Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory by Yaroslav Barsukov

                                                         

Today is my spot on the Blog Tour for Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory by Yaroslav Barsukov

                      FROM THE BACK PAGE

'Refusing the queen’s order to gas a crowd of protesters, Minister Shea Ashcroft is banished to the border to oversee the construction of the biggest defensive tower in history. However, the use of technology taken from refugees from another reality makes the tower volatile and dangerous, becoming a threat to local political interests. Shea has no choice but to fight the ruling hierarchy to ensure the construction succeeds—and to reclaim his own. 

MY THOUGHTS

I first heard of this when the author was at WorldCon in Glasgow earlier this year and posted that he had early copies. I wasn't there myself but we chatted online and he arranged to send me a copy in exchange for a fair review. Friends, I snapped his hand off (not literally, obviously, that would be a terrible thing to do to an author) at this offer. 

At this point I will state that all views and opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.

Anyway, the book turned up days later, I read the first chapter and was hooked straight away . . .

Below is the printed plastic tower which was part of the publicity push from the book. It is a copy of the tower on the front cover - and what a glorious cover it is too. Something else that drew me in (whoever said never judge a book by its cover was misinformed).

I delayed my read as Publication Day was a way off and I had a holiday abroad coming up. I always take my kindle on holiday (well, to be fare I take it everywhere) but also a paperback or two. Sleeping Worlds was the first thing I packed in my case.

We got where we were going, the weather was glorious, plenty of time to just chill out.

But what about the book? Was it any good? Did it live up to my expectations? . . .

Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is the story of Shea Ashcroft, a former Minister who is sent into what is basically a form of exile by the Queen after he refused her orders to gas a crowd in the streets. He is posted to the border to oversee the building of a humungous tower. When he gets there everything is not as it should be. Unstable technology from a different reality is being used and the whole thing is just a bomb waiting to blow.

And then things really get interesting.

Shea has to rub a lot of people up the wrong way to make sure the tower can be finished, there is an assassination attempt, there is a portal to 'elsewhere' and all the time he is fighting his inner demons and trying to 'do the right thing'. It truly is a hell of a ride.

Describing Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is a task in itself - it is Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Political Thriller and oh so much more all wrapped up in one marvellous, enthralling story that pulls you in and doesn't let go (I am currently on my second re-read and still loving it). The writing is such that the world has true depth and when I was reading it I felt I was there - smells, sounds, atmosphere of the place.

The best advice I can give is go grab a copy and see for yourself.

My final rating for Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is 6/5* (my blog, my rules 😜)

 

Thank you to Black Crow PR for inviting me onto this tour and to the author for sending me the review copy. As I said earlier all views and opinions are my own.

So, while I am on the subject of just how good this book is I may as well let you all know . . .

Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is my choice for The BlogCave Book Of The Year 2024

The Whispering Night by Susan Dennard

 

FROM THE BACK PAGE

'Winnie Wednesday's future is looking bright. Hemlock Falls is no longer hunting the werewolf, she and Erica Thursday are tentative friends, and Winnie finally knows exactly where she stands with Jay Friday.

With everything finally on track, Winnie is looking forward to the Nightmare Masquerade, a week-long celebration of all things Luminary. But as Luminaries from across the world flock to the small town, uninvited guests also arrive.

Winnie is confronted by a masked Diana and charged with an impossible task--one that threatens everything and everyone Winnie loves.

As Winnie fights to stop new enemies before time runs out, old mysteries won't stop intruding. Her missing father is somehow entangled with her search for hidden witches, and as Winnie digs deeper into the long-standing war between the Luminaries and the Dianas, she discovers rifts within her own family she never could have imagined.

What does loyalty mean when family and enemies look the same?

The forest is more dangerous than ever as secrets are revealed in this highly-anticipated, swoon-worthy conclusion to the bestselling Luminaries trilogy.'

                                                      MY THOUGHTS

Well, that was a hell of a final book. Things are starting to look up for Winnie, all the fun of the Nightmare Masquerade is in sight . . . Yeah, that's not going to last long!!

As you would expect with the final book in a series The Whispering Night (published November 19th from Daphne Press) soon kicks off, then it is more or less foot to the floor right the way through to the end. I lost count of how many "just one more page" moments I had reading this. 

The world building continued to be excellent, the characters generally carried on growing into themselves and lots of questions from previous books were answered (seriously, don't go into this without having read the previous books). There were new enemies to fight - always a good thing. All boxes were well and truly ticked for me.

Was I target audience for this book? Most likely not but that's never stopped me before. The name of Susan Dennard on the cover is a deal breaker for me. I was there at the beginning of the Witchlands series and have not been disappointed yet - and with The Whispering Night that continues to be the case.

Many thanks to Black Crow PR for inviting me onto this tour and to Daphne Press for providing the review copy. All views and opinions are my own.

2 Dumb Dinos by Nathan Hamill and Eric Filipkowski

 

2 Dumb Dinos is a collection of short comic strips, the kind you'd expect to find in the funnies section of the newspapers. The Dinos in question are Scumbag and Dingus and really, with names like that you can guess what's ahead.

The short stories (generally between 4-7 panels) cover various subjects but usually boil down to one or both of the Dinos saying something . . . well, dumb.

The humour here may, at times, sit more with the American audience but I enjoyed it a lot. I chuckled a lot, i laughed out loud a few times.

2 Dumb Dinos is a very nicely presented book and one I will be keeping close by. Sometimes, when the day isn't going your way you need a chuckle to raise your spirits and 2 Dumb Dinos is just the tonic in that situation. 

Thanks to Titan Comics for providing the review copy and inviting me onto the blog tour.