The Mother (Broken Tomorrow) by Andrei David

Disclaimer: I received the ebook from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Mother (Broken Tomorrow)

Author: Andrei David

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 3/5

Recommended For…: Horror, fantasy

Publication Date: March 13, 2020

Publisher: Indie Published

Pages: 334

Recommended Age: 18+ (horror moments, slight violence and gore)

Synopsis: Dreamt into existence by an absolute Universal Entity, she has only one goal, to perpetuate Creation. Known as a god to many people, or simply 13 to the descendants of an elite class of warriors, she pursues her design despite unwillingly endangering humanity, already enduring the effects of a motionless Earth.
It falls upon people like Samantha or Lucian to mitigate that danger, be it of their own accord, or by 13’s request, even when doing so irreparably changes their body, and most disturbingly, their soul. They battle immortal, eerily relatable creatures, explore prohibited and perilous places lost or abandoned long ago, all to further an agenda they barely understand.
Still, no sacrifice could compensate for the lack of items unheard of even in myth. That’s where 13’s successor comes in.

Review: For the most part I liked this book. The story was interesting and the plot was intriguing from start to finish. I thought the author did well writing the book and did good with the character development and world building.

However, I did get a little confused in some of the book. The book had a confusing plot at times and the pacing was a bit fast in spots. The book also didn’t have the world building or character development as well detailed as I would have liked.

Verdict: It was pretty good for the most part.

We Could Be Heroes by Mike Chen

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: We Could Be Heroes

Author: Mike Chen

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 5/5

Recommended For…: science fiction lovers, superhero novels

Publication Date: January 26, 2021

Genre: Science Fiction

Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, villain powers)

Publisher: Mira Books

Pages: 384

Synopsis: Jamie woke up in an empty apartment with no memory and only a few clues to his identity, but with the ability to read and erase other people’s memories—a power he uses to hold up banks to buy coffee, cat food and books.

Zoe is also searching for her past, and using her abilities of speed and strength…to deliver fast food. And she’ll occasionally put on a cool suit and beat up bad guys, if she feels like it.

When the archrivals meet in a memory-loss support group, they realize the only way to reveal their hidden pasts might be through each other. As they uncover an ongoing threat, suddenly much more is at stake than their fragile friendship. With countless people at risk, Zoe and Jamie will have to recognize that sometimes being a hero starts with trusting someone else—and yourself.

Review: For the most part this was a great read! I love anything involving superheroes and the power dynamic between them and villains. I loved the character development (the author is amazing at that) and the story kept me intrigued in the read from start to finish. I also loved how funny it was. It really reminded me a lot of Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson.

The only weaknesses of the book I saw was the world building (I wish it was a bit more expanded upon) and the pacing (which was really slow in a lot of places).

Verdict: It was a good book!

The Brass Queen by Elizabeth Chatsworth

Disclaimer: I received the arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Brass Queen

Author: Elizabeth Chatsworth

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 4/5

Recommended For…: fantasy, steampunk, sci-fi, historical fiction, romance

Publication Date: January 12, 2021

Genre: Historical Sci-Fi

Recommended Age: 17+ (violence, gore, romance, slight sexual content)

Publisher: CamCat Books

Pages: 448

Synopsis: In 1897, a fiery British aristocrat and an inept US spy search for a stolen invisibility serum that could spark a global war.

Miss Constance Haltwhistle is the last in a line of blue-blooded rogue inventors. Selling exotic firearms under her alias, the ‘Brass Queen,’ has kept her baronial estate’s coffers full. But when US spy, Trusdale, saves her from assassins, she’s pulled into a search for a scientist with an invisibility serum. As royal foes create an invisible army to start a global war, Constance and Trusdale must learn to trust each other. If they don’t, the world they know will literally disappear before their eyes.

Review: For the most part I really enjoyed this book. I’ve never really had luck with steampunk inspired novels but this was a fun read with magic and we’ll explained technology. The character development was well done, the world building and magic system building was sound, and I really enjoyed the story.

The only issue I had with it is that the beginning is super slow and confusing. It took a bit for me to get into the book. I also found the romance off-putting for some reason. I can’t really name it, but I didn’t like it.

Verdict: It’s a good book, just takes a bit to get into.