Crimson Angel by Barbara Hambly

Benjamin and Rose January are back in a new adventure.  The evils of slavery and greed are the major themes in this book.

Rose's past intrudes on the life that Rose and Ben are trying to build.   Rose's brother brings the Crimson Angel into their life and that leads down a path of death and destruction.   The mystery of the evil Dr. Maurir is defined by his similarity as  an early rendition of the equally evil Nazi Mengele with a similar penchant for experimentation on live subjects. 

Hambly very graphically illustrates the often ignored atrocities that accompanied slavery.  She also points out the astounding number of deaths that also accompanied slavery.  If nothing else, this book hammers home the dreadful impact of slavery on both the slaves and the destruction of character in the slave owners.

This is a good story with a very impactful depiction of slavery. 

I recommend.  

Site: http://www.barbarahambly.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Summoner by Layton Green

A country in corrupt decay sets the scene for a morally reprehensible Yoruba priest’s deprivations.   This blackest of villains is on a quest for spiritual and political power.  Dominic Grey, a security agent of questionable pedigree, is his only stumbling block.

Dominic Grey is certainly not the white knight but a more believable, emotionally conflicted hero.   He appears to be a man with a moral compass that is undeterred by legal and illegal restraints.  While he is not exactly likeable he is admirable.  

Viktor is a mysterious, international, professorial enigma.   His character was shrouded in mystery.    Nya was well painted as a woman on a quest for revenge.  

The book illustrated a wealth of mistrust between allies and opponents.   The background of Zimbabwe was thoroughly depressing.   A smidgen of research leads me to believe the author portrayed the country accurately.  

I happen to discuss the book with friends who had visited Rhodesia and then later visited when it was Zimbabwe and they confirmed the negative changes.   Another acquaintance who was a policeman in Rhodesia also lamented over the condition of the people and the rampant corruption.  

This is not a book for the light of heart, it is frightening and gruesome.  It also points out the power of psychosomatic reactions to belief systems.   It is not a fun read but it is engrossing.

BTW I read this book on my Droid X using the FBReader from Geometer Plus free application. 

I highly recommend the book.

Body of work of Layton Green

Web Site:   http://laytongreen.com/