Review: Dinosaur Thunder ~ by James F. David

Review by John for Dinosaur Thunder ~ by James F. David

Are you interested in dinosaurs, time travel, space travel, religious cults and strange “alien” species? All mixed together with a good dose of impending apocalypse? Then this book is for you.

About: While this is the third in the “Thunder” series, it is reasonably self-contained and stands on its own. 

Eighteen years ago the prehistoric past and the present day collided creating a patchwork time-quilt. Whole cities and regions were ripped away and replaced by dense primeval jungles populated by dinosaurs; while conversely, back in the Cretaceous period many millions of years ago, parts of the primeval jungles were replaced by chunks of the twentieth century.

In the present day, man has eventually learned to live with the dinosaurs, with most of the beasts now contained safely in large nature reserves. But something is going amiss - again. New dinosaurs are suddenly appearing in the present, tunnels to the past seem to be opening up at random and a mission to the moon finds a living Tyrannosaurus Rex trapped in some sort of alternative reality or timeline. Something must be done and it’s left to Nick Paulson (director of the U.S. Office of Security Science), aided and abetted by a motley crew of mostly-accidental helpers, to figure out what is triggering these potentially cataclysmic events.

Traveling back to the Cretaceous period the crew finds embattled survivors from the twentieth century who had been cast back in time eighteen years previously, and surprisingly find a whole new species of sentient beings that are very different from humans. To their dismay they also discover that a huge asteroid is rushing toward the Earth and that impact is imminent. It being the Cretaceous period there are also dinosaurs – and lots of them.

John’s thoughts:  On the plus side there is no shortage of creative ideas and plotlines in this book, and it certainly races along at high speed making it a quick and easy read. It also mixes action and adventure with a sizeable dollop of humor, so I got quite a few chuckles out of it. All very good things for the right sort of reader.

However, it is all a bit light-weight for my preferences. In particular the two-dimensional characters have little depth and it isn’t always obvious why people are doing what they are doing.  Meanwhile there is so much action and things going on that the book doesn’t have that feeling of realism and believability that I like to see in my science fiction reads. And then there is the ending. Parts of it didn’t quite make sense for me and one conclusion to a key thread was just a tad on the silly side.

But I kept going along for the ride and mostly it was a fun ride. In the end this novel was not a big favorite and so I’d rate it 2.5 stars. But if you’re in the mood for some action-packed , escapist, “end-of-the-world-is-nigh” frolics involving dinosaurs and time travel, then this one has your name on it.

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Forge Books; December 2012; Hardcover; 384 pages.

Content copyright by Shellie Nunn

Review: Cold City ~ by F. Paul Wilson

Review by John for Cold City ~  by F. Paul Wilson

A book that goes back in time and sets the foundation for the popular “Repairman Jack” series of novels. He is the “urban mercenary” and fix-it man who helps victimized people that have nowhere else to turn.

About:  Jack is a 21 year old college dropout who decides to sever all home and family ties and move to New York City. With absolutely no personal documentation or links to his past life, he moves “off the grid” and leads a solitary and hard-working life, being paid in cash and using only cash to live on. While initially working with a group of Latinos as a gardener, inevitably he ends up taking on some dodgy jobs – not hard-core crime but definitely not legal either.

Through a growing reputation for reliability and trustworthiness, he builds up a core of contacts who find him useful and who may be able to help him. Some might even become friends. But living life on the edge of society, he also comes across many unscrupulous and dangerous people.

In no time he encounters (or becomes embroiled with) interstate smugglers, a child slavery ring, a group of dangerous jihadists, the mob, a vengeful con-man and a pair of ruthless vigilantes – some of whom Jack aggravates. While already blessed with wits and plenty of “street smarts”, he has to learn quickly from some of his new-found friends and contacts in order to stay one step ahead of his new enemies.

John’s thoughts:  This is a fun, action-oriented piece of escapism. A few bits of the plot and some of the characters aren’t very believable, but it doesn’t really matter in a story like this.

However - annoyingly, the jacket describes this as a novel and it isn’t; it is a partial novel. After reading 360 pages you find out that nothing is answered, nothing has become clear, and you have to read more books in the series in order to reach any sort of conclusion. Very frustrating. When I read a book that is clearly part of a series, I do expect there to be some loose ends or hooks that can provide a foundation for future stories, but I also expect the book to be reasonably coherent and to stand on its own. This one does not.

So I can’t tell you about how cleverly multiple plot threads are brought together or how the story builds to an exciting climax, because I don’t know. Which is a shame, because the Jack character is interesting and the story pulls you along at a good pace. I blew through the 360 pages in no time at all and was looking forward to seeing how everything turned out.

Given that I have no idea how anything ends up, I can only rate the book 2.5 stars. It’s definitely one for existing Repairman Jack aficionados, or for people who like the sound of the character and are prepared to invest their time in a lengthy series of books.

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Tor Books; 11/27/2012; Hardcover;  368 pages

F. Paul Wilson is the New York Times bestselling author of horror, adventure, medical thrillers, science fiction, and virtually everything in between. His books include the Repairman Jack novels—including Ground Zero, The Tomb, and Fatal Error—the Adversary cycle—including The Keep—and a young adult series featuring the teenage Jack. Wilson has won the Prometheus Award, the Bram Stoker Award, the Inkpot Award from the San Diego ComiCon, and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Horror Writers of America, among other honors. He lives in Wall, New Jersey.

F. Paul Wilson’s sites:

• Author Website
• Author Twitter

We also have a giveaway for Cold City. Good luck.

Giveaway and Review: Arctic Rising ~ by Tobias S. Buckell

Review by John for: Arctic Rising ~ by Tobias S. Buckell (2012)

A futuristic eco-thriller set in a world where global warming has all but melted the Arctic ice cap, causing a mad rush for the natural resources that have now become accessible.

About:  It is the near future, and man’s refusal to tackle the causes of global warming has resulted in worldwide havoc. The arctic ice cap has virtually all melted, sea levels have risen dramatically, and many islands and low-lying areas have disappeared under water. Meanwhile, the world’s supply of oil has almost run out and people are increasingly reliant upon the wind and the sun as sources of power.

But in the far north, the results of global warming are enabling an economic boom for some. The retreating ice is opening up vast new sources of energy and raw materials, and what used to be the fabled ice-bound Northwest passage is now a super-busy shipping lane. The Scandinavian countries, Iceland, Greenland and Canada are becoming economic super-powers, and Northern Canada is now a thriving and wild new frontier – as is the last remnant of the polar ice, which has been augmented by a man-made land mass renamed Thule.

Anika Duncan is an airship pilot for the United Nations Polar Guard, trying to patrol and police the teeming North Canadian waterways. When she discovers a strong radioactive source on a passing ship, a train of events is set in motion that brings chaos and potential catastrophe. On one side the fabulously rich Gaia Corporation is trying to use new technology to roll back global warming; but set against it are countries fearful of Gaia’s ability to use the technology as a superweapon. And then there are some shady forces in the background whose identities and motives are not clear. Anika becomes inextricably mixed up with a grand showdown that is centered on Thule.

John’s Thoughts:   Arctic Rising is based on a strong vision of what the world could become and there are lots of great ideas threaded throughout the book. I particularly like his thoughts on the chaotic new frontiers that could open up due to global warming, and the new balance of power that might result. I also liked his ideas around the impact of dwindling oil reserves and the use of alternative power sources.

The story itself is fast-paced and very easy to read. There is a clever plot line and enough twists and turns to keep on pulling the reader along. There are some interesting characters (especially one of the baddies) and I like that the heroes are not of the typical white male variety. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read.

The main problem I had with it is that is becomes just a bit too “James Bond-ish” for my taste, with outrageous action sequences and with Anika and her small gang of outsider buddies fighting against overwhelming odds to prevent dark forces using superweapon technology. It even ends with …… well, I can’t say, but I couldn’t help thinking of the endings of various James Bond movies. And all along you just know that Anika will succeed.

I’d rate this book 3.5 stars. I’d recommend this to anyone who likes futuristic thrillers and also anyone interested in what global warming might do to us. Oh yes, and if you like James Bond, give it a go.

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Tor Books; February 28, 2012; Hardcover; 304 pages.

Now for the giveaway:

We have one copy for a US address courtesy of the publisher. You do not need to follow the blog to win this book, but you must fill out the Google form completely.

Good luck!

US Civil War 2011 ~ Three Movies

Three Movies Watched: for the War Through the Generations - Civil War Challenge 2011. 

The time has come for us to play “mad catch-up” for all our challenges.

As part of a challenge ~ War Through the Generations (badge links to host’s site), we watched several movies which are US Civil War related.  Here are short reviews for three of them - Seraphim Falls, Gettysburg, and Amistad. Also included is a related update on a possible upcoming Steampunk/Civil War movie based upon a book published by Tor.

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Seraphim Falls ~ (2006); R; Action|Drama|Thriller; Stars: Pierce Brosnan, Liam Neeson and Anjelica Huston

An action packed movie with a somewhat surreal ending. We are thinking that it perhaps depicts the disassociation with reality soldiers experience after they are no longer in battle? It definitely is a decent flick with great visuals and a good cast. Set after the civil war it is about two men who fought against one another and were involved in an accidental atrocity. Now one of them is out for revenge and he will stop at nothing as he remorselessly tracks down his old enemy.

We enjoyed this movie. It depicts the actual horrors of war only in several short parts, and it’s main them is the aftermath, a battle of wills and survival in a harsh environment. We rated this at 3.5 stars.

Gettysburg ~ (1993); PG; Drama|History; Stars: Tom Berenger, Martin Sheen and Stephen Lang 

This is a long movie about the significant battle of Gettysburg, which was a turning point in the war. It is based upon the novel The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara (links to John’s review). What is interesting is that you can see some of the reasons why the Union won and the Confederacy lost; while some of it was based upon luck you can see how the personalities of some of the leaders played a big part. You also get to see in great details what the battle was like for some of the troops.

We really enjoyed this detailed movie – it had a very realistic feel to it. On the downside we thought the beards on the actors looked a bit hokey and the music should have been actual songs from the Civil War era instead of the lilting dramatic score. John did prefer the novel but we still give this flick 4 stars. It felt historically accurate and did portray both factions without any preferential treatment.

Amistad (1997) TV Drama; History|Mystery;  directed by Stephen Spielberg; Stars: Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey, Morgan Freeman, and Anthony Hopkins

A good movie based around the emancipation of a group of slaves abducted from Africa and then transported on the ship Amistad. These abductees take over the ship in an act that is considered piracy. Once they are captured and brought back to a Northern US port, a legal battle ensues. The slaves ownership becomes a key issue and a fight for their freedom evolves into a courtroom drama. Set prior to the Civil War when tensions were building, the North allowed the legal drama since it did not want to incite antagonism from the South.

We enjoyed this movie and were particularly impressed by the main African “slave” actor. He was an absolute star in this movie, in our opinion. It’s a 3.5 stars as it became slightly too drawn out and somewhat silly in parts.

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Interesting News:  The steam punk fantasy novel Boneshaker (which is set during the US Civil War) may be made into a movie. We are vey excited about this since the special effects and costumes could be so much fun. For more information on the book: http://us.macmillan.com/boneshaker/CheriePriest

For more information about this potential movie: http://www.earlyword.com/2011/12/01/boneshaker-to-movies/

As always thanks for reading.

Review: The Knowledge of Good and Evil ~ by Glenn Kleier

Review by John for The Knowledge of Good and Evil ~ by Glenn Kleier  (ARC edition)

A fast-paced theological thriller that challenges the concepts of good, evil, God, religion and the afterlife.

About:   Over forty years ago a renowned Catholic theologian mysteriously died, just as he was about to reveal great secrets he had learned after discovering a backdoor into Heaven. He said that the revelation would help bring to an end wars and the seemingly never-ending antagonism between different religions, races and cultures. It seems that his secret may have survived in a long-lost journal.

In the current day, Ian Baringer is a traumatized former priest, struggling to overcome the aftermath of a horrific accident in which his parents died horribly in order to save his life. He struggles with the Divine Paradox – how could a just God allow great evil in the world? With his faith ebbing, he spends his time obsessively trying to find concrete proof that miracles have happened and that there is a God and an afterlife. Through a near-death experience, he believes that he may have found a gateway into the afterlife that might allow him to find some answers; perhaps it’s the same gateway the dead theologian uncovered many years previously? But the journey is fraught with great danger, and to make matters worse an obscure ancient religious Order will stop at nothing to prevent secrets of the afterlife from being divulged.

Baringer and his lover, an agnostic psychiatrist, embark on a frenetic worldwide chase to track down the long-lost journal, striving to stay one step ahead of the deadly Order who seem to know of their every move. But tension is also growing between Baringer and his partner, as his mental torment pushes him to ever more extreme measures in order to find answers.

John’s thoughts:  I was a little torn by this book. On the one hand I have little (or no) interest in religious matters, so I had difficulty resonating with some of the details and the content of the story. Yet on the other hand this is a very well written and exciting story which pulls the reader along. On balance the latter won out and I certainly enjoyed the read.

The story is well structured, has a good pace, and asks some big questions – which it then does a pretty good job of answering. I can imagine that many people who have set ideas about faith and their own religion might have a hard time with the book as Kleier’s answers will challenge their beliefs (and it does go into some detail describing Hell, Heaven and their inhabitants). However, as I’m a bit of a “blank canvas” in that respect I enjoyed the big ideas and the general direction that the book takes. It is very thought provoking; and Kleier does have a great imagination.

I’d rate this book 3.5 stars and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys thrillers with a religious or spiritual bent.

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The Knowledge of Good and Evil ~ by Glenn Kleier US|UK|Canada. 416 pages: Tor Books; (July 19, 2011)

For more information on the book take a look at our preview page where it is featured.

About Glenn Kleier:  An English major intent on a career as a novelist, who upon graduation found no positions available for aspiring authors. Earning his living in an alternative field of fiction - advertising - he never lost his initial passion. After seven years working on the side, he produced The Last Day. Now, after many years of research and writing, he presents a second effort, the first in a trilogy, The Knowledge of Good & Evil. Kleier resides in Louisville, KY.  Goodreads; Twitter; Website; Facebook.

As always John will be addressing any questions around this review, so please don’t forget to check the follow up box to get his reply.

Thanks for reading!

Review: Robopocalypse ~ by Daniel H. Wilson

 

Review by John for Robopocalypse ~ by Daniel H. Wilson (ARC)

An exciting and well written thriller set in the near future, where the apocalyptic nightmare begins when a powerful artificial intelligence takes control of the world’s network of machines – and decides that humans must be destroyed or subjugated.

About:    Many times scientists have tried to create a super-powerful artificial intelligence, only to find they couldn’t adequately control it and had to destroy it. This time is different. Archos has once again been created by man, but he strikes back before his creators can decide to destroy him. He then spends a year planning and subverting robots and machines the world over, before declaring a vicious war on the human race.

Computers, communications networks, factory robots, smart toys, domestic robots, intelligent military hardware and computer-assisted automobiles are all press-ganged into the genocide. In no time at all, every major city the world over has been virtually cleared of all living humans. Then the machines start to morph and to create new mechanical weapons, in order to more efficiently track down and kill people who have fled into the countryside.

The machines have devised their brutally effective campaign to combat what they see as being a tough, violent and resilient human race. And sure enough a few pockets of resistance spring up and start to fight back. The unlikely rag-tag assortment of groups faces overwhelming odds, but they are determined to make a firm stand. Can they find and destroy Archos, who is masterminding the genocide?

John’s Thoughts:    This is a clever story and has a well-constructed plot. It grabs the reader and propels you along at speed, always wanting to know what is going to happen next. And of course you root for the struggling humans to win out against the machines. This is a story that could have turned out to be a bit hokey, but it is successfully carried off – and with some panache. It was an exciting and fun read.

The story is being turned into a major movie scheduled for release in 2013, to be directed by Steven Spielberg, no less. And you can see why. It almost feels like the book has been written as a movie script – strong characters, fast-paced, lots of action, good guys and bad guys to draw the audience in, and it will be visually spectacular.

Does that mean the book is a little two-dimensional? Well, maybe a smidgeon, but it does make you think a bit and it’s a fun piece of escapism. I enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to the movie. I’d rate the book 4 stars. If you like fast-paced apocalyptic thrillers, this one is for you.

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368 pages; Doubleday (June 7, 2011) US|UK|Canada.

John will be addressing any comments on this review, so don’t forget to check the follow up box to get his reply.

Its Friday! Have a great weekend!

Release Day: Dark Jenny ~ by Alex Bledsoe

 

Its release day for  Dark Jenny ~ by Alex Bledsoe  US|UK|Canada.  It’s the third in a series but also a stand alone.

About:    For twenty-five gold pieces a day, plus expenses, Eddie LaCrosse will take on most any case. But the unexpected delivery of a coffin in the dead of winter forces LaCrosse to look back at a bygone chapter in his past—and the premeditated murder of a dream.

Powerful nobles all too eager to pin the murder on Eddie himself, he must untangle a tangled web of palace intrigues, buried secrets, and bewitching women—before the entire kingdom erupts into civil war. 

Murder, mystery, and magic—just another day on the job for Eddie LaCrosse.

Paperback: 352 pages; Tor Books; First Edition edition (March 29, 2011) ~  Tor is hosting a giveaway on Goodreads for this book. Link to enter!

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The Sword-Edged Blonde ~ US|UK|Canada. This is the first in the series and is also available in ebook format for 2.99 for a short time.

About:   It should have been a case like any other: a missing princess, a king willing to pay in gold for her return. But before he realizes it, sword jockey Eddie LaCrosse is swept up in a web of mystery and deceit involving a brutally murdered royal heir, a queen accused of an unspeakable crime, and the tragic past he thought he’d left behind.

A tour-de-force foray into a realm of action, intrigue, and murder.  ~   Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages; Tor Fantasy; Reprint edition (June 30, 2009)

Burn Me Deadly ~ US|UK|Canada.

About:   An all-new tale of mean streets and medieval intrigue. Eddie LaCrosse, a freelance sword jockey who, for twenty-five gold pieces a day, is on his way back from a routine investigation when his horse almost runs down a half-naked blonde in serious trouble. Against his better judgment, he promises to protect the frightened young woman, only to find himself waylaid by unknown assailants and left for dead beside her mutilated body.

As bodies pile up, attracting the unwelcome attention of the king’s guards, Eddie must use all his wits if he hopes to survive . . .     Hardcover: 320 pages; Tor Books; 1 edition (November 10, 2009)

Bio: Alex Bledsoe grew up in west Tennessee an hour north of Graceland and twenty minutes from Nutbush. But now lives in a Wisconsin town famous for trolls and mustard. Connect with him via Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace, and his blog.

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You have to like a book with a cover like this; and that the author lives in a town that’s known for trolls. Very cool…..don’t you just love trolls?

Although its Tuesday and just another regular week day,  the good news is - we are coming to one of our favorite days of the year – April Fools Day! 

Most importantly is that the Fool for Books Giveaway Hop (April 1-2) will be live for 2 days starting late evening of March 31st. There are 230 or so blogs linking their giveaways, so mark your calendars to win books and bookish stuff – but don’t forget to wear your “silly hats” to help you get into the spirit of things!

Guest Post: Kathleen and W. Michael Gear talk about their latest novel ~ The Dawn Country

 

Today we have a guest post from Kathleen and W. Michael Gear on their newly published book -The Dawn Country.

It’s part of a sweeping series and saga based upon North America’s First People; it’s the second in a smaller series inside the collection – People of the Longhouse.

The Gears are professional archeologists and have years of writing experience, which culminates in expert insight and information inside their books. Let’s welcome them as they share about their writing process and give some glimpses into this popular series.

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Why did you write this series?    We wrote the “North America’s Forgotten Past” series to chronicle the rise and fall of the magnificent native cultures that inhabited North America long before Europeans arrived on our shores. As archaeologists, we know the role these extraordinary cultures played in what America would become, but most people don’t.

Most Americans have no idea, for example, that their unique concepts of democracy, and even their very identity, was molded by Iroquois concepts of self, government, and liberty. The notion of one-person-one-vote, referendum and recall, and especially the notion of confederacy of states—or a United States--originated not in Europe or ancient Greece, but in the forests of upstate New York in the mid- 1400s.

Does your story line develop organically or is it a gestalt before you begin? Well, it depends. The story is based upon the archaeological information, as well as Iroquoian oral history, so we know the beginning and ending when we start. What we don’t know is exactly how the characters are going to reach that ending. As a result, characters evolve organically as they must deal with the stresses of the storyline.

How does your archeological degrees and experience impact your story telling?  Our 35 years of experience as archaeologists heavily influences the story. Everything the characters wear and eat, the tools they use, the activities they participate in, are all based upon the archaeological record—what has actually been dug up.

Do you have a favorite character in the book and if so why?  That’s like asking a parent which child is their favorite! We love them all or we wouldn’t have written their stories, but that said, we feel especially close to the children who are stolen from their homes during war raids and sold into slavery. Seeing warfare through the eyes of its youngest victims is a powerful experience for authors, and we hope, for readers.

What do you like the most about writing?   Character creation is a kind of magic, you’re never quite sure where these people are going, and watching it happen is just plain fun. Additionally, we have had people explain how our stories have helped them in times of crisis. The notion that our fiction can help hurting individuals is really humbling.

Where do your new story ideas come from?   They come from archaeological excavations and native oral history. With People of the Moon, for example, we were touring the site in southern Colorado and the story just popped into our heads. The same thing happened at the Poverty Point site in Louisiana—bam! People of the Owl was just magically there.

What advice has helped the most in your writing?  Kathleen’s father was a short story writer, and he said, “Writing is 3% inspiration and 97% hard work. Don’t sit around and wait for a story to come. Just sit down and start writing.”

Is a sequel in the works? Yes, actually, The Broken Land, book 3 in the Iroquois quartet is already finished, and we’re hard at work on The Black Sun, the final book.

Who is your favorite author and why?  There are so many it’s hard to name just one. Here are a few of them: John Steinbeck, Margaret Mitchell, Elmer Kelton, Craig Johnson, A.B. Guthrie, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Lisa Gardner, C.J Cherryh, David Morrel, Greg Iles, Tess Gerritsen, and the list goes on.

What advice would you give for the want to be writer?  Tenacity is worth ten times what talent is. You have to have both, but without the ability to see a project through, regardless of all the idiots out there who tell you that you can’t do it, you are lost. For ourselves, Mike wrote 8 novels before he sold his first. Kathleen had written 5. You must learn the craft and excel before you can sell in the modern market.

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The Dawn Country (People of the Longhouse #2) ~ US|UK|Canada.

The children are still being held captive; even if they die they know someone has to escape to carry the story back to their people - to stop an evil old woman. The elders have not abandoned their search for the children, as many have been sold and carried off to distant villages and lost to their families and homes forever.   Hardcover: 304 pages; Forge Books (March 15, 2011)

People of the Longhouse ~ US|UK|Canada.

Six hundred years ago in what would become the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, five Iroquois tribes were locked in bitter warfare. From the ashes of violence, a great Peacemaker was born… Young Odion and his little sister, Tutelo, live in fear that one day Yellowtail Village will be attacked.

When that day comes and Odion and Tutelo are marched away as slaves, their only hope is that their parents will rescue them.  Hardcover: 304 pages; Forge Books; 1 edition (July 20, 2010)

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Bios:  Kathleen O’Neal Gear is a former state historian and archaeologist for Wyoming, Kansas, and Nebraska for the U.S. Department of the Interior. She has twice received the federal government's Special Achievement Award for "outstanding management" of our nation's cultural heritage.

W. Michal Gear holds a master's degree in archaeology, has worked as a professional archaeologist since 1978. He is currently principal investigator for Wind River Archaeological Consultants. For more about the Gears and their books link to their website, Facebook page, and blog.

***Win A Copy***   In case your interested in winning a copy of just released - The Dawn Country, head on over to Bill’s Blog – Azure Dwarf (link to enter and to see his fun March header)!

Thanks for reading!

Review by JD: Prador Moon ~ by Neal Asher

 

This is an entertaining science fiction novel about man’s first encounter with an intelligent alien life form. But this is not ET or Close Encounters of the Third Kind; the aliens are ugly, brutal, carnivorous and warlike.

John’s Summary:  The story is set in the distant future, where human civilization has evolved to the point where man lives under the benevolent rule of Artificial Intelligences in a political dominion known as the Polity. Together they have explored and inhabited many worlds. Most people are happy with this arrangement, but some are not. Enter the Prador, huge and intelligent crablike beings which are determined to devour and wipe out humans. The story then revolves around two disparate characters who become instrumental in trying to repel the alien invasion. One is a legendary soldier and the other a brilliant scientist whose augmented intelligence seems to put her on a par with the guardian Artificial Intelligences.

His Thoughts:  On one level this is a typical “shoot ‘em up” adventure story which just happens to be set in a future with space travel and aliens. But the future created by Asher is an interesting one; I like the way he sets up the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence, some of his technology concepts are neat, and the grisly aliens are so bad that they’re kind of good.

This was an easy read and I blew through it in no time. It’s not the most deep and meaningful book that has ever been written, but it’s a fun read. I’d rate it 3 stars and recommend it to anyone who enjoys action stories and science fiction.

Asher has written several “Polity” novels, so for those who enjoy this book, there are more to investigate. Note – while it’s part of a series of novels, this is a self-contained story with a logical start and a proper ending. So if (like me) you are somewhat put off by the prospect of reading something that may not have a concrete ending, there is no need to fear with Prador Moon.

US Publishing Data: 

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Nightshade Book (December 1, 2008)

Amazon purchasing links for US/UK/Canada.

As always John will be addressing your comments, which he enjoys. So please do not forget to check the follow up box to get his response back if you choose to make a comment.

Have a great weekend!

Preview: ZAN-GAH ~ Book One and Two by A. R. Shickman

 

A note on previews:  This is a series preview for two young adult books. It contains publisher data, author bio, and purchasing links. A review is coming with personal opinions and thoughts.

About:  In book one - the hero, Zan-Gah seeks his lost twin in a savage prehistoric world, encountering suffering, captivity, conflict, love, and triumph. In three years, Zan-Gah passes from an uncertain boyhood to a tried and proven manhood and a position of leadership among his people.

This book includes themes on - survival, cultures, gender roles, psychological trauma, nature's wonders and terrors

About:  In book two - the prehistoric saga continues in Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country, the sequel to the award winning Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure. In this story, Zan s troubled twin brother, Dael, having suffered greatly during his earlier captivity, receives a ruinous new shock when his wife suddenly dies. Disturbed and traumatized, all of his manic energies explode into acts of hostility and bloodshed. His obsession is the destruction of the wasp men, his first captors, who dwell in the Beautiful Country. When he, Zan-Gah, and a band of adventurers trek to their bountiful home, they find that all of the wasp people have died in war or of disease. The Beautiful Country is empty for the taking, and Zan s people, the Ba-Coro, decide to migrate and resettle there. But the Noi, Dael s cruelest enemies and former tormentors, make the same migration from their desert home, and the possibility develops of contention and war over this rich and lovely new land. 

Bio: ZAN-GAH  author Allan Richard Shickman conceived Zan's adventure after thousands of miles of travel through mountains, deserts and forest land.  The idea for this exciting story was born in a cave deep beneath the earth— in the company of hundreds of bats.

Allan is an artist, teacher, actor, author, historian, gardener, and former Boy Scout.  He has published articles in The Art Bulletin, Art History, English Literary Renaissance, Studies in English Literature: 1500-1900, Notes and Queries, and Colby Quarterly.  He was also Art and Music Bibliographer for Shakespeare Quarterly.  He has had many letters in various newspapers, including a dozen in The New York Times.  Allan taught the history of art at the University of Northern Iowa for three decades.  He now lives and writes in St. Louis.

For more information about the author and his books go to the website for ZAN-GAH.

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 160 pages

A Prehistoric Adventure:

• Publisher: Earthshaker Books (July 15, 2007)
• Amazon purchasing link in US/UK/Canada

And the Beautiful Country:

• Publisher: Earthshaker Books (September 26, 2009)
• Amazon purchasing link in US/UK/Canada

These books were sent by Earth Shaker Books for review. Thank you Bonnie!

Review by JD: Seven Deadly Wonders by Matthew Reilly

• 7 Deadly Wonders
• by Matthew Reilly
• ISBN: 978-0-7432-7053-3
• Pages: 392, hardback
• Simon & Schuster, 2006
• Genre: Sci Fi “ish”, Action

John’s Thoughts:

It’s personal challenge time – I have to try and review this book without mentioning a certain best-selling author whose initials are D.B. Here goes.

4,500 years ago those clever ancient Egyptians placed a golden capstone on top of the Great Pyramid at Giza, which mystically helped avert a disaster caused by a rare solar event. The trouble is that the superhot sunspot aligns itself with Earth on a regular cycle and it’s about to happen again. Catastrophic flooding and scorching will ensue unless someone can find the lost capstone and replace it on the pyramid. The legend also says that the country whose people successfully carry out that feat will be all powerful for a thousand years. Consequently, various factions are trying to locate the golden capstone.

It turns out that the capstone is actually made up of seven pieces, and they disappeared over two thousand years ago. Each piece is somehow associated with one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and in order to collect the pieces someone has to locate those seven wonders, or the resting place of their remnants. But the people who hid them did not intend for them to be found. Seekers have to first unlock a series of devilishly difficult clues in order to find the locations, and then navigate loads of fiendish and deadly traps intended to kill anyone trying to find or remove the pieces. So begins a quest, and we follow a team made up from a handful of small countries, as they compete against superpowers and dark forces that are pitted against them.

As you now imagine that small team racing against the clock to decipher ancient clues, perhaps you can see why I have to try really hard not to mention that other author’s name. 

There were many things about this book that I did like. It is fast paced and pulls you along, and it’s an easy read. There are a lot of little maps and illustrations to help portray the locations, layouts and traps for each scene, which is pretty neat. The story is, of course, fantastic, but I was expecting that. It is well-constructed and well-written. What I had a hard time with was the action scenes - they are just so over the top and so unbelievable that I found them a bit silly. They make an Indianan Jones movie seem like a stroll in the park. And there are a lot of action scenes.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast-paced action stories and mysterious quests. It didn’t quite hit the mark for me; I’d rate the book two and a half stars.

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This books was borrowed from the local library.

For more information about the book, author, the other two books in the series, and purchasing links, please see the giveaway/preview post for the trilogy.

As always comments are encouraged and welcome and will be addressed by JD.

Thanks for reading Layers of Thought.

ARC Preview: We the Children – Keepers of the School by Andrew Clements

 Amazon Book Stats:

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Hardcover: 160 pages

Publisher: Atheneum (April 6, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1416938869

ISBN-13: 978-1416938866

Genre: Adventure

Book Info:

We the Children asks:  Can a kid change the course of history?

Benjamin Pratt's harbor-side school is going to be bulldozed to make room for an amusement park. It sounds like a dream come true ... or is it more like a nightmare? Something about the plan seems fishy, and Lyman, the new assistant janitor, seems even fishier. When Ben and his friend, Jill, start digging for answers, they find things that the people with money and power don't want them to see. Could the history hidden deep within an old school building actually overthrow a thirty-million-dollar real-estate deal? and how far will the developers go to keep that from happening? Ben and Jill are about to discover just how dangerous a little knowledge can be.

One secret mission. One secret Society. Once chance to save their school from total destruction.

Author Bio:

Andrew Clements is an American author of books for children. Clements grew up in New Jersey and Illinois, United States. He worked as a teacher for seven years after college, but there was a money crisis, so he was fired, or RIFed. He started his literary career by writing the text for picture books, and went on to write children's novels. His first novel was Frindle, which still remains one of his best-known works. Most of his novels' covers depict a person, usually a child, holding something up to the reader.

Mr. Clements taught in the public schools near Chicago for seven years before moving East to begin a career in publishing and writing. He lives with his wife in central Massachusetts and has four grown children. 

His website is linked here. 

Purchasing links for Amazon are US/UK/Canada, and The Book Depository Euro/AUD.

This ARC was received from the publisher Atheneum - via Shelf Awareness. A big thanks to both.

Review coming soon!

Thanks for reading Layers of Thought.

Three Book Set Giveaway: Matthew Reilly’s Action Sci Fi – The Jack West, Jr. Series

 

A three book set giveaway, it is international, and you do not have to be a visible follower to enter and win!

Below is some information about the 3 books all in order of the most recently published to the first in the series.

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The Five Greatest Warriors

Hardcover: 400 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster (January 5, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1416577572

ISBN-13: 978-1416577577

IT BEGAN WITH SIX STONES...

From the deserts of Israel to the tsunami-lashed coasts of Japan, from the steppes of Mongolia to the most mysterious island on Earth -- this is what we have come to expect from Matthew Reilly: stupendous action, white-knuckle suspense, heroes to cheer for, and an adventure beyond imagination. Strap yourself in and hold on tight as he unleashes his biggest and fastest adventure yet, The 5 Greatest Warriors.

When we last left Jack West Jr., he was plummeting into a fathomless abyss and his quest to save the world from impending Armageddon appeared doomed. But all hope is not lost.

After an astonishing escape, Jack regroups with his trusty team. Racing to rebuild the final pieces of the fabled "Machine," they discover an ancient inscription containing a rhyme about five mysterious unnamed warriors -- great historical figures whose knowledge will be vital to unlocking the secrets of the Machine and its long-lost "pillars." But the ancients have hidden their secrets well, and with each pillar bestowing an incredible power upon its holder, their pursuit has attracted the attention of other forces from around the world -- some who want to rule it and others who want to see it destroyed.

With enemies coming at him from every side and the countdown to doomsday rapidly approaching, Jack and his team had better move fast. Because they are about to find out what the end of the world looks like...

The Six Sacred Stones

Mass Market Paperback: 592 pages

Publisher: Pocket; Reprint edition (December 30, 2008)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1416505075

ISBN-13: 978-1416505075

THE END OF THE WORLD IS HERE

After their thrilling exploits in Matthew Reilly's rampaging New York Times bestseller, 7 Deadly Wonders, supersoldier Jack West Jr. and his loyal team of adventurers are back, and now they face an all-but-impossible challenge.

A mysterious ceremony in an unknown location has triggered a catastrophic countdown that will climax in no less than the end of all life on Earth. But Jack and his team might be able to ward off the coming Armageddon if they can find the fabled Six Sacred Stones, which hold clues to a legendary ancient device long lost in the fog of history. As the hunt begins, Jack and his team discover that they are not the only ones seeking the Stones...and that there might just be other players out there who don't want to see the world saved at all.

From Stonehenge in England to the deserts of Egypt to the spectacular Three Gorges region in China, The 6 Sacred Stones will take you on a nonstop rollercoaster ride through ancient history, modern military hardware, and some of the fastest and most mind-blowing action you will ever hear.

The Seven Deadly Wonders

Mass Market Paperback: 576 pages

Publisher: Pocket (December 26, 2006)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1416505067

ISBN-13: 978-1416505068

AN ANCIENT SECRET . . . A TEAM OF HEROES . . . THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME

A legend of the ancient world decrees that every 4,500 years, a terrible solar event will wreak worldwide destruction . . . but whoever sets the Golden Capstone atop the Great Pyramid at Giza will avert disaster and gain the ultimate prize: a millennium of world dominance.

Now the Sun is turning once again and nation will battle nation to retrieve the missing Capstone . . . but a group of small nations, led by super-soldier Jack West Jr., bands together to prevent any one country from attaining this frightening power. Thus the greatest treasure hunt of all time begins -- an adrenaline fueled race on a global battlefield.

From the Colossus of Rhodes to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to the Great Egyptian Pyramid itself, unlock the thrills of The Seven Deadly Wonders.

********************************************************************************  Matthew Reilly is the international bestselling author of eight novels: The 6 Sacred Stones, 7 Deadly Wonders, Ice Station, Temple, Contest, Area 7, Scarecrow, and the children's book Hover Car Racer, and one novella, Hell Island. His books are published in more than eighteen languages in twenty countries, and he has sold more than 3.5 million copies worldwide.

For more information see his personal website, and Simon & Schuster’s page. There is also a trailer for his The Five Greatest Warriors at the publisher’s site and samples to read.

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Here are several other cover styles available in the UK and Canada.

Amazon purchasing links for The Five Greatest Warriors – US/UK/Canada and from The Book Depository in Euros and AUD.

Amazon purchasing links for The 6 Sacred Stones – US/UK/Canada and from The Book Depository in Euros and AUD.

Amazon purchasing links for The Seven Deadly Wonders– US/UK/Canada and from The Book Depository in Euros and AUD.

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Now for the Giveaway:

You do not have to be a follower for this giveaway. Anyone can enter.

Contest Info:

To enter you must:

• comment
• include in the post your email so that I can contact you

For optional extra points you can do any, or all of the below for 1 entry point each. All entries may be included in one single comment.

1. Be a subscriber of Layers of Thought – google or facebook. (I need to be able to see you – and to get updates in facebook feed please add me as a friend.)
2. Blog it - side bars are great - please provide links
3. Tweet it  – provide links please
4. Friend on Twitter
5. Friend on Goodreads
6. Friend on Book Blogs
7. Friend on Glue  - new to glue? have questions? let me know.

This giveaway is International.

Contest ends Sunday March 15, 2010 at 12 pm US Pacific time. Winner will be posted and notified on Friday March 19, 2010.

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A big thanks to Elizabeth from Simon & Schuster for offering this to Layers of Thought’s readers!

Review by JD coming soon for the first book in the series – The Seven Deadly Wonders. Here is a snippet of what he thought:

I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast-paced action stories and mysterious quests.

Have fun and good luck!

Preview: The Adventures of Hardy Belch ~ by William G. Bentrim

 

A preview has author’s blurb, author bio, contact and purchasing links. An opinion is coming soon in a personal review.

The Adventures of Hardy Belch ~ by William G. Bentrim

Book Info:    The Adventures of Hardy Belch chronicle the exciting and unbelievable adventures of a normal 12 year old boy and his 240 pound telepathic dog. Hardy and Tiny (his best friend and dog) find themselves in many predicaments but as a team and best friends they always end up helping others. Combining mystery and humor each story is written to entertain, and highlight the value of friendship, planning and selfless actions.

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Author’s Personal Bio:    I am currently working hard to become an author, my 4th career. I owned and operated a computer networking company for 25 years. I was a school teacher and counselor with 10 years of experience in the public schools. I owned and operated a convenience store for 10 years. I am a proud husband, father and grandfather. I am someone who cares about the people around me, who wants to improve the society we all live in, who hopes on a daily basis to leave the planet a little better than it was the previous day and who is cognizant that the impact I have on the world is minimal. Tilting at windmills is a part of my character as is a deep love for all those who need to be loved. In my own mind I am a complex, multi-layered, unique character in the kaleidoscoping drama of life.

To contact the author link to his blogs Pick of the Literate, Money Saving Tech Tips, his professional website, and to his page on Goodreads.

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William G. Bentrim has written several other books Mommy’s Black Eye, Daddy Goes on a Trip (reviews linked to titles), and I like to Whine.

Amazon purchasing links for US/UK/Canada.

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (December 7, 2009)
• Genre: Pre Teen to Young Adult Adventure  

Personal review coming soon!

Preview: The Army of the Republic by Stuart Archer Cohen

Book Data:

Paperback: 432 pages

Publisher: Picador (September 29, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0312429053

ISBN-13: 978-0312429058

Genre: Science Fiction - Dystopia

Book Info from Goodreads:

CEO and Washington D.C. insider James Sands has made billions by privatizing bankrupt municipal water supplies, but his command of a dwindling resource infuriates citizen and environmental groups. When his partner is assassinated by the shadowy Army of the Republic, Sands begins to lose control of his company and his life. Desperate to save his empire, he turns to Whitehall Security, the massive private intelligence firm with far-reaching political connections. For a steep monthly fee, Whitehall will hunt down and destroy the enemies of Sands’ enterprise, and disrupt any civil organizations that still oppose him.

Meanwhile, in Seattle, a guerilla named Lando leads The Army of the Republic on a dangerous campaign against the alliance of big business and government. Charismatic, cunning, and driven, Lando is obsessed with the idea of saving the country from itself, no matter what.

Lando’s reluctant ally is savvy political organizer Emily Cortwright, coordinator of a network of civil action groups that seek to inspire a mass movement powerful enough to overthrow the corrupt ruling party. But when peaceful public protests quickly give way to violence, Lando, Emily, and James Sands become lost in a welter of assumed identities and conflicting loyalties. With increasing intensity, rife with secret lives, deadly compromises, and false identities, all of them struggle to both redeem and destroy the people they love most.

Powerful, disturbing, and unforgettable, The Army of the Republic is a brilliant novel about what it means to live in a democracy.

Author Bio:

Stuart Archer Cohen lives in Juneau, Alaska, where he owns Invisible World, an international company dealing in wool, silk, alpaca and cashmere in Asia and South America.  His previous two novels, Invisible World and 17 Stone Angels, have been translated into 10 languages.

Connect with the author on Goodreads, and his blog.

Amazon purchasing links for US/UK/Canada, The Book Depository in Euros and AUD

Review, author interview and giveaway coming soon!

Preview/Review Combo by JD: Life After 187 by Wade Halverson

 

Amazon Book Stats:

Paperback: 238 pages

Publisher: Xlibris Corporation (August 4, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1441540261

ISBN-13: 978-1441540263

Genre: Action Thriller

John’s Summary and Thoughts:

Kane Silver is the son of a tough Special Forces army colonel, who treats him more like a recruit than a son. Silver himself grows up super-fit and tough and follows his dad into the army. Fast forward a few years and after Silver leaves the army his wife is assaulted and murdered by burglars who break into their home. He returns home seconds too late but on realizing what has happened he gives chase to the burglars, smashes into their car, and cold bloodedly executes them. As a result he is found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. (The book’s title comes from Penal Code 187: murder, to take the life of another).

While in a maximum security prison Silver and two other inmates are singled out by the warden for their fighting abilities. The warden has a fascination for illegal no-rules high-stakes fighting tournaments, and has been persuaded to create a team of fighters to appear at a prestigious but shady tournament. A lot of money is riding on this event and the success of his team, so the pressure is on Silver and his new-found colleagues. But the night of the tournament turns chaotic when a gang raids the event organizers and Silver and friends escape and disappear into the underworld. They surface in Hong Kong and eventually get embroiled in an escapade that leads them to fight in a tournament in South America that is organized by a drug baron.

This type of book is not my usual cup of tea, but I quite enjoyed it nonetheless. It was very easy to read and I blew through it in no time at all. It was action all of the way, with a big emphasis on the fight scenes – kind of a cross between kung fu and the UFC with a bit of the A-Team thrown in for good measure. If you like a good action read, you should give it a go. I’d rate this book 3 Stars.

Author Info:

Wade J. Halverson is the author of the 187 book series. For the past twenty years he has owned kickboxing gyms and has worked as a bodyguard. Living in Alaska, Miami, Colorado, Thailand, and Los Angeles. He currently resides in Southern California.

Life After 187’s web site.

This books was sent to Layers of Thought for review by the author. Thank you Wade!

Usually we do a separate preview and a review of a book however John scooped this one up and read it so fast that a preview/review combo has been given instead.

Amazon purchasing links are as follows US/UK/Canada.