Category Archives: Three Stars
Astro Girls
![Astro Girls: Celestial Bond by [Isha Panesar]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ijrkw4OZL.jpg)
Isha Panesar’s breakout novel Astro Girls is an exhilarating coming-of-age space adventure, centering around twelve pre-adolescent girls who experience a life-changing, otherworldly encounter which renders them inadvertently responsible for the fate of the universe. The story is told through the eyes of Arianna, a kind, loyal, and spirited young girl who would do anything for the people she treasures the most. We follow Arianna as she sets forth on a kind of ‘hero’s journey’ through different portals, planets, and bizarre confrontations.
The narrative reads as though it is written for a preteen to young adult audience, and I would imagine many young women around the same age as the protagonist would easily become immersed in the tumultuous journey these Astro Girls embark on. Panesar’s story is fast paced, packed with twists, turns, astrology, aliens, and alternate civilizations; there is seldom a dull moment. As a reader I could sense just how much fun Panesar had writing this book, and how much time she dedicated to crafting her detailed fantasy adventure. In many ways it paid off, but I felt that the story overall could be improved by an editor. I felt as though the writing gives way to character development, pacing and fantastical elements. Fortunately, author Isha Panesar is on absolutely the right path to sculpting this narrative into a huge hit with a young readership. If the book is edited then I think it would enhance the creativity and charm of the story.
Astro Girls is an imaginative urban fantasy story that will have young adult readers engrossed with the enigmatic heart of this intriguing story.
Pages: 162 | ASIN: B08NTT7NFJ
User
![User. by [Fivos Panayiotou]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51UHva-0ZvL.jpg)
User, by Fivos Panayiotou, is the recollection of true experiences involving domestic abuse over time. The main character, Brondo, finds himself in a relationship that he believed was the best thing to ever happen to him. Over time, he realizes the manipulation at hand, and is left to wonder how he got to that point in his life.
The book begins with the main character feeling so depressed about his life that he contemplates suicide. Brondo is introduced to Sheena online and they form a relationship. Sheena tells Brondo she has dealt with abuse in her marriage and because she has children with him, she feels stuck. Brondo starts to fall for Sheena the more they get to know each other and four months into their relationship he believes he has met his soulmate. Throughout the story Brondo is manipulated, used, disrespected, and violated by Sheena. Who you believe to be a victim at the beginning of the story is revealed to be the abuser of this relationship.
Panayiotou has a writing style that is explicit in verbiage and very raw. Throughout the book, Panayiotou introduces difficult topics such as emotional and physical abuse, molestation, and rape. The events depicted in this story are not sugar-coated, and this may be difficult for some to read, but it definitely paints a vivid and realistic picture. The characters in this story were relatable, and they depicted bad qualities you see in real-life individuals.
The raw truth throughout this story is truly heart-wrenching. Reading the graphic details of what this character went through, I felt events from my own past resurface. When reading this book, I felt as if I was right there with the main character.
User, by Fivos Panayiotou, is a riveting, authentic, and impassioned story that will stir the soul. I would not recommend this book to anyone who has experienced emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.
Pages: 241 | ASIN: B08ZRWSJ3M
LA ESMERALDA IMPERFECTA
La Esmeralda Imperfecta by David Carroll gives a glimpse into the lives of a tight network of family and friends who are linked together and connected in some way to the drug culture in Costa Rica. This novel gives intriguing insights into how this world can affect everyone it touches, even those with good intentions and who are just trying to survive, such as Sofia. Readers not only follow the journey of the characters but also that of the drugs that are smuggled.
Throughout the story, the reader is introduced to numerous characters that are interesting in their own unique ways, but the number of them can get confusing at time. The descriptions of the characters and their back stories are very detailed, even the minor characters are described in the same manner. While discussing descriptions, the imagery and way David Carroll has set the scene is done very well. You get a real feel for the culture and by using the setting such as ‘exotic wooden furniture, colourful local artwork, and ornate ceramic tile’ you can start to picture some of the more traditional building in Costa Rica, making the story more vivid.
The plot unfolds methodically as the story progresses, making this a slow burn novel that is engrossing by the end. If you enjoy crime stories with a large variety of well defined characters then you will certainly enjoy this book. The use of local dialect throughout such as ‘can’t believe this cabrón’ and other such terminology, combined with the comprehensive descriptions help place readers in the scene and add to the cultural flavor of the story. There is more than one story in La Esmeralda Imperfecta, serving to deliver an epic crime drama that tells a vast story with multiple perspectives.
Pages: 187
Under the Grapevine
![Under the Grapevine: The Women of Campbell County by [S. Lee Fisher]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/511Kv8EMS4L.jpg)
Under the Grapevine is the second in The Women of Campbell County series by author S Lee Fisher. Olive Westchester is a married woman with children of her own and a loving husband, all of whom she treats badly. Having lost all her youthful chances, she is locked in her own misery which has festered over the years to create a bitter, angry woman. She treats everyone around her with rude contempt, keeps secrets from her family for her own benefit and only really engages with them when she needs a skivvy.
The book opens after the First World War and covers the years of the Great Depression and the Second World War with vivid detail. Although the characters are affected by these tumultuous events I wanted to dive deeper into their emotional turmoil. The author seems to have a clear vision of the personalities of each member of the family, which I found intriguing and left me wanting to know much more about them. This is a plot driven literary saga that focuses on a series of dramatic events that happen to the characters, but leaves me wanting more insight into the inner worlds of many of the characters.
Harriet bounces along from one experience to the next without sharing with us what is going on in her head apart from the little that is revealed through her conversations with others, this sets her up to be an enigmatic character to me. As for Olive, if you have not read the first book in the series, which I recommend, you would have no idea why she is so hateful, and these reasons can be compelling, but here the characterization is intense and I wanted a window into her soul to understand why. Harriet is surprisingly unscathed by having such a horrid mother, and it is awe inspiring that Tabs remains the loyal, long-suffering husband that he is.
Under the Grapevine is filled with intriguing characters that I wanted to explore further and deeper. This is a great family saga for readers who enjoy rousing drama against a vivid historical backdrop.
Pages: 296 | ASIN: B0981M5QYN
Regression
Alexis, a seventy year old man begins his story as a confession stating that he has committed a murder, killing not just anybody but a woman he claims to have loved dearly at the time. The narrative then follows how he finds a woman by the name of Sofia particularly attractive on Facebook. He makes an elaborate plan to casually approach her online, taking measured steps to get to know her, despite being married himself and also knowing that Sofia was in turn married. The book dwells on the mystery of past lives and explores why Alexis keeps gravitating towards this strange woman from another part of the world.
This is a thought-provoking story that explores a mans life, and his past lives, and shows how they all converge into one man’s life changing realization that he is connected to a person over several lifetimes. Alexis feels an inexplicable attraction to Sofia. He claims to be in love but he never admits his feelings to her. The whole narrative is written from the male point of view, specifically from Alexis’ perspective, so we understand his point of view in depth and get a story that is colored by his unique interpretation. Although not always relatable, he is certainly a provocative character that challenges and engages readers.
The story does not shy away from vivid details from the past. There is a ghastly murder scene where Alexis strangles his young pregnant wife, because of a distorted logic of not letting any other barbarians touch her. The scene is shocking and certainly shows a contrast in worldviews, and shows an ardent point of view that is consistent throughout the story.
Regression is a provocative supernatural love story that spans millennia and explores the idea of reincarnation in interesting ways. Author Sergiu Urma has written a fascinating romance novel woven with a mystery that takes readers on a unique journey into the multiple histories of one man’s past.
Pages: 157 | ASIN: B093X6GXFP
SuperPower: The Ability to Fly or to Become Invisible: The Next Generation (Book #2)
![SuperPower: The Ability to Fly or to Become Invisible: The Next Generation (Book #2) by [E Pedersen, Roger]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51l6oXQSUXS._SY346_.jpg)
The Next Generation by Roger E Pedersen is the second book in a super powered series featuring Professor Steele’s ‘Golden Eagle’ organization, taken over by his nephews after his disappearance. At the same time, twin brothers take control of the rival group DODGE (Department of Defense Genetically Engineered). Both organizations set out to find talented new recruits with the strongest superpowers, and this book charts the activities of the recruiters who travel the world wielding their power mostly for selfish or trivial advantage. The action culminates in a thrilling air battle bringing all the characters together for a final clash of superpower against superpower.
This fascinating story is written as a series of dossiers, as if recording facts, although it is not clear who is making the records. This is an interesting and original idea that could have been quite successful as a structural technique, particularly with the historical fantasy nature of the plot. However, I felt the structure was inconsistent, as the ‘dossiers’ contained descriptions of actions as well as dialogue.
The story is very detailed and filled with lots of facts and descriptions that serve to create very detailed characters, just as in book one. For example, Brittany’s description of the value of her necklace:
“… many people compliment Brittany on her beautiful emerald, [sic] green necklace. She says, “Thank you. It was a birthday present to me. I’ve always wanted an emerald necklace from Columbia [sic] where the darkish green and most expensive emeralds are mined.”
The Next Generation continues the intriguing story setup in book one and illustrates Pedersen’s painstaking research into the detailed development of his characters. For fans of super hero fiction, or for anyone looking for a book that focuses on character development, you will find plenty of details to dive into in Roger E Pedersen’s fascinating action adventure novel.
Pages: 316 | ASIN: B098VPTXM9
Jon and Anna
![Jon and Anna by [Anita Venturi]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/412GnohqccL.jpg)
The story of Jon and Anna is told through messages exchanged on a computer between two people who fall in love. The story is told in Italian with English translations provided as well which should fit anyone who is comfortable with either language.
Jon and Anna is an emotional story that tells a sweet love story that we only get a peek at through the messages they send to one another on the computer. This is a timeless story of love that I think many people will be able to relate to, especially in contemporary society where so much is done on the computer. This is a love story for modern times and will speak to anyone who has been separated from their loved one, and their only connection with them is through the computer.
The characters in the story are intriguing and portrayed in unique ways through the dialogue on the computer. This is something I have not seen before in other literature. Jon is a successful business man with a military education but he definitely someone readers will grow to enjoy. Anna is an impassioned character with a wistful outlook on life and I felt that her character brought most of the emotional color to the story.
This is an interesting contemporary romance book that tells a personal story in a unique way. This feels like a fictional memoir with how it tells a story that can almost be believed. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a passionate love story that is told from an uncommon perspective.
Pages: 80 | ASIN: B07NHR989K
The Saga of the Phoenix
![The Saga of the Phoenix - volume 1: a sea story and the birth of a new civilization by [Oriano Galvanini]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513PLAQHkCS.jpg)
Giorgio is finally living his dream to work as a radio operator on cargo ships, but little does he know that life has a lot more planned for him. In a strange turn of events, he receives an ominous radio message on one of his voyages, asking him to meet with a peculiar individual. The meeting introduces him to a secret organization and sets him on a path paved with covert operations, futuristic tech, and a lofty ambition to unite the world. Who’s behind the Phoenix, what’s their true aim, and how will Giorgio fare in his new position?
The Saga of the Phoenix is a spellbinding work of literary fiction. This interesting historical fiction is a blend of adventure and science fiction. Beginning in the 20th Century, Galvanini narrates a sailor’s shenanigans before he delves into the young man’s exciting journey as a member of a group looking to change the world. One high point is how Galvanini explores various cultures. He takes readers around the world through the main character’s sea voyage, a worthwhile experience for adventure lovers. The book also doesn’t lack imagination as Galvanini deftly combines fantastic tech with space travel, extraterrestrial life, and political and economic maneuvers, all spiraling into a global utopia. The first few chapters are sprinkled with a bit of intrigue here and there, but once you get past them, you’re in for a fairly exciting ride.
Conflict is the lifeblood of every engaging story. It’s the seemingly insurmountable obstacle the characters have to overcome; the evil that needs to be conquered; or the heart that needs to be won. I would have loved to have seen the conflict built up a bit more in this novel so that it felt on par with the excellent story telling.
The Saga of the Phoenix – volume 1 is a dramatic sea driven adventure story that takes readers on a historical journey that is fun to read.
Pages: 357 | ASIN: B099FHNDM1
LITERARY TITAN 