Brett ArmstrongRecensioni

I debated for awhile on how to write this review. On one hand, this book had a lot of potential but it also didn’t meet my expectations.
I was hooked in the prologue. It was interesting and drew the reader in right away.
This book seemed very serious and heavy, without the joy that normally comes to lighten the mood.
Another think that I was not fond of was the characters. They seemed two-dimensional and all had similar personalities. Midway through the novel, still had no idea who was who because nothing set one apart from the others.

Rating: 2 Stars

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the author. A positive review was not required and all thoughts are my own.

Taking place in Diocletian's Great Persecution of Christians in the end of the 3rd century AD, an ex-Senator of Rome, loses all he has--his home burned to ashes, his wife, servants, and other possessions. Marcus Servius sets out to find the pastor who turned him to Christianity and to find who has destroyed his life. All the main characters are vividly portrayed, even Marcus's inner life, as he follows Jesus's message and tries to find his nemesis. Very nicely written. the story brings home the Christian message, especially the final reckoning in the Senate. The author uses the words of the title, though in English, towards the end of the book. My remembrance of high school Latin translated it as "destitution which leads to forgiveness [or expunging]"

I love how the author does a quick review at the beginning about the previous story. This helps readers refresh their memory and makes it easy to jump right into this book. The author is known for his brilliant ability to take us into worlds where strange creatures roam and danger surrounds our characters. I’m so happy to see Jason return in this story.

Jason is regretting his decision to leave behind Aria but he was so sure he was doing the right thing. When he stumbles into a shop, his world turns upside down. Where is he and what has he gotten himself into? I couldn’t wait to see if he would be able to save Aria. I knew it would be a journey filled with unexpected visitors, lessons that will stay with him forever and a sense of finding himself as he trusts his instincts.

Anargen has his own mission to complete. The Quest must be protected and Anargen must find within himself that darkness will not win. I love how the author takes characters who seem like they are hopeless and shine light on them as their faith grows. There are many twists in the story and unexpected characters which make this book so incredible. I have found his writing to be an invitation to look in the dark and find hope, growth and a feeling of conquering the enemy.

This is the last in the series but it is surely the best of the lot. Each book has given the author a chance to show his growth and ever changing strength of weaving a tale that captivates readers. With each book, it is evident that faith is part of his life and brings it into each story. I am looking forward to seeing what new adventure the author is working on.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

I didn’t realize that this was book four in the Quest for Fire series. The story kicks off in high gear as they get ready for battle. What fuels the flames of these battles is greed, jealousy, and power, this is indeed a grand adventure.

This novel contains numerous disputes, some of which at times felt excessively detailed. The novel contains some sorcery, which sparks discussions about spells and danger. The reader quickly realizes that nothing is as it seems.

Since I don't read many fantasy books, and this one is book four in a series, I felt a bit disconnected from the story. I struggled to identify with the characters. The battle scenes somewhat reminded of Tolken Lord of the Ring stories.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

Quest of Fire; Desperation by Brett Armstrong is a Christian Epic Fantasy. As the fourth book in the Quest of Fire series, this book explores Thomas Fenwrest, an orphan and page to Sir Hurstwell, who is captain of Baron Fenwrest’s guard. Throughout the pages of this book, he comes to discover what truly matters to him.

For Barons Fenwrest and Sornfold, the fight comes too close to their children, whose union represents the only viable challenge to the Monarchists’ claim to Ecthelowall’s ancient throne. I must say I liked some characters more than others to start with in this book, but I continued to develop an appreciation for them as the book progressed. Thomas initially thinks boredom will be the only issue on their journey, but they quickly find themselves caught up in more.l

The author does an excellent job of developing these characters as well as the storyline. While you probably could read this book on its own, I definitely recommend reading the books in order.

So if you enjoy Christian Epic Fantasies, check out Quest of Fire; Desperation, and the rest of the books in the Quest of Fire series by Brett Armstrong for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

One thing I have learned about the author’s style of writing is that you must pay careful attention to the details. He creates a world where characters are bigger than life and their journey is filled with danger, secrets and lessons that I didn’t expect. I have come to respect his style and find myself enjoying his books more than I thought. It is important to keep an open mind when reading a genre you aren’t geared toward. As I read more fantasy books I can see how the authors create a place that I want to escape to. Now let me give you a few things I liked about this story.

The setting is very easy to visualize right from the beginning. I could already tell that Thomas and Mia would be two characters to keep my eyes on. Poor Thomas is trying to keep Mia safe, but she seems to question every move he makes. Mia is already doubting that anyone survived the attack including her father. If only Mia would listen to Thomas and have a little faith. Perhaps there are survivors but Mia is convinced that everyone has perished. I had to stop and think about her attitude a bit. I think I fall into the trap of thinking the worse at times just like Mia. Where is my faith? Looks like I need to work on that more.

There are battles galore in the story that at times were a bit too descriptive for me. I understand that the author wanted readers to know how dangerous the quest was. Saving Mia’s sister Delia does take a toll on Thomas and Terrillian. Will they have the strength to get everyone to safety? There is a bit of sorcery in the book that leads to talk of spells and danger.

The author dives deep into the world he has created and gives readers an adrenaline rush as the quest becomes more urgent with every move made. I began to wonder who could be trusted and if there was going to be any time for the characters to catch their breath. I didn’t see the oh my moments coming and believe me you will be in for a shock. Do I dare say what happens? I can’t ruin it for everyone but let’s just say not everything or everyone is as they seem.

Greed, jealousy and power are indeed alive in this epic adventure. The author once again shines in his genre with great imagination and vivid displays of character development. I loved the emotional moments between Thomas and Mia. When Thomas is trying to console Mia he tells her, “You learn to live through the hurt. All I know is death isn’t the answer to stop the pain.” Evil lurks among the pages in this story, but there is always hope.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

The third book in the Quest of Fire series, this book continues the story of Jason. I found this book interesting. I definitely recommend reading the books in order.

The story takes place in two different time periods, so you need to keep that in mind if you decide to read this book. I felt like the author created well-developed characters and an excellent storyline. If you appreciate Christian fantasy, you should check out this book yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

This is a unique story with dual time lines mixed in a fantasy genre. I have not read anything like this before and was entertained by the two different eras in the story. There are quite a few characters so it was a bit hard for me to keep up what all was going on. I did become invested in Jason and how determined he was to find out who wanted him dead. Darkness follows Jason on his journey and stumbles upon creatures that are not of this world.

Anargen is front and center in the story as well as he fights to complete his mission. I kept thinking that he and Jason were on a parallel adventure that will collide at some point. That is what makes this story so fascinating. Each detail the author gives draws me deeper into two worlds both seeming to achieve safety while exposing secrets that could be deadly.

Get ready for surprises, danger and an explosive adrenaline rush of excitement as we follow these two main characters . I did like Jason the most because he has a sincere heart and was easy to connect to. The ending is one that caught me by surprise and I’m not sure how I feel about it. If you are a fan of fantasy, this is a must read.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

What I think you should know:
Veiled Sun is a Christian Dystopian fiction by Brett Armstrong. It is the second book in the Tomorrow’s Edge Trilogy. I started to read this book without reading the first book Day Moon, I did not feel like I had a grasp of the story so I stopped reading Veiled Sun and read Day Moon before starting again.

What I think about this book:
What a rollercoaster ride! Armstrong has written a story filled with intrigue and danger. I enjoyed the way that the story kept me guessing what was going to happen next. Veiled Sun picks up where Day Moon left off and keeps a steady pace. While it is set in a dystopian world, this story has elements that definitely translate to things that are happening in today’s society. It was very interesting to read as Elliot tried to discern what was real and what was fake. I enjoyed the interaction between Elliot and his grandfather. I love how Faith was gracefully woven into the story. Even though it is not specifically marketed as a Young Adult book I would have no problems with my Middle School Son reading the story. My only complaint is that I have to wait for the third book in the series to get resolution to the story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own

I was intrigued by the dystopian topic of this novel. As a homeschooling mother of seven kids, I’ve noticed some changes in the way history is taught and certain events elevated while others are left out. It was fun to see if there would be much history included in the novel. I wondered if this is what we can expect in the near future.

"God cannot alter the past, though historians can."
Samuel Butler

The one problem in this book though is that there wasn’t any cool history info but employs several disjointed ways of moving the plot forward. It felt like it’s an attempt at making a clean christian novel without the real sense of why we worship God. The underlying ‘sense’ of sexual excitement in some places is more than would be expected from this genre in my mind but it is a clean read.

I think reading the first book, Day Moon, before this one would make Veiled Sun easier to understand as there seem to be gaps in the plot info at times. This seemed to me apparent as characters were barely introduced before the action began. It does have potential though with the interesting twist on a future dystopian society.

Some interesting elements were the inclusion of references to popular media. I did notice one reference to a military FBI nonfiction exposé book with new age strategies called Men Who Stare at Goats that is an interesting and terrifying read. If you have a love for things like The Matrix, Narnia, and futuristic sci-fi then this might be a good book for you to read.

I received a free copy of this book. All opinions are completely my own.

This dystopian Christian Young Adult novel grabs your attention. Elliott and the other characters come to life in this book. The storyline moves along at a good pace.

The concept of an iPad being outdated amused me since I am typing this on my iPad. Also, with this being the second book in the series I definitely recommend reading the books in order for maximum understanding.

Will they learn that there is more to life than living in past failures, that it really is possible to find love again?

I'm struggling with how to start this review. How about . . . Wow. I don't normally gravitate toward dystopian, sci-fi books (or movies) but I'm really glad this book landed on a Celebrate Lit Tour. It is excellent. This is a great story and so well-written. I can't say that I've become a fan of this genre, but I've definitely become a fan of Brett Armstrong's writing. This was a five-star read for me and I highly recommend it!

I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.

It finally happened. I officially like dystopia. This book has brought me to the truth that this genre can be very entertaining while weaving God’s word in the story. The author has surpassed my expectations of a world in the future. The year is AD 2040. Technology is one of unexplained algorithms and invisibility, brainwashing, hallucinations and more tricks to deceive the world.

It didn’t take me long to join Elliott on his adventure to stop Project Alexandria. He holds the key gifted to him by his grandfather. A mere seventeen years old, Elliott is ready to take on the enemy and assemble the “Veiled Sun.” The program can stop the evil but first Elliott must be able to gather all the data to put it together like a puzzle.

The story is a very fast paced adventure into a world where iPads are thought of as obsolete. I had to laugh at that as I am writing my review on an iPad right now. The author is brilliant in his description of various programs that need to be used in order to counter the destruction that is about to take place. Elliott is running against the clock as people around him try to stop him from completing his mission. I loved how Elliott declared his faith and quoted scripture to help him overcome obstacles. Just when I thought a character could be trusted, the author slams me with the reality that greed overcomes doing the right thing for some.

It was ironic to read about how hackers were trying to take down the government, overthrow the Feds and cripple the world. During this time in our own world, that very thing seems to be happening. Enemies are out there and we have to be on guard at all times. The author reminds us that God is always near. Elliott is shot at, drugged and at times kept in a state of semi conscious. It was hard for him to decipher what was real and what was a dream. Those moments in the story are some of the best writing from a person who shows his ability to take readers into the world of dystopia. I have never read so fast in my life because I had to know what was happening at every moment. My surroundings disappeared as I walked with Elliott on his journey to undo what the enemy was trying to use for evil.

The ending is a cliffhanger and I am hoping the author is busy on the next book because I won’t be able to wait long. Will Elliott succeed at what his grandfather couldn’t? Can Elliott discern who to trust? This is one of the best dystopia books I have ever read.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

As I began reading this book, I thought I would enjoy it. Meredoch provides an interesting character along with his family. The story starts out in the past with Meredoch as a child and then jumps to the present with Meredoch grown. In the story’s start, Meredoch and his family find themselves exiled.

Initially, I had a hard time understanding exactly what crime someone accused them of committing. However, as the story continued, the author answered my questions. I appreciated Meredoch’s determination and desire to protect his family.

So if you enjoy Christian fantasy, check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

Although this is a quick read it has a lot of intrigue and adventure. I remember reading the first in this series thinking I actually like the writing style of this author. Now I don’t much care for fantasy books but after reading several authors lately I have embraced it with a new fondness. In this book you have this overall feel of a time where Kings ruled and ruthlessness abounded.

Meredoch is the main focus of this story and I enjoyed following him as he was determined to keep his family safe. Although he is young he has a heart of a noble knight. His mission was set and the author cleverly takes us on a journey that finds our character not only growing in faith but also as a young man. I especially liked the scene where father and son come together after a battle. Can Meredoch save his father ? The ring must be returned and Meredoch has set out to take it back. I could feel the excitement build as I wondered what would happen next.

The story takes on a serious tone as we see our main character fighting his feelings of forgiveness. He so wants to complete his mission but things in his past must be dealt with. It’s a fast story that I think middle school and up will enjoy. Yes I did like the story and am fascinated by the creative imagination this author has.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Day Moon by Brett Armstrong is a rather ambitious novel that creates a futuristic world in which all knowledge is codified in a central data bank for the good of all mankind. At least that’s what the government is professing. In actuality Project Alexandria has a sinister side that the reader soon comes to suspect is subverting knowledge rather than making it available to all who seek it. The future is not so far away as the action takes place in 2039. Technology is pretty advanced, but not unbelievable — cars are all self-driving and consumers have had all their social and financial needs anticipated by commercial entities. It’s rather unsettling to see the world Armstrong envisions; it is just that plausible. But the insidiousness of control goes further in Project Alexander as all written word is digitalized causing the need for source materials to cease to exist. And cease to exist they become as all physical copies are destroyed. Main character Elliott is made aware of discrepancies through clues left by his deceased grandfather. As he and other friends and family embark on an adventure to uncover the truth, danger occurs around every corner. And no one can be trusted.

Day Moon explores the issue of what constitutes truth — what is given by God or dictated by humans. The danger of corruption of that truth is the main focus of this novel. The chillingly possible reality of Elliott’s world is very credible. The novel is carefully crafted and exhibits Armstrong’s knowledge of both technology and literature. While it is an action-adventure novel, it is a bit slow to develop and the language is a bit more formal than needed. I wished for a bit more activity and less thinking by the characters. Suspense is maintained throughout the novel — Elliott and the reader are continuously kept off balance. The book is the first in the series, so while some things are resolved, Elliott’s quest is not concluded. A strong Christian message is woven throughout the novel, a welcome addition to YA speculative fiction.

All in all, Day Moon is an interesting novel. Although a bit slow, it is nevertheless worth a look by those who like this genre.

Audience: older teens and adults.

(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

The concept of the story was interesting. Thus the reason I wanted to read this book. This book started out fine. The author did a good job of laying out the premise for the story. The book that Elliott's grandpa left him had me intrigued. I wanted to know more about Project Alexandria. Who won't be intrigued by the idea of a book of Shakespeare's work that was ever changing.

Ok, so here is the deal. While, I did want to like this book more than I ended up doing so; it turned out that I really struggled with this book. This is because it felt like the story was taking a long time to pick up any speed. Additionally, Elliott was alright but there was nothing too captivating about him that kept me grounded into the story. In fact, I skipped ahead to the middle of the story and proceeded to start reading again. It still felt as if the story hadn't really begun. I won't be proceeding with the next book in this series. Although, I might try reading something else from this author in the future.