This is a good example of a standard Space Opera with a “regaining lost memory” plot. It is quite obvious that what the main character, Neroy, lost was worth forgetting, which sets up a nice conflict within the character that meshes neatly with the external conflict he is soon embroiled in. The physical setting is […]
“Changing of the Guards” by Matt Spencer
This book is a perfect example of the worst violent, macho pulp fiction of the old-fashioned sort. Except it’s a Sci-Fi/Fantasy blend. As with the originals, it has a predictable plot stereotypical characters, and every third word starts with an “f,” often directed at a friend. The social setting is a horrendous theocracy in […]
“Infinity America: Liberty to Every Reality” by Christopher C. Cole
This is a Sci-Fi Political Satire combined with wide-ranging iconoclastic humour that entertains and informs without hitting anyone over the head with the obvious. It even changes pace with touches of fairly serious discussion just to keep us on our toes. Don’t expect it easy to follow the plotline. Yes, there is one in there […]
“Destiny: Protectress Volume I” by G. E. Ward
Note to authors: no matter how well you direct us with your chapter headings, using a large number of point-of-view characters facilitates plot movement at the expense of diluting our emotional connection to the characters. And when, as in this book, some of the POVs are first person and others are third person, it becomes […]
“2121: EXODUS: Lupus Stella: Book One” by Scott D. Rodriguez
This book starts out sounding great, but the style soon gets tiresome. It is written in the choppy, military narration used by ElevenLabs and Tiktok text-to-speech to create content for YouTube shorts and Facebook Reels. It is packed with muted hyperbole couched in strong simile and metaphor, enhancing emotion by suppressing it. Every action is […]
‘The Awkward Out of Sync Half Life of Funk” by Nick Brewster
Let’s get it straight from the start; this is not a book about zombies. I say this to clear up any possible misunderstandings caused by a 20-page introductory chapter that is pure zombie. This generation’s version of, “then he woke up and it was all a dream.” Misleading introduction is a source of many bad […]
“Finding Penrose” by Paula Sheridan
This book is Historical Fiction, meant to celebrate the life of a much-loved friend and relative. During this process, it also draws us into a society and teaches us the ethics and feelings of its people. The strength of the writing is the way it reaches into the heart and mind of the main character, […]
“One Day Lucky” by D. Benedict Dold
We need a new sub-genre. Maybe there already is one. It’s for stories based on the supposition that at some time in the (near ?) future, people will be able to escape into a virtual world for long periods of time, trusting the corporation that markets the program to keep their corporeal bodies alive while […]
“The Very Mad Science of Dr. Morcant Hollow” by Hamilton Kohl
This is a very mad book in many senses. It is a light hearted spoof that maintains the macabre sense of the Horror genre by making fun of it. Be prepared for a complete lack of logic or veracity. The only connection to reality is that every event contains its own logic, however warped. The […]
“Discovery” by Louise McLaughlin
This novel is a blend of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, with magic blended with modern science. It’s a risky proposition, but it would work except for the weakness of the writing style. Unfortunately, the author’s self-conscious intrusion between the reader and the story, making sure we get all the jokes by explaining them, rather spoils the […]