Rovers by Richard Lange
Rovers takes place during America’s bicentennial year of 1976. At its’ core, it’s a story about loss, about redemption, and about the agony of the road. I would imagine that if Steinbeck were to write a dystopian world, it might look similar to this one. It is clear that there are similarities to Of Mice & Men here, however, those similarities are fleeting.
The best way to describe this book is to first define what exactly a Rover is. In Richard Lange’s world, a Rover is like a vampire in that it is immortal. A Rover feeds on human blood, sleeps during the day in a darkened room. With that being said, there is none of the romanticism of the common literary vampire in this book. They only need to feed once or twice a month, and the two things that will kill them instantly is the sun or the removal of their head.
Jesse, the main character, travels the country with his younger brother, Edger, who still has the mental capacity of a 9-year-old. Jesse steals to keep the two of them alive. In a sense, Jesse and Edger are honorable rovers. But there is a dark side to this world, The Fiends. Any rover will tell you that you don’t want to anger the fiends. Too late…
My only negative criticism would be the ending. It seems unfinished.
The Island by Adrian McKinty
Just like “The Chain”, this one got me all worked up. It takes talent to be able to stir up so much tension in a few hundred pages. This is my go-to niche… Girl in trouble, nasty men chasing after her, girl becomes a bad-ass-bitch and kills everyone. There’s more to it than that, actually but you get the idea.
Heather didn’t want a family. She wasn’t even sure she wanted a husband, but in the blink of an eye, she had it all. When Tom Baxter, a wealthy Seattle surgeon, decided to take his new bride and his children that hated her along to a conference in Australia, the last thing he considered was that it was going to be the worst conference in history. The plot of this story is so acute that I literlly cannot write anymore about it without giving it away. We don’t do spoilers here! What I will say though, is that The Island by Adrian McKinty knocked me on my ass. If you’re looking for a thrill ride that rips your heart out and leaves it lying on the kitchen floor like spilled tomato soup, then this is the book for you!
We Sang in the Dark by Joe Hart
A gripping psychological thriller that delves into the haunting past of its protagonist, Clare Murdock. The story begins with a tragic event that occurred eighteen years ago at The Refuge cult in northern Minnesota, where forty people committed suicide and the entire compound burned down. Clare, then thirteen, was the sole survivor, found wandering miles away with no memory of the horrific event.
Now a sociology professor and FBI liaison specializing in cults, Clare has built a successful life. However, her past resurfaces when she receives a call informing her that a woman claiming to be her long-lost sister, Shanna, has been found. This revelation forces Clare to return to her hometown, where she is confronted by threatening strangers and disturbing hallucinations that mirror those experienced by her cult-leader father.
The novel is praised for its strong female protagonist and the intense, ominous atmosphere that Hart creates. Clare’s struggle with her sanity and the fear of inheriting her father’s mental illness adds depth to her character and keeps readers on edge. The narrative is filled with twists and turns, making it a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers and horror.
If you enjoy stories that explore the dark recesses of the human mind and the impact of past traumas, “We Sang in the Dark” is definitely worth a read.
Here Lies Daniel Tate by Cristin Terrill
This one had me a skosh confused at first. Six years ago, Daniel Tate went missing. So, you can imagine how overwhelmed his family is when he comes back home. The problem is that Daniel is dead, and his family knows it.
The novel features an unreliable narrator, which adds to the intrigue and complexity of the plot. The story revolves around a street savvy runaway who impersonates a missing boy from a wealthy family,
leading to unexpected twists and moral dilemmas. It’s a fast-paced read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Brian Kelly Irons 