Exile of Lucifer: Chronicles of the Host, Vol 1

D. Brian Shafer

Shafer used Bible accounts of the rebellion of Lucifer and the creation to tell an interesting story. I did not find the story 'religious' at all. The characters, though they are angels, are infused with the emotions, feelings, and reactions of mankind so they were easy to relate to, unlike most stories about angels. Though portrayed as withdrawn, preoccupied, above the action, and unapproachable, God is not a main character yet the story centers around his actions. Similar to a father-figure in a story about siblings and their reaction to the father as told by the siblings while the father is in another room. The layout of the story was not complex but compelling to me as a reader. Without spoiling, the main twist was one I hoped for but did not see coming in the way Shafer wrote it. Yet it was still believable. Interesting enough to read again and to look for others in the series.

The Picture of Dorian Gray and Other Works by Oscar Wilde

   This is not my kind of book. It is the story of the corruption of a young man just to see if it can be done. Definitely a Victorian story it comes off to me as very preachy with the moral redemption of the story coming at the end of a downward spiral. I started it on my own at the beginning of summer break and laid it aside after about half of it. It was required reading for an English class the next semester so I had to finish it. The corruption was complete and the redemption sacrificial.

   Dorian Gray, an extremely naive good looking young man, sits for a portrait at the request of his new friend Basil Howard. In the process of painting Dorian Basil falls in 'love' with Dorian's naive, innocent good looks. Basil wants to keep him always the same as an inspiration to art. But Lord Henry, third in the triangle, finds it much more interesting to tempt Dorian with all the pleasures of the senses that life offers just to see how far Dorian will go and how much it will change him. Doran is fascinated with the temptations. Once Basil's portrait is finished and Dorian actually sees his reflection in it he is amazed at his own beauty and immediately regrets that he will one day grow old and lose his beauty. At that moment he makes a fervent wish that his portrait would grow old and he himself would enjoy youth and good looks forever. It is not until his first major fall into Lord Henry's offered temptations that he realizes his wish has come true. From that moment on he spends his life satisfying all of the lusts and temptations of the senses that life can offer, all the while seeing the effects on the face of his portrait and not in his mirror. Good looks and youth open many doors to the world for him. 'No consequences" changes Dorian Gray's spirit and soul as the reader watches him spiral downward - until he hits bottom.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5061934-debbie"> View all my reviews

Toybox - book review - A new experience

Toybox

by Heather Farthing

Toybox by Heather Farthing is an interesting experience. The story of someone who wakes up as a rabbit in the playroom of a little girl surrounded by other talking toys. As the plot unfolds you, the rabbit, discover how you got there and why you were chosen. Then, panic reigns as the owner of the playroom arrives, in an angry fit, and all characters run and hide except you.

Though a short story, it leaves you thinking "What if..." Written in first person Toybox wakes you up in a world similar to reality but not quite real. As you try desperately to figure out what is going on and where you are your dream becomes a nightmare until you, 1st person, turn it around yourself. Toybox reminded me of a Twilight Zone episode from years ago (still in reruns) except that I liked the twist at the end of Toybox much better. Though the book ended my thoughts continued to add to the story.


as reviewed on Amazon.com:  http://www.amazon.com/review/R1V7YV6W7TCLIL/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

The Hobbit - book review - Size and Appearance can be Deceiving

Book review on Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/review/R188VU3JSXM6DC/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

The Hobbit

(Kindle Edition)

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is a classic and my favorite book of all time next to the Bible. Tolkien creates the world of Middle Earth and the inhabitants of it. In this story the smallest and least likely of these inhabitants is sucked into an adventure he does not want yet where he proves himself the unlikely hero and rescuer many times over of those companions who are experienced in hardship, war, and adventures that he travels with. Bilbo Baggins, of the Shire, proves to all that it is the spirit and not the size, appearance, or experience of a person that truly makes a man and a hero. Sometimes the simple things of life are worth more.

Reading Makes You Feel Good – book review

 

Why read a good book?

Check out my Examiner.com book review on Todd Parr’s “Reading Makes You Feel Good” on http://www.examiner.com/article/why-read-2

The great illustrations and easy words found in Reading Makes You Feel Good by Todd Parr are a fun way to introduce your youngster to the joys of reading. A good book takes you on adventure, answers your questions about the world, allows your imagination to take you to foreign and mythical lands. The reader can be a princess or king, a dragon or puppy, a runaway or spoiled child on the wings of imagination. Even though this is a children’s book the truths apply to all ages.

Showdown at Black Lake (by Mark Butler) review

Showdown at Black Lake

Posted: October 12, 2012 in book review
     

 

Showdown at Black Lake is a classic western saga about a good looking honest to
the bone quick-draw cowboy with integrity looking for a grubstake when he meets
an old coot of a ranch owner who is trying to keep the greedy, smooth-talking
con man from stealing his ranch and all that goes with it out from under him.
Its my kind of story. Mark Butler has woven western romance, reluctant sherriff,
gunslinger brother, card-cheat con man, honest but misled ranch hands, indians,
racism, faithful friends, and ex-slave freedman, and more into a good story. I
found a few surprises but even the surprises stuck to the true classic western
story. Good work Mark Butler.
link to Amazon review and find the book. I read it on a Kindle.
http://www.amazon.com/review/R34NEXGLOE4R0J/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B005C414L8&linkCode=&nodeID=&tag=

Lingwë - Musings of a Fish: My book is a 2012 Mythopoeic Award Finalist!

Lingwë - Musings of a Fish: My book is a 2012 Mythopoeic Award Finalist!: Last year at about this time, I shared the news that a book to which I’d contributed a chapter had been named a finalist  for the 2011 Myth...

Enticing blog about words from a scholar of the master of words, Tolkien. I just found this blog while doing research for a college essay, think I'll keep it. If you like words check it out.