Category Archives: Book Review

Book Review: Deny the Moon (Wolfblooded Book 1) by Melissa A Graham

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Deny the Moon (Wolfblooded Book 1) by Melissa A Graham

A Paranormal Drama Novel published by Melissa A. Graham (11/28/14)

 

Summary:

 Harley “Harls” Rayne is just an average girl in an average town in an average family, except for the fact that her parents favor her younger daughter Lorelei. This favoritism spurs Harley to run off with the bad boy biker to become his bike b***h (aka the person who rides behind him on his Harley). But Frank isn’t all that she thought he was and his violent behavior and a culminating incident becomes the final straw for her to steal his bike and run away again. She thinks she’s safe with her new life and new job and new friends, until it all comes crashing down around her once more.

 

Keywords:

 Bikers, gang, packs, werewolves, female protagonist, strippers, abusive relationships

 

My Review:

I went through a sequence of liking and disliking this book. At first I loved it, there was tension from the very first page and the characters were very real. The story was alive from paragraph one and the inciting incident went off without a hitch. Harley turned her life upside down. Then I started to get bogged down in grammatical errors and the gruesome violence that the author described. I was not prepared for the horrific violence, but kudos to the author for bringing out such a strong emotional reaction in me, it is a telltale sign of a good writer, just not what I was expecting in a paranormal young adult story. I was further disgusted by the behavior of Frank and the relationship between Harley and Frank. It was an abusive relationship described in a way to make my toes curl and my hair stand on end, but was interlaced with these extremely steamy descriptions. Graham was putting me through emotional loops, with ups and downs and extremes in between. Be warned fair readers of the violence, abuse, and foul language in this book. Graham depicts the not-so-nice aspects of relationships and the gruesome results of foul play, but she does it in a hypnotizing way that makes you turn the pages with shaking fingers.

I despised Frank so much he made my stomach curdle. He is cold-blooded and cold-shoulders and the definition of the opposite of a gentleman. But he has a soft spot for Harley and it’s hard to hate him too much because he has that undeniably redeeming quality of wanting to protect her (from everybody but himself at least). He is domineering and possessive with a pack-like animalistic quality. He is raw and as Harley sees him: extremely and ruggedly attractive.

Harley is also a hard character to like. She put herself into the bad situation. Don’t girls know that the bad boys are usually bad news? Her most redeeming moments are when she is being protective of her best friend Liz. Harley surprised me with her gumption and ability to leave the situation when it crossed the line. When at first I didn’t like her because she couldn’t take action and kept staying in the abusive relationship, she showed her true strength when she up and left and started over with a confidence not many women would have after her experiences.

This book pushes the boundaries of paranormal with its down to earth grittiness and would appeal to those who enjoy a gritty paranormal story with violence, werewolves, or a female protagonist.

This novel was published by Melissa A. Graham November 28th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TL;DR Star Rating: 3.25

 

Links for more information:

Melissa A Graham’s Website

Goodreads Profile

Twitter

Book Review: The Genesis Code: Lambda by Robert E. Parkin

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The Genesis Code: Lambda by Robert E. Parkin

A Sci Fi/Fantasy Novel published by Robert E. Parkin (09/29/14)

 

Summary:

Lambda is the most sophisticated AI program, able to learn and grow, or is she? Zack was the one who found Lambda, the first to imprint on her, but is this more than just coincidence? Zack decides to stand by Lambda, for reasons he at first doesn’t disclose, which leads to his life and that of his pop star sister being in danger. As Zack falls for Lambda, he is more and more reminded of someone from three years ago, someone who changed his life, someone whose past is connected to Zack in more ways than anyone seems to realize.

In the fight for the Network’s continuation and the fight between those with access and those without, Zack and his family are caught in the middle of something greater than all of them, but they all seem to have a hand in it behind the others’ backs. And yet, it all goes back to a cruel abuse of power and the misuse of technology to hold back those who can’t keep up. A Great Divide.

 

Keywords:

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Love Story, AI, Economic Divide

 

My Review:

This novel has a long list of characters and introduces most of them from the beginning to slowly tie them together throughout continual action and excitement and reveal. The author excels at layering his plot and leaving breadcrumbs of backstory leading right up to the climax. It was difficult keeping up with the cast of characters until the latter half of the story. It was also difficult keeping track of allegiances and motivations and keeping them clear between the characters.

The action scenes (which comprise a large portion of the novel) are engaging and exciting and frequented by fantastically large weaponry. For a novel based on Earth, with humans and human-like characters, the weapons technology is a deviation from the norm and keeps the book fresh and different.

I started out liking the powerful AI Lambda, but when she was overcome little by little with human emotions and lost her power and her confidence I started to resent her. She devolved from a feared and beautiful AI to a distressed and distracted woman-like AI. However, Parkin does say that “she is a girl before she is a program.” (Location 5073). But I hoped she would remain like Zack’s initial perception, “A cyber maiden of death, clad in black. All he could think at that moment was just how alluring and terrifying she looked.” (Location 430-431).

Some final thoughts I had upon finishing the novel were as to what the world outside the Limit Zones looked like. What do people eat? How is their Network technology possible?

I was also a bit disappointed in the ending. It appears the novel ends in the middle of the climax and I prefer, even of the first book in a series, for it to be complete and with an end. Even with an overarching unresolved issue the smaller conflicts should be resolved.

On an end note I adore the cover in its vibrancy.

This novel was published by Robert E. Parkin September 29th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TLDR Star Rating:3.25

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

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Robert E. Parkin’s Website

Book Review: The Thousand Year Curse (The Curse Books #1) by Taylor Lavati

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The Thousand Year Curse (The Curse Books #1) by Taylor Lavati

A YA Paranormal Novel published through CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (08/12/13)

 

Summary:

Ryder has to overcome more than her real name Eurydice when she is tossed into the dog house of high school and tormented almost every day by her previous best friend. She feels alone and vulnerable and just wants to make herself disappear, but within the very first month of school the new boy makes her his object of affection. Not too soon after, a second new transfer student gets the hots for her and she gets stuck in a love triangle of mythic proportions.

 

Keywords:

 Paranormal, mythology, love, love-triangle, curse, high school, teen drama

 

My Review:

Integrating mythology into a romance story is a great idea, and Lavati starts out integrating the story of love and curse well into her present day character Ryder. Lavati gives the deepest of reasons for Olli and Ari (the two love interests) to be obsessed with Ryder, which gives the book more intrigue and more grounding.

Then Lavati goes paranormal. The story gets more myth and less reality all the while keeping the love triangle going strong. It is a story of highs and lows in each of Ryder’s relationship and Lavati keeps the reader wondering who this girl will end up with and who is best for her in the end, both according to the curse and according to how each of the boys’ feel about her.

I was entranced by Lavati’s beginning. She hooked me in with the story and the underdog character of Ryder who definitely has some great things coming for her. I was disappointed when Lavati abandoned the underdog altogether to give Ryder some unnecessary superpowers while she is learning to fend for herself in the ultimate battle of her soul. I didn’t think it was necessary for Ryder to have these great powers, but perhaps they will come into more play further in the series. I also thought the love triangle started to become too stereotypical, like that in Twilight, but I’m very glad the guys had a real reason behind their instant attraction.

One plot comment I would make is that the adult situations contained in chapter sixteen weren’t necessary for the story line and could have been left out.

Overall the author does quite well at involving a myth as a motivation and interweaving the past and present to make an epic of higher than normal proportions with greater consequences and greater possibilities. If romance, especially love triangles, and deepening paranormal leaps is your thing, then this could be the book for you.

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys the steamy love triangle of Twighlight or integrating myths into a novel.

This novel was published through CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform August 12th, 2013 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TLDR Star Rating: 3.25

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

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Taylor Lavati’s Website

Book Review: Zero Anaphora by Luke Brimblecombe

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Zero Anaphora by Luke Brimblecombe

A Literary Drama/Speculative Fiction Novel published through Amazon Digital Services (10/17/14)

Summary:

 Professional escort turned financial domination expert, Anna has a secret so different, no-one but Stephen can understand. This secret allows Anna to get the personal thoughts and feelings from those around her in an underhanded way so that she can wreak her havoc and mischief on the world. She is a drinker and a smoker and can dress to kill, bringing all sorts of men into her inner circle where they can’t help but get caught up in her magic.

Keywords:

 Philosophy, Poetry, Descriptive, Escorts, Findom, Power, Domination, Gender Fluidity, Questions

My Review:

“She’s a bit of a mystery to me, that Anna. Never really met anyone quite like her. She seems to be motivated in quite unusual ways. Oh well, everyone’s different.” (Kindle Locations 2741-2742).

Anna begins the novel and Anna ends the novel, but she is not the half of it. The novel focuses heavily on the characters and their present actions and lies and manipulations. Anna is the spotlight because she is the one with the secret. Wendy is the first and the great in findom (financial domination). Lola is the copycat wannabe. Dan is the near hapless client. Dom is the man from afar. James is the relentless outsider trying to squeeze his way into the action. This cast of characters proves a perfect blend of uniqueness, while at the same time the author continuously points out and exploits their similarities. The characters start and end in the book, there is very little background or upbringing or childhood description given. They are who they are and they do what they do. At times more motivation backed by background would have been handy to get a more clear understanding of the characters; however, they are fascinating in their own right.

This book is cemented in the philosophical. Much of the narration focuses on societal tie ins, even telling an unrelated story near the end to get a point across. In my opinion, I thought these philosophical musings made the novel seem dry and almost like a fictionalized textbook. I became tired of every chapter opening with several paragraphs of the author arguing with an unseen character. It got to be too much and made the book longer than it needed to be. The philosophy also took away from the action and didn’t move the plot along, just added to the depth of understanding the reader might take away from this type of book if that is what he/she was looking for.

Much of the action is also sifted through the narrative and philosophical perspective of the author, happening neither in the present nor in the past, but in the interpretation of a scene by this narrator. The writing style was at times ripe with beautiful turns of phrase and wordings that were sometimes distracting to the narrative, but fit in with the philosophical pontifications.

“The Art Museum garden was identical to every picture ever taken of it – an image of the utopian free world, idyllic and tranquil. Free entry, fifteen bucks for parking. Humming birds hovering by the honeysuckle hanging like hilarious, holographic harriers.” (Kindle Locations 4995-4997).

It is always difficult to assess a book that doesn’t follow the popular story arc of beginning, middle, and end with a climax and resolution such as Zero Anaphora. The climax was almost unrelated to the main story, if one could be pinned down as the main story, and the same questions that were posed before remain unanswered. This ties in with much of the content not being related to the story, but with the premise and theme of the book: the philosophy. I won’t spoil the philosophical conclusion here, you will just have to read the book to find out.

This novel was published through Amazon Digital Services October 17th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 3.50

Links for more information:

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Book Review: Deadly Accounts (Agent Nora Wexler Mysteries) (Volume 1) by C.R. Wiley

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Deadly Accounts (Agent Nora Wexler Mysteries) (Volume 1) by C.R. Wiley

A Mystery/Thriller Novel published through CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (07/14/2014)

 

Summary:

Agent Wexler is new on the job, her aim at the range may not always be accurate, but she has confidence aplenty in her job as an FBI agent taking down the bad guys. Starting out her new career busting an internet perp who was harassing a woman online from New York, she soon is pulled to a crime so complex it’ll have them running in circles trying to find out who-dun-it. Up and down Seattle, Nora Wexler and her partner, the handsome war vet Travis Greer, will try to solve the future crime and murder of a lovely unassuming Seattle business owner. Every twist and turn of this story will keep the agents and readers guessing as more and more victims and suspects are pulled into the plot.

 

Keywords:

 Thriller, Cyber Crime, Identity Theft, Seattle, FBI, Female Main Character, Murder, Powerful Women

 

My Review:

Novels that show a great complexity and depth like this one keep the reader on their toes. True to the thriller genre, Deadly Accounts dishes up tension throughout every scene, and C.R. Wiley raises the stakes like a pro. Wiley gives us just enough characters to follow and a level of plot with enough subplots to throw us off the track while at the same time keeping us invested in the characters.

I thought it was an interesting technique to switch perspectives almost every chapter between the main character Nora Wexler and her partner agent Travis Greer, which allowed the story to open up in ways that sticking to one voice wouldn’t have. Travis gives us the seasoned agent’s perspective while Nora gives us the agent who has to prove herself and rise above the FBI’s glass ceiling. Nora is still the main character and I’m glad the story focused on her because she is an exhaustingly amazing character to follow. She is confident, but not egotistical. She doesn’t fall into the traps of a woman in a position of power. She is sturdy and strong and is able to pull out bravery and gumption when needed without jumping – too much – headlong into danger. She is a rookie after all, so everything can’t always go right for her, which is what makes for the great story.

Being a female FBI, especially a new agent, puts Nora in a unique position and shows the struggle females can have as law enforcement agents in the United States. Nora says so herself,

“You might think it wouldn’t , but you’d be wrong,” she said. “That’s the difference between you and me. If you make a mistake, you’re just having a bad day. If I make a mistake, suddenly there’s something wrong with my judgment and I can’t be trusted to make rational decisions. That’s part of the reason why women only make up twenty percent of FBI agents. I always knew it would be difficult to get in and get some respect for myself, but I didn’t think I’d blow it this early.” (Page 126).

Nora doesn’t let this fact get to her, or the fact that if she makes a mistake, she’ll be pulled back to a desk job and off the front line.

A good thriller is one that presents a plausible situation today and C.R. Wiley delivers. The perp in the book utilizes cyber technology to hack into people’s identities and to maneuver silently around the city. The agents must use their own skills against him and the way they do is so clever. In today’s world identity theft is a real threat and to pair that with murder makes for a downright scary situation. If the theif and murderer isn’t caught while the case is hot and the potential victim is still alive, he will disappear forever through the lives and identities of anyone. Wiley brings this fact up again and again to raise the stakes and create an exciting must-read novel that I would recommend to anyone who likes thrillers with a bit of mystery and murder that feature an up and coming female FBI agent.

This novel was published through CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 07/14/2014 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TLDR Star Rating: 4.25

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Book Review: Of Mice and Money by Winifred Morris

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Of Mice and Money by Winifred Morris

A Chick Lit Novel published through Amazon Digital Services (06/06/2014)

 

Summary:

“Because sometimes when somebody most needs to be rescued, they just don’t see it that way.” (Location 3607).

Of Mice and Money is the story of Kiva, daughter of hippy parents, mother to a daughter who ran away when she was 16. Kiva had her share of issues growing up, but the problems she faces now are much, much worse. Her husband is a high end drug-smuggler and she attempts to get away from him by moving to a small town. She buys a decrepit mouse-ridden house in the country, but her problems follow her there and blossom into something even Kiva couldn’t imagine.

Keywords:

 Hippes, Drug smuggling, safe house, small town, fixer-upper, mother daughter relationships

 

My Review:

Kiva just doesn’t seem to have a head for consequences. She goes along with what’s happening, even though she does try to get away from it all. Everything just seems to fall into her lap, creating problem after problem for her and though she grew up on rocky ground, she still doesn’t always make the right decisions. Kiva is likeable, but a little bland as a person. Her situations range from downright scary to somewhat mild, and yet her reaction is always the same. Maybe she has seen so much in her life that she is nonplussed when confronted by drug smuggling, snooping neighbors, a daughter she hasn’t seen in four years showing up on her door, etc.

Kiva, and her story, are told in a fun light manner that is easy to read. I really enjoyed the perspective on the relationships presented. From Kiva and her parents to Kiva and her daughter to Kiva and the men in her life, it was quite entertaining. It is great to see a less than perfect main character who’s flaws are real and grand and obtrusive into her life, but giving her much room to grow and learn.

My only question is what happened to Po the Thai woman?

 

This novel was published through Amazon Digital Services 06/06/2014 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TLDR Star Rating: 4.25

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Website

Book Review: Cache a predator by M. Weidenbenner

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Cache a Predator by M. Weidenbenner

A Thriller/Mystery Novel published by Random (01/07/2014)

 

Summary:

Young cop Brett will do anything for his five-year old daughter Quinn. If that means violating the protective order his ex-wife Ali took out on him, he’ll do it. If that means proving to the courts that Ali is an incompetent mother to gain full custody of Quinn, he’ll try to be patient and maintain his temper to do it. Brett’s fight to protect Quinn is made more complicated when they are both thrown in the middle of a crime where a vigilante is gruesomely targeting sex offenders: by hiding their wankers in local geocaches.

Keywords:

Vigilante, Sex Abuse, Thriller, Geocaching, Predators, Cop Father, CPS

 

My Review:

Cache a Predator has everything a thriller needs to make a fast-paced read that will pull at your heartstrings. I couldn’t put the book down. The characters are compelling and complex, with real motivations. Quinn will make you want to save her. Brett will bring you to his side. Ali will tug at your sympathy even as you want her daughter to be taken away from her care. The vigilante will make you take a second look at sex abuse victims… and make sure your door is locked. As this is a thriller with a who-dun-it context, I thought that by paying attention to every character I could figure out the ending, but it turns out the author was a lot more clever than I was and was able to surprise me with the climax.

The intro was setup in an intriguing way. Almost from the very beginning I knew what happy ending I wanted to see, where all ends would be tied sweetly together. I’m sure you’ll have some of the same yearnings, but you’ll have to read to find out if it all turns out the way you expect and desire.

This book blew all my expectations out of the water and although I picked it up for the geocaching element, I was not let down when I found out there was very little geocaching involved because the book was so thrilling and very well written. My only comment would be to cut out the last chapter.

 

This novel was published by Random 01/07/2014 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TLDR Star Rating: 5.0

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18192713-cache-a-predator

Website: www.randomwritingrants.com

Book Review: The Siren Suicides Series by Ksenia Anske

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Book Review: The Siren Suicides Series by Ksenia Anske

I Chose to Die (Siren Suicides) (Volume 1)

My Sisters in Death (Siren Suicides) (Volume 2)

The Afterlife (Siren Suicides) (Volume 3)

A YA Fiction Series published through CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (8/5/13)

 

Summary:

It all starts with a death wish, hope for paternal love, and Ailen wanting to get revenge on her father for what he did to her and her mom. Ailen Bright was the daughter that was supposed to be a son. She was the woman who was a weak creature needing to be controlled lest she decide to charm off men’s pants and make them do stupid crap (according to her father).

Ailen turns into a Siren, the embodiment of an otherworldly thing that feeds off men’s souls, but she is not alone in this world. She was created by the Siren of Canosa and the three underling Sirens: Pisinoe, Ligeia, and Teles. They hunt for souls and are hunted themselves by Siren Hunters. Will Ailen learn to accept who she is? Will she be able to accept the life she jumped out of?

 

Keywords:

 Suicide, 16-year olds, abusive relationships, violence, Sirens, Otherworldly Creatures, Teen Issues, Regret, Love

 

My Review:

I hold a special place in my reader’s bookshelf for Ksenia Anske. I have read Rosehead and Irkadura and I know she is a special person and a special writer. The Siren Suicides was written as a three part book, as Ksenia pointed out at a live reading, because it was too long to be one book. The point being that a reader cannot simply read one book, but needs to read the entire series as if it is one lengthy novel. This review, then, is of the entire three-part series.

There were so many aspects of the Siren Suicides that I loved that it’s difficult to even start writing a review. I’m in awe of Anske’s talent as a writer. I always wanted a writer like Neil Gaiman, who would write something I wanted to read, something with the sympathies of a plot and characters on the verge of reality that could hold my attention, even while the author’s imagination is running wild. I have found that in Ksenia Anske. She is everything a reader could ask for, and I’m glad that she quit her day job to devote herself to writing.

Anske perfects a writing style devoted to beautiful phrases and well-crafted words that I cannot believe she didn’t grow up with English as a first language. I only wish that I didn’t read so fast so that I could savor the sounds and images Anske creates. This is a book well worth listening to as an audiobook if ever the author converted her novels into audiobooks.

“My saliva is acid syrup. My blood is concentrated seawater pumped through my veins by a dead heart. My power is my voice, and I’m using it—using it plenty. Eating my dinner, humans served live, their souls draped over the garnish of soulless siren. It’s supposed to satisfy me, but makes me hungrier still, as if it’s the last meal I’ll ever eat.” (Page 31 of book 2).

The concept of a Siren is not new, but the image and voice Ksenia gives to this creature is creative, a new spin on the vampire/werewolf genre with their incessant need to feed off of humans. Ksenia’s Sirens are not always the beautiful ethereal creatures that call to sailors from the depths of the ocean, they personify people and travel on land and water. They have powers of oneness with the water, not superpowers, but a true calling with the natural element. What baffles me about the Sirens is how they are not discovered by any other than the Siren Hunter(s) when they presumably have killed so many. Sirens feed on souls and Ksenia gives life to the very essence of a person using all her senses so that the reader is enveloped in a short truth of a person: their soul. No wonder sirens find them so tasty.

“I try to imagine the sound of his soul, to bring back that feeling of home—the clatter of food cooked on the stove, the clanking of dishes, the shuffling of feet in slippers on a wooden floor, laughter, the anticipation of a meal, birds chirping behind an open window, the buzzing of insects basking in rays of the morning sun. Vivaldi’s Summer, its violins.”  (Page 241 of book 3).

Ailen is not the perfect character. She bugs me at times throughout the books. She is moody and stubborn. In the first book I’m not even sure I can trust her feelings and I’m not sure she can think clearly about the world, but by the second book I’m believing everything she sees and feels. I want to sympathize with her so badly that I believe everything. When she gets upset at herself for her shortcomings and when she breaks her promises to herself, giving in to her weakness, I want to tell her that she is not perfect and that is alright. I want to give her the words she craves from her father. Anske has a knack for creating characters you want to comfort and protect.

Ailen Bright is such a strange troubled character that I held my breath as I wondered what she would do, what would happen to her next. At times I worried that Ksenia didn’t have a final purpose or point to the book, or even a good conclusion because Ailen doesn’t know what is going on or what will happen. We are left at the mercy of this poor sad teenager’s unending fantasy nightmare… Until the last chapter. Anske delivered the only logical conclusion to the story. I was disappointed because she tells us over and over throughout the series what will happen and when I’m given the end I can’t help but think it was coming all along, even though I wanted something else, something different. Even as an author myself, I couldn’t think of a better conclusion that I would have been satisfied with, it just isn’t possible. There is only one possible ending and I’m glad Anske delivered it, because any other ending would have been terrible.

The only major shortcoming was the length of the three novels combined, as they only work as parts of a whole.

On a final note, this series is based in Seattle and is entirely true to the environment of Seattle and the characteristics (including weather) one can find in this place and for that I love Anske.

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys the imagination of Neil Gaiman, the seduction of a vampire book, anything else by Ksenia Anske, or a fantasy suicide novel.

This novel was published through CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform August 5th, 2013 and is available on Ksenia Anske’s Website here.

 

TLDR Star Rating: 4.50

 

Links for more information:

Ksenia Anske’s Website

Goodreads Profile

Book Review: Irkadure by Ksenia Anske

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Irkadura by Ksenia Anske

A YA Fiction Novel published through CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (11/03/14)

Summary:

You know who you are, Irina Myshko? You’re not a mouse and you’re not an eagle, you’re just a dumb mute dura. You’ve never talked and you never will. (Locations 2920-2921).

Irkadura is not dumb, she just said the wrong word at the wrong time to the wrong woman (Locations 917-918) and at the age of two was scarred into a PTSD like silence. Her silence travels with her, affecting her life and how people view her. Most think of her as crazy, stupid, without opinion or protest, or as an invalid. The government has issued her a certificate of disability, which she uses to get a job at a local theatre. Irina is not just mute, but she refers to people as animals. Her mama is a catfish, the man who raped her is a boar and the boy who she is entranced by is a butterfly. Irina herself is a mouse, a timid creature that is stomped and crushed and bitten.

Keywords:

 Russia, Hard Times, Struggle, Teen Issues, Strong Female, Mute, Magical Realism

My Review:

What is Irina’s reality? She escapes as much as possible from the unbelievable horrors of her life through the animals that she imagines inhabiting her environment. Her reality is so horrible and unreal that the only way she can escape is by doing something drastic, to take her mind away. For this, most think she is stupid or crazy. The big finish at the end will toy with your reality and make you wonder what’s really going on.

Just as Irina is a master of making reality disappear in the vividness of her animal descriptions and actions, Ksenia Anske is adept at her vivid descriptions that make the environment and characters seem real. Anske makes Irina come alive through the telling of this harsh and at times depressing story. Anske has created a world that is brusque and to the point. The world for Irina is dim and dreary and hard to survive in. On top of this compelling narrative is the side story of the political environment where the story takes place that flows in and out of the background, intermingling with and influencing Irina’s story. She may be indifferent to what’s going on, but it does have a significant impact on her story.

Irkadura tells more than the story of Irina or the political upheaval in Russia, but of a world where women don’t get to be independent and free. This fact that most people in my world (the USA) take for granted is a fact that does not even register in Irina’s mind because it is not a possibility for her. She has to rely on the charity of others. She has nothing. She owns nothing. She does not even possess full control of her own body. This is like the worst nightmare for any strong independent woman. Irina never got a chance to be one in the traditional sense, but she has her own fight to win. There is a point where she can take control of a part of her life, but she has to overcome so much to get there. There is an immense struggle in Irina’s life, starting from the time she was two and became mute up until the moment she must decide whether she has a future.

Irina has her own kind of strength. She is stubborn. She runs away. She makes plans for revenge… Her triumph is in speaking the truth (at least writing it). She grows her wings off the truth, because in this sordid world she lives in, that’s all she has.

My only unease in the book is the author’s insistence that Eaglet is male because he conforms to the male stereotypes, but I thought the story could have been just as strong had Eaglet been female because then both the females would be getting their revenge. Still, I didn’t think this detracted from the novel at all, just my personal opinion in finding the book’s only criticism.

This novel was published through CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform November 3rd, 2014 and is available on Ksenia Anske’s Website here.

TLDR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information:

Ksenia Anske’s Website

Goodreads Profile

On Amazon

Book Review: Moonlight by David Rose

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Moonlight by David Rose

A Short Story Romance published by David Rose (04/13/14)

 

Summary:

 Tadao and Yuzuki spent three years together as the best of childhood friends, brought together by the wandering cat Gekkō-san and their loneliness. It is not until Tadao must leave the city with his parents at the age of 14 that he and Yuzuki realize they were more than just friends. The two young kids make a pact by the moon, that in seven years they will meet again in their special place on the beach. “And then, too soon, we were parted, with nothing to sustain us but faith and moonlight.” (Location 419).

 

Keywords:

 Romance, Short Story, Japan, Young Love, Enduring Love, Magical Realism, Cat

 

My Review:

Moonlight is an adorable short novel at just around 50 pages and the entire time I was reading it I was reminded of an animated short. Moonlight has a wonderfully delightful twist to the romance that involves what I would call magical realism. In order not to spoil the book, I will not go into further detail but I will say that it was a well-executed twist that gives the story more depth and meaning.

Moonlight involved a cute story of a romance between two of the sweetest characters. Unfortunately because it was such a short book, the reader is not given much information about the characters as individuals, although I believe the story stands alone solidly without the need for more background or description. Personally I would have liked more information, but that’s because the story was so well-rounded and easy to read that I wanted more of it.

David Rose gives us something a little different with Moonlight and I was thoroughly delighted with this short romance story set in Japan.

 

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys short stories, cute romances, stories set in other countries such as japan, or animated shorts.

This novel was published by David Rose April 13th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TLDR Star Rating: 4.5

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Smashwords