Blog Posts - Oathtaker.com

A Quest

3/13/2015

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite at www.ReadersFavorite.com.

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Ritt Jordan is on a mission in A Treasure More than Gold, having been inspired by the treasure hunt formulated by Forrest Fenn, in his memoir, The Thrill of the Chase. Once the fever takes over Jordan, he sets out to solve the clues set out in the form of a poem, to find the million dollar treasure that Fenn buried somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. He translates Fenn’s poem into what he believes are possible interpretations for place names and geographical phenomena, then continues his tracking via the Internet. Once he has a plan in mind, he sets out to find the gold. In his rush to get started, he forgets his gun and metal detector at home, discovering the situation when it is too late to turn back. Thus begins his first trip into the wilderness. Over the next months, he takes several more, including one with his grandson that delivers “gold” to Jordan in the form of time spent with the boy. Did he ultimately find the treasure? Would he tell readers if he did?

A Treasure More than Gold is only in part, a story of seeking buried treasure. More to the point, it is a story of Ritt Jordan’s finding and meeting a challenge, of losing himself in a dream and a quest. He encourages readers to seek to solve the Fenn mystery or to follow their own dreams. In a world in which people spend a great deal of time with electronic gadgets, Jordan prompts others to visit the wider world, to take up causes that intrigue them, to persevere through dangers and hardship, and to keep their eyes on the real gold that they already possess—in the form of their loved ones.

A Canine Prisoner of War - A Hero

2/21/2015

Reviewed for NetGalley.
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It is not all that often that I read a tale, the central focus of which is an animal. However, stories of animals that military forces have used over the years, intrigue me. Judy: A Dog in a Million, (Also titled Judy: The Unforgettable Story of the Dog Who Went to War and Became a Hero," by Damien Lewis, did not disappoint. It tells the story of an English pointer, originally dubbed Shudi by her Chinese caregiver, whose life really began when she escaped from the Shanghai Kennels. Eventually the crew of an English gunboat adopted her as their “gundog.” It seems it was common at the time, for gunboat personnel to take on a mascot, be it a dog, cat, pigeon, or even a monkey. Judy proved herself a valuable member of the crew—though they soon discovered she seemed to have “a fatal flaw in her ‘pointing’ abilities’”—when she warned them of dangers coming their way.

Judy’s life was one of adventure and mishap. Interestingly, there seemed to be a divine hand of protection over her, as she escaped from a number of life threatening incidents, only to land in a Japanese concentration camp where she spent over three years. There, with the latest of her friends and protectors, she provided her human comrades not only a morale booster, but also the occasional meal, in the form of a snake, rat, or other small creature. She also earned herself an official Japanese prisoner-of-war number. All this, though it was highly unlikely for a dog to survive the Koran camp guards—as they, like the camp inmates, lived on starving rations—and the guards ate dog. After leaving the camp with the one man she loved above all others, Royal Air Force technician Frank Williams, Judy finally made her way to freedom. If you are looking for a story of inspiration and encouragement, look no further than Judy: A Dog in a Million.

Boko Haram

2/7/2015

Reviewed for NetGalley.

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A journalist, Mike Smith, provides insight into the history of Nigeria and information on its past, as well as details regarding its current, political and economic status. He concentrates on the well group known as Boko Haram, adding insight into the manner in which everyday Nigerians live in light of threats from this group and the current state of their nation. The story takes readers back in history to an early caliphate, offering connections between it and the current Boko Haram movement. Most notably, Smith gives details of the raid on the girls’ school that made worldwide headlines in recent months.

It is difficult to look at the details of a place like Nigeria and not immediately draw comparisons to western cultures. The emphasis westerners have historically placed on honesty and openness in government, and the need for integrity among government officials, cannot be overstated. I invite anyone who thinks that it is acceptable to vote into office, a person with a track record that does not instill trustworthiness, to take a look at the current state of affairs in Nigeria.

A New Fantasy Sub-genre for Me

1/31/2015

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite at www.ReadersFavorite.com.

****

When the magician, Kadmeion, and his Metal-man assistant, Bright, witness an event at a mandrake plant, they discover a Go Fer dog capable of producing magic, in Forever Boy, by Lita Burke. Rescuing the animal and bringing it to their ship, then bathing it, and cleaning its wounds, Kadmeion and Bright are dismayed when the Go Fer dog escapes. But after the dog, who it turns out can speak (and is something more than just a dog), discusses the matter with the ship’s Machine—the dog returns to the magician and his assistant. There, he learns his true identity and is named, Furgo. Upon discovering that he must return to, and be released by, his former master before he may join up with Kadmeion and Bright for good (and as a wizard’s familiar), the three come up with a plan for dealing with the evil pellar who would have allowed Furgo to die at the mandrake plant.

Forever Boy is a very short read. While it resolves the immediate issue of Furgo’s identity and sets the stage for future stories, it is not a work that will engage a reader for long hours. Even so, for those looking for a quick getaway, Forever Boy, fits the bill. Lita Burke has created a “clockwork punk” world (like a science fiction tale in an earlier period with fantasy elements) that is both unique and inhabited by unusual characters. If you are in for a different sort of tale that includes some traditional fantasy principles, take a look at Forever Boy.

Heroes

1/24/2015

Reviewed for NetGalley.
*****
Continuing on my recent trek to read more works relating to the WWII era, the synopsis of The Law Jews in Berlin, by Leonard Gross, captured my attention. I’ve read many works regarding the Nazi leadership, the Nazi's death camps, the political machinations of the 1930s and 40s, and the philosophy behind the National Socialist movement in Germany. This, however, is the first work I’ve read (aside from The Diary of Anne Frank), that elaborated on the lives of those who, not having left the country before it was too late, lived out the worst of the WWII underground, in Berlin.

Gross tells the stories of a handful of those few hundreds of Jews, who hid right under the noses of the Nazis in Berlin, even as Hitler and his ilk sought to make the city “Judenfrei.” The stories came from interviews taken not long after the war ended. They are spell-binding, thought provoking . . . tear-jerking.

It is easy for people to look back on something from 70 years or so ago and think that the same could not happen today, but neither did most people living in the WWII era believe that such evil could go on in their day. Indeed, it was this very fact that made it possible for the Nazis to send so many to their deaths without word getting out to the rest of the world—and then not to be believed when it did. The Last Jews in Berlin, while reconciling my soul to the evil some may impose upon others, also rejuvenated my belief in the human spirit and in the everyday hero. I find courage in the knowledge that it was those who assisted their friends and neighbors, such as the Countess Maria von Maltzan and the leaders of the Church of Sweden, whose sacrifices, bravery and accomplishments, will live on.

Pick Your Genre!

1/17/2015

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite at www.ReadersFavorite.com.

****
Nina, of part American-Indian heritage, and her husband, Ben Truesdale, are raising their son, Noble, and two daughters, Emma and Holly, on a farm outside of town in Holly Virginia, by Renna Olsen. The family members share and hold close, Holly’s secret. Born blind, and with a twisted spine, Holly possesses an unusual ability: she can heal others. The Truesdales, a loving family, care for and protect her. But evil raises its ugly head in the form of Ezekiel Waterford and his creepy cohort Sam “Ratty” Blakely. After seeing to Ben’s demise, Ezekiel encourages Nina to become addicted to the alcohol-based cure-all that he hopes will make him rich, then marries her. Once done, he employs the most evil means to get from each of the family members what he most desires when he threatens the safety of the other members if his wishes are not carried out. When Ezekiel kidnaps little Holly to add her healing powers to his roadshow and to help create a religion centered on himself, Emma accompanies them so as to care for little Holly. Now Nina, Noble, and the new friends they find along the way must defeat the evil Ezekiel.

Classified as “paranormal,” Holly Virginia by Renna Olsen, provides readers with one of those unique experiences whereby the author touches on a variety of areas that seem to cross genre lines. Is this a western? A story of Native American mysticism? Some sort of frontier fantasy? Is Ezekiel, in light of his eventually becoming neither dead, nor alive, some sort of zombie? In fact, this story it is a bit of all of those things, yet not any one of those things. I am always encouraged when I find an author willing to defy the conventional in this manner. New genres and sub-genres are not borne when people follow the norm. They come about when courageous souls push the boundaries, or at least refuse to follow the same course as did those who came before them. Readers looking for a unique reading experience will most certainly find it in Holly Virginia.

Steam Punk for Middle Graders

1/10/2015

Reviewed for NetGalley. Publication date: May 15, 2015

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The Firebrand Mystery, by Darrell Pitt, introduces Jack Mason, an orphan, the son of the now-dead flying trapeze artists, The Flying Sparrows. When the story opens, we find Jack an inhabitant of Sunnyside Orphanage—“surely the most inappropriately named organization in all London.” But, as luck would have it, Jack is to leave the institution and to begin a new job with the infamous, Ignatius Doyle, an investigator who needs assistance, as he suffers from “an infirmity.” (If nothing else, he surely is, as his assistant says, “a tad eccentric.”) Jack makes his way to Doyle, where the two meet Scarlet Bell, who needs their help, as her father is missing. And so, the fun begins!

A “steam punk “ story, young readers are sure to delight in the quirky personalities presented, the airships and other steam-powered machines that fill the skies, the familial relationships that grow between the characters, and the mystery that unfolds, pitting Jack, Doyle, and Scarlet, against a band of evil-doers. Fortunately for Jack, he is a trained acrobat, as a variety of situations arise that require his peculiar expertise!

Forensic . . . Librarian?

1/10/2015

Dr. Vela Ostofvold, a forensic librarian, seeks to resolve things with her love interest, while simultaneously determining her paternity, in Watermark, by Sari Sikstrom. Set in Italy, readers will follow Vela, the daughter of an opera star, as she uncovers bits of her mother’s past, and travels to India via some old letters she finds, written by one of Olivia’s former teachers. Along the way, readers will visit portions of India in days long gone. Vela’s mother, Olivia, has never discussed Vela’s father, and though the young woman will not come out and ask for the details, she longs to fill in that portion of her past. As the story progresses, she discovers that she still loves Franco, the young man with whom she has had a relationship since childhood, notwithstanding their prior misunderstanding. With the help of her friend, Amelia, Vela finds answers to her mystery.

The background for Watermark, by Sari Sikstrom, is engaging and the relationships sincere. I especially enjoyed the camaraderie between Vela and Amelia, and the scenes set in Franco’s family bar. Sikstrom uses engaging and colorful language and provides snippets from the p ast that make the story “real.” But by far, my favorite moments were those spent in Amelia’s family bookstore and those when Vela engaged her skills as a forensic librarian. It is intriguing to think of the things one can learn about a work via the evidence they’ve left behind. In this regard, Watermark offers some interesting details and information that I am unlikely to forget!

Not So Blind That She Cannot See

12/31/2014

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite at www.ReadersFavorite.com.

*****

The synopsis for A Hero’s Curse, by P. S. Broaddus, intrigued me. To find a fantasy story for young readers with a blind protagonist conjured up all sorts of thoughts and ideas—and Broaddus did not fail to deliver! The story is written from the perspective of Essie, in a manner that allows the reader to join with her in her thoughts. Together with her talking cat, Tig, Essie is left to the care of her Uncle Cagney when her parents must leave for unnamed purposes. But Uncle Cagney’s protection is short-lived. As a result, Essie and Tig (who Essie says is “my friend, my hunting tutor, and most importantly, my eyes”), must flee for safety. They find themselves chased into the Valley of Fire, a place from which no one has ever returned. From there, the two journey to discover what the new leader, Brogan, is up to, why the king disappeared, where Essie’s parents have gone (and why), at whose hand she came to be blind, and whether she will find the means to forgive that person.

I was delighted with Essie’s inner dialog, and with her conversations with her Uncle Cagney, and with Tig. Together they provided insight into the main protagonist. For example, Essie thinks to herself: “I love Tig. He never feels sorry for me, which is great, because I can feel sorry enough for myself.” Later, after a beast chases Essie and Tig, Essie thinks: “It’s one thing to hear monsters bump in the night. It is quite another to never be able to light a lamp to chase them away.” These were the kind of thoughts that made the story so real and so believable. I also enjoyed the bits of insight. Uncle Cagney tells her: “Some people say that there are no heroes in the face of pain. That if the hurt is bad enough, the hero will break. They’re wrong. That’s just what makes a hero. They’re the ones who take the pain. Stand in the gap.” Finally, I laughed on occasion, at Tig’s sarcasm and at Essie’s responses to him. For example, she tells him: “Conceit is a weird disease—you have it, but it’s making me sick.” I found myself highlighting sections at a steady rate, as I found P. S. Broaddus’s “voice,” in A Hero’s Curse, so very interesting. The sarcasm was funny—and cutting—and age-appropriate for the intended reader. Overall, Broaddus’s voice is one I would like to hear again—and I am confident that young readers will agree.

Some Things Cannot be Said

12/31/2014

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite at www.ReadersFavorite.com.

*****

When Susan Elmore discovered a family connection to the victim of one of the most notorious crimes in Illinois history, Emma Bond, her curiosity got the better of her and her journey ended with Nameless Indignities. So began Elmore's search into records available about Emma, the "nameless indignities" the press mentioned were inflicted upon her, the small Illinois community that was the setting of the crime, and more. Emma's story was incredible in that as a young school teacher she told of how, after someone covered her head so that she could not see, two (or was it three?) men pulled her up into the attic-like space of the schoolhouse, then assaulted her, all late in the afternoon on a typical June day. Thereafter, Emma wavered between life and death for an extended period. Meanwhile, three (and later more) local men were charged with the crime. But were they the responsible parties, or had a crime, in fact, even been committed?

We take for granted in many ways today the technology that makes it possible to identify criminals, the procedures we use to investigate crimes and crime scenes, and so on. As Susan Elmore rightly points out in Nameless Indignities, however, investigating and solving crimes in days gone by was a very different matter. In the case at hand, a part of a toenail was examined by eye, to determine if it might belong to one of the defendants. Today, a simple DNA test would be the first order of business. On the other hand, this history shows how our media plays a similar part in events as it did in those long ago days. Susan Elmore's new theory of the crime and careful and complete rendition of events is certainly an interesting and most readable glimpse into a sensational crime from the past.

Patricia Reding

Posted here are a number of Patricia's reviews of the works of others.

Those reviews posted here that Patricia did for Readers Favorite are identified as such. No review of less than 4-stars for any Readers' Favorite review is posted here or elsewhere.

Those works reviewed for NetGalley are identified accordingly.

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