All posts by Nathan

Review

Past The Borders

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past_the_borderI’ve known of Christopher Ruz through mutual writer friends, but this was the first time I properly sat down and read his work. And let me tell you, I cannot recommend this collection highly enough. (In fact, when I put Past the Borders side-by-side with my own collection Hungry For You, I confess to a tingle of envy.)

Past the Borders is an unsettling speculative fiction collection of six short stories plus a novella. While the length varies widely from story to story, the crisp, sharp writing and almost naked honesty of emotion remain consistent throughout, creating a truly escapist read.

The collection starts off with a bang—the first story, Black Rain, is a stunning, nail-biting piece with subtle imagery and a quiet horror. A couple is trapped in a house by ceaseless black rain that plunges them into despair. How much of the darkness is real? How much of it is paranoia?

Then there’s Unknown Hunger. What begins as a straight up detective story strays off the beaten path and into the paranormal. An alcoholic man witnesses a mysterious death and is suspected of murder. The cops are sure of his guilt, but he can barely remember his own past… and at the heart of his memory loss lies a dangerous secret.

The collection continues from strength to strength with the cyberpunk They Trade In Eyes, which is my favourite piece (tied in first place with Black Rain). Here, Ruz explores a world where people upgrade their eyes to mechanical alternatives, depicting a bleak vision of the future (pun intended!). Choice excerpt: “People aren’t buying eyes to see. They’re buying eyes to know.”

Occupied is a strange, quietly sad story with excellent characters. A boy finds a note in a bathroom and decides to reply, striking up a lifelong correspondence with an unusual man. No Exit is a newspaper article set in the year 2094 in a post-apocalyptic Australia. The Aliens Came Alphabetically is a cleverly written ABC story about first contact.

The collection closes nicely with the longest piece, The Ant Tower, in which a magician leads a group of mercenary soldiers through the desert to recover a forgotten relic. I loved the world-building of this story, and the ending left me hungry for more.

What I most enjoyed about this dark collection was that each story offers a fresh take on the speculative. Christopher Ruz explores some highly original ideas whilst creating evocative settings and very believable characters.

If I had to nitpick, this collection is lacking in female perspectives, as the majority of protagonists are male. But why complain when what is on offer is so good?

What are you waiting for? Grab Past the Borders. You won’t regret it.

About The Reviewer

AMHarteA.M. Harte is a London-based speculative fiction enthusiast and chocolate addict whose work includes the dark fantasy novel “Above Ground” and the zombie love collection “Hungry For You”. She is excellent at missing deadlines, has long forgotten what ‘free time’ means, and enjoys procrastinating at http://amharte.com

Review

The Fifth House

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Fifth_HouseI loved everything about this book.

Like the first book, the pacing is excellent, but unlike the first book there are two first person points of view. It took a bit of getting used to in the first couple chapters, but once I got into the rhythm, it flowed beautifully. Every section is left on a mini-cliffhanger, making you turn the page to see what happens next.

I was doing a final proof-read for the book, and told Andy I would have it back to him in three weeks. It only took me one.

The way themes re-emerged from the first book to be bigger and badder than before was excellent. The voices of the two main characters were distinct. I found myself liking Allin’s humour more than Tyena’s straight shooting attitude, but both were well written.

The action was well done, with enough description to paint a picture in my mind without it being laborious and slow.

The villains are excellent. At one point I was actually sympathetic to their cause, but I got over it. They do have my new favourite creature on their side, though – the weresquid. I don’t know where Andy gets the ideas for some of his mad creations, but they’re amazing!

This book is a “must read,” and I’m looking forward to the next one!

About the Reviewer

ToxopeusRyanmedHusband, father, and researcher, Ryan Toxopeus spends his free time working on his epic fantasy trilogy, Empire’s Foundation. He started writing the first book, A Noble’s Quest, in 2010 and fell in love with all aspects of storytelling. He focuses on fast paced, character driven plots. His motto: “If I’m bored writing it, others will be bored reading it.”

Learn more about Ryan and his work at https://prcreative.ca/ryan/

Review

Hush Money

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hush_moneyHush Money is the promising debut of Susan Bischoff‘s Talent Chronicles series, a YA urban fantasy series that — rather refreshingly — avoids any mention of vampires or sparkling (because teens are interested in more than just blood-sucking).

High school girl Joss has done everything in her power to go unnoticed. She eats alone, carefully controls her grades, and doesn’t even think about talking to her crush. Because Joss has a terrible secret: she’s has a Talent… and kids with psychic abilities tend to mysteriously disappear. Then new girl Kat joins the school, and puts herself into harm’s way whilst rescuing Joss from the school bully. In a world in which psychic abilities are punishable by imprisonment, Joss must choose between keeping her secret and doing what’s right to save a friend.

Susan Bischoff has played her cards right: she has managed to write a captivating, engaging tale perfect for teens as well as all of us who… errr… aren’t quite teens any more. In a YA market over-saturated with the same old stories,Hush Money is a breath of fresh air and more besides: it is a fast-paced, engaging introduction to the Talent Chronicles series which will leave you hungry for the sequel.

What truly sets Hush Money apart from its contemporaries are the characters. You’ve got the high school loneliness and angst of early Smallville, the large crew of cool X-men like-powers, but most importantly you have teenagers who are three-dimensional believable people. Joss and her crush Dylan are the protagonists, with the story alternating between their points of view, but the strong character depth extends beyond the main players, creating a fully-fleshed setting which you’ll enjoy sinking into. Furthermore, there is none of this “we were destined to be together” malarkey — in true awkward teen style, the romance is light-hearted, bumbling, and achingly sweet.

The plot had a good mixture of high school drama and larger overpowering (governmental) threat, and while the issue is partially resolved, Susan Bischoff has planted many small seeds which will lead to a gripping, addictive series. After all, while Hush Money is dedicated to introducing the characters, world and dangers, the novel hints that there will be far more at stake in times to come.

My only nitpick? While I enjoyed the alternating points of view — particularly because they were so distinct, and true to each character — the initial few pages felt a little forced. Joss’ use of ‘like’ felt a little contrived, a little “trying too hard to be a teenager”… but either the voice improved, or the story sucked me in soon after, because it didn’t bother me throughout the rest of the novel.

Overall, Hush Money is just the tip of what might become a very huge iceberg. Be careful if you skim past this novel, because even with the smallest scratch you might find yourself sinking right in.

About The Reviewer

AMHarteA.M. Harte is a London-based speculative fiction enthusiast and chocolate addict whose work includes the dark fantasy novel “Above Ground” and the zombie love collection “Hungry For You”. She is excellent at missing deadlines, has long forgotten what ‘free time’ means, and enjoys procrastinating at http://amharte.com

Review

The Minus Faction – Episode 1: Breakout

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breakoutThe Minus Faction-Episode 1: Breakout by Rick Wayne is a perfectly paced thriller-adventure with superheroic elements.

Captain John Regent is a paraplegic veteran, a favorite patient at the hospital where he now lives, the kind of guy everyone wants to talk to. Some might feel sorry for him, since his service cost him his mobility, but he’s not as limited as it might, at first, appear. He’s got an usual ability (which I won’t spoil for you in this review).

When his secret talents attract the attention of the government, he has some choices to make. Wayne’s main character is a fascinating hero, one of those men who has hidden depths and is truly willing to go to extremes for what he feels is right. It’s an action packed beginning to a series, a real page-turner with no fat or filler.

I recommend it for readers who enjoy a fast and exciting read.  

About The Reviewer:

BRYANT-CroppedSamantha Bryant is a middle school Spanish teacher by day and a mom and novelist by night. That makes her a superhero all the time. Her debut novel, Going Through the Change: A Menopausal Superhero Novel is now for sale by Curiosity Quills.

Learn more about Samantha and her work at http://samanthadunawaybryant.blogspot.com/

Review

The Only City Left

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Only_City_Left

Generally speaking, I don’t like first person point-of-view (POV). I find it constricting in an uncomfortable sort of way because a lot of authors do it poorly. It’s a delicate balance of keeping things interesting around the main character, while also giving the reader the impression that there are still important things going on in the larger world.

That said, Andy Goldman pulled it off beautifully. The only point I had difficulty with was Allin’s ceaseless and unflappable desire to see the Roof of the World. I knew he wanted to, and it was important to him, but it never came across clearly in the book why this one particular goal was such a strong driving force for him that he would put his life in jeopardy. But then, he doesn’t sound like he had much to live for at the start, anyway.

The scenery was described with just enough information to paint a picture in the reader’s mind without going overboard. Some of the places in the City were downright creepy and one left me feeling uncomfortable. I still feel a knot in my stomach thinking about it!

The cast of characters is interesting and different from anything I’ve read before, and I loved the cats. I kind of want to dress up my cat Bob in a poncho and rename him Tumble. Except my lazy beast has little in common with the adventurous cat depicted in this book.

Without getting into spoilers, the ending is satisfying. That’s a big one for me with books lately, because I’ve been finding endings that are either half-assed or just dropped right in the middle of things in an attempt to get me to buy the next book to see how it continues. Those types of tactics don’t work with me. I hate that, and will often refuse to get the second book on principle.

About the Reviewer

ToxopeusRyanmedHusband, father, and researcher, Ryan Toxopeus spends his free time working on his epic fantasy trilogy, Empire’s Foundation. He started writing the first book, A Noble’s Quest, in 2010 and fell in love with all aspects of storytelling. He focuses on fast paced, character driven plots. His motto: “If I’m bored writing it, others will be bored reading it.”

Learn more about Ryan and his work at https://prcreative.ca/ryan/

Review

Erelia

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ereliaI picked this up at Starfest 2016 this year – the cover really drew me in. It was both simple and evocative.  This fantasy novel dives right into the story, beginning with Gavyn recounting a near miss of the life or death variety. You quickly realize that you are watching a number of threads that are loosely woven being drawn in more and more to create something.

But what? Initially, I couldn’t tell what the problem was, in the initial sections that introduced Gavyn, Kiril, and Rek. While other characters get stage time, these are the three main stories that we follow. We discover that their individual concerns are bringing them all together, and I couldn’t tell whether or not that would be a positive meeting. It certainly suggests that the meeting will cause change and problems for more than just these three.

I love Gavyn. I love the idea that someone gives up a pretty swanky life for a life of the unknown, and then, as events unfold, has cause to question his decision, and even bitterly regret it. It usually happened when Gavyn was in fairly dire straits, but I have to be honest – I snickered at his bemoaning his lost life. It’s very believable, and something most of us can relate to. I thought the characterization of him by Odo was rather harsh, but again, it was believable. We see Gavyn through his eyes; seeing him through the eyes of another is a wake-up call to not only Gavyn, but the reader (or at least, this reader).

Kiril is equally interesting. He wants to do the right thing, he knows what the expected thing is, but he no longer believes, or likes it. There are many things in his world, in the structure he’s a part of, that are done in the name of “for the good” and it’s interesting and rather sad discovering that the only good these actions help are the good of those in charge. Sounds real life, doesn’t it? He also has a lost love interest that is not completely in the past, and following his meandering over that is something I like to read.

Finally, we are with Rek, one of the three children featured in this work. I really like him, as well as Laria, one of the other children. The third child, Elsu, drove me mad, and I just wanted him to get a serious grounding. In Kiril and Rek’s world, however, there’s no gray area of “just being kids”. Everyone, even from a young age, understands the societal expectations, and if you don’t follow them, there are consequences. They are far more intense than grounding.

At the end of Book 1, all the threads of these various people are just on the verge of being drawn tight. It ended in a way that suggests there has to be another book. There needs to. I started this unsure of whether or not I would enjoy it. I read it in one sitting, and couldn’t put it down. Lee draws you along in such a manner that you’re turning each new page as fast as you can read it, and before you know it, you’re ready to pull an all-nighter.

If you enjoy fantasy, this is a great book. I am looking forward to Book 2!

About The Reviewer:

LisaHeadshotLisa Manifold is fortunate to live in the amazing state of Colorado with her husband, two kids, two dogs, and one offended cat.

She enjoys skiing and carting kids and dogs to wherever they need to go, and she adores “treasure hunting” at local thrift stores. Her other hobbies include costuming within her favorite fandoms and periods

Learn more about Lisa and her work at http://www.lmmanifold.wordpress.com/

Review

Derelict

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derelict_coverThis is great!

As a matter of fact, I think it’s the best indie book I’ve read, and I’m going to put it in my mental list of books I’d suggest for my kids to read when they’re older.

The four main characters are well fleshed out and following their individual stories fully immersed me in their lives. Each character had problems with their parents (who doesn’t at that age?), but as the story unfolds you learn more and more that puts you fully in the kids’ corners.

I think the only thing I found to be somewhat unbelievable was how each of the four kids on the backwater space station was a genius at something. Ro and Jem with their programming, Barre with his music, and Micah with his botany. If there were other young people on the station, I don’t remember them being mentioned, but the fact that it’s a lightly populated base makes it statistically improbable that you’d have 4 kids who are undoubtedly geniuses.

That one minor point aside, the book was incredible. Just when you think things can’t get worse they do. I was waiting for one other shoe to drop at the end, but it didn’t play out the way I anticipated. And that was fine. I like being wrong sometimes, and by the end of the book I was more than ready for the kids to have one less obstacle in their paths!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast-paced, intriguing stories with no shortage of action and suspense.

About the Reviewer

ToxopeusRyanmedHusband, father, and researcher, Ryan Toxopeus spends his free time working on his epic fantasy trilogy, Empire’s Foundation. He started writing the first book, A Noble’s Quest, in 2010 and fell in love with all aspects of storytelling. He focuses on fast paced, character driven plots. His motto: “If I’m bored writing it, others will be bored reading it.”

Learn more about Ryan and his work at https://prcreative.ca/ryan/

Review

Bodyguard of Lies

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Bodyguard-of-Lies-187x300E. M. Hartshorn’s Bodyguard Of Lies takes the reader into the gritty underbelly of a not-Earth civilization in a future where the struggle for daily bread leads some to the gladiatorial arena.

This well-crafted tale follows Sabra in a journey from the arena to the highest echelons of corporate skulduggery. When she’s contracted to serve as the bodyguard for one of the drug cartels, she discovers her brother enmeshed in the mercenary forces of a rival company.

Hartshorn kicks the reader out of anything like a comfort zone with face-shifters, religious fanatics, and corporate greed. She weaves a tale of families and betrayal, of comrades and combat. Not exactly military SF. Not exactly space opera. Not exactly your average dystopian tale of failure and despair. The grim darkness of her tale glimmers with a quiet undercurrent of hope and potential redemption.

Grab a sample and see for yourself.

About the reviewer:

NathanLowell_150x150Nathan Lowell has been writing science fiction and fantasy most of his life. He started publishing in 2007 and has no intention of stopping any time soon.

Learn more about Nathan Lowell and his works at http://nathanlowell.com

General

Watch This Space

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More and more indie authors rise to the surface every day. Across a variety of genres in a variety of forms, new voices speak to new readers from around the world. Too often I feel constrained by what I can recommend to my core fans and so I don’t share as much about these new voices as I might.

I’m partial to novels and so overlook shorter works. I read mostly science fiction and fantasy, but occasionally dip into other genres. I wanted a place where authors – including me – can talk about the books they enjoy rather than the books they write.

For readers, I want this to be a place where you can find interesting new authors and participate in the conversation about titles that might not be at the fore front of the store front.

I’ve started collecting reviews. I hope to post a fresh review three times a week but that will depend on how many other authors I can convince to play along. I’m looking forward to the experiment.

Watch this space.