Library of Clean Reads: Sci-fi and Fantasy

Showing posts with label Sci-fi and Fantasy. Show all posts

Friday, November 27, 2020

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (Review)

Sometimes you come across a book that is different from anything you've read. That's what The Midnight Library was for me.

Book Details:

Book Title: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Category: Adult Fiction, 304 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction, Sci-fi
Publisher: HarperAvenue
Release date: September 29, 2020
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (for f-words, and mature subject matter: suicide)

Book Description:

Between life and death there is a library.

When Nora Seed finds herself in the Midnight Library, she has a chance to make things right. Up until now, her life has been full of misery and regret. She feels she has let everyone down, including herself. But things are about to change.

The books in the Midnight Library enable Nora to live as if she had done things differently. With the help of an old friend, she can now undo every one of her regrets as she tries to work out her perfect life. But things aren’t always what she imagined they’d be, and soon her choices place the library and herself in extreme danger.

Before time runs out, she must answer the ultimate question: what is the best way to live?

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

Sometimes you come across a book that is different from anything you've read. It defies the usual conventional plots, is thought-provoking and genre-bending, all while appealing to the bibliophile in you. That's what The Midnight Library was for me.

What would it be like to go back and erase all the regrets you had in life? Who of us hasn't thought about how things may have turned out differently if we had made different choices in our life? As we follow Nora's story, inevitably we are asking ourselves these questions. Nora is depressed and has reached the point where she feels life is not worth living anymore. Metaphorically, the Midnight Library is her second chance in life.

I enjoyed how the author creatively put the protagonist in different scenarios depending on what choices she would have made differently in life. And we, the audience, go along for the ride, and it's a fun ride! Nora lives though different versions of her life and we question which one she will choose, which one will finally make her happy. Nora learns something with each new parallel life she lives. The plot was unpredictable, quick-moving and compelling. I kept thinking, how is this going to end?

The ending was perfect, by the way. I won't say more, as I don't want to spoil it for you. This one is a lovely read. An immensely good read. One of my favorites of this year.

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from the library. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Buy the Book:

Amazon.ca ~ Chapters Indigo

Add to Goodreads

About the Author:

Matt Haig is the number one bestselling author of Reasons to Stay Alive and Notes on a Nervous Planet and six highly acclaimed novels for adults, including How to Stop Time, The Humans and The Radleys. He has also written many books for children and has won the Blue Peter Book Award, the Smarties Book Prize and been nominated three times for the Carnegie Medal. He has sold more than a million books in the UK and his work has been translated into over forty languages.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Monday, August 24, 2020

EverMarked by AJ Eversley (Review)

A few years ago I read the Watcher trilogy by AJ Eversley and loved it. So when I saw this new series I knew I wanted to read it and it didn't disappoint!

Book Details:

Book Title: EverMarked (Book 1) by AJ Eversley
Category: YA Fiction, 280 pages
Genre: Dystopian, Sci-Fi
Publisher: Aelurus Publishing
Release date: July 28, 2020
Content Rating: PG

Book Description:

Marked. Hidden. Trained. But the terror awaiting is greater than any of them can imagine.

Sienna has spent her entire life inside the DEZ, a glorified orphanage for unwanted Marked kids. Finally, she’s only months away from graduation. For over a year she’s worked hard to prepare for life outside the DEZ, but being the arena’s champion isn’t always an easy task…even for the notorious Blaze. Fighting in the Underground isn’t about the thrill or the glory, though Sienna has achieved both, it’s about the money—and a way out.

When an explosion rocks the city of Cytos, the Marked kids find themselves at the center of a brewing war. Desperation brings Sienna into the arena one last time, only her opponent, the Wraith, won’t be so easy to defeat. And for Sienna, failure is not an option.

Jayla is a Watcher. She's been tasked with keeping her city safe from an enemy the citizens don’t even know exists. For over 150 years the Watchers have kept them safe, but a darkness has awoken, and even the shadows have gone quiet in fear.

My Review:

Reviewed bu Laura Fabiani

A few years ago I read the Watcher trilogy by AJ Eversley and loved it. It was one of the best dystopian trilogies I had read. So when I saw this new series I knew I wanted to read it. EverMarked is the first book in the series and takes place about 150 years after the last events in the Watcher trilogy.

Once again, Eversley had me hooked from page one and I finished the book in a couple of days. There are two main characters in this series, Sienna and Jayla, or we can say two main couples. Once again, I was immersed in the world of Watchers and Carbons, although not as intensely as in the Watcher trilogy. This time the focus is on the Marked kids and the mystery that surrounds them. Why are they hidden from society and what happens to them once they graduate from the DEZ? The answer lies in something that occurred 150 years ago. The novel comes to a cliffhanger ending that had me searching to purchase the second book DeathMarked which will be released on Sept 8.

The female characters in Eversley's books are always strong but inwardly vulnerable. It's this combination that makes them not only interesting but relatable since most of the time they are kickass heroins that seem to overcome difficult situations with ease. This novel is escapism sci-fi that I enjoy for the pleasure of being transported to a different world with plenty of action, suspense and the scary unknown.

Although the Watcher series gripped me more emotionally than this one thus far, I thoroughly enjoyed EverMarked and I'm counting down the days to read the second book as the saga continues. If you haven't read the Watcher series, I highly recommend you do, although this new series is a stand-alone and can be read without having read the Watcher series.

If you're a fan of YA dystopian novels or just clean books with a great plot and fun characters, I recommend checking out AJ Eversley's books.

You can read my reviews for the Watcher trilogy: Watcher, Carbon and Savior.

Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review through StoryOrigin. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Amazon.ca

Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

AJ Eversley is the author of the WATCHER series and the upcoming EVERMARKED series. A true north Canadian girl, AJ currently lives in Central Alberta with her husband and dog. When she’s not writing, she can be found binge watching Harry Potter, quoting various movies in every day conversation, and eating copious amounts of candy.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Cinder by Marissa Meyer (Review)

I've been wanting to read this book for such a long time which is one of the reasons I chose it as my first book to read in 2019. And it was the perfect book to start my new reading year!

Book Details:

Book Title: Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles Book 1) by Marissa Meyer
Category: YA Fiction, 400 pages
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends; First Edition edition (2012)
Release date: January 3, 2012
Content Rating: G

Book Description:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl...

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.

With high-stakes action and a smart, resourceful heroine, Cinder is a Cinderella retelling that is at once classic and strikingly original.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

I've been wanting to read this book for such a long time which is one of the reasons I chose it as my first book to read in 2019. Although my expectations were high because there was so much hype around this book, I was eager to read it simply because I needed a good escapism fun novel. And it was perfect to escape into this very original Cinderella retelling.

I enjoyed every page. The heroine was smart, feisty, generous, but not your typical damsel in distress. I liked that she was different, doing work typically associated to men, and more concerned with others than herself. The message that outer beauty cannot rival inner beauty comes across clearly and is a message that cannot be stressed enough to our young girls today. There was actually very little description of Cinder to the point where I could not picture her, which was not the case for Prince Kai. Perhaps this was done intentionally by the author? So that the reader could envision her as they chose? And she gradually became more and more beautiful as the story progressed?

I also loved that the book is set in a futuristic Beijing, rather than the typical alternative America. I am enjoying diverse reads and was pleased with this aspect of the novel. The world-building is well done and impressive, with the whole human / cyborg interaction.

What I was not expecting was that cliffhanger ending! So needless to say, I'm now hooked on the Lunar Chronicles and MUST read the next book, and probably the next after that and so on. They are in this order:

The Lunar Chronicles:

Cinder
Scarlet
Cress
Winter
Stars Above
Fairest

If you're one of the few who still hasn't read this book and you like YA fiction, this series is worth getting into. Even if you're not into fairy tale retellings, this story is so original, you may enjoy it for that reason alone. So my first book of the year is on my Best Reads List for 2019. That's a good start to my reading year!

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Indiebound

iTunes ~ Indigo (CA)

Add to Goodreads

About the Author:

Marissa Meyer was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington, home of Almond Roca and Stadium High School, which was made famous when Heath Ledger danced down the stadium steps in 10 Things I Hate About You. Marissa didn't actually go to Stadium High School, but she did attend Pacific Lutheran University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Creative Writing. She still lives in Tacoma, now with her husband. Cinder is her YA debut.

Connect with Marissa on her Website

Friday, October 19, 2018

Mantis Force: Decimation (Marium Kahnet Book 2) by R.J. Amezcua (Review and Giveaway)

Decimation is the second book in the Mantis Force trilogy and continues from where the first book Retribution left off. If you are a sci-fi fan, be sure to enter the giveaway to win a copy of the first book.

Book Details for Decimation:

Book Title: Mantis Force: Decimation (Marium Kahnet Book 2) by R.J. Amezcua
Category: Adult Fiction, 200 pages
Genre: Sci-Fi, with elements of fantasy
Publisher: Quentorex Studios
Release date: October 18, 2017
Tour dates: Oct 1 to 31, 2018
Content Rating: PG + M (No explicit sex scenes or bad language)

Book Description for Decimation:

Led by Victoria and Balese, the rogue sisters of the Marium Kahnet have successfully completed their life-long quest for revenge against the sorcerer’s guild. Now a new mission has begun, one of survival, as their enemies seek their lives with a vengeance. As planned, the sisters who managed to survive the destruction of the testing facilities have joined their adopted family’s nefarious criminal organizations, plotting to escape with detailed plans of the Leviathan project to justify their actions to their home world of Ramah. But they are unaware they are being hunted by elite mercenaries hired by the sisterhood.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

Last week I reviewed Retribution, which is the first book in the Mantis Force trilogy. These books are not stand-alone and must be read in order. The first book introduced us to a cast of interesting characters and left the reader with an unresolved ending and a story that needed to be continued.

As with the first book, there is fantastic world-building in Decimation and the book is well-written. Whereas the first book felt more like fantasy than sci-fi, this one felt more like sci-fi with spaceship crashes, battles with monstrous creatures, and the decimation of enemy weaponry stations that caused toxic radiation. There was more action in this novel and the author's writing shines when he is describing these scenes. There are not as many Biblical references as in the first book.

Decimation continues from where the first book ended but there is no reference to any backstory. We are introduced to a new cast of characters, more unfamiliar names and terms, also with little backstory to each new character and to the why of certain events or actions. As I mentioned in my first review, a glossary would have been very helpful. As I was reading, I kept feeling like I was missing info and thus was confused at times.

As much as I enjoyed the writing, I had a difficult time being invested in the story or its characters. I didn't care for the rogue sisters who caused tens of millions of casualty deaths and destruction in the name of revenge.I thought they were selfish and were just doing what had been done to their families. I found it disappointing that the main character Jazrene Vallo from the first book does not appear at all in this one. Once again, there is an unresolved ending and the story needs to be continued in the next book Rebirth.

If you are a fan of Christian sci-fi with fantasy elements, this trilogy may appeal to you. Be prepared to read the whole trilogy in order as these books are not stand-alone.

Buy Decimation:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ iTunes

Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

R. J. Amezcua was born and raised in Silicon Valley, and is happily married to Sheryl. As a young boy, one of his favorite TV shows was Lost in Space. Being an entrepreneur and visionary by nature, he has begun his journey as an author and writer. Using his love for science fiction, he created the epic saga “Mantis Force,” which encompasses a vast universe.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends Nov 7, 2018

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Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Mantis Force: Retribution (Marium Kahnet Book 1) by R.J. Amezcua (Review and Giveaway)

Mantis Force: Retribution is the first book in the Marium Kahnet series, a sci-fi / fantasy saga. Check out my thoughts and enter to win a copy in the giveaway at the end of the post.

Book Details for Retribution:

Book Title: Mantis Force: Retribution (Marium Kahnet Book 1) by R.J. Amezcua
Category: Adult Fiction, 150 pages
Genre: Sci-Fi, with elements of fantasy
Publisher: Quentorex Studios
Release date: April 11, 2017
Tour dates: Oct 1 to 31, 2018
Content Rating: PG + M (No explicit sex scenes or bad language)

Book Description for Retribution:

In a war-torn galaxy, Jazrene Vallo, the supreme spiritual leader of the Marium Kahnet, is close to fulfilling her divine destiny: refashion the Order as a beacon of light. But her plans for the sisterhood to become the official ambassadors of peace are compromised when she is forced to send mercenaries to capture rogue elements of the sisterhood seeking revenge against those responsible for murdering their families. Failure to capture them will bring an irreversible blemish upon the sisterhood. Unbeknownst to her, it may be too late to stop them.

After fifteen years of methodical planning and burrowing into the highly classified Leviathan project, the cadre of vengeful sisters are ready to execute their mission. Their goal: to destroy the Stadageos, vast military testing and bio-engineering bases where the twisted machinations of fallen creation formed the ungodly fierce races of Leviathans. Their failure will release death and destruction on a scale not experienced since the fall of creation. But even if they succeed, not all of them will survive.

My Review:

Review by Laura Fabiani

Mantis Force: Retribution is the first book in the Marium Kahnet series, a sci-fi / fantasy saga. I'm not a regular reader of this genre, but when I do read it, I expect it to be well-written with a good plot line.

The first thing that struck me as I began to read was the fantastic world-building by the author. I could easily visualize the scenes before me. Secondly, there are parallel references to Biblical events, persons and divine prophesies, of which I am very familiar. I was immediately engaged in the story, but it took me awhile to get used to all the foreign terms, names, places and creatures of this fantastical Mantis Force world. A glossary at the beginning of the book would have been very useful and helpful to keep it all straight.

There are many characters introduced in this first book, some of which are well-developed, such as Jazrene Vallo and others who lack physical description and are not well-developed. The universal theme of good versus bad is central to the plot, with a few in the group of the Marium Kahnet sisterhood who want to exact revenge for a mass genocide that happened thirty years ago. But what stood out to me was the Christian theme, with beliefs about gaining the crown of victory to eternal life, following the Messiah, a new religion called "The Way", etc. The problem I had with this is that there wasn't enough explanation about this "new religion" as it pertained to the Mantis Force world. It was new versus what other religious institution, since none other are mentioned?

Retribution is an introduction to the trilogy and it does not offer a resolution by the end of the book. I had many unanswered questions as I finished reading it and hope they will be answered in the second and third books.

If you are a fan of Christian sci-fi with fantasy elements, this trilogy may appeal to you. Be prepared to read the whole trilogy in order as these books are not stand-alone.

To read more reviews, please visit R.J. Amezcua's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy Retribution:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends Nov 7, 2018

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, October 1, 2018

The Mantis Force Trilogy (Book Spotlight and Giveaway!)

The Mantis Force Trilogy by R.J. Amezcua is now available to read! This is a science fiction book trilogy with elements of fantasy.

Today I'm kicking off the tour for this trilogy, which runs from Oct 1 to 31.

Retribution (Book 1):

In a war-torn galaxy, Jazrene Vallo, the supreme spiritual leader of the Marium Kahnet, is close to fulfilling her divine destiny: refashion the Order as a beacon of light. But her plans for the sisterhood to become the official ambassadors of peace are compromised when she is forced to send mercenaries to capture rogue elements of the sisterhood seeking revenge against those responsible for murdering their families. Failure to capture them will bring an irreversible blemish upon the sisterhood. Unbeknownst to her, it may be too late to stop them.

After fifteen years of methodical planning and burrowing into the highly classified Leviathan project, the cadre of vengeful sisters are ready to execute their mission. Their goal: to destroy the Stadageos, vast military testing and bio-engineering bases where the twisted machinations of fallen creation formed the ungodly fierce races of Leviathans. Their failure will release death and destruction on a scale not experienced since the fall of creation. But even if they succeed, not all of them will survive.

Decimation (Book 2):

Led by Victoria and Balese, the rogue sisters of the Marium Kahnet have successfully completed their life-long quest for revenge against the sorcerer’s guild. Now a new mission has begun, one of survival, as their enemies seek their lives with a vengeance. As planned, the sisters who managed to survive the destruction of the testing facilities have joined their adopted family’s nefarious criminal organizations, plotting to escape with detailed plans of the Leviathan project to justify their actions to their home world of Ramah. But they are unaware they are being hunted by elite mercenaries hired by the sisterhood.

Rebirth (Book 3):

It is a day of prophecy and celebration when Jazrene Vallo accomplishes her ordained task to refashion the Marium Kahnet, and witnesses them finally becoming representatives in the Grand Assembly of the Mantis Alliance. But the victory is soiled by reports of a faction of wayward sisters joining a necromancer Order, the Saurcine.

The rebels plan to bring forth the Krevomax, the seed of the Tisrad Dragon, to defeat the Mantis Alliance. To combat this new evil threat, in Jazrene Vallo’s last act as supreme leader, she activates the sisterhood’s elite warriors, the Criss Lumbra. Their mission: destroy the spawn of the Tisrad Dragon. Should they fail, it will mean the end of the sisterhood and all peace in the universe.

To follow the tour and to read reviews, please visit R.J.Amezcua's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the Books:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends Nov 7, 2018

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Eternity's Account: Rulers (Book #4) by Julie Bryson & Catherine Sharpe (Book Spotlight and Giveaway!)

I'm spotlighting YA fiction this morning. It's the fourth book in the Eternity's Account series which I haven't read yet. It's written by a duo mom team. Check out the series and enter to win the giveaway where you can win all 4 books!

Book Details:

Book Title: Eternity's Account: Rulers (Book #4)
Authors: Julie Bryson & Catherine Sharpe
Category: YA Fiction, 364 pages
Genre: Sci-fi and Fantasy
Publisher: Createspace
Release date: April 1,2018
Tour dates: Aug 13 to 24, 2018
Content Rating: G

Book Description:

Patterns. They are the material weaved to make the intricate fabric of the universe. The one guiding the threads is the one teaching the 12 chosen children to recognize the complex design within the fabric of time. Each stitch aligns the essential elements of the story, revealing the intended pattern to be followed. Owr, the master creator, has tucked the invisible into the hem of the visible, allowing the children to peek between the tightly drawn threads to study how the spiritual affects the physical.

The Eternity's Account series continues - beyond the creation, the inception of evil, the fall of man, the division of kingdoms, and the fusion of dimensions. As the children tug on the seam of the cosmos, a new set of patterns is exposed. They prepare to witness the next stage in the saga; the rise of the rulers and the effects they will have upon the fate of the universe.

To follow the tour, please visit the authors' page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Book Depository ~ IndieBound

Add to Goodreads

Watch the trailer:

Meet the Authors:

Catherine (Cam) Sharpe:
Catherine Sharpe graduated from New Mexico Military Institute, achieved a Master’s degree from California State University Northridge, and earned her doctorate in Language and Culture from the University of Texas Austin and Strassford University. She has three boys and has been married to her husband Larry for over 20 years. They reside in Louisiana.

Julie Bryson:
Julie Bryson authored the book “Out of the Ashes: How Autism Changed My Life” after her youngest of three daughters was diagnosed as autistic. She is a cosmetologist and fitness instructor. She has been married to her husband Chris since 1994, and they live next door to Catherine.

Connect with the authors: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends Sept 1, 2018

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Tuesday, November 21, 2017

The One Apart by Justine Avery (Book Spotlight and Giveaway!)

Today I'm featuring Justine Avery's latest novel. I haven't read it but it sounds fascinating. Check it out and scroll down to enter for a chance to win a copy of the book and a $10 Amazon gift card!

Details:

Book Title: The One Apart by Justine Avery
Category: Adult fiction, 568 pages
Genre: Sci-fi & Fantasy / Paranormal
Publisher: Justine Avery
Release date: Dec 4, 2017
Tour dates: Nov 20 to Dec 8, 2017
Content Rating: PG-13

Book Description:

Only one obstacle stands in his way of enjoying a normal life.
He remembers—every life he's lived before.

Tres is about to be born... with the biggest burden any has ever had to bear. He is beginning again—as an ageless adult trapped in an infant body.

He and his teenage mother face life filled with extraordinary challenges as they strive to protect, nurture, and hide how truly different he is. But Tres alone must solve the greatest mystery of all: who is he? The answer is linked to the one question he's too afraid to ask: why am I?

In his quest, Tres discovers that all is considerably more interconnected and dynamic than he could ever imagine—and fraught with far more danger. He cannot hide from the unseen threat stalking him since his birth.

Life as he knows it—as all know it—is in peril. And Tres is the only one aware.

Buy the Book:

Amazon

Add to Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Justine Avery is an award-winning author of stories large and small for all. Born in the American Midwest and raised all over the world, she is inherently an explorer, duly fascinated by everything around her and excitedly noting the stories that abound all around. As an avid reader of all genres, she weaves her own stories among them all. She has a predilection for writing speculative fiction and story twists and surprises she can’t even predict herself.

Avery has either lived in or explored all 50 states of the union, over 36 countries, and all but one continent; she lost count after moving 30-sometimes before the age of 20. She’s intentionally jumped out of airplanes and off the highest bungee jump in New Zealand, scuba dived unintentionally with sharks, designed websites, intranets, and technical manuals, bartered with indigenous Panamanians, welded automobile frames, observed at the Bujinkan Hombu Dojo in Noba, Japan, and masterminded prosperous internet businesses—to name a few adventures. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree that life has never required, and at age 28, she sold everything she owned and quit corporate life—and her final “job”—to freelance and travel the world as she always dreamed of. And she’s never looked back.

Aside from her native English, Avery speaks a bit of Japanese and a bit more Spanish, her accent is an ever-evolving mixture of Midwestern American with notes of the Deep South and indiscriminate British vocabulary and rhythm, and she says “eh”—like the Kiwis, not the Canadians. She currently lives near Los Angeles with her husband, British film director Devon Avery, and their three adopted children: Becks, Sam, and Lia. She writes from wherever her curiosity takes her.

Avery loves to connect with fellow readers and creatives, explorers and imaginers, and cordially invites you to say “hello”—or konnichiwa.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends Dec 16

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