sci fi Archives - Robin's Review

Robin’s Review of If Only A Heart and Other Tales of Terror

If Only A Heart and Other Tales of Terror

by Caleb Stephens

If Only A Heart and Other Tales of Terror
by Caleb Stephens
An unlikely friendship is born in the red clay dirt of a trailer park. Two latchkey kids who will do anything to hold onto one other, despite the consequences.

If Only A Heart and Other Tales of Terror is a visceral collection of thirteen stories that explores what happens when we open ourselves to others and dare to let them in. There are monsters on these pages, yes, ones whose teeth cut deep, but never as deep as the teeth of the monsters in the mirror.

Robin's Review: This is a dark and intriguing collection of scary tales, each one different. They fill you with dread and anxiety about what will happen next in the twisty turns of each story. I recommend this book, but only if you read it with the lights on. I hope you enjoy them because I sure did.

It was my pleasure to receive a free copy of this book, but that does not in any way affect my opinions in this review of this entertaining story.

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Robin’s Review of The City Grew Monsters

The City Grew Monsters

by Hunter Adams

The City Grew Monsters 
A Zombie Apocalypse Novel 
by Hunter Adams

Can a little girl survive a zombie apocalypse?

After her mother was killed by an intruder, six-year-old Magdalena “Maddy” Ruiz creates a rule for herself: avoid strangers. Always. But when the zombie apocalypse spreads through San Diego like wildfire, and reaches the Cielo Vista Towers where her father works the night shift as a doorman, she finds herself stuck in an empty 25th floor penthouse… and dangerously close to the new neighbors.

Robin's Review: This is a unique and fresh take on the zombie apocalypse genre. Why? Because it is being told and felt through a young girl’s eyes. Which is new for me at least. Maddy is only six and staying in an upstairs apartment while her father, Ernesto works downstairs.  When the crap hits the fan and it tuns into a zombie apocalypse and Ernesto doesn't come back for Maddie, she's left to fend for herself. Of course, there are others in the same boat, and you get to see it through their eyes too. This is a well-written, easy-to-read story. The characters are well-defined and relatable. I enjoyed this story and recommend it to others who want a little angst with their zombie apocalypse. I look forward to the continuation of Maddie’s story.

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Robin’s Review of The Betrayed

Where The Devil Waits

by Wesley Southard

Where The Devil Waits
by Wesley Southard and 
Mark Steensland

How well do you know the people around you?

Your neighbors? Your coworkers?

Friends?

Family?

Sidney Jameson, a young single father just trying to make ends meet, is being followed. They keep to the shadows, quiet and cloaked in dirty brown robes...and they're getting closer. And what they have to tell Sidney is something terrible. Something he never knew about his past. Something he didn't want to know about his future.

Robin's Review: Just let go…

That is what you wrote in my book. He did. This is a well-written brutal creep fest. The main character, Sidney, is your average joe but with flaws, like everyone normal. Except for the part about saving the world. It has an interesting plot that draws you in, creative world-building, and a good vs. evil theme where you're rooting for the winner and dreading what will happen next. This is a great freaking book. I definitely will be reading his other books.

  #horror #suspense #thriller

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Robin’s Review of Breach

Breach

by Candace Nola

Breach 
by Candace Nola

Laraya Jamison is a young woman on a camping trip with close friends before the start of college classes.

When they are savagely attacked by a creature that defies description, she flees into the woods, unknowingly crossing through a breach between realities.

She must figure out where she is and how she got there in order to get home, but her survival depends on fighting monsters and demons that seem to have been ripped directly from her nightmares. Lost in a dark world full of creatures, hostile plant life and a banshee intent on hunting her, she must learn to confront her fears and figure out how to survive on her own.

Robin's Review: Laraya, the main character, finds herself in an alien world where she must survive in this foreign environment, with monsters craving her death at every turn. 

The world-building was richly descriptive and oh so imaginative. I don’t know where Candace Nola gets these ideas, but she can paint the picture so that you feel you are right there with Laraya trying to survive. The plot has some twisty turns that had me shaking my head in amazement. Breach is such a well-written freaking thrill ride that had me wanting more. Luckily there is the 2nd book in this series. I loved this story and highly recommend it to everyone, no matter your taste in genres.

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Robin’s Review of The Ever-Descending Staircase

The Ever-Descending Staircase

by James G. Carlson

The Ever-Descending Staircase
by James G. Carlson

In an old warehouse in Pennsylvania, a dark and terrible secret is shown to a researcher of spiritual phenomena.

Monsters roam the wilds of America, all spawned by a strange being whose cycle of breeding, feasting, and nesting is interrupted by a small-town police officer, a cyber investigator, and a revenge-seeking father. A teenage boy without family or a home encounters tragedy and horror in the snowy woods, where the threshold between human reality and the impossible is guarded by an unlikely creature. At a seedy dive bar, while teetering on the edge of sanity, an afflicted alcoholic meets a stranger who changes his life forever. A pregnant veterinarian at a Wyoming zoo has an unexpected meeting with an infernal presence. A man trapped in a bizarre and lonely afterlife regrets his suicide. A grieving widower learns that even a selfless wish from the heart can end in a horrible fate when asked of cosmic entities beyond human reason and understanding.

Robin's Review: The Ever-Descending Staircase is a creepy collection of short stories that will keep you up at night…just thinking. These are well-written and easy to read. They are pretty imaginative and enjoyable. I won’t give anything away, but I, too, live in Pennsylvania. Definitely recommend this book.

#occult #horror #fantasy

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Robin’s Review of Awakened (Spark of the Prophet Book 1)

Awakened (Spark of the Prophet Book 1)

by E.J. Rekab

Awakened 


Spark of the Prophet
Book 1 of 1: 
by E. J. Rekab

Demons wreaking havoc on Earth. A secret council run by mysterious angels. A warrior whose dreams could save the world.

While grieving the loss of her father, 19-year-old Alice Griffin wakes up with perfect vision. Odd since she'd worn glasses every day since she was a child. Soon after, she's attacked by a malevolent force and learns not only do demons exist, but that she's been chosen to fight them.

Robin's Review: I loved and enjoyed this story, and I hope there will be more to come—hint hint, wink wink.

Alice, Cole, Jessie, Alondra, Jake, and Misty are at a secret academy training to kill monsters such as demons, vampires, and shifters, to name a few. This is a coming-of-age story with action, adventure, and romance. The main character, Alice, is a complex and capable young woman who develops into a butt-kicking warrior with special powers.

There is a trigger warning for self harm. E. J. Rekab writes it authentically and with respect.

I look forward to anything this author writes and I highly recommend her and her stories.

#paranormal #urbanfantasy #horror #fantasy #vampires #shapeshifters #action #adventure #academy

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Robin’s Review of Bakers Dozen

Bakers Dozen

by Candace Nola

Bakers Dozen
by Candace Nola

Uncomfortably Dark Presents...The Baker’s Dozen!Delicious Dark Delights for your horror consumption!

Come indulge in the dark and disturbing with 13 tantalizing tales of terror written by an incredible lineup of independent horror authors. With stories ranging from delightful to disturbing, you are sure to find something to please your sweet spot.Authors include Jeff Strand, Christine Morgan, Ruthann Jagge, Patrick C. Harrison, III, Aron Beauregard, Lee Franklin, Chris Miller, Carver Pike, Kenzie Jennings, Daniel Volpe, Rowland Bercy, Jr., Candace Nola and M. Ennenbach. Includes a special foreword by Jeff Strand.Bon Appétit!

Robin's Review: What an exciting blend of short stories written by several different authors. This anthology has a little bit of everything and everyone. Baker's Dozen would be a great Halloween gift for the horror lover. Well written and easy to read, but hard to put down. I highly recommend this book and the stories in it. I will look up all these authors' other works to see what else is out there.

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Robin’s Review of The Black Rogue

The Black Rogue

by Ashley Brion

The Black Rogue: 
A Brooke de Láuront Novel 
Book 1 of 1: 
by Ashley Brion

Tryniti Brooke de Lauront was formidable, beautiful, and a member of the French royal family.

She hid a dark secret that only her family knew: she was the fearsome pirate The Black Rogue who sailed the seven seas as the most dangerous swashbuckler of her era. When she gets a letter from her uncle, King Louis XVI, that she needs to return home immediately to marry and take over the French throne, her entire world is thrown into chaos.

Robin's Review: The Black Rogue sets sail on a tale of love, betrayal, and sparks are flying more than just cannonfire.
I bought this book at an author meet and greet called Committed at the Hill View Manor. And boy am I glad I did.

I enjoy a strong female character, and Tryniti Brooke is very much one. The Black Rogue is a quick and easy-to-read romance story. It is set around the French Revolution in the 1800s. Tryniti is a princess and has been spoken for in marriage to Sean Reilly, but neither is ready to wed. This story had some twisty turns that kept me reading it all night until I finished it. I even gave it to my Mother, who also enjoyed it.

#frenchrevolution #romance #pirates #arrangedmarriage #action #adventure

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Robin’s Review of The Alien Invasion Apocalypse Prophet

The Alien Invasion Apocalypse Prophet

by Taylor Elwood

The Alien Invasion Apocalypse Prophet:Book 10 of 10: The Zombie Apocalypse Call Center Series
by Taylor Elwood
Sam is telepathic and knows the aliens are coming. The problem is he’s also a zombie and no one trusts him.

Sam needs to find allies who can help him find the proof that the aliens exist and are invading the Earth, before its too late to prepare for the invasion.

Before Sam can do that, he’s got to escape the base he’s trapped in, but his every move is being watched by Michelle, who will use any excuse to lock him up and toss away the key.

Robin's Review: I read this right after book 9, and all I can say while shaking my head is…WTH aliens? If it’s not bad enough, this poor guy is a zombie, but he knows aliens are coming to invade Earth. Wow. I sure don’t want to live in this book. It was well written, a quick read, and very enjoyable.

It was my pleasure to receive a free copy of this book, but that does not affect my opinions in this review of this entertaining story.

#horror #sciencefiction #fantasy #postapocalyptic #aliens #firstencounter

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Robin’s Review of The Zombie Apocalypse Farmers

Reclamation

by Taylor Elwood

The Zombie Apocalypse Farmers: 
A Zombie Apocalypse Call Center Adventure 
Book 9 of 10: The Zombie Apocalypse Call Center Series
by Taylor Ellwood

It was just another day on the farm for Sue and Jared; another day of chores, arguments, and trying to figure out how to keep the farm. Then the zombie apocalypse happened.
Now they’re having to fight off former neighbors, stock up on food and ammo, while trying to stay alive.

Robin's Review:This book is a fun and imaginative take on the zombie apocalypse. It is well-written and a quick read.
To be in a zombie apocalypse and be arguing all the time would be a personal he]] for me. I will have to go back and read this series from the beginning. I recommend this series to anyone looking for an enjoyable apocalypse story.

It received a free copy of this book, but that does not affect my opinions in this review of this entertaining story.

#horror #postapocalyptic #sciencefiction #fantasy #dystopian #thriller
#suspense

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