The Circle by Mario Escobar

The Circle by Mario Escobar

Publisher: Mario Escobar (March 2015)

145 pages, eBook (provided by the Author for review)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing and Graphic Violence

After years of humanitarian work in India, Solomon returns to London with his family to take up a prestigious role at a mental health facility, and as he is familiarizing himself with the files he is drawn to the seemingly forgotten case of a young woman named Maryam, who still resides in the facility. This book is described as a dark psychological thriller, and it certainly is that. If I were to describe this book in a just a few words, I would say creepy and uncomfortably sinister. I wasn’t sure about the beginning, but it really got rolling after a while. Throughout much of the story you are unsure how much of Maryam’s psychosis is an act and how much of it is in fact genuine, while Solomon just keeps digging himself deeper and deeper into the mess she is involved in, ultimately bringing the threat down upon his family as well. Despite its short length, this story is very well-developed, and delivers a suspenseful ride as the mystery unfolds. Entertaining Read!

Language of the Bear by Nathanael Green and Evan Ronan

Language of the Bear by Nathanael Green and Evan Ronan

Tomahawk and Saber Series, Book 1

Publisher: Calhoun Publishing (May 2015)

320 pages, eBook (provided by the Author for review)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing  and Graphic Violence

Hugh Pyke, a British officer, is forced into an unsavory mission and takes Wolf Tongue, a young Susquehannock warrior, as his guide through the wilderness. This story reminded me of a combination of Last of the Mohicans and the movie Cold Mountain. We are following two men as they make their way through a gritty, unforgiving world full of people who are less noble than the heroes we are following, but at the same time, our heroes are forced to wade into the muck themselves at times, navigating vast grey areas in which it is hard to discern what is right and wrong. Pyke started out very idealistic and a bit naive, but he grew along with the friendship between Wolf Tongue and himself, and it was fun to see their relationship evolve. I loved the constant banter between the two men, and thought it put a nice accent on the action.  I’m usually not too much for battle scenes (which this had in plenty), but with this one I was happy to go along for the ride. The story is fast-paced and really sucks you in from the beginning. You are never sure what is going to get thrown at them next, or how they will get themselves out of the latest dilemma. Great story and I look forward to further adventures with Pyke and Wolf Tongue!