REVIEW - FINAL DAYS - AFTER THE END BY GRACE HAMILTON

  

Title: Final Days
Series: After The End
Author: Grace Hamilton
Genre: Post Apocalyptic, EMP
Release Date: 9th October 2024

BLURB
In the shadow of a fallen world, law and order are just memories. Only survival remains…

Shannon Grayson had made it through the brutal early days of the EMP apocalypse. Despite suffering a bullet wound in her shoulder, she’s managed to reunite with her daughter, Kim. And she’s found a safe haven at the Wander Motel.

But tensions are rising in her group of survivors. Kim struggles with the aftermath of Dennis’s death and the brutal trials she’s been forced to endure. She needs to be at her best to survive and lead in this harsh world, but her past haunts her every step.

Shannon, Kim, and their newfound community aren’t the only people fighting to survive in the post-EMP world. Andre, Shannon’s ruthless ex-husband, is out of prison. He’s rebuilding his motorcycle gang. And he’s coming for Shannon and Kim.

Both mother and daughter have paid a heavy price for survival. They need time to heal, physically and mentally. But with Andre closing in, the Wander Motel is no longer a refuge—it’s a trap.

Goodreads Link 

 
REVIEW
The book cover fits well with the rest of the series so far. The cover for this book really fits a scene a devastation from within the book very well.

The book picks up right after bk2 Fractured Days left off. The main characters, Shannon/Sarah, her recently violently widowed Aunt Carol and recently reunited daughter Kim are all still reeling from the ambush, fire attack at the scrapyard and the way Andre killed Uncle Bruno. Though all three women are strong and stoic in their approach to their loss they are all feeling the loss deeply. However as is a theme that reoccurs throughout the book, losses happen, you have to take charge of the situation at hand and grieve those losses later when you have time. Bill has taken the Lee under his wing trying to protect the young man and protect him somewhat from the hostility of the Black Rats.

Andre is as devious as ever and has a new sidekick he can fully control called Austin. Andre knows he has struck the Black Rats deeply in killing their leader but he will not be happy until he has exacted his revenge on Shannon/Sarah and he will use anyone and everyone she cares about to get to her. Andre is building his own group or Black Rats gang made up of Black Rats disgruntled by Shannon/Sarahs return and some of the most violent, sadistic men he met whilst in prison. Shannon, Aunt Carol and the original Black Rats would perhaps stand a fair chance against their own like but how can they predict what violent escapee convicts will do?

The way Shannon’s birthday is celebrated in the book is really poignant as it seems to mark a point where the Black Rats fully accept her back in the gang. It also shows the rekindled closeness and mother/daughter relationship between Shannon/Kim, the fact Kim has taken the time and trouble to source ingredients for a cake of sorts and they throw a party for the whole gang to enjoy.

After a lot of discussion with not many viable options Aunt Carol decides the remainder of her faction of the Black Rats should head to the nearest Black Rats group in Tupelo, sure that their leader Toad will give them shelter and help against Andre.

After the horrors awaiting them in Tupelo, Aunt Carol, only just escape with their lives, with the help of some crazy truck driving on Shannon’s part. Lee, though still somewhat of an outcast other than to Bill, Kim & Shannon/Sarah & still regretting his earlier actions proves himself as being worthy of being a “Black Rat” by saving Aunt Carol, Lee is accepted as a prospect in the Black Rats gang, he will however have to do grunt work and continue to earn his spot. The group see mindless destruction and devastation everywhere they look and have no real idea where they are heading until they come across Rebecca Holden, her car has broken down whilst she was searching for heart medication for her father Rufus. They offer Rebecca a lift back to Watchdog a settlement of people that have been run out of New Wren by men on the way to joining Andre and his group. The people in Watchdog are in need of help and the Black Rats follow the lead of Aunt Carol, Shannon, Bill and Kim in trading skills. The community at Watchdog accept the group with the exception of the Reverend who spouts bible verses and warns they are the enemy. Shannon, Kim etc decide to tell the residents of Watchdog the whole truth about who they are and who is chasing them. There is a vote and the vast majority of Watchdog vote to make a stand with Shannon as Andre and his gang are coming and will wreck anything in their path anyway so they decide to go down fighting. Andre is prepared to fight dirty and captures a beloved member of the group, whom Shannon, Kim etc are close to. Andre chooses to send back a tortured dead body with a message he wants to speak to Shannon, only she can end all this killing. Those in Watchdog make plans, they are betrayed by a Watchdog resident but luckily on a hunch from Kim realise in time to adapt their plans and create back ups to them. Though its still a risky move when Shannon decides to use herself as bait to draw Andre out and end this war he has created once and for all. One way or another it will end, either Andre will die or she will!!!

I loved the existing characters, the growing friendship between Kim and Lee and their ending…..or could it be their beginning? I’ll be interested to find out! I found the scene where they snuck off to their bunks to collect their back packs to sneak off really moving, the fact someone, maybe Aunt Carol had pre-empted them sneaking off and had left items for them including bike keys and a Black Rats jacket for Lee! Finally, a fully accepted part of the gang. Then the specially made seat contraption for the bike so that mutt could also ride along! I loved it!

It was a shame to lose much loved characters old and new but that is the nature of the world we live in and certainly the world these characters are trying to form an existence in! I would still love more from the characters that survived even if the future books end up more centred on Kim and Lee. I adored the poignancy of them stopping to help someone stranded and it being a character we already knew from the very first book. Maybe they could be the central characters of more books in this series or a spin off.

Even though Austin was, shall we say “on the wrong side” and riding with Andre I did feel kind of sorry for him, he didn’t have the best start in life, and once he felt a little power and prestige decided he would do anything to hold onto it. Then when he came to his senses and didn’t want to do what was asked of him, he was in too deep to get out. In different circumstances I think perhaps Austin and Lee could have been friends. If only Austin had followed Aunt Carol and the original Black Rats rather than falling for the promises of Andre and the free booze, drug and women.

So characters I loved were, Shannon, Kim, Aunt Carol, Bill, Lee and Dennis even though Dennis is not physically in this book, the things he taught Kim and love he showed both Kim and Shannon shine through in their actions. I adored the references to Kim’s “Dennis radar” the way things he had taught her saved her on many occasions.

Initially suspicious of Rebecca Holden and her father Rufus, they grew on me.
Characters I thoroughly enjoyed strongly disliking/hating were Andre, his convict followers, and the Reverend.

I really enjoyed the whole book, it started off slowly with the both groups planning what to do and where to go phase but then the pace picked up and really kept you hooked reading to the very end. The final confrontation between Andre and Shannon was very edge of your seat stuff! I liked how well set out the book was with chapters the different points of view of Kim, Shannon/Sarah, Austin, Andre and Austin & Andre. Definitely a book/series I recommend reading!          

 

 

 

REVIEW - CALM BY S.J. BAKER

  

Title: CALM
Author: S.J. Baker
Publisher: Neem Tree Publishing
Genre: Teens, YA, Mystery, Thrillers,
               Speculative Fiction,Dystopian, Futuristic
Release Date: 19th September 2024

BLURB
In this enthralling dystopian YA thriller, emotions become weapons and the fight for humanity's true essence takes centre stage.

In a near-future Britain, societyʼs calm facade conceals a sinister truth: the state maintains its control by meddling with the nationʼs water supply. The result? A population lulled into apathy. Lulled, apart from a courageous few known as the Resistors.

New Resistor Owyn and lifelong Resistor Tiegan face parallel struggles in their fierce quest for freedom. Spurred on by the promise of a mass Resistance, they ignite a chain of events that shakes the foundations of Britainʼs oppressive regime.One thing is clear: the price of freedom is higher than they ever imagined.

Goodreads Link

REVIEW
First of all, I do love the cover of this book and have to admit that along with the title it was what initially attracted me to the book. Then I read the blurb and knew I just had to read the book, I found the idea of a future government putting chemicals into the nations water fascinating, scary and sadly quite possible!

The government have decided the only way to stop riots etc is to put something in the water that dulls/removes emotions from people, it is referred to as Calmaspring. However, Calmaspring doesn’t work on everyone, some are naturally resistant to it, hence they are referred to as “Pure” or “Natural” Resistors. Other people rebel against drinking the Calmaspring and refuse it and are known as “Abstainer” Resistors. Naturally the government isn’t too keen on either type of resistor being in existence and want to round them up before they can spread their rebellion to others. The resistance made up of both types of Resistor has people in all walks of life and in most places who are willing to help those who wish to or need to escape. There are Resistors who unwilling drink the Camaspring not fully aware of what it is doing to them or that there is something else, somewhere else out there to live. There are also those who “live in plain sight” dulling down their reactions and actions to what is going on around them to remain hidden and not be arrested and taken away to who knows where. Those that watch everyone, and arrest those who are not conforming are called servants and they wear a distinctive blue uniform and can be quite ruthless and violent in their actions.

The book is told from two points of view, Owyn Caldwell and Tiegen Archer.
Owyn Caldwell is an orphan, his parents died in what is referred to as “the Great Calm” when the drugs were still experimental and not fully tested with side effects unknown. Some people paid the ultimate price with their lives at the hands of a government that some would say were desperate to help and others would say were too eager to implement a resolution that was untested and turned out to be unsafe for many. Owyn and others who were orphaned in the Great Calm are sent to residential schools. Owyn is called before his teacher Mrs Kennedy, the room they are in has a visible camera so when she tries to give him a drink of water, he initially refuses, but when insists, he takes a mouthful out of the bottle, and a jolt of resistance goes through him. Mrs Kennedy sees his reaction and asks how long it's been going on he replies a month. Mrs Kennedy tells him he will have to report to the council where he will be 'refocused'. Mrs Kennedy firmly instructs him to go to his dorm & pack an overnight bag, and that he must not speak to anyone. However as he steps out of the range of the camera Mrs Kennedy slips him a note that says, “Leave now. . . . .if you stay you’ll be lost”

At first Owyn ponders who reported him, as people are encouraged to betray friend and family. There are the posters and slogans such as “A Problem Shared is a Problem Solved” and the “Report Resistance Right Away” too. Owyn realises theres no point in wondering who betrayed him as it doesn’t change his present situation so he decides to take heed of the note and get away from the school as quickly as possible, which is how he ends up on the road alone until he bumps into Will Chapman and his son Allen. Allen an abstainer but has to be watched and if needed prevented from just drinking the water is still struggling with his emotions and is resentful when Owyn joins him and his father.

Owyn faces the worry of being caught as a resistor and also stands out more due to the colour of his skin which Will Chapman points out is another reason his son Allen tries to keep a distance between himself and Owyn. When Allen doesn’t drink the water, the “old ways” come back so along with the emotions of anger, jealousy, and fear the old racial prejudices resurface too.

Tiegen Archer’s story is different in that she still has and lives with her parents and younger brother Joel. Both Tiegen and Joel have been taught how to stay under the radar and keep a tight control on their emotions and reactions. However, life becomes more dangerous when first their father is taken away on suspicions of being a resistor, then when Joel has an outburst at school and Tiegen lets her control slip and rushes to her brother Joel’s side, grabs him and runs. When they reach their neighbourhood they approach their house slowly and that’s when they witness their mother being dragged from their home. Mr Khan their next door neighbour who it turns out is part of the rebellion smuggles them into his house and hides them when the servants come looking, but he knows he cannot keep them safe long term so Tiegen & Joel need to be moved quickly. They are transported to a “safe house” that suddenly becomes under imminent discovery so they flee with Rachel whose safe house it is and one of their previous guides who is still nearby and hears about the imminent raid.

The rest of the book is told from the alternating points of view of Owyn and Tiegen as they head North to what is apparently a hub of the rebel resistors. There’s lots of action and many close calls from rabid hungry dogs chasing them, to people who would lure them in then ring for the servants! Owyn and Tiegen end up together trying to rescue Joel and Johann when they are captured. Owyn and Tiegen end up having to literally walk into the servants headquarters in a rescue attempt that could see them caught or even killed!

As I’ve said there’s plenty of action, but I really loved the way the characters are introduced to us, the readers. You slowly become more attached to them and really want them to succeed meaning there are some edge of seat sections that have you really worried. There are also some sad losses and betrayals along the way too.

A couple of characters other than the main characters that I really loved were Mr Khan and Ellen. Mr Khan lives and hides in plain sight the fact he is a resistor and part of the rebel resistance means he is a very private but watchful man who keeps himself to himself and keeps his emotions, movements and reactions under control to fit in with the emotionless, non-reactive, slower moving people that drink the Calmaspring water! When he sees the predicament and danger that Tiegen and Joel are in he doesn’t hesitate to intervene and help hide them and get them in touch with those in the rebellion that can spirit them away from the eyes of the servants.

Ellen & her husband chose to live an isolated life, living off the land so have been for the most part been overlooked. When Ellen’s husband became seriously ill, they could have gone to a nearby town to help but that would have meant giving up all they had worked for, their freedom and where they wanted to remain in case their grown-up children could ever make it home. When her husband died Ellen was alone until a stray dog turned up one day whom she called Dickens! It’s sad when Tiegen, Joel, Rachel and Johann have to move on from Ellen’s little haven but they need to get to the rebel resistance hub in the North.

There are conformist that blindly follow the government, that drink the Calmaspring, losing their emotions, themselves and their freedom, almost blindly plodding forward day by day. Being told who to marry and create a family with to continue the line and supply of conformists.

Then there are the rebels, some that are small cogs in the larger wheel. Teacher Mrs Kennedy slipping a forbidden note to Owyn, Mary who transports Tiegen and Joel on her boat, Ellen who chooses to live alone rather than in a community where she has to conform and drink the Calmaspring. Johann describes the rebels well when he explains it all to Tiegen and says that all these little people in the rebellion chain would gladly give their lives to save people like Tiegen and Joel.

I know it is the circumstances the characters have found themselves in but I also enjoyed disliking Allen and later in the book Rachel too.

To say Calmaspring dulls and eventually removes emotion there is plenty of emotion in this book! From fear that the rebels will be caught, the rebels camaraderie, their belief there is a better way to live life and their willingness to give their life for the greater good. The book has elements of mystery and I feel there is so much more still to be revealed too. There’s some “hold your breath”, “nail biting”, “edge of seat” sections too. I think theres even more backstory to be revealed about the Archer family and why Tiegen and Joel are so important that the government is sending so many resources and servants to recapture them. This book pulled me in slowly and then I was hooked and didn’t want to put it down! I really want to read more!

Summing up this book may be aimed at a Teens & YA audience but I have to say as an adult reader I really loved reading this book. Yes, you can tell it is aimed at a younger audience at times but it has characters that are easy to care about and become attached to, along with an intriguing plot that pulls you in and keeps you hooked to the very end, making it a fantastic read. Wow! Please tell me this is just the beginning of the series, that there is a book 2 coming soon! Very soon please?!

 

 

 

 

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.