Despite the gravity of subjects in Kaveh Akbar’s Martyr!, which include addiction and an obsession with the metaphysical, what makes the novel feel light is its bravado, buoyancy, and innovative form.
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2024/04/18/poem-prayer-martyr-kaveh-akbar/
Verdi’s sprawling opera La Forza del Destino draws its power from asymmetry, arbitrary juxtapositions, and extreme situations.
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2024/04/18/furious-stasis-la-forza-del-destino/
Colson Whitehead’s latest novel, Crook Manifesto, depicts its characters’ perilous navigation of race, class, and crime in 1970s Harlem.
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2024/04/18/the-jeopardy-is-the-juice-crook-manifesto-whitehead/
Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall reveals that every parent’s marriage plot is her child’s Bildung.
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2024/04/18/as-long-as-you-both-shall-live-anatomy-of-a-fall/
Two years after the Russian invasion, Ukrainian morale has plummeted.
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2024/04/18/gloom-in-ukraine-tim-judah/
Something Withering This Way Comes by Amy Boyles is the second audiobook in the Withering Mysteries series narrated by Michael Kirby. Grim, a cursed monster hunter, seeks his estranged sister for help in this action-packed cozy paranormal mystery.
Something Withering This Way Comes
by Amy Boyles
Series: The Withering Mysteries #2
Narrator: Michael Kirby
Length: 5 hours and 41 minutes
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x
It only takes an instant for Grim—monster hunter and emotionally scarred hero—to lose everything.
Grim is having a bad year. A monster hunter by trade, his world is ripped apart when he’s cursed with a sickness that’s slowly changing him into one of the very creatures he hunts.
Yet there’s hope in a truce with his sister, Shelby. If anyone can help, it’s her, because she’s the strongest witch he knows. But unfortunately, Shelby hates him.
She begrudgingly agrees to help, but Grim has to assist her first. You see, her old coven seeks the bones of a dead witch—magical bones that are supposedly hidden in her house. All Grim has to do is find them to stop the coven from snatching them first.
Now he must navigate a house with a mind of its own—a home that happily throws up obstacles in his path. He must also stop the coven from harming his sister—all while attempting to find a cure for himself.
Can Grim find the bones and stop the coven, or will they get them first? And most importantly, will Grim find a cure for the sickness?
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Something Withering This Way Comes picks up where Grim, the first audiobook, left off. I recommend listening to the series in order for the overall arc, despite the author’s efforts to bring new listeners up to speed.
Grim is a monster hunter who has been cursed with a Withering and is slowly turning. He is traveling with his girlfriend, dog and new companion, Matt. The world is filled with monsters, witches, and magic. He believes his sister, a witch, might help him and so they travel to their ancestral home.
They arrive at his sister’s and, after dealing with the spells and supernatural creatures protecting the property. They are greeted by Shelby, who promptly slams the door in their face. Apparently she is mad at Grim and I don’t find this at all surprising..lol
It seems Shelby has her own problems, as ex-Coven members are seeking the bones of a dead witch buried in the house. An agreement is reached between the siblings to aid each other, and the tale that unfolds pulled me in and kept me listening.
I love magical houses, weird relatives and unusual creatures, and Boyles spins quite the tale. She mixes mystery, humor, romance, friendship and family into the mix, creating characters and stories you get caught up in.
The Withering curse is one I wouldn’t wish on my enemy and its hard seeing Grim struggle to maintain his humanity. We learn of the legend while solving Shelby’s problem. Battles, twists and a hook at the end have me excited for the next audiobook.
Michael Kirby does a wonderful job of delivering the story from Grim’s point of view as he gives voice to the many characters. The story works well on audio and I highly recommend listening.
Amazon* | Audible
Author of laugh-out-loud paranormal cozy mysteries. Series include: Sweet Tea Witches, Bless Your Witch, Lost Southern Magic Renovations, Seven Suitors For Seven Witches, Southern Ghost Wranglers and Withering Mysteries. She has a Pharm D in pharmacy, a BA in Creative Writing and a Master’s in Life.
When she isn’t writing or chasing around two small children (one of which is four going on thirteen), she can be found antique shopping for a great deal, getting her roots touched up (because that’s an every four-week job) and figuring out when she can get back to Disney World.
Michael Kirby
Michael Kirby’s voice has been described as: “Present, crisp, and genuine. A voice you can trust with your house keys.” He is a California native, a lifelong skateboarder, waterman, and a classically trained actor who holds an MFA from The Old Globe Theatre. With a diverse career spanning more than a quarter century, Michael works in film, television, voice-over, and theater, and has been seen on Off-Broadway stages, as well as regional houses like The Mark Taper Forum, Syracuse Stage, The Old Globe, and many more. He is a member of the prestigious Antaeus Theatre company in Los Angeles. As a father of two toddlers, he approaches all things with a patient and nurturing spirit. Michael loves his craft and thrives on storytelling, both fiction and nonfiction.
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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2024/03/something-withering-this-way-comes-by-amy-boyles.html
Judgement Day, by Angelica Stevenson, is an intriguing epic poem infused with supernatural themes, moral complexities, and striking depictions of conflict in a realm dominated by angels and demons. At the heart of this poem is Angel, a character who exemplifies the strength of a warrior and the insight of a leader, navigating a universe filled with conflict and upheaval.
Angelica Stevenson skillfully depicts scenes of grand battles and supernatural abilities, presenting them not merely as displays but as profound reflections on the eternal struggle between good and evil. This concept of conflict goes beyond mere physical confrontations, engaging with ideological battles, thereby imbuing the narrative with both thrill and depth.
Stevenson’s poem thoughtfully explores themes of forgiveness and redemption, offering a nuanced portrayal of these concepts as transformative forces that can change the course of events. These themes introduce a relatable human aspect to the otherworldly setting as characters confront their errors and strive for atonement. Angel’s character journey, evolving from a revenge-driven warrior to a compassionate leader, mirrors the book’s shift from darkness towards light. This transformation is both credible and uplifting, presenting a character arc that resonates with readers and elicits support. The conclusion adeptly ties together various storylines, providing resolution to ongoing conflicts while also hinting at future possibilities. This balance of finality and open-endedness is skillfully executed, leaving readers satisfied yet intrigued about what lies ahead for this universe.
For readers fond of fantasy and supernatural themes, Judgement Day offers a richly crafted world, multifaceted characters, and a plot that balances dynamic action with thoughtful reflection. It presents a tale of endurance and the significance of forgiveness, marking a distinctive contribution to the genre.
Pages: 99 | ASIN : B00AQ2RTPG
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/03/29/judgement-day/
In the enchanting children’s book Oatis and Muriel, author Daphne Herlihy takes young readers on a nocturnal adventure in a corner grocery store. Here, after the lights go out and the doors are locked, the story’s protagonists, a humble oat named Oatis and his cereal companion Muriel, lead a cast of lively grocery items on a night filled with friendship, music, and unexpected heroism.
Herlihy’s narrative is a delightful blend of whimsy and gentle life lessons. The author uses the setting of a grocery store to bring everyday items to life, creating a sense of wonder and excitement. The character development is particularly noteworthy; Oatis’s transformation from a simple oat to a charismatic leader is both charming and inspiring. Meanwhile, Muriel’s journey from a self-doubting cereal to a confident and brave character serves as a heartening example of overcoming insecurities. The story effectively communicates the importance of self-confidence and teamwork.
The illustration work by Carolyn Bull complements the story beautifully, turning the mundane into the magical. The whimsical depictions of food items, from dancing fruits to a string cheese quartet, add a layer of vibrancy to the story. One of the standout scenes is the dramatic moment when Oatis falls from the shelf, vividly illustrated to capture both the tension of the moment and the unity of the characters as they come together to save him. This captivating moment ties in seamlessly with the narrative’s emphasis on community support and friendship.
Oatis and Muriel is a sweet and imaginative picture book that resonates with a message of camaraderie and self-acceptance. It’s an uplifting read that encourages children to believe in themselves and the power of teamwork. The book is ideally suited for young readers aged 4-8, offering an engaging story and a gentle nudge toward understanding important social and emotional concepts. Parents and educators looking for a book that combines fun, fantasy, and meaningful messages will find Oatis and Muriel to be a delightful addition to their collection of kid’s books.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0CQB62FDZ
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/03/29/oatis-and-muriel-a-grocery-story/
Set against the backdrop of Halloween’s festive yet eerie atmosphere, Farmerville Episode 1: Till Those Cows Come Home by Marty Martin is a unique blend of absurdity and suspense. The story unfolds in a seemingly tranquil rural town, where Deputy Ron Farmer’s routine duty takes a horrifying turn. He intends to rescue a family from two convicts, only to uncover the true menace: the family itself. The Holcombs, with their sinister torture barn and a penchant for murder, thrust Ron into a vortex of unexpected challenges.
Martin skillfully shifts the narrative from the initial portrayal of an idyllic town to revealing the murky underbelly of Farmerville and its inhabitants. The novel’s brisk pace aligns with its shorter length, swiftly unveiling surprising antagonists and the grisly pastimes of the Holcomb family. Despite the grim subject matter, the portrayal of the Holcombs’ unhinged nature injects a peculiar lightness into the narrative. Sensitive themes are tactfully prefaced with a disclaimer, addressing the array of potentially triggering content within. The plot escalates as the convicts stumble upon the wrong targets, intertwining their fate with Ron’s, who harbors his own hidden history. Laura, Ron’s daughter, emerges as an unexpectedly strong character, though less entangled in the town’s mysteries than her father. The novel crescendos into an intense culmination of violence and suspense, befitting a cinematic Halloween thriller, leaving an open-ended suggestion of further mysteries and conflicts. The ending leaves readers pondering Ron’s ominous future.
Martin’s narrative is engaging and enjoyable, capturing the reader’s imagination with the promise of more secrets to uncover in Farmerville. The concept of each series installment focusing on different town elements is intriguing, promising an expansive and detailed exploration of Farmerville’s enigmatic character. Martin’s storytelling assures that future episodes will be equally compelling, making Farmerville Episode 1: Till Those Cows Come Home a captivating start to what promises to be an absorbing series.
Pages: 86 | ASIN : B0CFD39DQ8
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/03/29/farmerville-episode-1-till-those-cows-come-home/
Trials and Tribulations: Volume II by author Brian Keith Higgins is a rich tapestry of flash fiction, each crafted to explore the intricate nuances of human experience. Set predominantly in rural America, these tales traverse the spectrum of emotions, from love and loss to fear and fortitude.
The writing style is both evocative and accessible, drawing readers into each narrative with ease. The author excels at creating vivid, relatable characters, plunging them into situations that test their mettle. For instance, “I Miss You” poignantly captures the bittersweet dynamics of a family grappling with Alzheimer’s. Similarly, “Attacks on Livestock” provides a compelling glimpse into the hardships of 19th-century farming life. Each story, though brief, is packed with emotional depth, making the collection a testament to the power of flash fiction.
The book is a medley of survival, resilience, and the unforeseen paths of life. Stories like “Thy Neighbor” and “Mountain Lion” highlight not only nature’s unpredictability but also the strength of community and family bonds. In contrast, “Hitchhiker” and “One Foggy Night” delve into darker territories, exploring sinister and supernatural elements. This thematic diversity adds layers to the collection, ensuring that each reader finds stories that resonate with them.
The collection shines in its ability to weave complex themes into concise narratives. Whether it’s tackling the trauma of a shark attack in “Swimming in The Channel” or the emotional turmoil in “The Path Taken,” the stories manage to be both thought-provoking and deeply human. This balance is the collection’s greatest strength, making it a compelling read for anyone who appreciates the breadth and depth of human experiences.
Trials and Tribulations: Volume II is recommended for readers who enjoy flash fiction with rich character development and a blend of realistic and fantastical elements. It’s perfect for those who appreciate flash fiction’s beauty and ability to convey powerful stories in a condensed form.
Pages: 43 | ASIN : B0CW1GC7F3
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/03/29/trials-and-tribulations-a-collection-of-flash-fiction-stories-volume-ii/