The Phage by George Bachman

It seems like almost everyone on the planet has simply disappeared, with no explanation as to how or why. They are simply gone. There are only a few people left behind, who don’t understand what happened or where everyone else had vanished to. And to make matters worse, something seems to be hunting the two girls who appear to be the only ones left behind.

I received a review copy of this book, and to be honest, this book was just not for me. It seemed to start in the middle of the story, with no explanation as to how these events began or they were happening. I spent a large part of the beginning of this book feeling very confused as I tried to piece things together to try and understand it. And while I believe I have a decent vocabulary, I kept being pulled out of the story because I needed to look up the meanings of a number of words throughout the book.

This book also could have used another round with an editor. I believe that would have solved some of the issues I ran across as I read. Some of the actions of the characters didn’t seem possible to me. One of which involved the speed with which one of the two girls seemed to learn to speak an ancient Native American language after picking up a book in a library because the two of them had been joined by an ancient Native American who did not speak English. And unfortunately there were other issue I had with the plausibility of the actions taking place within the story.

Now, this isn’t to say that I found the book without value, for even as confused and distracted as I was by much of what was happening, there were parts of the story that I did enjoy reading, especially closer to the end of the story. While I still felt like I was missing something important, once I reached a point where I was beginning to understand what was happening, the story felt less problematic and made much more sense to me. Though I do wish the author had found a way to allow at least some of that information to begin to be or at least hinted at in the beginning of the book. It would have made it easier for me to get past what left me feeling very lost and confused for much of the book.

If I am honest, the beginning of the book was, for me at least, problematic and difficult enough to get through that it almost made me decide to quit reading. I am glad that I did keep reading to the end though, as had I stopped earlier, I would have always wondered what the book was actually about and never learned the answer. And yes, it does mostly get explained at the end of the story, though I do wish that there had been a bit more of an explanation earlier than we were given.

So while I still feel that this book was not for me, it was not entirely without merit. Anyone who enjoys Native American mythos and languages, combined with a sense of horror and the ancient past blending with the present might enjoy this book more than I did.

Dire Days: The Uncharted Horizon Serial by CR Buchanan and Jason Diamond

Humanity had long ago left a dying earth behind and moved to a planet known as Kep 4-b by its inhabitants. The problem was that the environment there began as little better than the one they had left behind, and now it too, is dying. Their only hope is that what remains of humanity can find a new home before it is too late.

McKayla Mason is an Armada pilot who cannot stand that an intelligent, humanoid species is being cruelly experimented on in an attempt to try and discover how they can manage to survive on a planet whose air would kill the humans without their ventilators to protect them. After having been identified as the one who had raided one of the facilities where the animals were being experimented on to free them, she knows that her career is over and she will be branded a traitor. But by turning herself in, maybe she can escape execution. She expects to spend most of her life behind bars. But something unexpected happens to grant her a second chance at a better life.

I read a review copy of this book and enjoyed it. It is rather complex, and the authors have created a complete language for a new world. I saw many similarities to what may happen here on Earth if things continue the way they seem to be going. And even on a new planet, there are references to “ancient Earth” and we are shown the remains of some recognizable landmarks.

For me, this story showed how often and how easy it is to repeat the mistakes of the past, as well as how hard it can be to avoid them. One of the main things I took away from this book is that not all may be as it seems, and sometimes one must look a little deeper and take a chance or a leap of faith if we are to have any hope of survival as a species.

I found this story fascinating, and found myself feeling sympathetic for several of the characters. I may not always have agreed with some of their actions, but I do understand that sometimes, not only can things go wrong easily, but that when we make an effort to try and correct our mistakes, forgiveness and acceptance might just save not only ourselves but many others as well.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

The Blind Mail Order Bride by Florence Linnington

Shortly after the birth of her son, Emily began losing her sight. Within a few years, she was completely blind, her husband dead at sea leaving her dependent on his parents for survival. But when they begin talking about marrying her off to a man of their choosing, she manages to escape by accepting a proposal from a farmer out west. She and her son Peter leave secretly, hoping to find a life of her choosing rather than one that is chosen for her. But when she arrives at his farm, she learns he had died the day before.

I read a review copy of this book, and as I always do, enjoyed reading it. I think what I enjoyed most about this story is the fact that Emily was determined to not be a burden on anyone, and instead to find a way to be more than just a “pretty wife” who must be taken care of by her husband. She is more than capable of taking care of herself and her son, as well as cooking, cleaning, and gardening, even if she is completely blind.

I enjoyed watching Emily prove to those around her that she wasn’t helpless, and in reality was extremely capable. And while she must face many difficulties, including  finding some way to go forward and find a home, given that the man she was supposed to marry is dead, his home burned to the ground, and his brother is determined to sell the land  so he can become a prospector for gold during the California Gold Rush, where so many men rushed to become prospectors who hoped to get rich were headed.

If you enjoy mail order bride stories, any of Ms. Linnington’s other books, stories involving hope, loss, and moving forward, then I think you will enjoy this one as well. It is a quick, but enjoyable book to read.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.