A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor

My first starred review for Library Journal!

https://www.libraryjournal.com/?reviewDetail=a-beautifully-foolish-endeavor
This sequel to An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, the first book in Green’s “Carls” series, continues the story of 23-year-old April May and one of the Carls, a statue from outer space who hovers in major cities around the world, causing mixed feelings of wonder and dread among Earth’s billions of residents. After the shockingly public death of April May and Carl’s sudden disappearance, the world is more confused than ever. The event ultimately brings friends Andy, Miranda, and Maya back together, with Andy willingly absorbing April May’s fame, using it to make personal appearances and join a secret online society, and Miranda, feeling lonely and displaced, taking on a covert scientific assignment. Maya, meanwhile, flounders without purpose until she discovers an anomaly too mysterious to be ignored. What happens next to the group is more powerful than anyone could imagine.
VERDICT Throughout this adventurous, witty, and compelling novel, Green delivers sharp social commentary on the power of social media and both the benefits and horrendous consequences that follow when we give too much of ourselves to technology. An essential choice for all sf collections.

Reviewed by Carmen Clark, Elkhart P.L., IN , Jun 12, 2020

Review: Fire in the Blood

Fire in the Blood by Perry O'Brien
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Library Journal for the advanced reader's copy! You can find my review on their website as well.

Coop, a soldier serving in Afghanistan, learns his wife, Kay has died in a hit-and-run accident. He is granted leave and flies to New York to attend to her affairs but finds the reception from Kay’s family cold and distant. A mysterious visitor at the funeral leads him to suspect that Kay’s death was not accidental. Utilizing his military training and instincts, Coop chooses to abandon his return to Afghanistan and instead embarks on his own mission to uncover the truth. As he moves deeper into the unknown aspects of Kay’s life, Coop is haunted by memories from his military service, and the final days with Kay before deployment. Facing numerous obstacles along the way, including a drug gang and an unreliable detective, Coop must unravel truth from lie and grasp the redemption he’s been seeking all along.

In addition to his background as a soldier in Afghanistan, O’Brien’s ability to express the human experience of inner turmoil and atonement, revenge and justice, displays his powerful and engaging talent as a writer. Fans of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch series will appreciate Coop’s brusque, principled personality.


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Red Noise LJ Review



Check out my newest review on Library Journal!

https://www.libraryjournal.com/?reviewDetail=red-noise&fbclid=IwAR3n2H0HMuQwYA9pKEErXouuNPr5rg8sfRvc5RllkHmaJVwUm_GNjlEFg4I

Seeking only the perpetual solitude of her ship and work, the Miner docks at Station 35, hoping to sell her asteroid ore and get out. When the price for her cargo is anything but fair, the Miner explores further into the confines of the station, and what she discovers forces her into the throws of an interminable and dangerous battle between rival gangs and corrupt law enforcement. When the bitter campaign between an unstable mob boss and his treacherous former second in command starts threatening the life of her only friend on the station, the Miner realizes she has a critical decision to make: leave and save herself, or use her skills with a blade to end the deadly brawl once and for all. The story that unfolds contains plenty of twists and gruesome action. The Miner’s sense of vindication and her capriciousness make her an unreliable, albeit interesting protagonist; however, the lack of further character development and depth causes the plot to remain stagnant.

VERDICT Libraries with well circulating sf collections may want this one; otherwise, pass.