Fabulous and Brunette: Sentient by Michael Leon - Book Tour - Book Review - Giveaway

Hi, lovelies! It gives me great pleasure today to host Michael Leon and his new book, “Sentient”! For other stops on his Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Michael and to increase your chances of winning!

Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you lots of luck in this fabulous giveaway!

Sentient

by Michael Leon

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GENRE: Science Fiction

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BLURB:

A century has passed and yes, the human race stumbled into evolutionary compromise. But it’s not the androids who are the victors. Post-humans have exploded into preeminence, gaining tech superiority and a tech immunity against the global environmental degradation. Humans are trivialised, a minority species, their one last significant task, restore the environmental damage they inflicted on Earth and terraform off-planets. One human and his ‘biot’ android embark on such a journey to Mars, opening the possibility for an evolutionary path back to greatness, but hostile post-human agents have infiltrated their mission.

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EXCERPT ONE:

The reconnaissance soldier, Harvey, was the first to walk into the cave, his adversary not just Draven, but to his shock, four Dravens. The soldier attempted to fire his pulse gun, but it failed to activate, causing him to back away to com Jarvis, when it too failed.

Draven was unarmed except for a single dagger, which he removed from his sheath and pointed his assailant’s way, inviting him to battle. Harvey, like all military biots, were robotized killers, programmed to fight in the fires of hades if their commander required it. He welcomed Draven’s challenge, exchanging a steel salute with his blade.

In that moment between standoff and battle, both combatants exchanged an inscrutable glance that signaled the opening gesture, acceptance that what they now started would only end with one standing. War-like adrenaline saturated the cave like the Martian dust as they began a dance, they’d spent their lives honing. Both were masters of the blade.

The soldier relished rather than feared Draven’s advantage as he rotated 360 degrees to confront the four assailants that encircled him. It was a Russian roulette encounter, with only one holding the real weapon of death. 340 Sentient But which? The soldier flicked his handle, extending his knife to a sword, showing he too brought tricks to the arena. Masterfully, he swept the sword in a Samurai-like movement of grace and skill glancing all four assailants, clicking real metal on only one, establishing his real target.

He attacked Draven, slicing, carving and driving his sword in every possible direction and angle but each time Draven evaded his assault untouched, toying with him. The soldier grew bolder with every exchange as if the challenge was all that mattered. Ever faster, he launched attacks that ultimately pushed Draven into the rock wall. Cornering Draven, he felt emboldened to make a devastating but risky assault, successfully finding the small opening in his defense allowing Harvey to plunge his sword deep into Draven’s core.

The sound of steel driving through Draven’s body echoed through the cathedral signaling victory, but to the soldier’s shock, Draven stood tall, before the flickering of his holograph gave way to the cold rock where he stood. “You’re fast, soldier. But I’m as quick as light,” he said, pulling his knife from the soldier’s back, spilling his blood to the Martian dust, decommissioning the young soldier with a single decisive incision.

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MY BOOK REVIEW:

This book is compelling, striking, intriguing, downright terrifying if these events were to unfold, and eye-opening with inspiration to make better choices for our planet.

Although this book takes places in 2120, a hundred years from now, it’s based on the actions that we have taken over the years and the ones that we (regretfully) continue to follow. Even if it’s not us personally there in a hundred years, it’s what we do today that affect tomorrow and the next generation – our children.

Global warming, pandemics, political turmoil, rapid technology changes - have all significantly contributed to the drastic changing of our planet and making it not the safe, habitable land it once was.

In "Sentient," the author explores this avenue and defines what life becomes in this shocking, but realistic ploy of pinning human against technology against environment while working to discover a way to restore Earth’s climate and develop new, safe, off-planet habitable zones on Mars.

This book is definitely a game changer in the science fiction genre with strong worldbuilding, creative story lines, and realistic details. This is not a book to just be quickly devoured and forgotten. There are strong motivational takeaways and important, valuable lessons that could (sci-fi genre or not) have real, one day impact in our future.

There are many pieces to this book and it can seem a bit daunting at times, especially as it is on the faster pace. The author does try to explain his thought process and his worldbuilding as the story develops. I would have loved a quick reference guide/glossary at the beginning of the book that maybe outlined some of the details for non-sci-fi readers. Not necessary to dumb it down or give away any spoilers, but just to help some readers follow along easier. There is, however, a short preface, that was very helpful. I just would love some extra guided info at the beginning.

There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still many unexpected twists and turns that you won't see coming!

Currently, this book is not listed to be part of a book series. Therefore, this book can be read as a standalone.

All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it! I think all science fiction readers will like this book too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**

Did you find this review helpful?

If so, please, please, please mark it as helpful on Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R1RUWS6P3M5A67

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AUTHOR BIO:

Michael Leon is an explorer, writer and author of the new novel, Sentient. Professionally trained in international trade, Michael has spent the last decade reading and writing SFF novels about new worlds to be explored in the future. His latest work, Sentient, imagines Earth in the year 2120. Michael has traveled extensively around Europe, walking the paths of his characters, from the famous European opera houses in Phantoms to the mountain tops of Switzerland in Emissary.

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CONNECT WITH MICHAEL:

Website:

https://www.michaelleon.com.au

Blog:

https://michaelleoncommentspage.blogspot.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/michael.leon.39501

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/michaelleon0433

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5369984.Michael_Leon

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55157168-sentient

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/3n1MCue

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/38pwsH3

Amazon Paperback:

https://amzn.to/3kgKZH9

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sentient-michael-leon/1137552620?ean=9780994473189

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sentient-michael-leon/1137552620?ean=9780994473172

The Book Depository Paperback:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Sentient-Michael-Leon/9780994473172

BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback:

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Sentient/Michael-Leon/9780994473172

Kobo eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/sentient-1

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Michael will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog. This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those awesome giveaways on here.**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions. Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.