John Abramowitz

This was kind of a mess. There's stuff happening all over the place but none of it really gets fleshed out. The pacing is fast and it was an easy enough read, but the world building was lacking.

So Alex is a weaver - she sees the future but doesn't seem to have any other powers or such. A weaver gets paired with an igniter - someone who can light things on fire. And together they protect humanity? from the Xorda soul sucking monsters who are super strong, have incubus like pheromones and steal a soul with a kiss.

Her mother, Aisling, is part of the Wells Society - a group that have and look to find the best genetic material to reproduce with in order to create weavers or igniters. Sometimes things go wrong and they have Rejects - kids who end up with other mutant powers.

There's a lot of ideas - but it's all lacking. None of it ever really gets explained. How did they come to fight these Xorda's? Why are the Wells Society responsible? Are the Xorda's feeding on every Tom, Dick and Harry?

Plus Alex is affected by Lucian's (the Xorda) pheromones and agrees to go on a date. Shouldn't she be resistant or something? Then the whole date and WTF!? The reaction to Lucian's supposed death was just so underwhelming. It was like oh well, I may have just killed someone. La di da. It was just weird. Actually this whole book was just weird. The relationship between Aisling and Alex was strange. The reaction to Aisling experimenting with mutant genes or whatever on Alex was bizarre. Tyler's death? what the hell was up with the reaction to that? It seemed like it was just glossed over and barely thought of again? How did they even cover it up or report it to the cops? I mean Lucian disintegrated but Tyler was still dead on the ground? And Aisling didn't even blink? Shouldn't they have had to write a report or something? I mean Tyler had parents...?

Then we move to the whole Reject society which explained all of nothing. Apparently they only bothered to discuss things "offscreen" so the reader has no clue what Alex has or hasn't learnt about what the hell is going on. And then oh, we're off to kill your mother. I just spent 90% of this book feeling baffled by the events and the reactions to the events.

Then there's the whole detour into Moira's love life which didn't really clear anything up - if anything I ended up more baffled. Xorda - evil or not? Her partner was one? What? Why? So they can love...? A minor argument with her new partners, Alex's dad James and Alex herself who need proof to take on her mother for custody? Why not just report her as killing Tyler - problem solved. Or I dunno, get Alex to talk to her and tell her she doesn't feel comfortable or safe living with her? Maybe try logical responses first and then see how you go. And we end with a break and enter, a download of blackmail and some daughter/father bonding.

I could've maybe liked Alex if I learnt more about her and I didn't hate her relationship with her dad or her friendship with Tyler, but none of the characters are particularly memorable and I didn't really like any of them. 1.5 stars.… (mehr)

Book Info: Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: Young adult
Recommended for: Fans of YA fantasy
Trigger Warnings: killing, kidnapping

My Thoughts: Please note that the synopsis below has spoilers for book two, so be aware of that.

This was a great continuation of the story. We learn a lot about Ainsling and why she is the way she is, as well as why the Xorba are so intent on attacking her and her family. Unlike the two previous books that stayed in a limited omniscient point of view mostly from Alex's location, this one jumped back and forth between several characters. Each chapter is labeled with the appropriate POV status, so as long as you read the chapter headings, you'll not have any problem following.

There was one seriously bone-headed move made at Pinnacle, where instead of finishing the attack they stop to gloat. One should never stop to gloat until the necessary elements to complete the attack are all fulfilled. I've kept this vague to avoid spoilers, but I imagine you'll notice it as well when you read it.

Looking for some really interesting YA fantasy stories, check this series out.

Series Information: The Weaver Saga
Book 1: Weaver, review with spoilers hidden is found here; review with spoilers included is here.
Book 2: The Void, review linked here
Book 3: Flickers, available Dec. 11, 2013
Book 4: currently unnamed, no word on when it'll be available. See author's blog for more information.

Disclosure: I received an e-book ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My Synopsis: The zombie apocalypse is nigh!

This is the third book in the Weaver Saga, wherein Alex and her companions must battle zombie hordes to escape Dallas. Zombies that Alex had a hand in creating, quite by accident.

There was no official synopsis when I wrote this review.… (mehr)

I started this on a Sunday evening figuring I at least could get a taste of what it was about. Wondering if I was going to be mildly interested and have to force myself to read through it. (Yes I know that sounds awful but when it comes reading because you promise to read it almost is like reading for school. I can read rel="nofollow" target="_top">The Decameron over and over again when I want to but make me read it in class? I struggle through each of the 100 day tales). But I had promised John so I clicked on the Kindle and settled down with my ice tea and began to read... and read.. and squeel and tell Geoff "OHHH this is awesome", and read and fall asleep reading only to wake up to finish reading! This book was SO much fun!

The review:

Atticus for the Undead is both a parody on the legal eagle hero of old, Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird and a statement on how the legal system has treated racism and treats the uprising of new minorities and developing racism. Except for our book the racism is against The Arcane races. The Arcane are straight out of the myths, the movies and the pages of books. Around 15 years ago "The Unveiling" happened and the vampires, witches and zombies came "out" and our protagonist Hunter has set out to defend them. I found the author's comedic take on what happens in today's court systems with some of the over the top and ridiculous accusations made due to hysteria brought about and still holding steady because of 9/11 was refreshing.

Like Atticus Finch, our protagonist Hunter Gamble leads the way in protecting the rights of the newly recognized races, The Arcane. Hunter takes on the legal struggle for the Arcane with that wonderful and passionate "brand new lawyer attitude". Breaking away from his father's old school law firm and striking out for the little man (or zombie in this case). Even with Hunter's self-righteousness a little unnerving at times, made the the tale and character even more believable for me.

Within the world Hunter lives the supernatural the Arcane (it is considered a racial slur to call them supernaturals and Hunter continually reminds of this with inner and outer dialogue throughout the book) are persecuted and the struggle to set precident within the legal system is being fought locally; within the high schools (as one of his clients finds out), in the judicial system (as Sam the undead client finds out with a prejudiced but ethical judge) and all the way to the congressional level. Atticus for the Undead a is a reflection and statement of what many face today and not just a hell of a lot of fun to read.

I fell in love with the characters, they were well developed and rounded out. By the end of it I was frustrated and heartbroken and also left wanting more from Hunter and the world of the Arcanes. It just ENDED with a horrific shock, drizzling out weakly and is the reason behind my 4 out of 5 stars. The book was strong and kept you going from page to turned page RIGHT till it ended with this fizzle. It was sad, which is ok, but disappointingly sad. Though the addition of the brainstormed titles for the book was hilarious. It still left me wanting to read more about Hunter and his trials and tribulations with the Arcane. I will be buying the next one. John is a great new emerging Indie Author. Over all this story is, taking a original strike at a much played at plot.

I think my father is going to get a kick out of it and have made sure that when he turns on his Kindle tomorrow he finds a present from me! (Every lawyer knows how to laugh at themselves). I would reccomend this to anyone who enjoys paranormal crime, humor and parody, to those that like Law and Order marathons and that CSI humor.… (mehr)

This is the second in the Weaver Saga and I ended up reading both of them back to back. I can say they would actually have made a good book blended together they were segued so well! I had not read the description of the zombie apocalypse being nigh, but after finishing it I can say I am excited to see what the third book holds for us.

John has woven a story with some pretty strong female characters. At least they appear to be on the outside. Our leading gal Alex is fighting hard to over come her mother's betrayal and learn to be strong and independent to help fight the fight behind the scenes of a race of other-dimensional beings that will suck your soul dry. Our FBI agent who has been brought into the fold of a covert government agency that has been developed to fight these beings, the Xorda, appears so strong and detached they deem her nicknames involving ICE (fill in the blank). She and Alex are fighting their past and soon will find out that it is not as different then it seems. Both have mothers that have hurt them and betrayed them and both mothers are part of the conspiracy that left a brother and left Alex mutated and basically tools to aid in the fight against the Xorda.

See, Alex has visions of the future, specifically the future involving Xorda attacks. This is what she was mutated into being. The goal of this conspiracy group was to match them with Igniters since only fire will kill these creatures. Sounds a bit out there? Well perhaps a bit, but John has an excellent ability to weave a bit of far fetched ideas and make it believable. The problem now, however, is that Alex seems to be having visions from the past, specifically her mothers past. She is going to have to face her mother again and find out what is going on or it may just come dropping into everyone's lap when they are least prepared.

John presents us with characters flawed but still strong. Alex learning how to fight through her fear and become this test tube supernatural human, Moire and her dysfunctional family issues that seem to drown her every step of the way along with the fact of her guilt of her brothers apparent suicide, and the two mothers! Those two are pieces of work, but at the same time John was able to weave the story in such a way we can sympathize a little with where they were coming from.

In the end I was left satisfied and I believe I will be able to maintain myself for the third in the series, since it seems... the zombies are coming.. or are they?

I highly recommend this book and its predecessor Weaver to anyone who enjoys a good book that allows you put aside reasoning and enjoy a good tale of coming to age, and not just for teenagers. It would be a great book to read as a mother with your daughters, especially if you both love this kind of tale. Oh and anyone who likes Buffy or Angel? You really should read it. It does read a bit like a season of the show but with a bit more depth then can be shown on the screen. I think I like Alex a lot more with her flaws then the almost perfect Buffy.… (mehr)