I really enjoyed it and can’t wait for the sequel. 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
NEW YORK CITY – From Michael Wolk, an innovative New York theater producer and creator, comes the unique and immersive new interactive e-novel “DevilsGame” (Nov. 19, 2024) that’s not just bending genres — it’s recreating the very essence of the ebook format. Enter cyber fiction — a story set in the recent past, formatted for the uncharted future. The interactive fiction elements are unlike anything the literary world has seen before, with savvy multimedia elements optimized for mobile and web reading. Multilevel storytelling includes pop-up illustrations and interactive links that plunge readers into the heart of the action to make “DevilsGame” an addictive and wickedly funny thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, ahem, screen.
In a world where pixels collide with prayers, an unlikely duo emerges as the last line of defense against digital Armageddon. Meet Claire Bodine, the fiery televangelist with a penchant for preaching, and Nathan Rifkin, the cunning mastermind behind the world’s most addictive video games.
As a cross-platform virus sweeps across the globe, turning our beloved devices into tools of destruction, Claire and Nathan find themselves thrust into a high-stakes game of survival. Armed only with their outdated BlackBerrys and an unshakeable resolve, they must navigate a treacherous landscape of interconnected smartphones and sinister plots. But this isn’t just a battle against code and circuits — it’s a clash of ideologies. Claire sees the hand of Satan behind the chaos, while Nathan smells a geopolitical conspiracy. And as the clock ticks down and the world teeters on the brink of collapse, they must put aside their differences and confront a common enemy.
Buckle up, log on and head down the rabbit hole to join Claire and Nathan on a journey that will test their faith, their wit and the very essence of what it means to be human.
Michael Wolk, author of the cyber thriller DevilsGame, has written screenplays (Innocent Blood, Warner Bros., directed by John Landis), mystery novels (“The Beast on Broadway,” “The Big
Picture,” “Signet”) and plays (“Femme Fatale,” “Broadway Play Publishing”). He wrote the book, music and lyrics for “Deep Cover” (New York Musical Theatre Festival) and for “Ghostlight
9” (Cherry Lane Theatre) and wrote the book for the musical, “The Pilot and the Little Prince,” currently premiering in Poland at Katowice Miasto Ogrodow.
He is also a Broadway producer (“Job,” “Once Upon A Mattress,” “The Hills of California,” “Prince of Broadway,” “Pacific Overtures,” “A Class Act,” and the forthcoming “The Karate Kid”), and has also produced at Lincoln Center (“Musashi and Temple of the Golden Pavilion”), Kennedy Center (“Up In The Air”), BAM (“MacBeth”), George Street Playhouse (“The Pianist”), and in Central Park (“Japan Day @ Central Park 2007-2017) as well as in the U.K. (“Kenrex” premiere at Sheffield Theatre).
He founded the nonprofit All For One Theater, which has staged over 50 solo shows off-Broadway since 2011. He directed the award-winning documentary “You Think You Really Know Me: The Gary Wilson Story,” which screened at the Film Society of Lincoln Center (Plexifilm DVD). He is a member of the Dramatists Guild and works and lives in Times Square.
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
Jordan seems to reflect current events and project them into
the future; conversely, he looks at historic events and the inception of our nation.
I enjoyed the concepts of honor and trust particularly as
they are so rare in today’s political world.
I recommend the book, I wasn’t entranced with Jordon’s writing style but I really enjoyed his message.
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
I read my first Feist in 1995. I’ve attempted to read every ensuing book as
I like his books that much. This book
is no exception. It is like walking into
your favorite watering hole and seeing some old friends you haven’t seen in
ages. I won’t mention who is back but rest assured you will enjoy the book. The
villain is, again, the Void.
There are some new heroes and some new Void pawns in the
form of religious fanatics. There is
plenty of action and an interesting sidebar story.
I recommend both the author and this 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
I’ve suffered the bricks and sticks when I previously stated
that my dislike of a character limited my enjoyment of a book. So bet it!
I didn’t like the main protagonist, resulting in a struggle to like the
book.
The subject matter is enjoyable. Shapeshifting is almost always fun to
read. I struggled to get into the story
while liking the culinary talents of Luna, her personality was repugnant. I have not doubt the author crafted Luna to
be who she was but for me, I want to like the main protagonist.
There is a second volume and for those who do not suffer my malady
of character likeability, it looks interesting.
Some mild not overly detailed violence with a somewhat
confusing 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
The Thing is back with a crew of astounding diversity. Tubal Last is still chasing them. The Thing, a sentient bioship is still experimenting
with its identity. The ship docks at
Coralind and their troubles begin.
Captain Niko seems to be as much a peacemaker as a ship’s Captain. Coralind’s festival provides the setting for
all the troubles that occur. The
sentient bio-system that functions as the planetoid’s governor and chief
engineer is an old friend of Captain Niko.
Darby, the intelligent chimp and executive officer makes a soul-shaking discovery.
Atlanta, the “heir” to an empire or simply a disinformation
clone, comes into her own while discovering the nature of a paladin.
The plot is complicated by a paranoid, vengeance-driven Gnarl Grusson
who will stop at nothing to harm Niko.
Multiple plots, entertaining characters, and exotic settings
characterize the 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
Raine is back and now she is Bad! She finds and loses love and thinks she faces two great evils to discover that they are one and the same. She also discovers that she is capable of things she never dreamed of being able to do, both ethically and physically.
My previous review noted my frustration with Raine’s whining insecurity. This in some ways doubled and decreased simultaneously.
The book abounds with monsters, true villains and some not actually villainy villains. There is plenty of action, magic and surprises.
I enjoyed the book and the conclusion the author crafted.
\
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
Overcaptain by L.E.
Modesitt
I believe that Modesitt is a philosopher who disguises his
work as fictional. Alyiakal is a Mirror
Lance officer who is entirely too successful for the comfort of his superiors. Unbeknownst to them for his continued life is
his hidden Magi talent. He surreptitiously
uses his talent to complete missions that would be suicide for most young
officers. The book details his remote
relationship with Saelora a young woman with Merchanter talent.
While the relational aspects of the book are entertaining
what captures me is the soul-searching Alyiakal does in accomplishing his tasks
as well as his contemplations on why the government is assigning said tasks. It isn’t too hard to extrapolate his musings
to the insidious relationships that exist between some of our government
agencies and the industrial complexes that provide them with their goods and weapons.
Take the $1000.00 wrench urban myth or truth as an example.
Occasionally I find the day-to-day descriptions somewhat
plodding. They do not detract from the thought-provoking aspects of the book.
I highly recommend all of Modesitt’s books.
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 Pendergast family is well represented in the chapter of their story. Constance Greene plays a more important role, too. The story seemed too familiar initially and I thought I might have previously read the book. However, it was merely setting up the back story which I like.
There is a
wealth of action, violence abounds, settings are both sumptuous and exotic as
in a pirate tunnel. The age of conspicuous
consumption and international intrigue is alluded to and demonstrated as in the
Rockefeller cottage.
I enjoyed the
lavish settings and the intricate and violent plots and seeing surprising spots
of sunshine is some normally dire characters.
I highly
recommend.
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 perspective of the book is focused on a different kind
of bigotry. Rafe’s dad is determined to
make a man out of his son and his methodology leaves much to desire.
Emile, adopted, wants to find her biological sister. Jeremy is an internationally known people
finder. Emile turns to him for help
without realizing she is the catalyst for a more in-depth story.
In a faraway land with unicorns and dragons, the story uses fantasy
as an allegory.
Shaffer handles questions of gender identity tactfully. The story carefully incorporates some LGBTQ
issues in a manner not likely to offend anyone.
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
In a thrilling blend of historical fiction and steampunk adventure, Matthew Donald's "Teslanauts" (August 16, 2022, Lyra Publishing) introduces us to seventeen-year-old Raymond Calvert, whose life is forever changed when he embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about his missing father. Raymond's search leads him to a hidden base beneath the Hudson River in New York, where he discovers the Teslanauts, a secretive organization led by the brilliant Nikola Tesla. Armed with advanced electrical technology, the Teslanauts work behind the scenes to keep the world safe.
Q&A for Matthew Donald
Where do you come up with your ideas? A: There’s a huge pool of wildly interloping wackiness in my brain at all times, this pool being a stew mixed up of all the sci-fi and fantasy books I read when I was younger, silly blockbuster movies chock-full of CGI, a lot of video games either strategy or shooter, and whatever nonsense I’ve concocted myself. Often I imagine the scenes in my head as movies while listening to instrumental music and bouncing around my house, or often ideas come flooding to me in the shower. You ever realize just how much showers stir creative juices? It’s crazy!
What sets you apart from other historical fiction writers? A: Admittedly my historical fiction reading is a bit limited and mostly from my earlier years, but one thing I recall from the specific books I read is that they were a bit dry and humorless. Obviously this doesn’t apply to every historical fiction book and may not actually apply to very many of them at all, but I remember that these stories were rarely fun and were often about the hardships of the time in order to educate us spoiled modern audiences and remind us of how easy we have it now in comparison. While there’s definitely a bit of that in both books in my Teslanauts series, I also made sure the ton of them were a lot more fun and adventurous, with a lot of banter and pulpy action.
Why do you like to write? What got you started in writing? A: I
love writing because I love being creative. I love coming up with wacky ideas
and putting them down, either in written form or some other venue. When I was
younger I made stop-motion LEGO movies, my favorite of which involving my
cockatiel at the time stomping around a LEGO city like a giant monster with thunderous stomping
sound effects added with each step of her claws. In my college years I often
made games, usually simple ones but occasionally ones more complex like
strategy games based on the world of my books. And lately I’ve been seriously
thinking about making an animated movie based on my Megazoic books using computer-animation software both 2D and 3D and
a little bit of AI to aid with some of the busywork. Book-writing just came
about for me as another outlet for my creativity, and I really started getting
into it in high school. I remember writing a fantasy trilogy with books bigger
than any of my current ones before I went to college, and no one else other
than a few online friends at the time has ever or will ever read it due to how
amateurish it is compared to my writing now. I’ve grown so much more as a
writer since then, but I’m glad I wrote that story and I am proud of it to a degree.
What books from your childhood really influenced your writing? A: I really enjoyed the fantasy works of Michael A. Stackpole, T.A. Barron, Christopher Paolini, and Terry Brooks when I was in high school, and as a millennial I also quite enjoyed the tie-in LEGO Bionicle chapter books by Greg Farshtey and C.A. Hapka that came out throughout that toyline’s run. I read those until I was way too old for them, but boy did I enjoy them and I still have them all on my bookshelf at home. I also liked reading the sci-fi thrillers by Michael Crichton, particularly Jurassic Park and Timeline. The former is actually quite different from the movie adaptation, and it’s very interesting to compare the two. I also enjoyed the Anonymous Rex books by Eric Garcia, and in contrast to the Bionicle books I read those at way too young of an age than I should have. I’ll never forget telling my parents at the dinner table about a scene with this T. rex character throwing out F-bombs left and right, and my dad humorously stated “If a T. rex could talk, I imagine it would throw out F-bombs all the time.” Just imagining the T. rex roaring in Jurassic Park, but rather than an animalistic bellow it’s shouting “F**** YOUUUUUUU!!!” is very funny and oddly kind of fitting.
Can readers expect more from the Teslanaut series? A: Of course! I have five books planned total, so after Teslamancer there are three more to go. It will continue to go on throughout the decades, with the plan being to eventually go into World War 2 and deal with the consequences of this technology in that kind of setting. While Raymond Calvert is the main character of both books one and two and will also be in the upcoming third installment as well, the plan is for a new character to take the reins in books four and five, as by that point Raymond might be getting a little old for young adult audiences to relate to at a degree I’d like. You’ll have to see who that is, but it’ll be fun! Just stick around and be preparing for an electrifying experience! Yay, Tesla puns!
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
Olivia discovers that San Franciso’s weirdness has roots in its
otherworldly denizens. Olivia finds her political
consultant skills required to maintain stability in the world.
There is a wide range of fantasy characters with a surprising
semi-official governing body that is in charge of balancing off the negativity
of the devil.
This book focuses more on interpersonal relationships than
action. A young woman delves into her well
of talent while developing connections to others. Olivia discovers empathy may be overrated.
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
This is a psychological or perhaps astrological series of
stories that are loosely tied through a script writer or substitute teacher.
The Full Moon Coffee Shop only appears at a full moon and
seems to appear to people who may be as a cusp in their life.
The unusual serving staff prompt the patrons to evaluate
their personas.
This was a bit of a strange book that I wasn’t overly
captivated by regardless of some of the interesting characters.
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
This book focuses on lying, and ghosts or pseudo ghosts, not
sure which. . Hannah, Leah, and their
mother have a very complicated relationship.
Events spiral after one of them dies.
I’m a Durst fan. I inevitably like her books. This is the
first one that I am decidedly lukewarm about.
There is a premise regarding lies that is thought-provoking. If lies are told convincingly enough and with
great frequency, do they create a life of their own? One merely has to look at
the political climate to see there is some accuracy to the premise.
I never invested in any of the characters and wasn’t fond of
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
Galva is a Raven Knight.
Not ordinary Ravens but magically enhanced war ravens.
In the course of the war, Galva discovers an unknown aspect
of her beloved ravens that is devastating to the goblins.
The book has some interesting interrelationships between
friends, lovers and family. There is
magic accompanied by monsters and heroes.
This was a delightful tale despite describing the horrors of
war.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, and highly 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
I recommend the book if you are patient.
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
Essays on Writing, Science Fiction, and Fantasy by Ursula K.
Le Guin
With a new introduction by Ken Liu
“We like to think we live in daylight, but half the world is
always dark; and fantasy, like poetry, speaks to the language of the night”: so
begins Ursula Le Guin’s famed essay collection, THE LANGUAGE OF THE NIGHT:
Essays on Writing, Science Fiction, and Fantasy, which Scribner will proudly
reissue on May 14, 2024.
URSULA K. LE GUIN (1929–2018) was the celebrated author of
twenty-three novels, twelve volumes of short stories, eleven volumes of poetry,
thirteen children’s books, five essay collections, and four works of
translation. Her acclaimed books received the Hugo, Nebula, Endeavor, Locus,
Otherwise, Theodore Sturgeon, PEN/Malamud, and National Book Awards; a Newbery
Honor; and the Pushcart and Janet Heidinger Kafka Prizes, among others. In
2014, she was awarded the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished
Contribution to American Letters, and in 2016 joined the short list of authors
to be published in their lifetimes by the Library of America. Le Guin was also
the recipient of the Association for Library Service to Children’s May Hill
Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award and the Margaret A. Edwards Award. She received
lifetime achievement awards from the World Fantasy Convention, Los Angeles
Times, Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, and Willamette Writers, as
well as the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Grand Master Award
and the Library of Congress Living Legend Award. Her website is
UrsulaKLeGuin.com.
KEN LIU is an award-winning American author of speculative
fiction. His collection, The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories, has been
published in more than a dozen languages. Liu’s other works include The Grace
of Kings, The Wall of Storms, The Veiled Throne, and a second collection The
Hidden Girl and Other Stories. He has been involved in multiple media
adaptations of his work, including the short story “Good Hunting,” adapted as
an episode in Netflix’s animated series Love, Death + Robots; and AMC’s Pantheon,
adapted from an interconnected series of short stories. “The Hidden Girl,” “The
Message,” and “The Oracle” have also been optioned for development. Liu
previously worked as a software engineer, corporate lawyer, and litigation
consultant. He frequently speaks at conferences and universities on topics
including futurism, machine-augmented creativity, the history of technology,
and the value of storytelling. Liu lives with his family near Boston,
Massachusetts.
On-sale May 14, 2024
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
Finally, a protagonist I can relate to, Lukan is stubborn,
driven, prone to unwise verbal outbursts and emotionally vulnerable which leads
to overcompensation. Oh, he also drinks
too much. Lukan is on a quest due to a
promise he makes. The quest is arduous and leads him to unforeseen perils.
Lukan’s personality is off-set by Flea who provides him with
a street-wise sidekick who protects his undeserved six.
There is magic, monsters, greed, mysteries, treachery,
perfidy, and action. What more could
you want.
I highly recommend the book and can’t wait for the sequel.
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 book is set in a feudalistic world with some Fagan components. Implacable supernatural enemies and powerful political
forces are abundant in the book. Ari is
a complex child and an adult with a self-created complex identity.
Despite my frustrations, I will be reading the next
volume. I enjoyed it but am just not
fond of the story structure.
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
This may or may not be a dystopian story, I never could
tell. There is a wealth of gods,
characters, and monsters. It really
needed a backstory. I vaguely remembered
the plot but the complexity of the book made my recollection quite foggy.
The likeability of characters is a major criterion of how much I enjoy a book. I liked Mal but was a bit indifferent about Dawn and Tera. Frankly, the number of characters was a bit overwhelming. The book has aspects I enjoyed but it will never land on my most liked books page.
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 book forcefully makes you look at how you look at people
of another color. Race is the plot's
focus, but the situations posed are not just plot devices. Baldacci weaves a mystery around social
commentary. I’m not privy to Baldacci’s
thoughts but from my perspective, the book abounds with similes that apply to
current events.
I always enjoy David Baldacci’s writing but this book may
have provided more fodder for introspection than any of his other many books I’ve
read.
I applaud his courage to tackle a controversial topic.
I highly recommend it.
After finishing the
fourth book of this series I must reiterate that the author is fond of
complexity and that forces you to pay attention. On that note, Dorin from earlier
books is now Dancer. Wu is now Kellanved. Luckily Esslemont who is still Esslemont the
author, provides a list of characters in the preface. Succinctly the plot is
that Kellanved wants to conquer the known world.
Esslemont will introduce a character, provide significant details to their portrait, and then abandon them for a hundred pages.
There are oddities and characters to appeal to any appetite. Giants, shape-shifters, semi-sentient cyborg monsters, gods, demi-gods, mages, warriors, soldiers, frankly if you have read any fantasy, you will probably find a character to identify with in this book.
Again a strong admonishment that due to Esslemont’s attention to detail and the complexity of the plot, I would recommend reading the books in order and pay strict attention to what you read.
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
First kudos to Bennet for the creative use of botany, which
underpins the entire storyline. The empire
is threatened by seaborn (e) titans.
Concentric semicircle walls protect the population with the gentry occupying
the safest section. Din and Engraver is
paired as an assistant to Ana an investigator in a tiny backwater of the
empire. They are drawn into an
insidious plot to possibly destroy the empire.
Din, with secrets, serves Ana who
has greater secrets, the two end up with the daunting task of discovering who
is threatening the empire.
Bennet’s creativity is captivating. The plot is important but I found myself
looking forward to seeing what new graft or contagion might shift the storyline. The types of characters let alone the
mystery of the titans made this difficult to put down.
Other books by Bennett I’ve enjoyed and reviewed are below,
click on the links to see the review.
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
