Tethered Twins by Mike Essex

In a world where everyone has a twin that can feel and experience the same things if you could figure out how to control that connection you could have power. That is the world that [Mike Essex] creates in [Tethered Twins].

Twenty-one years ago an event happened that caused billions of deaths worldwide. Now England is divided into the 'haves' and 'have nots' but they all have the common thread of being tethered. Emmie experienced the torture, and death, of her twin Will. By all accounts she should be dead but instead she is about to become a pawn, and possibly savior, in the battle to control the world.

I enjoyed this story. It fit into the dystopian genre with a different twist. I am hoping to get to read the second installment [Tethered Souls].

Blue Rhapsody by Grace McDermott

As a fan of the [Require Cookie] books I was excited to read [Blue Rhapsody]. [Grace McDermott] tells the back story of Raz and how he came to the agency. Once again we see what a good guy Ryan is with his kind actions that end up helping the agency. 

Raz is a person who would be defined in "normal" society as mentally ill but he fits right in at the agency. One of the reasons I love these books is they were written for the true misfits and gives a different view of what really is normal.

Hollow Blood (Sleepy Hollow Horror's #1) by Austin Dragon

I was given this book in exchange for a honest review and it was amazing. I will read almost anything but my wheelhouse is science fiction and history, this book was both. 

Everyone knows the legend of Sleepy Hollow but the Headless Horseman had been scarce for ten years. His last victim, Ichabod Crane. A stranger shows up questioning the story and believing this was a cover for foul play. He may get more than he bargained for.

[Austin Dragon] does a wonderful job being true to the original story while writing [Hollow Blood] and asking the "what if"? The superstitions of the era led to many stories but few as well known as the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The idea that there may have been more to it is a great twist.

I have read some of [Dragon's] futuristic science fiction and it was nice to see an author with versatility. I have enjoyed all the books of have read by him but so far [Hollow Blood] is my favorite.

And They Lived: A Short Story Anthology by Sabrina Zbasnik

First of all make sure you read the copyright warning in the beginning of the book or else the chipmunks may get you.



This anthology of short stories was a very good(and quick)read. [Sabrina Zbasnik] has created a dark and twisted view in [And They Lived] of some of our favorite fairy tells. I love it! I hate when female characters are weak.

She starts out with "Before Midnight" which has El Cinder as a hired killer. Her mark is Prince Charming. Yes, she does leave a glass slipper behind.

Next is "The Fifth Horseman" which is a poetic view of the horesmen and their forgotten brother.

"Hollow" was about selling your soul in vengeance and what it may cost.

"Darkness Shall Not Be Breached" was a creepy story involving spiders. (You are warned.)

"The Tower" was a very dark twist on Rapunzel.You don't want her to let her hair down, trust me.

"Destiny" was not as dark as the others but did emphasize how we can't change fate but it may not always be what we perceive.

"The Flower Garden" was a morality tale about vanity.

"Insomnia" showed even in death sometimes sleep alludes us. (I just say Ambien.)

Finally, "Red" goes back to the secret agent idea of El Cinder but with Red. Red must save Grandmother form Wolf but sometimes the lines between good and bad are not always so clear.

[Zbasnik] has a wonderful writing style that is lacking in much modern works. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this anthology.

Johnny Graphic and the Attack of the Zombies by D.R. Martin

[D.R. Martin] does an excellent job continuing the adventures of young boy photographer, Johnny Graphic and his friends. I [Johnny Graphic and the Attack of the Zombies] Johnny, Mel, Nina, and Dame Honoria continue the battle against Percy. This time Percy has created an army of zombies.

The classic style of the writing reminds me of Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew mysteries. It is a great throw back with a modern twist. I really enjoyed the style and the characters. The new characters that [Martin] added fit very well into the plot and enhanced the story line. I really recommend this book and feel it would be great in a classroom.

Metal Flesh (The After Eden Series: Tek-Fall, Episode I) by Austin Dragon

[Metal Flesh (The After Eden Series: Tek-Fall, Episode I] by [Austin Dragon] was an interesting view of the future. Sprocket is an atheist who's father was killed by a mysterious hit man. The world is dominated by tek. He is trying to find the only person who can help him, Goth Lila. Will he be able to handle what he finds out?

The characters were very good. I also likes how the story was broken up not only in chapters but time and place within the chapters. The story did seem to jump around a little but perhaps because I have not read the other books by [Dragon] yet. I plan to do just that.

Red Equinox by Douglas Wynne

[Red Equinox] by [Douglas Wynne] was about how humans can become pawns of the gods even unwittingly. Also that not all gods are good. Part adventure and part mystery this book has a lot to offer various audiences.

Becca is a photographer and urban explorer. She was raised by her slightly eccentric grandmother who studied the occult. Some of this knowledge was unwittingly passed to Becca as the book starts with her grandmother's funeral.

Brooks is a detective for an unknown government agency that investigates the weird (think X-Files). He and Becca are bound to cross paths as a madman from a cult plans to unleash destruction on Boston, the Hub.

These are the two main driving protagonists in the book. The were developed well but I found I wanted to know more about them. Deeper personalities because they both were hiding things and fighting their own demons.

The plot got a little wordy at times but the descriptions gave me that visual I enjoy in a good book. Any book that makes me "see" what is going on is a good one. I hope the next one will flow just a little better but other than that nothing should change.