Under the Never Sky Trilogy by Veronica Rossi

 

Book 1: Under the Never Sky

Book 2: Through the Ever Night

Book 3: Into the Still Blue

Author: Veronica Rossi

Amazon Synopsis:

Book 1: Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland—known as The Death Shop—are slim. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild—a savage—and her only hope of staying alive. A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile—everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption.

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Book 2: It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

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Book 3: Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to find the fabled Still Blue and bring balance to their world.

I decided that I should review these as a set, even though they all made me feel very different.  The beginning had a feel similar to the feel of The 100 tv series(which was very loosely based on a book as well).

To start off I'd like to talk about the things I enjoyed about this series.  It has a very dystopian feel to it, similar and yet different, to series like The Hunger Games and Divergent.  I've been pretty partial to the concept of Dystopian since I first read The Hunger Games, about a year before its movie release.  Similarly enough one of the lead characters is a girl named Aria.  I enjoy book series that contain female leads.  It's a sort of delicious strength I like to surround myself in.  More and more these days stories are arising where female characters are our leads.  I think it's a positive message that females are just as important as their male counterparts. 

Under the Never Sky had me intrigued from the very beginning.  It had been a while since I found a novel that enticed me to read again. My rediscovery of books was rekindled with this book. New, and yet similar concepts to other dystopian novels captured me. I wanted to see what would happen further along.  It didn't take me too long to finish this. It's been a little while and I can't remember, but I think I might have gotten this as a free kindle book.

Having been taking on extra hours at work and with the looming pandemic arising, it took me a while to read this, even though I wanted  to.  I spent only a few moments every night, perhaps a chapter or two at a time, reading before bed.  It was very hard to put down and go to bed.  As soon as book 1 was completed I was hooked and I found myself buying Through the Ever Night on my kindle curious to follow Peregrine and Aria into their newfound relationship.  Even the ending of this novel had me intrigued to see what was going to happen into book 3.  I desired to know what The Still Blue had in store.

Into the Still Blue started out pretty slow.  I felt as if the first two novels were far more interesting and fast paced than this.  Some of the more exciting scenes in this novel are spread out and far too few in my opinion.  With Under the Never Sky and Through the Ever Night I felt butterflies and excitement coursing through my veins, this book however, left me tired and bored. The ending didn't make me feel happy or excited.  I felt uninterested while reading this and it took me longer to read than the first two books.  I felt like I was expecting something more out of the still blue, description-wise, only to be left parched in the desert.  I expected more description and something fascinating to come out of this new discovered land, but in the end there wasn't much.  For costing about the same as the first two novels combined, I was very sour and disappointed.

There are more books in this series, but this is a trilogy in of itself.  The others are stand alone types.  Maybe one day I will pick those up and read, but for now, it's time to take a break.

As a whole, I give this series 3 out of 5 pinwheels.  Id have given it more, but book three just ruined the allure of the trilogy for me. 

Shame to those who think evil of this.

Kindle Free Books 1-21-20

Alright, thought I'd get back to you guys and share some more free books in case the last lot wasn't something you were interested in.  Hope this selection better fits your needs.  Free books don't always last, so keep a look out to make sure it's still for free!

Outlasting After (Book 1)

Author: LK Magill

Amazon Synopsis: There were no women left. He was sure of it. After the war, Cole Tanner was pretty damn certain they were all dead.

Hell, he and his strike team hadn't seen one in years.

But then there she was. A woman. All alone, standing in the middle of the road. His road.

She looked so haunting. So hungry and dirty, and well... vulnerable. He was going to help her, really he was. And for a split second, he wondered just how she'd survived.

Then she leveled the gun at him... and he had his answer. Damsel in distress? Apparently not.

But that didn't change things, not how Cole saw it. No, she still needed him, and his team. Same as they needed her. And Cole was nothing if not good at convincing people to follow him. Or at least, he used to be.

So he'd try his hand one more time, and hope like hell she didn't pull that trigger.

If this title tickles your fancy, you can get a copy here.

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Steamborn (Book 1)

Author: Eric R. Asher

Amazon Synopsis: A supernatural swarm. A treacherous scheme. A tinker’s apprentice may be the village’s only hope…

Jacob has yet to meet a gadget he couldn’t fix or an adventure he could resist. With trade routes to his remote Lowlands town cut off, Jacob must exchange his boyhood adventures for petty theft. After all, his wages at the tinker shop aren’t enough to pay for his father’s medicine.

But it soon becomes clear why few merchants brave the nearby roads as a plague of terrifying creatures descends upon the town. With the Lowlands under siege, Jacob and his friend have no choice but to run for their lives. When their escape uncovers a terrible secret, Jacob learns there are those who’ll stop at nothing to make sure the teen takes the scandal to his grave…

If it suits you, here is a copy you can get for free.

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The Breakers (1-3) 3 books all for free!

Author: Edward W. Robertson

Amazon Synopsis: 

BREAKERS (Book 1)

In New York, Walt Lawson is about to lose his girlfriend Vanessa. In Los Angeles, Raymond and Mia James are about to lose their house. Within days, none of it will matter. A plague tears across the world, reducing New York to an open grave and LA to a chaotic wilderness of violence and fires. Civilization comes to an abrupt stop.

Just as the survivors begin to adapt to the aftermath, Walt learns the virus that ended humanity wasn't created by humans. It was inflicted from outside. The colonists who sent it are ready to finish the job--and Earth's survivors may be too few and too weak to resist.

MELT DOWN (Book 2)

In upstate Idaho, Ness Hook is run out of his mom's house by his bullying brother Shawn. In Redding, California, Tristan Carter is graduating college, but with no job and no prospects, she'll have to move back in with her parents.

Then the world ends: first with a virus, then with an alien invasion.

Ness and Shawn take to the mountains to fight a guerrilla against the attackers. In California, Tristan and Alden are taken prisoner. Separated from her brother, Tristan crosses the ruins of America to track him down. She will stop at nothing to get Alden back--but her fellow survivors prove even more dangerous than the monsters who broke the world.

KNIFEPOINT (Book 3)

Raina was just a girl when the plague came. She survived. Her parents didn't. Neither did the world. As civilization fell, she took to the ruins of Los Angeles, eating whatever she could catch.

After two years alone, she's found and adopted by a fisherman and his wife. Their makeshift family lives a quiet life--until a man named Karslaw sails in from Catalina Island with an army of conquerors. Driven by visions of empire, he executes Raina's new father as a traitor and takes her mother captive.

But Karslaw's people aren't the only ones vying for control of the ruined land. As violence wracks the city, Raina joins a rebellion against Karslaw's rule. She will stop at nothing to free her mother--and to have her revenge.

Do these books intrigue you? They are for free currently on amazon kindle.

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The Ravagers (1-3) Again, 3 books for free!

Author: Alex Albrinck

Amazon Synopsis: In the distant future, humanity staggers as wave after wave of population decimating catastrophes push humanity near its extinction point.

A gift from the past provides them a way forward, and soon the human race is exploding its numbers, recreating civilization, generating art and commerce, and expanding its technological capabilities. The growing human civilization also bring back the concepts of war; East and West wage an eternal detente, neither side willing to attack, neither willing to announce peace.

In the midst of resounding success, a dark force conspires against humanity: the unleashing of a shockingly deadly, destructive weapon that will leave humanity on the brink of extinction once more.

Five people must deal with the launch of this weapon, work to survive, atone for their role in its creation, and try to discover and thwart the plans of those who launched it. 

Before it's too late. Before everything is gone.

Trilogies for free is one of my favorite things, I hope you enjoy this one!

Free On Kindle 1-16-20

The Trilisk Ruins (Parker Interstellar Travels Book 1)

Author: Michael McCloskey

Goodreads Synopsis: Telisa Relachik studied to be a xenoarchaeologist in a future where humans have found alien artifacts but haven't ever encountered live aliens. Of all the aliens whose extinct civilizations are investigated, the Trilisks are the most advanced and the most mysterious.

Telisa refuses to join the government because of her opposition to its hard-handed policies restricting civilian investigation and trade of alien artifacts, despite the fact that her estranged father is a captain in the United Nations Space Force.

When a group of artifact smugglers recruits her, she can't pass up the chance at getting her hands on objects that could advance her life's work. But she soon learns her expectations of excitement and riches come with serious drawbacks as she ends up fighting for her life on a mysterious alien planet. 

If it so pleases you to, you can get a free kindle copy here while it lasts.

The Forgotten

Author: D.L. Cross

Amazon Synopsis:

The Forgotten is a taut, fast-paced Indiana Jones meets Falling Skies style stand-alone thriller that spans the globe and digs deep into humanity's past, unearthing clues to the aliens' motives for invading our world. One’s out of his element. The other’s out of allies. Both are out of time.

Colonel Jack Morley investigates anomalies for the US government. He’s less than thrilled to give up his long holiday weekend at the beach to travel to the middle of the Nevada desert for his fifty-first mission because he assumes it will be another wasted trip. 

He couldn’t be more wrong.

CORE Director Victor Cannon is in charge of a secret facility in Nevada, and he hopes bringing in Morley will keep the government off his back long enough to accomplish both his agency’s mission and his personal goal. 

It only makes the target on his back a brighter beacon.

Now Morley and Cannon are in a race against their own agencies and the clock if they hope to save the world. They’ve discovered the location of the Forgotten, but not everyone wants him found. And those who want him to stay lost in time will go to any lengths to make sure he stays that way.

You may get a copy here, if it sounds of interest, while offer lasts.

ELE boxed set one

Author: Rebecca Gober and Courney Nuckels

Amazon Synopsis:  

BOOK ONE

Project ELE (The ELE Series Book 1)
When the government enacts Project ELE to preserve the human race after a devastating epidemic, survivors like Willow must adapt to new lives in shelters. But soon, Willow and her friends acquire unusual abilities that have far-reaching consequences.

BOOK TWO
Finding ELE (The ELE Series Book 2)
The forces of good and evil collide and Willow has no choice but to choose a side. When her rare abilities become a liability, an unlikely protector must step up to help her. 

BOOK THREE
Exposing ELE (The ELE Series Book 3)
All thoughts of a safe haven go out the window when Willow’s parents and Tony are ruthlessly abducted. In an effort to save them, Willow has to take a stand against the darkness brought forth by the masterminds of Project ELE.

You can get a copy of it here, for free, while it exists.

Valkyrie Reborn: A Reverse Harem Urban Fantasy

Author: Allyson Lindt

Amazon Synopsis: 

She Loves. She Dies. She is Reborn.

The gods raised Kirby as an assassin. A weapon to wield against those who threatened their power.

The soldiers she grew up and trained with are the only family she knows. When her partner—her lover—betrays her, and The Order shuns her, Kirby’s world shatters. She spirals into a darkness that threatens to destroy her.

The combat instructor Kirby lusts after from a distance, pulls her from pit and offers her a new path forward. A new place to belong, vengeance, and a chance to do right by the people she once hunted.

But he and his two sexy friends are keeping a secret, and she's forced to decide if facing the threat alone is a bigger risk than giving her trust to more people who could betray her.

Author's Note: Valkyrie Reborn was previously titled Blood in the Shadows, and has been republished. The content has not changed. The heroine doesn’t choose in this urban fantasy with dark themes, and some scorching FF action mixed in. The book contains mention of self-harm, thoughts of suicide, and physical assault

If you desire to get a copy of this book, you may do so here, while it's available.

Justice First Book One

Author:  Odette C. Bell

Amazon Synopsis:

All seek justice. But justice is a fool’s game.

When Melanie finds out she’s magical, she runs. Her powers won’t let her sit still. As they rise, they seek justice. And the city she lives in – Erebus – is home to the worst criminals out there. As her mind unravels, she’s forced to mete out holy punishment.

Nothing can stop her save for one man.

But Tyr isn’t human; he’s the immortal sent to stop her. A practitioner unmatched in all the realms, he seeks one thing – justice. To all those who break the law, he brings punishment. Until he meets Melanie. As he searches for her through the crime-infested streets of this hell-hole, they’re drawn together.

What starts as a game of cat-and-mouse changes as old, hidden feelings arise. They might wish to punish one another, but destiny has another plan.

If this story sounds interesting to you, you may get a copy here, while its free.

Try me Again

Author: Clare Lydon

Amazon Synopsis:

What if lockdown means your ex moving back in?

Dot is still bristling over Caitlin leaving when she turns up at her door, asking to stay.

It's just until Caitlin can get a flight to New York, to the glittering new life she dumped them for.

But when the job falls through, Caitlin has to confront some home truths.

Now she knows what she really wants, can she convince Dot to try her again?

If lesbian romance interests you, you can get a free copy here while its available.

Narrow Escape

Author: Anna Cove

Amazon Synopsis:

There's life... then there's living.

When Julia Knowles hits it big with her first book, she can’t help but see the perks of fame. All the ladies she wants? Bring ‘em on! Her confidence soars. That is, until a chance encounter with an old friend throws her off her game.

Susan Mayer’s life is full of bad news, until she happens to meet Julia again. With Julia, her husband isn’t dying, her kids aren’t furious with her. With Julia, she has no responsibilities. She feels twenty years younger. With Julia, she can smile.

The temptation to leave is strong, but the timing couldn’t be worse.

If she leaves, she’s a horrible person.

If she stays, she might lose herself to sorrow.

Can Susan resist the temptation of Julia? Should she?

This 10,000 word short is a prequel to SWEET SURRENDER, the first novel from Anna Cove. Buy now for a passionate, steamy, and sometimes heartbreaking ride.

You can get a copy of this prequel of a lesbian romance here, for free for a time.

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During these difficult times, I know it helps to find something to do.  I've created this short little list of books that sounded interesting to me, that are currently free on Amazon kindle.  Don't have a kindle? No problem, you can get free apps on android and also on PC.  Not everyone has the money right now to enjoy a good book, so I hope this helps those of you out who are dirt broke and need a distraction.  Let your love of books guide the way.  Enjoy!

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

 

Genre: Scifi / Aliens / Romance

Whether or not you liked Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series or not, if you're into science fiction including aliens, this might be a good read for you.  This story is much better, in my opinion, than her twilight series.  If you enjoyed the movie adaptation but have yet to read the book, it's definitely time.  If you're anything like me, you usually assume the book is better than the actual movie.  However, I have cheated once or twice and watched a movie before I read the book.  If the movie ended up being good, I definitely dive into the book to make sure it's truly worth my while.

The Host takes you through the eyes of both a human girl and an alien species from off world.  It takes place on Earth, and if you're into aliens that are host requiring species, this is definitely the book for you.  I would definitely say the alien is our lead in this book.  I'm not sure how many of you have read the childhood books called Animorphs, or the Andalite Chronicles, but I can definitely say the aliens are definitely a different breed.  Before I get too deep into this, let me share with you the Goodreads synopsis.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that takes over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.

Back when I was reading the Twilight series I can't tell how many years ago at this point, a friend of mine had told me to give The Host a read. I told her I felt like the Twilight series could have been better had I been a 16 year old girl reading it, and she told me I'd probably enjoy The Host far more.  I can't tell you how right she was.

Fast forward to 6 years ago when I finally picked this book up.  I was in college and didn't have a lot of time to read, so I ended up reading the first few chapters of this book with intrigue.  I just picked it up and read the rest of it recently and I was glad that I did.  In between the beginning of my read and the end, I'd watched the movie and my interest was piqued further. 

Had I not been working at the time I'd probably have read this book far sooner, but alas, it brings a pandemic for me to find the time for the things I enjoy.  What a sad world we live in, when we can't even enjoy our hobbies, but I digress...

If you've seen the movie and you start reading this book you will see how true to the book they stayed.  I wouldn't say they were 100% accurate to the story, but I'd say they did a pretty damn good job of keeping with it.  Throughout this book I found myself feeling a tightness in the pit of my stomach, and sad for our lead, Wanderer.  She learns of the emotions of the human species and feels guilt for being what she is, a body snatcher in a sense.  It's almost as if she learns to become a human as well.  Human emotions are far more complicated than any species she's ever come across in all of her years as a parasitic alien.  It's as if she herself wants to be perfect, kind, loving, generous.  I absolutely fell in love with her character.  Wanderer made this story what it was, though through the interactions of other characters, the story becomes whole and complete.  I felt like the details could have been a little better as far as landscape descriptions, but it wasn't too bad.  Having watched the movie I was able to use that as a guide.  Perhaps the two go hand in hand in that sense.  This is definitely a character driven story more than anything else, and I'd never say that's a bad thing.  I enjoy character driven stories.

Pick up your own copy of The Host on Amazon if it so pleases you to do so.

So as you can guess, I give this story 5 out of 5 pinwheels.

Shame to those who think evil of this.

2010: Odyssey Two by Arthur C Clarke

Genre: Sci-fi / Realistic Fiction / Space / Speculative Fiction

This is the second book in Arthur C. Clarke's Space Odyssey.  It takes off from the viewpoint of Dr. Floyd who goes into space with a crew to the Discovery to fix it, as well as HAL.  They come across the Zagadka, which seems to be some kind of alien or mechanical creature.  Bowman is a ghost like entity that helps them escape initial destruction of their own ship, the Leonov.

Goodreads Synopsis:
2001: A Space Odyssey shocked, amazed, and delighted millions in the late 1960s. An instant book and movie classic, its fame has grown over the years. Yet along with the almost universal acclaim, a host of questions has grown more insistent through the years, for example: who or what transformed Dave Bowman into the Star-Child? What alien purpose lay behind the monoliths on the Moon and out in space? What could drive HAL to kill the crew? Now all those questions and many more have been answered, in this stunning sequel to the international bestseller. Cosmic in sweep, eloquent in its depiction of Man's place in the Universe, and filled with the romance of space, this novel is a monumental achievement and a must-read for Arthur C. Clarke fans old and new.

Before I get into what I thought about this book, I'd like you to first read my review of 2001: A Space Odyssey.  Done with that? Alright, now you my continue.

I'm enrolled in Astronomy at my community college, which shall remain nameless.  My teacher constantly referenced this book throughout the semester, but I didn't actually land myself a copy until maybe 3 weeks ago? Something like that.  Well he shall be happy to know I have completed the read, and now he can be a little less disappointed in his class for not being "readers."  I'm definitely a reader, I just find myself with the lack of time to read due to my class focus. Anyhow on with the review!

After learning as much as I did this semester in my Astronomy class, I found myself never at a loss to understanding what was going on in this world that Arthur has written.  This world he has written is quite accurate, though of course with elements of fiction, for instance, Zagadka.  To understand this better you'll have to read the book.  Hopefully you have some idea about Astronomy that might help you comprehend how accurate he's truly written this novel. 

Though I didn't connect to any of his characters personally, I connected with the concept he laid out.  I was surprised that HAL was less predictable in this novel.  I find it amazing when writers can convince me I know something about a character or idea, then they totally change my mind by blowing me away with things that I could never have foretold.

At times I found myself lacking in intrigue.  That's not to say this novel wasn't written well, it could just have been a bad time for me to read certain parts of it.  My mind is quite scattered being a college student and all.

Sometimes I found myself laughing, though most of this novel seems to be quite serious.  Perhaps it's the context of which it's read.  Perhaps on sillier days it was funnier, or perhaps he had meant it to have humor to branch away from the seriousness at times.  Whatever the reason, humor is something I was glad this book had, in my experience of it.

All in all, I actually preferred this book to 2001: A Space Odyssey.  It was written well, and I applaud him for his ability to be accurate.  Yes of course I know he has passed away already, and for that I am saddened.  May he rest in peace.  He was a wonderful writer.

Shame on anyone who thinks evil of this.

Unknown Futures by Jessica E. Subject

Genre: Sci-fi / Adult / Lesbian / RomanceThis is a story about a woman named Jewel whose face becomes mangled by acid.  She feels like she's alone and lacking in beauty but decides to do a dating site type of thing and she gets hooked up with a lady from a secret space station for a one night stand.

Goodreads Synopsis:
Attacked as a young adult, Jewel is left scarred and alone. She applies to the 1 Night Stand service, believing no one can see past her appearance to love her. But she doesn’t expect to be sent to a space station where her date could be any number of unusual alien species.

Flavia left everything behind to be one of five humans working for the Space Service space station. Extremely homesick, she is excited to learn she will be a guide to a woman from Earth visiting the station for a couple days. She is immediately drawn to the petite woman, seeing past her scars to her true inner beauty, stirring unforeseen desires.

Unfortunately, Jewel is there for a date which Flavia hasn’t been told about. Can she contain her lust and simply show her a good time? Or will she let her desire lead them into an unknown future?

I finally got around to reading some Jessica E. Subject.  She's been following me on twitter for a while and we've communicated back and forth but I hadn't gotten around to reading any of her works.  College eats up most of my time, but she posted a free book dump on amazon and this was in it.  It's a short story but worth a quick read if you have a few moments of free time.

This was a good start of an awesome story. I know it's complete but I feel like I want to read more. I would have liked to have had a little bit more description on the tubes and other places around the space station, but I suppose it left it up to my imagination. Which, being a writer myself, made my mind explore the possibilities. It is a little predictable at times. I would have also have liked to see a little bit more character depth. Flavia just kind of falls in love with Jewel, but it seems like it's all lust, however, parts of it made me feel like there was more to it. I just would have liked that to be elaborated upon more. This needs an in-depth sequel.  I am making a demand lol.

Shame on anyone who thinks evil of this.

2001: A Space Odyssey

2001 A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke

Genre: Science Fiction / Space exploration

A ship called the Discovery goes out into space to explore Saturn.  Hal, the computer mind behind the Discovery turns out to be haywire and kills the majority of the crew.  Bowman, the final survivor goes on to explore Japetus and finds himself torpedoing into new solar systems.

This book moves really fast at first.  I think the excitement of the ending is the main purpose of this book and all else is just filler to get up to that point.  I felt like it could have been slowed down and more visually capable at the beginning, though it does get better later on.  It took me a while to get into this book. Then, once I did I discovered how much it’s like realities astronauts.  At that point I started to lose interest.  That of course did not stop me from reading, being the kind of reader who hates to leave any page unturned regardless of becoming bored. 

I was glad near the end that I had stuck with the novel, for the ultimate space travel occurs and rejuvenates my interest in the novel. 

The idea of Hal going haywire and killing the majority of the crew was absolutely superb.   The concepts that Clarke gives us during Bowman’s Journey of Japetus are some of the greatest adventures I’ve read.

I recommend this book to anyone who has yet to read it and enjoys science fiction.  Whether you’ve read and enjoyed H.G. Wells War of the Worlds or something newer like Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game, I believe you will enjoy this novel.  Stick with it if you do, for it may seem slow and boring, but the coming adventure makes the entire book worth while.

Shame on anyone who thinks evil of this.

Hyperion by Dan Simmons

Genre:  Space / Sci-fi

A group of seven is on a voyage to Hyperion to visit the Time Tombs.  Awaiting them is a devious creature called the Shrike.  Each of their stories is twined together to make up a bigger plot.

Back Cover:

On the world called Hyperion, beyond the law of the Hegemony of Man, there waits the creature called the Shrike.  There are those who worship it.  There are those who fear it.  And there are those who have vowed to destroy it.  In the Valley of the Time Tombs, where huge, brooding structures move backward through time, the Shrike waits for them all.  On the eve of Armageddon, with the entire galaxy at war, seven pilgrims set forth on a final voyage to Hyperion seeking the answers to the unsolved riddles of their lives.  Each carries a desperate hope-and a terrible secret.  And one may hold the fate of humanity in his hands.

A stunning tour de force filled with transcendent awe and wonder, Hyperion is a masterwork of science fiction that resonates with excitement and invention, the first volume in a remarkable new science fiction epic by the multiple-award-winning author of The Hollow Man.

I liked the majority of the characters stories.  They tied in well together.   I only have two negative things to say about this book…Sometimes I lost interest while reading, that’s probably a (me) problem more than the books problem though.  Also, the story for this felt very incomplete, but that might be due to the fact that there are more books in this series.  At first I was feeling a 3/5, but after completing it I’ll have to go with a 4/5.  That being said I’m unsure if I will read the rest, as I have started too many series!  I need to start finishing some.

Shame on anyone who thinks evil of this.

The Journey by Dan O'Brien

Genre:  Spiritual / Sci-fi

A story of a spiritual journey, an understanding.

Back Cover:

The Frozen Man.  The Translucent Man.  The Burning Man.  The Wicker Man.  The guide known only as the Crossroads, together these are the signposts and totems of the world that the being called the Lonely inhabits.  Seeking out the meaning of his journey, the Lonely is a being consumed by philosophical inquiry and adventure.  Filled with exotic places and age-old questions, the Journey is a book that seeks to merge the fantastical and real.  Join the Lonely as he seeks out answers to his own existence and perhaps the meaning for us all.

 

At times I can honestly say I didn’t understand this book.  It wasn’t an easy to comprehend novel to read, but that’s probably my fault more than the books.  It’s definitely worth a read if you can manage to comprehend the meaning behind it.  I think it’s really intense, and I might just not be at the right level of understanding.  I did however enjoy the section about the Chameleon.  It was definitely my favorite part of the novel. 

Did I mention Dan O’Brien is the son-in-law of the people I’m staying with?  Yeah.  True story.

Shame on anyone who thinks evil of this.