Category Archives: Reviews

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] The Diabolic – S. J. Kincaid

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Book Title: The Diabolic (Standalone)
Author:     S.J. Kincaid
Number of pages:  416

Synopsis:

the diabolic - s.j. kincaid - bookcoverA Diabolic is ruthless. A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: Kill in order to protect the person you’ve been created for.

Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator’s daughter, Sidonia. The two have grown up side by side, but are in no way sisters. Nemesis is expected to give her life for Sidonia, and she would do so gladly. She would also take as many lives as necessary to keep Sidonia safe.

When the power-mad Emperor learns Sidonia’s father is participating in a rebellion, he summons Sidonia to the Galactic court. She is to serve as a hostage. Now, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia. She must become her.

(re: Goodreads @ The Diabolic by S. J. Kincaid)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– The Diabolic is a trilogy condensed into a standalone featuring an antihero in Nemesis
– Futuristic space-opera lite with dystopian themes while also weaving modern technology (kind of an Easter Egg effect)
– Though an expansive setting is introduced, it is also hardly developed and/or lacks context in some situations
– Romance can/does feel as though it pushes the conflict a bit more than it should; the ending can feel a bit too neat and easy
– There are pet feels

Initial Thoughts

I want a Diabolic of my own. Or to be one…

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of THE DIABOLIC from Simon and Schuster Canada.

Continue reading [Review] The Diabolic – S. J. Kincaid →

2016, Book Review, Robot Week

[Review] Boy Robot – Simon Curtis

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Book Title: Boy Robot (Trilogy?)
Author:     Simon Curtis
Number of pages:  432

Synopsis:

boy robot - simon curtis - book coverThere once was a boy who was made, not created.

In a single night, Isaak’s life changed forever.

His adoptive parents were killed, a mysterious girl saved him from a team of soldiers, and he learned of his own dark and destructive origin.

An origin he doesn’t want to believe, but one he cannot deny.

(re: Goodreads @ Boy Robot by Simon Curtis)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr review:

– Plot reads like a cat-and-mouse thriller; lots of running away and downtime for self-discovery, followed by more traveling
– Multi-POV through vignettes used to world build and give historical [robot] context
– Explosive action that drives the conflict-driven narrative
– Diverse and intersectional characters; although the lead protagonist was underwhelming in framework
– While there is romance, it does not take precedence to the plot

Initial Thoughts

Though I have heavily promo’d this book on Twitter (and in passing conversations with people about a killer vagina), I’m still going to critically assess this book as I would normally.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of Boy Robot from Simon and Schuster Canada.

Continue reading [Review] Boy Robot – Simon Curtis →

2016, alternatives, Movie Review

[Alternatives] – Movie Review – A Monster Calls (2016)

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Alternatives is the tagline to discuss entertainment outside of literature. It may encompass television, movies, games, and music.

Alternatives
Movie Review –
A Monster Calls (2016)

Genre: Contemporary, Fantasy/Magical Realism, Bullying, Death
Duration: 108 Minutes
Directed By: J. A. Bayona
Written By: Patrick Ness
Starring: Lewis MacDougall, Liam Neeson, Signourey Weaver, Felicity Jones, Toby Kebbell 

A boy seeks the help of a tree monster to cope with his single mom’s terminal illness.

Continue reading [Alternatives] – Movie Review – A Monster Calls (2016) →