#Fiction Book review

[alessandroiiidimacedonia]

Good day I'm Elena and here's (finally) my review of a wonderful reading 💖

"Dancing with the Lion 2 Rise"

by @jeannereames

Riptide Publishing

🇬🇧 review 🔗 bit.ly/3BggJrk

🇮🇹 recensione 🔗 bit.ly/3FvKAyA

I can't wait for the italian edition and a 3rd book maybe?

#DancingwiththeLion #DancingwiththeLionRise #JeanneReames #RiptidePublishing #historicalfiction #fictionbookreview

#AlessandroIIIdiMacedonia #ἈλέξανδροςὁΜέγας #Alexandros #alexandertheconqueror #AlexanderofMacedon #alessandromagno #AlexandreleGrand #Alexanderthegreat #alessandroilmacedone #AlexanderderDerGroße #AlejandroMagno #AleksanderMacedoński #AleksanderWielki #Iskandar #AlessandroilGrande #ancienthistory #greekhistory #ancientgreekhistory

[thebrightchapter]

The Housewarming by S.E. Lynes - Book Review

The Housewarming by S.E. Lynes is described as 'unputdownable' thriller, so did it live up to expectations? Read my book review to find out!

My Review of The Housewarming by S.E. Lynes Title: The Housewarming Author: S.E. Lynes Date Published: October 2020 My Rating: 3* When a book gets described as ‘unputdownable’, it’s definitely tempting to give it a go.  I’ve always loved thriller books, with a few of my favourite authors very much firmly in this genre. Like with most reading, it tends to be about escapism. Thriller books…

[free-air-for-fish]

[23] Chapter 16 Review Syndicate: Love and Hot Chicken

I love when I get the opportunity to review queer literature, especially literature from southern authors, as there is still a persistent stigma against the south, and queer authors writing queer fiction and nonfiction face a double blink situation in that they are exponentially overlooked, so I’m always very excited to be able to share some queer southern lit. with others. Love and Hot Chicken,…

[carolearlycooney]

The Last Note of Warning by Katharine Schellman

Dear Fellow Reader, Happy June! For the first time in a while, it feels like we had Spring. Gardens were up and going earlier than normal and the lilacs are spent and back to being green bushes. It is always so great to go back to longer days. Remember when you were young and had to go to bed when it was still light out? Bed in Summer In winter I get up at night And dress by yellow…

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

How To Plan A Book Series: Ultimate Guide

Writing a book series can be an incredibly rewarding experience for authors, but it also requires careful planning and execution. A well-crafted book series can captivate readers, build a loyal fan base, and provide a steady stream of income for writers. However, planning a successful book series is no easy feat.

It demands a deep understanding of world-building, character development, and plot progression. In this ultimate guide, I'll help you explore the essential steps to help you plan a compelling and cohesive book series that will keep your readers hooked from start to finish.

Develop a Compelling Premise The foundation of any successful book series is a strong premise. Your premise should be unique, engaging, and have the potential to sustain multiple books. Consider exploring a complex world, a captivating concept, or a character with a rich backstory that can evolve over the course of several books. Ask yourself: What makes your premise stand out? What will keep readers invested in the story for multiple installments?

Create a Detailed Outline Before you dive into writing, it's crucial to create a detailed outline for your entire book series. This outline should include the overarching plot, major story arcs, character development, and key events for each book. Having a solid outline will help you maintain consistency, avoid plot holes, and ensure that each book contributes to the overall narrative. Don't be afraid to make adjustments as you write, but having a roadmap will keep you on track.

World-Building: Crafting a Vivid and Consistent Universe One of the hallmarks of a successful book series is a richly developed and immersive world. Whether you're creating a fantasy realm, a futuristic society, or a contemporary setting, pay close attention to world-building. Establish the rules, customs, histories, and geography of your fictional world. Consistency is key, so ensure that the details align across all books in the series. Consider creating a "bible" or a comprehensive guide that outlines the intricacies of your world, making it easier to maintain continuity.

Develop Compelling Characters Great characters are the heart and soul of any book series. Your protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters should be well-rounded, multi-dimensional, and undergo significant growth and transformation throughout the series. Craft backstories, motivations, flaws, and strengths for each character, and ensure that their actions and decisions drive the plot forward. Remember, character development is an ongoing process, so be prepared to explore new facets of your characters as the series progresses.

Establish Recurring Themes and Motifs Themes and motifs are powerful tools that can add depth and resonance to your book series. Identify the central themes you want to explore, such as love, redemption, power, or identity. Weave these themes throughout the series, allowing them to evolve and deepen with each installment. Motifs, like recurring symbols or imagery, can also create a sense of cohesion and add layers of meaning to your narrative.

Plan for Cliffhangers and Resolutions One of the key strategies for keeping readers engaged in a book series is the strategic use of cliffhangers and resolutions. Cliffhangers create anticipation and leave readers craving for the next installment. However, be cautious not to overuse this technique, as it can become frustrating for readers. Balance cliffhangers with satisfying resolutions that tie up loose ends and provide a sense of closure, while still leaving room for the story to continue.

Consider Pacing and Narrative Structure Pacing and narrative structure are crucial elements to consider when planning a book series. Each book should have its own narrative arc, with a beginning, middle, and end, while also contributing to the overall story progression. Vary the pacing between books to maintain reader interest, alternating between action-packed and slower, more introspective sections. Experiment with different narrative structures, such as multiple perspectives, non-linear timelines, or frame narratives, to keep the series fresh and engaging.

Manage Continuity and Consistency As your book series grows, maintaining continuity and consistency becomes increasingly important. Keep detailed records of character descriptions, plot points, world-building elements, and timelines. Regularly refer back to these notes to ensure that you're not introducing contradictions or inconsistencies. Consider creating a series bible or a wiki to help you keep track of all the moving parts.

Plan for Character Growth and Evolution In a book series, characters should undergo significant growth and evolution. Plan for character arcs that span multiple books, allowing your protagonists and supporting characters to face challenges, make difficult choices, and emerge as changed individuals. This character development will not only add depth to your narrative but also keep readers invested in the journey of your characters.

Anticipate and Address Potential Plot Holes As your book series expands, the potential for plot holes and inconsistencies increases. Be vigilant in identifying and addressing these issues during the planning stage. Regularly review your outline and notes, looking for any logical gaps or contradictions. Enlist the help of beta readers or critique partners to provide fresh perspectives and catch any potential plot holes you may have missed.

Consider the Overarching Story Arc While each book in your series should have its own narrative arc, it's essential to plan for an overarching story arc that spans the entire series. This overarching arc should tie together the individual books, building towards a climactic conclusion that resolves the central conflict or mystery. Ensure that each book contributes to this larger narrative, advancing the plot and raising the stakes for the characters.

Plan for Marketing and Promotion Finally, as you plan your book series, don't overlook the importance of marketing and promotion. Develop a strategy for building buzz and engaging with your audience throughout the release of each book. Leverage social media, author events, book tours, and other promotional opportunities to keep your readers excited and invested in your series.

Remember, writing a book series is a marathon, not a sprint, so be prepared to invest time, effort, and dedication into crafting a truly remarkable literary journey. Hope this helped!

Happy Writing - Rin T.

Hey fellow writers! I'm super excited to share that I've just launched a Tumblr community. I'm inviting all of you to join my community. All you have to do is fill out this Google form, and I'll personally send you an invitation to join the Write Right Society on Tumblr! Can't wait to see your posts!

[noodlenoises]

Fiction Book Review: Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Here's my review of Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah's debut novel, Chain-Gang All-Stars, about the prison-industrial-complex turned into a reality TV deathmatch.

TW: self-harm, racism, death, torture, sexual assault Themes The book explores themes of incarceration, activism, human greed and selfishness, blissful ignorance, and the evils of late stage capitalism. It does so by giving us the perspective of nearly every major characters, from Loretta and Staxxx to the broadcast director of this cruel and deadly programming, and even the announcer who bathes…

[hometoursandotherstuff]

[macrolit]

According to the New York Times, these are the best fiction books of the 2020s. Do you agree? What's missing?

[dude1818]

Unsong

I read Unsong this week and it was incredible. The writing and humor has a strong Terry Pratchett feel, and actually the story itself is adjacent to a sci-fi Good Omens. Almost every chapter had a scene that was uproariously hilarious, and really, the whole book was mainly a vector for delivering an endless stream of incredible puns

The basic premise is that the world started to end in the 60s, when the Apollo program crashed into Heaven and cracked the firmament, allowing the divine light to get back into the world. This caused physics to start to break down and reintroduced angels and demons and magic. Jump forward to 2017, and there's a booming "applied Kabbalah" industry around computationally deriving the Hidden Names of God in lieu of other technological advancement. The A plot follows Aaron, a down-on-his-luck kabbalist who works in one of these Names factories and discovers a Name that would revolutionize discovering more Names. This kicks off a chase to gain control of it across what's left of the US

The B plot bounces around, but centers on the was between good and evil. Angels returning to the world also means the resumption of the war against the fallen angels, and also Hell is real again. The messiah was born in the 70s and led the war against the devil, but most of this half of the story is actually about his daughter training under the archangel Uriel in the 90s to keep the world running. Of course Aaron's discovering of a powerful new Name eventually grabs the attention of these powerful forces

Of course the actual minute-to-minute of the book is totally absurd. The first antagonist is the titular UNSONG, the United Nations patent office for Names of God. At one point they attract the Drug Lord and we learn about the War on Drugs: a sentient peyote cactus man took over Mexico with a drug-induced hivemind and tried to invade the US. Neil Armstrong ascended bodily to heaven, and then returned to "grant salvation to" (take over) LA. The higher level angel fights do word association with the concepts describing reality. It's all bonkers, and it all works so well

I'm leaving out so much, but I can't recommend this enough. And the overall question that keeps coming up throughout the book is the age-old question "why does God allow evil to exist anyway," and this is the first time I've seen an answer that actually makes sense. I don't think you could have gotten there from any other angle

[chinolondoner]

!! Serious Readers Wanted !!

Hello, I am an ambitious author committing to penning thoughtful and well-constructed crime fiction through stony flamboyance.

Under the current penname and alias "Chino Londoner" I am in the eye of a whirlwind of inspiration writing the beginnings of what is set to be a longform, episodic, detective series titled Lullaby for Bishop.

Set in a tropical, Latin American city completely fictionalized and pulled out of the mind of the author, the story entails the final days in an aging private detective's career, hoping to lighten the load in his final run of cases by hiring a young and enthusiastic, male partner to smoothen the more tedious and insidious hurdles.

Wanting to give the reader a well-rounded experience when taking on the themes of the story, there will be moments of general levity and comedic punchlines throughout, but ultimately, Lullaby for Bishop is fundamentally inspired by noir and hard-boiled literature and media. As so, the writing will follow in the genre's legacy of smoky fatalism and tinged by a gnawing and pessimistic torment.

The first twelve chapters in this epic saga can be found and experienced for free by visiting my Patreon.

Click here for early chapters!

short excerpt below...

reblogs are appreciated!

(Excerpt from Chapter Six)

“Surely your parents knew about your choice of career path before they passed away,” Nayaiko said.

“Not that it's really any of your business, but my parents and I never really had a close relationship. Not seeing eye-to-eye on certain things, there was never much of an attempt on either end of the wire to maintain consistent contact.”

“That's unfortunate,” said Nayaiko. “There are few things in the world that should be put above strong, family bonds. In Japanese culture, we often inscribe great emphasis in honoring our parents.”

“Yeah, well, I didn't grow up in Japanese culture.” The topic of conversation looked to be a sensitive avenue of discussion for our detective. “I grew up in America. I grew up in California. I grew up in a world full of moral winds and spoon-fed narcissists. I grew up around real-life junkies, part-time junkies, junkies who only meant to wet their lips on the stuff once for a role and manage to never see their grandmother's pained grin ever again. You're going to think I'm crazy for saying this, but my mother actually went through five different accents throughout the lump of my childhood. It was as if this woman was test driving an entirely new persona every other winter flu until she was finally able to discover one that could squeeze her enough money.”

Howl had then looked over at the girls and would take notice of the strange expressions on their faces, such honed and weathered sentiments perhaps a frivolous grade level or two above Nomi and Nayaiko's curated sensibilities.

---

Copyright © 2024 by Chino Londoner

[galina]

Just finished: The Amendments, Niamh Mulvey. I was sent an advance review copy by picador. It took me a while to warm up to this one, but in the end I really enjoyed the way Mulvey delivers complex difficult emotions using straightforward language, not wallowing in grief but also not flinching away from some of the hardest conversations around birth, death and religion. And I do have a soft spot for Irish writers, and multi-generational stories

[thebrightchapter]

For When I’m Gone by Rebecca Ley - Book Review

My Review of For When I’m Gone by Rebecca Ley Title: For When I’m Gone Author: Rebecca Ley Date Published: September 2020 My Rating: 3.5* A poignant exploration of love, loss, and the legacy we leave behind. In ‘For When I’m Gone’ by Rebecca Ley, we’re introduced to Sylvia; a young mother of two, who faces a terminal cancer diagnosis. This prompts her to write a manual for her husband,…

[free-air-for-fish]

[17] Chapter 16 Review Syndicate: Those We Thought We Knew

A previous boss of mine was obsessed with David Joy’s books, but I had yet to read any of this work. Those We Thought We Knew was a great entry into his work. Joy focuses a lot on addressing racial turmoil in the South, so if you like detective work, murder mysteries, or eerie small town drama in the South, then you’ll likely enjoy this book. Cover of the book Those We Thought We Knew. As I…

[carolearlycooney]

The Last Note of Warning by Katharine Schellman

Dear Fellow Reader, Happy June! For the first time in a while, it feels like we had Spring. Gardens were up and going earlier than normal and the lilacs are spent and back to being green bushes. It is always so great to go back to longer days. Remember when you were young and had to go to bed when it was still light out? Bed in Summer In winter I get up at night And dress by yellow…

[mysharona1987]

[quirkycatsfatstacks]

WOTN: The Unkindest Tide by Seanan McGuire

The Unkindest Tide is the thirteenth novel in the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire. And if you haven’t heard of or read this series before, you’re missing out. The series follows Toby Daye, a private investigator and Hero to the Fae. Toby has made a lot of bargains and promises in her past, specifically to a powerful woman known as the Luidaeg. And now it is time to pay up. And it doesn’t…