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Edition 2: Book Review: That Which Should Not Be by Brett J Talley

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 Reviewed by Mysti Parker


Cover of Brett J Talleys That Which Should Not Be

You know those times when you could swear you saw something out of the corner of your eye? Winner of the 2011 JournalStone Horror Writing Contest, this intriguing novel takes that phenomenon and spins it into a creepy web of a tale.

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Edition 3: Book Review: Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

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 Reviewed by Sophie Yorkston


 Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

Inheritance is the final of Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle, the series that began with a story called Eragon, written when Paolini was 15.

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Edition 3: Book Review: Mythic Resonance edited by Stephen Thompson

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 Reviewed by Damien Smith


Mythic Resonance edited by Stephen Thompson

The Specusphere is an online magazine normally devoted to reviews, writing news and articles suitable for anyone with a love of the written word. Mythic Resonance represents the dawn of their expansion into book publishing. Thirteen original tales form an anthology of new spins on legendary and creationist stories.

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Edition 3: Book Review: Ashfall by Mike Mullin

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 Reviewed by Mysti Parker


Ashfall by Mike Mullins

Books about boy wizards will be compared to Harry Potter. Likewise will a teen dystopian novel be compared to The Hunger Games. Just like Katniss, young Alex in Mike Mullin’s Ashfall is thrown into an unspeakable life and death situation.

But that’s where the similarity ends.

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Edition 4: Book Review: The Court Of The Air by Stephen Hunt

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 Reviewed by Sophie Yorkston


 

Court Of The Air

Stephen Hunt’s novel, The Court of the Air, is set in a steampunk world built on gas and steam with a very Victorian flavour. It is the first in a series set in this world, beginning with this novel in 2007. The latest, From the Deep of the Dark, was published in February 2012.

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Edition 4: Book Review: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

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 Reviewed by Mysti Parker


A Discovery of Witches Cover

I have an unspoken rule when it comes to reading, and that is to reserve judgment on a book until I’ve reached the end. There are exceptions if a story is so atrocious I cannot stomach another page. Generally, though, the rule applies to books that give me mixed feelings from early on and leave me wondering (and worrying) how I’ll feel at the end. Such was the case with the first book of Deborah Harkness’s All Souls Trilogy.

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Edition 5: Book Review: Earthfall: The Battle Starts Here by Mark Walden

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 Reviewed by Damien Smith


 

earthfall

Earthfall: The Battle Starts Here is the first book in the new Earthfall series by Mark Walden, author of the excellent young adult H.I.V.E. series.

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Edition 5: Book Review: Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

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 Reviewed by Mysti Parker


harkness cover

Sequels are tricky things. Sometimes they lack the novelty and excitement of the first book in a series, particularly when the book is the second in a trilogy. Often, those books serve more as a segue into the finale than as a stand-alone story in themselves. I’m happy to report, however, that Shadow of Night, the second book in Deborah Harkness’s All Souls Trilogy, performed as well as any solo book of its genre.

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Edition 6: Book Review: The Passage by Justin Cronin

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 Reviewed by Sophie Yorkston


 

Cover - The Passage

It starts as it always starts; with a need for power. Deep in the jungles of Bolivia, a scientist hunts the secret of health and longevity. Aided by the American military, the mission takes on an entirely different purpose.

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Edition 6: Book Review: Ashen Winter by Mike Mullin

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 Reviewed by Mysti Parker


Cover - Ashen Winter by Mike Mullins

In this teen dystopian sequel to Ashfall, it’s been ten months since a supervolcano erupted near Yellowstone National Park. Most of the U.S. lies under a thick layer of ash and snow. People everywhere are resorting to unthinkable acts to find food and basic necessities in the midst of a perpetual winter.

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