Book Review: Project Ele (Ele #1) by Rebecca Gober & Courtney Nuckels

5/5 Stars 334 pages
Published December 24th 2013 by Clean Teen Publishing

Imagine you’re standing in line in the hot sun. Now imagine that, but for a week straight. Not only is the sun hot, but everyone is very stressed out. You’re not waiting for a new phone, or to get into the store to get your groceries. You’re waiting for your spot in an underground vault. A massive bunker. And there’s a plague spreading fast. If you didn’t think it could get any worse than that, you’re dead wrong. There’s no actual guarantee that you’ll get in, and the weather is only going to get more extreme. This, and more, is what fifteen year old Willow is facing with her family.

A very unique take on a classic apocalyptic fiction story, as an insane last resort to contain a virus that’s taking over the world, the world leaders are planning on heating the planet hot enough to wipe it, and anyone who’s infected, out. The rich and most important people are ushered into the vaults, leaving the poor people and the infected people scrambling trying to get in, or face to deathly hot conditions outside.

Now if you know me, you’d know I’m a huge fan of the game series, Fallout, as well as almost any book featuring the apocalypse. So of course this was right up my alley. I loved the story, the characters, and the setting. I think it’s perfect for all ages to read, and I can’t wait to read more. Kind of an X-Men meets Fallout 3, but not the entire game. Just the beginning where you’re growing up in the vault. Definitely check it out if you get the chance.

If you’d like to grab a copy for yourself, you can here!

And you can follow the authors, Rebecca and Courtney, on Twitter!

Thanks for reading, hope you have a great day! Did you play the fallout games? I could talk about them all day.

Book Review: Thin Space by Jody Casella

After losing his twin brother in a car accident where he was driving, Marsh has completely lost himself in his grief. Obsessed with an old story from an even older neighbour who’s long gone, he finds himself constantly looking for the perfect spot for a “thin space”, or a place where he can cross over to the other side to talk to someone lost to the world. He just wants to talk to him one last time and make things ight. But after wandering around barefoot for months, it’s starting to get cold, and he’s starting to lost hope.

5/5 Stars 256 pages
Published September 10th 2013 by Beyond Words/Simon Pulse

A wonderful and in depth story about a teenage boy trying to deal with a new world without his best friend, his grief, and also his flashbacks to the accident itself, I was instantly hooked. He feels like the accident was his fault, and he wants to be gone from the world. And I think that those are real things that people have to deal with. The only good thing in Marsh’s life now is his new friend Maddie, who’s running from her own past and home life, and who also wants nothing more than to help him and be around him, no matter what. And that just what he needs.

WHat was really great though, in my opinion, was the ending. Completely hit me out of the blue. It was something that I never expected, and added a new layer to just how amazing and unique of a story it really is. Great characters who grow throughout the story, just a really amazing plot, and perfectly written just how I personally like to read, this book is definitely one of my new favorites, and I can’t wait to get a physical copy for my collection. No matter what kind of genre of books you like, I think you should check out this book, and you would like it too!

If you’d like to grab a copy, you can here!

And if you’d like to keep up with the author, you can here!

Thanks for reading! Hope you’re doing well, and your brain is doing well too.

Book Review: Grounded (The Grounded Trilogy #1) by G.P. Ching

An amazing story of finding yourself when you think you’ve found all that there is to find. Lydia is a girl with a power inside her that’s well hidden on an Amish Community. So well hidden in fact, that she doesn’t even know she has it. That is, until she ventures off on her own into the world beyond their little slice of heaven, into a post apocalyptic, futuristic world. I knew immediately that it had potential to be one of my new favourite books.

5/5 Stars 407 pages
Published November 11th 2012 by Carpe Luna Publishing

September 2052, fireman Frank finds a baby in a rain storm. But after seeing who’s left her, he runs straight to an Amish colony and never looks back. There, she grows up Amish, never wondering about anything other than her chores and future husband, until her father suddenly falls ill and is put in a medical facility off colony. Then, her best friend convinces her to go off colony with him in an old tradition. What should be the most exciting part of her young teenage life is turned upside down when she becomes a human lightning rod.

The next thing she knows, the police are there arresting her, claiming she’s a scamper, whatever that is, and haul her in for testing. This book is something that I have never read before. It takes these two completely different world that really don’ seem like they should be able to blend together, like oil and water, and somehow the author is able to mix them seamlessly. I really can’t believe that I haven’t read something like this before, and honestly, I can’t wait to jump right back into the series. If you think you would like it, definitely give it a shot. I won’t forget it anytime soon.

Photo by Frank Cone on Pexels.com

If you’d like to grab a copy, you can here!

And if you’d like to keep up with the author on Twitter, you can here!

Thanks for reading! I hope you have a great day, and pick up a book for a little bit today!

Book Review: Paradigm by Helen Stringer

5/5 Stars 396 pages
Published July 13th 2013 by Mediadrome Press

In a fully established yet still broken down post apocalyptic world, Sam has been alone for a long time. Full of gut wrenching action and badass characters, this book easily became my new favourite. Very different beginnings and endings, the story is seamlessly blended in the middle. If you like post apocalyptic, young adult, science fiction books, this might be just what you need to pick up next.

Sam’s only friend in the world is Nathan, a boy he picked up one day about the same age as him. He usually has rules about not doing those things, but I think it has to be a lonely life, and it weighs down on him a lot. So now it’s just two teens fighting to survive day to day, until they decide to go into the city for supplies to trade, so that they can keep travelling. On the way they meet Alma, an insanely strong warrior badass teen girl who just happens to save Sam’s life. But there’s more to Sam than meets the eye, after all. He gets really bad headaches being in the city and just around a lot of people in general. The pills that he takes to suppress them would knock anyone else out. And maybe just also the fact that he can create a mini EMP from his own body.

These events, among many, many others, really set the pace for the entire book, making each chapter more intriguing than the last. Once I started it, I knew very quickly that it was going to be something that was perfect for me. There was just something about this book that made me obsessed with it, you know? Reading it just made me feel really good, through the good times and the bad, violent times. This book really just had a spark to it.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

My favourite characters were, of course, Sam, Alma and her razor blade hair, Carolyn Bast just because of how evil she was. and of course, the old man living in the abandoned observatory. Something about him really just speaks to me. Overall, I really just enjoyed this book thoroughly. The beginning and the end are so different from each other. You really think it’s headed in one direction, and it pulls you in the complete opposite way. What more could you ask for? Definitely one of my new favourites, and if you’re looking or an amazing spin on the classic “Teen finds out he’s different and has to save the world” story, this will be perfect for you too!

If you’d like to grab a copy for yourself, you can here!

Thanks for reading! I hope you’re doing well!

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.ca and affiliated sites.

Book Review: Where The Road Leads Us by Robin Reul

5/5 Stars 304 pages
Published April 6th 2021 by Sourcebooks Fire

An amazing story of teenagers growing in the people that they need to be to succeed, Where The Road Leads Us quickly became one of my new favourites. With an eccentric storyline and vibrant characters, I’m sure anyone who gives this book a chance will feel the same as I do, and need a physical copy for their collection.

Following two teenagers, Jack and Hallie, they have very different lives. We see them meet and go on the adventure of a lifetime to really find out who they are and what they really want inside, blossoming along the way and getting tangled in a little romance too. What more could you ask for?

Jack, a lonely boy missing his brother and his parents, and following his father’s footsteps because he feels like he has to. Going on a road trip to find his missing brother because he just needs someone to talk to about life. And Hallie, a girl with an illness that’s put her family in debt, forcing everyone to work more to keep up with her meds, because they love her and want her healthy. But she’s been too scared to really live her life. So she goes on an adventure that doesn’t end up being anything like she expected.

Photo by Bob Ward on Pexels.com

Though I’m usually into more paranormal types of fiction books, it’s really nice to take a break once in a while and read something like this and really fall in love with not only the characters but the story itself. I couldn’t ask for more, to be honest, and I think it’s a perfect read for anyone looking for a feel good book, aged sixteen ad up. Definitely check it out if you get the chance! I’m obsessed for sure.

If you’d like to grab a copy, you can here!

And if you’d like to keep up with the author on Twitter, you can here!

Thanks for reading! Hope you’re doing well and having a great day. Live your life a little!

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.ca and affiliated sites.

Book Review: The Day After Oblivion by Tim Washburn

4/5 Stars 560 pages
Published January 30th 2018 by Pinnacle Books

What’s it like going through a nuclear apocalypse? What do you do while you try to survive the radiation period? Where do you go after? If you’ve ever wondered about any of those situations and many more, this book might be your perfect match for your next read.

Following a multitude of different people and situations, this book explores almost anything you can think of, and that’s exactly what I loved about i. Very exciting from the start, even showing the president of the united states for a bit. The world is futuristic, but not too far in the future from us now, and very well could be here and now. The end of the world comes quickly with nukes, by hackers, and it’s exactly as frightening as it sounds.

Almost to a fault, this book shows many, many different points of view. But there are a few static storylines, two teachers protecting their students, two co-workers, and a man and his pregnant wife. Though very different in theory, they work so well together.

Photo by Leonid Danilov on Pexels.com

If i had to think of the most realistic apocalypse books, this would be one of the top cones. I never thought about how hard it would be for some of the different kinds of situations of people surviving the wasteland, but now that I know about them, I can’t stop thinking about them. The characters just seem so lifelike, and the world is so much like ours that it’s very intriguing and immersive and horrifying.

Overall, this book is one of surviving, and perfect for any fans of the genre. It’s great, and one of those that will make you want to start prepping for the end of the world. Great for readers sixteen and up.

If you’d like to grab a copy, you can here!

And if you’d like to keep up with the author on Twitter, you can here!

Thanks for reading! Hope you have a great day, and maybe buy an extra can of soup or something when you get groceries.

Review: Recon (The Fringe #1) by Tarah Benner

5/5 Stars 296 pages
Published October 9th 2014

If you know me, or just follow my blog, you should know by now. But if you don’t, I’ll let you in on a little secret. I love post apocalypse and dystopia books. I can’t get enough of them. And this book is no exception. A unique mix of a dystopia built into an apartment complex filled with everything you could ever need, this is a world where your job is assigned to you on your graduation date, and with it comes the rest of your life. But for Harper, it’s not going the way she hoped, or even expected. And it’s a book I couldn’t get enough of.

Split between two viewpoints, the first is Eli. A brutal military person, he’s been forced into the job of training new cadets, and with it comes the trauma of sending them out not only too early, but without their full year of training due to the fact that the military that protects the complex and the area around it is dwindling. Dubbed the tunnels, the complex has anything you could ever want built into it, but because of the apocalyptic world outside, they’re forced to go out and protect the area around it by whatever means necessary. And he’s just trying not to get attached.

The second viewpoint is Harper, a twenty one year old woman who’s just gotten her graduation ceremony, and with it comes a new life. Brought into the compound from the outside world as a child, it’s all she’s ever known, but it’s about to tear everything she’s grown to love to shreds. After expecting some kind of tech job, she’s auctioned off into the military tier. And that’s just the beginning of her problems. Because there’s something much darker going on than just bidding wars on people for their careers, and it’s been in control for far too long.

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

This was an amazing story filled with action, military training, romance, friendship, and a ton of hardships. The characters are very realistic despite their obvious differences from our own world, and they’re people that were easy to imagine because of it. Whatever they’re facing, be it their own thoughts, drug problems, crisis management, or really anything else they had to deal with in this book, they handle extremely well, the complete opposite of what I would do. It was an amazingly gripping story, and it was one that I couldn’t put down until it was done. I loved every second of it, and I’m so thankful that it’s part of a series, and I don’t have to say goodbye to the world so soon. I can’t wait to see what’s next. I think this book would be perfect for anyone looking for a good apocalyptic dystopia story, and honestly seeing as the worst thing that goes on in this are fights, swears, and kissing, I think anyone sixteen and up would enjoy it.

If you’d like to check out a copy for yourself, you can here!

And if you’d like to keep up with the author, you can on their Twitter!

Thanks for reading! And remember to watch out for drifters!

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.ca and affiliated sites.

Review: Mercurial by Naomi Hughes

5/5 Stars 412 pages
Published March 16th 2021

A breathtaking story of finding your own way despite abuse, religion, and frankly, just what everyone else is doing, Mercurial is truly unlike anything I’ve read lately. Set in a world where magic metal runs through people’s veins, very unlikely friendships and relationships bloom, and all of this wrapped together makes for an amazing book.

Following a boy named Tal, who’s sworn his life to protect a woman he despises for her violent and frankly just evil actions, The Destroyer herself, telling her own story after losing her memory in a disastrous train accident, and Tal’s sister Nyx, who’s fighting every day doing all she can after losing her brother to his oath, these characters are truly amazing in their own rights. Very different from anyone I’ve ever know, and gone through horrible traumas themselves, they really blossom in this book, and mixed together with the enchanting setting, I really couldn’t get enough of this story.

Photo by JEREMYHANN on Pexels.com

Not only were the characters amazing and the setting amazing, but the actual plot of the story just drew me in immediately. It wasn’t boring for a second, and even in the downtimes where most of what was happening was talking, or a vision, or something like that, I was hooked. I finished this book in two days, and it’s just one of those stories where I wished I could read slower, because now it’s over way too soon and I’m left with a hole inside me where this book fits perfectly. The ending was not my favourite, but only because I wish there could have been more, but it was satisfying enough to not let it knock down my rating.

Photo by Adonyi Gu00e1bor on Pexels.com

Overall, my favourite character was probably either The Destroyer herself, Helenia, or Tal, but because I can’t choose between them all, it’s impossible to pick one. All of these characters were very different from each other, but each brought very different and important things to the story and I’m very thankful for them. I would recommend this book to anyone who’s a full fledged fantasy addict, someone who likes stories with very light romance, but still packed full of action, or even someone just starting out in the fantasy genre. I think it’s perfect for anyone over the age of sixteen, because there are some graphically violent parts. But most of all, I think if anyone picked this beautiful book up with it’s beautiful cover, I think that they would enjoy it. Because I know I did, and I need it for my own collection.

If you’d like to grab a copy, you can here!

And if you’d like to keep up with the author on Twitter, you can here!

Thanks for reading! And if you have metal in your veins, don’t be afraid to show it!

My Top 5 Books of March 2021

Hey everyone! Hope you’re having a great day so far. It’s the beginning of a new month, so you know what that means? I’m going to go over my favourite books of last month! I can’t wait to tell you all about them. And of course, my individual reviews and links for you to buy the books yourself if you’re interested will be added to them too. So lets get started!

First off we have Down World by Rebecca Phelps!

As the site of a former military base, there have always been rumors that East Township High School was the site of experiments with space and time. For years, students have whispered in the hallways of a doorway created within the school, one that can access multiple timelines and realities, a place known as the Down World.

As the new kid in school and still reeling from the unexplained death of her brother Robbie, Marina O’Connell is only interested in one thing: leaving the past behind. But a chance encounter with handsome Brady Picelli changes everything. He will lead Marina to a startling discovery. The Down World is real and the past, present, and future are falling out of balance.

Brady is determined to help Marina discover what really happened to her brother. However, what is taken from one world, must be repaid by another. And Marina is about to discover that even a realm of infinite possibilities has rules that must be obeyed.

You can check out my full review here, and grab a copy for yourself here!

Second is Creatures Volume 1: The City that Never Sleeps by Stephan Betbeder, & Djief

In a post-apocalyptic New York City obliterated by a Big Night that wiped out most of civilization, bands of children struggle to stay alive in the wreckage, hunting for food under billowing clouds of toxic fog and running from hungry zombies. One child is endowed with the power to keep them at bay, but will it be enough to protect the survivors from the terrifying creature that has just risen out of the Hudson River? Meanwhile, a raving old man with a house full of books says the worst is yet to come…

Here’s my full review, and here’s where you can get your own!

Third is The Famoux by Kassandra Tate

Fame can be deadly.

Out of the wreckage of environmental collapse, the country of Delicatum emerged. Its most popular celebrities are the Famoux, uniquely beautiful stars of a reality TV show called the Fishbowl. In a world still recovering from catastrophe, they provide a 24/7 distraction.

Sixteen-year-old Emilee Laurence is obsessed with the Famoux—they provide a refuge from her troubled home life and the bullies at school. When she receives an unimaginable offer to become a member herself, she takes it. Leaving behind everything she’s ever known, Emilee enters a world of high glamour and even higher stakes.

Because behind their perfect image lies an ugly truth—an anonymous stalker has been dictating the Famoux’s every move, and being popular really is a matter of life or death. 

You can see my full review here, and here’s where you can get a copy for yourself!

Fourth is Inhuman by Denis Bajram, Valerie Mangin, & Rochebrune!

A small exploratory vessel crashes onto an unknown ocean planet after its crew is seized by a sudden madness. After escaping their sinking ship, the five survivors are helped to the surface by giant squid-like creatures who guide them to what appears to be the planet’s only island. To their surprise, they are greeted on the shore by primitive humans, who prove to be welcoming despite their cannibalistic rituals. But their fixed smiles and total docility suggest that something more sinister is going on. Are the castaways doomed to join them in submitting to the will of the mysterious Great One?

Here’s my full review, and here’s where you can grab a copy!

And last but not least is The Fall Volume 1 by Jared Muralt!

Readers who found themselves gripped by the apocalyptic adventure of Robert Kirkman’s THE WALKING DEAD and who were moved by the emotion in Cormac McCarthy’s THE ROAD will not want to miss Jared Muralt’s THE FALL.

After just losing his wife, one father will have to face a world in freefall; shaken to its core by an economic, social, political and health crisis without precedent. Facing seemingly unreal and very unexpected dangers, he will do whatever it takes to protect his loved ones in a country on the brink of collapse. In this internationally acclaimed series, Jared Muralt not only tells the story of one family struggling to survive, but also questions the very reasons that brought mankind to this apocalypse.

You can check out my full review here, and here’s where you can get a copy for yourself!

Wow! I can’t believe that three out of five books last month were comics. I mean I can believe it, I read a lot of them, but I’m surprised! And the other two were wattpad published books, which is crazy to me! Mostly because I’ve never really noticed anything from the actual wattpad publisher that has really caught my eye before, but that changed in march! I can’t wait to see what my favourites for this month are.

Have you read any of these books? Are you thinking about getting some of them? What were your favourites last month? I want to talk! Anyways, thanks for reading.

Review: The Mind-Warper Special (Strange Totems #1) by Corey Mariani

5/5 Stars 278 pages
Published March 16th 2021 by Widow White Publishing

This book is a real doozy. It’s one that I wasn’t sure I was going to be into at first glance, but I loved the cover, and I thought the description was intriguing so I thought I would give it a chance. And man, I’m glad I did. Not just a pretty cover, this book is one that the beginning and the ending are a little confusing, but the middle and the overall plot are just so interesting that I couldn’t get enough. A journey of finding yourself, and trying to integrate yourself into a secret society at the same time, while also running for your life and trying your best to stay alive, I think that this book would be perfect for anyone looking for a secret magical life hidden in plain sight.

Following a man named Charlie, his life is honestly a little below average as he struggles to keep his touring business from closing, and the bank from taking his bus. Plus, there’s this guy Kayak Brad, who’s just the worst all around. Everyone likes him though for some reason, and he keeps convincing everyone that Charlie is actually the worst, and it’s really tanking things for him. But then when things are finally starting to look up, a man holds Charlie at gunpoint and forces him to eat his biggest fear food, a cheese danish, causing him to throw it back up immediately. Then he’s drugged and kidnapped, and wakes up in a hotel room with a woman he’s never met before. The worst part? He can’t go twelve feet away from her without feeling like he’s been dipped in lava. Turns out that they’re bonded for life, and if they can’t break the bond within two days, they’re stuck like that. This begins an insane adventure, and his strange new life.

This book was one of those where you think you know where things are headed, but then it takes things for an entirely different loop, and you’re just like, what just happened? Did I read that right? Also, there are a lot of terms that are a little difficult to remember, but they get easier as time goes on and you get further into the book. Basically Charlie finds out that he and the woman, and everyone after them, are magic users, but not in the usual sense. There are many kinds of magic users, different species but they still look human. The magic they use, they have to use as a bonded pair, travelling through totem objects that hold memories and certain points in time. There’s also potions that they have made out of blood and emotions that cure certain diseases, and even huge tapeworms that feed from choices.

Photo by Josh Hild on Pexels.com

I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters, although I couldn’t tell you what they look like, were easy to imagine in my own head. The world they live in is just like our own, except for the magical aspects, but it was just as immersive as any other. And once I started it, I didn’t want to put it down. I finished it in around a day, and I didn’t regret a minute of it. I’m really interested to see what happens in the next book, seeing as this is the beginning to a series. Something interesting though is that it really gave me Refraction vibes for some reason. I can’t even begin to explain why, but I just had that book in the back of my head when I was reading this. Maybe it’s the way it was written, maybe it’s the characters, maybe it’s just the storyline. Either way, I loved that book, and I loved this one too.

If you’d like to grab a copy, you can here!

And if you’d like to keep up with the author, you can here!

Thanks for reading! Hope you’re doing well, and staying safe, and not getting kidnapped and bonded to a stranger.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.ca and affiliated sites.