2019 Best Books and Best Reviews Curated for You by me, Andy Zach. I read 128 books in 2019 and I thought I’d share the best of the best with you.
I’ll also give you any of my audiobooks for free, just by asking me.
Your Third Best of 2019 Best Books
Here is my third favorite:
If you don’t like to click links, I’ve got my review here:
The most surprising thing about Uncompromising Honor (Honor Harrington, #14) by David Weber is that he finally closes the series after 14 novel. The book has its usual elements: great space battles, other military aspects and politics, plus continuing character development of Honor and her friends and enemies.
I felt well satisfied at the end of the novel. Perhaps the best aspect is that not every plot thread was tied up. I was surprised at one or two elements that were left hanging. Those who want more in the Honorverse have hope for other series after the events in the book.
From my Goodreads review.
The Second Best of 2019 Best Books
“The Paper Magician” exposed me to Charlie Holmberg’s writing for the first time, and I’m enchanted. The magical system is unique: each magician must bond to one manmade material and forever afterward, use that material for their magic.
Paper magicians are looked down upon. Their magic is based upon the weakest and most common material, not iron or steel or bronze. Ceony, a bright, promising magical student is forced into paper magic because the country only has twelve of them. She agrees reluctantly because her non-magical prospects are bleak.
She begins her apprenticeship with the peculiar and unconventional Emery Thane and quickly learns techniques that show paper magic has far more than meets the eye.
Then disaster strikes and the last half of the book turns into a desparate race against time and battles against magicians dealing with forbidden magic: Excisors who work magic with human flesh.
Ms. Holmberg deftly weaves humor and horror into her plot, along with vivid characterizations of good and bad people.
Set in an alternate world of steampunk 1900 England, this fantasy has everything to recommend it
Andy’s review on Goodreads
Finally – The Best Book of 2019 Best Books
I re-read this book for the third time, the first time since I became an author, and I love it even more!
This is the first book in Terry Pratchett’s Disk World series, so he sets up his magical system (magic is a color of light), his fantasy world (a flat world on the back of four elephants, standing on the back of a space turtle) and his characters (Rincewind, a magician with only one spell he can’t use. Cowardly and good at running away) (Twoflower, a classic tourist, with limitless chest of gold, no fear, and endless curiosity), (The Luggage, a suitcase with legs, mage of sapient pearwood, invulnerable and clever). And those three are merely the protagonists.
I won’t spoil any of the insane plot, but suffice it to say, Pratchett satirizes nearly every fantasy trope and many conventions of our current culture.
My review in Goodreads
Now, My Favorite Reviews of 2019
As an author, I love getting reviews–except bad reviews. Enjoy my favorite reviews of 2019. If you want to review one of my books, just let me know and I’ll give you a free ebook or audiobook.
Kindle Customer 5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2019 Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This book was really good. It kept me wondering what would happen next. Can’t wait to read the next one.
Your Next Favorite Review
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2019 Format: Kindle Edition
Loved the title and the text lived above expectations. In-law problems usually plague couples but adjustment was easier than expected when they have red eyes and are zombies. Now mind you, that’s a big step but these are some interesting choices to be faced by a new zombie. Should I be treated and cured or accept the regenerative benefits and use the problem to solve world problems?
Well, we soon learn the results and they couldn’t be more humorous or worldly than problems we face in the world today. Loved the author’s twist of life askew and quirky “what if” theories. Great for a consuming nonstop read than can’t help but offer uplifted spirits in the reader themselves.
My Third Favorite Review
Jacqueline Fairchild rated it it was amazing
Andy Zach has out done himself. Paranormal Privateers has it all! Follow all your favorite Andy characters as they save the world. Full of action that just zings from one scene to the next, leaving you on the edge of your seat. Yet tender.
Andy incorporates romance in a way that makes you a believer.
And of course the Queen of England is here in all her glory.
Yet Andy’s writing is not all fun and games, he has a way with words that reach your heart. Follow him and the zombie bulls as they rip through Harrod’s china department and feel as though you have been there yourself.
I am certain you will love this book.
Who should read it: Anyone who has a sense of adventure, all zombie lovers, romance readers who want a new slant, and travel readers who want to take an armchair trip.
Would it make a good gift? Yes, the Life After Life Chronicles would all be great gifts! Something that will make the recipient laugh out loud while clinging to the edge of their seat!
Jacqueline Gillam Fairchild–owner, Her Majesty’s English Tea Room. Author: Greater Expectations.
Next, You Have This Review
Secret Supers is a very special book!
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2020 Format: Kindle Edition
I loved this book, not only the storyline but the very special kids in it. It was wonderful to read how the kids worked together to support each other, but also solve social problems in the neighborhood. Their fundraising for the school district to keep the disabled kids in their own schools was a huge task, but important enough to try. It was wonderful to read about their successes!!
Your Final, Best Review
Take some crazy and add a whole lot of zombies…
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2020Format: Kindle Edition
Oops! Tales of the Zombie Turkey Apocalypse by Andy Zach is a collection of short stories and as the clue is in the title, the theme is zombies. And boy do they come in a variety of different shapes and sizes.
The book starts with three stories that are a starter and not in the zombie genre. Firstly, you are introduced to a world where nothing is heard. Then we move on to finding an elusive phoenix and trying to use its DNA for breeding. Lastly, we have a story about a time-traveling wheelchair.
Then we jump straight into zombies. From zombie pickles to zombie service dog corgis, to zombie models and even zombies in a nursing home. There is a timeline thread running through the stories where characters that create something or meet someone bring them into a later story. And all of this in a world where becoming a zombie is as easy as ordering blood online!
After each story, the author explains where he got his ideas from, and since in his bio he claims both his parents were zombies, he must be an expert on all things undead. The author has a very quick mind and some of the quips and plays on words were very clever. In some of the stories, however, I would have preferred a definite ending—one where the story doesn’t just finish and you think there is more coming. It was almost as though they were ideas taken from diary extracts with sporadic glimpses into a world of zombies.