Kevis Hendrickson

Rogue Hunter Inquest is part science fiction and part intergalactic political thriller. The Queen of New Venus is charged with staying one step ahead of the people trying to use her small world as a pawn in a fractious situation. Queen Karah Taresh is determined and strong and possibly the most interesting character in “Rogue Hunter Inquest.” We may not get much of Queen Karah’s motivations but we get glimpses of how hard won her position was and the subjugation her world experienced show more as a younger person as well as her determination to never be in that position again. In her very literal battle for life for her people and the way she conducts herself this character’s back story would make a sci-fi masterpiece on its own.

Zyra is quite the conflicting character. Readers know that the Zyra we meet is at her lowest point. She is literally naked when we step into her life. Beaten and drugged and unable to stand. This is a strong woman brought low. Profit and history have brought her into the search for Boris and she will not compromise in the achievement of her goal. She will use everyone at her disposal, no matter how intimate their relationship, to play her end game.

Boris serves as a good counterpoint to Zyra. He read as being lecherous and a bit of a jerk at first but in the fullness of the story he develops into a character so evil the fiercest of Space Captains cower a bit in his presence.

“Rogue Hunter Inquest” is an engaging character driven tale perfect for fans of science fiction. At 199 pages, the novel is short for its genre but an exceptionally fast read that will have readers following this series for as long as the author wishes to write it. show less

Overall, an exceptional and thrilling tale about three very young children thrown into a very harsh reality. "The Legend of Witch Bane" is exceptional especially in Kevis Hendrickson's use of a child's fairy tale narrative voice to tell a very dark and hopeful story. The whit, humor, creative solutions and mystical creatures clashed in an effective and interesting way with the bitter conditions and overwhelmings odds that the children of Witch Bane were faced with.
I could not get over how show more rapidly the plot progressed or how fast the many different threads of the plot intertwined and branched out into new aspects of the story. The reader is immediately caputred on the very first page by the plight of a kingdom that has to sacrifice some of it's daughters to a terrible queen. Furthermore, the story takes place in a very intricate fantasy world where our expectations are ever so slightly twisted.
The three royal children who embark on a quest to save thier parents and kingdom are far more human and fallible then most young protagonists of modern fantasy books I've encountered. The children are terrified and they make significant mistakes. What's more is that they grow up as the deal with the ordeals. However, this is not the usual happily ever after type of quest, but rather one with real, deep and enduring costs to the children. show less

I thought the characters were well-written, well developed. The technology was handled well. But, when I read Sci-Fi, I'm not really looking for an explanation to how things work. I want the story, not the science behind space travel, scanners, weapons, or propulsion systems. And, "Rogue Hunter: Inquest" delivered.

The story flows excellently. Full of twist and turns. The story plays out like mix of Bourne identity and Star Trek. A captivating space thriller that I could not stop reading. The show more characters are unique, interesting, and believable. The story will not disappoint. Great story, fast paced, you feel like you are reading about real people. show less

I received a free copy of this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Liril wants to find a special present for her Papa's birthday, but without much money, what could she get? She meets an old woman who offers her a magic bean, but Liril must venture into the dangerous Black Forest and return the woman's missing locket first. On her quest to find the locket, Liril faces monsters, wolves, a mysterious orchard, and an enchanted mirror. When she finally finds her way back out show more of the forest, her adventure is only beginning, for Liril has discovered the locket is magical, and she wonders if it might be of some use to her before she returns it...

This is a beautiful fairy tale told in a classic structure and style. Liril is an endearing character who shows great bravery while traveling alone in the Black Forest, struggles with the temptation of using the magic locket for herself, and learns a timeless lesson: be careful what you wish for. Her quest is narrated in a way that brings the reader right into the story, while leaving plenty of room for the reader's imagination to envision the wondrous things she encounters.

This story is just the right length for bedtime, and it has a timeless writing style that begs to be read aloud to little ears. Liril's adventures will certainly enthrall children, as well as any adult who enjoys a nicely paced story rich with magic and fantasy.

Review originally posted on my blog, PidginPea's Book Nook. show less