3 out of 5 stars
I would like to thank Curiosity Quills Press for providing me with a free electronic ARC of this book in exchange for an open and honest review.
This is the official third book in a rather interesting series. I really do have a love/ hate relationship with the whole series too. I really don’t know why. I mean, I love the whole concept and I love that the original authors have allowed fans to help write and weave their world… but I get to parts of it and I groan and think “really? This is what you want to write about when there is so much potential for others things?”
If I was asked to “do better” I couldn’t. I would go off and sit in my kid’s naughty corner or something similar. But there is just something about this series that gets under my skin in both a good and bad way. I get the good way – has potential, is entertaining, is consistent and keeps the reader thinking and entertained… As for what the bad bits are? I honestly really don’t know. There is just something there that bugs me and I wish I could figure out what it was so I could tell it to shut the heck up and just let me keep reading.
Example, I see the third book available as an ARC, I want it, I ask for it, I do a happy dance when I get it. Then I procrastinate when it comes to reading it. I get distracted by other books; I find other things to do… Why?! When I read it I love it. Perhaps this is the magical affect the Actuator has on me? Others it inspires some amazing works – zombie dinosaurs, need I say more – but in me I go all whiney and turn truant.
BUT! I have to say it is a series I am glad I have read, it is a series that the majority of me enjoys and it is a series I will no doubt struggle with continuing to read as I want to read it… Well, 80% of me does. Maybe my split personalities are warring here?
Back to the book! A great anthology! There are some very talented writers – and ‘The Actuator’ fans out there – and it was wonderful to see some of them given the opportunity to extend the adventures to fixing the world from when it was shattered.
Unlike the last anthology from fans published for ‘The Actuator’ this one kept the actual story moving. It wasn’t just people experiencing the world shattering. It was people coming to terms with a shattered world, and then some, as further Actuator changes take place. Plus this book does strive towards the end game and getting it all sorted one way or the other… And maybe that’s why I love this series so much? A big part of me wants to see what is left of the world once the machine is turned off and what is then done to keep fixing the damage caused.
Oh that is deep for so early in the year for me!
Would I recommend this book to others?
I would, but only to those who had read all other books and anthologies in the series. To those who had not, I would send them to Curiosity Quills Press and point them to the first book and get them to read from there. I feel the whole ‘Actuator’ series spans a few genres so lovers of fantasy, urban fantasy, sci-fi, YA and NA alike would enjoy it… or at least parts of it.
Would I buy this book for myself?
Not too sure. I mean I am enjoying the series and do want to keep reading… but owning? Hmmmm, tough call. I have to say it is more of a library level book for me sorry. As in, I enjoy reading it, but I can’t see myself owning them. Worst fan ever, I know!
In summary: A good continuation of the myriad patchwork tales that make ‘The Actuator’ series what it is.
Until next time,
Janis.
Janis's Journal 