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✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans)

May 30 2016

Warning: the gif is strong is this one. You're welcome. This is me right now: <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1509008483i/24276170.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> Consider your little barnacled selves warned and stuff. So. The most acute decapods among you might have noticed I am not a huge fan of <s>disgustingly immature</s> young characters. Harry Potter doesn't count, obviously (even I am not that insanely iconoclastic), and neither do the Most Wondrous Ilona Andrews Younglings Bunch (MWIAYB™), because DUH and stuff. Anyway. My point is, there is a slight chance I might be a teensy little bit allergic to books featuring abhorrent moppets and vile teenagers. Hence my perfectly logical reaction when Nathan Farrugia offered to send me a copy of his book: <img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1509009308ra/24276222.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> So here I was, in Glorious Chop Chop Chop Mode (GCCCM™). I started reading the book and put the murderous shrimps on Super Extra High Alert (SEHA™) as soon as I realized the MC was naught but an appallingly loathsome little kid. I can't remember how old she is at the beginning of the story, but I'm pretty sure she isn't even 10, which is dreadfully spine-chilling, if you ask me. Anyway, what initially saved the <s>dear</s> girl (Olesya is her name) is that she is Russian. And, as we all know, all Russians are devious, cunning, crooked, corrupt, vodka-drinking spies cum hackers cum backstabbers cum mobsters <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="7381a0a1-7a2e-403f-87cc-a6102f529a3a" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="7381a0a1-7a2e-403f-87cc-a6102f529a3a">*waves at Evgeny*</label>, which means they are slightly cool. Also, they sometimes act weirdly yet rhythmically in their backyards: <img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1509009863ra/24276247.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> The Kremlin has denied to comment on this most outlandish occurrence. The Fluffy Siberian Bunnies (FSB™) are currently investigating the matter and will report back post haste. But I ever so slightly digress. What I mean to say is, Olesya is Russian and Russians are wickedly magnificent <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="23302a94-d510-4808-a123-1f149683f512" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="23302a94-d510-4808-a123-1f149683f512"> just like the Seven. Magnificent, I mean. And no, I am not talking about the Magnificently crappy 2016 Seven. I am talking about the Magnificently Magnificent 1960 Seven. Because I'm ancient like that </label>, ergo no immediate death via machete or deadly crustaceans to be expected. Yay and stuff. And I must admit I am quite happy to report I was right to give the dear girl the benefit of the shrimpy doubt *pats her little self on the exoskeleton* because once you start reading the story, you forget how distastefully young she and her colleagues are. Okay, so it helps that the narrative goes back and forth between youthfully youthful times, and today, when our cast is still repulsively juvenile but not unbearably so (late teens, early 20s maybe?). Which means I managed to survive through it all and stuff. <img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1509011286ra/24276500.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> Gloria Gaynor is me <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="a3aaa06b-cb05-4fca-8a92-cace61c07692" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="a3aaa06b-cb05-4fca-8a92-cace61c07692">told you I was ancient</label>. Another reason why I made it through this book deliciously unscathed is that the story is kinda sorta cool: we've got a whole bunch of kids *shudders* who are <s>offered a scholarship to an elite school for gifted children</s> recruited by a covert organization to be trained as spec ops soldiers for secret/undercover/black/clandestine/whatever mission impossible type stuff. "That's quite thrilling," I hear you say, but "why the bloody shrimp is this book shelved as sci-fi?" I hear you ask. Because the not-so repulsive younglings in residence all have super extra special DNAs, meaning they have super extra special abilities and stuff. Nothing outlandish à la Wolverine, mind you, but they can do some pretty awesome stuff. So. The Non Puke Inducing Kids (NPIK™) are trained in a secret facility. And then spoiler spoiler spoiler stuff happens. Major spoiler spoiler spoiler stuff. Which means I won't be telling you anything else about this most exciting tale. <img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1509013812ra/24277382.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> Okay, so I'm not completely heartless <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="931374ee-410d-46da-80cc-e1fa4098f306" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="931374ee-410d-46da-80cc-e1fa4098f306"> just kidding </label> so I will tell you this <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="f2d664e0-c6ac-4142-8933-3a104530e0b5" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="f2d664e0-c6ac-4142-8933-3a104530e0b5"> I realize now that I might or might not have mentioned part of what follows in a previous paragraph. You don't mind my rehashing, do you? Oh, good </label>: the story alternates between the past, when the kids are being trained to be spec ops badasses, and the present, when our Juvenile Yet Kick Ass Spec Ops Bunch (JYKASOB™) is travelling the world doing spoiler spoiler spoiler stuff. Which seems to have confused the fish out of some people. This, however wasn't the case for me. Which leads me to the following conclusion: either some people are missing a few grey cells, or I am superiorly intelligent. QED and stuff. Mmmmmm, it seems I am in an uncharacteristically benevolent mood today, because I am suddenly willing to tell you something else about this story: it is a bloody shrimping action-packed, highly entertaining, sometimes beautifully gritty thriller-type thingie with lots of yummy military stuff—Mr. F. obviously knows what the fish he is talking about—and unexpected developments galore. And you might say that I almost slightly enjoyed reading it. Maybe. You might also say that there is a slight chance this story might very well be FREE right now. Ergo, you might possibly want to go ahead and download it and stuff. » And the moral of this Please Someone Call Dr. Prawn I Think I Have a Fever or Something It is the Only Plausible Explanation for my Unexpectedly Unforeseen Enjoyment of this Story Crappy Non Review (PSCDPITIHaFoRIstOPEtmUUEotSCNR™) is: not all younglings are abominably vile. Some of them even are quite <s>likeable</s> bearable and stuff. ebook kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. · Book 2: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2165795444" rel="nofollow noopener">Exile</a> ★★★★ · Book 3: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1728954274" rel="nofollow noopener">Interceptor</a> ★★★★★ · Book 4: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2168357798" rel="nofollow noopener">Anomaly</a> ★★★★ · Book 5: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2168357798" rel="nofollow noopener">Inversion</a> ★★★★★ · Book 6: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2168358127" rel="nofollow noopener">Exclave</a> ★★★★ <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1479540926i/21203689._SX540_.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> [Pre-review nonsense] Not bad for a story about a bunch of revoltingly juvenile characters. <img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1508691720ra/24244615.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> Shocking, I know. Poor Edgar here ↑↑ nearly had a heart attack when he realized my account hadn't been hacked and that it was really me rating this tale of youthful kickassness (yes, that is a thing) 4 bloody shrimping stars. Color him slightly stunned and somewhat dismayed and moderately flabbergasted and stuff. » Full Sorry Mr. Farrugia I Sorta Liked Your Book So You Won't Be Putting a Hex on Me Just Yet But All Hope is not Lost for I Haven't Read the Rest of the Series Yet Crappy Non Review (FSMFISLYBSUWBPaHoMJYBAHinLfIHRtRotSYCNR™) to come. <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1479540926i/21203689._SX540_.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> [May 30, 2016] ➽ Because Nathan Farrugia is slightly insane and likes to live dangerously. I mean, why else would he offer a copy of his book for me to read and <s>not</s> review? To make things worse, he has the audacity to think his female MC, Olesya, is worthy of my kick-butt heroine shelf! Unbelievable. Either the guy is a bit on the batty side, or he has a death wish. In any case, this story sounds reasonably cool, and Nathan threatened to put a hex on me if I didn't like his book. Which is pretty awesome, if you ask me. ➽ Bring it on, Mr Farrugia, I am more than ready for you. <img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1464616125ra/19256599.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> Yes I recently grew a very sexy mustache. Doesn't it look super hot on me?</["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]>

A

Angela

November 28 2022

Helix: Episode 1 (Helix #1) by Nathan M. Farrugia Synopsis / Have you met Olesya? She’s a spy hunter. In a high-tech world of programmed assassins, betrayal and far-reaching conspiracies, Olesya and her team are the last line of defense against a covert organization that will stop at nothing to control the world. But a new, deadlier enemy is rising. And they have Olesya in their crosshairs... My Thoughts / Helix by Nathan M. Farrugia is the first book in the Helix series, of which there are currently ten. Amazon Australia has marked the e-book as a “technothriller”. I am feeling my age now because I don’t even know what that is! A Google search revealed — It’s a literary genre that combines the best of what thrillers have to offer – deceit, secrets, intrigue – and best of what science fiction has to offer – a world without limits. More than traditional elements of science fiction, this genre does not always involve complex technological innovations, but rather offers up a futuristic perspective in one way or another. You get complex characters, a problem that needs solving, and a mix of brains and technology that bring about the solution. Oh, there is also always heart-pounding action at the centre of it all. Did you know some classics like Jurassic Park and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo count as techno-thrillers? Hmmm. Well, I haven’t seen Jurassic Park, but I have enjoyed the movie and read the book The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, so how bad can this be? St. Petersburg, Russia. A letter has arrived for fourteen year old, Olesya, it’s written in English but has a Russian translation. Her older brother, Zakhar reads the letter for her and offers congratulations to his younger sister. She’s one of the lucky ones. Olesya has been accepted by and offered a scholarship into a special school for ‘gifted’ children. A school for ‘gifted children? Oh, au contraire mon ami — it turns out Olesya has been recruited by a covert organisation to be brainwashed, err I mean trained, as a spec ops soldier, to be used for secret, undercover, clandestine, black, shadowy [insert any other covert meaning words here] missions of choice. Whose choice(?) I hear you ruminate. Well, I haven’t quite worked that out yet….and yes, I did read the book; the whole book; the entire book. To be brutally honest, here’s what I do know. Whilst the premise sounded good, the story and writing were disappointing. The book is written much like a movie, with each chapter seemingly representing a scene in a movie. We open in the present day; chapter 2 is ‘ten years ago’; and we toggle back and forth like this for a few chapters, until we get to ‘nine years ago’; then back to present; then ‘two years later’. It just confused this reader and made it unnecessarily difficult to follow. Next, repetition. Is it repetition or just incomplete editing? Either way, it’s a no. Here’s an example. At the bottom of page 143 (location 1624-1625) — then [Val] took the Ejaculator and clipped it to her belt. Then again at the top of the next page, 144 (location 1637) — Val quickly took the Ejaculator before Ark could pinch it. She clipped it to her belt. Now, I will admit to greying hair; failing eyesight; and moving more slowly, BUT – there’s absolutely nothing wrong with my brain synapses, these are firing on full alert baby!! And this sort of stuff just annoys the bejesus out of me. Okay, so the main character, Olesya, has been trained as a covert agent in a scholarship program known as Project Gate. Project Gate recruits its youths and trains them exclusively for black op covert missions. You also find out that the recruits were genetically enhanced with what you could call “super genes” such as those to create heat, cold, or to generate electricity through touch. During one of the crew’s final training missions, we learn that Project Gate is really a front for an ‘evil’ organization that has infiltrated many of the world’s governments and is referred to as the Fifth Column. Olesya becomes one of a select few given the task of trying to cut the head of the serpent and bring down the Fifth Column. If all this isn’t enough to make you get our your 2B lead pencil and start making notes….. enter the Sixth Column; a splinter faction of the Fifth Column which is actively working against the Fifth Column by rescuing and reprogramming their operatives. It’s more confusing than a New York Times Cryptic Crossword. So I’ll let one of the operatives give you the job description:- ‘Yeah, what do you do? Turn up on their doorstep? “Hey, I was programmed by a secret multinational agency and when I graduated I was ordered to kill my own parents to pass my training. Oh, but then I was rescued and now I’ve declared war against this big agency. So anyway, we’re all terrorists on the run now, bye.”’ This series has quite a high GR rating and I have seen a clip where one video reviewer talks about how things seem to settle down and flow better in the second book. Right now, I’m on the fence about continuing, especially as I can’t source these from my local library so will have to purchase a copy. I just don’t think I’m cut out to be a technothriller devotee. I’ll leave you with one last quote which may or may not help you make up your own mind about whether you will be a devoted Helix fan. Val and Ark were competing over who got to choose the non-lethal weapons on the table. Typically, that was decided by a game of Rock Paper Scissors — or as they called it, Assassin, Drone, Suicide Bomber.

H

Howard

June 06 2021

4.5 Stars for Helix: Episode 1: A Technothriller (ebook) by Nathan M Farrugia. This was really an action packed story. Lots of chase scenes and shootouts. The author must know a lot about firearms. He had a lot of interesting choices for the characters. They seemed very specific to the county that they were in. I really hope that this gets made into a audiobook.

B

Brenda

February 20 2016

4.5★s At only eight years of age Russian born Olesya was accepted into the special school for gifted children – but she was shocked and upset that her big brother had missed out on a scholarship as well. She and Zakhar were best friends; she hated the thought of leaving him and their parents, but also knew she didn’t have a choice. Six years later and Olesya had passed through her basic training in English Squad – she had just been transferred to Firebird Squad where they would be doing Combat Training. The squad leader Arkadiusz showed his displeasure at her inclusion – he was sure she would cause them to fail the mission. But Olesya had other ideas… Years later and team leader, Olesya knew the meaning of danger; and she thrived in it – their assignment was filled with menace; the operatives the best of the best. It was kill or be killed in the war against a power that was aiming to control the world. And Olesya was equally compelled to be part of the team that came out on top. But when operatives began to disappear Olesya knew there was something much deeper going on… Helix Episode 1 by Aussie author Nathan Farrugia is an extremely gritty and fast paced science fiction thriller which had me on the edge of my seat. Moving back and forward in time from Olesya’s young age to the current day, it’s nevertheless easy to follow. The ending was left open so I’m now gritting my teeth with having to wait for part 2! Though Helix Episode 1 is only novella size, the suspense and tension which blended with the science fiction aspect was great. Highly recommended. With thanks to the author for this copy to read in exchange for my honest review.

B

Barry Cunningham

May 06 2017

I received this book from the author in exchange for a frank and honest review, I am grateful, as otherwise I may not have selected it to read, the genre of gifted children/adults (eg X Men) is not really my normal reading fodder. However, having agreed to do this I am really surprised, it is a well written book, full of action and suspense, because of the genre it is a little predictable in places but this in no way detracts from the plot or the excitement and enjoyment I got from reading it. It was fairly obvious it is the start of a series, possibly a large one, and for the followers and fans of this genre I expect they are really happy that this series will get them hooked into Nathan's World. The main characters are beautifully created and depicted in a way that you want to care about what happens to them, the plot is full of surprises (no spoilers here!), I often found myself mentally congratulating the author for misdirecting and surprising me in ways I never expected, despite the aforementioned predictability in places. All in all a very good read by an obviously gifted author, well done Nathan Farrugia, I suspect you have a hit series here.

D

Dianne

March 21 2016

They may seem ordinary on the outside, but there are those who know better. Gifted children are recruited by a covert agency and like finely honed steel; they are forged into warriors of the black operative. Olesya is one of those warriors and leads a team on the hunt for the genetically enhanced enemy, a vile group of massive proportions whose end game is total control. Are they the only players on the field or is something or someone else playing from within the shadows? For those who followed the Fifth Column series, you will notice that author Nathan Farrigua’s Helix is an extension of this series with new characters, new genetic alterations while maintaining that same air of urgency and action. Helix is the first in a new series that puts down a solid foundation for each ensuing novel to spring from. Meet the characters, discover the conflict and realize the enormity of the situation as once again, we see good standing against evil with the world as the prize. Mr. Farrigua’s attention to detail in both his world building and character development are, once again top notch as his stage is set for all-out war. If you enjoy the grit of battle, the friction between players, and taut and pressing tension, this looks to be another hit from an author who likes to dig deep into the trenches for his readers. I received an ARC edition from the author in exchange for my honest review. Series: Helix - Book 1 Kindle Edition, 142 pages Expected publication: June 1st 2016 by Nathan M. Farrugia Genre: Science Fiction For Reviews & More: <a href="http://tometender.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">http://tometender.blogspot.com</a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VzWcuxwzgIg/VCiZSxUyvmI/AAAAAAAAfb0/Zeysvfwdgos/s1600/June%2BHeader%2Bw%2Bhttp.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1411946937i/11303744._SX540_.jpg" height="250" width="400" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a>

L

Lee

November 27 2016

If I am brutally honest about this book, it is to say that whilst the writing and story is good, the tacking on of a genre is disappointing. This is a spy, black operative book and does a good job of doing that. It is not a scifi book, or a high tech futuristic story. The whole book feels like ti was written as covert ops and the author shows his knowledge in this area with some very believable writing, but then it feels like a X-Men idea was written into the story to make it more popular with the readers of scifi or superpower fans etc. The story starts with a bunch of kids at a special training ground. We are led to believe that each of them has some kind of superpower, but it is only discussed in passing, "oh yeah, I can make things explode, why are you here?". We do not see those powers in action, or developed or even discussed again. I know it is book 1 with plenty more to follow, but I wanted to see that side of the story developed, not just tacked on. Our youths are being trained for black op covert missions and the story hops back and forth between training and today. Over all the pacing is really good, the characters are a little bland at the moment, but you can see that Farrugia is starting to develop a couple of them well. Overall, as a thriller, Jason Bourne type book, it is great start to a long series. But I seriously think the author needs to decide what the series will be. If the superpower side of it is going to be a fundamental part of the story, it needs to be developed and explained in the next book. Right now it feels 'half pregnant' in what it is trying to be. Farrugia has buckets of potential as an author and already I could see this as a tv series. Some of the action scenes are fast paced and you can really see how much personal experience makes those scenes so believable. So I am currently on the fence, but will be reading book 2 to see where it goes.

B

Belinda

November 08 2017

4,75 stars. Fasten your seatbelt before you start to read this novel. The storyline is that special gifted children are taken by the fifth column to take over the world. They are bio changed and trained to be killing machines. In their last test three of them are "rescued" by the sixth column but soon they learn that allready it does not exist anymore. What are the plans and what is their future? The three are trained to be spy hunters. Oleysa is a character who stays human troughout training. That is why I like her character. Their is a two line telling in this book (the storyline of Oleysa and her team and Damien and his team) and also it is in different timetables. But because it is put above a chapter and where they are you can follow the story well. Some lines out of the book - grownups ate pirzhki pies.... while children nibbled on sweet gingerbread.- -the whistle sounded through the forest...- -"Seeing ourselves as we really are that is humanity.-

J

Jeanny

July 05 2019

3 strong stars. Cliffhanger ending. I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy an action or mission centric book. The author does an excellent job describing fight scenes & armament. The world building & character development seems secondary & at times feels underdeveloped. The story telling unfolds Non-sequentially through a series of scenes that jumps through time. If I’m honest the lack of characterization, multiple POV(s) & timelines make the characters seem interchangeable. As a reader I need to become invested in the world or characters to continue a series. I suspect future books would continue to showcase the author’s mission & weapons knowledge resulting in a fast paced adventure ending in cliffhangers. I’ll pass.

V

VanillaSky

April 03 2016

Начала писать комментарий, но решила перенести сюда. Начну с того, что мне понравилось в книге. Присутствие русских персонажей. Нормальных! То есть они не являются психами, злодеями или деревенщинами, которыми так любят изображать многие зарубежные, особенно американские, авторы россиян. Так же часть действия происходит в России; другая - в Южной Америке. И хочу заметить, что действия хватает: побеги, погони, перестрелки, засады, поездки на крыше автомобиля.. Скучать не придется. :) А теперь к неприятному. У меня есть одно серьезное недовольство и два маленьких замечания. Замечание первое касается второй главы, точнее ее концовки. Часть беседы, касающаяся тайника для записки, должна быть опущена. Второе, весь этот проект, по идее, грандиозен, за ним должна быть длинная и насыщенная история, а он подан как школьный эксперимент. Впрочем, все еще впереди, я надеюсь. Моя же главная проблема - герои. Я их не знаю, я их не чувствую. Они мне безразличны. Вплоть до того, что я испытывала досаду<input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="4719a080-55dd-4a0d-af85-4f82f7561421" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="4719a080-55dd-4a0d-af85-4f82f7561421">когда Вэл была похищена и все происходящее скомкалось, а потом с любопытством следила за болтаниями Олеси. </label>Сомневаюсь, что автор рассчитывал на такой эмоциональный отклик. Как итог: Было интересно. 3.5 звезды. I received an ARC copy from the author. Many thanks.

Helix: Episode 1

Comming soon...

Helix: Episode 1 Reviews (267)