I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Two brothers are hired to find a cache of deadly radioactive Agent Orange before it can be used in a drone attack on Los Angeles in author Patrick Canning’s “For Your Benefit”.
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The Synopsis
Teddy Lint is the kindest private investigator on the planet, committed to seeing the best in everyone he meets. The detective agency he runs out of a Los Angeles strip mall with his brother Ralph has seen a strange case or two before, but never anything like this.
A man claiming to work for the CIA hires the Lints to find a shipping container of radioactive Agent Orange that vanished over fifty years ago. He insists someone is planning on using an army of drones to drench L.A. with the deadly chemicals before the week is out.
The Lint Brothers enter a maze of bizarre suspects, from nefarious ad executives, to anarchistic Boy Scouts, to a toga-clad militia fighting for exclusive rule by women. The propaganda-obsessed society that seems to be running the world is probably worth looking into as well.
The power of empathy collides with the dangers of disinformation as Teddy fights to save the people he loves. Our beloved detective doesn’t give up easily, but any Angelenos with an aversion to death by herbicide might want to dust off that umbrella, just in case . . .
The Review
What an exhilarating and fun read! The blend of mystery, intrigue, suspense, and humor melds together effortlessly from the first page. Immediately, readers are struck by the shocking appearance of a beloved celebrity who appears in the offices of the two brothers at the behest of this mystery CIA agent. The journey only gets stranger and more compelling, with each twist and turn in the story drawing the reader in more and more.
The imagery the author uses in this book really helps give the novel a pulp, almost noir-style cinematic feel, as if blending old black-and-white films with more grungy, 70s-era vibes. The story taps into the international mystery elements perfectly while also giving some hilarious and witty exchanges between the brothers and the cast of characters to offer a necessary and over-the-top plot to get lost in.
The Verdict
With the atmosphere of a Dick Tracey meets Quentin Tarantino film and a cast of characters to rival Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas series, the novel “For Your Benefit” by Patrick Canning is a must-read mystery and suspense novel. The attention to detail, the humor, and the heart that went into the book and the development of these characters made this a remarkable story that readers will come back to time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
PATRICK CANNING is the author of For Your Benefit (2024), Cryptonalia (2021), Hawthorn Woods (2020), The Colonel and the Bee (2018), and Cryptofauna (2018).
His work often blends genres, combining elements of humor, adventure, fantasy, and mystery into stories with imaginative settings, quirky characters, and typos.
Patrick lives in Chicago with his Australian Shepherd, Hank. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys walks on the lakefront, being excited/worrying about AI, and eating his bodyweight in potatoes.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Siblings discover their late father was famous and had an infamous life before their birth in the book “The Merchant of Venus: The Life of Walter Thornton” by Nancy Thornton Navarro and Adriana Thornton-Cornejo with Philip Mershon.
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The Synopsis
Imagine losing a parent and discovering he had a secret life you’d never known about. You and your siblings embark on a quest to uncover what it all meant, becoming enmeshed in a series of images and anecdotes found in newspapers, magazines, books, and documents. Ultimately, you realize your parent was not just famous, but VERY famous! Walter Thornton was famous during a time when it was easy to be forgotten (1920s to the 1950s), making the discoveries about his life all the more engaging due to the involved process of uncovering them.
Through alternating perspectives presented by two sisters, the Thornton saga unfolds in a whirlwind of surprising revelations, thrilling with unexpected drama, adventure, and glamour. Just imagine beautiful models, pin-up girls, Hollywood royalty—Thornton was a true trendsetter. This book unveils the captivating story of Thornton’s rise from an orphan to a charismatic male model to a visionary who transformed advertising by founding the first-ever agency for advertising models. But hold onto your hats because there’s more! Get ready for dramatic twists, encounters with models who transformed into Hollywood legends such as Lauren Bacall, Susan Hayward, and Grace Kelly, and a hint of McCarthy-era intrigue—it’s a gripping tale worthy of the silver screen itself!
The Review
What an insightful and heartfelt biography! The authors’ personal connection to Walter Thornton is immediately felt, and the emotional core of bringing his whole story to life, both the history they knew and the history they didn’t, will form a deep connection with readers as they delve into this story. The atmosphere the authors create for readers helps capture the old Hollywood meets classic American dream vibes that were so prevalent in that time period.
One of the things that made this biography stand out was how it explored what it means for people to have an impact on history. The revelation of the author’s father and his exploits as a young man, from small roles in early films to modeling and starting the first major modeling agency, allowed readers to see how even the people we love most can have other sides to them, and sometimes those sides can impact the world in a whole new way.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, engaging, and memorable, authors Nancy Thornton Navarro, Adriana Thornton-Cornejo, and Philip Mershon’s “The Merchant of Venus: The Life of Walter Thornton” is a must-read nonfiction biography. The detail and love that went into this biography and the insight that the subject’s life provided into not only this era of history but this industry as well will keep readers engaged and invested in the life of this illustrious man. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Authors
Walter Thornton’s daughters have devoted countless years to researching, writing, and archiving their father’s extensive collection of photos and documents, discovered in the attic of their childhood home. Drawing upon the invaluable insights collected from their father’s documents and aided by the assistance of numerous librarians from esteemed institutions such as the Library of Congress, the New York Public Library, and others across the country, as well as historians, they have fully immersed themselves in the quest to unveil their father’s narrative.
Nancy Thornton Navarro is a former trademark and copyright attorney who has also served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Irving, Texas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Nancy currently lives near Dallas with her husband and is a proud mother of three.
Adriana Thornton-Cornejo (R) is a Programmer, 2D Artist, and CAD Drafter at Focus 360, a company serving the Home Building Industry. Adriana hopes that, with renewed public interest in her father’s life and career, she can one day open a Walter Thornton Museum. She lives near Los Angeles with her husband and their two sons.
Philip Mershon is an entertainment industry historian and storyteller who loves going down a good rabbit hole in search of the truth. He lives in Palm Springs, California.
Join us at The Muffin as we celebrate the launch of The Merchant of Venus: The Life of Walter Thornton. We’ll interview the authors and give away a copy of the book.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young warrior must face an interdimensional threat coming for her people in author Thomas More’s “City in My Hands”, the second book in the Mannahatta series.
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The Synopsis
Prepare yourself for an exhilarating journey through the captivating Mannahatta series, as acclaimed author Thomas More introduces the spellbinding second installment — City In My Hands.
In the heart of Mannahatta, a remarkable heroine emerges. Sakima Tamanend is no ordinary hero; she is a force of nature, empowered by the ancient spirits of the Lenape. Sakima’s awe-inspiring legacy and unwavering strength make her a fierce warrior, inspiring a new generation of young girls to embrace their ancestral power.
Yet, darkness looms over the city as an insidious interdimensional threat descends upon her people. Sakima must rise to new heights of strength and courage as her world crumbles under a relentless assault.
Can she overcome the evil forces and monstrous creatures that threaten everything she holds dear? Will she succumb to her adversaries or emerge as an unstoppable force? The answer lies within the shadows, waiting to be discovered.
Thomas More weaves a tale that captivates, immersing you in a whirlwind of excitement. City In My Hands delves deep into themes of power, morality, and the complexities of transcending humanity. Blending ancient mysticism with futuristic combat, this dark yet redemptive story will keep you enthralled until the very last page.
The Review
What a compelling and richly developed novel. The author perfectly brought the Lenape culture into the fantasy and sci-fi genres, capturing the diverse culture and blending it with the rich mythology the author has developed since the first book. The shock of the new villain’s arrival and the brutality her people face at these invaders’ hands intensify the narrative’s action and fast pacing, keeping readers engaged immediately.
The author’s themes in this book are how people’s culture and heritage can blend with modern times and technology, how other cultures view one another, and how not every journey we undertake is filled with win after win. Still, sometimes, through loss, we learn to grow. How these invaders view the Lenape people and treat them mirrors the unjust treatment of Native American and Indigenous people all over the world by conquerors and invaders, which elevates the action and the heavy fantasy elements of the narrative significantly.
The Verdict
Adrenaline-fueled, haunting, and thought-provoking author Thomas More’s “Cit in My Hands” is a must-read sci-fi and fantasy thriller. The twists and turns and the shocking cliffhanger finale will make readers eager for the next chapter in the Mannahatta series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Thomas More has always been fascinated by Native American culture. As he immersed himself in thoroughly researching the Indigenous people of North America, he discovered that there were very few sci-fi novels featuring people of these cultures as protagonists, and none at all about the original inhabitants of the island of Manhattan. Thus, the idea for the Mannahatta Series was born. Thomas More’s favorite genre is science fiction, followed closely by fantasy. He has read hundreds of sci-fi novels and short stories and has spent hours and hours watching movies and television shows in this genre.
He holds an advanced degree in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. Although college-educated in the art, craft, and labor of writing novels, he is self-taught when it comes to science fiction and its associated tropes, its readers, and the best of its writers. His favorite pastime is going for long motorcycle rides on city streets, country roads, and beaches (where allowed, of course!).
Sample chapters and short stories from his first book are available on the thomasmorewriter site — and you can also search there for information about Native American culture and causes, in addition to a Lenape glossary and the Mannahatta soundtrack.
I received free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Four authors tackle a blend of dystopian sci-fi and fantasy in the collection Earth’s Final Chapter (Winning 2023 Collection).
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The Synopsis
Consume
By Nikolai Bryant, illustrated by Scarlett Greer
Some places on this dystopian earth are still fertile, but not here. In the region where Evelyn lives, toxic spores have ravaged not only the landscape, but the very bodies of those who live among it, and hope seems lost. This found-family knows the feeling of those they love being ripped away, now they cling to what remains, and has yet to be consumed.
Acolyte of the Iron Oracle
By Christopher Furry, illustrated by Shirly Thomas
Living in a former Planetary Council Library comes at a price. After finding his comrades in a vicious frozen death, Chief Elder Snorri asks the help of Queen Gunnhild of Carshorn to defend their home. Will this journey strengthen their budding alliance, or cause deeper rifts?
Onda Escura
By Azalan Reign, Illustrated by Elina Smith
How does one make the leap from merely surviving to a life of thriving? Koveshi, a lone voyager who has lost everything, is shipwrecked on an island after evading the wrath of the beast, who seems to protect it. After watching countess ships succumb to the beast, one day two survivors wash up on shore, in need of help.
The Spirit of the Desert
By Aaron Webber Jr, Illustrated By Zara Challiss
Zid Satoyo becomes a mediator as three communities vie for possession of water from the sky; only, there is no rain, and there will be no easy decisions when discerning who is most worthy of such a gift. They say there is another being residing in the desert, one who lives a life of solitude, and is always watching. Will this ghostly entity keep its distance, or will they, too, lay claim to this powerful piece of tech?
The Review
Another fantastic and richly developed collection of short stories. The detail and dynamic atmosphere that the authors cultivated in their stories helped bring these worlds to life so vividly. The range of each story and the level of the survival these characters had to endure not only showcased a wide range of writing talent from these authors, but explored various facets of ways in which the world could end and endure, from biological contaminants to environmental impacts and more.
The stories, in particular The Spirit of the Desert by Aaron Webber Jr, highlighted the human condition so perfectly. Questions of morality, right and wrong, even in the face of dire survival odds, played so well across these stories. The grand mythology developed in such a short amount of time for each story and the engaging character development will easily keep readers enthralled with each and every story.
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The Verdict
Memorable, thoughtful, and entertaining, Earth’s Final Chapter (Winning 2023 Collection) is a must-read collection of short stories for sci-fi, dystopian and fantasy fans. The beautiful illustrations in each story and the compelling character growth will allow readers to return to these amazing stories time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
An alien species arrives on earth to prevent the human race from destroying themselves, but not everything is as it seems in author Alan M. Weber’s “A World Apart”.
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The Synopsis
Existential Threats & Human Survival: A Cerebral Sci-Fi Epic Tackling Racism, War, Environmental Destruction and Societal Divisions.
Delve into the mind-bending universe of Alan M. Weber’s latest masterpiece, A World Apart. This gripping narrative takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, exploring the depths of human existence and the looming threats that could lead to our extinction.
The story unfolds as mysterious entities, having observed our self-destructive tendencies through centuries of war, injustice, and environmental degradation, decide to intervene. They present humanity with a seven-point survival program. But is this a lifeline or a leash? Are these entities our saviors or colonizers? And what else have they brought with them? The answers to these questions form the crux of this riveting tale.
Weber, known for his thought-provoking works like The Mensch, What Kimi Discovered, Miens of Existence, and The Wedge, once again showcases his knack for crafting socially conscious narratives. His storytelling prowess shines through this science fiction epic, reminiscent of a novel-length version of The Twilight Zone.
A World Apart is not just a tale of survival; it’s a mirror reflecting our societal divisions. It’s a call to action against the existential threats we face – environmental degradation, racism, war, and the erosion of freedom and justice. It’s a commentary on the gun control debate and a plea for unity in a world torn apart by fear and hate.
This book is a must-read for science fiction enthusiasts and political thriller aficionados alike. Its speculative elements are sure to captivate the former, while its exploration of contemporary issues will resonate with the latter.
In A World Apart, Weber has created a world that is simultaneously familiar and alien, a world that forces us to confront the uncomfortable truths about our existence. It’s a world that asks us a simple yet profound question – must we save our Earth from them or from ourselves?
The Review
This was such an insightful and compelling sci-fi novel. The fast pacing of the narrative helped showcase the seriousness and urgency of the novel’s themes, and the character development helped reflect relatable individuals and drive the plot forward naturally. The tension that grows and the heavy atmosphere surrounding this book’s premise shows a depth of intrigue that keeps the reader engaged with these characters.
The heart of the story is in the prominent themes that are featured. Sometimes, to see a problem clearly, one must be willing to take a step back and get an outside perspective on the situation. The author takes this to an extreme yet shockingly necessary place, with an alien race showing the hostility and destructive nature of mankind throughout the centuries and the threat to both ourselves and the planet mankind is. The question of morality, survival, decency, and camaraderie come into play brilliantly here, and the back-and-forth struggle as those seeking change come against those who refuse to see a brighter future charges the action moving forward in this narrative.
The Verdict
Thought-provoking, shocking, and entertaining author Alan M. Weber’s “A World Apart” is a must-read sci-fi meets philosophy and political thriller novel. The realistic depictions of the divided political lines so many people reside in nowadays and the shocking twists in the narrative will keep readers on the edge of their seats and paying attention to the realities mirrored in this book from our world. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Alan M. Weber was born in the Bronx, NY, and now lives in Woodstock. Always a writer, he gave poetry readings around Manhattan’s Greenwich Village in his early twenties, engaged in political activism in college, and wrote extensively in his professional field of Education. Approaching his retirement from a field in which he had worked as a teacher, school administrator and professor of early childhood education, he began a second, long-delayed career as a novelist. He has authored seven books, two for children, five for adults, spanning themes of politics, meta-psychology and the power of love.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young woman must solve the murder of the bookie she took an odd job with as the mob, the police and a killer seek her out in author Steven Max Russo’s “The Debt Collector”.
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The Synopsis
Abigail Barnes is young, pretty and petite, but her looks and size can be deceiving. She’s a tough as nails drifter who makes her living collecting outstanding debts for low-end bookies and loan sharks, Abigail arrives in Hackensack, NJ, from Baltimore, MD, and gets a job collecting for a small-time bookie, who winds up dead.
With a large Wall Street firm moving into town bringing jobs, prestige, and money, the press is soon up in arms about the killing. So the cops to put the squeeze on Ronnie “Slacks” Falcone, a mobster who heads organized crime in the Jersey City area, to help find the killer.
Soon Abigail finds herself being sought by a gang of hoodlums, the mob, and the police. She knows she can’t run and she won’t turn herself in because she has a past that could send her to jail. She has little choice but to try and find out who killed the bookie – without getting killed in the process.
The Review
This was a thrilling and compelling narrative. The author immediately establishes the protagonist as a strong, pull-no-punches woman who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. The way the tables turn, and she must solve this murder, speaks to the strength of the character and the grit of her determination. Her budding friendship with Hector, which begins in the midst of his robbing a gas station and evolves into so much more, showcases the humor and wit that the author infused into the dialogue.
The fast pace of the narrative speaks to crime thriller meets noir storytelling. Gabby’s fearlessness in facing the challenges of this murder case and her becoming hunted by so many different factions involved in this case, both criminals and law enforcement, add to the tense atmosphere and richly developed setting of this story.
The Verdict
Action-packed, thrilling, and entertaining author Steven Max Russo’s “The Debt Collector” is a must-read crime thriller. The adrenaline of the fast-moving parts of this investigation and the steely determination that the protagonist shows in the face of danger at every turn add to the mystery and suspense, with twists and turns that will keep the reader invested in this narrative. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today.
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Steven Max Russo has spent most of his professional career as an advertising copywriter and agency owner. He got interested in writing fiction after one of his short stories was accepted by an online literary journal in 2013. Then he caught the bug and began writing seriously. The publication of his first novel, THIEVES, has garnered praise from renowned crime and thriller authors from around the globe. With a gritty writing style and unique voice, he is quickly winning a legion of new fans. Steve is proud to call New Jersey his home.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinIons are my own.
A young boy hoping to stop the monster in the woods discovers he may have misjudged a poor soul in author and illustrator Steffanie Costigan’s “A Stony Gaze”.
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The Synopsis
Medusa is not the only one with a stony gaze. Things are not always what they seem and gossiping words do not define an individual. Deacon learns that perhaps he judged someone a little too quickly.
“Within the mob the monsters we became. Pride blinded us and we became the very thing we thought we were fighting against. Ideas quickly escalate within a mob and reality becomes blurred hurting innocent individuals.”
The Greek mythology of Medusa with a fun learning twist to it. A Stony Gaze helps kids to learn in a safe environment about group polarization, mob mentality, gossip, bullying and the harm it can do to others. This story encourages kids to communicate and think as an individual before making harmful judgments, in a safe environment. A read that promotes anti-bullying and shares strategies to help kids understand there are two sides to each story.
The Review
What a unique, creative, and thoughtful read! The children’s approach to the Ancient Greek myth of Medusa was engaging right from the start. They developed Medusa as a myth of the woods, a quintessential boogeyman hiding under the bed, to give the story’s protagonist the driving force for this book’s more prominent themes. The warm colors in the illustrations helped capture Medusa’s contrasting views between the myth and legend of her monstrous ways and the truth about the person she is underneath.
The themes of bullying, its impact, the way rumors spread like wildfire, and not judging a book by its cover are all prevalent within this book. The legend of Medusa has always been a cautionary tale, and yet the author beautifully flips the script on that story as humanity becomes the true monsters of their story, destroying without having the whole truth and criticizing anyone different from themselves, teaching the protagonist a heartfelt lesson.
The Verdict
Engaging, thoughtfully crafted, and remarkable author Steffanie Costigan’s “A Stony Gaze” is a must-read children’s book. The twist in the Medusa narrative and the heartfelt lessons bestowed upon the reader create a reading experience that will resonate with children and parents alike. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Author Steffanie Costigan began her passion for writing at the young age of three years old. Despite her ongoing challenge with Dyslexia, she began to develop her skill in writing.
Steffanie would visit her next-door neighbors often, who was an elderly couple from Germany; they shared with Miss Costigan their war stories, which sparked her interest in the history of World War II. At the age of twelve, Steffanie began writing Land of The Dragon and refused to write anything else until she was satisfied with the finished book.
Steffanie Costigan got the opportunity to volunteer for her church and serve as a missionary in Adelaide, Australia. There she befriended many and met the Love of her life Jarom Costigan whom she married and started a family with.
Steffanie is continuing to develop and sharpen her writing skills as she is in the process of schooling through the Lethbridge College.
Steffanie Costigan remains passionate about her writings of Land of The Dragon and is critiquing five more books to follow Land of The Dragon’s ongoing volumes.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A woman who thought she escaped her toxic marriage discovers she has been poisoned and must discover the identity of her poisoner in author Eve Penrose’s “The Blue Prussian”.
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The Synopsis
“A modern-day Gaslight”
The Blue Prussian is a spellbinding story told by Blake O’Brien, a beautiful, young executive with a globetrotting career. Blake returns to her native Manhattan from San Francisco after escaping—or so she thinks—her marriage to a dashing man who turned out to be a prince of darkness. She had been hoping for a fresh start but learns that she has been poisoned with thallium—a deadly neurotoxin referred to as the poisoner’s poison.
Blake is treated with the only known antidote—Prussian blue—the same synthetic pigment with the deeply saturated hue used in dazzling masterpieces like The Starry Night and The Great Wave. Almost unfathomably, the alchemist who invented Prussian blue was the rumored inspiration for Mary Shelley’s character, Dr. Frankenstein. The similarities to Blake’s financier ex are striking as his true nature is revealed—including the discovery of a secret room in the brooding Victorian home where they lived their married life together.
The stylish enclaves of Beekman Place in New York City, Nob Hill in San Francisco, and the Mayfair neighborhood in London provide the backdrop as this chilling tale of treachery and betrayal unfolds. Blake’s resolve triumphs and the camaraderie of her loyal and charismatic friends fortifies her, as she takes the reader on a tantalizing international pursuit to try to catch her poisoner, who is known to the FBI as The Blue Prussian.
The Review
This was a genuinely thrilling and engaging story. The author perfectly laid out this narrative’s high stakes and particular horrors. The history and detail the author poured into the use of poison and how it influenced many aspects of British culture, even going so far as to showcase how the antidote physically shows itself when ingested by the victim, brought out the characters and story in a cinematic way.
The heart of this story was in the strong character development. Blake is a relatable and strong protagonist, facing the far too common domestic abuse and toxicity that so many relationships spiral into behind closed doors. The mystery of the Blue Prussian and the heinous crimes they committed seamlessly blends with the suspense surrounding Blake’s own life, and the reader will instantly be drawn into this narrative as the psychological aspects of this thriller begin to make their way into these characters’ lives.
The Verdict
Memorable, thoughtful, and entertaining author Eve Penrose’s “The Blue Prussian” is a must-read psychological thriller that readers won’t be able to put down. The unique and original character designs and the detail put into both the history of poisoning and the deep-seated deviousness that resides in a killer’s psychopathy make this a story that will stay with readers long after the book ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
EVE PENROSE is an author and a storyteller. Her craft and her active imagination provided plenty of fodder for the plot and characters in The Blue Prussian. She is currently writing the sequel. For more information and to download the Book Club Discussion Guide for The Blue Prussian, please visit the Eve Penrose website.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young woman must save her friend from enemy hands or risk losing her identity forever in author TC Marti’s “Rise of the Sentrys”, the third book in the Sentrys of Terrene series.
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The Synopsis
Sabre Kjaergaard and her gang’s victory celebration couldn’t have been more short-lived…
…And the always-sinister Venn Order is out to collect them with the help of a few more notorious factions
Sabre is still reeling from all the lies that have piled up following her less-than-ideal Maalivahti training. But she doesn’t know the extent of the lies everyone has thrown at her. Yet when she’s on the cusp of uncovering the truth about more than just her own past, Sabre is about to learn that these lies from friends and foes alike are just a few of her more minor problems.
With her best friend captured behind enemy lines, Sabre must lead a daring mission to rescue them; one that will test her physically, psychologically, and most importantly, spiritually. If Sabre accomplishes her mission, the World of Terrene will live to fight another day. But if she fails, Sabre will fall to the Venn Order’s temptation and shed her identity as Sabre Kjaergaard forever, dooming her home world.
Rise of the Sentrys is the third and final installment in the Sentrys of Terrene Trilogy, whose plot elements entwine in TC Marti’s shared universe, the Renegades Epic, which also comprises Elementals of Nordica and Terrian Chronicles. If you love dystopian fantasy, elemental magic, and intriguing plot lines where Avatar: The Last Airbender meets George Lucas, Rise of the Sentrys and the entire Sentrys of Terrene Trilogy is what you’re looking for.
The Review
A truly fantastic and action-packed entry into the author’s greater universe, this novel utilized prominent imagery in the author’s writing with suspense and atmosphere that kept this reader invested in the narrative. The detail that went into the action scenes, even the cinematic quality of the opening chapter as military action blended with magical properties as the protagonist launched into the fray to protect her allies, allowed the reader to feel immersed in the story and the action firsthand.
The personal journey that protagonist Sabre went on did a fantastic job of closing out this trilogy and adding to the mythos of this universe the author has created. The emerging secrets and history of her mother, as well as the role and impact she has on her world and her destiny, kept readers invested in the story as it went on, allowing the rich tapestry of supporting characters and antagonists to feel alive and engaging as Sabre continued her journey.
The Verdict
A truly memorable and thoughtful sci-fi and fantasy action story, author TC Marti’s “Rise of the Sentrys” is a must-read novel and the perfect end to this trilogy while continuing the story the author’s shared universe has created. The twists in the story, the prosperous development of Sabre as a protagonist, and the open ending that leads these characters into the world of Elementals of Nordica in future novels make this a compelling book you won’t want to miss. Be sure to grab your copy on August 26th, 2024 or preorder your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
TC Marti is an avid workout warrior and author of the dystopian fantasy shared universe, the Renegades Epic. After spending years devouring the works of J.K. Rowling, George Lucas, and some of the greatest Libertarian thinkers in world history, Marti has fused his imagination with free market principles whenever he metaphorically puts pen to paper.
