Breathe, by Sarah Crossan Book Review

I loved the cover on this YA dystopian science fiction book, so plucked it off the shelves hoping it was an engrossing read.

When oxygen levels plunge in a treeless world, a state lottery decides who will live inside the Pod. Everyone else will slowly suffocate. Years later society has divided into Premiums and Auxiliaries. Only Premiums can afford enough oxygen to live a normal life. Dissenters to the regime are ejected from the Pod.

Alina belongs to a rebel group and when one of her illegal expeditions to illegally harvest cuttings to grow trees ends in tragedy, her subsequent actions are set to uncover the shocking truth about the Pods.

This is a very interesting world. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the favored few who have sufficient oxygen to exercise -- and those who have to pace themselves because they are constantly coping on limited air. And when the twists come, it was initially quite a shock to discover exactly what was going on. The science is also secure on this one -- I liked the way Crossan has woven in established fact in order to make this plot point work. Nicely done.

Breathe, by Sarah Crossan Book Review

Eden, by Martin Roy Hill Book Review

It's a bit of a shock to find someone who can tell his story in 100 pages flat. Usually it's a trilogy at least. But Hill pulls it off.  Sequels are possible, but I liked it well enough to hope he doesn't. I think of Against the Fall of Night / The City and the Stars (and sequel), 2001:  A Space Odyssey (and sequels), and "With Folded Hands" (expanded into a novel, The Humanoids, with sequel), and hope he doesn't.

Eden is an Ancient Aliens and the Origins of Humanity story, which is not a spoiler, because Hill tells us this in a note at the beginning.  More points to him for not trying to use this used theme as a Big Reveal and Punch Line.

Eden is set in southern Iraq, "northeast of Basra", a "sun-scorched landscape" that is not many people's idea of Eden. Conditions have deteriorated since Adam and Eve. 

Eden, by Martin Roy Hill Book Review

The Shadow Throne, by Django Wexler - Book Review

The King of Vordan is dying, and his daughter, Raesinia, is destined to become the first Queen in centuries -- and a ripe target for the ambitious men who seek to control her. But politics knows no loyalties, especially for Duke Orlanko. He will bow his knee to no Queen. Freshly returned from their recent victories abroad, Colonel Janus, Marcus d'Ivoire and Winter Ihernglass must defeat the Duke using muskets, magic and every weapon at their command.

Wexler has been smart in completely changing the backdrop to this adventure, thus immediately giving it a different tone and feel. While the first book was set in a dry, desert country where our protagonists were the outsiders, this volume has them back home, grappling with palace politics.

The Shadow Throne, by Django Wexler Book Review

The Death House, by Sarah Pinborough Book Review

Looks like my streak of reviewing the best books ever in one year is continuing. I loved The Death House even if it is a Young Adult book. I will also throw this out there. I think it is the best young adult book I have ever read. In fact it is so good, parents might hold off on giving this one to their kids until they are a little older. Perhaps the 16+ range. Although I would have devoured it at age 13 myself. 

This novel revolves around Toby who, along with a few dozen other children has been sent to a cold island located off the shore of Great Britain. These children were removed from their families because they have a deadly disease that will eventually kill them. The author keeps the world and the disease vague and focuses more on the children and their lives.
The Death House, by Sarah Pinborough Book Review

Aurora: Eden, by Amanda Bridgeman Book Review

When I selected this book from the latest releases on Netgalley, I wasn't too concerned that this was Book 5 as I have a long and dishonorable tradition of crashing halfway into an established series while still enjoying the experience. However, with this particular book it was far more of an issue.

In the wake of the tragic events in Centralis, Captain Saul Harris stands with the weight of the world on his shoulders. With the truth of UNFASP revealed, he realizes that he must embrace his ancestry if he is to survive the coming onslaught. But how far will Harris go to protect the future? Will he sacrifice life as he knows it and become a Jumbo? Or can he face the future as a common man? Meanwhile Sergeant Carrie Welles has been left devastated by what has happened. Uncertain of the future ahead, and with her nemesis, Sharley, on the brink of control, she struggles to pick herself up. But she is left surprised when help comes from the unlikeliest of places. As her life veers off in a direction she never expected, Carrie soon understands that she is running a course with a destiny that lies far beyond her control.

Aurora: Eden, by Amanda Bridgeman Book Review

Human for a Day, edited by Martin H. Greenberg, Jennifer Brozek Book Review

The Mainspring of His Heart, the Shackles of His Soul by Ian Tregillis:  The anthology starts off with a steampunk story and tick tock automaton who, in cohoots with his human best friend, hopes to find the key that would free him from servitude and give him a soul.  All he has to do is escape the ship he works on while in New Amsterdam and find the Underground Railroad.  A cool, touching story to start of the anthology.

The Blade of His Plow by Jay Lake:  In this story, we get to see Longinus, cursed to live forever as punishment for his role in what happened that "one hot morning in Judaea."  He's drawn to battle and sees many horrific sights as penance before someone arrives and makes him mortal for a day, his punishment over.  An interesting take on Longinus and the many stories surrounding his name.

Human for a Day, edited by Martin H. Greenberg, Jennifer Brozek Book Review

Shadows, by Paula Weston Book Review

In response to the recent release of the final book in The Rephaim series, Netgalley offered reviewers a chance to read, Shadows, the start of the series. As I'd heard a fair amount about this YA Fantasy series, I took the opportunity to download it and judge for myself.

It's almost a year since Gaby Winters was in the car crash that killed her twin brother, Jude. Her body has healed in the sunshine of Pandanus Beach, but her grief is raw and constant. It doesn't help that every night in her dreams she kills demons and other hell-spawn. And then Rafa comes to town. Not only does he look exactly like the guy who's been appearing in Gaby's dreams—he claims a history with her brother that makes no sense. Gaby is forced to accept that what she thought she knew about herself and her life is only a shadow of the truth—and that the truth is more likely to be found in the shadows of her nightmares. Who is Rafa? Who are the Rephaim? And most importantly, who can she trust?

Shadows, by Paula Weston Book Review