Tag: political thriller

Istanbul Crossing by Timothy Jay Smith Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A closeted Syrian refuge helping other refuges cross over into Greece finds his life on the line when both ISIS and the CIA approach him about using his skills for their own needs, and his growing feelings for two men put his secrets within reach of those who would see him killed in author Timothy Jay Smith’s “Istanbul Crossing”.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

In this coming-of-age literary thriller, Ahdaf, a gay Syrian refugee, after watching his cousin executed by ISIS for being homosexual, flees to Istanbul for safety. 

Ahdaf’s reputation as a people smuggler has put him in danger once more. A Syrian refugee himself, Ahdaf earns a meager living in Istanbul helping others make the crossing to Greece – a perilous line of work, but no less so than what he would face if the truth of his sexuality were discovered by ISIS. 

Yet when the CIA and ISIS approach him about transporting high-profile individuals and serving as a double agent for their causes, Ahdaf ’s life is thrown into turmoil. And when his feelings for one of his clients come to light and as another possible relationship grows, the decision is taken out of his hands. Now a new choice lays before him, between two men and two different futures – if Ahdaf will live to see either of them. Istanbul Crossing is a story of adversity, love, and the courage of an ordinary man who must brave impossible situations in order to survive.

The Review

What a compelling, tense, and emotional read. The author does a remarkable job of building a engaging cast of characters that drive the narrative forward while also allowing the realities of the conflicts in the Middle East and the impact it has on innocent people to have the spotlight. The heavy atmosphere and the tension brought to the narrative allowed the stress and emotion that the protagonist felt throughout the story to be more widely felt by the reader.

The heart of this narrative, though, was in the protagonist’s personal development and struggles. Life as a member of the LGBTQ+ community is tough enough in places like the United States, but in the Middle East, hiding oneself from the world is a means of survival, and the author highlights how dangerous and deadly living out in the open can be for people in countries where homosexuality is a crime punishable by death. The pain and heartbreak that come with living in this reality, along with the humanitarian and trafficking conditions found there thanks to the war being fought, put a special spotlight on these real-world problems.

The Verdict

Author Timothy Jay Smith’s “Istanbul Crossing” is a must-read domestic and political espionage thriller that is thought-provoking, haunting, and emotionally investing. The themes of LGBTQ+ life and the refugee crisis in the Middle East made this story stand out, and the tragic yet hopeful tones found in the book’s ending will stay with readers long after the book ends. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Raised crisscrossing America pulling a small green trailer behind the family car, Timothy Jay Smith developed a ceaseless wanderlust that has taken him around the world many times. En route, he’s found the characters that people his work. Polish cops and Greek fishermen, mercenaries and arms dealers, child prostitutes and wannabe terrorists, Indian Chiefs and Indian tailors: he’s hung with them all in an unparalleled international career that saw him smuggle banned plays from behind the Iron Curtain, maneuver through Occupied Territories, represent the U.S. at the highest levels of foreign governments, and stowaway aboard a ‘devil’s barge’ for a three-day crossing from Cape Verde that landed him in an African jail.

Tim brings the same energy to his writing that he brought to a distinguished career, and as a result, he has won top honors for his novels, screenplays and stage plays in numerous prestigious competitions. Fire on the Island (to be released by Arcade Publishing in July 2020) won the Gold Medal in the 2017 Faulkner-Wisdom Competition for the Novel, and his screenplay adaptation of it was named Best Indie Script by WriteMovies. Another novel, The Fourth Courier, set in Poland, published in 2019 also by Arcade Publishing, received tremendous reviews and is currently competing in many competitions. Previously, he won the Paris Prize for Fiction (now the Paris Literary Prize) for his novel, A Vision of Angels. Kirkus Reviews called Cooper’s Promise “literary dynamite” and selected it as one of the Best Books of 2012.

Tim was nominated for the 2018 Pushcart Prize. He’s an avid theater-goer and playwright himself. His stage play, How High the Moon, a gay love story set in Nazi-occupied Warsaw, won the prestigious Stanley Drama Award. He is the founder of the Smith Prize for Political Theater.

www.timothyjaysmith.com

Rising Up by Jackson Liva Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A couple happy and in love find their world torn apart as tense political divides amongst the nation brings out a second side to one of them, spiraling out of control in a tense psychological thriller in author Jackson Liva’s “Rising Up”.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Can a toxic relationship change your life for the better?

Serena and Greg are the perfect match: she’s a sexy, fun, charismatic yoga instructor, and he’s a laid-back regular joe with a heart of gold. And their whirlwind romance lifts them to dizzying new heights. But when the presidential election throws the country into a deep political and cultural maelstrom, one of the couple’s personalities suddenly splits in two.

Stuck in the midst of escalating psychological attacks, a steady stream of gaslighting and lies, as well as a mysterious disappearance on a tropical vacation, their tumultuous relationship slowly begins to reveal sinister secrets that bind the two together – secrets that expose lifelong wounds, as well as eerie parallels to America’s relationship with its president.

Only by rising up to their inner demons and following the guidance of their Higher Selves will both they – and their country – stand a chance of finding true peace and happiness.

Step into a deeply authentic and emotional novel that artfully weaves together astute political commentary, insightful reflections on psychological abuse, and a striking yet sympathetic picture of toxic codependent relationships.

The Review

This was a compelling and gripping read. The author does a wonderful job of capturing the thoughts, emotions, and heat of both the romance beforehand and the tension after the political strife enters the lives of these characters. The world-building was really top-notch in this book, as the author brought to life the real-world struggles of the political divide that still holds strong in many parts of the world, most strongly felt in the United States, of course.

The character development and the powerful themes of politics, relationships, and mental health were beautifully brought out throughout this narrative. The buildup of tension and toxicity throughout the main character’s evolution as individuals and as a couple drew the reader in carefully, like a bad car accident one can’t look away from. The venomous nature of politics in this day and age and how it impacts our relationships in families, friendships, and romantic entanglements has never been more pronounced than it is now, and the author weaves through these conflicts with honesty and a profound sense of reflection.

The Verdict

Memorable, honest, and engaging author Jackson Liva’s “Rising Up” is a must-read psychological literary fiction drama that readers won’t want to put down. The twists and turns in the story, as well as the shocking buildup of tension that highlights politics and mental health awareness, all into one package, made this book one people will turn to time and time again in this day and age. If you haven’t yet, preorder your copy or pick it up on July 4th, 2024!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

I’m an established novelist, and Jackson Liva is the pen name I created to protect the privacy of me and my family. If Rising Up helps others heal from a toxic relationship, or navigate through a current situation, I want to make sure it’s out there.

“You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better.”

― Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

Instagram

Goodreads

Book Spotlight: Libertyland by Peter Sacks

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Book PromotionLeave a comment

Recently released political thriller Libertyland by author Peter Sacks is our latest book feature, so let’s take a look at what this book is all about and the author who wrote it.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

During a passionate romance with Garrick Cripps, Suzanne Dreyfus wrote The Liberation Manifesto, a wicked satire of right-wing libertarian philosophy. However, Garrick took Suzanne’s parody seriously and now, many years later, uses it as a blueprint for how to overthrow American democracy in favor of the 1%. But for the revolution to begin, an inciting event, like a Stateside terrorist attack, is needed to convince the public that drastic change in leadership is necessary.

Suzanne, along with Carson McCready, a former Navy SEAL, and Laura Cavendish, a cyber weapons expert, are all that stand between Cripps and leadership of the country. Culminating in a violent denouement, Libertyland shows what could happen if the ideas of a madman go unchecked.

Libertyland is a departure from most thrillers of its ilk. Carson McCready, the main protagonist, breaks the predictable stereotype of the flag-waving uber-patriot. A student of the human condition, he thinks deeply about freedom and individualism, and in the end, he has no choice but to uphold his oath of honor and battle a violent conspiracy that is fueled by the blood of innocents. The themes are timeless. But Libertyland is also timely – a work of fiction that is unique to here and now.

Praise:

“Libertyland  is a masterfully crafted political thriller, an intense book that is a joy to read.” 
– International Review of Books

“A riveting story that takes a deep dive into the dangers of too much greed and not enough accountability  in our institutions.” 
– Charles Ray, author

“An electrifying and delightful experience for readers.”
 – Mihir Shah, The US Review of Books

“An amazing read that is thoroughly engaging and entertaining.” 
– Michaela Gordoni, Pacific Book Reviews

Advertisements

About the Author

As a journalist and author, Peter Sacks  has been nominated twice for the Pulitzer Prize, including once for his book,  Tearing Down the Gates  (University of California Press), an examination of the role that social class plays in American education and society. Gates  also won Book of the Year from the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Sacks worked as a newspaper journalist on both coasts, as an economist, and as a college instructor in English and Journalism. His work has appeared in many publications,  including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times,  and The Nation.  He is also the author of Generation X Goes to College and Standardized Minds.
Visit Peter at his website,  and follow him on Facebook, Twitter,  and Instagram.

The Pit Road War by Caroline Taylor Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Holiday Bundles

A woman seeking to escape her abusive husband finds herself caught between the federal government and the rising insurrectionist movement of the South in author Caroline Taylor’s “The Pit Road War”.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Grace Burgess is fleeing her husband’s fists. Jeff Kingston has escaped from prison. Their paths collide at a secret government installation deep in the countryside, guarded by men on a mission who capture Grace.

It’s 2019, and plans are under way to rise up and reclaim the South. But planning takes time—time that’s interrupted when federal authorities get wind of the budding insurrection. Seeking to stop the feds, the rebels’ leader decides to use Grace and other unfortunate “trespassers” as human shields.

Can they free themselves before bullets begin to fly and hundreds of lives are lost?

Take a Food Journey Around the World!

The Review

This was a compelling and gripping thriller. The author did an incredible job of layering the mystery and atmosphere into this book’s writing, elevating the characters and keeping the reader invested in the overall narrative. The writing style, allowing multiple POVs for the characters in this book, felt very reminiscent of a Dean Koontz novel, giving each character’s voice a part of the overall story.

The heart of this narrative rested in the author’s ability to use imagery and tension to build up the growing suspense that this narrative held. The attention to detail the narrative gave to today’s political and social conflicts really helped bring the reader into the narrative more fully, and the growing horrors that these characters faced felt more shocking as they reflected our own world much more thoroughly.

Metallica The Master Collection Banners

The Verdict

Harrowing, compelling, and entertaining author Caroline Taylor’s “The Pit Road War” is a must-read mystery thriller that you won’t be able to put down. The way the author can transport the reader into this narrative so crucially and the surprising twists and turns the story takes will keep readers enthralled until the end. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Caroline Taylor is a novelist and short-story writer who grew up in the mountain west and traveled widely, including a brief stint in the Foreign Service. A former publications manager and editor of Humanities magazine, she is the author of several mysteries, one short-story collection, and a nonfiction book. Two of her novels won the Firebird Book award, and a third was a finalist for the Freddie Award. A member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, she lives in North Carolina. Visit her at www.carolinestories.com

The Confessions of Gabriel Ash by Lee Polevoi Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

An ambassador imprisoned in a castle prison somewhere in the Eastern Bloc tells his life story and keeps readers constantly changing whether his story can be trusted in author Lee Polevoi’s international political mystery, “The Confessions of Gabriel Ash”.

Advertisements

The Synopsis

The Confessions of Gabriel Ash, a literary Cold War thriller with echoes of John Le Carre and A Gentleman in Moscow, alternates between the glittery backdrop of 1980s New York and the sinister grottoes of Eastern Europe. The story UN Ambassador Gabriel Ash has to tell—in a voice that’s sardonic, self-delusional, and uniquely his own—will result either in his release from captivity or the loss of his life.

Bookbaby.com helps independent authors bring their creative vision to the marketplace. Sell eBooks online in the biggest retail stores.

The Review

This was a captivating and gripping thriller. The harsh Eastern European settings and the vibrant yet misleading glamor of New York not only elevated the narrative but showcased the fact that so much of our understanding of the world is based so much on perspective. The conflict between protagonist Gabriel Ash and his ties to his homeland with the life he’s built in America and the consequences that follow are rife with intrigue and tension that plays well into the Cold War Era setting. 

For me, the heart of this narrative came with the fusion of genres with the powerful themes the author explores. The almost comic approach to the protagonist’s mindset and interactions with characters blended well with the dark and haunting realities of spy work and corruption within world governments, and the atmosphere of the novel provided enough room for romance, action, and suspense to reign supreme in a natural way. The themes of Communism versus Capitalism, perspective, and individuality all played major roles in the story and allowed the setting and tension to play out greatly as the story progressed.

ABN Banner

The Verdict

Powerful, heart-pounding, and engaging, author Lee Polevoi’s “The Confessions of Gabriel Ash” is a must-read Cold War spy and political thriller you won’t be able to put down. The unique method of storytelling as a narrative device told from the character’s point of view worked so well in several of the scenes in this book and allowed the reader to analyze and work out the mystery behind the protagonist’s life and his struggles for themselves. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Lee Polevoi is the author of a new novel, The Confessions of Gabriel Ash, and The Moon in Deep Winter. He has received a Bread Loaf Writers Conference scholarship and a Chesterfield Film Project screenwriting fellowship, sponsored by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. A short film based on The Moon in Deep Winter screened at Cannes and New York’s Chelsea Film Festival. Lee is a graduate of Amherst College and the Warren Wilson College MFA Program for Writers.

Lee reviews fiction and nonfiction as Chief Book Critic for the online publication Highbrow Magazine (http://highbrowmagazine.com/books-fiction).

https://www.facebook.com/lee.polevoi?ref=bookmarks

Interview with Author Avner Tavori

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I always liked to write, even as a teenager I wrote short plays that we put together on my high school stage. I worked as a journalist for more that 15 years in various media (radio, print, TV) and like Gavri, watched how dramatic events unfold in front of my eyes.

Advertisements

What inspired you to write your book?

I watched how the Settlers movement grew to become a powerful cult that took over my country. I saw what wars do to people. I accumulated hundreds of articles, OP-ED pieces, radio interviews over the years as an “observer” – I felt there is more to it than just the reporting.

What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

That religious cults are very dangerous, and that wars, often the result of power struggle between “leaders” – destroy the human’s soul often with no repairs.

Bookbaby.com helps independent authors bring their creative vision to the marketplace. Sell eBooks online in the biggest retail stores.

What drew you into this particular genre?

What happens in the real world is often more powerful than any fiction. But fiction can give you freedom to mold your own message. The combination of both is for me the best way to tell a story.

If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

It would be Chaim. Religious fanaticism is for me one of the most destructive forces on the face of the planet in the way that religious cults take over human’s moral campus and make ordinary people do horrible things in the name of some “GOD” or “Godly leader” . From the Crusaders, to the Nazis, to the Taliban to ISIS and the Jewish Settler Movement (all different of course in scope and methods). I would ask him about his personal journey from a boy who grew up in a “normal” surroundings to become a leader in a religious fanatic cult.

What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

I am not a “fan” of Social Media – probably a generational thing.

What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

If there is a “story” in you that wants to get out; if you have something to say – sit down and write it down.

What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

Not sure. This book was for me an end of a journey – closing the circle.

Advertisements

About the Author

AVNER TAVORI has actually lived in the world he describes in his novel. In 1982 he was a war correspondent in Lebanon and spent more than three months with the advancing Israeli troops, and with units of the Christian Militia in Beirut.

He was born in 1947, in what was then British Palestine, and grew up in the Israel of the 1950’s in the socialist environment, typical of the time, in his hometown of Haifa. After completing his mandatory military service in the Parachute Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), he served a short stint as a Desk-Officer in the Jerusalem headquarters of ShinBet – Israel’s National Security Service – and coordinated field operations in the occupied West Bank.

As a journalist (1970-1986) he was the political correspondent for Israel’s Public Radio (Kol Israel) and covered the inner workings of Israel’s political scene. He also worked for the daily newspaper, DAVAR, and published opinion pieces on a variety of issues.

In the 1990’s he worked for the Israeli Labor Party, and then Rabin’s Government, culminating in being appointed to the position of Press Secretary for the Israeli Ambassador to the UN in New York.

He now lives in New York City. He can be reached at, avnertavori@aol.com

http://www.avner-tavori.com/

Ice Islands (Rake Ozenna Thriller Book 4) by Humphrey Hawksley Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

What begins as an attempt to infiltrate a large Japanese crime organization turns into an international nightmare as one man must protect his target and prevent a deadly plot from unfolding in author Humphrey Hawksley’s “Ice Islands”, the fourth book in the Rake Ozenna Thriller series. 

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Major Rake Ozenna faces dangerous choices and deadly consequences in this rip-roaring political thriller that takes you from the ice islands of Finland to the bustling streets of Tokyo via Russia and the White House . . . Buckle up, this is a thrilling ride!

Major Rake Ozenna’s mission is simple: gain access to the Kato family – Japan’s most dangerous crime empire – and stop the threat to America. But when the secret son of the Russian leader is executed and Rake’s target, Sara Kato, is implicated in the murder, a political crisis between Russia, Japan and the US is set in motion.

It’s a race to protect Sara and earn her trust whilst escaping the inhospitable terrain of the icy Aland island. Meanwhile, Russia wants revenge for the murder, a catastrophic move when it is revealed Japan have been stockpiling nuclear weapons.

As Rake learns the true extent of their deadly plans, he must draw on every ounce of his training to succeed. Because if he fails, it won’t just be his life that will be lost . . . the consequences will be global! 

The Review

This was such a cinematic and captivating international thriller! The author ramps up the narrative of this series greatly by honing in on a mixture of global high-stakes action and intimate and more personal character-driven mysteries. The globe-trotting settings really made this feel like a modern-day Netflix action thriller movie, while the tension and balance of politics with organized crime in the narrative added such depth to the story itself.

Yet it was the rich character growth that the author utilized in this narrative that really made the action and setting pop on the page. The mystery surrounding this Russian President’s son’s murder and the daughter of a Japanese criminal all felt both engaging and yet realistic to the current political and criminal climates our world is facing. However, it was the protagonist’s story that really drew me in as a reader, showcasing his heroism and yet also showing his struggle with learning more about his family’s past and trying to separate himself from any feelings involving his target, making this such a rich and dynamic story to read.

The Verdict

Entertaining, thrilling, and brilliantly written, author Humphrey Hawksley’s “Ice Islands” is a must-read novel and a great addition to the Rake Ozenna series. The mystery and suspense the narrative picks up and the rich character development create a narrative that plays out greatly in the reader’s imagination through imagery and tone that captivates the audience immediately. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Humphrey is an award-winning author and foreign correspondent whose assignments with the BBC have taken him to crises all over the world. His Rake Ozenna series originated when reporting from the US-Russian border during heightened tension

He has been guest lecturer at universities and think tanks such as the RAND Corporation, The Center for Strategic and International Studies and MENSA Cambridge. He moderates the monthly Democracy Forum debates on international issues and is a host on the weekly Goldster Book Club where he discusses books and talks to authors.

The third in Humphrey’s political espionage Rake Ozenna series MAN ON FIRE came out in July 2021. The fourth, ICE ISLANDS, will be published in August 2022.

Rake Ozenna, a native Alaskan from Little Diomede on the Russian border, is fast making his mark as a hard-driving unusual character in thriller Fiction. Tthe great NELSON DE MILLE described Rake as ‘smart and tough, and we’re glad to have him on our side”

In MAN ON FIRE, a tense firefight on the Russian-American border heralds the start of a terrifying high-stakes mission for special forces agent Major Rake Ozenna in this gripping espionage thriller. Instructed to guide in a speed boat crossing from Russia in the Bering Strait, special forces Major Rake Ozenna watches in horror as the operation culminates in a fatal firefight – and the loss of vital intelligence of a deadly new weapon. A weapon of unimaginable power. A weapon that, if it were unleashed, would cripple civilization as we know it. But who sabotaged the mission? Who possesses the weapon – and what is their ultimate goal?

Rake’s search takes him to the remote outpost of Uelen on the Russian coast – and the discovery that he is up against a formidable enemy from his past. As world leaders gather in Bonn for the signing of the new European security treaty, Rake enters a desperate race against time to prevent a catastrophe beyond imagining. This fast-paced, impeccably researched, highly topical thriller is perfect for rreaders of CLIVE CUSSLER, LEE CHILD and ROBERT

LUDLUM.

Humphrey’s Rake Ozenna thrillers have been widely praised.

Library Journal on MAN ON EDGE — ‘A hard-as-nails hero, an out-of-the-ordinary location, and oodles of high-action encounters – everything readers want in a political thriller’

Booklist on MAN ON ICE — ‘Knuckle-whitening suspense, bloody violence, dirty tricks, and plenty of surprising twists make this a gripping, can’t-put-it-down read’ –

‘Authentic settings, non-stop action’, Steve Berry on Man on Ice

An up-to-the-minute, page-turning spy thriller with the atmosphere of a Cold War classic’ – Charles Cumming on Man on Edge

https://www.humphreyhawksley.com/

Hot Moon (Apollo Rising Book One) by Alan Smale Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Set in an alternate historical world, the crew of the latest Apollo mission to the moon in 1979 finds themselves in a battle for the United State’s claim to their portion of the moon as soviet strike teams assault their base, and tensions run high in the height of the Cold War in author Alan Smale’s “Hot Moon”, the first book in the Apollo Rising series. 

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Imagine for a second what would have happened if the Soviets had gotten a cosmonaut to the moon first, if Neil Armstrong and Apollo 11 had been in a humiliating second place. Everything would have unfolded differently.

America would never have let the Soviets win the space race. That would have been unthinkable during the Cold War, political suicide for any president. We’d have gritted our teeth and doubled down, poured billions into the Apollo program.

HOT MOON is set in 1979 in this alternate world. The US and the Soviets both have permanent moon bases, orbiting space stations, and manned spy satellites supported by frequent rocket launches. Reagan is President and the Cold War is hotter than ever.

The crew of Apollo 32, commanded by Vivian Carter, career astronaut, docks at NASA’s Columbia space station on their way to their main mission: exploring the volcanic Marius Hills region of the Moon. Vivian is caught in the crossfire as four Soviet Soyuz craft appear without warning to assault the orbiting station.

The fight for the Moon has begun!

The Review

This was such an intricate and detailed sci-fi meets historical fiction read. The world-building and tension the author brings to life by utilizing the backdrop of the Cold War was an inspired choice, especially given how integral the space race was to the Cold War. I loved how the author was able to use their background and expertise to delve into the heavier aspects of the sci-fi genre, while also incorporating much of the Cold War era tech and political leanings that would have made up the majority of this book’s cast of characters. The technical aspects of the narrative were felt immediately, with the main character breaking down the technical details of their space suit and how an AK-47 could fire in space. Even the opening of the book has diagrams, blueprints, and maps that relate to the tech that would have been available at that time.

It was the cast of characters that really made this story shine. The author did an amazing job of capturing the POV of both sides of the Cold War through these characters, allowing readers to see events from both the U.S. and Soviet Union sides of the war as the action unfolds. The strength and courage of the protagonist Vivian Carter was inspiring to read about and added a human depth to the sci-fi heavy narrative.

The Verdict

Intriguing, adrenaline-fueled, and engaging, author Alan Smale’s “Hot Moon” is the perfect sci-fi meets political thriller and historical fiction read and the best start to the Apollo Rising series! The imagery and atmosphere that the author built really gave a great cinematic quality to the author’s writing and allowed for the political intrigue and suspense to build quietly as readers delved deeper and deeper into this entertaining world the author built. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Alan Smale is a professional astronomer, but his writing tastes have always veered more towards alternate and twisted history, fantasy, and horror. His novella of Romans in ancient America, “A Clash of Eagles” in Panverse Two, won the Sidewise Award for Alternate History, and the first book in a trilogy set in the same universe, CLASH OF EAGLES, appeared in 2015 from Del Rey in the US and Titan Books in the UK and Europe. The series continues with EAGLE IN EXILE (March 2016) and will conclude with EAGLE AND EMPIRE (2017). Alan has sold 40 short stories  magazines including Asimov’s, Realms of Fantasy, Abyss & Apex, Paradox, and Scape, and original anthologies Panverse One and Two, Apollo’s Daughters, Book of Dead Things, and Writers of the Future #13.

Alan grew up in England, and has degrees in Physics and Astrophysics from Oxford University. He serves as director of an astrophysical archive, and performs research on black hole binaries at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Alan also sings bass with well-known vocal band The Chromatics, and is co-creator of their educational AstroCappella project.

https://www.alansmale.com/

Possessed President by Amo Sulaiman Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Two outsiders must traverse a self-destructive America in order to rescue a Possessed President in author Amo Sulaiman’s “Possessed President”. 

Advertisements

The Synopsis

Full of thought-provoking symbolism leavened with both crazy antics and danger, Possessed President, Resman—the responsibility man—and his bodyguard Osray.

The pair descend from the celestial city of Atlantis to travel across America, teaching its citizens to take responsibility for not only their own actions, but the effects their actions have on everything around them.

Their goal: confront the president of the United States about the federalist policies that are driving America and Americans to self-destruction.

Resman quickly develops a following, and soon “Resmanism” is sweeping across America and around the world. 

The Review

A truly unique blend of political drama, science fiction, and fantasy, “Possessed President” is a powerful read that explores the divisiveness and lack of responsibility that has plagued the United States for years. Exploring the impact of policies similar to the ones we see being implemented now in the United States, the novel fuses this political unrest with a one-of-a-kind sci-fi epic storyline.

The use of beings from another world as the protagonists and bringing an outsider’s perspective to the situation in the United States was an inspired choice. The inclusion of mythological settings like Atlantis, as well as the unique chemistry and growing relationship between Earl-Dylan and Osray, made the story shine and the pace smooth.

The Verdict

Action-packed, thoughtful and creative, “Possessed President” by Amo Sulaiman is a must-read sci-fi and political drama. The pacing of the novel is lengthy yet engaging throughout and makes for the perfect read for the upcoming U.S. Election looming over us all and the deep, philosophical, and moral questions the narrative poses to the reader. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Advertisements

About the Author

Ignored Tags: $0118, $0119

Born in Guyana and continuing his education in Canada, AmoSulaiman received a B.A. degree in philosophy and psychology at the University of Guelph in Ontario. He then completed his Master s degree in philosophy in Montreal. Shortly after this, he went to Switzerland where he did his Doctorate in Philosophy at the University of Bern and a BA in English and American Literature. He has been living in Switzerland ever since.

He is the author of two books on philosophy, one on English literature, and several other novels, including Proud City. This is also followed by Destroyer and El Nobis.

https://www.amoinfo.info/index.html