Dies The Fire - Book Review

Dies the Fire (Emberverse #1)
by S.M. Stirling

What is it about:
The Change occurred when an electrical storm centered over the island of Nantucket produced a blinding white flash that rendered all electronic devices and fuels inoperable. What follows is the most terrible global catastrophe in the history of the human race-and a Dark Age more universal and complete than could possibly be imagined.

What did I think of it:
This is a nice read.

I will confess I had lots of trouble with the world building and the way the story developed though.

The Change was a bit... convenient. Not only do all electric devices stop working, but somehow gunpowder and such obey to a complete different kind of laws than before the change. It sounded to me like an easy way to create the post apocalyptic world Stirling needed for his story instead of a believable occurrence.

And the people who survive and prosper were also not the people who would actually survive if an event like this would really happen. I can see why Stirling thinks so, but he really doesn't take human nature at its worst into account. The heroes in this book wouldn't stand a chance in my opinion. But maybe I'm too cynical.

All in all this is an entertaining read, but I just couldn't believe in the story and in the characters. If an event like described in this book really took place it wouldn't be a big Renaissance/Wiccan fest, it would be a whole lot more brutal and dark.

Why should you read it:
It's a nice post apocalyptic read.

On McPig's Wishlist - Red Blooded

I love the Jessica McClain series, so I´m looking forward to the release of Red Blooded. And isn´t that cover just gorgeous! And purple!


Red Blooded (Jessica McClain #4)
by Amanda Carlson

Jessica is on her way to Hell. After settling a fragile truce between the vampires, werewolves and witches, the last thing Jessica wants to do is face the demons head on. But when the Prince of Hell kidnapped her brother, he set into motion a chain of events that even Jessica doesn't have the power to stop.

Now, Jessica must go into battle again. But Hell is a whole new beast -- new rules, more dangerous demons, and an entirely foreign realm. And when Jessica is dropped into the Underworld too soon, without protection or the help of her friends, she must figure out just how powerful she can be...or she will never make it out alive.


RELEASE DATE Sept. 2nd

New Moon - (Slightly Ranty) Book Review

New Moon (Twilight #2)
by Stephenie Meyer

What is it about:
I knew we were both in mortal danger.

Still, in that instant I felt well. Whole. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, the blood pulsing hot and fast through my veins again. My lungs filled deep with the sweet scent that came off his skin.

It was like there had never been any hole in my chest. I was perfect - not healed, but as if there had never been a wound in the first place.

For Bella Swan, there is one thing more important than life itself: Edward Cullen. But being in love with a vampire is even more dangerous than Bella ever could have imagined. Edward has already rescued Bella from the clutches of one evil vampire, but now, as their daring relationship threatens all that is near and dear to them, they realize their troubles may be just beginning...

What did I think of it:
I will confess being a bit hesitant in giving the Twilight series a try. Having heard there were sparkly vampires in it, and the mother of all love triangles (if rumors are to be believed) I steered clear of anything Twilighty. And after seeing the first 10 minutes of the first Twilight movie, I was sure it wouldn't be for me.

But then my friend Beanie read New Moon and told me he thought I might like it as well. Maybe I had indeed been unfair towards this series, so when Beanie offered to send me New Moon I decided to give the book a try.

Not far into the book I was convinced I had been right and that the whole Twilight phenomena wasn't for me. I mean: Edward, a hundred year old vampire goes to high school! Why? Why would he do that? Because he looks 17? Come on, he can fake an ID I might hope, so there's no need to constantly be repeating the last few classes of high school. Talk about a slow student! And the Cullens don't drink blood. What are they eating/drinking in that case? Synthetic blood? Animal blood? If that's the case why do they go berzerk over a drop of human blood? It's not like I go berzerk over really good chocolate after only eating the cheap, crappy kind of chocolate. And if they don't drink any blood: How do they survive? And why is Edward so mopey?

Ok, that last question has to do with me not liking Edward at all! Talk about an immature brat! And that's supposed to be a hundred year old vampire. I could almost even start to understand why he never made it past those final years of high school.

Anyway...

Because of my rule to at least read 25% of a book before tossing it aside as a loss I stuck to the story. And then Jacob entered the story. Jacob turned out to be a really cool and interesting character, and suddenly I found myself liking the story and reading on to find out what would happen next. To my own surprise I was actually enjoying the book after all the annoyance I felt at the start of it. Even Edward couldn't ruin the book anymore, I had found a character to root for (Even though I just know I'm again rooting for the wrong guy, but nothing new there).

So after a very rocky start I actually found New Moon an enjoyable read. I will confess I'm a bit afraid to pick up the next book, because I foresee lots of annoying Edward scenes, but I will confess I'm curious what's next for Jacob. Beanie kindly offered to send me the next book as well, so I will certainly at least give the next book a try.

Why should you read it:
It's an enjoyable Paranormal YA read, especially once Jacob enters the story.

Teaser Tuesdays - Wakeworld

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


The chicken squawked and came at her in a flurry of wings and extented claws. Poe stepped between her and the attacker, his own neck extended, hissing.

(page 54, Wakeworld by Kerry Schafer)

Book Review - Smoulder

Smoulder/The Space Between
by Brenna Yovanoff

What is it about:
Everything is made of steel, even the flowers. How can you love anything in a place like this?

Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped - and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible. Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. With the help of the human boy she believes was the last person to see her brother alive, Daphne glimpses into his dreams, discovering clues to Obie's whereabouts. As she delves deeper into her demonic powers, she must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in her way. But she also discovers, unexpectedly, what it means to love and be human in a world where human is the hardest thing to be.

What did I think of it:
This book is called The Space Between in the US, and Smoulder in the UK. I got my trotters on the UK edition.

This is... a nice read.

And yes, I'm having a bit of trouble how I should review this book.

To be honest: the fact I think this is a nice read and not more than that, has to do with my personal preferences. At the start of the book the bad guy is mentioned. Now because of the way he is described and defined at that moment, I had dreams of him being not all that bad as people think, and turning out to be the eventual love interest of Daphne. It is how I would have want this story to be told.

Instead the bad guy is of course: THE BAD GUY! And the actual love interest isn't even half as interesting as the bad guy.

So you can understand that with my hopes being crushed, and having to settle for a love interest I didn't even like, this story didn't do much more for me than keeping me entertained.

It certainly has its merits: the world building is intriguing, and I really liked some of the supporting characters. I also liked the main plot idea, but I just couldn't care enough for Daphne and Truman to fall for this story.

All in all I think it's my own expectations and preferences that made this a bit of a disappointing read for me, and I can easily see how other people would enjoy this book much more than I did.

Why should you read it:
It's a nice Paranormal YA read.

TBR Orphans - How did I do in February

Overall I didn't manage to read a lot in February, but of the few books I did read, two were orphans.

Raven's Gate I picked up in a secondhand bookstore in Brighton. It turned orphan at the start of February along with a lot of other books I brought home from that trip. I enjoyed reading it and already reviewed it.

Deadly Thorns is one of those books I pre-ordered and was really looking forward to reading, but somehow it stayed on my shelves until last week. Just as Raven's Gate it only turned orphan recently. It was a really cool read and will be reviewed soon.

So that's two orphans read in February.
My self imposed challenge is going well so far.

How about you?
Did you make your reading goals for February?

Justice 4.1 - Release Day Alert

Today is the release day of Justice 4.1
It sounds really cool I think.


Justice 4.1 (Tsarina Sector, #1)
by Jim Webster

When a journalist is shot down in a backward area of Tsarina, Haldar Drom of the Governor's Investigation Office is sent to investigate. He uncovers a hidden medical facility dedicated to the production of Abate, a drug used for population control, as well as evidence of the implantation of pre-created embryos in women brought to Tsarina for the purpose. He also discovers a deeper plot with far reaching political ramifications. A senior member of the Governors family, Doran Stilan is running a personal feud with the major pirate/Starmancer Wayland Strang. Indeed he begins to suspect that Stilan may even be angling to take Strang's place.

The medical facility is destroyed after it is attacked by mercenaries hired by a Strang, and Drom has to travel off world to untangle the treads of the conspiracy.

Arriving back on Tsarina, he has to deal with a failed Starmancer attack, punish the guilty and arrange for Doran Stilan to get what's coming without undermining the position of the Governor. To do this, he'll need skill, know-how and a whole lot of luck to ensure that the guilty face justice.


Releasing Today from Safkhet publishing

Buy Justice 4.1:

Amazon US
Amazon UK



About Jim Webster:

I live in South Cumbria, which is as nice a part of the world as any to be honest. Too old to play computer games and too young to watch daytime televison. I’ve got a wife and three daughters, no dress sense and a liking for good cappuccino.

To make a living I sort of farm, sort of write and sort of help out where I’m wanted. I suppose one day I’ll grow up and do something properly.


Find Jim Webster online:

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