While I found Tamra's story fascinating, I found the ...
919944
While I found Tamra's story fascinating, I found the style in which it was written a bit difficult to follow at times. (It's a transcript of a conversation.) However, I found the information to be profound. I did need to read it twice to fully make sense of the confusing conversational style of the writing. The links for the actual activations are not included in the book. But if you go to the Sacred Activations website you can get 3 free activations to get you started. I needed to use the contact on the website to get a free link to the Golden Seals Activation. The people who responded were very nice and genuinely helpful. I've done the first 3 activations 3x as recommended. I was skeptical. But I have been releasing old beliefs and did experience some of the symptoms they described in the book. I am happy with the progress so far and plan to continue. I'm considering becoming a practioner.
4161872
I found the story fascinating. However, I need to see the film a second time to understand the finer details.
2707686
The Saga of the Volsungs is a great tale, fascinating, often alarming to read. I have known of Sigurd, the slayer of Fafnir, for a long time, from my reading of The Elder Edda and books like Myths of the Norsemen, now I am glad to have finally read the tale which tells of his life from birth to death. It is the amount of violence in the tale which made it alarming to me. I found it moving, too, particularly when it told of how fate conspired to keep Sigurd and Brynhild, who truly loved eachother, apart. I liked the moments of magic in the tale, as when Odin intervenes in events in his human form, as a tall, one eyed man with a beard. It was interesting to read of how Sigurd slew the dragon, Fafnir, the deed which brought him fame, for one thing, it was clear how it influenced the tale of Turin Turambar and the slaying of the dragon, Glaurung, in The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. The tale is a high tragedy, and well worth reading. The Introduction and Notes by its translator, Jesse L. Byock, are interesting, revealing the history and myth behind the tale, and how it came to influence William Morris and J.R.R. Tolkien and the Ring cycle of operas by Richard Wagner.
4913068
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ISHTAR, by Australian author Anne Frandi-Coory, is a beautifully written and haunting memoir of a woman who finds herself by exploring her familys heritage that contributed to her growing up without the love and nurture of a mother she most desperately wanted. What first attracted me to this book was the title, WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ISHTAR. The Ancient Sumerian Mother Goddess Ishtar celebrates love, fertility, and sexuality. This title haunted me as I read the memoir because Annes mother, like many woman of her generation and previous generations, was harshly judged for her sexuality and had limited options to treat her mental illness and to fulfill her potential. The first part of the memoir is Annes account of her childhood while the second part provides a historical account of her Lebanese (fathers side) and Italian heritage (mothers side).

Anne was institutionalized at the Mercy Orphanage of the Poor at South Dunedin in her early childhood. At the time, her father could not adequately care for Anne after he divorced her mother for infidelity. At the age of eight, Anne was removed from the orphanage and introduced to the real world under the care of her fathers family. However, they shamed Anne and associated her with her mentally ill mother they considered a whore. This part of the memoir is gut-wrenching and haunting because Anne had to overcome loneliness and self-doubt to find her full potential after marrying, having four children, and finding her life partner after a divorce.

However, what is most fascinating is the rich heritage and ancestral genealogy of both her father and mother to understand what nineteenth century immigrants to Australia faced. With no access to birth control, women faced multiple pregnancies or secretly resorted to self-induced abortions with crude knitting needles. The historical accounts that Anne researched help explain why her father and her mother were compelled to make their choices. I recommend this memoir because the story will stay in your memory as it covers universal issues of female sexuality, womens roles and options, mental illness, and societys harsh judgment that has defeated mothers for generations.
3393488
I went with 4 stars because there are so many layers to this interesting tale. Truth be told, I considered 3 stars for the very same reason. The historical significance of "Patient H.M.", combined with the first person account in Mr. Dittrich's book make for a fascinating story. When you add in the layers of personal and professional impact, the book becomes a little confusing and the focus scatters a bit. Overall, I found the subject fascinating, and though the medical jargon can at times, be a little overwhelming, it was a relatively smooth read. I can definitely see this book as a selection for a book discussion group.
*I received my copy through NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
782708
The story is vivid and captivating. I have a strong interest in Afghanistan and Afghan people, and I like how she does not just describe her people as victims but with immense pride. Saira is a fantastic storyteller and you can close your eyes and at any moment feel like you are in Afghanistan.

I felt the book was a bit too focused on the greatness of the authors ancestors(similar to her brother's books), and I was disturbed by her glorification of war (particularly the comment on how she during a game of bushkashi understood Gengis khans bloodthirst and "killing of the enemy, possessing their women and daughters" or something along the lines of that). Also, not sure how much of the story was really true and how much was great storytelling...
2606532
I was unaware of the story of the actual Nightingale until doing some research after reading this book. It's an amazing story, and I commend Kristin Hannah for selecting it and portraying it accurately, from what I could tell after briefly delving into it. I was fascinated by that aspect of this novel and by the horrors that the French experienced during WWII, which haunted me for some time after finishing the book. But I felt the characters were a bit wooden and interchangeable. The writing was uninspired, as well. I read this one after reading Anthony Doerr's "All the Light We Cannot See," whose beautifully developed characters touched emotional chords as much as the plot reflected the horrors of war in France. Perhaps that's why I couldn't get more excited about this book. But the story itself is worth the read.
187090
This book is intriguing because of the novelty of a female serial killer.  Her methods of luring victims and then killing them at her farm is startling to read about, even 100 years after it happened.

I think the book was very well researched, and it weaves a very interesting tale throughout the first half of the book. The background on the killer and many of her victims was an interesting read.

While not the authors fault, it was a bit unsatisfying to not know the true story of the killer.  Was she killed and burned in the house fire?  Or did she set that up and escape under a new identity to hunt and kill again?  It would seem with DNA testing  it would be possible to find out if she died in the fire and put the mystery to bed.

This book was a quick and interesting read and was worth the time to experience it.
603738
Bloodline is a fascinating contemporary story about modern Israel intertwined with a past history of Israel.  I read the prequel "A Turn in the Road" which was interesting but really didn't prepare me for what the first book in the Heritage Trilogy was about.

The preface has this quotation ""Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power." Bloodline is a story of about absolute faith and absolute power throughout the ages in in Jerusalem and the Middle East. It also introduced me to a strange radical Jewish sect, the Neturei Karta, who believe that that Jews are forbidden to have their own state until the coming of the Jewish Messiah. In this story their belief is so strong that some of their followers team up with the Palestinians to try to bring down the State of Israel.

The contemporary story starts with Bilal HaMizri, a young Palestinian under the influence of a radical cleric who tells him that he has been chosen for a special purpose - to get close to the Wailing Wall, so revered by the Jews, and explode several bombs. He is told that he will enter Paradise and live forever in green fields surrounded by 72 virgins. After killing a guard Bilal is chased, and shot. He tries to detonate the bombs but only the detonator works. He finishes up in hospital and not in Paradise, holding in his hand an ancient seal from the first Temple.

Bilal is taken to hospital and Yael Cohen, a young Israeli Surgeon, operates on him and saves his life. Because they both share a very rare blood type she unwillingly finishes up giving him a blood donation. Being puzzled by the rare blood connection she sends his blood for a DNA test and is stunned to find that it shows that Bilal has a strong family relationship with her. What is even more puzzling is that her family came to Israel from Russia many years ago and she doesn't know of any family connections with Palestinians.

The story interweaves with the past in an almost scholarly description of the history of Israel from the days of King Solomon to those of the brutal Roman occupation during and just after the birth of Christ. The story follows each generation in an almost Edward Rutherfurd pattern, focussing on Jerusalem and the building and demolition of temples on the holiest place on earth for the three monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and gives a detailed and vivid history of Jewish occupation of Jerusalem during those troubled times. The seal is the connection between the past and the future.

Alan Gold and Mike Jones have combined seamlessly to create a very different kind of story to the ones I usually read which kept my attention throughout. It is a very unusual debut epic thriller moving across the ages and I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy when it is completed. Highly recommended for someone who wants to read a completely different type of thriller and learn a lot of history in the process.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for my honest review.
4660626
The Society of Timid Souls is an exploration of stories of bravery from the mouths of those who have exhibited bravery and courage.

The stories themselves are rather engrossing and we learn the narrative surrounding those moments of bravery and courage as though we are sitting across from them, sharing a cup of tea or a pint of beer.  I enjoyed the stories immensely.

I wasn't so crazy about the exploration of those individuals and their stories and the concept of this book as her journey from timid soul to a broader awareness of the definition of bravery, seems weakly structured and doesn't compel me to even want to get from one intriguing tale of bravery to the next because it seems like she is thinking aloud, and I think I understand where that comes from.

As I read the "about the author" blurb at the end, I realized why this particular book had me feeling like I enjoyed it but not really.  As it turns out, Polly Morland is a documentary filmmaker.  That explains so much that bugs me with the structure and patterns within this book.  I feel like Ms. Morland is trying to tell us what she would typically be showing us visually, via film/video.  It feels like she has to find the words because it's a book, for adults and sans illustrations, but the old adage of "show, don't tell", seems to have escaped her.  She refers to the reader as a fellow "timid soul", which frustrated me a bit because I am not such a soul and I have indeed been to hell and back but I read this because I was hoping to find narratives on the post-bravery experience, to some degree.  That expectation, is my fault, not the authors or the publishers.

Now, looking back at the book, I can clearly see the documentary film structure in Polly Morland's writing and as a whole, being aware of that structure, I can appreciate the cadence of the piece, much more than I could without that awareness.  It really does read like a documentary film.  I do hope that there will be a documentary of this, as I think the emotion and storytelling by the subjects and the in between analysis and comparison by Morland, would be more accessible on film (I keep thinking that her book would make a fantastic episode of PBS's "This Emotional Life").

So, it is a good read, even just for the stories of bravery.  I did find myself sharing those stories with my family, as I read them.  The in between stuff didn't teach me anything I wasn't particularly aware of (being a non-timid soul, generally speaking).  I think if she could show us, instead of dictating to us, her collecting and processing of stories and experiences, and perhaps share more of her own vulnerability (beyond declaring herself and the reader "timid souls"), the entire piece would have been worthy of four or five stars and would be a piece I'd suggest to friends and family who are curious about the definition and catalysts of bravery.
778168
What I liked best of the The Zookeepers Wife was Antoninas character, how vivid the world is in the book, and the real facts behind the story. Ackerman is able to bring a dazzling life to the pages in her descriptions. It is truly remarkable and these portions of the text are my favorite. Additionally, Antonina is such a compelling character who is insightful and compassionate. The book offers a wealth of facts and extensive documentation.

However, this is also a downside because the amount of facts can get tiring after a while. Additionally there is a lot of depth of information on those who passed through. While this is fascinating in its own right, it detracts from Antoninas story and so I found it dry in comparison. Furthermore, while it is called The Zookeepers Wife, the book just does not have as much Antonina as I would have liked! I wanted to know more details of how they did it and Antoninas perspective on it. Instead it was more about Jan and his contributions to the efforts. However, when Antonina was given the space to shine, shine she did and those passages were a joy to read.
2509068
I have to say that AMERICAN EVE is a fascinating glimpse of the turn of the century. It seems the author did extensive research. However, it was a bit overwritten with details for my taste and I felt myself skimming along to get to the heart of the story at times.

Perhaps if the writer had started with the trial and then gave us a taste of what led up to it, the beginning of the story would not have seemed to drag on as it did for me.

It primarily follows the childhood and career of Evelyn Nesbit, the "IT" girl of her time. Her life is full of things "new and scandalous" to the people of that period of time (or at least never before spoken of).
The sex, lies, fortunes and misfortunes involving Evelyn and those around her expose an underworld not well-known until the Crime of the Century occurs with all of its sordid details.

There is deceipt, great sums of cash, broken hearts and finally murder spinning around her. It seems that many big men's lives fell apart after getting a glimpse of her. Could she really have been so enchanting?

The only thing I felt was lacking was more information on what happened to Evelyn once she was no longer the IT girl? I would have loved a more complete biography, though to be fair the book is supposed to be about the trial. However, with such a detailed view of her childhood and everything leading up to the Crime of the Century, it leaves one wondering what happened next?
1521956
When I started The Traitor's Daughter, I immediately knew that I was in for something a little bit different. The book begins with an inventor, Grix Orlazzu, that is confronted by his own creation, an automaton that decides to take on his creater's identity. However, his creator has discovered a disruption in the Source, a mysterious underground power from which magic originates. He leaves his home, and his automaton, determined to make his way to the Wraithlands to hopefully find out what's happening with the Source. We don't meet Grix again until the end, and you may be wondering about just what's going on, but I promise, it gets much clearer throughout the story. We then meet Magnifico Aureste Belandor and his beautiful 18 year old daughter Jianna, who will soon make the journey to meet her betrothed. This journey will prove to change her and her father's lives forever.

As Jianna travels to meet her new fianc, her party is attacked by rebel forces and she is taken to a rebel stronghold, where she meets the formidable Yvenza Belandor, and her less-than-charming sons. Yvenza tells an outrageous story that puts Jianna's father in the role of traitor, but it may not be quite as outrageous as she thinks. To add insult to injury, Yvenza plans to make Jianna her daughter-in-law by marrying her to her oldest son, Onartino. Let's talk about Yvenza and Onartino for a moment. If Yvenza's claims are true, you can understand her motivations, if not her methods. Onartino on the other hand, is a true sociopath. He's no stranger to rape and murder, and his plans for Jianna are anything but romantic. I hated Onartino with a vengeance and had to keep myself from skipping ahead to find out Jianna's fate. Luckily, there is a light at the end (maybe) in the form of a young doctor, Falaste Rione, who arrives at the stronghouse to administer to the rebel wounded. Kind and a little charmed by Jianna, he may be her only hope for escape, but his loyalties also lie with Yvenza, so convincing him to help will take all of Jianna's wits. With Jianna, the author did a really, really good job of painting a portrait of a girl that has been raised very sheltered and pampered, but has hidden reserves, which she discovers slowly but surely, especially while helping Falaste administer to the wounded rebels. I loved the idea of the Source, a mysterious underground font of magic that may be ready to shift, and not necessarily for the better, and the author did a wonderful job of creating an atmosphere of magic and intrigue. Oh, and did I mention there are zombies? Or rather, the constant threat of zombies, for there is a plague loose in the Veiled Isles, but there may be more to the walking dead than meets the eye, and I'm hoping we'll find out more about this in the next book. The Traitor's Daughter shifts back and forth from Jianna's plight to the goings on in her father's world, and I'll admit, while those passages were certainly entertaining, I found myself wanting to get back to Jianna's story. I was riveted with The Traitor's Daughter and can't wait for The Ruined City, the next book in the series. If you like fantasy full of intrigue, drama, and magic, with a fascinating and unique setting, you'll love The Traitor's Daughter!
4271791
Seventeen years ago, a bloody war waged by the Kingdom of Cokyri on the Hytanicans ended abruptly when the Cokyri stole away forty-nine newborn males...and only returned the bodies of forty-eight. Hytanica has managed to rebuild from the war, but the anger felt towards the warriors of the mountains--not to mention anxiety that the war could resume at any time--has never completely ceased.

Alera, crowned princess of Hytanica, now celebrates her seventeenth birthday, and must prepare to wed in exactly one year. In a land where men hold complete dominion over women, Alera may not take her father's place as ruler, but must seek a husband who will fulfill the role as king. Unfortunately, no suitor matches her father's strict qualifications aside from Lord Steldor, the egotistical son of the Captain of the Guard whose very breathing manages to annoy Alera.

All of this grows less important to Alera once the Cokyrians manage to infiltrate the palace, and word is whispered that there is a traitor among the Elite Guard. Even Alera's beloved bodyguard begins behaving strangely, and Alera finds herself having to make a difficult choice. Her budding interest in the political affairs of her kingdom come to head when another Cokyrian, a young man named Narian, is captured, and Alera finds herself probing him for information that she, as a woman, is not allowed to know.

As she grows closer with Narian, who was raised in a society where woman often hold power over men, Alera learns that she is capable of much she would never have imagined...even of finding love. But the intriguing circumstances surrounding Narian's life will throw everything into jeopardy, for Alera as well as for the entire kingdom of Hytanica.

This brilliant story by a young new author captured my heart, and I am eager to read the tale's conclusion in the following book.

Reviewed by:  Allison Fraclose
4309778
I'm terribly intrigued by this story.  I don't know who it was that suggested I pick it up and read it, but after reading Tolkien's famous works of the One Ring, I thought I'd give this epic tale a try.

The difficulty in it is that there is a whole new sense of world and mythology behind it.  Nothing actually new (western style gunslingers, Arthurian social castes, epic scale of earth, time and space) but the way King presents it, it takes a long time to understand what is going on.  Only by the time I was finishing the story did I really start to feel comfortable with the timeline, character, and possible future of the story.  Also, he's a brilliant writer, and honestly, I had difficult time reading it because he uses soo much vocabulary that I wasn't familiar with.  I'm glad I had to look up words and be challenged to think more about what I was reading, but it took me longer to read it because of that.  I'm just now reading the 2nd book in the series now with a bit more ease.
1576348
I just happened to see the very tail-end of an interview with the Leininger's on a morning show a few weeks ago and I thought "wow, that sounds like a great story".

Yes and no.  The story of James Leininger and his past life memories are truly fascinating. The fact that this two year old kid could know so many things about WWII aircraft and personnel were really spooky, interesting and fun. With the facts presented in the story, I definitely believe the kid was living a past life.

I also appreciated the stories of the other Vets who lost their lives in this book and hearing about their families. Those smaller bits of stories really add to the main one.

However, I'm not sure why it's necessary to mention that the Mom 'had been a dancer' at least 6 times in the book. It has NOTHING to do with the story and comes off as the mom (who's a co-writer, of course) blowing her own horn. In fact, I couldn't help but notice that every time the mom was mentioned, it was almost always in an over-complimentary fashion, and every time the dad was mentioned... well, not so much. I was truly sick of hearing about the mom by the time I got near the end of the book.

Seriously, another reviewer mentioned how the book seemed to be more about the parents than the actual reincarnation story itself. Granted, the cover flap does mention that as well. Having said that, the writers really should have edited Andrea a bit out of the book more or at least not had nearly every passage be about how great she was or how she was a dancer in her youth. It has nothing to do with anything and REALLY gets on your nerves.

Other than that, it's a good read.

And just so you don't forget, She was a dancer!
2760854
I was fascinated by this story. The detail led me to believe that this was a true story so I looked up the author and read about him. I regretted that he had just spoken in my area and I had missed it. Why a four instead of a five? As a first novel and  given the author's background, some of the historical details were clinical in nature. They felt like a true retelling of the history as one would find it in newspapers or reference materials. Although that did not take away from the power of the story, it was a little distracting. Thank you, Joel, for telling your unique and compelling story.