@MGraybosch @CuriosityQuills #Review "Without Bloodshed" by Matthew Graybosch

Without Bloodshed review
Author: Matthew Graybosch
5 out of 5 stars

Book Info: Genre: Speculative Fiction
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: fans of metal, scifi, fantastic worlds
Trigger Warnings: sexual assault, abuse of power, murder, violence, fighting

My Thoughts: First of all, I absolutely love the cover on this thing. It is just gorgeous. This is the first book in the Starbreakers series, and it was a terrific read. It is described at the Starbreakers series website as: “Androids unaware of their nature fight demons from outer space. It's totally metal.” If I had known that little bit going into the book I might have caught on to what was going on that much more quickly, but it is eventually revealed to the careful reader. Additional stories that can provide background can also be found and read online by starting at the Starbreakers series website story page.

I love the complexity of the characters in this book. None of them are one-dimensional, nothing is really ever quite what it seems, and every time I started to figure out what might be going on, a new twist or kink was thrown in and I was right back at ground zero. It was beautifully done to keep the reader engaged with the story rather than frustrated. I particularly was amused by some of Claire's random ejaculations and swearing, which I am unable to add into the review due to Terms of Service issues at some of the sites where I post them. I did post some updates including some of them on Goodreads, which were apparently amusing enough that one of my friends told me she'd picked up a copy of the book based on my updates on only the first 11 percent of the book.

The “metalness” of the stories is more obvious in the short stories available on the website, but it comes through a bit in this book, too. I think a lot of people will enjoy this book, so if it sounds like your sort of thing, definitely check it out.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Curiosity Quills in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: "All who threaten me die."

These words made Morgan Stormrider's reputation as one of the Phoenix Society's deadliest IRD officers. He served with distinction as the Society's avenger, hunting down anybody who dared kill an Adversary in the line of duty. After a decade spent living by the sword, Morgan seeks to bid a farewell to arms and make a new life with his friends as a musician. Regardless of his faltering faith, the Phoenix Society has a final mission for Morgan Stormrider after a dictator's accusations make him a liability to the organization. He must put everything aside, travel to Boston, and prove he is not the Society's assassin. He must put down Alexander Liebenthal's coup while taking him alive.

Despite the gravity of his task, Morgan cannot put aside his ex-girlfriend's murder, or efforts to frame him and his closest friends for the crime. He cannot ignore a request from a trusted friend to investigate the theft of designs for a weapon before which even gods stand defenseless. He cannot disregard the corruption implied in the Phoenix Society's willingness to make him a scapegoat should he fail to resolve the crisis in Boston without bloodshed.

The words with which Morgan Stormrider forged his reputation haunt him still.

Book Review: "Last Condo Board of the Apocalypse" by Nina Post

The Last Condo Board of the Apocalypse review
Author: Nina Post
4 out of 5 stars

Book Info: Genre: Urban Fantasy Reading Level: Adult

Disclosure: I received a free ebook copy of this text from Curiosity Quills (the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: When hundreds of fallen angels and dimension-hopping monsters take over a highrise condo building, a down-on-her-luck bounty hunter must team up with an unlikely group of allies to prevent the apocalypse.

Kelly Driscoll tracks down monsters for a living, but the job isn't what it used to be. Vampire hunters are the new big thing, but Kelly doesn't swing that way. When a reclusive client hires her to locate a rival angel, Kelly's search takes her to a downtown highrise that has become home to hundreds of fallen angels and dimension-hopping monsters.

As the fallen angels take over the condo board, argue over who's handling pizza delivery, and begin planning for a little shindig otherwise known as the apocalypse, Kelly must team up with an unlikely group of allies to find her target and keep the fallen angels at bay. In the process, she befriends a reluctant Angel of Destruction, gets tips from a persistent ferret, uncovers the mysteries behind Pothole City's hottest snack food empire, and tries to prevent the end of the world.

My Thoughts: This is Nina Post’s debut novel, which was followed by One Ghost Per Serving, which I just reviewed. (Link to that review by clicking the title.)

Kelly has been barely scraping by ever since that vampire huntress stole all her press (“What kind of a world do we live in...?). Now she’s been asked to find a fugitive in a luxury condo tower with over 500 units in just two days. I have to tell you, this book was very weird – extremely surreal, and full of ridiculousness, just like her other book.

She’s apparently obsessed with titanium sporks, as they have showed up in both books. Also weird names for things – in her 2nd book it is business names, in this book it is Cluck Snacks. Here is a listing of a few of the Cluck Snacks named: Cluck Snack Krispy Baked B’nana Bitz for Dogs and Ferrets (‘Can Be Used As Cereal!’), Cluck Snack Cereal (‘Can Be Used As Cereal!’), Cluck Snack Cake Crisps Cereal, Cluck Snack Top’n (‘Makes Anything Taste like Cluck Snack’), Cluck Snack Sweet n’ Savory Breakfast Syrup, cluck Snack Pizza Flav’r Gum (‘Not for Dogs and Ferrets’), Cluck Snack P’nut Butt’r Chunks (‘For Ferrets, Not Dogs’), Cluck Snack Frozen-Like Dess’rt Bars, Cluck Snack Steamie Pock’tz and Cluck Snack Meal’n a Box Totez (‘Take Your Cluck Snake With You’). There were many more Cluck Snack offerings named throughout the book – that was just a section with a big chunk of them all together.

I really don’t know what to tell you about this book, other than it was surreal, strange, and often silly – the various single-purpose angels were a never-ending source of amusement. I laughed a lot, that’s for sure. But I often had trouble keeping up with what was going on; it was like one of those cartoons with all the flashing lights; hard to track, but amusing. So, if that sounds like your sort of book, be sure to check it out.

Book Review Repost: "The Four-Year-Old Guardian" by S.L. Madden

Please note: This review originally posted 9/13/11 on Goodreads. Copied here to make it even easier to read review of both books in the Only Human on the Block series. You'll note the difference in my review styles, which I have now created a consistent template for.


The Four-Year-Old Guardian by S.L. Madden

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“The Four-Year-Old Guardian” is book 1 of The Only Human on the Block series. In it, we’re introduced to Averton, OR – Monster Capital of the World – when Nick and his mother Michelle move there from Yakima. Nick is accustomed to being the new kid on the block, because they moved around a lot; however, Michelle has purchased a house in Averton and plans on them staying there for Nick to finish school. Nick quickly learns that the cool kids aren’t going to give him the time of day, but he also quickly becomes friends with his neighbor, Myles, a nerdy home-schooled kid, and Melody and Wendy. He discovers that the people who used to live in the house where he now lives had a daughter named Heather who died around five years prior. And then, one night, he meets Heather – well, Heather’s ghost – and finds out that he is the new Seeker, the one who has to find the new Guardian of the Orb, who is the one to protect the power of the Orb to keep the human world – Earthspace – and the demon world – Valos – separated. Heather tells him that the new Guardian will be activated on his fourth birthday. While fighting demons as best they can, Nick and his friends seek the new Guardian. Will they be able to find the Guardian in time?

This was another excellent book by S L Madden, a young-adult novel that is fast-paced, well-written and filled with unique and well-defined characters. I enjoyed getting to know each of them and look forward to learning more about them in the next book in the series, “Bravado/Dramatique.” Also watch for Madden’s new series, Unseen Things, book 1 “The Shadow Walker.” Judging by the quality of Madden’s books so far, it should be wonderful!



View all my reviews

Book review: "Bravado/Dramatique" by S.L. Madden

Bravado/Dramatique by S.L. Madden

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Book Info: Genre: Urban Fantasy Reading Level: Young Adult

Disclosure: I received a free ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review of this book.

Synopsis: The play’s the thing....

Between training, fighting demons and studying for school, Nick has more than enough to worry about. So how did he end up starring in the school play opposite Reva and Wendy, the two girls he can’t decide between?

Reva’s beautiful and popular and has a crush on him, but she wants to keep it a secret. Wendy’s a good friend, but she’s too wrapped up in thinking her father’s new care provider is a witch to notice Nick slipping away from her.

It’s enough to distract him from what’s important, like the demons who crave the Orb’s power. Then there’s Cal Phibbs, the school outcast, who’s been heard having conversations with himself. It’s almost as if he’s talking to someone — or something — no one else can see...

My Thoughts: This is book two in Only Human on the Block. I read and reviewed the first book in the series, The Four-Year-Old Guardian, in September, 2011, and that review can be seen here.

Since it has been so long, I was tempted to re-read the first book before starting on this one, but decided I need to get moving through some of these older books, so just had to hope my memory would come through for a change. As it turned out, I fell back into the plot fairly easily. Being able to see how these characters are growing and changing is a real treat, and having the play be such an essential part of this story was a rare treat, as I was in drama throughout grammar, middle and high school, and well into University. I’ve always loved performing in front of a crowd, to the point where karaoke is one of my favorite things to do, if I can find a place where I enjoy hanging out.

I particularly liked Cal Phibbs – to tell the truth, he is exactly the sort of person I would have hung out with in school, if anyone in my little town had the guts to be a Goth. My parents would have blown a gasket, but I’ve always favored the outcasts and the misfits – being one myself – so I really related to Cal. I’m very concerned about Myles – when you read the book you will know why. He’s a sweet boy, and I’m terribly afraid something horrible is going to happen to him. We will see.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of editing errors in my copy. I enjoyed the story, obviously, but the constant parade of extra words, missing words, wrong words, incorrect tenses, wrong forms, redundancies, etc. really started to wear on me – there was something on pretty much every page. Like this sentence, for instance: “He his him in his lap.” What was meant was “He hid his hand in his lap.” Despite that, I quite liked the book; if the story had been any less, I would have taken off a star for the editing, but the story was so fun and engaging that I will leave it at five stars.

This is to be a five-book series; the next book, Together Alone should be out soon, and I will definitely be watching for it. If you enjoy young adult urban fantasies, you should definitely enjoy the Only Human on the Block series, set in Averton, OR – the monster capital of the world. I’ll be reading another book by Madden next – from a separate series – so watch for my review, coming soon!



View all my reviews

"No Good Deed" Blog Tour - Guest post by Bill Blais

Thanks to Bill Blais for stopping by today. See the bottom for contact information and how to find his book, No Good Deed.

The Strength of Love
Author Bill Blais discusses how Kelly and Shawn, characters from his Kelly and Umber Series, manage to maintain such a strong and loving relationship through the struggles they face.

Thanks to Katy for asking me to guest post, today, and I thought I'd talk a bit about the relationship between Kelly Mcginnis, the protagonist of No Good Deed, and her husband Shawn.

I wanted Kelly and Shawn's marriage to be a strong, well-grounded, mutually supportive one, capable of taking on the 'burdens' I had saddled them with: Shawn's ongoing illness (Muscular Sclerosis), the loss of Kelly's bread-winning job in the middle of a very bad economy, the need to care for two growing children -- not to mention what Kelly gets involved in later.

Now, it's my experience that some of the strongest relationships are those based first on solid friendships, so Kelly and Shawn share that trait, with a history that reaches back well before their courtship and marriage. While they weren't childhood sweethearts, their early friendship provided the foundation upon which their much deeper relationship could be built.

This long-term knowledge of one another is, for me, a fundamental key to weathering any storm that life can throw at us. Strong relationships compensate for difficult times, rather than make them worse: When one person is weak, the other is strong.
Of course, no marriage is perfect. Sometimes we smother our significant others with attention, sometimes we baby them when we should let them go their own way, sometimes we're just not paying attention, and sometimes we get angry. We're human and that's life (just wait until Shawn and Kelly try to Pergo their floor together).

In most cases, though -- whether it's dealing with the debilitating disease of a loved one, the loss of a much-needed job or the 'joyous noise' of raising children -- I firmly believe that a relationship with roots stands a much higher chance of enduring, even thriving, in any adversity.

Book and contact information

Synopsis: Kelly McGinnis has spent her adult life trying to do the right thing, but as a newly down-sized mother of twins and the wife of a man living with Muscular Sclerosis, she also knows that trying isn’t always enough.

While interrupting a scene of police brutality, Kelly unwittingly releases a real, live demon. After she manages to kill the creature through gut instinct and blind luck, she is approached to join a secret group of demon hunters who reveal an underworld of monsters and magic. Kelly’s mill town upbringing proves an unexpected asset and the pay more than covers her husband’s treatments, but the work begins to undermine her sense of right and wrong as she struggles to maintain her ‘normal’ life.

When she encounters Umber, a compelling incubus with an unexpectedly human story, Kelly learns that the truth is far stranger and more terrifying than she imagined.

My review has also just been posted, so please be sure to read it - you should find a link to it to the right under "Recent Posts".

Read a Sample Chapter of No Good Deed.

Purchase No Good Deed on Amazon.

AuthorBio: Bill Blais is a writer, web developer and perennial part-time college instructor. His novels include Witness (winner of the Next Generation Indie Book Award for Fantasy) and the Kelly & Umber urban fantasy series. Bill graduated from Skidmore College before earning an MA in Medieval Studies from University College London. He lives in Maine with his wife and daughter.

Author Website

Goodreads

Facebook

Amazon

Tour Page

Blog Tour Set Up By Illuminated Tours (http://illuminatedtours.weebly.com/)

Book Review: "The Void" By Brett J. Talley

The Void review
Author: Brett J. Talley
5 out of 5 stars

Book Info: Genre: Dark Science Fantasy Reading Level: Adult Ebook available at Journalstone or Amazon; Paperback or Hardcover copy is available as of today, 7/13/12 on Amazon

Disclosure: I received a free eBook ARC from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. To make things even better, I just received a free paperback uncorrected proof from Journalstone in a promotion! This will not, of course, affect my opinion of the book, but it is awesome!

Synopsis: In the deepest reaches of space, on a ship that no longer exists, six travelers stare into the abyss . . . and the abyss stares back.

Man has finally mastered the art of space travel and in a few hours passengers can travel light years across the galaxy. But, there's a catch—the traveler must be asleep for the journey, and with sleep come the dreams. Only the sleeper can know what his dream entails, for each is tailored to his own mind, built from his fears, his secrets, his past . . . and sometimes his future.

That the dreams occasionally drive men mad is but the price of technological advance. But when a transport on a routine mission comes upon an abandoned ship, missing for more than a decade, six travelers—each with something to hide—discover that perhaps the dreams are more than just figments of their imagination. Indeed, they may be a window to a reality beyond their own where shadow has substance and the darkness is a thing unto itself, truly worthy of fear.

My Thoughts: Brett J. Talley burst onto the scene last year with his Bram Stoker finalist, Lovecraftian debut, That Which Should not Be, which I absolutely loved, and so did many others. To say I was anticipating this book would be seriously understating the excitement I’ve felt while anticipating the chance to finally read it.

One thing Talley does really well is to create that form of creeping suspense, that feeling that something …. terrible and terrifying waits just right around that corner up ahead. At first this is done subtly, with minor things happening around the characters that could just be their own paranoia, their imagination, but then it starts to ramp up and pretty soon the reader is hanging on the edge of their seat and ready to jump if there is an unexpected sound in the house.

I had initially figured this to be a form of horror/science fiction blend, but after finishing the book, I don’t think I could define it as horror, although it does have some horrific elements, and is very Lovecraftian. No, I have changed my definition to dark science-fantasy, and I think once you read this book you will agree this is fitting. Highly recommended for fans of Cthulhian/Lovecraftian fiction, for fans of the darker prose, for those who enjoy an element of fantasy in their science fiction. This is a really well-written book, and I think that you absolutely cannot go wrong in grabbing a copy to read.