Book Review: Sands by Kevin L. Nielsen

"Time slowed. Something inside Lhaurel screamed out. Something deep and  primal that she had felt only twice before clawed to the surface and unleashed a torrent of seething energy and rage."
- Sands by Kevin L. Nielsen 

When Future House Publishing asked me to review the Sands and its sequel Storms I was immediately interested. The synopsis made it sound like an action packed book with people with abilities. And it was but there was a lot more to it.

Goodreads Synopsis: 

For nine months of the year, the sands of the Sharani Desert are safe. The genesauri—giant, flying, serpentine monsters who hunt across the desert in enormous packs—lie dormant. The smallest of their kind is able to take down a single man with ease, and the largest is able to swallow entire clans. The people of the desert have always been able to predict the creatures’ appearance, but this year, the genesauri have stopped following the rules. 

When the genesauri suddenly attack her clan, seventeen-year-old Lhaurel draws a sword in her people’s defense—a forbidden practice for women of any clan—and is sentenced to death by her own people. Chained to a rock and left to be eaten by the next wave of genesauri, Lhaurel is rescued by a mysterious, elusive clan said to curse children at a glance, work unexplainable terrors, and disappear into the sands without a trace. 

With the fate of the clans hanging in the balance, Lhaurel discovers she possesses a rare and uncontrollable power—one that will be tested as the next deadly genesauri attack looms on the horizon and the clash between clans grows more inevitable by the hour. 

 At the beginning of this book Lhaurel struggles to find her place in this new world and is trying to figure out what is going on with her magic. Watching her go from the meek girl being forced into marriage into the warrior facing down her enemies was surreal. The author did an amazing job on her character development and it was so refreshing. 

The magic in this book was epic! I hate using that word but I can't think of anything else to use for it.  When I read the synopsis and saw that there was magic I was expecting the typical I can control the elements or stuff like that but the magic in this book was really different. 

Okay lets just take a minute to appreciate that plot twist at the end. Not the end end but like the last fifty pages when you have a pretty good idea about how this is going to go down. No. We get the full blown craziness train. It wasn't just one thing or even two it was like the author suddenly decided to take the story in a whole new direction but it was planed and just wow okay wow. Lets just say that I was grateful I had the second book cause I wouldn't have been able to wait for it. 

There were a couple times when it was hard to keep up with the book. I think maybe there was just a little to much going on and it was to much being thrown at the main character. But just a few instances. Most of the time it was just a smooth ride on the crazy train. I swear I sound like a lunatic.

If you enjoy fantasy, magic, betrayal (oo intrigue), clans, and a crazy, awesome, strong female lead then I recommend this books to you. 

My Rating: 3/5 Stars
Author: Kevin L. Nielsen
Genre: Fantasy
Published: 2015

Book Review: The Atheist by Alpha Cauwenbergh

"I think therefore I am... I think therefore I am... But I am not, and have never been. I have been thinking for years but still have yet to see evidence for my existence; I guess that is another human saying of theirs that I don't agree with. They are always in my thoughts and in my heart..." 
- The Atheist, Alpha Cauwenbergh.

 When Alpha emailed me and gave me the plot for his book I was intrigued. The idea for this story was unique. The idea of angel like creatures seeing over earth and splitting themselves, and half being punished by being sent to earth was different. Needless to say I accepted his book.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Julian, a mixed race boy from a broken home is 17 and in his last year of sixth form. After losing his mother in sudden and mysterious circumstances, he grew up with hate and resentment in his heart. His loving father, unable to tame him lives a life unfulfilled. Julian has long since lost faith in religious and academic institutions. God, to him, is nothing but a 3 letter word said by the delusional. 

But, he's about to be thrown in the middle of a war between two beings from a realm above the heavens. A war that transcends time and space, whose battle ground has become the very fabric of existence itself. Its warriors, like fallen Angels, live among us -- hidden within a program designed for their rehabilitation. Julian will rediscover beliefs and emotions he had long since discarded, have them brutally tested, witness things no other mortal man has -- and through these trials discover the true meaning of faith.

At the beginning of our book, Julian is a teenage boy with a bad attitude. He's been given a bad lot in life and that's caused him to be a closed off jerk to everyone around him. I loved watching Julian evolve throughout the story. The way he grew to care about the people in his life was really sweet. I loved Julians dad and how he would slip into French. The nun, Aeryn, was as un-nun-ish as you could get. She was fun and sassy and wouldn't let anyone push her around. I enjoyed seeing Aeryn and Julian interact. The way he wanted to protect her from the evil going on around them and the way she treated him as though he wasn't going to break. 

So our villain. When he came into the story I was horrified. He's despicable in every way. And he wasn't one of those evil characters you secretly loved. He was terrifying. Twisted and psychotic. Every time the story went to his point of view it gave me the creeps. 

I said earlier that the idea for this book was unique. It was in many ways not what I was expecting. I felt that the whole "angel" thing was a little confusing. As was the faith thing. In the end there wasn't a god (or is there and we just have to have faith...?) there were just these beings created from one split being living in another dimension above earth. If you just think in your mind that they're angels it makes the whole thing a little less confusing. I feel like the story could have focused a little less on Julians lack of faith in a god and more on his faith in humanity. 

Depending on your book taste I think this book would be enjoyable. If you don't mind the slow start and the slightly confusing angel thing then its definitely enjoyable. The characters are well developed and the world Alpha has created is interesting. Definitely give it a try. You can't go wrong with "sort of" fallen angels and a lone figure being earths only hope. 

My Rating: 3/5 Stars
Author: Alpha Cauwenbergh
Genre: Science Fiction
Published: 2015

Book Review: The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells

“By the toll of a billion deaths man has bought his birthright of the earth, and it is his against all comers; it would still be his were the Martians ten times as mighty as they are. For neither do men live nor die in vain.” 
- The War of the Worlds, by H. G. Wells

I'm not much of a science fiction reader and I probably wouldn't have ever picked this up if it weren't for my book club. Its one of the first books about alien invasion and it's so interesting. You know that this man wasn't influenced by other books or movies this all just came right out of his head. It's actually a little terrifying to think about it.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Man had not yet learned to fly when H.G. Wells conceived this story of a Martian attack on England. Giant cylinders crash to Earth, disgorging huge, unearthly creatures armed with heat-rays and fighting machines. Amid the boundless destruction they cause, it looks as if the end of the world has come.

The story follows a man who is at the scene of the first martian landing. We see the wonder, the terror, and the utter defeat he feels. The journey as he treks across England looking for safety and finding none. The ending is crazy and mind boggling but I think H. G. Wells went about the whole book brilliantly.

The man we follow is determined to live. And from the very first scene you can tell that hes going to fight before he just rolls over and accepts that life as he knows it is over. As he journeys he starts to see that humanity takes a lot for granted. We are the rulers of the earth and everything bows to our will. But when the martians come he see that we are like ants to the martians.

At the time this was written there were no planes and you have to wonder just how different it would be if aliens invaded earth now. We have a lot more fire power and I'd like to think we wouldn't be thrown into chaos and be picked off so easily.

Towards the end of the book we run into a character who has a whole system worked out to build tunnels under England and only allow the strong in. The whole save humanity by hiding and coming out to fight stronger thing. And I had to think how many dystopian books have I read where there's a community in hiding waiting to come out and fight? Really I think H. G. Wells had a time machine.

It struck me while reading that this book was more about the way humans act than the martians invading earth. When he describes the scenes where people are thrown into chaos it was horrifying. He put it in such a graphic way and when he described how the people were treating each other it was disgusting. But I've heard so many real life stories about how people act when they're scared and their only concern is for themselves it was believable.

But the main characters give you hope for humanity and that's something I loved about the book. You could see that even though there was no way that the one man could defeat a martian he was still going to try. You could count on it.

If you want a book that is going to make you think then I recommend this one. H. G. Wells was way beyond his time period and that fact just gives you more to digest as you read.

My Rating: 3/5 Stars
Author: H. G. Wells
Genre: Science Fiction
Published: 1898

Book Review: The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

“Miss Howard: I like a good detective story myself. Lots of nonsense written, though. Criminal discovered in last Chapter. Everyone dumbfounded. Real crime - you'd know at once.” 
The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Agatha Christie 

I didn't enjoy this Agatha Christie mystery as much as And Then There Were None and The Murder on the Orient Express, but it was still an incredibly well written and witty book. 

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Poirot, a Belgian refugee of the Great War, is settling in England near the home of Emily Inglethorp, who helped him to his new life. His friend Hastings arrives as a guest at her home. When the woman is killed, Poirot uses his detective skills to solve the mystery.

Agatha Christie mysteries always give me an unsettled feeling. They're amazing but some of them are so dark and witty they give me chills. I would make a terrible murderer. I wouldn't think of half the things the bad guys in her books do. I also wouldn't make a good detective. I'm rather day dreamy and never think quite clearly. 

We get to see a little bit of Ms. Inglethorp before her fit and I thought she was a bit of an annoying character. Honestly I wouldn't have blamed a couple of people in the house for trying to murder her. But of course the real reason she was so quickly gotten rid of was her fortune. No one can resist a large sum of money.

Like in most of her books, Agatha Christie keeps us guessing until the last page. There were a few times I thought I had it but then another clue would come up or that particular character would go and do something the exact opposite of what a murderer would do. 

I wasn't too surprised at the ending and that's why I think I didn't enjoy it a much as her other books that I've read. I think the whole thing where Hastings got aggravated at Poirot got to me to. I mean honestly Hastings if you don't get it shut up and listen like the rest of us.

All in all I really enjoyed the book. It's hard not to. If you like Agatha Christie then you'll enjoy it, but if you're new to her I suggest starting with And Then There Were None.

My Rating: 3/5 Stars
Author: Agatha Christie 
Genre: Mystery
Published: 1920

Book Review: The Faerie Guardian by Rachel Morgan

“Creepy Hollow?” He snorts. “Like Sleepy Hollow?”
“No, like Creepy Hollow. It has nothing to do with sleeping.” 
- The Faerie Guardian, Rachel Morgan

So after reading all five books in this series in a little over a week I'm in shock.  Seriously though what the heck just happened.  This series is so different from everything I've read recently and it. Was. Amazing.

Violet is one of the best guardian faeries in training and with graduation coming up shes completely focused and in the zone.  That is until one of her assignments decides to follow her back to the Fae realm.

When Ryn, Violets rival sees her with Nate he immediately tells the Guild.  Facing expulsion, Violet starts on a journey across the Fae realm to return Nate to his human home.  Easy enough for the Guilds top student.  That is until they're ambushed by evil Faeries, encounter a strange metal that can stop magic, and Nate's estranged mother shows up.

With first love in the air and an evil faerie hunting her Violet starts searching for answers.  Special powers, betrayal, and an old friendship gone wrong are only a part of the ride.  Whats happening in Creepy Hollow and can Violet stop it before everything she loves disappears?

As a little girl I had a fascination with all things magical and as a teen that's turned into a love for fantasy.  This book didn't leave my craving for magic unfilled.  Rachel Morgan takes the old idea of Faeries and turns it into a new and unique world full of twists and turns that leave you begging for more.

Rachel Morgan has some of the best characters I've read about. She brings them to life and uses thm to give you the most excruciating feelings.

 Violets a kick butt heroine with a closed off attitude.  Her goal in life is to graduate at the top of her class just like her mom did. Shes had a rough life and it shows in her character. I love how she hates the color purple but everyone gives her purple gifts. The way she opens up to Nate and shows her true self is so sweet.

Nate starts out as one of the most lovable characters out there.  He has no idea that there are fairies and his lack of understanding just makes his character so much more funny. The way he refers to Violet as "Lara Croft" gives you an idea of how he sees her. His wonder at the Fae world is adorable.

Violet's rival Ryn has some issues and he quickly gets under your skin.  His character development throughout the book is amazing.  Hes a jerk and has lot of bad history with Violet, but hes ready to put that aside for family. I love how we get to see what happened between Violet and him as the book progresses.

I highly recommend this book to all the fantasy lovers out there.  I suggest that you get all the books and binge read them with a box of tissues and a cup of tea.

Hope you enjoyed this review.  Thanks for reading!

  

My Rating: 3/5 Stars
Author: Rachel Morgan
Genre: Fantasy
Published: October 27,2012