Review - Offworld By Robin Parrish

The first manned mission to Mars is the greatest accomplishment humanity has achieved. A crew of four incredible astronauts make the journey, advancing the knowledge of the human race beyond expectations. Something happens to Commander Burke - the man in charge - while he is on Mars, but his memory of the experience is patchy at best. He has begun hallucinating at various moments, and he is beginning to question himself.

The hallucinations strike again as the ship is returning to Earth, causing them to crash land back at Kennedy Space Center. The crew barely escapes with their lives, crawling from the wreckage to find Earth has changed significantly while they were gone. There is no homecoming party, no grand celebration; in fact, home is ominously silent. To be more precise, it appears that every living thing on the planet has disappeared at exactly the same instant. To make matters worse, an ominous bright light is present in Houston, Texas; it's bright enough be seen from a satellite circling the globe.

To say that all is not as it seems is an understatement of great proportions. The world appears to be completely unstable around them, the only other human being they run into is completely odd, and the hallucinations and memories of Mars continue to plague Commander Burke, leaving too many unanswered questions. The journey to find these answers will test them all, and what is revealed will be something they never expect.

This entertaining novel by Robin Parrish showcases a unique voice, an intriguing storyline, and fast-paced action from beginning to end. There wasn't a single dull moment, and just when I thought I knew what was going on, the book took turns in surprising directions. I have not had the pleasure of reading any of Mr. Parrish's other books, but I am quite happy to have become acquainted with his writing. I can happily say that I will be looking for other books by Robin Parrish, and if I'm very lucky (keeping my fingers crossed), I may be able to wrangle an interview with him. Keep your eyes open for it and wish me good luck. If you haven't read this book however, you need to go pick up a copy. It's an entertaining read that you won't want to put down.

Devil's Gold - Book Review

Devil's Gold is the first novel by author Julie Korzenko. The premise of the story revolves around the renowned zoologist Cassidy Lowell as she tries to protect the natural world from the uncaring machinations of New World Petroleum. Unwilling to tow the NWP line, she is reassigned to a new problem in Yellowstone National Park, where she teams up with Jake Anderson. Although both of them work for the organization known as ZEBRA, there is more to Jake than meets the eye - and more going on behind the scenes than even Cassidy suspects.

As the story progresses, Cassidy becomes aware of a secretive black ops section hidden somewhere beneath ZEBRA's public facade. Jake is an enigma she finds disconcerting and appealing, despite her best attempts at ignoring the feelings building within her. Wolves in Yellowstone are dying at an alarming rate, an abnormal virus may be the cause, and everyone around her is not exactly what they seem.

Devil's Gold is a fast-paced story, sure to keep you interested from beginning to end. The characters are compelling, and there are surprises around every corner. While I hesitate to compare one author to another, Devil's Gold reminded me in some ways of Tom Clancy's books with Jack Ryan and John Clark. I'm not trying to say Julie has copied Clancy's style, but the similarities are there in some respects. If you're a fan of Clancy's books (as I am), you'll probably like this one as well. This is an awesome thrill ride, just enough romance to be intriguing but not sappy, and by the end you'll be waiting on the edge of your seat for the sequel (which as I understand it is in the works). Pick this one up today; you won't regret it.

Review - Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is the debut novel of astounding author Jamie Ford. The story drops you into the lap of Henry Lee, a man who is dealing with the loss of his wife to cancer, an uncomfortable past with his parents, a reluctantly distant relationship with his son, and memories of a Japanese girl he once loved so long ago. Henry was twelve when Pearl Harbor was bombed. He was a Chinese boy encased in an all White school, forced to speak English by parents who didn't, ostracized by a society looking for Japanese spies around every corner, and unable to stop the injustices he could see being forced upon his neighbors. It was a time of internment camps for Japanese-American citizens and a complete lack of respect for any non-whites.

The novel depicts an instrospective look at Henry's life, during his childhood and as he copes with his wife's death, finding the poignant moments that shaped (and continue to shape) him. The events of the time are astoundingly brutal. The book however, is surprisingly tender, even during the most vicious scenes. The cultures of both the Japanese and the Chinese come through clearly, and you will find yourself swept away to a past some wish would never have happened but should never be forgotten.

I have to mention that prior to this novel, I really had not educated myself on the history of the Japanese internment camps. I was astounded at the visuals Jamie depicts, and I really enjoyed the perspective of Henry - particularly since he is a Chinese man affected by the wrongs done against the Japanese. The book is incredibly well-written, and its immediately obvious why this novel leaped onto the New York Times Best Sellers List. I truly regret not reading this book back in February, because I would have done whatever I could to meet Jamie when he toured Denver. He is an exceptional author, and this is must have for any library.