Tag: bookreview

Milijun by Clayton Graham Book Review

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Milijun by Clayton Graham Book Review

Reviewers Note: “I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.”

An alien threat will test one mother and her quest to protect her teenage son in Milijun by Clayton Graham. Showing an alien incursion and
analyzing philosophical questions involving spirituality and the lengths a parent will go to for their children. Here is the official synopsis:

It is Australia in 2179. On a moonlit Nullarbor night, Laura Sinclair and son, Jason, witness aliens descend to Earth. The extraterrestrials
endeavour to form a symbiotic relationship with humankind, and Jason is chosen as a genetic link in a bizarre trial involving the impregnation
of human females with hybrid embryos and exploration of spiritual compatibility. Laura crosses swords with Major General Sebastian Ord from the
Australian Defence Force, Eucla and Uriel, the enigmatic head of Milijun, a reclusive research facility in the outback. Following a disastrous
armed attempt to capture aliens at Cocklebiddy Cave and a fierce confrontation at Eucla, Jason is abducted by an alien swarm. What follows tests
the resolve of Laura to the core. Caught in a relentless web of frightening new technologies and alien mystery, spurred by the undying love of
her son, she gains a strength of character she never thought possible. All she has to do is save herself, Jason and several women and unborn
children from the scheming plans of man and alien alike …

This book does an excellent job of fusing futuristic sci-fi storytelling with themes of spirituality and questioning mankind’s place in the
universe. The struggle for Laura to hold onto some sense of normalcy while the world around her begins to get more complicated and more chaotic
is a great way to humanize such an epic science fiction adventure. Exploring a future version of Australia, this book features creepy,
mysterious aliens and government operatives with hidden agendas all their own. As the story progresses, the audience will be on the edge of their
seat as they must ask themselves: are the aliens invaders, or friends?

This was a well written sci-fi thriller with complex, developed characters, profound themes that need to be explored, and an exciting plot that
continuously keeps the reader on edge as they read through this layered story. By the end of the story, readers will be confronted with a shocking
end, one that can either be seen as the beginning of a journey, or the end of one. You must decide for yourselves. Be sure to check out Clayton
Graham’s Milijun, available for purchase now!

Rating: 9/10

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Last Descendants (Assassin’s Creed: Last Descendants #1) by Matthew J. Kirby Book Review

The beloved video game series reaches the YA genre with Matthew J. Kirby’s stellar new novel, Last Descendants!

I must admit something: I love video games. It’s not the most shocking revelation, but I actually enjoy games for the same reason that I enjoy
books: great storytelling. One of my favorite stories in games is the continuing story of the Assassin’s Creed universe, and that story has
now been driven into the Young Adult book world with Matthew J. Kirby’s Last Descendants (Assassin’s Creed: Last Descendants #1). Here is the
synopsis:

Nothing in Owen’s life has been right since his father died in prison, accused of a crime Owen is certain he didn’t commit. Monroe, the IT guy
at school, might finally bring Owen the means to clear his father’s name by letting him use an Animus—a device that lets users explore the
genetic memories buried within their own DNA. The experience brings Owen more than he bargained for. During a simulation, Owen uncovers the
existence of an ancient and powerful relic long considered legend—the Trident of Eden. Now two secret organizations will stop at nothing to take
possession of this artifact—the Brotherhood of Assassins and the Templar Order. It soon becomes clear to Owen that the only way to save himself
is to find the Trident first.

Under the guidance of Monroe, Owen and a group of other teenagers go into a memory they all share within their DNA: the 1863 Draft Riots in
New York City. Owen and his companions will find themselves tested on the gritty streets of New York, and their experiences in the past will
have far-reaching consequences in the present.

I loved the transition of the series into the YA genre. Bringing together this random group of young teenagers gives the readers more of a connection
with the story of the AC universe, with each character coming from a difficult background and almost becoming the readers eyes and ears, as each
teenager is as much of an outsider to the war between the Assassins and the Templar Order. Learning about the war and the technology of the
animus, the teens go to a tumultuous time period to an era where their ancestors were at the forefront of the Civil War, showing the impact
the war had on a city divided such as New York, and the stakes of that war.

It’s message of racism and divide between the country has clearly never been more real and has not had as deep as a connection as it does in
today’s political and social scene, as our country faces a similar divide once more. The story does a great job of highlighting the struggles
each teen deals with, from racial or societal issues to questions of friendship, sexuality, disabilities and more. This is a book that is just as
multi-cultured as the video games themselves, and the deep use of the AC mythology was perfectly used in this new story. With this being the
first of a new book series, this is a fantastic read that helps start a wonderful new story-arc, and I highly recommend it! I give this book a
10/10, and hope you guys will pick up this book today!

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New #bookreview video is live on my @youtube channel #avinavlogs ! The review is of the brand new book #vloglikeaboss so be sure to check out the link in the bio to see my thoughts on this new release!

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Carousel by Jennifer Renson Book Review

Special Note: This book was given to me by the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A young man returns to the home he never knew he had, and a young woman searches for purpose and adventure. Both come together and discover
things about themselves neither one knew in author Jennifer Renson’s book Carousel. Here is the synopsis:

After living in the countryside for years, Princio returns to his homeland, the tiny yet prosperous Kingdom of Lucca, upon the orders of his
dying grandfather. Living alone in the annexed building next to the palace, Princio is discovered by the kingdom’s chief doll maker, Feletti,
who purposely withholds his knowledge of Princio’s past in order to gain his trust and friendship. Princio believes Feletti to be a true friend
until he meets Marian, a girl with a penchant for cooking and a natural curiosity, and their chance meeting in the kingdom’s carousel sets off
a series of events with the potential to change everything. As Princio, Marian, and Feletti’s dark secrets begin to unfurl, their lives slowly
come to light – as love hangs delicately in the balance…

This story is a short and fast read, but still makes an impact with it’s strong character development and a mythology and setting that holds
endless possibilities. Written like a classic fable, this story artfully explores themes of society’s view of beauty, control over one’s
destiny and the power of friendship in just 88 pages. This YA Fantasy adventure is a whirlwind adventure, and brings to mind tales of faraway
Kingdoms like Camelot while still maintaining a connection to the real world.

Overall, this is a fantastic short read that is one of the strongest short YA fictions I’ve read this year, and a strong example of how a story
isn’t defined by page length, but by the strength of it’s characters and setting. This modern day fairy tale is a phenomenal read that is not
to be missed, so be sure to pick up your copy of Jennifer Renson’s “Carousel” today!

10/10 stars!

Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JennyRenson
Tumblr: http://jenniferdarjeeling.tumblr.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/booksandpoetrybyJenniferRenson/
YouTube: Jennifer Darling https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHS5sW_xOgZSXhpUwhK36Bw
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/45251647-jennifer-renson
Scriggler: https://scriggler.com/Profile/jennifer_renson

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William Shakespeare’s Star Wars by Ian Doescher Book Review

Like the cover says, “Verily, A New Hope”! That’s right everyone, the worlds of Shakespeare and Star Wars collide in author Ian Doescher’s
“William Shakespeare’s Star Wars”. Here is the synopsis:

MAY THE VERSE BE WITH YOU!

Return once more to a galaxy far, far away with this sublime retelling of George Lucas’s epic Star Wars in the style of the immortal Bard of
Avon. The saga of a wise (Jedi) knight and an evil (Sith) lord, of a beautiful princess held captive and a young hero coming of age, Star Wars
abounds with all the valor and villainy of Shakespeare’s greatest plays. ‘Tis a tale told by fretful Droids, full of faithful Wookiees and
fearsome Stormtroopers, signifying… pretty much everything.

Reimagined in glorious iambic pentameter, William Shakespeare’s Star Wars will astound and edify Rebels and Imperials alike. Zounds! This is
the book you’re looking for.

This was given to me as an early Christmas gift, and I have to say this is one of my all time favorite gifts I’ve ever gotten. I’ve always been
a fan of classic William Shakespeare works, and I’m a big fan of the Star Wars universe, and yet I had no idea these two things had been
combined into a novel before. Written as one of Shakespeare’s infamous plays, the story is beautifully translated into the unique word only
Shakespeare could speak. From the comic relief of characters like R2-D2 and C-3PO to the haunting inner monologues of characters like Han Solo,
Luke Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi, this is the literary classic of the 21st century readers have been waiting for.

The themes explored in this book are Shakespearean themselves, delving into the complicated relationships between Luke and Obi-Wan, Obi-Wan and
Darth, and even hint at the unknown relationship between Darth and Luke. This book does a great job of delving into the darkness that has
consumed Darth Vader, something that is not done in the original film. Overall, this is a beautifully written retelling of an already classic
story in a voice that defines the word “classic” itself. This is a book that everyone should read, so be sure to pick up your copies of author
Ian Doescher’s “William Shakespeare’s Star Wars” today!

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Where The Dead Ones Play: A Supernatural Horror by Kyle M. Scott Book Review

Reviewers Note: “I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.”

Let me start off by saying this: this was one of the best written horror thrillers I’ve read this year. This story took so many twists that by
the end of the story I was left breathless. Here is the synopsis for Kyle M. Scott’s “Where The Dead Ones Play: A Supernatural Horror”:

Matt Shaw Presents Kyle M Scott’s “Where The Dead Ones Play”
PLEASE NOTE: This title is a re-release of “Protection”. Please do not purchase if you have already read “Protection” – unless, of course, you want to!

Lilith Sinclair has disappeared.

Two days have passed since pretty nine year old, Lilith, vanished without a trace, shaking the once peaceful seaside town of Arlington, Oregon,
to its very core. The locals are scared, the community fears the worst, and a terrible dread has nestled in the hearts of the town’s mothers and
fathers .

The parents are terrified that their child could be next.

James Kember is one such parent. An author of horror fiction, James is no stranger to the macabre, but when strange messages begin appearing
around his home that seem to target his beloved son, Eddie, he begins to understand true fear.

Someone, or something, is coming for his boy. It wants to take his only child down into the darkness. Now, to protect little Eddie, James will
have to embrace a darkness that is all his own.

For the others are waiting, where the dead ones play.

Includes introduction from Matt Shaw – author of Sick B*stards and the sick mind behind the infamous Black Cover books

What starts as a thriller looking into the disappearance of a young child quickly becomes a dark road filled with chilling strangers who pose
a threat to James Kember and his son. The horrors from both outside forces and from within are felt strongly in this story, and getting to
read the story from the protagonist’s perspective made this such an emotional roller-coaster. The character development of James Kember was one of
the most invested parts of this story, and throughout the story you learn that no one in this town may be what they seem, and the truth behind
this child’s abduction is more complicated than anything anyone can imagine.

The story is a short but fun read, and I absolutely loved the twist ending that I didn’t see coming. The imagery used by the protagonist in this
story is haunting yet beautiful, and the setting for the story felt so real that you could picture yourself walking through the town itself,
speaking with the residents and feeling the tense atmosphere the missing girl’s case has spread throughout the town. This is a must read
horror story, and I highly recommend you guys get your copies of this story now if you haven’t already. Be sure to pick up your copies of
Where The Dead Ones Play by Kyle M. Scott today!

Rating: 10/10

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The Paper Magician (The Paper Magician Series, Book 1) by Charlie N. Holmberg Book Review

A young woman finds herself on a harrowing journey into the dark corners of the heart in author Charlie N. Holmberg’s “The Paper Magician”, the first
in the Paper Magician series. Filled with an all new realm of magic set in an old world setting, this is a phenomenal piece of fiction that
fantasy fans everywhere will love. Here is the synopsis:

Ceony Twill arrives at the cottage of Magician Emery Thane with a broken heart. Having graduated at the top of her class from the Tagis Praff
School for the Magically Inclined, Ceony is assigned an apprenticeship in paper magic despite her dreams of bespelling metal. And once she’s
bonded to paper, that will be her only magic…forever.

Yet the spells Ceony learns under the strange yet kind Thane turn out to be more marvelous than she could have ever imagined—animating paper
creatures, bringing stories to life via ghostly images, even reading fortunes. But as she discovers these wonders, Ceony also learns of the
extraordinary dangers of forbidden magic.

An Excisioner—a practitioner of dark, flesh magic—invades the cottage and rips Thane’s heart from his chest. To save her teacher’s life, Ceony
must face the evil magician and embark on an unbelievable adventure that will take her into the chambers of Thane’s still-beating heart—and
reveal the very soul of the man.

From the imaginative mind of debut author Charlie N. Holmberg, The Paper Magician is an extraordinary adventure both dark and whimsical that
will delight readers of all ages.

This was such a fun read. I loved the time period that this book took place in, exploring the turn of the 20th century. I also appreciated the
well rounded character development of protagonist Ceony Twill. While a lot of books would have focused on the young teen complaining about her
place in the world of magic for several chapters, this book showed a young woman who dealt with the change in her life with her head seemingly
held high, even when doubt and frustration wore her down, and who showed great bravery throughout her adventure.

The villainous Excisioners are a fantastically brutal group of magicians that make this story even more enchanting to read. Readers will be shocked
and in awe of the plot twists and turns that come from Ceony’s adventure throughout her mentor’s heart as she explores who Thane really is and
what made him into a master paper magician. The character development was a big highlight of this story, and made for one of the best entries
into a new fantasy series this reviewer has read in a long time. I highly recommend this book for any fantasy book fans out there, and I look forward
to reading more of the Paper Magician series. Author Charlie N. Holmberg is a master storyteller and I cannot wait to read more. Pick up your
copies of The Paper Magician today!

Rating: 9/10

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Star Wars: Dark Disciples by Christine Golden Book Review

One of the most complicated love stories ever told in the Star Wars universe!

Let me start off by stating the obvious: I’m a huge Star Wars fan. No, I can’t speak Wookie or list the entire history of the Republic, but I do
love the story and the characters of the Star Wars universe started by George Lucas and curated by several writers and creators over the decades.
In Christine Golden’s novel Star Wars: Dark Disciple, fans are treated to an untold story from just before the end of the Clone Wars, when the
Jedi Order became desperate and turn to an unlikely ally for a mission to end the war. Here is the synopsis:

Based on unproduced scripts from the blockbuster TV show Star Wars: The Clone Wars!

The only way to bring down the dark side’s most dangerous warrior may be for Jedi and Sith to join forces.

In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count
Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number
of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no
choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.

But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the
Force’s power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the
cunning killer who once served at Dooku’s side still runs deep, Ventress’s hatred for her former master runs deeper. She’s more than willing to
lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos’s quest.

Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don’t compromise their mission.
But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and at last let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for
Vos with the fury of her warrior’s spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy
… and her own doubt.

The intimate and complicated love story of Ventress and Vos is something to behold. Both beheld to a sense of duty, (Vos to the Jedi, Ventress to
her revenge and mission to leave the dark side behind her), the novel does an excellent job of exploring the shades of grey that exist amongst
the Force users of the Star Wars universe. While for some it’s as simple as the light versus the dark side, there are others who see a chance to
explore the depths of both sides of the force. The ruthless nature of the Clone Wars and the way these two characters are tested between their
mission and their feelings for one another makes this a gripping tale that every Star Wars fan should read.

Overall, this is a fantastic novel. I love the chemistry between Voss and Ventris, and the way their story impacts major characters like Obi-Wan
and Anakin Skywalker. I especially loved getting to see more sides of Ventris, who has always been a complicated character in the mythology, from
a Sith assassin to a fallen Nightsister to a bounty hunter for hire. Author Christie Golden really has done a masterful job of bringing these
characters to life in a way where you feel emotionally connected to them, and this is a true testament to the power of the author’s writing. If
you haven’t yet, you should check out Star Wars: Dark Disciple by Christie Golden today!