Steve Gibson
Fun Science Fiction mystery with a little space opera and romance thrown in. Just as good as the first one.
Scotlyn is a smart, totally unassuming, environmentally conscious young woman who runs a local nursery in the Beach City she grew up in. She also has a secret. She's psychic with plenty of knowledge of the fae world. Knowledge that makes her dangerous, that makes her a target.
This book tells an epic story of a war between the fae and humans. It is a story of overwhelming power, dragons, control of nature, and invisibility against humanity. Fortunately, for humans, a small band of fae choose to throw their lot in with humanity. This forlorn hope seeks humans with powers who can be trained to face the coming whirlwind.
This book contains many intriguing story-lines. The main group of friendly fae and powerful humans go on a survival trek through central California, as the dangerous fae attack. Another group of humans flee the cities and seek shelter in isolation in the countryside. Human prisoners are gathered in caves, for judgement, by the attacking fae. The fae royals orchestrate the destruction of humanity from the fae world. Each story-line is told from a central POV character.
This story has the elements of a hero's journey with the protagonists carried through trials, tests, fear at overwhelming odds, and final confrontation. Readers who enjoy rousing fantasy stories will find this a fun romp. The book, obviously a first effort, could use additional editing to increase the smoothness and immersive power. This novel is suitable for middle school and up. There is no casual sex, mostly tame language, and the violence is needed by the story of epic conflict between worlds. I enjoyed the book and look forward to more titles by the author.
Fun genetics science story. The book could use another editing run through, to catch errors. But, it held my attention. I appreciated that when the heroine needed to rescue her daughter, she did not think to pick up a gun. Instead she used her brains, and human allies to win a violent conflict with a dangerous foe.
Interesting story in need of strong editing work. I was interested in the tension between the different type of people. I was curious in the storyline of the invasion. It was tantalizing to hear teases about a coup in the leadership. Oh well, not a very good book, but a great deal of potential. Perhaps a re-edit could transform it into a good book?
I enjoyed the journey of this science fantasy. There are two narrators in the story who are different in every way. They become friends and allies in the conflict for the new world.
Like other reviewers, I wish the sequel were available. I found the world and struggle in the alternate world to be compelling and interesting.
The most interesting feature of the story to me was the beginning of learning the signing language of the raccoon people. The author was very clear and realistic in explaining the difficulty in learning communication between the human and raccoon.
This book is very erudite, educated and sophisticated. I had to look up a few words in this story, which is very unusual for me. This book is probably best for very educated readers. Readers who are looking for a simple action story would likely be disappointed. The most detail in the story is the psychological relations between the different characters. There is some fighting, armed and hand-to-hand raccoon fighting, but this is just incidental to the plot.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone looking for a deep look at alternate raccoon society.
Inspiration for writing Feeling a Way?My fiction novel, [b: A Dangerous Way 23345548 A Dangerous Way (After the Collapse, #2) S.A. Gibson https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1414348273s/23345548.jpg 42847753], related a story of the library swordsman, William Way in mid-career after many adventures across two continents. I now have to reveal a little of his origin story. So, Feeling a Way is set in California, where William Way first arrives in the future United States. Reading sequence for the series?The in-world chronology is different from the publication order of the series. So far there are two series: “After the Collapse” and “The Protected Books.” [b: Pratima's Forbidden Book 25057099 Pratima's Forbidden Book (The Protected Books, #1) S.A. Gibson https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1425333471s/25057099.jpg 44585152], book 1 of “The Protected Books,” published earlier this year, has a young William Way, as a major character. As a teenager in Rajasthan, India, he's an apprentice for libraries and has not become an expert with swords, yet. Feeling a Way, book 1 of “After the Collapse,” takes up the story of William after he arrives in California after years of sword training. A Dangerous Way, book 2 of “After the Collapse,” follows William years later in New Mexico as he wields his sword for the libraries.Who are the characters William and Kalapati.William is a scout, library investigator, and swordsman. He has traveled from India to help the local California librarians solve a mystery involving stolen Hindu religious books and kidnapped children. Kalapati is an archer from a Native-American community who makes her living contracting out her abilities for pay. Her assignment to escort a young boy across Southern California will bring her into conflict with the libraries and their scout, William.What is this woodpunk dystopia? What is this post-apocalyptic world with no modern technology?Creating future California without technology is a fun history learning endeavor. People, in this future without modern technology, need to accomplish the same things we do in our modern world. They need to produce food. They need clothing and houses. They need to travel and communicate over distances. Finally, they need to have the means to live peacefully together, or defend themselves from violent people. The historical truth is that people in the past did all those things. I researched slide rules, messenger pigeons, donkey transportation, bows, arrows, swords, and atlatls. What is the intended age range/target audience?This story would be suitable for middle-school on up. It has no sex and no cursing. There is some violence, but only to serve the needs of the plot and story. As I write, I consider the target audience, but my main goal is to recreate my own sense of excitement when I read science fiction as a teen. Young people will confront difficult subjects, in their lives, and I think about how to write about such issues.
Quite an enjoyable historical fiction. I knew nothing of ancient Singapore before this book. Now I feel I have a little insight into the relations between China, the Thais, Malayans, and other groups in the 1390s. I like the two central characters. A young princess of the Ming Empire who is sent to marry a ruler in the southern lands, and Parameswara, the prince who has a conflicted love for her. The story follows the bad decisions, and complex decisions made by the rulers in these kingdoms and how their lives become entangled and severed. I was intrigued to follow the twists and turns of their lives. Momentous events occur in each of the kingdoms, and no one's life is left untouched.
The book is suitable of any reader down to middle grade. Readers will have to love history and historical fiction. This is an adventure tale that follow people who are constrained by custom, laws and tradition. I bought the second book immediately. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
Interesting story about a teen whose ordinary life undergoes a dramatic change. This story has some elements that remind me of Twilight. But Renée is more assertive than Bella. We follow Renée's ordinary life as a senior in high school for several chapters. This is a good contrast to the events that unfold when she must confront a strange new world. This story contained a good explanation of why she can do well in the new world. Many fantasy stories are very mysterious about why a normal teen can handle encounters with a completely different reality. That issue is handled well with Renée. When I finished I had to immediately pick up the next book, to find how the cliffhanger is resolved. Give it a try, you might find a new fantasy author to follow
The Ex-Pacifist was a book I couldn't put down. I had to know what would happen next. The first few chapters grabbed me and wouldn't let me go. The main character, Vera, starts as a teen with heavy responsibility and a clear life path to follow. What happens in the first chapter means her life changes in ways that she can't imagine. Absolutely, she can't begin to conceive of what her life will become. She can't know, and the reader can't imagine.
The world that is created is a clever balance between space opera futuristic worlds and well-drawn realistic communities. The events and locations that Vera finds herself in from chapter to chapter are striking and creatively unusual. I found the human reactions believable. The feelings between Vera and her bodyguards rang true.
The book was an enjoyable read as I followed Vera's story in first-person past-tense POV. Most chapters held surprises for the characters and readers. I especially enjoyed how Vera began the story as a naive teen who followed orders and had to transform herself to stay alive and protect the others around her.
I think the readers most likely to enjoy this book are middle grade and YA readers who enjoy science fiction adventure stories with romance.
This story draws us into the life of several teens who must help the experts when earthquakes and volcanic activity increases in Hawaii, California, and New Mexico. Amber from California works with her mother on earthquake science. Alex in Hawaii helps his father exploring volcanoes. The two of them are sent to New Mexico to help research the escalating shaking along all the fault-lines and affecting all dormant volcanoes. We fallowing their descent into danger and risk with each passing hour.
I greatly enjoyed the earthquake and volcano science. We hear dialog on every page about earth and environmental science. It worked for me. I found it fun. Amber and Alex are experts, in their own ways, despite their youth. As the days go by under pressure, and at danger from nature and people, they develop a closeness that affects their relationship. As their parents are separated from them by the changing earth and research needs, they come to depend more and more on each other. I liked the humor of the teens. They are unhappy teenagers, but not obnoxious. I like that they are insecure and inexperienced. That is what most real teens are like.
Who would enjoy this story? If you are like me, and like science in your science fiction, and can tolerate talk about science facts on most pages, you should appreciate this story. I think it is suitable for middle school readers and up. The book could use another edit, to remove typos and misspellings. If you like realistic science fiction with science, give it a try, you might like it.
This third book in the P.A.W.S series entertains, like the first two. Miri continues to explore her strengths and weaknesses. She has lost her dearest friends, and journeys to Israel, in part to follow the trail of her lost love.
The story has several intriguing side plots. We learn the origin of werecats. We follow Miri's family members as they get caught up in the Nazi persecution of Jews in World War II. We see inside a conservative community in Israel. And, the world of Umbrae is shown to be a wondrous and scary place.
I enjoyed seeing the characters, good and evil. Finny, the cat, is fun, devoted, and willing to travel around the world and into Umbrae to help her friends. The Tegs sisters, Stella and Morgana, scare me and prove a challenge to several of our heroes. The Rabbi, Rav Shmuel, is complex. I'm not sure how I feel about him and his rules. Each character supports the story of Miri, her past, and her future.
This has been another strong entry into the story arc of the P.A.W.S. series. I can't wait to read the next. I would say the readers most likely to enjoy the story are those who want to read about young people meeting challenges, with talking cats, owls, and ancient powers. I think a person could read this book without reading the first two in the series. You would then be interested in going back and reading more about Danny and Miri's connections and the story of Alistair. Everyone rush out and read this book now.
Dragon's Fire: Beating Back the Darkness, Book One tells an epic, mythic story of war in a world of orcs, elves, dwarves, centaurs, and humans. The story tells of a darkness moving across the land that must be opposed by all the races in unified armed might. We read of betrayal, while humans and others are seduced by the dark side. We see our heroes training and preparing for the final battle. We are introduced to several heroes and villains. The leader of evil is an all-powerful dragon that spits fire and steals the minds of weak people.
This tale reminded me of Lord of the Rings. If you're familiar with the Bible, you will be reminded of aspects of the story of the King of Kings. The strongest theme through the story was battles between the light and the dark. This story is a very entertaining one for fans of mythical combat and epic warfare. I recommend it for readers, high school and up, who want a fantastical story with dragons and war.
Excellent end to the story of Ty the ground force trooper and her friends and loved ones. They battle through betrayal and difficult odds to reach mostly satisfactory conclusions. I enjoyed the ride. The author has skillfully challenged each character with their deepest fears. This book should be read in order after the previous books in the series. Readers who like military fiction and space opera action will appreciate this series.
This book turned out to be a technology and science filled, character driven story with strong villains that became a real page turner. I enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. This book meets the very definition of science fiction, while crossing into the territory of international thrillers.
The book put the science in science fiction. Two biological disasters lead to the post-apocalyptic world the book is set in. The author clearly knows biological science. I liked how the loss of technology was handled. The survivors lose technology a bit at a time, as machines wear out. And, we read about post-apocalyptic technological life, including how cars must be made to work without computers.
The story is filled with flawed characters. Each character has strong motivation to take the steps they do. I enjoyed that the villains saw themselves in positive ways. I believe the strongest villains are those that think they are the heroes.
After a slow start, the book became a thrilling page turner. I wanted to know what happened next. Kate was on a mission and would not let anything stop her. I think the story will work for young adult on up. A reader should be prepared to hear about science and expect characters to be in real danger. Give it a try, you might get pulled into this future fiction story.
Fun story about Snow, the girl/bunny who shifts between the two. I enjoyed this quick read.
The characters were strong, Snow, her Vampire dad, John, Edgar, and the others. There were some real scares as we follow her childhood.
Ended with the best rabbit against human battle scenes ever written. Hop on over and give this book at try!
The Selection is a fast paced story. Interesting characters. Violent, but with a purpose. This dystopian work reminds me of the Hunger Games.
Told from the boy's POV we follow his journey to survive the Selection. All boys must undertake a survival course, at a certain age, on their colonial planet. The rugged, dangerous, backstabbing trip is familiar. In addition, his eyes will be open to the extreme cruelty of this test, and he must decide how he will react to this new knowledge.
As others have said, it is a hard book to put down, and a quick read. I recommend it to all who are interested in primitive survival and dystopian societies. I think middle grade on up will enjoy this. It is an interesting question of where the character will go, what he will do in a sequel.
Intriguing mystery story in space. We follow the story of a police officer, on the space station, and a politician she hates. As they try to survive and solve the case, their lives become entwined, and we get deeper and deeper levels of understanding of their characters and motivations. This well-crafted mystery made me want to discover each new revelation. I was pulled along by the story and had to know what would come next. Give this novella a try, I promise you will be glad you did.
What is woodpunk? You ask. Woodpunk is fiction set in a time that does not have technology more advanced than those techs that were developed on the route to the use of wooden tools, equipment and structures.
Humans existed most of their time on this planet. From the beginning of using tools, humans found use for wooden implements. Clubs, bows and arrows, staffs, wagons, wheels, and thousands of other tools were made from wooden products.
The idea of an age of woodpunk implies that there are no internal combustion machinery or electricity or steam engines. A woodpunk story can be set in the future or the past. My stories, A Dangerous Way and Pratima's forbidden Book are set in an alternate future about 100 years in the future.
Fascinating story of falling into the middle of a vampire war. We immediately are pulled into the life of Deimos Black, mortal. He tries taking out vampires, but soon has changed sides. The story of vampire society and their enemies, the hunters, are fleshed out, before we focus on an internal conflict among the undead. How Deimos relates to these blood drinkers leads to complications.
This story follows the genre, just enough, in some recognizable ways, while still offering unusual twists. It's good that some conventions are observed and others are thrown out. The likely audience will be those who are interested in violent small-unit conflict with swords and guns. There are several romances and conflict around vampire relations and hierarchy. This was an entertaining read. I look forward to the next chapter in Deimos Black's experiences among the Order.
Very entertaining story of young innocent romance amid home
adversity. The characters are optimistic and hopeful while dealing with pretty serious life issues. Alex and Maura grow close under the pressures of families falling apart. The side characters are well developed and interesting. The young sister and grandfather were great additions to the story. There is a powerful buildup and tension with the father's condition. An enjoyable read about young love. I recommend this story to Middle Grade on up.
Souls Asunder is the second book in the keeper's Way series. This story was an intense action romance combination. Autumn is faced with several difficult choices this time. Jason versus Ronan, killing or sparing, whether to confront impossible odds or run away. Each decision brings heartache. While she achieves many victories on the road, she, and the readers must take a roll-a-coaster ride on this journey. It ends on a mild cliffhanger. Probably best to read the first in the series before this one. This story will entertain middle grades, on up.
Deliciously tension filled story wrapped in space exploration clothing. The dark ending capped off an intense read that grabbed me and won't let go. Pick it up, let it take you on a ride, enjoy the pain.