Prayer

LORD, I have heard of Your fame; I stand in awe of Your deeds, LORD.  Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.  His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from HIS hand, where His power was hidden. Amen

The Secret History of another Rome : Book Review

Book Review:                                 The Secret History of another Rome

Author:                                            Bear

Realest book:                                 April 2015

First book:                                      Excellent

Personal Quality Rating:                4            

Reviewer:                                        Yvette van Niekerk (South Africa)

Summary:

The Science Fiction story foretells a future in the 2600’s.  A young child named Octavian depart Table Mountain in Southern Africa to go to the new country Alexandria, his mother accompanies him on the flight.  The child reaches an aged where he is permitted to change his name and he chooses to be called Ranulf.  Ranulf is being trained to become the next Supreme Pontiff of the Empire of Rome at Alexandria.  His teachers are called Librarian which looks a lot like priests.

The current Pontiff dies and Ranulf has to fill his shoes, the change is dramatic and it take Ranulf some time to settle into the role.  He is constantly learning and he starts to investigate his predecessor Julius VII Heraclitus whom by the way was a native of “Bloemfontein”.  I absolutely enjoyed this as “Bloemfontein” is a real place in Southern Africa, the Free State.

Because of Ranulfs curiosity he ventures out of the enclosed Librarian property into the city and he doesn’t realise that he has someone watching over him.  Ranulf is guided by tutors and Murmur as he called him is one he like.  Something interesting pops up about this character which made the story even more interesting.

Ranulf is on a quest in finding out the truth and there are secrets he starts to uncover with the help of a mysterious stranger.

Social / Historical Context:

This is a normal day-to-day life, with constant teaching and learning and the relationships that Ranulf make.  The strategic way the Librarians keep Ranulf in the dark with their half-truths.  The venturing out of the Library into the City and the way Ranulf discovers the Secrets.

The story hits home as I live in Southern Africa and a number of places are mentioned in the book.  Which makes the story credible and interesting.

The plot thickens when the one person you don’t suspect is actually a traitor, I was so surprised.  Then the dismissing of this person?

Writing Style:

The writing style to my mind is evocation and some common place.  It narrated a journey in the life of a young man being taught to life according to a set thinking.  The writers to my thinking are someone set on learning.

The writer’s view of the years to come was interesting and made me think that everything was formal and unsent.  When the immortal spoke to Ranulf ‘You do not know who we are, yet you deal with us, trust us.’ It made me think people believe whatever they see.  If you don’t question you won’t know.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed the story and feel it was a good read, I love reading of the places referred to in the book and it sounds believable.  I enjoyed the teachers (Librarians) they were wise and never got on my nerves.  The story revolves around a young man being groomed for a really important position.  Ranulf’s Tutoring and learning; all the interesting events that happen in his life.  The loss of his mother and the secrets that is unsolved.   I like the immortals that spoke to him on occasion in the Great Hall, how they reminded him to relax and still.  Ranulf revisited his past on many occasions and the story get really good near the end.

Short version

The young child Octavian whom changes his name to Ranulf becomes Supreme Pontiff of the Empire of Rome at Alexandria in the mid 2600’s.  The Librarians who teach and tutor him, after twenty some years on the throne Ranulf starts to think back on his life.  He reminisced about his mother and there time together and how he made decisions.  He thinks of his relationships with some of the people.  To my thinking he was in search of the truth and the Secret History which finally become clear near the end.  The mysterious strangers or the Immortals that he encounters and how he finally gets to uncover the Secret.

Happy Mothers Day

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To all the mothers all over the world :  Happy Mothers Day, I wish you a splendid day with loads of love, flowers, chocolates, and may children around your table.

:-)  You are a blessing!

Clan of Midnight - Book Review

Book Review:                                 Clan of Midnight

Author:                                            Richard Phillip Hoffman

Personal Quality Rating:                4            

Reviewer:                                        Yvette van Niekerk (South Africa)

Summary:

This Science Fiction Mystery Novel is written using the setting of the California.  The story kicks off with murders which are reported on Channel 6.  The main character David Zane is a magician who doesn't age.  So he looks really good for a 65 year old chap.

Detective Roberts contacts Zane to see what he thought of the murders and if there was away in solving the murders.  After inspecting the bodies Zane suggests that the Detective see if they can get some cash to pay the matron Bonny St. Claire to help with the investigation.

The story is interesting and there is a lot going on with nostalgia around Marilyn Monroe, Walt Disney and the different immortals.

Social / Historical Context:

Considering that David Zane is now out of the Underworld and living between people his day-to-day living is normal with some dynamics of being a magician and noticing other things taking place around him.  Zane starts to pick up that it isn't just one person doing all the killings but a number of killers.  It gets interesting and now the story starts to come alive.

Writing Style:

The writing style to my mind is a little evocation and common place.  It narrated a person who is deep in the magical world living among humans.  The writer enjoys describing his characters so you get a good idea of what they look like.

To me the writer has a great imagination and enjoyed writing this story, it does have a strong detective pull in the story and the other immortals are interesting too.

Somewhat graphic in the sense of language I do believe the rating of 18 years is a good thing.  The writer enjoyed the story telling which makes it a good read.  Great job!

My Thoughts:

A page turner for me, I enjoyed the story and loved David Zane he seemed like the type of guy I would like to talk with.  I felt the intrigue and enjoyed the discovery of the Clan of Midnight which revealed the demonic rituals and evil plans that was being plotted.  

Short version

The telling of David Zane an immortal magician whom is made known and is contacted by the police to come and give some insight on a number of murders which they are baffled by.  Life starts to heat up a little when he is exposed to the community and of course the underworld hears of it too.

Because of his training he is well equipped to deal with every situation that arises and soon discovers there are a number of killers involved with the murders.  As the story progresses you find that an evil clan involved in demonic rituals live in the same county as Zane making life very interesting for him.

It turns out that David Zane the immortal magician stands between the people and the Clan of Midnight.  The story is a page turner, which cannot be put down.

Read my other articles

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The Last Best Thing - Book Review

Book Review:                                   The Last Best Thing

Author:                                              Kate Sebeny

Personal Quality Rating:                  3           

Reviewer:                                          Yvette van Niekerk (South Africa)

Summary:

This Novella is written using the setting of the farm in Iowa.  A short story not more than 84 pages starts off with a statement from Sam.  The characters in the story are all in the retired years, people that have come together due to circumstances.

Betty’s daughter Libby comes to live with her mother to help with her ageing father who suffers from Alzheimer’s and Betty’s friends Sam and Sarah and Joe.  The story takes a turn when one of the characters needs help in committing suicide.  This happens suddenly and to be honest I didn’t expect it from this person as they supposedly loved the other person. 

A lot of bantering takes place which makes the story enjoyable to read.  Then a twist in the story takes place when someone turns up that the farm house inquiring about the deceased person.

Social / Historical Context:

The normal day-to-day living in a very tight community of no more than 5 people and what they do and talk about.  It was amazing to see how these old folk adjusted and helped each other.  They seemed to be living life as it presented itself to them.  I felt the hardship they were facing and yet it was not that difficult as they had each other comradely.

 It reminded me of my mom in some way the way she is ageing and how thin she too was.  The way they coupe with matters and be what they are there and then.

Writing Style:

The writing style to my mind is common place.  It narrated a relationship with each other out of circumstances and friendships.  The writer seems to understand the ageing process and has sympathy with the characters.

It narrates a group of elderly people living together due to circumstance beyond their control.

My Thoughts:

The story depicted a telling of ageing people, circumstances that made for an unforeseen decision on a suicide or was it a murder or was it euthanasia?  The person that assisted with the act of taking care of this persons dilemma didn’t consider their own conscience and the impact of their decision later on.  

As fiction I think was very close to real life experience and the problems that elderly people face with sickness and misfortune.

Short version

Betty and Gary with a daughter Libby are portrayed in the beginning of the story; two of the characters go through to the end of the story and an unexpected romance comes into play.  Sam and Sarah with Joe and some doggies are friends with Betty.  A murder, suicide or euthanasia happens and the person who assisted with the act becomes senile and starts speaking to the dead person.  What a tragedy.   A friend who comes from Amsterdam to live in Iowa and someone that pops into these people’s lives looking for the deceased person.  Something no-one considered.  

Rustic living – Antiek Sjiek

Well hello, I was fortunate to travel with my husband to work one day and he drives a lot.  We drove from Witbank to Ermelo but went through Hendrina.  Now believe me when I tell you they have a very quaint little Coffee Shop “Antiek Sjiek”.

My husband tells me that this is “The Coffee Shop” to visit when and if you are travelling through Hendrina.  So needless to say we stopped early on our way to Ermelo and took a break.  On entering the Old house we were greeted by a sweet young African woman.  She was friendly and showed us around.  Walking through the old house we saw many old antique artifacts.

I loved all the beautiful tea sets on display, which by the way are for sale.  We took a tour of the old house and then into the back yard we were greeted by a beautiful old car.  Walking around there were some old bicycles and then we went into another little shop full of the most interesting handcrafts.  My husband felt in necessary to buy some fudge which by the way was awesome.

Taking our seats we were promptly served, a young African lady approached us and took our order.  While we were enjoying the lovely surroundings we waited for our coffee. 

Ha ha to my surprise my darling husband received his Coffee in a chipped mug and my Cappuccino was in a nice cup and source with a nice warm chocolate muff.  What an experience, it was different and really pleasant. 

So do yourself a favor, whenever you find yourself in Hendrina make a point of stopping at the “Antiek Sjiek” Coffee shop.  You won’t regret it.