A. L. Kaplan

Tag: book review

  • Book Review – Gold Dust

    Book Review – Gold Dust

    Gold Dust, by Catherine Assaro, is the second Dust Knights novel. This is an exciting standalone story with a large cast of characters that centers around the Undercity kids who have joined the Raylicon Olympic team and their teammates. There is Bhaaj, a retired and decorated military officer turned private investigator and track and field coach. Mason, the city of Cries coach who discovers that the Undercity people are athletic prodigies. Angel, a strong psychic from the Undercity who is constantly underestimated by her city instructors. Ruzik, Angel’s husband and a great distance runner. Dice, heir to the Undercity’s Vakaar crime syndicate. Shiv, heir to the Undercity’s Kaja crime syndicate. Tam, a talented trans Undercity runner who is targeted multiple times because of her origin. Kiro, an incredibly strong empath from a wealthy and privileged family in the city of Cries. Hyden, an arrogant runner from another wealthy family who scorns all Undercity runners as beneath him, and Zee, Lamp, and Strider, Undercity runners who are drawn to Kiro and accept him into their family.

    These kids just want to run, (and get food and clean water for their families) but are hit with prejudice and obstacles at multiple turns. Everyone “knows” that people from the Undercity are all no good, lazy, and stupid criminal thugs. At almost every race, the Undercity athletes are underestimated and ridiculed, accused of cheating when they win.

    But this story is about more than that. There are surprising twists and revelations, power plays between two major corporations, all with family ties, interstellar intrigue, and a pair of star-crossed lovers. Can the city athletes look beyond their preconceived notions? Can the Undercity athletes overcome their many disadvantages and find acceptance? You’ll need to read to find out. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to more in this series.

    Gold Dust releases on October 7, 2025

  • Book Review: A Language of Dragons – by S. F. Williamson

    Book Review: A Language of Dragons – by S. F. Williamson

    Exciting debut novel.  Placed in 1923 London, this alternate history blends dragons with fantasy, civil unrest, a budding romance, and a corrupt government.

    In an oppressive society split into three classes, Viv is racked with guilt over getting her best friend sent down to Third Class. Now her biggest worry is getting a summer internship to study dragon languages and keep her little sister safe. But her life takes a sharp turn when her parents and cousin are arrested and a civil war breaks out.

    S. F. Williamson does an excellent job creating multiple dragons and dragon cultures, weaving them seamlessly into a world where dragons and humans have a tenuous peace. I look forward to reading the next book.

  • Book Review – The Dragonet Prophecy – Wings of Fire Book #1

    Book Review – The Dragonet Prophecy – Wings of Fire Book #1

    The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland, is an intriguing story about a group of five dragonets that have been raised in isolation so they can fulfill a prophecy that they end the war.

    Clay is a mudwing dragonet, but he knows next to nothing about his own people and how they live. He is determined to protect his friends and prove that he isn’t the vicious killer their guardians believe his is. When the dragonets leave the safety of their cave, they are thrust into a cruel world where the different dragon species are divided behind the three sister dragons vying to be crowned the ultimate ruler.

    The different types of dragons and their cultures in this book are fascinating. I loved the interactions between the dragonets and how Clay keeps them together. There were several twists and revelations. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

  • Book Review: THE DOWN DEEP

    Book Review: THE DOWN DEEP

    The Down Deep, Catherine Asaro’s latest novel, is an exciting story with a gripping twist that I didn’t expect and thoroughly enjoyed.  

    Colonel Lavinda Majda and retired Major Bhaajan, travel to the Undercity to try to build a relationship and trust between their two peoples. Overcoming more than hundreds of years of mistrust is no easy task, especially with vast cultural and language differences. Something as simple as a smile or name means different things to each of them. Even the number of syllables in a word can cause problems. One wrong step could put all their lives in danger.

    To most residents of Cries the “savages” that live in the Undercity are inferior, less than human. Yet they need the unique abilities that the Undercity dwellers have. Lavanda is an exceptional woman, part of the privileged elite. She is fiercely loyal to her people, yet with a compassion and openness to learn about the Undercity and accept them as who they are.

    Bhaaj was born in the undercity, where people struggle to survive. It is one of the poorest places on Raylicon and a sharp contrast to the wealthy city of Cries. In the Undercity, the strong survive and protect the ones they love, while the weak perish. Clean water and food are the most valuable items. But those who live there have a beautiful and rich culture that the people in Cries know nothing about.

    The Down Deep has great tension and pacing with intriguing characters. They even surprise themselves at times. Asaro cleverly showcases the cultural differences between the Undercity and Cries through both Bhaaj’s and Lavinda’s eyes. Past events are woven into the narrative making it easy to follow without having read previous books in the universe. I look forward to reading more from this author.

    [I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.]

  • Book Review: The Study of Magic

    Book Review: The Study of Magic

    Another fantastic book from Maria V. Snyder. While THE STUDY OF MAGIC takes place at the same time as MAGIC STUDY, there were a whole bunch of exciting things that happened before Valek met up with Yelena again in Magic Study. That means there are more wonderful and exciting tales to tell. Told from Valek’s point of view, this book will not disappoint.

    Don’t forget to check the ceiling for ‘spiders’ 😉

  • Book Review: Sons of Darkness – Gail Z. Martin

    Ex-priest Travis Dominick, and ex-special ops soldier Brent Lawson have both been disillusioned by their former employers and struck out on their own to battle demons, monsters, and nasty things that go bump in the night — Until they discover that they’re both working on the same case from different angles.

    Sons of Darkness is a fast-paced mystery/paranormal/adventure that keeps you on your toes. At its heart, it is about moving beyond the pain of the past and embracing who you’ve become. Not to mention learning that sometimes, having a friend at your back is not only a good idea, it’s essential.

    I can’t wait to read C.H.A.R.O.N., the next book in the series.

  • New review of Star Touched

    Check out this great review of Star Touched by Rea Keech.

    Blending Genres

    Review by Rea Keech

    Star Touched is a dystopian novel that takes place after a terrible Cataclysm has destroyed much of the country. It is also a fantasy novel in which some survivors of the Cataclysm have received magical powers. And it is a young adult novel with the theme of accepting others who are different and a focus on teenage and young twenties characters, with older characters depicted as caring parental figures or cruel bullies.

    Read the rest of the review on Real Nice Books:

    Star Touched, by A.L. Kaplan

    STAR TOUCHED

    Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

    Especially when your powers can get you killed.

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

    Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

    HUMMINGBIRD

    Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

    One step toward understanding.

    One stride toward survival.

    One leap toward flying free from the past.

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

  • Another 5 Star Review for Star Touched

    Check out what Michele Chynoweth said about Star Touched!

    5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting Read

    Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2022

    “This novel grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go! The characters and setting were richly developed, especially the main character, Tatiana. I found myself rooting for her and the townspeople she encounters along the way, holding onto the edge of my seat along a roller coaster ride of a story. Bravo, I can’t wait for A.L. Kaplan’s next book!”

    STAR TOUCHED

    Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

    Especially when your powers can get you killed.

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

    Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

  • FIVE STAR REVIEW FOR HUMMINGBIRD: A STAR TOUCHED STORY

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Nice mini-sequel!

    Hummingbird: A Star Touched Story

    Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history. One step toward understanding. One stride toward survival. One leap toward flying free from the past.

    This is a nice addition to the original Star Touched story— a wrap up of an end you didn’t realize was loose, told from an interesting perspective. I’m hoping for lots more in this world!

    —Joanne Brazinski

  • Book Review: STORM FORGED

    STORM FORGED, by Patrick Dugan, is full of exciting twists and compelling characters that kept me reading non-stop.

    Tommy can’t seem to get a break: Collared and branded a traitor at age five just because he was born with a psychic gift. Bullied and beaten at school daily. Verbally abused by teachers and generally scorned by the Norms. — And that’s on a good day. He lives with the constant fear that he’ll be gassed while locked in the room he and other gifted are forced into during detention and some school event, or whisked away to the Block, never to be seen again. Add the typical teenage issues and you get the picture of his life. As Tommy’s life spirals out of his control, he learns secrets about his family and the truth about the country’s past.

    I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the moral and political aspect of this story. The totalitarian government lies to the public, twists the truth and even murders its own citizens to perpetuate its lies. It’s a frightening world that looms on our own horizon as I write this review.

    Removing or denying the rights of people just because of how they are born is wrong, immoral, and a violation of our constitution.

    Now, on to read UNBREAKABLE STORM, the next book in this exciting series.

    If you haven’t had a chance, check out Star Touched and Wolf Dawn.

    STAR TOUCHED

    STAR TOUCHED

    Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

    Especially when your powers can get you killed.

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

    Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

    WOLF DAWN

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.