Unbreakable (The Chronicles of Promise Paen #1) (ARC)

I received this copy from the publisher through Netgalley.com and that in no way has influenced my opinion in regards to this review.


This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.com by express permission of this reviewer.





Title: Unbreakable
Series: The Chronicles of Promise Pain
Author: W.C. Bauer
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 399

Synopsis:
Promise Paen joins the Republic's Space Marines to escape the bad memories from her home planet Montana.
Now's she headed back to protect a place she'd rather forget about while her dead mother seems to be alive and well, in Promise's mind.

My Thoughts:
This was an ARC [Advanced Reading Copy], so the misspellings and such [fourty anyone?] will hopefully be fixed in the actual release.

First. Bauer appears to have read and been greatly influenced by Mike Shepherd and his Kris Longknife series. Smart metal. By that name. A heroine who worries about not being a curvaceous sex kitten (though to be honest, this only happens once or twice, unlike every other chapter in Kris Longknife). The whole Brave Girl taking on Incredible Odds and Overcoming, Even if not Winning thing.
Thankfully, Paen is a local girl who makes good, not an interstellar debutante with a drinking problem.

Second, I'd REALLY like to find out more about the history of this universe. The little hints we're given tantalized me while giving me just enough for this story. But I want more.

Thirdly, I removed and then added a star right at the introduction. I removed a star because he thanks Ronie Kendig [I have nothing personally against Mrs Kendig, I simply had a very bad experience with one of her books where expectations were taken out an airlock and hung, shot, drawn and quartered and then vaporized] and then added another because he appeared to be a Christian. It was a rollercoaster beginning.

Finally, I did enjoy this. There is a lot of action, a lot of "we're outmanned, outgunned but we're going to make them choke on us" kind of attitude. A hint of shallow romance [which I'm FINE with. Save that stuff for the likes of Austen, who can write a GOOD romance] and 2 big space empires just waiting to go at it.

As long as this series doesn't turn into the Series That Never Ends [ala Taylor Anderson or David Weber], I'll be looking forward to more by Mr. Bauer.

Iron Fist (X-Wing #6) (Star Wars)

This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.com by express permission of this reviewer.

Title: Iron Fist
Series: X-Wing, Star Wars
Author: Aaron Allston
Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
 Pages: 326



Synopsis:
Now that Wraith Squadron has coalesced into a Unit, they can begin their mission, to bring down Warlord Zsinj.
This time, they must prevent Zsinj from getting his hands on another Super Star Destroyer. To do so, they must become pirates, with all the dangers attendant in such a line of work.
And not everyone lives.

My Thoughts:
Thoroughly enjoyed this. The attention is spread out amongst several of the Wraiths and this allows Allston to tell a broader story with multiple threads.

And he is just funny! I think that is what is most memorable about this second set of X-Wing books, the humor. They're still adventurous, still full of action and suspense but I end up feeling lighter after reading these.

Cleveland Pipeline (The Executioner #30)

This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.com by express permission of this reviewer

 Title: Cleveland Pipeline
Series: The Executioner
Author: Don Pendleton
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 110



Synopsis:
Mack sniffs out a Mafia Man who might be going big, only to discover the guy is a two bit masher. So the real mystery is who is behind the Don and what are their nefarious plans?
And we're introduced to some Peace and Love chick who Bolan seems to fall in love with.

My Thoughts:
First,not a huge fan of these new ebook covers. They're lifeless and have NONE of the pulpy zip and zang of the 70's and 80's releases. Oh well, at least there are some legit ebook releases now. I am glad for that.

Bolan is beginning to realize that corrupt politicians and power mongers are just as bad, and maybe more prevalent, than the Mafia. With his code of honor, that puts them out of his range for the most part. So far he has always allowed Brognola [his friend inside Washington] to take down the Legitimate Targets from within the Legal System.

In this book, we see him take out a non-Mafia target. It felt like a line had been crossed. It also felt like the girl in this book might be more than just the one book bimbo. We'll see if she comes back. If she does, I know she'll die at some point. Mack doesn't get to be happy.

Serpent's Kiss (Rogue Angel #10)

This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.tumblr.com by express permission of this reviewer.

Title: Serpent's Kiss
Series: Rogue Angel
Author: Alex Archer
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 292


Synopsis:
Annja finds the remnants of an old shipwreck. It appears to be from a possible Lost Civilization and the descendants of an escapee from there want whatever is on that ship. Because it will lead them to a Lost City filled with treasure.

My Thoughts:
Annja has adventures. Runs into a modern day pirate and then into a whole city of inbred bestial savages.

And uncovers an archeologists'  wetdream.

And that really sums up everything.

The Kalispell Run (Endworld #4)

This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.tumblr.com by express permission of this reviewer

Title: The Kalispell Run
Series: Endworld
Author: David Robbins
Rating: 2 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 212



Synopsis:
Alpha Triad is split up. Beefcake Boy [the man on the cover] and Token Indian Guy take Chieftess Hot Chick back to her clan because she claims they have the equipment the Family needs.
Hickock heads out after a hotblooded young idiot who gets himself captured while trying to prove how capable he is.
Meanwhile, back at the Camp.... the Power Monger is revealed and not dealt with.

My Thoughts:
Around the halfway mark I was ready to put this down. It was racist all around, culturally illiterate [a japanese guy who wants to kill the leadership of the family because he couldn't win a sword? After 100 years, there shouldn't BE any ethnic'ness left, sigh] and just as stupid [rippling brawny muscles is despairing because he'd left his darling Jenny back at the compound] as the previous books.

Then a switch turned in me and I sat back and enjoyed the 80's badness of it. It was like a MST3K book, just without the funny commentary.

But lets be real, this is trash. I'm talking trailer living, twinky eating, beer chugging trash. How it continued for so many books [25+ I believe] is beyond me. I'm certainly not paying for these, even if I am continuing to borrow and read them.

And to continue my indie rants from before...

I believe this is some of the worst you can get from the 80's. And it is still better than 90% of the indie offerings I see today in the Kindle SFF section. As absolute PANTS [man, I love foreign curse words, as they aren't for me :-)] as this series is, as completely juvenile, mindless and cringeworthy as it continues to be, it is still BETTER.

Don't talk to me about the Big Publishing Houses stifling creativity or such drivel. They were some chikusho good Gatekeepers and I for one miss that function. And don't tell me that the Indie Cream will rise to the top through word of mouth, etc. A pound of Cream will still taste like crap if it is wrapped in 10 pounds of manure.
Hmm, lets see, what else can't you tell me? I'll get back to you on that.
Hopefully, this will be the last of my rants for a bit. Can't allow such useless idiots to drive even one aspect of my life.

Neversfall (The Citadels #1) (Forgotten Realms)

This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.tumblr.com by express permission of this reviewer

 Title: Neversfall
Series: The Citadels, Forgotten Realms
Author: Ed Gentry
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 274


Synopsis:
An Elite Military Force and a Mercenary Company investigate why a Fortress in the south has gone silent.
What ensues is a story of greed, betrayal and megalomania.

My Thoughts:
This "series" is linked only by an idea, much like the Rogue series I am also reading in the Forgotten Realms. Standalone novels really, but to be honest, I need that sometimes.

However, this is your atypical "write to pay the electric bill" kind of book. The 2 "main" characters [one from the Elites, one from the Mercenaries] are dumb as dirt, nearly spineless and shrug off near fatal wounds like they are paper cuts. I realize there is magical healing in the FR books, but you do NOT get shot in the thigh with a crossbow bolt and then just go tearing around the top of a fortress running down all the badguys.

I really liked the Fortress itself. Sadly, it falls to the writers ineptness and does not live up to its name of Neversfall. As far as I can tell, it falls to various factions at least 4-5 times.

A lot of complaining; but competently written in the grammar department and with all the indie crap floating in the Literary Toilet these days, that in and of itself sets it high enough. The general bar has been lowered sadly.

Tales of Dune DNF @10%

This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.tumblr.com by express permission of this reviewer

 Title: Tales of Dune
Series: Dune
Author: Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson
Rating: 1 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 90


My Thoughts:
I knew I wasn't going to finish this after I DNF'd Anderson's last book but since it was on my Kindle and not just in my  ebook collection, I knew that I at least needed to give it the old college try before consigning it to the pit.

6 short stories set in the Dune Universe. I read the first one. Wasn't bad but was just as Meh worthy as I was expecting.

Now that I have all of Anderson/Herbert's stuff off my kindle, my Don't Read Anymore by Them Policy can take full effect. First DNF of the year...

The Broken Eye (Lightbringer #3)

This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.tumblr.com by express permission of this reviewer

 Title: The Broken Eye
Series: Lightbringer
Author: Brent Weeks
Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 972


Synopsis:
Gavin loses his power, is kidnapped by pirates, loses his eye and comes back to the Chromeria.
Kip continues his duel with Andross and ends up fleeing the Chromeria with his ex-blackguard group.
Kariss becomes the next White in spite of Andross's schemes.
The Color Prince uses Black Luxin and we find out that Gavin can use it at will, as the Lightbringer. We also find out what Black Luxin is capable of.
Lots of other things happen to lots of other people as well.

My Thoughts:
I no longer give out 5 Stars on an initial read. Those are saved for books that upon a re-read are just as good as the first time.
However, some books are so close that they deserve the 4.5 Stars. And this book deserves that.

I was worried going into this book, as I really enjoyed The Blinding Knife and was afraid my expectations might be a tad high. That is one thing I have found, my expectations can effect my reading quite a bit.

However, this was pretty solid for the first 75%. Good stuff. A great continuation of the story started in the previous two books.
Then things ramped up right until the end and I was left almost breathless. Intrigue, violence, battles, rescues, escapes, chases, corrupted magic users.

Books like this are why I like and continue to like, Fantasy. It makes me glad I bought this in hardcover. And a really good start to 2015. Booyah!

Shadowrealm (Twilight War #3) (Erevis Cale) (Forgotten Realms)

This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.tumblr.com by express permission of this reviewer

Title: Shadowrealm
Series: Twilight War, Forgotten Realms
Author: Paul Kemp
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 327


Synopsis:
Cale and Riven hook up with Rivalen, Prince of the Netharese, to stop the Shadow Storm from destroying all of Sembia. Revelations abound about Shar, Mask and Magadon's demon Father, Lord of the 8th Hell.

My Thoughts:
The end of Erevis Cale. He works with anyone he has to to recover Mask's missing piece of divinity and save Magadon's half soul.

Lots of fighting goes on, the End of the World Is Nigh goes on, Cale sacrifices himself for Magadon and general Forgotten Realm'ness goes on. Not a bad book to write a final review for 2014.

Of course, we never know for sure if Cale is really dead or just mostly dead [ha], but considering that his son has had an adventure in the last year or so with Riven and it's been 6 years since this book came out, I do think it is pretty safe to say that Erevis Cale is safely packed away :-)

Steadfast (Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier #4)

This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.leafmarks.tumblr.com by express permission of this reviewer

 Title: Steadfast
Series: The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier
Author: Jack Campbell
Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Genre: SFF
Pages: 417


Synopsis:
Geary is being given the run-around by the Political Leaders, sent to put out one brushfire after another, in hopes to wear down his fleet and destroy him as a threat.
And Black Jack gets the job done but in the process discovers that Responsibility has been completely abrogated and a worse threat than the Enigma's maybe right in the midst of the both the Alliance and the former Syndic worlds.

My Thoughts:
I gave the previous book, Guardian, 3 stars because it felt kind of wishy washy to me.
Well, this book cleansed that feeling away in a wave of hell lance fire and pure awesome intrigue!

Geary continues to do his job while being actively worked against by his own government, even those friendly to him. The fact that he has not become Supreme Leader is a testament to Campbell's writing skills, as that would be the easy path and solve a LOT of problems.

Lack of overly detailed space  battles [like in the first 6 original Lost Fleet books] made this much more readable. It flowed easier, felt more polished and along with Imperfect Sword, really feels like Campbell [aka John Hemry] has come into his own as an author, almost like he's found his footing for his audience.

The ending. It was awesome! I'm sure more astute readers will pick up the foreshadowing, but it completely went over my head and so I was punching the air, almost yelling, when we find out about the new threat. I was just plain excited. Because Aliens are cool and all, but autonomous rogue A.I.'s have always had a soft place in my heart as being the best bad guys :-)