K.J. Simmill's Blog, page 42

Book link: Marty Myers, The Dungeon Con (@Grimshawl1972 )

Hank’s plan had been simple, take his girlfriend to Dungeon Con, celebrate their one [image error]year anniversary, and enjoy the festivities. It was barely lunchtime not only had his relationship come to an abrupt end, but he had been tricked into signing a contract by a being from another realm seeking someone to build their master’s dungeon. The thing was, he wasn’t exactly the dungeon master the imp had thought, but inadvertently he had returned with something much more powerful. A human not afflicted by the boons and caps of the Light all people of this realm were born with. His potential was unlimited, and the Dark had great plans for him, great plans indeed.

The Dungeon Con is Marty Myers’ addition to the LitRPG genre.  It has a solid plot with some great ideas. The character building and situations are designed to a point the reader becomes invested in their story and what will become of them. The original thinking and execution is engaging, interesting, and enjoyable. I’ve given this book four stars, whilst it does need some polishing, you can fix grammar, typos and some narrative perspective complications far easier than a poor plot, and The Dungeon Con has the plot, it just needs the polish.

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Book review: A.R. Cook, The Secrets of the Moonstone Heir (@ARCook_writes )

Desert Rain could have been adored and showered with gifts like any other Hijn. Instead, [image error]she sought isolation, visiting the town on rare occasion. Keeping to herself led the people there to believe her to be a charmer. Until her secret was revealed. The truth of her identity was the beginning of the end. She sought solace with a Wretched, who had been stripped of his memories by a trickster. They were the enemy, but in him she thought she had a friend. Until one fateful day she found the memories that had been stolen. The cost of returning them had been beyond her imagination. A Wretched now rampages, destroying all she held dear and, worse still, he had taken something from her of such value she had no choice but to pursue. Hoping to save not only those in his path, but the whole world from his cruel distortion.

The Secrets of the Moonstone Heir is the first book in A.R. Cook’s The Scale Seekers series. It centres around Desert Rain, a Hijn who has isolated herself from people, afraid of their judgement. She had been changed more than most, and feared persecution. From the start of the book to the end you see a strength and resolve begin to materialise tempering her into a stronger character. It is written in a soft, easy flowing narrative making it simple to follow and whilst there are scenes of violence they are handled in a suitable manner for a young adult audience, as is the suggestion of a sexual situation. A quest to drive back loneliness becomes a tale of friendship, action, and adventure that paved the way for the adventure to continue.

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Book review R.J. Blain, Whatever for Hire (@rj_blain )

Bad things happen when the devil is bored, fortunately, Kanika seems to have captured [image error]his attention. His unwanted help in rescuing a cat from a tree had been a catalyst, leaving her with a debt and giving him a personal invitation for him to come and manipulate her. He had great plans for her. But she was no fool, she knew better to play with the devil… She had known better. Yet now he was one of her clients, and he had made an offer too tempting to refuse. All she had to do was sign something, without reading it, and accept the first job he sent her way as repayment for a debt. What she didn’t expect was things to be so complicated. A kidnapping gone wrong sees her victim turn the tides, but had he not, then they would never have uncovered the undead plague that afflicted the world, a problem that if not reined in could spell the end of days.

The narrative in Whatever for Hire is so brilliant you will struggle to tear yourself away for even a minute. It has a great humour to it, and the first person narrative holds true to Kanika’s character perfectly. I enjoyed every minute of this book, from the flippancy of Kanika when dealing with the devil, seeing how far she could push her luck, to her awesome, if somewhat unreliable, shifting abilities. There is a lot to this plot, and it certainly went beyond what I expected. R.J. Blain has written an amazing paranormal romance / urban fantasy where you can’t help but will for the characters to get together, this is helped by the fact they are so believable. There are questions about Malcolm that will plague you until the moment of truth, and the added bonus of the mystery surrounding Kanika herself, but all that pales when placed beside a plot which just keeps getting better. Brilliantly written, full of action, mystery, suspense, romance, revenge, and more than a little interference from Heaven and Hell.

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Book review: Michael Okon, Monsterland Reanimated (@IAmMichaelOkon )

The aftermath of Monsterland was global devastation. Wyatt is haunted by events, and [image error]images of the violence he both witnessed and executed to survive plagued him as much as the revelation that his own father had been a zombie in the exhibition. Whilst the events are fresh and all-consuming, there are other concerns. The world government collapsed, most people of power were wiped out during their visit to Monsterland, paving the way for the co-conspiring  Vice President to take the mantle of reign. With so few survivors Wyatt knows he must find a way to alert the outside world of what really happened. But something stirs in the ruins of Monsterland, something new and dangerous. Monsterland had been constructed in a place of great power, and Vincent’s plans had not been terminated with his death. Every villain must always have a plan B, the time has come for it to be revealed.

Monsterland Reanimated by Michael Okon is a rapid flowing, action-packed, suspenseful, paranormal thriller, filled with beautifully crafted descriptions, and amazing scene setting. Tension is slowly built as the progression of events warn there’s something more to the situation at Copper Valley. Having read the first book I can really appreciate the growth of the characters, not only from the last book, but throughout the progression of this one. Careful thought and consideration has gone into each character and their own individual history and plot, adding to the depth and believability. There are some great action scenes which only serve to enhance a well-executed and conceived plot. The stakes have been raised, and as a reader I find myself eagerly awaiting the next book in this imaginative and thrilling series.

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Book review: Erin S. Riley, Odin’s Shadow (@erinsriley1 )

Selia had been enchanted by the tales of the wild Finngalls. The tales told by the maid [image error]were intended to be cautionary, a warning to her not to stray from home or tempt danger. Yet they only furthered her curiosity. A chance encounter sealed her fate, igniting a desire in the Finngall who had seen her. He forced her father to accept dowry. Selia wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or alarmed. At least she didn’t have to marry a man sixty years her senior as had been her father’s intention, but she feared the life that could await her at him hands. It is believed her new husband is filled with dark magic, but Selia has her own secret, and she and her husband are closer connected than either of them could imagine.

I have to admit, from beginning to end I thoroughly enjoyed Erin S. Riley’s Odin’s Shadow. It’s a love story, but one fitting to the era in which it is set, and not your typical romance. Set in the days of the Vikings, and created with an authentic feel to the era, you’ll quickly lose yourself in the world of fear, violence, and a time when women were traded as property. The plot is filled with complications, heartbreak, treachery, betrayal, secrets, and jealousy. The characters are imaginative and well-developed throughout the plot, and as a reader you get a good feel for the environment thanks to the author’s talent in scene setting. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for book two. If you’re a KU subscriber like myself there’s also the added bonus of this book being free on Kindle Unlimited.

 

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Book review: Alan W Thompson, Creation Abomination (@CrtnAbomination )

William Mears is working towards his doctorate at the University of Southern California. [image error]But he doesn’t want to take the easy road, he wants his thesis to matter, to impact the world, and be complete on presentation. He wants to take it beyond the lab rats to human applications. He wants to encourage the body to heal things that would otherwise be impossible. The applications are limitless, but there’s a catch. In order for the treatment to work, embryo stem cells are needed from the person needing the treatment. Impossible, unless he creates a clone. There is great interest in his work, from forces he could not even imagine. His project has the potential to change the world, but everything has a cost, will this one be too high? When one plays God, they must consider all things, including the potential for corruption, and ramifications man cannot even begin to fathom.

With accurate science, and a unique plot you can’t help but be pulled into Creation Abomination. I am quite well versed in many areas of science, but even for those who have trouble you’ll find it easily accessible, well explained, and whilst central to the plot it is not too overwhelming. There is a great balance to this book, one which is enhanced by Alan W Thompson’s well-crafted descriptive style and the attention given to character development throughout the plot progression. It addresses morals, even the possibility of interference from beyond the earthly planes. This is a book that flows with ease, a fun read that is easy to lose yourself in while boasting an engaging and unique plot. Once you open the pages be prepared to be pulled into a world with a unique blend of technology, genetic engineering, the supernatural and divine that will hold you tightly and not let go. A great first instalment with a promise for an equally compelling sequel.

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Book review: Iva Kenaz, Alchemist Awakening

Liza had been drawn to astronomy, studied it, and its many branches for years. It, along [image error]with her dream of writing a book, was her passion. Yet, she now doubted both. She questioned her ability to write, as well as the meaning of the stars. She was at a dead end, so when she found the strange rainbow coloured envelope, containing an invitation to a seminar, it tempted her. Her dual Gemini nature was indecisive, but she took the plunge. She knew there was more to what she knew. Alchemy, geometry, theurgy, astronomy, everything was connected. Liza finds herself on a task to awaken her own alchemist and find her own philosopher’s stone, the gold within that came from being truly herself. But there are lessons to learn, can she accept and understand them?

If you enjoy or have an interest in astrology Alchemist Awakening is definitely a book for your list. It explores the Zodiac, the tree of life, Alchemy (although not in the sense you’re probably familiar with) and so many other philosophies and ideas. It’s a tale of self discovery focused around Liza as she learns to embrace herself and her own path with a little help from some rather divine intervention. It’s slow paced, allowing the reader to get a real feel for Liza’s character, and that of those who surround her. She has a journey she must make, and it is intriguing to watch the progression, along with the development that runs along side it. If, like me, you’re a KU subscriber, there’s the added bonus of picking this book up for free.

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Book review: Christopher Keene, Stuck in the Game

Noah was in dire straights. A horrific accident had left him paralysed and his girlfriend [image error]Sue fighting for her life. Fortunately he had enough DSD in his system that he could be connected to the Dream Engine, and log into their game. This game, one he had vowed never to try, became his lifeline, the only way people from the world outside could communicate with him while his body attempted to repair itself. There was a catch, if he were to die, then he would likely slip into a coma. Still, he thought himself lucky. Sue was in critical condition, beyond even this intervention. Or was she? It seemed something of her had been drawn here too, held captive. Noah had a quest, a reason to play. He would save Sue, no matter the cost.

Stuck in the Game is a steady paced read with some good characters. You join Noah in his adventure from tutorial all the way through his progression. You witness a prison of a game become something more as his own gaming passion is kindled, and he is spurred on as his character grows and receives the only quest he really cares about. To reach her he must be strong, but it isn’t all levelling and grinding, there are things at work here he could not imagine, and not all those who play have his back, in fact, with his survival rank growing, he may as well paint a target on his back. Some will stop at nothing to be the best, and some have more sinister motivations.

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Book review: Lucretia Stanhope, Feral (@DianaS58 )

Alice was a hybrid, a mixture of three things that should not have come to be. As such, [image error]the reactions she received were also mixed. To her the PPK was a prison, she was trained, praised, but ultimately trapped. Until Maxwell decided it was time she put her ambassador status to use and went on her first mission with her knew partner, a lone alpha known as Amarok. Three wolves have gone missing from a pack, that is concerning enough, but both Alice and Amarok have the same uneasy feeling. There is more going on than they could imagine. Their cover to the pack was husband and wife, but both of them have issues with trust, can they uncover the truth before secrets tear them apart? The deeper they dig, the more likely it becomes that whoever is doing this has inside help, and when the stakes are upped, the time to find answers begins to run out. The hunt is on, but are the wolves predator or prey?

I really enjoyed watching the slow build of the forming relationship between Alice and Amarok. The cover of being husband and wife was a perfect ploy to have them lower their defences with each other. While this is book two, it works perfectly as stand alone. The main characters are strong and well developed, and there is enough mystery to have you forming your own opinion about who is responsible and their motivations. A fun read, with a promise of more excitement to follow in future books as Alice tries to discover her place.

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Book review: Craig Anderson’s Level Up

Marcus loved games, and hated his job. He worked twice as hard as everyone else, [image error]helped them out without pause, and his boss constantly dangled the promise of promotion just out of reach. He was better where he was, doing all the work, and meeting what should have been impossible deadlines, after all, why should some one be rewarded for their work when keeping them at their current station keeps the office running smoothly? Things, however, are about to change. His old love interest returned to the scene, and more surprisingly, she’s working on a project to create VR. It’s still in the testing phase, but Marcus is all too eager to help. A freak accident causes the game to crash, and when Marcus wakes up the world is not the same. Reality has become a game, and he has 48 hours to complete the main quest or the world itself will end.

Level Up by Craig Anderson is another book in my current favourite genre, LitRPG. I instantly connected with Marus’ character, in fact, aside from his job title I have lived that office life. It’s a quick paced and entertaining read. With a new HUD overlay to reality Marcus needs to level up and complete his objectives, all of which are related to himself and his own personal development. Reality becomes a game, experience a must and the means by which it is obtained have to integrate both the game and reality mechanics. There is a humour to the game that will appeal to everyone, particularly gamers. An easy, well-paced, and enjoyable read, and if you’re a KU subscriber like myself you can pick it up for free.

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