 91/100 (9.1 out of 10)
The Pulse of My Heart is a beautiful and compelling romance novel that crosses times, eras, socio-cultural norms, boundaries, and possibly dimensions! It is the third book in the Taken series with the first book being a previous Outstanding Creator Awards winner! While the first book focused a bit more on the action, adventure, and perils of time-traveling, this book is much more focused on the romantic and dramatic side of things, placing a heavier emphasis on the relationship between Sylvie and Leif (formerly known as Seamus) than ever before! That's right, this is a romance novel as well as a time-travel/dimension-hopping epic! The book also places a heavy emphasis on the experiences of a pregnant and expecting mother, particularly in tense or uncertain circumstances. We glimpsed a similar scenario when we read When the Stars Align by Carolyn Summer Quinn earlier in the year, which cut back and forth between a Jewish woman who found herself unexpectedly pregnant in the middle of the Holocaust. While probably not as severe as the circumstances in When the Stars Align, Sylvie's experiences and feelings in The Pulse of My Heart are no less poignant. Sylvie is haunted by the proposition of potentially losing her unborn baby either due to health complications caused by the sporadic, unpredictable time phenomenon or due to a potential change in the timeless altogether (i.e. a Butterfly Effect), erasing the baby from reality. Likewise, she is constantly at risk of losing or being separated from her lover, Leif, as well since the time phenomenon seems to affect them differently and separately. This, however, forces both characters (though particularly Sylvie) to be resourceful and to test their metal in the midst of challenges and unfamiliar environments. It also allows them to meet new people, for better or for worse. For example, Sylvie receives aid from good Samaritans and a nurse named Jessica who show her that good, caring people exist no matter the time or the place. However, on the negative side, there's Jasmine, a flirtatious woman who seems to be trying to drive a wedge between Leif and Sylvie, attempting to take Leif for herself. Now, to be perfectly honest, it really seemed like Jasmine got way too much attention in this book—far too much screen time. There is kinda a reason for her being here though. She serves to prove that the main couple in this book is not perfect and not a fairy-tale couple—not a Mary Sue and a Gary Stu, in other words. This adds some believability to their pairing. After all, couples in real life are far from perfect. They argue. They get jealous. They have disputes and disagreements. Furthermore, Jasmine serves to highlight Sylvie's insecurities and trust issues which linger from the previous books. This gives Sylvie an opportunity to grow and mature as she tries to overcome these negative feelings that hold her back from enjoying true happiness. Now, all of this drama, fear, and conflict might make this book sound gloomy and depressing, however, that's really not the case. Beside from this book being very romantic and full of high moments for the characters (like two pregnancies), it is also full of humor and funny moments, especially considering the fact that Leif—a man from the mid-17th century—is a fish out of water in the modern (21st) century! He actually kinda reminded us of Captain America in that he's clearly out of touch and unfamiliar with the many changes that have happened. It's a huge culture shock for him! And this is a perfect ironic twist considering that, in previous books, Sylvie was the fish out of water caught in Leif's time period and having to adapt. This is the girl who had to get used to colonial church services that were pretty much all-day events, after all. In this book, the situation is reversed. We loved and appreciated that! These ironic twists give characters who were high, mighty, and/or sure of themselves a chance to be vulnerable, which helps them to be relatable to the audience. And, let's face it, they're funny, amusing, and entertaining. Leif's shock upon learning that people go shirtless and in bikinis on the beach is priceless. Keep in mind, this guy pretty much grew up a Puritan. There are also scenes in which Leif struggles to comprehend technology like lights and airplanes. Could you imagine being in his shoes? You've lived your whole like thinking your musket and sailboats were the most advanced technologies in your life, now you've got vehicles without horses to pull them, magic boxes you talk into, and flying metal things in the sky. Reversals like these also allow previously-vulnerable characters (like Sylvie) an opportunity to be a guide, a protector, and a nurturer—qualities that Sylvie certainly makes use of as a parent. Speaking of being a protector, Sylvie experiences a fear that a surprising number of us can empathize with: the fear of miscarrying a pregnancy. Mothers AND fathers have these fears, believe it or not. No, most of us aren't afraid of the effects of time-travel on our kids, but we do worry about other things like the radiation from the sun on a hot summer day (causing sunburn or skin cancer), extreme cold in the winter, X-rays from the TSA machines, and a number of other somewhat-irrational, perceived threats to our children. So, Sylvie's concerns are understandable and relatable. This book had a lot going for it and a lot of potential. There were few opportunities that we feel were sorely missed. The first book featured very tense, thrilling, action-packed scenes related to soldiers in conflict. This book seems all but barren of action. Yes, there's adventure, but it's a bit more neutered compared to the first book. However, perhaps our chief complaint is that this book had no villain or antagonist. Yes, you could argue that the “sonic boom” time phenomenon and the threatening/concerning circumstances were the de facto conflicts. Yes, you could argue that Jasmine, for example, is an unlikable and antagonistic character. However, are these really distinct antagonists or villains? It always seems like what Sylvie and Leif are fighting against are abstract concepts and things that haven't happened yet. They're fighting for their relationships and their relationships with Sylvie's family. They're fighting to ensure that their children can be born and brought up in a stable environment. And, you know what? We can understand that. But, gosh, we better start getting to the bottom of who or what is causing all these sonic boom/boom-tube stuff. Check it out on Amazon!
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 Score: 95/100 (9.5 out of 10)
When it comes to EPIC SCI-FI novels, it doesn't come much grander and more epic than The 5 Moons of Tiiana by P.T. Harry! The 5 Moons of Tiiana follows Captain Rez Cantor, a veteran of the Melela military, a loyal soldier of Melela, who is begrudgingly seeing his world surrender and sign a faux-peace agreement with the imperialistic, genocidal Relcor. The Relcor are a race of metallic monstrous aliens who come from a hellish world that ran short on natural resources, leading them on a rampage of conquest across the star system. The Melela and the Relcor are the first of MANY different alien races who are introduced to us in this book, which just goes to the show the depth and complexity of this literary universe. Anyway, Rez is on a quest to, at the very least, accomplish the oldest quest of them all: rescue the princess. Princess Leanna is one of the best and more compelling characters in the book, serving as the deuteragonist despite disappearing for a large portion of it. Leanna gradually grows in maturity and as a leader, becoming a force to be reckoned with in her own right. Her relationship with Rez is also very interesting. Rez is her senior in age and seemed to have more of a big-brother or fatherly relationship with her in her younger years. He actually knew her since she was little and, at the beginning of this story, must rescue her from becoming a political tool of the Relcor at the age of 16. Like we said, she grows and matures throughout the story, and eventually develops into a love interest of Rez as she becomes an adult. Going back to their relationship... Rez and Leanna actually have great chemistry and camaraderie. For example, they have pet names for each other, an allusion to how long they've known each other. Leanna always calls him “my captain” even when he is acting more like an admiral or general. Meanwhile, Rez constantly calls her “my princess” even when she becomes a queen. We wanted to briefly mention a particularly charming character in the earlier sections of this book: Penta, the young prostitute. She was really dealt an unfortunate and tragic hand, and we really felt for her. We're a bit upset and disappointed that she didn't play a larger role later in the book because she really seemed to deserve it. However, there is a slight hint at the very end that she may be around. It's either her or freakin' Philip. We'll get to him soon. One of our favorite short scenes involving Penta is when she is amazed by the extravagance of the palace. She even starts stealing some of the perfume! Keep in mind, this is a girl who grew up impoverished, being pushed into prostitution for the sake of survival. She kinda reminded us of Crutch from Ironborn by Andrew Cavanagh. Author, if you're listening, please give Penta some justice. She deserves it. Anyway, we're also introduced to another significant character, Philip Golan. Philip is a pilot and respected officer in the Melela space force who happens to be the great-grandson of Dimitri Golan, the man who invented the inter-dimensional space-warp technology that makes their space travel possible. An argument could be made that Philip is the tritagonist of the novel. We see him develop from a self-assured, overconfident pilot who finds himself at odds with Rez regarding the future of their civilization and the military's role in it. He starts the book as a bit of an antagonist in Rez's way, but he gradually turns to his side. Along the way, he is partially-assimilated by one of the other important alien races in the novel, the Aurians, who are a bit like a friendlier version of the Borg from Star Trek. Ok, they're not as kill-crazy as the Borg, but they're not exactly the most pleasant people. Sorta like Goku and Vegeta in Dragon Ball, Rez and Philip gradually go from being enemies to being rivals, then eventually allies. Following the botched escape, Rez finds himself marooned on a moon-world called Urlena. Urlena is a fascinating aquatic world inhabited by adorable, friendly aliens called Dolla (seriously, you'll want to hug and squeeze all of these guys) and much-less friendly, slaver aliens called Aquella. The Aquella were once a seafaring race with a rich history and civilization to rival the Melela and Aurians. However, a catastrophe from the skies forced them underwater in cities that are a bit like bargain-bin, Wish versions of Rapture from Bioshock. This catastrophe from the sky is actually a very important figure in the book. See, this... thing in the sky isn't just a giant storm or a force of nature. Yes, it's that, but it's also a sentient, biological force. The people of Urlena live in constant fear and terror of this sky creature they name Giragoc. It's actually the thing on the cover if you paid close attention. You'd be forgiven in thinking that thing was just a storm cloud. No, Giragoc is kinda like Hedorah from the Godzilla movies, and he kinda looks like him too. His tentacles act like tornadoes and his body behaves like a massive hurricane, swallowing anything in its path, especially metal. Giragoc LOVES metal, which explains why the Aquilla live more like cavemen now. This is also a HUGE plot device later on in the novel. You'll eventually realize that all of the moons of Tiiana have their own unique problems and conflicts. Urlena has to deal with Giragoc. The Aurians have to deal with the fact that their own robotic/cybernetic technology is consuming them. Zin is inhabited by multiple dangerous creatures including the Zecla (giant spider crab people) and the Brata (monstrous flying gargoyle people). The Motula on Boutal continue to struggle against both the Zecla and Brata, who are also sometimes at odds with each other. Ok, well not every one of the moons is a complete dystopian hell hole. Vashia is basically a natural heaven full of advanced technology that doesn't overwrite everyone like the Aurians. It's full of people who basically hold hands and sing “Kumbaya” together (in a matter of speaking). Anyway, all of these worlds are interesting and different in their own right, and so are their people. In terms of antagonists/villains, we've got: - The Relcor, the original villains who just disappear from the book for a huge section of it while we focus on other things - Giragoc, the giant cloud monster of Urlena - The Aquella, at least for the early portions of the book, who enslave and oppress the Dolla and foreigners like Rez - The Zelca, the spider-crab monsters who would eat everyone if they could - The Brata, the gargoyle-people who would probably kill everyone with arable land to lay their eggs on if they could None of these guys really get along 100% of the time, and Rez (and the other protagonists) are able to use a divide-and-conquer strategy against them, sometimes even using them against each other. It's a bit odd how the Zelca and Brata dominate the last arc of the book despite the fact that the Relcor were built as the big bad. Yes, the Relcor become relevant again, but it seems really rushed. It's also a bit odd how much time we spend on Urlena with Rez serving as a slave. However, this does help us to gain empathy and respect for Rez. Rez had pretty much failed and lost everything at that point—his people, his princess, his civilization—yet he keeps on keeping on. He keeps fighting for survival. He also seems to grow socially, or at least shows up the social and communication skills he gained in the military. He is able to lead the other prisoners by rewarding them with extra food/purple seaweed rations and rally them to his cause. He's able to do similar things with the Dolla, the Aurians, Vashis, the surviving Melelans, and even the Aquella who once imprisoned him. He's able to use his skills and charisma to unite the moons of Tiiana against their common enemies including the Zelca and Brata. Check it out on Amazon!  Score: 92/100 (9.2 out of 10)
A Sister Ago by Caitlin Buhr is an emotionally-charged novel that explores themes of family, grief, and the complexities of human relationships. The narrative, rich with evocative prose and vivid imagery, delves deeply into the life of Christine as she grapples with the loss of her sister Rachel and the subsequent emotional turmoil. The book follows Christine, a social worker who awakes to the devastating news of the death of her sister, Rachel, due to an overdose. This event sets the stage for a journey through Christine's memories and her present-day struggles. The narrative shifts between different timelines, providing a comprehensive view of Christine and Rachel's relationship, their family dynamics, and Christine's life as she tries to navigate her grief. Christine reflects on a lot of the ups and downs of her relationship with her late sister, memories which both haunt and inspire her, particularly in her line of work—where she encounters many homeless and those struggling with mental illness and trauma—and as she connects with others in therapy who've experienced similar losses. One of our favorite memories of this sisterly bond is when they raced their bikes after Rachel received the BMX bike she got for Christmas. As people who grew up riding bikes with our siblings, this really resonated with us. You could make the argument that the loss of her sister really helps Christine to become more sensitive, empathetic, and a bit less self-centered. She definitely becomes more considerate of the needs and feelings of others as the book goes along. It should be noted that at many points in this book, Christine seems to be teetering on the verge of losing her self and her sanity. For example, while babysitting, she realizes how much power she has over the children and that she could literally kill them both if she really wanted to. This thought horrifies and mortifies Christine just as it would the rest of us. This is an example of a psychological phenomenon known as the “call of the void” or “high place phenomenon.” It's the bizarre feeling that many human beings have when, for example, they're at the edge of a cliff with someone and wonder what would happen if one of you fell, if you jumped, or if you pushed the other person. It's a drive to do dangerous, irrational things just because you can. Suicidal ideation is one such example of this phenomenon. This actually demonstrates the way in which the author effectively showcases their knowledge of psychology, which plays throughout the book. Going back to Christine's memories of Rachel, we get a mixture of good and bad times, demonstrating the ebbs and flows—the waves—of any relationship. We get the feeling pretty early on that Christine and Rachel were once very close, yet drifted apart for whatever reason. Rachel definitely comes across as the problem child or the prodigal child. Anorexic from a young age, Rachel developed a penchant for alcohol and addictions, including abusing prescription medications. Among these medications are Klonopin (benzodiazepine) to help her sleep and Percocet to help her to cope with her pain. As we read in RUNAWAY TRAIN by Krista Cambers, alcoholism can have tragically fatal consequences. And, as we read in Reality Check by Mike Sorrentino, prescription medications can be just as addictive and dangerous as street drugs. What's kinda interesting about this book is that Christine is constantly learning more and more, not just about her sister and the other people her life touched, but also about the various problems that are applicable to the people she helps via social work. Rather than dismissing or being scared off by homeless and the mentally ill, as many of us would be, Christine's heart seems to grow to embrace them despite all their imperfections. In other words, she progressively and gradually becomes a better person. The book tackles heavy themes such as grief, addiction, and familial expectations with sensitivity and nuance. Buhr’s writing is lyrical and evocative, often drawing on poetic imagery to convey the characters’ emotions. The use of Pablo Neruda’s poem "Only Death" as a recurring motif adds a layer of melancholy beauty to the narrative. It should probably be mentioned that this isn't just a book about Christine and Rachel. Actually, it's far from it. Rachel's death also affects their parents, Stephen and Jeanette, who also must attend grief counseling in the aftermath. Furthermore, Christine connects with a few other people who've attended therapy including Keji Nakayama, who becomes a great friend and almost a surrogate sister, coming with Christine on a trip to find answers and even giving her a place to stay with her family. There's also a secondary plot playing throughout the book in which the therapist, Walter Anderson, is quickly revealed to be an unethical, immoral person undeserving of the title of “professional.” He is a pervert and very likely a sexual predator. Furthermore, he exposes his clients' personal information to others, a clear violation of HIPAA and client-confidentiality agreements, something we're constantly reminded of (for some reason). Walter Anderson reminded us a lot of Dr. Sherman from “Dream Me Home” by Laurie Elizabeth Murphy, who was also an unlikable, corrupt, and selfish therapist who abused his position to take advantage of victims. However, Dr. Sherman was simply a better, more compelling character. When we got done reading about Dr. Sherman, we still wanted to punch him in the face and break his nose. However, with Walter Anderson, we more so just wanted him to GO AWAY and not be in this book at all. Dr. Sherman didn't seem shoehorned-in the way that Walter Anderson does in this book. The Walter Anderson story-line really seemed unnecessary and superfluous. Yes, it gave Christine and Keji a big, bad evil guy to go up against in order to show their increased courage, growth, and enhanced sense of justice/doing the right thing for others. However, it also seemed to distract and detract from the main story, that of grief and coping. Another thing that also holds this book back a little bit is that a lot of the middle portion seems meandering, start-and-stop, and disjointed. That's a problem that compounds and snowballs as we keep flipping back and forth between the past and present. To be honest, we started on a high, then progressively got bored and lost interest. Maybe it's just that we came off the high of reading two very exciting, thrilling novels. This is more like a Leslie Kain novel. While very deep, involved, and focused on the psychological states of the characters, it's also slower-developing and plodding. That's not to say there were awesome parts of this book that had us excited. We already talked about the biking scene with the sisters, but there are also a few others. There's even some humor and lighthearted moments to be found. There's a running joke that Rachel was a lesbian simply because she never committed to a serious relationship. Though the reader (and Christine) are aware of Rachel's promiscuous behavior and very active sex life, her parents are left in the dark about it and brace themselves to support a LGBTQA+ child. There's actually some pay off to this as we learn that one of the side characters, Carmen, is actually either bisexual or a lesbian who may have even harbored an attraction for Rachel (though she also seems to think of her as a sister). Christine's realization that Rachel wasn't exactly the most conventional person in terms of sexuality allows her to better sympathize with Carmen and others like her, the same way she can sympathize with those suffering from addiction and alcoholism (like Bill does). Perhaps our favorite scene in the entire book is the inevitable funeral they hold for Rachel. Naturally, funerals are powerful, important scenes, but this one seems to hold a special weight and importance. First of all, there's a vivid description of Rachel's appearance, which is full of ironies. For example, she wears makeup, something she would never wear. She also appears lively despite being lifeless and appearing like a deathly, 90-something pound anorexic girl in the later portion of her life. However, our favorite detail we're given in this scene is that of the two freckles or birthmarks that adorn her nose even in death. A part of us can't help but view this poetically as a kind of binary, like two stars circling each other the way that Christine and Rachel do. Check it out on Amazon!  Score: 90/100 (9.0 out of 10)
Raccoons Go Rafting: Activity & Coloring Book is the fun and engaging companion piece to Raccoons Go Rafting by Rachel Vogel, illustrated by Anthony Richichi! The book features a variety of the activities and coloring pages you might expect from such a book and a few bonuses. Actually, for better or for worse, a lot of the bonus content is relegated to the front of the book. There's a rather interesting (albeit initially confusing) one in which you can fill out the quote bubbles of the different characters. That's new, fresh, and unique! We do wish the bubbles were a little bigger though since kids may be using crayons or not have the fine-motor skills to write inside something so small. The same goes for some of the illustrations. When you have figures like the raccoons that are so small compared to the size and scale of the illustrations, it's a bit more challenging to color. This is something we also commented on with the Where Are You, Alfie? coloring book. Ideally with a coloring book, you want the figures to be bigger and for the lines to be further apart, allowing space for coloring, especially with larger coloring instruments like crayons. You practically need a fine-point coloring pencil to color some of these characters. There's a lot of big, empty space to color the water and the sky, perhaps. It can also be fun to color the different floaty vests of the raccoons with the vest-matching designations on page 3. The first-half of the book mostly consists of fill-in-the-blank quote box activities. The second-half of the book contains more of the activities you'd expect to find in an activity book like this including crossword puzzles, line mazes, and—our personal favorite—finding specific objects on the camp site. At the end of the book, there is actually a great compilation of different trivia facts regarding raccoons and the Hudson River. While this coloring/activity book might leave a little to be desired for the above reasons, it's still cute, fun, and entertaining. Check it out on Amazon!  Score: 94+/100 (9.4+ out of 10)
Ironborn by Andrew Cavanagh is the thrilling, adventure-filled tale of an impoverished yet clever disabled boy, Crutch, as he finds himself in the middle of a violent conflict between the villainous Estonian Empire and his home of Ironbay, an island kingdom, which the Estonians have besieged en route to conquering it. Estonia is under the rule of an expansionist, exploitative tyrant named Emperor Igor Solokov. Due to the conflict, siege, and general socio-political climate of the time period (implied to be around the early 18th century), Ironbay and its seafaring/maritime industry has become a cesspool of poverty, food shortages, and a lack of basic amenities. Near the beginning of the book, there is a burial at sea in which there aren't enough cloths available to cover all of the dead, robbing them of their dignity in their final moments. There are few luxuries available to the characters aside from their cleverness, grit, and strength of will. And no one personifies those qualities more than Crutch, the 12-year-old lead protagonist. Despite being young and forced to rely on a wooden crutch/cane to stand and move around, Crutch shines in how clever, gritty, and resourceful he is. This is a kid who is willing to eat every part of a rat or a cockroach to survive. This is a kid who finds it to be a luxury to have a bucket to poop or urinate in. In all honesty, without Crutch, there is no Ironborn. He IS the story. He IS who/what compels us to keep reading on. He is the reason this book rates so highly amid a very competitive catalog of fiction books in this contest. Crutch is that compelling of a character. Crutch is the bottom-feeder of bottom-feeders. He is the bottom-dweller of bottom-dwellers—someone who is at home at the bottom of a creaky ship or in the sewers. In one scene in which he's hoping against hope that a friend recovers from an injury, Crutch concludes: “...he knew that wasn't the way the world worked. In his world, things only got worse.” You can't help but hope that Crutch is able to find prosperity and happiness someday. And we are over the moon whenever we get some crumbs hinting at a brighter future for Crutch. Perhaps the key example of this is when he meets Abigail, one of our favorite characters in the book. Heck, everything involving Abigail makes us smile. Why? Because Abigail represents what Crutch could someday be and what he could someday have: wealth, security, stability, and happiness. Crutch was robbed of his childhood, forced to age and mature at the speed of light. Abigail, on the other hand, is the same age and, yet, infinitely more hopeful, childlike, playful, and optimistic. Crutch is amazed at the way Abigail dresses, the clean and flowery way she smells (being used to the smell of excrement), and lavish way she lives. He is shocked to see the amount and variety of food she has available to her and her guests at a birthday party. Oh, and by the way, she sweetly invites him to her birthday party. Crutch is baffled when she explains what the games of “chase” and “hide & seek” are, having never played such games before. It's truly tragic to see how much of his youth and innocence was taken from him by circumstance. Yet, it's beautiful to see how not all hope is lost. Crutch and Abigail even laugh and smile together! Crutch also develops very strong relationships with the Ironbay Marine crew of the Old Faithful. In particularly, he forms very close bonds with Cedric (who becomes like a mentor to him and other crewmates), Quicksilver (who acts a bit like the chemist/thinker of the group), Captain Featherstone, Sergeant Zander, Benn (a singer), Longshot, and Boulder (who arguably becomes Crutch's best friend/closest comrade). Boulder actually reminded us a bit of Hellgrinder from Peter Elliott's books. He's a big, strong, more-than-capable fighter. What's incredible is that Crutch is able to grow in reputation and usefulness in the group. They eventually come to call him their “secret weapon” because of how clever and resourceful he is. Speaking of secret weapons, there is a very interesting plot device in this book as both sides race to obtain a sort of superweapon called “Orange Fire.” Orange Fire can probably be compared to a bomb or incendiary of some sort. They already have access to some great weapons like ballistas, however, Orange Fire seems to get a lot of the attention. It's the cool new thing that can turn the tide of the war. Now, there is a hilarious plot-thread that runs through this other one in which the characters gain bad intelligence on Orange Fire, creating a flawed weapon that just releases brown, foul-smelling smoke. They call it “Sh*t” Fire.” That really highlights why the crew of the Old Faithful is so fun to read about. They're hilarious! They love to insult the enemy (and each other) and come up with all sorts of put-downs that make them akin to the French Taunter in Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail. Even in the face of torture and execution, they're still taunting and mocking the enemy, even farting in the direction of the enemy colonel, Romanov. Yes, really. They also get annoyed at the singing of their own theme song/anthem, “The Horses,” begging someone to please sing something—anything else—each time. It also needs to be said that the villains of the book, the Estonians, are very effective. They're actually more like antagonists, especially since it becomes pretty clear pretty quickly that the folks of Ironbay and the crew aren't exactly the best of people either. Near the end of the book, the “heroes” even imply that they wouldn't mind dismembering every Estonian in existence, pretty much saying they'd commit genocide if they could. They also aren't exactly hospitable to Sergei when they capture him. As bad as the Estonians are, they're also surprisingly familiar and—dare we say—even a bit admirable. They give the crew of the Old Faithful tons of chances to be compliant before torturing and executing people. They're patriotic. They're disciplined. They're committed. They're dedicated. They have their own holidays (like Liberty Day) and their own way of talking. They seem like real people with a real culture and actual, believable motivations! That's commendable! In fact, some of our protagonists even conclude that the Estonian soldiers have admirable courage and bravery. By the way, did we mention that Crutch gradually gets his fellow prisoners to eat rats and cockroaches to stay live? Yeah, that was pretty funny and gross. There is a really ironic twist in this scene though in which a character concludes that a roach has a “very subtle flavor. I think it takes a delicate palate to truly appreciate it.” This echoes Crutch's earlier statement about tasting cured lamb for the first time. Oh, and by the way, Crutch doesn't understand how to eat lobsters, so he eats the whole shell, giving himself a stomach ache and concluding that he thought they were like rats and you could eat the fur too. Gosh, this book is entertaining in weird, wacky, unconventional ways! We'd also like to give a nomination to Abigail & Crutch for “Best Couple!” Check it out on Amazon!  Score: 93/100 (9.3 out of 10)
Runaway Train by Krista Cambers is an emotionally-charged memoir written in memorial to the author's late husband, Mark Cambers. It also serves as a warning and a call to corrective action for those who wrestle with addictions and alcoholism. The book is inspiring, tense, romantic, and tragic all at once. There are also moments of gold and even humor, especially concerning Mark's extremely unique personality and the many wild adventures/shenanigans that he and Krista got themselves into. This book will go down as one of the unexpected gems of the contest, a diamond in the rough just like Mark, the very man it centers around. This book, incredibly, also shines a light on what it means to be truly loving, compassionate, and non-judgmental in a Christ-like way. Jesus instructed his followers to adopt these types of attitudes and behaviors, though they often get ignored, either willingly or subconsciously, by those who (perhaps) believe that being Christian means being perfect and following rules. The reality is that Jesus spent time with and ate with sinners, broken, and imperfect people, not so much with the self-righteous. The author (Krista Cambers) profoundly demonstrates what it truly means to be Christ-like and to follow Jesus' example by not judging or dismissing her eventual husband, Mark, simply due to his past, his problems, or his homeless state and appearance. She saw the beauty, handsomeness, and spiritual light of the human being behind the long, messy hair and toothless smile. That in itself is powerful and beautiful! So, where do we even begin? Well, how about the serendipitous way in which this unlikely pairing came about? Krista and Mark, according to the book, had some bad luck in terms of relationships. However, as life and history have taught us, the universe has a way of self-correcting and making things work out in unexpected ways. To that end, Krista found herself working at a mini-mart called Marie's on a street that happened to be frequented by many homeless including panhandlers. One of them just so happened to be Mark Cambers, someone with a very unique charm. In the book, he came across as a good talker and a funny guy. You get the sense that he was someone the author loved having around as he acted as a sort of guardian angel of the mart and the area. Despite Mark being toothless and raggedy (an ironic adjective considering the Matt Smith mentions in the book), Krista looks past that and instead notices his incredible, deep-blue eyes. She describes him as being like Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump. The author also isn't shy about Mark being strange and rough around the edges compared to your average person. One thing the author doesn't seem shy about talking about are the red flags that surrounded Mark. She was told that Mark was dangerous and had even stabbed someone. The latter part turned out to be true, but there was more to it than that. Mark was not a malicious, violent, or savage person who searched for danger or trouble. He was a protector and a defender who guarded his honor. Also, rather than blowing kisses at Krista, he often traded middle-fingers from the other side of the glass, something that kinda reminded us of the couple in 8 Mile (the Eminem movie). He also gets angry and irritable at various points in the book, though he never harms Krista. There's something beautifully real and raw about this book. One of the most frustrating and annoying things about most books that feature/incorporate romance is how perfect everything seems. Everyone in these books is ridiculously physically attractive, they get along, and they're always trading saliva. Krista and Mark, on the other hand, are a true odd couple. Their relationship is far from perfect. There were many bumps, twists, and turns along the way. There were many times when they were separated and couldn't be together. However, what made them such a great couple is how they were able to look past those things—to see the beauty in each other and the bigger picture. It's also amazing how much chemistry they developed and how much they had in common! They shared a lot of the same taste in movies, TV shows, and music, particularly metal, Doctor Who, and pirates. In one of the most beautiful and tear-jerking moments of the book, Krista finds some of the foreign coins that Mark had collected while panhandling. She buys a pirate treasure chest and puts the coins in there as a keepsake in honor of him. Anyway, this isn't just a romantic story, but it's a story of a man's journey and a man's tragedy—a tragedy that will resonate with many and perhaps inspire them to choose a better course of action. The book explores Mark's history with addiction and alcoholism which contributed to his death. The author describes first-hand accounts of the pain, agony, and discomfort that Mark went through in his final days, largely due to what alcohol had done to his liver. It's eerie how similar these descriptions are to what Mike Sorrentino went through in Reality Check, further reminding us that addiction and alcholism are things that affect many people. One scene in this book that stood out to us is when Mark filled three trash cans with his blood and fluids. It's so tragic, sad, and scary! In another of the book's most beautiful scenes, Krista sings “Anywhere” by Evanescence and “Can't Help Falling in Love with You” by Elvis Presley to Mark in the hospital. Also tear-jerking are the many photos that the author provides in the book. The author hopes that this book can serve to guide people who might be struggling with these things toward a healthier and happier path, so they don't end up in the hospital (or worse) like Mark did. It's a cry and call to people to seek help if they need it. Mental health help is available. This book was actually a wake up call for us. There are many homeless and panhandlers in the community. It's easy to feel afraid or put off by them because of their raggedy appearances and seemingly-threatening demeanors. Some of them shout obscenities and talk to themselves. Many of them struggle with some of the same things that Mark did. So, instead of being afraid of and avoiding them, we've actually found ourselves feeling a lot more empathy and understanding for them. He's a Mark, we tell ourselves. There are a lot of Marks out there who need our support and understanding. Check it out on Amazon!  Score: 91/100 (9.1 out of 10)
Infinity Tales by M.C. Ryder puts us in the shoes (or paws) Leo, the enigmatic, seemingly omnipresent vampire cat who has appeared at various points and to various lead characters in the Dark Series. That's right! This is a CAT BOOK! If that doesn't get you pumped and excited, we don't know what will! This book finally reveals how and why Leo has shown up at odd, random, and often fortuitous points in the series and how he came to accompany many of its protagonists (and anti-heroes). Not only is this the best-written book in the series, it also fills many of the gaps and gives us a unique and interesting new perspective (like a fly on the wall)! Leo has a unique and special charm, definitely inspired by the author real-life, beloved cat, the late Tiggie. Despite having typical cat inclinations like demanding/commanding/expecting non-stop attention and to be fed often, Leo also seems to genuinely care about people and want them to be happy and contented. Anyone who has had a pet cat or dog knows that they become like family, and they can lift us up and comfort us during our sad and dark times (which are, unfortunately, frequent for the characters in this series). In a sense, Leo serves almost as a kind of guardian angel. He also has quite a few powers that were alluded to in previous books. He can scrap/fight and is said to have a “mean southpaw” (left-paw). Though he uses violence as a last resort and prefers to stay safe and hidden, he's not above jumping into combat to protect the ones he loves from the likes of vicious canines, wolves, and other dangers. This might spring from the examples that his mother and mentors set for him. In the beginning of the book, Leo ended up in an shelter “where all of my kind are caged” following the loss of his cat mama in an undisclosed way. This already sets the tone for Leo's arc as he has learned from the experiences of losing his mother as well as being trapped, imprisoned, alone, and afraid. These experiences help him to learn empathy, the empathy that he later shares with the likes of Nadia, Camille, Melia, Vinsent, and Beckett in their times of need. He also learns courage, bravery, and self-sacrifice from Tom, an older cat who takes Leo under his wing before sacrificing his life to protect him from danger. Probably the most charming aspect of this entire is how Leo is presented as being distinctly a cat, even with his advanced vampiric abilities that develop later. He's still undeniably a cat. He curls up in a ball with his tail by his nose. He's afraid of water. He expects to receive attention, food, and water perpetually. Seriously, he even notes when the human hasn't changed his food or water in a while. He always expects his water to be fresh. In terms attention, he says of Nadine: “I don’t tolerate her ignoring me. I’m like the sun that makes the color inside glow brighter.” However, he also says that “I take care of her, like she takes care of me. Fill her with warm and joy.” This shows that the love and attention is mutual and complementary. So, despite Leo being a bit self-centered like many cats, he is also caring and can give as much as he takes (in that regard). Another funny and cool aspect of his cat-like behavior/inclinations is that he doesn't really understand what humans are saying for about half of the book (until his vampirism and maturity develop). So he constantly described what they're saying as “gabble.” This reminded us of the adults from the Peanuts/Charlie Brown flicks. He also calls objects amusing things. For example, he calls beds “familiar large rectangles” and cars “metallic boxes.” He wonders about things like why humans only have hair on their heads. Perhaps Leo's greatest superpower, which was apparent early on in the series, is his unique ability to sense positive and negative energy. He knows when someone is good or bad. He knows if someone is trustworthy or not. This especially comes into play in the relationship between Nadine and Vinsent in which Nadine had no reason to trust Vince beside the fact that Leo saw good and trustworthiness in him. Leo also seems sensitive to feelings and emotions, and they affect him profoundly. When Leo witnesses the argument between Nadine and Camille, Leo concludes: “When one hurts, they both hurt which hurts me too. All I can do is offer them my love. Usually, it’s enough.” If you're up for a tale from a cat's perspective, check it out on Amazon!  Score: 95/100 (9.5 out of 10)
The Hummingbird & The Narwhal is a bold, brilliant, and beautiful children's book! It is written AND illustrated by Annie Higbee, a newcomer to our contests who demonstrated excellence in both writing and art in this book. The book says a lot about how—despite our differences—there are always things we have in common like the desire for companionship, the need to belong, having hopes, and pursuing dreams. The book also emphasizes celebrating the things that make us unique and special. Rather than seeing these things as negatives or things that make us undesirable, we can view them in a positive light. We can view the things that make us different as a strength and an advantage. That's why it's so fitting that the word “unicorn” is used frequently throughout the book. One of the characters is referred to as a “unicorn of the sea.” This has deeper meaning than just being a cool title or nickname. A “unicorn” is an anomaly—someone or something that is unlike all the others. Maybe they're especially tall or especially smart. In any case, this book has a lot of nuance and a lot to say, and it does it well! The Hummingbird & the Narwhal centers around two very different animal characters from two very different hemispheres, yet they have so much in common! Hummingbird is from the Northern Hemisphere, specifically Maine. She shares a mutually-beneficial relationship with the flowers, carrying their pollen in exchange for nectar. We've seen this metaphor numerous times before, but it's still potent. Hummingbird uses her bird/sky song (vibrations in the air) to communicate. She belongs to a group of other Hummingbirds called a charm, though (from our observation), she's a bit of a lone wolf who loves to wander and adventure outside the group while still belonging to it. Narwhal (whose real name is “The One Who Points to the Sky”) is from the Southern Hemisphere. He belongs to a group of other narwhals called a blessing. Similar to Hummingbird, he's a bit of a loner and a rogue adventurer. Part of that might be that he feels like the oddball of the group. He feels different from all of the other creatures around him. In particular, he is self-conscious of his large, protruding, twisty horn that seems to serve no practical purpose. He communicate via a sort of echolocation, creating vibrations in the water. This parallels the way that Hummingbird creates vibrations in the air/sky. At some point in her migration, Hummingbird is swept far off course and loses her way in the cold, seemingly-empty Southern Hemisphere, Narwhal's territory. As fate would have it, Narwhal is also lost and lonely. He frantically and desperately makes his whale sounds, hoping that someone will hear him, but his blessing (friends/family) is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, Hummingbird calls from the sky, trying to find her charm (flock). They eventually encounter each other, having heard each other's songs. Humorously, Hummingbird initially only sees Narwhal's horn sticking out from the water while the rest of him remains submerged, so it almost seems like she's talking to a big stick poking out of the water. How cute! However, she eventually gets to see more of him and vice-versa, realizing that he's actually a large, magnificent creature—contrary to the way that he feels about himself. They bond over the fact that Hummingbird's beak and Narwhal's horn are very similar in shape. They also bond over the fact that their fins and wings are similar. They work in different yet similar ways. Narwhal is clearly self-conscious about his horn, thinking that it's weird and impractical. However, Hummingbird tells him that his horn makes him special and unique. She concludes that he's a UNICORN—a “unicorn of the sea!” Narwhal also feels that he lacks the color and vibrancy of other animals. However, when Hummingbird tells him how wonderful he is, Narwhal shines and glows. He changes from black & white to vibrant, colorful, sparkling hue. Now, in all honesty, we think that this part is actually more nuanced than Narwhal just magically transforming into a bright, bold, colorful character. The truth is, we actually think that he was always a bright, bold, colorful character, but just lacked the confidence in himself to show it. So, the “color” and “magic” might actually be more symbolic and poetic than anything. We'd almost compare it to blushing. That would be a more realistic, grounded explanation for what happened. Then again, this is a book in which a Hummingbird is just chilling out and casually talking to a sea creature in frigid, sub-zero temperatures. So, maybe there is some magic to be found here. This book is beautiful in so many ways! First of all, some of the illustrations are truly jaw-dropping. Pages 13, 15, 21, 23, 31, 33, and 35 range from great to mesmerizing! Page 21 almost reminded us of a Japanese wood block painting, kinda like a Hanafuda card! It contrasts the dark, aquatic depths that Narwhal is familiar with and meshes them with the red, floral foreground that reflects the world that the Hummingbird comes from. On page 23, we get to see the magnificent aurora borealis in the background, almost like a chorus of angels celebrating the union between the Hummingbird and Narwhal. Pages 31 and 35 are almost definitely going to be the most appealing pages for kids as they stand in awe and amazement as Narwhal gains/showcases his bright, vibrant colors. With that said, it did kinda seem like at least two of these pages were either unfinished (uncolored) or left intentionally black & white to reflect the theme of darkness and color: page 9 and 19. Page 19 in particular looks more like a sketch than a finished illustration, albeit a very good sketch. What makes us feel that way isn't just the lack of color, but it's the way that the spot pattern on Narwhal's back seems more doodled (random swirls of a pencil) than deliberate. The same can be said about Narwhal's eyes in that panel. Very briefly, another very slight issue is the wordiness compounded by the small text. This can present challenges if you're reading it to a group of kids and have to keep turning your head back and forth between them and the book. We noticed a very similar issue with The Best Summer Guest by Tuula Pere, the most experienced children's author in our contest. It happens. Anyway, going back to what's beautiful about this book... It's not just a great friendship book, it's actually quite romantic! We're not sure if the author intended it, but Hummingbird and Narwhal would actually make a very cute couple—one that crosses realms, worlds, and hemispheres! They have phenomenal chemistry, almost like Nugget & Bandit (the raccoon couple) from Nugget & Bandit's First Winter. They complement each other and make each other better! Hummingbird really helps Narwhal to believe in himself and gain self-love and confidence! She also teaches him about the beauties and intricacies of her world, especially the flora. At the same time, Narwhal is able to provide Hummingbird a friend to talk to and an escape from the monotony and mundane nature of her existence. This book could be likened to relationships that transcend physical and superficial differences, focusing instead on the deeper aspects of each person—their heart, mind, and soul. Lastly, we loved how this book was able to educate us about the unique ways that these animals communicate and on what groups of these animals are called. Check it out on Amazon!  Score: 91+/100 (9.1+ out of 10)
We say this so often that it has become like a broken record, but author Tuula Pere continually finds new ways to think outside the box and present us with children's books that are so different and unconventional. Traveling Companions is one such example of an unconventional children's book. What other children's book would feature a natural disaster that results in an injured child being left behind for the greater good? Well, that's quite a premise! The book begins with a rope-maker's family and their mountainside village suddenly being caught in the middle of a landslide. In the midst of the chaotic evacuation, the rope-maker's son (Tony) is left behind—supposedly to be rescued later (though it kinda seemed to us like he was left for dead)—due to him having an injured leg. What a perilous situation! However, we gradually learn that Tony isn't the only one who was left behind. He soon finds an elderly man who is very wise yet must walk with a cane. They then discover a giant, hulking man, a blacksmith, who happens to be blind. The three form a bond and a great degree of camaraderie around both their shared circumstances and disabilities. They make a fire together and also share resources like food and water. They then determine that they can escape the mountain if they work together as a team. And here lies the beauty of the book: the emphasis on teamwork and complementary partnerships/relationships. In the ways that one person might be weak, vulnerable, or failing, another member of the team may be strong, capable, and successful. As you might expect in a children's book, the unlikely trio is able to work together to finally get down form the mountain and reunite with the rest of the villagers. When you look at this book in concept, it's actually beautiful, powerful, and brilliant. It is slightly held back by the wordiness, illustration style, and the somewhat confusing way in which the events are initially portrayed. It actually helps to distance yourself from the action and to see the story of this book in hindsight and from afar. It's easier to understand and digest that way. Tony's perspective, while more intimate, is also very narrow. It's a little challenging to figure out what's really going on in the grand scheme of things, at least until you finish the book and look back at it. However, we still appreciate the wonderful story this book was trying to tell. It's hard not to sympathize with those left behind. There's a part of us that really feels like the giant blacksmith probably accomplished the most and was the MVP of the group and that Tony kinda got sidelined for the epic journey. The giant blacksmith may be a candidate for “Best Character or “Best Supporting Character.” Check it out on Amazon!  Score: 96/100 (9.6 out of 10)
Cora's Christmas Challenge is an absolutely phenomenal children's book by Sally Kashner! It features a fun, positive, and compelling plot with a relatable central character, Cora. It also features some adorable animal characters like the ubiquitous, wandering, and curious squirrel and the rabbit family in need of our protagonist's help. This beautiful, adorable book follows the titular Cora, a bold, adventurous red-haired girl who appears to be around 5th or 6th grade, as she is challenged by her mother to go out, try new things, and meet new people on Christmas Eve. Cora takes up this challenge with zest, zeal, and a little spice. She builds a snowman, goes sledding, has a snowball fight, and even meets up with some old and new friends like Oliver. However, the highlight of Cora's day is when she and her friends discover a family of rabbits shivering and cold in the bushes. Cora and friends—who are good people, the kind of people you as the reader would want to get behind and root for—volunteer to build the poor rabbits a makeshift shelter out of branches, leaves, and a sheet. They also leave behind some carrots for them to eat. It's a very touching and beautiful scene! One of our favorites of the year so far! Above all, this book is brilliantly illustrated by the incomparable Ramesh Ram, the artist who previously wowed us in Baby Dragon's Big Sneeze written by Sheryl Bass. We didn't think that Ram could top his previous showing, yet here we are. Ram really outdid himself this time! Not only are the illustration colorful, vibrant, and textured like in Baby Dragon, they're actually superior in several ways. For example, there's a clear understanding of depth perception between the figures in the foreground and the background. This really helps to give characters and objects a three-dimensional look that pops off of the page! Furthermore, the artist cleverly accomplished something that is actually very challenging to accomplish: they made everything in this book—characters, objects, and backgrounds—colorful and appealing without distracting from the central action. How did Ram accomplish this? Well, he was able to use contrasting colors and brightness to show emphasis. For example, the background might be as bright and colorful as the sunset or even the aurora borealis, yet the colors of the characters are brighter, bolder, and even more brilliant: bright pink, bright purple, bright orange, bright green, and bright red (in the case of rabbit shelter). It's this contrast that makes it easy for the characters and figures to stand out even in the midst of the impressive backgrounds. Also impressive are the lighting effects against the windows and the subtle details like what the squirrel and other characters are doing in the background. Attention to detail is something that will always raise a book's grade in our eyes. Nothing ever seems stagnant or stale. Things are always moving. There's always action to be found somewhere. Every character is being more than a character, they're being a living, breathing entity find something to do and reasons to do it. For example, the squirrel doesn't just sit around and stare. No, the squirrel actually tries some of the activities that Cora is trying and even eats some of the food that the other characters leave behind (like the carrots). That clever, resourceful squirrel! By the way, there's a whole epilogue section teaching kids about squirrels like the one in the book. How cool is that?! Check it out on Amazon! |
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