ECHOES OF THE FALL by Richard Weaver

ECHOES OF THE FALL  by Richard Weaver

After a somewhat slow start this novel of the Viet Nam War is tense, dramatic, honest, searing, and a really good read.  Written by one who has been there, the story deals with an idealistic young man dropped into the hellhole that was Viet Nam.  Filled with believable characters and dramatic portrayals of life in the jungle, Lt. Billy Straw’s story manages to be filled with faith, abject failure, stirring heroism, tyrannical bullies, blind obedience, betrayal, innocent love, pettiness, terrifying combat and, finally, friendship and courage.

Anyone who lived through or is interested in the Viet Nam era will find this book presents the conflict in the voice of the young officers and enlisted who struggled with the morality of war.  The plot starts slowly and builds in an ever increasing tempo as the plot reaches its resolution.  Book groups will find a plethora of discussion topics.

5 of 5 stars

CALEB AND KIT by Beth Vrabel

CALEB AND KIT  by Beth Vrabel

Caleb, 12, has Cystic Fibrosis and is not happy about it. The first 50 or so pages of this book are his very own pity party.  Young people of the age group this novel attempts to reach will find the first 50 pages pretty boring.  The tale picks up significantly when Kit enters Caleb’s life. The book switches from detailing all of Caleb’s restrictions and gross symptoms to the actions and interactions of two rebellious teens.  Kit is a free spirit who encourages Caleb to do “what he wants to do.”

If you make it past the first 50 pages, the plot and characters come alive.  Caleb is a real person with needs and desires teens will identify with and preteens will find the mystery that clings to Kit intriguing. Shelly and Patrick are two supporting characters clearly drawn and interesting.

Adults dealing with the trials of chronic illness in teens will find this this book challenging and helpful.  Perhaps they are the real audience for this novel.

3 of 5 stars as juvenile fiction, 4 of 5 for adults 

THE STARS ARE FIRE by Anita Shreve

THE STARS ARE FIRE  by Anita Shreve

I picked up this book because I thought it was historical fiction about the devastating fire in the Northeast during October of 1947. It is, but first you have to get through the bad sex (there is more bad sex later in the book, too).  The fire is only peripheral to the book. It is really about a young mother finding herself, standing up for herself and her children and finally finding her true love. If that is the book you want to read, this one is well written, the characters are interesting and speak and act like real people.  There is a bit about the fire that is quite terrifying and a bit about the damage fire can cause to a human being.

The psychology part is also well written. I’m not quite sure about how the title fits the story.  I’m still disappointed there is not more about the fire. Oh well, it was a decent read.

3 of 5 stars

DEAD IN THE WATER by Denise Swanson

DEAD IN THE WATER   by Denise Swanson

If you can suspend credulity and don’t mind at least one cliché per page, this frothy mystery is a fast read good for a lazy afternoon.  More laws are broken than you can shake a stick at (even by the police).

The characters are mostly stock, but are likeable – except for the biker bad guys who have a heart of gold.  The conversations are stilted, but good hearted.

There are only chaste love scenes. The bad words are limited to “geez” and “f***” (yes, there are stars in the print). 

The audience this is written for will love every word – but it is not my cup of tea.

3 of 5 stars (This review managed to contain more clichés than some chapters.)

NO SAINTS IN KANSAS by Amy Brashear

NO SAINTS IN KANSAS  by Amy Brashear

If you are at all familiar with Truman Capote’s IN COLD BLOOD, you will recognize the story Brashear has used as the backdrop for her teen angst novel.  Outsider Carly is a “friend” of Nancy Clutter who is the ultimate insider.  The novel revolves around Carly’s obsession with solving the murders of the Clutter family in 1959 and clearing Bobby Rupp, Nancy’s boyfriend.

The characters are believable; the situations and conversations spot on.  Capote and Harper Lee make cameo appearances and bring a bit of New York brashness to the Nebraska Midwestern wholesomeness. When Carly’s father is appointed to defend the murderers, she (and her whole family) becomes an instant pariah to the entire town.  Small town morals and infighting come to the fore as the novel progresses.

Although billed as a young adult novel, anyone with an interest in the Clutter murders or small town life will find this novel appealing. Carly is a fictional character, most other characters and situations are based on the actual murders.

5 of 5 stars

THE ROOSTER BAR by John Grisham

THE ROOSTER BAR  by John Grisham

Should you cheer for deliberate, continuing law breakers? I sure did in John Grisham’s latest legal thriller.  A bunch of disgruntled, under educated, over loaned law students attempt to wreak havoc on the dishonest, underhanded, money grubbing multi-billionaire who is behind their failing law school.  The characters are unique and likeable. Although I didn’t follow some of the permutations of finance, it was easy to follow the plot.  The indictment of our legal system and the sympathy with those innocent, and not so innocent, but usually poor, persons caught in the maelstrom of street lawyers and too busy public defenders is clear.

Another well written, legal outing by a master of the genre.

5 of 5 stars

ETERNAL LIFE by Dara Horn

ETERNAL LIFE  by Dara Horn

So – was this a good book? It asks so many questions and doesn’t give many answers.  The clear take away is: Be careful what you ask for – you might get it! 

What would it be like to never die? To always return as an eighteen year old when one “life” is ended? What if this was punishment for sin? How many times can a person reinvent themselves and adapt to changing values, science, language, culture, etc, etc. Those are some of the questions this novel tries to answer.  Rachel, a complex character born in Jerusalem 2000 years ago, lives in the pages of this book for centuries as does her co-sinner and lover.  A basic knowledge of Bible history and a smattering of knowledge of the Jewish faith will help the reader grasp the nuances of the tale.  When we meet Rachel in this current age, Rachel is desperate to die – permanently.  

The book is well written, the characters are strong and sympathetic, the situation – well – that is a problem.  First, the God who loves people, and is the God Rachel knows, wouldn’t condemn a penitent to an eternal punishment.  The premise the plot is based on is false.  Second, the probability of one person finding another in ancient times, or even in modern times, is minimal.  So Rachel and Elazar would be unlikely to keep meeting. However, the questions the book asks are important to ponder.

So – suspend belief and enjoy the writing and the characters. It is fiction after all!

4 of 5 stars