Persona Non Grata by Ruth Downie

An officer in the Roman army, stationed in Britain, receives an urgent summons home. He finagles a questionable medical leave and returns to Italy with his “barbarian” girl friend. Once home he discovers that very little is clear and things have changed for the worse while he was away.

The main characters are quite clearly portrayed. I think some of the more minor characters could have been fleshed out a bit more. I found my mouth dry in the description of the desiccated travel. Downie provides a good story line and provides an entertaining mystery set in a truly ancient time. What is surprising is the similarities to current events with money manipulations, attorneys and painful consequences. Her history and setting were quite accurate from the hazy recollections I have of my two years of Latin.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Ruth Downie

Review: http://mastermusingsbymichelle.blogspot.com/2009/07/review-persona-non-grata-by-ruth-downie.html


Web Site: http://rsdownie.co.uk/

Dark Time by Dakota Banks

A young mother finds her self tied to a stake, flames caressing her ankles wondering what led to this ugly fate. The acceptance of her soul by a demon leads to her questionable reprieve. As harbinger of doom she spends the next few centuries as a tool of the despicable demon. Eventually the specter of spending eternity dealing out death becomes unbearable. Rebellion is the theme of the book.

A cynical, harsh world is portrayed by Banks. Her mood is dark as is the title. The protagonist struggles with her deeds and eventually seeks redemption. The characterizations are solid if a bit confusing. As urban fantasies go it had less fantasy and more urban than many I have read. The revoking of infallibility and dealing with a more credible skill set helps in creating a more believable Maliha.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of of Dakota Banks

Review: http://proudbookworm.blogspot.com/2009/07/review-dark-time-by-dakota-banks.html


Web Site http://www.dakota-banks.com/

Why get a Home Alarm?

ADT did not pay for the "paid" blog thus it it gone. It was for a whopping $5.00 and I would not have written it if I didn't believe in home alarms but I certainly can't recommend ADT due to their inability to pay for blogging.

They Are Soldiers by Harold Coyle

This novel could be a news article on a current conflict. A biological incident of bibilical significance in the middle east conflict threatens our own shores. Coyle is now in his second generation of protagonists. Scott Dixon, the butt kicking army officer of old, has been displaced by his son, Nathan. Nathan, as a regular army officer, finds himself faced with situations outside of his experience. He is thrust into the role of commanding a group of men considerably different than his previous commands. Nathan is surprised at how different the National Guard is from his regular army experience. His disparaging mind set faces facts the he is challenged to understand. The realistic portrayal of the unrelenting hate between the people in the Mideast who have so much in common and so much need for interaction was grossly depressing. Considering the intense participation, currently, of the National Guard in conflictual situations, the novel seems extremely current in spite of it's 2004 publication. Portrayal of the demographics, strengths and weaknesses of a National Guard unit seem quite accurate. The difficulties of intergrating National Guard troops with regular Army provide the primary theme while dealing with a middle east hot spot seemed secondary. I enjoyed the book, not as much as some others written by Coyle but I do recommend it. Body of work of Harold Coyle

Review:

Web Site:none found

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

First, I am in awe that a kid wrote the book. Paolini started the book at age 15 and got it published at 19. It is a good story, a good fantasy and a terrific accomplishment. There is a dragon, evil dudes and lots of action. If you have read any of my blog, you are aware that I wax poetically about anthropomorphism and it’s story use. I love dragons and talking ones are even better. This is the first of the Inheritance series which now will have a fourth book that has not been published yet. This is touted as a kids book or young adult. If that is the case, I am apparently a great deal younger than my chronological age.

The best thing about this series is that my 10 year old grandson and I are reading it simultaneously. We call each other and discuss it. I would love the book for no other reason than the shared experience with my grandson. It is a good story and a good book, not great but I look forward to reading “Eldest” the next book in the series.

Body of work of Christopher Paolini

Review of the book: http://contemporarylit.about.com/cs/currentreviews/fr/eragon.htm

Site: http://www.alagaesia.com/