Review: The Unremembered: Author's Definitive Edition

Review: The Unremembered: Author's Definitive Edition
By Peter Orullian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazon Blurb
In a debut that is sure to attract enormous attention, the first novel of The Vault of Heaven takes us to a world of wonders and terrors, where an ancient evil threatens to break out of the bounds that have contained it for generations. When the gods created the world, one created monstrous creatures so powerful that he was doomed to live for eternity in the proscribed Bourne where his most odious creations were to be held, kept from the rest of the world by a magical veil that they could not breach.

Millennia passed, and the veil weakened. The people who inhabit the world know little of the terrible danger that lurks in the Bourne. When creatures begin to escape and prey upon isolated villages, news of their predations is treated as mere rumor. But those who stand against evil have seen the signs of the weakening of the veil and know that only drastic measures will prevent a devastating invasion. Tahn Junell is a hunter blissfully unaware of the dark forces that imperil in the world. Then two strangers - an imperious man who wears the sigil of the feared Order of Sheason and a beautiful woman of the legendary Far - come to the Hollows, urging Tahn, his sister, and his two best friends to leave. They will not say why, but the journey upon which they embark will change Tahn's life...and the world...forever.

The Good
I'm not sure what changed in the Author's Definitive Edition, but I have to say this edition of, The Unremembered, is epic fantasy at its best! The only thing I can possibly imagine is that, as a debut author, Peter Orullian had more awesomeness to put in.

Well, it worked.

The story really drew me in, making a 24 hour audiobook slip-by like I was reading a middle-grade chapter book. The characters and worldbuilding easily rival Patrick Rothfuss and Brandon Sanderson, so much so that I picked up the second book, Trial of Intentions, right after I finished this one. Great attention to detail (in all aspects of the world) and likable characters that were fully engaging.

Like all well crafted stories, when your mind continues chewing on your own imaginings of the fictional world, you know you've hit pay-dirt. I was intrigued by the lore of the world and the various sentient species kept me wondering about deeper aspects of the story.

The Bad
Like most epic fantasy, the first few chapters are a serious chore to chew through. The worldbuilding is rich and intriguing, but takes a bit for your brain to shift into the books world. However, once mine did, I was hooked.

Audio Version
Peter Ganim did the audio narration. His narration is good, but I wasn't blown away.

The Spin
If you like epic fantasy with immersive worlds like Patrick Rothfuss' or Brandon Sanderson's, you'll love The Unremembered. It's a read well worth your time and money.

Review: Morning Star

Review: Morning Star

By Pierce Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazon Blurb
Darrow would have lived in peace, but his enemies brought him war. The Gold overlords demanded his obedience, hanged his wife, and enslaved his people. But Darrow is determined to fight back. Risking everything to transform himself and breach Gold society, Darrow has battled to survive the cutthroat rivalries that breed Society’s mightiest warriors, climbed the ranks, and waited patiently to unleash the revolution that will tear the hierarchy apart from within.

Finally, the time has come.

But devotion to honor and hunger for vengeance run deep on both sides. Darrow and his comrades-in-arms face powerful enemies without scruple or mercy. Among them are some Darrow once considered friends. To win, Darrow will need to inspire those shackled in darkness to break their chains, unmake the world their cruel masters have built, and claim a destiny too long denied—and too glorious to surrender.

The Good
The amazing characters of the Red Rising series finally arrive--bruised and bloody--to book three: Morning Star.

Pierce Brown doesn't sugar coat or coddle his characters. He kicks them in the teeth before stabbing them in the kidney. Heroes and villains alike act honestly to their true motivations, even admitting that they might be wrong, but making their choices anyway. Difficult choices in a dangerous world.

Pierce's villains also have this amazing ability to actually out-think the heroes, and when they do, its harsh.

The Bad
Book three of the Hunger Games trilogy, Mockingjay, had the same difficulties that Morning Star had: combat fatigue.

I DO NOT think that this was a problem, but it does give readers the same weariness the characters are experiencing. Morning Star and Mockingjay both present the final battles of a very intense series. Most people thought Mockingjay fell flat because of Katniss' mental unraveling at the end, but I felt it was honest. Similarly, Morning Star doesn't hold any punches and brutalizes the characters through the final resolution.

After finishing it, I felt like I needed combat decompression.

And that's a hell of an experience.

Audio Version
Tim Gerard Reynolds was the best choice for narrator they could have made. His performance of each character is flawless. Loved every minute of his presentation.

The Spin
Morning Star completes the Red Rising series in epic fashion. Pierce Brown is a master of complex characters, tight plotting, and no-holds-barred storytelling. If you're looking for a gritty fixation after the Hunger Games, pick up this series. It's a 'can't miss.'

Review: Golden Son

Review: Golden Son

By Pierce Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazon Blurb
As a Red, Darrow grew up working the mines deep beneath the surface of Mars, enduring backbreaking labor while dreaming of the better future he was building for his descendants. But the Society he faithfully served was built on lies. Darrow’s kind have been betrayed and denied by their elitist masters, the Golds—and their only path to liberation is revolution. And so Darrow sacrifices himself in the name of the greater good for which Eo, his true love and inspiration, laid down her own life. He becomes a Gold, infiltrating their privileged realm so that he can destroy it from within.

A lamb among wolves in a cruel world, Darrow finds friendship, respect, and even love—but also the wrath of powerful rivals. To wage and win the war that will change humankind’s destiny, Darrow must confront the treachery arrayed against him, overcome his all-too-human desire for retribution—and strive not for violent revolt but a hopeful rebirth. Though the road ahead is fraught with danger and deceit, Darrow must choose to follow Eo’s principles of love and justice to free his people.

He must live for more.

The Good
To say that I was blown away by Golden Son would be an understatement. I thoroughly enjoyed Red Rising and its intricate plotting, so meeting that high bar was bound to be difficult.

The old characters are back, bursting into new complications that are every bit as thrilling. But guess what? They're even more awesome than you expect! Now Pierce Brown takes his intricate characters and throws them into the political meat-grinder of Luna/Mars politics. For such a dazzling debut, Golden Son delivers a sequel of epic proportions.

Oh, and you thought, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, was an intense sequel?
**No Spoilers!**
Finish, Golden Son, and we'll talk.

The Bad
Make sure you have book three: Morning Star handy when you finish this one. You've been warned.

Audio Version
Tim Gerard Reynolds was the best choice for narrator they could have made. His performance of each character is flawless. Loved every minute of his presentation.

The Spin
Golden Son delivers everything I loved from the first book while improving and expanding them in amazing ways. I'm a huge fan of the Hunger Games book 2: Catching Fire, and I can add the Red Rising book 2: Golden Son to that short list of perfect sequels.

Review: Red Rising

Red Rising
By Pierce Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazon Blurb
“I live for the dream that my children will be born free,” she says. “That they will be what they like. That they will own the land their father gave them.”

“I live for you,” I say sadly.

Eo kisses my cheek. “Then you must live for more.”

Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.

But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and lush wilds spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.

Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity’s overlords struggle for power.  He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society’s ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies . . . even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.

The Good
Red Rising is the love child of 1984 and The Hunger Games. Not literally, but in the sense of political intrigue in a gritty dystopia. With such a distinguished parentage, you know it has to be good. I stumbled across this series late, just as I did with The Hunger Games. My first impression was just how good the writing was. Abso-freaking-lutely brilliant. Pierce's style grabs you and doesn't let go.

You love the characters. Each one is fascinating in the own way with their own breath of life.

The plot is tight and I never felt the story drag or droop. Even during the calm parts, I was fully engaged. From a writer perspective, I really want to see the beat sheet for Red Rising. The plot was just that well done.

The Bad
The story was so amazingly intricate that when the ending came, it felt rushed. BUT... I'm not sure if it was or I was just to hyped up on it's amazing story. Regardless, the conclusion does build to a screaming finish. And that ain't bad. I'm looking forward to rereading it again to check my impressions on the second pass.

One possible reason for feeling unfulfilled by the ending could be something called 'Hiding The Ball.' This is when authors have something so cool coming up they don't want to spoil the surprise, so the don't clue the reader in. Pierce Brown does do this a LOT, but it's usually not a problem. I think maybe there were just too many balls being hidden during the ending that they fumbled. Some of the ones I noted on a second read weren't even that big of a reveal when the 'secret' did come out.

Audio Version
Tim Gerard Reynolds was the best choice for narrator they could have made. His performance of each character is flawless. Loved every minute of his presentation.

The Spin
Red Rising comes across as wonderfully as The Hunger Games did: a gritty dystopia with engaging characters and action filled story. To my greatest relief, I started the series two months before the release of book three: Morning Star. After finishing book two: Golden Son, I can't wait!

Review: Save The Cat! Strikes Back: More Trouble For Screenwriters To Get Into And Out Of

Save The Cat! Strikes Back: More Trouble For Screenwriters To Get Into And Out Of

By Blake Snyder

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazon Blurb

Blake Snyder, author of Save the Cat!® and Save the Cat!® Goes to the Movies, is back with the book countless readers and students have clamored for. Inspired by questions from his workshops, lectures, and emails, Blake listened and provides new tips, tactics, and techniques to solve your writing problems and create stories that resonate:

The 7 warning signs you might have a great idea or not

2 sure-fire templates for can t-miss loglines

The difference between structure and formula

The Transformation Machine that allows you to track your hero s growth step-by-step

The 5 questions to keep your story s spine straight

The 5-Point Finale to finish any story

The Save the Cat!® Greenlight Checklist that gets to the heart of every development issue

The right way to hear notes, deal with problematic producers, and dive into the rewrite with the right attitude

Why and when an agent will appear

How to discover the potential for greatness in any story

How to avoid panic, doubt, and self-recrimination... and what it takes to succeed and dare to achieve your dreams

Get ready to face trouble like a pro... and strike back!

The Good

Save The Cat! revolutionized the way writers looked at story. Now with STC! Strikes Back, authors and screenwriters alike have the opportunity to look deeper into story structure and the industry. This installment is my second favorite of the series and is a worthy heir to the STC! throne.

The writing advice is neither long-winded nor optional. Blake jumps right in with enthusiasm and skillful guidance making this one writing book you'll reread over and over. Not to mention keeping handy at your writing station.

The Bad

With Save The Cat! lessons, there never is anything bad. If you can't find anything to learn from this book, you're not trying hard enough.

Audio Version

The audio narration is performed by MacLeod Andrews, the same narrator who does Brandon Sanderson's, Steelheart series. His conversational tone is a perfect pairing with Blake Snyder's conversational writing, making this book pop. If you enjoy audiobooks AND writing instruction books, you're gonna love this one.

The Spin

Boiling down Save The Cat! Strikes Back is a no-brainer. If you're interested in doing your homework on writing, this is one of the essentials you're gonna need. But more than learning important skills, Blake's enthusiasm for writing is so contagious that this book is well workth your time and money.

Review: On Killing

On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

First off, I'll admit I'm a firm supporter of the United States Constitution's Second Amendment and of self-defense in general. Many people believe that means I drink the blood of kittens and babies on a regular basis, which couldn't be farther from the truth.

The Good

Nobody wants to kill. Period.

You don't believe me? Just read this book.

On Killing is a masterful study of the psychological aspects of humans who kill. It shows that humans psychologically go to great lengths to avoid killing, usually only performing the act after extensive training. When a life is taken, there is a mental cost that must be paid, and Dave Grossman discusses each of these at length.

He also discusses the various aspects of what makes killing easier (such as distance) and the unintentional training we provide our children.

The Bad
On Killing is at times very graphic. While the entire work is objective with scores of soldier's war stories, some are as horrific as they are sad. The war atrocities section and the accounts of soldiers dealing with the consequences of killing provide meaningful context into what should be the ultimate taboo.

The Spin
I read this book as a writer wanting to understand the impact taking a life had on someone. 'On Killing' delivered this in spades. But more than that, it provided a deeper look at the effect society has on individuals, especially soldiers, who are asked to kill.

On Killing offers a meaty read with a heavy dose of 'something to think about.' It's an important book and worthy of your time.

When Good Books Hit The Wall

I recently read Cassandra Clare's, City of Bones. It got my attention by the copious stacks available at Wal-mart, and several friends recommended it to me. What's more, I believe the series is up to book six now, so I thought it would be a good read.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

When Good Books Hit The Wall
I'm getting crotchety in my old age. Life is getting too short to read annoying crap. Usually I soldier through until I get past the poopy part of the book, but lately I discovered my increasing passion for dropping books I can't stand.

Oddly enough, I made it all the way through City of Bones despite my growing displeasure. But because of my frustration with it, I took the second and third books back to the library unread. Two books hit the wall, and I hadn't even read them.

My biggest complaints with City of Bones were:

The female protagonists constant attraction to the 'bad boy' character
This one probably agitated me the most. Please... this character wasn't a 'bad boy,' he was a jerk douche-bag. Most people, men and women, would have started avoiding him long before the end of the book. He was rude and annoying.

And the nice-guy, geek boy who stands by the heroine no matter what? She uses him like toilet paper.

(And people wonder why I hate love triangles.)

Several spots of purple prose

Purple prose is "a generally pejorative term for writing or speech characterized by ornate, flowery, or hyperbolic language. Contrast with plain style." (About.Com: Grammar & Composition) "The idiom was originally a purple passage or purple patch, and the earliest citation in the Oxford English Dictionary is from 1598. The rhetorical sense in English comes from the Ars Poetica of Horace, specifically from the phrase purpureus pannus, a purple garment or raiment, the color purple symbolizing royalty, grandeur, power." (Charles Harrington Elster, What in the Word? Harcourt, 2005)

Take, for instance, the following excerpt:

"My pack were the first at the door. We burst into the hall, tearing the night with our howls. And we were followed by Fairy knights with weapons of glass and twisted thorns. After them came the night children with bared fangs and warlocks wielding flame and Iron. As the panicked masses fled the hall, we fell upon the members of the circle."

That's a serious chunk in five sentences. Granted, it's not bad writing, but this excerpt is from a character who is retelling an event, not telling a campfire story. Would you tell about a fight like this? Or would simply say, "We ran in backed up by Fairy knights and vampires. As people ran, we attacked the members of the circle."

But no. The author wants us to know exactly how everyone ran into the hall. I know, I know--it's not as... fun. But remember, if you were retelling the event, would you be so flowery?

Books That Hit The Wall
I can think of two books that I actually declined to finish reading:

• A Dance With Dragons - George R.R. Martin
• Star Trek: Exiles - Howard Weinstein

A Dance With Dragons
Since this was a pretty big book, it put a hole in my wall when it hit. Nah, just kidding. I read the audiobook and I wasn't about to chuck my iPod at the wall.

My biggest complaint with this book: it's boring. After eight hours and nothing happening, I wanted to cut my wrist(s). And since my favorite character, who didn't appear at ALL in the previous book, spent his time in those first eight hours either drunk or drunk in a wagon--

*Grrrr*

I got a little fed up.

Star Trek: Exiles
I kinda feel bad about this one. It's book two in a series, so it didn't have good footing to begin with. But, as with, A Dance With Dragons, nothing happened in at least 2-4 hours of audio. The final nail in the coffin came when Mr. Weinstein used a flashback to remember the word slippery.

I kid you not.

A character remembered water getting spilled on the deck and freezing. This reminded him what what another character was like: slippery.

I hit the pause on my iPod so fast there was a sonic boom.

Why It's Okay To Toss Bad Books
I've actually stressed about writing a review for the books I've mentioned. I feel like a schmuck when I can't enjoy someones hard work, especially when so many others love them. Sure, I gave these books star ratings on Goodreads, but I didn't want to hinder other people's enjoyment with my ranting in a review.

So why didn't I like them? In this case, it really was just me.

John Brown, author of Servant of a Dark God, gave this quote by Thomas McCormack, CEO & editorial director at St. Martin's Press, during his presentation on The Hunger Games at the 2011 LTUE. Here's what he said:

"An author needs a lot more than one person to succumb to his literary seductive charms, but, like Saul, he must realize that he doesn't have to--and indeed cannot--capture the hearts of every possible reader out there. No matter who the writer, his ideal intended audience is only a small faction of all the living readers. Name the most widely read authors you can think of--from Shakespeare, Austen, and Dickens to Robert Waller, Stephen King, and J.K. Rowling--and the immense majority of book-buyers out there actively decline to read them.”

So what Mr. McCormack is saying here, is that, if you don't like a particular book, that's okay! You're simply not a fan of that author, maybe even just that particular book. For instance, I've read the rest of George R.R. Martin's books, but hated this last one. It's received rave reviews, but I still didn't like it. I wasn't in the audience for A Dance With Dragons. And that's okay because others still liked it and Mr. Martin is still a screaming success.

Sound Off
So what books have you disliked? What were your reasons for tossing them? Have you ever stopped reading a book, only to try again years later and find that you liked it?  

Mystic City Review

 Buy it at Barnes & Noble

I've been working through a lot of reading recommendations in the past few months. One of these was Mystic City by Theo Lawrence.

Mystic City is the YA dystopia featuring Aria Rose, a young woman with huge gaps in her memory. Aria lives in a world where the oceans have risen and some of the population have developed magical abilities. These mystics are regularly drained of their dangerous energies so their power can be used for the good of the city.

But a dangerous uprising has begun and a new drug is killing people. Will the class warfare between the social elite and the mystics destroy what little world remains?

The Good
The story moves very quickly and cleanly. It's well written and does a great job with a compelling narrative. There's action and romance. The characters are vivid and well done.

The Bad
I've never been a Romeo & Juliet fan and Mystic City is a Romeo & Juliet reboot. All that teenage angst grates on my nerves.

And I don't enjoy love triangles either, but this one is well done because the one guy is such a jerk. It was a easy contest. 

That said, Mystic City is a MUCH better telling of the original tale. Sorry, Mr. Shakespeare.

The Spin
Pick up Mystic City, it's a fun read. Theo did a fantastic job of creating an engaging world. If you like dystopian YA, this one is for you.

The Cryptopedia Review

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I'm a resource book junkie. Back in the day, my parents had a set of Encyclopedia Britannica and I loved just looking through them and seeing everything the world had to offer. Since then though, my tastes have changed. While I can still sit down and thumb through a normal encyclopedia, I'm much happier checking out the world of myth and legend.

I'm a huge Jonathan Maberry fan, so I decided to pick up, The Cryptopedia: A Dictionary of the Weird, Strange & Downright Bizarre.

The Good
Jonathan Maberry and David Kramer did a lot of research and organized an amazing amount of help in compiling this dictionary of the more bizarre myths and lore.

Researchers included members from:

• HWA (Horror Writers Association)
• MWA (Mystery Writers Association)
• ITW (International Thriller Writers)
• GSHW (Garden State Horror Writers)
• SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America

And their research is fairly comprehensive. From cryptozoology to modern New Age philosophy and everything in between. Beasts of every kind and the lore that spawned them. The mythology section alone is worth the price of admission because of the large listing of various culture's pantheon of gods.

The Bad
There is a LOT of nudity in this book (a lot being four or five pictures). Maberry & Kramer include artwork from almost twenty artists. And some are pretty good.

Now I don't know about you, but when I think about angels, I never picture them naked. Some artists on the other hand... Don't get me wrong, I understand the succubus' (succubi?) and nymphs are one with nature and their raw desires. But angels nude? Please...

And I did find one glaring mistake. The artwork on the cover, which is also used inside, is labelled as the Angel of Fertility despite the text indicating that it is clearly the Angel of Prostitution.

Either way, the artwork and some of the content makes this book one I wouldn't let my kids pick up until they're much older, which is sad because it's such a great resource. But if a kid accepted a tenth of this book as fact, their heads would be spinning.

The Spin
The Cryptopedia is a great resource for those rare bits of information on myth and the mythical world. You won't spend a ton of time reading it, but it's a great reference book.

Still, be aware that some of the images are not suitable for younger readers.

Edenbrooke: A Guy's Perspective

Buy it @ Barnes & Noble

Lemme give you a little history first. I'm a guy. I burp, fart (just ask my wife), and say the wrong things at the wrong times. That said, I'm a writer and love romantic story lines in novels. That would make some guys doubt my 'man credentials,' but you don't have to watch Ice Capades to accept that guys have a soft side.

Well my wife likes these Regency period romances. Not the real bodice rippers, the ones with actual romance and maybe a little passionate... romancing. I spend a fair amount of time making the kids giggle as I put on English accents and openly mock my wife's choice in literature and film.

Note: I'm actually just glad she enjoys reading as much as I do.

Then she ends up running into Edenbrooke at the local library.

And reads it twice in a row...

And won't stop talking about it...

And reads me the hilarious first chapter...

And starts calling me SIR Anthony...

Then she insists we go to a local book signing so she can get an autographed copy and meet Julianne Donaldson. It took awhile for my English cockney to die down, but I finally decided to get closer to my wife by reading Edenbrooke.


The Good
First, Edenbrooke has an amazing first chapter. It was what encouraged me to continue on with the rest of the book. Pick it up and read it if ONLY for the first chapter. But believe me, the story gets better from there.

Second, I'm a died in the wool thespian, so I love audiobooks. They're even better when you find one with a talented narrator. The Publisher, Shadow Mountain, made a wise choice when they tapped Emily Elizabeth Hamilton. Her narration style adds so much emotion to the already beautiful text, that it was a treat to listen to and pulled me into the characters.

Third, Julianne Donaldson's story is beautifully written. She sets up scenes masterfully and packs them with raw emotion. So much of the Regency period was filled with proper etiquette, that you can imagine their feelings had to be fairly bursting to get out. I laughed and I cried. The story was so engaging that it completely turned off my writer's mind, which try's to guess where the plot is going. After the first third of the book I was completely hooked and immersed in life at Edenbrooke.

Fourth and last, Edenbrooke doesn't work on the premise that sex equals intimacy. Julianne Donaldson understands that the touch of a hand can sometimes mean more than a week long roll in the hay. Sex can be raw emotion too, but building up to it with the romance of a touch or stolen glances pays off more (for me anyway) then some muscle-bound stud pushing over some poor girl's skirt hoops.

The Bad
Did I mention I cried?

And not just once, but several times.

And I was at work! Any idea how embarrassing that is?! Well... I was forced to duck my head and blink a lot.

The Spin
So... am I going to read more Victorian romances? Probably not. Don't get me wrong, I like Jane Austen. But I'm happier with sci-fi and fantasy. Sometimes a good thriller is what I need and life is just too short to be stuck in Regency.

But you can bet I'll read anything by Julianne Donaldson. She's just that good.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns Review

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It's always a real treat when I find a YA book that clicks with my interests. Particularly ones that are great, not just in the beginning, but all the way through. So when I read, The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson, it easily became one of my 'must-read' series. I can't remember who recommended this one to me, (something tells me it was somebody in my writing group) but I'm glad they did.

The Good
First off, the protagonist is an overweight sixteen-year old girl. At first I wondered if she was an unreliable narrator and was just curvy. But as the story progresses, you realize that she really is overweight. The final nail in that coffin being a very humiliating social event.

But rising from this unlikable characteristic (Hey... I'm overweight, but how many heroes have fifty extra pounds outside of the man with the elves and a red suit?), Rae Carson gives her protagonist the very likable features of being intelligent and kind. You like her, especially since the opening dilemma has her in a real pickle. But her intelligence is hobbled by... um... that's a bit of a spoiler.

Throughout the whole book, Rae Carson has believable characters and throws in a host of plot twists that keep the reader guessing. I was really surprised with the whole plot and delighted in each twist and turn.

The Bad
It was really hard for me to find something I didn't like about The Girl of Fire and Thorns. And for a debut novel, that's saying something.

If I had to pick something I didn't like, I guess it would have to be the bait Rae Carson drops that hints at a sci-fi thread, a la Orson Scott Card's, Memory of Earth. If she hoped to avoid the sci-fi aspects, she did it perfectly, since there was enough bait to pique my interest. But it made me VERY curious and didn't deliver. If she answers it in a later book, it'll be a big payoff.

And that's not bad. 

Wait... I did have one other gripe. They throw bird seed at the weddings.

We know the disastrous effects of throwing rice at weddings now, but would a fantasy culture go to the extreme of collecting weed seeds for birds? As a YA book, it was a nice little education for kids, but for an adult, it made me wonder.

Either way, it wasn't a serious detractor from the book. I still loved it.

The Spin
If you're looking for a good YA fantasy, you'll love The Girl of Fire and Thorns. With it's great characters, food, and scenery, the story fairly leaps out of the book.

Rae Carson is definitely one to watch.

Case File 13: Zombie Kid Review

This copy of Zombie Kid was an early Christmas

Case File 13: Zombie Kid, is J. Scott Savage's new mid-grade series. I was fortunate enough to win an advanced reader copy before its December 26th release date. Being a big fan of Jeff's Farworld series, I eagerly jumped into it.

The Good
Lots of people that are looking for a great middle-grade series for boys. There are plenty of books that draw girls in, but not many that can do the same with boys. Well, look no further! All the classic hooks for boys are here: best buds, bicycles, Halloween pranks, zombies, voodoo, pestering girls, and gross goo.

Jeff's writing is some of the best you'll see and his humor is laugh out loud funny. My co-workers kept giving me funny looks as I read and I would have to stop and tell them the story.

What's more, this book was made to be read out loud. I read this to my kids and we had a blast with all the different characters. Each has a distinct voice and personality and their antics make for a fun read.

The Bad
It's too bad Zombie Kid didn't have an earlier release date during October. For... you know... Halloween. It's not necessary for the story, but...

Yeah.

That's pretty much my biggest complaint.

The Spin
If you're looking for a fun read, or want to pick up something your kids would enjoy, then pick up Case File 13: Zombie Kid. Its book one in a new 13 book series and a quick read you don't want to miss.

Check out the Harper-Collins site for more juicy tidbits on Case File 13: Zombie Kid.

The Stupidest Angel Review

Looking for a good adult comedy for the holiday season? Look no further than Christopher Moore's, The Stupidest Angel. Subtitled 'A heartwarming tale of Christmas terror,' this Christmas story takes you through the life of a small coastal town during its festive season.

The story centers around a young boy who knows that Christmas is hosed when he witnesses the death of Santa. But riding to the rescue is the town's hippie sheriff and his B-movie actress wife (who was once know as the 'Warrior Babe of the Outland'). The story has strong tendencies towards the Christmas short story, 'The Gift of the Magi,' but with the excessively humorous twists and zombies... well...

The Good
Christopher Moore's word play always amazes me and highlights his truly skilled talents. But more than this, the structure of his stories are dazzling to behold.

The Stupidest Angel has a thrilling climax that harvests a hilarious story that has been littered with key elements throughout. Each of these elements pay of in the climax, but incredibly, there is a plot twist that emphasizes how each element progressed the story.

The Bad
There is quite a bit of language in this book, but Christopher Moore gives the following warning at the start of the book: "If you're buying this book for a grandma or a kid, you should be aware that it contains cusswords as well as tasteful depictions of cannibalism and people in their forties having sex. Don't blame me. I told you."

The language is probably the worst thing about the book since the sex is well placed and not gratuitous. 

The Spin
If you're easily offended by language or nudity, don't pick up this book. But if you can tolerate the little amount there is, you'll love sarcasm and word-play. You'll love it even more on audio since the narrator (Tony Roberts) has a rich voice that conveys the humor and style of the story.

So pick up The Stupidest Angel, it'll lighten your humor during the holidays.

Cinder Review

Cinder is a gifted mechanic in a dystopian world where humans with useful skills are usually lauded.

But Cinder isn't human.

She's cyborg and her implants rate her as nothing more than a second class citizen, less than that in the eye's of her cruel adopted mother and sister.

Weaving an exciting Young Adult tale of political intrigue with the hope of romance, Marissa Meyer has crafted this traditional fairytale into a compelling read that will keep readers guessing.  

The Good
Marissa Meyer did a great job of taking the traditional story of Cinderella and turning it into something fresh. While she uses several of the traditional story's elements, she uses them in interesting and unexpected ways that help develop the story while avoiding anything that comes off as a glaring neon sign.

That said, I have to admit that I was a little worried about just how much of the Cinderella story was going to be brought into Cinder. I'm happy to say that Ms. Meyer is enough of an artisan that nothing was out of place and the story was well-written enough to stand strongly on its own merits. Those not familiar with the Cinderella tale will find an exciting read, while fans of the character will discover treasured elements scattered throughout the book like Easter eggs.

And one more thing, I actually almost cried reading this one. If I hadn't been at work... Without going into a huge rant over how much I think Cinder's mom needs a good slapping, Marissa Meyer did an awesome job of conveying the frustration of Cinder's status in life. Cinder constantly gets the short end of the stick but keeps fighting for something better.  

The Bad
I thought Cinder was a stand-alone story. If it was... I'd be more than slightly 'cheesed off.' Let's just say, there's plenty more of this story left to tell and I'm eagerly awaiting a sequel. Book two, titled Scarlet, is expected to be released in February of 2013 with two more planned novels (Cress & Winter) coming out in 2014 and 2015. So the only thing about Cinder that I'm having a tough time with, is waiting to get my yearly installment.  

The Spin
If you like YA books like I do, you're gonna LOVE Cinder. There is absolutely nothing stale about this Cinderella reboot and it has the potential to consume readers as much as Harry Potter and The Hunger Games ever did. Cinder gets high marks for an exciting story with a light seasoning of romance.

Wintergirls Review

Wintergirls is the first book you'll ever read that will put you in the head of an anorexic. If you suffer from anorexia, please get and accept help... and after reading this book I know just how hard that is.

The Good
The science behind Wintergirls was amazing. Laurie Anderson did her research and had plenty of beta readers that tightened this well told narrative. Every food item she thinks of comes with its calorie count. Even worse, you're given the driving emotions behind this sickness to the point were you feel her pain and desire to make her insane goals.

The Bad
Wintergirls is one of those books that makes you feel uncomfortable and that's not bad. This book, while harsh in it's reality, almost should be required reading in high school. It won't change the mentality of people suffering from eating disorders, but it makes the readers aware of what's happening behind the closed doors of others minds.

The Spin
Wintergirls is one of those great books that takes an uncomfortable topic and makes it understandable. You'll feel an even greater sense of compassion for those who suffer from this illness and those who love them. Adults might want to read this one before handing it off to their kids solely so they can discuss the life threatening topics found in it.

For me, Wintergirls is not a book I'll ever reread. But from the knowledge and emotions I've gained, it's one I'm infinitely glad to have read.

Feed Review

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Feed is an awesome book that reminds me of Ray Bradbury... but with a valley girl twist. It starts with a group of high school kids taking their spring break to the moon... which they discover totally sucks.

The world of Feed takes place in the not so distant future where humans, or Americans at least, have the internet hardwired into their bodies. Making it easier to search and find the things you need. These items pop up into your Feed View.

But ease of access has it's price: corporations can now send advertising for items you may be interested in directly into your same feed, creating endless pop-ups.

The Good
Feed shows the darker side of unrestrained capitalism and the tech binge. Those who have, reap the whirlwind of their own lack of control, while the have-not's dream of being included in a system that ostracizes them for their lack of savey.

Initially I thought Feed was a comedy and was laughing at the high school stupidity. But the story keeps throwing in casual tidbits that hint at the stories dark underbelly.

For the audiobook, listeners get the joy of hearing several cool ads direct from the Feed. 


The Bad
If you can't handle dialog written from the perspective of a valley girl... uh... guy... then this book might not be for you. You're going to see a spike in words like 'whoa' and the ever popular 'like.' You'll even get them in a string: "I was like, whoa." But dialog like this does actually serve its intended purpose: to show how vapid the culture has become.

The Spin
Feed is well written and a great story. But more then that, it will get you thinking about your consumerism. Maybe that's not something your particularly interested in, but once you read Feed, you'll be very aware of how advertisers are trying to affect you. And more than that, it'll make you take notice of how the corporations view you and our world.

Before I Fall Review

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Before I Fall was one of the few books I've read that I had a hard time putting down. As most people know, I read a massive amount of audiobooks at work, and this one made me want to go home and listen to the remaining six hours before I went to bed.

But that woulda been an all-nighter and I've got kids, so...

The Good
Before I Fall deals with the life and death of Samantha Kingston, a popular high school girl who gets to relive the last day of her life seven times. With echoes of Groundhog Day, Before I Fall is brutal in its portrayal of high school mentality and the revelation of what we mean to each other. It's classic first-person narrative is some of the best I've seen and drags you kicking and screaming into the story.

The Bad
The content is a bit rough, with language, sex, and drug and alcohol use/references. But if you're looking for an excellent example of the hero's journey, this is it. Lauren Oliver makes this New York Times bestseller truly worthy of your time.

And another thing, every adult in here is an idiot. Almost a requirement for a YA book--I understand, the hero has to develop and all--but these adults really aren't taking an interest in their kids lives. If anything, the harsh realities in the book are a wake-up call for parents as well. Does that make the book bad? No, it's what makes the harshness so much more bitter. (Well done, Ms. Oliver)

The Spin
While there's no WAY I'm going to let my kids read this one before they're eighteen, Before I Fall jumped to one of my all-time favorite books just for the lessons it teaches. As I said, the content is a bit harsh in the first few chapters. But with all heroes, they have to learn how to rise above the status quo and this book does it masterfully.

Star Wars: X-Wing: Mercy Kill Review

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I'm a Star Wars nut from way back, so any Star Wars review by me tends to be a little biased. But, I'm enough of a fan-boy that I can admit when I have a real gripe with the galaxy far, far away. That said, I'm glad Lucasfilm has raised the bar on their novels.

The Good
Star Wars: X-Wing: Mercy Kill takes place thirty years after the original X-Wing series, and just after the events in the Fate of the Jedi series. None of the original Star Wars characters take part, except for a brief cameo by Wedge Antilles. This was a predominant theme with the original X-Wing books, so it's not a real surprise.

But Mercy Kill adds delightful stories to the Star Wars universe. Building on the tension of an infiltration mission, coupled with building a new Wraith squadron from the ashes of the old one. It was exciting and fun. All the action of a heist story set in the Star Wars universe. At the very least, you get to see Gamorrean male go-go dancers.

The Bad
This book might only be meant for true Star Wars fans or sci-fi fans that can enjoy the Star Wars universe. You're not going to see any of the original characters and if you're not familiar enough with the X-Wing series (or the expanded Star Wars universe), you might feel like you walked into a new Jason Bourne movie without knowing who Jason Bourne is. Sure it'll have action, but you'll spend a little time catching up on the story. But even that's not a big deal, since Aaron Allston did a great job of providing enough clues to the history that all readers will be able to jump right in.

Click to buy it at B&N

Final Tally
As far as Star Wars books go, I think Mercy Kill is one of the better ones in the expanded universe. I give it high marks for action/intrigue and character development. My favorite character was Piggy, an altered Gamorrean with high intellect and the ability to speak. He pulls the spine of the story together, which was a wise choice.

If you're looking for another good expanded universe title, I recommend Shatterpoint by Matthew Stover. It's the first Clone Wars novel and stars Mace Windu. It also holds the distinction for being the first Star Wars book I've read that shows a Jedi acting intelligently and not just jumping into a hack-n-slash battle.

Vespers Rising Review

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If you got hooked by the fast-reading Middle Grade series, The 39 Clues, then you were excited like I was to see the release of the first book of the second series, Vespers Rising.

Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, and Jude Watson joined forces on this one to create essentially four short stories that build the new threat to the Cahill family, the Vespers. Starting with Gideon Cahill in 1507, each story explains the origins and purpose of the Vespers leading to their current battle with Dan and Amy Cahill.

While the stories are exciting and well written, I wasn't really interested in all the past history. I wanted more Amy and Dan adventures! The last story is about Amy & Dan, but because 3/4 of this book deals with other family members, it felt like the expanded Star Wars universe. Sure it's fun, but you really just want to see Han, Luke, and Leia in action.

Fortunately enough, the story about young Grace Cahill is close enough to the original 39 Clues stories to make it satisfying.

Vespers Rising is a necessary book and a good read to set up the history for the Vespers series, but it won't be my favorite without Amy and Dan's antics.

Halting State Review

I really liked the concept of Halting State and was excited to read it. That said, I had a really tough time getting through it.

The Good
The story deals with characters tracking down who robbed a bank in the virtual world of an MMORPG (massive-multiplayer online role-playing game), causing the host company to lose $36 million dollars in real world money. Cool concept right?!




The Bad
Unfortunately, Halting State is written in second-person narrative. 

I've always thought writing in second person would be a fun challenge to tackle as a writer, but Halting State showed me the error of my ways.

Some of the time, like when the reader is in the virtual world, second-person is cool. And the comedy performed with it during 'self-reflection' is hilarious. The rest of the time it just plain sucks. I felt like it kept throwing me out of the story.

Audiobook
The audio version of this book was awesome. Robert McKenzie does an amazing job with multiple English/Scottish characters and their accents. Not to mention that his voice is so rich and enjoyable, it should be labeled 'chocolate.'

Final Tally
While the story itself was awesome and well written, I didn't love this book because the 'second-person speed bump' kept whacking me on the head. Read it for the comedy and cool concept, but be sure to take some Tylenol first.