Brotherband, Return of the Temujai by John Flanagan; 2019; $18.99; 337 pages; Philomel Books, New York, NY; 978-1-524-74144-0; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Hollywood; 12/4/19-12/10/19
Out of nowhere a book appeared by one of my favorite authors.
After the events of Duel at Araluen, the brotherband of the Heron have returned to Skandia. When they arrive home they are directed by the Oberjarl to conduct reconnaissance on a border incursion by a combative neighboring country.
The Heron at points has to be portaged up some waterfalls but using their combined ingenuity they get to the lake and conduct surveillance on the warring tribe. After being slighted in Duel, Lydia is used much more in this story.
The crew of the Heron helps negotiate a peace for a while between the Skandians and the Temujai, but it is at cost that will make for an interesting next book.
10/10
The Andromeda Evolution based on the Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton, a novel by Daniel H. Wilson; 2019;$29.99; 366 pages; Harper Collins, New York, NY; 978-0-06-247327-1; checked out from Multnomah County Library, St. Johns; 12/2/19-12/7/19
I remember the Andromeda Strain from back in the day. I have read some stuff from Daniel H. Wilson so I thought I would give this a try.
I almost gave up on it around 50 pages because there was so much techno babble. However I persevered and it got better. The action of the humans who are fighting against the evolution is fascinating and the cast of characters is an intriguing bunch of people. I would like to read adventures of them that led up to the work they do here.
8/10
A Minute to Midnight, An Atlee Pine Thriller by David Baldacci; 2019; $29.00; 418 pages; Grand Central Publishing, New York, NY; 978-1-5387-6160-1; checked out from Multnomah County Library, Kenton;11/29/19-12/1/19
Atlee Pine saves a child from a human trafficker in a brutal manner and then she confronts the man she believes kidnapped her twin sister when they were six years old. Then she is told to go on "vacation" and get her herself together.
So she and her assistant head east to her rural hometown to try and figure out what happened on that night so many years ago.
She begins questioning those who had been there that fateful night and finding as many questions as she does answers.
A series of unusual murders also begin when Atlee arrives in her hometown. Are they directed at her, do they have something to do with her investigation or is it just coincidence?
Another exciting thriller from master storyteller David Baldacci. I am looking forward to see where the adventures of Atlee Pine go.
10/10
Between Heaven & The Real World, My Story by Steven Curtis Chapman with Ken Abraham; 2017; $22.99; 437 pages; Revell, Grand Rapids, MI; 9780800726881; purchased from Lifeway Books, Beaverton; 11/22/19-11/28/19
We went to a clearance sale at Lifeway books a few months ago and I picked up five or six books. A few biographies and a few other things. I already read the Charlie Daniels memoir.
I have been a big fan of SCC for many years and especially a fan of the song The Great Adventure. I picked this up to find out more about him and see what he had to say. I think this is one of the most emotionally forthright biographies I have ever read. He talks about the high points and the low points in his life, his relationship with his wife and with his God. This family suffered a devastating loss that affected them on so many levels, that they had to regroup and rebuild not only on a physical level but on emotion, spiritual, mental levels. What they have gone through has had real consequences in their lives. Growth in their lives and the lives of others has been strengthened, although it has not been in the manner which they wished. If you want to know the real story of this artist read this, but be prepared to cry.
The day before this was posted I won tickets to see Steven Curtis Chapman in concert this coming Sunday. I am looking forward to it.
10/10
