Review of Protocol 7 (Arctica Trilogy) by Armen Gharabegian

Protocol 7 (Arctica Trilogy)by Armen Gharabegian 3*
BLURB: 2039: Simon Fitzpatrick, a brilliant Oxford professor, grieves over the recent and mysterious death of his father Oliver, who has disappeared in Antarctica. An unexpected friend from Simon’s past appears on his doorstep with an encrypted message from Oliver, leading him to believe his father may still be alive. Simon soon embarks on a mission which takes him half way around the world in search of his Father.
A recent quarantine of Antarctica by the United Nations makes his journey almost impossible and dangerous. Through this perilous journey to find his Father, Simon uncovers a conspiracy beyond his imagination; a revelation of global consequence and one of the greatest secrets ever kept.
My Review: This was a NetGalley Review copy Ever read a book that sounded as it it was edge of the seat exciting only for it to turn out to be like wading through the quagmire? Well that's what this book was like. There were some really good parts and the characters were all very interesting but it kept getting bogged down by unnecessary stuff.

Review of The Darwin Elevator by Jason M Hough

The Darwin Elevator by Jason M Hough 4*
BLURB: In the mid-23rd century, Darwin, Australia, stands as the last human city on Earth. The world has succumbed to an alien plague, with most of the population transformed into mindless, savage creatures. The planet’s refugees flock to Darwin, where a space elevator—created by the architects of this apocalypse, the Builders—emits a plague-suppressing aura.
Skyler Luiken has a rare immunity to the plague. Backed by an international crew of fellow “immunes,” he leads missions into the dangerous wasteland beyond the aura’s edge to find the resources Darwin needs to stave off collapse. But when the Elevator starts to malfunction, Skyler is tapped—along with the brilliant scientist, Dr. Tania Sharma—to solve the mystery of the failing alien technology and save the ragged remnants of humanity.
My Review: This was a NetGalley review copy The book didn't leave me on a cligghanger nor was I unsatisfied with the ending but some question were left at the end for me. Who are the Builders and why are they (maybe) helping humanity? Guess that means I'm ready for book two to find out. If you like traditional Science Fiction with mutants, unknown aliens and a really nasty bad guy then you will want to read this one.

Reviewing The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

The 5th Wave by Ricky Yancey 5*
BLURB:After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.
Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.
My Review:Review copy from Penguin via Netgalley Book out May 7th 2013 I've not read a book by this author before but he is going on my auto buy list after this one! He writes characters that are so distinctive that even without any names you know which one is doing the narration. He also makes the situations so real that, like the characters, you don't know which one to trust. To top it off he gives the reader plenty of gut wrenching action and insight into the psyche of people in a war situation. If you've read The Host, I Am Number Four or Ender's Game you will probably like this one - I certainly did!

Why did I wait so long?

Power Play: Resistance by Rachel Haimowitz and Cat Grant 5*
BLURB:Give me six months, and I'll give you the world.
Brandon McKinney has scraped and sacrificed for what little in life he’s ever had. Though it’s been fifteen years since he escaped his father’s abuse, the damage remains. Trust seems as far out of reach as his dream of becoming an architect, and though he’s come to accept being gay, he can’t deny the shame and confusion he feels at other urges—the deeply-repressed desire to submit.
Jonathan Watkins is a self-made Silicon Valley billionaire whose ex-wife took half his money and even more of his faith. Comfortable as a Dominant but wary of being hurt again, he resorts to anonymous pickups and occasional six-month contracts with subs seeking only a master, not a lover.
When a sizzling back-alley encounter cues Jonathan in to Brandon’s deep-seated submissive side, he makes the man an offer: Give me six months of your life, and I’ll open your eyes to a whole new world. Brandon doesn’t care about that; all he wants is the three million dollars Jonathan’s offering so he can buy the construction company he works for. But he soon learns that six months on his knees is no easy feat, and shame and pride may keep him from all he ever wanted—and all he never dreamed he had any right to have.
My Review: I've had this book in my To-Be-Read pile (or at least on my reader) for a long while now, and after reading it, I cannot understand what took me so long to get around to it. It was a fascinating story with well written characters. A very in depth relationship, with faults on both sides that needed to be overcome, made for an emotional and exhausting read.

Review of Hell's Faire

Hell's Faire by John Ringo 5*
BLURB: With the defenses of the Southern Appalachians sundered, the only thing standing between the ravening Posleen hordes and the soft interior of the Cumberland Plateau are the veterans of 555th Mobile Infantry. Dropped into Rabun Pass, with a couple of million Posleen behind them and fourteen million to the front, the only question is which will run out first: power, bullets or bodies. But they have a hole card: far to the north the shattered SheVa Nine is undergoing a facelift. Rising from its smoking ashes is a new weapon of war, armed with the most advanced weaponry Terra has ever produced, capable of facing both the Posleen hordes and their redoubtable space-cruisers. Capable of dealing out hell as only SheVa Nine can. If Mike O'Neal and the other members of the 555th are going to survive, it will come down to how much Posleen butt Bun-bun can kick. Prepare to eat antimatter, Posleen-boy.
My Review:Desperation, lack of hope, heroism and humour. It's all here in this latest book in John Ringo's Posleen War Series. I loved one of the main characters, Bun-bun, even though it's a Sheva gun not a person :D However all the people are so well written I actually felt as tired as they were whilst reading their exploits! Overall this was another great read for me.

Positively love Posleen War stories

When the Devil Dances (Posleen War #3)by John Ringo 5*
BLURB:After five years of battling invaders, human civilization prepares a strike to drive the aliens from the Earth. But the Clan-Lord of the Sten has learned from the defeats human have dealt him, and has his own battle plan. When he squares off against Major Michael O'Neal, the only winner will be Satan himself . . .
My Review: Everyone knows by now that one of my favourite genres is Military Science Fiction and this author is one of the reasons why. He writes alien invasion and humans fighting back with a grittiness and realism that I adore. The heat of battle and the hopelessness of the humans comes across with every word. All his characters are written with a deep understanding of the psychology of war and it's affects on those trying to survive it. However he lightens up the gore and horror with touches of humour, that turn up at just the right time to relieve the tension the reader is experiencing. I just can't find anything negative to say about his Posleen war stories.

The Zenn Scarlett cover is absolutely beautiful!

Zenn Scarlett by Christian Schoon 3*
BLURB:Zenn Scarlett is a bright, determined, occasionally a-little-too-smart-for-her-own-good 17-year-old girl training hard to become an exoveterinarian. That means she’s specializing in the treatment of exotic alien life forms, mostly large and generally dangerous. Her novice year of training at the Ciscan Cloister Exovet Clinic on Mars will find her working with alien patients from whalehounds the size of a hay barn to a baby Kiran Sunkiller, a colossal floating creature that will grow up to carry a whole sky-city on its back.
But after a series of inexplicable animal escapes from the school and other near-disasters, the Cloister is in real danger of being shut down by a group of alien-hating officials. If that happens, Zenn knows only too well the grim fate awaiting the creatures she loves.
Now, she must unravel the baffling events plaguing her school, before someone is hurt or killed, before everything she cares about is ripped away from her and her family forever. To solve this mystery – and live to tell about it – Zenn will have to put her new exovet skills to work in ways she never imagined, and in the process learn just how powerful compassion and empathy can be.
My Review: I received this through NetGalley for review
I enjoyed the book and found the world building quite adequate. The alien animals were well described and the problems Zenn encountered trying to learn how to treat them was about what I would have expected. The sub plot of someone trying to sabotage the cloister should have been the main plot as it was much more interesting than following a trainee vet around every day! Aside from the excessive repeating and stilted dialogue, this was a fun read that was a little spoiled by the ending, which was a blatant hook to buy book two.

Great Science Fiction for Teens!

A Leap Of Fate: The Raulden Gambit by Gary Fortenot 4*
BLURB: A Leap of Fate is a story that will take you from the far-flung planets of Caron and Rauld, to Earth and back again, intertwining the inhabitants of the vastly different worlds in miraculous fashion. The characters of these three planets meet only by the hand of fate, but then must join forces in deadly battle against an omnipresent foe of horrific evil…the Kreete. Half of the lead character is Kaskle Dangarth from the planet Caron. His home is a world in the developmental era when swords and bows ruled the armament and travel was by wagon, ship, animal, or foot. This planet has been overrun by a powerful alien culture known as the Kreete, which rules with brutal, merciless supremacy and demands payments from Kaskle’s civilization in the form of slavery and pleasure, gladiator type conflicts and total submission. Kaskle is a rogue mercenary once in the service of the evil planet lords but has since escaped and pledged to scour the surface of his world clean from the plight of those beings. The other half of the lead character is from Earth. Ron Allison is a run-of-the-mill guy with a normal job, a newlywed wife, and all the regular plans and worries that go with that. He is accidentally plucked from his ordinary life and whisked across the galaxy by a society of pacifist technological geniuses who find themselves in direct threat from the evil empire of ruthless beings…the Kreete Triad. Their plan for survival forces an impossibly chance combination of the body of Kaskle with that of Ron. Ron maintains his mental individuality after the fusion with Kaskle, due to the untimely death of the fierce warrior, and must quickly come to grips with what has happened to him in order to survive. He must surmount his doubts and fears, and use his newly acquired gifts to their limits so he might return to his own planet and the peaceful existence he once had. Ron teams up with the heroine of the story, Cache Kuar, one of the techno-wizards from the planet Rauld. She is also a formidable individual in her own right and is the person who caused both Kaskle and Ron to be recruited into the intergalactic struggle for planetary dominance. Initially she is out to protect her home planet from impending doom, but fervently intends to help liberate any others that might need her assistance. As proof of her commitment she offers them her people’s incredible advancements, as well as protection in the form of a superior fighter spacecraft which she has developed. It is the only known weapon that might stand up to those of the Kreete. All she needs is a worthy pilot! Cache helps Ron learn about his new abilities, trains him in the use of those gifts, and schools him in the history of Rauld and the villainous Kreete. Together they embark on a perilous mission that is fraught with tension and suspense as they fight both the enemy that threatens to destroy them and their own attraction to each other. The final battle high above the planet of Rauld is a blow-by-blow, pulse pounding blast…and the ending will make your jaw drop.
My Review A well written story, that had a taste of an old-fashioned Science Fiction superhero tale about it, a la Edgar Rice Burroughs or H Beam Piper. I enjoyed the fact that it was full of action and had well thought out science but was a little upset at the ending when Ron returns to Earth (won't say more as you need to read it yourselves).

The Planet Thieves by Dan Krokos 4*
BLURB:Two weeks ago, thirteen-year-old Mason Stark and seventeen of his fellow cadets from the Academy for Earth Space Command boarded the SS Egypt. The trip was supposed to be a short routine voyage to log their required spacetime for summer quarter. But routine goes out the airlock when they're attacked by the Tremist, an alien race who have been at war with humanity for the last sixty years. With the captain and the crew dead, injured, or taken prisoner, Mason and the cadets are all that's left to warn the ESC. And soon they find out exactly why the Tremist chose this ship to attack: the Egypt is carrying a weapon that could change the war forever. Now Mason will have to lead the cadets in a daring assault to take back the ship, rescue the survivors, and recover the weapon. Before there isn't a war left to fight.
My Review: I had the ARC of this from Net Galley. I just wish they had written books like this when I was a Teen as it was perfect reading for a YA (or a teen at heart like me!)The pace was racy and action packed, with so many twists to the story I was on a constant roller-coaster whilst reading it. I certainly couldn't put it down as it was so intense with well written characters and a plot that had me on the edge of my seat.

A trilogy of reviews

The Morcai Battalion (The Morcai Battalion #1) by Susan Kyle (aka Diana Palmer) 4 *
BLURB:In the very dream of peace lurked a monstrous treachery The galaxy is on the brink of disaster, the long-awaited truce torn apart by an unprovoked attack. The colony whose residents represented more than a hundred planets has been destroyed, and the new vision for unity in the universe is at risk. Faced with a war that would mean destruction and chaos, one man has stepped forward to lead those fighting for their lives. Undeterred by insurmountable odds, his courage inspires a team--the Morcai Battalion--to battle for the cause of peace...and love
My Review I have read Diana Palmer's romances in the past but they don't hold a torch to this Science Fiction novel by her and I wish she would write more of them. She has a deft touch with aliens and their psychology and this story was especially intense with the conflict between the different alien races. The characters were memorable and made me want to read more about all of them, not just the main two. The whole story was exciting and dramatic and made me glad there were more books to follow.


The Morcai Battalion: The Recruit (The Morcai Battalion #2) by Susan Kyle (aka Diana Palmer) 4*
BLURB:A human female combat surgeon faces the loss of her military career, and her life, as she uncovers a secret that could destroy her alien commander in this first of two sequels to the 2007 science fiction hardcover. THE MORCAI BATTALION: The Recruit continues the saga of Dr. Madeline Ruszel, the only female member of the elite alien Cehn-Tahr Holconcom commandos. A new recruit threatens her place in the unit as the Rojok war escalates.
My Review The story continues with the same main characters and their on going relationship causing more problems for everyone. The emotions were even more intense than in book one and I was delighted with the storyline's progression. I also felt for the new character (Mallory), who is brought in to take over from Ruszel, as she had so much trouble fitting in it was almost comical. Again I was driven to experience deep emotions whilst reading this.

Invictus (The Morcai Battalion #3)by Susan Kyle (aka Diana Palmer) 4*
BLURB:For almost three years Dtimun, the enigmatic and mysterious Cehn-Tahr commander of the Morcai Battalion, has been at war not only with the Rojok Dynasty, but also with his feisty Medical Chief of Staff, Dr. Madeline Ruszel. Now a surprising visitor from the future has charged them with the rescue of the enemy Rojok, Field Marshal Chacon. To ensure success, both Madeline and Dtimun must make personal sacrifices and attempt a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. Sparks fly as each twisting turn throws them closer together than they've ever been before—can they resist acting on desires they have long denied? If their plans are discovered, they face exile by their own governments and possibly even execution. But if they do not act, the future will see the end of civilization itself....
My Review This was a satisfactory conclusion to the trilogy, even though it had a lot more romance in it than I expected. I love the big reveal about Ruszel's 'old fellow' at the end (even though I had more or less guessed it for myself). I also loved the trilogy as a whole and can see myself reading all three books often.

As good as the prequel

Gabriel's Redemption by Steve Umstead 4*
BLURB: Can a disgraced Special Forces soldier find redemption, and will redemption cost him more than just his own life? North American Federation Navy Commander Evan Gabriel was dishonorably discharged after losing his covert team on a far off world called Eden. Now, he's being offered an opportunity to command a new team, on a new world, with a new mission, but the true motives behind the mission are unclear. From the decaying Caribbean to politically-charged South America, from the slums of Mars to a tiny colony on a planet six hundred light years from Earth, Gabriel's Redemption follows the disgraced Commander Gabriel as he leads a Special Forces team to an ice-bound world. Their given mission: to eradicate a drug cartel that is producing a highly-addictive stimulant brutally extracted from the bodies of the native inhabitants. Upon arriving, Gabriel and his team find the mission isn't exactly what it appeared to be, and that they weren't the only force dispatched to the planet. Gabriel's Redemption is a near-future military science fiction story of a personal journey seen from the perspective of a soldier who has lost everything; one who desperately needs to redeem himself not only in his government's eyes, but also his own. Interstellar action and political intrigue mix with one-on-one battles on the surface of a frozen planet in this exciting tale of salvation.
My Reveiw: As far as I am concerned the world building and the powerful imagery created by Steve Umstead was flawless.This was a lovely story with some really great twists and turns to it, along with wonderful characters and plenty of action, it was an experience not to be missed.

Found something I could finish :D

Dreamdancer by Chrystalla Thoma 4*
BLURB:Dreamdancers have fled their forests to live in the cities where humans consider them a lower race. The dreamdancer Aivar has fled the devastation of his homeland and must whore his dreams out to humans to scrape by day to day. To save a sick friend from death, he pretends to possess a higher level of dream control than he actually has. Such a deception, though, will not go unpunished.
My Reveiw: I liked this story but felt it was more of a prequel for a longer one. As this was my first read by this author I will have to check her book list to see if there are any more from this wonderful world she created.

Gabriel, Zero Point by Steve Umstead 4*
BLURB:Evan Gabriel wasn't always a feared and respected North American Federation Navy Commander. Before dangerous missions to the ice-bound planet of Poliahu, the deadly jungle world of Eden, and politically corrupt Mars, he was a simple recruit, fighting to make his mark in the elite Naval Special Forces...and was part of a top-secret military experiment that would change his life forever. Zero Point tells the tale before the science fiction/adventure trilogy, a tale of a young man faced with difficult choices and dangerous trials. Fans of the series will see part of the mysterious past Evan Gabriel carries with him, while readers new to the series get a preview of what is to come in a military man's haunted life. Zero Point is the true beginning of Evan Gabriel, and his story is just getting started
My Reveiw: This is a prequel to the Evan Gabriel Trilogy and it gives the reader a glimpse into Evan Gabriel's start as a Special Forces Soldier. As I am sure anyone who has read my reviews knows I love military Science Fiction and this one is almost as good as some of my favourite writers. I look forward to reading the Trilogy.

Could not finish!

A Month With Werewolves by K Matthew DNF
BLURB:A budding journalist trying to advance her career. A secluded werewolf reservation shrouded in mystery. A secret culture unexplored.
Taya Raveen has taken on the journalism assignment of a lifetime, the chance to spend a month in the infamous Blackfoot Werewolf Reservation, a government operated safe haven for werewolves that has never been seen by civilian eyes. Following a new detainee into the reservation, Taya will get a first-hand account of what it's like to be introduced to pack life.
My Review: Unfortunately this was not my kind of book even though the blurb seemed to say it was.
I know the main character is a journalist but I expected it to read less like a newspaper report of dry uninteresting facts than it actually did.

I've been lucky with my reading

Captive Prince Volume One by S U Pacat 5*
BLURB:Damen is a warrior hero to his people, and the rightful heir to the throne of Akielos, but when his half brother seizes power, Damen is captured, stripped of his identity, and sent to serve the prince of an enemy nation as a pleasure slave.
Beautiful, manipulative and deadly, his new master Prince Laurent epitomizes the worst of the court at Vere. But in the lethal political web of the Verethian court, nothing is at it seems, and when Damen finds himself caught up in a play for the throne, he must work together with Laurent to survive and save his country.
For Damen, there is just one rule: never, ever reveal his true identity. Because the one man Damen needs is the one man who has more reasons to hate him than anyone else.
My Review: This was an online read that has since been released as an ebook. It is a good read that is a part one so has an open ending that is not a cliff hanger. I was captivated by the characters and storyline. Even the world building was so good I felt I was there with them.

Captive Prince Volume Two by S U Pacat 5*
BLURB:With their countries on the brink of war, Damen and his new master Prince Laurent must exchange the intrigues of the palace for the sweeping might of the battlefield as they travel to the border to avert a lethal plot.
Forced to hide his identity, Damen finds himself drawn to the dangerous, charismatic Laurent. But as the fledgeling trust between the two men deepens, the truth of secrets from both their pasts is poised to deal them the crowning death blow
My Review:I found out that this was again an open ending that didn't actually leave me feeling as if I was in a cliff hanger situation. Again the characters and storyline sparkled and kept me intrigued to the very last word.

Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs 5*
BLURB:Shapeshifter Mercy Thompson's life is calming down, at least enough that she can focus on mundane matters like Black Friday sales. But on her return, Mercy is unable to contact her mate, Alpha Adam Hauptman, or the other members of their pack. All she knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. With the werewolves fighting a political battle to gain acceptance from the public, Mercy fears Adam's disappearance may be related - and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outclassed and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from the most unlikely of allies: the vampire seethe.
My Review: To quote Charlaine Harris from the front cover "I love these books". If Urban Fantasy comes any better than this I want to know who I should add to my autobuy list! Patricia Briggs drags you so deep into her characters lives it is a physical wrench to reach the end of the story.

Review of Stargazer Collection

Stargazer Collection by Anne Kane 3*
BLURB:Descended from the witches of old Earth, Stargazers have the ability to control the lines of psychic energy that join the planets and other heavenly bodies. They use their talents to bend the energy to their own use, much the same as the druids of Earth used to harness the ley lines. They can power space ships, run machinery on far away planets and detect people's presences from great distances. Highly sought after, both by legitimate sources who want to hire them and by pirates who enslave and sell them, they are constantly on guard. In this collection, five stargazers defy the odds and find love and adventure as they travel across the galaxy.
This collection contains the previously released Stargazer novellas Wanton, Wilful, Wild, Wayward and Star Haven: Sinful.
My Review: Whilst the five stories were very good I did find the main characters in them a little too quick at falling in love with each other. I also felt that the storylines were more like a framework for the author to hang the sex scenes on than adventures in their own right.

Space Wolf by Burley Ward 4*
BLURB:Girl One, Universe Zero
Dumped by Human Services into her brutish uncle's planetary homestead, eight-year-old Freedom refuses to lose. Null technology enabled man to flood the cosmos, spreading his ignorance and cruelty like a plague. When the rules of the universe are stacked against you, you have to make big plays. And Freedom is quite willing to make them. But her play gets her a puppy, Azrael, instead. A puppy? A special puppy? Right. Things couldn't possibly get any worse.
A word to the wise? Do not steal Azrael's little girl. Because he will find you. Even if you are light-years away.
When one's big moves cost friends their lives, one is a child no more. Everyone understands the rage social injustice brings. They demand it, even. But rage invokes an ancient justice, one that has stymied man since time immemorial. Freedom isn't the only player on the board, and hers are not the only moves in play. She is in a much bigger game than she knows. In the web of spacetime chaos, the little butterflies are the powerful ones.
My Review: A lovely story about the bond between a 'pet' & it's owner. I was a little surprised that the religious aspects didn't disturb me as I am not a very religious person, I think it was because it was such an integral part of Freedom's character. I know it was not intrusive nor did it attempt to convert the reader which is how it should be. I really admired the courage and fortitude of Freedom, she was a very special character. Mind you I have to admit to loving Azrael the Space Wolf best, he was a very, very special animal.


Reborn In Amber (A Bloodsworn Tale) by Kathy Lane 5*
BLURB:Sometimes you have to die to get a second chance at love. Princess Zurine, acting ambassador for Mystia, can hardly believe her eyes. Kiel was supposed to have died in a blizzard over a year ago. Not only is he alive, he's a Silver Blade, a warrior in the service of her brother's enemy. What else did he lie to her about—besides loving her? When Kiel became Blade sick, he faked his death and gave up the woman he loves. Now, the link with his Bloodsworn is fading, and he must see Zurine to explain. Without access to the planet's magic he will surely die, yet he prefers death to a life without her. Magic sparks a passionate confrontation when Kiel and Zurine face each other and the truth. Can two star-crossed lovers find their second chance at love? Or will a deadly plot prevent Kiel's rebirth in amber?
My Review: A Bloodsworn story that has all the magic, emotion and depth of character that any reader of the series could ever want.

Review of Dragon Call?

Dragon Call by Emily Ryan-Davis 2*
BLURB:Cora Phillips has witchcraft in her blood, but she's convinced she inherited the recessive rather than the dominant trait. Her mother and sister are the real heiresses to the Lune tradition; Cora has neither the interest nor the inclination to take up the Dragonkeeper mantle. Years ago, she left the New York City Witch lifestyle to the other women in her family, and said goodbye to all the velvet and lace. However, during a moment of insomnia-induced insanity, she agrees to come back to celebrate Christmas/Winter Solstice with her family. It comes as a shock to all three women when Cora, through clumsy fumblings to "get in touch with her goddess" at her sister's urging, calls a pair of ancient dragons into her meditation circle. Cora swears it's a mistake. Her mother swears it's the correct course of events. Eventually, every Dragonkeeper issues the call to mate. Problem is, nobody expected Cora to summon even a single dragon, let alone two. Before long, the dragons' guardians come knocking, literally, and ruin any hope of politely apologizing and returning the creatures.
My Review: I sort of liked it, especially as it was about dragons, but it is very much part one of a longer story. Also the Heroine really needed to chill! Yet another good story spoilt by having a cliff hanger ending!
n.b. I couldn't find the original title I have on my reader - seems it has now been changed to Mating Call (Dragon Queen #1) which would have been a good warning for me about the series nature of the story!!

Review of Revenge of the Taken (Humble Walker book 1) by Shane Scollins 4*
BLURB: Every year in America, thousands of women disappear never to be seen again, and one man has dedicated his life to finding them... Humble Walker has an amazing gift rooted deep in an ancient Navajo legend. It's a power that may be as limitless as his imagination, if he could only learn how to control it. Waging a clandestine war in the shadows of the New York City underground, Humble has taken on an unassuming drug research facility, abducting women for nefarious mind control experiments. They're powerful, corrupt, and have perfected a brain-altering narcotic like the world has never seen. Beautiful and spunky Kat Carson is the latest victim. Taken from her comfortable suburban life, she represents a tipping point in the ongoing battle, but all she wants is her life back. With the help of Humble and a small band of refugees, she has a fighting chance. Even with the best plans, things can go horribly wrong. Unthinkable betrayal derails their efforts and backs them into a corner. But, that is the one place you don't want to put Humble Walker
My Review: An unusual story that kept me engrossed to the last page. I did however feel as if the story was a little unfinished (and as yet there is no Humble Walker book 2). Some questions I have about Humble and Kat are still unanswered.

Review of The Alien War Anthology by Kyle Pratt 4*
BLURB:Twenty years after the death of her father during the Battle of Altair, Lieutenant Amy Palmer returns to the system as an officer aboard the reconnaissance ship Mirage. Almost immediately disaster strikes and Amy, along with the crew of the Mirage, must face the possibility of performing their final duties. Final Duty is a novella set in the same universe as the other two stories in this anthology.
My Review: Three short stories from my favourite sub genre - military science fiction. All of them were well written, individually interesting and the last one was most poignant. The characters were well written with a real understanding of the mind set of military people.

One Online read and One Ebook read

Review of Reifu Rising by Becca Abbott 4*
BLURB: Loki was an ilthiyan prince, one of the vampire race who existed uneasily with the humans on the planet of Gaia. In the middle of a hunt on human lands, he captured a spirited young human male. Sid was a thief and an outcast, and to be captured by a vampire seemed only the latest misfortune in a life defined by them. But Loki decided to keep Sid instead of kill him and that decision would thrust them both into a whirlwind of treachery, intrigue -- and love
My Review: Even though I spend only three hours a day online this story was well worth the time spent reading it. The depth of world building and character portrayal was excellent and I wished many a time that I could have read it on my reader so that I didn't have to keep stopping.

Review of Apocalypsis 1: Kahayatle by Elle Carson 4*
BLURB:Apocalypsis is a 3-book series, YA Science Fiction/Action Adventure. Book 1 is called Kahayatle. The series features a post-apocalyptic world where only teens have survived, providing the background for main character Bryn Mathis, a young girl with only her wits and krav maga martial arts skills to help her survive. She hooks up with a neighbour and a German exchange student and makes her way from Orlando, Florida down to the one place she thinks she might be safe from the roaming gangs of kids who will do anything and eat anything to survive.
My Review: This was marketed as YA which was doing it a disservice. I believe that this would appeal to a much wider readership. My only complaints are of a personal nature. Firstly I was left wondering why only the 10 -20 year olds survived and how the people knew it was going to happen ahead of the event. Secondly it ended on a minor cliff hanger!

Review of Ward of the Vampire by Kallysten

Ward of the Vampire by Kallysten 4*

Coming in March

BLURB:It’s THE party of the season. Socialites, artists and A-list stars have been invited to Morgan Ward’s birthday bash, including Angelina’s boss, Delilah.
For months, Angelina has been looking at the preparations from afar, but never did she imagine that, come the day, Miss Delilah would put her in a gorgeous gown and bring her along as her ‘plus one.’
Wandering from crowded room to crowded room in the sumptuous mansion, Angelina grows overwhelmed and escapes onto a balcony, only to find it occupied by her host. That first meeting leaves her struggling for her very life, but she soon gets an unexpected do-over.
Meeting Morgan Ward for the first time all over again, Angelina finds herself falling into his arms… But is it all only a fantasy?
My Review:This was a review ARC from the author in return for an honest review.
I found the conversational style of narrative quite pleasant. It was as if a good friend was just bringing me up to date with her life since we'd last been together. The actual story was an interesting one that left the way open for the author to carry it forward without leaving the reader hanging.

Sky Dragons, Open Minds and Alien Sex!

Three reviews today:

Sky Dragons by Todd & Anne McCaffrey 5*
BLURB:From the New York Times bestselling mother-and-son team of Anne McCaffrey and Todd McCaffrey comes the final instalment in the riveting Pern saga that began with Todd’s solo novel, Dragonsblood. Now, with all of Pern imperilled by the after effects of a plague that killed scores of dragons and left the planet helpless against the fall of deadly Thread, the only hope for the future lies in the past. There, on an unexplored island, a group of dragonriders led by Xhinna, a brave young woman who rides the blue dragon Tazith, must battle lethal Mrrows and voracious tunnel-snakes to build a safe home for themselves and the dragons, whose offspring will one day—if they survive—replenish Pern’s decimated dragon population. But as the first female rider of a blue dragon, and the first female Weyrleader in the history of Pern, Xhinna faces an uphill battle in winning the respect and loyalty of her peers . . . especially after an unforeseen tragedy leaves the struggling colony reeling from a shattering loss. Amid the grieving, one girl, Jirana, blessed—or cursed—with the ability to foresee potential futures, will help Xhinna find a way forward. The answer lies in time . . . or, rather, in timing it: the awesome ability of the dragons to travel through time itself. But that power comes with risks, and by venturing further into the past, Xhinna may be jeopardizing the very future she has sworn to save.
My Review: Another time travelling trip on Pern. This time we get to know the people and dragons from an unconventional Weyr with a female blue dragon rider leading the way forward. The numerous problems they face lead to a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Have a tissue or two handy.

Open Mind (Mindjack Trilogy #1) by Susan Kaye Quinn 5*
BLURB: Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someone who can’t read thoughts or be read by others. Zeros are outcasts who can’t be trusted, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader and the best friend she secretly loves. When she accidentally controls Raf’s mind and nearly kills him, Kira tries to hide her frightening new ability from her family and an increasingly suspicious Raf. But lies tangle around her, and she’s dragged deep into a hidden world of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.
My Review: What can I say about this book that won't sound overly gushing? Well I can tell you it's one of the best mind power stories I have read in a long time. The concept and execution were both new and fresh and I hope the following books continue this excellent start to the Mindjacker series.

Alien Sex 104 by Allie Ritch 4*
BLURB:Huv has always liked the ladies, but he’s getting to the age when he’s ready for more than one-night stands. After meeting Lexy, he finds it very easy to fall for the sexy alien in her female form, but that’s only half the equation. Lexy is Cedecian. Every month, her race changes genders. Huv suffers a sexual identity crisis as he struggles to accept that the woman he loves may also be the man he loves. For an Allurian who is used to being strictly straight, it’s an adjustment Huv isn’t sure he can make. Expecting Glynn to pop the question, Deina is shocked when he instead asks her to have his baby … or at least try. As a Semhym, Glynn must find a woman with just the right chemistry to help him spill his seed before it’s too late. He thinks Deina may be the one, but he wants to be sure. In order to win her over, he’ll have to gamble for the highest stakes of all: sex, love, and the rest of their lives
My Review: This was a prize won in a competion Even though I haven't read the previous three books I had no problems jumping into the series. I enjoyed the three couples featured in this book and I'm definitely going to get the others to find out more about the relationships touched on in this one