Jeff

I was provided an Advanced Reader's copy of Grim Folk Tale by James J. Butcher from NetGalley for an honest review.

Grimswald Grimbsy, a junior auditor for the Department of Unorthodox Affairs, is feeling more confident in his job until he is assigned a case involving his old job and a mysterious illness affecting children. He and his partner Les Mayflower try to unravel the mysterious illness and save the children, while dealing with a monster older than fairy tales and their own past before it is too late.

This is the author's fourth installment of the Unorthodox Chronicles. With each follow-up novel, the author's writing style gets stronger, and I felt the plot in this book was tight. I give huge praise to Mr. Butcher for a well-written novel and can't wait for the next installment.

I received an advance reader's copy of Tales from the Territory by Travis Baldree from NetGalley for an honest review.

Tales from the Territory contains five short stories set in the world of the Legends Lattes series, four of which are prequels to the main books.

In a prequel to Brigands and Breadknives, the chaotic goblin Zyll finds herself in a case of mistaken identity and thrust into a burglary investigation where the cutlery isn't safe.

A prequel to Legends and Lattes finds the Rattkin baker Thimble working for a household where creative cooking is not only unappreciated but strictly frowned upon, until Thimble's keen sense of smell leads him to a more creative future.

The Orc Viv finds herself on a bounty hunt for an elf in a story that takes place before Legends and Lattes. Viv's mercy guides her forward to a life after adventuring.

Prior to Legends and Lattes, Tandri attends a university and becomes an assistant to a professor who is creating a device that blends art and science, while becoming friends with the professor.

Two years after Legends and Lattes, Viv has new competition in town. A coffee shop has opened and looks strikingly similar to Viv's establishment.

The world of Legends and Lattes is a low-stakes fantasy setting with many adorable characters. It's a kind of series where you want to curl up in a warm blanket and sip lattes while getting lost in the world. High praise to the author for this series of short stories that reveal more about these beloved characters.

I was provided an Advanced Reader's copy of Platform Decay by Martha Wells from NetGalley for an honest review.

Our favorite neurotic, introverted SecUnit is back for another adventure in the Murderbot Diaries series. This time, he is on an extraction mission. Things never go as planned as he has more people to get to safety than originally anticipated, including (gasp) children. His dry humor and need to find his favorite soap operas on the feeds, amid the tense action, keep you laughing on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend this series. Its refreshing take on science fiction is enjoyable and keeps you engaged.

I received an advanced reader's copy of The Superman Wars by William Bernhardt for an honest review.

The story follows the lives of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the creator's of Superman. From the character's creation, to trying to market it to publishers, to finally getting Superman published only to lose the rights to their creation. Siegel's lifetime goal: to reclaim his creation as his own.

As a child through my mid twenties, I was obsessed with comics. I knew the basics of Siegal and Shuster's battle DC Comics/Warner Brothers, but this book goes in-depth on their legal and personal struggles as their fight with a corporate powerhouse spanned decades.

I enjoyed the history and learning of the not-so honest part of the early days of comics.

I received an advanced reader's copy of Paranormal Payback for an honest opinion.

Paranormal Payback is a deliciously wicked anthology of revenge by some of today's top fantasy authors, including Jim Butcher, Holly Black, Kim Harrison, Kevin Hearne, among others. This collection of short stories is filled with witches, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and other things that go bump in the night seeking payback in unexpected ways.

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection and highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys the paranormal genre.

I received an advanced reader's copy of Trust No One by James Rollins for an honest review.

Graduate student, Sharyn Karr is thrust into a race across Europe after one of her professors is found dead in a ritualistic-style murder shortly after he entrusted her with an ancient manuscript supposedly belonging to Comte de Saint-Germain. Not only are the authorities after her, but also a clandestine group who are also pursuing the book. Sharyn, with the help of her friends, race to uncover the secrets of the book before they are caught. I enjoyed this fast-paced book that kept me engaged until the end.

I received an advanced copy of Twelve Months by Jim Butcher from NetGalley for an honest review. This review will contain spoilers from the previous book, Battleground.

Harry Dresden is dealing with the aftermath of the battle of Chicago. Along with his city in ruins, so is his life. He lost friends, specifically Karen, who perished in battle. His half-brother Thomas is being held in suspended animation on Demonreach, until Harry can devise a cure. He has been kicked out of the White Council, and the Queen of Winter, Mab, is forcing a courtship and marriage to Lara, the White Court Vampire. Harry finds himself dealing with loss, while he tries to rebuild himself, along with the city.

Among his losses, Harry gains new allies, along with old friends to aid with his healing.

This novel of the Dresden Files is a transitional novel, moving the narrative towards the next major event in Harry’s life. Butcher’s writing keeps the reader engaged as Harry deals with his grief and acceptance. He saves the best for last with an explosive ending. I can’t wait to see where this story goes next. A definite must-read.

The book is very basic, but did have value in reading. I was put off by the gender biased way the author used he/him as the gaslighter and she/her as the gaslightee.

I received a review copy of this book from Three Rooms Press and Goodreads for an honest review.
Who knew the world could end is so many terrific and horrifying ways? A great short story anthology with stories by authors such as Jules Verne, Robert Silverberg, Connie Willis and Ursula K. LeGuin. A great collection for those who enjoy Post Apocalyptic tales.

Weird, but good enough to finish.

While I found this novel to be a page turner and an escapist romp, I felt the author went over the top on plot devices and tropes to fill several books. The scene changes were abrupt, almost like watching a movie. Perhaps this is the best description of the book I can give... a movie script written as a novelization.

I received this copy from First Reads and Mike Vasich for an honest review.

I have to admit, I liked this book. I was expecting a Dan Brown knockoff, but the supernatural elements were a departure from that genre. The overall story and pacing were engaging although the use of some plot devices Cerise's healing powers were used too often. The mystery elements of the story, for the most part, I figured out just what/who Amanda was quite early, but had it confirmed at the end had me guessing until the end.
The book set up a possible sequel and I will be looking forward to reading it.

I received this copy from First Reads and Third Flatiron Anthologies for an honest review.

I'll be the first to admit that I am a sucker for a good science fiction short story. This anthology treated me to a baker's dozen of well written stories, each with its own creative take on the red planet. While I enjoyed each story in this collection, here are a few of my favorites.

The Canary and the Roach by Ian Rose tells the tale of a Martian mining accident.

Colorblind on the Red Planet by Vince Liberato details the exploits a Mars expedition with disastrous results.

Cadaver by Robina Williams shows how one “cadaver” can affect a whole world.

Make Carrots, Not War by Neil James Hudson lets us know that the god of war isn't as warlike as we thought.

I also chuckled silently to myself as I read For Sale: One Red Planet by Jeff Hewitt and MarsMail by Michael McGlade.

This anthology is a must read for anyone who likes science fiction short stories and I'll definitely be checking into the other titles by Third Flatiron Anthologies.

I received this copy from First Reads and DC Comics for an honest review.

This graphic novel reprints The Death of the Family storyline featured in Nightwing #13-18, Batman #17 and a Nightwing story first printed in Young Romance #1.

The story follows Dick Grayson, the first Robin now Nightwing, through the events of the Joker's reappearance in Gotham. The Joker is capturing the Bat Family and is now after Nightwing. I found the story smart and fast paced. The artists that contributed to this volume know how to tell a story with minimal text and gives the visuals of the Joker just the right “creep” factor.

The climax to the story reprinted from Batman #17 had me on the edge of my seat and wondering to myself if the Joker really did what it looks like he did. Add a very good Batman/Joker confrontation that only these two characters could have makes for an excellent tale.

There are also two aftermath stories that were a nice touch and really makes me want to read the other Death of the Family volumes.

The only downside to this volume is the story reprinted from Young Romance #1. It has nothing to do with the main story and seems to be a “filler” story for page count. Don't get me wrong, it was a nice story, but for me, detracted from the rest of the book.

I was provided an advanced readers copy from Goodreads for an honest review

While I enjoy Hopkins writing style, this books wasn't as good for me as some of her others. I didn't care for the character of Ariel. I just found her annoying and unlikable. I was more excited to read Maya's parts and I definitely got more invested during her parts of the book. I just didn't get get as emotionally involved in this story as I have some of her other works.