Book Review: “Resurgence”

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – 

Author C, J. Cherryh (http://www.cherryh.com) published the novel “Resurgence” in 2020. This is the 20th novel in the author’s Foreigner’ series. Mr. Cherryh has published more than 35 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 some violence. The story is set in the far future. The primary character is diplomat, Bren Cameron. 

The dowager Ilisidi takes the famous Red Train to a remote town. Onboard are Cameron as well as a diverse assortment of characters. Her plan is to make a deal that will bring a close to the hostilities in the south of the Atevi continent. She is playing a risky game of intrigue and politics with Cameron at the center. 

I enjoyed the 11+ hours I spent reading this 347-page science fiction novel. I found it a little slow and confusing. While I had read book 17 (Visitor) in this series back in 2016, it was a little difficult to pick up this novel. I would certainly recommend starting at the beginning of the series to get the most out of the novel. While there is some excitement, this book is more about politics and intrigue. I like the chosen 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).

Book Review: “Rogue Planet”

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Author John Andrew Karr (https://johnandrewkarr.com) published the novel “Rogue Planet” in 2020. He has published three novels and this is the second in his “Mars Wars” 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 a little more than 200 years in the future. Humans have ventured into space and have begun to colonize Mars. The Earth First Foundation (EFF) is opposed to any ventures into space. They have taken control of the Earth and want all humans on Earth and under their control. 

Captain Ry Devans and Dr. Karen Wagner are on MOS-1 in orbit around Mars. As the result of the nuclear detonations carried out by Devans (book #1), Mars is changing. The volcanic activity is taking the planet closer to being livable. The EFF is willing to go to any lengths to force humans from space. A Mars virus already threatened humanity only to be saved by another. Some onboard MOS-1 are exhibiting serious mood swings. This may be the sign of some new and dangerous Mars organism. 

Of course, not all on Earth are following the EFF line. There is a resistance. Devans and his team are working with those against the EFF. He makes a clandestine trip to Earth to trade with the resistance for critical supplies. 

EFF agent Paton Schiflet is one of those who is doing everything he can to quash the human presence on Mars. After Devans’ mission to Earth Schiflet is assigned to MOS-2 and ordered to Mars. His mission is to capture or destroy those who have evaded the EFF. 

I enjoyed the 10 hours I spent reading this 309-page science fiction novel. I liked the overall story. That said, some of the dialogs just don’t fit into what I think professionals would say. Devans and Wagner are leading a band of humans fighting for their survival yet Devans sometimes come across more like a college frat boy. While this novel can be read stand-alone, it would be best to begin with the first novel in the series. I do like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a 3.8 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

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

Book Review: Dark Nebula: Isolation

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Author Sean Wilson (https://www.seanwillson.com/) published the novel “Dark Nebula: Isolation” in 2020. Mr. Wilson has published five novels. This is the first in his “Dark Nebula” 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 and mature situations. The story is set in the far future of 2278. Humanity has spread throughout the Solar System and has now traveled to the stars. 

Abigail Olivaw is President of the Confederation of Planetary Explorers on Earth. Without warning, she is facing an unexpected crisis. Aliens of the Galactic Alliance arrive in the Solar System. They accuse humans of stealing their intellectual property. Olivaw must defend humanity against this deadly charge. This is doubly difficult for Olivaw. She knows her own predecessors stole the technology and used it to build a tech empire. 

Major Lync Michaels and Director Joyce Green are at the Earth colony on Epsilon Eridani. They are dealing with their own survival crisis. A strange and deadly disease is spreading through the colony. A secret research facility lies hidden in the Oort Cloud. Humans there are seeking alternative Faster Than Light tech. They are trying to discover new tech not tied to the stolen Galactic Alliance tech. That looks to be the only way humanity can defend itself against the Alliance. 

I enjoyed the 11.5+ hours I spent reading this 496-page science fiction novel. The book gave a good start to the series. I look forward to reading later books in the series. This novel came to an abrupt end. I like the chosen cover art. 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).

Book Review: Pandora: Resistance

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Author Eric L. Harry (https://www.ericlharry.com) published the novel “Pandora: Resistance” in 2020. Mr. Harry has published seven novels. This is the third of his “Pandora Thriller” series. This is the fifth novel of Mr. Harry’s that I have read.

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 mature language and violence. The story is set in the near future. A virus has swept the globe. Some have died while others undergo severe mental change. They are subject to violent rages and sociopathic homicide. None of the virus survivors are bound by morality or emotion. 

The primary characters are twin sisters Emma & Isabel along with their brother Noah Miller. Dr. Emma Miller is an Epidemiologist and the first virus victim. Dr. Isabela Miller is a Neroscientist that has been researching the virus . Emma is one of the higher functioning virus survivors. She has assembled a mix of both infected and uninfected in her own Community. Under her leadership, the Community is growing quickly. She is ruthless about imposing hard rules on the citizens. She is protecting them and providing food and healthcare, so they follow her. 

Isabel is traveling with her bodyguard and lover, Marine Captain Rich Townsend. They are searching for her brother Noah and his family. Both Isabel and Rich have been following orders from what remains of the US government. Noah and his family on the road trying to get to Texas where the government in exile has fled. 

Isabel, Noah, and their companions must fight their way across dangerous territory. Everywhere they go they encounter people desperate for food. The infected are worse as they may react with mindless violence. Will they complete their journey to safety? There is a concern in the government about the growing power Emma is accumulating. Is it time to take action and destroy her and her Community?

I enjoyed the 9+ hours I spent reading this 307-page science fiction novel. The writing seems to be a little choppy in places. While this novel can be read on its own, I recommend reading the first two novels in the series before this one. I had read the second novel of the series, Pandora: Contagion, about two years ago. That helped set the stage for this novel. The story is full of action. The end of this novel was very abrupt. I hope that is in preparation for a fourth novel in the series. I give this novel a 3.8 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

Book Review: “Araña”

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Author Jennifer R. Povey (https://www.jenniferrpovey.com) published the novel “Araña” in 2019. Ms. Povey has published more than two dozen 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 some mature situations. The story is set in a far future. The war between Earth and Mars is over, but there are lasting effects. 

Porta Rican José Marin is a veteran of the war. He was one of the elite combat soldiers fitted with the Web. it gave him enhancements during the war, but now he is suffering from side effects. Removing the web will kill him. In desperation for a new start, he joins the crew of the Endeavor, Earth’s second starship. 

Endeavor is about to set off on its maiden voyage. Just a safe scientific and shakedown cruise. Those plans are set aside when a distress call comes in from Atlantis, the first starship. 

The Endeavor heads out after Atlantis. They encounter the Ky’iin and come under their fire. The Endeavor jumps out of danger and encounters the Verr. They are friendly but are facing extinction. The Glyn offers some help, but they need the Ky’iin. Meanwhile, the Ky’iin have followed Endeavor’s trail back to Earth. There is war at first, but a truce is finally negotiated. The Ky’iin arrive at the Verran world to offer their help. 

The encounter with aliens is not so much the story as efforts made to save the Verr. There are different Verr factions and not all want to be saved. The Endeavor and her crew face multiple challenges. 

I enjoyed the 7.5+ hours I spent reading this 257-page science fiction novel. The story seemed slow to me. It also was a little choppy. I did not find it a very engaging story. There is also a touch of LGBT romance. I am not a fan of the chosen cover art. I give this novel a 3.8 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

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

Book Review: “Earth Alone”

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Author Daniel Arenson (https://danielarenson.com/default.html) published the novel “Earth Alone” in 2016. Mr. Arenson has published more than 65 fantasy and science fiction novels. This is the first of his “Earthrise” series.

I obtained a copy of this novel through a promotion. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of violence, mature language, and mature situations. The story is set in the not too distant future. The primary characters are Marco Emery, Lailani Marita de la Rosa, and Kemi Abasi.

The aliens called the Scum attacked Earth about 50 years before the story begins. The remnants of humanity are struggling to survive. They are still subject to the occasional attack. Emery and Abasi grew up in Toronto, Canada. At 18 all young people are required to join the HDF (Human Defense Force) and do 5 years of service.

The story tells about Emery and his training. It also tells of his first combat experience. There is a bit of romance, but it is not a major factor in the novel. The novel reminds me a lot of Robert A. Heinlein’s Starship Troopers.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 6 hours I spent reading this 368-page young adult science fiction novel. I would like to read his many other books in this series and the sister series. I do like the cover art used for this novel. 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).

Book Review: “Complex: A Dystopian Thriller”

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Author A.D. Enderly (https://adenderly.com) published the novel “Complex: A Dystopian Thriller” in 2020. This is the first of his “Silent Beautiful Universe” 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, mature language, and mature situations. The story is set in a dystopian future. Governments have given way to corporations.

The book has several characters, though the most important are 19-year-old Val and her 12-year-old sister Kat. Val and her sister are now orphaned and struggling to survive. Their father warned them both about giving in to the corporations and joining a complex. A Complex is a corporate-run city. They are willing to ‘take care of you’ for a price.

When Kat is kidnapped, Val does everything she can to find her. Concurrent with Val’s quest there are other powers at work. The pharmaceutical company NovaGenica is making a move for more power. One of the large complexes is doing everything it can to recruit clients. This includes murder and terrorism.

Beyond this AI systems run many of the establishments. While Val has found a romantic interest in 18-year-old Trevor, her focus is on saving Kat.

I mostly enjoyed the 17 hours I spent reading this 595-page science fiction novel. The first part of the novel I found very slow. Fortunately, the pace picked up after the first 15% of the novel. There are many plots that are intertwined. After getting past the beginning, the novel was very good. I do like the selected 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).

Book Review: “In the Orbit of Sirens”

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Author T. A. Bruno (https://tabruno.com) published the novel “In the Orbit of Sirens” in 2020. This is the first of his “The Song of Kamaria ” series. This is his first science fiction 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 a far future. The main characters are Denton Castus and Eliana Veston.

Castrus fled Earth with his family and they have opened a garage on the Odysseus Colony on Kamaria. Thousands had fled the attacking Undriel. Dr. Veston is part of the team sent ahead of the refugees to prepare their new home. A plague threatens the early colony and they must get help from the indigenous people, the Sirens.

Veston is also one of the Scouts. This is the small elite force responsible for exploring Kamaria. They are also the ones who meet and interact with the Sirens. Castrus and Veston become romantically involved. He also joins the Scouts.

Some of the Sirens seem friendly, but there is a great deal of mystery about them. They seem to have greater powers than first thought. The leaders seem to have their own agenda.

An ancient intelligence comes to power again on Kamaria. It is able to control inhabitants and is not friendly towards the colonists. The Earth refugees are under threat once again. Veston and Castrus must team up to save the colonists.

I enjoyed the 12+ hours I spent reading this 516-page science fiction novel. The author created an interesting ‘universe’ for his story. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a 3.8 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

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

Book Review: “The Infinity Courts”

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Author Akemi Dawn Bowman (https://www.akemidawnbowman.com) will publish the novel “The Infinity Courts” in 2021 (April). This is Ms. Bowman’s fifth publication. This novel is the first in her “Infinity Courts” 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 ‘PG’ because it contains mild violence and mature language. The primary character for this young adult novel is 18 -year-old Nami Miyamoto.

Miyamoto is just graduating from High School when she dies. She awakens in a place referred to as Infinity. She finds that others who have passed before her are in conflict with Ophelia an AI. Ophelia has somehow traveled to Infinity and is attempting to take over. Ophelia was popular as a personal assistant (think Siri or Alexa) when Miyamoto was alive on Earth. Miyamoto had spent hours talking to Ophelia before she died.

Now Ophelia is trying to rule Infinity with a population of androids. The people there are becoming their unwilling servants. Miyamoto becomes part of a resistance group. She has taken on an Android-like appearance enabling her to move among Ophelia’s minions.

I enjoyed the 10+ hours I spent reading this 480-page young adult novel. The book follows the typical teen thrown into an apocalyptic environment of many young adult novels. There are a few good plot twists and of course some romance. I do like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a 4.4 (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).

Book Review: “The Promise”

(See all my Book Reviews and Author Interviews) – Author Maxx Powr published the novel “The Promise” in 2019. This is the first novel in the “Piecer Chronicles” series and his first publication.

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, mature language, and mature situations. The story is set in 2173. The primary character is twenty-two-year-old Chase 523.

The alien species, the Klix, had tried to conquer Earth years before but they had been beaten off. Suddenly when most everyone thinks it is safe they are back. Chase 523 has just graduated from Piecer Academy. He would be in the last graduating class. The Piecer Corp was being disbanded. When the Klix first attacked Earth the only way Earth could respond was with genetically engineered soldiers. Chase was in batch 523.

The graduation ceremony hadn’t even ended when the Klix attack came. It was devastating. The Klix targeted Piecer facilities, families, and homes. Many died in the attack and the survivors took what refuge they could.

Chase joined with a few other Piecer Cadet survivors. They steal space vessels that had been placed in museums. They agree to meet at a remote location in the Solar System. The Piecers gather new allies and eventually bring the fight back to the Klix.

Along the way, Chase encounters Sheen, an android Courtesan, and becomes her Commander. He also encounters Max 325. Max has been genetically engineered to be a ‘fixer’. He is a master of all things mechanical and electronic. Chase also encounters Eve again. She had been the love of his life while he was at the Academy.

All does not go well for the Piecers and their allies. They find that a human traitor has been behind the Klix attack. Their struggle against the Klix puts them all at risk more than once.

I enjoyed the 8+ hours I spent reading this 280-page science fiction novel. There were a lot of ‘details’ that were ignored in this novel. That said, I enjoyed it. It was a fun read. It reminded me of the kind of science fiction written in the 50s and 60s. The plot wasn’t complex and the action kept the story moving along. The cover art isn’t the greatest, but it is OK. I give this novel a 4.4 (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).