Journey to Territory U, L.J. Epps

Its like a soft 3 stars...

I really want to like Book 3 of The Extinction of All Children series, and it does wrap up many of the questions readers have about what is happening. The pace and dialogue strays, but the basic story line is okay. I just couldn't get as into it but I wanted to know what on Earth was going on. Many of the questions about Emma and Esther come to a head in this book but the reveal falls flat. Emma made some smart decisions and some dumb ones but she is young...it's expected. I thought overall, she was a character I could rally behind.

Some of the twists were expected or so dragged out that when they finally do come out its not shocking. Emma continues to be challenged again and again. Will she be able to unite the territories? Read book three to find out.

I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review.

Journey to Territory M (Extinction of All Children #2) by L.J. Epps

Its more like 3.5 stars but I still enjoyed it enough to push to 4. The story is still following Emma and her rag tag group trying to force equality throughout the territories. This installment was more real. Emma is still infuriatingly stubborn but she seems to be starting to think about things before acting. 

There is more mystery, more death, more action in this book. If you liked book one you will like book two plus some. It's entertaining, it's exciting, it makes you want to keep reading. The relationships between the characters are developing well. I still don't like the "love triangle" LJ is implying but I get it. It creates drama and jealousy. 

I liked it enough to keep trucking on to book three. I need to know what is going on. Why is craigluy separated from the rest of the nation? Why is it three territories? What happened??? Why is the president such a jerk?!?! Who thinks "yes lets kill babies"?!?!

Thats my take. I think if you've made it this far you HAVE to read book three. Plus it is entertaining. 

I got this book for free from Netgalley to read and give my honest review.

Extinction of All Children - L.J. Epps

I'm undecided how much I like this book but it did catch my attention.  It is very reminiscent of another book with fight to the death game with kids, except that isn't the concept here.  Here it is another tyrannical leader making decisions for the populous that aren't very fair.  Our lead, Emma, is the last child of her territory who just turned 18, there are 3 territories and she lives in the poorest.  Don't worry, I'm not spoiling anything.  She is a strong willed, take nothing from anyone type of chick.  She knows inherently that the situation in her territory is wrong even though they try to brainwash them into thinking its for the best.

Its a quick read and it is interesting.  We follow Emma and her fight against the President.  She meets some new people along the way, many of whom seem to immediately fall for her.  Its the beginnings of teen love triangles, a rebellion, and bringing a family back together.  I think if I was a teen or early 20's I may have been more into it.  I liked it but Emma is so bull headed and young, its frustrating.  She is learning though so I do want to continue the series.  Its 3.5 stars form me but only because I am still deciding if I like Emma enough to deal with her immaturity and the boys just falling at her feet.  It's not really believable for me...yet. 

I will move on to book two because I kind of want to see where the story goes.

I got this book for free from Net Galley to read and give my honest review. (spoiler in the jump)

**SPOILERS**

The Devil Aspect - Craig Russell

I can't begin to explain how disturbing this story is.  Its fascinating but really delves into the dark recesses of the mind.  We are following Victor Kosarek a Doctor of Psychology in Czechoslovakia before WWII.  He is a brilliant psychologist who is in search of the "Devil Aspect" in his patients.  He had some trying times that led him to yearn to discover what causes such horrible Psychosis. 

He is new at an asylum where the Devil's Six are being held.  They are the worst of the worst.  They have done unspeakable things and cannot be put with common criminals or be released back into society.  Victor is there to pull prove his theory with these exceptionally mad persons. 

It's a story of mystery, murder, supernatural, and a splash of love. It keeps you guessing for the most part but I saw some of it coming from a mile away.  It flips between the asylum and Prague where a detective is trying to find the "Leather Apron".  A mad man who is carrying out horrible crimes against women.  It really was an interesting book but there was a point...a point where we meet Mr. Hobbs where I thought, I am so not sleeping tonight.  It's disturbing but keeps you wanting more. 

I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery suspense all the while hinting at a supernatural element.  Check it out, but I don't recommend reading before bed. 

I got this book for free from NetGalley to read and give my honest review.

SPOILERS

A Hideous Beauty: Kingdom Wars I - Jack Cavanaugh

I give it three stars but only because its ending was redeeming.

I have mixed feelings on this one.  On the one hand I like the premise.  Its Supernatural meets West Wing.  Actually there was literally an entire season of Supernatural dealing with a not so good President and meddling angels but I digress.

We are following the mishaps of Grant Austin.  Pulitzer Prize winning author for his book on the President currently in office.  What he doesn't know is he is just a pawn.  Forces are in control and he played right into their hands.  He apparently is an attractive man with a weird sense of humor.  He sounds like someone I would like but he is written in a way that I almost couldn't stand him.  Women weren't represented well at first either.  I mean the first thing I do when I meet a new female friend is not have a girl power pow wow about our mutual ex and talk about clothes but whatever.  Nor do I fly off the handle easily, actually I don't know many women that actually do.  But maybe me and my friends are different and other females would get unexplainably jealous and irrational because of a complete misunderstanding.

Moving on, once we know Grant's purpose in this wondrous world it got better.  Too bad that was 3/4 of the way into the book.  But once we see the whole crazy situation laid out it got way more interesting.  I really don't like how Grant handles everything but I was rooting for him in the end.  I felt for him.  How could someone as insignificant as him be so important in the grande scheme of things.  How can a normal guy be so important to the war between good an evil.  How can one man change the world?  Grant is going to find out.

I liked the book eventually but getting to the better side of Grant took forever.  I know he is written to be a sarcastic butt but its a bit much.  I will probably read book two because of the ending.  So if you like a twisty Good vs Evil book, give it a try.  Just be forewarned the main character can be a beating at times.

I got this book for free from Netgalley to read and give my honest review.  

**SPOILERS**

Beyond Meridian - CC Bridges

More like 3.5 stars, not quite 4 because its too short.  I don't even know where to start.  I know I read the description before downloading it but I somehow missed that is was a "romance" M/M.  No issues just caught me off guard at first.  So we are following Raine and Karl.  Raine is a Spacer...he moves cargo.  And Karl needs help getting into "enemy" territory. 

Its Firefly with a two man crew and a really fancy ship.  Its a quick read but its honestly really good.   You want to hate Raine, he's a bastard but he isn't, he has a heart so to say.  Karl seems green but there is something lurking beneath the surface.  He is on a mission to save his friend and needs Raine.  The problem is Raine is a man ho (at least it seems) and Karl is "innocent". 

Together with the amazing ship they are going to save the galaxy, and each other. 

It's written to move quickly but its captivating.  It really does grab your interest.  My only issue is it moves so fast.  I like to see more development in characters and in story.  I like to see the build in the relationship.  But even with that lacking I like Raine and Karl.  It's good.  They are good.  It's...just read it.  Like I said Firefly...plus.

I got this book for free from Netgalley to read and give my honest review.  

SPOILERS

Relic - Alan Dean Foster

This is a beautifully written story about the end of our species.  We have wiped ourselves out.  The great human race reduced to one lonely survivor.  In our rush to inhabit the stars we somehow destroyed it all.  Everything we have worked on for millennia gone in the blink of an eye.  For all of our genius our future selves create a virus that literally cleanses the universe of our presence. 

Don't worry I didn't spoil anything and I won't until you get to the jump.  Throughout this book we follow the musing of Ruslan, the last surviving human.  He was rescued by an alien race from one of our colonies among the stars.  He's become something of a celebrity being the only living specimen of a once great species.  He's fairly old and a bit lonely even among his rescuers.  He yearns to hear another human but the virus made sure that never happens again.  This story hit on every emotion.  Its happy, sad, exciting, scary, you name it I felt it.  But the best part.  The absolute most amazing thing about this story is it gives you hope.  Hope that we learn from our mistakes...and don't kill ourselves off.  I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a new unique story about our future among the stars. 

I received this book for free from NetGalley to read and give my honest review.

Lifel1k3 - Jay Kristoff

Wow.  This is a fascinating coming of age story.  I mean who doesn't want to read about a rebellious teen in a future where we almost destroyed all of life on earth.  That isn't sarcasm, I'm serious.  We are following the life of Eve.  She lives what used to be California but it broke off and is an island now.  She poor and scrappy. She has a cybernetic eye and a memory chip in her head.  She has her gramps, BFF named Lemon, robot sidekick named Cricket , and a robo dog with a real dog brain.  

Its not all what you think.  There are non humans out there.  They look like us but they aren't human.  They are called Lifelikes and they rebelled against their maker.  Don't worry, I didn't spoil anything you don't read in the first few pages.  Imagine that!  You get this much insanity and its only the beginning.  This story is full of adventure, heartbreak, friendship, and betrayal; all with a sci-fi base.  Its a captivating read that has more surprises than I thought possible.  The author did a wonderful job of creating characters you love.  Even with their flaws you love them.  That is why all the twists and turns are such punches in the gut  You are learning along with Eve which makes this story even more intriguing.  All leading up to the final showdown that completely blew my mind, and its only book one.  I would definitely recommend it.

SPOILERS in the  jump

Obscura - Joe Hart

This is a wonderfully written yet disturbing story. In the not so distant future we have reached a tipping point. Our beautiful blue marble is dying. Humanity has no choice but to look for a new home. In addition to this we are plagued by a new disease. It targets young and old, related and unrelated. There is no cure...there is no predicting it but once you have it you are done. Its a slow, tortuous death. Not just for you but for your loved ones who have to watch you slowly forget them...yourself...everything. 

We are following Gillian a Doctor, mother, and now Astronaut who is on the verge of curing this awful disease. She has her own issues and reasons for wanting a cure but when NASA calls upon her she goes...a tad unwillingly but she goes. This book is a total mystery. From the opening pages to the last line. Its a roller coaster of emotion and distrust. There is the dying Earth, the incurable disease, a new technology that could change the future of humanity, and death...lots of death. Its a whodunit wrapped up in a what would you do. And it has space travel so win win win, right?! 

I absolutely loved this book. I was confused, concerned, disturbed, terrified, and happy. The whole gambit of emotions. Just when I thought I knew what to expect something else slapped me in the face. I didn't know who to trust. Half the time I didn't even trust Gillian and it was from her POV. I wanted to love so many of the characters but I just didn't know. The only one I fully trusted was Birk, he was an open book. In a heartbeat I would recommend this book. Anyone who loves a good murder mystery and/or sci-fi should read it. It is by far one of the better near future space travel books I've read, and I've read quite a few. Check it out, you wont be sorry.

SPOILERS in the jump