summer reading (short review #3)

This Shattered Land (Surviving the Dead) by James N. Cook

As somebody with a military background, I could really appreciate this book. There've been too many zombie books just lately - the market is over over oversaturated - and quite a few are written by people who don't know the difference between a gun and their own backside. The author's remarkable attention to detail makes the story spring to life - this is a mature, intelligent take on the zombie apocalypse theme that makes it sound too real -prophetic, even (touch wood!). Overall, an excellent novel worth every minute of your time.

summer reading (short review #2)

No Easy Hope (Surviving the Dead) by James N. Cook

Funnily enough, I read the second book first (This Shattered Land), not even knowing it was a sequel. So now I got this book and stared at it long and hard realizing my mistake. I'm a firm believer in the theory that sequels normally turn out better: after all, the author gains a certain experiance and usually becomes a better writer by the time he or she start their second book. But here, I found it hard to tell which one of the two was better.

The adventures of Gabe and Eric belong to the domain of good old men's books of action and adventure, and for some reason reminded me of Wilbur Smith - one of my favorite authors. As someone with a military background,I could really appreciate all the fine details of weapons and physical training: Mr. Cook definitely writes what he knows! A gripping, exciting read. Shame I've already read the second one.

summer reading (short review #1)

The voice of waterfalls (supernatural/psychological thriller) by Natasha A. Salnikova

A fellow writer myself, I knew I could work out all the plot turns in The Voice of Waterfalls if I really wanted to, and still the story kept me on the edge of my seat. I knew of course that the two protagonists, Inga and Anton, were bound to meet in the end, but watching them overcome all the hardships and second-guessing their inner choices - each with his or her own skeletons in the closet - was for me the best and most intriguing part of this book.

I would like to wish the author every success with her work.

We were soldiers