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No Pistol Tastes the Same
Sgt. Grimm (J.P) opts to serve his country. Away from his family, he takes solace in the camaraderie of his fellow Marines, including Joey, his best friend. But it all goes wrong when Grimm loses his friend and other men he could have saved if he had acted faster. The patriotic soldier later returns from the war into the arms of his wife, son, and grandparents. But burdened by guilt and haunted by the bombs, blood, and deaths from the war, Grimm is not the same man he was when he left home. And his new demons threaten to tear apart everything and everyone he calls home. The question is, will he let them?
Although its curious title doesn’t give this away, No Pistol Tastes The Same is a gripping novel on post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans. It peels away the layers of unfamiliarity and reveals the deeply disturbing and lingering effects war has on the minds and lives of those who fight in it.
This story reminds me of why storytelling is a powerful tool to evoke empathy. Author Jacob Paul Patchen’s writing successfully transports readers into his main character’s reality, making an unfamiliar situation seem like a shared reality. Patchen is also great with imagery as he improves the reading experience with evocative descriptions of settings.
The story is delivered with the elegance and precision of a true wordsmith. Make no mistake, there aren’t flowery words or unclear metaphors. Instead, readers feel the total weight of a narrative cobbled with tools whose sophistication is in their cultured simplicity. The writing is so good that it strikes the heart where it matters in many places, ensuring that you feel the raw emotions being communicated. Altogether, the story is free-flowing, mainly punctuated by the moments of reflection and concern it triggers.
No Pistol Tastes the Same is a captivating war novel dealing with life after returning from war. The plot is pretty straightforward but excellently executed. The characters are relatable and make readers care about this remarkable story.
Elysium Protocol
Elysium Protocol by C.A. MacLean is the third book in the Architects of the Illusion science fiction series. Following a species-diverse team known as the “Fireseeds,” Elysium Protocol picks up the shattered pieces left over from the devastating war in book two, The Great Scourge. In a time of interstellar conflict, multiple factions, some seen, some working from the shadows, are vying for power, control, and sometimes, just plain survival. Set in a distant future, the last remnants of humanity are part of an intergalactic organization known as “The Convergence,” an alliance consisting of “quintillions” of citizens.
The Fireseeds are pitted against a vast alien force known as the “hiven,” an insect-like species bent on zealous destruction and domination. Several science fiction tropes appear here, but they are executed skillfully; which ensures longtime fans of science fiction will find something familiar yet still intriguing. There are multiple alien races present: humanoid bird-persons (Arkerians), crystal people (Altaran), bug people (hiven), and more. The story is rife with many planet names and systems, such as Everan, Serrona, Vraunlith-3, etc. I feel this might make it difficult to follow at times but adds to the depth of a world that seems full of possbilites and begs to be explored further. I would have loved to have seen a map of systems in the book to look back on because this story reaches epic fantasy levels where readers will be completely immersed in a large world.
This is a robust novel, almost as long as the two previous entries combined. There is a lot of action going on with all of the characters and races. Readers have to be fully engaged in this story to keep up with who is who and what species is what; reminding me of the breadth of George R.R. Martin novels. However, the author effectively handles the task of keeping things straight, with the central characters being well developed with strong individual personalities. The Arkerian Engami sisters, Eva and Ashy, the tragic Altaran, Caleb Braze, the modest human, Daniel Byre, and many more fill this impressive work with relatable characters and a compelling story. Despite some massive decisions, the memorable characters and gripping action bring a universe of primordial planets, advanced spacecraft, and futuristic cities to life.
Architects Of The Illusion, Part III: Elysium Protocol is an action-filled science fiction space opera with memorable characters and planets. Readers will be able to escape into the world that has been created and feel like they are in the action.
Pages: 777 | ASIN : B09NPPJL1Q
The Right to Revenge
The Right to Revenge is a dystopian science fiction novel by author Veronica North. Set in a speculative future where gene editing experiments have split humanity into three categories. The “unstable” Alphas, the “normal” Betas, and the “enhanced” Gammas. This divide resulted in an ongoing genocide and civil war to stop it. In this world, we follow J, a Gamma rebel out to get revenge for the death of her sisters. This layered novel also explores her mental state and reactions to the violence around her as the story unfolds.
North’s style creates a vivid and distinct world for their characters to interact. One in which the sense of desolation caused by the war is apparent and where the motivations of each faction are understandable, if misguided. The author takes the reader on an intense emotional ride filled with action-packed scenes with quick, fluid, and exciting action.
The characters in this riveting novel are well developed and complex, drawing the reader in with their backstories and insightful dialogue. You love the good guys and have a love/hate relationship with the bad guys. The author has included some plot twists, so readers are hooked throughout the unpredictable story. J is such a strong and passionate character, and you immediately are drawn to her. However, I found it interesting that the plot and other characters in the story often influenced the main character’s actions and choices.
The science-fiction aspects of the story do not overwhelm the reader with scientific jargon but instead compliments the plot and help the story progress. In addition, the futuristic world and components add to the dystopian feel, which keeps readers on edge.
The Right to Revenge is an action-filled novel that opens with an NC-17 warning, often pulling from tropes and styles of Young Adult fiction but with some swears and steamy scenes are thrown in.
Pages: 299 | ASIN : B09MDSVRWN
SECTOR 10
Delphi Corp. is only looking to build more advanced technology for humankind, but its new project unwittingly puts humanity in danger. The supercomputer the tech company is building affects the barrier between Earth and alternate realities, leading to various anomalies on earth and ultimately dragging humans into a war of survival between the Yhemlens and the Greys from alternate worlds. Faced with battles on two fronts, Ellis Bartram, owner of Delphi Corp., and his team of scientists must find a way to correct their mistakes and preserve humanity from total annihilation.
Author N. Matthias Moore’s action-packed novel Sector 10 is the prequel to his exciting debut novel, Cloud 9, and is a genuinely compelling read. Moore’s storytelling and character development skills place you in a believable mindset that holds your attention as the plot unfolds. In addition, this remarkable book highlights strong motivations for the characters’ actions and gripping internal and external conflicts.
I like how this through-provoking book explores interesting science fiction themes that will have your curiosity running wild all the way through. Topics like time travel, scientists uploading their consciousness into a supercomputer, spaceships, civilizations living in orbit between the Earth and the moon, and futuristic weapons will have readers wondering what will happen next. All these elements will have readers on edge, envisioning the world that Moore has created and eagerly following the multiple lines of conflict created through time-traveling.
Moore has an uncanny ability to paint lucid story elements with expertise. When describing time travel and odd races, authors need to deliver expressions and create an immersive experience for readers. Moore does a great job of presenting his ideas and seamlessly integrating smaller events into the storyline so readers can feel like they are part of the well-conceived story.
Sector 10 is a phenomenal new science fiction novel for adventurous readers. With high-tech science and innovation, the action keeps coming, and readers will be entertained in this highly original novel from start to finish.
Pages: 318 | ASIN : B09HL8WD15
13 Months
In 1968, most people will remember that year as the year Martin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy were assassinated. Or the year Nixon got into the white house. Or Apollo 8 orbiting the moon. However you remember that year, there is always someone else who remembers it differently, how they were impacted by the significant events that transpired. Bruce A. Bastien recalls that year as a year of the war. A war-torn Vietnam where soldiers had to fight in the most brutal conditions; sickly, hot humidity during the day and fighting the cold in the rain at night. All-the-while trying to stay alive. Bastien takes us through the Vietnam War stories through his eyes and that of his friends from Kilo Company 3/5.
13 Months: In the Bush, in Vietnam, in 1968 is incredibly well-written. This introspective book is written in a clear voice and, structurally, built up to the significant events that transpired during Bastien’s time in the war, making it highly educational but also very sad to read. The author includes many pictures and descriptions to go along with the reading allowing readers to put a face to the names they see on the pages, deepening the experience. I believe if the pictures were incorporated into the chapters to coincide with the story, it would’ve been more engaging for the reader, as well as giving them a better understanding of who was who rather than providing them all at the end.
Bastien describes in great detail the functions of American military lingo, rank/command, and weaponry where necessary. For example, on page 21, Bastien gives “a bit of fluff explaining what a 6mm mortar can do.” As a civilian, I would have no clue what this weapon is or what it can do, so I appreciated the details. But, on the other hand, it may seem like a lot of unnecessary description for someone who understands all this. In addition, I feel that the book could have done better with the transition of time in between chapters. In some chapters, there are times when Bastien will jump from day to day or month to month, leaving readers to figure out how much time has passed.
13 Months: In the Bush, in Vietnam, in 1968 is an intriguing and engaging memoir. For readers who enjoy non-fiction, historical biographies, war history, and stories of the USMC, this account will be impactful and enlightening.
Page: 220 | ASIN : B08GJX19LP
We’re Not Heroes
We’re Not Heroes, by Helen Daniels, is the story of a group of friends that are stuck at a farmhouse after what they originally thought was an earthquake hits Australia. They have suspicions on what actually has happened after their electricity goes out, cars stop working, and the mountains are on fire. Maree and her husband Jon are worried for their children so they set off on a journey to find them.
The author, Helen Daniels, transports readers to the Great Southern region of Western Australia. The level of detail describing the scenery and people in her story transports the readers right into the action. Following along side Jon and Maree as they are fighting for survival will have readers turning pages quickly to see if they can make it to their children and survive this changing world’s destruction.
The characters are well developed and relatable. Readers will want to keep reading because they get invested in the personal emotions and stories of the characters. You begin to understand why certain characters in the story make the choices that they do in a time of crisis. The story builds slow before catapulting into the action. With a strong balance of narrative and action readers will feel like they are part of the story, racing to find their loved ones.
We’re Not Heroes by Helen Daniels is a riveting, captivating and suspenseful post-apocalyptic novel that will have you hooked to the very last page. Readers of action, adventure, suspense and post-apocalyptic science fiction will enjoy this relentlessly entertaining survival story.
Pages: 330 | ASIN : B09K4V6FH8
Streets of Tears
Streets of Tears by Larry J. Hilton chronicles the trials and happenings of the Baur family during World War I. It is a work of historical fiction portraying life in the trenches of warfare, as well as the rise of the Nazi party and impending dictatorship under Hitler, and the events that eventually led to the Holocaust. Following the perspectives of multiple characters throughout, each chapter contained crucial outlooks on the war and its subsequent effects on the economy. The story highlights Depression-era struggles while also shedding light on the viewpoints and mentalities that are shaped by the horrors of war, and its aftermath.
Streets of Tears was an enjoyable read, with likable characters and a captivating storyline. I particularly enjoyed how each chapter was from the stance of a different character or plot line. The story was woven together with humor, heartache, and horror, leaving me wanting more at the end of each chapter. What I enjoyed the most was getting to know characters through the viewpoint of other characters, as well as within their individual chapters.
As a work of historical fiction, it was delightful to see the ideologies of characters and the causes they were fighting for. This allowed for an open minded outlook on why people believed what they believed, and gave me a chance to reflect on what it is I believe. Another thing this book did was give me a glimpse into the lives of the women of the Nazi regime, and why it is they were involved in the first place. This was fascinating as it is not something you see very often in books that revolve around this time period. More often than not, you are given a look into the eyes of those affected by the Nazi party.
Streets of Tears by Larry J. Hilton is an eye opening perspective on life during World War I and under Hitler. A riveting piece of historical fiction for readers that enjoy period pieces, ideologies of war, and psychological fiction as it pertains to people individually and as a society as a whole.
Pages: 399 | ASIN : B08LQYH77S
The Penitent: Part III
The Immortality Wars The Penitent Part III is the epic conclusion of The Penitent Trilogy. In a battle between good and evil, Pall Warren is in the middle of it all, fighting evil demons to save humanity from the tyranny of an occult priest. Set in a world reminiscent of the Middle Ages with a fantasy spin, Pall continues on his quest to reconnect with his friend, John Savage, and find his place in the world.
The story begins with Pall helping Tom in the aftermath of the Ünger attack. He travels with Tom and his daughter to their new home in Gullswater. While in Gullswater, Pall puts feelers out to see where he can find the bowman, aka Savage. Leading Pall on a quest to Seascale, where he joins forces with Mercer, an ex-member of Gregor Mordant’s Marauders.
Once in Seascale, Pall and Mercer begin their mission to track down Savage and quickly find themselves deep in battle. Meanwhile, Savage works with his boss, Peredurus, the King’s Minister of Affairs, to update him on West Fündländ. Savage also alerts Peredurus to his views that Mordant is a traitor to the King. Peredurus begins his mission to validate Savage’s belief. All parties start to build the forces up for the impending war.
What I loved most was the multiple POVs, especially during the battle. I love when authors utilize this writing style as it gives me a better insight into the motives of the characters. A. Keith Carreiro is a strong writer, at times his style is more formal to help set the tone and add depth to the characters personality. I benefited from learning multiple new words as he has an expansive vocabulary.
The Penitent by A. Keith Carreiro is a thrilling adventure novel written for fans of fantasy and science fiction. The author is skilled at world-building and excels at keeping the reader engaged. Overall a strong finish to this riveting trilogy. Readers will enjoy finding out how Carreiro wraps up things.
Pages: 292 | ASIN: B07WCHGRKC
LITERARY TITAN 