Science Fiction

don’t delay in downloading this one to the e-reader. It is a wild ride, and one that will linger in the mind for a long while after putting it down!

Lynn-Alexandria McKendrick

HISTORICAL: Jiangxi Hinds himself in a difHicult situation when his father, the Emperor, dies and his brother sells him as a slave. When he reaches his destination of Wacharon, he meets the man who now owns him, Onas. He has a lot to learn and it is a shock to his system going from being an Emperor’s son, to a slave. He decides that he’s going to free as many as he can, and this in turn puts his own life in danger – as well as those around him. The question is, will Jiangxi succeed in freeing his fellow countrymen from their shackles, or will they be forced to remain enslaved until their dying day?

To say this is a rollercoaster of a book is an understatement. The book takes history and turns it on its head, but does so beautifully and it is crystal clear that Alison McBain is not only a talented writer, but also has a great imagination when it comes to building an alternate world with aspects of history thrown in. There are so many fascinating aspects to this book that it is difHicult to list each and every one, but intriguing, fascinating and emotional are only some of the words that can be used to describe this novel. For fans of science Hiction and historical,

The Near Distant

Brett Armstrong, Erin Howard, C. Kevin Thompson

ANTHOLOGY: “The Near Distant” is a collection of three novellas that explore life on other worlds through the eyes of three humans from Earth. “By Far and Away” by Brett Armstrong: Tyler journeys to Zan, a planet where he is introduced to his life mate KayliZan. He must decide if life with her is worth sacriHicing his humanity. “Under the Stars” by Erin Howard: Everly is taken from Earth to the Kingdom of Lux. There she is entered into a competition to save their world from the darkness. “The Eye of the Beholder” by C. Kevin Thompson tells the tale of scientist Ned. He relies on science to guide his decisions and shuns human interaction. Soon he Hinds himself thrust into a battle of good and evil in a world that is far from home.

“The Near Distant” features three strong stories from three talented authors exploring fascinating depths of what it means to be human. “By Far and Away” touches on predestined love and the lengths one will go to for it. Tyler, the hero, is thrown into a whole new world to be with his future life mate Kayli-Zan. His confusion is relatable, as are many of his decisions. This is a slow burn story that comes to an exciting end. “Under the Stars” starts with action and mystery. Everly is pulled into a strange world and must compete for a home that is not her own. There are some surprising twists and turns that culminate in a satisfying end. “The Eye of the Beholder” is a tale that takes readers on a spiritual and intellectual journey. Through Ned, readers will Hind the answer to the question: why does anyone believe what they do? As a whole, this is an insightful collection with unique ideas. All three stories are well written, though not extraordinary, and the collection is sure to be enjoyed by lovers of science-Hiction.

Chelsea Andersen

Pulstar I - The Swan Barely Remembers

Giancarlo Roversi Could Not Finish

This book was given to two separate reviewers and neither could determine a cohesive and understandable storyline enough to give it an honest review.

A Draught of Ash and Wine (Midnight Guardians #2)

Kristin Jacques

PARANORMAL: Johnathan Newman is no longer human. Learning how to navigate his new life and abilities as a hellhound is proving to be very difHicult for him, and on top of that, he is accompanied by a Vampire named Vic who he happens to be falling madly in love with. It doesn’t seem like life could get any more complicated –that is until the Society goes on the hunt for the pair. In danger of being caught by the Society, Johnathan and Vic seek sanctuary in a place known as the Estate. Temporarily safe, the duo is given the opportunity to explore their relationship with each other, and Johnathan attempts to explore his new abilities, but they know that they can’t stay hidden forever, and soon the Society will Hind them.

“A Draught of Ash and Wine” is the second book in the series by Ms. Jacques, and it is recommended to read the Hirst book, “A Bargain of Blood and Gold”, before diving into this one. There is a lot of action throughout this book, and very steamy romance scenes. The character development appears to be done well for the second book in a series. The relationship between the two main characters deepens and their personalities develop much more throughout the story. There are several grammatical errors throughout the book that make it a slower read than it probably should have been. However, the plot of the story is well developed and enjoyable. “A Draught of Ash and Wine” is deHinitely for readers who enjoy action-packed monster romance stories!

Jennifer Shepherd

Moral Code

Lois and Ross Melbourne and how much information it should access. There are a few slower moments, but overall it is an engaging book that will keep readers hooked!]

SCI-FI: Dr. Kiera Stetson is doing an experiment with children and AI robots when the area is hit with an earthquake. Trapped in the rubble, she is certain they are all going to die until her personal AI discovers an unknown network —a network that leads to everyone being saved. Curious, Kiera asks just enough questions to get involved with Roy Brandt’s nanite technology. After he proposes a work partnership with her, she’s thrilled with the prospect their work could help humanity. That is, until she realizes she’s been duped and must put an end to a dangerous plot.

From the beginning, “Moral Code” will grip readers! It starts with action as Kiera is trapped in what should be a deadly earthquake. The authors do a wonderful job of capturing the intensity of the situation while also touching on the emotions of the characters. This continues throughout the novel. Despite a unique premise involving technology that is complex, the authors do a fantastic job of making it easy for everyone to understand. “The Moral Code” raises a lot of interesting questions about the ways technology should be used

Ms. Pace’s performance in “Moral Code” is well done. Her reading speed matches the events taking place in the book, helping readers feel the moments strongly. While she doesn’t do a variety of voices for the different characters, she does change her tone as needed to keep them separated. Her female characterizations are much stronger and diverse than those of the male ones. Sometimes this creates a little confusion, but it doesn’t happen often. Overall it is a good production! This is a great story for lovers of technological thrillers and suspense!

Chelsea Andersen

Greyne early in the story. The next time they meet, he is tricked into an engagement with Juliana’s sister. Nevertheless, on a routine trip to visit a neighboring keep, Edouard Hinds Lady Juliana unconscious and soaked, and unknowingly takes her back into danger. Edouard becomes a shackled prisoner while Juliana heals from her wounds and amnesia. They get help when they need it most, but it is clear from the start that they are facing many challenging situations. This story proceeds steadily until the end, when the pace increases quite a bit. While this story can stand alone, it is related to the prior story in this series through the evil machinations of two major characters. The tension is taut throughout, and listeners will not want to stop this story once started. The events that unfold are believable, even though the story is set in medieval times. The plot feels original because of all the detail that the author provides, even if the trope is not uncommon.

A Knight’s Persuasion (Knight’s Series, Book 4)

Catherine Kean

James Gillies does a phenomenal job narrating this tale! When the listener forgets that a man is voicing a female character and just accepts the voice as is, then listeners know that a high-quality narrator is at work. His voice is smooth and pleasant, yet so many emotions are evident in his performance. The perfect narrator for this audiobook!

Carey Sullivan

HISTORICAL: Edouard de Lanceau is the son and heir of Lord Geoffrey de Lanceau, of Sherstowe Keep in Modenshire, England. It is 1213, and Edouard lives with honor, and is not afraid to face difHicult things – even when lying would be easier. This gets him in trouble with Lady Juliana de

Coup de Grâce

Paul L. Centeno

SCI-FI: The world is dying. Machines and industry are taking over and polluting the land. The ways of the old gods and nature are dying off too with this dramatic change. Kaimo, an optometrist who doubles as a miner to get by, has never known another life despite often dreaming for one. A chance encounter with rebels trying to shift the direction of the world sends him on a dangerous quest that will thrust him into the middle of one of the greatest political games of all time. In his hands lies the fate of the world. Mr. Centeno creates a lush and wild world in “Coup de Grâ ce”! Readers dive right into rich world building as they are introduced to Kaimo. The author makes it easy to visualize this unique setting, and does so in a believable way. The beginning is a tad bit slow as all of the necessary pieces are moved into place, and then the plot starts on quite the adventure. Diving into this tale full of twists and turns, readers will have a hard time telling what will happen next. There are plenty of crazy, unique characters and creatures. Steampunk is a complicated world to set up, and Mr. Centeno accomplishes it with ease! There is a perfect blend of action, humor, and drama! It’s also a blend of several genres: science Hiction, fantasy, and suspense!

Rob Jones gives a strong performance. His connection to Kaimo makes it easy for readers to relate to the character. The pacing is spot on, making the slower parts move at a better speed, and adding urgency to the high tension moments. His voice work for the other characters is distinct, each having their own personality showcased, making it easy to tell who is speaking. This audiobook is perfect for lovers of epic, character-driven stories!

Chelsea Andersen