The Outstretched Shadow by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory

Kellen is a teen with teen age angst.   His father is the head of the mages in his perfect town.   The town is perfect because that  is what the council of mages want.  Kellen is a reluctant student and discovers an alternative forbidden magic.  He butts heads with his daddy and ends up banned from the city.   That is the basis of the story.

Kellen meets a sister he didn’t know he had and she teaches him how to use their magic.  The story is of discovery and coming of age.  Kellen surprises his sister with his adaptability.  Kellen is befriended by a sarcastic Unicorn.

The three end up with Elves and Kellen is tasked with a quest to save the Elven community.

Vestikia shows things aren’t always as the seem and the value of acceptance and tolerance.

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

Spotlight on David Massie and the Quantum Flux by Andrew M. Nehring

Where do you go when time stands still?

 

 

Kid genius battles time in quest to save the world in author’s action-packed debut middle grade sci-fi novel

CHICAGO – Most kids’ biggest worries are what cereal they’ll have for breakfast or being late to soccer practice. But not David Massie. This 12-year-old has the weight of space and time in his hands in debut author Andrew M. Nehring’s middle grade science-fiction novel, “David Massie and the Quantum Flux” (July 13, 2021).

 

In this ordinary world of extraordinary technology lies David, a kid genius. After the abrupt disappearance of his older brother, Morgan, David spends his days fending off the class bully and searching deep into Morgan’s past for answers. Then, one rainy day, his world implodes thanks to a mysterious dark armored figure. That fateful encounter triggers a series of alternate realities in which David, his parents, his school, and even society at large continuously morphs into different scenarios each day. But as strange as those realities were, nothing prepared David for time coming to a screeching halt. To return his world to normal, David teams up with a Time Cop named CP. And together, they look to unravel the mystery of the Quantum Flux.

 

A quick read full of action and adventure — and an ending you won’t see coming — readers will be eager to see just where David’s journey takes him next.

“

David Massie and the Quantum Flux”

Andrew M. Nehring | July 13, 2021 | Middle Grade Science-Fiction
Paperback | 9781733384926 | $8.99 | Ebook | 9781733384933 | $5.99

 

Andrew M. Nehring is the author of David Massie as well as The Corrupted Light Chronicles. Growing up, he was always a very imaginative child who would tend to get lost in these worlds he created for himself. That passion for creativity never stopped. The concept of David Massie came to him after years of being an avid fan of science-fiction. This world that he created draws from both old and new sci-fi concepts.

 

Andrew has recently graduated from Northeastern Illinois University in the beautiful city of Chicago.  Now that he has graduated, he is focused on expanding the worlds of David Massie and also The Corrupted Light Chronicles. For more info, visit andrewmnehring.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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Monster Hunter Bloodlines by Larry Correia

Owen Zastava Pitt, or Z, is a monster hunter who works for the penultimate group  of monster hunters, Monster Hunter International.  This adventure, typical of Correia works, rocks, rolls, dives, swirls and then gets crazy.   Z finds himself embroiled with a descendent of one of his colleagues. Sonya isn’t what she seems, she is more.  More can lead to complications.   Theft of an artifact starts the story and, in some ways, ends the story.   In between there is a wealth of action, enough for the most jaded adrenaline junkie.   

Familiar characters from past Correia books are still around, Franks, Skippy, Milo, Julie and Earl are just the tip of the character list.

These books provide a really fun escape from current events  and whatever political crisis that is  currently occurring.

I really enjoyed it and the previous books in the MHI 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

The Sightless City by Noah Lemelson

This book is a post apocalypse book from sometime or somewhere.  I would characterize it as steam punk.  There are a wealth of interesting characters.  I never did get the plot.

I enjoyed some of the characters.  Sylvaine and Marcel were my favorites.  I just couldn’t get into this book.  It has lots of characteristics I enjoy but somehow I didn’t enjoy it. I’m sure it will be well received by others. 

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

Brief Cases by Jim Butcher

This is a series of short stories. I listened to it in audio format with Jim Butcher reading it.  I’m not normally fond of short stories but I really enjoyed these. 

Mouse has new depth and an interesting accent.  Maggie’s story was insightful to the fears and insecurities of children.

Loyalty and camaraderie have always been features in Butcher’s books and these stories are not an exception.

I enjoyed the verbal notes before each story as well.

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

Space Rogues: the Adventures of Will Calder

Will Calder is a human. He is accidentally exposed to aliens and finds himself on an alien ship due to the comparatively compassionate captain. Later Will finds himself in command of a ship. His acquisition of a crew and an end to his loneliness happen simultaneously.

This book could be seen as a plea for acceptance of those who are different. Different in that they aren't the same as you. Intolerance has sadly been more obvious the last few years. Will has to deal with sentient beings who are vastly different than he is and discovers that yet they are the same. The similarity is in wants, needs, desires and an equal desire to be useful and accepted.

It may be I read more into this than a simple action/adventure space opera but as far as I'm concerned the author succeeded in both writing an entertaining adventure and a plea for tolerance.

I recommend 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