The Sweetness: A Novel Sande Boritz Berger

The Sweetness: A Novel

Sande Boritz Berger

AuthorBuzz

She Writes Press

Pub Date   Sep 23 2014

ISBN:978-1631529078

Rating: 2.75 out of 5

Amazon Synopsis:
Early in The Sweetness, an inquisitive young girl asks her grandmother why she is carrying nothing but a jug of sliced lemons and water when they are forced by the Germans to evacuate their ghetto. "Something sour to remind me of the sweetness," she tells her, setting the theme for what they must remember to survive.

Set during World War II, the novel is the parallel tale of two Jewish girls, cousins, living on separate continents, whose strikingly different lives ultimately converge. Brooklyn-born Mira Kane is the eighteen-year-old daughter of a well-to-do manufacturer of women’s knitwear in New York. Her cousin, eight-year-old Rosha Kaninsky, is the lone survivor of a family in Vilna exterminated by the invading Nazis. But unbeknownst to her American relatives, Rosha did not perish. Desperate to save his only child during a round-up of their ghetto, her father thrusts her into the arms of a Polish Catholic candle maker, who then hides her in a root cellar─putting her own family at risk.

The headstrong and talented Mira, who dreams of escaping Brooklyn for a career as a fashion designer, finds her ambitions abruptly thwarted when, traumatized at the fate of his European relatives, her father becomes intent on safeguarding his loved ones from threats of a brutal world, and all the family must challenge his unuttered but injurious survivor guilt. Though the American Kanes endure the experience of the Jews who got out, they reveal how even in the safety of our lives, we are profoundly affected by the dire circumstances of others.

Survivor guilt is a force that endures—whether within the context of the tragic wars of yesterday and today, or the ongoing trauma within a family. Set during WWII, and inspired by true events, The Sweetness is the story of two Jewish girls, cousins, living on separate continents—one a child in hiding, one a teen who dreams of escaping to Hollywood—whose strikingly different lives promise to converge.

My Thoughts:
Upto approx 50% I'd have given 4 stars. Now it's degenerated into a cross between Mills & Boon with a touch of 50 Shades... However I can't be too sure as I've not read 50 Shades.

I was so enchanted by the first half of this novel which centres around the privileged lifestyles of Mira, her aunt Jeanette, and family in Brooklyn.  A bittersweet tale with its stark contrasts between Mira's world and her 8 year old cousin Rosha's traumatic world of loss, despair and death in Vilna, but also of kindness and hope with the people who shelter her.

The blossoming love affair of Mira and her beau was endearing but at around 52% the story just didn't progress in the way I had imagined it would.

Whilst 'The Sweetness' by Sande Boritz Berger wasn't for me I can see it being popular for mainstream fiction readers who like a light, easy read about love, family life and loss set around a privileged Jewish family during the war.

I would like to thank the publisher via NetGalley for allowing me to review this title.

I'm A Winner - Lesley Jorgenson's debut novel Cat & Fiddle

Thank you to Newbooks Magazine and SCRIBE Publications Australia for my winning prize of Lesley Jorgenson's debut novel Cat & Fiddle.


I just love the stunning cover and look forward to reading it. I'll leave a review once I've read it and enter Cat & Fiddle as a future Giveaway prize.

Product Description:
Cat & Fiddle centres on two families whose lives become entwined at the country estate of Bourne Abbey. While Dr Choudhury is busy advising Henry Bourne on the restoration of the abbey to its former glory, his wife’s main concern is marrying off their three children, whose chances of good matches are dwindling by the day. Thankfully, the royal family always seems to have a solution to her problems: how to find a wife for a reluctant son; how to manage a difficult father-in-law; and, of course, how not to deal with an inter-faith relationship.

Then there’s the Bourne family. Henry’s wife, Thea, is feeling lost, now that she’s got the lifestyle she’s always longed for. His elder brother, Richard, a successful London barrister, finds himself increasingly drawn to the family home — the inheritance that he’s given up. Meanwhile, Henry just wants to keep the peace, but that’s proving to be tricky …

And, finally, there’s Bourne Abbey itself: the repository of an ancient mystery that links the histories and cultures of the Bournes and the Choudhurys in a way that no one could have anticipated.

About the Author:
Lesley Jrgensen trained as a registered nurse while also completing simultaneous arts and law degrees, and has worked as a medical-negligence lawyer in Australia and England. While in England, she married into a Muslim Anglo & Bangladeshi family. She now lives in Adelaide with her two children. Cat & Fiddle is her first novel.

GIVEAWAY 5: The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sŏn-mi Hwang

This Giveaway is for a paper back copy of the book and

only open for Residents in the UK

Giveaway of the charming, beautifully told tale of Sprout

The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly

By Sun-Mi Hwang

Waterstones Synopsis:
This is the story of a hen named Sprout. No longer content to lay eggs on command only to have them carted off to the market, she glimpses her future every morning through the barn doors, where the other animals roam free, and comes up with a plan to escape into the wild - and to hatch an egg of her own. An anthem for individuality and motherhood, The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly has captivated millions of readers in Korea. Now the novel is making its way around the world, where it has the potential to inspire generations of readers the way Jonathan Livingston Seagull or The Alchemist have. And with Nomoco's evocative illustrations throughout, this first English-language edition beautifully captures the journey of an unforgettable character in world literature

Waterstones Book Club: 10th-16th April 2014
The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly is a charming tale about Sprout, a tired, worn down industrial hen who yearns and dares to dream about a better life for herself. Sprout desperately wants to be free from the coop and to hatch her very own chick.

I adored Sprout and Straggler in this touching, often sad, yet uplifting novella which touched on so many themes including friendship, loyalty, love, self sacrifice and loss. So beautifully told with accompanying simple black and white artwork.

A timeless tale that I will definitely re-read again.

I was so pleased to see this title come into the store and I immediately brought it to the attention of the manager. It is also the Waterstones March Book of the Month selection. I will be delighted to

recommend it to customers visiting our store.

I would like to thank the publisher via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this title.

BIBLICAL By Christopher Galt

Waterstones.com

Title: Biblical

Author: Christopher Galt

ISBN: 9781780874807

Pages: 400 (Hardback)

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Quercus Publishing Plc

Publish Date: 1/5/2014

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis:
An apocalyptic thriller that pits cutting-edge science against God and asks the question – who will win?

Something is happening around the world. People are having visions, seeing ghosts, witnessing events that could not have taken place.
At first, the incidents are scattered and infrequent, the visions unremarkable. But as time goes on, the visions become more sustained, more vivid. More frightening. Psychiatrist Dr John Macbeth is in a desperate race to find what is causing the phenomenon. And when someone close to him is murdered in a bomb blast, his quest for the truth becomes much more personal.

An apocalyptic thriller on an epic scale that will make you question your own reality.

All around the world, people start to see things that aren't there, that cannot be. Visions, ghosts, events from the past playing out in the present.
To start with, the visions are unremarkable: things misplaced in time and caught out of the corner of the eye; glimpses of long-dead family or friends. But, as time goes on, the visions become more sustained, more vivid, more widespread. More terrifying.

As the visions become truly apocalyptic, some turn to religion, others to science.
Only one man, driven by personal as well as professional reasons, is capable of finding the real truth. But the truth that psychiatrist John Macbeth uncovers is much, much bigger than either religion or science.
A truth so big it could cost him his sanity. And his life.

My Thoughts:
The opening scene had me hooked immediately with the depiction of a French teenager finding herself in amongst a crowd of people witnessing the execution of Joan d'Arc.  She manages to take a picture of the horrific scene on her phone.

Around the world people are experiencing hallucinations, having feelings of déjà vu, and accidents and mass suicides are occurring on an alarming scale.

It is a time where science is destroying religion as it answers the mysteries and miracles of old.

Macbeth, a psychiatrist involved in a neuroscience project, finds himself hurled into a race against time to uncover the mystery of the phenomena. Is it caused by a virus, or are these visions sent from God as believed by religious leaders and fanatics worldwide? Is the world readying itself for 'The Rapture'?

Christopher Galt's 'Biblical' is a fantastic piece of fiction blending elements of scientific fact and human genetic anomalies. Galt's characters come to life with his empathetic writing style, and the numerous memorable characters are totally plausible and mesmerising. I felt as though I were watching a film, they were so well drawn out. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen to each of them as their fate unfolded. Mary Vermont's heart felt tale of her frustration and anguish of suffering from Alzheimer's and the happiness albeit brief of the visions she has was particularly poignant.  It was easy to imagine what it must be like to have this awful disease looking through Mary's eyes. Each and every one of Galt's characters has an equally compelling tale to tell and I loved finding out about them all.

Biblical kept me guessing all the way to its mind blowing climax.  It is an intelligent, imaginative, addictive, apocalyptic thriller that kept me reading well into the early hours.

Definitely my favourite this year.


I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this title.

Brief Synopsis of Rupert Thomson's The Insult

From the Portsmouth Branch of Waterstones.

Just some of the favourites from the staff at Waterstones.

Mine was Rupert Thomson's, The Insult.

 

I will publish a fuller review along with very late reviews of my previous reads soon. 

I apologise for my tardiness but due to various situations including Christmas, work, and another house move my reviews have taken a back seat.

MORE THAN THIS by Patrick Ness

AMAZON UK Link:

Title: More Than This

Author: Patrick Ness

Publisher: Walker

Genre: Science Fiction

Source: Library

Pub Date:  5 September 2013

Seth dies a brutal death, crushed on the ocean floor.  When he wakes up he is  in a strange, desolate, but somewhat familiar place and he can remember every detail of his death.

This is the opening chapter...WOW this is going go be another brilliant addition to Patrick Ness' accomplishments but unfortunately it just didn't deliver.

I've really mulled this one over before attempting my review, and I still don't know how to convey my thoughts without giving anything away.

I loved the Chaos Walking trilogy and A Monster Calls and I so wanted this to be another firm favourite but alas, and I know I'm in a minority here, I really didn't like it at all on several levels; plot, characters, world building plausibility, and who is the intended reader: Teen? YA? I had put some questions to Patrick Ness but as yet I've received no reply so I'll go ahead with my thoughts.

As a parent, career or teacher would you want your 12/13 year old reading a book with, albeit  only a minimal part of the storyline, explicit scenes between 2 guys? The scenes are beautifully portrayed and sensually written and it's not a complete surprise as Patrick Ness has touched on the subject in the Chaos Walking trilogy.  Although these elements of the story were in my opinion fine for the young adult audience, much of the book seemed to be targeted at a younger reader and seemed inappropriate. I was confused and the two styles didn't gel for me.

My son raised the issue with me and the conversation went something like this;

Son: 'they're a gay couple!' with a questioning look

Me: 'yes I know' and 'there's nothing wrong in that is there?'

Son: No

Me: 'you know some gay people'

Son: 'do I?'

Me: 'Yes so and so'

Son: 'Is he/she?'

Much easier to explain than;

Son: 'he's a cock fiddler!'

Me: 'umm well yes that's what ... umm what book are you reading?'

I don't sensor what my kids read but I would like some warning as to the level of sexual content contained within a book aimed at teens / YA.  

As for the plot, I thought it was lacking in depth with flat characters which I didn't believe in.  'Much More Than This' raised far too many unanswerable questions for me, the world created was far too implausible.

A real 'Meh 2.5' from me on this one.

Unable to recommend this one as I just didn't care for it at all although some pretty good discussions could be had in reading groups.

GRAHAM HURLEY Book Signing at Waterstones

Waterstones.com Link:

Excellent news!

Waterstones has confirmed a signing with

Graham Hurley and he will be visiting the Portsmouth Branch, Commercial Road on,

28th November at 12:30

His new book is called 'Touching Distance' and is on sale now in store.

I'm pretty fed up that I won't be able to be there on the day due to a hospital appointment but I'm sure it will be a great day.

OPEN ROAD MEDIA 'A Century of Crime' Giveaway

OPEN ROAD MEDIA 'Century of Crime' Link

There’s only one thing better than a free book—eight free books.

Many aspects of the mystery novel have changed drastically over the past century—style, language, technology, and crimes—but the core of the genre has stood the test of time. As long as crooks persist, sleuths will be around to track them down.

– Looking for something from the Roaring Twenties? Try Grey Mask by British author Patricia Wentworth.

– How about the Fabulous Fifties? Maybe Charles Williams’ classic noir, The Hot Spot, is more your style.

– Check out mysteries from every decade, from favorites like Dorothy L. Sayers and Susan Isaacs, in the infographic.

And here’s the best part: Open Road Media are hosting a mystery book giveaway with a grand prize of eight mysteries and thrillers! To enter, simply visit their 'Century of Crime' page and scroll down to the bottom to enter.

This week, ignore the new releases, and dig back into history’s treasury of classic mysteries.

LONGBOURN by JO BAKER

Amazon Link:

Waterstones Link:

Title: Longbourn

Author: Jo Baker

Publisher: Doubleday / Transworld Publishing / Black Swan

Publish Date: 16 January 2014

Source: (digital) Newbooks Magazine

Genre: Historical Fiction

ISBN: 9780857522023 (p/b)

Rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis:
"If Elizabeth Bennet had the washing of her own petticoats, Sarah thought, she would be more careful not to trudge through muddy fields.

It is wash-day for the housemaids at Longbourn House, and Sarah's hands are chapped and bleeding. Domestic life below stairs, ruled tenderly and forcefully by Mrs Hill the housekeeper, is about to be disturbed by the arrival of a new footman smelling of the sea, and bearing secrets.

For in Georgian England, there is a world the young ladies in the drawing room will never know, a world of poverty, love, and brutal war."

My Thoughts:
...“If Elizabeth Bennet had the washing of her own petticoats", Sarah often thought, "she’d most likely be a sight more careful with them."...

This was a section from the opening chapter and I was immediately ensnared. I have not yet read Pride & Prejudice, and did wonder if I would be able to follow the meshing of story lines, but with writing this good I decided to give Longbourn the benefit of the doubt.  I'm so glad I did. I do not believe it detracted from my enjoyment nor understanding of the characters or plot. I am very keen to read Jane Austin's classic and it has certainly been plucked from the 'books to read' pile and is now at the top destined for an earlier read.

Longbourn is an alternative retelling from 'downstairs', the servants points of view on the affairs of the privaliged lifestyle of the Bennets, and gives extensive insight into the servants gruelling exhaustible daily chores of cleaning and the never ending work involved in the running of the household.

The story is told in three volumes taking place over the same time period of the original story. The first two are mainly based at Longbourn concentrating on the feisty Sarah, the 17 year old orphan housemaid. The final volume focuses a little more on the history of James Smith the Footman, the newest addition to the servants quarters, and whose history is somewhat clouded in mystery. Other characters include, Polly another orphan housemaid, and Mrs Hill, the Head Housekeeper and Cook who is married to Mr Hill.

I absolutely loved Baker's style of writing. She has written an excellent historical tale with such depth of character development it evoked strong visual images in my head as I read. I found the characters to be believable and credible and was totally drawn into the world, if sometimes bleak and grim, that Baker so wonderfully portrayed.

Such a beautifully written book, I would have no reservations in recommending it to anyone interested in romantic classics and/or lovers of period dramas such as the current tv serialisation 'Downtown Abbey', or the classic 'Upstairs, Downstairs' tv series from the 70's. There is something for everyone, romance, intrigue, mystery, scandalous behaviour, dastardly deeds, doubt, distrust and expectations for a better future.

Book reading groups would have an enormous amount of enjoyment discussing the privaliged characters from the classic and this retelling about the poverty stricken, hardworking servants.

Disclosure: I received an e-review copy of Longbourn for an honest, unbiased review. It was a pleasure and I thank Newbooks Magazine for this opportunity.

GIVEAWAY 4 : ANGELFALL by SUSAN EE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I have been neglecting my blog over the last couple of weeks due to the start of my new job.

Working full time and dealing with the family, the dog and cat has taken it out of me and I have had no 'me time' for reading and reviewing.

I will be back very soon !

Letters From a Murderer - A Jameson and Argenti case John Mathews

Amazon UK Link:

Letters From a Murderer - A Jameson and Argenti case

John Mathews

Publisher: ANGRY ROBOT Ltd

Publish Date: 24th September 2013

Source: (digital ARC) Publisher via NetGalley

Genre: Crime Fiction / Mystery / Thriller/ Jack The Ripper

ISBN: 9781909223363

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Synopsis:
"New York, 1891. A new breed of cop for a new breed of killer…

The first in a series of hard-boiled New York Victorian mysteries, featuring Finley Jameson & Joseph Argenti.

If Arthur Conan Doyle had been asked to write a sequel to Gangs of New York, then this would be it.

“One genius criminal profiler. One ruthless, streetwise cop. Both will need all their wits to capture the most notorious killer of all time.”

New York, 1891. A prostitute is found brutally murdered. The victim bears the same hallmarks as a notorious recent killing spree in England. Could it be that killer has crossed the Atlantic to fresh killing grounds? Or is this simply a copycat murder? Fear spreads through a city already rife with cut-throat gangs, corruption and vice. Aristocratic English pathologist, Finley Jameson, is teamed up with Joseph Argenti, a streetwise New York cop, to solve the case. But as the body-count rises and the killer taunts his pursuers in open letters, Jameson & Argenti find themselves fighting not just to prevent yet more victims, but also to save the city’s very soul."

My Thoughts:
I liked this atmospheric period piece set in New York in the 1890's. It is a stylish thriller that immersed me into a dull dingy gaslight world in its infancy of emerging into a brighter world of modern electricity. A world full of the 'hustle and bustle' of noisy smelly streets, dark sinister alleys with a crime detection force on the cusp of modern day forensics. Think Sherlock Holmes with a touch of The Gangs of New York and a dash of Deadwood, that would pretty much describe this novel.

The plot is a generous mix of historical fact and supposition fiction and is a very credible piece. It places the murderer 'Jack The The Ripper' back in his homeland of New York where he leaves another bloody trail of slaughter on his latest murder spree.

There are all the 'usual suspects' for a Ripper tale including police corruption, the criminal underworld, secrets and lies, and of course the unfortunate 'ladies of the night'. Other characters include Holmes', I mean Jameson's manservant, Lawrence, and the evil, sociopath Michael Tierney, of the Tierney mob.

The pacing is steady throughout carefully building up a credible, sinister, sleazy, cut throat world in which the characters live. The characters are well drawn and fleshed out along with complex and flawed personalities. Argenti, a down to earth, perceptive immigrant cop in New York has been teamed up with the charismatic, highly privileged British 'toff', Finley Jameson. They are an odd couple indeed but the polar differences in their backgrounds and personalities works wonderfully well making 'Letters From A Murderer' an exciting, captivating, thrilling and believable read.

The unlikely duo assisted by Lawrence battle to identify and apprehend the murderer to put an end to his slaughter, but their efforts are hampered by a possible copy cat murderer, and corruption within the force. I thoroughly enjoyed 'Letters From a Murderer' and look forward to reading more from the duo.

Fans of historical crime, Jack The Ripper style books, and crime fiction in general will enjoy 'Letters From A Murderer'. I highly recommend it.

I received a digital ARC from the Publisher via NetGalley and thank them for the opportunity to review this title.

MONSTERS : The ASHES Trilogy - Book 3

AMAZON com Link:

Monsters: The Ashes Trilogy

Ilsa J. Bick

Pages: 688

Publisher: Egmont USA

Publish Date USA: September 10, 2013

Source: (digital ARC) Publisher via NetGalley

Genre: YA / Teens/ Dystopic / Zombie / Horror

ISBN: 9781606841778

Rating: DNF / Unrated

Amazon Synopsis: 
"The Changed are on the move. The Spared are out of time. The End...is now.

When her parents died, Alex thought things couldn't get much worse--until the doctors found the monster in her head.

She headed into the wilderness as a good-bye, to leave everything behind. But then the end of the world happened, and Alex took the first step down a treacherous road of betrayal and terror and death.

Now, with no hope of rescue--on the brink of starvation in a winter that just won't quit--she discovers a new and horrifying truth.

The Change isn't over.
The Changed are still evolving.
And...they've had help.

With this final volume of The Ashes Trilogy, Ilsa J. Bick delivers a riveting, blockbuster finish, returning readers to a brutal, post-apocalyptic world where no one is safe and hope is in short supply.

A world where, from these ashes, the monsters may rise."

My Thoughts:
My 13yr old daughter and I absolutely loved Ashes, and Shadows and eagerly awaited the final instalment of the trilogy. However, I was rather disappointed. I found the writing style to be jumpy, leaping from one scene and character to another, sometimes it seemed mid sentence. This was far too disorienting for me to want to continue and I regretfully did not finish this one.

Ashes in my opinion was by far the best and told the story focusing on, Ellie, Alex and Tom's points of view. Shadows, not packing as much punch as Ashes, but still a great read, concentrated on a greater cast of characters perspectives. Monsters has too many voices, with the main cast and secondary characters jostling for attention. It also became tedious at times with so many long drawn-out action scenes that I began to skim read, and ultimately abandoned it.

Maybe it's been too long between reads, about a year since Shadows but I just found it hard work to keep up and just wasn't enjoying having to put such effort into a YA/Teen book. There is a section at the back summarising some events and characters from the previous books which I feel would have been better placed at the front, but even this wasn't enough for me to want to persevere.

Don't get me wrong Monsters is very well written and I would still recommend it to anybody who has already invested in this trilogy, but just not to expect any wrapping up of the series as it certainly didn't answer any of the questions raised in Ashes, like who or what was behind the EMP for starters.

My daughter is still reading it and thoroughly enjoying the story line, all be it very gory. She does say that it's very confusing with all the different characters but she is determined to finish it. I will include her final verdict in due course.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley and would like to thank them for the opportunity to review this title.

Taking Fire: Saving Captain Aikman: A Story of the Vietnam Air War

AMAZON.com Hardback Link:

AMAZON.com Kindle Link:

Taking Fire: Saving Captain Aikman: A Story of the Vietnam Air War

Kevin O'Rourke & Joe Peters

Pages: 216 (H/B)

Publisher: Casemate

Publish Date: August 2013

Source: (digital ARC) Publisher via NetGalley

ISBN-10: 1612001262

ISBN-13: 978-1612001265

Rating: Read but Unrated - Not my thing

Synopsis: (Amazon)
"American military special operations forces Rangers, SEALs, and others have become a well recognized and highly respected part of our popular culture. But whom do these elite warriors look to in their times of greatest need: when wounded on the battlefield, cut off deep behind enemy lines, or adrift in the expanse of the world's oceans? They look skyward, hoping to catch a glimpse of their own personal guardian angel: a U.S. Air Force pararescue jumper (PJ) who lives, and sometimes dies, by the motto that others may live.

Taking Fire provides an up-close look into the heroism and mystique of this little known segment of the Air Force Special Tactics community by focusing on one of the most dramatic rescues of the Vietnam War. It was June 1972 and Capt. Lynn Aikman is returning from a bombing mission over North Vietnam when his F-4 Phantom is jumped by an enemy MiG and shot down. He and his backseater Tom Hanton eject from their crippled aircraft, but Hanton lands near a village and is quickly captured by local militia. Badly injured during the ejection, Aikman lands some distance from the village, and there is a chance that he can be recovered if American rescuers can reach him before the enemy does.

Now on the ground and drifting in and out of consciousness, Captain Aikman looks up and suddenly sees his guardian angel in the form of USAF Pararescue Jumper Chuck McGrath. As Sergeant McGrath is preparing to hook the downed pilot to a hoist line, he sees it fall to the ground. Hostile fire on the hovering Jolly Green Giant rescue helicopter has damaged the hoist mechanism causing the operator to cut the line. While circling A-1 Skyraiders strafe the militia to keep them away from Aikman and McGrath, the helicopter crew races to come up with a plan. It's getting dark, and they'll only have one chance.

Taking Fire is an exciting, highly dramatic story of life and death over North Vietnam. Much more than a chronicle the events of 27 June 1972, the book gives the reader an up-close look at the little known world of the U.S. Air Force's elite aerial rescue force.'

My Thoughts:
Taking Fire is written in a military documented style of writing using interviews with the para rescue servicemen. I felt disengaged and emotionally unconnected because of this style of writing and did not really get a sense of who the real men were. The authors do go some way to describe Chuck's life leading upto the main event but felt they were far more comfortable with in-depth details of the various helicopters used during the missions.

There are some horrific incidents described during the course of this book but even so I did not feel any real sense of involvement. I am not heartless it is purely the writing style. I don't think the authors meant it to be a 'tear jerker' or 'feel sorry for' story, and intended it to be a clear, matter of all the facts, military book documenting the rescue missions and the bravery of these little known servicemen during the Vietnam war. They definitely achieved their aim.

I have read many factual books about war but this was just not for me. In my opinion this is a man's book and I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in military operations wanting to find out more about these extremely brave men and about the dangerous rescue missions.Thank you to the Publisher via Net Galley for allowing me to review this title.

I GOT THE JOB !

DUST by Hugh Howey

Spoiler warning: I have made an effort not to reveal plots although I may have unknowingly done so.  If you haven’t read 'Wool' or 'Shift' yet you may want to read them before my review and especially before reading 'Dust'.

You can read my review on 'Wool' & 'Shift' here.

Initial rating 3.5 but once it got going rose to a steady 4.0

I loved 'Wool', it was hauntingly atmospheric and beautifully written. 'Shift', as a prequel of sorts had an interesting backstory, and 'Dust' picks up from where 'Wool' left off.  We rejoin some familiar and much missed characters and follow them to the climactic finale.

'Dust' is released in one volume unlike its predecessors 'Wool & Shift' which were in episode format initially.  Not sure if it was because of this that I found the pace slower. I wondered if Howey had lost his 'magic touch', but then it picked up pace and pretty much kept going.

We still find the majority of people in the silo living in ignorance of a terrible truth which is being discovered by the inquisitive few. They are comfortable remaining in the dark, living routine lives.  What will happen when they are confronted by the truth after their world is sabotaged?

Howey creates some unforgettable, believable characters and uses several strong assertive women, as well as male protagonists, with a sense of vulnerability without feeling patronising or going 'over the top'.  There are some intense moments throughout and in one scene I felt absolute angst and sorrow after finding out that maybe one of the villains wasn't so bad after all... Who could they have trusted without being betrayed or misunderstood.   It was an highly emotive discovery.

Dust is an exciting, thought-provoking, action-packed read which kept me guessing right through to the very end.  An absolute 'must read' for those who have already invested in Wool & Shift wanting to find closure, and those of you wanting an extremely well written, easy to read Dystopic, sci-fi tale.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this title.

Forty Days at Kamas by Preston Fleming

€2.99 Kindle - Amazon Com

Just won an ebook, FORTY DAYS AT KAMAS, by Preston Fleming at LibraryThing.com.

FORTY DAYS AT KAMAS is the first book in the Kamas Trilogy of dystopian novels set during the 2020s after a dictatorial President-for-Life has brought the United States under totalitarian one-party rule.

 "A brutal portrait of a dystopian America, full of dramatic irony and shocking revelation." KIRKUS REVIEWS

"A page-turner…moves at a solid clip. An overtly political story that succeeds as entertainment.” PACIFIC BOOK REVIEW

Theatres of War by R J J Hall

Update: I have received a copy to review !

Read the first four chapters Link:

AMAZON UK LINK:

AMAZON COM LINK:

'Wool' & 'Shift' - The Silo Series by Hugh Howey

My Thoughts:

'Wool' and 'Shift', (#1-#8) kept me reading into the early hours even with flu. The opening chapter of  'Wool' was a real clincher.

Will not say too much about plot or characters as, in my opinion, the Silo series needs to be read in ignorance to get the full surprise impact, and have the mystery slowly revealed throughout the series. In brief it's about life and survival in a silo sometime in the future after a world wide catastrophic event.

Hugh has written an intelligent, engaging story with totally credible characters in an environment full of tension and intrigue. I felt many emotions ranging from dread, disbelief to excitement, fascination and relief. Hugh's descriptive style is perfect in bringing to life the world that his characters live in. The scenes played out vividly and effortlessly in my mind to such a degree that I hope I'm not disappointed with the film version whenever it comes out.

It may not be a 'hard core', 'hi-tech geeky' Sci-fi book and may not be suited to everyone but for fans of Dystopian fiction or for anyone who enjoys a really good story, I would wholeheartedly recommend it.

Gripping stuff.  Totally addictive.  Loved it !

I hope the energy and thrill of the ride will continue into the final phase in the series...Dust

THE POSTMAN THIS WEEK

Well it's been a great week for post deliveries.

I received these great titles and looking forward to reading and reviewing them.

1. The Genesis Key by James Barney

Amazon UK Link:

2. City of Devils by Diana Bretherick

Amazon UK Link:

3. The Eye of Minds by James Dashner
Amazon UK Link:

4. Far Far Away by Tom McNeal
Amazon UK Link:

THE ALMOND TREE by Michelle Cohen Corasanti

AMAZON UK LINK:

"The Almond Tree's" opening scene was achingly difficult to read but mesmerising and I was instantly hooked.  I absolutely loved this beautiful piece of fiction about the  uncertainties of Hamid and his family's day to day lives.  Set in the Middle East in Israeli occupied Palestine it is told in four parts spanning a 50 year period from the 50's to 2009.

It is predominantly the story of two brothers one eaten up and destroyed by hatred and one who is able to forgive and manages to remain humane.

Imagine at 12 years of age your country has been invaded and the conquerors telling you, you have no right to be there because, in a 'book', it was written that this country is theirs. They have come to claim their land with the support and protection of other countries. They take your home and land that has been tended and cared for for centuries. You  are unwelcome, hated and forced to comply with curfews with fear of imprisonment if you break the rules. Your makeshift shack can be destroyed at any time leaving you without shelter and defenceless. There is no redress for the murder of your siblings or children or for the violence and destruction rent on your people.

With Ichmad's narrative it successfully transports you to this place and you experience the  constant tension of conflict, you feel the  grief and frustration that he feels. It leaves you wondering if you too could tolerate the aggressors violence and injustices with the dignity and calm Ichmad does.

This story is so powerfully portrayed that I had to remind myself that it was a novel and not a memoir.  I 'Googled' on occasions to see if  the characters were indeed real.  I did come across one, that of the poet Mahmoud Darwish and his poem 'Identity Card' which I found rather profound and have included at the end of my review.

Michelle Cohen Corasanti's characters are amazingly well drawn with warmth, love,  but also frustration, and hatred.  I believe she has tried to write  in an honest and unbiased a manner. I was somewhat uncomfortable with the  generalisation  portraying the Palestinians as victims and the Israeli's as aggressors.  With the complexities and passions of all involved in this longstanding conflict things are seldom so black and white. While reading this book I had to constantly remind myself that  Michelle Cohen Corasanti is herself an American Jew. 

If you enjoyed 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini, or  'Mornings in Jenin' by Susan AbulhawaI  I would definitely recommend 'The Almond Tree,' and especially to anyone interested in human rights. Book reading groups would benefit from reading it and it would certainly generate some interesting discussions.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via 'GoodReads', and I would like to thank them for the opportunity to review this debut novel.

Identity Card by Mahmoud Darwish

Put it on record

--I am an Arab

And the number of my card is fifty thousand

I have eight childern

And the ninth is due after summer.

What's there to be angry about?

Put it on record.

--I am an Arab

Working with comrades of toil in a quarry.

I have eight childern

For them I wrest the loaf of bread,

The clothes and exercise books

From the rocks

And beg for no alms at your doors,

--Lower not myself at your doorstep.

--What's there to be angry about?

Put it on record.

--I am an Arab.

I am a name without a tide,

Patient in a country where everything

Lives in a whirlpool of anger.

--My roots

--Took hold before the birth of time

--Before the burgeoning of the ages,

--Before cypess and olive trees,

--Before the proliferation of weeds.

My father is from the family of the plough

--Not from highborn nobles.

And my grandfather was a peasant

--Without line or genealogy.

My house is a watchman's hut

--Made of sticks and reeds.

Does my status satisfy you?

--I am a name without a surname.

Put it on Record.

--I am an Arab.

Color of hair: jet black.

Color of eyes: brown.

My distinguishing features:

--On my head the 'iqal cords over a keffiyeh

--Scratching him who touches it.

My address:

--I'm from a village, remote, forgotten,

--Its streets without name

--And all its men in the fields and quarry.

--What's there to be angry about?

Put it on record.

--I am an Arab.

You stole my forefathers' vineyards

--And land I used to till,

--I and all my childern,

--And you left us and all my grandchildren

--Nothing but these rocks.

--Will your government be taking them too

--As is being said?

So!

--Put it on record at the top of page one:

--I don't hate people,

--I trepass on no one's property.

And yet, if I were to become starved

--I shall eat the flesh of my usurper.

--Beware, beware of my starvation.

--And of my anger!