Five Star Roundup

Tags

Book Reviews, Fantasy, Five-Star, Free Books, Indie Author, Paranormal, Science-Fiction, Steampunk

In January I usually do an summary of my favorite books from the year before. This year I didn’t get around to it with my husband’s cancer diagnosis throwing life into a spin, but here it is now!

Scanning over the titles, it’s a pretty good mix of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and even some Paranormal and Steampunk. I didn’t run into any contemporary Dystopian or Post-Apocalyptic that hit my five-star rating (though I do covet that fifth star for the truly special books) but 2017 is only half over so we’ll see what shakes out in the last six months.

Without further ado (yes, people still use that word) here are my favorite books from 2016 (Click the titles to read the full reviews):

~ SCIENCE-FICTION ~

The Singularity Series

(From Book One, “The Legacy Human”)

What would you give to live forever? 

Seventeen-year-old Elijah Brighton wants to become an ascender–a post-Singularity human/machine hybrid–after all, they’re smarter, more enlightened, more compassionate, and above all, achingly beautiful. But Eli is a legacy human, preserved and cherished for his unaltered genetic code, just like the rainforest he paints. When a fugue state possesses him and creates great art, Eli miraculously lands a sponsor for the creative Olympics. If he could just master the fugue, he could take the gold and win the right to ascend, bringing everything he’s yearned for within reach… including his beautiful ascender patron. But once Eli arrives at the Games, he finds the ascenders are playing games of their own. Everything he knows about the ascenders and the legacies they keep starts to unravel… until he’s running for his life and wondering who he truly is.

Anela says: Amazing, amazing series and I’m dying for the next installment! The story examines the nature of existence and the definition of self (and so much else, but for that click on the review link above). The tech and the science woven through was like dark chocolate for my Sci-Fi soul. Book one is only 99 cents!! Available on Amazon

The Syzygy Series

Ash was never supposed to visit Earth. After a genetic engineering catastrophe wiped out civilization, the survivors—inhabitants of a lunar mining colony—planned to rebuild on Mars. That was before a group of rebels seceded to the dark side of the moon, taking critical materials with them. Now conscripted teenagers scavenge the ruined third planet for species to use in terraforming. At fifteen, Ash is the best diver in a generation. But when tragedy strikes, he vows to end his colony’s dependence on its old homeworld at any cost.

Skye has never set foot on Earth. It’s not even visible from the moon’s far side, although the exiles’ mystic leader promises they will return home someday. Skye has discovered something that could realize this long-awaited dream, but she’s an outcast among outcasts, and no one will listen to her plan. To save her people, she might have to betray them.

Worlds collide when Ash and Skye meet, blurring the boundaries between enemies and allies, deception and truth. Their choices could preserve a future for humanity…or finally drive it to extinction.

Anela says: The review link to book one is above and the reviews of the books that follow show up beneath it. Overall this has been one of my favorite Sci-Fi series, totally unique with a climate fiction and post-apocalyptic bent. I love the characters and the unexpected twists are jaw dropping. Installment one is also only 99 cents. Go get it! Available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited

 

~ FANTASY ~

Sorcerous Moons Series

(From Book One: Lonen’s War)

An Unquiet Heart

Alone in her tower, Princess Oria has spent too long studying her people’s barbarian enemies, the Destrye—and neglected the search for calm that will control her magic and release her to society. Her restlessness makes meditation hopeless and her fragility renders human companionship unbearable. Oria is near giving up. Then the Destrye attack, and her people’s lives depend on her handling of their prince…

A Fight Without Hope

When the cornered Destrye decided to strike back, Lonen never thought he’d live through the battle, let alone demand justice as a conqueror. And yet he must keep up his guard against the sorceress who speaks for the city. Oria’s people are devious, her claims of ignorance absurd. The frank honesty her eyes promise could be just one more layer of deception.

A Savage Bargain

Fighting for time and trust, Oria and Lonen have one final sacrifice to choose… before an even greater threat consumes them all.

Anela says: An intricate system of magic that examines the expectations of gender–and challenges them while weaving a really beautiful love story. More books to come on this series and I can’t wait to see where the story leads. Book one is currently $2.99 on Amazon. Worth it!

The Sunbolt Chronicles

(From Book One: Sunbolt)

The winding streets and narrow alleys of Karolene hide many secrets, and Hitomi is one of them. Orphaned at a young age, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude and who her parents really were. Most of all, she must conceal her role in the Shadow League, an underground movement working to undermine the powerful and corrupt Arch Mage Wilhelm Blackflame.

When the League gets word that Blackflame intends to detain—and execute—a leading political family, Hitomi volunteers to help the family escape. But there are more secrets at play than Hitomi’s, and much worse fates than execution. When Hitomi finds herself captured along with her charges, it will take everything she can summon to escape with her life.

Anela says: I believe this one is fully in the Noblebright categorization of the Fantasy genre (Click here for a definition of Noblebright. I like to call it: Fantasy that won’t make you want to kill yourself afterward *cough*Martin*cough*). Another fascinating system of magic I haven’t seen before that takes place in a non-Western Fantasy world with a heroine I absolutely adore. The sequel Memories of Ash also got five stars from me, as did a separate short-story, The Bone Knife (FREE everywhere!). At this point you can probably tell I love anything Intisar Khanani writes. Trust me, she’s amazing. Book one is available on Amazon for $2.99.

 

~ PARANORMAL ~

The Scribe: Irin Chronicles Book One

Ava Matheson came to Istanbul looking for answers, but others came looking for her. A reckless warrior guards her steps, but will Malachi’s own past blind him to the truth of who Ava might be? While ancient forces gather around them, both Ava and Malachi search for answers.

Whispering voices. Deadly touch. Their passion should be impossible… or it could be the only thing that will keep them alive.

Anela says: A beautiful take on the Nephilim/angels mythos. The setting in Turkey was awesome and the scope of the ancient conflict and history of the nephilim (known as Irin in the book) pulls you in. This one really stole my heart. Currently it’s FREE on Amazon, so seriously, get a copy if you want to be swept away by a story.

 

~ STEAMPUNK ~

The Flash Gold Chronicles

(From Book One: Flash Gold)

Eighteen-year-old Kali McAlister enters her steam-powered “dogless sled” in a race, intending to win the thousand-dollar prize and escape remote Moose Hollow forever. The problem? Fortune seekers and airship pirates are after her for the secret to flash gold, her late father’s alchemical masterpiece.

With her modified rifle and a pocketful of home-made smoke bombs, Kali wouldn’t normally hide from a confrontation, but taking on a whole airship single-handedly is a daunting task. Unfortunately, the other racers won’t assist her–they’re too busy scheming ways to sabotage her unorthodox sled.

When a sword-slinging stranger shows up, wanting to hire on as her protector, she’s sure he has ulterior motives, but he’s the only one interested in helping her. The question is…why?

Anela says: Great action and adventure, quirky characters and a smart-mouthed heroine, what else can you ask for? I had so much fun reading this series. Book one is FREE on Amazon right now so grab a copy and give it a try.

Shattered Past (Dragon Blood)

An elite forces officer with a dreadful reputation.
A bookish paleontologist with a love for mysteries.
An ancient stronghold full of secrets that will take both of them to unearth.

Professor Lilah Zirkander (yes, she’s related to the famous pilot, and no, she can’t get him to autograph your undergarments) is looking forward to a summer in the paleontology lab, researching and cataloging new fossils. But that summer takes an unexpected turn when the king sends her into the Ice Blades to a secret mine where ancient dragon bones have been discovered. Rumor has it that they’re cursed and dangerous, but Lilah is more concerned about dealing with the outpost commander, a fierce officer with the temperament of a crabby badger.

As punishment for irking the king, Colonel Vann Therrik is overseeing the hardened criminals working in the remote Magroth Crystal Mines. He would like a chance to redeem himself—and escape the loathsome duty station—but nothing is going his way. Cursed fossils have delayed production, miners are trying to escape, and now a scientist has shown up, making demands on his time. Worse, she’s the cousin of his nemesis General Zirkander. As if one Zirkander in his world wasn’t bad enough.

Investigating the fossils leads Lilah and Vann into the depths of Magroth Mountain where centuries-old secrets lurk, and a long-forgotten threat stalks the passages. To have any chance at survival, they’ll have to work together and perhaps learn that neither is what the other expected.

Anela says: Is anyone surprised that Buroker won both five-star reviews for this genre? Granted, this book has some Fantasy elements as well but since there are airships too it feels like it falls into this category. Great characters, hilarious banter, and a cool mystery to unravel. Buroker’s imagination is always fun to spend some time in. Currently it’s $3.99 on Amazon. This one works as a standalone but if you’d like an intro into this world the first book–Balanced on the Blade’s Edge–is FREE on Amazon.

So, there you have it! All these awesome books are either free or under five bucks. The Indie world is good to its bookworms. Happy reading!

The SnowFang Bride (SnowFang Book #1)

Tags

Book Review, Indie Author, Paranormal, Self Published Book

Title & Author: The SnowFang Bride (SnowFang Book #1), Merry Ravenell

Genre & Publication Date: Paranormal, Oct. 11, 2016

Book Description: “Centuries of political games killed most of the female werewolves. Now only a few survive, and the Elders work to change the old ways of thinking.

Winter, the only daughter of the SilverPaw Alpha, finally meets the soul Gaia has chosen for her: Sterling, the cold, demanding, and entirely-too-human Alpha of the tiny SnowFang pack.

Thrust into a world of human wealth for which she was never prepared, Winter must become Sterling’s flawless wife and Luna from the moment she arrives. The city is full of threats, both werewolf and human, and Sterling’s past is full of secrets best left undisturbed.

When they are betrayed by those closest to them, Winter and Sterling embark on a dangerous game of brinkmanship that will change their lives, and the future of the werewolves, forever.”

First Line: The werewolves lacked females.

My Take: It occurs to me that the book’s first line is going to give folks the wrong impression of this novel. It’s not one of those “alpha male werewolf kidnaps human female to force her into marriage and then they end up falling in love” things (I can’t stand those, by the way. Taking someone against their will does not lead to warm, fuzzy feelings. Full stop.). Rather, this first line is a reference to a population concern going on in the werewolf world of this story.

This book has to be the most intricate and detailed depiction of werewolf culture I’ve ever read. History, customs, political intrigue, rules of the pack, how they greet each other when they want to show respect (or not), the cultural differences between rural and city wolves–Everything seemed so friggin’ REAL you could swear this secret world truly existed alongside our own.

An example from a situation with a prominent pack:

“Do we have to bring a gift? Might be better if we don’t.”

“We don’t have to. But it would be in our favor if we did.” I had seen many gifts given to my father and the SilverPaw over the years. There was a very delicate etiquette surrounding gift giving. It could not be trivial, and offer insult. It could not be too grandiose and be seen as a bribe or ostentatious or above the perceived station of the giving pack. It ideally would be something that represented the strength or character of the gifting pack, and something that the recipient’s entire pack could enjoy and benefit from.

The main character, Winter, is from a more powerful rural pack and is very familiar with all the rules and customs of the werewolf world. When she finds her fated mate in Sterling of the SnowFang pack he relies on her to help him understand how to navigate the customs due to his more human upbringing. He knows a lot about the human world, something Winter knows less of, so they’re matched in that way. I love a romance based on equals, y’all:)

TONS of intrigue, starting with the search for Winter’s mate, finding Sterling and her father’s weird behavior afterward, the Wanderers (lone wolves forming miscreant packs and causing harm) in the city streets of her new home, and much more. There’s not a ton of shape-shifting, FYI, and I didn’t mind this at all. It’s a more cerebral werewolf tale told through the smart voice of a very likable heroine.

The Magical: I really believed in Winter and Sterling’s relationship. They might be soul fated but they still didn’t know each other when they were thrown together. That partnership grew over the course of the book which made it feel as real as the werewolf culture the author created.

The Mundane: There are a lot of mysteries going on throughout the book but the ending didn’t answer any of them. I mean, ANY of them. That left me feeling a little adrift, especially when more mysterious things happened. It seemed at least some things could have been answered without spoiling what’s coming in the sequel. It didn’t cliffhanger but the pay off felt a little deflated as a result. Still a great ride, though.

Summary of Thoughts: Currently, this book is $2.99 for the Kindle. Not your typical werewolf story which was awesome because werewolf stories tend to be all about the bulging biceps of an Alpha male and the resistant (called stubborn) way of his mate who *wink*wink* is secretly dying for him to take her. Ugh. Here is something much more interesting: a fully fleshed out culture (not just a smattering of habits), and two people trying to lead a tiny pack in their complex world. Intrigue abounds and I loved it. Recommended and dying for the sequel!

Curious what others thought? Check out Amazon’s reviews here

Want to know more about the author and her work? Explore her website here

Recommended: A Christmas Romance

Tags

Book Review, Fantasy Romance, Paranormal, Self Published Book

Just a quick recommendation if you’re looking for something sweet and romantic to read this holiday season. “All the Stars Look Down”, a Christmas romance duo from Elizabeth Hunter and Grace Draven, had two endearing tales of love by this pair of amazing writers.

In SUNDAY’S CHILD, Grace Draven heats up a cold and lonely Christmas when museum archivist, Claire Summerlad, meets a mysterious new co-worker. Andor’s past may be a mystery, but is a future with Claire possible with a centuries-old punishment hanging over his head? Father Christmas meets Norse mythology in this brand new Christmas novella from the author of Master of Crows.

In LOST LETTERS AND CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, readers return to the Elemental Mysteries in an all new novella by Elizabeth Hunter. Giovanni Vecchio and Beatrice De Novo travel to Rome when an new mystery interrupts their Christmas. Fina Rossi may have been the director of the Vecchio library, but she wasn’t expecting vampires for the holidays! Christmas takes an unexpected turn when she meets her employers’ old friend, Zeno Ferrara. He has the key to solving a mystery plaguing Beatrice’s client, but he’s taken a far more personal interest in Fina.

Buy it on Amazon for only $0.99

I absolutely adored “Sunday’s Child” because, seriously, how can you go wrong with a Saint Nicholas-Norse Mythology combo? Draven always delivers something unique and heartwarming. “Lost Letters and Christmas Lights” is similarly enchanting. The only addendum I’d add is that if you haven’t read any of Elizabeth’s Hunter’s Elemental series, there are mild spoilers in it, but nothing that should hinder your enjoyment if you decide to dig into that series later.

Give yourself or a romance reader a little love this Christmas and pick up this great read!

The Scribe: Irin Chronicles Book One

Tags

Book Review, Indie Author, Paranormal, Self Published Book

Title & Author: The Scribe: Irin Chronicles Book One, Elizabeth Hunter

Genre & Publication Date: Paranormal Fantasy, October 15, 2013

Book Description: “Ava Matheson came to Istanbul looking for answers, but others came looking for her. A reckless warrior guards her steps, but will Malachi’s own past blind him to the truth of who Ava might be? While ancient forces gather around them, both Ava and Malachi search for answers.

Whispering voices. Deadly touch. Their passion should be impossible… or it could be the only thing that will keep them alive.”

First Line: “You’re going to think I’m crazy.”

My Take: Okay. This was an awesome book. (I’ve had such a huge patch of awesome reads lately that I’m almost afraid to say it out loud *giddy hand flailing*) Obviously Elizabeth Hunter is an Indie heavyweight, but this book really shows how deserving of her success she is. Talk about an amazing premise with mind blowing execution. But enough gushing, let me get on to the review (warning: there may be more gushing).

First off, our story takes place in modern day Turkey. Ahhhh, thank you for a landscape that hasn’t been done to death in paranormal fiction. The streets, the buildings, the food, the sights, even the weather all felt so well drawn and detailed. And no, we don’t start in Turkey and then head off to Western Europe or the U.S. by chapter three. This story takes place in Turkey, in its cities and its countrysides, and I loved it. Given that the plot has much to do with the Nephilim (called Irin in this tale), keeping the plot in a place that is rich with ancient history makes so much sense–The Nephilim, for those who haven’t brushed up on their Book of Genesis recently, are the children of the “sons of God” and the “daughters of Adam”. In other words, they’re the offspring of fallen angels and human women, so they’re mortal but quite powerful.

I can go on and on about the plot and the incredible world building and legacy of these Irin, but that would require another three paragraphs at least to convey how happy my little reader heart is, and I want to keep this spoiler free and be sure to talk about our main protags.

Ava is a great heroine. Strong, independent, smart (both academically and in her travels), I was all the more drawn in by her daily struggle with hearing voices. It’s not voices telling her what to do, rather she hears the inner voices of everyone around her. Not their thoughts, but their souls. So, that guy in a traffic jam who is blaring on his horn and cursing at the driver in front of him, his mind might scream anger, but if Ava were listening, his soul might be telling her anguish, or fear, or despair, which she then feels right along with him. No wonder she keeps people at a distance and never stays in one place for long.

Then there’s Malachi, one of the Irin who has sworn to fight the Grigori (equally powerful beings pledged to dark enemies–more of that intricate history I mentioned). After a terrible massacre, the Irin are essentially a race of men, one that is dying out. Malachi was such a great hero. Strong, decisive, but also uncertain, gentle despite the devastating losses he’s been through. The deep sorrow and loneliness of all Irin really reaches out from the pages.

I was in it people, so, so in it.

The Magical: The tattooing the Irin do on their bodies has to be one of my favorite elements here. The arduous and ceremonial process involves imprinting their bodies with script in the language of the angels to endow themselves with speed or strength or focus, etc. Cooool.

The Mundane: The author impaled me and then shoved me off a mountain with the cliffhanger at the end. I haven’t been this pained since “The Desolation of Smaug”. It’s been a few days since I finished the book and I’ve still got a limp.

Summary of Thoughts: This book is currently $0.99 on the Kindle. Of course, when I say $0.99 what I should really say is to expect to spend that, and then whatever the cost of book 2 and 3 are, because you won’t be able to stop with just this first one. As much as I abhor cliffhanger endings like this–and there will be agony if you read this–it really was a great tale with a unique setting, a sense of immense history, and a beautiful love story between two lost souls. Absolutely 100% recommended.

Curious what others thought? Check out Amazon’s reviews here

Want to know more about this author and her work? Explore her website here

Book Release! Containment 2: Unleashed

Tags

Book Series, Book Tour, Fantasy, Indie Writer, Paranormal, Self Published Book

A new novella from author Eden Royce, Containment 2: Unleashed is available now on Amazon!

Book Description:

Feast is back with a dangerous new job: Management.

The demands of being the Director of Spectral Acquisitions are weighing heavily on devil-human hybrid, Feast as he’s trying to learn the ropes of his new position. Strange creatures are in pursuit of him, ready to separate his two halves. And on top of that, Agent Seela is showing some interest in him—on a personal level.

Can he keep himself alive long enough to see if a relationship with her will develop?

ON SALE for $1.50, buy it on Amazon today!

Haven’t read the first one? It’s also on sale for $1.50 on Amazon. Click here to check it out!

Want to know more about the author and her work? Explore her website here

A Shade of Vampire (Book One)

Tags

Bella Forrest, Book Review, Paranormal, Self Published Book

Title & Author: A Shade of Vampire (Book One), Bella Forrest

Genre & Publication Date: Paranormal, December 17, 2012 (original). Reviewed is the new lengthened version released in 2015

Book Description: “On the evening of Sofia Claremont’s seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake. A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood.

She is kidnapped to The Shade, an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine. An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.

Sofia’s life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is selected out of hundreds of girls to take up residence in the tree-top harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal prince.

Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.

Will she succeed? Or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?”

First Line: I always feared the nights my father got called out of town.

My Take: So I finally got around to reading book one of this Indie’s hugely successful series that has been raved about for some time. Long story short, it reminds me of Twilight a lot. There is original content but there are many points here that run along the same themes as Twilight.

Case in point, Sofia suffers from anxiety attacks, whereas Bella suffered from clumsiness, neither of which seem to impede them later on. It’s mentioned and gone. Both think themselves plain and pale, except –shocker– they’re actually beautiful. Derek, the main vampire dude, is a broody sort who hates being a vampire and wishes he could retain his humanity (like Twilight’s Edward) and he somehow falls in love with a seventeen year old girl pretty much at first sight. *weary sigh* There were other parallels but I’ll leave it at that.

On a side note, I always wonder about these sorts of romances, particularly between a teenage girl and an immortal who is way, WAY older. I have trouble relating to teenagers already and I’m not hundreds of years old (even though some days I feel like it). Special consideration should be given to forming the relationship between these two characters given the very different ways in which they view the world, interact with it, and think of the future. If there’s a romance, it should be cultivated in a more believable way than, “Damn, I’m just inexplicably drawn that girl/guy.” especially on the part of the vampire. As it is, I just couldn’t tap into the feelings they had for each other, which was troublesome given that this is a major element of the story.

Finally, a big plot hole that reared its ugly head (and was never addressed): Once Sofia became a captive in the vampire world, I wondered what happened to these anxiety attacks she suffered from most of her life. She nearly had a meltdown sitting on a crowded bench at a high school football game, but I’m to believe that living day by day under threat as a prisoner of otherworldly creatures in a place of eternal night aren’t prime circumstances for a flare up of that mental condition? At all??

The Magical: The idea of a secret sanctuary called the Shade, a place where sunlight never shines, is pretty cool. It really built a vampire world for the reader, even though the story is set in modern times.

The Mundane: When will books stop with romances between a vulnerable girl and a guy who scares the hell out of her? This just drives me crazy. Fear and intimidation does not equal masculine, just as gentle and fragile does not equal feminine. Even if he doesn’t mean to scare her, or is struggling with “inner demons”, it can’t be love if one side is under the authority of the other so totally and completely. Even if he offers her choices, she’s there against her will so he still occupies a position of power over her. Love is something that develops from trust, understanding, and mutual respect. This set-up was more like a case study in Stockholm syndrome.

Summary of Thoughts: Currently this book is $0.99 for the Kindle. It’s more novella length than novel, just as an FYI. Like the Twilight series, I didn’t hate it and I wanted to find out how it would end, but I didn’t enjoy the journey all that much. And the relationship between Derek and Sofia was one I didn’t believe in. Characters are pretty flat and the plot rather predictable. This series is no doubt meant for a younger audience and likely I’m just too old (did I just admit to that?) to enjoy it, but it does bother me to see such a popular YA series sink into the damsel trope with the heroine. Maybe she improves as the series goes on? But in book one I desperately wished Sofia would’ve been stronger at heart and had a little more spark in her, if only to give our young women a fiercer heroine to root for.

Curious what others thought? Check out Amazon’s reviews here

Want to learn more about this author and her work? Explore her website here

Demetrius (Brethren Origins, Book 2)

Tags

Book Review, Paranormal, Romance, Self Published Book

Title & Author: Demitrius (Brethren Origins, Book 2), Barbara Devlin

Genre & Publication Date: Paranormal/Historical Romance, March 13, 2016

Book Description: “Athelyna Des Moutiers has lived the better portion of her years in a convent, isolated from the harsh realities of her world, and has dedicated her life in service to a higher calling. When her father dies, her manipulative older brother negotiates a betrothal contract to one of the King’s knights, surrendering her to a creature utterly foreign—a man. A wedding present, an ancient brooch with mythical powers, foretells a future she cannot deny, so she accepts her fate. Can she win the love of her husband, a stubborn brute equally resistant to marriage?

Demetrius de Blackbourne is a Nautionnier Knight, a pious man, and a virgin who, much like his bride, has vowed to devote himself to divine endeavors, and his plans do not include a wife. When he is tasked with settling a troublesome region, and installing the King’s new garrison, he neglects the most important charge of all—his lady. But the gentle spirit and quiet strength of Athelyna manifest a temptation he can neither ignore nor deny, and Demetrius finds himself fighting for the one thing he never thought he would want—her heart.”

First Line: Two road weary travelers, a wide-eyed young couple returning from a pilgrimage to Santiago, sought refuge behind the trunk of a large tree and clung to each other.

My Take: When I learned of this Indie author’s horrendous experience at the release of this title, I decided to pick up her book and give it a read as a show of support. Technical difficulties in the Amazon downloads resulted in hundreds of angry readers sending hateful emails to this author (who had nothing to do with the tech stuff on Amazon’s side.) You can read her post about it all here and if you’re like me you’ll burst with sympathy for her.

On to the review!

(FYI: Although this is book two, it can still be read as a standalone.)

To avoid misconceptions about the story of this one, the paranormal side is very limited. It’s more of an historical romance than a paranormal, but it does include a mystical object that shows the wearer their destiny if they sleep with it attached to their clothing. Bit of a plot device and the message in the prophetic dreams was easy to predict, but this is a romance after all, so I didn’t mind it.

I liked the development of the relationship. It didn’t happen overnight and took a lot of soul searching to finally get there, so it was well built. I would’ve preferred if there’d been less fumbling between them that led to misunderstanding. It happened one too many times for my taste. I thought the story could’ve used some much needed external conflict to drive them together. Although this is hinted at in the description, I didn’t think it really manifested. The story still held together well though and kept me turning the pages, but I felt a twinge of disappointment with the lack of action. This is the middle ages, after all. Let me see some swordplay!

The Magical: Hats off to the author for the authentic speech used by the characters. Learning that archaic language form took effort, I’m sure. Some might be put off by the “thee-thy-thine” verbiage, but you get used to it and it really immerses you in the time period.

The Mundane: Fair warning–Euphemisms n’ more blatant stuff ahead: Okay, so the title named character, Demetrius, was a likable enough guy, and the love growing between him and Athelyna was sweet, but the sexual stuff annoyed the bejesus out of me. I don’t mind reading sex in a story but this took awkward to a whole new level.

I had no trouble believing that our noble knight, a former Templar knight who took a vow of chastity to join the order, was still a virgin. What I found really, REALLY hard to believe was that he needed a friend to explain how to, you know, privately handle his own plow. Was he never a teenager? Because from what I understand guys generally get acquainted with how to work their own gears early on. Also, calling it “the one eyed dragon” started to get to me after a while. Please call it by name, or manhood, or really anything else. It is what it is. Let’s not beat around the bush (okay, that phrase might not be the best choice here).

And seriously, stop talking so damn much once you have sheathed thine dragon in thine lady. Those speeches are better reserved for before or after gettin’ it on. Also, it’s a little weird to yell out things like, “Sweet sanctuary!” upon entry. It’s a nice compliment but shut up already.

Summary of Thoughts: Currently this book is just $0.99 for the Kindle. I’m giving it three stars with the addendum that this may just be a “not my cup of tea” situation. On the whole, I liked it, though I found a few things about the characters a tad unbelievable and, well, silly. Still this one kept my interest and I wanted to finish the journey. I just wish there had been a little more action outside of the bumbling mis-communications between them. Endearing but not totally captivating.

Curious what others thought? Check out Amazon’s reviews here

Want to know about this author and her work? Explore her website here

Coldheart (League of Magi Book 1)

Tags

Book Review, Fantasy, Paranormal, Self Published Book

Title & Author: Coldheart (League of Magi, Book 1), Justin Robinson

Genre & Publication Date: Fantasy/Paranormal, May 31, 2013

Book Description: “San Francisco is on the edge of a blizzard, the first in a hundred years. A cannibal killer stalks the streets. A rash of abductions targets people seemingly at random. A city falling into chaos.

Chris Black sees the connection. On the trail of a missing woman, he uncovers the delicate threads uniting the disparate mysteries. But he is mentally ill and all of it could be the product of his diseased mind. Balancing the fog of medication with his descent into madness, he struggles to remain lucid in the face of horror.

Delving into a mystery that might be of his own making, he discovers a secret world. A world where women become serpents, the very ground can be his deadliest enemy, a world of the blackest magic. He has found the edges of something older than he can imagine, something that can change the fabric of reality.

And the storm itself is his only ally.”

First Line: San Francisco was as cold as it had been in a hundred years.

My Take: This book was provided to me by the author for review.

The story “Coldheart” itself is a novella, however the book also includes five short stories following its conclusion. This review will concentrate on “Coldheart” but I want to mention how cool it is that the author provides additional stories to lengthen the purchase for the potential reader. These stories are of the same genre (urban paranormal with fantastic elements–Twilight Zone-esque) and are really quite imaginative. I’m a sucker for the short story form though. I love seeing an author get it done in limited space–but, er, I’m getting off topic. Back to the review!

Big win: The main character, Chris Black, is one compelling guy–a helpful feature since this one is told from the first person POV. Struggling with mental illness (it wasn’t called out but based on some hints I’m assuming it was paranoid schizophrenia) he deals with the side effects of medication that make everything foggy, the damage to the personal relationships his un-medicated self caused, and the constant doubt as to whether what he sees is real or just his mind playing tricks on him. This was expertly navigated and I wholeheartedly applaud the author on treating it with sensitivity and avoiding the “crazy” cliche. Mainstream tends to treat the mentally ill as criminal or evil. Those stereotypes were blessedly absent here. Chris definitely had my sympathy, but the writing managed to keep me from pitying him. Excellent.

Now, this isn’t to say that his condition didn’t play a role in the story, especially when the otherworldly starts happening. He can’t help but ask himself if these things he’s witnessed have really happened or not. This is wonderfully juxtaposed with the oncoming storm, the fog that rolls in ahead of the weather making everything difficult to see. A great physical reminder of Chris’s doubts in himself. Awesome tension.

My only complaint is that I had confusion as to the goals behind the antagonists. Without giving anything away, I had trouble understanding the intention behind the things they did. What was their ultimate purpose? Why were they doing what they were doing? And some antagonists were enemies of others, but I didn’t get a clear sense of the history there, only that it existed. I would’ve wished for more of a grasp on this so I could better understand what happened at the end.

The Magical: THE STORM! Living in Minnesota, I appreciate the idea of California getting really socked in by snow and ice. Hm, does that sound bitter? Sorry, but the weather can’t seem to get it together in the Midwest (snow forecasted tomorrow, thrice dammit!), so, yeah, have a taste of it Pacific coast!

I loved the storm and the way it was used to imply a growing menace, risen stakes, and an ever increasing sense of dread as the weather worsened with Chris’s situation.

The Mundane: Throughout all of this, Chris’s main goal is to save Sarah, a woman he’s in love with, when he believes she’s been kidnapped. At first I thought she was his ex-wife, but it turns out she was his brother’s recently ex-wife. Bit of a curve ball there, but this would’ve been fine if I’d some inkling of their relationship before everything hit the fan. Without a few mentions or recollections to ground me in his feelings for her, I had trouble caring about her fate. Since she’s the driving force behind most of what he does, that lack really stuck out.

Summary of Thoughts: This book is currently $2.99 for the Kindle. While I was disappointed with a couple of things in this one, in all it had a great story. Lots of action and tension, some seriously freaky moments, and a main character who is complex and courageous. The five extra short stories at the end were also a nice bonus. Recommended.

Many thanks to author Justin Robinson for providing a copy of the book to review!

Curious what others thought? Check out Amazon’s reviews here

Want to learn more about this author and his work? Explore his website here

Human: A Shadow Empires Book

Tags

Book Review, Fantasy, Paranormal, Self Published Book

Title & Author: Human: A Shadow Empires Book, S. M. Carrière

Genre & Publication Date: Fantasy/Paranormal, September 30, 2015

Book Description: “At the behest of the vampiric Shadow Council, Aleksandar Svetoslav, Prince of his House, moves to America to re-establish their foothold there. It was a territory lost when opportunistic vampire hunters laid waste to the hedonistic House Üstrel. He did not expect to find the assets of House Üstrel in such shambles. Nor did he expect that this tedious mission would lead to the beautiful police officer Alicia Wilde, who resurrects feelings in him that he had long thought dead. He certainly did not anticipate her partner, Detective Stephen Brody, who not only knows what Aleksandar is but has vowed revenge on all his kind. Things spiral quickly out of control as Aleksandar is drawn into a cat and mouse game with a deranged kidnapper targeting those closest to him. Betrayal draws Aleksandar and Detective Brody together in a frantic battle to save Alicia and the city from a true monster.”

First Line: Aleksandar Zograf stared numbly down at his bloody hands.

My Take: This book was provided to me by the author for review.

I had a tough time deciding on a rating for this one. I loved a lot of it. The Slavic background of the vampires intrigued me (for some reason, not a culture that shows up in my books). The author doesn’t shy from themes of love that are outside the mainstream. Definitely a sense of history and culture in it. The world was well built. So, what gave me a hard time, you might be wondering.

Craft issues. I know, I know, there are no rules to writing, but there is structure. And while the foundations of this story were solid, a couple of issues shook the ground it stood on. Two main things:

Number One: When action was happening, it was magical. Gripping. Pages flew by!…But when it wasn’t, things tended to sag. I think this may have just been an issue of starting a scene too early, not trimming enough in revision, or not including enough tension throughout it. This isn’t to say that I need action in every single moment of a story, but tension, absolutely.

Number Two (the major one): At its heart, this was Aleksandar and Alicia’s story, but other secondary characters kept popping in with their POV in every scene. Head hopping galore. This continually interrupted my reading experience. Why so many others kept cluttering up the stage, I don’t know. Every time they showed up with their outside perspectives, I muttered, “Don’t care about you. Get out of the way.” To the point that my husband started to wonder if I was developing a verbal twitch. If these others could somehow be folded into Aleksandar and Alicia’s POV, it would totally resolve the issue and make me feel even more connected to them. Whenever things were told exclusively from the perspective of those two, the read became amazing. One POV per scene is always, in my opinion, the best way to go. More than one, or two, or three, in a single scene felt fractious and disorienting.

The Magical: Totally sucker punched by several major events that happened to the characters. Unexpected. Raw. I ate them up because, you know, I enjoy the suffering of fictional characters. That fire. Woah.

The Mundane: Head hopping. And head hopping. Did I mention head hopping?

Summary of Thoughts: Currently the book is $9.99 on the Kindle. There is a lot to love about this story. The main characters are likable. I love the eastern European influence, something I don’t often see and would like to see more of. The story has nice twists and tragedy, but this goodness is muddled by craft issues. That constantly shifting POV drove me nuts, sections of info dumping and scenes without enough going on made things drag. And YET, I found myself thinking about Aleksandar and Alicia after I finished the book. A rare thing.

Many thanks to author S. M. Carrière for providing a copy of the book to review.

Curious what others thought? Check out Amazon’s reviews here

Want to know more about this author and her work? Explore her website here

Market Research: Cupid Stupid

Tags

Book Marketing, Dystopian, Fantasy, Paranormal, Science-Fiction, Self Published Book, Speculative Fiction, Steampunk

In a previous post, I announced the completion of a research project in which I surveyed dozens of book review bloggers to determine trends in speculative fiction. I shared some genre specific results, but I also mentioned themes that crossed genres completely. Here I’ll delve into further detail of one of them:

Romance

Now, we’re talking about dating or candlelight dinners. We’re talking about LOVE, that truly awesome force which drives us (and characters) to euphoria or despair (sometimes both). Personally, I really enjoy romance in a book. When it’s absent, I usually notice it. Why? Because human beings that are set in extraordinary circumstances, a must for any good plot, inevitably bond with one another. Throw in attraction and some banter, and sparks are bound to fly.

Even the bleakest of story lines include this important element. The Walking Dead has it, Lord of the Rings had it, even Game of Thrones (“You know nothing, Jon Snow.” *sniff*) As I said, I’m alright with this. It adds depth to characters. It makes me worry and hope and root for them. But love, like any deep emotion depicted by a writer, must be treated carefully or it has the reverse effect on a story.

This, I suspect, is the reason why “Romance” was mentioned by a significant number of bloggers in my research (Significant meaning: called out by at least 20-25% of blogs surveyed. In this case it was 64%). Three main points were specifically indicated as trends that readers of speculative fiction are fed up with in the romance category:

The Love Triangle

This one has been around for ages but I think the Twilight books really wore the trope out for many readers. That isn’t to say it should never be included. It’s a good source of friction between characters and opens the door for a lot of angst and agony. All good things for a story. But, be careful to give it a unique treatment. And for God’s sake, don’t make EVERY dude in the book hot for one girl.

Love at first sight

I think Romeo and Juliet started this one…or was it Adam and Eve? Those surveyed advised that “attraction” at first sight still works, but the devastating, this-is-the-one, love to end all ages kind of love does not work in a first sight scenario. Maybe people have experienced this personally, but conveying it on the page is just not working for readers, no matter how much the author feels it between their characters. If no one else does, it’s the tree falling in the forest situation. Build the relationship, that’s the advice the bloggers repeatedly gave.

And on a side note, you can play around with this ‘at first sight’ thing. Here’s an awesome example found in a commercial from the Netherlands. You can thank my Dutch hubby for finding the link for me:

 

Abuse as romance

Finally, this one had the most poignant comments from bloggers. Many noted that it appears to be on the rise in fiction. A disturbing thought. It took the form of men against women.

Physical abuse: Punching wasn’t mentioned, but pushing and forcing a girl from one place to another, aka. kidnapping, was.

Mental/Verbal abuse: Nearly all of them called out bullying and name calling/running the girl down.

Emotional abuse: Threats of abandonment. Withholding affection if she didn’t comply with the guy’s line of thinking.

And these things stemmed from the supposed male protagonist, the girl’s love interest. According to those surveyed, no matter how badly the guy behaved, the girl was so in love that she either forgave him when he showed the smallest glimmer of kindness, or she couldn’t leave him/overlooked it because he was so damn hot. *shudder*

There you have it folks. Things to watch out for when crafting those romantic plots/subplots. The essential point here? Love can take many forms, but when it comes to fiction, it should never be cliché.