Review of ‘The Others’ by Annette Mori

‘The Others’ is a thought-provoking dystopian story, full of tension and adventure. Em is a scientist, and along with her wife Lise, has been hiding in a bomb shelter for ten months. The world, and specifically the United States, went crazy after the last election, and the other superpowers took advantage. Now that the cities are presumably destroyed, groups of survivors try their best to live with what is left. Once on the outside again Em and Lise become aware of other people who managed to keep going. But who can they trust? And what will life mean after the war?

Annette Mori uses truth and imagination and mixes them to make a compelling story that kept me up into the wee hours reading. There are some tense and disturbing moments – some of them not too far off the mark from our reality. And that makes the story all the more powerful. The main characters were appealing, strong women, and it is through their interactions with the people they meet, that we see just what it takes to survive. I was hooked from page one and couldn’t put it down.

I was given this ARC for review.

Review of ‘Courier’s Run’ by Ennis Rook Bashe

‘Courier’s Run’ by Ennis Rook Bashe is set in a dystopian Scotland. Courier is one of many sisters engineered to thrive and survive in a post-apocalyptic world. She’s supposed to follow orders and work against the remaining humans, but this clone has a mind of her own. When she gets to meet real people, and one especially, she has to decide where her priorities lie.

This novella certainly grabbed my interest.  The world-building was well done, and I wanted to know more about this particular version of Scotland. The premise was a mixture of dystopian, sci-fi, paranormal and romance. And I liked how the elements came together. Seeing the world and the people through Courier’s eyes made me realise that I’d like to find out more about how it all came to be – and what happens next to Courier and Sear. A good story with hints of more to come.

I was given this ARC for review.

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Review of ‘The Rise of the Resistance-Phoenix One’ by Jackie D

‘The Rise of the Resistance’ is a dystopian vision of a future where climate change could not be stopped in time. It’s an excellent story of people who have been waiting so long to fight back against tyranny. The parallels to the situation in the USA now are stark and profound 

It’s a story that acts as a warning. 

Arrow has trained her whole life to protect Phoenix One, the woman who is destined to lead the Resistance when they need her most. Kaelyn Trapp has been cryogenically frozen as part of the Phoenix Project and willingly takes on the mantle of leader. They are powerfully drawn to each other but can they resist? Will giving in jeopardise the important work they have to do? 

I was really impressed by Jackie D’s story and felt it had a truth and reality to it. She brought to life an America where things had gone badly wrong, but she gave me hope that all was not lost. The world she has imagined was compelling and the characters were so well developed. Arrow and Kaelyn felt right together but whether they could ever take that step had me wishing and hoping. Arrow was  loyal and strong and determined. Kaelyn was brilliant and the person one would want to lead in a fight for good.  The bad guys were truly despicable. And the fact that I could imagine such a scenario was scary.   I just hope this book gets the coverage it deserves. I highly recommend it. 

I was given this ARC for review.

Review of ‘The Amnesia Project’ by Barbara Winkes

This is a story that will stay with me. Dani, Alice and Joy are friends planning a trip to New York before careers take them in different directions. Alice’s sister Paige is foisted upon them and Dani seems more affected than the others by this. When Paige disappears they are all distraught but Dani can’t stop looking and dedicates her life to finding her.

‘The Amnesia Project’ is a fantastic dystopian romance with a story that has so many layers. I never knew who to trust or where it was going to go. I learned not to make assumptions when reading this novel. Barbara Winkes surprised me again and again.The reason for Paige’s disappearance was shocking but worryingly not at all unbelievable. Once you’ve read it you will know why.

Dani was tenacious and her loyalty to Paige never wavered. She found herself in peril, threatened and warned off but never gave up. Paige had an underlying strength and maturity that shone through. I liked her approach from the start and was with Dani all the way as she tried to find answers to where Paige had gone and why. I was very impressed with this book and give it 5 Stars.

I was given this ARC in return for an honest review.

 

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Review of ‘Kai’s Heart’ by Renee Mackenzie

 

I love the start of a great new series. ‘Kai’s Heart’ by Renee Mackenzie is the first in the Karst Series and published by Affinity EBook Press. Kai Brodie is the daughter of a famous resistance general and ends up in a prison run by the Anointed. She is stunned at her unexpected attraction to one of the guards but can’t deny it. This dystopian adventure is set in an America of the future, where religious bigotry has led to zealots perverting faith as a means of controlling those who disagree with them. It has very interesting parallels for today’s America.

I found the world Renee Mackenzie imagined fascinating and look forward to finding out much more in the rest of the series she has planned. The relationship between Kai and Rachel is complex and has depth. Their interactions with the others involved in fighting for peace felt real. I like where it’s going and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I was given this ARC in return for an honest review .