She may have failed at being normal, but she’s still a force to be reckoned with!
Now a wanted fugitive known as ‘the Valkyrie,’ Clara Grey is on the run, hiding in plain sight. Tormented by the voices of a supposedly deceased goddess, Clara retraces the steps she took in life to rejoin an order of hunters. However, powerful forces move against Clara, intent on destroying her. Even with an army at her back, does she have what it takes to defeat her foe?
She may have failed at being normal, but she’s still a force to be reckoned with!
Now a wanted fugitive known as ‘the Valkyrie,’ Clara Grey is on the run, hiding in plain sight. Tormented by the voices of a supposedly deceased goddess, Clara retraces the steps she took in life to rejoin an order of hunters. However, powerful forces move against Clara, intent on destroying her. Even with an army at her back, does she have what it takes to defeat her foe?
When humanity has been driven into the sea, what lurks above the waves?
High Water Mark follows a mermaid Anna as she makes landfall and learns why her ancestors abandoned the surface. Lost in a world that is perpetually covered in a thick fog, Anna must navigate through what remains above the high-water mark.
Dead Culture is a post-mortal fantasy written by independent author Ross Young. This is the fourth book of the Gloomwood series that centres on a fictional city of the dead found outside of Heaven or Hell.
This story takes place after the events of Dead Festive. It is focused on Detective Blunt, a man who single-handedly alienated everyone around him. With the creditors at his door, he is presented with a cheese-related case that he would rather turn down.
Dead Culture brings back many of the familiar faces and features the same brand of humour one can expect from Young. As a treat, we are introduced to new creatures and areas of the city which have not previously been explored.
Overall, this novel is a quick read filled with humour, wacky outcomes, and sharp wit. Those who finish this tale, may never look at the yogurt the same way…
Heir to the Sun is a fantasy written by independent author Karen Lykkebo. The story starts off with a young woman leaving behind an abusive relationship to start life anew in an isolated town.
In terms of characters, Aura has had a rough life. Her parents are dead, she suffers from skull splitting headaches, has nightmares about a fiery car crash, and was lost by the system as a child. A shiny beacon of light in her life are stories that an aunt would tell her, ones so wild that she dismissed them as fairy tales.
The story steers towards the fantastical when her boyfriend returns. After a near fatal escape, she ends up in the very world she thought to be fictional. With the world teetering on the brink of oblivion, Aura must drive headfirst into her new reality.
Lykkebo weaves a tale that evokes the nostalgia of the fairy tales of old, but with a modern take. While Aura is no damsel in distress, she feels entirely human and believable. Ultimately, this quick read has a satisfying ending and will leave you yearning for more!
Behind Blue Eyes: Last Stand is the fourth book in the Behind Blue Eyes series written by independent author Anna Mocikat. This noir cyberpunk story kicks off shortly after the events of War Games and runs head on into a high stakes mission.
Fans of the series will not be disappointed by this release. There are battles throughout, replete with the brutal violence that one can expect from cyborg soldiers. Many of the side characters’ storylines progress, giving the reader a glimpse at the lives of those not on the front line.
Overall, this book has a narrower focus. The time span from start to finish is measurable in days, focusing on the shadowy opponent of Rosprom. Not to worry, the other threats are still out there lurking in the next book in the series, The Tigress!
Last Stand is a fast-paced, high stakes read that proves Mocikat has a few surprises up her sleeve. Highly recommended!
Abalone is a psychological drama written by independent author J.G. MacLeod. This novel focuses on a young woman, named Liz, whose life takes a dramatic turn during her senior year of high school.
If you’ve read the blurb, you have a good idea on what direction this story takes. MacLeod starts off nearer to the middle of the story, when the character chooses life over death and makes the conscious choice to write out how her life fell off the rails.
The end effect of this choice forces the reader to realise how deep the rabbit hole goes before the character begins her journey. I likened it to witnessing a slow motion train wreck. As the domestic violence escalates, it forced me to accept that Liz’s situation would get much worse.
Abalone is an intense read that brings the horror of domestic violence into the light. You will fall for Liz and hope beyond all hope that she finds a silver lining by the end.
When humanity has been driven into the sea, what lurks above the waves?
High Water Mark follows a mermaid Anna as she makes landfall and learns why her ancestors abandoned the surface. Lost in a world that is perpetually covered in a thick fog, Anna must navigate through what remains above the high-water mark.