Legendary Detective at the World's End - Book Review

Legendary Detective at the World's End by Kaye Wagner Genres: Mystery, Dystopia

     Teigen is a growing metropolis on a distant island. The world has become something that we would not recognize. The role of the politician is nothing more than that of a trained monkey, putting a public face on those that really run the show. The unions. It is the unions that decide what society needs and the laws that are made and enforced. Kirin is seventeen and small for his age but what he lacks in physical stature he more than makes up for it with his incredible deductive reasoning skills. In his boredom with the everyday, he amuses himself with digging up mysteries to solve, and in the process helps to right a wrong that has been orchestrated by those within power.

Water and Storm Country - New Release from David Estes!

"Water & Storm Country" (Country Saga #3)

by David Estes.

Quick Facts                                        

                                           
Release Date: June 6th 2013.                               

Genre: YA Dystopian.                                                

Formats:   Paperback (only at Amazon), Kindle, Nook, Smashwords         

The book is suitable for all audiences.

     With each successive book Estes completely amazes me. Every book in this series, and its sister series - The Dwellers, tells a powerful story about each society which managed to survive the destruction of the Earth as we know it. The plots are very poignant, multi-layered, full of surprises and subthemes, and action packed.

The Seventh Seal - Pick of the Month Book Review

The Seventh Seal by J. Thorn Book #1 in series Genres: Action Adventure, Dystopia,    Thriller

     John is drugged at a Halloween party and awakes days later to both personal and global horrors. Only the fluke - or was it divine intervention? - of his wearing a priest's costume saved his life. Religious zealots have some how taken over the military to kill off the entire population of those it deems as sinful and unworthy as they initiate their own coming of Revelations.

Ice Country Release!

Ice Country (The Country Saga #2)
by David Estes.

Book Synopsis

Dazz, a hard-edged, fun-loving Icer, likes fighting, particularly while at his favorite watering hole. However, while recovering from a particularly bad break up, his decision to engage in a brutal pubroom brawl leads to a series of events that thrust him into a dark and mysterious scandal involving King Goff, the ice country ruler.

When his seven-year-old sister is abducted in the dark of night, Dazz pledges to do whatever it takes to get her back, embarking on a quest that threatens to rip apart the very fabric that's barely holding his shattered family together.
Along the way he meets a group of unlikely allies in the form of a travelling group of fire country natives. Can Dazz, when joined with his best friend, Buff, and new tan-skinned friends, defeat the King and his guards before it's too late for his sister?
​

My Review:

     In this installation of David Estes' Country Series we meet Dazz and Buff, two residents of Ice Country that do their best to raise themselves, managing to be as responsible as you can expect 17 year olds to be when left to their own devices. The boys find themselves set upon a journey where they learn responsibility, leadership, teamwork, and just how badly their society is corrupted.

March Featured Author - H.G. Wells

H.G. Wells Born:   September 21, 1866 Died:   August 13, 1946 Main genre:   Science Fiction

     Born Herbert George Wells in Kent, England and called Bertie by his family, Wells had poor health as a child, in fact his parents were often worried that he wouldn't survive his childhood. At the age of 7 he was bedridden for several months with a broken leg. This started his love affair with the written word as he read several books during this time, even some written by Charles Dickens and Washington Irving. As a teen, he was apprenticed to a draper but didn't care for the profession much. Instead, he continued his education with the aid of a scholarship to the Normal School of Science where he studied physics, chemistry, astronomy and biology.

Fire Country - Fun Read Friday Review

Fire Country by David Estes Country Saga #1 Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult,    Dystopia

     Estes' provides us with a dystopian world that is truly hell on earth. Even in the winter the temperatures are hot and nothing but cacti grow. The very air they breathe is poisonous and few people reach the age of 35. To keep the tribe populated, girls are forced to mate, with randomly selected males, at the age of 16 and have children every 3 years. They are referred to as Bearers and have little purpose other than being baby factories and raising children. 15 year old Siena faces her coming of age with dread and dreams of a better life.

     As one of David's beta readers, I received an advanced copy of this last year. I can still recall how horrified I was at this world that Estes has created. I remember telling him that I suppose that would be a compliment to a dystopian plot. Imagine the worst possible life that you could endure and multiply it by a hundred! Yet in classic Estes style, if nothing else, we are encouraged to dream. No matter how oppressed his characters are they still have hope for a better future. They still believe that life CAN and WILL get better. That a handful of youths can make a difference if they don't lose faith in themselves.

Furthermore is Released Today! Review, Giveaway, and Excerpts

     Happy release day! Furthermore is here and we are all so excited to share it with you. Buy now for Kindle, Nook, and Paperback.

Furthermore Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Dystopia

     A first date, a lottery, treachery and deceit. Sometimes fate has other plans. Sometimes there’s more to tell.

     In Furthermore, seventeen original stories take you on a journey through worlds here and beyond. From the depths of the earth to the embrace of the sea, your favorite series continue. Prequels, alternative views, and new scenes give readers a chance to experience more than originally told. Including stories from Rebekah Campbell, David Estes, Amber Garr, Karen Amanda Hooper, Stephanie Judice, and Leigh Michael.

     The best part? In honor of those who lost the battle and those who continue to fight, all proceeds from this anthology will be donated to cancer research and support.

The Sun Dwellers Release!

The Sun Dwellers by David Estes Book 3 in The Dwellers Series Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy,    Dystopia

     The third installment of David Estes' The Dewllers series is ready for release tomorrow - November 30, 2012. In celebration of this event Estes is offering all three Kindle books in this series for a mere 99¢ on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

Animal Farm - Review

Animal Farm by George Orwell Genres: Dystopia, Classic, Political, Fantasy

     Absolute power corrupts absolutely. This is the main theme behind this book written by George Orwell during the second world war and contains serious political under currents.

     The farm animals are tired of slaving away for farmer Jones. He is fond of his whiskey and forgets to feed the animals. They run him off the farm and declare themselves independent. The pigs, being the smartest creatures, declare themselves in charge. Seven commandments are laid down as law. Eventually the pigs break all of them.

Review of The Moon Dwellers by David Estes

The Moon Dwellers by David Estes Book 1 of The Dwellers series Genres: Action Adventure, Romance,    Young Adult

     Adele is a Moon Dweller. A second class citizen in a world where the differences in the social and economic class structure is exceedingly prominent. Tristan is a sun dweller, one of the elite in a class of aristocrats. He isn't just one of the privileged few, he is the president's eldest son and heir to inherit the right to rule. Adele was just one in a crowd of many as Tristan remotely waved from a float in a parade passing by. Their eyes met, their gazes locked. Against all odds and reason, Tristan knew he had to find Adele. He had to meet her and talk to her. He felt an unexplainable pull towards her.

     You can't pigeonhole this YA fiction into one specific genre. It has all the elements of action & adventure, comedy, tragedy, romance, and suspense all rolled into one magnificent story by author David Estes.

Featured Author - David Estes

David Estes Born:   April 13, 1981 Main genres:   Young Adult, Children's Books,   Paranormal, Dystopian.

     David was born in El Paso, TX. When he was small he moved to Pittsburg, PA where he grew up and attended Penn State. He has since moved to Australia, met his lovely wife, Adele, and lived happily ever after. Well that might be a slight generalization. David and Adele are currently spending their days in Hawaii where David writes on the beach and Adele writes and pursues her love of photography. They are enjoying an opportunity of globetrotting and indulging their dreams.

Containment by Christian Cantrell - Review

Containment by Christian Cantrell Genres:Science Fiction, Dystopia

     As an attempt to save the human race from extinction, the Global Space Agency sets its sight on colonizing the solar system. Arik is born within the confines of the V1 colony on Venus. It is the only life he knows. His wife is pregnant and it is up to him to solve the problem of limited oxygen production so the colony can support another life form.

     I'm not normally a big science fiction fan but this book just grabbed my attention for some reason, and I'm glad that it did. As Arik investigates an anomaly he discovers while experimenting if the Venusian soil could sustain plant life, for every question answered, more are raised. The plot is fast-paced and hard to put down. So hard in fact that while staying in a casino hotel with friends, I found myself wishing that I had my Kindle with me. Of course, I don't have good enough luck to make gambling more fun for me than reading. As intuitive as I am, I did not guess the plot twist which left my jaw scraping the floor.

     I have a few criticisms. The plot flips back and forth between Arik's investigation before his mysterious accident which leaves him with partial amnesia, and his attempt to retrieve the memories that he has lost. The author doesn't distinguish between when the passages occurred and is confusing at first. But as you get into the story it does become fairly apparent. There were fairly frequent editing errors, but not overly annoying. While all the i's were dotted, t's crossed, and ends tied up; the conclusion seemed fairly abrupt.

     All in all this was an enjoyable read and I'm glad I included it in my February picks. But fair warning, it is no longer free.

I give it 4 stars!