Book Reviews: September 2021

It’s that time again: book reviews!

The book images link directly to the Amazon page for each, and additional information (or links to buy) can be found on the author websites, at the end of each review.

Please note: The opinions below are my own. Writing is subjective to the reader, and not everyone will share my conclusions about the books listed below.

Steampunk Cleopatra – Thaddeus Thomas

Steampunk Cleopatra is written as a series of journals (labeled papyrus in keeping with the book’s theme) from the perspective of one of her tutors, as he searches for the ancient knowledge of previous Egyptian dynasties. His goal was to first locate the lost history as a promise to a Nubian man, the grandfather of Amani, Cleopatra’s companion. As times and political dynamics began to change, he sought it as a means to hand Cleopatra the Egyptian throne, while preserving the history and technology of an ancient people. The technology is utilized by Cleopatra, but not in the manner Amani would wish—machines of war are built to combat Ptolemy and Rome alike.

I have always been fascinated by Egyptian history, and the idea that their oldest dynasties had advanced technology was a very cool premise in this book. (As the title suggests, the technology in question is in line with the steampunk genre.) It was a slightly different take on the traditional Cleopatra story, with a very profound ending.

The author seemed to explore different writing styles between sections, but it worked well in the context of this book. There was one section, early on, that I had difficulty following; it jumped between a conversation occurring in the present and events that happened in the recent past (I sometimes struggle with books that don’t follow chronological order. This is a “me” thing more than it is a criticism of the book.) Once past that section of the book, everything seemed to flow smoothly and I truly enjoyed the story. Well worth the read!

Author Website: thaddeusthomas.com

Owl Eyes Motel – Barbara Avon

A collection of short ghost stories that encompass the strange motel known as Owl Eyes, each room has its own otherworldly occupants. As the stories progress, the reader comes to expect that at least some of the characters are departed, but each tale has its own unexpected twist at the end… So does the book as a whole.

I was searching for a book that held a definite creep factor, and this one fit the bill quite well. I enjoyed every chapter of this book. My only regret is that I finished reading it in an hour! I could have easily spent the rest of my day immersed in the stories of the Owl Eyes Motel. If, like me, you’re looking for an engaging read with paranormal, creepy themes, this book might be exactly what you’ve been searching for.

On a side note, I love when authors include something “special” in their works. The image of Milton Petrie’s business card at the end was one of those things for me. I loved that little inclusion.

After a conversation with the author, I learned that she has a related book, Speed Bump, which introduces the Owl Eyes Motel and its proprietor for the first time. While I wasn’t able to read it this month, it’s definitely found a spot on my TBR list.

Author Website: barbaraavon.com

Intercepts – T.J. Payne

Warning: This novel depicts some graphic and gory scenes, and includes some language that may be offensive. Sensitive readers may wish to avoid.

Set in a secret government facility that conducts dangerous experiments on human subjects, Intercepts is a suspense/horror novel that grabbed my attention from page one.

There is a definite element of unknown with Intercepts. As a reader, I understood the experimentation element to some degree, but even after reading a third of the book, what exactly was taking place remained unclear. It didn’t detract at all from the story, but served to enhance the novel’s intensity.

The book started out strong and kept my attention. It was a good read and definitely intense, but I felt the later portions of the book were a bit predictable. I would have loved to finish the book with that sense of dread that some horror novels leave the reader with, but this one didn’t quite hit that mark. Nevertheless, it was engaging and suspenseful.

Author Website: tjpayneauthor.wixsite.com

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Have a book you’d like me to read and review? Contact me here! (I’m a fan of science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, thrillers, horror, suspense, and the like. I am currently building a review list for November 2021 and beyond.)