For some reason it took me nearly a month to finish this book, but it wasn't for lack of good writing or a solid story. I started this series with no For some reason it took me nearly a month to finish this book, but it wasn't for lack of good writing or a solid story. I started this series with no idea what to expect. What fun to discover a new favorite sci fi adventure! Ceres continues right where Helios left off, which I was thankful for. Selena and company have become old friends, and I needed to know what happened to them. But while Helios and Chimera take place exclusively around the Stephen's Point colony and the goal to get to Earth for help, Ceres brings in some new characters completely different, and completely non technologically advanced. I wasn't sure what I thought of it at first, as at times it felt like I was reading two different books. But Tanger successfully managed to entwine the two storylines realistically. And there's going to be a Book 4! Count me in, though I hope we stick more to Selena and the Stephen's Point crew next time. ...more
This series is really growing on me. I enjoyed Book 1, but Helios is even better. I love that the authors (and that's pretty cool--N.J. Tanger is actuThis series is really growing on me. I enjoyed Book 1, but Helios is even better. I love that the authors (and that's pretty cool--N.J. Tanger is actually a collaboration of three authors, I think) took their time to world-build this series in a way that adds depth I don't often see in these sort of stories. There is time given to the motivations of the characters. We truly understand their psyche by the book's end. But don't get me wrong. The pace moves well too. I grew to enjoy these characters and the unique situation in which they find themselves. Plus it was nice to read a story in which the romance was either nonexistant or mild. Yes, a few characters feel attraction, but it's in a normal way and doesn't overwhelm. I went ahead and bought Book 3 right after finishing! Some language and violence, but nothing too graphic. ...more
Chimera impressed me. I dove into this story after being pulled in from the very beginning, but I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did since Chimera impressed me. I dove into this story after being pulled in from the very beginning, but I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did since Tanger was a complete unknown to me. I really liked this story. It has some of the familiar elements we love in a science fiction tale featuring teen characters (though I believe it isn't targeted necessarily just to the YA market.) There's the guy with the sketchy past, and the brash girl pilot, plus a nasty bully who isn't as he first seems. Tanger excels at world building and gives us just enough scientific details (I have no idea if they are accurate though) to add credibility while making sure it doesn't bog down the narrative. There were a few times when I put the book down just because it wasn't absolutely gripping me on each page, but it was still enough for me to keep reading, and I'm glad I did. Book 1 scratched the surface on these characters and story, and I am keen for Book 2! A few swear words, but nothing too graphic....more
Perhaps it isn't fair to compare a writer's newer work with one of their older projects, but I couldn't help myself. I really enjoyed Howey's WOOL serPerhaps it isn't fair to compare a writer's newer work with one of their older projects, but I couldn't help myself. I really enjoyed Howey's WOOL series. Beacon 23 is an entirely different animal (though just as imaginative), but it wasn't for me. Granted, it's hard to write a short story entirely in one character's head with no interaction and limited dialogue. Howey masterfully handles this aspect of the tale. You really do get this character's voice. I could've done without the four-letter word language, but I expected it since this book never claims to be inspirational or clean. I don't dock it stars for that. I guess I was hoping for a little bit MORE, you know what I mean? It is Part One of a greater set of serials, so maybe I'm missing something by only reading the first. I probably won't pick up the others this time around. ...more
I was riveted from page one. Definitely read WOOL first if you can, but DUST could be read by itself as well. Howey strings you along expertly, endingI was riveted from page one. Definitely read WOOL first if you can, but DUST could be read by itself as well. Howey strings you along expertly, ending scenes and chapters in ways that make you have to read more. His characters are real, vibrant, and often broken. A truly satisfying end to a great series. Could've done without some of the language (F word used once or twice), but it was realistic for these characters in their desperate struggle for survival. ...more
I had a fun time immersing myself in the world of WOOL again. You don't necessarily need to have read WOOL (omnibus or in its parts) to enjoy, but youI had a fun time immersing myself in the world of WOOL again. You don't necessarily need to have read WOOL (omnibus or in its parts) to enjoy, but you'll have a better understanding if you do. However, it's been awhile since I read WOOL so I didn't remember everything, and that didn't detract from my enjoyment. Here's the backstory of the silo and its characters. An intriguing look at what kind of circumstances can mold a person into someone evil or good. Some language, but otherwise this one stays clean like WOOL did. ...more
I should've read this book a long time ago! Great science fiction story with strong Christian themes. Stick with it if you're confused in the first feI should've read this book a long time ago! Great science fiction story with strong Christian themes. Stick with it if you're confused in the first few pages. You'll quickly become immersed in the story. Nietz has an amazing imagination. ...more
I can't believe I waited this long to read The Word Reclaimed. Lately I've been reading and enjoying a lot of science fiction, and this novel was one I can't believe I waited this long to read The Word Reclaimed. Lately I've been reading and enjoying a lot of science fiction, and this novel was one of the better books I've read. As a Star Trek Voyager fan, I felt right at home with the characters as they traversed space. Bonus is the very strong spiritual thread. This is an epic novel that has a huge scope and lots of characters. My only quibble is that all those characters sometimes can make things a little confusing, but overall Rzasa handles it all well. I'm a new fan....more
3.5 stars. Not QUITE as good as the first in the series, but still a worthy sequel. I enjoyed traveling along with Kate again as she struggles with th3.5 stars. Not QUITE as good as the first in the series, but still a worthy sequel. I enjoyed traveling along with Kate again as she struggles with the helps of some friends (or at least she thinks they're friends) to save the world. Time travel, adventure, and relationships mingle in this one like the layers of a good cake. I did find myself putting the book down a little more often than I did for the first, and by the book's end I would've thought a few more things would've been resolved, but definitely pick Time's Edge up if you enjoy YA without a lot of the junk in some of today's teen fiction. Parents, there is some mild swearing and a few questionable situations hinted at but never shown. ...more
3.5 stars. I finally have read this classic book, and I enjoyed it. I love how the author isn't afraid to include spiritual insights, and even Scriptu3.5 stars. I finally have read this classic book, and I enjoyed it. I love how the author isn't afraid to include spiritual insights, and even Scripture, in the storyline. I felt the story bogged a little in the middle, but I'm still glad I read it. Ahead of its time for sure. ...more
3.5 stars. Loved the old cover (part of what drew me to the book). Not too keen on the new covers, but the story was a good dystopian in the vein of T3.5 stars. Loved the old cover (part of what drew me to the book). Not too keen on the new covers, but the story was a good dystopian in the vein of The Hunger Games and Divergent. The concept was intriguing, and the pace moved quickly. Could've done without the love triangle. Also really appreciate that the author kept things PG so I can recommend to teens as well as adults. ...more
An awesome sci-fi adventure tale with a fantastic protagonist! Loved all the elements of this story and immediately bought the second book when I finiAn awesome sci-fi adventure tale with a fantastic protagonist! Loved all the elements of this story and immediately bought the second book when I finished. Iintriguing concepts wrapped with classic themes and intrigue--teens and adults alike will enjoy. ...more
Another fantastic entry in this series. I absolutely love how Lawhead weaves spiritual with science and discusses some really deep, scientific issues Another fantastic entry in this series. I absolutely love how Lawhead weaves spiritual with science and discusses some really deep, scientific issues (which I'm fascinated with). But that isn't to say the plot doesn't move (it does!) and the characters engage (they do!). I enjoyed this jaunt through the dimensions with all the characters we've come to love. Now I'm itching for the finale, Book 5, to release next year. ...more
It took me a little while to thoroughly enmesh myself in the storyworld of this book, but once I did I found myself eagerly anticipating each reading.It took me a little while to thoroughly enmesh myself in the storyworld of this book, but once I did I found myself eagerly anticipating each reading. It was fascinating reading this book having already read Tyers' Firebird books. Tyers was exploring a lot of the same themes and ideas in this book (a group of elite mind readers, overbearing mother figures, etc.) But while Once Mind's Eye was a great attempt at fully developing these themes, you can tell Kathy grew as a writer in between writing this one and the Firebird books. I did love how she wove in spiritual themes without hitting you over the head, and I loved even more that this novel didn't skimp on the length. It's a long book, and that's a good thing when you enjoy the story. ...more
3 1/2 stars. A good summer read. Not quite up to par with Tyers' Firebird novels, but still enjoyable. I appreciated that it was clean, too. 3 1/2 stars. A good summer read. Not quite up to par with Tyers' Firebird novels, but still enjoyable. I appreciated that it was clean, too. ...more
Great conclusion to series! I was riveted the entire time, though I wish Howey had refrained from multiple uses of the "F" word. Great conclusion to series! I was riveted the entire time, though I wish Howey had refrained from multiple uses of the "F" word. ...more
Another great entry in this series. Howey continues to enthrall. I do wish he would've refrained from using the "f" word multiple times (he hasn't in Another great entry in this series. Howey continues to enthrall. I do wish he would've refrained from using the "f" word multiple times (he hasn't in the previous Wool titles). Though mostly to show the stress of a particular character, I don't enjoy reading this swear word. Still, the story was awesome! ...more
Haven't been disappointed in this series yet! Jules is probably my favorite character thus far, so was happy to see she got her own story, but oh the Haven't been disappointed in this series yet! Jules is probably my favorite character thus far, so was happy to see she got her own story, but oh the cliffhangers! Clean read for the most part too (a few swear words). Shows that good writing doesn't have to have an "R" rating to be great! ...more
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