The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter

3.5 stars

The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter is the foundation novel for an alternate history series with light steampunk elements. Rod Duncan presents a future in which society is stuck in the Victorian Era, technological advances suppressed by the government in an attempt to keep peace in the world. Britain is divided into two territories as part of the treaty that ended the British Revolutionary War. The Anglo-Scottish Republic and the Kingdom of England and South Wales are just two of the territories under the jurisdiction of The International Patent Office, the agency responsible for eradicating morally and socially dangerous science.

Elizabeth Barnabus is in exile in the Republic, making a meager living as a private detective. Since women are prohibited from owning property or businesses in the Republic, she uses her carnival skills of illusion to create a male identity for trade purposes. Her 'twin brother' is able to sign contracts, buy property, and move freely in areas where Elizabeth is limited by her gender.

Review: Chimera

Chimera by Vaun Murphrey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Weaver Series, Book One

Cassandra is no ordinary thirteen year old girl. In captivity since the age of five, held in silence and isolation, yet she is unimaginably brilliant. She is a Weaver, an evolutionary advance in the human line. Miraculously rescued by an uncle she never knew existed, she must now learn to handle her still developing powers.

Is she a threat to the Weavers, or their salvation?

Possible spoilers below:

Review: Infected

Infected by Scott Sigler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a great blend of science fiction and horror.

Apparently normal people start going psychotic, murdering family or friends before mutilating and killing themselves, and their autopsies reveal previously unseen physiological changes. Soon the CIA and the CDC are involved in a secret mission to uncover what's happening.

Is it a human-engineered biological weapon? A naturally occurring parasite that's mutated to its current form? Or is it something more sinister?

The mission to locate and capture a living victim is a roller coaster ride that has just the right amount of scientific and military jargon to give it believability. Three-dimensional characters have just enough personality to engage the reader without bogging it down.

Parasite victim Perry's journey is nothing less than horrific. His physical and psychological struggle are equally gut-wrenching. I was so caught up in his experience that I didn't want the CIA to find him. I wanted to ride it out with him, even if it placed the mission in danger of failure.

I can't recommend it highly enough for lovers of sci-fi/horror cross-overs. The next book in the series, Contagious (Infected #2) has just moved up my TBR list.



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