Final Flight by Beth Cato

This is another story, in this case a short story, in the world of the Clockwork Dagger. 

Previous characters are mentioned but play no part in this story.  The airship Argus is commandeered by the government for a secret mission.  Captain Hue reluctantly bows to the Dagger and troops but will do anything to protect his son.

Cato shows how excesses in the name of patriotism can be as devastating and evil as excesses in the name of the enemy.   Captain Hue is placed in an untenable position by people of questionable character.   He is forced to make life changing decisions for both his son and his crew.

Cato is becoming a force to be reckoned with. 

I highly recommend.  

Site:  http://www.bethcato.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Summoned King by Dave Neuendorf

This is a easily read young adult novel.   The story resonates with AConnecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court but, and a big but, this story should appeal to the young adult reader.  Jim Young is catapulted into a medieval style of world that is in need of a new king.   He brings with him the idealism and enthusiasm of the teen he is.

Neuendorf crafts a good group of characters that are likeable and possibly characters that teens may identify with.   Note I said may because having been a school counselor of teens I doubt anyone can unequivocally nail down what teens are feeling.   I think the author provided a  character that has the foibles expected of a teen but also provides a character that has laudable goals and who lands on his feet under extenuating circumstances.  

Christianity is brought up as a factor in Jim's identity but there is no proselytization involved.

I recommend the book and look forward to the sequel.

Web Site: http://www.daveneuendorf.com/?author=1

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Of Treason Born by J.L. Doty

A coming of age story in the vein of Horatio Hornblower.  This story takes place in space rather than on a wooden ship.  The story is as much of a relationship building story as a space opera.

Doty does a good job setting the stage and then proceeding with the growth of the main character, York Ballin.  A traditional story of a lonely kid falling in with bad company, Doty puts his own spin on it to make it fresh and exciting.  Loyalty goes both ways and this is something that York had learned at an early age.  He never saw where it would lead him.

This book is a prequel to A Choice of Treason, for a change I am actually reading the prequel first.  I look forward to reading A Choice of Treason.

I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more from J. L. Doty.

Web: http://www.jldoty.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Merciless Reason by Oisin McGann

Nathaniel Wildenstern is the primary protagonist again in this book.   The previous book he took his leave from the family.   This book is the next in the series.  It, too, is an alternative reality steampunk novel set in Victorian England.  

The Wildenstern's are a powerful factor in the British Empire, perhaps the most powerful faction.  They run the North American Trading Company that generates enormous incomes and power for the family.     Nate became discouraged with his family and fled their influence.   In this story he comes back surreptitiously in hopes of curbing the excesses of one of his cousins. 

Keep in mind that this is a family that encourages the assassination of anyone above you in the chain of command to increase your position in the family.   This behavior is actually codified so that all family members know what to expect. 

The engimals, animal machine hybrids play a larger part (some particularly large) in this volume.   The behaviors and mores of the Victorian age play a poignant part in these books.   The world as we know it would not be the same if not for the Robber Barons of old and yet those same tactics or mores today are criminalized and distained. (Wolf of Wallstreet)   That observation is not to suggest that pillaging society for personal gain is a laudable characteristic.   

There seems to be a bit more moral judging in this volume of the Saga.

I recommend the book.

Web: http://www.oisinmcgann.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

This Is Not A Werewolf Story by Sandra Evans

Raul states on the cover of the book that this is not a werewolf story, it is my story!  The story takes place at a boarding school and Raul has a secret.   The book is done in the first person with Raul talking about himself and the other kids at the One of Our Kind boarding school.

The cast of characters have boyhood names like Sparrow and Mean Jack.  Raul is the strong silent type who doesn't do a lot of self expression but when he does, the other kids listen.   The school is staffed by people who are vaguely disinterested or hostile to the kids.

This is a well crafted tale of kids and how they deal with being shuffled off to boarding school and the relationships therein some of which are beyond remarkable. 

The settings are at the school, the woods, the fort, the zoo and the lighthouse. 

Web: http://www.sandra-evans.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Wisdom of Dead Men by Oisin McGann

I make an effort not to read other reviews on a book before I write one.   Personally I like to keep my comments brief as I do not want to inadvertently dump a spoiler.   This book is the second in the series and I did not read the first book.   It is an alternative reality steampunk novel set in Victorian England.  

The Wildenstern's are a powerful factor in the British Empire, perhaps the most powerful faction.  They run the North American Trading Company that generates enormous incomes and power for the family.    The old expression of "What is good for General Motors is good for America"  could be applied to the way the Wildenstern's saw their place in the Empire.   Also power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely" could be applicable and that is the last semi quote I will use.  

Nathaniel Wildenstern is the primary protagonist and his goal is to support his brother in changing the behavior of his family.   Berto, his wife Daisy and Nathaniel are set on cleaning up a family that is not known for civil behavior particularly when it comes to the ascension of power within the family.

The engimals, animal machine hybrids add a nice touch to the story.   The  not so spontaneous combustion of women around Dublin provide the mystery. 

I would have preferred to read the first book prior to this but it stands alone fairly well.

I think I have provided enough information without going into the details that lead to spoilers. 

I will be reading the next book.

Web: http://www.oisinmcgann.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Guile by Constance Cooper

Manna is the closest I can come to identifying what guile may be.   A young orphan, Yonnie Watereye makes her living by conning people into believing she can sense and identify guile while it is really LaRue.   I guess my best description of the book is that it is a coming of age story with supernatural overtones.

I always have a fondness for cats, let alone ones that talk.  That provides an interesting turn to the story.   The book is a bit strange but so is the protagonist.

I enjoyed it.

Web: http://www.constancecooper.com/p/welcome.html

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.