Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Missing File by D. A. Mishani

Article first published as Book Review:The Missing File by D. S. Mishani on Blogcritics.

Crime is an international evil, something that happens in every city in the world, and yet we often only hear of the most sinister of cases. The crime in our own part of the world connects with us more consistently and completely. Although many fictional detectives are of international fame, we are more cognizant of those in America.
In The Missing File by D. A. Mishani, we are taken into the heart of Tel Aviv, where for police Detective Avraham Avraham, there is little crime. For him when crimes happen, the simplest answer always seems to be the right one. When he becomes embroiled in the case of a missing school boy, he is sure the case will work itself out. He is so sure the boy is fine; he doesn’t even initially file a report. For him, Ofer will simply show up after staying with friends or some other likely sequence.
Yet when he does not show up, Avraham is bewildered. He is not prepared for the circumstances that seem to come to light as the days drag on. As the leads begin to come in, he is stunned at the complexity of answers that seem to be evolving. When the young man’ neighbor and tutor tries to help with answers, he finds himself a suspect as well. Yet as the neighbor weaves his own bizarre story, Avraham finds himself with an even different scenario than he could have imagined. Can he find the missing boy alive, or is it already too late? Has he made an error of judgment that will come back to haunt him for year to come?
Avraham is an interesting and eclectic personality. Steady and sure, he finds passion in finding the mistakes in the crimes solved by the best detectives in fiction novels. Each time he succeeds in finding the mistake, he begins to believe his own hype. Crime just does not happen in his city. He is so upset at the way things are going, he finds himself too easily distracted. Things are not going as he planned. Deciding to move forward with his own vacation, even as the disappearance is still being investigated, he finally begins to understand himself.
Ofer, the boy who disappears, seems like a wonderful lad. His neighbor certainly found him to be quite smart. Being a schoolteacher, his neighbor Zeev was a likely tutor when Ofer was struggling. Where Ofer was charming, Zeev is a bit strange. He doesn’t understand the red herrings he has littered through the investigation, and by the time he realizes his error, it is too late.
If you enjoy mysteries, you will find this an interesting work. The viewpoint of the detective is interesting, and makes him very likable. The crime set in such a place, gives us another view of the area, one rich in history. Avraham is an interesting person and makes you care about what is happening.
This would be a great book for a book club or reading group. This is a work of contrasts, one to keep the conversation going for some time. The suspense will keep you reading as Avraham finds the answers to the mystery of the missing boy, as well as to his own sense of self. 
Rating 3/5
 

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

The Wrath of Angels by John Connolly

Article first published as Book Review:The Wrath of Angels by John Connolly on Blogcritics.

The darkness and anger of the fallen is often talked about by those who believe. Angels that have fallen from grace become the monsters of our dreams.

In The Wrath of Angels by John Connolly, we follow Charlie Parker, a man who has been involved in such happenings for some time. No one is sure of his own pedigree, and the question remains—is he also one with a taint on his soul? He does not believe it; he believes that he is on the side of right. Hunting down the monsters as they work at annihilating those that oppose them, he has seen many things. Often in the middle of both sides he is regularly challenged at his stance. Darkness descends in all directions, and those who oppose are on a list. This list is sought after by both sides, one for death, the other for knowledge. The Collector walks as well, ready to finish the job of stealing souls and moving them on. When Charlie finds his own name on the list, he knows the Collector is on his own trail.

When he hears of a plane in the darkest part of the forest, one that carries another list, he knows he must begin the search. There is more at stake than any of the residents can imagine. The danger of discovery put those with knowledge at risk. As each of the witnesses is killed in brutal fashion, Charlie must race against time to reach the plane before the fallen do. But he remembers a story of these same woods from years ago. This story is of a young girl, another danger that lures the unwary. Can he stay ahead of the collector, and retrieve that which is written before it is too late?

John Connolly has written a tale of darkness and deceit, and sprinkled it with bits of good. The fallen angels are dark and destructive, but well placed in the world. Able to hold sway over those that have their own darkness through the form of money or threat, they have built a small army of dangerous men and women. His characters are real and creepy, with the ability to steal into your dreams. The brutality and graphic nature of the ritual killings stay with you long after you set down the book. The darkness and description of the characters take you there, and hold you spellbound. This is not a work for the weak of heart.

If you enjoy thrillers and tones of the underworld, this will fill the bill. The mystery surrounding the plane will keep you captivated, and the characters will give you chills. Charlie Parker is an excellent character, tough and resilient, and he has surrounded himself with his own group of friends. He is sure of his own character, even when those around him have questions. He is smart and full of passion for what he does.

This is a thriller that will hold you captive to the very end. This would make a fascinating read for a reading group, and a strong argument for a discussion group. Charlie Parker is a character to watch for.

Rating 4/5

This book was received free from the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Review and Giveaway: Untimed by Andy Gavin

Article first published as Book Review: Untimed by Andy Gavin on Blogcritics.

Have you ever felt alone? Possibly even invisible to others, while the world goes on around you? Does your name elude those who you have just been introduced to, followed by blank stares of puzzlement?
In Untimed by Andy Gavin, we find such occurrences that seem out of place and time. When a young boy sees a curious figure, mechanical in nature, he decides to follow.  Charlie has been one of those that seemed to be invisible all of his young life. Even his mother had difficulty remembering his name. His father was never home, his work kept him occupied, so Charlie felt like an odd outcast.  When he sees this strange anomaly, he is fascinated but also very scared. Looking much like a living clock, he begins to refer to it as the Tick-Tock man.
As Charlie follows him, he finds himself in another dimension, a different time. What he has just accomplished is impossible, or is it? Immediately upon arriving in this new past, he is robbed by a pickpocket, a young girl who appears more vivid than anything else in the entire landscape. He must follow her for his belongings, but the vibrancy also calls to him. When he finally finds her, he realizes she is very much like him. Only she knows more about time travel, and the entire traveler’s history than he could even dream about. The Tick-Tock men are dangerous to those like them, and as they escape through time, they set off a chain of events that threaten the ruin of the world as they know it. His father has found a way to leave him a message, he has been captured, and it is up to Charlie and his new friend to make things right.  Can they pull off a feat that not even the most seasoned and knowledgeable time travelers have been able to accomplish?
Gavin has given us a fun and energetic romp through time, littered with history, unforgettable characters and charm. He draws different scenarios as history is changed in blundering fashion by this young duo, as they attempt to undo the damage they began.  The characters are engaging and the clock men become a strange enemy. The interesting retakes on re-made history are fun, and the emergence of the shadow selves adds interest.
Be prepared to leap into adventure with Charlie and his friends, working against the clock and the Tick-tock men to save the world though the ability they are born with, of traveling through time. Meet the most interesting of people throughout the past, as history is changed in an effort to divert disaster.
If you enjoy mystery, adventure, time travel and science fiction you will enjoy this work. A young adult novel, it will also cater to those that are young at heart and history buffs.
This is a fun and unique take on time travel and you will enjoy the trip.

Untimed Book Summary:



Charlie’s the kind of boy that no one notices. Hell, even his own mother can’t remember his name. And girls? The invisible man gets more dates.

As if that weren’t enough, when a mysterious clockwork man tries to kill him in modern day Philadelphia, and they tumble through a hole into 1725 London, Charlie realizes even the laws of time don’t take him seriously.

Still, this isn’t all bad. In fact, there’s this girl, another time traveler, who not only remembers his name, but might even like him! Unfortunately, Yvaine carries more than her share of baggage: like a baby boy and at least two ex-boyfriends! One’s famous, the other’s murderous, and Charlie doesn’t know who is the bigger problem.

When one kills the other — and the other is nineteen year-old Ben Franklin — things get really crazy. Can their relationship survive? Can the future? Charlie and Yvaine are time travelers, they can fix this — theoretically — but the rules are complicated and the stakes are history as we know it. And there's one more wrinkle: he can only travel into the past, and she can only travel into the future!

Link to excerpts from Untimed:
http://all-things-andy-gavin.com/untimed/sample/

Andy Gavin's Bio:
Andy Gavin is a serial creative, polymath, novelist, entrepreneur, computer programmer, author, foodie, and video game creator. He co-founded video game developer Naughty Dog and co-created Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter. He started numerous companies, has been lead programmer on video games that have sold more than forty million copies, and has written two novels.

His first book, The Darkening Dream, has been well-received by fans and critics alike. Publisher’s Weekly called it “gorgeously creepy, strangely humorous, and sincerely terrifying.” Untimed is an even more ambitious follow-up. It is a lavish production with a cover by acclaimed fantasy artist Cliff Nielsen and twenty-one full page interior illustrations by Dave Phillips.

Prices/Formats: $5.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback, $24.00 hardcover
Publisher: Mascherato Publishing
ISBN: 9781937945053 ebook, 9781937945046 paperback, 9781937945039 hardcover
Pages: 325
Release: December 19, 2012

Amazon paperback buy link ($14.99):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1937945049?tag=tributebooks-20
Kindle buy link ($5.99):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQN4OZS?tag=tributebooks-20


Please enter for a chance to Win a copy of Untimed by Andy Gavin. Sign up using the rafflecopter below. This givaway is sponsered by Tribute Books.

Enter for your chance to win.

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Monday, February 4, 2013

Entry for Givaway of Untimed by Andy Gavin

Untimed Book Summary:
Charlie’s the kind of boy that no one notices. Hell, even his own mother can’t remember his name. And girls? The invisible man gets more dates.

As if that weren’t enough, when a mysterious clockwork man tries to kill him in modern day Philadelphia, and they tumble through a hole into 1725 London, Charlie realizes even the laws of time don’t take him seriously.

Still, this isn’t all bad. In fact, there’s this girl, another time traveler, who not only remembers his name, but might even like him! Unfortunately, Yvaine carries more than her share of baggage: like a baby boy and at least two ex-boyfriends! One’s famous, the other’s murderous, and Charlie doesn’t know who is the bigger problem.

When one kills the other — and the other is nineteen year-old Ben Franklin — things get really crazy. Can their relationship survive? Can the future? Charlie and Yvaine are time travelers, they can fix this — theoretically — but the rules are complicated and the stakes are history as we know it. And there's one more wrinkle: he can only travel into the past, and she can only travel into the future!

Link to excerpts from Untimed:
http://all-things-andy-gavin.com/untimed/sample/
 
Andy Gavin's Bio:
Andy Gavin is a serial creative, polymath, novelist, entrepreneur, computer programmer, author, foodie, and video game creator. He co-founded video game developer Naughty Dog and co-created Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter. He started numerous companies, has been lead programmer on video games that have sold more than forty million copies, and has written two novels.

His first book, The Darkening Dream, has been well-received by fans and critics alike. Publisher’s Weekly called it “gorgeously creepy, strangely humorous, and sincerely terrifying.” Untimed is an even more ambitious follow-up. It is a lavish production with a cover by acclaimed fantasy artist Cliff Nielsen and twenty-one full page interior illustrations by Dave Phillips.

Prices/Formats: $5.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback, $24.00 hardcover
Publisher: Mascherato Publishing
ISBN: 9781937945053 ebook, 9781937945046 paperback, 9781937945039 hardcover
Pages: 325
Release: December 19, 2012

Amazon paperback buy link ($14.99):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1937945049?tag=tributebooks-20
Kindle buy link ($5.99):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQN4OZS?tag=tributebooks-20


Please enter for a chance to Win a copy of Untimed by Andy Gavin. Sign up using the rafflecopter below. This givaway is sponsered by Tribute Books.

Watch for reviews and enter for your chance to win.

Rafflecopter GIVEAWAY HTML embed code: a Rafflecopter giveaway