TLC Tour Book #Review: The Forever Knight by John Marco

This is a different and entertaining story.
The Forever Knight
by John Marco

• Hardcover: 356 pages
• Publisher: DAW Hardcover; 1 edition (April 2, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756407516
• ISBN-13: 978-0756407513

Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Release date: April 2, 2013 | Series: Books of the Bronze Knight
Lukien is the Bronze Knight, beloved by his kingdom and renowned in battle throughout his world. After betraying his king and losing his beloved, he wishes only for death, but rather than die, Lukien is given a chance for redemption: to be the protector of the Inhumans—those fragile mortals who live deep in the desert, far from the prying eyes of their world. These remarkable individuals have been granted magical powers in exchange for the hardships and handicaps life has handed them. And Lukien, now immortal himself, must be their champion. But how can one man, even an immortal warrior, protect hundreds from a world of potential enemies?

Review:
Lukien is a nearly immortal knight who feels guilty for past betrayals and losses. He lives in a community of ‘Inhumans” where spirits help the disabled by providing gifts for the things they are missing, like sight or hearing. Lukien’s spirit, Malator, dwells in the Sword of Angels that Lukien carries and this spirit heals him from what would otherwise be deadly injuries.

Lukien is loved as the Bronze Knight and a protector, but he is bored with his purposeless life. His friend and leader decides to send him out as a knight errant to preform good deeds. Lukien has a young friend, a fourteen old girl, Cricket, who can not remember her past. Lukien agrees to  take her as his squire to the outland kingdom where they think she came from.

Malator tries to tell Lukien that it is too dangerous to take Cricket but Lukien is very stubborn and Cricket is very insistent. As they near the area they pass refugees fleeing the destruction of a terrible King, Diriel, who wants to become Emperor by using an army of dead, mummified soldiers.

Lukien’s fame precedes him and he is led to a neighboring country where he is asked to kill a horrible monster. Although he faces the monster he is unable to kill it. Meanwhile Diriel wants to control the monster and is threatening to march his armies to take over this community too.

Lukien drags Cricket into dangerous and awful situations. She is a brave, bright, fun companion but reckless too. Before the adventure is over Cricket wants to find her memories, Lukien wants to find his purpose and a desperate band of allies will make a last stand against the rotten legions of the madman king.

To be honest I was conflicted as I had a hard time really liking the characters. Lukien has special strengths but he  rushes into dangerous situations without thinking or planning. This behavior works with the possible motive that he wants to kill himself. I also couldn’t embrace Cricket who is self-centered which is not uncommon for a selfish, teenage girl.  Even Malator was not completely loveable as he conveys only partial information to Lukien and often speaks in riddles.

The writing is good and moves well although there were some phrases that did not seem to fit with the world/time period. For example, Cricket saying “let’s make some tracks” seemed out of place. I enjoyed the creative world of beings and the action of the tale. The last 80 pages the story became more focused and I was pleased that Lukien began to accept a purpose and used his head to strategize. Apparently this is a third or fourth book in a series and I wonder if reading the prior books builds a better rapport for the characters. All in all it is an entertaining read especially for those who love fantasy adventure.

I received this book for an honest review as part of TLC book tour;

About John Marco

John Marco is the author of seven previous books.  His debut fantasy series, Tyrants and Kings, earned him a Barnes and Noble Readers Choice Award and has since been translated into numerous languages around the world.  His first three novels of Lukien, The Eyes of God, The Devil’s Armor, and The Sword of Angels have received high praise. In addition to his work as a novelist, he is also a proud and avid nerd and blogs at his website, thehappynerd.com.  He lives on Long Island with his wife and young son.

John’s Tour Stops

Tuesday, April 2nd: The Arched Doorway
Wednesday, April 3rd: Bibliophilia, Please!
Thursday, April 4th: A Daily Dose of R&R
Tuesday, April 9th: No More Grumpy Bookseller
Wednesday, April 10th: Poisoned Rationality
Thursday, April 11th: A Daily Dose of R&R
Monday, April 15th: What She Read … - joint review
Tuesday, April 16th: Books Without Any Pictures
Wednesday, April 17th: Ageless Pages Reviews
Thursday, April 18th: Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews
Monday, April 22nd: Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf

Tuesday, April 23rd: The Written World
Wednesday, April 24th: Just a World Away
Thursday, April 25th: Beauty in the Ruins
Monday, April 29th: Reading Reality
Tuesday, April 30th: Curling Up by the Fire
Wednesday, May 1st: Dreaming About Other Worlds
Monday, May 6th: Geek Banter
Wednesday, May 8th: In Bed with Books

Book Review and Giveaway: Five Days of Fear by David Kovach

This is a solidly engaging crime thriller.

Five Days of Fear
by David Kovach

• File Size: 614 KB
• Print Length: 338 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1611530288
• Publisher: Light Messages Publishing (November 9, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English

Genre: Thriller, Christian Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: November 9, 2012

During a family picnic, Jessica Britton’s well-ordered world is slammed against a brutal reality and her faith is tested when her mom is kidnapped, her dad is shot, and authorities can find no clues to begin their investigation. Jessica’s own anxiety and fear for her mother’s life compels her to help FBI Agent Dan Hamilton look for motives and clues that would lead to rescuing her mom. By chance, clues begin to emerge, and the once floundering investigation speeds to a hectic race against time and criminal minds in a desperate attempt to save Jessica’s mom and the lives of many in San Francisco’s business district.

Review:
Jessica is an attractive, popular and warm hearted first grade teacher. She hasn’t yet found the right man to interest her. When a peaceful family picnic is interrupted by strangers kidnapping her mother, Angie, and shooting her father, Jessica is set on a path of worry. She finds herself inexplicably drawn to the comforting presence of the steady, competent and controlled FBI agent handling the case, Dan.

Dan is an experienced agent and knows how important it is to pursue all clues immediately in a kidnapping. The problem is they have no real clues on this case. He is very attracted to Jessica, the only  witness who saw the kidnapper.  Jessica appears to be a straight forward, pragmatic, caring and brave young woman. Dan agrees to keep her apprised of the progress of the case and even agrees to let her help in a peripheral fashion.

Dan’s team members, his mentor, Chad, the bickering Ben and Ruth, and the newbie, Kyle, are a little surprised by Dan’s behavior with Jessica but they respect his leadership and are partly glad to see him take interest in a young lady. Surprisingly Ruth and Jessica both focus in on the same news story, involving jealousies and allegations of mishandled funds, as a possible avenue to investigate.

Meanwhile Angie is able to leave a few ‘bread crumb’ hints that, once found, create an urgency of time and help intensify the pace of the investigation. The FBI team races against time to follow the slim clues to try to prevent a bomb attack and also to rescue Angie before it is too late.

I really enjoyed the procedural details in this story.  Mr. Kovach shares methodology on finding possible conflicts of interest, image enhancing software, the use of dogs, following financial records and more. There were a couple of points that I questioned such as Dan taking lunch breaks with Jessica while there were leads that could be followed. I give the benefit of the doubt that other members of the team were doing leg work although that wasn’t made clear.

I can’t quite explain why the writing felt ‘simplified’ to me but it did. It reminded me of the old journalism rule that the article should be written at an eighth grade education level.  That bothered me a little at first but by a quarter or so into the book I was wrapped up enough in the story that it didn’t matter. Then I was fully engaged by the action, the plot details and the character interaction, including the sweet emotions that grow between Jessica and Dan.  There is a soft underlying faith shown by the family’s strength in the face of the trauma.  I recommend this book to those who like strong investigative details, good clean action and sweet romance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are some sections dealing with Jessica’s anxiety issues:

Jessica suspected that Dan liked her. That might be why he was being so nice to her. But her emotions were booked at the moment. To think of anything other than her mom’s safety and her dad’s health was beyond her. She wanted to be free of the fear that gripped her. Page 39.

Jessica tells her dad: “....I wish I didn’t have this feeling of anxiety and fear hanging over me....”
Her father responds: “Different personalities might be one reason. We’re made differently. Also, I think because you posses so many gifts and talents, it might be harder for you not to over-rely on those abilities.”  Page 137.

I received this book from TLC Blog Tours for an honest review.

This story is set in San Fransisco. I will add it to my New Author challenge list.
Learn more about David Kovach at these links:

• the author's website
• Facebook page
• Twitter account
• book trailer

Check the full tour schedule HERE.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for my Review Copy.

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website OR watch the trailer and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 7, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 8, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.