Escaping the Mirror by Emily P. DeLoach

June 24, 2014 By 2 Comments

Cover_Escaping the Mirror

Escaping the Mirror by Emily P. DeLoach
Publisher: Self
Genre: Contemporary, YA
Length: Full Length (181 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Rose

When her mom abandoned the family, Evelyn Crayley was left with an alcoholic father, a drug-dealing older brother and the nickname “Evil.” Starting fights at school and getting high do little to ebb the rage welling inside. Her brother, Jim, does his best to protect her from their violent father, but Evil still feels helpless, doomed to live the same kind of white trash life she and her family have always known.

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Don’t pick up this book expecting a light, fluffy paranormal sparkly vampires kind of book. It’s about real kids with real serious problems. It made my heart break (and be very thankful for my own family) to see the things these kids go through.

From the drug use (they smoke pot the way my friends and I drank Coke) to the abuse they suffer, these teens are from a lifestyle I personally was blessed to avoid. But, this author does an amazing job of making it real to the reader. I was right there with them as they try to escape their problems.

Evelyn, “Evil”, had strikes against her from the time she was born. Her mother, in a psychotic episode, tries to kill her–an event witnessed by her brother Jim. From that day on, Jim is Evil’s protector–from everything, but he tries especially to protect her from their father. Unfortunately, his “protection” leads her to a state of dependency as she turns to him for everything.

This is a very character-driven book and I really came to care for Evil, Jim, and Dopey (Jim’s best friend). The young people have to come to grips with who they are, what their relationships are, and how to adjust to the changes that are going on around them and within them.

Kudos, Ms. DeLoach, for a book reminiscent of my generation’s Judy Blume books… books that did not shy away from real life and real life problems.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Love Edy by Shewanda Pugh

June 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment

OVE
Love Edy by Shewanda Pugh
Publisher: Razor’s Edge
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (311 pages)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When Edy Phelps falls hard for her best friend, she knows nothing can come from it. Forget actual chemistry, or the fact that she cherishes his mother more than her own; centuries of tradition say that Hassan will grow up, marry the girl his parents pick, and forget his best friend: the dancer with the bursting smile. Except he can’t. In a world erupting with possibilities for the boy with a body of steel and dreams of the NFL, everything seems promised while nothing at all is; when he’s denied the girl he wants most.

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Few things sting more than loving someone who can’t or won’t love you back.

The character development is superb. Edy’s strengths and weaknesses are revealed gradually, and each one of them is reinforced and allowed to rub up against the other facets of her personality as the plot progresses. She definitely isn’t a perfect person, but I got to know Edy so well that she does feel like a real one due to how much time was spent on exploring everything that makes her unique.

Hassan is almost as well developed, and that isn’t an easy feat to pull off with a secondary character. Their friendship is warm, nuanced, and occasionally conflicted, but what really caught my attention is how incredibly well Edy and Hassan know one another. All it takes is a misplaced glance or a subtle shift in body language for them to communicate. These signals kept me guessing about what might happen next when tension rises between these two!

While I understand that this is the first book in a series, I would have liked to see more of the subplots find closure in the last few scenes. So many of them were left hanging for the sequel that I never felt the sense of resolution that I would expect from a full length novel. The plot asks excellent questions about race, gender, social class, and what it means to love someone selflessly. Had at least a few of these themes been allowed to to reach their natural conclusions, Love Edy would have easily earned a much higher rating.

It’s really hard to admit when you’re wrong. One of the things I enjoyed the most about this tale is how certain characters react when they realize they’ve said or done something hurtful. It’s difficult to discuss this in detail without giving away spoilers, but keep an eye out for the flashes of self-awareness in this tale. Small details like this are what make this reader anticipate the sequel!

Love Edy is a compelling young adult romance that I’d recommend to anyone who is a fan of either genre. It was a fun ride, and I look forward to catching up again with these characters soon.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Blue by Lisa Glass

June 24, 2014 By 2 Comments

BLUE
Blue by Lisa Glass
Publisher: Quercus
Genre: Contemporary, YA
Length: Full Length (373 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 14+
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Hawthorn

Surfing is sixteen-year-old Iris’s world, and when the ultra-talented Zeke walks into her life, it soon becomes her passion.

Over one amazing summer, as she is drawn into his sphere, she experiences love, new friendships, but also loss, with an intensity she never dreamed of.

But is Zeke all he seems? What hides beneath his glamorous and mysterious past? When Iris decides to try for her own surfing success, just as her ex-boyfriend comes back into her life, she will test her talent, and her feelings for Zeke, to the limit…

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Iris is at first a very ‘girl next door’ character, which makes it easy to identify with her. She’s heartbroken over breaking up with her boyfriend; she just wants to wallow in her misery and stay holed up in her house. Then she meets a boy who seems too good to be true, and her entire world changes. We get to see Iris reveal new layers of her character and new depths of her surfing talent. She makes great progress through the novel, and blossoms into a poised and committed surfer and a beautiful personality.

The gorgeous boy she meets, Zeke, has done most of his growing up before we get to meet him, but that’s okay, because he is now mature enough to inspire and guide Iris. And he does that wonderfully. The amount of surfing knowledge that Ms. Glass wrote into his character makes him a believable champion, a great sportsman, and a very inspiring individual. He’s just what Iris needs, and that’s why their relationship works so well. It’s worth noting that apart from the external conflicts that hinder their relationship, at least at the beginning, there are also strong inner conflicts that help the reader become even more invested in the story.

I loved how the secondary characters were all well-written, with distinct personalities, and how Ms. Glass created relationships between them that felt very real and genuine. Kelly was the kind of a positive, spunky person I’d love to have for a friend. The interaction between the Francis brothers (and pretty much the entire family) is a joy to watch; and Nanna is a very special individual.

The only thing I’d have liked to see in the story but didn’t is more of the relationship between Saskia and Iris. I liked Saskia from the get-go and I was hoping for the girls to become fast friends. I think if they had, the final conflict would have been even more intense and consequently the resolution even more emotional. However, that’s more of a personal wish than an actual weakness of the story.

The pacing of the novel is flawless, with the last forty pages turning into an utter emotional rollercoaster. The descriptions of surfing, the waves and nature are so breathtaking you can smell the brine and feel the sun on your skin. The language and writing style are equally authentic. Surfing slang and Cornish expressions abound, so I learned quite a few new words.

Regardless of whether you like surfing, or even if you don’t know the first thing about it, you’ll grow to love it after reading Blue.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Skinwalker by Faith Hunter

June 23, 2014 By Leave a Comment

HUNTER
Skinwalker by Faith Hunter
Publisher: ROC
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (320 pgs)
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Cactus

First in a brand new series from the author of the rogue mage novels
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Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind-a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. But now she’s been hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katie’s Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who’s killing other vamps…

Trouble just roared into Nawlins on a bastard Harley. Jane Yellowrock is a licensed rogue vamp hunter. Since the vampires came out of the closet, so to speak, they are still in limbo about their official status with governments. Thus they tend to take care of their problems on their own and there Jane comes in. She’s the best at killing vamps gone rogue, partly because she’s not wholly human herself. She’s been tasked to kill a rogue that is killing other vamps and that task is one that may just kill Jane.

Skinwalker is the first in a new series by Faith Hunter and it’s a decent book. I personally think the series gets better as it goes and the characters much more complex and nuanced. In this first book, Jane heads into New Orleans to work for the Master of the City and gets entangled in the politics of the vampires. It’s an interesting plot for sure that involves part mystery, figuring out who the rogue vampire is and how to find/kill him, part romance with two potential love interests, and lets the reader get to know the narrator, Jane. I liked the plot quite a bit and found the actual sleuthing aspect interesting. It takes some real work and doesn’t happen overnight though it happens within a short amount of time. The near constant action helps keep the pages turning even when the investigation aspect slows some. I wouldn’t call this a mystery but it’s classic urban fantasy that involves some mystery components. The world building is decent, since it’s based on modern day with magic, it’s very familiar and one UF fans will likely enjoy.

I had a love/hate relationship with Jane. She’s a very classic female lead – badass motorcycle mama that can kill almost anything, mouth off to all authority, and since she’s a skinwalker that lives with the soul of a puma within her, she can’t really die and heals almost any injury when she shifts to her cat. I tire of this cliché, but the character is given enough nuances that I could get through the book. She’s torn about her Cherokee heritage and has some deep-seated problems that slowly come to light over the course of the series. In this first book she’s a little cold and snarky but I found her an entertaining narrator. Her two potential love interests are also good characters and there are enough secondary characters that have weight to give a solid cast. The end resolution is also well done and not as easy as I expected.

The writing is pretty good; though the author takes pains to ensure the readers go where she wants them to go. By this I mean that Jane doesn’t always say, think, or feel things that are true to her character. Instead she’ll change or shift, subtly and always with extensive rationalizing, to suit the narrative. If the author doesn’t want Jane to be angry or afraid of someone, then there are several reasons why she won’t be, even if the character’s natural responses would be opposite. I found this to be somewhat annoying but it happened so infrequently I could get over it. Overall this is a decent to good first outing of the series. I do recommend it to urban fantasy fans. It’s not necessarily that new but the lead is entertaining and engaging most of the time.

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Hector Trogg’s Perfect World by P.A. Booth

June 23, 2014 By Leave a Comment

TROGG
Hector Trogg’s Perfect World by P.A. Booth
Publisher: Abas UK Ltd.
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (465 pages)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A brother and sister – An inheritance – An assassin

Through every boring day of school Hector Trogg dreamt of adventure. He wanted to fly a fighter plane, drive a tank, and leap from burning buildings. An unusual inheritance and the world’s most feared killer turn Hector’s daydreams into reality.

While Hector’s family struggle to stay alive with the help of French special forces, Hector and his sister Kate carve a trail of destruction, aided by a dog called Bandit. The French fight for justice. The dog fights for the turkey.

Can Hector save the day?

Can Kate rescue Hector?
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Can Dad save lunch?

Suddenly coming into a large amount of money cures some problems, but it can also create entirely new ones. Unfortunately the Trogg siblings haven’t figured that out quite yet.

The bond between siblings is bound to change as they grow up, and the author did a good job at providing realistic glimpses of how such intelligent and resourceful characters work together. Some of my favourite scenes in this story involve Hector and Kate’s shifting relationship. They can be very competitive at times but are never cruel.

There was a fair amount of telling instead of showing in this book. Given that many scenes are also written in the past tense, I had trouble becoming immersed in what was happening because I didn’t feel as much urgency to know what would happen next as I usually experience from such action-heavy plots. Even the most heart-pounding moments sometimes felt as though they were being recounted many years after they happened due to these factors.

P.A. Booth has a wonderful sense of humour that works quite well for this age group. I particularly liked how the author repeats certain jokes and includes references to previous shenanigans as the plot progresses. Given the serious subject matter in certain chapters, these running gags also provided a much-needed break from the building tension.

Pacing issues begin to show up after the first burst of excitement. Some action scenes are breezed through rapidly while other sections that describe the setting or introduce new characters seemed to slow down the plot. These details are important, but it would have been helpful to have some of them reserved for a little later on so that more time could be spent focusing on all of the trouble Hector and Kate find themselves in.

The science fiction and young adult genres often work really well together, and this tale is no exception to that rule. The latter has a much stronger influence on the plot, but the story becomes stronger and more interesting due to this mixing of genres. This is the kind of novel I’d give to a preteen who is curious about science fiction but prefers his or her stories to occur in a modern-day, realistic setting.

I’d recommend Hector Trogg’s Perfect World to anyone in the mood for adventure. There is plenty of it to be found between these pages!

 

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Noble Destiny by Katie MacAlister

June 23, 2014 By Leave a Comment

NOBLE
Noble Destiny by Katie MacAlister
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (383 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

A poor widow, Lady Charlotte Collins returns to England eager to take her place in the ton, only to find herself shunned by all. Her one choice is to marry a groom with wealth, a title, and good looks, but Alasdair McGregor cruelly refuses to be the answer to her problems. In fact, she is forced by Dare’s obstinacy to take extreme action: the faulty codpiece that leads to this marriage, the wedding that is literally a circus. But nothing can stand between Charlotte and what she wants most: the love of her husband.

Noble Destiny is quirky, charming, silly and fun. There are many reasons to smile throughout the story and for the most part, it’s lighthearted reading.

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I liked Dare, the hero, a lot. I liked his drive, his passion and his slow downward spiral into loving Charlotte. She didn’t make it easy on him; she confused the heck out of him many times, but he understood her heart and her failings, and loved her anyway.

For readers who love madcap comedy type books, this one should appeal. For those that appreciate logic and meaty plots, this story is fluffy and light and heavy on impossibility. For some, Charlotte’s personality might drive a person up a wall because she’s written in such a way as to come across as vain, vacuous, flighty and selfish. Bear with the story, it gets better, the heroine gets better. She grows up a bit and finally figures out what is truly important in life. When a catastrophe hits, she rises to the occasion and shows what a strong woman she really is. However, like I said, she is irrepressible. She doesn’t stay serious for long and it starts off again with embroidered patches. She’s inventive, I’ll give her that. The heroine seems to carry her own bit of sun in her pocket for all of life’s gloomy, cloudy days. It does come in handy. One thing’s for sure, her friend, Caro, is oftentimes entertained, aghast, horrified or impressed with Charlotte. So was I.

Secondary characters certainly played important and varied roles throughout the novel. I think Batsfoam would have been better if the author had toned down his dramatic soliloquies because after a while, I wanted to stick an apple in his mouth. Yes, an apple, because back then duct tape didn’t exist.

There is a light suspenseful plot that is fixed in an ingenious way. I thought as the heroine thought, that there were two villains. What the truth turned out to be was vastly better because it surprised me and I enjoyed that.

Noble Destiny is completely enjoyable. Yes, it had its foibles and weirdness but its overall charm, wit and delightfully saucy escapades between Dare and Charlotte were strong points that made reading this story so much fun. Charlotte grows on a person. I would definitely recommend this novel for readers in need of smiles, laughter and a few groaning “face palms”. It’s entertainment; something Ms. MacAlister knows a lot about because she always delivers.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Messenger by Scott Rhine

June 23, 2014 By Leave a Comment

MESSENGER
Messenger by Scott Rhine
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary, Action/Adventure
Length: Full Length (169 pages)
Age Recommendation: 12+
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When we close our eyes at night, we all see the same ancient place. Exploring Astra is like living a video game. Tomorrow, I’m going goblin-tipping with some of the other wizards. The first rule of being a dream wizard is “no photos.” You don’t want the bad guys finding you where you have no powers. The waking world sucks.

Since Mom went to prison, the Nevada foster system sent me to Minnesota to meet an Uncle Joe I never knew I had. Snow loses its charm after five days. Only music and the dreams make my life bearable.

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Imagine having a lucid dream every time you go to sleep!

Daniel has been through more challenges in his first fourteen years than some people experience in an entire lifetime. Seeing how his personality developed over the course of the story made this character one of the most interesting ones I’ve come across so far this year. The author did a particularly good job at showing the long-lasting effects of certain events in Daniel’s past.

I had trouble keeping track of all of the creatures and other players Daniel meets in Astra. Part of the reason why I struggled is that the cast of characters in this dreamscape was fairly large. While most of the secondary characters were introduced with brief descriptions of their appearances or special powers, some of them only shared their names. It would have been helpful to have a glossary of basic information about these beings so I could spend more time paying attention to what was happening next instead of trying to remember who was who.

Some stories ignite my imagination as soon as I start reading them. This was one of them. At first I was eager for Daniel’s sometimes painful experiences in his waking life to wrap up so he could jump back into everything that was happening when he entered his next REM stage of sleep and was able to once again steal treasures and fight goblins. What impressed me, though, was what happens once he begins to feel secure with his place in both worlds. Within a few chapters I was enjoying both worlds equally.

It took me a while to figure out the most appropriate age recommendation for this book. Daniel is in high school when the action begins, but the plot seems to be written for kids who are a few years younger than him. The subplots that explain how Daniel ended up with his disabilities and why he became a foster child may be too intense for younger or sensitive readers, though, so be cautious about sharing this tale with anyone under the age of 12.

Messenger was quite the adventure. I’d especially recommend it to anyone who is a fan of role playing games or video games.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Rebel by Cheryl Brooks

June 23, 2014 By 2 Comments

REBEL
Rebel by Cheryl Brooks
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (389 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

He helped to find her kidnapped friends. Will he let her steal his heart?

Kimcasha has lived by her wits since she lost her family when she was eight years old. So when three of her friends vanish, she has no fear about using herself as kidnapper’s bait, until a stranger foils her plot…

After ten years of selling his services in a brothel, Onca has decided to retire. A refugee of planet Zetith, he has no family, no surname, and no woman—until he rescues a young homeless girl from a kidnapper. Onca helps Kim find her friends, but as their intense attraction deepens, he begins feeling too jaded for someone so innocent. It’s up to Kim to convince him otherwise…

I love a story that starts off so innocently, it pulls me in before I realize it. Onca, the hero, was just walking along thinking about his retirement when he steps in to save an innocent young lady. What happens after that puts Onca on a crash course filled with excitement, intrigue, and eventually, romance. The trouble they get into along the way was nothing short of fascinating, convoluted and challenging.
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Onca garnered my sympathy because, like most Zetithian males, they have no true home. It was destroyed a la Alderaan in Star Wars. And the quasi home he did have was just closed. He was alone. Truly alone because he has no family to speak of. He gets verbally insulted by his ex-secretary but his rag tag troupe of friends have rather unique characteristics that contributed well to the plot movement.

The damsel in distress in none other than Kim, an undiscovered Zetithian female. As a follower of this series, I knew what that would eventually mean but Kim sure didn’t make it easy for the hero. There were friends to save, a mystery to solve, bad guys to outwit and a relationship to figure out. It’s a very busy book.

There were parts of the story that were endearing, like the orphans. They are not throwaway mentions; they actually provide a valuable service to the hero and heroine and contribute to the solving of the mystery.

My only unhappy twitch came from Jack. Whereas Roncas’s motives were truly on Onca’s behalf, Jack’s was a bit mean. I didn’t like that at all. It sure surprised me and it didn’t sit right with the Jack I’ve come to know over the course of the series. It would have been better if the ‘seeds of doubt’ had been planted by someone else in the tale. As far as I’m concerned, Onca and Kim were doing just fine without Jack’s interference. Maybe I’m being oversensitive on Onca’s behalf and other readers won’t see it that way at all. They’ll have to judge for themselves.

It took a while for Onca and Kim to ease their passions but when it happens, it’s written with the sensual magic that Ms. Brooks is known for. It is very satisfying.

One of the most emotional moments in the book is regarding a name. It was touching, beautiful and really sweet. I liked that. What was even sweeter was the happy ever after. It was pure sugary goodness.

I enjoyed reading Rebel and feel it’s a wonderful addition to the series. The climactic courtroom scene ended with a twist I never saw coming. It was delightful and a very clever touch by the author. There is a lot more that happens in the book that I haven’t even hinted at but part of the joy of reading is the surprise of discovery and ‘aha!’ moments. I recommend picking up your own copy and finding out. It’s a book worth reading especially if you are a fan of the series. And if you are not, it’s a novel that can be read as a standalone. But don’t be surprised if it causes a bit of curiosity of what went on before. They’re all fun reads and worth checking out too.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , ,

The Hard Way by Cathi Stoler

June 23, 2014 By Leave a Comment

HARD
The Hard Way by Cathi Stoler
A Laurel and Helen New York Mystery
Publisher: Camel Press
Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (282 Pages)
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

Private Investigator Helen McCorkendale’s childhood friend, Jimmy Scanlan, has just opened January, the most lavish casino and hotel resort on the Las Vegas Strip. After attending the grand opening, Helen returns to New York and encourages her friend, Laurel Imperiole, Senior Editor at Women Now magazine, to create a get-away contest for readers offering a weekend at the hotel as the grand prize. The winner, Dawn Chapman, a jewelry store employee from Cincinnati, denies entering the contest and initially refuses the trip. Finally persuaded by Laurel to accept, she arrives at the hotel and nearly faints when she passes the hotel’s elite meeting rooms where the International Diamond Dealers Consortium is holding its annual meeting. She insists on returning home immediately.

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Dawn Chapman was not who she appeared to be, and therein lies a mystery. But to Helen and Laurel, the main task is to take Jimmy Scanlon off the suspect list and clear his name. Will their luck hold? Or will it be a crap shoot, as they roll the dice and do it ‘the hard way,’ going for doubles when the odds are against them. Losing may mean losing their lives.

The International Diamond Dealers Consortium is meeting at the January Resort and Casino, which is owned by Jimmy Scanlan, a friend of PI Helen McCorkendale. The meeting will close with the showing of a rare huge red diamond, the de Groot Rouge, after which the diamond will go to New York where it will be on public display at the Minerals and Gems Gallery of the Museum of Natural History. Notorious jewel thieves are expected to try to steal the diamond, and PI Helen McCorkendale is determined to prevent the theft while she solves a related murder.

The action in this novel takes place partly in Las Vegas and partly in New York and both locations become characters in their own right. The detailed descriptions of every location in the novel make it very easy for the reader to visualize every moment in the thrilling plot. I really felt as if I were right there in the thick of things. It is a real shame that the January Resort is fictitious, because it would definitely be worth a visit even for those who don’t care for Las Vegas or gambling.

The transitions between Las Vegas and New York are done smoothly and naturally, so there is no trouble following the flow of the action. The pacing is good, with never a slow moment. There are surprises around every corner, with mysteries within mysteries. Helen is a gutsy, smart PI and I felt her character was very well drawn. The murder mystery is complex and I didn’t solve it until nearly the end. The mystery surrounding the diamond was much easier to figure out in advance, but it was enjoyable to watch it all play out.

Mystery lovers, especially those who enjoy a well-drawn setting, are sure to be captivated by this exciting adventure.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Exodus 2022 by Kenneth G. Bennett

June 20, 2014 By 4 Comments

2022
Exodus 2022 by Kenneth G. Bennett
Publisher: Booktrope Publishing
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (420 pages)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy
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Joe Stanton is in agony. Out of his mind over the death of his young daughter. Unable to contain his grief, Joe loses control in public, screaming his daughter’s name and causing a huge scene at a hotel on San Juan Island in Washington State. Thing is, Joe Stanton doesn’t have a daughter. Never did. And when the authorities arrive they blame the 28-year-old’s outburst on drugs. What they don’t yet know is that others up and down the Pacific coast—from the Bering Sea to the Puget Sound—are suffering identical, always fatal mental breakdowns. With the help of his girlfriend, Joe struggles to unravel the meaning of the hallucination destroying his mind. As the couple begins to perceive its significance—and Joe’s role in a looming global calamity—they must also outwit a billionaire weapons contractor bent on exploiting Joe’s newfound understanding of the cosmos, and outlast the time bomb ticking in Joe’s brain. Is he losing his mind–or his world?

Joe Stanton, an Episcopal priest, suffers hallucinations while vacationing on San Juan Island with his girlfriend, screaming the name of a daughter he has never had and causing a huge disturbance. Thus begins an incredible thriller which is nearly impossible to put down. The characters are incredibly strong and I really believed in both Joe and Ella, his girlfriend. They struggle to uncover the truth behind Joe’s hallucinations only to find that the answers reveal an approaching global calamity. As they try to help the source of the hallucinations, they also have to stop a billionaire weapons contractor, an evil man who commands his own army with utter ruthlessness.

The novel is set only eight years in the future and the truths it reveals are, unfortunately, our own truths. The story is fast-paced and has an incredible plot which is both exciting and thought-provoking. Joe and Ella show incredible courage as they make incredibly hard decisions. They are determined to do what they can for the creature who has contacted Joe and then through Joe, Ella, but all the time they are trying to help, they also know that Joe is dying. The magnitude of the other world contact is so severe that it kills and has already killed others who have suffered the same mental breakdown.

Exodus 2022 is much more than a thriller. It does keep its readers on the edge of their seats as the twists and turns in the plot abound. But I also found it to be a story that I can’t get out of my mind. It is a story which can all too quickly become a frightening reality, and it has made me think about how I interact with my world and how I might be able to change so that the reality in this story never happens.

Those who love science fiction and/or mystery thrillers are sure to be captivated by this exciting and thought provoking novel.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,
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