#AscendantRevolution #NetGalley

Title: Ascendant Unrest
Author: Matthew S. Cox
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Publish Day: July 24, 2018



Two weeks after Maya tried to change the world, little has changed. Little, except for a nine-year-old’s building fear that her ex-mother’s revenge waits around every corner.

When her face appeared on every still-working video monitor along the Eastern Seaboard, streaming her plea and her evidence all over the planet, she thought they’d won, but her fairy tale dream died. The Authority did not become noble overnight, no longer simple thugs for Ascendant. Her ex-mother did not face punishment for her crimes. The lack of any retribution, or even any effort on the part of the Brigade to hide her, only fans the flames of her worry.

To make matters worse, her best friend Sarah is hiding a painful secret.

Maya’s fears come to fruition in the middle of the night. In a hail of gunfire, she flees into the dangerous streets of the Habitation District, rife with dosers, street gangs, corrupt Authority officers, chased by an unknown enemy worse than Ascendant.

They don’t want to kidnap her―they want her dead.

Review: This is a sequel -- the first is called Heir Ascendant . The cover that is for the official book is prettier .. I know we don't read for pretty covers but it is different than the one on Netgalley.

Ch.1
"Unease had moved into Baltimore Habitation District. It became the awkward neighbor lurking in every shadow, acknowledged by cautious vigilance and knowing glances among the locals, but never challenged aloud."

Good read, interesting post-world focused on Maya. The only thing I have negative to say is...kidnapping? Again? Whhyy? Lol. Otherwise, good story.

This is available as an eBook on Amazon -- can buy or read through Kindle Unlimited. I was able to download through Netgalley freely in exchange for free review. Thanks

MiniRvw:#TheRedeemed #NetGalley

Title: The Redeemed -- Roadhouse #2
Author: Matthew S. Cox
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press

Romance, Sci Fi / Fantasy

Publish day: December 19, 2017

Description from Netgalley: The Redeemed is the second installment of The Roadhouse Chronicles

The worst part about chasing one’s dream is catching it.

Six months ago, Kevin opened a Roadhouse of his own. No longer the idiot braving the dangerous post-nuclear highways of 2073, he thought he’d finally grow old and happy selling bullets, beds, and booze to those still foolish enough to get behind the wheel.

Then, he’d met her.

The white-haired outcast from the xenophobic Enclave crashed into his life, becoming the conscience he never wanted and everything he desired. She couldn’t save the world from the Virus, but she could save Kevin’s dream.

A biker gang calling themselves the Redeemed starts shooting up Roadhouses in flagrant disregard of the Code, shattering the serenity of his humble waystation. When the long-vaunted retribution of Amarillo’s army fails to materialize, Kevin feels more like a sitting duck than he ever did on the road―but it’s not his ‘house he fears losing.

Determined to protect her, he takes it upon himself to enforce the unwritten law of the Roadhouse.


SUPER SHORT REVIEW: Interesting , fast read! I like his writing -- hopefully I can write a longer review when I get the time. Cheers!

Downloaded through Netgalley in exchange for a free review. Just note that this is a sequel not the first in the story (in case couldn't tell, lol).

#SundayQuestions: What are your top 5 reads for 2018 so far?

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1. Binti by Nnedi Okorafor - Absolutely enjoyed this book. Finally braved up and reviewed it. Enjoyed it a lot didn't want to make a mess of the review for it. 
2. Daddy Darkest by Ellery A. Kane. This book was a trip from the first page to the last. It's entertaining, fast pace, and frustrating read. 
3. Heir Ascendant by Matthew S. Cox. Genetically perfected nine year old vs. her power hungry/controlling mother. She finds a new mother ...through a bizarre circumstance.
4. The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie. Lesbian/bi (idk no labels given) teenager who trains sea monsters to fight pirates. 
5. Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout. A YA romance where the male love interest is aggressive but not in a "run girl he's an abuser" way. 

What are your top 5 books for 2018 so far?

Questions from paperfury.com

If you want to read more of my #Questions Posts:

#Questions Tag

Nonfiction Tag

You can click the nonfiction tag on the right hand of the spoonsnbooks.com or simply search 

#Questions: What are you reading right now?

Actively reading at the moment:

1. Room 119 by T. F. Lince. I am at the halfway mark on this book.

2. The Forest Beyond the Earth by Matthew S. Cox

3. The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz

4. A book I'm reading through Fiverr through my freelancing gig on there.

Passively a page at a time reading at the moment:

5. The Right Thing to Do at the Time by Dov Zeller -- I've been trying to get into this book and it's been a struggle.

6. Blood Will Out by Jo Treggiari -- I'm slowly reading this because it comes out in June

What are you reading right now? 

Heir Ascendant - Matthew S. Cox - Review

“I’m thin because I was made that way. 

Vanessa thinks it looks better in the ads.”

This was originally downloaded through Netgalley for an honest review. But then, I saw it was on Kindle Unlimited and did it that way so I could have it on all my devices to read.

 So, I have a forever copy from Netgalley and copy that I returned last night when I finished the book. It's no longer downloadable through Netgalley as it has been archived.

It's $4.99 to buy the ebook outright on Amazon --

This post will contain spoilers because I honestly don't know how to shut up.

 I enjoyed this enough to "livetweet" the book as I read it. I'm Glitchyspoons on Twitter

Score:  4 out of 5

First sentence: Discarded wrappers littered the slate-grey countertop, rustling as small hands added one more to the pile.

Summary: Maya is a nine year old Rapunzel who is trapped inside her tower by her evil biological mother. Which is very original Grimm Fairy tale of this story before parents complained and everyone acquired evil stepparents. Instead of hair and a prince she's abducted by a rough group who intend on using her to acquire a ransom or medication for the killer illness called Fade. Through her wits and determination she rescues herself while obtaining a replacement mother and causes a revolt.

Five little numbers stood between her and freedom.

She's a genetically engineered child created by a woman who has no motherly instincts. She's a prop for her mother's pharmaceutical company.

Topics in this book: Sexualizing a child to advertise medication, pedophilia, the threat of assault or sexual assault, PTSD and poverty. I'm sure there is more but this is what I can remember.

Advertisements: She wears clothes that are more for adult than child

Pedophilia is discussed after the fact due to Sarah who something happened with her and the landlord. Maya & Sarah take him down under the assumption he's the one who called the blueberries on her and got Genna taken away.

“You tell me everything that happened, okay? It’s not your fault." in regards to her encounter with the guy. Every book and people need this in their stuff until we're no longer having to deal with people blaming victims. 

Recommend? If you don't mind a patchwork of a story with the protagonist being a genetically modified nine-year old then yes. In the acknowledgement talks about how this was originally a short story and when you're reading you can tell it's been stretched. But the acknowledgement seems to help confirm this. It feels like maybe three main things were wanting to be addressed with this and used journeying across places to fill in the gaps between them. Which isn't bad in itself but the story works and flows well when Maya & Genna are together.

I enjoyed it enough that I "livetweeted" my journey through the book. I'm Glitchyspoons on Twitter.  Something I read about by this author. It felt weird and I was kind of worried of getting notified to stop because I was quoting the book a lot.

Some favorite Quotes:

“I’m thin because I was made that way. Vanessa thinks it looks better in the ads.”

“The Authority let you take me because one of your friends is either an undercover or an informant.”

"He hauled her out the door, carrying her like a briefcase made of person."

Maya lifted the sandwich to her mouth, and hesitated. “This is cheese?”

 He winced. “Sorry kid, just tryin’ to be funny.” “Keep trying,” mumbled Maya.

“I’m sorry for interrupting your shooting Dave in the head,” said Maya, “but I left something in the kitchen. Can I please get it?”