To the Editors: I read John J. Lennon’s review of Sarah Weinman’s book Scoundrel [“Peddling Darkness,” NYR, March 9, 2023] with great interest, being the son of one of the principals in the story, the editor Sophie Wilkins. He states, at one point, that he suspects that I must now regret having turned over to […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/04/06/true-crime-and-punishment-an-exchange/
The two volumes of Poems by W.H. Auden (edited by Edward Mendelson, his tireless literary executor) contain all the poems that he published, submitted for publication, or sent to friends for “posthumous” publication from 1927 until his death in 1973, along with Mendelson’s scrupulous textual notes. The books run, in total, to almost two thousand […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/04/06/audens-dialectic-poems-w-h-auden/
The mental derangement of colonialism was Doris Lessing’s first subject. In her early stories, set in Southern Rhodesia, where she grew up nearly a century ago, racism is learned behavior. The white child is taught to take black people for granted. They are as remote as rocks. Except that they aren’t. As white children become […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/04/06/zimbabwes-wounds-of-empire-tsitsi-dangarembga/
Of the South Asian authors of his generation, none has staked a bolder claim to being a “world writer” than the Pakistani novelist Mohsin Hamid. Starting with his second novel, The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2007), his books have unhesitatingly tackled think-tank-worthy international subjects such as September 11, economic growth, and the migrant crisis, using his home […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2023/04/06/avoidance-issues-the-last-white-man-mohsin-hamid/
Heir of the Dog, an audiobook penned by Hailey Edwards, is the second book in the Black Dog urban fantasy series. Mooreghan Martin narrates the story as Thierry Thackeray deals with the worst week ever when the High Court in Faerie calls on her. Grab a cup of coffee and check out my thoughts…
Heir of the Dog
by Hailey Edwards
Narrator: Mooreghan Martin
Length: 6 hours and 51 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Narration: 4 cups Speed: 1.5x
Thierry Thackeray is having the worst week ever. Her ex is back in town, death omens are camping out on her mother’s lawn and her estranged father has gone missing. Then there’s the small matter of the High Court requesting her presence in Faerie.
Now the wrong fae has answered her summons, and she’s stuck with a not-so-charming prince who offers to fix all her problems . . . for a price. She can’t afford to tell him no, but with her luck, she might not survive saying yes.
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Once again, I felt disoriented when I began listening. I immediately felt like I missed something. It turns out a year has passed. While Thierry has been successful at her job, things with Shaw didn’t work out.
When she takes on a bounty, things turn weird and that is just the first sign that things aren’t going her way. Shaw is back in town, her Dad is missing and death omens are hanging out on her human mother’s front lawn.
I liked this new confident heroine. A year as Marshall has done Thierry good, but that doesn’t mean she can handle the High Court. Rook, a new character, agrees to escort her. With her father missing, Faerie is in chaos and they want Thierry’s help.
Fae politics and danger await her. I have said before that the Fae are truly scary and my opinion hasn’t changed. I am curious about Rook and his intentions. Unlike the first book, she doesn’t have Shaw by her side and needs to make quick decisions on her own in a stressful, fast moving environment. The story was fast-paced with non-stop action that kept me listening.
Mooreghan Martin narrates and captures our heroine while giving voice to secondary characters. I easily bumped the sped to 1.5x once I got comfortable.
Fans of urban fantasy, the FAE and action-packed adventures will want to check out the Black Dog series.
Amazon* | Audible
Hailey Edwards writes about questionable applications of otherwise perfectly good magic, the transformative power of love, the family you choose for yourself, and blowing stuff up. Not necessarily all at once. That could get messy. She lives in Alabama with her husband, their daughter, and a herd of dachshunds.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/03/heir-of-the-dog-by-hailey-edwards.html
In Unfriendly Fire by Steven Donahue, readers will be taken on a journey of emotional turmoil, guilt, lust, and redemption. Wyatt, a firefighter from Ohio, struggles with the guilt of leaving his friend and colleague behind during a tragic house fire. To add to his troubles, he also receives the news of his mother’s death, making him feel guilty about not being there for two important people in his life. Finally, Wyatt comes together with Kasey Carpenter as they try to find the person starting these fires.
The reader is immediately thrust into the action and drama as the first chapter opens with Wyatt trying to extinguish a fire and save those trapped inside. The creative use of flashbacks and nightmares provides an in-depth look at what Wyatt experienced and the guilt he carries. The dialogue sets the scene and creates a vivid picture making the town and people seem more real. The flirtatious banter between Wyatt and Kasey was a pleasant surprise, and I hoped they would end up together. Lance’s character was overbearing at times, and the author expertly set his character up to be both liked and disliked. The story progresses at a steady pace, and while some parts may feel slow, the in-depth details provided about each character make it easy to follow their journey. The mystery continues to build throughout the story making this a book that is hard to put down.
Unfriendly Fire is a quick read that I recommend to those who enjoy a captivating mystery with romance sprinkled throughout. This is a wholesome story about a family reconnecting after a significant loss and a man who finds himself lost in life, discovering he has a place.
Pages: 173 | ASIN : B0BR8TPJ1F
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/20/unfriendly-fire/
Secrets of the Kashmir Valley is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the untold truths of the Kashmir Valley. Farhana Qazi does an excellent job of bringing to light the true stories of women in this region who have suffered immense pain, loss, and terror. The stories are not only filled with sadness but also with hope for a better future.
The author effectively conveys the reality of life in one of the most militarized zones in the world, where the Indian government has imposed strict control, making it difficult for the voices of the Kashmiris to be heard. Despite the constant fear of detention, curfew, and violent raids, the women of Kashmir continue to celebrate happy occasions, but always with the underlying fear of what might happen next.
This emotional book highlights the atrocities committed by the Indian army, including mass graves, restrictions on basic human rights, and the countless incidents of rape, even of women as young as 17 and as old as 80. The writing style is simple yet powerful, making the reader feel the pain and suffering of the women in the region.
Secrets of the Kasmir Valley is a moving and eye-opening account of the struggles faced by the people of Kashmir. These powerful stories bring awareness to this country and what the people endure. For those that want to learn more about this region and understand what it is like to live there as a woman, this informative and passionate look at life in the Kasmir Valley will shed light on the decades of suffering and the unstoppable desire for survival.
Pages: 186 | ASIN : B08D68Y5FL
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/20/secrets-of-the-kashmir-valley/
Explore the ideas of reincarnation, family curses, redemption, and a roller coaster of emotions in The Four Lives of Robinson Appleson by Véronique Iswery Pasquet. From a dashing young prince, to a rich kid from Beverley Hills, to a jaguar living in the jungle, and finally a woman experiencing poverty, Robinson Appleson tries to redeem himself in each life he is given. But despite his efforts, he still has his shortcomings and must watch the love of his life, Gwendolyn, pass away due to his cannibalistic urges. Will he ever be able to break his wretched family curse?
The writing abilities of Pasquet are astonishing, and her ability to play upon the senses is nothing short of perfect. I loved the way she used scents and smells when writing the presence of a specific character. It added a tantalizing effect to the words on the page by further immersing one’s self into the story. I could often feel myself watching a scene play out as if it was happening in my own home, thanks to her illustrative sensory descriptions. Also, the motifs between the main character’s cannibalistic habits and his love, Gwendolyn, creatively shed light on a much deeper topic. The idea of how intense passion, toxicity, and what feels like curses (trauma) can lead us to “devour” those we love.
The Four Lives of Robinson Appleson by Véronique Iswery Pasquet is a captivating paranormal and urban fantasy novel that takes readers on a journey to find a way to break a family curse. All in all, I think this book is amazing, and I can’t wait to read more from the author. I highly recommend The Four Lives of Robinson Appleson as it is an immersive and wonderfully written story of reincarnation.
Pages: 312 | ASIN : B0BSFL1Q1Z
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/20/the-four-lives-of-robinson-appleson/
Jerrimiah Stonecastle, the Next Name in Horror, has brought forth a gripping new novel called A Flash of Light. This work of fiction is an intense blend of horror and survival genres set in post-nuclear America. The story begins with a clever twist as we follow Josh Austin, a CIA data analyst, who is privy to the impending attack on America. However, just as we start to get to know Josh, he and a good portion of the country’s military command are obliterated by a nuclear strike.
The rest of the novel delves into the harrowing journey of Heather, Josh’s wife, and a skilled mechanical engineer who must use her wits to get her two children to safety amidst the chaos of the nuclear fallout. Armed only with an armored car fitted with a regenerative fuel cell, she races across the country through panic-stricken streets to reach the Catskill mountains. Meanwhile, we also witness the new President’s efforts to lead America in the face of a North Korean-led nuclear attack, and as events escalate, Stonecastle expertly keeps us guessing as to what will happen next.
Unlike other books in this genre that focus on the aftermath of a nuclear attack, A Flash of Light is a refreshing take on the events leading up to the catastrophe. As is common in this type of story, the biggest danger is not the invading foreign power or the bombs themselves but rather the people who have lost their minds in the wake of the disaster. The swift and base nature of human behavior in times of crisis is both startling and terrifying.
Despite the gripping action, what truly sets this book apart is its protagonist, Heather. She is a likable and relatable character who is given depth through the loss of her husband. Watching her navigate the apocalypse while still trying to be a good mother is one of the book’s most poignant moments.
A Flash of Light is a riveting post-apocalyptic book that will keep you on the edge of your seat with its fast-paced action and unique take on the genre.
Pages: 255 | ASIN : B0B8KVYLLG
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/20/a-flash-of-light/
After more than a year since their journey to the Sealed Forest, Joseph, and Eric, who were about to head off to college, were suddenly brought to another adventure. The best friends were called by Professor Ben, and during their travel from home to the Murean Islands, they were met with supernatural challenges. Unfortunately, things got even more chaotic when they arrived on the island. New enemies started emerging, bringing more conflict to the three, and a foe from the past took this time to announce their return. In this sequel to Secrets of The Sealed Forest, the boys are once again pushed to their limits and, with their friends’ help, must do everything they can to go home to live the peaceful lives they strived for.
Erift’s Journeys: The Dark Messengers by J.T. Tenera is a new compelling narrative that brings back Joseph and Eric, two memorable characters, and pulls them back into the world of fantasy and magic. We see how much the two have grown in terms of their relationship and powers, which they execute particularly in the book’s first half. As for the main character’s personal journey, the author should be applauded for making them human despite all that is happening around them. It is essential to keep in mind that Joseph and Eric are still trying to figure themselves out, have internal conflicts of their own, and are also on a path toward self-actualization. Knowing these about them had me rooting for their success even more, so they can go home and fulfill their individual dreams.
True to their characters, the funny, quick, and unnecessary banters stayed even during the fight scenes, reminding us once again that this book is humorous as it is riveting, keeping readers invested in going through the pages. The other side characters were a welcome addition to the mix, both friends and foes, giving a fresh take to the setting of the previous book.
The second book from Erift’s Journeys is a gripping coming-of-age fantasy novel that teens and young adults will love. I would recommend this for high school students, for I believe the main characters’ language and their penchant for fun despite hard times would resonate with them.
Pages: 435 | ASIN : B0BR4JZT9R
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/03/20/erifts-journeys-the-dark-messengers/