Category Archives: Sci Fi

#WOTR22 #Review – The Red Assassin (The Genesis Trilogy Book 1) by Taki Kasai

The Red Assassin (The Genesis Trilogy Book 1) by [Taki Kasai]

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

An elaborate game with a formidable opponent.

The Red Assassin has left me wanting, no, needing more! I am finding that I love me some sci-fi and cyborgs!!! This story has the best of everything. There is a great back story for both main characters with intriguing world-building, but one of the best parts is the relationships between all of the characters. There is the right amount of sarcasm, strife, cynicism, and game playing. You will feel like you are right in the middle of this crazy cataclysm. There is a love story (actually, I think there could be a few with some of the back characters and I am super excited to see this progress!!) with the perfect amount of angst and sweetness, but nothing is way over the top.

Sorina was minding her own business then wakes up a year later with no memory and metal body parts. Talk about feeling “out of sorts”. Ultimately, she becomes an assassin for the government, but her morals come to the forefront when she realizes she enjoys killing and is good at it.

Gravvill is the soldier that saves her but also dooms her. He is made to train Sorina but also must keep his space. You’ll have to read it to see why. 😊

On top of all this craziness, there is an elaborate game being played between the “Director” and the “Deathly Hacker”. The back and forth between these two really add to the story. They literally have me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who the Deathly Hacker is. When I thought I had it figured out, I was second guessing myself. I have no clue and still have no clue!

What I am trying to get at here is that this is a fantastic story by a wonderful author who has a new fan! I’m that fan! I highly recommend this one!

An image posted by the author.

#WOTR22 #Review – The Seer (The Aberration Book 3) by Michel Prince

The Seer (The Aberration Book 3) by [Michel Prince]

Since Aberrations started appearing across the globe, the world was trapped in a communal nightmare. Children tossed away, instead of nurtured. Their gifts only seen as dangers, not a blessing, all hitting the teenagers right as they are trying to come into themselves.

At some point we all get lost in our dreams of what will be or what could be, but for Peyton Lark, trying to find the right path in his visions has him slipping into a delirium of insanity. The Seer among those who’ve hidden away on an island knows when visions increase, they are closing in on becoming reality.

While he has the ability to see danger coming, it doesn’t mean he can find the path to avoid it. With his other half, his love Claire Lawrence, being taken from him over and over in painful nightmares his main focus turns to saving her, with the rest a distant second. But the path isn’t changing no matter how much he tries to manipulate the dream.

Can Peyton find the way to save those around them from a weapon created for their complete annihilation? Or will he at least be able to spin the dream to save the one person who anchors him fully?

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I couldn’t wait for Peyton’s story and I am so glad we finally have it! Peyton came from a good home with good parents but because of his birthdate, was sent to an aberration camp where he endured the unthinkable. Once he was able to escape, he found his place with others like him in Satori. They have all, Aberrations and Harveys (the normal), had to run as they are now being hunted by an Aberration Elder that is the current president. Peyton is a computer whiz and incredibly smart but his greatest strength is also his weakness. He is a seer and gets visions of the future. The only problem is that the future is always changing. He sees the same nightmare over and over where Clair is ripped away from him and no matter what he does or how hard he tries; he cannot manipulate anything to make this future change. He is finding that he is starting to blame himself but also questioning who he can trust. He feels like he is literally going insane. These hunters will never stop and finally Peyton has a breakthrough. He is thinking about things the wrong way. He needs to have EVERYONE work together. No prejudices and social classes. No more what ifs plaguing him to the point of madness. The time has come to band together and get ready for the inevitable. However, when the inevitable comes, another crazy twist comes at us and brings an entirely new type of torture to endure and get through. This story is an incredibly well written YA that can definitely get us adults on edge and turning the pages like crazy. I highly recommend this series and cannot wait for the next installment!

Michel Prince

#Review – Quantum Entanglement: Part One (Legion of Supernatural Academy Series Book 1) by S.R. Watson and Ryan Stacks

Quantum Entanglement: Part One (Legion of Supernatural Academy Series Book 1) by [S. R. Watson, Ryan Stacks]

There are no such things as witches, warlocks, vampires, and shapeshifters … or so we thought! Before everything changed three days ago, we would have agreed with you.

Three days ago, we didn’t have supernatural abilities we couldn’t explain.

Three days ago, we weren’t being hunted for these abilities.

Three days ago, we weren’t being rescued and recruited into a supernatural academy.

We were two strangers. Only two of our kind. What happens when other supernatural beings find out that we exist?

Genesis and Elysian are quantum entangled for a singular purpose. Their recruitment to the Legion of Supernatural Academy is unexpected but vital to the future of humanity. This unique series takes the world of supernatural academies to new heights with twisted tales, suspense-driven fantasy, and self-discovery.

Goodreads

Review by  Kelly

A unique twist on the supernatural! It can be difficult to shake things up a bit when it comes to the supernatural community…but yay! These two did it! There are vampires, werewolves, witches, oh my! But when Elysian and Genesis, seemingly normal random college students start having weird things happen around them out of the blue, things start to get crazy! There is a lot of self-discoveries for both of them. They are strangers but connected. How exactly does that happen? Fate? What they find is very mind boggling but what happens to each one as a result is downright scary, but exciting. As they are learning about themselves, each other, and making new friends….the crazy starts to come out. These two have a very intense pull because of this unknown connection, but what they don’t know is if it is predesigned or not. This causes a lot of hesitation for them. The romance portion of this starts as a slow burn but then the fireworks happen….and get ready to fan yourself because it gets HAWT!!! In the midst of all of this, they have become targets because of their powers. This erupts in a hellacious fight. But wait, there’s more! About the time that you think things may calm down, the authors add in a lovely, twisted ploy at the end that keeps you needing more. There are some typos that threw me off some and I wish the big fight scene had more detail or was drawn out more, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the story. Overall, this was a great book and I look forward to reading about Imogen and Rhys and seeing what shenanigans they bring!

S.R. Watson: USA Today Bestselling Author, S. R. Watson, is a Texas native who currently resides in Washington with her children. She grew up reading the Sweet Valley series (Twins, High, & University) among others. Although she wrote countless stories during high school, she’d never published any of them. She continued her education and became an operating room registered nurse. The pursuit towards earning her degrees, meant less time for leisure reading and writing for a bit. After picking up reading again, starting with the Twilight series and 50 Shades Trilogy, she decided to pursue her passion for writing once again.

S. R. Watson (also writes as S. Reneé) published her first book in 2014. She is the author of the Forbidden Trilogy, The Object of His Desire, and the co-authored S.I.N. Trilogy. She co-authored Peppermint Mocha Love, R.L. Harmon (also writes as Ryan Stacks). The duo also collaborated on Unforbidden and Silas Part Two with more to come.

When S. R. Watson is not writing, or working as travel OR nurse, she loves to read and binge watch her favorite shows (Scandal, Elementary, Big Brother, etc.)

Ryan Stacks: USA Today Bestselling Author, Ryan Stacks, is a Walla Walla, WA native who currently reside in Utah with his wife Anna. Most would consider him a jack of all trades. His first love is wrestling and he’s wrestled his entire life. In addition to his talents on the mat, Ryan has many achievements. He’s a published international cover model and he released his first book, Peppermint Mocha Love with SR Watson in December 2017. For this novella, he debuted as both an author and cover photographer. Ryan Stacks has partnered with S.R. Watson to create many more stories that’ll take you for a ride.

When Ryan Stacks is not writing, he spends his time making fun TikToks, traveling, so being active with the youth in his community by coaching wrestling & helping in Young Life as a leader. In addition to his commitment to the community, Ryan has taken his fitness career to new highs as a men’s physique competitor – placing top 3 at the national level.

#WOTR21 – #Review – Outbreak: A Zombie Novel by L.C. Mortimer aka Sophie Stern

Outbreak: A Zombie Novel

Emily thought she could survive the apocalypse and save her sister from hordes of undead. She was wrong. By the time she found her sister, it was too late. All hope was shattered. Heartbroken and disillusioned, Emily returns home. There’s just one problem: her haven is no longer empty. Someone has moved in.

Neil was a leader long enough to know when to cut his losses. Surviving in the city was one major loss. He gathered his friends and hoofed it to the forest. He knew there would be abandoned farmhouses and plenty of land. The fewer inhabitants before the apocalypse struck, the fewer zombies to deal with after.

The house they find is incredible. It’s isolated, well stocked with food, and Neil even finds a few loaded guns. Soon it becomes obvious that the home isn’t as empty as they originally thought, however. When the owner returns, she demands that Neil and his friends move out. She seems to have no problem with the idea of tossing them out on their asses, but there’s a major problem.

A storm is coming, and it carries with it a greater threat than just zombies.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I received this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Zombies! Need I say more? This is a standalone novel that gives you a bit of everything. There are so many emotions that are part of this journey, and everyone has their own story with their own demons to fight. This story brought a rag tag group of travelers together and they almost made it work. You know that saying “When it rains, it pours”? Well, just when this group seems to catch a break, the sh!! hits the fan. The characters are very relatable. They are regular people like you and me who were trying to figure life out. Then, BAM! They are forced to survive. Each character’s back story will humble you. It’ll really make you wonder what would really happen and how would you handle it. Each had their vices and crazy as it may seem, they even had some happy times during the Z apocalypse. This story will make you laugh, will give you the warm and fuzzies, and some of it can be a bit gory. Best of all, you will NOT see what is coming and are definitely not ready for the end. I swear that when I finished this book, I had one of these moments that just made me sit there, like wow, that happened. I had a book hangover! I am still going over this in my head going, how could that have happened? Seriously, you need to read this!

L. C. Mortimer

L.C. Mortimer likes zombies, shifters, and things that go bump in the night. When she’s not busy dreaming up her next story, Mortimer can be found dancing, traveling, or curled up with a cozy mystery.

#WOTR21 – #Review – The Only Sorceress by Anya Breton

Self-proclaimed sorceress Kora Walsh knows exactly how to use her shiny new MBA. She’ll open a new age shop in a colony of the country’s most powerful witches. But the town rife with bigots doesn’t want her or her sleek shop tainting their perfect community.

Kora would leave if she had any choice in the matter. She’s trained from childhood for her true task—infiltrating coven leadership as her mother’s mole. Failure to do her familial duty is not an option, not when her childhood nemesis is assured her failed soul for an eternity of torture.

And thanks to the colony’s loudest supporter, the beautiful Desmond Marino, failure is a very real danger.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I absolutely love this story! Kora is the daughter of the goddess of magic, but she is half human. What does that mean for her? Yep, she must live topside with all of us humans….and shifters, witches, and vampires, oh my! Since she is half human and has to live with all of us mere humans, she has to work and make a living. On top of that, she has to do “odd” jobs for her mother that include being dropped in strange places to stop rogue witches from doing crazy things. Her most recent mission is to infiltrate the leaders of Wipuk, a secret society of supernaturals. She is up against the odds with all sorts of different creatures all while trying to open her very own “Rarities” store. Kora is an awesome and quirky character who gets put in the middle of some really strange and bizarre situations. But how she handles these is epic. She is sarcastic and witty. It is these characteristics that keep everyone around her on their toes all while keeping you engrossed in the story. Kora’s story is exciting and engaging. I cannot wait to continue this journey.

Anya Breton

Anya Breton is a web monkey with an obsession for nail polish and rubber chickens. Her fears include Peeps and people who hate clowns. Her genres include erotic romance, urban fantasy, and young adult–all with a little quirk. She lives in the Midwest where land is cheap and corn is cheaper.

#WOTR21 – #Review – #NewRelease – Amara Acquired by Michel Prince

Amara Acquired

In 2002 four planes disappeared over Western Wisconsin, thirteen years later one has requested landing privileges.

Jocelyn ‘Joss’ Randall is on a time crunch. A business trip to Detroit already had her plane bumped an hour and for some reason the plane is taxiing on the runway forever when they finally land in Minneapolis. Her seatmate is annoying her with fears of missing her connection and all Joss wants is to see her baby Molly and get to a birthday party for her niece. The last thing she expected was a week in Detroit would feel like a decade.

Carlton Randall is finally to the point of moving on with his life. His teenage daughter Molly is yearning for independence and his long distance girlfriend Carrie has been transferred to Minneapolis. Things are falling into place for his grief to end. The
loss of his wife, with no remains to claim left him questioning for years. Accepting the mysterious loss only to have the woman appear. Young, unchanged and with no understanding how her one-year-old is now fourteen.

Distance between Joss and Carlton isn’t a new thing, but when he refuses to touch her, looks a decade older and refers to her as an it, not a his wife, the divide is growing. Strange language, lost thoughts and dreams in the form of memories haunting Joss does not help the situation.

Is the man haunting her dreams truth or fiction? Has she learned a language never heard before by anyone on Earth? And if this dream world is real, is that where more than her heart lies?

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I received this ARC from Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.

What a whirlwind! With Fate at its finest and glitches in the system, this is an insane story that is gripping with so many twists. You will remain completely engaged from beginning to end. One night Joss’ plane disappears without a trace along with 3 others. 13 years later she reappears completely unchanged, and the details of the other planes keep changing. She finds that she is haunted by a strange man from a strange place, and she keeps speaking crazy weird words in a language that no one knows. She feels like she is going crazy. Her husband, Carl, had finally come to terms with Joss being gone, he is raising a teenage daughter that reminds him everyday of Joss, and has a new love in his life that he truly feels at peace with. Now Joss and Carl are all over the place with their emotions. They both know that they were drifting apart before Joss left but what now? How do you move on from this? Move forward? Their story completely pulls at your heartstrings. They both truly found themselves when they were apart, and the hard part is what do they do now? What about their teenage daughter, Molly? There are a million questions, incredible emotions, a great cast of diverse characters, with crazy incredible settings. Oh, I didn’t mention the ending….one helluva ending! Wowza! I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

Michel Prince

USA Today Bestselling author, Michel Prince, graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes new adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.

“Ms Prince writing is like summer breeze caressing your body, slow and sultry.”-Amazon review of First and Ten.

“Michel Prince is a wonderful author with a real talent for writing.”-Amazon Review of Triple B Baking Co.

“Prince explores in her novels is interracial romance and friendships. Prince pokes fun at stereotypes, but never allows stereotypes to guide her plot. The focus is on creating two strong, independent characters who can stand on their own, but complement each other as a couple.”- Amazon Review of Silly Girl

“One Last Sunset is a well written story by the awesome Michel Prince that left me wanting to learn more about the rest of the Long family.”- Amazon Review for One Last Sunset.

“I could not put it down, and will definitely be looking for more from this Author.”-Amazon Review of Silly Girl.

With characters yelling “It’s my turn damn it!!!” She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.

When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or cheering for her son in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.

Michel has been awarded Elite Status with Rebel Ink Press in 2013, the service award for her local RWA chapter Midwest Fiction Writers 2013, 2014, won 2015 Sweetest Romance from IREA for Chrysalis and is a PAN member of RWA. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, and new puppy.

#WOTR – #Review – The Amalgam (The Aberration Book 1) by Michel Prince

The Amalgam (The Aberration Book 1)

Genetics, radioactive spiders, mutation following tainted energy drinks. No one knows what triggered teens to suddenly get powers. Abilities emerge, first sought, then destroying lives with only one link between those effected. Their birthdays all end in double zeroes.

Riley Weston wished he could be an awkward kid in high school, but life had other plans. The Aberration Laws made all around him suspect, until the wheel of fate turned to point her arrow at him.

At first being labeled an Aberration would get you locked away for the greater good. When it was discovered children born in the year two-thousand are the only ones getting powers, no one is immune. Even if your powers have yet to emerge. The government is set on owning all those in possession of abilities.

For Riley, a camp, ran by Aberrations, hides, trains, and keeps them safe. But the world wants their powers. To meld them into a force no army could defeat. Riley, and those like him, now walk the world scared, angry and afraid. Which is not the combo you want with unlimited powers.

Can Riley learn to control his gift before outside forces find him? Or before inside sources give away more than just him, but the whole camp.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Did you read the blurb?! Mutations, aberrations, genetics….YA Sci Fi? Sign me up! This is something straight out of a superhero comic! I live for this stuff! This story is an intricately woven fantastical tale that never leaves you with a dull moment. Right from the jump, Riley’s house is being searched and he is in a sort of panic room or safe room. He has been forced to live in secrecy for fear of being taken to a type of detainment camp to be experimented on. The time has come for him to secretly be taken to a secret camp with others like him. His mom and dad basically have to smuggle him out and make a secret trade for this to happen. All hell breaks loose and Riley is swept away to the camp. Only, it’s not exactly a camp. This is a massive center with tons of others that are “special” like him and others that are “normal” with no powers. He quickly finds out that not everyone can be trusted. And as his power starts coming to fruition. Only he finds that he doesn’t have just one power like the other aberrations,  but multiple. Now we have a teenage boy that has been thrust into a crazy situation that he is trying to navigate, he needs to learn his powers, all while being scared and confused. This is a dangerous combo. But wait, there’s more! He finds an incredible group of friends that he can absolutely rely on but when you are told that you may be “the one”…How are you supposed to react?! And don’t forget, we still don’t know who to trust. 

There is an incredible explanation as to why these kids have powers. The way that these teens figure it out and explain it, brings a historical type of element to this book. Gods and goddesses from way back when could all be part of who they are today. And when stuff really starts to go haywire, the truth starts coming out with even more twists coming your way. 

Seriously, if you need something different to shake things up, this is the book that will do it for you. I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the sequel. Bravo, Ms. Prince! Loved it!

Michel Prince

Michel Prince is an author who graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes young adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.

With characters yelling “It’s my turn damn it!!!” She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.

When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or cheering for her son in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.

Michel is a member of RWA Pro and Midwest Fiction Writers. In 2013 she was awarded Elite Status with Rebel Ink Press. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, and cat.

#Review – Dawn of Genesis (Titan Code Book 1) by Rey Clark

Dawn of Genesis (Titan Code Book 1) by [Rey Clark]

Soft Science Fiction Cygnus International Award Finalist.

Scientists have genetically engineered a race of mutants with superhero-like abilities.

Earth is dying and mutants which no longer wishes to follow orders of the tyrannical government. Rebel Evos and government factions clash in a fight for survival and control. Tessa must choose a side, but both sides seem corrupted by power.

What happens when the world goes sideways on humanity? Humans have pushed Mother Earth to her breaking point and our worst fears are realized. To survive, scientists turn to genetically enhanced super-humans as our saviors. What happens when our saviors realize they are the superior species and they no longer wish to take orders?

Tessa struggles to survive the harsh new environment of earth in addition to hostile super-humans called Evos. Common people are stuck between the fight for power between what remains of human government factions and new Evo leaders. Tessa is forced to make a choice on which side has humanity’s best interests in mind. She begins to realize the greedy and destructive nature of humanity and the possibility that neither side is righteous, and both are corrupted by power.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

The story starts out with a bang and the action continues clear to the end of the book. Tessa lives in a post apoc world on a ravaged earth where everyone is just trying to survive. The basic humans try to do their part and lay low so as not to bring down the wrath of the Evos, the superhumans, who stopped taking orders from us lowly humans a long time ago. Tessa is pushed to the brink when an Evo attacks her school and her sister is missing. She and her best friends are put in the middle of a fight trying to save her sister and Tessa finds she may have some abilities of her own. She then gets to meet some other Evos who are trying to bring the bad Evos down so that everyone can live in harmony. She feels that she is being manipulated for her powers and this causes her to struggle with figuring out where she belongs in this crazy new world. 

The story was written well with good world building and a great story line. There is also the political component that lurks in the midst of the story. Each side thinks they are right and Tessa has to figure out where she belongs or if she tries to run from them both. There were quite a few typos in the book and some areas were a little difficult to read because of this. Overall the story was great and definitely has me intrigued. A solid 4 stars.

Rey Clark

Rey Clark is a fantasy/science fiction author.

Path of Ascension Trilogy is completed (Epic Fantasy)
Flames of Valor, Fire Forged, & Inferno Rising

Titan Code Series (Urban Fantasy/Science Fiction)
Dawn of Genesis, Age of Redemption (2020), & Final Legacy (2021)

Legends Chronicles (Middle-Grade Urban/High Fantasy)
Legends of the Vale, Legends of the Weirded Ways (2020), Legends of the Phoenix Flame (2022)

Runemaster Saga (Historical Urban Fantasy)
Dusk (2020)

Realm of Thrual a new project with details coming soon.

Other projects involve a cyberpunk series under development.

Tabletop role-playing game collaboration called Void Path Gaming system. Rey is developing the world build of Titanholm a post-apocalyptic steampunk world. The first adventure module is a sea & sky pirate adventure titled Fortune’s Coast.

Other ventures include YouTube streaming of Live tabletop role-playing 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder with MurderHobos Inc.

#Review – #NewRelease – The Haven (The Unknown #2) by J.W. Lynne

The Haven (The Unknown, #2)

NINE NIGHTS AGO, EIGHT CHILDREN WERE KIDNAPPED.
NOW, THEY ARE ABOUT TO FACE THE GREATEST CHALLENGE OF THEIR LIVES.

From the author of the heart-pounding mystery thriller THE UNKNOWN comes a riveting sequel that climaxes with a shocking twist you’ll never see coming. THE HAVEN is book two in a completed series of two full-length novels that tell the tale of five girls and three boys who are taken from their homes in the middle of the night and wake up in a frightening and mysterious world full of secrets.

If you like fast-paced thrillers with intriguing mystery, captivating suspense, unexpected twists and turns, a dash of romance, and surprising climaxes that bring everything together, don’t miss this original new series!

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

I am so happy that I got to continue the journey with this group of strong kids! The book picks up right where The Unknown left off. The only thing is, the kids are definitely tired of Nevah, the AI on the ship, and ready to rebel. The story is action packed right from the beginning with lots of thought provoking situations that will keep you on your toes. When I read The Unknown, I thought I was going to have a problem reading from so many different points of view but quickly overcame that because all of their points of view are equally important, especially in this sequel. There are many moving parts and to see how each kid copes and reacts to these different situations is very humbling. I love how they quickly become a family. 

“After all, the most frightening worst-case scenario is the one that’s unknown.”

“Life is dangerous. Death awaits all of us and loss lurks everywhere.”

The twists that this story throws their way is intense and absolutely makes this a page turner!

J.W. Lynne

J.W. Lynne writes inventive stories with twists, turns, and surprises. In ABOVE THE SKY, teens uncover the truth in a society founded on lies. In THE UNKNOWN, eight children are kidnapped in the night and wake up in a mysterious world full of secrets. In LOST IN LOS ANGELES, a young woman must decide whether to trust an intriguing young man who she meets in a coffee shop. In LOST IN TOKYO, a college student carries out her missing mother’s bucket list in a desperate attempt to finally find her. KID DOCS dives into the behind-the-scenes action at a hospital where gifted young children are trained to become pint-sized doctors. In WILD ANIMAL SCHOOL, a teen spends an unforgettable summer caring for elephants, tigers, bears, leopards, and lions at an exotic animal ranch.

#Review – The Unknown (The Unknown, #1) by J.W. Lynne

The Unknown (The Unknown, #1)

EIGHT CHILDREN WERE KIDNAPPED.
BUT WHY?

Eight kids, ages nine to seventeen, awaken to find that almost everything they have ever known has been stolen from them. They were ripped from their beds in the middle of the night and transported to an unfamiliar and unforgiving new world where there are strict rules, and they are punished if they refuse to obey.

As the kids grapple with their mysterious new reality, they struggle with disconcerting questions. Where in the world are they? Why were they taken away from their families? Will they ever get to go back home? And the most frightening question of all: Will this be the place where they die?

CYBILS AWARD NOMINEE!

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Unique twist on the dystopian genre! This is insanely thrilling! First, I need to say that I was a little worried about starting the story as it is told from most of the children’s POVs and there is a manifest at the beginning. I thought I would have to go back and forth to remember who exactly I was reading, but after the first few rounds through the characters I knew exactly whose POV I was reading without double checking. The characters formed in my head as if I were right there in the mix. These children are kidnapped one night and all thrown together in an unknown place. What is even weirder is that there are no adults. Nobody to tell them what to do or why they are there. The world building is great. As the children get to learn more about themselves and each other they are all learning about their new “prison”. There are so many unknowns with the story that will keep you turning the pages. Some aspects of the story definitely have the creep factor but absolutely gripping. I believe this story is the start of a really amazing series. There were so many things that you learn about the children and this new world that when you reach the cliffhanger you will be completely invested in the story. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS NEXT! This is the first book I have read by JW Lynne but I am now a fan!

J.W. LynneJ.W. Lynne writes inventive stories with twists, turns, and surprises. In ABOVE THE SKY, teens uncover the truth in a society founded on lies. In THE UNKNOWN, eight children are kidnapped in the night and wake up in a mysterious world full of secrets. In LOST IN LOS ANGELES, a young woman must decide whether to trust an intriguing young man who she meets in a coffee shop. In LOST IN TOKYO, a college student carries out her missing mother’s bucket list in a desperate attempt to finally find her. KID DOCS dives into the behind-the-scenes action at a hospital where gifted young children are trained to become pint-sized doctors. In WILD ANIMAL SCHOOL, a teen spends an unforgettable summer caring for elephants, tigers, bears, leopards, and lions at an exotic animal ranch.