Book Review: Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book takes logic programming and interpretation of human interaction via robot automation to the next level. It was a very clever and enjoyable read. After falling in love with books about robots again from the likes of Murderbot, this book and the main character Charles/Uncharlres is just what I needed! In the modern era, where AI is becoming a part of our lives, it’s good to look at how programming and algorithmic logic can misinterpret reality in this dystopian sci-fi humorous and thought-provoking tale of murder by robotic/automation.

TLDNR: Robot who accidentally murders his master, avoids decommissioning, and embarks on several journeys to rediscover his purpose in life. 4 stars!



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Book Review: Lightlark by Alex Aster

Lightlark by Alex Aster
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I struggled to finish this book. The marketing stuff I originally read about this book compared it to The Hunger Games, but I don’t seem to find those claims now- it seems to have disappeared, or the marketing was revised.

I borrowed this book from my local online digital library three times. I kept losing interest in the book, which was auto-returned with a waitlist. I kept losing interest and putting it down. Overall, by the third loan, I wanted to finish it to see if there were some redeeming qualities at the end. It did have some, somewhat, but not in a big way, and I am not so sure the journey was worth getting to the destination (the end).

In general, character motivations, the reveal at the end, the character depth, and much of the dialog fell flat and lacked dimension. The world-building was good, and the plot, though not what I expected because of how the book was marketed, was also not bad. It was not 100% uninteresting, but it was a struggle to keep going. I don’t see myself reading the second book at this point, not with a “to read” list a mile long.

Maybe I have to let this one sit for a bit and then go back again. Maybe… and then again, maybe not.

I rate this one 2 stars because the author did, in fact, write a YA fantasy book with some romance and some magic, just not to the quality or interest level that I would have expected or desired to invest my time in reading.

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Book Review: Abducting Abby by S.E. Smith

Abducting Abby by S.E. Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Plot 3/5
The basic story about alien dragon shapeshifters with symbionts crashing on Earth, mating with humans, and taking them back to their homeworld, with a species-level expansion subplot (finding mates to, well, mate with) and a faction war in progress, was intriguing.

Characters 4/5
The characters are well described and easy to imagine, including the dog, the symbionts, and Abby’s antagonist at the beginning. Character description-wise, the characters are well done. Character development-wise, some reactions, and acceptance of the situations seemed too fast, almost forced instead of coming naturally.

World-Building 5/5
The setting and the descriptions of both Earth and the alien planet, coupled with the base idea of alien dragon shapeshifters with symbionts, are well done.

Cover Design 3/5
The cover is average, in my opinion; it doesn’t give me a clue about the alien’s aspect, the Dragon-shapeshifting aspect, or the symbiotic relationship with the aliens. It appears like just another romance cover.

Spice 3/5
There are two main issues with the spice.
(1) The Abby Zoran relationship was Insta-love, rushed and instant. Even with the trope of a Dragon shapeshifter, it was rushed
(2) Abby, a virgin, goes from having sex one time with Zoran to expertly accepting anything he wants to do to her, like some sex professional.
A slower buildup and acceptance of both (1) and (2) would have made the plot and spice more believable.

Pace 3/5
The events happened quickly, including the relationship, transformation, and acceptance by Abby.

Engagement 4/5
Despite several eye-rolls with insta-love, insta-intimacy, and insta-nymphomaniac status for Abby, who accepts and performs every and any sexual act, despite being a virgin the day before, the story kept my attention.

Standouts
Alien shapeshifter Dragons with Symbionts!

Overall, the story was entertaining and kept my interest.
I give this one 3/5 stars overall.

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Book Review: Dragon Den by Kriss Dean

Dragon Den by Kriss Dean
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In her debut novel, Dragon Den, Kriss Dean spins a masterful tale of a young man, Markus Fredriksen, who hails from a modest family and has a lifelong dream—to break and ride a dragon. Along the way, Markus encounters a young woman, Amira Obi, who’s from the other side of the tracks and comes from a loving and wealthy family that owns several ginormous blacktail dragons. Amira’s family has been tragically wronged by others, putting her at odds with the institutions that can deliver Markus’s dream to him.

Dragon Den is an urban fantasy packed with action, intrigue, and a heated romance that takes you on a wild ride with Markus and Amira chasing their hearts’ desires. You’ll love, laugh, and even cry as they take you along this wild ride through Dragild Military School and the institutions threatening to tear this young romance apart.

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Book Review: Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This brilliant novel by Agustina Bazterrica is about society after “the transition” where an event happens, and all animal meat on Earth becomes poison to humans. The world governments normalize raising and eating “special meat” – i.e., humans as cattle, but they don’t call it cannibalism- or any other words that make you think twice about what you are slaughtering and what you are eating.

This book goes there and answers the question: is cannibalism a taboo subject? It’s masterfully addressed. If you are squeamish, don’t read this vividly described book, but if you are curious and can stand a little bit of vivid description, it will 100% keep you reading and on the edge of your seat right up until the last page (as the book cover states.)

Disclaimer: This book is not for those with a weak constitution!

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Book Review: The Valkyrie by Kate Heartfield

The Valkyrie by Kate Heartfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wholeheartedly enjoyed this book—a well-written telling of a story set in Norse mythology. The story revolves around a fallen Valkyrie named Brynhild, exiled to Midgard by Odin. What comes is a tale involving Norse Gods, the Roman Empire, Atilla the Hun, and many fantasy and Norse mythology elements that resonate well with me. Norse Gods such as Loki, Odin, Hel, Freyja and prominent figures such as Sigurd and, mythical figures like Valkyrie, the Disir, a Lindwyrm (a serpent-like dragon without wings), and much more are part of Brynhild’s adventure. The novel contains war, intrigue, betrothals, marriages, betrayal, and politics. I also love the setting and rich world-building Kate Heartfield immerses the reader which includes several of the fabled realms connected by Yggdrasil, the world tree, specifically Midgard, Hel, Niflheim, and places such as Valhalla, Helheim, and Folkvang.

It’s an excellent pick for anyone interested in Norse mythology.

The book is available for purchase on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3rZ1CBh 

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Book Review: Rescued by G. Miki Hayden

Rescued by G. Miki Hayden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rescued is a delightful and inspirational tale that keeps you hooked until the end. The story is about a neglected yet bright and creative child, Jay. He first approaches life simply and humbly, making the best of his bad situation and circumstances. Along his journey, Jay meets people who treat him with kindness and compassion, the opposite of how his own family behaves toward him. Despite his rough start in life and unfortunate circumstances, Jay’s character undergoes a transformation, aided by friends and the people he encounters. The novel is inspirational and uplifting. Hayden paints the story masterfully through Jay’s eyes, allowing the reader to see the story unfold starting from a young child’s point of view through adulthood.

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You can purchase this book from Amazon here: https://amzn.to/45SNSWI

Book Review: Stained by Karlijn Burkey

Stained by Karlijn Burkey
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Two stars, mainly for the author’s effort in writing a book. Technical aspects of the novel: Needs professional editing. i.e., expressions such as “Come on” written as “common” – other examples throughout the book are similar. Has multiple grammar issues, too. It has the feel of a self-edited book. Professional editing may have eliminated the technical issues, but the plot, story points, and something resembling a three-act structure was missing. The dialog is simplistic, the characters are one or two-dimensional, and there is a multitude of telling and little showing, i.e., not really a mix of both. The story plot, arc, and character development could be more refined. I finished the book because it was only 155 pages, but there was no hook, nothing to lead me from chapter to chapter, and more importantly, the opening to the following few pages. Typically, I stop reading a book without a hook. Honestly, I’m not sure why I continued with it. Still, I’m giving credit for the effort, as the author finished and self-published a book.

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Book Review: Beyond the Gloaming Pass by Rebecca Holmes

Beyond the Gloaming Pass: An Emotional High Fantasy Adventure by Rebecca Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beyond the Gloaming Pass by Rebecca Holmes is a beautifully written high fantasy story that mixes adventure, magic, and friendship in a rich and original world. The main characters are Molindra, a young woman who wants to become a mage, and Rubriel, her loyal friend and longtime companion. They leave their home in Bantria, a country under threat, and head to the mysterious Gloaming Mountains, facing many dangers and challenges, meet many new friends, allies, and enemies in a vivid and immersive world that draws inspiration from some of the most popular fantasy writers in modern times.

Holmes creates a unique world with a rich setting and plot arcs. Also, her storytelling skills shine through in the masterful, rich character development– even with the minor characters. In fact, one of my favorite minor characters in the book is Scoe, whom Rubriel meets along her journey to find Molindra in her adventures in the Gloaming Mountains. Scoe is such a well-written character that I’d love to see a future installment in the series all about Scoe and his backstory or perhaps his future in this rich world.

Beyond the Gloaming Pass is a captivating and immersive read that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Holmes creates a rich, complex world with vivid descriptions and fascinating lore. The characters are realistic and relatable, each with flaws and strengths. The plot is fast-paced and full of twists and turns, with plenty of action and emotion. The book also explores family, friendship, loyalty, identity, and destiny themes.

If you’re a fan of high fantasy, then you won’t want to miss Beyond the Gloaming Pass by Rebecca Holmes. It’s a thrilling and heart-wrenching adventure that will leave you wanting more.

The book is available for purchase on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3rUUENI

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Book Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a fascinating and complex novel that explores the themes of war, trauma, morality, identity, and power. It gives us a deeper insight into the world of Panem and its history and the character of Coriolanus Snow.

The novel is divided into three parts: The Mentor, The Prize, and The Peacekeeper. Each part follows a different stage of Coriolanus’s life and shows how he changes over time. The book is written in a third-person limited point of view, which allows us to see Coriolanus’s thoughts and emotions but also keeps some distance from him—a sharp contrast from Katniss Everdeen’s first-person point of view in the original Hunger Games trilogy.

The story is more fast-paced and action-packed than The Hunger Games trilogy but still engaging and, at some points, suspenseful. It has many twists and turns that keep you guessing until the end. It also has some references and connections to the original trilogy that fans will appreciate.

The novel doesn’t follow a typical hero’s journey or a redemption story. It is more of a tragedy or a cautionary tale that shows how a person can become corrupted by their circumstances and choices. It does not justify or excuse Coriolanus’s actions or behavior but explains them.

It challenges us to think about our society and how we treat each other. It asks us to consider what makes us human or inhuman, what drives us to violence or compassion, and what shapes our identity or destiny.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to fans and newcomers to The Hunger Games series. It is a worthy addition to Suzanne Collins’s dystopian saga that will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about Panem and its people.

The book is available for purchase here: https://amzn.to/40eoLwe

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