Hey everyone! Over the past few weeks, I’ve enjoyed reading the Astral Conspiracy series by D L Cross (also known as Staci Troilo). For someone who normally doesn’t read science fiction, I’ve been devouring these books.
Today, I’d like to share my reviews of the third and fourth of the series.
The Nine
Blurb:
He can’t trust his allies, won’t trust his enemies. Now he fears that he shouldn’t trust even himself.
Landon Thorne is convinced the key to defeating the Astrals is in the vault — a repository of ancient artifacts, origins unknown, covered with undeciphered glyphs. He’s also convinced he’s the one person on the planet who can translate the markings.
But strange, frightening things happen every time he gets close to the relics.
His allies decide it’s not safe to let him near the vault, so they force him to take a new mission. He’s captured by the Nine — the nefarious organization he’s been running from.
Their leader makes him an offer he can’t refuse — study the Dropa Stones for the answers they seek. Or else. To do that, he needs a cipher. And there’s only one place he can get it.
Getting in will be difficult. Getting out may prove impossible.
My review:
The Nine is the third book in D L Cross’s Astral Conspiracy series. By this time, the aliens are making themselves known and humans are endeavoring to save the world as we know it. If they can agree among themselves…
I was saddened over the death of some characters, angry over the actions of others, and wanted to take revenge on more than one. There were a few surprise twists, and like with the other books of the series, I kept turning the pages.
I’m usually not fond of serial stories, as I like satisfactory conclusions to a book, but this series is well worth the read and keeps me wanting to come back for more.
Five stars!
The Twins
Blurb:
They took the world’s best hope. Took the father of her children. Now she’ll take revenge.
Landon Thorne was abducted by the Astrals. But Reverie Sterling doesn’t have time to dwell on his absence. She has twins to raise in a dystopian world.
Twins with psychic powers.
She was trained to rise to any challenge, so that’s what she does. As one of the Resistance’s top fighters, she’s vowed revenge against the Astrals. To get it, she partners with an unlikely ally — the Nine, the mysterious organization that’s been thwarting the Resistance since Astral Day.
The tenuous alliance converges on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, or what’s left of it. There they wage a war against local zealots and Astral warriors.
Reverie thinks she’s protecting her children. Too late, she realizes the twins have more power than anyone — and she’s the one who needs protecting.
My review:
The Twins is the fourth book of D L Cross’s Astral Conspiracy series and the action hasn’t missed a beat.
Ms. Cross has done an amazing job at character development, something I often find lacking in Sci-fi stories. She has also weaved in elements of suspense, not a “who done it” but it leaves me wondering the motives of several of them and wondering who is a good guy and who is a bad one.
As I said in my review of the first book in the series, I’m usually not a Sci-fi fan, but Ms. Cross has converted me!
The Twins set the stage for the fifth and final book of the series with a surprising twist at the end, and I early await The Lab. Another solid five stars for this one!
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42 Responses
Great reviews, Joan. Ioved Thw Nine and can’t wait to read the last two books together. I’m so curious about The Twins and your review only increased that.
You can’t possibly imagine how gratifying it is to me as an author to hear people wondering and speculating about something I read. Thanks so much, Denise.
It’s hard to pick a favorite but The Twins is in close running with The Stones for me.
Great reviews, Joan. I’m so looking forward to binge-reading this whole series! 🙂
Your anticipation really humbles me. Thanks, Harmony.
You’re in for a treat!
Joan, your words blew me away. The fact that you’re enjoying my work so much is flattering, but knowing you feel that way when this isn’t even a genre you enjoy? That’s beyond what I can adequately describe. Thank you.
Well, you’ve changed my mind about Sci-fi. And I do think these are some of your best work.
Wow, what great reviews! I’m captured and will certainly be reading these soon. Thank you, Joan, and a big congratulations to Staci! Bravo!
Thanks, Gwen. 🙂
I’ve certainly enjoyed them, Gwen.
Woohoo, two five-star reads. Good reviews!
I’ve devoured this series. Glad I don’t have to wait long for the last book.
I was over the moon to read this, Priscilla.
You’re ahead of me, and I’m excited to get to these. Your reviews make me even more excited to get to them.
Thanks, Craig.
Thanks, Craig. I read slower these days but these were hard to put down.
I understand that part.
Wow! Now I know I made the right choice for me in waiting until I have all five of these on my Kindle so I can binge read right through them. I loved the first one, which I read some time back, but will re-read it before I move on. I want everything fresh and clear in my mind before I work my way through the whole set. So glad these have been released close together to make it easier to do this. They sound fantastic, Joan, and while sci-fi isn’t my first go-to genre, I do enjoy it when it’s well done. This sounds like it definitely is!
Thanks for the great reviews! 🙂
I hope they live up to your expectations, Marcia.
I have no doubt they will, Staci! Looking forward to reading them! 🙂
They will keep you turning the pages!
Such excellent reviews, Joan. Makes wanting to read Staci’s books move from desire to mandate. Well done. Congratulations to Staci.
Aw. Thanks, John.
They’re great reads!
Two excellent reviews of two excellent books, Joan. I really LOVE this series. And The Twins was one of my favorites of the entire series to date. I can’t wait for the release of The Lab.
Congratulations to Staci for such well-deserved praise!
I’m honored, Mae. Thanks.
The Twins is one of my favorites. Like you I’m looking forward to The Lab.
I’m starting The Twins tonight, and your review made me REALLY look forward to it. I loved The Stones. And I really like Reverie, so I should have some great reading for a while.
I’m so excited to hear that, Judi! Thanks.
Reverie is a favorite character of mine as well.
I’m so glad to hear that!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Joan! I have this series on my radar and look forward to reading each segment!
I think you’re in for a treat.
I hope you enjoy it if you read it, Jan. 🙂
I’m so excited to get to these – I loved the first book in the series.
Thanks, Teri. That means a lot to me.
It’s a great series, Teri!
These are great reviews, Joan.
Thanks, Robbie. I was beyond excited to read them.
Thanks, Robbie. I really enjoyed the books.
Yes, I can tell and that’s always a good think in a review.