Rathuun: King of the Prairie

by

David Fitz-Gerald

Riveting saga of the last days of the massive buffalo herds of the American West told from the viewpoint of the buffalo.

Rathuun: King of the Prairie by David Fitz-Gerald is the surprisingly riveting saga of the final days of the massive buffalo herds that roamed the plains of the American West as told through the eyes of a herd's leader. Rathuun was born at a time when his kind still migrated seasonally unimpeded by man across the vast continental grasslands. Only hours old, he was separated from his mother when the herd stampedes because of a bear attack on his twin. Young Rathuun, frozen in fright, is a witness to the huge creature killing and eating his twin brother, but he is reunited with his herd through the efforts of two young Native American boys. From this tragic and unusual start, Rathuun narrates the rest of his life and the experiences of the herd as their home, the open prairies, change as human population begins its unrelenting westward expansion. 

Rathuun and his fellow herd members live a full existence, always on the move, searching for the buffalo version of "The Promised Land" as passed down through generations from their ancestors' stories of the great mammoths that once shared the same grazing lands. The buffalo include many different characters, some good, some bad, some wise, and many gullible. Rathuun's life is dedicated to keeping the herd safe, first as a young bull assigned to the perimeter as lookout and later as the leader of the great herd. The author incorporated actual herd behavior and mentality into the plot as they migrate from one point to another, following hidden trails by instinct. 

As humans make their way into the buffaloes' traditional grazing lands, the encounters become dangerous for all, as the creatures are mercilessly hunted for their hides, tails, and tongues. On occasion, the herd runs across a human who is content to let them just be, but it is rare, as the animals represent value and opportunity for gain to the human population. 

Besides their encounters with deadly humans, there is drama internal to the herd as alliances to the old lead buffalo wane and a new leader emerges. Rival herd leaders offer some competition to Rathuun, but he proves over and over that he's a worthy fighter and capable leader. 

The language used in the story includes buffalo terms for common items important to their existence. The herd is a brum, the lead bull is the grath. They depend on hruun (grass) for sustenance and head to the tukk (river or other water body) to drink. There is a link to a Buffalo language guide on the author's website along with other helpful and interesting items. The audiobook version is ably narrated by John McClain, who absolutely breezes through the unusual terminology and gives different, contrasting voices to the buffalo characters. His performance as Rathuun is perfect and his portrayals of the other male buffaloes are especially notable. 

The story is compelling reading, full of tragedy as the impact of human expansion on the buffalo is ultimately devastating. However, the tale does end on a hopeful note as efforts to safeguard the last of the herd begin to show positive results, but I cried my heart out as Rathuun's story came to its expected conclusion. 

I recommend RATHUUN: KING OF THE PRAIRIE to readers of western fiction who are looking for something a little bit different. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

Indigo, The Deep

The Yellow Cottage Stories, #3

by

Kellye Armstrong

Return to Dipitous Beach and surrender to the pull of the Autumn Equinox.

Indigo, The Deep is the third book in author Kellye Abernathy’s magical middle-grade fantasy series, the Yellow Cottage Stories, and there is excitement and self-understanding throughout as the storylines established in the previous novels come together. Told through multiple points of view, the young residents of Dipitous Beach face big challenges from both outside their community and inside themselves. 

The ugly, black research ship anchored off the shoreline of Dipitous Beach not only mars everyone’s lovely view of the ocean, but its occupants’ careless activities below water are destroying the local ecosystem and drawing sharks to the perfect surf spot. While the residents grumble, so far, they have been unable to halt the operations that are more geared toward making a profit than adding to the knowledge of the ocean. In addition, newcomers to the area, drawn by the expensive new housing development under construction and the massive new marina, are racing speedboats through the surf, oblivious to the damage they are causing in the local sea turtle habitat. Then, too, the autumn equinox brings its own changes to the ocean. In the previous two years, the ocean has revealed its magical secrets to one young resident, and Condi and Isaac wonder who will be next? 

Author Kellye Abernathy continues the stories of the families in the small coastal town: Condi Bloom, Grand Ella, and their fosters: Firth, Cissy, and Malcolm; Tad, Cara, Lorelei, and Gabby Finch; Abe and Isaac Huddleston; the Arondales; Kait Dooley; Andy Marshall; Trippy; and the rest of the Beachlings. The story is about discovering one’s heart, living your own life and not someone else’s dream; releasing false memories; learning to establish boundaries that respect how you will be treated by others; and letting go of and healing from the past to move on to a happier future. This story explores the pursuit of knowledge and profit and how it must be balanced with preserving the environment and adding to the greater good. All these important concepts are delivered in a gripping seaside tale, with magical underwater adventures. 

I loved the northern California coastal setting, which the author makes so broodingly atmospheric and filled with dark, hidden dangers on the surface, while another light and color-filled world exists just below. The young characters are well-drawn, engaging, and it was easy to connect with their emotional and physical dilemmas. My favorite character remains Condi Bloom, and I already know that her frightening journey through the sea caves with Firth is going to stay with me for a long time. 

While this book can be read as a standalone, the histories of the main characters are deep and complex, with the backstories presented in this book only touching the surface. I feel that this book would best be enjoyed after having read the previous novels in the series. I recommend INDIGO, THE DEEP and the rest of the YELLOW COTTAGE STORIES to readers of middle-grade fantasy. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Literary Life Book Campaigns.

A Superhero Called Doberman

The Superhero Doberman, #1

by

John and Shami Stovall

A super origin story for this new superhero series!

A Superhero Called Doberman is the first book in John and Shami Stovall’s The Superhero Doberman series featuring an alternate world where everyone born in the last 30 years has a superpower, superheroes are licensed and closely monitored, and vigilantism is strictly prohibited. Leon Lewis’s omega-trait is enhanced vision, but he is also the victim of a family curse known as the Visage of Anubis, which transforms him into the physical embodiment of the seven-foot-tall, jackal-headed, ancient Egyptian god of death. When in his Anubis form, Leon has greater strength and speed but also the ability to sense how close someone is to their death. However, it also curses any relationships Leon has, and anyone he’s ever gotten close to dies. 

Set in Sacramento, California, Leon’s hometown has experienced a recent upturn in the kidnapping of young women and some men. When Rachel Anderson, his next-door neighbor, is targeted by the Kings in Yellow, the gang behind the kidnappings, Leon takes on a protective role. But as the gang members don’t recognize his Anubis guise, they dub him the “Doberman” instead. 

Leon is such a great guy, and despite his superpowers, he gets tongue-tied in Rachel’s presence. It was so tragic that with the danger the curse poses to anyone he gets close to always on his mind, he’s deliberately isolated himself from others. He works as an Uber driver and Door Dasher to make ends meet, but sadly for the short intervals of human contact the jobs also provide. His loneliness is almost palpable. He manages his feelings with a quick wit and laugh-out-loud commentary, a trait not completely appreciated by the official superhero in the neighborhood, Steelant. I had so many feelings as they became friends. 

The plot hits the ground running, with an early confrontation with a couple of the Kings in Yellow as they try to snatch Rachel, and the pace continues throughout with many well-choreographed fight scenes. Not only does the story have the emotional feels, but there is quite a lot of action, plot twists, and a big misunderstanding. 

I recommend A SUPERHERO CALLED DOBERMAN to readers of action/adventure and superhero tales. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

Bobby Bin’s Busy Day

by

Rina Croft

Follow an unsung hero through his busy day of trash removal and recycling.

Bobby Bin’s Busy Day by Rina Croft is a vividly illustrated, interesting, and fun peek into the job of an island sanitation worker. Bobby is happy and confident in his job, keeping his island home free of trash, and in his actions, which make the most of what he collects while protecting the environment. 

Rina Croft uses deep, vibrant colors in her vivid illustrations of Bobby’s job, life, and the role he plays in the larger picture of controlling the waste humans generate daily. The jewel-like blues create a calm and beautiful backdrop for Bobby’s story, and, although it is a cartoon-type illustration, I was still ready to book a trip to Banana Island! Young readers will be drawn to the sumptuous colors and surprised by what goes on behind the scenes to keep our trash from building up and becoming a problem. 

Croft does a great service by highlighting one of the unsung heroes of daily life. I recommend BOBBY BIN’S BUSY DAY for use at home with young readers and listeners, schools, and after-school programs. Well done! 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

Mystery in Marseille

Sophie’s Adventures, #3

by

Nupur Tustin

A good art heist mystery for a fun, quick, entertaining story.

Mystery in Marseille is the third entry in author Nupur Tustin’s artworld mystery series, Sophie’s Adventures, and it is a fun, quick, and relaxing story to enjoy with your feet up and you’re ready to be entertained. When a little-known Matisse painting is stolen from the Musée Cantini in Marseille, Sophie and her friend Nicole are on the case and hot on the trail of the thief. 

Sophie and Nicole are best friends, and they finagle themselves a work trip to Marseille, ostensibly to safeguard a valuable Matisse on loan to the local Musée Cantini from Nicole’s employer, the Musée D’Orsay. In reality, the girls want a vacation, and Sophie’s boyfriend, FBI Special Agent Joe Wright, just happens to be in Marseille at an Interpol conference. But upon arriving at the Cantini, they are alarmed to hear that the Matisse has gone missing and is presumed stolen! The girls employ a variety of disguises and wigs, including impersonating the local gendarmes and Interpol agents, as they quickly get a break in the case. As a bonus, because their suspect has joined the same tour bus group as the girls, readers are treated to some of Marseille’s history courtesy of the tour guide. In addition, the narrative provides interesting tidbits about other famous artists and their works as the pair visits art museums and galleries in pursuit of their quarry. 

Sophie and Nicole are a fun pair and, while best friends, quite different from each other. Sophie tends to be quiet and conservative while chafing under the constant supervision of her guardian and cousin, Capitaine Pierre Poisson of the Calais Police. Her ride-or-die, Nicole, is a free-spirited, passionate person. While they make a great team, their investigation is wild and loose, and they continue to snoop even after being warned off by people they respect, risking blowing an ongoing undercover operation working on the same case. In the end, the resolution is appropriate and simple, and Sophie and Joe may finally get to enjoy some time together. 

I recommend MYSTERY IN MARSEILLE to cozy mystery readers, especially fans of the previous books in the series and those who are interested in art or the Marseille setting. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.