Category reading

Feb 4 2017

AudioBook Review – Synthetic Uprising

This being the start of a very A.I kinda week, was a great book to kick it off. 🙂
Synthetic Uprising | [C. Mielczarski]
Synthetic Uprising
UNABRIDGED

 

“Interesting”

I received this book without obligation from the narrator.

What I enjoyed about this book was the get in late scenario, there was no messing about with this storyline and it was very easy to follow and unfolded really well. The plot revolved around some great 3d characters who each had so much depth and backstory that it affected the outcome of the book and really made you feel for them. Great job on the suspense and mystery surrounding this story. I did think maybe it could have been longer, because I enjoyed it a lot, and I hope that this isn’t going to be the only book with these characters, it seems there’s so much scope that it would be a shame if so. The world building and ideas in here support most A.I stories, that I’ve had the pleasure of reading or listening to, yet it didn’t seem over-worked or contrived.

The narrator has a great tone to his voice for this genre, deep and gritty, which suited the MC and I found myself getting lost within the world. The different character voices were unique enough that I didn’t need tags to know who was doing the talking, great job.

I look forward to more from both writer and narrator, thank you for letting me listen in.

Jan 27 2017

AudioBook Review – The Game

I am sure I was pointed to this one, probably by Steve Caldwell. I just can’t remember.. lol anyway, it was an enjoyable book.

Review as follows –

The Game: The Game Is Life, Book 1 | [Terry Schott]
The Game: The Game Is Life, Book 1
UNABRIDGED
Reviewed: 27/01/17

“Very interesting”

I can’t quite remember who or what made me pick this up. But I’m glad that I did.

From an audio point of view this was an entertaining listen, there were some really cool ideas that melded in with our own world. The natural world that the species live on, we don’t actually know if they’re human or not, we just presume that they are is called Tygon. Their whole civilisation is built around ‘the game’ and they now live their lives entertained, and enjoying the whole process. Each person can follow a specific avatar and then those avatars make more money depending on followers.

I think the story line just resonates with so many religious aspects that it kinda makes you look around and go… ‘oh, what if I ‘m actually in a game’ haha

But of course, we’re not. They are though and their journey really is full of ups and downs.

The two MC’s Danielle and True inside the game are interesting and their lives really do just seem to entwine without the ‘luck of spending credits’ and we really connect with them and their lives, from the first time they meet at 8 till much later in life.

The interconnecting narrative from the outside world is also really great. The whole complex process of the game is understood some more as the story develops, but there are some good unanswered questions, maybe because it’s a series, that they’re answered in later books. I’m interested to find out the ins and outs of why the game was really considered for development and use, and other than that, what it really does to prepare people for life on the outside?

Nice job and I’ve found someone else to follow. I will have to come back for book 2 and 3 though, I’ve some more to listen to first. but I’ll defo pick them up. 🙂

Jan 26 2017

AudioBook Review – Roak

AudioBook Boom was exciting this week, as there were 3 SciFi which I was alotted 🙂

If anyone wishes to sign up, in exchange for some honest reviews this is the best way ever to discover new talent both in authors and narrators.

https://audiobookboom.com/

So, the last couple of days I’ve been listening to Roak.

Here’s my review.

— — — — — —

Roak: Galactic Bounty Hunter | [Jake Bible]
Roak: Galactic Bounty Hunter
UNABRIDGED
Reviewed: 26/01/17

“Dark, moody and brilliant.”

I have to admit I was a little nervous coming into this one right from the start. It promised a lot of action and tension!

There were some great descriptions of the setting and of Roak. His character was blatant. Pay me or you’ll suffer. But, when he was the one left suffering I was unsure as to what he was physically capable of.

Roak, is one of those characters you love to hate. He lives by simple rules and he does everything he can to keep on, keeping on. It takes a while to realise that he’s not actually a bad man, he’s just set in his ways, and does his job. Along his journey to get ‘paid’ Roak comes across some really cool characters. Some that you’ll feel so sorry for and others you’ll love to get their comeuppance.

Andrew, has just the right tone for this novel, deep, gritty and he totally has the right voices to pull off the different aliens along the way too. In his performance there was such humour, and I really enjoyed both the writing and acting. Great job.

I think my only quibble was I just wanted more, haha so I went to look for more work by Jake, 🙂 and I do hope that Andrew gets to narrate some more.

I was given this book by the author/narrator without obligation for review via audiobook boom.

Jan 24 2017

New Release – Continue Online – Together – book 5

I had the great pleasure of meeting Stephan Morse through RRL, an online community of writers who post chapters daily/weekly. And I picked up the first in this series before Xmas,  – Review to follow although I have to say I’m enjoying it –

So today he’s released book 5! I can’t wait to get to the latter books in chatting to him I really admire his determination and commitment to his craft.

From Stephan’s website – https://frustratedego.com/ – On the whole series

The primary story with Continue Online’s universe follows Grant Legate.

The future is filled with self-driving cars, virtual realities, chore completing machines, and super fast internet connections. Yet all these technological innovations cannot prevent tragedy. Three years ago Grant Legate lost that which he loved most. His carefully built life fell apart in the wake of depression.

Now Grant spends most days working endless hours as a companion to an AI. Their mission is simple, to repair broken machines that humanity uses to visit virtual realities. Unintended hard work pays off as his boss forces Grant to take a vacation and try the latest game craze Continue Online, a fantasy world with the freedom to play any role one might choose.

Upon entry into the game, he meets the AIs who rule over this digital world and they make an offer. They’re nothing like what he expected from a video game world. Grant starts his journey into the virtual world from a very different perspective, and he is only one part of an AI agenda that will end up impacting all of humanity.

 

Continue online - book.jpg

 

Blurb  – 

Since stepping through the gateway to Continue, Grant has been many things: a dying hero, a malevolent imp, a robotic space explorer, and felon seeking redemption. Now he’s added a new role to the list—married man to a virtual woman. In his mind, nothing could be more perfect, but his newlywedded bliss is in jeopardy.

Trillium pulled the trigger on a digital Armageddon and the games have changed. Virtual people are being hunted down then deleted forever. Players’ characters are removed if they die three times. The AIs have a plan to fight back and protect their citizens by storing as much data as possible into a haven, including Xin’s.

To help secure the survival of his friends and wife, Grant will seek the secrets to salvation left behind from the game’s first heroes and programming team. Along the way, Grant reunites with old companions, sets aside past grudges, and pulls out every trick he’s ever been taught to help him in the race against digital death.

Failure means Grant will lose Xin a second time, but success may cost him even more.

I’d highly recommend checking this series out 🙂 

You can pick book 1 up here –

And follow Stephan’s facebook and twitter –

https://www.facebook.com/FrustratedEgo

 

Jan 22 2017

Character Interview – Lucus Smith

Meet Big Brother Lucas Smith of The Hunters.

Young Chris Hemsworth.jpg

Who is Lucas Smith? He is the leader of the vampire hunter group trying to rescue their town that has been infested with vampires in The Hunted. Lucas is the one everyone looks to, but he looks to his kid brother Chris.

 

See, before their world went sideways, Lucas was a jock, football star, and was focusing on the day to day of being a 23 year old taking care of his 17 year old brother after their parents died in a car accident. He was worried about college applications, and life moving forward.

 

Than a strange illness plagued their town, and his girlfriend died. A few days later she was back. Lucas had lost enough in his short life, and he was happy to have her back. Her promises of never losing one another were quite the temptation. If she had just stuck to Lucas, she might have pulled off her scheme.

 

But she made the mistake of going after his kid brother. Lucas was willing to risk his own soul for her, but he wasn’t willing to risk Chris’.

 

As I wrote Lucas, I imagined a good looking guy who could fit into the football hero world, but who was also down to earth and very centered. It wasn’t until I was almost finished with the book that I was able to figure out who would be the perfect muse for Lucas, a young Chris Hemsworth, of course. He has the charisma and good looks, while also being very grounded and practical.

 

Lucas, and his brother Chris are the two main narrators of The Hunters, first book in The Hunters Saga. This series is a great urban fantasy/ horror series for those who believe vampires should be killed, not kissed.

 

The Hunters was re-released the beginning of January as part of the release of the highly anticipated sequel, The Hunted, which will launch February 18th. Come join the exciting book tour with awesome stops (like this one!) interviews, readings, radio spots, and more! See the tour Master List here

 

Lucas.png