Review

Thad Damous and the Intergalactic Conspiracy – By Luke Samson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Hi Jared,

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway a couple of months ago and it’s been sitting on my shelf every since. So it was perfect for my Bookshelf Blitz.

thaddammousTitle: Thad Damous and the Intergalactic Conspiracy
Series: Thad Damous; Book 1
Author: Luke Samson
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: CU, Instantaneous Travel, Aliens?
Synopsis: Have you ever wanted to spend your summer on an exciting adventure? Well, Thad Damous has and when he gets to his grandparents’ home, he finds an adventure that one can only dream about. Thad meets up with a hermit who lives in one of the caves in Coal Mountain behind his grandparents’ home. The hermit offers an adventure of a lifetime in another world called, M-Core. Thad ends up getting more than he bargained for, and meets a young girl his age. Together they seek to clear the hermit’s name while finding out who really is behind a strange conspiracy that involves transport tubes, spaceships, and a greedy man. Find out if Thad and Tera are able to solve the mystery and help save a man from jail – or worse.
Recommendation: I wouldn’t recommend this book.

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Thad Damous and the Intergalactic Conspiracy – By Luke Samson

DNF – The Roar by Emma Clayton

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , 1 Comment

DNFtheroar

I’ve tried to start reading this twice but I could not manage to get very far. The premise is painfully hard to get past. Because of some plague spread by all animals (suspect on its own) they literally built a wall cross the northern part of the planet to hide behind…..across continents, mountain ranges and two oceans……Ya, that’s more than unlikely it’s impossible, let alone doing it while under siege from plague ridden animals and the civil unrest that would cause.

Next is the characters. We get an OP girl with superpowers and a pet monkey who escapes a space station and blindly tries to run home. Her brother who can feel what she feels. And the Bad Guy who is instantly shallow.

There’s nothing to keep me going in this book. So why fight it?

Robert

DNF – The Roar by Emma Clayton

We Bought A Zoo – By Benjamin Mee

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

This is a book off my shelf (Bookshelf Blitz!) that I’ve been curious about since I watched the movie. It really is just a secret childhood fantasy that someone managed to actually do it.

we_bought_a_zoo_book_coverTitle: We Bought a Zoo
Author: Benjamin Mee
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UK, Zoo, Animals, Fulfilling Dreams
Synopsis: Benjamin Mee decided to uproot his family and move them to an unlikely new home: a dilapidated zoo on the English countryside, complete with over 200 exotic animals. It was his dream to refurbish the zoo and run it as a family business. There was much work to be done, and none of it easy. Tigers broke loose, money ran low, the staff grew skeptical, and family tensions ran high. Then tragedy struck. His wife had a recurrence of a brain tumor, forcing Benjamin and his children to face the heartbreak of illness and the devastating loss of a wife and mother. But inspired by her memory and the healing power of the incredible family of animals they had grown to love, Benjamin and his kids resovled to move forward. The Mee family opened the gates of the revitalized zoo in July 2007.
Recommendation: An interesting look at this once in a lifetime experience. For those who enjoy non-fiction.

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We Bought A Zoo – By Benjamin Mee

The Crossing – By Gary Paulsen

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Hello Jared,

I’m kicking off the Bookshelf Blitz with some good old Gary Paulsen.

thecrossingTitle: The Crossing
Author: Gary Paulsen
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Mexico
Synopsis: 14yo Manny is an orphan in Juarez, Mexico. He competes with his bigger, meaner rivals for the coins American tourists throw off the bridge between Texas and his town. Across that heavily guarded bridge await a different world and a better existence.
On the night when Manny dares the crossing–through the muddy shallows of the Rio Grande, past the searchlights and the border patrol–the young man encounters an old stranger who could prove to be an ally or an enemy. Manny can’t tell for certain. But if he is to achieve his dream, then he must be willing to risk everything–even his life.
Recommendation: This book is recommended for teens.

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The Crossing – By Gary Paulsen

Spellkeeper Flight – Book 1: The High Road – By Ken Hughes

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

This was bound to happen eventually, and the more ARC’s we get the greater the possibility. It doesn’t make it any easier though.

TheHighRoadTitle: The High Road
Series: Spellkeeper Flight; Book 1
Author: Ken Hughes
Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: EU, Magic
Synopsis: Enter a world of gangs, vigilantes, and magic that’s powerful enough to kill. Mark has never been the survivor his friend Angie is, but when he rescues a mysterious belt from the flames, it’s a decision that changes his life for good. As the two tap into the secret of gravity-controlling magic, they realize the reason Angie’s family tried to destroy the belt. Flying comes at a cost, to their lives and their sanity. Fighting back against a street gang with a vendetta, Mark begins to sense that death waits around every turn. Soon he and Angie come face-to-face with the true danger: hidden masters of other magical forces. The keepers of power want the secret of flying, and they’ll destroy anyone who gets in their way.
Recommendation: I can not recommend this book.

A copy of this book was provided by the author for the purpose of obtaining a review.

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Spellkeeper Flight – Book 1: The High Road – By Ken Hughes

Seventh Tower – Book 6: The Violet Keystone – By Garth Nix

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

I’m finally finished! If I attempt anything like this again, I think I’m going to try and finish it quicker. A big series, like Animorphs, can be done slower but for 6 books this too a little too long.

violetkeystoneTitle: The Violet Keystone
Series: Seventh Tower; Book 6
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: UU/EU, Stone Age/Medieval, Magic
Synopsis: Tal and Milla are only one step away from death. Evil is only one step away from triumph. An old war is made new again. The ultimate power is up for grabs.
As shadows rage, ancient spells return, illusion reigns and corruption threatens. The search for hope is the bravest quest. The Seventh Tower is the key to it all.
Recommendation: A great short novel for an early reader. I wish this was around when I was in second grade.

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Seventh Tower – Book 6: The Violet Keystone – By Garth Nix

First Contact – Book 1: Upon This Rock – By David Marusek

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

How’s it going, Jared?

You’ve been very quiet lately. I hope the w’s (work & wife) aren’t monopolizing all your time. There are books I know you’ve read that I’m eager to hear about. In any case, this might be a book Julia might be interested in.

uponthisrockTitle: Upon This Rock
Author: David Marusek
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Modern, Aliens
Synopsis: When a shooting star plunges through the atmosphere and touches down in the Alaska wilderness, only two earthlings are around to witness the event. But they see two utterly different things. What park ranger Jace Kuliak sees is a UFO and the arrival of a dangerous alien species from beyond the solar system. What Poppy Prophecy sees is the star called Wormwood, as recorded in Scripture, and the arrival of a an archangel of the Apocalypse.

The thing is — they’re both sorta right.
Recommendation: I definitely recommend this book.

A copy of this book was provided by the author for the purpose of obtaining a review.

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First Contact – Book 1: Upon This Rock – By David Marusek

The Expanse Series – The Churn – By James S. A. Corey

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , 3 Comments

Hello Jared,

The Expanse is one of my all time favorite series. Hands down. I’m super excited for more books or novellas or another season on tv. Basically anything I can get my hands on. Speaking of which, a new novella, Strange Dogs, should be out tomorrow, Jul.18.2017.

The_Churn.jpgTitle: The Churn
Series: The Expanse; Novella
Author: James S. A. Corey (Pen Name)
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU (Current Universe), Futuristic, No FTL Tech
Synopsis: Before his trip to the stars, before the Rocinante, Amos Burton was confined to a Baltimore where crime paid you or killed you. Unless the authorities got to you first.
Recommendation: Recommended for anyone who likes the Expanse and I suggest reading the first book in The Expanse first.

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The Expanse Series – The Churn – By James S. A. Corey

The Genesis Fleet – Book 1: Vanguard – By Jack Campbell

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , 1 Comment

Hey Jared,

Have you read any of Jack Campell’s books? Their pretty good and other than one series having staggered releases their worth looking at.

vanguardTitle: Vanguard
Series: The Genesis Fleet; Book 1
Author: Jack Campbell
Genre: Science Fiction, Military
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Distant Future, FTL (Jump Drive), Energy Weapons
Synopsis: Earth is no longer the center of the universe. After the invention of the faster-than-light jump drive, humanity is rapidly establishing new colonies. But the vast distances of space mean that the old order of protection and interstellar law offered by Earth has ceased to exist. When a nearby world attacks, the new colony of Glenlyon turns to Robert Geary, a young former junior fleet officer, and Mele Darcy, a onetime enlisted Marine. With nothing but improvised weapons and a few volunteers, Geary and Darcy must face down warships and armored soldiers–or die trying. As battles rage and pirates take an increasing toll throughout the colonies, the only hope for lasting peace lies with Carmen Ochoa, a “Red” from the anarchic world of Mars, and Lochan Nakamura, a failed politician. They have a plan: to lay the groundwork for mutual defense that could someday grow into an alliance. But if their efforts don’t succeed, the growing power of aggressor worlds could turn regions of space founded on freedom into battlefields between the first interstellar empires…
the first interstellar empires…
Recommendation: It’s a good series, but I would recommend being familiar with Lost Fleet or Lost Stars before starting this series.

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The Genesis Fleet – Book 1: Vanguard – By Jack Campbell

Seventh Tower Series – Book 5: Into Battle – By Garth Nix

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

How’s it going, Jared?

Almost finished with this series, and I’ve got high hopes to finish it this month because I’ve got something planned for next month. Ya, that’s pretty ominous but hopefully you approve.

intobattleTitle: Into Battle
Series: Seventh Tower; Book 5
Author: Garth Nix
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: UU/EU, Stone Age/Medieval, Magic
Synopsis: The Dark World is in danger, for the Veil is vulnerable. War is soon to come. On one side are Tal and the Underfolk rebels, struggling valiantly for freedom. On another side are Milla and the Icecarls, preparing to assualt the Castle in order to preserve their world. And on a third side lies the most sinister force of all–a force of evil that has only now chosen to reveal itself–a force of such power that it could unleash the ultimate destruction.
Recommendation: A great short novel for an early reader. I wish this was around when I was in second grade.

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Seventh Tower Series – Book 5: Into Battle – By Garth Nix