"Descending Son" by Scott Sheperd

I had this book sitting in my iPad for over a year and a half, not because of a lack of interest, but rather a lack of time to read it. Other books got in my way before I resumed this read, but then I kind of rediscovered it. And I'm very glad I did. 

"Descending Son" simply put is a vampire novel, however it brings a different perspective borrowing from the classical lore that is assigned to this mystical creatures. In this case we have a man that is brought back home to see his ill father, just to get involved in a supernatural struggle that will threaten his life and change the way he looks at the world forever.

The introduction of words like "civatateo" and the Mexican vampire culture brings the element of freshness to the story. The author knew how to keep his cards well hidden, and even managed to sneak in a nice twist toward the end. The pieces fell almost perfectly in this tale, which was a nice surprise.

On the other hand, there were moments when I was close to losing my faith in this story. Certain characters are just annoying, or their intentions are simply hard to relate. In the end, it was something that was easy to overcome (maybe because I'm a sucker for vampire stories.) 

Finished on: September 24, 2015

Days reading: 9

My rating: 4/5

"Two Boys Kissing" by David Levithan

I don't remember how I found out about this book, but somehow it landed on my radar. The premise looked simple enough, the story of two boys looking to break the world record of a continuous kiss. But this book is so much more than that, and I was delighted to discover all the layers exposed with each page turned.

As I started reading, the narrative style was not connecting with me. I was afraid that after all I was not going to enjoy the read. But once the characters were introduced, and I better understood where the narrators were coming from, it sort of clicked. And then, what a book.

This book was written two years ago, and in such a short time things have moved forward a lot. But this book does not necessarily deals with the rights of gay people, rather the struggles of youth trying to discover themselves and being accepted by those around them.

In a certain way it puts into perspective many of the feelings that are felt when coming out to non-accepting parents, the self-doubt of transgenders, the promiscuity of a teenager that uses dating apps, the hazing by same-age peers, and the downward spiral that some of these problems lead to. At the same time we find hope, the happiness of finding love, or even rediscovering love. And above all this, the voices of past generations serve as a sort of color-commentator that add depth and a different perspective.

One of my favorite lines in the book was: "This is what we don't admit about first kisses: One of the most gratifying things about them os that they are proof, actual proof, that the other person wants to kiss us." If that does not give you goosebumps, you should really find a new love and experience the joy of a first kiss.

Hopefully this story can reach the eyes of young men that are feeling alone in their struggles. We have come really far as a society in the fight for equality. There's still a long road ahead, but just like the kissing boys, it will take a lot of courage and sacrifice to walk it.

The only reason I did not give this book a five-star rating was because of the awkwardness created by some of the comments from the "disembodied" narrators. I will still highly recommend this publication.

Finished on: September 28, 2015
Days reading: 4
My rating: 4/5

"The Strasbourg Legacy" by William Craig

First published in 1975, this book is a chronicle of the remnants of the Third Reich and their quest to not become irrelevant. The book cover is really attractive, showing a Reichsadler (imperial eagle) with its wings spread, as menacing as when it was being utilized by the Nazis. This is what pulled me into reading the story, topics of World War II have achieved a legendary status, and I was hoping that this would follow suit. I don't think that was necessarily achieved, but more on that a little later in my review.

If you are the reader of this book and lack a basic knowledge of the late years of the European front of World War II, the East Germany/West Germany split, the ODESSA, or even the actions of the infamous Shin Bet, then you should make some research before opening this book. The author jumps into his narrative, interweaving these topics without much background explanations. While I have read much about this time period, at times I found myself pausing my read just to consult online references to put things into perspective.

Taking place in the 70s, the same period it was written, we read the story of a power struggle of sorts with "escaped" Nazis that want to create government instability, gain some sort of power, and even pave the way for a Fourth Reich. Getting involved in all this mess is an American agent named Matt Corcoran, who finds himself peeling the layers of multiple conspiracies, treacherous "allies," and power hungry political machines.

At just 183 pages it is a rather small book, it did not take much time to get from cover to cover. However, even for such a quick read I found myself struggling to get into the story. I just could not connect with the characters or the storyline. Maybe it is because of a disconnect between my generation, and the one this was written for, but the words just did not flow well for me. It was not until the books final pages that I felt some sort of interest for what was "coming next." The ending is fun, and shows a quite elaborate plan and how the heroes are able to work around it.

This is by no means a bad book, it is just one that is not well suited for everyone.

Finished on: September 14, 2015
Days reading: 3
My rating: 2/5

** I received a free copy of this book as an ARC by the author/publisher in exchange of a honest review.

"Joy to the Worlds" by Various Authors

Joy to the Worlds is a collection of short stories that in sort way connect with the holidays. We get to travel in space, time, and the incredible, from the perspective of four different authors that brings a great degree of freshness to the book. While some of the stories stand on their own as great storytelling, they are so different that there is hardly a connection between them. 

Because of this I have broken up my review into the different stories in the book. Definitely fun to read while enjoying some hot cocoa around the fireplace.

“Wild Hunt” by Janine Southard:

This story caught me off guard from the beginning. As a first story I thought it was weak, as it started right in the middle of an event with minimal character introduction or even background onto what was going on. While a short story does not have much room to expand the plot, this one failed to make me feel passionate about it. Even after finishing reading it I still don’t know for sure what happened.

“Escape from Yorktown” by G. Clemans:

An adventure of galactic proportions indeed. Escape from Yorktown is the fun story of a visitor to a perfect-looking town that is not exactly what it seems. Fun and intelligent, this story brings forward a narrative that is engaging, even at its lowest moments. While at first it is a little convoluted, as the characters get fully developed the story becomes very enjoyable.

“Odysseus Flax & the Krampus” by Maia Chance

Forget about jolly old Saint Nicholas, this story is about a character that is quite the contrary. In the style of old traditional folk tales, this story grabs on to all the those well known story-telling elements and brilliantly weaves the odyssey of a traveler who makes a fateful stop in a small town. This mystical figure, the Krampus, steals naughty children at night. But it’s just a story, right? Odysseus finds out that devils come in many shapes, and things are not what they seem. You will really enjoy reading this story, it’s engaging, fast-paced, and has a brilliant ending.

“Ol’ St. Nick” by Raven Oak

A science-fiction whodunit that will keep you guessing until the last minute. The crew of a salvaging ship stumbles upon a wreck. The demise of a person within that vessel triggers a set of events that has everybody second-guessing their alliances and wondering who is the killer that is walking among them. As if this was not enough, the author throws in the mafia, well in this case, an intergalactic mob boss. Needless to say it was a refreshing story, considering it’s galactic setting and varied cast of characters. Borrowing elements from the classic sci-fi genre, this story is one of the strongest in the book.

"Bevel & Turn" by G. Clemans

It's always fun to read the story of a magical Christmas decoration, in this case a whirligig. Georgia is your typical socially awkward high schooler with a passion for woodworking. This passion will lead her down a mystical path of discovery, where she will learn more about herself, her family, and learning to lean on another for support. Caleb is the romantic interest that serves as a side kick to our protagonist. The stronger of Clemans' stories in this book, "Bevel & Turn" is entertaining and smart, with multiple cultural references. It was well-researched and provided a fresh look into a not do new plot device. I only wish the villain character was further developed, however there's so much that can be done within the limits of a short story.

"Death Node" by Janine A. Southard

  I was not a fan of Southard's first story in this book, as a matter of fact I consider it the weakest. But all of that is redeemed with "Death Node." Yes, pretty much like its preceding story, it deals with a form of time travel, but this one has an approach that is both logical and actually is what my view of time traveling is. Without spoiling it, all I will say is that it brilliantly explores the paradox of going back in time and affecting our own futures. Can we truly change history? Or is our presence in the past the necessary piece in the puzzle for things to end the way they are? The biggest problem with this story is that is not long enough. It has multiple dimensions/realities that keep building up to the climax of the story. The characters are smart, an Postrel, the protagonist, floods us with a deluge of thoughts, feelings, and what ifs. Enough to make a happy progression to the last pages of this book.

"The Ringers" by Raven Oak

You will never feel the same way about a bell jingling after reading this story. Set in a small, rural town, this story is dark and mystical, at times dystopian and at others similar to a Dickens style. Nevertheless, here's the story of a girl moving into a new place, a place that is beyond normal, a place with magic and secrets; where death is just a ring away. While I read this story, I could just envision the characters trying to see beyond the fears of lore, and make sense of the problems upon them. Elise, the protagonist, is skillfully developed to a point where I felt a good connection with her. The only problem I have with this story is that the end it felt a little like it was dragging. The pace somewhat dropped, though the ending itself was good. In the end, next time I hear the jingle of a bell late at night, I'll make sure I lock my doors.

"Mr. and Mrs. Mistletoe" by Maia Chance

The closing story of the book brings us a look of the past that never was, as the preview says a "retro future" of sorts. This allowed the author to insert many cool little elements to enhance this story that takes place in the 1950s. In itself it's a fun little story of a upper class town that is caught up in the vanity, of all things, of a glorified beauty pageant. Miss Pynne, the protagonist, is pushed into a mystery-solving quest for reasons that are hard to comprehend. As a character, she is very forge rabble, though this in part is done on purpose (after all, no one can ever get her name right). Not one of my favorites, the story that was being told was hard to believe. The motivations of the characters were at times too petty, even ludicrous. The holiday hint was very faint, yet present. Maybe I'll give the pageant circle a shot after this.

Finished on: August 31, 2015

Days reading: 10

My rating: 3/5

** I received a free copy of this book as an ARC by the author/publisher in exchange of a honest review.

"Nirvana" by J.R. Stewart

Nirvana is a boom that examines both corporate greed and the ever-increasing impact technology has in our daily lives. The story takes place in a dystopian society that has been brought to edge of extinction due to the lack of bees to pollinate plants. As society crumbles, private firms rise to help the survivors of this "extinction" live a little better.

one of these companies is Hexagon, and it's inside these walls that the story develops.

Larissa is the true romantic of this book, searching tirelessly for her love Andrew. As part of her quest she interacts with this virtual reality world that constantly reminded me of The Matrix.  As she continues her search she learns more and more about the truth behind those she worked for.

The concept of this book is rather amusing. There were moments within the book that I felt I could not differentiate between what was their "real world" and the virtual one. The story is intriguing, get there were portions that had me somewhat confused. A very funny conversation takes place in a chapter called Extinction.  Here two characters talked about what led to the state of the world. While informative it was far from natural, it was just a weird narration of a series of events; and also it was almost to the end of the book.

 In a certain way, I wish the book was organized in a different way. At times it is difficult to figure out where characters are coming from, their motivations, or if this is the future or the past. The book ends in a sort of "cliffhanger," and we we all left to wait until the sequel is published. It was a fun read, yet I believe the characters could have been developed better. If you like science, or even science-fiction, this book is right with you.

** I received a free copy of this book as an ARC by the author/publisher in exchange of a honest review.

Finished on: September 10, 2015

Days reading: 7

My rating: 2/5

Coin-Operated Americans. Rebooting Boyhood at the Video Game Arcade.

I felt like a magnetic attraction to this book from the moment I saw its cover and read its title. When I was a kid, I can't count the hours (or quarters) I spent at the arcade. Eventually the arcade closed, and most kids got their gaming "fix" from home consoles. Now this book goes beyond the story of the arcade; Carly Kocurek analyses the arcade, and video games as a form of entertainment, from the perspective of what audience it is targeting. In this case boys and young male adults. 

The demographics are clear, and considering I grew up as one of these boys, in a certain way it helped open my eyes to the perception of the gaming industry from the female side. Kocurek provides examples of early promotions from the pioneer video game companies that set the stage for these games to be viewed as a sport, a manly thing to do, almost to the point of being worthy of admiration if successful. Beyond that, the author even takes a look at Hollywood and famous films like Tron and War Games (a movie that was a favorite growing up.)

Of course there is always the darker side of gaming. We see the moral battles against video game violence, the spending of money in the arcade, and the demonization of the arcade itself by its opponents. 

So basically, there's two sides of this book. There's the history part, and then there's the analysis of the author. I really enjoyed how Kocurek moved through the decades, the venues, and even the controversies. She was able to insert commentaries about the key players (no pun intended) in the video game history. However, is the other side of the story that falls short for me. Clearly the purpose of the book is to demonstrate that "boyhood" goes hand-in-hand with the arcade, as evidence by the subtitle of this work. But there were times that it seemed like the author was hammering the boy/man concept for pages, to the point were phrases became repetitive and this interrupted the flow of the read.

For the history side of the book I think this will be a book that will be enjoyed by anyone that has had video games as part of their lives.

Finished on: August 10, 2015

Days reading: 7

My rating: 3/5

** I received a free copy of this book as an ARC by the author/publisher in exchange of a honest review.

"The Maze Runner" by James Dashner

I first heard of The Maze Runner when the film started getting some publicity last year. Getting on the hype plane I purchased the book and started reading it, however because of my load of work and school abandoned the read shortly after. The movie came out, and I had some basic knowledge, but didn't get any book "spoilers" because, well, I fell asleep and basically missed the whole thing.

So a couple of days ago I had a reading gap so decided to restart this book. The concept is not new, again we are introduced to a futuristic dystopian society that has a group of young adults go through a series of trials and tribulations that will make or break them. The device in this case is The Maze, and in the middle of it is The Glade, where our characters live.

From the beginning, the pieces of the puzzle are scattered. The characters themselves don't know much about their purpose, and the reader is left to start filling in the blanks as Thomas is introduced to this way of life. This character development is what lowered my rating for the book. While I understood the behavior of many of the characters, I failed to make a connection with them. Even the ones that are meant to be likable, like Thomas' tour guide Chuck, seem forced and fake.

What saves this book is the mystery of what exactly is the maze, which its plagued with annoying critters knowns as grievers. All it took is one description of this mechanical/organic hybrid to make me feel disgusted, but at the same time the mere description of how they were supposed to be made it real hard to suspend disbelief. But regardless, these creatures are the main antagonist in the search for answers.

As a series of events unfold, everyone of the kids in The Glade must face their fears and are forced to forge the path to their own salvation. The end, with its own plot twist, is not a big shocker.

While not as good as The Hunger Games, or even Divergent, The Maze Runner provides some good entertainment if you can get pass the dialect that the characters insert into their conversations. I will continue reading the series and watching the movies. Many questions are still in need of answers.

Finished on: August 23, 2015
Days reading: 3
My Rating: 3/5

"Wonderland" by Jennifer Hillier

One of the best books I have read this year! Wonderland is a thriller bound to become a classic. As a theme park employee myself, I felt attracted to this story from the beginning. And I can say that I'm glad I did, for it was a very pleasant read.

This story is about the secrets hidden in a small town, whose major attraction is a theme park called Wonderland. As with all theme parks, there is an external appearance of a happy place, full of laughter, rides, and food. But this park is full of secrets, and they all star unraveling after an unfortunate incident is discovered on a faithful morning.

A new deputy chief just moved to town, and her new set of eyes is all it takes to start peeling the layers behind the not so pleasant story of Wonderland. How deep does the rabbit hole go? Very deep, and with every page turned new secrets are discovered, and the way you look at the characters in the story keeps evolving until you realize who is who.

I don't think I ever got tired of reading this book. After a couple of days I was about halfway through it, when I decided I could not finish the day without finishing it. Jennifer Hillier did a magnificent job introducing the town of Seaside, and it's cast of characters. The mystery is fresh enough not to feel recycled, and the end was not as predictable as I had expected. This would make a great movie!

I very much recommend this book to anyone that enjoys thrillers, and stories about theme parks. Thankfully the one I work in is nothing like Wonderland!

Finished on: August 21, 2015

Days reading: 4

My rating: 5/5

** I received a free copy of this book as an ARC by the author/publisher in exchange of a honest review.

"Like Jesus" by Jamie Snyder

My first impressions of the book, considering the cover and the tag line, were that this was going to be a book that was going to mix the historical Jesus with the biblical Jesus, and the various interpretations by all the modern-day Christian books out there. This is not the case, as it is indeed a book written for Christians. That being said, I am not a religious person my self. I was raised Catholic, so I have my basic knowledge of religion, even though nowadays I might not really be a believer.

With those disclaimers out of the way, let's talk a little about the book itself. One thing I admired about the way it is written is that it truly sends a message for Christians to take a deep look at their behaviors and try to act more like Jesus would have. The old phrase  "What Would Jesus Do" comes to mind as I write this.

Jamie Snyder goes to great lengths in describing several ways that some Christian groups have made Jesus into a comfort image that feeds their wants. The "American Jesus"  and "Political Jesus" were my favorites, as I can see the influence of those Jesus in many people around places around social media.

One big thing the author does not do is make the reader feel bad. Religiously speaking, yeah we are all sinners and such, but this book is not about condemnation but rather a path toward love. And even though I'm not converted, I truly enjoyed reading about it. At times I feel like some Christians forget that message of love, and finding a book that places love back in the priority list makes me feel good. If more people pick up this book and feel compelled to love, instead of judging, then the world will instantly become a better place.

Finished on: August 17, 2015

Days reading: 5

My rating: 2/5

** I received a free copy of this book as an ARC by the author/publisher in exchange of a honest review.

The Lost Girl by R.L. Stine

I could not pass on the opportunity to read a R.L. Stine book, after all I can't count how many of his earlier works I read while in school. I was not familiar with the Fear Street novel series, so this served as my introduction to it. And let me tell you that I was not disappointed.

Without giving too much away, this story takes places in two different times, the modern day and the year 1950. As we turn the pages we come to realize how events that span half a century get connected, and how a young man named Michael will never be the same.

Full of suspense and plot twists, this story is in part about the consequences that come as a result of our actions, and how friendships are tested during extremely challenging situations. R.L. Stine proves that he can create vivid scenarios that are terrifying, but at the same time so realistic that you may feel that I can happen to you.

Finished on: August 13, 2015

Days reading: 3

My rating: 4/5

** I received a free copy of this book as an ARC by the author/publisher in exchange of a honest review.

Franklin D. Roosevelt: Road to the New Deal, 1882-1939

If you are looking for a detailed study of Franklin D. Roosevelt's rise to prominence you found it. When I first started reading this book I had but just the most basic knowledge of Roosevelt's political career. After reading this I can tell you that I have learned the origins of many reforms put into place that we still see today.

FDR had a charisma that made his physical limitations seem like they were not there. We all know how polio paralyzed him, but Daniels research lets us see how Roosevelt handled this: head on and sometimes with a smile in his face. We see countless stories of him going on with his daily life, aided of course, but not being self-conscious. In a way it is inspiring, this man bound to a wheelchair or crutches was still capable of having this powerful aura that captivated a nation. At the same time this affliction gave him a purpose, a side fight that eventually led to get America get rid of infantile paralysis.

But this book is not entirely about his personal affliction, this book is also about politics. We see a man that rose through various positions in government until eventually becoming president in one of the most precarious economical times of the last century. The back story of the Great Depression seems like the age-old formula of disaster that we are familiar with. Banks making unwise loans, unemployment, political conflicts, all of this made worse by the absence of financial regulation.

Enter the New Deal, which the book dedicates most of its content. Roosevelt initiated many programs that helped started turning the country around, and that nowadays we even take for granted. Regulation was established, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the unemployed were given not only sustenance but a job to feel useful, the National Labor Relations Board got a head start, child labor was put under control, and the future of these working-class citizens was safeguarded with the introduction of Social Security.

Now, not all is a fairy tale. We see the politician side of FDR, you can say the darker side of things. Like the author says, even the best of presidents "do many things that are not pretty." Some decisions were not fair, and he even turned a blind eye to the evils of segregation. As politics go, alliances were made and broken, people were betrayed, but it's all in the day's work for a president.

The last chapters start to show the shift from the New Deal to what eventually be World War II. It is rather interesting to see how the US reacted to international politics back then. It was a given that intervention in international affairs was not public policy, but after World War II this all changed.

And then it ends. While the title clearly states the scope of this book, I was hoping for a smoother finish. I had to double check that I was truly done, as it literally just stops. 

One thing to know is that this book is MASSIVE. I would read for hours and feel like I was still scratching the surface of it's contents. Daniels did not spare a detail when compiling this piece, which at times makes the read somewhat hard. You not only get the details of FDR, but those around him. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone that has a passion for presidential politics. If you are just a casual reader of politics, then I will recommend you skip this book.

Finished on: July 30th 2015

Days reading: 22

My rating: 3/5

** I received a free copy of this book as an ARC by the author/publisher in exchange of a honest review.

"Prisoner of the Queen" by E. Knight

I'm a sucker for anything related to the Tudor dynasty. When "The Tudors" TV show landed on Netflix I sat down for hours everyday religiously watching it from beginning to end. Not to leave out the multiple films and books I have the pleasure of enjoying throughout my life. So, when the chance came to read a book with the subtitle "Tales from the Tudor Court" I jumped at it. Just by reading the title I felt a degree of curiosity: "Prisoner of the Queen." Knowing the instability of the Tudors, I was curious to read which prisoner this referred to.

Enter the story of Katherine Grey, an innocent victim to the evils of greed, power, and lust. As a "princess of the blood" she shortly discover one thing: she has no control of her life. Kat's childhood is spent in an unstable kingdom. King Henry VIII left a weak heir, with no issue, bringing up the question of succession. Due to their linage, Katherine and her sisters are intertwined in these talks. So are Henry VIII's daughters Mary and Elizabeth, hastily added to the line of succession by their own father before his death. This creates the divide between the Tudor sisters and the Grey sisters, an unspoken battle for who will wear the crown. But, are they the ones in control or just simply pawns in a higher political/religious struggle?

Katherine herself does not want to mix herself with these political turmoils. She saw firsthand, inside her own family, what consequences coveting power could have. Instead she tries to focus her time on learning how to use medicinal plants and charity. But there is one thing she did not count on: falling in love. And it is this love that brings both her greatest joy, and her largest sorrow. 

Prisoner of the Queen is a multi-dimensional story, in which topics like love, family, faith, and revenge are carefully weaved into an engaging narrative. Knight did a fabulous job in describing how Katherine felt as her life spiraled from a happy princess to being a "prisoner." As I read, I could not help but keep turning the pages to walk along Kat the struggles of being on the wrong side of the royal family.

If you like historical fiction, the Tudor dynasty, and a good love story, I highly recommend this book. 

Finished on: July 8th 2015

Days reading: 4

My rating: 4/5

** I received a free copy of this book as an ARC by the author/publisher in exchange of a honest review.