Journey to Brodentia
June 23, 2010 | 1 Comment
Book Title: Journey to Brodantia
Author: Kriss Erickson
Niche: Fantasy
Price: $4
Size: 71,000 words (equivalent to 267 pages in mass market paperback form)
At the end of Brown Bird’s Luck, Deila , Jaime, and Falimar were setting out on a quest to return Falimar to his unicorn herd in Brodantia.
Now, guided by a map given Deila by her grandmother, The Dark Weaver, they are pursued by their parents who covet Falimar for the wealth they could get by selling his parts. They must overcome harpies, huge wildcats, and other obstacles to find the hidden Land Behind the Veil.
This book moves a lot better than the first (which had a charm of its own). I was plunged immediately into a world of fantasy filled with wonderful (and sometimes terrifying) mystical creatures and characters.
The trio has to overcome a number of obstacles in their quest to reach Brodantia so Falimar can be reunited with his relatives and that’s the meat of the story. Along the way, they meet opponents and surprising allies as they struggle on.
A good story that will appeal to young adults and those of us, like me, who are still a bit young at heart.
Formats: Adobe Reader (pdf), ePub, Kindle (prc), Microsoft Reader (lit), Mobi (prc)
No DRM
Reviewed by Allan Kalar, Washington state
By it now at AKW Books
Star Marine
May 6, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Book Title: Star Marine
Author: John Bowers
Niche: Science Fiction
Price: $9.50
Size: 38,000 words (143 pages paperback equivalent)
“It takes all kinds to fight a war” according to the book’s jacket. Well, the story makes good on that claim.
Bowers follows the exploits of three major players during the height of the Sirian War setting of The Fighter Queen saga:
Rico Martinez: A Star Marine, a grunt. Almost killed in the Titan operation, he is one of six who survives, but his war has only begun
Regina Wells: The only child of Federation Senator Henry Wells, Regina promises her dad she won’t join the military. But does anyway, as a civilian “expert” on Sirian culture. Unfortunately, her safe billet doesn’t last long.
Wade Palmer: A graduate student and a jock. When his father is killed in battle against the Sirians, Wade joins the Space Force, but his degree in statistical analysis lands him in the Polygon planning the war instead of fighting it.
The rather large story zips by so fast, that I didn’t realize I was reading something half the size of War and Peace. It was over long before I was ready to put it down.
Bowers manages, with his usual flair, to keep all the characters straight, even in my easily confused mind. He also never lets the reader breathe long enough to become bored with a section of the book (and there are precious few “breathing” moments). His best book so far, Bowers always seems to top himself with each new book.
And yes, Onja lovers, The Fighter Queen herself does make a couple of cameo appearances in the story.
Chronologically, Star Marine falls between A Vow to Sophia and The Fighter Queen.
Get ready to face the enemy, up close and personal.
Formats: Adobe Reader (pdf), ePub, Kindle (prc), Microsoft Reader (lit), Mobi (prc)
No DRM
Reviewed by Allan Kalar, Washington state
By it now at AKW Books
Review: The Fighter King
March 4, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Book Title: The Fighter King
Author: John Bowers
Niche: Fiction – Science Fiction / Adventure
Price: $5.95
Size: 139,000 words (424 pages paperback equivalent)
The beginning of the Fighter Queen saga.
Oliver Lincoln III has it good. Born into a rich family (his father manufactures combat fighters), he can pretty much coast through life. In fact, the easy life has made him soft and overweight.
He leads a playboy life with friends on other worlds and enough money to visit whenever he feels like it. In fact, in the opening of the story, we see him “showing off” his marksmanship to a college friend on Sirius, a planet settled by aggressive southern rednecks from Earth who trade in slaves.
So, how was Oliver sucked into the middle of a war on another world, one he’s never previously visited and where he has no friends to bail him out?
The answers and Oliver’s struggles to stay alive, do the right thing, and get back home make an intriguing story of triumph, tragedy, and “growing up”.
This is a “page-turner” from the start. I only get about an hour to myself at night before I turn in, and I’ve “crashed” late several times because I had to read “just a little more”.
The 3rd book released in the series, it’s probably the one that should be read first.
Other books in the series: A Vow to Sophia, and The Fighter Queen. A fourth, Star Marine, is due out in mid to late March.
Rated “R” for sex, language, and violence
Reviewed by Allan Kalar, Washington state
John Bower’s website is http://bornnovelist.wordpress.com/
Buy it now at: AKW Books
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