Thrice Read Books

Mockingjay Book Review

Thrice Read Books reviews Suzanne Collins' Mockingjay, book 3 in the Hunger Games Trilogy

About the book:

The greatly anticipated final book in the New York Times bestselling Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins.

The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. 

Who do they think should pay for the unrest?

Katniss Everdeen.

The final book in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins will have hearts racing, pages turning, and everyone talking about one of the biggest and most talked-about books and authors in recent publishing history!!!!

About the author:

Suzanne Collins has had a successful and prolific career writing for children’s television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains It All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. Collins made her mark in children’s literature with the New York Times bestselling five-book series for middle-grade readers The Underland Chronicles, which has received numerous accolades in both the United States and abroad. In the award-winning The Hunger Games trilogy, Collins continues to explore the effects of war and violence on those coming of age. Collins lives with her family in Connecticut.

Brian’s Review:

The third and final book to the Hunger Games trilogy, Mockingjay doesn’t disappoint.  Collins once again hits the nail on the head with the final book.  If you don’t have tears at the end of the book check your pulse.  Collins has displayed a masterful series and if you are upper Jr. High and up, you will most assuredly enjoy these books.  If you saw the movies, then all I can say is, wait until you read the books…

Brian & Sam review book 3 of Suzanne Collins' YA Dystopian Hunger Games series, Mockingjay, on the Thrice Read Books review blog.

Sam’s Review: 

Flying arrows! Heart break! Betrayal. All of that happens in Hunger Game 3, Mockingjay.

Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins, is the third, last, and final book in the Hunger Games. And it is as good of a book as the other two. This powerful ending will leave you wanting more, but at the same time, it leaves you satisfied with the way things turned out.

Katniss has been chosen to be the rebel’s Mockingjay. Simple, right? I mean, all she has to do is make propos and scare the Capitol. It’s not that easy. See, Peeta has become the capitol’s puppet, and Katniss keeps getting hurt.

This book was very, very, very fun to read, and I’m very sorry that it ended there. Overall, the series was fun to read. But, a couple of things were wrong. One, the book ended, two, why can’t there be a story without a super evil bad guy, and three, I miss the games. In other words, I loved this!

Buy this book:

You can buy a copy of this book from Thrice Read Books here.

This book is also available from Amazon in Kindle, hardcover, paperback, audiobook and audio CD formats here. [affiliate link]

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest – Book Review

Brian’s Review:

In this final book you’ll find yourself cheering and rooting for Salander.  You’ll experience the rush as things fall into place and the fear that perhaps it won’t go as planned.  If you have read the first two books, there is no way you’ll want to leave the story unfinished.  A must read. If you haven’t read the first two books, I strongly suggest you do.

The Book:

Lisbeth Salander- the heart of Larsson’s two previous novels- lies in critical condition, a bullet wound to her head, in the intensive care unit of a Swedish city hospital.  She’s fighting for her life in more ways than one: if and when she recovers she’ll be taken back to Stockholm to stand trial for three murders.  With the help of her friend, journalist Mikael Blomkvist, she will not only have to prove her innocence, but also identify and denounce those in authority who have allowed the vulnerable, like herself, to suffer abuse and violence.  And, on her own, she will plot revenge- against the man who tried to kill her, and the corrupt government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life.

     Once upon a time she was a victim.  Now Salander is fighting back. (From inside the cover of book.)

Thrice Read Books has this used book in stock. You can purchase a copy here.

You can also purchase this book from Amazon as hardcover, Kindle, paperback, audiobook or Mass market paperback here. [affiliate link]

Crystals For Energy Healing – Book Review

Ashley Leavy is the founder of the Love and Light School of Crystal Therapy, and she’s recently released a new handbook/reference guide for crystal healers and energy workers.

Meet ﻿Crystals for Energy Healing:﻿

 *Note: I’ve included an Amazon affiliate link to Ashley’s book. When you follow this link and make a purchase, I get a small percentage of the total at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance for supporting us in this way.

First off, this book is broken down into three parts: Crystal Basics, where Ashley explains the what and how of crystals and working with them in simple, concise language. Section two is all about Crystal Healing: How to work with crystals in your own sacred space, how to use crystals in affirmations and how to work with chakras, layouts and grids.

Section three is the really juicy stuff. A huge sourcebook of crystals with gorgeous color photos, detailed scientific information, attributes, legends and uses broken down into three general categories.

Whether you are just curious about crystal energy or you are a seasoned energy worker, Ashley’s book is an amazing reference work that collects her years of experience and expertise into one lovely volume.

 This book may be purchased in either hardcover or Kindle format from Amazon here.

Swords: An Artist’s Devotion – Book Review

Buy a copy of this book here.

About the book:

Be smitten by the sword! An extraordinary young artist brings the history of this noble weapon — and its skillful masters — into stunningly sharp relief.Brave men and women have taken up the sword since ages of old, and a fascination with this formidable weapon grips dedicated followers to this day. Here is a celebration of swords and swordsmen that spans time and place — from ancient warriors such as Beowulf to medieval knights; from stealthy ninja and samurai to legendary maidens of war. Illustrated with breathtaking intricacy, SWORDS reflects the passion of a true devotee, offering lavish background details on design and use as well as exquisite spreads showcasing specimens in all their shining glory.
Back matter includes a bibliography.

Brian’s Review:

This is a fun book filled with some interesting information on one of man’s most oldest and deadliest weapons ever created.  With great illustrations and fun facts this is a book any enthusiast will enjoy.  Thumb through and look at the pictures, or take the time to read the words.  Either way this book is a winner.

You can also buy this book from Amazon in either Hardcover or Paperback editions here. [affiliate link]

Football Facts – Book Review

About the book:

This big-as-a-linebacker collection will win over every football fan-even reluctant readers. Featuring such cool categories as On the Gridiron, Super Feats, and Catch Phrases, it contains thousands of football facts and fun trivia, as well as great stories, amazing plays and players, and lots more. Paperback, 352 pages (From Amazon.com product listing.)

Brian’s Review

This is a fun book with information pertaining to one of America’s favorite past times.  With notes on records and other facts about football any football enthusiast will love. They young will enjoy learning about their favorite sport while older people will enjoy testing their knowledge, and gaining that tad bit of information that will let them seem smarter around the water cooler during the season.

Buy the book:

Thrice Read Books has one copy of this book available here.

This book is also available from Amazon in paperback edition only here. [affiliate link]

When I Grow Up – Book Review

About the Book:

It’s Show-and-Tell time in Mrs. Krupp’s class, and Billy just can’t wait for his turn! Today the class is discussing what they want to be when they grow up, and our exuberant eight-year-old hero is bursting to tell everyone about his future career plans.

In dazzling wordplay and delicious rhymes, Billy regales his patient teacher and amazed classmates with tales of the variety of careers he wants to pursue—each more outlandish and wildly imaginative than the last!

Brian’s Review:

This book is very funny, with a great lesson in it.  Mr. Yankovic better known as Weird Al Yankovic delivers in true to fashion Weird Al form.  Very similar writing to Dr. Seuss. So if you enjoyed Cat in the Hat, then you’ll love When I Grow Up.

﻿Jenn’s Review:

I absolutely adore this book, as did Sam when she was younger. Admittedly, though, if you are a parent and you let your youngster read this, be prepared for some odd questions. Yes, there is such a thing as giraffe cheese and chocolate mice are not a “thing” (mousse, mouse… these strange words of our language!).

Buy the book:

This book is available in Kindle, Hardcover, paperback and audio format from Amazon here. [affiliate link]

Hard to Handle – Book Review

Admittedly, I’ve only read two of the books in this series (Book 2 and Book 5 – this one being book 5), but I am in absolute love with Ms. Warren’s storytelling once more in Hard to Handle, A Beauty and Beast, Gargoyles novel. [Note: This post contains an affiliate link to Amazon.com. When you purchase something after clicking on this link, I receive a small percentage of the total purchase as commission from Amazon, at no additional cost to you, the buyer. I thank you in advance for supporting us in this way.] 

When the world is coming to a Dark and nasty end, Guardians are summoned to hold back the evil that threatens to end life as we know it. It seems, though, that this time, things are not going according to plan or tradition, and as Guardians (hidden away around the world in the form of the ghastly gargoyles a la Notre Dame) awaken to stop this most recent threat brought on by the Noctorni and the Demons they serve, the Guardians discover a world much changed.

Not only have a few hundred years passed, but the Guild that supports and serves the Guardians has been effectively wiped out by the Noctorni. To confuse matters further, each of the awakened gargoyles to this point are male, and must overcome both a lack of information and a change in tradition as they find themselves partnered, one by one, to women of power (those with paranormal abilities) rather than to the men of the Guild they are used to working with.

Ash is brought into sudden waking by recent events, but her very existence shakes the foundations of all that the Guardians have ever been. Never has a Guardian been summoned without a Guild member, and never has a Guardian been… female. Ash has no idea what the implications are for herself, let alone the world she was summoned to protect, but time is short as the Noctorni gain in strength and advantage. 

Her only option is to partner up with a decidedly reluctant and stubborn Michael “Drum” Drummond and his youngest sister Maeve. Drum is content being a Dublin publican, and has no interest in getting caught up in the struggle or the politics of the Light’s battle against Darkness, yet he finds himself thrust into the very heart of it as events unfold and he and Ash discover that he is her Warden – a magic user assigned to a Guardian should one need to be summoned. 

His younger sister, Maeve, manages to track down another Guardian/Warden pair in America, but when Kylie and Dag arrive, things take a decided turn for the worst as Maeve is abducted to be used as a human sacrifice to summon one of the seven Demons that will bring human life as we know it to a brutal end.

Can Drum and Ash overcome the unusual nature of their relationship to work with other Guardians and Wardens, to hold back the Darkness and free Ash from her lonely existence?

Christine Warren tackles this story with her signature style of wit and creative storytelling, and for fans of paranormal romance, this is a tale not to be missed. As mentioned, I have only read 2 of the books in the series, and unlike some series, this one might be better experienced in order. 

This book can be purchased in either mass market paperback or Kindle format from Amazon here.

Happy Reading!

Homemade Magick – Book Review

I have not had the privilege of reading any of Mr. DuQuette’s other works, however I picked up Homemade Magick: The Musings and Mischief of a Do-It-Yourself Magus while doing some research for a novel I’m working on, and I was not disappointed. (This post contains an affiliate link)

Through witty anecdotes and references to much larger bodies of work by renowned experts in the field of mysticism and magick, Lon Milo DuQuette relates his own journey with magick, mysticism and spirituality, much of which is relate-able to a vast array of readers. From the beginning of the book, Mr. Duquette relates such things as initiation rites, how to work with the Tarot (there are far more uses for these cards than just delving into the psyche, apparently!), and how to approach learning to practice your own magick craft.

The author also relates how magick can and should be approached when there are little ones about (If you feel there is nothing to hide, then why hide it from your children? His own son was raised as part and parcel of as much of the goings-on as any member of the DuQuettes’ social circle) and how magick has intertwined with his 47 year marriage to another magician.

Included as well, are a variety of elemental prayers and a full script for one of the rites that the DuQuette’s regularly host every year. (Shakespeare with a kick)

My one complaint in this (and it is a very minor complaint), is that Mr. DuQuette refers to those who practice paganism and Magick as “magicians”, which carries an entirely different meaning for me; this seems to confuse spiritual practice with the art of illusion practiced for the entertainment of others. While Mr. DuQuette and his wife do put on rites that are both spiritual and entertaining at the same time, I harbor the belief that calling himself (and other practitioners of the old ways) a magician diminishes the spiritual side of what he is actually offering discourse on. On one hand, this seems to be a petty complaint, however, in the interest of full disclosure as a book reviewer, I feel it’s only honest to point this out. 

This is not a book on performing illusory magic. It is a rather compact yet thorough manual on finding the spiritual magick in the everyday world. 

You can purchase the book on Amazon in Kindle or paperback format here.

Inside the Miracle – Book Review

I mentioned this book a week or so ago in another of my blog threads, but having finished the book, I’d like to give it some more thorough attention. (This post contains an affiliate link)

Mark Nepo wrote Inside the Miracle: Enduring Suffering, Approaching Wholeness as a reflective work, looking back over his journey through two rounds of cancer, divorce, the deaths of close family and friends and finding his way back to a different surface of life to fully embrace vulnerability, living, loving and the suffering that is part and parcel of a life fully lived and experienced. 

It is a collection of essays, poems and short, reflective stories about his life and the emotions and revelations he encountered during this journey and includes reflective writing exercises for the reader to dive deeper if they so choose.

In order to fully experience Life, we must be open to all it offers. It’s easy to harden oneself to the harder emotions; broken hearts, loving another through separation or illness, and loss are all far more difficult to handle than joy, pleasure and new love. Yet Nepo posits that Life will break one open through suffering, and those that embrace the less pleasant alongside the joys are the ones that truly live. 

This book was deeply touching, and some parts were more relevant than others. Some passages brought to mind difficult days that are long in the past for me, and others seemed to touch me right where I am in this moment. I would recommend it to anyone on a spiritual path of discovering themselves more deeply, whether you use the journal prompts or not (though, for a deeper experience, I recommend using the prompts).

Inside the Miracle is available in a variety of formats, including hardback and Kindle. You can check it out here:

The Art of the Pendulum – Book Review

*Contains Affiliate Links*

When it comes to things mystical and magical, Cassandra Eason’s body of work is a great place for beginners to start.

In this particular volume, Ms. Eason explains what a pendulum is, how to choose or make one, and how they can be used (from decision making to finding oil and your way home). Her writing is simple, straightforward and uncomplicated.

I’ve done a little pendulum work in some of Elle North‘s intuition courses, but wanted some more in-depth information to fiddle with on my own. I found this book to be an amazing resource.

You can check out your local library’s stacks for this book, or find it here on Amazon.
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