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Beyond the Gate
Your Ride Awaits
Nicole E Avery
2022 Finalist
255 Pages
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Fiction - Urban
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Beyond The Gate is an urban crime novel by Nicole E. Avery. Seventeen-year-old Nyla Slayings' life didn't turn out quite the way it was supposed to after her parents were deported six years ago. Forced to live with her abusive foster father, the only respite she gets is being a vendor of food products at the local baseball stadium. However, things take a turn for the worse when her foster father catches her being intimate with her boyfriend, Juan, leading to a confrontation that results in his death. Plagued by guilt, Nyla and Juan find themselves blackmailed by a corrupt detective who wants to take advantage of their situation. Deeply in love, Nyla and Juan are determined to get through their predicament together. But Juan's untimely accident puts Nyla into a dire situation she never could've envisioned.
A tragic tale about parental abuse, systematic corruption, and the loss of innocence, Beyond The Gate is an absorbing read from start to finish. Author Nicole E. Avery tells a gut-wrenching story of a foster child who finds herself being the victim of abuse by the very people meant to protect her. The narrative follows Nyla, an enterprising seventeen-year-old who struggles to navigate her precarious situation surrounded by an abusive father, corrupt cops, and a hostile work environment. Through this captivating crime thriller, Avery tackles some heavy topics, such as child abuse, rape, harassment, corruption, and much more. Nyla is someone you can't help but root for. If you enjoy books containing relevant social issues, don't miss out on Beyond The Gate.
Beyond The Gate is an urban crime novel by Nicole E. Avery. Seventeen-year-old Nyla Slayings' life didn't turn out quite the way it was supposed to after her parents were deported six years ago. Forced to live with her abusive foster father, the only respite she gets is being a vendor of food products at the local baseball stadium. However, things take a turn for the worse when her foster father catches her being intimate with her boyfriend, Juan, leading to a confrontation that results in his death. Plagued by guilt, Nyla and Juan find themselves blackmailed by a corrupt detective who wants to take advantage of their situation. Deeply in love, Nyla and Juan are determined to get through their predicament together. But Juan's untimely accident puts Nyla into a dire situation she never could've envisioned.
A tragic tale about parental abuse, systematic corruption, and the loss of innocence, Beyond The Gate is an absorbing read from start to finish. Author Nicole E. Avery tells a gut-wrenching story of a foster child who finds herself being the victim of abuse by the very people meant to protect her. The narrative follows Nyla, an enterprising seventeen-year-old who struggles to navigate her precarious situation surrounded by an abusive father, corrupt cops, and a hostile work environment. Through this captivating crime thriller, Avery tackles some heavy topics, such as child abuse, rape, harassment, corruption, and much more. Nyla is someone you can't help but root for. If you enjoy books containing relevant social issues, don't miss out on Beyond The Gate.
Recommend this book:
Cali the Destroyer
Sol Luckman
2022 Silver Medal
428 Pages
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Fiction - Visionary
Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite
Cali the Destroyer by Sol Luckman is a thought-provoking and absorbing dystopian tale with a New Age touch. It balances the exploration of human relationships with environmental, social, and political issues. Caliandra and Juice are young lovers caught in a society that has lost its pluralist sense. Cali is a famous white pop singer whose mother died in an unusual circumstance six months ago. Cali’s insanely jealous stepmother, Olga, who acts as her manager, is bent on sabotaging her stepdaughter’s career. Juice is a person of color with deep, personal grief. Cali believes that her mother is still alive, and together with Juice, they will embark on a journey to a dreamlike realm to find her mother. From here, Cali will learn about the Luminous Child and how to save the planet from the unjust rule of the Fatherland.
Cali the Destroyer is not just about identity—it is about searching your soul and determining who you are and your purpose for being placed on Earth. Sol Luckman hits all the right notes as his novel doesn’t struggle a bit to assert itself because it doesn’t have to. The story and its theme simply flow, and it is bound to find an appreciative audience. Moreover, the supporting figures with identifiable characteristics blend well into the story as a whole, and their interaction with Caliandra amplifies her qualities as a protagonist. Cali, by virtue of her origins and what she stands for, keeps you hanging on. You keep rooting for her, and you become curious about the fate of her relationship with Juice. Cali the Destroyer is an illuminating and deep read, and the result is a must-read tale in tune with contemporary concerns that it dresses up as an Orwellian future.
Cali the Destroyer by Sol Luckman is a thought-provoking and absorbing dystopian tale with a New Age touch. It balances the exploration of human relationships with environmental, social, and political issues. Caliandra and Juice are young lovers caught in a society that has lost its pluralist sense. Cali is a famous white pop singer whose mother died in an unusual circumstance six months ago. Cali’s insanely jealous stepmother, Olga, who acts as her manager, is bent on sabotaging her stepdaughter’s career. Juice is a person of color with deep, personal grief. Cali believes that her mother is still alive, and together with Juice, they will embark on a journey to a dreamlike realm to find her mother. From here, Cali will learn about the Luminous Child and how to save the planet from the unjust rule of the Fatherland.
Cali the Destroyer is not just about identity—it is about searching your soul and determining who you are and your purpose for being placed on Earth. Sol Luckman hits all the right notes as his novel doesn’t struggle a bit to assert itself because it doesn’t have to. The story and its theme simply flow, and it is bound to find an appreciative audience. Moreover, the supporting figures with identifiable characteristics blend well into the story as a whole, and their interaction with Caliandra amplifies her qualities as a protagonist. Cali, by virtue of her origins and what she stands for, keeps you hanging on. You keep rooting for her, and you become curious about the fate of her relationship with Juice. Cali the Destroyer is an illuminating and deep read, and the result is a must-read tale in tune with contemporary concerns that it dresses up as an Orwellian future.
Recommend this book:
 by Alex Marcoux is for readers who enjoy genuinely imperfect heroes. In this metaphysical, visionary tale, the world faces an impending apocalypse and is on the verge of destruction. Ami is an ascended master who has gone through so much pain and has now reincarnated to ...){kind=link}
The Unsuspected Heroes
A Journey to the New Earth
Alex Marcoux
2022 Finalist
352 Pages
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Fiction - Visionary
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
The Unsuspected Heroes: A Visionary Fiction Novel (A Journey to the New Earth) by Alex Marcoux is for readers who enjoy genuinely imperfect heroes. In this metaphysical, visionary tale, the world faces an impending apocalypse and is on the verge of destruction. Ami is an ascended master who has gone through so much pain and has now reincarnated to lead humanity to the New Earth, but she is trapped in an autistic body and cannot speak. While the danger grows stronger and more imminent, Ami must connect with others like herself to rescue humanity. But time isn’t on her side, plus her mortal condition is a challenge.
There is so much to enjoy in this epic tale and the reader is instantly drawn to Ami. I enjoyed the fact that the author put an ascended master into the shell of an autistic person. She is limited, and her struggles include the fact that she has no memory of who she is. When she begins to understand what is at stake, she struggles with her flawed physicality. The author explores strong and evocative topics, engaging readers with an interesting reflection on evolutionary themes and describing the decline of human civilization compellingly. Some interesting neologisms and concepts will have readers thinking. A hero who suffers from autism is an aspect of the plot that had me fascinated. The Unsuspected Heroes is a fast-paced visionary tale with a phenomenal conflict, multidimensional characters, and resonant themes. Alex Marcoux’s work is hugely imaginative and thought-provoking.
The Unsuspected Heroes: A Visionary Fiction Novel (A Journey to the New Earth) by Alex Marcoux is for readers who enjoy genuinely imperfect heroes. In this metaphysical, visionary tale, the world faces an impending apocalypse and is on the verge of destruction. Ami is an ascended master who has gone through so much pain and has now reincarnated to lead humanity to the New Earth, but she is trapped in an autistic body and cannot speak. While the danger grows stronger and more imminent, Ami must connect with others like herself to rescue humanity. But time isn’t on her side, plus her mortal condition is a challenge.
There is so much to enjoy in this epic tale and the reader is instantly drawn to Ami. I enjoyed the fact that the author put an ascended master into the shell of an autistic person. She is limited, and her struggles include the fact that she has no memory of who she is. When she begins to understand what is at stake, she struggles with her flawed physicality. The author explores strong and evocative topics, engaging readers with an interesting reflection on evolutionary themes and describing the decline of human civilization compellingly. Some interesting neologisms and concepts will have readers thinking. A hero who suffers from autism is an aspect of the plot that had me fascinated. The Unsuspected Heroes is a fast-paced visionary tale with a phenomenal conflict, multidimensional characters, and resonant themes. Alex Marcoux’s work is hugely imaginative and thought-provoking.
Recommend this book:
The Great Loveda Brown
The Idyllwild Mystery Series, Book One
Jolie Tunnell
2022 Silver Medal
264 Pages
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Fiction - Western
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
The Great Loveda Brown is the first installment of The Idyllwild Mystery Series by Jolie Tunnell. Set in the small town of Idyllwild in mountainous southern California, the book follows Loveda Brown, a tenacious young woman fleeing from her estranged husband, Billy Dunn. Loveda is on her way to Los Angeles when circumstances bring her to Idyllwild, wearing one shoe and with Billy on her trail. However, just after her arrival, she finds herself entangled in a murder mystery when the dead body of her ex-husband turns up unexpectedly. While the local sheriff asks her not to leave town, Loveda decides to solve the mystery herself and find the killer. But as the stakes keep getting higher, Loveda delves into a dangerous game where she puts her own life in mortal danger.
Fans of whodunnit murder mysteries will be ecstatic because The Great Loveda Brown contains all the ingredients necessary for a delicious murder mystery. Author Jolie Tunnell's page-turner of a novel feels like a cross between the hit Hollywood movies The Hateful Eight and Knives Out. Moving at a blistering pace, the plot keeps you hooked with its unexpected twists and turns, and you can't help but turn the pages in eager anticipation of what's to come. Loveda is a likable protagonist whose tenacious resolve and grit make you root for her from start to finish. I particularly enjoyed her chemistry with John Wyman. Any reader who enjoys westerns or a well-written murder mystery will find The Great Loveda Brown a thoroughly entertaining reading experience.
The Great Loveda Brown is the first installment of The Idyllwild Mystery Series by Jolie Tunnell. Set in the small town of Idyllwild in mountainous southern California, the book follows Loveda Brown, a tenacious young woman fleeing from her estranged husband, Billy Dunn. Loveda is on her way to Los Angeles when circumstances bring her to Idyllwild, wearing one shoe and with Billy on her trail. However, just after her arrival, she finds herself entangled in a murder mystery when the dead body of her ex-husband turns up unexpectedly. While the local sheriff asks her not to leave town, Loveda decides to solve the mystery herself and find the killer. But as the stakes keep getting higher, Loveda delves into a dangerous game where she puts her own life in mortal danger.
Fans of whodunnit murder mysteries will be ecstatic because The Great Loveda Brown contains all the ingredients necessary for a delicious murder mystery. Author Jolie Tunnell's page-turner of a novel feels like a cross between the hit Hollywood movies The Hateful Eight and Knives Out. Moving at a blistering pace, the plot keeps you hooked with its unexpected twists and turns, and you can't help but turn the pages in eager anticipation of what's to come. Loveda is a likable protagonist whose tenacious resolve and grit make you root for her from start to finish. I particularly enjoyed her chemistry with John Wyman. Any reader who enjoys westerns or a well-written murder mystery will find The Great Loveda Brown a thoroughly entertaining reading experience.
Recommend this book:
Feathers in the Sand
Seahaven Sunrise Series Book 1
Anne Marie Bennett
2022 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Womens
Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite
The first book in the Seahaven Sunrise Series by Anne Marie Bennett, Feathers in the Sand is an intimate exploration of human relationships that we can all identify with. Tess Gilmore is a single mother who has been so busy that she has overlooked her own happiness and has neglected her relationship with her preteen daughter, Eva. Enter the idyllic coastal town of Seahaven, Maine, where Tess receives a job offer that requires her to relocate. Eva, however, is not amenable to the move. But Seahaven offers the mother and daughter a new opportunity to start and keep Tess far away from the memories of Cameron, who had married a younger woman soon after leaving. Seahaven proves to be a warm and welcoming place as they are embraced by new friends. Just as Tess is beginning to improve her relationship and quality time with Eva, Luca, her first love, enters the picture. His presence rekindles their old romance and could be a barrier to her relationship with Eva.
This is a fascinating romantic story where the setting plays an integral part in the entire plotline. Anne Marie Bennet’s narrative evokes the sensory details necessary to transport you to Seahaven. You can feel and taste the fresh salty air and the blazing sun striping the horizon with intricate shades of russet, raspberry, and gold. Feathers in the Sand is charming and whimsical, and Tess reigns as the profile of a modern woman searching for happiness. She didn’t find it; it found her. You will enjoy this novel on its own sweet level in the way it explores the difference between maternal and romantic love. It is filled with simple moments that carry weight in how the characters interact with each other, especially Tess and Eva. I highly recommend this book to anyone searching for good women’s fiction.
The first book in the Seahaven Sunrise Series by Anne Marie Bennett, Feathers in the Sand is an intimate exploration of human relationships that we can all identify with. Tess Gilmore is a single mother who has been so busy that she has overlooked her own happiness and has neglected her relationship with her preteen daughter, Eva. Enter the idyllic coastal town of Seahaven, Maine, where Tess receives a job offer that requires her to relocate. Eva, however, is not amenable to the move. But Seahaven offers the mother and daughter a new opportunity to start and keep Tess far away from the memories of Cameron, who had married a younger woman soon after leaving. Seahaven proves to be a warm and welcoming place as they are embraced by new friends. Just as Tess is beginning to improve her relationship and quality time with Eva, Luca, her first love, enters the picture. His presence rekindles their old romance and could be a barrier to her relationship with Eva.
This is a fascinating romantic story where the setting plays an integral part in the entire plotline. Anne Marie Bennet’s narrative evokes the sensory details necessary to transport you to Seahaven. You can feel and taste the fresh salty air and the blazing sun striping the horizon with intricate shades of russet, raspberry, and gold. Feathers in the Sand is charming and whimsical, and Tess reigns as the profile of a modern woman searching for happiness. She didn’t find it; it found her. You will enjoy this novel on its own sweet level in the way it explores the difference between maternal and romantic love. It is filled with simple moments that carry weight in how the characters interact with each other, especially Tess and Eva. I highly recommend this book to anyone searching for good women’s fiction.
Recommend this book:
The Golden Hearts Club
A Novel
Cinda K. Swalley
2022 Bronze Medal
345 Pages
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Fiction - Womens
Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite
The Golden Hearts Club by Cinda K. Swalley features two sisters from Ohio and their adventures while traveling across the country. Megan and Katie had been preparing for the trip over the past year. The two girls embark upon their drive and head to Florida. While sitting in their tent, they create The Golden Hearts Club, stating that anyone who showed an act of kindness would become a member. As they travel to Arizona, Katie falls ill and Megan stops at an old inn. A Native American innkeeper allows the girls to stay in a room. Rose helps Megan nurse Katie back to health. Back on the road, the girls enter California. Because of her attraction to horses, Katie convinces Megan to stop and enter a pasture to see some up close. A man approaches when he sees the girls trespassing. Did they run away? What kind of trouble did Katie get them in?
Cinda K. Swalley created a beautiful adventure story. The Golden Hearts Club title fits the overall theme of the book. What I liked the most about the story was the actual idea of sharing kindness with people, expecting nothing in return. During today’s constant turmoil, this idea would resolve many differences. Katie and Megan put into play their idea in every encounter they had with people. While the story changes narratives, the transitions were natural and their emotions were relatable. I could connect to Katie. Her personality and hobbies are the mirror image of mine. The artistic descriptions of the places the sisters traveled to would be perfect for a travel guide. I could envision every moment as though I were traveling with Katie and Megan. The Golden Hearts Club is a book that anyone could fall in love with. It is full of adventure, colorful characters, humor, and promotes the kindness that we all need.
The Golden Hearts Club by Cinda K. Swalley features two sisters from Ohio and their adventures while traveling across the country. Megan and Katie had been preparing for the trip over the past year. The two girls embark upon their drive and head to Florida. While sitting in their tent, they create The Golden Hearts Club, stating that anyone who showed an act of kindness would become a member. As they travel to Arizona, Katie falls ill and Megan stops at an old inn. A Native American innkeeper allows the girls to stay in a room. Rose helps Megan nurse Katie back to health. Back on the road, the girls enter California. Because of her attraction to horses, Katie convinces Megan to stop and enter a pasture to see some up close. A man approaches when he sees the girls trespassing. Did they run away? What kind of trouble did Katie get them in?
Cinda K. Swalley created a beautiful adventure story. The Golden Hearts Club title fits the overall theme of the book. What I liked the most about the story was the actual idea of sharing kindness with people, expecting nothing in return. During today’s constant turmoil, this idea would resolve many differences. Katie and Megan put into play their idea in every encounter they had with people. While the story changes narratives, the transitions were natural and their emotions were relatable. I could connect to Katie. Her personality and hobbies are the mirror image of mine. The artistic descriptions of the places the sisters traveled to would be perfect for a travel guide. I could envision every moment as though I were traveling with Katie and Megan. The Golden Hearts Club is a book that anyone could fall in love with. It is full of adventure, colorful characters, humor, and promotes the kindness that we all need.
Recommend this book:
The Home for Friendless Children
Finding hope, joy, and a place in the world
C.L. Olsen
2022 Silver Medal
217 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Adventure
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
The Home for Friendless Children: Finding Hope, Joy, and a Place in the World by C.L. Olsen is a non-fiction memoir detailing a life of survival that transcends into one of true living. Olsen writes in the first person, but the narrative is actually that of her husband, Rob, a little boy who is introduced alongside his earliest memory, setting the tone for a childhood of near-perpetual trauma. Rob is one of several children from a father who left his wife and kids to fend for themselves and a mother who cannot find enough solid footing to raise any of them. Rob, his brothers, and two sisters, who are ultimately removed from his life for decades, are left picking up the pieces with varying degrees of success.
C.L. Olsen does an excellent job of giving her husband a voice in The Hope for Friendless Children. There is a profound innocence in the early chapters of storytelling that genuinely does sound like a child’s narration. With years and, in the case of the memoir, pages that translate into years, the narrative matures. Rob is unquestionably an individual who in his youth had socio-economic disadvantages, and his ability to rise above them is fortunate. Others are not so fortunate, not for want of trying but for the degree to which a child can be hardened. There is a misconception that individuals “choose” not to elevate beyond traumatic childhoods out of a lack of grit—which is absolutely false—but reading about one person who found strength always gives me the warm fuzzies. Recommended.
The Home for Friendless Children: Finding Hope, Joy, and a Place in the World by C.L. Olsen is a non-fiction memoir detailing a life of survival that transcends into one of true living. Olsen writes in the first person, but the narrative is actually that of her husband, Rob, a little boy who is introduced alongside his earliest memory, setting the tone for a childhood of near-perpetual trauma. Rob is one of several children from a father who left his wife and kids to fend for themselves and a mother who cannot find enough solid footing to raise any of them. Rob, his brothers, and two sisters, who are ultimately removed from his life for decades, are left picking up the pieces with varying degrees of success.
C.L. Olsen does an excellent job of giving her husband a voice in The Hope for Friendless Children. There is a profound innocence in the early chapters of storytelling that genuinely does sound like a child’s narration. With years and, in the case of the memoir, pages that translate into years, the narrative matures. Rob is unquestionably an individual who in his youth had socio-economic disadvantages, and his ability to rise above them is fortunate. Others are not so fortunate, not for want of trying but for the degree to which a child can be hardened. There is a misconception that individuals “choose” not to elevate beyond traumatic childhoods out of a lack of grit—which is absolutely false—but reading about one person who found strength always gives me the warm fuzzies. Recommended.
Recommend this book:
Cries of the Savanna
An adventure. An awakening. A journey to understanding African wildlife conservation.
Sue Tidwell
2022 Gold Medal
435 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite
Sue Tidwell and her husband's first memorable experience in Africa involved a species that not many would look forward to seeing in their motherland continent: tsetse flies. Getting attacked by possibly infected tsetse flies was one of the many surprises that lay in store for the two Western travelers in the perilous wilds of Africa. Cries of the Savanna depicts Tidwell's unforgettable, surprise-packed trip to Africa's wilderness and the harsh truths she discovered about nature. Her story includes various challenging and memorable experiences, such as hours of being jostled about in a Land Cruiser, trekking miles through the bushes, dodging elephants and potholes, and more. Coming from an American culture that glamorized nature, as she familiarized herself with Africa's wilderness, laws, and dangers, Tidwell discovered that reality is much less attractive than the way it is portrayed on the internet.
Even as an African, I learned a great deal about Africa from Cries of the Savanna - like the role tourism plays in Africa's economy and why some animal populations must be controlled to maintain balance in nature. Apart from being quite informative, this is an incredibly fun, addictive read. The choice of words and sense of humor brought a smile to my face as I read the book, which also contains stories about the author's upbringing in the US and her growing up with hunters, which makes it easy to connect with her. The book provides a fascinating insight into the reality of living in the wilderness of Africa. It's as entertaining as a thrilling adventure movie, yet brimming with enough information to match a documentary film. If Sue Tidwell takes another trip and writes about them, I'm reading that book as well.
Sue Tidwell and her husband's first memorable experience in Africa involved a species that not many would look forward to seeing in their motherland continent: tsetse flies. Getting attacked by possibly infected tsetse flies was one of the many surprises that lay in store for the two Western travelers in the perilous wilds of Africa. Cries of the Savanna depicts Tidwell's unforgettable, surprise-packed trip to Africa's wilderness and the harsh truths she discovered about nature. Her story includes various challenging and memorable experiences, such as hours of being jostled about in a Land Cruiser, trekking miles through the bushes, dodging elephants and potholes, and more. Coming from an American culture that glamorized nature, as she familiarized herself with Africa's wilderness, laws, and dangers, Tidwell discovered that reality is much less attractive than the way it is portrayed on the internet.
Even as an African, I learned a great deal about Africa from Cries of the Savanna - like the role tourism plays in Africa's economy and why some animal populations must be controlled to maintain balance in nature. Apart from being quite informative, this is an incredibly fun, addictive read. The choice of words and sense of humor brought a smile to my face as I read the book, which also contains stories about the author's upbringing in the US and her growing up with hunters, which makes it easy to connect with her. The book provides a fascinating insight into the reality of living in the wilderness of Africa. It's as entertaining as a thrilling adventure movie, yet brimming with enough information to match a documentary film. If Sue Tidwell takes another trip and writes about them, I'm reading that book as well.
Recommend this book:
Kat the Dog
The remarkable tale of a rescued Spanish water dog
Alyson Sheldrake
2022 Honorable Mention
268 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
“That dark, dank barn, with water dripping down the walls and in through the roof. The concrete floor of my kennel, and the farmer beating me with the broom handle...” That was the beginning of Kat’s life, only she was called Luna back then. When she escaped, she roamed the streets, seeking attention, care, food, and water wherever she could get it until one day, someone offered her a loving forever home. It’s incredible to imagine what Kat endured and how loving she could be after such abuse and neglect.
Alyson Sheldrake’s Kat the Dog is a sweet, heart-wrenching, compassionate story of one dog’s journey from an abusive home to a loving forever home. Based on the true story of the author’s own beloved rescued dog, the author has woven a fantastical story of what might have happened. She chose to write Kat’s story in the first-person narrative, allowing the precious furbaby to speak for herself. I love the way the author used this point of view to make an engaging and heartwarming story so realistic. It’s sometimes difficult to realize the intense cruelty still evident in a world where humans continue to abuse and take advantage of animals.
The plot develops from Kat’s (aka Luna's) rough beginnings on a farm and follows the journey as Kat escapes and searches longingly for a safe place to call home. The descriptive narrative is brutally honest at times, but tender and compassionate as well. Like Bruce Cameron’s A Dog’s Purpose, Marshall Saunders's Beautiful Joe, and many others, this story will definitely warm the hearts of dog lovers and many will shed a few tears as they follow Kat’s journey.
“That dark, dank barn, with water dripping down the walls and in through the roof. The concrete floor of my kennel, and the farmer beating me with the broom handle...” That was the beginning of Kat’s life, only she was called Luna back then. When she escaped, she roamed the streets, seeking attention, care, food, and water wherever she could get it until one day, someone offered her a loving forever home. It’s incredible to imagine what Kat endured and how loving she could be after such abuse and neglect.
Alyson Sheldrake’s Kat the Dog is a sweet, heart-wrenching, compassionate story of one dog’s journey from an abusive home to a loving forever home. Based on the true story of the author’s own beloved rescued dog, the author has woven a fantastical story of what might have happened. She chose to write Kat’s story in the first-person narrative, allowing the precious furbaby to speak for herself. I love the way the author used this point of view to make an engaging and heartwarming story so realistic. It’s sometimes difficult to realize the intense cruelty still evident in a world where humans continue to abuse and take advantage of animals.
The plot develops from Kat’s (aka Luna's) rough beginnings on a farm and follows the journey as Kat escapes and searches longingly for a safe place to call home. The descriptive narrative is brutally honest at times, but tender and compassionate as well. Like Bruce Cameron’s A Dog’s Purpose, Marshall Saunders's Beautiful Joe, and many others, this story will definitely warm the hearts of dog lovers and many will shed a few tears as they follow Kat’s journey.
Recommend this book:
The Cat with Three Passports
What a Japanese Cat Taught Me About an Old Culture and New Beginnings
CJ Fentiman
2022 Finalist
232 Pages
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Non-Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Lois Henderson for Readers' Favorite
The Cat with Three Passports: What a Japanese Cat Taught Me About an Old Culture and New Beginnings, written by CJ Fentiman, tells of how the author travels with her partner, Ryan, to Japan to teach at a language school. They found their first experience of the country rather alienating, due to their lack of familiarity with the fast-paced and frenetic lifestyle of the urban environment of Osaka. They decided to plump for a smaller school in a more rural setting for their second attempt. They then find themselves at home in the remote town of Takayama, a quiet mountain town set in the Japanese Alps. Fentiman is made to feel so much at ease that she is finally able to come to terms with more negative aspects of her being that she had previously felt unable to avoid or overcome. Her self-discovery is encouraged by the presence of three cats in her life (Iko, Niko, and Gershwin), which she describes with such tenderness that any cat lover’s heart will melt.
CJ Fentiman’s The Cat with Three Passports is an insightful introduction to Japanese culture that provides valuable descriptions of the lived experiences of foreigners in Japan. The author’s warmth of personality comes across so strongly that I felt totally enraptured by her responses to the evolving scenes and events, including her sharing of her feelings regarding the local cultural festivals, customs, and cuisine. Her linguistic awareness bears out in her use of Japanese and Zen sayings and proverbs throughout the book, with her relating their meaning to everyday experiences in the country. The Cat with Three Passports should find a ready target market especially with young adults who are still trying to come to terms with themselves and their past, as well as with those who are thinking of working abroad, especially those who are attracted by the specialness of the Japanese culture and lifestyle.
The Cat with Three Passports: What a Japanese Cat Taught Me About an Old Culture and New Beginnings, written by CJ Fentiman, tells of how the author travels with her partner, Ryan, to Japan to teach at a language school. They found their first experience of the country rather alienating, due to their lack of familiarity with the fast-paced and frenetic lifestyle of the urban environment of Osaka. They decided to plump for a smaller school in a more rural setting for their second attempt. They then find themselves at home in the remote town of Takayama, a quiet mountain town set in the Japanese Alps. Fentiman is made to feel so much at ease that she is finally able to come to terms with more negative aspects of her being that she had previously felt unable to avoid or overcome. Her self-discovery is encouraged by the presence of three cats in her life (Iko, Niko, and Gershwin), which she describes with such tenderness that any cat lover’s heart will melt.
CJ Fentiman’s The Cat with Three Passports is an insightful introduction to Japanese culture that provides valuable descriptions of the lived experiences of foreigners in Japan. The author’s warmth of personality comes across so strongly that I felt totally enraptured by her responses to the evolving scenes and events, including her sharing of her feelings regarding the local cultural festivals, customs, and cuisine. Her linguistic awareness bears out in her use of Japanese and Zen sayings and proverbs throughout the book, with her relating their meaning to everyday experiences in the country. The Cat with Three Passports should find a ready target market especially with young adults who are still trying to come to terms with themselves and their past, as well as with those who are thinking of working abroad, especially those who are attracted by the specialness of the Japanese culture and lifestyle.
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