Page-turning sci-fi mystery with a dash of romance
352637
I thoroughly enjoyed this intense sci-fi novel. The author creates technology for her story that is both fascinating and believable. However, it's her complex characters, particularly the heroine, Juliane, that reel you in and keep you reading. Juliane is a brilliant scientist who becomes entangled in the plans of powerful people with less-than-ethical motives. Watching her struggle to decide who to trust is suspenseful and at times heartbreaking. As a big fan of powerful but believable female characters, I was not disappointed. I'm already counting down until the next book in this series!
4169501
Silent Symmetry is a YA mystery/sci-fi book. The outer worldly beings/aliens(?) Kari and Cruz stumble upon are very original characters. The embodied seem to be hiding something (Nobody is that perfect). I believe the embodied need the humans more than they are letting on. Interesting!

Also, there was romance in the book: a love triangle. However, to me, only one guy was so cute and truly caring towards Kari (I am now totally rooting for him until the end!). For some reason, I didn't get a good feeling from the other guy, even if he was mysterious (And, let me tell you, I normally do fall for the mysterious boy, but not this time). Kari's adventure was thrilling! But, sometimes, it seemed, she acted way too fast without thinking first about the consequences of her decisions (However, she is only sixteen!). Silent Symmetry is an original, wide-eyed throughout, full of mystery YA book! *Book 1 of a 3 part new sci-fi series :)*

P.S. I do hope in the second book a more detailed explanation is given about the embodied and their universe. And, if other people/the government are aware of their existence on Earth.
4676897
Great and sassy heroine and wonderful hero. The world building could use a little work, but overall it was a fast paced space adventure and a quick, but satisfying romance. This is a story about rescuing family and about about love spanning the stars. I am looking forward to more stories in this universe.
4378148
3.5-4 stars. An enjoyable m/m sci-fi romance adventure about a group of renegade military men who take upon a young runaway diplomatic official who is trying to solve the murder of his friend (and seeking out why the renegade group is being blamed.)

I had a fun time reading this, but it didn't go as deep as I wished. I wish there was more development with Caleb's mystery over the murders (it ends pretty quickly at the end, and some important evidence is gathered off-scene and just "appears" during the reveal.) More about his impetus to seek out the soldiers (who were reported as killers before he met them) would have also been nice.

The main characters have great chemistry though. Their "ogle-vision" is on high, meaning most scenes when they're not directly interacting, they're staring and/or thinking about each other. It must be hard to get any work done on that spaceship since they're so distracted all the time! On the plus side, there was insta-attraction but no insta-love--everything developed over the story.

Even though I wish there had been more depth to the story, it was still a fun book and the author's style is very readable. Recommended if you're looking to escape a few hours with some sci-fi adventure romance. I'm looking forward to checking out the sequel next.
1442029
Excellent page-turner on two people a political conspiracy lures to a settlement on Mars.  Some great near-future technology thrown out, often casually, for readers.  This will definitely keep you interested and has a satisfying ending - if I want a story that ends with everyone dying after reading through hundreds of pages, I'll text you.  Good characterization, great viliains, and a nice mystery on Mars to draw the reader in as well as the lead characters.
2550565
The year is 2796 CE, and on the planet Genesis, the human civilisation looks very similar to what it left behind on doomed planet earth. With one big difference: they have only one religion, and that has ruled the planet for the last 700 years. Change is in the air, and what follows is a political drama in outer space.

This book has many elements ... sci-fi, politics, suspense, drama, and romance. The plot is lively and the characters and world building well developed. The pacing struggled in places due to  unnecessary repetition of information. The point of view is written from Third Person Unlimited, which can read as chronic head-hopping, as the narrative changes from one character to another with no indication. The writing style leans toward the passive, and extraneous words could be cut down. There are a few spelling errors (horde instead of hoard, etc), certainly not overly so for a book of this size.

Having said all of that, I found this to be an enjoyable read, and the suspense had me on the edge of my seat at times. I grew to love the characters and their stories, and definitely want to see what happens in book two of this series. This is one author I can highly recommend.
458023
There was quite a few twists and turns in this one. I loved Annis. She is a beautifully strong character. However, I almost felt as if her dealing with what happened to her was not dealing with it at all, and felt a bit detached. The battle between Cohen and Blake was a great point of conflict, added to Cohen's own internal conflict. I wish there had been more of it, though, between Blake and Cohen. This book made me like Blake's character even more, and Nico might be an interesting character to explore since he, like Annis, is seeing Earth with fresh eyes. The romance and intimacy in this book was much lighter than any of the previous books, which did leave me feeling a tad bit put out, but it was understandable with all the conflict that had to be dealt with in the aftermath of the previous book. All in all, another good, solid sci-fi romance novel and addition to the Six Saviors series.
2389895
The only reason why I give this book 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the stereotypical female characters. Our hero, Ty, does all the rescuing. His sidekick, Gemma, needs all the rescuing. It just gets annoying.

Of course the book is more complex than that. Author Kat Falls weaves a complex story about a complex future earth - that may very well happen a few hundred years from now! - with suspenseful situations and compelling characters.

Ty and Gemma can do what I've always dreamed of - live and breathe underwater as easily as on the surface, thanks to Liquigen (and who knows if that technology isn't being worked on today in real life...).

The books are definitely for teens, not only because of the prose but because of the themes explored.

Most science fiction deals with outer space exploration, I was glad to see this series of "action-packed, aquatic adventure." I'll be seeking out book 1 in the series (not that it's necessary to read Book 1 to understand what's going on here, but I'm a completist) and look forward to more books in the series - hopefully ones in which Gemma gets to save the day sometimes!
1645647
This is a great light mystery (with a bit of sci-fi thrown in) that I think will appeal to a wide variety of readers, including those who would never think of picking up a sci-fi book or a mystery. For most of the book, the story is just a regular story, with a bit of intrigue. No aliens, no men with dark mustaches, just a story about Miranda and how she has to get on when her best friend stops speaking to her for no reason. The relationships that Miranda, who has only ever really been friends with Sal, ends up forming with her classmates are what keep the book light-hearted in spite of the weird notes she keeps receiving. They are what keep everything normal.

At the same time, these relationships also highlight what is different. At school they are all just kids and they, for the most part, make friends easily. Outside of school, though they are still friends, they are very different. Miranda, whose hair is just brown and who gets stuck with hot pink construction paper for self-portraits, is the daughter of a single mom (as is Sal) who sometimes struggles to make ends meet, but they do alright. Annemarie lives in a building with a doorman and has an elevator that opens right to her apartment; her dad is always making her special snacks and her mom is always as work. Marcus receives free dental care at school because his family cannot afford it otherwise (46). Alice Evans is always really close to peeing her pants (she's not in the "group," and this is why). Julia travels the world with her parents and describes herself as "caf au lait" colored with eyes the color of "sixty-percent-cacao-chocolate" (34). We don't get to learn much about Colin's home situation because, well, he's a boy and doesn't invite Miranda over for a sleepover, nor is it blatantly evident from what happens at school. He's just a goofy guy who gets along with everyone. Other than talking a lot about rushing rivers in front of Alice, the kids don't care about any of this, except that Julia is a snob, having picked up her fancy names for light brown and brown (Miranda's assessment of the situation) while learning about chocolate in Switzerland. Some of the adults, on the other hand, care a lot about this stuff. There is one big confrontation, caused by an adult, which starts out about Julia's race and ends up being about Miranda's lack of money. The way that the group handles it, without any intervention or input from the grown-ups, is possibly unrealistic, but it keeps things from getting too preachy. No one ever has to say, "Judging people based on their perceived race or financial status is wrong," and yet the point is made very clearly.

And, of course, there are the letters and the mystery. I don't want to say too much or give anything away. A large part of the fun while reading a mystery is trying to figure out whodunit, and When You Reach Me is no exception. There were definitely points when I thought I had something figured out and I was so frustrated with Miranda because she Just. Didn't. Get. It., but when the end finally rolled around, there was so much more to it than I could have guessed.

Book source: Philly Free Library
370024
Overall Rating:  3.75 Rockin stars
Mystery and intrigue are the perfect combination in any science fiction romance and in Kneus the fourth book in the Terranau series, by Stormy McKnight the reader gets it all.  Beginning where we left off in the last book, with everyone anxious to discover information from the archives about why certain words cause the men to lose consciousness.  Leading the search is Kneus and Gwen.  The unknown and instability of what could happen to the inhabitants of Terranau, makes the situation even more stressful for Kneus and Gwen. This is the accounting of their love story and finding their HEA.

Kneus has returned from his mission on Earth with a battle scar.  Rejuvenating his body and mind is at the top of his to do list.  Finding the cause of his horrific nightmares is there too.  He doesn't want to share the details with his brothers for fear they will find him unfit.

Gwen was a doctor on Earth and has been thrust into helping the woman transition to their new life.  The technology available really means she is not needed, its the emotional part the women need from her.  She has secretly held a desire for Kneus and anxiously waits for him to notice her as a woman and not a friend or colleague.

At times it was difficult to follow the storyline.  It seemed rushed at the end and there were parts that didn't fit to me.  My attention was all over the place and I felt disconnected to what was happening.  With that said it was still entertaining.  The saga was darker than the others and the light-heartedness from the previous books was missing.  The author leads with a Segway to her next book and the anticipation is explosive.  I look forward to reading another book by this gifted and talented author.
4172194
I love the blending of science fiction and romance. It's one of my favorite subgenres, but it's just not as popular as its cousins, paranormal and time-travel. So, when I find a new series of scifi romance that can blend the best of scifi and a sexy romance I sit up and take notice. If you're the same way you are going to love FORTUNE'S HERO.

While I wouldn't quite compare Quinn Conlan to Han Solo, scifi fans who love the hero with a questionable sense of morality will like him from the start. He's taken some stomach turning torture as the story opens and still hasn't betrayed the secrets he's holding even though it's of no real personal benefit to him to keep mum. When the opportunity to escape the Rhenian prison he's stuck in on Marica-3 pops up, he doesn't hesitate to take the med tech in the room hostage. Elsa's been doing her duty as a Rhenian, working under her mentor torturing information out of useful prisoners when Quinn kidnaps her. They're so opposite there's no way an uptight Rhenian could ever fall for a scoundrel like Captain Conlan.

Therein lies a great premise for a tense adventure in the wasteland beyond the prison. The hostile landscape leaves little chance for survival beyond the walls and Quinn refuses to leave his crew behind to rot. But being thrown together by circumstance and facing certain death no matter what they do finds chemistry burning between them but trust isn't so quick to follow.

Gah! I couldn't believe this clocked in at more than 350 pages because it flew by. There were moments when even I wasn't sure they'd live long enough to rescue the crew and had to remind myself that it's a romance and the formula of romance demands a HEA ending. Without that I'm pretty sure I'd have lost hope. Bennett really rakes Elsa and Quinn over the coals and then some. If you like romances where the hero and heroine face life-or-death circumstances to get to their HEA then you will be greatly rewarded with FORTUNE'S HERO.

Scifi romance lovers this is definitely not one to be missed! The series is looking to be really good as whole and I'm super excited to get my hands on the next Soldier's of Fortune book, FORTUNE'S HONOR, hopefully sometime later this year.

Notes: Review copy received via publisher.
2396902
A fascinating read for the science-fiction buff happily suffering from a debilitating touch of the romantic notion.

In The Fox's Honor, Mr. Alford transports an unbending code of chivalry and honor to a futuristic world light years displaced in time and distance from the Avalon in which such Arthurian ethics were born.

The romantic will not be disappointed in the love story between Sir Devon Rathenberg, alias "The Fox," and Lady Tamar Falkeep, the woman who has stolen The Fox's heart. Denied any chance of a future due to social station and propriety, Sir Devon and Lady Tamar must conceal their love. But when, in a twisted turn of events, The Lady thwarts Sir Devon's planned death, a new course deciding the fate of the Human Galactic Empire is demanded--a course that will take them and their noble houses into collision with the tyrannical faux Emperor Perod.

Neither will the sci-fi buff be disappointed with Mr. Alford's detailed account of escaping the constraints of physical space via null space transportation, meticulous attention to the demands of orbital dynamics, and descriptions of the astro-/aeronautical nuances of intergalactic spacecraft. Those Star Trek afficiandos owning a copy of Hayne's USS Enterprise: Owner's Workshop Manual will demand a similar work from Mr. Alford. I take that back; they won't need one. Mr. Alford, a test pilot himself, renders treatment only an aeronautical engineer's mother could love to the technical aspects of space travel and the vehicles that conquer it.

The Fox's Honor is Book Two in "The Chronicles of the Dragon and The Fox." It's prequel is The End of Honor, and it's followed by A Season of Honor. I didn't need the prequel to enjoy The Fox's Honor. I am, however, driven to purchase the sequel. I suspect you will be, too.
2992167
I liked this book a lot because it had a great balance of sci fi and yet theres a smattering of romance in the story too.

Tompa Lee is a streetwise girl whose made her mark and earned her keep.  Shes tough, smart and likable too.

Shes in now for what may be the fight of her life and she struggles to not only save herself but also others.

I found Tompa Lee to be a great character and even though she is deemed a goddess (and has some quirky moments) she was very likable and someone I would definitely want in my corner.

The romance was not sugary sweet or overwhelming and it gave the sci fi read a nice second layer.

Great story.
3532946
A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray is a YA sci-fi mystery in which teenager Marguerite Caine must use technology developed by her parents, the Firebird, to chase her fathers murderer across multiple dimensions.  She finds out that things aren't as they first seemed.

I picked this book up partly because of this concept and partly because Ive enjoyed books (Star Wars) by Claudia Gray.  Thanks to Amazons Whispersync for Voice I picked up both the Kindle book and the audiobook, narrated by Tavia Gilbert.  Most of the time I listened to the audiobook which was amazing.

What I liked

The concept.  I found this a really intriguing premise for a novel, moving into alternate dimensions to solve a murder mystery.  Gray comes from a sci-fi background and clearly has a firm handle on it.  It was a lot of fun when Marguerite jumped into a new dimension trying to work out what situation she was in! Im not certain that Id agree with the Orphan Black comparison; the main - only? - similarity is that characters frequently find themselves having to impersonate other people and to think on their feet to work out whats going on.

The audio narration.  Tavia Gilbert did an awesome job of narrating this book.  Her accent work was impeccable.  Theres a funny scene early on where Marguerite has fun with her current doppelgangers accent.  That came across really well in audio format.  My one frustration with this is that often the accent spoiled in some way the leaps into new dimensions.  From the voices it was often clear where Marguerite had landed long before it was revealed in the text.

The worldbuilding.  The fun thing with this concept is that Gray gets to build several worlds; the multiple alternate dimensions into which Marguerite leaps.  It would be too spoilery to name them all, but each of them is beautifully developed with supporting characters, rules and challenges for our protagonist.  The fact that Gray's travel system has limitations was particularly well done - as in fantasy, often its the limitations in the magic system/technology which can generate the most interesting conflicts for the characters.  I loved that the dimensions had varying degrees of technological advancement which made things interesting.

The pacing.  Gray keeps the plot moving along fast, with new information and revelations keeping our protagonists - and readers - engaged.

What I didn't like

The characters.  I found Marguerite somewhat bland.  The way her loyalty seemed to be so easily won and lost did not sit easily with me, and the revelations of the villains was a little too obvious.  The fact that Gray reverted to the trope of the special, our protagonist having unique traits which make her the only person capable of foiling the evil plot is rather disappointing.

Despite these flaws, I really loved 1000 Pieces of You and gave it four and a half stars out of five.  I will certainly be picking up the sequel
3686566
Mystery, suspense, space technology, a dash of political intrigue, and science fiction - All are contained in this "hard-to-put-down" book.  Seldom have I read something that nagged at me until I returned to it as has this story.

And the editing is proof that this author cares about his work - and his readers.  I am easily distracted by editing oversights (errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar).  There was very little in this book that distracted me.

To be honest, I was a bit disappointed at an incident at the end; however, not so much as to drop my rating from 5 stars to 4.  This is just an excellent read!!
3383884
I really enjoyed the old-style sci-fi adventure vibe of this story.  It does have a few issues that should be easily remedied by the author - of course it's the usual suspects that seem to be prevelant in ebooks, that is, proof-reading errors mostly.  Secondly, readers need to be aware that there is jargon that is unique to the "Participant" universe that is frequently used and some may have trouble figuring out what the terminology means.  I believe that placing a glossary of terminology and abbreviations may go along way to enhancing the reading experience and being able to understand the Participant universe - maybe this is something the author could do in either a revised edition of this book or in the next book in the series.  All that said, is this a good book - short answer: yes.
This book treks along at a bubbling pace with nice bursts of action in between story explanation.  Their are some interesting tech and scientific ideas - people are linked into the "net" and you get to see a battle through the net-vision of the main character, Asher.  There is a bit of mystery: how to explain the Cythran ability to assimilate tech quickly - 20 years ago they were little more than primitives, now they are piloting shuttles and developing their own Corp.  Why are "female" Cythrans seemingly smarter than their "male" counter-parts? What game are the Fetheren playing? There is an interesting universe to investigate that is heavily influenced by different Corporations, with their own Intelligence, military, exploratory, cultural, language/linguistic and diplomatic divisions - sometimes war breaks out between different Corporations as it does within the pages of this story.  All in all a solid first story from a new indie author - looking forward to the next installment.
4452257
I really enjoyed this series. It has elements of mystery, science fiction, and even a bit of romance. Set in a post apocalyptic world wherein people have survived in mostly underground silos for centuries, most with no knowledge of why the outside world is inhospitable, and all brainwashed by threat of death for even discussing the outside world.

I found the writing and editing to be well above standard for self-published ebooks, and most gratifying to read. The author has a fondness for commas, with many sentences more complex than some prefer, but I found his style set the stage well for nuances often overlooked by other authors. The silo is as much a character in the story as are the people, and with good reason--without it everyone within would be dead as the planet surface is uninhabitable.

Recommended!