Review_BEHIND THE DOOR by Mary SanGiovanni

Behind the Door by Mary SanGiovanni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: BEHIND THE DOOR by Mary SanGiovanni
(Kathy Ryan Series)

Mary SanGiovanni is an estimable talent indeed. BEHIND THE DOOR takes my beloved Lovecraft Mythos and squeezes it till it squeaks--or in this case, hums. She does so while interweaving some of the worst instances humanity can fall prey to, both as prey and as predator. Portions of this novel made me want to weep, close my eyes, and rage--all simultaneously. I also screamed to see justice wrought. There is extreme horror here, frequently, and I don't recommend to read at night, alone (as did I). There is implacability, maximally. But guard your sensitivity, fire up your empathy, and jump in. Ms. SanGiovanni is about to carry you on an out-of-this-world ride.

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Review: DIGGING INTO CYDONIA

Digging into Cydonia by P.K. Rock
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Review: DIGGING INTO CYDONIA

An interesting premise, which encouraged me to read: a post-apocalyptic scenario in which humanity has been forced underground due to an asteroid collision. Lacking fresh air and scenery, the populace has developed 3-D printing, Virtual Reality escape, and serious mental collapse. One young man, Hap, commences to explore various virtual realities.

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Review: MIND OF A CHILD by Dean C. Moore

Mind of a Child: "Sentient Serpents" by Dean C. Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review: MIND OF A CHILD by Dean C. Moore

Adrenaline junkies will be pumped up reading this slightly futuristic novel. I think so will gamers who love first-person shooters. The story line is packed to bursting with war, violence, war games, testosterone, and elite mercenaries. I found myself constantly anxious that, given the current sociopolitical climate, this is the future looming just out of sight, rolling like an implacable Juggernaut right toward us, a future of privatization and corporate rule via the military-industrial complex {sing it, Steve Miller Band--you were right all along}.

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Review_THE PHARAOH KEY by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

The Pharaoh Key by Douglas Preston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: THE PHARAOH KEY by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
(Gideon Crew #5)

Although I have been for decades a devoted fan of Preston and Child 's Agent Pendergast series, THE PHARAOH KEY is the first I have read in their Gideon Crew series. Unsurprisingly, I totally enjoyed it. Avant-garde technology, computer savvy, adventure, cryptography, a treasure quest combining contemporary technology with an artifact of indecipherable ancient lineage in a "No Man's Land," a disputed location where civilized moderns fear to go? What's not to love? Very fast-paced, the story line and the multiple mysteries kept me engrossed.

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Tour_BOY IN THE MIRROR by Robert J. Duperre

Young Adult Urban Fantasy/Horror

Date Published: December 31, 2016

Publisher: TRO Publishing

Fifteen-year-old Jacqueline Talbot’s boyfriend Mal lives in the mirror of her makeup case. There’s never been anything normal about Jacqueline; not during her time in foster care, and certainly not in her new hometown of Mercy Hills.

With rumors of actual monsters in the woods, the popular kids taking an unhealthy interest in her, and the revealing of her own dark past, all Jacqueline wants to do is run away forever with Mal. Too bad he’s trapped in the mirror.

But when she learns the ancient forces of the town want to destroy everything she loves, the race is on to free the boy in the mirror, because he just might be the only one who knows how to stop them.

About the Author

Robert J. Duperre is an author from Connecticut, the land of insurance, tobacco, and unfulfilled dreams. Over his mildly interesting life, Robert has released seven novels that skirt the line between horror, science fiction, and fantasy, as well as edited and contributed to a pair of short story collections. His novel “Soultaker” was released in 2017 by Ragnarok Publications. He also co-wrote "The Breaking World" series with David Dalglish, which was picked up and published by 47North, a subsidiary of Amazon Publishing. And all this was accomplished while living happily ever after with his wife, the artist Jessica Torrant.

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My Review:

Boy in the Mirror by Robert J. Duperre
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: BOY IN THE MIRROR by Robert J. Duperre
(The Infinity Trials #1)

WOW! Sometimes my first response is speechlessness! I loved BOY IN THE MIRROR! Totally engrossing from the very commencement, this wonderful novel offers a balance of contemporary issues (child abuse, parental demise, rape culture, socioeconomic class discrepancy) as over against occult fantasy, religious cult devotion, monsters. Throughout the author offers characters realistic and comprehensible, some entirely adorable, others that made me grit my teeth; an empowered and utterly empathetic fifteen-year-old heroine who, all unknowing, is on a Quest; and not one but three guys in Hero roles. I can't wait to continue this series!

SAVING PALUDIS by Clayton Graham_Review

Saving Paludis by Clayton Graham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: SAVING PALUDIS by Clayton Graham

Immediately I was engrossed in this thoughtful and thought-provoking futuristic science fiction novel. My lifelong stance has always been to favor the underdog and cheer on the oppressed. So also.Immediately, my attitude was total empathy with the "aliens," who rather than invading Earth, had instead been invaded by Earthlings--and not just invaded, but shuffled off to a single corner of the continent, confined and oppressed and despised. I found SAVING PALUDIS an exceptional novel with powerful and lasting impact. I happily noticed resonances of the late, lamented Arthur C. Clarke.

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Tour_SLEEP STATE INTERRUPT by T. C. Weber

Science Fiction (Cyberpunk) / Thriller

Date Published: September 1, 2016

Publisher: See Sharp Press

Awards: 2017 Compton Crook Finalist for best first science fiction novel!

In Sleep State Interrupt, a giant media corporation has taken over the Internet, created an addictive virtual reality called BetterWorld, and controls nearly all information. Politicians do their bidding and a brainwashed humanity serves a privileged few.

Waylee Freid, an unemployed Baltimore journalist with ever-worsening bipolar disorder, is the only hope for a brighter future. She and her countercultural friends bust a notorious teenage hacker out of jail and sneak into a closed presidential fundraiser at the Smithsonian castle, where they hope to record incriminating admissions that will wake up the world. Hunted by Homeland Security, Waylee and her friends must reach a sufficient audience by broadcasting their video during the Super Bowl. But to do so, they'll have to break into one of the most secure facilities ever built.

Read the First Four chapters of Sleep State Interrupt, plus a lot more extras, free at http://savethereefs.wixsite.com/sleepstateinterrupt

About the Author

Ted Weber has pursued writing and music since childhood, and learned filmmaking and screenwriting in college, along with a little bit of physics. Trapped at home during the "Snowmageddon" of 2010, he transformed those interests into novel writing, and has completed four novels and a number of short stories since then. By day, Mr. Weber works as an ecologist for a non-profit organization and has had over twenty scientific papers and book chapters published. He lives in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife Karen. He enjoys traveling and has visited all seven continents.

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Sleep State Interrupt by T.C. Weber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review: SLEEP STATE

Whenever a government is oppressive, a society derails, or "the military-industrial complex hex" rules, a counterculture of like-minded individuals will arise to battle for justice. Such was true in 1789 France, in 1861 America, in 1917 Russia, in 1960's America. Such is the case in slightly futuristic Baltimore, when the porkbelly policies and business-gladhanding of a useless President have allowed a massive megacorporation to control what used to be known as the Internet. Journalist Waylee Freid loses her employment, receives a fractured skull, can't find employment because Baltimore no longer has any independent news sources. She still believes in an intelligent, ethical populace, though, so she and some cohorts spring a talented young hacker from juvenile detention. They're going to turn the tables and get the message of Truth to the People--no matter the risks.