Tag Archives: Book Reviews

Dark Revelations: Level 26: Book Three (Level 26 Thriller 3) by Anthony E. Zuiker – REVIEW

Leave a reply

Today I’m reviewing Dark Revelations: Level 26: Book Three (Level 26 Thriller 3) by Anthony E. Zuiker

Here’s the blurb

Steve Dark has been tasked by the FBI with the ultimate search-and-destroy mission: to take down the
world’s most dangerous serial killers. Now he faces the most intricate, intense, and explosive case of his career.

The killer calls himself Labyrinth. The riddles, puzzles, and wordplay with which he announces his new targets have caused a worldwide media sensation. The case has already claimed a number of high profile individuals as its victims – not to mention several government agencies, which have tried and failed to stop a growing global panic.

But what point is Labyrinth trying to make? Who will be his next victim? It’s up to Dark to assemble an elite team from the remains of the international crime-solving community, find Labyrinth wherever he may be, and put a stop to the mayhem, once and for all.

But the mystery of who, where and what Labyrinth is, is the biggest riddle of them all. And if Dark doesn’t solve it, he knows he’ll be the next victim . . .

Review

In Dark Revelations Steve Dark joins a new team, Global Alliance. They have the funds and the connections that will allow Steve to do what he does best.. and that’s stop the worst of the worst..

Steve’s newest target is Labyrinth.. but the hunt is going to take him on a collision course with his old team, Riggins and Constance. They don’t understand why he’s left them behind.. and I think Steve just doesn’t care at this stage.. he’s a one man band.. he doesn’t want a team.. something Global Alliance will find out shortly..the team doesn’t exactly gel.

Labyrinth was a very interesting villain.. he’s got secrets that he’s willing to spill..I was conflicted if I’m honest.. his actions are despicable but he’s trying to right the world.. and that’s something I can get onboard with.

It’s been a very interesting series, and this book read as a standalone is pretty decent but if you compare to the 1st instalment it’s lost a little shine.. the original team..the red tape.. the realism.. that’s what hooked me in. Don’t get me wrong the plot was still really engaging and the added cut scenes you can access online really give it an extra punch but I felt we lost a little of the Steve Dark I loved.

I wish we had more time to see the team connections within Global Alliance and really would have loved to see Riggins and Constance join forces with Steve’s new team properly..

Overall a very interesting series that I’m glad I took the time to read. Shame there isn’t more.

4/5 Stars

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon.

The Fallen Girls: (Detective Clara Jefferies Book 1) by Kathryn Casey

Leave a reply

Today I’m reviewing The Fallen Girls: (Detective Clara Jefferies Book 1) by Kathryn Casey.

Here’s the blurb

She didn’t notice the corn stalks shiver a few feet to her right. By the time she looked up, the man towered above her. In a single movement he wrapped one thick hand around her waist, the other he clamped over her mouth, muffling her screams.

Detective Clara Jefferies has spent years running from her childhood in Alber, Utah. But when she hears that her baby sister Delilah has disappeared, she knows that the peaceful community will be shattered, her family vulnerable, and that that she must face up to her past and go home.

Clara returns to find that her mother, Ardeth, has isolated her family by moving to the edge of town, in the shadow of the mountains. Ardeth refuses to talk to the police and won’t let Clara through the front door, believing she and her sister-wives can protect their own. But Clara knows better than anyone that her mother isn’t always capable of protecting her children.

When Clara finds out that two more girls have disappeared, all last seen around the cornfields near her family’s home, she realizes it’s not just Delilah who’s in danger. And then she gets a call that a body has been found…

Clara will have to dig deep into the town’s secrets if she’s going to find Delilah. But that will mean confronting the reason she left. And as she gets closer to Delilah, she might be putting her more at risk…

Review

Detective Clara Jefferies escaped her home town many years ago… and didn’t look back….but it’s time to head home when her sister Delilah goes missing.

Clara has to face her past.. and judgement from everyone including her own family.. she needs to break down the walls to discover what has happened to her sister but no one is willing to talk.. she’s now an outsider.. and I think some are just angry she escaped and they didn’t!

Things get more tense when it becomes clear Dalilah isn’t the first young girl to go missing..

The town is full of secrets and the residents continue to stonewall the investigation but Clara knows she has to pile on the pressure to get some answers and fast! Time is running out to find her sister.

The Fallen Girls has a very tense, creepy feeling from the onset.. Clara was raised in an isolated polygamist society so you quickly see why no one is willing to trust her.. but soon she starts to make a little headway..but the slow pace just adds to the building tension!

As the story progresses we see events play out from different perspectives at times and this just added to the creepiness and psychological edge to the tale as you tried to work out who the killer is.. and why…most importantly will Detective Jefferies put the clues together and get there in time?

Not only was the plot intriguing but Kathryn Casey managed to portray the people, the setting, the emotions brilliantly..there was a very natural feel to the tale and that made it even more creepy.

When it comes to endings.. WOW.. those last few chapters had me gripped as the pieces came together as the action heated up.

Overall The Fallen Girls is dark, gritty and disturbingly brilliant. It’s like one of those true crime programmes or podcasts.. it’s so gruesomely enthralling.

5/5 Stars

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon

The Devil’s Pocketbook by Ross Jeffery – REVIEW

Leave a reply

Today I’m reviewing The Devil’s Pocketbook by Ross Jeffery.

Here’s the blub

Erik and Lara are in mourning for their daughter, who was born “incompatible with life”. To get away from their suffocating grief and the ever-present shadow their daughter has cast in their lives since passing, and desperately trying to recover their increasingly rocky relationship, they take a trip to the seaside town of Polperro, in Cornwall. But no sooner have they arrived, than they realize that their grief cannot be so easily eluded. Drawn to the waters, Erik and Lara discover a large Devil’s Pocketbook, and inside: the miracle child they could never have. Scylla.

Review

Erik and Lara are struggling with the loss of their daughter, it’s been a tough going for the couple when it comes to having a family and just when things seemed to be going well for them the worst happened and their one hope was lost to them.

They set out to reconnect.. to find a way to continue.. I don’t think either really know what they want any more…little do they know they are going to have to face the grief they are suffering head on!

While out one day they notice something in the water… a large Devil’s Pocketbook..a Devil’s Purse…the contents of which is a young frail girl, Scylla.

They take the young girl to their home.. to get her warm and safe while they decide what to do next.

Erik notices subtle changes in the way some locals look at them but doesn’t think too much of it.. Lara on the other hand is lost in her own world caring for Scylla. It’s like she’s been given a second chance to be a mother.

At first Scylla seems quiet and you don’t really know what to make of her.. could she be just the thing Eric and Lara need to heal?

Things quickly turn dark and gruesome, there’s violence, blood and death but Erik still can’t figure out what is actually happening.. it’s like he’s suffering blackouts..things are happening but he just has no knowledge of how..

Slowly, with the help of a couple of locals who don’t want to see another innocent person harmed Erik starts to see the truth but Scylla still has control of him.. he’s powerless at times to go against her will.

Gut wrenching isn’t the word.. it’s got so much depth.. it’s a horror tale but unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s heart destroyingly good as the couple face their grief in the worst possible way… it’s a battle of wills but are they strong enough?

I’ll not post spoilers but Scylla’s origins fascinate me..it’s the stuff of nightmares but makes for such a great tale… it’s a real cerebral pulverising read.. you get so much from the book but it takes from you too.. I dare you to read this an not feel emotionally drained but awestruck at the same time.

A real emotionally charged horror tale and one I’d highly recommend.

I wish I could recall who recommended this book to me but I’m so glad I picked it up. Not for the faint of heart that’s for sure!

5/5 Stars

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon!

Usurper:  (Victorinus Book 2) by Adam Lofthouse – REVIEW

Leave a reply

Today I’m going to be reviewing Usurper:  (Victorinus Book 2) by Adam Lofthouse!

Here’s the blurb

The second book in a thrilling new series of adventures set in Roman Britain. Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow, Ben Kane, SJA Turney and Gordon Doherty.

Wall of Hadrian. Britannia, 382 AD

War is creeping back into the land. As silent as snowfall, as inevitable as winter. They’ve had sixteen years of peace, but all things must end.

Tribune Sixtus Victorinus has grown old, complacent. Blind to the truth that stares him in the face, he contents himself with what he has. He runs errands for the Dux Britanniarum Flavius Maximus and watches with joy as his boys grow to become men.

It is his friend, Prefect Gaius Felicius, who first spots the signs. Once more, the Caledonian tribes are rearing their heads in the north, but the greatest danger does not lie with them.

For there is a new pretender to the throne of the West. Another man who seeks to drape himself in purple. Caught up in a scheme they cannot comprehend, Victorinus and Felicius must navigate their way through both a war in the depths of winter, and a treasonous plot that will shake the Roman Empire to its core.

A new age dawns on the men of the Britannia. For Victorinus, he must fight for the right to see the sun rise over it.

Usurper is the second book in the Victorinus series: an action packed, immersive military adventure that will sweep the reader through the tumultuous years of the late Roman Empire.

Review

Oh it’s good to have another book from Adam Lofthouse! The author never fails to surprise me with his masterfully woven tales.

As a fan of the author I’m of course going to tell you to read all his other books if you can, especially Victorinus Book 1, but truthfully the plot is so wonderfully written you don’t need to, all the detail is right there to get you up to speed quickly but at the same time naturally. If you haven’t read the 1st book I can guarantee after reading this you’ll want to that’s for sure!

I’m not going to say I’m an expert but I love this period of time.. Maximus, Theodosius and Gratian.. well known names to me and the genre but Lofthouse manages to bring some fresh energy to the scene!

We follow Tribune Sixtus Victorinus and Felicius as they serve the empire to the best of their ability.. but little do they know what’s coming for them. They once saved the empire from the biggest threat possible… and they are going to have to do it again!

War is coming and there’s plenty of battles for the gore fans, and I really liked the details added to formations of the horse units for example to help the reader really understand their place in the battles.. it’s like a chess game and a bad strategy can cause you a defeat.. but at the same time.. don’t take things for granted.. they might just be playing games with you..

Both characters are thrown into the thick of danger at every turn of the page..it’s just a full on adrenaline rush of the tale.. each forced to fight to stay alive.. but who are the enemies really? If you know the period you’ll have a good idea, the political landscape at the time was complicated to say the least and the men of the time only wanted one thing… power!

If anything I feel Adam Lofthouse just keeps getting better and better with his plot and the subtle details that make the characters come alive. I particularly liked that the author showed how tough being in the army could be on the soldiers’ feet! I doubt many of us today could march like the roman legions!

What really shines through is the relationships between the men.. forged in the heat of battle…theirs friendship, family, love.. it’s so beautifully lovely and brutal at the same time..then throw in those twists! Christ.. my heart could barely take it! if the author makes me worry about Amor in the next book as much as in this one I think I’ll be writing a strongly worded letter for sure ha ha.

I’m going to be perfectly honest and say I reckon the author needs to give the character Drost his own series now! Oh how I loved that man and his humour! He’s got so much going for him and I really could see his own tale working.

The setup for the next book in the series couldn’t have been better.. what Lofthouse does is leaves you with the taste for more..that’s not any easy thing to do.. sometimes endings can leave things flat… oh hell no.. not this story…I really do need more.

Lofthouse isn’t one of the best… he IS the best!

There’s only thing to say about this book.. SNAILS! Who knew.. well done to the author for another cracking read.. and whoever designed the cover needs a pay rise 😊

5/5 Stars

It’s only February but I’m tipping this as my pick of 2024 already!

To find our more head to Amazon or Goodreads

Tense Commandment by Frank Westworth – Review

2 Replies

Today I’m reviewing Tense Commandment by Frank Westworth. The Stoner Series Book 10.

Here’s the blurb.

Unconventional assassin JJ Stoner knows better than to accept a personal job from his violently volatile boss. But if your paymaster stalks the hallowed halls of Westminster, and if your girlfriend sells her body to a sordid clientele, and if you kill people for a living, well… sometimes you have to get your hands dirty.
Very dirty.

A witty mix of hardboiled humour and sinister manipulation. Recommended for readers who enjoy Walter Mosley, Derek Raymond and Don Winslow.

Tense Commandment is a self-contained short story which features characters from the Killing Sisters crime-thriller novels and the Stoner stories. It follows Nine Lies and introduces key characters from A Last Act Of Charity (and takes place quite a while before Charles III ascended, in case you were wondering). With an agile imagination, Tense Commandment can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story without reading the other books. Live dangerously!

Review

JJ Stoner has a special place in my heart I must admit. Tense Commandment is the tenth short story focusing on the events surrounding the witty assassin.

You can quite easily read the series as standalones but I very much believe the dark humour comes through so much clearer if you read them all.. It’s been a while since we’ve seen stoner but from the first page the smile was back on my face.. oh how I’ve missed him.

In this instalment we see the needs of Stoners employer and his more personal life clash a little. The Hardman has a target…but there’s an issue…Stoner isn’t the first to get there..

In typical Stoner style the fun, thought-provoking plot hits quick as we, along with Stoner try and figure out who is behind events and what does this mean for Stoner.. is someone setting him up? Are they after his girlfriend… or is it his employer whose being targeted? And how does he get out of this one with his arse intact?

It was great to see the character Stretch back in the action also… they are very much unconventional friends but boy they like to have some fun!

For fans of the series, it really is the best yet and just adds more depth to Stoner.

I’m not going to spoil the twists and turns but the ending did not disappoint at all.. and we are lucky enough to be given an extra short tale from the author. The short is called “AI”. I’m really not going to say much other than WOW. Westworth has only ever been known to me for one reason.. JJ Stoner.. AI just shows what skills the author really has at being able to take on another subject matter.. Westworth is the King of the short story!

5/5 Stars

To find our more head to Goodreads or Amazon!

Hunted (Michael Walker Thrillers Book 1)  by Simon Maltman. – REVIEW

Leave a reply

Today I’m going to be reviewing Hunted (Michael Walker Thrillers Book 1)  by the awesome Simon Maltman.

Here’s the blurb

1999.

Michael Walker – former IRA soldier, turned MI5 informer – is living in hiding in rural America.
A robbery at Walker’s home leads to his rare copy of the Irish Declaration of Independence being sold online. This proves to be the first link in the chain leading to his location being revealed.

Walker’s life is plunged into peril, as an IRA hit squad – led by Marty Sullivan – is dispatched to eliminate him. Sullivan, a former comrade, is out for blood.

Against the political backdrop of a struggling peace process back home, Walker goes on the run across the state of Pennsylvania and forges unlikely allegiances to survive.

Walker seeks help from his former British handlers, but he should have known that any assistance must come at a price.

Walker will not just remain a victim. He must fight back.

The hunted must become the hunter.

Review

I came across Simon quite randomly last year on Instagram and gave his newest release at the time Killer Casting a read. After being impressed I had to get a copy when Hunted was announced!

Michael Walker is a former IRA man.. he left that life behind after struggling with the aftermath of his actions.. the death and destruction brought to innocents during a very turbulent time for many.

He’s been off the radar for sometime but when a relic from his past is stolen it’s only a matter of time that until someone notices it, it’s link to him and comes looking!

Walker does what he does best and tracks down those who stole his property.. but things just get more complicated and he finds himself become close to Brandon, a young man caught up in everything..

Just when you think thinks might work out we find out it’s too late.. things are about to get so much worse.

When it’s clear shit is hitting the fan it’s time for Walker to contact his old handlers.. the issue is they don’t seems to really care.. or do they have other plans for him?

Soon an FBI agent is sent to aid Walker, Amy. She’s smart and a decent shot when needed but they quickly find themselves in deep trouble.. it’s like Walker is a magnet..

The bodies keep piling up and the only way out is to cut off the head of the snake… there’s a bit of a twist thrown in when Walker figures out just how he’s been played but he’s no choice.. it has to end now.

I really enjoyed the plot, and loved Walker..he’s tough that’s bloody clear from the outset but he also has a conscious.. he doesn’t claim to be anything other that what he is..what you see is what you get. He won’t apologise.. he did what he did.. but that doesn’t mean he will stand by while more innocents die.

The flow of the book was flawless! It’s paced so well it’s super easy to enjoy and demolish but that wasn’t the only thing that hooks you in..typically since I read a lot.. you can sometimes tell when an author has shoved in some detail to bulk a section of the story out..or bits that just doesn’t feel right or flow.. that’s not something Simon has issues with.. the development is seamless… the characters and their connections, everything just works and it had me hooked, like sitting in a movie theatre for 3 hours..

I tend to read while I commute to work.. I can’t tell you how much I just wanted to stay on the bus and head back the other way just to keep reading ha.

I do hope there’s more to come as I just feel it can only strengthen the character and it will be epic!

5/5 Stars

To find our more head to Amazon or Goodreads

BLOG TOUR – Protector of Mercia by M. J. Porter

1 Reply

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Protector of Mercia by M. J. Porter!

Here’s the blurb.

A deathbed oath leaves the lives of two infants hanging in the balance.

Tamworth AD833 After successfully rescuing her husband from the Island of Sheppey, Icel hears the deathbed confession of Lady Cynehild which leaves him questioning what he knows about his past, as well as his future.

In the unenviable position of being oath sworn to protect their two atheling sons when Lord Coenwulf is punished and banished for his treason against the Mercian ruler, King Wiglaf, Icel is once more torn between his oaths and the secret he knows.

When the two children are kidnapped, Icel, good to his word, and fearing for their safety, pursues their abductors into the dangerous Northern lands, fearing to discover who is behind the audacious attempt on their lives: the queen, the king’s son, or even Lady Ælflæd, a friend to him in the past, but now wed to the king’s son and aunt to the two abandoned children.

Alone in the Northern lands, Icel finds himself facing his worse fears. Can he rescue the children from their captor, or will he fail and lose his life in the process?

Review

Protector of Mercia is book 5 in The Eagle of Mercia Chronicles. The 1st book in the series was published less than 2 years ago but in this time, there’s been so much growth and development I can hardly believe it’s the 5th instalment already!

If you haven’t read the previous instalments I do recommend it but the author has the knack for explaining things as they go nicely so new readers would understand some of the background.. but most definitely do read the others in the series.. they are too good not to read!

We are back with Icel, and he now knows the truth about who is father really is….and that he himself has a claim to the throne. But it’s a throne he doesn’t want.

After the death of Lady Cynehild Icel promised to protect her children.. It might have been a last ditch selfish act from Lady Cynehild but never the less she was right to fear for them. Soon after their father is exiled the boys go missing and Icel has to figure out who took them and where they have been taken….right now the why doesn’t matter…but something just isnt sitting right..if you want these children out of the way why not just kill them?

Protector of Mercia is all about the tension..a tale of a manhunt as Icel uses all his skill and knowledge to find the children.. to keep them safe.. the main issue is who can he trust??

This instalment, like the previous ones is full of action but what I loved about this one more was the pace, it’s a harrowing journey and the author effortlessly puts you in Icel’s position.. the urgency.. the feeling of desperation.. the weariness of the journey.. the pace perfectly matched so you can actually feel how tired Icel must be.

I feel like Icel at times lost sight of everything else other then would the children survive but he needs to find out why they were taken and by whom..but it’s not going to be easy and the journey is taking him further and further away from safety.

Something I really love about this series is the authors knack of transporting you back to events that happened in a previous novel with only a few words, credit to the author that at the mention of Icel’s uncle my mind is instantly flooded with memories from book 1 in the series..This certainly is a series that will stay with you.

Overall this has to be my favourite instalment so far.. its’ one mans tale.. his feelings.. his desperation and desire not to fail. I couldn’t put it down! 5/5 stars.

My thanks go to MJ Porter, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing a copy of this ebook in return for my honest review, and to Rachel from http://www.rachelsrandomresources.com  for having me on the blog tour! I can honestly say I’ve ordered a kindle copy myself and the paperback will be soon to join my collection too!!!!

Why not follow the tour?

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/protectormerciasocial

Author Bio –

MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to Eleventh-Century England, and in Viking Age Denmark. They were raised in the shadow of a building that they believed housed the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia – so their writing destiny was set.

Social Media Links –  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/coloursofunison

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/m_j_porter/ 

Newsletter Sign Up:  https://bit.ly/MJPorterNews

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig – Review

1 Reply

Today I’m reviewing The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Here’s the blurb

Nora’s life has been going from bad to worse. Then at the stroke of midnight on her last day on earth she finds herself transported to a library. There she is given the chance to undo her regrets and try out each of the other lives she might have lived. Which raises the ultimate question: with infinite choices, what is the best way to live?

Review

I don’t think I’ve read anything more beautifully poignant than The Midnight Library.

The tale follows Nora as her life hits rock bottom.. she’s lost her job and her cat… that’s everything she held close.. not to mention her relationships are at an all time low…. She feels like her life is a failure. Just as she’s about to spend her last moments on Earth she finds herself transported to The Midnight Library.

In this library you get the chance to live the versions of your life you may have lived if you made different decisions. Nora gets the chance to undo her list of regrets.. she gets another chance at a life of happiness.. the issue is Nora isnt too interested..she doesn’t want to live..she’s made her choice.

Now here’s where the book just knocks it out of the park.. Nora slowly learns that perhaps having regrets isnt needed.. life isnt prefect and in each version of her life Nora she struggles to find happiness. There’s an important message shining through.. maybe we all just need to try to see the good in our lives rather than live with regrets.

Maybe things happen for a reason, maybe those relationships were meant to break down.

As Nora returns to the library after each journey we slowly see her outlook change.. maybe her life isn’t that bad aftrall..she finds herself wanting to live.. but she’s running out of time.

The Midnight Library is my first foray into the authors work and I’ve heard many a good thing. Based on stellar recommendations I felt it was time to give the author a try and I’m so glad I did.  

Overall, a beautifully written thought-provoking tale that helps you consider a very difficult subject. Mental health is very prominent these days, and righty so, but it’s not easy to understand since we are all very different. I really enjoyed how the author tackled the subject and I dare you to read this and try and tell me you didn’t feel differently at the end.

Easy 5*

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon! Or any good local retailor 😊

Para Bellum by Simon Turney – REVIEW

Leave a reply

Today I’m reviewing Para Bellum by Simon Turney!

Here’s the blurb

A powerful new novel set in the fourth-century Roman Empire by critically acciaimed historical novelist Simon Turney, Para Bellum will delight fans of Scarrow, Kane and Cornwell.

AD 381. Five years have gone by since a Roman governor ordered the deaths of a Gothic king and his attendants at a feast in their honour. This disastrous act led to warfare in the Roman Empire and the death of the Emperor Valens.

The Empire is now at peace, but the powerful brother of the murdered king has sworn revenge on the regicides, and will not rest until they are hunted down. For the eight legionaries who carried out the killings, the bloodshed is only just beginning.

Flavius Focalis is one of those legionaries. After narrowly surviving an attempt on his life, Focalis seeks to warn his former comrades, for he knows their enemy is implacable. So begins a deadly game of cat-and-mouse across the Empire, with far more than eight lives at stake. For war is coming – and the only question is: do they die now, or die later?

Review

Focalis awakes one night.. his solider senses tingling.. all is not right.

The past has come back to haunt him.. he knows why.. he’s been waiting for this day all his life… he would have accepted his fate, but not today, he has his son to think about.

It’s been many years since Focalis and his bunk mates acted on behalf of the empire but its time now to get everyone back together to come up with a plan.. there has to be a way out of this mess..the issue is it’s the Goths that are after them and they won’t give up easily.

We don’t learn quickly the events that have led to the Goth’s vengeance.. Focalis is struggling with his part in something.. but what? And what could they have done to earn the Goth’s attention? I loved the development.. perfectly paced with intrigue.

Innocents pay a heavy price along the way and we see a shift in Focalis.. vengeance is the word for this tale.. but who will have the last sword strike?

As Focalis and his son set out to round everyone up things quickly sour.. it’s clear quickly not everyone will make it out alive and the past has taken its toll on many.. but they aren’t done for yet!

What we end up with is a desperate fight of some of the legions finest.. against hundreds of Goths… the twist hit’s hard now and the truth of what happened years ago becomes clear.. is there anywhere safe for Focalis?

I’ve deliberately tried to keep the review spoiler free.. it’s too good to spoil.. but truth be told Simon Turney is a master at his craft. Historical fiction is his era but plots are his bread and butter. You can tell the effort put in to set the scene, tp pick the right moment in time but what Turney’s talent is, is to weave such a fascinating tale within that period setting, it’s the characters, the progression and depth, the energy.. the laughs… the torment..

Turney hints in the authors note around his own knowledge of the era, but that’s what makes him so good at writing.. so prolific..he knows how to expand on history.. there’s no point rehashing what’s been done..he gets the detail in but it’s all about the characters he creates.

What I really loved was the characters development, each man has their own talent and those scenes when they got to shine were brilliant..the enthusiasm bounced off the page!

Simon is a firm fav here on David’s Book Blurg.. and continues blow me away with his work. 5/5 stars.

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon! Or any good local retailor 😊

Colony One: A Space Colonization Adventure (The Elderon Chronicles Book 1) by Tarah Benner – REVIEW

Leave a reply

Today I’m reviewing Colony One: A Space Colonization Adventure (The Elderon Chronicles Book 1) by Tarah Benner.

I picked this one up for free on Amazon.. sucked in by one of the daily deal emails I receive. At least I can’t get in trouble from spending too much money on books this month eh? Ha

Here’s the blurb

Colony One is prepared for anything — except the saboteur who’s already on board.
For Jonah Wyatt, the Space Force is his last shot at a military career. After years leading an elite task force, he was discharged from the army and stuck working one menial job after another. Now this disgraced combat specialist is headed to space. He’s tasked with training his own unit aboard Elderon: colony one.
Nobody bothered to tell him it would be a squad of white-hat hackers and intel eggheads who are definitely not Space Force material. One recruit is Maggie Barnes — an undercover reporter who was brought on board as a member of the press corps. Her job is to create fluffy corporate propaganda that paints the colony as a futuristic utopia, but Maggie can’t follow the rules once she gets wind of a story.
When Maggie gets a tip from an unknown source, she realizes Elderon is not at all what it seems. As she gets closer to unraveling the conspiracy, Sergeant Wyatt begins to suspect that there’s a spy on board. The saboteur has been with them all along, and he’s been building an army of his own.

Review

So Colony One follows two main characters, Jonah and Maggie.

Jonah is ex-military, he’s clearly got baggage from his time serving and is definitely not happy with his life at the moment so when offered the chance to join Space Force he jumps at it.. what’s he got to loose.

We also meet Maggie, a reporter who is slowly being side-lined by artificial intelligence.. no one needs real reporters or news any longer.. the only thing they want is trash.,, but Maggie is the real deal.. she’s worth more than this so when she is offered the chance to join an expedition to Elderon, a space colony it doesn’t take long for her to decide.

While on Elderon Maggie can’t but help let her reporter instincts kick in. Something isnt right.. there’s a lot of military personnel…Space Force…. why.. where’s the danger?

Soon she has her way in.. a fake identity.. Maggie ends up under the command of Jonah and tensions grow between them in more way than one… but who is helping her.. it’s not exactly easy to get the documentation in place that they have.. what’s their motivation?

While in training things heat up and I really loved how the author showed each recruits development.. or lack of ha. As time passes and it’s clear the recruits aren’t cut out for this we we learn of a new device that may lead to recruits learning the skills needed faster.. but is it too good to be true.. it’s kind of a freaky piece of technology…abruptly we are forced to forget about this bit of kit as a cyberattack hits.. the bots that people depend on have turned on humans.. but it is an isolated incident and how did the hackers get into such sophisticated systems.. something isnt right here.. but what.

What I enjoyed about the book was the nice mixture of plot and character development. I’ve seen some negative reviews simply because this book doesn’t have an ending.. it’s book 1 in a series and I’ll forgive some as the book as been out since 2018 but to me the book set things up perfectly for a series..that cliff hanger ended was the perfect setup and hooked me.. I’ve already bought the next book in the series to see what happens next.

The pace and development of the plot was good and there’s a clear direction but I would have just loved to have seen a few more scenes between Maggie and Jonah to really build on their development. Saying that I think the author did a great job of the inner monologue.. to help you understand where the characters were at emotionally and knowing there’s more for me to read leaves me in little doubt I’ll see the development I love between characters.

Flow wise this book was super-fast and fun, the style of writing makes it very easy to follow, mix in an intriguing plot and for me it’s a strong 4 star book.

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon!