Review: Platform Decay

Platform Decay by Martha Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Platform Decay is the eighth book in The Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells.  I recommend reading all of the books because they are fairly short, and it will give you a good sense of who the characters are in this one.  You could read this as a standalone, but I think you would wonder why you should care about some people.  

As always, Murderbot is hilarious and deadly.  I like the addition of having Murderbot check in their emotions periodically.  I was often, "same Murderbot same."  I love seeing the growth in Murderbot's character.  Also, how often can you read a book that is essentially a sci-fi thriller with incredible violence and belly laugh at the same time?

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Review: Compulsory

Compulsory by Martha Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Compulsory is a prequel short story to the Murderbot Diaries by Marth Wells.  This is very short, like 8 pages.  Just a taste of what Murderbot is like.  You can read it first or go back and read it if you read need a hit of Murderbot while waiting for the next story to come out.  I enjoyed it because it is all the things I love about Murderbot, humor and soap operas.  

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Review: The Shadows Tomorrow

The Shadows Tomorrow by Noëlle Michel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Shadows Tomorrow by Noelle Michel from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley.  This book will be published around August 4, 2026.

The Shadows Tomorrow by Noelle Michel was translated into English by Frank Wynne.  The story is told across a span of the near future in alternating chapters from different character perspectives.  I won't be giving anything away to say that in this near future, scientists have brought Neanderthals back from extinction much like we have already done with dire wolves.  For research purposes, they are kept in remote sanctuaries and kept from having contact with Homo Sapiens.  They even use the research footage to make a reality TV show called Another Eden so that people can watch them like a virtual zoo.  Ethicists would be losing their minds.  Disturbing premise aside, it is a great book!  

Bonus points for travel bans on meat eaters.  At least, I think that was the proposal.  I'm sure it had to do with carbon footprint or something, but I am all for it!  Would make my travel so much easier!

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Review: Your Behavior Will Be Monitored

Your Behavior Will Be Monitored by Justin Feinstein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure:  I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Your Behavior Will Be Monitored by Justin Feinstein from Tachyon Publications via NetGalley.  This book will be published around April 7, 2026.

I was not prepared for how engrossed in Your Behavior Will Be Monitored by Justin Feinstein I got from the moment I picked it up.  I thought I would just read a chapter or two before bed and found myself staying up until the wee hours of the morning because I couldn't quite put it down.  I did eventually because my eyes refused to stay open but picked it right back up as soon as I could and finished it.  I needed to know how this was going to end.  I should have guessed I was going to love this from the moment I saw it was written in an epistolary form.  I tend to really get into books that are not traditionally formatted.  In this case, you are mostly reading transcripts of videos and exchanges recorded by the corporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) that is monitoring everyone at this cutting-edge AI company.  In fact, the employees agree to have everything monitored in order to feed their data to the AI to make it better at what it does.  And as we are seeing in the real world, AI is getting better and better at what it does.  The problem is people are not inherently good and tech bros are definitely not interested in using AI to benefit humankind over turning a profit.  Even the AI recognizes this!  And while this book is set in the nearish future, many of the topics are already here.  Personalized advertising is already happening to an extent.  I don't want to give anything else away because I want you to read the book.  If you are interested in AI at all, even the slightest, I think you will want to read this book. I hesitate to say enjoy because oof, that's probably not the right word.  It is a bit heavier than that and yet, also offers just a glimmer of light.

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Review: The Marriage Act

The Marriage Act by John Marrs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Marriage Act is the second book in the Dark Futures series by John Marrs.  You can read it as a standalone although it does reference other books in the series.  It may have a few spoilers for the Passengers if you want to read that first.  I haven't read them in order and have not had any issues following the story.

In this future, the UK government passes an act that gives big benefits to couple who are willing to sign up for a "smart marriage" that allows them to be randomly monitored for signs of marital discord.  Depending on how bad it gets, they may even be forced to get divorced whether they want to or not.  Marriage becomes so important that to be anything other than smart married is treated like a contagious disease.  Not everyone is on board and Freedom For All is born to oppose the act.  Things get pretty dark.  

The story is told from various perspectives.  There are mysteries and social commentary.  This future is not that far removed from our current world.  In fact, there are aspects currently being suggested by certain US government officials.  It was hard for me to put this down because I really wanted to know how it ended.  So good!  Read it!

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Review: The Passengers

The Passengers by John Marrs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Passengers is part of the Dark Future series by John Marrs.  You can read this book alone without any issues.  It does reference The One and has some mild spoilers for that.  If that bothers you, I would read The One first.  

Combine self-driving cars and the worst of social media and reality television and you get The Passengers.  We already have the ingredients for this recipe. I am not even against self-driving cars because I can see the benefits in certain scenarios to having them.  I do agree that the big issues comes when we let AI make all the decisions.  Because it isn't really making objective decisions, it relies on information it is given and potential bias in programming.  The whole time I was reading this I was thinking of that poor library cat that was killed by a self-driving car.  Yes, I am the crazy person that brakes for all animals even if it means I might get myself killed.  Don't bother to come at me.  You won't change my mind.  

There were a few characters in this that felt over-the-top unlikeable.  Then I realized, there are real people today that are over-the-top unlikeable so I can't fault John Marrs for writing realism.  I did love the way he encapsulated how quick social media is to judge people on a line drawing of their character and showed how that can really be misleading.  As always, I love how he incorporates new articles, interviews, and other epistolary forms of writing to tell the story.  It is one of my favorite things about his books.  

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Review: Operation Bounce House

Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman from Berkley Publishing Group/Ace via NetGalley.  This book will be published around February 10, 2026.

Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman is not part of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series in case you were wondering.  This is a whole new world although there are elements you may recognize.  Music and animals are still important.  We still get humor and death.  If you need an emotional roller coaster, you got it.  Operation Bounce House is a game that allows you to kill "terrorists" without leaving the comfort of your home. It is a first person shooter mixed with reality.  As a gamer, I like to believe I would not participate in Operation Bounce House.  Sadly, I think we now live in a world where a lot of people would and not even think twice.  With the help of technology feeding them a convenient world view that stokes xenophobia, they would even believe they were heroes doing everyone a favor.  It is eerily familiar.  

On a brighter note, I loved the transcripts of scenes from the documentary that accompany each day of Operation Bounce House.  It was really moving.  Maybe the film will be leaked someday for us to watch.

Bonus points for Cindy and her chickens.  I still think there is more to their story and hope we get the rest of it at some point!

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Review: They Tried Their Best

They Tried Their Best by Kimlyn Stanyon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of They Tried Their Best by Kimlyn Stanyon from the author via NetGalley.  The book is available now.

I don't always read books just because of their cover, but I did in the case of They Tried Their Best by Kimlyn Stanyon.  It is a beautiful cover!  Yes, I was swayed by the dogs.  I have a type.  This is a novella that is billed as experimental and weird.  I didn't find it that weird at all.  That may say something about me. As a single woman, I could completely relate to the interactions the narrator has with the men in her life.  That part felt very real.  It probably isn't a bad idea to think about building a bunker now too.  There is a twist that I won't give away.  I think that might be the "weird" part.  I liked it.  I appreciated the illustration at the end.  Cute!  If you are looking for something different that you can read in a sitting or two, check this out.  It is cozy dystopia.

Bonus points for Honey, Boo, and not selling out your best friends to save yourself. That would have been my condition too.  

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Review: This Inevitable Ruin

This Inevitable Ruin by Matt Dinniman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure:  I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of This Inevitable Ruin by Matt Dinniman from Ace via NetGalley.  This book is available now.

I had a real dilemma around This Inevitable Ruin, the seventh book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, by Matt Dinniman.  I just finished the sixth book, and I know the eighth book is maybe not even a twinkle in Matt's eye yet.  I was going to hold out.  I was going to read a 900 page book before I even picked this up.  I started that book, but this book was calling to me.  I resisted for almost a full 24 hours.  Then a friend sent a couple of paragraphs of this book.  I broke.  I ditched the other book and picked this one up.  I read and read and read until it was finished.  That took about 48 hours.  I don't regret it, but I am worried I have become a little too obsessed with these books.  If you haven't started reading them, you should start with book one.  You have plenty of time to get through all of them before book eight comes out even if you pace yourself better than I did.  

If you have been reading the series, I don't know how you haven't already started this one.  We are at the dreaded ninth floor, Faction Wars!  There will be blood.  But hey, they have permission to actually kill those horrible people who think this is all fun and games so there's that.  This book is intense. I laughed a lot and cheered, but I also cried a few times.  While I read it in a marathon session, I don't recommend that.  Take breaks.  Stay hydrated.  Eat something.  This is war.

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Review: Red Flags: Bridget Jones meets Black Mirror

Red Flags: Bridget Jones meets Black Mirror by J.E. Rowney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Red Flags by J.E. Rowney from Books Go Social via NetGalley.  This book is already available.  

Red Flags by J.E. Rowney hooked me with the tagline, Bridget Jones meets Black Mirror.  Yes, please!  However, if you are looking for a humorous rom-com, this is probably more Black Mirror than Bridget Jones.  If you have ever had to navigate the horrors of dating in the digital age, you will find this book relatable.  Those of us who have used dating apps know it can be soul-crushing.  I am not going to spoil anything in this story, but I think it is very possible that some apps already are on board with the premise of this book.  It almost makes too much sense.  It also makes me feel vindicated for unmatching with any guy who wants to endlessly text instead of meeting in person.  Red flag!  I could very much related to maintaining friendships at a distance as all of my friends are somewhere else in the world.  I appreciate their presence in my life even if we can't meet up in person.

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Review: The Eye of the Bedlam Bride

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt Dinniman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride is the sixth book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman.  There is a recap at the beginning of the book in case it has been awhile, and you need a refresher.  I still don't recommend picking up the series from here.  This is a series best read from start to finish in order.  

We have reached the eighth floor!  We've lost friends and made new ones.  As we are reminded, it will get worse before it gets better.  In that spirit, we now battle using card decks!  If you know what that even means, you have reached peak gaming nerd.  It is fine for fun, but you have to use a lot of strategy to be really good at it.  It is a matter of building a good deck, playing your cards right, and a little bit of luck.  Things are getting very intense.  Sacrifices are made.  I felt compelled to start the seventh book not long after finishing this one, and yet, I am afraid of what is to come.

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Review: The Butcher's Masquerade

The Butcher's Masquerade by Matt Dinniman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure:  I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Butcher's Masquerade by Matt Dinniman from Ace via NetGalley.  This book has already been published.

The Butcher's Masquerade is the fifth book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman.  In case you haven't read my other reviews of this series, do not start with this book.  Start with book one and read in order.  You will thank me for it.  

The name of this book conjured memories of the Red Wedding. #IYKYK  That may draw some people in and make others run away screaming.  If you ran, come back.  You will not want to miss this party. As funny as this series is, I also cried.  It got me right in the feels.  Darn you, Matt!  GRRM taught us not to get too attached to any character but sometimes you can't help yourself.  There are also some really big surprises in here that you won't want to miss! 

Bonus points for Samantha, who unexpectedly became one of my favorite characters.  I even know the friend I would have play her if we were LARPing this.   

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Review: The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook

The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook by Matt Dinniman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook is the third book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman.  You really need to read these books in order simply because they build on each other and reference the previous ones.  If you aren't familiar with LitRPG, it is kind of like playing a video game but in book form.  You wouldn't just jump into it in the middle.  You would be woefully unprepared.  

Shout out to Matt for telling you up front not to worry about the mapping.  That was a brain saver.  I won't spoil very much but this level involves trains.  It also involves all the chaos and mayhem you have come to expect from spending time with Carl and Princess Donut.  The monsters are bigger and tougher.  It can only get worse from here.

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Review: The One

The One by John Marrs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The One by John Marrs is the first book in the Dark Future series.  I read book three first not realizing it was a series.  There were references to this book but not really spoilers.  I feel like you could read them in any order or just as standalones.  

The premise of The One really appealed to me.  A genetic test will reveal who your perfect match is.  That's it.  The test doesn't care about how they look, how old they are, where they are, what their gender identity is.  You can choose to act on the information or ignore it.  It will even cost you less than the current DNA tests available.  It sounds like a no-brainer.  The One follows the stories of several people who interact with the program and what happens to them.  Apparently, being matched with your soulmate isn't always a recipe for happily ever after.  I was engrossed.  This is not full-on dystopian fiction, but it is a bit dark.  

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Review: Westward Women: A Novel

Westward Women: A Novel by Alice Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advance Reader's Copy of Westward Women: A Novel by Alice Martin from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. It will be published in March 2026.  

I will confess that I agreed to read Westward Women by Alice Martin because as a young girl, I used to watch Westward the Women every time it was on television.  I haven't seen it in ages and don't remember if it is problematic, but I was just so fascinated with these women who were compelled to go west no matter what obstacles they encountered.  Westward Women is like a modern, fever dream version of that.  Nobody knows why women get the itch and have to compulsively start heading west.  The same thing that compels them to move also affects them in other ways physically and mentally, making them vulnerable.  Some try to travel in groups or rely on the kindness of strangers to get them where they are drawn to go.  Of course, not everybody they encounter has good intentions.  The story is told from the perspective of a few different women.  All of them are searching for something.  All of them are hoping to find what they are looking for before whatever this thing is completely debilitates them.  Despite what happens, I still found myself wanting to go on a road trip.

Bonus points for Winnie, worth remembering.  

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Review: Carl's Doomsday Scenario

Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Carl's Doomsday Scenario is the second book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman.  You definitely want to start with book one and read in order.  The story is like playing a video game and each book builds on events from the previous.  So yes, there are cliffhangers.  Yes, if you like the book, you will probably be committing yourself to reading the rest of the books.  I, personally, am all in.  I actually have to force myself to read other things rather than immediately start the next book because I want to draw out the experience.  Book two picks up right where book one left off.  We've made it out of training and now the real trials begin.  Carl still has Donut and a rapidly growing velociraptor by his side.  What could possibly go wrong?  Although training is over, there is still a lot to learn if Carl and crew are going to survive.  They've picked up some friends and made more than a couple of enemies.  As exciting and thrilling as the adventure part is, these books are also laugh-out-loud funny.  I highly recommend these books to gamers but also to anyone who likes dystopian fiction that doesn't take itself too seriously.


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Review: New York 2140

New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson isn't going to be for everyone.  This is definitely for someone who believes climate change is real and is an issue that must be addressed (because that's true).  As I was reading, I wondered how it would be different if it were to be written right now in this political climate.  The story switches narrative points of view as the characters navigate life in a New York City that is mostly under water.  It isn't that far-fetched when you look at the global climate disasters that have been happening.  New York is an interesting and perfect setting for a lot of reasons.  Primarily, I agree that a lot of New Yorkers would be too stubborn to leave the city even if their home was completely flooded.  They would figure out how to adapt.  This is the second book I've read about a flooded New York, so there might be something to it.  For the most part, I really liked the characters.  There were two that I did not like, and I don't think you are necessarily meant to but they serve a purpose.  I'm also pretty sure that in a world like this, I would want to fly around in a blimp saving animals like Amelia.  

This is a very long book, but don't be put off by the page count.  I found it moved along at a quick pace and didn't feel like a tome.  I'm pretty sure this book was also the inspiration for Neil Stephenson to work on Termination Shock, another climate and flooding book.  If you like Neil Stephenson, New York 2140 should be on your list of books to read.  

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Review: The Family Experiment

The Family Experiment by John Marrs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Family Experiment is the third book in the Dark Future series by John Marrs.  I didn't know that when I started reading, but it turns out you can read this as a standalone without issue.  It makes reference to the topics of the first two books, but it won't hinder your reading.  I do plan to check out the other books now!

I was drawn to this book because it is about a reality TV show where parents raise a virtual child to compete to either keep that child or win enough money to have a "real" child.  The chapters focus on the different competitors and tell the story through their experiences.  Now and again there is a chapter of online chat comments about the show, think going to Reddit to read about your favorite TV show.  

The world this book is set in is not that different from our own.  It could be our near future.  In it, it is a little more difficult for the average person to afford a child which is why people are willing to consider virtual options to the point of competing.  It is really well done and very plausible.  It is dark, so keep that in mind if you decide to read it.

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Review: All the Water in the World: A Novel

All the Water in the World: A Novel by Eiren Caffall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of All the Water in the World: A Novel by Eiren Caffall from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.  The book is available now!

I wanted to read All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall when I heard that it is about a group of people surviving a major flood by living in New York's American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).  I have been to the museum a few times and know that area of New York pretty well, so I could really visualize the devastation of the flooding and crazy weather.  I can even imagine there would be people who would care enough to try to preserve history so that future generations could understand what the world was like before it was destroyed by extreme weather events.  Not everyone in the world will have good intentions though, and survival is the name of the game when resources are scarce. It is more interesting that the story is really centered on a young girl growing up in this new world.  These experiences shape her, and she has a special relationship with the water. Her descriptions of the different kinds of water are magical.  While I think it is still dystopian fiction, I still felt a sense of hope.  

Bonus points for including Joliet, IL. That was an unexpected and welcome surprise. My dad was from Joliet, so I always appreciate when it pops up. It also gave me a better sense of who Keller is.

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Review: FantasticLand

FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven is a horror/thriller set in a theme park during a hurricane.  It has a Lord of the Flies vibe.  I enjoyed that the story is told through interviews with the people who were either in the park or involved with the park during the time of the disaster.  I know some people might think the premise is too fantastical to suspend disbelief.  However, if you have ever been in a major disaster event, you know things can go south very fast even if resources are plentiful. People can split off into factions.  Not everyone cares about the greater good.  I found the story very engaging and loved the multiple perspectives that help fill in blanks of the overall story.  Even a villain believes they are the hero of their own story....  At the same time, I think it would be kind of cool to be locked in a theme park for a few days (under better circumstances!).  I should be careful what I wish for.

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