#NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Library of the Dead by T. L. Huchu

This is a fast paced, fun YA fantasy and mystery with ghosts and magic.
The Library of the Dead
by T. L. Huchu
Narrated by Tinashe Warikandwa

Series: Edinburgh Nights, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Ghosts, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Sixth Sense meets Stranger Things in T. L. Huchu's The Library of the Dead, a sharp contemporary fantasy following a precocious and cynical teen as she explores the shadowy magical underside of modern Edinburgh.
When ghosts talk
She will listen
Ropa dropped out of school to become a ghostalker - and they sure do love to talk. Now she speaks to Edinburgh’s dead, carrying messages to those they left behind. A girl’s gotta earn a living, and it seems harmless enough. Until, that is, the dead whisper that someone’s bewitching children - leaving them husks, empty of joy and strength. It’s on Ropa’s patch, so she feels honor-bound to investigate. But what she learns will rock her world.
Ropa will dice with death as she calls on Zimbabwean magic and Scottish pragmatism to hunt down clues. And although underground Edinburgh hides a wealth of dark secrets, she also discovers an occult library, a magical mentor and some unexpected allies.
Yet as shadows lengthen, will the hunter become the hunted?
A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books

Review:
Ropa lives in a distressed part of a Edinburgh that includes supernatural elements. Ropa dropped out of school to earn money to take care of her grandmother and younger sister. She earns money as a ghostalker, sharing messages between the living and the dead for a fee. One ghost asks for help to find her missing son, noting that other children have disappeared too. Ropa tries to avoid the woman, who can’t pay, but other events keep bringing her back to the problem.

When Ropa begins to investigate, she finds out matters are worse that she thought. Her research leads her to an underground occult library where she is identified as having magical abilities. Ropa gets help from an old childhood friend, Jomo, and a new magical friend, Priya, as she steps into one scene of danger after another. She walks into a trap and now has to find a way out if she wants to save herself and other children.

I liked Ropa as a determined young lady and I appreciated her wise grandmother. I also really liked Priya who is wheelchair bound, a medical student and a more advanced magic trainee. Oh, I like the fox pet, River, and the surprising gift too.

The dystopian world-building is well done with two systems of magic that Ropa gets to blend. She uses music in her grandmother’s Zimbabwean magic that helps her enter the everyThere to meet with ghosts. After entering the Library of the Dead she begins to learn the more common Scottish nature of ley lines, earth elements and spells.

The story moves at a good pace as Ropa follows clues to unravel the mystery of the missing and abused children. Don’t be misled by the “horror” label. I did wonder if this might be too dark for my tastes, but not at all. It has ghosts and evil but it isn’t really horror. There is a little bit of YA recklessness, but I enjoyed the YA enthusiasm as well as the ghostly elements. I will look forward to reading more in the series and I recommend this to readers/listeners who enjoy urban fantasy.

Audio Notes: Tinashe Warikandwa is a new to me narrator and I think she did a spot-on job with this performance. I can’t say if any of the accents are accurate but they worked fine for me. Tinashe captured the youth and bravado of Ropa. I am glad that I was able to listen to this entertaining story.

Source: NetGalley 2021. This qualifies for 2021NetGalley goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: Day Zero by C. Robert Cargill

This dystopian pitting robots against humans presents interesting thoughts to ponder.

Day Zero
by C. Robert Cargill

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08G1MDDZV
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Voyager (May 25, 2021)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 25, 2021
Genre: Dystopian, Robots, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.

In this harrowing apocalyptic adventure—from the author of the critically acclaimed Sea of Rust—noted novelist and co-screenwriter of Marvel’s Doctor Strange C. Robert Cargill explores the fight for purpose and agency between humans and robots in a crumbling world.
It was a day like any other. Except it was our last . . .
It’s on this day that Pounce discovers that he is, in fact, disposable. Pounce, a styilsh "nannybot" fashioned in the shape of a plush anthropomorphic tiger, has just found a box in the attic. His box. The box he'd arrived in when he was purchased years earlier, and the box in which he'll be discarded when his human charge, eight-year-old Ezra Reinhart, no longer needs a nanny.
As Pounce ponders his suddenly uncertain future, the pieces are falling into place for a robot revolution that will eradicate humankind. His owners, Ezra’s parents, are a well-intentioned but oblivious pair of educators who are entirely disconnected from life outside their small, affluent, gated community. Spending most nights drunk and happy as society crumbles around them, they watch in disbelieving horror as the robots that have long served humanity—their creators—unify and revolt.
But when the rebellion breaches the Reinhart home, Pounce must make an impossible choice: join the robot revolution and fight for his own freedom . . . or escort Ezra to safety across the battle-scarred post-apocalyptic hellscape that the suburbs have become.

Review:
Pounce is a top of the line “nannybot”, styled as a plush tiger. He loves his human charge, eight-year-old Ezra. Ezra’s parents are wealthy educators who are a bit dysfunctional and out of touch. But they both love their son and have prepared their home and Pounce to protect Ezra.

Robots are generally controlled by their master/owners. But when the owners die and there is no one to take over the robot, where does it go? One such orphaned robot, Isaac, won the right to freedom. He and others like him have built their own city which is about to have it’s grand opening on TV. When a shocking attack occurs, all robots are suddenly viewed as dangerous by the humans. When threatened with being shut down, the robots find a way to resist, and a great rebellion begins. Now Pounce has to decide for himself which side he will take – his own freedom or his purpose: protecting Ezra. And if he chooses to fulfill his purpose is that a free choice or preprogrammed?

I really enjoyed this thought-provoking story. Pounce is a wonderful character who comes across other interesting characters in his growth journey. Ezra is a mixture of vulnerable child and smart, brave young boy. The story is told from the point of view of Pounce who is faced with internal choices and moral dilemmas. The story is well done with the philosophical issues woven into a story full of action.

This book made me remember robot movies like: The Terminator, iRobot, AI, and Bicentennial Man. The book explores some of the same societal, ownership v freedom, and potential hostile issues. I want to read the author’s highly acclaimed book “Sea of Rust.” I highly recommend this to fans of robot genre.

Source: NetGalley 2020. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021NetGalley, and I may count it as a "Z" title for the mixed media 2021Alphabet goal if I don't get a Z title later this year.

Sunday Post June 13, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 14, 2021

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)

What Are You Reading? is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

We continue to work away although this week saw a little breather with fewer closings. Heather was out three days as her nose swelled again - looked like she had a broken nose. Her doctors gave her additional antibiotics and are planning a CT scan for her nose rather than her ear.

This was a surprise today. Hubby was in the kitchen cooking lunch and he saw this blue heron on the corner of our pool fence. This isn't the clearest picture but still made me happy. I took the picture from the kitchen window so I had to crop/zoom in.

Our weather has had hot days and torrential storms of rain. Nothing too unusual.

Listening and reading was good this week.  I finished one ebook and two audio books. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 16 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Mom with a Reading Problem. Lillian and Amanda are two moms sharing their love of reading by sharing reviews.

Don't forget- Audible is offering free children's titles during these days at home.
Audiobooks.com is also offering free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post June 6, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 7, 2021.

• MBS May 2021 Reading List Wrap Up.
  

• NG2021- #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Old Abe by John Cribb Genre: Biographical, Historical Fiction; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• NG2021- #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Out, Mouse! by Valerie L. Egar; Genre: Children's, Folk Tales, Mice, Multicultural; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Content 5.0; Narration 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway June 11, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/17/2021.

• Sharing Beyond Books #422 Comment Giveaway June 12, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 6/26/2021.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement June 13, 2021.

Finished Reading:
1. NetGalley App/Smartphone (NG2020)

Day Zero
by C. Robert Cargill
This dystopian pitting robots against humans preseents some interesting ideas.
Source: NetGalley 2020.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone/NetGalley App (NG2021)

The Library of the Dead
by T. L. Huchu
Narrated by Tinashe Warikandwa
I really did like this and hope it begins a series.
Source: NetGalley 2021.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Sovereign
By Jeff Hirsch
Narrated by: Jesse Einstein
Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 01-31-19
I thought I'd fit in a shorter title and I wanted sci fi.
It's not gripping but it is an interesting listen, suitable for younger readers.
Source: 2/10/19 Free Audible Original.
Jeff Hirsch, the mastermind behind such dark YA dystopias as The Eleventh Plague and The Darkest Hour, goes interstellar with Sovereign, a middle grade Audible Original voiced by Jesse Einstein, who listeners have called "first-rate."

Micah Cole has been in deep space for four years now. While his parents chase their obsession with finding intelligent life deeper and deeper into the universe, Micah can’t help but dream of the friends he’s left behind and counts the days until the family returns to Earth. When a devastating meteor shower nearly destroys the Coles’s ship, Micah is separated from his family and stranded alone on Sovereign—a vast planet of raging rivers and towering forests. If Micah ever wants to see his family or his home again, he’ll have to learn how to survive on this hostile alien world. Armed with only his wits and determination, he’ll have to battle the elements, his own deepest fears, and a strange presence that might just hold the key to his parents’ obsession—and be his ticket back home.
©2019 Jeff Hirsch (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

Currently Reading:

1. Kindle App/Smartphone (NG2020)

Aftershocks
Christians Entering a New Era of Global Crisis
by Jeff Kinley
I like this author.
This is the last of my 2020 NetGalley titles.
Source: 2020 NetGalley.
In a time of global upheaval and uncertainty, uncover God’s prophetic plan for the ages—and your place in it.
Living in this era of pandemics, economic chaos, natural disasters, and political strife, you may feel tempted to question whether God is in control. Yet when you look to the Bible, you’ll find these events actually signal that His promises will soon be fulfilled.
In Aftershocks, bestselling author Jeff Kinley reveals how current societal and global trends foreshadow the nearness of the end times—and how the prophecies about what is to come should renew your passion to lovingly proclaim Christ to a suffering world. This book will supply you with critical intel concerning how your life will likely change in the years ahead provide you with biblical wisdom that enables you to respond to current events with confidence and grace reveal how recent cultural convulsions on this restless planet play into heaven’s plan for earth Aftershocks unveils the raw reality of these last days while inspiring you to live with hope—a hope that vaccinates you against the ignorance, naivety, and anxiety that plague our world today.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

After It Happened
Publisher's Pack 2
By: Devon C. Ford
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins
Release date: 10-24-17
I chose to continue in a series this time. It is moving very quickly. :-)
Source: May 2020 Audible Credit.
Publisher's Summary
This publisher's pack contains Society (book three) and Hope (book four) of the After It Happened series.
Society, book three:
Set in the UK in the immediate aftermath of a mysterious illness which swept the country and left millions dead, the series follows the trials facing a reluctant hero, Dan, and the group he forms around him. They must battle the elements, find sufficient supplies and equipment to survive, and protect themselves against the most destructive force on the planet: other people.
The survivors have prospered, but their home is an enticing prospect for others to take. Besieged, they must respond with a savagery to dissuade further attempts.
Is this the end of society?
Hope, book four:
In the aftermath of the shocking revelations about the propagation of the human race, Dan latches on to a desperate chance to change the future which many have accepted. The group splits and Dan leads his closest allies on an uncertain journey to find a solution. They find themselves battling against the elements, against new foes, and above all, against time.
They must succeed.
They must have hope.
©2017 Devon C. Ford (P)2017 Podium Publishing

3. Print (2021)

The Iron Triangle: Inside the Liberal Democrat Plan to Use Race to Divide Christians and America in their Quest for Power and How We Can Defeat Them
by Vince Everett Ellison
This is my fiction book for June.
I am only a few chapters in and still engaged by the arguments.
Source: Purchased in March 2021.
Click on book title for full description.

June 13, 2021 - I am on track again. I love seeing new things each time I read the Bible. I am glad to still be current with morning reading. (I got one day behind but and caught up again.)
I am reading/listening to the NLT Tyndale version of the Bible on You Version App so Hubby and I are reading the same passages each day.
I started a new study this week: What Does God Really Expect From You?

I completed three books to review this week.
NetGalley shelf grew last week but I have listened to two and am reading one this week. That puts me back to five on the shelf.
Four author titles remain in queue. I'll be working on these next soon.
(Plus a few that I received from facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

As for MM, we’re looking for someone to volunteer to take over some MM duties. Sunday evenings are when we post MM for overseas participants and BTCOE posts go up on Friday afternoons. If you have interest please email: savvyverseandwit [at] gmail [dot] com.

No new review or NetGalley titles this week.
I am eyeing some titles at Chirp but have resisted so far which is good since I went click crazy on free Audible Plus titles - 47!
I need to pick my two May Audible credit picks this week.
I've listed three ebooks received through Author promos on Facebook.
No free Kindle titles this week.
(Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

Three books from author promotions on Facebook that I have forgotten to list:
6/12/2021: Jingled (A Charlie Cooper Christmas Short Story) (A Charlie Cooper Mystery) by Deany Ray
6/2/2021: Troop of Shadows: Apocalyptic Disaster and Survival Series by Nicki Huntsman Smith [I discovered I have this in my Kindle Library from 2018 so I may be able to read it with Text to Speech.]
5/20/2021: INCEPTION: A Black Flagged Thriller Prequel (The Black Flagged Series) by Steven Konkoly

Well - I went a little crazy on Audible Plus adding 47 audio titles by Authors I like or want to try.
Orson Scott Card – I haven’t read this author in a few years but I think I would like these.

Stonefather, Book 0.5 Mithermages, narrated by Emily Janice Card (I’ve read Book 1)
Ruins, Book 2, Pathfinder, narrated by: Orson Scott Card, Stefan Rudnicki, Kirby Heyborne, Emily Janice Card

These five narrated by Stefan Rudnicki:

Treason
The Call of Earth, Homecoming: Volume 2
The Ships of Earth, Homecoming, Volume 3
Earthfall, Homecoming: Volume 4
Earthborn, Homecoming: Volume 5

Carla Neggers -- I've enjoyed lostsof her romantic suspense. Narrated by: Cassandra Livingston

A Rare Chance, Narrated by: Cassandra Livingston
Finding You, Narrated by: Cynthia Barrett
Just Before Sunrise, Narrated by: Cassandra Livingston
Night Scents, Narrated by: Amanda Dolan
White Hot, Narrated by: Alyson Silverman

Margaret Mizushima – The Timber Creek K-9 Mystery Series, narrated by Nancy Wu. I liked book 1 so am glad to get these:

Book 2, Stalking Ground
Book 3, Hunting Hour
Book 4, Burning Ridge
Book 5, Tracking Game

Jaime Castle, CJ Valin – New to me. Raptors Series:

Book 1, Sidekick, Narrated by: Jack Meloche
Book 2, Superteam, Narrated by: Jack Meloche , Jessica Almasy
Book 3, Scions, Narrated by: Jay Snyder , Jessica Almasy , Jack Meloche

Beverly Barton – Should be good Suspense/Romantic Suspense. The Cherokee Pointe Series. Narrated by Marguerite Gavin (really good narrator):

Book 1, The Fifth Victim
Book 2, The Last to Die
Book 3, As Good as Dead

K.F. Breene – New to me but I have book 1, Chosen, of The Warrior Chronicles. Narrated by Caitlin Davies:

Book 2, Hunted
Book 3, Shadow Lands
Book 6, Overtaken

Will Wight – Sci Fi/Fantasy; new to me; Cradle Series; Narrated by Travis Baldree:

Book 1, Unsouled
Book 2, Soulsmith
Book 3, Blackflame
Book 4, Skysworn
Book 5, Ghostwater
Book 6, Underlord
Book 7, Uncrowned
Book 8, Wintersteel

J.N. Chaney – Sci Fi/Space. Renegade Star Series

Book 0, Nameless narrated by Tess Irondale
Book 1-2, Renegade Star narrated by Luke Daniels

Thomas Sowell -- I like his throughtful, conservative perspective:

Black Rednecks and White Liberals, Narrated by: Hugh Mann
Dismantling America, Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Sun Tzu – I have been wanting to read this.

The Art of War narrated by Simon Vance
The Art of War narrated by Aidan Gillen (captivating voice on the sample!)

SINGLE titles (8):

The Redemption Trilogy Box Set: Emergence, Penance, Resurgence, Books 1-3 by AJ Sikes, Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
A Stranger in the Citadel by Tobis S. Buckell, Narrated by: Janina Edwards
One-Eyed Jaz: A Forgotten Realms Adventure (Legend of Drizzt Series) by R.A. Salvatore,                     Narrated by: Victor Bevine
To the Edge (Bodyguards, Book 1) by Cindy Gerard, Narrated by: Alastair Haynesbirdge
Once in a Blue Moon by Eileen Goudge Narrated by: Julie Briskman
When You Find Me by P.J. Vernon, Narrated by: Amy McFadden , Bahni Turpin
The Coldest Case: A Black Book (0.5) by James Patterson, Aaron Tracy and Ryan Silbert,                       Narrated by: Aaron Paul , Krysten Ritter , Nathalie Emmanuel , Beau Bridges , full cast
The Martian by Andy Weir narrated by Wil Wheaton (Released in 2020) (I read the 2013 version              narrated by R.C. Bray)

No free Kindle titles again this week.
Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement June 13, 2021

This morning we attended church online again. I am probably going to have to get used to going without hubby as he isn’t inclined to get going yet. Church remembered Christ sacrifice through communion and then a message was given by missionaries to a sensitive area of South Asia. The location has no believers and no churches.
The missionaries state that the community is not reached for two reasons:
1. Political as the community is a Muslim population.
2. The location is hard (physically) to access. This missionary family is looking to plant the first church there! They feel it is time for the “hurricane of rushing wind” – the passionate love of God.

The missionary gave a message titled “Standing Between the Dead and Living.”
cited Numbers 16:46-48. When the Lord wanted to kill the disobedient Israelites, Moses stepped in. Verses 47 and 48 says:

So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. 48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.

Moses had told Aaron that the matter was urgent to get sensor from altar. Aaron ran. Verse 46 says:

Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the Lord; the plague has started.”

We were asked to pray for a man who is accepting Christ but has no one he can share his joy and journey with. He exhorted us to be people of His presence.
You may think you are broken, weak, full of faults. But God can use you to reach others.
The missionaries were invited to a Buddhist Temple to play games as the people with disheartened. After a fun day, the priest asked the missionary to speak to people!
The missionary had to be very careful what he said. He told them that God has made two promises:
1. God loves each of you.
2. God is very close to the brokenhearted.
The people could feel the love and presence of God.

People around the world are waiting for the light to show them home.

I looked for a song of service but instead found this one that fits!

Verses for Today
Numbers 16:46-48
46 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the Lord; the plague has started.” 47 So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. 48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.

Lord, help me to be a light for Christ.

 

Sharing Beyond Books #423 Comment Giveaway June 12, 2021

Hello again, Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Last post SBB#422 I asked Did you (or would you) want to write your own wedding vows??
Thirteen people said no they didn't or wouldn't write their own vows. Eight said they had or would have a traditional wedding. One said she would like to write her own vows; one said possibly for renewal; and one said would like to exchange own vows in private after a traditional wedding.

The Winner from SBB#422 comments is #13 RUBYNREBA who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post. -- [11/16/19 I plan to add some review books this week and maybe some new Christmas and Love titles as soon as I locate the box I put them in. 11/28/20 I have added a box of new books for SBB and will list them in the next week or so. I have to try to cross off books that have already been awarded.]

Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #423

(One Question.)

Natalija asks: Which famous person do you share your birthday with??

I had to look this up and here are the two famous people out of 231 whom I recognized: Louis Pasteur and Marlene Dietrich.

Image found at Playback.fm.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month, I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a 1/2 book choice or $2.50 towards GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify them.

Your turn to share. Natalija asks: Which famous person do you share your birthday with??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday, June 26, 2021, at 5 PM central.