Steve Gibson
This story blends science fiction with fantasy as superheroes travel through centuries of time and action. Readers who enjoy violent action and erotic romances should enjoy this tale.
Light and short entertaining prequel to a space opera series. I read it in about 2 days. Found it an enjoyable read with strong stakes and consequences for our heroine. I'm now starting the series.
This story concludes a tension filled fantasy series. Contains unexpected action which keeps the reader engaged. The series has a wonderfully developed world that feels mysterious and lived in. This book had it all, fighting, romance, and evil warlocks. The story is easy to read with some spiritual and religious under tones. I recommend it to fans of fantasy.
Unusual space story. Well edited and fast paced. The book is about a ship that takes the first steps into space. Expect twists in the story. Give it a try, you will enjoy it.
Exciting action adventure on another planet. The heroine is a scholar who is driven to rebellion. The odds are daunting, and she must learn new technology and enlist the help of aliens to drive out aliens infesting her planet. Has everything an adventure lover wants. A trek through the jungle. Complex relations with allies and enemies. Tech tools, primitive weapons, and forces of nature used to win fights. Science fiction action fans will enjoy this story.
Added by author
Cozy Mystery set in New Mexico in the world of the Protected Books
Available now, as of Nov 10, 2020
This story has a miracle, or two. It's short and interesting. The characters have good voices and you hope for positive outcomes for them. Give this short story a try, I believe you will like it too.
This Dice Maddox story is certainly a departure from a regular detective mystery. Dice is working to solve several mysteries here. First, she must find who is trying to kill her. The other mysteries I'll leave to the reader to unearth. Her life and case take wild detours when she teams up with a stranger who wants to keep her safe. She will see odd things and have fantastic experiences. This story takes the reader on a wild roller coaster ride. You should try this book if you are willing to take a journey that promises a different kind of adventure. Needs some grammar review. Lovers of science fiction and mystery will enjoy this series.
Another exciting installment to the story of our intrepid adventurers. This time they find themselves in entirely new surroundings. They must learn what they can, fast, to survive and help the locals. We take another deep dive into fantasy action with orcs, wizards and a dragon. New friends, foes, and frenemies. I especially enjoy characters who seem like friends, but can't be trusted. Or seem like enemies, and turn out to be helpful. The author creates an immersive world with new creatures and complete civilizations. This story is quite a wild ride full of surprising emotional twists and turns. I found myself attached to the characters and wondering what would happen next. The book raps up great, but I still want to know more about those characters' future adventures. I recommend this book, for readers who enjoy fantasy adventures.
A House of Light and Stone is an engrossing and captivating tale of a child's experiences in Los Angeles. Duffy is almost eleven, and we follow her daily life as she moves into a house in Boyle Heights. While the story feels real, I found it an exciting adventure story. Our heroine faces the challenges that confront her in her life each day. I will describe some aspects of the story, to try to explain why I enjoyed it.
The story brought me into another world. The story is in a moment in the past and brought me into that different time, place and reality. The tale is told in chronological order. The story is told from a first person POV in past tense. The protagonist struggles in a family with an unstable mother. We are introduced to her siblings, Chance, Barbie, Justine and Artie. Rennie, the family's mother tries to fill her role in the family, without the psychological or material tools to do a good job. The author weaves these characters, who each have their own motivations, into a unified story. This book leads you on a journey through a difficult life with humor, and comical twists. Duffy's different world is brought to life in the story. The environment, people and shenanigans in this story intrigued me and entwined me into the character's experiences.
Duffy faces several challenges in the story. The characteristics of the people in her life slowly unfold over time. The story has secrets, and there are things going on that Duffy does not understand. We readers must travel along on the journey to find out how she will survive her problems and what her life holds in her future. With each passing page revelations occur in her life that affect our feelings and opinions about the characters and the city. I found powerful drama and unexpected events that continue through most of the book.
There are dangerous secrets, changes and surprises. Duffy is the central character, and I was rooting for her. We can't always agree with Duffy's actions or instincts. We follow Duffy as she meets and becomes friends with neighbors and schoolmates. She has heroes who come into her life and help her. I became invested in the outcome of her childhood struggles and wanted her to win. This story builds over a one year arc.
The book leaves me wanting more. While we get closure with some aspects of Duffy's life, I still want to know where her story is headed. I liked that the story made me care about the characters. I liked learning the details of her life. This story is set in 1966 in the city of Los Angeles. I lived in that city during that time, so I had some familiarity with the world of the story. I would say the most likely audience is people who enjoy authentic stories filled with drama, love and change. While there is some violence and abuse in the story, give it a try. This is one of the best books I have ever read.
I just read an entertaining collection of short stories of fantasy or science fiction. Each story was interesting in different ways. The stories are in alphabetical order in both the ebook and the paperback. Being a Vampire Sucks by Christina Lo Bianco is a funny approach that is spot on for the topic of Hex Support. Body Hacks by Sue Sherman is a humorous story with an interesting twist. Flying in the Face by Rose Jones has many science fiction aspects, with young people and intercultural interactions.
Bug Report by Nikki Yager has a strong undercover surprise. For the Love of Jim Blob by Jen Ponce is a story with great humor. It has a great character, and I identified with Tansy, and enjoyed the change and progression in the story. Friday the 13th by Rick Rossing has a fun noir flavor. Hextreme Measures by Gary S Watkins reminds us we always need to double check the ingredients of spells and summonings. Intercontinental Charm Manufacturing by Martin Coyne has great humor in its story. It does not start out funny, but turns funny, then turns dark. Great it could carry different tones during the course of the story. Mighty Brew by Jolie Byrne asks some serious questions, like what do you do when you have the choice of right or wrong. M.E.R.L.I.N. by Chad Dennis tells us it is important to know who your support person is. It makes a difference! Panic Room by Lloyd Vancil features a hard bitten detective who investigates an impossible crime. Pratima's Engines by S. A. Gibson has an undercover investigator, looking for a crime of technology (I am biased; I wrote this). Simple Fix by Denise Drespling is a very entertaining story of hex support, when it gets personal. An entire family has to get involved to solve a serious magic problem. Spell Check by Ian Richardson asks who is going to protect the earth from evil creatures from another dimension. Surely not young girls! Spell Search by Kristy Carey warns us that sometimes working the spells support line can be dangerous. Be careful. Your Cauldron is Important To Us by Elena Galloway is a cautionary tale about the dangers of making sure we are using the right cauldron for the right spell.
I recommend this collections. Give it a try!
This second short novel is a well done continuation of the series of Maliha in India in a steampunk alternate British Empire. It is a third to half as long as an average length fiction book.
For me the world comes to life as I am reading the story. I visualize the alternate past Ceylon with airships, steam and voidcraft. Traveling through the streets makes me smell the spices and mud.
Maliha is the perfect heroine. She is strong of mind, while not super human physically. She knows when she is moving into danger, and tries to increase her odds of survival. She takes risks, and goes beyond her comfort zone to achieve her goals. We all hope that the people we depend upon will be as determined and loyal as Maliha.
This book stands up well by itself. I had read number one in the series, but the shared characters are well introduced in this story, so I think a reader could enjoy it alone. The back stories of the characters are interesting, but the only one that has important implications for this story is that of Maliha's host, who she is living with.
Maliha is a mixed-ethnicity young woman in the alternate past British Empire and faces some difficulties in her dealings in society. The question of interactions between the ethnicities of the Empire is handled well in the story. It is important that the story portrays these issues well, because reliving the past of European domination of Asia could be fraught with challenges about a painful time in history.
Maliha is like a female Sherlock Holmes, and the story contains characters useful for her role. There is the police inspector, the admiring acquaintances, villains, and side characters. As other reviewers have commented, there is no Watson to constantly ask for explanation of her feats of deduction, so we are left without understanding how she reaches her conclusions. I was fine with not knowing everything, it reminds me of real life.
I enjoyed this well done steampunk book and finished reading it in one day. I am enjoying reading about the smart and heroic female amateur sleuth. I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
This is a strong mystery investigation novel. I was drawn to it by the unusual premise of investigative geologists. Cassie and Walter are well drawn characters. We see most of the book through Cassie's first person POV. Our geologists protagonists are called in by the FBI supervising agent in charge of investigating an attack on a radioactive waste transporting truck.
I almost put the book down. I felt the villain was too amazing. He can do anything. He can track, fight, hide, steal valuable equipment and transport vast amounts of radioactive material without detection. There is a team of multiple agencies trying to track down the villain in Death Valley. The FBI, the Energy Department, and our intrepid forensics geologists. The villain is able to attack the investigators with impunity. Our heroes are attacked multiple times by the one villain who moves around the countryside freely and anticipates each action of the FBI led team. The villain can overcome armed FBI agents as if they are civilians. There is no explanation of why this individual is so amazing, except to say that he has had many jobs in his life.
I am glad I stayed with the book and finished it. It had a very dramatic roller coaster finale. There were three strong elements of the book, for me. The experiences of the heroine involved me, the description of desert and mountains brought Death Valley to life for me, and the tension and danger felt strong throughout the book.
It probably helped to keep the level of suspense high by having radioactive material on the loose controlled by a madman or madmen. The geologists take some trips surrounded by armed agents and some trips by themselves. They are not armed, except with scientific knowledge and tools of geological investigation. Our heroes are in danger, as well as the wilder region.
The author does a good job of bringing the desert area near the border between California and Nevada in the Southwest of the USA to life. I have been to Death Valley and found the descriptions credible. I did not recognize the exact locations mentioned, but they felt realistic.
The most enjoyable aspect of the book is Cassie's POV. When she is close to death from dehydration, I feel thirsty. When Cassie's hands are hurt but she needs to keep climbing up a rock, my hands hurt with her. When she finds that water could be contaminated, I felt uncomfortable with her swimming in the motel swimming pool the previous day. The author does a good job of making the reader feel what the main character is going through.
This book is a fast and enjoyable read. I recommend it to mystery readers. My one complaint is how the villain is drawn, but the book is good enough to overcome that complaint, for me.
The Tower of Boran is a fun sword and sorcery tale. Or, actually I will call it a dagger and sorcery tale, you will get it when you read the story. The two heroines find each other and a trusty sidekick to battle the evil sorceress. I will describe some aspects of the story, to try to explain why I enjoyed it.
The story brings you into another world. The story is in a created world and brings you into that different time, place and reality. The protagonists struggle to overthrow the villainous priestess who rules over the land. We have to learn the secrets, roles and loyalties of Tara, Maran, and Tee. The author weaves these characters, who were born in different situations and belonging to different groups with their own motivations, into a unified story. This book leads you on a journey from normal lives to fiction and fantasy. This different world is brought to life in the story. The environment, people and magic of this story intrigues the reader and entwines the characters with their central endeavor.
There are several mysteries in the story. The identities of the characters slowly unfold over time. The story keeps secrets, and there are things going on that the characters within the story do not know. We readers must travel along on the journey to find out why things are happening and what is behind the strange conditions in the world. With each passing page there are some revelations of the mysteries that affect our feelings and opinions about the characters and the world. The reader will find many mysteries that continue through most of the book.
The characters are part of the world that is unfurled as the story proceeds. Tara and Maran know different things about nature and the magic in the world. They share information and use their knowledge to fight the evil priestess and her minions. Tee has his own talents and skills that are handy for aiding Tara, and in the coming war. We don't know, as we are reading, if there will be romance between any of the characters. We have questions about N'Dreyid, why is she the way she is. What drives her. Is she evil or are her goals merely beyond our understanding? There are communities of villages and rebels who aid the three in their quest, and we learn some of their stories, but their deepest motivations remain mysterious. I was left wanting to know what happens next with some of the characters.
There are dangerous secrets, changes and surprises. Many mysteries are untangled in the course of the story. There are surprises about Maran's origin. Members of the team must trust each other without having known each other for long. They must work with the villagers and rebels as the plans come together and they face the army of the Priestess. We follow the three as they begin to work together, and must depend on each other and meet the coming obstacles. I became invested in the outcome of the coming battle and wanted the protagonists to win. This story builds to decisive action at the end.
I am waiting for what comes next. The book leaves me wanting more. While we get closure with many mysteries revealed, I still want to know where some stories are going. I still do not know what happened to the old priestess. I don't know how the people will govern themselves. I liked that the story made me care about the characters. I liked finding the mysteries as they were revealed to the characters. I had read a prequel, Ascha, so had some familiarity with the world of the story. I am even looking forward to seeing if any of my views of the story might change, as I read additional prequels and sequels.
I would say the most likely audience is people who enjoy youth oriented hero's journey type stories. There is some violence and threat in the story. The book has a little fighting and war, but not much. I would recommend reading the prequel Ascha first, but it is not needed. This story stands on its own. There is some magic, but I think readers not interested in supernatural storylines can still enjoy it. Give it a try, I think you will like it, an entertaining adventure tale.
Nine Lives is an intense adventure in discovering a new planet, while struggling with differences and conflict among the characters. We follow Laren and Darma and other teens as they work to build a society and tame a hostile land.
The mostly young people composing the two camps of newly arrived migrants maintain a shaky alliance as they learn about the land, creatures, and intelligent beings on this planet where they are stuck. The story combines supernatural powers, science, and social relations into an unusual blend. It's fascinating to experience the lives of these youngsters as they confront each new challenge.
Each day brings danger. There are diseases to confront, alien species to fight or make peace with, and the difficulties of getting along with fellow settlers. The landing party is composed of a mixed group that has difficulty working together. The individuals sometimes see themselves as separated by a division into three groups. The normal humans, bete with powers, and Prime, who have powers and can transform into animal shapes.
A major problem for the individuals we follow is the tension between the groups. Some people are so hostile to differences that they are willing to resort to violence. Laren and Darma change and grow to confront the dangers they face. As they both must rise to assume more responsibility and power, they find themselves with the added complexity of starting a relationship with each other.
I enjoyed this story. Even with supernatural powers, and an alien planet, I found the story believable. Because the characters had problems with consequences, I felt for them. When people act, they run into problems and unexpected surprises occur regularly. It was a pleasure to read a story where reality interferes at every turn. I think this story would be suitable for middle grades on up. I also appreciated the mature way some issues were handled. There are experiences with sex, scientific method, and political decisions that characters must find answers to. I read this book without reading the first book in the series. I did not have any problems following the story. I would say a reader might find it helpful to understand there are three separated types of people who shared the one ship, before crash landing on the planet. If you are interested in a fun teen fantasy with a touch of science, give this book a try. I think you'll enjoy it.
This anthology contains 8 short stories. All these stories are set after the collapse of modern technical society. Most of these stories are set in an alternate future about 100 years in the future, where people use horses, spinning wheels, bows and arrows. This future primitive fiction is set in a time that does not have technology advanced beyond use of wooden tools, equipment, and structures. Some are set in the Southwestern United States. Other stories are set in India, Egypt, and one in Korea. In this future world, librarians have access to information in old books. Librarians have seized much of the political power.
The first story is Kalapati's Tool. Kalapati's Tool is set in California after the events of Feeling a Way. Kalapati, the independent archer, takes on a task for the San Jose Librarian. She must rescue a group of adults and children. She accompanies a woman to the coast and determines if women and children need her help. She will use her wits and the authority she can assert to enforce her will.
Future's Fate is set in California, and involves another mission for the librarians. A graduate student teams up with a library scout. They must travel to find and disable a long hidden weapon from before the Collapse. They are being chased by dangerous criminals. This story is set around the time of Feeling a Way.
Zuni Stash is set in Pecos, New Mexico. Mona and her assistant Susanna find themselves thrust into a search for treasure. They must decrypt ancient maps and messages to lay their hands on a long-buried cache of cultural artifacts and valuables. Mona translates the languages of Zuni with her expertise in Native languages of the Southwest. This story is set before the events of In the Horde's Way.
War Tools is set in Korea. A female samurai travels from Japan to investigate strange happenings in the Korea royal court. She must navigate the cultural differences and avoid causing an international incident. This story is set after the events of Pratima's Forbidden Book. Chizuko had earlier traveled to India and helped Pratima in that book.
Out of the Sands is set in Egypt. Egypt has risen after the Collapse, and the reopened Bibliotheka Alexandrina has hired Aaliyah to survey the archaeological riches of the nation. Hiring an aerialist, Sunil, recommended by the library seems simple for Aaleyah's mapping of the pyramids until they are aloft and an attack causes all manner of trouble for the pair. Before Aaliyah can make her way back to her ministry of antiquities she'll find help from a desert patriarch and face the fact that something quite nefarious is afoot with the royal house of Haker. Once on the track across the desert sands, Sunil uncovers within himself something he never realized he was capable of. Joined by Chike, a librarian scout, Sunil and Aaleyah are pulled into an adventure none had foreseen. Both Aaleyah's knife, a Kard antique, and Chike's sword will flash and defend the royal house in this post-apocalyptic setting. Sunil will stand loyal for the King, the artifacts of the past, and the Bibliotheka Alexandrina. Win or lose, the trio must cross hundreds of kilometers to save the past and guide the future.
Burning Library is set in the Protected Books. World civilization as we know it has ended, not with an apocalyptic bang but with an insidious virus. In a future where technology is lost, libraries have taken power. Scouts enforce the library rules and keep the peace. Go on the dangerous journey with librarians. In this short story libraries in California are providing a book for those in New Mexico. Readers of A Dangerous Way may recognize the events that led up to this adventure. A library courier has an important mission for the Southwest in this future world with no modern technology. Lindy must deliver the book against impossible odds. It falls on her to save the future of the Southwest.
Lakisha Decides is a story that is part of Asante's Gullah Journey. Asante's Gullah Journey is set in the Carolinas of the future United States where Gullah people have power and live free of interference by others. Lakisha is a young girl who has been brought to a library and has become involved in the defense of the library against attackers. She rises to the occasion, demonstrating bravery and brains. This story is set before the time of Gullah Girl in the Bayou.
Pratima's Engines is set in India. Pratima goes on an undercover mission for the library. Pratima, a new investigator for the libraries, must disguise herself as an expert, and walk into a heavily armed compound to discover the dangerous plans afoot to challenge the leaders of India. Pratima was introduced in the book Pratima's Forbidden book. Her adventures are in Northern India. This story is set after Pratima's Forbidden Book, and before the After the Collapse books.
I enjoyed reading this fantasy romance story. Katie felt like an individual I was interested in following. She starts off with little special, in our world, except some martial arts training and an ability to sense auras. But her life dramatically changes as she is carried to another world. A facinating world has been built with Katie having an important role to play. She finds purpose, a life to live, enemies, allies, and a romantic interest.
Readers looking for fantasy and romance will find a near perfect read in this story. Be prepared to want to read the next in the series.
I enjoyed this second book in the Steerswoman series. It is challenging to read them. This book continues and expands the practice of showing ordinary lives. These books are not about leading up to action payoffs every few chapters. Instead these books are written with the flow of life that seems real. A person lives life with everyday events happening, and once in a while sudden violence might happen which is a surprising interruption.
Rowan is continuing her investigation of the fallen guidestar. I am learning more about day-to-day life in an outskirter camp than I ever wanted to know.
I most enjoy learning about the Face people.
The author is frustrating me by revealing no more about the mysteries of the Guidestars and the Wizards to us readers than she reveals to the steerswoman. So we must try to put together the mystery at the same speed as the characters in the story. Very frustrating, but probably a wise writing choice.
I want to warn potential readers. There are pages upon pages of information about the life and practices of the nomadic goat herders in the Outback and the Face. Be prepared.
This book is an enjoyable easy read. This paranormal mystery is a serviceable detective story. There is light romance with some intimate relations. Isabella and Fallon are likable heroes and are continuously on the case investigating some lost or stolen paranormal devices that can affect people's minds.
I believe readers who enjoy paranormal mysteries would like this book. I have little experience with this genre, but it held my attention all the way through.
The villains are somewhat simply written and the romance does not develop gradually, but instead emerges full blown in the first interactions between the two main characters.
This is book 10 in a series that spans time and different characters and the author demonstrates a mastery of the material.
Now that I have finished this book, I love it. This is the first book in a series about the Steerswoman Rowan. After the first 50 pages I was not sure if I was going to finish it. I then went and looked at others' reviews. One secret revealed by another reviewer made me want to continue the book.
I started the book because a reviewer had compared the steerswomen to librarians. I would not have used that analogy. I would have compared a steerswoman to a high level analyst. She always considers all the facts she has access to in making decisions. I found the book slow going, but I am glad, and I am going to keep at it.
This book got under my skin. As I read, I liked it more and more. It was slow starting, but it may get added to my list of favorite books. The characters are constantly looking around them and smelling the air and trying to reason through what their senses and minds tell them is happening around them.
This book contains many details of life that occur in between plot action. Fictional story-telling, usually, is filled with a series of dramatic points where tension is constructed and resolved. Real life is different, our lives do not build to dramatic points on a regular basis. This book contains much more of real life that occurs between dramatic points.
Fun fantasy read. Strong beginning. The middle was a bit of a slog, but the ending was tense and resolved many conflicts. Well structured and written ending. Planning to pick up # 2.