BOOK REVIEW: Dusk (Mrs. Kimberly Tashner Shyu)

 

 

I didn’t have much expectation when I read the book, and I only read the blurb after I finished the book. I’m glad I did it that way.

The book follows a main character, Theo, in his younger days through his perspective, and the older him through the perspective of his android caretaker, set around five decades into the future.

The revelation between the two PoVs is clever, and the way the story goes back and forth, one moving to the future and the other reminiscing about the past, works well. It weaves readers into the plot, giving enough but not too much, with many intriguing world-building along the way. I kept thinking about 3 Body Problem, although it’s not similar, but imo, exploring humanity and how we deal with invasion threats are much more intriguing than the cliche Sci-Fi with green alien, especially when there is a relatable character with their ordinary lives. Older Theo is heartbreaking to read.

The characters are distinguishable and very believable. The only setback in this brilliant book, imho, is the ending. I like the ending, however, I don’t think there is enough build-up, not in terms of quantity, but more in potential and possibility. I feel that the attempt to hide the twist backfires a bit and dangerously leans into character inconsistency.

4.5 rounded up to 5

BOOK REVIEW: Treading Water (Jane C.R.Reid)

 Treading Water is an intricate tale that focuses on relationship between Saul, his wife, and his ex-mistress trying to rekindle their old relationship.

It's a tale as old as time. Most likely, everyone has seen, read, or encountered something like this before. However, what makes the book good is the consistency and realism of the characters. They maintain their respective traits like manipulative, doubtful, erratic, etc throughout the book and nothing is over the top, the scenario is very plausible and while personally the ending doesn't feel as satisfactory as what I would hope, it's a very realistic one.

There are hidden questions brought out but not addressed in detail, which is not necessary but it's good to ask in sync with reality, something probably controversial but shouldn't imho: should a man have a say in a situation when a fling ends up in pregnancy?

 

 

 

BOOK REVIEW: The Christmas Getaway (Flavia Labre)

 

The Christmas Getaway tells a story through two POVS: Bruno and Laura. They decide to spend Christmas in Bruno's family's holiday house, where Bruno plans to propose.

I think the author did a good job portraying the characters' body language and expressions, showing how they feel and what they think instead of telling them. The writing flows, and these two are the strongest factors of the book.

I can't decide whether this book is too short or too long, because by the time I have read 50% of the book, readers are none the wiser about what is going on, yet I have predicted the correct second half of the book. Imo, it's more optimal to be a short story since the effort to hide the character's real intentions from the readers becomes contradictory at the end. We are in the characters' heads in their own PoV, they shouldn't be tricky with their own actions. For example, without spoiling anything, Laura shouldn't clean the dishes first before doing the other thing.

If it's expanded to a longer story, more plots would be needed, but the potential is there.

4 out of 5 stars

BOOK REVIEW: Hypocrisy vs. Mysticism, Wisdom, and Morality (LInda Meris)

 

It’s great if others find this book inspiring, because the messages are great and thoughtful.

I love to think that I’m an open-minded person, and there are many things we can’t explain and justify. Things that have been experienced and told by people I trust, and those I have read. Still, for me, I would have to exercise a lot of suspension of disbelief for this book. Many non-fiction paranormal and spiritual stories I know have similar things in common, one of them is the need for heavy communication interpretation because of the difficulty in channeling the messages. I wouldn’t say it’s not possible, after all, there are so many mysteries in this world, but the level of details and coherence throughout the wide topics of aliens, terrorism, music, politics, to name a few, makes me question it, about the process, and unfortunately, it is never properly explained.  

Putting aside skepticism, unfortunately, the book feels preachy, and there is a lack of background for readers who are not familiar with the character. There is a need for personal touch, because it’s very important to help understand the history and personality of the main character. Many wisdoms feel detached and generic.

Having said that, this review is my personal opinion. Books are subjective, and other readers might enjoy this. I do applaud the thoughtful philosophy and wise idealism.

3 out of 5 stars

BOOK REVIEW: Ten Tiny Tales (Gene Kendall)

 

Ten Tiny Tales is a collection of short stories that vary from the light-hearted ones to those that pull your heartstrings. The tales are both about ordinary people with their ordinary problems and the more fugitive and hardcore ones. I’d say I prefer the first.

Sometimes I see the ending coming, but on others it makes me raise my eyebrows. My favourite tale is Save the Cat because of the mundane situations that are realistically relatable in real life, both in the problems and the frustrating side characters. Maybe that is also the reason that it’s this tale that still lingers after I have moved on.

Other less memorable ones are It Ends With a Tear and The Quotidian Struggle, in which I had to do a double-take to make sure I didn’t understand the stories wrong. There are other stories with common endings, but it’s enjoyable to get there with creative ideas like Mickey Mouse ones and That Is Not Funny. Bring on all the gross cards!

The tales are certainly worth reading, there are layers of meanings and relatable human struggles. I can also relate to the many Pop references.

4 out of 5 stars

BOOK REVIEW: The Borealis Queen (Henry Guard)

 

The Borealis Queen is a delightful read that exceeded my expectations. It follows Nin's transformation into the Borealis Queen.

Yes, there are some possible plot holes that raise my eyebrows and knock half a star for me, I still round it up. Although they significantly distracted me, fortunately, the rest of the book still makes up for them. For example, why would two prisoners have access to her weapon before her battle when the enemies know well what she is capable of? The other prisoner, access to her scout? The timeline of the princess's capture and how her tribe has sort of recovered within a short period of time. The powerful and conveniently forgotten sling through some moments like Artko's distraction and final square off?

Besides that, it's a very well-written and enjoyable book. When an enemy is conquered, others arise, keeping the readers on their toes. Although many prominent characters are introduced along the way, they each hold their own and are distinctive, leaving their own marks in the story. The story is fast-paced and very imaginative. The battles are great, vivid, and I feel like I'm there with them.

It's a very enjoyable read and worth every minute.

5 out of 5 stars

BOOK REVIEW: A Quick Spin Around the Galaxy (J.A. Freely)

I had my own quick spin around the galaxy by reading this book. It introduces itself in the beginning as a non-fiction, a statement that gets better and better as the book goes on. We start by meeting one of the most unremarkable humans (although I’d admit he would make a better candidate than me, even in the beginning, as I would just suggest, “Do it, but do it quickly, please.”

The beginning feels a bit clunky to me, and I was afraid I had to suffer through the mediocre, predictable jokes, excessive name-calling (literal), and poopy burritos. However, I was pleasantly surprised because apparently, I care about the whales, too.

After the initial nitty-gritty before the journey, it became a treat to read the book and the plethora of imaginations and nostrils that come with it. It genuinely drew laughs and smiles from me, and the author does a good job inserting real messages without being patronizing, preachy, or cliché.

While I, a sadist, would love to see how Jake probably faces with ‘nothing’ back on earth at the end, with no one acknowledging his effort with his possible new tin foil Youtube channel and three subscribers, I think the story ends in a good note.

I’m still unsure what is going on in Nimpossipho with all the ice cream, but pass me the road-kill stew, please, as I’d love to recommend the quick spin and its exquisite cuisines.

5 out of 5 stars