Glowgems For Profit is a novel in the classic sci-fi adventure style, which is one of the reasons I agreed to review it; I've missed that kind of book...moreGlowgems For Profit is a novel in the classic sci-fi adventure style, which is one of the reasons I agreed to review it; I've missed that kind of book in the last few years. Zack is a military veteran who now flies cargo around the solar system in his converted ex-warship, while his body carries the reflex-enhancing remains of bio-engineering experiments conducted on him in a Martian prison. It's the kind of story setup where adventures are sure to follow.
Overall, I liked the story but character behaviour was too flawed for me to give it a top rating. Oddly, at the end I felt that I would prefer to see a prequel covering Zack's experiences in the war than a sequel, I think they could make a good book on their own.
Review by: Edward of Sift Book Reviews Sift Book Reviews received a free copy for review from the author. This has, in no way, affected the reviewer's opinion.(less)
Long Eyes And Other Stories is a fairly wide-ranging collection of science fiction and horror short stories alongside a short essay. Unlike many short...moreLong Eyes And Other Stories is a fairly wide-ranging collection of science fiction and horror short stories alongside a short essay. Unlike many short story collections it also includes author's notes on each of the stories, which I found interesting in themselves. However, like most short story collections I've read, while I liked many of the stories a few didn't really connect with me at all.
Ultimately there was nothing terribly original about most of the stories, but they had some interesting twists on old ideas and some interesting characters to go with them.
Review by: Edward of Sift Book Reviews Sift Book Reviews received a free copy for review from the author. This has, in no way, affected the reviewer's opinion.(less)
Panoptica feels like a warped dream or a British Thomas Pynchon novel and is reminiscent of some of the more surreal 2000AD comic stories I read as a...morePanoptica feels like a warped dream or a British Thomas Pynchon novel and is reminiscent of some of the more surreal 2000AD comic stories I read as a kid. In a world where image is everything and nothing is more important than retaining media rights, Titus Spring sets out to stage a protest only to find himself facing a game-show trial for accidental regicide. The story follows his journey through a wacky alternate England with his barrister (and co-star), current licensee of the Robbie Williams franchise, as Titus struggles to clear his name before he wins a celebrity execution.
Overall it was a novel which could have been great yet never quite reached that level, even though the world is memorable. Because it contains many references to British pop culture I suspect it will be better received there than elsewhere.
Review by: Edward of Sift Book Reviews Sift Book Reviews received a free copy for review from the author. This has, in no way, affected the reviewer's opinion.(less)
I liked the idea behind My Clockwork Muse, particularly the police calling on Poe to help with their investigations because of his experience writing...moreI liked the idea behind My Clockwork Muse, particularly the police calling on Poe to help with their investigations because of his experience writing mystery novels and the copycat nature of the crimes. It began well and was one of the books I was most looking forward to reading in my queue.
In the novel, Poe suffers from somnambulism, a crazy cat and a talking raven, and soon finds evidence that he himself committed the crimes. He is even more confused when one of the victims turns up alive then undead, and another crime is based on a story yet to be published. Soon even the police can't be trusted.
Despite the flaws, it was an interesting read and once I began it I finished in two days, staying up much later than I had intended to. Now the story and characters are set up, the sequel shouldn't suffer from the same problem
Review by: Edward of Sift Book Reviews Sift Book Reviews received a free copy for review from the author. This has, in no way, affected the reviewer's opinion.(less)
Circle of Sorcerers begins slowly with teenage Laedron deciding where he should study as a sorcerer, but the introduction still managed to hold my int...moreCircle of Sorcerers begins slowly with teenage Laedron deciding where he should study as a sorcerer, but the introduction still managed to hold my interest. However, I did feel that the first part of the book simultaneously contained too much exposition in his training yet didn't explain enough of some things that I wanted to understand.
Ultimately, despite the flaws it was a fast read, I wanted to keep reading to see how it would end, and the ending seemed to set up some interesting avenues for the sequel, which I suspect I will read at some point.
Review by: Edward of Sift Book Reviews Sift Book Reviews received a free copy for review from the author. This has, in no way, affected the reviewer's opinion.(less)
The Engine Driver is a short story set in an unusual dystopian society, where music is strictly controlled for each individual to restrict their moods...moreThe Engine Driver is a short story set in an unusual dystopian society, where music is strictly controlled for each individual to restrict their moods and keep them happy; Bridget feels depressed, so she is not allowed to hear any sad songs and wishes she could.
Ultimately I liked the story and it was well written but the ending didn't quite work for me.
Review by: Edward of Sift Book Reviews Sift Book Reviews received a free copy for review from the author. This has, in no way, affected the reviewer's opinion.(less)
Wednesday's Child is a page-turner, opening with Dylan's first experience of living time out of sequence and maintaining suspense to the end. When he...moreWednesday's Child is a page-turner, opening with Dylan's first experience of living time out of sequence and maintaining suspense to the end. When he is called to assist with an anti-terror investigation, his new and unexpected power could make the difference between a happy ending and World War Three. Each week after he sees how Thursday would happen if he did nothing, Dylan uses his skills and contacts to determine what happened on Wednesday and how he could change it to ensure the day turns out differently... while trying to keep his time travel power a secret and determine its source.
Despite a few flaws the novel is a good read and from start to finish I wanted to see what would happen next.
Review by: Edward of Sift Book Reviews Sift Book Reviews received a free copy for review from the author. This has, in no way, affected the reviewer's opinion. (less)
Bryan Dunn's Creepers has a definite B-movie vibe. The story reminded me of Tremors, except the danger facing the remote small town in this story is a...moreBryan Dunn's Creepers has a definite B-movie vibe. The story reminded me of Tremors, except the danger facing the remote small town in this story is a swarm of hungry plants rather than giant worms.
The concept is good, I liked the characters and their imaginative solutions to their creeper problem, but there were too many minor flaws for me to give it a higher rating. I notice that the first review on Amazon compares it to a SyFy channel movie, and I think that is a good comparison; if a movie version ever appears there I'll tune in to watch.
Review by: Edward of Sift Book Reviews Sift Book Reviews received a free copy for review from the author. This has, in no way, affected the reviewer's opinion. (less)
Whereas I felt that Blood Skies started slowly, this time the story sets up the main conflict straight away and Cross is soon on the Sleeper's trail....moreWhereas I felt that Blood Skies started slowly, this time the story sets up the main conflict straight away and Cross is soon on the Sleeper's trail. There's plenty of action along the way with battles against hordes of undead and gladiatorial fights where the lives of Cross' comrades are the prize. As with Blood Skies, I felt that Black Scars is on the verge of being great but didn't quite get there.
Review by: Edward of Sift Book Reviews Sift Book Reviews received a free copy for review from the author. This has, in no way, affected the reviewer's opinion. (less)
I really like the concept behind this story. Having read many fantasy novels in my younger days, I soon tired of the poor farm boy who must fulfil som...moreI really like the concept behind this story. Having read many fantasy novels in my younger days, I soon tired of the poor farm boy who must fulfil some prophecy and collect the plot points to save the world from Evil Villain #9. Unfortunately it didn't quite work for me in the end. I would still like to see more of Hadralla's uncle and his scavenger friends, because I'm sure they must have had plenty of adventures that could make good stories.
Review by: Edward of Sift Book Reviews Sift Book Reviews received a free copy for review from the author. This has, in no way, affected the reviewer's opinion. (less)
Blood Skies opens a series with a first look at a world where magic and technology co-exist and humans struggle to survive as a minority race among va...moreBlood Skies opens a series with a first look at a world where magic and technology co-exist and humans struggle to survive as a minority race among vampires, magicians and numerous other creatures who want to enslave or kill them. From cities fighting for survival to towns trying to live side by side with vampires to pit-fights with monsters I felt that it set up a lot of back-story and introduced many interesting ideas which can be expanded in future novels; the magic system where humans draw power from the spirits of the dead is certainly something I've never seen before and seemed to work well. Blood Skies left me wanting to see more of Cross' world and I look forward to reviewing the second book in a few weeks.
Review by: Edward of Sift Book Reviews Sift Book Reviews received a free copy for review from the author. This has, in no way, affected the reviewer's opinion. (less)
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