Seth's ARC review of The Memory of Sky by Robert Reed

Synopsis:
Diamond is an odd little boy, a seemingly fragile child - who proves to be anything but. An epic story begins when he steps into the world his parents have so carefully kept him from, a world where gigantic trees each house thousands of humans and another human species, the papio, rule its far edges. Does Diamond hold the promise to remake one species and, perhaps, change all of the Creation?

Seth's Thoughts:

Diamond is a little boy like most others. He likes his toy soldiers and making up his little boy games and epic battles with his soldiers and Mister Mister his stuffed doll. What makes Diamond is a little bit different than other little boys is hard to figure out at first. It could be his stubby legs and arms, or his little nose on his face. Or, it could be the fact that he can gouge open his face and pull his skin apart until he exposes his skull and not have a scar from it within a minute.

Diamond is a special little boy. His parents know this so they keep him locked away in a closet, until one day when they leave his closet open. He wanders out looking for his mother and shortly after leaving his house, embarks upon a fairly large expedition. 

Turns out diamond isn’t the only special one in the world. There are several others that are special but not in the same way as he is. There’s King, who serves the Autarch, and then there is The Eight, who serve the Papio.  They can regenerate like Diamond, but not nearly as fast as he does. King has a lot more body armor than the other two. The Eight are eight brains in one body. Rumors persist of a fourth floating around in the wild.

Any who, as far as fantasy/science fiction goes this wasn’t too bad of a story. Things were a bit confusing at first figuring out the way that the world worked, but once I sketched a little picture on a scrap piece of paper things began to make more sense. That might be something to add into the book if you’re reading this Robert Reed. I mean, if it hasn’t been thought of yet that is.

The book flowed well. I didn’t have much trouble when it switched perspectives on me. I know that’s a pet peeve of my wife, but I quite enjoy multiple views in a story. I recommend reading it while you watch the snow fall, and sip on some hot cocoa.

Seth gives The Memory of Sky: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.robertreedwriter.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/robertreedwritercom/134292306664783?sk=wall
Blog: http://rreedsf.blogspot.com/

I received this ARC from the publisher, Prime Books, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Neither Seth nor I were compensated in anyway for this review.

Substitute Creature by Charles Gilman

Synopsis:
When a giant nor’easter dumps a blanket of snow on the village of Dunwich, Massachussetts, Robert Arthur and his friends find themselves marooned inside Lovecraft Middle School. The kids have no choice but to spend the night—while snacking on cafeteria food, sleeping on classroom floors, and facing off against a mysterious substitute teacher who may have a sinister secret. The latest adventure in the Lovecraft Middle School series features more adventures, more outrageous monsters, and another terrifying lenticular cover!

My Thoughts:
For those that follow my reviews, you know how much I love the Tales from Lovecraft Middle School series. It is my favorite middle grade series that I have read in 2013. In fact, I think it might be better than Percy Jackson.

Substitute Creature was no exception. It might be my favorite book in the series so far. The cover is definitely the creepiest one. I love these covers, and how they change. I've never seen another cover do that, and pull it off as well as this series does.

I enjoyed this book the most out of the series. The reader gets to see a lot of character growth. Robert and Glenn become much more mature by the end of the book. Karina... well, she grows in her own way. I don't want to say anything that might spoil the book, but something amazing ends up happening to her. We see first loves start to form as well.

The illustrations are wonderfully drawn. They really help you to see a detailed version of what's happening in the book in your head. My favorite illustration is the one of Robert and Mac on top of the school roof, looking out at the city. It's beautiful. 

I think Substitute Creature had the biggest cliffhanger of the series so far. We've been through all sorts of crazy cliffhangers in this series, but none of them compare to this one. I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out. I want to know what Robert's mom's reaction is to the information they gave her.

I give Substitute Creature: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://lovecraftmiddleschool.com/our-founders/charles-gilman.html

I received this book from the publisher, Quirk Books, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Seth's ARC review of Influx by Daniel Suarez

Synopsis:
What if our civilization is more advanced than we know?

The New York Times bestselling author of Daemon --"the cyberthriller against which all others will be measured" -Publishers Weekly) --imagines a world in which decades of technological advances have been suppressed in an effort to prevent disruptive change.

Are smart phones really humanity's most significant innovation since the moon landings? Or can something else explain why the bold visions of the 20th century--fusion power, genetic enhancements, artificial intelligence, cures for common disease, extended human life, and a host of other world-changing advances--have remained beyond our grasp? Why has the high-tech future that seemed imminent in the 1960's failed to arrive?

Perhaps it did arrive...but only for a select few.

Particle physicist Jon Grady is ecstatic when his team achieves what they've been working toward for years: a device that can reflect gravity. Their research will revolutionize the field of physics--the crowning achievement of a career. Grady expects widespread acclaim for his entire team. The Nobel. Instead, his lab is locked down by a shadowy organization whose mission is to prevent at all costs the social upheaval sudden technological advances bring. This Bureau of Technology Control uses the advanced technologies they have harvested over the decades to fulfill their mission.

They are living in our future.

Presented with the opportunity to join the BTC and improve his own technology in secret, Grady balks, and is instead thrown into a nightmarish high-tech prison built to hold rebellious geniuses like himself. With so many great intellects confined together, can Grady and his fellow prisoners conceive of a way to usher humanity out of its artificial dark age?

And when they do, is it possible to defeat an enemy that wields a technological advantage half a century in the making?

Seth's Thoughts:

*Warning*: a bit of spoilers ahead. Skip to the fifth paragraph to avoid them.

What would you do if you found out that the world wasn’t as it should be? That technology has been repressed and we’re practically living in the middle ages compared to what could be? Influx sets a man named Jon Grady in that situation.

Influx starts out with Jon Grady and his associates developing a machine that seemingly ignores gravity completely. They obviously celebrate their amazing breakthrough up until the point where masked men with guns break in and blow up the lab and everyone in it. Then Jon wakes up.

He’s obviously pretty confused by this. Then things get even stranger. Turns out there’s an organization that’s been in place since around the 50’s keeping technology in check. They’ve got cold fusion generators you can strap to your arms, cures for cancer, the common cold, and various other ailments. They even have an anti aging formula making people practically immortal. Not to mention cloning. That’s just scratching the surface. They’re everywhere too. 

Jon is given the choice of either joining them and continuing his work or being sent to prison indefinitely. He chooses prison over helping to keep his technology suppressed. That’s where I stop my spoilers. 

The book read fairly quickly. You’ll find yourself eating up chapter after chapter, trying to find out what happens next. That little voice inside your head that says, I’ll read one more page and then I’ll stop will keep you flipping to the next page over and over again. Once you get past the first chapter that is. It’s a bit slow while they explain the science behind what Jon is doing. Second chapter is where the action starts and doesn’t let up.

Overall, I would say that if you like science fiction you’ll probably like this book. Fans of light mystery might like it too. I couldn’t stop reading it until I was done.

Seth gives Influx: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.thedaemon.com/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+DanielSuarez/posts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/itsDanielSuarez
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1956402.Daniel_Suarez

I received this book from the publisher, Dutton Adult, via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Neither Seth nor I were in any way compensated for this review.

ARC Review: Perfect Lies by Kiersten White

Synopsis:
Annie and Fia are ready to fight back.

The sisters have been manipulated and controlled by the Keane Foundation for years, trapped in a never ending battle for survival. Now they have found allies who can help them truly escape. After faking her own death, Annie has joined a group that is plotting to destroy the Foundation. And Fia is working with James Keane to bring his father down from the inside.

But Annie's visions of the future can't show her who to trust in the present. And though James is Fia's first love, Fia knows he's hiding something. The sisters can rely only on each other - but that may not be enough to save them.

My Thoughts:
Kiersten White continues to be one of my favorite authors. I started her Paranormalcy trilogy a few years ago and fell in love with it. It's one of my favorite trilogies of all time. The Mind Games duology might even be better than the Paranormalcy trilogy. 

Perfect Lies was a great sequel to Mind Games. I have to admit, the beginning of the book left me very confused. For the first twenty percent, I had very little idea what was happening. That could be because it had been a couple months since I had read the first book. However, once I had gotten past the twenty percent mark, things started to foow more smoothly. I had a better understanding of what was happening. The plot became more intriguing. 

The jumping back and forth in the time line took a bit of getting used to again. Once I got used to it, I think it made the story more interesting. I enjoyed finding out things that one character would know before the other. It was interesting to see how Annie's visions shaped Fia's future and vice versa. 

I enjoyed most of the characters. My favorite was Mae aka Pixie. I just loved her personality. She was very spunky and sarcastic. I also liked the way she instantly jived with Fia. They fit so well together, and make for some very entertaining moments. After the ending, I'm confused about how I should feel about James. I still think that he's a jerk. However, I'm not sure how big of a jerk he is.

The ending left me a little confused. I know what happened. However, the way it was written made the details a little confusing. Even though I was confused by Perfect Lies at times, I still greatly enjoyed it. Kiersten White continues to be one of my favorite authors.

I give Perfect Lies: 4/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Blog: http://kierstenwrites.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kierstenwhite
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3027554.Kiersten_White

I received this ARC from the publisher, HarperTeen, via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest  review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Take Two by Laurelin Paige trailer reveal

Book Title: Take Two

Author: Laurelin Paige

Release Date: February 4, 2014

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Summary: He’s ready for his close up, but she’s the one calling the shots.

On the night of her graduation from film school, straight-laced Maddie Bauers fell completely out of character for an oh-my-god make-out session with a perfect stranger. Complete with the big O.

Seven years later, that romantic interlude is still fresh in her mind. That stranger is now a rich and famous actor. And she’s one very distracted camera assistant working on his latest production. She might consider another tryst…if he even remembers her.

Micah Preston does indeed remember Maddie. Too bad he’s sworn off Hollywood relationships. He allows himself as much sex as he likes—and oh, he does like—but anything more is asking for trouble. For the woman, not for him. Yet knowing Maddie could want more than a movie-set fling doesn’t stop him from pursuing her like a moth drawn to hot stage lights.

But as the shoot nears its end, it’s decision time. Is it time to call, “Cut!” on their affair, or is there enough material for a sequel?

Warning: Contains a dreamy movie star hero, a focus-pulling heroine, off-the-charts instant chemistry, steamy sex in near-public locations, and a new use for lip gloss.

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Take-Two-Laurelin-Paige-ebook/dp/B00FG2LWWM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388620373&sr=8-1&keywords=take+two+laurelin

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17993595-take-two?ac=1

About Laurelin: Laurelin Paige is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the Fixed Trilogy. She's a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there's kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn't seem to complain, however. When she isn't reading or writing sexy stories, she's probably singing, watching Mad Men and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Adam Levine.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Channel Surfing: Wonder Woman by Mike Pingel

Synopsis:
Author Mike Pingel wraps himself with the lasso of truth to uncover everything about TV's Wonder Woman! Take a "spin" back to the seventies with the hit TV show and superhero Wonder Woman which starred the beautiful Lynda Carter. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about the show's history and costume design. Channel Surfing: Wonder Woman includes the very first-ever complete TV series Wonder Woman episode guide. It looks at all sixty episodes of the series. The guide uncovers little known episode tips, celebrity guest stars and Wonder Woman's super toys! Includes a all-new interview with Lynda Carter. Plus interviews with: Show producer Douglas S. Cramer and actors S. Pearl Sharp, Stella Stevens, Joan Van Ark, and Clark Brandon.

My Thoughts:

Channel Surfing: Wonder Woman was a fun read. It teaches the reader anything they want to know about the Wonder Woman television show from the seventies. It also features Lynda Carter, and follows her career after Wonder Woman. I was hoping that the book would also do a feature on the Justice League of America that I used to watch as a child. While it did mention the show once, there wasn't as much of it as I had hoped in the book. 

Other than that, I had one problem with this book. The editing was terrible. Normally I wouldn't mind a few mistakes. However, Channel Surfing had so many spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes that it was hard to read and comprehend at times. Sometimes words were left out of sentences, which made it even more confusing. The book would have gotten five stars from me if it would have had a better editor.

I give Channel Surfing: 3/5.

Want to know more about the author?

Website: http://www.mikepingel.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.pingel

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikepingel

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/330609.Mike_Pingel

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Seth's review of Steel and Sorrow by Joshua P. Simon

Synopsis:
A Warleader proves his worth, a High Mage seeks revenge, a Commander overcomes his past, and a Queen solidifies her rule.

On the continent of Hesh, Tobin has finally gained the two things that have always been out of his reach—the respect of his clan and a woman’s love. He now seeks to finish what his father began. When Tobin faces an enemy he never knew to suspect, he is left questioning not only his ability to rule, but also his sanity. 

A High Mage has been humbled, but he has not been defeated. After spending his time devouring the history of Hesh, he’s discovered a way to return home and reclaim what was once his. But before he exacts revenge on his enemies, he fulfills an obligation to his one remaining friend. 

In the aftermath of great tragedy, Kaz has taken the role of commander, and with it, a mountain of headaches. He expected threats from his enemies. He did not expect the largest headaches to come from within his own ranks. To make matters worse, the faded memories of Kaz’s previous life are returning and what he sees haunts him. 

Queen Elyse’s kingdom faces collapse at the hands of a civil war. While her army has been organizing to secure the crown against traitorous lords, she has worked at her role as queen. Suspicion of traitors among the ranks of her council threatens to undermine Elyse's authority when a chance for peace presents itself. 

A year after the events of Rise and Fall, Steel and Sorrow is the second book in the Blood and Tears Trilogy. A free three chapter excerpt of Walk Through Fire: A Blood and Tears Prequel Novella is included.

Seth's Thoughts:

First off, let me apologize to the author Joshua for how long it has taken me to getting around to typing this review. I finished it shortly after receiving it a year ago. I just get really long periods of not wanting to write anything. I thoroughly enjoyed it from front to back and read it in I want to say less than ten hours time. For me that’s speed reading. The details are a bit fuzzy about the story as I’m writing it but they are coming back to me. I’m looking through the book so I don’t get the names wrong or potentially spoil some important plot point inadvertently.

After a bit of conniving and two timing in the prologue, we pick up with Kaz once again in his band of men he now leads. I don’t know what it is but I love watching his continued transformation from brutal killer to running his mercenary group turned Queen’s guard. It’s one of the reasons that I love reading this trilogy. On the flip side, it’s also interesting reading about his brother Tobin going from the underdog to being the ruthless leader of his nation. It’s like watching white turning to black and black turning to white. Yin and Yang as it were. Watching the steady transformation of the evil man to good and the once good man to evil fascinates me. 

The story doesn’t plod along in the least. There’s one confrontation after another as the story swaps back and forth between the two brothers. Sometimes, one brother deals with politics while the other deals with war and vice versa. Never a dull moment for long. As the story progresses, the two are inexorably drawn closer and closer together via forces beyond one another’s control. I can’t wait to read the third book if Joshua is willing to be patient in me writing another review. If not I do understand. I urge anyone reading this who loves medieval action and magic to pick this book up, if not the whole trilogy, as a gift to themselves. If you own a Kindle I doubly urge you to pick it up as you’ll receive an amazing deal for this great trilogy. You can get the whole trilogy for less than the cost of a few Machiottos at Starbucks. 

Seth gives Steel and Sorrow: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Blog: http://joshuapsimon.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoshuaPSimon
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoshuaPSimon
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5254590.Joshua_P_Simon

Seth received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Neither Seth nor I were compensated in any way for this review.