K.J. Simmill's Blog, page 46
February 23, 2018
Book review: Stan Faryna A Brief History of Our Tomorrows (@Faryna )
The world as it once was is no more. Currency is a thing of the past, prices have [image error]skyrocket, and the best way to earn units in a world where three jobs would barely keep you afloat is through a game. Collecting loot to exchange for real life counterparts. It is the hope people need. They immerse themselves in a post-apocalyptic world, and by doing so may even fail to notice the true horror of their current one. Francesco is one such man, new to the scene he hopes to farm for the units needed to help his wife, but he soon discovers the true horror of this new world.
Francesco Augustine Bernadone: A Brief History of Our Tomorrows (Love and Fear: The Future is Bucharest Book 1) is a short read that would hold appeal to fans of both dystopian fiction and LiRPG. Well written, fun to read, and left on a cliff hanger. A nice, short, and compelling read that once you start you’ll find impossible to put down. You begin to get a real feel for the characters, their lives, and hardships, I’m certainly interested to see where book two takes us.
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Book review: Ginny Fite’s Lying, Cheating, & Occasionally Murder(@unwrinkledbrain )
Charlotte had a lot to prove. Especially to her father who thought she would always be, [image error]like her mother, second rate in her profession-or at least she was in his eyes. Often she had fantasised about shoving her ground breaking research down his throat, literally. She was comfortable, lived in a nice house with her husband, Harold, had lovers on the side, and always got what she wanted. She had thought the complex ties of her work were beyond the understanding of her husband, but he had seen something that had changed their relationship forever. But was it something to kill over? Her husband’s car is found ploughed into a building, two bullets piercing his head, suspicion falls to her, and soon people are pawing over her life with a fine toothed comb. Is she capable of murder, or is there another secret hiding behind her husband’s demise?
Lying, Cheating, & Occasionally Murder is a well planned, well conceived murder mystery, with characters that you will enjoy to learn more about as the plot progresses. Ginny Fite litters the plot with subtleties designed to both guide and mislead the reader to the ultimate conclusion. As a fan of murder mysteries I found this to be one book I had a hard time putting down, there is so much attention to detail that you’re not reading the story, you’re living it, trying to piece together events before the final revelation. As the title suggests lies, cheating, and murder are woven into the plot, and the author’s style of backtracking to previous events in order to paint a fuller picture of both characters and circumstances is impeccably executed. I’ll certainly be keeping an eye open for more work by Ginny Fite, and it’ll certainly win the hearts of lovers of the genre.
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February 22, 2018
Book review: Accidental Thief by C.J. Davis and Jamie Davis
Hal Dix had plotted and lied to secure himself a long weekend of gaming. His wife would [image error]take his daughter away for a few days to visit her parents, while he ‘worked’. Of course, by worked he actually meant worked on his gaming skills. Even he didn’t realise exactly how much effort would actually be involved. His regular store had come across something unusual, a bootleg release copy of a game yet to be released. It didn’t matter it wasn’t Dave manning the store, he’d wanted to try Fantasma since he had first heard about it. He just wasn’t prepared for the fully immersive nature of this world. Fantasma is in peril, and those who remained and still possessed magic had employed the only method at their disposal in the hope to save themselves from a tyrant who hunt them down without mercy as he conquered their world. They chose to put their last hope in an ancient prophecy, one that states a person from another world would be their saviour, and that person, was Hal Dix. The game was but the portal, but with no idea of what awaits him, or what is expected from him, can Hal rely on his experience as a gamer to save a world that he’s not even certain really exists?
Accidental Thief by C.J. Davis and Jamie Davis was a fun read. As a gamer I appreciated the mechanics of the gameplay included, and as a reader enjoyed how it was portrayed to create an entertaining story about one man against unlikely odds. When I say one man, I of course mean one man and his team. Kay makes a brilliant partner to the duo and legend that would be born by their quest. I enjoyed the world that was created, and the levelling and rising above the ranks for the everyday man pulled into a world he could have only dreamed about existing, let alone have to try to save through his own sense of justice.
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February 20, 2018
Book review:Susan Copperfield’s, The Captive King
Summer Cassidy was an earthweaver with a passion for archaeology. A passion her university exploited. [image error]Her talents made her an asset, she could manipulate the earth, unbury sites, all without the others needing to lift a finger. If she ever got her doctorate she would rise through the ranks and earn herself a comfortable living, that was, if she ever got her doctorate. She had failed twice, and it was only since the words of bachelor 103 that she realised this was a deliberate ruse by the university to allow them to exploit her gifts for a meagre sum. Fate had crossed their paths that night. She was devastated at having to sell a priceless artefact to fund their dig. But there is where the real trouble begins, anyone whose worth their grain in salt knows that with ancient artefacts come curses. Summer had never known the jade necklace, she would have changed everything, but it was too late for that, now she has no choice but to roll with the punches and attempt to set things to rights. Find out if she can succeed in Susan Copperfield’s, The Captive King.
I really enjoyed how well Summer Cassidy’s brash and stubborn nature was put across throughout the book, she is a strong character and her partnering with billionaire. I really enjoyed the infusion of history, and the world filled with magic. The book, while being Indiana Jones meets Tomb raider in some parts, is also m a lot about Summer’s growth as a character. She really blooms throughout the book, and gains some great depths of character. I really enjoyed this urban fantasy, and it has certainly made me want to pick up more books in the series. If you’re looking for an action-packed, thrilling adventure with magic and ancient curses then look no further than Susan Copperfield’s, The Captive King, A Royal States Novel.
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February 19, 2018
Book review: Judy Bruce’s Lies in the Wind
Megan knew there was something wrong before Celeste even walked through her doors. [image error]She could feel the malevolence, the evil, in the air. She knew something was coming, but not what. When Megan finds herself involved in what was about to be passed off as a murder suicide she had no idea how deeply she’d be drawn into things. She was already the executor of this family’s will, and found herself drawn to their autistic son, Mitch, who reminded her so much of her own child. Determined to find answers, she pursues her own investigation, unaware exactly how life changing this particular case will be. Join the search, follow the clues, in Judy Bruce’s Lies in the Wind, Wind Series Book 5.
From the very first page Judy Bruce’s Lies in the Wind, Wind Series Book 5 will have you enraptured. Quick to start with a momentum that just keeps building. Judy Bruce provides everything the reader needs to piece together the clues and follow the breadcrumbs, so pay attention as you’re reading and you’ll find yourself solving the case along side Megan. I found the characters to be very real, complex and well developed with a continuous growth throughout the book. As a parent of a child on the spectrum I found the sensitivity used to deal with Mitch, and the attention to small details to be refreshing, and this same attention to detail is skilfully woven into the plot. If you love a good murder mystery, Lies in the Wind certain ranks among the top of those I have read. There is everything you would expect from the genre, as well as some great character focused areas. Murder, mystery, family feuds, relationships, red herrings, and a just a skittering of the paranormal, it’s a recipe for a perfect read.
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Book review: Wilbert Stanton’s Gears of Fate (@wilbert_stanton )
Zak Walker, a fringe rat living on the outskirts of the slums and doing dangerous labour [image error]in the hope to look after his sister, could never imagine the plan fate has for him. He only wanted to protect his sister. His father, since their mother left, is a mean and violent drunk, and Zak had sworn to look after Alice. But the distance he would go to keep this vow would surprise even him. The day Seneca appeared was the start of his twisted path. His sister vanishes, spirited away to Earth, a place now abandoned by the gods and left to the Fey. Zak must unite the gods, but to do so he must pull Zeus from his fractured state by retrieving something stolen from him by his treacherous son, Ares. Earth is not like it was in the time of the gods, now it is nothing more than a hunting ground of rivalry and survival, a honey trap, pretty, but deadly to those who don’t know how to look after themselves. Can Zak survive in a place where trust can be a death sentence, and keep his promise to protect his sister? Find out in Gears of Fate, Forgotten God’s, book one, by Wilbert Stanton.
Gears of Fate put me in mind of Piercy Jackson meets the Golden compass and Disney’s treasure island. There’s a steampunk element that I found charming. Seneca’s character reminded me of one of my favourite characters from Tales of Vesperia. As a gamer and fantasy lover, not to mention a lover of Greek gods and mythos this book ticked a lot of my boxes. Well written, engrossing, Imaginative, gripping, and fun. You’ll find yourself lost in a world of dangers, where nothing is quite what it appears. Wilbert Stanton has a talent for world building and character development and creates believable relationships, technologies, adaptations, and content fleshing out an amazing world. A great start to what promises to be a gripping series.
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February 14, 2018
Book review: Kate L. Mary’s The Outliers (@kmary0622 )
Indra was an Outlier. She was nothing, less than nothing within the city walls. For three [image error]years she had worked for Saffron, inheriting her mother’s position of House Maid when her mother became too sick to work. Now it fell to her to provide for the family. She learnt quickly how to protect herself from the more horrific consequences, and in turn when her best friend Mira came to work there, she protected her, even at her own risk. Things were less than ideal, but they were bearable for the small wages and food they were paid. What they were given often meant the difference between life and death. But things were changing, and following events Indra feels somewhat responsible for, bills that had previously failed are being passed to ensure the Outliers are closer to becoming slaves than the free people they were, what’s more, part of it was being done ‘for their own good’. Indra doesn’t know what to do, this latest change will force her to sacrifice the very reason she works there, but there is no life beyond the wastelands, despite how her husband indulges in such fantasies. Could she risk trying to survive, or is the slow push into slavery her only chance?
I really enjoyed Kate L. Mary’s The Outliers. Indra is an easy character to relate to, she’s an overthinker. She replays things in her mind, and shoulders the burden of things she felt she could have changed. She carries with her guilt and remorse, and through it all strives to do right as much as she dare, even at the risk of punishment. But there are some boundaries she knows better than to push, and things that, to her own pain, she keeps from Bodhi, her husband, and Asa is one such secret, despite the seemingly innocent nature of their forming relationship. I found her Bodhi’s character really likable, especially in his attempts to help his wife grow and learn things that their way of life would normally frown upon. I found Kate L. Mary’s writing style to be immersive, enough description to build her world and environments and enough character interactions and observations to get a real feel for the conflicts, hierarchy, and structure of the world they live in. It is certainly a strong first book, and I’ll be keeping my eyes open for the next instalment.
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Book link
February 11, 2018
Book review: Kevin E. Hatt’s An Initial Countdown
An Initial Countdown: A Haszard Narrative, by Kevin E. Hatt. Haszard is a registered [image error]operating theatre practitioner, but when his and another car are forced from the road there is nothing to do but wait for the emergency services while the scoundrel responsible sped away. The more he reflected on the event the more he was convinced someone had driven the other car from the road deliberately. Regardless, it was a month until Christmas and he was determined not to get involved, but fate had other plans. News reached him about the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of the Vicar of Frinton, aside from the intrigue he had no real interest, not until the discovery that the driver of the other car had been from the same place, and died on the same day. Then alarm bells started to ring. Mr Haszard has a skill for discovering answers to the impossible, and before he knew it he was promising the vicar’s widow that he would help to discover the truth. Little did he know the path it would take him down, nor how dangerous it would prove to be.
An Initial Countdown is the ninth book in the Hazard series and reads perfectly as a stand alone novel. Filled with a great cast of deep and vivid characters with their own distinctive personality making it easy to become invested in their lives. Suspense, and twists will keep a reader on the edge of their seats, unable to tear their eyes from the page. As for the writing style, wow, talk about immersive. The perfect combination of dialect and description with a very distinctive and entertaining narrative voice. This is the first book I’ve read by Kevin E. Hatt, but I am seriously considering picking up some more of his work.
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Book review: Harmon Cooper’s The Feedback Loop
Quantum was stuck, day after day, year after year living the same day. Like a twisted [image error]version of Groundhog day, bit filled with violence. He could set the time by who was attacking him, or the movement of trash. Every day was perfect repetition, although his actions changed small things, some days he died, others he didn’t. But Francis’ appearance changed his life in the loop. Strange things began to happen. He had been trapped by a glitch, and now there were people seeking to kill him, and they had the means to make his death permanent, if they got him he was dead in both worlds, the Loop and the real one.
The Feedback Loop plot is driven forwards by the main character, a man trapped in the same day, he keeps track by storing an item in is inventory for each day that has passed, these range from basic items, such as a cheese grater, to a mini gun. You can imagine the fun that can be had. In a way this reminded me a little of something I read by Tom Holt a long time ago, but darker. I appreciated the humour, and the way living in this violent world affected and altered Quantum as a character. It was fun to read.
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February 9, 2018
Book review: James Pumpelly’s Twice Melvin
Melvin is dead. There’s no beating around the bush with that. But what a mess he left in [image error]his wake, or rather his Aunt Martha left after a brief possession of the priest to give him the ‘no punches pulled’ send off she thought he deserved. His mistress is pregnant, and his wife, Melody, has made her own withdrawal from the Rogue Sperm Bank in the hope of letting her husband’s legacy live on. Melvin has a choice, his aunt is insisting he is born again, and he must quickly choose which vessel his soul should enter, the child carrier by his wife, or that of his mistress. There are of course complications that cause even those against idle chatter to sow the seeds of gossip. Melvin was indeed reborn, and what a stir it caused.
Lately, whenever I pick up a book claiming to be comedy a brief wave of dread passes over me. Today’s amusement seems often to be nothing more than a string of put downs, and jerkish behaviour, something I would call closer to bullying than humour. I actually heaved a relieve sigh when I first started reading James Pumpelly‘s Twice Melvin. I don’t remember the last time a book with such witty humour crossed the screen of my kindle. Only a few paragraphs in I found myself chuckling, and the momentum continues. Refreshing humour, great banter, some ironic humour, all wrapped up in an interesting and enjoyable plot. This book certainly rekindled my faith in the genre, and restored my hope that there are still people who can be funny, without it being at someone’s expense. Within Twice Melvin you’ll find some great characters, deep and real with their own unique personalities and agendas. The book itself is written in alternating perspectives between the first person narrative of Melvin (later Melvin Jr.), and the third person perspective of the other characters. Whilst Melvin, for a large portion of the book, is deceased, it in no way hampers the story telling, and James Pumpelly manages to spin a creative, humorous tale with serious aspects, romance, otherworldly meddling, and mortal gossip. A refreshing read, that had me laughing aloud more than once.
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