BookAwards.com
Award-Winning Books from Today's Best Authors
A Free Resource for Book Lovers, Authors, Agents, Publishers and Journalists
Search Results for: the last
Recommend this book:
The Last Detective
Brian Cohn
2017 Bronze Medal
238 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Science Fiction
Reviewed by Joel R. Dennstedt for Readers' Favorite
The first superlative technique that strikes the curious reader of Brian Cohn’s science fiction/mystery, The Last Detective, is the author’s masterful use of descriptive prose, something seen less and less these days, but guaranteed to place one forcefully and engagingly in a most dramatic present. This uniquely creative future moment deserves precisely such a pleasing and powerful ploy, for we find ourselves taken over by mysterious, condescending aliens – slickly referred to as 'slicks' - and immersed in an old school investigation of one particular alien’s bold and inconceivable murder. If that is not enough to catch any jaded sci-fi or mystery reader’s rapt attention, one should check that reader’s pulse for proof of life.
Detective Adrian Grace is the unduly harried flatfoot in this remarkable book, and he is the narrative magnet through whom Brian Cohn expertly unfolds his desperately fascinating plot in The Last Detective. Grace hates the slicks. Loathes them, actually. But they have an irresistible inducement with which to ensure his cooperation and participation: a displaced family with whom the detective longs to be reunited. Written in the style of exquisitely dark and sometimes morbid humor so loved by classic mystery readers, and with a gene pool of realistically portrayed otherworldly beings – the kind you love to hate, so human is their inhumanity – The Last Detective is that truly wonderful of finds: a smart book to transport you and distract you from the real world it so ironically mirrors. Mr. Cohn has done his job with great finesse and style, mixing genres so seamlessly that the reader forgets in which one he might be so thoroughly absorbed. He is absorbed in both. Cliché time: an unforgettable, great read!
The first superlative technique that strikes the curious reader of Brian Cohn’s science fiction/mystery, The Last Detective, is the author’s masterful use of descriptive prose, something seen less and less these days, but guaranteed to place one forcefully and engagingly in a most dramatic present. This uniquely creative future moment deserves precisely such a pleasing and powerful ploy, for we find ourselves taken over by mysterious, condescending aliens – slickly referred to as 'slicks' - and immersed in an old school investigation of one particular alien’s bold and inconceivable murder. If that is not enough to catch any jaded sci-fi or mystery reader’s rapt attention, one should check that reader’s pulse for proof of life.
Detective Adrian Grace is the unduly harried flatfoot in this remarkable book, and he is the narrative magnet through whom Brian Cohn expertly unfolds his desperately fascinating plot in The Last Detective. Grace hates the slicks. Loathes them, actually. But they have an irresistible inducement with which to ensure his cooperation and participation: a displaced family with whom the detective longs to be reunited. Written in the style of exquisitely dark and sometimes morbid humor so loved by classic mystery readers, and with a gene pool of realistically portrayed otherworldly beings – the kind you love to hate, so human is their inhumanity – The Last Detective is that truly wonderful of finds: a smart book to transport you and distract you from the real world it so ironically mirrors. Mr. Cohn has done his job with great finesse and style, mixing genres so seamlessly that the reader forgets in which one he might be so thoroughly absorbed. He is absorbed in both. Cliché time: an unforgettable, great read!
Recommend this book:
The Last Great American Magic
L.C. Fiore
2017 Gold Medal
372 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Tall Tale
Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite
The Last Great American Magic by L.C. Fiore is an epic tale of war and magic, featuring very interesting characters, powerful themes, and a classic conflict, a story that paints an exotic landscape with a unique culture in the tradition of The Last of the Mohicans. Two brothers, one a prophet and the other a warrior, reconcile their childhood grievances and work together to protect a culture threatened by post-colonial wars. Spiced with a love story between the warrior and a beautiful hostage, this story is packed with breathtaking action and surprising twists that make the read hugely irresistible.
L.C. Fiore is a master craftsman when it comes to characters and plot. Fast-paced and intriguing, the plot has many "Aha!" moments. The story begins with action and the evocation of powerful and interesting images: the warrior, Tecumseh, shot and languishing alone in pain, the forest, and the solitude, and then the practiced, sharp sense of hearing culling the sounds around him. The reader is immediately thrust into a powerful canvas of war and the chaos it creates. But the focus on the plight of the warrior is something that creates a driving sense of curiosity in the reader who wants to know if the warrior will survive and what will happen if he does. The language has a spell of its own, beautiful and utterly descriptive with a sensuality that transports readers into untraveled terrains. The Last Great American Magic is a captivating story, a hard-to-put-down tale of courage, nerve, and love from a master storyteller.
The Last Great American Magic by L.C. Fiore is an epic tale of war and magic, featuring very interesting characters, powerful themes, and a classic conflict, a story that paints an exotic landscape with a unique culture in the tradition of The Last of the Mohicans. Two brothers, one a prophet and the other a warrior, reconcile their childhood grievances and work together to protect a culture threatened by post-colonial wars. Spiced with a love story between the warrior and a beautiful hostage, this story is packed with breathtaking action and surprising twists that make the read hugely irresistible.
L.C. Fiore is a master craftsman when it comes to characters and plot. Fast-paced and intriguing, the plot has many "Aha!" moments. The story begins with action and the evocation of powerful and interesting images: the warrior, Tecumseh, shot and languishing alone in pain, the forest, and the solitude, and then the practiced, sharp sense of hearing culling the sounds around him. The reader is immediately thrust into a powerful canvas of war and the chaos it creates. But the focus on the plight of the warrior is something that creates a driving sense of curiosity in the reader who wants to know if the warrior will survive and what will happen if he does. The language has a spell of its own, beautiful and utterly descriptive with a sensuality that transports readers into untraveled terrains. The Last Great American Magic is a captivating story, a hard-to-put-down tale of courage, nerve, and love from a master storyteller.
Recommend this book:
The Last Faith
A Book by An Atheist Believer
Karmak Bagisbayev
2017 Bronze Medal
215 Pages
Check current price
Non-Fiction - Religion/Philosophy
Reviewed by Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite
The Last Faith: A Book by An Atheist Believer by Karmak Bagisbayev asks a lot of difficult questions about life and its elusive meaning. Why are the social and behavioral distinctions between men and women being rapidly erased? Can a world without violence exist? If not, under what circumstances and to what kind of violence does man have a right? Wherein lies the origin of this right? These are just some of the questions that the author poses to his readers. Divided into three parts namely, The Law of Gene Preservation, The Law of Freedom of Choice, and The Last Faith, this 192-page book is all encompassing and provocative and it sure will make readers think again about their beliefs in life.
The Last Faith: A Book by An Atheist Believer, however, not only asks all these questions, author Karmak Bagisbayev also provides a convincing answer to all these questions that have literally and figuratively plagued the human race from generation to generation. Bravely going against many of the established moral principles of popular world religions, this book is definitely an intriguing read. It will perhaps raise some eyebrows but on the other hand, anyone with a critical mind will be drawn to The Last Faith. Surprisingly an easy read, it comes out as one curious man's conversation with God Himself. Karmak Bagisbayev has a PhD in Physics and Mathematics, so he also presents explanations and evidence to support all his ideas, just like scientists do. And he is definitely very convincing!
The Last Faith: A Book by An Atheist Believer by Karmak Bagisbayev asks a lot of difficult questions about life and its elusive meaning. Why are the social and behavioral distinctions between men and women being rapidly erased? Can a world without violence exist? If not, under what circumstances and to what kind of violence does man have a right? Wherein lies the origin of this right? These are just some of the questions that the author poses to his readers. Divided into three parts namely, The Law of Gene Preservation, The Law of Freedom of Choice, and The Last Faith, this 192-page book is all encompassing and provocative and it sure will make readers think again about their beliefs in life.
The Last Faith: A Book by An Atheist Believer, however, not only asks all these questions, author Karmak Bagisbayev also provides a convincing answer to all these questions that have literally and figuratively plagued the human race from generation to generation. Bravely going against many of the established moral principles of popular world religions, this book is definitely an intriguing read. It will perhaps raise some eyebrows but on the other hand, anyone with a critical mind will be drawn to The Last Faith. Surprisingly an easy read, it comes out as one curious man's conversation with God Himself. Karmak Bagisbayev has a PhD in Physics and Mathematics, so he also presents explanations and evidence to support all his ideas, just like scientists do. And he is definitely very convincing!
Recommend this book:
 Orville Wellington Mouse. Orville is a shaper, meaning he’s magically gifted, and when a highly interactive dream about a ghost and a book fair leaves him ...){kind=link}
Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Last Metaphonium
Orville Wellington Mouse, Book 4
Tom Hoffman
2018 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Young Adult - Fantasy - Epic
Reviewed by Sarah Scheele for Readers' Favorite
Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Last Metaphonium by Tom Hoffman is an expertly written fantasy novel. It’s the fourth in a series about the Metaphysical Adventurer (a.k.a. world-hopping) Orville Wellington Mouse. Orville is a shaper, meaning he’s magically gifted, and when a highly interactive dream about a ghost and a book fair leaves him with a weird book in a language no one can read, his sassy girlfriend, Sophia, and their loyal ally, Proto, join him on a quest to decode the book. The results uncover a long-lost piece of ancient history and when the adventurers enter the surreal world of Elysian in search of a friend’s long-lost wife, they take on the mysterious Shadow King, accompanied by an austere monk who’s more than he seems. Will Orville be able to find reality and solve the puzzle of the Last Metaphonium?
Tom Hoffman is a delight to read. His world is endlessly complex, varied, and filled with flights of fancy, yet completely true and simple as well. The characters ring with a deep, supple humanity, and I was captivated, wanting to know what would happen next. Action, comedy, mystery, adventure, romance—it’s all here. Orville’s many little quirks make him thoroughly well-rounded, and the underlying theme that love and honesty can overcome fears was handled as melodiously as the concept of the piano-like Metaphonium, in which sets of keys provide portals to other worlds. Quiet sidekick Proto absolutely steals the show, his fears that he’s not loved and accepted threading a delicate subplot that is as poignant as it is satisfying. Verbally enchanting, emotionally human, and philosophically relevant, The Puzzle of the Last Metaphonium blends many genres into a really fun read.
Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Last Metaphonium by Tom Hoffman is an expertly written fantasy novel. It’s the fourth in a series about the Metaphysical Adventurer (a.k.a. world-hopping) Orville Wellington Mouse. Orville is a shaper, meaning he’s magically gifted, and when a highly interactive dream about a ghost and a book fair leaves him with a weird book in a language no one can read, his sassy girlfriend, Sophia, and their loyal ally, Proto, join him on a quest to decode the book. The results uncover a long-lost piece of ancient history and when the adventurers enter the surreal world of Elysian in search of a friend’s long-lost wife, they take on the mysterious Shadow King, accompanied by an austere monk who’s more than he seems. Will Orville be able to find reality and solve the puzzle of the Last Metaphonium?
Tom Hoffman is a delight to read. His world is endlessly complex, varied, and filled with flights of fancy, yet completely true and simple as well. The characters ring with a deep, supple humanity, and I was captivated, wanting to know what would happen next. Action, comedy, mystery, adventure, romance—it’s all here. Orville’s many little quirks make him thoroughly well-rounded, and the underlying theme that love and honesty can overcome fears was handled as melodiously as the concept of the piano-like Metaphonium, in which sets of keys provide portals to other worlds. Quiet sidekick Proto absolutely steals the show, his fears that he’s not loved and accepted threading a delicate subplot that is as poignant as it is satisfying. Verbally enchanting, emotionally human, and philosophically relevant, The Puzzle of the Last Metaphonium blends many genres into a really fun read.
Recommend this book:
The Last Odinian
Alec Arbogast
2018 Finalist
176 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Horror
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
Mystery, the occult, adventure, and the supernatural are all melded into one fantastic story in The Last Odinian by Alec Arbogast. It’s a novel with a strong appeal to fans of urban fantasy. Guided by a telepathic message from his daughter, Edward Koenig comes to Pinemist Bay to find his family. In a town where nothing is what it seems, he knows his wife and daughter are in danger. Pinemist Bay has a shady past intrinsically linked to a pagan Scandinavian rite that has long been forgotten. Follow this character as he acquaints himself with a dangerous cult and navigates the less trodden paths of this mysterious town, risking the darkness that could swallow him. Can he confront the dark past of this town and still be same again? Will he be able to reconnect with his family and save them, with many evil eyes around him and strange happenings?
There is a lot to enjoy in this novel and what caught my attention is the meticulousness with which Alec Arbogast handles the setting. One gets the feeling that this is a story as much of a place as it is of the protagonist. The descriptions plunge the reader into the details of the woodlands, the strange topography, and the peculiarities of the city. The sense of mystery is so strong that it arouses the reader’s curiosity and builds the tension. I got hints of Norse mythology in the writing and it is skillfully woven into the language. The pacing is measured, neither too fast nor too slow, but it is the author’s ability to sustain the reader’s attention that makes the story stand out. The Last Odinian will grab hold of your attention if you love beautiful and descriptive prose.
Mystery, the occult, adventure, and the supernatural are all melded into one fantastic story in The Last Odinian by Alec Arbogast. It’s a novel with a strong appeal to fans of urban fantasy. Guided by a telepathic message from his daughter, Edward Koenig comes to Pinemist Bay to find his family. In a town where nothing is what it seems, he knows his wife and daughter are in danger. Pinemist Bay has a shady past intrinsically linked to a pagan Scandinavian rite that has long been forgotten. Follow this character as he acquaints himself with a dangerous cult and navigates the less trodden paths of this mysterious town, risking the darkness that could swallow him. Can he confront the dark past of this town and still be same again? Will he be able to reconnect with his family and save them, with many evil eyes around him and strange happenings?
There is a lot to enjoy in this novel and what caught my attention is the meticulousness with which Alec Arbogast handles the setting. One gets the feeling that this is a story as much of a place as it is of the protagonist. The descriptions plunge the reader into the details of the woodlands, the strange topography, and the peculiarities of the city. The sense of mystery is so strong that it arouses the reader’s curiosity and builds the tension. I got hints of Norse mythology in the writing and it is skillfully woven into the language. The pacing is measured, neither too fast nor too slow, but it is the author’s ability to sustain the reader’s attention that makes the story stand out. The Last Odinian will grab hold of your attention if you love beautiful and descriptive prose.
Recommend this book:
The Last Valentine
A Labyrinth of Love Letters Novel
Felix Alexander
2018 Finalist
308 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Literary
Reviewed by Caitlin Lyle Farley for Readers' Favorite
The Last Valentine is just one of many secrets in the Puerto Rican city of Old Sienna. When Olivia finds a bloodstained love letter in her father’s coat, she becomes entranced by the poetic longing scribed on the page. She resolves to place the letter in the legendary Labyrinth of Love Letters. Even the discovery that the letter is a stolen piece of evidence in the unsolved murder of an unidentified man does not deter her from her goal. Olivia convinces her close friend, Isaac, to help her. Little does the pair know that some of the Labyrinth’s secrets are deeper and darker than the letters exchanged between forbidden lovers. One of those secrets would mean death for Olivia if she were ever to discover it.
The Last Valentine is a novel of romantic love in all its forms, from happy ever afters and the loneliness of unrequited love, to the tragedy of impossible, secret romances confined to whispers and the cover of darkness. There were times when I thought it was glorifying the unhealthy side of romance a bit much, but it works in the context and fits the theme. Felix Alexander’s writing is poetic and evokes a great sense of mood throughout. This is accentuated and refined by its '30s setting and the classicist attitudes of this era. The characters all intertwine and connect with each other, often in ways I didn’t anticipate, and their motives direct the plot down a path littered with deep, dark secrets.
The Last Valentine is just one of many secrets in the Puerto Rican city of Old Sienna. When Olivia finds a bloodstained love letter in her father’s coat, she becomes entranced by the poetic longing scribed on the page. She resolves to place the letter in the legendary Labyrinth of Love Letters. Even the discovery that the letter is a stolen piece of evidence in the unsolved murder of an unidentified man does not deter her from her goal. Olivia convinces her close friend, Isaac, to help her. Little does the pair know that some of the Labyrinth’s secrets are deeper and darker than the letters exchanged between forbidden lovers. One of those secrets would mean death for Olivia if she were ever to discover it.
The Last Valentine is a novel of romantic love in all its forms, from happy ever afters and the loneliness of unrequited love, to the tragedy of impossible, secret romances confined to whispers and the cover of darkness. There were times when I thought it was glorifying the unhealthy side of romance a bit much, but it works in the context and fits the theme. Felix Alexander’s writing is poetic and evokes a great sense of mood throughout. This is accentuated and refined by its '30s setting and the classicist attitudes of this era. The characters all intertwine and connect with each other, often in ways I didn’t anticipate, and their motives direct the plot down a path littered with deep, dark secrets.
Recommend this book:
The Last Suttee
Madhu Bazaz Wangu
2018 Honorable Mention
360 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Mythology
Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite
The Last Suttee by Madhu Bazaz Wangu tells the story of Kumud who, at the age of only nine, had to witness the suttee of her aunt. A suttee happens when a wife follows her dead husband onto the pyre and is burned alive. It is believed that this will turn her into a saint and bring her family good luck for a few generations. And unfortunately, in some parts of India, a widow is still seen as worth nothing. A woman without a man is a burden on society. Kumud wants to change this and is working at an orphanage for girls. When she receives a phone call about a suttee that is supposed to happen in her old home town, Kumud knows one thing for sure: she cannot let it happen again. She leaves everything behind, but how will she change the old beliefs of people in a town that does not want to change?
When I picked up The Last Suttee by Madhu Bazaz Wangu, I wasn't quite sure whether I would like it or not. With cultural novels, there is always the danger that they might turn out to be boring, even though the idea itself is exciting. Fortunately, this wasn't the case here. The writing style made it easy to feel like you are right in the middle of the story. You get to know Kumud better and better with each chapter, and it's interesting to get an insight into her upbringing, her experiences, and why she ended up where we find her. Her story is revealed bit by bit, and not in one huge information dump. It's like getting to know a real person: you can know them for a long time, and still discover new things about them again and again.
Reading about Kumud always felt fresh and I definitely didn't get bored with her. She's an awesome character. Her journey is one full of courage, despair, hope, and resilience. I found the author a bit cruel at the end of the book. I can't give anything away, but you'll end up loving and hating her on a few pages because expected and unexpected, feared and hoped for events kind of mix themselves up in a way that plays havoc with your emotions a little. It definitely was a great reading experience as you couldn't be sure what would really happen until you arrived at the end!
The Last Suttee by Madhu Bazaz Wangu tells the story of Kumud who, at the age of only nine, had to witness the suttee of her aunt. A suttee happens when a wife follows her dead husband onto the pyre and is burned alive. It is believed that this will turn her into a saint and bring her family good luck for a few generations. And unfortunately, in some parts of India, a widow is still seen as worth nothing. A woman without a man is a burden on society. Kumud wants to change this and is working at an orphanage for girls. When she receives a phone call about a suttee that is supposed to happen in her old home town, Kumud knows one thing for sure: she cannot let it happen again. She leaves everything behind, but how will she change the old beliefs of people in a town that does not want to change?
When I picked up The Last Suttee by Madhu Bazaz Wangu, I wasn't quite sure whether I would like it or not. With cultural novels, there is always the danger that they might turn out to be boring, even though the idea itself is exciting. Fortunately, this wasn't the case here. The writing style made it easy to feel like you are right in the middle of the story. You get to know Kumud better and better with each chapter, and it's interesting to get an insight into her upbringing, her experiences, and why she ended up where we find her. Her story is revealed bit by bit, and not in one huge information dump. It's like getting to know a real person: you can know them for a long time, and still discover new things about them again and again.
Reading about Kumud always felt fresh and I definitely didn't get bored with her. She's an awesome character. Her journey is one full of courage, despair, hope, and resilience. I found the author a bit cruel at the end of the book. I can't give anything away, but you'll end up loving and hating her on a few pages because expected and unexpected, feared and hoped for events kind of mix themselves up in a way that plays havoc with your emotions a little. It definitely was a great reading experience as you couldn't be sure what would really happen until you arrived at the end!
Recommend this book:
The Last Road Home
Danny Johnson
2018 Gold Medal
340 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Southern
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
The Last Road Home by Danny Johnson is set in the deep South in the 50’s and 60’s. Junebug and Fancy become best friends at the age of eight. One is a white orphan, the other, a black sharecropper’s daughter. The story follows them as they grow and their relationship deepens when they come of age. Sex between a white boy and a black girl was a big no-no and it doesn’t take long for them to come to the attention of the KKK. They are threatened with terrible consequences if they don’t end their relationship. Fancy heads to New York, ending up in France, while Junebug becomes a sniper, fighting in Vietnam. They meet again and find that they still are in love with one another, but they cannot stay together. Fancy can't return to the South and goes back to France while Junebug moves to the isolation of the mountains. Will they meet again or will they each take the path they have chosen and ne’er the twain shall meet?
The Last Road Home by Danny Johnson is an evocative and emotional story, delving deep into the issues of race relations in the deep South in the 50’s and 60’s, issues that are, for the most part, non-existent now. It is packed with history, a mixture of tension and tenderness, violence and love, taking us on a journey from childhood to adulthood, through tough decisions and realizations. The characters are brilliantly developed and because we follow them through their lives, we get to know them personally. The story is written in a believable way, with a unique plot and plenty to grab your attention. This is a powerful tale, gritty, dramatic and hard-hitting, not to mention emotional. Great story, I really enjoyed it.
The Last Road Home by Danny Johnson is set in the deep South in the 50’s and 60’s. Junebug and Fancy become best friends at the age of eight. One is a white orphan, the other, a black sharecropper’s daughter. The story follows them as they grow and their relationship deepens when they come of age. Sex between a white boy and a black girl was a big no-no and it doesn’t take long for them to come to the attention of the KKK. They are threatened with terrible consequences if they don’t end their relationship. Fancy heads to New York, ending up in France, while Junebug becomes a sniper, fighting in Vietnam. They meet again and find that they still are in love with one another, but they cannot stay together. Fancy can't return to the South and goes back to France while Junebug moves to the isolation of the mountains. Will they meet again or will they each take the path they have chosen and ne’er the twain shall meet?
The Last Road Home by Danny Johnson is an evocative and emotional story, delving deep into the issues of race relations in the deep South in the 50’s and 60’s, issues that are, for the most part, non-existent now. It is packed with history, a mixture of tension and tenderness, violence and love, taking us on a journey from childhood to adulthood, through tough decisions and realizations. The characters are brilliantly developed and because we follow them through their lives, we get to know them personally. The story is written in a believable way, with a unique plot and plenty to grab your attention. This is a powerful tale, gritty, dramatic and hard-hitting, not to mention emotional. Great story, I really enjoyed it.
Recommend this book:
The Last Oracle
A Climate Change Fiction Thriller
Christopher Hepworth
2018 Silver Medal
433 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
The Last Oracle by Christopher Hepworth is a conspiracy thriller, the third in the Sam Jardine series. Rex Dangerfield’s fracking company is aiming to tap into a gas seam in the Greenland ice shelf, a move that will cause untold damage to the environment and the climate. Dangerfield has an enemy though, the one person that will stand in his way and stop him from causing disaster – his daughter. Her mother was Egyptian and she is the Oracle of the Temple of Sekhmet; her job is to stop people like her father from destroying the world. Sam is recruited by the Oracle to try to change the way her father works but something else is standing in the way. A secret society will reap huge profits from the destruction and they will do whatever it takes to remove Sam from the equation. As events escalate, Jardine has to fight his way through corruption, past every person who will gain from the epic disaster about to unfold. Can he stop it in time or is the world about to be destroyed?
The Last Oracle by Christopher Hepworth is a frighteningly real story. Although it is the third of a series, there was enough information provided about the main protagonist so that not reading the previous books did not affect my enjoyment of this story and I believe that this could easily be read as a standalone. We are all aware of the climate changes happening across the world and we are all aware that some of it is down to the way we abuse this planet, stripping it of natural resources and forever changing the delicate balances in place. Both the story and the characters have real depth to them; the action starts from page one and continues right to the last page. The detail in the story is excellent, making for a novel that is real, compelling and truly engaging. It moves fast but never loses sight of the main issues, even through the many twists and turns. Great book, highly recommended for anyone who wants to lose themselves in an epic thriller.
The Last Oracle by Christopher Hepworth is a conspiracy thriller, the third in the Sam Jardine series. Rex Dangerfield’s fracking company is aiming to tap into a gas seam in the Greenland ice shelf, a move that will cause untold damage to the environment and the climate. Dangerfield has an enemy though, the one person that will stand in his way and stop him from causing disaster – his daughter. Her mother was Egyptian and she is the Oracle of the Temple of Sekhmet; her job is to stop people like her father from destroying the world. Sam is recruited by the Oracle to try to change the way her father works but something else is standing in the way. A secret society will reap huge profits from the destruction and they will do whatever it takes to remove Sam from the equation. As events escalate, Jardine has to fight his way through corruption, past every person who will gain from the epic disaster about to unfold. Can he stop it in time or is the world about to be destroyed?
The Last Oracle by Christopher Hepworth is a frighteningly real story. Although it is the third of a series, there was enough information provided about the main protagonist so that not reading the previous books did not affect my enjoyment of this story and I believe that this could easily be read as a standalone. We are all aware of the climate changes happening across the world and we are all aware that some of it is down to the way we abuse this planet, stripping it of natural resources and forever changing the delicate balances in place. Both the story and the characters have real depth to them; the action starts from page one and continues right to the last page. The detail in the story is excellent, making for a novel that is real, compelling and truly engaging. It moves fast but never loses sight of the main issues, even through the many twists and turns. Great book, highly recommended for anyone who wants to lose themselves in an epic thriller.
Recommend this book:
The Adventures of Samba Rat and Friends in Sherman the Last Dragon
Steven Munsie, Mary Munsie
2019 Silver Medal
136 Pages
Check current price
Children - Adventure
Reviewed by Kristen Van Kampen (Teen Reviewer) for Readers' Favorite
The Adventures of Samba Rat and Friends in Sherman the Last Dragon by Steven and Mary Munsie is an exciting tale of a rat, a squirrel, and a porcupine who have to find a home for the last dragon on earth. Samba Rat, Squirrely, and Peter Porcupine find an egg one day after a picnic, and are surprised when it hatches into a dragon, who they begin to call Sherman. They decide that they have to take him to a sanctuary for dragons and other mythical creatures where he will be safe. But the going isn't easy. Along the way, they bravely face a silver spider, a griffin, a waterfall, and a saber-tooth tiger. Will they be able to get Sherman to his true home despite all of the challenges?
I really enjoyed reading The Adventures of Samba Rat and Friends in Sherman the Last Dragon by Steven and Mary Munsie. The book is well written and very descriptive. I really liked how the plot combined many different myths in a way that makes sense. The story is intriguing and filled with action and adventure. The characters are all very likeable, and young readers will want them to succeed in their quest. They are also unique and well developed. The story is fast paced and exciting. I was hooked by the first page and I never wanted to put the book down. The story contains many adorable, colorful illustrations readers will love. I would definitely recommend this book to all children.
The Adventures of Samba Rat and Friends in Sherman the Last Dragon by Steven and Mary Munsie is an exciting tale of a rat, a squirrel, and a porcupine who have to find a home for the last dragon on earth. Samba Rat, Squirrely, and Peter Porcupine find an egg one day after a picnic, and are surprised when it hatches into a dragon, who they begin to call Sherman. They decide that they have to take him to a sanctuary for dragons and other mythical creatures where he will be safe. But the going isn't easy. Along the way, they bravely face a silver spider, a griffin, a waterfall, and a saber-tooth tiger. Will they be able to get Sherman to his true home despite all of the challenges?
I really enjoyed reading The Adventures of Samba Rat and Friends in Sherman the Last Dragon by Steven and Mary Munsie. The book is well written and very descriptive. I really liked how the plot combined many different myths in a way that makes sense. The story is intriguing and filled with action and adventure. The characters are all very likeable, and young readers will want them to succeed in their quest. They are also unique and well developed. The story is fast paced and exciting. I was hooked by the first page and I never wanted to put the book down. The story contains many adorable, colorful illustrations readers will love. I would definitely recommend this book to all children.
Contact Author -
