Book Review: The Risen

I enjoyed David Anthony Durham's telling of Spartacus' story from the perspective of multiple auxiliary characters from different tribes, Romans and slaves.

The Risen helped me understand the impressiveness of Spartacus' rebellion. Not only did he keep a winning army together for years in a hospitable land, it was an army of unprofessional solders where larger majorities couldn't communicate with each other as they couldn't speak each other's language.

I also liked that the novel started on the night of the breakout rather than on Spartacus' life prior to his capture and time as a gladiator. It really got the novel off to a fast start.

Steven Crossley gave a superb reading, breathing life into Durham's multitude of characters.

While there were many fully described battle scenes, I was a little disappointed that some battles were only talked about after they had happened.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Risen.

Link to The Risen

Book Review: The Golem and the Jinni

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker is a fascinating story of Syrian and Jewish myths and cultures at the turn of the 20th century.

I admired Wecker's ability to draw a connection between the Jinni and Golem's cuffs and how humans are cuffed by religion, culture and money.

I enjoyed her descriptions of the world her characters inhabited and how the Golem and Jinni viewed our strange human behaviors providing moments of levity and self-reflection.

Narrator George Guidall's steady pace and accent provided an air of authenticity to the audiobook.

I would highly recommend this novel.

Amazon link to The Golem and the Jinni

Book Review: The Emerald Atlas

I really enjoyed The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens.

I had feared the novel might be similar to the Magic Tree House series or be written at a level that would not engage adults.

I am happy to say that my fears were unfounded.

While I feel the beginning of the novel started very cliche in the orphanages,once the children reach the lake at Cambridge Falls two or three chapters in, the story becomes very unique with many unexpected twists and many memorable characters. I even had a couple of laugh out loud moments while I listened to the audio book during my commute.

The audio book is a first class recording.

I look forward to listening to the next book in the series, The Fire Chronicle.

Amazon link to The Emerald Atlas