This is the enchanting story of a woman who risked her life for pleasure. A pleasure she is yet to even understand. I was entirely swept away into theThis is the enchanting story of a woman who risked her life for pleasure. A pleasure she is yet to even understand. I was entirely swept away into the rich fantasy of this desert world. The landscapes and characters are breathtaking. Briar's sweetness and innocence, along with her strength and devotion, completely won me over. I liked the realistic "training" aspect as well. As a sci-fi lover, the post-apocalyptic struggles were familiar, but the erotic elements added a new layer of intrigue.
I felt like this story demonstrated how critical sensuality is to being truly alive.
Merged review:
This is the enchanting story of a woman who risked her life for pleasure. A pleasure she is yet to even understand. I was entirely swept away into the rich fantasy of this desert world. The landscapes and characters are breathtaking. Briar's sweetness and innocence, along with her strength and devotion, completely won me over. I liked the realistic "training" aspect as well. As a sci-fi lover, the post-apocalyptic struggles were familiar, but the erotic elements added a new layer of intrigue.
I felt like this story demonstrated how critical sensuality is to being truly alive....more
This is the most unique book I have read in years.
Vastly intrigued by the author's very candid biography, I skimmed the synopsis for this book and thThis is the most unique book I have read in years.
Vastly intrigued by the author's very candid biography, I skimmed the synopsis for this book and thought it was worth a read. I did not think it would be my type of book in the first few pages, but somewhere around Chapter Two and 5%, I got totally sucked in and found myself flipping pages eagerly to learn what happens next.
I liked Jacob more than I expected to, and I cared a great deal about his fate. There were moments where I was staring at the pages in utter shock at his cruelty, and then, somehow, I liked him again. This author has a magical touch and I feel very lucky to have stumbled upon this unique, stylish, and masterfully executed story.
The way he writes about interpersonal relationships between family members, and between males and females is so imaginative and precise. I can visualize every scene so clearly, and it certainly keeps me guessing. Reading this story was a real treat, and I felt completely gripped. I felt like I was stuck inside a disturbing movie and terrified of what was going to happen next, but unable to stop watching.
I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a surprising and gut-wrenching read. There are some formatting issues in the kindle edition I read, but the story is so great that you should be able to overlook it easily....more
Survive Ruinland is a brilliant sequel to the thought provoking first installment. And how gorgeous is that cover? I am happy to report that the insidSurvive Ruinland is a brilliant sequel to the thought provoking first installment. And how gorgeous is that cover? I am happy to report that the insides are just as impressive. The story delves deeper into the desperation of the post-apocalyptic world, and introduces a few suspicious new characters. After our experience with Sophia in the last book, it will be difficult to trust the creepy Lexa. I found myself on edge and very anxious through much of the story. Vasquez returns in perfect form, the picture of intelligence and strength, especially in her situation. Her protective motherly instincts infuse the story with a thrilling element of danger. Even when she exhibits a lack of discipline, you can’t help sympathize with her humanity.
The whole book felt like a volcano smoking in the distance You know it’s going to explode soon; it’s just a matter of when. And when it does, it still catches you off guard.
C.J. Anderson’s writing sucks you in and doesn’t let you leave until the final pages are closed. And then, the ending is somehow peaceful and insightful, after the storm subsides. It felt like there was still hope. I highly recommend this to any and all science-fiction fans. The punchy and fast-paced story arcs will remind you of your favorite TV series. I loved it!...more
This book was an unexpected surprise, filled with stimulating philosophy and science fiction intrigue. It did remind me of Hugh Howey’s Wool, but it wThis book was an unexpected surprise, filled with stimulating philosophy and science fiction intrigue. It did remind me of Hugh Howey’s Wool, but it was much more fast-paced, and contained interesting theological twists. The main character, Logan, is identified by the AI as having a genetic defect which does not allow him to feel emotion. He is dubbed a sociopath. He struggles with this discovery as he struggles for survival, and as a reader, your heart will go out to this poor man in his plight. Even more so, the conflict faced by Vasquez, Logan’s pregnant lover, will tear at your heart. I found myself growing enraged at Chiron, so kudos to the author for drawing out strong emotions in the reader. At first, the unusual punctuation of this book threw me off as I am very fond of quotation marks. However the story was so gripping that it kept pulling me in, and I was soon able to overlook the unusual style. As a lover of metaphysical sci-fi, I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a thought-provoking read. ...more
This book, the newest installment of the I, Human series, jumps right into the action as the crew of the Veda is mysteriously visited by the sinister This book, the newest installment of the I, Human series, jumps right into the action as the crew of the Veda is mysteriously visited by the sinister Scrollos, a formidable foe strangely requesting sanctuary. As a member of the dangerous Homo Superiors race, the crew is reluctant to trust him, but they are about to have everything they know turned upside down. An exploratory tour of the Stargazer, the large and stunning ship of the Homo Superiors, only leads to more questions. Scrollos proves to be fascinating and even charming, and his people seem humane, even kind. I really enjoyed the technology of Homo Superiors, especially the infinity room, which facilitates a kind of telepathic intergalactic communication, which was even quite touching. This author seems to have an intimate and intuitive understanding of the power of the mind, and that organic technology has unlimited potential. This is a theme that persists through all of Vito Veii’s books, and it’s fascinating to explore. The bits of narrative written from the ship’s perspective are also thought-provoking as they show her ability to feel attraction and longing. The descriptions of the concept of love for inhabitants on the planet Trealos is heartwarming and well-crafted. The cryptic darkness still persists, but there is hope amongst our heroes. Once again, Vito Veii imagines a vivid science-fiction world rich with possibility, emotion, and adventure. ...more
If you're a fan of short stories, Tyler Nals is a must-read author. His writing is full of clever charm and carefully crafted plot twists. After readiIf you're a fan of short stories, Tyler Nals is a must-read author. His writing is full of clever charm and carefully crafted plot twists. After reading his other book, I had to get this one. It takes a slightly different turn from the other stories, but I found it vastly enjoyable. I personally feel the characters were stronger in this one and that I was able to connect with their conflicts more.
I can't imagine how difficult it must be to create so many rich new characters, and I am truly impressed with the author's skill. The best part of this book is that there are so many stories--it will keep you entertained for hours. If you're a commuter or if you fly often, the stories are excellent for brief reading breaks. It's super convenient and the author has a real gift making his stories compelling regardless of length. These are such fun reads I'm so glad that I stumbled upon Tyler Nals!...more
I usually read longer stories, but I had enjoyed another story by Tyler Nals and I wanted something I could read while waiting for doctor's appointmenI usually read longer stories, but I had enjoyed another story by Tyler Nals and I wanted something I could read while waiting for doctor's appointments. I had no idea what I was getting into, but I was greatly amused by the wit and charm of these stories. Some of them warranted re-reading to enjoy the punch lines better.
The book is filled with all kinds of stories that go beyond the scope of horror. It’s a collection of wonderful short stories that will entertain you for days. (Some are rather twisted while others are more humorous.) There is something for everyone in this collection and I highly recommend it.
Don't miss this one if you're looking for an entertaining little read!...more
From the title to the last word, I loved this book. As a gambler myself, this book really spoke to me. I really enjoy a good thriller, but add in the From the title to the last word, I loved this book. As a gambler myself, this book really spoke to me. I really enjoy a good thriller, but add in the intensity of the poker tables and you’ve got the workings of an amazing story. The main character felt real as he desperately tried to win and keep his life together at the same time. His problems with his girlfriend were familiar to me, as gambling heavily does cause conflict with all your relationships. I was sucked in to this book the entire time and couldn’t put it down. It was a fantastic read cover-to-cover and I found myself quite disappointed when I had nothing else to read. I highly, highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good story with powerful twists and turns....more
If you have found yourself struggling with dating and relationships, this book provides a very intriguing look at some of the fundamental reasons why.If you have found yourself struggling with dating and relationships, this book provides a very intriguing look at some of the fundamental reasons why. The author very eloquently describes the history of relationships all the way up until the modern age and how our lives shape our thoughts, motivations, and behaviors. The writing is easy to understand and the subject matter is vital to improving your life.
I especially loved the author's insightful comments on information overload and feeling like "the grass is greener," which is an issue that I find plagues most of society. Not only do people want to trade up for the newest model of a car when they have a perfectly good car at home in their garage, but many like to trade up for a younger and more attractive spouse. This kind of thinking grates on my nerves, and terrifies me so much that I fear trying committed relationships at all.
The information in this book has served me well and given me plenty of food for thought, which I have used to reflect on my life and decisions more deeply. I really feel like I can succeed in my relationships a little more, armed with this knowledge. More and more books like this are needed in my opinion. It’s good to acknowledge the issues at hand and then seek to provide solutions. Which is what Commonalities does beautifully. I highly recommend everyone to read this....more
From the very beginning of this book, I was captivated by the well-depicted characters. The relationship between the twins is depicted with a skillfulFrom the very beginning of this book, I was captivated by the well-depicted characters. The relationship between the twins is depicted with a skillful touch and plenty of sweetness. While the novel features young adults, it can also be enjoyed by an older crowd. Arena and her brother are so well-written that they will take you right back to the memory of being fifteen. As the action begins to unfold, the book goes from being merely interesting to completely riveting. I was unable to put the book down or stop turning pages as I was swept away in this story.
Ultimately, I felt that this was a carefully crafted post-apocalyptic thriller that delivers a truly wonderful reading experience. The intrigue, the characters, the drama, the danger! It was all so wonderfully depicted I truly felt I was right there in the middle of it all.
I highly recommend this to anyone who is a fan or looking to get into this type of genre. You will not be disappointed in the slightest....more
This is my first read from Vito Veii, but it won't be my last. If you are a lover of science fiction, you will enjoy the atmosphere and banter of the This is my first read from Vito Veii, but it won't be my last. If you are a lover of science fiction, you will enjoy the atmosphere and banter of the crew and feel right at home aboard the Veda. Questions of consciousness and identity are explored within these pages, and the psychic/mystical elements ground this book firmly in the new and fascinating genre of metaphysical and visionary sci-fi. That is to say, there are touches of spiritual fantasy mixed in with the hard science, creating the perfectly mysterious combination for a true escape.
This book will capture your imagination as it transports you to distant planets and challenges of the most epic proportions imaginable! A haunting and powerful darkness threatens our heroes, all the more dangerous because it resists being known. Ultimately, it comes down to mind over matter as the deciding factor for victory.
My favorite part of this book is the exploration of humanity and what it means to be human. The author touches on human weakness, bravery, and sexuality, and you will find yourself growing to love, hate, and finally understand our own species a little bit more. If you enjoy cerebral and challenging sci-fi, I encourage you to check out this series!...more
I was looking for something new to read aloud to my five year old nephew, and he was attracted to the colorful cover of this book. We have exhausted mI was looking for something new to read aloud to my five year old nephew, and he was attracted to the colorful cover of this book. We have exhausted most of my favorite children's classics, and this was a fresh experience. I am happy to say that he really enjoyed hearing the story read to him, and that is why I am rating it five stars. The book is missing a few commas, but that doesn't detract from the engaging adventure story. Give it a try, and maybe the little man in your life will enjoy this as well!...more
This was a stunning sequel to ReVamped. Ada Adams writes colorful and enchanting prose filled with personality and humor. Her skilfully woven plots arThis was a stunning sequel to ReVamped. Ada Adams writes colorful and enchanting prose filled with personality and humor. Her skilfully woven plots are sprinkled with twists and intrigue, along with satisfying sub-plots to spare.
New characters arrive on the scene in this book, both ally and foe. The introductions to Lena and Razor will have you wanting to know more, and unsure of whether you should love or hate them. Everyone has a rich backstory, cementing them as real people instead of just characters. I grew especially fond of Razor and his incessant dirty jokes. For some reason, I never felt particularly attracted to Sebastian, but I think that's because he was a genuinely nice guy. Razor, on the other hand--I can't stop smiling while I'm reading about him. The more I read, the more I like him. A bad boy with a tender spot for his family--irresistible!
I can't decide whether I like her fight scenes better for their realistic, urgent quality, or her tasteful love scenes. I am not sure how she manages to write such intense, skin-prickling kisses and heated moments while still maintaining discipline and self-control in her characters. It's incredible really--she takes us almost to the very edge, the point of no return, and then draws a firm line there which she doesn't cross. It's the same for her fight scenes; on many occasions, I expected characters to die, but they didn't. It's comforting, and as a reader it makes me feel safe--safe, but still excited due to the lack of predictability.
Also, her villain-deaths are something to be celebrated. Oh, Ada, you truly have a gift for gore! I am eager to read more in this series, and everything else this author chooses to write. Superb work!...more
Living life to the fullest. What does this mean to you? This book explores our ability to discover and achieve our dreams. I found myself thinking of Living life to the fullest. What does this mean to you? This book explores our ability to discover and achieve our dreams. I found myself thinking of my loved ones as I read, and feeling a strong pull to share the advice with them. Do you know someone so scared of being hurt that they try to avoid all risk and remain firmly in their comfort zone? Do they completely miss out on all the beauty that life has to offer, when you know they could be and do so much more? Does this sound like you? Even if you come into this book from a good place, you must be really honest with yourself. Jason Harvey provides us with a great opportunity to take a hard look at the areas of our lives which can be improved, and set out to make every aspect better. The advice is very general, touching on everything from nutrition to organization and friendship. It’s not about achieving one specific goal, like the title might suggest. A more accurate title might have been something like “365 Days to a Better You.” The format of the book was a bit unusual for me as I am a heavy-volume reader. This book required that you only read one page per day, but I could never manage to do this. Personally, I prefer to dedicate a large chunk of time to improving things right now, instead of small bits of time over the course of a year. If you can overcome the book’s format, like I eventually did, you will find a great deal of inspiration in these pages. If you’re familiar with The Secret, you might recognize much of the advice. However, if you loved The Secret, you know that there can never be enough reminders of practical ways to apply these strategies. It’s so easy to slip out of a heightened state of productivity and positive thinking, and back into the mundane doldrums—to let little things drag you down. It’s our natural state to worry, to hyper-focus on the negative, and to be overwhelmed by daily stress. This book was just what I needed, at the point in time when I found it, to kick me in the pants and drag me out of my funk. It reminded me to stop dwelling on my obstacles and to feel secure in my strengths. Specifically, I found the chapters on human potential and inner power very uplifting. We really are bigger than the things that drag us down. I don’t think we can ever have enough reminders of how amazing we could be if we only dared to try. ...more