J.B. Garner's Blog, page 5

Starving Short Story Review: The Steamkettle Kids Save The Day! (The Legends and Adventures of Industralia Part 1) by Lori Alden Holuta

The Steamkettle Kids Save The Day! (The Legends and Adventures of Industralia Part 1) by Lori Alden Holuta (Amazon, Goodreads)

It has been a busy week at Starving Author LLC but I guaranteed a review and thus it shall be! To accommodate my busy eating schedule, today’s Starving Review will be for a little treat of a children’s meal, a one-course snack that comes out of the steampunk kitchen of previous Starving Review chef, Lori Alden Holuta. Will today’s meal match up to previous bites or will it be insufficient to quiet my stomach grumbles?

Before we find out, remember to check the factory rules and be safe at reviewing:

I attempt to rate every book from the perspective of a fan of the genre
I attempt to make every review as spoiler-free as possible

As Kids is a short story aimed for a younger audience than the previous meal from this same chef, we have to examine it through a different set of tastebuds. Still, despite the format change, Mrs. Holuta continues to capture both a sense of adventure and that intangible ‘lived-in’ feeling that are essential to such a tale. There is a conscious effort, I feel, to make the tale a bit fantastical while still leaving it grounded to something that a child can relate too. It’s a delicate balance, but I feel the chef keeps that even keel for the whole tale.

Our two protagonists are quite likable and relatable. From my own experiences with children that age, they share a proper degree of precociousness, cunning, and mischievousness to feel like they are quite real. Never underestimate a ten-year old’s power to get both into trouble and out of it, I tell you! As you should expect from the single course, the secondary characters receive minimal fluffing out but that lived-in feeling helps keep them from feeling actually cardboard. You get the feeling that there is more to them that the chef doesn’t have time to fluff up.

If there is any flaw I can feel safe pointing out, it is a combination of length and language. The first I chalk up to my own personal tastes. I prefer longer meals with more courses so I can sink my teeth into the world and the characters so I must write that off. The second might be more valid, as Kids is fairly verbose for the target age group, but even that really isn’t much of an issue, considering that I know ten-year-olds that can devour all of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson with minimal effort. Still, it’s something to keep in mind when gauging getting this for children you have or know.

To sum up, The Steamkettle Kids Save The Day! is a delightful, bite-sized treat for children, especially well-read ones, that delivers adventure and a solid world! If your intended little tyke is a talented reader or into steampunk titles, you should definitely pick this up for them and take a look at the rest of the chef’s work. If the child is a bit behind the reading curve, you might still consider getting this, but to read with them or to them instead.

FINAL VERDICT: ***** (A delightful, bite-sized treat for children, especially well-read ones, that delivers adventure!)

 

Book News: Time for Some Rune Service! a.k.a. New Urban Fantasy Novel Coming!

So I’ve been working on several new projects lately and one is coming to fruition, hopefully to be released by the end of December!

A new, light-hearted urban fantasy set in Saginaw, Michigan, Rune Service follow the misadventures of four-foot tall convenience store clerk Mary Stone and her luxurious beard as she finds out that life is even stranger that hers already was when a literal Elf stumbles into the Easy-E-Mart after midnight. Within an hour, Mary finds out that magic is real, dragons are real, and that she is a Dwarf instead of a short bearded lady. Oh, also that her new Elven friend is on the run from thugs, a wererabbit bounty hunter, and a reptile man businessman. It might have been safer if she’d just stayed in the store that night!

The manuscript is over the half-way point and I’ve already been meeting with the cover artist for this one, the talented Kayla Suppapong, and there be sketches! Enjoy!

Starving Review Update: Submission Rules and Such!

A quickie update as I prepare for upcoming events, I have revised the submission rules for a Starving Review.

In essence, review submissions are open … kind of. I will be taking a VERY LIMITED amount of submissions, books that make in impact on me from authors that can impress their true passion and wit on me. So do your best and if I don’t get back to you, do not feel ignored or insulted.

Weekend Musings: The Hype is Real and it’s Marvelous! a.k.a. Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite and Captain Marvel

So that happened today.

And while I know my focus is usually purely writing, you probably have all gleaned that I enjoy video games AND I’m a big fan of Marvel comics. So this is obviously super hype for me and not simply because this is a return to a storied video game franchise that spans decades.

It also featured prominently my favorite superhero, Captain Marvel a.k.a. Carol Danvers, a character I have followed through ups and downs, highs and lows. Now only am I psyched to finally play my favorite hero in a fighting game, I am also smiling at seeing her placed not only in the reveal trailer, but in the big hero spot, facing off against the perennial face of Capcom, Ryu.

Putting great characters front and center is great. Putting forward great characters that help increase representation is even better.

But to paint the proper, fun-loving fanboy tone: ‘IT’S CAPTAIN MARVEL! HOLY CRAP! THE DREAM LIVES ON! SQUEEEEE!’

General News: A Birthday Update

Just a real quick one here, as it is my 40th birthday and there are things that require my now-mature attention:

The Twelfth Labor is now available in paperback, either through Amazon or through CreateSpace.
As I got two Starving Reviews out early in the week, this Friday’s content will be a fresh Writing Is A Bad Habit, with reviews back next Friday.
My big solo-authored sale is still on for another day. Get all my solo-written e-books from Amazon for only $.99 USD a piece!

Now I’m going back to enjoying my birthday! See you all again on tomorrow!

Starving Review: Heirs to Eternity by Eka Waterfield

Heirs to Eternity by Eka Waterfield (Amazon)

A rarity here, my foodies, as I must start this review with a bit of full DISCLOSURE: I performed editorial work for this particular title.

That being said, let’s begin. The urban fantasy genre is a big one, growing larger by the day, and it may seem that most every flavor available for that genre has been tried out already. If you said that, you’d likely be right. However, as we all know, it isn’t the particular flavors in a recipe but how they are blended and mixed that makes the dish. Does Heirs to Eternity find that proper blend or is it wildly overspiced?

Before we take a taste, let’s examine the Staving Review kitchen guidelines:

I attempt to rate every book from the perspective of a fan of the genre
I attempt to make every review as spoiler-free as possible

As I noted above, the trick to creating fine literary cuisine isn’t finding something ‘new’. It is taking old ingredients and combining them in new or at least intriguing ways. In that way, Ms. Waterfield find success with Heirs. There are many classic elements both to general fiction and urban fantasy recipes in particular here: an Odd Couple set of protagonists, hidden magic in the modern world, overarching metaplots looming behind a more straightforward core plot, immortals, demons, and gods among men. The rub is how they mix together and the proportions here.

The big throughline, the core ingredient that makes this mixture bubble, is the exploration of relationships. Every motion of the characters and the plot are tied down to the relationships those characters have. Friends, enemies, lovers, family, all manner of relationship is explored over the courses of the meal and it is in that deep-down character drama that Heirs is at its best.

What this boils down to is this: Heirs to Eternity goes above the standard urban fantasy fare by the depth of its characters and relationships. If you are looking for a new urban fantasy mix, especially a character-driven one, then this is right up your alley. If you want the focus to be on high-octane action, you might be looking for a different meal.

FINAL VERDICT: ***** (A meal that goes above the standard urban fantasy fare by the depth of its characters and relationships!)

Starving Review: Ambrosia by the Sea (By The Sea Book 1) by Traci Hall

Ambrosia by the Sea (By The Sea Book 1) by Traci Hall (Amazon)

There are times, my literary foodies, that we have to sit back and enjoy life’s simpler pleasures. While we may often pine for ground-breaking and complex genre fusions and intense deconstructive works, what we don’t realize is that often all we want is a good meal, even if it is a deceptively simple one. Today’s meal has the aroma of just such a meal. A straightforward, character-driven, contemporary romance, there are no implications of vast complexity in Ambrosia by the Sea, so let’s see if simple is best in today’s review.

Before we discover the truth, let us check the Starving Review rules:

I attempt to rate every book from the perspective of a fan of the genre
I attempt to make every review as spoiler-free as possible

If a recipe can’t rely on the complex spices inherent to a complex genre or fusion blend, then it had better stick the fundamental ingredients to all good literature. Here is where Ambrosia proves that its literary cooking matches up to the cooking depicted in the book itself. The real impression on the reader is made through the strong characters and dynamics of the meal.

The chef here shows a great skill in crafting wholly believable characters, as well as the good sense to show proper focus. Some chefs might start throwing around large numbers of characters, doubling down on what they are proficient in, but Ms. Hall keeps the spotlight on a small cast and most especially on our two lead protagonists. She knows what works best for this type of recipe and has the discipline to stay on target.

And that really really works here. The romantic chemistry leads to rich flavors, while still giving the world a lived-in feel by adding just the right amount and depth of minor characters. Everyone feels three-dimensional with enough hints as to past histories and current lives to not feel like tools left about for the protagonists to interact with, something that is easier talked about than put into practice.

Really, to say much more could veer into SPOILER territory, so let’s wrap this up.

Ambrosia by the Sea is a simple but delightful romantic meal that does everything you would want it to. If you are looking for a romantic tale that feels real despite the sleepy resort town setting, definitely pick this one up.

FINAL VERDICT: ***** (A simple but delightful romantic meal that does everything you would want it to!)

Book News: The Twelfth Labor Arrives!

The journey is done and the quest is completed! The Twelfth Labor, the no-holds-barred finale to the wrestling adventure epic of Three Seconds to Legend! Grab your e-book copies now for an introductory sale price of $.99 USD from Amazon now!

Book News: Happy Thanksgiving! Have A Book Sale!

First off, as the title suggests, I want to wish everyone out there a happy Thanksgiving, assuming you celebrate that holiday in your neck of the world. Even if you don’t, have a happy Thursday!

Second, because of said holiday, tomorrow’s Starving Review might be delayed a day or two, but it will be coming soon on the heels of Friday.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly in general, all of my solo titles will be going on SALE starting tomorrow! Black Friday, baby!

Indomitable and The Opening Bell will be FREE e-books from Friday through Saturday (11-25 through 11-27).
The Tale of the Tape, Indefatigable, Incorruptible, and The Songstress Murders will be $.99 USD e-books for a FULL WEEK from Friday through next Friday (11-25 through 12-1).

Get them while you can! Read up and get ready for the release of The Twelfth Labor, the last chapter of Three Seconds to Legend, at the end of the month!

Until next time, good reading, good writing, and good luck!

Monday Update: Everybody Loves A Sale! a.k.a. Black Friday and Beyond!

As there is a lot of work to do in preparation for the release of The Twelfth Labor next week as well as finishing my next manuscript (expect previews soon!), and general holiday madness, today’s update will be a quickie but a goodie!

Speaking of holidays, Thanksgiving is this week which means that Black Friday, the infamous shopping extravaganza follows right after as well as Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday and so on. I’m not one to be left out of the excitement, so I’ll be handing out sales like candy starting this Friday!

So keep an eye out for the details later this week! Until then good reading, good writing, and good luck!