Book Reviews by Ehlen Administration

No Accountability by Keith Lawton My rating: 4 of 5 stars Keith was a little boy who was a victim of the system. He lost his dad in a tragic accident when he was 5, and his mum was deemed “unfit” to raise her boys due to her mental health condition. As a consequence, Keith bounced around from group home to foster home until he finally ran away and made something of himself. But of course, it should have never come to that. Abuses in the system were rampant and he was not the only victim. No Accountability is a memoir from author Keith Lawton, and a follow up to his debut book No Photographs. It records details of his life - some based on his memory, some based on others or records he found - as he grew up in council care (foster care) in England in the 1970’s. As I work in adoption, it breaks my heart to see all the abuses in the system that is supposed to be a safety net for kids. I read most of his book as a sad little boy still longing just to know and belong, while being fai...

The Victor's Heritage by Anthony Caplan My rating: 4 of 5 stars Corrag is categorically unsatisfied with her choices in Democravia. She does not want to be put on the fast track to augmentation; the thought of her brain being accessible to the level of hierarchy it would be is unsettling. So she decides that a youth liaison to the Repho doesn’t sound so bad. What she doesn’t realize is the roller coaster she has just stepped on to will not stop until she comes full circle. The Victor’s Heritage is the second in the Jonah Trilogy. The post apocalyptic thriller follows a teen character who I actually like, which is rare. She is thrown into an impossible situation and responds with fortitude and determination, and what most would consider quite a mature attitude for a teenager, although I certainly remember it from my own teenage years. While I would recommend reading the trilogy from the beginning, I did not find it hard to follow or requiring a large backstory to keep up, i...

The Genesis Portal by Matthew Carter My rating: 2 of 5 stars Jasper is determined to find his dream girl, and he will travel halfway across the galaxy to do it, no matter the cost. But when he finds her, he discovers she is way more than a dream girl, and he’s not the only one looking for her. The Genesis Portal is a classic case of a great story rolling around but poor writing execution. The text was full of fragments, wrong words, and several instances of transposing main character names (most frequently Sanya and Sola.) I was also somewhat frustrated by the character degeneration of Sanya, as she started out reading classic literature provided by her dream boy and once she is able to choose her own instead picks up a Vogue. Yes, I get that she is a 17 year old girl, but she could have been slightly deeper than average given her actual age. However, the science fiction aspect is intriguing, and I actually would have liked a little more back story between Sanya and Adam, rat...

The Computer Heist by Michael P. King My rating: 4 of 5 stars They’re Joe and Tess Campbell now, but they’re up to the same old tricks.This time it’s a pretty easy industrial sabotage job, but they are pretty sure that they are not being filled in on all the details. Will those details come back to bite them? It’s rare that they aren’t controlling all the minutiae but this one might have too much going on for even them. The second book in the Travelers series, and follows married con artists on their latest job. While at first I found it a little hard to get into, once I did I couldn’t put it down. It has a classic noire feel, and I appreciated that all the character depth and flaws. If you are looking for a feel good romp, this is not it. But if you like a solid plot and interesting characters that don’t feel like they jumped out of a toothpaste commercial, this is well worth your time. View all my reviews Please note, while there may be affiliate links or payment...

Banished Threads by Kaylin McFarren My rating: 3 of 5 stars Rachel is really hoping to get her uncle’s blessing on her upcoming nuptials to Chase Cohen, but the journey to England has been difficult. When she gets there she is treated to a fancy reception…and an art heist, that is blamed on her uncle’s wayward granddaughter by marriage. Chase is determined to win that blessing, and true to his treasure hunting roots starts sleuthing all over the countryside for answers. Will his quest leave Rachel in the kidnappers’ clutches? Banished Threads is the third of the “Threads” series following treasure hunters Rachel and Chase both in their difficult quests and growing love. Honestly, in my opinion this is the weakest of the three. Their personal difficulties were somewhat baffling for newly engaged lovers, and it all seemed to hedge on, well she’s pregnant and hormonal. This murder/mystery storyline was also a lot more involved and therefore had a lot more holes to pick at, and wh...

The Chronicle of Vincent Saturn by David Roman My rating: 2 of 5 stars Vincent Saturn is bored with his life. He doesn’t have any attachments and his job is not fulfilling anymore. Then he and his partner are assigned to investigate an actual UFO, and although he is not supposed to do anything but look at it from the outside, he decides that it’s worth a look inside - when was he going to get this chance again? What he finds launches the aptly named Vince Saturn into an intergalactic mission to save aliens no human has never enountered in hopes of ultimately protecting Earth, which is yet uncharted for them. Eternal Horizons is one of those books that I feel like is a good try, but broadcasts a definite reliance on established sci-fi structures - in this case quite heavily on Star Wars - and a desperate need for editing. The grammar and in particular, synonym and tense, is wildly off the necessary grasp of dialogue writing, with my personal pet peeve being the repeated use o...

Shadows of Time: The Amulet of Alamin by Felix Alexander My rating: 2 of 5 stars Inanna has always protected her son, that’s why she made sure he always wore the amulet. But with her kingdom on the brink of war with another, he disappears, apparently because the amulet is protecting him - even from her. Can she find her way through a war torn Mesopotamian landscape, fighting both mortal and immortal to save her son? This is a long book. A looooonnnnng book. It has a lot of exposition and backstory, but really my formatting made it way longer than it needed to be - the font was huge to the point that there were only a few sentences per page, which made it really choppy. (I did get a review copy - maybe this is fixed?) I really enjoyed the plot; there was a lot of action and interaction between mortal and supernatural worlds, and honestly some interesting Creation myths that intertwined several cultures beliefs in a way that was actually somewhat believable. Unfortunately the a...

Van Laven Chronicles: Throne of Novoxos by Tyler Chase My rating: 4 of 5 stars Vaush and Comron are supposed to hate each other, with each world blaming the other for their surrender to the current imperial dynasty centuries ago. But when circumstances force them to rely on each other to survive a crash landing, how is it possible for them to get along and get out to the shore for rescue? And how is it that they seem to be falling for each other along the way? They will have a lot more to deal with at home if they actually make it out alive, not to mention explaining their relationship to their respective worlds. Who would have thought this might turn out to be the least of their concerns. The Throne of Novoxos, book 1 in the Van Laven chronicles, sets up the unlikely but fiery romance between Vaush and Comron. The writing is fast paced and mixes adventure and romance as the couple try to outrun the rest of the empire once Vaushes true origin is revealed. There are pretty ...

The New Lease: a conspiracy thriller by John Stryder My rating: 3 of 5 stars Fae thinks she is flexing her journalism muscles as she takes a class assignment very seriously by traveling to meet a man who seems to be the key to all the recent fortunate world policy decisions. Little does she know that she will learn more about herself and an insidious old idea that one man is trying to make new again, and possibly alter the future as we know it. The New Lease is a thought provoking thriller that incorporates psychological concepts from tantric philosophies as well as some new ways to make old concepts savory to a modern crowd. Of course I had my concerns while reading it as to whether or not it was someone really trying to promote the idea of eugenics and population control as a good idea, but chose to see it as a lesson on how people can talk themselves into just about anything. It’s a really well written story, and my only complaint about the writing was the switching to first...

Inception: A Search for Redemption in the Ruins of the Lies by Tolman Farrah Geffs My rating: 3 of 5 stars Cynthia and her daughter, Alexia, have been summoned to a mysterious meeting in a wealthy New York club. Also attending was Dolph, a wealthy real estate developer and Alex, a poor college student from California. The discoveries of the ties that bound them were immense, and the reality of how to now navigate their future together is daunting. Inception is a complicated story about family history that intersects with current events surrounding larger issues, such as child pornography. Parts of it are hard to read, but probably quite accurate - if not mild. The plot was well developed, if complicated. My main issue was with the dialogue, it all sounded a little hollow to me, and the characters reconciled major life revelations and changes far too quickly. The research and the plot development were on point, but the dialogue and emotion needed a lot of work for me, particular...

Diabolical Conspiracy by Dr Gary a Fuller My rating: 4 of 5 stars Stephen and Samantha are finally taking some time off to get married and travel for their honeymoon, but find themselves wrapped up in a terrorist plot on the small,Grecian island they planned to be only for their destination wedding. Sam is furious, but duty calls and it is up to them to help foil a plot that could bring on World War 3. Can they do it or will their honeymoon end up being the end of the world? Diabolical Conspiracy is a fast paced story that follows the lucky in love but unlucky in honeymooning couple Stephen and Sam as they disrupt their nuptials just long enough to foil the biggest terrorist plot against Israel that has been planned in a long time. While I enjoyed the story line I found Sam’s character to be unbearably whiny. I know that no woman wants her husband’s job to get in the way of something as important as a wedding, but if you’re marrying a guy who works for the UN you have to know w...

2062: The Year of Transition by Greg Vitrano My rating: 4 of 5 stars Axel knows he is smart - he was genetically engineered to be. But can he get into the school of his dreams, the elite Illinois? Or will he be his parents’ greatest disappointment by failing the entrance exam? And if he does get in, will he work on some of the top level stuff, and if he does will he be part of the inevitable transition away from humanity? 2062 is an interesting sci fi novel that looks beyond the singularity, which is often the goal in other novels. Instead of the singularity this explores a post-human existence, and whether humanity can stand in the way of artificial intelligence or is doomed to be assimilated. It explores some of the philosophical questions from the mind of a character who knows himself to be genetically engineered, yet questions the progress of others in that field. This novel felt like some of the old fatalistic 70s sci fi movies, like Logan’s Run, Planet of the Apes, or Omeg...

End of Eternity by Loretta Lost My rating: 3 of 5 stars Walking in on your husband’s lifeless, post suicide body swaying in the breeze of the open door is bad enough, but pregnant Carmen now has to deal with both the funeral and her sister’s car accident on the same day - as well as take care of her father while he deals with her sister’s crash as well. Can she navigate the stress as well as the obvious attempts of the men in her life to soothe a grieving widow? I was intrigued by the idea of an inner monologue for someone experiencing life that included suicide, pregnancy and potential fatal car crash of someone she loved, but quickly found myself disenchanted with Carmen’s character. I honestly thought she was well written and well developed, just not someone I could relate to, personally. While I could not predict how I would react in the same circumstance, I just had a hard time processing the obvious lust and inappropriate relations with what seemed like any man who wasn’t ...

Fast Track to Glory by Tomasz Chrusciel My rating: 4 of 5 stars Nina has been called into consult on the translation of a recently discovered artefact, recovered from a sunken ship - strangely sunken in the middle of a lake. However when she and local hotel manager Alessandro find themselves running from the treasure hunter who found it they discover that it is not only of historical significance, but of interest to spiritual opportunists. Will they be able to prevent the ensuing apocalypse that it could create? Fast Track to Glory is an action packed novel that brings in elements of international mystery woven with spiritual intrigue that captivates the reader and pulls them along for the ride. I was impressed with both the editing and pace of the story, as I thought it gave enough potentially boring historical background without compromising the motivations and believability of the characters. I thought it was a great read and it didn’t take me very long to get through as I...

All the Angels were Jewish by Kevin E. Ready My rating: 4 of 5 stars Susan’s life has just started to return to some semblance of normalcy after both of her parents die within a 6 month time frame when she is shocked to learn that her Aunt Rachel has died as well, and she must fly out to her aunt’s home in New York immediately. When she gets there, she is even more shocked to learn that she has inherited far more than she ever dreamed possible, and overnight she must learn how to be a wealthy New Yorker, and discovers that she must also find her identity in her Jewish heritage, despite never really observing. For the only Jewish girl on 4th street in Moline, IL - no, not Chicago - it will be an adjustment of a lifetime. For a contemporary romance that includes the main character’s social media updates and emails, this story carries an incredible depth and identity crisis not usually associated with the wealthy in love. Susan is a midwest girl thrown into a New York world, but d...

TITANIUM: Terra by Terrence Carling My rating: 4 of 5 stars Mickey and Fran have just been released from their 90 day simulator, and tempers are running a little thin after being cooped up with no one else for that long. Have they ruined their chances for a longer stay on the international space station, maybe even a Mars mission? Set in the 21st century where NASA is struggling against those who think that resources would be better allocated to shore up the existing industrial structure on Earth, author Terrence Carling sets up a sci fi tale that has a fair amount of reality behind it. The writing style is terse and to the point, much like the scientists, and I actually would have enjoyed a little more drawn out story. However it is an undeniably well researched story and it does leave you wanting more and hoping to jump to the next book in a hurry. It seems like it could be a great sci fi series! View all my reviews Please note, while there may be affiliate links or pay...

Afterlife by Aaron Burdett My rating: 4 of 5 stars Amber Blackwood has tried to put her past behind her, but the anniversary of her brother’s death always puts her in a foul mood. Especially this year, when all of her family members have left her alone with her grief. She thinks she might be crazy when she hears Toby calling her, but when she finds the present he left her - 10 years after he died - and she is chased into Afterlife by a horrifying masked man, she knows she must find him to save herself. Afterlife starts with a somewhat typical high school girl sucked into a dark, paranormal world that resembles purgatory, but ends up spanning more dimensions than the murky space between heaven and hell. I found this to be a fascinating and fast paced read, with a not totally shocking twist at the end but a good one nonetheless. I really enjoyed the interplay between the realms of the living and the dead, and found myself following the spiritual politics easier than I thought it w...

Wracked by Louis Puster III My rating: 4 of 5 stars It’s hard to sort things out when you wake up with a mouth full of dirt, and quickly ascertain it’s from your own grave. Fortunately someone fills him in on his name, but why is Wrack here, exactly, and more importantly, who is he? How did he come by the strange powers he has, and will he ever be sure if he is a good guy or a bad guy? Wracked is the first in the Saga of Ukumog and leaves you with far more questions than answers - which is excellent for setting up a sequel, obviously. It is a dark fantasy with characters who both are on a quest and finding their own talents, set in a somewhat ambiguous political climate where dark lords are constantly fighting each other. I really appreciated that the main character is not your typical “knight in shining armor” hero type, but clearly has his own history and back issues that point to some pretty dark deeds he seems to be escaping. While I found the beginning writing to be a bit c...

End of Eternity by Loretta Lost My rating: 3 of 5 stars Walking in on your husband’s lifeless, post suicide body swaying in the breeze of the open door is bad enough, but pregnant Carmen now has to deal with both the funeral and her sister’s car accident on the same day - as well as take care of her father while he deals with her sister’s crash as well. Can she navigate the stress as well as the obvious attempts of the men in her life to soothe a grieving widow? I was intrigued by the idea of an inner monologue for someone experiencing life that included suicide, pregnancy and potential fatal car crash of someone she loved, but quickly found myself disenchanted with Carmen’s character. I honestly thought she was well written and well developed, just not someone I could relate to, personally. While I could not predict how I would react in the same circumstance, I just had a hard time processing the obvious lust and inappropriate relations with what seemed like any man who wasn’t ...

Spinner by Michael J. Bowler My rating: 4 of 5 stars Alex has a secret hiding behind his reputation as the wheelchair kid in special ed. He has always been able to “spin” people. His current foster mom is exploiting that, and he is determined not to let her get in the way of his friendships with the other special ed kids in his class. But when their beloved teacher gets murdered, just the way Alex saw it in his dream, he realizes that the people after him may exploit him far more than his foster mother ever dreamed. Spinner is a paranormal story told from a special ed kid’s perspective, which does make it somewhat unique. I live the SpEd mom life, and I love seeing disabled children portrayed as heroes rather than useless. I also work in adoption, and enjoyed seeing that play a part in the story as well. Overall the story was a refreshing take on a relatively formulaic story - gates of hell have been unleashed and an unlikely band of misfit heroes must save the day - and the de...