Review: Savaged

Savaged by Mia Sheridan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Let’s be clear right from the start—this story is implausible, filled with holes the size of meteor craters, and at times laugh-out-loud ridiculous. It’s also feral, animalistic and peppered with enough unbridled lust to make it a GREAT read. This author has mastered the art of character development and does so here with a brilliant, heavy hand that left me breathless and wanting my very own Jak.

The story is that of Jak (aka Lucas), an eight year abandoned to nature fifteen years prior and left to fend for himself in order to survive the elements. This modern day Tarzan grows from a frightened boy to a man who is bewildered by modern society whilst perfectly at home in the dense and isolated forest. His coming of age is multi-faceted—first, learning as a child to hunt and forage, then as a man feeling his way through societal norms and expectations. It’s a fascinating, though admittedly preposterous, idea that wraps the reader in a willing suspension of disbelief as the story progresses. It’s difficult to explain the juxtaposition of these opposing forces, to somehow justify such a visceral reaction to such a seemingly inane premise, but suffice it to say, it works! I was gripped from beginning to end, and I shared in Jak’s feelings of wonder, shame and even embarrassment as he navigated his way back to civilization.

If you’re in any way prudish about sex in your reading, this is definitely not the read for you. If, however, you enjoy a little spice in your soup, this one definitely brings the heat!

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Review: The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell is a prime example of a novel that is extraordinarily well written, whilst at the same time self-indulgent and chock full of unnecessary angst. I understand fully that those wed to the five star mantle they’ve placed over it will be crying out in protest, but this was in just in no way an enjoyable read.

The story is that of Sam Hill, born afflicted with ocular albinism, though blessed with parents who were completely devoted to him. From the time he opens his eyes as an infant, his mother is committed to making sure Sam understands that he is destined for extraordinary things. This is, however, as much a novel about unconditional love as it is a story of Sam’s struggle with faith. His mother is a devout Catholic who prays the rosary daily, attends mass regularly and is married to the conviction that God’s will is gospel. Although she raises Sam with these ideals at the heart of all they do, it is only though a journey fraught with pain and suffering that Sam comes to face and define his own relationship with God and organized religion.

The book bounces from past to present and back again, weaving threads of Sam’s childhood into a narrative that attempts to explicate his current state of being. In theory, the plot line and structure work—the reader is certainly attuned to the fact that his experiences as a child have made him who he is as an adult. Those experiences, however, are both heartbreaking and painful to read. Turning the pages felt like a betrayal of Sam, as he is laid bare and flogged over and over again. It hurt to read about man’s inhumanity to man when the victim was a young child, then a vulnerable adult.

The themes of family, faith, friendship and acceptance are all here, buried beneath a mountain of tears and suffering, and whilst the writing is superb, it was simply a difficult journey from the title page to the conclusion. I felt like I was walking uphill the entire way, pausing often to catch my breath and curse the hill. The summit just didn’t afford enough of a view to have made the trek there worthwhile.





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Review: The Price of Time

The Price of Time by Tim Tigner
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The Price of Time wasn’t, for me, an enjoyable read. There’s a point where a story moves from encouraging the reader to suspend disbelief to asking the reader to accept the absurd—this was one of those novels. The premise here isn’t nearly as intriguing as the book jacket promises. A group of people invest in research that eventually leads to the discovery of the fountain of youth. They decide to keep it a secret (mmhmm) and each receive periodic injections that render them immortal. When they realize that others will start noticing their lack of aging (duh) they make a fateful decision to hire a hit man to find lookalikes whom can be murdered, thus allowing the immortals to assume their lives and identities. It’s just ridiculous. The only redeeming quality was Zach Chase, former member of the CIA, who begins to investigate the disappearance of his best friend. He teams up with a retired triathlon athlete, Skylar Fawkes, and together they seek answers. The ending is particularly unsatisfying, and though it doesn’t promote the possibility of a sequel to the story, this does appear to be the first in a Chase/Fawkes character series.

My recommendation is to skip this one altogether. There are too many other intriguing pieces out there to waste the time engaging in this one.

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Review: Safer

Safer by Sean Doolittle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sean Doolittle is, for me, a new author, but if this piece is indicative of his work, I foresee a long relationship in our future.

Safer is set in stereotypic suburbia, where all the neighbors know one another, where one’s personal business is suddenly EVERYONE’S business, and where safety is a dangerous illusion.

When Paul and Sara relocate from Boston to Clark Falls, Iowa for Sara’s job, their initial impressions are positive...unless, of course, you count the intruder who broke in and attempted to sexually assault Sara the first night in their new home. Not exactly the Welcome Wagon they had anticipated. The immediate neighbors, however, rally around the couple, led by Roger, a retired police officer. Roger’s past is fraught with horror, as his son was brutally murdered, after which his wife took her own life. In response, Roger has made it his mission to ensure the safety of those around him—at whatever cost necessary. Paul tries to make the best of the neighborly relationship, though it isn’t long before he begins to question Roger’s motives. As Paul pushes back, his own life begins to unravel at the seams. How much is coincidence? How far will Roger go to maintain the sanctity of his inner circle? And how far will Paul go to keep from drowning in Roger’s wake? Secrets, lies and betrayal all have starring roles, and the curtain of suburban bliss is pulled back to reveal what lies at the heart of Clark Falls.

There are many positive aspects of this novel, not the least of which is the superb dialogue. It is gritty and wholly believable, used sparingly for effect, and incredibly insightful. In addition to the brilliant conversation, Doolittle utilizes a plethora of literary references. From Bronte to Nabokov, the allusions are rich and varied, allowing for a sense of intimacy between the reader and the characters.

The only seeming hiccup in this novel was one of racial stereotypes. From the socioeconomic commentary that supported the geography of prejudice, to the use of a black man as the “villain”, this treatment of race was at once distasteful and unnecessary. Whilst it may be my own heightened sensitivity to contemporary racism that caused such a negative reaction, it is still worth mentioning.

All in all, and in spite of the negative mentioned, this is a must-read novel that will make the reader wonder exactly what is going on behind their own neighbor’s closed doors. Definitely recommended.

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Review: Rules of Survival: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller

Rules of Survival: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller by Jack Hunt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a quick read that held my attention long enough to keep turning the pages, but in the end it offered nothing particularly new or noteworthy. What is so infuriating is the number of post apocalyptic novels with myriad errors in basic punctuation—and though it may fare a tad better than some, this was no exception. When did it become acceptable to publish what reads like unedited copy? Either many authors are forgoing the editing process, or there are a significant number of editors out there making a buck for rubber stamping what they get without bothering to read it. A third possibility is that folks are hanging out an “EDITOR” shingle without any knowledge of the rules of grammar, spelling, or punctuation. In the end, fans of the genre will find this rather formulaic and without anything to distinguish it from the rest of the pack.

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Review: The Dreamers

The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Once again I find myself penning a review that is far afield of the majority and doing so without apology. The Dreamers is everything psychological horror should be—frightening, thought-provoking and eerily personal.

The story begins with the sudden illness and subsequent passing of a college freshman—a popular girl who was seemingly healthy and vibrant before falling victim to what would come to be called the “sleeping sickness”. As more students contract the illness and fall into a deep sleep from which they cannot be awakened, panic grips the school. When the mysterious affliction spreads to the surrounding community, the entire country takes notice, and extreme measures are enacted in an effort to stop the disease from spreading beyond the town’s borders.

The writing itself will appeal to those who appreciate a style that is at once unusual and engaging. At first, the narrative is seemingly abrupt, dispassionate and clinical. After the first few pages, however, that approach fades into the background as the characters take center stage. The point of view is consistently third person, but the chapters alternate between the stories of individuals from both the college and the town, as well as a bird’s eye view of the entire situation. The author is able to within that construct move from a voice of objectivity to the voice of those directly impacted. It is those characters that make this personal for such a diverse swath of readers. There’s a pregnant teen, a young couple with a newborn, an aging gay couple, a widower, young children, dedicated nurses, etc. No matter the audience, there is most certainly at least one aspect of this novel to which each reader can relate. In all, the work is fascinating to unpack and examine, making it a perfect choice for book clubs and partnered reading.

If pushed to find any weaknesses here, it would be with the conclusion. For those seeking definitives, this might not hit the mark. If, however, the reader is able to accept that the answers aren’t always black and white—that sometimes the best we can do as human beings is shrouded in shades of gray—this is a read that is at once satisfying, haunting and insightful.










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Review: Winter World

Winter World by A.G. Riddle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So, I’m a self-professed fan of post-apocalyptic lit, but I prefer it without zombies, monsters or “nerdy” elements that make me feel like an outsider. I was surprised, then, to find that I actually LOVED this book, in spite of the sometimes lengthy intellectual passages that explicated aspects of astronomy and space travel. What impressed me most was the character development. Author A.G. Riddle has breathed life into a variety of personas, each unique, interesting and, most importantly, believable. Additionally, the I was completely engaged, from page one through the edge-of-your-seat conclusion—so much so, in fact, that I hated to turn the final page! I was, however, thrilled to discover that there’s a sequel, which I intend to begin tonight!

If you long for a good story, with characters you will love, look no further and make this one your next read!

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