Category Archives: Sci-Fi

Review: Primetime Charity Anthology by Curiosity Quills Authors

Book Review and Content, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, New Adult 18up, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Primetime
Curiosity Quills
Published October 7, 2013

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

A crow with a taste for blood, a computer playing a deadly game, a terrifying Mothman, and a killer refrigerator, among many other bizarre and frightening villains feature in these dark, suspenseful short stories. An unlikely team of heroes includes a zombie and son of a witch. On a devastated planet, a young princess fights for her life, seeking hope for her people. A man whose bodily functions elicit a broad range of powerful emotions begs for death before his anger-inciting burps cause the world to destroy itself. A struggling “ghost-relocation expert” makes a deal with a murder victim only to discover he’s made a deal with something else entirely.

Some of the stories are simple suspenseful fun, while others flirt with a deeper darkness, exploring the minds of murderers and sexual predators. A few feature characters from full-length novels, no doubt hoping to pique the reader’s interest. Most compelling in this vein is the story of the Beggar Princess and her desperate resistance against powerful enemies who would destroy her people and home by titled “The Last Carnivale” by Vicki Keire. “Trevor,” the story of a bored spaceship computer who wreaks havoc on its crew was another highly enjoyable tale, though a little dark.

It should also be noted that 10% of the proceeds from this collection and its sister collection titled After Dark, will be donated to selected No-Kill shelters across the USA.

Language Content
Severe; moderate frequency.

Sexual Content
In one story a man briefly confesses to abuse committed on him by his mother. He makes love to a woman he has just met. The scene is brief and includes some sensual descriptions. A woman discusses falling in love with and sharing an intimate relationship with another young woman. In another story, a terminally ill prostitute recounts his life, beginning with abuse at the hands of a church leader. Details are brief. Other stories reference sex or characters off-scene who are having sex, but do not describe the events in detail.

Spiritual Content
In one story a group of unlikely heroes must recover a stolen religious symbol which contains power of both Heaven and Hell before forces of either side can get their hands on it. A demon and angel emerge as characters but without the context of much Christian doctrine, and neither side is seen as good. Another story features characters who sense ghosts and ghostly presences. In still another story the protagonist finds himself surrounded by friends and acquaintances who’ve departed before him. He wonders, as the crowd contains those who’ve helped and who’ve hurt him, whether he is in Heaven or Hell.

Violence
Several stories feature fierce attacks against protagonists, though most are brief with regard to details and only some are deadly. One story features a computer as its mass killer. Two stories reveal the identities of serial killers and describes the death of the latest victims. In one story, the victims are mutilated (details are brief, and bodies are discovered by police, so there is no little description of what happened to the victims at the hands of the killer.) Two stories feature characters who commit suicide.

Drug Content
At least one story delves into cocaine addiction, and a character overdoses on illegal drugs in a suicide attempt.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Save

Review: The Others by Kristin Bryant

Sci-Fi, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, ,

The Others
Kristin Bryant
Sourced Media Books
Published September 1, 2013

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Ryen and his friends receive the greatest honor when they are sent from their home planet to earth as a team of researchers to find evidence of Jesus’ existence. Could he be The Light, whose coming was prophesied so long ago? As Ryen and his team scour the earth for clues, a young woman catches his eye. Try as he might, Ryan can’t stop thinking about her. As his mission comes to a close, he knows that if he becomes involved with her, he’ll only have to leave her behind. He should protect her by ignoring her, but can he ignore the powerful longing he feels for her?

When Ryen’s teammate invites the girl to join them on the last leg of their earthly journey, he promises himself the only reason he allows her to accompany them is to protect her and send her home. But the more time he spends with Savannah, the more thinly his resolve is stretched, and the girl claims she has no home to which she can return, only terrible memories. Difficulties at his own home force Ryen to focus. His tribe leader threatens to invade earth and rumors of kidnapping, murder and a deadly new weapon send Ryen and his team spinning. It’s more important than ever to find the evidence they’ve been sent to collect. Ryen will have to work fast if he is to protect Savannah and his family and stop the terrible plot that could destroy them all.

In a fresh, fun story, Bryant explores history and archaeology from a whole different perspective. The story unfolds, bringing with it a vibrant cast of characters and a plot that is as fascinating as its premise. Ryen can be a little bit brooding and repetitive (he revisits the idea that he should not become involved with Savannah but wants to several times without deepening or adding to his observations,) but Savannah’s quick wit and endearing nature make it tough for readers not to engage in the story. History or archaeology fans will probably find this story more interesting than sci-fi fans, as much of it takes place on earth, and the aliens themselves are genetically identical to humans. The political intrigue and high action sequences make this a fun read for all.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Sexual Content
Romance between Ryan and Savannah intensifies, but no details are given as to whether they engage in sex, though they do spend the night together.

Spiritual Content
Ryen’s people received prophesies that The Light, a savior to all creation would come – to another planet. Since the prophecy was received, the people have devoted themselves to developing the technology to explore space looking for the planet where the Savior was born. They journey to earth looking for evidence to prove that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy.

Violence
On Ryen’s home planet, a small group of tribe members stage a revolution using a terrible weapon. The group bribes and threatens leadership members. On earth, Ryen attacks a man who pursues a young woman. There are a few graphic details.

Drug Content
Ryen ends a relationship with a girl because he discovers her addiction to drugs. She has since passed on her addiction to other members of her tribe. This only leads to destruction.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

 

Save

Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Sci-Fi, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , ,

Cinder
Marissa Meyer
Feiwel & Friends/MacMillan
Published January 3, 2012

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

When her reputation as one of the best mechanics in New Beijing draws a covert visit from the prince, Cinder can’t help but be charmed by his easygoing, friendly nature. She hides her cyborg leg and foot, desperate to hold on to the moment where he sees her as human, rather than as property, as the law dictates. An outbreak of a terrible plague interrupts Cinder’s work and nearly her life when she is sent to the labs as a research subject, a sure death sentence.

Prince Kai watches helplessly as the ruthless plague destroys his father and the responsibility of leadership falls to him. In this dark hour, the Lunar queen, a powerful woman rumored to possess an ability to control the minds of her subjects and anyone in her presence, makes an unscheduled journey to earth to speak of an alliance with Kai and the people of earth. Kai must tread carefully, for the queen will ask the greatest sacrifice of him and pose the greatest threat to his people.

At the lab, Cinder’s test results stun the medical staff and make it clear that she is much more than an orphaned nobody from Europe. She may, in fact, be the key to undoing the Lunar queen’s destructive plan.

In an android-saturated futuristic world, Meyer retells the story of the little Cinder girl, her handsome prince, and the magical ball that brought them together. Her version of the story again brings to life familiar roles – the wicked stepmother, stepsisters, a carriage fastened from an unlikely source – and throws new twists into the mix. Cinder’s world is crafted from a complicated social structure in which humans have the technology to save lives of the gravely injured by implanting machinery. Instead of returning to life as normal post-surgery, the victims become cyborgs, second-class citizens no better than slaves. While thoroughly imaginative, it seems an expensive way to acquire a workforce. Despite that, the amazing characters made it easy to suspend that small bit of disbelief. I loved Iko, the android with the malfunctioning personality chip, which made her super interested in fashion and celebrity gossip. She definitely makes me laugh. Cinder and Kai’s relationship always pulls my heartstrings, too.

Another fascinating addition to the story is the powerful Lunar queen, ruler of a people who live on the moon, who possess a gift allowing them to control the thoughts and emotions of others. While the queen claims to seek peace with the people of earth, the military preparations on the moon seem to indicate otherwise, creating an intricate political dilemma which only adds richness and tension to an already worthy story.

Cinder is only the first book in Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles. The series will contain four books. The second, Scarlet features a girl in a red hoodie looking for her missing grandmother, followed by Cress, a retelling of the story of Rapunzel in space. With Meyer’s brilliant imagination and keen sense of story, fans will surely fall in love with each book in the series.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violence
A terrible plague is spreading rapidly through New Beijing. Some of the descriptions are a little intense but brief.

Drug Content
None.

Save

Review: Trisk by Kenny X

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, New Adult 18up, Sci-Fi, ,

Trisk
Kenny X
Pen and Prayer Publishing
Published June 5, 2013

Amazon | Goodreads

Curtis Powell has one goal, one dream for his life: to be a champion Trisk player. His dream is about to come true.

It’s the year 2151, and baseball is no longer America’s favorite game. Trisk, a game that is equal parts sport and war, is America, and the Massi Corporation is Trisk. As hopefuls like Curtis and his friends graduate from training college, though, a startling event occurs, in which one Trisk team defies the granite arm of Massi and becomes independent. When Curtis signs with the gutsy though underfunded team, he isn’t sure if he’s made the right choice, but as the season progresses and his star begins to shine, Curtis believes he is finally reaching his dream.

Caught up in the high life, Curtis begins taking risks, talking big, taking advantage of the way America swoons over his very name. His ego spirals out of control, and not even his best friend can shake sense into Curtis’s solid gold over-the-top ways. As the inevitable reckoning comes, Curtis struggles to pull back from the abyss of selfishness, but it may be too late to regain what he’s lost. On top of that, as the championship heats up and Curtis and his independent team battle for a place in the final games, Massi turns up the heat, promising destruction if the team doesn’t back down. Curtis talks big, but Massi hits hard. All that remains to be discovered is whose will and whose might are stronger.

Sports fans be warned: Trisk is packed with high-energy, over-the-top action. Non-sports fans: the sharp wit of the author and the high stakes of the game make this debut novel a hard one to put down. While a few passages delve into the techniques and strategy of the game for which the book is titled, much of the story centers around the underdog team and its star member, his struggle to remain honorable and valiant in the face of an amoral country drowning in a sports obsession. The story is told with a sort of wry, intelligent voice, though sometimes it drifts into metaphors which obscure what’s actually happening and become confusing. For the most part, the writing is as entertaining as the story itself.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
A couple of crude references, but no swearing.

Sexual Content
Curtis has a long-time girlfriend named Priscilla, who he does not sleep with, though it remains unclear whether the couple live together or not. A journalist attempts to seduce a Trisk player, while video-taping the exchange. The scene is a little confusing, but it seems like the couple stop after removing clothing and the player reconsiders his actions.

Spiritual Content
Curtis and his best friend live by higher moral standards than many other Trisk players and are often ridiculed for this stance. Brief references are made to God and Jesus in a spiritual way, but there isn’t a lot of preaching or long explanations.

Violence
One player is severely injured by an explosion. Brief battle violence describes players performing in the game of Trisk.

Drug Content
Trisk players are instructed to use a type of drug to control their emotions. Curtis struggles with whether or not to use this, and it’s hinted that some players have become addicted and trapped by serious side effects. References to alcohol over-indulgence, and some brief scenes showing drinking.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Save

Save

Review: Scrapbook of My Revolution by Amy Lynn Spitzley

Book Review and Content, Sci-Fi, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , ,

Scrapbook of My Revolution
Amy Lynn Spitzley
Curiosity Quills Press
Published March 20, 2013

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Amber knows what it’s like to be noticed for all the wrong reasons. From her golden (literally) skin to her freakish ability to sense others’ feelings, she can’t help but stand out in a crowd. Amber is a member of an emerging super-human group referred to as Maliens, and the rest of humanity isn’t adjusting to them as well as Amber could hope. A highly vocal anti-Malien group calling itself RAMM promotes Malien oppression, even going so far as to reach out to Amber’s school principal.

As events escalate, and riots and attacks on Malien citizens increase, Amber’s fury blazes. She’s out to fight fire with fire, and she and her friends form their own pro-Malien group. Support for Amber’s group swells, and a popular band and a spokesman for the Malien cause rally to help Amber and her friends.

Well, most of her friends. Amber thinks she is just beginning to really see beneath Cam’s withdrawn exterior, but while she senses his interest, a growing frustration colors his feelings for her. Amber fights to keep her Malien cause front and center but welcomes Cam into the spotlight with her. The only problem is, that doesn’t seem like where Cam wants to be. Could he be the wrong guy for her? Maybe despite her elusive distrust for him, the dashing Malien hero Jonny Marino is more Amber’s speed after all.

Amber struggles to piece together where she belongs and her passion for her people, but everything changes when she suffers a personal attack. And as the political climate continues to heat, she will learn that not all those she counts as friends truly deserve the title.

Told as a series of journal entries peppered with emails, receipts, and other various paraphernalia, Spitzley brings readers a story of racism and explores issues of basic human rights through the voice of a passionate, intelligent young girl who bears the difficult burden of sensing the emotions of those around her. The clever pairing of skin tone and ability set this story apart from some of the other classic “super-human” tales and heightens its focus on civil rights and social issues. While readers may tire of the repetitive phrasing used to describe the ever-present emotions swirling through those around Amber, Spitzley reveals both the joys and traumas of having a constant window into the feelings of others in proximity. At first Amber appears to be a headstrong, sometimes rebellious teen, but through her pursuit of her cause, she learns that responsibility comes with leadership and grownups aren’t always the dopes they seemed to be.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Moderate.

Sexual Content
Kissing/Making out. In a couple of scenes, girls are attacked and fondled briefly. In one instance, a few graphic details are given. Some of Amber’s friends and schoolmates make sexual comments about her or each other.

Spiritual Content
The spiritual ramifications of humanity’s possible evolution are not deeply explored.

Violence
Amber lives in a world which terrorizes its Malian citizens. While few scenes provide details, we know attacks on Malian people are common, providing a means for the exploration of civil rights and equality issues.

Drug Content
Some teens drink alcohol at parties or at school. Amber condemns this behavior, though she doesn’t openly confront it until late in the story.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Save

Review: Domination by Jon S. Lewis

Book Review and Content, Sci-Fi, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , ,

Domination
Jon S. Lewis
Thomas Nelson
Published April 16, 2013

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

As the terrible alien Thule prepare to invade earth and destroy its inhabitants, humanity’s hope hangs on sixteen-year-old Colt McAllister and an ancient prophesy. According to the prophesy, a Betrayer will rise and defeat the Thule race. In an attempt to create a super-soldier and give humanity an advantage against the monsters, scientists injected infants with Thule blood. Colt is the only survivor, and the full effects of the experiment are yet unknown.

As Colt prepares to counter the Thule invasion, strange things begin to happen to him physically. Could his Thule blood be taking over? He fights for control of himself, even offering to submit to restraint. His commanding officers need him too desperately, both as a soldier and a messenger of hope to all humanity. Colt struggles to maintain a grueling schedule, and he and his friends frantically search for clues to when and where the Thule invasion will begin. Even if they discover the location of the battle, humans are outmatched by the large, fierce aliens. Colt knows it’s on his shoulders, but does he really have what it takes to save the world?

In the final installment of the C.H.A.O.S. trilogy, Lewis delivers a fast-paced sci-fi tale reminiscent of the Halo game series. Fans of the movie Independence Day may also enjoy this story.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Sexual Content
Colt struggles with his feelings of attraction to one of his teammates despite his love for another girl.

Spiritual Content
Colt feels overwhelmed at the idea that humanity’s fate may rest with his ability to fight. Again and again he thinks of a scripture reminding him that God is a refuge and help in time of trouble.

Violence
Battle violence. Some brief details are given.

Drug Content
None.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Save