Cynthia Sally Haggard's Blog: Cynthia Sally's Blog, page 19

THE STORYTELLER by Jodi Picoult, narrated by Mozhan Marno (Sage), Jennifer Ikeda (Anya), Edoardo Ballerini (Josef), Suzanne Toren (Minka), Fred Berman (Leo)

This has to be the first novel, or at least the first novel in a long time of Jodi Picoult’s that DIDN’T end in a courtroom! Which was refreshing.

As usual, Jodi Picoult tackles a difficult moral issue. What would YOU do if a 95-year-old man asked you to help him to die? Most of you would probably refuse, not least because you would probably be accused of murder (which could land you in prison) or for various moral, ethical or religious reasons.

But supposing this 95-year-old man, a pillar of the local community, told you that he was a former SS Officer at Auschwitz? And then, just suppose, that your much-beloved grandmother had been a survivor of the same concentration camp?

What would you do?

Sage Singer is a 25-year-old woman with scars, both visible and invisible. She works by night in a bakery so that no-one can see the scar that bisects her face, the result of a car accident which killed her mother. As Sage was driving the car when the accident happened, she feels a never-ending mixture of grief and guilt over this incident.

Wilhelmina (Minka) Singer is Sage’s grandmother, a woman now in her late 80s, who has never talked about her past. It is only recently that Sage has discovered that she is a survivor of Auschwitz.

So when Josef Weber, a charming gentlemanly man in the local grief counseling group befriends lonely Sage, and then subsequently asks her to – in effect – murder him, Sage reaches out to the DOJ to report that there is a Nazi in their midst (in a quiet village in New Hampshire.)

Enter Leo Stein, a Nazi Hunter & charismatic lawyer who works for the DOJ. He is determined to catch Josef Weber and make him pay for his crimes before it is too late.

But is Leo right? Should he capture a 95-year-old man in order to make his last years a misery (by forcing him to spend them in jail.) Or should Josef receive the forgiveness he asks for?

I thought this novel was magnificent. Yes, there are many stories that are woven together, but Ms. Picoult did such an expert job of keeping the narrative flow going, that I couldn’t put this book down. Five Stars.

Tap here for YOUR copy of Jodi Picoult’s THE STORYTELLER

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult, narrated by Mozhan Marno (Sage), Jennifer Ikeda (Anya), Edoardo Ballerini (Josef), Suzanne Toren (Minka), Fred Berman (Leo)

This has to be the first novel, or at least the first novel in a long time of Jodi Picoult’s that DIDN’T end in a courtroom! Which was refreshing.

As usual, Jodi Picoult tackles a difficult moral issue. What would YOU do if a 95-year-old man asked you to help him to die? Most of you would probably refuse, not least because you would probably be accused of murder (which could land you in prison) or for various moral, ethical or religious reasons.

But supposing this 95-year-old man, a pillar of the local community, told you that he was a former SS Officer at Auschwitz? And then, just suppose, that your much-beloved grandmother had been a survivor of the same concentration camp?

What would you do?

Sage Singer is a 25-year-old woman with scars, both visible and invisible. She works by night in a bakery so that no-one can see the scar that bisects her face, the result of a car accident which killed her mother. As Sage was driving the car when the accident happened, she feels a never-ending mixture of grief and guilt over this incident.

Wilhelmina (Minka) Singer is Sage’s grandmother, a woman now in her late 80s, who has never talked about her past. It is only recently that Sage has discovered that she is a survivor of Auschwitz.

So when Josef Weber, a charming gentlemanly man in the local grief counseling group befriends lonely Sage, and then subsequently asks her to – in effect – murder him, Sage reaches out to the DOJ to report that there is a Nazi in their midst (in a quiet village in New Hampshire.)

Enter Leo Stein, a Nazi Hunter & charismatic lawyer who works for the DOJ. He is determined to catch Josef Weber and make him pay for his crimes before it is too late.

But is Leo right? Should he capture a 95-year-old man in order to make his last years a misery (by forcing him to spend them in jail.) Or should Josef receive the forgiveness he asks for?

I thought this novel was magnificent. Yes, there are many stories that are woven together, but Ms. Picoult did such an expert job of keeping the narrative flow going, that I couldn’t put this book down. Five Stars.

Tap here for YOUR copy of Jodi Picoult’s THE STORYTELLER

LONE WOLF by Jodi Picoult narrated by Natalia Payne (Helen), Louis Changchien (Joe), Celeste Ciulla (Georgie), Nick Cordero (Edward), Angela Goethals (Cara), Mark Zeisler (Luke), and Andy Paris (Barney)

It is fascinating to see how Jodi Picoult makes her characters come alive. One of the main characters, Luke Warren, is lying in a hospital bed, in a coma throughout this entire novel, and so Ms. Picoult has to make him come alive via interior monologue. What is brilliant about this technique is that the reader becomes privy to the thoughts of this Wolf handler, while he remains silent to all the other characters.

Photo 25881917 / Howling Wolf © Terrance Emerson | Dreamstime.com

And so we know that he obsesses over his wolves, recounting in detail his experiences following a wolf pack along the St. Lawrence River in Canada for two years, while he dishes out observations about wolves, and how they interact with humans. Never once does he mention his “pack”, his long-suffering wife who leaves this arid relationship for the arms of an eager lawyer, his newly-adult son who fled six years ago in the wake of painful truths about his father he couldn’t bear to share with his mother and sister, or even his daughter, who is so loyal and loving towards the father that she still worships.

It is as if these people don’t exist. At least, not in his mind.

While he obsesses about wolves, his family is trying to come to terms with the fact that he may never wake up, and what they should do about it. And so their voices interweave with his.

I love Jodi Picoult novels (especially her later ones) but this one left me cold.

Maybe it was because instead of being fascinated by the wolves, I reacted with a mixture of distaste and disbelief.

It made my skin crawl to think of Luke Warren squatting on the ground between his wolf brothers and sisters eating raw meat.

It was hard to imagine anyone – even someone as adoring as Luke Warren – allowing a wolf to squeeze his throat shut without freaking out and running for the hills.

Even the courtroom drama didn’t seem as interesting in this one. Four stars.

#jodipicoult #lonewolf #livingwith wolves #cynthiasallyhaggard #bookreviews

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THE HOUSE OF SALT & SORROWS by Erin A. Craig narrated by Emily Lawrence

As I experienced this novel in audio form, I just want to take some time to praise narrator Emily Lawrence who did a flawless job of inhabiting all of the characters!

Now for the novel itself, a retelling of the Brother Grimm’s folk-tale THE TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES. As a debut novel, it is very good. It is well written and well-edited. However, readers should be warned that it goes from typical teenage-girl-clothes-and-jewels kind of novel to horror. So if you DON’T want your face rubbed into some truly horrifying images, then this novel is NOT for you.

I love this cover of THE TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES as it shows the jeweled trees, which feature in the TALE OF GILGAMESH, testifying to the ancient origins of this story. Notice that the women are clothed in 1400s-era costumes, as is typical for so many folk tales.

There were some real strengths to this novel. I loved the way that author Erin Craig made the elder sisters die (a very nifty way of dealing with the challenge of TWELVE characters) and then turned it into a murder mystery. It was a great pity that this aspect of the novel fizzled, leaving us with the uninteresting solution that a psychopathic goddess had done it was her own political ends.

It was a great pity that the stepmother gave a long speech at the end telling us about her (predictably) awful deeds. It would have been much better to have had that storyline threaded into the narrative, rather than being given as an info dump at the end of the novel.

Four stars.

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FORGING SILVER INTO STARS by Brigid Kemmerer, narrated by Cecily Bednar Schmidt (Callyn), Nezar Alderazi (Jax), and Chase Brown (Tycho)

If you loved THE CURSE BREAKER trilogy, which started as a retelling of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and then evolved into a story about two brothers ruling two kingdoms (Emberfall and Sylh Shallow), then you will love this volume, the first of a spinoff trilogy that examines what happens after the magnificent ending of CB.

Author Brigid Kemmerer made an excellent choice in elevating Tycho (whom we met in A VOW SO BOLD AND DEADLY) to one of the main characters, as that provides continuity with the previous trilogy. Tycho, a troubled boy of 15 in AVSBAD, is now, at 19, the King’s Courier. His job is to ride between Crystal City in Sylh Shallow and Ironrose Castle in Emberfall, delivering the private correspondence of King Grey and Prince Rhen.

Tycho enjoys his position and the responsibilities that come with it, but he is lonely. He needs to find that special person that will bring some light into his life.

The two new main characters, Jax an 18-year-old Blacksmith (who lost a foot in an accident), and Callyn, an 18-year-old baker (who makes mouthwatering pastries) both live in the village of Briarlock in Sylh Shallow, near the border with Emberfall. Briarlock is a sleepy place until Tycho’s mare Mercy throws a shoe, and he is obliged to go to the local blacksmith.

Which is how he meets Jax. And since Jax and Callyn have been best friends from childhood, he soon meets Callyn and her charming younger sister Nora. And then various other people find their way there.

Nora was one of my favorite characters in this novel. I loved how her nickname “Callie-Cow” cut the rather serious elder sister down to size. I loved the way she talked or rather prattled about everything. Her dialogue was marvelous and very funny, bringing much-needed comic relief to this rather tense novel about assassination attempts and attacks on the palace that was too uncomfortably close to the riot at the capitol in Washington DC on 6 January 2021.

Although this volume stands on its own, you will understand everything much better if you read THE CURSE BREAKER trilogy first. Five stars.

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A VOW SO BOLD & DEADLY (CURSEBREAKERS #3) by Brigid Kemmerer, narrated by Melissa Bayern (Queen Lia Mara), Kate Handford (Princess Harper), Davis Brooks (Prince Rhen), and Matt Reeves (King Grey)

Like many other readers, I loved the ending of this novel. How wonderful to go from a situation where everyone is rattling their sabers, preparing for a brutal war, only to have the brothers (Prince Rhen and King Grey) come together to make peace.

What makes Brigid Kemmerer’s writing so magnificent is the way she paces her novels. She gives us plenty of excitement with all the swordfights and riding hither and thither (as they used to say:), but she also spends a great deal of time letting her character’s emotions unspool on the page. I enjoyed their hesitations, their struggle to find the right words, and her portrayal of how hard it is to find your way through swirling emotions.

I was also struck by how much research she did that made this trilogy so enjoyable. Ms. Kemmerer writes with warm empathy when describing disability. Not only did we have Harper’s cerebral palsy, but now Rhen is blind in one eye. And then there are all the sword fights, dagger thrusts, blocks, and riding. She has done so much research that she is literally able to give a blow-by-blow account (pun intended) of every fight, which makes it seem so real.

Five stars.

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A HEART SO FIERCE & BROKEN (CURSEBREAKERS #2) by Brigid Kemmerer narrated by Melissa Bayern (Lia Mara), Matt Reeves (Prince Grey), Kate Handford (Princess Harper), and Davis Brooks (Prince Rhen)

Despite what many readers say, I found this second volume just as riveting as the first.

It seemed obvious to me that author Brigid Kemmerer would want to explore Grey’s character further and give him a love interest. So after Harper lays down her life for Prince Rhen, after Grey kills the enchantress Lilith, after the curse is broken, Emberfall is still faced with lots of problems.

For starters, there are persistent rumors of a Magesmith (magician) who is the real heir to the throne of Emberfall. Much to his surprise this person turns out to be Grey, devoted Guardsman to Prince Rhen, and erstwhile farm boy.

Grey discovers that he is the elder son of King Broderick, that he has magical powers, and that Rhen (his younger brother) in his fear of magic becomes cruel and ruthless. Thus Grey spends most of this novel on the run, trying to escape his fate.

With him is Lia Mara, the elder daughter of Karis Luran, the Queen of Sylh Shallow. Lia Mara was captured by Prince Rhen when she appeared one night at his castle, wishing to broker a peace deal. Instead of listening to her, Rhen promptly locks her up.

I loved the adventures that Grey and Lia Mara had during this volume, along with Jake (Harper’s brother) Noah (Jake’s boyfriend), Tycho (Grey’s protegé), and Isaac (a very large talking bird.)

Although this volume was definitely NOT a retelling of BEAUTY & THE BEAST, I loved how author Brigid Kemmerer brought in a thread of that story in the character of Lia Mara, who (like Beauty in various versions of the story) is characterized as stupid and naive by her mother Karis Luran and her younger sister Nolla Verin (Karis Luran’s heir.) Five stars.

#aheartsofierceandbroken #cursebreakers-2 #brigidkemmerer #melissabayern #mattreeves #katehandford #davisbrooks

A CURSE SO DARK & LONELY (CURSEBREAKERS #1) by Brigid Kemmerer narrated by Kate Handford (Harper), Davis Brooks (Prince Rhen), and Matt Reeves (Grey)

I love folk tales and I love to see what talented authors do with their retelling.

Beauty releases the prince from his beastly curse. Artwork from Europa’s Fairy Book, by John Batten (1916)

This version of BEAUTY & THE BEAST was amazing! It was so refreshing NOT to have a Disneyfied poufy-dress-and-jewels retelling of BEAUTY & THE BEAST, but one which featured the gritty reality of living in the Late Middle Ages/Renaissance (from about 1400 to 1600).

But it was the three main characters who really made this novel.

Harper (the BEAUTY character), from a drug-infested corner of Washington DC (DEEH-see) is transported to an enchanted realm (Emberfall – where it is always Autumn, hence the name) when she wields a metal pipe at a mysterious man who is attempting to kidnap a girl from the streets of DC. But what makes Harper so great (apart from her badass character) is that she has cerebral palsy, but still manages to be the strong, amazing character that she is.

Like THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE, Emberfall is ruled by an evil enchantress. But instead of having permanent winter, we have permanent autumn.

Prince Rhen, the nominal ruler of Emberfall is destined to repeat the 18th year of his life until he can find a young woman who truly loves him. Towards the end of every season, he becomes an out-of-control monster who kills everyone. Author Brigid Kammerer writes with great empathy about his plight. Rhen is the consummate gentleman, a prince who cares deeply about his own people. Yet he is powerless to prevent himself from becoming the monster.

Grey, his devoted guardsman, is an honorable, duty-bound young man who would lay his life on the line to save his prince. He would be completely boring were it not for the fact that Harper teases out his hidden side – a mixture of dark humor and compassion – that seems so at odds with his “scary grey” image.

Yes, this has the makings of a love triangle, but it is not typical and NOT boring. Five stars.

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#acursesodarkandlonely #brigidkemmerer #katehandford #davisbrooks #mattreeves #cursebreakers-1

SING YOU HOME by Jodi Picoult, narrated by Thérèse Plummer (Zoe), Brian Hutchison (Max), Mia Barrow (Vanessa), Michele O’Medlin (Samantha). Music by Ellen Wilber, Lyrics by Jodi Picoult

What a magnificent novel!

Here, author Jodi Picoult takes the issue of Gay Rights, and how ugly something personal can turn in the hands of lawyers, politicians, and pastors in their quest to fan a hot-button issue for their own ends.

First Edition

Zoe Baxter is a music therapist, and so Ms. Picoult has infused the audio version of this novel with original music by Ellen Wilber. Zoe doesn’t make much money but she has two passions in life: her job as a music therapist to troubled teenagers, and her wish to become a mother.

When that second wish is thwarted in the cruelest way possible, and her husband Max abandons her just when she needs him the most, Zoe eventually picks herself up and opens herself up to new friends.

Enter Vanessa Shaw, who works at the same school as Zoe, and hired her to work with Lucy DuBois, a suicidal teen.

While Zoe and Vanessa are having lunch together and enjoying everything their community has to offer, Max is inhabiting his brother’s basement, in an alcoholic haze, wondering what to do with the rest of his life.

Eventually, Max finds Jesus, sobers up, and joins brother Reid’s right-wing Evangelical church. Reid and his wife Liddy are thrilled, and soon introduce Max to Pastor Clive Lincoln, the head of their church. Max’s religious experiences give purpose to his life, provide him with a living, a community of friends, and help him to keep (mostly) away from the alcohol.

Meanwhile, Zoe finds much to her surprise that she is in love with Vanessa, and the two marry and set up house together. Naturally, they want children, but Zoe is now unable to produce any. However, there are three frozen embryos left over from her various attempts with Max, and Vanessa is willing to gestate them.

Audio version

All she needs is Max’s permission, and she and Vanessa can have their family.

But Max is in thrall to Pastor Clive, who knows the kind of lawyers most likely to create the most mischief in a Gay Rights case. As an Evangelical, Pastor Clive finds Zoe to be “deviant” and her lifestyle “sinful.” As such, he wants Max to give the embryos to his brother Reid so that Reid’s wife Liddy can finally have a child. (The infertility problems that bedevil Max, also bedevil his brother Reid.)

And so a circus ensues at the courthouse, where both Vanessa and Zoe are raked over the coals for being Gay, while Pastor Clive’s hand-picked lawyer Wade Preston whips up the crowd as he dissects the reputations of both women, in order to show unsuitable they are as would-be parents.

I won’t tell you what happens at the end of this novel, so as not to spoil it for those of you who have not yet experienced it. But it is wonderful. Five Stars.

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#jodipicoult #singyouhome #gayrights #gaymarriage #musictherapy #frozenembryos #evangelicals #thereseplummer #brianhutchison #miabarrow #micheleomedlin

I’ve just launched my NEW Patreon page!

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this to all of you, but this summer my big project is a complete rebranding of myself as author and a complete revamp of my website! That includes my new Patreon Page!

What this means for you:

Spun Stories is going to be replaced by Cynthia Sally Haggard (there will be a 6-month transition period for all of you to get used to this)As part of this revamp, I’m going to move my blog to Patreon.As patrons of Patreon, however, you will not only get EXCLUSIVE content in the form of my twice-weekly blog (for $3/month) butFor $6/month you get EXCLUSIVE content in the form of never-before-published fictionFor $9/month you can participate as a COLLABORATOR as I write my novels, giving you EXCLUSIVE access to my writing process and to UNPUBLISHED DRAFTS.

Intrigued?

Tap on this link to join!

I will keep you posted on updates this summer!

See you soon!

Warmly, Cynthia