Author Garth Pettersen provided me with an e-copy of Ravens Hill : The Atheling Chronicles #5 for pre release review.

Starting with the only negative: the chapters are too long for this reader. Longer chapters sometime discourage me from continuing to read because I prefer to pause at a new chapter. This book rendered this complaint moot. After completing 60% of the story, I was unable to stop until I finished the book. It was so engaging I literally could not stop reading.

The continuing saga of Harald and Selia is so engrossing. It captures the reader and refuses to let go. Author Pettersen immerses his readers in a long passed time and culture the reader will be loathe to leave. Set around 1030 AD, the reader is brought into the environs of a land ruled by kings or their vassals. We experience the day to day lives of the commoner as they interact with or react to the rulers of the time. Harald and Selia fully participate in the community they literally own. They draw the reader into the minutia of life in those times. Characters to love and others to despise are judiciously scattered throughout the story. Accurate? I'm not the one to say. Entertaining? You bet!

Court politics, questionable loyalties, personal trials and tragedy, evildoers and heroes. All are well developed in this epic tale. As the title identifies, this is the fifth installment of the story of Harald son of King Cnute, the somewhat unwilling hero. Unlike many multi installment stories, The Atheling Chronicles focus on different aspects of Harald and Selia as they experience different challenges and upheavals in their quest for a stable life. Each installment is a completely new and independent (but not unconnected) story. The narrative is rich, the characters are skillfully developed and even the most mundane details are fully explored. Pettersen is a master storyteller.

I strongly encourage you to give this series and especially this installment a look. I think you will be happily hooked. I eagerly await what is to come in this chronicle, so will you. Enjoy!

 

I won a print copy of Psyche and Eros by Luna McNamara in a Goodreads Giveaway. 

At first I had a bit of trouble reading this book as some of the things I remembered from college courses on mythology didn't seem to match. I skipped ahead to the author's note (something I rarely do) and got some clarity enabling me to sit back and enjoy the ride. 

Though not a romance fan, I did enjoy reading about mythic gods being petty and stupid at times. This aspect made the story much more palatable and engaging. The story starts a bit slow and builds in intensity, action and drama as it progresses. By the end I was thoroughly enthralled. 

So, readers of mythology may have a bit of trouble reconciling currently held ideas about these characters with some of the license this author has taken in her telling of the story, i.e. mixing Greek and Roman settings and names and varying story details. The author explains this in her notes when she shares that "Myths are not written in stone. They are organic, evolving structures...". Probably not an outlook popular in a college lecture hall where it is harder to quantify students absorption of the material if such license is allowed.

Given this idea that mythological stories can and do, evolve, author Luna has done an admirable job of retelling this long standing love story, making it engaging and fresh. Enjoy!

 

Author Adam Fike provided me with a print copy of Lights Along The Interstate for review. This book seems to me to be an exposition on the human condition. The author uses the many characters to explore various aspects of life choices and the consequences of such. Reasonably then, at times the narrative becomes quite depressing and at others, uplifting, humorous, frightening but overall satisfying. I will admit that I could not read it in one sitting though it is not long at all. It is just so intense. Lights Along The Interstate is not a light read. Be prepared to do some thinking with this one. You may even find some of your beliefs challenged. If you are in the mood for a deeper experience with a book, this one is for you. Enjoy

 

I have the opportunity this time to do something I rarely get a chance at: Review a book that has not yet been released. I often receive books prior to release but usually too close to release to get a review in.

Author Kel Paisley gave me a look at The Great Hunter though it is not yet available. 

The story is set in prehistoric England. The story of Garetto in his quest for the antlers of a great stag. The acquisition of which will earn him the coveted moniker Great Hunter. There are several subplots interwoven into the main story, several of which could seemingly be spun into subsequent books. When I questioned the author as to this possibility, I was informed that such is possible if the story does well. 

Given the quality of the writing, the story's ability to engage the reader, and as a reader, the desire to hear more of Garetto's story, I think we will be hearing more from this author. I told him I believe Garetto wants more of his story told as well.

Author Paisley does a great job painting a vivid picture of life during this time period, 10,000 years ago. It is harsh at times and often uncomfortable, but genuinely exciting. A very intricately woven tapestry. The portrayal of a "primitive" society avoids the pitfall of building a simplistic world with little depth. Paisley builds a society very in-tune to the environment and the humans place in that broader world. Very spiritual and reverent.

I enjoyed this story immensely and eagerly anticipate more from this author. One of the best parts of reviewing books is when I get introduced to a new author and get to see a new talent in the literary world. I've had that pleasure a few times and I have a feeling I'm experiencing it again. 

Though I don't know the actual release date for The Great Hunter by Kel Paisley yet, have no fear, I will announce it here and repost my review in the usual places. Get ready for a new star. Enjoy!

Mike

 

I recently took a short vacation, so of course I had to take a couple of my guilty pleasure books along. Pony Soldiers by the ubiquitous Deathlands author James Axler was one.

Never disappointed by a Deathlands title. This go 'round we find the companions in the nuke-restructured Southwest. They encounter a traditional band of Mescalero Apache living/existing in a hidden canyon. Their nemesis? A group of Pony Soldiers led by who appears to be none-other than George Armstrong Custer himself. That is all the spoiler I'm going to give you. You'll have to read the book for how this came to be.

As usual ultra-violent, graphic content. The companions do what they do so well; kicking butt and not taking names. No one left to take a name from.

This is the sixth entry in the Deathlands series, early enough that the final troupe of warrior survivalists is not quite set. It is interesting to witness the evolution of the main character cast. The adventure and action was wild and wooly. A good mix of humor, rage, terror and humanity.

As always, violent escapist reading for the not so squeamish reader. Enjoy!

Mike

 

I had a difficult time with From Elsewhere by Sarah Baethge. The premise is good, although not particularly original; aliens "stranded" on Earth. Sadly, for me it did not live up to the possibilities.

The biggest improvement to this story would be an independent editor. It appears to me that any editing was done by the author, or at the very least someone too close to the writing to view it with a critical eye. The promise of the story is never truly realized. 

The writing does not engage and draw in the reader. Characters are not developed leaving the reader no way of sympathizing with anyone. The alien characters are completely isolated from culture contact, which would be a rich storyline to mine. 

It reads more like a report of the incident rather than an adventure the reader participates in. The narration was redundant and repetitive, retelling earlier details over and over to the point of irritation on my part.

The story was so bland and static that it took longer to complete the read because it was easily put down.

This said, the story is not without some charm , levity and intrigue. It is not without value and promise. I feel it could be saved by a good strong edit. I guess I have been harsher than usual with this review because I do see the promise and possibility of From Elsewhere. I found the final 10% of the story much more satisfying. I just had to work too hard to get there. 

So, the same advice I give to every independent author I connect with; get fresh unbiased eyes to edit your work, you are too close to be objective.

The biggest plus is that I did stay with it for the duration, I didn't walk away and put it in the dreaded DNF file. With the proper editing From Elsewhere by Sarah Baethge can be a fun read. Enjoy!

Mike 

Deathlands #10 Northstar Rising is a pivotal entry in the overall Deathlands saga. It introduces the character of Dr. Mildred Wyeth, a character longtime readers recognize as a permanent addition to the companions (not a spoiler to followers of the series, minor spoiler to new readers).

Interesting setting of a Norse themed "ville". Full of characters with Norse-themed names like Erik Stonebiter, Sigurd Harefoot and the like. The ville lives according to old Viking values and mores. The inhabitants view albino Jak as a god incarnate and Mildred (who is black) as an evil witch. The story lies in how to extricate the whole group out of the ville intact. 

This book sets the core of the companions for the rest of the series run. And a good run it was; 125 books. As always, Deathlands are not literary giants full of redeeming social value or social commentary. They are over the top graphic depictions of a post- apocalyptic wasteland (one of my favorite genres). 

Graphic? Yes! Still good escapism. Enjoy!

Mike