Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson

This was a story about a confused young lady.   Her confusion arose from an un-diagnosed and misunderstood condition.   Her encounter with a good looking older young man was not as it seemed. 

The bulk of the book dealt with Alison’s angst over what she perceived as mental illness.   She thought she was crazy but did not want to be institutionalized.   The author did a good job of describing a facility designed to help kids that was not quite up to muster but probably aptly described.

Sebastian wasn’t what he seemed.  He introduced the scifi aspect to the story.

I think the book provides a structure for a troubled kid to realize that perhaps others are troubled as well and they are not forgotten.

I enjoyed the book, definitely YA.

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 Last Sword Maker by Brian Nelson

There isn’t a single sword in the book so if you are looking for a fantasy look elsewhere, but if you are looking for some near-term, hard science fiction grab this baby!  Sword is the euphemistic weapon describing the potential of nano-technology.   This book explores the possibilities of nano-tech in a us vs them thriller.

The author uses the current friction (which is NOT fiction) of the Chinese theft of intellectual property.   This friction leads to mayhem and murder.  

A group of out of the box thinkers is gathered to Manhattan project nanites.  

The interference of the Chinese military leads to the eventual revenge or perhaps justice being meted out to those responsible for the deaths of United States troops and scientists.

The book is thought provoking, to say the least.  The author’s premise has a sound foundation in current scientific literature.   This successful development of this technology will dwarf the last century’s technology growth.

Read this book, it will force you to think!

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

Genesis by Layton Green

Genesis is the story of an astrophysicist’s search for a murder and a investigative journalist looking for his life.

 

Andie is devastated with the death of her mentor.   After receiving a gift after his death, she discovers there are many secrets involved.  Cal is eking out an existence as a podcaster after his career was destroyed.   One of his podcasts puts him on the radar of a nefarious secret society.

The two find each other and become embroiled in continent jumping danger.  

I particularly enjoyed the historic perspective with Ettore Majorana.  I had never heard of him and found my self Googling him to get more background.  He did exist and the mystery surrounding him was true.

Green develops the characters well and provides an intriguing plot .

I recommend it. 

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

Catalyst by Sarah Beth Durst

First, I must point out I am a huge anthropomorphism fan.  Second I am a huge fan of Sarah Beth Durst.  Now both of these items are relative to my enthusiasm for the style and the author not to my less than diminutive size.   This is a book written for children and I am in close contact with my inner child, ergo I love it.   Zoe finds a very small kitten and the story begins there but it is sly in it’s introduction of magic to the plot.

For me the message of this book is that you need to accept who you are and to be happy in your own skin.  I have no idea if that was Durst’s message but it is what I felt.  I like that message.   I like the fact the Durst is encouraging kids to be comfortable with their self-identity.  

In addition, the story is captivating and captures the insecurities of being a child and the fears that your truths will not be seen or noticed.   

This is a story about a young girl, her best friend and the marvelous cat she adopts.

I highly recommend it.

BTW none of my cats were ever as polite as Pipsqueak

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

Storm Front by Jim Butcher

This is the first book in the Harry Dresden series.   Harry is a wizard for hire.  The only one in the Chicago Yellow Pages.  That does provide context for when the first book was published.   I seldom reread books, not because I didn't enjoy them but because there are so many books in my TBR pile that I want to get to.  However, I made an exception and I am glad I did.   Harry finds himself in hot water with the Wizard Council and Morgan their implacable enforcer.   Harry successfully alienates the newest most powerful gangster in town, his friend the cop and the local high vampire.  Diplomacy will never be Harry's forte. 

I like the fact that Butcher has a wizard who demonstrates the strength of core needed to resist temptation and to strive for good.   Today we find too many people who covet with no limits, they never curb their greed or their ignorance.   Harry demonstrates nobility and strength in the teeth of adversity. 

I STRONGLY recommend the entire series and anything Jim Butcher decides to write. 

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

Spotlight on Dwarf Story

Backyard or battleground? From the piles of mysterious recluse comes an adventure so epic, no dwarf, fairy, nor dragon can take it on alone.

For Arty to miss a day of school, either he is very, very sick or a fairytale-character turf-war has begun in his backyard — such as what begins this particular Wednesday. First, he finds an ax-swinging, bearded, sweaty warrior Dwarf scaring his dogs. Soon enough, Emma, Cry and other middle-school friends also find fairy creatures — Elves, Spriggans, Pixies, and a hoped-for Dragon — crashing into their normal homework-doing, backpack-carrying, phone-charging schooldays.

Ah always like reading
about m'a relatives!

Why are these magical beings here? What should be done? Is that axe sharp? Can Pixies be given aspirin?

Arty with his friends — and spying jerks, and questionable strangers with long names — follow the clues and try to find out, even as things turn dark and dangerous.

The mythical beings are taking sides. The Gwyllion, that legendary Old Woman of the Mountains, has a sinister plan, turning the neighborhood into a fantasy battleground. One that awaits young heroes.

 Professor Welkin Westicotter Marplot, of Coillemuir, Scotland, is a collector of esoteric tales of global wisdom and curator of ancient manuscripts. He is a recluse and, as he claims, has been collecting and collating adventure and fantasy stories for over a century.

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