Razor King

Moore, T.W. (2015). Razor King. Los Gatos, CA: Smashwords.

Adult / Adult for YA / Sci-Fi

I gave this book 4 of 5 Stars

The year is 2080, the setting a very bleak environmentally ravaged earth where mankind has quit trying to "rebuild, refurbish, or replenish."  The world went to war over water, and the surviving population is now controlled by the computer systems INFINTOR and MYKRONS, who have artificial intelligence (AI) that seems to be evolving. Through a network of micro surveillance cameras, the systems see all and in order to protect the people, no one has privacy of any kind. The internet has been taken away from average citizens, for their own safety.  As the systems get more powerful, a renegade force called The Underground is attempting to take back control, but it terrorizes the night by harvesting organs and selling them on the black market (to the many people needing transplants due to the increased cancers and illnesses happening from the depleted ozone) to fund its rebellion.  The story pits Captain Matagon, the champion of the AI systems and the law against Razor King, the champion of The Underground and its brilliant leader, Dr. Ozso Rukur.  As conditions get worse, the lines begin to blur: which cause is good? which is evil? can evil be used for good -- or vice versa? 

In a book that's sometimes reminiscent of Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (upon which the movie Blade Runner was based), author T. W. Moore has written an imaginative, highly technical story of a future that seems realistic and possible.  Moore provides extremely detailed scenarios of the states of technology, transportation, security, and medical advances that seem reasonable, though admittedly this reader isn't qualified to assess the legitimacy of any of the scientific verbiage and found it easiest -- and most enjoyable -- to read and accept what was presented.  

In addition for Moore's ability to imagine and describe the technological aspect of this future world, he gives readers some richly drawn, very human characters. Captain Matagon, in particular, is fully fleshed-out as the flawed hero. Despite working for INFINTOR, Matagon has devised all kinds of ways to live under the radar and privacy invasions and though he admits machines are smart, he deems himself smarter.  Readers will see Matagon's character grow, particularly in how he views the engineered Genetics (like Philip Dick's androids).  

Author Moore is an excellent story teller and writer, and he connects all the loose ends so that most of the readers' questions get answered. The main plot of Matagon's quest to destroy The Underground never waivers, but along the way are numerous sub-plots, twists, and turns and a particularly satisfying epilogue. Towards the end, there's a bit of a deus ex machina, which is then explained away by previously undisclosed information from Meeksagon, Matagon's brother. It seems this could have been better handled by planting some seeds earlier so that the event wouldn't have seemed so contrived.  Also, there were about a dozen errors (wrong words, misspelled words, dropped words, etc.) that could easily be fixed with another editing pass. 

The book will have appeal to both adult and young adult audiences who are SciFi / Tech fans.  Sensitive readers should be aware that there is violence, often bloody, but it's not overly graphic. There isn't any swearing and sex happens but isn't described at all. 

Thank you to the author for providing me an eBook copy in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: T.W. Moore is a former free-lance columnist for the Portland Press Herald, Maine’s largest newspaper, and author of "I Love Today – Musings From New England". He lives in Maine. Connect with the author on FACEBOOK

The Neptune Project

Holyoke, P. (2013). The Neptune Project. Los Angeles: Disney-Hyperion.

Middle Grade / Dystopian / Fantasy
Texas Bluebonnet Award 2014-15 Master List

I gave this book 4 out of 5 Stars

Author's Synopsis (from website):

Nere has never understood why she is so much more comfortable and confident in the water than on land until the day she learns the shocking truth—she is one of a group of kids who have been genetically altered to survive in the ocean. These products of the "Neptune Project" are supposed to build a better future under the waves, safe from the terrible famines and wars and that rock the surface world.

But there are some big challenges ahead of her: no one ever asked Nere if she wanted to be part of a science experiment; the other Neptune kids aren't exactly the friendliest bunch, and in order to reach the safe haven of the new Neptune colony, Nere and her companions must swim across hundreds of miles of dangerous ocean, relying on their wits, their loyal dolphins and one another to evade terrifying undersea creatures and a government that will stop at nothing to capture the Neptune kids ... dead or alive.

Fierce battles and daring escapes abound as Nere and her friends race to safety in this action-packed marine adventure.

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In The Neptune Project, author Polly Holyoke has created an unusual and interesting twist to the dystopian story.  Though the book is somewhat typical with its ruined planet and evil government, genetically altering children to survive and thrive underwater is definitely a unique and engaging premise. There is minimal information presented about the state of the world on land (or how it got that way), but it's enough for readers to know that the earth and its inhabitants are in serious trouble. The excellent world building is done around the underwater world, which is where the majority of the story unfolds. Holyoke definitely knows her sealife, and  instead of forcing lessons about the damage being done to the earth and seas, the author does a great job of subtly referencing the ecological impacts humans have made so that readers will recognize them in their own lives. For example, the main characters have to swim through water that tastes "bitter and oily," oxygen "dead zones," and islands of floating trash.  The effects on the humans and the dolphins in the story give readers a different perspective -- an underwater one.  There are also subtle messages about the value of all things living and specifically dolphins, who prove themselves critical to the success of the kids' mission.

The book is told in first person point of view, from main character Nere. Readers aren't ever told Nere's age, though she's under fifteen. This is a bit frustrating as she even celebrates a birthday, but no age is ever given. Despite the first person point of view, readers don't get to know Nere as intimately as would be expected. (I'm hoping for and fully expect this to be remedied in the next book.) Some of the secondary characters seemed better fleshed-out, but again, it is difficult to reconcile their actions with their ages. This is particularly apparent with Nere's awkward love triangle/square (and yes, there is a good boy and a brooding bad boy) and also with ten-year-old Robry, who is the most intelligent and mature of the group -- Nere values his input above everyone else's, but she talks to him like he's a little boy. At times, the story drags a bit because it's just more of the same over the kids' thousand mile journey, and then new elements are suddenly introduced very near the end. Clearly, The Neptune Project is just one part of a bigger story, and as such, it lacks a clear turning point or real resolution -- but the story builds to a nice set-up for the sequel.

Holyoke uses clever formatting so that readers can clearly tell when characters are speaking telepathically, and the format of the dolphins' telepathic communications is different from humans', which will help younger readers keep their characters straight. The writing is pretty basic with lots of dialogue, and the story is action-packed, making the book a good choice for reluctant readers. The author does a great job of writing towards the intended audience -- middle graders -- but adults will be more incredulous and likely struggle to suspend their disbelief as much as is needed to smoothly read the book.

The Neptune Project has scenes that include violence and death (both human and animal), sometimes without remorse, and there is some kissing and an emphasis on needing a boyfriend or girlfriend. Younger readers might get a little nervous with the intensity of some scenes. It's tough for me to nail a recommended age because the writing is fine for fourth or fifth graders, but the content is really solid sixth to ninth grade level.  

Thank you to Lone Star Literary Life Blog Tours and the author for providing me a print copy in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give.

Click for Photo Gallery of 

Nere's Undersea World

Want to win this necklace & earring set?

CLICK for Author Q&A and on 9/9/15 for a  review of The Neptune Challenge, 

 the sequel to The Neptune Project!

About the Author: Polly Holyoke is a former teacher and loves reading, camping, skiing, scuba diving, and hiking in the desert. She lives in Plano, TX with three rescue dogs, two spoiled cats, and a nice husband who tolerates piles of books all over their house. Her debut middle grade novel, The Neptune Project, was selected to the 2014-15 Texas Bluebonnet Master List along with state reading lists in Maryland and Ohio. Her second novel, The Neptune Challenge, was released by Disney/Hyperion in May.

Learn more and follow Polly Holyoke and her books: 

Facebook    Her Website     Twitter     Goodreads

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System: With his face in the Sun

Davidson, J.A. (2015). System: With his face in the Sun. Self-published. 

Adult / Sci-Fi / Speculative Fiction 

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars

In System: With his face in the Sun, author Jon A. Davidson ventures into the not-so-distant, seemingly Utopian future with a "what if" scenario that is all too easy to imagine. Technology has advanced to the point where humans are literally connected to it. They rely on instant, real-time feedback to direct every decision they make from when it's time to drink some water to when it's time to get a new spouse. Most people place absolute trust in the technology and believe that The System is always right; however, when The System tells Wallace Blair his marriage is in transition, Wallace questions it. And while his marriage may be dissolving, Wallace is further distracted when Arthur Blair, who is not only Wallace's father but the son of one of The System's creators and a high powered executive within, asks Wallace to run a peculiar errand. Wallace's errand leads him down a path that has him questioning all he's ever known about his family, their role in creating The System, and The System itself.  The System doesn't like to be questioned, and what The System giveth, it can taketh away.  

The characters are not overly developed, intentionally so, it would seem, because The System seems to strip away a person's individuality. Readers are given enough information to sketch-out each character, and it is really enough, though personally I would have enjoyed more depth. Author Davidson's strength comes in his world building, where readers will glimpse the advancements in society but also see the wrath of Mother Nature in a world heavily impacted by overuse and overpopulation. Particularly memorable are the descriptions of Spain and the contrasts between what is and what has been. The constant hum of danger in the background and the questions as to whether The System is evil or only a tool keep readers wary and engaged, as do the deeper questions of what is The System and what happens when society becomes complacent.

While the story follows a definite plot line, and there are a few surprises and a big reveal, there are several sub-stories where readers will expect action -- or at least closure -- and the stories just fizzle out leaving much unexplained.  Readers seeking big action or suspense won't find it; rather System: with his face in the Sun is a slow, contemplative story.  One part of the ending is a little disappointing (and because of the lack of characterization seems incongruous), and there is no clear resolution; however, readers will be left with many visual impressions and much food for thought.

The writing is well-done, though there is a fair amount of editing that still needs tending, and American readers need to keep in mind that the author is British, which means some differences in writing conventions. Though the cover and the title of the book didn't initially draw me in, I enjoyed that both ultimately tied-in to the story and reading the blurb about the statue made it even more interesting. Jon A. Davidson has an impressive first novel in System: With his face in the Sun, and I recommend this book to adult readers and look forward to more stories from Davidson -- a prequel, perhaps? I'm in.

Thank you to Reader Views for providing me a print copy in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give. This review was first posted on Blogcritics online magazine and is re-posted here by permission from Readers View.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jon A Davidson built four successful companies based on technology he designed and developed from conception to sale and exit. Featuring regularly in the national top 100 fastest growing tech businesses and winning multiple awards for his systems and products he is no stranger to the recent history of technology. The sale of his last venture meant that he has finally found time to venture into writing fiction focusing on the impact that technology will have on the individual and mankind as a whole.
Follow Jon A. Davidson on TWITTER & FACEBOOK. 

CLICK HERE TO BUY ON AMAZON 

War of Rain

Vivian, H.W. (2015). War of Rain. Raleigh, NC: Lulu Publishing Services.

Young Adult / Speculative Future Earth / Spirituality

I gave this book 4 out of 5 Stars!

In the distant future, mankind's innovations have ultimately destroyed the earth's resources, and those who survive must live primitively. Miri is a fifteen-year-old living in Boreala, a village where the ground is dusty and the sky is always the color of coffee. Her people are the Rain-gatherers who, through prayer to their god Kalono, have the unique ability to melt the divine Rain pellets into the purest water, which is then traded for goods with other villages. When Miri's group is attacked by the Barbarians from Stratos, Miri kills one of them when defending one of her fellow villagers, which sparks a war between Stratos and Boreala.  Scorned by her people and responsible for killing many Barbarians, Miri is tasked by Exodus, the Chief of Stratos, to find her god and ask him for an invention that can bring both peace and war -- or the Barbarians will destroy Boreala and all its inhabitants.  Miri embarks on a quest that has her searching for the invention, but what she discovers has her questioning her faith, her beliefs, and all she's ever known.   

War of Rain takes readers on a journey of finding power -- in prayer, in knowledge, and in self. It is the second book I've read by author H.W. Vivian (first was Chasers), and I was not disappointed.  The premise is so imaginative -- readers will absolutely love the mysterious Rain -- and the book on the whole is a very interesting treatise on how mankind may be destroying itself via progress; there are definitely some parallels to modern times worth reflection.  The story is told from main character Miri's perspective, which gives readers direct access to the wide range of feelings and emotions that Miri experiences. Though Miri is having to step-up in an adult capacity, the point of view reminds the readers that she is a teenager and her reactions are understandable and appropriate. This is not to say that they are clear or even rational -- she goes from being tender and thoughtful to a bloodthirsty killer to an intellectual whiz to an angry faithless person to a reverent girl of faith and back to a bloodthirsty killer, then lover, fighter, hater, writer! Miri's all over the place, but it really only further illustrates her confusion with her life and what she learns about the past, present, and future.

Vivian writes rich, easily envisioned characters, and despite there being a wide cast of characters, each has unique, memorable characteristics. The physical descriptions of the Barbarians are particularly vivid, especially when contrasted against the people of Tropos, who we meet in part two of the story.  It is in part two of the book that Lucas is introduced and most of the important backstory is revealed. Readers will appreciate that Lucas recognizes that knowledge is the most powerful weapon Miri can possess and will enjoy watching Miri's growth as she learns.

Also in part two of the book the focus on faith comes more into play, and I think that Vivian was spot-on in her accuracy of what many people go through when they are questioning the existence of a higher being and their own faith and searching for proof.  The whole book underscores the power of prayer, but in part two, the importance of faith and science is also brought to the forefront.  There are some wonderful lines from Lucas defining faith, such as, "Faith is believing that something greater than ourselves dwells in this world, even if it is not visible." In part three, divine intervention comes into play, and it is the divine intervention that Miri experiences that allows the conclusion of the book to work. Vivian utilizes the deus ex machina mechanism, normally off-limits for writers, but which succeeds here because of the set-up beforehand via the religious undertones throughout the story and the constant presence of the divine Rain. 

The story is very satisfying as is, but there were some additional information that would have enriched it for me -- more explanation of Miri's internal voice, some of Exodus's story, and why oh why would they throw away Phillipe's weapon when Barbarian vengeance was coming?  Also, there were a few typos and writing oddities, but nothing that really affected the flow of the story.  

I recommend this book for young adults ages 15 and higher. Sensitive readers should be warned that with war comes violence, and this book is often graphically violent with a huge body count and lots of blood and gore. There is no sex - but references to rapes - or vulgar language.

Thank you to the author for providing me a print copy of this book in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give.

LEARN MORE about WAR OF RAIN and H.W. Vivian by going to her Facebook, following her on Twitter, or visiting her  website. 






RELATED: Also by H.W. Vivian

Reviewed on Hall Ways

The Different Girl

Dahlquist, G. (2013). The different girl. NY: Dutton Books.

ARC provided by Dutton Books via NetGalley -- Thank you!
Just published February 21, 2013!

YA Dystopian / SciFi / Fantasy

QuickNEasy, 240 pages, ages12 and up.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

What a THOUGHT PROVOKING, stand-alone book!  This is NOT your typical dystopian story. Dahlquist's very subtle release of details allows readers to draw their own conclusions about the characters, why they are on the island, and their future. One thing that was interesting to me was how the hints dropped over the course of the book caused my vision of the island girls' physical appearance to change.  It was masterfully done so that my end image was vastly different from when I started reading.  I loved the clever delivery of information instead of the typical in-your-face pages of catch-up and back stories.  Th

The book is dystopian, I think, though it's difficult to tell how far into the future the book is set -- or if it's the future at all.  Dahlquist intentionally leaves this vague, possibly because of the state of our intolerant society and the divisiveness about science "improving upon" humans. 

Impatient readers may find there's not enough action or information to keep them interested, but the careful reader will find much to ponder between the lines.  The story lingers long after the ending.

This would be a great book club choice because there is so much to talk about that's left to the readers' imaginations.  Plenty of points to debate!

CLEAN-O-METER RATING  9 out of 10.  No sex, sexual situations, thoughts, or references. Absolutely no vulgar language (except for "bloody hell"), and what little violence that occurs is mostly implied and not described.

About the cover -- COOL, COOL.  I am all about the covers, as anyone who follows my reviews is aware, and this one is neat. The subtle little button on the girl's ear is a nice tie-in.  Of course, I have a gripe: if redheaded Veronika was the narrator, why isn't she the one on the cover??

Scarlet

Meyer, M. (2013). Scarlet. NY: Feiwel and Friends.

ARC received in contest I won, but I don't know who sponsored because the package had no return information to help me out. EEK!

YA Dystopian / SciFi / Fantasy
Book Two of The Lunar Chronicles

452 pages, ages 13-17
I gave this 5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

Scarlet smoothly begins where Cinder finished, but this time with a fairy tell parallel to Little Red Riding Hood. My one word for Scarlet? MAAAAHHHVELOUS! This book rocked, and I am eagerly anticipating the next installment, Cress (a Rapunzel tale), to be released in 2014.  As a matter of fact, I would almost recommend waiting to anyone who hasn't started the series, as this is the kind of series you just want to devour one after another. 

In this installment of The Lunar Chronicles,  Cinder's story continues to unfold, but we are introduced to new character Scarlet.  The story is told from alternating points of view between Cinder, Scarlet, and now Emperor Kai.  Though this has potential for disaster, Meyer transitions between the stories smoothly and it really works well -- there may be two or three chapters about Scarlet and just when you don't know if you can handle any more twists or turns, Cinder will take over and build-up the reader in an entirely different direction -- and next a quick chime-in from Kai to see his turmoil in dealing with his conflicting feelings over Cinder, his country's welfare, and to remind us of the purely evil Lunar Queen Levana. Boo! Hiss! She is bad, bad, bad to the bone. HATE HER and just hope that when the series finishes, she goes down memorably.   What's truly remarkable is that Meyer manages to weave the seemingly independent stories of Cinder and Scarlet together in a believable way -- super snaps to her for doing that very well.

Where Cinder was smart but subtle in her debut novel, Scarlet is smart and IN YOUR FACE in hers.  Scarlet knows what she wants and goes after it, kicking-butt and taking names to anyone in her path. It was great fun getting to know Scarlet, but I am not sure what purpose she'll serve from here, though revenge must weigh heavily.  Happily, Cinder also has become a little more kick-butt/in-your-face and also stays singularly focused, doing whatever it takes to get what she needs.  We see some good growth and soul searching from Cinder, which results in setting the stage nicely for the next book.

Two new characters are introduced in Scarlet.  The first is Wolf, who is clearly big and bad. Err, maybe he's big and good. Wait! Maybe he's just pretending to be good! Yes, that's it! Or vice-versa! Wolf brings terror and tenderness and violence and romance to the stage. Love him. . . or loathe him. Not sure yet.  The second is "Captain" Carswell Thorne, who is clearly a womanizing con man.  Err, maybe just a con. Hmm. Maybe more like an opportunist.  In any case, he's excellent snarky, comic relief for the very serious Cinder.
(Side note:  The story of Scarlet's grand-mere could be a whole book in itself! I would love to see Meyer write a little ".5" about her!  COOL lady.)

I am so happy that the ending was such that we could have resolutions to a few things, breathe a little, and get geared up for Cress. Yes, of course there are plenty of loose ends, but they are not left for us in a frustrating way.  This was one action-packed roller coaster ride!

I give this book a 7 out of 10 on the Clean-O-Meter scale.  There is no vulgar language and no sex, though there's a little kissing and there is one pretty steamy kiss. The only other sexual reference was to androids who are escorts, and one scene where there's very mildly implied sexual domination when an escort droid is dragging a man, chained behind it. There are scenes of drinking and smoking, but it's not done by teens.  The book is pretty violent with bloody, illegal fights, a battle to the death between two Lunar creatures, torture (and some subsequent deaths) of prisoners, and most notably, the very bloody, savage attacks of Lunar creatures on Earthens. These creatures and scenes could be pretty haunting to the immature reader.
 
Here's Entertainment Weekly's trailer, but I don't think it does the book justice.  As always, I don't picture the main characters like they are portrayed.  Enjoy!

The Ask and the Answer

Ness, P. (2009). The Ask and the Answer.
YA Lit / Dystopian, Post-Apocolyptic

I gave this 5 out of 5 Stars on Goodreads

Well I just burned through this and now into Book 3, Monsters of Men.  This should be one giant book because there really is not natural breaking point between where The Knife of Letting Go finished, this one, and the next.

Another page turner with some very interesting pieces of information coming to light.  Viola, our female lead from book one, really becomes formidable and the readers see her much more clearly.  Todd is much more tormented than in the first book (both physically and mentally), and for good reason. And the Mayor. . .boooo, hisssss. He is one evil dude and honestly, I kept turning pages to see what he was going to do next and if he'd keep getting away with his dastardly deeds.  Old characters are more defined, and new characters are introduced - good and bad - and some you can't ever figure out!

I haven't read all books in a series, back-to-back, since The Hunger Games came out some years ago.  This series has my attention for all 1600+ pages.

On the Clean-O-Meter rating, this is a 3 out of 5.  As with Book One, The Knife of Letting Go, Ness's writing style gives you the impact of swear words without the offense. In Book Two, the violence is more intense and the descriptions are pretty graphic, so that's where some younger kids might be in uncomfortable territory. (This moved my rating from a 3.5 on Book One.)There is no sex or sexual situations or even sexual references. (1- naughty, naughty ------- 5 - squeaky clean)

Boys will still enjoy this book even though Viola takes on a more prominent and powerful role.  It's war in all its awful gore and glory.

Here's a video of the author, Patrick Ness, reading an excerpt from The Ask and the Answer. Enjoy!

The Knife of Never Letting Go -- Chaos Walking Book One

Ness, P. (2008). The knife of never letting go : chaos walking book one. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

YA Fiction / Dystopian - Post Apocolyptic
I gave this 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads

Wow! I haven't read a book that I couldn't put down in a long time.  I absolutely did not know what to expect when I started this story and was pleasantly surprised many times throughout. 

My assumption about the setting of the story was completely wrong. (cool!) As were my assumptions about the direction the story took and how things would play out. And the premise! Unusual and different from anything I've read.  The main character, Todd, is memorable. Gullible but learning.  Heartbroken but healing. . . and then getting heartbroken again and healing, and again and again.  Poor kid!  This first book really "grows" Todd, and I'm interested to see what direction he will take in the following books.  Yes, I think I will actually get the next installment, The Ask and the Answer, and read it soon.  Those of you who follow my blog know that this is big.  I rarely read sequels and if I do, it's usually not back-to-back.  This series has me intrigued.

Ness's writing style is outstanding. He uses spelling and type-face so effectively that you HEAR the words coming off the page.  Really unique. It really brings life to my favorite character in the book, Manchee the dog. Yes, the dog is one of my favorite characters.  I'm telling you, this book and its premise are fabulous.

On the Clean-O-Meter rating, this is a 3.5 out of 5.  Again, Ness's writing style is so perfect that it gives you the impact of swear words without the offense. For example, Todd, who narrates, will say something is "Effing" this or that, and then he'll tell you "'cept I didn't say 'effing'."  There are a few stray "S" words, and a bit of "dammit" thrown about, but as far as language, it's pretty benign.  Now, there is violence and the descriptions are pretty clear, so that's where some younger kids might be in uncomfortable territory. There is no sex or sexual situations or even sexual references.

Boys and girls alike will enjoy this book if they don't allow themselves to be intimidated by the size.  It reads very easily and quickly.  Lots of white space in those nearly 500 pages.  Lions Gate bought the movie rights, so we'll see if they can successfully translate some of the more difficult aspects of this book (the Noise, aliens, talking animals) onto the big screen.

Here's a trailer for the trilogy.  Gives away more than my review, but pretty good.