I've often wondered what to do about stories that I classify as 'It's ok' (2 stars out of 5) or worse. Should one review them for the sake of the unsuspecting public, or should one veil them in the shadows to spare the authors a severe downrating?
Anyhow, I've decided to review them anyway. Unsuspecting public, take a bow. Please remember, YMMV. You may like different stuff than me. I picked up all these because they were rated at 4 stars or better by at least two reviewers, plus the blurb and/or the cover art looked interesting.
Science fiction | Faster than light: Dobriathar | Macolm Pierce
⭐⭐
Space opera, part 2 of a series. (Wonder why I didn't read part 1 first? Oh, well).
Talking stars and bucolic planets.
The writing isn't too smooth, using, for example, ‘governess’ to mean female governor of the planet instead of someone who minds and tutors children, causing dissonance all along. Some scenes feel like dreams or fantasy, and it's confusing to try to distinguish them from the rest of the story.
I think I have book 1 of the series, but I'm unlikely to read it now. You can get it here. Still free.
Science fiction | Death's Twilight | A.J. Leavens
⭐⭐
I originally rated this as 3 stars, mainly for writing quality.
A fast paced action story, it has ninja organisations, deadly assassins, high tech, chases across the world, secrets that can break the world order.
What is doesn't have is depth. Things are too pat. Like big budget Hollywood where twists are there for shock value, not because they make sense.
If you like popcorn stories that don't tax your brain, this is the first of a series as Slade and Hotaru take on a System that has framed them.
The reason it lost a star? Too much senseless killing. And I mean senseless. It made no sense from any angle.
You can get it here. Still free.
Science Fiction | Running: The Alien in the Mirror | Lazlo Ferran
⭐⭐
Now this story? Popcorn. Full of corny stuff. Androids who become conscious, humans trodden down by androids, a big rebellion, waving of lasers in sewers. Staple tropes from Hollywood movies.
You can get it here. Still free.
Horror/science fiction | Sunfall: Episode 1 | Tim Meyer
⭐⭐
A yucky-horror story. People start to burn up, screaming all the way. The hero realises instantly it's because they are standing in the sun. It's a series of descriptions of slices of everyday life with people dying gorily. Not for me.
You can get it here. Still free.
Anyhow, I've decided to review them anyway. Unsuspecting public, take a bow. Please remember, YMMV. You may like different stuff than me. I picked up all these because they were rated at 4 stars or better by at least two reviewers, plus the blurb and/or the cover art looked interesting.
Science fiction | Faster than light: Dobriathar | Macolm Pierce⭐⭐
Space opera, part 2 of a series. (Wonder why I didn't read part 1 first? Oh, well).
Talking stars and bucolic planets.
The writing isn't too smooth, using, for example, ‘governess’ to mean female governor of the planet instead of someone who minds and tutors children, causing dissonance all along. Some scenes feel like dreams or fantasy, and it's confusing to try to distinguish them from the rest of the story.
I think I have book 1 of the series, but I'm unlikely to read it now. You can get it here. Still free.
Science fiction | Death's Twilight | A.J. Leavens
⭐⭐
I originally rated this as 3 stars, mainly for writing quality.
A fast paced action story, it has ninja organisations, deadly assassins, high tech, chases across the world, secrets that can break the world order. What is doesn't have is depth. Things are too pat. Like big budget Hollywood where twists are there for shock value, not because they make sense.
If you like popcorn stories that don't tax your brain, this is the first of a series as Slade and Hotaru take on a System that has framed them.
The reason it lost a star? Too much senseless killing. And I mean senseless. It made no sense from any angle.
You can get it here. Still free.
Science Fiction | Running: The Alien in the Mirror | Lazlo Ferran
⭐⭐
Now this story? Popcorn. Full of corny stuff. Androids who become conscious, humans trodden down by androids, a big rebellion, waving of lasers in sewers. Staple tropes from Hollywood movies.
You can get it here. Still free.
Horror/science fiction | Sunfall: Episode 1 | Tim Meyer
⭐⭐
A yucky-horror story. People start to burn up, screaming all the way. The hero realises instantly it's because they are standing in the sun. It's a series of descriptions of slices of everyday life with people dying gorily. Not for me.
You can get it here. Still free.
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