Once I picked up Shaker and started reading I was hooked. I’m a huge science fiction fan, so I found myself drawn to the story! What I liked most about the book was Shaker's character. He wasn't perfect and had very real faults while remaining likable, which isn't always an easy feat for a writer to pull off. The world-building was interesting, descriptive without being overly detailed and needing to understand 4,000 years of history in order to enjoy the story.

This hooked me at first but failed to keep my interest throughout - the plot seemed to get slower and more contrived rather than building in momentum. Struggled to finish this title. A generous 2.5

LOVED this book. Probably the best read of 2019 for me. The story was amazing, main character likable and such a riveting read, all set on an alien planet! Really enjoyed how abstract yet relatable the whole scenario was!

Shaker is a first person, character driven, mid-burn novel that paces itself in a way that let's you have a full story without having to spend every moment of every day with the protagonist. Mike Taylor, or the titicular character Shaker, leads us on a journey from the mundane, to the wildly insane, to the extraordinary. Kidnapped by aliens to fight in their petty, but long standing civil war, Shaker and his friends have to come to the understanding that not)only are their lives in danger, they are no longer their own, and the only way to survive is to kill other humans from the opposing side. Somewhere along the way, he finds love. A story about resilience, resistance, and learning to live where you are, this is not a book about war even though it is its backdrop. Highly recommended. Oh, and Michael Taylor, you did it. I am reading this from Earth...
***Review is based on an Arc copy received for free via Netgalley ***

Received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It’s tries so hard, but it didn’t work for me, the story went all over the place. The story is an interesting one when done right, which this didn’t feel like it had been

This was a predominately scifi book with loads of extras, including mystery and a little bit of horror and thriller. I was pleasantly surprised with it.

I enjoyed this book for what it was. The enslavement concept was very intriguing. Michael Taylor wakes up to find himself held captive. The story line is somewhat unbelievable due to the fact that all these highly intelligent aliens would go all the way across the galaxy to fight other aliens. Michael did come off somewhat annoying and it was hard to care about him.

*Thanks so much to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love speculative sci-fi and found the premise compelling with plenty of action and suspence but also some unexpected humour.

This book was interesting in all sorts of ways and will be liked by many, but just not by me...

The book starts of in a normal day setting where the narrator/main character lives in the US with his wife and his daughter. A bit later we learn that the girl died in a car accident and the parents grew apart. He was drinking away his loss when he got kidnapped by aliens to fight on their home planet.

I got drawn by this book partially because of the beautiful cover, although I feel it's not completely fitting the book, and off course the blurb. Warlords and aliens, sounds awesome doesn't it?!
(I suspect the cover shows the alien abduction, which is funny, it's mentioned 5 sec in the book saying that nobody knows what really happened.)

Unfortunately I just didn't like it as much as I thought I would. The prologue really picked my interest, 'Yes, how did he became Shaker, please do tell!', but I was soon disappointed to learn it is written in narrative form. It's just not my preferred writing style. But one of my favourite books is written in narrative form, so I thought I should give it a try. I just came so irritated that the narrator just kept jumping back and forward. 'I forgot to tell this...', 'You should probably know what happened in the meanwhile...' Please don't.

To be honest, I got used to the narrative form in the end - although I still would have preferred another writing form. The biggest thing that troubled me and I can still not quite put my finger on it is the very slow and sometimes very rapid story forming. In times the jump over different times goes real fast, especially at the ending when skip several years, but sometimes so slow for example in the spaceship till they start fighting. I felt like there was always I built up to somewhat of a climax (and there're some) but I just kind off missed the huge climax that was building throughout the book. And that ending did anything but satisfy my need for a climax. Why add extra chapters and years to the story when it all could have ended for everybody on the same event.

Well perhaps this book might not have been for me. I did like the story but it sometimes felt lacking. I do feel like other people who read the genre all the time (I only read it sporadically) will come to love this book/story.

A fascinating drama about enslavement and conflict as people from Earth are captured by aliens and forced to fight for a world far away. Interesting plot twists, and good character development. A bit unexpected, but a good read.

An interesting take on a concept long haunting humans...are we alone and if not...

Recommend to science fiction fans!

This is a good book, not something you come across in SciFi much. Loved how there were strong female characters, definitely need more of them.

A fresh, different story about parallel universes and alternate reality theory. This style of story/theme can be easily worn out if you read enough versions, wonderfully this one certainly refreshes its genre.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this in exchange for an honest review.
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Taylor, an ordinary English teacher, is abducted by an unknown species for an unknown purpose. He soon discovers that he isn't the only one abducted, nor are they the first group, to be enslaved by an alien race to fight their wars far from Earth.

I was intrigued by the blurb, expecting a captivating and brutal story about the transformation of an ordinary person into a fearsome warrior, and the events, motivations and desires that led to it.

Full review can be found here:
https://thedigressiveapproach.wordpress.com/2019/07/05/review-shaker-by-c-c-prestel/

I’m not a huge sci-fi fan. But when I decide to step out of my comfort zone that’s usually my go to choice for something different . At times I found this book confusing but overall I enjoyed it.

What an original plot. The SF setting presents the main character's struggle after being kidnapped by aliens and turned into a fighter slave. More than a twisty story, this is also a book about identity and change, about who one needs to be when placed in tough and adversarial conditions and what one needs to do in order to change an oppressing social setting for the better.. The book is rich in descriptions and has a cinematic feel to it.

Engaging and super cool story. Full review to come as soon as I can put thought to paper.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

This book was not for me I could not get on with the style of writing.
Others would probably get on with this book and sounds like a really good story.

Very good. Not too heave on the science in the sci-fi. A fresh story, and one about the classic idea of how the choices we make impact our future. I enjoyed the action, humor, and suspense, which kept me engaged. Recommended.

I really appreciate the copy for review!!

A sci fii book with a little bit of everything: mystery, suspense, romance, friendship...

This was a really original story and I enjoyed it. There were some great characters, and I loved the strong females.