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*TRIGGER WARNING. SENSITIVE CONTENT INCLUDED (SCHOOL SHOOTING)*
Jake Wells is in mourning and he’s determined to catch the members of the gang he believes are responsible for his wife’s murder. Using his standing as a detective, he’s directed to the home of a 16 year old gang member; a thrilling car chase and race through the woods follow before everything for Jake goes black.
Paula Campbell only started her job four days ago, and is in the middle of teaching one of her science classes, when suddenly, there’s an active shooting situation. She tries to make sure her class of students are huddled safely behind upturned desks when the shooter barges into her room. Thankfully, the police arrive before the shooter can hurt anyone, but the school governors still decide it’s a better idea to close for the week. Still in shock, Paula heads home and later that evening is urged to go on a mini-break with her friends. While on the mini-break, her friends encourage Paula to take on a rope swing over a lake. It’s high on a cliff, and despite her reservations, Paula decides to go for it. So, clad in a skimpy bikini, she leaps and then, everything goes black.
Confused? Good. So was I.
The two opening chapters of Galactic Adventures Series: Unexpected Heroes – Book One were clunky and without focus. There were times when I didn’t quite know who’s perspective I was reading from as it would change from sentence to sentence. It just didn’t flow, and I found it becoming a chore to read. Which is a shame, because the synopsis had me intrigued and excited. Unfortunately, the writing didn’t quite live up to my expectations. There were too many clichés; Jake – the ‘big’ detective, hell bent on justice for his murdered wife. Paula, the new school teacher thrown into an impossibly scary situation and regrets her choice to teach at an inner city school where, of course, there’s an active shooter situation. Oh, not to forget, she’s recently been wronged by a man who doesn’t deserve her, so she’s going to treat this mini-break with friends as a chance to introduce a New Improved Paula to the world, which involves wearing skimpy bikinis.
I may have rolled my eyes quite a lot.
So, although I’m sure someone, somewhere will love Brian Bowers’ offering, I’m afraid this one was most definitely, not for me.
S. A.
This book was reviewed as part of the Reedsy Discovery Reviewer Program. You can read the original review here.
You can buy Galactic Adventure’s – Unexpected Heroes – Book One by clicking on the Reedsy Link.