Drow Rising is the fifth audiobook in the Chronicles of Shadow Bourne by Martha Carr & Michael Anderle. Narrated by Stephanie Savannah, we follow Ellis, a half-Drow, as she finds her own path and protects the City of Los Angeles.

Drow Rising
by Martha Carr, Michael Anderle
Series: Chronicles of Shadow Bourne #5
Narrator: Stephanie Savannah
Length: 6 hours and 7 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:
Narration: 4.5 cups Speed: 1.5x

Ellis has been sold short by her family all her life, living in the shadows. That didn’t stop our favorite Drow from finding her own path, even when it led straight into danger on the dark streets of the city of angels.

It started out so simple, watching over the night dwellers in the big city, including her misguided brother. But the mystery deepened around her family’s tangled web in the drug business, pulling in Ellis.

Then she found at least some of the answers about her missing mother. Were the two things tangled together? Seems like no one wanted to deal straight with Ellis.

Here’s a really good tip. Never double-cross a Drow, especially one as clever as Ellis. Now, there are a lot of Russian gangsters who are doing their best to learn that the hard way.

Fortunately, Ellis still has friends in all the right places who are willing to lend a hand with a few new magical tricks. Will they be enough to stop the city’s version of a really big bang? Will Ellis get everyone to safety or was she just the bait for a more dangerous plot?

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Ellis has found her mother and saved her family and friends, but she is still looking for answers. Now a gang of Russian mobsters are causing problems and, frankly, they don’t know what they are up against. Ellis is determined, clever and has plenty of friends and allies who have her back.

I like Ellis, but our gal still tries to tackle problems on her own. For example, she is having some serious issues with the Shadow formula a fellow Drow created for her. Don’t get me started about lack of backup or plans. Despite that, she is a worthy adversary who fights for the greater good.

The danger is a deadly virus and when Charlie is infected, Ellis will do anything to save him and the city. The story offered a fast-paced tale with plenty of dangerous moments that kept me listening.

Stephanie Savannah narrates and does a fantastic job giving voice to Ellis and her posse. Like most urban fantasy, I recommend listening to the series in the order of its release.

We see some development in the relationship department and some threads have me excited about Drow Nightfall, the next audiobook in this eight book series.

Amazon* | Audible

*kindleunlimited

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2024 Audiobook Challenge

Source

Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2024/09/drow-rising-by-martha-carr-michael-anderle.html

Simina, a poor girl in the small village of Lazera on the planet Zormonia, loves to read books. The stories in them take her to far distant lands and allow her to imagine herself in a different world, a different life. Her favorite things to read are fairy tales and romance novels. One day, she discovers an intriguing new book, titled The Dark Prince of Lazera. It tells of an evil, dark prince who possesses dark magic. She does not believe he is real, though the book says otherwise. That is, until one fateful encounter…

Certain events cause Simina’s life to change in unexpected ways as the mysteries of The Dark Prince begin to unravel…

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/09/26/the-dark-prince-of-lazera/

The Faraway Mountains by Radu Guiasu is a compelling blend of autobiographical fiction that draws the reader deep into the author’s experiences growing up under the shadow of Romania’s communist regime. Through a rich tapestry of interwoven narratives, Guiasu vividly captures the complexities of everyday life in this challenging period, detailing how families, friends, and individuals grappled with the constraints and absurdities imposed by the system as they pursued careers, formed relationships, and simply sought to live.

The novel follows the intertwined lives of four childhood friends, Alex, Dan, Victor, and Gabriel, as they transition from their school days into early adulthood. Their unbreakable bond, marked by loyalty and authentic friendship, serves as the heart of the story. One of the novel’s defining aspects is Guiasu’s deep love of nature and the rugged beauty of the Romanian mountains, which becomes a central element. The friends’ hiking trip into these remote landscapes symbolizes not only their connection with nature but also their shared escape from the isolating grip of political oppression.

Guiasu’s storytelling is both immersive and reflective. His vivid prose conveys the harsh realities of life under a communist regime, offering readers a rare window into the struggles of ordinary people. The narrative balances humor and truth with a wry and understated comedic tone that highlights the absurdities of daily life, secret police surveillance, food shortages, and the clandestine enjoyment of Western music like the Beatles. These moments of humor underscore the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity and offer levity and insight.

Through evocative descriptions, the author transports readers into a different time and place, making the mountains not just a setting but a metaphor for freedom. For Guiasu, the wilderness represents an escape from the suffocating constraints of his society, a theme he beautifully intertwines with the celebration of friendship. The mountain excursions of the friends serve as moments of liberation, where they can momentarily leave behind the weight of political repression and rediscover their sense of autonomy.

The Faraway Mountains is a tribute to the power of true friendship and the bonds that endure even in the most oppressive circumstances. Against a backdrop where betrayal could mean loss of freedom or worse, the loyalty shared by Alex, Dan, Victor, and Gabriel is all the more meaningful. The story poignantly explores how these relationships thrive in the face of such risks, making the theme of camaraderie central to the novel’s emotional depth. This book is a beautifully written, thought-provoking work that offers a rare and personal perspective on life during a tumultuous historical period.

Pages: 210 | ASIN : B0BMNC294J

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/09/26/the-faraway-mountains/

When Liberty Enslaves: The Toxic Blend of Faith and Politics by Jerry Aveta offers a detailed look at how the intersection of faith and politics has shaped the course of American history, particularly through the lens of liberty. The book draws comparisons between the pre-Civil War era and the present day, exploring how issues like faith, politics, and social justice continue to divide the nation. It examines themes like freedom, enslavement, and the consequences of intertwining religious beliefs with government decisions. Aveta ultimately reflects on the parallels between America’s past and its current political climate.

Aveta’s writing gets personal quickly, which makes the book feel relatable. The introduction about his disinterest in history early on hit home for me. I wasn’t expecting such a confession in a book that digs into heavy political and social themes. But it worked. The way he ties his personal disinterest in history to his eventual realization of its importance drew me in. There’s a clear shift when he discusses how today’s political climate echoes the tensions before the Civil War. That felt eerie and relevant, especially the parts comparing faith’s role in both eras. Aveta doesn’t just lecture; he reflects and invites you to think about it with him. One thing that kept me hooked was the comparison between old and current political issues. Aveta draws bold parallels between the pre-Civil War issues of slavery and today’s debates around gun rights and abortion. I didn’t expect the sections about the sanctity of life and how they pit people of the same faith against each other. That hit hard. The discussion on gun rights, especially how people interpret “liberty” differently in this context, made me stop and think. Aveta’s point about one person’s liberty potentially enslaving another was something I hadn’t considered before, and it made the book feel timely.

When Liberty Enslaves is a thought-provoking and timely read that encourages deep reflection on the role of faith in politics. Jerry Aveta’s personal approach, historical insight, and the way he connects the past to our present make the book both engaging and eye-opening. It’s a call to reconsider the impact of intertwining religion with governance, and it challenges readers to think critically about the state of liberty in America today. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone interested in politics, history, or religion.

Pages: 223 | ASIN : B0DCMG8MYK

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/09/26/when-liberty-enslaves-the-toxic-blend-of-faith-and-politics/

Landed: A Yogi’s Memoir in Pieces and Poses, by Jennifer Lang, is a deeply personal exploration of identity, culture, and the search for belonging. Lang, torn between the United States and Israel, grapples with feeling like an outsider in both places, constantly navigating the expectations of each. Her struggle is mirrored within her family, where two opposing approaches to their Jewish heritage—one modern and flexible, the other more traditional and rigid—create an ongoing internal tug-of-war.

This memoir traces Lang’s journey as she seeks to find herself in the space between these conflicting worlds. Drawing on both her writing and yoga practice, she embarks on a quest to discover which culture and location she can truly call home. Lang delves into her personal history and the challenges of being caught between two distinct yet intertwined identities through a series of essays and reflections. Lang’s writing shines in its portrayal of the complexities faced by Jewish women—whether in their connection to Israel, to their families, or to their own sense of self. Her storytelling is both witty and introspective, weaving in moments of self-discovery alongside the backdrop of yoga poses that serve as metaphors for her emotional journey. She offers readers a poignant look at life in Israel, vividly depicting both the beauty and the turmoil that coexist there. Her compassion for the land and its people is evident, as is her keen awareness of the personal and political struggles that shape daily life. Throughout the memoir, Lang’s internal conflict is palpable, inviting readers to reflect on their own definitions of home and belonging. The raw honesty with which she portrays her emotional and spiritual battles allows the reader to connect with her on a deeply personal level. Her reflections serve as an inspiration to anyone navigating the difficult balance between familial obligations and self-discovery, encouraging others to look inward and consider what truly feels like home.

While Landed will likely resonate most with women both younger and older, it offers valuable insights for anyone striving to find peace within themselves amid external pressures. In a world where societal and familial expectations often overshadow personal growth, Lang’s memoir paves the way for self-exploration and empowerment, making it a must-read for those seeking to prioritize their own journeys of self-discovery, regardless of age or circumstance.

Pages: 267 | ASIN: B0DB97P6FP

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/09/26/landed-a-yogis-memoir-in-pieces-poses/

A desperate woman walks into Rider Investigations, setting off a chain of events that Mason Truman never imagined. But this isn’t your typical private eye story. Accidental Intelligence: Tales From the Quantum Vault, the debut novel by Bryan Chaffin, takes readers on a thrilling science fiction journey. From the very first page, Chaffin weaves a futuristic world that is both chillingly detailed and unsettlingly plausible. The setting, filled with virtual assistant implants and massive corporate combines, feels all too real, with news clippings at the start of each chapter grounding the reader in a world on the brink of a technological revolution. The novel asks big, provocative questions: What if AI had human rights? What if more than half of humanity lived their lives through immersive virtual reality networks like Omninet?

The story kicks into high gear when Commander Andrew Bower returns from a mission with a mysterious data cube. His cousin, private investigator Mason Truman, enlists the help of Peanut, an eccentric Omninet tinker, and a group of gamers to unravel the cube’s secrets. What they uncover is nothing short of a chance to save humanity from extinction. But as the plot thickens, it becomes clear that no one knows who’s truly pulling the strings. The story moves quickly, and though I occasionally found myself having to reread sections—likely due to the wide array of characters, some with similar or dual names—the narrative pulled me back in every time. The characters are vivid and engaging. The witty banter between Mason and his AI factotum, Sam, adds a layer of humor that balances the high stakes. My favorite character, however, is Peanut. He’s quirky, endearing, and provides much-needed comic relief. Honestly, I’d love to read a book centered solely around his story. What truly elevates Accidental Intelligence is its commentary on the future of humanity. Chaffin doesn’t lean on the distant, unreachable future common in many sci-fi novels. Instead, he offers a near-future world that feels eerily familiar, making the story even more gripping. The technology, societal shifts, and ethical dilemmas presented seem just around the corner, which gives the book a thought-provoking edge.

Accidental Intelligence is a great choice for fans of science fiction that blends action with intellectual depth. It’s both thrilling and reflective, a book that will leave you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page. I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Pages: 420 | ASIN : B0CMQ295YG

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2024/09/26/accidental-intelligence/

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Original source: https://www.amazon.com/amazonbookreview/editorspicks.html%3Ftheme=light?ref_=abr_widget_nav&theme=light

Best mysteries and thrillers of September 2024, as chosen by the Amazon Editors

Original source: https://www.amazon.com/amazonbookreview/editorspicks.html%3Ftheme=light?ref_=abr_widget_nav&theme=light