Review by mariluzgarcia -- Chrome Mountain by Ben Schneider

[mariluzgarcia]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Chrome Mountain" by Ben Schneider.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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This book was a pleasant and somewhat unexpected surprise.

Chrome Mountain by Ben Schneider is about a big bad terrorist corporation, who wants what Trey Radisson has in his head, and they will stop at nothing to get it. Trey is your everyday, albeit slightly more brilliant than others, scientist, who invented something potentially dangerous to the world. And the corporation wants it.

Trey meets Sonya McCall along the way, and she helps him get away from the corporation’s thugs, while she herself is trying to get away from a violent ex-boyfriend.

I have to admit, I loved Trey. He is my ideal person. Somebody who puts the good of others over and above his own, even if it costs him more than he is willing to give. It is hard to find altruistic characters in today’s world, and it was a refreshing change to the usual egoistic people you find in most novels.

Sonya also became my hero. An abused young woman who rose up from the dregs of a shattered life with a motorcycle gang, and became stronger in the process. From wimp to warrior is something I applaud wholeheartedly.

I also appreciated the clear line between the good people and the bad people in this book. I was constantly expecting some of the good people to betray someone at some point, but everything worked out beautifully in the end.

As a mere suggestion, maybe the author should have explained the characters' relationship with God a little bit more, how the characters got to believe in the guidance of God, as none religious people may not fully understand the process of how a person can fully trust God. Having said that, the little explanation that the author provided did not detract or take away anything important from the story. I was able to follow the author’s intent, even without the more extensive clarification.

I said this book was an unexpected surprise because, although it was in the science fiction section, the only thing science fiction about it were the Green Gates. I was waiting for more science fiction material and found none. I was ready to be disappointed because of this, but the book ended up being more entertaining than I thought. This is of no fault of the book or the author of course, but I believe that the book should be classified more as an action novel rather than a science fiction one.

This novel would be for an over eighteen audience, due to the violence and deaths depicted in some of the scenes.

I would rate this book a 4 out of 4 stars, especially since this was the author’s debut novel. It is exceptionally well written for a first book. I found no difference in the writing styles between this book and those written by more experienced authors. I hope this book makes it to the best seller’s list one day, it deserves it.

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Chrome Mountain
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Like mariluzgarcia's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Kristin Ransome]

I was on the fence about this book because I was worried how the plot would play out! Your review makes me want to give it a shot! Thanks for your honest and well-balanced review

[ReneeBrown]

I recently finished this book and I totally agree with you. For whatever reasons, Trey makes such a good main character. Thanks for the well-written review!