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Conflict On The Yangtze
![Conflict on the Yangtze (The Warramunga Series Book 4) by [Kater, Greg]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/410OLijmyhL.jpg)
This is the fourth book in the Warramunga series. We follow ex-army officer Jamie Munro, and his friend Jack O’Brien aka Jacko, an intelligent half aborigine as they go on a critical operation in Yangtze. Jamie Munro is his usual self. He is skilled, has a sharp eye and always ready to take risks. Jacko, on the other hand, is good at drawing plans and strategizing. The pair leads others as they head out to investigate and help stop an opium smuggling operation that is taking place around the Yangtze River.
The journey towards Yangtze River is risky. Not everyone supports Munro’s mission and this calls for attacks from criminals and other bad guys. Their junk boat gets attacked by bandits, the team gets shot at, and they sustain injuries and endure all forms or threats. Their grief does not end there as they encounter hostile people who constantly torment and harm them. They also come into contact with environmental hazards that slow their operations. Being the men they are, the two forge on with vigor. I like how they cooperated to finish set goals even when there were so many obstacles ahead of them.
Greg Kater is a deftly draws draws his characters, especially Jacko and Munro. It is great seeing how Jack can spot Munro’s weaknesses and vice versa. There can never be a Jamie Munro without Jacko. Colonel Cook was another great character. The man was not in action all the time but his wit and tactics came in handy. I enjoyed his conversations and loved every minute he held meetings with his people. Having Colonel Cook in charge meant that everyone was in capable hands.
Greg Kater has written an exciting military thriller that is packed with drama, intense action, perilous adventure, and peppered with some wild scenes. The plot thickens with every new move the main characters take. Reading Conflict on the Yangtze gives one the impression of being part of the action. I love the compelling the plot and the twists that kept me guessing. Fans of military action adventure stories will find plenty to love.
Pages: 362 | ASIN: B07TXR4MSF
Skills of the Warramunga
![Skills of the Warramunga (Warramunga Trilogy Book 3) by [Kater, Greg]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51wNrr%2BTotL.jpg)
Jack “Jacko” O’Brien and Jamie Munro have a challenging mission ahead of them. The two have been tasked with rescuing a top MI6 operative who has been taken hostage by a criminal gang. The operative’s name is Colonel John Cook. O’Brien and Munro go back in the day. They worked together on many missions and even captured targets together. They have extraordinary skills, given their experiences during World War II. The task at hand may seem simple, but the people involved in the rescue mission of Colonel Cook have to prepare for any danger they have to face in the jungles of Malaya, where Cook has been kidnapped.
Greg Kater takes you across the Malayan jungle and terrain as we follow Jacko and his friends as they go after a dangerous criminal organization. Reading about the tactics they use, how they strategize and how they deal with adversaries was a great experience. Even with the skills Jamie Munro possesses due to his service in the military, the journey to combat the criminal organization is not easy. The gangs are prepared to face Munro and his team. It is not just the men who are resourceful in this mission, Sarah, a full Aborigine from Tennant Creek, and also a half-sister to Jack Obrien helps the team on their mission.
The team’s time in Kuala Lumpur is adventurous. Wit and physical strength are essential for them to achieve their goals. Skills of the Warramunga is a compelling thriller that takes you through different exotic landscapes and treacherous terrain. You vividly experience every action on the ground through the author’s eloquent words. I like how the author introduced the conflict at the beginning of the book. The description gives one a back story and the context of the struggle. The urge to read more increases as the action in the plot intensifies.
Skills of the Warramunga is an edge of your seat thriller. The author is exceptional with plot pacing and character creation. The characters in the book are firm and fun to follow. I enjoyed their conversations and how they bonded over disputes and other issues. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy military thrillers and action stories.
Pages: 314 | ASIN: B07PJLLJXL
Steel Reign: Flight of The Starship Concord
![Steel Reign: Flight of The Starship Concord by [Cosby, Braxton A.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/5131eUq9u1L.jpg)
Steel Reign: Flight of The Starship Concord by Braxton Cosby begins with an intriguing and haunting scene. The protagonist, Steel Reign is expressing his regret over a massive mistake that he has made. Just from this singular scene, it is clear that he will go to any means to bring back his lost sister, Olia. She is aboard the ship Eclipse and involved in a treacherous game under the space pirate, Forge. Reign does not have the means or credits to find her. His sole plan to acquire an artifact and exchange it for credits has fallen through. He keeps having to devise Plan Bs to reach his sister. Along the way he manages to acquire a ragtag bunch of friends and colleagues: nerdy Gifford, the novice Stink, and Sereas. On top of these struggles, he is also combatting the deadly virus DX that has practically taken his eyes.
Steel Reign: Flight of The Starship Concord manages to hold a quick-paced, thrilling tone, as Reign is thrown from one dangerous situation to another. The prologue also returns in a more meaningful way later in the story as Forge’s sick game becomes clearer.
Throughout the story, a lot of different species and creatures kept cropping up. At first it was a bit jarring and difficult to keep up with, but the descriptions were so fun that I couldn’t resist being drawn in anyway. Take for example the Donthras that are described as being “multi-sexual” and “open to trying anyone and anything” Although there was an underlying intense tone to the story, the moments of levity were perfectly captured and made me laugh out loud.
Reign himself isn’t infallible though- which I personally love in an action/adventure protagonist. So often they seem to fall prey to being all around superhumans (see: Jack Reacher, Stephanie Plum) but Reign knows his strengths and weaknesses. He even manages to acknowledge that he was the brawns in the sibling relationship and Olia the brains. The pair has had a difficult upbringing but share a very sweet and strong relationship. I felt immediately sympathetic and connected to Reign whenever he reminisced about his sister.
Steel Reign was a solidly entertaining novel- a strangely perfect amalgamation of science-fiction, revenge drama, and ensemble comedy. It hit all the right spots for me and was a great weekend read.
Pages: 337 | ASIN: B082S82S8P
The Blue Chameleon
![The Blue Chameleon: The Life Story of a Supercop by [Cinquanta, Daril]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41AAjNInbIL._SX260_.jpg)
Retired Detective Daril Cinquata gave decades to the Denver PD. He earned commendations, awards, and medals throughout his career. He meted out justice by arresting thousands of felons. He was a hard-working cop who played on the edge of legality to ensure that justice has been served. Even the best TV cops never play by the rules. His adherence to the law and commitment to the service for all was admirable and used as an example. However, not everyone liked his brand of justice. Many people would have liked to see him fail. This only worked to increase his thirst for justice.
The author plunges the reader into a fast-paced world of police work and the politics that lace the police force. You will get a first-hand account of actual events during Detective Cinquata’s service. You will get an insider’s look. This book is like being cast deep into an intense episode of NCIS where it is all action and tough-talking detectives. The narration is so vivid with clear descriptions and masterful settings that the reader will take a virtual walk through the precincts and have a bird’s eye view of crime scenes throughout the book. From the tone of the book and spirit that lurks within the pages, you can feel the passion that one man had for his work. You cannot help but admire his bravery. At the end of this book, not only will you greatly appreciate Detective Daril Cinquata but also have a newfound respect for any man in blue.
The way this story is told, with all the rough cuts and the gruff way only a cop can speak, you will feel like the author is narrating the story in person. He has done nothing to mask the true cop in him. There is a certain honesty in this book that is simply unmistakable. The story of this man’s life and the events throughout his career are told with absolute frankness and transparency. The events are corroborated by local news stories. So honest that he does not hide his imperfections either. He regales the reader with an embarrassing account of being caught pants down (or at least open). The author is not afraid to show his blemishes. He is not afraid to admit that he was scared at times, to reveal his vulnerabilities. This adds a layer of excitement and reality to this book. It lets the reader connect with the author and the story in a special way.
Rarely do we get to see an unairbrushed version of police work. The Blue Chameleon is simply a gem. Kudos for his enthusiasm and commitment to the job. Utmost gratitude for allowing an inside look into a decorated detective’s service and life in the force. The Blue Chameleon is definitely worth a read.
Pages: 322 | ASIN: B075BP3XXN
The Warramunga’s War
![The Warramunga's War by [Kater, Greg]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51DDl0MXOzL.jpg)
The Warramunga’s War is a book that follows the Australian Army’s advances in the Middle East and Egypt. The main character, Jamie, is saved by an officer Jacko, who’s half aborigine warramunga. The book leads the reader through an adventure with Jamie and Jacko in the forefront, as they conduct counterespionage and work with real historical figures. They form a close friendship and work together to solve various missions. During their stay in Cairo, Jack and Jamie manage to work against German spies and continue the war effort onto their home turf after their job is done in Egypt. Jacko’s skills come into play near the final leg of the duo’s journey, needing to track down two wartime German Agents in West Australia.
The author describes events in vivid detail throughout the book. Greg Kater ensures the reader is taken through an action filled adventure full of twists, turns, and suspense with lighthearted moments throughout to provide moments of respite. One of these moments was at the beginning, where Jamie was unconscious and had a humorous moment with Jacko and a French nurse. The author also shows ample character development with our duo, showing how they evolve both in strength of friendship and their synergy with each other. They grow as friends and evolve to become better soldiers as well, and this evolution was something that was consistently interesting to me. I felt the part where Jamie develops a romance with someone added depth and emotion to an already well developed character. They seem to gain some level of experience from who they work with as well. Speaking of those people, the author’s level of dedication to research shows as well, with many areas being accurately described. The people he represents in the book are true to their original character and accomplishments.
While I enjoyed the narrative and the characters, I felt that the pacing, was inconsistent and sometimes abrupt. There is a part in the book where we’re zoomed into the future, which threw me off. Other than that small issue, The Warramunga’s War is an amazing read which shows a lot of spirit and has a unique take on old events.
Pages: 324 | ASIN: B07NJZFVJX
Crocotta’s Hackles
![Crocotta's Hackles (The Incarn Saga Book 3) by [Wibell, Katharine]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51HUZfLbzzL.jpg)
Lluava has horrifying nightmares that keep her from resting. In those very real and vivid dreams, she feels she will surely meet with her own death. Life for Lluava is every bit as harrowing and challenging as the dreams that plague her. At the tender age of eighteen, Lluava is chasing Therimorphs and fighting the elements of winter. Her heightened senses are the only thing keeping her going. She feels, she thinks, and she sees much more deeply than any other human. To complicate matters, her dual form isn’t exactly in her favor. Lluava seems to have everything and everyone against her.
Crocotta’s Hackles, by Katharine Wibell, is the third book in the Incarn series. With a complex plot spanning the series, Wibell offers readers yet another peek into Lluava’s life. Hers is a dual world; she lives two very different lives and struggles to maintain a solid balance between the two. When she and Apex find themselves in the middle of Leucrocotta, and isolated Theriomorph civilization, they are both overwhelmed with the possibilities that there may be others like it.
This fantasy adventure by Wibell breaks into areas seemingly unexplored by other novels in the same genre. The dual forms experienced by the main characters make for a truly interesting reading experience. Wibell’s characters are thoroughly developed and even secondary characters are given engaging scenes and dialogue that makes them easy to visualize. Truth be told, I am as taken with Wibell’s secondary characters as I am her cast of primary players. There is just something about the way she introduces each character to the plot that makes them easy to visualize.
One of the most enthralling aspects of Wibell’s novel is the point of view provided readers as they watch Lluava function in her dual form. It is a unique perspective and gives readers the opportunity to see her operate as an animal as she voices her thoughts as a human. Not many authors are able to pull this type of character development off without losing readers’ interest, but Wibell has written well-rounded characters and kept amazing consistency from one book to the next in this saga.
The gods, as described in Crocotta’s Hackles, are quite the entities. I am not always intrigued by books that have a mythical feel, but Crocotta’s Hackles portrays gods as less than holy and much more meddlesome and vengeful. This, in and of itself, makes Crocotta’s Hackles an engaging read. The havoc they wreak on Lluava’s life is no small part of the book’s plot and makes the main character’s predicament all the more challenging.
Fans of the fantasy genre will find Wibell’s work a welcome change to the vast majority of books currently available. A far as the saga itself goes, Crocotta’s Hackles is the most intensely focused of the three books. Readers who choose to explore Lluava’s dual worlds will not be disappointed.
Pages: 320 | ASIN: B07L1DLXBD
What Does it Mean to be Human?
S. A. Asthana Author Interview
In The Final Wars Rage: Book 2 Bastien finds himself in danger once again and the deposed cyborg queen still lives. What were some new ideas you wanted to explore in this book that were different from book one?
I explore the following three ideas in this book:
1) The concept of redemption is addressed through Bastien Lyons. He ends book one and starts book two as a monster, one ravaged by guilt for the destruction of New Paris. The Final Wars Rage is partly his journey towards correcting his deviated moral compass and better understanding his strained relationship with the memory of Father Paul (and God by extension).
2) What does it mean to be human? Is existence only possible through flesh and blood, or are there other mediums that can allow consciousness to continue? The idea of transcending physical limitations to become something more is a core theme of this book – I don’t want to give away too much, though. Folks will just have to read the book 🙂
3) Cutting-edge technologies can have unintended consequences. In our world, the best example is social media. Who would have ever thought when logging into Friendster or MySpace back in the early to mid-2000s, that one day these applications’ successors (Facebook & Twitter) would wreak havoc on human psychology and political systems. In the world of Bastien Lyons, it’s the green fogs that helped ravage Earth, the AI entity, High Council which took over Port Sydney, and Alic… err… can’t give away too much.
This is an intriguing novel that is high in social commentary. Was this intentional or did this happen organically while writing?
Intentional. Writing, irrespective of genre and theme, presents an excellent opportunity to shine a spotlight on humanity, in my opinion. When a story effectively addresses more than its immediate characters and plot points, it can be very satisfying.
If Hollywood came knocking who would you cast as your main characters?
I’d strive for cultural authenticity, so here’s my list:
- Bastien Lyons – Stanley Weber
- Belle Dubois – Léa Seydoux
- Marie Dubois – Eva Green
- Frank Crone – Hugh Jackman
- Reo Honda – Ryo Yoshizawa
- Alice Smith – Margot Robbie
Are you working on book three in the Final Wars series?
Yes – trying to aim for early next year. Folks can sign up for my mailing list to keep in the loop here: SAwritesSF.com
Auhtor Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
![The Final Wars Rage (Final Wars Trilogy Book 2) by [Asthana, S. A.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Xyeb3BjEL.jpg)
BASTIEN LYONS CAN’T MOVE ON WITH HIS LIFE, AND THAT MIGHT KILL HIM.
Despite escaping to the moon’s Nippon One colony with a new identity after a failed effort to save New Paris from destruction, he finds himself amidst danger again. The brutal world of the twenty-third century has dark plans. Parisian ruins send shockwaves through the remaining two civilizations of the solar system, Nippon One and the Port Sydney colony on Mars, shaking the tenuous peace between them. Bastien understands political tensions all too well and knows something terrible is about to happen. Trade wars erupt to signal deeper conflicts to come. Pirates lash out in revenge at Port Sydney for wiping out Parisian euphoria drug factories. Yakuza wage gang wars to control the remaining euphoria on Nipponese streets. If that wasn’t enough…
MARIE DUBOIS LIVES, AND HER SURVIVAL THREATENS HUMANITY.
The deposed cyborg queen has escaped the destruction of her New Paris, and Martian General Frank Crone recognizes her menace could rip apart the fragile peace. His digital overlords, an AI construct that enforces treaties, cannot learn she’s alive and ready to return to mayhem. He’ll do whatever it takes to rid the world of the defrocked demagogue before she is discovered, even if it means tilting his moral compass. Frank’s deadly goal not only demands the skills of his petri-dish humanoid Lieutenant General Alice Smith and the Nipponese royal police chief Reo Honda, it also needs an outside killer. Bastien wants to stay alive by staying away from that work and far from Marie. But he needs to rescue civilization in a world where…
THE FINAL WARS RAGE.
The Last Mission of the Seventh Cavalry
![The Last Mission of the Seventh Cavalry by [Brindley, Charley]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51mrgvbm9lL.jpg)
Sergeant James Alexander and his crew have cheated death. Where they landed when they abandoned their plane isn’t nearly as important as the century they landed in. Small things around them begin to add up very quickly as they try desperately to acclimate themselves to their surroundings only to find themselves left with more questions than answers. As they venture out, they begin to meet more and more people with weapons unlike their own who are not in any way fearful of the soldiers. One thing leads to another and Alexander’s crew begins to realize they have fallen into the past with no foreseeable escape.
The Last Mission of the Seventh Cavalry by Charley Brindley tells the tale of a group of soldiers bound for Afghanistan when fate intervenes with a plan none of them could have predicted. Brindley’s cast of characters is unique, and their banter, despite their extreme circumstances, is refreshing and engaging. The dynamic between characters feels true to life, and their exchanges mimic genuine relationships between coworkers.
There is no lack of action in Brindley’s work. From the first chapter, his characters are entrenched in a battle to understand their situation that moves quickly into a battle for their lives. Readers who appreciate well-drawn fight sequences and intricately described battle scenes, will appreciate Brindley’s work.
Cover to cover, the characters’ reactions to their surroundings and the people they encounter serve as a wonderful contrast to the time period in which they have found themselves. Brindley throws in the perfect number of references to modern technology in juxtaposition to the primitive weapons and lack of simple things we take for granted such as calendars and clocks. Consistency is key in books of this genre, and Brindley manages that with ease.
One of the most endearing aspects of Brindley’s cast of characters is the compassion shown by Alexander’s crew during a time of war. Characters one might expect to be brash and full of cold reactions in time of war are actually tenderhearted and loving. Their desire to tend to the injured and not only assist the wounded but provide genuine comfort is captivating. These traits add another layer to the already engaging characters.
History buffs will enjoy Brindley’s work. The author has gone to great lengths to include historically accurate information in his writing. Watching as the inhabitants of the past experience bits and pieces of the future is as fascinating as it is entertaining.
Rarely does one find a truly perfect blend of past and present, but Brindley has given just that to his readers. Memorable characters wrapped in a unique story line make for one fantastic read and lay the groundwork for what I hope are more books with Alexander’s crew.
Pages: 473 | ASIN: B07N6K1DRZ
LITERARY TITAN 