Tag: science fiction

Books, great reads, Reviews

Shifter Planet by D.B. Reynolds

Karen

Shifter Planet Cover

This was my first book by D.B. Reynolds but not my last. I really enjoyed the world that she built, but let’s make this blog official, blurb first then a review.

Blurb:

Specialist Amanda Sumner is one of the first to make contact on the Earth-like planet Harp and discovers she’s the only Earthling, who can hear the trees sing in the strange forest. Determined to remain and learn more of the planet’s secrets, Amanda sets out to become part of the elite Guild there…

But there is a secret involving some Guild members-one that could get her killed.

Shifter Rhodry de Mendoza wants the Earthlings off his planet before they destroy it–even if that means denying what he feels for the fierce and lovely Amanda. The pair is thrown together in what becomes a fight for their lives. And they might just lose everything-including each other-in their battle for the right to live in peace.

Now the review: I loved this book! I have to admit in the beginning I was not a Specialist Amanda Sumner fan. I found her arrogant and annoying. For example she practically throws a hissy fit when she finds out there are shifters on the planet and no one told her. Really? This is one of they’re biggest secrets, your people have done nothing but harm but they should have told you because your breathing? That irritated me. But I loved Rhodry from go. He was protective and honorable, plus being smoking hot didn’t hurt. And truth be told Amanda grew on me, her personally became less entitled and more independent (it they’re a difference? Of course there is) which also coincided with the story really picking up. The less I worried about her the more I realized that this was a really good book. The world building was spot on, I was never confused about where they were or what something looked like. The relationship between Rhodry and Amanda was refreshing, instant attraction but not insta-love. And the story itself was great, just enough angst to make you want to read, just a little more.

I recommend reading this, the book comes out October 26th. Grab it, you won’t be disappointed. I did get a free copy from netgalley, so thank you for that!

Books, great reads, Reviews, scifi

Pale Moon Walking by Paula Altenburg

Karen

I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and lately my reads from there have not been great, this was the gift in the group.

Summary: Basically you have aliens, the wild west, a guy that the government has been experimenting on (with alien blood) and a chick sheriff. Yeah and a little chemistry to keep things interesting.  I know it sound awesome right? It was!

I’d like to point out that first this book is well written. You start to appreciate that when you get a couple of books in a row that aren’t. Second the concept, see above, was actually fulfilled. Sam, one of the main characters, was interesting and likable, plus the whole alien blood making him manifest his new talents was pretty cool. Then you have Libby, she does the whole tough girl stay away from us thing well, but I still liked her as well. Even though the aliens were called Sky People (yikes!) I found the story building rich and was caught up before I knew it.

A romance with a scifi twist, well worth the read, enjoy!

Out of the Box Blogs

The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow

Karen

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This book is set hundreds of years in the future where AI’s dominate and human rulers give up they children as hostages to keep peace. I know it’s a short blurb but this book had so much potential, it was different and fascinating to me, so much so that I skipping it ahead in my TBR list so I could read it, only to be disappointed. Here is why.

You basically are following a girl Greta, one of the hostage children as she lives her obedient and annoying life. She’s just so boring! Surprise, I didn’t like her. Telling me she’s going to wake up and do something and her actually doing it, two different things. Sorry she just seemed so flat! By the time some action did occur I was going through the motions, no longer engaged in the story, Nothing about it really got interesting it just stayed bland for me. Even reviewing this book I feel kind of meh, like why bother.

Concept? Amazing. Executing? Terrible. I would not recommend this read.

Books, great reads, indie author, Reviews, scifi

Sins of the Father by Anthony Vicino

Karen

About two weeks ago I posted a review on another one of Anthony’s books Parallel. Needless to say I was not happy with the end. So Anthony messaged me and our conversation went like this:

Kar how could you write a review like that on your blog! I’m one of the few people who actually liked something you wrote, think you could throw a little of the love back, sheesh! Here! If you’re going to be so cruel why don’t you just start taking my books!

Sorry, that’s a total lie, he was a completely professional and was really nice. I imagine if I was an author that’s what I would think every time I saw a bad review, of course I’d never say it. Really, I promise. To top off the fact that he seems to be genuinely nice (see I told you most authors are) he was also kind enough to send me this novella so I could give his writing another chance. So that’s how Sins of the Father came into my possession. And let me tell you, this one is a winner.

Background first. The story is about Ricky who is a man is his forties locked in a mental institute for killing his grandmother when he was a child but he can’t remember why. Problem? He thinks he’s still 9 years old and is suppressing the truth. So can the doctors unlock his memories and make him whole again? And will he be able to survive?

This is a completely different story than the first one I read from Vicino, more of a mental mind game scifi than a multi dimensional multi world scifi, but I can appreciate both. I found myself unable to put this book down, constantly curious as too what was coming next in the story. This book really forced me to feel with the characters, which is hard for me, making the end even more impactful. If you want a taste of Vicino’s writing this was a great, quick read. I plan on picking up his full length book, Time Heist, to see if the trend can continue.

Thank you Anthony, redemption successful.