Eve Koguce's Blog, page 23

GOD OF NOTHING: The ALL by Shane Scott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What a ride it has been reading Shane Scott’s book “God of Nothing”! I feel like I straddled a tsunami and rode the whole way to the shore and even further at lightning speed.

I won’t try to retell the plot. First of all, I think readers should make that discovery themselves. But in this particular case, it wouldn’t even be possible. Simply listing dry facts and names wouldn’t be enough to do this book justice.

Shane Scott does an amazing job at first lulling a reader into seemingly one type of a story and then – wow… well, you have to read it to feel it!

The author – just like one of the characters of the book, but I’ll tell nothing more :) – creates a universe, where the creatures from different mythologies become realistic and alive. I could see the vivid colours, feel the energy, wonder, and even the pain of every character, whom Shane Scott has turned into a real person.

There are a few plot lines, a lot of characters and settings, but all of them the author masterfully weaves into an intricate canvas, where each thread takes its place. There are some controversial ideas in the book, and I absolutely loved the way the author handles them.

If this book would ever be made into a movie – and I would definitely love to watch it – AC/DC’s legendary “Thunderstruck” would be a perfect soundtrack for it. The story felt like a scorching fire to which I wanted nothing else but to submit.

I would recommend “God of Nothing” to all fantasy lovers, who appreciate a fast-pacing narrative, versatile characters, battles of the titans, and action. I’ll be waiting for the next meeting with Dragons, Titans, Bool, and all the vivid inhabitants of the ALL.





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The Angel and the Wolf by R.A. Hutchins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is the second book I’ve read by this author. And I can tell you with absolute certainty that I will read more. R.A. Hutchins manages to catch the most beautiful things in human nature, while she does see and accept that life can be cruel and unfair to the best of us.

“The Angel and The Wolf: A Story of Love, of Rescue and of Hope” is a story of two people, who struggle through life fighting their mental health issues. I believe that if you didn’t have any experience with this, it’s difficult to imagine what it feels like to suffer from anxiety/depression, etc.

Since pets have been a part of my life since I was a little girl, and I know how much love and devotion they are able to give, it was especially gratifying for me to read about the malamute Hawk – the Wolf.

I often hear that such things just don’t happen in real life, and I’ve read in magazines the articles with advice to “sort your problems first, and then seek for love.” They stated that otherwise, the feelings can’t be real. Life is so versatile, that I believe that in some cases this is really so. But I can tell you – and it’s a big secret :) – that I know for sure that for one couple at least it had happened exactly this way. And because of that, the story of the Angel, her Wolf, and one more lost soul reads and feels absolutely real to me.

Those, who carry faith in true romance in their heart, who have hope that life can bring wonderful surprises along the way, will certainly appreciate this book.





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Ghost: A Murder Mystery by Lubov Leonova

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Imagine the world where magic is an integral part of life, natural as the air we breathe, sometimes a blessing, but sometimes a sinister touch to the endless flow of opportunities. If you like the picture your mind has drawn for you, you’ll love “Ghost: A Murder Mystery” by Lubov Leonova.

The book will take you on a magical journey, during which you’ll get to know people with different Gifts – Gift of invisibility, time Gift, healing Gift and many others – as well as dangers that those gifs may have for others. And as life usually goes, there are those, who aren’t blessed – or should we call it cursed – with a gift. How does the world, where magic is the highest value, treat those people, who don’t have it?

“Ghost: A Murder Mystery” is a delicious blend of fantasy, young adult coming-of-age story, and a real crime investigation story. Each character in the book is with their own story. The world building is enchanting, and the words transport the reader into the world the author has created.

I’d say that this story deserves a sequel – or even several – so we can learn more about the characters, who have managed to change their lives and themselves. And I personally would love to read more about those little dragons – won’t tell you more :)





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The Scars of Gaia by R.P. Lauer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’ve received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. As simple as that. The story pulled me in from the first pages, and I couldn’t stop reading until I finished.

“The Scars of Gaia” written by R.P. Lauer is one of those books that turn my preferences as a reader upside down. I wouldn’t call myself a fan of grim topics both in literature and on screen. But there are examples of such books/tv series/movies that I’d place on my personal top of favourites. And “The Scars of Gaia” is in that top list.

The world-building is mesmerising. The people, the unseen beasts, as well as the places – all seemed real to me.

The main character, James, is that guy about whom many people would say “Why couldn’t he stick to his own business and not try to be a hero”. And I’ve always found that attitude to be terribly wrong :) If a person tries to do more than it’s required from him, it means that the humanity still has a chance to built a better future. If everyone succumbs to what is often called “the inevitable”, the fight is lost by default.

The book draws a picture of a two-dimensional world, where one side believes solely in science, while the other – only in physical power. But not everyone in both worlds believe that there isn’t another way for them to coexist. Two – ordinary – people find themselves caught up in the middle of political relations between their nations, and the secrets they uncover force them to act, so that their worlds can have a better future.

I’m still thinking about the book and its characters, even after it’s been already a while after I finished reading it. And I sincerely hope that R.P. Lauer will present the readers with a sequel.




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To Catch a Feather by R.A. Hutchins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I haven’t read a contemporary romance for a while now, so when the book “To Catch a Feather” by R.A. Hutchins, which I’d pre-ordered, arrived at my Kindle today, I dived into reading it immediately.

The story of Kate and Cal is the quintessence of what a romantic story should be and, and what it should give the reader in abundance. Hope, sympathy, some tears, and, of course, happiness.

“To Catch a Feather” is a story of two people, who had their share of grief and struggle in life, but who dare to hope beyond hope that something beautiful is possible for them too.

I loved the setting – majestic, but not always friendly coast of Scotland. It brought the vivid memories of my own love story that had started a long time ago on a different coast in South West England. In my imagination, I walked the cobbled streets and rocky shores together with the characters of the book.

The book left me with warmth in my heart. Very often I hear from people that true love doesn’t exist or that even when people fall in love, it happens only gradually. But I believe that love has many different faces. It can strike you suddenly, and you know at once that this is for life, and it can engulf you gradually, the realisation of the bond between two people sinking in with time.

I’d like to thank the author for the wonderful emotions her book has given me. I’ve spent the cosiest of rainy days wrapped up in a blanket – and in her beautiful words – in a place, where I grew up, and which saw me similarly drawn into books and stories since I was a child.

I’ll start reading another book by R.A. Hutchins “The Angel and the Wolf: A Story of Love, of Rescue and of Hope” soon, and I know now that a heart-warming journey awaits me.





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Entanglement: A Dystopian Sci-Fi Thriller by Alina Leonova

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


"Entanglement" by Alina Leonova transports the readers into a dystopian reality, where life of humans had changed dramatically. People don't walk on the ground, but live closer to the skies, forced to move higher and higher in order to survive.

I don't read or watch thrillers. I'm more into thoughts that a book or a movie evokes in me. But I loved that this book is fast-paced and packed with events that kept the story moving forward all the time until the very end.

I especially liked the characters and their development, since there is some contraversy in their motives and actions. And I couldn't guess, which decision they would make.

I also liked the ideas behind the story. They definitely make one think about our own world, the future that awaits the humanity, and the consequences of our decisions for the future generations.

I heartily recommend this book to all dystopian genre lovers.



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THE KIRKWOOD SCOTT CHRONICLES: Skelly’s Square by Stephen Black

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It was a real adventure to wander the streets of Belfast – and a bit further into the countryside – with the characters of Stephen Black’s book “Skelly’s Square”, the first in the Kirkwood Scott Chronicles.

Although there are elements of fantasy and supernatural in the book, it addresses quite a few issues that people in the real world face every day. In the first part of the book, Kirkwood is struggling with the routine of a regular office worker. His job seems meaningless to him; besides, it doesn’t offer neither motivating remuneration nor stability. He drifts through life, spending his pay day with his drinking buddies. But the reason for that is not his unwillingness to strive for a better life, but something more sinister. There are other routines in his life, and they are way more dangerous than the boring office existence.

One day, Kirkwood sees something on the street that gives him hope to find the answers to the questions he is afraid to ask himself. And from there, the most intriguing sequence of events begins.

I loved that the main characters are flawed - but one can sympathise with their flaws - rather than “a perfect hero material”. And it was exciting to see the city of Belfast through the author’s eyes.






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Rise of the Forgotten by Rebecca Mickley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“Rise of the Forgotten” by Rebecca Mickley is the third instalment in the The Farthest Star sci-fi series.

The book is as intense as the first two. There are aliens, space battles, conspiracies between those in power, and technology we only dream about inventing.

But for me, the most interesting aspect – as in all Rebecca Mickley’s books – was the exploration of human (and not really human) nature. Emotions and reactions of people, be it morphic, homo sapiens or alien, their motives and actions, individual and when they’re a part of the crowd.

“Rise of the Forgotten” turned out to be the most personal book in the series for me. The theme of one group of people being stripped off their rights and freedoms is not a literary plot for me. I’ve witnessed the same thing happening in reality, and reading the book made me remember, how devastating the effects and consequences may be for those, who are being mistreated based solely on their belonging not to the group, which is on the rise at some certain period of time.

Rebecca Mickley’s books have made me interested in sci-fi genre again, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books in The Farthest Star series.



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Exile's Return by Rebecca Mickley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“Exile’s Return” by Rebecca Mickley is the second book in the series.

I seriously believe that “The Farthest Star” odyssey will become my favourite sci-fi book series of all time. While the first part “Dawnbreak”, which I enjoyed immensely, explores what does it take and how does it feel to go through the change, “Exile’s Return” draws a picture of consequences that making a choice inevitably bring.

Set mostly in space, among the unknown stars, alien species, and on high-tech star ships, “Exile’s Return” tells a story of Snow, a morphic, who is forced to help the government of Earth, which made him an exile, to establish the diplomatic ties with the race that have shared their technology with the humans, but have not revealed its true face and intentions yet.

Packed with drama, action, secrets and unexpected turns, “Exile’s Return” offers readers to find their own answers to questions about friendship, duty, and our future.




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Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Chances are that I'll never visit the state of Alabama in the United States. And it's absolutely certain that I'll never travel back in time, and see Alabama little towns of the 30ies. But thanks to Fannie Flagg and her book "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe" I was transported into both, and that was a delightful journey.

Like almost every journey it was full of new impressions, adventures, meeting different people, some laughter and some tears. This journey has given me grounds for thinking - the most valuable gift a book can give, in my opinion.

Mrs.Threadgoode, Evelyn, Dot Weems, Idgie, and all the people of the town of Whistle Stop have become real - have become alive.

The book touches some sensitive topics. In a person with inflexible views it might cause disagreement, and even spoil the experience of reading. I won't give any details, if cautious read other reviews here, they're rather explicit.

I enjoyed reading this book, since it offered what is the most important for me in a book - a chance to be completely engrossed in the story. Such stories are like cosy blankets you don't want to get out from.





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Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe