K.J. Simmill's Blog, page 39

Book review: Johanna Craven – Bridles Lane (@JohannaCraven )

Isaac returned home to find his families’ graves had expanded further, he thought he [image error]was alone, until he heard of his sister, Scarlett, at the children home. He planned to leave her, thinking she would have a better life than he could offer, and yet he took her home. The problem about returning to his father’s land was he also obtained his debts, debts that were to be repaid via smuggling. Scarlett helped where she could, but on the night the dead ship arrives on the beach, things take a turn. Everyone knows a dead ship brings ill fortune, people turn to God and prayers, while Scarlett attempts to shelter the sole survivor, if anyone knew he had lived, his longevity would be limited. Unbeknown to her he has his own agenda, and she is just the person to help her fulfil it.

Bridles Lane is a historical fiction written by Johanna Craven. Written in the present tense it makes you feel as if you’re there watching history unfold. The characters are believable, three dimensional, each with their own stories and concerns. The plot revolves around the strong-willed Scarlett, as well as a small cast of well-designed characters. The writing is very atmospheric and easily draws the reader into a time of religions, fear, and superstition. This will keep you entertained and engaged beginning to end.

Available on Kindle Unlimited

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Book review: Joey Paul – Dying Thoughts – Sixth Change (@MsJoeyBug )

Tara’s life had been full of change. She was nearly an adult now, she was willingly [image error]attending higher education, she had friends, a goal, but there were a few things she could not change, her gift to see a dying person’s last moments, and the toll Adam’s actions and her past experiences had taken on her. Now, at college, she finds herself once more faced with horror as members of her social circle are drugged and abducted, barely escaping. It takes her to a place in her mind she would rather not be, a place she must willingly venture if she is to uncover the ones responsible. The abductor’s game is evolving, but so too is Tara’s gift. Can she overcome her fears and learn what she must before something even more terrible happens?

I have read every book in this series to date, and I have to say they just keep getting better. The Dying Thoughts series is easily one of the best examples of the first-person narrative I have ever encountered, and just as Tara ages from book one to six, so too does her monologue, and outlook, something clearly reflected in the ever-maturing voice written by Joey Paul. Trouble seems to find Tara everywhere and book six is no exception. New friends, new troubles, and new visions await, and the clock is ticking. This is an amazing series, but the books also work well as stand-alone, anything you need to know is skilfully recapped, and you’ll find it hard not to be pulled along with the vivid and unique characters who drive this adventure.

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Book review: Joshua Mason – Steam Whistle Alley (@WhistleAlley ‏ )

Jacob was a gamer through and through. Over the years he had made a name for himself in testing and bug finding in new VR games, so when he saw someone dancing down the [image error]street, thrusting and parrying he recognised the moves. But what he didn’t know was why someone was doing them in the middle of town, instead of being secured in their rig. He’d heard of over indulgence causing difficulty separating in mind to real life, but something told him there was more to this. Boy was he right. The man had been bait, luring Jacob to exactly where the new Augmented reality game developers wanted him, their door. Alpha testing is in session, and with a prize for the winner beyond their wildest dreams, prancing around the streets looking a fool is the least of his concerns. Then again, when he first donned his goggles, he had no idea what he should have been fearful of. But he was about to find out, everyone is playing to win, but for some their prize is something completely different. Jacob must keep his wits about him, if he hopes to survive in tact.

Steam Whistle Alley is an excellent example of both Litrpg and steampunk writing. The AR is a fully immersive and interactive steampunk style overlay on a futuristic setting. I have to admit, this book had me hooked from the start. Action, adventure, danger and peril all presented in a tight story written with great imagination and flair. Beautiful descriptions will leave you in awe, while the futuristic technologies are to a degree that will sate a sci-fi lover, yet not overwhelm someone who doesn’t follow that genre. I loved how Jacob was a retro gamer, many of the things referenced are in my own collection. It is clear Joshua Mason has a passion for both gaming and writing, and it is one clearly evident in their work. A gripping fun adventure, and a brilliant start to what looks to be a promising series.

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Book review: Hayden Lane – The Park

Garret Jones works and plays in The Park, a central hub for people to gather across the [image error]planets Earth has populated. From here almost everything is accessible, games, shops, you name it, it can probably be found there. He used to come with his sister, until a car accident left her unconscious and fighting for her life. The Park is owned by five people who obtained digital immortality, something accessible for most, at a very high price. When Garret hears a rumour that Haven, a game that rewards a winner with exactly the amount he needs to turn his sister immortal, reopening he has no choice but to gather a team. However, everyone wants to win a game that seems to boast no victors, and there are those who will do everything possible to stop others from competing, and it doesn’t help that the class he gets is one he has never played. Can he survive, can he even trust those closest to him?

Hayden Lane’s The Park is the first book in The Park Online series. Be warned, it ends with a cliff-hanger that turns the book into an episode rather than a stand alone read. The main plot line is slow to start, as you learn the background needed to fully appreciate everything, but the pace is steady, gaining gradual momentum until it’s all guns… erm spells… blazing. It is a fun read, with some good game mechanics. Treachery, action, and high stakes fill the plot as Garret does everything he must to protect his friends and family from an enemy he never knew existed.

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Book review: Kia Carrington-Russell -The Shadow Minds Journal(@kia_crystal ‏ )

The days were fine, with seven demons contracted to her Vivian had their forms and [image error]their knowledge at her disposal. She could hold her own against most, except perhaps a choice few. Lord Haymen was one of those she wouldn’t cross, besides, she was his to command thanks to her somewhat unwilling rebirth into the world of demons, angels and demon hunters. It was the nights she had to fear. In the night there were dreams, and through the dreams, demons came for her, but in the world of slumber she had no powers at her disposal. She could only run, run, hide, and hope she wasn’t worn down enough for them to take her over. It was something all those in her line of work feared, but she had more cause than most, unknown to anyone she’d had those dreams long before her rebirth, and she feared what this could mean. Another curse plagues her, she has desires that need sating, but anyone she takes as a lover ends up dead within three days, but her latest conquest brought with him serious consequences, and opened up the perfect excuse for Haymen’s enemies to get closer.

Kia Carrington-Russell’s The Shadow Minds Journal is a fast paced, tense, gripping adventure of lust, discovery, terror, hatred, tolerance, and power plays. Vivian finds herself caught between three powerful forces, Haymen, the angel of war, and the creatures who hunt her from the shadows. Being well written in alternating first person narrative, with each chapter header making clear whose perspective you are reading, adds to the up close and personal feel captured by this supernatural tale. There are graphic descriptions, atmospheric scenes, and excellent examples of building tension. As a reader it is impossible not to want to uncover the mystery behind Vivian and the powers she possesses, not to mention see how the growing relationships between characters will change form one moment to the next. A involved and inspired read that is certain to please lovers of the genre.

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Book review: Kaye Fairburn – The Trash Tier Dungeon

Arden the Endless Terror has one final chance to prove herself worthy as a du dungeon [image error]pixie. If she fails, she is finished, and not just in dungeon work, Demon Lord Oiseau has sworn to smite her. The problem is, her new pairing is with the worst dungeon ever made, they dubbed it the Trash Tier Dungeon. It had a feline heart, and we all know how cats can be. Arden’s last dungeon had made her life miserable, there was no way she was going to let this one kill her. Their personalities clash, their idea of what the dungeon should be differ, but the threat is too real to ignore. If they want to survive they have one month to turn the dungeon into something more than a joke, assuming the guild Arden angered before arriving doesn’t kill them first.

The Trash Tier Dungeon is Kaye Fairburn’s unique take on the LitRPG genre. You’ve read about the heroes, not read about the dungeons. It’s not all fun and games for the creatures that build them and stock them with loot. Their very life hangs in the balance each time something, monster or adventure opens the door. With limited resources, and difficult odds they create the adventure, growing, changing, evolving, all to ensure that those who travel through them think twice about destroying the heart and thus terminating the dungeon forever. This is a fun and action-packed read. The author inserts humour and drama, fitting for a cat based dungeon. Decisions that seem impulsive or random are well implemented to reflect the personalities and past experiences of the characters involved. Great for the young adult and Dungeon Core genre fans.

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Book review: Edward Castle – Unbound Deathlord: Challange (@ECastleWriter )

Jack Thorn, from the moment he entered the game was a thorn in the side of some of the [image error]most powerful characters in Valia. He broke the game, sending the preordained plot off course with his problem-solving skills, quick reactions, and the lessons taught to him by his parents. He entered the game to run from who he was, who he had become. He wanted to escape, to enjoy himself, to conquer the underworld… No wait, that wasn’t his agenda, was it? Amongst a sea of unhelpful, condescending NPC’s this one thought keeps returning to him, but is it even his? In a game where your every thought can be monitored who is to say you can’t also be influenced?

Unbound Deathlord: Challenge is Edward Castle’s creative addition to the LitRPG genre. Packed with action, creative solutions, and some just plain pure dumb luck any fan of the genre is in for a treat. Great descriptions and seamless integration of RPG systems and methods add to this enticing read. You can’t help but root for Jack as he aims to win the Challenge set by the designers, while attempting to drive things his way, by outmanoeuvring, out thinking, and generally just antagonising those who seek to better him. There are some great characters who play well-designed supportive roles as they are dragged along for this intense ride.

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Book review: Anne-Rae Vasquez – Reveal (@write2film )

Cristal had been given orders, relayed from the Almighty himself via Rafael. Her mission, [image error]to infiltrate Global Nation and send Bezel back to hell. She had all but given up hope, of either achieving her quest, or being rescued by the Truth Seekers. For twelve months she was a captive, but the time has come for action,  and help appears to come from an unlikely source. Demons themselves seem willing to offer aid to return the devil to hell. The end is here, purgatory is closed, and now all out war both mortal and supernatural is upon them. Who will be victorious, and what will the new world look like now the prophecy has been set in motion?

Reveal is Anne-Rae Vasquez’s concluding part of the Among Us Trilogy, and what an adventure it is. I have not read the previous two, and I can tell some amazing things happened to bring us to this point. Despite no prior knowledge, I had no difficulty in embracing the story from this starting point as the information I needed was fed to me. There is also an option to do a quick catch up through via a quick summary of the previous two at the end of the book. There is a great cast of characters, and you are never sure who can really be trusted, even the archangels seem to have their own agendas. Adventure, complications, prophecy, tension, and of course the highest stakes possible, fill this book’s every page. There’s both a religious and futuristic feel to the book, and the author shows great skill in the building of her alternative future world. There are gripping scenes and great descriptions throughout, not to mention some interesting ideas.

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Book review: Gordon Bickerstaff – Tears of Fire @ADPase

Zoe’s own tactics had been used against her with precision execution. Captured, shamed, [image error]and manipulated into silence it seems her only option is to accept death in order to protect those she loves. The people who thought that obviously didn’t know her, or her allies well at all. But her liberation just serves to throw fuel onto an already raging fire. Given the choices that await her, perhaps the hangman’s noose would have been preferable. Gavin Shawlens has been recruited to investigate an insurance fraud, but he had not been given all the details. Behind a seemingly innocent front, murderers hide in the shadows, seeking revenge, and that revenge is now within their grasp and they will stop anyone who gets in their way, or threatens to expose them. Unfortunately, Gavin’s investigation does just that, and he has already made some powerful enemies, but this time he doesn’t have Zoe at his side to protect him. The clock is ticking before they up their game.

Gordon Bickerstaff was born to write this genre. Tears of Fire is his latest instalment in his Lambeth Group Thrillers and to date I have read every book in this immersive and tension-filled series, and they just keep getting better and better. They read as stand alone and yet also reward the frequent reader. Twists and turns don’t do justice to the complexities of the masterful plot, and it is so involved that revenge, murder, questions, betrayal, and suspense are just the tip of the iceberg. Gordon Bickerstaff achieves the perfect balance between a character and event driven plot. You’ll be hooked from the first page to the last, wondering how things will turn out. This is one hell of an involved plot, and a word to the wise as you navigate through the dangerous tale, remember to breathe. A truly masterful and amazing book, written with flair, style, and an intensity that will leave you wanting more. Tears of Fire is, without question, a five star and highly recommended read.

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Book review: Tao Wong – Life in the North

John had taken a brisk walk to get away and clear his mind. Life had been unkind, he [image error]had left everything to move to be with his girlfriend, his flat burnt down, and their separation was just another bead in a endless chain of misfortune. Of course, waking one morning to find out that the entire planet had been claimed by the System and was becoming a dungeon planet was just icing on a very bitter cake dressed with the fact he was level one in a level 110 zone. Luckily for him he has Ali, or should that be an ally, a spirit companion designated to ‘help’. First step, reaching civilisation, second step, survival in a world where the indigenous wildlife are mutating into things imaginable outside a game. But a game is exactly what his world now mirrors, a very deadly one. No respawn, no rescue, no class skills, and the odds are stacked against him.

Life in the North is Tao Wong’s first book in The System Apocalyptic series. John is a great character, and you’ll find yourself willing his success, watching as he grows, develops, and evolves to find his place in this adapting to world, and to survive you have to be tough, and know who to trust. Tao Wong has an immersive writing style that pulls the reader in, conjures vivid scenes and intense action. There is chaos, uncertainty, challenges, action, adventure, and change, the perfect ingredients for any LitRPG. As an added bonus, it’s free on Kindle Unlimited.

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