The Magician of Lhasa by David Michie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not only was this a book I needed to read right now, but it's also a story I know I need to reread, several times, and here's why...

Plot: The book follows two separate timelines and sets of characters. One is in the present day, the other, 1950s Tibet. The way the author has woven these storylines with the growing awareness and mindfulness of Buddhism throughout was pure literary beauty. One character is having a bit of a modern life crisis/change, while the other is a part of a small band of monks fighting against time to rescue some hidden and sacred texts from the invading Chinese army.

Characters: Before I talk about the two main characters, let me first say that there were no fluffy bunnies in here. All of the characters had a purpose and a uniqueness to them which was appreciated. So, the two MCs are Matt Lester, currently a science researcher/developer in nanotechnology, living in England, being faced with a drastic life change, and Tenzin Dorje, a sixteen-year-old monk, hiking through the Himalayans on a dangerous but important mission, with his older brother and teacher. Worlds apart in every way, it almost felt as though the two had nothing to do with the other... but you come to see soon enough just how alike and connected they truly are.

The Writing: The chapters alternate between Tenzin and Matt, both told in first person POV. The writing is fluid and smooth and engaging... very easy to get absorbed in.

In Case You Wanted to Know: There is within the first chapter some (not TOO explicit) sex, which on the whole, felt out of place with the rest of the book, but, in some way, it did help illustrate the differences between Matt and Tenzin. And when we follow along with Tenzin on his sacred mission, there is some violence faced as they try to evade the Red Army.

Overall: The book says it's a Spiritual Thriller, but I didn't get that feeling. Instead, I was warmed with feelings of hope and love, and convictions of beliefs I've always had. This is a story about fate, purpose, and connections, not magic. It's a story that really brings wonder and appreciation back into a busy modern life. Filled with so many quotable teachings, it's a book I'll come back to and read again many times.

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Tears of Amber by Sofía Segovia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was the first book I'd ever read written about "the OTHER side". I've read plenty of books about the oppressed, and more specifically, the persecuted peoples of WWII... but never have I read about what it was like for the ordinary German people who started off fully embracing & supporting Hitler & the Nazi Regime.

Let me start by saying... whoa.

So, the book follows two families from different statuses & different towns, and also an orphaned boy, during the years of Hitler's rise to power, through the war, and on past its bitter end. And MY GOSH, how well-written their stories are!

I've heard my fair share of war stories from the viewpoint of a peasant farmer via my mom, who grew up in China during Japan's invasion... so the hardships the families all eventually found themselves in were all too familiar a tale to me. What was "new" (for me) was the realization that the German people (especially those on the Eastern side of the country) had it really bad towards the end of the whole deal. I hadn't even considered that the Germans suffered... I know, I know... don't judge me. I know, pretty ignorant of me, but it's the truth.

I remember the Berlin Wall coming down. I remember it being toted as this BIG DEAL... But I find it funny how this fictional book (based on real people), read some 32 years later, is finally putting into perspective for me some of the biases that existed, long before that wall ever went up, that divided a country in such a concrete way (pun intended).

Sorry, where was I?

So the author didn't hold back... my gosh, there's pain, and violence, and death, and some vivid imagery. But for a long time, I was reading about these seemingly "normal" families just living their best, ordinary-in-the-middle-of-their-country's-huge-looming-success-in-the-war-lives, thinking to myself, "this isn't too bad." And then slowly and steadily their lives begin to change... Little by little, they compromise and they make sacrifices... small ones at first, extra food, extra clothes... then bigger ones... They (mostly unwillingly) gave away their lands, their children, their fathers... then their ideals and values, then their most precious, of secret valuables... and then for more than some, ultimately their lives. And it's just this smooth/steady incline to the ultimate, sharp decline in their shared human experience.

And it's all written in a way that was impossible to look away from.

I've often questioned if we as a people would ever again fall into the same trap of hatred & destruction under a falsehood of hope & greatness, and the answer is always an unfortunate, terrifying & resounding, yes... Yes, of course, we will & of course, we can... The saying (paraphrasing, probably) "Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it," is scarily accurate. Germany learned... learned the extremely hard & terrible lesson, and on a global, modern, scale. But they DID learn. There are no Nazi or Hitler statues in Germany. Nazi imagery/propaganda is illegal/not tolerated. But what of the rest of the world?

Did we learn?

Yeah, this book moved me... at least it moved my IDGAF-o-meter a little more towards Idk, empathy for others?

Ya know, nobody wins in war. They're all losers. And for the survivors, the effects of war don't stop with them, they're felt for many generations afterward.

This book is heartbreaking, but my goodness, it's such a necessary read. Look, if you're not able to speak to a REAL person, face to face, that survived the war, any war, then start reading some books like this... learn from the ugliest of human nature, vicariously through (based on real) fictional characters... And tell everyone else to, too. Maybe we can all GAF again about humanity as a whole and stop another genocidal a-hole from rising to power.

There is no good & evil... just nuance & our concessions left to the interpretation & judgment of our descendants.

Final thought... Just read the book. And sorry for waxing poetic, this is why I usually try to stay with a format. Sorry again.

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Tarot Made Simple : A Beginner Guide to Tarot Including How to Get Started, Card Meanings, & Spreads in Order to Achieve a Deeper Connection With Yourself & the World Around You by Ella Hokanson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was supposed to have read and reviewed this book, months and months ago... and somehow, Idk what happened?

About the Author: The author (per their introduction) has only been doing Tarot for a few years. However, they definitely understood the assignment. Not only was this book easy to read but the information was explained in a meaningful and accessible way that really made sense. I too am self-taught when it comes to Tarot, and even though I (mostly) read the cards intuitively, it was still appreciated and helpful to have something so digestible to fill in the gaps of my somewhat limited education.

Expectations: So, going in, I didn't expect I'd learn much from this book because I obviously know it all...duh?? But mostly, I thought that because I just hadn't found a book yet that I actually felt was a fit for me. Other books were either too dry or too black & white, so, I learned instead by watching other readers. But, this book is more nuanced and feels like a real person is teaching you.

Something I learned: I feel really saying this, but... right out the gate, I learned that the Major Arcana represents Karmic & Spiritual Lessons, while the Minor Arcana represent our efforts & behaviors in everyday life. I never heard this before. Like, I KNEW the card meanings... but I didn't KNOW it this specific way... if that makes sense?

Overall: From history and myths to picking a deck, to the Arcanas to spreads, for someone REALLY wanting to learn and get the best comprehension for your dollar--- this book has it. Best of all, there's no pressure to memorize or do anything a certain way. Just pure, simple encouragement for your own personal journey.


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These Tangled Vines by Julianne MacLean
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm pretty generous with my stars... If a story can transport me in time & place, move me to tears, while entertaining and enrapturing me-- completely... it'll probably get 5 stars from me. This one? (It) tore my heart out in a beautiful setting & made me feel things this dead soul of mine hasn't felt in years... 5 stars, and here's the (spoiler-free) reason(s) why.

Plot: Believable? Sure, for those of us who are still waiting for our Hogwarts letter or a visit from Julie Andrews to find out our heritage is a bit more colorful than the muted grays we live in. NO MAGIC here, unless you count the majesty of a Tuscan Summer?

Characters: The story is told from 3 different POVs, one of them being in 1st person- that's Fiona (an MC). But the REAL main characters are Anton & Lilian. This is really their story, and as characters-- look, I JUST LOVE THEM, and my heart is so broken for them. I can't say more without gushing details & saying what I really think... and I don't want to spoil a beautiful, tragic, and bittersweet story.

The other characters, just like us, were there to just observe and vicariously live through these two individuals.

The Writing: No complaints on the writing. (It) was smooth and vivid & rich with details without ever feeling expositional; fully immersive & captivating.

In Case You Wanted to Know: I could FEEL the Tuscan sun. I could SMELL the fog and vines and cellars. I could TASTE the wine and the forbidden love. And worst of all-- I FELT the heartbreak and anger and tragic hopelessness experienced by the characters that I related to on a soul level. After reading/completing this novel, I had a rose-colored euphoric view of MY LIFE- however temporary- and I DO FEEL like maybe, just maybe, I might try & invite joy back into my life again... Maybe.

Because one thing is for sure... the message of living in the moment and celebrating each day was definitely not something that can be overlooked after this story that felt like an experience all to itself.

Overall: Yeah...I LOVED this book. I highly recommend (it) for a beautiful escape (however temporary) from normal, boring, hopeless living.

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Ignited by D.M. Winters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a book that will work well in and benefit from, being part of a series/trilogy. As an introduction to this fictional world and cast of characters, I'm rounding up from 3.5 to 4-stars, and here's why.

Plot: Two witches, a half-demon, and an ancient witch-hating/witch-hunting group of vampires... The story was creative and fast-paced. Believe-ability of witches & vampires aside, there were a couple of stretches that I can accept only because I guess if you're dealing with immortals- money isn't usually a problem, which means more things (like far away/last-minute travel) are possible. There were definitely some twists and turns I didn't see coming, which I liked. But some of the resolutions were a bit cliché and/or contradictory to what had already been done in a similar situation. All in all, the storyline worked and I was entertained.

Characters: The three main characters (Gilda, Jax, and Noelle) were sufficiently fleshed-out. Again, this is where I'd like to see their growth/arcs over the next few books.

The Writing: 3rd person POV, alternating between the three MC's POVs. The writing flows well and is easy to read.

In Case You Wanted to Know: There are quite a bit of (well-described) action sequences that can get a bit explicit & violent. Also, there is a sub-plot lesbian romance, and it is written like any good budding romance should be written... awkward and cute and I guess you call it a "slow burn" at first? I also liked that they created their own spells for this book and INCLUDED a FREAKING GLOSSARY in the back!

Overall: I liked it. I was interested enough in this new/alternate version of our world that I'd like to see what's next.



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