Our Contest (Bystanders #4)

 

Author Phillip Murrell Provided a print copy of Our Contest : Bystanders #4 for review.

The final book in the Bystander series certainly does not disappoint. 

Too many main characters to focus on here, many individual storylines interwoven with the main story. It is difficult for me to even call it a good versus evil story. From the Earth peoples viewpoint certainly the "Malignant" are evil. But taking a view of the ongoing "contest" between the combatants lead by Father and those lead by Mother kind of erases those distinctions for me. 

Great for fans of technology, mythology, over the top action and intricate story-telling. So, Father and Mother seem to be playing out this contest throughout the universe and the final conflict is to take place on earth. Lucky earth. 

With six weeks to go before that battle, we see all the various characters prepare and continues to works towards their individual goals while they can. For me, the story started a bit slow. Probably because I hate waiting. But when the stuff actually hits the fan, WOW! The action is intense and nonstop. Loved it. 

Author Murrell does a good job of tying up all the loose ends. I like that. I had no "But what about ..." questions. A very good conclusion to a wildly inventive series. I recommend it if you want a lot of action, crime, drama, politics, well, you name it genre wise it is probably here. Enjoy!

Mike

Gabriella Gigabyte: Secret of the King Cobra

I won a print copy of  Gabriella Gigabyte: Secret of the King Cobra in a Goodreads Giveaway.

This book is directed at young teens or earlier and hits that mark well. Our heroine Gabriella is, among other things, a computer wiz. She often spends time in her father's shop solving computer problems no one else can. 

As with most books of this genre, Gabriella Gigabyte: Secret of the King Cobra highlights the abilities of the children over their parents or other adults. The positive difference for me is that adults in this book are not ineffectual clowns. Dad isn't a buffoon, mom is not a clueless socialite. They are both quite the opposite. A good balance. There are quite a few twists that surprised even an adult reader like me.

Gabriella, in true heroine fashion, does find clues and answers using her own gifts and abilities. Over all a fun and uplifting story that does not denigrate the family but supports it. Very refreshing. I give it top marks as a book targeted to a younger audience. Enjoy!

Mike 
 

Rico Stays

Author Ed Duncan provided a print copy of Rico Stays the third book in the Pigeon-Blood Red series.

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this series; Pigeon-Blood Red and The Last Straw, I was glad to get to check out this new chapter in the story of Richard aka "Rico" Sanders, the hit man with his owns set of morals.

Rico is definitely not the man to mess with, as we learn again. This time he is protecting his girlfriend from the idiot son of a local mob boss. Even the boss knows better than to cross Rico. Of course if he left Rico alone we wouldn't have much of a story would we?

Lots of mafia-style action and violence. We meet up with characters from the previous books. There is a romantic story line (actually two). Basically a story of right versus wrong within a setting of organized crime. I had more than a little of a noir feel to me.

Author Duncan does an excellent job of fleshing out his characters and if not necessarily endearing them to us, at least engaging us to root for them. Some of the characters' machismo overrules their intelligence. Kind of like the old Bugs Bunny cartoons where Bugs would say, "If I do it, I get a whipping, ...I do it" These characters say "If I mess with Rico I die... I mess with him." You can guess the outcome. But a good twist at the end keeps us on our toes. 

All around, a good example of mafia noir crime action. Enjoy!

Mike

The Fair (Time box #2)

 

Author John Heldt provided me with an e-version of The Fair (Time Box #2) for review.

This second entry in the Time Box series brings back all the things we have come to expect in a John A. Heldt work. We get history, romance, action and adventure wrapped in a tightly crafted story.

The Lane family continues to evade the evil Robert Devereaux who wants to exploit time travel for his own wicked ends. The family, with help in the present time continues to foil plans to kill them all.

Sounds dark but the author (as always) has the ability to keep a dark story line in check by endearing the main characters to us. We join a family dealing with love and loss, new friendships, historic events (This time the Chicago World's Fair) first love and the problems of being 21st century people trying to adapt to 17th century society. A lot of humor is mined from these social differences. 

What I enjoyed most about this installment was the repartee. Heldt does not shy away from dialogue, and he shouldn't, he is a master at the banter between lovers, the teasing between siblings, serious talks, and colorful ancillary characters.

The depth of emotion he brings to the page is tremendous. He has the gift of bringing his characters to life and engaging the reader to really care about the Lane family. We feel their sadness and joy equally. At one point I was shouting at the characters in my mind, "Don't go there! It's bad!"  I don't often catch myself talking to characters in a book. 

We also get a healthy dose of history, mostly around the Chicago World's Fair including serial killer H.H.Holmes (that's as close to a spoiler as you'll get from me), but we also get a peek into Virginia City, Nevada.

In keeping with what I see as Mr. Heldt's evolution as an author, we get more violence (not particularly graphic) and, more sexuality (again, not graphic but some of it disturbing). The Fair is not an adult oriented book per se, but it is following a trend of more mature content in Mr. Heldt's work. I personally see this as a good thing because, for me, it makes for a more realistic read. My opinion, take it with as many grains of salt as necessary. 

Fans of John A. Heldt's writing (and I am definitely one) will find more of what we read his books to get. History, romance, action and adventure, in a well written, clean (big plus), engaging and entertaining read. Enjoy!

Mike

Hella

I won a print copy of Hella by David Gerrold in a Goodreads Giveaway. I was given an uncorrected manuscript. It goes on sale officially 6/16/20, aka tomorrow. The only difficulty in reading for me was, no chapters. When I take a break from reading, I like to use chapter breaks as convenient stopping point. Didn't have that option here. Worth it to get to read this story prior to release.

I really enjoyed this book. Told from the point of view of a teenage (on Earth) boy who used to be a girl. Kyle appears to have a disorder of some sort, perhaps autism or Asperger's or the like. He has an implant which helps him function more "normally", but some people are put off by his lack of emotion.

Hella is an Earth colony on a planet that is larger than Earth, has a weaker gravitational pull and higher levels of oxygen in the atmosphere. Everything grows to incredible size; Hella-big. 

We follow Kyle as he navigates life in the colony. Aside from the inevitable political conflicts and machinations which are well developed and interestingly voiced, the author paints a vivid picture of the flora and fauna of the Hellan landscape. 

Because of the severe weather patterns of the planet, a major part of the story is the trek to Winterland, the site for colder weather living. 

We wind up with an interesting take on the Scooby Gang taking on the bad guys.

Although many references to, shall we say alternative lifestyles and sexuality, there is no real sex. 

Gigantic animals, humongous plants, young love, more mature love, wicked politicians and technology that is at times very useful and at times stifling to actual societal growth. All on a planet that can be openly hostile to human occupation.

Altogether a Hella-fun fantasy read. Enjoy!

Mike

The Silliest Stories Out Of Bustleburg America's Worst City

I received a copy of The Silliest Stories Out Of Bustleburg America's Worst City for review.

For starters, this is the most appropriately titled book I have read if not ever, at least in a long, long time. 

Bustleburg is indeed America's Worst City. It is so dystopic that they can't even see dystopic from their houses. The city has no redeeming social value. 

The denizens of this plane crash, train wreck, volcanic aftermath of a city are well equipped to live in this (insert your own horrific descriptor here). 

Told by various citizens of the city, life is described in a series of short stories. Misery, discomfort, and danger are the status quo. 

You may be thinking to yourself that this must be a dark dreary book. But you would be thinking incorrectly. The stories are so bizarre as to make the reader laugh at the incongruities. 

Talk about escapist fiction, no connection to reality here folks. Check your sense of logic and justice at the door. This book is tongue planted firmly in the cheek fun.

I found it to be a refreshing break from more serious reads. Enjoy!

Mike

The Cold Hearth (The Atheling Chronicles #3)

Author Garth Petterson provided an ecopy of The Cold Hearth Book 3 of The Atheling Chronicles for review.

This was quite a story, of course action and adventure, violence and mayhem; but also tenderness and caring, duty and honor and living with integrity.

Set during early history in "Engla-lond", we have the story of Harald, son of King Cnute, and the love of his life Selia, trying to live a life out of the politics of the throne. Lots of political intrigue for sure, action and violence enough, but what spoke to me was the depth of characters development. None of the main characters fall into the easy trap of one dimensionality. They are developed with such depth that the story could be a primer for adult development. Harald and all his cohorts live by a definite creed of integrity and even when provoked, do not vary from it. 

In fact, I view the story as more of a comment on this personal integrity than on the political situation at the forefront. Several characters come to confront past wrongs committed and found their own redemption. Author Petterson does a great job painting a mental picture of the physical locations and of the people that inhabit the story. Just a fabulous story of personal honor and integrity in hard times. 

The Cold Hearth is a great story to get lost in. The times, the people and the location will wholly draw the reader into a comfortable, magic (without magic) land you won't want to leave. Enjoy!

Mike