Invited to Life

Invited to Life: Finding Hope After the Holocaust by B.A. Van Sise, Neil Gaiman, Mayim Bialik, and Sabrina Orah Mark

Book Reviewed by Lily Andrews

“Invited to Life: Finding Hope After the Holocaust” by B.A. Van Sise is a deeply moving composition that features the startling experiences of ninety holocaust survivors who lost everything to war including loved ones but rose from the ashes to defy the very prospect of depression and death.  Purchase Here.

The author, a veteran photojournalist, has compiled stories of individuals who survived the jaws of extinction, mental and trauma after finding themselves trapped in unfamiliar circumstances and territories, in the wake of a dreadful catastrophe that saw millions of civilians targeted based on their race, political affiliation, religion, and sexual orientation. As the text progresses, readers will encounter and interact with unique people such as Werner and Weiss, who possessed enduring resilience that saw them remain flexible in action and behavior, in the face of disruptive and highly distressing moments.

It is evident that the majority of the survivors never meted out justice to their tormentors but rather turned to rebuilding new families and careers under the shadow of those absent. New beginnings were not automatic but rather were achieved from deliberate efforts to try not to be warped by the wounds of the past and irreversible scars that had the potential of constantly reminding them that were meant to suffer and die, with no reprieve, no hope, no possible amnesty, and no chance for alleviation stories.

Van Sise’s exposition of holocaust survivors as heroes and heroines who defied devious odds rather than helpless victims places this book in the must-read category of the most real and outstanding holocaust books ever written. The inclusion of stories such as Lyubov’s who in spite of being a woman participated in the eventual liberation and freedom journey will have readers inspired to stand against enemies of peace and unity, and bravely call out the slightest form of discrimination which if ignored can have long lasting consequences over millions of individuals.

“Invited to Life: Finding Hope After the Holocaust” by B.A. Van Sise is overall an invaluable read that will have its readers enlightened besides being challenged to reject hatred, anti-Semitism, injustice, and prejudice that still threaten the world today. Van Sise’s work stands out from all angles and will have the world reminded that every human being, regardless of religion or race should be respected and honored.

 

 

Artefactum

Artefactum by J.E. Tobal

Book Reviewed by Daniel Ryan Johnson

While Artefactum begins with a hilariously bizarre form of travel through the multiverse involving a sculpture of an Aboriginal fertility goddess, the story grows darker and more serious the deeper you dive. Although the book maintains an offbeat and darkly comedic element throughout, author J.E. Tobal does not let this interfere with the more profound themes the story explores.  Purchase Here.

All the characters in Artefactum are deeply flawed people who often end up hurting those they love and getting in the way of their own happiness. However, while these flaws can, at times, make you angry at the poor choices that are made, they are also the reason that they are all so relatable.

J.E. Tobal combines humor, sci-fi, vulgarity, and philosophy in a perfect cocktail served up for the reader by bartending protagonist Sam Cattan. As Sam hops through time and space, he makes a thorough exploration of all the lows and highs of the great experiment known as humanity. From the first page to the last, it is a challenge to put the book down, as each new twist makes you eager for the next.

With worlds to match everything we desire, along with everything we dread, you will be pulled along as Sam continues to try and build his own little perfect world. Although the tools he has to accomplish this task may be far beyond what any of us have to work within the real world, he struggles with creating his ideal life just as much as anyone in our corner of the multiverse.

In Artefactum, Tobal achieves the rare accomplishment of creating a story that is equal parts absurd and poignant. The twists and turns of the novel make it a compelling read that will keep you guessing about the true nature of both the universes created by the author and that in which we live. With the powers available to Sam through the artefactum that are scattered throughout the multiverse, he is able to continually answer the question, “What if…?” with the response of, “Let’s find out.”

 

Season of the Dragon

Season of the Dragon (Dragos Primeri Book 1) by Natalie Wright

Book Reviewed by Timea Barabas

Natalie Wright’s Season of the Dragon opens up the Dragos Primeri series in a mystical storm. Using familiar elements like dragons and shapeshifters, the author succeeds in building a unique and complex world that easily takes root in the reader’s mind.  Purchase Here.

Following the life of Quen, a young girl born under a curse or blessing – a simple matter of perspective – we embark on a journey of magical self-discovery. Since she was a child, Quen was different from the other children, more agile, faster, and stronger. However, what set her apart most was her differently colored eyes, flaming red and calm blue.

A misfit, Quen tries to suppress her unnatural abilities in hopes of social acceptance. Yet, she continues lingering as an outcast until the day an ominous visitor comes to claim her. That visit sets in motion a series of events that lead to the destruction of her home and deeply scar her family.

Quen promises to seek revenge for the loss and destruction the dragon inflicted on her settlement and loved ones. Thus, she sets off with a group of diverse misfits to find and destroy the fire-breathing dragon and his rider.

Her quest for revenge is deeply intertwined with self-discovery, as her true identity is at the center of everything. All her life, she tried keeping her shadow soul at bay, but the ancient voice gradually awakens and bubbles over in her conscious mind. As the duality within her asserts itself more and more, the possibility of an ongoing harmonious co-existence weighs heavy on Quen.

Walking in the shadow of prophecy, Quen tries to break free of the shackles set by ancient words. Natalie Wright makes her personal quest our own as we uncover a layered and disjointed social system of magic, politics, and religion.

While Season of the Dragon is aimed primarily at a young adult audience, it is a mesmerizing read for adults as well. Natalie Wright’s world-building skills, together with her astute psychological and social observations, weave a compelling and multi-layered story.

Archangel: The Book of Mammon

Archangel: The Book of Mammon by Black Mike

Book Reviewed by Chris Phillips

Title of the review, where appropriate. Questions, answers and the trouble in between.

Black Mike presents a major conceptual change for beings that might be called angels and demons. The story follows Michael, a law enforcement agent with an unidentified agency seeking out terrorists and related organizations. He is also an orphan who grew up from a very sketchy background of family. Another active character is Sara who is a detective with the local police force. Then the third person heavily involved is Michael’s sister, Hannah. The plot revolves first around Michael truly discovering who and what his place in this universe is, Sara and her relationship with Michael and, at last, Hannah and where she is and how does she fit with the crimes and questions Michael and Sara have for her about her activities and motivations.  Purchase Here.

The first scene is an undercover surveillance situation where Michael is trying to catch a terrorist who is trying to buy arms from illegal arms dealers. He finds the suspect and gives chase. Bright lights, supernatural beings and trips across the veil between worlds leave him completely blown away. Then Sara and he are introduced, and they begin a partnership that deepens as they each learn about these two-world existence.

These two worlds exist simultaneously and intertwined with each other. There are many gifts and magic as well as powers and principals in one or the other world. This is the whole point of the plot. To all questions there are answers, and the answers are big and little. Finally, when all is said and done the questions are more important than the real actions taken, and the answers all lead to more questions as the tale spins on.

In general, the plot is convoluted and complex in the extreme. The reader is only revealed answers as they are discovered by the characters in the telling of the tale. And, although the characters are well-developed and very realistic, their interconnections keep changing and morphing into something much more as the tale spins onward.

There is both depth and development of the characters and the plot, with many twists and turns. The length of the book is very much required to cover all the convolutions, so there is little frivolous content even though it sometimes appears differently.  The twists and turns follow the questions, the answers and the revelations that each of the characters discovers.

The original concepts and the way that the battles between good and evil develop are frustrating not only for the characters within the storyline, but for the reader as well, until suddenly another epiphany arises opening understanding and making for a very satisfying means of story development.

Although Black Mike has some very original ideas and some different constructs to develop the plot, he does so with a sensitivity to the “people” involved.

This is highly recommended for those who like supernatural plots, mysteries, or battles between good and evil. This is a quality novel, good for any reader with the maturity to deal with life and death as well as those many gray areas in living in the real world.

The reviewer recommends this book.   This is a great beginning for the first read by this author and the beginning of a good series here.

Cutthroat Express

Cutthroat Express by Bryan Cassiday

Book Reviewed by Daniel Ryan Johnson

In Cutthroat Express, Bryan Cassiday takes his zombie epic to the next level. In the aftermath of President Cole going completely off the rails and nuking himself, Chad Halverson and the other survivors at the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center are left facing nuclear fallout in addition to the continued threat of the zombie hordes.  Purchase Here.

With the arrival of a stranger promising the existence of a cure, the new president enlists Halverson and a rag-tag group, including four hardened criminals, to go out into the zombie-infested nuclear wasteland and bring back the cure. With threats to Halverson and his team coming from every direction, Cassiday once again aims to show that the most difficult obstacle for society to overcome is most often humanity itself.

With the odds stacked against them, mistrust between the convicts and the rest of the team frequently poses a far greater risk to their survival than any external threat. From start to finish Cutthroat Express is filled with tension. After everything that has happened, it is no surprise that all the characters appear to be at the breaking point. As the challenges faced by Halverson and his team continue to mount, it becomes more and more difficult to believe they will be able to accomplish their seemingly impossible task.

In Cutthroat Express, the characters are constantly jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. As the dangers grow, betrayals begin to mount, and the tension continues to build. Cassiday does a great job of keeping the reader on edge. The harsh and biting dialogue, combined with the constant assault from the undead and dead alike, works to keep the reader from getting too comfortable in this cruel world.

Cutthroat Express keeps the audience engaged. With every new twist and turn it becomes harder and harder to put the book down. This action-packed narrative is a quick read that will keep you turning the pages. Every chapter leaves you curious about the next. Cassiday’s zombie apocalypse series continues to hit the mark in the latest installment. By the end of the novel, you will be eager to discover what comes next for Chad Halverson in this world of the damned.

Ever the Night Road

Ever the Night Road by Michael Breen

Book Reviewed by Timea Barabas

Ever the Night Road is a thrilling tale of adventure and self-discovery. Michael Breen introduces us to a vast magical universe filled with wonderous creatures and treasures lurking in deep waters. Perhaps the most enchanting aspect of the book is that it is on the threshold of childish naivety and worldliness.  Purchase here.

 

This is a story about the many forms of loss and the innate human need to fill the gaping void left behind. Dagny is an orphaned child who was taken in by her brother’s best friend and welcomed as a member of their family. She is raised on tales of exploration and discovery, daydreaming of her own adventures. On a day like any other, child’s play seamlessly transitioned into a fight for survival.

 

Join Dagny through her awakening to the dangers of the world. Amidst mystical creatures and phantasms, the most dangerous being is man. As Dagny explores abandoned lands, degenerate cities, and drowned worlds, she faces myriad dangers. While Ever the Night Road follows a group of teenagers and children, this is not a tale of mercy. The characters are exposed to palpable physical pain and suffering.

 

Michael Breen opens our eyes to the contagious quality of courage and the force of small acts of kindness. While strongly independent, Dagny taps into hidden powers when joining forces with her friends. It is these friendships and her small deeds of kindness that shelter her from the heavy dark veil of fatal danger.

 

This coming-of-age adventure story mesmerizes the reader on multiple levels. The story has a melodic rhythm for its unfolding. The author also takes his time to paint the atmosphere and the characters’ inner states and have the reader inhale these two worlds. Furthermore, Michael Breen shows great skill in character development. He explores the hidden motivations of individuals while factoring in the influence of external societal forces.

 

Ever the Night Road explores the mystical darkness of the human soul and the breaking of light as rays of hope and love pierce through the darkness. After peering into the magical realms, lively slums, and cheerful settlements outlined by the author, resisting the call of adventure becomes futile.

Code Name: Juggernaut

Code Name: Juggernaut by Sherman E. Ross

Book Reviewed by Dianne Woodman

Code Name: Juggernaut by Sherman E. Ross is a hair-raising story. It revolves around white supremacists who commit deplorable acts of violence and square off with law enforcement agencies.  Purchase Here.

The primary instigators behind gut-wrenching atrocities are Jacqueline “Jackie” Lynch and Howard Brennan. Jackie is a hired assassin with ties to a white supremacist gang that extols Adolf Hitler’s ideologies. The gang members hold on like bulldogs to an extreme hatred of “mud races,” especially Afro-Americans and people of Jewish heritage. Howard Brennan, a top dog in the gang, has devised a plan to destroy the government and throw the country into utter chaos, with the end result of a populace comprised of only pure “Aryan” blood.

A thorn in the side of the white supremacists is FBI Special Agent Douglas Rabson, a member of the Bureau’s Domestic Counter-Terrorism Strike Force. Rabson is the lead coordinator for investigations into activities that point to Jackie and her accomplices as the ones behind vicious killings and the theft of nuclear materials.

Concurrent investigations by multiple law enforcement agencies have gotten underway to try and put an end to what is considered domestic terrorist acts. As Rabson’s investigation continues, he suspects the terrorists are planning to build an atomic bomb. It becomes a deadly cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and the white supremacists who allow racial hatred to be the cornerstone of their beliefs. Are the terrorists building a bomb, and what is their intended target if they do? Can law enforcement officers stop the terrorists before it is too late?

Code Name: Juggernaut is jam-packed with action, conflict, tension, and suspense. It includes professional hits, graphic descriptions of sadistic murders, elements of white supremacists’ ideologies and the motives behind their death-dealing acts, malicious harassment, and high-risk confrontations.

Ross grabs readers’ attention from the start and keeps them engrossed all the way to the end as they follow in the footsteps of white supremacists and law enforcement personnel. The story’s action takes place in four states in the United States, including California, Washington, DC, Utah, and Colorado. Profanity used in the story fits the novel’s characters and tone. Ross is well-versed in scientific research, making the details pertaining to an atomic bomb credible.

Juggernaut is an emotionally impactful story that gives readers a bird’s eye view into the ideology behind racial violence and animosity toward government institutions, along with the challenges law enforcement personnel face to track down violent criminals who have no remorse for their actions.

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Midpoint

Midpoint: A Memoir by Patricia Angeles

Book Reviewed by Daniel Ryan Johnson

In Midpoint: A Memoir, author Patricia Angeles reveals many of the important moments in her life that helped shape the person she has become. The stories contained in this memoir help paint the picture of a woman growing up in the modern world. One of the reminders found throughout the book is how small the world has become and that there are more ways in which people are alike than different.  Purchase Here.

Despite growing up in Manila, the majority of the tales from Patricia’s childhood could just as easily have been set somewhere in the United States. The stories contained within Midpoint: A Memoir mostly focus on growing up and finding your place in the world. The author makes it clear that while the book is meant to be an enjoyable read for anyone who picks it up, the audience at the forefront of her mind is her daughters. The stories aim to show that anything is possible while also demonstrating that things are not always easy and that everyone makes mistakes.

The snippets of Patricia’s life vary in tone. However, she carries a level of humor throughout the book. Refreshingly, she does not shy away from admitting to not being perfect, which is not always the case with autobiographies. Rather than ignore her mistakes, she highlights them and takes us through where she went wrong with the invaluable tool of hindsight. Throughout Midpoint: A Memoir, Patricia carries a feeling of good cheer. Whether writing about a funny story from her youth, or a trying time that left her shaken, it is clear that she realizes it all led her to the life she has now, which she wouldn’t trade for anything.

While almost anyone can find relatable material in many stories throughout this memoir, there are still moments when the unique challenges faced by an immigrant and a minority remind us that this small world we live in can be experienced very differently depending on your background. Midpoint: A Memoir is an easy read full of the short stories that make up a life. Patricia Angeles has a thoughtful and elegant way of writing that enables the reader to immerse themselves in her life, one tale at a time.

 

 

Keep Quiet Black Boy

Keep Quiet Black Boy: A Leadership Guide to Mentoring Millennials by Rev. Dr. Jerome Frierson

Book Reviewed by Lily Andrews

“Keep quiet, Black Boy” is a nuanced leadership guide to mentoring millennials and a transparent empirical Christian guide whose thought and concept have been drawn from a line of real experience and multifaceted surveys and interviews, which culminate in the author’s passion to break a hideous cycle that has limited many young African American men for decades.  Purchase Here.

Coming from a black community where humiliation, discrimination, oppression, poor economic status, racism, and agony stood paramount, the author carefully carves this book in skill and ardor into an eye opener, whose sole purpose is to enlighten and deliver infinite wisdom and liberating truths to similarly disadvantaged African American young men, who he strongly feels have a greater need for social support than others.

As an experienced preacher, the author bases his research on Christian values and biblical foundation making this a transformative handy guide for the Christian community. The bustling findings derived from well-thought questionnaires and surveys not only draw the reader’s attention to detail but interpretation as well.

“Keep Quiet, Black Boy” is a vast read that has employed candid talk and dialogue, a writing style that makes this read natural and original all through. End notes, biblical testimonials, and a vast list of references qualify this book as authentic and also make readers appreciate the deep and exhaustive research undertaken by the author. The author’s objective to have mentorship as the basis for this sumptuous study not only showcases it as an integral tool for transformation, growth, and development but also as a rewarding and fulfilling tool whose benefits are abounding.

Rev. Jerome Frierson intelligently manages to issue an essential clarion call to the church, school, and community leaders to stand up for African American young men, by creating mentorship and awareness sessions in a world that deeply advocates for sponsorship rather than mentorship. His boundless effort to see a generation thriving and flourishing stands appreciated and valued.

“Keep Quiet Black Boy: A Leadership Guide to Mentoring Millennials” by Rev. Jerome Frierson is, without doubt, a much-necessary read in modern times and an incentive to adduce further discussion on the subject of a complex subject little voiced.

 

Embracing God in the Right Perspective with the Right Foundation of Faith in Him

Embracing God in the Right Perspective with the Right Foundation of Faith in Him by Chris Tham

Book Reviewed by Lisa Brown-Gilbert

Author Chris Tham guides and inspires, with his work in Embracing God in the Right Perspective with the Right Foundation of Faith in Him. Within the text of this work combining spiritual and intellectual wisdom, spiritual stimulation abounds as he imparts his heartfelt template for study and contemplation which leads to uncovering your true spiritual self-buried within. Purchase Here.

Moreover, he delves into our relationship with God, and his desire for us to be like him in thought and deed in addition to maintaining faith and understanding that we are all children of God, no matter your walk of life, and worthy of an abundant life and afterlife, which culminates into a solid spiritual foundation for surviving life. Additionally, the proceeds from the sale of the book go to charitable organizations which helps to further the nurturing intent towards his fellow men of author Tham’s work.

Immediately engaging, this comprehensive and scholarly tome waxes on transcendent truths, throughout, dutifully demonstrating the expansiveness of God’s love proven through biblical text. Also, within this work, author Tham offers the spiritually inclined a significantly insightful, inclusionary, and lucid approach to the spiritual realm as well as attending to the scriptural mindset.

Altogether, this work is fueled by deep dives into biblical interpretation using a variety of resources, not just the bible, including works like the Quran, wisdom from other well-known figures like Lao Tzu, as well references to other spiritually based works. He also includes juxtaposing, well-known biblical figures and their stories of connection, faith, and wisdom, including Abraham and Isaac, King David and King Solomon, Elijah and Elisha, Moses and Joshua.

Moreover, Chris Tham furthers his studious journey into fomenting a faith-filled relationship with God, with earnest exploration of existential topics delved into from his thoroughly researched perspective. He dives deeply into the heart of each pertinent subject necessary for soul growth and healing.  His work garners the spiritual curiosity, by providing answers to questions and issues necessary for building the foundation for true spiritual growth.  He includes topics such as Who is God? and Who are you? Who is the Devil? Knowledge vs Truth, The Three dimensions of Man, Who are the evil spirits?, Trinity of God and much more.

What truly stands out in this work is the author’s tangibly authentic intention to lead others to their true selves through his thorough exploration of each topic. Albeit while this is a large book filled with many great perspective-altering points, I found Chapter 4; The Three Dimensions of Man to be an outstanding exploration of the aspects of the multifaceted human, viewed as essentially composed of spirit, soul, and flesh. His work within this book emphasizes on the spirit aspect because, with attending to the spirit first brings enlightenment; while on the other hand attending to the flesh first, keeps one mired in struggle and fighting with darkness.

Overall, Embracing God in the Right Perspective with the Right Foundation of Faith in Him by Chris Tham made for a heartfelt read that I enjoyed. And while persistence is required for this read, because this is a large book that is expansive in its scope, it is well worth the effort because this is a spirit-based study guide that allows for the accessing of the deepest of spiritual levels.  In fact, this is somewhat of a survival guide for the spirit affecting the mindset and speaking to the soul.  With each well-written chapter, came a wealth of insight, which is sure to give hope and inspiration to all its readers and I do recommend this work for spiritual readers from all walks of life.

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