This one was a surprise!
Knowing that the author has medical training makes a ton of sense as you read it, as it really feels like experiencing the story through the eyes of a medical professional.
For the first 30 pages or so, I struggled to get into it, but the pace picked up quickly and I was hooked, impossible to put it down.
Balancing the scientific method in Peter's mind and the debilitating effect of the disease, that was for me the big thing. Never leaning into the shock / gore factor, nor falling into the too technical language, Kevin Hwang made this a legit thriller with a medical underpinning.

A well-deserved 4-stars.
At first, I have to admit I struggled to get into it. I felt Alex's ascension rushed, or at least, I had the impression that he was a bit too comfortable with his growth, but characters really kept me going.
The chemistry everything that remains unspoken between Alex and Galen made it hard to put the book down.
As we moved into the back half of the book, I was really hooked. The complexity of all the characters, the inner working of their minds and their personal wounds and angles.
The end took me by surprise. I had a feeling about the direction, and yet, I did not see it coming the way it did. The best part is, it really kept things open for a sequel and that what I loved about it.

Net net, Eros Rising does a great job at capturing the genre of urban fantasy without falling into some easy solutions, happy ends for all, or creative shortcuts. Whenever Book 2 is out, I'm in

I love a good murder mystery, and the 'futuristic', more what-if than a full-on dystopia, worked well as a setup for police work in a resource-scarce environment. It's a good start, but it would have benefited from some more description of this new environment. It still felt a little too familiar, too close to comfort (as a reader, not necessarily for the characters).
The plot was smart, with some good surprises and the lead character had some depth, police work not being her main occupation. It was also well paced, in a realistic manner, and acknowledging the environment and the full life of characters.
That being said, I struggled to really get into it, to connect with Hazel and the other characters. Many of them were simply glossed over, and Hazel was not necessarily a character I could fully get behind. Or maybe it was the writing style that prevented me from fully getting into it.
I felt like it was an OK read, and I ended up liking the way it ended, but it took me a while to read the whole book, as I would never feel compelled to really sit there for another hour to figure out what was happening next.

The plot was very original and, as sad as it was, was a perfect setup for the story to really go somewhere.
I felt a bit underwhelmed at times, with how some characters are just glossed over when there was so much exploration worth doing. Maybe it was simply too short and had to be rushed through.
The end really took me by surprise - both the plot twists, revelations, and darkness of some of the characters.
In the end, I liked it, but it could have been so much more

What an odd pair to bring together, yet, it works beautifully.
Leo's dark past and the scars it left don't make him a broken character, more a man who is turninh his anger into a productive activity.
Tuck had so many layers and it was surprising to see him doing the chase. Resilient yet not needy, respectful yet very present.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way they danced around each other just as much as I liked the plot. If there's a next book, I'll read it for sure

This second book the the Adam Green series surprised me.
"Set for life" was a great foundation to the story, but Lost Packages allowed for a lot of character development while tackling the difficult topic of human trafficking. Kaluzny strikes a right balance, addressing the issue from a business AND a personal standpoint, without falling in an over dramatic or weepy tone.
I was missing a sense of time or chronology, as the story jumped between the many characters and storylines, and I feel like a lot more remains to be told, so I'd be excited for a 3rd book in the series.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect, as ithe story felt very much like a tale of resilience and recovery in a semi-ideal world. I was somewhat afraid the too many characters introduced in a short amount of time would not allow for much breathing room for the main character, Adam.
To my surprise, the character and plot development got me really curious about what comes next for Adam. I envision a much darker tone for the next book, or at least the exploration of a darker environment. The way it will shape Adam is what I am really looking forward to.

Don Colliver's book is a great practical guide to more engaging presentations and public speeches through simple, incremental steps. The idea of understanding one is enough and should embrace ones unadultered self is both interesting and encouraging for any speaker trying to find their brand / style. The examples, tips and tricks are great how-to's that are applicable to many different types of public speaking occasions.
I would have wanted more theory or academic background to the method, but this is a personal preference. The approach is really well articulated and worth a try for new and more seasoned presenters.