The Rising by Jon Land and Heather Graham

This story starts with a football hero and a stereotypical nerd.  Alex is the hero and Sam is the nerd.   Samantha is Alex’s tutor.   The two discover that Alex isn’t what he seems and that the world as they know it is about to change.

The authors have crafted a likeable pair of teenagers.  They clearly show the over the top confidence that some teens exhibit but in this case, Alex isn’t posturing, he really is both physically and psychically a strong and good person.   Sam is a very bright young lady who starts to discover that her fiber is far stronger than she realized.

There are evil aliens, friendly aliens, a demented billionaire, a psychopathic soldier, drones, astral projections, stoners and ethnic diversity in the book.  It is hard to imagine how the authors could add any more variables.

They do a nice job is denigrating racial prejudice.   They also exhibit how obsession and self centered actions can lead to ignoring common decency.

There is non-stop action and a bit of mayhem.

Web Site: http://www.jonlandbooks.com/

http://www.theoriginalheathergraham.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 Bone Cave by Sarah Remy

Remy has crafted an entire world that is subtly different from our own.  Mal has returned home but changed from his exposure to the draw of the sea.   Liam has grown both is size and in distrust of the man who he idolizes.   The prince/captain/captor has returned with Mal and Liam to draw their kingdom into an alliance.

Avani has served as Vocent, the king's counselor, mortician, detective and assassin while Mal was captive.  She has also grown in power and in skepticism.     The introduction of the desert people and their threat forces her to more fully accept her new role.

Remy crafts memorable characters and creates a new look at those who live under the barrows.   She has put together a plot and has woven a story of intricate tapestry with vivid colors and startling scenes.  The introduction of magic induced technology only adds to the delightful flavor of  this series. 

I really enjoyed the book.

Web: http://www.sarahremy.com/?book=stonehill-downs

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

A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

This is a follow up to The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, a story of tolerance, relationships and love set on the Wayfarer, a utilitarian space ship.   This story picks up on Pepper and Blue who were peripheral characters in the previous book.   It also details the coming of age of Sidra. 

Once again Chamber wrote a story that was far more than a space opera.  She explores intolerance and the definition of what is sentient.   With the increased mention of AI in today's headlines, Chambers is looking down the road at the ramifications of artificial intelligence.  

In addition Chambers addresses genetic manipulation and the impact that might have on society in general.  

The demonstration of tolerance and the facing of intolerance was an unflattering mirror to our less than tolerant society as demonstrated by the past election process and some of the vicious and racists demagoguery.

Chambers clearly showed the camaraderie and loyalty that is inspirational and laudable.   This could be a workbook for team building.    Pepper's quest to find Owl is an inspiration to the definition of loyalty.

It should be abundantly clear that I really enjoyed this book.  

I highly recommend it.

Web Site: http://tinyurl.com/zyupsup

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

Unveiled by Ruth Vincent

This is a Changling P.I. novel.  Mabily Jones is out of place in New York.  Of course she is out of place anywhere in our world.   Mab is an Elf.  She has been stranded in the mundane world and must find some way to support herself.   This is the second story in the series.  Mab is now a private investigator.   She is shocked to find a cross over between one of her cases and her previous life.  

Obadiah is back but the tension is gone from the relationship and they seem to be a happy couple.  Obahdiah is suffering from withdrawal type symptoms that Mab is convinced is tied to the world of Faery.  

Someone or something is sucking the life out of young women and Mab is determined to stop it.  This leads to a trip to see her mother which is far more difficult to achieve than the norm and involves sharp instruments.

Elves are often portrayed as laudable characters in touch with nature.  Ms.Vincent sees elves in a different, novel way.   The story has action and romance. 

I recommend it.

web site:  http://ruthvincent.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.

Across The Long Sea by Sarah Remy

The follow up of Stonehill Downs may be better than the original.   Avani is growing into  her power while Mal takes an unwanted trip across the long sea.   Once again we see violence, talking to the dead and unrequited love.

Avani tries to avoid her destiny as a Vocent replacement while Mal struggles to stop a plague.   When Mal discovers the extent of his power when traveling by ship he recognizes the potential for addiction to destruction.  

Remy crafts memorable characters and has put together an excellent sequel with a consistent plot while maintaining separate story lines.

I really enjoyed the book.

Web: http://www.sarahremy.com/?book=stonehill-downs

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 Way To Glory by David Drake

Daniel Leary is still a Lieutenant in this book.   His beloved Sissies are still with him as is  Adele Mundy, Tovera and Hogg .  A munity and subsequent execution of the mutineers puts Daniel and his crew in an uncomfortable position.   Daniel's  normal creative interpretation of orders provides the excitement to the story.

The Horatio Hornblower series was one of my favorites series as a boy.  Drake uses that story type beautifully.  The camaraderie, loyalty and idolatry shown in Drake's characters is a hallmark of this series.  

Once again into the breach is the overriding theme.

I enjoyed the book and have enjoyed the series.

Web site: http://david-drake.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.

Stonehill Downs by Sarah Remy

A tale of cultural clash and poignant love, violence and discovery is told with compassion and detail.   Remy has created a land where lies magic and death and barrows and others.

This story details murder and growth.

Avani is a survivor of a natural disaster and both lonely and alone.   She tends sheep and weaves, seen as an outsider in Stonehill Downs.   Mal is a Vocent, the king's counselor, mortician, detective and assassin.   He is ghost ridden and is some ways as lonely as Avani.  

Remy crafts memorable characters and creates a new look at those who live under the barrows.   She has put together a plot and has woven a story of intricate tapestry with vivid colors and startling scenes.

I really enjoyed the book.

Web: http://www.sarahremy.com/?book=stonehill-downs

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