The Last Nuclear War By Hazem Abdelmowla - A Good But Challenging Book

The Last Nuclear War by Hazem Abdelmowla

When I see a title like The Last Nuclear War, I expect to read an account of death and destruction on a massive scale. However, that is not the case for this tale by Hazem Abdelmowla. Instead, this book is written to be a lifetime collection of entries in the principal character's diary. For me, it was a little difficult to get into at the beginning, but once I figured out that this one must be read slowly, as the author suggests. So, as one reads, one must forgive the grammar and punctuation. Those "errors" are not there by accident. For me, I accepted the writing style to illustrate the cultural background of Mousa, the principal character, and also considering he is writing in a diary chronicling his thoughts and experiences over a long period of time.

My overall experience reading The Last Nuclear War was that it is a good story that deals with some painful realities, including bigotry, injustice, inequality, and cruelty. But there is also the pursuit of knowledge, empathy and understanding, hope for positive change, and work toward improving conditions for all humanity.

The story opens in the year 2110 in a world that has been ravaged by pandemics and severe resource depletion. The geopolitical landscape finds the planet divided into four quadrants. Each quadrant has its own characteristics. The North is the most powerful region. Mousa, the point of view character, is from the Eastern region.

Mousa is an intelligent young man who loves to learn. He also has a dream of preventing war, investigating how to produce abundant energy, and improving life for everyone on a global scale. As he grows and learns, Mousa attends a university where he meets other intelligent people and learns physics. He creates and obtains funding for his projects to achieve his goals.

Unfortunately, the lust for wealth and power is as alive as ever, and Mousa, who would rather work toward his goals, also has to navigate an often hostile political landscape.

Mousa is a great character who questions everything. He is a driven humanitarian who devotes his life to making the world a better, safer place for everyone. He doesn't understand the prejudices he encounters in his younger life because he believes all people are equal. Mousa doesn't care about wealth or accolades unless they advance his pursuits. Despite discouraging situations, he never quits and endures numerous hardships along the way. Mousa befriends Zed, a Northerner who has overcome the prejudices of Northern societal norms. He is very supportive of Mousa and encourages him often. Mousa's mother is the most influential to him, and thanks to her encouragement, Mousa can achieve at the highest levels of his science.

One of my favorite plot points in The Last Nuclear War is the emphasis on the importance of education in a person's growth. Mousa's education includes pure science that is not influenced by dogma; however, his experiences in life outside of academic pursuits teach him how to recognize those things that differentiate belief from fact.

Another plot point I appreciate is the handling of science in the story. While it is not the central focus of the book, it is an element that is presented very well, and in a way that makes it easy to understand. While some of the newly discovered elements go beyond the periodic table, the author assures the reader that he has done his research and apologizes in advance for any blatant inaccuracies.

The theme that stands out to me the most is how needed change can happen when people come together for a common cause. In the world Hazem created, if humankind is to survive, change is necessary. Mousa is the person who can bring people together to help make a better world. In the case of this story, there are leaders who are afraid of losing the reins of power, and that is a difficult thing to overcome.

My takeaway from The Last Nuclear War: one person can be the spark of change and inspire others to follow.

The Last Nuclear War is not a military sci-fi novel. If you're seeking an apocalyptic story, this is not the book you are looking for. It is a thoughtful look into the human condition with an emphasis on social interactions of people with varied backgrounds. This one will make the reader think and perhaps cause some to look inside themselves and re-evaluate one's own intrinsic biases. I would recommend this story for those readers who don't mind a slower-paced book. I enjoyed the book because of the message I took from it, and because of the characters we get to know as the story unfolds. In a word, I would say this book is challenging.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hazem Abdelmowla is a dental surgeon, an entrepreneur and a writer who simply dreams of a better world.

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Remember Me: A Love Against Time by Tony Bible - Time Travel And Romance Making A Great Mix!

Remember Me: A Love Against Time by Tony Bible

Recently, I reviewed another story by this author entitled The Photo Jumper. It was a great first novel, and I loved it. Remember Me, Tony's second novel, raises the bar and presents a story a reader can become completely absorbed in.

I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn't let go until I got all the way to the end. Tony combines a time travel story with a romance, creating a dilemma for one of the two principal characters, Eli Leb.

This tale opens in a dystopian future and moves to the present time and then progresses at a rapid pace, which left me exhausted by the end. It isn't a long book at around 130 pages for the Kindle edition. However, for that short length, there is a lot of character development, action, and suspense.

Eli Leb starts out as a young man learning the art of survival from his mother and her colleagues at a military base near Boston. The Earth has been ruined, and survivors are forced to forage for supplies. When they leave the base perimeter, the people who have survived are in danger of being set upon by victims of a man-made plague that turns them into what are called "Lurkers." Eli learns not only about survival, but studies numerous disciplines, including heavy doses of science.

When Eli comes of age, he is selected to take a one-way trip back in time to stop the development of the plague by stopping Dr. Edrie Kazimira, the scientist who is blamed for the release of the contagion that plagues the dwindling population in the future.

Upon arrival, Eli is confronted by a world he could only dream about as a young man and sees that everything is not as he originally envisioned. Dr. Kazimira appears not to be the mad scientist Eli learned about as a youngster, not by a long shot.

One of the many high points of Remember Me is character development. Everything is not revealed all at once, especially for Edrie. We learn about her in the same way Eli does, just a little at a time through most of the story. Eli learns about himself, and Edrie experiences a lot of great growth as their relationship grows. All is not smooth for these two people, who have issues in their past they want to keep to themselves, but eventually, the secrets have to come out.

But there is also a wildcard in the mix. That's all you get on that - read the book.

My favorite plot point is Eli's dilemma. He has been charged with saving the future of all of humanity by stopping Edrie from completing her task and creating a contagion that will end humanity. But he finds Edrie is not the mad scientist he was led to believe, and after a time, he even falls for her. Edrie's journey takes a little more time because she is pinpoint focused on completing her task. This causes a lot of uncomfortable moments for the couple, but the reader cannot help but hope that all will work out in the end.

Eli's dilemma is the main theme and what drives the story forward.

My takeaway from Remember Me is to remember that the sacrifices one makes now can greatly impact the successes in the future. Live today but also live for tomorrow.

Tony Bible is only beginning to publish stories to fascinate and entertain. This is an author who bears watching. His tales are thoughtful and inspiring, and I look forward to his future work.

Remember Me is a great story in which the author explores people and how they deal with dilemmas in their lives, and how choices can affect what happens in the days to come. The characters are realistic people who have goals that often are not compatible. The world-building is well done, and Eli's discoveries about the distant past make this a highly entertaining tale. The details of this story are amazing, and the science presented results from painstaking research on the author's part. The romantic aspects are plausible and not over the top; there are times when things move smoothly, and there are some bumps in the road, as would be expected in real life.

Highest Recommendations for Remember Me!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About Tony

Writing stories like no other.

Tony’s passion is writing science fiction and fantasy with an emotional punch. Raised with humble beginnings in Georgia, his early childhood limited travel. The only way to experience other places was with voracious reading and imagination. He draws inspiration from fantasy/fiction genres, dreams, comics, the supernatural, and roleplaying games. He applies his degree in world history to deliver relatable but unpredictable storytelling that readers demand.

Tony is never not writing, but breaks away to burn new recipes in the kitchen, neglect chores to obsess over football, and play with his dog. He is based in San Antonio, TX, happily married, raising two children and works in the financial industry.

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After the Before: A Post-Apocalyptic Novel by Ernie Gammage - Lots Of Action Thoughtfully Written

After the Before: A Post-Apocalyptic Novel by Ernie Gammage

This is a thoughtful look 300 years into a dystopian future. After the Before is about two young people on a journey of discovery in more ways than one and the challenges they face along the way. It is set in a small part of the United States that has been ravaged by an apparent war. The landscape is distressed, and people are forced to scavenge for things they need. But all the while, they must also be aware of the machines they call the A-Eye, which are also scavenging for people.

This novel is an easy to access sci-fi story that will leave the reader with many questions. I think the story could be easily enjoyed by readers who aren't necessarily sci-fi fans because of the many varied themes. Along with the dystopian elements, there is a little romance, a lot of tension, some triumph, and some tragedy. It is loaded with unexpected twists and turns, and there are mysteries that will leave the reader wondering.

In a scarred land ravaged by a past catastrophe, two young people search craters for items that may be useful. When Sophie and Markus discover a box they cannot open. The box is translucent, and there is an item inside that may hold answers to questions the pair have wondered about. They take the box to their village leader, who suggests a trip into the city where there may be someone who can figure out how to open the container and reveal long-forgotten secrets.

Sophie, Markus, Jen and Barth depart on a journey of discovery and peril, hoping the rewards will outweigh the risks.

Their journey is fraught with obstacles that must be overcome. The quartet encounters good people just looking to survive, a fanatic with a nefarious agenda, and the dreaded, flesh-eating A-Eye.

I enjoyed reading the story chiefly because of the well-developed characters. 

The principal characters, Sophie and Markus, face many challenges, not the least of which are a discovery of themselves. They have been together all their lives, searching the landscape for helpful things. As they spend time together, they find feelings awakening in them they don't understand, especially about each other. They have also had to grow up fast and learn the ways of survival in a hostile land. Their plight is compelling and fascinating.

Jen is a wise older woman whose guidance is invaluable to the two youngsters. Her past has a big influence in the story. She is mysterious, while at the same time, endearing. Her companion, Barth, is also a bit of an enigma. He is a man of few words, but he is also a man of action. He appears to have devoted his life to keeping Jen safe. The reader will also find Barth a character who is captivating through his actions.

The chief antagonist is a fanatic who seems to be able to justify anything he does as right. He is cruel and doesn't have any redeeming qualities.

Then, there are the A-Eye that are artifacts from a past long forgotten. They move about the landscape in search of anything they can use for energy, but especially human flesh. The A-Eye are a constant threat, always present even in their absence.

My favorite plot point in this story is more in what is not explained. As I read through the narrative, I kept looking for reveals.

Foremost in my mind was the question of what apocalyptic event took place to create the world's condition in After the Before? There are small hints, but no conclusions. Another was the item in the box. What was its nature, and does it have the answers everyone seems to have on their minds about the past? Personally, I love a story that leaves questions unanswered.

The theme that stands out the most for me involves the box. Is it just an item to advance the story, or is it a metaphor for a deeper theme? Does it symbolize hope? My takeaway from After the Before is to think about the goal (or what's in the box?), or is it more the journey? The item in the box may or may not have the answers everyone is seeking, but the characters in the story learn so much more as they traverse the landscape on their way to the city, where they might uncover wonders they have never dreamed of.

After the Before is an excellent book for those who enjoy dystopian science fiction. However, the characters and their adventure could be appealing to anyone who enjoys a great story. While the principal characters are young people, I would not call it a YA novel. Young readers in their late high school years may find some of the content appeals to them. There are some intense scenes of violence therein. It isn't a long read, coming in at 236 pages that can be read in a couple of sittings, but there is a lot of story packed into those pages. The pacing is steady. I enjoyed the unexpected twists and turns. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Writers are readers. Ernie's been an avid reader since he was a kid. In elementary school, he could order those nifty two-book paperbacks with a novel on one side and a different novel on the other and was drawn to science fiction as it was called in those days, now more broadly known as speculative fiction. The first post-apocalyptic novel he read was Pat Frank's Alas, Babylon, published in 1959. He was fifteen.

Although he wrote his first science fiction story when he was 12 years old, most of his writing has been as a songwriter. Whether it's a song, a short story, or a novel, it's all stories. Truth be told, he prefers writing fiction because it has fewer limitations than a song with its meter, rhyme scheme, and phrasing constraints.

As a musician, Ernie has appeared twice on PBS's Austin City Limits and is a member of the Texas Songwriters Association Texas Music Legends Hall of Fame. As an artist, he exhibits at art markets around the state. His art, music videos, and writing can be found on his website, www.ernies-artmusic.com.

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The Call of Abaddon (The Abaddon Cycle Book 1) by Colin Searle - Amazing Story and World-Building!

The Call of Abaddon (The Abaddon Cycle Book 1) by Colin Searle

This is a multifaceted post-apocalyptic tale revolving around the principal characters, while at the same time, it brings in multiple story threads that all come together to complete this part of the story. One might think this makes it a complicated story, but in the case of The Call of Abaddon, it is so well written that it is an excellent, cohesive story I found to be entertaining. It has several characters for a reader to care about, and some that are terrifying.

One of the best parts of this story is world-building! A reader will be given a tour of a ruined Earth following a war that has made the planet's surface uninhabitable. People are forced to live in sealed cities. Call of Abaddon focuses on New Toronto, a self-sufficient and often dangerous place that serves as the capital of the United Earth Federation. Life isn't easy, but it is livable if one is willing to work and play their part.

The principal characters include three young adults who face challenges in reaching a goal. But this is not a young-adult story. There are several elements that might make sensitive readers uncomfortable.

Here is the book's description from the cover to avoid spoilers...

To save the human race from the ultimate cosmic threat, Jason will have to become something far beyond human.

New Toronto is a fractured city-arcology on a dying Earth, where hope is as scarce as clean air. For Jason, survival means scavenging the ruins beneath the city — where any day could be his last.

But everything changes when an ancient alien obelisk — the ABADDON BEACON — attacks Jason’s mind from afar, making his dormant psychic abilities spiral out of control. After barely surviving Abaddon’s psionic possession attempt, Jason and his companions are left with no choice but to find the obelisk before it consumes him.

Problem is, Abaddon has been sealed within a top-secret United Earth Federation research lab for over a century, silently worming its alien technologies into human society, presented as gifts with a far darker purpose. The Beacon doesn’t just speak; it infects, projecting its viral energies far beyond the walls of the lab.

And Jason isn’t the only one hearing Abaddon’s call. Across the Solar System, a ruthless Emperor will stop at nothing to seize the Beacon’s power for himself.

As the Imperial invasion of Earth looms, Jason’s quest to confront Abaddon will force him into a critical choice: master the strange power growing inside him ... or succumb to the Beacon's godlike influence, ushering in mankind's doom.

The Call of Abaddon is a gripping mythological tale of humanity's struggle to overcome an unimaginable darkness, blending the political intrigue of Dune with the eldritch terror of Lovecraft, and the explosive world-building of The Expanse.

There are several characters to follow in Call of Abaddon. Among my favorites are Jason, David, and Sam. These three are a team that works well together. Jason is smart, but troubled. He is plagued by voices transmitted to him from an alien device. He is in constant danger of losing himself to the Abaddon Beacon. It is an alien device that works to bring those with psionic powers under its control. Jason is forced to rely on a drug to keep himself under control.

Jason's brother, David, is the pragmatic one of the trio. He sees the practical side of things and works to keep himself, his brother, and Sam grounded. He often points out the folly of his friends decisions and finds solutions to problems that work.

Sam is the technical wizard and warrior of the group. She has abilities beyond many others and saves the day quite often. Sam is also susceptible to psionic episodes, although she seems to be able to control them better than Jason.

Talos is a combat robot Sam has reprogrammed to help the trio. But there is one aspect Talos adds; he has a great ability to point out absurdities as the team works to perform their tasks. Talos' deadpan delivery adds a lot of comic relief to lighten the otherwise grim realities of the story. Talos often made me think of Marvin the Paranoid Android from The Hitchhiker's Guide. I often found myself laughing while reading his lines and wanted more!

Anne and Zeke Oakfield are two heroic characters. They have made it their mission to bring down Mariko, the despotic, megalomaniacal, self-appointed Emperor, who intends to bring Earth under his heel and take control of the Abaddon Beacon.

My favorite plot points, along with Talos' dry wit, are the relationships and conversations between the principal characters. Jason, David, and Sam care deeply for one another and would easily sacrifice themselves for the other two. They work well together and are more like family, depending on each other for nearly everything, but especially emotional support. They have a tendency to pick at each other, but they all understand it is just talk to break the tension. Their dialog was a high point of the story for me.

Another favorite part was when Zeke Oakfield leads a large group of people in a rallying song. The tune is based on a familiar old American song, but the author's lyrics are incredible! If one reads this story, when one gets to this part of the book, and you can figure out the tune, I dare you not to sing along.

The theme that stood out the most to me was Jason's battle to keep his identity. While he has a strong personality, the Abaddon Beacon is a powerful alien device urging Jason on to do its bidding. The only way Jason can resist completely losing himself is to take a drug to silence the voices he hears.

Another prominent theme involves the megalomaniac, Emperor Maiko. He is obsessed with thinking he can control the Abaddon Beacon and the people of Earth with ruthless tyranny.

The Call of Abaddon is a story with many various threads that weave into a complete tapestry. While there are numerous characters to keep track of, and a lot of detail, the story is so well written, the story never eludes the reader. The characters are memorable, and they are involved in plenty of action that helps this story move at a great pace. Descriptions of the action and backdrops are detailed and colorful, and the themes are well explored. One will experience a good spectrum of emotions from laughter to tears, and there are plenty of thrills, twists, and turns to keep one reading to the end.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the author's website (https://colinsearle.com/)

Hi! I'm Colin Searle, an illustrator, visual designer and storyboard artist who was drawing and telling stories before I could walk. A steady diet of books, comics and pop culture classics started a chain reaction in my head. Whole universes were born.

Seven years ago, I started as an artist in the animation and gaming industries with a plan to eventually tell those stories. That time has come. I've learned from many mentors and fantastic clients to pick up the visual and storytelling skills necessary to write my own words into existence. While I will always continue working as an artist, bring novels like The Call of Abaddon to life is the real dream.

I'm currently based in Toronto, where I work remotely out of my home studio and participate in the vibrant creative culture of the city, attending industry events (XP Game Summit), speaking at colleges (Sheridan), and spending time with my girlfriend. I'm also an avid traveler, visiting almost every Canadian province for recent fan convention appearances.

Kris PR: Deus Ex Homine by GS Morgan (Fractured Ascension Book 1) - Awesome Noir Science Fiction!

Kris PR: Deus Ex Homine by GS Morgan (Fractured Ascension Book 1)

Kris PR is a cyberpunk sci-fi techno thriller featuring the challenges faced by Kris Peterson, a police officer who stumbles into a complicated situation. The story is set in Manchester, England, in a future where humanity is becoming lost in a world of gene enhancement, cybernetic implants, and a world controlled by corporate greed and control.

I was taken in by the story from the opening pages. It is a fast-paced thriller that kept me enthralled all the way through. I enjoyed the twists and turns as the story unfolded. Kris quickly became a character I deeply cared about. The book has deep emotional content thanks to the well-written characters.

Manchester is a beautiful city today, but Morgan envisions the Manchester of the future to be much like the city depicted in the Blade Runner (1982) film. The entire city is lit up by neon advertisements, that is, except for the dark alleys where some of the book is set.

Kris PR has an interesting philosophical element involved as he tries to sort out how to be a better human. Pay attention to the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter.

While on patrol, Manchester Police Officer Kris Peterson is approached by a young girl requesting his help because she is being chased by a stranger. When he moves to help her, he comes under attack and barely escapes. He takes the girl, Aimee, to his home because of a special ability she has.

He learns she has been kept in a facility under less-than-ideal circumstances. As he investigates her story, he finds himself embroiled in a desperate fight, almost losing his life.

The same person who nearly beat Kris to death drops him off at an office where he receives illegal military-grade implants greatly augmenting his already genetically enhanced abilities. Unfortunately, this combination is unacceptable to the society he lives in. He is an outsider, shunned by nearly everyone, and his new mission is to survive and stay away from the Corp, who desperately wants him under their control.

There are numerous characters introduced in this first installment of Morgan's Fractured Ascension series. The principal character, Kris, is the point-of-view character for most of the book. He is what is known as an "Edit," someone who has had their genes edited to make them the best human specimens they can be. Kris, for the most part, is just a person. Because of his genetics, he has abilities beyond others. Kris is an admirable person with a good sense of right and wrong. He thinks situations through, and this is what gets him into trouble, because he cannot see what is happening below the surface and it costs him dearly. He is going to have a difficult time keeping ahead of the Corp as he fights a system that has little value for life beyond what it can do for them.

My favorite plot point in Kris PR is the very detailed description of the installation of Kris' cybernetic enhancements and his recovery from the beating he took. That part of the book was some of the best sci-fi writing I have ever read! It made me cringe several times as I read it and was so well written that I could see exactly what was happening in my mind's eye. Amazing stuff!

Another favorite part was the banter between Kris and Aimee, while she was at his apartment. While Kris is smart, Aimee seemed smarter than him in other ways. They were a bit standoffish when they first met, but once Aimee learned she could trust Kris, their interaction was a blast to read.

A theme that stands out to me in this tale is the growing conflict between humanity and technology. Currently, we are at the dawn of integrating technology into our lives in many ways. One of the most recent is the use of artificial intelligence. A friend who teaches writing is constantly finding her students submitting papers that are completely written by AI. My friend is becoming frustrated by this trend and has to submit numerous disciplinary reports to the dean of the college every semester. It is getting worse all the time. What the author of this Kris PR does - for me, at least - is project the use of technology far into the future, and what the implications might be when integrated into humans. The character Kris gets tech installed in a deep way, and doesn't want it, but it is there, nevertheless. What ethical questions arise as a result? Is it good or bad? These are just a couple of questions humans will face as we move into the future.

This is not a new trope in science fiction literature, but I like the way the author handles it because Kris is so determined not to lose his humanity.

My takeaway from Kris PR is to wonder whether post-humanistic ideas are being forced upon us, or is it a continuation of evolution? Now, there's something to think about.

At the bottom line, Kris PR is a great work of modern sci-fi. It is deeply entertaining while still making one think about future implications. It deals with complicated issues, but the writing is so clear, those ideas are easily communicated to the reader. The emotional context is all over the spectrum. The world-building is great, colorful, and oftentimes on the scary side.

Readers who are sensitive to graphic scenes of violence may want to think about whether they want to read this. But if you enjoy lots of action with interesting characters, pick this one up. High recommendations!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

GS Morgan spent nearly two decades in policing before deciding reality wasn't cyberpunk enough - so he wrote his own. A former chief inspector, hostage negotiator, and emergency responder, Mrogan has witnessed how systems of control twist both power and identity. Now an academic and researcher in policing, technology, and security, he dissects those same systems in fiction.

His debut novel, Kris PR: Deus Ex Homine, fuses genetic supremacy, cybernetic warfare, and post-human philosophy into a noir-drenched vision of collapse and transformation. When he’s not writing about illegal augments, rogue cops, and the machinery of faith, Morgan explores cognitive failure in decision-making - and why humanity is so good at choosing the worst possible option.

He lives online at www.gs-morgan.com and can be found lurking in neon-lit dystopias on X @GSMorgan.

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Grave Chronicles Series By Shannon Knight - Epic Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Grave Chronicles Series by Shannon Knight

Just a short post here to spread the word about a great series by my friend, and extraordinary author, Shannon Knight. I've received copies of all three books for free and am writing this review voluntarily.

The Grave Chronicles series is a sci-fi/ fantasy series set in the future. 

It is important to note that these books are not standalone stories. I urge readers to read the series in order to get the full effect of the story.

The first book of the series is Grave Cold. In it, the reader is introduced to some characters appearing throughout the series. The blurb on the back of the book will give one a sense of what to expect...

Something strange is happening in the District of Portland (DP). As a result, a biting cold is spreading out from the city, expanding into the far wilderness, acting as a beacon for ravens. Most people don’t know that when someone dies, they remain trapped within their bodies until a raven, a long-lived person with a duty to the dead, releases them. For some reason, the cold call of death has expanded so far as to reach Nyle, a raven who hasn’t stepped foot into a city for centuries.

Cait, a beautician in DP with a mysterious problem of her own, has been unable to sleep due to the dead invading her dreams. She decides to camp outside the city walls and meets Nyle, who recognizes her as a necromancer and convinces her to smuggle him in. Together, they discover that the dead of DP are being used as an energy source. They must protect the dead and stop the technology from spreading before the abuse of the dead becomes a worldwide menace and they themselves end up on a laboratory table or trapped in a machine.

In the second book, we are introduced to more characters, and ones we already know are greatly developed. For me, the main theme in Death Rights is fighting for justice in a society stripped of the rights of the living and the dead.

In the final book of the series, Memento Mori Station, the reader moves a thousand years into the future. The raven, Nile, still lives and learns there is a place where he must go to help his friend, and correct a mistake he made. It will take a twenty-year space voyage to complete the tasks, but then, what's two decades for someone who has lived for as long as he has? This one is a space opera the likes of which I found to be marvelous!

Shannon's storytelling defies being placed into a single category and should appeal to a wide range of readers. The Grave Chronicles are loaded with allegory, speaking to moral, ethical, and political issues of the past and present, and hopefully, will speak to the future.

Series Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Shannon Knight lives in the Pacific Northwest with her faithful feline, the best cat on this planet. Their adventurous lives include coffee, reading, ribbon games, and K-dramas.

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The Scientist: A Monster's Resentment By Scott F. Jarvie - Fast-Paced Story Loaded With Ultra-Violence

The Scientist: A Monster's Resentment by Scott F. Jarvie

I learned about this book when the author mentioned it in a social media post. I was curious and looked it up to see what it was about. The next thing that attracted my attention was the opening of the book's description, "Duncan is your typical high school science teacher." So, with that, I knew I had to read this one, but I wasn't expecting the story I got.

The term "rollercoaster ride" is one I seen and used to describe books before, and it applies to this tale. It starts out slowly, like the cars of a coaster climbing to the top of the first big drop in the ride and transitions into a never-ending series of twists, turns, and surprises barely giving the reader time to breathe with scene after scene of breathtaking discovery.

The characters are named mostly by their roles in the crew and how they behave, with the Scientist (aka Phillip Duncan) leading the group. The adventures in this story are quite violent for the most part. Some are absolutely heinous. I would advise the reader to pay attention to the warnings included below.

One thing missing, at least for me, was the reason for the character's abhorrent behaviors. The book ends with a cliffhanger that leads to the second book in the series, which I intend to read at some point in the future. Scientist gives the who, what, where, and how, but I guess that the why will become clear in the next installment. Or, at least I hope so.

I am finding this book difficult to discuss without spoiling too much. So, I will leave the blurb for this one here...

"Duncan is your typical high school science teacher. His classes are large. His school is underfunded. His students are unacademic. And his war crimes are horrific."

"When his hiding place on Earth is discovered, Duncan reemerges as ‘the Scientist’ and teams up with the galaxy’s most wanted to right his past mistakes."

"Pushing through his panic attacks, he leads an interstellar expedition to prove that he isn’t the worst tyrant in the galaxy … even if he is."

Added to that, the author includes a few trigger warnings...

"Contains: Child Death, Death, Graphic Violence, PTSD, Misogyny, Murder, Torture, War."

Philip Duncan is an individual hiding from justice and posing as a high school science teacher. The story opens with him teaching a class about sublimation using dry ice. His class is filled with disrespectful, out-of-control students. My thought right off the bat is that Philip must have skipped the classroom management parts of his teacher training.

When a student gets ahold of some of the dry ice and makes a bomb with it and a plastic bottle, Duncan steps in and prevents the student from becoming injured, as any teacher would do. However, he is accused of abusing the student and summarily fired by his neurotic principal.

He goes home and there are a series of bizarre incidents leading to his leaving Earth and resuming his role as the Scientist. A mass murdering gang leader who commits, or causes others to commit, one deplorable act after another.

But Duncan and most of his henchpersons don't seem to be as intrinsically as evil as they appear. They have feelings, even some regret at times.

They are a very confusing lot.

One strength in Scientist is the character development the author presents. I understand the characters, but only up to a point.

My favorite point of the plot, outside the opening scenes depicting Duncan as a ne're-do-well teacher, is the dialog between him and his collection of criminals. The banter between characters helps to lighten the otherwise dark mood this book could have been presented in. Without the humor, I don't think I could have gotten through the story, at least not as quickly as I did.

As far as humor is concerned, I really enjoyed the observations of the character called Philosopher. 'nuff said.

I would recommend this book to readers who will heed the warnings from the author about the content and are prepared to read the second book in the series.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Scott is an award-winning filmmaker and writer specializing in Science Fiction and Fantasy stories that focus on neurodiversity and humanity.

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The Dark Heart Of Redemption: A Chronicles Of Acteon Story By Darran M. Handhsaw - High Powered Sci-Fi/Fantasy Adventure.

The Dark Heart of Redemption: A Chronicles of Acteon Story by Darran M. Handhsaw.

I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

When I learned about this book, and decided to read it, I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. I didn't know if I was going to get a fantasy or a sci-fi tale. I am more of a sci-fi fan than and less of fantasy, but now and then, I must step out of my comfort zone and try something different. In the case of this book, I am happy to say I was enthralled by it!

The Dark Heart of Redemption (Dark Heart) is a Sci-Fi/Fantasy tale that is utterly satisfying to people like me, who enjoy lots of action, colorful descriptions, amazing characters, and epic battles. This tale has it all. It runs a full gauntlet of emotions and is so well written, there is one point at which I would recommend the reader keep a box of tissues handy.

Dark Heart is the second in a (so far) series of two books. The first being The Engineer. I only wish I had read the first book in the series before reading this one.

It took me a few chapters to get into the story. While the author included a conspectus - a summary of the events from The Engineer - I still didn't know the characters of the previous novel. But after just a few chapters, this book captured and held my attention the rest of the way through. I lost track of time while reading.

A structure in Redemption has come under siege by tribal invaders who would be happy to destroy the entire Dominions' civilization. Prince Engineer Actaeon Rellios Caliburn, his wife, Princess Eisander Rellios Caliburn of Raedell, and several of their friends take on the challenge of keeping Redemption free from oppression under forces who work against them at every turn. There is no rest for Actaeon and his friends, as there is one attack after another, and the body count rises to staggering numbers. As the author states in his blurb...

"Everything comes with a cost." 

The story is told from Actaeon's point of view. He is an intelligent man and uses his skills as an engineer to craft useful items in his lab. Actaeon is not only a great engineer, but he also is well versed in the ways of science, light medicine, and war. He is a compassionate character who thinks things through before he acts. Act, as he is known to his friends - he doesn't care to be referred to by his title - is very thoughtful and treats everyone as his equal. He is someone I wouldn't mind getting to know and spending time with. But when he gets his ire up, watch out! He can be a very effective adversary to those who choose to cross him.

The Princess Eisander is a beautiful young woman, but not one to be dismissed. She has some ire of her own. She and Act make a great pair of leaders in their battles. The Princess is tough and well trained to fight her own battles. She and Act are eternally devoted to each other, and they are loved and respected by those they fight for.

My favorite characters are a pair of mercenaries, Wave and Trench, who have become associates of Actaeon. They have devoted themself to the cause of saving Redemption and are fiercely loyal to Act, Eisander, and to their cause. Trench is a giant of a man who can hand out as much punishment as he can take while wielding his huge maul. Wave, on the other hand, is the smaller of the two, but can deal some deadly blows with his own rapier. The best part of reading these two characters is their banter. They constantly pick at each other, but are the closest of friends, and one would have no second thoughts about laying down their lives for the other.

There is a plethora of other characters to keep track of, but Darran has written them so well, each has their own characteristics and mannerisms, making them easy for the reader to know. The good guys are all endearing. Their enemies are the stuff of nightmares.

My favorite plot point in Dark Heart is the descriptions of the several battles. They are detailed and sometimes disturbing to read. There is death and destruction at every turn, and not just for the antagonists; many of the heroic figures also sacrifice themselves to save others. One instance made me set the book aside for a bit until I could work through a character's heroic death scene. It brought tears to my eyes.

Another plot point I appreciated was how Actaeon was able to come up with solutions to problems through reason. He was successful most of the time, but sometimes his solutions don’t work as planned, which is also the mark of a great character. Nobody's perfect, after all.

The thing that stood out for me the most was how willing many of the characters were willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of the others. Many paid the ultimate price. As we all know, this is not a new concept, but it reminded me of this takeaway from the Bible...

"There is no greater love than this - that a man should lay down his life for his friends."

And this from Sir Winston Churchill...

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much been owed by so many to so few."

The Dark Heart of Redemption is a masterpiece by an author that bears watching. He has created characters that will make a reader laugh and cry. But they will also bring out a full spectrum of emotions in a reader. The world-building is great and there are swerves in this tale that will have one on the edge of their seat. It is just an all-around great book, and I look forward to reading Darran's future work. He has numerous projects in the works, and I have it on good authority, there will be yet another book in the Chronicles of Actaeon series.

I give my highest recommendations for Dark Heart as a fine example of Sci-Fi/Fantasy to stimulate the imagination!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Darran M. Handshaw is the author of The Engineer and The Dark Heart of Redemption. In addition to writing, Darran works as an R&D Engineer at a technology company. There, he invents and designs new products. He holds more than 70 patents in data capture, vision systems, and emergency services. Darran also volunteers as a firefighter and EMT with his local fire department, where he serves as the Chief of Department. Darran hails from Long Island, NY, where he lives with his wife, Stephanie, and his son, Corwin, who fill his life with love, wisdom, and endless adventures.

You can find Darran on Goodreads, Amazon, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ActaeonRellios

The Aftermath: Titan (The Aftermath Series Book 2) By Bradley James - Loaded With Action, Surprises, And Superior Characters!

The Aftermath: Titan (The Aftermath Series Book 2) by Bradley James

I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Note: This title is due to go public on October 18, 2024

To start, I will share a quote from Bradley appearing at the beginning of this book:

"Whoa, Not So Fast!"

"The Aftermath: Titan is the second book in The Aftermath series. If you have not yet read the first book in the series, then it is recommended that you start there."

As the author politely says, it is recommended to start with the first book in the series, The Aftermath: Lunar. I would not only agree with Bradley, but I would also say it is a must! I will reference the first novel in this review, so if you haven't read Lunar, I urge you to close this blog post and read it first!

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

The Aftermath: Titan is the continuing story of an Earth astronaut who witnessed the apparent destruction of his home planet while on a mission to the moon. His original mission was scrapped, and his only focus became survival.

In Titan, the story of Elliot Adams continues, and the stakes get ramped up ever higher than before.

I absolutely ripped through this book with such fervor and finished it in five days between other things I was supposed to be doing. After having to set it aside, I thought about it, and couldn't wait to get back to it at the earliest opportunity. Titan flows like a fast river, as one reads. It is chock full of action, suspense, battle, humor, and it is all driven by a cast of excellently written characters a reader will become invested in!

Bradley has mastered writing some great sci-fi that unfolds on an epic scale. The world building and setting of the story's scenes is vivid and one can almost feel the environment the characters move through.

***Spoiler Alert***

The Lunari live a primitive life under the surface of the moon. However, they are actually being, more or less, enslaved by the aliens who call themselves the Telvanni. When the Lunari learn the truth about what they once considered their gods, they rise up, and with the help of stranded astronaut, Elliot Adams, they are victorious in defeating the Telvanni.

The Telvanni are led by a cruel master known only as the General who is killed in the uprising, and those of his troops who survive are imprisoned in their base.

But before he dies, the General reveals something very disturbing to Elliot. It is something called a Death Shepherd.

Elliot is accepted by the Lunari and develops strong relationships with many of the people living there.

***End Spoilers***

Eliot learns what the Death Shepherd is, thanks to Dax, a technology expert who worked for the Lunari under duress. Elliot realizes he must go to Titan, the moon orbiting Saturn, where the Telvanni have established their main base in the solar system. Elliot and his befriended Lunari embark on a perilous mission to accomplish several goals, including saving lives on two worlds.

Nothing is easy, and the odds are stacked against Elliot and his companions.

Elliot is not only an astronaut, he is also a trained soldier. Thanks to his being from Earth, he also has a secret weapon that will serve him well on his quest. He is a good and kind man but is not to be underestimated. He can deal out some violence when the occasion arises, and it does. But, like any great hero, he needs help from others as well, and he has some good and skillful people on his side.

Dax is little more than a slave because of something the Telvanni hold over his head. When he has the opportunity, he teams up with Elliot and the other Lunari. Although some would see him as a cowardly collaborator, Dax is anything but cowardly.

Mayto, the son of the Lunari Chief, did not like Elliot initially, but he warms up and the two develop a great friendship. They have each other's backs and work well together. Mayto has a temper that can get out of control, and often does, but Elliot and others remind him he must not let his temper control him. He must learn to control his temper and through this, he will have far more success. He learns this lesson well, with reminders, of course.

Ava and Bella are a mother and daughter team. Ava's husband is presumed dead, and she and Elliot strike up a relationship during the events of the first novel in the series. Their plight is mostly separate from Elliot and is, in itself, a great story.

There are a few truly cruel and evil characters in this tale. The Supreme Telvarch is the leader of the Telvanni and is truly drunk with power. He will stop at nothing to gather more and more power. His main henchman, Dravix, is a man who loves killing and making people suffer under his torture. These two are monumental villains with no redeeming characteristics whatsoever. Of course, this only adds to the fun that is Aftermath: Titan!

My first favorite point of plot is the epic battle scenes in the story. They are huge in scope; with dire consequences should our heroes fail to achieve their goals. The consequences are just as dire for the bad guys should they fail. There are victories on both sides as the scenes unfold and the outcomes offer some amazing plot twists, one of the major strengths of this tale.

Second, I loved the dialog between characters! Another of Bradley's strengths as a writer is creating dialog that is witty and, at times, hilarious, but also shows great compassion and the deep friendships the characters share. The witty banter happens at moments where the reader may need a break in the tension to catch their breath, but the action continues to ramp up, after those moments of relief, to greater and greater heights.

And last, but not least, are the plot twists and turns! There is a surprise at nearly every page turn which drives the reader on to the end, and when the end comes, the reader is going to want more!

The theme that stands out for me, and my takeaway from The Aftermath: Titan, is to remember how heroes never go into a situation to become heroes. A real hero is someone who sees a situation, or a need for change, and does what it takes to get the job done.

I give my highest recommendations for The Aftermath: Titan, and for the previous novel in the series, The Aftermath: Lunar, as an unfolding sci-fi space opera saga that is exciting, filled with on-the-edge-of-your-seat action, and just plain fun to read. There is never a dull moment in these stories, and the current installment is jam-packed with all manners of emotional content. The reader will feel great triumph, disappointment and despair, deep sadness, and much joy all the way through this fast-paced story. It is well worth the investment of time to read and will not disappoint sci-fi fans. Bradley has written a masterpiece with his very first series of novels and I am so happy to have found them!

Remember, read BOTH books in order. Lunar is full of background information that will help in understanding the universe created by this amazing author.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bradley James published his debut novel, The Aftermath: Lunar, in early 2024, realizing a long-held dream. Since then, he has been irreversibly bitten by the writing bug, immediately embarking on his next literary adventure without looking back. When not immersed in crafting narratives, Bradley can be found indulging in long runs, losing himself in books, consuming copious amounts of coffee, or passionately cheering on his favorite football team. Though born in London, he now resides in Southwest England, where the lush landscapes often serve as a backdrop for his creativity.

Look at Bradley's website: https://bradleyjamesauthor.com and join his Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/948989713645274

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Autumn's End By BJ Levey - Is It Entertainment, Or A Warning?

Autumn's End by BJ Levey

What will AI look like in the future? According to author BJ Levey, it won't be great. As a matter of fact, it is downright horrifying.

Many people know what it is to escape reality for a time by playing a video game, or by scrolling on their phones, or by whatever means to take a break from a world overloaded with information. No one is untouchable. Nearly everyone carries a computer and information retrieval system in their pockets or purses. Sometimes it's a blessing, other times it's a curse. One is never out of touch to just be.

Now, take the above scenario to the extreme, and you get a story much like this one. Where a huge corporation has everyone addicted to virtual reality and information technology and wants to take it even further.

It is all too easy to stay out of reality and ignore all the problems happening all around until it is too late.

Scared yet? You will be when you read this gem of a tale of four people and their struggle to get back to living life in the real world.

I enjoyed this story that might also serve as a warning. It is dark, fast-paced, and full of ideas to think about long into the future as the reality of artificial Intelligence grows and what direction it will take, and it's impact on us.

It is the end of the 21st century. The world's worst nightmare has become a reality as the effects of climate change has caused rising oceans, drought, and vast uninhabitable areas on the planet. Those who are able are all moving to the north in an area controlled by the Aztec Conglomerates. Everyone has tech implants and are subject to the will of Aztec. Following a disaster perpetrated by the conglomerate, a planned rollout of a massive upgrade is imminent. Aztec claims the upgrade will make life better for everyone, but not all are convinced this is a good thing and have devoted their lives to stopping it.

Following the murder of an Aztec upgrade's lead scientist, the lives of four people are set on a collision course that may determine the fate of what is left of humanity.

The question is, can humanity be saved, and if it can, is it worth the price to be paid?

Three of the four principal characters in Autumn's End are all people who fight against impossible odds to make sure that the dystopia goes no further. Thay have, and will have to continue, to make monumental personal sacrifices to try to stop the nefarious upgrade. One character, the chairman of Aztec, has invested everything he has in the great upgrade, but even as it is developed, it becomes ever more unstable and threatening.

Every character in this tale is a tragic figure for one reason or another. They are also to be admired as they work diligently to stop what, as far as they are concerned, is sounding the final death knell of the human race. 

My favorite point of plot in this story revolves around a single character. An ex-cop who is promised to get his freedom from his tech implants if he completes a particular task given to him by an Aztec controlled AI partner. But he faces a choice, it's either his freedom or give himself over to his human side and save the woman he loves. While his choice seems like a deeply personal one on the one hand, his choice will have huge implications for the future.

My takeaway from Autumn's End is probably the same as it is for most of the dystopian AI stories I have read, and that is we should take them as a warning with what may happen in the future as this amazing technology continues to grow. I once visited with a man who projects the current trends of technology into the future and asked him a question about how far it things will go, and if we will ever become victims to our own genius. His answer was that technology will only become our masters if we allow it to. We can determine for ourselves what will be the future reality, but we must be vigilant now. If we wait too long, the result may be disastrous.

Autumn's End is a fascinating tale of technology running amok. I enjoyed it a lot, but it is an unsettling story and presents a lot for us to think about. The author says he enjoys writing dark stories, and this is only his first novel. It can be taken as entertainment, or as a warning, but no matter how the reader perceives it, it is a finely crafted story. The descriptions of the setting are often poetic and set a vivid backdrop for his characters to play in. The characters themselves, at least the human ones, are all people we can care about and come to life as they work toward their goals. The pace is fast and will spur the reader to move on to the next page, hardly leaving room to breathe until the end.

The ending of this tale was incredible.

I recommend this as an important read in this growing genre of Artificial Intelligence Sci-Fi.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We live in very exciting, uncertain times. Technology is moving so fast that what was once science fiction not so long ago is just run of the mill today. And that gap is rapidly closing. I love reading and writing stories that examine the clash between humanity’s best intentions with all our fantastical tech and what the unintended consequences might look like. And I lean on the side of it being dark. Because we’re dark creatures. Drawn to the edge. Collectively we want to peer into the void and see what peers back.

As of 2024, I’m busy finishing my Master in Creative Writing at the University of Cape Town. I’ve loved the experience and met some really great people over the past year and half. It’s the dissertation year so I’m working steadily at “Could Be You” – a near future science fiction thriller about a guy who’s life is turned upside down by a deep fake. He loses his job, his sense of purpose and steadily his grip on what’s real. As things spiral out of control, he comes to understand he’s a small cog in a larger plan that will change what’s normal forever.

I’m a Can-African who’s called Cape Town home since 1992. I live in the burbs at the foot of Table Mountain with my beautiful wife Laura and our two sons, Nicholas and Ethan. We really do live in one of the most idyllic places on Earth and I’m grateful for it even though it comes with the downsides of crime, the lights going out too often from load shedding and brazen government corruption.

The dream is to become a full-time author, but the bills still demand to be paid. So, by day, I’m a business owner running a distribution company for LED Lighting technologies with the goal to see all of Southern Africa running emergency efficient, totally environmentally friendly lighting for all. But by night, and in the early mornings, and whatever other time I can scrape together, I’m busy writing the next science fiction best seller. Stay tuned.

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Splitting Skies: A Metaphysical Sci-Fy Dystopia By Mikhail Gladkikh - Calling The Nature Of Reality Into Question

Splitting Skies: A Metaphysical Sci-Fi Dystopia by Mikhail Gladkikh

I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Splitting Skies is the latest novel by Mikhail Gladkikh. It is a breath-taking tale of Artificial Intelligence that has left a world full of people addicted to living anywhere but the real world, but the artificial world is also becoming less and less desirable. It is full of twists and turns moving at warp speed that will have the reader asking many questions, including calling the very nature of existence into question.

From the back of the book:

Humanity’s thirst for simplification in a world driven by technology leads to the ultimate creation: Designed Consciousness. This invention destroys the framework of society and brings humanity to the verge of collapse. But the implications for the structure of the universe itself are much more sinister. An older man who has lost his purpose and a blind artist girl embark on the impossible quest to prevent the disaster. As the fabric of reality begins to unravel, the two unlikely heroes must question if the world even deserves to be saved.

My favorite point of plot in this story is illustrated by the opening line:

"If you die in a dream, do you survive in reality? And what is reality, anyway?"

As I write this review, my daughter is in the next room playing a video game. She is controlling a character who wanders a virtual countryside collecting items and building strength to help her eventually defeat a foe threatening the world she moves her character through.

Is the character nothing more than the result of code written by another human being? Does my daughter see this as a real person she is helping to reach his goal? Is the world he moves through real to him? It makes one think deeper, and some things that come to mind can be a little unsettling.

Here, in reality, we like to think we have free will. But do we really?

Are we nothing more than pawns in someone's imagination being moved through a world created for us by someone?

Most rational people would say no. Many philosophers call existence into question. Others are convinced we have no self-determination, and we are living in some sort of matrix while being moved and manipulated as we move through life.

And if it is the case, we are living in a virtual reality, how would we know in the first place?

Splitting Skies gave me all these thoughts as I turned the pages and read this fascinating tale where the virtual world becomes real, and the threats are also as deadly as those in our mundane existence.

My takeaway from Splitting Skies is to recognize how the human imagination continues to grow, and the stories we tell beyond that imagination eventually become reality. How far will AI go? Only as far as we allow it would have been my answer before reading this book. I'm not so sure anymore.

I have come to expect excellent and thought-provoking stories from Mikhail, and Splitting Skies is no exception to my expectations. But be warned, this is not a book to be taken lightly. It is a complicated tale that will demand the reader’s full attention. It is deep with science fiction, philosophical, and existential ideas that can make your head spin. In a word, it is excellent reading, and I recommend it for those who don't mind being disturbed for a short time before getting back to the rigors of mundane life.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the Author:

I am a technologist and a science fiction author.

My professional career provides me with a unique perspective on the technologies of the future. I am working at the forefront of the 4th Industrial Revolution, advancing 3D Printing, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Supply Chain, and Energy Transition. You can read my fiction and connect with me at my website mikhailgladkikh.com.

Join me in my quest to imagine the future world!

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The Architect Of Grayland By Evelyn Arvey - An Amazing Story Of Survival And Inventiveness

The Architect of Grayland by Evelyn Arvey

I received a copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Imagine yourself awakening in a place completely unfamiliar and desolate. You have no food, water, shelter, and you aren't wearing a single stitch of clothing. The landscape has no signs of trees, water, or any other features other than an endless stretch of gray ground as far as the eye can see.

Now, you have to figure out how to survive there.

This is part of the situation Elaine, the principal character in The Architect of Grayland, finds herself in. 

Grayland is an amazing story of survival set in the distant future where humans from our time are abducted and pulled into the future to be studied by Historical Anthropologists. One is an elitist university professor named Mirri Daaha. Her goal is to gain accolades through her work, no matter the harm done to her subjects. They are, after all, little more than primitive test subjects.

Considering everything I have read so far this year; Grayland is one of the best among a collection of great stories in my library. The world building is gradual, but stunning as time goes on. The characters are so real in their reactions to what they face and their attitudes, they could be real people anyone can know. The story is expertly written and moves along at a fast, but not too fast, pace. I read this in just a few sittings because every chapter pushed me on to the next. I had to grab my Kindle and read every spare minute I had, and while doing so, lost track of time.

The synopsis from the book itself is great and I'll just quote it here...

Scientists from the far future kidnapped her.

Threw her into a horrific experiment.

She refused to die.

Elaine, a modern-day woman, is abducted by elite Historical Anthropologists of the far-distant future. Spirited forward through time to their university laboratory, she is locked into a vast, empty, gray habitat built for the study of "primitive" humans.

Elaine awakens in this appalling place, alone, naked, and terrified. She has no idea that a hidden audience of university students is studying her every move. Forced to create food, clothing, and shelter using nothing but her ingenuity and her bare hands, she fights a constant battle to maintain her sanity.

Desperately lonely, Eliane decides to search for other people. After a journey across the featureless gray landscape, she locates two fellow captives: Marc, who might be her soulmate; and Adam, a brilliant but troubled fifteen-year-old. Together, they form a precarious yet vibrant and supportive community of three.

But now Elaine is about to lose it all. The Historical Anthropologist in charge of the experiment, Professor Mirri Daaha, is methodically destroying Elaine's carefully constructed world to study how her "primitive" test subjects will react to escalating threats to their existence. Elaine must confront the Professor and ultimately bring herself, Marc, and Adam safely home.

Elaine has no idea who she is. Her memory has been wiped prior to being placed in the experiment. She has no memories of her life before but gets enough through a few dreams to help her think she remembers things. Fortunately, she retains her learned knowledge to help her survive. She is in distress before she learns to manipulate the environment and provide herself with the essentials of life. As he develops her skills, she not only is able to subsist, but she also actually carves out a better-than-average life. She has everything she needs, and things she wants made by her own hands, but there is one thing missing: companionship.

She makes up her mind to strike out on a journey of discovery, leaving everything behind, she takes things she needs and takes a long journey into the unknown.

She discovers others likewise abducted, and memory wiped as she is, but they have also survived using their own separate skill sets. Elaine, along with Marc and Adam, form their own little community of three, helping each other and staying occupied. Everything is going well, and they are coping with the obstacles they face, at least until Mirri changes the parameters of the experiment.

At that point, escape not only is desired, but becomes a matter of life or death.

My favorite point of plot in Grayland is how the main protagonist, Mirri, who isn't a bad person, looms over everything as though she were a monster. She actually isn't intentionally out to hurt anyone, but the attitudes of her position and the time she lives in don't seem to have compassion for other living beings included in the equation. Mirri is a refreshingly complex character.

I also enjoyed the playing-out of the old saying about necessity being the "mother of invention." There are surprises all along the way with the things Elaine and her companions come up with to make life bearable, and there are also mistakes made along the way.

While one can find multiple themes in this story to focus on, my takeaway from Grayland is to always remember that every being we encounter has feelings on some level. 

Another takeaway is to remember that no matter how dire a situation seems, one must never stop thinking. Proactivity is far superior to reactivity, and there is no substitute for assessing a situation and finding a solution to problems. Getting angry or taking a wait-and-see attitude is an invitation to disaster.

The Architect of Grayland is an incredible, multifaceted tale that is brilliantly written and spun out by an author well deserving of attention. This story is accessible to sci-fi fans, but need not be limited to those who enjoy that genre. It will fire the imagination with great characters in situations harrowing in nature on numerous levels. The story starts out simply and there is a non-stop crescendo all the way to the end. I give this my highest recommendations for an engaging story that will have a reader turning page after page just to see what happens next! I give my highest recommendations for Evelyn Arvey's amazing story!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Evelyn Arvey never met a creative project she didn't like. From a young age, she drew, painted, knitted, crocheted, studied the viola (and the piano, and the classical guitar), and read everything she could get her hands on. Evelyn's first short story was written when she was only six years old, on her mother's Royal typewriter, (what a marvelous, noisy creature!) and it started like this: "My friend Ruthie is very, very, very, very, very nice." Ever since, Evelyn has had a personal war with the word "very."

Evelyn studied creative writing, textile art, ceramic art, jewelry fabrication, and so much more while earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts, in oil painting, from the University of Washington. For fifteen years, she created jewelry in her home studio and sold her work at juried fine arts shows. During this time, Evelyn also played in a classical guitar duo with guitarist Mark Francis; they performed and recorded a wide selection of their favorite pieces, which are available on YouTube.

All along, Evelyn was writing. She published many short stories in literary magazines. She also co-wrote a book of short stories, We Grew Tales, with writing partners and good friends Nancy Bonnington and Susan Whiting Kemp.

Evelyn teaches an adult creative writing course with her university professor husband at the Swedish MS Center in Seattle. She edited the anthology Stories From our Center: Lives Challenged by MS, written by people living with Multiple Sclerosis. She is currently working on editing a second collection.

Evelyn lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband and their four cats.

Visit Evelyn's Websites...

Writing: evelynarvey.com

Art: vivid-arts.com

Classical Guitar: arveyfrancis.com

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