On the first page of her deeply perceptive and passionately argued study of Rainer Maria Rilke, mainly as a poet but also as a personality, Lesley Chamberlain admits that she is speaking symbolically in describing her subject as “the last inward man,” since there are some who “will always be attracted to the mystical and […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/11/03/rilke-the-last-inward-man-chamberlain-banville/
This past July the Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi was imprisoned for protesting the jailing of Mohammad Rasoulof and Mostafa Aleahmad, two fellow directors who had been accused of inciting unrest by alleging, on social media, a connection between government corruption and the collapse of a ten-story building in southwest Iran that resulted in the deaths […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/11/03/we-know-what-thats-like-no-bears-jafar-panahi/
The cat walks the narrow shelf beneath the window where many delicate things are arranged—polished ammonites, a dried starfish, three turtle netsuke, a few curls of birch bark, two long-unused kerosene lanterns. As if on their own, two hands fly up to cover the person’s face, to cover the eyes already closed. The crash, as […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/11/03/two-kerosene-lanterns-jane-hirshfield/
If President Joe Biden thinks that Rupert Murdoch is “the most dangerous man in the world,”* President Franklin Roosevelt felt much the same about “the McCormick/Patterson newspaper Axis.” The Murdochs of their day were Colonel Robert McCormick and the siblings Joseph Patterson and Eleanor “Cissy” Patterson, a newspaper-owning cousinhood united by hatred of Roosevelt. Their […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/11/03/the-limits-of-press-power-geoffrey-wheatcroft/
In 1859, after John Brown’s failed attack on the arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, where he hoped to spark a slave insurrection, Lydia Maria Child asked permission from Virginia governor Henry Wise to visit Brown, who was awaiting execution. She said she merely wanted to comfort the brave old freedom fighter. It was an odd request—and […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2022/11/03/living-in-words-lydia-maria-child/
Welcome to the Fraterfest Readathon Spooky Cover Challenge. This event is open to participants of the 2022 FraterfestRAT. You must take part in the readathon to enter the giveaway. However, everyone can do the cover hunt.
Find a cover that best matches the descriptions below. If you are taking part in the readathon, add your linky # in the rafflecopter and titles. (if you aren’t and want to play, leave answers in comments)
Find the book cover with….
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/10/spooky-cover-challenge-2022fraterfestrat.html
Welcome to the Fraterfest Readathon!! Grab your books, audios, snacks and let the fun beginning. For the next eleven days, we challenge you to read/listen to as many books as you can. They can be spooky, horror, paranormal, urban, mysteries, thrillers, suspense, or cozies. You set your own FEAR LEVEL. Bwahahaha!
Started in 2012, Fraterfest was inspired by Rhiannon Frater whose zombies, vampires and necromancers offer thrills and chills.
If you haven’t yet joined or need to review the rules, do so here: Fraterfest Sign-up.
Only participants can take part in the challenges and win the participants’ prize!
Be sure to use #2022FraterfestRAT on all social media platforms so participants can comment, share, and cheer you on!
Instagram Challenge
Post daily using the prompts for entries and tag @kimbacaffeinate. One random winner will win a book or gift card valued at $15.00.
Pop-up Challenge
Watch for this image to appear on Caffeinated’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Two chances to win a $5.00 Amazon gift card when you tag me and answer the question. I’ll post links here and keep them open for 48 hours.
Everyone who reads or listens to at least one book during the event is eligible to enter. You must be signed up as a participant in the 2022 Fraterfest Readathon to enter! Extra entries for taking part in the mini-challenges and for reading/listening to two or more books.
Enter to win a book or audiobook of your choice (from US Audible, US Amazon or Book Depository) Valued at up to $20.00 or 1 credit. Open to participants of the 2022 Fraterfest Readathon. Closes October 25th at 11:59 pm (CST)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Finished:
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/10/fraterfest-readathon-kickoff.html
Skull’s Vengeance follows a Celtic warrior queen who must defeat her sorcerer half-brother to claim the throne and outmaneuver political enemies from Rome and Britannia to do so. What were some sources that informed this novels development?
Unlike the previous books in the series, Skull’s Vengeance delves into the political firestorm of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. As I researched the Roman political backdrop during the period when Skull’s Vengeance takes place (27 – 28 AD), I became fascinated with the historical figure, Lucius Aelius Sejanus. He was head of the Praetorian Guard who over-reached to gain power from Emperor Tiberius through murder, conspiracy, and betrayal. Though Tiberius had been an able general and diplomat, his final years as emperor were tyrannical. Roman historians wrote about his sexual perversity and child molestation. At the height of Sejanus’s political power as a consul in 31 A.D., Tiberius unexpectedly had him arrested and mercilessly executed. As a confidant to Tiberius, Antonia Minor had a role in the downfall of Sejanus. She feared her grandson, Caligula, would meet the fate as his older brothers whom Sejanus had imprisoned. Historians surmise that Antonia Minor, the youngest daughter of Mark Antony and Octavia (Augustus Caesar’s Sister), helped bring down Sejanus. She inspired one of the subplots in the novel in which she helped Marcellus navigate the political waters to meet directly with Tiberius.
What scene in the book was the most emotional for you to write?
I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but one of my favorite characters dies trying to protect Catrin. It is a poignant moment at the funeral when she reflects what sacrifices she must bear to defeat her evil half-brother.
What was a challenge you set for yourself as a write with this book?
One of the greatest challenges was to provide sufficient background information from the previous three books so it could be read as a standalone for a first-time reader of the series.
What can readers expect in book five in the Curse of Clansmen and Kings series?
Book 5, entitled Dragon’s Anvil, will continue Catrin’s quest to strike vengeance against her evil half-brother, King Marrock. With his ability to shapeshift into a dragon, Marrock wreaks havoc on the kingdoms of Britannia. Catrin’s devoted Roman husband, Marcellus, and her Celtic commanders join her in the quest to slay the dragon in the darker half of the year as winter approaches. But other enemies from Rome and Britannia stand in her way. Family loyalties are tested. Warriors fall. Betraryed and torn from those she loves, Catrin must embrace her darker essence as a druidess to face her greatest challenge — battling the dragon and claiming the kingdom as its rightful heir.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/10/14/through-murder-conspiracy-and-betrayal/
Feba, the white wolf cub, is constantly shunned by her pack. Believed to be a symbol of ill fortune, Feba finds herself at the edge of doom. Her only option is to flee her homeland and hope for a brighter tomorrow. But endless danger surrounds Feba, as she hurtles headlong into an adventure that will mean life or death for all she loves. Joined by new companions of all kinds, Feba must use her wits and wisdom to survive in the harsh, unforgiving prehistoric world in which she lives.
A graphic novel that takes place in the snowy mountains of the Snowlands, a setting clearly inspired by the Himalayas, Snowlands: A Blood Moon by Morr Meroz and Collin Fogel is an exceptional adventure. No humans appear in the harsh landscape formed of stone and cold; this is the era where the wild reigns supreme. The story is intense, gripping, and fast-moving, with a solid message of cooperation and forgiveness while finding a way to survive. The characters, Feba the courageous; Usha, the regal; and even Myo, the exceptionally disturbing, each have a level of depth that is impressive. I found myself forming a deep connection with this circle of friends, all searching for a place they could truly call home.
The art of Collin Fogel is nothing short of incredible, as each animal, including every single member of the wolf pack, is distinctive and full of life. Add gorgeous colors by Davi Comodo and a satisfying ending; there’s a lot to love in this action-packed graphic novel.
There are not any detractions to speak of at all in this amazing story of survival. There is, however, quite a bit of violence, fatalities, and blood on the panel, showcasing the harsh environment in which Feba and her friends live. Perfect for readers 13 and up who love stories of survival, courage, and wit.
Snowlands: A Blood Moon has a perfect balance of incredible storytelling, rich artwork, and a stunning conclusion. A tale of the true value of friendship in a world where survival is key is the thrilling start to what I hope will be a long-term series full of exceptional adventure.
Pages: 210 | ASIN : B09KVDSJDQ
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/10/14/snowlands/
Only Afraid of Nothing by Willem Indigo is a sci-fi adventure that follows Wolfgang, a patient in the psychiatric ward of a hospital, who befriends Zenu, a human-like extraterrestrial. As she gets acquainted with Wolfgang and wins his trust, she needs his help to leave the planet to rescue Zenu’s kidnapped boss. This unexpected journey gives Wolfgang a new adventure, just when he fears his life has no hope, taking strange twists and turns along the way.
As Wolfgang dives further into Zenu’s world of shocking secrets, he is thrown into a quest of epic proportions where he must race against space and time. Both characters quickly become unlikely heroes who must rely on each other. Wolfgang and Zenu become an unusual yet courageous team that aims to save Zenu’s boss from a horrific fate.
I found the book fast-paced, exciting and unique in its writing style and plot development. I enjoyed the flow of the story and how the heroic team took an exciting journey that required bravery and a sense of thrill. It’s a great tale that’s not only fast-paced but fun and light-hearted at times. While I felt the story could have been a bit more suspenseful, the flow was consistent and intriguing to read.
The character development is what really makes this story stand out. Wolfgang, Zenu, and the crew they acquire along their journey are all distinct. Their personalities and quarks come through and keep readers guessing as to what they will say or do next, especially as they keep winding up in trouble. The aliens they battle and deal with are just as creative and entertaining.
Only Afraid of Nothing by Willem Indigo is an original science fiction adventure. The characters and thrilling storyline make for a suspenseful read as they take you through outer space where anything that could go wrong for them does.
Pages: 233 | ASIN : B0BCPP4WYG
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/10/14/only-afraid-of-nothing/