Nevernight by Jay Kristoff (Nevernight #1)

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book by Jay Kristoff that I have read. I can tell you now it will not be the last. Nevernight is one of the most original fantasies that I have read in awhile. At times it's equally magical and disturbing but what a book.
I should say right up front, there is an overabundance of language, sex and violence, surely a hard R rating.
The book is set in a world that is equal parts ancient Rome and Venice and is fascinating. As the book opens we meet our heroine, Mia Covere, daughter of Justicus Darius Covere, a leader of the Republic accused of being a traitor. As such he is hung and his family is stripped of all wealth. Her mother and baby brother thrown into prison and a sentence of death to come at the hands of two legionnaires for 10 year old Mia.
Through mystical and not understood means, Mia escapes and vows revenge against those responsible. Taken in by an old man, Mia is put on the path to become one of the world's great
assassins.
The world that Kristoff has built is rich and brutal as is Mia's schooling.
A world well worth visiting. No spoilers here. Read this at your peril. You will be hooked.

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Whispers of the Dead by Spencer Kope (Special Tracking Unit #2)

Whispers of the Dead by Spencer Kope
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A year ago, I discovered a thriller by a new author, Spencer Kope. The book was "Collecting the Dead" and was one of the best and most unique thrillers of the last 10 years. I considered myself fortunate due to the fact that I took a chance on a book that just sounded interesting. I have regular correspondence with Mr. Kope an he is also a very nice guy. So, imagine my happiness while searching NetGalley for some titles and there before my eyes was book #2 of the now titled, Special Tracking Unit series. "Whispers of the Dead by Spencer Kope. I have to say as well, lightning does strike twice.
Whispers is very much the equal of book 1. Probably because Kope's characters are so memorable that you can't wait to catch up with them again. FBI Special Agent James Donovan and Operations Specialist Magnus Craig are very good at what they do, which is solving crimes. But as explained in book one there is a catch or secret if you will. Magnus "Steps" Craig has a gift. A very special and specific gift. He can see the residue that is left behind by killers as well as those they come in contact with. He calls it "shine" and it is manifested in colors only Steps can see. Not only colors but textures as well. A person's shine is as unique as a person's DNA therefore everyone's is different. The only people that know of Steps gift are his partner and the Director of the FBI. Known as the human bloodhound, Steps not only helps those that can't help themselves but those who may be listed as well.
In Whispers, the STU is called to Albuquerque where a styrofoam cooler is left in a judges living room holding a pair of feet not attached to a body. The killer is dubbed the Ice Box Killer due to the cold ice blue shine that the killer leaves behind. After more coolers and more feet are found Steps must out his gift to work and catch a killer before it's to late.
Kope's thrillers are well written and the dialogue is witty and humorous at times. But it is the humanity of Steps and Jimmy that really make both books hum.
Whispers of the Dead will not be released until April 2018 from St. Martin's Minotaur. In the meantime, pick up book one and enjoy.


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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ready Player One was incredibly fun, especially if you grew up during the 70's and 80's. It is full of pop culture references that will take you back to those days. It is obvious that Cline has a fondness for that era.
The story takes place about 20 years in our future and the respite many have from real life is the Oasis. A highly realistic virtual reality where you create an Avatar that essentially acts for you. The Oasis has changed life as we know it and almost every function of society is ran through it.
Created by a Bill Gates\Steve Jobs like person named James Halliday, it is massive consisting of thousands of worlds. It is also worth billions and billions of dollars. Upon his death, Halliday sets into motion a quest to solve puzzles and if you are clever enough to win, inherit all that Halliday left.
Needless to say it is a prize worth killing for and a rival tech company has devoted it's existence to taking control of the Oasis and highly monetizing it, unlike Halliday who has made it virtually free for all, the only cost being .50 cents.
The story involves Wade Wyatt who as his avatar, Parzival, is one if millions if "Gutters" who are trying to figure the puzzle.
This is a spoiler free review. Just read this and enjoy it. A truly imaginitive work. Brilliantly rendered.







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