Jennifer Fales

The Seraph Contingency is absolutely absurd, in the best possible way. The plot, all of the character, the setting, and almost everything that comes out of Anael's mouth are all designed to send the reader's mind cartwheeling off the beaten path. Nothing is held sacred in this book. Ms. Fales manages to make a mockery of Christianity's hierarchy of angels, Satanism, ancient Greek mythology, the honourable tradition of K-pop music (not to mention Styx), public transit, and questionable fashion. But amongst all of the irreverence runs a good natured thread of humour. You can't help but love Anael (crazy as she is), feel sorry for Gaap's exasperation, root for the Duchess and bounce on your pins and needles to see what shenanigans the others might throw out next. There are a whole host of interesting side characters to choose from. If you're looking for a serious read, I wouldn't recommend this one. But if you have a few hours to spend alone (cause others might think you a little odd for laughing to yourself too often in public) this is one worth picking up.… (altro)

In The Robusta Incident by Jennifer Fales, Howard Danishefsky has been planning revenge since he was seven years old and being pounded by the bullies in the playground. Now he’s thirty-seven and nothing’s changed. He’s being bullied by his boss, the lovely ex-squeeze Melinda Carpenter, the organization he works for, and besides, he hates his co-workers who only excel at sucking up to their superiors. Howard is a genius, unappreciated of course, working for the Robusta Corporation, a company dedicated to the art of coffee. Howard would rather be working for the Consortium of Evil, the world’s oldest and largest disservice organisation. His father was the brilliant and charming astrophysicist, Archibald Danishefsky, who after wooing and wedding his young Russian ballet dancer bride, had inexplicably vanished, leaving Mimi to bring up the precocious Howard. Mimi had stuck with Howard through thick and thin, to the point where even after death she is still hanging around as a voice in his head. Right now, Howard’s life is in tatters – he has lost his house, his child and his income in a divorce, plus it looks like he is developing a serious drinking problem, along with hallucinations, especially of goats – and his career is shaky since Melinda (aka Il Duce) keeps warning him he is not fitting in with the company’s ethos. Revenge is what he knows best, so revenge is what he plans and executes: a serum to turn his co-workers into zombies. He quietly introduces the serum into the coffee machines at work. The results are interesting, then chaotic, and finally catastrophic. Then Howard discovers there’s more to the Robusta Corporation and his father than meets the eye.

Author Jennifer Fales has a satirical style of writing that you either love or hate. To say she has a mordant wit is an understatement. The author manages to turn all established conventions of behaviour on their heads as she takes a long, hard look at people and society, and especially big corporations come under her scrutiny. She masterfully ridicules whatever comes within Howard’s scope, and particularly the bowing, scraping, and jockeying for position and favours that characterise most big businesses. Being inside Howard’s head is an intense journey for the reader as his life and his mental stability crumble, heading inexorably towards zero. I found the beginning a little slow, leading up to the actual doctoring of the coffee machines, but once zombification had taken place, the pace speeded up. Howard’s world is populated with an assortment of truly hilarious characters that added to the insight of the novel and made me laugh. In fact, if you aren’t laughing out loud at every line, at least a smile will be hovering. There are many layers to this black comedy and readers who enjoy satire, parody and dark humour will love it.… (altro)

Shadow Games

Sleight of Hand sucked me in almost instantly. There is a futuristic setting with a human/animal hybrid being. Jennifer Fales has a great way of adding in humor to this incredible fantasy book. I have yet to read a book with any similarities to Sleight of Hand, it's not easily categorized. The way Jennifer writes with such imagination, it still gives you a sense of realism.

She develops each character with such amazing and vivid personality. So much information is thrown at you with such intensity, it takes a lot of focus to keep up with the story line. Regardless, the story line is so intriguing and compelling, I couldn't help but be sucked into the story.

The cover is attractive enough, but it does not portray an accurate sense of what the story is about. This book of supernatural and fantasy is easily rated at a 5/5.… (altro)

An angel/seraph walks into a bar...

Can you guess where this bar is located?

Purgatory.

Anael's child like curiosity, and desire for travel, brought her to purgatory but now that she's there, she can't turn back. It's only a matter of time now before something bad happens to such a pure and innocent soul in the dark corners of Purgatory.

You'll be taken through a ridiculous but refreshing story that takes you through Anael's experiences. She's kidnapped by one demon, rescued by another. All eventually leading her to Southern California where she meets a young Korean Satanist.

It seems the writer was intending on you being thrown in all different directions with the nonsensical writing style. Don't get me wrong, this is not a negative comment. This book is so unique and different you are guaranteed to have never read anything like it, which will keep you guessing without predicting.

The characters are extremely bizarre and unconventional, which made for an exciting read, because it seemed like anything could happen at any moment. You don't quite know whats going to happen, Jennifer Fales keeps you guessing with her imaginative plot and dramatic read. I can't say I have a favorite character because they were all so unique and different that I enjoyed reading about every one equally.

This is just a fun and freaky book. Your imagination will be taken on a ride like nothing else I've ever experienced. I was so surprised by the contents of this book, because the cover shows no impression of such a creative and wild book. This just proves you can't judge a book by it's cover, and if you did put this book back based on the cover and title, then you missed out on a one of a kind book.
I gladly give this book 5/5 and encourage everyone to give this book a chance.… (altro)