“Multiple meter!” That, Robert Farris Thompson insisted, was the key. It was a week into my freshman year at Yale, and the eminent professor of art history was explaining why, when aliens from across the galaxy aimed their radios at Earth, most of the sounds they’d hear would share some common traits. “Funk from New […]

Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2022/12/13/the-guerrilla-scholar/

Narrated by Barrie Kreinik, The Choice by Nora Roberts delivers the conclusion to the Dragon Heart Legacy. Breen Siobhan Kelly and Keegan unite with all of Talamh to defeat evil. Grab a cup of peppermint cocoa and see why I recommend this trilogy.

The Choice
by Nora Roberts
Series: The Dragon Heart Legacy #3
Narrator: Barrie Kreinik
Length: 15 hours and 18 minutes
Genres: Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.4x

Talamh is a land of green hills, high mountains, deep forests, and seas, where magicks thrive. But portals allow for passage in and out–and ultimately, each must choose their place, and choose between good and evil, war and peace, life and death…

Breen Siobhan Kelly grew up in the world of Man and was once unaware of her true nature. Now she is in Talamh, trying to heal after a terrible battle and heartbreaking losses. Her grandfather, the dark god Odran, has been defeated in his attempt to rule over Talamh, and over Breen–for now.

With the enemy cast out and the portal sealed, this is a time to rest and to prepare. Breen spreads her wings and realizes a power she’s never experienced before. It’s also a time for celebrations–of her first Christmas in both Talamh and Ireland, of solstice and weddings and births–and daring to find joy again in the wake of sorrow. She rededicates herself to writing her stories, and when his duties as taoiseach permit, she is together with Keegan, who has trained her as a warrior and whom she has grown to love.

It’s Keegan who’s at her side when the enemy’s witches, traitorous and power-mad, appear to her in her sleep, practicing black magick, sacrificing the innocent, and plotting a brutal destruction for Breen. And soon, united with him and with all of Talamh, she will seek out those in desperate need of rescue, and confront the darkness with every weapon she has: her sword, her magicks–and her courage…

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I loved this series, but felt this last book, The Choice, fell flat. Yes, it offered an exciting conclusion and wrapped up nicely, leaving me satisfied, but the middle bits dragged. The first two audiobooks, The Awakening and The Becoming, held me from beginning to end.

The story takes place in Talamh (land of the fae), Ireland, and briefly in New York. We spend a lot of time in Talamh getting to know the fae and their traditions. We celebrate Christmas and witness moments with key characters and see romantic developments.

I loved the character growth and overall message of the power of belief. Fans of romantic fantasy, lore, the fae, and paranormal romance will fall for these characters and storyline.

The world building and overall story arc was wonderful. I truly felt like I had traveled to Talamh and the workings of that world came to life. The threat, prophecies and build up were well done. As Breen’s powers grew, so did the threat. Her dreams, the cracks in Talamh, and the villains will have you cheering for Breen and Keegan.

The core romance is between Breen & Keegan and I loved their chemistry and banter. The listener is also treated to other romances, including those of Breen’s LGBTQ friend and moments with other couples in Talamh. All the romances are served on the side, giving depth to the overall story arc.

Barrie Kreinik has narrated the series and did a splendid job of giving voice to Breen, Keegan and secondary characters from evil villains to Talamh.

Nora Roberts is an auto-buy for me, but in all honesty, I think this could have been an epic duology. However, I enjoyed the overall trilogy and have no regrets. I look forward to her next.

Amazon | Audible

The Choice by Nora Roberts is the final installment in the Dragon Heart Legacy trilogy, narrated by Barrie Kreinik #audiobookreview #NewRelease
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/12/the-choice-by-nora-roberts.html

Get ready for a journey of science, religion, spirituality, and emotion. The Celeste Experiment almost feels like an experience rather than a story. Omar Imady takes the reader on a trip across the globe and leaves them wondering about some of the greatest unknowns, much like Michael’s experiment in the book. After losing his wife and his faith, he dedicates his life to a unique project. Hamida finds herself as the test subject, and the reader joins her as she endures each arduous stage. The unpredictability of the storyline and one last shocking twist leave the reader in a state of awe long after finishing the book. 

The Celeste Experiment was unlike any book I have ever read. I felt like I was peeling back the layers of the story with every page. Every discovery I made brought another question. Omar Imady keeps the reader in the dark, like Hamida during the experiment. I loved the suspense and the feeling of connecting the dots.

Omar Imady writes in such a beautiful way, and I was captivated from the very first moment. From his descriptions of the lush, lonely English countryside to the flavors and aromas of the rich Indian dishes, his words have the ability to immerse the reader into any setting.

The Celeste Experiment holds many secrets, and I feel as though I would have discovered more if I had a better knowledge of Islam. I enjoyed the way in which Omar Imady made the reader uncover the story for themselves, but I was left with a couple of loose ends when I finished. However, the uncertainty of the story is balanced by the constant calmness of Hamida’s character. She had such a warmth about her, and the reader cannot help but be inspired, regardless of their beliefs.

ASIN : B0BHPP18K7

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/13/the-celeste-experiment/

Icespy by Norman L. Miller is a riveting novel that’s captivating from the beginning. The story centers around an unexpected invitation from Latvia’s Soviet Minister of Sports. When the Ministry invites two Americans to Latvia, it’s without permission from Moscow, nearing the end of the Cold War. This quick decision spirals into an international debate and quickly involves the U.S. Bobsled Federation, the Soviet Bobsled Team, and the CIA. It’s an action-packed story that will keep you on the edge of your seat as one event quickly unfolds after another.

This incredible story closely follows the historical events of the Cold War and the unique situation facing the Latvian Socialist State. This scenario creates a tense debate about the Soviet Official’s invitation, the Soviet government’s role in this situation as the international community, and the Olympic Games surrounding a fascinating and potentially frightening dilemma.

I found the author’s writing style sharp, descriptive, and engaging. Miller gives the reader much information, but in a way that unfolds quickly and concisely. The plot develops at a quick pace, which can feel a bit overwhelming at times, but well worth the read. I especially enjoyed the personalities of each character and how such an investigation impacted their social lives, marriages, and interactions with the public. It’s an intriguing story that kept me fixated on every dialogue, meeting, and development in the story.

Icespy by Norman L. Miller is a remarkable book, and I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. It’s a stellar story that gives the reader a thrilling storyline and lots of well-developed characters facing increasing pressure from all sides as the story intensifies. I look forward to reading more from this author, based on the impressive narration and writing style of Icespy. It’s a brilliant, intelligent story that you’ll read more than once.

Pages: 402 | ISBN: 1956095896

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/13/icespy/

Three teenagers struggle to fit in at the local middle school. Rad, a boy with a warrior’s heart and an artist’s eye, fights to understand why mundane school subjects like math are important. Mia, an athletic girl, strives to get to the top no matter what, especially if that means proving she’s the best in a fight. Eric, a quiet boy with Tourette Syndrome, struggles to communicate and find understanding. When the school suddenly catches fire, all three children find themselves in the same proverbial boat. With their teachers at their wit’s end and their parents called to speak with the principal, Rad, Mia, and Eric soon begin a journey to the small town of Pic Pock for enrollment in a behavioral course to improve their performance at school. But the course is beyond anything they could have imagined, and a wild adventure soon begins in the mysterious woods surrounding the quiet town.

The Adventures of Pick Pock Tick Tock: Attack of the Monkeys by Michael Clarke is an outside-the-box middle-grade adventure. The struggles of Eric, Mia, and Rad are understandable and easy to identify with. Rad is often bored with school and dreams of becoming a great warrior one day. Mia wants to push herself and win but has difficulty relying on others and resents being told what to do. Eric is the character that touched my heart the most. Shy and often misunderstood, Eric fights to find his inner courage and focus. Together, all three must learn to help each other if they hope to pass the tests ahead.

This book is fast-paced and has a good page length for the age group. However, I felt there were a few problems, mostly in how Eric was portrayed. Although I liked that a character with Tourette Syndrome was included in the story, I thought the character could have been represented with more sensitivity. Although the book’s tone is light and not meant to be taken too seriously, the depiction of Tourette Syndrome in the book could be seen as offensive in a few instances. I also disliked that the teachers in the story had so little patience and respect for a child with special needs.

The story is highly engaging and ends with the promise of many more adventures. Though we have only scratched the surface of the magical mysteries of the town of Pick Pock, the continuing tale of Eric, Mia, and Rad has lots of potential. This journey of three young teens trying to find their place in the world has only just begun. Great for ages 10 and up who like a story where anything is possible, this fast-moving tale is perfect for reading on a relaxing Saturday afternoon.

Pages: 101 | ASIN : B0BM9RC95C

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/13/the-adventures-of-tick-tock-pick-pock/

Junior, a monster-hunting Scav, is looking for a better hand in life for himself and his little family. Carla, a magi and teacher, wants an end to the War no matter the cost. Logan, a promising young magi, just wants to go home. Set in a dystopian future, a world where humanity has been forced underground in order to survive, Discoveries: Book 1 of the Magicuim Series follows three strangers on their way to Shanghai to find the answers they’ve been looking for and some that they never wanted to find. Beset by monsters known as abominations, through love, loss, and odd friendships, these three will stop at nothing to get what they’re after.

T.N. Baldwin’s debut novel is a thrilling rollercoaster of action and drama that leaves the reader wanting more. While each chapter focuses on one of the three protagonists, they fit together seamlessly. Baldwin lets the puzzle pieces fall into place with each word and creates something much greater than your average fantasy novel.

Beyond the plot, Baldwin also does a masterful job of weaving characters that have been clearly affected by the world around them. Carla’s skepticism of the Open, Junior’s stern care, and even Logan’s naivety all make sense when considering how they were forced to live. All the characters feel like people just doing their best to survive. They’re relatable and realistic, which makes it so much easier to sink into the world that’s being spun. It’s hard not to feel like one of the group.  

For fans of dystopian fantasy, Discoveries is a great addition to the genre. With a thrilling and original plot, realistic characters, magic, and adventure, this book has something for everyone. I can’t wait to follow Junior, Logan, and Carla through their future adventures.

Pages: 567 | ASIN : B086MY91BT

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/13/discoveries/

For some people, the goal in life is to raise a family and have a stable job. When We Push Through Sound is the story of Tristan James, who achieved both for some time and thought he was happy. However, personal relationships are complex. And for this reason, three years after his divorce, he discovered that his dreams should be focused in another direction, even if he didn’t know which one. The only thing that gave him peace was the sounds of his guitar, a detail that took a long time to appreciate. But it wasn’t until he lost his job that he reached his most depressive moment and was able to question life. That was his opportunity to understand his goals and how to achieve them. With this story, Geoff Sease shows us that our choices in life impact the direction life takes, but we can always find alternatives.

When We Push Through Sound is about learning to stand up in times of difficulty, but it also shows the importance of accepting the support of loved ones. Tristan is a character who thinks he has it all and then loses it. However, over time, he was able to understand his true priorities through a lot of suffering. And even if he feels alone or confused, some people support him and seek his well-being. That’s why I found this reading interesting because of the way it reflects realistic situations of life. Also, it’s easy to empathize with the characters and get involved with them, and because it is a chronological account is easy to follow.

When We Push Through Sound is for a specific type of audience. I recommend this book to those who like realistic readings that show everyday situations like family and work relationships. Still, the story is entertaining and has various unexpected twists that enrich the narrative. It is for this and its original subject, I give it 5 out of 5 stars. When We Push Through Sound is perfect for sharing the idea that friends will be there to help us in the most complicated situations. It also teaches that when we overcome the sensation of failure, we can discover that true success and love can be closer than expected.

Pages: 240 | ASIN : B0B8CGCKQ5

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/12/13/when-we-push-through-sound/

Our picks for the best mysteries and thrillers of December

Original source: https://www.amazon.com/amazonbookreview/editorspicks.html?ref_=abr_widget_nav&theme=light

Our picks for the best mysteries and thrillers of December

Original source: https://www.amazon.com/amazonbookreview/editorspicks.html?ref_=abr_widget_nav&theme=light

Kids’ books for holiday gift giving

Original source: https://www.amazon.com/amazonbookreview/editorspicks.html?ref_=abr_widget_nav&theme=light