Book Review: In My Head by Alicia Rades

 In My Head

by

Alicia Rades

Quote: "Don't be sorry Mila, if something is wrong with this version of the program, we have to know before we release it to the public." ~ Dad pg.2

Date started/finished: August 3, 2022

Kindle edition/ short story, 98 pages

YA/Sci-Fi

From the cover:

Sixteen-year-old Mila Brooks doesn't have any friends. Her father's position as chief technology manager at the biggest tech firm in the world has alienated her from her peers. As a beta tester for the latest implant, a computer chip that connects you to The Internet of Things, Mila is sure everyone hates her because of her upgrade. When Mila hears Parker's voice in her head, everything changes.

My Review: This is one of the shortest and fastest books I have read in a long time.

Literally took me less than 2 hours to read it. 

From the synopsis and page 1, I immediately got The Giver, and, The Feed vibes. I know there was another book about the brain implant/chips, but I cannot remember it! Ugh!

In my Head, jumps right into the story, and just keeps going. The storyline is easy and quick to follow.

Mila is a typical teenager, except for her upgrade. She has insecurities, and a crush on the popular guy.

Parker isn't really Parker, but it was pretty easy to figure that one out. Ariel is annoying and Carter turns out to be a nice guy.

I wish this had been longer. I think the story and characters could have really developed into a great book. Possibly even a series. I enjoy the futuristic, fantasy storylines. I think it's the "what-if" factors that really grab me into them.

We've experienced so much in the last few years. I don't know how anyone couldn't be wondering.

I'd recommend this to like-minded people.

In My Head by Alicia Rades

I'm giving it 3 stars. 

Only because it was cut short, and we needed more backstory. Still a good read.

Review: Those Across The River

Those Across The River

by Christopher Buehlman

Quote: "Mother wasn't to talk about her family to me. And she didn't. But when I got to college, i started digging it up for myself."~ Frank pg. 90

Started: Aug: 29, 2012

Finished: Sept. 5, 2012

357 pages/hardcover

From the cover:

Haunted by memories of the Great War, failed academic Frank Nichols and his wife, Eudora, have arrived in the sleepy Georgia town of Whitbrow, where Frank hopes to write a history of his family's old estate-the Savoyard Plantation-and the horrors that occurred there. At first, the quaint, rural ways of their new neighbors seem to be everything they wanted. But under the facade of summer socials and small-town charm, there is an unspoken dread that the townsfolk have lived with for generations. A presence that demands sacrifice. 

 It comes from the shadowy woods across the river, where the ruins of the Savoyard Plantation still stand. Where a long-smoldering debt of blood has never been forgotten...

 Where it has been waiting for Frank Nichols.

My Review:

I loved almost everything about this book. It was such a wonderful suspenseful, mysterious book based on old rituals and revenge. It is set in the south, Georgia, where traditions and superstitions run high and deep. Coming from the north you never know how to take things or how true they can be. Sometimes there are things happening all around you whether you believe in them or not. When you are face to face with them and believing is still a question you are unsure of the answer to, it makes for a terrifying experience! 

I definitely loved this book, but will give only *4stars* due to so much profanity! I think Buehlman had #1 characters and detail of their personalities and reactions to situations without the unneeded swearing throughout the entire book.(major turn-off). Also, warning to some. There is some detailed sexual experiences between the characters. For some this is also a "TMI" story. I personally enjoyed those "scenes". It did help develop the characters for me and added a little "heat" to a chilling story!

Review: Haunted Waters

Haunted Waters

by May Pope Osborne

Quote: " There are questions you have never asked, Lord Huldbrand. There are worlds you have never imagined."~ Undine

Started: Feb. 5, 2012

Ended: Feb. 9, 2012

From the cover:

As I came close to the water, I saw a figure lying on the bank: Undine. Her white gown spread about her, she looked like a gull with broken wings.

   Her face was hidden as I ran toward her. I reached out to touch her, and suddenly the phantom's screech split the twilight- and i found myself reaching for nothing at all. Undine had evaporated into the air! I ran like a madman, slipping, crawling, clawing my way through the marsh reeds. My mind reeled with terror- was Undine herself now a demon? Had the monster taken her shape?

My Review:  I didn't hate this book. I simply didn't get it! Honestly, as I came to the end, all I kept thinking was...Yea, and....

It's not that I didn't enjoy the story, I think it just kind of rambled into a list of "what's next" that never got answered. I never felt like the story ended any of the topics it started. 

**SPOILERS**

My questions left are:

1. What was she?

2. How did Lord Huldbrand really get onto the shore?(was it a storm? shipwreck? magic?)

3. Where did Undine come from? (Hell, the sea, a hybrid of sea and human)?

4. Why was the forest against humans/mortals?

5. Why didn't her father come back for her before she married a mortal?

6. Why was she abandoned and raised by humans?

7. Why did she come back for him only when he was going to marry another?

8. Did he really fall in love with her or was it a spell?

I'm not sure I got the story. I only learned that this was a spin-off of a mythological legend after reading the book. Still, after trying to do much research on the original, I haven't really learned anything new or answered any of my questions.  Maybe some will understand this more than I did.

My rating is 2 stars. It was just too unfinished for me.