More Tuesday book reviews

4 star review of  The After War by Brandon Zenner

Good Post-apocalyptic story

Many parts of this story of three men and two women and their journey two years after a plague killed a large portion of the population were exciting. A few parts, though, dragged. The characters were well developed and descriptions of the environment was vivid.





4 star review of Murder at the Filmore by Zelda White

Lovely cozy novella

When Samantha arrived at the hotel to get away and write, she wasn't expecting a murder. Enter retired detective Virginia Holmes. Can they solve the crime together? I enjoyed the story and liked the characters. The setting is fun too. Quick read.

My five star review of A Spoonful of Murder by Robin Stevens

In the latest entry in the Murder Most Unladylike series, Daisy has accompanied Hazel to her home in Hong Kong. Hazel’s grandfather has died and she was called home for the mourning period. But there were several surprises for her, the biggest was that she had a brother, Teddy, and another was that her maid had been reassigned to the baby boy. When Hazel and Daisy accompany Teddy and the maid to the doctor’s office above a bank, they’re nearby when the maid is killed and Teddy kidnapped. The Detective Society is on the case faster than you can say cheongsam. For once Daisy lets Hazel take the lead, since she knows how things are done in Hong Kong. This was one of the best stories in the series. Hazel gave us a good taste of the place she lived before she left for school in England. 

Five star review for Cibola Burn by James S. A. Corey

James Holden is sent as a peacekeeper when squatters on one of the newly found worlds clash with a scientific group sent by a corporation. But defense mechanisms the earlier inhabitants of the world left behind have other plans. This was the best in the series so far. And I'm so glad the Expanse TV series found a home so this story can be told.





Five star review for The Fated Sky by E. M. Swift-Hook

In the first installment of the Transgressor Trilogy, we’re introduced to several memorable characters: Avilon, called the Kashlihk, an off-worlder who is aboard a ship that crashes and is found by a caravan; Chola Durban, a kind of jokester and information distributor; and the Black Vavasor, whose name is really Jariq Zaringor. About halfway through this well-written book the three team up to get Avilon and Jariq away from a warlord who’s trying to gain rule of all of Temsevar. This world, on the periphery of the Coalition of worlds, is truly a backwater with little of the technology found elsewhere, creating a mix of fantasy and science fiction rarely found elsewhere. The adventures of Avilon and Jariq carry the rest of the book.

Book review Tuesday on Wednesday

4 star review of A Darker Shade of Sorcery by Will Collins

Evan, who lived in an orphanage in London and was bullied by schoolmates, and Brooke a typical teen girl are kidnapped by Venators, i.e., demon hunters. The first part filled with monstrous beings was not my cup of tea, but then the descriptions of their school and magic and physical training, reminding of Hogwarts, was easier to read, although slightly too long. The world building with the various realms was good and the character development was too. Will Collins is a talented writer. I'm not sure I'll continue with the Realmers series, but that's due to my very personal dislike of ghouls and demons.

Book review Tuesday

Four star Review of Rafferty Lincoln Loves…  by Emily Williams

Those who enjoy horse stories will love Rafferty Lincoln Loves… but the story is more about loyalty, promises made and kept, bullying, secrets and rumors. These are issues that teens everywhere deal with. The characters were well-developed even though the story only covered a few months as they make new connections (not accepting that those are friendships) and care for a horse. Tension developed partly because they weren’t certain whether Minty was the missing racehorse that had been in the news. As the author states, proceeds from sales of this book go to the British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre, a worthy and appropriate cause.