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Calla Cress #1
The Deveron Manuscript
Though her speciality is Roman collections at the British Museum in London, history expert turned government agent Calla Cress finds herself thrown into a bizarre international case. A code is written in an unbreakable script on an ancient manuscript whose origin is as debatable as the origin of life. Could its decryption lead to a global cyber war?
When the highly guarded document goes missing from a Berlin museum and ends up in her personal belongings with a long-hidden secret concerning her parents, Calla is backed into a corner. Forced on a run halfway across the world, Calla is pursued from the underground scene of espionage intelligence into a desperate hunt for truth and survival. Soon she discovers that she's made of tougher stuff than she ever imagined.
Her only allies are few but resourceful. There's:
Nash Shields, a handsome yet mysterious National Security Agency (NSA) intelligence analyst. Jack Kleve, a witty technology entrepreneur.
Calla Cress took down the world's most dangerous man.
She made one mistake. She let him live.
A billionaire behind bars, once the secret service's most brilliant code breaker, is luring the world's smartest minds into his prison cell. They leave in a coma and seconds later a lethal hack snakes through one government system after another.
Meanwhile, Calla Cress, museum curator turned undercover cyber-security agent, faces the biggest dilemma of her life. She’s harboring a dangerous secret buried in the deepest vaults of technology history.
In a few hours, she'll have to make a decision that will change her life forever.
After an explosion rocks her hideout in Colorado, Calla wakes up halfway across the world at the whim of a powerful, unidentified organization demanding she produce the whereabouts of a missing MI6 agent who can disarm the billionaire's hacks. Powerful people are prepared to kill to obtain the cryptic secret the agent kept.
There’re a few obstacles: Calla has never met the agent who has been missing for 30 years. Can Calla find the only person who ever challenged the enigmatic billionaire?
With only a handful of clues left in a mysterious sixteenth-century anagram encrypted with a sequence of codes, Calla, NSA security advisor, Nash Shields and tech entrepreneur Jack Kleve are thrust in a dangerous race across the globe. With each haunting revelation, they soon realize the key to disarming the hacks comes at an astonishing price.
ABOUT THE DECRYPTER AND THE MIND HACKER
(Previously published as Covert Interference)
THE DECRYPTER AND THE MIND HACKER is a fast-paced, suspense thriller, charging through government secrets, world history and computer fraud that will have you wondering whether technology has progressed beyond human intelligence, changing civilization, and perhaps human nature.
˃˃˃ Reader Acclaim for 'THE DECRYPTER AND THE MIND HACKER
"I found myself intrigued about what could be the next step in the evolution of cyber systems. I look forward to more stories from the author especially involving Calla Cress."
"Calla Cress, still reeling from her recent discoveries, is thrown right back into danger. This is an exhilarating read that will have you begging for more."
"Covert Interference is hard to put down once you start reading it."
"Great story line with twists and turns and a good alternation of action and scene setting which will keep you on the edge of your seat."
"I can see how this would look on screen but it may be my wild imagination! The end will shock you!"
˃˃˃ The bestselling CALLA CRESS TECHNO THRILLER series of books in order:
BOOK 1 - THE DECRYPTER: SECRET OF THE LOST MANUSCRIPT
BOOK 2 – THE DECRYPTER AND THE MIND HACKER
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A global nomad, Rose Sandy lives in London, UK and likes to take her characters mostly to where she's journeyed.
Rose loves to craft suspense and intelligence thrillers where history and espionage meet technology in pulse-racing action adventure. Her first series, the Calla Cress techno thriller series novels usually feature gutsy characters, technology and scientific breakthroughs, a race across the globe and a dash of paranormal historical mystery. The series usually sit in such e-book categories as: mystery best sellers, mystery best sellers in kindle books, espionage and spy thrillers, suspense thrillers and mysteries on kindle, suspense thrillers and mysteries best sellers, science fiction best sellers, techno thriller.
Be the first to hear about Rose Sandy’s new releases here: www.rosesandy.com
When the highly guarded document goes missing from a Berlin museum and ends up in her personal belongings with a long-hidden secret concerning her parents, Calla is backed into a corner. Forced on a run halfway across the world, Calla is pursued from the underground scene of espionage intelligence into a desperate hunt for truth and survival. Soon she discovers that she's made of tougher stuff than she ever imagined.
Her only allies are few but resourceful. There's:
Nash Shields, a handsome yet mysterious National Security Agency (NSA) intelligence analyst. Jack Kleve, a witty technology entrepreneur.
Calla Cress took down the world's most dangerous man.
She made one mistake. She let him live.
A billionaire behind bars, once the secret service's most brilliant code breaker, is luring the world's smartest minds into his prison cell. They leave in a coma and seconds later a lethal hack snakes through one government system after another.
Meanwhile, Calla Cress, museum curator turned undercover cyber-security agent, faces the biggest dilemma of her life. She’s harboring a dangerous secret buried in the deepest vaults of technology history.
In a few hours, she'll have to make a decision that will change her life forever.
After an explosion rocks her hideout in Colorado, Calla wakes up halfway across the world at the whim of a powerful, unidentified organization demanding she produce the whereabouts of a missing MI6 agent who can disarm the billionaire's hacks. Powerful people are prepared to kill to obtain the cryptic secret the agent kept.
There’re a few obstacles: Calla has never met the agent who has been missing for 30 years. Can Calla find the only person who ever challenged the enigmatic billionaire?
With only a handful of clues left in a mysterious sixteenth-century anagram encrypted with a sequence of codes, Calla, NSA security advisor, Nash Shields and tech entrepreneur Jack Kleve are thrust in a dangerous race across the globe. With each haunting revelation, they soon realize the key to disarming the hacks comes at an astonishing price.
ABOUT THE DECRYPTER AND THE MIND HACKER
(Previously published as Covert Interference)
THE DECRYPTER AND THE MIND HACKER is a fast-paced, suspense thriller, charging through government secrets, world history and computer fraud that will have you wondering whether technology has progressed beyond human intelligence, changing civilization, and perhaps human nature.
˃˃˃ Reader Acclaim for 'THE DECRYPTER AND THE MIND HACKER
"I found myself intrigued about what could be the next step in the evolution of cyber systems. I look forward to more stories from the author especially involving Calla Cress."
"Calla Cress, still reeling from her recent discoveries, is thrown right back into danger. This is an exhilarating read that will have you begging for more."
"Covert Interference is hard to put down once you start reading it."
"Great story line with twists and turns and a good alternation of action and scene setting which will keep you on the edge of your seat."
"I can see how this would look on screen but it may be my wild imagination! The end will shock you!"
˃˃˃ The bestselling CALLA CRESS TECHNO THRILLER series of books in order:
BOOK 1 - THE DECRYPTER: SECRET OF THE LOST MANUSCRIPT
BOOK 2 – THE DECRYPTER AND THE MIND HACKER
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A global nomad, Rose Sandy lives in London, UK and likes to take her characters mostly to where she's journeyed.
Rose loves to craft suspense and intelligence thrillers where history and espionage meet technology in pulse-racing action adventure. Her first series, the Calla Cress techno thriller series novels usually feature gutsy characters, technology and scientific breakthroughs, a race across the globe and a dash of paranormal historical mystery. The series usually sit in such e-book categories as: mystery best sellers, mystery best sellers in kindle books, espionage and spy thrillers, suspense thrillers and mysteries on kindle, suspense thrillers and mysteries best sellers, science fiction best sellers, techno thriller.
Be the first to hear about Rose Sandy’s new releases here: www.rosesandy.com
476 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2012
185 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
About the author
Rose Sandy
25 books43 followersAUTHOR OF INTERNATIONAL THRILLER AND SUSPENSE.
MUSES ALL THINGS CREATIVE, TECHNOLOGY AND HISTORY.
Rose never set out to be a writer. She set out to be a communicator with whatever landed in her hands, but soon the keyboard became her best friend. Rose writes suspense and intelligence thrillers where technology and espionage meet history in pulse-racing action-adventure. She dips into the mysteries of our world, the fascination of technology breakthroughs, the secrets of history and global intelligence to deliver thrillers that weave suspense, conspiracy and a dash of romantic thrill.
A globe trotter and a diplomat’s daughter, her thrillers span cities and continents and she likes to take her characters where she has lived or travelled. Rose’s writing approach is to hit hard with a good dose of tension and humor. Her characters zip in and out of intelligence and government agencies, dodge enemies in world heritage sites, navigate technology markets and always land in deep trouble.
Rose speaks four languages and earned international business and economics degrees at The American University of Paris, and also holds a minor degree in political science and government. She has worked internationally for several years in multinational corporations including two of the world’s largest technology companies. She has also worked extensively in media, book publishing, FMCG companies and the entertainment industry.
When not tapping away on a smartphone writing app, Rose is usually found in the British Library scrutinizing the Magna Carta, roaming Churchill’s War Rooms or sampling a new gadget. Most times she’s in deep conversations with ex-military and secret service intelligence officers, Foreign Service staff or engrossed in a TED talk with a box of popcorn. Hm... she might just learn something that’ll be useful.
To be informed whenever the author releases a new title or simply have a chat, connect with Rose's VIP reader's here http://bit.ly/1JdABfI).
MUSES ALL THINGS CREATIVE, TECHNOLOGY AND HISTORY.
Rose never set out to be a writer. She set out to be a communicator with whatever landed in her hands, but soon the keyboard became her best friend. Rose writes suspense and intelligence thrillers where technology and espionage meet history in pulse-racing action-adventure. She dips into the mysteries of our world, the fascination of technology breakthroughs, the secrets of history and global intelligence to deliver thrillers that weave suspense, conspiracy and a dash of romantic thrill.
A globe trotter and a diplomat’s daughter, her thrillers span cities and continents and she likes to take her characters where she has lived or travelled. Rose’s writing approach is to hit hard with a good dose of tension and humor. Her characters zip in and out of intelligence and government agencies, dodge enemies in world heritage sites, navigate technology markets and always land in deep trouble.
Rose speaks four languages and earned international business and economics degrees at The American University of Paris, and also holds a minor degree in political science and government. She has worked internationally for several years in multinational corporations including two of the world’s largest technology companies. She has also worked extensively in media, book publishing, FMCG companies and the entertainment industry.
When not tapping away on a smartphone writing app, Rose is usually found in the British Library scrutinizing the Magna Carta, roaming Churchill’s War Rooms or sampling a new gadget. Most times she’s in deep conversations with ex-military and secret service intelligence officers, Foreign Service staff or engrossed in a TED talk with a box of popcorn. Hm... she might just learn something that’ll be useful.
To be informed whenever the author releases a new title or simply have a chat, connect with Rose's VIP reader's here http://bit.ly/1JdABfI).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 5, 2016
"Rather like the title - it's a mouthful"
I rarely fail to finish a book but for this one I made an exception. I've given it a fair rating I believe given the circumstances. It would be cruel to mark it lower because at times (particularly the first ten chapters or so) I thought it was going to be very good. The plot was interesting and the characters initially seemed well-drawn and believable. Then the promise of a good thriller morphed into fantasy.. That wasn't what stopped be getting further than 50% of the way through. It was the fact that the writer seems to imagine that having used a verb or adjective once it is incumbent upon them to dream up an alternative, whether it suits the occasion or not. This does not make for an easy read. Apply the KISS principle wherever possible, most readers don't want to have to dash for the dictionary every few pages or re-read passages to make sense of them.
I rarely fail to finish a book but for this one I made an exception. I've given it a fair rating I believe given the circumstances. It would be cruel to mark it lower because at times (particularly the first ten chapters or so) I thought it was going to be very good. The plot was interesting and the characters initially seemed well-drawn and believable. Then the promise of a good thriller morphed into fantasy.. That wasn't what stopped be getting further than 50% of the way through. It was the fact that the writer seems to imagine that having used a verb or adjective once it is incumbent upon them to dream up an alternative, whether it suits the occasion or not. This does not make for an easy read. Apply the KISS principle wherever possible, most readers don't want to have to dash for the dictionary every few pages or re-read passages to make sense of them.
February 12, 2014
As per my Amazon review:
http://www.amazon.com/review/R2FI1TGL...
This book takes you on a ride and refuses to let you off until you reach the very end. There are so many twists and turns that kept surprising me over and over again. You can't predict what is going to happen next - it is written that well! The description is so rich, so immensely detailed that it just draws you in completely to its world. There is great tension and chemistry between the two main characters, Calla and Nash, that has you begging for more. I can't imagine just how many hours and effort went into the research of this book. The detail is astounding! The historic references, location descriptions, references to technology, cryptography....this author really knows her stuff.
A brilliant read! I recommend this to anyone who enjoys mystery, suspense, thrillers or action novels.
http://www.amazon.com/review/R2FI1TGL...
This book takes you on a ride and refuses to let you off until you reach the very end. There are so many twists and turns that kept surprising me over and over again. You can't predict what is going to happen next - it is written that well! The description is so rich, so immensely detailed that it just draws you in completely to its world. There is great tension and chemistry between the two main characters, Calla and Nash, that has you begging for more. I can't imagine just how many hours and effort went into the research of this book. The detail is astounding! The historic references, location descriptions, references to technology, cryptography....this author really knows her stuff.
A brilliant read! I recommend this to anyone who enjoys mystery, suspense, thrillers or action novels.
July 28, 2017
This is my first novel by Ms. Sandy, but definitely not my last. If you like Dan Brown's DaVinci Code, Indiana Jones stories with a bit of 007 technology I think this is for you. It's the first in a trilogy and I'm already reading the second book.
Ms. Sandy seems to be an expert in ancient history and we'll versed on geographical wonders of the world.
Thank you Rose and keep the adventures coming.
Larry O
Ms. Sandy seems to be an expert in ancient history and we'll versed on geographical wonders of the world.
Thank you Rose and keep the adventures coming.
Larry O
September 16, 2013
Action, travel, and intrigue! I'm looking forward to the future adventures of Calla Cress.
February 24, 2016
Very adventurous, suspenseful plot. Well grounded.
November 24, 2015
A well crafted and full packed drama, the supernatural power aspect was a little far fetched for my taste but the plot twists and subplots added well to the overall pace and power of the book.
June 12, 2016
GOOD BOOK
What a well written book,,, not my usual read but I'm glad I've read it and will definitely be reading more from this author...
What a well written book,,, not my usual read but I'm glad I've read it and will definitely be reading more from this author...
May 12, 2018
The impression I get is that English is not the author's first language. Also, she has never been to London, where the story is set.
The opening pages include a sixty mile per hour car chase along the banks of the Thames and across Tower Bridge, finishing at the Shard. I walked that route recently. Believe me, you would be lucky to get twenty miles an hour for sixty seconds in the stop-start traffic on those congested streets, and no traffic lights are mentioned; there are many.
English: more than once a person driving a car after the protagonist is called a "pursuant". No, that would be a pursuer. Pursuant is a formal term used as "the bequest was made pursuant to the wishes specified in the will." The protagonist is running in fright and her feet are "leaden". That isn't what happens when the body is flooded with adrenalin. "Calla’s car zipped forward, still at focused rapidity" You what? "The drone of a hungry vehicle caught her ears" Hungry vehicle, yeah, I have one of those....
This woman is in a crowded train station when she first thinks she is being followed, and rather than look for a railway official or police officer to speak to about it, she runs, gets into a car, drives dangerously in fear, then gets out of the car, walks up to the man in a black ski mask who was stalking her, and starts trading punches with him. I don't think so.
All the above is in the prologue; I didn't hunt for examples.
We go on to "A closer look depicted a striking warrior" - looking at something is not depicting it and this is a person we are shown, not a painting. "Strewn with cultural paradoxes and markers of science, the arts, politics and media, Calla had known she would return to Berlin when she visited ten years ago." This line means that Calla is strewn with cultural paradoxes, etc. while the final word should be previously, not ago. A spy is aware of "the Stuxvet virus that targeted Iranian computer systems" which would be Stuxnet.
I could go on but I won't because I found this too unpleasant to enjoy. This is sad, as I am all in favour of women writing thrillers, and of people writing in English if it isn't their first language; I just want it to make sense. Maybe this was written through Google Translate.
The plot is about a cryptic manuscript that nobody in science has ever seen more of than the first two pages, and they have been unable to translate it, yet the end of the manuscript is believed to hold a secret to do with the world's oil. Why do the scientists, politicians and spies think so? Why do they have any idea of its contents? Our protagonist, a linguist, is more concerned about accessing secret records to find out who her birth mother was. If you would find this interesting by all means read the tale.
I received an e-ARC from the author through Instafreebie. This is an unbiased review.
The opening pages include a sixty mile per hour car chase along the banks of the Thames and across Tower Bridge, finishing at the Shard. I walked that route recently. Believe me, you would be lucky to get twenty miles an hour for sixty seconds in the stop-start traffic on those congested streets, and no traffic lights are mentioned; there are many.
English: more than once a person driving a car after the protagonist is called a "pursuant". No, that would be a pursuer. Pursuant is a formal term used as "the bequest was made pursuant to the wishes specified in the will." The protagonist is running in fright and her feet are "leaden". That isn't what happens when the body is flooded with adrenalin. "Calla’s car zipped forward, still at focused rapidity" You what? "The drone of a hungry vehicle caught her ears" Hungry vehicle, yeah, I have one of those....
This woman is in a crowded train station when she first thinks she is being followed, and rather than look for a railway official or police officer to speak to about it, she runs, gets into a car, drives dangerously in fear, then gets out of the car, walks up to the man in a black ski mask who was stalking her, and starts trading punches with him. I don't think so.
All the above is in the prologue; I didn't hunt for examples.
We go on to "A closer look depicted a striking warrior" - looking at something is not depicting it and this is a person we are shown, not a painting. "Strewn with cultural paradoxes and markers of science, the arts, politics and media, Calla had known she would return to Berlin when she visited ten years ago." This line means that Calla is strewn with cultural paradoxes, etc. while the final word should be previously, not ago. A spy is aware of "the Stuxvet virus that targeted Iranian computer systems" which would be Stuxnet.
I could go on but I won't because I found this too unpleasant to enjoy. This is sad, as I am all in favour of women writing thrillers, and of people writing in English if it isn't their first language; I just want it to make sense. Maybe this was written through Google Translate.
The plot is about a cryptic manuscript that nobody in science has ever seen more of than the first two pages, and they have been unable to translate it, yet the end of the manuscript is believed to hold a secret to do with the world's oil. Why do the scientists, politicians and spies think so? Why do they have any idea of its contents? Our protagonist, a linguist, is more concerned about accessing secret records to find out who her birth mother was. If you would find this interesting by all means read the tale.
I received an e-ARC from the author through Instafreebie. This is an unbiased review.
May 2, 2019
London, England UK. Calla Cress (28, British Museum curator, orphan, MA: Cambridge Linguistics, MA: U of Chicago History), got off the train at St. Pancras International & hustled through immigration.
A Range Rover was on the tail of her Maserati.
After a physical confrontation he wanted the Deveron Manuscript.
After 50 yrs. it was believed to be in Berlin, Germany.
Philler (60, buss syst. mgr.) was going to help Calla locate Marla Cox.
The names of the Father unknown, Bonnie Tyleman (mother, civil servant) & 200 more entries turned up.
Calla was informed she was selected for the Taskforce Carbonado team.
Berlin, Germany. Pergamon Museum. She met Manfred Bierman (RTL German media station). He seemed to know a whole lot about all the classified information.
DI Raimund Eichel informed Calla he had no idea where Allegra May Driscoll (67, Irish, wealthy mining baroness, Nobel Prize) was.
Alexander “Alex” Maxfield (55+, Asian, Guardian Chief Editor/Director) was not going to let Daddy’s girl Eva Lily Riche (Guardian newspaper reporter) write/report an article on the Pergamon Museum.
Calla had the run of the place & could continue her research there.
Calla & Nash Shields (son, colleague, former US Embassy, USMC, NSA) came to see Dr./Professor Guilford about Bishop Robert Lowth (Church of England, a scholar Oxford U; English professor).
What was Eva (Chief Editor/Director, journalist) snooping around about?
What were Agent Silver X3 & Agent Copper J21 up to?
What did Eva Riche (Riche Media) talk about?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written techno-thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great techno-thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Silver Gravity Books; EBookStage; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
A Range Rover was on the tail of her Maserati.
After a physical confrontation he wanted the Deveron Manuscript.
After 50 yrs. it was believed to be in Berlin, Germany.
Philler (60, buss syst. mgr.) was going to help Calla locate Marla Cox.
The names of the Father unknown, Bonnie Tyleman (mother, civil servant) & 200 more entries turned up.
Calla was informed she was selected for the Taskforce Carbonado team.
Berlin, Germany. Pergamon Museum. She met Manfred Bierman (RTL German media station). He seemed to know a whole lot about all the classified information.
DI Raimund Eichel informed Calla he had no idea where Allegra May Driscoll (67, Irish, wealthy mining baroness, Nobel Prize) was.
Alexander “Alex” Maxfield (55+, Asian, Guardian Chief Editor/Director) was not going to let Daddy’s girl Eva Lily Riche (Guardian newspaper reporter) write/report an article on the Pergamon Museum.
Calla had the run of the place & could continue her research there.
Calla & Nash Shields (son, colleague, former US Embassy, USMC, NSA) came to see Dr./Professor Guilford about Bishop Robert Lowth (Church of England, a scholar Oxford U; English professor).
What was Eva (Chief Editor/Director, journalist) snooping around about?
What were Agent Silver X3 & Agent Copper J21 up to?
What did Eva Riche (Riche Media) talk about?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written techno-thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great techno-thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Silver Gravity Books; EBookStage; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
August 25, 2018
Oh my goodness, I don't know if I can finish this book. No-one just walks anywhere, they scamper, forge, jump and surge. Describing crossing a quiet waiting room to look at something as forging? Maybe the characters are a lot more hyperactive than I am used to. Pulling up at a house, I just get out of the car, I tend not to jump. Walking along a pavement I, well, just walk, I'm not sure I know how to scamper. Whilst chasing the baddy - flurrying? Merely flurrying when usually they are zipping, dashing, scampering and scooting...and Nash needs to see an optician about all that squinting.
Also, while I am on a rant, why do they not take photos. Oh gosh, I'll cart this stuff about and expect it to be robbed at any moment but I won't just take a few snaps with any of my marvellous technology so I could at least still have a look at it later. I gave up at 30%. Maybe it was a complete photo fest after that
Also, while I am on a rant, why do they not take photos. Oh gosh, I'll cart this stuff about and expect it to be robbed at any moment but I won't just take a few snaps with any of my marvellous technology so I could at least still have a look at it later. I gave up at 30%. Maybe it was a complete photo fest after that
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2018
I read a later book in this series first, and I am glad I did. If this had been my introduction to Calla Cress, I wouldn't have continued. The plot is interesting and imaginative. The special features of Calla Cress are revealed to both her and the reader with plodding slowness. The style of writing jumped from one character and location to another, but that wasn't so bad once you knew to expect it. The people, action, and fantasy notions were handled quite well. However, the wording seemed as though it was a computer translation from another language. Often a term was just a little off, which I found to be disconcerting. The style of writing in the later books in this series don't seem to have that problem. This is a clever and exciting read, interrupted occasionally by plot jumps and strange words.
April 5, 2020
Edge of your seat techno thriller, with a lot of historical references. At first , the different things going on kind of threw me, but as I got further into the book, the more it started making sense.
Calla finds out that she is much more than she thought. Who are enemies and who are friends? She has to navigate all that while on a quest for a manuscript.
The only reason I gave this four stars and not five is there were quite a few punctuation and a couple grammatical errors, but nothing that took away from the story itself.
I have downloaded the second book and can’t wait to read more about Calla and her adventures.
Calla finds out that she is much more than she thought. Who are enemies and who are friends? She has to navigate all that while on a quest for a manuscript.
The only reason I gave this four stars and not five is there were quite a few punctuation and a couple grammatical errors, but nothing that took away from the story itself.
I have downloaded the second book and can’t wait to read more about Calla and her adventures.
Read
February 21, 2023Good story, terrible editimg
I found the story unexpected, but also found myself engaged in what would happen to the lead character. There were some slow parts that seemed like the detail could have been explained more succinctly, but otherwise a good page Turner.
However, the existing in this book was terrible and sometimes made it challenging to follow the story. It was more than misplaced punctuation or an occasional typo. At one point two chapters were completely flipped in order. Some transitions were clunky and I had to re-read a passage to figure out what was happening. There was also an occasional misuse of pronouns (using 'he's instead of "she")
I found the story unexpected, but also found myself engaged in what would happen to the lead character. There were some slow parts that seemed like the detail could have been explained more succinctly, but otherwise a good page Turner.
However, the existing in this book was terrible and sometimes made it challenging to follow the story. It was more than misplaced punctuation or an occasional typo. At one point two chapters were completely flipped in order. Some transitions were clunky and I had to re-read a passage to figure out what was happening. There was also an occasional misuse of pronouns (using 'he's instead of "she")
May 22, 2021
Concept, intriguing, execution, disappointing
The premise of this story is quite intriguing, though it's more an X-files type sci-fi rather than thriller due to its content, with main characters who had the potential to be interesting and engaging. Unfortunately, the grammar, punctuation and syntax of the book, together with a simplistic approach to descriptive narration and a tendency to use inappropriate word choices, which lead to such nonsensical phrases as "Liam’s lifeless body was still unconscious", makes this a confusing read at best and frustrating at worst.
The premise of this story is quite intriguing, though it's more an X-files type sci-fi rather than thriller due to its content, with main characters who had the potential to be interesting and engaging. Unfortunately, the grammar, punctuation and syntax of the book, together with a simplistic approach to descriptive narration and a tendency to use inappropriate word choices, which lead to such nonsensical phrases as "Liam’s lifeless body was still unconscious", makes this a confusing read at best and frustrating at worst.
March 7, 2022
I wish I had read the reviews before I wasted my time reading this. I gave up at 44% of the way through.
It’s a total mishmash of unbelievable events, characters, ridiculous technology, theories, etcetera. I could go on but it would just waste more of my time.
I would give it a minus rating if I could.
It’s a total mishmash of unbelievable events, characters, ridiculous technology, theories, etcetera. I could go on but it would just waste more of my time.
I would give it a minus rating if I could.
December 28, 2025
The book description failed to tell that this book fall within what I believe to be the fantasy genre. As I discovered that the story had a supernatural twist, I stopped reading. I am still giving the book three stars as the first chapters are good. The characters are well presented and the story does sound exciting. I am sure fans of this genre will like the book.
February 15, 2018
It was a pretty good read but didn't really like the ending and it really didn't hold my attention with skipping to different characters. Sort of an abrupt turnaround on the reporter with very little explanation of her motivation. Probably won't be reading the rest of the series.
July 13, 2022
Keeper of Secrets
Absorbing your attention.Who knows what may happen in the future,or why. Whatever time is allotted to knowing the truth about how we began and how the future depends on the very people who are Family.
Absorbing your attention.Who knows what may happen in the future,or why. Whatever time is allotted to knowing the truth about how we began and how the future depends on the very people who are Family.
January 8, 2018
The Decrypter
This book was a good read but a little slow in places, I tended to loose interest in the story every now and then.
This book was a good read but a little slow in places, I tended to loose interest in the story every now and then.
April 16, 2018
Must read
I started reading Rose Sandy series and got hooked and now I am trying to get this series read. A must for Calla followers.
I started reading Rose Sandy series and got hooked and now I am trying to get this series read. A must for Calla followers.
September 22, 2018
To whom it may concern.
Interesting book, kept me reading to unravel the story! Good job!! Would recommend to my friends and fellow readers, yeah!
Interesting book, kept me reading to unravel the story! Good job!! Would recommend to my friends and fellow readers, yeah!
November 15, 2018
I had such a hard time putting the book down. Was drawn in right from the start. Will have to read more about Calla Cress.
January 12, 2019
Out of the ordinary
Though fascinating, I found some of this story hard to follow. It deals with the paranormal, which is fine, but I found it difficult to disentangle it.
Though fascinating, I found some of this story hard to follow. It deals with the paranormal, which is fine, but I found it difficult to disentangle it.
June 7, 2019
Weird read
The book was a bit disjointed for me, with constant switching of characters and their pov. I found I skipped a lot until the story joined together near the end.
The book was a bit disjointed for me, with constant switching of characters and their pov. I found I skipped a lot until the story joined together near the end.
May 20, 2020
It was ok
May 17, 2016
Many twists
Many twists in time and travel. It was a fast read with interest and some stuff that was hard to follow.
Many twists in time and travel. It was a fast read with interest and some stuff that was hard to follow.
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