indie book review

‘Deceit of the Mind: Quantum Evolution’ by – Henry Cox Review

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A sophisticated deep-dive into the world of quantum mechanics with original concepts

Henry Cox has delivered his most sophisticated story yet and tackles the world of quantum mechanics by way of clever and original story telling. This really is a deep dive into the theory of all things quantum partnered with concepts I’ve not seen explored in fiction before.

The ‘Deceit’ series continues to grow with this latest edition that fuses history, memory, time and genetics while also retaining a thrilling spy theme as ‘Benjamin Oliver’ a retired lawyer returns to his spy roots in what becomes a rescue mission. He isn’t the only recurring character back as this series starts to become a genre in its own right with previous ‘Deceit’ stories intermingling. How the reader gets there is a journey of clever scientific theory combined with Cox’s brand of thriller that reads very much like high end fiction. We’re taken through different eras of time as ancestors and how their story relates to the present day characters unfolds with a blend of language and events delivered in a unique way.

The quantum concepts explored within have a lot of depth and theory which gives a feeling of sophistication and this is exactly what stories like this should be – clever and also thought provoking. Technology and data is out there and in certain hands can be dangerous or even wild – especially so when big business is involved. This is definitely a story that lives up to the title by having a way of playing with the reader’s mind into thinking one way but then taking you on another unexpected path.

‘From ancient times to the present, despite its pure definition, science has always been the prisoner of politics, religion, and even the created dogma of academics, in the name of science – often influenced by the purse. The theory of human evolution has become an academic theology, despite its provable inconsistences.’

A great third book by Henry Cox – I feel cleverer for reading it and that’s a feeling I haven’t had for many years and that’s exactly what this book should do.

5 Stars

‘NO ROAD HOME Book One: Echoes’ by John Prescott – Review

Lee Hall 1 Comment

A quick-to-read and fun post-apocalyptic action adventure...

When ‘Raven’ wakes up with no memories his path is quickly revealed in the post-apocalyptic setting he must navigate to find answers. On that journey he befriends a robot, gets attacked by wild animals and finds difficulty in trusting anyone as slowly pieces together what happened to the world he now resides in.

With no recollection of the apocalyptic events that unfolded some years previous our hero travels this new but familiar world littered with reminders of those events. Abandoned places, vehicles and those left behind to fend for themselves. There were some fun moments throughout this short but action laced story where one man must try to find answers – from befriending a robot to joining a band of renegade soldiers who may or may not help the cause. John Prescott gives every character a fun level of charm that could easily be seen in a popular action film or video game but who is ‘Raven’? There are answers and even some interesting flashback moments or echoes, all enough to entice me to continue this journey for the next book soon.

Favourite Quote:

‘The most disturbing wrecks were the ones still containing human remains. Drivers leaned halfway out of their stalled vehicles. The unforgiving desert mummified them, forcing their dried mouths into unrelenting screams that echoed ten years on…’

4 Stars

‘The Insatiable Hunger of Trees’ by Samantha Eaton – Review

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‘I’ve done something unforgivable, and it followed me here…’

Samantha Eaton delivers a horror tale through the vessel of atmosphere and originality with a different take on the creature feature that carries a certain sophistication.

With a main character in high school, the expectation to take the ultra dramatic teenage angst route would appear obvious but not here, our hero ‘Cara Hughes’ is presented in a more grounded way along with her life much like many of the horror elements in this story that is packed with mystery and unpredictability. Of course we do see the usual school politics and antics of kids who are that age which is delivered through snippets of flashbacks that plant seeds for what is unfolding now and what is to come. Hysteria spreads quickly among the students along with rumours that whisper murder or worse.

‘My body may be in the classroom, but my mind wanders…’

From the start readers are fed an atmosphere which is this book’s ultimate strength and captures the forest setting, theme and personality of every major character. Something is out there and it has taken lives and even loved ones so when a missing presumed dead sibling returns, for ‘Cara’ it sets her on a path of realisation that a sinister presence is watching.

‘Someone was watching me tonight. Just like they have been watching me every night for weeks. I wonder if, one of these nights, they’ll want to do more than watch…’

The journey of realisation and then revelation kept me turning pages while I also found myself savouring certain face off moments between ‘Cara’ and the unknown forcers that were both immersive and gripping. For anyone who enjoys atmospheric horror with a slow burn and the presence of kittens every now and then, this one is for you because there is something out there.

5 Stars

Guest Book Review: ‘Neglected Merge’ by Eve Koguce

Lee Hall

Guest Book Review by Arianne Nicks

“Neglected Merge” is the first book in “The Neglected Merge” trilogy by Eve Koguce. This book is a fantasy utopian romance featuring Tauria, a 32-year-old woman living in what’s supposed to be a “perfect” society. After undergoing a near-apocalyptic experience, “the merge”, people have rebuilt society with no room for conflict, unpleasantness, or unhappiness. Everyone is living their best life, having the most fulfilling jobs and the best relationships.

Tauria’s world is disturbed when a “Winged One” lands in her home, one of his wings injured. The man, Doron, is part of the royal family of the Winged Ones. While he recovers in Tauria’s home, they fall in love.

The challenge they face is that of bringing their worlds together – the Wingless and the Winged Ones. Politics and love are woven into the story. To bring their societies together, Tauria gets a job that allows her to start preparations for contacting the Winged Ones. On the other side of the mountain, Doron actively pleads with his father to initiate a relationship with the Wingless. Will they succeed in creating a world where a relationship between a Winged One and a Wingless is possible?

I have enjoyed the first book in this series. The environment and the worlds created are unique, and the characters are interesting in their overpolite ways. I had issues believing in Tauria and Doron’s relationship at the beginning, as everything happens quickly and with few details. However, as the story evolves, they grew on me, and I was rooting for them in their endeavors. Doron’s love and passion for Tauria are sweet, and the contrast between this and Tauria’s more serious side is sometimes funny. I also liked how the friendship between Tauria and Byrne developed throughout the story. For the next books, I hope to find out more about Abelia (Doron’s sister) and her story.

“Neglected Merge” is definitely a distinctive read!

This is a guest review by Arianne Nicks the author of Soul of Light and Thunder. You can find more information about Arianne via her website here.

‘The View From Here’ by Leon Stevens – Review

Lee Hall 1 Comment

An exploration themed sci-fi novella not of this world…

Leon Stevens combines a unique mix of adventure, exploration and sci-fi in this intriguing novella that see’s a pair of hikers find their way into another world. At the heart of the story is a problem-solving theme that runs alongside adventure.

From figuring out how high a cliff is to deciphering alien language and maps, this world they explore becomes more intriguing as the story unfolds. The premise is original and full of mystery throughout where most chapters finish with a moment where readers will want to keep reading. A seemingly deserted place creates intrigue and even a sense of eerie atmosphere that kept me interested throughout. I would have liked to have seen a little more from both characters in terms of character depth but their chemistry together works well to tell their tale of exploration and fun.

4 Stars

‘Witch in the Lighthouse’ by Azalea Forrest – Review

Lee Hall

A quaint and fun magical tale…

This was my first Azalea Forrest reading experience and an enjoyable one at that. ‘Witch in the Lighthouse’ is a quaint and fun magical tale that follows ‘Magnolia’ as she inherits a Lighthouse from her recently passed away uncle in a town that isn’t so welcoming of her kind.

Having had previous negative encounters with those of the magical persuasion Maggie faces the task of convincing the small seaside town of Lightview that she is there to help. Whilst some make her feel welcome, others are stubborn to the thought of a witch in their town even if this world of practical magic can help them in so many different ways. Just what did happen in the past and even to her uncle? The intrigue intertwines with the moving plot here keeping readers interested throughout.

Eventually the story unfolds as does the history of Magnolia’s family and what follows is an epic meeting of forces that carries an original and deeper meaning of responsibility of power and much more. Magical forces in this world can be used for both good and bad which is explored well here. The characters, setting and story were very well executed and I’d be more than happy to read another title by Forrest.

5 Stars

‘The Tolworth Beacon’ by Huw Langridge – Review

Lee Hall

Intriguing British mystery with tension, atmosphere and code-breaking vibes…

There’s a lot going on in the life of ‘Chris Powell’. His marriage is strained and there’s an important royal visitor coming to the shop he manages in just a few days time. After a strange attempted burglary at a neighbour’s place the intrigue unfolds in what is a mystery filled ride where I found myself quickly turning pages.

After he mysteriously receives a radio frequency number, Powell realises he is on the path of deception and tension as he has to decipher what it means while finding out what is really going on. Is someone watching him from afar or is he paranoid? Questions arise as tension builds and eventually a very real threat emerges. For those who are interested in the subject of number stations and even code breaking will enjoy this interesting novel with a range of themes and heaps of atmosphere.

4 Stars – Reviews left via Goodreads and Amazon

‘Powerless’ by Vicky Ball – Review

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A well-written twisting thriller with darker themes…

Vicky Ball delivers a twisting tale that carries a plethora of darker themes while being executed in a page-turning style that hops back and forth in time with dual P.OV’s. Ball does everything to tell this story and succeeds. As readers we are shown just enough to suggest what is happening beneath the surface of a story that tackles the themes of naivety, coercion, trauma, addiction and of course danger that is a lot closer than first realised.

When ‘Beth’ returns home after several years after disappearing it brings up all kinds of questions and contention that places her younger sister ‘Abby’ on a twisting path of realisation. There is a lot to unpack and it happens gradually while the twists appear unexpectedly. Perhaps this a cautionary tale for those who are younger to not be so trusting to those who clearly want something – a powerful message aimed at readers of a certain younger age who will get something from this book. What we are shown is just enough without glorifying or even exploiting the many issues the reader and characters face. The concept of ‘Businessmen’ simply casts a long enough shadow to suggest what is really happening and the message being about trust.

With a story that goes full circle, Powerless is a thrilling and twisting tale that will take readers on a dramatic and sometimes unexpected ride.

4 Stars – Reviews left via Amazon and Goodreads

‘The Art & Business of Writing: A Practical Guide to the Writing Life’ by Chris Jones

Lee Hall Leave a comment

A valuable easy-to-read resource for the modern writer

Chris Jones lays out his tenured journey in the writing industry while generously passing on his wisdom in an easy-to-read guide full of resources that will either help or reassure the modern writer or both. Many other guides suffer from over informing or throwing way too much at once to the reader but here we get a fine balance between just the right amount of information and a tone that is friendly and consistent.

From brand building to dealing with writer’s block, from web hosting to social media with some solid advice to ‘keep it light’ in terms of conduct, there is even a section about putting together a business card – something I’d never thought of doing until now. At the very core of this guide is the wonderful message that being professional no matter how you are published is incredibly important because attitude is everything in creativity, especially when it is in the public domain – something that resonates with me.

“Your attitude, aptitude, and focus all will determine how far you go in this business”

Each section finishes with ‘take aways’ that handily summarise the information within and serve as that important conclusion to really bolster the purpose of this guide. Even after the conclusion you’ll find a plethora of resources from guide book recommendations to even podcasts and beyond. For anyone looking for some reassurance and some guidance in the art and business of writing, this book is for you.

5 Stars – Reviews left via Amazon and Goodreads

‘Fee Simple Conditional (Arcadia Chronicles Book 1)’ by H.C. Helfand – Review

Lee Hall 1 Comment

A gem of a read about life, love and land…

H.C. Helfand delivers an uplifting and wonderfully written story of ‘Abigail Fischer’ who becomes used to loss from an early age in many aspects of her life and while this may sound dreary, it is far from it.

With a style of writing can be best described as charming, pages turn quickly as the short chapters fly by capturing ‘Abby’ and her journey. She finds a job in the Land Record office joining a host of wonderful colorful characters capturing this new world filled with variety and opportunity. One particular patch of land sets her life in motion towards hope and as a reader you want ‘Abby’ to find happiness and success. In between, there’s drama and even some unexpected twists that make for an enjoyable reading experience following one woman as her life follows an interesting path of heartbreak, triumph and even destiny in what is a gem of a read about life, love and land.

Great stories like this deserve way more attention and this is a book that I would highly recommend, especially if you’re looking for something positive and uplifting.

‘Despite life’s inevitable changes, some things are simply unconditional…’

5 Stars – a wonderful read that deserves a lot more attention!