(I wish there was a way to give three and a half stars.)
So this is my third Grant Palmquist book I've read and reviewed. The first book I read was A S...more(I wish there was a way to give three and a half stars.)
So this is my third Grant Palmquist book I've read and reviewed. The first book I read was A Song After Dark. Loved it. It was dark; it was disturbing; and it was brilliant. To this day when I think of Zach, it makes me shudder. The second book I read was Permanent Winter. This was the author's foray into the supernatural. This tale about a world with vampires left me a little cold, but it did have some redeeming qualities. When I was contacted by the author about possibly reviewing Dirge, I was curious to see where this would fall and gladly said yes.
The brief description on Goodreads.com does not even begin to describe Sterling Davis' life and death experiences. Excuse my language here, but in his real life, Sterling Davis is a d**k--plain and simple. He lives life fast and easy. His motto is lots of money, fast cars, and even faster women. Of course, this lifestyle leads to his demise, and then the real fun (said tongue in cheek) begins. The reckoning.
At the end of his hedonistic existence, Sterling finds himself in a sort of purgatory. He is met by a guide named Moloch who accompanies him on the first leg of his journey. He explains to Sterling that this is his one and only chance at redemption. He must pass the test to be reborn or spend an eternity in Hell. At some point, Moloch leaves him and the rest is up to him.
After some time alone, the last part of Sterling's journey is spent with his soul mate--a woman he'd never met during his lifetime. The pair must face demons, lost souls, strange animals, and challenges of hunger and thirst. They teeter on the brink of determination and despair. The reader really has no idea which way it will go. And as a reader with previous experience of Palmquist's novels, I knew it could go either way. This is not an author of the "happy ending."
As with all of his books, Palmquist is very adept at depicting the gruesomeness of characters and their actions. He is a master at creating the mood. Even now as I am writing this review, I feel the heaviness and the filth and grime of this in-between world.
There is one thing about the story that seemed incongruous. Sterling's journey is about redemption. It is a time of self-discovery--where he is supposed to learn all of things that are completely opposite of his existence on Earth such as love, selflessness, gratitude. In essence, all that is good. And yet every trial and tribulation he faces wreaks of death and destruction and requires that he fight and kill in order to be saved. In my mind, those are not actions that should be rewarded. I kept wondering if his actions were going to really pay off in the end, or would he learn that there was a different way to win without the violence.
So in the end, what happens? Does the devil get his soul or does he earn the right to try again? I invite you to read it and find out for yourself. While A Song After Dark still remains my favorite Grant Palmquist novel, I liked Dirge better than Permanent Winter. I really wish I could give this a three and half star rating. (less)
Defiant Heart is a gem of a book. It is a love story with some truly heart-wrenching moments. I laughed, I cried, I got angry, I cheered. If you are a...moreDefiant Heart is a gem of a book. It is a love story with some truly heart-wrenching moments. I laughed, I cried, I got angry, I cheered. If you are a fan of Nicholas Sparks, you will be a fan of this novel by Marty Steere. The writing is wonderful. The author draws the reader in right from the beginning. The characters are wonderful and the story line unfolds flawlessly.
This novel takes place in the 1940’s just before and during World War II. Jon Meyer is the main character. His story is one of loss, prejudice, courage, strength, hope, and love. Jon must overcome many obstacles, but through it all remains the remarkable individual that he is. He is smart, polite, respectful, proud, and loyal. The relationships that develop between Jon and his grandmother, Mary Dahlgren, Ben Wheeler, Walt Gallagher, and the men he served with in the army are wonderfully developed. He quickly wins over the reader, and you can’t help but root for him.
Mary Dahlgren is the perfect complement for Jon. She is intelligent, independent, and beautiful. She is a good judge of character and has a good moral compass. Mary also faces much adversity in the story, and she is betrayed by those closest to her. And yet, she remains true to herself and Jon.
I love books that evoke strong emotions. There were times I was so angry and frustrated by the events that occurred. Other times I was filled with such warmth. There were many anxious moments. And a few times I was moved to tears. One of the most-well-developed aspects of the book is the relationship between Jon and his grandmother. It was masterful how that evolved.
This is one of those books you find yourself thinking about long after the final chapter has been read. The characters stay with you, and you wish you could visit with them longer. Kudos to Marty Steere.(less)
This is a wonderful book chronicling the importance of women in ancient cultures. It was both enlightening and empowering to learn about the sacred fe...moreThis is a wonderful book chronicling the importance of women in ancient cultures. It was both enlightening and empowering to learn about the sacred feminine and how ancient civilizations revered the Goddess and her priestesses.
The book talks about archaeological discoveries supporting Goddess worship as far back as the Paleolithic era. It continued to be the center of cultures through the Mesolithic and Neolithic eras. It is interesting to note that during these era, the evidence points to a very peaceful existence. The drum was an instrument used for ritual and meditation. This history speaks to my soul and confirms for me why I always felt disconnected from the teachings of the most of the patriarchal religions of today where women are treated as second class citizens--as if they are inferior and not worthy of a direct relationship with God.
I don't think any woman could read this book without feeling a sense of reclaiming herself. We learn about women's suffrage and inequality in our history lessons, but we are never taught the ancient history of matriarchal cultures. By embarking on this journey, recognizing those stirrings inside of me and educating myself, I have a much greater sense of who I am and who we should and could be as women. (less)
I love reading historical novels about women in biblical times. So when I found The Way, I was very excited to read it. I found the premise intriguing...moreI love reading historical novels about women in biblical times. So when I found The Way, I was very excited to read it. I found the premise intriguing and not unlike some other books I’ve read and really enjoyed. However, this book did not deliver as well as some others.
My favorite part of the book was when Anna was in the caves with the sisters of The Way. Although Anna kept herself apart from the sisters, she learned what it meant to live in The Way. The sisters’ teachings were so profound and inspiring. They understood and honored the role of nature, Mother Earth, and their place in the universe. It was unfortunate that their teachings were done in secret and could not be shared with the world except by wanderers who feared for their lives if they were found out.
It was interesting how Anna became Jesus. And I understood how she was uniquely positioned to bring the teachings of The Way to a broader base. However, the story moved much too slowly in the beginning. The author spent a tremendous amount of time leading up the time Anna comes to live with the sisters. And then, once the sisters leave the caves and Anna begins her life delivering their teachings through Jesus, it seemed to gallop toward the finish line. I wished more time was spent on this part of the story. I felt like the author didn’t know how to get Anna through the trials and tribulations Jesus bore and still keep her gender a secret. And so the ending felt rushed and not as well conceived as the rest of the book.
There were definitely moments in this book that resonated with me, but I didn’t love it. I’m glad that I read it, but I would recommend others over this one for the genre. (less)
Just like the Red Church was forever lurking in the background of this small mountain town, this book has been lurking in my TBR pile for quite some t...moreJust like the Red Church was forever lurking in the background of this small mountain town, this book has been lurking in my TBR pile for quite some time. Every time I finished book and was looking for my next great read, I’d always pause on this cover in my long list on Goodreads and think, “I really want to read this.” Then I’d continue perusing the rest of the list and for some reason always settle on something else. That is until now. I don’t know what I was waiting for, but its beckoning has finally been answered. And I’m glad of it.
The Red Church is a story about a boy, a church, good, evil, and faith. It’s about growing up, challenges, and choices. Ronnie Day is at the age when girls have become important, little brothers are a pain, and parents still offer a sense of security and safety. Ronnie lives with his family in a small rural mountain town steeped in religion and legend. Every day he has to walk home from school past the haunted red church. His fear is palpable and is born of generations of ghost stories surrounding the church. It is not long before the reader learns that those stories are more than just tall tales.
Nicholson weaves a haunting tale of the ultimate battle of good and evil. His ability to conjure images with descriptive text is masterful. I could easily visualize the gruesome transformations of Archer McFall and often thought this would make an awesome movie.
Throughout the book I was asking myself, who or what is Archer McFall. Is he the anti-Christ? Is he the Devil? Is he a conjurer of evil demons or ghosts? His ability to play on people’s fears and weaknesses is scary. And he has a power to overcome a person’s sensibilities and place them in some sort of hypnotic trance that renders them completely helpless against him. I was anxious to see how such a monster could be defeated. In the end, there are a few twists and although there is definitely a resolution of sorts, questions still remain.
If you like a good horror story with religious undertones, this is a book for you. I definitely recommend it. (less)
One word… Lucas. OMG! This character has me thinking I need to start a new topic on my blog for book boyfriends. If I was in my early twenties and in...moreOne word… Lucas. OMG! This character has me thinking I need to start a new topic on my blog for book boyfriends. If I was in my early twenties and in college again, this would so be my type. Intelligent, caring, ass-kicking, hard-working, tattooed, motorcycle-riding artist with long dark hair and lickable abs. What’s not to like? But enough of that. Let’s talk about the book.
I enjoyed reading this book. It’s a good new adult novel about a normal young college woman dealing with heartbreak after her boyfriend of three years breaks up with her. And to make matters worse, one of his fraternity brothers attempts to rape her. Thankfully, a stranger appears out of nowhere and saves her before it’s too late. Enter, Lucas.
I really like the main character, Jacqueline. She is smart and attractive and trying to get herself together after being dumped. She has to endure seeing her ex in class for the rest of the semester, and the frat brother that assaulted her continues to harass her. So she has a lot to deal with. Fortunately, her best friend and roommate, Erin, is there for her.
Erin is a fun character. She plays all hard-ass, but she is a really good friend to Jacqueline. She really helps her to get her confidence and courage to face her attacker. She also encourages Jacqueline to play the field a bit and hook up with Lucas. Meanwhile, Jacqueline is also flirting with her economics tutor via email. Things get pretty interesting.
We first meet Lucas the night Jacqueline is attacked. He saves her before she is raped. She has no idea who he is and does not ask his name or anything when he sees her safely to her dorm. Later, she realizes he is in her economics class, and she runs into him at the coffee shop where he works. Lucas is an artist and carries a lot of baggage from his past. There is an air of mystery around him that adds to his sexiness. With Erin’s encouragement, Jacqueline chooses Lucas as her rebound guy. And despite Erin’s warnings, Jacqueline falls for him.
If you’re looking for a quick read with characters you can fall in love (and in lust) with, read Easy. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. And perhaps you’ll find yourself daydreaming about Lucas, like I did. Oh, did I say that out loud? (less)
This book is a memoir. I find it difficult to review memoirs. I like to read for entertainment, not necessarily to learn about history or someone’s li...moreThis book is a memoir. I find it difficult to review memoirs. I like to read for entertainment, not necessarily to learn about history or someone’s life experiences. But every now and then I am inexplicably drawn to a particular story or individual. Sister of Silence is one of those books.
I find reviewing memoirs difficult because we all have a story to tell. And some story-telling serves a higher purpose for the author than for the audience. I imagine there are many life experiences put to paper—in journals, diaries, poems, songs—that are never made public, but serve as a cathartic medium for the writer. Those that do make those writings public are brave individuals. I believe they do it in order to help those that are experiencing similar circumstances—to let them know they are not alone. To encourage them to hope and to seek help. For the courage and fortitude shown by those individuals that share their stories to heal themselves and encourage others to do the same, I rate them all five stars, despite what I might rate their book.
I applaud Daleen for bringing her story to light. Having never experienced the abuse Daleen suffered, it is difficult for me to imagine or understand how someone can allow someone else to treat them so poorly. While Daleen tried to explain her actions—or rather inactions on her own behalf—I still found myself asking why she didn’t do this or that. She spoke about her upbringing, her religion, her mother’s role, and her father’s role. All in all, it shaped her, she believed, into a person with little value. That is perhaps the saddest truth of the story. But, somewhere deep inside of Daleen, there was a tiny voice. It said “You deserve better than this.” And those are very powerful words. Thankfully, she had the strength to let that voice grow and eventually be heard.
I cannot say I enjoyed the book. How can one say they enjoyed reading about someone else’s pain and abuse. I can say I think it is an important book; one that should be on the shelves at women’s shelters, counseling centers, and other places where it might reach other women in similar circumstances. As much as this is a book about sexual and emotional abuse, it is also a book about strength and triumph. If it helps one woman overcome her victimization and lead a happier, healthier, and more productive life, it has served its purpose.(less)
I read Come Closer because I wanted to review a horror novel for Halloween. This book was in my TBR pile, so I thought I’d give it a shot. This quote...moreI read Come Closer because I wanted to review a horror novel for Halloween. This book was in my TBR pile, so I thought I’d give it a shot. This quote from the description held great promise:
“The mystery behind what's happening to Amanda in Come Closer is so frightening that it "ought to carry a warning to...readers.””
Sadly, it did not deliver. Novels about demon possession can be very creepy, especially in a quiet not-so-obvious way that can sneak up on you. I did have one such experience while reading this book. I was about half way through it when I awoke one night a little after midnight thinking that I heard something. I opened the door to my bedroom, stepped into the hallway, and turned on the light. As I looked down the hallway towards the stairs, I had this ice cold feeling creeping up my spine. I thought about the tap-tap in the book. I thought, “I better find something down there making noise.” Thankfully, I found the dishwasher had finished its cycle and was emitting four small beeps every minute or so. Relief washed over me. And I was pleased to think that maybe the book was scarier than I thought. But when I finished it a day and a half later, I was still left disappointed.
I think the issue for me was that the story lacked intensity. It was told in the past tense which took away the immediacy of the problem and the conflict. I never felt that heart-pounding rush of adrenaline spurring me on to find out what happens. I think if I was witnessing all of the events as they were occurring, it would have been much more horrifying. There would have been a sense of urgency, fear, and confusion. I didn’t sense or feel any of that from Amanda, the protagonist. In fact, she treated the whole nightmare quite nonchalantly. I felt she was weak and gave a half-hearted attempt to save herself. If you truly love horror, save yourself and find another book to read. (less)
I think I have said this before; I’m not really into Zombie books. I did read and enjoy Amanda Hocking’s Hollowland and Hollowmen, but I did not know...moreI think I have said this before; I’m not really into Zombie books. I did read and enjoy Amanda Hocking’s Hollowland and Hollowmen, but I did not know they were zombie books until after I had read a free excerpt from one of the books. By then, I was hooked. Now, I cannot claim the same thing for Aftereffects. I knew full well that it was a zombie book, but I found the concept so alluring, that I had to read it. I mean a psychiatrist whose clients consist of people who were once infected by the zombie virus, were cured, but can still remember being a zombie and what they did when they were. And on top of it, the psychiatrist has his own agenda—to find the people that killed his wife while they were infected. How could I resist?
The book starts off rather slow. It begins with Dr. Victor Frenzel, the protagonist, giving a presentation about the disease and the cure. But things get interesting with Dr. Frenzel’s first patient visit. All told, seven patients come to visit the good doctor. Each patient relates his or her story about being infected. The stories are incredibly detailed and graphic—definitely not for the faint of heart. I thought the book would include more about how the patients cope once they are cured. But there was none of that—only the doctor-patient sessions and stories of their zombie experiences. I think there was a missed opportunity here to really add some meat to the story. (No pun intended.)
The doctor’s methods of “treating” his patients are questionable, to say the least. And it appears that someone else is very interested in his “practices,” although we never learn who or why. The book comes to an abrupt end with no resolution. The only conclusion to be made is that there will be another book. Although I am curious to know who is watching Dr. Frenzel, I don’t think I care enough to read the sequel, if there is one.
So, if you like zombie books with lots of gory details, you’d probably enjoy this book. Just be prepared that things will be left unresolved and most likely, you will have to wait for the next book for a conclusion. (less)
From the moment I started reading this book, I was hooked. Rossi succeeds in creating this intriguing future world and populates it with wonderful cha...moreFrom the moment I started reading this book, I was hooked. Rossi succeeds in creating this intriguing future world and populates it with wonderful characters and experiences. At the beginning, the two groups of humans, the Outsiders and the Dwellers, seem worlds apart; but by the end, the two main characters—one Outsider and one Dweller—have come to see past their differences and understand one another.
Approximately 300 years before this story takes place, the earth experienced a cataclysmic event. It left the sky full of Aether and the environment very unstable. Artificial environments called Pods were constructed to house the people and keep them safe.
Unfortunately, not everyone was lucky enough to be selected to live in a Pod. Those who were are called Dwellers. Those who were not are called Outsiders. Over the course of 300 years, the Dwellers existence became dependent on technology. Everything from their food to their life experiences were created by technology. The Outsiders, on the other hand, became more primitive—relying more on their instincts and ability to adapt to their environment.
Aria is a Dweller. She has never left Reverie, the Pod where she was born, and every experience she has ever had has been digitally generated. Then, one day, circumstances make her an enemy of the high consul, and she is banished from the Pods. She is left to die in the Death Shop—the wilderness outside Reverie.
Peregrine or Perry as he is called, is an Outsider. His older brother is the Blood Lord of his Tribe, the Tides. Over the 300 years, Perry’s family has developed extraordinary gifts. In addition to being a skilled hunter with the bow and arrow, Perry is a Scire and a Seer. He has an extremely acute sense of smell. He can tell someone’s temper—fear, nervousness, happiness, etc.—from the way they smell. It also makes him an expert at tracking. In addition to his enhances sense of smell, Perry is also a Seer. He has the ability to see in the dark and for longer distances than the average person. Many Outsiders have developed gifts such as these, but few are blessed with more than one. Before Perry and Aria even know each other, he saves her life.
Ironically, by saving her life, he also condemns her, and their lives are irrevocably changed. At first they don’t trust each other, but each has something the other needs. And so they become unlikely allies. As their journey leads them through dangerous lands, I cheered for them; I ached for them; and I longed for them as they eventually longed for each other.
Rossi’s skill in unfolding the story and revealing the truths behind the characters kept me breathlessly turning the pages. Toward the end of the book, I had that moment where I couldn’t wait to see what happened, but simultaneously dreaded the book coming to an end. Unfortunately—or fortunately—depending how you look at it, the book left me hanging, which means that Aria and Perry’s story is yet to be continued. I am looking forward to spending more time with them. The second book, Through the Ever Night,/i>, is due out in January 2013. It can’t get here soon enough! (less)
Wow! What at devastatingly haunting and sobering book. To read this now, in the year 2012, with all of the talk of the end of the world, is quite thou...moreWow! What at devastatingly haunting and sobering book. To read this now, in the year 2012, with all of the talk of the end of the world, is quite thought-provoking and frankly, horrifying. This account of how the end my come is chilling and agonizing and quite plausible. Perhaps not the part about the moon getting knocked off its access, but certainly the slow creeping hand of death.
The setting for the novel is New York City. An asteroid slams into the moon and changes its position relative to Earth. And thus, the story begins. It chronicles the first seven months following the shifting of the moon. The deterioration of the atmosphere, the city, and the personal living conditions of the Morales family are frightening.
The story is told in a very quiet, human way. It is not a book filled with explosions and heroic action figures. Instead, it is a slow, drawn-out progression from the mild annoyance of power outages to the horrible reality of starvation. By no means does this imply boring. In fact, I could not put it down. I had to find out what was going to happen to Alex and his sisters.
Ultimately, it is a story about family, strength, love, fortitude, faith, and hope. And yet, the way it unfolds punches you in the gut and makes your heart ache. You can imagine it. You can smell it, see it, and feel it. Many times I was moved to tears. Thankfully, you can close the book and leave it behind. And as a result, feel blessed for all that you have. It also emphasizes that hope is a tremendous motivator. When you lose hope, there is nothing more to live for.
I read this book because my fourteen-year-old son chose it from his school’s summer reading list. It had quite and impact on him. He often talked about the book while he was reading it and recommended that I read it. While I don’t know that I would have encouraged him to read something so dire and sad, his response to it showed me what a compassionate and remarkable individual he is becoming. I am glad he suggested I read it, and I applaud the author for such a realistic and sobering experience. (less)
I read this novella for two reasons—one, curiosity and two, I needed a quick read to catch up on my Goodreads.com goal. LOL! Mission accomplished on t...moreI read this novella for two reasons—one, curiosity and two, I needed a quick read to catch up on my Goodreads.com goal. LOL! Mission accomplished on the latter and the former certainly deserves a nod.
This novella is a coming of age story of sorts. It is interesting that it is told from a young male’s perspective, but is written by a female author. I read that the author has been complimented on her ability to capture the essence of the male teenage mind. Having never been one, I can neither substantiate the claim nor refute it. But the banter between the friends and their preoccupation with sex certainly rings true.
The three friends—Dave, Mark, and Pete—are seniors and, of course, are not jocks or popular. None of them have had girlfriends, and they are determined to score this year. Their daily routine of appraising their female classmates and ranking them on their “list” is both immature and slightly amusing in the context of the story and their circumstances. Then…along comes Amy, the new girl that represents endless possibilities. All three boys lust after Amy, and she becomes the prize to obtain. But for Dave, she becomes so much more.
Dave is the first to see Amy, and he is immediately infatuated with her physical beauty. So much so, that he does not even tell his friends about her. For weeks he entertains the typical teenage fantasies but is unable to approach her in the real world. Finally, Mark and Pete discover her, and she becomes the object of their desires. Fearful that he might lose out to one of his friends, Dave finally asks Amy out. Their date is at once everything he hoped for, and yet nothing like he expected. And in one night, he is transformed from a hormone-charged adolescent to a sensitive young man. And the possibilities of Amy stay with him for a lifetime.
I was pleasantly surprised by this short novella. It accomplishes quite a lot in a minimal amount of pages, and left me thinking about it long after. Pick it up and give it a read. You won’t be disappointed. (less)
I have to admit that I don’t read a lot of detective novels. But I definitely want to spend more time with Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch! Loved this book!...moreI have to admit that I don’t read a lot of detective novels. But I definitely want to spend more time with Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch! Loved this book! I like that fact that it is set back in the day before cell phones and when people smoked in their offices and conference rooms—just about everywhere. Mind you I am not a smoker and frankly it drives me crazy when people smoke around me, but there’s something about the whole gritty old-school police detective vibe that gets me.
I really like Harry. He is a hard-hitting detective out to get the bad guys and is not above bending the rules to do it. Yet Connelly allows us glimpses into the heart and soul of the man behind the shield. It’s those moments when the reader gets inside Harry’s heart and head that make me like him—when the reader is privy to his doubts and vulnerabilities, and yet on the outside he is unable or unwilling to communicate these thoughts and feelings. It had me thinking, “Oh, Harry.”
The particular case that Harry is working on in this novel is intriguing. It is connected to a case that Harry worked on four years previously and is currently being tried for in civil court by the widow of the murderer. There are several twists and a few surprises. The story moves along at a good pace and provides plenty of action and suspense.
In addition to working the case and being on trial, Harry has a developing relationship with a school teacher, Sylvia. This relationship has its own complexities, but they are good for each other. I found myself rooting for them despite the obstacles. It is during these scenes in the book when I found myself saying “Oh, Harry” the most!
After I finished the book, I looked for more books featuring Harry Bosch, police detective. I found several. And I also found that this book is actually the third in the series. So I added the first two, The Black Echo and The Black Ice, to my TBR pile. If you like detective novels, pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed. (less)
This book is a delightful collection of short stories. Each story is meant to illustrate one of the seven gifts that came to the earth from the creato...moreThis book is a delightful collection of short stories. Each story is meant to illustrate one of the seven gifts that came to the earth from the creator. A boy is tasked by an angel to read the seven stories to gain the knowledge of the seven gifts. As he reads each of the stories, he ponders their meaning and significance and the angel helps him sort it out. Once he has learned what the seven gifts are and why they are important, he travels to earth to impart this knowledge to the people there in an effort to save them from the path they are on.
The very first story told by the angel to the boy is about a young girl who becomes a woman and all that she loses along the way. Not the monetary losses or even losses of those she loves, but the loss of wonder, trust, imagination, and all of those wonderful aspects of childhood that are shed for worldliness, practicality, and realistic adult pursuits. It is a sad tale and meant to depict the way life on earth has become. And it is this state of existence that has triggered the need for the boy to read the stories and deliver their messages to the people of earth in an effort to save them from themselves.
The stories resemble children’s fables. Some characters are likable, some are detestable. Some learn a lesson, others never will. The stories run the gamut from the return of an ostracized rock star to an old woman’s desire to die; from a bee’s incessant drive to be the best to a dolphin’s need to save humans. Each story carries its own tone and message. Through them, we learn about these fundamental and important gifts.
The book is an easy read because each story is self-contained within the larger story of the boy and the angel. It has a natural rhythm and it just feels right to start and end a story in each sitting. Between each story, the angel and the boy would interact in such a way to ensure that the boy understood the significance of the tale. This progression allows the reader to also ponder each story and try to figure out the gift before the angel and boy discuss it. It gives you the sense of actually participating as the gifts are unveiled. If you like books such as The Alchemist and The Celestial Bar, or enjoy fables and fairytales with a message, you will enjoy this book. (less)
This is a truly lovely story about two individuals who live seemingly disparate lives but eventually find each other. Is it the will of God? Is it orc...moreThis is a truly lovely story about two individuals who live seemingly disparate lives but eventually find each other. Is it the will of God? Is it orchestrated by Spirit? These and many other questions will dance around your head and your heart as you join medium B. Anne Gehman and her husband, former Jesuit priest Wayne Knoll, PhD. on their spiritual journeys.
The book tells each person’s story—altering between Anne and Wayne—in a linear fashion from the 1930’s through the early 2000’s. Their lives are so different and yet so similar, it is fascinating to watch them develop and unfold side by side in this book. As the book progressed, I could not imagine what would bring these two extraordinary people together.
Although my desire to know how Anne and Wayne met and fell in love was an impetus to keep me reading, it was not the only one. It is the determination and faith of each of these characters that kept me invested in their stories and their growth. Initially, I was most intrigued by Anne’s special gifts as a medium, but I became equally fascinated with Wayne’s journey into the priesthood. Both Anne and Wayne are so confident and passionate about their paths and purposes, it is inspiring.
A treat at the end of the book is an interview the author did with Wayne and Anne. It is honest and thoughtful and really gives you a sense of what they mean to one another and how their mutual respect for the others faith only brings them closer—to each other, to God, and to Spirit. My favorite quote from the interview comes from Wayne when discussing an irreconcilable intellectual difference between Anne and him:
“…If we cannot—not just Anne and me, but humankind—if we cannot maintain mutual respect when there are intellectual differences, then all civilization is tribal….Then the only people that matter are those in our tribe. And this is why we have such problems in the world today. We don’t all have to be Spiritualists or Catholics, but we do need mutual respect, while maintaining the integrity of one’s personal identity.” Amen. (less)
The first book of Grant Palmquist’s that I read was A Song After Dark. I really liked the book, so I was looking forward to reading another. I did not...moreThe first book of Grant Palmquist’s that I read was A Song After Dark. I really liked the book, so I was looking forward to reading another. I did not like Permanent Winter as much as A Song After Dark, but it was still worth the read. While A Song After Dark was about the evil that lurks in humankind, Permanent Winter takes a look at the gruesome existence of vampires. The world Palmquist creates is one of evil and depravity. The reader is bombarded with a constant stream of unsavory characters, murders, rapes, and immoral behaviors. The only relief comes in the form of two rather dull humans with no lives to speak of, no motivation, and no direction. Their faith in God seems to be the only thing sustaining them. But even that cannot save them from the depths of this hell on earth.
This book was a bit tough for me to review. My first impression of the book when I finished it was that I did not like it. But I always give myself time to mull over my reviews so I can contemplate not only my emotional reaction to a book, but the writing itself, the movement, and the characters so I can give an accurate and truthful opinion. After writing my initial draft and talking to a friend of mine about the book, I came to change my opinion a bit. I realized that what I was looking for was some sort of hope or light at the end of the all the darkness, but it never came. And then I thought, just because it never came, doesn’t mean the author did not accomplish exactly what he set out to do. Maybe the point of the story is that sometimes things are what they are, even if it means they are crappy.
This same lack of movement from dark to light extends to the characters as well. I felt like the character development was nonexistent. All of the characters were who they were, and there was no growth or development. Things just happened to them without really changing them or altering their paths—except of course in the obvious physical transformation. Initially, I thought there was potential in Joshua. His belief in God and quest to find his reason for living seemed to be a beacon in an otherwise dark and bleak world. But answers never came and after a while, I got tired of Joshua’s whining and inaction. His relationships with his parents were horrible and for good reason. But I still felt like I wanted him to grow up and just make peace with it all already. Once he met Ruth, I thought she would bring him to the light—pull him out of the funk he was in. But soon his conversations with her just seemed to go nowhere. Somehow in his messed up vision of what he was supposed to be, he could not give her the one thing she really needed and wanted, even though he wanted it too. He was essentially impotent in every way. He could not be with Ruth physically; he did not try to prevent his father’s murder; he could not fight becoming a vampire; he could not save Ruth; and he could not kill Ron. His only success was to rid the world of Blane, but he sacrificed Ruth’s humanity before he could do it.
So in the end, I was left wondering WTF. I hope that Joshua and Ruth represent a new order, but the final chapter has me thinking maybe it is all just a game between Ron and Mallory. I don’t know, but the more important thing here is, I don’t know that I care. The story began dark and dreary with little to no hope. And in the end, there wasn’t anyone to hope for. And that, my friends, might just be the point. Or did I miss something. Perhaps you should read it and find out for yourselves.(less)
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