Category: science fiction

Tier One Review

Here is the link below if you prefer to listen:

https://anchor.fm/alexandra-mars1/episodes/Tier-One-Review-e15scp0

I read Tier One by Cindy Gunderson, and I found the dystopian romance novel entertaining and thought-provoking. I can’t stop thinking about the main character, Kate.

About Story:

Kate works as a health care worker and is a mother of two boys named Tal and Bentley. She paired with Eric, who is a researcher in genetics and the father of her children. Paired means married in the novel. Kate and her family live in the Tier One System, which means they get the best of everything because of their genes and behavior by following the rules.

In the novel, the society is structured in three zones: Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. In Tier Two, people get fewer supplies and have fewer freedoms because of their behavior and genetic structure. Tier Three for the undesirable people that have no future within the society. And the others don’t obey the laws. The inhabitants of Tier Three only received necessary supplies.

People only live in their forties because of cancer. And if a person rarely reaches fifty because the cancer rate is so high.

A little backstory, a virus that swept through the world, causing governments to meltdown as society fell apart. A man named Berg rose, taking control and eventually creating the Tier system that Kate lives in.

Kate was born in Tier One and conditioned to obey, and sacrifice so society can improve. (By sacrificing denies what is best for the individual to improve society.)

About the Plot:

While at work, Kate meets a young man named Nick, and she has an immediate attraction for him, but she loves Eric and committed to him. Until Eric makes a breakthrough discovery in his research on genetics, how to eradicate cancer that changes Kate’s life forever.

My Thoughts:

One day, I was on Facebook, and I saw this ad for Tier One. What intrigued me about this novel that the book was advertised as a clean romance, meaning no sex scenes. I brought the novel because I found the story about a woman who was a mother, health worker, and wife intriguing. Kate was no teenager trying to save her world from a powerful government. She was just a mom wanting what was best for her family, her marriage, and herself.

The novel is told from Kate’s point of view that pulled me into the story. I would like to have more detailed descriptions of places. For the descriptions were short and vague. The dialogue was excellent, and I loved the narration too. I keep thinking about Kate and her struggles and what will happen to Kate and her family in the next book called Tier Two. Yes, I am planning on reading the next book.

My rating:

I give Tier One four stars because the descriptions were lacking, for I had a tough time seeing Kate’s world in my mind. The author did an excellent job on dialogue and kept the pace going throughout the novel and how she foreshadowed certain events. Gunderson carefully took her time about revealing the backstory of Kate’s world and her personal history, too.

This novel is available on Amazon and now available on Unlimited Kindled.

Have you read Tier One? Or are you planning on reading Tier One? Let me know in the comments.

My book review on Specter of the Past

https://anchor.fm/alexandra-mars1/episodes/My-book-review-on-Specter-of-the-Past-e10p61i/a-a5i2ju9

What book did you read?

The book I will review today is a Star Wars novel called, the Hand of Thrawn, book one is called Specter of the Past, and there are two books in the series.

What is the story about?

This novel takes place ten years after the first trilogy of Thrawn: The Last Command. The Empire is in shambles and holding on to star systems, as their resources are dwindling, continuing to fight against the Rebellion.

When an imposter arrives, pretending to be Thrawn makes his return to influential officials in the Empire. A mysterious fleet of ships appears to the Empire and the Rebellion, searching for Thrawn.

Leia and her children are vacationing on Wayland, and she discovers a data card with vital information that reads the Hand of Thrawn.

The New Republic also has its struggles and issues within the government and the Caamas incident that is causing protests and uprisings throughout New Republic’s star systems; and the government is at a breaking point.

What is your rating on the novel?

I give this novel five stars, and I found the story thrilling and exciting. It didn’t disappoint, and it felt like I was watching another Star Wars movie in my mind. I enjoy seeing the characters older in their new roles as leaders within the government. To see Luke, Leia, and Hans growing and being pushed out of their comfort zones and facing new threats.

Did you enjoy the story, and why?

Yes, it was a great read. I have always enjoyed reading about these characters; and discovering an author that can flush out these characters adding to their development by giving them new challenges is always a fantastic read. One reason I enjoyed this novel by this author is that he shows the New Republic’s government experiencing the growing pains of rebuilding its civilization because of the Empire.

Here is why:

The New Republic’s leaders were always on the offensive against the Empire during the rebellion; and now, they are to handle trials and tribulations, forcing Luke, Leia, and Han into new roles within the government.

Another thing that I liked the story focuses on Leia and Han’s marriage and their children. One of the opening scenes with Leia at the beginning of the novel is Leia’s on vacation with her children. Halfway through the novel, a scene with Leia and Han being an ordinary couple was a nice touch. It gave the story some realism how a couple matures as they get older after having a family of their own.

Also, the author focused on Luke and his struggles to use the force. Luke is seeking to find the balance between his roles of being a Jedi Knight and a Jedi Master. I found the character development intriguing to see Luke coming to this point in his life, trying to understand his role in the universe; it is a far cry from seeing Luke as a farm boy in the first Star Wars movie. It was a fascinating concept and excellent development on the character of Luke Skywalker.

Anything about the novel you don’t care for?

No, for the plot moves along at a nice pace, and the characters shoved out of their comfort zones; and additional aspects revealed about the characters that I saw these characters in a new light.