Tag: death

Absence of Colour: Spectrum of Colour Book 1 by Susan Wee

‘Absence of Colour’ is an engaging and intriguing tale of escaping the past and searching for identity and justice.

‘Absence of Colour’ is an engaging and intriguing tale of escaping the past and searching for identity and justice.

 
Susan Wee 1 Absence of Colour

The band of characters in this book are quite well developed, and the reader is drawn into a strong feeling of empathy with Conny, Frankie and Twig in particular. The villain is well-drawn and distinctly odious: there are times when  his actions do make the reader uncomfortable and quite angry. This sets the action of the story in motion: each of the main characters and a number of the minor characters must work together to achieve justice and to reclaim that which has been taken from them.

The book brings some resolution to the conflicts faced by Twig and Conny, along with a sense of relief in the immediate circumstances, but the reader is also very aware that there are still questions and problems that remain unsolved. In this way, the reader is strongly motivated to read the second book in the series – ‘The Colour of Evil’.  The title itself is both enticing and ominous, leaving the reader intrigued and eager to know more.

I’ve given this book a good solid 4 stars.

You can find Absence of Colour Book 1, and the rest of the series, on Susan Wee’s Amazon page.

Book Review: ‘Reclamation’ by Sandy Frediani

From beginning to end, the reader is entranced by the storytelling and the imagery used to achieve it.

Beautifully written, ‘Reclamation’ is a series of stories that function as parts of a whole. From beginning to end, the reader is entranced by the storytelling and the imagery used to achieve it.
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Frediani has embedded mysticism and beauty so skilfully in these stories that even concepts of corruption, degradation and justice are explored in ways that deepen the reader’s understanding of the reclamation and redemption that occur throughout these tales.

A very mysterious and poignant element of this book is that the setting could be anywhere. It’s not bound to a specific location or people group. Instead, the story is unified by the mystical elements that add so much depth and vibrancy to the story.

The reader is drawn into the stories and the places where they take place. The imagery was rich and powerful, creating vivid pictures of characters, scenes and landscapes as each story played out, almost like a film playing on a virtual screen in my mind.

Read it. You won’t be sorry.

 

 

 

 

Book Review: ‘Reclamation’ by Sandy Frediani

Beautifully written, ‘Reclamation’ is a series of stories that function as parts of a whole. From beginning to end, the reader is entranced by the storytelling and the imagery used to achieve it.

Beautifully written, ‘Reclamation’ is a series of stories that function as parts of a whole. From beginning to end, the reader is entranced by the storytelling and the imagery used to achieve it.
sandy-frediani

Frediani has embedded mysticism and beauty so skilfully in these stories that even concepts of corruption, degradation and justice are explored in ways that deepen the reader’s understanding of the reclamation and redemption that occur throughout these tales.

A very mysterious and poignant element of this book is that the setting could be anywhere. It’s not bound to a specific location or people group. Instead, the story is unified by the mystical elements that add so much depth and vibrancy to the story.

The reader is drawn into the stories and the places where they take place. The imagery was rich and powerful, creating vivid pictures of characters, scenes and landscapes as each story played out, almost like a film playing on a virtual screen in my mind.

Read it. You won’t be sorry.
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Book Review: ‘The Mages’ Stones’ by India Emerald

‘The Mages’ Stones’ by India Emerald is one of the books listed in the Book Squirrel February Reading Challenge…
5 stars are the reward for a great read.

‘The Mages’ Stones’ by India Emerald is one of the books listed in the Book Squirrel February Reading Challenge.

This is a unique collection of stories that share characters and an overall plot, while each has its own individual focus – just like the stones for which they are named.

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The stories are interesting and well-crafted. It was exciting that the pieces of the overall puzzle fell slowly into place as I read, often without my even realising that was happening.

For me, the beauty of reading the stories as a complete collection was not having to wait between instalments. This enabled the tension to really build as each story progressed toward the final resolution.

I really enjoyed reading ‘The Mages Stones’. It left me wondering what my stone would be, and which of my traits it would work best with.

.5 stars are the reward for a great read. Well done, Ms Emerald!

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Book Review: ‘Shiva XIV’ by Lyra Shanti

‘Shiva XIV’: the next space epic you need to read. Seriously.

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‘Shiva XIV’ is a wonderful sci-fi/fantasy blend with some beautifully crafted magical elements. Or a blend of fantasy and magical realism with sci-fi elements.
Or… never mind. Suffice to say, it’s fantastic.

There is so much that is original in this story. Shanti has really proven herself a master of world-building in the variety and the incredible richness of the settings and unique planets she has created in ‘Shiva XIV’.

Ancient philosophies and vastly different world views characterise the different planets and their populations. These, in turn,  infuse the lead characters with the qualities and complexities that drive them and keep the reader engaged in the story as it unfolds. Not only are there the universal themes of love vs hate and good vs evil, we see the characters struggling with the same opposing forces in their own loyalties and ideologies.

 

The first book of three already published in what promises to be an absolutely brilliant series, it’s no exaggeration to say that ‘Shiva XIV’ could easily become the next space epic series. It would easily fill the void that Star Wars fans will experience after the final episode is released, given that it deals with many similar themes in new and entirely original ways.

 

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Shanti’s narrative flows easily, carrying the reader on Ayn’s journey of discovery and destiny. This book ends on a cliffhanger, but the reader is satisfied enough by the partial resolutions and revelations given in the final chapters of ‘Shiva XIV’ to not feel cheated or short-changed, yet Shanti successfully piques their curiosity enough to leave them wanting more. There’s so much more that is yet to  be revealed!

 

‘Shiva XIV’ gets five very-well-deserved stars from me.  I am very keen to move on to the next Shiva XIV book, ‘The Veil of Truth’ very soon!

 

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‘Death Comes Calling’ – F.B Hogan

‘Death Comes Calling’ by F.B Hogan. 5 stars! #books #horror #reading #supernatural #death #

This collection is really great! I was hooked before I finished the first story, and had to keep on reading.

Each one is well-crafted with some delicious twists and turns that are guaranteed to keep the reader enchanted! Hogan’s writing style is very easy to read, and the stories moved at a very comfortable pace.

I really like the way the stories are all individual and able to stand alone on their own merits, yet they form a very effective series that has good cohesion and unity throughout.

This is not just a collection to be enjoyed on Halloween. These stories will entertain anyone with a love of the macabre on any night of the year.

 

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Death Comes Calling is available on Amazon.

‘In Passing’ by Tobie Hewitt

‘In Passing’ by Tobie Hewitt: Five stars.

‘In Passing’ by Tobie Hewitt is a thought-provoking story that explores questions we often have about life, death, and how we find those soul mates  we know we’re meant to be with. The characters are just gorgeous, and the struggles they face are ones that the reader can easily identify with.

This delightful book opens with one of the best opening lines I’ve read in a long time : “The air shimmered with a knowing beyond doubt.” That line really made me stop and think, and visualise scenes where this could have been the case. From that moment, I was fully engaged with the story and completely hooked by Tobie Hewitt’s writing.

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a “what if?” story, and
for those who miss someone they’ve lost along the way.

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‘In Passing’ is available on Amazon for kindle.
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