Monday, 25 August 2025

THE INHERITANCE


The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews
Book 1 in the Breach Wars series
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook


We are at war. The interdimensional invasion brought us unimaginable suffering, but it also awoke talents slumbering deep within us, a means to repel and destroy our enemy. Every day new gates open, leading to breaches filled with monsters and valuable resources. If you are a Talent, your country needs you. The world needs you. Be the hero you were born to be.

Adaline is a Talent. Ten years ago, she had a happy marriage and a job she loved. The invasion shattered both. Now she works for the government, searching the breaches for magic metals and medicine to help Earth repel an interdimensional enemy. Two kids, one cat, bills, benefits, mortgage and school tuition...Risking her life became routine.

She had gone into the dimensional gates hundreds of times. She was always well protected. This time everything goes wrong. Now Ada is trapped in the labyrinth of alien caves unlike any other. Her only companion is a scared German Shepherd named Bear. Together they must uncover the breach's secrets and escape, because Ada promised her children that she will come home.

The future of humanity depends on it.
Source: Info in the "About The Inheritance" was taken from amazon on 22/08/2025.


Buy Link(s):


My Thoughts:
I am an old Ilona Andrews die-hard fan. So basically anything these authors releases is an auto-buy for me. This book is no exception. And I loved it! However, I was not very fond of this new style they are adopting of following two threads and swapping between the two threads of the story every other chapter or so. I was into Ada's thread and wanting to know what happens next when the book switches to Elias' thread and vice versa. It was annoying!! No, I did not like this writing style. I might not have liked the writing style, but I still enjoyed the story a lot and could not wait for the next book to come out!

There wasn't much of a plot. Ada went in. Had adventures there. She came out. But, I was not looking for plots in urban fantasy. I was looking for frolicking adventures!

This book ended waayyyy too soon! I was trying to read it as slowly as I can. I took breaks. I put the book down every now and then just to look around. Or breath. I want to savour it. Then I was getting anxious that there wasn't much left in the book anymore...

Then I had to buy the paperback version to read it again in print. Not on my tiny phone screen anymore...

Can't wait for the audiobook to get released!


Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 5
Writing Style = 2
Ending = 4.5
World building = 5
Cover art = 4
Pace = 5
Plot = 3.5


Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries


Books In The Breach Wars Series:
Book 1: THE INHERITANCE Book 3: (TBC)


 
Meet The Authors

About Ilona Andrews:
Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)

Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Oregon with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge.



FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.

Sunday, 10 August 2025

CORPSE ROAD


Corpse Road by David J. Gatward
Book 3 in the DCI Harry Grimm series
Narrated by Aubrey Parsons
Genre: crime fiction
Format: ebook & audiobookAudiobook


Picturesque hills stained with blood. An MO like no other. Can this senior officer draw on his paratrooper past to catch a twisted mind?

DCI Harry Grimm is still grappling with the Yorkshire Dales custom of eating cheese with cake. But the seasoned big-city cop has more than enough experience getting pulled out of bed in the middle of the night for the grisliest crimes. So the gruesome early-hour discovery of a woman’s savaged remains on the bleakly beautiful terrain has the detective keen to slam an ugly killer behind bars…

With both a clear motive and an obvious offender firmly in his sights, the dedicated policeman hunts relentlessly for the killer. But when the prime suspect goes missing and Grimm reworks the scene, he fears he sees signs of meticulous military planning and a culprit with a long list of victims.

Can the tough investigator get into the head of a murderer before he’s called to the next kill zone?
Source: Info in the "About Corpse Road" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55970213-corpse-road on 12/08/2023.


Buy Link(s):
  Audible Books


Fly
My Thoughts:
And I have a new favourite side-kick! Fly!

I am looking forward to how the author is going to spin the side plot of Harry's brother and father in subsequent books...

I also like the fact that Harry is getting more entrenched into his temporary post at Wensleydale...

I am also really hoping that the author will kill off Detective Superintendent Swift soon! Really!!...

This book also made me look up Airsoft gun playing which lead me to this youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5epVEvzMM4. It turns out, Airsoft gun playing in the UK is more heavily regulated than it is in the US. You have to be a real hobbyist of Airsoft gun playing to be able to buy one.

Aubrey Parsons again is being his wonderful self with his masterful narration!


Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 4
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 3
Pace = (7 hrs and 9 mins listening time)
Plot = 4.5
Narration = 4.5


Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries


Books In The DCI Harry Grimm Series:
Book 1: GRIMM UP NORTH Book 2: BEST SERVED COLD Book 3: CORPSE ROAD Book 4: SHOOTING SEASON Book 5: RESTLESS DEAD Book 6: DEATH'S REQUIEM Book 7: BLOOD SPORT Book 8: COLD SANCTUARY Book 9: ONE BAD TURN Book 10: BLOOD TRAIL Book 11: FAIR GAME Book 12: UNQUIET BONES Book 13: THE DARK HOURS Book 14: SILENT RUIN Book 15: DEAD MAN'S HANDS Book 16: DARK HARVEST Book 17: SEE NO EVIL Book 18: ASHES OF BETRAYAL Book 19: BLOOD FOUNTAIN Book 20: STONE COLD Book 21: BAD DEEDS Book 22: LEFT FOR DEAD


 
Meet The Author

About David J. Gatward:
David J. Gatward grew up in Wensleydale and is the award-winning author of the DCI Harry Grimm crime novels. He has also written numerous books for children, teenagers and young adults.


The Narrator

About Aubrey Parsons:
Professional voice over artist and singer for over 20 years. Based in the UK, I have a very neutral British accent. However, I can mimic most UK & Irish accents along with General American and various U.S. regional accents. In addition to voiceover work I am a professional singer.



FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.