Sworn enemies Mal and Boss Moon soon find out that they must work together in order to survive their crash on a hostile planet.
As all players c4 Stars
Sworn enemies Mal and Boss Moon soon find out that they must work together in order to survive their crash on a hostile planet.
As all players converge, the Alliance thinks this is the perfect time to squash any remaining rebels and the new Resistance thinks this is the most opportune time to show their force.
Technically and thankfully, Serenity saves the day for now… and the fearsome Ma Reynolds makes an appearance!...more
For this 4th installment, Liev and his men grapple with their new reality and come face to face with even more unbelievable horror as the “bo3.5 Stars
For this 4th installment, Liev and his men grapple with their new reality and come face to face with even more unbelievable horror as the “boy” seems to hold power over those he’s killed.
This really delves into how emotions are a detriment to survival resulting in impulsive decisions or paralyzing inaction, both of which worsen the situation!
This latest entry expands upon the complicated devastating war between the planet Landfall and its moon Wreath and how it has encompassed many 4 Stars
This latest entry expands upon the complicated devastating war between the planet Landfall and its moon Wreath and how it has encompassed many other species looking for a cause or glory or an excuse, spreading insidiously across the galaxy and having horrible damning repercussions, both on a small and large scale.
Here, our protagonists continue to get caught in the crossfire of several players wanting to utilize the mixed genetics of their child Hazel, for their own cutthroat agenda, consequences be damned.
I remain impressed with the complex storytelling and how it is artistically brought to vivid, violent, and at times, shocking life....more
A highly enjoyable off-kilter story of revenge and mayhem, this presents an intriguing spin to the protagonists who are animal representations,4 Stars
A highly enjoyable off-kilter story of revenge and mayhem, this presents an intriguing spin to the protagonists who are animal representations, making their unique characteristics fit a human construct.
Reminiscent of The Magnificent Seven this is a no holds barred story of a reticent demanding mouse captain, recruiting his old gang of soldiers for one last hurrah to give a deadly response to a long ago betrayal.
Despite cute furries, this is obviously no bedtime story to tell the kids. With its fast pace and witty repartee, the characters are quite vivid, the violence impressive, the conclusion vindictively appropriate and equally tragic.
Mal is captured by the notorious Boss Moon, and Zoe makes the difficult decision to leave Wash and the others behind to go after him. She get3.5 Stars
Mal is captured by the notorious Boss Moon, and Zoe makes the difficult decision to leave Wash and the others behind to go after him. She gets a surprise assist from former Browncoats still looking for a cause and payback.
The Serenity crew however, refuses to be left behind, and they devise their own plans with mixed chaotic results....more
Seven highly trained and capable men survive an airplane crash only to be faced with even more danger.
When one man’s greed opens a mysterious 3 Stars
Seven highly trained and capable men survive an airplane crash only to be faced with even more danger.
When one man’s greed opens a mysterious locked and guarded box, no one thinks that a harmless looking “statue” could be something more. He should’ve known better and unfortunately, he never sees the consequences coming, setting off a chain of events that potentially spells everyone’s demise.
War makes you do desperate things to preserve one’s way of living or to enforce the laws you believe in. Each thinks they’re in the right and t4 Stars
War makes you do desperate things to preserve one’s way of living or to enforce the laws you believe in. Each thinks they’re in the right and the other is wrong. Mal and Zoe came out on the losing side, and their past is forever chasing after them and now there’s a big bounty on their head if caught.
This first volume sets the stage as the Serenity crew crashes on a planet, tries to fix their broken ship, attempts to make some money in the process, and ends up being recognized and tagged for capture.
Violent and steeped in moral ambiguity. Par for the course for this merry band of smugglers!...more
An interesting start to a serialized story, this first entry sets the stage for more.
Liev is in charge of a nebulous secret mission, and thi3.5 Stars
An interesting start to a serialized story, this first entry sets the stage for more.
Liev is in charge of a nebulous secret mission, and this off the books assignment does him and his mercenary crew no favors as they crash into the isolated mountains of China en route. Facing freezing temps, wild wolves, and grave injuries, their seemingly good fortune of a carved out shelter is anything but.
Graphic violence with hints of upcoming horror, I expect nothing less with the forthcoming installments.
This second installment about Jake, the expert Warder on the run, doesn’t skip a beat as it basically starts where The Warded Gunslinger left3.5 Stars
This second installment about Jake, the expert Warder on the run, doesn’t skip a beat as it basically starts where The Warded Gunslinger left off. Jake and Hao are trying to get ahead of those who know they’re harboring a priceless rare dragon, and shit just got real as they notice not one ominous tail, but three.
What this excels at is the magical system of this universe but beware that the first half is steeped heavily in tech speak, and admittedly, that and the volatile tempers of both Jake and Hao grated a bit. However, the second half was excellent as Jake shows his power and tactical knowledge of how to fight the odds that are stacked against him and what’s his. It doesn’t hurt that some magical void dragon goodness helps save the day in an impressive last stand.
Though not advertised as a series, I really do recommend reading this in publishing order, and I look forward to the next harrowing adventure that awaits Jake, Hao, and the still very mysterious dragon sidekick!
Look. I basically became a fan of Rob Hart after reading Assassins Anonymous, so it was a complete no brainer in picking this book up that he4 Stars!!
Look. I basically became a fan of Rob Hart after reading Assassins Anonymous, so it was a complete no brainer in picking this book up that he co-wrote with Alex Segura. Not surprisingly, this was a win as well.
Told in split POV’s running coincidently, this story follows estranged friends Jose Carriles and Corin Timony. Jose is an ace spaceship pilot who has skated through life on a road of privilege despite a recent personal scandal. Somehow, he has landed a coveted position on a history-making mission to explore the first viable planet that could be the answer to a beleaguered humanity currently struggling to survive on the moon. Timony, who hasn’t had it easy in life, who also was tied up in the same aforementioned scandal, finds herself demoted to riding a desk monitoring messages from space instead of doing what she does best - being a secret agent serving national interests and preventing general destruction.
As this book goes back and forth between Jose and Timony trying to find answers when unexplainable events stall, and eventually threaten, the success of the mission, they slowly unravel secrets that don’t want to be found, where the lives of the crew, and ultimately the last of the human race, is threatened with annihilation.
This has great science to it, and as all stories with this sort of setup, it touches on our base desire and drive to survive and the lengths we go through to merely exist. It is also a very smart, brutally honest, and often unsavory, commentary on what makes us human, HUGE warts and all, encompassing our greed, desperation, and callousness. However, despite our many inherent failings, this asks the question: are we redeemable as a whole? Are we worth saving? I certainly hope so.
For me, I absolutely loved the Star Trek vibes of this. Be reassured this isn’t all existential angst. Hart and Segura don’t fail on the action, suspense, the urgent espionage vibe, shady complex politics, and omniscient powerful aliens who are judge, jury, and executioners of the galaxy where humanity is not exempt. This held my attention with the fast pace and reveals as both Jose and Timony are like dogs with a bone. They may be terribly flawed, but there’s honor and personal growth for these two. They know something is off, that something sinister is going on, and they just can’t let it be. Good thing they don’t.
I obviously enjoyed this, and I’m simply further reassured that Rob Hart (and Alex Segura) are authors to remain on my radar.
Thank you to to the authors and Blackstone Publishing via NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review...more
Granted, this is only the second book, but what makes this nonlinear series interesting is that so far, there’s been a central mystery that MC 4 Stars
Granted, this is only the second book, but what makes this nonlinear series interesting is that so far, there’s been a central mystery that MC Vlad must figure out to solve his current predicament, and Brust delivers on the smart, convoluted threads that interconnect across race, politics, and the past. When the majority of this world lives for centuries, these beings can afford the time and energy to see their plans pan out over many many decades, and it’s a fascinating testament to their scheming and patience to see if they can manipulate others, exact their revenge, or influence events for their own righteous desires.
Here, the reader is introduced to an earlier point in Vlad’s life where he fights a competitor and in the process finds love. Know that Vlad is a human existing in a world dominated by long lived Dragareans (think several hundreds of years or more), and he’s determined to make his mark and succeed in a part of society that looks down on his kind. Here, he’s a newly minted boss overseeing a territory that deals with the seedier side of life and when his business is threatened, he’ll be damned if he lets someone encroach on his turf without a fight.
Overall, a truly original fantasy, complete with again, captivating world building that slowly lays down a historical foundation that I’m sure will continue to build upon itself. The fact that this also applies to the varied characters that play an important part to Vlad’s inner circle, as well as himself, is impressive. All I can say for now is my curiosity is piqued for many good reasons, and I’m happy to know there’s plenty more for me to sink my teeth into.
When a top spy is tasked to be a family man for a mission, Agent Twilight encounters his toughest assignment to date. He’s deadly and works alo4 Stars
When a top spy is tasked to be a family man for a mission, Agent Twilight encounters his toughest assignment to date. He’s deadly and works alone. He’s no husband even under false pretenses, and certainly no father.
Somehow though, he wrangles an orphan who’s secretly a telepathic and a wife who’s secretly an assassin. Everyone has their own personal motives to keep on pretending which makes for an over the top and totally implausible setup that was super entertaining!...more
A bittersweet and lovingly illustrated fairy tale, a story that River tells to little Emma imbuing the essence of Wash’s strengths and sacrific4 Stars
A bittersweet and lovingly illustrated fairy tale, a story that River tells to little Emma imbuing the essence of Wash’s strengths and sacrifice and how deeply he’s missed....more
Seriously, this kid is the poster child of resilience, resourcefulness, and smarts, all tied up with a heart of gol4 Stars
Florian Bates does it again!
Seriously, this kid is the poster child of resilience, resourcefulness, and smarts, all tied up with a heart of gold.
This time around, secret FBI consultants Florian and bestie Margaret go undercover at a private school to find out who's been playing pranks. Normally, this would not fall in the FBI’s jurisdiction, but it just so happens that the President of the United State’s daughter is a possible suspect, or is she a possible target?
This remains pretty solid in reality. The mystery and twists were interesting, and the adults’ actions and reactions were reasonable (minus the implausible part of letting tweens join in chasing down a missing person). However, those are just very small niggles for a really strong series with great life lessons.
Overall, I love the message of embracing your differences and being proud of who you are by focusing on your strengths. This encourages confidence and courage especially when going outside one’s comfort zone or confronting a bully, and the friendship between Florian and Margaret is a top selling point. It is the small things that all add up to tell an engaging story, and Ponti delivers on all fronts!
A dark interesting commentary on the inner struggle we all have with the less than savory aspects of ourselves, and one man’s unsuccessful at3.5 Stars
A dark interesting commentary on the inner struggle we all have with the less than savory aspects of ourselves, and one man’s unsuccessful attempt at trying to excise that truth....more
Basically, the sequel to Leaves on the Wind showing how the New Resistance to the Alliance is growing, and though Mal wants no part of it, he a4 Stars
Basically, the sequel to Leaves on the Wind showing how the New Resistance to the Alliance is growing, and though Mal wants no part of it, he and the crew are dragged back in as River is kidnapped.
This chronicles the events that happened to push Mal to join the cause once again....more
* A Reader Obsessed *
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