I Am Marcus Fox by Bryon Cahill | A Book Review

It's Monday again. Those in the US or those working for US companies, we had a long weekend. I didn't go out of town. I just stayed home and relaxed since I was feeling under the weather. My all-cure for all ailments is sleep. I did just that and watched movies and Korean dramas online. I was also able to write two reviews. Good, but not that good. I was hoping to write more but I felt so uninspired. Anyway, here is another one.

The book - I Am Marcus Fox is an action-adventure. That's what it seemed at first. It seemed like a real-life story but might be too impossible to believe. It's somewhere between fiction and real life. Some events are just too plausible to be actually true. The book started really good. How Marcus Fox was abandoned by his parents and got miraculously saved and adopted by an African couple. He grew up to be a strong man loved by his adoptive parents like their own and then tragedy struck again. It was going well until he got to the part where he battled a shark which felt too unbelievable. I was doubtful about that part. There were other similar scenes in the story which will make you question - "Is this a real story or pure fiction born out of the author's imagination?" In a way, I got confused because in the first few parts you were made to believe that this is a tragic story of a boy who had the misfortune of being born out of crazy and criminal parents. Then along the way, the story seems to blend together reality and fantasy because then Marcus suddenly does these feats that you can only see in the movies. It suddenly felt like a bunch of kids talking about a movie they've watched together and were not satisfied with it that they then decided that the main character should have done this and that. Injecting feats that require supernatural or superhuman abilities which is what happened here.

In a way, even if some parts bordered on impossible, it has a way of getting the reader hooked. I read it in one go. Unbelievably, I didn't put it down though I had times where I had my eyebrows raised and had wrinkles pinned on my forehead. The story has a way of pulling you in and make you root for Marcus Fox to finally have a good life. That's one of the merits of the story. You will wish all his troubles will come to an end and that he will finally live a life he deserves after all the perils and heartbreaks he has to go through. 

I give this book 3/5 sharks.The part with the shark is where I couldn't get over. It's crazy. In the end, I am still unsure if this is part-true embellished with fiction or pure fiction skirting the limits of fantasy. I am still a bit confused what to make of the story. It started really good and the bones of a really satisfying read is there but I can't seem to take it all seriously. Or maybe, it's meant to be that way. It doesn't have to be boxed into what kind of story it is. As one of the reviews on Amazon say, "It's skirting the realm of fantasy and realism." That sentence perfectly sums it up. 

Would you want to read this book? I can't answer that. As I have said, I am unsure. The beginning and some parts of the story were very solid. I just wished it was more believable. If this was meant to be a fantasy, it wasn't really hitting it. If this was just meant to feel more like an action-adventure, then it's so over-the-top. The best answer to the question is to read it yourself and tell me what you think. I may be wrong about all of it but that's how the story felt like to me. Or maybe, I just don't do well with realism like Murakami's Hear the Bird Sing. 

Truth doesn't set you free. It only turns you to dust. 

- Bryon Cahill, I am Marcus Fox - 

Thanks again, Bryon Cahill, for the review copy. Sorry, it took months for the review to come out. 

Chronicles of the Anti-Christ by J.M. Harrison | A Book Review

I actually had a hard time starting this post. It's not that I don't know what to say about the book but it's more of saying something that will eventually lead to the story. What recent event would somehow relate to the story? I could actually think of one. The recent incident in the sea involving a local fishing vessel that was allegedly intentionally hit by another fishing vessel but albeit bigger and belongs to a foreign nation who's not supposed to be fishing within our territorial waters. This is currently a very hot issue since our head of the nation clearly stated in his interview that we should just let them be if we don't want another world war. Who wants one, right? But there should be other ways in which we can insist our sovereignty and rights without resulting to firearms and violent means. It doesn't have to end in a war. Anyway, there's a lot that could still be said about this topic but it's also causing me headaches. So, I'd rather not delve deeper into it and it's probably more suited to another platform. But I am thankful to those who are standing up and protesting in front of the embassy of that foreign nation. Go on and never stop until they hear our voices. We are done being ignored and treated like we are insignificant. And to all those lawmakers who are also fighting for our government to make a stand, please don't ever tire of fighting. If there's a need for every Filipino to rally and make a stand, then let's do that. 

Chronicles of the Anti-Christ, how does the above relate to this book? Well, it's about fighting for what's right and just. Fighting for what's good, even if you are pitted against a very powerful opponent. Never lose hope. Just keep fighting! 

This book talks about the anti-Christ. And guess where that anti-Christ would come from? From whose seed would that person rise from? Make a guess. If you thought of Hitler, then you are on the right track. From all the conquerors, dictators and villains that have ever lived, I think Hitler is hailed the most vicious, greedy and evil. He killed millions of Jews and more. So, this story's proposition that the next anti-Christ would likely come from his bloodline is not too far out. It's actually the mostly likely possibility. I do agree.

I can't exactly remember if I read this book in one go or I stopped somewhere. All I could remember was how the story held some truth and the likelihood of it really happening. I hope never. That possibility ever becoming a reality is very grim, even if this was set in the US. The likelihood of another dictator and lunatic plotting world domination as his life goals is a very dark future. I hope it doesn't ever come true even if it won't happen in this lifetime. I hope the world would never again know of any dictator or megalomaniac dead set on having the world for his own or for any other self-serving purpose. It's dreadful to just even think of it and this story clearly paints that horrible picture. 

But with the way things are happening, especially with my country, it's not going to surprise me if another dictator comes into the open and proclaim his life's mission. At the same time, I'm also hopeful that there will be brave men and women, just like in this story, who will resist and find ways to outwit the Goliath and foil his grand plans. There will always be people who will risk their lives to expose the conspiracies and evil plans just to save many more. My country is a land of heroes, from Lapulapu to Dagohoy, to Bonifacio, to modern nameless Filipinos, who are fighting for justice and equality every day. This little and may be insignificant country to some, will never run out of fearless men and women who will risk everything to keep our freedom and sovereignty. Even if we are beset by countless problems from all directions, our faith, our hope even in the hopeless will continue to give us the strength of character to fight. Don't ever underestimate your enemy. Remember, the littlest ants sting the most.

So, again, this story painting the possibility of an anti-Christ is not far from reality. It's very believable. Harrison paints a dystopian America in this book but also very remarkable and very brave characters who will also stop at nothing to keep this new anti-Christ's plan from ever coming true. This is a very engaging story which will make you fear the worst but also hopeful because there are people who will save the day. And like most stories, the good always wins. No matter how battered and wounded, the hero will keep rising to his feet. He will fight to his last breath. This story also illustrates that no matter how formidable the enemy could be, but if all people, no matter how common or lowly, if they band together and stand up for one common goal, then the possibility of defeating the enemy is not impossible. There is always strength in numbers. And when more than two heads are working, then better and brighter ideas are likely to come out. 

I give this book 3.5/5 phoenix. The two main characters here - Jacob and Arianna represent real people. Jacob, who's too close to Martin Voors refuses to believe that he could be the evil incarnate hiding behind a very charismatic persona. Arianna, a fearless reporter who survived a rape and still, she never let that deter her from getting to the truth. These two characters made the story hopeful and I root for them. Sometimes, beating the enemy also requires beating him at his own game, breaking the rules and sometimes even a gentle persuasion or blackmail would do. Desperate situations call for even desperate and crazy measures. 

I cannot consider myself a true Christian.  I have done  too many things that cannot be forgiven even by Christ, but I sympathize with them. 

- J.M. Harrison, Chronicles of the Anti-Christ - 

Thank you again, J.M. Harrison for the paperback copy. Sorry, it took 48 years to post this review.

The Absence of Evelyn by Jackie Townsend | A Book Review

This story took me back to my trip in Hanoi, specifically the Halong Bay cruise. It was my first time to be on a cruise and I felt like big bucks. There were just about 20 of us in the junk and we felt like we owned the boat. It was only an overnight stay in Halong Bay after a tour of the floating villages, pearl farm and the big cave in one of the islands. We kayaked in tandem. It was an amazing experience except for the fact that Halong Bay is not exactly as beautiful as in the pictures. The water was not clear and there was even a smell which is not the same refreshing and revitalizing salty air you would usually breathe when at sea.

The Absence of Evelyn is a story of familial love. The love between sisters. The love between parents and kids. The love between mothers and daughters. The story revolved around three women--Evelyn, Rhonda and Olivia. Evelyn and Rhona are sisters. Olivia is the adopted daughter of Rhonda. The story will take you through the longing of Olivia for her real parents and Rhonda's getting to terms with the absence of Evelyn.

I always love stories about women--women's literature. There is always this poignant display of emotions when you talk about women. Our pain, disappointments, triumphs and struggles are always filled with more intensity and drama. I guess, it has to do with us women being emotional beings. We are drama queens at some point in our lives and even if we try to downplay some of these emotions, they still show and come up to the surface. It's in our anatomy. It's how we were made. We were made to feel and exhibit those emotions. We were made to share and spread these feelings out to the world. We were made to feel deeply and passionately about a lot of things, especially about things that we hold dear like family and friends.

At first, I kept asking who is Evelyn and what she is in this story. Then, as the dynamics between Rhonda and Olivia was explained it slowly became evident the role of Evelyn in their lives. She is the glue that held all the connections between Olivia, Rhonda, Carlotta and Marco. With her absence, it seemed that the link has been severed also. Some of them were left drifting like Marco, finding no reason to live. Others like Rhonda became scared and fearful of the changes. Olivia, on the other hand, was looking for that something to make her whole. 

I liked how one Skype call changed everything.  It prompted the series of events that moved all these people into each other's orbit. It propelled each person to reach out and in turn each one discovered what's the significance of the other. It was like playing connect the dots. It all starts and ends with Evelyn.

This is a very moving story of finding oneself. To realize that the one thing you were looking for was right in front of you. To find that there is someone or people out there who cherished the same things as you do and you have a common ground--a connection that could never be erased by distance or time. That knowing where you came from can actually lead you to finding the person you want to become.

I give this 4/5 junk boats. I was not happy with the ending. Not everything was resolved. Marco should have done something to make up for his shortcomings and for the time that were wasted. What happened to Marco's character made the ending incomplete. All the other characters in the story had been able to find solace but not Marco. I think it was so cowardly of him to not face his situation. I think he should have been thankful instead of turning his back. I wished there was a better ending for Marco. I think he too deserved some measure of happiness and peace after all that he has been through.

She stood, listening to the silence, a silence so unlike the one she knew--the desert--dried up and hollowed out, empty. But this silence was different. Full and lush and alive. She felt strangely attuned to it, the soft wind, like a howling animal.

- Jackie Townsend, The Absence of Evelyn -

 Thank you again Netgalley for the copy.

Condemn Me Not: Accused of Witchcraft by Heather B. Moore | A Book Review

This is not my first encounter with Heather B. Moore. I have read two other historical fiction books of hers and had really enjoyed them. When I saw that she had another book up for review on ebooksforreview.com, I was faster than a bullet to get signed up.

Condemn Me Not is based on real events and people. The main character just happened to be the 10th great-grandmother of the author on her father's side. Yes, Heather B. Moore's great-grandmother was one of those that got accused and hanged for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. This book felt very close to home to the author. It's not everyday that you get to write and talk about a subject, much more a relative, who went through something so controversial and with a lot of mystery surrounding it.

I applaud the author for writing about Susannah North Martin's life story. What made me so curious right after reading the first page of this book was that this was a real event. This was like reading an article on a newspaper. This is about a real person who went through hell and never survived it. I have heard stories about the Salem witch trials. I even read about one version that explained the possessions and bewitching caused by a fungus found on the food eaten by the girls that claimed to have been possessed. And then, there were other versions, too. As far as I know, the versions were mostly pointing more to the allegation that there were really women in Massachusetts that dabble in witchcraft and ways of the devil. I have watched movies of the same subject also. But what set this book apart from all those mentioned is that this was written by someone related to one of the accused. Well, a few generations removed but nevertheless I have never heard of any accounts of the stories of the persons personally accused of the said crimes. This story is as close as to the horse's mouth as we can get. The author made extensive research to get to know her descendant and to understand the controversies surrounding her life and death. This also exposed the horrors and cruelties suffered by the accused parties while being held in their filthy cells waiting for their trials. 

I think people have a lot of opinions regarding the Salem witch trials. Some people may believe that those hanged were guilty, others would say they were victims. I personally do not believe them guilty or not. I know for a fact those trials and hanging happened but there were a lot of circumstances and events that were not known. I think there was a monopoly of information. There was more that condemn those that were accused than those that seek to shed light on the circumstances and understand. And having only a few references that contain accounts of those found guilty to go by, there is a possibility that those trials were actually done because of personal vendetta. After reading this, I am more inclined to believe that those people hanged might just have been innocent. One other thing about this story is, as the author intended, this was about the life, family and circumstances of Susannah North Martin and some of the people hanged. It did not really focus on the trials but on the kind of life lived by Susannah--that she was a good sister, a caring mother and grandmother loved by her family, a loyal and dedicated wife that had a loving and faithful husband and a love that survived even after death.

I give this book 4/5 mandrake roots. This was a refreshing other-side-of-the-coin story. The fact that this is my first time to read about accounts of those hanged for being a witch made this even more a must-read. This was so brave of the author to admit to be a descendant of one of those guilty in the Salem witch hunt trials. Surely, your great-grandmother, Susannah North Martin, is so proud of you for telling everyone her story. I condemn you not, or even Susannah and the rest.

If you lie and accuse another of witchcraft, you are exonerated. If you tell the truth, you are imprisoned.

- Heather B. Moore, Condemn Me Not - 

It was unfortunate that I was not able to read this in time for the deadline of the review. This review was supposed to be out last April 1. I apologize to Kathy of ebooksforreview.com for the delay and for not being able to give you a heads-up. I was running some errands these past few days, was home late in the evenings and had no energy left but sleep. I assure you this will not happen again. Thank you again for allowing me to review this book.

Also by Heather Moore:

Slave Queen by H. B. Moore
A Second Chance 1of 6 of the Blind Date Collection ( A Timeless Anthology #18)

Trembling Leaf by T. L. Kole | A Book Review

I got this book through Goodreads. I am a member of Oprah's Book Club and one of the members who is also an author posted about giving her books for free in exchange for a review. I got this way back November last year but was not able to read it until last March. 

The Trembling Leaf is a story of a woman who had a hard life. She was deprived of a mother's unconditional love. Her self-esteem is so fragile. This is a recounting of her sad life as an eldest child, a teenager seeking to fit in, a woman working hard and eventually finding love but then got her heart broken. This talked more of the pains than of triumphs.

The main character Yasmine, grew up disillusioned and hungry for a mother's love and attention. Her manipulative mother preyed on her to coerce her to do her bidding. Her father was her only source of comfort and strength at home. She grew up believing she's ugly and unremarkable. This insecurity has taken a deep root in her being that even after she found the love of her life, this insecurity kept popping to the surface and eventually led her to leave her husband instead of working out their marriage.

The story was written in  a way that it alternates between the retelling of the past in a form of a journal entry and the current time. This goes on from the beginning until the last part that there were instances where in I was confused whether I was reading about an event in the not so distant past or the current. That was the main issue I had with this book. I thought the retelling of her childhood was unnecessary but in the last part, it suddenly became clear that it was essential for the whole story to work. Though, I wished it was not so excruciatingly long. I think, the narration could have been more engaging.

The long narrative that lead to the current life of Yasmine, as I said, was justified because it strongly established the character flaws and personality of Yasmine. In short, there was only one thing that Yasmine was unable to do to change her life. She was powerless to change how her mother treated her but she had every power to make her marriage work. She should just have confronted Jack about whatever was bugging her and all her pains and fears after that should have been needless. She let her insecurity get the best of her and ruined her marriage because she refused to believe that she deserves happiness just like everyone else. She thought that by running away, it will make her problem and issues disappear. 

At least, the issue about the misunderstanding was resolved in the end, but only years after  which was too late but then the closure was what she needed. A lot of things have happened to Yasmine and Jack's individual lives in the years in between. 

I give this book 2/5 journals. I felt like this could have done better. The idea was good but the delivery, in a way, did not really appeal to me. It somehow failed to connect to me. There were a lot of passages here that contain wisdom and truths about life. That was one of the good things about this book. Also, I really love the prayer by Mother Theresa. It simply summarized how we should live our lives. So, here it is. It's one great code to live by.

Mother Theresa's Prayer

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others would destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. 

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway. 

Thank you again, T. L. Kole for the copy. 

The Twilight Tsunami by Shelby Londyn-Heath | A Book Review

The author sent me a message through my blog telling me that this book was free. I replied back that I was interested to review her book. This is a psychological thriller. The author mentioned in her email that she intentionally wrote the chapter in small portions she called as gulps. She described this book as a quick-read with leaps in consciousness.

The Twilight Tsunami is about the lives of social workers working with foster kids. This chronicled their daily lives as they try to help and make a difference in the world by making it a better place, one child at a time. This talked about their struggles, their pains and the burdens they have to bear trying to make a child's life better. How the emotional toll caused by the stresses at work has taken hold and encroached in their personal lives permanently and irreversibly. This is an eye-opener. Hopefully, people in the government, especially those who can affect the legislation and budget allocations can do something to help these social workers and the kids who desperately needed love and care.

The first few chapters of the book detailed all the horrors of a social workers life. The hurts and the dangers, not to mention the hazard that comes with the nature of the job. Add in a jealous co-worker out to kick every one that comes in her way to the top. The story started as sad and dark. It showed the horrors of the foster-care system right at the start. If you are of a faint heart you would feel disappointed and turned off. It would appear that this was a very sad story and would make you think twice if you want to continue perusing the pages. I was honestly a bit turned off and it kind of started to dampen my spirits as well. I can't help but feel downcast after reading bad news after bad news. 

But this book is not filled with all bad news until the end. In fact, what I really liked about this was that everything got resolved. All issues and characters that were having a hard time here eventually find the strength to change things. This story showed a lot of things. It proved that people who work in social services are people with really great hearts. Most of them took on this kind of job because of their genuine desire and wish to help find a home for these abandoned kids. I guess, it's rare for a social worker to have no compassion for their charges. I think Marjorie represents the other side of the coin. Those who think they are helping by following the rules and mandates but also forgetting the most important part of the job--compassion. These kids and their families are not just case numbers but human beings and they need all the help, compassion and support they need to fight their demons to change their lives. And I do agree, I think it is apparent that in all the cases, the kids are always the ones who end up the victims. There are no laws that protect them and cater to their welfare. A lot of things mentioned in here are hard facts and I guess with the author putting them out there is one step of doing something about them. This is the first time I've read about the lives of social care workers. We can never underestimate the power of information getting to the right person who actually has the power to change things -especially about the plight of foster kids.

I think one of the endings should have included Carol starting that youth program and the rest of the social workers like Christine, Gray, Mandy and Karen also helping her with it. I think they would all do what they really set out to do, why they wanted to work as social workers. I give the book 4/5 feeding bottles. Thanks again, Shelby Lyndon-Heath for giving me a chance to read this book. I hope that you continue to write books like this that help spread awareness of issues and subjects that are mostly taken for granted or assumed of less importance. More power to all the authors who make it their life's work to expose the sad plight of the less fortunate and writing about issues that people try so hard not to discuss like domestic violence, bullying, etc.

Where did parents' love go to when their children slipped out of their lives, never to return?

- Shelby Londyn-Heath, The Twilight Tsunami - 

The Mask of Minos: Bruno's Inferno by Robert Walton | A Book Review

When searching for books to review, especially if presented with a lot of titles to choose from, I usually look at titles that demand attention. Titles that come out strong and shout "read me". Of course, the type of genre I love to read would also come into play. For me, since I love mythology, thriller and women's literature, titles that jump out to me are those that have words related to the three things I mentioned. I am also interested in titles that hinted of a scandal, a conspiracy or anything mysterious. I decided to review this book because of the word Minos. Minos is a character in Greek mythology. So, after reading the blurb and liking it, I signed up for this one. I also have a penchant for reading books that are not widely read by everyone. I also love to meet obscure, not mainstream authors.

Mask of Minos is an archaeology thriller. If you love James Rollins, you will love Robert Walton also. This is about the search for an elusive mythical object that has left a trail of dead bodies. A secret society that is bound to protect its identity and aims to rule the world. The main protagonists of this story are Harry Thursday and Sara Webster. Thursday is an archaeologist who is recuperating from his previous adventure in Fatal Snow (which I have not read yet). Sara is a special agent from BAR. BAR is a special branch of the CIA which recovers stolen artifacts and treasures from the WWII. Theses two traveled from South America to Europe in search of the mask which was fabled to give an immense power to the wearer. It would be a major catastrophe if the mask falls into the wrong hands.

I think Thursday is the only protagonist in all the archaeology thrillers that I have read that I do not love. I am not sure if I like him, yet. The book hinted of his involvement in shady characters in his previous transactions. I like my heroes with integrity and stubborn will. I like those who have strong convictions and can never be swayed by anything. In the whole story, I don't think he has proven himself to be trustworthy. Or I could be prematurely judging him on this one book. But I also think that this book gave me enough information as to his personality. I guess, we'll see if he changes my mind in his next adventures.

Sara, the female protagonist is obviously so taken by Mr. Thursday. Maybe, she can give me a further insight into Mr. Thursday's personality in the next books. I still can't decide if the partnership of these two is rock-solid. I am still not able to make up my mind if these two make a very formidable duo. Their knowledge, experiences and skills relating to ancient artifacts are very impressive, I admit. I would like to hope that these two will have more adventures to share together. Hopefully, they will grow on me.

What I really liked about the story was the historical background of the artifact and about the monks. At the onset of the story, dead bodies have been dropping to keep secrets hidden. The legend of Count Bruno, a Bavarian Knight of the Templar, was also very interesting. I think the story of Count Bruno being a Templar Knight is the best part of the story. Yes, I am a sucker for anything that has to do about the Knights Templar and the mystery surrounding Christianity, Jesus Christ and other religions. In short, I like books that tackle controversial issues and taboo topics. Adding in the Hyperboreans into the mix has made it more appealing. I just hope that in the next books, the Hyperboreans will be given a face and their secret society will be aired out in the open. They really got me curious.

I give the book 3.5/5 scary masks. This book brought me to Costa Rica, Paris and to Switzerland. I was shown the inner sanctum of the vault where safety deposit boxes of the famous Swiss bank lie. This was a good thriller ride but I think the whole story did not flow seamlessly. I felt like there were a few things that were a little fuzzy. Maybe it was me not really comprehending it or I was distracted while I was reading. On the whole, it just appeared to me that there were a chunk or two that were missing or I might have missed. Or it could be just my imagination. Anyway, the ending also was good but I wished something more interesting happened to the mask. I think after all the near-death experiences Sara and Harry went through, I deemed it just appropriate that they have to at least bring home the bacon. That is just my opinion. Well, the story does not end here. This has now made me curious as to what happens next.

But reality is not truth, there is a difference between the two. What we perceive to be truth isn't always reality.

- Robert Walton, The Mask of Minos -  

Thanks again, Netgalley for the copy.

The Murdered Messiah by Len Lamensdorf | A Book Review

I have always been fascinated by the theories and stories about Jesus Christ and other things pertaining to religion. The two other books in the picture are books relating to the life of Jesus, Freemasonry and the temples of Solomon. These two books are not so fiction. The writers are both religious scholars who have explored various sources and texts. It's the readers prerogative how they would take the contents of these two books. These two were like historical fiction books for me. It had in no way affected or changed my belief.

The Murdered Messiah is much like the two books - The Hiram Key and The Book of Hiram. This book chronicles the life of Jesus Christ. The events that lead to his birth, to his crucifixion and resurrection. 

This was probably the longest book I have ever read. In some parts, the pace was slow. I had to resort to reading two other short stories in between so I would not lose interest in this book. But overall, this was a very interesting read. I think, this theory of Jesus Christ's birth and conception is not very far fetch. I think this could be the most plausible and the nearest explanation to the mystery of Christ. I am a Catholic and reading this book had in no way affected my faith or belief at all, just like the two other books mentioned above. I am just glad or relieved or maybe thankful that someone was brave enough to write his theory relating to the events and assumptions of the life of Christ. 

I love Joseph's character. He was a man of his word. He still married Miriam (Mary), in spite of what other people think and say, solely because he loved her. It was probably the most unselfish thing to do. To love and accept someone, including all her flaws and baggage. I'd prefer this version of Joseph over the one we popularly knew who did not want to marry Mary and wanted to break the engagement. 

The most interesting part of this book was how Judas' character was portrayed. I liked how he was not totally made out to be the bad link in the chain of Jesus' ministry. He was flawed but he was indeed a follower of Joshua (Jesus). His actions and decisions were understandable, knowing where he was coming from. 

The most despicable character, contrary to our belief that it was Judas, was Pontius Pilate. I would like to believe that he was definitely the bad guy, the ultimate face of the devil or the devil incarnate. I totally despised him. I enjoyed his tormented reactions after he found out that Joshua rose from the dead. I think if I were to make someone's life a living hell, it would be Pilate. I would love to see him lose sleep and pull his hair out until he drives himself crazy with anger. I would enjoy tormenting him. 

I commend Lens Lamensdorf for coming up with this interesting book. Like the author, I too, in some way thought about these theories here. I guess, the only thing that can't be humanly or scientifically explained was how Jesus healed the sick and resurrected the dead. And like the author, I too believed that if ever a Messiah was to be called, it just made more sense that he comes from the common people, the humblest of beginnings. Who's most likely to lead the oppressed than one who has suffered the most?

I give this book 4/5 crosses. Just like all martyrs, Jesus (or Joshua in this book) died to free his country and people from foreign rule. The only difference that separated him other revolutionaries was that his way was through peace. He didn't believe in rising in arms and killing. As the author said, only he might just be the greatest martyr in Jewish history or maybe the greatest in the world has ever known. I think, I would readily accept this version of Jesus Christ without question. His unfortunate beginnings and tragic life only added strength and shape to his character. 

We need a man who is brave enough to be a soldier, learned enough to be a priest, strong enough to suffer any loss and powerful enough to lead the people--We need the Messiah.

- Len Lamensdorf, The Murdered Messiah - 

The Little Wagons by Crozier Green | ARC | A Book Review

As promised in my previous post, here again, is another festive picture to get into the holiday spirit. 

The Little Wagons is The Traumatic Birth of Sicily's Cosa Nostra in short, the Sicilian Mafia. Little wagons or carusi, mean the children that were sold by their parents to work in the sulphur mines. They collect and carry the sulphur back to the surface. They are the human rock-transporters. 

This book seemed like the longest book I have ever read. Probably, as long as A Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia-Marquez. It was lengthy yet very informative. It exhaustingly narrated how the what we now know as the infamous Italian mafia started -its very roots. It somehow made me understand the workings of the brotherhood as it was originally purported to be. Supposedly, it was created to promote equality and brotherhood. There is strength in brotherhood but alliances and loyalties could easily change. It is as volatile as burning sulphur. It could easily shift and turn just as fast as emptying a cup of beer. How to put equality in the picture, when you think about the mafia is a totally bizarre idea. This story will tell you what started as a very noble idea became twisted and equality was erased out of the equation. How the brotherhood catered and served only its elite members and how power was abused to its very core.

This was a difficult and bloody saga of Italian men born of poverty and despair, that in order to survive they had to do what is necessary. There was never a choice. The main character in this story, Tommaso di Bova, started as a carusi and advanced to become a pickman (picconieri) and then later became the head of the brotherhood (fratellanza). To become a pickman, he has to go through a baptism of fire and fight for his life. And before he became the rappresentante, he has to endure a lot of hardships, treachery, and tragedy. 

This story is painful, horrifying and tragic. It reminded me of how easily people could betray and kill for the sake of one's purposes and motives. How revenge could easily be the reason for breathing. How some people could change allegiance to maintain their status quo or to advance their dreams. How arrogance, selfishness, and greed could be the ticket to more material wealth but could also be the cause of downfall.

This is a very well-written story. It could have been the account of the original founders of the fratellanza. It was written in a very convincing and authentic way. Crozier Green is a master story-teller. His words were not flowery or too flamboyant but they carry the weight of their meaning. There was no fear of misunderstanding them. I don't know how else to describe this book but I was taken in and resistance was futile. It took no prisoners.

I give the book 5/5 little wagons. This made me think of the current college  and university fraternities in the Philippines. I think these fraternities could have taken its roots with the Italian idea of brotherhood. It hurts to think that to be included and embraced into this elite brotherhood, one has to go through a painful initiation. I think modern-day hazing could be traced back to the same idea of the Sicilians in this story. There have been a lot of deaths caused by hazing in fraternities. And like the vow of silence (omerta) fostered by the original fratellanza, some of those deaths have become casualties of this so-called brotherhood. 

...but passion would always come off second best to vengeance.

- Crozier Green, The Little Wagons - 

Release Date: December 9, 2016

Thanks again, Netgalley for the ARC.