Happy St. Patricks Day, everyone! Whether you’re Irish or not, ’tis a day for the wearing’ o’ the green, and a tip o’ the hat to the wee folk. Right now, we could all use a little luck given the state of the world in view of Covid-19. Whatever your corner of the planet, I hope you stay safe and well. If you’re stuck inside, it’s the perfect time to catch up on your reading.
With that in mind, let’s jump into this week’s book review!
Jimi Cabot, and her partner Lou, are two cops assigned to the “Grinder Squad” in a futuristic San Francisco. Grinders are people who have their bodies altered through illegal surgeries which use computer chips to provide enhanced senses. Despite their department assignment, Jimi and Lou usually find their days eaten up by the drudgery of routine patrol and domestic disturbance calls—until they happen upon a trail that may lead to the most wanted grinder in police databanks.
There is strong parallel storyline involving the grinder they’re after, enabling the reader to see both sides of the situation. Beyond that, however, there is so much more that goes on in this book. I loved the friendship that developed between Jimi and Brandi (a grinder), and I loved Lou’s tie to Sailor, the horse he rode when he was on mounted patrol before the division was disbanded.
Most intriguing of all is the world Boyack has created. One that includes a “grid” for travelling, bots in all shapes and sizes, and a constant bombardment of advertising. “Holobarkers”—floating globes broadcasting advertisements—roam the streets, swarming around people with their messages. Cars and buses flash moving advertisements and 3D holographic images are found everywhere. There is an “electric forest” (one of my favorite elements), in the process of being torn down because it is already considered old technology. Holographic spiders and jack-o-lanterns bob around on Halloween, and a 3D King Kong climbs a building to promote a movie. The creativity of this world is off the charts. Every page brings some new wonder or futuristic element that is vividly portrayed. Between the story and inventions, I was mesmerized. A highly original work!
AMAZON LINK
Genre: Cypberpunk > Science Fiction
Grinders is quite the gritty and colorful world. I could so see this as a series on Netflix! 🙂
Craig’s imagination, and the stories he creates, never ceases to amaze me. Grinders was a fun story.
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I agree on all counts, Joan. I think Grinders is my favorite work of his to date!
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Ha! I was just about to comment on Craig’s imagination. His dreams must be awesome! Great review and best of luck, Craig!
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He’s created a kaleidoscopic world, LOL!
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Reblogged this on Entertaining Stories and commented:
Mae Clair offers this wonderful review of Grinders today. If you don’t know Mae, you really ought to check out her site. She’s also touring around a new book, and it’s one of those 90 minute reads. Sounds perfect for an afternoon reading session.
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Thanks for the reblog, Craig., and thanks for the shout-out!
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Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with the world. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story.
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Loved this one, Craig. So many cool and unusual inventions. Great plot, and I was fascinated by the world you created.
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Means a lot to me, thanks. Hope a few people give it a chance.
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Ooh! This is definitely going to the top of my tbr!☺️
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I’m so excited to learn this. Thank you for having faith in my story.
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Mae and I share similar tastes in books so I’m looking forward to this.
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Wow, that’s great, Kim. I know Craig will love hearing that. Grinders is such a cool, visual story. I love the world he invented!
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This book sounds awesome, Mae.
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Thank you, Robbie.
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It’s a fantastic, imaginative read, Robbie. Craig has another winner on his hands.
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This sounds like such an interesting world. If holobarkers were real, they would get so annoying so fast. I really need to give this book and genre a go, when I get a chance! Great review 🍀
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I recycled the holobarkers from an old short story I published a few years ago. I had largely forgotten about them, but they seemed to fit in well for Grinders.
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They sound like they do. I can easily imagine it.
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I think of the holobarkers like gnats. Constant bombardment and in your face, LOL. It’s such a cool world to read about. I don’t think I’d want to live in a futuristic society like this, but it leaps from the pages when you read about it. I was mesmerized!
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I, too, was blown away by the creativity involved in bringing this world to life. I don’t know why, as Craig never disappoints. Wonderful review, Mae. Wishing Craig all the best. He deserves it; this was a great work.
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Wow! Thank you, Staci. Good stories are one thing, but I’ll take all the luck I can stockpile right now.
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I think this might be my favorite of his to date, Staci. I love the root monsters in Lanternfish, but I really enjoyed all the gadgetry in this. I want one of those potted ferns you shake to make them light up. And a Cole bot–although I’m not sure how my cat, Raven would take to Cole, LOL!
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A household bot would be awesome. But you know my love for the root monsters…
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A fantastic review, Mae. Craig usually takes creativity to the edge and it is good to know he gets better with each book. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, John. Means a lot to me.
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Absolutely, John.This is such a highly inventive work. What an amazing world he’s created!
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😊
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Craig made his world so real, I’m thankful I live now and not in the future:) Phone spam is annoying, but all of the holobarkers and technology would make me frazzled. The characters were so real, so solid, though, I felt for them. I was even rooting for the lab rats. And he pulled off a satisfying ending.
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So glad it worked for you. I wanted the environment to play more of e key role, but needed my characters to resonate with readers.
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Judi, I loved Daisy and Forty-three! And I really connected with Jimi, Brandi, and Lou. I wouldn’t want to live in this world either, but I would love to see it brought to life on a movie screen!
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What a wonderful review, Mae! I look forward to reading Grinders! Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you, Jan.
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I’m sure you’re going to enjoy it, Jan. Thanks for reading!
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Happy St. Pat’s to you, too, Mae. My husband is 100% Irish so this is a special day. Perfect time to read a new book.
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I was so happy the store raiders skipped the corned beef. We’re having it for supper tonight.
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100% Irish is so cool! Wishing you and your hubby a fabulous St. Pat’s day full of good cheer and lots of reading! 🙂
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Awesome review to share, Mae. Bravo to Craig! 🙂
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Thank you, Natalie.
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Thanks, Natalie. I really enjoyed this book. So glad you stopped by to check out the review!
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Sounds like a well-developed and intriguing world!
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Thank you.
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It is definitely that and well worth the read. Thanks so much for checking out the review!
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Excellent review! This makes me want to dive right into the book 🙂
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I was thrilled to find this today. I give you permission to dive right into it if you like.
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It’s well worth a dive, Jacquie. Such an intriguing world with awesome characters, and a great plot!
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Craig’s world-building sounds so creative – but if I had those holobarkers flying around me, I’d probably be knocking them down with a baseball bat. I hate commercials. Hoping to start this one soon!
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I also hate invasive advertising. So much that I had to include it in this world.
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LOL! I think of the holobarkers like gnats, bothersome things always in your face. As much as they would be annoying, they are so cool! You’re going to love this one, Teri.
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A super review for a book that is so packed full of entertainment, it boggles the mind! At the risk of beating a dead horse–Sorry, Lou! Holographic, of course!–I have to add that I agree with everyone’s assessment of Craig’s fertile imagination. Holy Moly, was this an engrossing world! I absolutely loved it. And oh, yeah. The story. Trust me, it worked to perfection, as well. Cool characters, an interesting “villain,” some fun critters being taught wild and crazy skills, and an all around treat to read. I hope to be reviewing Grinders soon, too, if my energy level keeps improving over the next day or two. Congratulations, Craig, on a job well done, and thanks, Mae, for such a great review! Sharing! 🙂
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I always love those testimonials in the comments. Thanks for sharing that today.
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It was my pleasure, Craig. I got a lot of enjoyment out of Grinders, for sure. 🙂
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That’s such a great testimonial, Marcia, and a review in itself. I couldn’t agree with you more about the fabulous world and excellent story Craig created in Grinders. He really has a winner with this one!
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Good, because as groggy and slow as my mind is right now, I may be using parts of it in my own review. 😀 But I did mean every word! 😀 Glad you liked it. ❤
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Reblogged this on The Write Stuff and commented:
Thought I’m still not feeling up to putting together my own posts yet, I figured today would be a good day to share a review from another site. Check out Mae Clair’s thoughts on <Grinders, Craig Boyack’s latest release. Such an imaginative and entertaining tale! As soon as I gather up a bit more energy, I’ll be reviewing this one, myself. In the meantime, stop by to see what Mae has to say, and then head over to Amazon to grab your copy! You’ll be glad you did! Don’t forget to share, thanks, and thanks to Mae for a super post! 🙂 ❤
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Thanks for sharing this one, Marcia.
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My pleasure, Craig. I hope a few new folks find it and enjoy it as much as I did! 🙂
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Thanks for sharing the post, Marcia, and for that awesome lead-in. Grinders is a great tale and it’s wonderful to see it getting lots of attention in the blogosphere!
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❤ ❤ ❤
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What a fabulous review, Mae. Thanks for sharing it. Congrats to Craig! ❤
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I really enjoyed this story, Vashti, Thanks for dropping by to check it out. Craig has a winner with Grinders!
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I agree. 😀
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Thank you, Vashti.
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You’re welcome, Craig. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Archer's Aim and commented:
A review of Grinders by C. S. Boyack from Mae Clair.
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Thanks for sharing.
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You’re welcome.
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Thanks for spreading the word, P.H.!
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You’re welcome.
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This sounds like an awesome book! Thanks for the review, Mae. I’m adding it to my TBR.
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I’m so excited. Hope the story is to your liking. Thank you.
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Hi, Alicia! So great to have you drop by and check out the review. It’s such an imaginative story. I’m sure you’ll love it. Happy reading!
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Reblogged this on Kim's Musings and commented:
Sounds interesting!
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Thank you for sharing. That really helps.
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My pleasure, Craig!
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Thanks for sharing and spreading the word, Kim! 🙂
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Craig has a limitless imagination. I know Grinders will be one of his top-sellers. 🙂
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Thank you, Rachel. Hope we get some action at your place today.
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Thank YOU, Craig! I hope we do too, and I hope it helps sell Grinders for you!
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I agree with both of those sentiments, Rachel. Thanks for stopping by to check out the review!
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I will be back again. You’ve got a great blog going here. 🙂
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Woohoo! Thanks, Rachel!
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Great review, Mae! I’m reading this right now and love the created world, including the forest.
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Oh, cool. Hope you enjoy the rest of it.
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Isn’t it cool, Denise. I bet you love Cole, the cat-bot, too. I know I did. And I wanted one of the potted ferns you shake that light up. Happy reading!
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Of course I love Cole:)
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Another imaginative and well written book by Craig! Thanks for sharing, Mae!
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Thank you, Mark.
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My pleasure, Mark. I’m glad you dropped by to check it out!
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Oooh, sounds like a great book – science fiction is right up my alley. And an electric forest! Great review!
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Thanks for commenting, Jina. I think it’s a great book, but I could be biased.
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😉 aren’t we all?
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I loved the electric forest, Jina. Just one of the very cool elements Craig came up with for Grinders!
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Pingback: Mae Clair reviews Grinders by C. S. Boyack | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo
I love Craig’s creativity. I’m sure I’ll be getting to this one soon. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your review, Mae. 🙂
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It’s a highly imaginative work, Diana. You’re sure to enjoy it! 🙂
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Pingback: Spotlight: Grinders by C.S. Boyack – Penstricken
My TBR list loves your reviews, Mae! Good luck, Craig! Sounds like a great read (hence my TBR loving Mae 😀 )
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Wow, sorry I missed this comment, Julie. I wanted to thank you for dropping by to wish Craig well. Happy reading and whittling away at that mammoth TBR, LOL!
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