January 2021 Book Reviews

Book Review: When Jackals Storm the Walls by Bradley Beaulieu (Affiliate Link)

Book 5 of the Song of Shattered Sands builds off the action of the previous books and starts to bring the series to a climatic end, but manages to end on a cliff hanger that will have you on the edge of your seat waiting for book 6. As always the characters come to life in this series and the author does a good job of keeping the reader engaged with the different characters, while inevitably bringing their story arcs together. If you like epic fantasy you’ll love this series, not the least because the author isn’t dragging out, but instead is keeping it focused and manageable.

Book Review: Random Man by A.R. Maxwell (Affiliate link)

This is a coming of age superhero novel where the main character doesn’t have full control of his powers. The author does a great job off establishing the character as well as the challenges he faces. She also makes sure that he struggles throughout the book, which makes it more interesting. The supporting cast is well written and the story is a page turner. If you’re looking for some fun superhero fiction, this book is a good one to read.

Book Review: How to Defeat a Hero by J. Bennett (affiliate link)

When I got this book, I stopped reading another series because I wanted to see what was going to happen to Alice, in this series, and I’m glad I did, because once I started reading this book, I couldn’t stop. I turned each page, curious to see what would happen next to Alice and her fellow henchmates. And I’m glad I did because the book was amazing. The twists and turns got me really excited and the way the story ended…wow. I have a feeling when the next book comes out, I’ll stop reading whatever else I’m reading so I can pick it up and find out what happens next.

Book Review: The Sidekicks Initiative by Barry Hutchinson (affiliate link)

This is a hilarious superhero fiction about former sidekicks that are drafted to save the world from a mysterious threat when the heroes can’t. The author does a good job of keeping you guessing as to what will happen next in the story and there’s plenty of humorous spoofs and jokes about superheroes. I hope the author will write more in this series.

Book Review: The Boys Vol 1 by Garth Ennis (Affiliate link)

I’ll admit I read this graphic novel because of the Amazon series, and I’m glad the series introduced me to it, because as always Garth Ennis manages to push his stories over the top. The story in the comics is different from the show, which makes it even more enjoyable, because it’s like you’re getting extra content. If you like superhero fiction, you’ll love this warped story about supes and what happens when you have a team of people take them on.

Book Review: A Dangerous Freedom by B. D. Lutz (Affiliate Link)

In the latest book from the divided America series, the author introduces more zombie action and humor. I liked the book overall though one difference I noticed is that the author switched between points of view almost every chapter and added more characters. It worked in terms of moving the story forward, but it did feel a little disorienting at times. Even so this was a fun read and I can’t wait for the next book.

Book Review: The Boys volume 2 by Garth Ennis (Affiliate link)

In the second volume of the Boys, the over the top action and craziness of the supes continues to take off, as does the efforts of the Boys to stop the supes. I like the parody of the X-men and the development of the characters. Overall its a good, gory story that skews the traditional superhero narrative.