Bernie and the Lost Girl (The Universe Builders #0.5) by Steve LeBel | A Book Review

I got this book from the author when I signed up for his newsletter. It took me a while to read this. Finally, I have gotten to it and I felt like this story was too short. I wished it were longer.

The title of this book reminds me of a Lego toy. I think it has something to do with the word "universe builders".  I have three nephews and one niece and they love playing with Legos. They build whatever suits their fancy and tickles their imagination. As it turned out, this story is not too far from my assumption about Legos. The only difference is instead of using blocks in building, the characters in this book build universes with moons and planets.

This is a fascinating story about a world of gods. Of young gods going to school to learn how to build universes. And like humans, not all of them are adept or skilled at universe-building. Universe-building is not a natural gift for every god. Young gods had to study to be able to learn how to do it. Bernie, the main character in this story is one great example. He is not good at universe-building. He is actually struggling in school. And what's harder is he has to measure up to his father who has won an award in universe-building. A father who left them to pursue his career further.

As I said, this story was too short for me. I wanted it to be longer. I wanted the author to explore more on the world where Bernie and the rest of the gods live. To expound more on their day-to-day lives. What really fascinated me about this story is that these gods, as I've mentioned are just like humans, they too have their own fears. One is not to go beyond the edge of the plateau where they live. It is an unknown world beyond the plateau. Even the forest is a place very few venture into. 

I give the book 3/5 Lego blocks. I wanted more from the story. The characters of Bernie, Suzie and Lenny are promising to be very interesting characters. These three are turning out to be young law-breakers, in a good way. It is because, they are willing to break the rules to save someone even if it scares them out of their wits. They are willing to go out of their comfort zones and defy the norm. I like this wild streak they have in common and I am looking forward to the next dangerous and rule-breaking adventures of this trio.

When each child is born, Order and Chaos fight for dominance. For most children, it's a close battle, and the child ends up with only a slight inclination toward one side or the other. This imbalance is what we call the cloud...But for people like you Bernie, your cloud is so strong. When Order and Chaos were supposed to fight for you, Order never showed up.

- Steve Lebel, Bernie and the Lost Girl - 

 

Halcyon (The Complex #0) by Demelza Carlton | ARC | A Book Review

Hi! There are 14 more days to go before Christmas. Are you excited? Have you decided what books you want to receive? I would like to get a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Hope my best friends would read this post and send me the book. *Praying and crossing fingers*

I almost forgot that this book is releasing today. Good thing, my calendar alert reminded me. I hastily read this book. Best thing is, this was not too lengthy and I was able to finish it in about three hours. Phew!

Halcyon is a science-fiction novel. I am also not a fan of sci-fi though there were some books of the same genre that I had enjoyed. This genre is not really my everyday read. But I like to be flexible and mix things once in a while. Especially, when the story line is really interesting. For Halcyon, I did not read the blurb. Again, my excitement in seeing the magic word ARC got the better of me and I just signed up. As I often say, this is one of those books that chose me. Cliche, I know. But I found this story very intriguing. I don't think I have read about Mer-people so this was new for me. I guess my instinct was right again. Yeah!

Halcyon is a siren who destroyed and killed a ship full of humans. The only survivor was a kid -Galen. Galen promised to avenge his parents' death. Ten years later, when he learned that Halcyon was in Lorn, he decided to find her and extract revenge.

As I have said, I did not expect to enjoy this book but I am happy to say that I did. I was very curious as to the characters and what type of creatures are they. The story line is very straight forward and after the first two or three chapters, I have discovered who Halcyon is. Unfortunately for Galen, he was non-the-wiser. This was like watching a movie wherein you already know what is going to happen and instead of being bored or losing interest, I was riveted because I wanted to find out how Galen would finally come face to face with the one person he hates most. It may appear anti-climatic since the suspense of Halcyon's true identity was already known to me but it was still amusing to find the reaction and realization of Galen when it hit him. According to him, he was so stupid, which in a way I agree but I forgave him since if I were in his place I would definitely feel the same. In Galen's perspective, it was never apparent that Halcyon was just within his reach.

What I really like on this story is that there weren't a lot of highly technical or very scientific terms or phrases, being this is a sci-fi book. Unlike other books which tend to feel like a theoretical lecture, this one, thankfully, did away with going into detail with all those dizzying scientific concepts and ideas. This book will surely appeal to everyone, even if you are not into sci-fi like me. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I give the book 4/5 bars of chocolate. This was done smoothly. And like a bar of chocolate, it was good and so easy to swallow. In a way, it was amusing to know that I was privy to the secret and the main character was so oblivious. It gave me an advantage over him and I was just waiting to find his reaction. It was a laugh for me knowing Galen was in a quagmire when he was confronted with it. It was like hahaha. Gotcha!

Here is a good pick up line boys...Hit it!

Girl: I'm just...rusty, is all.

Boy: Now , that's where you got lucky. Working in Maintenance, I know just how to get rid of all the rust, and rub you up until you feel all shiny and new. 

- Demelza Carlton, Halcyon - 

Release Date: December 10, 2016

Thank you again, Demelza Carlton, for the ARC.

Forget Tomorrow (Forget Tomorrow #1) by Pintip Dunn | A Book Review

What if the future has been determined? No more choosing or deciding what career-path you would need to take. Would life be easier and better then?

Forget Tomorrow is a magnificent tale where each person's future is determined by a future memory. Yes, a memory from your future self will be sent on to you on your seventeenth birthday and will decide what you will become. Those who are unfortunate and received a bad memory, like killing someone or turning into a person less likely to benefit society, will be taken by the government. You will be imprisoned for a crime you have not committed yet. Definitely terrifying.

This is probably one of the best dystopian novels I have read. The way it was narrated was very clear. The pages just flowed smoothly mesmerizing me. I never wanted to put the book down. I was held captive and I had no desire to be released. I did not want my freedom back. I just wanted to get trapped in the pages. I just wanted to forget that there's still tomorrow and wanted to spend the rest of the hours lost in its words until there will be no more.

When I think about it, this book is supposed to scare me. The possibilities of a future where choice is robbed makes me want to run for the hills and never return. I think it is a very bleak future if I will not be allowed to make my own decisions and pursue my passions. On the other hand, it would save a great deal of trying and finding what would be a successful venture. But it will also erase the mystery and discovery of the unknown. With real life being as it is, I would not want it to be already laid out before me. I don't want a prepared career or a life that is just handed out to me. I want to work and find what am I good at. And I would want to be surprised of what I am capable of and discover hidden potentials that I never knew existed. 

Yes, admittedly, there are times that I wished things would have been clearer and there was no need to reflect and discern over things but I guess that is the beauty of life. You take what it dishes out but you always have a chance of doing what you really wanted to become. The future is not written in stone. The possibilities are endless and the only thing that limits us is ourselves and our insecurities.

I give this book 5/5 fallen leaves. There is just no substitute for freedom. No matter how advanced our civilization and technology would become, freedom will never become obsolete. It will always be the most treasured possession of every human being or for any species for that matter. Once it's lost, all else is lost, including a person's dignity.

...I hoped the leaves would remind you how it feels to be free. To be able to take whatever path we want and land anywhere we choose.

- Pintip Dunn, Forget Tomorrow - 

I won a hardbound copy of Forget Tomorrow as an author giveaway through Goodreads. Thank you again Pintip Dunn and Goodreads.