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Recommend this book:
Alaska Deadly
J. L. Askew
2023 Finalist
380 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Alaska Deadly is a work of fiction in the crime thriller, mystery, and suspense subgenres. It is best suited to the mature adult reading audience for its theming and content and was penned by author J. L. Askew. In this excellent crime novel that packs a lot of storylines into its fast-paced plot, we meet private eye Race Warren as his caseload takes him to Alaska to track down a missing person. Whilst out in the deadly wilds, Warren uncovers a strange cult devoted to shapeshifting, a former cop hungry for justice, and a sinister sex trafficking ring headed by a dangerous Russian with an impenetrable fortress on a mountaintop.
Author J. L. Askew has crafted a fast-paced crime thriller that never lets up on clues, danger, and intrigue from cover to cover. One of the features I most enjoyed about the work was the relationship between Warren and Billings, who are well-crafted to be complementary allies but with very different approaches to getting what they want. This gives the novel a dynamic feel thanks to a lot of sharp dialogue and intelligent conversation, moving the converging storylines forward at a pace but still keeping readers involved in all the details of the cases at play. I really enjoyed the Alaskan setting, and I felt that it was more than just a backdrop, serving as an interesting cultural layer to the story and a moody, atmospheric place that added physical challenges to the mystery itself. Overall, Alaska Deadly is a highly recommended read for mystery fans everywhere, and I can’t wait to see what more this talented author has in store.
Alaska Deadly is a work of fiction in the crime thriller, mystery, and suspense subgenres. It is best suited to the mature adult reading audience for its theming and content and was penned by author J. L. Askew. In this excellent crime novel that packs a lot of storylines into its fast-paced plot, we meet private eye Race Warren as his caseload takes him to Alaska to track down a missing person. Whilst out in the deadly wilds, Warren uncovers a strange cult devoted to shapeshifting, a former cop hungry for justice, and a sinister sex trafficking ring headed by a dangerous Russian with an impenetrable fortress on a mountaintop.
Author J. L. Askew has crafted a fast-paced crime thriller that never lets up on clues, danger, and intrigue from cover to cover. One of the features I most enjoyed about the work was the relationship between Warren and Billings, who are well-crafted to be complementary allies but with very different approaches to getting what they want. This gives the novel a dynamic feel thanks to a lot of sharp dialogue and intelligent conversation, moving the converging storylines forward at a pace but still keeping readers involved in all the details of the cases at play. I really enjoyed the Alaskan setting, and I felt that it was more than just a backdrop, serving as an interesting cultural layer to the story and a moody, atmospheric place that added physical challenges to the mystery itself. Overall, Alaska Deadly is a highly recommended read for mystery fans everywhere, and I can’t wait to see what more this talented author has in store.
Recommend this book:
Valley Fliers
YA thriller set in the world of remote-control model aviation
David Boito
2023 Honorable Mention
240 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite
Valley Fliers by David Boito is a thriller written for young adult readers. Seventeen-year-old Jay Smalley loves flying remote control planes and lives near the San Fernando Valley miniature airfield. He is a member of the Valley Fliers Flying Club. The story unravels during the semi-annual pylon racing challenge, where he is placed second to newcomer Captain Oren Frazier. Jay is intrigued by a report that drones are used in crimes more frequently and the discovery that Oren owns a military-issued drone of the same model. He suspects the newcomer to be an assassin. He tries to convince his friends, the other members of the Valley Fliers Flying Club, to continue snooping on Oren’s activities but is met with skepticism. If Jay is not mistaken, hundreds of lives are at risk. Can he find out the truth and do something about it before it’s too late?
David Boito’s Valley Fliers is a coming-of-age story taking place in a unique setting. The book immerses readers in the exciting world of remote aviation through his extensive knowledge about flying model airplanes. Narrated from the point of view of the main protagonist, this is one of those books you want to finish reading in one sitting. With charming characters, a blossoming young romance, and a suspenseful plot, Valley Fliers certainly entertains. The nature of the strong-willed Jay Smalley is well-developed, and his actions are credible. This book explores fraternity and honor through a well-crafted plot of mystery and amateur sleuthing. I highly recommend it!
Valley Fliers by David Boito is a thriller written for young adult readers. Seventeen-year-old Jay Smalley loves flying remote control planes and lives near the San Fernando Valley miniature airfield. He is a member of the Valley Fliers Flying Club. The story unravels during the semi-annual pylon racing challenge, where he is placed second to newcomer Captain Oren Frazier. Jay is intrigued by a report that drones are used in crimes more frequently and the discovery that Oren owns a military-issued drone of the same model. He suspects the newcomer to be an assassin. He tries to convince his friends, the other members of the Valley Fliers Flying Club, to continue snooping on Oren’s activities but is met with skepticism. If Jay is not mistaken, hundreds of lives are at risk. Can he find out the truth and do something about it before it’s too late?
David Boito’s Valley Fliers is a coming-of-age story taking place in a unique setting. The book immerses readers in the exciting world of remote aviation through his extensive knowledge about flying model airplanes. Narrated from the point of view of the main protagonist, this is one of those books you want to finish reading in one sitting. With charming characters, a blossoming young romance, and a suspenseful plot, Valley Fliers certainly entertains. The nature of the strong-willed Jay Smalley is well-developed, and his actions are credible. This book explores fraternity and honor through a well-crafted plot of mystery and amateur sleuthing. I highly recommend it!
Recommend this book:
Good Girls Stay Quiet
Jo Cassidy
2023 Bronze Medal
317 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Good Girls Stay Quiet is a psychological thriller novel for young adults written by Jo Cassidy. Cora’s life was strictly controlled by her Daddy, but she realized that he was only thinking of what was best for her. Daddy had homeschooled her until the authorities insisted she attend high school. She liked school a lot but was always aware that she had to be on guard and never draw attention to herself. Daddy also warned her never to make friends or get involved. And she was lonely, so alone, with only her friend, Noah, the stuffed elephant Daddy bought her years earlier for company. Noah could talk, which was cool, but Daddy didn’t seem to be able to hear him. Good thing, that, since Noah often spoke his mind. There was a new guidance counselor at school whose questions almost made Cora wonder if she should actually tell the truth about Daddy and what her life was like. But the punishment would be more severe than even the worst beatings he had given her. And foster parents were the stuff of nightmares. No, better for her to be the good girl he had trained her to be, better and safer, or was it?
Good Girls Stay Quiet is a taut and compelling coming of age story that kept me reading until I had finished the book. This well-written and suspenseful tale grabs the reader and just doesn’t let go. One can’t help but fear for the well-being of Cora and wish that she’d speak out to someone who could rescue her from the deadly and escalating peril that is her home life with Daddy. Jo Cassidy’s plot is enthralling and all-too-real, and her characters, especially Cora and her friends, are expertly drawn and crafted. This is a marvelous book, which while geared toward a young adult audience, is well worth the attention of anyone looking for an enthralling psychological thriller. Good Girls Stay Quiet is most highly recommended.
Good Girls Stay Quiet is a psychological thriller novel for young adults written by Jo Cassidy. Cora’s life was strictly controlled by her Daddy, but she realized that he was only thinking of what was best for her. Daddy had homeschooled her until the authorities insisted she attend high school. She liked school a lot but was always aware that she had to be on guard and never draw attention to herself. Daddy also warned her never to make friends or get involved. And she was lonely, so alone, with only her friend, Noah, the stuffed elephant Daddy bought her years earlier for company. Noah could talk, which was cool, but Daddy didn’t seem to be able to hear him. Good thing, that, since Noah often spoke his mind. There was a new guidance counselor at school whose questions almost made Cora wonder if she should actually tell the truth about Daddy and what her life was like. But the punishment would be more severe than even the worst beatings he had given her. And foster parents were the stuff of nightmares. No, better for her to be the good girl he had trained her to be, better and safer, or was it?
Good Girls Stay Quiet is a taut and compelling coming of age story that kept me reading until I had finished the book. This well-written and suspenseful tale grabs the reader and just doesn’t let go. One can’t help but fear for the well-being of Cora and wish that she’d speak out to someone who could rescue her from the deadly and escalating peril that is her home life with Daddy. Jo Cassidy’s plot is enthralling and all-too-real, and her characters, especially Cora and her friends, are expertly drawn and crafted. This is a marvelous book, which while geared toward a young adult audience, is well worth the attention of anyone looking for an enthralling psychological thriller. Good Girls Stay Quiet is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Last Ark
Lost Secrets of Qumran
Guy Morris
2023 Silver Medal
390 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
The Last Ark: Lost Secrets of Qumran by Guy Morris is book two in the SNO Chronicles series. Derek Taylor is on the run. Hunted by a murderous cult, he is searching for SLVIA, a DARPA AI that has escaped. Meanwhile, the US national defense systems are being undermined by a new kind of hack, and, while Taylor knows he should be looking into it, he needs to find the third temple, a temple SLVIA warned existed. His journey leads him to the Vatican and on to Israel, where he finds a copper scroll leading to Moses’ Ark, lost for over 2500 years. In Washington, Jenn Scott’s father is killed by one of Putin’s men, and when she is kidnapped, Taylor faces an impossible choice. Whichever way he turns, things are about to change forever.
The Last Ark: Secrets of Qumran by Guy Morris is a fast-paced thriller packed with action in a fantastic plot. There are several stories here, all part of a bigger plot that our main protagonist must uncover, and each thread is woven steadfastly into the intricate story. The dialogue is tight and engaging, not filled with unnecessary fluff, and it all adds to the story. The characters are engaging, likable, and easy to relate to and you’ll soon find yourself rooting for Derek Taylor. It’s often difficult to balance action and violence in a thriller – this one has the perfect mix and is one of the most thrilling, heart-pounding stories I have ever read. Although this is part of a series, I believe it could be read as a standalone story. If you love high-action political thrillers, you will love this story.
The Last Ark: Lost Secrets of Qumran by Guy Morris is book two in the SNO Chronicles series. Derek Taylor is on the run. Hunted by a murderous cult, he is searching for SLVIA, a DARPA AI that has escaped. Meanwhile, the US national defense systems are being undermined by a new kind of hack, and, while Taylor knows he should be looking into it, he needs to find the third temple, a temple SLVIA warned existed. His journey leads him to the Vatican and on to Israel, where he finds a copper scroll leading to Moses’ Ark, lost for over 2500 years. In Washington, Jenn Scott’s father is killed by one of Putin’s men, and when she is kidnapped, Taylor faces an impossible choice. Whichever way he turns, things are about to change forever.
The Last Ark: Secrets of Qumran by Guy Morris is a fast-paced thriller packed with action in a fantastic plot. There are several stories here, all part of a bigger plot that our main protagonist must uncover, and each thread is woven steadfastly into the intricate story. The dialogue is tight and engaging, not filled with unnecessary fluff, and it all adds to the story. The characters are engaging, likable, and easy to relate to and you’ll soon find yourself rooting for Derek Taylor. It’s often difficult to balance action and violence in a thriller – this one has the perfect mix and is one of the most thrilling, heart-pounding stories I have ever read. Although this is part of a series, I believe it could be read as a standalone story. If you love high-action political thrillers, you will love this story.
Recommend this book:
Eve's Covering
Elsie McKenney
2023 Gold Medal
566 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Eve's Covering by Elsie McKenney is a young adult mystery. Eve's cousin, Alice, dies under mysterious circumstances, but no one will take Eve's concerns seriously, least of all the police. When her family is drawn into a religious cult, Eve finds it hard to accept their ideas and the people who want control over her life, and she rebels against it all. Following threats to her family, Eve joins the cult's mission, a Soviet Union orphanage. Except that isn't the real mission. Eve stumbles over the cult's sinister secrets and decides to rescue her friends who have all been gradually disappearing. But she knows too much and it's all over for everyone if the cult leaders catch her. Can Eve save the day and bring down the cult?
Eve's Covering by Elsie McKenney is based on the author's personal experiences and may be disturbing to some people. It is a unique story with a strong plot and an even stronger female lead, a character who will immediately get inside your heart and mind. The writing is intriguing, drawing you in and making you want to keep reading without stopping. The twists and turns and heart-thumping action will keep you guessing and the subplot just adds more mystery to an already fantastic story. The other characters are just as well defined as Eve, and each plays their part in the ploy. This is a gripping tale suited to all ages of readers, not just young adults, and the fact it is based on real life and touches on very real subjects makes it a must-read book. I look forward to reading more from Elsie McKenney.
Eve's Covering by Elsie McKenney is a young adult mystery. Eve's cousin, Alice, dies under mysterious circumstances, but no one will take Eve's concerns seriously, least of all the police. When her family is drawn into a religious cult, Eve finds it hard to accept their ideas and the people who want control over her life, and she rebels against it all. Following threats to her family, Eve joins the cult's mission, a Soviet Union orphanage. Except that isn't the real mission. Eve stumbles over the cult's sinister secrets and decides to rescue her friends who have all been gradually disappearing. But she knows too much and it's all over for everyone if the cult leaders catch her. Can Eve save the day and bring down the cult?
Eve's Covering by Elsie McKenney is based on the author's personal experiences and may be disturbing to some people. It is a unique story with a strong plot and an even stronger female lead, a character who will immediately get inside your heart and mind. The writing is intriguing, drawing you in and making you want to keep reading without stopping. The twists and turns and heart-thumping action will keep you guessing and the subplot just adds more mystery to an already fantastic story. The other characters are just as well defined as Eve, and each plays their part in the ploy. This is a gripping tale suited to all ages of readers, not just young adults, and the fact it is based on real life and touches on very real subjects makes it a must-read book. I look forward to reading more from Elsie McKenney.
Recommend this book:
Project Evelyn
J.C. Lahoe
2022 Finalist
312 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite
An ancient secret society is behind an advanced scientific technological corporation and pulling strings that entangle a doctor and a young woman in human experiments that could change the dynamics of civilization, in the mind-boggling novel Project Evelyn by J.C. Lahoe. When a drunk driver crosses traffic and kills her family, Evelyn loses her arm. Not expecting her to live, a robotic corporation swoops in and erases her presence from the hospital's records. Abducting Evelyn and conveying her to their facility, Dr. Tim Ezrick performs a surgical procedure and attaches a mechanical arm to her shoulder. Evelyn unexpectedly survives, and Tim takes a personal interest in her. As the days, weeks, and months pass, Evelyn starts assisting Tim with his experiments and becomes a part of the center. Tim's superior, Dr. Shepard, following protocols and directives from an elite group hidden behind centuries of closed doors, begins pushing for live human experimental subjects. Feeling expendable, Tim and Evelyn are confronted with a moral dilemma if they want to stay alive. What choices do they have? Can Evelyn and Tim survive what is to come?
Project Evelyn by J.C. Lahoe is a spine-tingling science fiction thriller. It is an exciting and mind-bending story that had me on the edge of my seat from the first page until the last. The intricacies of the storyline are so diverse and captivating that I was completely immersed in the story and couldn't put the book down. The plot flows at a brisk pace, building a compelling story arc to subsequently reach an electrifying conclusion. It is an impactful and eye-opening tale when taking into consideration how the medical and robotic technology portrayed is not so far-fetched as it once was. With the elements of drama and suspense combined with the antagonists' deviant intent and advanced technological aspect of the book, the author has created a riveting novel that will entertain and delight science fiction fans from young adults on up.
An ancient secret society is behind an advanced scientific technological corporation and pulling strings that entangle a doctor and a young woman in human experiments that could change the dynamics of civilization, in the mind-boggling novel Project Evelyn by J.C. Lahoe. When a drunk driver crosses traffic and kills her family, Evelyn loses her arm. Not expecting her to live, a robotic corporation swoops in and erases her presence from the hospital's records. Abducting Evelyn and conveying her to their facility, Dr. Tim Ezrick performs a surgical procedure and attaches a mechanical arm to her shoulder. Evelyn unexpectedly survives, and Tim takes a personal interest in her. As the days, weeks, and months pass, Evelyn starts assisting Tim with his experiments and becomes a part of the center. Tim's superior, Dr. Shepard, following protocols and directives from an elite group hidden behind centuries of closed doors, begins pushing for live human experimental subjects. Feeling expendable, Tim and Evelyn are confronted with a moral dilemma if they want to stay alive. What choices do they have? Can Evelyn and Tim survive what is to come?
Project Evelyn by J.C. Lahoe is a spine-tingling science fiction thriller. It is an exciting and mind-bending story that had me on the edge of my seat from the first page until the last. The intricacies of the storyline are so diverse and captivating that I was completely immersed in the story and couldn't put the book down. The plot flows at a brisk pace, building a compelling story arc to subsequently reach an electrifying conclusion. It is an impactful and eye-opening tale when taking into consideration how the medical and robotic technology portrayed is not so far-fetched as it once was. With the elements of drama and suspense combined with the antagonists' deviant intent and advanced technological aspect of the book, the author has created a riveting novel that will entertain and delight science fiction fans from young adults on up.
Recommend this book:
Drone Child
A Novel of War, Family, and Survival
David H. Rothman
2022 Honorable Mention
196 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Drone Child: A Novel of War, Family, and Survival is a work of fiction in the military and action subgenres. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author David H. Rothman. The book is a revised edition of No Taller than My Gun. The book follows 15-year-old Lemba Adula after his abduction by the Congolese Purification Army, which uses the threat of violence against his family to force him to operate drones for them. Targeted due to his reputation as a genius, Lemba must use all his wits and cunning if he stands any chance of escaping and rescuing his sister from a sex trafficker.
This was a challenging but powerful read exploring the dread that comes from being a young person living in an area of conflict; the recruitment of child soldiers and the threat of sexual exploitation are particularly given a great deal of gravity from the point of view of a child affected by conflict. David H. Rothman has a compelling tale to tell and an important message to impart to readers about the reality of distant warzones. Lemba deserves highlighting as an excellent protagonist for this type of story; at once feeling physically in danger due to being a minor in a world of aggressive adults but also having power in his intellect and determination. A harsh but compelling discussion on the real-world plight of child soldiers, Drone Child should be lauded for the frank conversations it has the power to open for younger readers.
Drone Child: A Novel of War, Family, and Survival is a work of fiction in the military and action subgenres. It is suitable for the general reading audience and was penned by author David H. Rothman. The book is a revised edition of No Taller than My Gun. The book follows 15-year-old Lemba Adula after his abduction by the Congolese Purification Army, which uses the threat of violence against his family to force him to operate drones for them. Targeted due to his reputation as a genius, Lemba must use all his wits and cunning if he stands any chance of escaping and rescuing his sister from a sex trafficker.
This was a challenging but powerful read exploring the dread that comes from being a young person living in an area of conflict; the recruitment of child soldiers and the threat of sexual exploitation are particularly given a great deal of gravity from the point of view of a child affected by conflict. David H. Rothman has a compelling tale to tell and an important message to impart to readers about the reality of distant warzones. Lemba deserves highlighting as an excellent protagonist for this type of story; at once feeling physically in danger due to being a minor in a world of aggressive adults but also having power in his intellect and determination. A harsh but compelling discussion on the real-world plight of child soldiers, Drone Child should be lauded for the frank conversations it has the power to open for younger readers.
Recommend this book:
The Locket
Brittany Bessonett
2022 Bronze Medal
242 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
Reviewed by Tiffany Ferrell for Readers' Favorite
The Locket by Brittany Bessonett relates that nine years earlier Katie experienced a horrible sexual assault that changed her life. Constantly living in fear and dealing with the PTSD that followed, she kept away from the place where the attack occurred in the hope of living a relatively normal life. For this reason, she never stayed in one place for long, until she found herself in Victoria, Texas, finding a job that she enjoyed and a friendship she deemed worth keeping. Even her best friend's stepbrother is looking unthreatening, which is extreme growth on her part. Everything feels as if it’s falling into place until a stranger comes to her work, looking for her. Once again she’s on high alert and she is terrified that the man who destroyed her life was back to finish her off. Suddenly everyone she has come to know is being thrown into question, especially when the locket that was stolen during her attack turns up in an unexpected place. Will Katie ever get the closure that she needs, or will she be plagued to run from town to town having no one she can truly trust?
I found The Locket a very powerful read that puts you in the shoes of a sexual assault victim. As someone who has never personally had this happen, I found it realistic and you could understand where Katie was coming from and why she was the way that she was. Katie is a very relatable character because even if you have never suffered an assault, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can occur as a result of many different experiences or events in a person's life. I understood why it was hard for her to trust and make friends, as well as the need to keep moving. How it feels to have life finally seem to be going your way only to be shattered by something that triggers your memories takes you three steps back. I think Brittany Bessonett has done an amazing job bringing this subject to the fore and creating a character that many people can relate to in one way or another. I can’t wait to read more of Bessonett’s work.
The Locket by Brittany Bessonett relates that nine years earlier Katie experienced a horrible sexual assault that changed her life. Constantly living in fear and dealing with the PTSD that followed, she kept away from the place where the attack occurred in the hope of living a relatively normal life. For this reason, she never stayed in one place for long, until she found herself in Victoria, Texas, finding a job that she enjoyed and a friendship she deemed worth keeping. Even her best friend's stepbrother is looking unthreatening, which is extreme growth on her part. Everything feels as if it’s falling into place until a stranger comes to her work, looking for her. Once again she’s on high alert and she is terrified that the man who destroyed her life was back to finish her off. Suddenly everyone she has come to know is being thrown into question, especially when the locket that was stolen during her attack turns up in an unexpected place. Will Katie ever get the closure that she needs, or will she be plagued to run from town to town having no one she can truly trust?
I found The Locket a very powerful read that puts you in the shoes of a sexual assault victim. As someone who has never personally had this happen, I found it realistic and you could understand where Katie was coming from and why she was the way that she was. Katie is a very relatable character because even if you have never suffered an assault, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can occur as a result of many different experiences or events in a person's life. I understood why it was hard for her to trust and make friends, as well as the need to keep moving. How it feels to have life finally seem to be going your way only to be shattered by something that triggers your memories takes you three steps back. I think Brittany Bessonett has done an amazing job bringing this subject to the fore and creating a character that many people can relate to in one way or another. I can’t wait to read more of Bessonett’s work.
Recommend this book:
Ninety-Five
Lisa Towles
2022 Silver Medal
266 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite
Barely accustomed to life as a student at the University of Chicago after transferring from NYU, Zak Skinner’s life takes one giant wild turn. It all starts with a fellow student, David Wade, introducing Zak Skinner to drugs. Before Zak knows it, he has developed a strong affinity for reality-altering substances. It is for this same reason that he allows David to take him to Jane’s house, where he consumes a powerful concoction that temporarily halts his ability to tell a hallucination and reality apart. This makes it especially hard for Zak to relate his encounters (after taking Jane’s concoction) to his best friend Riley later on. Soon, they both discover Zak had fallen victim to a dirty scheme driven by an underworld organization near the university. Somehow by getting them hooked on drugs and using blackmail threats, the organization forces its victims and targets to commit crimes. In a bid to find out more, Zak realizes he is being hunted by the organization. Get yourself Lisa Towles' Ninety-Five to learn more.
Lisa Towles does a remarkable job with Ninety-Five. The story’s fast pace and the quite complex plot blend very well. Lisa’s writing style is unique. Adopting the use of complex sentence structures, the storyline of Ninety-Five is quickly but steadily developed. Lisa’s ideas are aligned intriguingly. The story is told from the protagonist’s perspective, and this maintains a delicate line between the imagined and the real world. It was hard to tell whether Zak was experiencing things in reality or he was hallucinating. The transition between the many subplots and chapters is great. The plot is impressively engrossing and generally comprehensible. The details about campus life and the technology used in the story have depth and are convincing enough for the story. The characters are wonderfully developed. What I love most about Zak is his intelligence. Enthusiasts of fast-paced thrillers will love Ninety-Five. It is a magnificent piece of work.
Barely accustomed to life as a student at the University of Chicago after transferring from NYU, Zak Skinner’s life takes one giant wild turn. It all starts with a fellow student, David Wade, introducing Zak Skinner to drugs. Before Zak knows it, he has developed a strong affinity for reality-altering substances. It is for this same reason that he allows David to take him to Jane’s house, where he consumes a powerful concoction that temporarily halts his ability to tell a hallucination and reality apart. This makes it especially hard for Zak to relate his encounters (after taking Jane’s concoction) to his best friend Riley later on. Soon, they both discover Zak had fallen victim to a dirty scheme driven by an underworld organization near the university. Somehow by getting them hooked on drugs and using blackmail threats, the organization forces its victims and targets to commit crimes. In a bid to find out more, Zak realizes he is being hunted by the organization. Get yourself Lisa Towles' Ninety-Five to learn more.
Lisa Towles does a remarkable job with Ninety-Five. The story’s fast pace and the quite complex plot blend very well. Lisa’s writing style is unique. Adopting the use of complex sentence structures, the storyline of Ninety-Five is quickly but steadily developed. Lisa’s ideas are aligned intriguingly. The story is told from the protagonist’s perspective, and this maintains a delicate line between the imagined and the real world. It was hard to tell whether Zak was experiencing things in reality or he was hallucinating. The transition between the many subplots and chapters is great. The plot is impressively engrossing and generally comprehensible. The details about campus life and the technology used in the story have depth and are convincing enough for the story. The characters are wonderfully developed. What I love most about Zak is his intelligence. Enthusiasts of fast-paced thrillers will love Ninety-Five. It is a magnificent piece of work.
Recommend this book:
Apex
Tyler Michael
2021 Finalist
250 Pages
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Young Adult - Thriller
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Apex is an adventure thriller for young and new adults written by Tyler Michael. If anyone had seen the three hikers out in the woods, they’d immediately be able to guess the levels of experience represented by each of them. Chris, in the forefront, was the leader, and an instructor of survival hikes. He loved the woods and challenging himself in survival situations. Following behind him was Kate, who was a good friend and had done quite a bit of survival hiking already. Trailing along behind was the newbie, Kevin, who had been with Chris once before but wasn’t a natural. Their plan to make camp that evening had to be changed due to the river they were planning to cross being flooded by recent rains. After dinner that evening, Kevin volunteered to hang their foodstuffs a distance from the tents to discourage late-night visits by predators, but as he walked along the trail, he encountered a stranger who called himself Ranger and seemed to be out on his own as well.
Readers familiar with Richard Connell’s classic thriller, The Most Dangerous Game, will feel no doubt the same rush of anticipation that I felt as I began reading Tyler Michael’s Apex. This modern retelling of a grand classic kept me on my toes and wondering just who would survive and how they’d do it. The three hikers are definitely at a strong disadvantage in this novel, and the three human predators competing to win the contest have been trained and given weapons making their prey’s survival nearly impossible. Michael’s three main characters make grand subjects to observe as they learn about their surroundings and adjust to a strange and terrifying reality as prey for three apex predators. His plot is action-packed and filled with unpredictable twists and turns. This well-written adventure thriller will appeal to readers of all ages. Apex is most highly recommended.
Apex is an adventure thriller for young and new adults written by Tyler Michael. If anyone had seen the three hikers out in the woods, they’d immediately be able to guess the levels of experience represented by each of them. Chris, in the forefront, was the leader, and an instructor of survival hikes. He loved the woods and challenging himself in survival situations. Following behind him was Kate, who was a good friend and had done quite a bit of survival hiking already. Trailing along behind was the newbie, Kevin, who had been with Chris once before but wasn’t a natural. Their plan to make camp that evening had to be changed due to the river they were planning to cross being flooded by recent rains. After dinner that evening, Kevin volunteered to hang their foodstuffs a distance from the tents to discourage late-night visits by predators, but as he walked along the trail, he encountered a stranger who called himself Ranger and seemed to be out on his own as well.
Readers familiar with Richard Connell’s classic thriller, The Most Dangerous Game, will feel no doubt the same rush of anticipation that I felt as I began reading Tyler Michael’s Apex. This modern retelling of a grand classic kept me on my toes and wondering just who would survive and how they’d do it. The three hikers are definitely at a strong disadvantage in this novel, and the three human predators competing to win the contest have been trained and given weapons making their prey’s survival nearly impossible. Michael’s three main characters make grand subjects to observe as they learn about their surroundings and adjust to a strange and terrifying reality as prey for three apex predators. His plot is action-packed and filled with unpredictable twists and turns. This well-written adventure thriller will appeal to readers of all ages. Apex is most highly recommended.
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