en-US Wed, 24 Jul 2024 00:10:45 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Review6697059760 Wed, 24 Jul 2024 00:10:45 -0700 /review/show/6697059760 Ssteve23 gave 4 stars to Inara (Godfrey Davis, #3) by A.R. Merrydew
The captivating book, Inara goes deeply into a society on the verge of anarchy, making it a fascinating addition to the series. Because of Merrydew's great writing, devotees of the genre should not miss reading this book. After Tarquin loses authority over the androids, the novel examines a society with newfound independence. When an AI-related fatality casts doubt on its reliability, tensions reach a breaking point. Merrydew skillfully combines suspense and passion to create a thought-provoking book that explores technology and the destiny of mankind. Good read. ]]> Review5872802510 Thu, 28 Sep 2023 04:58:09 -0700 /review/show/5872802510 Ssteve23 gave 4 stars to The Polymorph (Kindle Edition) by Max Nowaz
Max Nowaz's The Polymorph, was an intriguing sci fi thriller, i was drawn into another universe that was brimming with secrets, lies, mystery and dramas, in the middle of of all this is Jim Brown, an Arbitrator, with identity issues, who finds himself entangled in a web lies and danger, whilst on a mission to save the world!
Its the characters that bring this book to life and give it depth. Brown (the main protagonist) is an individual whose personal struggles form the gist of the story, and the introduction of Marika, who is tasked with shadowing him, further complicates matters.
I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It’s not very often I enjoy a book this much. It’s a well-written sci-fi thriller with perfect pacing. Very enjoyable. ]]> AuthorFollowing96559584 Thu, 28 Sep 2023 04:57:32 -0700 Review5872799777 Thu, 28 Sep 2023 04:55:54 -0700 /review/show/5872799777 Ssteve23 gave 5 stars to The Dead Tell Lies (Kindle Edition) by J.F. Kirwan
The Dead Tell Lies by J F Kirwan was quite an experience. I found myself second-guessing every assumption, there were a few times I thought I knew where the story was going, only to be thrust in a completely different direction. The tension was high throughout.


As for the characters, they are well rounded and engaging, Even the secondary characters are well developed, with none of the predictability and cliches that you find in some novels. This is an excellent read, with heaps of suspense, tension, and intrigue.

Kirwan's writing style is straightforward, and I didn't get lost in "long-windedness", which is a plus for a book of this genre where pacing is crucial. The descriptions are detailed enough to paint clear mental images without being OTT.


I am a fan of this genre an i very much enjoyed this novel, it was a compelling and challenging read that I'm sure will appeal to other thriller fans too. ]]> Review5872773488 Thu, 28 Sep 2023 04:32:13 -0700 /review/show/5872773488 Ssteve23 gave 4 stars to The Trial of Joe Harlan Junior (Talion #0.5) by J.K. Franko
The Trial of Joe Harlan Junior, is a shorter read but full of explosive twists. Hold on to your seat, type of thing, you’re in for a hell of a ride.
For me, the story’s champion is definitely the courtroom proceedings, the atmosphere, the suspense, and the evidence presented. It felt so real. The author quite cleverly blends all the facts into a really deep moral theme, that just felt so human but also not in an over the top kind of way.
Franko’s skill as a writer definitely shone through, with his character development, especially the main protagonist, Joe, he had me rooting for him one minute and wanting to slap him the next! I most definitely could not help but get involved in the roller coaster of emotions that were on display.
It’s a well-written suspenseful thriller with perfect pacing. Not much is as it appears, which if other fans of the mystery, thriller and suspense genre are anything like me, is exactly how they’ll want it.
]]> AuthorFollowing96559297 Thu, 28 Sep 2023 04:31:33 -0700 Review5872769278 Thu, 28 Sep 2023 04:28:03 -0700 /review/show/5872769278 Ssteve23 gave 5 stars to Isabella Warrior Queen (Kindle Edition) by Michael G. Kramer
Isabella Warrior Queen, Honestly, I felt as though I’d been transported to the 14th century whilst reading the pages and imagining the scenes that Kramer paints. Queen Isabella is the main protagonist, she’s a formidable woman who shows strength, courage, and intellect in the face of adversity. Her journey is a roller-coaster of emotions, from the arranged marriage to King Edward II at the age of 13 to the political scenes.
Isabella's transformation, is empowering, she starts off being overshadowed by the men in her life and ends up being a force to be reckoned with, and that left a lasting impression with me.
I tend to lose interested in history books that spew endless dates and uninspiring facts but this book is the complete opposite of that, telling a mesmerising story while still providing all the information. I would have learnt a lot more about history in school if the text books had been structured in this way.
I really enjoyed this novel. It was well written, with well drawn characters and the gradual revelation of the facts meant that it held my attention and I wanted to read on. Altogether this was an engrossing read.
]]> Review5872765005 Thu, 28 Sep 2023 04:23:48 -0700 /review/show/5872765005 Ssteve23 gave 5 stars to Life for Life (Talion #3) by J.K. Franko
I just finished Life for Life by J.K. Franko, and my feelings? Well, they're as mixed as a bag of M&Ms that someone (maybe me on a Tuesday) has nibbled a bit of each color.
Firstly, let's talk plot. It's a layered cake of suspense. At some points, I felt like I was holding onto the edge of a cliff, teetering on the brink, only to be pulled back by a surprise twist. And Franko, sneaky devil, knows exactly when to dangle the carrot and when to snatch it away.
Then there are the characters. I wanted to love them, to hate them, to invite them over for a socially-distanced brunch only to spill my mimosa on them out of sheer frustration. They're fleshed out, they're real, and they're maddeningly human in all the right (and wrong) ways.
Now, Franko's writing style? I'd say it's like that friend who over-explains a joke. Sometimes it hits, and sometimes I found myself thinking, "Alright, buddy, move it along." But when he's on point? Damn, it's like he's reading my mind.
All in all, Life for Life was an experience. I may have shed a tear (or was that from chopping onions for dinner?), and I definitely spent an unhealthy amount of time contemplating life choices.
Would I recommend it? Well, yes, but with a caveat. Dive in, but remember, sometimes the water's deeper (and murkier) than it looks.
]]> ReadStatus6940343635 Wed, 23 Aug 2023 12:31:18 -0700 /review/show/5790594758 Ssteve23 has read Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
]]>