Review: A Delightful Quarantine: A Play about a Homebound Town

A Delightful Quarantine: A Play about a Homebound Town by Mark Dunn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Delightful Quarantine: A Play about a Homebound Town

by Mark Dunn

92 pages

approx 2 hours performed

Published by Samuel French (first published November 1st 2012)

So let's say that an infectious disease sweeps across the planet. Suddenly there is a shortage of toilet paper and common sense. The government locks down its citizens tells them to wash their hands, don't touch their faces. Then says don't hang out in large groups. And finally says, stay home. All the while the leader of the free world is saying it is a hoax and no one will die. Oh and on top of that Hollywood stays home and all movie production stops. Theatres and restaurants are closed for indoor dining. People can no longer attend live concerts or worst yet, live plays.

No that was real life not this play. In fact, this play was written 8 years prior to the dumpster fire of 2020. But with that in mind, and all the social distancing and safety measures in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19, it's hard to do live theatre. Not so says Super-Director Tara Gallion of Lincoln Trail College theatre department. Tara searches the planet looking for a play that will not only make sense in this trying time but also we can perform while wearing masks and maintaining social distance as required by the state and yet still make sense with the performance. That's where this play comes in and I was grateful to be performing again live, albeit in front of a limited audience capacity.

So how does this play fit? Well according to the story, aliens have come to Earth and they want some of our soil. The problem is they leave behind a deadly disease that leaves seven separate households unexpectedly quarantined. Seven story lines are balanced as people are forced to confront their personal issues. A heart-warming original comedy/drama about how people react when there's nowhere else to go, which, in reality, is pretty much everyday on Earth.

Two families are on the verge of breaking up their marriages, one family has to deal with a cancer diagnosis, one house has a crazy cat lady and unseen cats, kids forced to be alone in an old lady's house, a daughter finds her birth mother after 32 years, and a pair of old ladies confront a burglar.

Each story has a touch of humor, some more than others, and a couple have some poignant, straight in your face this is life moments. All around the play has something to offer for all with maybe even a bit of slapstick that can always be fun.

I had a blast reading and performing in this play and I have a feeling Mark Dunn may get some extra royalties this year due to having written a nice play that is perfect for weird times.

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Review: Brief Cases

Brief Cases by Jim Butcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Brief Cases”

By Jim Butcher

Narrated by: James Marsters, Jim Butcher, Cassandra Campbell, Julia Whelan, Oliver Wyman

Series: The Dresden Files, Book 15.5

Length: 15 hrs and 30 mins

Published June 5th 2018 by Penguin Random House Audio

Once you get started into the world of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, you just can't stop. Luckily there's plenty of material to chose from, with 17 books on the series. The fun thing is that Butcher has compiled his short stories into 3 extra books; “Side Jobs,” “Working for Bigfoot,” and this one. This book has the stories from “Working for Bigfoot,” so you could bypass that one, but being a huge fan I have to at least own all the books.

To summarize, at least up until the stories in this book, in the Dresden Files, I will be brief and let you read the books on your own if you feel so inclined.

So briefly, Harry Dresden is a wizard. His domain is Chicago, and he protects the city from all forms of supernatural entities with his magic and his life (that is not just talk, he actually spent some time dead to keep Chicago and his friends and family safe.) Harry used to be a consultant with the police and worked closely with Karen Murphy, a detective. He and Karen are now a couple. (spoiler)

Harry has fought and killed Red Court Vampires, well actually he killed all the Red Court Vampires, Harry has also fought many other supernatural beings, including other courts of vampires, werewolves, ghouls, ghosts, all sorts of fairy and fae, even a god and goddess or two. Oh and let's not forget Chicago Gangster, Gentleman Johnny Marcone.

The best part of Harry Dresden's life is the list of who he has partnered with, which includes but is not limited to: Bigfoot, the fairy queen of winter and summer (with with the queen of winter being his fairy godmother), the white council of wizards, teenage werewolves, Valkyries and many more.

The tough thing about Harry's life is that he can never seem to catch a break but he does seem to always find a way out of problems.

At this point in his timeline Harry's daughter is the focus of his attention, as is his White Court Vampire/Half Brother, Thomas. Harry's family has grown to not only include these two but also Karen Murphy, his grandfather, Ebenezer, River Shoulders (a sasquatch), Molly the former warlock daughter of Michael, a Knight of the Cross, now turned to the winter lady. Read the books, you'll love them.

So let's talk about this book in the series it was released between the 2015 released book, “Skin Game” and the newly released (2020), “Peace Talks.” The stories all take place at different times during the Dresden timeline, but each story is important as somewhat of a footnote to lead you to further understand the characters and incidents leading up to “Peace Talks.” Here are the stories in Brief Cases:

“Curses” — from the 2011 publication, “The Naked City,” edited by Ellen Datlow. Republished in 2014 publication, “Magic City: Recent Spells,” edited by Paula Guran. Takes place between Small Favor and Turn Coat. Harry is hired to look into the Curse of the Billy Goat, which has plagued the Chicago Cubs in the postseason for decades, and try to lift it if possible. I'm thinking this is one of the world's most famous curses, and sure Harry has to do it without anyone knowing that's what he's trying to do. The funny thing about this is that this story was written about 5 years before the Cubs won the World Series again. That leads to the question, did he or didn't he?

“AAAA Wizardry” — from the 2010Dresden Files RPG, published by Evil Hat. This story is actually a group of stories within a story. Harry teaches a group of young Wardens his procedure for dealing with supernatural nasties. As Harry teaches the class he has to tell a story for each procedure. Takes place between “Dead Beat”and “Proven Guilty.” Oh and yes there is a Dresden Files RPG.

“Even Hand” — originally from 2010 Dark and Stormy Knights, edited by Pat Elrod. Reprinted in 2014 Beyond the Pale, edited by Henry Herz, and 2017  Urban Enemies, edited by Joseph Nassise.
Gentleman Johnnie Marcone clashes with a rival supernatural power. Told from Marcone’s point of view. Takes place between Turn Coat and Changes.

“B is for Bigfoot” — from 2012 Under My Hat: Tales From the Cauldron, edited by Jonathan Strahan. Republished in 2015Working for Bigfoot. This is the point in the Dresden files where we learn that bigfoot is a major player in Harry's world. Takes place between Fool Moon and Grave Peril.

“I Was A Teenage Bigfoot” — from 2012 Blood Lite 3: Aftertaste, edited by Kevin J. Anderson. Republished in Working for Bigfoot. Bigfoot is revisited, this time Harry must save Bigfoot's son from something that seems to be draining his energies. Takes place circa Dead Beat.

“Bigfoot on Campus” — from 2012 Hex Appeal, edited by P.N. Elrod. Republished in Working for Bigfoot. Bigfoot's son is all grown up and in college at Oklahoma University in Norman, OK. (GO SOONERS!!!!) This time his son is the target of a White Court Vampire, sorta. Takes place between Turn Coat and Changes.

“Bombshells” — Molly-POV novella from 2013 Dangerous Women, edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Duzois. Molly teams up with Justine and Andi to thwart a Fomor plot.
Takes place between Ghost Story and Cold Days.

“Jury Duty” — short story for 2015 Unbound, edited by Shawn Speakman. Harry endures Jury Duty. Well more like discovers a case he can solve by enduring Jury Duty. Set after Skin Game.

“Cold Case” — short story from 2016 Shadowed Souls, edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie Hughes.
In Molly’s first job in her new role, she teams up with Ramirez to take on a Lovecraft-esque cult. Once I got started into the story I knew right away Jim Butcher was tackling the writings of Lovecraft, and merging Lovecraft into Dresden files is just plain awesome. The problem Is that Molly has yet to discover her new full powers. Takes place shortly after Cold Days.

“Day One” — short story for2016Unfettered II, edited by Shawn Speakman. Butters’ first mission. Waldo Butters is the Coroner for Cook County and has recently been folded in as a Knight of the Cross. The cool thing is that his sword is pretty much a light saber. Set after Skin Game.

“A Fistful of Warlocks” — short story for 2017 Straight Outta Tombstone, edited by David Boop.
Luccio takes on necromancers in the Wild West. I think this was the most fun story in this book. It had a very, VERY Clint Eastwood vibe. Set long before the events of the series, like maybe a hundred years or so before.

“Zoo Day Exclusive bonus novella for Brief Cases. A Rashomon-style story that chronicles a family trip to the zoo from Harry, Maggie, and Mouse’s points of view. Jim Butcher really stretched his story-telling muscles on this one, and I loved the story from Mouse's point of view. Mouse is Harry's dog....not just any dog, but a Temple Dog.
Set after Skin Game.

In the audiobook when Harry is telling the story, the great James Marsters is narrating, for the other stories the voices are changed to reflecct the point of view and the author’s notes that precede each story are read by the author.

Publisher's Summary

An all-new Dresden Files story headlines this urban fantasy short story collection starring the Windy City's favorite wizard.

The world of Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard, is rife with intrigue - and creatures of all supernatural stripes. And you'll make their intimate acquaintance as Harry delves into the dark side of truth, justice, and the American way in this must-have short story collection.

From the Wild West to the bleachers at Wrigley Field, humans, zombies, incubi, and even fey royalty appear, ready to blur the line between friend and foe. In the never-before-published "Zoo Day", Harry treads new ground as a dad, while fan-favorite characters Molly Carpenter, his onetime apprentice, White Council Warden Anastasia Luccio, and even Bigfoot stalk through the pages of more classic tales.

With 12 stories in all, Brief Cases offers both longtime fans and first-time listeners tantalizing glimpses into Harry's funny, gritty, and unforgettable realm, whetting their appetites for more to come from the wizard with a heart of gold.

©2018 Jim Butcher (P)2018 Penguin Audio

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Review: The Heiress

The Heiress by Ruth Goetz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Heiress
By: Ruth Goetz, Augustus Goetz
Narrated by: Chris Noth, Amy Irving, Full Cast
Length: 2 hrs and 3 mins
Produced by L.A. Theatre Works.

Leave it to L.A. Theatre Works to turn what easily could be a boring play into something that is worth hearing, and will keep the listener listening.

LATW produces many plays into audiobook and everyone has a great cast and the production puts you right in the middle of the audience of the performance.

This time around Amy Irving plays Catherine who already has a decent income (especially considering that this is the 1850s and she's a woman) from when her mother passed away. She is set to inherit a large sum when Dr. Sloyer (her father) passes and people know it.

When a young treasure hunter seeks Catherine's hand, her father is determined to put a stop to the man's persuit. Catherine believes his professed feelings to be real, her father knows otherwise.

A tale of love lost, this performance is well acted and performed. I decided halfway through that it was not my cup of tea, but since the performance was so good I had to keep listening. LATW always gets me listening to plays I would probably normally pass on.

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Review: Top Secret, 2008 Edition

Top Secret, 2008 Edition by Geoffrey Cowan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Top Secret
The Battle for the Pentagon Papers: 2008 Tour Edition
By: Geoffrey Cowan, Leroy Aarons
Narrated by: John Heard, John Getz, Susan Sullivan, James Gleason, Gegory Harrison, Diane Adair, Geoffrey Wade
Length: 1 hr and 53 mins
Performance
Release date: 08-07-08
Publisher: L.A. Theatre Works

Have I told you lately how much I love these productions from L.A. Theatre Works? Well I do. Because they always have a great cast, the recordings are lifelike and put you in the middle of the audience. I highly recommend seeking out anything produced/published by LATW.

So this story/play is just as it sounds it is a performance depicting the fight between corrupt government and the free press. (funny how this was in the Nixon era, but so much hits home today.

The New York Times has gotten their hands on these “Pentagon Papers” and is about to publish them until the government gives them a scare and they decide to pass on these once (maybe still?) classified documents that show that America cannot win the war in Vietnam. These papers were issued a few years before and the subject matter discussed in them is in the past. The Times passes the papers to the Washington Post which makes the daring decision to publish them.

The Nixon White House insists they are top secret and the press has no right to publish. It could be a breach of National Security and treason for the Washington Post and their other companies.

A trial ensues and that’s when it comes out that the government cannot be trusted.

The events were in this play were during a very divisive time in American History and much like today’s divisive political atmosphere, proves how important it is for Americans to have a free press.

As always great performances by all and definitely a good listen. There is a bonus recording with this in which the play and its subject matter are discussed in a panel with former Nixon White House counsel John Dean, journalist Robert Scheer, author Geoffrey Cowan, and Congresswoman Jane Harman.

Publisher’s Summary
This is a timely docudrama about The Washington Post’s decision to publish the Pentagon Papers, a top secret study documenting U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The subsequent trial tested the parameters of the First Amendment, pitting the public’s right to know against the government’s desire for secrecy.
This new 2008 tour edition features a new cast and a revised script.

Bonus content: a panel discussion with former Nixon White House counsel John Dean, journalist Robert Scheer, author Geoffrey Cowan, and Congresswoman Jane Harman.

©2008 LA Theatre Works (P)2008 LA Theatre Works

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Review: The Last Jedi: Expanded Edition

The Last Jedi: Expanded Edition by Jason Fry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The Last Jedi
Star Wars
By: Jason Fry
Narrated by: Marc Thompson
Series: Star Wars, Book 43,
Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 03-06-18
Publisher: Random House Audio

Long long ago, in a galaxy far far away: If you haven't been keeping up with the Star Wars sagas then you've got some catching up to do. But if you are a reader and/or audiobook absorber (like me) then here's a better option for you.

This book is a novelization of the movie "The Last Jedi," and after listening to the audiobook, I strongly fee that this is better than the movie. Sure, you can't see the cute little Porgs or the cute BB-8, but with this version you can still hear them and what makes this book a bit better is that instead of just watching the action on the screen, you get to learn what is going on in each character's mind, including the cute BB-8.

So to summarize the movie, the Empire has been defeated but in its place the First Order has entered. The Jedis seem to be no more, and the Last Jedi, Luke Skywalker has gone into hiding. Rey is sent to find the Jedi Master and get his help in defeating Kylo Ren and the First Order. That is not going to be easy because there's a reason Skywalker went into hiding for a reason.

Rey has discovered that she has some Jedi abilities and eventually convinces Luke to train her.

Meanwhile Kylo Ren, Smoak and the First Order are battling the last remaining rebels and hope seems to be lost. They are seeking revenge for the rebels destroying the Planetkiller base. They have the last ships in their sites and the battle is badly tilted to the First Order coming out victorious.

Just as action packed as the movie this audiobook will keep you glued to your headset (or speakers) until the very end. The narrator, Marc Thompson makes this audiobook come alive with extremely good impersonations of the actors as he reads their characters' words. Even Princess Leia sounds like Carrie Fisher. That alone is worth checking this out. On top of the excellent narration sound effects are inserted where needed so you can fly with the Porgs or shoot at the tie-fighters. Definitely worth the listen.

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Publisher’s Summary
Written with input from director Rian Johnson, this official adaptation of Star Wars: The Last Jedi expands on the film to include scenes from alternate versions of the script and other additional content.

From the ashes of the Empire has arisen another threat to the galaxy’s freedom: the ruthless First Order. Fortunately, new heroes have emerged to take up arms – and perhaps lay down their lives – for the cause. Rey, the orphan strong in the Force; Finn, the ex-stormtrooper who stands against his former masters; and Poe Dameron, the fearless X-wing pilot, have been drawn together to fight side-by-side with General Leia Organa and the Resistance. But the First Order’s Supreme Leader Snoke and his merciless enforcer Kylo Ren are adversaries with superior numbers and devastating firepower at their command. Against this enemy, the champions of light may finally be facing their extinction. Their only hope rests with a lost legend: Jedi Master Luke Skywalker.

Where the action of Star Wars: The Force Awakens ended, Star Wars: The Last Jedi begins, as the battle between light and dark climbs to astonishing new heights.

©2018 Jason Fry (P)2018 Random House Audio

Review: Lady Death: Malevolent Decimation

Lady Death: Malevolent Decimation by Brian Pulido
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lady Death: Malevolent Decimation
Story: Brian Pulido, Mike MacLean
Interiors: Diego Bernard, Ceci de la Cruz
Cover: Paolo Pantalena, Arif Prianto
Hardcover, Kickstarter Hardcover, 48 pages
Published by Coffin Comics 5/2020

This is yet another comic book character that I collected back in the 90s.  Unless you special ordered or had a cool comic book shop this title was hard to track down but then the comic book world erupted and everything was available around 2000 it became easier to find.

Brian Pulido has created an unlikely hero who at times seems to want to destroy humanity and other times saving humanity.  I think that's what appeals to me in that you just never really know.

Originally Lady Death was a hallucination, but now she is a full fledged goddess from hell.  Since 2015 Brian Pulido has taken complete control over his character and through Kickstarter has been publishing a new title every few months.

This time around we start out in New Orleans where Lady Death seeks out a voodoo queen to track down a kid who is possessed by a demon that can help her achieve full Malevolent Decimation.    Some of the "good guys" know what the kid is capable of and try to prevent her from raising the dead.  

In this book  Brian Pulido does a little crossover from one of his other popular titles, La Muerta.  La Muerta along with Lady Death's son  seek to prevent Lady Death from reaching her goal.

This book contains yet another great story in the re-birth of Lady Death.  The artwork is beyond beautiful and makes the book worth looking over several times just to see it all.

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Review: Painkiller Jane: Trust the Universe

Painkiller Jane: Trust the Universe by Amanda Conner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Painkiller Jane: Trust the Universe
by Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Juan Santacruz (Illustrator)
Hardcover
Published 2019 by PaperFilms

I used to be a slave to comic book collecting (around mid 90s), but recently I have sold off the bulk of my collection and looking for trade paperbacks/graphic novels, where you get more than one issue in a book.  But, back when I was collecting I was a huge fan of Witchblade, The Darkness, and Vampirella.  I ran into a crossover with The Darkness and Painkiller Jane and later Vampirella and Painkiller Jane.  I soon found myself a fan of Jane.  

SyFy network had a movie and then a series based (somewhat loosely in the movie, more on point with the series) about this time I started to lose interest in collecting the comics.  

Painkiller Jane is a former cop that while undercover gets injected with a cocktail of designer drugs and develops the super power of fast healing.  Think of Wolverine without the claws, and instead just a few guns and some bad ass fighting skills.  I never lost my interest in the character just in comics in general.  

Jump ahead a few years and I find the authors Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner are doing a Kickstarter to create this book.  I had to jump in.  I am so glad I did.  

This hardcover features a new story and a couple of earlier tales, one being Jane's origin story, so if your new to the character this book will catch you up.  Being a Kickstarter there are lots of extras that I'm not sure whether or not they are included in the regular version.  Some of the extras are pin-ups drawn by various artists, and some cosplayers dressed as Jane.

The main story in this book Jane finds herself teaming up with another Palmiotti created character called the Monolith.  They work together to stop a child trafficking ring.  Great adventures, great story....and to top it off, beautiful artwork.  

Worth your while.

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Review: Dark Matter

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dark Matter
by Blake Crouch
Hardcover, 342 pages
Published July 26th 2016 by Crown

Wow, just wow.  I could stop there and let you read the book and  find out why it's hard to talk about.  But, I will not leave you hanging.  First I will tell you about why the book is unique.  
1.) It's kind of hard to describe without giving spoilers or rather without the temptation to just tell you how it ends.
2.) Physics

Jason Dessen is a physics teacher in a small college in the Chicago suburbs.  His friend wins an award in biochemistry for the work Jason helped with.  He's a little bitter but not much, It is his friend after all.  After leaving the celebration Jason is abduction by a stranger in a mask.   The last thing Jason hears before he goes unconscious is the stranger asking, "Are you happy with your life?"

Next thing Jason knows he is strapped to a gurney in a room full of strangers wearing hazmat suits.  The next thing he hears is a stranger  saying, "Welcome back."  Jason soon learns that he is the genius behind this facility and is highly regarded by all the staff.  Jason thinks he's going crazy. He doesn't remember any of this and only remembers his life with his wife and son.

What soon begins is a run through the multiverse.  Every decision you make changes your life, but what happens if you made the other decision is something this book approaches.   Jason in one life has invented a box that allows him to travel through the multiverse and visit the different versions of his life.   All Jason wants is to go back home to his reality, but with infinite multiverse versions of his life it becomes like finding one particular grain of sand on a beach.

This book kept me enthralled throughout the many jumps between the multiverses and even more so when times became desperate for Jason.  The end of the book will keep you wondering, what if?

Blake Crouch, the author, is the reason I read this book.  I had seen the Wayward Pines TV series and wanted to read those books but found this one first.   This book will soon be a major motion picture, but I suggest reading it before you see the movie.

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Review: The Devil's Highway: A True Story

The Devil's Highway: A True Story by Luis Alberto Urrea
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Devil's Highway (A True Story)
Written and Narrated By: Luis Alberto Urrea
Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins
Release date: 06-02-11
Publisher: Hachette Audio

May, 2001,  a group of 26 men attempted to cross the Mexican border in to the desert of Southern Arizona in order to find a better life for themselves.   Only 12 made it out of that desert, the mummified remains of the others were discovered and the story began to unfold about this mystery.

Luis Alberto Urrea, puts the pieces together through some in depth investigative journalism and tells the story of those that sought a better way by sneaking into the U.S.

Urrea follows the story beginning with the Coyotes, those in charge of smuggling people to their new life and ending with the discovery and attempts to identify the remains of the humans seeking a better life by having to sneak across a vast desert.

During the descriptions of the the states the bodies were in and how they got to be that way on top of how the body reacts to extreme heat were a bit uneasy for me to hear, but not so bad that it kept me from the story.  This is a very important section of the story and even if you are squeamish, you need to read/hear all of it. 

Urrea not only did a great job of digging out and writing this story, but his narration really gives a depth to the story.    Check it out.

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Review: A Tale of Two Cities

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"A Tale of Two Cities"
By Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
Length: 14 hrs and 42 mins
Release date: 03-23-11
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Sometimes I have to go back and revisit a classic.  Sometimes it's just to see if what I took from the book the first time still holds or to see if in my growing age and wisdom I can gain new insights.  I'm really not sure why I revisited this classic.  I hated it in high school.  (pretty sure i only read part and lied on the book report)  I re-read the book back in the late 90s and had a hard time keeping focused on it and put it down many times.   This time around I thought, "Well, let's try the audiobook."    If I'm being perfectly honest, it is still boring, and hard to complete this arduous task. 
I do have to say that the audiobook was the best version I had experienced, but the subject matter just wasn't my cup of meat.  Simon Prebble presented the book perfectly, I can't blame him for the lack of interest I have in the French Revolution.
I did give it that good ol' college try.  (Actually a lot better than my slacker college tries ever turned out to be.)  I know how Dickens uses the cities of London and Paris as settings to show the reasons for the Revolution, but it felt like I was in that prison with Dr. Manette.  I guess really, I'm not a fan of Dickens. 
I'm not going to bore you with a summary of the book.  You should have read it by now, and if you didn't maybe you just aren't interested.  I think what made this most interesting was the fact that just after listening to this book, Disney+ streaming service released the recording of the Broadway production of "Hamilton," and when they made references to the French Revolution, I fully understood what they were talking about, having had that bit of history fresh in my overcrowded brain. 
I think I'll tackle an audio version of "Moby Dick" next.  I really love that book.

Publisher’s Summary
Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, A Tale of Two Cities is a sprawling tale of London and revolutionary Paris with a complex plot portraying the results of terror and treason, love and supreme sacrifice.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”—opening line of A Tale of Two Cities

It was the time of the French Revolution, a time of great change and great danger. It was a time when injustice was met by a lust for vengeance, and rarely was a distinction made between the innocent and the guilty. Against this tumultuous historical backdrop, Dickens’ dramatic story of adventure and courage unfolds.

Unjustly imprisoned for 18 years in the Bastille, Dr. Alexandre Manette is reunited with his daughter, the gentle Lucie Manette, and safely transported from France to England. It would seem that they could now take up the threads of their lives in peace. As fate would have it, however, the two are summoned to the Old Bailey to testify against a young Frenchman, Charles Darnay, falsely accused of treason. Strangely enough, Darnay bears an uncanny resemblance to another man in the courtroom: Sydney Carton, a dissolute barrister. It is a coincidence that saves Darnay from certain doom more than once, as the two men’s fates become intertwined with that of the Revolution.

And there is Madame Defarge, a female revolutionary who has an implacable grudge against the aristocratic Evrémonde dynasty and who knits as she watches the beheadings.

The storming of the Bastille, the death carts with their doomed human cargo, the swift drop of the blade of La Guillotine—this is the French Revolution that Charles Dickens vividly captures. Brilliantly plotted, the novel is rich in drama, romance, and heroics that culminate in a daring prison escape in the shadow of the guillotine.

Public Domain (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc

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Review: Cataclysm of the Ancients

Cataclysm of the Ancients by Simon Rosser
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Cataclysm of the Ancients
By: Simon Rosser
Narrated by: Paul Richards
Series: Robert Spire, Book 4
Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins
Release date: 01-28-20
Publisher: Schmall World Publishing

I’ve been putting off writing this review for reasons to be revealed in more detail later, but let’s just say I hate to write a bad review.   Normally I don’t write bad reviews because if a book is bad I stop reading or listening.  This time around the book is a lot of fun and great action but the narrator was just horrible.  I’m an audiobook narrator and know that it’s tough to put the work in only to have a bad review…but this time, I hope (if he reads this) that he can take it as a chance to improve.

So let me get the bad stuff out of the way first.

The narrator, Paul Richards, read the book in a super slow manner, I actually fell asleep and had to restart the book 3 times.  I made sure I was doing something while listening so I could pay attention on the 4th try.  But that didn’t help.  I then tried a trick.  Long ago I found a setting on my iPod where I could adjust the speed of the audiobook.  I often wondered who in the heck would ever do such a thing.  Apparently me.   I set the playback speed to 2x the normal speed.  This then made the book a normal pace and a whole lot more bearable.  Even the action sequences were boring at normal speed.  (I guess he got paid per hour.)

The pacing wasn’t even the worst.  What nearly made me stop all together was his accents.  If you can’t do accents don’t.  Simple.  Didn’t stop this guy.  The main character of the story Robert Spire is Welsh.  But for some reason the narrator gave him a Transylvanian accent.  Actually it was a horrible impersonation of Bobby “Boris” Pickett (Monster Mash), which was a bad impersonation of Bela Lugosi.  Speeding up the the playback helped to cover this up as well.  I was really surprised that he didn’t do female voices the way Monty Python’s Flying Circus did their female voices.  But they were bearable.

Okay so now feeling bad that I have trashed the narrator, I have to talk about something good.    That would be the story itself.

The story is a puzzle solving history excursion and tracking down terrorists action story.  It has a great story and being the 4th book in the Robert Spire series by Si Rosser the story delivers the fun and drama.

It’s as though Dan Brown, Clive Cussler, got together to create the ultimate action story.  Maybe throw in a little MacGyver as well.

Terrorists have exposed a secret chamber in the Sphinx in order to track down a weapon of possible Ancient Alien origin.  Robert Spire and his co-horts have to track down and stop them from destroying the world.  The terrorists want to bring the world back to ancient times when gods were Gods.

After destroying the Golden Gate Bridge with this ancient alien weapon, the chase is on.  The weapon was originally used to destroy the Colossus of Rhodes one of the ancient wonders of the world, is now being used to destroy modern wonders.

A global chase that leads from the Middle East to America to the CERN super collider, will leave you breathless.  Read the written book if you can, it is great, try to avoid this audiobook.

Publisher’s Summary
Robert Spire is thrust into an archeological adventure and a search for a ancient relic – an object of immense technological power – missing since historical times. It must be found at all costs, and time is running out…

226 BC: Fall of the Colossus of Rhodes…

The mighty statue of the Greek Titan, Helios, stood proudly in the port of the ancient city of Rhodes, Greece. Built to celebrate Rhodes’ victory over the ruler of Cyprus in 305 B.C., it is one of the tallest statues of the ancient world, until it is destroyed after only 56 years. Legend suggests the Colossus was destroyed by an earthquake…But legends can be wrong.

Present Day: A Stolen C.I.A Document…

Langley Virginia: When CIA agent, Dr Vincent Kramer, is found brutally murdered in the facility’s parking lot, it becomes apparent that his death is linked to a missing document that was stored in the agency’s secret vault – A document detailing clandestine remote viewing experiments on the Great Sphinx in Egypt.

An Explosion Rips Into The Sphinx…

Soon after the theft, an explosion rips into Egypt’s legendary Sphinx, revealing a secret chamber within the ancient monolith. Upon discovering that the events are linked, the UK’s GLENCOM agency, keen to assist the Egyptian Government with the suspected terrorist attack upon one of the world’s greatest historical monuments, sends their agent, ex-environmental lawyer, Robert Spire, together with archeologist and Egyptian-Greek mythology expert, Professor Casey Carr, to Cairo to investigate…

Spire and Casey soon make a remarkable discovery, one which leads the pair on an perilous archeological hunt across ancient Egypt and the war-torn lands of Syria for the remains of the Colossus – one of the legendary Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

A sinister and powerful group of terrorists are also searching for the ancient artifact however, and will stop at nothing to get it, no matter what the cost…

©2015 Simon Rosser (P)2020 Simon Rosser

Review: Behind the Sheet

Behind the Sheet by Charly Evon Simpson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Lady Death: Blasphemy Anthem

Lady Death: Blasphemy Anthem by Brian Pulido
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lady Death: Blasphemy Anthem
by Brian Pulido
Story: Brian Pulido, Mike MacLean
Interiors: Dheeraj Verma, Sabine Rich
Cover: Diego Bernard, Alisson Rodrigues, Ceci de la Cruz
Chapter 10 in the Coffin Comics Lady Death Universe.
Hardcover, Kickstarter Hardcover, 48 pages
Published January 2020 by Coffin Comics

Chapter 10 of the Lady Death Universe opens just after the tragic events of "Scorched Earth," an extinction level disaster brought on by The Trinity.  At this point the world wonders whether Lady Death is a hero or a threat to humankind.  Even The Sworn, a group of supernatural anti-heroes begin to wonder.  It doesn't help that she is seeking some dark power and leaves bodies in her path to find that power.

Lady Death Takes her battle against The Trinity to Phoenix (which just happens to be author, Brian Pulido's, hometown)  The story is all part of a huge story arc to be continued in the next installment, "Malevolent Decimation," which I should be receiving in my mailbox sometime this month.  

Pulido knows how to tell a story and his group of anti-heroes are a great assortment to have as a foundation for a superhero/supernatural comic.  The artwork comes alive with action and the details in the pages keep you looking over and over through the book to catch all subtleties.

I will say that Lady Death comes out a changed person and while I'm not sure where Brian Pulido is taking his group, The Sworn, and Lady Death,  I do know I will definitely stay in line for the next issue and read on.




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Review: Lady Death: Blasphemy Anthem

Lady Death: Blasphemy Anthem by Brian Pulido
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Spill

Spill by Leigh Fondakowski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Skulduggery Pleasant

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Shattered

Shattered by Kevin Hearne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Secret Order

Secret Order by Bob Clyman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Sanctuary

Sanctuary by G. Michael Hopf
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sanctuary
A Postapocalyptic Novel
By: G. Michael Hopf
Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka
Series: The New World Series (Hopf), Book 3
Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-27-14
Language: English
Publisher: Penguin Audio

I started reading this book before the COVID-19 Pandemic was a thing, and I always figured that an EMP attack was the one that would knock out our country.  I am now thinking otherwise.   That being said, I still have most post-apocalyptic novels on my list.  

Months after the EMP pulse has crippled the nation, the United States are no long fully united and the factions are splitting the country up further.  This allows for a war-monger from South America to invade and take over the state of California with very little resistance.  The hero of these books, Gordon, just wants to get back to his family.

This book tells his story, and how in just wanting to get home, he is helping fight of rogue factions of gangs and very bad people while at the same time helping the President get the country back together.

The narrator, Keith Szarabajka, does a great performance and is able to deliver this story in a fashion which makes for an audio drama from a written book narration.  Never was I confused as to who was speaking, and as a plus, he was able create vocal characters from the characters in the book that are believable and endearing.  

By the way, I didn't read the first 2 books in the series, but I will be going back now to check them out.

Publisher's Summary
Surviving the attack proved to be more than they could have imagined….

Months after a super-EMP attack devastated the United States, the country is now unrecognizable. Major cities are run by gangs, survivors are dying of starvation and the government is falling victim to lawlessness. Those who were prepared for the end find that they weren't really prepared at all.

While some seek vengeance for their losses, others are determined to restore the nation. Gordon, Samantha, Sebastian, Barone, Connor and Pablo are all on different paths, but they are all in search of a home away from chaos. They are all in search of a sanctuary.

©2014 G. Michael Hopf (P)2014 Penguin Audio

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Review: Yi Soon Shin: Fallen Avenger

Yi Soon Shin: Fallen Avenger by Onrie Kompan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Yi Soon Shin: Fallen Avenger
by Onrie Kompan (Author, Editor), David Anthony Kraft (Author, Editor), Giovanni Timpano (Illustrator), El Arnakleus (Illustrator), Adriana De Los Santos (Illustrator), Joel Saavedra (Illustrator)
Book 2 of the Yi Soon Shin Series
Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: Onrie Kompan Productions, LLC; First edition (August 24, 2017)

Before I get on to the review of this Graphic Novel, I would like to give you a heads up on what may happen in this review: 1.) I am an avid comic book reader, so I may be biased.  2.) I may name drop in this review, but not to make me look good.   That being said let's talk about how awesome this book is.

I was attending a local comic-con a few years ago and was interviewing the author Brian K.  Morris for my podcast, The NerdUp Podcast.  After the interview he told me I should seek out Onrie Kompan and talk to him.  Morris told me that Kompan is doing some very unique things in using the comic book format to re-tell the story of a Legendary Hero from history.  I immediately looked for Onrie Kompan's booth and the journey began.  This was back when the first Yi Soon Shin graphic novel was released, "Warrior and Defender."  Onrie told me about his plight to get the story told and showed me the book.  The first thing that grabbed me was the artwork.  Beautiful!!!  Once the pitch was over, I bought that first book and loved it.  Then I heard he had compiled the next issues of individual comics into another graphic novel.  (I prefer that format rather than waiting between issues.)  I seemed to keep missing Onrie Kompan at various cons and was looking to find this book.  This time not for an interview, but to buy the book and continue reading.

I finally found out that he was doing a Kickstarter for the first comic in a third series.  In this Kickstarter one of the rewards was the 2nd graphic novel and the first issue of the third series.  I jumped.

I can't say which of the two books is best, because they both are equal in splendor.  The beautiful artwork continues.  The story is told using "modern" language and the action is perfectly recreated by the art. 

I have to tell any history buff and comic book fan that this book as well as the first are a must have.  Great story, great art and passion behind the book make this a book you must have.