that this guy's no reporter and he's actually working with the military. Nevertheless, an intrigued Annie agrees to show him around town so he can interview the colorful residents.

 

But as Ed and Annie get to work, strange events begin taking place. For one thing, dead people are spotted roaming the town, accosting locals and asking the ominous question "Are you?" Annie suspects Ed knows more than he's telling, but he's reluctant to divulge any further details. As the apparent zombie attacks increase in frequency and intensity, Annie presses Ed to reveal what he knows. But she may not be ready for the shocking truth.

 

The Spaceship Next Door is a witty and refreshing take on the alien invasion idea. Annie is a wise-cracking teenager with a well-developed sense of humor, and the quirky residents of Sorrow Falls help to bolster the comedy in this story. Furthermore, Doucette has done a fine job of realizing his world; this feels like a real town with real people.

 

But for all its levity, Annie's situation ultimately turns out to be very serious because of something I won't spoil here. I think Doucette handles this very well in the story.

 

Also, the nature of the aliens is smart and I certainly wasn't expecting it. Doucette should be commended for thinking outside the box on this one and giving us something other than your average malevolent extraterrestrials.

 

All in all, The Spaceship Next Door is a nice surprise.

http://www.amazon.com/Spaceship-Next-Door-Gene-Doucette-ebook/dp/B017QGTIE4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1453002352&sr=1-1&keywords=the+spaceship+next+door

Kindle Spotlight -- Legacy

Michelle Lowe recently sent me a copy of her novel to review. So, without further ado, here's Legacy.

 

The story takes place in an alternate 19th-century Earth. Sinister nobleman Tarquin Norwich goes to see his witch one day to find the whereabouts of a toy-maker named Indigo Peachtree. The witch tells him she doesn't know his location, but she does know the location of two brothers who do. The brothers are Pierce and Joaquin Landcross. She instructs Tarquin to send his children to capture the brothers. Tarquin isn't exactly Father of the Year and thinks little of his youngest kids, Archie and Clover, yet he sees little choice but to follow the witch's instructions.

 

So Archie and Clover hunt down Pierce, while their brother Ivor goes after Joaquin. Using the witch's supernatural knowledge, Archie and Clover capture Pierce without too much trouble. But when Pierce finds out Tarquin is after his old friend Indigo Peachtree, he fears for the innocent toy-maker's life. Therefore, upon being freed by Native American abolitionists (long story), he decides to help the Norwich siblings find Peachtree and his journal, both of which Tarquin wants for some nefarious purpose.

 

Pierce, Archie and Clover make their way to France to recover the journal (they also pilfer a museum for mysterious masks that belonged to Peachtree). Unfortunately for them, the British are after Pierce because he tried to steal from the queen, and evading them won't be easy. To make matters worse, there are different supernatural beings to contend with, one of which also has a grudge against Pierce (this guy just makes friends wherever he goes, I tell you). Add in trigger-happy humans, and you have a recipe for disaster. Can Pierce and the Norwich siblings trust each other long enough to thwart Tarquin's maniacal ambition?

 

The characters in this story have to take the good with the bad, and that's true of Legacy itself. It has a fresh and compelling story, but it's seriously weighed down by a complete lack of editing. Typos, spacing errors and other mistakes mar what is otherwise an enjoyable experience. If it weren't for these issues, I would have no problem recommending Legacy. If you can get past the flaws, you'll find a good story. Otherwise, you might want to pass.

http://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Book-1-Michelle-Lowe-ebook/dp/B014MUC7OA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449978639&sr=1-1&keywords=Michelle+Lowe

Kindle Spotlight -- I am Princess X

Good evening, everyone! Today we celebrate Thanksgiving with not just food, but a book review. And it's not just any book, but the latest from Cherie Priest: I am Princess X. Quite a departure from her Clockwork Century books, is it worth your time? Let's find out.

 

The story centers around childhood friends May and Libby growing up in Seattle (a recurring setting in Priest's novels since she lives there). One day, these two kids decide to create a comic book. It's crudely drawn (at first) but very imaginative. It stars Princess X, an ass-kicking young woman who defends her fantasy realm from all manner of evil. Libby draws it, and May contributes to the story. Anyway, all is going well until Libby and her mother have an horrific car crash. Her mother is killed, and Libby dies as well.

 

Or does she?

 

Three years pass. May manages to move on with her life following Libby's death and her parents' divorce. But, suddenly, she begins seeing strange drawings all over town of none other than Princess X. The character they created is now everywhere in the form of artwork and merchandise and, upon digging deeper, May discovers the story is still going in the form of a web comic. May enlists the help of hacker Trick to track down the source of this Princess X explosion. Once she starts reading the story, she discovers hidden clues and comes to the conclusion that Libby is still alive.

 

But if that's the case, how did she survive the car crash? Why has she remained in hiding? And just whose body was buried in her place? Perhaps the answer has something to do with the sinister Needle Man in the web comic. As May and Trick hunt down clues, they discover more and more parallels between the real world and Princess X. Maybe the story isn't a work of fiction after all. Maybe May can get to the bottom of it and discover her long lost friend's ultimate fate.

 

But someone is very intent on keeping them from finding the truth, and he'll kill anyone who gets in his way. Just who is the Needle Man, and what does he want?

 

I am Princess X is very different from Boneshaker and it's sequels. It's a very grounded story, but, like everything Cherie Priest does, it's exceptionally well-written. You can easily believe these girls are real people, and you'll want to follow their story to the very end. Priest proves she can write fantastically in whatever genre she chooses. It even has excellent comic book pages with beautiful artwork accompanying the story.

 

However, the book has one serious drawback, and it has nothing to do with Priest's writing. You see, the font is tiny for an ebook, and it strained my eyes to read it. You can zoom with the Kindle, but it zooms in too far and you have to scroll through the now-oversize text. Maybe the problem lies with the limitations of my first-generation Kindle, but I couldn't read this for more than a half hour. I'm guessing the paperback version is easier to read, so I would go with that if possible.

 

Anyway, the story itself is excellent and has good pacing. If you can get a version that won't hurt your eyes, I strongly recommend I am Princess X.

http://www.amazon.com/I-Am-Princess-Cherie-Priest-ebook/dp/B00OU4Y5YY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1448579940&sr=1-1&keywords=I+am+Princess+X

Kindle Spotlight -- Helios

A while back I reviewed N.J. Tanger's novel Chimera (http://tinyurl.com/nh2d7xr). Well, now this writing trio is back with their follow-up: Helios. Is it as good as the first? Let's find out.

 

The story takes place not too long after the events of the first book. Theo Puck and his friends are training to crew the colony ship Chimera which needs to be woken after centuries of dormancy at Stephen's Point. Only the so-called Jubilee Children can crew the ship, so the task falls to them. Their mission is to use the Chimera to return to Earth and find out just what the hell is going on back there. This stems from the fact Earth has just sent them a resupply ship full of corpses, an unsettling turn of events to say the least.

 

The person in charge of the mission, Director Moorland, is testing the children to see who's best suited for each role on the Chimera. Theo is testing off the charts as a navigator, so it seems the job will fall to either him or antisocial newcomer Selena Samuelson. The take-charge Marcus Locke is being eyed as a potential captain, but very few people know he's actually a murderer, and Theo isn't sure if he can trust him.

 

As the cadets get used to their new routine, each of them begins feeling out one another. Theo gets off to a rocky start with Selena who is distrustful by nature. Making things more complicated is the possibility they'll have to work together to finally wake the Chimera, an unappealing prospect for Selena. Furthermore, Marcus despises her because she doesn't fit into his carefully planned agenda.

 

Eventually, Moorland has to make a decision as to who should crew the ship. It seems Marcus will lead the mission, but his increasingly sinister behavior has those around him questioning his ethics. Just what is he after, and what (or who) is he willing to sacrifice to get it? Will Moorland take the ultimate risk by putting him in charge? And who will Theo ultimately side with? The answer may surprise you.

 

Helios is a page-turner from start to finish. It has an incredibly engaging story that will keep you hooked until the end. I dare say it may even be better than the first book. A few typos crop up here and there, but they don't bring down the experience.

 

The best aspect of this story is the characterization. The three writers expertly build a roster of compelling protagonists (and at least one antagonist). Marcus in particular is a deep character; you never know if you should hate him or sympathize with him (or both). While you may not like his personality or methods, you can't deny he makes some good points about their perilous mission.

 

Finally, the white-knuckle climax has me waiting eagerly for the next book in the series, as the fate of several characters is left up in the air, and one very big problem for our species still needs to be solved.

Bottom line: Go read Helios. Now.

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Helios-Dystopian-Science-Universe-Eventual-ebook/dp/B0172NFU9I/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447630493&sr=1-1&keywords=Helios

 

Kindle Spotlight -- Born of Treasure

Recently, I reviewed Jordan Elizabeth's novel Escape from Witchwood Hollow. Well, she then sent me her most recent work, the steampunk story Born of Treasure. Without further ado, here we go.

OK, this is the second book in the series, so I don't have 100% of the plot, but I did get the gist of it. The story centers around a young man named Clark Grisham who lives in a 19th-century fictional world. He was a miner and the son of a brilliant inventor. However, his father was murdered by the vile Senator Horan, and Clark was adopted by the Treasure family, becoming Clark Treasure. He became quite close to his new sister Amethyst; in fact, what the rest of the family doesn't know is that he secretly married her.

Unfortunately for Clark, he drank what he thought was absinthe, but it turned out to be a potion for interacting with the dead! Now he sees ghosts and can even bring them back to life. This has ended up being quite the curse for him, because now the army is after him and wants to use his powers to command an army of the dead. Leading the hunt is Captain Greenwood (who's a huge a-hole, as you can probably imagine) who will stop at nothing to see Clark enslaved. But our hero won't go quietly, and he's prepared to kill anyone who threatens him or his family. Who will come out on top in this otherworldly conflict?

Born of Treasure is a good story. It has an engaging narrative, a likable protagonist, and appropriately unlikable villains. I found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it, which is always a good sign. I especially like the fact Clark isn't a goodie-two-shoes; he can get violent at the drop of a hat, dispatching anyone who poses a threat.

However, the writing isn't perfect. Elizabeth sometimes confuses her characters, specifically referring to one when she really means another. I personally didn't find this to be a big deal, but this may turn some readers off.

In the end, I think this is a solid effort, and I'm interested to see what Jordan Elizabeth comes up with next.

http://www.amazon.com/Born-Treasure-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B015MDK2R0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1445811738&sr=1-1&keywords=Born+of+Treasure

Kindle Spotlight -- A Vanishing Glow

I recently received a copy of Alexis Radcliff's latest novel A Vanishing Glow. Is it any good? Let's find out.

 

The story takes place in the steampunk land of Ghavarim. Jason Tern is head of the Windriders, a group of highly skilled scouts who patrol the frontier. One day, he meets up with his childhood friend Nole Ryon who is about to become High Sovereign. Not content to advance by himself, Nole asks Jason to become the Lord Regent, his right hand. Jason accepts, but they have their work cut out for them; Nole is determined to help out underprivileged farmers and other disenfranchised members of Ghavarim society, and this makes him many enemies with those who want to maintain the status quo. Undaunted, Nole charges ahead to become High Sovereign, but then tragedy strikes...

 

Meanwhile, military engineers Nilya and Verse eke out a modest living. One day, Nilya invents a powerful sonic device. She shows it to her mentor Hank, and, impressed, he agrees to help her get the promotion she wants. However, the two women are soon sent on a mission to bomb what they are told is an empty rebel base. Unfortunately for them, the truth turns out to be very different, and Nilya must try to pick up the pieces of her shattered life in the wake of her greatest mistake.

 

Elsewhere, Jason, as the new Lord Regent, conducts an investigation into the event that shattered his life. But there are potential suspects everywhere, and he has to be careful whom he trusts. Enemies lurk around every corner, ready to strike at anyone who pokes their nose where it doesn't belong. What's more, Jason discovers there is a terrible price to be paid to find justice, and those closesest to him may have to give up their lives to complete the mission.

 

A Vanishing Glow is an enjoyable read with a good amount of uncertainty. Like Game of Thrones, Radcliff's characters are disposable, and you never know who will be sacrificed next. I also empathized with these characters, particularly Nilya who gets screwed over pretty badly but still finds the strength to keep on going.

 

I also like the pacing; the narrative has a nice flow and doesn't focus on any one character too much. It is kinda weird that Jason and Nilya never meet, but I don't mind; their separate stories intersect at appropriate points.

 

Furthermore, Radcliff put an impressive amount of thought into crafting her steampunk world, filling it with interesting figures and lore. I had no trouble buying into the idea of Ghavarim and its people.

 

And, finally, I should point out that this book only makes up parts 1 & 2 of the series, and the intriguing ending (which will leave you guessing) leaves it wide open for a successful sequel, which I look forward to reading.

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Vanishing-Glow-Mystech-Arcanum-Vol-ebook/dp/B013CW2T0G/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1444688033&sr=1-1&keywords=A+Vanishing+Glow

 

Kindle Spotlight -- Blood Street

Carl Alves recently sent me a copy of his vampire novel Blood Street to review. Without further ado, here we go.

The story takes place in present-day Philadelphia. Low-level mobster Pat "The Goat" Adesso is searching for his friend Johnny Gunns one day. Well, after several stops, he manages to track him down at Gunn's girlfriend's house. To his horror, though, he finds both of them brutally murdered and disemboweled. And to make matters worse, the killer is still there. The Goat finds himself face to face with a pale stranger with superhuman strength and speed. The Goat barely survives the encounter, and reports back to his superiors he's just seen a real life vampire.

The crime family patriarch, Enzo Salerno, dismisses his claims as fantasy. However, when more victims turn up, dispatched in the same sick fashion, the culprit's seemingly inhuman characteristics become hard to ignore. Enzo orders an hunt to find him.

Meanwhile, vampire patriarch Magnus knows the killer is one of his brood named Alexei. He's incensed at Alexei for killing with such reckless abandon and drawing attention to their kind, but Magnus' lover Gabriella is quite fond of him and doesn't want any infighting. Nevertheless, Magnus knows he can't let this continue and must take action before they are discovered.

Also investigating the killings is government agent Mark Andrews. Realizing he and Enzo have a common enemy, he reaches out to the mafioso for a temporary alliance. Enzo, determined to catch Alexei, reluctantly agrees. Together, both sides set out to bring the vampire to justice, but are they about to start a war they can't win?

Blood Street is at its best when it focuses on vampires. They're just about my favorite monster, and I always enjoy stories about them. When this novel focuses on mobsters, it comes across as bad mafia fan fiction. Many of the human characters seem--to me, at least--to be mobster stereotypes. There's a particularly unpleasant mafioso named Big Fat Paulie (Family Guy fans should recognize that name). Then again, I'm hardly an expert on the mob, so Alves' portrayal may be accurate, but it just doesn't seem like it.

But it's not just the mobsters I have trouble buying into. Gabriella is wildly inconsistent in her actions. The author includes a scene in which she punishes a wife-beater, adding she enjoys bringing scumbags to justice. Yet she continually ignores the murderers in her own family. I feel this scene is unnecessary and only confuses the plot.

Fortunately, as I said, the vampire parts (Gabriella notwithstanding) are quite good. I enjoyed seeing them fight the mob to see who was the lesser of two evils, and there are some good fight scenes and a satisfying conclusion.

All in all, Blood Street's a mixed bag. There are good and bad parts, though I think the good outweighs the bad.

 

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Street-Carl-Alves-ebook/dp/B00CSCST5Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1440299843&sr=1-1&keywords=Blood+Street