Announcement: Lord Hades (#4 Tales of Cinnamon City) is now available for Pre-Order

New Release!

The next part in the epic science fiction series Tales of Cinnamon City is now available from the following online stores:

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Rachel prepares for the Second Black Day, but she still doesn't know what form it will take. She knows she can't face this challenge alone. Lord Hades must abandon her to pursue Lord Malkor into the Blasted Lands, but he offers her help in his own way.

Meanwhile, Jacob has become leader of the Kamari. Without his father's interference, he is free to pursue his own goals.

The clerics are leaving. The guilds are in turmoil.

Will Rachel be able to unite Cinnamon City under one rule? Time is running out for Security Forces. They must prepare themselves for their darkest day. 

Get your copy of Lord Hades now!  

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[Posted by: Peter James West, author of the science fiction series: Tales of Cinnamon City.]

If you're new to the my books, you'll find that they're a mixture of military science fiction, action, and fantasy. 

Tales of Cinnamon City is a science fiction series set in the richly detailed world of Megarothia.

For a limited time, you can get a FREE copy of Information Cloud – the first novel in the series – direct from this site. Just click the button below to get started.

Find out More >

Announcement: Tales of Cinnamon City

Author Profile

Peter James West is a British author who was born and raised in the seaside town of Scarborough, England. Writing since 2003, he has rediscovered the world of fiction and worked on a number of manuscripts across the genres of science fiction, horror and psychological thrillers.

Peter is currently working on Augmented, book 5 in the series Tales of Cinnamon City.

Tales of Cinnamon City

Tales of Cinnamon City is a Science fiction and fantasy series set in the rich, deep world of Megarothia. 

Information Cloud (#1 Tales of Cinnamon City)

Information Cloud is the first novel in the series, mixing elements of military science fiction, adventure and hi-tech action with an epic tale that travels through a vast land. 

After the Iridium Wars, a cataclysmic event that killed the vast majority of Megarothia's human and animal populations, the planet has been left to ruin. Only Lord Hades, the Techno Prophet, foresaw this event and was able to save a few thousand survivors beneath a powerful structure that became known as the Dome Shield. 

Major Rachel Henson is a soldier in the Security Forces, a military organisation that now governs the fragmented land. She's combat trained, and highly effective, but it's becoming increasingly obvious that there's something very wrong with her. She isn't like other people, and she's developing a reputation for being more capable than anyone can explain. 

Lord Hades has been absent for many years, driven to desperation by his tormented visions of the Second Black Day. He fears that technology will be the end of man, but whatever he tries, he is powerless to stop the factions of the Orange Zone from destroying each other. The race is on to create ever more disturbing machines to win yet another war. 

Reviews

5 STARS - Michael Hinton
Great characters and technology support a good plot. Well written and convincing this is a great start to what is undoubtedly a brilliant series 

5 STARS - Zinger
West paints a thoroughly believable picture of a world interconnected through information. As security is breached, technology by-passed or stolen, the superficial tranquility of Cinnamon City is torn by momentous upheaval, massive robots, thundering machines of destruction, threats of annihilation and lots of regular old bloodshed.

Cinematic in its scope, West crafts a world that allows a reader's visual imagination run riot, amongst massive explosions, thundering machinery, thousands of foot soldiers whilst introducing very human characters that are humorous, venal, avaricious and, above all, believable.



5 STARS - Carol, South Africa
What's great book! I do not normally enjoy post apocalyptic stories, but I really could not class this as one. It was more of a futuristic view of the future. Technology, food, security for The people and otherwise pretty normal lives for most citizens, except those of the security forces. The book started with a run, then slowed briefly to introduce important new characters and then blitzed away again. The characters were well developed and either like-able or extremely hateful, which made for an exciting read, rooting for your favourites. The book was well written and flowed seamlessly from one chapter to the next, making it impossible to put down at any point. The technology created in the book for the battles was mind boggling and frightening. The human is capable of terrible cruelties towards what they consider lesser beings. I am really looking forward to the next book. Really hope I don't have to wait too long. I really need to know what happens next!!! 

Available now from the following retailers:

Amazon  Barnes and Noble  Apple  Kobo  Google Books Smashwords 

Cinnamon City (#2 Tales of Cinnamon City)

Cinnamon City is the second novel in the series, mixing elements of military science fiction, adventure and hi-tech action with an epic tale that travels through a vast land. 

After a short coma, Rachel wakes up under mysterious circumstances. She works hard to recover her fitness, but when she finally returns to Central Command, she finds that many things have changed in her absence. 

Gail Thompson has been exiled, and Lord Hades has appointed a new leader of the Security Forces. Rachel must prove herself like never before. 
She hunts down new Kamari bases, and enlists the help of the Implants, but strange things keep happening to her, and she still doesn't understand why. 

Only Lord Hades knows what's really going on, but the price of listening to him may be too great to bear. Time is running out. Rachel must find the traitors amongst them and help make Central Command stronger than it has ever been before. 

Meanwhile, the guilds demand to see the Council of Lords. When their prayers are finally answered, they discover just how little they know about their absent masters.

Available now from the following retailers:

Amazon  Barnes and Noble  Apple  Kobo  Google Books  Smashwords 

Ascension (#3 Tales of Cinnamon City)

Ascension is the third novel in the series, mixing elements of military science fiction, adventure and hi-tech action with an epic tale that travels through a vast land. 

General Markov mounts a daring attack against the Kamari. He needs to draw them out of their hiding places and pull them into a full-scale war. His plan is bold but it has repercussions for everyone. 

Meanwhile, Jacob is acting strangely. He talks to his dead brother and argues with his father about the future of the Kamari. Their disagreements are becoming more and more bitter. Even the Kamari captains are forced to take sides. 

Rachel can't avoid the truth anymore. She has dreamt of a man who carries a black spear. She knows he is coming for her and she's powerless to prevent it. It's time for her to face her darkest fears. 

General Markov mounts a daring attack against the Kamari. He wants to draw them out of their hiding places and pull them into a full-scale war. His actions have unexpected repercussions for everyone. 

Jacob is acting strangely. He talks to his dead brother and argues with his father about their plans for the war. A sickness plagues his mind and he cannot understand what is happening to him. 

Rachel knows that she can't avoid the truth anymore. She has dreamt of a man who carries a black spear. He walks like an old man but an aura of power surrounds him. She knows he is coming for her. It's time to face her darkest fears. Time is now running out for all of them. 

Available now from the following retailers:

Amazon  Barnes and Noble  Apple  Kobo  Google Books Smashwords 

Lord Hades (#4 Tales of Cinnamon City)

Lord Hades is the fourth novel in the series, mixing elements of military science fiction, adventure and hi-tech action with an epic tale that travels through a vast land.

Rachel prepares for the Second Black Day, but she still doesn't know what form it will take. The future is full of uncertainty and she knows she can't face this challenge alone.

Lord Hades must abandon her to pursue Lord Malkor into the Blasted Lands, but he offers her help in his own way.

Meanwhile, Jacob has become leader of the Kamari. Without his father's interference, he is free to pursue his own twisted goals.

The clerics are leaving. The guilds are in turmoil. Central Command must prepare for the Second Black Day.

Available now from the following retailers:

Amazon  Barnes and Noble  Apple  Kobo  Google Books Smashwords

Augmented (#5 Tales of Cinnamon City)

(Coming 2016...)

[Posted by: Peter James West, author of the science fiction series: Tales of Cinnamon City.]

If you're new to the my books, you'll find that they're a mixture of military science fiction, action, and fantasy. 

Tales of Cinnamon City is a science fiction series set in the richly detailed world of Megarothia.

For a limited time, you can get a FREE copy of Information Cloud – the first novel in the series – direct from this site. Just click the button below to get started.

Find out More >

Review: Leviathan Wakes, James S. A. Corey

I gave Leviathan Wakes 5 out of 5 stars:

Leviathan Wakes is the first book in the New York Times bestselling series 'The Expanse'. This sci-fi novel is set in space, and details the acrimonious relations between Earth, Mars, and the Belters  (humans who have been born and brought up on the asteroid belts). This rich backdrop provides an excellent setting for a story that is both complex and intriguing.

Detective Miller is a cop on an asteroid base called Ceres. His personal life has taken a downturn and his career is following close behind. He has to deal with cases that other people don't want, and he later discovers just how little his employers appreciate his talents. As his life unravels, he becomes obsessed by one particular case, and this eventually leads him in a new and dangerous direction.

Meanwhile, an Earther called Jim Holden and his crew find themselves trying to rescue a ship that has sent out a distress signal. When they try to help, they find that the situation is far from normal with the stricken vessel. The paths of Miller and Holden eventually collide and they form the backbone of Leviathan Wakes, but they are accompanied by a motley selection of interesting characters on their chosen path. The story is quite deep, and the characters are all well-formed, moody and above all, believable. This gripping story is more than you might expect from a  typical space opera.

I enjoyed Leviathan Wakes a great deal. It was a good story, with deep characters, and it was set in a detailed and interesting universe. As the first in the series, this book is a promising start, and I look forward to reading the sequels to find out what happens next.

You may be wondering why James S.A. Corey has two heads in the picture above. This is because James S.A. Corey is actually the pen name used by a couple of collaborators (Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck). The two authors worked together to write Leviathan Wakes and the subsequent volumes of the series. They have also worked together on various Star Wars novels.

Some readers may also be interested to know that the Expanse series is also being turned into a television series which starts broadcasting on the Syfy network in March 2015.

I gave Leviathan Wakes 5 out of 5 stars.

I would recommend this book to science fiction fans who like space operas with good characters and a complex plot.

[Posted by: Peter James West, author of the science fiction series: Tales of Cinnamon City.]

If you're new to the my books, you'll find that they're a mixture of military science fiction, action, and fantasy. 

Tales of Cinnamon City is a science fiction series set in the richly detailed world of Megarothia.

For a limited time, you can get a FREE copy of Information Cloud – the first novel in the series – direct from this site. Just click the button below to get started.

Find out More >

Review: Old Man's War, John Scalzi

I gave Old Man's War 5 out of 5 stars:

Old Man's War is an interesting story with a great start. It takes an unusual approach to military recruiting. The main character is a seventy five year old man who visits his wife's grave and then joins the military. It's a strange start to a military sci-fi book, and it puts the reader on the back foot from the first paragraph. From there on, it's a case of trying to keep up. We find ourselves wondering how he can be any use on combat operations when he can barely walk a hundred paces without sitting down for a biscuit and a cup of tea. John Scalzi does a great job of surprising us with an implausible situation and then providing an even stranger but very believable explanation.

Soon we find ourselves liking the main character, along with the group of 'Old Farts' that become his friends. They all joined the military on their 75th birthdays. They share an unusual journey that takes them far away from everything that they have ever known.

The story is full of interesting and imaginative technology. The characters are likeable and the plot takes us on a series of twists and turns that are quite literally out of this universe. The science is handled well. The alien races that we meet are well described and not too outrageous. Their societies have depth that takes them beyond the typical stereotypes.

From the start, it is clear that the author is skilled in the art of crafting a good story. The book has a good, well-rounded style and it always feels like you are in safe hands. I enjoyed this book a great deal. John Scalzi obviously has a long writing career ahead of him.

I gave Old Man's War 5 out of 5 stars.

I would recommend this book to science fiction fans who like military action, technology, science and space exploration.

[Posted by: Peter James West, author of the science fiction series: Tales of Cinnamon City.]

If you're new to the my books, you'll find that they're a mixture of military science fiction, action, and fantasy. 

Tales of Cinnamon City is a science fiction series set in the richly detailed world of Megarothia.

For a limited time, you can get a FREE copy of Information Cloud – the first novel in the series – direct from this site. Just click the button below to get started.

Find out More >

Review: The Forever War, Joe Haldeman

Review: The Forever War,  Joe Haldeman

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

The Forever War was first published in the 1970's but the story does not seem dated even today. Haldeman's knowledge of war, physics and astronomy shine through as he takes us on a journey that spans a few short years for some, and hundreds of years for others, relatively speaking. 

The story is based around William Mandella, his military career, his retirement and his continuing pains within the military even when he thought he'd seen the back of it. It deals well with everyday combat and tactics in a realistic universe where war never seems to end.

The characters were interesting and the technologies and ideas behind the combat hold the reader's interest with ease. The author offers some interesting ideas about how the earth could change over a long period and he steers safely away from cliches and always offers something informed and interesting to get your teeth into. 

The Forever War was written a long time ago, and it still packs a punch. I'd be interested to see what Haldeman has been writing since, and how he has evolved over the years. I'm looking forward to reading more from this writer.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys military science fiction.

You can find this book pretty much everywhere, but here is the Amazon Link: Amazon

Have you read this book? Feel free to add your thoughts as a comment below.

[Posted by: Peter James West, author of the science fiction series: Tales of Cinnamon City.]

If you're new to the my books, you'll find that they're a mixture of military science fiction, action, and fantasy. 

Tales of Cinnamon City is a science fiction series set in the richly detailed world of Megarothia.

For a limited time, you can get a FREE copy of Information Cloud – the first novel in the series – direct from this site. Just click the button below to get started.

Find out More >