Tag: Fiction

Review: The Caiman of Iquitos by Bayard and Holmes

~ likelystory18 ~ 1 Comment

Synopsis:

In a chilling continuation of their Apex Predator novels, Bayard & Holmes compel us into the darkest corners of the Shadow World. A world where billionaires are not subject to governments and assassins, rogue nations, and terrorists are their tools to obtain global dominance. In an explosion of unrelenting action, one man and his team risk everything to protect the Western world.

Former CIA Operations Officer John Viera is doing his best to lead a “normal” life and start a family. Fate has other ideas.

When a Russian ship is mysteriously torpedoed off the coast of Peru, untracked enriched uranium is revealed within its cargo. Protecting his family’s multi-billion dollar business interests, the US president blocks agency investigations into the incident. Top intelligence officials covertly call in John Viera and his unofficial network of former operatives to uncover the new player on the nuclear chessboard. What they discover threatens the annihilation of the West.

From the jungles of the Amazon to the Sea of Japan, John and his network are the only ones who stand between international security and the Caiman of Iquitos.

Favorite Lines:

“How could he continue to fight for a better world for his child without sacrificing the very home and family he was fighting for?”

“She now knows that it is to kill. What it is to watch a comrade die. That the true sacrifices aren’t just hearth and home, but that a piece of each of us is traded with every friend we lose, and with every victim we cannot save. She now knows that we live our lives as a tribute to them so that they will not have died in vain.”

My Opinion:

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

When I received this request, I was trying to remember the last time I read a true spy story and was coming up short. I have read romance books where a character happens to be a spy but the main focus was on the relationship not the operation so I was quite excited to jump into this one and was not disappointed.

The story follows John Viera, a retired CIA officer as he tracks down enemies of the nation to prevent a billionaire cartel from having access to nuclear capability technology. I thought this was a really well written and addictive read. The plot had me turning page after page to find out what happens next. I also really enjoyed the character writing especially Angelina; the authors did a wonderful job at writing a strong woman in a realistic way.

This is just one of the books in the Apex Predator series. I haven’t read the others but I was able to dive right into this one without confusion so I think it can be a stand alone or be read with the whole series. I know that I will be returning to finish the rest of the series soon!

Summary:

Overall, if you like spy fiction full of realistic intelligence terminology with great world building, fast paced plots, and strong character writing, then this book could be for you!

The Caiman of Iquitos

 

Review: The Collector by Eli Stephens

~ likelystory18 ~ 1 Comment

Synopsis:

“A once believed distant past returns for Collector Karson. With possessing the only license accepted galaxy wide, Karson’s employer, the Solicitor General, forces him back to his memories. Hoping a defined life could be muddled into the grey, he encounters something that shows him just how black and white his world is. Standard routine becomes a complex adventure, men become evil beasts, women become a divine treasure, a simple contract becomes his purpose. Karson must find his Brother of the Forge, before the Fool takes him.”

Dive into the rich world Collector Karson must navigate to fulfill his simple contract. Technology, Empires, Kingdoms, Lovers, Veterans, Warlords, and the Divine, all can be found inside The Collector , a sci-fi action thriller and the debut novel of author Eli Stephens.

Favorite Lines:

“You may know her every move, but I know her every desire, so I suggest you step back before those desires sway against you…friend.”

“‘You walked into my club with a T-seven, what did you expect?’ Karson added, ‘It was two actually.’ ‘Pardon?’ Karson repeated, “It was two, I had two T-sevens.’ ‘Oh shit my bad…you came in with TWO T-sevens, what did you expect?'”

“So, you are blind suddenly?…Nope just oblivious.”

My Opinion:

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

This is a debut novel for Stephens and I thought it was a fantastic first book! It was a really refreshing and creative story concept that I am jealous Stephens was able to pull off and bring to life. Karson’s journey was an interesting one as he finds himself whisked away from the world he thought he knew that was rooted in routine and into a world full of intrigue, action, and adventure.

Stephen’s world building is nothing short of extraordinary, weaving together elements of technology, empires, kingdoms, and the divine to create a tapestry of rich details that keep readers invested throughout the story. Stephens does a great job at blending elements of sci-fi, action, and thriller genres to create a story that is quite unique. 

Summary: 

Overall, with the compelling characters, intricate world-building, and interesting plot, this would be a great read for fans of the genre and newcomers alike. If you like sci-fi, thrillers, action, adventure, and a touch of romance, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

The Collector

 

Review: Facts are Stubborn Things by Richard A. Danzig

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

Facts are Stubborn Things is the story of Chance Cormac, a litigator, boxer and lapsed Catholic who confronts some hard facts about the law and himself when he reluctantly agrees to represent a client in a divorce action as a favor to another attorney. It is a story of corporate intrigue, international money laundering and corruption. Chance is forced to face a professional and personal crisis and learns that pride often goes before a fall.

Favorite Lines:

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible. Be true to yourself and your beliefs.”

“Facing facts is not an easy thing to do. Some facts are not only stubborn, but they are cold and hard to swallow.”

My Opinion:

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

I must admit that I think this is my first legal drama/fiction book. You would think as a law school graduate myself, I would have read more but somehow that is not the case. Facts are Stubborn Things follows Chance Cormac, an attorney accepts a case to represent a client during their divorce but somehow finds his way into something much darker than a marriage that fell apart. 

This was a great legal drama that had me on the edge of my seat. This could be called a suspenseful thriller that just happens to take place in the legal world. This book has it all: New York vibes, the Russian mob, cyber crime, and navy seals. Danzig definitely does a great job at keeping readers from getting bored. I could definitely see this being a movie someday!

I was actually a huge fan of the character writing in this book. Danzig did an amazing job at writing both likeable and unlikeable characters. They had realistic qualities that really brought them to life – which I think is very important – and even when I didn’t like a character, I understood their motives. 

Summary:

Overall, I found this to be a really clever and witty novel. I really enjoyed Danzig’s writing style and tone of voice throughout. If you like legal dramas, fiction, thrillers, and suspense, then this book could be for you!

Facts are Stubborn Things

 

Review: Early Adopter by Drew Harrison

~ likelystory18 ~ 4 Comments

Synopsis:

The Price of Tomorrow, Paid Today

“Early Adopter” is a collection of short stories from the edge of human progress. Eight stories hold dark mirrors to our own world… experience thought-provoking sci-fi, technologic tragedy, and pulse-pounding thrillers.

To Run Again: Dr. Laura Brandie is ready to change the world.
She’s the lead researcher behind the KSE, a revolutionary cure for paralysis and neurodegenerative conditions. And now, by good fortune, she’s found the perfect candidate for her first human trial: a man who suffers from locked-in syndrome.
Brett Harmon’s paralysis is total: he can’t move his arms, legs, torso, neck, or face. To the outside world, he’s little more than a statue that breathes… but Dr. Brandie’s KSE might be the miracle that allows Brett to run again.

Homonoia: The world faces an unprecedented alignment of catastrophes and failing systems, far too intricate and interconnected for any human to solve. Frank Burman joins with seven other volunteers for Project Homonoia–a radical, last-ditch effort to postpone the apocalypse. Separate minds link to form one multidisciplinary consciousness, the world’s first human superorganism… a hive mind. But with the world’s health rapidly failing, can Project Homonoia work out its kinks in time to make a difference?

Early Adopter: A loner enters into a relationship with a new type of partner: an AI agent, programmed to be the “perfect companion.” Sure, it’s all self-deception and a game of pretend, as she’s not actually real… but where simulated consciousness is concerned, maybe the lines between real and real enough can get blurry.

And many more!

Favorite Lines:

“A notification on the bottom corner of your screen shows Larry sent you a link. ‘It’s a list of psychological clinics in your area,’ Larry explains. ‘You should check into the nearest one and explain to the labcoats there that you just did the most braindead thing a man’s ever done, intentionally uglifying your partner.'” 

“…sidestepping outside your own normal head is the best way to acquaint yourself with the lens you see reality through.”

My Opinion:

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

When Harrison requested a review for this book, it was described to me as a collection of short stories with an overall tone similar to Black Mirror. As a fan of Black Mirror, I knew I needed to check it out and I was not disappointed. I am a sucker for a good science fiction with a twist type of story and this collection was a creative collection that touched on a variety of thought provoking topics that hit a bit too close to home and were chilling in how close we are from that type of reality.

This was overall a very well written collection of stories. Harrison does a really good job at world building and I found myself constantly at the edge of my seat torn between wanting to close the book and not being able to turn the page fast enough because of all the suspense and twists and turns.

My two favorite stories in this collection were To Run Again and the name sake of the collection, Early Adopter. To Run Again centers around the story of a researcher who proposes a cutting edge treatment for neurodegenerative conditions. As the first short in the collection, this one really set the tone for how the rest of the series would go. The ending left me thoroughly creeped out but still wanting more. Early Adopter reminded me of the movie Her where the main character has a romantic partner that is programmed to be a romantic companion. This story had me pondering ethics that I haven’t had to really think about before and I found it to be very thought provoking and even a bit sad.

Summary:

Overall, I really enjoyed this collection. Harrison did a fantastic job at shining light on too-close-for-comfort alternate realities that left me thoroughly disturbed in the best way possible. If you’re a fan of fiction, thrillers, suspense, sci-fi, and mirrored realities similar to Black Mirror, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

Early Adopter

 

Review: The Huntress and the Trickster by Tristan Zelden

~ likelystory18 ~ 1 Comment

Synopsis:

Abigail and her husband Jacob live in San Francisco, everything might appear normal at first glance but under closer inspection their world is similar to ours but not identical – in their world assassins have become legalised, and this is Abigail’s profession. Just like any working couple they struggle with finding their work-life balance and are striving to give each other what they need without holding the other back. All seems to be aligning when one day in her office at Hazardous, one of the leading assassination firms in San Francisco, she receives a job from a woman named Sigrid Pleie, a job that will pay more than she has ever seen in all her career. What she soon learns is that this mammoth sum is there for a reason, and what starts off as a simple job, quickly turns into something far more terrifying.

Favorite Lines:

“I would rather die than serve snobby assholes drinks all day. I have seen how people get at Starbucks. Fuck that shit.”

My Opinion:

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

A modern day twist on Norse mythology, this story follows Abigail in a world where her profession as an assassin is pretty normal. She is employed as a hit (wo)man for legally sanctioned killings and, in her free time, likes to hang out with her husband and try out the best restaurants in town like any other regular girl.

From page one, Zelden does an amazing job at describing scenes and characters. Everything is painted in such vivid detail that I felt like I was actually there. I can’t remember the last time I read a book with such close attention to detail in how a character is dressed or their mannerisms and gestures during conversations; it made it extremely easy to picture the scenes unfolding.

If I had one thing to complain about, and it is a bit nitpicky, it would have to be that the main plot didn’t seem to pick up until about half way into the book. I felt like the first half was one big introduction into the world and almost a “day in the life”. Zelden does a great job at painting the details but I wish that the major plot came in a bit sooner. 

Without any spoilers, this book left off with the potential for more in the series and I would be interested to see where Zelden takes it next!

Summary:

Overall, if you enjoy fiction, action, Norse mythology, and a bit of romance then this book could be for you. Happy reading!

The Huntress and the Trickster