Book Review: Legacy by Robert J Crane {Book 8 in The Girl in the Box series }

Title: Legacy
Series: Girl in the Box
Author: Robert J. Crane
Publisher: Reikonos Press
Date of Publication: 2013
Source: received from author/also bought as well


Goodreads Synopsis:

Time is running out for Sienna Nealon. The mysterious organization Century is only weeks from wiping out the entire metahuman race. But just as Sienna has made the decision to fight them, her past catches up to her and she finds herself in the hands of the U.S. Government. Secrets long buried begin to rise, putting Sienna and everyone she cares about directly in the path of Century...and in a desperate search for the identity of their leader, Sovereign, a man who has plans of his own for Sienna.

My Thoughts:

This is one of those moments when you realize the author has really come into his/her own.  They have created the book that really shows you how much they have worked, how much they have grown, and just how damn good they really are.  
Legacy is that book.   I find myself wanting to blubber on and on about how good this book is.  I loved it that much.  It is powerful and brings together some very interesting characters that I think was genius, and inevitably to make them come together for the showdown that is coming. 
I have always been a huge fan of Crane; he is that undiscovered gem in a sea of self publishing stardom.  If you have not given this author a go I sincerely urge you to.  Mr. Crane can craft a story with so much emotion and creativity that you will find yourself being drawn into the plot experiencing every detail with the characters.  
I honestly feel like Legacy was the "holy grail" for me.  I found nothing, absolutely nothing that I disagreed with, and it just came out perfect.  
One of the reasons was how the chapters were set up.  I loved how he did flashbacks and then present day when it was relevant. And the flashback chapters were executed wonderfully.  The plot lines flowed so well and there was never a dull moment.  The action scenes were even better choreographed and I swear Crane pays so much attention to even the smallest detail, like how the guns are aimed correctly to the type of gas mask Sienna used, that helps us really feel like we are there in the room where the fight is going on.
Sure we could say this is a "guy" book from all the action, fighting, and gore that it pertains but it isn't really even that.  It is everyone's book.  There really is something in Legacy that spans different genres to bring many readers to its pages.  Sienna has really come into her own.  And I loved the remorse she shows, as well as someone else who I was hoping would come to their senses eventually.  There are so many emotions that decorate the pages of this book: guilt, forgiveness, understanding, empathy, and of course fear.  
Then to make a great book even better you add humor to the mix.  Even though Sienna has finally grown into a powerful and deadly young woman, she has kept her comedic relief that has really made this story what it is.  Even in the face of danger, Sienna can still crack a joke?  That is guts right there.  

Last flashback chapter is utter mastery.  I think I read it the whole time with my mouth slightly agape.  Loved it so much!  
We do find out some secrets in this book but Legacy really feels like our climatic book.  I don't know if that makes sense, but it just feels like so many things just came together and fit perfectly with the story.  Now is that to say that the book is loads of happy?  No.  And if you are used to Crane's work, you know he will make us cry with someone that had to kick the bucket.  But I think he puts a lot of thought in the decision and it isn't done easily.  I'm sure he is just as attached to these characters as we are, at least I hope so.  

All in all, I really believe that Legacy brings together many characters that have just added perfection to this book.  This was the most thought provoking book in the series for me and I just felt that Crane has achieved pure writing genius with this one.  
Or simply put ......Mastery.  

I had to give Legacy:

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Book Review: Crusader Volume 4: Sanctuary by Robert J. Crane

Title: Crusader
Series: The Sanctuary Series volume 4
Author: Robert J. Crane
Publisher: Reikonos Press
Publication Date:July 26, 2013
Source: Kindle, 824 pages, received from author for honest opinion of it.



Goodreads Summary:

The world of Arkaria is a dangerous place, filled with dragons, titans, goblins and other dangers. Those who live in this world are faced with two choices: live an ordinary life or become an adventurer and seek the extraordinary. Cyrus Davidon finds himself far from his home in Sanctuary, in the land of Luukessia, a place divided and deep in turmoil. With his allies at his side, Cyrus finds himself facing off against an implacable foe in a war that will challenge all his convictions - and one he may not be able to win

My Thoughts:

I found myself being torn trying to pen my thoughts down to Crusader.  It was a great book, very detailed, and gave us a true insight into the actual man, Cyrus Davidson, not just the warrior.  There were places in the story that gave me utter chills and I knew I could feel the characters as if they were right in the same room with me.  The prologue was one of those places.  I can just feel the despair Cyrus is portraying even in those few pages; as well as throughout the rest of the story.  Mr. Crane has an exceptional way of describing emotions and feelings in this book without making it overly sappy (though I do like some sappy lol).
There is a sense of magic to the writing style of Crane that really captures the essence of a true adventure.  Crusader didn't disappoint in this area at all.  

We really see a different side to Cyrus in this installment.  Cyrus is for all extent and purposes, a broken man.  He has confessed his love to the one he adores and she has shunned him.  Of course we know it was because she was in love with him too but....isn't that how all the tragic couples do it?  Deny your love, break their heart, realize your love and then demand it in return.   Or something to that degree...
But back to Cyrus.  He just seems like a shell of what he formerly was in the beginning.  Everyone tends to stay away from him except those that are truly close to him and yet even they are unsure of his nature right now.  I found that Crusader was in part a soul searching novel for Cyrus; and maybe a tad for Vara as well.  But I really seen Cyrus at rock bottom and then slowly lift up throughout the story to really find himself in the end.  
I also thought Crusader was much darker than the previous books.  It just had this dark  hopeless feeling to it in many areas.  But that was  probably because of the setting, Luukessia, which I really didn't like at all.  I mean this area was just not my cup of tea.   And I know there is probably a bunch of readers out there that loved the baroness -but not this reader.  She just irritated me to no end!  Yes, she put up with hell from her husband {jerk} and was very brave for what she does towards the the middleish -end; but I still don't like her.  I just didn't.  Maybe I was jealous, I don't know what it was I just did not like this woman at all.


Oh and there was a lot of sex in Crusader.  I mean a lot of it.  Of course, Mr. Crane does the sexual scenes in very tasteful measures which is always cool with me.  But I tended to find Cyrus seemed more like a teenage boy with his libido.  It just seemed like a lot of the pages tended to focus just on Cyrus' thoughts on ending his dry spell as well as staring at certain women with a longing.  It was funny but started to draw on my nerves a little as well.  But still funny when the other characters would pick on him.  

 And yes the dark elves still tend to be my favorite of the species right now.  Is that wrong?  Don't really care.  They are just that damn awesome.  Aisling comes to mind right away.  I did like her but this book has really made me appreciate her even more and showed me how loyal she is even though she is a dark elf.  So I guess I am Team Aisling right now.  To me, she has showed the most promise in the ....well you know.   {Trying not to give anything away right now} 

But besides the hopeless fighting, the broken Cyrus, the sex craved Cyrus, and the witty commentary from Vaste whenever we are taken back to Sanctuary in certain chapters, we do deal with some major issues that definitely bring tension between close friends and allies.

All in all, Crusader is definitely a thinking novel.  It has the high action fight scenes that we have come to expect from a Robert J. Crane novel; but it also has this deep thought provoking sense to it as well.  We learn from Cyrus that all events have consequences and everyone makes sacrifices.  I feel like this was Cryus' aha moment where he was truly tested through the betrayals that he discovered along the way.  
I truly hope that the next book will be Cyrus' road to understanding, if not happiness.  Although, I don't know if he will get his happily ever after at all.  

I gave Crusader:

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Book Review: Enemies by Robert J. Crane {Girl in the Box, book # 7}

Title: Enemies
Author: Robert J. Crane
Series: Girl in the Box 
Publisher: Self
Date of Publication: August 17, 2013
Source: received from author for my honest opinion of it


Goodreads Synopsis:

Far from home, having failed in her quest to kill Old Man Winter, Sienna Nealon finds herself in the city of London, working with Omega, her oldest enemies. Surrounded by people she doesn't trust, thrust into events that could mean the extinction of the metahuman race, Sienna will discover that the line between friend and foe is thinner than she ever could have believed - and that her greatest enemies may lie within.

My Thoughts:

This is one of those series that once you read the first words in the first book you are irreparably hooked into something so incredible and breathtaking that the waiting between books is insanely difficult.
But we find a way to manage....

As we travel down this road with Sienna, the book's protagonist, we can't help but see the change that she goes through as she matures and becomes an adult.  Hell, I don't think she really ever got the chance to be a child, in a sense, but we really see her develop more complex thinking that shows us she is ready to become everything she is supposed to be.

All of the situations that Sienna goes through lets us peek into a more darker side that she hosts.  Of course, we could also believe that all of this killing and massacres could be a direct result of having Wolfe inside her brain.   But I am more prone to believe that Wolfe had some to do with it but not completely all of it.  I think there is a dark side to Sienna because I believe every person has a dark side.  The only difference is whether or not someone acts on it-which Sienna does and often.    I actually like the fact that Sienna can represent our society with both polar opposites combined inside warring to get out through her actions.

And honestly, Sienna is interesting as hell!  I know I keep relating this series to the X-Men Series but it rivals it in many ways.  I could honestly see myself going and seeing a movie called Girl in the Box.  Or turning the tv on to DVR the series.  But it should definitely be on Starz or some other paid channel because I wouldn't want it to be watered down at all.

But I get ahead of myself.  {Though, I would like to petition to get it movie rights too eventually}

In Enemies, Sienna is not in a great place still.  She has all these metas in her head and she just really doesn't know, deep down know, where she wants to be right now.  So she gives Janus a try and travels to London.  Yeah! Okay so I personally, like Janus.  I know he is the bad guy but there is just something about him that really pulls me to him.  But hey, he can influence feelings so could that be it?  I kid, I kid.  So I am pretty excited that she is willing to give Janus the time he needs and deep down that she needs too.
Now here is where we see the great research skills of Mr. Crane.  I have never been to London but from his very descriptive writing, I felt the dampness from the weather, and I just felt immersed in all of London society.  I also enjoyed the way we get to experience it with Sienna for the first time.  As she was awed, I was awed as well.  I truly believe that Mr. Crane is on his way to mastering the art of world building because I just fall into his books so easily.

Just as the world building can capture all of our senses, I firmly believe that the action scenes capture our imagination because some of the creative ways Sienna finds to disarm people is beyond me.  But thankfully, for us, Mr. Crane is there to weave some very brutal and highly entertaining fighting.   Okay, so there were many scenes in Enemies that really made me want to jump up out of my seat with excitement and some that made me want to put my hands over my eyes and read through my fingers.  (Like when I watch Saw: hand over face, peeking through fingers ever so often)
The jumping up out of my seat scene?  Towards the end when Sienna and some new found allies help take on some very old trouble makers.
The peering through my fingers scene? When Sienna is introduced to the one in charge.

And the ending?  Okay let's just say I wasn't very happy with the ending.  Not because it was bad but because I was not ready for it to end.  Especially like that!!!??!! Come one Crane - no fair!  But I understand you have to have that one of a kind ending that doesn't repeat itself and Mr. Crane definitely keeps us on our toes with his exceptional cliffhangers.

Overall, Enemies is definitely living up to what I come to expect from Robert Crane.  It has a solid plot with some very emotional threads in it that can bring a tear or two, but will always satisfy my hunger for the fight that I love in my action packed stories.  This is a great installment and I can't wait to get to the next one in Girl in the Box.... Or anything he puts his name on.  I am truly awed by the talent that Mr. Crane exhibits every time I pick up something he has penned.
I give Enemies five stars!

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ARC Review: Broken by Robert J. Crane {The Girl in the Box Series # 6}

Title: Broken
Author: Robert J. Crane
Series: The Girl in the Box # 6
Publisher/Date of Publication: self/ June 2013
Source: received from the author for my honest exchange of this book.  I was in no way compensated for this review and all of these opinions are mine, no matter how "out there" they are.
Links to Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble 
Genres: 17+, Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction

From Amazon:

Sienna Nealon is a broken human being. Her lover is dead, her closest friends have deserted her, and her employers have betrayed her. From the ashes of her desperation, she must master the metahuman powers at her command and finally tame the souls that share her body for one ultimate purpose - revenge against the ones who destroyed her life.
Note: This is book six of the series and may not make sense to new readers. Book one is titled Alone, and is presently available for free in ebook formats.

My Thoughts:
As I sit here, sipping my tea, I find myself looking back on all that Sienna has accomplished...as well as all she has lost.  I try to determine if one is higher than the other; or if it is a balance between the two.  Which probably doesn't matter but I feel like to understand this book, we need to really understand why and where all this anger comes from.
And if you haven't read any of the books before this one I compel you to STOP!  HAMMER TIME ....
(No sorry couldn't help myself)
But you really need to pick up the first book in the series so you can see where Sienna is coming from.

So we see that all hell breaks loose in Broken and Sienna is a death dealer in every sense of the word.  Everyone has deserted Sienna, except for a select few, and she has lost those that are the most important in her lives.  But besides this, she has been betrayed by those that she trusted the most.
So we are seeing a completely broken shell of Sienna (hence the name) that is hell bent on revenge no matter the cost to herself or her future.
Even before the event that took Zach away from her, Sienna had been through some tough to deal with crap but she always had that glimmer of hope that things would be better.
Now, I just can't seem to find that glimmer anymore. All I see is pain.  There is hope, but it is my hope that Sienna can rise up like a phoenix after all is said and done and still find something good inside her and this world.
Besides the strong emotional characters that inhabit the pages of Broken; the plot is dark, dark, and just a little more dark.
I mean, you know, it is good writing when every time I pick up my Kindle to jump into Broken, I get this weary dread come over me.  I just know that we are going to be forced into a situation that we can't help but cry or scream about and yet we still seem to can't get enough of it.  I love this feeling even if it is a harrowing heartbreaking time as I read the darkness that has enveloped Sienna as she goes on her rampage.  Sienna does lose herself in this book but I also think she finds another part of her Meta human personality that she can embrace finally.
Yes, this is a really short book compared to the others in the series, but it is a heavy book in terms of emotion, plot, and how it weighs upon the entire story in general.  I wished it were longer but I really do see how we needed this book in order to move on to the books left.  Broken was a way for us the reader, as well as Sienna to get some kind of closure and get her mind right.  Or as much as she can, anyways.
Broken was a very personal book and it feels like we are one of the voices in her head, listening to her as she grieves and tries to come to terms with her life now.  I loved how personal the book is; even if it is a very  dark and twisted sort.
If you are a fan of X Men like fantasy with strong female heroines with some serious demented antagonists and a story that has romance in it but isn't drenched in it then I really think you should grab this series.  It is a breath of fresh air, albeit a tantalizing dark breath of fresh air, in the world of urban fantasy and science fiction.

Connect with the Robert J. Crane:

Robert J. Crane was born and raised on Florida's Space Coast before moving to the upper midwest in search of cooler climates and more palatable beer. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in English Creative Writing. He worked for a year as a substitute teacher and worked in the financial services field for seven years while writing in his spare time.

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