Review: The Red Magician by Lisa Goldstein

Summary

Winner of the National Book Award: In the shadow of the Holocaust, a young girl discovers the power of magic

In the schoolroom of a simple European village, Kicsi spends her days dreaming of the lands beyond the mountains: Paris and New York, Arabia and Shanghai. When the local rabbi curses Kicsi’s school for teaching lessons in Hebrew, the holy tongue, the possibility of adventure seems further away than ever. But when a mysterious stranger appears telling stories of far-off lands, Kicsi feels the world within her grasp.

His name is Vörös, and he is a magician’s assistant who seems to have powers all his own. There is darkness growing at the edge of the village—a darkness far blacker than any rabbi’s curse. Vörös warns of the Nazi threat, but only Kicsi hears what he says. As evil consumes a continent, Vörös will teach Kicsi that sometimes the magician’s greatest trick is survival.

Review

The Red Magician by Lisa Goldstein is an intriguing tale that follows the protagonist, Kicsi, in a coming of age story that intertwines magic with the backdrop of WW2 Europe. The writing is well-done, if simple. Goldstein does an excellent job when she describes the magic being performed and its jarring shift in tone from ordinary to extraordinary. 

The character of Kicsi is eleven when we first meet her and is full of spunk and stubbornness. Kicsi is a likeable character, with believable flaws of being stubborn and curious even when it gets her into trouble. Kicsi longs to see new places and experience new things outside her small village so she is immediately interested in the wandering red-headed man that comes into town. He goes by the name Vörös, which means ‘red’, and with him brings trouble. Vörös defeats the town’s rabbi’s curse on Kicsi’s family and brings with him prophecies of incoming disaster. Kicsi must navigate this strange world she is thrust into by her association with Vörös and learns about herself along the way. 

The story itself uses WW2 mostly as a backdrop as Goldstein’s descriptions of the German’s atrocities are mentioned but not in gory detail, though that may be because the narrative follows Kicsi’s experiences and at one point so goes into some kind of fugue state where she doesn’t clearly remember what happened. Vörös and the rabbi’s magic are displayed throughout the novel, using Jewish religion as a sort of canvas. For instance, a golem is made and the name put on its forehead in order to animate it is in Hebrew. They also use the common fantasy trope of concealing your true name for when someone knows your true name they hold power over you. 

All in all, this story was an enjoyable tale with likeable characters, interesting magical elements and an engaging plot. I’d recommend it to anyone with a soft spot for fantasy tropes. 

Reviewed by Jazmin Gousse

Pages: 144 pages
Publisher: Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy (October 21, 2014)

Review: Reunion by Hannah Pittard

Book Summary

The author of the highly acclaimed The Fates Will Find Their Way returns with a novel about a far-flung family reunited for one weekend by their father's death.

Five minutes before her flight is set to take off, Kate Pulaski, failed screenwriter and newly failed wife with scarcely a hundred dollars to her name, learns that her estranged father has killed himself. More shocked than saddened by the news, she gives in to her siblings' request that she join them, along with her many half-siblings and most of her father's five former wives, in Atlanta, their birthplace, for a final farewell.

Written with huge heart and bracing wit, REUNION takes place over the following four days, as family secrets are revealed, personal foibles are exposed, and Kate-an inveterate liar looking for a way to come clean-slowly begins to acknowledge the overwhelming similarities between herself and the man she never thought she'd claim as an influence, much less a father. Hannah Pittard's "engaging and vigorous"* prose masterfully illuminates the problems that can divide modern families—and the ties that prove impossible to break. (*Chicago Tribune)

Review

Hannah Pittard’s Reunion centers on a troubled young woman, the more or less “failed” screenwriter, Kate Pulaski, and her equally troubled family. Not only does Pittard write with uncanny insight into the mind of a woman who is savagely human, and equal parts frustrating as well as deeply familiar, she also brings a special sense of honest humor to the idea of family. 

While on a flight home to Chicago, Kate receives the call that her estranged father has killed himself. Due to a marriage that is quickly crumbling, as well as pressure, she is forced to travel home to Atlanta, in order to meet her brother and sister and manage the many intricacies that come with a death. And she’s not happy about it. 

The novel takes place over four days. The pacing is fast, it’s written in present tense, and the dialogue is remarkable. Pittard’s writing is candid, and doesn’t shy away from portraying her protagonist in a bad light. Kate is our sympathetic anti-hero: a liar, a wine-drinker, a whip-smart, self-destructive woman with some major daddy issues. Throughout the novel, Kate grapples with a deep-seated resentment towards her father. After her own mother died, he remarried approximately five times, giving Kate and her two siblings a plethora of ex-stepmothers and step-siblings. The last of his wives, Sasha, proves to be a surprising and altogether healing influence. 

The awkwardness and inescapable quality of family is a main theme throughout. The idea of fidelity is another. There is a sense of urgency in this slim story that in infectious and strangely heart-warming, in the way only an honest portrayal of humanness can be.

Reviewed by MB Sellers

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (October 7, 2014)

Review: Counteract by Tracy Lawson

Summary

Two strangers-their destinies entwined-must work together to thwart a terrorist the country never suspected. The Office of Civilian Safety and Defense has guarded the public against the rampant threat of terrorism for the last fifteen years with the full backing of the US government. Their carefully crafted list of Civilian Restrictions means no concerts or sporting events, no travel, no social media, no cash transactions, and no driver's licenses for eighteen-year-olds Tommy and Careen. The OCSD has even outlawed grocery stores, all in the name of safety. Now, there's a new threat-airborne chemical weapons that could be activated at any time. But the OCSD has an antidote: Just three drops a day is all it takes to stay safe. It's a small price to pay for safety. Or is it...

Review

Counteract is a face paced dystopian novel that brings the reader through a world on the brink of destruction. Instead of fixing the problems, a new branch of the government, created to aid with terrorist attempts, give the population a strand of LSD, which makes the citizens hallucinate at the very least. The novel travels through the many characters introduced, each playing a unique role in the plot. The main characters, Tommy and Careen are teenagers caught in the middle of the government scandal. 

I really enjoyed this new twist on the dystopian novel, I found the plot to be intriguing. The government, instead of believing this was the best for the nation, knew that the technique they were pursuing to calm the nation was wrong, but it was the easy way out. This was not the case of a novel where the government was confused or mental, they knew the problems they would be starting. 

On one hand, the many different point of views aided in the explanation of the current situation of the world, using many sides of the matter to further explain. However, overall, the countless amount of character point of views was overpoweringly distracting. Honestly, much of the time I was unable to follow which character was which because it was quite confusing. I understand the technique that was trying to be employed, but I feel that the plot would have been better delivered with a smaller amount of main characters, potentially three.

I believe that this novel, Counteract by Tracey Lawson sets up a really great series and another novel in the series has a lot of potential. The fast pace keeps the reader interested in the plot and allows a great set up for a continuation in the series. 

Reviewed by Rachel Keane

Paperback: 226 pages
Publisher: Buddhapuss Ink LLC; Resistance Series edition (August 6, 2014)

Review: Jaspar's War by Cym Lowell

Summary

Greenwich, Connecticut socialite Jaspar Moran has it all-a magnificent estate, two beautiful children and a loving husband, Trevor, serving as the Secretary of the Treasury. Protected, admired and living in the lap of luxury, Jaspar is reeling from the news that his government jet has crashed just as her children vanish without a trace. 

An ominous message warns her to keep silent about her husband's role in the President's economic plan. Or else. 

Determined to save her children, she'll go to hell and back, form alliances with assassins, traitors and Mafioso, and commit unspeakable acts-if that's what it takes. With alarms sounding around the world, hunted from all sides, and unsure of who to trust, she finds herself depending on a mysterious figure without an identity. 

Jaspar journeys from the Australian outback to the palazzos of Rome, the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, and to the magnificence of the Vatican, in her quest. Can she rescue her children before the plot to crash the global economy is unleashed?

Review

Stepping out of my comfort zone of genres, intrigued by the plot of Jaspar’s War by Cym Lowell, thoughts of this complex yet fascinating thriller was anything but boring. For me personally, there wasn’t that instant hook to reel me in the beginning but when it did, it felt like it could leap straight to the big screen. Led by a fierce protagonist that is pushed to her limits to do what she never could’ve imagined, she faces the ultimate question to be answered, how far would you go to save your children?

Well, the book begins with your typical social prominent family. There is Jaspar Moran, who is married to the Secretary of Treasury, Trevor Moran. They have two children and live in a beautiful home fulfilled in a life to be admired. One day after playing ball, getting ready for postgame entertainment, she noticed that her kids were gone for longer than usual. Trying not to panic, her security detail tried to ease her concerns but as it got dark, she started to worry. Things turned upside when news came that the plane her husband was on suspiciously crashed, shortly after, she received an ominous text from his phone that informed her that her children were gone and her silence on information her husband knew was key to their survival. From there, we experience Jaspar’s thrilling action packed quest abroad to save her children at all costs.

Overall, the book was a good read for the concept of the book. The storyline involving the action put you right in the middle of it all but then others aspects of the plot that I felt sort of stretched the imagination.  I never would’ve anticipated the story going into the direction that it did but it was exciting seeing Jaspar’s character transform in a way that made the story feel as if you were watching a movie. Watching her mentally deal with the moral backlash of her actions versus the will to do what needed to be done to save her children made her an interesting character to read. There is no other way to describe it other than being her sidekick, Nulandi, was a nice subplot that developed between the two of them in the book. 

My only criticism was with the end of the book. As I was approaching the end of the book, I felt like that the momentum built as the book was coming to a close just came to an abrupt halt. I wish the book had ended differently despite it being a cliffhanger because I am left with unanswered questions that hopefully will be answered in a succeeding book. Other than that, it was fun and entertaining and are curious to see where this leads to.

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Pages: 352 pages
Publisher: Rosemary Beach Press (March 5, 2014)

Review: Vanessa and Her Sister by Priya Parmar

The relationship between sisters is something that has baffled many minds throughout the years. Some sisters get along seamlessly while others bicker and fight at all times. Vanessa and Her Sister is such a great book because it really questions and challenges the strength of the sister bond in a time that relationships meant everything. Priya Parmar really captures the ups and downs of life with a difficult sister. 

As an older sister myself, I really connected to Vanessa's character. Responsibility plays a major role in your life as you get older, and Vanessa is a great example of somebody who has accepted it without hesitation. Sometimes you forget yourself because you are trying so hard to make your siblings life as normal and exceptional as possible. Throughout the book, Vanessa has hurdles to overcome and I found myself rooting for her and telling my advice out loud as if she could hear me. 

The youngest sister, Virginia, really challenged my patience in most circumstances. Parmar did a great job of creating a dramatic and difficult character that the older sister, Vanessa, made excuses for. This is very realistic to me. Many times you will find the oldest sister making excuses for the younger sister because they either don't want to deal with it or really believe in them. Virginia's character represented a character that does not know what it is like to have responsibility like Vanessa does. 

Ultimately, I was extremely impressed with the character choices and way that the author chose to portray the day to day activities. The entire book is written like a diary from Vanessa's point-of-view, and Parmar gives you just enough from the days events for you to fill in the empty spaces. Especially as things begin to heat up between Vanessa, Virginia, and Clive, you find yourself being sucked into the book and character's world. I would recommend this to anybody who enjoys reading historical themed fiction with modern day problems. Vanessa and Her Sister is the soap opera version of a brilliant Jane Austen novel. I give it an 8 out of 10. 

Reviewed by Tiffany Hammel

Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books (December 30, 2014)

Review: The Amazing Tale of Anna Himmel and the Gold Sovereign by Stevie Henden

The Amazing Tale of Anna Himmel and the Gold Sovereign by Stevie Henden is a curious story. 

The narrative mainly follows Martin, a Londoner who ends up working at an outreach center. He finds out his boss has had dreams involving a gold sovereign that made its way through Martin’s family tree. 

The character of Martin is likeable. He has some arrogance and prejudice issues but they are dealt with during the course of the narrative. The novel deals with the LGTB community as well as talk about some stereotypes that come with homosexual males and transvestites. I believe that this is first and foremost a LGTB novel with sprinkles of the supernatural scattered liberally throughout. The book has bits of magic weaved throughout the narrative, like the mysterious gold sovereign and Iris’ dream powers/visions and the truth about Anna Himmel. Towards the end, the author had intriguing ideas about the afterlife and how angels work. 

I like the variety of ages and social statuses represented in this book. Martin is in his 30s and interacts with people in their 60s to 90s, bringing attention to the generational gap and different it was for homosexuals back when they were young (Martin’s story takes place in 2011). Also Martin is a city-boy who has to adjust his way of thinking when he starts working with people in more suburban communities with different mindsets. I think that type of dynamic fascinating and could have been explored further.  

The pacing seems a bit off in places and the author seems to gloss over important tidbits in favor of going directly to the results. One example is when Martin goes to a meeting where he learns more about the trans-community and what they go through but the author does not go into detail about what Martin heard or experienced. It just moves into the next paragraph saying that Martin had learned a lot from it.

Ultimately, the novel is an interesting read though I found myself more curious about Martin’s bosses than about the gold sovereign at times. I understand that this may not be for everyone but I believe it is worth a read.

Reviewed by Jazmin Gousse

Publisher: Matador Publishing Ltd
Publication date: 8/18/2014