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#arcanum volume 3 by Kelly O'Hearn inspired by the tarot cards readings and Past lives

5 stars :

Fabulous. Not only do I relate to this on many levels: artist, spirit, and location it's so well written, hitting the best notes for our modern society.

Great start, plunges us into a teaser for a scene of the past Sara where we see she is the model for a Vatican painting. In the present Sarah's world is being shaken with too many events, her daughter is sick, Harry is engaged to another person, and her husband is not trustworthy. She turns her back on the tarot but not on a mystical spiritual journey and turns to God, praying, and a trip to Italy and the Vatican City in perfect company (Max and Leyla the tarot reader who is giving a lecture on religion and mysticism, origin of symbols, and origins).

We have a fun interaction with the twins and learn they have a telepathic connection the same way, Italian Sara and Lena (Leyla) twin sisters have. Lena is a midwife who will do all for the sake of her less wealthy pregnant families but she is a target for the Strega Hunt (Witch hunt), while Sara is the apprentice of their artist father and travels dressed as a boy to apprenticeship in a big studio that will lead her to become friends with the Pope. I will let you discover for yourself what will happen to both sisters. Men, especially powerful men always distorted reality and used good tools like the invention of printing to persecute and destroy women. I've learned that a book called The Hammer of Witches was printed in different languages just for this purpose.

Great research on the author's part when it comes to religion origin, art, artist supplies, art facts and it helps misconstrue many untruths.

This was the first time that I was excited to read the present Sarah parts as much as the past ones. The relationship with her family, trying to be happy with them again, the trip to Italy (if you went already it will bring nostalgia and relatable moments. I remember the first time my nonno let me sip Limoncello to my mom's chagrin).

I loved that the author gives us such an elevated way of thinking. When Sarah in the present tells Leyla she no longer wants to use the cards, Leyla immediately embraces her with validation, understanding, and support. There is more than one way to reach God, and knowing Catholicism borrowed from pagan and more she invites Sarah on a trip to all the sacred/holy places to let that spirituality brace her as well. Turning Catholic doesn't mean closing doors, but accepting more, more religions, more beliefs, being open to more, and using religion as a path to enlightenment rather than a prison where one becomes enslaved to only one view with very little margin of redemption, by completely erasing oneself and denying the life up to now.

Sometimes we get extra chapters in other characters' POVs to look inside their thoughts. These give us clues.

Sarah in the present finds her own way of communicating with God, she serves the light by creating a perfume inspired by what the Catholics and priests had used during the most relevant moments. Like the lyrics of Jesus Christ Superstar

Sleep and I shall soothe you, calm you and anoint you

Myrrh for your hot forehead and

Then you'll feel

Everything's alright, yes, everything's fine

And it's cool and the ointment's sweet

For the fire in your head and feet

Close your eyes, close your eyes

And relax, think of nothing tonight

I will on purpose, leave out of this review the spoilers: what will happen when Sarah discovers her husband is not faithful, will her past sister in the past be taken, will Harry marry...

#greencitywars

4.75 stars

If there is an author who can master a narrative with talking animals (for adults ) this is one. He usually draws inspiration from animal behavior to make his characters unforgettable, but this story is truly amazing. A noir, future dystopian, mafia/faction vibes mystery, detective story, with a secret underground society. It's not that the humans don't know about these enhanced animals (they create them to do all the jobs they didn't want to do anymore like taking the trash out) the thing is that they are not aware of the gangs, society, and business underground so our raccoon being threatened by his ex-employer, is forced to take a last job. The animals also need to take a drug that keeps them intelligent and able to understand each other. The threat is real and can destroy the humans as well.

I can't resist an animal character book (as one of the characters mentions in this book, sometimes humans like to read these kinds of characters) I do.

P. S. My fav secondary character is the pigeon. Haha. And she is a female pigeon with a human owner, if she gets hurt the humans will pay attention to their society.

#kingdomofwaves

Peechtree pub

3.5 If you are a fan of this author's YA (sweet, love interest, kiss only) style then you are going to enjoy this first volume of a new fantasy series where the main female character journeys from innocence and survival into rebellion and power fighting a war alongside the male character instead of waiting to be saved. Very fast-paced, plot-driven. I enjoyed it as an easy-to-visualize adventure the same way I enjoy the movies Pirates of the Caribbean: one moment the characters are plotting a scene, the next the action at the scene, then a plot twist and another location. It made for a fun read at the beach. My favorite thing was the magic in the relics and the ancestor voice that makes her very powerful. Dual POV. The end of book 1 shows more danger to solve, continuing the story.

#wafflesandjulius

Ahah! No hugs please. Julius the cat doesn't like that but sweet Waffles really wants to hug him

👉 Fun design simple colorful

👉 Perfect characters for this theme

👉 Respecting each other's boundaries, needs, and differences

👉 Friendship

There are plenty of things I don't like people do. 😭 But I try to learn as much as they don't like either.

#hollow

This is the first time that I feel seen in a main character or book. I share and relate to her diagnoses and reactions to the world. A great representation of one color in a million colors that is light. Some people may not relate to this kind of autism, tainted with extreme anxiety and trichotillomania, but even if the reader doesn't connect to any of the above, there is a horror story of a group of friends getting lost during a hike and storm, LGBTQ rep, romance interest, dealing with trauma, paranormal events, very creepy paranormal. The author made something fun. The red herring for me was a trope, not a person. This is the first time I read something that creatively gives me this type of plot twist.

The only negative I can point out that was going to make this book a 4 for me was the pacing: the slow, slow beginning, but I loved the 70% up to the end so much, and recognizing myself in Cassie made me add a 1 personal star. I think the audiobook version can help a lot with this aspect. Once we get to the 50% and 60%, a switch in the story takes a turn into faster and higher stakes.

#allwehungerfor

4 stars

Whimsical cozy cooking contrast? Think again. Rebellion, insurgency, food, and receipts form a unique magic system, focusing on how people react to the food. She goes on a simple mission and stays for others and revolution. Lots of action, a love, will please Hunger Games and A Burning Bones. Some sacrifice all for a cause and others sacrifice all for her to be the head of the cause. The baking and cooking competition adds a fun layer. I appreciate when they tell her she is talented and she gets upset because it took her years and tries to make the perfect bread, hard work, trials, and failure. Another aspect I love is that she is frontal. She stops trying to deny and hide her origin to see new perspectives, to find the real enemy, and to own her actions.