Review Round-up October

Review Round-up October

Another month has passed, time for another Review Round-Up. These were some of the titles that I enjoyed very much. Which were your favorites?

Cheers,
Jasper

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1. A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller, Star Wars Rebels #1

A New Dawn is a great kick off for the animated Star Wars: Rebels series that will readily get you in the mood for watching the show. But if the notification of this new series has escaped your attention you can also read this book as a stand alone, and there it also offers an action packed story. You do not need to have read any books prior to this series, so it also offers a nice stepping stone for those who are just starting in the Star Wars Extended Universe books. Since I hadn't saw the show yet prior to picking up A New Dawn everything was new for me, the characters and the setting. I have to say that John Jackson Miller did a very nice job in showing the different characters of the story. If you take for example the main protagonist Kanan I really like the idea behind his character and how his personality was brought forward some don't make a reappearance in the animated series, I just watched the first episode and I have to say that the character or the background of what I read in the book was just spot on. The Jacket cover might not make you believe that this is a classic Star Wars story but it really has everything you will looking for and much more. Disney's take over and restart of several Extended Universe products is really paying off, looking forward to reading more of these books that feature completely on new characters.

Read the full review here 

2. Falling Sky by Rajan Khanna

Falling Sky is a safe and sound debut, it's an highly enjoyable debut. From the beginning of the book Rajan Khanna knows just how to put the tone of the book in a dark and grim surrounding. The world  on the ground IS destroyed and you don't want to be there at any given moment. I am in full praise of firstly the world building that was carried out, Rajan Khanna has created a very unique setting in Falling Sky, a pathogen that rips through humanity might not be that original but what he does add in the mix by taking to the skies, is. Building his story surrounding a society that lives in the skies to survive and only takes technology from the ground to survive is very cool. Every time when the scenes feature on the ground level I was pushed to the edge of my seat, the action that takes place between Ben and the Feral is rapid paced and even though Ben is an ass you don't want to see him get infected. Rajan Khanna has gotten all the right elements for a solid debut and only further makes him an author to watch out for. I read his short story in the Dead Man's Hand anthology earlier this year Second Hand and fell is love. There isn't a confirmed sequel yet but in the interview on the blog you can read that he has plenty more ideas for stories. Can't wait to read them. 

Read the full review here 

3. In Real Life by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang

In Real Life is definitely a graphic novel that I must recommend to every young adult who is into playing video games. it is a very nice depiction of things that happen off screen. Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang did a great job in showing all that was involved in playing MMORPGs and that for some people this really is their life. We might play it for fun but in third world countries and China in particular, people play this  for a few Yen a day in order to survive. In Real Life tackles some serious issues, issues that will stick with you and that you will and have to remember next to you log in. But besides some of the serious parts of the book, focusing on an action-packed MMORPG did allow the exploration of some very cool fighting scenes. The artwork is just spot on and Jen Wang delivers some stunning images, I liked those scenes with the tiger! In Real Life is a great read that delivers an action-packed story and will put your mind to thinking about it. Just a note: play video games in moderation, pick up a book, like this one, once in a while. As real memories are made in real life.    

Read the full review here 

4. Lock in by John Scalzi, Lock in #1

I think you can make up from the glowing review I am writing here that John Scalzi's Lock In is just brilliant stuff that you don't want to miss out on. From the first sentence I read of Unlocked I was hooked line and sinker to the idea behind Lock In. John Scalzi presents his idea in full colors and has created a very dangerous and dire setting, it's not only a story that focuses on the virus alone or it's consequences alone or how society is dealing with it, it is much more than those parts alone. It's a detective kind of story that combines all of the above mentioned aspects in a brilliant story. Besides the world, the two lead investigators, Shane and Vann are just as unique to read about, they offer some interesting perspectives that help bring this story to another level. You can see that I write brilliant a lot and it is justified, this book only get better the more you think about it. Now I had a quick peek on Goodreads and it says Lock In #1, will this be a series?? Fingers crossed! But in the mean I suggest you start reading this book. Right about. now.  

Read the full review here 

5. Gideon Smith and the Brass Dragon by David Barnett, Gideon Smith #2

With The Brass Dragon solidly David Barnett continues the success of The Mechanical Girl. Again he has managed to create a truly unique setting with his world, this time around not focusing on Great Britain but on an alternate version of America that is ruled by several different nationalities, the Americans, Spanish, British and Japanese. The characters, though a with a bit less historical reference for me were again a treat to read about. I do have to concur with a fellow review who said that The Brass Dragon was just a bit different in producing the same feeling as The Mechanical Girl, I think this for me was owed to the fact that these parts of history were further away for me. However this didn't take away just what a very clever and more importantly cool story David Barnett has written once again. Especially when Apep shows just what he is made off! In the end of the book David Barnett does offer giant cliffhanger with a possible lead into the third book. What are you waiting for? Get reading!

Read the full review here