My Rating: 4 Stars One word for this novel: Intense! I absolutely love the type of story where the main character gets involved with something, falling into it blindly. It just adds spice to the story! A novel starts out with private investigator Moses Winter is working on a cheating-husband case. Things start to get complicated when the cheated wife discovers that her husband has been with a Bosnian immigrant. When a fight breaks out, the husband ends up being stabbed, and when the police finally arrive on the scene, Rakic, the agent from the homicide department, recognises the mistress as his cousin. While trying to protect his cousin, Rakic realises that finding the truth will more come complicated than he was expecting. When Moses feels there’s something amiss with the story, he investigates and ends up finding out the shocking truth, something that runs a lot deeper than a mere cheating investigation. It gives me great satisfaction to see all the storylines come together perfectly in the end with no strings left hanging. The storyline is great and the style of writing made it very easy to follow the different perspectives and the development of the case. The description of the global problem of human trafficking served as a reminder of the level of desperation people have to reach to undergo such conditions, just to have a chance at life. I think Sparks addresses the problem in a very good way and it definitely puts this novel in a whole other level. The characters are well developed, especially Moses, a likeable character with a great level of determination and curiosity. Unfortunately, the romantic part didn’t do much for me. His connection with Majka, a suspect, and the fact that he uses her didn’t sit well with me. I so admire the determination of Rakic and his family loyalty. The references to smoking came too often, in my opinion. I’m not a smoker but I think it was too much detail for an addiction. Overall, it’s a fast-paced detective story that I enjoyed immensely. I want to thank the author Francis Sparks for reaching out and sending me his book in exchange for an honest review.
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My Rating: 4 Stars One of the reasons I like to browse in my local library is because you never know which little treasure you might find hidden on the shelves. This book was definitely a hidden treasure. I have to admit that the cover was the reason why I grabbed it; I have a thing for old books! This fantasy novel is refreshing and the old-fashioned tale was very engaging. Aurian tells the story of Aurian, a female mage growing from a young age with magic, trained in the art of the sword by an old friend of her dead father, Forral. When she’s sent to the city of Nexis to train her powers, she has no idea that her life is about to change forever as she stumbles into a power fight between humans, Miathan and the Archmage. So the fight begins to the end of the world: a quest to gather the only weapons strong enough to stop Miathan, the Artefacts of Power. The style of writing is beautiful and it was very easy to get into the story. What surprised me in this novel were all the subplots that come together leaving no loose ends. I’m usually not a fan of this type of structure because I tend to get lost in the thread of the story. I was surprised that I still felt connected to the story despite that, it actually made sense and the fact that there are different perspectives and opinions complete the story to the last detail. It’s also great to see the reactions of the several characters to the events. In the end, it’s not possible not to connect to a few characters. Their humanisation is incredible and their descriptions are so well made, I could actually see them as real people. This isn’t a fairy tale though, main characters meet their end like all the others, and everyone is on equal footing, which kept my nerves on the edge! Aurian is a very strong female character in a novel I could feel the power of the feminine, something I really enjoyed reading about. The responsibility that falls on her lap makes her step up her game and her determination and courage are amazing to read. Overall, a very enjoyable and memorable novel! Highly recommend it to the fans of the fantasy genre that would like to read something refreshing! My Rating: 3 Stars I’ve always been a big fan of Agatha Christie, but I must say I didn’t feel this novel as much as I would with Poirot or Miss Marple. The plot is very nice and the murder is complex and has some turns that left me without certainties of anything. The book starts with the introduction of the main character, Luke Fitzgerald, a retired policeman travelling by train to London. Sitting in his cabinet is an elderly woman, Lavinia Pinkerton that confides in him about several murders that have been happening and how the murderer would kill again. Dismissing the worries of lady, imagine the surprise of Mr Fitzgerald when he reads about the ladies's death in the newspaper the following day. What follows is the introduction of the suspects, including Miss Bridget Conway, the lady that captures Luke’s heart. But who is the murder? Why does he kill? And more importantly, who will be the next victim? Like I wrote before, the murder plot is complex and with some twists, something that I enjoy greatly. The murderer is truly the last person one would expect and it took me by surprise. The evidences are all there, but I was unable to connect the dots until the very end. The vintage setting, a small village where nothing ever happens and suddenly a murder occurs, is something that I’m still able to enjoy no matter how many books I read with the same setting. My only problem was connecting with the characters. I’m not a fan of romance and I think that Luke and Bridget’s story was cute but rushed with all the “love at first sight” thing. Still, I liked reading their interactions and conversations since Miss Conway is the smartest woman in the story. Overall, a nice read, but not one of my favourites from Agatha Christie! My Rating: 4 Stars I find it a bit difficult to put to words what I think about this book. I got mixed feelings but not in a bad way, not by far. I was amazed by the detail related to security, the military and the operations, definitely saw the background of the author in the novel and definitely got the feeling that he saw some of the things he wrote about. The novel tells the story of a group of men known as the Black Bastards with unique backgrounds that act together in a war against crime waves in the city of Johannesburg in South Africa. In vivid crime scenes and war settings, Casey Christie takes us on a journey with Sergeant Michael Night, an army veteran, his best-friend Constable Daniel Shaka, a giant also known as Zulu and Constable Nickolai Stanislov, former Russian Spetznaz operator and expert shooter against a crime lord known for his Satanic rituals, murderers and rapes. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that provided so much detail on the police/military procedures! It made me feel like I was there, sitting next to this trio planning, observing and executing high-risk operations. The novel is fast-paced and the vivid descriptions of the streets of South Africa and the cruel events that take place there are both amazing and terrifying. The plot is amazing and very well designed; no details are left to chance. The writing style is great, it makes the story easy to follow and the unique terminology of field gives depth to the story. The characters are also great, I enjoyed discovering more about them as the story moves along and their depth really gave the feeling they are real people. Sergeant Night is definitely my favourite character, he is a very complex character that shuts down his emotions to deal with painful moments in his life. His special bond with his two mates and Lisa, his on/off girlfriend reveal the more human side of a man that spent years in military settings. Another character that surprised me was the bad guy, also known has uSathane or “The Devil”. He is simply terrifying, probably because there are still a lot of people like him in the world. The character may be fictional but what he does, the crimes he commits and the methods he uses are still very much real. Furthermore, Christie joins the spiritual part of the African culture when he introduces the witch-doctor. The “Devil” is the ultimate villain: a human-being (if you can call him that) believed to be immortal that uses fear to control the people and possesses the means to keep that control. A great read that kept me on my toes. I definitely want to read more of Casey Christie’s works in the future! I want to thank Casey Christie for sending me a digital copy of his book in exchange for an honest review. My Rating: 4 Stars Right on the first page of the preface, it felt like my heart was being squeezed inside my chest. To know that this novel is based on a true story and that the treatment of this person was hell both during his captivity and when he manages to escape is both scary and revolting. It really shows the flaws in the justice system and proves that justice doesn’t always prevail, unfortunately. Blood Moon tells the story of Recidio Suarez, a man that is kidnapped from his working place for no apparent reason, blindfolded and tortured for a month, living and suffering under conditions that no human being ever should. Under the threat of his life and his loved ones, Suarez is forced to submit to the conditions of his kidnappers. When he alone manages to escape his captivity, he faces another level of torture: no one believes him. Both police and The Special Investigations Division of the Miami-Dade Police discredit his evidence and his story; refusing to take the case further. I will tell you this: It’s not a book for the faint of heart. Bethel describes the events with accuracy and the characters are very well developed, and I think he portrays the kidnappers with frightening accuracy as well. As I read through the novel, I’m sure I gained white hairs. Not knowing what would happen and what horrible thing would come up next left me in a state of anxiety and suspense that I sure I’ve never felt before with a book. Reading through the insane torture scenes was, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the hardest things I’ve read. At some point, I just wanted to throw the book on the floor and scream at the things these people were willing to do to and how far they were willing to go for money. The arrogance of thinking they would never get caught and that they could do whatever they pleased. These people are the living proof that monsters do exist in the world. And when you think you can rely on those with the responsibility and duty of protecting the people, they completely discredit his story and completely ignore the pain, the suffering and the physical and mental scars that will haunt him until the end of his days. The indifference is revolting. Suarez proves to be a true hero, surviving through something I would never be able to and having the courage and the strength to escape. The fact that it’s based on a true story just enhances everything that’s for sure. A thrilling, suspenseful and horror novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat and that will put your problems into perspective. I want to thank the author of Blood Moon John David Bethel for sending me a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review. My Rating: 5 Stars I'm suffering from the post-book syndrome. Another brilliant work by the one and only Ms Genevieve Cogman with the brilliant third volume of the Invisible Library saga. Twice as packed with action than the first two volumes put together, a lot more trouble and difficult decisions for Irene. A mind-blowing finale felt me completely breathless, shaking and crying that I have to wait until December 2017 for the next novel! Our hero, Irene, is currently suffering from her early behaviour towards the disregard of Library rules. As punishment, she is sent on minor missions with her friend and assistant Kai while taking residence in the world of Vale, the great detective. But since when does the life of a Library spy runs smoothly? When the doors to the Library start to malfunction and explode all together, Irene must use all her wit and her ability to prioritise to: escape a building on fire, retrieve a book from the Crystal Palace in Saint Petersburg, save the life of a dear friend suffering from Chaos contamination, save the Library from complete destruction in the hands of ex-librarian and traitor Alberich and, in the bottom of that list, if possible, not die in the process. What can possibly go wrong? Just like the previous books, The Burning Page had me gripped to its pages right from the beginning. As I didn't have to wait very long for the action to start and to see Irene and Kai at their best when things go horribly wrong. I really enjoyed seeing that development of Irene's relationships and how they change her. She was used to being alone and in the third novel, she still struggles to balance logic with emotions. Kai has also grown since the first book and after his near-death experience in the Masked City, I definitely saw the change in him towards Irene and Vale. Vale is a difficult character to analyse being the Great Detective with super-power of deduction. I was surprised to see his interaction with Irene and I can wait to see how their relationship will develop in the next books. The villain is revealing himself to be quite frightening and unpredictable. I really enjoyed seeing more of him in the volume, I definitely like the depth of his character. Alberich is a complete mystery and even though his plans seem to be very straightforward I can't shake the feeling that there is a lot more behind that faceless shadow. In some parts of the book, he really made me question if there is some truth in what he says, because, really, why would he lie about it? The plot was amazingly written, it's getting more and more complex and even so, all the loose ends are perfectly tied by the end. The explosive and unexpected finale left me breathless, a bit sad and a whole lot of surprised! Just... Wow. Definitely counting the days for the next book "The Lost Plot" coming out in December 2017! My Rating: 4 Stars This was the first novel I read by Mr James Leader, whom I had the great pleasure of meeting in person. This book was something else: intense, beautifully written, full of suspense and emotion. The book tells the story of European School of Brussels student Danny Dykoff, a young teenager trying to figure out his identity and all the emotions that come with adolescence. Tired of the sad winter in Brussels, Danny and his best friend Théo take a chance and end up being chosen for the Model European Union team. It’s all they dreamed of: sunshine, beach, young Italian women and the beautiful Mediterranean, all on the Croatian island of Vis. But peace and content don’t last forever. When Danny stumbles on Mr Gogos nightly gathering, his world changes and old memories and ghosts come back from the dark corners of his life in Brussels. Will he be able to survive? It took me three chapters to get into the story, and then when Danny remembers his time in Mallorca where he lived before, something changed. I can only describe it like a burst of emotion, it was the moment I actually felt for Danny. After that, the suspense builds up very nicely and the pages passed very quickly with unexpected plot twists and a mind-blowing finale. I absolutely loved the descriptions of the scenarios and the characters. They really match the phases of Danny character and his emotions. Sad and grey in the beginning, colourful and full of life the next and slowly beginning to lose colour again. The depth that Mr James Leader takes with the emotional turmoil of Danny is incredible. The feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the need to please others to the point he forgets himself, the need for attention and love it really had an impact on me. It’s about questioning your identity and trying to break free of the morals and systems that are implemented since childhood. It really makes you think and question what you think you know. Because do you truly know or is it partially a mystery? An amazing memorable novel that I will remember for a long time! I highly recommend it to readers of all ages! My Rating: 5 Stars An exciting, thrilling, supernatural gay novel that I was unable to put down. This book was everything, from the back-story, the development, the scenario, the characters and the perfect build-up to the climax of the story. For a debut novel, Greg Howard proved that he was the essential piece of writing novels, the style of writing that keeps you gripped to each phrase and dialogue. The flow of the story is perfect, and the way Howard presents the events is brilliant. The characters are very human (even when they aren't) and I really connected with them. What is the novel about? The starts with our main character Cooper Causey, a young gay man that after a few traumatic events in his youth, refuses to get emotionally attached to anyone. A strange message from his grandmother warning him not to return home forces him to travel back to the small southern town of Warfield and face his demons... quite literally. Clueless about his family history and powers, Cooper is thrown into a world of supernatural creatures that will force him to face his past and accept part of himself that he desperately tries to keep hidden. Throw in the help of his teenage crush, a few vampires and talkative ghosts to the mix and you get the adventure of a lifetime. The perfect combination of thriller, horror and romance! The cliffhanger at the end left me thirsting for more and I can't wait for the sequel! Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Anakim Press, and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. My Rating: 5 Stars In two words: Absolutely Brilliant! This book has a bit of everything, from horror to adventure and humour. I'm not a big fan of zombie fiction but this one really got to me. The characters are brilliant and witty, it's impossible not to fall in love with them. The alternative perspectives leave no strings hanging and the rhythm of events is really good. I loved the writing style of Vicky Loebel. I could really visualise the settings, the characters. It's a musical and colourful prose. Beautiful! The humour in this novel really made me laugh and it adds the final spice to the story. I definitely want to read more of the works of this author. I highly recommend this book! You wouldn't regret it! Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Pentachronistic Press, and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. My Rating: 5 Stars Another great novel by Genevieve Cogman! Highly addictive, full of action through and through! An amazing sequel of the first book "The Invisible Library", packed with action, twists, new enemies, a very dangerous world and an almost impossible mission. Irene is amazing as usual, struggling to understand emotions that she has long forgotten and to test the boundaries of friendship with Kai and Vale. I could actually see a development in the friendship between the characters, especially with Vale. He really cares for Irene and Kai and he does everything, risks everything for the sake of their safety. Irene also grew as a character and I could see that she relies on her friends more even if she is still ruled by logic, which I identify myself with. The villains are amazing, loved the diabolically clever plans and the delicacy and fanciness of their actions and speech. Loved the setting, an alternative Venice with this classic style of writing is beautiful. The cliffhanger at the end of the book left me counting the days until the release of the third volume on December 9th! Can't wait! |
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