Audio: Time Shards - Fredsti and Fitzgerald

It’s called “the Event.” An unimaginable cataclysm in the 23rd century shatters 600 million years of

the Earth’s timeline into jumbled fragments. Our world is gone: instantly replaced by a new one made of shattered remnants of the past, present and future, all existing alongside one another in a nightmare patchwork of different time "shards"—some hundreds of miles long and others no more than a few feet across.

San Diego native Amber Richardson is stranded on a tiny fragment of 21st century Britain surrounded by a Pleistocene wilderness. She crosses paths with Cam, a young warrior of a tribe from Roman Brittania, and together they struggle to survive—only to be imprisoned by Cromwellian soldiers. One of their captives is a man who Amber calls “Merlin, and who claims to be the 23rd century scientist responsible for the Event. Together they must escape and locate Merlin’s ship before the damage to the timeline is irreparable. 

Audio CD, 9h
Published April 17th 2018 by Tantor Audio
Series: Time Shards #1
Sci-fi
For review

My thoughts:

Time is crazy, I mean to even try to think about this. Mind blown. Time shattered. This took place in the future. And now that future is gone and everything that has been has been thrown together like a patchwork quilt. Everything else...who knows. Gone? Never existed? Tiny fragments, bigger fragments. A coffee shop from 1993. A town from 1642. A swamp from the Jurassic Era. Woven together. So you might walk down a road and you are actually walking through different eras, but now they all exist at once. Like father time took things from here and there and made a new world.

Amber attended a Con and is now stuck and has no idea what the F happened. She is a nerd (love that), she is resourceful, kind and well just wants to get the h out of here. I liked her.

We meet a few others on the way too. Cam, a Celtic warrior, who just wants to get home to his village. Poor guy, everyone he meets does not speak his language.

A scientist who says he has answers. A soldier who wants to do good. And a whole lot of Cornwellian soldiers with a zealot in their midst. I say that this new world would have been much much better without them!!! And more that I wont spoil. But think about it, not many made it, we as a race are young. A lot more came before.

Dinosaurs, pre historic monsters, there are dangers lurking everywhere.

And the book was intense! At one time I was all, I hope this will not give me nightmares! What a hellscape to be stuck in. And you can think that there was a lot of action since so much is out to get you.

Final thoughts:

A good book with one crazy new world

Narrator.

Aaron Shedlock

I really enjoyed his voice. He was perfect for this and he made this one guy sooo creepy. Shivers ran down my spine. In a good way.

A nice range and he kept the up the speed

Daughter of Eden - Chris Beckett

Angie Redlantern is the first to spot the boats—five abreast with men in metal masks and spears standing proud, ready for the fight to come. As the people of New Earth declare war on the people of Mainground, a dangerous era has dawned for Eden. After generations of division and disagreement, the two populations of Eden have finally broken their tentative peace, giving way to bloodshed and slaughter. Angie must flee with her family across the pitch black of Snowy Dark to the place where it all started, the stone circle where the people from Earth first landed, where the story of Gela—the mother of them all—began. It is there that Angie witnesses the most extraordinary event, one that will change the history of Eden forever. It will alter their future and re-shape their past. It is both a beginning and an ending. It is the true story of Eden. 

Paperback, 400 pages
Published September 1st 2017 by Atlantic Books (first published October 6th 2016)
Dark Eden #3
Science fiction
Library

My thoughts:

This world is so effed up, omg, soooo effed up. But when I am there in the moment I do not see how effed up it is, I just see people struggling to make a living.

Book 1 was amazing, the other two did not live up to amazing, but they are still good. I guess it can only hit you as many times how effed up it is.

The book takes place in the present and a bit in the past (I did prefer the present bit and did want it to be all about that.) In the past we see Angie Redlantern follow a woman, a shadow speaker. They go around and preach the word of Mother Gela.

In the present Angie and her family has to flee as war has come to their planet. The Johnsfolk and Davidsfolk clash (because they are all freaking idiots.) And then visitors from earth comes.

And it hits me, damn, this is effed up! Until that I was in the moment, but then I saw it with the eyes of the astronauts.  They come to find the remains of a woman and man. Stranded on an alien planet 400 years ago. Instead they find people running around in animal skins and fighting with spears. And all these people come from 1 woman and 1 man. Yeah...gross. Many have mutations, facial and feet. Those are then lesser than the rest. They are inbred and indoctrinated. 

This was one freaky series. Dark inbred science fiction.

Ultima - Stephen Baxter

In PROXIMA we discovered ancient alien artifacts on the planet of Per Ardua - hatches that allowed us to step across light years of space as if we were stepping into another room. The universe opened up to us. Now in ULTIMA the consequences of this new freedom make themselves felt. And we discover that there are minds in the universe that are billions of years old and they have a plan for us. For some of us. But as we learn the true nature of the universe we also discover that we have countless pasts all meeting in this present and that our future is terrifyingly finite. It's time for us to fight to take back control.

My thoughts:

The things he comes up with, my heads always spins after reading a Baxter book. He also seems to like the End Time. You know the end of it all.

I always feel all WOW. Here we have multiverses and hatches, and, aye beyond me.

The two people from the last book stumbled into a multiverse in the last book, and here Rome never fell so Rome went to space.

But that is not the only multiverse. A few other characters also from that previous verse makes it here and explore this brand new reality. And it is fascinating. What if this and that never happened, what if time took another direction. So much to explore.

The possibilities are endless.

Conclusion:
Good book. He is a great author

Hardcover, 560 pages
Published November 20th 2014 by Gollancz
Proxima #2
Sci.fi
Library

Heart of Granit - James Barclay

The world has become a battleground in a war which no side is winning. But for those determined to retain power, the prolonged stalemate cannot be tolerated so desperate measures must be taken.

Max Halloran has no idea. He's living the brief and glorious life of a hunter-killer pilot. He's an ace in the air, on his way up through the ranks, in love, and with his family's every need provided for in thanks for his service, Max has everything . . .

. . . right up until he hears something he shouldn't have, and refuses to let it go. Suddenly he's risking his life and the lives of all those he cares about for a secret which could expose corruption at the highest levels, and change the course of the war.

One man, one brief conversation . . . a whole world of trouble . . . 

My thoughts:

It's sci-fi, but at the same time, there is not a lot of sci-fi, but at the same time it's everywhere. Because when it's on it's on! It's Top Gun with dragons, but to be fair I can not remember a single thing from that movie so maybe it's wrong to compare those two. Let us begin.

There are dragons, but see they are not really dragons. It's alien DNA spliced with other to create these things that you can fly in. Live in (oh that was freaking insane). And they need to to fight for control of earth. Because as we can see today we are using too much of our resources, and in this future it's a constant war to get more to feed your inhabitants. 

A lot of the book is aerial battles, it's very heavy military sc-fi, it always take me some time to get into because I tend to get into that easier by watching than reading. Lots going on at the same time, and what a cool movie that would make.

But there is more than aerial battles. Holloran, a pilot, learns something he should not learn. Conspiracy alert. A pilot's life is also really short since that whole sitting in your dragon, hearing it's mind will make you crack.

I would have liked to learn more about the alien DNA. Since there are no aliens here, but the whole aliens has been here thing that hits you and explains one thing was fascinating.

Conclusion:
Battles in the sky, a country using their own as fodder for war. Insane pilots, and one that just wont let it go. It was innovative and cool

But I did have a hard time this time with the whole military thing.  Mostly cos of the many battles.

Paperback, 416 pages
Expected publication: August 18th 2016 by Gollancz
Sci.fi
In exchange for an honest review

An Ancient Peace - Tanya Huff

The first book of a thrilling new military science fiction spin-off of Tanya Huff's Confederation series.

Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr had been the very model of a Confederation Marine. But when she learned the truth about the war the Confederation was fighting, she left the military for good. But Torin couldn’t walk away from preserving and protecting everything the Confederation represented. Instead, she drew together an elite corps of friends and allies to take on covert missions that the Justice Department and the Corps could not—or would not—officially touch. 

Ancient H’san grave goods are showing up on the black market—grave goods from just before the formation of the Confederation, when the H’san gave up war and buried their planet-destroying weapons. Someone is searching for these weapons and they’re very close to finding them. 

Fortunately, only the Corps Intelligence Service has this information. Unfortunately, they can do nothing about it. Though Torin Kerr and her team are no longer a part of the military, the six of them tackling the H’san defenses  are the only chance the Confederation has. The only chance to avoid millions more dead. 

My thoughts:

So yes this is the start of a new series, but be warned, it's also book 6 of her adventures. But new series and all. In that way, yes it could work as a standalone. But you would miss how she fought in their wars, had her adventures, found a conspiracy, and ended up with Craig. But, sure it works like it is.

Torin is ex-marine. She is tough nails and she was so very military. But the previous series threw some punches and now she is out. But when you are out, they pull you back in! She has her crew, they get a job and they take it.

The world may be at peace, but those others are still out there. Some humans are making noise about humans first. Other alien races not touched by the war is all murderers, idiots! When you have Elder races, telling younger races to fight their wars, while middle races sit it out, oh will this confederation really last? And now someone is trying to steal big bad weapons. Peace in space, not an easy thing to have.

This is military scifi. There will be fights, tech, weapons and lots and lots of danger. Those H'San sure knew how to invent stuff. But it's not non stop action all the way. Torin still has time to worry about a teammate, who really needs someone of his own kind (long story, but they really really need others). She is a good woman.

Conclusion

I do wonder where this new business will take them. Lots of space still to explore.

Cover

Cool

Paperback, 400 pages
Published October 6th 2015 by Titan Books
Peacekeeper, #1, Confederation #6
Sci.fi
For revew

Fish Tails - Sheri S. Tepper

In FISH TAILS, two of Tepper's beloved characters - Abasio and Xulai (A PLAGUE OF ANGELS and THE WATERS RISING) - and their children travel from village to village scattered across the sparsely populated land of Tingawa. They are searching for others who might be interested in adopting their sea-dwelling lifestyle.

Along their journey they encounter strange visitors from the far-off world of Lom, characters from Tepper's nine-book True Game series of novels - Mavin Manyshaped, Jinian Star-eye, and Silkhands the Healer - all of whom have been gathered up by an interfering, time-traveling, rule-breaking do-gooder to do one last good dead on earth before its metamorphosis is complete. For the waters are rising and will soon engulf the entire planet, transforming it utterly and irrevocably. 

My thoughts:

This is a strange book, a weird book. A very well-written book. A analytical book. A philosophical book. A book about the environment, social order, and just about the stupidity of men. We really are a stupid race.

The book had so many lovely quotes, I'd love to write down all of them but that would be one long review. So here are some.

They were talking about old religions

"I am not joking. While millions of children were starving at various places on the earth, some religions were still insisting that it was sinful to prevent excess births. I am fascinated by the religions of that time. Without exception they simply denied reality. They were completely myth-driven. Self-inflicting pain was a common religious practice..."

"If a man seeks to make his faith a law, this action alone disproves his faith, for the law cannot define kindness."

"If a man seeks to kill others who believe otherwise, this action alone disproves his faith, for those who kill are not kind."

It was a long time since I went quote crazy, but she just tells it so well, so cleverly. About every subject too.

This is a sci-fi book. It takes place in the future where we have killed the earth, then we invented machines that went on killing us. Those left live in a strange medieval world mixed with some tech at times. And people are still stupid and do stupid things. But some are trying to save the human race as the waters are rising and soon we will all drown.

I would not recommend this book without having read earlier books. Sure it is strange, so for that reason I am sure you could jump right in and still understand, but to really grasp it you really must start at book 1.

The main characters of Abasio and Xulai, Needly and her grandma, are all fascinating. And truth be told, I can't really tell you much. Because as I have said before, Tepper writes strange books. You have to be in the zone. To read about them discuss monkey-brain willy-waggers, the future of the earth and how men became men and forgot the earth. To see them meet new people and strange things man have created. There is a lot of talking going on, and I found myself nodding my head and agreeing.

Conclusion:

I do recommend this series, just, take your time with it. 

Cover

I like the woman

Pages, 720
Published December 26th 2014 by Gollancz
Plague of Angels #3
Sci-fi
For review

Lock in - John Scalzi

Fifteen years from now, a new virus sweeps the globe. 95% of those afflicted experience nothing

1% doesn't seem like a lot. But in the US that's 1.7 million people 'locked in' - including the President's wife and daughter.

Spurred by grief and the sheer magnitude of the suffering, America undertakes a massive scientific initiative. Nothing can fully restore the locked in. But then two new technologies emerge. One is a virtual-reality environment, 'The Agora', where the locked-in can interact with other humans, whether locked-in or not. The other is the discovery that a few rare individuals have brains that are receptive to being controlled by others, allowing those who are locked in to occasionally 'ride' these people and use their bodies as if they were their own.

This skill is quickly regulated, licensed, bonded, and controlled. Nothing can go wrong. Certainly nobody would be tempted to misuse it, for murder, for political power, or worse...

worse than fever and headaches. 4% suffer acute meningitis, creating the largest medical crisis in history. And 1% find themselves 'locked in' - fully awake and aware, but unable to move or respond to stimulus.

　

My thoughts:

A plague of any kind is always a good start. Here people get the flu, some do not get sick at all, some get meningitis and some, some get it bad. Lock in, trapped in their body, but knowing what's happening. And no cure around. But there are always companies willing to make a profit. Because many many years later there is still no cure. Just a better life for those locked in.

I was a bit confused at first. Why when he is lying in a bed and can't move is he moving around and is a Fed? Oh, he is a robot. I wish I had known that from the start. There is also this virtual world where the lock in can move around in.

Our main characters are Chris, who is a Haden. That is he is a Lock in. He moves around with a robot while his body is somewhere else. And then there is agent Vann his new partner. During his first day he will experience a lot and the whole book takes place in just a week. A crime mystery. Strange things happening.

A murder has to be solved and this leads to more questions. And it all has to do with Hadens and those who can play host to a Haden. More murders, more questions and a Haden community in uproar as a new law is being passed.

After my initial confusion I was ok, and I wanted to know who the killer was, why the killer did anything, hell, why anything happened at all. It's a nice story he has spun here. It's an interesting world, and I for once would love to see it on the screen too. It's the whole robot thing you know.

Conclusion:

A future that does not seem to far away.

Cover

Works in a way

Paperback, 336 pages
Published August 28th 2014 by Gollancz (first published August 14th 2014)
Lock In #1
Science fiction / Fiction
For Review

Truth of Valour - Tanya Huff

Disillusioned with the manipulative Confederation, a so-called “peaceful” alliance of alien species, Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr retires from the Marines to start a new life with Salvage Operator Craig Ryder. 

But when their salvage ship Promise is attacked by pirates, civilian life becomes a lot rougher than Torin had expected. After Craig is kidnapped during a brutal ambush, Torin enlists the help of a few old friends to mount a rescue. Along the way she discovers why the salvagers are being targeted, and her mission suddenly has the potential to change the balance of power throughout known space…"

My thoughts:

Right so in the last book we learned that plastic aliens are behind everything, and I mean everything. There is no real war in a sense, just a bunch of plastic aliens watching and monitoring. So no wonder that Torin quits her job and becomes a civilian.

Most of this is a space book or a space station book, and I must confess that I do prefer when she is on land to to say. More things seem to happen then, like the prison planet and the escape from it. Anyway Torin and Craig is a team, salvaging stuff in space. But like she could keep away from trouble, as if. She seeks trouble and enemies like it's her destiny in life, but then she is a soldier.

Pirates are attacking salvaging operators. And soon they will be in the middle of it. She can take down anything and everything. The hunt for wicked pirates begin.

And the end, ha, yes, I guess we will see more of...that. I can't spoil it.

Conclusion:

The war is not over and what will she do next? I do wonder how this series will end

Paperback, 400 pages
Published June 6th 2014 by Titan Books (first published August 19th 2010)
Confederation #5
Military sci-fi
For review

Preternatural - G.S.Anderson

From the reality of the known to the depths of imagination, these twelve tales will skew your perceptions. Embracing mystery, science fiction, horror, and fantasy, the stories examine greed, ignorance, superficiality, and our ideas of home. A little girl wonders about the price of her new home. A woman searches for a place to fit in. A contest exposes hidden personalities. A man tries to overcome his fears. A gift comes with strings attached. A man lives his greatest dream. A fairy tale finds a little girl. An artist describes her process. A soldier discovers the past. A woman encounters reality. A man holds the key to saving the world. Tales to entertain, surprise, and make you think.

My thoughts:

There are 12 stories and as the book is only 60 pages then yes all the stories are really short. But they all pack quite the punch.

That is also why I can't say a lot about the stories, cos I say one thing and the whole thing is spoiled.

1. Seemingly dystopian, then it change for the little girl. And the end, yes I did not see it coming. It's about a little girl getting a new home.

2.A story about a woman who has a bookloving sister. A more quiet story.

3. A mum tells her son to go out and play....boom! Ha.

4. A relative dies and sets a contest about who will get it all. Boom! I love her endings!

5. Astraphobia. A man is afraid of the thunder. Honestly all I could say about all of these are, awesome ending!

6. The Gift. Dystopia with a nice twist.

7. One man at a time. A man gets the chance of a lifetime. Happiness or not?

8. The unicorn. I love all the twists and turns.

9. Piecé dé résitance. An artist shows us her work. Freaky.

10. Short fable.

11. To kill Hitler. A time-travel piece.

12. The end. Apocalyptic story with you guessed it, a twist.

I could not say much cos all these stories will surprise you. And in a good way. Twists, turns and surprise endings. Great short stories, and they are great just like that, as short stories. Because this way they all will thrill and surprise you. ;)

I would recommend them and they would fit perfectly for before bedtime. A short story and then night :)

ebook, 60 pages
Published April 18th 2014 by The Story Vault
Science-fiction /dystopia /post-apocalyptic
For review 

Mishel Reviews: Above - Isla Morley

I am a secret no one is able to tell.

Blythe Hallowell is sixteen when she is abducted by a survivalist and locked away in an aban­ doned missile silo in Eudora, Kansas. At first, she focuses frantically on finding a way out, until the harrowing truth of her new existence settles in—the crushing loneliness, the terrifying madness of a captor who believes he is saving her from the end of the world, and the persistent temptation to give up. But nothing prepares Blythe for the burden of raising a child in confinement. Deter­ mined to give the boy everything she has lost, she pushes aside the truth about a world he may never see for a myth that just might give mean­ ing to their lives below ground. Years later, their lives are ambushed by an event at once promis­ ing and devastating. As Blythe’s dream of going home hangs in the balance, she faces the ultimate choice—between survival and freedom.

Above was a very interesting read. I didn’t know about the apocalyptic aspect of the book until I got to the second half.  It sort of felt like two books in one which worked out really well at times but tended to fall a little flat at others. I loved the fact that this book was full of surprises and had me second guessing my loyalties for certain characters. While I didn’t understand, or necessarily like, the shift in direction within the second half of the book things sort of fell into their perspective place by the time I got to the end. I enjoyed the book as a whole even if I didn’t like certain pieces and I will definitely be reading more from Isla Morley. 

The plot starts out fairly quickly with Blythe’s kidnapping but everything slows down dramatically when she’s actually placed into the missile silo by her abductor. Time truly seems to stand still as the reader gets to experience the frightening, lonely, and maddening world “below”. I really felt heartbroken for Blythe and don’t know how I would have coped in a similar situation.  Dobbs, a school librarian, is Blythe’s abductor and her only source to the outside world. His twisted state of mind, which could have been somewhat reasonable in the long run, challenges Blythe both physically and mentally. She ends up spending seventeen years in that silo, teetering on the edge of madness at times, and it’s still difficult for me, even now, to fathom how one could possible make it without losing their entire self. After giving up her initial mission on finding a way out Blythe’s sanity, emotions, and well being is tested relentlessly when new life is brought into the picture. How can Blythe possibly raise a child in such conditions? I can only sit back with admiration at the courage, resiliency, hope and love that she is still able to possess.

The years “below” in that silo were long and hard to get through. It wasn’t tiresome to read or exhausting in detail but I found Morley was really able to make the concept of time nonexistent as Blythe’s days turned into weeks, months, and then years. Her loneliness and poetic thoughts haunted me and although she didn’t sound like a typical teenager, in thoughts or in dialogue, she wasn’t under any typical circumstances that teenagers face (or adults for that matter). I really enjoyed the way Morley surrounded me with her descriptions and I think Blythe’s silo days will always stay with me. 

Now without going too much into the second half of the book, because it seems very spoiler-ish, I will say I was a little disappointed. I was just as shocked as Blythe and her son were when coming “above”. I was actually confused and may have said “WTF?” a time or two. The second half’s events take some time getting used to and honestly it felt like an entire different storyline to me. Blythe’s beloved heroic personality, which won me over so strongly in the beginning, sort of dissolved into an extremely protective mother that was understandably cautious and maybe a little paranoid. While I don’t fault Blythe for her reasoning or her actions I just can’t say I was strongly attached to her as I was in the beginning. 

Being “above” was eerie and I felt both Blythe and her son’s reactions were genuine and reasonable. I did like how I was able to experience the things they did when they first surfaced. The sensory overloads, the unbelievable shock, the fear of the unknown were all depicted very well. I was very happy with a lot of parts of the book. And then Morley went down random avenues that felt a little “shoved in” for shock value or some other addition to appeal to the reading audience. While I get what Morley did with the second half and understand its overall value to the story I just didn’t like it really matched up with the memorable beginning.

With that said about part two of the book I did enjoy (most of) the ending. As I mentioned earlier, I became aware of the entire picture and had to re-evaluate my feelings towards all characters; including beloved Blythe and the woman she ultimately became. Above is cleverly written, with a few randomly lost parts, that I very much enjoyed reading. I would read it again and I am looking forward to more from Isla Morley. 

Above by Isla Morley

Published March 4, 2014 by Gallery Books

Hardcover, 384 pages

Rating: 4/5

Tags: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Adventure, Survival

Received eARC for review 

Dark Eden - Chris Beckett

On the alien, sunless planet they call Eden, the 532 members of the Family shelter beneath the light and warmth of the Forest’s lantern trees. Beyond the Forest lie the mountains of the Snowy Dark and a cold so bitter and a night so profound that no man has ever crossed it. 

The Oldest among the Family recount legends of a world where light came from the sky, where men and women made boats that could cross the stars. These ships brought us here, the Oldest say—and the Family must only wait for the travelers to return. 

But young John Redlantern will break the laws of Eden, shatter the Family and change history. He will abandon the old ways, venture into the Dark…and discover the truth about their world.

Already remarkably acclaimed in the UK, Dark Eden is science fiction as literature; part parable, part powerful coming-of-age story, set in a truly original alien world of dark, sinister beauty--rendered in prose that is at once strikingly simple and stunningly inventive.

My thoughts:

I liked liked this book (yes the repetition is there for a reason and shows how their language changed.)

The book was good, creepy and made me think about, well everything. It was not even 200 years ago since a man and a woman got stranded on an alien planet. Now there are 500 people there, yes you figure it out. To start the human race again you need lots of incest and it shows as some people have what they call batfaces, and clawfeet. The law later does say that you should not "slip" with close relatives. But to get it started, they did. And it's not like anyone knows who their dad is either since everyone do it with everyone.

I liked how the society was formed and how it was rooted in fear, they HAD to stay where they were so earth would find them. Even though food was scarce now. But tradition was everything and no one really thought of new things anymore.

But like with all things rooted in tradition someone will have an idea and that is John. Was he a god hero? Not really, sure he thought of things but at the same time he was a man (another thing I liked here later how it show female vs male power.) But he was interesting and his was not the only POV. There were other with their strengths and thoughts.

A truly alien world, a new world being built and I could not put it down. This is a series so I checked book 2 at once which takes place long after. And the end was an end, but not really so I am very curious to see how these people survive.

Conclusion:

Totally cool sci.fi.

Cover

Really pretty up close

Paperback, 448 pages
Published April 1st 2014 by Broadway Books (first published January 1st 2012)
Dark Eden #1
Science-fiction
For review

Review: Saga - Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples

When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe. 

From New York Times bestselling writer Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina) and critically acclaimed artist Fiona Staples (Mystery Society, North 40), Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds. Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in this sexy, subversive drama for adults. 

My thoughts:

I am not good at reviewing a graphic novel...what should I say? Good artwork and a good story.

Two races at war, and two aliens fall in love and have a hybrid baby and then they run. There is a freaky sex world, a weird tree and a girl with her guts hanging out. That's sci-for you.

I enjoyed it and I would like to know if they survive. It also makes me wonder if I should try that other Vaughan series.

Would I read more?
yes

Cover
Breastfeeding...cool

Collects Saga issues #1-6.
Paperback, 160 pages
Published October 23rd 2012 by Image Comics (first published October 10th 2012)
Saga, Volume 1
Graphic Novel, Sci.fi
Library

Review: A Spy to Die For - Kris DeLake

Agent: Skylight

Profile: Seasoned Assassin Guild Super-Sleuth. Talented enough that she can write her own rules. 

Budget: Unlimited.

Agent: Jack

Profile: Main investigator for the loosely federated Rover Assassins. Guided by a strict moral code, fierce loyalty, and a sense of duty.

On opposite sides of a high-stakes game, lust lures two spies together in a passionate encounter. Little do they know that the heat of the moment would bind them, turning their worlds upside down. Hunted by deadly assassins, can the pair and their love withstand the onslaught?

Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages, Published July 2nd 2013 by Sourcebooks Casablanca, Assassins Guild #2, Science-fiction /romantic suspenseFor review

My thoughts:

I am jumping straight in. Ok girl eats at a shady burger joint, in comes hot guy. Girl is a bit lonely, she is a spy after all without any friends. Girl and boy ends up in bed. Boy is a spy too from another organization. Soon boy and girl are running and falling in love and lust. Now that is what this book is about.

Sky is a bad (that means she sucked at it) assassin who turned spy. Jack is good at finding things so he turned spy too. Set in a distant future where assassins are for hire and nothing wrong with that. Which makes this into a sci-fi romantic suspense story. If you are not into sci-fi then do not worry, you can take a few ships and sonic showers. If you like sci-fi then good, you will get some romance too thrown in. And of course the suspense part as something fishy is going on and someone is unhappy. Which means run you fools!

It was interesting to see them fall cos they fitted each other well but Sky had her issues. A lone wolf. While Jack, oh I do like when I guy falls first.

It made me wonder about book 1 too, sounds quite interesting too.

Conclusion

A spy novel set in space and a promise of passion.

Cover

Nice

Review: Naked in Death - J.D.Robb

In a world of danger and deception, she walks the line--between seductive passion and scandalous murder... Eve Dallas is a New York police lieutenant hunting for a ruthless killer. In over ten years on the force, she's seen it all--and knows her survival depends on her instincts. And she's going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, an Irish billionaire--and a suspect in Eve's murder investigation. But passion and seduction have rules of their own, and it's up to Eve to take a chance in the arms of a man she knows nothing about--except the addictive hunger of needing his touch.

My thoughts:

Not the review to write after a long long workday, which also was mostly spent outside, in the strange May heat wave. But I will try to string a few words together.

Do I love Roarke now? No, I can't see it. He was all over here, did I get why he found her attractive? Nope. I never saw the passion or felt anything between them. Did I get why she went for him? God no. She was a cop, bad bad call there.

But it was not bad. Nope (even if I kept thinking of the show Castle), it was thrilling, suspenseful. I wondered about the killer. I wondered about Eve and Roarke (not that I cared much but still.) It was one of those books that are good, but that I still wont buy more of. It felt like a good one time deal.

Cover

BORING

In Death #1
Sci-fi / futuristic / suspense /romance
Mass Market Paperback, 306 pages
Published July 1st 1995 by Berkley
Own

Review: Alexander Outland: Space Pirate - G.J. Koch

Captain Alexander Outland of the Sixty-Nine (short for Space Vessel 3369, of course) is the best pilot in the galaxy. He’s also a pirate, a smuggler, and loved and loathed by women in umpteen solar systems. His crew of strays and misfits includes an engineer of dubious sanity, a deposed planetary governor, an annoyingly unflappable Sexbot copilot, and a slinky weapons chief who stubbornly refuses to give the captain a tumble.

Outland just wants to make a decent living skirting the law, but when an invisible space armada starts cutting into his business, he soon finds himself in hot water with the military, the mob, mad bombers, and an extended family of would-be conquerors. And that’s not counting an occasionally telepathic spy . . . .

Like any sensible scoundrel, he hates heroics. They’re risky and they don’t pay well. But to keep his ship and crew in one piece, and make time with a certain hard-to-get weapons chief, he might just have to make an exception–and save the galaxy in spite of himself!

Series: Alexander Outland #1, Genre: Sci-fi, Pages: 300, To be published: June 5th, 2012 by Night Shade books, Source: Blog Tour/for review

My thoughts:

Something just did not work for me as it should have with this book. I really tried to like it, I mean I love her other books, but here, no, I just couldn't fall helplessly in love with it.

Captain Alexander Outland..a pig really. Sure I like a good rake, but this guy, well it just felt like he would have picked up a few things on the way. Can’t say I loved Slinkie either, the woman he is lusting after. Though I really liked how she did not fall for his crap. And I did like that Alexander did do the right thing when it comes to everything else. He says he does not want to be a hero but he was a hero. A reluctant awesome hero. So as long as he keeps his hands to himself then he is ok in my book.

I did like the Governor though..yes, I can’t say more. And a certain crewman who made a sexbot, well good for him.

The story (even if sadly not for me), was very cool in theory. A wicked plan is set in motion in the galaxy, pirates who want everything. And the crew ending up on a military planet, one have to love a place that keeps order *laugh ironically*. It sure made it interesting and the action was sure to be had after that.

In the end I still do not know why I did not love this book. Going with my old record I should have liked Alexander, cos he really wanted Slinkie. In a good way. And the plot was amazing and kicked ass. But this time it just was not the book for me.

What others had to say:
Here is a  quote from someone who really liked it.
My World in Pages ..and more

I loved this adventure and this crew!  I CAN NOT WAIT for the next Alexander Outland book!!

So go and read Melissa's review and see the other side of the story.

Wonder - Robert J. Sawyer

A superb near-future SF trilogy of an awakened Internet.

The Internet has become sentient. The world's governments are terrified, it seems the evolution of a new intelligence might have left mankind behind. It is up to one blind girl, a maths genius, to convince mankind that this new digital life is not its enemy.

Perfect for fans of Charles Stross and Vernor Vinge this is a rich imagining of a future that may be just around the corner.

Series: WWW #3, Genre: Sci-fi even if there is not much sci-fi there, and it feels very YA too, Pages: 352, Published: 2012 (2011) by Gollancz, Source: For review

My thoughts:

The good thing about this book is that I could just start reading without having read the previous books (this I of course did not know when I started.) Sure things are mentioned that happened before, yes I would like to read about these things as the book was interesting. But as it is now, it worked and I never felt a bit lost at all.

Did I understand all of the science talk? No, not really, but this did not matter either cos he made it real easy for you. I also linked how he sprinkled a bit of pop culture here and there, like Big Bang and the Skynet clause (look it up). There was also a certain presidential candidate that I saw clearly who he based it on. He made it very now and it felt like it could happen any day.

But to the story then. It's about a blind girl who can see again thanks to modern science. Caitlin is living her life, having a boyfriend and communication with the presence known as Webmind. This is the thing then. The Internet was awakened, an AI was formed and now the news about this is everywhere. The US government is scared and wants to shut it down, the Chinese wants to shut down the outside internet in general. All while webmind tries to tell everyone that he so to say come in peace. He cures cancer, because he can. But like all things that are just too big to understand he is feared and this book is all about trying to kill him, while others tries to understand him. And Caitlin tries to save him.

Conclusion:
The book was interesting, it made you think a bit and of course I understood the fear some had. I would fear him, then again the things he could do...Of course I already feel that google has a mind of its own ;)

Review: Alien Diplomacy - Gini Koch

Being newlyweds and new parents is challenging enough. But Jeff and Kitty Martini are also giving up their roles as super-being exterminators and Commanders in Centaurion Division while mastering the political landscape as the new heads of Centaurion's Diplomatic Corps. Enter a shadowy assassination plot and a new set of anti-alien conspirators, and nothing will ever be the same.

Series: Katherine "Kitty" Katt #5, Genre: Sciene Fiction UF romance, humor Pages: 425, Published: April 3, 2012 by DAW, Source: Bookshelf

My thoughts:

The book is as crazy as ever. What more can you expect from this series. There are conspiracies, strange taxi drivers, and all while trying to find a nice dress for the President's Ball.

The last review I did I made a bit differently and honestly after 5 books it's hard to say something new. I mean Kitty is cool, though I did feel at one time that she should have know better. I mean I knew better and all thanks to my Kitty schooling. But other than that she was on top of things.

Martini was actually a bit less jealous than usual, made me a bit sad, I like jealous Martini, cos I am weird like that. Mr White, aww, hihi, I do love him. I fear Christopher's dad is taking spot 2 of my fav Kitty men. Then comes Reader and sadly Christopher is now on spot 4 cos he found a girl.

The poofs are adorable as ever, honestly, please get me one!

How Koch makes these plots are beyond me. Things are coming at me from every corner, I can't figure out the baddies (well one), or who to trust, and what on earth is going on.

And last, there is an excerpt from book 6 at the back and let me tell you, it is pure evil! The way it ends in the middle of something juicy makes me want to get book 6 at once. I think it will be a amazing one.

Conclusion:

I do recommend this fun series. READ BOOK 1!

Cover:

I kind of love it and do not love it at the same time cos Kitty's neck and arms are so thin, she looks a bit anorexic. 

2 Reviews: Hotter than Hell & The Disciple by Jemma Chase

Hotter Than Hell

Genre: Paranormal romance/mystery Noir

Pages: 14, ebook

Publisher: Musa Publishing

Published: Oct 13, 2011

Source: For review

It’s summertime in Phoenix, Arizona, meaning it’s hotter than hell. So when Ruby Prince walks into the Private Investigator Nicholas Masters’ offices bundled up like she’s in Nome, Alaska, Nick thinks she’s crazy. But what Ruby wants is to find someplace truly hotter than Hell, and what Nick discovers changes his life…forever.

My thoughts:

A really short story that worked well as it was. 

A private eye meets a woman who wants a place hotter than hell. And he tries to find it while falling for her. A paranormal romance that got a happy ending, and a story that kind of made me curious about her parents met too. Maybe the same way these two did :) 

I really can't say much, because 14 pages! But for 14 pages it was good, and worth reading.

The Disciple

Genre: Sci-fi/Historical/UF/
Pages: 49, ebook
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Published: Nov 2, 2011
Source: For review


In the mid-24th century the vampire threat is so terrible that humanity is on the run and their numbers are dwindling. The only ones willing and able to fight the vampire plague are those in The Order. 


In addition to creating specialized vampire-killing weapons, The Order has protected all the world’s leading scientists. They’re rewarded with the ultimate breakthrough: time travel. But there’s a catch -- if you return to your present time, your mind doesn’t come home with you. 


Now a select team will be sent back to the Middle Ages, to stop the vampire threat before it can spread. They’re the best vampire slayers of their day and age, but once they go a thousand years into the past they’re strangers in a strange old land. Their perfect weapons aren’t working right, their numbers are too small, and the vampires seem to know who they are. It will take the ultimate leap of faith for the team to have a chance to complete their mission -- and survive.

My thoughts:
I liked this story, but I kind of do wish it had been longer, because of the fact that it was good. It has so much going for it.

Vampires has taken over the world, I do like wicked evil vamps, and a group is sent back in time to take them out, well try to. The story is short so it happens fast. They come, they fight, they die, and the source is found. Something that sure would have made a good series. But I must be happy with this short story.

The end, well there is a happy ending, but the big question is there. Did the world change? We do not know and I want to. I guess I will go and say yes, things changed, but evil me says no way ;)

When it comes down to it, a good short story.

Review: We, Robots - Sue Lange

Genre: Sci-fi

Pages: 96 (ebook)

Published: 2010 (2007)

Source: For review

Review by Lis

Avey, a personal robot purchased as a companion for a child must learn how to think like a human.

--------------------

Time for something entirely different. When B. fist send me the request for Sue Lange’s We, Robots I was expecting something entirely different than what I got. I expected more or less a light YA book, what I got was a fascinating in depth SF story that left my mind boggling. I can hear you thinking: Lis, what are you talking about?

Well, we’re talking robots today. Artificial Intelligence to be precise. We, Robots is the story of AV-1 are Avey, a AI Robot made to be a sort of nanny. He’s bought by Dal and Chit to look after their daughter Angelina. This is a time where robots are available in Wal Mart. Very scary. At first the story is very emotionless or static as Avey doesn’t have feelings or emotions.

However, this story settles around the notion of Singularity. Now singularity is a complex notion and even after reading this story, I’m not sure I understand it all. What it comes down to is this: singularity is the point where artificial intelligence becomes greater and thus surpasses human intelligence. It would be the point that AI’s no longer need humans for their creation. It is also linked to humanity shedding it’s mortal skin, but I’m not entirely sure on that. However, it’s the point that is feared by humans because it could mean that robot could turn on their creators.

Yes, I can hear you thinking. Humans are the top dogs and it never bodes well for when they are not. Thus, a chip is introduced that cause the robots to feel pain and a range of emotions so they can be controlled by humans.

It’s also the turning point in the story, because once you give something feelings it clouds the rational mind. I mean I so do not want to be recycled and I can understand robots not longer want that either.

All the events in this story are told from Avey’s POV. Suddenly he’s not longer just a nanny robot. He’s got all these feelings to deal with. The story is old as he watches Angelina grow up.

Avey is one cool, sweet, witty robot. He’s very sweet and caring and it’s very hard not to like him. At the end of the story there’s a spin that I think you’ll like.

We, Robots is very much the story that deal with injustice (let’s face it, we humans are cruel) and is told from the oppressed’ side. After reading this, I hated being human.

All in all We, Robots is not an easy Sci-Fi story to read. It’s very interesting because it also deals in “what if’s” What if the future is like this. What if we become like this. What if.. But at the same time it’s hard not to like Avey and his story. While an unlikely read for me, I’m glad I got the chance to read this.

Review: The Dervish House - Ian McDonald

Genre: Sci-fi/fiction
Pages: 576, PB
Published: July 14th 2011 Golllancz

It begins with an explosion. Another day, another bus bomb. Everyone it seems is after a piece of Turkey. But the shockwaves from this random act of 21st century pandemic terrorism will ripple further and resonate louder than just Enginsoy Square. Welcome to the world of The Dervish House; the great, ancient, paradoxical city of Istanbul, divided like a human brain, in the great, ancient, equally paradoxical nation of Turkey. The year is 2027 and Turkey is about to celebrate the fifth anniversary of its accession to the European Union; a Europe that now runs from the Arran Islands to Ararat. Population pushing one hundred million, Istanbul swollen to fifteen million; Turkey is the largest, most populous and most diverse nation in the EU, but also one of the poorest and most socially divided. It's a boom economy, the sweatshop of Europe, the bazaar of central Asia, the key to the immense gas wealth of Russia and Central Asia. The Dervish House is seven days, six characters, three interconnected story strands, one central common core--the eponymous dervish house, a character in itself--that pins all these players together in a weave of intrigue, conflict, drama and a ticking clock of a thriller.

My thoughts:

I do not know how to review this book because it was so well-written, and the imagination of it all, and the knowledge of the city showed that he really had aspired to learn as much as much as he could. And even if I liked it, it was still too confusing for me to really get lost in it.

There is so much going on, and there are a lot of characters.  Adnan is a trader with a get rich scheme with his buddies. His wife Ayse owns a gallery and buys religious art. She is hired to find the mellified man, a man who became honey after his death (do not get me started, it has to do with how he lived on honey and became mummified.) Georgios, an old Greek who is a professor in Economics, Can who is nine and who with his robots uncovers a terrorist plot and won't let go. Leyla who wants a job in marketing and later has to hunt something down for her new job. Necdet who after being caught in a suicide bombing starts seeing djinn.

The thing is that it would all have worked for me if it had not jumped so much. I was reading about Adnan and turned the page and suddenly I was reading about Can. For me it was just too jumpy and I got confused. I did not know who was who and what they were doing. It took a really long time for me to get into the book and understand what was going on. Even then I have no idea what Adnan was up too. But then his plot was just too complicated.

This book has a lot going on. Hidden relics, trying to find terrorists before they strike again, people not wanting to be a part of the EU. A hot summer where gas is wanted. People who see djinn and other things that should not exist. And it is interesting.

The best part is the new world he has built up. Where nanos are inserted into our bloodstream to make us concentrate better, and everything you could imagine. Where we can see what is happening on our retina, like a computer. It is a new world but at the same time an old world, and the changes are not big, instead they are believable.

It is a book to read slowly. That is my advice.

Conclusion: 

Even if the book was not for me I was impressed by the science fiction parts and how these lives came together like a puzzle.

Rating:

Not for me. But maybe for you.

Cover: 

meh