Tag: scifi

Posted on

#BlogTour: Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer

For this blog tour, we’re looking at a book that has a WTF or two, but also quite a bit to love. For this blog tour, we’re looking at Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer.

First, the review I posted to the book sites (Hardcover.app / BookHype.com / BookBub.com / TheStoryGraph.com / Goodreads.com):

Lots To Love – With a WTF Or Two. First, my own “WTF” is the intense focus on anti-Semitism (meaning anti-Jew, specifically, even though Arabs are also Semitic, according to the actual genetic definition) throughout the text – but Meltzer actually uses that, eventually, to get into areas she’s never really gone to in my experience reading most of her books. Thus, that actually turned into a good thing, as she was able to use it to further her growth as a storyteller.

And that actually gets into the lots to love here. Meltzer is unapologetic in seeking to make Jewish lives more “normal” to an outside audience, usually by taking quirky characters and showing them loving, laughing, making mistakes, learning from them… you know, doing the stuff we pretty well all do. But also including quite a bit of Jewish specific elements, here mostly focusing on magic and in particular the concept of the golem – which is more often, in my reading experience, used in science fiction to varying degrees. (Both Jeremy Robinson and Kent Holloway have used them quite effectively, among others.) Meltzer even provides some in-story exposition on the history of golems in Judaic philosophy, which was a particularly nice touch – especially given that a romcom audience is probably less familiar with the overall concept than the aforementioned scifi crowd.

Indeed, the golem of the story… well, he’s used quite well, actually. Both for what he is believed to be and for what ultimately happens – though I’m trying to be as spoiler free as possible here. I will note that it is the golem that plays the larger role in Meltzer’s expansion of her storytelling abilities, mentioned above, but I think that may be as close as I can get here and remain spoiler free.

Ultimately a fun book, perhaps a touch heavier than some would prefer in a romcom, but still fulfilling all known requirements of a romcom. Very much recommended.

After the jump, an excerpt from the book followed by the “publisher details” – book info, description, author bio, social links, and buy links.
Continue reading “#BlogTour: Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer”

Posted on

#BlogTour: When The Sky Falls *AND* When The Dawn Breaks by B.R. Spangler

For this blog tour we’re doing something I don’t think we’ve ever done in the history of this blog – we’re looking at *two* books at once! For this blog tour, we’re looking at the Dark Skies Apocalypse series, When The Sky Falls and When The Dawn Breaks by B.R. Spangler.

First, the review for When The Sky Falls I posted to the book sites (Hardcover.app / BookHype.com / TheStoryGraph.com / Goodreads.com):

Explosive Opener Leads To Survival Epic. One of the first things you need to know about this particular (now) duology of When The Sky Falls and When The Dawn Breaks is that this is now the third time this story has been revised and repackaged – thus, when it feels like the book suddenly switches gears and becomes seemingly an entirely different book at around the 2/3 mark or so… that’s because in its original forms, it *was* a second book at that point.

But taking that into consideration and reading this duology back to back, effectively reading what was formerly a four book series all at once, feels a bit like reading a shorter version of Douglas Adams’ epic five volume romp through space in The Hithhiker’s Guide To the Galaxy… but in a far more grounded, survival scifi type story. As with The Complete Hitchhiker though, this story actually works quite well in this form.

Part I has the explosive opener reminiscent of the opener of Brett Battles’ SICK, the opening salvo of his seven volume epic apocalyptic survival series PROJECT EDEN, and in some ways – the mall scenes in particular, but also some of the scenes between the opening and that point – really challenge Battles as to which is truly the more compelling story.

Part 2 of this text is set a bit “down the road” from the events of Part I. The Apocalypse has effectively happened, and the survivors have set up what civilization they can. Here, the story becomes more of an exploration-survival story, where we learn how the world has changed from the one we know… and how humanity, in many ways, never really changes much.

While Part I has its heart wrenching moments and makes the room a bit dusty at times in certain ways, Part 2 manages to twist these things a touch and do a bit of its own thing – which is why it can be jarring to read it in the same book as Part I – but also manages to up the stakes a bit in its own way, before finally leaving the reader almost literally begging for the continuation of the story – now to follow in When The Dawn Breaks, with both books being released together.

Very much recommended.

Next, the review for When The Dawn Breaks I posted to the book sites (Hardcover.app / BookHype.com / TheStoryGraph.com / Goodreads.com):

More Consistent Yet Less Grounded Storytelling Than Predecessor. When The Sky Falls, for all of its faults in rather clunkily combining two prior books into one, was a very grounded story of survival in both the immediate aftermath of an Apocalypse and several years later. Here, we continue not long after the events of Part 2 of When The Sky Falls leave off – indeed, seemingly just hours after the events of that book’s finale.

And we wind up getting a far more consistent – if also much more fanciful – tale in this book. Without going *too* deep into spoiler territory, I’ll say that some elements of the ending of When The Sky Falls are continued and continued quite effectively, but the newer elements of this tale are where it becomes far less grounded and much deeper into the realm of scifi than simply a post-Apocalyptic story. We get some versions of some answers to some questions, and we’re left with a lot more questions… seemingly leaving room for Spangler to come back to this world, if the third time revising and rereleasing these stories is indeed the charm and sales truly increase such that this may be an option for him.

While When The Sky Falls had a few dusty rooms, this tale has a very different feel that taps into a very different but nearly equally visceral emotion – particularly in some more blatant moments. It is hard to describe this part while avoiding all spoilers, so I’ll just leave it at that. I enjoyed this stretch and thought it well done, but admittedly it could be a bit much and perhaps a bit complex for some readers.

So come along for the ride and see what happens after the sky falls and when the dawn finally breaks. 😉

Very much recommended.

After the jump, the “publisher details” for both books – book info, description, author bio, social links, and buy links.
Continue reading “#BlogTour: When The Sky Falls *AND* When The Dawn Breaks by B.R. Spangler”

Posted on

#BookReview: The Vampire’s Valet by Kent Holloway

Stoker Meets Doyle With A Touch Of The MCU Approach. If you love the non-sparkly, dark, horrific, brooding, *evil* vampire lore… you’re gonna love this book. If you love the Sherlock Holmes type detective tale, perhaps with a more solo “beat people until they give you answers” Batman/ Jack Reacher type bent… you’re gonna love this book. If you like MCU style storytelling with a shared universe with lots of different well known characters… you’re gonna love this book.

Here, Holloway clearly shows that he too is a massive fan of all of the above, and he uses his skills as a writer to manage to combine elements of each into a cohesive tale that works both on its own and works to set up a “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” type saga. At just under 300 pages, this isn’t the shortest book out there, but it provides just enough… *ahem* red meat *ahem*… to tell its tale well without overstaying its welcome (a danger, with these types of characters, just sayin) and while effectively both satisfying the reader of this tale and leaving them wanting a subsequent tale in this shared universe.

Meaning the book did its job on all fronts, and did them all well.

Now I just need y’all to fall in love with this book and start preaching its wonders so we can see how far Holloway can take it. 😉

Very much recommended.

This review of The Vampire’s Valet by Kent Holloway was originally written on August 7, 2024.

Posted on

#BlogTour: Made For You by Jenna Satterthwaite

For this blog tour, we’re looking at a quasi scifi tale that leans more heavily on the murder mystery and reality tv components. For this blog tour, we’re looking at Made For You by Jenna Satterthwaite.

First, the review I posted to the book sites (Hardcover.app / BookHype.com / BookBub.com / TheStoryGraph.com / Goodreads.com):

For Some Reason I’m Having A Tough Time Writing This Review. I finished this book 5 days ago as I write this review. I’ve read three other books (that I also need to write reviews for) since then, and for some reason there’s just nothing flowing for this book.

To be clear, there is nothing technically wrong with this book. It is solid, with perhaps a misstep or two.

I think what it comes down to, for me, is that the most interesting question in the description: “That is…if Julia truly is a person.” doesn’t really feel as explored as I think I wanted it to be. And I don’t know if that is on me as the reader or Satterthwaite as the writer. I don’t know if it was that I was wanting a harder probe or harder questions or more forceful thinking on the subject or some such, or if Satterthwaite really did do more telling than showing or perhaps not enough telling to make me really think deeply philosophically as maybe I was hoping to be forced to or what.

Ultimately, more time was absolutely spent of the murder mystery/ reality TV side of the tale than the synth side, even as the synth side plays key roles and is genuinely interwoven with the other components of the tale. So if you’re looking for a more reality TV/ murder mystery tale than a scifi synth tale… yeah, this one may work better for you.

Perhaps most damning, particularly for a debut – although perhaps one that was never meant as a series starter – is that I’m also not sure whether I would want to come back to this world or not. I’m sure that I think Satterthwaite has done enough here that I’m willing to read the next book and see if she grows as a storyteller with more experience, I’m just not sure with what she leaves us with here if I necessarily want to come back *here*. Although if that is in fact where her sophomore effort brings us, I’m absolutely going to be back for the ride.

So read the book for yourself, reader of my review. And maybe tag me in your own review so I can see if my own questions are *me* or if others are having similar difficulties with this book?

Recommended.

After the jump, an excerpt from the book followed by the “publisher details” – book info, description, author bio, social links, and buy links.
Continue reading “#BlogTour: Made For You by Jenna Satterthwaite”

Posted on

#BookReview: Hera’s Curse by Shaun Griffin

Fascinating Blend Of Rare/ Unique Spin On Vampire Lore With Action. This is one of those debut books you don’t get very often at all, one where very nearly everything within it works to perfection to make you want that next book… ummm… now please. We get an almost Without Remorse by Tom Clancy storyline going on… that quickly transitions to include vampires. Except when we get into the vampire lore of this particular tale… it isn’t the usual stuff. Griffin has taken some usual concepts and worked them his own way, adding his own touches along the way, and produced a very different and very intriguing take on the idea.

And yes, like any book claiming to be a noir, we get the hard boiled detective and his storyline connecting pretty well everything in the book as well.

But then, surprise… *more* interesting developments of a type not often seen these days in particular, used late in perhaps a bit of a rush… but apparently meant to setup a rather explosive Book 2.

The last third of this book in particular, you’re going to be racing through, breathless as you can’t wait to see what happens next…

And then that tease of an ending, in the most delicious ways. Yes, this book does its primary purpose of making you want the *next* one quite well, so let’s all help this debut author know that we want to get that next book ASAP… go buy the book already, read it, and help spread the word!

Very much recommended.

This review of Hera’s Curse by Shaun Griffin was originally written on May 31, 2024.

Posted on

#BookReview: Good Boys: Unleashed by Jeremy Robinson

Explosive Sequel With Humor And Heart From The New God Of Science Fiction. This is one of those sequels that does its jobs quite well indeed. Picking up shortly after the events of The Lost Tribe, we find our team testing out new strategies and techs when the action suddenly finds them. Splitting up the team ala his much earlier Chesspocalypse novellas, but within one book, we get a variety of mix and match scifi based action and adventure in a similar vein as some of the best sequences from Avengers: Infinity War.

And then… that final battle and its outcome. Robinson has crafted some truly action packed and mind bending sequences for this part of some of his recent tales (such as in 2023’s FAMINE, available only within the HUNGER: THE COMPLETE TRILOGY collection), and this one at minimum matches the insane and inventive action sequences there.

Finally… particularly if you pick this trilogy up after Book 3 (whose title is revealed at the end of this book) is released… you’re going to want that Book 3 in your hands *immediately*, because the setup for this winner-takes-Earth-and-likely-the-universe battle royale is excellently done.

Overall truly yet another really fun tale from The New God Of Science Fiction, showing just how he has earned that title. Very much recommended.

This review of Good Boys: Unleashed by Jeremy Robinson was originally written on May 25, 2024.

Posted on

#BookReview: Extinction by Douglas Preston

Misleading Description Yet Excellent Tale. Just Not Anything Really Remotely Like Jurassic Park. Ok, the few things that *are* like Jurassic Park: human hubris leads to “de-extincting” long-extinct plants and creatures. Commentary on modern science baked into the story. Commentary on history baked into the story. Thus ends the things that are like Jurassic Park.

In other words… don’t go into this book expecting “Jurassic Park… With Mammoths”. This is *NOT* that story. Instead, it is more “murder mystery at a park similar to Jurassic Park”. Go into this book with those at least somewhat lower expectations… and this is an awesome book with plenty of wonder, action, thrills, chills… and a few cheeky meta references. (Such as when a character is reading one of his and longtime writing partner Lincoln Child’s Pendergast books – a trope many authors use to plug their own books or sometimes friends’ books or even just random books the author has read and enjoyed.)

For the story we *do* get here, it is truly well done, a fast paced action thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you guessing about what will come next.

Very much recommended.

This review of Extinction by Douglas Preston was originally written on April 24, 2024.

Posted on

#BookReview: Point Nemo by Jeremy Robinson

Immersive And Inventive Tale Of Survival Horror From The New God Of Science Fiction. This was yet another fun scifi action thriller from the New God of Science Fiction, Jeremy Robinson, that manages to combine certain aspects of a few different comic book tales (Venom’s origins in Spiderman, the current(ly ending) era of XMen, early Greig Beck books, and even another classic tale whose name alone would be a massive spoiler and yet tell a tale entirely its own. Hell, knowing how Robinson writes from having followed him since basically the beginning (and now nearly 100 books later…), he is probably generally aware of the stories I referenced, but I doubt he would actually label them as “influences” on the story.

Some of his detractors who think they know his personal politics will probably have some more ammunition here, as the story told actually also brings forth certain aspects of US history (and, some would argue, even its current actions).

But ultimately this is simply an inventive and fun horror-based tale of survival, a well Robinson has dipped into a few times before and yet always manages to create an entirely fresh take on the general idea every time he comes back to it.

Truly a wild ride that will leave you breathless… and wanting to come back to this world or at minimum see if it plays into his *next* “Avengers Level Event” (which likely won’t be actively seen for at least 2-3 more years).

Very much recommended.

This review of Point Nemo by Jeremy Robinson was originally written on March 15, 2024.

Posted on

#BookReview: Deep Freeze by Michael C Grumley

Slow Burn Scifi Thriller Does Just Enough To Feel Like A Singular Complete Tale Series Starter. This is one of those books that starts off as an edge of your seat thriller, slows down so much that one may think they are being cryogenically frozen themselves, and then picks back up as though you’re being thawed out and called to action – not unlike the opening sequence to Mass Effect 2, which echoed The Million Dollar Man’s “We can rebuild him. We have the technology”. Which… well, to say what I was about to say would get into spoiler territory. Even the references above may get a *touch* close, but they’re also generic enough to my mind to get right up to the line without crossing it, yet give the reader of the review an idea of what they’re getting into here. As this tale ended, it honestly looked like it was going to get a star deduction for being a tale cut into half in a blatant cash grab, but Grumley does *just* enough in the last few pages to at least seal this particular tale off into its own complete tale… while still being a very blatant setup for a future tale. It will be interesting to see where Grumley takes this series next, as some passages brought ideas put forth in Marcus Sakey’s Afterlife to this reader’s mind (and/ or, if one prefers a more well known reference point here… a particular X-Man, though that one is *slightly* more tenuous than the Sakey reference).

Overall an interesting tale for what it is, which is a slow burn series starter. Recommended.

This review of Deep Freeze by Michael C. Grumley was originally written on January 4, 2024.

Posted on

#BookReview: Kingdom by Jeremy Robinson and Kane Gilmour

And So It Ends As It Began. If you go into this book expecting a long, drawn out farewell ala The Return Of The King… 1) you don’t know Jeremy Robinson very well and 2) you’re going to be disappointed.

Instead, what we get from this tale is, while still a series finale, yet another typical Chess Team balls to the wall, running and gunning, always on the move either chasing or being chased action thriller with several scifi elements. In other words, everything that has made the series so amazing since its inception – when I initially scoffed when Robinson told me what he was working up, but have found supremely enjoyable since reading the very first words of the very first book, PULSE – is back in spades here. I’m not going to say anything remotely specific about the plot of this tale in this review, as I am among the very first with the honor of reading it. Just know that Robinson and Gilmour do in fact stay true to the spirit of this series and give it the ending it deserves. It has been an amazing what, 14 or so year run with this series? And while I’m sad to see it go, this really, truly was one amazing final chapter in this team’s storied adventures. If you’re into frenetic balls to the wall action + a few scifi creatures along the way… you’re going to want to read this book. If you like more technothriller type action tales… hell, Robinson and Gilmour have you covered there too, in ways somewhat reminiscent of some Matthew Mather, Dale Brown, and Tom Clancy tales, But if you haven’t read this series before… there are some pretty significant spoilers for prior books in this one, from throughout the series. So go back and start with PULSE, and be ready for one of the wildest rides of you life. For those who have already read the rest of the series, welcome home. You know what to expect here, and you have my word that Robinson and Gilmour do in fact deliver in some of the best possible ways. Very much recommended.

This review of Kingdom by Jeremy Robinson and Kane Gilmour was originally written on December 19, 2023.