Mayatte’s Catharsis: A Feathered Serpent Reborn by Jack E. Mohr – Review

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4 stars, Adventure, Book Review, fantasy, folk tale, Jack E. Mohr, young adult

Review of Mayatte’s Catharsis

Jack E. Mohr’s original young adult story has the feel of a folk tale.  It is set on a mythical island inhabited by people who prefer to keep themselves – a lesson they have learned from history. 

When shipwrecked explorers wash up on the island’s shore, the curiosity of youth has Naña and her friend Morchato greeting the strangers.  One of the strangers becomes ill, so Naña takes it upon herself to give aid.  A cure may be possible, but it will mean a dangerous undertaking to obtain it. 

Naña will encounter dangerous travel conditions, vicious creatures, and the magic of a goddess while being helped – and hindered – by one of the strangers.  This is very much a coming of age mission for Naña, one that will be the stepping stone to greater things. 

As often happens in these types of stories, Naña’s kindness toward the island’s visitors is met with the stranger’s greed, sparking yet another very important transformational mission for Naña.

The story ends quite abruptly (and frustratingly), leaving the reader to imagine how Naña becomes the savior of her people and a great leader.

Steeped in mysticism, emotion, bravery and discovery, Mayatte’s Catharis will appeal to young readers of fantasy. 

Thanks to the author who provide a copy of this book.  My review is my honest opinion.

About Mayatte’s Catharsis by Jack E. Mohr

The mythical Island of Mayatte was never meant to be discovered by anyone, and its natives are about to find out why.

When a ship of foreigners crashes along the coast, everyone but Naña is wary of their inexplicable arrival. While others are suspicious and fearful, Naña is curious and even helpful, especially when one of the outsiders becomes gravely ill. But her goodwill might be a fatal flaw that puts the entire island in jeopardy.

While she grows closer to the foreigners, they discover something that could revolutionize the outside world. A resource so powerful, they’re compelled to harvest it at any cost. Naña is now pit against forces that could wipe her people from existence. How can she stop an enemy that’s more powerful than any of them can handle?

Mayatte’s Catharsis is a bittersweet tale of humanity in all its madness. Follow Naña through mystic battles, political unrest, and acts of kindness with magic leading every step of the way.

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His Name Was Wren (The Wren Trilogy, #1) by Rob Winters – Review

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5 stars, Book Review, first contact, Rob Winters, scifi, series, young adult

Review of His Name Was Wren

In 1944, a nighttime explosion that takes out Hurstwick’s church spire is blamed on the Germans.  The true culprit – an alien.  When young George discovers him, the alien has a featureless face.  Drawing on George’s DNA, the alien takes on a human appearance and chooses the name Wren. 

Wren’s presence draws unwanted attention from multiple fronts.  The alien’s solution will return peace and quiet to Hurstwick even while leaving much speculation about the original crash.  This setup for the rest of the book is compelling and leaves the reader wanting to know what happened to George and Wren.

Many years later, a new family moves to town and young Max finds out about the 1944 mystery and uncovers young George’s journal.  Max and his friends investigate clues found in the journal while trying to find out who Wren is.  Things heat up when a construction project in the same area as the original landing, triggers an explosion, followed by the arrival of the army and something more sinister.

This is where things get really exciting!  The three young friends find allies and enemies as they learn the truth about the past and help Wren face his foes.  A twist in the story reveals how Max ended up in Hurstwick, looking for Wren. 

The otherworldly element in the book blurb for this book was all I needed to download His Name Was Wren.  It was only after I finished the book that I realized it is a young adult story.  Though categorized as young adult, the mature voice of the story will appeal to older readers also.  Perfectly paced, this book is expertly balanced between the curious discovery of the kids and the intense action of the alien and his foes.  The Wren Trilogy currently has two books available, though they seem to be very much stand alone novels.

I read this book for free via Amazon’s Prime reading program.  My review is my honest opinion.

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About His Name Was Wren by Rob Winters

During the blackout of 1944, in the small English town of Hurstwick, something mysterious obliterates the church spire and slices through the nearby woods. Was it a secret Nazi weapon, as some locals suggest? Or just a downed plane? Evacuee George Moss finds an otherworldly explanation, then tries to keep it hidden.

Years later, Max Cannon moves to town. With help from his new friends, Ellie and Isaac, he learns of the secret that some residents have guarded for over seven decades.

When that secret is threatened with exposure, strange things occur, and the army descends on Hurstwick. As does a visitor from much further afield, leaving Max and his friends in the middle of a deadly struggle

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Dual Review – Two YA Audiobooks

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4.5 stars, 5 stars, aliens, Book Review, culture war, fantasy, Jaimee Draper, Morgan L. Busse, Nnedi Okorofor, Robin Miles, romance, scifi, space opera, Steampunk, young adult

Today I am reviewing two audiobooks. Both are classified as Young Adult, though I found the written voice in both to be mature enough for me to enjoy them. Both books are also award winners.

Abut Tainted (Soul Chronicles, #1) by Morgan L. Busse,

Narrated by Jaimee Draper

What Happens When Your Soul Dies?

Kat Bloodmayne is one of the first women chosen to attend the Tower Academy of Sciences. But she carries a secret: she can twist the natural laws of science. She has no idea where this ability came from, only that every time she loses control and unleashes this power, it kills a part of her soul. If she doesn’t find a cure soon, her soul will die and she will become something else entirely.

After a devastating personal loss, Stephen Grey leaves the World City Police Force to become a bounty hunter. He believes in justice and will stop at nothing to ensure criminals are caught and locked up. However, when Kat Bloodmayne shows up in his office seeking his help, his world is turned upside down.

Together they search World City and beyond for a doctor who can cure Kat. But what they discover on the way goes beyond science and into the dark sphere of magic.

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Review of Tainted

4.5 stars

Tainted is a multi-award winning YA steampunk novel by Morgan L. Busse. Having read her Ravenwood series, I was eager to check out this steampunk tale and received a complimentary copy of the audiobook.

While it is categorized as steampunk, instead of clever mechanical devices, psychic ability is featured in this book. Kat’s abilities are mysterious and undisciplined. On the run, Kat is both chased and supported by bounty hunter Stephen who does not know about Kat’s abilities. The powers that be, however, know about her and want her for their own nefarious purposes.

Both characters are flawed with many obstacles to overcome. These challenges hinder their relationship and add to the suspense. Will they grow to understand each other or will they end up on opposite sides?

The Christian aspect of Tainted is low key and nicely woven into the story.

The narration of Tainted is okay. However the voice sounded quite youthful and came across as tentative. When I read the follow-up book, Awakened, I will switch to ebook.

Tainted is the winner of:

2017 REALM Award Winner for Horror/Paranormal/Steampunk

2017 Alliance Award Nominee

2017 Rone Award Nominee

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About Binti by Nnedi Okorafor,

Narrated by Robin Miles

Her name is Binti, and she is the first of the Himba people ever to be offered a place at Oomza University, the finest institution of higher learning in the galaxy. But to accept the offer will mean giving up her place in her family to travel between the stars among strangers who do not share her ways or respect her customs.

Knowledge comes at a cost, one that Binti is willing to pay, but her journey will not be easy. The world she seeks to enter has long warred with the Meduse, an alien race that has become the stuff of nightmares. Oomza University has wronged the Meduse, and Binti’s stellar travel will bring her within their deadly reach.

If Binti hopes to survive the legacy of a war not of her making, she will need both the the gifts of her people and the wisdom enshrined within the University, itself — but first she has to make it there, alive.

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Review of Binti

5 stars

The novella that begins as a coming of age story of the young woman leaving her home to go the to greatest university in the universe quickly morphs into something far more ageless and interesting. Binti’s futuristic African upbringing influences her actions on the ship bound for Oomza Uni when the ship comes under attack from deadly foes.

Binti uses intelligence and a lucky artifact to find her way among the Meduse who would rather see her dead due to a very unfortunate cultural misunderstanding. Hope and determination are key elements of this engrossing story that left me wanting more. I plan to continue the series. Perhaps when I do so, I will learn more about the interesting technology found in the novella – the artifact and the ship.

I absolutely loved the narration of Binti. Robin Miles’ African dialect added warmth and authenticity to the story.

Binti is the winner of:

2016 Nebula Award for Best Novella

2016 Hugo Award for Best Novella

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