Book Review: Dinky, The Nurse Mare's Foal

Dinky: The Nurse Mare's Foal
Author: Marta Moran Bishop
Published:  Katmoran Publications (January 13, 2013)
Genre: Pets/Fantasay
Rating: 5/5

I happened across this short novel during one of my late night amazon.com horse-crazed, book searches for my kindle.  I had read about the plight of the nurse mares and foals in the breeding industry but wasn't aware the practice is still common today. Bishop's novel is not only well written but educational as it reveals the horrors of the breeding industry for race horses and show horses.

Dinky is born on a spring night. His mother tells him he will only be with her a short while and to try and remember everything she tells him. She will be forced to raise another mare's foal. When he is less than a week old Dinky is taken from his mother and forced to learn to take milk from a bucket. Then he is sent to auction where meat buyers purchase the "bi-products" of the nurse mare industry: the foals. Dinky is lucky. He is saved by a horse rescue and eventually adopted by Marta and her husband, Ken. However, Dinky's lack of social skills leads him into trouble with both his new owners and herd-mates. Dinky struggles to learn "his place" as he grows and begins to notice his humans are not always happy with him. Will he ever learn to please them?

Bishop's greatest writing talent is her ability to craft the believable first person narration in a horse's voice. Dinky's perception of humans and his surroundings is conveyed with the realistic authority needed to make this narration believable. This book will make horse owner's stop and wonder how their horse(s) are perceiving them. This novel should be read by horse lover's of any age not only for the story, but for the issue it presents. 

Should the practice of nurse mares be outlawed? By all means, this story shall convince its readers, yes. 

(Book #7 for 2013)

Book Review: The Lovely Bones

The Lovely Bones
Author: Alice Sebold
Published: 2002, Little Brown
Genre: Fantasy/Afterlife/Thriller
Rating; 5/5

Three years ago I asked one of my friends to go see the movie The Lovely Bones with me. At the time, I did not know the movie that left me with tears on my cheeks was based on a book. For some reason, I never did pick up that book even after I found out there was a novel. I did not expect to see this novel for sale in Japan. The rate at which I consumed this novel is something I had not experienced from any other novel I have read this year.

Susie Salmon is 14 the day her physical existence ends. In a hole in the earth she loses first her innocence and then her life. From heaven, which is a collection of the shards of her reality and earthly desires, Susie watches her family and friends. She also watches the man who killed her. Unable to communicate what has become of her, Susie sees her family as they splinter as they try to heal. Over the bittersweet years she sees how her death creates new connections between all those she loved and was loved by.

Sebold is writer who makes full use of the senses in her writing. Through Susie's observations and memories she stitches together a physical and emotional world where the reader cannot help but feel the hope, lost, pain and healing of the characters. I also applaud this writer for the subject matter she chose to write about and allowing herself to create this story. It is from stories like this one readers are reminded the wide spectrum of humanity between goodness and evil. I would encourage anyone to read this novel at some point in their lives.

(Book #6 for 2013)

Book Review: The Wolf Gift

The Wolf Gift
Author: Anne Rice
Published: Knopf, February 2012
Genre: Fantasy/Horror/Thriller
Rating: 4/5

Last summer, I embarked on my second journey of reading vampire novels. As much as I hate to admit it, The Twilight Saga was my first taste of vampire fiction. While I knew about Anne Rice's famous Vampire Chronicles (who doesn't?) I had never once picked them up. Long story short, after reading the first few pages of Interview with a Vampire Rice had gained a new fan. One day, at the Kinokuniya bookstore in Shinjuku, I saw the eyes of a wolf staring back at me from the cover of a paperback. The Wolf Gift came home with me that day.

Rueban Golding is a reporter on a assignment to write about the Nideck mansion on the rugged coast of Northern California. As he makes his way through the great mansion and all its treasures he begins to see the house as his fate. Being in that mansion will change his fate. A chance encounter will alter his body, his understanding, his relationships, and the existence he has called reality. Rueban seeks salvation in his soul as he attempts to find a balance between man and wolf. He has been given The Wolf Gift.

Rice touches on the human instinct to survive and protect, even if it means murder. While Rueban is a werewolf when he kills Rice bridges the link between animal and human. Somewhere, in modern civilization, man has lost the instincts that once helped to govern our lives. Or, is it buried somewhere, deep in the the humanity we have developed with civilization?

Readers will taste the setting of Rueban's world with with the eloquent prose Rice has once more rendered with her detailed descriptions. Rueban is a character that you can imagine standing beside you as you read the pages of his story. For those who revel in the legend and lore of the werewolf this is a novel that you must read.

(Book #5 for 2013)

Book Reviews: Island of Icarus & Lone Star

Island of Icarus
Author: Christine Danse
Published: Carina Press, November 2010
Genre: Romance/Historical Fiction/Homosexual Erotica, Novella
Rating: 4//5

Sometimes I like to read a smutty romance novel. When I read this type of book I am simply looking for a fun, quick read that doesn't involve much of my brain power to understand the story.  I read this novella and enjoyed its steaminess. Or was it the body heart from all the other passengers I was feeling?

Johnathon has not been the same since his fiancee left him. At the suggestion of his colleague he decides to head to the Galapagos Islands for some scholarly research. After his ship wrecks he finds himself on a deserted island except for the man name Marcus who saves him. Marcus is a mechanical engineer who thrives in his solitary lifestyle but welcomes Johnathon with open arms. Both men are about to rediscover the flame that draws one person to another in a place that only they can call paradise.

The most pleasure I got from this book was getting to know the two main characters as their relationship developed. Both Johnathon and Marcus are incredibly well-developed characters who touched my heart in their own way as the story progressed. The sex scenes were written in a soft, tender manner that will have fans of this pairing going "aww" inside their head.

Though I will probably never reread this novella I know it is a story I shall remember for the rest of my life.

Lone Star
Author: Josh Lanyon
Published: Carina Press, December 2011
Genre: Romance/Historical Fiction/Homosexual Erotica, Novella
Rating: 4/5

Mitch Evans is at a crossroads in his life when he discovers his lover with someone else. Not sure what to do, he leaves New York and heads down to rural Texas to take care of his deceased father's estate. The last person he expects to meet is his former lover, Web, after he crashes his rental car. Though Mitch is a successful ballet dancer he has never filled the void that Web left in his heart. Now, will they be able to heal old wounds and come together again in the unlikeliest of circumstances?

Lanyon is an expressive writer who correlates scene and character very well together. Her setting and characters reflect each other and simultaneously change together in small moments as the story moves on. For all those looking for a sweet, Texan romance story this is just the novella for you.

 (Books #3-4 for 2013)

Book Review: Destined

Destined
Author: Jessie Harell
Published: Mae Day Publishing, May 2011
Genre: YA Fantasy/Mythology, Romance
Rating: 3/5

One of my friends is obsessed with Greek mythology. She cannot acquire enough books about the Gods and Goddesses and their stories. A year ago, she helped to rekindle my childhood interest in mythology and I decided to buy a novel retelling one of the myths. That is how I ended up reading Destined by Jessie Harell in two days during my train commutes.

Psyche is the most beautiful young woman in Greece. She is visited by Aphrodite and has suitors clamoring to get a view of her sitting by her window. Soon, she begins to learn she is much more than a beautiful princess. When Aphrodite proposes Psyche marry her arrogant son, Eros, both youths are shocked and disgusted. Psyche will suffer the wrath of Aphrodite and the loving deception of Eros. How will she survive this growing trepidation called love?

The most pleasant part about this novel was the way Harell portrayed some of the gods. While Hera is normally presented as a vengeful, jealous wife in his novel she is shown as a woman whose actions come from her hurt. Aphrodite while just as ruthless, cunning and jealous as legend has her shows a tender, maternal side for her son.

What I found most distracting and displeasing about this novel was the language usage. Harell littered her novel with modern day phrases that pulls her reader out of the book. Her choice of language makes the setting and time period of the novel less believable. She did a great disservice to herself as a writer and to her readers.

No one will catch me rereading this book but I would still recommend it to fans of Greek Mythology looking for a simple, pleasant, rainy afternoon read.

(Book #2 for 2013)

Book Review: Chalice

Chalice
Author: Robin McKinley
Published: September 2008, Penguin Publshing
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Rating: 4/5

The first novel I ever read by Robin Mckinley was Pegasus. This novel was about the sacred bond between a princess and a pegasus who were the antithesis of each other and, despite their love, were  bringing their world to ruin. Intrigued by her interpretation of the Pegasus and her rich, detailed descriptions I decided to read another one of McKinley's novels. I chose Chalice because I was attracted to the simple title.

The demesne of the Willowlands is in a state of unrest after the former Master, who was a selfish tyrant, dies without issue. His younger brother is recalled from the Priests of Fire to rule the realm. The new Master is barely human as his body and soul have been given to the element of fire. His people fear him and so do the members of the Circle, except Mirasol. Mirasol has been called to act as the Chalice who binds the land, Circle and the people together with sacred rituals. Unfortunately, Mirasol never received any training and does not know how she will save the demesne from ruin. Her only hope is in trusting herself and the new Master as she pushes forward.

McKinley has a natural talent when it comes to writing descriptions. I enjoyed reading every word as I saw the surroundings of the characters through Mirasol's eyes. McKinley successfully brings her readers into the temporary existence of the novel's land. The characters were also well-rounded and enjoyable to get to know as the novel progressed. However, the ending was a bit rushed and incomplete which was a bit off-putting. Regardless, though, the novel is still a delightful read and I would recommend it to those who enjoy fantasy novels.

(Book #1 for 2013)

Book Review: Isabeau

Isabeau: a Novel of Queen Isabella and Sir Richard Mortimer
Author: N. Gemini Sasson
Published: August 2010, Cader Idris Press
Genre: Historical Fiction, 422 Pages
Rating: 5/5

Since I came to Japan I have found myself reading books at a faster rate than I was back in the USA. The reason why? Japan's extensive railroad system and the fact I do not have a car here means I get to sit and read on my commutes. After I had read a few Tudor/Elizabethan time era based novels I decided it was time to give another queen's story a try.

Isabella is Queen of England and married to Edward II. When she was young, she wanted her husband to love her and for them to rule together. However, Edward the II cares more for his favorite male courtiers over his and his country. The people begin to rebel against the king's as his favorite, Lord Hugh Despenser, rises to power. When Isabella dares to speak out against Despenser she finds her four young children, her lands, and income stolen from her. Unable to bear this violation she turns to the King of France and Sir Richard Mortimer for help. Mortimer is a traitor to Edward II whom Isabella helped to escape from the Tower. They will form a bond that will change the course of England's history.

Sasson is a very thorough writer both in character and description. It is evident she has put numerous hours into researching the history and personage of her characters. I found myself being able to envision the layouts of the castles and battlefields as I read her novel. The novel is told from the 1st POV of Isabella and Sir Richard through alternating chapters and I found both narrations captivating. This novel is a page turner and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.