Category: Reviews

  • Evelyn Reads Ten Sigma

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    Ten Sigma is a military science fiction novel written by indie author A.W. Wang. The story follows a terminally ill woman who signs what’s left of her life away to a secret government program that exists within a virtual world.

    Ten Sigma by A.W. Wang
    Ten Sigma by A.W. Wang

    She wakes up in a new environment and with a new body, unprepared for what they expect of her. The story focuses on the character’s development in the Ten Sigma program, starting a loss of identity and humanity to forward the government’s goal of creating the perfect warrior.

    The book evokes thoughts of Harsh Realm (Series), Forever War (Novel) and Unreal Tournament (Game). While there are numerous combat scenarios, A.W. Wang does an excellent job of varying the challenges to keep the prose fresh.

    The story is very much character driven. Conflicts are many and often clouded in the mysteries of the virtual world. It all comes to light in the end, revealing a virtual world far more chaotic and nuanced than originally gleamed.

    Ten Sigma is a solid read filled with rich detail, believable characters, and a compelling story. I found it hard to put the book down!

    This quick read offers a satisfying ending to the virtual realm, and leaves it wide open for what happens in the great beyond. Curious? Check out Ten Sigma: Renegade.


  • Evelyn Reads Behind Blue Eyes: Fallen Angels

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    Fallen Angels is the second book in the Behind Blue Eyes series, written by independent author Anna Mocikat. This story begins with the premise that someone is killing members of the Guardian Angels, an elite band of cyborg soldiers.

    Behind Blue Eyes: Fallen Angels by Anna Mocikat
    Behind Blue Eyes: Fallen Angels by Anna Mocikat

    This noir cyberpunk story kicks off roughly a year after the events of the first book. Anna Mocikat again introduces us to the Archangel Nephilim, who has been reset to factory settings.

    Now the compliant and efficient killing machine that the High Archangel expects, doors open for her. This gives us a glimpse of the political players that influence this utopian society. We watch as relationships blossom, while memories of the gap year come pouring in as bits and pieces.

    This book is loaded with action, intrigue, foreshadowing, and of course sex, which will not disappoint fans. I found this quick read difficult to put down. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural pauses in the book.

    As with Behind Blue Eyes, there are multiple elements at play, and Olympias’ enemies have not been idle. How some of these parts come into play has yet to play out, and for you just need to pick up a copy of War Games.


  • Evelyn Reads The Peasant Woman

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    The Peasant Woman is a historical fantasy novella written by independent author Sara Flower Kjeldsen. Her tale begins with a prince whose life they spent waiting to become King.

    The Peasant Woman by Sara Flower Kjeldsen
    The Peasant Woman by Sara Flower Kjeldsen

    Plans have a tendency to fall off the rails, and in this case, fail spectacularly. After getting knocked out during an escape attempt, he wakes up in a peasant’s home. Soon after, he meets a woman and the life that could not be farther removed from his.

    What follows is a tale of discovery, introducing this prince the harshness of life and eventually puts him in a situation to choose the life they would rather live. Ultimately, The Peasant Woman is a fast read that delivers a satisfying conclusion.


  • Evelyn Reads Dead Heads

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    Dead Heads is a post mortal urban fantasy written by independent author Ross Young. As the title implies, this book delves into a subject that few dwell upon, even if people are dying to find out how it turns out.

    Dead Heads by Ross Young
    Dead Heads by Ross Young

    Written in third-person perspective, Ross Young sets the story in the ethereal reality of Gloomwood, conveniently next to the deadport. This is the home to the Grim Reaper, an individual who inconveniently died as the concept of death came into existence, but no one prophesied what came next.

    The premise begins with the Reaper’s head being stolen and the unimaginably dysfunctional bureaucracy supporting Gloomwood is incapable of handling such a delicate matter. In a rare flash of insight, they expedite a new arrival, who they then task to solve this case and others.

    Dead Heads is a quick read that delves into a truly imaginative world. The humour, while macabre, is something you would find within the pages or the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. This standalone story offers a satisfying conclusion, and sets the stage for a sequel, Get Ted Dead, available now.


  • Evelyn Reads Edge of the Breach

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    Edge of the Breach is a grimdark story, the first part of the Rift Cycle series, and written by independent author Halo Scot.

    Edge of the Breach by Halo Scot
    Edge of the Breach by Halo Scot

    The author brings forth a world cursed by humanity’s unquenchable thirst for violence. In their most recent war, most of the Earth is rendered uninhabitable, the poles are reversed, and a rift to another dimension is opened. The latter event unleashes gods and magic onto our lands, imbuing powers to humanity based on the season of their birth.

    In this post-apocalyptic hellscape, we are introduced to two main characters who are polar opposites of one another. This theme flows out beautifully from out of the prose, and Halo Scot writes each character in first-person form.

    Over the span of a decade, you’ll see them grow, adapt to evolving dangers, and find their niche in this dark world. Despite their stark differences, they find themselves inexplicably linked, which comes into play as the story develops.

    Edge of the Breach is a wonderfully crafted novel that offers a taste of what is to come. The book itself is an easy read, with short chapters that can be consumed in bite-sized chunks. For what happens next, the reader will need to progress in the series, with hints of a war between immortal Gods.


  • Evelyn Reads Beautiful

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    Young adult fantasy Beautiful: A Tale of Beauties and Beasts by independent author Fran Laniado tells the story of a young woman who always felt out of place.

    Beautiful by Fran Laniado
    Beautiful by Fran Laniado

    In need of change, she leaves the fae to venture out into the world where humans roam. Hurt by the words of another, she curses them and immediately takes steps to undo the damage wrought, thus setting the stage for the story.

    Laniado wonderfully weaves in the theme of beauty and uses it to drive the story onwards in a satisfying way. As a reader, you may be left to ask what beauty is if not in the eye of the beholder, and would such views change over time?

    Beautiful is written in a first person perspective, focused on two characters. While centred on the woman, the alternative perspective provides unique insights that further drive forward the tale.

    Ultimately, Beautiful is a quick read with a satisfying ending. It gives the reader a glimpse into the author’s imaginative world, so much so that I look forward to seeing more of her work. Highly recommended!


  • Evelyn Reads Eyes on the Road

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    Eyes on the Road is the first book of The Winding Road series, a coming of age story co-authored by Kerri Davidson and Mark Gelinas. This novel is written from the point of view of two characters, both of whom are seeking an escape from their post high school lives.

    Eyes on the Road by Kerri Davidson and Mark Gelinas
    Eyes on the Road by Kerri Davidson and Mark Gelinas

    This story begins in a small town in Atlantic Canada and ends in the comparative metropolis of Seattle. Setting the story in an era where Grunge and Alternative bands ruled the hearts and minds of Generation X gave this reader an eerie sense of déjà vu.

    Having lived through this time, the authors’ choice of theme and time period felt a bit like a drive down memory lane. Parents of teens from the mid-nineties may gain a new understanding of their children’s mindset. Alternatively, for those born into such a heavily interconnected world, the story dredged up challenges and quirks of an era that is fast fading from our collective memories.

    This is a quick read that gives the reader a unique perspective on two young adults. Their interactions with the world and one another permit them to gain a fresh outlook and come out better for it. The story provides a satisfying ending that leaves enough of an opening to entice you to read further into the series.


  • Evelyn Reads Alpha Bots

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    Alpha Bots is a Science Fiction novel by Ava Lock that mixes action, comedy, and drama to create a story that resonates on many levels.

    Alpha Bots by Ava Lock
    Alpha Bots by Ava Lock

    The story features an android who plays the role of a dutiful housewife. Through a series of unintended events, she breaks free from her programming, and that’s when things get crazy.

    The prose is filled with rich detail, witty puns, and beautifully complex characters that will draw the reader in. Of note, there are frequent references to Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk. I see Ava’s work as an homage to Fight Club, using it to add just enough flavour to liven things up.

    If you are looking for a story that challenges you to question the ramifications of technology on society and does so using wit, pseudo code, and cleverly disguised science, then this book will not disappoint. While this novel has a satisfying ending, the sequel, Beta Bots, is out now!


  • Evelyn Reads What Lies Within

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    The blurb for What Lies Within, from indie author D.W. Harvey, mentions a dark hidden secret, an evil spirit’s curse, and a sole survivor… all of which perfectly set the stage for this story.

    What Lies Within by D.W. Harvey
    What Lies Within by D.W. Harvey

    This story is written from the point of view of the sole survivor as she nears the end of her journey. We are quickly brought up to speed on the character’s motivations, her need to be there, and what she intends to do.

    However, there is plenty of room for discovery, and readers may well be left guessing to the very end. It offers a satisfying ending and leaves you yearning for more, the latter of which is this reader’s only complaint. Sadly, this was little more than a glimpse into a world filled with wonder.


  • Evelyn Reads Shadow City

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    An iconic city in ruins, a man with  no past, entities from out of humanity’s nightmares… Do I have your attention?

    Shadow City by Anna Mocikat
    Shadow City by Anna Mocikat

    Shadow City is a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel written by indie author Anna Mocikat. This tale features a rich cast of characters in a world filled with detail and nuance. Told from multiple points of view, the reader will soon realise that even in a world this dark, there is still plenty of grey to go around.

    It begins with a man with no past who is saved by two scavengers. Readers are quickly introduced to a dystopian society held together by an uneasy alliance facing an enemy only known as the Dark Ones. The characters’ fates are complex and intertwined, leaving the reader guessing as to what will happen until the very end.

    If you are looking for a unique take on the struggle of good versus evil, this book is for you. You will be rewarded with a satisfying ending that will have you yearning for more. Fortunately, the sequel, Dark City, is already available! So, what are you waiting for?


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