Home » Archive by category "Uncategorized" (Page 351)

Book Review: Zeus, Inc. by Robin Burks

Zeus, Inc. by Robin Burks

Biting Dog Publications, 2013

ASIN:  B00DONI6LA

Available:  eBook(Kindle)

 

Alex Grosjean is a private investigator.  She spends most of her time investigating cheating spouses and insurance fraudsters.  Lately though, the jobs just haven’t been coming her way.  As she wrestles with the panic caused by unpaid bills, she gets a call from her friend Aliesha. Aliesha’s father, Joseph Brentwood, who is also the CEO of of Zeus, Inc., has been missing for two days.  Alex takes the case, and as she digs in, she finds a lead; an email reference to a meeting Mr. Brentwood had just before his disappearance at Club Tartarus.  Alex goes to the club, and before she knows it, she is investigating Greek gods.  What could possibly happen?

 Zeus, Inc. combines the hard-boiled private eye story with Greek mythology in a science-fictional setting.  The author did a good job blending the elements of Greek mythology into the classic private eye investigation.  Each of the characters had good voices, distinct from one another.  The plot moved along at a steady pace, with tension  building as the investigation runs into twists.  The pacing was okay and generally worked well, and the descriptions gave enough details to keep the story moving forward.  All this being said, I feel this story needed more work.  It just was a little too out there for me to really suspend disbelief and get into it.  There were repetitive and overly cutesy elements; it got old to hear Alex constantly referring to her car as, “the Phoebe”.  It felt like the author was trying a little too hard, and stretching just a little too far.  In the end, it was an okay story, but not an exceptional one.  I have not read any of this author’s work before.

Contains:  Swearing, Adult Situations, Sexual Situations

Reviewed by Aaron Fletcher

 

Posted on May 13, 2015 by , Reply

Book Review: The Final Transmission by Brian F.H. Clement

The Final Transmission by Brian F.H. Clement
Damnation Books, 2013
ISBN: 978-1629291109
Available: paperback, ebook

The Final Transmission is what I call a kitchen sink book. The story follows occult detective Benoit Michaud as he investigates the deaths of a group of cultists and their victim, and the consequences of those deaths. The first-time author has thrown all his ideas and flights of fancy into this brief novel. As a result it is cluttered, creating a surreal blur of frantic scenes. In this case, that works to his advantage, to heighten the sense of urgency and set a relentless pace that will keep the reader glued to the narrative.

Equal parts horror, science fiction, and detective novel, the story defies easy classification, and that is part of its charm. With a rich, diverse cast, anchored by Detective Michaud, Clement does an excellent job of creating unique voices and near-cinematic exposition that lends to the overall atmosphere of fear and dread.

While there are missteps, this is a fine first novel and one I would suggest without reservation, especially if occult detectives are your cup of tea. Recommended.

Contains: occultism, adult situations, violence

Reviewed by Bob Freeman

 

Posted on May 4, 2015 by , Reply

Book Review: The Thickety: The Whispering Trees by J. A. White

The Thickety: The Whispering Trees by J.A. White, illustrated by Andrea Offermann

Katherine Tegen Books, 2015

ISBN-13: 978-0062257291

Available:  Hardcover, Kindle edition

After the shocking conclusion of A Path Begins, the first book in The Thickety series, Kara Westfall has been forced to leave her village of De’Noran behind and flee with her brother into the darkness of the Thickety,

Although still full of dark events and violent situations, The Whispering Trees contains each of these elements on a lighter scale than the first book in the series. Readers are introduced to a world full of magical, fairytale-like creatures living in the Thickety, and Kara’s ability to connect with animals gives us a glimpse into the minds of the Thickety’s inhabitants, blighted by the dark magic of the Forest Demon Sordyr.

The encompassing theme of good vs. evil, and strength of character development, is still strong in The Whispering Trees. Kara and her brother Taff form an unlikely alliance with the witch Mary Kettle, introduced in A Path Begins as a murderer of children. The Whispering Trees is full of suspenseful situations and unpredictable turns of events as Kara learns that goodness and hope can prevail.

The Whispering Trees shows readers a growth in Kara’s understanding of her powers, and her discovery of the responsibility that comes with such power, She is forced to make difficult decisions that weigh her deep desire to protect and free the creatures of the Thickety against her need to occasionally put them in harm’s way, for the greater good of defeating Sordyr. Readers will also see growth in young Taff as he develops wisdom, and a keen ability to become a strong force in the challenges he and Kara face in the Thickety.

The illustrations of Andrea Offermann are again a perfect complement to the tone of the story. The cover pulls readers into the dark, ensnaring branches of the Thickety and the chapter illustrations provide a perfect visual introduction to the tone of each chapter.

While The Whispering Trees contains less human violence than the first book in the series, it still contains enough frightening imagery and violent events that younger readers should be cautioned. However, those who are looking for a YA series that doesn’t sugarcoat the darker side of a fantastic and wonderfully-told scary story won’t be disappointed. Recommended for ages 10 and older.

 

Contains: Violence, witchcraft

Reviewed by Heather Hurley

Posted on May 4, 2015 by , Reply
First « 349350351352353 » Last