Catch-Up Quickies 61

First a quick explanation!

Due to some severe health issues over the last few years, and a lingering chronic condition, my planned review schedule went right out of the window and I have been scrabbling ever since to get it back on track.

In an attempt to try to regain some lost ground, I have been scrunching some of my (overdue) reviews together into one or two posts each week: shorter reviews, but still covering all of the points I intended to.

That’s the plan anyway, so let’s cosy up with a cuppa and that towering TBR…!

Title:  NACL: Eye of the Storm
Author:  Allegra Pescatore & E. Sands
Publisher: AO Collective Publishing

Blurb:  Lani should never have trusted any plan that started with the words, “So, I have an idea, but first you need a drink.”

When a crazy Precog handed Lani the coordinates to a stretch of ocean just off the Salt Spire, she should have thrown them overboard. Going there would be a horrible idea. Lani, though, was a pro at making bad decisions.

A not-so-chance encounter with escaped salt slave Adavera launches them on a path to forsake all that they know and dare to take on the cruel Corporation that controls every grain of salt on their planet. With the help of old friends, new friends, and people they are pretty sure might be enemies, Adavera and Lani travel outside the protective reef that keeps the worst of the Storms off the Islands and venture into a world of piracy, astonishing powers, and unexpected love.

The odds might be against them, but with a little planning and a lot of brass, this team of misfits intends to do the impossible. They have very little in common, except for two things:

They all want to blow the Crystal Corporation into oblivion…

And are willing to sacrifice anything to see it done.

NACL: Eye of the Storm is a high-octane, non-stop, foul mouthed and steamy roller-coaster of a novel. Grab your favorite bottle of rum and revolutionary spirit, and jump into the ride of a lifetime.

Review: This is a science-fantasy series that falls under the Project AO umbrella – a series of linked worlds written in different genres by an author collective. I was hooked in originally by the Last Gift series of fantasy novels and so thought I’d give the NACL series a try, and I’m so glad I did!

The storyline runs in two distinct threads that only begin to converge towards the climax. There is a framing narrative formed of a dialogue between a user named Codex and a computer programme named SALT which fills in background information about the characters, setting and magic system (Marks) and links the world to the wider Project AO universe. Then the majority of the story follows main characters Vera, Torin, Lani, Sal, Kuma and Moe in turn as they unite to attempt an attack on the heart of the Crystal Corporation – each for their own personal reasons.

I did find the world and worldbuilding a little bit confusing at first, especially the background about the ‘gods’ of Fortune, but this all became clearer as the story progressed and I was quickly hooked on all of the main characters, desperately willing them to succeed and find happiness, or at least a measure of peace.

This is a story about rebellion, deceit and plans within plans, with the characters unaware that there are shadowy puppet-masters pulling their strings.

I loved it, and will definitely be reading more from both the NACL series and the Project AO authors generally!

Purchase Link: NACL: EYe of the Storm on Amazon

Title:  The Wantland Files
Author:  Lara Bernhardt
Publisher: Admission Press

Blurb:  She sees dead people. He’s sure they don’t exist.

Psychic Kimberly Wantland investigates paranormal disturbances. Her television show, The Wantland Files, catapulted her from private paranormal investigator to media sensation. She receives thousands of requests for help every day, but during her latest investigation at a young mother’s house, Kimberly senses something different. And disturbing.

As if she didn’t have enough problems with this case, renowned illusionist and confirmed skeptic Sterling Wakefield shows up unannounced, ready to disprove her psychic abilities.

A dark figure drifts through the halls.

Mysterious yowling echoes in the night.

Something dark haunts this house.

Before Kimberly can convince Sterling her powers can resolve this terror, she first must convince herself…

Review: This easy-to-devour paranormal mystery follows odd-couple investigators Kimberley Wantland and Sterling Wakefield – one psychic, one sceptic – as they investigate a ghost cat together in an attempt to boost the ratings of their respective TV shows.

Alongside the mystery of the haunting is the early stages of an enemies-to-lovers romance sparking but this isn’t fully realised in this first book of the series. The best they really manage is enemies-to-frenemies! So this works as a standalone paranormal mystery but an ongoing friendship-romance saga… sound familiar to X-Files fans?!

Fans of TV shows like Medium or The Ghost Whisperer are likely to love this book and the relationship between the main characters definitely gives off reverse Mulder/Scully vibes but without the alien conspiracy stuff.

I was a little bit sad that the big reveal was more straightforward than I had thought it would be (I really liked my idea of how it might go!) but was hooked enough on the characters and series set-up to immediately treat myself to the rest of the series (so far?), so I’ll let you know how that goes…!

Purchase Link: The Wantland Files on Amazon

Title: Old Wounds
Author:  Tom Batt; Narrated by: Keir Hansen
Publisher: Independently published

Blurb:  Old Wounds: A Nick Shelby Case and Other Crime Stories is a collection of 15 short crime stories from dark detective noir to domestic murder, crossing time periods as far back as the Victorian era and into the near future—some with a twist of horror, science fiction, or the supernatural. Each story revolves around intriguing characters with twists and turns and on occasion a sting in the tail.

Private investigator Nick Shelby is struggling to move on from the abrupt and unexplained departure of Louise, the woman he loved. When she turns up dead in Mexico, he sets off to investigate her death and, in the process, unravels a web of lies and betrayal woven together by a roster of shady characters in 1940s Los Angeles. A mysterious man thought to be dead, a deceiving doctor, and a notorious gangster are all connected, but the big question is who killed Louise and why?

Plus, three small town sheriff’s deputies are made a tempting offer by a sinister stranger they’ve arrested; a young prostitute tracks down the man who murdered her friend and exacts brutal revenge; in the near future where reproduction is regulated, a desperate mother will risk everything to have a child of her own; and in Victorian London, a married couple encounter one of the city’s most infamous criminals and find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

Review: This review relates to the audiobook and ebook versions of this book.

Old Wounds is a collection of fifteen short crime stories, featuring some detective noir, a touch of horror, some dystopian sci-fi (time travel and restricted fertility respectively) and plenty of twists and surprises.

There is also plenty of sex, drugs and violence, so this is not a suitable collection for younger readers/listeners! Also, as a female reader I found that the female characters represented were a little on the shallow and sexualised side, while the male characters were fully fleshed-out and relatable. This didn’t actually bother me overmuch – I happily inhabit any character’s head – but I did notice it and know that some readers would be put off by it.

The audiobook narrator, Keir Hansen, does a really great job in bringing the stories to life, and has an especially great style for the detective noir tales – very evocative of the dark and gritty atmosphere of the genre.

Overall, this is an entertaining read/listen for crime fans who are looking for a bit of variety and some quick, easy reads, or for those looking to introduce themselves to Tom Batt’s writing style.

Purchase Link: Old Wounds on Amazon

Title: The Shadow of Witchland
Author:  David S. Brooks; Narrated by: Alexander Blake
Publisher: Traveling Tales Press

Blurb:  A quirky new young-adult horror fantasy novel from the author of James Rhyder and the Cave of Dreams.

Sixteen-year-old Chase Addams just had the worst birthday of his entire life. He was terrorized at school by a death god, spent the evening in a haunted house, and even faced off with an urban legend in the flesh. If this wasn’t enough to ruin the average person’s day, it ended with his best friend and girlfriend, Asra Saitou, being dragged off into the abyss by a mysterious arm wreathed in flames. Chase soon discovers this kidnapping is part of a hidden war between the land of the living and the lands of the dead. What’s even worse for the self-described uncoordinated, sarcastic, smartass is everyone thinks he’s something called a guardian—one of the heroic spirits who are summoned to not only fight in the war, but keep the conflict from spilling out into the different realms of existence. Now, Chase must come to terms with what it means to be a hero, avoid the terrors prowling in the lands of the dead, maneuver the politics of an interplanar war, and, of course, try to find Asra. All of this before a lurking darkness consumes both worlds.

However, in this cosmic conflict nothing is quite what it seems.

Review: This review relates to the audiobook and ebook versions of this book.

When Chase’s girlfriend, Asra, is kidnapped by otherworldly forces it leads him into a previously unsuspected world of monsters from other realities and the ‘Guardians’ and ‘Protectors’ that shield humanity from them.

This story has the feel of a middle-grade fantasy adventure, similar to the author’s James Rhyder series but with a little horror mixed in, making it more suitable for teen and YA readers. There are some moments of peril, character deaths occur and there are some creepy bits (voiceless clowns, shadow people and more) but nothing likely to scare most adult readers.

Main character Chase is a reluctant hero and I found him extremely relatable in his self-doubts and fears that he isn’t the right ‘Chosen One’ material for saving the day. The side characters and worldbuilding as a whole are very interesting too, and I was left wanting to know much more about Witchland, the Guardians, the Protectors… all of it, really!

Narrator Alexander Blake does a really good job of bringing the adventure to life and breathing life into the voices of all of the distinct characters. I will admit that one or two of the character voices irritated me a little (one in particular, which you will know as soon as you hear it!), but as I was reading along with the text I can confirm that these aspects were part of the intended characterisation rather than stylistic choices by the narrator.

Fans of the Percy Jackson series wanting something a little more mature will enjoy this story as well as anyone looking for a well-written adventure, perfectly pitched for teen to new adult readers, featuring alternate realities, magic, action and mystery.

Purchase Link: The Shadow of Witchland on Amazon

Title: Rainy Magic, Windy Roads
Author:  Lena Abram
Publisher: Independently published

Blurb:  A magical island. A curious travel blogger. A guide hiding secrets.

When a new magical dominion appears on the world map, blogger and traveler Lila decides to see it with her own eyes. She suspects there are secrets that its inhabitants want to keep hidden from outsiders. But do those secrets concern only their wandering island, or does the world need to know what is concealed there?

With the help of an intriguing guide, Lila seeks the truth—but she may find that it’s more than just answers she desires.

Dominions is a romantic fantasy series that is often sweet, sometimes steamy and not always funny (i.e. contains mature themes and strong language). Each book features a different couple, but it is recommended to read them in order.

Review: Making the main character a travel blogger is an excellent choice for this fantasy-romance story, as it makes all of her actions and interactions completely logical and natural – it all fits with what we know of her to create a consistent and relatable character.

The plot of the story can be roughly split into three sections: the first introduces Lila’s job as a travel blogger and outlines the Atalanteans’ dilemma – how they have been forced to reach out to Earth because their own dimension is under threat of gradual instability and eventual distinction, necessitating political negotiations with other nations. There is a lot to acquaint the reader with here, so this first part of the story is very slow-paced with lots of background information.

Most of the middle section of the novel then follows Lila as she explores the new dimension, its culture and history, from the outside point of view of her day-job plus her personal enthusiasm for adventure. Again, this is still quite sedately paced and informative but with some hints seeded that not everyone may be what they seem and that more may be going on beyond what Lila is witnessing.

Then the final section of the story suddenly launches into Lila’s steamy affair with her Atalantean guide (including some graphic sex!), their unfortunate stolen vacation together and the fall-out that results from what they find there, then suddenly… the end. It was all fast-paced and packed with both action and intrigue, but felt like it should just be the start of Lila’s story! Plus it left quite a few unanswered questions and unfollowed trails to explore.

This is definitely a well-written story, with interesting characters and worldbuilding and a great underlying idea but the pacing is very uneven with all of the slow, detailed build-up and then a sudden rush to the end just as things were hotting up a bit.

I guessed that more answers would be in the sequel, with this being labelled as ‘Dominions, Book 1’, but a glance at the blurb of A Summer Night’s Wish suggests that these might be standalone stories linked by theme, style and genre rather than by characters or plotline? Anyway, this is a promising series starter and one to watch for fans of romantasy.

Purchase Link: Rainy Magic, Windy Roads on Amazon

One of my favourite aspects of being a book blogger is having the opportunity to discover so many great indie authors out there and then introduce them to other readers, so I hope you find something you’d like to try within this little lot.

Or, as we are fast approaching the season to be jolly, maybe you’ll spot something to gift to a friend?

Either way, remember to support your indie authors by leaving a review wherever you buy or rate books… and do come back and tell me what you think too – I love a good book chat!

Happy reading and wrapping, and keep shining! 🙂