Peter Thompson - Summer on Earth

33. Summer on Earth by Peter Thompson (2017)

Length: 294 pages

Genre: Science Fiction 

Started: 7 September 2017

Finished: 26 September 2017

Where did it come from? Many thanks to Dorothy at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 7 September 2017

Why do I have it? I like science fiction and Peter Thompson is a new author for me.

In the summer of 1978, eleven-year-old Grady Johnson is grieving the recent loss of his father. Times were already tough for the Johnsons, but Grady suspects now that it’s just the three of them: him, his Ma, and his younger sister Luanne, this summer will be especially hard. After all, his dad was the rock of their family. Now dad has died and the family just isn’t the same.

Grady knows that Ma is trying her best, but they just don’t have enough money to get by. He wishes that he could do more to help, but he doesn’t know how. The night that he looked out his bedroom window and wished upon a shooting star, Grady had no idea how much his life would change. And ultimately, the summer of 1978 will stay in Grady’s heart forever.

Actually, the shooting star that Grady saw that night was a spaceship plummeting to Earth. Secretly landing in a pasture behind Grady’s farm, extraterrestrial engineer Ralwil Turth has only one goal - to repair his craft’s power source and go back home. The mission should be simple enough to accomplish on an unpopulated planet such as this one. However, Ralwil’s mission doesn’t go quite as well as he planned...

Due to an equipment malfunction, Ralwil finds himself stuck in human form as he works on the Johnson farm. As he gets to know Grady and his family, Ralwil begins to learn what it means to be human. He also discovers more about the exotic charms of this planet Earth - things such as the taste of potatoes and how amazing bugs are. These are all extraordinary experiences and situations for Ralwil, and his strange reactions and odd behavior causes Grady no small measure of bafflement to witness.

As Ralwil grows to care more for Grady and his family, he comes up with a plan to try and help them, certain that it will solve all their problems. However, when trouble comes, the family’s survival and Ralwil’s very life will be on the line. The question is: will Grady find the courage he needs to help his family and save his new friend?

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I found the story to be poignant and well-written, and fully appreciated that the plot was about so much more than just the science fictional element. In my opinion, this was a refreshing change from most science fiction novels, which seem to be told from a more galactic point of view, rather than a personal point of view.

The historical setting of the story was also intriguing, and not necessarily overwhelming. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future and I would certainly give this book an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Michael Phillip Cash - Collision: The Battle For Darracia

4. Collision: The Battle For Darracia by Michael Phillip Cash (2014)

The Battle For Darracia Saga Book 2

Length: 176 pages
Genre: Science Fiction
Started: 25 January 2017
Finished: 6 February 2017
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Michael Phillip Cash and to Red Feather Publishing for sending me a copy of this book to read.

How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 13 May 2014

Why do I have it? I like science fiction and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

The Battle For Darracia Saga continues as a majority of the key characters find themselves at a soul-defining crossroads for themselves and their entire planet. The tensions between the social classes on the planet of Darracia have now reached their respective boiling points. Peace talks between the Darracians and their nearest neighbors the Quyroo people have essentially collapsed with the assassination of the Quyroo ambassador. Crown Prince V'sair's villainous uncle Staf Nuen has also attempted to stage a coup to seize his brother's throne, but although King Drakko was assassinated and Staf Nuen escaped, his conspirators were captured and brought to justice.

As Darracia is being rocked by the waves of violence and societal turmoil, certain members of the royal family find themselves separated from each other and spread throughout the galaxy searching for a meaning to the death of a much beloved and benevolent monarch. Shaken by his father's assassination - and unsure how capable he will be in ruling a kingdom that he views as still belonging to the late king - Prince V'sair struggles to hold the fractured kingdom together. Despite being surrounded by many of his father's most trusted advisers, V'sair still feels extraordinarily isolated and alone without so many of his loved ones by his side.

V'sair's mother, Queen Reminda's own faith in the elusive Elements that have guided Darracians for centuries has been shaken to its very foundations. Although she grieves the loss of her husband, she remains steadfast in her support of her son as he contemplates his upcoming coronation. V'sair's stepbrother Zayden has spent much of the past year since his father's death searching for his uncle's whereabouts. He is on a self-imposed mission of vengeance - ranging from one side of the solar system to the other - determined to bring Staf Nuen back to Darracia to face justice; or die trying.

Reminda's handmaiden Tulani is trying to navigate both of her worlds, attempting to find the best way to bring them together. While she essentially grew up in service to the Darracian royal family -  Tulani is still a Quyroo - and her family lineage requires that she leaves service to the Darracians to begin training among her own people. Tulani's grandmother Bobbien is in fact the High Priestess of her tribe, and she wants her granddaughter to succeed her. Tulani loves her grandmother very much and feels obligated to fulfill Bobbien's wishes; but she is also devastated to be leaving behind Reminda and V'sair - the only family she has ever really known.

The villainous Staf Nuen has gone into hiding after orchestrating the initial coup. Having lost his wife, only son, and youngest daughter in the coup, Staf Nuen realizes that his own life is essentially forfeit if Zayden ever finds him. Although that coup wasn't entirely successful - and his cohorts were dealt with appropriately - Staf Nuen is still determined to form other nefarious alliances with certain diabolical new allies elsewhere in the galaxy.

However, like the vibrant comet zipping across the horizon, all the various factions of Darracian society are heading into a direct collision course. They are heading along a path that will test the power of their belief in themselves, their planet, and ultimately, in the power of the Elements that have guided them for centuries. This is a battle that will test the boundaries of their faith and challenge the balance of power.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. While the plot definitely reminded me of Star Wars, the story was intriguing and highly original. I avidly wanted to know what happened next. I look forward to reading the conclusion to this trilogy; and give this book a definite A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Victor Nieves - Epitaph: Reveille

6. Epitaph: Reveille by Victor Nieves (2014)
The Epitaph Trilogy Book 1
Length: 358 pages
Genre: Science Fiction
Started: 9 January 2015
Finished: 2 February 2015
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Dorothy at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 9 January 2015
Why do I have it? I like science fiction and Victor Nieves is a new author for me.

In the year 2343, several centuries into the future, the galaxy receives a deadly wake-up call. A ruthless and mysterious alien force has inexplicably attacked a planetary scientific outpost, and all communication has been lost with the planet's surface. It seems that galactic peace has been undeniably threatened...

Nearly three-hundred years have passed since humanity ascended to the stars, learning so much more about the various alien races and cultures throughout the galaxies than they knew before. Humanity has since integrated to the best of its ability, joining with a conglomeration of alien races all living under the rule of a single, united community - the United Galactic Coalition - a joint, multi-species alliance that upholds the time-honored principles of democracy, freedom, and equality for every race.

The Milky Way Galaxy's future is possibly the brightest it has ever been...

Until a research team discovers a mysterious crystal buried deep beneath the surface of a frontier world known as Atlantis, right on the edge of settled space. It is this discovery which proves to be the catalyst for a deadly invasion from an unknown alien race that seems intent on the wholesale destruction of archaeological study and cultural understanding. So far, this ruthless alien force has indiscriminately attacked, apparently without any provocation. The extent of casualties is currently unknown.

As all the races of the galaxy are subsequently catapulted into a vicious fight for their very survival, fate hastily assembles a band of unlikely heroes. Thrown together into this epic battle for civilization is a legendary admiral with a dark past, a brilliant scientist with precious little time to find the answers, an elite Special Forces Operative determined to atone for a past failure, a spunky young military officer for whom this war will prove to be a baptism by fire, and a top-notch Marine who will discover a truth that will define him as a hero.

These five men and women hold not only the keys to their own survival, but the survival of their entire civilization. With the clock ticking, the race to discover the truth has definitely begun. As they try to fend off this cruel and merciless alien foe, this handful of soldiers must also decipher what mysterious secrets this crystal may hold that would merit the destruction of all life within the galaxy. But the question still remains...can they do it in time?

I must say that I really enjoyed reading this book. In my opinion, the plot was extremely well-developed and fast-paced; and the creation of the various alien races seemed to be remarkably plausible given the depth and breadth of the galactic setting. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this trilogy because I'm curious to see where the story will lead me. I give Epitaph: Reveille by Victor Nieves an A! 

A! - (90-95%)      

May you read well and often

Cerece Rennie Murphy - Order of the Seers

52. Order of the Seers by Cerece Rennie Murphy (2012)
The Order of the Seers Trilogy Book 1
Length: 259 pages
Genre: Science Fiction
Started: 11 October 2014
Finished: 21 October 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Kathleen at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 10 September 2014
Why do I have it? I like science fiction and Cerece Rennie Murphy is a new author for me.

For the past sixteen years, the Knight family have effectively been hiding in plain sight. Jill Knight, a widow with a sixteen-year-old son and a thirteen-year-old daughter, has kept the truth about their father's accidental death from them for as long as she could; now, with time running out, they have been discovered and Jill must prepare her children for what they will soon face.

Liam Knight and his sister Lilith are being hunted by The Guild - a ruthless worldwide organization that seeks to capture Lilith and exploit her unique abilities as a Seer to envision the future. Soon after they are forced to leave their home and go on the run, Lilith and Liam discover that she is not alone. There are other Seers like Lilith who are routinely kidnapped and enslaved by the Guild for the express purpose of consolidating wealth and power around the world. 

But from within the organization there is a revolt brewing; Marcus Akida, a captured Seer with extraordinarily powerful visionary capabilities, quietly plots his daring escape with the help of a beautiful and tormented Seer named Alessandra. Soon joined by two other desperate Seers, also intent on fleeing, the escaped Seers travel to the same remote commune in Iowa where Liam and Lilith are living. When they are drawn to such a place, Marcus and the others each find a place where they can slowly begin to rebuild their lives and rediscover their passion for life and love.

As the Guild's efforts to locate them intensify, the Seers ban together with the misfits of the commune to fight back against the organization that threatens their lives. As they battle to save themselves, the actions of the Seers will set off a chain of events which unleashes their full power and will ultimately change everything we know or understand about the true potential that lies dormant within each of us.

This was quite the beginning to a fascinating trilogy. I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the story; it was intensely dramatic and full of action. I'm completely engrossed in the Seers plight, and can't wait to find out what will happen next. I give Order of the Seers by Cerece Rennie Murphy an A! On to Book 2 of The Order of the Seers Trilogy: The Red Order!

A! - (90-95%)
       
May you read well and often

Michael Phillip Cash - Schism: The Battle For Darracia

35. Schism: The Battle For Darracia by Michael Phillip Cash (2013)
The Battle For Darracia Saga Book 1
Length: 202 pages
Genre: Science Fiction
Started: 9 June 2014
Finished: 20 June 2014
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Michael Phillip Cash and to Red Feather Publishing for sending me a copy of this book to read. I received my first copy of this book from him in February. After it won a couple of awards, in April a second copy of the book arrived in the mail from Red Feather Publishing.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 8 February 2014; Since 2 April 2014
Why do I have it? I like science fiction and Michael Phillip Cash is a new author for me.

Darracia is a planet in turmoil. An ever-widening social gap between its inhabitants is causing severe unrest, and that is quickly fracturing a once peaceful world. Already struggling with his identity, nineteen-year-old Prince V'sair dreams of someday wielding the elusive Fireblade - the key to a warrior's heart. However, deep in his heart, he secretly doubts his worthiness to harness such immense power.

The impetuous young prince will soon be tested beyond the point of endurance. For the coming battle for supremacy will pit brother against brother - and in order to overcome his uncle Staf Nuen's lust for power, Prince V'sair will discover his true destiny. Will the energy of the Elements guide the young prince to that destiny or will Staf Nuen finally conquer Darracia?

I actually began reading this book back in April, but due to my schedule, I had to set the book aside temporarily. I am so delighted that I was eventually able to read this book when I did. I was completely drawn into the plot right from the start. Mr. Cash certainly knows how to create believable, well-developed and true-to-life characters - even if they are aliens from another planet! - and an engrossing and intriguing plot.

I give this book a definite A+! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and look forward to reading the next book in the series - Collision: The Battle For Darracia - sometime very soon.

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Deborah Rix - External Forces

11. External Forces by Deborah Rix (2013)
The Laws of Motion Series Book 1
Length: 210 pages
Genre: Science Fiction 
Started: 26 January 2014
Finished: 19 February 2014
Where did it come from? From Netgalley
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 31 October 2013
Why do I have it? I like science fiction and Deborah Rix is a new author for me.

A century has passed since the Genetic Integrity Act was enacted and America closed its borders to prevent genetic contamination. Only the genetic anomalies classified as Deviants - known to all as the enemy - remain beyond the heavily guarded border. The Department of Evolution carefully guides the creation of each successive generation and deviations from the divine plan are not permitted.

When sixteen-year-old Jess Grant begins to show signs of deviance, she enlists in the Special Forces, along with her best friend Jay, in a desperate bid to evade detection by the Devotees. Jess is good with data, not so good with a knife. So when the handsome and secretive Sergeant Matt Anderson selects her for his Black Ops squad, Jess is completely baffled and is determined to figure out why.

As her deviance continues to change her, Jess must eventually decide who she can trust with her deadly secret. She needs to know what's out there, in the Deviant wasteland over the border, if she has any hope of surviving to see her seventeenth birthday. Because if the enemy doesn't kill her first, the Department of Evolution probably will.

First let me say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The characters were wonderfully drawn, and I was completely intrigued by the plot. I'm usually never sure about reading dystopian science fiction, but with External Forces, I was absolutely caught up in the story and wanted to see how it would develop. I give External Forces by Deborah Rix an A! and look forward to reading the next book in the series - Acceleration - some time very soon.

A! - (90-95%)
          
May you read well and often

Chuck Waldron - Lion's Head Deception

40. Lion's Head Deception by Chuck Waldron (2013)
Length: 317 pages
Genre: Science Fiction 
Started: 23 October 2013
Finished: 26 October 2013
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Dorothy at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 10 August 2013
Why do I have it? I like science fiction and Chuck Waldron is a new author for me.

Matt Tremain discovers a passion for writing blogs. He considers himself an investigative blogger, bound to discover the truth; and even though he has a rather small readership, they're faithful followers of his blog Vérité. When he is warned of a diabolical scheme, and the tipster is subsequently killed in a car accident, Matt is convinced that a true conspiracy is at work. 

An investigative television reporter and her cameraman may be potential partners or rivals. A detective offers his assistance, but Matt is unsure of his motivation. Soon, Matt Tremain and his friends are forced to go on the run to discover the truth. Because Matt Tremain and his friends have all become Public Enemies - with warrants out for their detention, arrest, and probable extermination...

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I'm not entirely sure why, but I've frequently classified 'Dystopian Thrillers' in the same genre as 'Espionage Thrillers' - which was a genre I wasn't all that interested in reading at first. I actually haven't read that many dystopian thrillers before, although I now have several on my TBR shelf. I give this book a definite A! and look forward to reading more from Chuck Waldron in the future.

A! - (90-95%)
       
May you read well and often

Kathy Bell - Regression

22. Regression by Kathy Bell (2009)
The Infinion Series Book 1
Length: 352 pages
Genre: Science Fiction
Started: 20 October 2010
Finished: 28 October 2010
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Kathy for sending me a copy of this book to read
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 9 September 2010
Why do I have it? I like fantasy and Kathy Bell is a new author for me.

Fourteen year old Adya Jones wakes up from a coma claiming to be a forty year old. She evidently believes that she is a mother of six children who has recently been in a car accident. The doctors in 1985 believe that Adya is suffering from severe head trauma and they keep her in hospital for most of the summer. Adya Davies is extremely frightened and confused when she wakes up in the hospital and the doctors won't let her see her daughter Hope. They claim that she is fourteen and unmarried, which Adya doesn't believe because she has clear memories of her life in 2011. A life which includes a husband and children and a career in child psychology that she loves.

As Adya tries to find out why she's reliving her teenage years, she discovers that there are some things that are subtly changed in her life in 1985 and sets out to find out more about the mysterious and almost omnipresent Three Eleven corporation. I truly enjoyed this book and give it an A!

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

John Knapp II - Earth is Not Alone

17. Earth is Not Alone by John Knapp II (2009)
The Emryss Chronicles Book 1
Length: 500 pages
Genre: Science Fiction
Started: 6 September 2010
Finished: 16 September 2010
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Rebecca at The Cadence Group
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 6 August 2010
Why do I have it? I like Christian fiction and John Knapp II is a new author for me.

After the Earth experiences an eletromagnetic pulse that wipes out all electricity, people in Susquehanna Territory in rural Pennsylvania try to continue their lives. About a month after the global tragedy, two Christian students are accused of cheating on an assignment. What follows is a deep discussion between them, their atheistic teacher and their pastor which leads to the discovery of possible life on other planets that may have already visited Earth.

I enjoyed this story very much and I don't usually enjoy science fiction that much. It is very thought-provoking and I give this book an A! Definitely recommended if you don't mind a strong Christian storyline.

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Nick Valentino - Thomas Riley

1. Thomas Riley by Nick Valentino (2009)
Length: 288 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Started: 1 January 2010
Finished: 6 January 2010
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Nick for sending me a copy of this book to read
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 15 November 2009
Why do I have it? I like fantasy and Nick Valentino is a new author for me

Thomas Riley is a West Canvian scientist who, along with his wily apprentice Cynthia Bassett, has built weaponry and technology for their country's twenty year war against its neighbor Lemuria. When an alchemy experiment goes horribly wrong, leaving the soul of Thomas' patron's daughter in Cynthia's body, Thomas and she must kidnap their Lemurian counterpart - a mad scientist - to help them retrieve the young girl's spirit. It will take all of Thomas' scientific skills to escape from Lemurian soldiers, airship pirates and from the constant threat of treason.

I really liked this story and give it a B+! Nick Valentino stopped by for a blog tour in November. Thank you, Nick.

B+! - (89-94%)

May you read well and often