Late Summer/Early Fall Book Reviews

Here are the books I’ve enjoyed reading these last few weeks. Independent authors wrote these incredibly creative stories and I’m sure they’d appreciate it if you’d order a copy too.

Imaginative Fantasy....

Land of Midnight Days(The Silver Flute Trilogy Book 1)

Author: Katrina Jack

I’m still trying to figure out why it took me all summer to get through this fascinating book. I love reading fantasy and Katrina Jack the author, did a superb job of describing the main characters. There’s a half brother called Zeb and a good group of friends called Helen, Kelly, Fred and Joe. There’s the evil landlord Ezra who is actually an ogre and a myriad of leviathans stomping their feet and causing trouble. There are many types of demons fighting in the streets and an epic battle with Diablo and other unsavory characters but my problem and I will admit this is my problem, was that I couldn’t keep track of the names. This clever writer not only made up her plot and story but she also invented alternative life forms and mental concepts such as brain communications using her imagination. Poor Jeremiah is a deaf flautist and as someone who played the flute for nine years and is married to a man losing his hearing, I felt a certain kindship as he searched for his mother. Maybe I couldn’t relate to a main character who couldn’t speak but I have to admit this urban fantasy is unique and incredibly creative. Jeremiah’s flute however, was nothing like my little silver tone special from Sears & Roebuck. His flute is magic and holds many untold secrets, evident from the filigreed scrolling and the lighted keys that glow brighter as the story weaves around Greycheck’s mansion and Bridge Street. The Gangers, the Grachlach, the Suldali, the Wannabes, the Dragash and street warriors (I honestly couldn’t keep track of these guys but maybe I have a touch of ADD) are marching around throwing rocks preparing for battle. How will it end? Fortunately, there’s the magic flute and more books in this trilogy by an amazingly talented author, ready to help you find out.

Sensitive Subject....

Samah Ronit

Author: Shelly Arkon

I’ve read some other books by this author and was surprised at the intensity and immense seriousness of this current subject. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy this emotional story and recommend it highly. In fact, everyone should read this book. Every mother and daughter should read it because there’s a wonderful message and a twist reminding us, of a higher power.

Nostalgic Americana....

Starlight, Starbright...

Author: Barbara Elliot Carpenter

There’s something sweet and poetic about the way this author wove together artful words to create this wonderful story. This is not only a story about growing up in a small town called Redbud Grove but rather an unfolding of truth that will draw you in, making you reminisce about your own childhood. The town has misfits, widows, petty criminals, bad boys, racial bias, even murder. What at first sounds like innocent nostalgia, gradually unfolds into painful lessons of reality. Sissy Bannister tells you her own Saturday Evening Post style story by listening to others. She uses clever techniques such as eavesdropping at the diner, befriending the elderly, hovering at the top of the stairs or listening through the heating vent above her parent’s room. Her attic bedroom looks East onto the stars where she takes it all in and processes the meaning before deciding what to do and how to act. Best of all, she has many friends who help her along the way. But like any young girl wanting to test the waters of adulthood, she crosses into dangerous territory several times making you, the reader turn the pages in anticipation. Will she make it across the park, back to her brother and baby sister? Will her parents be mad?
One of my favorite lines in the entire book, although there are many, is near the end when she says, “I had a place here, a position!” That she did, and now remarkably, she has a place, in my heart. I loved this book! If you want to learn about life in the early fifties or if you enjoy sentimental movies with narrators such as A Christmas Story, La Bamba, Grease, Chocolat, Dead Poet’s Society, Forrest Gump, Driving Miss Daisy, you’ll love Starlight, Starbright.....

A Steampunk Fantasy....

Dragonfly Warrior(The Mechanica Wars, Book 1)

Author: Jay Noel

Once the main character, Prince Kanze Zenjiro utters, “I accept this Sacred Quest,” the reader travels on an amazing voyage traversing across continents into heavily guarded cities by airship, locomobile or submersible. Drawn deep into pirated oceans and dusty deserts you’ll be mesmerized as you follow Zen in his quest for The Sky Blade that will unite his nation with other nations against the threat of the Iberian Empire. Fortunately, he has purity, a belief in fate and a magical talisman called Ishen hanging around his neck. Best of all, he has made some friends along the way to help him with his journey.
You’ll love Noel’s clear and vivid descriptions and the colorful characters will remind you of Jules Verne without any of the old-fashioned writing or ruffled shirts. The fantasy plot describes every detail without being boring and culminates in a gigantic battle at the home of an evil arms dealer. The prince faces challenge after challenge and finds disappointment where he had hoped to find honor. Who will break the samurai code and what happens with the ‘Sacred Quest’? Put on your leather wrapped goggles and get set for an adventure that will leave you steaming ahead for more!
With big-screen style settings, fast-paced action and brilliant dialogue, the mere act of reading Dragonfly Warrior, will make you feel like you’re at the movies!

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