Recommendations and Reviews

Riven – My Review!!

Riven (My Myth #1) by Jane Alvey Harris showed up in my Goodreads recommendations. Intrigued by both the cover and the blurb, I added it to my TBR list. Read on for my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

Which reality would you choose? Seventeen year-old Emily’s dad is in prison for securities fraud and her mom’s strung-out on pain meds, leaving Emily to parent herself and her younger brothers and sister. She’s got things mostly under control until a couple weeks before Dad’s release, when voices start whispering in her head, and Gabe, the hot lifeguard at the pool, notices the strange brands engraved on her arm…the ones she’s trying desperately to hide.

Emily doesn’t know how the symbols got there or what they mean. They appeared overnight and now they’re infected and bleeding. She’s pretty sure she’s losing her mind. Stress, insomnia, and her wounded egos drive Emily to self-medicate, which has to be why the nightmares from her childhood have resurfaced, why they’re commandeering her conscious even when she’s awake. It has to be why the fairytale creatures she created as a little girl insist they need her help. Triggered by the return of her childhood abuser and unable to cope with reality, Emily slips completely inside her elaborate fantasy world. She’s powerful in the First Realm, maybe even more powerful than her attacker.

It would be so easy to stay there, to lose herself in enchantment…to lose herself in love. But something sinister lurks in the forest shadows. Emily soon discovers her demons have followed her inside her fairytale. They’re hunting her. With the help of the Fae, she frantically searches for the weapons she needs to defeat her greatest fears and escape back to reality before the man who tortured her can prey on her younger brothers and sister, too. Time is running out…

*Non-Explicit Trigger Warning: This book deals with the issues of child molestation and child abuse. 

What I liked about Riven:

Riven had many of the elements of classic fantasy. From the Fae, the First Realm, and the dragonflies in the real world, to the runes cut into her arm, the intrigue and magic made the story seem real. Emily’s substance abuse and her mother’s illness provided the perfect reasons to slip between worlds. The abuse noted at the end of the synopsis, though horrible and uncomfortable, wasn’t explicit and didn’t overtly dominate the story. Emily’s escape mechanism from the trauma did dominate the story and, by using fantasy elements to depict her protection, Jane Alvey Harris did an exceptional job handling the topic.

What I didn’t like about Riven:

At times, the story was difficult to follow, especially when Emily interacted with her siblings. Whether she imagined everything or if her siblings also saw what she saw was unclear at times. Gabe’s insistence to be included in Emily’s life (despite the fact it was explained late in the book) was a bit odd for me.

Overall impression:

Excellent characters, a good story, and memorable fantasy elements made Riven (My Myth #1) a book to read. Certainly not for early YA, this one suits older teens. The book handles a difficult subject well, but with the fantasy elements dominating the story, it is a good read. I recommend it to all older fantasy fans!

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with Jane Alvey Harris: 

Find out more about the author on her Amazon Author page and her website. While you’re there, please consider leaving a review or a comment! I know Jane appreciates it!

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Absence of Color – My Review!!

Sorry I’ve been away, but I had to take a few days to visit Universal Orlando with my grandchildren and my lovely bride. Despite the vacation, I didn’t neglect my reading, although I had to wait to write this review. Today I want to share my thoughts on Absence of Color (Spectrum of Color #1) by S. K. Wee.

Synopsis (from the author):

“Secret orders and brotherhoods, wizened sages and mages, stealthy assassins and spies …” Shared misery forges an unlikely friendship between three young adventurers…

Frankie the daughter of Bhaelor’s Ruler and her father’s servant. Only it gets worse. He’s going to trade her into slavery.

Twig, kidnapped after his mother’s death, is used and abused by Bhaelor’s ruler. Since Twig is believed to be dead, there’s no one looking for him.

Conny, a young mage, is tricked into coming to Bhaelor. His magic may give his master the true power he desires.

Rescued by an underground spy network, Frankie and Twig realize they have a chance to right some wrongs. Frankie is optimistic and believes in a good future. Twig is bitter and ruled by his past. He wants revenge. Conny is left behind to learn the full extent of his magic but he will not be easily tricked again. Each must play a part in pretending to be something they are not. They share a destiny, a converging path but can they overcome the horrors they’ve lived to discover their true abilities? Who can they trust? Appearances can be deceiving and no one is who they first appear to be.

What I liked about Absence of Color:

First, Absence of Color was a great story. Our three heroes are coming of age and face many different challenges. For Frankie, becoming a woman brings new abilities. Conny has to deceive his master and hone his magical talents. Twig battles inner demons from his time with the Amir and tries to prove himself a man in Darby’s eyes. Darby and Wagner are excellent as Frankie and Twig’s mentors, and Lil Red, with her fingers in many pies, plays a crucial role. The Academy is cool, and the intrigue woven through the story makes it an enjoyable read!

What I didn’t like about Absence of Color:

Although an integral part of the story, the abuse children face at the Amir’s hands was disturbing. Other than that, not much to dislike in the book!

Overall impression:

Absence of Color (Spectrum of Color #1) has all the elements for a great read! Good characters, lots of intrigue, a touch of romance, and the trials of coming of age make it a fun read. I recommend this one to all fantasy readers, though I’d say it is definitely PG-13!

My rating:

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 Stars)

Connect with S.K. Wee: 

Find all of S.K. Wee’s books on her Amazon Author page or her Goodreads page. Since you’ll be there, please consider leaving a review for her books once you’ve read them!

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The Spatial Shard – My Review!!

Goodreads gave me this recommendation. I’m not the biggest sci-fi fan (though I do read a few). I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical when I first saw it, but decided to give The Spatial Shard: Prelude to the Edgeworld Series by G. Russell Gaynor a try. Guess what? I liked it!

Synopsis (from the author):

You’re on your board. And whether you are a Barney or a Marley, the wave is coming…

That used to be Genie’s mantra. Little did she know that the wave would literally take her out of this world. Now, faced with a new life, unbelievable dimensions and unexpected dangers, she’s got to pull off the ride of her life, or wipe out.

The prelude to the EdgeWorld series serves as an introduction both to the new world Genie finds and the plight that has found her.

An American teenager living in Bolivia with her father and younger brother, Genie was trying her best to take care of her family in the wake of her mother’s death. But that was before she crashed headfirst into the curious stranger and her whole world turned upside down. Now new possibilities, good and bad, await her at every turn, but she cannot allow concerns of the outcome affect how she rides – surf’s up!

What I liked The Spatial Shard:

First, I liked the concept of The Spatial Shard! A teenager who receives the Shard and plunges into a wondrous world. A world filled with danger, magic, and powerful beings bent on her safety or death. Good characters (especially Genie’s brother and her best friend Sharon), mysterious events, plenty of actions, excellent world-building, and lots of sci-fi and technology made the book a good read!

What I didn’t like about The Spatial Shard:

Despite its good points, The Spatial Shard was difficult to follow at times. Ever shifting scenes and seemingly unconnected events, while an ambitious effort, took away from the basic plot.

Overall impression:

Taken as a whole, The Spatial Shard: Prelude to the Edgeworld Series was a good read. Great sci-fi elements, cool technology, and tons of action made it a fun read. A little overreaching, in my opinion, but still a book I recommend to any sci-fi reader!

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with the G. Russell Gaynor:

Find G. Russell Gaynor on his Amazon Author page or his website. Discover more about the author and his books and maybe pick up a couple. Don’t forget to leave a review, too.

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Zeeka Chronicles: Revenge of Zeeka – My Review!!

I’m not a zombie fan. Even though The Walking Dead is filmed around Atlanta, I don’t watch the show and haven’t read many zombie books. Scifi and dystopia are good, but not zombies. I surprised even myself with my selection of Zeeka Chronicles: Revenge of Zeeka by Brenda Mohammed. Here are my thoughts on this zombie scifi novel!

Synopsis (from the author):

Set in 2036, the world of Zeeka Chronicles is modern and futuristic.

But something evil is afoot.

The villainous Zeeka is planning revenge and is breeding zombies to wipe out the Islanders on Gosh.

Why does he want revenge?

New technology and scientific breakthroughs in the field of medical science set the stage for the unimaginable in this tale of a hateful man, kidnapping, love, lies, revenge, female robots, a ghost, a deadly virus, sixty programmable zombies, corruption in the police force, and a hero you will love.

Dr. Steven Sharpe knows Zeeka’s secrets.

Can he expose Zeeka without risking his life and that of his beloved family?

Will Detectives Jack Wildy and Jerry Cole discover the truth?

Can secrets remain buried?

What part does Janet, Raynor, Mandy, Miranda, and Zombie Number Nine play?

What I liked about Zeeka Chronicles: Revenge of Zeeka:

I enjoyed much of the story and the imaginative spin on zombies and technology. Many twists and turns made it hard to guess the outcome, and there were plenty of surprising events. If you like zombie tales with a touch of romance and plenty of action, give Zeeka Chronicles: Revenge of Zeeka a chance!

What I didn’t like about Zeeka Chronicles: Revenge of Zeeka:

There were two areas that detracted from the story for me. First, the dialogue was difficult to follow and was stiff and didn’t flow well. Secondly, the interactions between the characters seemed awkward.

Overall impression:

Brenda Mohammed’s Zeeka Chronicles: Revenge of Zeeka was an enjoyable read. Futuristic technology, zombies, ghosts, and plenty of action made it a fun read. Check this one out if zombies are your thing!

My rating:

3.5 Stars (rounded to 4 Stars)

Connect with Brenda Mohammed:

Find Brenda Mohammed on her Amazon Author page and discover her many books. While visiting, please consider leaving a review. I know Brenda Mohammed will appreciate it.

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The Bow of Destiny – My Review!!

After a couple of science fiction books, I’m back to fantasy with The Bow of Destiny (The Bow of Hart Saga Book 1) by P. H. Solomon. This one comes from an Amazon recommendation and I’m glad they recommended it!

Synopsis (from the author):

Haunted by his past. Hunted in the present. Uncertain what is real.

This unique epic fantasy will keep you turning pages as Athson discovers his destiny is both inconvenient and unavoidable.

Athson has seen things that aren’t there and suffered fits since being tragically orphaned as a child at the hands of trolls and Corgren the mage who serves Magdronu the dragon.

When a strange will mentioning a mysterious bow comes into his possession, Athson’s not sure it’s real.

But the trolls that soon pursue him are all too real and dangerous. And they serve Corgren and his master, the hidden dragon, Magdronu.

Athson is drawn into a quest for the concealed Bow of Hart by the mystic Withling, Hastra.

But Athson isn’t always sure what’s real and who his enemies are.

With Corgren and Magdronu involved, Athson faces frequent danger, his grasp on reality, and the reasons behind his tragic past. 

What I liked about Bow of Destiny:

P. H. Solomon built a cool world! I related to the characters easily and I enjoyed their adventures. The actions scenes entertained me and the hint of romance between Athson and Limbreth added a nice element to the story. Athson and Hastra’s uneasy relationship gave an extra bit of intrigue.  The antagonists, Corgren and Magdronu, played their parts well and rounded out the story. The Bow of Destiny is a good fantasy book!

What I didn’t like about Bow of Destiny:

Despite all the good things listed above, there were a couple of things I didn’t like. First, Athson’s reluctance to accept is destiny was repetitive. Similarly, Limbreth’s struggle to tell Athson the truth was repetitive.

Overall impression:

The Bow of Destiny (The Bow of Hart Saga Book 1) was a good book with lots to like. Good solid characters, good story, complex relationships, romance, and intrigue all combine for an enjoyable tale. I recommend this one to all fantasy readers!

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with P. H. Solomon:

Find the author at his Amazon Author page or his website. Visit and discover more about The Bow of Hart series and maybe pick up a book or 3! While you’re visiting, please consider leaving a review or a comment.

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An AWOL Stardrives: Fleet of Man – My Review!!

As many of my readers know, I spent time in the US Navy running nuclear power plants. I’m also a member of a Facebook group for people who graduated from Naval Nuclear Power School. In that group, I saw a discussion of An AWOL Stardrives: Fleet of Man by Mervin Miller. Mervin Miller is a former Navy Nuke, too, so I decided to check out the book. Read on for my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

The Fleet of Man departed Earth a long, long time in the past. The location of Earth has been lost for nearly as long. Through a series of incidents a single man has stumbled upon clues to the location of this fabled world and begins a quest to find the lost Man Home. His actions trigger consequences beyond his understanding or control.

What I liked about An AWOL Stardrives: Fleet of Man:

I enjoyed the book! The hero, a NewMan, is a Stardrives, meaning he is responsible for the engine on the starship. He gets transferred to another post and discovers a path to the long-lost ManHome. From there, the story gets interesting, especially when he finds a woman. But, no spoilers from me. An AWOL Stardrives: Fleet of Man has cool technology, an intriguing quest, and pretty memorable characters. All told, a good sci-fi read!

What I didn’t like about An AWOL Stardrives: Fleet of Man:

I’ll do my best to avoid spoilers, but a couple of things took me out of the story. First, if there weren’t women, where did the NewMan originate? Secondly, where did the OldMen come from? A few plot holes also detracted from the story, but I can’t tell them without spoilers.

Overall impression:

Mervin Miller’s An AWOL Stardrives: Fleet of Man is worth a look. If you enjoy sci-fi and a different take on space travel and adventures, this is a book for you.

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with Mervin Miller:

Find Mervin Miller and his books on his Amazon Author Page and his Goodreads page. While you’re there, please consider leaving a comment or a review and let him know your thoughts on his book. Maybe pick up the next books in the series, too!

Connect with me:

Find me on the socials and let’s connect! I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Stop by and say hi! As always, shares and comments are greatly appreciated!