Starving Review: Procythian Reign (Proceena Trilogy Book 1) by T. Allen Diaz

Procythian Reign (Proceena Trilogy Book 1) by T. Allen Diaz (Amazon, Goodreads)

Good morning, literary foodies! It’s time to open up the pantry and pull out a new recipe to sample. Today’s narrative treat is a military space opera from local Florida chef, T. Allen Diaz. Promising thrills, action, intrigue, and sci fi drama, Procythian Reign sounds like the perfect treat for a connoisseur of science fiction and fantasy as yours truly is … but will it fill me up or leave me wanting?

Before we find out, let’s speak the oaths of the Starving Reviewer:

1. I attempt to rate every book from the perspective of a fan of the genre
2. I attempt to make every review as spoiler-free as possible

Starving Review: Scion of Conquered Earth (SCION Book 1) by Michael J. Allen

Scion of Conquered Earth (SCION Book 1) by Michael J. Allen (Amazon, Goodreads)

Good morning, my literary foodies! Today, I have another fresh review served up piping hot from the pantry, this time a dystopian YA space opera, Scion of Conquered Earth by Michael J. Allen. Such a mix of ingredients should lead to a tasty genre fusions as long as everything is baked properly, but it could just as easily turn sour. Does Mr. Allen succeed in the kitchen?

Before we find out, let’s renew our pledge to the Starving Review principles:

1. I attempt to rate every book from the perspective of a fan of the genre
2. I attempt to make every review as spoiler-free as possible

Starving Review: Out of Ordure (The Fairies Book 1) by Ramon Terrell

Out of Ordure (The Fairies Book 1) by Ramon Terrell (Amazon, Goodreads)

Today’s selection from the literary pantry is a light, fluffy pastry of a novella, but the size of the meal is never a measure of culinary quality. To be more specific, Out of Ordure promises a mix of humor and fantasy with a tale of a most unusual fairy. Will Mr. Terrell dish out the perfect mix to fill that pastry or will it just be too little to be filling?

Before we take a bite, let’s recite the Starving Reviewer’s pledge:

1. I attempt to rate every book from the perspective of a fan of the genre
2. I attempt to make every review as spoiler-free as possible

Starving Review: Witchy Eye by D. J. Butler

Witchy Eye by D. J. Butler (Amazon, Goodreads)

They say that every literary recipe has been made, that every menu theme has been explored, and that’s true. But as they say, the devil really is in the details. While the recipes and themes have been told, there are always new ingredients and new elements that can inject a fresh, delicious filling to an old theme. Often, in modern fiction, we do this by fusing genres and recipes, taking elements from a variety of meals and turning it into a fresh one. So, after that long preamble, we get to today’s meal, Witchy Eye, an alternate-history epic fantasy 19th-century historical fiction tale by D.J. Butler. Does Mr. Butler find new life with this fusion dish or does it fall like a bad souffle?

Before we prime our pistols, let’s recite the oath of the Starving Reviewer:

1. I attempt to rate every book from the perspective of a fan of the genre
2. I attempt to make every review as spoiler-free as possible

Starving Review: The Thieves of Nottica by Ash Gray

The Thieves of Nottica by Ash Gray (Amazon)

Good Friday, my literary foodies, it is time once again to throw open the pantries and pick up a (hopefully) delightful meal to read through! This week, I have an intriguing steampunk fantasy meal on my plate, distinctive at the very least for the unique cover. The Thieves of Nottica has a notable subtitle as ‘A Humorous Steampunk Adventure’, so without further ado, let’s grab our forks and knives to get started carving down to the truth!

Before we gather our tools, let us put our hands over our hearts and recite the Starving Review oath:

1. I attempt to rate every book from the perspective of a fan of the genre
2. I attempt to make every review as spoiler-free as possible

General News: Hard At Work! a.k.a. An Updates About Updates?!

Another layer and we’d be at Update Inception.

I’m in the midst of:

• Getting final bits done and the art in for Rune Service. Yes, it is still coming.
• Working on a new collaboration of J. A. Cipriano which should come to fruition sometime in March
• Getting prepped for Pensacon in just a few weeks!
• Reading two books at once for reviews and such.

So yes, much going on, much knees-bent-advancing behavior. Expect reviews to be posted soon and plenty of up-to-the minute news once Pensacon starts!

Starving Review: The Treason Game by Viv Doyle

The Treason Game by Viv Doyle (Amazon)

It’s time to sink our teeth into some fresh meat after our brief hiatus! Let’s get back into the saddle with a classic coming-of-age recipe mixed with a fresh coat of contemporary paint. Following a young British woman as she tries to find her way in the world and find a career in the video gaming industry, will this mix of classic storytelling and modern ingredients pay off with a tasty meal or sludgy quagmire?

Before we start the download, let’s check the Starving Review Rules FAQ:

1. I attempt to rate every book from the perspective of a fan of the genre
2. I attempt to make every review as spoiler-free as possible

Starving (Audio)review: The Flight to Brassbright by Lori Alden Holuta

The Flight to Brassbright by Lori Alden Holuta, narrated by Lea Popielinski (Audible)

Good morning, my literary foodies! Let’s start our Friday off right with a quick Starving Audioreview for a meal I’ve previously dined on in the written form, The Flight to Brassbright! A coming of age steampunk adventure, it was a delightful read but how well does Flight stack up in an audio format?

Quite well, as it turns out! The audiobook edition is completely unabridged so listeners won’t miss any of the original tale while the narrator does an excellent job both voicing the main character Constance while providing a broad range of accents and vocal stylings to bring the rest of the cast to life. There is a lot of heart to her narration, something that gets across the delightful sense of wonder and discovery that characterized the original book.

Definitely deserving a hearty round of applause all around, the audiobook edition of The Flight to Brassbright is well worth a listen, as excellent as the written edition. If you’re an on-the-go audiophile who wants to hear some fun and wonderful steampunk literature, definitely pick this one up. If you’ve read the book and are curious, rest assured this is a worthwhile purchase!

FINAL VERDICT: ***** (As wonderful and heartfelt as the written edition!)

Starving Review: Johnny and Jamaal by K. M. Breakey

Johnny and Jamaal by K. M. Breakey (Amazon, Goodreads)

It’s a brand new year, my literary foodies, and the new year serves up new meals from the pantry. Today, we take a bit out of a particularly spicy bit of contemporary fiction, one that promises to delve heavily into themes of racial prejudice, politics, and social dysfunction. Yes, despite what you might think from the cover, sports are only a sideline bit in this meal. So, with the intention to tackle such explosive themes, does J and J treat those themes well while still being a tasty meal?

Before we find out, raise your hand and take the Starving Review pledge:

1. I attempt to rate every book from the perspective of a fan of the genre
2. I attempt to make every review as spoiler-free as possible

Starving Review: Blood Curse (Waves of Darkness Book 1) by Tamara A. Lowery

Blood Curse (Waves of Darkness Book 1) by Tamara A. Lowery (Amazon, Goodreads)

You know, for post-holiday literary cravings, one could do worse than pick up some fresh seafood. That being the case, that’s exactly what I did! Today’s literary meal is a spicy bit of historical fiction set during the Golden Age of Piracy. Magic, vampires, creatures, pirates, and rum are the promises of the day in Blood Curse so let’s hit the waves and see it the meal is as filling as it promises!

Before we tip back the rum barrel, let us swear our oaths to the rules of the Starving Review:

1. I attempt to rate every book from the perspective of a fan of the genre
2. I attempt to make every review as spoiler-free as possible