Exodus of the Phoenix by Robert Stadnik

Earth has been confined to our solar system.  An alien force has destroyed any ship trying to explore even our outer planets.  Two mismatched cadets at the Terra Academy discover talent doesn’t always mean success.  A rogue Admiral sees a different future for mankind.  These diverse components combine for a tasty story.

Apparently, it is lunchtime as my metaphors are becoming food-centric.  The author provides an entertaining conflict between John and Julie.  Fire and water might be an apt description.  My favorite character may be X.  There is intrigue and espionage as well and courage and patriotism.

I enjoyed the book and 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Forget Me Not by Alexandra Oliva

This story is a tale of mental illness and its ramifications.    The main protagonist was a feral child who is struggling to integrate into society.  Due to social media, she often finds herself trending in a negative way.  Suspicious of any contact her life is a lonely hell.  

The addition of a friend to Linda’s drab world starts to draw her out of her self-imposed isolation when she is suddenly the focus of negative social media posts again.

The author touches on a lot of psychological issues.  She writes of aberrant behavior due to grief, false memories, paranoia, god complex, and more.

A simultaneous plot could have been provided a little more text but it still had an interesting impact.

I enjoyed the book. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

The Unbroken by C. L. Clark

A colonial power kidnaps children of their subject colony and returns 20 years later with the kidnapped children as part of the occupying force.   The Queen, to be crowned, needs to handle her conquered natives well to be successfully crowned.  Her Uncle, the regent, would love an excuse to keep on ruling.  

Luca, the queen, meets a soldier who was one of the kidnapped kids, who is expected to subdue her unknown family. The relationship between the queen-to-be and the conflicted soldier, Touraine, adds a level of complexity to the story.

The Sands, the derogatory term, used for the troops who were kidnapped and raised to subject their heritage, are also conflicted.  Add to that mix some religion, magic, and disease and you have a well-crafted relationship-centric fantasy.

I enjoyed the book and 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

The Reincarnationist Papers by D. Eric Maikranz

The book purports to be the papers of Evan Michaels who has been reincarnated.  Those who are truly reincarnated supposedly remember there previous lives when they reach approximately eighteen years old.   This is the story of one man who thinks he has been reincarnated.

The author does a good job defining how someone survives life after life.   This is a tough review to write while avoiding spoilers.  There is some mild violence and debauchery.  There is treachery.

The book was interesting.

 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Wizard’s Sacrifice by A. M. Justice

This is a sequel to A Wizard’s Forge.   A interstellar ship is marooned at a planet with an indigenous population.   Later, the population has splintered living some who believe they descended from trees.  Due to an internal parasite, some people show wizard talents and this is illegal in many places.  Vic the protagonist in the first book suffers a bit of a demotion in this book.

Somehow I’ve got this feeling that these two books should be four.   Perhaps that is the direction the author plans.   The orbiting star craft seems like a loose end.   The devices origin is murky.  The mind of the trees is too unexplored.  Is it a collective mind, is it part of the indigenous species mind?  I ended up with more questions than answers. 

I think the characters were good but I just had issues with the overall plot. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Tools of a Thief by D. Hale Rambo

This is a good fantasy.  A gnome, which is seldom portrayed positively, is fleeing a restrictive family.  She meets and makes a friend and they pursue a quest.

Rambo crafted an interesting world that was populated by a very diverse population.   She throws three distinctly different characters together and allows them to develop respect and friendship.

I enjoyed her acknowledgment almost as much as her book.  It made me LOL.  

I recommend the book and look forward to the next in the series. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned