At first, I was skeptical reading this book. I was looking at the cover and title (yes, judging a book by its cover) and thought it might be lackluster. Phil Stern proved me wrong! The story of four lost friends brought me through whirlwind of events, relationships, and journeys. It was a truly wonderful read–I must say, I couldn’t put it down once I started! This was one of the better books I have read lately and I highly recommend it!

FIVE STARS

You know, I thought “The Bull Years” was a clever title for a book, but I seem to be in the minority on that score. It’s a play on words. You know, “bull” means good or robust, but bull also means…oh, never mind.

But in any event, my deepest thanks to alexandra for this wonderful review. This kind of …

Witches by Phil Stern takes you on a journey with magic and a new universe. The plot of the story runs smooth even though new characters were introduced leaving room for a series. The short 51 page story kept me entertained and wanting more. I enjoyed this short read and I’m sure others who like the genre will as well.

Four Stars

This is an English translation of a review of The Reclaimed on Amazon Germany:

“The Reclaimed” is a story that got me thinking.  In Greenville, a city on another planet, the population has an opportunity every year to bring back to life someone who has died in the last three years.  Before voting on who will come back, the relatives of the candidates wage a veritable campaign with arguments about why their relatives deserve to be revived.  The consequences of reviving the dead are depicted here in a way that is very exciting and entertaining.  While reading, I asked myself whether a beloved dead person should be brought back and, above all, whether I myself would want to be brought back.  A hard decision . . . .

4 Sternen (Stars)

This is a pretty interesting novel that follows the disappointing lives of three “used-to-be” friends (the fourth couldn’t be contacted, so Steve finds a stand-in). There are a lot of funny parts that made me snicker aloud; these characters are definitely crazy, and I really hope they don’t emulate too many people out there. Really, I spent much of the novel thinking, “what is wrong with these kids?” So, here’s the line-up:

Dave married a crazy girl named Jen, and he really should have gotten rid of her when he had the chance, but he never did, and she’s been plaguing his life ever since. A lot of the information surrounding their relationship is a bit quirky and I can’t help but feel sorry for him, but I also think he’s an idiot for falling into the trap she “set” for …

Quite enjoyed this book. Nice easy read, nothing too in depth that you makes go what the??? Would recommend it

Lisa Manning, Melbourne Australia

The book was magical. I like that everything is straight to the point.  There could have been more detail on magical creatures, rocks, spells,and covens.  Overall an enchanting short story.

Heather, USA

This review is long overdue as I have been busy and not made time, like I should, to relax a bit and read a book. I’m glad I chose this book as it was a relaxing read. I found myself, being the age at which everyone provided their submissions for the “life project,” looking back at the choices I have made, the feedback I had received from friends and acquaintances, and made comparisons to my own life. I am sure those who read this book will do the same and find themselves a bit enlightened.

As I read the book, I found myself more and more connected with the characters. Those who read it will find those same connections I am sure and will judge them on their actions. I don’t want to spoil anything for those who are about to …

The Bull Years, a novel by Phil Stern, explores the lives of four friends who grew up together, and grew apart alone. The story unfolds from all four points of view, talking about how real life operates, and how everything isn’t always quite how you expected it to be.

I feel like I was in an interesting position to read this novel. Primarily, it is about 40-somethings reflecting on their 20′s. I’m the guy in his 20′s, reading and hoping I’ll never have to have these same conversations with myself.

The Bull Years is good. Not because of how it unfolds, or how it is written, but because of what it is. It’s an honest, brutal, no holds barred look at the American Dream and the people who live it day in and day out. It’s a book that really makes you …

This was a very short read but I really enjoyed it. I was left feeling that I got a full story even though it was short. There could possibly be another written from this story on the next adventure for Eve and Peter.

Plot – The plot seemed to be full and complete even though it was short. I was not left with questions or missing parts of the story. The story flowed nicely. I did not get confused or lost at any point nor was I left wondering how the characters got to that point in the story.

Characters – I liked Eve. She was a strong character who can kick butt. She also has enough guts to walk onto a hostile planet in disguise to deliver a message to the resistance. Peter really had me going at first I am …

This book reminded me somewhat of “The Lottery” only with the exact opposite outcome.

Imagine growing up with Earth as ancient history, almost mythical, in concept. Then, imagine having one day a year that you can bring back one loved one who passed in the last three years. Having lost several loved ones, I’m not sure if I would bring them back. As much as I would like to have them back, I’m not sure it would be a good thing.

This book explores that concept. It is very interesting. It’s a unique concept and exposes all those little secrets people have that others don’t know. The story draws you in. It wasn’t until halfway through the book that I even realized they were talking about a different planet. Unique story and I really enjoyed the concept.

4 Stars

Phil Stern writes an action packed, fantasy based, story in Rogue Powers. Not only do you get action, and fantasy though, you also get quite a bit of romance. This one seemed quite different than Witches to me, and perhaps more along the lines of something I would pick out at the bookstore.

One of the most enjoyable parts of the story for me was how Anson, and Lydia’s story merged. We get much background information on them to build their paths, but you know these two will eventually cross paths, so you’re reading for that moment. There are also a lot of enjoyable actions moments, and you have the very easy to hate villain, Linen.

Probably, the best part overall was the ending, but I won’t say why, except that it was completely unexpected. All these moments work together to bring …

Phil Stern is an unusual author. If you did not know that his name was Phil and he was a man it would be easy to think he was a female as his writings often have female leads and he is in tune with that strong, yet vulnerable side women really want to see in female leads. You know this is true, when you are alone at home you yell at the foolish girls in movies that go into dark basements with no weapons and die, or have to be rescued; wonder why anyone would go into the woods on a hike in skimpy clothing and high heels; and bemoan the weak woman who needs to be rescued.

Real women are strong, weak, vulnerable, powerful, and use all of that to take care of themselves and everyone around them. This is …

I loved the flow-of-consciousness style of this book, and the juxtaposed viewpoints of different characters to the same events. The fresh, insightful and thought-provoking take on our culture is interesting, but the book also manages to be highly entertaining. I found it to be a page-turner, always wanting to see what would happen next. The author does a wonderful job of foreshadowing the climatic events at the end, and I was not disappointed. The epilogue adds a great finishing touch that puts the events of the book in an unexpected historical context; very unusual.

If you’re wondering why I didn’t give it five stars, it’s because of several typos and occasional errors in punctuation, even missing punctuation. It doesn’t happen often, but there’s some cumbersome sentence construction scattered about that I found distracting. This may not bother most readers, but I …

How life is so full of highs and lows. Most of us have had our share expectations and plans at a young age but really, with all honesty, have our lives turned out the way we had dreamed?

This book is one that I could really relate to because I’m one of those who has had some serious detours and road blocks that have taken me far from my hopes and dreams. In a way, that is what this book is about. The lives of a few people, full of the grit and disappointments that life often brings, along with the lessons taught, put in an extremely humorous and at times sarcastic light.

I loved it. It’s books in which you can fall in love with the characters because they are so true and real to life with all their imperfections. It’s …

This is one of the quirkier reviews of The Bull Years. I’d sent Lindsey a Kindle copy of the book at about four o’clock on a Friday afternoon, and as she mentions herself, she pretty much read straight through until six o’clock Sunday morning.

Since I think the review would read best on Lindsey’s blog (you’ll see what I mean), just click here to read it in its entirety on Your Need To Read.

And let me apologize to Lindsey for spoiling her sleep, but the novel seems to have that effect on people.

“In the world of Witches, it seems like young women can’t catch a break. Abused by their fathers and envied by their mothers, they seek shelter in the magical world of Haven. Here they hone their powers and cross boundaries into other dimensions. When a rare male wizard kidnaps several young witches, Haven must take action. Tiffany, a rebellious young witch, is drafted to search for her missing “sisters,” beginning a cross-dimensional quest against the forces of evil.

 
But whose evil? With the possible exception of Tiffany, everyone in this story commits reprehensible acts. The villain is odious, but his cruel quest for revenge is built up with a heart-rending backstory. The plight of the young witches is sympathetic, but it is impossible to endorse the social structure of the coven, which thrives off its own form of sexual abuse. Tiffany …

“The Bull Years, a novel by Phil Stern, explores the lives of four friends who grew up together, and grew apart alone. The story unfolds from all four points of view, talking about how real life operates, and how everything isn’t always quite how you expected it to be.

I feel like I was in an interesting position to read this novel. Primarily, it is about 40-somethings reflecting on their 20′s. I’m the guy in his 20′s, reading and hoping I’ll never have to have these same conversations with myself.

The Bull Years is good. Not because of how it unfolds, or how it is written, but because of what it is. It’s an honest, brutal, no holds barred look at the American Dream and the people who live it day in and say out. It’s a book that really makes you …

“The Bull Years was recommended to me as a book that would appeal to my savage sense of humour. And it didn’t disappoint – it was really hilarious, with some really entertaining rants.

The characters where all really good (apart from Hayley, not really sure about her, I found her a bit irritating). This group of friends meet at college, now in their late 30′s they look back over their lives and take it in turns to tell stories about their families, growing up and getting old.

As I am the same age (approaching 40), and I could really sympathise, especially with the character that had strict religious parents, this was all familiar territory, and I’m sure most people would find something or someone familiar here. I found it really well written and very funny.”

Originally published by The U.K. Kindle …

“The first thing that I noticed is the writing. Phil Stern has a way with language that left me envious (“I want to write like that!”) Really good, tight and intelligent, engaging and all-over great.

 
The plot is a magic-imbued take on misogynistic men and how witches deal with them. It’s not all black and white-on the contrary-sufficient background and psychological insight is given to properly evaluate both sides.

 
Since this is the second in a series, I don’t know how much the story relies on the first novella. I had some troubles following dialogues, I didn’t know whether it was because some things were explained in the first book.

 
I loved the world(s)-building. Some scenes were graphic and scary enough to etch themselves in my memory and spice up the plot, while others were more reminiscing, allowing me to …

“The old adage goes ‘Never judge a book by its cover.’ It actually refers to making assumptions about a person based on their looks, but in this case you can take it literally. The back blurb of The Bull Years intrigued me but the cover didn’t grab me at all. It looked like it was going to be the life story of a Russian porn star.

Luckily for me I ignored my assumptions and decided to give the book a read. You know what they say – assume makes an ass of u and me. I would have been an ass if I didn’t read this book based on its cover. The Bull Years was surprisingly good.

Not being one for reading fantasy, vampire novels, horror and science fiction, The Bull Years was exactly what I like – realistic fiction. Realistic …

“I read a lot. I don’t know if I go a day without reading. I read so much that I am rarely more than a few feet from my kindle. That said, I always appreciate when an author surprises me the way Phil Stern did with his book The Bull Years. 

Initially I was surprised that real fiction could not only grab my attention but keep me hooked to the end. It’s a captivating amalgamation of four people’s points of view, all trying to survive even though things didn’t exactly turn out how they thought they would and almost all centered around one pivotal moment in their lives.

Stern gracefully interweaves each characters’ stories together, though not always chronologically, moments that effected or changed them, moments that molded their futures and made them who they are. He showed what we …

“I would recommend The Bull Years to all lovers of reading. This is a different kind of book, in a good way. It keeps the reader awake throughout and there never comes a time where you need to go back to some previous chapter to get any sort of reference or to get some facts straight. It has been put down brilliantly…”

Posted on Goodreads by Sarika Patkotwar.

For the full review, click here.