Blog Archives
Cargo 3120
It is the year 3120, and humans have entered the world of intergalactic travel and commerce. The Milky Way has become a battle zone for resources between all the different alien races that reside there. With a new power source discovered, it is a race to see what race will control it, giving them the upper hand to control the direction of the galaxy. Can humans win the race? What will it take to get the job done and gain control of this new resource?
Author Aaron Walker Sr.’s Cargo 3120: Ties that Bind is an excellent science fiction adventure. Set in the distant future, the spirited members of the outlaw group, Raven Squad, find themselves in the middle of a heist gone wrong that could have implications for the future of the entire galaxy. Led by the imposing Marcus La’Dek, Raven Squad comprises sci-fi mainstays; the hotshot upstart, a cocky explosives expert, a brutish heavy gunner, and a brilliant hacker. Walker Sr. breaks some molds with the situations he puts his characters into, primarily by showing the devastating consequences of their actions.
At times, Cargo 3120 feels more like a crime drama than a sci-fi novel. There’s plenty of scheming, backstabbing, and betrayals. However, Marcus’s crew is brave and ambitious, often to a fault. The story takes a lengthy, albeit necessary, detour depicting a miserable stint in a galactic penitentiary. La’Dek is sent there for his past actions and the actions of his crew. Once “reformed,” Marcus is put into the unenviable position of choosing between his squad and his family. The author makes the situation work as La’Dek struggles to deal with the “ties that bind.”
Walker Sr. does an excellent job of building a vibrant world. The varying factions and syndicates of the Interstellar League of Planets are fleshed out and feel like real organizations. I like how the author presents a “real” fictional history for his future world. Also, the science fiction elements aren’t too far out there, allowing the reader to enjoy Marcus’s and the other characters’ journeys.
Cargo 3120: Ties that Bind is a riveting science fiction adventure that takes space opera fans into the world they love and gives them new villains and battles to follow along with. This remarkable story is sure to be the start of a captivating and engaging series that will garner the love of old and new sci-fi fans alike.
Pages: 263 | ASIN : B09B8454KV
A Flash of Light
Jerrimiah Stonecastle, the Next Name in Horror, has brought forth a gripping new novel called A Flash of Light. This work of fiction is an intense blend of horror and survival genres set in post-nuclear America. The story begins with a clever twist as we follow Josh Austin, a CIA data analyst, who is privy to the impending attack on America. However, just as we start to get to know Josh, he and a good portion of the country’s military command are obliterated by a nuclear strike.
The rest of the novel delves into the harrowing journey of Heather, Josh’s wife, and a skilled mechanical engineer who must use her wits to get her two children to safety amidst the chaos of the nuclear fallout. Armed only with an armored car fitted with a regenerative fuel cell, she races across the country through panic-stricken streets to reach the Catskill mountains. Meanwhile, we also witness the new President’s efforts to lead America in the face of a North Korean-led nuclear attack, and as events escalate, Stonecastle expertly keeps us guessing as to what will happen next.
Unlike other books in this genre that focus on the aftermath of a nuclear attack, A Flash of Light is a refreshing take on the events leading up to the catastrophe. As is common in this type of story, the biggest danger is not the invading foreign power or the bombs themselves but rather the people who have lost their minds in the wake of the disaster. The swift and base nature of human behavior in times of crisis is both startling and terrifying.
Despite the gripping action, what truly sets this book apart is its protagonist, Heather. She is a likable and relatable character who is given depth through the loss of her husband. Watching her navigate the apocalypse while still trying to be a good mother is one of the book’s most poignant moments.
A Flash of Light is a riveting post-apocalyptic book that will keep you on the edge of your seat with its fast-paced action and unique take on the genre.
Pages: 255 | ASIN : B0B8KVYLLG
The Celine Bower Story
Carly Brown’s The Celine Bower Story: Chronicle Two is a gripping tale of murder, revenge, and the quest for escape. This exciting story follows the life of Celine Bower after she endures a brutal attack and rape and sets out to seek her own justice. However, in order to evade police questioning regarding the violence inflicted on her attackers, Celine must go into hiding. Meanwhile, we also follow Troy Alexander, who is struggling with losing his mother, a strained relationship with his father, and a disturbing urge to murder young women. Eventually, these two characters’ paths intersect in a suspenseful and captivating narrative.
The author’s masterful character development and descriptive language shine through in this novel, particularly in how she portrays the characters’ personalities and actions. For example, the use of phrases such as ‘Troy said venomously’ paints a vivid picture of his persona, allowing the reader to better visualize the events in the story. While there are some references to ‘Chronicle One,’ the evidence of what Celine is running away from is gradually incorporated into the narrative skillfully and captivatingly. Readers will have no trouble following the storyline and understanding where Celine is coming from.
Carly Brown has done an exceptional job of creating complex and intriguing characters with unique backstories. In addition, the delicate handling of specific themes throughout the book adds depth to the characters and the storyline. While there are moments where the pace of the story may seem slow, and the connection between the individual stories may not be clear, these elements ultimately contribute to the reader’s anticipation and curiosity surrounding the narrative.
Overall, The Celine Bower Story: Chronicle Two is an excellent read full of unexpected surprises, and I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a thrilling and thought-provoking novel.
Pages: 200 | ISBN : 1771616482
I Need a Hero
Ron Clamp’s I Need a Hero is an exquisitely crafted literary masterpiece that blends romance, fantasy, and sci-fi elements in a truly epic fashion. This gripping story takes place in a dystopian future. It follows the exploits of Commander Charlie Jackson, a brilliant war tactician and strategist who is tasked with leading the intergalactic ship Perseus. With a crew consisting of Charlie’s computer-savvy brother, Jacob, gifted teenage prodigies, and loyal team members, the ship’s initial mission is to serve as a repair vessel. However, as they embark on their journey, Charlie and Jacob find themselves embroiled in a perilous personal mission, one that threatens to sever their connection with Earth. With the constant threat of the Obsidians, the enemy, lurking in the shadows, Charlie must forge a bond with his crew and his ship to ensure everyone’s safety. Meanwhile, on Earth, Charlie’s wife, Maddie, discovers that her dark past has caught up with her. Despite the vast distance separating them, Charlie is determined to rescue Maddie, no matter what the cost.
I Need a Hero is an incredibly rich and beautifully written work of literature that seamlessly blends music, Greek mythology, fantasy, and a tragic love story to provide the reader with a wholly satisfying experience from beginning to end. The author’s vivid descriptions transport the reader onto the ship Perseus, allowing them to feel the characters’ heightened emotions and experience the richly detailed world first-hand. Each character’s backstory is tragic, akin to epic Greek tales, which makes it easy for readers to identify with them. As the crew becomes a close-knit family, the bond they share inspires and motivates readers.
The author skillfully maintains the book’s momentum, ensuring that readers are constantly engaged and on the edge of their seats. The intricate explanations of war in outer space are evocative and captivating, and every aspect of the book, from the action to the heartbreak, is compelling and intricately woven together. The novel is a page-turner, complete with a spectacular ending that is sure to leave readers yearning for more.
I Need a Hero is a phenomenal read that will appeal to anyone looking for a fantasy or sci-fi novel with a highly original plotline. The galaxy in this novel is full of depth and complexity, and readers will undoubtedly want to explore it further. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this talented author.
Page: 376 | ASIN : B0BS1VPQZD
Disciples
Carla is looking for the thing she lost, Blessing for who she is, Logan for what to do next, and Junior for who he’s supposed to be. With the characters still reeling from the events of Disruptions, nothing is what it once was or what it was said to be. In T.N. Baldwin’s third installment of the Magicium series, our beloved, rag-tag group of once hesitant adventurers find themselves buried deeper and deeper in the politics of the war they once sought to end. Disciples is an exciting and thrilling story that delves into the root of who the characters are.
Just like the previous books in the series, Disciples does a fantastic job of building off the already-established plot and characters while managing to bring everything to its full potential. Carla, Logan, Blessing, and Junior all have no choice but to step out of their comfort zones in order to grow. I found myself especially interested in Blessing, a character who I haven’t always loved. At times, it felt like I was reading a coming-of-age novel – definitely an interesting choice for the third book in a series but a choice that paid off immensely. It was a joy to watch the characters that I’d already fallen in love with grow into themselves and navigate the conflicts they were forced into, separated as they were.
Disciples kept me interested in everything while not making things too overwhelming. Disciples is a fantastic follow-up to its predecessors and one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Action, politics, and adventure – it had everything I wanted out of a fantasy novel while keeping me excited for the inevitable reunion in the next book.
Pages: 485 | ASIN : B08QGQKP2B
Ignition 2084
Ignition 2084, a new science fiction novel by Jordan Hampton, takes place in the long shadow cast by a Second Civil War fought in the United States in 2020. From the War rose the tyrannical and white-dominated Scarlet Kingdom, opposed by three other factions mainly divided along racial lines. As the Kingdom redoubles its efforts to reunify the country by force, one of those factions, the Yaiba Insurrection, manages to level the playing field via new military technology and the skill and courage of warrior John Hamlin.
Hampton’s greatest strength lies in his action scenes; he understands well what makes for good action in print. Not simply in spectacle, as in a movie; instead, he gives each scene context through dialogue and just enough description that the reader always understands the stakes in each fight and, from the prologue onwards, feels invested in each character’s fate. Even incidental characters who appear only briefly often receive a name and a small piece of characterization through dialogue or narrative so that every scene feels like it involves real people with a life outside the immediate context of the story. One should also note that while technology certainly plays a significant role in the story and the spectacle of, e.g., the heat-generating Reikiken sword are appealing, Hampton never lets them overshadow the main points of the story.
Now, Hampton seems to have meant for the racial divisions among the various factions and how they’re handled to be relevant to the real world, which forms an essential aspect of the novel. However, Ignition 2084 is primarily the story of John Hamlin. Though Hampton does have something to say about the real world, he’s not heavy-handed or overly preachy but lets the novel speak for itself.
Overall, Ignition 2084 is a gripping and entertaining Science Fiction novel that’s easy to recommend to any fan of the genre. With espionage, military action, and thrilling battles, readers will be drawn in and hooked from the opening pages of this not-so-distant future story.
Pages: 642 | ASIN : B0B7D2S22Q
Pray to the Dead
Pray To The Dead, the second book in Alyce Elmore’s Angels Have Tread Trilogy, follows the lives of several individuals and the new world they encounter 20 years after the desolation exterminated all males over the age of 20. Catherine is pleased to be the rising star of the New Order Party and looks forward to a new society with no use for males. Sofia, a council moderator in the Warragul colony, believes the government, or someone in the government, is responsible for the murders of the boys she is investigating. Finally, Patricia, a political journalist, discovers that the government is concealing some research from the public and is perplexed about what it all means. Is there a diabolical scheme being carried out by the government against males?
The gripping book features an impressive and well-developed world. The glossary of terms at the beginning of the book contains several words that reflect the changes in the new world. For example, the latter years of a young man’s life are referred to as cusp, and male sex workers are referred to as studs. Furthermore, viewing the physical features via the perspective characters’ thoughts makes envisioning the scenes a delight. The book contains profound insights, such as when Patricia characterizes an interior design as nice enough but lacking in personality. Another excellent quality of the novel is how unpredictable it is; the twists and turns have you eagerly anticipating the next chapter.
Pray To The Dead is a thought-provoking and riveting novel that will have sci-fi and fantasy readers unable to put the book down. I applaud author Alyce Elmore for writing such a brilliant story that inspired me to envisage a world where males play minimal societal roles through a riveting chain of events. Readers who appreciate dystopian and political novels with multiple intricate turns will enjoy this book.
Pages: 354 | ASIN : B0BSGQYQ4J
The Jediran Quest
Pre-teen Braven of Delta Colony looks forward to the class field trip on the planet of Jedira. Alongside his mother, chief botanist of the colony, Braven plans to explore and catalog the flora of the mysterious Towers, one of the few places on Jedira where plant life truly flourishes. But when an unexpected problem prevents Braven’s mother from accompanying him, the field trip begins to go sideways. Arriving at the Towers, Braven and his classmates are soon thrown into an epic quest, as the serenity of Jedira is shattered by an unimaginable threat. Together, Braven and his fellow companions must work together to overcome the odds if they have any hope of survival.
The Jedira Quest by Cal Davis is an exceptional tale of teamwork in the face of danger. Thrown into deadly survival situations with no guidance and few supplies, Braven and his cohorts must use every ounce of wisdom they possess in order to overcome the challenges they face. A story of travel and ingenuity, friendship and endurance, this incredible science fiction narrative contains echoes of prehistory as the preteens’ journey on Jedira continues.
This highly engaging story has perfect pacing, with the preteens facing regular challenges without the narrative becoming cluttered. The characters are each unique and lend their own abilities to the team. Stalwart Braven, wise Jauris, shy Whisper, brave Khara, steady Zhan, and roguish twins Dirk and Kirk all have a part to play as the quest develops. There are moments of laughter and serious intensity as the story weaves together, leading this remarkable quest to a satisfying conclusion.
This captivating story is a well-crafted tale that shines brightly like the two moons of Jedira. With its action-packed narrative, exceptional depth, and plot that resonates with themes of friendship and survival, The Jedira Quest is a must-read for science fiction fans. It is suitable for middle-grade readers and above who enjoy a thrilling and exciting adventure. Author Davis provides readers with excellent storytelling, perfect pacing, and compelling characters.
Pages: 168 | ASIN : B0B3V7PDZ6
LITERARY TITAN 