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Category: Science Fiction & Fantasy

Review: The Mirage by Matt Ruff

[ 1 ] May 17, 2012

Reviewed by Marcus Hammond

The Mirage by Matt Ruff is a complex vision of an alternate reality. Ruff takes everything we know about the recent history surrounding the War on Terrorism and our interactions with the Middle East and turns it upside down. The United States does not exist. Instead there is a Christian States of America and numerous other independent countries including The Republic of Texas, and the independent countries of Louisiana and Mississippi. The Middle East is united into the United Arab States. Most important to the story is that Americans hijacked airplanes and attacked the Arab world in an act of terrorism.

Central to the story are Mustafa, Amal, and Samir, Homeland Security agents employed with the task to search out Christian insurgents. Within their investigations they begin to find evidence of an ideology-destroying concept that the Arab world they live in is not real, that it is only an illusion of reality. Others in Baghdad know of the theory as well. Saddam Hussein, a Baathist gangster much like a mafia don, is interested in the theory due to his relatively powerful position within the theory. Also interested is Osama bin Laden, the head of the UAS’s version of the CIA known as Al Qaeda. In his view, any trace of the theory needs to be censored and destroyed, in order to maintain the peace and security of the UAS. Each character has something to lose or gain within this alternate theory of existence. As the investigations by every involved party progress, it becomes clear that allegiances will be tested.

The juxtaposition of reality to a hypothetical situation accentuates the concept of a shared history. Ruff challenges the basic ideology that Christians and Muslims are different by emphasizing the basic human experiences involved with war. Each character has a unique desire to change the world, and that accentuates that whether one is Christian or Muslim, everyone strives for a better life. He also emphasizes the idea that no matter what governing system a culture has, there will always be corruption. At times, however, it is hard to envision Ruff’s alternative world due to the knowledge that dominates our preconceived understanding of current affairs.

I think a lot of people will pass The Mirage up based on its subject, others will view it as utterly ridiculous, and a select few will be amazed at its uniqueness.

Rating: ★★½☆☆ 

After obtaining a Masters in Liberal Arts and Literature Marcus has dedicated most of his time to teaching English Composition for a community college in the Midwest. In his down time, he spends time avidly reading an eclectic selection of books and doing freelance writing whenever he gets the chance. He lives in Kansas with his wife.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Harper. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Mythica Genesis by Scott S. Colley

[ 5 ] May 2, 2012

Reviewed by Sarah Lelonek

I tend to judge a book by it’s cover. I know it’s not a fair assessment of a novel, however, I think a cover really speaks for its mood. That being said, the dark cover mixed with eerie, glowing eyes truly gives the reader insight to Mythica Genesis by Scott S. Colley. Set in a future where mankind has been all but obliterated, this novel brings the reader into a world of evil, magic, and legend.

Mythica Genesis takes a classic tale of good versus evil and adds terrific imagery and excitement to the mix. Three brothers must find a way through a literal hell and its minions in order to protect what little is left of the former earth. Between epic battle scenes and vivid descriptions, the reader is transported into another world entirely. Colley writes faith and humanity to illuminate how important it is to have morals and values in a time of trial and tribulation.

Colley’s way with words had me mesmerized. He topped off his great story-telling by incorporating well-rounded characters and described them in a way that made both villains and heroes believable and relate-able. With the superb character development, I was never bored while reading.

Overall, I was very impressed with this novel. I love books that take me into another world where I can picture every detail and fall in love with the story line. Mythica Genesis met all my expectations and surpassed them. While I was at first put-off by the thickness of the novel, I found myself only wanting more to read by the book’s ending. I would personally recommend this novel to anyone who loves adventure, mystery, magic and a good story all in one neat package.

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Sarah Emily Lelonek has a BA in English Literature from Kent State University. She is planning on attending Graduate School for English Rhetoric and Composition. She enjoys traveling and gaming while on breaks from working on her novel.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Krullstone Publishing. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: The Leaping by Tom Fletcher

[ 5 ] April 14, 2012

Reviewed by Amanda Schafer

Jack and Francis live in a house with several of their friends from college. Most of them work at the same place, but on different shifts. Late one night, Jack sees their boss, Kenny, in an alley with blood all over him; Jack pretends not to notice out of fear.

Jack’s girlfriend, Jennifer, is a girl with a sad past whom he met at work. Jennifer decides to buy a house up on a mountain, and Jack agrees to go with her. Francis has fallen for Jennifer, but tries not to show it. When the gang decides to throw Jack a birthday party up at the new house, strange things start to happen. Jack and Jennifer notice some strange things about their new house as well, but they ignore them. Sadly, they shouldn’t have ignored them because when people start disappearing from the party, they are all shocked at what they find. After tracking bloody prints and horrifying screams, they come across The Leaping.

When I first started reading The Leaping, I was immediately put off by the amount of foul language that seems to permeate the pages. As a person who reads primarily Christian fiction, I knew this book would be a stretch for me in terms of genre. I’m not naïve or sheltered enough to be shocked by a few bad words, but The Leaping had an over-abundance of words that seemed to be just randomly placed for the simple sake of having curse words in the text. The author seemed to put them there “just because” he could. However, the more I read, the more humorous the book became to me. I kept picturing a B-movie that was terribly low-budget with poor acting. The plot was thin, the characters poorly developed, and the idea so ludicrous it couldn’t be believed.

I’ve never read anything by Tom Fletcher before this book and I have no plans to read anything by him again. The only thing that was more annoying than The Leaping was seeing (at the end of the book) that there is already a sequel out with the same plot ideas.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 

Amanda lives in Missouri with her engineering husband, two sons, and one daughter. In between homeschooling and keeping up with church activities she loves to read Christian Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and any Chick-Lit. She never goes anywhere without a book to read!

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Quercus. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Blog Tour: The Book of Lost Fragrances by M.J. Rose

[ 4 ] April 11, 2012

Please join M.J. Rose, author of The Book of Lost Fragrances, as she tours the blogosphere with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours!

Reviewed by Colleen Turner

“She remembered, when she was little and things were still good, she’d sit on her father’s lap, here at the organ, and he’d tell her the story of the book of lost fragrances that their ancestor had found. She’d close her eyes and see the scenes play out. Her own private theater of the mind.” – Jac L’Etiole in The Book of Lost Fragrances.

Jac L’Etoile surrounds herself with facts and realism. Even her work deals with bringing the truth regarding ancient myths to light and showing that every myth has its base in reality. Jac’s family, a long line of famous French perfumers, has built their lives on the fantastical and the belief that their ancestor had discovered evidence of a scent of soul mates that could conjure up a person’s past lives. The fanatical passions and beliefs of her family has destroyed them and this, along with the terrifying hallucinations that Jac has had since childhood and which only got worse after her mother’s suicide, has caused her to escape into a world of staunch realism far from the memories and the city of Paris she once loved. But, as fate would have it, she will not be able to stay away forever.

When Jac’s brother, Robbie, who was searching for a way to save the family business after their father nearly destroyed it, goes missing along with an Egyptian artifact he believes contained traces of this secret memory tool fragrance, Jac must do whatever she can to find him. She discovers that the only man she has ever loved was working with Robbie to decipher the hieroglyphics on the pottery and she must not only work to find her brother but must also face the unresolved feels she has for Griffin. As the two continue their search they discover that others are looking for Robbie and the artifact as well, people who will do anything, even kill, to get it. This artifact is a powerful tool, one that could help the Tibetan cause to prove reincarnation, and the Chinese government will stop at nothing to keep that from happening.

As the race to find Robbie and the artifact continues, Jac cannot control the hallucinations as they get stronger and stronger. But are these hallucinations or visions of the past, ones that might help her on her current quest as well as help her to reconcile her own life?

The Book of Lost Fragrances is dense, dramatic and full of excitement. So many themes are tackled that it is hard to discuss them all in one small review. It deals with reincarnation and the Chinese government’s attempt to regulate it, with the concept of fate vs. choice and belief vs. fact, and delves into the ideas of how far someone should go for what they believe in and when they should let go. My favorite aspect of the book dealt with the theme of soul mates and the idea that these joined souls would find each other in each lifetime. It highlights love’s many faces and showcases, although not as extensively as I might have liked in some instances, some truly remarkable pairings.

This is one of those books that you want to take your time and savor. With all of the heavy themes explored it is not something to be rushed and it will likely make you think about what you believe about the topics. This is my first time reading an M.J. Rose novel and I have to say that this magical, sensory experience will ensure this is not my last.

Also by M.J. Rose: The Hypnotist

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Colleen lives in Tampa, Florida with her husband, son, their dog Oliver and their fish Finn. When not working or taking care of her family she has her nose stuck in a book (and, let’s face it, often when she is working or taking care of her family as well). Nothing excites her more than discovering a new author to obsess over or a hidden jewel of a book to worship.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Atria Books. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Ganymede by Cherie Priest

[ 2 ] April 4, 2012

Reviewed by Elizabeth Talbott

Josephine Early is the madame of a New Orleans bordello, known in more polite circles as a lady’s boarding house. She also conducts even more covert dealings as an informer and advocate for the United States in the Civil War. Her newest project involves a gigantic underwater craft named Ganymede, stolen from the Confederacy, that could be the deciding factor in the war. The only problem? Anyone who worked on it or knew anything about it is either dead or in jail.

In desperation, Josephine asks an old flame, Andan Cly, to pilot it. A (mostly) reformed pirate, Cly decides to help out his old friend while simultaneously completing a legitimate deal in Seattle. As Cly makes his way to New Orleans, another threat presents itself to Josephine: zombis. Can Cly pilot the Ganymede without dying and can they transport the craft to the U.S. before zombis or the Confederacy get to them?

Ganymede is the fourth installment in Cherie Priest’s Clockwork Century series. An alternative history of the Civil War is built with zombies, fantastical machines, and steampunk elements. I loved Boneshaker and I had to get my hands on Ganymede. It definitely doesn’t disappoint!

The individual characters are dynamic and interesting to read about. Cherie Priest is especially skilled in creating a believable web of characters. Josephine is a bi-racial madame with a heart of gold. She’s incredibly strong and fiercely protective of her loved ones, including her ladies and her brother. Able to handle herself in a fight, she even successfully fights off zombies. I liked that she was strong, but didn’t lose her femininity or become completely emotionless because of it.

Although I really enjoyed Ganymede, I would have loved to see more of the social implications played out between the characters. Many of them are from different backgrounds and wouldn’t really get along so well right away. The mixed race brothel led by a bi-racial woman would have turned a few heads or incurred scrutiny or conflict from the Confederates. All of the interactions were a little too smooth, including that between Josephine and Andan. Madame Laveau, an aged and powerful voodoo practitioner based on a real person, was also a wasted opportunity that could have had larger implications.

Ganymede is a fun adventure story with interesting characters. Although there are faults, the battle scenes were exciting and suspenseful. It’s not my favorite book in the series, but it’s still a fun steampunk novel.

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Elizabeth is a student at Cal State Long Beach. She laughs a lot, loves cats, and lives for music and books. You can read her blog here: http://titania86-fishmuffins.blogspot.com/.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Tor Books. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Mariana by Susanna Kearsley

[ 2 ] April 3, 2012

Reviewed by Jennifer Jensen

Susanna Kearsley made a fan out of me with The Winter Sea, and I have happily been reading every other novel of hers that I have come across. Mariana is the newest Kearsley title that I had the pleasure to read, but it lacked a lot of the magic and enchantment I discovered in The Winter Sea and The Rose Garden.

Mariana is the second book of Kearsley’s to be published, and explores similar themes to that of The Rose Garden. After Julia Beckett was given a sizable inheritance, she could not resist purchasing the historical Exbery home that she remembers from her childhood. Julia is drawn to this home, and the history of its former inhabitants, particularly that of Mariana.

Greyweathers, Julia’s new home, is said to have once been haunted by a specter called the Green Lady, who has not been seen for nearly 30 years. As Julia becomes acquainted with her new home, she starts to experience the past through Mariana’s eyes, discovering that she is Mariana reincarnated.

As always, I adored Kearsley’s beautiful prose and poetic language, as well as the vivid descriptions of countryside and landscape. Mariana didn’t have a lot of the romance that can be found in her later works; I just never felt fully invested in Mariana’s forbidden love affair with the dashing Richard de Mornay, or Julia’s interest in Geoffrey de Mornay, whom she believes to be Richard reincarnated.

I wish several of the supporting characters had had more page time, especially Julia’s fast friend Vivien, and Julia’s brother Tom. Those who are reincarnated are said to surround themselves in their new lives with people from their past, and I was a bit confused by who everyone was supposed to be. Some I figured out, but I was clueless to the rest.

Mariana has quite a few twists and turns, and an ending that I had considered, but never thought would come to be. Once it did, though, I couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me in a lot of ways, but mostly because I felt it wasn’t developed well enough to be a true reality.

Rating: ★★★½☆ 

Also by Susanna Kearsley: The Rose Garden and The Winter Sea

Jennifer graduated from the University of Utah with a BA in English. She occasionally dabbles with her own fiction writing, particularly with the Young Adult and Paranormal genres. She currently resides in Utah with her husband and daughter.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Sourcebooks Landmark. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: The Samaritan by Fred Venturini

[ 3 ] March 29, 2012

Reviewed by Marcus Hammond

Dale Sampson is an awkward, depressive, and confused young man who discovers he has the ability to regenerate tissue. The Samaritan follows Dale as he struggles with the uneasiness of early childhood through the confusion of finding a comfortable identity in adulthood.

As a young boy who is uncomfortable with his identity, Dale finds solace in any type of attention he can get. As a result of bullying, however, Dale is thrust into friendship with Mack, whom takes Dale under his wing. Mack’s brand of guidance comes in the form of lessons in how to score with girls and how to play baseball. Dale, however, prefers to hold onto a more chivalrous ideal.

In an event that would change the lives of everyone involved, Dale and Mack stumble upon another student raping a girl whom Dale had wanted to date. The rapist responds by committing suicide but not before he shoots all three, killing the girl and severely injuring both Dale and Mack.

As the dust settles from the tragic rape/murder/suicide Dale discovers he has an unexplainable ability to regenerate the fingers he lost. He eventually begins to test his power through self-mutilation and medical testing. Dale sees an upside to his gift, and decides to become a living organ bank. This, however, is not a selfless choice. In an attempt to reconnect with the love he felt for the murdered girl, Dale tries to get her twin sister to love him. She, however, wants nothing to do with Dale. This leads him to put his gift on display publicly by becoming the subject of a reality show, wherein he donates body parts to those who need them most. In doing this, Dale hopes the twin will see the good in him.

The Samaritan is odd to say the least. Dale’s superpower and subsequent selfish motivations represent a hyperbole for a growing list of those in need of organs and the struggle to make difficult choices. With that in mind though, there is no explanation for Dale’s superpower. It is hard to suspend disbelief enough to connect with the science fiction plot device.

The book is highly original and the prose is well written, but the plot devices and characters make The Samaritan a book for only the strictest of science fiction lovers.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 

After obtaining a Masters in Liberal Arts and Literature Marcus has dedicated most of his time to teaching English Composition for a community college in the Midwest. In his down time, he spends time avidly reading an eclectic selection of books and doing freelance writing whenever he gets the chance. He lives in Kansas with his wife.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Blank Slate Press. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Shelly’s Second Chance by Hope Chandler & L.B. Swan

[ 4 ] February 24, 2012

Reviewed by Rachel Mann

Shelly’s Second Chance, by Hope Chandler and L.B. Swan, is the first in a series with an interesting premise: The Wish Granters books follow two recently dead individuals, Joe and Alanna, who find themselves stuck in a place called Transition. Transition is some kind of in-between place that’s neither heaven nor hell. In order to move past Transition, they have to do several things, including returning to earth to help different women receive their wishes. The process of helping others, it seems, will also help them. They don’t remember much about their lives back on earth, and they have to figure out their pasts in order to fix their own mistakes. They have a guide to help them through this process, “Morgan,” but his instructions are deliberately vague.

Although there are some neat touches, like the question of what people drink in Transition or an ongoing debate about whether Alanna and Joe could return to earth and live again, ultimately, I regret to say, I found it difficult to remain invested in the story. Part of my difficulty stemmed from finding typographical errors (for example, a conversation that loses track of which character is speaking when), which can be pretty distracting.

I also found it difficult to remain invested in Shelly, the human being Alanna and Joe are helping. Shelly has a gambling problem and a tortured relationship with her fiancé Ben; she keeps lying to the second because of the first. Joe and Alanna show up and try to help her, which involves taking her to Vegas and witnessing a health scare (mild spoilers only). Yet, there’s no mystery about Shelly (as there is about Joe and Alanna) and it’s hard, especially at the beginning of the book, to see what she likes so much about Ben. It’s more interesting to consider Joe and Alanna’s backstories, which are slowly being fleshed out, but never at the expense of Shelly’s own story. We have to wait for the next book in the series to find out more about these two main characters.

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ 

Rachel, who has a Ph.D. in English, is a freelance writer/editor and a voracious reader. You can talk to her about books at http://twitter.com/writehandmann.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by the authors. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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