Tag: action

Monthly Features – August

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Dissonance: Volume Zero: Revelation by Aaron Ryan

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis:  One day, they silently drifted down through our skies. We thought they were angelic messengers. We were wrong.

They arrived by the hundreds of thousands on June 6th, 2026. The aliens silently drifted down from the sky, hovering fifty feet above us for three long, tense months at a geostationary orbit, taking up positions around the world. No one knew why they came…what they wanted…or why they wouldn’t just go away.

Then, the unthinkable happened. They suddenly came to life…and hunted us down. We ended up calling them gorgons – after the mythical creature Medusa – because if we locked eyes with them, it was all over, and they could telepathically paralyze us with just one look. Once immobilized, they could consume us at their leisure, leaving us to feel every excruciating bite. There was no escape, no hiding from their relentless pursuit. Our only defense was to run.

By the end of 2026, eighty-five percent of mankind had been killed off. The alien invasion turned Planet Earth into a ghost town, with the few survivors eking out an existence in the shadows. Andrew Shipley is one such survivor thrust into an extraordinary nightmare of post-apocalyptic proportions. As chaos erupts, hope dwindles for Andrew and his wife and three small children. Will they make it? Or will the gorgons get them too?

Summary: Overall, this was arguably my favorite so far in the series perhaps because of the light that it sheds on the events that take place in the rest of the series. I found myself laughing at some parts and with tears in my eyes at others. Ryan does an excellent job at evoking emotion and keeping readers engaged throughout this book. If you are a fan of science fiction, dystopian worlds, aliens, action, adventure, thrills, and reading about what it means to be human, then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: Dissonance: Volume Zero: Revelation
Purchase here

 

Post Traumatic Growth by Jesse Hewitt

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: This book is an account of the journey following encounters of trauma and taking steps towards personal growth. I served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 12 years, with 5 years serving as a Close Protection Operator undertaking multiple operations in high-conflict environments – both domestically and overseas. Having completed there missions, I witnessed first-hand the damages of war and having experienced the consequences of combat.

This is a tale of a torment and tribulation but is also the story of reparation and recovery. A story of surviving trauma and overcoming the wounds war inflicted upon my mind. Within this book, you will read about these traumas. Personal crises and living in a state of mind that is unwell will be shared. The approach to conquering my personal mental health struggles was multi-faceted, and details of this journey will be disclosed in order to hopefully empower others to take the first steps in their own recovery. Things such as various treatment styles, inter-personal connections and the accidental introduction to Equine Therapy were all supports to becoming a healthier me.

It is my hope that through sharing the intricacies of what I faced and how I committed to treatment to find meaning, purpose, and strength once again, will help others rediscover their own fortitude, resilience, and resolve as they endeavor into the emotional trenches of recovery and emerge healthier, happier, and having taken their own steps towards Post Traumatic Growth.

Summary: Overall, if you are interested in inspiring, real life stories about overcoming mental health challenges especially as it relates to PTSD, depression, substance abuse disorders, and eating disorders, then this book could be for you. 

See the full review here: Post Traumatic Growth
Purchase here

 

The Voided Man by Anthony Dean

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: There are great deserts in space. Matter is not spread evenly. On average it balances out in all directions, but some regions are not average. For every dense cluster of galaxies in one place, there is a tremendous void somewhere else. There are no galaxies within the voids, no stars, no planets, and no moons. Scientists have theorized that anyone at the center of such an empty space would see only darkness in every direction. Even the brightest objects, they say, would be too far distant to be visible to the naked eye.

I got a chance to test that theory firsthand. I am the most distant exile in human history.

My name is Prisoner Number One. This is my story.

Summary: Overall, I went into this almost completely blind and was pleasantly surprised with this one. This is a great example of going outside of your comfort zone and managing to find some diamonds in the rough. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of quirky science fiction stories that feature romance and touch on what it means to be human. 

See the full review here: The Voided Man
Purchase here

 

The Gemini Project by Ian Moran

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Jan Ericson spends his days on the campus of the Corpo Academy participating in sports and playing games. The Academy has never formally taught Jan, or any of its 42 students, to read or write. Jan looks forward to moving to New London, where he will live with his father and start his career. That day will be his 18th birthday after a celebration known as the renaissance.

Dr. William Osler works at the Academy and considers himself an amateur philosopher and would-be comedian. He befriends Jan and sees the boy’s keen desire to learn. Quietly in the background, the doctor teaches his student to read. Dr. Osler knows that the 17-year-old boy will die, the same way his older brother died, in less than two weeks. However, addicted to a designer drug, the doctor is constantly high as he tries to fight his own demons.

Tre Ericson is Jan’s father. He sees his son four times a year but feels no love for him. While desperately trying to please his father, Jan discovers a tunnel that runs under the school. The tunnel contains a dark secret, which initiates a chain of events that might save Jan’s life!

The Gemini Project is must-read coming-of-age novel that deals with a dystopian future and the world of neurology. The story of Jan Ericson will take you to unpredictable places in a battle of life and death

Summary: Overall, I found this to be an intriguing and thought provoking science fiction thriller set in a dystopian world and would recommend to anyone interested in sci-fi, dystopian worlds, thrillers, suspense, mystery, and philosophical dilemmas.

See the full review here: The Gemini Project
Purchase here

 

Claimed by a Cowboy by Melody Carson

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: I HATE SURPRISES.
Even a surprise that comes with designer heels and killer curves.
What I needed at the end of a long day in the saddle was a cold brew – not a hot tempered reporter who was intent on getting on my last nerve.
Worse, Madison was asking too many questions and getting too close to the truth. Too close to me.

My real identity as heir to the billion dollar Rising Star Ranch was at stake, and I had to keep Madison at arms length.

Until that first unforgettable kiss.

Now, I’m wondering how I can, not only keep Madison at Rising Star Ranch, but also protect her and claim her as my own.

Summary: Overall, if you like cowboy romances full of enemies-to-lovers troupes, mystery, suspense, a bit of danger, and a cowboy saving the day, then this book could be for you!

See the full review here: Claimed by a Cowboy
Purchase here

 

 

Review: For Your Benefit by Patrick Canning

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Synopsis:

Teddy Lint is the kindest private investigator on the planet, committed to seeing the best in everyone he meets. The detective agency he runs out of a Los Angeles strip mall with his brother Ralph has seen a strange case or two before, but never anything like this.

A man claiming to work for the CIA hires the Lints to find a shipping container of radioactive Agent Orange that vanished over fifty years ago. He insists someone is planning on using an army of drones to drench L.A. with the deadly chemicals before the week is out.

The Lint Brothers enter a maze of bizarre suspects, from nefarious ad executives, to anarchistic Boy Scouts, to a toga-clad militia fighting for exclusive rule by women. The propaganda-obsessed society that seems to be running the world is probably worth looking into as well.

The power of empathy collides with the dangers of disinformation as Teddy fights to save the people he loves. Our beloved detective doesn’t give up easily, but any Angelenos with an aversion to death by herbicide might want to dust off that umbrella, just in case . .

Favorite Lines:

“Several times a year, Teddy tries to change Ms. Beauchamp’s job title to Partner and rename the business to Lint, Lint, & Beauchamp Detective Agency. And, several times a year, Ms. Beauchamp refuses, saying the proposed name sounds like an abortion of a law firm no one in their right mind would hire and that she could give a damn about job titles.”

“Nothing more American than a second job, I’ve got three myself.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story follows Teddy and Ralph Lint, adopted twin brothers who run a detective agency. The brothers find themselves wrapped up in a bizarre case involving an individual named Mr. Woodbine who claims that he works for the CIA. The Lints are hired to find a barrel of deadly herbicide that is unaccounted for before it ends up in the wrong hands and is used in disastrous ways. Why would the CIA need to hire a private detective agency you may ask. You’ll just have to read on to find out.

While I have read my fair share of detective stories, Canning puts a unique and quirky twist on the genre by including overly ridiculous characters and situations while utilizing satirical humor throughout. From cannibalistic movie stars to anarchist boy scouts, this book seems to have it all. Canning weaves together multiple plot lines in a unique and entertaining way while still managing to keep true to the detective-mystery genres.

While I found the story to be a bit fast paced, I felt that this only added to the overall excitement and tone of the story. Readers are swept along on an almost unbelievable journey with the Lint brothers and the introduction from one sub-plot to the next seemed to enhance the overall narrative.

Summary:

Overall, I found this to be a delightfully entertaining read and would recommend to anyone who enjoys satire, mysteries, and detective stories. Happy reading!

Check out For Your Benefit here!

 

Review: Tangled Deception by Darryl Webb

~ likelystory18 ~ 1 Comment

Synopsis:

Evelyn Pratt, PhD, is living a lie. Haunted by a past she wants to forget, her worst fear becomes her reality when she’s blackmailed and forced to commit crimes that will land her in prison for the rest of her life if she’s caught.

Embroiled in sabotage, theft, espionage, and murder, Dr. Pratt is soon running for her life and running out of time. Hunted by the Army, the police, and people who want the reward money, she must employ both her genius intellect and martial arts skills if she wants to remain free long enough to exact her revenge–and then escape the clutches of those controlling her.

Favorite Lines:

“Wow. Next time you pour on the cologne, gargle with some.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story follows Dr. Evelyn Pratt who is blackmailed into becoming a criminal and quickly finds herself on the run to avoid being hunted down and captured before she can take her revenge on the very individuals who forced her to commit the crimes in the first place.

This is my first book from Webb and I found it to be very enjoyable. Once I picked this book up, I had a hard time putting it down due its fast paced nature that left me on the edge of my seat, not to mention several plot twists that had me needing to read on to find out what happens next. Evelyn is a total bad ass (excuse my language) with admirable wit and the impressive ability to kick some butt when necessary and I found that for most of the book, I was trying to determine what her backstory was that made her the way she is – don’t worry all is explained in the end. 

I think Webb did a very good job at creating a fast paced, captivating story. The way that the scenery was described throughout made me feel like I was in the room with the characters. I could definitely see this book being perfect for a TV show or movie adaption. I also really appreciated the timing at the top of each chapter. It helped me keep track of pace and the countdown just added to the anticipation. If I had to nitpick about one thing, it would be that sometimes it was almost TOO fast paced. I wish that there had been more time during certain scenes but I also understand that part of the point of this story is the rush and on-the-run aspect of it all. 

P.S. to Webb: Thank you for not hurting the dogs!

Summary:

Classified as a technothriller and military thriller on Amazon, I would say this book can be for anyone who enjoys strong female characters, thrillers, and mysteries that are full of action and plot twists. Happy reading!

Check out Tangled Deception here!

 

Review: Dissonance: Volume Zero: Revelation by Aaron Ryan

~ likelystory18 ~ 3 Comments

Synopsis:

One day, they silently drifted down through our skies. We thought they were angelic messengers. We were wrong.

They arrived by the hundreds of thousands on June 6th, 2026. The aliens silently drifted down from the sky, hovering fifty feet above us for three long, tense months at a geostationary orbit, taking up positions around the world. No one knew why they came…what they wanted…or why they wouldn’t just go away.

Then, the unthinkable happened. They suddenly came to life…and hunted us down. We ended up calling them gorgons – after the mythical creature Medusa – because if we locked eyes with them, it was all over, and they could telepathically paralyze us with just one look. Once immobilized, they could consume us at their leisure, leaving us to feel every excruciating bite. There was no escape, no hiding from their relentless pursuit. Our only defense was to run.

By the end of 2026, eighty-five percent of mankind had been killed off. The alien invasion turned Planet Earth into a ghost town, with the few survivors eking out an existence in the shadows. Andrew Shipley is one such survivor thrust into an extraordinary nightmare of post-apocalyptic proportions. As chaos erupts, hope dwindles for Andrew and his wife and three small children. Will they make it? Or will the gorgons get them too?

Favorite Lines:

“We love you higher than the tallest tree…I love you faster than a hummingbird can flap his wings.”

“Dad, was that the Pope?”

“I bet him ten  bucks you were so old you wouldn’t be able to remember any more dad jokes.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have read and reviewed Volumes I and II of the Dissonance Alien Invasion Saga and was really excited to read this prequel to see how it all began. This story follows Andrew Shipley, the main character we have been reading about in the rest of the series’ father, and details the start of the invasion 16 years prior to the events that we read about in rest of the series. We get to see how the world was before June 6th, 2026 and what kickstarts mankind’s fight for survival in the years to follow.

This book, and the entire series, can be compared to “Alien meets A Quiet Place” and is told in a unique and creative storytelling voice. Ryan does a great job at painting a world that is entirely realistic and full of events that could happen to us at anytime (assuming life exists outside of Earth). This book is the origin story that answers a lot of questions posed in the rest of the sage: What happened in 2026? How did most of mankind get wiped out? How did our protagonist become who we see later in the series? And much more. We get to see Andrew Shipley’s relationship with his family including Cameron (Jet), who we follow along with in the rest of the series . 

This prequel sheds light on quite a lot of this series and brings new meaning to what takes place in the rest of the series. I found myself engrossed in the story and having a lot of “aha” moments throughout. As with the rest of the series, this book explores the ethical dilemmas and moral costs of survival. It illuminates what it is truly like to be a human being and both the relationships and experiences that make us who we are. 

Summary:

Overall, this was arguably my favorite so far in the series perhaps because of the light that it sheds on the events that take place in the rest of the series. I found myself laughing at some parts and with tears in my eyes at others. Ryan does an excellent job at evoking emotion and keeping readers engaged throughout this book. If you are a fan of science fiction, dystopian worlds, aliens, action, adventure, thrills, and reading about what it means to be human, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out Dissonance: Volume Zero: Revelation here!

 

Monthly Features – July

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Pigs in Paradise by Roger Maxson

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Pigs in Paradise opens on a group of animals on a farm in Israel. Julius is a wise-cracking non-religious parrot. In other words, he is a non-domesticated farm animal. His is the small voice of reason, tinged with humor, and cynicism while the others, domesticated farm animals, are being led to religion by Mel, a mule, and the spiritual leader. Later, Mel becomes Magnificent when he elevates himself to Pope. Priests are celibate and mules are sterile; therefore, a Catholic pope was the obvious choice.

When Blaise, a Jersey cow, gives birth to Lizzy, a “red calf,” two American evangelical ministers arrive. As events unfold, the evangelicals buy the group and have them shipped to America.

Once in America, the animals are transported by tractor-trailers across the country to a “Christian” farm in Kansas, where seven television monitors are tuned to 24/7 church sermons and juxtaposed with scenes from a barn, a real circus. Even though they are animals, they can only take so much before they chase Mel from the barn, and Stanley, Manly Stanley, the black Belgian Stallion, kicks out the TV monitors for a moment of silence, giving peace a chance, however short-lived.

Summary: Overall, if you enjoyed Animal Farm and are a fan of satirical literature especially that which explores religious and political issues in today’s society, then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: Pigs in Paradise
Purchase here

 

The Gates of Yoffa by J. Brandon Barnes

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: A MISSION UNLIKE ANY OTHER.WHAT THEY FOUND WAS BEYOND BELIEF. John Lewis is a computer scientist recruited for a covert mission in the deepest regions of space.

When he makes a seemingly critical error during a test flight, the operation’s only orbiter crashes on a lush, highly classified planet. This leaves John, his boss Dirk, and exobiologist Ruth stranded, with few supplies and little chance of rescue.

Their best hope for escape is a lost landing craft that detached during their descent. To find it, they must search an unknown world while infiltrating the first extraterrestrial society human beings have ever encountered.

But this isn’t their greatest challenge. It’s something else. Something far more profound. Revealed through the aliens’ storytelling culture is a secret that could destabilize Earth and civilization as we know it.

And that secret is about to be exposed.

Summary: Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with this book and am interested to see if Barnes has anything more up his sleeve. If you like sci-fi full of exploration, survival, friendship, and storytelling with a touch of romance and religion, then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: The Gates of Yoffa
Purchase here

 

Review: The Gates of Yoffa by J. Brandon Barnes

~ likelystory18 ~ 1 Comment

Synopsis:

A MISSION UNLIKE ANY OTHER.WHAT THEY FOUND WAS BEYOND BELIEF. John Lewis is a computer scientist recruited for a covert mission in the deepest regions of space.

When he makes a seemingly critical error during a test flight, the operation’s only orbiter crashes on a lush, highly classified planet. This leaves John, his boss Dirk, and exobiologist Ruth stranded, with few supplies and little chance of rescue.

Their best hope for escape is a lost landing craft that detached during their descent. To find it, they must search an unknown world while infiltrating the first extraterrestrial society human beings have ever encountered.

But this isn’t their greatest challenge. It’s something else. Something far more profound. Revealed through the aliens’ storytelling culture is a secret that could destabilize Earth and civilization as we know it.

And that secret is about to be exposed.

Favorite Lines:

“The only foreign language I speak is mathematics.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story primarily follows John Lewis, a computer scientist who is offered a chance to become a member of a team going to space on a secret mission. When something goes wrong during a test flight, John, along with his colleagues Dirk and Ruth, finds himself stranded on a strange planet determined to survive.

This story doesn’t waste any time! With a quick introduction to John and his team, readers are pulled into a unique world of Barnes’ creation. I thought that the new planet that the characters find themselves stuck on was very creative while still managing to feel realistic. I also found the alien civilization that they encounter to be really interesting especially with their culture revolving around storytelling.

Towards the end of the book, it becomes apparent that there are a lot of religious parallels/themes being drawn. Looking back, they were hinted at and scattered throughout the story but the ending really brings it all together. I thought that the parallels that Barnes draws here were well done and I was quite impressed in his ability to weave this story together in the way that he did.

While I found this to be a really creative and refreshing sci-fi tale, if I had to be nitpicky about something, it would be that sometimes everything worked out a bit too well. Perhaps I am just a pessimist but despite the fact that they are trapped on a foreign planet, even when they end up in a sticky situation, everything seemed to almost always work out in the end.  I also wasn’t a huge fan of how sometimes I felt like I was reading a story within a story. I think that Barnes’ storytelling abilities and writing techniques are fantastic but sometimes trying to sort out what storyline I was in was a bit much.

Summary:

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with this book and am interested to see if Barnes has anything more up his sleeve. If you like sci-fi full of exploration, survival, friendship, and storytelling with a touch of romance and religion, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out The Gates of Yoffa here!

 

Review: It Was A Riot by Daniel Hall

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Synopsis:

Growing up gay in the violent and poverty-stricken streets of East London, Eddy’s childhood is haunted by the shadow of bullying, rejection, and his domineering football hooligan father. Enrolling in medical school is his only lifeline – but it only catapults him into a fresh set of struggles that will define the rest of his life.

From the brutal front lines of the Falklands War to the impoverished mining communities of Northern England and the drug-fuelled raves of London, Eddy desperately tries to numb his pain and escape his inner demons. But his efforts are futile – and with the spectre of AIDS hanging over his head, he’s helpless to prevent his closest friends from succumbing to the disease.

But Eddy can’t hide forever. After a protest turns violent, he’s left fighting for his freedom against a biased court system that’s hell-bent on jailing him for manslaughter. His story quickly ignites a national frenzy as his case hits the headlines. And when Eddy makes a shocking discovery about his past, he must re-evaluate his entire life and decide what’s really important.

Can Eddy escape the shadow of his father’s judgement? Or will he never be able to accept himself for who he is?

As a gripping and authentic contemporary LGBT fiction novel that explores the stark realities of being gay in 1990’s England, It Was a Riot explores deep themes of identity, sexuality, paternal rejection, and the struggle to find oneself. This book is a must-read for fans of character-driven epics including Tomasz Jedrowski’s Swimming in the Dark and Douglas Stuart’s Shuggie Bain. Scroll up and grab your copy today.

Favorite Lines:

“And when I’m not being honest with myself, it also means I’m not living the life I really want.”

“You’ll always make me proud… No matter what you do. No matter the path you choose in life. No matter what you do or don’t accomplish. I’ll always be proud of you.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story follows Eddy, who grows up in England in the 1990s with a complicated childhood. Eddy is gentle and kind but his father demands that he learns how to be a “real man” so Eddy signs up for boxing classes and learns how to fight. Despite this attempt to please his father, Eddy comes to the realization that he is just not a violent man and finds his real passion is in the medical field so he decides to go to medical school. After gradating, Eddy joins the military to get more training as a doctor and it is here that he realizes that he is gay.

As the story evolves, we follow Eddy as he tries to come to terms with his sexuality and begins to explore the world as a gay man. While there is some joy in this exploration, it isn’t all rainbows and sunshine. Eddy faces a lot of hard truths from both the outside world but also from within himself. As Eddy finally begins to find some real peace, his past comes back to haunt him and he finds himself in court fighting for his freedom.

This is a debut novel for Hall and it exceeded all of my expectations. It pulled me in from the first chapter and had me engaged throughout the story until I realized I had finished it in one sitting. Hall tells a beautiful and heartbreaking story that is simultaneously devastating and important to read. This touches on learning to live outside of your parents’ shadow, the prejudices that the LGBTIQA+ community faced, and learning to be at peace with your own identity. But be warned, you’ll be crying by the end!

Summary:

Overall, if you are interested in coming of age fictional stories with strong character development involving LGBTIQA+ and the gay community during the AID’s epidemic, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out It Was a Riot here!

 

Monthly Features – June

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To Do Justice by Frank S. Joseph

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Set during the riots of 1965-66, To Do Justice tells the story of Pinkie, a mixed-race child of Chicago’s meanest streets … and Mollie, a lovelorn (white) reporter in the Chicago bureau of The Associated Press. Together this unlikely pair will track down the white woman who gave Pinkie birth, and score a Pulitzer-worthy scoop in the bargain.

Summary: Overall, if you like historical fiction that revolves around racial conflicts that examine race, identity, and politics especially in the setting of the Chicago riots in the 1960s, then this book could be for you. You can find the book trailer here. 

See the full review here: To Do Justice
Purchase here

Children of Madness by Jarrett Brandon Early

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: FOR A WORLD GONE CRAZY, ONLY THOSE RAISED AMONG MADNESS CAN HELP

The Imperator of Quaan restlessly awaits the centennial arrival of the Snail-Gods to cure the Gloomtide, a shadow of melancholy blanketing the Titian Empire. But when the Supreme Helices finally make landfall, they do so just out of reach of the distressed monarch, beyond a poisonous grove that separates man from messiah.

Fincher Bugg leads the Sour Flower Gang, the preeminent child harvesters of the Stenches, a town of outcasts condemned to diminished lives toiling away in toxic conditions. As Fincher and his four friends endure external abuse from outsiders, internally they also suffer, watching as their parents slowly succumb to the Maddening. Despite the solace of unbreakable friendship, life is unrelenting.

When a desperate king makes a seemingly magnanimous offer to a hopeless population, the Sour Flower Gang sets out on a harrowing expedition to find God for the very people who cast them aside.

During a journey in which the children encounter the unimaginable—both beautiful and nightmarish—a terrifying question takes shape. Are the Snail-Gods here to once more save mankind, or is the Gloomtide that has enveloped Quaan a precursor to humanity’s deserved end?

Summary: Overall, if you like epic fantasy full of action, adventure, suspense, friendship, and some mystery then this book could be for you.

See the full review here: Children of Madness
Purchase here

 

Children of Madness by Jarrett Brandon Early

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

FOR A WORLD GONE CRAZY, ONLY THOSE RAISED AMONG MADNESS CAN HELP

The Imperator of Quaan restlessly awaits the centennial arrival of the Snail-Gods to cure the Gloomtide, a shadow of melancholy blanketing the Titian Empire. But when the Supreme Helices finally make landfall, they do so just out of reach of the distressed monarch, beyond a poisonous grove that separates man from messiah.

Fincher Bugg leads the Sour Flower Gang, the preeminent child harvesters of the Stenches, a town of outcasts condemned to diminished lives toiling away in toxic conditions. As Fincher and his four friends endure external abuse from outsiders, internally they also suffer, watching as their parents slowly succumb to the Maddening. Despite the solace of unbreakable friendship, life is unrelenting.

When a desperate king makes a seemingly magnanimous offer to a hopeless population, the Sour Flower Gang sets out on a harrowing expedition to find God for the very people who cast them aside.

During a journey in which the children encounter the unimaginable—both beautiful and nightmarish—a terrifying question takes shape. Are the Snail-Gods here to once more save mankind, or is the Gloomtide that has enveloped Quaan a precursor to humanity’s deserved end?

Favorite Lines:

“Ash’s heart jumped again. She blamed it on the exertion of the pull.”

“Good. You have each other. That’s more than most in this cursed land. Do not take that for granted. Together,  you can move worlds.”

“I know that they’re carnivores. But as to what kind of carni they vore, I have no idea.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

One thing that I love about fantasy is that you can pretty much think up whatever you want. There are no rules to follow and your creativity is not bound to the laws of our every day world. The story that Early weaves in Children of Madness is just one example of this. This story follows Fincher Bugg and his friends as they set foot on a journey on behalf of the ruler of Quaan who is desperate to reach what is supposed to be the answer for humankinds survival – the Snail-Gods.

This book was a journey in itself. Early creates an utterly unique world unlike anything I have ever read before that is still somehow believable. While there are themes that run parallel to what we see in our every day lives in reality, Early scatters them throughout this story in a creative and refreshing way. I wasn’t expecting this to be a coming of age-esque story but it still pulled in that direction to me; perhaps it was the constant theme of friendship throughout.

I did find that while this book is quite long, I never really felt like it was a chore to read. Each chapter had good pacing and I found myself somehow wanting more by the end of the book. I also appreciated the map at the beginning to keep my bearings throughout the journey.

Summary:

Overall, if you like epic fantasy full of action, adventure, suspense, friendship, and some mystery then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out Children of Madness here!

 

Review: The Mutiny of the American Foreign Legion by Neal Alexander

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Synopsis:

Hugo Ayala has burned his bridges with the Colombian military by denouncing murders committed by his former officers. After surviving a bloody assignment in Yemen with an American security company, he completes U.S. Army basic training. But he’s blocked from becoming a green card soldier by new anti-immigration laws. He stays on as an illegal, and joins the American Foreign Legion, an immigration rights group whose members have fought for the USA.

Meanwhile, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is detaining and deporting thousands of people a day, without due process. But now the communities being targeted include Hugo and others who know how to fight back. The leader of the AFL has his own political backers and doubtful motives. As each side ratchets up the violence, American political unity starts to crack.

This gripping thriller which draws on current events and little-known facts:

– Many non-citizens serve in the US armed forces and as employees of American security contractors. For example, the second US Marine killed in action in the Iraq War was Guatemalan. A recent MIT study of these green card soldiers is subtitled “Between Model Immigrant and Security Threat”.

– Border Patrol agents “have gone from having one of the most obscure jobs in law enforcement to one of the most hated,” according to the New York Times. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deport people without due process, including US Citizens.

– A recent Chicago Tribune op-ed describes how current how the current “struggles over immigration echo the conflict over slavery”. Confrontations in Texas over immigration have been described as “civil war” in the New York Times.

Favorite Lines:

“When you’re under fire, do you think any category is going to protect you?”

“So you’re doubly illegal, man. just who we need at these peace talks.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story mostly follows Hugo Ayala, an immigrant soldier who comes to the US and originally plans to enlist as a green card solider but finds himself blocked due to anti-immigration laws. Despite this road block, he finds a new way to fight for immigration rights and the US by joining the American Foreign Legion, an immigration rights group. Hugo quickly finds himself thrown into a chaotic world full of hidden agendas that has him questioning who he can really trust.

When I received the review request from this book, I was on the fence about reading it but I have been branching out a lot recently to genres/books that I wouldn’t normally read and have been pleasantly surprised every time; this book was no exception. While technically fiction, this book sheds light on real, current events that are taking place in the US that many people probably know nothing about.

Alexander did a great job at creating a fictitious story that walks the line of reality. I thought the world building and character writing were both very well done and the creative way that Alexander introduced real-life political issues throughout was just the cherry on top. The pacing was just right for the story being told and I found myself at the edge of my seat several times, turning page after page to see what happens next.

One thing to note is that there are a lot of PoV changes. It seems like every chapter is flipping from one character/setting to another so pay attention to this as you read through. Once I got settled in with all the characters and storylines, I didn’t find it hard to follow and I especially enjoyed Valentina’s scenes journey. 

Summary:

Overall, if you like fiction that straddles the lines of reality and that touches on political topics especially related to US immigration rights and the US military, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Check out The Mutiny of the American Foreign Legion here!