REVIEW - FRACTURED DAYS - AFTER THE END BY GRACE HAMILTON

  

Title: Fractured Days
Series: After The End
Author: Grace Hamilton
Genre: Post Apocalyptic, EMP
Release Date: 14th September 2024

BLURB
The old world is gone. And it’s not coming back…

It’s been eight days since the lights went out for good. Eight days of surviving chaos and the worst of humanity. Eight days for the truth to sink the survivors are on their own.

Shannon Grayson has escaped from the massive retail center where she was trapped, but a festering bullet wound in her shoulder requires medical care. In the aftermath of society’s collapse, doctors and medicine are hard to come by—and her infection is getting worse.

Meanwhile, a chance meeting with an old military brother brings Dennis Sullivan and his traveling companion Kim Nakamura to an unexpected sanctuary. The town of Humboldt seems to be a haven of law and order in a world that’s falling apart.

But as Dennis grapples with his addiction, Kim begins to suspect that Humboldt isn’t quite as safe as it appears. The town militia provides security and order. In return, they only ask for one thing—absolute control.

Goodreads Link

REVIEW
I think the book cover reflects a scene from within the book very well. It pictures Kim, Dennis & Mutt on their long journey heading towards Memphis and Kim’s Great-Aunt Carol, Great-Uncle Bruno and the Black Rats, the motorcycle gang they lead.

After finishing Trapped Days, I honestly couldn’t wait to read Fractured Days!
Fractured Days basically picks up where Trapped Days ended, it may be just 8 days since the EMP event but the world has been thrown headlong into increasing chaos and decreasing of human civility and behaviour.

We are straight back into the drama with Shannon aka Sarah, she has an infected bullet wound affecting how she can control the large truck she is driving and when they hit a bump in the road whilst she is driving the truck, Bill attempts to reach over and help to regain control of the vehicle but bangs his own head knocking himself out and the truck ends up off road partially in a ditch. When Bill regains consciousness, he manages to get the truck back on the road but its clear he needs to stop somewhere very soon as Shannon/Sarah’s wound desperately needs attention. Bill manages to find a small clinic and gains access, settling Shannon/Sarah whilst he gathers the medical supplies he needs to drain the infection and to attempt to stop the infection/poison spreading any further. It’s clear they cannot continue their journey to find Kim, Shannon/Sarah’s daughter so they make the clinic their temporary base.

They aren’t the only ones being forced to halt their journey as Kim and Dennis have decided to stay in Humboldt which is being run by a marine friend of Dennis’ Sergeant Lewis Danville. They hope Dennis can go cold turkey on his pain medication addiction and will then be able to travel on to Memphis and Kim’s Aunt & Uncle. However, all is not what it seems at Humboldt and soon becomes apparent that as a pre-med student Kim has skills that are needed in Humboldt and she becomes a commodity that Lewis Danville does not want to let go of willingly.

In the meantime, Andre Atkinson is still intent on taking his revenge on his ex-wife Sarah (Shannon) for testifying against him and sending him to prison. Andre comes across Lee Kingston-Jones, a young man fleeing his abusive ex-cop father. Andre soon realises Lee has information about possible roadblocks set up by what is left of the police force in a bid to recapture escapee prisoners. Lee can hunt to he catches food for them to eat and becomes a travel companion, and somewhat of a “lackey” for Andre, doing all the dogsbody jobs he doesn’t wish to do himself. As they travel together, facing various situations, Andre begins to subtly train Lee to become tougher and more violent. Lee is scared of Andre and because of the abuse at the hands of his own father when Andre praises Lee, he desperately wants to continue pleasing him, which pressures him to push his own boundaries on what he considers right and wrong.

There’s still plenty of chaos as society collapses and the wrong sort of people try to take over in Fractured Days. People are beginning to realise that there is no help coming and that the conditions they are currently facing are only going to get worse. The fairly wide range of book characters shine a light on multiple different relationships, and qualities such loyalty whether it is between, friends, family, motorcycle gangs, or people that have just met and either choose to band together or are thrown together and trapped by circumstances.

I loved how though they are not blood related, Bill & Shannon/Sarah and Dennis & Kim slip into a father, daughter type dynamic. Another non blood relationship that was formed was between Kim and Joan. Kim can see that Joan is suffering from domestic violence as she recognises the signs, excuses and bruise patterns from her parent volatile, abusive relationship. Kim tries to talk to Joan and let her know that there is a way out from the abuse, even in this current world. Kim even considers taking Joan with her and Dennis when they leave but circumstances change quickly. Aunt Carols reaction was so familiar and realistic of “family” when she discovered that Shannon/Sarah was wounded and only just recovering from blood poisoning. The whole “Why didn’t you tell me?” though she had previously been so angry with Shannon/Sarah that Shannon/Sarah didn’t get a chance to tell Aunt Carol!

I really enjoyed reading Fractured Days, its quite fast paced and the chapters are from three different points of view, Bill, Lee, & Dennis. There are some great mini cliff hangers at the ends of the chapters making the book really hard to put down! You do become attached to the characters so its sad when certain ones are killed off but its all part of life and the book plot so understandable and believable. I found the whole concept of the Black Rats, their hierarchy and rules fascinating. I’m looking forward to the next book to see if/what Andre will attempt next and how his attempts will be thwarted, hopefully without too many great characters losing their lives.
Summing up there are some really edge of your seat, nail biting sections as well as some truly heart-warming ones that show that even in the worst of circumstances people can still be generous & care for each other. There are also those individuals who will turn a crisis to their advantage at every opportunity too.

 

 

REVIEW - WARRIOR PRINCESS - BLOOD WEAVER TRILOGY BY KARINA ESPINOSA

  

Title: Warrior Princess
Series: Blood Weaver Trilogy
Author: Karina Espinosa
Genre: Romantasy, Fantasy, Romance
Release Date: 16th August 2024

BLURB
In the fantastical realm of Asteria, where ancient bloodlines and magical allegiances govern the land, Leila, a blood mage with a complicated past, finds her fate intertwined with Ronan, the fierce warrior from the Crimson Clan. When an insidious plot by Prince Caelan of Eldwain threatens to destabilize all of Asteria, Leila must harness her formidable powers and confront secrets that could shatter the very foundations of her world.

Together, Leila and Ronan embark on a perilous journey through treacherous territories, from the Grasslands, Keldara, the Central Plains, to the deceptive courts of Eldwain, to safeguard their people and uphold ancient alliances. As battles rage and loyalties are tested, the pair must navigate a tapestry of intrigue and betrayal, where love may be their most powerful weapon or their ultimate undoing.

With the fate of Asteria hanging in the balance, Leila must decide if she can go against the man she once considered her best friend. In this epic tale of magic, love, and rebellion, only the strongest will survive to tell the tale of their victory—or their defeat.

Goodreads Link

REVIEW
I think the covers for the Blood Weaver Trilogy are all very striking and Warrior Princess fits with the two previous covers very well. It was mixed emotions approaching reading Warrior Princess as it’s the last book in the trilogy, I was eager to read the book but at the same time wasn’t totally ready to bid farewell to Leila and the other characters.

Warrior Princess starts with a small prologue that is a flashback to how/why Shiro was made into the Demon Fox. Celeste put her beloved Shiro into slumber to stop him attacking/destroying Asteria. Celeste then cursed her own bloodline saying there will be no female blood mage born until Shiro has had time to think things through and sort of see the error of his ways, only then will a female blood mage be born. The female blood mage must fall in love with one from the Crimson Clan, then be sacrificed to bring back Shiro the Demon Fox. The female blood mage must be in love with one of the Crimson Clan that way she will feel the betrayal when he kills her for his own people. It’s quite a sad kind of prophecy/ceremony really though Ronan thinks he has a way around the fact Leila must die for the Demon Fox to return. Once returned the Demon Fox can grant one wish. Ronan decides he will use this one wish to bring Leila back to life.

Chief Aryan of the Crimson Clan thinks sacrificing Leila/Princess Lyanna of Valoria is the only way to make the Crimson Clan the strongest army so that they can defeat all enemies in war. He doesn’t care that his son Ronan is in love with the Princess and he has no intention at all of honouring his agreement with his son, to use the one wish that Shiro grants to bring Leila/Princess Lyanna back to life. Chief Aryan wants to use the wish for himself which is why he uses a tranquiliser dart to put Ronan out of action whilst he persuades Leila to let him perform the sacrificial ceremony. Silas finally finds Ronan after the ceremony has been performed and has to break the devastating news that Leila is dead. Ronan rushes to find his father and the Demon Fox to make the wish to bring Leila back to life which is rightly his wish to take.

Leila does struggle with the memories of the sacrificial ceremony that Chief Aryan performed on her, the way he began slitting her wrists and then quite callously and savagely slits her throat to enable her blood to flow fast and freely onto the stone she is laid on. In fact, she is rather self-concious of the scar at a neck so much so she initially wears scarves at her neck to hide it. Shiro – the Demon Fox being brought back does give the Crimson Clan army extra strength, they feel the extra power almost immediately. Shiro is also a formidable fighter in any battle himself. Shiro also helps Leila develop, wield and learn to control her Blood Weaver magic which certainly comes in useful.

Without going into detail there is more than one person who would force Leila into marriage with them to gain control of Valoria who are willing to go to extreme lengths to get what they want. Leila also has no shortage of potential agreeable suitors either! There is lots of betrayal and conspiracy going on, some from quarters you would not expect that Leila has to deal with from her adopted home of the Grasslands with the Crimson Clan as it is not safe for her to return to Valoria. Leila has the help of most of the other regions in Asteria

So, there’s lots of action scenes both of the steamy and battle varieties making this book really difficult to put down once you start reading! Though I did enjoy the epilogue at the end I would have loved a little more of a mention of Selene & Marcellus and their relationship outcome. I did love the way Henry is happily settle with Ronan & Leila. I'm not sure how to explain it but it just ended a little abrupt & quickly for me....it left me wanting a little more…..maybe that’s a good way to end leaving me to fill in the blanks

Summing up Warrior Princess really is an action-packed, edge of your seat conclusion to The Blood Weaver Trilogy. I can’t wait to see what comes next from this author!

 

 

 

REVIEW - TRAPPED DAYS - AFTER THE END BK1 BY GRACE HAMILTON

  

Title: Trapped Days
Series: After The End
Author: Grace Hamilton
Genre: Post Apocalyptic
Release Date: 7th August 2024

BLURB
As the world descends into chaos, one woman will do anything to find her daughter…

Shannon Grayson is a tough-as-nails long-haul truck driver. But her life is turned upside down when a massive electromagnetic blast hits North America while she’s unloading cargo at the South-Central Retail Supercenter, demolishing the power grid.

Now she’s trapped inside the sprawling building, along with dozens of other survivors. And no one is coming to their rescue. Without power, the world outside begins to collapse. Shannon is determined to escape and find her daughter—they haven’t seen each other since Shannon entered witness protection five years ago, but when SHTF her momma-bear drive takes over.

But first, she must survive this ordeal…

Eight hundred miles away is Dennis Sullivan, Shannon’s witness protection officer, who swore to protect her and her daughter, and he’s a man of his word. He’ll battle through the ruins of America to reunite with them and ensure their safety.

Desperation quickly turns to terror as Shannon and the others realize there’s no way out of the locked-down supercenter. They’ll have to depend on each other to survive.

In the world gone mad, the only people they can trust—and the only people they need to fear—are each other…

Goodreads Link

REVIEW
I think the cover does its job well as it certainly attracts your eyes and attention to the book. Once I read the blurb I was hooked and knew I really wanted to read the book!

The main character is Shannon Grayson who before going into witness protection was Sarah Nakamaru, wife of gang boss and murderer Andre Atkinson. Sarah/Shannon committed the ultimate betrayal when she gave evidence in court against Andre and she knew she was putting her life at risk but she also knew it was the right thing to do. Unfortunately, it also meant that Sarah/Shannon and Andre’s daughter Kim was caught up in the whole mess. Kim was old enough to make her own decision about going into witness protection and she decided against it, she is sure her father and his associates would do nothing to hurt her as it was her mother that testified, not her. However she does change her surname to Nakamaru which is the same as her Aunt & Uncle who became her legal guardians because her mother had to go into witness protection. Kim Nakamaru went off to college, and Sarah Nakumaru became Shannon Grayson, long distance truck driver, never staying in one place for very long for fear of being tracked by her ex-husband or his associates. Kim and Shannon keep in touch and receive updates on each other via Shannon’s witness protection officer Dennis Sullivan who takes his job and the safety of his charges seriously. Dennis is an ex-marine and Kim and Shannon are the nearest things he has to a family of his own, and he will do whatever is necessary to protect them from anything, including the end of the world as they know it. Dennis has been suspended indefinitely from his job because of his reliance on strong painkillers that he takes for his old marine war wounds and a more recent car accident. It’s as if Dennis is on some sort of Marine auto pilot in his determination to find Kim.

Everything starts to go wrong with a flash of light in Washington, cars, electronics just stop working. Unfortunately for the rest of America there is no time to warn anyone, or contact loved ones. Phone calls go unanswered, messages unheard when everything comes to a grinding halt.

Shannon is about to unload at a Supercenter/Warehouse when everything goes dark and she ends up trapped in an increasingly tense situation with other truckers and shoppers. At first people push and shove to get to the exits but somehow the storm shutters are triggered and come down sealing people inside the Supercenter/Warehouse. The manager is Noah Mochire and his thoughts are all about the business, no one should have anything they cannot pay cash for, be that food, water or medical supplies. Theres plenty of arguing and bickering, kids are tired, hungry and restless and basically everyone has had enough so Shannon channels her biker days with 'the black rats' and silences everyone shouting 'enough' then she takes Noah Mochire to task and a system for feeding people and “living” in the Supercenter/Warehouse is organised. When Hank Nilsen dies mysteriously, Bill, Connor & Shannon deal with the body and talk about escaping the building sooner rather than later, all eager to distance themselves from an unstable self-appointed guard/security Barney Langmaid with a gun!

Andre Atkinson starts his day out like any other is in his cell reading a book and almost gleefully intimidating his cell mate when all the lights go off. His immediate thoughts are of chaos & escape! He isn’t sure how he is going to even get out of his cell but he is content enough to take his time to come with the perfect plan to escape prison. Then he knows exactly what he is going to do, make his ex-wife pay for putting him in prison.

When Dennis is attacked on his journey by Martin, as he desperately wants the car Dennis has to get him, his wife Rita & diabetic daughter Nancy back to their home. Despite being attacked Dennis still cannot help himself and offers them a lift to nearest town & pharmacy for insulin. Martin refuses determined he wants the car to get to their home, nowhere else will do. Dennis manages to overpower Martin and driveaway but Martin shoots at the car puncturing a tire, causing car to crash, making it unusable by anyone. Dennis slips in and out of consciousness and wallows a little, almost giving up on reaching Kim and then his marines attitude kicks in & once again he is determined to get to Kim.

The book chapters are from the individual perspectives of Shannon, Dennis and Andre which works really well, though it would have been nice to have a few chapters from Kim and where she was and how she dealt with the changing world when the EMP struck too.

One thing that is prevalent throughout the book is how quickly people fall into the mentality of thinking only of themselves & killing & maiming to get what they want. Yet at the same time there are also people who go above and beyond to help others and share what little they have themselves.

Summing up there is so much happening in this book in different areas to the different characters. The book is centred around and told from the points of view of three pivotal characters, Shannon, Dennis & Andre. From the moment the EMP strikes, to the end of the epilogue this book is full of action, drama, dilemmas, betrayal and chaos. Seriously looking forward to reading more of this addictive series. I honestly hated having to put this book down!! I can’t wait to read more about Shannon, Kim, Dennis and even Andre!

 

 

 

REVIEW - FIREBIRD CAGED BY MAYA CHHABRA

  

Title: Firebird Caged
Author: Maya Chhabra
Publisher: Jolly Fish Press, North Star Editions
Genre: HiLo, Teens & YA
Release Date: 1st August 2024

BLURB
Ashley didn’t mean to get pregnant her senior year in high school. She didn’t mean to scare her hardworking and financially struggling mom, or to hide the truth from her awkward ex, Danny. She also didn’t mean to illegally take her well-off friend Madi’s prescription Xanax to cope with the stress—and she definitely didn’t mean to do it more than once.

When a doctor reports Ashley to the State of Wisconsin as a drug-addicted threat to her own unborn child, she is forcibly detained under the obscure and secretive Act 292 civil detention system for pregnant women, stranded in the county juvenile shelter home, and stigmatized by authorities who assign her fetus a lawyer but not her. It’s a struggle for Ashley just to get medical care for the pregnancy supposedly being protected—never mind fighting for her own freedom and making sure her baby isn’t taken away by social services after birth. Who’s going to protect Ashley herself?

But Ashley is stronger than anyone knows, and she has allies on the outside who believe in her. This is a fight Ashley can win—but only if she stops drifting passively, starts believing in herself, and chooses not to give in to despair.

Characterized by exciting, fast-paced plots and themes that are relevant for high school students, Horizon’s Hi-Lo books are both engaging and easy to read. Short chapters, simple sentence structures, and an accessible format make these books perfect for teen reluctant readers. Horizon books are written at a 2nd- to 3rd-grade reading level with an interest level of ages 14 and up.

REVIEW
The image on the cover is what initially drew me to the book. The cover conveys the desperation of a young woman, a teen in this case taking a pregnancy test and all her fears being confirmed the test is positive meaning she has a huge decision to make.

Ashley lives with her mum, her dad has moved on with a new wife and baby meaning the support checks are minimal and any other support is non-existent. So, its Ahley and her mum against the world really, they get by but don’t have money to splash about and live in a run down rented property where the landlord is reluctant to do any repairs or updates.

Ashley has broken up with her boyfriend Danny, he was more interested in his computer game world than Ashley and when he fails to support her dancing dream it’s the final straw for her. Its just a couple of weeks after the break up that Ashley thinks she may be pregnant, she buys a test and tries to play down its importance, comparing it to a Covid test just not snot that she’s testing.

She finally sneaks off to the bathroom at to take the test wondering how something so small as the pregnancy test in front of her can loom so large over her. Ashley is still trying to stay in the “its probably nothing” mind set until the test confirms otherwise. In the three minutes waiting for the test her whole life changes. Suddenly she is faced with a large, difficult decision that she cannot put off for very long. Ashley and her mother are close and when she confides in her mum, though she can see her mothers disappointment that she didn’t want her daughter to go down this difficult road that she herself had travelled. Ashleys mum offers to help sort out travelling to get an abortion as it is illegal in the state they presently live in, but doesn’t pressurise Ashley to decide right away, though she does caution her that the longer Ashley waits for an abortion the more complicated and expensive the procedure will be.

Just when decisions are made, things go terribly wrong with Ashley and her mother being made homeless. Madi offers Ashley a place to stay in her large house, and Ashleys mum finds a place to sleep at a friend’s home. It’s whilst living with the Wendt family that Ashley encounters Xanax and its effects. When she feels she is somehow becoming addicted she confides in a Doctor, and is suddenly arrested for the protection of her unborn baby. Ashley finds herself in a sort of home for girls pregnant or those considered by society as in need of such a home. Ashley has to prove herself to not only get out of the home but to make sure that she can keep her own baby! Ashley has to grow up quickly, and after reaching out to Danny, he puts her in touch with a compute game group friend who is a lawyer and who helps Ashley put her case across to the judge.

I really felt for Ashley who was perhaps at times a little naïve which ended in her making a succession of mistakes that took her situation from getting by to homeless and then into a group home. At times it felt like Ashley was a victim of circumstances. I could really understand the way Ashley looked at Madi’s life with rich parents, large house and her own car and envied it. Yet when Ashley moved in with Madi we caught a glimpse that not everything was perfect in the Wendt household either.

I liked the character of Danny, who eventually came through and how ironic it was his gaming contacts that provided he lawyer to help Ashley. It was a shame we didn’t get to know him a little better, though it became clear he still cared about Ashley and was going to support her and their baby in the future.

I think Ashley’s mum was amazing, having been a pregnant teen herself she didn’t jump for the obvious solution of abortion, she offered the option to her daughter and supported her in anyway she could to make her own mind up. It would have been easy for her to pressurise her daughter to have an abortion, as a baby would put further strain on the family finances. Ashleys mum was already working two jobs and barely covering their expenses.

This was a Hi Lo book aimed at reluctant readers, these books have a fast pace and are usually on subjects highly relevant to the age audience they are aimed at. I found the book really held my attention as an adult and I didn’t want to put it down!

I think the subject of teen pregnancy is covered quite well in the book as you see the different reactions through the generations. Ashleys mum was rushed into marriage, where as Ashleys mum gave Ashley choices and told her the decision was hers to make and that she would be there for her no matter what. Sadly, the subject of abortion is still a controversial subject and is a highly emotive subject especially as more and more obstacles and bans are being put in front of those seeking them. The book also mentions addiction, with Madi having Xanax and freely giving it to an agitated, upset Ashley without thinking of any side effects or consequences. I think the book also touches on the different way parents care for their children. Madi’s parents seem to throw medication at a problem rather than finding out the source of Madi’s issues. Ashleys mum takes time and listens to her daughter and includes her in the decision making. It would have been interesting to see what Danny’s parents thought about Ashley’s pregnancy and how involved they would have been. Though ultimately a teen pregnancy usually has to be dealt with by the young woman and her parents, in this case Ashley and her mum.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing reading Firebird Caged were that it was a really interesting, captivating short story about teen pregnancy and the increasingly growing legal minefield around it.

Summing up, Firebird Caged is an addictive read about a teen who finds herself repeating her own mother’s 'mistakes'. The big difference is she has her mother’s support to make up her own mind, but when their life and living arrangements take an unexpected turn and the teen makes another mistake then tries to do the right thing, social workers become involved, and it seems the state has their own ideas about the teen and her unborn baby.

 

REVIEW - ROYALE - UNDERGROUND SERIES BY KENNEDY PLUMB

  

Title: Royale
Series: Underground
Author: Kennedy Plumb
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Release Date: 31st July 2024

BLURB
Samuel Carmichael’s worst nightmare became reality when he came face to face with the notorious villain Vegas. Now he can’t shake the feeling that things in her glittery casino are not what they appear. Forced to form new alliances and launch himself straight into the middle of a dangerous power conflict, Sam will do anything to make sure Ella is freed from Vegas’s clutches.

C9 began to implode the day Sam escaped to find Ella, leaving Mateo and his brother Eddie with heavy responsibilities they never asked for but now can’t run away from. As the Zone begins to collapse from the inside out, Teo must ask himself if survival is worth fighting for. His brother’s life depends on it.

Two brothers on opposite sides of a crumbling Underground face insurmountable odds to fight for the siblings they have given up everything for.

Will their lives be next?

Will a brother’s love be enough?

Goodreads Link

REVIEW
The cover is really striking and certainly attracts your eye and would make me pick it up in a book store to learn more about it. I don’t quite know how to explain it, other than it really has that dystopian feel. I really like the repeat of the cut out effect that you kind of look through to the other side. Its like you are peeping into another world. Probably the way Sam and Q feel when they are trying to fit into the Elite zone, seeing how the other half live.

After reading and absolutely loving Buried I was eagerly . . . though perhaps not very patiently awaiting the release of Royale. I did read the novella in the series called Matches just prior to reading Royale, though personally I think the novella could be read after Royale too. The novella made me want to know more about Veronica and Arcadius’ life straight away and though they are in Royale there is quite a time jump to where they are and we don’t really know how they got there.

Sam may have escaped C9 and found Ella but is devastated when she refuses to come with him, actually wanting to stay with Vegas. He is also feeling really guilty that not everyone escaped and some of those that did escape were injured. He has now been forced to tell the whole truth, and knows the truth about those he has banded together with. Though Q seems to forgive him for his deception she gleefully “makes him pay” at every opportunity that comes by. Beardsley however is a different matter, he flatly refuses to have anything to do with Sam. Despite Ella’s refusal to run with him, he knows there is something not quite right with his sister and he is even more determined to free her from Vegas. Sam is prepared to agree to anything and align himself with whoever will help him. When Cade, the shady leader of those at the camp agrees to help him, in exchange for a favour, he blindly agrees to it, immediately shaking hands and sealing the deal. When the time comes, he may regret agreeing to a favour.

Back in C9 Mateo is still trying his best to protect his younger brother Eddie amongst the hardships and increasingly volatile atmosphere. A new security detail arrives and a new leader takes over Sergeant Nova. The way she rules is you follow orders or you die. There are no more trials, no second chances, not even expulsion from C9, just death! Mayor Ramos is taken into custody and put in the cells but manages to get messages to Mateo, organises secret meetings and it soon becomes apparent that Mayor Ramos has a plan for Mateo, he wants him to lead everyone to safety. At first Mateo and a small group of trusted friends begin to talk about what they can realistically do and who may help. They approach the Elders, who seem to be against any type of action, they are happy to sit and wait to see what happens.

We also meet Tyro-B29 and follow her typical day of taking her blue and red pills then sitting in class under the instruction of Aunty, then doing her daily syncing with Ella. When Sam visited it changed things and Tyro-B29 is starting to rebel a little, first not syncing, then not taking the pills but this lands her in trouble with Aunty. Tyro-B29 knows something isn’t right, syncing with Ella doesn’t seem right anymore, but the consequences of not doing so make her ill herself.

Once again there are so many fantastic characters in the book, too many to mention them all, some we met in Buried and there are also a few new ones. We still have Mateo, Eddie, Sam (or Pretty Boy as Q calls him), Q and the fantastic and heroic dog Luna. Newer or secondary characters are Jones, Parker, Talia, Amanda, Steve and Zara. There’s also a growing selection of bad or possibly bad characters such as the new Sergeant Nova, Vegas, Cade, and scary dog Axel. There are also a couple of characters that I am not completely sure about whose side they are on, good or bad, such as Mayor Ramos, and newer character Callix. You do become really attached to the characters and invested in their own stories as well as the main story/plot of the book.

I was a little worried that such a long time had passed since reading Buried and at times, I admit that I did struggle to remember exactly who everyone was and exactly what had happened but this uncertainty did clear the more I read of the book. The different chapters are from the point of view & whereabouts of Sam, Mateo & Eddie and Tyro-B29.

I really loved all the smaller acts of rebellion that the Elites were encouraged to do with the Live Free Or Die element in the book and compared it to the Commoners acts of rebellion and forming a group to make a final stand. So much happens in this book, it’s like two action packed main plot lines going on at the same time, there is Sam fighting to get his sister Ella back, then Mateo and Eddie in C9 fighting for survival, in fact three main plot lines if you include what is happening in the Elite Zone including Tyro-B29.

I thought the Chapter headers along with the character name of whose point of view/situation we were reading about were great. I adored the way that although Sam and Mateo are not together they are both fighting battles for freedom and when they aren’t sure what to do they both immediately wonder what the other would do in that situation. What Would Sam Do/WWSD and What Would Mateo Do/WWMD, there is also the chapter heading “Rose could have made room for Jack” which I found quite amusing.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing the book were that there was so much packed into it. There are lots of intrigue, betrayal, friendship, love, hate, hope & despair in this action packed, unputdownable sequel to Buried......... And there are soooo many cliff hangers and so many questions I need answering! There were sections of the book where I felt like shouting Noooo! And Don’t do it! And What? Who? There really is so much that could happen, so many directions things could go, so many little character plot storylines to learn more about. I’d love more Q, Sam, and Ella, as well as some of the characters (trying to be spoilery free here) to be reunited. Then with how the book ended there is another battle/war coming as well as answers to be given about the surprise reveal character at the end!!

Summing up this book really has such a lot going on, you really do not want to put the book down once you start reading, it is highly addictive! Can't wait to read more! Hope it’s not long to wait.

 

 

REVIEW - MATCHES - UNDERGROUND SERIES BY KENNEDY PLUMB

 

 

Title: Matches
Series: Underground
Author: Kennedy Plumb
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Release Date: 30th June 2024

BLURB
No one talks about what happens at Hill Academy, the prestigious and secretive boarding school for the country's wealthiest elites. All Veronica Wadhwani knows is she has to make her time here count if she wants to build up her empire. Lined up against hundreds of teens just as gifted, privileged, and ruthless as her, she knows she's in for a challenge to stand out, but she is determined that nothing will stand in her way. Especially not the arrogant and frustratingly handsome Arcadius Cargill. But when the secret agenda of Hill Academy is revealed, Veronica realizes the next three years will be less focused on academics, and more focused on survival. The stakes of her education are higher than ever and failure is not an option.

Goodreads Link

REVIEW
I love the quite stark cover of the lit match. It’s really clever the way the title “Matches” has a dual meaning within the book, as it represents actual matches that when lit cause fires and when two people are put together as being compatible. I also love the addiction of the byline "You have a fire that matches mine" which is a quote from within the book

The central character of Matches is Veronica Wadhwani who is being dropped off at a new boarding school that her parents attended years ago. Sadly, Veronica’s mother died years before so it is just her father taking her to the new school. As she is being dropped off her father advises she should not be too hot headed here as the 'best she can do for the family is to attract a lucrative match'. This remark both annoys and saddens Veronica as it’s clear her father always wanted a son to pass the family legacy onto. Veronica feels more than capable on taking on the family business but it is very much still a mans world era that she lives in.

As Veronica approaches the entrance of Hill Academy she has an eery feeling that despite having as much money, style, poise & notability as the other students, she is not going to fit in. Then she sees the cryptic quote above the school door 'ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND PROMINENCE'

It's like stepping into another world, the students are expected to hand over phones & keys, anyone kicking up a fuss is removed, forcibly if necessary. Next is a rather humiliating assessment and examination then Veronica goes to her room to discover she is sharing with the cosmetic heiress and model, Darcy Mentzer. The two young women seem to bond and stick together during the talk from Dean Westbrook, he explains studies will be one of the priorities but preparing to advance into society as leaders & dignitaries is equally important.
It seems they are there to be matched with a life partner who matches their background & goals in life. He explains the process has already begun. The compatibility assessment they just had upon arrival was uploaded to the system and the powerful AI system has already found 3 possible partners. In the following weeks there will be trials & tasks to be undertaken with their different potential partners to determine whether they deserve to be here.
The Dean quite ominously reveals if they prove themself unworthy, their parents have agreed that drastic measures must be taken & they will be sent to rehabilitation at an alternative location. It’s not long until Veronica discovers her 3 possible matches, Arcadius Gill, Drew Montgomery and Owen Hensburg. Veronica decides to “go with the flow” and for appearances sake make it look like she is going along with everything.

I have to admit I had similar thoughts to the character Veronica as she entered Hill Academy and the expectations of her were revealed. What on earth is Hill Academy? Exactly what are the students there being matched and prepared for? Does Veronica's father really know what's going on there? Can Veronica make it look like she is accepting enough of the process and avoid being sent to some horrendous sounding rehabilitation centre.......Exactly what has Veronica's father signed her up for!?!

I instantly liked Veronica, obviously ahead of her time, wanting to be an independent woman and not just be married off to stay at home and care for the house and family. As soon as Arcadius or Cade as he is referred as you progress in the novella was introduced, I had that inkling he was definitely be someone Veronica was going to have to deal with. He is a strong willed, opinionated, yet at the same time caring and thoughtful. I can already feel the chemistry building between Veronica and Arcadius.....I have to admit as soon as he was introduced within the novella I was #TeamArcadius #TeamCade.

I really loved the novella, it’s characters and plot and to be honest I really didn’t want it to end. I’m intrigued with how these characters and their stories will unfold alongside of the characters I have already read about in Buried.

Summing up I love, love loved this short story, though not 100% sure where it all fits into the Underground Series yet, definitely looking forward to reading more.

 

 

REVIEW - IRENA'S GIFT BY KAREN KIRSTEN

  

Title: Irena's Gift
Author: Karen Kirsten
Publisher: Kensington Publishing, Citadel
Genre: Non Fiction, History
Release Date: 23rd July 2024

BLURB
In 1942, in German-occupied Poland, a Jewish baby girl was smuggled out of the Warsaw ghetto in a backpack. That baby, Joasia, knew nothing about this extraordinary event until she was thirty-two, when a letter arrived from a stranger. She also learned that the parents who raised her were actually her aunt and uncle. Joasia kept this knowledge hidden from her own daughter, Karen—until an innocent question unexpectedly revealed the truth.

Determined to understand the generational trauma that cloaked her family in silence, her own origins, and to help heal her mother’s pain, Karen set out to unearth decades of secrets and piece together a hidden history—from the glittering days of pre-war Poland to the little-known Radom Prison, where of 500 resistance members tortured, only 10 survived, her grandfather the only known Jewish one. There, Karen finds answers, yet not easy ones.

As she exposes her family’s saga of love and betrayal, countless brushes with death, precarious hiding places, and the astounding negotiation with an SS officer who saved her mother’s life, Karen must reconcile the complicated, multi-faceted truths behind human behavior.

Irena’s Gift weaves together a mystery, history, and memoir to tell a story of sacrifice, impossible choices, impossible odds, and the way trauma reverberates throughout generations. Yet it is also a story of resilience and bravery, revealing how love and hope, too, can not only prevail through the worst imaginable circumstances, but resonate through time. 

Goodreads Link

REVIEW
It was the title that first attracted me to the book, I wanted to know who Irena was and what was her gift. Then when I read the blurb, I knew I had to know more about this family and what happened to them during the Holocaust.

Karen knew nothing of her family history during the Holocaust, in fact at age four when she asked her Nana about the number on her arm, her nana’s reply was that a man had put it there, that it was her phone number! It’s only later that it is revealed that Karen’s grandmother is not Joanna’s (Karen’s mum) biological mother. In fact, a woman called Irena and was Nana Alicja’s sister. When this is revealed a lot of things start to make more sense to Karen about how her Nana Alicja treats her mother Joanna differently to her Uncle Tony. As a child Joanna had nightmares about men in uniforms, and when she asked Alicja to explain she refuses to talk about it. Joanna’s parents Alicja & Mietek wanted her to pursue a career of their choosing such as law or engineering, but Joanna’s heart led her to pursue a career in teaching children’s art & history. When Tony, Joanna’s brother graduated medical school, a career choice they approved of they bought him a flashy white MG Convertible. When Joanna graduated her own chosen career training Alicja & Mietek bought her a pen. Mietek & Alicja wanted Joanna to marry a “well to do” Jewish man, again Joanna followed her own mind and path and married an Australian, the son of Swiss immigrants.
Joanna didn’t really know her full history until she received a letter from a stranger in Canada called Zdzislaw Przygoda. This man addressed her as Joasia, a different form of her name Joanna and had sent her photographs of her as a child. There was one of Alicja, and Irena who died in the war. As Joasia/Joanna stares at the photograph she looks at the dark- haired Irena and something just clicks into place, it’s like something has come unlocked or released and memories start flooding back. The writer of the letter, Zdzislaw says how he carried the photo of Joanna & Irena all through the camps. He goes on to say that Irena had been killed by the Germans and that they had always loved Joanna and he still loves her.
When Alicja first learns of the letter she is surprised and perhaps annoyed by that letter as when she first learns of its existence her remark is “Zdzislaw promised he would never tell!” She also admonishes Joanna saying “We were so good to you.” Joanna assures Alicja that she loves Alicja & Mietek even more knowing that they adopted her. “Secrets are like a loose thread in a jumper; if you pull hard enough, the whole garment falls apart” really does fit what happens when the letter arrives from Canada for Joasia/Joanna.

Joanna kept this letter hidden from Karen and her sister for years as Alicja made her promise not to tell them, as she thought that if they found out she was not their biological Nana she would somehow no longer love her. Joanna kind of reluctantly agrees but says she will not lie to her children if they ask her a direct question. When Karen met Zdzislaw and his mother Helena, she is told to call Zdzislaw “Uncle Dick” and to call Helena “babcia.” Zdislaw reveals more about what happened during the war, the majority of it Alicja seems to remember in a different way, she confuses dates, timelines and doesn’t remember certain things. Alicja blames Dick for a lot when it was him that helped them evade the Gestapo on numerous occasions, obtaining false papers that declared them Polish not Jewish which enabled Alicja & Mietek to live on the Aryan side of town. Keeping suspicion of them being resistance members or collaborators. Dick also obtained forged papers for Eljasz, Irena & Alicja’s father to help him get out of the ghetto but Eljasz delayed leaving and ended up never getting out of the ghetto.

It's sad that Alicja & Zdzislaw/Dick lived through the same atrocities and have such different versions of events. They both endured awful things during this time and I think perhaps Alicja maybe blames Zdzislaw/Dick for not protecting her sister Irena. Naturally Alicja is angry her sister did not survive, maybe she even feels a little guilty that she survived and Irena didn’t. What this family endured hiding in plain sight, thrown in jails, concentration camps, tortured, starving, beaten, the bribery and betrayal around them, living from hour to hour waiting to be caught and more is horrendous. I have to admit that had I gone through anything like the family in this book, I would probably not want to think or talk about. It is strange how Alicja can and will talk to Karen, her granddaughter about Holocaust, even initially arranging to watch Schindlers List with her, though in the end Alicja goes to see it with friends, yet she refuses to talk about the Holocaust with Joanna, her (adopted) daughter.

I found the book really compelling, the way the past affects how you live your life today. The way how despite being so young Josia/Joanna still had memories of the war and men in uniform but Alicja didn’t want to deal with explanations so she just ignored them and kept the realities away from her. The title of the book can have more than one meaning, Irena’s Gift could be that she gave her daughter to Alicja to raise as her own. Irena’s Gift could also be her sacrifice of selflessly giving up her child, Joasia/Joanna allowing her to be apart from her, to give her a better chance of survival. I think the title really fits the book very well.

Summing up, I found Irena’s Gift, an extremely interesting, informative memoir about the Holocaust and how it affected the different members and generations of one family not just during the war and Holocaust, but years and years later.