The Road Ahead by Hali Broncucia

The Road Ahead by Hali Broncucia

Synopsis:

A viral epidemic has wiped out 99% of the world’s population leaving scientist Heather Morgan to fight off thieves and scrounge for food and shelter near Denver, Colorado. When Heather befriends the young, naïve Jodi, she learns that a biotech company in San Francisco is rumored to have created a vaccine. Together, the women trek by foot to find the lab. After suffering a near-fatal attack, Heather and Jodi find a safe haven on a farm with two young men, Cam and Elliot. Their security is short-lived, however, when irrevocable consequences threaten Heather’s mission. Will Heather be able to overcome loss and tragedy to find the vaccine or will she let sorrow overtake her and turn back? How many lives are worth the risk for a hope that rests in only a rumor?

Review:

Heather Morgan is a biological engineer working on a vaccine to treat a deadly virus. She wakes up due to a nightmare at three in the morning. Readers quickly discover that the virus has wiped out 99% of the human population. Alone, Heather must survive. She searches and scrounges for food and shelter. Her survival skills are tested. Soon she meets a young inexperienced woman named Jodi. Heather learns that there is a “rumor” that a San Francisco biotech company has created a vaccine.

Together, Heather and Jodi, begin the long journey on foot from Colorado to San Francisco. Along the way they are attacked, but survive. They soon find shelter on a farm with two young men that they meet, Cam and Elliott. However, tragedy strikes and Heather’s mission is threatened. Will Heather have the strength to carry on to find the vaccine that is only rumored to exist?

The Road Ahead by Hali Broncucia, is a compelling post-apocalypse story that will keep readers engaged from start to finish. Heather is a refreshing, strong female, lead character that readers will love. She is tough and capable without seeming too powerful and unrealistic.

The diminishing population of infected humans that are forced to survive is engrossing and intensely intriguing. The scientific aspects are exceptionally interesting without being too intellectual; that it goes over reader’s heads. It is acutely obvious that much research was put into this novel. The survival details are particularly thought-provoking.

In The Road Ahead, the characters are few, which I found to be refreshing. Their motivations, personalities and temperaments are driven home in this engaging story. They are well developed and multifaceted. They are all realistic and down-to-earth. There is a character for every reader to love.

The Road Ahead is unpredictable with twists at every turn. Heather and her friends must journey a desolate, dying dark land while facing danger at every step. I loved this dystopian story. It is filled with love, loss, danger, scientific intrigue and the feat of survival in a post-apocalyptic, uninhabitable world. The emotions invoked upon the reader will not be soon forgotten. This story left me wanting more and I am hoping for a sequel or a trilogy.

I totally recommend The Road Ahead to all post-apocalypse fans and to those who crave a great read by an exceptional writer, Hali Broncucia.

Reviewed by Chick Lit Cafe

Ellipsis: Creators of Six - Book One - Jacob L White

Synopsis:

“Remember that actions have consequences, boy.”

Weaver Rizer was born in the capital city of Ellipsis. Due to his father’s unexpected death years ago, Weaver and his mother are left to run a brothel in his place. With no warning, Weaver’s Mother dies just as his father had. However, on her deathbed, she gifts Weaver a secret his family has hid going back generations, a creator’s stone. The only downside—it is now embedded into his skin and draining his life force as well.

All the experiences and trials Weaver faces, lead him to the truth. He is only meant to deliver the stone to another. But nothing works as it should. He must travel across Ellipsis, towards a rebellion that might hold the person he searches for. With the help of mages, princes, a new-found love and childhood friends, he attempts to keep a vengeful god from waking.

As Weaver sees his goal within reach, the god of Ellipsis himself gives Weaver a warning. Every step he takes is one step closer to his death.

Review:

Ellipsis Creators of Six is a fabulous fantasy written by a talented newcomer to the writing world. I was amazed at how well this book is written. Everything from the characters to the plot is well thought out and well developed.

The protagonist, Weaver, is a likable character that must fulfill his destiny while managing to avoid waking a sleeping god. To deliver the creator’s stone his dying mother gave to him, is his main focus. But the stone is embedded in his skin and draining his life force.

Through much danger, turmoil and emotion, Weaver forges ahead with help from his friends, mages, princes and a new love. Every step Weaver takes, he puts himself in danger. But he must keep traveling across Ellipsis to order to find the person he is searching for. All a while he would give his own life to protect his friends.

The idea for Ellipsis Creators of Six is genius. Jacob White’s imagination goes beyond anything I have read in a long time.
He has written a unique and creative fantasy story that will keep readers engaged and enthralled. I couldn’t put Ellipsis down. It held me captive throughout.

The character development is excellent. Each character is multifaceted, extremely likeable and interesting. Their personalities really shine through. There are a few unlikable characters which makes the story full and intense.

Clearly, the author cares about his characters and puts a lot of work and thought into them. They are deep and fully developed.

I found myself really pulling for Weaver and fully captivated by his life and the storyline.

The plot is original and clever. It is unique to its genre and I loved it!

It is full, rich and meaningful. Jacob White uses words and phrases to create a beautiful, vivid and magical world.

This is a very satisfying read. It starts out at a steady pace, then picks up to a full exciting speed.

It is well written and polished. The reader will never guess that this story is written by a first time novelist…it’s that good.

The ending is exciting with a real cliffhanger that has kept me wanting more. I’m totally looking forward to the next installment of Ellipsis- Creators of Six

I highly recommend this exciting, original fantasy novel that, I’m positive, will fully the capture the reader’s heart.

Purchase Ellipsis Creators of Six #1 Today @ Amazon