Mercy

Mercy by J.M Torrenz

Reviewed by Lily Andrews

An artistic creation that tells a captivating story by fusing history and art, “Mercy” is a stunning text in the historical fiction genre penned by J.M. Torrenz. The year is 1799, in Petropavlovsk, in the East of Russia at a time of Tsarist autocracy with the nobility holding the divine right to rule Russia. Fyodor Drossopov, an eleven-year-old boy, and the son of a Siberian farmer, lived out his childhood days playing battle games and mimicking pre-battle rallying speeches with his friends. His best friend, Mishi, and other children were a constant source of joy for Fyodor who was slowly approaching his name day. On this day, he receives varied gifts from other children and his parents. His grandfather, Andrei, a former ship captain who ended his sea faring activities after a fateful and mysterious voyage, however, has something else in store for him.  Purchase Here.

Andrei’s present constitutes taking the young boy on an ocean voyage across the Pacific. They set off and while there, he experiences a whole new world and develops a new perception of life. The journey culminates in tragedy that Fyodor never foresaw, and the weight of this loss carries an emotional impact on him even after he gets home. Years later, he marries his childhood friend, Anna, and together, they adopt two boys, Rafael and Adrian, each with unique character traits. All around Fyodor, the world is changing as new scientific inventions are embraced, cultural shifts such as the New Soviet Man ideology and news of war that reach him in his remote village. The book draws to a close as he is reflecting in his old age his outlook on life and how loving his granddaughter Palmita has changed his mindset on this, drawing him to a place of humility.

A winner in its own right, “Mercy” is bound to captivate all historical fiction enthusiasts. Even at 429 pages, this book has an epic feel to it, telling a multigenerational, character-driven story. Perhaps what makes this affecting tale so engrossing, is the buildup of the plot which is powerful, akin to a small campfire that gradually escalates into a blaze that threatens to consume the forest. The author peppers his story with historical events, such as giving us a peek into the Napoleonic wars and the Russo-Circassian War. He doesn’t stop there; as shown in several of the scenarios, he incorporates significant portions of Greek and Roman mythology to further enhance the reading experience. Ultimately, this is a mesmerizing read whose well-hewn characters will linger long after the reading is done.

Baby Horse

Baby Horse: A Foal’s First Year by Ellen F. Feld and John Cebula (Photographer)

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

Baby Horse is a story about Bella that follows her through the first year of life.

It all begins with Luna, a Morgan Horse, giving birth to Bella. We see how, at first, it is difficult for a baby horse to stand because their legs are unsteady.  After getting checked by the vet, it is time for her to go outside.  Bella loves her time outside and runs around the pasture.  Her Mom is nearby and always monitors what Bella is doing.  After all the playtime outside, Bella now needs to take a nap.  Purchase Here.

When Bella turns 4 months old, she is checked again by the veterinarian.  This includes listening to her heart.  Just like with humans, Bella has to get shots.  Now it is time for Bella to get her mane clipped.  If it gets too long, this can cause problems.

When Bella is 6 months old, she begins to spend time with new friends.  She enjoys racing.  Bella now learns how to lead.

At 8 months, Bella has a great time playing in the snow.

At 11 months, Bella is checked by the dentist.  The vet has to “float” her teeth.  He files them to make the teeth smooth.  Next, the hooves have to be trimmed by the farrier.

At 12 months, Bella is now a “yearling”.  The best is yet to come.  She celebrates her birthday with her mom, aunt, and grandmother!  What more could she ask for?

Baby Horse is an excellent book to read to your children.  Each page is filled with photos done by John Cebula.  The pictures match the exact text on the prior page.  There are many excellent photos in this book, and some even capture the horse’s motion.

I loved the little informational “tidbits” at the bottom of some of the pages.  You will find explanations about horses’ teeth, halters, hooves, etc.  I learned much about horses after reading this book.  This is a wonderful book for children to learn about the first year in the life of a horse.

Immortal

Immortal by Josiah Akhtab

Reviewed by Daniel Ryan Johnson

If you have ever imagined a postapocalyptic diaspora of humanity to worlds unknown accompanied by vampires, immortals, and other supernatural beings, Josiah Akhtab answers all your questions in Immortal. Packed to the brim with action and intrigue, this page-turner is hard to put down.  Purchase Here.

The novel centers around Brandon and Ellie, partners working for the immortal Vanguard at the Porting City Detective and Vampire Hunting Agency on planet Vayne. While the story builds slowly at first, once the action gets going, it is a non-stop action-packed thriller that never lets up until you hit the back cover of the book. With vivid fight scenes and an endless supply of baddies, our protagonists’ adventures take them from rooftops high above the cities of planet Vayne deep down into the sewers.

Immortal is filled with mystery, grand plans of world domination, quests for vengeance, and plenty of gore. The characters in the book are intriguing, and discovering the various motivations behind their actions pushes the story forward and keeps the reader glued to the page.

Josiah Akhtab’s novel is not for those with an aversion to violence, as the fight scenes in the book are vivid and plentiful. While action of this level can be hard to capture in writing, the author paints a clear and thorough picture that transports you to the scene and makes you feel like you are dishing out the hits and taking them yourself.

Immortal certainly isn’t lacking in originality. While the book contains many well-known creatures and staples of the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres, Mr. Akhtab combines them in new ways and provides plenty of unique ideas to make what could be a predictable story in the hands of a less imaginative writer a captivating and surprising tale that leaves the reader guessing. Around halfway through the book, it becomes clear that there is more story to tell than can be contained in the pages that remain, and when you reach the final period, you will be anxious to get your hands on the next book in this expansive epic.

Donkey-Donk

Horse Show! A Donkey-Donk Story (The Donkey-Donk Series Book 2) by Ellen F. Feld (Photographed by John Cebula)

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

Donkey-Donk is a miniature donkey. She is going to a horse show and has big dreams of possibly winning a blue ribbon. Donkey-Donk knew there would be many obstacles. She had to practice. She might be required to jump, open a gate, and walk around cones. Before the show, she got a much-needed bath.  Purchase Here.

When Donkey-Donk arrives for the show, she is surprised by the number of horses present. This meant there would be a lot of competition. It did not seem to bother Donkey-Donk that she was the only donkey in the competition. She is prepared. Will she win a blue ribbon?

The one thing I love about children’s books is authors always emphasize a particular message. Donkey-Donk wants to prove that practice makes perfect. The story is simple and sends this message throughout the book. The photographs are adorable. Who wouldn’t fall in love with Donkey-Donk’s face? I know I did! This book is recommended for ages 2 and up.

 

My Father's Suitcase

My Father’s Suitcase: A story of family secrets, abuse and betrayal – an

Reviewed by Lily Andrews

“My Father’s Suitcase” is a heartfelt memoir that chronicles author Mary Garden’s struggle with sibling abuse, an understudied and rarely spoken kind of domestic violence.  Purchase Here.

Garden’s life altered radically when her younger sister, Anna, began to physically abuse her during their childhood. Her reaction to this was one of fury and terror at what the sibling, who suffered from mental illness, might do to her next. Garden was always under the impression that her turbulent family life had a significant part in the disintegration of her connection with her sister since she had a violent father and a melancholy mother who was constantly running away from a past she could never bring herself to disclose to her spouse. Garden’s parents made her feel constantly alone by publicly supporting Anna’s actions and holding her responsible for all of her issues.

Her rivalry with her sister did not fade quickly; rather, it intensified throughout adulthood, leaving her deeply wounded and with a warped perspective on life. Garden was especially horrified to hear that her sister had embarked on a project that she believed to be an extension of her abuse. Her brother Robert and other family members were aware of the situation but opted not to notify her. This served as the last blow to her hopes of ending Anna’s pervasive hatred and rekindled her urge to exact reckoning—something she had long resisted doing.

The most prevalent type of domestic abuse today is the subject of this real, thoroughly researched story. Through it, the author exposes the behaviors and potential consequences experienced by those who attempt to conceal and repress their stress. This is the ideal book for people who have controlling or abusive siblings because it provides guidance on self-rescue and clarifies what many perceive to be typical sibling conflict. When sibling violence is ignored and persists in the lives of many individuals, society bears a heavy price.

“My Father’s Suitcase” effectively illustrates the need to close the knowledge gap that currently exists on sibling abuse. “My Father’s Suitcase” is highly recommended.

 

The Prophet Song

Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

Reviewed by Teri Takle

Families can be complicated. For Eilish Stack, having a full-time job as a scientist, and having a husband, four children, and an aging father is often overwhelming, but she feels competent in her abilities.  Purhase Here.  

Her husband works as a trade unionist and frequently faces opposition, even from the government.

The characterization is phenomenal.   The reader becomes Eilish as she struggles to keep her family and their everyday life together while she questions what is happening around her.
The structural aspect of Prophet Song is disturbing. There are no paragraphs and no quotation marks. This style abnormality becomes troubling to read, but it perfectly parallels what is happening in Eilish’s life. She is trying to save her family because she has to choose what is most important for her family..

The purpose of any novel is to teach the reader another perspective, another insight. Prophet Song unquestionably deserved the Booker Prize last year. The writing is clear and vivid, placing the reader in the protagonist’s shoes. You feel like you are Eilish and wonder what is best for you and your family.

Prophet Song is dystopian fiction at its best.   You think, almost become haunted by the characters’ circumstances, wondering how you would act if this happened to you.

Paul Lynch is an Irish author who has won numerous prizes worldwide for his previous novels.
His choice of setting Prophet Song in Ireland is brilliant.

Some of my favorite bits of wisdom from this book are, “…seeing that out of terror comes pity and out of pity comes love and out of love the world can be redeemed again,” along with ” the fury of some god incarnate in the mouth of the prophet raging at the wickedness that will be cast out of sight, and the prophet sings not of the end of the world but of what has been done and what will be done and what is being done to some but not others, that the world is always ending over and over again in one place but not another and that the end of the world is always a local event…”
Prophet Song is disturbing, a must-read, a haunting tale that leaves the reader reevaluating what is essential in their life and what becomes their breaking point. What will you do?

Bella's Fables

Bella’s Fables by Deb Evans

Reviewed by Michaela Gordoni

Bella’s Fables by author Deb Evans is a charming book about a mama golden retriever who teaches her children how to behave by telling age-old stories. Each night in their barn at the farm, Bella rounds up her playful puppies, Abby, Emma, and Freddy, and tells them a timeless story that teaches them a valuable lesson. Full of innocent curiosity, the little puppies are eager to listen and learn about each story’s characters and how they benefitted from doing the right thing, or suffered because they didn’t. Bella tells her pups classic Aesop’s fables like The Ant and The Grasshopper, Four Oxen and a Lion, and The Bat and the Weasels.  Purchase Here.

The stories sound great while being read aloud. What makes Bella’s Fables particularly engaging is the interactive nature of the storytelling. Deb Evans has done an excellent job of creating her canine characters and setting with young children in mind. Kids will be captivated by the lovable puppy character’s and resonate with them as their own parents read them these stories. Through Bella’s narratives, children are not only entertained but also encouraged to reflect on moral principles. These chapters are perfect for read-aloud sessions before bed. Evans expertly weaves in the classic Aesop fables, and has her puppy characters ask follow up questions which Bella answers. This fosters engagement and encourages critical thinking in children. Each fable teaches an important lesson, from sticking together to survive, to being wise, preparing, and why it isn’t good to be too greedy. The puppies have funny little sayings like kids do, but they still act cute and cuddly, playful, just as real puppies are.

The book occasionally has wonderful, cute illustrations that help bring the book’s characters to life. Children are sure to love looking at the pictures. While the absence of credit for the illustrations’ artist is a curious omission, the illustrations undoubtedly enhance the reading experience, captivating young imaginations. Evans goes the extra mile by including some fun activities for kids to enjoy in the last pages of the book. These include mazes and word puzzles that tie-in with the book’s theme. These additions not only reinforce learning but also provide opportunities for children to engage with the material in a playful manner.

Overall, this is an excellent book for parents to read to their kids. Bella’s Fables is a thoughtful gem for parents seeking to instill moral values in their children while fostering a love for storytelling. With its endearing characters, timeless lessons, and interactive elements, this book promises delightful bedtime reading sessions. In the effort of keeping things fun and simple, it’s a creative way to learn about Aesop’s fables. It’s a book that is both joyful and meaningful to parents and children alike.

Pebbles and the Biggest Number

Pebbles and the Biggest Number: A STEM Adventure for Kids by Joey Benun (Author), Brooke Vitale (Editor), Laura Watson (Illustrator)

Reviewed by Teri Takle

Pebbles and the Biggest Number is a children’s book about Pebbles, a butterfly, and his adventures.

Pebbles counts the flowers in the garden daily.   Life gets boring when you only get to count small numbers.    After counting his eyes, wings, legs, and all the flowers visited, Pebbles realizes that there are many more numbers and things to learn as he sets off on an adventure to discover enormous numbers.  Purchase Here.

As Pebble’s explorations begin, he discovers a different environment on every page, introducing a related vocabulary word for the new habitat along with connected facts, an animal, and always referring to some large number.

Pebbles and the Biggest Number is an excellent STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) book for young readers, ideally aged 4-8, or for students with special needs. The colorful pop-up bubbles on each page contain facts that can quickly be learned, helping developing readers become independent readers.

The various habitats and settings are colorfully and richly illustrated, and every page has text bubbles that perfectly match the pictures.   This compact 27-page gem travels from a flower garden to a desert, a tropical rainforest, a beach, an ocean, the mountains, a science lab, and space.   Each page is bright, engaging and inviting; speech bubbles are filled with text appropriate to the setting and involve large numbers.

What is most impressive is the vocabulary is not limited to young children. Words such as atoms, lifespan, tsunami, population, bacteria, and many more, as well as the concept of infinity, are all discussed.

This STEM book is perfect for young readers. Every page has a centralized theme with science and numbers surrounding the words. The vocabulary selected perfectly matches the pictures and compliments the setting.

What is truly unique about this small book is how engaging and exciting it is for readers of all ages.   I was engrossed with every page, not even realizing that I was learning as I read.

What stands out is the usage of large numbers appropriately into every-day life discussions.

The author, Joey Benun, decided to write this book after discussing big numbers with his nieces and nephews, making it his first published children’s book. The author also included his contact information, inviting the lessons learned from the book to continue with a possible letter-writing experience for him.

Laura Watson illustrates many books with her love of color using a digital platform that looks hand-painted. Their collaboration makes Pebbles and the Biggest Number a compact science gem in just 27 pages.

Feeling Special

Feeling Special by Jennifer Kurani (Author) and Valentina Jaskina (Illustrator)

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

Turtle feels ordinary and sad. Why? When Turtle observed his friends, they all seemed to have a special ability. The squirrels can jump from branch to branch, bees could fly and make honey, rabbits could hop up and down, and fireflies could fly and light up the sky.  Purchase Here.

Turtle wondered what he could do to be special too. He could not do any of these things like his friends.  Then his special moment came. It started to rain and all of Turtle’s friends were getting wet. He hid himself inside his hard shell and stayed dry. Turtle now felt special. He no longer felt ordinary or sad.

Feeling Special is a large sized picture book. This book points out that even though everyone is different, they have something unique to make them special in their own way. The illustrations are delightful and match so well with each of Turtle’s friends. Some readers might consider this book to be a little dismal because the phrase “Turtle felt ordinary and sad” is repeated on many pages. I did not feel this way. To me the phrase was a way to build up the excitement for the moment Turtle realizes he is special too.

Feeling Special is recommended for ages 3-6.

What is a Family

What is a Family by Cassandra Hames (Author) Nila Aye (Illustrator)

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

What is a Family points out the importance of the bond that families share even though each one looks different. The book emphasizes that friends can be considered part of your family. Many topics are covered such as support, adventure, laughter, helping each other, encouragement to lift your spirits, and bravery. What is a Family is an excellent book to read aloud to your little children.

The book cover really caught my eye! The cover is padded with board pages that make it perfect and strong even if little ones tug on them. It’s filled with animal families and a text that rhymes. The illustrations are colorful, bright and very cute. I loved the quote in the book that states “Remember love’s your lighthouse and your family is your sail”. That says it all! This book is a terrific gift for many occasions including baby showers, holidays, etc. because it stresses unconditional love and how a family is “love”.  This book is recommended for ages 1-5.  Purchase Here.

What is a Family is part of the Love You Always series. This series now consists of 11 books.