Author Mohy Omar provided me with an ecopy of The Itching Scars.
The Itching Scars is a triad of thematically joined short stories. Focused on the darker aspects of humanity, the stories delve into life. death. and morality. It is also the first in a series The Scars. I don't know how many books are planned.
The stories are graphic in nature, both psychologically and physically. We get graphic depictions of sexuality, murder, and torture as well as existential suffering and longing. Quite a package.
Psychological types (like I used to be) could spend hours discussing the nuances of these stories. They would make excellent fodder for a class in psychological literature. The stories are actually quite deep. I was particularly impressed with the authors treatment of death. Although all three stories are excellent, this first was for me the most moving.
For a deeper look into what it means to be human, I recommend The Itching Scars by Mohy Omar. Enjoy!
Mike
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Bittersweet Symphony
I requested a copy of Bittersweet Symphony from author Rebecca McNutt and she generously provided one.
Bittersweet Symphony is the first example of this authors writing that I have read. I was somewhat concerned because Miss McNutt is considerably younger than me and I wondered if her book would be aimed at my age group. I quickly realized my fears were completely unfounded. Bittersweet Symphony is a story that speaks to anyone who has experienced life at all.
Our author has packed an incredibly rich story in a fairly short framework. The only reason I had to spread my reading over an extended period of time is that (as usual) my ereader ran low on battery power before I could finish (I hate when that happens). The characters are so well developed and engaging (though not necessarily likable) that they could easily inhabit future stories.
How the reader will categorize Bittersweet Symphony will depend more upon the reader, I think, than the story itself. More so than many books I have read, this story lends itself to interpretation influenced by the readers own outlook on life. It is dark, twisted horror, maladjusted human interaction, and yet, redemptive. When you read it you'll see what I mean.
Bittersweet Symphony is, in the beginning at least, a dark and foreboding horror story fueled by the greed of several participants. And spooky it is. A bit reminiscent of Poltergeist. We also see demonstrated some of the darker aspects of human behavior. The characters are at turns, callous, unfeeling, and downright mean spirited. It is easy to dismiss them as poor examples of basic humanity. But as the story unfolds and we see them develop more fully this opinion may change for some.
I really enjoyed Bittersweet Symphony and when I finished, I found myself amazed at how much story was packed into 134 pages. Rebcca McNutt, young though she may be, is a talented storyteller. Enjoy!
Mike
Bittersweet Symphony is the first example of this authors writing that I have read. I was somewhat concerned because Miss McNutt is considerably younger than me and I wondered if her book would be aimed at my age group. I quickly realized my fears were completely unfounded. Bittersweet Symphony is a story that speaks to anyone who has experienced life at all.
Our author has packed an incredibly rich story in a fairly short framework. The only reason I had to spread my reading over an extended period of time is that (as usual) my ereader ran low on battery power before I could finish (I hate when that happens). The characters are so well developed and engaging (though not necessarily likable) that they could easily inhabit future stories.
How the reader will categorize Bittersweet Symphony will depend more upon the reader, I think, than the story itself. More so than many books I have read, this story lends itself to interpretation influenced by the readers own outlook on life. It is dark, twisted horror, maladjusted human interaction, and yet, redemptive. When you read it you'll see what I mean.
Bittersweet Symphony is, in the beginning at least, a dark and foreboding horror story fueled by the greed of several participants. And spooky it is. A bit reminiscent of Poltergeist. We also see demonstrated some of the darker aspects of human behavior. The characters are at turns, callous, unfeeling, and downright mean spirited. It is easy to dismiss them as poor examples of basic humanity. But as the story unfolds and we see them develop more fully this opinion may change for some.
I really enjoyed Bittersweet Symphony and when I finished, I found myself amazed at how much story was packed into 134 pages. Rebcca McNutt, young though she may be, is a talented storyteller. Enjoy!
Mike
Saturday, November 25, 2017
A Little Night Magic
I won a print copy of A Little Night Magic by Angie Fox in a Goodreads Giveaway.
A Little Night Magic is the second book from Angie Fox that I have had the good fortune to read.
Here we have a collection of short stories involving characters from two different series written by Ms. Fox.
We start with Verity and Frankie of the Southern Ghost Hunter mysteries. Two light, funny and heartwarming tales which bring to mind Ghost Whisperer, only leaning more to the humorous side.
Next, we have Amie and Dante from the Accidental Demon Slayer series and a great story set in New Orleans voodoo. Still a funny, while suspenseful, read.
Finally, three stories starring Lizzie and the Biker Witches, characters I met in The Accidental Demon Slayer. Biker Witches who are also senior citizens are hilarious, and frustrating (at least for Lizzie).
Angie Fox has a talent for presenting us with leading ladies who don't appear to have to be more macho than the men they are around. I like this approach, they are women, not weepy girls or out to prove their superiority. They laugh, joke, and have sexual thoughts at inopportune times (kind of like men do, okay, like I do). I guess what I am getting at here is that we get fun stories without a heavy dose of social commentary, and I like that. I like my reading to be fun and so far the two books I have read by this author have been that; great fun.
A Little Night Magic is a sampler platter of MS. Fox's story telling ability and does its job of enticing readers to want to read more of her work. It has for me anyway. I recommend A Little Night Magic as an introduction to Angie Fox's work, or for fans, a visit with characters you have come to know and love. Either way; Enjoy!
Mike
A Little Night Magic is the second book from Angie Fox that I have had the good fortune to read.
Here we have a collection of short stories involving characters from two different series written by Ms. Fox.
We start with Verity and Frankie of the Southern Ghost Hunter mysteries. Two light, funny and heartwarming tales which bring to mind Ghost Whisperer, only leaning more to the humorous side.
Next, we have Amie and Dante from the Accidental Demon Slayer series and a great story set in New Orleans voodoo. Still a funny, while suspenseful, read.
Finally, three stories starring Lizzie and the Biker Witches, characters I met in The Accidental Demon Slayer. Biker Witches who are also senior citizens are hilarious, and frustrating (at least for Lizzie).
Angie Fox has a talent for presenting us with leading ladies who don't appear to have to be more macho than the men they are around. I like this approach, they are women, not weepy girls or out to prove their superiority. They laugh, joke, and have sexual thoughts at inopportune times (kind of like men do, okay, like I do). I guess what I am getting at here is that we get fun stories without a heavy dose of social commentary, and I like that. I like my reading to be fun and so far the two books I have read by this author have been that; great fun.
A Little Night Magic is a sampler platter of MS. Fox's story telling ability and does its job of enticing readers to want to read more of her work. It has for me anyway. I recommend A Little Night Magic as an introduction to Angie Fox's work, or for fans, a visit with characters you have come to know and love. Either way; Enjoy!
Mike
Sunday, November 19, 2017
From Ice to Ashes (Titanborn Universe, #2)
Author Rhett C. Bruno was kind enough to provide me with an e-copy of From Ice to Ashes book #2 in the Titanborn Series.
From Ice to Ashes continues the story from Titanborn, the first book in the series. And an excellent continuation of the story it is. Although a sci-fi space fantasy, the story unfolds like a good mystery, little bits of information scattered throughout keeping readers hooked and guessing.
Characters, often not particularly sympathetic, are well developed and multidimensional. We have basic human emotions; love, hate, and bigotry wrapped up in a story of rebellion and oppression. All the makings of a book that will keep readers enthralled from beginning to end. I am stepping out on a rather stout limb in thinking that a third book (fourth if you consider the prequel, which I have not read) will be forthcoming. I don't have any verified information of that, but the story does lend itself to continuation. Not a cliffhanger ending (YAY!), but one which definitely leads to my expectation.
As I said; a story of rebellion, so we have all the best ingredients. We have the Titanborn being oppressed by the Earthers both socially and economically, as well as medically. We have love and romance, honor and deception, hate and violence, and a healthy dose of political intrigue. We have sex, consensual and non, vengeance, retribution and unexpected twists. We have players who don't know they are players and others who don't really want to be.
From Ice to Ashes is a character driven story rather than a techno story. This appeals to me as I don't enjoy stories that rely on the technology of space life. I like the human aspects with space being just where the story is set.
As with any story focused on human emotions and relationships, things are seldom plain and simple. We have conflicting motivations and dynamics. Sometimes even within the same relationship. Author Rhett C. Bruno has given readers a vivid portrayal of an alien world fraught with very human problems. From Ice to Ashes is a great world to get caught up in. Enjoy!
Mike
From Ice to Ashes continues the story from Titanborn, the first book in the series. And an excellent continuation of the story it is. Although a sci-fi space fantasy, the story unfolds like a good mystery, little bits of information scattered throughout keeping readers hooked and guessing.
Characters, often not particularly sympathetic, are well developed and multidimensional. We have basic human emotions; love, hate, and bigotry wrapped up in a story of rebellion and oppression. All the makings of a book that will keep readers enthralled from beginning to end. I am stepping out on a rather stout limb in thinking that a third book (fourth if you consider the prequel, which I have not read) will be forthcoming. I don't have any verified information of that, but the story does lend itself to continuation. Not a cliffhanger ending (YAY!), but one which definitely leads to my expectation.
As I said; a story of rebellion, so we have all the best ingredients. We have the Titanborn being oppressed by the Earthers both socially and economically, as well as medically. We have love and romance, honor and deception, hate and violence, and a healthy dose of political intrigue. We have sex, consensual and non, vengeance, retribution and unexpected twists. We have players who don't know they are players and others who don't really want to be.
From Ice to Ashes is a character driven story rather than a techno story. This appeals to me as I don't enjoy stories that rely on the technology of space life. I like the human aspects with space being just where the story is set.
As with any story focused on human emotions and relationships, things are seldom plain and simple. We have conflicting motivations and dynamics. Sometimes even within the same relationship. Author Rhett C. Bruno has given readers a vivid portrayal of an alien world fraught with very human problems. From Ice to Ashes is a great world to get caught up in. Enjoy!
Mike
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
A Wizard's Dark Dominion
Author Lee H. Haywood gave me a print copy of A Wizard's Dark Dominion. The first entry in The God's and Kings Chronicles series.
A Wizard's Dark Dominion is fantasy at its best. Okay, I'm done (you know better than that). Seriously, this book hooked me immediately. I finished it last night just before going out to dinner. I kept looking at the clock because had the person I was going to dinner with arrived early, I was wondering how they were going to like waiting while I finished. Fortunately I did finish about five minutes before they arrived.
As the title shows, this is a book about magic (duh! ... I'm just getting started, okay?) Our main character, Demetry, is clearly teetering on the fence of good vs evil. We are not really sure which way he will finally go. I found myself rooting for him to make the right choice, but he didn't always. The other characters are portrayed just as morally ambiguous. For me, this makes for a first rate story. I like not being able to pigeon-hole characters. That leads to predictability and less enjoyment. A Wizard's Dark Dominion keeps us readers on our literary toes, so to speak.
As the first book in the trilogy, A Wizard's Dark Dominion sets the stage well for the next books. Thank yous to Mr. Haywood for not using the ever despised cliffhanger ending. The ending keeps us hooked without leaving us up in the air (aka: hanging).
So, we have lots of magical action (stealing a line from Arlo Guthrie; ...blood, guts and gore, and dead burnt bodies...) no romance, magical and mythical creatures, political intrigue and a tantalizing tease of big things to come. The other two books in the series are already available so readers are able to continue the story uninterrupted. You can't beat that.
Epic fantasy readers definitely will find a lot to like in A Wizard's Dark Dominion by Lee H. Haywood. Enjoy!
Mike
A Wizard's Dark Dominion is fantasy at its best. Okay, I'm done (you know better than that). Seriously, this book hooked me immediately. I finished it last night just before going out to dinner. I kept looking at the clock because had the person I was going to dinner with arrived early, I was wondering how they were going to like waiting while I finished. Fortunately I did finish about five minutes before they arrived.
As the title shows, this is a book about magic (duh! ... I'm just getting started, okay?) Our main character, Demetry, is clearly teetering on the fence of good vs evil. We are not really sure which way he will finally go. I found myself rooting for him to make the right choice, but he didn't always. The other characters are portrayed just as morally ambiguous. For me, this makes for a first rate story. I like not being able to pigeon-hole characters. That leads to predictability and less enjoyment. A Wizard's Dark Dominion keeps us readers on our literary toes, so to speak.
As the first book in the trilogy, A Wizard's Dark Dominion sets the stage well for the next books. Thank yous to Mr. Haywood for not using the ever despised cliffhanger ending. The ending keeps us hooked without leaving us up in the air (aka: hanging).
So, we have lots of magical action (stealing a line from Arlo Guthrie; ...blood, guts and gore, and dead burnt bodies...) no romance, magical and mythical creatures, political intrigue and a tantalizing tease of big things to come. The other two books in the series are already available so readers are able to continue the story uninterrupted. You can't beat that.
Epic fantasy readers definitely will find a lot to like in A Wizard's Dark Dominion by Lee H. Haywood. Enjoy!
Mike
Monday, November 13, 2017
It's Me, Hannah
I recently had the pleasure of meeting author Carleen Bunde at a local craft fair. After talking with her for a while, I purchased (yes purchased) her book It's Me, Hannah.
It's Me, Hannah is the story of a young girl growing up in North Dakota from the 40's til present. Our main character, Hannah is a bit of a rarity in literature these days; a nice, respectful, basically good, farm girl. We get a slice of a bygone era in America. We follow Hannah as she copes with loss of loved ones, but thankfully, does not use this as an excuse to embrace a wild lifestyle. She is basically a happy well adjusted child coming into adulthood.
The best thing about It's Me, Hannah is that it is not full of dysfunctional characters (there may be one). But we still have an engaging, well written story, told in snippets, almost like memoirs. Perhaps at times the reader may wonder what ever became of some story or another, and this may be the drawback to the book. At times we read of some event or other but we don't get the final outcome. Minor, but I felt it a couple of times.
A sideline, one of the things that interested me about Ms. Bunde was that her family had at one time lived in the same small town, Fox Lake, Wisconsin, as my family. I don't know if it was during the same time-frame, but it was a nice little connection.
It's Me, Hannah is a wonderful change of pace for those who tend to read more action oriented works that often tend to be on the darker side (that would be me). It tapped into a nostalgia for simpler slower paced times, though I am not old enough to have lived in the 40's, I do remember simpler times.
If you are in the mood for a clean, fun, at times funny, at times heartbreaking read, It's Me, Hannah will satisfy that craving admirably. Enjoy!
Mike
It's Me, Hannah is the story of a young girl growing up in North Dakota from the 40's til present. Our main character, Hannah is a bit of a rarity in literature these days; a nice, respectful, basically good, farm girl. We get a slice of a bygone era in America. We follow Hannah as she copes with loss of loved ones, but thankfully, does not use this as an excuse to embrace a wild lifestyle. She is basically a happy well adjusted child coming into adulthood.
The best thing about It's Me, Hannah is that it is not full of dysfunctional characters (there may be one). But we still have an engaging, well written story, told in snippets, almost like memoirs. Perhaps at times the reader may wonder what ever became of some story or another, and this may be the drawback to the book. At times we read of some event or other but we don't get the final outcome. Minor, but I felt it a couple of times.
A sideline, one of the things that interested me about Ms. Bunde was that her family had at one time lived in the same small town, Fox Lake, Wisconsin, as my family. I don't know if it was during the same time-frame, but it was a nice little connection.
It's Me, Hannah is a wonderful change of pace for those who tend to read more action oriented works that often tend to be on the darker side (that would be me). It tapped into a nostalgia for simpler slower paced times, though I am not old enough to have lived in the 40's, I do remember simpler times.
If you are in the mood for a clean, fun, at times funny, at times heartbreaking read, It's Me, Hannah will satisfy that craving admirably. Enjoy!
Mike
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
City Of Gods Hellenica
I won a print copy of City Of Gods Hellenica by Jon Maas (Jonathan Maas on Goodreads) in a Goodreads Firstreads Giveaway.
This book is outstanding! Probably don't need to say anything beyond that: but what fun would that be?
City Of Gods Hellenica is the story of ancient gods behaving poorly; petty and selfish. An academy is created to bring stability to the world. In true YA fashion, the proposed saviors are kids. The godlings (my word not Mr. Maas's) don't seem to get along much better than their adult counterparts. The four main characters are about as diverse as can be. As City Of Gods Hellenica is the beginning of a series we do see these disparate characters starting to meld into a somewhat cohesive unit.
We have plenty of action, violence, political intrigue, young love (or at least infatuation), horror, honor and youthful idealism. Author Jon Maas does a good job of painting a mental picture of the sometimes disturbing atmosphere of the academy. Particularly the more disgusting parts of the local environment.
The development of the characters is progressing nicely, complete with flaws and prejudices. There is suspense and intrigue. The true motivations of several peripheral characters has yet to be revealed. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series; good YA fantasy that does not talk down to its younger audience. I actually hesitate to use the term "YA" in reference to City Of Gods Hellenica. It is simply just very good fantasy that appeals to pretty much any age group of fantasy readers (like me).
I'm finding it very difficult to identify any negatives for City Of Gods Hellenica, so, I guess I'll stop trying now. Jon Mass has given us a fantastic fantasy read in City Of Gods Hellenica (fantastic fantasy, see what i'm doing there? Okay, sorry). Fantasy readers should find this book very enjoyable. So as I always say, Enjoy!
Oh, before I go, one tongue-in-cheek complaint: How on earth do you pronounce "Saoirse"? I think I hurt my mouth trying.
Mike
This book is outstanding! Probably don't need to say anything beyond that: but what fun would that be?
City Of Gods Hellenica is the story of ancient gods behaving poorly; petty and selfish. An academy is created to bring stability to the world. In true YA fashion, the proposed saviors are kids. The godlings (my word not Mr. Maas's) don't seem to get along much better than their adult counterparts. The four main characters are about as diverse as can be. As City Of Gods Hellenica is the beginning of a series we do see these disparate characters starting to meld into a somewhat cohesive unit.
We have plenty of action, violence, political intrigue, young love (or at least infatuation), horror, honor and youthful idealism. Author Jon Maas does a good job of painting a mental picture of the sometimes disturbing atmosphere of the academy. Particularly the more disgusting parts of the local environment.
The development of the characters is progressing nicely, complete with flaws and prejudices. There is suspense and intrigue. The true motivations of several peripheral characters has yet to be revealed. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series; good YA fantasy that does not talk down to its younger audience. I actually hesitate to use the term "YA" in reference to City Of Gods Hellenica. It is simply just very good fantasy that appeals to pretty much any age group of fantasy readers (like me).
I'm finding it very difficult to identify any negatives for City Of Gods Hellenica, so, I guess I'll stop trying now. Jon Mass has given us a fantastic fantasy read in City Of Gods Hellenica (fantastic fantasy, see what i'm doing there? Okay, sorry). Fantasy readers should find this book very enjoyable. So as I always say, Enjoy!
Oh, before I go, one tongue-in-cheek complaint: How on earth do you pronounce "Saoirse"? I think I hurt my mouth trying.
Mike
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)