Book Review: Out of the Gate by Elsie Silver

Title: Out of the Gate

Author: Elsie Silver

Series/Standalone: Gold Rush Ranch Series (Book #0.5)

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Adult Fiction

Pages: 112

Publisher: Indie

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Own on Kindle)

"Dermot Harding is ten years older than me. A family friend. An employee on my father's ranch.

But I've loved him as long as I can remember.

At eighteen, I kissed him and he pushed me away. He said I was too young.

The army took him from me for three long years, but now he's back at Gold Rush Ranch- looking at me like he's never looked at me before. letting his hands linger longer than they should. Offering to help me train the racehorse I've always dreamed of owning.

I say that I've moved on, but our chemistry? It's electric. It's overpowering. And soon all our reasons for staying away from each other fall away, along with our clothes.

He says he's too old and too broken for someone like me. He says we can never work. But his body tells another story.

I put my pride on the line for him once before.

Am I a fool to risk it again?"

My Rating: 4/5

I think that if you're reading this series it might be a good idea to start here instead of with the actual first book because I had a few moments where I was reminded that we were reading about someone's grandparents and I can't explain why that took me out of moments, but it did. I liked to better understand the characters and how this ranch turned into a racehorse training facility, and the chemistry was excellent. The age gap was a little intense, but I think it was well done overall.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Isolation by Dan Wells

Title: Isolation

Author: Dan Wells

Series/Standalone: Partials Sequence (Book # 0.5)

Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Novella

Pages: 75

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Year Published: 2012

Format: Ebook (Library)

"Two decades before the events of Partials, the world was locked in a different battle for survival: a global war for the last remaining oil reserves on the planet. It was for the Isolation War that the American government contracted the ParaGen Corporation to manufacture the Partials- our last hope in reclaiming energy independence from China. And it was on these fields of battle that the seeds of humanity's eventual destruction were sown.

Isolation takes us back to the front lines of this war, a time when mankind's ambition far outstripped its foresight. Heron, a newly trained Partial soldier who specializes in infiltration, is sent on a mission deep behind enemy lines. What she discovers there has far-reaching implications- not only for the Isolation War, but for Partials and humans alike long after this war is over."

My Rating:4/5

I should have read these in publication order because this really built on Heron as a character, I just don't think I realized what this novella was about and I couldn't find an audiobook for this one. I really loved seeing what made Heron who she is in the Partials series. I would have liked to see the part she played in the Partial War/Revolution though. If you have read the first one I beg of you to read this before starting the second one.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Ruins by Dan Wells

Title: Ruins

Author: Dan Wells

Series/Standalone: Partials Sequence (Book #3)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction

Pages: 464

Publisher: Balzar + Bray

Year Published: 2014

Format: Audiobook

"Kira, Samm and Marcus fight to prevent a final war between Partials and humans in the gripping final installment in the Partial Sequence, a series that combines the thrilling action of The Hunger Games with the provocative themes of Blade Runner and The Stand.

There is no avoiding it- the war to decide the fate of both humans and Partials is at hand. both sides hold in their possession a weapon that could destroy the other, and Kira Walker has precious little time to prevent that from happening. She has one chance to save both species and the world with them, but it will only come at great personal cost."

My Rating: 4.25/5

It has never been a secret that I have a hard time coming to conclusions from any series. I always think I know how they're going to wrap up and while this did follow a lot of the stepping stones I thought it would, it didn't check all the boxes I hoped for. Mainly there were a few scenes that I thought could have gone further, or were going to end in different ways that just seemed to fizzle out. Overall I loved the series and I would highly recommend it. I can't wait to read the prequel novella.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

My Rating: 

Book Review: Off to the Races by Elsie Silver

Title: Off to the Races

Author: Elsie Silver

Series/Standalone: Gold Rush Ranch (Book #1)

Genre: Contemporary, Small Town, Romance, Adult

Pages: 334

Publisher: Indie Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line: "Lights flash all around me, forcing me to cover my eyes with my forearm."

"Keeping things professional with my employees has never been an issue. Until she waltzed onto my property.

Billie is talented. She's mouthy. And she's so damn tempting. I can't stop thinking about all the ways I could take her down a peg.

I can't stop thinking about her, period.

We clash from the moment we meet. And in a small town, on an even smaller farm, it's hard to keep your distance. It's even harder to keep that friction from turning to fire.

But keeping my distance? That might be the biggest struggle of all. Because Billie is the whole package, whip-smart with a body I fantasize about when I'm alone, and quite possibly the only woman who can save this business- and me.

She drives me crazy. In every sense of the word. Every smart-mouthed little comment- every game we play- I end up wanting more. Wanting her closer. With me. Under me.

I try not to let her get to me, but the more time we spend together the more I crave her. Her lips. Her trust. Her heart.

I want it all.

But at what cost?

Because suddenly I don't just want to win races, I want to win the girl."

My Rating:5/5

It's been a while since I stayed up to finish a book and had no interest in sleep while trying to get to the end and this one did it for me. In the beginning, I was a little hesitant because the male lead is a little hard for me to get behind a rich guy acting the way he does but with time he grew on me. Billie on the other hand I loved from the word go! She's fire, she's passionate and she's amazing. I love the way Elsie Silver builds on her stories to extend to the next book in a natural way. It doesn't feel forced it seems to come around naturally. I love it! The chosen family vibes in this immaculate. Would highly recommend it if you want a small-town romance on a horse farm!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Everything Vol. 1

Title: Everything Volume 1

Author(s): Christopher Cantwell 

Artist(s):  INJ Culbard

Series/Standalone: Everything Series (Vol. 1)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Dystopian, 

Pages: 128

Publisher: Berger Books

Year Published: 2020

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Everything is a gleaming new mega-department store that has everything you want... but it might take away what you need... things like your sanity, or maybe even your life.

From wayward teens to lonely housewives and ambitious city officials, most in this otherwise-sleepy Michigan town are thrilled with the arrival of EVERYTHING and its catalog-perfect manager, Shirley.

But thrill turns to frenzy and when bouts of mania, random hellish fires, violent explosions and unshakeable psychic disturbances start to overtake the population, a few-like depressive out-of-towner Lori and a suspicious local named Rick- begin to suspect EVERYTHING might be the cause.

What twisted power has taken hold of Holland, Michigan and its town-folk? Who-or-what- exactly is in charge here and what insidious plans are in store?"

My Rating: 4/5

This was such an odd introduction to a series but it hooked me right away. A dystopian book about the greed of capitalism? Sign me up. I would strongly recommend if you want a little disturbing mixed with an odd feeling of familiarity, EVERYTHING may not be as it seems.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Something is Killing the Children Vol. 7

Title: Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 7

Author: James Tynion IV

Artist: Werther Dell'Edera

Series/Standalone: Something is Killing the Children (Volume 7)

Genre: Graphic Novels, Horror, Adult

Pages: 144

Publisher: BOOM!Studios

Year Published: 2024

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"The final chapter of the Tribulation saga and the decisive showdown between Eric Slaughter and Cutter.

After narrowly surviving the Duplicitype, Erica Slaughter must still reckon with the murderous Cutter in order to save the people of Tribulation. Seperated from Dolly and driven by desperate rage, Cutter won't stop until she exacts her revenge on Erica. But the horror is far from over as the terrifying Duplicitype, the infamous monster wearing Erica's likeness that changed Something is Killing the Children forever, also remains at large and in relentless, sinister pursuit! And with Cecilia showing up onsite, will Erica finally find the ally she needs or is betrayal in the cards? Whose side are they on? Most importantly, what chance does Erica stand?"

My Rating: 4/5

I enjoyed this one more than the last one and I think the addition of flashbacks helped my enjoyment overall. I look forward to continuing the series. 

Sidny