When Pigs Fly

Kingdom of the Nanosaurs (The Kingdoms of Time and Space #1) by David Callinan

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a review. 

Summary: In the tradition of 'His Dark Materials', 'Mortal Engines' and 'Lord Of The Rings', this YA trilogy blends magic with leading edge science and the paranormal with artificial intelligence.

Morgan Lane (15), gifted with a superhuman memory, finds his life and the future of humanity thrown into chaos when chosen by the Guardians to memorise and protect with his very existence ‘The Cosmic Algorithm’, the source code of creation itself.

The Guardians, aware that seismic cosmic events are unfolding and space parasites known as The Shadix are approaching the planet, send a Sun Angel to protect Morgan who, together with companions Lin Rainbow and Winston their pet orangutan, becomes his guide on a journey to where time and space are one.

Morgan’s scientist father has used nanotechnology to create a microbe that will destroy pollution and reverse climate change. Unknown to Morgan, his father’s research is being funded and secretly stolen by a millionaire oligarch, Marius Natzler, controlled by the Shadix.

The comet Cygnus Hyperbole appears causing apocalyptic tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions as the Guardians cause every animal on the planet save one to vanish. They transform Winston into a genius with the power of speech – a true missing link.

Morgan’s fate is to keep the ‘Cosmic Algorithm’ safe in order to reprogram the Continuum. Meanwhile, Marius Natzler has used nanotechnology to create ‘nanosaurs’, fantastical replacement animals: winged dogs, perfumed cats, air sharks, monstrous nano spiders and Taurus, a seventeen feet tall minotaur. Natzler craves the ‘Cosmic Algorithm’ to give him ultimate power.

Review: A decent fantasy book that suffers from a sometimes unbelievable main character and a weak sidekick.

Overall, this book had a middle grade school feel about it rather than a young adult feel like the book was supposed to have. That is not a bad thing although the reader must be prepared for a black and white division between good and evil with the good being very good and the bad being very bad. I know it is a fight between good and evil, but it could get a little much at times. I wouldn’t have been surprised if the main bad guy had started to twirl his mustache.

I know Morgan has an incredible memory and that he is a genius character, but he was often too useful and too helpful. He also seemed to deride logical decisions like Lin deciding to take food when them when they were trying to escape. I liked Lin, but I hated how she was a useless character at times. She always seemed to be fainting or passing out. I personally liked the nanosaurs although some combinations of the animals seemed downright silly. I certainly wouldn’t mind having a nanosaur or two.

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those that enjoy middle grade school fantasy.

Is Your Soul Your Own?

Bodyswitch by David Callinan

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a review. 

Summary: So you think your body belongs to you – think again!

Jack Madigan has the perfect life. He runs a mission in the Bronx helping New York's poor and homeless, the lost souls of the city. His wife Kerry works on a campaigning newspaper. They are not rich but they are fulfilled. And they are about to have their first child.

Sadistic sociopath Ernie Mason is released from prison; the poor black kid from the Bronx brutalised by a lifetime of abuse, drugs and crime until he becomes a killer; a walking time-bomb. He gets drunk, steals a car and goes joyriding in central Manhattan.

Jack says goodbye to Kerry after a routine medical examination and she crosses the busy street.

Ernie Mason hits Kerry full on, killing her instantly and killing himself.

The bottom falls out of Jack Madigan's life. But then he is made an offer no other human being has ever received. The chance to say a final goodbye to Kerry on 'the other side'.

But there is a price to pay.

He must allow a recently departed soul to occupy his body while he is in spiritual limbo to be given one last chance of redemption.

That's when the cosmic switch clicks and a dark soul enters Jack Madigan's body.

Guess who?

Review: A tale of souls, redemption, second chances, and a very strange beyond.

I did enjoy this book. I am glad I read it. However, I can see someone being put off by the cover. I am not sure what it has to do with the book. Regardless, please still give this book a chance. It's an enjoyable supernatural read. Bodyswitch really does make you think. I found myself hating Ernie, but other times I felt bad for him since I saw glimmers of hope. Life is never black and white and neither are people. Where there is death, there is also life.

The oddest aspect of the book was the beyond. I wasn't quite sure what to make of it although since everyone makes their own beyond, I wonder what mine would look like. The idea of reincarnation was used well and I liked the idea of developing enough as a person to finally move on to a higher plane. There was a lot of sex and desire in this book, both in the beyond and in the corporeal world. Some of it had purpose, but the rest of felt added on. The ending was very satisfying.

Rating:






Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those that enjoy supernatural fiction or stories dealing with life after death and reincarnation.

Not Quite a Dog

The Caline Conspiracy by M.H. Mead

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.

Summary: Calines are the perfect pets. Smarter than border collies, playful as otters, elegant as cats, calines have been genetically engineered to be everything a pet owner could want.

Except that they might kill you one day.

The world is shocked when geneticist Ivan Frithke is murdered, and his own pet caline, Madeline, is the prime suspect. Is this an isolated case, a flaw in the calines’ design, or something more? The widow doesn’t believe her darling could kill, and hires PI Aidra Scott to prove Madeline’s innocence.

Aidra wants nothing to do with animals—genetically engineered perfection or not. Losing her beloved Doberman was so painful that she’s sworn off pet ownership forever. But the more she investigates, the more Aidra becomes convinced an innocent animal is being framed, and murder is only the beginning of the conspiracy.

Review: A detective story with murder, conspiracy, and genetic engineering.

I normally wouldn't read mysteries. I can't remember the last time I read one. The Caline Conspiracy is a mystery novel, but at heart, it is a science fiction novel. Genetic engineering plays a huge role in this book. Genetic engineering is no longer performed on humans, at least in the United States, legally anyways, because a tragedy occurred. Very little good comes from playing god. Genetic engineering on animals is still ok, which shows how animals are considered less important than humans.

I kept trying to picture calines in my head, but it didn't work too well (even with the caline on the cover). I can only imagine what sort of creatures could be created with genetic engineering. It's scary yet thrilling. As much as Aidra says she cares about her son, I don't see much evidence of that to be honest. Though this book was on the short side, the action started early and built throughout the novel. The ending came rather quickly and was something of a letdown. I wanted to see the reactions of people to Aidra's discovery. I would read another book with Aidra.

Rating:






Recommendation: I would recommend this to those that enjoy mysteries or science fiction.

In Our Memories

Glimmers by Barbara Brooke

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a review. 

Summary: A simple touch and suddenly, Paige is in the past - living someone else's life, seeing the world through their eyes, and feeling their deepest emotions.

Paige used to think memories only existed in one's mind. But now, she knows better. She can't explain how or why, but she has glimmers: special moments that have remained behind - clinging to a letter, a ring, even a worn-out pair of boots.

When Paige returns from each glimmer, a small part of her has changed. Who is this gourmet cook, fashion designer, feisty lover? And how is she supposed to explain this to her family without them thinking she has completely lost her mind?

Paige thought her new talent was a gift, until…she was suddenly transported into her sister’s memory, and caught a glimmer of her secret life.

Take this humorous and romantic journey, as Paige learns about true love through the lives of three extraordinary women.

Review: A tale of an ordinary woman with an extraordinary talent.

Objects, though they are never permanent, can have strong emotional meaning. I personally have a few objects that I hang onto and would be very sad if they were lost or destroyed. What I find more important are the memories that make those objects so special. I like Paige's talent. It's a way to live another life, even if for a few moments, a way to understand other ways of living. It must be somewhat of a pain though since you never know when you will be pulled into a memory.

While I liked all the stories, Emma's was my favorite. It was like reading a historical romance novel, which I do so enjoy. Delilah's story ended sooner than I expected, but I was pleased to see how her story fits into the rest of the novel. Hailey's story was painful since I felt so bad for her fiance and also for Hailey herself. I hope she says satisfied with her decision. The one aspect that bothered me about Paige's glimmers was how she picked talents from the memories she experienced. I can understand getting a little better at sewing or cooking, but she becomes an expert in a matter of hours.

Rating:






Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those that enjoy light fantasy that takes place in the modern world.

Don't Get Lost in Time

Broken Time by Emily Devenport

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.

Summary: Siggy Lindquist is a janitor at The Institute, home to the galaxy's deadliest criminals. When two of the most dangerous inmates take a twisted interest in Siggy, she becomes caught in a potential war between two races -- a war that only a forgotten secret from her past can prevent...

Review: A somewhat confusing, but certainly mind bending science fiction story with plenty of time travel.

Time travel and time itself are fascinating concepts and not always well understood. As far as I know, we do not know why when an object travels very close to the speed of light time slows down. It has been proven that this occurs. Our universe is mysterious and I’m sure there are many more wonders to be found. Enigma is one of those mind bending objects. Broken Time focuses heavily on Enigma, time, and time travel. Even after finishing the book, I still wasn’t sure exactly what Enigma is, which is why I guess it is named that way.

There is plenty of action, alien species, and romance. I wasn’t sure what role Siggy would play, but it certainly was a fascinating one. What makes her so special that the time pockets would seek her out? What about her got the Professor to talk? The Speedies seemed a bit hobbled together for an alien race. I was much more interested in who was behind the Professor. The threads come together in the end although I get the feeling that the Professor’s story isn’t finished yet.

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those that enjoy science fiction with time travel.

Truth is Stranger than Fiction

In My Mind's Eye by Justin Marciano

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.

Summary: Chased by the Klan, assaulted by family, influenced by friends, and shaped by environment, this narrative takes the reader through one man's life as a suburban teenager in Connecticut.

The story is told in narrative shorts that go from violence to the guilt of stealing from a church. The reader will feel sympathy in one story, anger in the next, and frustrating humor throughout. The author purposely takes the reader on a joyride through the lunacy that is captured in every story. His perspective eminates from every page.

Open the book and be captured by the elegant insanity that becomes In My Mind's Eye.

Review: A collection of stories that proves the saying truth is stranger than fiction.

Justin Marciano certainly has had an interesting life. As Marciano mentions, his childhood was normal to him, but to most other people, Marciano's life was scary, sad, and abusive at times. Even so, he manages to make his stories funny.

My favorite was when he asks his preschool teacher to have sex with him to get her to stay with him. Although Marciano says he doesn't remember where he heard the phrase, it is certainly fun to imagine where he heard the phrase.

I am sure it was scary for Marciano, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story when he went into the city with his cousin and he cousin managed to scare him straight from going into the gang life. Another scary yet funny story is the author's run in with the Ku Klux Klan.

In short, an eclectic collection of stories that are sad, funny, and poignant.

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those that enjoy short stories or memoirs.

More than Teenage Angst

In Leah's Wake by Terri Giuliano Long

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.

Summary: A Story of Love, Loss, Connection, and Grace

At the heart of the seemingly perfect Tyler family stands sixteen-year-old Leah. Her proud parents are happily married, successful professionals. Her adoring younger sister is wise and responsible beyond her years. And Leah herself is a talented athlete with a bright collegiate future. But living out her father’s lost dreams, and living up to her sister’s worshipful expectations, is no easy task for a teenager. And when temptation enters her life in the form of drugs, desire, and a dangerously exciting boy, Leah’s world turns on a dime from idyllic to chaotic to nearly tragic.

As Leah’s conflicted emotions take their toll on those she loves—turning them against each other and pushing them to destructive extremes—In Leah’s Wake powerfully explores one of fiction’s most enduring themes: the struggle of teenagers coming of age, and coming to terms with the overwhelming feelings that rule them and the demanding world that challenges them. Terri Giuliano Long’s skillfully styled and insightfully informed debut novel captures the intensely personal tragedies, victories, and revelations each new generation faces during those tumultuous transitional years.

Review: A story about a family nearly broken apart by tragedy.

In Leah's Wake is certainly a roller coaster ride. There are so many times when you think the Tyler family might be ok, but so many other times when you wonder if they will ever be the same. This book demonstrates the saying that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Leah's parents did have her best interests at heart (or at least they thought they did), but didn't stop to think about Leah's needs, dreams, and aspirations. While I am not a parent, I know what it's like when children don't turn out as you expected and the heartache that comes along with it.

I was prepared to hate Leah. I was expecting someone who was selfish, only cared about her own needs, and thought she knew best. Leah has all of those traits, but is so much more. She wants what she thinks is best, but truly wants to be loved by her family and for them to be reunited again. Leah and her whole family are expects at planning to do one thing and saying something completely different. I don't always understand Leah's motivations, but I am glad that she finally reunites with her family.

Rating:






Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those that enjoy family based fiction.