Miranda A. Uyeh's Blog, page 11
March 29, 2019
Book Review ~ Other Bodies By Joel Ohman
For fans of The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, and Divergent comes a YA dystopian/light romance with a strong female protagonist who is forced to question everything…
In a world where immersive VR suits distort what is real from what is not, and the AI Personhood Act blurs the lines between body and bot, the choices sixteen-year-old Hattie Martins faces are very personal.
Welcome to Hattie Martins’ dystopian Philadelphia, where everything is not as it seems…
Just as her life is looking up–a new job, new friends, a new date–Hattie discovers not all progress in her beloved, futuristic Philadelphia is for the best. Societal regrets can become personal regrets in an instant. Choices don’t always come with second chances, and when they do the cost can be unimaginable. How far will she go to undo her greatest regret? And worse yet, what will she become if it’s too late?
In a world where bots are equal to bodies, what does it mean to be alive?
What is real?
Which bodies matter?
What about the other bodies?…
In this blistering new young adult novel from the #1 bestselling author of the Meritropolis series, readers will question everything they know about life and reality in a unique dystopian adventure that is equal parts moral dilemma and romance.
For fans who enjoy similar works from authors such as Veronica Roth, James Dashner, and Suzanne Collins!
Category
Inspirational/Fiction/Young Adult
Genre
Dystopian/Romance
Rating
3.5 Stars
Review
Other Bodies is a story that depicts the journey of Hattie Martins, a heroine who’s found herself in a semi-violent environment where most must do what they can to survive: Jobs are scarce. Gangs rule. And real love is rarer than the dream of a good life. With a past that haunts her and won’t let go, her present circumstance changes for the better with the future looking promising until a sudden discovery presents one that is born out of a bad choice with consequences and a reality skewedly underplayed by society and other parties involved.
Social issues such as abortion, feminism, teenage pregnancy, assisted suicide, reproductive rights, and classicism, as well as emotional issues like heartbreak, loneliness, and casual sex play a role in platforming the theme of the story—Jesus gave His body for “other bodies,” and so we are called too to sometimes give up convenience of our bodies for a time for others too. In making a case for prolife (and against assisted suicide and racism), “other bodies are not your body including the one inside you; if you believe all bodies are equal, then that equality extends to the one inside you.” The author emphasized this in his note to readers:
“It is reasonable for society to expect an adult to live temporarily with an inconvenience if the only alternative is doing permanent and fatal harm to another innocent human body. But what about rape, incest, and disability? Since none of these circumstances are sufficient to justify harming another innocent body after birth, they are not sufficient to harming an innocent body before birth.”
Overall, Other Bodies is a gripping story that boldly looks the current social issues in the eye without flinching and digs its heels in.
*Though I offer this review to the public, it is my opinion and simply that. A thank you to Flyby Promotions and Propeller LLC for a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
[image error]About Joel Ohman
Joel Ohman lives in Tampa, FL with his wife Angela and their three kids. His writing companion is Caesar, a slightly overweight Bull Mastiff who loves to eat the tops off of strawberries.
Joel is the author of the #1 bestselling Meritropolis series—“The Hunger Games meets The Village with a young Jack Reacher as a protagonist” and the new YA release, Other Bodies.
For FREE giveaways and VIP access to pre-release books, gift cards, and special announcements, join the Joel Ohman Reader’s Group now at JoelOhman.com!
March 27, 2019
Album Review ~ Come Alive By Radiate Worship
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Category
Religious/Christian
Genre
Worship/Contemporary Rock
Rating
4 Stars
Review
Radiate Worship’s opening inspires a glad heart and a joyful smile that wells from deep within. The powerful music of the overall album invites more than hand clapping and feet jumping; it goes farther to invite deep united worship in heart and in spirit, and in absolute surrender.
The songs are heartfelt prayers that every worshiping believer can relate to, as it ushers one into the presence of God. And the bold instrumentals add life to the overall music, piercing the soul in a way that invites deeper worship.
*Though I offer this review to the public, it is my opinion and simply that. A ‘thank you’ to DREAM Label Group and DREAM Worship for a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
[image error]About Radiate Worship
Radiate has its origin in Pinsekirken Tabernaklet Ungdom in Bergen, Norway. The members love to discover new and groundbreaking ways of doing worship. This is reflected in their music, where they wish to create songs that communicate both their belief in, and journey with God. A God that is present and working today, as he always will be.
“Radiate worship aims to create music that inspires and engages both those who believe, and those who still do not,” says lead singer, Martin Midgård Hagen.
Their new album Come Alive is the release that was resonating best in all of the members of Radiate Worship. “Coming back to the sound where it all started was by far the best choice that we could ever have done”. After an amazing experience with God in Martin’s and Anna’s life, Trust came to life, and went on to start something new in the band. Radiate Worship wanted to release an album that urged all listeners to really live life outside the comfort-zone, and not be satisfied with life as one knows it. There’s always more to find in God, there’s always new perspectives that’ll come to light – if one truly seeks God through all aspects of life. Our own-built framework of who God is, is ment to be be pushed to a greater extent. It’s outside our comfort-zone where the real magic happens.
March 22, 2019
Book Review ~ The Way Of The Warrior: An Ancient Path To Inner Peace By Erwin Raphael McManus
Best-selling author, pastor, futurist, and cultural thought leader believes that to experience and establish peace, we must first confront the battles that rage within.
McManus shows that encountering peace does not occur by accident, but rather by artful intention. Warrior is a call to decisiveness, self-examination, and the pursuit of spiritual wholeness. Through the ancient biblical practices of humility, focus, ownership, clarity, strength, and vulnerability, he guides readers to a deeper understanding of their inner workings and provides the guidance they need to establish peace and tranquility in their homes, neighborhoods, communities, and even the world! In the style of a battle-wizened teacher, McManus delivers wisdom, instills passion, and provides the sacred movements needed to become the warrior you were meant to be.
Category
Religious/Christian/Non-fiction
Genre
Christian Living
Rating
4.5 Stars
Review
With an artful, poignant and compassionate voice, McManus leads with a message of what it truly means to be a warrior in our day.
Worry. Anxiety. Fear. Doubt. All four disturb our peace and threaten true freedom. To fight and conquer them—the greatest war to ever be fought by any individual—is to know true peace. This is what it means to be a warrior; the path of the warrior is the path of inner peace and not outward violence.
With clear-eyed but bold vulnerability and healthy doses of life’s experience thrown in, and then combined with the message of the Gospel, McManus weaves a beautiful illustration of what is worth fighting for in our world—the soul—by overcoming one’s shadows and demons that lurk within us. When this battle is won in the ideal sense, there will be no battle left outwardly to fight, for every war first started in the heart.
McManus presents a tangible approach to conquering which would include embracing life and its inadequacies by looking through the lens of faith on a whole new level, possible only on the platform of peace—the kind that only Jesus, the True Peace Warrior, can offer. Faith begets peace. Peace begets faith, and the cycle continues—a journey worth embarking on if life will be enjoyed to the fullest as God intended. Through McManus’ illustrations, it becomes infallibly clear that the only way to truly live is to follow the path of peace. And the path of peace is The Way of the [true] Warrior.
*Though I offer this review to the public, it is my opinion and simply that. A ‘thank you’ to Waterbrook Multnomah for a free paperback copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
[image error]About the Author
Erwin Raphael McManus is an iconoclast, artist, and cultural thought leader known for his integration of creativity and spirituality. He is the founder of MOSAIC, a church movement started at the heart of Hollywood with campuses across Los Angeles, Orange County, and Mexico City, and a global community that spans around the world. Erwin is the acclaimed author of The Last Arrow, The Artisan Soul, Soul Cravings, and The Barbarian Way. His books have sold more than a million copies worldwide. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Kim.
March 20, 2019
Album Review ~ As Long As I Live (Vol. 1) By Canyon Hills Worship
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Category
Religious
Genre
Praise/Worship
Rating
4 Stars
Review
There’s a softness to the overall music that invites listening hearts to dive deeper into God with heartfelt joy and love. The delightful metaphoric lyrics highlight the joys of a faith-filled journey that fully embraces God and His Word.
In Canyon Hill’s As Long As I Live Vol.1, the heart cry and message to wholly love God just He loves us, and to trust Him, is a timeless message that the Church may be used to hearing, but one that will always resound no matter what.
*Though I offer this review to the public, it’s my opinion and simply that. A ‘thank you’ to DREAM Label Group/DREAM Worship for a a free album copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
[image error]About Canyon Hills Worship
Based out of Seattle WA, Canyon Hills Worship is composed of worship leaders and songwriters at Canyon Hills Community Church. Their songs include Peace, It Is Well, and Over All. Their mission is to honor God and offer hope to His Church through singing His praises.
March 15, 2019
Book Review ~ American Omens By Travis Thrasher
“This is your wake-up call, Cheyenne. You’ve been sleeping your whole life, dreaming those dreams. The alarm clock is about to go off, and there won’t be any way to press the snooze button. So just keep walking. Keep breathing. And maybe start believing.”
The year is 2038 and Cheyenne Burne is a brilliant young programmer working for Acatour, the world’s top technology firm. Her father converts to Christianity, and he suddenly disappears without trace. When a stranger hands Cheyenne a coded message that sends her on a collision course with a clandestine group of believers, she must put her life in the hands of those following a man known only as the Reckoner. He claims he wants to bring back true faith in Christ to America and also reveal the forces behind the disappearances of many of the renowned people who publicly declared their faith.
Operating in the shadows and living off the grid, this mysterious prophet assembles a ragtag team, including a former bookseller whose store was shut down for selling prohibited books, to help him take the battle transparency to the top. With a ruthless FBI agent closing in, can Cheyenne and the others expose the truth and lead a return to God in America before it’s too late?
Category
Fiction/Christian
Genre
Futuristic/Sci-fi
Rating
4 Stars
Review
In this quintessential thriller, Thrasher combines mystery, science fiction, and history in an exceptionally outstanding way—more so because all elements were delicately handled such that none got it the way of the others. Add that to the masterful pacing of the plot to a fine finish.
American Omens somewhat depicts one out of a thousand possible outcomes for the future in the face of today’s drama and chaos on the world front, and Thrasher took this probable reality and spun it into a seamless tale that adeptly inspires on a whole new level, a thoughtful consideration of today’s complacency—what are the consequences of the overtly liberal decisions of today, and more so, of remaining silent and on the sidelines when these decisions are turned into law that will clearly echo down the timeline and into eternity, especially when some of us know better?
When all is said and done with the reflecting, one can’t deny the entertaining ride that Thrasher’s work surely delivers.
A provocative and smartly written fiction!
*Though I offer this review to the public, it is my opinion and simply that. A “Thank you” to Waterbrook Multnomah for two free paperback copies in exchange for my honest opinion.
[image error]About Travis Thrasher
Best-selling author TRAVIS THRASHER has written over fifty books, spanning genres in fiction, nonfiction and children’s literature. His inspirational stories have included collaborations with musicians like American Idol winner Scotty McCreery and reality TV stars Bill Klein and Jen Arnold from TLC’s The Little Couple. Upcoming projects continue to expand Thrasher’s profile including the book, Olympic Pride, American Prejudice about the lives of the other 17 American black athletes who competed in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, and Baby Don’t Hurt Me about comedian Chris Kattan’s life and time on Saturday Night Live.
Travis lives with his wife and three young daughters in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area.
March 13, 2019
Album Review ~ The Gathering By Casey J
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Category/Genre
Religious/Christian/Urban Worship
Rating
4.5 Stars
Review
Casey J opens The Gathering in a soulful and deeply joyful manner that invites listeners to join as one in the majestic worship of God. The worshipful experience is classically unforgettable and contagious. With a voice so powerful and musically talented, and a heart obviously full of worship for God, Casey J has clearly been called to not just sing, but to lead others to do the same.
The Gathering is a truly spectacular album worth the praise it’s garnered!
[image error]About Casey J
Casey J is a native of Atlanta, GA. After working for several years as an elementary school teacher, Casey accepted God’s call and began to pursue ministry through music full time. In 2015, Casey J recorded her freshman project entitled The Truth (Tyscot Records/MBE), a collection of songs with corporate worship at their core. The lead single from this project, Fill Me Up, earned massive traction and ranked high on several national charts. Subsequently, I’m Yours, written by Casey, followed with similar success and propelled her to a Stellar Award win for New Artist of the Year in 2016.
Casey J recently recorded a brand new worship project entitled The Gathering (Tyscot Records/Casey J). The eclectic compilation, captured at an outdoor venue with a handpicked audience, brings to life the beauty and power of corporate worship in an unrestrained, organic form. This highly-anticipated project is now available on all digital outlets.
Casey J returns with the recording’s first radio single, “If God”, which beautifully answers life’s most difficult questions with the resounding affirmation found in Romans 8:31: What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Culled from Official Webpage)
March 9, 2019
Album Review ~ Marble & Mortal Vol. 1 By 29:11 Worship
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Category/Genre
Religious/Christian/Worship
Release Date
February 15, 2019.
Rating
3.5 Stars
Review
29:11 presents worship in an intensely impressive and deep way with hearts completely immersed in God, and with a joyful backdrop that testifies of true worship and surrender. The atmosphere is one of deep love for God, and is alive with His Truth and Hope.
[image error]About 29:11
29:11 Worship is a collective of singers, songwriters, musicians and worship leaders who desire to connect our community with the heart of God. through authentic lyrics, creative melodies, and passionate expression, they seek to cultivate a worship experience that is stirs both the heart and spirit of the listener. having being birthed from a church plant, they faithfully serve their community at 29:11 Church in Phoenix, Arizona.
January 25, 2019
Album Review ~ Scripture Songs By New Hope Oahu
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Category/Genre
Classic Contemporary Worship
Release Date
February 8, 2019.
Rating
4.5 Stars
Review
New Hope Oahu Worship presents its latest release, Scripture Songs, in the good ol’ classic contemporary praise and worship fashion that thrilled the churches of 80s & 90s, and with Scriptural lyrics that delight and nourish the soul. There’s a beautiful nostalgia to its sonic that brings a smile to the face and heart, the album couldn’t be more enjoyable and heartfelt.
NHO’s new release is a refreshing and wonderful addition to the urban mixes currently available on the market, and a lovely reminder of the classic version of contemporary music that marked the Church’s anthem songs in the 80s/90s.
[image error]About New Hope Oahu
DREAM Label Group Worship Band, New Hope Oahu Music, blazed onto the Worship scene in 2013 with the release of their debut album, Hope Is Alive, which premiered at #2 on the Billboard Praise & Worship Chart and featured the global hit song, How We Worship. New Hope Oahu has since released four albums: Victorious (2014), Greater Together (2015), Future + Hope (2016), and Kingdom (2017), each of which have reached #1 on the Billboard Charts for Christian Music. Their albums have also been recognized by The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts, “the Grammy’s of Hawaii”, as Religious Album of the Year in 2013, 2014 and 2015. As a ministry of New Hope Oahu led by Senior Pastor Wayne Cordeiro, New Hope Oahu is listed as one of the top 10 most innovative churches of America with Outreach Magazine listing them as one of the “top five churches to learn from”. New Hope is known for redeeming the arts and technology with thousands attending services each week between their 6 campuses and via internet.
NHO Music has recently been a featured band in Worship Concerts with Lauren Daigle, MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, Third Day, and Big Daddy Weave. They have also had the privilege of leading worship at various conferences across Hawaii, Oregon, California, and Canada.
January 22, 2019
Album Review ~ Symphony By Switch
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Category/Genre
Pop/R&B
Release Date
February 8, 2019.
Rating
5 Stars
Review
Switch is a refreshing voice full of life and passion whose music softly but powerfully provokes heartfelt body-swaying while blessing the soul with thought-provoking lyrics, which is a wonderful way to open an album.
Symphony’s theme invites the listener to join in the heartfelt worship of Jesus in a way that is joyful, entertaining, and is as much a heartfelt prayer. Look out for the overly lovely Lifeline (#1) & Heartbeat (#4).
Symphony is an overall lovely EP, and Switch are a group worth paying attention to!
About Switch
Life.Church, a multisite Christian church that started in 1996, meets in 29 locations in nine states (USA) and globally at Church Online. Switch is the middle school and high school ministry of Life.Church. Over 7,000 students at locations nationwide gather together to worship God, build Christ-centered community, and grow in their relationship with Christ and with each other. Worship leaders from across the Life.Church organization collaborate to create music and worship for Switch.
January 18, 2019
Album Review ~ The Ruins By The Ruins
Category/Genre
Pop/Alternative
Release Date
February 1, 2019.
Rating
4.5 Stars
Review
The Ruins present an honest expression of human struggles in the journey of faith—one full of hope and faith in God’s promises, and with a positive spirit that reflects deep passion, in a soft, mature, and pleasant manner.
The Ruins are a fresh voice with urban lyrics that speak with a unique flavor of metaphor which is impressively interesting, and expressed with an eclectic blend of pop and alternative, which in itself, is also impressive. With this type of music, The Ruins look like they’re here to stay.
[image error]About The Ruins
The Group’s debut EP on DREAM Records will be releasing on February 1st, 2019. It is their soul-stirring revelation of grace and redemption; their razor-sharp pop sensibilities, and the generosity of two artists who know how to ebb and flow, give and take, while balancing reality with hope. The debut radio single will be Deliverance. It is a pop-alternative gem that captures the essence of the duo—sonically and philosophically. Deliverance released on January 18th alongside the start date of their pre-order of the album, which will ultimately release on February 1st.
