The Dome is a short story I was lucky enough to run across in Kindle Unlimited. I say 'lucky' because I have trouble finding short reads on Kindle Unlimited. I can't seem to figure out how to search for both 'specific genres' and 'short reads'. Actually searching on short reads in general appears difficult to me. Today I did a search on just 'short reads' and it pulled up Of Mice and Men. Hmmm. If anyone has any helpful hints I'll take them.
The Dome is a dystopian/sci fi type short story. While it didn't recreate the genre, I still found it enjoyable.
Description:
Nava has lived a protected and comfortable life under the Dome, safe from a toxic, war-torn world where nothing has survived for centuries. But when Nava discovers something alive outside the protection of the Dome, her reality is shaken and she will do anything to discover the truth, even risk her own life.
#kindleunlimited #shortstory #bookreview #bookstagram #instabook #dystopian #whatiread #bookblogger #thedome #allisongorner
It's Publication Day for The Cruel Stars by John Birmingham. A new sci fi adventure told from multiple POV.
Description:
The galaxy was once terrorized by the Sturm, a group of "species purists" intent on destroying any human with genetic or cybernetic enhancements. Fashioning themselves as the one true "Human Republic," the Sturm cut a bloody swath across the stars, killing billions before finally being defeated and driven into the far reaches of Dark Space. Centuries of peace bred complacency. Everyone believed the Sturm had died out in the Dark. They were wrong.
The enemy has returned and, with a brutal and decisive attack, knocks out almost all of humanity's defenses. Now on the brink of annihilation, humankind's only hope is a few brave souls who survived the initial attack: Commander Lucinda Hardy, thrust into uncertain command of the Royal Armadalen Navy's only surviving warship. Booker3, a soldier of Earth, sentenced to die for treason, whose time on death row is cut short when the Sturm attack his prison compound. Princess Alessia, a young royal of the Montanblanc Corporation, forced to flee when her home planet is overrun and her entire family executed. Sephina L'trel, the leader of an outlaw band who must call on all of her criminal skills to resist the invasion. And, finally, Admiral Frazer McLennan, the infamous hero of the first war with the Sturm hundreds of years ago, who hopes to rout his old foes once and for all--or die trying.
These five flawed, reluctant heroes must band together to prevail against a relentless enemy and near-impossible odds. For if they fail, the future itself is doomed.
Thoughts:
Always happy to find a new space opera or sci fi adventure, so I was very happy to get copy of this book. Because there are 5 different POV, I had some difficulty at the beginning as I tried to figure out how they were going to interact with each other or if at all. However, it eventually becomes evident that there is a connecting factor and I found the story more satisfying once I was able to see this.
#bookrecommendations #bookstagram #scifibooks #scifi #netgalley #bookreview #instabook #books #thecruelstars #johnbirmingham
A western with a modern twist. *
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Cardslinger by M.G. Velasco is a new middle grade book that combines trading card games with the western genre. Complete with stage coaches, horseback riding, trains, bandits, shoot-outs, a main character named Shuffle, and old western favorites like Doc Holliday and a Bat Masterson reference, this book was a lot of fun.
Description:
A dangerous quest, a lost treasure, and the card game that started it all.
It's 1881, and a newfangled card game called Mythic is sweeping the nation. Twelve-year-old Jason "Shuffle" Jones doesn't like it. He and his father created the game for themselves, before his father went missing. Mythic should have disappeared with him. But when Shuffle discovers a clue in a pack of Mythic cards, he sets out on a quest to find his dad. Along the way he clashes with a devious card swindler, an epic twister, and the ruthless bounty hunter Six-Plum Skylla and her gang. As he gets closer to the truth, will he turn tail or push all-in to become a real hero?
#bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #instabook #kidsbookstagram #middlegrade #netgalley #cardslinger #books #whatiread #bookblogger #bookstoread #bookcommunity #mgvelasco
Death Comes to Dartmoor is the 2nd book in the Merriweather and Royston Mystery series by Vivian Conroy.
Description:
Miss Merula Merriweather barely saved her uncle from the gallows after he was wrongly accused of murder—and now, she’s left the bustle of Victorian London to recuperate in the fresh air of Dartmoor with her fellow zoologist, Lord Raven Royston. The trip offers a unique treat, as they’ll be staying with a friend of Raven’s, who owns a collection of rare zoological specimens—including a kraken, a sea monster of myth and legend.
But all is not right in the land of tors, heaths, and mist. Their host’s maid has vanished without a trace, and the townspeople hold him responsible, claiming that his specimens are alive and roam the moors at night, bringing death to anyone who crosses their path. Merula and Raven are skeptical—but the accusations become more ominous when they find several specimen jars empty.
As the two hunt for clues across a desolate and beautiful landscape, a stranger appears bearing a shadowy secret from Merula’s past. Could there be a connection between her family history, the missing girl, and a fearsome monster that could be on the loose? The race is on to find the truth.
Thoughts:
I enjoyed this one. I found it to be an easy read that feels like a mix between cozy mystery and regular mystery. While reading there were times I felt reading the first book in the series would have helped me understand the relationships between the two main characters better, but overall a nice read.
#bookreview #bookstagram #instabook #mysterybooks #mystery #crimefiction #cozymystery #netgalley #deathcomestodartmoor #vivianconroy #merriweatherandroystonmystery #books #bibliophile #whatiread #bookblogger
3 New Picture Books to Share
Don't Drink the Pink by B.C.R. Fegan: Each year Madeline's grandfather gives her a magical potion for her birthday. He offers her several options to pick from - each a different color, and she can only select one - she just can't drink the pink one. Each potion gives her a magical ability for the day, like breathing fire or super speed. You get to see Madeleine grow up as she has fun each birthday, but as Madeleine grows older, so does her grandfather.
It Came From Under the Highchair is a bilingual picture book told in both English and Spanish by Karl Beckstrand. It is part of the Mini-mysteries for Minors series and is about what happens to the food a toddler throws down in the floor.
Meet Me at the Farmers Market by Lisa Pelto: Delightful picture book about a girl named Sophia who loves going to the Farmers Market each week. Book shows us all the different things offered there, both in food and entertainment.
#bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #instabook #kidsbookstagram #picturebook #kidstagram #books #itcamefromunderthehighchair #netgalley #meetmeatthefarmersmarket #dontdrinkthepink #lisapelto #karlbeckstrand #bcrfegan
The Heath Cousins and the Kingsgate Bridge is the latest book in the series by Eileen Hobbs that came out earlier this year.
Description:
"Gemma is in trouble! You must return to the Garden of Choice before it's too late!" These were the words in the letter to Addie B. from her friend Mai Li. What has happened? How can they get back to save their friend?
In Book 2 of the Heath Cousins, Addie B. is in England awaiting the visit from hercousins Jack, Beanie and Bodie. This time, they must find their way back to the magical garden through the dark and frigid Kingsgate Bridge.
But what has happened to the garden? There is nothing left but dead leaves and shriveled flowers.
The cousins must once again battle the dark forces such as menacing thorns, a gigantic bird and most frighteningly of all, the evil gray wolf, Daiyu.
They are full of fear. But they will stop at nothing to save their dear friends.
Thoughts:
Just like the first in the book, I reviewed this along with my middle-grade age nephew. When asked if he liked it he gave me a big smile when he said 'yes.' He said his favorite character was the new one introduced in the book - Mai Li, because she comes in strong even though she is hurt. *
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As in the previous book, the 4 cousins must learn to trust each other to find the right path. It is also a little longer than the previous one, but not to long that it might discourage reluctant readers.
#bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #instabook #kidsbookstagram #middlegrade #theheathcousinsandthekingsgatebridge #eileenhobbs #books #bibliophile #whatiread
