The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N K Jemisin (Inheritance Trilogy #1)

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

On a lark I picked up N. K. Jemisin's debut fantasy, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, and I am very glad I did. What a refreshing fantasy with a great story arc and characters. I had heard much praise directed at Ms. Jemisin and her work, but hadn't taken the time to actually give it a chance.
In the book we meet Yeine, a young woman from Darr who is mourning the murder of her mother and is called to the great city of Sky to learn that her Grandfather is naming her an heir of the kingdom. Much to her surprise, Yeine is catapulted into the schemes and intrigues of the royal family where her two cousins are also vying for the kingdom and as Arameri, (the ancestral line), she learnd first hand the ruthlessness of not only her grandfather, Dekarta, but in a wonderful twist to the story, the enslavement of four Gods who live in Sky as well.
The interactions of Gods and mortal are highlights of the book with an agreement between Yeine and the Gods to help free them through the succession ceremony that is upcoming. A ceremony where Yeine must die to ensure the succession. Truth be told, Yeine isn't aware of all that she is and the story has a heck of a climax.

Looking forward to book 2, The Broken Kingdom.

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Red Sister by Mark Lawrence (Book of the Ancestor #1)

Red Sister by Mark Lawrence
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first of Mark Lawrence's books that I have read. And I am so glad I started! Red Sister is a wonderful fantasy with a remarkable and memoriable heroine in Nona Grey. I have to say that I purchased the book by the cover and the strong reputation of the author.
I had just recently finished Nevernight by Jay Kristoff and Red Sister looked to have the same feel. They are similar but also distinctly different. The world building is first rate and the characters are vivid. If this is what I have to look forward to in reading the rest of Lawrence's books, happy day for me!
The story opens with a young girl, Nona, being marched to the gallows to be hung for murder. If that doesn't keep the pages turning, I don't know what will. Before this can occur, Nona is given a reprieve by the Abbess of Sweet Mercy Convent where young girls who have shown that they may be endowed with special properties can be properly trained. You guessed it, in ways typical novices are not. Blades, poisons and the elusive Path are just a few of their new classes.
Suffice it to say that more than this will spoil the surprises and immersion I to this new world which though very bleak is fascinating in it's own way.

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Trap the Devil by Ben Coes (Dewey Andreas #7)

Trap the Devil by Ben Coes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ben Coe's has really outdone himself with Trap the Devil. This the 7th entry in the Dewey Andreas series shows how the modern thriller should be. I didn't think That Coe's could top 2016's First Strike, but somehow he did.

I have a confession to make. It took me awhile to even try the first book in the series, Power Down. I just couldn't see how power plants and terrorism could hold my interest, but my gosh was it good. I attribute this to the skill of Coe's in formulating scarily plausible scenarios for his hero to navigate and at the same time grow his character. Dewey has grown with each book and in Trap the Devil staggering revelations present themselves to Dewey and we see a peek into his soul. Very sobering stuff.

In Trap the Devil, Coe's presents the frightening possibility of people in the government taking matters into their own hands to stem the rise of terror from the Muslim world who would seek to destroy us. Even to the point of killing their own colleagues in our government and targeting even the President to accomplish their agenda.

Coes is a master of building tension and fleshing out his characters so much so that at times I had to put the book down because I was afraid of what was going to happen next. I am not a big fan of spoilers. I would prefer that you be surprised on your own.

Suffice it to say that Trap the Devil, after a brief prologue that sets the stage of events from 20 years before, starts with a physically and emotionally damaged Dewey. Forced to see a shrink by his boss Hector Calibrisi, Dewey learns that he might be relegated to a softer agency roll. Far from something that Dewey wants or needs, he is seen as one almost driven to kill himself in the line of duty, always putting himself on the line. Guilt is eating away at him for not only the death of his fiance, Jessica, but also his wife Holly from many years before.

Basically relegated to babysitting the Sec State on a trip to Paris, Dewey is not happy and fueling up on alcohol and self pity. Until something happens to begin a rollercoaster ride that doesn't end until the last page.

Don't be like me.. Pick up Power Down, discover Dewey and be prepared to have a great summer!



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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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The Nowhere Man by Gregg Hurwitz (Evan Smoak #2)

The Nowhere Man by Gregg Hurwitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me say Wow! Gregg Hurwitz just may have written the Thriller of the Year for 2017 with The Nowhere Man. This is the 2nd book in the Evan Smoak series which began with last year's Orphan X. I received an advance readers copy of this book and started it right away.

This was a joy to read. It is so hard to see a sequel that is better than the original but Hurwitz succeeds. In The Nowhere Man, Evan Smoak is once again helping those who cannot help themselves. But in the process of an operation is captured himself and soon realizes that there is no one to help him. He can only rely on himself. Throw into the mix a giant mute, a fastidious psychopath and Sinaloa Cartel guns for hire in the midst of a harsh winter landscape and you have the makings of a book that you cannot put down.

This book is notable in the growth of Evan Smoak as a character. His humanity is on full display as is his ingenuity. There is also the reappearance of old friends as well as enemies that comlicate matters and make an already good thriller richer.

If you haven't read Orphan X, do so! Right now! You will not be dissapointed.

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