Disclaimer: I won this book in a firstreads giveaway.
And I am glad I did! This is a really good book!
Beasts of Tabat is a well told story of fantasy, intrigue, action, adventure, romance, sex and social commentary.
I really enjoy the depth Cat Rambo brings to her main characters, like "real" people her characters are, at times, strong, fragile, brave, fearful in other words human.
Beasts... is the first book in a series so, cliffhanger ending. I guess I'm not a particularly patient reader, I don't like the wait to see what is going to happen. But, on the positive side, this means Ms. Rambo's story is so good, I'm really anxious to read what comes next. I think it is a testament to Ms. Rambo's talent that I found myself angry for the treatment of the main characters at the end of the book. Perhaps that is the most difficult for me as a reader, being angry at the end rather than everything wrapped up nice and neat. Okay Rambo, you got me, I'm hooked on this story, give me more!
The author blends magical fantasy realms with mundane human realms in a way that feels natural. The different fantasy creatures exist in the mundane realm as a matter of fact not extraordinary circumstance. In fact the nature of this coexistence is the main thrust of the book.
Social commentary without being too "preachy" works for me, as I've said before, I don't need to be beaten over the head to get the point.
I find as I write this review that I have mixed emotions about it. Not about whether or not it is a good book, but about the things it brought up in me. I guess that means it is very powerful or, that I'm kind of simple. I hope it is the former.
Either way, I think you will like Beasts of Tabat. It gets my recommendation.
Enjoy!
Mike
Friday, July 31, 2015
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Memoirs of a Simple German Girl
In the interest of full disclosure, I am the husband of the author, Sonya Siedschlag.
These are the memoirs of her mother, Ingeborg Tacke. Inge was raised in Germany before and during WWII. This is not however, a "war" book. Rather, it is the story of everyday life before, during, and after the war.
The book also chronicles how Inge met her husband to be, Wilhelm Tacke after the war was over. How they survived shortages of everything and their subsequent moves to Canada, and finally America.
Inge, my mother-in-law, is a remarkable woman. She lived through some extremely perilous times, yet she continues today to be one of the kindest, gentlest people I know.
There are serious stories, fun stories, and downright hilarious stories. This book was originally a labor of love and respect by Sonya for her parents and as a family history for her (our) descendants.
Many non-family members expressed an interest in reading the book so Sonya edited private family information and created a book for the general public.
As I said earlier, this is not a book about WWII, but that is the time Inge grew up, so there is a substantial amount of war history included. The book is not pro- or con on Germany's part in the war. It is Inge's personal history. When I read Memoirs of a Simple German Girl, I hear in my mind Inge's thick German accent and it makes the story that much more fun to read.
If you are at all interested in learning how average everyday people coped with life during such a tumultuous time, I think you'll enjoy Memoirs of a Simple German Girl.
This book is available at Lulu.com, the publisher,
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/sonyasiedschlag, Amazon, and other online book sellers.
Check it out.
Mike
These are the memoirs of her mother, Ingeborg Tacke. Inge was raised in Germany before and during WWII. This is not however, a "war" book. Rather, it is the story of everyday life before, during, and after the war.
The book also chronicles how Inge met her husband to be, Wilhelm Tacke after the war was over. How they survived shortages of everything and their subsequent moves to Canada, and finally America.
Inge, my mother-in-law, is a remarkable woman. She lived through some extremely perilous times, yet she continues today to be one of the kindest, gentlest people I know.
There are serious stories, fun stories, and downright hilarious stories. This book was originally a labor of love and respect by Sonya for her parents and as a family history for her (our) descendants.
Many non-family members expressed an interest in reading the book so Sonya edited private family information and created a book for the general public.
As I said earlier, this is not a book about WWII, but that is the time Inge grew up, so there is a substantial amount of war history included. The book is not pro- or con on Germany's part in the war. It is Inge's personal history. When I read Memoirs of a Simple German Girl, I hear in my mind Inge's thick German accent and it makes the story that much more fun to read.
If you are at all interested in learning how average everyday people coped with life during such a tumultuous time, I think you'll enjoy Memoirs of a Simple German Girl.
This book is available at Lulu.com, the publisher,
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/sonyasiedschlag, Amazon, and other online book sellers.
Check it out.
Mike
Monday, July 27, 2015
Ebenezer Scrooge: Ghost Hunter
Hi! This is the first post at my new blog (I hope it works).
The first book I want to review is Ebenezer Scrooge: Ghost Hunter, by Jaqueline Kyle.
I gave this book 5 stars on goodreads .com. I had entered a giveaway for the book when I found it in the firstreads giveaway. When Ms. Kyle acknowledged my entry, I told her how much a fan I am of any story based on A Christmas Carol. She offered me a pdf copy of the book since it is not yet available in print.
I had the honor of posting the first review of this work. I don't want to repeat word for word the review I posted at goodreads, you can read it there.
But I want to say here; This book is great! Ms. Kyle did such a seamless job of blending her words with Mr. Dickens that I couldn't tell where he left off and she began. She wove new storylines for the characters while remaining true to the original story. For me she made Scrooge a more sympathetic character. She included many of the details which appear in the different film versions of the story.
I read this book start to finish in one day, with only a break for dinner, it is that good. I found the interaction between Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past to be exceptionally exciting, it really grabbed me.
Ebenezer Scrooge: Ghost Hunter is expected to be available September 1, 2015., from PYP Publishing Group.
So, I know the book is not available yet, but watch for it, it will be worth your time.
Mike
The first book I want to review is Ebenezer Scrooge: Ghost Hunter, by Jaqueline Kyle.
I gave this book 5 stars on goodreads .com. I had entered a giveaway for the book when I found it in the firstreads giveaway. When Ms. Kyle acknowledged my entry, I told her how much a fan I am of any story based on A Christmas Carol. She offered me a pdf copy of the book since it is not yet available in print.
I had the honor of posting the first review of this work. I don't want to repeat word for word the review I posted at goodreads, you can read it there.
But I want to say here; This book is great! Ms. Kyle did such a seamless job of blending her words with Mr. Dickens that I couldn't tell where he left off and she began. She wove new storylines for the characters while remaining true to the original story. For me she made Scrooge a more sympathetic character. She included many of the details which appear in the different film versions of the story.
I read this book start to finish in one day, with only a break for dinner, it is that good. I found the interaction between Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past to be exceptionally exciting, it really grabbed me.
Ebenezer Scrooge: Ghost Hunter is expected to be available September 1, 2015., from PYP Publishing Group.
So, I know the book is not available yet, but watch for it, it will be worth your time.
Mike
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