Book Review: The Kremlin’s Candidate by Jason Matthews

 

 

Publishing Date: 2018

Genre: Mystery/Fiction

Rating: 1.7/5

Review: This is way better than Palace, but that’s not saying much. Here you have two agents that are head over heels in love with each other, fuking anything that is not nailed down when not together. Huh? On a high note, smugly douche bag is still pounding us over the head with his chapter ending recipes and forced situational humor.

The biggest fail of this series is the ending which made no sense and undermines the premise of the novels that came before.  The plot holes near the end are so massive, you feel like a dick swimming in Egorovas canal. But since little penis Putin is banging away on Egorova (bi-weekly) and she is resisting having orgasms, then all must be well in little Russia.

Book Review: Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews

 

 

Publishing Date: 2013

Genre: Mystery/Fiction

Rating: 3.0/5

Review: This may be the “Fifty Shades of Grey” spy novel. Weak writing, implausible characters and sex fueled interactions with every scene (when torture is absent). Written by a CIA operations geek that never saw the backside of a Russian agent in his life.  Still, entertaining as fuk. Is something wrong with me?

Book Review: The Kings Guard by Emmet Moss

Publishing Date: December 2019

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 3.2/5

Publisher’s Description: Mercenary companies loyal to the old ways race to defend one of the last bastions of freedom in the South. In the capable hands of its ardent commander, one city prepares for the decisive battle that will shape the future of Kal Maran. New allies have joined the cause, but can they turn the tide?

Review: This novel has all the players that you loved in the first run, only they are weighted down with very slow reveals, long-winded exchanges, excessive scene descriptions, unnecessary story lines and prolonged back stories. The battles are also drawn out and fail to mirror the first novels insightful impact.  I am not sure why Danys Ford was relevant. She seemed like an afterthought that was written to balance out the male heavy cast. She is so giving and perfect that if you’re not puking rainbows you still might be shjtting pixie spooge.

Silveron is still morose as ever and longs for Danys, which is confusing in itself. The only group worth following is Leoric’s crew. At least they embrace the movement in quest like fashion and garner something worthwhile. If this is the setup for the final novel in the trilogy, then a whole heck of a lot of disparate things need to come together in order to defeat the enemy.

A filler novel that sets up the grande finale? Maybe, but still a good read as the author wends and weaves a story line in expert fashion. I just got lost somewhere between the battle of Delfwane and the Dwarves of Aleron.

Book Review: Violya (In the heart of the mountains #2) by Rosalyn Kelly

 

 

Publishing Date: December 2019

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 3.7/5

Publisher’s Description: A gifted warrior consumed by revenge. An unstoppable enemy rampaging ever closer. A ravaged country in desperate need of a ruler. After a brutal and bloody invasion, a once powerful matriarchal nation is in chaos. Only the shy warrior Violya can pick up the pieces and save her broken country. But an old threat – for one thousand years suppressed – has awoken. Now unleashed, it’s hell-bent on destruction. To protect her people, Violya must cast aside her desire for vengeance, master her rare magic and find the courage to rule – and fast.

Time is running out as a prophecy is coming true. A formidable enemy is closing in to crush them all. Can Violya unite friend and foe to face the looming catastrophe before it’s too late?
She’s out for blood, but first she must master her own…

Review: I received this from the author in exchange for an honest review and NOT Netgalley i.e. the tramplers of First Amendment rights while licking the anus’ of publishers.

Once again this author takes a very daunting approach to writing as there is a lot going on. Big props for wending a tale steeped in a myriad of unconventional approaches. What is a consistent theme throughout the novel, no matter the Kingdom in which it  resides, is that men suck and when not sucking they are beta males touting socialist rhetoric as an answer to a long abiding kleptocracy. The progressive message seeks to blend in with a the story line in a myriad of ways. Flexible belief systems and sexual orientations/species preferences are all on display in an attempt to embrace the collective “anything goes” mantra.

The characterization is what sets this novel apart from most in the genre. Violya is quite the ass-kicker with interesting abilities and a penchant for werewolf dick. Violya is a complex individual and you root for her success which is the outcome of a good writers ability of drawing the reader in. What mostly sucked was the not so believable transition of Princess Douche Baggery into a Valkyrie, assembling an entire army made up of only females (here we go again) to save her Kingdom from usurping jackasses.

The magic is spot on and develops with the story line. The scene descriptions are very accomplished and add a depth that is often needed when the bells of male denigration are rung. The sex scenes can be somewhat graphic but I like that fearlessness in writing.

I look forward to the next novel in this series to resolve some of the gaps that need filling.