Title: Alienation Author: Jon Lewis Publisher: Thomas Nelson Pub Date: January 03, 2012 Category: Young adult science fiction This is the second in a series and I didn’t read the first one, however the story included enough reference to the first book that I got the necessary background. The story The story is that of a sixteen year old boy and his two friends one a boy and the other a girl computer whiz. It’s set in our world after WW3. Alien races have been discovered, and the Thule, six armed shape shifters, have used up all the resources on their home planet and have targeted earth as their next home. They’re preparing to take over earth and kill all the humans. While they prepare for their invasion, Cole and his friends go into the CHAOS academy to become the front line in the defence of the earth. (16 year olds!) Cole discovers that he has been injected with Thule DNA as an infant and is likely the betrayer of the Thule that will save the earth according to a prophecy. He … [Read more...]
Review: The Disenchanted Pet by Kate Policani
Title: The Disenchanted Pet Author: Kate Policani Publisher: Kate Policani Available now at Amazon and Smashwords Category: Adult/young adult Science Fiction/fantasy The Disenchanted Pet is pure Indie gold, one of those books that makes me really glad that authors can publish their work so easily these days. If that weren’t the case, I would never had read this little gem. It’s a good example of something that would never be picked up by a publishing house, not because it’s not good enough – it is in fact extremely well written - but simply because it doesn’t fit the narrow parameters of what the traditional publishing industry is looking for. There would have been no point in Kate offering it to even an agent and for many of the reasons that makes it so wonderful. It’s too short for it to be profitable in print, but a perfect movie-length read for the ebook market. It’s set in the future but isn’t your usual kind of science fiction. It’s thought provoking, one of the … [Read more...]
‘Doodling’ & ‘Flidderbugs’ by Jonathan Gould
Doodling This is a quick, fun read about a man who wants to get off the world because it’s spinning too fast. It strikes me as one of those mad ideas you get when an idle comment sets off a visual image, in this case probably someone shouting, ‘stop the world, I want to get off!’ The beauty here is that Gould has actually written this whimsical little book that speaks to the part of ourselves that wants to get away from our crazy world. If you want something light yet poignant, something that makes you look at people and the world through a different lense, then this is a good one. I recommend it for reading when you’re waiting for a doctor, a dentist, a lawyer or for that girl to show up for your date, anything. It’ll bring a smile to your face and a lightness to your heart. Flidderbugs Flidderbugs is like Dr Seuss without the pictures, and I loved it. This delightful novella has Jonathan Gould’s trademark whimsical touch, and in the tradition of Dr Seuss’s ‘Stars on Thars’, is … [Read more...]
Review -Thomas World by Richard Cox
Title: Thomas World Author: Richard Cox Publisher: Night Shade Pub Date: 09/06/2011 Category: ADULT: Science Fiction & Fantasy (also suitable for older teens) Thomas World is an intriguing mind twister and if you liked the way the movie, The Matrix made you question your reality, you’ll probably love this one book as much as I did. It explores what happens when the borders of reality start bleeding through the edges, challenging our perceptions of the universe. Thomas Phillip’s world is becoming very strange and he’s wondering if he’s going crazy. We wonder too. Is this guy just seriously paranoid? Initially, it seems that way, but as the story progresses it becomes clear that the hallucinations, the strange feelings of being watched, of having done this or having been there before, the sound of violins playing and numbers being recited aren’t without basis. Just as Thomas wants to work out what’s going on, so do we and this is what keeps us reading as inexplicable … [Read more...]
Review – Ultraviolet by R. J. Anderson
Title: Ultraviolet Author: R. J. Anderson Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group Imprint: Carolrhoda Lab Pub Date: 09/01/2011 Category: YOUNG ADULT Science Fiction I enjoyed this engaging, sensitive, and thought provoking book immensely. I’ve labeled it science fiction because of the strange event that sets off the story and the events of the last quarter of the book, but before that, the world and Alison’s situation is very realistic, as is the synesthesia that explains her sensory abilities. The story was particularly interesting to me because of its focus on perception, one of my favorite topics. Blurb "Once upon a time there was a girl who was special. This is not her story. Unless you count the part where I killed her." Sixteen-year-old Alison wakes up in a mental institution. As she pieces her memory back together, she realizes she’s confessed to murdering Tori Beaugrand, the most perfect girl at school. But the case is a mystery. Tori's body has not been found, and Alison … [Read more...]
