Category Archives: Book Review

Book Review: Grip (The Slip Trilogy Book 2) by David Estes

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Grip (The Slip Trilogy Book 2) by David Estes

A YA Sci-fi/Dystopian Novel published by Amazon Digital Services (12/01/2014)

Summary:

“You’re more than what the world says you are.” (Kindle Locations 668-669).
Pop Con continues to try to capture and terminate the Slip that is making headlines, showing how ineffective population measures could be. They sent in professionals. They sent in The Destroyer – a psychotic cyborg – and yet Benson Kelly still manages to escape their clutches. He has even come to symbolize the face of the rebellion against Pop Con and support the Lifers cause.

 

Keywords:

Dystopian, Technology, Population Control, Allies, Rebels, Breaking Rules, Big Brother Government, Resource Management, Violence, Hate, Growing Up with Lies, Family, Friendship, Leadership, Fate, Weapons, Anger, Living on the Edge

My Review:

Harrison has more of a role in book two of the Slip Trilogy. He really comes into his own. Harrison, who led a life almost completely opposite that of Benson, is quite impulsive but sticks to his guns when it comes to right and wrong. He may have been lied to his whole life, but he certainly sticks his neck out there for a Slip and what is right. Harrison is charming and witty and certainly thinks a lot of himself, but he doesn’t think twice about helping those he loves.

I liked seeing the twist with Destiny. Estes came down a little hard handed with her situation and her feelings towards what happens, but it was interesting seeing a character put through so much and seeing how she reacts and how she feels afterwards. Destiny can rival Harrison at ‘hovering’ and they are a great pair when evading capture together.

Janice is one of the most interesting people in the book. The things she says kinda sorta make sense but not really. She has the most fascinating insights and says the most odd things.

I loved all the action and fighting and character development in this second book of the Trilogy and can’t wait for book three and the epic finale I know is coming!

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services 12/01/2014 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 5.00

Links for more information:

Goodreads

David Estes’s Website

Twitter

Book Review: Slip (The Slip Trilogy Book 1) by David Estes

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Slip (The Slip Trilogy Book 1) by David Estes

A YA Sci-fi/Dystopian Novel published by Amazon Digital Services (12/01/2014)

Summary:

Only through our positive thinking and actions do we become strong. Even the weakest person in the world can become the strongest in their own mind.” (Kindle Locations 3806-3807).

The world of Slip takes population control to a whole new level of meaning when unauthorized births are terminated, even if the child is a teenager. They are known as ‘Slips’ and they supposedly threaten the balanced lives of all other authorized citizens. The government agencies that plan out country resources will do anything to make sure all Unbees and Slips are caught and terminated. In this world was born many children who weren’t supposed to exist, but the Saint Louis Slip has managed to evade notice for sixteen years. When he pops onto the radar, he threatens the very existence of Pop Con and the reasons for all the stringent population controls, so the government will stop at nothing to find and terminate Benson Kelly and all who aid him.

 

Keywords:

Dystopian, Technology, Population Control, Allies, Rebels, Breaking Rules, Big Brother Government, Resource Management, Violence, Hate, Growing Up with Lies, Family, Friendship, Leadership, Fate, Weapons, Anger, Living on the Edge

 

My Review:

This book seemed to have two parts. There was Benson’s early childhood where he was the son with no name and the part where was a teenager living on his own. It was fascinating to get the story from young Benson’s perspective, where he doesn’t comprehend all that is happening around him, therefore the reader is only getting bits and pieces of the world outside the Kelly’s home. It is like you know they live in a dystopian like world but you don’t know how far it is from our world because we are given such a small view into it, until Benson crosses that divide and lives fully in that dystopian world.

What a world! David Estes and setting up the world for his characters will make you drool. He provides just enough fascinating differences to make you understand truly what it is like, but not enough to overwhelm you with a complete sci-fi world. Estes has technology similar to our own, but different and technologically advanced to the point where a government trying to control a population after major disasters might get to.

I love the language Estes uses. The slang and curse words are all his own and make for a great young adult book without the typical ‘obscene’ language. I think this is one of the things Estes does really well in all his books and series.
I adored the characters. There weren’t too many to keep track of. They all had their own personalities. They all had their own stories before becoming tangled in Benson’s struggles. They all had their faults.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services 12/01/2014 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 5.00

Links for more information:

Goodreads

David Estes’s Website

Twitter

Book Review: Undivided (The Unseen Trilogy Book 3) by Stephanie Erickson

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Undivided (The Unseen Trilogy Book 3) by Stephanie Erickson

A Young Adult Fantasy Novel published by Pickles Press (09/03/15)

Summary:

“I wouldn’t bury myself in that haze of depression ever again. I would take control of this situation, affect a change, and be Unseen.” (Kindle Locations 210-211).

In this exciting third book and conclusion to the Unseen Trilogy Mac is back, but so are the Potestas and their quest for power. Mac is developing new ways to use her abilities, but will she be ready in time before the Potestas make their big move with Zero, the chemical agent that kills without a care? Then a new player drops in on the action, claiming to save the world from Zero, but he may not be everything he claims to be.

Keywords:

Mind Readers, Secret Organization, Friends, Terrorists, Leadership, Taking Responsibility, Helplessness,, Sadness, Anger, Undercover, Save the World, Chemical Warfare

My Review:

This is the book where Mackenzie really embraces the Unseen and what it means to be Unseen. I liked this third and final book much better than book two because Undivided had a tone that was easier to embrace. Whereas book two was kind of depressing and had a negative mood, book three was where Mac came into her own and had the fighting spirit, giving this third book more hope and optimism than the other two books.

I liked Mac a lot more in book three than in books one and two. I like how she’s innovative and constantly challenging everything to find solutions to future problems. She puts herself out there and is willing to work hard and out of her comfort zone to save people’s lives.

Mac’s thought process for working through how things work related to mind reading and defenses is super fascinating. Like sci-fi of the mind. Whew, Erickson writes some fascinating mind reading/mind defending stuff.

I thought that those in power talked too simplistically and that there being an open job position right under the big boss seemed highly convenient.

I absolutely love the recurring theme of Gaspard de la Nuit.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This novel was published by Pickles Press September 8th, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.25

Links for more information:

Stephanie Erickson’s Website

 

Book Review: The Miracle Girl by T.B. Markinson

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The Miracle Girl by T.B. Markinson

A Romantic Fiction Novel published by T. B. Markinson (07/06/15)

Summary:

“My life was built on lies. When would it all come crashing down?” (Kindle Locations 725-726).

JJ Cavendish, after 25 years traveling and adventuring has come back to her hometown of Colorado. When she left all those years ago it was to the tune of an emotional and heartbreaking breakup with her sweetheart Claire. JJ, the Miracle Girl, is back and bumps into Claire at the new office. JJ never stopped loving Claire, but Claire now has a son and secrets she has to keep from her coworkers. Will JJ be able to pick back up where she left off with Claire?

 

Keywords:

Lesbians, Love, Romance, Adventure, Newspaper, Trending, Twitter, Blogging, Past Struggles, AA, Secrets, Heartbreak, Sex, Relationships

 

My Review:

Miracle Girl had a lot of the characteristics I enjoyed in T. B. Markinson’s other books. Markinson’s main character was female, most of the characters were female, the females had real jobs and power, the relationships were first and foremost in the plot, there was fun and clever banter between characters, and there was plenty of drama.

I didn’t feel as connected to the main character as I usually do with Markinson’s characters, as she was in a very different career than my own, in a very much different income level than my own, and of course in a very different type of relationship than my own. Normally, I love seeing how new things play out, but this story left me wanting for a little more to latch onto for similarities to my own situation, lifestyle, and personality. Markinson has created a character with deep flaws, a former addict, who has left her past behind her, but it catches up to her.

If you like an easy, fast read with some woman on woman action and a whole lot of little story bits and well-thought out characters, then Miracle Girl may be just the read for you.

This novel was published by T. B. Markinson July  6th, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 4.0

Links for more information:

Goodreads

T.B. Markinson’s website

Book Review: Damsel In Distress by Lee French

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Damsel In Distress by Lee French

A Fantasy Novel published by Tangled Sky Press (3/1/14)

 

Summary:

“There was a way out of this, she just had to find it and take it and not wait like a mewling kitten for someone to come along and pick her up. Keric couldn’t save her, Darius couldn’t save her, Connor, Rae, and Evi couldn’t save her, no Disciple could save her. This was her problem, and she was going to fix it. All she needed was a plan.” (Kindle Locations 3481-3483).

Sabetia was trained to be a damsel in distress from the very beginning. Her mother taught her the obedience that would become her downfall in the silence of her suffering at the hands of a new husband. Abuse is tricky when it is wrapped up in caring and love, but in the end it is never love if it comes with hurt, domination, and pain.

 

Keywords:

Damsel, Distress, Abuse, Violence, Magic, Mage, Elf, Myth, Old Legend, Female Main Character, Strength, Finding Inner Power, Struggle, Domestic Violence, Wife Beating, Gossip, Friendship, Loyalty, Protection, Healing, Forgiveness, Saving Yourself

 

My Review:

The message was told in an agonizing story. You have worth. You have value. You are not just a toy or a passing obsession. You matter. You can take control. You have power even in weakness. Damsel in Distress passes through each of these messages in the story of abuse and power Jason has over Sabetia. She is the product of her upbringing, taught to acquiesce, do what she’s told, and take what any man gives her. When Jason gives her pain and torture mixed with a sliver of what she thinks is love and caring, she bears it. She thinks her value is in bearing the pain and doing what Jason tells her.

I agonized with Sabetia. I yearned for her freedom and safety with her. She was a compelling character. Her story was the story, wrapped up in a larger story that was also her story. She was the center of everything and was a strong enough character with a strong enough story to carry the book. In other words, I enjoyed every word of it.

Parts of the plot seemed a bit hurried, but most of these parts occurred at crucial moments where there was a lot going on, so they might have seemed faster than they really were.

This was a powerful novel that told of a girl becoming a woman who must learn to value herself and her talents above all the lies her abuser has told her every time he hurt her.

This novel was published by Tangled Sky Press on March 1st, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.00

 

Links for more information:

Lee French on Facebook

Lee French on Twitter

Goodreads

Book Review: The Weight of a Wing (The Stolen Wings Book 1) by Ioana Visan

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The Weight of a Wing (The Stolen Wings Book 1) by Ioana Visan

A YA Fantasy Novel published through Amazon Digital Services (04/13/15)

 

Summary:

“One day, a pair of wings will change the world,” (Kindle Locations 3093-3094).

After suffering her wings being chopped off by the evil Gorem, Alise flees to the human realm. Gorem, however, is not done with her and hunts her down. Alise is not alone, though, she has the sympathies of the human Cassie and the suprising help of two Guardians: Rafe and Vale. The Guardians’ goal is different from Alise’s but ultimately, they need her alive to get what they want. The four of them are now hunting down Gorem, but a lot of fantastical elements will get in their way.

 

Keywords:

 Fairy, wings, Guardians, magic, wizard, mermaid, witch, prophesy, humans, caught in the middle, fighting, strength, healing, complications, battle, kidnapped, protecting the innocent

 

My Review:

I don’t usually go for the fantasy novels full of witches and wizards and fairies, but I liked the concepts presented in the book summary. Alise is in trouble and she has to get herself out of it. The book is a lot less pro-Alise and a lot more political trouble that is above her, but involves her.

Alise is in dire straits for the majority of the book, even before the book begins, but there is not much about her that endears her situation to the reader. Visan has not made me care about Alise. Visan has not made me sympathize with the character and her many near death experiences. Her near-misses with death aren’t agonizing and the tension in the scenes is just not felt. Alise isn’t even very worried about her own future or her mortality, so why should I be?

Cassie’s attitude is unrealistic. As a reader you must suspend disbelief that a human would get caught up in otherworldly affairs without a second thought or disbelief. Her attitude never struck me as real and I couldn’t think of her as a real person.

The book starts off after what I would consider a very important plot point has taken place, as if this is book two and not book one. The initial incident with Gorem and how he cut off her wings and how she pleaded with the Counsel to allow her to come to the human side of the world was all part of the backstory and not part of the main action. I would have wanted to read about this and it would have probably gotten me more attached to Alise and her struggles.

If fantasy with lots of varied magical creatures is your thing and you like a story where one single purpose is continuously thwarted until the end and the main purpose of the trilogy is alluded to in the end, then perhaps Weight of a Wing might be for you.

This novel was published through Amazon Digital Services April 13th, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TL;DR Star Rating: 3.25

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Iona Visan’s Website

Twitter

Book Review: The Reluctant Sacrifice by Kerr-Ann Dempster

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The Reluctant Sacrifice by Kerr-Ann Dempster

A Fantasy/Paranormal Novel published by Kerr-Ann Dempster (08/07/2014)

 

Summary:

“Just because something doesn’t last forever doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing.” (Kindle Locations 2038-2039).

Aubrey Shaw will fulfill the prophecy. She will be sacrificed on the 12th day of the 12th month and all the Aramithian souls will be forgiven. There is just one problem. Aubrey doesn’t want to die. They thought she would be an easy target as a Dud with no special skills, but as it turns out she’s been gifted as a Jumper and by switching bodies she’s managed to evade capture for a while. However, her predictability is guessed by her previous crush and best friend Joshua, who is now tasked with finding and turning her in to her heartless sister Morgan and the other hunters.

 

Keywords:

Paranormal, Myth, Sacrifice, Souls, Switching Bodies, Living, Friendship, Trust, Loyalty, Love, Lust, Scars, Revenge, Death, Violence, Murder, Fire, Invisibility, Fog Manipulation

 

My Review:

This book was fast paced with quite a bit of action. It will keep you engaged and interested and hold your attention throughout.

Let’s talk paranormal. I am not one to seek out a book marketed as “paranormal” as I’m tired of the paranormal tropes and I prefer more realistic fiction. The Reluctant Sacrifice, though paranormal, was not a run of the mill story. It was a paranormal world full of different abilities, not your usual vampires or werewolves or witches. Dempster gives us something not completely unusual, but not wholly stereotypical of the genre. She gives us enough uniqueness to keep the reader guessing and enough commonality to give the reader something to relate to. Aubrey is an almost normal girl in an almost normal world.

My favorite part about Dempster’s writing is her dialogue and the witty banter she writes, as well as the relationships between the main characters. The back and forth dialogue between Tessa and Aubrey was so much fun to read.

This novel was published by Kerr-Ann Dempster 08/07/2015 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 4.25

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Kerr-Ann Dempster’s Website

Twitter

Book Review: The Beast Hunter: a Keltin Moore Adventure (The Adventures of Keltin Moore Book 1) by Lindsay Schopfer

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The Beast Hunter: a Keltin Moore Adventure (The Adventures of Keltin Moore Book 1) by Lindsay Schopfer

An Adventure/Fiction Novel published through Amazon Digital Services (05/08/14)

Summary:

“He deeply resented how his difficult, though simple life, had become complicated by the problems of groups and nations that he had never visited or even seen before.” (Kindle Locations 2178-2179).

Keltin Moore is a beast hunter in a world where beasts roam far and wide. Usually they are isolated, but to the north in faraway Krendaria they have become a thick problem, keeping farmers from their crops. The local duke has put out a call for hunters far and wide and the bounty is enough to entice Keltin away from local Riltvin, but when he gets there he is told the hunters must work together to thin out the plague of beasts. Will the Beast Hunter be able to work with others or will politics between races of hunters cause a rift greater than that created by the presence of the beasts?

Keywords:

Fighting, Hunting, Prey, Beasts, Determination, Heroics, Strategy, Politics, Discrimination, Hate, Farming, Working Together, Survival, Thoughtfulness

 

My Review:

Keltin Moore’s world is much like stepping into the fictional wardrobe of Narnia with all sorts of creatures, most of them unfriendly. The Beast Hunter’s monsters are varied in form, function, and appearance. Not everything is known in this world. Schopfer is slow to build up his world and introduce the main elements of the story but when the action gets going it will suck you right in, even if fighting monsters is not something you usually read.

Schopfer explores different concepts in his story, the one that specifically interested me was the theme of ‘species’ discrimination, the interactions between different types of human or human likes. I like the buildup of different types.

There are hardly any women, but in this type of society it seems almost genderless as the biggest divide is by ‘type’ of person. There is the typical political and war like goings on, almost like the campaigns of Mulan with an impossible enemy that can only be brought down through the joining of efforts of an unlikely army.

The author brings real emotion to the scenes with thoughtful introspection by Keltin of the situations he finds himself in.

If you liked the heroics and otherworldly real feel of Rob May’s Kal Moonheart Series you may find you enjoy the Keltin Moore Adventures.

This novel was published through Amazon Digital Services May 8th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 4.50

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Lindsay Schopfer’s Website

Book Review: Ghost Storm by Sechin Tower

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Ghost Storm by Sechin Tower

A YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novel published by Sechin Tower (07/17/15)

Summary:

“…sometimes it’s better to stand out badly than to fit in adequately.” (Page 68).

Dean Lazarchek is still dean of students at the Mechanical Science Institute… for now. He still feels inadequate to lead his students and to keep them from harm, after all he was just a firefighter before he stepped in to fill his dead fiancé’s role as dean. She left large shoes to fill, but after fighting off the near destruction of the world as we know it, another threat looms on the horizon and this one has memory lane written all over it. Will Dean be able to prove to himself that he’s right for the job and save his students?

 

Keywords:

Tesla, Twain, Scientists, Hackers, Save the World, University, Experiments, Mad Scientists, Explosions, Bad Guys, Danger, Thugs, Technology, Clueless, Lighting, Storms

 

My Review:

Ghost Storm is told only from the point of view of Dean and in the beginning he’s a bit pessimistic/depressing/sad. I miss the chaotic brain of Soap and her female perspective in Ghost Storm. Having the POV of just one person and for him to be a grieving adult, pushes this third book in the series to a more advanced age group. There are explosions and evil and fighting to save the world still, but the mood and tone of the narrator makes for a more ‘adult’ book that would probably appeal more to an adultier audience.

Soap, a character we grew to love in books one and two is almost nonexistant in this third book. Most of the students are given less time and less action in this book, though we are introduced to a new student who helps to save the day, Cake.

Technology and science in the book is cool, still above my head, but way cool the things that they can do. The technology really is able to move the plot along, for without the Predecessors and their Teslanium there would be no bid to end the world or to destroy everything in the name of saving the world.

This novel was published by Sechin Tower on July 17th, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.25

Links for more information:

Sechin Tower’s Website

Twitter

Book Review: Dragons in Flight (Maze Beset) (Volume 3) by Lee French

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Dragons in Flight (Maze Beset) (Volume 3) by Lee French

A Fantasy Novel published by Emily French (2/14/14)

 

Summary:

Everything is chaos, but Bobby has one dragon free. The safe haven was not so safe and was infiltrated and all the people with peculiar eyes and peculiar talents were kidnapped again. This time, it won’t be a picnic to escape or free them either. This time, there is a new weapon. This time, Bobby won’t be able to go it alone.

 

Keywords:

Dragons, Superheroes, Fighting, Powerful, Government, Experiment, Testing, Survival, Friendship, Vampire, Helping Others, Conflicted, Disaster, Ulterior Motives, Mind Control, Leadership

 

My Review:

This final book in the Maze Beset Trilogy is super exciting. French tones down the philosophical musings of Bobby and focusses on the immediate danger for the group. Bobby once again must free them all, but this time it’s different. This time they are up against something completely different, yet working for the same people. This time, Bobby will truly learn what Maze Beset means and where they all came from, who gave them their unusual eyes. Everyone has their theories, but Bobby will finally learn the truth.

This book was a whirlwind of commotion and action. Bobby is his usual charming self, which apparently makes him very dangerous to his enemies. Someone who only heralds the truth and will always jump in to save those in need is truly the most dangerous individual indeed, especially against an organization that is rife with lies and manipulations.

I thought the ending did well tying up the loose ends and fully revealing the big picture. However, there could be more. A world open to children and young adults with powers such as bursting into a swarm of dragons has so much more potential. Perhaps Lee French will write a second trilogy to chronicle Bobby and his friend’s journeys as they integrate into society or segregate themselves apart. Who knows? A world like Maze Beset has never been seen and can only be imagined.

This novel was published by Emily French on February 14th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

 

Links for more information:

Lee French on Facebook

Lee French on Twitter

Goodreads