Reading With Cats: Shattered Worlds(Six Books) by Various Authors

Reading With Cats: Shattered Worlds(Six Books) by Various Authors: I received [Shattered Worlds] as a give away. Since this is my favorite type of genre I knew I had hit the jackpot! All the books were great...

Stress Anxiety Solutions by John Harriyott

[John Harriyott's] book [Stress Anxiety Solutions] was easy to read and gave good advice. As a person who suffers from severe anxiety I have heard almost all of the advice before and even implement some of it. For someone with more mild stress and anxiety this book is a good checklist of things that could help you if you are not too stubborn to actually do them.

The World Outside by Eva Wiseman

Growing up in NJ during the 1980's and 90's I recall hearing the news about the incident in Crown Heights. I have some experience with Lubavitch in a community that I worked security in which was a mix with blacks. There was quite some conflict. It was a class of cultures.

[The World Outside] by [Eva Wiseman] was simply written but at times seemed to be like an after school special plot. It seems to be written for a specific community who can not read it. I would have liked to see more about the external conflict mixed with the internal conflict. Given the setting I feel this should have played a bigger role and given those not familiar with the history more background.

Shattered Worlds(Six Books) by Various Authors

I received [Shattered Worlds] as a give away. Since this is my favorite type of genre I knew I had hit the jackpot! All the books were great and I have done individual reviews of them. I have also added the next books onto my "list". I appreciate the opportunity to read these six wonderful books from talented authors.

The Breeders by Katie French

I received this book as a give away as part of a compilation [Shattered Worlds]. I have decided to give each book it's own review as I finish them to give the authors their due.

[The Breeders] by [Katie French] was a very exciting well written book. The main character of Riley was full of spunk and wasn't going to let anyone get the better of her. Her goal was to protect the ones she loves. As the story progresses she realizes she may need some help with this and must learn to trust other people.

This will be a book I look for in a paper edition to put in my classroom library. I will also be putting the {Believers] on my reading list.

The Blemished by Sarah Dalton

I received this book as a give away as part of a compilation [Shattered Worlds]. I have decided to give each book it's own review as I finish them to give the authors their due.

The Ministry had genetically created the perfect person. The are called GEMs and the rule society. Those who were not created perfect are called "Blemished" and are used as slaves for the upper class. Not all blemished are happy with this situation. Mina has a special gift that could help her but also be very dangerous to herself and those she loves. She will do anything to protect them and herself, as well as avoid the "operation" that all blemished girls get so they can not have children but often drives them mad as well. Secrets are kept, laws broken, lives risked and saved all fro freedom.

This was a well written novel. I could have done without the love triangle aspect because I thing that has been over done especially in YA literature and the characters were a little predictable. Overall the story flowed well and the action kept the plot moving along.

The Night of the Purple Moon by Scott Cramer

I received this book as a give away as part of a compilation [Shattered Worlds]. I have decided to give each book it's own review as I finish them to give the authors their due.

I really enjoyed {The Night of the Purple Moon] by [Scott Cramer]. It was well written and kept up a good pace. It was very similar to other YA dystopian novels out there but I would gladly recommend it to my students who enjoy this genre.

It starts with the world awaiting the arrival of a comet. The Earth will end up in the tail and the dust is supposed to turn the moon purple. Unfortunately the dust contains something else as well. The humanity of the younger generations, as well as their ability to survive, is about to be tested. How the world would go on was up to them.

The Torturer's Daughter by Zoe Cannon

I received this book as a give away as part of a compilation [Shattered Worlds]. I have decided to give each book it's own review as I finish them to give the authors their due.

In [The Torturer's Daughter] {Zoe Cannon] has created a excellent coming of age novel dealing with making the tough choices even if it goes against all you have known. It is all about becoming your own person.

Becca knows that her mom's job in Internal is a tough one that causes most people to fear her. In fact she knows that her mom tortures people but tries to keep herself in denial because it is her mom. That is until the night of a frantic phone call from her best friend. The events that follow will change Becca's world forever.

Outside by Shalini Boland

Everything has consequences. All actions are linked. That is the way [Shalini Boland] manages the novel [Outside]. This post-apocalyptic story takes place in England after a worldwide rash of terrorist attacks. The country has been divided into numerous walled cities of various stature and safety.

The twists and turns in this book will leave you wanting to find out more. I really enjoyed this story. I received it as a give away as part of the [Shattered World] books. I really recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopian novels.

Apocalypsis Book I: Kahayatle by Elle Casey

I received [Apocalypsis Book 1: Kahayatle] by [Elle Casey] as part of a LibraryThing give away. It came as part of a compilation book called [Shattered Worlds]. I really enjoyed reading it and hope to read more in the series.

It takes place in Florida starting in Central Florida and ending in the Everglades. It is about the journey of survivors after a plague killed all adults and children before puberty. They just want to find some place safe where they can live and rebuild but have to avoid becoming food for the 'canners'.

The characters are genuine enough to keep the story moving. Also as a middle school teacher here in FL I can tell you I can see society run by teenagers going into chaos and a few good ones fighting for life. The only thing that really bothered me was that the road they take to the Everglades, I-95, does not go near Winter Park. Minor detail though.

Dynamite Fishermen by Preston Fleming

Since I received my first book by [Preston Fleming] through Library Thing I have been impressed. [Dynamite Fishermen] did not disappoint me. I really enjoy the way he tells a story and believe Conrad Prosser could compete with Jack Ryan. Except maybe not a pure as Ryan which makes him more credible as a government employee.

The setting of Beirut in the 1980's really was in intriguing setting especially growing up in the 1980's and remembering the weekly new reports. This is an often forgotten time of American history when we supported Iraq and Saddam. I hope this book is widely read by a younger generation and gives them a new perspective of America in the Middle East. Also it was an awesome book.

De-Partment by Brian Martinez

[De-Partment] by [Brian Martinez] was a dark view of what a world had become and how easy it is for those in power to deceive the population that what they are doing is for the greater good.

Unfortunately for this system there is one person who still asks questions. As what he suffers and sees increases he becomes hardened to the system but not enough to submit to his death. Suddenly the fact that he fought back gives him worth. The question is who will he become with this new power.

Also there was a poem in the book also written by [Martinez]. I found this very thought provoking. The voice of the character seems to be godlike but he is realizing his mistakes. Left me wondering about my own choices.

A Rising Fall by C. Sean Mcgee

If you suffer from depression do not read [A Rising Fall] by [C.Sean Mcgee]. It was a confusing jumble of turmoil and has made me miserable as I read it. Yet the end left me wondering what happens.

Time Ahead by Robert King

When I read [Robert King's] [Time Ahead] my first thought was Rip van Winkle. The idea of falling to sleep and waking up in another time. As I read on I realized that I missed the existentialism that was so present in my younger years. Reading this was like a breath of fresh air for me. This may sound odd since it is a dark and depressing view to most people. The style [King] wrote it was truly engaging and there were points when the irony made me laugh out loud. This type of writing is very rare to come across and even more having it done well.

Reading With Cats: The Struggle Trilogy by Nelson Lowhim

Reading With Cats: The Struggle Trilogy by Nelson Lowhim: {The Struggle Trilogy] by [Nelson Lowhim] was a bit of a struggle to read. The characters lack depth and that made them difficult to follow....

Reading With Cats: The Struggle Trilogy by Nelson Lowhim

Reading With Cats: The Struggle Trilogy by Nelson Lowhim: {The Struggle Trilogy] by [Nelson Lowhim] was a bit of a struggle to read. The characters lack depth and that made them difficult to follow....

The Struggle Trilogy by Nelson Lowhim

{The Struggle Trilogy] by [Nelson Lowhim] was a bit of a struggle to read. The characters lack depth and that made them difficult to follow. On the other hand, the author does a good job portraying the animosity and confusion that exists in a war zone from all parties.

It could have had a clearer purpose which would have made it easier to read and to follow the action in the story. All the characters were hit and miss; unfortunately there was not much to them.

I enjoyed it but not as much as I was hoping to.