BlueSmokeFire book blogger

Hi, I’m Bob. I am a multi-genre reader with a special love of science fiction and fantasy. I always have a book to hand. I am an adamant supporter of our indie writing community. I would highly encourage you to make your next read an independently published work.

https://bluesmokefire.blog/

Reviews

Well, Well, Well by Jody Wenner

Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear
Characters: Roles are clear

Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions

Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Adequately represents the story

Jody's character work is phenomenal. This one keeps you on your mental toes.

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Third Loch From the Sun by Rex Burke

Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear
Characters: Roles are clear

Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions

Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

For those that have yet to experience a Rex Burke tale, standalone Third Loch is a fantastic introduction to the feel-good sci-fi vibes that are Rex’s forte.

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Euphrates Vanished by Leon Stevens

Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear
Characters: Roles are clear

Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Satisfying, fulfilling experience
Emotional Response: Engaging

Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Adequately represents the story

Leon Stevens’ ‘Euphrates Vanished’ is a short engaging read that offers an opportunity to reset your emotional odometer while contemplating that next big chonky scifi or fantasy tome. Stevens has the knack for setting the reader up with a puzzle to be solved.

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Soul Cage (SoulBreaker Book 1) by L. R. Schulz

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear

Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions

Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

Soul Cage provides the reader with a richly imagined world filled with compelling characters. Fast paced and well timed prose make for a quick and engaging reading.

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By Blood, By Salt by J L Odom

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear

Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions

Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

Flowing prose, a nose for excellent timing and story beats accompanied by vivid descriptive styling makes for a page turning read that is over all too soon. Book two will be on my to-be-read list.

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Bloodwoven by G.J. Terral

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear

Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions

Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

The monsters of this realm, the untethered, are creepy, powerful and ruthlessly violent. They are, or were, human. Terral had these bad guys right in my face. The imagery was sublime enough that I might have had a childhood night terror flashback at one point.

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Chair Repair and Other Ways to Die by Jody Wenner

Worldbuilding: Piqued curiosity
Plot: Mostly clear
Characters: Some more thought out than others

Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions

Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

Wenner delightfully kept me off balance with each reveal and would be clue. The writing style sustains a pleasant rhythm that keeps the pages turning. Humor, suspense, and true to life emotional struggles make for an engaging read that is worth your time.

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The Hunter by K. Aagard

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear

Storytelling: Balanced
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions

Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

"The read was swift and over too soon. Aagard sustains and varies the rhythm in most all the right places. Do NOT let the page and word count put you off."

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Spark of the Divine by Louise Holland

Worldbuilding: Aided the story
Plot: Straightforward
Characters: Roles are clear

Storytelling: Descriptive
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Emotional Response: Strong emotions

Thought Provoking: Did some research after reading
Cover: Matches the story well

"Louise’s prose is lyrical magic!"

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