88 Books
See allWhat an excellent book! It's a topic that seems to fit quite well with 2020 as a whole... the possible ways in which the universe will end (and there's no doubt that it will end, eventually). The science is presented in a way that is easily understood regardless of your background knowledge, with very clear explanations of some very funky concepts! Katie also has a great sense of humour that shines through and makes this book a pleasure to read.
I received and reviewed an ARC, but my review has not been influenced in any way by the author or publisher.
History is not always sung by heroes. It is sometimes written by the villains who told their story first.
Echo of the Evercry
There are a faction of knights, called to destroy the magic users who have been corrupted by power. The knights are well trained, respected (or feared), and powerful. But they also rely on their own magic users to know their enemy. But who is the enemy, really?
Behind the Veil initially presents as a gothic novel, with the protagonist a genuine medium who tries to offer comfort and support to people who have lost loved ones. As the book progresses, the reader's understanding of this process is challenged. Motivations and history are called into question, as a complex web of interactions unfolds. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Dawson's biggest strength as an author (beyond writing books I enjoy reading) is in creating multidimensional characters who, for want of a better term, are real people. Their motivations are not always clear, they don't always act rationally, they can be incredibly frustrating, but above all they are real.
Overall a good read, with real (dys)functional people trying to cope with extraordinary situations.
The Apocalypse Seven is an interesting book, and not what I had first expected. Yes, there are classic tropes of post-apocalyptic fiction, but there's also a lot more. The main seven characters are all from different backgrounds, with different skills, abilities, and foibles. This makes for many interesting interactions when they have to work together to try and work out what has happened to the rest of the world. Being one of seven people left alive (probably, maybe?) would be a challenge for anyone, and the challenges are well displayed.
The third arc of the book has some unexpected twists and turns, which challenge everything you think you know about what's happened.
An exciting read throughout, with a wide range of characters.
I went into this book knowing very little about it beyond the author, who I know from the Kismet comics. I finished the book today with an immediate desire to read the next in the series! Rogue Myths tells the story of a fairly ordinary person, living in a fairly ordinary share house, who happens upon a very extraordinary situation. This situation just keeps rolling onwards, with an inevitable conclusion... which is not what it seems at first. The characters are real people, with foibles and strengths like everyone else. There are no 2D characters in this book. The descriptions are sufficient without being over long, the reader can clearly see what is happening without getting clogged down. Action scenes are also well written and carry you along with the events. Overall a very worthwhile read, and a very promising start to a series.