Books read in 2014: No. 8 -- The Turtle Boy

by Kealan Patrick Burke

Started: Feb. 6
Finished: Feb. 6

Notes: Recently author Edward Lorn praised the works of Kealan Patrick Burke, and as I trust Lorn's judgment, I thought I should go check out Burke, especially as Burke is a Bram Stoker Award winner.

Mini review: It's rare I sit down and read a book all in one setting, but I had time on my hands today, this one was short enough, and frankly, the writing was just that damn good. Originally a stand-alone tale, The Turtle Boy is now the first in a series about Timmy Quinn, a boy who has experiences with the dead. To tell more would be giving things away, but I'll repeat, the story is damn good. The tale reminds me a little of Stephen King when he's in top form, and Ray Bradbury.

Books read in 2014: No. 7 -- Dead Things

by Matt Darst

Started: Feb. 3
Finished: Feb. 5

Notes: I'll let the blurb for this zombie survival novel speak for itself: "Nearly two decades have passed since the fall of the United States and the rise of the church to fill the void. Science is heresy, and the dead must be decapitated to avoid an unholy resurrection. When a plane crash strands Ian Sumner and a band of survivors miles from the fortified walls of the church state, survival depends on secrets too dangerous to speak aloud."

Mini review: This was a pretty good book, and from a fellow Kentuckian, to boot! The plane crash survivors stranded in zombie territory was an interesting take on this genre, and a former U.S. where the churches have risen to political power was a fresh approach, especially as the author shows reasoning for why this happened within his world. There are also several intriguing scientific reasonings about the cause behind the zombies, and I ate all that up with a spoon. There were a couple of things here I didn't care for, one being the use of occasional flashbacks, though I realize that's a personal preference. Also off a little to me were a few events toward the end which seemed a little convenient, perhaps a little rushed, leaving me to want more of the blanks filled in. Still, my complaints are meant to be minor, because over all this was worth my time to read and I enjoyed it. I'll be looking for more from this author.

Books read in 2014: No. 6 -- Brood of Bones

by A. E. Marling

Started: Jan. 27
Finished: Feb. 2

Notes: This novel is from another newer fantasy author I've noted on the Amazon rankings, and the story of an enchantress with a sleeping disorder who cannot become pregnant while all the other women in her city seem to become pregnant all at once drew my attention further. As I always enjoy reading and studying authors new to me, this one was a natural.

Mini review: This was quite the good story. Mostly a mystery with a touch of brief action here and there. Very clean text, some interesting characters, good writing, interesting world though the reader doesn't get to see a lot of it. The use of magic here isn't totally unique, but it's definitely different than what you see in most fantasy tales. The main character is intriguing, though scenes are often stolen by a secondary character, one you're never sure is a good guy or a bad guy, or a bit of both mixed. Can I recommend this one? Yes, I can.