Moon City By Martin van Balkom, A Book Review

 This was a fun read. The story was an adventure with punctures of realities that aren’t too far-fetched. In some instances, harsh and real possibilities, if history and current events of people and their nature are any indication.

Even though thoughts of ugly truths ring in your ears at times, the story still entertained. Going to the moon as easily as the story writes is probably not so far off the mark. The set on the moon is believable and then not. Using guns for control, ripping holes in the containment system, you know, so people can still breathe and live in a vacuum environment, wouldn’t be the smartest move. But then again, I felt like the book is showing just how dumb and self-absorbed people are, can be, and may very well rise in the worst of times.

Next, we have the normals and intellectuals who rise above the chaos but won’t escape the destruction caused by the controllers. There are always controllers in these situations.

It was sad, exasperating, and yet entertaining throughout the book. A lesson on people is what I took away, and the facts and creations from the exploration and colonization of the moon were all fun and interesting.

I really enjoyed the story, and I believe any sci-fi person would like it as well. Although I didn't expect the ending, it is intriguing. For the entertaining story, and clean writing, I gave this book 5 our of 5 stars. 

Closure By Charles Brass, A Book Review

 This was not my type of story, but it is listed on Amazon as contemporary fantasy, so that is what I had expected. I feel this is more of a horror, paranormal book. The story is darker and grittier than usual and depicts disturbing sequences, albeit without ill intent. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Aside from that, the story read well, with no skips or holes, and was creative to a degree beyond the norm. The characters were described well enough to get a sense of their being, but none of them grabbed me to fight for or against. The deep emotion did not connect for me.

I’d like to say this was a new area of work to read for me. I am not compelled to try another, though. For those who like darker tales, you may enjoy this story. I could only give this 4 out of 5 stars because I believe it is in a category not correctly representative of its nature.

Harleigh Sinclair and the Raiders of the Lost Ankh By Tamara Grantham, A Book Review

 This was an interesting story. I really like stories tied to ancient mysteries and lore, especially when there seems to be a tinge of truthful possibility ringing in the air. It’s just fun to imagine and ride the creative weaving lines written. 

The story was short and sweet, but don’t worry, there are more books for the main character and her heart-stopping comrade. And of course there is a catch, yet to be revealed, why he can’t or won’t let them be together. Keeps the saga interesting, intriguing, and enticing to read the next book. I’m in. Always attracted to the love stories inside of other stories. 

I didn’t find any story skips or plot holes, and the characters were developed to keep you invested. Knowing other books follow, I am sure they will be developed even deeper emotionally, keeping you enthralled with each one of them. 

The theme of ancient artifacts, I believe, runs through each book, as this story actually continues to the next find. I am invested now and will be reading the others. Great job, Tamara. I gave this 5 out of 5 stars.

The Prince and the Fool By John Cronshaw, A Book Review

 I thought this was the last book in this series, but no, it is just the last one published so far. So, my sought resolutions to the story are not to be had yet. That did not take away from the story, though, at all.

I really enjoy this series. I hate when people do dumb stuff all the time in stories and movies, meant to create chaos or drama, and it is only irritating to me. Certainly not insightful or entertaining. That doesn’t happen with this author, so it was fun and interesting to read each and every book. 

I like the author’s style and his creative plots. I will definitely be reading more of his books, and I would recommend them to everyone who likes a creative series set in early times, as in a stone's throw from Neanderthal times. Kidding. Somewhat. I had to give this 5 out of 5 stars; it is well deserved.

The Knight and the Rebel By John Cronshaw, A Book Review

 This is the third book of the series, and again the saga continues, keeping pace with the first two, driving the reader to keep turning the pages. It is yet to be continued in a fourth book, which I have now purchased to see what the ending brings.

The story doesn’t appear to stray from its path, yet it introduces concepts that create more conflict, more intrigue, and prompts thoughts about how to resolve them all.

As expected from the first two, the story was well written and detailed, creating pictures of it all in your mind and immersing you in the scenes as if you were really there. The two main characters again are presented with real and individual personalities that mesh with their world of upbringing and future ambitions to right the world as they believe it should be. Then we have the current conditions and episodes of fate that alter their views or actions to propel the story in more ways than imagined.

The two characters still don’t know what the other is doing, but they are forging their own paths as they feel is best. It can only culminate at some point in the final book, and that will be very interesting to read. I gave this 5 out of 5 stars. A wonderful gift to read.

The Wolf and the Wyvern By John Cronshaw, A Book Review

The second book of this series does not disappoint my expectations from the first book. The storyline continues without revealing the whole plot, keeping you turning the pages, enjoying the chapters, one after the next.

The era setting is, of course, once again, with swords, daggers, castles, and a little magic that brings a very different reality to life that the reader can totally immerse themselves in for a little escape from the norm, since it is a continuation of the first book.

The two main characters, Maja and Ragnar, win the favor of the reader for their wit, compassion, and love for their lost home. The need to see them succeed is strong and compelling. Without giving the story away, the fight to regain their home, not knowing yet what either of them is doing to that end, captures your heart and imagination through the whole book.

Wonderfully written, with details that not only immerse you into the story, but also create a new reality which gives you pleasant sights and smells, dark and dangerous passages heightening your senses, and feelings of connection to the characters. I gave this 5 out of 5 stars and believe everyone would enjoy this series.

The Fall of Wolfsbane by Jon Cronshaw, A Book Review

 This is a story made into a series with a lot of twists, turns, and unexpected action that keeps you turning the pages for the battle outcomes, character connections, and story resolutions. I enjoyed the story, the characters, and even the not-so-nice ones.

The era setting is also one, with swords, daggers, castles, and a little magic that brings a very different reality to life that the reader can immerse themselves in for a little vacation from the norm.

The book’s ending is a ‘must read the next one’ tide pulling you out to the next book, so you can return to the comfortable new reality and find out what else happens. Yes, I did just that. I am now on the third book as I am writing this review.

There are some issues with flow or story holes: I had a clear sense of what was happening to each character as I was reading, but then something is stated that creates a whole different scene for that one character. I backpedal, thinking I missed a passage or something, but no, I didn’t. So, I just accept the new view and keep moving. Other than that, this is a well-written, detailed, and sagacious story.

I would recommend this book to any parent looking for a great adventure, with a fairly clean discourse. I gave this 5 out of 5 stars for being clean and well-written, and a good-paced story. How anyone can give this story a 1,2, or even 3 stars is outside of my comprehension unless they were expecting something beyond the age group it was intended. What an unfair shot to the author.