Julie Elizabeth Powell's Blog, page 3
November 17, 2021
Live Another Day by Baleigh Higgins
I have the omnibus edition of this series and I'm really enjoying it. Well, no, the gore and deaths are not pleasant, however, I like to see how the characters survive /think /feel /act. The cast of characters is vast and I love that - each believable and fit so well into the story as a whole.
I would not like to survive such times, and it's intriguing to see how those left tackle the multitude of problems. There are battles on many fronts, not least with the villains who are not satisfied until they annihilate everyone - very strange.
There's still not been an answer as to why it all happened, though we can probably guess it would be due to those in power and scientists messing with nature.
A great story, well told.
Recommended.
I would not like to survive such times, and it's intriguing to see how those left tackle the multitude of problems. There are battles on many fronts, not least with the villains who are not satisfied until they annihilate everyone - very strange.
There's still not been an answer as to why it all happened, though we can probably guess it would be due to those in power and scientists messing with nature.
A great story, well told.
Recommended.
November 15, 2021
Fear Another Day by Baleigh Higgins
I have the omnibus edition of this series and book two continues the battles of the survivors against the zombies and other evil survivors.
The cast of characters is long and each plays an important role in the overall story - some I like, others I don't. It will be interesting to see how the newest to the community fare and it's good to see Logan back.
The writing style is fast-paced and the plot certainly keeps me interested.
I am now reading book three.
Recommended.
The cast of characters is long and each plays an important role in the overall story - some I like, others I don't. It will be interesting to see how the newest to the community fare and it's good to see Logan back.
The writing style is fast-paced and the plot certainly keeps me interested.
I am now reading book three.
Recommended.
November 13, 2021
The Human Genesis
What a fascinating and intriguing series! It's packed with ideas and questions - questions at the very root of existence and questions that lead to more questions where choice and free will could hold the answers.
The characters are portrayed extremely well. For example, Scott forever trying to do the right thing, dilemmas are thrown at him from all directions. Deluded Mathew completely closed-minded and obsessed; never learning and cruel - to me, like the majority of cult /religious leaders and followers; brainwashed without questions.
Humanity is a strange beast, capable of wonderful and terrifying things but I do believe that we are responsible for our actions and cannot pass them on to a mythical deity. Humans created the idea of a god in an attempt to explain reality, in my opinion. However, I also think there is a mystery to the universe - perhaps one day all explained by science…the concepts in this story did make sense.
A fabulous conclusion, its sad moments alongside the revelations. Extremely well written and thought-provoking.
Highly recommended.
This is the final book, but I have read them all.
The characters are portrayed extremely well. For example, Scott forever trying to do the right thing, dilemmas are thrown at him from all directions. Deluded Mathew completely closed-minded and obsessed; never learning and cruel - to me, like the majority of cult /religious leaders and followers; brainwashed without questions.
Humanity is a strange beast, capable of wonderful and terrifying things but I do believe that we are responsible for our actions and cannot pass them on to a mythical deity. Humans created the idea of a god in an attempt to explain reality, in my opinion. However, I also think there is a mystery to the universe - perhaps one day all explained by science…the concepts in this story did make sense.
A fabulous conclusion, its sad moments alongside the revelations. Extremely well written and thought-provoking.
Highly recommended.
This is the final book, but I have read them all.
The Game is Life by Terry Schott
I have reviewed each book separately so this is just an overview. I loved this intriguing and fascinating story from beginning to end (9) - although, book ten should be released next year.
All the characters fit perfectly into the complex plot and I will say that I had to concentrate on what was happening, though that was part of the pleasure of reading it because it was completely immersive.
It's very well written and fast-paced and thought-provoking.
Extremely enjoyable and highly recommended.
All the characters fit perfectly into the complex plot and I will say that I had to concentrate on what was happening, though that was part of the pleasure of reading it because it was completely immersive.
It's very well written and fast-paced and thought-provoking.
Extremely enjoyable and highly recommended.
The Advent Trilogy by Terry Schott
Fantastic!
Wow, this was a fascinating story and I was hooked from beginning to end. It is similar to The Game, yet different in many ways. It's intelligent, clever, mysterious and intriguing, and I loved it.
The writing style was fast-paced with an easy flow, while the characters and plot were perfect, so to make a compelling read.
I have reviewed each part separately, so this overview is just to say that I'm sure that those who like to think and be entertained, would love this trilogy.
Exceptional and highly recommended.
Wow, this was a fascinating story and I was hooked from beginning to end. It is similar to The Game, yet different in many ways. It's intelligent, clever, mysterious and intriguing, and I loved it.
The writing style was fast-paced with an easy flow, while the characters and plot were perfect, so to make a compelling read.
I have reviewed each part separately, so this overview is just to say that I'm sure that those who like to think and be entertained, would love this trilogy.
Exceptional and highly recommended.
The Wasteland Seris by Jon Cronshaw
Excellent!
I have reviewed each part separately so this is just an overview.
This is one of the best series I've read because of its great writing, characters and it's set in a believable (if awful) world that I could imagine would happen because of those in power today.
The Wasteland is a desolate place, where Abel attempts to survive amongst decay, dangerous gangs and little to no sustenance. He scavenges amongst the ruins of 'before' and trades what he can with various groups; the main one being Trinity, a community of Christians. Sal is the leader, one who dedicates her life to 'saving' people for a god that she believes is real. I don't like her judgemental attitude or smugness. She has no idea what the Wasteland is really like and prides herself on how her community survive so well.
Abel is the best of everyone. Humble, wise and brave. I loved his philosophy on life and how Sal's god meant nothing to him and yet his heart is the biggest of them all. Pip was another favourite. David and Sis were also on my 'like' list, but not many others, though the Town was intriguing.
I don't want to give away anything, so it's difficult to say too much. The writing style reminded me of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men - the melancholy with maybe a thread of hope - Abel's hope.
Themes such as cruelty, greed, selfishness, cowardliness and mean alongside hope, wisdom, bravery and love, in addition to the actions, thoughts and feelings of the characters, while set in a world of impossible, made this a compelling read.
Highly recommended.
I have reviewed each part separately so this is just an overview.
This is one of the best series I've read because of its great writing, characters and it's set in a believable (if awful) world that I could imagine would happen because of those in power today.
The Wasteland is a desolate place, where Abel attempts to survive amongst decay, dangerous gangs and little to no sustenance. He scavenges amongst the ruins of 'before' and trades what he can with various groups; the main one being Trinity, a community of Christians. Sal is the leader, one who dedicates her life to 'saving' people for a god that she believes is real. I don't like her judgemental attitude or smugness. She has no idea what the Wasteland is really like and prides herself on how her community survive so well.
Abel is the best of everyone. Humble, wise and brave. I loved his philosophy on life and how Sal's god meant nothing to him and yet his heart is the biggest of them all. Pip was another favourite. David and Sis were also on my 'like' list, but not many others, though the Town was intriguing.
I don't want to give away anything, so it's difficult to say too much. The writing style reminded me of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men - the melancholy with maybe a thread of hope - Abel's hope.
Themes such as cruelty, greed, selfishness, cowardliness and mean alongside hope, wisdom, bravery and love, in addition to the actions, thoughts and feelings of the characters, while set in a world of impossible, made this a compelling read.
Highly recommended.
Escape (#12 Beyond These Walls) by Michael Robertson
Excellent!
This is my favourite series by this author and book 12 did not disappoint. The 'gang' are in for a menagerie of battles and dilemmas and it was great to see how each would react. They all have distinct personalities.
I really liked the point of view from Joni - extremely well done and very sad. Of course, I despised the villains. I also sighed at how those in control (rich and powerful) used the less fortunate for their own entertainment and realised that though this is a fantasy, it's also true to life regarding the actions of the majority of humans.
Plenty of actions, thoughts and feelings, together with a great plot and sense of place, made this a compelling read - certainly fast-paced and very well-written.
I've pre-ordered #13; shame it's so far away.
Highly recommended.
This is my favourite series by this author and book 12 did not disappoint. The 'gang' are in for a menagerie of battles and dilemmas and it was great to see how each would react. They all have distinct personalities.
I really liked the point of view from Joni - extremely well done and very sad. Of course, I despised the villains. I also sighed at how those in control (rich and powerful) used the less fortunate for their own entertainment and realised that though this is a fantasy, it's also true to life regarding the actions of the majority of humans.
Plenty of actions, thoughts and feelings, together with a great plot and sense of place, made this a compelling read - certainly fast-paced and very well-written.
I've pre-ordered #13; shame it's so far away.
Highly recommended.
Last Another Day by Baileigh Higgins
I have the omnibus edition of this series and book one is a great start to this disturbing story.
It's set in South Africa, and some of the descriptions give a good glimpse of the setting. There are numerous characters and I liked to see the story from different points of view. It's still not known how the outbreak of the infection started but it soon consumes the world, leaving only a few humans to survive as best as they can.
Some of the scenes are graphic but that's understandable because it is a zombie novel and there's bound to be gore.
I liked the fast-paced writing style and how the characters fit into the plot. There were some surprises and 'oh no, really' - unexpected twists for sure.
Overall, this was an enjoyable (if this genre can be said to be) start to a gruesome and yet insightful series.
Recommended.
It's set in South Africa, and some of the descriptions give a good glimpse of the setting. There are numerous characters and I liked to see the story from different points of view. It's still not known how the outbreak of the infection started but it soon consumes the world, leaving only a few humans to survive as best as they can.
Some of the scenes are graphic but that's understandable because it is a zombie novel and there's bound to be gore.
I liked the fast-paced writing style and how the characters fit into the plot. There were some surprises and 'oh no, really' - unexpected twists for sure.
Overall, this was an enjoyable (if this genre can be said to be) start to a gruesome and yet insightful series.
Recommended.
The Portal House by Kelsey Ruud
I was given this book to review and I enjoyed this YA fantasy, where two children - Lizzie and Johnny find adventure in unexpected places.
I liked both the main characters - Lizzie, popular and kind, Johnny, an orphan and not treated very well, yet still able to be a decent person. Other characters fitted well into the plot - both heroes and villains.
There was tension and magic, adventure and mystery. I loved the overall concept and magic is always a favourite theme of mine.
The writing style was good, though there were a few grammatical errors, the pace was fast and suited the genre.
Overall, this was an enjoyable story and worth a look.
I liked both the main characters - Lizzie, popular and kind, Johnny, an orphan and not treated very well, yet still able to be a decent person. Other characters fitted well into the plot - both heroes and villains.
There was tension and magic, adventure and mystery. I loved the overall concept and magic is always a favourite theme of mine.
The writing style was good, though there were a few grammatical errors, the pace was fast and suited the genre.
Overall, this was an enjoyable story and worth a look.
October 26, 2021
Independent Authors Building Worlds
I was recently asked to think of a question and then make a list of five authors to recommend in regards to the question - this was no easy task. I love reading, especially stories from independent authors because they don't necessarily follow formulas as from the traditional pool.
Beta Shepherd were the ones to ask me, so here is my list:
https://shepherd.com/best-books/indep...
Seth Rain
Michael Robertson
Brian Harmon
Maria Savva
Simon Williams
I was also allowed to include one of my books and, as I usually do, I chose Gone as it's always been my most important book because of why it was written.
Feel free to have a look at my answers about Gone and see the other authors I included.
Thank you...
All sales and reviews are welcome for any of my stories!
Note: I am English and live in the UK, and yes, I have just noticed that I spelled fulfil (fulfill is USA) wrong on the site - oops. I blame it on the gremlins.
Beta Shepherd were the ones to ask me, so here is my list:
https://shepherd.com/best-books/indep...
Seth Rain
Michael Robertson
Brian Harmon
Maria Savva
Simon Williams
I was also allowed to include one of my books and, as I usually do, I chose Gone as it's always been my most important book because of why it was written.
Feel free to have a look at my answers about Gone and see the other authors I included.
Thank you...
All sales and reviews are welcome for any of my stories!
Note: I am English and live in the UK, and yes, I have just noticed that I spelled fulfil (fulfill is USA) wrong on the site - oops. I blame it on the gremlins.
