Darcia Helle's Blog, page 3

Book Review — HIDDEN PICTURES by Jason Rekulak

From Edgar Award-finalist Jason Rekulak comes a wildly inventive spin on the supernatural thriller, for fans of Stranger Things and Riley Sager, about a woman working as a nanny for a young boy with strange and disturbing secrets.

Mallory Quinn is fresh out of rehab when she takes a job as a babysitter for Ted and Caroline Maxwell. She is to look after their five-year-old son, Teddy.

Mallory immediately loves it. She has her own living space, goes out for nightly runs, and has the stability she craves. And she sincerely bonds with Teddy, a sweet, shy boy who is never without his sketchbook and pencil. His drawings are the usual fare: trees, rabbits, balloons. But one day, he draws something different: a man in a forest, dragging a woman’s lifeless body.

Then, Teddy’s artwork becomes increasingly sinister, and his stick figures quickly evolve into lifelike sketches well beyond the ability of any five-year-old. Mallory begins to wonder if these are glimpses of a long-unsolved murder, perhaps relayed by a supernatural force.

Knowing just how crazy it all sounds, Mallory nevertheless sets out to decipher the images and save Teddy before it’s too late.

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My Thoughts

I’m standing on the sidelines again, wondering why everyone is cheering so loudly for something that makes me shrug with indifference.

I thought Hidden Pictures was an okay read, but not worthy of all the hype. I loved the premise, but the execution lost me along the way.

Here’s the stuff that bugged me:

Stereotypes abound. We have wealthy, liberal, atheist parents who only buy organic and set firm limits on things like screen time. We have an outspoken libertarian neighbor who freely spouts her political opinions at relative strangers. There’s a Mexican family who runs, of course, a lawn service. Then we have Mallory, our main character, an ex-addict with a tragic past, who is later saved by NA and Jesus, becoming the perfect spokesperson for recovery.

I was rolling with this because the story was interesting enough. But, wow, the final quarter turned into something else entirely. I can’t be specific because of spoilers. It just got to be ridiculous, with characters doing things that were, forgive the pun, out of character. I did a lot of muttering because choices and actions were just silly.

The overblown ending went way too far for me.

The writing itself is great, as is the premise. But a big no for the rest.

The post Book Review — HIDDEN PICTURES by Jason Rekulak appeared first on Quiet Fury Books.

THE POWER OF AWE: Overcome Burnout Anxiety, Ease Chronic Pain, Find Clarity Purpose—In Less Than 1 Minute Per Day by Jake Eagle and Michael Amster

Discover a clinically proven way to reduce inflammation, stress, loneliness, and burnout while improving overall well-being
 
Research has proven that mindfulness improves well-being and reduces stress, anxiety, and pain. But for some, the practice itself feels challenging and inaccessible. That’s where the A.W.E. Method comes in. In The Power of Awe, therapist Jake Eagle and chronic pain specialist Michael Amster, MD, share their extraordinary yet simple mindfulness practice that turns ordinary moments into awe-inducing experiences, helping you effortlessly achieve a heightened state of consciousness usually reserved for seasoned practitioners of mindfulness—all within a matter of seconds.

A.W.E. stands for Attention, Wait, Exhale and Expand, and the method is a five- to fifteen-second, three-step process—a type of “microdosing mindfulness,” or a brief, informal mindfulness practice supported by research conducted at UC Berkeley. The A.W.E. Method quickly transports us into awe, an incredibly powerful emotion that produces wonderment and a heightened state of consciousness along with some remarkable changes in the mind and body that can improve health and wellness.

Experiencing awe does not require any demanding discipline or skills or “awesome” settings. The A.W.E. Method ensures that awe and its many benefits are accessible to you at any time, in any place—sitting at a stoplight, cooking a meal, petting an animal, or listening to a loved one’s laugh.

Release Date: January 3, 2023

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My Thoughts

I’m not usually a fan of “self-help” books, largely because they’re like one-size-fits-all clothing, which never fits me right. But The Power of Awe, with its attention to issues such as chronic pain relief, appealed to me, and I was happy to receive an early copy from the publisher.

According to the authors, you can achieve mind-blowing results from their A.W.E. technique by implementing the practice for less than one minute per day. And the method really is that simple. You’ll learn everything you need to know about how to do it in about two pages worth of text.

The rest of the content is directly and tangentially related to neuroscience and meditation in general. The authors talk a lot about mindfulness and intention. I’ve been meditating since the age of 15 (the Dark Ages) and I’ve read a lot of neuroscience, so none of this information was new to me. However, it’s well structured, and the information is important for anyone not familiar with the basics. 

What I learned is that I’ve already been practicing this A.W.E. technique for decades. Now these moments of intention and mindfulness have a specific name, and maybe my awareness of this will bring more mindfulness and the promised awe. Time will tell.

If you’re a person with a busy mind, if you tend to dwell in the negative, or if you’re prone to anxiety, then this would be a great technique for you to learn.

*Thanks to Hachette Go for the free copy.*

The post THE POWER OF AWE: Overcome Burnout Anxiety, Ease Chronic Pain, Find Clarity Purpose—In Less Than 1 Minute Per Day by Jake Eagle and Michael Amster appeared first on Quiet Fury Books.

Mixed Feelings on a Popular Book — BEARTOWN by Fredrik Backman

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Anxious People, a dazzling and profound novel about a small town with a big dream—and the price required to make it come true.

By the lake in Beartown is an old ice rink, and in that ice rink Kevin, Amat, Benji, and the rest of the town’s junior ice hockey team are about to compete in the national semi-finals—and they actually have a shot at winning. All the hopes and dreams of this place now rest on the shoulders of a handful of teenage boys.

Under that heavy burden, the match becomes the catalyst for a violent act that will leave a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. Accusations are made and, like ripples on a pond, they travel through all of Beartown.

This is a story about a town and a game, but even more about loyalty, commitment, and the responsibilities of friendship; the people we disappoint even though we love them; and the decisions we make every day that come to define us. In this story of a small forest town, Fredrik Backman has found the entire world.

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My Thoughts

I’m not sure how I feel about this book.

The first third or so of Beartown dragged. Pacing was oh so slow, the content was repetitive and, honestly, I was bored.

Then something happened that I wasn’t expecting. I didn’t know this was going to be that kind of book. The content is HEAVY.

From that point on, for me, too much was happening. The whole thing exploded, and EVERYONE had some sort of serious personal drama going on.

The storytelling style is distant. We have LOTS of narrating characters. We dissect family relationships, marriages, and friendships. We’re told what happens, how each person feels about it, what their inner turmoil is, but rarely do we settle in close to experience those moments. So I didn’t feel the depth of emotion I should have, given the content.

The other thing that bugged me was the way almost all the chapters ended with pithy statements about human nature and life lessons that felt extremely heavy handed. These came across as the author, rather than the characters, giving us teachable moments from the story’s content. Ugh.

And, yet, something about this book made me keep reading / listening. The content and writing style is equal parts compelling and frustrating.

The audio is extremely well done, and that got me through a lot of the book when I might otherwise have skimmed.

So, as I said at the start, I’m not sure how I feel about this book. I’m here straddling the fence, glad I read it, but I wouldn’t choose to read it again.

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An Epic Fantasy! KAGEN THE DAMNED by Jonathan Maberry

Kagen the Damned marks the first installment of an exciting new series of dark epic fantasy novels from bestselling author Jonathan Maberry.

Sworn by Oath
Kagen Vale is the trusted and feared captain of the palace guard, charged with protection of the royal children of the Silver Empire. But one night, Kagen is drugged and the entire imperial family is killed, leaving the empire in ruins.

Abandoned by the Gods
Haunted and broken, Kagen is abandoned by his gods and damned forever. He becomes a wanderer, trying to take down as many of his enemies as possible while plotting to assassinate the usurper, the deadly Witch-king of Hakkia. While all around him magic―long banished from the world―returns in strange and terrifying ways.

Fueled by Rage
To exact his vengeance, Kagen must venture into strange lands, battle bizarre and terrifying creatures, and gather allies for a suicide mission into the heart of the Witch-king’s empire.

Kings and gods will fear him.

Kagen the Damned

Released: May 2022

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My Thoughts

Kagen the Damned is a nuanced story about society, religion, war, and beliefs.

We see how truth becomes fluid—an adaptable, almost malleable thing—depending on who tells the story. I loved how the content reflected so much of our current society and humanity (or lack thereof) without ever feeling preachy or heavy-handed.

So this book is a bit of a monster. If you tend to shy away from long books, this one probably isn’t for you. The story is detailed, taking its time exploring moods and emotions and the consequences of actions. And while I’m not usually known for my patience, I loved every word. We don’t meander unnecessarily. Each section has a point, a meaning, an intention. A complex plot, richly developed characters, and thought-provoking content kept me fully invested throughout. 

The twist near the end? Spun me like a top! I didn’t see it coming at all.

This is the first book in the Kagen the Damned Series. I was so hooked that I’m already reading an eARC of book two, Son of the Poison Rose, which releases in a few weeks.

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Review — THE NARRATIVE: The Plot Bandits, Book 3 by Katherine Vick

THE BIGGER THE ARMY, THE HARDER IT FALLS

Everyone in the Taskmaster’s Realm knows that narrative convention is as real as the laws of physics (and often much realer). The ferryman is crotchety and greedy and must be tricked. The mystic ghost has essential wisdom to impart. Barbarians are stupid, hairy drunkards led by a berserker. Convention is just the way the world operates.

And it’s oh, so predictable.

So when Fodder and his friends are forced their separate ways, held captive against impossible odds, and threatened by a fate worse than death, they begin to wonder: If we know exactly how the world works, can’t we make it work for us?

It’s time to play.

Released: November 2022

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My Thoughts

What if we’re all characters in a story?

And what happens to the characters when they’re not in a particular scene?

The Narrative is the third of four books in The Plot Bandits series, which asks these questions and more in an outrageously fun and insightful way. 

Content feels more action/adventure than the first two. We’re off and running from the first page, with our heroes split up and doing their best not to screw up the whole plan, such as it is. 

My favorite aspect is Pleasance’s character trajectory, as she learns about herself as a woman, her own wants and needs, as opposed to what has been expected of her.

This series definitely needs to be read in order, starting with book one, The Disposable. Now, if you need me, I’ll be sitting here dangling on the ledge as I await the final book.

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Raw, Provocative, Profound — BENEATH CRUEL WATERS by Jon Bassoff

A wrenching psychological thriller in the vein of Tana French’s In the Woods, Jon Bassoff’s Beneath Cruel Waters reminds us that the sins of the mothers are the sins of the sons.

Holt Davidson, a Kansas firefighter, hasn’t been back to his hometown of Thompsonville, Colorado, for more than two decades, but when he learns that his estranged mother has taken her own life, he returns for the funeral, hoping to make peace with her memory. He spends the night at his childhood home, rummaging through each room, exploring the past. But instead of nostalgic souvenirs, he discovers a gun, a love letter, and a Polaroid photograph of a man lying in his own blood.

Who is the dead man? Was his mother the one who killed him, and, if so, why? Who sent the love letter? And what role did his sister, institutionalized since she was a teenager, play in this act of violence? As his own traumatic memories begin to resurface, Holt begins an investigation into his mother’s and sister’s pasts — as well as his own.

Published: June 2022

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My Thoughts

Beneath Cruel Waters is beautiful words about messy lives.

The content is real and raw and honest and heartbreaking. It’s thoughtful and provocative and profound. Lots of adjectives because I have lots of feelings.

I stepped inside and experienced this story, and it left a mark I can’t wipe off. 

This is not a throwaway thriller. This story is a slow burn with nightmare-inducing intensity that’s meant to be savored.

To be clear: all the stars for this book!

Read the synopsis if you want, but I won’t tell you anything. No risk of spoilers here. Just read the book because, really, I know you want to.

*Thanks to Blackstone Publishing for the free copy!*

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Review — A DOOMFUL OF SUGAR: Maple Syrup Mysteries, Book 1 by Catherine Bruns

First in the new Maple Syrup cozy mystery series from USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns.

There’s nothing sweet about murder…

Leila Khoury has always believed that everyone loved her father as much as they loved his artisanal maple syrup. But when he’s killed, and she returns to Sugar Ridge, Vermont to take over his business, she starts to realize how much of his life she’s left untapped.

With her brother under suspicion, her mother just barely holding it together, and police not producing any leads, Leila will have to investigate herself if she wants answers about her father’s sticky end. But the more she learns, the more she worries that there won’t be a sappy ending to the story.

Published: October 2022

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My Thoughts

I’d been in the mood for a fun cozy mystery. This is my third in a row, all failures, which might be a sign for me to move away from the genre.

What I didn’t like:

Leila, our main character, is the kind of person I’d avoid, making it difficult to force myself to hang out with her, even fictionally. She’s back in her hometown about five whole minutes before she starts randomly accusing people of murdering her father. Everyone gets a turn at her finger pointing. I’m surprised she didn’t accuse her mother.She flits from one accusation to the next with little proof, then withdraws the accusations just as quickly with just as little proof.Despite her consistent meddling in the murder investigation, she acts shocked and outraged when one of her “suspects” later confronts her.The murder isn’t all that complicated to solve, making the cops appear stupid.The killer does the “true confession” ending, boasting about everything to the next intended victim, which of course allows time for said victim to avoid death.The business in this story, a maple syrup company, is called Sappy Endings. I will remember that forever because the characters referred to it by name 72,695 times. That might be a minor exaggeration, but not once did anyone say “the business,” “the company,” “the office,” or just plain “work.” Ugh.

What I did like:

The story ended.

The post Review — A DOOMFUL OF SUGAR: Maple Syrup Mysteries, Book 1 by Catherine Bruns appeared first on Quiet Fury Books.

Review — VINYL RESTING PLACE: The Record Shop Mysteries, Book 1 by Olivia Blacke

First in a new series by Olivia Blacke, Vinyl Resting Place follows three sisters who discover that opening a family business can be murder.

When Juni Jessup and her sisters Tansy and Maggie put all their beans in one basket to open Sip & Spin Records, a record-slash-coffee shop in Cedar River, Texas, they knew there could be some scratches on the track, but no one was expecting to find a body deader than disco in the supply closet.

Family is everything to the Jessups, so when their uncle is arrested by Juni’s heartbreaking ex on suspicion of murder, the sisters don’t skip a beat putting Sip & Spin up for bail collateral. But their tune changes abruptly when Uncle Calvin disappears, leaving them in a grind. With their uncle’s freedom and the future of their small business on the line, it’s up to Juni and her sisters to get in the groove and figure out whodunit before the killer’s trail―and the coffee―goes cold.

Music and mocha seem like a blend that should be “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” but caught up in a murder investigation with her family and their life savings on the line, Juni wonders if she might be on the “Highway to Hell” instead.

Release Date: December 27, 2022

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My Thoughts

I’m a lifelong vinyl collector, and I was in the mood for a fun mystery, so this book seemed like the perfect fit. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me.

I didn’t feel any of the characters were well developed. I liked Juni, our narrator, but her love interests had no spark whatsoever. Beau was an arrogant bully with absolutely no redeeming qualities I could find. For the life of me, I couldn’t understand why anyone put up with the guy. Teddy was the exact opposite, practically a wallflower, with little personality on display.

The plot felt weak to me, as well as the resulting whodunit and why. 

Pacing was sluggish, with lots of repetition.

I enjoyed the musical references, but I needed more to hold my interest.

*I received an eARC from St. Martin’s Press, via NetGalley.*

The post Review — VINYL RESTING PLACE: The Record Shop Mysteries, Book 1 by Olivia Blacke appeared first on Quiet Fury Books.

Book Review — I’M NOT BROKEN: A Memoir by Jesse Leon

Born to indigenous working-class Mexican immigrants in San Diego in the 1970s, Jesse Leon’s childhood was violently ruptured. A dangerous and harrowing encounter at a local gift shop when he was eleven years old left Jesse with a deadly secret. Hurt, alone, and scared for his life, Jesse numbed his pain by losing himself in the hyper-masculine culture of the streets and wherever else he could find it—in alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. Overlooked by state-sanctioned institutions and systems intended to help victims of abuse, neglected like many other low-income Latinos, Jesse spiraled into cycles of suicide and substance abuse.
 
I’m Not Broken is the heartbreaking and remarkable story of the journey Jesse takes to win back his life, leading him to the steps of Harvard University. From being the lone young person of color in Narcotics Anonymous meetings to coming to terms with his own sexual identity, to becoming an engaged mentor for incarcerated youth, Jesse finds the will to live with the love and support of his family, friends, and mentors. Recounting the extraordinary circumstances of his life, Jesse offers a powerful, raw testament to the possibilities of self-transformation and self-acceptance. Unforgettable, I’m Not Broken is an inspirational portrait of one young man’s indomitable strength and spirit to survive—against all possible odds.

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My Thoughts

So, wow. This was hard to read. I can’t imagine having lived it.

I’m Not Broken is Jesse Leon’s memoir. It’s dark, raw, unapologetically honest, sad, depressing, hopeful, and ultimately, a powerful proclamation of resilience and success despite the odds.

Jesse was a young adolescent, just beginning to question his sexual identity, when a chance encounter led to years of sexual abuse. This spiraled into drug abuse, prostitution, and the kind of on-the-edge lifestyle from which too many people never recover.

This took me a while to read because I had to keep putting it down. Jesse doesn’t shy away from details, and I felt it all.

Fortunately, we have a happy ending. Jesse Leon is a rare success story, and by sharing it he provides insight into a broken system, and hope for those caught within it.

*Thanks to Vintage Anchor Books for the free copy!*

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Intensely, Achingly Beautiful — ALONE WITH YOU IN THE ETHER by Olivie Blake

From Olivie Blake, the New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six, comes an intimate and contemporary study of time, space, and the nature of love. Alone with You in the Ether explores what it means to be unwell, and how to face the fractures of yourself and still love as if you’re not broken.

CHICAGO, SOMETIME―
Two people meet in the Art Institute by chance. Prior to their encounter, he is a doctoral student who manages his destructive thoughts with compulsive calculations about time travel; she is a bipolar counterfeit artist, undergoing court-ordered psychotherapy. By the end of the story, these things will still be true. But this is not a story about endings.

For Regan, people are predictable and tedious, including and perhaps especially herself. She copes with the dreariness of existence by living impulsively, imagining a new, alternate timeline being created in the wake of every rash decision.

To Aldo, the world feels disturbingly chaotic. He gets through his days by erecting a wall of routine: a backbeat of rules and formulas that keep him going. Without them, the entire framework of his existence would collapse.

For Regan and Aldo, life has been a matter of resigning themselves to the blueprints of inevitability―until the two meet. Could six conversations with a stranger be the variable that shakes up the entire simulation?

Published: November 2022

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My Thoughts

My favorite audiobook of the year!

Also one of my favorite books, ever.

The audio has a full cast of narrators with a brilliant execution. Normally I have to do something mindless, like vacuuming and laundry, while I listen to an audiobook, but with this one I wanted to simply be still.

The writing—word choices, rhythm, pacing, plot execution—is perfection.

The story itself is intensely, achingly beautiful.

This is a love story, but not like any sort of romance you’ve ever read. Some of the things the content addresses include:

Mental health, done in a way I’ve never seen before.Parents’ expectations and labels placed upon us, and the resulting constraints that we unconsciously allow ourselves to live within.Feeling like an outsider, like you don’t fit right with anyone or anything, and the struggle to find your place in the world.The very personal nature of love.

I want to say a million other things, but those things would be my interpretations and spoilers. This is the kind of story to go into blind, free of expectations.

Definitely read/listen to the author’s acknowledgements at the end, where Olivie Blake shares some personal information that led her to the writing of this book.

*Enormous gratitude to Macmillan Audio for providing me with a free audiobook download.*

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