Book Review: Duplicity by Michael J. Allen

Duplicity by Michael J. Allen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

With each book the story gets better and better. Michael J. Allen is giving me complete life in Duplicity, the second installment in the Dumpstermancer series. My fellow readers please do yourself a solid one and read the first novel in this series. You cannot, I repeat cannot, start Duplicity without the background story.

This fantasy novel brings it all, fey, action, drama, a comedic love story. It is all over the place but in a chaotic organized way. Eli, the rhets and my girl Marisol kick butt, take names, and do their best to meddle. I really enjoyed this book and the new characters that were brought forth in Duplicity. You will get some answers that explain why book 1 happened the way it did, but you will also get new questions especially in regards to Eli and Adam (dun, dun, dunnnnn!!!).

I cannot wait until Dumpstermancer 3: Disrupted comes out. Allen you left me on the precipice with questions that need to be answered.

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Book Review ~ Discarded by Michael J. Allen

Discarded by Michael J. Allen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Michael J. Allen is a literary genius. I am hooked and glad that there is a continuation of this series. Allen portrays science fiction and fantasy at its best. My initial thought of the novel was that of suspension as I am new to the genre. However, this novel starts off gradually with a great opening scene that pulls you in to find out why people even in a seemingly futuristic setting are still so vain.

While fantasy, "Discarded" holds a sort of prophetic telling to it. Greed, vanity, bad decisions are still a part of society. Decisions to help other and try to keep one's self out of trouble a normal plot but throwing magic into it provides new twists. "Discarded" reminds me of a sense of Harry Potter but for grown people. Put magic, technology, and human tendency of those in power to be greedy; all kinds of foolishness and mayhem ensues. And I must say I am completely here for it. Looking forward to Dumpstermancer #2

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Book Review ~ Criminal Justice by Michael J. Allen

Criminal Justice by Michael J. Allen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Criminal Justice by Michael J. Allen was quite a roller coaster ride. I haven't read too many science fiction novels, but I quite enjoyed this novelette. With that being said it took me a little while to get adjusted to the storyline. Being that this was a short novel, I didn't get the chance to get back stories on the main characters involved.

Allen infused this story with lots of action, and it really did take off with a blast right out of the gate. Tina was one of my favorite characters (I could be partial because I'm a woman); but she to me showed the most range of characters. They whole group had many hard decisions to make out in space on the drop of a dime. Allen moves the story along pretty well to where I did not experience in drag time.

The book did have me feeling a sense of wanting more. I was thoroughly invested in it and believe the storyline could lend itself to a prequel as well as follow up editions.

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The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo ~ Book Review

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Claire Lombardo, my hat's off to you. This was one of the most fun reads I've had this year thus far. This dysfunctional family had me laughing, crying, screaming at characters. It really took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions.

I normally pick a favorite character to relate to when reading novels, but I couldn't pick one in this novel. It felt like I could connect to every character; which is so rare and unlike me. I want the stamina and passion of the parents. The oldest daughter gives me Blanche from Golden Girls vibes and I am absolutely here for it. All of the children have a special place in my heart. The sister's bond, to me, represents the true ups and downs in a sibling's relationship. It's not always sugary sweet and nice. There are sometimes when you want to disconnect and disown; Lombardo displaces that nicely in this novel.

I am looking forward to reading more works by Claire Lombardo. This was a really good read.

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The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish ~ Book Review

The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tiffany Haddish delivers in this book. I laughed all the way through. I listened to the audio book after finding out she was narrating it herself. Some books you just have to hear, literally, in the authors voice. This book really explains why she is the way she is. It gives glimpses into all the stages of her life; from childhood, foster care, being homeless, to finally making it in Hollywood.

The journey is quite an adventure and the song at the end was simply the cherry on the cake.

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The Passage by Justin Cronin ~ Book Review

The Passage by Justin Cronin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had such high hopes for the novel. Don't get me wrong it was good, just mad long. I also should have read the book prior to watching the TV series. There are quite a few differences in the characters in regards to their roles (book vs. the tv series). I am still very much intrigued as to where the characters will end up, especially the young ones. So with that being said I will continue on to book #2 "The Twelve"

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The Outsider by Stephen King ~ Book Review

The Outsider by Stephen King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am so surprised that I made it through this novel. This genre is so outside (no pun intended) my wheelhouse of genres. I'm glad I stuck it through, "The Outsider" was a great read. Clearly I did not read the entire synopsis of this book. Because if I had, I would have known it was part science fiction. It literally took me reading half of the book to realize it was science fiction/horror.

My favorite characters were Holly and Yunis. Holly's reactions to the foolishness and mayhem makes me think of I would possibly react in these situations. In addition, her social awkwardness is refreshing throughout the novel. Yunis just seems like a really cool cop that has a problem with censoring what comes out of his mouth, yet another one of my traits.

This novel starts off with a gruesome murder, but the who done it was kept me reading it's lengthy pages. Looking forward to my next Stephen King novel.

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Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She's "Learned" ~ Book Review

Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She's "Learned" by Lena Dunham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I had really high hopes for this novel. I listed to the audiobook and narrator did give me life in the reading of the novel, but I found myself not paying total attention to bits and pieces of the novel. The life this young woman lead was quite interesting. Sex, adulting, self love, health concerns, navigating dysfunction in school and family; this book hits on many different topics. No judging, she had a hard life but its the journey that's described in the novel that makes it interesting to complete this novel.

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