Review: Eon City Burnout: A Cyberpunk Anthology

SYNOPSIS

Millions of people call Eon City home. They live their lives in glittering skyrises, flitting from place to place in sleek hovercars, synced with a digital world that gives them everything they could ever want. A shimmering energy shield protects everything they hold dear from violent solar storms.

At least, that’s what Axoprime Corporation wants you to believe.

The truth is layered as deeply as the megacity, all the way through the Underground, into the deadly Depths themselves. A truth few have been able to uncover.

Until now.

Nine authors combine their talents to explore a world equal parts delightful and dangerous, full of stories—the stories of regular people from all walks of life who, when they find themselves wrapped up in the same sinister conspiracy, face a decision.

Will they look out for themselves, like they’ve always done?

Or will they put their lives in jeopardy to uncover the forces behind a devastating attack that threatens the entire city?

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was an incredibly fast paced collection of connected cyberpunk stories written by nine different authors. I really enjoyed my time reading it. I didn’t want it to end!

The worldbuilding was great! It was detailed and immersive but never overwhelming. I felt like I was right there in the story beside all the characters. I thought it was really impressive how well the stories flowed together and connected. It was really cool!

I was familiar with and have read several of these authors' books, but there were a few new-to-me authors too. I’m excited to read more from them.

I highly recommend this collection to anyone who enjoys science fiction! I’m very eager to visit Eon City again.

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Stargazers by Ava Lauren Grayson

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring The Stargazers by Ava Lauren Grayson releasing September 15.

SYNOPSIS

THE ASTRONAUT. Sixteen-year-old blue-haired JULIA MASTROFF fears nothing, except not living up to the memory of her heroic astronaut father.

THE MECHANIC. KY NOLAN wants nothing more than to escape his criminal past, but to do that, he has to betray the one he loves most.

THE AEROSPACE ENGINEER. Daughter of a decorated military officer, NATALIE DÍAZ, might be a genius when it comes to engineering, but even better, she’s a survivor.

THE ASTRONOMER. MILO FRY has one goal in life…okay maybe two: 1) to stay alive, and 2) to become the greatest young scientist of his time. From the safety of Earth.

Attending an elite NASA training program, the American Space Academy, Julia Mastroff, Ky Nolan, Natalie Díaz, and Milo Fry are invited to be the newest members of The Stargazers Project, a top secret program that creates working teenage astronauts.

On a test mission, The Stargazers’s space shuttle is sucked into a portal and they crash on a magical planet with a past of its own. Now stranded somewhere in the universe and threatened by fae hunters, unidentified creatures, and secrets beyond their imagination, they must find a way to survive or a way to get back home.

But it gets even more complicated when Julia is saved by a Luarian hunter and she discovers she has magical abilities she did not possess before. With love entanglements and betrayals, The Stargazers must survive the creatures hunting them and unravel the mystery of the truth behind The Stargazers Project. Julia can’t and won’t leave Luella until she finds out exactly what her destiny is.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Worlds Collide (Worlds Collide Trilogy Book 1) by Clint Hall

SYNOPSIS

Five worlds at war. Only one can survive.

Ten thousand years ago, five cosmic beings—a dragon, a phoenix, a serpent, a lion, and a wolf—set their worlds on an inevitable collision course. Each civilization was given one command: destroy the rival worlds, or crash into them and die.

As the planets draw near to each other, the moment of final reckoning is at hand. In a galaxy filled with starfighters and superweapons, magic and manipulation, planet-killing devices and mechanized legions, five heroes must defend their homeworlds against overwhelming odds.

But when prophecy and destiny collide, a far greater power begins to stir—one that challenges everything they’ve been told.

Oaths will be broken. Chains will be shattered. Champions will rise. The fate of the universe hangs in the balance as these heroes discover whether any world deserves to survive.

The War of the Creators has begun.

Perfect for fans of Red Rising, The Expanse, and mythic sci-fi epics, Worlds Collide blends high-stakes interplanetary war with a legendary, fate-driven mystery—where the final battle may not be what it seems.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Enclave Publishing Store / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

It’s not often that I want to go back and immediately reread a book right after I’ve finished it, but that’s exactly what happened with Worlds Collide. What an intricate, compelling, and just downright fantastic start to this sci-fi series. I loved it so much!

The worldbuilding is stunning. So complex and detailed. It follows five different characters on five different worlds. I was afraid that with all the characters and information that I might feel overwhelmed and not be able to keep things straight, but that wasn’t the case at all. It was fascinating learning about everything. And I really enjoyed reading about each of the characters and their world. But I think my favorite was TOM. I won’t say much, but his story was so fascinating.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough. It’s one of the best books I’ve read, not just this year, but maybe ever. I can’t say enough good things about it. If you’re a fan of this genre, don’t hesitate to grab a copy. You won’t be disappointed.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Worlds Collide (Worlds Collide Trilogy Book 1) by Clint Hall

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Worlds Collide (Worlds Collide Trilogy Book 1) by Clint Hall. I was lucky enough to read an e-ARC of it and loved it! It's a definite contender for book of the year.

SYNOPSIS

Five worlds at war. Only one can survive.

Ten thousand years ago, five cosmic beings—a dragon, a phoenix, a serpent, a lion, and a wolf—set their worlds on an inevitable collision course. Each civilization was given one command: destroy the rival worlds, or crash into them and die.

As the planets draw near to each other, the moment of final reckoning is at hand. In a galaxy filled with starfighters and superweapons, magic and manipulation, planet-killing devices and mechanized legions, five heroes must defend their homeworlds against overwhelming odds.

But when prophecy and destiny collide, a far greater power begins to stir—one that challenges everything they’ve been told.

Oaths will be broken. Chains will be shattered. Champions will rise. The fate of the universe hangs in the balance as these heroes discover whether any world deserves to survive.

The War of the Creators has begun.

Perfect for fans of Red Rising, The Expanse, and mythic sci-fi epics, Worlds Collide blends high-stakes interplanetary war with a legendary, fate-driven mystery—where the final battle may not be what it seems.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Song was the perfect warrior, a living weapon, forged by the fire of the Great Cosmic Dragon. She had dedicated her life to saving her world by destroying its enemies.

Friday 56

The smoke from the funeral pyre lifted into the night sky, fading into the distant stars.

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Worlds Collide (Worlds Collide Trilogy Book 1) by Clint Hall

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Worlds Collide (Worlds Collide Trilogy Book 1) by Clint Hall releasing July 14. I actually just recently finished an ARC of this book and loved it so much! I'm so ready for it to be out so more people can read it, and I can talk about it with them.

SYNOPSIS

Five worlds at war. Only one can survive.

Ten thousand years ago, five cosmic beings—a dragon, a phoenix, a serpent, a lion, and a wolf—set their worlds on an inevitable collision course. Each civilization was given one command: destroy the rival worlds, or crash into them and die.

As the planets draw near to each other, the moment of final reckoning is at hand. In a galaxy filled with starfighters and superweapons, magic and manipulation, planet-killing devices and mechanized legions, five heroes must defend their homeworlds against overwhelming odds.

But when prophecy and destiny collide, a far greater power begins to stir—one that challenges everything they’ve been told.

Oaths will be broken. Chains will be shattered. Champions will rise. The fate of the universe hangs in the balance as these heroes discover whether any world deserves to survive.

The War of the Creators has begun.

Perfect for fans of Red Rising, The Expanse, and mythic sci-fi epics, Worlds Collide blends high-stakes interplanetary war with a legendary, fate-driven mystery—where the final battle may not be what it seems.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: All That Glows by Lauren Smyth

SYNOPSIS

The apocalypse didn’t take everyone. It just took us.

Ever since the rain turned green, Kyrie’s world has been bathed in glowing dust. She packs it into old mascara tubes and sells it as makeup alongside dried cacti, threadbare blankets, and long-expired canned food. There’s not much else to do when everyone outside Kyrie’s small town in the Mojave Desert died from the plague-bearing rain ten years ago.

Everyone—except the man in the rubber mask.

He’s on the dangerous side of the fence, huffing infected air like it’s nothing, babbling to Kyrie about college and umbrellas and yogurt and everything else that disappeared the day it rained. He doesn't seem to know that the world ended, and he has no explanation for how he survived the apocalypse. But Kyrie doesn't believe in ghosts.

She can’t trust him, but he’s right about one thing: Towns without secrets aren’t surrounded by chain-link fences. And chain-link fences won’t keep out the plague forever.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Enclave Publishing Store / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

"On the night the world ended, raindrops stained our roof tiles green."

All that Glows was a truly unique and captivating dystopia. I was invested in the story from the very beginning. The compelling first chapter gripped me and didn’t let go. I was so curious to learn more about the world, the characters, and the virus.

I enjoyed how the story unfolded piece by piece. There were clues about what had really happened, and when I finally figured it out, my mind was blown. The second half of this story flew by. There was nonstop action, and I had a hard time setting it down. I finished it in record time.

I was a big fan of Smyth’s previous book Warsafe, so I was really looking forward to this new release. It did not disappoint. In fact, I loved it even more! I can’t say enough good things about All that Glows. I know I’ll want to read it again and again. If you’re a fan of young adult dystopia or post-apocalyptic fiction, you’ll love this book! I really hope there’s a sequel.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: All That Glows by Lauren Smyth

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring All That Glows by Lauren Smyth releasing May 12.

About the Book

The apocalypse didn’t take everyone. It just took us.

Ever since the rain turned green, Kyrie’s world has been bathed in glowing dust. She packs it into old mascara tubes and sells it as makeup alongside dried cacti, threadbare blankets, and long-expired canned food. There’s not much else to do when everyone outside Kyrie’s small town in the Mojave Desert died from the plague-bearing rain ten years ago.

Everyone—except the man in the rubber mask.

He’s on the dangerous side of the fence, huffing infected air like it’s nothing, babbling to Kyrie about college and umbrellas and yogurt and everything else that disappeared the day it rained. He doesn't seem to know that the world ended, and he has no explanation for how he survived the apocalypse. But Kyrie doesn't believe in ghosts.

She can’t trust him, but he’s right about one thing: Towns without secrets aren’t surrounded by chain-link fences. And chain-link fences won’t keep out the plague forever.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: The Edge of a Knife and Other Stories by Beka Gremikova

About the Book
Monsters. They are not always easily spotted, and often easily misunderstood. Sometimes, the monsters must be slain—and sometimes, they must be saved . . .

In this collection of nine folkloric fantasy and science fiction stories, you will find a motley crew of characters facing off against monsters or accepting the monstrous within themselves, including:

~a ruthless mermaid who must make a deadly choice to free her little sister from a dangerous mistake;

~a galactic gravedigger branded a traitor for burying a rebel—and forced to decide between her beliefs and the future she’s fought to build;

~a once-wicked queen who must face her darkest self in order to help another young woman avoid an unhappy fate;

~a ghostly creature trapped in a spaceship full of secrets—secrets that may destroy the young man set to inherit the ship’s dark legacy;

~and a desperate thief on the run, who must decide whether the wolf shifter tracking her down is a foe . . . or her best chance at survival.

Full of beauty and brokenness, romance and revenge, madness and mercy, these stories may just have you rooting for the monsters . . .

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

What a great collection of short stories! I loved every single one, which doesn’t always happen in a collection like this. Each one was impactful and meaningful. Some were dark, while others were funny. There was a good mix. It’s always impressive how much Gremikova can pack into such a small package.

The Edge of a Knife
This was a Little Mermaid retelling told from the perspective of one of her sisters. It was emotional and about sacrificial love and sisterly bonds. It had me tearing up.

The Stardust Smugglers
This was a fun and action-packed story about an investigator who captures smugglers with the help of his dog. I loved the surprising twist!

Golden Child
This was a tragic Romeo and Juliet/King Midas retelling. I enjoyed the unique combination of those stories.

Pay the Piper
This was a Pied Piper retelling about ambition and the price you’re willing to pay for it and the consequences thereafter. This had a twist I never saw coming! Loved it!

Every Bone in the Body
Set in space, this was a heavy and sad tale that had me invested from the very beginning.

Like a Fox
This was about a fox shifter who couldn’t shift. I felt so bad for the way Veya was treated but loved the hopeful ending.

Rats in the Grain
A foundling is tasked with getting rid of Plague Rats on the farm where she was sent. I loved this story. It was unique and had a great ending.

Echo among the Stars
Set in space, a young man learns about the family business and the disturbing secret that’s kept them successful. I really appreciated the anxiety rep in this story.

Once Upon a Pumpkin
This was my favorite story of the collection. I loved the mashup of fairytales and really enjoyed seeing a different side to one of the villains.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Harlow Morgan and the Sky City (Harlow Morgan, Book 1) by Lyndsey Lewellen

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Harlow Morgan and the Sky City (Harlow Morgan, Book 1) by Lyndsey Lewellen releasing November 17.

About the Book

Harlow Morgan: airship pilot, trouble magnet, possibly glowing.

Airship pilot-in-training, Harlow Morgan is a wiz in the sky—but her father’s disappointment on the ground.

In the steam-powered nation of Corshire, where science reigns and magic is outlawed, Harlow’s famous inventor father expects perfection. Her twin sister delivers. Harlow? Not so much. She’d rather be flying airships at the Academy than following in his brilliant footsteps.

But when a reckless lie puts a classmate’s future at risk—and exposes a hidden magical artifact tied to her family—Harlow finds herself swept into a dangerous underground war. With strange light burning across her skin and outlaw sorcerers on her trail, Harlow teams up with the boy she betrayed to unlock the truth behind the artifact… and survive the city in the sky.

If the deadly Magics don’t get her first, her father’s secrets just might.

With flying cities, wild inventions, secret magic, and a spunky heroine, Harlow Morgan and the Sky City launches The Harlow Morgan series, a middle grade fantasy series perfect for fans of Nevermoor, Keeper of the Lost Cities, and The Wingfeather Saga. A fun read for readers 10 and up!

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Maxine Justice: Public Offender by Daniel Schwabauer

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Maxine Justice: Public Offender by Daniel Schwabauer releasing November 4. I loved the first book in this series, so I was ecstatic when I heard about this sequel!

About the Book

The case she didn’t need. The client she didn’t want. The trial she couldn’t win.

Fresh off her single-handed defense against alien adversaries in a galactic courtroom, Maxine Justice discovers that saving the Earth is not enough to earn a hero’s welcome back home. Once again broke and now looking for revenge, her return to night court as a public defender takes an immediate detour when she’s tasked with defending a Therapod murder suspect.

The case drags her into the quirky theories of her new client, Father Gilbert Barthes, and the corrupt underbelly of corporate robotics. As her defense takes on global significance, Maxine lands squarely in the crosshairs of new enemies determined to conceal their plans for acquiring the planet. Worse, her probably guilty client may be the only one who can expose what’s really happening.

Stripped of all credibility and most of her friends, can Maxine find some way to save humanity when the world is bent on self-destruction? Or will Earth finally succumb to the most unlikely deception?

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Augmented (The Hybrid Series Book 3) by Candace Kade

About the Book

Lee Urban must win to survive.

After being sentenced to the banned list, half of the Asian Federation believes Lee Urban is a ticking time bomb that could end the world as they know it. They’re willing to do anything to erase her existence and silence her voice before she can take a stand.

There’s only one way to fight back: enroll in the Race to the Clouds. Winning the competition would garner global media attention and give Urban the coverage she needs to dismantle the enhancement programs. Unfortunately, it also happens to be the deadliest event of the year.

With less time to train than her rivals, Urban and her team must find a way to best the competition. But as enemies close in, riots erupt, and her homeland teeters on the brink of civil war, one thing is certain—she’s running out of time. Not just for herself, but for every Natural she represents.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Enclave Publishing Store / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

What a fantastic conclusion to this series! I was both excited and nervous for it. I loved the first two books and wondered how everything would wrap up in this final installment. It blew all my expectations out of the water. I loved it so much!

It starts right where the last book left off, and I was immediately gripped. There were action-packed moments that had me losing my breath. My anxiety was so high. I couldn't read fast enough.

This was not a predictable read by any means. I never knew what was going to happen next. The Race to the Clouds was really interesting. And dangerous. But I really admired Urban's determination in the midst of daunting odds.

I've really enjoyed watching Urban's journey and growth throughout this whole series. It was inspiring. I highly recommend it to fans of YA science fiction. This is not a standalone, so be sure to start with book one, Enhanced.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Singularity (The Eternities Book 2) by Shannon McDermott

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Singularity (The Eternities Book 2) by Shannon McDermott releasing October 7.

About the Book

Machines in rebellion, humanity on the brink . . .

Lila Stanislaw, a freelance analyst with a roster of foreign clients, is summoned by the U.S. government to hunt down a mysterious threat. She joins a team of strangers with pasts as colorful as her own. The mission spirals when they discover that the AI created to run the new colony on Mars has gone rogue on Earth. As the conflict mounts to war, Speaker of the House Manasseh Cruz joins the fight with an implacable will to destroy the enemy. But the team, racing to find any vulnerability, must first confront the question of what the AI truly is.

As robots stalk the landscape and toxins poison the air, Lila is certain that the AI must be completely destroyed for the good of humanity. But she will find that not all humans, or even all of her teammates, agree.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Beneath False Stars (Project Integration Book 1) by S.D. Grimm

About the Book

What they don’t see will hurt them.

The day to open the centuries-old Dome gates and reintegrate genetically engineered people back into normal society has arrived. There's one caveat—their powers must remain suppressed.

Amidst this Project Integration Initiative, hacker Ryleigh Stevens has her whole life planned out. The plan? Prevent a second Universal Tech War in two simple steps. First, help Project Integration Phase One succeed—but not for the reason she pretends. Next, infiltrate the rebellion and sabotage Phase Two—the part that would grant people unbridled access to their superhuman abilities.

Too bad the one person who can make her plan reality is her sworn enemy. He’s dangerous. He’s Powered. And he’s the reason her brother is dead. Faced with an impossible choice, Ryleigh must decide how to do what’s right for the good of all humanity, even if it means sacrificing everything she holds dear—again.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Enclave Publishing Store / Goodreads / Author Website

MY THOUGHTS

This is science fiction at its finest! I absolutely loved it! The world-building was great! I loved discovering this high-tech, futuristic world. It was fascinating seeing all the new tech. (A little scary too.) But I felt completely immersed in the story.

Ryleigh was a great character. She was relatable and realistic in her reactions. She was a little impulsive at times, which could lead to some trouble. But there was a lot riding on Project Integration, and you could tell how much it meant to her.

Knox was a really interesting and complex character, and I really enjoyed getting to know him better.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was seeing all the strong friendships. I loved watching the characters bond and grow together.

This high-stakes sci-fi story exceeded all expectations. It's full of intrigue and surprising twists and revelations I never saw coming. I want to say more, but I don't want to spoil anything. If you're a fan of this genre, don't hesitate to grab a copy of this book. Run and get it! You'll love it! I can't wait for book two!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Review: Hybrid (The Hybrid Series Book 2) by Candace Kade

About the Book

Lee Urban's search for truth could destroy everything.

After narrowly surviving several attempts on her life, Lee Urban retreats into hiding, seeking refuge with her family for the Lunar New Year. But the relaxing holiday turns into a heist when someone crashes the party with intel on the hybrid’s identity.

Driven by desperation, Urban accepts a position within the elite Dragons AI team, a high-stakes gamble that will propel her into the heart of the turbulent West. As she follows the elusive clues to the hybrid, the journey takes her closer to uncovering the truths about her own origins and the odd circumstances surrounding her adoption.

Tensions between the Enhanced and Naturals grow increasingly violent, and the Western Federation teeters on the brink of civil war. Urban's choices threaten to tear her family apart, and the secrets she unearths just might shatter the delicate balance of society.

Amazon / Enclave Publishing Store / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I loved this heart-pounding sci-fi thrill ride! It was exciting, fast-paced, and impossible to put down.

It’s been a while since I read the first book, so I was worried it might take a little bit to get back into this world. I shouldn’t have worried. I was able to dive right back in with no problem.

The worldbuilding is stunning! Intricate and detailed, yet never overwhelming. Futuristic yet not out of the realm of possibility. The tech and gadgets were really interesting! Just as I thought with the first book, this is one of the most impressive and unique stories I’ve had the pleasure of reading.

The second half of the book takes Urban to the Western Federation. It was really interesting to see how it differed from the Asian Federation.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys exciting, clean young adult science fiction. Be sure to start with book one, though. This is not a standalone. I can't wait for the next book!

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Augmented (The Hybrid Series Book 3) by Candace Kade

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Augmented (The Hybrid Series Book 3) by Candace Kade releasing September 16. I just finished reading Hybrid, the second book in the series, and am so excited for this one!

About the Book

Lee Urban must win to survive.

After being sentenced to the banned list, half of the Asian Federation believes Lee Urban is a ticking time bomb that could end the world as they know it. They’re willing to do anything to erase her existence and silence her voice before she can take a stand.

There’s only one way to fight back: enroll in the Race to the Clouds. Winning the competition would garner global media attention and give Urban the coverage she needs to dismantle the enhancement programs. Unfortunately, it also happens to be the deadliest event of the year.

With less time to train than her rivals, Urban and her team must find a way to best the competition. But as enemies close in, riots erupt, and her homeland teeters on the brink of civil war, one thing is certain—she’s running out of time. Not just for herself, but for every Natural she represents.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Hybrid (The Hybrid Series Book 2) by Candace Kade

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Hybrid (The Hybrid Series Book 2) by Candace Kade. I'm really enjoying it so far! 

About the Book

Lee Urban's search for truth could destroy everything.

After narrowly surviving several attempts on her life, Lee Urban retreats into hiding, seeking refuge with her family for the Lunar New Year. But the relaxing holiday turns into a heist when someone crashes the party with intel on the hybrid’s identity.

Driven by desperation, Urban accepts a position within the elite Dragons AI team, a high-stakes gamble that will propel her into the heart of the turbulent West. As she follows the elusive clues to the hybrid, the journey takes her closer to uncovering the truths about her own origins and the odd circumstances surrounding her adoption.

Tensions between the Enhanced and Naturals grow increasingly violent, and the Western Federation teeters on the brink of civil war. Urban's choices threaten to tear her family apart, and the secrets she unearths just might shatter the delicate balance of society.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Urban aimed straight for the dragon. The creature's bulbous eyes and enormous fangs grew larger as she pulled hard on the throttle of her motorcycle.

Friday 56

"We can't always choose our family." Uncle Chang nodded at Lucas, who had collapsed in a fit of hysterical laughter on stage. "But we can choose to make the most of the family we have."

What have you been reading lately?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Beneath False Stars (Project Integration Book 1) by S.D. Grimm

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Beneath False Stars (Project Integration Book 1) by S.D. Grimm releasing September 9. 

About the Book

What they don’t see will hurt them.

The day to open the centuries-old Dome gates and reintegrate genetically engineered people back into normal society has arrived. There's one caveat—their powers must remain suppressed.

Amidst this Project Integration Initiative, hacker Ryleigh Stevens has her whole life planned out. The plan? Prevent a second Universal Tech War in two simple steps. First, help Project Integration Phase One succeed—but not for the reason she pretends. Next, infiltrate the rebellion and sabotage Phase Two—the part that would grant people unbridled access to their superhuman abilities.

Too bad the one person who can make her plan reality is her sworn enemy. He’s dangerous. He’s Powered. And he’s the reason her brother is dead. Faced with an impossible choice, Ryleigh must decide how to do what’s right for the good of all humanity, even if it means sacrificing everything she holds dear—again.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: The Crier Stone (The Chaos Grid Book 2) by Lyndsey Lewellen

About the Book

Brave the Plex. Unleash the stone. Embrace your destiny.

Freshly freed from an earth-dwelling monster, Juniper Conway is stuck with a promise she never intended to make. But if rescuing Plex City from a deadly nano drug is what she vowed, it’s what she’ll do.

Miles of wasteland stretch between Juniper and the domed city. In the Texas Outer Grid, following a tribe of whalers seems to be her best bet at surviving the chaotic storms. But when the nomadic tribes prove just as dangerous as the Grid itself, Juniper realizes her streak of bad luck is far from over.

Only her shipping crew friends can help her through the waste and into the Plex. When the crier stone guiding her mission only shows her fragmented steps, Juniper will need more than the stone around her neck and a halfhearted promise to make it out alive.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Enclave Publishing Store / Goodreads / Author Website

MY THOUGHTS

What an epic sequel to The Chaos Grid! This high-stakes story exceeded all my expectations! I was hooked from the very first sentence and flew through the pages. The lightning-fast pace had me catching my breath as I tried to keep up!

The worldbuilding in this series is fantastic! As a lifelong Texas native, it’s been really interesting to see this possible future! Slightly terrifying too, lol!

I loved how, despite all the dangerous and crazy things Juna encountered, she still trusted God and His plans. She might not have understood why He was calling her to do it, but she knew there was a purpose to it all. I absolutely loved seeing that kind of strong faith!

This is one of the most imaginative dystopias that I’ve read. If you’re a fan of this genre, pick up a copy of this series! You won’t be disappointed. Be sure to start with book one.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Review: Warsafe by Lauren Smyth

About the Book

Play. Win. Survive.

There’s one building on her island that Halley has never visited: the Mercenary House. Perched atop a mountain, surrounded by unnaturally evergreen foliage, the House is rumored to be a breeding ground for criminals. Mercenaries are liars, cheats, spies . . . and maybe, depending on who you ask, killers.

At the Warsafe headquarters in Seattle, Roscoe is beta testing the company’s new video game. It’s her job to track down glitches—but something is different about this one. Lurking behind the lines of malfunctioning code is a secret that threatens to drag her deeper into the game, forcing her to put her life on the line if she ever wants to come home.

Worlds collide as Roscoe teams up with Halley to uncover the island’s secret and expose Warsafe’s designs. But some mysteries are better left unsolved. As traitor after so-called traitor is revealed to be on their side, they begin to wonder: Could Warsafe’s mission be critical enough to justify its cruelty?

Amazon / Enclave Publishing Store / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Y'all! This book was fantastic! Where do I even begin? It's a thrill ride from start to finish. We're thrown right into the story, and I was instantly intrigued and invested. I was glued to the pages and reading as fast as I could. I didn't want to put the book down for anything, but when I inevitably had to, it was constantly on my mind.

The world-building was great! Very believable! It was so immersive, like I could just step through the pages and enter the world myself.

There are several different POVs. When there are multiple perspectives like that, I'm usually drawn to one more so than the others, but I enjoyed them all equally here. I really liked the characters and enjoyed getting to know them and seeing things through their unique viewpoints.

I'm a big gamer, so all of the video game stuff was really interesting to me! I was definitely shocked by some of the turn of events. It kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat.

This was an incredibly compelling and unputdownable read! I loved it and highly recommend it! Smyth is a very talented author, and I'm looking forward to whatever she writes next.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my own honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Warsafe by Lauren Smyth

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Warsafe by Lauren Smyth. I'm almost halfway done with my ARC and am loving it! 

About the Book

Play. Win. Survive.

There’s one building on her island that Halley has never visited: the Mercenary House. Perched atop a mountain, surrounded by unnaturally evergreen foliage, the House is rumored to be a breeding ground for criminals. Mercenaries are liars, cheats, spies . . . and maybe, depending on who you ask, killers.

At the Warsafe headquarters in Seattle, Roscoe is beta testing the company’s new video game. It’s her job to track down glitches—but something is different about this one. Lurking behind the lines of malfunctioning code is a secret that threatens to drag her deeper into the game, forcing her to put her life on the line if she ever wants to come home.

Worlds collide as Roscoe teams up with Halley to uncover the island’s secret and expose Warsafe’s designs. But some mysteries are better left unsolved. As traitor after so-called traitor is revealed to be on their side, they begin to wonder: Could Warsafe’s mission be critical enough to justify its cruelty?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

I'd seen her name at the bottom of the list that morning. I remembered thinking it was a miracle she hadn't been killed yet. But I was more interested in the names at the top of the list - those who still had a fighting chance to win the game - and I soon forgot about her. It's hard to worry about mortality when you're scrubbing burnt egg off a saucepan.

Friday 56

"You were amazing," Roscoe blurted. "You've got the system figured out. I thought this was one of those games where you just charge in and shoot on sight, but you made it look so much easier than that."

What have you been reading lately?