It's been a busy few months after having twins, but I've still found a little time to read and write. Here's my reviews for the books I've read so far in 2015.
The Push by Missy Turner
~The Push is fast-paced and a quick read. If you are into time-travel crime plots with lots of twists and turns, then The Push is good for you. I’m not really into the genre, but it was still a fun, quick read. As an editor, I didn’t like some of the grammatical inconsistencies.
The Push 2: Decimation by Missy Turner
~I had the privilege of editing this book for a fellow author friend of mine. Like the first book in the series, it’s very fast-paced and a quick read. I thought this book surpassed the first one significantly, and is a good step forward in the series.
Curse of the Purple Delhi Sapphire (Book 2 in the Temple of Indra Series) by Rachael Stapleton
~This book is a mix of time-travel, romance, and a female version of Indiana Jones. I enjoyed it, and there is actually a book in the series before this one. Even without reading the first book, I felt I knew the entire story. Good piece of writing. The only aspect I didn’t like was the fact that it didn’t seem to stick with the time-travel theme throughout the book, and I wanted some of the side characters to be a little more developed. But overall, great book!
Legend by Marie Lu
~If you are into Dystopian-society books like the Hunger Games and Divergent, then you will like this book. It’s a future American society in the throes of war. The story follows Day and June, who are youngsters on the opposite ends of society. Of course there is the typical love story and lots of action. My only qualm is that the story is very straightforward, and not a lot happens to really surprise the reader. I’m reading the second book in the series now, so I’m sure I’ll get a review in for it in the future.
Andy Mcbean and the War of the Worlds by Dale Kutzera
~War of the Worlds for kids—basically. Dale Kutzera takes the classic story and makes a new one for younger middle-grade children. I loved the book, and had the privilege of reading the next book in the series. I’ll be writing about it when it comes out. Great series to get the youngsters started on. Andy Mcbean and his friends are very loveable characters.
The Legend of Koolura by Michael L. Thal
~Fun middle-grade/young adult story that deals with some adult issues, while also sporting a fun storyline about Cool being given and taken. I enjoyed the story, but wasn’t a fan of the formatting/editing issues.
Corridors of My Mind by Angel M.B. Chadwick
~A good mix of poetry, if you like that sort of thing. Many of the poem’s themes don’t stray too far from each other, but it was an okay read.
The Children of the Maize: Seven Ancient Mayan Secrets to Spiritual Enlightenment, Peace and Happiness by Arnulfo G. Oxlaj
~I was very surprised by this book. As a Christian, I knew I would be traversing into some beliefs that I couldn’t follow. But, I was amazed by the supernatural story of a young man, and how he learned his beliefs/powers, even in the midst of persecution. I was also amazed by the side of the Mayan culture that the public doesn’t typically see (a side that is much softer than human sacrifice, etc.)
And lastly, many of the Mayan beliefs seem linked to the Christian religion. I was able to have a conversation with the author later, and he told me that he was actually a Presbyterian Pastor with a Mayan heritage, thus showing me the link to his current beliefs and the beliefs of his ancestors. Although I can’t connect to it all, I really enjoyed this read.
Wise Mr. Mouse by Nnenna Onumah
~ I had the privilege of editing this fun little children’s book. The book uses a wide array of mismatched rhymes and very fun illustrations. I actually read this book to my little ones.
Upcoming books: Golden Son by Pierce Brown, Prodigy by Marie Lu, Emperors of Time by James Wilson Penn, Andy McBean 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Dale Kutzera
~Brody
The Push by Missy Turner
~The Push is fast-paced and a quick read. If you are into time-travel crime plots with lots of twists and turns, then The Push is good for you. I’m not really into the genre, but it was still a fun, quick read. As an editor, I didn’t like some of the grammatical inconsistencies.
The Push 2: Decimation by Missy Turner
~I had the privilege of editing this book for a fellow author friend of mine. Like the first book in the series, it’s very fast-paced and a quick read. I thought this book surpassed the first one significantly, and is a good step forward in the series.
Curse of the Purple Delhi Sapphire (Book 2 in the Temple of Indra Series) by Rachael Stapleton
~This book is a mix of time-travel, romance, and a female version of Indiana Jones. I enjoyed it, and there is actually a book in the series before this one. Even without reading the first book, I felt I knew the entire story. Good piece of writing. The only aspect I didn’t like was the fact that it didn’t seem to stick with the time-travel theme throughout the book, and I wanted some of the side characters to be a little more developed. But overall, great book!
Legend by Marie Lu
~If you are into Dystopian-society books like the Hunger Games and Divergent, then you will like this book. It’s a future American society in the throes of war. The story follows Day and June, who are youngsters on the opposite ends of society. Of course there is the typical love story and lots of action. My only qualm is that the story is very straightforward, and not a lot happens to really surprise the reader. I’m reading the second book in the series now, so I’m sure I’ll get a review in for it in the future.
Andy Mcbean and the War of the Worlds by Dale Kutzera
~War of the Worlds for kids—basically. Dale Kutzera takes the classic story and makes a new one for younger middle-grade children. I loved the book, and had the privilege of reading the next book in the series. I’ll be writing about it when it comes out. Great series to get the youngsters started on. Andy Mcbean and his friends are very loveable characters.
The Legend of Koolura by Michael L. Thal
~Fun middle-grade/young adult story that deals with some adult issues, while also sporting a fun storyline about Cool being given and taken. I enjoyed the story, but wasn’t a fan of the formatting/editing issues.
Corridors of My Mind by Angel M.B. Chadwick
~A good mix of poetry, if you like that sort of thing. Many of the poem’s themes don’t stray too far from each other, but it was an okay read.
The Children of the Maize: Seven Ancient Mayan Secrets to Spiritual Enlightenment, Peace and Happiness by Arnulfo G. Oxlaj
~I was very surprised by this book. As a Christian, I knew I would be traversing into some beliefs that I couldn’t follow. But, I was amazed by the supernatural story of a young man, and how he learned his beliefs/powers, even in the midst of persecution. I was also amazed by the side of the Mayan culture that the public doesn’t typically see (a side that is much softer than human sacrifice, etc.)
And lastly, many of the Mayan beliefs seem linked to the Christian religion. I was able to have a conversation with the author later, and he told me that he was actually a Presbyterian Pastor with a Mayan heritage, thus showing me the link to his current beliefs and the beliefs of his ancestors. Although I can’t connect to it all, I really enjoyed this read.
Wise Mr. Mouse by Nnenna Onumah
~ I had the privilege of editing this fun little children’s book. The book uses a wide array of mismatched rhymes and very fun illustrations. I actually read this book to my little ones.
Upcoming books: Golden Son by Pierce Brown, Prodigy by Marie Lu, Emperors of Time by James Wilson Penn, Andy McBean 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Dale Kutzera
~Brody