The South Forsaken by Rachel Drummond – Review

SUPANOVA MELBOURNE REVIEW #6

Blurb:

Boxing Day was supposed to be dedicated to sleep, and recovery from the over indulgences of Christmas feasting. When a new virus takes root in Geelong, beers have to be set aside in favour of running for their lives.

My Review:

Zombies are a bit passe, now that Hollywood has done them to death, but Rachel has tried to work her magic and bring a new spin to the issue. It reads like an action movie, with the suspense to go with it, set in Melbourne. It doesn’t read like Hollywood, it reads more like Australian cinema – and for those of you who have seen Priscilla, Mad Max or Wolf Creek, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Good characters and good work tying the many threads of characters together.

While this is an interesting ride, there are a few issues that an editor should have picked up on through the book. Loses a star for that.

3/5

Buy Links:

Amazon

Dark City Blue by Luke Preston – Review

SUPANOVA MELBOURNE REVIEW #5

Blurb:

If there’s one thing worse than a crooked cop on your heels then it’s a whole unit of them.

A fistful of people are murdered, fifteen million dollars is stolen and detective Tom Bishop is stuck in the middle. When he hits the street, every clue points in the same direction – his colleagues in a police department demoralised by cutbacks and scandals. Hunted, alone and with no place left to turn, Bishop embarks on a hellish journey down into the gutters where right and wrong quickly become twisted and problems are solved with gunfire and bloodshed.

Over the next two days, Tom Bishop will be cornered. He will be beaten. He will bust into prison. He will shoot at police. He will team up with violent criminals. He will become one of them. He will break every rule in the book, chasing a lead nobody else will go near down a rabbit hole of corruption, murder and buried secrets.

Will Bishop become the very monster he set out to destroy?

My Review:

It’s strange for me to read a crime fiction story set in Australia, so It took me a while to acclimatise to the setting. This is, however, a great story, filled with suspense and great characterisation. the pace is amazing, and it kept me thinking ahead, trying to work out Justice, where everything was going.

A good page-turner and a great book for a long car ride. I winced during the glass-and-towel incident, ouchie!

4/5

Buy Link:

Amazon

UnEarthed by Rebecca Bloomer – Review

SUPANOVA MELBOURNE REVIEW #4

Blurb:

If you’re going to colonise a planet, you’d better be willing to fight for it.

Within Anphobos, there grows a new race.  The first generation of humans never to set foot on Earth.  They are pale skinned, large eyed and worship no god but science.  They possess technological skills and processes Earth has refused to acknowledge.  Until now…

“We are Martian. Your religion isn’t ours. Our god is Mars. Our religion is science. Anything we do in the service of Mars, is good. Make no mistake, Earth girl, we are both right and good.”

Fresh off Earth, Jodi Scarfield doesn’t really care for Mars or its politics. Still, accusations of treason will get a girl’s attention…

My Review:

A short book with a decent punch. While the storyline has merit (who wouldn’t find it irresistible to be drawn into a revolutionary plot within a couple of days of landing on a new planet?), I find it hard for someone as seemingly smart as Jodi is, not to have a look into the things that were going on before she was found in the wrong place at the wrong time. She’s meant to be a hacker, and she lives in a highly-computerised bubble – why not just go looking for information on the people she was hanging out with? Why show Astrid her skills? If she’s on Mars in hiding, why would she jeopardize everything, after being so careful, to show off? I know she’s 16 and all, but still.

Other than that, the book has great setting, good characters, a decent bit of suspense. Definitely a YA book, though one thankfully far from the mushy kind of YA book that can still be found elsewhere.

4/5

Buy Link:

Amazon

Starchild: The Age of Akra by Vacen Taylor – Review

SUPANOVA MELBOURNE REVIEWS #3

Blurb:

When Mai is chosen to take a pilgrimage to the Valley of a Thousand Thoughts to train with the oldest and wisest master of their people, an ancient prophecy is set in motion. The events to come have been predicted but are not unchangeable. When the Starchild returns to the planet of Sage, the foreknowledge of the prophecy begins to gain strength.

Four children come together and become linked to the events that lie ahead. In The Age of Akra, the first stage of their journey has them facing the deadly spiderflax, only then to be confronted by a creature of the underworld, an evil Dementra called Amual.

The struggle to bring peace to the world of powerful energies lies in the hands of these four children and a strange little lizard. And it will not come easy. This journey is only the beginning.

My Review:

A story with developed characters and world that would bring any one a little joy and tears. The characters that are introduced into this instalment are hardy and welcoming, without being whiny or annoying, as is the habit of most YA authors. Without a doubt, one of the better YAs I’ve read so far.

However, the idea of the MC being the ‘Chosen One’ is an overdone cliché – but how else were you going to get her out of a superstitious village of mind-readers, I guess.

Recommended for the younger readers, probably wouldn’t hold much weight with older ones.

3.5/5

Buy Link:

Amazon

Altacia by Tracy M. Joyce – Review

SUPANOVA MELBOURNE REVIEWS #2

Blurb:

‘Look at her – she’s Hill Clan. Even the Matyrani don’t like them …’

Isaura – little is known about her race, but much is whispered. Born to refugees, she grows up enduring racism and superstition within a community that fears her. She has few friends, and those she treasures. Trapped, she longs for escape to a different life.

Escape is only the beginning of her troubles. Having fled an invading army with her friends, Isaura is faced with heinous choices in order to survive. Secrets from her past emerge to torment her and threaten to destroy all she holds dear. Her struggles forge a bond with an ancient power – a power which may transform or consume her. Old hatreds and superstitions are renewed and at her most vulnerable she learns the true nature of those around her.

Her only hope lies in a foreign land – a land rich in tradition; ruled by three powerful clans. A land with a history marked by warfare; where magic as we know it does not exist. Instead what is here, in abundance, is a more primal power.

Survival carries a high price.

Welcome to Altaica.

My Review:

The story starts slow, but builds up to a strong crescendo, pulling you along on a thrilling journey. While the cliché of a power-hungry son does play out, the way he reacts later is definitely worth the read.  the characters are fully-formed, you don’t need for back story or suffer under the weight of it – you have all the magic and words you need to get you through the story.

The world is definitely one I will have to revisit in the future, and I am looking forward to it. You won’t regret the read.

4.5/5

Buy Links:

Amazon

The Circle: Book One of The Sidhe by Cindy Cipriano – Review

SUPANOVA MELBOURNE PURCHASE #1

Blurb: 

Calum Ranson is sure of three things: his cousin Finley is alive, Calum will find him, and no one knows Calum and his family are Sidhe. No one until Laurel shows up at his mother’s bookstore wearing a dark clan’s mark.

When Calum learns the details surrounding the disappearance of Laurel’s brother, he suspects the evil Hobayeth clan. Calum and Laurel work together in the Realm of Man and the Otherworld to rescue her brother – revealing a connection between Calum and Laurel that may cost Finley his life.

My Review:

A short story with a great ending, this is definitely a YA book for your teen. The protagonist is 11-12 (not quite sure, but he is going into yr 6 at the beginning of the story). He’s written as a lot more mature, which means that the reader will find it much easier to empathise with him, unlike other YA that just makes the kids seem bratty.

While the ending of the story is a bit predictable if you’ve read as many fantasy books as I have, the journey is still a fun ride, and you’ll enjoy the trip with me.

I recommend you read this (or give it to your kids to read). There doesn’t really seem to be an age restriction on the story, which can only be a plus.

4/5

Buy Link:

Amazon

The Virgin Romance Novellist by Meghan Quinn – Review

Blurb:

Her bosom heaved at an alarming rate as his rough hand found its way down to her soft, yet wiry briar patch…

Can you say briar patch in a romance novel? What about meat sword? That’s what it is…a meat sword, right, all meaty and sword like, slaying through the inner dungeons of a woman’s dark desires. What about breasts? Do bosoms really heave?

God, I have no idea what happens when private parts touch.

I’m a virgin trying to write a romance novel and can’t seem to write past a sex scene thanks to my lack of experience.

My two best friends encourage me to drop the pen for a while and gain some real life practice through multiple dating facets such as blind dates, online profiles, and random hookups.

But losing my virginity is proving to be tougher than expected…

My Review:

It’s a comedy. There is no way it can be a romance, it has to be a comedy. I kept having to put down my tablet so I wouldn’t drop it laughing so hard. The sex scenes are awkward, the MC’s actions are terrible, the friend-zoned besty is so clearly into her it’s ridiculous she isn’t picking it up… Seriously, while the sex scenes are kind of hot, it’s more the humour and comedy that I loved.

Do yourself a favour. On a bad day, pick up this book. By the time you get through Chapter 5, you’ll feel SO much better.

4.5/5

Buy Link:

Amazon

The Battle of the Blood Moon Graphic Novel

We’re rolling now! The Kickstarter is at 11%, but we have a long way to go. I would LOVE for all my wonderful readers to head over and have a look. If everyone contributed $10, we would be insanely close to our goal!

If every one of my twitter and facebook followers pledged $5, we would cross the line. *SQUEEEEEEEE*

****

The Battle of the Blood Moon is a six-part comic based off my novella Blood Moon, with a bit of tweaking.

Werewolves are taking over. With the end of the world in sight, Olivia, her half-brother and step-mother must fight the deadliest scourge to cover the globe – and that’s not even counting the werewolf plague.

An apocalyptic comic with stunning visuals and a manga-style art form, it’s magical to read – and thrilling to look at.

The Kickstarter ensures that you are rewarded for your generosity. We have t-shirts, copies of the comic, copies of the graphic novel, postcards and even A PLACE IN THE COMIC (!?!?!) up for grabs. Hurry in and nab them before they’re all gone! Some rewards are VERY limited release!

****

Why should you help, huh? Well, aside form the warm, fuzzy feelings that you will get, you have the surety of knowing that if we don’t raise $6,500 by my birthday (Apr 14), you don’t have to pay anything. Let’s make this an awesome birthday present!

US-based pledgers are even better off – if you pledge and we get funded, it will not cost you as much as you pledge, thanks to exchange rates. Usually something like only 75% of your pledge amount, after conversion (so, you pledge $AU10, I receive $AU10, it only costs you $US7.50-ish). Same with other currencies, especially with Australia’s dollar value being so far gone (check exchange rates for your own currency to see what I mean).

Can’t pledge? Share! head to the Kickstarter page here and share the project with your twitter, facebook and tumblr followers! The more people who see it, the better the chance we get funded!

Head over, be generous, get awesome rewards, and let’s get this comic done!

Hugs and Kisses!

Holly

The Devil’s Claim by Alexander Wilding – Review

Blurb:

The Devil’s Claim is a historical fiction set in seventeenth century Herefordshire, England, a time in which the first-born son inherits all.

By the day’s end, this innocent young man will sell his soul to the devil and be on the road to Hell and damnation. It’s December 15, 1644, his fourteenth birthday. It will be a day that William Blinkingsop will never forget.

William’s father called him into the library to talk about his future. It was to be the worst day of his life—being the third son meant that he wouldn’t inherit any of his father’s land.

Hugo the eldest will inherit, and Thomas the second son will manage the estate. The smug smile on his two brothers’ faces as they came out of the library told him that they thought that Mommy’s little favorite had been put into his place.

Faced with only the church or the army as a career, William cursed his luck and his two brothers who stood between him and a life of ease.

The devil doesn’t come to you when you’re strong; he comes to you when you’re weak or upset. That night, the devil came to William and offered to arrange two accidents for his brothers, so he would become heir. William jumped at the chance. Two accidents later, he was heir to his father’s land.

However, when you let the devil into your life, he takes over. When William was seventeen, his father was taken ill, and a pillow across the sick man’s face meant William inherited his father’s money

Life was good for William, and he denied himself nothing. All the pleasures of the flesh were his, and he crushed anyone who stood between him and profit.

However, money and power meant nothing to him when three days before his forty-fifth birthday, the devil sent a demon to tell him he was claiming his prize.

William, in fear, rushed to the church in the hope the priest might save him. At midnight on the twelfth of December 1689, the fight for his soul with the devil begins. Will it be Heaven or Hell that wins the day?

My Review:

The only thing I didn’t like about this story was its length – it could have used a lot more time and pages, and used them well. The author should consider rewriting this story into a full-length book.

Characters were excellent, the rep. of the Devil was cool, and I like the negotiations. Well done!

4.5/5

Buy Link:

Amazon

The Dream Walker Returns by Michelle Murray – Review

Blurb: 

The Darkness has waited a long time to return to Mystica. Now, with the help of the wizard Shadow it has found a way back into the land. It will stop at nothing and no one to darken all of Mystica. Miranda is called to Mystica to help fight the Darkness. Her friend Brian follows. Does he mean to help or hinder her? Can Miranda stop the Darkness and save Mystica, and if so at what cost?

My Review:

While I understand that the book is meant for people a lot younger than me, I also realise that the target audience is still a more advanced reading level than the author credits them. The writing is simplistic and sparse on detail, with very little taking place through most of the book. I mean, I’m still not sure how old Miranda actually is – She seems to be a teenager, and simultaneously seems to be an adult. Oh, sure, there’s a quest to defeat evil, and a quest to find the stones, and all sorts of stuff happened, but there wasn’t really a collective emotion tying the reader to the page. It’s all ‘bam, pow, kersplat!’ instead of taking the time to connect the reader to the characters.

That makes it an automatic 3-star.

The scenery and the settings were great, there’s a good quest buried in the pages – but it definitely needs a good going over, an expansion, and a rethink on target audiences, and the author’s use of the exclamation mark in out-of-places.

If you can get past all that, it is a good book. But it will take some getting used to.

3.5/5

Buy Link:

Amazon