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Recommend this book:
The Gypsy Thorn
An Evening Bower Prequel
Sherry Rentschler
2018 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Fiction - Fantasy - General
Reviewed by Michelle Randall for Readers' Favorite
Long ago the city of Atlantis thrived, but jealousy between factions caused its demise and destruction. Three people thought they were going to survive and they carried out the Great Book. This book contained the legends of their land and all lands, but the survivors were not meant to be, and the Phoenix, who had left Atlantis years before after the death of her mate, found and destroyed them. As the angel of death watched, for he could not intervene, he realized that the great prophecy was beginning. Drahomira would become a key to the prophecy, and the angel of death watched over her until the time for the prophecy. The Gypsy Thorn is the story of the life and trials of Drahomira from her birth and transformation into an upire, or vampire, until modern day. The story spans centuries and accounts for so much time and history. Author Sherry Rentschler weaves a story that gives the background to the coming Evening Bower series that is full of history and events, yet stands alone as the story of Drahomira's coming of age.
The Gypsy Thorn is the prequel to the Evening Bower Series, and as such it fills in the time from the beginning of the story until the present day, when the prophecy is occurring. Author Sherry Rentschler is able to give a lot of history and events that readers will probably need to know for the Evening Bower series. At the same time, she has made this book the coming of age story of Drahomira, her life and growth into the vampire Queen that she is destined to become. Since this is a prequel, to say that it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger is moot; readers already know that the story is to continue and the best parts are yet to come. Drahomira is an intriguing character. She has so many layers, and is complex yet simple. This is definitely a book that fans of vampires and angels will enjoy. Betrayal, backstabbing, and deceit all play large roles in this novel, and in the coming of age of Drahomira, who can she trust and is there really anyone on her side at all?
Long ago the city of Atlantis thrived, but jealousy between factions caused its demise and destruction. Three people thought they were going to survive and they carried out the Great Book. This book contained the legends of their land and all lands, but the survivors were not meant to be, and the Phoenix, who had left Atlantis years before after the death of her mate, found and destroyed them. As the angel of death watched, for he could not intervene, he realized that the great prophecy was beginning. Drahomira would become a key to the prophecy, and the angel of death watched over her until the time for the prophecy. The Gypsy Thorn is the story of the life and trials of Drahomira from her birth and transformation into an upire, or vampire, until modern day. The story spans centuries and accounts for so much time and history. Author Sherry Rentschler weaves a story that gives the background to the coming Evening Bower series that is full of history and events, yet stands alone as the story of Drahomira's coming of age.
The Gypsy Thorn is the prequel to the Evening Bower Series, and as such it fills in the time from the beginning of the story until the present day, when the prophecy is occurring. Author Sherry Rentschler is able to give a lot of history and events that readers will probably need to know for the Evening Bower series. At the same time, she has made this book the coming of age story of Drahomira, her life and growth into the vampire Queen that she is destined to become. Since this is a prequel, to say that it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger is moot; readers already know that the story is to continue and the best parts are yet to come. Drahomira is an intriguing character. She has so many layers, and is complex yet simple. This is definitely a book that fans of vampires and angels will enjoy. Betrayal, backstabbing, and deceit all play large roles in this novel, and in the coming of age of Drahomira, who can she trust and is there really anyone on her side at all?
Recommend this book:
The Wizards of Central Park West
Ultimate Urban Fantasy
Arjay Lewis
2018 Silver Medal
653 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
Reviewed by Caitlin Lyle Farley for Readers' Favorite
Edward Berman is sent to investigate the scene of a horrific murder in Central Park. He discovers a beautiful cane among the homeless victim’s possessions and then the man’s decapitated head whispers to Eddie that he’s been summoned. That is how Eddie is drawn into a world of ancient magic and powerful wizards who must rally their strength to fight against a great evil that has returned to the world. This entity is responsible for the murders in the park, which forces Eddie to walk a fine line as he investigates the murders as a mundane cop and trains beneath his wizard mentor in preparation to fight the evil being.
The Wizards of Central Park West by Arjay Lewis presents an interesting alternate history that touches on a variety of myths and legends spanning multiple cultures. The most unique element is the origins of the various magical staffs used by the wizards. The narrative sparkles with ironic humour that delighted me, turning what could’ve been a heavy book into something fun and enjoyable instead. I thought the police aspect of the story was a little too much like the stereotypical characters and conflicts portrayed in crime series. Although The Wizards of Central Park West is a long book, the pacing is good and the story so engaging that the pages fly. I never felt like I was reading a big book. There were several occasions where I was certain I’d figured out the antagonist’s identity, but the denouement proved all my theories wrong. The climax of The Wizards of Central Park West is thrilling.
Edward Berman is sent to investigate the scene of a horrific murder in Central Park. He discovers a beautiful cane among the homeless victim’s possessions and then the man’s decapitated head whispers to Eddie that he’s been summoned. That is how Eddie is drawn into a world of ancient magic and powerful wizards who must rally their strength to fight against a great evil that has returned to the world. This entity is responsible for the murders in the park, which forces Eddie to walk a fine line as he investigates the murders as a mundane cop and trains beneath his wizard mentor in preparation to fight the evil being.
The Wizards of Central Park West by Arjay Lewis presents an interesting alternate history that touches on a variety of myths and legends spanning multiple cultures. The most unique element is the origins of the various magical staffs used by the wizards. The narrative sparkles with ironic humour that delighted me, turning what could’ve been a heavy book into something fun and enjoyable instead. I thought the police aspect of the story was a little too much like the stereotypical characters and conflicts portrayed in crime series. Although The Wizards of Central Park West is a long book, the pacing is good and the story so engaging that the pages fly. I never felt like I was reading a big book. There were several occasions where I was certain I’d figured out the antagonist’s identity, but the denouement proved all my theories wrong. The climax of The Wizards of Central Park West is thrilling.
Recommend this book:
The Captive King
A Royal States Novel
Susan Copperfield
2018 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite
In the Royal States of America, magic rules all, but life—and love—always finds a way. Summer Cassidy, a pre-doctorate archaeologist determined to achieve that objective at all costs, is forced to sell a priceless Aztec necklace at the Texas Charity Auction to raise money for further exploration of a temple in Mexico. Here she meets Bachelor #103, a man who finds her description of human sacrifice charming rather than appalling. He buys her necklace for millions; she buys his company for a quarter. One coffee date, a dinner, and a curse later, Summer is thrown into a deadly adventure where magic, cinnabar, gods, and ghosts control her destiny as she struggles to solve a mysterious curse that could give her everything she’d dreamed of or cost her life.
In The Captive King, one of three stand-alone novels in the Royal States Series, Susan Copperfield has delivered a romantic fantasy tale of unequaled suspense, adventure, mystery and imagination. In a future world, that followed a revolution, the United States has been divided into individual kingdoms. The populations of these kingdoms consist of royals, elites, regular folks and a group of talents—those who can manipulate the elements, foretell events or determine a person’s truthfulness, among other things. Summer is an earth weaver, prized at archaeological sites for her ability to move, reshape, or excavate dirt and stone with her mind and hands. She discovers the jade necklace, the crux of the story, which she sells at auction and kicks off the events for the rest of the story.
The Captive King is among the most compelling, imaginative and dynamic stories in this genre that I’ve read in a long time. Summer and Bachelor #103, aka Landon, provide a constant series of the most facetious, sarcastic, and alternatively loving and allegorical dialogue I’ve ever read. Their story is fast paced, the characters beautifully and perfectly portrayed. The mystery and the magical elements of the story are mesmerizing and unforgettable. I’ve become a fan of Susan Copperfield and this series... it’s irresistible.
In the Royal States of America, magic rules all, but life—and love—always finds a way. Summer Cassidy, a pre-doctorate archaeologist determined to achieve that objective at all costs, is forced to sell a priceless Aztec necklace at the Texas Charity Auction to raise money for further exploration of a temple in Mexico. Here she meets Bachelor #103, a man who finds her description of human sacrifice charming rather than appalling. He buys her necklace for millions; she buys his company for a quarter. One coffee date, a dinner, and a curse later, Summer is thrown into a deadly adventure where magic, cinnabar, gods, and ghosts control her destiny as she struggles to solve a mysterious curse that could give her everything she’d dreamed of or cost her life.
In The Captive King, one of three stand-alone novels in the Royal States Series, Susan Copperfield has delivered a romantic fantasy tale of unequaled suspense, adventure, mystery and imagination. In a future world, that followed a revolution, the United States has been divided into individual kingdoms. The populations of these kingdoms consist of royals, elites, regular folks and a group of talents—those who can manipulate the elements, foretell events or determine a person’s truthfulness, among other things. Summer is an earth weaver, prized at archaeological sites for her ability to move, reshape, or excavate dirt and stone with her mind and hands. She discovers the jade necklace, the crux of the story, which she sells at auction and kicks off the events for the rest of the story.
The Captive King is among the most compelling, imaginative and dynamic stories in this genre that I’ve read in a long time. Summer and Bachelor #103, aka Landon, provide a constant series of the most facetious, sarcastic, and alternatively loving and allegorical dialogue I’ve ever read. Their story is fast paced, the characters beautifully and perfectly portrayed. The mystery and the magical elements of the story are mesmerizing and unforgettable. I’ve become a fan of Susan Copperfield and this series... it’s irresistible.
Recommend this book:
 by Eric J. Gates, a supernatural thriller about vampires that are different from the classic ones that we know. A serial killer known as the Blood Sucker has killed more than a dozen people, painting the walls of their homes wi...){kind=link}
The CULL
Bloodline
Eric J. Gates
2018 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
A botched stakeout led to the death of Amy Bree’s partner and her dismissal from the FBI in Bloodline (The CULL, Book 1) by Eric J. Gates, a supernatural thriller about vampires that are different from the classic ones that we know. A serial killer known as the Blood Sucker has killed more than a dozen people, painting the walls of their homes with their own blood. Amy thought she was out of the game for good until a Vatican priest hired her and reinstated her as a Homeland Security agent to continue her hunt for the infamous killer. Meanwhile, nurse Anka Syzmanski can’t ignore her fear of Doctor Heinrich Neumann, despite his gentle manner towards the staff and the patients. There’s something about him that reminds her of the old tales from her native Poland about demons who preyed on people in isolated villages.
I applaud Gates for the well thought out premise, plot, and the way he made his vampires unique, deftly using the classic theme to make the series stand out from other bloodsucker stories. The writing style complements the swift pacing, and there are plenty of action filled and suspenseful moments. Solid characterization gives the characters enough depth and believable traits. The intelligent but somewhat complicated Amy Bree is easy to root for. That said, I’m more fond of the brilliant and much wiser ex-spy ‘Mrs.’ Katie Lindon. These two make an impressive team and through their investigation we get to know the Blood Sucker clue by clue, which also reveals the hidden layers of Cancelli and Neumann. When the POV shifts to the elusive serial killer, we learn more about his persona, strength, and particularly his flaws. Some of the small characters also have a firm place in their roles when it comes to piecing together the evidence. Several aspects of the plot are slightly predictable, but in essence Bloodline is gripping, fun, and kept me intrigued from start to finish.
A botched stakeout led to the death of Amy Bree’s partner and her dismissal from the FBI in Bloodline (The CULL, Book 1) by Eric J. Gates, a supernatural thriller about vampires that are different from the classic ones that we know. A serial killer known as the Blood Sucker has killed more than a dozen people, painting the walls of their homes with their own blood. Amy thought she was out of the game for good until a Vatican priest hired her and reinstated her as a Homeland Security agent to continue her hunt for the infamous killer. Meanwhile, nurse Anka Syzmanski can’t ignore her fear of Doctor Heinrich Neumann, despite his gentle manner towards the staff and the patients. There’s something about him that reminds her of the old tales from her native Poland about demons who preyed on people in isolated villages.
I applaud Gates for the well thought out premise, plot, and the way he made his vampires unique, deftly using the classic theme to make the series stand out from other bloodsucker stories. The writing style complements the swift pacing, and there are plenty of action filled and suspenseful moments. Solid characterization gives the characters enough depth and believable traits. The intelligent but somewhat complicated Amy Bree is easy to root for. That said, I’m more fond of the brilliant and much wiser ex-spy ‘Mrs.’ Katie Lindon. These two make an impressive team and through their investigation we get to know the Blood Sucker clue by clue, which also reveals the hidden layers of Cancelli and Neumann. When the POV shifts to the elusive serial killer, we learn more about his persona, strength, and particularly his flaws. Some of the small characters also have a firm place in their roles when it comes to piecing together the evidence. Several aspects of the plot are slightly predictable, but in essence Bloodline is gripping, fun, and kept me intrigued from start to finish.
Recommend this book:
The Waning Moon
An Eleanor Morgan Novel Book 2
Amy Cissell
2018 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Fantasy - Urban
Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite
Magic has almost disappeared from our world, due to the influence of first the industrial revolution, and then the technological revolution, but unknown to most of us mere mortals, magic creatures - werewolves, shifters, vampires, witches, and Fae - still live amongst us. Eleanor Morgan is a Fae Princess whose task it is to open the gates and allow magic back into our world, to try to restore the balance to earth, destroyed by humanity’s relentless drive for power and technology. Assisted by her mate, a werewolf called Isaac, a witch called Florence, and a rather gorgeous, ancient vampire by the name of Raj, Eleanor must fight off those determined to stop her opening the magic portals. In The Waning Moon by Amy Cissell, Eleanor will attempt to open two more of these portals. As each gate to the magic world is opened, more and more of man’s technology will die, leaving humanity struggling for survival in a world without electricity, communication and the comforts of the modern day life.
I’m not a regular reader of fantasy, werewolves, and magic, but Amy Cissell’s The Waning Moon certainly captured my attention. I found the humour and gentle sarcasm of the characters right up my alley. By writing this in the first person, through Eleanor’s eyes, the author has given us entry into her mind, her thinking and her turmoil about the task she is entrusted with. I found this totally refreshing and exciting. For me, the best character had to be the thousand-year-old vampire, Raj. His constant innuendo and double-entendre kept Eleanor on her toes and me, as a reader, totally engaged with the story. The Waning Moon is the second in the Eleanor Morgan series and I think I can pay Cissell no greater compliment than to say reading this book inspires me to read the first book in the series and to continue with the entire series, as it is completed. This is a winner and one of the best in its genre that I’ve read of late.
Magic has almost disappeared from our world, due to the influence of first the industrial revolution, and then the technological revolution, but unknown to most of us mere mortals, magic creatures - werewolves, shifters, vampires, witches, and Fae - still live amongst us. Eleanor Morgan is a Fae Princess whose task it is to open the gates and allow magic back into our world, to try to restore the balance to earth, destroyed by humanity’s relentless drive for power and technology. Assisted by her mate, a werewolf called Isaac, a witch called Florence, and a rather gorgeous, ancient vampire by the name of Raj, Eleanor must fight off those determined to stop her opening the magic portals. In The Waning Moon by Amy Cissell, Eleanor will attempt to open two more of these portals. As each gate to the magic world is opened, more and more of man’s technology will die, leaving humanity struggling for survival in a world without electricity, communication and the comforts of the modern day life.
I’m not a regular reader of fantasy, werewolves, and magic, but Amy Cissell’s The Waning Moon certainly captured my attention. I found the humour and gentle sarcasm of the characters right up my alley. By writing this in the first person, through Eleanor’s eyes, the author has given us entry into her mind, her thinking and her turmoil about the task she is entrusted with. I found this totally refreshing and exciting. For me, the best character had to be the thousand-year-old vampire, Raj. His constant innuendo and double-entendre kept Eleanor on her toes and me, as a reader, totally engaged with the story. The Waning Moon is the second in the Eleanor Morgan series and I think I can pay Cissell no greater compliment than to say reading this book inspires me to read the first book in the series and to continue with the entire series, as it is completed. This is a winner and one of the best in its genre that I’ve read of late.
Recommend this book:
Slay the Dragon
Laura A. Zubulake
2018 Honorable Mention
288 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - General
Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
Slay the Dragon by Laura A. Zubulake is a story that follows the cause of César Rosada, a man who rose from humble origins to become the Finance Minister of his country. Now his mind is set on one thing: to make life better for the working class. Follow his path in a perilous battle against corruption, drugs, and injustice. This could have been a fight to rally the best minds and resources behind him, but he meets opposition from the most influential people and the rich who will do anything, including murder, to maintain the status quo. César Rosada is about to shake the balance of power and this doesn’t sit well with the few who control the economy and politics.
Laura A. Zubulake weaves crime investigation, corruption, and social ills into the story of a man’s gritty fight to defend his values and the lives that matter to him. I loved the protagonist, a man who has to make difficult choices, but who must also deal with his shortcomings. The conflict is developed at multiple levels, from the protagonist’s struggle to reconcile his position with his core values, to the opposition he faces from his peers, and then there is the social plague of opioids. I enjoyed the way the author explores the psychology of the characters, injecting them with humanity and realism. The characters are believable, the plot intelligently done, and the prose exquisite. Slay the Dragon can be read as a succinct indictment of the misuse of power and of what happens when a minority in authority has to make decisions that affect the lives of millions. The story is deft and balanced, as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.
Slay the Dragon by Laura A. Zubulake is a story that follows the cause of César Rosada, a man who rose from humble origins to become the Finance Minister of his country. Now his mind is set on one thing: to make life better for the working class. Follow his path in a perilous battle against corruption, drugs, and injustice. This could have been a fight to rally the best minds and resources behind him, but he meets opposition from the most influential people and the rich who will do anything, including murder, to maintain the status quo. César Rosada is about to shake the balance of power and this doesn’t sit well with the few who control the economy and politics.
Laura A. Zubulake weaves crime investigation, corruption, and social ills into the story of a man’s gritty fight to defend his values and the lives that matter to him. I loved the protagonist, a man who has to make difficult choices, but who must also deal with his shortcomings. The conflict is developed at multiple levels, from the protagonist’s struggle to reconcile his position with his core values, to the opposition he faces from his peers, and then there is the social plague of opioids. I enjoyed the way the author explores the psychology of the characters, injecting them with humanity and realism. The characters are believable, the plot intelligently done, and the prose exquisite. Slay the Dragon can be read as a succinct indictment of the misuse of power and of what happens when a minority in authority has to make decisions that affect the lives of millions. The story is deft and balanced, as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.
Recommend this book:
The Cautioner's Tale
R. M. Wilburn
2018 Bronze Medal
48 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Graphic Novel/Comic
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
The Cautioner's Tale is a post-apocalyptic graphic novel written and illustrated by R.M. Wilburn. Mary Morgan is a woman with a special gift -- she travels through time, and she’s seen things in the future that would stagger the imagination of most people. Her journal recounts the events that take place in the near future, the year is 2047 as is noted on the diner receipt which lies near a poem entitled The Dying Man. It all begins with a rigged election and ends with disaster. Mary’s mentor and friend, Dr. Parsimonious Creed, has been dead for two years now. He had been the hope of a people still reeling from the impact of the Last Great War, but was found in his home, which had obviously been ransacked, his files missing. Creed had been compiling evidence against billionaire Herr Bigly Rump, whose offer to make the world a better place was one that had to be accepted under pain of exile to the Arctic; an offer that was made suspiciously soon after Creed’s death. Rump claimed he alone could fix this, yet things had gotten very much worse indeed since his assumption of power.
In the introduction to The Cautioner's Tale, R.M. Wilburn states that “Any resemblance to real persons or places is an absolute fluke”, and indeed, it may very well be a case of art spontaneously imitating life, but most readers will find ominous and terrifying parallels between the nightmare world Mary is a part of and the present state of affairs in the United States. That said, The Cautioner’s Tale is a marvelous blend of fact, fiction and dark fantasy presented in a cunningly designed format that echoes the dysfunction and chaos of a nightmarish Rump dictatorship over a broken world. Each page of this graphic novel is a delight to read, examine and wonder over. I’m not sure how Wilburn put this amazingly crafted work together, especially considering the reference, at one point, to recent history, but perhaps, like Mary, the author has been doing some time-traveling of her own. This is a work that’s both grim and gorgeous, with just a hint of hope to leaven the dark storm brewing overhead. The Cautioner's Tale is most highly recommended.
The Cautioner's Tale is a post-apocalyptic graphic novel written and illustrated by R.M. Wilburn. Mary Morgan is a woman with a special gift -- she travels through time, and she’s seen things in the future that would stagger the imagination of most people. Her journal recounts the events that take place in the near future, the year is 2047 as is noted on the diner receipt which lies near a poem entitled The Dying Man. It all begins with a rigged election and ends with disaster. Mary’s mentor and friend, Dr. Parsimonious Creed, has been dead for two years now. He had been the hope of a people still reeling from the impact of the Last Great War, but was found in his home, which had obviously been ransacked, his files missing. Creed had been compiling evidence against billionaire Herr Bigly Rump, whose offer to make the world a better place was one that had to be accepted under pain of exile to the Arctic; an offer that was made suspiciously soon after Creed’s death. Rump claimed he alone could fix this, yet things had gotten very much worse indeed since his assumption of power.
In the introduction to The Cautioner's Tale, R.M. Wilburn states that “Any resemblance to real persons or places is an absolute fluke”, and indeed, it may very well be a case of art spontaneously imitating life, but most readers will find ominous and terrifying parallels between the nightmare world Mary is a part of and the present state of affairs in the United States. That said, The Cautioner’s Tale is a marvelous blend of fact, fiction and dark fantasy presented in a cunningly designed format that echoes the dysfunction and chaos of a nightmarish Rump dictatorship over a broken world. Each page of this graphic novel is a delight to read, examine and wonder over. I’m not sure how Wilburn put this amazingly crafted work together, especially considering the reference, at one point, to recent history, but perhaps, like Mary, the author has been doing some time-traveling of her own. This is a work that’s both grim and gorgeous, with just a hint of hope to leaven the dark storm brewing overhead. The Cautioner's Tale is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
 by Jana Petken. It is September 1939 in Germany. Hitler has risen to power, and the Third Reich is spreading terror throughout Europe. Three young men, Max, Paul, and Wilmot Vogel, must deci...){kind=link}
The German Half-Bloods
The Half-Bloods Series Book 1
Jana Petken
2018 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
Reviewed by Alyssa Elmore for Readers' Favorite
A well-to-do Berlin family experiences the devastating effects of WWII in the thrilling historical novel, The German Half-Bloods (The Half-Blood Series Book 1) by Jana Petken. It is September 1939 in Germany. Hitler has risen to power, and the Third Reich is spreading terror throughout Europe. Three young men, Max, Paul, and Wilmot Vogel, must decide their loyalty to one of two of their home countries; England, their mother's homeland, or Germany, their father's homeland. Max, an academic, chooses England as his home, leaving his mother and twin brother, Paul, in Nazi Berlin. Paul, a handsome young doctor, loves his homeland of Germany and refuses to leave its people in the hands of the terror-loving Nazis. Wilmot, the youngest, joins the SS to please his Nazi-loving father, only to discover their horrific acts against humanity. As the war progresses, trust is lost, loyalties are divided, and love is tested, leaving the young men to choose between dedication to country or honoring their integrity. Not all is as it appears on the surface; can one trust their own family?
The German Half-Bloods (The Half-Blood Series Book 1) by Jana Petken is an intense, nail-biting ride through WWII Germany. The unique perspectives of the characters in Germany, as well as those in England, were refreshing and charismatic. I am well-versed in the history of the time period, and I must say that very few historical novels of the period are satisfactorily accurate enough for me to enjoy, this book being a rare exception. I was deeply impressed with the characters' viewpoints and the extent of the plot. The author spun such an intricately woven web of intrigue that I didn't want to stop reading. I was transported back in time and enjoyed every minute of it! I loved this novel! It is beautifully written, and deeply moving. Although there are some historically accurate details that may disturb a younger audience, I feel that this novel is an essential historical read.
A well-to-do Berlin family experiences the devastating effects of WWII in the thrilling historical novel, The German Half-Bloods (The Half-Blood Series Book 1) by Jana Petken. It is September 1939 in Germany. Hitler has risen to power, and the Third Reich is spreading terror throughout Europe. Three young men, Max, Paul, and Wilmot Vogel, must decide their loyalty to one of two of their home countries; England, their mother's homeland, or Germany, their father's homeland. Max, an academic, chooses England as his home, leaving his mother and twin brother, Paul, in Nazi Berlin. Paul, a handsome young doctor, loves his homeland of Germany and refuses to leave its people in the hands of the terror-loving Nazis. Wilmot, the youngest, joins the SS to please his Nazi-loving father, only to discover their horrific acts against humanity. As the war progresses, trust is lost, loyalties are divided, and love is tested, leaving the young men to choose between dedication to country or honoring their integrity. Not all is as it appears on the surface; can one trust their own family?
The German Half-Bloods (The Half-Blood Series Book 1) by Jana Petken is an intense, nail-biting ride through WWII Germany. The unique perspectives of the characters in Germany, as well as those in England, were refreshing and charismatic. I am well-versed in the history of the time period, and I must say that very few historical novels of the period are satisfactorily accurate enough for me to enjoy, this book being a rare exception. I was deeply impressed with the characters' viewpoints and the extent of the plot. The author spun such an intricately woven web of intrigue that I didn't want to stop reading. I was transported back in time and enjoyed every minute of it! I loved this novel! It is beautifully written, and deeply moving. Although there are some historically accurate details that may disturb a younger audience, I feel that this novel is an essential historical read.
Recommend this book:
The Displaced
Fall of a Fortress
Frieda Watt
2018 Honorable Mention
Kindle Edition
Check current price
Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Growing up in a colonial fortress in the mid-1700s had the usual restrictions and class distinctions. For Marie and Pierre, and Marie’s twin brother, Nic, and her best friend, Elise, the powers that controlled their lives were more than just the threat of English invasion. Nestled in a prime location on Île-Royale, now known as Cape Breton Island, the Fortress of Louisbourg was not only France’s pride and powerful stronghold in the new world, but also the lure that attracted England to conquer it, not once, but twice.
Marie and Nic were under the guardianship of their uncle, Claude, a brutal man who never wanted them in the first place and took his hatred and frustration out on the two whenever he had the chance. When Louisbourg first fell in 1745, Marie and Elise were sent to France with the other Louisbourg residents. Her brother, Nic, in the army, was imprisoned in New England. Pierre had escaped and was making a new life for himself in Quebec. With the peace treaty, the English left and the French returned, but not for long. Just long enough for personal strife to enter the foray and make the growing love between Marie and Pierre that much more of a challenge. After the final siege of Louisbourg in 1758, the two escape, though not without further difficulties.
Frieda Watt has written an epic historical romance set in the famed and doomed Fortress of Louisbourg during the final years of French dominance in the new world. The Displaced traces the lives of four young people as they struggle to make their lives together in a world fraying at the seams. The setting is well depicted and the reader instantly feels like they are walking the streets of Louisbourg with these four young people, Marie, Nic, Elise and Pierre. The difficulties the residents of Louisbourg faced, during the siege and before and after, is evident as the struggles to survive are paralleled with the attempts to nurture a relationship in a difficult time, under stressful circumstances. This is a heartrending, passionate story, though fictional, about a real place, a real time and a real struggle. A powerful story of love and survival.
Growing up in a colonial fortress in the mid-1700s had the usual restrictions and class distinctions. For Marie and Pierre, and Marie’s twin brother, Nic, and her best friend, Elise, the powers that controlled their lives were more than just the threat of English invasion. Nestled in a prime location on Île-Royale, now known as Cape Breton Island, the Fortress of Louisbourg was not only France’s pride and powerful stronghold in the new world, but also the lure that attracted England to conquer it, not once, but twice.
Marie and Nic were under the guardianship of their uncle, Claude, a brutal man who never wanted them in the first place and took his hatred and frustration out on the two whenever he had the chance. When Louisbourg first fell in 1745, Marie and Elise were sent to France with the other Louisbourg residents. Her brother, Nic, in the army, was imprisoned in New England. Pierre had escaped and was making a new life for himself in Quebec. With the peace treaty, the English left and the French returned, but not for long. Just long enough for personal strife to enter the foray and make the growing love between Marie and Pierre that much more of a challenge. After the final siege of Louisbourg in 1758, the two escape, though not without further difficulties.
Frieda Watt has written an epic historical romance set in the famed and doomed Fortress of Louisbourg during the final years of French dominance in the new world. The Displaced traces the lives of four young people as they struggle to make their lives together in a world fraying at the seams. The setting is well depicted and the reader instantly feels like they are walking the streets of Louisbourg with these four young people, Marie, Nic, Elise and Pierre. The difficulties the residents of Louisbourg faced, during the siege and before and after, is evident as the struggles to survive are paralleled with the attempts to nurture a relationship in a difficult time, under stressful circumstances. This is a heartrending, passionate story, though fictional, about a real place, a real time and a real struggle. A powerful story of love and survival.
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The Secret Journals of Adolf Hitler
Volume I - The Anointed
A. G. Mogan
2018 Gold Medal
336 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Historical - Personage
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
The Secret Journals of Adolf Hitler by A.G. Mogan is a gripping opening book that explores the psychology of one of the historical personages that have shaped the course of modern history, the man responsible for the death of millions of people, Adolf Hitler. Most people will always remember Hitler in association with the Holocaust, but few historians have been able to penetrate the depths of Hitler’s mind. What was it that made him tick? What were the factors — familial, social, and environmental — that made him a historical conundrum that has haunted the human mind, a vile and ruthless dictator, an unpredictable psychotic? In this novel, the author allows Hitler to speak for himself, recreating an exciting character that readers will want to explore, a character who gives clear answers to these questions.
This well-researched and compelling historical novel took me by surprise in many instances and I had no doubt, as I read through the pages, that the author has spent time studying Hitler. I was surprised at some of the facts the author unearthed about Hitler’s troubled childhood, including the abuses, begging in Vienna and nurturing an unrequited love. In these pages, the reader meets the Hitler that history ignores and they can get to the root cause of his madness. Told in Hitler’s own voice, the story is captivating, rich in imagery and psychological depth. A.G. Mogan’s writing is great and I enjoyed the historical references, the clear and compelling narrative voice, and, above all, the portrait of the protagonist. The Secret Journals of Adolf Hitler will entertain and inform both fans of history and psychology and any reader who loves well-crafted stories with characters that are developed to feel as real as one’s road trip companions. This one is an awesome treat for fans of historical novels and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
The Secret Journals of Adolf Hitler by A.G. Mogan is a gripping opening book that explores the psychology of one of the historical personages that have shaped the course of modern history, the man responsible for the death of millions of people, Adolf Hitler. Most people will always remember Hitler in association with the Holocaust, but few historians have been able to penetrate the depths of Hitler’s mind. What was it that made him tick? What were the factors — familial, social, and environmental — that made him a historical conundrum that has haunted the human mind, a vile and ruthless dictator, an unpredictable psychotic? In this novel, the author allows Hitler to speak for himself, recreating an exciting character that readers will want to explore, a character who gives clear answers to these questions.
This well-researched and compelling historical novel took me by surprise in many instances and I had no doubt, as I read through the pages, that the author has spent time studying Hitler. I was surprised at some of the facts the author unearthed about Hitler’s troubled childhood, including the abuses, begging in Vienna and nurturing an unrequited love. In these pages, the reader meets the Hitler that history ignores and they can get to the root cause of his madness. Told in Hitler’s own voice, the story is captivating, rich in imagery and psychological depth. A.G. Mogan’s writing is great and I enjoyed the historical references, the clear and compelling narrative voice, and, above all, the portrait of the protagonist. The Secret Journals of Adolf Hitler will entertain and inform both fans of history and psychology and any reader who loves well-crafted stories with characters that are developed to feel as real as one’s road trip companions. This one is an awesome treat for fans of historical novels and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
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