Book Review: THE SHARDS OF HEAVEN - Michael Livingston

Michael Livingston
THE SHARDS OF HEAVEN
Tor / A Tom Doherty Associates Book
Historical Fantasy

Only in my older age (and not for one second calling myself old), have I learned to appreciate history. And only recently have I even taken an interest in non-fiction. THE SHARDS OF HEAVEN is fiction, but is historically accurate.  The era covered deals with Rome, and Egypt.

THE SHARDS OF HEAVEN opens with the assassination of Julius Caesar. And from there the tension just builds. Like any good novel there are multiple stories unfolding, and a host of intriguing characters involved. The intertwining of tales, and paths is perfectly executed, and the pacing intense.

Caesar’s death has brought unrest across the lands. Everything is up for grabs. Cleopatra and Marc Antony want more than just Egypt. They have Lucious Vorneus, and Titus Pullo fighting in their corner.

Octavian, Caesar’s adopted son, wants more than just Rome. Destined to rule over everything, and everyone, Octavian plans on attacking Egypt. Marc Antony has already proved himself a traitor to Rome with his Donations. War is inevitable.

Juba, Octavian’s adopted brother, knows he will never rule. Regardless, he feels as if he’s been treated unfairly all of these years. When God died, his power was splintered into shards. How many shards exist, no one knows for sure, but Juba knows of a handful. And he wants them all. Revenge against Octavian is finally within reach.

Unfortunately, the shards are not a secret. Others are also on the hunt, as desperate to uncover the magical items as the next. In some cases, the relics are so powerful that generations of families have been installed to ensure the safety of the shard.

With a crisscross in family trees, and everyone after power, little good can come from the result of a war. With magic involved, the results of war could prove more disastrous than anticipated. Can winning be decided by magic, skill, or the size of one’s army? What is the cost of losing the war? Can anyone walk away unchanged by the tumultuous course of events?

Livingston writes clear, concise prose. The dialogue is crisp. The tension is constant, and the action intense. I enjoyed meeting the different families, the characters were so well-drawn, I saw them clearly inside my head. THE SHARDS OF HEAVEN was an impressive novel, and although I finished it, I am thankful to know I have THE GATES OF HELL on my nightstand, ready to go!

Phillip Tomasso

Author of The Severed Empire Series

Book Review: HARRY POTTER & The Cursed Child - J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Hack Thorne

J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany & Hack Thorne
HARRY POTTER and the Cursed Child 
Arthur A. Levine / Scholastic
Young Adult / Fantasy

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is not a novel. It is a play. The story is by Rowling, and was written by Rowling, Thorne, and Tiffany It is the eight Harry Potter installment, and premiered on a stage in London on July 30, 2016.

This book takes place some 19 years after the Deathly Hallows (Book 7). Albus Potter, the son of Harry and Ginny, is headed to Hogwarts. His biggest fear is the Sorting Hat. He does not want to wind up in Slytherin. Always at odds with his father, Albus knows he will never make it into Gryffindor. It is one more comparison to his father bound to deliver more disappointment.

On the Express to school, Albus befriends a boy sitting alone in one of the cars. Scorpius, like Albus, is plagued by the legend of his father. Although Harry's father was the Wizard of all Wizards--an impossible shadow to crawl out from under, Scorpius' father was the dreadful Draco Malfoy. No one likes him based on this fact alone, and the rumors that Voldemort might actually be his true father. No one, that is, except Albus.

When a Time Turner is recovered, a device allowing for time travel, the tale quickly spins out of control. Amos Diggory (who's son, Cedric Diggory -- the boy murdered in Goblets of Fire by Voldemort) wants Harry to go back in time and save his son; to make it as though the death never happened.

Taking it upon himself to make things right, to maybe impress his own father, Albus and Scorpius, team up with Delphi Diggory (Amos' niece), in an attempt to save Cedric from an untimely death. Their journeys back in time mess up the present. They change the future. Timelines cross.

The damaged caused may be too significant to fix. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Draco Malfoy are desperate to save Albus, and Scorpius. They fear the return of Voldemort -- and the possible present world where Voldemort isn't just alive, but where he rules the world! Time is of the essence. If the newly revealed prophecy comes to light, the world that they once knew, and loved, would be gone, changed forever!

The play is taut. The Acts, and Scenes perfectly laid out. The story is filled with emotion. It is most definitely a tale about fathers and sons. Parents and kids. Depression and hope. Division and reconciliation. The final Scenes brought me to tears. As a fan of the Harry Potter saga, it was amazing to see this story end where Harry Potter's legacy began. Very emotional. I would give anything to see the play. I suppose I will have to hope they make it into a film. I loved placing this finished book on my shelf alongside Rowling's other titles.

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series
Wizard's Rise
Wizard's War
Queens of Osiris

Book Review: AMERICAN QUEEN - Sierra Simone

Sierra Simone
AMERICAN QUEEN
Self Published
Contemporary Romance

American Queen is the first in a new series from Priest author Sierra Simone. Greer Galloway is no stranger to politics growing up the granddaughter of a former vice president. Two chance encounters over the course of 10 years shape her life in ways she never though possible and thrust her front and center in Washington. 

After reading "Priest" I had very high expectations and hail to the chief "American Queen" met and then exceeded them. From the first chapter I was spellbound and could not put the book down until I had all the pieces of the puzzle and learned how they all fit together. "American Queen " truly has something for everyone. Second chance love story? Check. Powerful  (as in most powerful man in the world) Alpha male? Check. Best friends to lovers? Check. Love triangle? Let's add 2 checks there. I honestly can not think of a way to describe this book other than it is everything. 

We meet Greer as a 7 year old girl who received some mysterious advice that haunts her as she grows older. Heroine Greer is smart, well rounded and most important true to herself which was refreshing but also heartbreaking at times. At 16 she has a chance encounter with a military officer 10 years older named Ash that gives her her first kiss and takes part of her heart. Meeting again 5 years later he unknowingly breaks her heart. That same night looking for comfort she runs into Embry who gives her a night of firsts and renews the hope for love she had abandoned. Her renewed hope is short lived as what remains of her heart is shattered when she doesn't hear for Embry again. 

Fast forward 5 years and Embry re enters the picture as the Vice President of the United States sent by Ash (who is his best friend ) to bring Greer to him. The story that unfolds as the three of them discover just how intertwined their lives have been without them knowing for the past 10 years is all encompassing,  captivating and filled with such raw emotion you will need some time to sort out your feelings after you are done.

American Queen left me desperate for more, lucky for all of us the second book in the series, "American Prince" releases in 2017!

Eliza Wise is a Travel Planner, and mother of 4 school age kids who started reading as an escape from reality and is now an active member of the Indie Romance Community.

Book Review: STAR WARS-Aftermath - Chuck Wendig

Chuck Wendig
STAR WARS: Aftermath
Disney / Del Rey
Science FictionRarely do I let other reviews influence my reading of a book. However, and I am not sure why, Wendig's Aftermath has been getting hammered on Amazon. It is averaging just 2.5 Stars. And I, for one, don't get it. Not at all.

Aftermath takes place after the war on Endor. The Death Star has been destroyed by the rebels. The Empire is reeling from the loss. Hero-Pilot Wedge Antilles was on a mission. Witnessing the sudden arrival of Star Destroyers over the planet Akiva, he knows something is up. Attempts at getting word back to the Rebel Alliance are thwarted. Communications are being jammed. Caught in an attempt to escape the threat posed in the area, Antilles is captured by the enemy.

Rebel fighter, Norra Wexley is on the planet surface of Akiva. With the war against the empire coming to an end, she desires reestablishing a relationship with her son, Temmin. Her goal is to get him off the planet, and escape the Outer Rim (since it is till not safe. The Empire was beaten, but is not gone). She receives word of Antilles' capture and knows she must put together a rescue mission.

Temmin is in a tough place. Long ago his father was arrested by the Empire, and removed from the planet. His mother, Norra, took off in an attempt to save her husband, leaving their son in the care of her sisters. Feeling abandoned, and neglected, Temmin puts his emotions to good use and his street smarts excel into a lucrative business. When his mother shows up demanding he leave the planet with her, he defies her demands because he has different ideas about his own future.

Things change when platoons of stormtroopers attack Akiva. The Empire wants to re-establish dominance along the Outer Rim. They need to reacquire a foothold in the galaxy as they rebuild, and organize.

The Star Destroyers are holding a summit in space. Titles are up for the grabbing. Self-promotion is abundant, while chaos and disorder drive the Empire.

Loaded with action, a host of amazing, strong characters, Wendig has crafted a fantastic extension into the Star Wars book library. I loved this story. It is filled with bounty hunters, crooks, Admirals, and tie-ins to the Disney animated series, REBELS. Wendig tells the tale in first person, and does it well. His writing is crisp, taut. The dialogue is spot on. I felt like I was watching a Star Wars movie from the first page until I finished reading the last chapter.

I have ordered Book 2 in the trilogy, Life Debt. I am going to wait outside for the mailman ... he should be here already!

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series
Wizard's Rise
Wizard's War
Queens of Osiris 

Book Review: TOO WILD TO TAME - Tessa Bailey

Tessa Bailey

Too Wild to Tame (Romancing the Clarkson's #2)

Forever
Contemporary Romance

“If you spend the night underneath me, you’ll wear your satisfaction like a billboard baby.”- Aaron Whoa right?!?! When you read Tessa Bailey you expect hot, steamy, sexy, naughty and everything in between. That quote from Aaron is one of many that shows Too Wild to Tame does not disappoint in that department. Dirty talking Aaron’s depth was a pleasant surprise however. I was expecting Aaron to be a cocky, egotistical, typical politician type. Don’t get me wrong he definitely was in the beginning but then he was blindsided by one of my favorite Tessa characters to date, Grace. Grace is a wild child who doesn’t fit the typical cookie cutter mold she is expected to fit into given where she comes from. I loved watching Aaron and Grace dance around each other throughout the book and seeing how each of them brought out hidden qualities in the other (including Aaron's hidden Alpha side which honestly no man should ever hide that side! Just saying). The depth of the characters and the development of their stories as the book goes on really made this book a little different from other Tessa books but in a very good way! Excited to meet the next Clarkson sibling! Eliza Wise is a Travel Planner, and mother of 4 school age kids who started reading as an escape from reality and is now an active member of the Indie Romance Community.

Book Review: RED RISING - Pierce Brown

Pierce Brown RED RISING Del Rey / Random House YA / Dystopian On the planet Mars, the world is split into castes, and those castes are represented by colors. Gold being at the top; Reds at the bottom. When I say “bottom,” I mean bottom. The Reds mine the bowels of the planet. It is a dangerous job. It is one they are proud to do. Their mining will one day allow people to live on the planet’s surface. In a way, they feel like they are saving humanity. Darrow, the main character, operates a drill. It requires brains, and skill, and more than a little bit of recklessness. Recently married, Darrow puts his time in on the job, and then enjoys spending time with his wife, Eo and family. There are guards in place, and although the Reds volunteered to mine on Mars, there still needs to be order. Food is scarce. Competitions are devised. Groups that dig deepest win. Winning involves baskets of food and other hard-to-get items. Darrow’s group has never won before. The skeleton visible under his wife’s skin is constant proof of the failure. The need to provide, and protect family is what Darrow clings on to. Eo is more than a strong wife. She is a strong person. She reveals a truth to her husband. It shatters the world Darrow has always known. The Reds have been lied too. Mars is already a thriving planet. Government has kept them in the mines for generations; has let them starve needlessly. Unfortunately, the knowledge shared comes with a price. There is always a price. With it, Darrow agrees to undertake a secret assignment. He will leave the Reds and become a spy. After enduring a year of changes, training and education, Darrow infiltrates the Golds. Now as a Gold, Darrow is sent to school. The school is not unlike The Hunger Games’ battlefield. Except, in Brown’s book –it is worse. Darker. More violent. More ruthless. The students are split into Houses. The Houses are overseen by Proctors. The Proctors report to leaders. At the end of the game there can only be a single winner; a Primus. Each House ultimately needs to pick a leader. The Houses will then battle against each other, until one house is left standing. Until one Primus has control over it all. It isn’t that the other students will not get sponsors after the games. The talented and skilled ones will. It is the Primus will have his pick. As you can then imagine, the war begins at home. Months go by as each House struggles to establish it’s own Primus. From there, Houses are then pitted against houses. Who will win? Which House will be triumphant and which student will be the victorious Primus of the games? If Red Rising is like The Hunger Games — it is The Hunger Games on steroids. Brown has clearly created a world with defined language, and defined hierarchy. The characters are well-crafted. I read the book fast, constantly needing to read what happens next. I’d set the book down, and think about it until the next time I was able to pick it up. A powerful story full of violence. It is intense, dark and infuriating — I loved the Red Rising. Loved it. I and cannot wait for the sequel. Phillip Tomasso Author of the Severed Empire Series Wizard’s Rise Wizard’s War Queens of Osiris

Book Review: BIRD BOX - Josh Malerman

Josh Malerman
BIRD BOX
Ecco
Horror

I read the back cover synopsis and ordered a copy of the book BIRD BOX. Loved the idea that it was a debut novel from a writer I'd never heard of, and became more anxious for the arrival of my paperback.

If I'd had the time, I would have/could have read the taut 260 page novel in one sitting. You hear all the time about the "book I couldn't put down." I've had a few in my day. A few. BIRD BOX has been added to list. I didn't want to put this book down.

Malorie is a single mother. She has a boy and a girl. They are on their own.

That's it. That's where normal ends when it comes to synopsis. Everything else Malerman does is unique, twisted, and compellingly original.

Malorie is a single mother. She has a boy and a girl. They are on their own. Holed up in a house, all of the windows are covered. The place is rigged with speakers to amplify whenever something is outside. It's been four and a half years since Malorie has seen another person. The kids are four and a half years old. It has been almost five years since Malorie has opened her eyes outside.

No one opens their eyes anymore. Not outside. They don't look through windows. They can't. It's too dangerous. Malorie raised her kids to adapt to darkness. They're blindfolded most of the time, just like she is. She wants them to know how to identify sounds. All kinds of sounds.

She has a plan. It is reckless. It could get her killed. It might get her kids killed. However, the time has come, and supplies are running out. It is as good a time as any, and she knows it might have been fear more than anything that has kept her in one place anyway.

She wakes the kids and tells them that today is the day. Blindfolded, they leave the house and make their way to the river. Once on the boat, they have to navigate the water. Malorie is depending on the training the kids received. She wants their ears to be her eyes. Otherwise, the three of them are dead…

Something caused the crazy apocalypse. The news reports that came in suggested people "saw" something, went crazy, and either killed others and then themselves, or just killed themselves. Everyone started wearing blindfolds. Covering windows. No one still alive knows for sure what caused the insanity. No one still alive knows when it will be okay to remove the blindfolds. Maybe never.

Josh Malerman's novel, BIRD BOX, is non stop intensity. It is told in present tense, third person -- which worked wonderfully. Through gripping flashbacks we get the backstory, as well as the journey Malorie, the boy, and the girl, take down the river toward some unknown destination.

It comes together at the end. Questions get answered (not all!). And you realize that for the last one hundred pages you sat forward reading the book, not breathing. I kept holding my breath, and gasping. The climax is explosive, and chilling. The end is satisfyingly depressing, with a splash of hope. This is a book I will be thinking about for a long time. I already want to read it again.

Phillip Tomasso,
Author of the Severed Empire Series
Wizard’s Rise
Wizard’s War
Queens of Osiris