Book Review: “Journey “to Territory M”

(See all of my Book Reviews) – “Journey “to Territory M” eBook was published in 2018 and was written by L. J. Epps (https://www.ljeppsauthor.com/index.html). This is Ms. Epps fourth novel and the second in her “Extinction of All Children” 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 ‘G. The story picks up almost immediately after the first novel ends. The primary character Emma Whisperer continues to work her way towards what she thinks is more freedom while avoiding the security forces. 

I Generally like Young Adult novels, but this one just left me shaking my head. I invested two hours into it, but I finally called a “Rule of 50” and quit. I read the first novel of the series “Extinction of All Children” a few weeks ago and had hopped that the books would get better. Sadly, the trend seemed to be in the other direction. I had the third novel in my queue to read, but I have deleted it now. 

For what I read of this 368-page young adult novel I give a rating 2 out of 5. I am not a fan of the chosen cover art.

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

Book Review: “Extinction of All Children”

(See all of my Book Reviews) – “Extinction of All Children” eBook was published in 2016 and was written by L. J. Epps (https://www.ljeppsauthor.com/index.html). Ms. Epps has published four novels. This is the first of her “Extinction of All Children” 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 ‘G’. The story is set near the year 2100 in the American southwest. The primary character is 18-year-old Emma Whisperer, the last child born in Territory L.

The three territories of L, M, and U are part of Craigluy. The people of Craigluy are divided by their economic status and have been sent to the “Low”, “Middle” and “High” territories. After President Esther took office in Craigluy she outlawed further children in the poorer L territory. The people are controlled by President Esther and her elite guards. 

Emma hates that she is the last child born. Many resent her. If a child is born it is taken away from the parents and killed. Emma and her family are hiding her older sister and her newborn. When Emma is selected to make a speech to the populace, she takes the opportunity to speak out against President Esther. That puts Emma and her family at further risk. 

Will Emma be able to survive? Will her sister and niece stay hidden?

I thought that the 6.5 hours I spent reading this 250-page young adult novel were interesting. I thought that the plot was unique, but there was never much of an explanation as to what had happened to create Craigluy. I have read and enjoyed many young adult novels. While the characters in this story are 18 or older, the book feels to be targeted a much younger audience. The situations and problems do not feel very mature. I am not a fan of the selected cover art. I give this novel a 3 out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/. 

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

Book Review: “The Soul of Power”

(See all of my Book Reviews) – “The Soul of Power” eBook was published in 2019 and was written by Callie Bates (https://calliebates.com). This is Ms. Bates’ third novel and the third book in her “The Waking Land” 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 universe and place, one that allows magic.

The primary character of this book is Sophy Dunbarron. Dunbarron is the illegitimate daughter of the king. Now, since she joined the rebellion led by Elanna Valtai’, she has assumed the throne of a once divided country at the age of 21. Her position is far from secure as there are many who oppose her and she must respond to an open rebellion.

She fears she has lost her close friend Valtai forever when Dunbarron learns that Valtai has been captured. She also discovers a secret about herself that could cost her the throne. Will she and her forces be able to qualm the unrest at home and hold off the forces that want to take her country.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 13 hours I spent reading this 464-page fantasy. While the lead in this novel is 21, it still has a Young Adult feel to it. I have read and enjoyed both of the earlier books in this series (“The Waking Land” and “The Memory of Fire“). I think that Ms. Bates has created a very engaging fantasy universe. I liked that this book in the series took a different point of view than the earlier volumes. It is also written in the first-person view of Dunbarron. While this could be read on its own, it would be best to read the prior two books of the series first. I like the chosen cover art. 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).

Book Review: “Timekeeper”

(See all of my Book Reviews) – “Timekeeper” eBook was published in 2017 and was written by Heather Albano (https://www.facebook.com/heatheralbanoauthorpage/). This is Ms. Albano’s second publication and the second in her “Keeping Time” 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 across time in Europe. The primary character is 17-year-old Elizabeth Barton. She, along with her love interest William Carrington and mysterious friend Maxwell, continue their fight to put the timeline back the way it should be.

They use their time travel pocketwatch to move to one critical moment in time after another. They are fighting a very dangerous battle to keep both the Frankenstein like monsters and the metal giants from ever being created. They must also find a way to keep Napolean from victory at Waterloo.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 9 hours I spent reading this 280-page young adult steampunk thriller. This novel is just a continuation of “Timepiece” the first novel in the series. The characters are much the same as in that first novel. I have enjoyed the first two novels in the trilogy and look forward to the third. 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: “Timepiece: A Steampunk Time-travel Adventure”

(See all of my Book Reviews) – “Timepiece: A Steampunk Time-travel Adventure ” eBook was published in 2017 and was written by Heather Albano (http://www.heatheralbano.com/). This is Ms. Albano’s first publication and the first in her “Keeping Time” 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 scenes of Violence. The story is set in a variety of times and places in Europe. It begins in 1815 with the primary character 17-year-old Elizabeth Barton receiving a very special pocket watch.

In this alternate reality, the monsters of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein are real. The British have created an enslaved army of them to counter Napolean. After that victory, they are employed as forced labor in mines, but soon they rebel. England is desperate to control them. A brilliant inventor steps in with mechanical men, not quite robots as they are controlled by a human crew.

That allows the monsters to be brought under control, but the mechanicals are then used by the government to control the populace. As more and more work is done by the mechanicals and other automation the displaced are kept in check by the mechanicals.

Into this steps Barton and her new acquaintance, 21-year-old Willaim Carrington. Carrington had been a soldier but a wound to his arm caused him to be discharged. The unlikely pair soon discover that the watch has the astounding ability to travel through time.

They discover the plight of future inhabitants of England and try to change history to prevent the mechanical men. They also attempt to stop the use or even the creation of the monsters used to beat Napolean. Their travels are not without risk but they do find allies in other timelines. They also discover that theirs is not the only special pocket watch.

I enjoyed the 8 hours I spent reading this 264-page steampunk fantasy. While this has a touch of Romance and appeals to the Young Adult, it was an enjoyable story. I liked this slightly new take on time travel with the travelers starting off in the past. 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: “Merlin’s Shakespeare”

(See all of my Book Reviews) – “Merlin’s Shakespeare” eBook was published in 2018 and was written by Carol Anne Douglas (https://www.carolannedouglas.com/). This is Ms. Douglas’ fifth publication and the first in her ‘Merlin’s Shakespeare’ 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 ‘G’. The story is set in both contemporary times and in Shakespeare’s England. The primary character is 15-year-old Beth Owens.

Owens is a theater student, particularly interested in the works of Shakespeare. Merlin appears to her and sends her back in time to Shakespeare’s England. She meets various characters from Shakespeare’s plays some of whom she likes and others which frighten her. Merlin has sent her back to search for a missing Shakespeare play about King Arthur. Along her way she begins to find that she has some magical powers of her own.

I thought that the 8.25 hours I spent reading this 358-page young adult fantasy were interesting. The plot is pretty simple and the characters are not the deepest, but it seems targeted at the very young adult sector. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a 3.6 (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 Dragon Sickness”

(See all of my Book Reviews) – “The Dragon Sickness” eBook was published in 2018 and was written by Ava Richardson (http://avarichardsonbooks.com). Ms. Richardson has published seven novels. This is the second of her “Alveria Dragon Akademy” 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 ‘G’. The story is set in a land with magic and dragons. The primary character is the young dragon tamer Kaelan Younger.

Younger has struggled to be accepted at the Akademy. She is trying to learn the extent of her abilities and to adjust to her partner Prince Lasaro. Her existence at the Akademy is complicated further by the sudden onset of a deadly illness among the dragons.

Younger must keep secrets from the Prince as she tries to discover the source of the illness. Their relationship struggles with the deception she must maintain. The kingdom itself comes under threat from Alveria’s enemies. Will she solve the illness before she is driven from the Akademy or branded as a traitor.

I enjoyed the 8.5 hours I spent reading this 367-page young adult fantasy. This was clearly targeted at a young adult audience. It is an adventure with a little romance thrown in. 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: “Star Child: Awakening”

(See all of my Book Reviews) – “Star Child: Awakening” eBook was published in 2019 and was written by Petra Landon (http://petralandon.com). Ms. Landon has published five novels. This is the first novel in her “The Zenkoti Fables” 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’. The story is set in the far future. The primary character is the young girl Navi.

Navi is trying to find her way off of the mining world where she lives. She sneaks aboard a spacecraft while following a man who has been asking questions about her. Before she can get off the ship it unexpectedly leaves taking her with it as a stowaway.

She discovers that the ship’s crew is led by the only man to have been able to successfully confront the military of the sector. Before long her presence on the ship is discovered and she becomes part of the crew, at least until they can drop her off.

Her adventure does not end there as the ship must dodge space outlaws, greedy corporations, and the powerful Guild Coalition. She is exposed to many new people, some become friends while others become deadly enemies. Along the way, she is surprised to discover some secrets of her own heritage.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 6.5 hours I spent reading this 180-page science fiction novel. I enjoy space opera like this. This is somewhat of a young adult novel but reads well. The cover art is eye-catching. 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: “Cursed”

(See all of my Book Reviews) – “Cursed” eBook was published in 2019 (October) and was written by Thomas Wheeler. This is Mr. Wheeler’s second 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 medieval England. The primary character is Nimue, though Arthur, Merlin, and others from the traditional tales of King Arthur are there too.

In this version of the story, Nimue, whose mother is an Arch Druid, ends up with the famous sword of power. She has also grown adept at very powerful dark magic. Her mother along with everyone else in her village is killed by the Red Paladins, a militant group of the Catholic Church. The Red Paladins seek any and all of the Fey folk they can find. They want to purge their souls through torture and death. They also want the sword of power Nimue carries.

King Pendragon is another force that wants to hold the sword that he will become the one true king. Complicating matters is the Viking Ice King who is also after the sword. Nimue and her friends must survive this lethal field of adversaries, while she tries to survive and save the Fey.

I enjoyed the 10+ hours I spent reading this 416-page fantasy. While I liked the overall plot, the familiar characters have little to do with the history we have all grown up with regarding Arthur. I think I would have liked the story better if there had been no effort to tie it to the Arthur legend. The cover art is OK. 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).

Wednesday SciFi Flix: “Rim of the World”

(See my other Science Fiction posts) – I watched the movie “Rim of the World” on NetFlix a few nights ago. This is not for the serious Science Fiction fan, but rather it seems aimed more at Young Adults. The synopsis (per IMDB):

Four misfit teenagers join forces to save the world when an alien invasion interrupts their summer camp.

The kids in the starring roles are all attending a dysfunctional summer camp. All of a sudden their world is turned upside down by the invasion of aliens. The camp is evacuated leaving the kids stranded. An astronaut crashes near their camp and gives them a thumb drive. If they can get the thumb drive to JPL there is hope to stop the invasion. The story follows them on their journey to deliver the thumb drive.

This wasn’t the best movie and the 5.1/10 rating on IMDB reflect that. It is rated TV-14. I suspect that is due to the Violence and Mature Language in the movie.