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Holoquest #2
Boston's Quest
The external drive containing the information for building a hologram machine is stolen and sold on the black market. Now someone has connected a new hologram machine to the Internet, forcing people to fight for their lives in an online fantasy game. Trapped inside this deadly scenario, seventeen-year-old Boston Manning learns that her weakness for tolerating abuse is stopping her from unlocking her elven powers. Can she overcome her character flaw or will she die trying? In book 2 of the Holoquest Fantasy Series, Boston and Jason return with another action-packed, romantic adventure. Boston’s Quest will electrify your imagination as you experience elves, dwarfs, trolls, priests, vampires, and demons as you’ve never experienced them before.
346 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
208 people want to read
About the author
Shanae Branham
2 books45 followersI am a professional writer with a bachelor's degree in creative writing and a minor in grammar. I have also attended several years of classes and workshops in screenplay writing at the Los Angeles Screenplay writer's Expo.
I love suspenseful, action-adventures and clean, young adult, romance stories. I was born and raised in a small town in Idaho. I am the second out of six children. When I was in my early 20's my mother was killed by a drunk driver. This one incident drastically changed my life. I have always had a passion for reading and writing fiction. Owing to a life long struggle with Dyslexia, early teachers discouraged me from pursuing a career in writing.
As I have spent over twenty-five years transforming my language disabilities into professional writing skills, God has honed my insatiable passion into an incredible vision.
My Christian upbringing has instilled within me the belief that "...with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37). This has sustained me through the hard times. Because of my dyslexia, I have had to learn the structure of the English language like math, syntax building block upon syntax building block.
I am grateful for this weakness because it has developed in me a skill and love for diagramming sentences, which unfortunately is becoming a lost art.
I love suspenseful, action-adventures and clean, young adult, romance stories. I was born and raised in a small town in Idaho. I am the second out of six children. When I was in my early 20's my mother was killed by a drunk driver. This one incident drastically changed my life. I have always had a passion for reading and writing fiction. Owing to a life long struggle with Dyslexia, early teachers discouraged me from pursuing a career in writing.
As I have spent over twenty-five years transforming my language disabilities into professional writing skills, God has honed my insatiable passion into an incredible vision.
My Christian upbringing has instilled within me the belief that "...with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37). This has sustained me through the hard times. Because of my dyslexia, I have had to learn the structure of the English language like math, syntax building block upon syntax building block.
I am grateful for this weakness because it has developed in me a skill and love for diagramming sentences, which unfortunately is becoming a lost art.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 27, 2015
I read the first book in this series, Disemblance, a couple of years ago. I found it to be intense and the same can be said about this book. Jason's brother, Isaac, is in the psychiatric ward after losing touch with reality and blaming Jason for their father's death. Jason is looking forward to putting the man who is responsible for his father's death, Dr. Paden, behind bars for life. With both of their parents now dead, Jason has moved in with Detective Bruce Durante and his wife, Lisa.
Boston and Jason have been dating for a few months but her mother is constantly on her case to break up with him. Her mother has a new boyfriend, Ivan, who gives Boston the creeps. When Jason helps Boston open her eyes about where her mother's money is really coming from, Boston makes a life-changing decision. Things don't go as planned and soon Boston finds herself in the middle of an online game, trying desperately to save those she cares about.
I like Boston and Jason, both separately and together. Jason is a bit of a loner and needs others to keep him from closing himself off completely. Living with Bruce and Lisa and dating Boston helps. Boston cares for Jason but feels lots of pressure to break up with him. She's confused and not sure what she wants. She has a big heart and is willing to help those who need it, even if she's only known them a short while.
There's a lot going on in this book but it isn't confusing. The author gives enough information that if you haven't read the first book, you can figure out what's going on. There are lots of characters and moving parts that come together as the story unfolds. I do still have plenty of questions and as I got to the end, was wondering how it would wrap up. Well, it doesn't, and ends on a cliffhanger! I'm looking forward to reading more and am excited for the next book to come out!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
Boston and Jason have been dating for a few months but her mother is constantly on her case to break up with him. Her mother has a new boyfriend, Ivan, who gives Boston the creeps. When Jason helps Boston open her eyes about where her mother's money is really coming from, Boston makes a life-changing decision. Things don't go as planned and soon Boston finds herself in the middle of an online game, trying desperately to save those she cares about.
I like Boston and Jason, both separately and together. Jason is a bit of a loner and needs others to keep him from closing himself off completely. Living with Bruce and Lisa and dating Boston helps. Boston cares for Jason but feels lots of pressure to break up with him. She's confused and not sure what she wants. She has a big heart and is willing to help those who need it, even if she's only known them a short while.
There's a lot going on in this book but it isn't confusing. The author gives enough information that if you haven't read the first book, you can figure out what's going on. There are lots of characters and moving parts that come together as the story unfolds. I do still have plenty of questions and as I got to the end, was wondering how it would wrap up. Well, it doesn't, and ends on a cliffhanger! I'm looking forward to reading more and am excited for the next book to come out!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
May 30, 2016
I loved this book even more than the first one (I have a review of the first one up on my Goodreads too if you want to check it out!) which is something very unusual for me in sequels. I'm not sure what exactly it was about this book, but it engrossed me even more than the first one. And that's really saying something since I was so engrossed in the first book that I read it in one day!
Even though the main conflicts of the book take place about halfway in, I was still completely invested in reading about Jason's and Boston's post-Comfort Killer lives. After such traumatic events, it was interesting to see how they moved on with their lives and to catch up with them. I loved that even the minor characters are picked back up and that nobody is forgotten as can sometimes be the case in action-packed books. I'm glad that Isaac wasn't just dumped off to the side after his disappearance and that we get a glimpse of the infamous evil man that we came to hate in the first book. One of the things I was hoping for after reading the first was to dive more into Isaac's disturbing thoughts and motivations and also to see more of Boston. Although we don't necessarily get to see deeper into Isaac's mind, we definitely get to see more of how much exactly he's come unhinged. And, obviously, since this book is called Boston's Quest, we get plenty more of Boston in this sequel. And, of course, I still love Jason.
I also particularly loved the pacing of this book. It kept me engrossed and it was difficult to put the book down when I needed to do schoolwork, etc. My mind would still be on the book as I went through my day, trying to piece together what was happening. Even though the book is told in three different point of views, I think it was executed perfectly and I loved getting to see things through the characters' eyes. I also really liked the new character of Oscar introduced in this book. He's such a quirky character that has so much more to him than you would anticipate. I'm interested to see what he will do in the coming book.
Lastly, the action/plot! Wow! I LOVED the idea and the execution of our characters being taken into a video game. It's so interesting! The video game premise and elements were explained well enough and I perfectly understood everything that was going on. I loved the fantasy elements to the game and the extra fun that fantasy brings that allows characters to have powers. I can't wait to read the next book and see what the motivation is behind all of it! When I came to the end of it, I was so invested that it was disheartening to realize that this was only the beginning!
Likes: Jason. Boston. Awesome balance between the alternating point of views. The video game is such an awesome idea! Difficult to put down!
Dislikes: It isn't explained how Boston and her fellow captives are put into the video game. Obviously if you've read the previous book and know how it ends, you'd be able to work out for yourself how it's possible and the ending character reveal gives you another clue, but I think it might be something that would bother an ordinary reader.
Overall:
Recommend? YES!
*I received this book from the author for free in exchange for an honest review*
Even though the main conflicts of the book take place about halfway in, I was still completely invested in reading about Jason's and Boston's post-Comfort Killer lives. After such traumatic events, it was interesting to see how they moved on with their lives and to catch up with them. I loved that even the minor characters are picked back up and that nobody is forgotten as can sometimes be the case in action-packed books. I'm glad that Isaac wasn't just dumped off to the side after his disappearance and that we get a glimpse of the infamous evil man that we came to hate in the first book. One of the things I was hoping for after reading the first was to dive more into Isaac's disturbing thoughts and motivations and also to see more of Boston. Although we don't necessarily get to see deeper into Isaac's mind, we definitely get to see more of how much exactly he's come unhinged. And, obviously, since this book is called Boston's Quest, we get plenty more of Boston in this sequel. And, of course, I still love Jason.
I also particularly loved the pacing of this book. It kept me engrossed and it was difficult to put the book down when I needed to do schoolwork, etc. My mind would still be on the book as I went through my day, trying to piece together what was happening. Even though the book is told in three different point of views, I think it was executed perfectly and I loved getting to see things through the characters' eyes. I also really liked the new character of Oscar introduced in this book. He's such a quirky character that has so much more to him than you would anticipate. I'm interested to see what he will do in the coming book.
Lastly, the action/plot! Wow! I LOVED the idea and the execution of our characters being taken into a video game. It's so interesting! The video game premise and elements were explained well enough and I perfectly understood everything that was going on. I loved the fantasy elements to the game and the extra fun that fantasy brings that allows characters to have powers. I can't wait to read the next book and see what the motivation is behind all of it! When I came to the end of it, I was so invested that it was disheartening to realize that this was only the beginning!
Likes: Jason. Boston. Awesome balance between the alternating point of views. The video game is such an awesome idea! Difficult to put down!
Dislikes: It isn't explained how Boston and her fellow captives are put into the video game. Obviously if you've read the previous book and know how it ends, you'd be able to work out for yourself how it's possible and the ending character reveal gives you another clue, but I think it might be something that would bother an ordinary reader.
Overall:
Recommend? YES!
*I received this book from the author for free in exchange for an honest review*
December 3, 2015
Jason Tanner's mother died when he was younger, and recently his father has been killed and his brother Isaac is now in a psychiatric ward. Isaac hates Jason and thinks he is responsible for his father's death. The only people Jason has left are Bruce & Lisa, the detective who helped Jason and Bruce's wife, and his girlfriend, Boston. Bruce and Lisa are his guardians, and there is a lot of conflict between Jason and Bruce, Lisa and Boston over Jason's gaming addiction. Jason wants Boston to join him in his gaming world, and Boston wants him to join her in the real world. Neither of them are great at facing their problems, and unfortunately, they both have huge problems! And then Isaac goes missing, and other witnesses that would testify against Dr. Paden (the serial killer who really killed his father) start to go missing. Jason snaps and leaves Ponderosa Point, leaving no trace.
Meanwhile, Boston is struggling with a sober and controlling mother (who was a drunk and out-of-control mother in the first book) and her new boyfriend, Ivan. Ivan wants Boston in a creepy and totally inappropriate way and Boston barely escapes Ivan. But she unknowingly has traded a really bad situation for an impossibly bad situation. And she finds herself the pawn in the hands of some really bad men who are trying to re-create the hologram machine.
The rest of the book is really intense -- the best way I can describe it without giving spoilers is it's like Ender's Game meets Hunger Games. There is a big quest and there are some teams who think they are playing the quest to win a big monetary prize at the end, and there are others who are playing against their will to save their own lives. Alliances are formed, enemies are identified, and the game is on!
There is a third point of view (besides Jason and Boston) in this book: Oscar Allen. He is leading up one of the challenge teams and he and Jason become friends. Oscar is brilliant online, but mentally and emotionally he is unable to leave his room. His dad has just gotten out of prison for embezzlement and is determined to drive Oscar out of his bedroom. It's interesting to watch Oscar develop as he learns more about his dad's "crime" and is put in some situations (as Jason's friend) that require him to look past his own fears.
I love the intensity of this book - I definitely didn't want to put it down. But I also love the themes that run through this book: loyalty, looking past fears, standing up for yourself, standing up for others, and helping others out even when you have to sacrifice something yourself.
It ends with a cliffhanger, and I looked online and can't find any information for when the next book comes out... hopefully it's SOON!
Content: Clean, some violence
Source: Review copy (opinion is 100% my own)
Meanwhile, Boston is struggling with a sober and controlling mother (who was a drunk and out-of-control mother in the first book) and her new boyfriend, Ivan. Ivan wants Boston in a creepy and totally inappropriate way and Boston barely escapes Ivan. But she unknowingly has traded a really bad situation for an impossibly bad situation. And she finds herself the pawn in the hands of some really bad men who are trying to re-create the hologram machine.
The rest of the book is really intense -- the best way I can describe it without giving spoilers is it's like Ender's Game meets Hunger Games. There is a big quest and there are some teams who think they are playing the quest to win a big monetary prize at the end, and there are others who are playing against their will to save their own lives. Alliances are formed, enemies are identified, and the game is on!
There is a third point of view (besides Jason and Boston) in this book: Oscar Allen. He is leading up one of the challenge teams and he and Jason become friends. Oscar is brilliant online, but mentally and emotionally he is unable to leave his room. His dad has just gotten out of prison for embezzlement and is determined to drive Oscar out of his bedroom. It's interesting to watch Oscar develop as he learns more about his dad's "crime" and is put in some situations (as Jason's friend) that require him to look past his own fears.
I love the intensity of this book - I definitely didn't want to put it down. But I also love the themes that run through this book: loyalty, looking past fears, standing up for yourself, standing up for others, and helping others out even when you have to sacrifice something yourself.
It ends with a cliffhanger, and I looked online and can't find any information for when the next book comes out... hopefully it's SOON!
Content: Clean, some violence
Source: Review copy (opinion is 100% my own)
January 20, 2016
Boston’s Quest is a continuation of DiSemblance, and in my opinion it must be read in order to fully understand all the characters, the machines being built and used, and the overall story line. Boston is still struggling to figure out what she wants to do with her life, she knows she must keep her mother happy and follow her wishes in order to keep her sober. However, Boston struggles with holding onto the “popular” image in order to please her mom, and being who she really is: a photographer, archer, and girlfriend to a gaming boy, stuck in the middle of a murder trial.
Jason is trying to survive day to day, with both parents dead and a brother that believes he murdered them, it hasn’t been very easy. In order to go on, Jason keeps locked up in his room playing video games and inventing like his father counting down the days until the trial of the real psychopath who killed several people all in the name of research. Boston and Jason struggle daily, but it has come to their attention that witnesses for the trial are beginning to disappear and Boston and Jason may not be far behind them.
I’m not a gamer, but this book is focused around the gaming world, the detail that the author has put into this is actually quite amazing. Not being a gamer I was still able to follow the story and visually understand what I was reading. My only real problem that I have with this book is because of the cliffhanger at the end is very frustrating. The first book finished with all the loose ends cleaned up and didn’t leave you hanging with a lot of questions. I’m one that does like my stories to be solved, and if they are in a series, each book can be written with a new problem that can be added onto the previous story, but each new problem solved before the ending. It’s very frustrating that nothing was solved in this book and it ended without a real solution or conclusion. It ended with “The End” in the middle of nowhere. Very frustrating.
*I Received a Free ECopy of this Book in Exchange for an Honest Review*
Jason is trying to survive day to day, with both parents dead and a brother that believes he murdered them, it hasn’t been very easy. In order to go on, Jason keeps locked up in his room playing video games and inventing like his father counting down the days until the trial of the real psychopath who killed several people all in the name of research. Boston and Jason struggle daily, but it has come to their attention that witnesses for the trial are beginning to disappear and Boston and Jason may not be far behind them.
I’m not a gamer, but this book is focused around the gaming world, the detail that the author has put into this is actually quite amazing. Not being a gamer I was still able to follow the story and visually understand what I was reading. My only real problem that I have with this book is because of the cliffhanger at the end is very frustrating. The first book finished with all the loose ends cleaned up and didn’t leave you hanging with a lot of questions. I’m one that does like my stories to be solved, and if they are in a series, each book can be written with a new problem that can be added onto the previous story, but each new problem solved before the ending. It’s very frustrating that nothing was solved in this book and it ended without a real solution or conclusion. It ended with “The End” in the middle of nowhere. Very frustrating.
*I Received a Free ECopy of this Book in Exchange for an Honest Review*
January 31, 2016
This is an intense sequel to DiSemblance. It has been a while since I read the first and I really didn't remember many of the details. I did not have a problem picking up the story and following along.
This book is told from two perspectives. Boston is trying to finish high school and dealing with an alcoholic mother. To say she has issues would be putting it mildly. One of the stablilizers in her life is her boyfriend, Jason. He has problems of his own to deal with. His father was killed, his brother is missing, and he is wanted by his father's killer. The two have many odds to conquer, but are intelligent and able to think on their feet.
This book has a lot of gaming technology. Jason escapes into the gaming world when his life is more than he can handle. He is a computer genius. His skills make him a sought after gamer and take a prominent role in this story. I was impressed with the creativity Shanae Branham penned life as a gamer. This book takes it to a whole new level. holograms.
This time the game is deadly. The makers of the game are not playing around, they are playing for keeps. The book ends on a cliffhanger. I would really like to know how they are going to get out of this one. Hopefully, it won't take too long before the next book is released.
This book is told from two perspectives. Boston is trying to finish high school and dealing with an alcoholic mother. To say she has issues would be putting it mildly. One of the stablilizers in her life is her boyfriend, Jason. He has problems of his own to deal with. His father was killed, his brother is missing, and he is wanted by his father's killer. The two have many odds to conquer, but are intelligent and able to think on their feet.
This book has a lot of gaming technology. Jason escapes into the gaming world when his life is more than he can handle. He is a computer genius. His skills make him a sought after gamer and take a prominent role in this story. I was impressed with the creativity Shanae Branham penned life as a gamer. This book takes it to a whole new level. holograms.
This time the game is deadly. The makers of the game are not playing around, they are playing for keeps. The book ends on a cliffhanger. I would really like to know how they are going to get out of this one. Hopefully, it won't take too long before the next book is released.
February 1, 2016
I received a free copy of this book so that I could review it.
I enjoyed Boston's Quest quite a bit despite being outside the normal demographic. There's a lot of teenage angst within these pages but that just helps characterize the main characters, particularly Boston and her quasi-boyfriend Jason. There's not as much action in this volume as there was in the first book in the series, DiSemblance, and that allows author Shanae Branham more time to dwell on the inner thoughts of her characters, their worries and insecurities. Quite frankly, they're a mess! But they care quite deeply for one another so hopefully it'll all work out---but you're have to buy the third book in the series to find out!
I enjoyed Boston's Quest quite a bit despite being outside the normal demographic. There's a lot of teenage angst within these pages but that just helps characterize the main characters, particularly Boston and her quasi-boyfriend Jason. There's not as much action in this volume as there was in the first book in the series, DiSemblance, and that allows author Shanae Branham more time to dwell on the inner thoughts of her characters, their worries and insecurities. Quite frankly, they're a mess! But they care quite deeply for one another so hopefully it'll all work out---but you're have to buy the third book in the series to find out!
October 9, 2024
Boston’s Quest is a continuation of DiSemblance, and in my opinion it must be read in order to fully understand all the characters, the machines being built and used, and the overall story line. Boston is still struggling to figure out what she wants to do with her life, she knows she must keep her mother happy and follow her wishes in order to keep her sober. However, Boston struggles with holding onto the “popular” image in order to please her mom, and being who she really is: a photographer, archer, and girlfriend to a gaming boy, stuck in the middle of a murder trial.
Jason is trying to survive day to day, with both parents dead and a brother that believes he murdered them, it hasn’t been very easy. In order to go on, Jason keeps locked up in his room playing video games and inventing like his father counting down the days until the trial of the real psychopath who killed several people all in the name of research. Boston and Jason struggle daily, but it has come to their attention that witnesses for the trial are beginning to disappear and Boston and Jason may not be far behind them.
I’m not a gamer, but this book is focused around the gaming world, the detail that the author has put into this is actually quite amazing. Not being a gamer I was still able to follow the story and visually understand what I was reading. My only real problem that I have with this book is because of the cliffhanger at the end is very frustrating. The first book finished with all the loose ends cleaned up and didn’t leave you hanging with a lot of questions. I’m one that does like my stories to be solved, and if they are in a series, each book can be written with a new problem that can be added onto the previous story, but each new problem solved before the ending. It’s very frustrating that nothing was solved in this book and it ended without a real solution or conclusion. It ended with “The End” in the middle of nowhere. Very frustrating.
*I Received a Free ECopy of this Book in Exchange for an Honest Review*
Jason is trying to survive day to day, with both parents dead and a brother that believes he murdered them, it hasn’t been very easy. In order to go on, Jason keeps locked up in his room playing video games and inventing like his father counting down the days until the trial of the real psychopath who killed several people all in the name of research. Boston and Jason struggle daily, but it has come to their attention that witnesses for the trial are beginning to disappear and Boston and Jason may not be far behind them.
I’m not a gamer, but this book is focused around the gaming world, the detail that the author has put into this is actually quite amazing. Not being a gamer I was still able to follow the story and visually understand what I was reading. My only real problem that I have with this book is because of the cliffhanger at the end is very frustrating. The first book finished with all the loose ends cleaned up and didn’t leave you hanging with a lot of questions. I’m one that does like my stories to be solved, and if they are in a series, each book can be written with a new problem that can be added onto the previous story, but each new problem solved before the ending. It’s very frustrating that nothing was solved in this book and it ended without a real solution or conclusion. It ended with “The End” in the middle of nowhere. Very frustrating.
*I Received a Free ECopy of this Book in Exchange for an Honest Review*
January 3, 2016
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Boston’s Quest is book 2 in The Holoquest Fantasy Series by Shane Branham and follows on from the first book DiSemblance.
The story starts out dealing with the aftermath of the events in the first book. We find out more about Boston’s mother and her mother’s menacing new boyfriend (who quite frankly really gave me the creeps!), as well as how Jason is handling, or not handling things with the Durante family, and what has become of Isaac.
I felt so sorry for Boston at times because she just couldn’t see what was happening around her in regards to her mother and her mother’s boyfriend and also what her school friends were up to behind her back. I was also a little infuriated with Boston with how she was handling her relationship with Jason in the beginning of the book, but I guess she is new to this development and she is a teenager, but I was happy to see her grow throughout the story and come to her senses.
Oscar is a new character brought into the story and the scene where Jason meets Oscar for the first time is so hilarious it had me laughing. Oscar is an intriguing character and we learn more and more about him as the story unfolds.
Boston’s Quest has more to do with the hologram machine that was part of the previous book, however this time, it has become part of an online fantasy game where people are inside the game fighting for their very survival and others playing the game on their computers in the safety of their cosy homes have no idea it isn’t just a game for everyone.
Boston’s Quest is a brilliantly executed thriller novel with a touch of fantasy and sci-fi. It is written well with a strong storyline and all the characters are well developed. The combat scenes in the last part of the book were quite realistic with vivid imagery.
Unlike the first book, this one ends on a cliff hanger and I can’t wait for the next instalment! I hope it’s not too far away!
I really enjoyed reading Boston’s Quest just as much as I did DiSemblance and I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys light sci-fi or light fantasy, suspenseful thrillers, or if you enjoyed The Hunger Games series.
Boston’s Quest is book 2 in The Holoquest Fantasy Series by Shane Branham and follows on from the first book DiSemblance.
The story starts out dealing with the aftermath of the events in the first book. We find out more about Boston’s mother and her mother’s menacing new boyfriend (who quite frankly really gave me the creeps!), as well as how Jason is handling, or not handling things with the Durante family, and what has become of Isaac.
I felt so sorry for Boston at times because she just couldn’t see what was happening around her in regards to her mother and her mother’s boyfriend and also what her school friends were up to behind her back. I was also a little infuriated with Boston with how she was handling her relationship with Jason in the beginning of the book, but I guess she is new to this development and she is a teenager, but I was happy to see her grow throughout the story and come to her senses.
Oscar is a new character brought into the story and the scene where Jason meets Oscar for the first time is so hilarious it had me laughing. Oscar is an intriguing character and we learn more and more about him as the story unfolds.
Boston’s Quest has more to do with the hologram machine that was part of the previous book, however this time, it has become part of an online fantasy game where people are inside the game fighting for their very survival and others playing the game on their computers in the safety of their cosy homes have no idea it isn’t just a game for everyone.
Boston’s Quest is a brilliantly executed thriller novel with a touch of fantasy and sci-fi. It is written well with a strong storyline and all the characters are well developed. The combat scenes in the last part of the book were quite realistic with vivid imagery.
Unlike the first book, this one ends on a cliff hanger and I can’t wait for the next instalment! I hope it’s not too far away!
I really enjoyed reading Boston’s Quest just as much as I did DiSemblance and I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys light sci-fi or light fantasy, suspenseful thrillers, or if you enjoyed The Hunger Games series.
July 16, 2016
Boston's Quest starts about six months after DiSemblance, the first book in the series. Isaac is in a psychiatric ward, Jason is escaping into the world of gaming, and Boston is trying to help them both.
I thought this book was going to be about a gaming quest that Boston participated in, after all that’s the title. I also thought it was going to be about a quest where people were fighting for their lives. That’s from the synopsis. As I read the book, I just kept waiting and waiting and waiting for either of those things to happen. Finally they did, but there was no way there was enough story left to really have the game play out well. And it didn’t. The ending is a total cliffhanger, right in the middle of the quest. It was even more frustrating because I felt like the lead up part of the story could have been condensed quite a bit. After awhile, I found myself just pushing through trying to get to the quest.
I did think the writing improved from that of DiSemblance. There was some more depth to it. There were several twists, maybe too many. The story idea is good, I just still have a hard time really connecting with the characters and wanting to keep reading. The quest part was good though. I really liked some of the dynamics there. I may read the next book when it comes out so I know what happens, but I may not. I’m still undecided on that one.
I was given a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this book was going to be about a gaming quest that Boston participated in, after all that’s the title. I also thought it was going to be about a quest where people were fighting for their lives. That’s from the synopsis. As I read the book, I just kept waiting and waiting and waiting for either of those things to happen. Finally they did, but there was no way there was enough story left to really have the game play out well. And it didn’t. The ending is a total cliffhanger, right in the middle of the quest. It was even more frustrating because I felt like the lead up part of the story could have been condensed quite a bit. After awhile, I found myself just pushing through trying to get to the quest.
I did think the writing improved from that of DiSemblance. There was some more depth to it. There were several twists, maybe too many. The story idea is good, I just still have a hard time really connecting with the characters and wanting to keep reading. The quest part was good though. I really liked some of the dynamics there. I may read the next book when it comes out so I know what happens, but I may not. I’m still undecided on that one.
I was given a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2016
Rating: 3.5 stars
'Boston's Quest' is book two in a YA sci-fi series. It has all the elements to be a really good sci-fi thriller; there is suspense, danger, friendships, and romance. The writing is really good. It has a changing POV which gives us a more complete and wide view. However, the book never really blows up and it ends with a cliffhanger so we need a new book to get some answers.
After the events in book one, Jason is trying to move on. His brother still hates him and Boston is dealing with all as she can. But the danger is not over yet, someone is after witnesses and victims of Dr. Paden’s crimes. They will once again have to play for their lives and save the people they love.
Jason is not my favorite character. I understand his fears but he becomes this stubborn boy that doesn’t think about his actions or the consequences. Then we have Boston, she needs to put herself first. It’s clear her mom is not a good person and despite I understand why she wants to help her I hope things change for next book.
Now let's start talking about the plot. It’s very solid because the gaming world is flawless; the author did a great job creating a world where virtual reality is a reality. I think the technology sounds believable and it gives more solvency to the story.
I do have to say this… I've read 'DiSemblance' (book one) three years ago so at first I couldn't remember all the facts, luckily the author named a few things and everything rushed to my mind. But if you don't have a good memory, you need to read one book after the other.
I would recommend it to people who read the first book. If you like YA sci-fi you should try with book one.
*** I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
'Boston's Quest' is book two in a YA sci-fi series. It has all the elements to be a really good sci-fi thriller; there is suspense, danger, friendships, and romance. The writing is really good. It has a changing POV which gives us a more complete and wide view. However, the book never really blows up and it ends with a cliffhanger so we need a new book to get some answers.
After the events in book one, Jason is trying to move on. His brother still hates him and Boston is dealing with all as she can. But the danger is not over yet, someone is after witnesses and victims of Dr. Paden’s crimes. They will once again have to play for their lives and save the people they love.
Jason is not my favorite character. I understand his fears but he becomes this stubborn boy that doesn’t think about his actions or the consequences. Then we have Boston, she needs to put herself first. It’s clear her mom is not a good person and despite I understand why she wants to help her I hope things change for next book.
Now let's start talking about the plot. It’s very solid because the gaming world is flawless; the author did a great job creating a world where virtual reality is a reality. I think the technology sounds believable and it gives more solvency to the story.
I do have to say this… I've read 'DiSemblance' (book one) three years ago so at first I couldn't remember all the facts, luckily the author named a few things and everything rushed to my mind. But if you don't have a good memory, you need to read one book after the other.
I would recommend it to people who read the first book. If you like YA sci-fi you should try with book one.
*** I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
December 17, 2015
This book that I received as a result of the Goodreads readers' contest turned out to be a very interesting read, setting me off on a search for the first volume of the series to better understand the back story of the key characters. This time, Jason is trying to get Boston to run away with him to avoid the people who caused his father's death in book one. Boston is reluctant to do so for a variety of reasons, and her hesitation allows her to get swept up along with several other key characters in Jason's life. They are deposited mysteriously in the midst of a role-playing game, given new characters and powers to go with those characters that could allow them to survive the contest, and set loose in the contest with no real understanding of what is going on to them. A side story involves a reclusive young man who is putting together a team to play in a tournament that turns out to involve these people who have been turned into role-players. He recruits Jason to join his team with significant results to the plot line. A good read for anyone interested in the gaming world or who needs a reminder of the hazards of immersing oneself too deeply into these role-playing regimes.
January 26, 2016
Boston’s Quest
The story line is different and interesting. It talks about serious problems, like alcoholism, neglection and abuse and takes up to parents in jail, although the first idea changes at the end to a more interesting one. I really enjoyed this book and was happily surprised of how the author manages the different situations and get the characters to solve and confront their problems. Like any good book it has some characters that I completely hate, like Boston’s mom and ones that I truly like Oscar, but the great part is that Branham manages to involve the reader to the story and to understand each characters point of view.
The book is well written and follow a good sequence of events that evolves into a plot that I honestly didn’t see coming but found myself surprisingly enjoying it. I found that Branham also manages to write in a way that even when I’m not familiar with the technological parts of the story I completely understand and I was able to picture what she was trying to explain. The ending of this book is almost mean because I can’t wait to read the next one!
I was given a ebook in exchange for an honest review.
The story line is different and interesting. It talks about serious problems, like alcoholism, neglection and abuse and takes up to parents in jail, although the first idea changes at the end to a more interesting one. I really enjoyed this book and was happily surprised of how the author manages the different situations and get the characters to solve and confront their problems. Like any good book it has some characters that I completely hate, like Boston’s mom and ones that I truly like Oscar, but the great part is that Branham manages to involve the reader to the story and to understand each characters point of view.
The book is well written and follow a good sequence of events that evolves into a plot that I honestly didn’t see coming but found myself surprisingly enjoying it. I found that Branham also manages to write in a way that even when I’m not familiar with the technological parts of the story I completely understand and I was able to picture what she was trying to explain. The ending of this book is almost mean because I can’t wait to read the next one!
I was given a ebook in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2016
(Free copy in exchange for review)
Boston's Quest is perfect for YA gamers, which I'm not, so take that into consideration when reading my review.
This sequel to DiSemblance takes a different direction than the first book. Branham takes a long, long time to get to the point which is that there is a book three. The ending was very abrupt and ended at an extremely annoying spot in the story.
Once again, the story is told in three points of view – Jason, Boston and new main character, Oliver. We end up knowing Oliver at a deeper level at the conclusion of this book than we do Boston and Jason over two books. The character development has not been mastered by now and I have little doubt that book three will be the same. We barely get below the surface on many, if not all, of the characters so that it is hard to even care about them.
The book is named after Boston but ultimately this whole series is about Jason and Isaac. At least, that's how it appears to me. I was really hoping to see the end to this series but honestly, I think I'm done here.
Boston's Quest is perfect for YA gamers, which I'm not, so take that into consideration when reading my review.
This sequel to DiSemblance takes a different direction than the first book. Branham takes a long, long time to get to the point which is that there is a book three. The ending was very abrupt and ended at an extremely annoying spot in the story.
Once again, the story is told in three points of view – Jason, Boston and new main character, Oliver. We end up knowing Oliver at a deeper level at the conclusion of this book than we do Boston and Jason over two books. The character development has not been mastered by now and I have little doubt that book three will be the same. We barely get below the surface on many, if not all, of the characters so that it is hard to even care about them.
The book is named after Boston but ultimately this whole series is about Jason and Isaac. At least, that's how it appears to me. I was really hoping to see the end to this series but honestly, I think I'm done here.
January 25, 2016
This one was a disappointment after the action packed thriller that was Disemblance. The stories seemed disjointed and not very interesting the first half of the book. It was a long slightly boring journey to get to what the story was supposed to be about. It was mostly about Jason even though I was led to believe it would be about Boston. It didn't keep me on the edge of my seat like the first book. Nor was it as mind blowing. The writing wasn't as intricately woven with genius details. Love the cover. Didn't see how Boston could run away with Jason when she wasn't even finished with high school. For someone who was so set on going to college, not even finishing high school wouldn't even be an option. I didn't like Boston in this one. She was too much of a whiney victim. I didn't care about the characters in this one as much as I did the first book. That didn't seem realistic to me. I did love that it was clean. It's hard to find those these days. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2016
Boston's Quest
By Shanae Branham
4.5
I was given a book in exchange for an honest review free of persuasion from the author or anyone else affiliated with this book.
This is the second book in the series. In the aftermath of the destroyed hologram machine, Jason has lost his dad to death and his brother Isaac to mental illness. Isaac believes that Jason murdered everyone he loves. What was really destroyed were the fake hologram people that Isaac believed were his loved ones, including his mom. Then strange things start to happen to witnesses before the trial.
Great follow up to the first book. This is a very entertaining mystery. This technological world is like another character in the book. The pace is perfect as it allows the characters to reveal themselves but it also keeps the reader intrigued. More than once I yelled out loud to the characters. I can't wait for the next book. huge cliff hanger!!
By Shanae Branham
4.5
I was given a book in exchange for an honest review free of persuasion from the author or anyone else affiliated with this book.
This is the second book in the series. In the aftermath of the destroyed hologram machine, Jason has lost his dad to death and his brother Isaac to mental illness. Isaac believes that Jason murdered everyone he loves. What was really destroyed were the fake hologram people that Isaac believed were his loved ones, including his mom. Then strange things start to happen to witnesses before the trial.
Great follow up to the first book. This is a very entertaining mystery. This technological world is like another character in the book. The pace is perfect as it allows the characters to reveal themselves but it also keeps the reader intrigued. More than once I yelled out loud to the characters. I can't wait for the next book. huge cliff hanger!!
December 8, 2015
Boston's Quest is the second book in the series but can be read without having to read them in order. I found it about the same as the first book. The girl of the story, Boston, is not a strong character and a victim throughout the book which makes her a little unlikable as a lead character. The book is named for her but it seems that the main character is Jason, the main guy of the story, which was true in the first book also. It has a cliff hanger ending, which I don't care for, the first one did not. The characters were developed fairly well and the plot was so-so. The evil doctor that killed Jason's dad kidnaps Boston and his friends and somehow transforms them into creatures to play in video games with the help of Jason's crazy brother that has escaped from the mental ward. I got this book free for an honest review.
February 14, 2016
First of all, I didn't like DiSemblance. I already had the second book though and after talking to myself (ha ha!), decided to give it a try. I'm actually glad I did. While I didn't love it, I did enjoy this one better than the first one. There were still different viewpoints but they seemed to flow better here than in the first book (which was my biggest problem with the first). I also really enjoyed the gaming aspect (the hubby and I used to game). While I did enjoy this one more than the first, even with that ending (very abrupt), I can't say that I'm that invested in the story line to continue. If I had more free time these days, I might look into it but this series would not be one I'd run to the head of the line to continue.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
August 22, 2016
A wonderful and thrilling continuation of DiSemblance. This book takes off shortly after the ending of the previous story and delivers just as an exciting ride as the first book did. Teens trying to balance out relationships, grief, guilt, and friendships is supported by an underlying science fiction/ gaming theme that is incredibly original, exciting, and unique, sometimes leaving the characters to wonder if what they are seeing and doing is real or not! The first book was great; this second book is awesome!
December 7, 2015
**SPOILER FREE**
Was taken by surprise with this book... the cover made me think I was going to into a Sci-Fi book, but it didn't feel that way at all once I started reading. The story is well written and easy flow to make it easy to read. The twist that takes place behind this cover will captivate you.
*Received for an honest review*
Was taken by surprise with this book... the cover made me think I was going to into a Sci-Fi book, but it didn't feel that way at all once I started reading. The story is well written and easy flow to make it easy to read. The twist that takes place behind this cover will captivate you.
*Received for an honest review*
May 7, 2016
I won a copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways. Review to come
March 3, 2016
The first book was not that good, but this one is worse - I can't read a page without rolling my eyes. Won't finish this one. Sorry, not sorry.
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