Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr.'s Blog, page 7

The Milky Way by Nathan Harker

The Milky Way: A Short Story by Nathan Harker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Good writing.

This story focuses on Stefan and his exploration of the Milky Way.

Pros:

1. Nathan Harker gives Stefan a backstory.
2. The book cover is good. If you focus on it, you’ll see why.
3. It’s a short story.
4. I didn’t notice any typos as I read this book.

Cons:

1. There is profanity.
2. My reading engagement decreased partway into the story.
3. The conclusion of this tale was abrupt. I couldn’t help but want more.
4. I don’t feel motivated to re-read it.

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City of Spores by Austin Shirey

City of Spores by Austin Shirey

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A strange whodunit.

Private Investigator Johanna Kolibrik reluctantly agreed to a case to keep her struggling business afloat. Unfortunately, she gets wrapped up in something bigger as Madripol has gigantic problems. Old Town is a dark place, and the enemies she encounters are vicious.

Pros:

1. Worldbuilding.
2. A mysterious, original story.
3. An appealing book cover.
4. It’s novella-length.
5. Austin Shirey used his experience in Prague to create this book.

Cons:

1. Blaspheming and profanity.
2. Not having a glossary to reference.
3. Not including a map.
4. A lack of interior illustrations.
5. The interior formatting could have been better for the e-book. This was the version that I read.
6. Johanna walking through the sewer system without personal protective equipment was unrealistic. The bacteria, pests, smell, and waste should have made her sick.

Not including a glossary and illustrations hurt this story. It was hard for me to keep up with everything because there wasn’t a glossary to reference. I took a star away because Johanna walked through the sewer system without PPE. This should have made her sick, as it could reek of rotten eggs down there. It could also cause her to vomit, have nausea, dizziness, a lack of concentration, or a combination of these symptoms.

The cons listed above are why I did not issue this book a five-star rating. Despite issuing this book a three-star rating, I enjoyed it.

Austin Shirey should think about building a series off of this book. It would be a waste to leave it as a standalone.

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

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My Very Bad, Very Sad Day by Daniel Weaver

My Very Bad, Very Sad Day by Daniel Weaver

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A tear-jerker.

Gizmo is an old dog that can no longer function normally.

I like the illustrations and formatting. The pictures were unique. They looked like they were painted or made with oil pastels. The ending information about veterinarians was shocking. This story is realistic, even describing Gizmo’s bad breath because he was an old dog.

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

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A Blonde Rage by Brenna Devland

Blonde Rage: A Psychological Thriller Novelette by Brenna Devland

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It’s OK.

Someone has been murdering blondes in the neighborhood. Will this ever end? Read this book to find out.

Pros:
1. The ending suspense and thrill is huge. I felt my reading engagement increase.
2. It’s a novelette.
3. The book cover is noticeable.
4. There is no profanity.

Cons:
1. The ending left me confused.
2. There is a loose end.
3. The psychological aspect of this novelette is unclear.
4. I do not desire to re-read this book.
5. There were minor formatting errors.
6. Maggie.

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The Reviewer by M.K. Alexander

The Reviewer by M.K. Alexander

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Original.

The hero, an aspiring indie writer with potential, falls prey to the villain, the reviewer.

Pros:
1. It’s a clean read.
2. It’s a short story.
3. There is one laugh-out-loud moment.
4. Re-readability. I’ve already read it twice.
5. This book will resonate with indie authors.
6. The hero is well-developed.
7. This tale exposes a harsh reality.
8. The prose is well-edited.
9. M.K. Alexander put a lot of thought into the narrative.
10. M.K. Alexander is a talented writer.

Cons:
1. It’s a standalone.
2. The book cover could be better.

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The Rabbit Man by T.R. Slauf

The Rabbit Man: A Collection of Short Terrors & Flash Fiction by T.R. Slauf

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Terrifying.

The Rabbit Man is a haunting collection that contains stories about serial killers, witch-hunting, paranormal horror, and more.

Pros:
1. A variety of frightening tales.
2. All the stories within this collection are good.
3. Excellent, creepy book cover. I recommend inspecting it.
4. The illustrations are a splendid touch.
5. The stories are short.
6. Easter egg mini-game.
7. There is a connection between these horror chronicles.
8. T.R. Slauf is an expert of the macabre.

Cons:
1. Blaspheming and profanity.
2. This compilation would benefit from keener editing.

The flaws listed above prevented me from giving this collection a five-star rating.

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Lucky Numbers by Elliott Dahle

Lucky Numbers: A Small Town Horror Story by Elliott Dahle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Better than expected.

Sam and Nadine are a married couple that have had their difficulties. Things have been sour between them for several years, leading Nadine to believe it’s time for them to separate. But a lucky occurrence comes their way, which changes everything.

Pros:
1. Despite being a short story, I felt satisfied with the book’s length (it’s a novelette).
2. Excellent premise.
3. Fantastic ending twist.
4. Good book cover.
5. Elliott Dahle gives backstories for the characters.
6. The writing and editing is good.

Cons:
1. Blaspheming and profanity.
2. The ending is predictable (if you’re paying attention).
3. It’s a standalone, despite the book’s length.


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The Abduction of Stefan Bossi by Nathan Harker

The Abduction of Stefan Bossi: A Short Story by Nathan Harker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dark.

The Abduction of Stefan Bossi is a short story focused on an astronaut named Peggy in space. Along the way, she runs into some devilish creatures-ones that she doesn’t believe in.

Pros:
1. Solid writing.
2. Nathan Harker gives Peggy a backstory.
3. A pleasant break between reading a novel.

Cons:
1. Blaspheming and profanity.
2. The word length.
3. Not scary, but strange.

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Tails of Love by Daniel Weaver

TAILS OF LOVE: Canine Parables for the Heart by Daniel Weaver

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent.

The book cover is excellent. The illustrations are fantastic and they stand out. I like how there are different stories for different canine breeds. The storyline is unique, and I can tell that the author put a lot of work into this book. I enjoyed the overall theme of this book. I recommend this book to dog lovers.

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The Deal by Robert L. Hay

The Deal by Robert L. Hay

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Original.

This tale was a delightful break after finishing a novel.

Pros:
1. Fast paced.
2. A lot of illustrations.
3. Easy-to-read.
4. Fantasy elements.
5. Excellent theme.

Cons:
1. The story length.
2. This tale would benefit from more character development.

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.


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