Tag: anthony avina

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The Deadbringer by E.M. Markoff Book Review:

It’s not often that a reader gets the chance to meet with the author of a book they just purchased, but that’s where I found myself when I made
my recent trip to San Francisco Comic Con and met author E.M. Markoff. While speaking, she told me of her book, The Deadbringer, and getting to
see the passion in which she spoke of it really got me interested in reading this story, and I have to say that after reading this book, I can
understand why she felt so strongly for this tale.

First, here’s the synopsis:

In the aftermath of the Purging, the Deadbringers are no more. The Ascendancy has positioned itself as the land’s dominant power by exploiting
the people’s fear of the Deadbringers’ innate abilities to summon souls and reanimate the dead. Yet its hold is not complete, for in the North
the Bastion stands in the way of the Ascendancy and its iron-willed elite soldiers, the Sanctifiers.

But, somehow, a single Deadbringer has managed to survive. Kira Vidal, a boy of fifteen, has remained hidden, living peacefully with his uncle
in the northern city of Opulancae under the Bastion’s protection. But it seems their luck is at an end when rumors begin to spread, and a
strange man shows up at their door, seeking the forbidden services of a Deadbringer.

Aware of the dangers should word of his nature reach the Ascendancy, Kira makes a promise to himself to protect his beloved uncle at all costs,
even if it means pursuing the limits of his powers … and learning painful truths.

This novel was beautifully written. The rich history that fits into this nearly 300 page novel is breathtaking to behold, with several different
species and powers being revealed through complex layers of history established as the story goes on. The intricate and delicate line that the
characters struggle to balance on to define their own moral compass is fascinating to watch unfold, and getting to see the various ways each
character views the world and the way in which they justify their actions makes this an incredibly complex world to dive into. This is a mature
YA novel that any fantasy fan should not miss, so be sure to pick up your copies of The Deadbringer today! This reader cannot wait to dive into
more adventures with Kira Vidal and discover more about this fantastic new YA mythology!

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Lois Lane: Fallout by Gwenda Bond Book Review

Everyone knows the story of Clark Kent and his rise to becoming the world’s most popular superhero, Superman. Yet not everyone has gotten a chance
to know the other hero in that story, and that is the infamous Lois Lane. Before she was a hard-nosed journalist, she was just an army brat who
had trouble fitting in, and sought a place to call home. That is what author Gwenda Bond explores in her YA novel, Lois Lane: Fallout. Here is
the official synopsis:

Lois Lane steps out from behind Superman’s shadow in this fast-paced, high-adrenaline tale of intrigue and bravery.

Army brat Lois Lane has moved more times than she can count—and has caused just as much trouble righting wrongs no one else seems to notice.
Now that her family is in Metropolis for good, though, she’s decided to fly straight. Unfortunately, it won’t be that easy. A group known as the
Warheads is tormenting a girl at school, messing with her mind via an immersive video game they all play. Not cool. Armed with her wit and
snazzy new job as a reporter, Lois is determined to help. But this isn’t just a case of cyberbullying—something seriously creepy and dangerous
is going on. Thank goodness she can always count on her maybe-more-than-a friend, a guy she knows only by his screenname, SmallvilleGuy…

This book gives the character of Lois Lane a strong, independent voice that she shown in the comics but never to this extent. Finally this
powerful, strong female comic book character is given a chance in the spotlight, and in this novel she shines brightly. Getting to see the
struggles this young girl goes through while still driving forward fearlessly to protect the innocent students at her new school is refreshing
to see unfold, and by the end of the book readers will be left wanting more from this incredible take on the character. The book is evenly
paced in it’s action and character development, and getting to see the early relationships between Lois and her father, General Lane, as well as
her younger sister Lucy Lane, is a phenomenal character study that is not often explored as heavily in the comics as Superman’s backstory is.

Overall this is a fantastic story that every DC Comics/Lois Lane fan should read. Gwenda Bond has eloquently captured the essence of one of my
favorite DC characters, and everyone should check out this amazing YA novel about one of the best comic book journalists in the world, Lois Lane.
Be sure to check out Lois Lane: Fallout now!

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A Life of Death (A Life of Death #1) by Weston Kincade Book Review

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author and Booklover Catlady Publicity in return for a fair and honest review.
Many thanks!

It’s rare that a YA novel that deals with supernatural elements is outshone by the emotional core of it’s characters and story, and yet that is
the case in Weston Kincade’s A Life of Death, the first in the A Life of Death series. This book is very well written, and does a marvelous job
of exploring the themes of life, death, and family. Here is the description:

Alex Drummond is a troubled high school senior with a checkered past, a broken home, and a surprising ability. When he touches items that murder
victims held in their final moments, Alex relives the events in gruesome detail, seeing what they saw, thinking their thoughts, and even feeling
what they felt. But who will believe a troubled teen, especially when the murders are so close to home and might reveal skeletons hidden for
hundreds of years? Join Alex as he struggles to find his destiny, understand love, solve the mysterious murders within his small home town, and
speak for victims who can no longer speak for themselves.

The novel does a great job of implementing the supernatural elements in a very real and natural way. While the prospect of this protagonist being
able to connect with the dead is fascinating, what draws readers in more and what a lot of people will be able to identify with is Alex’s struggle
with his home life and the loss of a loved one. Elements of abuse, alcoholism and death are the core of this powerful story, while the emotional
struggle Alex goes through in every chapter of this story make this novel a heartbreaking read that is impossible to put down. The grounded
reality of the characters does a great job of mixing with the surreal nature of Alex’s newfound abilities, and by the end of the book you are left
wanting more from Alex Drummond and his life. This is a must read novel and I hope to see more from Weston Kincade and this series in the future.
Be sure to check out A Life of Death by Weston Kincade today!

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Boylord Issues #1-2 by Nathan Peabody Review:

After a rather successful trip to San Francisco Comic Con, I had the pleasure of meeting several artists, writers and publishers. One such creator
was Nathan Peabody, and I was given copies of the first two issues of his growing science fiction and fantasy series, Boylord.

This comic-book series follows a young boy named Ettan, who is a part of the Utopian society of cat-like species known as pranans. His home planet
of Vareenya is millions of years old, and his people can live thousands of years. They have six pairs of DNA that give them advanced abilities,
and they are known as a force for good. Having uprooted their home planet years earlier to a more peaceful part of the galaxy, Ettan lives a
life of peace and harmless adventure. However soon Ettan finds himself thrust into a perilous adventure filled with demons, war-bound humans and
a ticket straight to hell itself. If you want to know the incredibly detailed backstory for this story, I will include a link to Boylord’s website
here: http://www.boylord.com/read-me/

The artwork is simply beautiful. While Nathan Peabody created and wrote Boylord, artist Manuela Soriani brought the vast story to visual life.
With breathtaking visuals that perfectly outline the beautiful and graceful pranans  or the gritty and visceral look of the demonic forces that
threaten young Ettan, these two issues really blend the genres of science fiction and fantasy well, and even threw in a drip of horror in for
good measure.

Overall, this is an incredible story and wonderful comic book that deserves recognition. The beautiful artwork is a perfect pairing with a strong
story that is addictive and fun to read. These first two issues are a perfect introduction into this vast galaxy that holds endless possibilities
for stories down the road, and not only should you guys pick up your copies of issues 1 & 2 of Boylord, but if you enjoy the story and want to
see more, I recommend you check out this Kickstarter campaign to continue the story and get the next chapter of this story created. Follow the
link below to support the Kickstarter campaign, and be sure to pick up your copies of Boylord by Nathan Peabody today!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/boylord/boylord-chapters-3-and-4

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The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings Book Review:

Murder is the new normal in this visceral YA novel!

What would our world look like if murder became a way of life? How would two people who were born and raised in that bloody world survive? That’s the question answered in the first novel of New York Times bestselling author Lindsay Cummings series, The Murder Complex.

First, the plot:

A cure for human disease has been found, and overpopulation sets in, causing the society in this bleak dystopian novel to create an official murder compound. Cummings builds an intense, distinct world full of rogue pirates and government commandments. Meadow’s main concern is taking care of her family, and her father has trained her to survive in any situation, making her a tough fighter. Zephyr is an unhappy ward assigned to carry out the Initiative’s violent commands. After a chance encounter brings the two together, they form an immediate bond, though the reasons for their desire are not set up beforehand, which leads to a forced romance. The point of view alternates between the teens, but it is difficult to distinguish between their narrative voices. This dismal look at the darker side of humanity raises interesting questions of wealth, power, and privacy, yet none of them is fully explored.

This was a fantastic and heart-pounding read. The brutal reality of a world where the law of the land is murder, readers are able to get a great look at two very different perspectives. One is ruled by hopelessness and humor, the other by ruthless survival and family. The way these characters are introduced and the plot which brings them together is an incredible journey that is not to be missed, so be sure to pick up your copies of author Lindsay Cummings book, The Murder Complex, today!

Q&A with Ben Jackson

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Recently I had the opportunity to review the guide, “How to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse” by Ben Jackson. He was also kind enough to answer some questions about the book, so check out our interview here!

1) What gave you the inspiration to write “How to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse”?
I hate scary movies, but can’t help myself when it comes to zombie movies. I just watch them during the day, not late at night! I enjoy prepping, and also love the aspect of watching a movie and yelling ‘I wouldn’t have done it like that!’ So, I said to my wife that I was going to write a zombie survival book, and she told me no one would be interested, but I wrote it anyway. It has been one of our most popular books, both digital copies and paperback copies.
2) There are so many helpful tips for both zombie survival and overall survival. What would be the most important piece of advice you could give anyone trying to survive a disaster of this magnitude?
Hmm, stay and fight or be prepared to run and gun I suppose. If you’re going to stay and defend your location, then make sure that you put everything into it. It’s easier to hide than fight, but ultimately you can’t run forever. It all comes down to how many people you’re looking after or how many people are in your group.
3) What zombie films/books/TV shows do you think showcase both the zombie threat and the necessary survival tools mentioned in your book accurately?
The TV show The Walking Dead is a good example of a group of people that want to settle down and defend one location, but ultimately find it too hard. They have to deal with large groups of zombies, as well as dealing with large groups of hostile people looking to take what they have. The Will Smith movie, I am Legend, has a good setup for his own home defense. There are also some differences in that movie, during the day he’s free to roam, the zombies only come out at night, and there’re almost no other people to deal with.
4) If you could pick anyone to be on your zombie apocalypse survival group, who would it be and why?
Seal Team 6, lol! Seriously, anyone that you care about, and you know has some basic survival instincts, and decent intentions would be good for a zombie squad. You never really know who will crumble under pressure, but I would want my wife by my side of course!
5) Any other books or guides that you are currently working on or plan to work on?
I just finished a basic preppers pantry style book. It’s called SHTF & Urban Survival Items for Preppers: Beginners Guide to Everything You Need to Stockpile for the SHTF, Urban Survival, Prepping, and Disasters. It has only been released for about a month. It is some of the important things you’ll need for prepping and why, and some of the most obscure items that you may not have thought about. It’s a good beginners book, for people that are interested in becoming preppers, but not really sure what it’s about.
I also just finished my first fiction novel, it’s a dystopian fiction based in a post-apocalyptic world after a virus has swept through the country. It’s being proofread now, so probably 3-4 weeks away yet.

SHTF & Urban Survival Items for Preppers https://www.amazon.com/dp/1534604510/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_h4eUxbR9PWH5S

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Tales From Alternate Earths Book Review

Some of you may not know this, but one of the most fascinating scientific theories I’ve ever found in life has been the theory of alternate
realities. The theory that our world is one of an infinite amount of realities, with each reality similar in all but one way, is one of the most
incredible and interesting scientific theories in the world, and I love anything that revolves around this subject. So I jumped at the opportunity
to review a brand new anthology from Inklings Press, called “Tales From Alternate Earths”. Released a couple of days ago, the anthology covers
tales of various alternate histories and worlds, some that emerged from a small change to our history, and some from a massive change. Tales of
horror, science fiction and thrillers make up the heart of this anthology, showcasing our world from various different viewpoints.

The incredible authors in this anthology include Jessica Holmes, Daniel M. Bensen, Terri Pray, Rob Edwards, Maria Haskins, Cathbad Maponus, Leo
McBride, and collaborators Brent A. Harris and Ricardo Victoria. The stories range from political upheaval in the form of a President Kennedy who
was never assassinated and a Cuban Missile Crisis that hadn’t been diffused, but rather the nukes had flown. Tales of ancient rulers living past
their time or the dinosaurs having never gone extinct and becoming the dominant species on Earth. The most fascinating thing about these altered
histories however is just the sheer amount of knowledge one gains from reading these stories. While I’m a huge fan of history, I don’t claim to
know everything, and by the end of this anthology, once you read what the true histories were of each story, you will come away with a real sense
of a better understanding of our world.

Overall, this is a phenomenal read that is not to be missed. Each of these stories are super well written and pack both an action-packed and
emotional punch. In a short span of time, the reader will instantly become invested in the lives of these various characters and their world, and
getting glimpses into what our world could have been like if one tiny detail had changed is a fascinating thing to consider, so be sure you read
the fourth anthology from Inklings Press, “Tales From Alternate Earths”, today!

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How to Survive The Zombie Apocalypse: The Complete Guide To Urban Survival, Prepping and Zombie Defense by Ben Jackson Book Review:

Have you ever wondered what you would do in the event that the worst has happened and the world has spiraled into a post-apocalyptic zombie
nightmare? Well wonder no more, because in Ben Jackson’s “How to Survive The Zombie Apocalypse: The Complete Guide To Urban Survival, Prepping
and Zombie Defense” readers will learn all the need to know information on surviving the deadly apocalypse.

This 72-page book covers a wide range of topics, from the different types of zombie outbreaks one may face, to the pros and cons of either finding
shelter or staying mobile during the apocalypse, and the necessary supplies you’ll need to have in order to survive. With pop culture references
to zombies spread throughout the book and a heavy dose of very real survival preparation, this book is the best guide this reader has ever read
concerning the zombie threat. So whether or not you want to prepare for zombie attacks or want to know how to be prepared to survive any other
global disaster, this book is not to be missed, so be sure you read the incredible “How To Survive The Zombie Apocalypse: The Complete Guide To
Urban Survival, Prepping and Zombie Defense” by Ben Jackson today!

Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0129GH7MQ/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0129GH7MQ&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2#nav-subnav

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The Guardian, a Sword, & Stilettos (Enlighten #1) by Kristin D. Van Risseghem

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author and Booklover Catlady Publicity in return for a fair and honest review.
Many thanks!

Another thrilling new entry into the YA Fantasy realm hits home in author Kristin D. Van Risseghem’s “The Guardian, a Sword, & Stilettos (Enlighten #1)”,
a brand new adventure featuring ancient prophecies, angels, demons, and a whole lot of teenage angst. Here is the official description of the
book.

Zoe Jabril could be just another 17-year-old girl attending parties with her friends and checking out cute guys—except her best friend is a
Guardian Angel, and the boy she crushes on is a Nephilim, half-angel, both sent to Earth to protect her. A high school classmate happens to be
a trendsetting shopaholic fairy. And now there’s a new werewolf in town.

Zoe has to deal with her feelings toward Shay, who spreads a strange electrical current through her body every time he touches her. Now Zoe is
under constant attack from demons, trying to kill and stop her from fulfilling the Prophecy: a girl will be born who will unite the Enlightens
to battle evil. Then on top of that, between boring homework and drama with girls at school, she has to control new found talents if she’s to
prevent the devil from escaping Hell.

In order to do so, Zoe must devise a kick-ass plan ASAP or watch everyone die, because she’s running out of time. She turns eighteen in two
months—the date Armageddon kicks off.

What really stood out to this reviewer was how fast the action turned up in the story. Within a few pages the reader is introduced to three of
the main characters, is thrown into a high-octane, life or death situation, and introduces a heated new romance. The characters themselves, mainly
the protagonist Zoe, shows a tremendous amount of character growth through the novel. She goes from a naive, love-struck teenage girl to a
strong, powerful woman, and through the story’s plot she more than proves herself worthy of being this series protagonist. The sheer volume of
mythology showcased in this first book is amazing, and the vast amount of different supernatural entities in this series is sure to remind a lot
of readers of the Shadowhunter sage written by the incredible Cassandra Clare.

Overall, this is a phenomenal first entry in the Enlighten series by Kristin D. Van Risseghem. It maintains the quality writing the YA genre has
come to know and love over the last few years, and the abundance of creativity is felt in every sentence by the author. It’s filled with commonplace
teenage drama, while incorporating the supernatural realm in a very real and natural way. This is a must read for YA fans out there, so be sure
to pick up your copies of “The Guardian, a Sword, & Stilettos” today!