The Preferred Observer by Matthew Bruce Alexander

** I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.**

First Impression: Martian microbes and a rogue android, yes please!

Characters: A diverse cast of fully realized characters, interconnected in ways that unfold as the story progresses. From Maggie the young heart who had to grow up too fast, to Lilith the call girl with a mission they drive the story of a world gone a bit mad.

World Building: Earth hasn't necessarily changed all that much, but has become a bit bleak in the future. The Government has a tight grip on the population, and everyone is afraid of catching "the Rouge". I became fully immersed in the action-packed plot.

Writing Style: This is what blew me away right from the beginning - Matthew Bruce Alexander's writing. I laughed, then was surprised, and sometimes scared. His ability to write the way someone might think means I'm a fan from this book onward. It rarely happens when I know I'm going to fall into an author's mind, but I can't say enough how I appreciated this mastery of the written word. Enough "big words" to stimulate the mind without going overboard to the point of search and replace in MS Word. Such prose and attention to detail is often missing in the novels of today.

What I Enjoyed: The author gives the impression he really understands his characters, maybe even on a personal level. Drawing the motivations of people like Thomas the insider felt especially insightful. This in an author you want to have dinner with, much like Douglas Adams, and simply listen to their thoughts on any subject.

Deal Benders: I wish this story didn't have to end. That is all.

Overall Rating: 5 stars, and can I give it more!?...but that would be over 100% which we know is not a real number.

For Fans Of: If you've seen the movies Gattica or Aeon Flux, this world has a similar feeling. The story itself is not quite dystopian or sci-fi, but somewhere along the line of a realistic future U.S. 

Hurst (The Hurst Chronicles #1) by Robin Crumby

*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*

First Impression: Dark days of a pandemic apocalypse - this should be good!

Characters: This is an action driven story in the aftermath of a plague, so the characters are appropriately world-weary with a twinge of hope. They are all distinct and unique in my head, which makes them believable.

World Building: Crumby has a knack for painting the scene. From the crumbling castle fortresses to deserted towns, the reader is transported to a bleak future Earth.

Writing Style: Relatable. Relevant. Riveting. The three R's of an excellent read. From pop culture references to vivid descriptions, Robin Crumby quickly became one of my favorite authors.

What I Enjoyed: Hurst is fast-paced and sometimes even humorous. Levity in dark places is a perfect break for enjoyment. This book has something for everyone.

Deal Benders: It is rare that I can't find much to improve upon, but honestly cannot think of anything I didn't care for in Hurst.

Overall Rating: 5 stars, all the stars! Cannot wait to read Hurst Chronicles #2!

For Fans Of: Post-apocalyptic action, suspense, and a little mystery.

The Pen Name by David Jacob Knight

 “But if life had taught him one thing, it was that you mastered the absurd by laughing in its face. All evil was, inevitably, absurd.”

First Impression: I read Pavlov’s Dogs by D.L. Snell previously, so I was excited to see what this team had to offer in a thriller.

Characters: Distinct and recognizably human, the Littles and DasVerlag employees stand out in a genre of overplayed detectives and spies. Their thoughts and actions are very realistic.

World Building: Scenes of psychosis, or maybe truth? Delve into a world where nothing is as it seems, and keeps you guessing to the very end. Some disturbing slaughterhouse moments, but nothing really explicitly violent happens. Although definitely for adults, I appreciate the lack of sex scenes!

Writing Style: I enjoy stories that make you forget what’s real and what’s imagined - that’s exactly what The Pen Name demonstrates.  Intense action scenes get your heart pumping, and the suspense is lip-biting. There’s even a reference to Misery if you can find it.

What I Enjoyed: The relationships between the main character and his family, as well as between him and the agents, are all so wonderfully raw. I was concerned this would turn into a blood bath…no pun intended. However, I didn’t walk away scared – just paranoid! That really is what a good thriller provides: a health sense of paranoia.

Overall Rating: 5 stars for an eerie supernatural tale. Bravo!

For Fans Of: The Bone Collector, Shutter Island, and Stephen King’s Storm of the Century

Truth (The Geneva Project #1) by Christian Benjamin

I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

First Impression: A dark cover is sweetly foreboding, and the blurb makes for an interesting premise.

Characters: Geneva and a motley band of orphans are stranded on an island orphanage in the aftermath of a great natural disaster. With a strict headmistress and even tighter schedule, the children have little time for social interaction to start asking questions. What happened to their parents? Why are they confined to the compound?

After a bully receives a backlash of her own punishment, some of the orphans wonder if Geneva is more than she seems. The island holds secrets and magic from the time before. Fighting love and danger, Geneva takes on her world with true force in “Truth” The Geneva Project #1.

Wonderfully distinct characters leave room for growth and interpersonal development in this stunning debut by Christian Benjamin.

World Building: Benjamin provides a solid background while still leaving mystery for upcoming adventures in this first installment. I enjoyed the fresh approach to the post-apocalyptic / dystopian genre.

Writing Style: I was able to read straight through with little grammar or spelling errors. This is an appropriate read for anyone teen and up, with a true PG-13 atmosphere. I appreciated the focus was on the characters development personally and with their abilities, with romance as a product of friendship.

What I Liked: I’m a fan of books that encourage themes like self-discovery and growth. “Truth” holds valuable lessons for readers, while not throwing anything in your face. I enjoyed the build of action and tension, and am satisfied with how the first book in this series ended.

Deal Benders: There are a few spelling and grammar errors, but not too shabby if that’s my only complaint!

Overall Rating: I gave this book 5 stars because I would read it again, and I will read the next one. A delightful read full of adventure, mystery, love, and suspense – I couldn’t put it down. Happy reading!

For Fans Of: The Hunger Games, Pandemonium, Ship Breaker, Divergent

The Fire Watcher by Chip Hill

I received a copy from the author - from a giveaway of sorts it seems!

First Impression: Nuclear power plant story about alcoholism and redemption through Jesus – sounds interesting. Also the haunting cover image is perfect. Let’s face it, we all judge books by their covers, at least initially.

Characters: Most of the cast has biblical first names, which correlate throughout with the message from the Bible. Jacob Adams is down on his luck, half in the bag, and hard to watch. The Fire Watcher follows Jacob through the worst days of his life, the best days, and all the little decisions leading to both. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Jacob develop as a person, and cried for all his moments of disappointment. Each character, from Jacob’s boss and coworkers to his family, stands true and feels real. I genuinely cared what happened to each of them. I believe creating people I could meet on the street or live next to is one of the most challenging aspects of writing. Well done and a pat on the back to author Chip Hill for this aspect.

Setting: As a plausible reality fiction book, the setting is just the good-old U.S.A. The time jumps from multiple stories in the present - to past situations and back again. This was handled wonderfully with clearly headed section breaks giving the setting and date changes.

Writing Style: Hill writes with the ease and familiarity of a seasoned pro, so it’s surprising this is his first published work. If there were any errors in proofreading, they didn’t stand out enough to remember. I was never confused, which is quite an accomplishment with all the storylines and time shifts throughout. Setting up for the story is slow for a while, but well worth the wait. Once The Fire Watcher picks up, you don’t want to stop reading.

What I liked: I have read a few reviews chastising the author for not researching the finer points of nuclear power stations. Unless you actually worked for one of these places, you wouldn’t have any doubts. The story is plausible and tangible, and it stays with you long past the epilogue **WHICH YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU READ**. I really enjoyed the ending, as it wasn’t predictable or Hollywood – that’s all I’m going to say about it!

The Christian/Catholic aspects of The Fire Watcher make for a heart-warming and cautionary tale. The entire story is built around redemption and the love God has waiting for us all. I didn’t feel preached at – I felt I was observing real people coming to realizations about their choices.

Deal Benders: There was a few times where the story dragged out a bit as a way to build suspension. I don’t particularly disagree with doing this, but think the story would benefit from a bit more action. The thing is there were enough events to create action scenes, but they were more so quietly described instead.

Overall Rating: I would give 4.5 stars if it were allowed – Goodreads and other sites have done away with half-star ratings.

For Fans Of: The Shack

Swimming Monkeys by Steve Hadden

I won a copy through the Goodreads Firstreads program.

I really liked this concept...it's always interesting to think about different possibilities in adaptation. Although I believe in Creationism, I like to learn about other viewpoints.

Hadden weaves a story that is parts Tomb Raider and Da Vinci Code, but wholly unique. The characters are enjoyable, and the story is fast-paced.

The only downside to this book, for me, was the length. Some parts drag on too long, and made me want to skim over the pages. I don't think the reader needs such a handholding all through the story, but that's just my opinion.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, and will probably read the next two. Hopefully the writing picks up a bit as the series continues! :)

The Lost Treasure of Tuckernuck by Emily Fairlie

I won a copy through the Goodreads' Firstreads program!

Quite often I have picked up a 'children' or 'young adult' book, just to be sorely disappointed with what options youth have to read. This book is far from that disappointment.

The idea is simple: There is a treasure somewhere in school. Since the founder's days, students have been on the hunt. Now, two sixth-graders have found the first clue.

Lost Treasure follows Bud and Laurie through misadventures, awkward moments, and hilarity. Notes and emails are used in such a way that adds life to the story. It's also fun to follow clue-solving sleuths!

I would definitely recommend this book to my youth students.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

I love this book because it has intrigue, romance, history, and a sense of belonging. It's a book within a book, haunting and wonderful. I could not put it down.

Quotable throughout, this is a novel that makes you fall in love with an author. When Daniel's father takes him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, he finds one that will send Daniel on an epic adventure. Mystery, intrigue, and love abound within these pages. Happy reading and good luck getting any sleep until you're done.

K-PAX by Gene Brewer

Alien visitor or mental patient? You won't find out until the end. Mainly, this is a story about the relationship between doctor and patient on present-day Earth. The main character Prot is brilliant, funny, and innocent...you root for him no matter the outcome. The author does a great job posing social questions, and commenting on the general state of man.

I saw the movie first, so was excited to learn the books are a series!

I think the ideas presented are brilliant, but the execution is a bit lacking. I still give this book 5 stars, however, because reading after all is not about the details...but how much you enjoyed the journey. :)