A Fine Witch for a Cat
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Catherine Callie. Amazon Digital Services, $3.75 e-book (154p) ASIN B01M9BFB1U
In this sharp-edged fantasy, British writer Callie’s first book, Granny Willow, an elderly witch, lives with her talking cat, Shadow, in a remote village. One night, a mother frantically seeks Granny Willow’s help in healing her daughter, who has been attacked by a cat. After the murderous cat, Gorlan, kills Granny Willow for refusing to supply information about the girl, Shadow becomes a suspect and is hunted by the villagers. Callie writes vividly about Shadow’s journey, as he adjusts to living without Granny Willow’s protection. Enduring both physical and mental anguish, Shadow eventually finds love with a cat named Magala and forms alliances with feral barn cats, as they prepare for a great battle with Gorlan. Though the story bogs down amid redundant explanations and overwritten passages (“Shadow could not begin to understand those feelings that made him want to destroy the cat that did this. He didn’t know it was within him. These destructive impulses, combined with the immeasurable guilt he felt for his earlier absence made him question his own being”), Callie creates an intriguing world of animal magic. Ages 9–up. (BookLife)
Beneath the Blackberry Moon: The Red Feather
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April W. Gardner. Big Spring, $12.99 trade paper (442p) ISBN 978-0-692-60333-8
Gardner sets the first of her three-book Creek Country Saga series in Alabama amid the historical conflicts between Native Americans and white settlers during the War of 1812. The McGirth family has lived peacefully among the Creeks for years, but, after a brief encounter between middle daughter Adela and a band of Creeks transporting weapons, the family seeks refuge at Fort Mims. Compelled by honor and duty, the McGirths’ once-adopted son Nokose, a Creek tribe member who has returned to his roots, and his brother-in-law Totka, participate in the Fort Mims massacre. Nokose rescues the surviving McGirths, bringing them back to his village as slaves. Totka is soon given responsibility for Adela. Struggling with an undeniable attraction to a man who does not share her religious beliefs and who is holding her captive, Adela often gives Totka hope that she will acquiesce and become his wife. She then repeatedly dashes those hopes. While portrayed as a scalp-collecting heathen, Totka remains a more sympathetic character than the Christian settlers. Despite an extensive narrative, Gardner does not resolve the relationship between Adela and Totka in this installment, making the next book required reading for those seeking closure. (BookLife)
The Seventh Son: Norman Conquest, Book 4
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Ashley York. Ashley York, $4.99 e-book (397p) ASIN B01BZ36LS0
York takes the reader on a journey back to 11th-century Ireland in the fast-paced and enjoyable fourth Norman Conquest romance (after The Irish Warrior). Tadhg MacNaughton has become chieftain upon the death of his father, Padraig. The old chieftain had broken off a treaty that joined the MacNaughton family with the O’Briens, an act that annulled Tadhg’s betrothal to his beloved, Tisa O’Brien. Before Tadhg can craft a new treaty or reinstate the betrothal, Tisa’s father weds her to Darragh Meic Lochlainn. Tisa is very unhappy in her marriage and her new home with the Meic Lochlainn clan; her cruel husband is not sexually attracted to women and, she fears, cannot protect her from other men who wish her harm. When she and Tadhg meet again, they learn that the spark that was kindled between them years ago has never been extinguished. York expertly combines her historical knowledge with romance and intrigue in this alluring tale of parted lovers whose greatest desire is to be together once again. (BookLife)
Darkshine
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R.D. Vallier. Free Fire, $2.99 e-book (372p) ASIN B01ENYSJ4W
Vallier’s uneven debut features a tepid heroine who has been abused and neglected until she can no longer trust her feelings or instincts. When a chickadee speaks to Miriam, her first assumption is that she’s losing her mind, not that the bird is telling the truth about fairies and dangerous moths. Shocking revelations about her husband and about her own true nature leads to Miriam walking out and looking for the guide to fairyland that the chickadee told her about—before one of the evil darklings can find and kill her. Along the way she tries to learn about her changeling heritage and life in the fairy realm, but quickly realizes some things don’t add up. Vallier’s world is complex and interesting, but the characters are one-dimensional. Miriam is threatened with sexual assault multiple times, entirely so that various male characters can save her, and by the time she finds her voice she’s been plunged into a potential war. A sequel may be able to answer lingering questions for readers, but it will be an uphill climb. (BookLife)
Chiaroscuro: The Mouse and the Candle
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Matthew Cox. Curiosity Quills, $18.99 trade paper (332p) ISBN 978-1-62007-769-6
A vampire laments and an innocent child inspires in Cox’s centuries-spanning philosophical exploration of duty, guilt, and faith. In 1885 France, Father Antonio Molinari is fresh off an exorcism of a young woman. Two priests approach him, claiming to have a chained-up vampire that he can study. Horrified to learn the vampire is an eight-year-old girl, Sabine Caillouet, he becomes protective of her and even lets her feed off him. When a priest disapproves and stabs Antonio, Sabine saves him by turning him into a vampire. Thus begins the paternal love story of Antonio and his young ward, whose soul he vows to save and protect against dark temptations. As they dodge Vatican vampire-hunters and vengeful vampires, Antonio has faith that God has a plan for them, a faith he carries to America and Canada, and into the 21st century. Cox’s world is elegant, the characters are sympathetic, the vampire lore is traditional, and the writing is engaging and descriptive. However, the second half lags, themes become repetitive, and plot threads unravel. Nevertheless, vampire enthusiasts will devour this solid and emotional story. (BookLife)
Dreadnought and Shuttle
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L.J. Cohen. Interrobang, $4.99 e-book (327p) ISBN 978-1-942851-01-1
Cohen continues to display her talents for engaging characters and a believable universe in her teen-friendly third Halcyone Space adventure (following Ithaka Rising), traits that more than balance out uneven storytelling and pacing. Chief Engineer Ro Maldonado, captain of the AI space freighter Halcyone, and most of her crew are working on Daedalus Station, while ship botanist Micah Rotherwood attends an Earth university under an assumed identity. A warning from mysterious rebel Dr. May about Ro’s dangerous smuggler father, Alain, is received too late to alert Micah’s bright new roommate, urban archeology student Devorah “Dev” Martingale Morningstar; Alain takes her hostage in an attempt to extort money from Micah, both as an act of revenge and to stave off his criminal creditors. The admirably brave and übercompetent Dev shines as a stellar addition to the genre, and Cohen bestows significant contributing tasks upon all of the supporting characters. However, too many of the mysteries of the allies and adversaries of the universe remain in question after the abrupt ending. New readers are advised to begin at the beginning; Cohen makes few allowances for those joining midseries. (BookLife)
The Keeping
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Rochelle Ransom. Preadtend, $9.99 trade paper (294p) ISBN 978-0-9890174-4-2
At the start of Ransom’s clunky debut, teenager Sierra Hart wakes up in a small, locked room with absolutely no recollection of how she got there. What follows is an investigative journey through her family history and current romantic entanglements. Sierra’s life in Laketown, N.Y., is revealed through a detailed diary she keeps while imprisoned and the narratives of those closest to her: her parents, Patrick and Dr. Laura Hart; her ex-boyfriend, Dave Braun; and the new boy in her life, Gavin Ross. Unfortunately, not all of the narratives serve the purpose of moving the story forward, and the immense amount of backstory negates the suspense. Awkward prose doesn’t help (“The water pooled in a small, deep, divot as the fear exploded up her throat, across her tongue and out of her mouth in a desperate shrill wail that fell flat, in the trapped air”). (BookLife)
The Last Great American Magic
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L.C. Fiore. Can of Corn Media, $17.99 trade paper (372p) ISBN 978-0-692-71707-3
Fiore’s fictionalized story of Shawnee war leader Tecumseh focuses on his relationship with his brother, Tenskwatawa, as well as his apocryphal love for Rebecca Galloway. Tecumseh is determined from a young age to play his part in the fight to keep white men from overrunning Shawnee and other Indian lands. His father and later his older brother, Chiksika, are killed in battle, leaving Tecumseh to lead his band of Shawnee and, later, an increasingly large confederation devoted to halting the settlers. Rebecca, once a captive in his village, is the daughter of a judge who wants Tecumseh to sign a treaty ceding Shawnee lands. Tecumseh refuses but falls in love with Rebecca. Tenskwatawa is portrayed as weak, a drunkard, and a gambler, until he returns from death imbued with great power. Even then, he is not a competent general and the Indian settlement of Tippecanoe is sacked by the forces of William Henry Harrison. Tecumseh’s Shawnee descendants may well tell his story differently but this works adequately as a piece of fiction. (BookLife)
Timor Runguranga: A Photographic Journey Through Timor-Leste
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David Palazon. Blurb Books, $59.99 (344p) ISBN 978-1-36-755911-0
In this fascinating contemporary photography book, which was eight years in the making, photographer and writer Palazon crafts a highly visual study of Timor-Leste, focusing on the unique beauty of the Southeast Asian country and the contradictions of modern life. In addition to photos, the book contains short written pieces from 60 mostly Western contributors to illuminate aspects of the culture. Simão Barreto’s song “Call the Wind” celebrates the ritual ceremony calling the wind at the time of rice harvest, still guiding the day-to-day life of farming communities today. Anthropologist Sofia Miranda describes how difficult communication and transportation issues between Dili, the center of power, and rural areas, prevent projects from fully materializing and keep the population dependent on government assistance. Each contributor zeroes in on an intriguing facet of Timorese politics, culture, or history, together offering a kaleidoscopic look at the nation. Palazon’s many photographs, taken between 2008 and 2016, provide the most striking and lasting impression of Timor-Leste. Until the Timorese themselves document their culture, Palazon’s work will help readers outside the small country get to know it a little better. Color photos. (BookLife)
The Soul Mender
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R.S. Dabney. Red Pen Warriors, $14.99 trade paper (380p) ISBN 978-0-692-47201-9
A familiar science fiction theme—a parallel reality populated by alter egos of the inhabitants of our own—gets a fresh spin in this intriguing variant of a dark fantasy. Since childhood, Riley Dale, an environmental scientist living in Boulder, Colo., has been plagued by visions. Then she unexpectedly crosses over into the world of her imaginings with the help of a magic ring left to her by her grandmother. Partnering with Oz, a drug-addicted ne’er-do-well who represents the other half of her divided soul, and protector Zachary Stone, who’s a serial killer in her own world, Riley travels cross-country to Los Angeles, the terrorist-bombed capital of this alternate U.S., to learn the crucial role she must play in events rocking the parallel world. Dabney’s writing is crisp and confident, and her characters—including both of their personalities—are well-developed. She introduces more subplots than can be resolved by the novel’s end, making this a promising start for a projected trilogy. (BookLife)
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