Review of “Places in the Darkness”

Book Reviews – “Places in the Darkness” eBook was published in 2017 and was written by Chris Brookmyre (https://www.brookmyre.co.uk/). Mr. Brookmyre has published more than 20 novels.

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence, Mature Situations, and Mature Language. The story is set in the far future with humanity having built a large space station Ciudad de Cielo (CdC) — The City in the Sky.

The CdC is considered to the best humanity can create, but there is a dark underside to the CdC. In spite of the lofty goals for the CdC, smuggling, booze, and prostitution form the basis for a strong underground economy.

When the “first” recorded murder occurs on the CdC former LA cop and now CdC law enforcement officer Nikki “Fix” Freeman is called on to investigate. Freeman is familiar with the gritty underground economy. She, like many of the other CdC residents, have a second job tied in some way to illegal enterprise.

Arriving just as the murder is discovered, new security chief Alice Blake finds the that the CdC has far more illicit and corrupt activities than she had expected. She and Freeman are forced together in the investigation. Powers are manipulating events to keep both Freeman and Blake off balance. The murder investigation soon evolves into an effort not only to solve the murder but also for Blake and Freeman to simply stay alive.

I really enjoyed the 11.5 hours I spent reading this 448 page science fiction mystery novel. I liked the world created for this novel. The space station makes a different setting for a mystery. I also liked the characters of both Freeman and Blake. The cover art is OK. I give this novel a 4.5 (rounded up to a 5) out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Review of “New Praetorians 1 – Sienna McKnight”

Book Reviews – “New Praetorians 1 – Sienna McKnight” eBook was published in 2017 and was written by R. K. Syrus. This is Mr. Syrus’ first novel.

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in more or less contemporary times and mostly in the Eastern Mediterranean. The primary character is West Point graduate Colonel Sienna McKnight.

McKnight was born in a military hospital and never knew her parents. She grew up as a military brat, then went through West Point. She proved herself an outstanding leader and, through unusual circumstances, received a field promotion from 2nd Lieutenant to Colonel at the age of 23. She leads a small ragtag group that is low on discipline but a highly effective special operations team.

Her team is sent on a mission which she hopes to use to satisfy a long-standing need for vengeance. She “borrows” an advanced weapon system for the mission. The mission seems to go well, but on the way back there is an accident. An accident she should not have lived through. Then things really start to get interesting.

I enjoyed the 6 hours I spent reading this 286-page military thriller. The story is a little far-fetched, but that is not too unexpected for a thriller. The character of McKnight is interesting. She is different from the heroines of most stories and I look forward to more novels in this series. The cover art is OK. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Review of “Need to Know”

Book Reviews – “Need to Know” eBook was published in 2018 and was written by Karen Cleveland (http://karen-cleveland.com). This is Ms. Cleveland’s first novel.

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is sent in the contemporary Washington D.C. area of the US. The primary character is CIA Analyst Vivian Miller.

Miller is part of a group within the CIA in pursuit of Russian sleeper agents. As she investigates a sleeper candidate she discovers her husbands photo. Soon she learns that her husband is a Russian sleeper agent. She is torn over what to do. She should turn him in, but that would mean the end of her CIA career and more importantly the end of her marriage. How would she manage to raise her four young children?

Then comes her attempts to cover it up. To save her family. That leads to involvement with the Russian spy masters. How can she save her family? How cans she protect herself and her children?

I was not impressed with the 5.5 hours I spent reading this 306 page thriller. In my opinion it was dull and spent far too much time dealing with Miller’s emotions. The story was a little slow, particularly in the first half of the novel. Nor did I like the character of Miller. She was weak and far from a heroic leading character. The cover art is OK, but does not make me want to pick up the novel and read it. I give this novel a 3.4 (rounded down to a 3) out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Review of “Against All Odds”

Book Reviews – “Against All Odds” eBook was published in 2016 (original paper edition was published in 1984) and was written by Philip McCutchan (https://www.fantasticfiction.com/m/philip-mccutchan/). Mr. McCutchan hasp published 100 novels and non-fiction works. This is the 10th in his “Donald Cameron Naval Thriller” series.

I received a copy of the book under promotion by the publisher. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story takes place during World War II. The primary character is Lieutenant Commander Donald Cameron.

Cameron is a assigned a new ship and crew. They, along with two other aging destroyers are loaded with commandos and sent on a dangerous mission to occupied France. The Germans are building hightly fortified submarine pens near Brest. The mission of Cameron and the others is to deliver the commandos so that they can blow up the pens under construction.

The plan initially goes as planned, but soon the commandos are ashore and in trouble. The three destroyers are under heavy fire from the Germans. Cameron must decide whether to try to complete the mission or flee France with what is left of the force.

I enjoyed this 194 page World War II thriller. I have read a few if McCutchan’s “Cameron” novels and have liked them. For being more than 30 years old, they read well. The novel also reads well as a stand-alone novel. The cover art is OK, though the ship shown is certainly not the destroyer Cameron commands. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Review of “The Steel Fist”

Book Reviews – “The Steel Fist” eBook was published in 2014 (original paper edition was published in 1984) and was written by Richard Townshend Bickers (https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/richard-townshend-bickers/). Mr. Bickers published more than 45 novels and a dozen non-fiction books.

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence and Mature Situations. The story is set during World War II. The story follows British Officer Taggert as he fights the Germans during the early months of World War II. He is part of the British Expeditionary Force who have been dispatched to France in 1940 to help fortify the Maginot Line. He has more than once scrape with the Germans and finally must evacuate France with the lucky others from Dunkirk.

Once back in England, he is volunteers for a new fighting force, the Commandos. He and his men go through extensive training and raid France to harass the Germans.

I enjoyed the 3.5 hours I spent reading this 178 page novel of World War II. Even though it was written more than 30 years ago, it still reads well. I have read quite a few of Bicker’s novels and have enjoyed them all. While the cover art depicts World War II, I am not sure it relates well to the story. I give this novel a 4.5 (rounded up to a 5) out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Review of “The Mongrel Mage”

Book Reviews – “The Mongrel Mage” eBook was published in 2017 and was written by L. E. Modesitt Jr. (http://www.lemodesittjr.com). Mr. Modesitt has published more than 75 novels. This is the 19th novel in the “Saga of Recluse” series.

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in another world where magic is possible. The primary character is the young White Mage Beltur.

Beltur was orphaned young and raised by his uncle, a powerful White Mage. On this world of Recluce there are White and Black Mages. They respectively have power with order and chaos. Beltur has been trained as a White Mage, but he is not very powerful.

As events unfold he finds himself on the run. White Mages are after him and surprisingly, he finds that he has far more skill with the order of a Black Mage. When the White Mages from his former home threaten his new home, he must apply all that he has learned to defeat their attack.

This is the first “Recluse” novel I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed the 21+ hours I spent reading this 554 page fantasy novel. I thought that the world of Recluse as well as the characters were very well developed. Having read this novel makes me want to go back and read the 18 that preceded it in the series. I also like the cover art for the novel. I give this novel a 5 out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Review of “Ironclads”

Book Reviews – “Ironclads” eBook was published in 2017 and was written by Adrian Tchaikovsky (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_Tchaikovsky). Mr. Tchaikovsky has published 17 novels.

I received an ARC of this novella through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains Mature Language. The story is set in the not too distant future. The primary character is Sergeant Ted Regan.

A war is been fought in Europe and Regan is in the thick of it. It is not just the US agains a European power, but corporate forces are involved on both sides as well. The men and women from the leading families of the corporations are known as Scions. They wear ultra modern armor and carry advanced weapons, whether in their board rooms or on the battlefield. The armor makes them almost impervious to any attack.

Regan and a four others are picked to go deep behind enemy lines to find out what has happened to one of these Scions who has disappeared. The trail to where he disappeared is treacherous. As the small group tracks the Scion, they discover that the mission they have been given is not at all what it seems.

I thought the 3.5 hours I spent reading this 200 page science fiction novella interesting. The story certainly spins a different look at out future, with corporations having more control than governments. I thought that reading this story was a little challenging at first, but it smoothed out. I like the cover art. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Review of “Artemis”

Book Reviews – “Artemis” eBook was published in 2017 and was written by Andy Weir (http://www.andyweirauthor.com). Mr. Weir has published two novels.

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains quite a bit of Mature Language. The story is set in the near future. Earth has established a colony on the Moon where about 2000 people are currently living. The primary character of the story is 20 something Jasmine “Jazz” Bashara.

Bashara has been a rebel most of her short life. She has shown brilliant potential, but has always bucked authority. She makes a living, barely, by being a porter, delivering packages within Artemis, the Moon colony. She has been training to be licensed for EV work, but still hasn’t accomplished that. She has established a successful smuggling operation.

One of her clients is the billionaire Trond Landvik. He offers Bashara the opportunity to make some money. A LOT of money. Of course it is going to take Bashara a lot farther over the line into the realm of criminal activity than she has gone before. She applies her substantial intellect to the challenge Her well laid plans go astray and she soon finds herself on the run for her life. Then things kind of go down hill from there.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 7 hours I spent reading this 322 page science fiction thriller. I like the way Weir writes. He mixes a lot of science into his plots. Too few “science” fiction authors do that these days. I also think that he has developed a very interesting character in Bashara. I would not be surprised to see this transformed for the big screen as was his first novel, “The Martian“. The chosen cover art is OK. I give this novel a 5 out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Review of “Black Star Renegades”

Book Reviews – “Black Star Renegades” eBook was published in 2018 and was written by Michael Moreci (https://michaelpmoreci.com). Mr. Moreci has published 17 novels.

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence and Mature Language. The story is set in the far future, with Cade Sura being the primary character.

Sura and his brother were orphaned at an early age, then learned to live on the streets. They were eventually taken in by the Rai at the Well, a group of spiritual warriors that sought to defend galactic peace. The Sura brothers trained for a decade, with the older brother, Tristan, expected to become the Paragon. The Paragon was the long expected special Rai. A warrior that would be able lead the Rai in defeating any opponent. Now such a leader was in need as the Praxis were slowly, ruthlessly taking over the galaxy. Their goal, to bring “peace” to the galaxy through total domination.

The Sura brothers go on a mission together to recover the mystical Rokura, a magical, ultimate weapon that will make Triston the Paragon. The Rokura is recovered, but Triston is lost. Cade must take up the Rokura, but he is not prepared to be the Paragon. The Praxis, knowing the Rokura has been recovered, immediately begin pursuing Cade to recover the Rokura for themselves. Cade must, reluctantly, join in with another Rai, Kira Sen, to avoid the Praxis. Their quest to escape and battle the Praxis takes Sura and Kira back to Sura’s home planet and to his estranged friend Mig.

I enjoyed the 8.5 hours I spent reading this 378 page science fiction novel. While not the same, this story has a lot that feels similar to Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy. I liked the characters and the overall plot. I think this will be the first in an enjoyable series. I liked the cover art. I give this novel a 4.3 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Review of “Destination Casablanca”

Book Reviews – WWII – “Destination Casablanca” eBook was published in 2017 and was written by Meredith Hindley (https://meredithhindley.com). Ms. Hindley is a Historian living in Washington, D.C. This is her first book.

I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this book as ‘G’. The book tells the story of Casablanca from just prior to the onset of World War II until shortly after the war ends.

This is an historical look at the the major figures in Casablanca during this period. Many fled from the Germans as they engulfed Europe, and found themselves stranded in Casablanca. The French had mixed sentiments. They wanted to insure their continued hold on Casablanca and North African assets, while throwing off the control of the Germans. Many French leaders, particularly military, felt the need to maintain the honor of their word to the Vichy French government.

The Allied invasion of North Africa brought many of these issues into focus, with several French military leaders siding with the Allies, but opposing them because of their commitments to the Vichy government. This led to a few days of very bitter fighting between US and French forces.

I found the 13.5 hours spent reading this 465 page history interesting. As most non-fiction histories, this was a little dry, but it was interesting enough to keep me reading. I certainly learned much about the Allied invasion of North Africa and the political entanglement they suffered through with the French. The cover art is OK. I give this book a 4 out of 5.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).