Book Review: Flawed by D H Rosenberg

 

Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: FLAWED

Subtitle: FIRST GENESIS

Author: D.H. Rosenberg

Genre: Science Fiction/Post-apocalyptic

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 1

Best read after earlier books in series? N/A

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53574063-flawed?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=9UwKgzl5j2&rank=1

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

This is the first book in a series. We are following Leonardo, a human engineered to have the perfect geneset. Not created as we are all used to but artificially instead. He has lived for several centuries and heals quickly. But then a fatal flaw in his design is discovered. The only way to preserve his brilliant brain and intellect for future generations is to put him into a dream state and upload all his memories and knowledge to a computer. This book, tells us the contents of his first dream. Will he survive long enough to make the upload successful?

What I liked about the book:

The story was fast-paced and interesting. Leonardo has many adventures in his dreams and tries to make sense of them. Even during the dream, he is aware of the fact it is a dream and his actual body is still in a hospital bed, dying.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There were areas in the book where it became confusing and I didn’t know where I was. This was only at the start of the book when it was unclear we were actually in the dream before Leonardo joined this.

My favourite bits in the book:

The book was an enjoyable read in its entirety.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This is the second book I’ve read by this author. He knows how to weave an interesting story.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book is different from other post-apocalyptic books in that it shows us an insight of the situation before and I suspect we will see Leonardo in books to come trying to stop the events from taking place.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Possibly
Adult	Yes

 

If you like science fiction or post-apocalyptic stories, this book may be the book for you.

 

I look forward to reading more books by these authors.

Book Description by Author:

Flawed is an epic Science Fiction work that has been described as a meld of Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings and Dune. It is a large scale fantasy, backed by hard science that will take you on an epic journey into fantastical lands inhabited by complex characters that are flawed by the common imperfections of humanity. This is an adult read that does not hold back on the reality of the human condition.

This is an adult read that contains scenes of a violent nature and may produce images of a sexual nature in some readers.

The first book of this epic trilogy begins with Leonardo Khalid's discovery that he has a terminal illness. Leonardo is one of the first generation of genetically enhanced humans; he has used his superior intelligence to bring about a great stability to the world and is on the verge of making a major scientific breakthrough. His partner, Sahara, desperate to preserve Leonardo’s mind, persuades him undergo an uploading of his mind.

The process involves the administering of powerful neurological-stimulating drugs that cause Leonardo to enter an intense dream state. Leonardo awakens in his first dream in a surreal land filled with predatory creatures and a huge black wall. He is rescued by a group of travelers whose leader, Abrihim, believes he is the Great Saviour. It is Abrihim’s intention to take Leonardo to the Great Lord but an attack by a swarm of deadly creatures forces the group to take a detour through the black wall. They are captured by one of the Kingdoms on the other side of the wall and have to negotiate with the tyrannical leader.

Leonardo allows the dream to flow, taking advantage of the situation to satiate the primeval desires that flood his mind in his dream state. As the complexities of the society they are held prisoner in evolve, Leonardo plays a dangerous game with his antagonist, Calopius. With each discovery Leonardo makes, he finds his dream becoming ever more anchored in a connected reality to his real world. The emergence of a dreadful truth unfolds.

About the Author:

Book Review: The Duke of Hell's Pocket Watch by D H Rosenberg

Book Review

 

Basic Details:

Book Title: THE DUKE OF HELL'S POCKET WATCH

Subtitle:

Author: D H ROSENBERG

Genre: Occult

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54022874-the-duke-of-hell-s-pocket-watch?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=NiuJKwnOnF&rank=1

 

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

Follow one pocket watch through time from its creation to a period where all is supposed to come together. Meet the Duke and the Duchess, 2 people who seem to travel through time.

What I liked about the book:

There were a few interesting relationships in the book.

What I didn’t like about the book:

For my liking, there was a little too much gore and violence.

My favourite bits in the book:

A few historic lessons and 2 hearts coming together through time.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The many changes in place and time made the book confusing at times.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

The author has written some more books, but this is the only one in this series.

What books could this be compared to and why?

I’m not sure what books to compare this to as this is not the usual genre for me to go to.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

 

Children	No
Young Adult	Perhaps
Adult	Yes

 

If you like reading about the occult, this book may be the book for you.

 

Book Description by Author:

Belief is a creation of humanity but belief is an illusion.

This novel was originally fermented to be part of a short story collection. I wanted to use the idea of the parallel similarities of religious extremism across different religions and time. The original concept linked two different events through a timepiece. In the process of carrying out research for this short story, the material I uncovered progressed the idea to a novella and ultimately a full-length novel.

Because of my scientific background, I struggle with conceptualizing the idea of time travel as a convincing entity, but can see how many of today’s current issues are a reflection of past events. I wanted to focus on present day religious extremism in comparison to the dark period of the Inquisition.

On discovering through my research that the pocket watch was developed around the time of the German Inquisition, an idea formed. The only way forward was to do further research, but the deeper I delved, the more horrific the material I unearthed became. As my notes became longer and I accidently came across further material and an idea formed for this novel. It is common for nearly all fanatics to embellish their beliefs by creating mythical characters to scare those who waver into becoming devout believers. The Demons of Hell are just one example, and when I saw the powers attributed to Duke Gomory, something connected in my thoughts.

There are sections in this novel that some readers may find distasteful, but it is a harsh reality that what I’ve depicted fictionally is a watered down version of events that really transpired. I say this after carrying out extensive research through historical archives and some exploration of the dark web. (Not a good place to go.)

Throughout history, corrupt and evil individuals have manipulated the masses, in the name of God, for their own gain. I intend no attack on any faith or belief, only contempt for the members of the human race who brought shame onto humanity. As to whether belief is an illusion, I’ll leave that for you to decide.

If this novel entertained, interested or provoked you, please consider writing a brief review. Every writer wants to hear what their readers thought of their work.

About the Author: