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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
cailleach_magic has commented on (6) products
The Dionysian Alliance: A Novel of Sex, Religion, and Murder
by
Jack Rinella
cailleach_magic
, January 06, 2012
Review by Chris Phillips Rinella’s first novel is a triumph of erotica, intrigue and mysterious secrets. Well researched yet still remaining intriguing, the book follows Ben Kramer on a journey of self-discovery and inclusion into a hidden mystery religion. This eventually leads him to some intense sexual encounters, solving a murder and further threats of violence, and truly intense enlightenment through ecstatic experiences. Ben finds a mysterious box in his mother’s attic when she moves to Florida for retirement. The journals contained therein reveal much about his reclusive and, at least to Ben, largely unknown uncle, Jonathan. Ben is reminded of a strange theology book this uncle gave him 25 years previously. In the intervening years Ben has developed a career as an investigator but also as a spiritual seeker. His uncle’s journals from the box lead him into new situations with the “cult” his uncle and apparently many others close to him have been involved with. Richard Ceznat is the outer voice of a secret religion, a cult in the positive form of a belief system hidden from public view. Thomas is the monk of this order that is brought in to guide Ben but eventually becomes much more. Cynthia is the priestess brought in to replace the murder victim. She also becomes more to Ben and their relationships all become more entwined in the course of the investigation into the murder. There are other characters and many situations where Ben learns about ecstatic religious practices, odd terrorists and himself. He seeks and finds more information and then enlightenment through these persons and some others that surprise him and the reader equally. Ben finds himself skeptical and doubtful of the veracity of what he reads and finds out. But the investigation becomes more of a journey of discovery for him. The characters are all memorable. The situations and the religion described here are believable and uplifting for any in alternative sexualities. Such a religion would fulfill many dreams for those who live their lives as gay, lesbian, power exchange and even simply kinky relationships. Highly recommended for any adult reader looking for light erotica, decent mystery and perhaps even personal enlightenment, the book is well written and very readable. Published by Rinella Editorial Services, 2011. (www.RinellaEditorial.com) ($19.95 USD SRP/Amazon $19.95 USD) Reviewer received book from author.
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The Unrepentant Siren
by
Karen M. Bence
cailleach_magic
, December 28, 2011
Unrepentant Siren by Karen M. Bence ISBN 978-1-56315-438-6 Review by Chris Phillips Bence follows up the Midnight Revelations with another compelling and haunting sequel. Characters from Midnight Revelations come back into focus and then erupt into a mystery and in fact a horrific secret that murder is the mildest repercussion these secrets generate. The story line begins with a shocking accident. Leila, Sara’s best friend, is electrocuted. It is a freak accident but apparently only a near death experience for Leila. Sara is the protagonist of the tale carrying to plot with many exciting and interesting discoveries. Alex, Leila’s fiancé, has been part of the dramatic changes in Leila’s life. Alex is the one boyfriend that survived Leila’s six month rule and then he proposed. After Leila’s recuperation, all the interested parties go to Charleston for the plans that Alex’s mother has for a grand traditional wedding get pushed at Leila. Sara and her son, Jack, are involved as they came to Charleston as a support group. Then the odd happenings that seem to always follow Sara and Jack start up even in Charleston. Sara finds herself drawn into some deep dark family secrets and she must solve these mysteries to save her friend, her friend’s marriage and ultimately her own life. The characters present from the first book in the series, The Dark Whispers Series, continue to develop and are further enhanced with abilities that Sara must deal with and even help Leila to understand and pay attention to. Leila and Sara develop a strong psychic connection despite efforts to stop it. David, Sara’s husband, becomes more supportive and understanding. The plot has sufficient twists and turns to keep even those who don’t ever read a book sitting on the edge of their seats. Surprises crop up with unnerving regularity while still maintaining a depth of character not often seen. Bence has done it again and supplied a sequel leaving the reader with a longing for the next book in the series. Although this deals with some sensitive issues the book should enthrall any young adult through jaded mystery reader. Highly recommended as a stand-alone, it is even better when read after Midnight Revelations. Published by Sterling House Publishers, 2011. ($15.95 USD SRP/Amazon $9.11 USD) Reviewer received book from author.
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She's My Dad
by
Woulff, Iolanthe
cailleach_magic
, May 02, 2010
She’s My Dad by Iolanthe Woulff ISDN 978-1-4327-4377-2 Woulff has written nothing short of the most amazing GLBT novel this reviewer has read. With the back cover summary starting with the quote “Hate destroys everything. Don’t let it destroy you…” she fills the reader’s imagination with true-to-life people coming to grips with modern day realities. Nick Farrington was a typical college student at Windfield college in Virginia. He sowed wild oats, partied and learned. By the way, Nick’s eyes are different colors, one blue and one brown. In an accident of oversight, Luanne becomes pregnant with Nick’s child. Nick has graduated and gone to parts unknown without learning of this. Luanne cannot bear to lose the only memory of their time together so she brings the child into the world and lets her husband, Jay-bo Skinner, believe that Collie was his own. Time flies and the story starts again 26 years later. Collie has grown into a strapping young man struggling to make ends meet for his family. His father, Jay-Bo, is a washed up Virginia Highway Patrolman, squeaking by on Luanne’s and Collie’s incomes. Also, Collie’s eyes are different colors giving him a feature that stands out to anyone meeting him. Part One – is aptly titled “The Hating” where Woulff leads the reader into a tangled web of mystery and secrets. Part Two is “The Redemption.” The juxtaposition of Hate and Redemption is ironic and very revealing of Woulff’s outlook. Multiple threads are woven expertly into an intricate thriller plot. There are Collie and his family. Nick Farrigton has transitioned into the transgendered Nickie Farrell, and is now a first year professor at Windfield. Windfield is a very liberal and open institution and Nickie fits in very well. However, the local community views Windfield and its inhabitants as licentious and decadent. Add to this cast of characters a cantankerous Congressman trying to restore his part of Virginia to a pristine state, pre Windfield College, and a secretive bar owner who’s been known to do some unsavory things in the past. Jay-bo is an ardent homophobe and bigoted southerner that finds out his other son is having a Neo-Greek (read homosexual) relationship with an anti-gay terrorist.. The secondary characters fill in the details with life, tension, and passion. Woulff displays her writing craft throughout the book. The plot is flawless and intriguing. The characters are engaging and very real. The social issues addressed range from homophobia to lesbian bias and right through to transgendered prejudice. In conjunction with exploring GLBT themes, this is a true thriller. This reviewer would recommend this book to everyone who lives in contemporary American society. This is point-on about issues being dealt with on a national level but, also, on a local level as well with a passionate intensity. 5 Stars Published by Outskirts Press, Inc., Denver, CO (www.ourskirtspress.com) SRP $19.95/Amazon $17.97) Reviewer received the book from the author.
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Wyndano's Cloak
by
A. R. Silverberry
cailleach_magic
, May 01, 2010
Wyndano’s Cloak by A R Silverberry ISBN 978-0-9841037-6-8 Review by Chris Phillips Silverberry’s debut novel is a surprising fantasy. There are all the classic elements. There is a headstrong and determined young heroine. There are the enemies and friends. As with any good book there are friends that turn dangerous and become enemies or almost. Then there are some that appear to be enemies but are really friends in disguise. Since Jen’s early life she has been apart from her family, living in another world rejected and so different. She returned after the last battle with Naryfel, her evil aunt and queen of another rival kingdom. Now she has settled with her family and they are at peace. Her father the King is in the Rose Castle and the land of Aerdem is at peace. However, Jen has an uneasy feeling that her aunt Naryfel is planning to take over the kingdom yet again. Jen is always on alert and always watching for the surprise attack. Leading the supporting characters is Bit, the young fiancée of Jen’s brother Dash. There is Pet, a Countess the same age as Jen, who is a friend, but there must be something else going on. There is Yalp the dwarf magician whose magic sometimes works and sometimes works too well and, of course, sometimes doesn’t work at all. The attack comes in the night. All seems to be lost when Jen and Bit take off on different quests to save the King and Dash from certain death. Wyndano’s Cloak is magical with very special powers, but Jen was hurt severely when she tried to use it. However she knows that the cloak is the key to saving the kingdom. Will Jen find the cloak in time? Will the cloak be found at all? Will Bit and Dash wed? Will the King and kingdom be saved? Will Naryfel win the day? Will good triumph? Will anyone survive? Give Silverberry and Jen the chance to win the reader’s heart and spend some time learning the secrets of Wyndano’s Cloak. The plot has sufficient twists and turns to keep the reader’s interest. The characters are solid and fully developed. The mysteries and surprises grab the reader’s attention and send the imagination scurrying. This is a delightful book and can be highly recommended. This book is best for young adults and pre-teens. It would be good for their parents and teachers as well. 5 Stars Published by Tree Tunnel Press, PO Cox 733, Capitola, Ca 95010 (www.treetunnelpress.com) SRP $15.80/Amazon $15.80) Reviewer received the book from the publisher.
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Linked
by
Olive Peart
cailleach_magic
, March 17, 2010
"Linked" by Olive Peart ISBN 978-0-9823077-0-0 Review by Chris Phillips What does it feel like to be someone else? What happens if one person changed into another’s body? Peart has written a young adult novel about just that. She takes the two protagonists, Steve and Greg, through this exchange. Greg is a sophomore in a public school. His mother is raising her two sons alone in an apartment. Steve is a sophomore in a private school. His mother is raising him with the help of his stepfather in an affluent neighborhood. One night Greg dreams of a vicious attack by Steve’s stepfather on Steve. Is it real? Does it really happen? He doesn’t know until the next time, when instead of just dreaming it he finds that he is living it. Through a process undisclosed, Greg occupies Steve’s body and vice versa. After an adjustment by both boys, they begin to discover that they will have to live each other’s lives for at least a time. Greg’s father has left after a fight. Steve and his mother are enduring an abusive relationship. Both have problems and neither knows how to fix them. Will it help if Greg makes the tough decisions that Steve fears? Will it help if Steve resolves Greg’s problems? And does it matter that Greg is black and Steve is white? Finally, will they ever change back? The story is consistent and wonderfully enlightening. There is glimpse after glimpse into the interactions between these two disparate but strangely similar young men trying to get by in life. The adventures are very engrossing and will keep the reader wanting to read just one more page after another. Peart shows a gentle understanding of race issues and identity issues among adolescent males. Although the premise might seem far-fetched, the plot is consistent throughout and the characters maintain a very balanced development. This book is highly recommended for any young adult readers, for their parents and for anyone wanting to relive the struggles of a teenager with a twist. Published by Demarche Publishing, (www.demarchepublishing.com) ($7.95 USD SRP/Amazon $7.95 USD) Reviewer received book from the publisher.
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Gaea
by
Robina Williams
cailleach_magic
, November 20, 2009
Gaea by Robina Williams ISBN 978-1-60619-183-5 Published by Twilight Times Books, Kingsport, TN. (SRP $18.95/Amazon $14.78) Book received from author directly. Review by Chris Phillips In Gaea, Williams has created a humorous adventure book. Gaea is the title character, and is believable as a typical of Greek goddesses. She is on a quest to prevent Man from destroying her (she is the Earth after all) and her creatures. Quantum, as the cat or the seraph, is the central character of the story while not truly doing much, exactly like a cat in real life. Also, Quantum is the central character in the series of which this is third. Williams combines Greek mythology, Christian mythology and environmentalism with a deft hand and smooth continuity. Quantum appears as a cat to some, as a seraph to others, as a pillar of fire to still others, and sometimes as several different avatars at one time, depending on who is looking. Quantum, Quant or Leo depending on the person observing him, does provide a great jumping-off point for the series while each book can stand alone. Quantum as the observer and quiet advisor is given a unique role when little is known about the character throughout the book, his history or even his powers. Surprises abound when Quantum acts. Williams has had a good time writing this story and fleshing out Greek Mythology beings. Also, she provides many details to fill in the world as Gaea travels on her quest. However, even Christian mythology is given a fair treatment with various Saints appearing very true to their human incarnations. She builds a consistent framework where all these systems interact and coexist. Williams has created a world view that includes all belief systems within one overview. She has applied her humor to make this seem very real and credible. Authors often attempt to deal with religious issues and cannot make it work, but Williams deals with it but does so with finesse. From the standpoint of the writer’s craft, the best part technically of the book is that the characters are believable, alive, very well defined and described. The plot is well-thought out and well-developed, being consistent and smooth flowing. The friary is introduced as a very good counterpoint to Gaea’s quest with the interactions between the monks and Quantum in his guise as Leo to the monks providing some strong repartee. The monks are also very entertaining. Brother Bernard is aware of there being something strange about Leo, but cannot place a finger on it and so just frets. The monks go about rediscovering the simple life and learning to be more eco-friendly. The locations and scenes of Heaven, the underworld and the homes of the various gods and goddess of Greek tales, are illustrated and detailed enough to make anyone what to live. The characters are self-conscious and very aware of their limitations as they were displayed in the myths or legends from which they originate. This book is a great read for anyone. It opens up the mind of the reader while keeping the plot consistent. Those readers interested in Greek mythology, intermingling religious systems and in speculations about the afterlife, Heaven and spiritual beings will be very entertained by the book. There is really nothing to offend any reader except for the fact that it is made very clear there are more books in the series. This reviewer would love to review even more books
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