December 27, 2015

“The Searcher” by Simon Toyne – The Abyss of Redemption

The Searcher by Simon Toyne (Book Cover)
The search for oneself is perhaps the most gruelling and well-known quest there is for literary heroes. More often than not, following that path leads them to some treacherous twists and turns, ones that take them deep into the darkness of an abyss they can't help but look into.

And yet, they are pushed forward by an inexplicable sense of purpose, of duty, just like Solomon Creed in Simon Toyne's novel, The Searcher.

December 19, 2015

“Cross Justice” by James Patterson - Family Shackles

Cross Justice by James Patterson (Book cover)
Once a hero becomes established in literature there often comes to question as to who he was before we were introduced to him. What life events could mold remarkable people, making them into the protagonists we yearn to follow and always learn more about.

Most of the time we have to be content using our imaginations to fill in all the blanks, but there are times when we do get to ride the time machine and peer into the past we could only make up, as is the case with Cross Justice by James Patterson.

December 16, 2015

“The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August” by Claire North – Immortal Quandaries

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North (Book cover)
Hindsight may very well be one of the cruelest concepts of our world; how many times have you said to yourself “if only I had known”? Who hasn't dreamt of being able to travel far back in time and retain the accumulated knowledge gained through life?

Bill Murray gave us a small glimpse of the possibilities in “Groundhog Day”, and now Claire North (a pen name used by Catherine Webb) takes it to the next level in The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, spreading the power over a lifetime.

December 12, 2015

“The Promise” by Robert Crais – Mr. Rollins' Rule

The Promise by Robert Crais (Book cover)
The life of a fictional private detective is perhaps one of the most demanding ones out there. One can nary have a dame come into their office without being thrown into a five-layer conspiracy that leads to countless tragedies; the easier and more innocent-looking the case, the more it's certain to blow up into a terrifying nightmare.

That's precisely what Elvis Cole finds himself dealing with in The Promise by Robert Crais.

December 9, 2015

“Once Upon a Time in Russia” by Ben Mezrich – Riding the Perestroika Waves

Once Upon a Time in Russia by Ben Mezrich (Book cover)
When the era of communism dawned to a close in the Soviet Union, with the country becoming Russia in 1991, a very turbulent and violent period began during which the country faced a “Wild West”-type scenario, or at least as much as modern civilization permits such a thing to happen.

The perestroika led to countless revolts and a change of regime, but most importantly, it left a huge chunk of power hanging in the air for anyone to claim as their own.

December 6, 2015

“Pirate Hunters” by Robert Kurson – Sunken Legends

Pirate Hunters by Robert Kurson (Book cover)
Pirate stories have fascinated mankind, especially children, probably ever since all their murderous antics and unhygienic lifestyles were forgotten.

Though there may have certainly been much less glory and cleanliness to the stories of famous pirates than we were led to believe, it doesn't change a fact that some of them have managed to achieve downright legendary things, at least from a criminal's perspective.

December 2, 2015

“The Fold” by Peter Clines – Teleportation: Safest Form of Transit

The Fold by Peter Clines (Book cover)
The concept of teleportation is something that is still very much in the realm of science-fiction books and movies, but nevertheless it seems we cannot and never will stop yearning for it.

After all, who out there hasn't wished (perhaps during a bout of laziness) for the ability to instantly cross over great distances and be wherever they wanted?