World of Shawn by Jordan M. Elrich | A Book Review

One review said that this is a nice original take on parallel universe. I do agree. A parallel universe where the characters in your favorite video game come to life and become part of your reality. I think it would be nice if a handsome prince or hero comes to life and becomes your hero. But what if it's dragons and evil villains wrecking havoc? Doesn't sound fun, does it?

If you are into game developing and online gaming, you would definitely like or have a blast with this book. Me? I was not so keen. I admit, the idea is great. Very unique. But I was just not so sold on it. One reason is that it was a bit hard to keep up or it gets confusing when you are dealing with multiple clones of the fictional video game character. There were times that I was lost on who was being referred to--the real life Shawn or the video game character. The distinction was not so clear so it was easy to get lost and not follow the movement of the characters. I wish the writing was a little smoother so the confusion could have been avoided. I did get the gist of the whole story but I wished it was more. It just did not allow me to get involved. 

I give this 2/5 computer monitors. I guess, this story is just not for me. I was not drawn into this parallel universe and I was not moved to participate. I guess, being unable to clearly and thoroughly picture out the scenes in this story contributed to it. 

Quantum physics, especially quantum computing, is much an unknown branch of science. It turns existing physics and science on its head; the possibilities are exciting--extremely efficient computing...teleportation, even time travel; we really don't know what all this can or can't do.

- Jordan M. Elrich, World of Shawn -  

Thanks again, Library Thing for the review copy.

Moxie's Problem (Princess Moxie #1) by Hank Quense | A Book Review

Princess Moxie is a two-book set. I didn't realize that there were two books until I started reading. I thought that the book was too long, even for a full novel. Then, when I reached the end of the story, I realized there was another one. You know what it's like when you are sent e-books to be reviewed without the covers, right? I don't think the first few pages told me that this was a two-volume set. I just found out that the table of contents was the only indication. Who reads the table of contents? Anyway, I will only be reviewing the first volume -Moxie's Problem.

The story happened in the time of King Arthur and Camelot. Princess Moxie is a fat, simple-looking, self-centered and a spoiled princess. She grew up being attended to and ordering people around. Until she was told by her father, King Smedley, to travel to meet his future husband -Count Gamel. She is to be accompanied by three of the Knights of the Round Table but what she got were three knight apprentices who just graduated from the Heroes Guild -Sir Gareth, Bors and Percivale.

This is a hilarious and refreshing take on the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. How Princess Moxie smoothly stole, muscled and bullied her way into the story is even more amusing. This is a story of knights were not a lot of swords were used but a lot of playing football. Where the fate of a town or kingdom is battled through a game of football. Where the secret to defeating the Saxons was by upping your football plays and game plans. I also adored how the other legends like the Lady of the Lake, the Lochness monster, etc. were shown in a different light. Absolutely creative!

I also love that the story's main character, Princess Moxie, is a truly unique character, irritating at most. Far from the usual and typical princesses we encounter. I absolutely hate her. Much to my delight, Moxie's character underwent metamorphosis and I agreed with the changes that she planned to undertake. I felt sorry for the three young knights who had the misfortune of meeting her. She made their lives miserable. Fortunately, Moxie saw the error of her ways and the lack of her upbringing. This is indeed a very amusing and gratifying tale.

I gave the book 4/5 chests. This is a story which broke all stereotypes -for princesses and knights. Very refreshing! Princess Moxie is a character you will hate, feel sorry for and hope to succeed. I think this should have been more appropriately entitled as Moxie is the Problem instead of Moxie's Problem. She's causing headaches and sleepless nights to the three young knights.

Now, I am curious as to what fate awaits Moxie after all the misfortunes that she has to go through, which in a way serves her right. But like Moxie, I had a change of heart. I found that I was actually rooting for her to make the drastic changes she wants in her life. And I want her to succeed too. From the bully to the underdog, the unforgiving tale of Princess Moxie, who has no friends and even his own father wanted to get rid of her and just marry her off to the first person who expressed his intent.

I am still finishing volume two of Princess Moxie's story - Moxie's Decision. I am curious as what will be the next misadventures that she will go through with our three very unfortunate knights. Every time I think of Moxie's character, I can't help but shake my head. She is a piece of work which has turned into a work-in-progress. We'll see if she can finally be able to make someone of herself.

Half the fun of adventure is not knowing where you're going.Then, it's a surprise when you get there.

- Hank Quense, Moxie's Problem -

Thank you again, Librarything.com and Hank Quense for the giveaway copy.

STABCO by Joe Schwartz | ARC | A Book Review

I got this ARC from the author, Joe Schwartz, through Library Thing. I found Library Thing by accident. An author I have been following on Goodreads posted about giving his books on Library Thing. All I need to do was just sign up and request for them. And I did. The rest is history. Each month they have loads of books to be given away. For non-US and Canada residents, they send out e-books. I have almost 50 books from them since I signed up last August 2016. Now, I'm trying to figure out which books I need to read first. Of course, reviews are not required but if you are a true bookworm, you know that reviews are like oxygen to authors and keep them going. Make sure to write a review, even if they are a one liner or two. Library Thing also have Pirate Day treasure hunt which was a lot of fun and other activities with prizes. What are you waiting for? Go over to their site and sign up for free books.

STABCO is a story about two brothers who had to work for each penny to survive. They do odd jobs like cleaning the toilets and throwing trash. Then, one day, guys in neckties approached them and gave them a calling card. They were promised that their lives will change for the better. So, the brothers, having nothing to lose, checked it out . It turned out, they were to become door-to-door salesmen for a knife company. Yes, stab me! As the name obviously suggests, STABCO - stab as in sharp, stainless steel, high-end kitchen knives company. Unknown to our two poor brothers, these knives hold the ticket to the unbelievable change that they so long dreamed.

Yes, I like the plot. I root for the underdogs because most of the time I feel like one. And I can relate to brothers as I did not come from a well-off family. I had to be a working student to finish college. My sister also had to work for a fast-food chain in order to pay for her college tuition. My brother sought a scholarship for a technical course. His best and fastest way to earn a degree and start working. And the three of us are proud that we have successfully done that. Even our relatives and the people who knew of our financial situation could not believe how we have done it. We have become great examples of making it out alive. Of finishing school even if our parents can't afford it, by being resourceful and by pure will and perseverance. Truly, if there's a will, there's a way. I admit, it was not easy. There were always people who treat you like you are below them but I survived in spite of all the crying and not wanting to go back to work but I had no choice. Now, it  hasn't changed much, there are still those type of people, but I guess now I have the choice to not suffer by staying away from these people. I have no tolerance for bull shit and I don't kiss ass just to be liked or noticed. I try to do my best and always be honest with myself. And truth be told, people only hear what they want to hear. Honesty is overrated. No one appreciates real, hard core honesty. I had enough being bullied. I am so done dealing with these kind of people. I have no patience left. I'd rather be somewhere else.

Okay, back to the book. Sorry, I got carried away. As I said, I liked the plot. The two brothers did something extraordinary and was rewarded for it big time. We all want that kind of fate, right? To do a random act or spur of the moment decision to help and the heavens open because you have been a good Samaritan. It was a nice premise and after reading how this story came to be and what it had gone through to get published, I respect it. But, I wished there was a better ending. I wished they had taken the other offer. I think the brothers deserve better than just selling sharp objects. And I wished the love angle was not part of the story. I just thought there was no need for it. I also wished that the history of the boys were pursued. How they were not in the system and I thought the police would have worked on that. That part was very tantalizing. It promised a lot. It made me curious. Though, their origin was later on explained and their often-mentioned Momma was finally revealed, I still wished there was more. 

I give the book 2/5 sharp kitchen knives. I love how the brothers were forced to become great men. The story was getting interesting starting from there. I just wished the beginning hinted of what was about to happen. My interest was not fanned in the first few chapters and I actually wondered if this story was going anywhere. I almost wanted to put it down. I just wished the tone was more suspenseful to bait my full attention. 

Momma always said I should have been a plumber with all of my pipe dreams.

- Joe Schwartz, STABCO -

Release Date: October 20, 2016

Thank  you again Joe Schwartz and Library Thing for the ARC.

The Meddlers of Moonshine (Moonfall Mayhem #2) by A. E. Decker | ARC | A Book Review

This is an eARC. I had a blast reading the first book, The Falling of the Moon, so I was really psyched to read this one. I have great expectations.

The book picks up after leaving the Kingdom of Albright. Ascot Abberdorf, along with her friends, Moony her winged-cat, Rags-n-Bones the vagrant who loves avocados, Dmitri the giant wolf and the Catch the Captain of the guards of Albright. The group is on their way to Buenovillia. But somehow, Rags got separated from the group. They found him by a clearing under a tree and was digging something from the ground. It was a comb. With Rags' discovery and his insistence to stop by Widget, the town in the mouth of Moonlight Valley, the home of Moonlight Muscatel (the most delicious wine), the group decided to indulge him. And to Widget they went where great adventures or misfortunes await.

What have you guys gotten yourselves into? That was my first reaction as the first few chapters of the story unfold. It seemed that the group has landed on a great misfortune when they set foot into this town. I feared that this might be a mistake. I was so anxious and dreaded to know what mysteries were surrounding Widget. A town with colorful and suspicious inhabitants. This was a continuous fireworks of revelations. An astounding library of stories that exploded right in my face. This is a town full of secrets waiting far too long to be released. If book one was hilarious even if some of the trials that Ascot has to go through were dangerous, this one is far more deadly and I find no humor in it at all. I was cringing and worried for our friends here. I was doubting if they could come out alive from Widget. This time also, Rags has a lot riding on his shoulders. He has to put in his weight to help out the team. How relieved I was that the team pulled through again this time and Rags has gotten to know himself better. 

I badly needed to know what's going on with Catch. What is he hiding? I can't wait to know his story. Maybe in book three he will get his chance to tell us? Like Ascot, I sometimes feel infuriated with Catch. He is just so unpredictable and goes on his own to do his bidding without telling anyone. I totally understand how Ascot feels. Oh, Catch, please stop lying already! 

I give The Meddlers of Moonshine 5/5 delicious avocados. The story is as tasty as the fruity treat. I devoured it all and I am hungry for more. I think I would go crazy waiting for book three to come out. When and how long could it be? I hope Miss Decker is writing it already. If not, she has to start writing, like right now! Or else, I would have to resort to eating avocados to keep myself busy while enduring the long wait.

By  the  way, I like   the  way  you're doing  the books.  Giving each  member of the  team  a  chance   to   shine. Like  in  book  one, it  centers   on   Ascot  and book  two  tries  to   bring  Rags-n-Bones  in  to  the limelight. I  am  curious  to know who  would  be  the   next  character that  would be  featured. I  fervently hope  it's  Catch  this   time. Come  on, we  are  all   bugged  out  what  Catch's deal is. So please humor me, write Catch's story  in  the  next  book. Thank you very much.

I think I will just have to read two more books of A. E. Decker. If the next two stories would prove to be as hypnotizing as the two books I've read, then she'll sure be welcomed into the halls of my favorite authors list. Congratulations Miss Decker on this one. Freaking awesome!

I think I have learned a lot of new words on this story than any other fairy tale book. Words like thaumaturgical, diurnal, etc.

Release Date: October 25, 2016

Thank you again A. E. Decker and librarything.com for the giveaway.

Other books in the series:

The Falling of the Moon (Moonfall Mayhem #1)

Into the Moonless Night (Moonfall Mayhem #3)

Cupid Painted Blind by Marcus Herzig | ARC | A Book Review

What's the most effective way of coming out? Is there a foolproof way of telling your parents and friends that you are gay? 

Matthew Dunstan is a freshman in high school. For his first few weeks in high school a lot of things have happened already. He came out to his sister and friends. His cute crush is best friends with his arch-nemesis who hates homosexuals. And he had the misfortune of being paired with an ugly and weird new student for a school paper. It seems like the rest of his life is starting already. Welcome to high school!

This is very honest and blunt. No holds barred. It talks about love and of that-dreaded-big-coming-out. It is like having a conversation with your gay friends. Everything is said as it is. No hesitations. No second-guessing. Straight to the heart of the matter. As bold as it gets. Like rehashing your latest most embarrassing experience. You relate it as how you saw the events unfold. The devil is in the details. And like our embarrassed friend, we exactly know how she felt. We know how her face went beet red and wished the earth just swallowed her whole. This is how I felt for Matt. I empathize with him, not that I am gay. I am totally straight, just so you know. But because we all know how it feels to hide a secret from the people whom we should not be withholding anything from. Secrets are messy. A lot of relationships and friendships have been destroyed because of them. And if only I could do the coming out for Matt, I would have done it for him already. But then again, as Zoey (Matt's sister) said, it would be like dragging him out and not coming out. Wise advice.

One of the very important points that the book raised was about having a choice in the matter. What if people were given the choice to be not gay? Would they have preferred to be straight just so they would not have to go through all the ridicule, knowing they actually have a choice not to? I think this is a very logical question which everybody should think about. And this should be our first thought every time we face someone who is gay. I think this would really make a big difference seeing it from their perspective. It would be really unnerving to realize that if we were in their shoes, we would know that the shoe does hurt. Excruciatingly.

Saying that "Love is blind" is so cliche but then it is how it works, oftentimes. Cupid Painted Blind is loving not with the eyes but with the mind. I totally agree. What will you do with prettiness if he has no personality at all? And if all he does is talk about himself?  I love this about the book. It has a way of baring things out just as they should be. Plain and simple. This is about loving, free of the superficial. This is loving with everything about the person, including their overloaded baggage. This is accepting and embracing.

I wasn't sure I would appreciate this book but I was not surprised that I did. We all need to feel accepted, regardless of our gender preferences. So, Matt is definitely not alone in feeling like he has to make a good impression on everyone. But I realized, as you grew older and more exposed to experiences in life, you become less concerned of pleasing everyone. You only care about the feelings of the people you love most. Those that are not in your immediate circle of influence, you tend to tolerate or not be bothered at all. To hell with them!

I give the book four arrow-pierced hearts. Yes, if I were Matt's sister, I would be extremely happy that he has found someone to love and for accepting that person for all he is. I think this book should be read by everyone. Especially those who are homophobic or uncomfortable with homosexuals. I think this is a good way of making these people understand what our LGBTQ friends are going through. It is time we recognize their feelings and their fears. Time to treat them our equals which has been long overdue. It's time we give them their own space under the sun, for them to achieve their aspirations and dreams. Enough of the discrimination, bulling and name-calling. We should give them big hugs for coming out of that dark and lonely closet space.

This is my first time to read a LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gays, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) novel. This has been an enriching experience. This is very brave of Marcus Herzig to sort of open the closet and letting all the skeletons out on display, thereby, freeing all the demons.

P.S. 

I noticed that Herzig has a really good sense of humor - such as naming the characters like Sandy Lauper (sounds like Cindy Lauper), using disastrous weather phenomena for nicknames, and I love those really witty shirts worn by Chris. 

...nobody has the guts to stand up to them, because deep down inside we all share the lackadaisical mentality of all silent witnesses of bullying and name-calling and their selfish feeling of relief that at least this time the target was someone else.

- Marcus Herzig, Cupid Painted Blind - 

Published: September 29, 2016
Kindle Edition Release Date: October 21, 2016

Thank you again Marcus Herzig and librarything.com for the giveaway.

The Extraction Files (Book 1 and 2) by R.S. McCoy | A Book Review

I won an eARC of The Lethal Agent by R.S. McCoy on Instagram. And since, The Lethal Agent is the second book, she was kind enough to send me book one which is The Killing Jar.  The Lethal Agent was just released August 31, 2016. Yes, I got an eARC but was not able to read it until about two days ago. Still, I still think it's pretty awesome to be able to get an advance copy of the book. Thank you soo much R. S. McCoy. 

The Extraction Files is a sci-fi dystopian novel. I am not really fond of sci-fi but this book has me glued. I actually regretted not reading it earlier. 

The Killing Jar. The story starts in year 2232. The earth has been destroyed after a Third World War and a lot of nuclear bombs. The earth's atmosphere is totally covered with haze which is poisonous. So, in order for civilization to continue to exist, people were organized into three classes - Scholars, Artisans and Craftsmen. Scholars are those involved in sciences and are tasked to find another planet for humans to live. Artisans are of course artists and craftsmen are the farmers, etc. There are also rules that are set to be followed. Those that broke the rules or simply do not agree to them prefer to live underground. 

The first few chapters of the story introduces the characters. Each character is so varied and I was wondering how they will come together in one place. I know, I am getting ahead of myself. But I am also filled with anticipation. Right there, I know I am hooked. I had been putting off to read this because the last sci-fi novel I read was fun but not as engrossing. I was glad to be done with it. So, imagine my excitement on wanting to get to the rest of the pages of this book because I can't wait to get all the important characters in one place. And finally, they did. I was not disappointed. It was also so unexpected. This book had a lot of surprises that left my mouth open. Totally so unforeseen. Just so you know, I am a type of reader who tries to anticipate what's going to happen next. Some writers, often leave a trail of bread crumbs to clue in the reader what comes next and I am just the person who picks at those crumbs and just so eager to get to the next event before the writer obviously reveals it. It's fun trying to play Sherlock and gratifying if my guesses turn out to be right. But for this story, I was so clueless. There were clues though, but I was never able to guess what happens next. And the events are a bit fast-paced also. My brain was still trying to figure out what's about to happen and then boom! There it is.

I really flipped over because I was like one of those bugs totally caught in the clamp and had nowhere to go. And I was glad to find out also why this was called The Killing Jar. I think it was pretty smart to call it that. It does not become obvious until you're into the middle of the book. This has been a really really witty adventure. I am in awe how McCoy was able to come up with this story. Super out of this world, literally and figuratively. It also tries to tell us that we should take care of our mother planet. As far as the climate changes , global warming and all the environmental problems that we are facing, I think it is not too far off that the events in this book will likely happen. If we want to stay here and continue to exist, we must take care of our beloved Earth. After all, there is just no place like home.

I give The Killing Jar five stars. It was a fun ride and I was just so pumped to get started on book two - The Lethal Agent.

She felt like a shell of a person, as if someone had come in and scooped out the meaningful parts of her, leaving only the husk.

- R. S. McCoy, The Killing Jar -

The Lethal Agent picks up right where The Killing Jar left off. Good thing I have book two right after I read book one because if it were not, I would have been so restless to find out what happens next. The Killing Jar ended abruptly but not that it will leave you hanging but obvious enough that there is definitely a next book. Fortunately, I was spared that feeling because I have The Lethal Agent available and got on with my reading as if book one never ended. 

I have mentioned about bugs on the above, right? Well, let's just say that The Lethal Agent was more into looking for those bugs. I refuse to tell you where and how those bugs came about as it will definitely spoil the story. You have to read it for yourselves. I assure you, this is absolutely no waste of time. I love to read books but I am also honest and critical in terms of liking a book or not. I have a lot of books I bought because the summary on the back cover is really promising but ended up not finishing the book because it was not what I thought it was. The Extraction Files, I suppose was going to bore me but thankfully it did not and I think this series is one of the few sci-fi novels that I really really enjoyed. It didn't feel like it was too nerdy or used too many scientific words where it tends to get the readers lost and confuse. These books are just so creatively written that I often pause and try to understand where the author got her inspiration for all these characters and events. Freaking awesome! Also, it talks about family, relationships, our fears and insecurities and the things that we value most. I think this aspect of the novel makes it less a tumor-inducing read because it makes it more relatable and a little less fiction.

I admire how McCoy was able to put this into the story flawlessly.

Again, I give The Lethal Agent five stars. It was so worth it having two straight late nights just so I could finish them. Never a minute wasted. 

There were about five words in typo error but other than that I have no complains. 

Love is blind. Love is unfair. Love is cruel. Love is crooked. It gives and takes without care. It lets you believe you're happy then burns your dreams to the ground.

- R. S. McCoy, The Lethal Agent -