Rise of the Magician
By: Collin Earl & Chris Snelgrove
Publisher: SilverStone Books
Publish Date: March 15, 2011
Format: Paperback 256pgs; 6"x 9"
Genre: YA Fantasy, Dystopian
Series: 1st in Harmonics series
Recommendation: For a reader who likes to watch the pieces come together.
Book Synopsis:
Samantha Montgomery of Academy City 676 always dreamed of life outside of school. Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for...
A rogue weapons manufacturer, a ruthless killer, and a schoolgirl converge as a weapon so advanced it defies the laws of physics is a mere breath away from being unleashed on the world. Now it's up to Sam and some unexpected allies to keep it out of the wrong hands or risk losing everything, and everyone, they hold dear.
A defense contractor on the rampage, an assassin out for blood, and Sam caught in the middle.
When the reality you know ceases to be, can you live with the reality yet to come?
First Sentence:
"'Gone'? What do you mean 'gone'?"
Purchase At:
*note, the ebook version of this book is free at both venues.
My Thoughts and Summary:
Two projects, weapons of a sort but not titled as such, stolen from an impenetrable base and a magic bomb is left to remove any remains. Five years later, Dr. Shu's guard is blindly attacked and someone takes the computer/human interface doctor. Scott, the man on video security never thought he'd make this call that's out of proto-call as requested for a favor. A voice tells him what to do. Two days later Dirk, a relic hunter in a Sacred temple in the burning plains doesn't realize he's being followed by Roman. Roman learns of Shu's death and try to warn another. The other is trying to get information from a man that is assassinated. The news marks the assassinations as being done by a magician.
Then we get to the meat of the story of Dr Thurman being brought aboard an interface lab and projects that are of his original theory work and was 'borrowed.' Hoping to turn Recover of Project to a Termination of Project, along with those who stole and unleashed it. Then we find ourselves with Samantha a simple girl from Partical Palace who's not fitting in with the High Track (rich) or Low Track (poor) kids. She suddenly seems to become popular, or at least noticed by others after she finds a mysterious tin box floating in the lake on her way to class. Something has changed, she has changed. Then when the school goes on lock down with a potential threat, every corner could mean death without the help of one friend.
This story is well planned out with all the details and connections. You see how the people over time that are assassinated are all connected in some way, not knowing that they all are affiliated with each other. And the mysterious plan used with planted people, someone had been working on this idea for some time - the assassin. We get a view from the victims and the special investigators of the lost project, and appretences to the crime and have no idea how the tiny pieces they assist with fit into the bigger plan.
We meet our current day characters Sam, Cammie, Richard, Coda, and Adam at school in Academy City 676. We learn of the "classifications" based on money. The world is different as it's broken up and reorganized into groups. We have technology here as well. There are holograms and computer/human interface. A future world feel with a dash of dytopian past. I'm curious how all fits together in the story to come.
This book feels like there is a broad story started here a the beginning. I was nervous at the beginning with so much back story. But by the end it's start to narrow in and connect. We see the ties through out, but still want the narrower vision to who is what and what they are all after. I'm left more curious about Richard, whom I've come to love, and Sam, who is more than we know and still want to know. This of all the other kids too!
Shame on Collin and Chris leaving me with such burning questions in the end. Good thing I have book two. I'm looking forward to all the pieces coming together in the next books.
I don't know which versions have it, they may all have it, but in the print book I have there is an excerpt from Book 2, and I say go ahead and read it. It'll answer a few questions for you at the end of this one. I really like that this chapter was added to ease my mind some.
This is a Young Adult read, but with the depth of the story and connecting the characters and happenings I would say this is for older Young Adults.
**I read this book for an honest review from the author.
**This review is my own thoughts as I went through.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Who? What? Where? (88)
Who are you with? Where are you at? What's happening?
Share with us just a little bit of what is happening in the book you are reading, right where you are now.
Just a tiny taste of what's happening, remember try to not give spoilers of the book.
(This is a new meme I'm going to try and will tweak as I go. And please don't laugh at my lame attempt at drawing. ;D )
I'm standing with Kate by the stone wall of the Keep, watching. Watching as Curran fights a challenge by a crazy drunk Viking who has a magical specialty of his own. But Kate needs him for his knowledge too, so he can't hurt him and needs to win. Listening to Kate, I think she's enjoying this.
Magic Gifts
By: Ilona Andrews
Others have shown interest in joining in this post, and linking up. So I've created a linky for that.
My only requests; copy the picture to use, and link back to My World...in words and pages.
Please visit any joining in.
Thank you!
I'm standing with Kate by the stone wall of the Keep, watching. Watching as Curran fights a challenge by a crazy drunk Viking who has a magical specialty of his own. But Kate needs him for his knowledge too, so he can't hurt him and needs to win. Listening to Kate, I think she's enjoying this.
Magic Gifts
By: Ilona Andrews
Others have shown interest in joining in this post, and linking up. So I've created a linky for that.
My only requests; copy the picture to use, and link back to My World...in words and pages.
Please visit any joining in.
Thank you!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Overall Review: Avalon Revisited
Avalon Revisited
By: O.M. Grey
Genre: Victorian Vampire Steampunk Romance
Format: Podcast, but you can get in book as well
Book Synopsis:
Arthur has made his existence as a vampire bearable for over three hundred years by immersing himself in blood and debauchery. Aboard an airship gala, he meets Avalon, an aspiring vampire slayer who sparks fire into Arthur's shriveled heart. Together they try to solve the mystery of several horrendous murders on the dark streets of London. Cultures clash and pressures rise in this sexy Steampunk Romance.
Purchase At:
My Thoughts and Summary:
Arthur was to be King, before he was changed. Now he watches from the shadows loving different woman for a night or so as years pass by. Three hundred and fifty plus years and he meets the woman on a steam air ship gala that resembles his long lost love. Inserting himself in her investigation for a vampire on a murdering spree Arthur falls in love with the woman she is. And the mystery murders...might be something he should focus on as the victims seem to be affiliated with him, and are now turning into vampires though stronger and slightly different from a normal vampire. Along with solving this mystery and keeping his hearts love safe, Arthur has to try to keep his secret and get the love of his affects to fall for him as well.
The story is a Romance. There are many intimate moments with Arthur and... a few woman. He is stuck in a young fit, active and hormone induced male body after all.
Arthur starts as a man looking for blood and a quick romp with woman. By the end he has evolved, to seem a better man. Not that he was a bad man at the beginning as I really liked his choice in women. He never took the innocent virgin take that many think vampires are hungry for. No, Arthur was always looking for an older, mature woman that is more experienced.
There is a mystery here as well. But first we meet the key characters then get to the mystery. So we start off with the "active" Arthur with one thought in mind over the women he meets. Avalon seems to take to Arthur easier and easier through the book. He seems to be her type of personality when they get talking, finally.
This is set in a Victorian age with some touches of steampunk as well. There are some neat steam and gear contraptions found here. Some created to benefit a vampire as well. The story has a bit of fighting as well. With the vampires, there has to be some fighting. The story has a combo of all things present for readers that want more with their romance.
As for the Podcast:
I like the authors voice as she reads the different characters and accents she makes it sound like the character with accent and attitude they would use. The infliction used in voice makes all the difference in understanding the innuendos sometimes. These episodes are done with about a half hour or less sessions which ends up being a chapter or two at a time. The author doesn't give anything away in speaking the parts and speaks clearly to easily understand her.
I would say whether read or listen, this sounds like a very good Romance with all sorts of extras added in to enjoy.
If you would like to listen, or read, this story you can find it in many places:
Free Listening:
On O.M. Grey's blog Caught in the Cogs, she has chapter by chapter coming up on her blog weekly as it's a new listen.
iTunes the story is up weekly for free listening.
Reading:
You can purchase the Print or Nook book at Barnes & Nobles.
You can purchase a Print or Kindle version at Amazon.
Or if you need in a different ebook format, you can find on Smashwords as well.
I'm listening to this story for my own enjoyment.
By: O.M. Grey
Genre: Victorian Vampire Steampunk Romance
Format: Podcast, but you can get in book as well
Book Synopsis:
Arthur has made his existence as a vampire bearable for over three hundred years by immersing himself in blood and debauchery. Aboard an airship gala, he meets Avalon, an aspiring vampire slayer who sparks fire into Arthur's shriveled heart. Together they try to solve the mystery of several horrendous murders on the dark streets of London. Cultures clash and pressures rise in this sexy Steampunk Romance.
Purchase At:
Free Listen: Author's Blog / iTunes
My Thoughts and Summary:
Arthur was to be King, before he was changed. Now he watches from the shadows loving different woman for a night or so as years pass by. Three hundred and fifty plus years and he meets the woman on a steam air ship gala that resembles his long lost love. Inserting himself in her investigation for a vampire on a murdering spree Arthur falls in love with the woman she is. And the mystery murders...might be something he should focus on as the victims seem to be affiliated with him, and are now turning into vampires though stronger and slightly different from a normal vampire. Along with solving this mystery and keeping his hearts love safe, Arthur has to try to keep his secret and get the love of his affects to fall for him as well.
The story is a Romance. There are many intimate moments with Arthur and... a few woman. He is stuck in a young fit, active and hormone induced male body after all.
Arthur starts as a man looking for blood and a quick romp with woman. By the end he has evolved, to seem a better man. Not that he was a bad man at the beginning as I really liked his choice in women. He never took the innocent virgin take that many think vampires are hungry for. No, Arthur was always looking for an older, mature woman that is more experienced.
There is a mystery here as well. But first we meet the key characters then get to the mystery. So we start off with the "active" Arthur with one thought in mind over the women he meets. Avalon seems to take to Arthur easier and easier through the book. He seems to be her type of personality when they get talking, finally.
This is set in a Victorian age with some touches of steampunk as well. There are some neat steam and gear contraptions found here. Some created to benefit a vampire as well. The story has a bit of fighting as well. With the vampires, there has to be some fighting. The story has a combo of all things present for readers that want more with their romance.
As for the Podcast:
I like the authors voice as she reads the different characters and accents she makes it sound like the character with accent and attitude they would use. The infliction used in voice makes all the difference in understanding the innuendos sometimes. These episodes are done with about a half hour or less sessions which ends up being a chapter or two at a time. The author doesn't give anything away in speaking the parts and speaks clearly to easily understand her.
I would say whether read or listen, this sounds like a very good Romance with all sorts of extras added in to enjoy.
If you would like to listen, or read, this story you can find it in many places:
Free Listening:
On O.M. Grey's blog Caught in the Cogs, she has chapter by chapter coming up on her blog weekly as it's a new listen.
iTunes the story is up weekly for free listening.
Reading:
You can purchase the Print or Nook book at Barnes & Nobles.
You can purchase a Print or Kindle version at Amazon.
Or if you need in a different ebook format, you can find on Smashwords as well.
I'm listening to this story for my own enjoyment.
Labels:
Avalon Revisited,
Book Review,
Grey,
O.M. Grey,
Podcast,
Podcast Review
Thoughts On: Avalon Revisited Ch 21-24 (the end)
Avalon Revisited
By: O.M. Grey
Genre: Victorian Vampire Steampunk Romance
Chapter: 21-22
Format: Podcast, 36:00 minutes
Book Synopsis:
Arthur has made his existence as a vampire bearable for over three hundred years by immersing himself in blood and debauchery. Aboard an airship gala, he meets Avalon, an aspiring vampire slayer who sparks fire into Arthur's shriveled heart. Together they try to solve the mystery of several horrendous murders on the dark streets of London. Cultures clash and pressures rise in this sexy Steampunk Romance.
My Thoughts and Summary:
Chapter 21
Arthur is at Lord Wallace's home to check and see where the Lords body is. Learning he was buried Arthur heads off to the cemetery. There are grave robbers here!
Lord Wallace awakes while the grave robbers are trying to relieve him of his jewelry and attacks. Arthur fights Lord Wallace, but Arthur is weak with lack of human blood intake. Arthur is able to paralyze Lord Wallace, but with the smell of human blood from the man the Lord attacked, Arthur is drawn to it...only to be caught while feeding! Then knocked out when he runs after her.
Oh, now this is where it all starts to come out about who Arthur is to one special person. Will this be something they can get past? Will this be the end?
Chapter 22
Arthur wakes in a stone cell, with his love huddled in a corner as far away from him as she could get.
This is where we start to get our answers to everything. Everything! We learn how Avalon came to the cemetery, what happened to Arthur there, WHO did it!
With being in a cell what else is there to do other than talk. Arthur and Avalon do that. We learn Arthur's secret of how he was turned, and see the sympathy grow between the couple. I have to say I love the emotion in the authors voice as she tells the story and what Arthur did for Katherine...the story of his first human kill. Avalon admits her feelings, and they have a rather intimate moment.
It's interesting what Arthur sees in the laboratory when he looks out the window. Dr. Lacey is doing his own experiments with the supernatural kinds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter: 23-24
Format: Podcast, 25:53
My Thoughts and Summary:
Chapter 23
Their moment is interrupted, and we learn why the one person helping do this, is doing it.
We learn about Dr. Fredrick Lacey and what he's got going on. There is a connection to Arthur, but not in the way you would think. I liked this.
We have a cog necklace that helps the helper so Arthur's not able to mind control him. Interesting combination to create it.
Arthur is attacked by zombie, vampire/werewolf creatures. I liked how we use the wooden door to the cell here. Avalon even has a helping hand in the battle, even though she's human and has to be careful, she is and helps. Not as weak of a human woman as some might have thought.
But when you think things will have a happy ending, the beast rears it's ugly head....I can't tell you what it is!
Chapter 24
The ending of the book is as I would like. We learn what happened and worry for our loves. Sad feeling to the ending. We wait to see what will happen and the affects of it...
You will have to listen, I can't give you all the details, now can I? ;D
If you would like to listen, or read, this story you can find it in many places:
Free Listening:
On O.M. Grey's blog Caught in the Cogs, she has chapter by chapter coming up on her blog weekly as it's a new listen.
iTunes the story is up weekly for free listening.
Reading:
You can purchase the Print or Nook book at Barnes & Nobles.
You can purchase a Print or Kindle version at Amazon.
Or if you need in a different ebook format, you can find on Smashwords as well.
I'm listening to this story for my own enjoyment.
Labels:
Avalon Revisited,
Grey,
O.M. Grey,
Podcast,
Podcast Review
Teaser Tuesday (140)
Teaser Tuesday
is a weekly event
Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading
Here's how it works:
Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)
Open the book to any random page.
Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page
Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!
(Don't Give Too Much Away)
Just enough to pique our interests
This Week:
To the left, Curran thrust his claws through the flesh under his vamp's chin. The bloody tips of the talons emerged from the back of the bloodsucker's neck.
Magic Gifts
By: Ilona Andrews
Novella in back of Gunmetal Magic, 340pg
This Week:
To the left, Curran thrust his claws through the flesh under his vamp's chin. The bloody tips of the talons emerged from the back of the bloodsucker's neck.
Magic Gifts
By: Ilona Andrews
Novella in back of Gunmetal Magic, 340pg
Monday, October 22, 2012
Book Review: Fathom
Fathom
By: Merrie Destefano
Published By: Author
Publish Date: October 1, 2012
Format: eARC, 317pgs
Genre: YA fantasy, Sea Fantasy
Series: 1st book
Recommendation: Yes, a sea legend comes to the land folk while it's still in the making.
Synopsis:
Everything is changing...
Turning sixteen can be hell, especially if everyone in town thinks your mother killed herself and your sister. All Kira Callahan wants to do is swim, hang out with her best friend, Sean, and ignore the kids who torment her at school. That is, until one day when she gets invited to a party. For three minutes her life is wonderful - she even kisses Sean in the driveway. Then somebody spikes her drink at the party and some girls from out of town lure her into the ocean and hold her underwater.
Kira soon discovers that the group of wild teenagers who have come to visit Crescent Moon Bay are not as innocent as they seem. In fact, nothing is as it seems - not the mysterious deaths of her sister and mother, not her heritage, not even her best friend. And everything seems to hinge on the ancient Celtic legends that her mother used to tell her as a child.
First Sentence:
I never believed in ghosts.
Purchase At:
My Thoughts and Summary:
Caleb's people are of the sea, make homes of shipwrecked ships and have legends of humans. One of the legends is still forming, a girl still working and growing through her own legend his people talk about. Caleb is curious about this legend and when his friend and his sisters betrothed returns home he says he saw her, and a crew of them decide to go and see her for themselves, even though they have to swim through their predators territory, the Hinquememem.
Kira is a young girl turning sixteen and maturing, maturing in ways she never even knew and well beyond that of a normal teenage girl. Kira feels she looks more like her murdering mother than ever before, and misses her dead sister. She loves her swimming that helps calm her days and mind. But Kira's world is good as she shares her first kiss with Sean but is about to get turned upside down after a party where she has her drink spiked and a few girls play a cruel joke on her by trying to drown her... she thinks what happens is all a hallucination, from the drink...or was it?
We start with Kira remembering the first time she saw a ghost, her mothers ghost and what happened to her mother and sister, yet makes me curious to the whole story with them and the Celtic legends they believe and listen to. In school there are those who whisper the same rumors at start of each year, about Kira and her mother and wondering if she's like her mother, crazy. But we are coming to the close of the year and the thoughts are still there.
The descriptions of the oceans touch is poetic! The details of the scent, look, and feel are amazing and I can almost feel it on my skin. I almost feel as I'm there. Then when I realize I'm not, it makes me wish I was standing there at the ocean, on the beach. Makes me crave the ocean as much as Kira does.
The chapters rotate between Kira, learning of her, her mom, birthday, and friends, and Caleb, learning his world and adventures to see Kira. The chapters are shorter length in pages and consist of complete scenes. I really like this. It's easy to have a spot to stop on the run (and for young adults between classes) yet I am in want to keep reading and know, learn, more of Kira's and Caleb's lives and how they will connect.
My only thought is Kira considers Caleb a friend in the end after him helping her once and then in the end again, also keeping her secret. Kira feels a connection with Caleb with every eye locked gaze, but I didn't feel there was as much happening between them to consider him such a close friend. I do think Kira is a kind soul and should act the same way she does with him, but to say he's such a close friend...I don't know, I didn't really feel it. But the Legend created here, Wow!
Wow! The legend created here. An amazing Celtic legend that grows to come to pass as we read, in a story that will seize your attention. Full of selkies and monsters of the sea.
I'm very curious to see where the series goes from here. There has to be more to come, because I want it. lol.
**I requested this ARC from the author for an honest review.
**This is a review of the book in my thoughts and personal feelings.
By: Merrie Destefano
Published By: Author
Publish Date: October 1, 2012
Format: eARC, 317pgs
Genre: YA fantasy, Sea Fantasy
Series: 1st book
Recommendation: Yes, a sea legend comes to the land folk while it's still in the making.
Synopsis:
Everything is changing...
Turning sixteen can be hell, especially if everyone in town thinks your mother killed herself and your sister. All Kira Callahan wants to do is swim, hang out with her best friend, Sean, and ignore the kids who torment her at school. That is, until one day when she gets invited to a party. For three minutes her life is wonderful - she even kisses Sean in the driveway. Then somebody spikes her drink at the party and some girls from out of town lure her into the ocean and hold her underwater.
Kira soon discovers that the group of wild teenagers who have come to visit Crescent Moon Bay are not as innocent as they seem. In fact, nothing is as it seems - not the mysterious deaths of her sister and mother, not her heritage, not even her best friend. And everything seems to hinge on the ancient Celtic legends that her mother used to tell her as a child.
First Sentence:
I never believed in ghosts.
Purchase At:
My Thoughts and Summary:
Caleb's people are of the sea, make homes of shipwrecked ships and have legends of humans. One of the legends is still forming, a girl still working and growing through her own legend his people talk about. Caleb is curious about this legend and when his friend and his sisters betrothed returns home he says he saw her, and a crew of them decide to go and see her for themselves, even though they have to swim through their predators territory, the Hinquememem.
Kira is a young girl turning sixteen and maturing, maturing in ways she never even knew and well beyond that of a normal teenage girl. Kira feels she looks more like her murdering mother than ever before, and misses her dead sister. She loves her swimming that helps calm her days and mind. But Kira's world is good as she shares her first kiss with Sean but is about to get turned upside down after a party where she has her drink spiked and a few girls play a cruel joke on her by trying to drown her... she thinks what happens is all a hallucination, from the drink...or was it?
We start with Kira remembering the first time she saw a ghost, her mothers ghost and what happened to her mother and sister, yet makes me curious to the whole story with them and the Celtic legends they believe and listen to. In school there are those who whisper the same rumors at start of each year, about Kira and her mother and wondering if she's like her mother, crazy. But we are coming to the close of the year and the thoughts are still there.
The descriptions of the oceans touch is poetic! The details of the scent, look, and feel are amazing and I can almost feel it on my skin. I almost feel as I'm there. Then when I realize I'm not, it makes me wish I was standing there at the ocean, on the beach. Makes me crave the ocean as much as Kira does.
The chapters rotate between Kira, learning of her, her mom, birthday, and friends, and Caleb, learning his world and adventures to see Kira. The chapters are shorter length in pages and consist of complete scenes. I really like this. It's easy to have a spot to stop on the run (and for young adults between classes) yet I am in want to keep reading and know, learn, more of Kira's and Caleb's lives and how they will connect.
My only thought is Kira considers Caleb a friend in the end after him helping her once and then in the end again, also keeping her secret. Kira feels a connection with Caleb with every eye locked gaze, but I didn't feel there was as much happening between them to consider him such a close friend. I do think Kira is a kind soul and should act the same way she does with him, but to say he's such a close friend...I don't know, I didn't really feel it. But the Legend created here, Wow!
Wow! The legend created here. An amazing Celtic legend that grows to come to pass as we read, in a story that will seize your attention. Full of selkies and monsters of the sea.
I'm very curious to see where the series goes from here. There has to be more to come, because I want it. lol.
**I requested this ARC from the author for an honest review.
**This is a review of the book in my thoughts and personal feelings.
Labels:
Book Review,
Destefano,
Fathom,
Merrie Destefano
Monday's Beginnings (165)
Well, it's Monday. What else can I say? Monday says it all.
I'm behind in blog visiting as the kids sports has kept me on the go. But I think I got to all the comments here last week. I'll have to get to visiting this week. And in two weeks I'll not be around much, NaNoWriMo will be starting. I'm excited and nervous. Once I get going I'll be alright, but getting started is the hard part for me, finding that groove.
Oh well, not much else to chat about. Kinda boring for me.
So, on to the bookish stuff from last week now...
Current Read:
Gunmetal Magic & Magic Gift by Ilona Andrews
Finished Last Week:
Kiss of Death by Seleste deLaney
Reviews to Come:
Harmonics: Rise of the Magician by Collin Earl & Chris Snelgrove
House of Grey Vol. 2 by Collin Earl
Endgame by Ann Aguirre
Fathom by Merrie Destefano
The Weird Girls by Cecy Robson
Of Course I Try by Seleste deLaney
The Ghost of Vampire Present by Seleste deLaney
Curran POV Vol 1 by Gordon Andrews
Curran POV Vol 2 by Gordon Andrews
A Little Short for An Alien by Frances Pauli
Kiss of Death by Seleste deLaney
Book Reviews Posted:
House of Grey Vol 1 by Collin Earl
The High Priestess by Katee Robert
Podcast Reviews Posted:
Avalon Revisited by O.M. Grey ~ Chapters 17 - 20
Movie Review Posted:
No movie review, sorry, been running out of time.
Books and Covers Shared:
Oblivion by Skyla Dawn Cameron
Teeth of Gods by Adrienne Jones
Special Posts:
UF Book Chat Stop 1 on Gunmetal Magic
Freebies and Deals, on Nook too (29)
I did not do a Flash Fiction Friday. It seems I've gotten away from these lately. From the way things are looking, I won't be doing any for a while now too.
My WANT List...Well, I must really be slacking. I only added 2 books last week. But that's okay as I've got 490 books on the Want List! LOL!
Received Last Week:
Won:
I won this from author Merrie Destefano in her YA ARC giveaway. I think the kid and I are going to enjoy these.
Goodreads Synopsis:
When the tail of the comet Bhaktul flicks through the Earth’s atmosphere, deadly particles are left in its wake. Suddenly, mankind is confronted with a virus that devastates the adult population. Only those under the age of eighteen seem to be immune. Desperate to save humanity, a renowned scientist proposes a bold plan: to create a ship that will carry a crew of 251 teenagers to a home in a distant solar system. Two years later, the Galahad and its crew—none over the age of sixteen—is launched.
Goodreads Synopsis:
From the author of New York Times bestselling Rock Paper Tiger comes the most electrifying thriller of the Summer.
Michelle Mason tells herself she’s on vacation. A brief stay in the Mexican resort town of Puerto Vallarta. It’s a chance to figure out her next move after the unexpected death of her banker husband, who’s left behind a scandal and a pile of debt. The trip was already paid for, and it beats crashing in her sister’s spare room. When a good-looking man named Daniel approaches her on the beach, the margaritas have kicked in and she decides: why not?
But the date doesn’t go as either of them planned. An assault on Daniel in her hotel room, switched cell phones and an encounter with a “friend” of Daniel’s named Gary gets Michelle enmeshed in a covert operation involving drug runners, goons, and venture capitalists. Michelle already knows she’s caught in a dangerous trap. But she quickly finds that running is not an option. If she’s not careful, she’ll end up buried in the town dump, with the rest of the trash. Now she needs to fight smart if she wants to survive her vacation.
Goodreads Synopsis:
When news reports start appearing of a zombie outbreak in Ireland, B's racist father thinks it's a joke-- but even if it isn't, he figures, it's ok to lose a few Irish.
B doesn't fully buy into Dad's racism, but figures it's easier to go along with it than to risk the fights and abuse that will surely follow sticking up for Muslims, blacks, or immigrants. And when dodging his fists doesn't work, B doesn't hesitate to take the piss out of kids at school with a few slaps or cruel remarks.
That is, until zombies attack the school. B is forced on a mad dash through the serpentine corridors of high school, making allegiances with anyone with enough gall to fight off their pursuers.
Goodreads Synopsis:
A feast for the brain, this gory and genuinely hilarious take on zombie culture simultaneously skewers, pays tribute to, and elevates the horror genre.
Seventeen-year-old Nero is stuck in the wilderness with a bunch of other juvenile delinquents on an “Inward Trek.” As if that weren’t bad enough, his counselors have turned into flesh-eating maniacs overnight and are now chowing down on his fellow miscreants. As in any classic monster flick worth its salted popcorn, plentiful carnage sends survivors rabbiting into the woods while the mindless horde of “infects” shambles, moans, and drools behind. Of course, these kids have seen zombie movies. They generate “Zombie Rules” almost as quickly as cheeky remarks, but attitude alone can’t keep the biters back.
Serving up a cast of irreverent, slightly twisted characters, an unexpected villain, and an ending you won’t see coming, here is a savvy tale that that’s a delight to read—whether you’re a rabid zombie fan or freshly bitten—and an incisive commentary on the evil that lurks within each of us.
Free:
This was free for three days this week. So had to pick this short story up as I do enjoy Michael's work.
Goodreads Synopsis:
HE WANTED TO ESCAPE HIS PROBLEMS. HE WANTED TO SEE THE FUTURE. HE NEVER CONSIDERED WHAT THE FUTURE WANTED.
Confronted with suffering a painful death from cancer, Dan Sturges, a retired Ford’s engineer, foregoes treatments to try an idea of his own. After reading a theoretical article in Scientific American on time displacement, Dan builds a time machine in his garage. With nothing to lose but a few months of pain, Dan pins his hopes on a future where cancer might have been cured, or at least a quicker death by electrocution. How could he have known that what happens after he presses the button is more shocking than the eighteen car batteries he connected himself to?
Greener Grass is a science fiction short story of 5,600 words by Michael J. Sullivan, author of the fantasy series The Riyria Revelations
How did your week go? Hope it was a good one. How does the new week look? Hopefully relaxing for you!
Here's wishing you all the best in words and pages.
I'm behind in blog visiting as the kids sports has kept me on the go. But I think I got to all the comments here last week. I'll have to get to visiting this week. And in two weeks I'll not be around much, NaNoWriMo will be starting. I'm excited and nervous. Once I get going I'll be alright, but getting started is the hard part for me, finding that groove.
Oh well, not much else to chat about. Kinda boring for me.
So, on to the bookish stuff from last week now...
Current Read:
Gunmetal Magic & Magic Gift by Ilona Andrews
Finished Last Week:
Kiss of Death by Seleste deLaney
Reviews to Come:
Harmonics: Rise of the Magician by Collin Earl & Chris Snelgrove
House of Grey Vol. 2 by Collin Earl
Endgame by Ann Aguirre
Fathom by Merrie Destefano
The Weird Girls by Cecy Robson
Of Course I Try by Seleste deLaney
The Ghost of Vampire Present by Seleste deLaney
Curran POV Vol 1 by Gordon Andrews
Curran POV Vol 2 by Gordon Andrews
A Little Short for An Alien by Frances Pauli
Kiss of Death by Seleste deLaney
Book Reviews Posted:
House of Grey Vol 1 by Collin Earl
The High Priestess by Katee Robert
Podcast Reviews Posted:
Avalon Revisited by O.M. Grey ~ Chapters 17 - 20
Movie Review Posted:
No movie review, sorry, been running out of time.
Books and Covers Shared:
Oblivion by Skyla Dawn Cameron
Teeth of Gods by Adrienne Jones
Special Posts:
UF Book Chat Stop 1 on Gunmetal Magic
Freebies and Deals, on Nook too (29)
I did not do a Flash Fiction Friday. It seems I've gotten away from these lately. From the way things are looking, I won't be doing any for a while now too.
My WANT List...Well, I must really be slacking. I only added 2 books last week. But that's okay as I've got 490 books on the Want List! LOL!
Received Last Week:
Won:
I won this from author Merrie Destefano in her YA ARC giveaway. I think the kid and I are going to enjoy these.
Goodreads Synopsis:
When the tail of the comet Bhaktul flicks through the Earth’s atmosphere, deadly particles are left in its wake. Suddenly, mankind is confronted with a virus that devastates the adult population. Only those under the age of eighteen seem to be immune. Desperate to save humanity, a renowned scientist proposes a bold plan: to create a ship that will carry a crew of 251 teenagers to a home in a distant solar system. Two years later, the Galahad and its crew—none over the age of sixteen—is launched.
Two years of training have prepared the crew for the challenges of space travel. But soon after departing Earth, they discover that a saboteur is hiding on the Galahad! Faced with escalating acts of vandalism and terrorized by threatening messages, sixteen-year-old Triana Martell and her council soon realize that the stowaway will do anything to ensure that the Galahad never reaches its destination. The teens must find a way to neutralize their enemy. For if their mission fails, it will mean the end of the human race….
Goodreads Synopsis:
From the author of New York Times bestselling Rock Paper Tiger comes the most electrifying thriller of the Summer.
Michelle Mason tells herself she’s on vacation. A brief stay in the Mexican resort town of Puerto Vallarta. It’s a chance to figure out her next move after the unexpected death of her banker husband, who’s left behind a scandal and a pile of debt. The trip was already paid for, and it beats crashing in her sister’s spare room. When a good-looking man named Daniel approaches her on the beach, the margaritas have kicked in and she decides: why not?
But the date doesn’t go as either of them planned. An assault on Daniel in her hotel room, switched cell phones and an encounter with a “friend” of Daniel’s named Gary gets Michelle enmeshed in a covert operation involving drug runners, goons, and venture capitalists. Michelle already knows she’s caught in a dangerous trap. But she quickly finds that running is not an option. If she’s not careful, she’ll end up buried in the town dump, with the rest of the trash. Now she needs to fight smart if she wants to survive her vacation.
Goodreads Synopsis:
When news reports start appearing of a zombie outbreak in Ireland, B's racist father thinks it's a joke-- but even if it isn't, he figures, it's ok to lose a few Irish.
B doesn't fully buy into Dad's racism, but figures it's easier to go along with it than to risk the fights and abuse that will surely follow sticking up for Muslims, blacks, or immigrants. And when dodging his fists doesn't work, B doesn't hesitate to take the piss out of kids at school with a few slaps or cruel remarks.
That is, until zombies attack the school. B is forced on a mad dash through the serpentine corridors of high school, making allegiances with anyone with enough gall to fight off their pursuers.
Goodreads Synopsis:
A feast for the brain, this gory and genuinely hilarious take on zombie culture simultaneously skewers, pays tribute to, and elevates the horror genre.
Seventeen-year-old Nero is stuck in the wilderness with a bunch of other juvenile delinquents on an “Inward Trek.” As if that weren’t bad enough, his counselors have turned into flesh-eating maniacs overnight and are now chowing down on his fellow miscreants. As in any classic monster flick worth its salted popcorn, plentiful carnage sends survivors rabbiting into the woods while the mindless horde of “infects” shambles, moans, and drools behind. Of course, these kids have seen zombie movies. They generate “Zombie Rules” almost as quickly as cheeky remarks, but attitude alone can’t keep the biters back.
Serving up a cast of irreverent, slightly twisted characters, an unexpected villain, and an ending you won’t see coming, here is a savvy tale that that’s a delight to read—whether you’re a rabid zombie fan or freshly bitten—and an incisive commentary on the evil that lurks within each of us.
Free:
This was free for three days this week. So had to pick this short story up as I do enjoy Michael's work.
Goodreads Synopsis:
HE WANTED TO ESCAPE HIS PROBLEMS. HE WANTED TO SEE THE FUTURE. HE NEVER CONSIDERED WHAT THE FUTURE WANTED.
Confronted with suffering a painful death from cancer, Dan Sturges, a retired Ford’s engineer, foregoes treatments to try an idea of his own. After reading a theoretical article in Scientific American on time displacement, Dan builds a time machine in his garage. With nothing to lose but a few months of pain, Dan pins his hopes on a future where cancer might have been cured, or at least a quicker death by electrocution. How could he have known that what happens after he presses the button is more shocking than the eighteen car batteries he connected himself to?
Greener Grass is a science fiction short story of 5,600 words by Michael J. Sullivan, author of the fantasy series The Riyria Revelations
How did your week go? Hope it was a good one. How does the new week look? Hopefully relaxing for you!
Here's wishing you all the best in words and pages.
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