Official Review: Solstice Series by John J Blenkush

Please use this sub-forum to discuss any fantasy or science fiction books or series.
Post Reply
User avatar
Bertha Jackson
Bookshelves Moderator
Posts: 2592
Joined: 19 Aug 2020, 12:57
Favorite Book: Launchpad Republic: America's Entrepreneurial Edge and Why It Matters
Currently Reading: Frontier Grumps:
Bookshelf Size: 943
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bertha-jackson.html
Latest Review: Death by Dose by Lynn Ronsen

Official Review: Solstice Series by John J Blenkush

Post by Bertha Jackson »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Solstice Series" by John J Blenkush.]
Book Cover
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


Solstice Series by John J. Blenkush is science fiction about the birth of a New World according to the Record of Ancient Matters. In this first volume, Of The Heart, the focus is on whether or not the ancient city of Telos exists inside of Mount Shasta. The story begins when 16-year-old Julissa and her mother, Dierda, move to Shasta City, California from Minnesota after her boyfriend, her uncle, and her father all die within a short period of time. In Shasta City, Julissa meets the Delmons and becomes fascinated with Aaron. She believes Aaron has special Lemurian powers and tries to convince her best friend, Cherrie, of this. Cherrie warns her away from Aaron because she believes he is dangerous if he is a Lemurian. Lemurians require human lifeforce energy to survive. Cherrie also warns that according to Myan lore, when 13 skulls are found and reunited all will die when she finds out that Aaron has pictures of skulls.

This is a fascinating story full of action, mystery, and suspense. Dead pigs come alive during Biology class, a car is pulled back up over a cliff with telepathic powers, and scorched smelling air are just a few of the events you will encounter. Have you ever wondered about life-forces and how they affect all species? Have you noticed grasshoppers only hop forward, never sideways or backward? When individuals are depressed or sad, the human touch can be powerful. Or, you can go from being happy to sad depending on the people around you. Why is this?

I liked this book because it made me think about the world around me and how my emotions can be influenced by outside sources. The story grabbed my attention at the beginning and continued throughout the book. The cliffhanger ending makes me want to run out and buy the next volume. I really disliked the number of errors and the formatting of the book, both of which were very distracting. The first line of each page was indented like it was a new paragraph even when it was in the middle of a sentence. The page numbering was atrocious and not automated. For example, page 85 was 851, page 118 was 11800, page 119 was 11901, and it kept jumping back and forth to the correct number to the incorrect ones. This was very distracting to me as the reader.

I would recommend this book for all ages. There is minimal profanity and only a couple of instances of mild sexual content. The main characters of the story are high school age, so teenagers will relate to the drama and emotions that age group encounters. And it will bring high school memories back to adults.

The story’s plot is fascinating and makes me look forward to reading more of the volumes. Due to the formatting issues and the number of errors (I stopped counting at 18), I do not believe the book has been professionally edited, therefore, I am only giving it 3 out of 4 stars. Once these errors are corrected it would deserve a higher score.

******
Solstice Series
View: on Bookshelves
Bertha R. Jackson :D
Book Reviewer at OnlineBookClub.org
User avatar
NetMassimo
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 7614
Joined: 24 Jul 2019, 06:37
Currently Reading: Mindweavers I
Bookshelf Size: 528
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-netmassimo.html
Latest Review: Beth by S. R. Kent
2025 Reading Goal: 60
2025 Goal Completion: 63%

Post by NetMassimo »

I'm not sure I want hight school memories brought back as I hated it, but the novel's plot seems intriguing. Thank you for your great review!
Ciao :)
Massimo
Latest Review: Beth by S. R. Kent
User avatar
MrsCatInTheHat
Posts: 3817
Joined: 31 May 2016, 11:53
Favorite Book: Cry the Beloved Country
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 376
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mrscatinthehat.html
Latest Review: Marc Marci by Larry G. Goldsmith
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
Publishing Contest Votes: 0

Post by MrsCatInTheHat »

Dead pigs coming alive? That certainly would have made biology class more interesting. It's amazing how the world around us can influence our emotions.
Life without a good book is something MrsCatInTheHat cannot imagine.
User avatar
kandscreeley
Special Discussion Leader
Posts: 11759
Joined: 31 Dec 2016, 20:31
Bookshelf Size: 495
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kandscreeley.html
Latest Review: The Elf Revelation by Jordan David

Post by kandscreeley »

This is right up my alley in genre and age range. It's exactly the type of story I like to read, and you made it sound interesting. Thanks.
A book is a dream you hold in your hands.
—Neil Gaiman
User avatar
Saint Bruno
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 1799
Joined: 28 Aug 2020, 14:47
Favorite Author: Agatha Christie
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 192
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-saint-bruno.html
Latest Review: The vampires missing cape by Steve Stables
fav_author_id: 2484

Post by Saint Bruno »

I agree that our emotions are affected by external sources. I hope to read this book soon. Thanks for your wonderful review and recommendation.
User avatar
Harty Muli
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 2219
Joined: 28 May 2020, 09:21
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 311
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-harty-muli.html
Latest Review: Tujunga by Carlos Alvarado

Post by Harty Muli »

I like books with action, mystery and suspense so I look forward to reading this. Thanks for the interesting review.
User avatar
Nqobile Mashinini Tshabalala
Minimum Wage Millionaire Reader
Posts: 1894
Joined: 23 Jul 2020, 03:06
Favorite Book: Happy Healing
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 305
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nqobile-mashinini-tshabalala.html
Latest Review: Play Golf Better Faster: The Classic Guide to Optimizing Your Performance and Building Your Best Fast by Kalliope Barlis

Post by Nqobile Mashinini Tshabalala »

"Dead pigs come alive during Biology class, a car is pulled back up over a cliff with telepathic powers". What kind of force ressurects dead animals? I guess I will have to read the story to believe and understand.Thanks for the review!
Documented history is a gift from the past to the future! - NqobileM
User avatar
tarafarah7
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 2601
Joined: 29 Jul 2016, 22:22
Favorite Author: Mitch Albom
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... ">tuesdays with Morrie</a>
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 1662
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tarafarah7.html
Latest Review: Toni the Superhero by R.D. Base
Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
fav_author_id: 2544

Post by tarafarah7 »

Although today's BOTD isn't the one for me, I think some of my HS students will find it quite engaging, especially since the main characters are their age. I plan to add this suspenseful and mysterious action-packed read to book recommendations board! Thanks for your review! :-)
User avatar
Brenda Creech
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 3382
Joined: 09 Mar 2019, 13:34
Favorite Author: Mary Pat Ferron Caines
Favorite Book: The Reel Sisters
Currently Reading: Rainbow&rsquo;s End
Bookshelf Size: 357
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-brenda-creech.html
Latest Review: Was She Crying for Me? by Jerry Hyde
fav_author_id: 253250

Post by Brenda Creech »

This sounds like an intriguing book for sci-fi fans! I have never been a sci-fi fan, but lately I have read a few I have enjoyed. Your review makes this book sound fascinating so I will have to check this one out! Thanks for the excellent review!
B. Creech
"Like beauty in the eyes, the divinity of the rose may be in the nose that smells it, and the lover that beholds it." Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
User avatar
Jessica045
Posts: 200
Joined: 18 Feb 2021, 10:54
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 43
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jessica045.html
Latest Review: George by James H Russell

Post by Jessica045 »

It's the mysterious parts for me. Thanks to the reviewer for an excellent review.
User avatar
Kirsi Cultrera
Official Reviewer Representative
Posts: 3590
Joined: 01 Mar 2020, 12:01
Currently Reading: Pawn to King's End
Bookshelf Size: 223
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kirsi-cultrera.html
Latest Review: Between Good and Hollywood by Tyler Patrick Wood

Post by Kirsi Cultrera »

Dead pigs coming alive?! Something is fishy around this story 😃 Anyway, I would like to find out if Aaron really was dangerous. This sounds like an intriguing read for science fiction fans! Too bad that the editing wasn’t properly done, I hope they’ll take the time to fix it. Thank you for the interesting review!
Kirsi
Official Reviewer Representative
User avatar
Cwilde13
Posts: 146
Joined: 09 Dec 2018, 15:04
Currently Reading: Watership Down
Bookshelf Size: 23
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cwilde13.html
Latest Review: Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula by R.F. Kristi

Post by Cwilde13 »

I'm interested to see how Lemurians obtain the life force of humans and whether knowledge of their existence is a secret. It sounds like the kind of book I would enjoy.
Kajori Sheryl Paul
Official Reviewer Representative
Posts: 3027
Joined: 10 Aug 2018, 15:10
Currently Reading: Noah's Quest
Bookshelf Size: 1343
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kajori-sheryl-paul.html
Latest Review: Undefeated: A Novel by Gillie Basson

Post by Kajori Sheryl Paul »

Outside forces affecting one's emotions seems like something to think about.

Thank you for the great review.
User avatar
Ferdinand_Otieno
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 3369
Joined: 03 Jun 2017, 12:54
Favorite Author: Victor Rose
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 1749
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ferdinand-otieno.html
Latest Review: Zona: The Forbidden Land by Fred G. Baker
fav_author_id: 78026

Post by Ferdinand_Otieno »

This is an amazing science fiction fantasy book that spans the entire solstice series and highlights the birth of a New World according to the Record of Ancient Matters. The book is free on Barnes & Noble and has an inciteful OnlineBookClub review. Congrats on the BOTD.
Buti John
Posts: 12
Joined: 01 Oct 2021, 18:03
Currently Reading: We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies
Bookshelf Size: 10

Post by Buti John »

your story is good because it can help us to stay away from dangerous people even if we love them.
Post Reply

Return to “Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books”