Book Review – The Fragments by @MinuFreitag #scifi #fantasy #dystopian #bookreview #bookcommunity

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Readers of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials and Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere will love Minu Freitag’s fast-paced fantasy adventure The Fragments, the first Book in The Spheres series, where a handful of young protégées find themselves entangled in an age-old conflict that threatens to destroy more than one world.

When Easla Amrath meets Tayl Bergin, they are both haunted by the consequences of their own decisions and the decisions made for them by others. But when Easla becomes stranded in the Fragments, both she and Tayl embark on a journey across the unforgettable landscapes of a broken world where they confront deadly dangers and meet unlikely allies. As more of their pasts unravels, uncomfortable truths come to light, and they need to face the fact that more than their own future is at stake.

In her debut novel, Minu Freitag creates a tantalising multiverse that will captivate readers of fantasy and science fiction alike. Set in the parallel worlds of the Spheres, the first book in the series takes place in the Protectorate, a world similar to ours but caught in the grip of a ruthless dystopian society, and the Fragments, a world in which human exiles form a fragile alliance with the machine-based inhabitants and the enigmatic Sceadwian shadow creatures.

Book Review

Thank you to the author for an ARC copy which I read freely and without bias.

What a great book, different, complex, compelling and exciting. Thoughtful and dystopian. I particularly enjoyed the characterisation of Tayl and Eass. And what an adventure it is. The writing is superb – dialogue, descriptions, everything.

Other things to note:  It’s a long book – so bear that in mind. This is not a quick read and needs thoughtful close reading. But it so worth it. The ending is somewhat unusual with two epilogues at the end which lead on to the next book as this is a series.

Some quotes:

Graphyn shook his head. ‘I don’t know how she chooses which child to take. Or why. All I know is that she takes children from worlds on the brink of extinction.’

‘It’s a symbol of both Arc and house, and it hides much older symbols in it.’
  ‘ And with the map, the Entrelacier can go from anywhere to anywhere?

This won’t be for everyone but it is my kind of story! This must have been such a challenging book to write. Hats off to the author. This book deserves a wider audience.

Highly recommended for fantasy, scifi and dystopian fans.

My rating 4 🌟

Book was gifted via my membership of the Fantasy sci fi writers alliance:

#FSFwritersalliance https://fsfwritersalliance.wordpress.com/

AUTHOR SOCIAL MEDIA DETAILS

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
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Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon https://twitter.com/Marjorie_Mallon 

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News! I’ve joined The Fantasy & Sci-Fi Writers Alliance #FSFwritersalliance #fantasy #scifi #magic #writersnetwork

I’m delighted to announce that I’ve joined the Alliance!

I’ve recently joined an alliance for writers who are trying to expand their reader audience and grow on social media.

We will work together to share each other’s content, set up follow trains and help reach the people who want– no, NEED, our stories in their lives!

If you want to learn more, message @e.b_hunter directly or go to his ‘Link in Bio‘ for a summary of our goals and a sign-up sheet.

Whether you’re on day one or day one thousand of your writing journey, as long as you are a Science-Fiction and/or Fantasy writer, you are welcome! 🏹🤝🔫

Make sure to share this with your friends!

#FSFwritersalliance #fantasy #scifi #magic #space #writersnetwork #amreading

#amwriting #writingcommunity #wip #amediting #darkfantasy #grimdark #urbanfantasy

#cyberpunk #dystopia #spaceopera #hardscifi #noblebrightfantasy #writersofinstagram

#writer #authorlife #indie #indieauthors #indieauthorsunited

If any of my fellow fantasy/sci fi authors are interested in joining comment below, or contact E.B Hunter via the link above.

I’ve joined in order to build up readership for my two fantasy novels and to discover new fantasy and sci fi authors to read, support and review.

Bloodstone, book 1 The Curse of Time, and Book 2, Golden Healer.

Blurb Bloodstone

I didn’t think my life could get weirder, but I was wrong…

Fifteen-year-old Amelina Scott lives in Cambridge with her dysfunctional family, a mysterious black cat, and an unusual girl who is imprisoned within the mirrors located in her house.

When an unexpected message arrives inviting her to visit the Crystal Cottage, she sets off on a forbidden path where she encounters Ryder: a charismatic, perplexing stranger.

With the help of a magical paint set and some crystal wizard stones, can Amelina discover the truth about her family?

A unique, imaginative mystery full of magic-wielding and dark elements, Bloodstone is a riveting adventure for anyone interested in fantasy, mythology or the world of the paranormal.

TRIGGER WARNING: this book contains mention of self-harm, mental health issues and alludes to the potential dangers of sexual attraction, which may trigger younger/sensitive readers.

Multiple Platform Buy Link – in kindle, paperback, hardback.

https://books2read.com/u/bOyrgW

Audiobook

UK: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Bloodstone-Audiobook/B09SK9GFB1/

US: https://www.audible.com/author/M-J-Mallon/B074CGNK4L

Blurb Golden Healer – (See link at the bottom of this blog post to vote for Golden Healer in The Allauthor Cover Competition)

I didn’t think my life could get any weirder, until the dreaded rollercoaster…

Amelina Scott’s destiny is to be a Krystallos: a magician of light, chosen to learn the ways of crystal magic on her 16th birthday. Located on a river pathway in a mysterious part of Cambridge, the Crystal Cottage is guarded by mythical beings.

Unfortunately, there are those who seek to harm this haven of light. Learning of Ryder – a Shadow Sorcerer with hypnotic powers – Amelina discovers that her own magic is now threatened, and that the Curse of Time might be unleashed again.

As secrets abound and the creatures of the Chronophage come alive, can Amelina become the true magician she needs to be?

A unique, imaginative mystery full of magic-wielding and dark elements, Golden Healer is a riveting adventure for anyone interested in fantasy, mythology or the world of the paranormal. NOTE: this book contains mention of self-harm, mental health issues and alludes to the potential dangers of sexual attraction, which may trigger younger/sensitive readers.

Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/mgjY67

Audiobook: To come.

Golden Healer is in the Allauthor cover competition. I’d really appreciate it if you would consider voting. Vote here: https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/14263/

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MJ’s Book Reviews: RibbonWorld by Richard Dee @RichardDockett1 #scifi #bookreview #bookrecommendation


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Miles Goram has a problem. All the down-on-his-luck journalist planned on doing was writing a hotel review and now there’s a body in his bathroom. Far from home on a strange planet, Miles must deal with the fact that somebody wants him dead. Welcome to Reevis, a planet without days or nights where life is only possible under a vast pressure dome. It is on this airless wasteland that Miles finds himself caught up in a mystery involving a huge interplanetary corporation, a powerful man and his ambitious PA, and a beautiful young heiress who has been missing for years. Crossing the galaxy in search of answers, Miles begins to uncover a web of deceit that stretches further than anyone could have imagined. With his life becoming at greater and greater risk, he realises that there is no one he can trust. Will he discover the truth and finally come to terms with his past? And, if he does, will it be enough to save his future…?

My reviewRibbonworld – The Balcom Dynasty Book 1

I don’t often read, or listen to Scifi but I’m glad I picked Ribbonworld up!

Richard Dee has a talent for writing engrossing stories in a variety of genres including scifi. This novel showcases both his ability to worldbuild creating the sci fi world of Balcom, and Reevis, (of Balcom which is “a thin ribbon of land that could just about support human life. And all that meant was that it wouldn’t immediately kill you.”)

There are some fabulous imaginative and descriptive passages. And the character of investigative journalist Miles Goram is well conceived as are all the supporting cast.

This is for you if you like Sci Fi, want to find out what happened to poor murdered hotel owner Nic, can see the parallels in political intrigue in what is happening in many countries (“off-Worlders go home,” and “No more useless mouths,”) tremble at the thought of the (“secret police,”) ( “the usual self-preservation story of corrupt leaders everywhere,”) and enjoy dashes of danger and excitement: (“this place is not a tourist haunt;it can be dangerous…”) and aren’t adverse to a touch of romance and some humour too!

I listened to Ribbonworld on audiobook and also have a copy on kindle. I enjoyed the narrator’s interpretation of all the voices too.

I plan to continue with the series on audiobook continuing with book 2, Jungle Green soon.

My rating: 5 stars.

You can find Richard at https://richarddeescifi.co.uk/ where you’ll find free short stories, regular features on writing, book reviews and guest appearances from other great authors.

Please support my review efforts by following my bookstagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

All my links are available via: https://linktr.ee/mjmallonauthor

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