Sirens

Joseph Knox's debut crime thriller Sirens tells the story of an undercover detective Aidan Watts and his efforts to bring down a ruthless drug lord Zain Carver. Watts is a broken man. He was booted from the police force for being a dirty cop - stealing money and drugs from dealers. One day, Watts is approached by a politician David Rossiter. Rossiter is worried that his daughter Isabelle is a "Siren" In Zain Carver's world, Sirens are young girls who retrieve money from various dead drops around Manchester and bring it to Car
ver. As the book goes on, Isabelle disappears. Later, she is found dead from a drug overdose. This incident propels Carver and Watts to unite and go on the trail of a rival drug lord who is leaving bodies around Manchester.


The book has a fast-paced and intricate plot. The writing is intense and compels the reader to commiserate with the protagonist. The characters are likewise quite developed and multifaceted with each of them having their own skeletons in their closet.


All in all, I enjoyed Sirens. For a debut, Knox proves himself to be a very capable author, and thus sets the bar high for any future novels he might write.

How Democracies Die

How Democracies Die is a relatively short book with a wealth of information. The authors do a great job of explaining the dangers of world leaders co-opting democratic processes that ultimately harm the population. 

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review

A Force So Swift

A Force So Swift is a fascinating account of China shortly after World War II. The book deals with the origin of the conflict between the United States and Communist China. The author does a great job parsing the details so they are understandable for the average reader. 

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review is a fascinating account of China shortly after World War II. The book deals with the origin of the conflict between the United States and Communist China. The author does a great job parsing the details so they are understandable for the average reader. 

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Otherworld

Otherworld by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller is a science fiction novel that deals with virtual reality. It tells the story of Simon, the son of wealthy parents who has a penchant for getting into trouble and who's been kicked out of many schools. Simon also falls in love with Kat, but Kat's parents forbid her from dating Simon. After a terrible accident which leaves people dead, Simon falls into a coma. It is during that time, that the virtual reality game Otherworld is introduced. The game's creators peddle it as a fun way to escape reality, but Simon suspects there is an ulterior motive behind it. Simon now must do what he can in order to stop the game's creators and ultimately save humanity.

The main point the author tries to get across is the tremendous and awesome power rapidly-evolving technology has on humanity. When used irresponsibly, it has the power to alter human mind in a frightening way. If you enjoyed Ready Player One, you will certainly love Otherworld.

Chasing Phil

Chasing Phil by David Howard is a true crime story of a cunning conman Phil Kitzer and two FBI agents who are tasked with bringing him and his associates down. The book is an easy read with lots of action and really funny moments. We take a look at Kitzer's motivations as he goes from place to place and tries to trick his pursuers. If you liked Catch Me if You Can and American Hustle, then this is the book for you.

Paradox Bound

Peter Clines' new book Paradox Bound is a fascinating science fiction novel dealing with travels through American history. The main character, a boy Eli Teague sees an old Model A Ford with a woman dressed in a Revolutionary War attire. Before long, a second car comes along and gives chase. Fascinated by this event and wanting answers, Eli takes off on a journey through history that will ultimately decide America's future.

Time travel, which is one of the central themes in the science fiction genre, takes on a new approach in Clines' novel. It's not so much as directly influencing history, as it is a journey of self-discovery. I also liked the fact that the central theme of the book is the concept of the American Dream and the values we hold dear in our exceptional country.

Med School Uncensored

Med School Uncensored by Richard Beddingfield is a valuable guide for those who aspire to go into the medical profession. This book offers a wealth of information and solid advice from the preparation tips for the MCATs all the way to residency and board examinations. If you're in medical school or planning to enroll in one, Med School Uncensored will be a valuable guide as you navigate throughout your medical education. A word of warning, though, the book does contain some colorful language, hence "Uncensored" in the title.