Category Archives: Book reviews

Alana Woods’ book reviews: THE MANHATTAN PUZZLE by Laurence O’Bryan

March 7, 2015Book reviewsAmazon author pages, contemporary fiction, religious conspiracies, thrillers, US authorsAlana Woods

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I very nearly didn’t read on from the opening of this book because it is confronting. However, I dislike giving up on a book so quickly and persevered. Glad I did, it’s a good one.

Throughout the story there were back story glimpses which I realised after a while were references to earlier books in the series. Yes, this is a series, so be warned. If you prefer to read your series in order then you’ll need the preceding two before you bury your nose in this one: THE ISTANBUL PUZZLE and THE JERUSALEM PUZZLE. But I have to say I didn’t feel disadvantaged as this one stands on its own.

The story follows Sean and Isabel Ryan, husband and wife, as they become involved in an international religious conspiracy that, if successful, will turn the world on its head.

The story/plot is terrific, as is characterisation. I believed in these people. My heart was in my mouth as to where O’Bryan was taking me in relation to one character later in the book. Was he going to die, and would it be horribly? You’re going to have to read it to find out.

The author’s use of language, description and dialogue kept my adrenalin levels elevated for pretty well the entire 400+ pages. And unlike other series I’ve read where the reader is left hanging at the end as though the next chapter is missing, this book is complete in itself. A definite plus.

THE MANHATTAN PUZZLE on Amazon US | UK

Take this link to an interview with Laurence O’Bryan

Alana Woods’ book reviews: Renaissance 2.0: Carnival of Characters, Crusades, and Causes (Book 1) by Dean C. Moore

February 14, 2015Book reviewsAmazon author pages, comedy horror, fantasy fiction, sci-fi, sci-fi seriesAlana Woods

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I was a couple of chapters in when I laughed, and then wondered if I should. It immediately reminded me of my first exposure to the film Pulp Fiction; that first inadvertent burst of laughter when John Travolta’s gun accidentally fired in the car. I was aghast at myself. Was I supposed to laugh? The scene was so over the top. So too is this novel. What is its classification: comedy horror or horror comedy, or something else? Is it supposed to be a serious novel? I finished reading without deciding.

It’s set in the modern day and everything is familiar: the world, the way ordinary people live their lives and earn their living, the traumas we face. Even the incessant killing is a reflection of our gone-mad society. But there the similarities end.

From the cover, when I bought the book, I thought it was a sci-fi story. From the title, RENAISSANCE 2.0, I thought it was a nod to the 14th—16th century European Renaissance and the author was creating a second, 21st century, perhaps global, renaissance. And although I didn’t see any evidence of one in this book it no doubt becomes apparent in subsequent books in the series.

There is a definite sci-fi element with technologies that shatter life being created in back rooms and just as quickly being disposed of by mysterious forces; there’s a beserk drug culture; in fact it’s sheer mayhem from start to finish. Multiple characters make brief appearances never to return and it’s only well into the story that I realised there is a recurring character who, by the end, is identified as the protagonist who will be taking the series forward. He’s a detective with a wife who is becoming a man, which is forcing him into thinking he should become a woman. Yes, you read that right!

The author takes you deep into the psyches of his characters. There’s plenty of esoterica as he delves into psychology and philosophy. If you’re not interested in that you can skim without losing the plot.

I have no idea how the author will sustain this level of tortuous inventiveness over a series. As five volumes have already been published I don’t have to wait to find out.

This is an exceptional read. I was gobsmacked from very early on and didn’t pick my chin up until I’d finished reading.

It’s very different. Read it and see what you think.

RENAISSANCE 2.0 on Amazon

No author interview accompanies this review.

Alana Woods’ book reviews: MY STORY by Julia Gillard

January 23, 2015Book reviewsAmazon author pages, Australiana, autobiographies, memoirs, non-fiction, politicsAlana Woods

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I’m impressed with the generosity of spirit that Julia Gillard possesses. The book is littered with the names of people to whom she gives thanks: for their enduring friendship, their casual mateship, their thoughtfulness, their support and love. What a rich life this woman has, if those she counts as friends is a guide.

And that in her official memoir encompassing her time as Prime Minister of Australia she unstintingly gives credit where she believes it’s due to her political opponents and enemies as well as the many people who sustained and continue to sustain her is generous indeed.

Generous also is her take on what is important in life: to make a difference to the lives of others through your own hard work.

Working class immigrants to Australia from Wales when Gillard was a child, her parents regretted their lack of education and the limits it placed on them. Education and hard work were inculcated into their two daughters. And Gillard has made bettering Australia’s education system her life’s work. The education sphere is where she headed immediately she left politics.

I’ve never read the memoirs of past prime ministers before. Never wanted to. But I felt the memoirs of the first female to hold that position warranted my attention. Having only read this one I don’t know if its structure follows a formula for PM memoirs. Whether it does or not it’s a good one. Rather than adopting a time sequential telling where the multiplicity of what was going on at any given time would overwhelm you, each chapter covers a different aspect of her prime ministership.

The first part chronicles the overall story. Subsequent chapters deal with individual areas such as defence, health, education, environment, tax, foreign policy. This approach makes it possible for the reader to grasp all that was done and accomplished. It makes clear the vast breadth and scope of what is expected of a country’s leader.

It’s also an intimate picture of what goes on behind the scenes. I suspect I’m no different to any other reader when I say it’s those candid moments and the humour that reveal and round out the woman.

At the end Gillard says ‘I hope my words inform, provoke, intrigue and amuse’. For me they did all of those. It was well worth the read.

MY STORY on Amazon (this is a global link)

The author declined an interview to accompany this review.

Alana Woods’ book reviews: Sky City: the rise of an orphan by RD Hale

December 13, 2014Book reviewsbiopunk, coming of age, contemporary fiction, cyberpunk, dystopian, fantasy, fantasy fiction, fantasy series, manga, sci-fi, sci-fi series, young adultAlana Woods

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SKY CITY is a coming-of-age story about 16 year old Arturo Basilides, a street-smart orphan with a sassy mouth and engaging personality living at the bottom level of society in a savagely-ruled post-apocalyptic world that has a lot of similarities to Earth. The story is told in first person point of view by Arturo, who lives with his sister and friends he considers to be family in a disused warehouse on the outer fringes of society in a post-apocalyptic world. It’s an unqualified attention-grabber!

By the book’s end it’s obvious Arturo’s been a pretty gutsy kid from the moment he entered the world. Set against a background of controlling overlords, gangsterish rebels and the uncaring upper-crust of society Arturo must find a way to keep his family safe while coming to terms with the important role he seems destined to play in the rebel movement. There is the added complication of his overwhelming but probably unrequited love for one of his inner circle.

I wonder if the author is planning more for Arturo, given there were several questions left unresolved. Or perhaps he has deliberately left some things for the reader to surmise.

I enjoyed this book immensely. The story and characters are nicely developed. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions, which are sharp to the point of drawing blood. And let’s not forget the completely natural dialogue—a talent beyond many authors but one that RD Hale has nailed.

Hale is an author to watch. He has a crystalline quality to his storytelling, the descriptions are sharp and the characterisation is subtle yet powerful.

It’s not often I read a book that requires my absolute undivided attention. This is one of them. The author’s voice is compelling, and exactly right for the telling of this cyberpunk saga.

SKY CITY on Amazon

Take this link to my interview with RD HALE