Generation Manifestation (Gen M, #1) by Steven Bereznai - A Booksirens Review

Generation Manifestation (Gen M, #1)

 by Steven Bereznai

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Generation Manifestion by Steven Bereznai is a fresh, new contender in the world of young adult dystopian literature.

The world is separated into two distinct classes, the supergenics and the dregs (ordinary humans with no supergenic abilities). Caitlin, our protagonist, hopes that on testing day, her special power will manifest and she will get to live the life of her revered superheroes in "the city". But, as testing day arrives, Caitlin has to face the fact that she possesses no super power. This does not stop her from trying to reach her goal. She joins forces with an unlikely ally and turns the world upside down.

This book has similarities to series such as Divergent and Marvel/DC series but the author makes it his own universe by having unique characters, well drawn up world building and an engaging plot where every guess you make will be wrong. The story unfolds at a good pace and the balance between background and world building to action is well balanced. 

I really wanted to know more about the city and see more of the superhero side of the story. 

I loved the inclusiveness of this book, the author does not shy away from topics such as gender identity, neuro diversity and disabilites. 

If you are looking for a solid follow on after Divergent, this will not disappoint. 

I would like to thank the author and Booksirens for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

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Termination by Richard T. Burke - A TBC Review

 Termination: The Boy Who Died (Decimation #2)

 by Richard T. Burke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 Termination by Richard Burke is the sequel to Decimation. Antimone, Jason and Paul have settled into family life. Antimone has achieved her dream of representing the UK at the Paralympic games in Glasgow. For a second time though, her chance of bringing home a medal is hampered and she finds herself in another life threatening situation.

I really enjoyed reading these books. Antimone is a brave new kind of main character. The plot develops at a rapid pace and there is no room for boredom. The characters are extremely well written and each have complex backgrounds and challenges to face. World building happens on the fly, the reader gets a good grasp of this dystopian leaning new world set in the not so distant future.

This series combines a number of genres but it has an overall feel of a fast paced thriller with dystopian undertones. 

The author brings many unique ideas and facets to a very popular genre. I particularly liked the inclusiveness of these books and the fact, that the main character will appeal to differently abled readers. 

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The Disciple by Sarah Sheridan - A Bloodhound Books Review

 

The Disciple

by Sarah Sheridan   

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The disciple by Sarah Sheridan is the second book following Sister Veronica. 

The convent is in turmoil after a baby is left. A mysterious tarot card, left with the baby, is the only clue left. Sister Veronica and her journalist friend Melissa take it upon themselves to find the baby’s mother! The task unearths far more sinister circumstances than expected.

This is a sequel and, as such, it would be best to have read the previous book. A lot of Sister Veronica’s thoughts and reactions are based in the first book, which I haven’t read.

The book does work as a stand-alone but the background knowledge would be useful to understand some of the main characters thought processes and doubts.

I was a little disappointed, that the protagonist plays a relatively small roll in the main plot. She is not a “super sleuth” and the police play a crucial part to all the more procedural action.

The plot is engaging and the twists and turns will keep a reader’s interest. 

Overall, a fun read with a quirky new sleuth.

My thanks go to Bloodhounds Books and the author, Sarah Sheridan, for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

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This is how we are human by Louise Beech - A TBC review

 This Is How We Are Human

by Louise Beech

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As an interim review: WoW, just WOW. 

This is how we are human by Louise Beech is a work of brilliance. I have tried to write a review that does it justice for about a week now and I still feel nothing I say will be adequate. 

This is an easy 5+ star read. 

Louise Beech is a very diverse author, approaching each subject with her unique ability to weave a magical story. 

In “This is how we are human” the author explores the complexities of being the parent of a neurodiverse young adult. As a mother of two autistic young men, I found myself in this book! I laughed, I cried and I could utterly relate to Veronica.

When we meet Veronica and Sebastian, we encounter a mother at her wits’ end! All Veronica wants is help with Sebastian’s latest challenging behaviour, just to find the professional as clueless as she feels! Sebastian is 20, he loves swimming, eggs, is handsome, dreams of having sex ... and is autistic! Isabelle is a young nurse in training and has a secret night job. Veronica’s plan to help Sebastian has some unexpected effects on all three of our main characters! 

Louise Beech broaches a subject that most of us parents with differently abled children put off thinking about! As with all her books, the characters are all exquisitely created, the storyline weaves beautifully along and the reader cannot help but be drawn into the Center of the story.

This is one of the most poignant, brilliantly written and profound human interest stories I have read! Really the only advice I have for anyone reading this review is: buy the book!

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Deadly Lies by Ann Girdharry - A Bloodhound Books Review

 Deadly Lies

by Ann Girdharry

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Deadly Lies by Ann Girdharry is the third book in a series featuring Detective Grant and his team and psychologist Ruby Silver. 

When two little girls are abducted in the middle of the night from their grandparents' house, the team has to race against the clock to find them. During their investigation they uncover some dark secrets. Could the abductor be closer to home than they thought? 

I had not read the first books in this series, so some of the references to older cases and turmoil within the team did not make much sense to me. This did not take away from the story however and was more background information.

The story unfolded at a good pace, however for me, there were too many coincidental "discoveries" and glossed over fact finding, that seemed a little unbelievable and confusing. The detectives put pieces together that had no previous thread to lead them to the discovery. I personally did not find a connection with any of the characters, this could be because I had not read the previous books. 

I would like to thank Bloodhound Books and the author for an ARC in exchange for this review. 

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The Entrepeneur by Louise Worthington - A Bloodhound Books Review

The Entrepreneur  

by Louise Worthington

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Entrepreneur by Louise Worthington is a cleverly written crime thriller presenting the reader with a story within the story. 

Five young entrepreneurs compete in a new reality TV show to scoop two prizes worth 1 million pounds. The reader joins the contest in the final weeks, when the business ventures have already been unveiled. One contender stands out with her business idea of marketing and selling “murderabilia”, a lucrative (often black market) and dangerous business model. As such, the young contender meets a serial killer with a secret. When the father of a suspected victim becomes aware of the show, he sees his chance for justice. When one of the entrepreneurs is found dead, the remaining housemates are left in turmoil! 

This was a book built on the very dark practice of monetizing pieces from actual crime scenes. The plot develops at a good pace and the characters are all well built. I enjoyed the many layers of this story and really enjoyed discovering how all the pieces fit. A good read for anyone who loves crime books.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My thanks go to Bloodhound Books and the author, Louise Worthington.

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The Train by Sarah Bourne - A Bllodhound Books review

The Train

by Sarah Bourne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Train by Sarah Bourne explores human nature and reactions when faced with unexpected adversity.The day for 8 passengers on a busy commuter train, from Milton Keynes to London, begins as any other. Not long into the journey, a tragic incident brings the train to a stop.

The reader gets to know the 8 passengers and follows along for the day. Insights in how each of them deal with the incident, how it impacts their life and changes them forever make this novel a powerful read. The characters are all connected and find themselves meeting throughout the day. Some have a more direct response than others, one is even directly involved in the tragic that unfolded. But all are changed forever.

I found this to be a very thought provoking read, I had to smile at some of the “very British” reactions and ways to cope with such a profound experience. Tea, anyone? 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My thanks go to Bloodhoundbooks and the author, Sarah Bourne.

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