My Book Reviews

Category: Science Fiction

This category contains any posts published in reference to books of science fiction genre.

Heir of Arcadia by Deborah Adams , Kimberley Perkins

Heir of Arcadia by Deborah Adams , Kimberley Perkins

Release: July 24th 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Rocket City Publishing
Source: Xpresso Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon

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Can Collins and Quinn call a truce long enough to survive?

Quinn’s hectic job as a special agent keeps her busy, but never busy enough to tamp out her inconvenient attraction to CEO billionaire Julian Collins. He is usually the biggest pain in her side, but he can also be recklessly charming. When Collins asks her to open a secret investigation into his company, she worries that extra time alone with him might test her resolve to stay away.

Julian Collins always dreamed of being on Arcadia, a fictional world from his favorite video game. But lately, he’s been seeing things from the game in real life. Above all, he feels like he’s losing his mind, and now is not the time to go crazy. He needs to discover the secrets hidden in the Special Projects division to prevent the company splitting into a dozen pieces.

Finally, after three years of quasi-friendship, Collins and Quinn have honed arguing into a true art form. As far as he’s concerned, she’s off-limits, but also quick-witted and sexy as hell. Still, she’s the perfect person for the job.

As Quinn and Collins delve deeper into their investigation, further secrets will lead them to things no one on earth can explain. Will they discover that searing hot kisses can be even more fun than well-placed insults when a whole new universe is spread before them?

About the Author:

DEBORAH ADAMS and KIMBERLEY PERKINS are authors of the Award-Winning Waypoint series. They are friends and coworkers sharing a love of coffee, literature, and teenagers saving the world. Both live in Huntsville, Alabama, working by day for a contractor supporting the Department of Defense, and by night writing spectacular adventures.

Website

Heir of Arcadia Review:

Wow, I honestly did not expect this story to be so exciting! What starts off as a simple investigation for a secret project, turns out to be an out of the world adventure to save a civilization.

Personally, the characters were the highlight of the book. I really loved Quinn’s character. She has a wonderful chemistry with Collins. Additionally, I loved how she transitions with her new found powers in Arcadia. She has such a unique power unlike anything I had read before. Moreover, the supporting characters like Alex, Riya, Simon and West also add well. My favorite supporting character was Delcie! I don’t think I have ever read a character that turned out to be a voice automated machine with a sassy attitude. I loved the way she advises the team and supports them during their adventure.

The authors did a wonderful job in blending the action and the character development hand in hand. They also set the building the world nicely while keeping the story-line fresh. You feel like you are actually with the characters as they first set their foot on Arcadia for the very first time and get used to the surroundings.

There are a few things which are still left open ended. What was Cid’s role with the documents? What transpired between Jasper and Cid? Initially I assumed it was a stand-alone book but guess it’s the first book in a series? Perhaps we will get to know more if there is a second book. Also, I felt like the war with the Draconians was very fast and felt rushed. We really don’t get to know much about Nero or their perspective.

But, apart from that, this was a fun, science fiction adventure ride and I enjoyed reading it a lot!

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Heir of Arcadia by Deborah Adams , Kimberley Perkins Blog Tour hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Book Tour Schedule

July 27th
–Three girls and plenty of Books
–Rockin’ Book Reviews
–breen.rb

July 28th
–From the TBR Pile
–diary of a wannabe writer

July 29th
–Uncharted Routes
–Run Away Irish Girl

July 30th
–The Avid Reader
–Hurn Publications
–Lilly’s Book World

July 31st
–Rajiv’s Reviews
–Buried Under Books
–Geeky Galaxy

August 1st
–Jazzy Book Reviews
–Cranky TBC

July 31, 2020
Above the Star by Alexis Marie Chute

Above the Star by Alexis Marie Chute

Release: April 21st 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: SparkPress
Source: iRead Book Tours
Find it at: Amazon, Amazon.ca, B&N, Target, Google play, Book Depository

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Book Description:

When frumpy senior citizen Archie goes in search of his missing son in the Spanish Canary Islands, he stumbles upon a higher mission. By locating a magical cure for his ailing fourteen-year-old granddaughter, Ella. Using a portal-jumping device called the Tillastrion, Archie and a stone-headed creature named Zeno are transported to Jarr-Wya. Jarr-Wya is a magnificent yet terrifying island in a connected realm. Ella and her strong-willed mother, Tessa, accidentally stow away on this not-so-secret quest.

What they find on Jarr-Wya is a wicked Star in the sea torturing the island . Also a raging three-way battle for dominion between the stone-wielding Bangols, the fiery Olearons, and the evil Millia sands. Ella’s wit and resourcefulness emerge in this new world. Also, Tessa has to confront her long-buried secrets and a confusing new love triangle. When the Bangols capture Ella, Tessa and Archie set out to save her and unravel the terrible mystery of her cure. A mesmerizing, stay-up-all-night adventure of three unlikely heroes. Above the Star reminds us that even the smallest act of bravery can transform our lives and the fates of the worlds around us.

About the Author:

Alexis Marie Chute is an award-winning author, artist, photographer, art curator, filmmaker, and public speaker. She has received over 40 noteworthy distinctions for her visual and literary work. Her award-winning fantasy series The 8th Island Trilogy includes, Above the Star, Below the Moon, and Inside the Sun. The series has been described as “A WRINKLE IN TIME meets THE PRINCESS BRIDE” by The Perpetual You magazine. “Fast and bizarre… never a dull moment” by Forward Reviews. The 8th Island Trilogy “weaves STAR WARS-like characters with a WONDER-like message to form an enrapturing read for blooklovers of all ages” – US Review of Books.

Chute’s bestselling memoir, Expecting Sunshine: A Journey of Grief, Healing and Pregnancy After Loss, was a top Kirkus title of 2017 and received a plethora of other literary distinctions. The memoir was accompanied by the feature documentary of the same name. It has screened internationally for the last three years. Chute received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design from the University of Alberta, Canada. She studied at Media Design school in Auckland, New Zealand.

She graduated valedictorian with her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, USA. Chute is a highly regarded public speaker. She has presented on art, writing, bereavement, and the healing capacities of creativity around the world. Contact the Author/Artist for bookings info@alexismariechute.com When not in her art/photo studio or at her computer, Chute loves to spend quality time with her family. She reads fiction and non-fiction, watch reality TV, paddleboard, and canoe. She is not a winter person but lives in frosty Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with her husband and their three living children.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pintrest

Above the Star Review:

Wow! I did not expect this book to be such a wild ride. What starts off as a family cruise turns out to be a fantastic fantasy adventure.

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Firstly, I loved the characters. My favorite character is Archie. It is SO refreshing to see an older man be one of the leads. Arden/Ardenal is also wonderful and I loved the sacrifices he makes for his family. The romance between Nate, Tessa, Arden and Valerie was also intense. In fact, Valerie turned out to be a very interesting character. On a side note, I laughed out loud whenever Lady Sophia made an appearance.

There are other reasons that made me appreciate the author, apart the characters. I loved way she changed perspectives when Ella converses, and added the beautiful illustrations. The world building is also amazing, and I had no trouble visualizing the details (without referring to the glossary). There are also some intense action scenes, like Tessa’s hallucinations coming true, and when they meet Rolace.

However, I felt that the story was a little too fast at times, especially after they meet Rolace. As there are many characters, and the story is so fast, it took a while for me to understand what was happening. Also, I really wanted to like Tessa but really didn’t like how hostile she was towards her family. She only does what she thinks is right and at times doesn’t even connect with her daughter.

Apart from that, this was very entertaining and interesting. I am curious to see how the series continues. Overall, “Above the Star” is a very nice start to the 8^th Island Trilogy.

Book Trailer:

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the Above the Star by Alexis Marie Chute Blog Tour hosted by IRead Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway! Here is the tour schedule.

July 26, 2020
The Library of Ever (The Library of Ever #1) by Zeno Alexander

The Library of Ever (The Library of Ever #1) by Zeno Alexander
Release: April 30th 2019
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Imprint
Source: Amazon

Synopsis:

With her parents off traveling the globe, Lenora is bored, bored, bored–until she discovers a secret doorway in the library and becomes its newly appointed Fourth Assistant Apprentice Librarian.

In her new job, Lenora finds herself helping future civilizations figure out the date, relocates lost penguins, uncovers the city with the longest name on Earth, and more in a quest to help patrons. But there are sinister forces at work that want to destroy all knowledge. To save the library, Lenora will have to test her limits and uncover secrets hidden among its shelves.

The Library of Ever Review:

Reading this book was like taking a roller-coaster ride. It was wonderful, and I loved every minute of it! The story is fast paced, unpredictable, adventurous, cute, and wacky. In a nutshell, it has all the elements that any younger reader would immediately focus their attention on (and even adults).

You would think that a story that takes place in a library might not be so interesting. But the book is written so well that it makes the library feel like a wonderland. From Beluga whales to penguins, learning Cartography to Bangkok (the place having the longest name), or from Genghis Khan’s tomb to hardworking ants, this book is like a mini encyclopedia of fun facts. The author has mentioned so many fun trivia about a variety of subjects over each chapter. Just when you think the next chapter cannot top the previous one, the author does something surprising by turning the character into a cat!

I loved Lenora as the main character. She is brave, inquisitive, and curious and loves to explore. I also liked her interactions with Malachi and Bendigeidfran. I especially loved the robot and thought he was a very humorous sidekick. The author pays a nice homage to hardworking librarians in the plot. Moreover, the story also ends in shocking way where you wonder how that happened! The author has also beautifully merged some science fiction, time travel elements into the story in addition to the world facts.

Overall, I thought this was a wonderful start to the series. I have very high expectations for the following book because I seriously don’t know how the author can top it off from here. I encourage everyone to pick up this story and read!

May 9, 2020
Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening (Monstress #1) by Marjorie M. Liu , Sana Takeda

Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening (Monstress #1) by Marjorie M. Liu , Sana Takeda
Release: July 19th 2016
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Image Comics
Source: Netgalley

Synopsis:

Set in an alternate matriarchal 1900’s Asia, in a richly imagined world of art deco-inflected steam punk, MONSTRESS tells the story of a teenage girl who is struggling to survive the trauma of war, and who shares a mysterious psychic link with a monster of tremendous power, a connection that will transform them both and make them the target of both human and otherworldly powers. Collects MONSTRESS #1-6

Monstress Review:

A big thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for providing me an advanced reader’s copy of “Monstress Volume 1: Awakening”. As I was not able to review this book on time, I purchased the retail copy for reading and reviewing.

Before I even get to the story, I have to compliment that artwork! Firstly, the illustrations are simply breathtaking and out of this world! The amount of details and colors selected on each panel is just flawless, and I was staring at each of them in detail before proceeding with the story. I have never heard of Sana Takeda but I truly loved her work in this book and have become a fan.

Secondly, the characters are beautiful, distinctive, weird and very entertaining to read. Even after reading the book, I am not sure if some of the characters are truly good or bad. I loved Maika and thought she was awesome! Also, some of the villains are completely devious and you don’t know how they will react. I fell in love with Master Run and Kippa as they support Maika on her quest. Moreover, Kippa is so adorable and adds the love and cuteness to this otherwise very serious book.

While the book is engrossing, I felt the story progressed too fast. Mainly, the plot is a bit confusing and I had to go back and re-read a few pages to keep track of what was happening. Even after reading this book, I am still a bit confused with a few characters and their background stories as quite a few of them are left open-ended for the following volumes.

But overall, reading Monstress was memorable experience, and was a treat for the eyes with its amazing illustrations! Bear in mind that some scenes are pretty violent and graphic.

March 29, 2020
The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin

The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin
Release: September 28th 1972
Format: Kindle
Publisher: Random House
Source: Amazon

The Stepford Wives Synopsis:

For Joanna, her husband, Walter, and their children, the move to beautiful Stepford seems almost too good to be true. It is. For behind the town’s idyllic facade lies a terrible secret—a secret so shattering that no one who encounters it will ever be the same.

At once a masterpiece of psychological suspense and a savage commentary on a media-driven society that values the pursuit of youth and beauty at all costs, The Stepford Wives is a novel so frightening in its final implications that the title itself has earned a place in the American lexicon.

Review:

Watch my video review of The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin

[embedyt] https://youtu.be/S4gyTyAq3mI[/embedyt]

I loved reading this book and was at the edge of my seat the whole time! This is one of those books that does not have any horror or gore, but is psychologically very creepy. Firstly, it shows how a person can be easily manipulated into believing in something, no matter how strong willed they are. Moreover, I really loved Bobbie and Joanna together and her reaction when she finds out what happened to her friend. Overall, this is a gripping book which is very easy and short to read, and is a complete page turner.

August 14, 2019
Dear Earthling: Cosmic Correspondent by Pen Avey

Dear Earthling: Cosmic Correspondent by Pen Avey
Release: December 3rd 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Common Deer Press
Source: Netgalley

Dear Earthling Synopsis:

Dethbert Jones is your average ten-year-old – only he lives on the planet Crank with his pet chicken-snail and his robot best friend Andi Social. When he and Andi join the Space Cadets, a Scouts-like organization, they are totally smooshed at the prospect of going to Space Camp where they’ll learn to pilot a real shuttlecraft and disintegrate weapons of mass destruction. Blamtastic!

To earn his cosmic correspondent badge, Dethbert begins writing to an earthling – and boy, does he have a lot to write about! Between questions about Earth food, culture, and activities, Dethbert recounts his experiences attempting to avoid his horrible little sister, impress his animal-obsessed crush, and fly a space shuttle. Misadventures – from hairy ankles to crash landings – abound, but Dethbert’s curiosity and enthusiasm can’t be crushed, not by anything in this galaxy, anyway!

Review:

A special thanks to Netgalley for giving me an advanced copy of this book to read and review. Even though I read it initially, due to personal reasons, I couldn’t review it prior to the publication. So here it is now 🙂

At times, it is just fun to pick up a silly book and read it and have a good laugh, and “Dear Earthling: Cosmic Correspondent” does exactly that. This book was quirky and entertaining to read. The story is fun and breezy and would mainly entertain younger readers.

There are several things which I enjoyed about this book. Firstly, I liked the way in which each chapter is told via letter correspondence between Dethbert Jones and the Earthling. Even though the characters are unbelievable, reading their letters makes the reader relate to them better. Secondly, I liked the how the author blends science fiction elements perfectly in way that younger readers can relate to. There are different gadgets, animals and trips to outer space that makes this book very creative. The author also included some terms like “parpled” and “sloshing” which sounds really funny. However, the author has used these terms in a way that the reader would understand what it is.

I particularly found the story very interesting when Dethbert and Andi crash into the island and meet the Clawed Beastie. It was interesting to see how they would get out of the predicament. Pen Avey has done a very nice job in creating the world and the characters for the story. She is perfect for writing these types of novels and I am keen in picking up some of her other works as well. I am not sure who the illustrator is, but the sketches add beautifully to compliment the plot.

While I would not give “Dear Earthling: Cosmic Correspondent” a 5 star rating as I would have liked something meaningful and substantial also added to it, I did find it entertaining and would give it 3.5 out of 5 stars for its uniqueness and creativity.

June 20, 2019
The Owls Have Come to Take Us Away by Ronald L. Smith

The Owls Have Come to Take Us Away by Ronald L. Smith
Release: February 19th 2019
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Clarion Books
Source: Amazon

The Owls Have Come to Take Us Away Synopsis:

Twelve-year-old Simon is obsessed with aliens. The ones who take people and do experiments. When he’s too worried about them to sleep, he listens to the owls hoot outside. Owls that have the same eyes as aliens—dark and foreboding.

Then something strange happens on a camping trip, and Simon begins to suspect he’s been abducted. But is it real, or just the overactive imagination of a kid who loves fantasy and role-playing games and is the target of bullies and his father’s scorn?

Review:

Watch my video review of The Owls Have Come to Take Us Away by Ronald L. Smith!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUZcS9DPfhc[/embedyt]

I picked up this book because I really liked the concept. It’s a creepy, science fiction, alien abduction story with a middle grade flair to it. When I started reading it, I liked the main character Simon and how he had a fascination for aliens and provided snippets of UFO sightings and alien related incidents that have occurred.

The author has written the story in a very dark and creepy way, similar to the old episodes of The Twilight Zone or Outer Limits. The story is very atmospheric. At times, I felt like I was reading a novel by Stephen King. The author also keeps the reader guessing as to whether Simon’s encounters are real, or if it just his imagination. I felt that the story had a lot of potential, but there were just other aspects in the book that made it very difficult to enjoy reading it.

The first and main problem I had with this story was the story within a story. While we read about what is going on in Simon’s life, Simon starts narrating his own story in alternate chapters, which we get to read. Even though there were moments where I found Simon’s written story more interesting that the main story, the shift between the main story and the narrated story was unnecessary and confusing. It is not at all related or connected to what Simon is experiencing, so I didn’t see the point of including it in the book. The author could have actually released the narrated story as a separate book because it had a lot of potential.

The second problem with the story is how it ended. The book is somewhat consistent in pacing for most, but takes a complete nosedive in the end. There is a constant buildup as to whether Simon is experiencing these things, or if it just in his head. But the story ends in a cliffhanger, and the epilogue following it just quickly covers and tries to provide closure in 2 pages for a buildup of 250 pages. I really dislike such books where the author wrap up everything in a hurry for whatever reason it may be.

And lastly, it’s Simon’s interactions with his family and friends. We really don’t get much closure or details of any of the supporting characters. Simon has issues with his father, but the author does not provide any closure for it. Simon’s friends Tony and Miranda help him in a few scenes, but again, we don’t get to know anything about them. It felt like all these characters just made a random appearance in the book and disappeared.

Overall, “The Owls have come to take us away” was disappointing to read and I would give it a rating of 2 out of 5 stars.

March 18, 2019
Whisper (Whisper #1) by Lynette Noni

Whisper (Whisper #1) by Lynette Noni
Release: May 1st 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Pantera Press
Source: NetGalley

Whisper Synopsis:

“Lengard is a secret government facility for extraordinary people,” they told me.

I believed them. That was my mistake.

There isn’t anyone else in the world like me.

I’m different. I’m a monster.

For two years, six months, fourteen days, eleven hours and sixteen minutes, Subject Six-Eight-Four — ‘Jane Doe’ — has been locked away and experimented on, without uttering a single word.

As Jane’s resolve begins to crack under the influence of her new — and unexpectedly kind — evaluator, she uncovers the truth about Lengard’s mysterious ‘program’, discovering that her own secret is at the heart of a sinister plot … and one wrong move, one wrong word, could change the world.

Review:

A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and Pantera Press for providing me a copy of “Whisper” by Lynette Noni in exchange for my review. This is such an amazing book to read!

“Whisper” is written from a first person perspective of Jane Doe, which I liked as it made me feel closely connected to her. Even though she doesn’t speak much, I was immersed in JD and her thoughts and could easily relate to her. Furthermore, I loved how complex Jane Doe is as we progress with her in the story. She is vulnerable, frustrated, confused, and scared, but yet determined and hopeful considering whatever she has been through. The reader can slowly see her becoming confident and in control once she learns more about what’s going on. In fact, all the supporting characters have their own unique personality that make them likable in some way. I loved Cam and Kael in particular because of their friendliness and honesty towards JD. I adored Enzo as well for how he supports JD throughout her battles.

The author has written the story in simple but gripping manner. Initially, I didn’t know how the story would turn out with Jane Doe being a prisoner in Lengard. As the story develops, there are so many twists and turns that made me wonder what will happen next! Without giving much away, the incidents that take place in the Market in Sydney, at the zoo and when JD sees Dinger are some of my favorite moments. Not just in terms of the plot, but the characters also shocked me as well. Sometimes I would image a character reacting a certain way, only to find that they behaved exactly the opposite. Even now, after reading this book, I am not sure whether I should love Ward or hate him!

Another aspect I particularly loved is that it focuses mainly on JD, without turning it into a love story between her and her love interest. While I would have enjoyed seeing more romance between JD and the men to come into her life, I liked that it primarily concentrated only on JD finding herself. I also enjoyed the fact that there is some closure in the end, but still so many questions that makes me want to pick out the next book in the series!

This book just has everything in it for a great read! Mystery, suspense, science fiction, supernatural, romance, friendship rooted on an unforgettable plot surrounded by wonderful characters! Lynette Noni has created a masterpiece with this novel and I can’t wait for the sequel to release!

May 8, 2018
The Boy from Earth by Darrell Pitt

The Boy from Earth by Darrell Pitt
Release: February 26th 2018
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Text Publishing
Source: NetGalley

The Boy from Earth Synopsis:

Twelve-year-old Bobby Baxter’s not the bravest kid on Earth. His list of things that scare him is up to number 689, and includes lightning, crowds, spiders, alien abductions, crocodiles, falling from great heights, falling from small heights and eggs.

So when he learns that he’s the first Earthling ever chosen to attend the Galactic Space Academy, light years away from home, he’s terrified—and that’s before he discovers that someone at the academy wants the boy from Earth gone.

Review:

A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and Text Publishing for providing me a copy of “The Boy from Earth” by Darrell Pitt in exchange for my review.

This was such a fun book to read. The story reminded me of one of a Star Trek episodes that you cannot stop watching once you start. This fast paced roller-coaster keeps you on your toes from the first page. Being a space adventure, I initially felt that the description of the setting and the plot would be hard to follow. However, the story is told in a very simple manner for younger readers to enjoy, and the plot is also interesting for adults to appreciate. There are so many things happening in this story, from secret adversaries, diabolical schemes to children saving the world. This is all blended with good character development where the hero learns about friendship and confidence with a dash of humor. The gadgets mentioned are also innovative, and I wish I had access to the Immersive Learning System to learn all the languages easily.

The characters are unique and charming in their own manner. I liked Bobby as the main character. Even though he is scared of everything, it was inspiring to see him gradually gain confidence. My favorite character was Gooba. He is so bubbly and profound that I wanted to give him a big hug whenever he made an appearance. My least favorite character was Talia, only because of her boring personality and taking everything being said in a literal sense. Zim-Zam were fun, but they didn’t have much visibility in the story. The dialogues are sharp and funny. Each character has a distinct personality and invoked their own unique humor into the story. Even the instructors in the Academy were interesting. I especially liked Instructor Balatron and his scare tactics, and Instructor Oolite for those interesting classes with the ILS. I wish we had these kind of classes growing up.

Darrell Pitt’s style of writing is delightful and smooth to read. He sticks to the point and brings the adventure to life in the story. He doesn’t drag on with too many details, and keeps the pacing consistent. James Hart has also done a very nice job on the illustrations. The illustrations are cute and comical, but have quite a few details that make it stand out.

Overall, “The Boy from Earth” is worth reading. I feel that we have not seen the last of Bobby Baxter and there is a sequel in the works. I rate this book 4/5 stars!

May 6, 2018